NOVEL NEXT Chapter 2
“I’ve become the savior of the Martial Realm.”
Yet another dime-a-dozen martial arts novel.
It was a novel I stumbled upon while idly passing the time.
If my hazy memory serves me correctly, it was so uninteresting that I immediately understood why it had ended at its 200th episode.
A generic plot about a regular person reincarnated as a recluse’s disciple who learns martial arts and eventually defeats the final boss, the Heavenly Demon, wrapping everything up.
Only five people read this novel, perhaps why the ending felt so underwhelming. Such a rushed conclusion it felt like a half-baked attempt. The battle with the Heavenly Demon finished off within two volumes, and then the author slapped on a rushed ending and declared it complete.
I angrily left a comment about what an awful story it was and ended up getting reincarnated right into one of these low-quality novels.
Not just any part of it, but specifically into the life of someone from the Hainam Sword Sect, one of the first sects to face destruction in the story.
This kind of bad luck is truly hard to come by.
If I don’t restore my strength soon, I will die alongside the Hainam Sword Sect. Life’s punches don’t need to be this low.
Wouldn’t it have been better if at least I had been reincarnated as the protagonist?
In my fury, I clenched my fingers.
Perhaps because I had drained all of my inner energy, or maybe due to drinking too much seawater, moving my fingers required quite some effort.
It seems like my body is completely worn out. I might have to lie in bed for at least a week to two weeks.
Meditation, or Qi cultivation, might help, but in my current condition, even that seems impossible. Though mastering meditation while riding a horse is a knight’s basic skill, that’s only if one can sit up.
For now, I should focus all my efforts on recovering until I can meditate adequately.
In the meantime, I’ll try recalling the original story’s details.
With that simple plan, I started putting it into action. After all, the only thing I could do now was to struggle and fight back, as I had always done on the battlefield.
“Uncle, my master says when will I stop acting recklessly…”
“Why come and complain to me?”
“They say it’s because I’m immature! They treat me like a kid every day…”
Ah, is that so?
That’s why you’re coming here to talk to me. Out of all people, I am the one who at least listens to you.
While pondering how I could get rid of this annoying youngster, I repeatedly clenched and unclenched my fists.
After two days of effort, at least my fists can move.
I believe that after a few more days, I should be able to attempt some meditation.
Right now, even basic bodily functions like going to the restroom require assistance. However, soon enough, I should be able to visit the restroom on my own.
Every day filled with pure embarrassment, I swallowed my tears and asked Hye-ryeong, “Are there any other colored-eyed people found besides me?”
“We’ve looked everywhere, but there’s no one. You’re the only one who drifted here, Uncle.”
I guess I was the only one to survive from the slave ship. I had developed camaraderie with some of my subordinates through our mutual suffering; I mourned them for a moment.
Hye-ryeong, perceiving my somberness, remained silent as I closed my eyes and reflected.
After a while, Hye-ryeong asked when I opened my eyes again, “You must’ve been really close to them.”
“When you’re all aboard the same boat, it’s impossible not to develop bonds.”
Though they were a bit dim-witted, they weren’t bad people.
“That’s what it means to have the camaraderie of men! I’ve heard that from the elders!”
“Yes.”
“Uncle’s comrades must’ve been proud to have someone like you as a friend.”
…I appreciate your condolences, but…
“I’m not your uncle, you know.”
Why do you call me uncle?
Certainly, Western faces may appear a bit older than Eastern ones, but it still hurts to be called uncle.
This body is only twenty years old.
I may have aged a bit from rolling around the battlefield but being called uncle is still unacceptable.
“But every man older than me is ‘uncle,’ according to elder brother… ”
“Yet, we’re only a year apart.”
“Come on, don’t lie to me.”
But it’s true.
“The elder brother says outsiders lie most of the time to charm women…”
From what I hear her complaining, this unseen elder brother seems quite fond of the youngest disciple. The concern for the youngest is evident in his words.
Apparently, he doesn’t entirely approve of putting me under the care of the youngest, but currently, he lets her be.
“So, take heed, there’s some truth to what he says.”
“What? Uncle, you don’t…”
“As if I would when you’re on the brink of death. Don’t be ridiculous.”
“Is that so?”
…Those unseen elders, either her Master or older brother, must be going through so much.
“Oh, then I have training now. I’ll go!”
“Good. Take care.”
As soon as she left, I sighed with relief.
Why does she come and bother me instead of playing with kids her age? As the youngest disciple of the Sect Leader, she should have plenty of people eager to befriend her.
Still, it’s better than her turning dark, right?
After all, she did completely change her bright personality into that of a vengeful spirit.
Then, she eventually collapsed as a character, becoming nothing more than a prize for the protagonist, leading to much criticism.
All in all, the work lacked in many aspects.
The setting was weak and coherence was completely ignored. Not to mention, the heroines lacked charm.
It was a clear hallmark of low-quality writing.
And yet, I’m right in the middle of it.
Recalling my pitiful reality, I sighed and repeated clenching and unclenching my fists as part of a rehabilitation exercise to recover as quickly as possible.
At the very least, I need to recover enough to escape before anything drastic happens.
…And also, apart from Hye-ryeong and the doctor, are there really no other people I can interact with?
I’d like to meet the Sect Leader or other martial artists if possible.
Not only did I have something to discuss, but as someone who has enjoyed many martial arts novels, I desired to witness high-level martial artists.
I wished to compare their martial arts with the knights’ skills I observed during my two years.
Knights possess a very different type of martial arts from the martial realm’s practices, and their methods differed significantly.
The original novel described martial arts in a poor and unimaginative way, which is why I believed I had to see it firsthand to understand the differences.
Understanding those differences and exploiting weaknesses would give me a sharp edge.
Then…
“Are you awake?”
An elderly man’s rough voice jolted me from my thoughts.
Finally, someone was ready to meet me. I replied to the unknown elder, “I am awake.”
“I’ll come in.”
The wooden door creaked open, and a muscular old man with a long beard entered the room. His appearance radiated a terrifying presence.
“Are you feeling any better?”
“Thankfully, I’m recovering bit by bit.”
“That’s good.”
The old man stroked his beard and sat before me. Then, gripping my wrist, he felt my pulse and said,
“Your life force is damaged.”
“It’s fortunate it only reached this extent.”
“True. Life is the most important thing. What’s the point of living if you’re dead?”
“You’re right.”
“I’ve heard you speak the dialect of the Central Plains well. My name is Im Ha Bong. Though humble, I am the leader of the Hainam Sword Sect.”
“…That is what.”
“Quite the complicated name.”
“I suppose I should acquire a new Central Plains-style name.”
“…It seems you have nowhere to return.”
“That’s correct.”
I honestly agreed with his statement. There was no point lying to someone clearly much stronger than me, who held authority.
He gently lowered my hand and asked me,
“Your level of expertise indicates you should recover soon. I’ll ask our physician to prescribe some medicinal herbs to aid in healing your meridians.”
“I thank you for your kindness.”
“Our youngest disciple found you, so this must be fate. In Hainam, we do not abandon those in need.”
It had been so long since I received such unconditional kindness.
The Sect Leader seemed like he had a halo around him.
For such a sect to be wiped out merely to warn of the Demon Sect’s arrival? Author, is this really right?
Cursing the author silently, I said,
“I am truly grateful.”
“Don’t mention it. Focus on recovery for now. And… it appears our youngest disciple is bothering you. Try to be patient with her. She’s a curious child.”
“As the youngest disciple of the Sect Leader, surely she has many friends. Why bother with me…”
“Hainam has few female disciples. There’s no one of her age among them. And once she latches onto something, her curiosity doesn’t wane until she’s satisfied.”
Her interest in such a rare Westerner like me drives her to chatter on, huh?
Since I was receiving free treatment, it felt only natural to accept his small request.
Nodding, I agreed. The Sect Leader smiled kindly and rose.
“Rest well. I’ll drop by occasionally to check on you.”
“Please leave with care.”
The Sect Leader quietly exited the room.
Gazing at the closed door, I closed my eyes and murmured to myself,
“I must recover quickly.”
My determination.
With the Demon Sect’s arrival uncertain, I must recover as soon as possible to prepare.
Only then can both I and the Hainam Sword Sect survive.
Slowly, I started flexing and unflexing my slowly awakening feet.