NOVEL NEXT Chapter 7
After the martial bout with Mugwang, who knows nothing but the sword, my standing changed somewhat—or rather, a great deal.
From “that poor colored-eyed person cast ashore by the sea” to “a colored-eyed person with extraordinary sword skills.”
If I had been saved by a martial house instead of the Hainam Sword Sect, I would have probably been promoted by now from a food-serving pest to a respected guest.
Ah, the position of ‘guest.’
Nothing’s sweeter than that.
There’s no better gig. Treated like a high-level expert, you train quietly and lend a helping hand with the blade when needed—pure bliss.
Though, joining a martial house might’ve led to my downfall, getting dragged into some Bloodshed Wars.
In the middle of this story, the Namgung Family does get annihilated…
But why did they fall again?
Let’s be honest—martial sects within similar worldviews are so many, it’s all confusing.
In one place, the Heavenly Demon pretends to be the Namgung Family’s young master, in another he is a lackey of the Blood Sect, yet somewhere else, he’s behind-the-scenes plotting in the Martial Alliance, and in another, he’s the one getting beaten.
Ah, but there was one commonality.
Representing the martial house as the perfect punching bag, living up to their pride as the First Sword Under Heaven.
The role of the Namgung family was to be dragged out like a dog and beaten mercilessly—simply for being the most famous and successful.
Unless it was the Hebei Pang Family or the moist Sichuan Tang Family taking the hits instead.
“Hey Mister! What are you thinking about?”
“Honestly, the world seems like a real mess.”
“What do you mean by that?”
Ah, she’s awake.
I shifted my gaze to the already double-digit unconscious Mugwang. He dusted himself off and approached me, speaking.
“Your martial arts were incredible again! So, one more time…”
“That’s enough for today.”
“But there’s still time before dinner…”
“Will your skill improve by simply doing nothing but martial bouts? Occasionally, it’s crucial to let the body rest while reflecting on the fight. Reviewing your mistakes is the most important practice.”
“G-get it…!”
His face was that of someone who had never even considered such a thing.
But isn’t this basic teaching even in martial arts? Is it possible this novice author, Hakko, who’s writing his first wuxia tale, doesn’t even have this concept?
With the sudden doubt, I couldn’t help but scratch my head.
“Then, just one last bout…”
This guy’s the problem.
I concluded that Mugwang wasn’t obsessed with the sword but with the idea of sparring itself.
That’s why martial sparring addicts are problematic.
He’s no Roman gladiator, is he?
Pax Romana? Fox Romana? Anyway, those Roman gladiators who practiced the art of sword fighting were nothing like this.
Unlike the Pythagorean fanatics who trained purely for self-benefit, these guys were eager to help others improve.
The guy who taught me gladiatorial techniques once said: “If someone learns gladiator combat, we can target their weaknesses. And if we do, we can train against those very weaknesses!”
Still, their teachings were immensely helpful to me, one way or another.
“Great Hero William?”
“Great Hero, no. Get some rest, quickly.”
Ah, lost in nostalgia.
I waved my hand indicating he should leave. Mugwang eventually obeyed my dismissal, slumping his shoulders as he walked away.
“Phew.”
Just seeing his back makes me sigh. Every day, even every hour, he requests a bout, despite never winning even once.
He should’ve quit by now.
Frankly, Mugwang’s obsession is dizzying.
“Ajeri! Nice work!”
“Are you not going to practice?”
“But watching you and Brother Mugwang spar is already helpful!”
“Is that so.”
Thankfully, Hye-ryeong was sharp enough not to pressure me into a match. Truly a stroke of luck for me.
She is harder to handle than Mugwang.
Or better put, it’s awkward.
Martial arts involve violent physical movements. Hye-ryeong is a woman walking around with what seems to be a mountain of pride attached to her.
In a bout against her, I’d be staring right into that mountain of pride.
It’s crucial to analyze your opponent’s movements during a fight—it would be reckless to take your eyes off them.
Even during her spirited swings, that mountain wobbles.
A knight should not rudely stare at a lady’s chest, but with her figure-hugging clothes, there’s no avoiding where my eyes land.
I’m no blind swordsman, and I can’t close my eyes while fighting.
I closed my eyes and placed my hands together in prayer before her pride lured my gaze again.
“O Lord…”
“Uncle?”
“It’s nothing. I just suddenly felt like praying… why do monks sometimes shout ‘Namu Amitabul’ and Taoist masters shout ‘O Primordial Celestial Being’…”
“Ah?”
“Just a thought. Don’t mind it.”
Fortunately, Hye-ryeong tilted her head but asked no further.
The prayer, both short and devoid of faith, ended. I picked up my wooden sword, which I had placed on the ground. The handle, soaked with sweat, felt damp.
I absent-mindedly examined the sword.
An old, beaten-up wooden sword with scratches all over it, a crack at the tip—soon to be retired.
I’ve used it because I’m a guest here, but it’s time for a replacement.
If it breaks in a bout, it’ll be a real headache.
And if I’m changing it, I’d prefer real steel, not wood.
Unless I’ve reached the level of the absolute master who can shatter any foe with just a wooden sword, my priority is getting a real blade.
I tried out the steel practice swords at the Hainam Sword Sect but they didn’t feel right.
The handle’s too short, the guard too small, and the blade itself wasn’t long enough.
Compared to my preferred longsword at around five feet, their swords topped out at 135cm.
The longsword’s strength lies in its crossguard for close combat and its reach for control.
At minimum, I need a blade with sufficient length and guard.
Thankfully, as Hye-ryeong mentioned, the Hainam Sword Sect has its own forge within the sect and raises blacksmiths themselves.
It’s more efficient when crafting and maintaining hundreds of disciples’ swords like this.
After briefly laying out my plans, I spoke to Hye-ryeong, who was humming a tune.
“Hye-ryeong, you said the sect has a blacksmith, right?”
“Yes! An exceptional craftsman the sect boasts about!”
“Can you bring me to him now? I want to request a blade…”
“Now?”
“Yes. I need to get my blade done, see…”
Hye-ryeong showed a troubled expression. Was something wrong at the forge?
“Master Baek Chul might be out and about on personal time right now,”
“What? Really?!”
“Master Baek Chul goes home every ten days!”
Frustrated by the unexpected news, I held my head.
Ugh. He’s out at this crucial moment.
It’s a shame.
With the looming disaster approaching quietly, I wanted to get a blade and get accustomed to it as soon as possible, considering…
I remember her vividly losing her family on her twentieth birthday.
“Does Master Baek Chul live outside the sect?”
“Yes, because Master Baek Chul believes a close home-to-work proximity would only double his labor, he built his house outside the sect. But it’s not too far! Though, he’s not usually fond of disciples visiting.”
Of course, who would want people bringing work to their home?
And if they come asking for orders on their day off…
“Then I’ll have to wait until the day after tomorrow.”
“Don’t worry! I’ll tell him the moment he’s back!”
“Thanks.”
I’m lucky to have Hye-ryeong.
As I usually do, I smiled at Hye-ryeong standing confidently with her hands on her hips.
Alright, so today I’ll take a bath, have dinner…
“Hye-ryeong!”
“Junior Brother Youngjin?”
What’s going on?
Young Jin, a child, panted heavily as he approached us, stopping to kneel and catch his breath.
“Hye… Hye-ryeong…”
“What is it?”
The child, Young Jin, finally regained his breath and told us why he came rushing.
“The pirates! The pirates have landed on the west coast! The Sect Leader has ordered all disciples to prepare for battle!”
“The west? What about Elder Baek Chul?!”
“He’s still out there…”
Pirates…pirates.
Though it feels a little selfish, they’ve arrived just in time.
“Uncle! Can you wait and-”
“No, I’ll go too.”
Let’s go there to make some money…no, just to stretch out a bit.
I headed to the training ground where the disciples had gathered, together with Hye-ryeong.