NOVEL NEXT Chapter 8
“Has everyone gathered?”
“Yes!”
“Why are you here?”
The Sect Leader looked at me with an expression that asked why I was here in his sect. Naturally, the disciples also turned their heads, staring at me with curious eyes, making the pressure of their gazes nearly unbearable.
Of course, it wasn’t strange that they were staring at me like this.
After all, I had gotten involved in someone else’s sect affairs.
Wouldn’t you look at an outsider standing confidently among your group with questioning eyes? “Who is this guy?” they would think.
“I’ve come to lend a hand.”
“This is something the Hainam Sword Sect must handle. We cannot burden our guests, so please go back.”
No.
I need to defeat the pirates to obtain materials for forging swords.
With a reason I absolutely couldn’t retreat from, I repeated my words.
“I have also received the Hainam Sword Sect’s kindness, so I wish to assist with my strength.”
“It’s impossible.”
The Sect Leader firmly refused my request with a decisive tone.
Unhappy with the Sect Leader’s refusal, a familiar voice rang out from beside me.
“That’s right, Sect Leader! Great Hero William is an extraordinary swordsman; he will surely be of great help…”
“That’s correct!”
“Both of you, be quiet…”
The Sect Leader glanced back and forth between Muguang and Hye-ryeong, who were trying to advocate for me, with a pained expression before sighing.
“The Hainam Sword Sect does not mobilize guests for this kind of affair. This is not just our creed; it’s a principle upheld by the kung fu practitioners of Central Plains. Please understand.”
In short, it’s about the sect’s dignity.
If we were to mobilize visitors, it might imply that the Hainam Sword Sect is so powerless we need outside help. Besides, it might seem like the sect couldn’t handle this on its own from many angles.
As someone who was once part of an elite knight’s group, I understood perfectly what the Sect Leader intended to convey.
But in this situation, doing nothing is not an option.
To raise funds to forge a sword, I must participate in the battle against the pirates. It would also be wise to reciprocate the favor to Elder Baek Chul, Hainam’s finest blacksmith.
It seems like they won’t let me tag along easily no matter what excuses I give.
What good pretext can I use…
Ah.
“Sect Leader, didn’t the pirates arrive by ship at Haenando from the west?”
“That is correct.”
“They are known to originate from Japan.
However, their arrival from the west suggests that they either deliberately took a roundabout route or were returning after pillaging from Vietnam and attacked Haenando along the way, isn’t that plausible?”
“Hmm…”
Judging by this reaction, it seems as though he now wants to hear more of my reasoning. Seeing that the Sect Leader’s demeanor had softened slightly, I continued to persuade him.
“In that case, there’s a chance one of my comrades might be aboard their ships.”
“It’s unlikely; they wouldn’t leave someone like a Colored-Eyed Person alive.”
The Sect Leader once again expressed a negative reaction towards my argument.
It made sense.
Honestly, the probability was slim, so it was almost 0%.
If it weren’t for the fact that I could use aura energy, I wouldn’t have been saved after drifting in the vast sea all the way to Haenando.
But my reason is simply to fabricate a plausible justification for participating in the pirate hunt so as not to offend anyone.
“Nevertheless, there is a possibility, isn’t there? I can protect myself, so I would like to accompany your martial artists in this endeavor.”
“…Fine.”
It worked.
With this reasonable justification, the Sect Leader reluctantly allowed me to join.
Of course, the reason I gave was spur-of-the-moment, so if someone were to scrutinize it, it could easily be refuted.
Or, they might simply suggest sending someone to search instead, in which case I would have been unable to decline.
But it seemed like the Sect Leader changed his mind after seeing the determination in my eyes.
“In that case, remember your word.”
“Thank you.”
At least the initial hurdle is cleared.
I followed up with another request.
“Could you perhaps provide me with an appropriate weapon? It would be helpful for self-defense…”
“I see. You may choose a suitable weapon from the armory.”
“Thank you.”
This solves the immediate problem, at least halfway.
Even though the pirates may be numerous, they wouldn’t reach beyond a thousand. With the Hainam Sword Sect mobilizing martial artists in the hundreds, the chance of a dangerous battle breaking out is low.
The pirates’ skills are unlikely to exceed a second-class level.
So, if I hang around Hye-ryeong, do some slashing here and there, I can leave a strong impression on Great Blacksmith Baek Chul.
The only variable would be if a high-level expert were among the pirates… But would someone of such caliber really stoop to piracy?
In both the East and West, there are plenty of places that would seek to hire a skilled martial artist.
“The armory is tended to by Elder Baekxian.”
“Understood.”
Perhaps because we’re acquaintances, he kindly assigned Elder Baekxian to guide me, and with a nod to him, I slightly stepped back.
Considering my goal was already achieved, there was no need to linger.
“This discussion is concluded… Disciples of Haenam, have you heard of the pirates daring to invade our island?”
“Yes!”
The loud, resonant shouts of the martial artists nearly blew my ears away. Watching them from behind reminded me of my days as a knight.
[Newcomer! Stay focused! Do you want to die?]
[No, sir!]
[Stay sharp! Don’t lose your weapon! Remember, if you drop it, you won’t just die; your comrades will as well!]
…when did this happen?
Recalling my novice days, I smirked slightly.
—————–
“I’ll take this sword.”
“A worn-out sword, no less. The quality isn’t particularly good either… Are you sure you’re okay with it?”
“Yes, this sword will suffice.”
As Elder Baekxian said, the sword I picked up had a thick layer of dust on it from years of sitting idle in the armory. I waved it a few times in the air to clear the dust and inspect the blade.
The center of gravity is a bit off.
It seems there were flaws in it since it was made.
They did a good job embedding it without melting it completely.
The one advantage is the long hilt and blade… But why does the Hainam Sword Sect have swords that look so different from the ones they normally use?
An experimental piece?
Or… Is there a style of swordsmanship in Hainam Sword Sect that uses swords like this?
No, why think about this now? There’s too much work piled up already.
“We’ll set off soon. The disciples are waiting.”
We left the armory immediately and headed to where the disciples were already prepared.
The martial artists gathered in the training yard glanced curiously at me when they saw I was carrying a sword that was clearly longer than theirs by half.
“Do all the Colored-Eyed People look this big?”
“Even though the sword is clearly long, it seems similar to ours…”
“His height must be over six feet. It makes sense. Even our big martial artists seem small compared to this guy.”
I can hear you, you midgets.
“Mister! Did you get a sword?”
“I’ve borrowed something that’ll do temporarily.”
“This sword is about the same length as you?”
When Hyeryeong playfully stood close to me arms akimbo, I held the sword upright to compare our heights.
Hm, roughly one forearm length difference.
At first glance, it seemed shorter than the one I used to have, but now I see the length isn’t too far off.
If I add about half a span to the length of this sword, it would be ideal—long by average longsword standards, but perfect considering my stature.
“Great Hero William. You’ve selected a sword, I see.”
“Better to have a weapon for defense.”
“Hmm, let’s end the idle chatter. It’s time to depart.”
At the Sect Leader’s words, we fell silent and fixed our gaze on him.
The Sect Leader swept his eyes over the orderly lined-up disciples of Hainam Sword Sect with a solemn expression and shouted.
“Disciples of the Hainam Sword Sect! The detestable pirates have invaded our homeland again! This is our chance to teach them who owns this island and who protects it! Raise your swords!”
“Wowaaaaaaa!”
“Hajin!”
“Yes, Sect Leader!”
“You will lead the advance party. Depart immediately, reach the village as fast as you can, and assess the situation. If pirates are present, exterminate them immediately. Understood?”
“Yes!”
The leading martial artists quickly left the training yard.
Their movements were swift and nimble.
Is this the famous kung fu lightness art?
It was truly impressive—the first time I watched it up close. In the West, where everyone wears heavy armor and rides horses daily, lightness arts haven’t developed much.
There are methods of agile movement with horse and rider combined, but…
“The rear team will depart with these bundles immediately.”
The Sect Leader pointed to bundles piled in front of the training yard. Sniffing them, I caught a subtly bitter odor.
“Wall-Gourd Pills?”
So that’s why the rear team is departing later—they’re in charge of supplies.
It seems the Sect Leader of the Hainam Sword Sect knows what’s vital in warfare.
“Is everything ready?”
“Yes!”
“Then let’s depart! Keep up, and don’t fall behind!”
Led by the Sect Leader, the rear team hoisted their bundles and marched toward the Hainam Sword Sect’s main gate, with Hyeryeong and Muguang among them.
I quietly observed them from behind and then began following them at a respectful distance.
[!– Slider main container –]