NOVEL NEXT Chapter 1
Chapter 1
My uncle was an unusual person.
Although he was born as the second son of a famous military family in Jiangxi Province, he had no interest in martial arts at all.
However, I did not prepare for the civil service exam by devoting myself to academics.
My uncle pursued the path of business despite opposition from his elder brother, that is, my father.
However, he did not open his hands to the house.
He wasn’t the type of person to do that.
My uncle first started a dry goods store using money borrowed from the battlefield as a foundation.
Perhaps because my uncle was a merchant, his business was quite good.
Not only did he successfully run a dry goods store and easily repay the borrowed money, he also expanded his business by acquiring a nearby grain store and a fabric store, earning quite a lot of money.
But my uncle was also a terrible miser.
Usually, if people earn money, they spend it.
That is, if you make quite a lot of money.
A luxurious home, fancy clothes, sumptuous meals… .
Because they were not married, although they did not have a family meal, there were many useful places.
However, my uncle only had old clothes and poor meals to make ends meet in his dilapidated house.
Naturally, people around me did not understand my uncle like that.
Even blood relatives.
However, by chance, I heard directly from my uncle why he was saving so much money.
It was because I had a long dream.
It was my uncle’s dream to go beyond Cheonchuk and Pasa and go all the way to the west, which was so far away from the central plains that we had no idea what was there.
Passionate curiosity about an unknown world that no one has ever been to.
That was burning inside my uncle.
Did that passionate passion stimulate my young heart?
And honestly, at that time, I was tired of the strict discipline and martial arts training of the martial arts family.
My uncle, who was not bound by such things and lived freely as he pleased, was an object of envy and admiration for me.
I also wanted to live that kind of free life.
Was that why?
What made me say those words to my uncle?
I also want to go there with my uncle.
My uncle laughed at first and told me not to joke.
But I said it again.
I’m serious.
It wasn’t just that time.
From then on, whenever I had the chance to meet my uncle, I begged him to take me with him.
When I think about it now, I really want to stop myself at that time, even if it means hitting me hard.
What is this idiot doing? do.
But what happened happened.
In the end, I succeeded in changing my uncle’s mind.
And one day, I set out with my uncle on an endless journey westward and westward.
* * *
Daemak is a harsh land.
There are endless areas where even grass cannot grow properly.
During the day, it is filled with oppressive desert heat, and at night, the exact opposite, bitter cold, hits passersby.
We can’t get proper water, and the water we do find is so full of salt that it’s not even edible.
It is truly a harsh land that anyone who is not properly prepared can never cross.
However, there were just two people crossing that place.
They are trudging along, holding the reins of their camels.
Their attire was not the multi-layered attire commonly worn by people passing through the Great Tabernacle.
The person walking in front is absurdly wearing full-plate armor.
It is also a very thick, heavy armor that cannot be seen in the midfield.
The head and chest, as well as the arms and legs, were all covered in armor, giving an intimidating feeling as if a sword would not penetrate anywhere.
The person following behind him was a dark-skinned woman with facial features that were hard to find in the midfield.
The woman was not wearing any armor but was wearing a large square shield that seemed to be made entirely of iron, strapped to the camel’s back.
Suddenly, the armorer stopped walking and took off his helmet.
Then the face of a man who looked to be a little over thirty appeared.
That man was Jinjabang, who, at the age of only fourteen, held his uncle’s hand and set off across Pasa toward the western end.
After more than 20 years, he was returning to his hometown again.
“Ugh, even if it’s a condition of becoming a free knight, I can’t possibly accept this.”
Jinjabang grumbled, wiping his forehead, which was shiny with sweat, with the back of his hand.
His heavy armor was made from a mixture of iron and orichalcon, a very rare ore called cloud iron here.
Orichalcon is the hardest and lightest in the world, so even a little bit of it mixed into any object is worth a thousand golds.
Moreover, his heavy armor contained about 70% of Orichalcon and was a treasure among treasures that could not even be put on a price.
Naturally, it boasted a weight and strength that were incomparable to ordinary plate armor.
In addition, lightweight magic and temperature control magic were engraved on it, making it more comfortable to use.
However, temperature control magic was not omnipotent.
The temperature was lowered and raised slightly depending on the surrounding climate, but in this suffocating, scorching desert, even if the armor was equipped with temperature control magic, it was still hot.
“Lord Jabang, your oath to His Majesty is important.”
The woman who was following behind her spoke fluent Chinese, although her accent was a bit awkward.
“Ah, I know. “I know.”
Jinjabang waved his hand.
He rose to the position of Imperial Knight in the Lu Empire on the Vivocra Continent, which is much further than the Western Region that Central Plains people only vaguely know about.
It was a success that I achieved after working hard for 20 years to survive on an unfamiliar continent that I had never seen before.
I could have settled for the guaranteed wealth and fame I had barely achieved, but I was still worried about my family back home.
When my uncle fell ill and passed away, I thought about just giving up everything and going back to my hometown to live.
It is also true that I have lived there for a long time and have developed some feelings, both good and bad.
But I missed my family so much, and I missed my hometown.
In the end, Jin Zi-bang asked the emperor to release him as a free knight.
This is because once you become an Imperial Knight, you have no choice but to be bound to the imperial family for 10 years unless you die or become seriously ill.
The emperor refused his request but did not give up and visited him several times to ask politely. He looked very regretful and finally released him as a free knight under one condition.
The condition was, ‘Return with dignity wearing the Orichalcon armor with the imperial emblem engraved on it, and spread the majesty of the empire.’
As if to disprove that statement, the emblem of a roaring double lion was drawn on his armor.
“But Marliani, please take a look. “Do you know how embarrassing it would be to wear something like this in my hometown?”
“Vows are important.”
A woman named Marliani spoke firmly.
“Oh, my god, Nimiral.”
“Do not say bad words.”
“I get it.”
I also understand swear words.
It looks like he learned Chinese very well from his uncle.
I felt like I could communicate with the locals without any problems, even if I were to fall into the central area right away.
Anyway, in this respect, she was a very honest woman.
It would be nice to be a little more flexible.
Jinjabang made my taste buds bitter.
Well, that’s probably why he follows me all the way to midfield.
In fact, the thought of leaving my hometown, where everything was, and deciding to go this far away, a thousand miles away, was something I couldn’t do if I was in my right mind.
Jinjabang, who had committed that insane act 20 years ago, knew it all too well.
Yes.
This is not sane.
It could be said that he is crazy about swords.
She said that she would not go back until Jinjabang had a perfect match.
On the Vivokra continent, they were truly two equals among young knights.
Marliani of Iron Wall is the third daughter of the greatest swordsman on the continent and a sword genius.
On the other hand, Jinjabang is a soil knight who doesn’t mind rolling around on the dirt floor and has become a master of martial arts.
On the entire continent, they were the only masters under the age of forty.
And although they competed twice on the battlefield, they were unable to secure a whistle or victory both times.
It was because he knew that it would be meaningless for her not to challenge him again now.
In fact, the inaction of Jinjabang, her, and Ilshin was currently at a standstill.
It was obvious that without a significant increase in skills, the same results would come out.
“But first, let’s take off the helmet.“ I’m suffocating from sweat.”
Marliani looked at Jinjabang’s sweaty face and nodded quietly.
“Whew. Good good.”
Jinjabang put the helmet into a bag with a space expansion spell hanging next to the camel.
It seemed like I would have to persuade them one by one to get rid of them.
“Are there a lot of cilantro here?”
Marliani suddenly asked.
“master?”
“Teacher Jin said that. “There is a place called Moorim here.”
“Ah, Murim.”
It seemed like he had heard about martial arts from his uncle.
Now that I think about it, the martial arts stories I heard when I was young were truly exciting.
Jinjabang himself was also the eldest son of a family not related to the martial arts world.
The story of the martial arts people flying through the air like birds and crushing rocks like tofu with their bare hands was fun, fascinating, and awe-inspiring.
I also remembered staying up all night reading stories about the high priests of Shaolin Temple, the Taoists of the Hwasan Sect, and the Madhus of the Demonic Cult.
“Um, well…”
Jinjabang looked thoughtful.
It is true that I am much stronger now than my father was at the time.
However, my father was only a military man whose name was somewhat known in the local area.
It was difficult for real experts to give a clear answer because they had never experienced it.
still.
“I don’t know, but there are probably a lot. I heard from my father that there are as many masters as grains of sand in Murim. “There are so many famous factions, such as the Nine Powers and the Five Powers, that there are probably many experts.”
Jinjabang guessed that it was probably so and answered that way.
Marliani’s eyes sparkled when he heard those words.
Jinjabang scratched his head.
“Hey, hey. What are you thinking? It’s tiring to be involved in martial arts. Do you know that in the storybooks I read when I was young, there were at least one or two families that were exterminated due to their involvement in the martial law? “I heard that a certain martial artist ran away to Cheonchuk with a piece of clothing or something, but died mysteriously?”
“Hmm… ….”
“I really don’t want to come all the way here and be tired, right? I really want to live as quietly and peacefully as possible. So, let me ask you a favor: “If you want to do something, do it somewhere without me, okay?”
“… … okay.”
Marliani nodded as if he understood how he felt.
“So, in order to be as inconspicuous as possible, you should take off this armor as well.”
“The Oath to Your Majesty….”
Jinjabang abruptly interrupted.
“Ah, of course it’s important.“ When I get home, I’ll show off and wear it in front of my family, okay?”
“… ….”
When Marliani was about to immerse herself in thought, slightly frowning at her pretty eyes, her gaze suddenly became cold.
Her gaze gazed beyond the cloudy horizon, as if it had been clouded by a sandstorm.
“Sandstorm.”
“Ah, detour, detour!”
No matter how they were, it was reckless to face the sandstorm head-on.
I had no choice but to take a sharp turn to the side.
However, I didn’t know that maybe, thanks to that, I had avoided another annoying task.
Thanks to the sandstorm, they were able to escape the area of activity of Daemak’s magical bandit group, the Gwangpungsa (狂風沙), and pass through Daemak without any major collisions.
* * *
Dunhuang (敦煌), Commander of Shaanxi Province.
Even after passing Okmungwan (玉門關), you have to walk another 260 miles to reach the city.
The entrance to Ming is from the west.
However, because it was a rough and barren land, there were few people living there.
Travelers who had hoped to cross the long-awaited Okmungwan and end the tedious land of martyrs expressed their dissatisfaction upon seeing the barren sight still covered in yellow-red clay.
Fortunately, despite the misfortune, a guest house located on the outskirts of Dunhuang welcomes guests who are tired from a long journey.
The building on this floor is so shabby and old that you even wonder if it can withstand the strong winds blowing from all directions.
There is a nameplate written on the door that continues to creak whenever the wind blows.
Red clay guest cup (黃土客棧).
It is a name that seems to mock the guests who come through the difficult journey.
Visitors who are tired of the endless sandy land will be sick of this name.
“Whoa.”
A man with the face of a rat, wearing bamboo ribs and a blood-like robe, opened the door of the red clay guesthouse with quick steps.
Squeak.
After opening the door and quickly looking inside, the rat-shaped man let out a small sigh of relief.
This is because there was no one else in the guest room other than himself.
He went and sat down at the table located in the corner.
As I took off my bamboo robe, the dust from my body flew away.
Jeomsoi, who approached the man, frowned slightly but then spoke with a smile on his face.
“Hehe, sir. “What should I prepare?”
“I’m thirsty, so please bring me a cup of tea first.”
“Yes, yes, that’s right.”
Jeomsoi entered the kitchen and immediately brought out a steaming, warm cup of tea.
As he took a sip of it, the rat-shaped man was lost in thought about the future.
Should I stay here for a day?
No, you won’t be able to afford that.
If you don’t go outside as soon as possible, you can’t feel safe.
In that case, it would be best to just take a quick break and leave.
After organizing his thoughts, the rat-like man was about to call Jeomsoi to order a plate of dumplings.
The door to the red clay guesthouse opened once again.
The rat-shaped man quickly lowered his head.
However, his eyes were busy looking around.
The person who came in was Lee Nam-il-nyeo.
The woman in front was a hunchbacked old woman with an ugly face covered in age spots.
‘Daemaktamo (大漠駝母)… ….’
How many Murim people died when their heads were torn off by her black wooden staff after seeing her severely curved hunchback and old appearance?
In the great area, even the wild wind warriors who ran wild like wild bastards were objects of fear that could not be touched carelessly.
The rat-shaped man trembled and looked at the other party members.
‘Shaanxi double murder?’
On the contrary, a mature person who is as thin as a skeleton is a mature person who is as fat as a pig.
They were cruel demons whose notoriety was known throughout Shaanxi.
However, Jininba’s martial arts skills were so strong that even Shaanxi’s lieutenants could not do anything about him carelessly.
‘Today’s weather is ugly; it’s really bad.’
The rat-like man’s complexion darkened.
The man on the mouse statue was none other than Seo Dong-rim, known as Seo An-pung (鼠顔風) in martial arts circles.
By chance, he obtained a secret teaching called the Impermanent Mind Law from an ancient tomb.
The Gracious Mind Technique was one of the techniques of Muyeongsintu (無影神偸), a former expert, and although it was not as famous as his mystical Gyeongsintu, it could be said to be an ascending inner gongsimbeop in its own way.
From then on, he decided to go abroad without looking back.
In martial arts, items that do not fit the standard are tantamount to disaster.
Because Seo Dong-rim knew this well, he was planning to stay in the forest without anyone knowing, and no matter how many years it would take, he would fully learn the secrets and come back to the martial arts world.
So far, things are going as planned.
He went to the black market in Changsha, immediately bought a bast face mask, put it on, and came here by taking only off-the-beaten-track routes rather than shortcuts and being extremely careful not to let others know about his whereabouts.
But when I came here, I encountered some unusual martial arts masters.
‘Was there a rumor?’
Seo Dong-rim quickly shook his head.
No matter how fast the rumor about the martial arts group spread, it was hard to believe that it would have spread to this remote area.
‘Let’s act naturally.’
If you suddenly leave after seeing them, it will arouse suspicion.
First of all, I thought it would be better to quietly drink the remaining tea and observe the situation.
Seo Dong-rim slowly raised his bowed head.
“Huh, aren’t you Xianfeng by any chance?”
The fat body of Isal (二殺) looked towards Seo Dong-rim and opened his mouth.
‘X amount of money, I used a human skin mask, but you recognized me right away?’
Seo Dong-rim didn’t know.
No matter how much he uses a bastard to change his appearance, as long as he cannot change the shape of his face, those with a keen eye can easily guess his identity.
He was a rat-headed person, as anyone could see, just like his nickname, Xi’anpung.
Despite his true intentions, Seo Dong-rim received it with a natural smile.
“Ah, aren’t they the Ssangsal seniors who are famous in Shaanxi?“ It is the Xi’an wind that brings revival.”
“Haha, I saw it well. Ibosho, large. And Tamo Nosunbae: “Let’s take a seat over here.”
Saying that, Isal sat down on the table right in front of Seo Dong-rim.
It was a situation where Seo Dong-rim could not help but flinch.
“Ah, now that I think about it, there’s also Mr. Tamo. “It is an honor to see the relics of Tamo Seon-bae, who is reviving his name in the Dead Sea.”
“Heulheul.”
Daemaktamo silently gave a friendly smile.
However, most martial artists knew what kind of evil lay inside.
The skinny Ilsal glanced at Seo Dong-rim with a cold face and sat down without opening his mouth.
“haha.”
Seo Dong-rim smiled and drank his tea calmly.
But in my heart, I just wanted to get out of bed right away.
At that time, the area around the red clay guesthouse became noisy.
It was the sound of horses’ hooves.
It’s a loud sound that sounds like it’s about 50 rounds loud.
‘Nimi, what is this again?’
Seo Dong-rim rolled his eyes busily.
It seemed like this group would do more harm than good.
“It’s just nonsense from Gwangpungsa Temple that has no foundation.”
As if answering Seo Dong-rim’s question, Daemaktamo muttered.
Gwangpungsa Temple.
It was a time of witchcraft, an object of fear for the merchants passing through the great marquee.
They were a group that did not dare to use their hands even in the coffin because they were so strong, not only in horsemanship but also in martial arts.
“Well, Tamo speaks harshly.”
The door to the red clay guesthouse was roughly opened, and a tall man wearing a black robe came in.
At his side, he wore a half-moon sword curved like a crescent moon.
The man was followed by dozens of people wearing the same clothes and weapons.
In an instant, they filled the room as if they were occupying it.
“Heulheul.”
Daemaktamo let out an inexplicable laugh, and Isal stepped forward to speak on his behalf.
“This is not Chupungdo (追風刀) Kwak Daeju. Don’t you know that Tamo Noh-bae is that kind of person? “I hope you understand.”
“Hmph, of course I know.”
The man called Daeju Kwak snorted.
Grand Master Kwak, Seong Kwak, was the leader of the Galpungdae (疾風隊), the core military group of Gwangpungsa Temple, and was a master of martial arts so strong that he was called Chupungdo.
No matter how strong and infamous he was, he was a person who could not be underestimated.
Seo Dong-rim was suffocated by the confrontation between the climax masters and became dizzy from the uncertainty of not being able to predict even an inch ahead.
Rather, the guesthouse owner and Jeomsoi seemed calm.
In fact, if you were to stay at a place like this, you would have had to deal with people like Gwangpungsa to the point of boredom.
No, maybe they are doing business under the protection of Gwangpungsa Temple.
They quickly left the room, as if they did not want to be caught up in this incident.
The only person who was in a dilemma was Seo Dong-rim.
“Get over the Xianfeng.”
Kwak Seong spoke directly, as if he had no hesitation.
Ilsal answered in a voice like a corpse.
“What if you don’t like it?”
“If you’re going to turn down the recommendation and drink the punishment, there’s nothing you can do about it. “I have no choice but to see blood.”
“Heul, ah haha. “Do you really believe in such useless scarecrows?”
“Would you like to try and see if it’s a scarecrow?”
‘Damn… … ‘X done.’
Seo Dong-rim cursed in his mind.
No matter who wins, as long as one’s goal is to remain intact, it is all wrong.
There seemed to be no answer other than their two-party plan.
“Good, good.”
Daemaktamo stroked the blackwood staff with his right hand.
The members of the Stormtroopers, flinching at her movements, took out their half-moon swords one by one.
Gwak Seong’s hand was also placed on the handle of the half-wol sword.
Ssangsal was on the verge of pulling out his favorite weapons, Ilgeom and Ildo.
It was truly a moment of immediacy.
Suddenly, one man and one woman came in through the door of the guesthouse and threw very cold water on the burning fire.
The tense atmosphere suddenly relaxed to an absurd degree.
“Do you have to come in here?“ The atmosphere is so bad.”
“Because I’m thirsty.”
It was a truly bizarre group.
One was a dark-haired woman with silver hair and blue eyes who spoke Chinese fluently, and the other looked like a Korean but was wearing thick, heavy armor that made you think, ‘I’m tired of this climate.’
The others in the room, as well as the world’s Great Maktamo, were looking astonished.
“iced coffee… Keep working. I really came here to drink water.“ I’m thirsty; I’m really thirsty.”
Jinjabang waved his hand and tried to go into what appeared to be a kitchen to look for water.
Only then did one of the Galpungdae members, who had been as frozen as a stone, come to his senses and put the half-moon sword around Jin Ja-bang’s neck.
“My lord, what should we do?”
In response to the subordinate’s question, Gwak Seong glanced at Shaanxi Ssangsal and Daemak Tamo.
It meant that they would deal with them first and then take care of each other’s business.
Daemaktamo nodded slightly, as if telling him to do as he pleased.
After confirming that, Kwak Seong blurted out.
“Cut off the limbs of that crazy bastard, kill him, and later eat the lewd woman and sell her to a brothel.”
“My name.”
The moment when the Galpungdae members were about to slit Jinjabang’s neck with the Banwoldo at the command of Kwak Seong.
A flash of light flashed.
“big… … Gagging… ….”
The stormtrooper’s neck was pierced by a silver, thin sword.
He made an expression of disbelief, but then lost his breath.
“I understand everything.”
Marliani retrieved the rapier, dripping with blood, with an angry face.
Everyone in the room looked at me in disbelief.
What she is holding is a very thin, sharp sword that doesn’t even look like it can be used as a weapon.
It was so thin that it seemed like it would break apart if I hit it with another sword.
Such a crude-looking weapon took the life of a top-class warrior in an instant.
“I can’t use those guys in black clothes.”
Jinjabang also clicked his tongue and glared at Galpungdae.
He turned his gaze toward Marliani and continued.
“Do you need a shield?”
“Bring it.”
“I get it.”
Jinjabang walked to where they had tied their camels in front of the guesthouse, making a clanging metal sound due to the Sabaton, the foot armor.
Kwak Seong shouted with a grim expression.
“catch!”
Then the five members of the stormtroopers flew like birds toward the Jinja room.
It was a quick and agile new method.
“Oh no, if your head breaks, you’ll die.”
When the Galpungdae’s Banwoldo was about to slaughter Jinjabang’s head from all directions, his body glided forward like flowing water.
Banwoldo split the empty air.
Jinjabang, who had already arrived at the camel, took out a closed helmet with no holes except for the small eye holes from the bag with the space expansion magic and put it on his head.
“After all, I have to wear a helmet to keep my mind stable. “I don’t want to die by a blind sword.”
Jinjabang muttered with satisfaction, and with his right hand he took out a lance, called a Geochang (巨槍) in the central world, from the handle, and with his left hand he picked up a large iron shield that was large enough to cover half of the human body.
“I’ve used a lot of swords, too. As expected, the window was the best. “The spear is the best.”
Jinjabang, holding a shield and a large spear, fiercely charged at the five members of the stormtroopers who had chased after him.
It was a one-man attack, but it was the majority that was pushed back by the momentum.
It looked like it would be very slow as it was wearing heavy armor all over and was carrying a ridiculously large spear and a huge shield, but it was much more agile than expected.
puck!
“Ugh… …!”
In the meantime, one of the stormtroopers’ chests was pierced by a spear.
“next.”
Pow!
Without even pulling out the spear blade, Jin Ja-bang swung his metal gauntlet and smashed the head of the approaching stormtrooper like a watermelon.
“Oops!”
He then pierced the next person’s neck with the spear he had drawn.
“shield.”
While the audience was frozen in surprise at Jinjabang’s unexpected inaction, Marliani quickly approached and asked for a shield.
“here.”
Marliani asked, taking the shield and gripping the handle tightly with his left hand.
“Half each?”
“I like it.”
* * *
Kwak Seong seemed to be dreaming.
The Galpungdae members were neither third-rate nor second-rate, but were first-class warriors, even though they were beginners.
Even if you are a top expert, if a certain number of top-notch experts gather together, you can compete well.
But that is something.
The one wearing heavy armor stabbed him with a spear when he was far away and smashed his bones with his iron gloves when he got closer.
There was nothing particularly strange about herbivory.
Nevertheless, the members of the Stormtroopers were massacred helplessly.
Sometimes, the half-moon sword stuck in the guy didn’t even go in properly.
I’ve never heard of such armor existing in the world.
The woman, who was sexist, was also strange.
Before I picked up the shield, I looked like a clumsy kid with an ugly weapon, but when I picked up the shield, it seemed like I had no flaws.
He blocked all attacks with his shield and only stabbed vital areas such as the head, neck, and heart with the thin rapier.
Each time this happened, the number of corpses with small holes increased.
Before we knew it, the stadium had formed a mountain with the bodies of the massacred stormtroopers.
“You damn bastards!”
Kwak Seong rushed at Marliani like lightning, spewing out angry words.
This is because I thought it would be better to deal with her in light armor and with a shield rather than Jinjabang in heavy armor.
His half-moon painting had a reddish aura.
It was a sword.
“Hoo.”
Jinjabang’s eyes brightened.
On the Vivokra continent, this was the first time I saw a warrior called Mana, who infuses internal energy into weapons.
Expert-level unmanned vehicles were not common there.
“quite.”
When Marliani raised his shield to block the attack, Kwak Seong cried out in joy.
Even if the shield were made entirely of iron, it would be shattered by an attack with this much energy.
one.
Kaang!
Kwak Seong’s attack was blocked so easily that it was ridiculous.
“How… …??!”
Kwak Seong was astonished.
It wasn’t even that much energy that was injected into the shield.
I just blocked it with the same movements as before.
But how?
“Strengthening magic.”
Marliani said something incomprehensible and pushed his shield to block Gwak Seong’s view.
I didn’t notice it when I saw it from a distance, but when I felt it up close, my vision was blocked, and it was frustrating.
He instinctively jumped back to clear his vision.
However, Marliani, who had already predicted this, followed forward and stabbed with his rapier.
“Huh!”
Kwak Seong let out a groan.
It wasn’t a complex sword that aimed at multiple locations, but the blade that suddenly stabbed from behind the large shield was fast and extremely sharp.
Peek!
The rapier’s blade narrowly grazed his neck, causing blood to splatter.
‘It’s time!’
Due to the attack, Kwak Seong raised his sword again through a slightly opened space and fired a sword attack.
No, I tried to fly it.
Kaang!
The sound of metal rang in my ears.
Before he could even stretch out his half-moon sword, it was blocked by the shield he held out first.
It was an action that could only be done if Kwak Seong’s movements were perfectly predicted.
and.
Once again, the rapier pierced like a flash of light.
Phew!
“Keuuk… …!”
Marliani, who perfectly predicted the opponent’s movements, was a little faster, and Kwak Seong, who was embarrassed, was a little slower.
That slight difference cost Kwak Seong his life.
* * *
I was surprised when those strange kites first showed their unexpected inaction, but I didn’t think it was a big deal.
On the contrary, he was delighted because he reduced the power of the Gwangpungsa guys.
But soon, I felt that the situation was taking an unusual turn when I saw them catching the Gwangpungsa guys like they were catching rats.
From then on, I was carefully measuring whether this side would have a chance of winning if we joined together, but I wasn’t sure.
In the end, I just thought it was a good thing that Chupungdo was dealt with as easily as catching a street vagrant, and he didn’t join in.
‘Oh my, x suit…’ … Where do those monsters come from…?
Isal made a bewildered face.
shield? Armor?
In Moorim, there were no warriors who used such things, except for very special species.
There was no reason to wear armor at the expense of mobility when attack and defense were possible with a sword, and evasion was possible with divine techniques.
It may be helpful when it comes to sewage.
However, even if one reached the point where one could skillfully manipulate one’s energy, any armor made of thick iron would be useless.
In front of swords and pottery, iron was like a piece of paper.
But do experts at that level use shields and armor?
It was something I couldn’t understand.
Isal shook his head as if he were dumbfounded and grabbed his arm.
It meant that we should resolve the situation quietly rather than act recklessly.
Still, Ilsal had no intention of making any moves.
‘Chupungdo couldn’t even withstand Oh Chosik?’
Chu Pung-do, who was treated as a top expert wherever he went in the martial arts world, died after being ridiculed like a third-rate novice.
‘Transcendence? No, that’s not possible. Then, a landscape? Damn it.’
Although there is a big gap between a transcendental expert and a peak expert, it is not a difference that can be weighed down, like twisting a child’s wrist.
In that case, there is only the state of Hwagyeong.
What kind of state is Hwagyeong?
It was a level of success that broke the wall blocking humans.
Even if we were to give a generous price considering the retired Nogi people, the number in the entire martial arts world would not exceed twenty.
But such a monster appeared on these outskirts.
It had no name in the world of power, and it was as if it had literally fallen from the sky.
Besides, it might not be one, but two.
It really couldn’t have been this bad.
“Oh my gosh! Daehyup members! When I saw the great guilds punishing these magic bandits of Gwangpungsa Temple, my heart was sore, and I was so moved that tears naturally welled up in my eyes. “It will truly be a feat that will be forever recorded in the history of martial arts.”
Seo Dong-rim ran like a rat in front of Jinjabang and Marliani and made a deep bow.
As he said, tears were flowing from both eyes.
It wasn’t something made up.
From his perspective, they were like benefactors who grabbed him by the collar and pulled him up as he fell off a cliff.
“Who are you talking about?”
Jinjabang asked with an expression of surprise.
“It is called the resuscitated Seo Dong-rim. Kangho’s friends call me Xianfeng. “Here in the red clay guest house, I was surrounded by evildoers and was in a desperate situation, but fortunately, the Great Hyeop came to visit me and my life was saved.”
“Hmm… so?”
“I am truly devastated by the grace I received today from the university members. I will never forget this grace and will live with it engraved in my heart for the rest of my life. but… ….”
Seo Dong-rim rolled his eyes and trailed off.
“But what?”
“All evil has not yet been eradicated, and I am afraid of being revived. Look at them over there. They are the infamous Madou called Shaanxi Ssangsal and Daemaktamo in the martial arts world. And they tried to kill Sosaeng and forcibly take away my salary.”
‘Huh, that damn bastard.’
Isal’s face hardened.
A guy named Xianfeng was trying to throw them into the tiger’s maw.
What was more difficult was that there was nothing particularly false in what Xianfeng said.
While Ssangsal was busy exchanging ideas with each other and thinking about what to say, Daemaktamo came forward first.
“Sigh, master. “Can this old man say a word?”
She usually covers up her anger with a smile, but this was the first time she looked like a simple neighborhood old lady like she does now.
It was a natural expression that came from age, without the slightest awkwardness, as if it were made up.
“Try it.”
“Thank you. Although Xianfeng’s words are generally consistent with the facts, there is one thing that differs from the facts: “ I wanted to say that.”
“what? “ You have to have such a thick face to say such shameless things!”
Seo Dong-rim poured out harsh words in anger.
The insignificant guy, who would normally be crushed in a corner like he was dead and couldn’t even raise his face, spoke in a cocky tone, but Daemaktamo was not shaken in the slightest.
He even felt relaxed, as if he hadn’t wasted time eating Murim’s food for decades.
“It’s been decades since this old man traversed the martial arts world, but this is the first time I’ve heard that Xi Anfeng is the master of the Gracious Mind Law.”
“No, does Gangho’s treasure have a separate owner? Whoever holds it in his hand is the owner!“ Are you saying you still don’t understand Kangho’s principles?”
“Huh, well said. The person who holds it in his hand is the owner. So, you stole the law of free will from the ancient temple, and we tried to take it from you by force. And the powerful get the treasure; that too is the law of power. “What is the problem, and what did I do wrong?”
“W-What?!”
Seo Dong-rim’s face turned red with excitement.
“Ah, stop it. “I roughly understood.”
Jinjabang raised his hand to calm them down.
He looked toward Seo Dong-rim and nodded.
“Now I see you didn’t do anything well either.“ “ You said that you stole something that was supposed to be free, but do you have any intention of returning it to its original owner?”
“Great, great! It wasn’t stolen… Yes, I brought it with me. So now it is a matter of revival.. “You can do it.”
“Honestly, I don’t know how this place called Gangho works. But I also lived in Ming when I was young, so I know one thing:: “Isn’t theft a crime prohibited by national law?”
“No, but in Gangho…… Huh!”
At that moment, Jin Ja-bang’s hand darted towards Seo Dong-rim’s heart and then returned again.
It was truly a fleeting moment.
And when he returned, he held in his hand the secret to the law of free trial.
“According to Gangho’s laws, is this now mine?”
“Dae, Daehyeop, how can this be…”…””
“It’s mine, so I’ll take care of it. Don’t worry. “I know how to deal with annoying things.”
Squeak!
Jinjabang tore up the key as if there was nothing to think about.
And that too, piece by piece.
Seo Dong-rim’s body trembled as if struck by lightning.
My complexion turned white,white, and tears welled up in my eyes.
He felt the last thread of reason waswas broken.
“Go to this bitch.” .” ! Damn… …!”
“what?”
However, as soon as Jinjabang glared in horror, the instinct of life returned to him in an instant.
“dog… … dog… … ah… … Dog, you said bullshit, right? Cow, life…? Hehehehe… ….”
Seo Dong-rim’s facial expression, forcing a smile, was the most pitiful thing in the world.
“Tsk tsk tsk tsk.”
“Hahaha.”
Ssangsal couldn’t hold back and burst into laughter.
This is because it was so funny to see Kkorak Seonyi lose his salary and end up like a dog whose meat was taken away.
“Heulheul.”
Daemaktamo also laughed.
In fact, although they coveted the free-mind method, they were experts who had already established a clan, so they were not as desperate as Seo Dong-rim.
So even though the salary was reduced to pieces of paper, it wasn’t a big shock.
But the laughter didn’t last long.
“Are you okay?“ You saw the face, right?”
Marliani, who had been quiet, suddenly opened his mouth.
“huh?”
“Aren’t these people martial arts people?“ You said you wouldn’t want to get involved with the martial arts people because you would be tired, right?”
“Oh right. Right.”
Jinjabang nodded as if he had finally realized.
No matter how you look at it, they slaughtered a gang of more than a dozen people who looked like martial artists.
If they were just sent away, the rumor would spread throughout the entire martial forest in no time.
“gag… … So, maybe it’s called murder and extinction?”
The word “killer planthopper” coming from the blue-eyed woman felt even more creepy with that slightly awkward intonation.
“Ugh!”
“Huh!”
Seo Dong-rim shuddered, and Ssangsal flinched.
The hand holding Daemaktamo’s staff also took strength.