#71: Loosening And Tangling (2) — The Patriarch of Sichuan

It was fortunate for the man. Jin-hyeon had not been about to brazenly rob him in broad daylight before a crowd.

“I do not know what had you scurrying off, but we paid for the noodles and drink you had.”

“Ah!”

“As for the drink, we drank it ourselves so I will not ask for that. Just pay the noodle cost.”

Flustered, the man rummaged in his clothes.

“M-my apologies. I did not mean to do that. Please wait a moment.”

At the man’s fluster, Jin-hyeon smiled.

It is truly hard to find guileless folk in the Kangho. Even with luck, such folk rarely last ten years before losing their lives.

This youth likewise held astonishing internal energy, yet who knew when and how he would die. In this blood-reeking Kangho, people care more for a warrior’s character than his martial arts.

“I do not know the amount, so I will first give three taels of silver. Will that suffice?”

“It will not.”

“Q-quite expensive. Cities are indeed different. One moment.”

“Money is not the issue. Three taels could buy five bowls of noodles.”

“?”

“More than money, the problem is my hurt feelings, is it not?”

“Eh?”

Staring blankly at him, the man’s gaze slightly changed. It was that look people call overly wary.

Straightening his posture, the man spoke in a harder voice.

“It is clearly my fault that I left without paying. I offer a clear apology for that. I am truly sorry.”

“Good. I accept the apology.”

“However, I have no ability to offer more than an apology. All I possess is…”

“Money, martial arts, and a guileless nature.”

“…Pardon?”

Jin-hyeon grinned.

“I drank much last night and plan to have hangover soup with my companions. Will you join us?”

The man was flustered again.

“I am sorry, but I…”

“Do you have companions?”

“…No.”

“Whether to prove your martial art, check your level, or for advancement, if you joined the festival, it is no bad thing to tangle with people and learn of life.”

“I am fine.”

“Will you just wander alone and only train your martial arts?”

Why was this man asking him such things?

Either way, he meant to refuse. He could look around crowded places, but speaking with strangers still felt uneasy.

Decisively.

‘This man surely saw the power hidden in my body.’

When their eyes met on the street, the man had been surprised at the white hair of one about his age.

But more than that, it was the eyes.

His gaze was truly strange. With a single meeting, it seemed to slip in without resistance and rake over one’s insides, a penetration hard to put into words.

He was no ordinary person. The man sensed it and wished to keep distance. It was not yet time for the world to know he had come out.

Above all, he could not read the other’s martial level, which raised sharp wariness. The other seemed to size him up at a glance, yet he knew nothing of the other.

It felt like being prey to a beast. That nameless dissonance kept widening the gap.

“Training hard is good, but bury yourself in martial arts alone and your skill will not grow. You gain a side effect of becoming dull.”

“Eh?”

“They say the martial path touches the human path. See more, rub against more, suffer more setbacks, and your art advances.”

“!!”

“With that level, you should dimly know as much.”

In that moment, the man recalled his master’s words.

‘Ahem. Listen well. Martial arts are a study. All studies in this world are power. Ahem, ahem. Yet to truly make that power bloom, you must throw the self into the sea called this world. Without paying with the soul, heaven grants not the gift called advancement. Can a scholar shut in a room, reading only books, discourse on the world? Martial arts are the same.’

Amazingly, the man before him was saying the same advice his master had told him to etch into his mind.

With wavering eyes, the man bowed to Jin-hyeon.

“Thank you for words that become bone and flesh.”

“Unexpectedly quick to accept. Then let us…”

“Only, I do not know what intent you bear. I lack the discernment to read it yet.”

“…”

“If by chance you hold ill intent, I will be helplessly taken. So I will refuse your offer.”

Jin-hyeon’s smile deepened.

“It seems you were taught by a good master. Guileless, yet no fool.”

The man’s face turned awkward. Though the wording was rude, plainly saying he was no fool, strangely it did not feel bad.

Jin-hyeon turned his body.

“Let us meet again if fate turns. It is a tiny debt, so I will forgive it.”

“Ah, yes.”

“Ah, before I go.”

Jin-hyeon glanced at the man.

“What is your name?”

“My apologies.”

“Hmm, you are one to oddly leave people hanging. Very well. I wish you success.”

With that, Jin-hyeon returned to his companions.

Inwardly, the man sighed.

‘I truly do not know.’

He knew he was no ordinary man. He also did not seem one to harm him.

Yet they say swindlers look meek and killers look kind. Judging a person by looks and tone alone was a deed worth dying for, at least in this Kangho.

Consoling himself that this too was a good lesson, the man returned to his lodgings.

“What was that about?”

At Han Cheol-sang’s question, Jin-hyeon shrugged.

“He apologized. He offered three taels of silver, but I did not take it. It felt like plucking hair from a nearly bald head.”

“Ahem, I see.”

“Let us go have hangover soup. But really, where is Yeo-wol?”

Looking around, Jin-hyeon spotted Im Yeo-wol coming from afar and waved.

“Where have you been?”

“Ah, I am sorry. To the outhouse for a bit.”

Her complexion was somewhat pale.

Seol So-ha asked in concern,

“You drank much last night. Is your stomach unwell?”

“A little… yes.”

Her halting answer was the same awkwardness as last night.

But Jin-hyeon felt a slight strangeness in her. And so did Han Cheol-sang.

Jin-hyeon feigned ignorance.

“From now on, drink only what you can handle.”

“I am sorry.”

“Sorry for what? I was the one happily filling your cup.”

Han Cheol-sang looked at him as if speechless.

“Let us go for hangover soup.”

After the soup, they returned to the lodgings and rested.

They considered going out again, but they had drunk much, and Seol So-ha’s second bout was set for the evening. Fights were avoided at night if possible, but with the number of participants, there was no help for it.

Time passed until the stroke of the hour of the chicken¹.

The sun had long set, yet the rings were much brighter than expected. Large fires had been set on all sides.

There were no clouds and the moon was bright, and with trade in full swing, lanterns were beyond counting.

“Still, be careful.”

Jin-hyeon’s voice was earnest.

“The difference between those with night-combat experience and those without is large. Even keeping your sight bright with internal energy has limits. And with many spectators, it will be hard to focus wholly on the opponent’s art.”

“Yes.”

“As I told you before. Feel the opponent’s breathing. Even if weaker than the swordsman you fought first, that is no reason to relax. Even if the match could end in a single exchange, give your utmost.”

“I will bear it in mind.”

“Good.”

Jin-hyeon tapped her back lightly and moved into the crowd.

He was right. The smack cleared her head. Rubbing her back, Seol So-ha stepped onto the ring.

Cheers burst from all sides.

There were not many in Sichuan who did not know of Seol So-ha. Of course fewer had seen her directly, but her overwhelming first match made her more famous.

Arms folded, Jin-hyeon watched from afar and smiled.

‘Even if she fails to reach the main rounds, this fame will last. It will be a headache for a while.’

Her opponent and the judge came up.

After greetings and returning to positions, the assistant judge struck the drum.

Duu-woong!

The crowd roared twice as loud, and at last the bout opened.

And at that moment.

‘?!’

Jin-hyeon’s hair quivered.

‘What is this?’

The cheers were loud and the people many. Even a master’s sense would be confounded by the countless presences. Yet Jin-hyeon’s Heavenly Wolf Qi sensed a faint killing intent within the confusion.

The flash of killing intent vanished in an instant.

‘…It was surely aimed at me.’

Murderous auras have traits. Some are endlessly hot, some are damp and filthy like muddy water. Some are sharp or chilly, and at times one can feel even a rough staleness.

‘Bitter.’

It was a bitterness as if chewing raw herbs.

Even so, he did not make the mistake of turning his head to check around. The seasoned warrior’s mindset, the Eight Wastes Alliance Leader’s habit, clung deep.

Ttaaak!

Their wooden swords clashed with a fierce sound.

The strikes were hard enough to seem to break the wood. Yet neither blade had a nick. Strong internal energy protected them.

Just then.

His hair twitched again.

It was not because of Seol So-ha. The vanished murderous aura had flashed again.

‘West. About sixty-odd meters to the west.’

This aura was transparent and keen.

‘Well now, look at these fellows.’

It was not one. The color and taste of the auras differed.

Two or more were targeting him. He grasped the situation at once, but could not know the culprits.

‘There are many who would target me. I cannot tell who it is right away.’

The nearest affair would be the Divine Spear House. Martial folk do not stomach insult, and the stronger the power, the stronger that bent.

Is it the Divine Spear House? Or someone of the Eight Martial Houses.

If not that…

Kwaduk!

Her downward strike shattered the ring’s stone slab.

It was a tremendous force. The opponent barely avoided it, his fear plain.

Flinch.

Killing intent flew again. Jin-hyeon’s eyes deepened.

‘Three or more.’

This one was cold and chill. It called to mind a blade sleeping in a winter storehouse.

‘Controlling killing intent to this degree is not easy. It rivals my level before refining the Heavenly Wolf True Art. And they are taking turns revealing different auras…’

The corners of his mouth slowly rose.

‘They are testing me.’

Ttadatadatak! Peo-eok!

Her sword struck the opponent’s shoulder.

It was a lightning-quick blow. With a live blade it would have torn the shoulder joint, a mortal strike.

But she held a wooden sword, and the opponent managed to deflect somewhat, so it was not a deciding blow.

Seol So-ha rushed like an angry lion.

Ttadadak! Peobeok!

Her successive wooden cuts landed one by one on his body.

Flames flashed in Jin-hyeon’s eyes.

‘One.’

Tta-a-aang!