Book 2: Chapter 476
Lukas knew a fair bit about martial artists. This wasn’t referring to the magic martial artists from his home universe.
This was referring to those who used internal energy that they accumulated in their danjeon to power their martial arts.
Beings who lived in another world called the Murim, martial artists.
However, Yang In-hyun didn’t seem to simply be asking him for a definition of martial artists.
“Mmm…”
Pale tossed and turned with a groan. Her sleeping face was like that of an angel, although her drooling destroyed any sense of elegance. Trying to ignore her existence, Lukas said.
“Are they not those who temper their bodies and polish their martial arts?”
“I’m asking about ‘after that’.”
“After?”
“Polishing martial arts and tempering the body. Those aren’t wrong. In fact, it is even advisable. However, then what? What would you do after gaining that strong power?”
“If you were to dig at it from that direction, then nothing in this world would be meaningful.”
At that, a corner of Yang In-hyun’s mouth rose.
“No. There is a clear reason for a farmer to cultivate a field. To stock up on food, to trade for goods. Even if their jobs are different, shop workers who do the chores, boatmen who row all day, soldiers defending a royal palace, or astronomers staring at the night sky, all have the same purpose. Even a petty thief who steals a single potato to fill his stomach has a reason. So let me ask. What is the purpose of a martial artist?”
Lukas couldn’t answer.
This was because it was a problem he’d never really thought deeply about and because he felt like he shouldn’t open his mouth hastily.
“It’s simple. To rule as the strong, that is all.”
Yang In-hyun’s gaze drifted down to the hundred flower wine.
Then, after a brief pause, he spoke once more.
“The Murim, is a world that shouldn’t exist.”
* * *
Yang In-hyun, age 8, autumn.
In an underground space created by remodelling an underground cave. Dozens of children were gathered in a gloomy place that was only illuminated by candlelight.
“This is an era when righteousness(義) has fallen to the ground.”
It was the only voice in this place that didn’t belong to a child.
It was an old man with an even older old impression, but his very presence seemed to fill the huge cave. Of course, that wasn’t all. The eyes of the children were filled with indescribable emotions as they looked at this old man.
For the dozens of children there, that old man was their saviour. Although they all had different forms, he had repaid debts and saved their lives.
But the old man had never treated the children warmly. From the start, he always maintained a cold attitude towards the children and threatened to send them back to where they’d come from if they acted rudely or lacked manners.
They were all children with different backgrounds and circumstances, but they all had no choice but to be fearful of the old man’s words. Because of this, the children did not speak a word of complaint even when being made to stand for over an hour in a cave with an atmosphere so gloomy it wouldn’t be a surprise for a ghost to appear.
“The men of refined taste no longer sing about the chivalry(俠) of martial artists. The overwhelming forces of the evil faction, the establishment of the Demonic Cult, the fall of some of the most upright members of the righteous faction. There are probably countless reasons for this. Those from the grass roots are speaking in unison. This is an era where a plague is running rampant.”
“…”
“…the Nine Righteous Sects*, who used to be the most prestigious members of the righteous faction, became obsolete. Mount Hua** no longer smells of plum blossoms.”(*: According to the wiki, this refers to the top ‘10’ sects in the Murim’s righteous faction.)(**: Decided to only refer to Yang In-hyun’s territory in the void world as ‘Flower Mountain’, the murim sect will be ‘Mount Hua’ for separation purposes)
The old man’s voice carried a hint of remorse. Then, the look in his eyes changed as he turned towards the children. At the end of his deep gaze were emotions that were impossible to describe.
“You all will drive the plague away.”
“…!”
“And you will bring the scent of plum blossoms back to Flower Mountain. I’m sure of it.”
The voice of the Mount Hua Sect Elder, Red Void Jo Sung-choo, caused the children to tremble.
“That’s why you can’t give up. Get used to the pain. Whenever you’re struggling, think about your roles and a better world. Then, you will all become the heroes of this era.”
1.
Living was hell.
Thud-
Yang In-hyun heard the sound of someone falling. He looked to his left… Who was it? Ah, right. Moyong San was that guy’s name.
It was said that he was a descendant of the prestigious Moyongse Family. Jo Sung-choo had picked him up when he found him nearly dead after being caught up in some scheme.
…If he was left like that, he would probably die. Autumn nights were incredibly chilly, and many scary mountain beasts appeared around this place. There was no way that they would pass up the chance to taste the soft, tender flesh of a defenceless boy.
The moment Yang In-hyun was about to go try to help Moyong San.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
He heard a shout from somewhere.
Upon turning around, he saw Jo Sung-choo staring at him with wide eyes.
“San two* fell down.”(*:Assuming there’s a ‘san one’)
“Answer the question first. I’m asking about your actions right now.”
“…I was going to help him since he’d die if left alone.”
“Why?”
“I am not injured, and I still have plenty of energy left. Even if I carry San two, I’ll be fine…”
“Nevertheless, why?”
“…because, Elder won’t help him.”
At that, Jo Sung-choo strode over and slapped Yang In-hyun across the face… The taste of blood spread in his mouth. This was because the inside of his cheek had torn apart.
“What do I always tell you?”
“…”
“Answer me.”
Yang In-hyun forced himself to speak.
“…to kill our emotions.”
“And?”
“To obey the words of Mount Hua, without question.”
“What else?”
Wiping the blood from his mouth, Yang In-hyun replied.
“…never forget chivalry, and always keep it in your heart. But I don’t understand. Isn’t chivalry about guarding faith, respecting principles, and above all, protecting the weak?”
“That is all correct. However, San two is not weak. Look.”
Moyong San wriggled his fingers. And he could see him clench his teeth, trying to raise his body.
“Isn’t he trying to stand up on his own? Your help will only be an insult to that child.”
“…”
“Go on ahead. And stop looking around. Let go of your compassion as well. The children around you are not the weak that need your help, but the comrades you will walk with.”
Yang In-hyun hesitated for a moment before walking forward. But after walking a few steps, he looked back.
At Moyong San who had forcibly picked himself up.
There was no spite or determination in his gaze. It was fear that moved him. The voice and pressure of the old man who only had a few sparse hairs standing behind him was the only thing keeping him moving.
But Yang In-hyun was no different from Moyong San.
After all, wasn’t it the fear of Jo Sung-choo that he felt that was making him move at that moment?
“Kuk.”
Yang In-hyun bit his lip. Then he just moved his body roughly so as to force himself to stop thinking about it.
He climbed a sheer cliff. Avoided traps that could take his life. And killed the occasional wild animal that he encountered.
Then.
He reached the top of the mountain.
At the top, all kinds of delicacies had been prepared for them, including medicines to heal their wounds and even elixirs.
“…”
Jo Sung-choo had prepared all of this.
He’d created a system where they would obtain better rewards depending on their order of arrival.
But Yang In-hyun didn’t touch any of the prepared rewards.
Instead, all he did was eat one dumpling and drink a few sips of water.
Then, he sat in a corner and waited.
As time passed, children arrived one after the other. They were all covered in scars, and the moment they reached the top, they all had expressions of relief. Then, in turn, they took the rewards that Jo Sung-choo had prepared.
Food, medicine, and elixirs all disappeared.
Yang In-hyun sat and watched all of these scenes without exception.
By the time the dawn of the new day began to arrive, new children stopped appearing.
Instead, Jo Sung-choo was the one that appeared.
“Well done. You all surpassed your limits.”
Jo Sung-choo’s voice was filled with satisfaction.
“Now we’ll move on to the next step.”
Yang In-hyun looked around one last time.
When they’d arrived, there had been a total of 49 children. But only 27 children had arrived at the top of the mountain.
Moyong San was not among them. He knew what that meant.
“…”
2 years.
It had been 2 years. That was how long it had been since Moyong San had left the Moyongse Family and started training at Mount Hua.
…Was that the life Moyong San had wanted? When he’d accepted Jo Sung-choo’s offered hand, had he expected this kind of end?
If that was the case, then what was the meaning to such a life?
To only live for two more years before becoming a corpse in a mountain no one would search, and be eaten by wild animals.
Would Jo Sung-choo remember him? What about the other children? Would Mount Hua remember the name Moyong San?
…As dawn broke, a cool breeze blew atop the mountain.
10 years old, again in fall.
2.
16 years old, early winter.
“The plan for success that I’d set was for 20 years.”
As he said this, Jo Sung-choo let out a white breath.
“That was my minimum expectation. 30 years, 40 years, 50 years… I even wondered if I’d have to pass down the task to someone else.”
“…”
“However, Hyun. Your existence shortened that plan by decades.”
Jo Sung-choo’s rare smile was bright.
“You have already surpassed me.”
Those words weren’t a lie.
At the age of 16, Yang In-hyun had already surpassed Jo Sung-choo. He had already been taught several combat techniques, including Mount Hua’s actual martial arts, by Jo Sung-choo, and now, he could overwhelm him in every aspect apart from internal energy.
Although Jo Sung-choo looked like an old man, and he had already resigned from his position as an Elder of Mount Hua, he still possessed skills that wouldn’t be lacking even when compared to peak masters.
To surpass Jo Sung-choo, who far surpassed him in age, before reaching the age of twenty…
‘The word genius isn’t enough.’
A natural martial aptitude and talent, coupled with a harsh environment and training to the point of death, and the martial arts and elixirs of one of the righteous faction’s most prestigious sects.
All of these factors had combined to make Yang In-hyun what he had become.
“The other children’s training hasn’t ended. However, I have nothing more to teach you.”
Jo Sung-choo’s eyes narrowed.
“So I will give you your first task.”
“I await your orders.”
“Kill Jin Gi-ak. The deadline will be 1 year.”
“…”
He gave the command as if it was nothing, but it was by no means light.
Yang In-hyun knew this.
Jin Gi-ak was one of the demon leaders that dominated the evil faction. He was also an elder of the cult known as the Blood Ghost Sect, as well as one of the Three Tyrants(三霸)* that had recently gained notoriety.(*: Not exactly but the word I translated as ‘bully’ means to ‘rule through might instead of right’)
‘The power of the Three Tyrants is at least on the same level as one of an elder from the Nine Righteous Sects.’
This referred to the elders that were still on active duty, no Jo Sung-choo, who had resigned from the front line.
“I will obey your command.”
Nevertheless, Yang In-hyun nodded calmly.
On that day, Yang In-hyun made his debut in the murim as the sharpest sword forged.
Jo Sung-choo did not think Yang In-hyun would fail. But he did think that 1 year might not be enough.
‘It’ll be a good experience.’
In any case, since it was his first mission, there would probably be many problems.
After Yang In-hyun returned, Jo Sung-choo intended to dig deeper into his mistakes and pick them apart one by one.
—After some time passed, Yang In-hyun returned to Mount Hua.
And it was then that Jo Sung-choo realised that his two expectations had been wrong.
First, Yang In-hyun returned not after a year, but after three months.
And second, he had returned with not one head, but three.
Yang In-hyun had defeated all of the Three Tyrants, not just Jin Gi-ak.
3.
Assassination, execution, or slaughter.
Yang In-hyun’s main missions were all to kill.
But at some point, he began to be forced to do more. It wasn’t that hard. It was simply placing a red plum blossom on the corpses. This was also the same for his comrades who had also begun their activities.
The demon leaders of the evil faction or corrupt officials from the righteous faction were assassinated one after the other.
And a red plum blossom was also present at the scene.
‘Being targeted by the Bloody Plum Group was no different to writing your name in King Yama’s book.’
After some time, rumours began to spread even to the people who had nothing to do with the murim.
“Excellent work.”
Jo Sung-choo said in a satisfied voice.
The Bloody Plum Group(血梅團).
There were only four people known by that name. They were the only survivors of the rigorous training, and the levels their martial arts reached made it easy to overpower even four or five elders of small or medium sects.
Jo Sang-choo didn’t call these four the Bloody Plum Group, he called them Killing Ghosts(殺鬼).
“At last, law and order has been revived in the murim. You should be proud. This was all accomplished because of you all.”
“We just did what we had to do.”
Evil Killing Sword Wiji Gil responded in an emotionless voice. Jo Sung-choo slowly looked around before walking towards Yang In-hyun.
Then, he put his hand on his shoulder and said,
“Your hard work was especially good. Hyun.”
“Thank you.”
“However, this mission will not be easy. So please take extra care.”
He had never received such advice from Jo Sung-choo before a mission before. Yang In-hyun looked at him without a word.
“Your next target is the Blood Prince.”
“…!”
The other Killing Ghosts flinched and looked towards Jo Sung-choo. There was also a mixture of astonishment in their gazes.
Jo Sung-choo’s wrinkled eyes remained directed at Yang In-hyun.
“Kill the Blood Prince.”
Despite asking for so much, Jo Sung-choo knew what kind of answer he would receive.
“…I will obey your command.”
Because Yang In-hyun had never turned down a mission.
The Blood Prince(血君)
A much more famous name.
The Evil Faction’s Number Two Man(邪派第二人者) Dang Chun-geuk.
—Yang In-hyun, 25 years old, late winter.
Received a life-changing mission.