Yellow Dragon Lord, Genius Swordsman
Episode 40
How many people in the martial arts world who have fought with a sword have never heard of dying?
You don’t have to go all the way to the battlefield and cut people down to find out.
Whether in a corner of a guesthouse or a narrow alley, sword fights can happen at any time, and people die from time to time.
It goes without saying that this is something that a great disciple of the Hwasan faction would not be able to say anything about.
Although he may lack the experience of killing compared to the warriors on the battlefield, that does not mean he lacks courage.
Therefore, Dan Sa-hyeok’s dry warning had little effect on the document dragon.
It had to be that way.
“… … Phew!”
The document dragon exhaled with a face covered in cold sweat.
Fingertips tremble as if they had been drinking alcohol.
Although he was trying to smile, there was a tension on his face that he couldn’t hide.
“Wow, that’s amazing. It’s really amazing. Is this the spirit of the greatest in the world? Or maybe it’s just the shadow of you that I imagined in my head that’s that big.”
The expression is long-winded, but the conclusion is ultimately the same.
Dan Sa-hyeok spoke to Document Dragon.
“It’s probably the latter. You overestimated my abilities and scared me.”
“Maybe so. But please understand.”
The document dragon laughed bitterly.
“The strongest person I know is our Lord Moon, and his martial arts alone are so amazing that it’s hard to imagine. But I can’t stop trembling when I think that you might be even stronger than that.”
“I know what you mean. And it’s probably not wrong.”
“What great confidence.”
“Well, it makes sense.”
At that point, the Document Dragon’s trembling stopped as if it were a lie.
It wasn’t that I was no longer afraid of Dan Sa-hyeok.
I’ve gotten used to the fear of him.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t just let this opportunity slip away.”
Srrrrung!
The document dragon pulled out the sword at his waist.
“I know it’s shameless to say this when you’re just going to rush in without permission… … but I would be more than grateful if you could show me mercy.”
“Then I guess there’s nothing to be thankful for.”
Dan Sa-hyeok shot back coldly.
“It would be annoying to watch all those people who attack like that.”
Gulp.
The document dragon swallowed his saliva without realizing it and smiled crookedly.
‘I might really die. No, I will definitely die! So should I just let this opportunity pass me by? No, is it even right to call this an opportunity?’
“You have too many random thoughts.”
“… … !”
Dan Sa-hyeok had already come close to Document Dragon’s nose.
A movement that the usual Document Dragon would definitely be able to respond to.
However, as Dan Sa-hyeok said, the problem was that he had too many thoughts.
“Ugh!”
The document dragon instinctively swung his sword.
This time, I moved without thinking at all, relying only on instinct.
As a result, the swordsmanship was fast but light, and all sharpness and power were lost.
And Dan Sa-hyeok was not kind enough to take such a pitiful blow quietly.
Kwakwang!
Thunder rumbled under the bridge.
The body of the document dragon, who was hit by Dan Sa-hyeok’s fist, flew dozens of times and landed on one side of the ditch.
Behind Dan Sa-hyeok, who was casually pulling back his fist, was No Song, who had returned.
“Oh no, I’m a step too late.”
“Don’t worry, I’m not dead.”
“Why would I worry about that guy? We’ve never even met before.”
The old man grumbled as if he was in trouble.
“This is one of the few places I can rest. If I cause a commotion here, there might be more people coming and going.”
“You will receive a lot of good deeds. Think of it in a positive way, old man.”
“That is truly… … something to think deeply about.”
“Huh?”
Nosong looked behind Dan Sa-hyeok with surprised eyes.
On the other hand, Dan Sa-hyeok, who slowly turns his body, looks incredibly calm.
A bloody and grisly document dragon stood a few steps ahead.
“You’re being a useless guest. It would be better to just lie down.”
“Yes. I regret it too.”
The document dragon smiled bitterly and answered.
“But even if you are the best in the world, it seems impolite to just collapse from a single blow.”
“If you want to learn manners, go see a Confucian scholar.”
Dan Sa-hyeok’s voice quickly became colder.
“And there will be no more luck like the one just now, so if you want to try again, you’ll have to risk your life.”
“I’m truly sorry, but… … I never had any intention of trying any more.”
The body of the document dragon, who had barely finished answering, collapsed.
Nosong, who had been staring blankly at him, looked back at Dan Sa-hyeok.
“What on earth happened?”
* * *
After a while, Dan Sa-hyeok and No Song were sitting in a shabby thatched cottage.
It was clear that people would flock to the bridge due to the loud noise caused by the single-shot attack.
If they saw the great disciple of the volcano spread out, it was obvious that things would get out of control.
So, I had no choice but to take the document dragon and go to one of the thatched cottages in the back alleys of Xi’an.
“I think I have a general idea why this guy came looking for me.”
Nosong said, looking at the document dragon lying on the floor.
“While you were away from Huanglong Castle for a while, quite a few things happened in Xi’an.”
“I would appreciate it if you could explain it briefly.”
“Hmm, then. First of all, Mrs. Eun from Geumwoljeonjang came to visit, but I think it’s a story that can be heard from other people.”
“I guess so.”
“First, let me tell you about this guy. It’s almost like a joke, but I hear that rumors about a new martial arts alliance are spreading around the markets in Seoan.”
“This is a new martial arts alliance.”
“Well, to some extent, it was expected. But the problem is that it was the work of fools.”
“Idiots?”
“The young master and the young ladies who grew up in the golden garden are starting to get drunk on the fantasy of the chivalrous man.”
Dan Sa-hyeok frowned at Nosong’s explanation.
“What on earth do you mean?”
“Originally, there were several subsidiary organizations in the Murim Alliance. One of them was the academy, which was an institution for training later-generation leaders.”
“A post-graduate training institution?”
“Yes. It is an organization established to bring in children with potential from each sect and family and systematically raise them in the Murim Alliance.”
“How dare such a thing be accepted. The authors of the martial arts world must be trembling in fear that their martial arts skills might be leaked.”
“That’s it.”
“… … ?”
“Since the higher-ups decided to do it, they had to participate, but they didn’t want to send away their talent. So, the second best option was chosen.”
Dan Sa-hyeok, who had been thinking about Nosong’s words for a moment, opened his mouth.
“So… … you’re saying that you only sent the guys who were worthy of being sent to that place?”
“Yes. For example, in the case of prestigious families, they send the second son instead of the eldest son, and the third son instead of the second son.”
“I must teach the eldest son the secret martial arts of the family.”
“That’s right. In fact, no matter how good the Murim Alliance Academy is, it can’t compare to the hard work and dedication put into raising you from a young age by your family, right?”
“I don’t know because I’ve never experienced it myself, but I’ve heard that in famous families, they give their children all kinds of medicine before they can even walk.”
“Well, that’s not an exaggeration at all.”
“You really are doing all sorts of things.”
“That’s what I’m saying.”
The old man, who was laughing bitterly, continued speaking.
“Anyway, the families and clans selected the right kids and sent them to the academy. Kids with enough talent to save face, but who would never become the best.”
“So what happened when those guys grew up… … ?”
“You’re the ones who are talking about the new martial arts alliance right now.”
“… … .”
Nosong smiled as if he found it amusing, looking at Dan Sa-hyeok who was at a loss for words.
“Even after entering the academy, it was amazing. Even though they are students, they are all children of prestigious families and sects. Who on earth would treat such children carelessly?”
“Hmm.”
“It’s an environment where you can’t even dream of extreme training to the point where you’ll get a surge of blood. Still, it seems like they spent a lot of money, because the students’ skills have improved significantly.”
“Because of that, we became fools who don’t know anything about the world?”
“That’s what it is.”
Nosong lowered his gaze and looked at the document dragon.
“This guy probably came looking for his priest who had become a member of that group.”
“Well, I guess the Volcano faction also sent a child to become a student.”
“Hmm, I guess my name is pretty well known. Have you ever heard of Songpungkwaegeom Won Woojin?”
“This is my first time hearing about this.”
“I see.”
An old pine tree that seems to be licking its lips again.
Dan Sa-hyeok laughed in vain because he was so dumbfounded.
“But Songpungkwaegeom? Are you saying that those kind of kids are already using nicknames and talking nonsense?”
“Is that the only one? These days, when martial artists appear in the world of martial arts, the first thing they look for is a fortune teller. Why would that be?”
“… … I don’t know.”
“It’s to give them a fancy nickname. Thanks to that, the fortune tellers in this city must have gotten a golden calf each.”
“… … .”
“You look like you can’t believe it. I honestly thought you knew all those things and came to find Huanglongseong.”
“I had a rough idea that this floor was rotten, but I didn’t know the specifics.”
Dan Sa-hyeok let out a sigh that made the floor collapse.
“I’d rather sympathize with the thoughts of the Blood Demon.”
“Well… … Still, there are still quite a few people who truly pursue justice.”
“Don’t worry, old man, I know that too.”
Dan Sa-hyeok smiled and reassured No Song.
“Anyway, is there anything else you would like to tell me?”
“Well, there are a few things. They’re just minor signs for now… … .”
Nosong’s explanation continued.
Through the explanation that lasted about half an hour, Dan Sa-hyeok was able to grasp the power structure of Seoan more clearly.
“I guess I should go now. Thank you as always, old man.”
“If you know how grateful I am, buy me a nice drink.”
“I’ll make room for you soon. And you can take care of that man yourself, old man.”
Nosong looked back at the document dragon with a troubled expression.
“I can easily put you to sleep, but maybe I should go to the doctor… … .”
Crunch.
Before he could even finish speaking, Dan Sa-hyeok placed a bundle of coins in Nosong’s hand.
“Ahem, ahem! This is really it. It’s embarrassing to receive this much.”
“Then can I take it back?”
“No, you bastard. Isn’t that too vulgar?”
It was an old man who answered hurriedly and took a coin from between his collar.
* * *
When Dan Sa-hyeok returned, Oh Du-seok and Jang Woo-cheol were also back.
Jang Woo-cheol’s face brightened when he saw Dan Sa-hyeok’s face after three days.
“Brother, you’re back!”
“okay.”
“A lot has happened while you were away, brother.”
Jang Woo-cheol kept talking about Eun Ah-seol and Won Woo-jin.
Of all of them, the one that caught my interest was inevitably Eun Ah-seol’s story.
“Multiple consciousnesses in one body.”
Dan Sa-hyeok’s eyes shone coldly as he muttered softly.
“That’s what it was.”
