Chapter: 1
Chapter Title: Rest Assured, It's Just Ordinary Bandits
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[EP.0] Prologue
There was one wuxia novel I enjoyed reading.
Its title was *Return of Mount Hua*.
It's the story of the Plum Blossom Sword Saint, the protagonist, who dies fighting the Heavenly Demon, then regresses to his younger self to challenge him again.
The sight of the protagonist, who gobbles up every opportunity and lucky encounter there is, slowly dismantling the Demonic Cult from the ground up was pretty damn entertaining.
And then, in the midst of enjoying it so much, one question popped into my head.
Does this novel have no unorthodox factions?
There were occasional bandits here and there, but not a single expert who proudly introduced themselves as an unorthodox warrior.
I've always liked stories where the unorthodox factions take center stage, so the fact that they didn't play a big role in *Return of Mount Hua* was a real shame.
Yeah, it was a shame.
…But that didn't mean I wanted to be reborn as the son of an unorthodox warrior. Even calling him that, my dad was just a bandit.
When I turned three and my mind finally started working properly, I figured out why there were no unorthodox factions in *Return of Mount Hua*.
They were too pathetic.
In this world, the unorthodox were nothing but bandits and hired killers.
Forget massive organizations like the Orthodox Alliance or the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult—there weren't even any decent unorthodox sects. And the reason was that the unorthodox martial arts in this world were way too simplistic.
At eight years old, I started learning the Thousand Strength Saber Art from my father, and by nine, I had mastered it.
It wasn't because I was a genius. The Thousand Strength Saber Art was designed to be thrown straight into combat without needing any internal energy cultivation method.
With no chance to build up internal energy, its limits were clear. With just the Thousand Strength Saber Art, I'd never rise above being a third-rate bandit my whole life.
On top of that, from then on, my father started teaching me the bandit trade. He and his men said I had a talent for it, but if I kept going like that, I'd just end up as a successful bandit, nothing more.
That's why, at ten years old, I ran away from home.
He tried to stop me with excuses like "You'll suffer out there" or "Sticking around here robbing people is the good life," but I snorted and left anyway.
I mean, I'd been reincarnated into a novel, so I figured I should snag some lucky encounters, join a major sect, and make my name known across the world.
…Or something like that, I think that's what I thought back then.
And yeah, life on the run was pure hell.
For starters, big sects like Mount Hua, Wudang, or Mount Zhongnan wouldn't accept a no-name vagrant like me with questionable origins.
Lucky encounters? Yeah, right. Ten years later, who the hell remembers every minor detail from the novel? I headed to places I vaguely recalled, but of course, I didn't find any spirit herbs or secret manuals.
So I spent ten years living like a beggar. Even now, thinking back, it was a brutal life, and I constantly longed to return to my hometown.
But when I finally made it back home, my father and the whole bandit crew were gone.
In a world where the orthodox dominate and the unorthodox are weak, they must've been wiped out by some passing orthodox expert or government troops.
It was all so empty.
The hometown I'd longed to return to had nothing left.
I flopped down on the spot where the bandit lair's foundations still remained and thought.
Maybe I'd been wrong all along. Maybe ordinary is the real happiness, and chasing ambitions beyond my station was what led to all this suffering.
Suddenly, my father's words came back to me.
"Living ordinarily is the best."
…Yeah, that was the answer to life. Trying to be special just brings pain in the process.
If you live comfortably, both body and mind at ease, ordinarily, you don't have to feel that pain.
"Dad, I finally get it."
Yeah, I decided.
So what if they're unorthodox small fries? Who cares if it's extra?
Even if I don't get involved, things will flow as in the original story, the orthodox will defeat the Demonic Cult, and the world will find peace. There's no need for me to meddle in this novel's world anymore.
I jumped to my feet and shouted into the empty air.
"Protagonist! The world's in your hands! I'll just stay here and bandit ordinarily!"
All I had was a young body just over twenty, tattered clothes, and a single chipped saber, but I'd start over here.
From now on, I wouldn't worry about the original story. I'd just live as an ordinary bandit.
Thinking that way made my heart feel at ease, and a warm glow filled my chest.
Somehow, I had a good feeling about the future.
[EP.1] Peaceful Bandit Life
The sky is clear, and the wind brushes through the trees, blowing gently.
In the innermost part of Hyeongak Mountain, known for its treacherous terrain, that's where our bandit lair sits. The men had all gone out on jobs, leaving me alone to enjoy my freedom.
"Grrrah! This booze hits the spot!"
Perfect weather, cool breeze. Freshly caught wild boar meat and chilled bamboo leaf liquor. A match made in heaven.
Ah, I should've just been a bandit from the start. This kind of luxury was unimaginable when I was a beggar, but now it's everyday life as a bandit.
"Today, I'm drinking till I drop."
Looking at the pile of bamboo leaf liquor in the corner fills me with confidence. Ah, of course, we took those from passing merchants.
"Boss!"
I was about to down another cup when a subordinate's voice called from afar.
Jeez, no sense of timing.
"Boss!!"
"Goddamn it, Dongryong. Didn't I tell you not to bother me when I'm drinking? You wanna get beat to hell?"
Dongryong. My number two among the few subordinates I have. He used to be a guard for some merchant guild, got kicked out for some reason. A year ago, I picked him up begging on the street and made him my first underling.
"Eek!"
Must've traumatized him from all the "training" sessions. He's six years older than me, but seeing him so scared tugs at my heartstrings a bit.
"I'm kidding, kidding. Hey, have I ever beat you guys for something this minor?"
"You do it every day…"
"What'd you say, punk?"
"Gasp! N-no, I mean! It's really important, Boss!"
"What? What now? Someone coming to catch us? Shit, we've got too much loot; running would be a hassle."
"No, Bangsam just sent word—a carriage is coming up the lower path."
"A carriage? Can't you guys handle it?"
"W-well, it's a really fancy one. Looks suspicious."
A fancy carriage?
I couldn't help tilting my head at that. A fancy carriage means someone important's inside, but our turf is way out in the boonies, and it's a mountain path, so that kind of traffic is rare.
Still, a fancy carriage… definitely means they're loaded…
I swallowed my booze and asked,
"No idea which family or guild?"
"No, no family crest or merchant mark on it, so we don't know who's riding in it."
"Can't you idiots handle it without me?"
"B-but what if there's an expert inside?"
"Jeez, Dongryong. After all I've taught you, you can't take one expert?"
"Even so, how are we small-time bandits supposed to beat an orthodox expert…"
"I'm an idiot for making a punk like you my second-in-command."
I grumbled at Dongryong while downing another shot.
Tough call.
A fancy carriage means there's plenty to loot, but… maybe it's the booze, but moving sounds like too much hassle.
"Ah… but if it's some rich daughter or wife inside, we could take her hostage and score big…"
"You're right."
"But you punk, why're you drinking my booze?"
"I earned this fair and square. Technically, it's mine, not yours, Boss."
"Bullshit. If the boss took it, it's his. Spit it out, punk."
"Ah! Boss!"
After that, the men who'd gone out raiding started trickling back one by one.
"Brothers! A carriage coming from belo— Huh? Why're you guys drinking without me!"
"Huh? Brothers… drinking? Hehe, then me too…"
"Hey, you punks, quit chugging and get to work!"
But these guys who don't listen to their parents sure as hell weren't gonna listen to me. The big pile of bamboo leaf liquor steadily dwindled away.
***
Yu Soyeong of the Yu Clan in Shansi.
As the only daughter of the Yu Clan, the premier noble house of Shansi lands, she was on her way home for break from the Dragon-Phoenix Academy.
In truth, break had started nine days ago, but she'd stayed longer to train, delaying her trip.
Eager to get home faster, she'd taken a shortcut through the mountains, but the unpaved road made the carriage bounce harshly.
The coachman glanced back nervously as the carriage jolted.
"Sorry, Miss. Too many rocks on the road, so…"
A clear voice flowed out through the window connecting to the driver's seat.
"I'm the one who chose this route. Don't worry about it."
"Ah, yes. Thank you, Miss."
The coachman sighed in relief and pressed on. For anyone else, this would've earned a scolding, but Yu Soyeong let it slide quietly.
'As expected, the rumors are true…'
The golden child of the renowned Yu Clan, guardians of Shansi for generations. Especially her—she was famed for her exceptional sword talent and gentle heart.
The epitome of the orthodox next generation. The righteous sword of the Yu Clan.
The coachman felt immense pride driving the carriage for such a lady.
'I must do my utmost to ensure the lady travels comfortably.'
With that thought, he carefully handled the reins.
That's when it happened.
"Huh? Uwaaah!"
As the carriage passed, a quick shadow darted out, forcing the coachman to slam on the brakes. Even Yu Soyeong, with her fine balance, let out a soft gasp at the sudden stop.
"Are you alright?"
"I'm fine. But what's going on?"
The coachman hurriedly checked ahead. The sudden figure was a neatly handsome young man. Fortunately, no collision, but his appearance was wretched.
"P-please… save me…"
Up close, his clothes were caked in dirt, and anxiety flooded his face.
"Calm down! What happened!"
"B-bandits… bandits!"
"Bandits?"
At the word, Yu Soyeong stepped out of the carriage.
"Are there still unorthodox remnants in Shansi lands?"
"I think I heard there are a few bandits in Hyeongak Mountain around here."
"In the depths of Hyeongak Mountain… that's where they are! I'm a woodcutter from the village below. I was gathering wood when I ran into the bandits…"
The man burst into tears as he continued.
"Sniff, they took everything I had, and I barely escaped with my life… If I can't get it back, my widowed mother and I have nothing to eat… Sob sob, oh Mother, I'm sorry!"
"Oh dear."
The coachman clicked his tongue sympathetically at the woodcutter's tragic tale. Yu Soyeong pitied the man weeping as if the world had ended.
And she fell into thought.
Still just a next-generation talent, but she was a full-fledged orthodox warrior. Ignoring a weakling in peril went against the ways of the jianghu.
She was tired from recent training, but she resolved to lend a hand.
"I am Yu Soyeong, daughter of the Yu Clan of Shansi. I'll right this wrong and retrieve your stolen goods."
At that, the woodcutter gazed up at her like she was a fairy. Then he wailed again as if the heavens had opened.
"Waaaah! Thank you!"
His crying went on for quite a while.
**
"Oh man, how much farther?"
To exterminate the bandits, Yu Soyeong had gotten out and was walking. Alone would be dangerous, so the coachman came too. It had been ages since he'd hiked a mountain without the carriage, and he grumbled.
"Just a little more."
At her reply, Yu Soyeong glanced at the woodcutter. She hadn't said it, but even she, with her cultivated internal energy, was starting to breathe hard—and he showed no sign of fatigue, leading the way.
And though unspoken, the woodcutter was quite the looker. Having left Shansi and seen many men, Yu Soyeong had never met one so refined.
Her instincts told her he wasn't an ordinary woodcutter.
Finally, unable to contain her curiosity, she asked.
"By any chance, have you learned martial arts?"
"Pardon?"
"Your stamina is exceptional… If it's too personal, you don't have to answer."
He scratched his head shyly for a moment, then continued.
"Truth is, some passerby taught me a cultivation method long ago, so I can handle a bit of qi."
"A lucky encounter. Learning a heart method from a wandering warrior…"
"It just lets me move my body a little more adeptly. Nothing else. If I hadn't met you, Miss, I'd have been in real trouble."
As he said it, he flashed a bright smile. At that sight, Yu Soyeong felt her heart flutter unexpectedly.
'W-what…'
Her heart raced. Just from seeing a woodcutter smile.
"Miss, your face is red. Are you okay?"
She startled at his words.
"N-no, it's nothing. Probably the heat. Anyway, how far is their lair?"
"Not far. Almost there."
The woodcutter turned forward again and resumed guiding.
"There it is, Miss."
"Almost there" was true enough—soon, a shabby bandit lair made of branches came into view. A few bandits sat in front, gathered and drinking.
'Daring to feast on booze bought with the people's stolen wealth.'
She felt anger welling up inside.
"Miss, even if you've learned martial arts, are you sure you'll be okay alone?"
The woodcutter spoke cautiously, worry on his face. She liked his concerned expression.
"Those small fry are nothing. I'll be right back."
Yu Soyeong adjusted the beloved sword at her waist and approached the lair. The coachman and woodcutter called out softly.
"Miss!"
"You'll be in danger going out in the open like that!"
She waved them off.
"It's fine. You two hide."
In truth, at eighteen she was still young, but as the daughter of the prestigious Yu Clan of Shansi, she had a father among the Ten Great Masters of the world and had inherited his prodigious talent fully.
Even in the Dragon-Phoenix Academy, where only geniuses gathered, her progress was remarkably swift. Mere bandits were no match for her.
She strode confidently toward the figures gathered by the campfire. Unaware of the doom approaching, they laughed and drank.
Yu Soyeong drew her sword. It was time for extermination.