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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: You Just Answer (1)
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"It's already time to say goodbye."
The next day dawned, and she came out to see me off with a wistful expression. Unlike her playful demeanor from yesterday, today she carried herself with the solemn gravity befitting Baek Eunhwa, leader of the Lower Five Gates.
"It is, isn't it."
I felt a pang in my chest at the parting, too.
"As a token of our eternal friendship with Yi Sowol, the great hero of the Lower Five Gates, I've prepared a gift to wish you safe travels."
She beckoned to the escort unit leader, who approached carrying a sword reminiscent of pale moonlight and a small box, then handed them to me.
"This is the Moon Fang Sword and the Azure Stream Pill. The Moon Fang Sword is offered in atonement for the blade you broke during our spar yesterday, while the Azure Stream Pill is my hope that it might aid your martial prowess, even if just a little."
Even at a glance, I could tell it was a treasured blade—the sword's edge gleamed with an aura of exceptional sharpness. With this, that crude old sword of mine could be sliced through like tofu.
The spirit pill must have been prepared with consideration for my loss in the duel due to insufficient internal energy. It was a gift that revealed her thoughtful nature.
"I gratefully accept this precious gift and your kind intentions from the Lower Five Gates."
"And might you take Escort Unit Captain Yi along as your travel companion? He'll be of great help in establishing the Lower Five Gates' new Qinghai branch in Xining."
"Pleased to meet you, great hero. I am Yi Daeju Wi Ryeongchan of the Lower Five Gates escort unit."
The man who introduced himself as Yi Daeju appeared to be in his thirties, clad in black attire that radiated the presence of a master at first sight. Though his eyes were sharp, the way he regarded me felt utterly trustworthy.
"Thank you for coming in person to lend your aid."
"No need for formal speech. The leader has already told me you're a benefactor of the Lower Five Gates, so please treat me at ease."
It felt a bit awkward not to use honorifics with someone older than me, but then again, it would be odd to use them with the unit captain when I didn't with the leader herself.
"Understood. I appreciate the consideration."
"He's someone I trust implicitly, so you can rely on him. Then, in the name of the Lower Five Gates, I wish the Azure Righteous Sword great fortune on your journey."
"Thank you, Leader. I'll look forward to seeing you again."
The leader saw me off with full decorum right up to the end, but just before I departed, she drew close and whispered in my ear.
"I chose the Moon Fang Sword hoping you'd remember last night's moonlit glow."
With that, she hid her faintly flushed face behind her sleeve and waved me off. For the head of a sect, she looked just like a shy little girl, and I couldn't help but chuckle.
"Why are you smiling like that, great hero?"
"It's nothing."
Yi Daeju stared at me with a puzzled expression. Somehow, it made me feel embarrassed too.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"On the way to Xining, I plan to consume the spirit pill and circulate my energy. Could you stand guard for me?"
"Ah, yes. Of course."
Asking for guard duty inside a jostling carriage might seem awkward, but Yi Daeju's face brightened instead.
For a martial artist, circulating energy was the most vulnerable state. Requesting protection in that moment signified absolute trust, so it seemed Yi Daeju was pleased to be held in such regard.
In any case, the leader had vouched for him as trustworthy, and he certainly looked the part skill-wise, so there was no need for suspicion.
I opened the box containing the Azure Stream Pill right there.
As soon as the lid lifted, a blue mist wafted up from within. A clear, refreshing scent mingled with the mountain's vital energy, lingering at my nostrils—so potent that even breathing it made my whole body feel purified before I'd even swallowed it.
"This is truly remarkable spirit medicine."
"It's the one the leader carefully selected. Called the Azure Stream Pill, it's condensed from the energy at the deepest depths of great lakes, capable of neutralizing any poison. When taken alone, it's known to purify the body's energy."
Then this must be the spirit pill she always carried to counter assassination attempts. Choosing it as a gift for me was like handing over an extra life.
A gift as meticulous and considerate as she was.
I took the Azure Stream Pill in hand and swallowed it at once. As the crisp fragrance slid down my throat, a cool sensation spread from the depths of my body all the way to my fingertips.
I could feel my internal energy purifying. Blocked meridians seemed to burst open forcibly, and lingering impurities melted away upon contact with my energy, as if it had become some kind of holy water itself.
I circulated it again and again, gathering the energy. After the first cycle, the next flowed even faster—like pebbles being swept from a valley stream, gradually strengthening the current.
Since this body was encountering such transformative spirit medicine for the first time, the effects were doubled. My internal energy now surpassed a full jia worth. In a contest of inner power, I wouldn't lose to most martial artists.
Completing the Small Heavenly Cycle, I slowly opened my eyes. It was already evening, the sun set and the moon rising. I'd spent a full half-day in circulation.
Turning my head, I saw Yi Daeju guarding my side without so much as a twitch.
"Thank you for indulging my bothersome request, Yi Daeju."
"Just doing what needed doing. Your energy feels well-gathered and deeper—looks like you've made a breakthrough. That's the best news possible."
As Yi Daeju said, my body felt much lighter. In this state, I could perform the remaining forms of the Blood Heaven Asura Art that had previously strained my body without issue.
"I've prepared a meal, so how about stopping the carriage for a rest?"
"You've worked hard too, Yi Daeju. Let's do that."
While Yi Daeju built a fire after I stepped down from the carriage, I drew the Moon Fang Sword to test my bolstered internal energy.
Infusing energy into the pale blade cloaked it in a thick, dark crimson aura—like red moonlight.
Let's test it on those nearby trees first.
Blood Heaven Asura Art: Butterfly Flower Chaos Dance.
The Butterfly Flower Chaos Dance was a form designed for breaking through encirclement by multiple foes, scattering slashing attacks in all directions to overwhelm them. In my past life, I'd devised it while agonizing over how to escape enemy sieges after losing Baek Eunhwa.
Unleashed in the forest's heart, the sword strikes sliced through the trees ahead like paper. At the same time, slashing waves extended outward, fluttering through the air like butterflies.
The form executed perfectly, with no strain on my body. With this level of power and skill, I could handle anyone short of a top hundred master.
"An incredible martial art."
Yi Daeju, having finished preparing the meal, arrived and marveled at the felled trees around us.
"You look quite young, great hero, yet your achievements are extraordinary. Perhaps I'm in the presence of the future World's Greatest."
"That's exactly what'll happen."
In my past life, I'd killed the Demonic Cult Leader and Alliance Leader to claim that title, after all.
"I see. Now I understand why the leader instructed me to treat you as a noble guest."
I'd tossed it out half in jest, but Yi Daeju responded with utter seriousness. What a diligent man.
That night at dinner, he quietly observed me, trying to gauge my intentions without a word.
Watching his earnest approach to everything, I could see why the leader had introduced him as a man worthy of her trust.
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The next day, the carriage finally arrived in Xining.
I wanted to rush straight to see Wolhyang, but first, I needed to introduce Yi Daeju to Haun and discuss future plans.
"You've returned, young hero."
Entering the Fallen Ghosts Pavilion, Haun greeted me with a joyful face. He must've thought I really might not come back.
"Who's that behind you?"
Haun eyed Yi Daeju sharply. It was natural to be wary of a stranger.
"Are you Haun, master of the Fallen Ghosts Pavilion?"
"Yes, that's me."
"I am Yi Daeju Wi Ryeongchan of the Lower Five Gates escort unit."
"Hup."
Haun glanced at me with an expression screaming, Is this for real? I nodded, and only then did he snap to attention, hurriedly bowing to Yi Daeju.
"Forgive my ignorance of a noble guest. I am Haun, master of the Fallen Ghosts Pavilion."
"No need for such formality. I've come with an important proposal for the Fallen Ghosts Pavilion."
"A proposal...?"
Haun fidgeted, looking lost—perhaps pricked by some guilt. Watching his flustered face was so amusing I couldn't help but snicker.
He was probably recalling past conflicts between the Fallen Ghosts Pavilion and Lower Five Gates, tensing up at the thought I might demand his head.
I pictured Yi Daeju saying something like, 'With your one life, I'll consider the past settled.' It nearly set me laughing again.
"We'd like to accept the Fallen Ghosts Pavilion as a subordinate sect of the Lower Five Gates. If you agree, it'll become part of the Qinghai branch, and you'll take charge as branch manager."
"Me... as the Lower Five Gates' branch manager?"
Haun stamped his feet in agitation, muttering, 'Stay calm, stay calm.'
"Pfft, hahaha."
I couldn't hold back the laughter anymore. Feeling mocked, Haun glared at me.
"You think this is funny? I've been scraping by as master of some backwater sect, and now I'm suddenly in line for Lower Five Gates branch manager?"
"It's fine. I'm the escort unit captain, after all."
"...Pardon?"
"Somehow, I ended up as the fifth captain in the Lower Five Gates escort unit. And I'm the one who recommended you for branch manager."
"So... this gentleman is Yi Daeju, and you're the fifth captain?"
"Exactly."
Yi Daeju nodded in affirmation, and Haun looked back and forth between us in growing confusion.
"So, will you do it or not? Just decide that. For reference, refuse, and we'll disband the Fallen Ghosts Pavilion here and set up the Qinghai branch in its place."
"What kind of threat is that? I don't even have a choice, do I?"
"But accept, and you'll step into a world far beyond some rural sect master—as Lower Five Gates Qinghai branch manager."
At the very least, he deserved that much. In my past life, he'd fought to defend Qinghai to the bitter end against the Demonic Cult's invasion.
I placed a hand on Haun's shoulder and said,
"I believe you can handle it."
"...Hah, no helping it, then."
His fluster gone, Haun stepped forward with a now-serious face. He clasped his fists in salute and continued.
"Master of the Fallen Ghosts Pavilion, Haun, accepts the Lower Five Gates' proposal. From this moment, the Fallen Ghosts Pavilion shall operate as the Lower Five Gates Qinghai branch, and Branch Manager Haun swears to faithfully carry out the Lower Five Gates' commands."
"Escort Unit Captain Yi Daeju Wi Ryeongchan, acting on behalf of the Lower Five Gates leader, hereby appoints Pavilion Master Haun as Qinghai branch manager. I look forward to your future exploits."
The branch manager position carried responsibilities incomparable to leading a single sect. It oversaw not just Xining, but all of Qinghai.
Yet seeing him stride forward with dignified resolve, I felt certain he could manage it. Above all, he was the kind who knew how to smile along with others' laughter.