Tales Of The Nine Dragons [EN]: Chapter 61

The rainy season this year was longer than last year’s. The rain still poured relentlessly; though the downpour had eased slightly, it was still considerable.

“I hope the rainy season ends soon…”

Hua County in Shanxi Province is densely populated, largely because it surrounds Mount Hua.

Though called a ‘county,’ it is more developed than the counties of Shanyang, Shangnan, and Shangzhou, making it more akin to a small city. Many people have established their livelihoods here, especially merchants.

These merchants share one thing in common: they are all under the protection of the Mount Hua Sect, and the shop owners are either disciples of the Mount Hua Sect or have family members who are.

Considering this, Hua County is essentially Mount Hua Sect’s territory and the first point of contact one encounters on the way there.

“When will this damn rain stop?”

Despite the pouring rain, Hua County was bustling with people.

In particular, the inns were packed, with people occupying every seat, deep in conversation. Most of the inns in Hua County were full.

Hua Mountain Assembly!

The Hua Mountain Assembly, held every four years, is a stage where martial artists hone their swordsmanship and show off their skills. It is also an opportunity to learn and improve.

The Hua Mountain Assembly is hosted and organized by the orthodox Mount Hua Sect, but martial artists from unorthodox sects and even the Demonic Cult can also attend.

Of course, renowned figures from the unorthodox sects or the Demonic Cult do not openly participate in the Hua Mountain Assembly, but they keep a close eye on it to gather information on who might rise as the next martial arts prodigy.

The Hua Mountain Assembly is enjoyed not only by young martial artists but also by seasoned martial artists. Because of this, people who are not martial artists but are interested in the martial world come to Hua County to see the famous martial artists.

However, ordinary people who are not martial artists cannot enter the Mount Hua Sect itself.

Even so, sitting in an inn in Hua County allows one to meet many martial artists, making the inns in Hua County a dream destination for ordinary people who admire the martial world, especially during the Hua Mountain Assembly.

Hwa-Rin and Seo Dae-Young were in Hua County to attend the Hua Mountain Assembly, staying at an inn and passing the time.

Just listening to the stories people told in the inn was entertaining enough to spend the whole day there.

“The Sword Saint [a legendary figure known for his mastery of the sword] said so. The Namgung Clan is the best when it comes to swordsmanship. There’s Namgung So-gun, who is called the Sword Emperor of this era. And in the older generation, there’s Sword Master Namgung Cheong-ya, and in the younger generation, there’s Sword Dragon Namgung Jin.”

“You never know. Wudang and Mount Hua are second to none when it comes to swordsmanship. And there are the Five Great Sword Sects too.”

“Still, the Namgung Clan has a slight edge.”

When discussing swordsmanship among the orthodox sects, excluding the Demonic Cult and unorthodox factions, the Namgung Clan was always mentioned.

“What do you think, Chief Seo?”

“About what?”

“What they said. That the Namgung Clan is the best at swordsmanship, things like that.”

Seo Dae-Young said in a tone that suggested the idea was absurd.

“How can that be? It’s just that someone who has mastered martial arts makes the clan famous. Depending on the classification of martial arts, there may be divine arts, demonic arts, and evil arts, but I think it’s wrong to classify the martial arts themselves as high or low.”

“That’s too textbook of an answer, isn’t it?”

Hwa-Rin’s words made Seo Dae-Young feel a little embarrassed, and he asked in return, “Then what do you think, Clan Lord?”

“Well, I haven’t really thought about it.”

Seo Dae-Young shook his head slightly, wearing an expression that suggested he should have kept his mouth shut.

“But why are you asking me?”

“Because people have different thoughts. Ordinary people or martial artists who haven’t reached a certain level will judge simply by what they see. Like them.”

“Then are you saying that you think differently from them?”

“Chief Seo, you gave a different answer too.”

Seo Dae-Young’s eyes sparkled. He knew from experience that sometimes these casual remarks could be very insightful.

“I think all the martial arts that have left their mark in the martial world are great.”

“Martial arts that have left their mark in the martial world?”

“Like the Three Talents Sword Formation or the Six Harmonies Fist.”

“I haven’t thought about that.”

“Chief Seo, you said a little while ago that divine arts, demonic arts, and evil arts exist.”

“Yes, I did.”

“No.”

“Pardon?”

“Martial arts exist in their pure form. However, when the thoughts of the person who masters the martial arts enter, it becomes divine art, demonic art, or evil art.”

“Hmm…”

“We don’t call the Demonic Cult’s Heavenly Demon Divine Art as Heavenly Demon Demonic Art.”

“That’s right.”

“But we don’t call the Four Blood Alliance’s Four Fiends Demonic Art as Four Fiends Divine Art.”

Seo Dae-In thought for a moment while listening to Hwa-Rin’s words.

“While mastering martial arts, one gains enlightenment, and the martial art evolves into a more complete form. When the thoughts of the person mastering the martial art enter here, its nature changes.”

“Is there a suitable example?”

“Let’s say someone is blinded by revenge. If they think every day while mastering martial arts that they will tear their enemy to pieces and take revenge in an even more cruel and brutal way, the nature of the martial art will change accordingly. That’s how evil art is created.”

“Then why hasn’t the Heavenly Demon Divine Art, which is the supreme martial art of the Demonic Cult, been corrupted into demonic art? Most of the Demonic Cult’s martial arts are classified as demonic arts.”

“I don’t know either. However, I speculate that the first Heavenly Demon probably continued to train to become stronger for pure purposes.”

“To become stronger?”

“Yes. Like the desire to become the greatest person under the heavens, surpassing all others.”

Seo Dae-Young nodded.

“Even now, when people are asked who the greatest person of all time is, they answer without even thinking. They say it’s the first Heavenly Demon of the Demonic Cult.”

“There’s some truth to that. But does what you’re saying now have anything to do with the Namgung Clan?”

“No.”

Seo Dae-Young stared intently at Hwa-Rin.

“What does that…”

“It has nothing to do with the Namgung Clan.”

“Then?”

“It has to do with martial arts.”

“Please don’t beat around the bush and just tell me.”

When Seo Dae-Young asked, Hwa-Rin chuckled.

“It means that you shouldn’t master martial arts habitually, but you should put your passion into it and crave and strive for even a little bit more.”

“Ah…”

“The Namgung Clan is said to be the best among the Ten Great Clans. And the grandfather is the best swordsman in the Central Plains [the heartland of Chinese civilization], and the uncle is also slated to be the next best swordsman in the Central Plains, and the nephew as well. Is it simply because the Namgung Clan’s martial arts are great?”

“No, it’s not. If that were the case, everyone who masters the Namgung Clan’s martial arts would have to be great.”

“Right. It’s the desire and effort to not fall behind other clans, to enjoy a thousand years of glory as a martial arts clan, and to protect the family and oneself that has created the current Namgung Clan, or the best swordsman in the Central Plains.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

“So, when you train in martial arts, train as if your life depends on it, and when you teach children, teach as if your life depends on it. That way, Chief Seo’s will will be imbued in the martial arts, and when that will is revealed to the world, people will remember and talk about Chief Seo’s martial arts and leave a name for posterity. When that happens, people will strive to master Chief Seo’s martial arts.”

“But Clan Lord.”

“Why?”

“You seem to be setting the mood too much today.”

Hwa-Rin looked at Seo Dae-Young for a moment with an expression that said, ‘What’s the point of talking to you?’ and then called the waiter.

“Waiter! Add a bottle of Jukyeopcheong [a type of bamboo-leaf liquor] and a plate of Jayuksoban [a dish of stir-fried pork].”

“Yes, I will bring it to you soon.”

“Drink up.”

Hwa-Rin listened to the waiter’s reply and then picked up the bottle and poured wine into Seo Dae-Young’s glass.

Then, he listened to the surrounding stories again.

“Did you hear that story?”

“What story?”

“Blood Demon Unfeeling of the Blood Fiend Sect in Henan Province was assassinated last night.”

“Henan Province is still noisy because of that. I heard that the Four Blood Alliance has also dispatched investigators.”

“Yeah. And it seems that the investigator has discovered something in the deaths of Blood Demon Unfeeling and the elders.”

“What?”

“I don’t know either. That’s why the Four Blood Alliance dispatched the Nine Provinces Death Blood Squad to the martial world.”

As soon as the name Nine Provinces Death Blood Squad came out, the noisy inn became as quiet as a lie.

“Is that true?”

“Yes, my second cousin’s uncle’s relative works in the Four Blood Alliance’s butcher shop. That person said that the Nine Provinces Death Blood Squad left the Four Blood Alliance a few days ago and went to the martial world.”

Hwa-Rin tilted his head and opened his mouth. It sounded like he was talking to himself, or maybe he was saying it for Seo Dae-Young, who was sitting across from him, to hear.

“It doesn’t make sense logically.”

“What doesn’t make sense?”

“About half a month has passed since Blood Demon Unfeeling Na Seong-gi died. The rumor that Na Seong-gi died must have been conveyed to the Four Blood Alliance in half a month, and the Four Blood Alliance must have dispatched investigators and reported back to the Four Blood Alliance after investigating.”

“That’s right.”

“Then, after receiving the report from the Four Blood Alliance, they will hold a meeting and send the Nine Provinces Death Blood Squad to the martial world to find the culprit.”

“That’s right.”

“The Blood Fiend Sect is in Henan Province, and the Four Blood Alliance is in Guangxi Province. No matter how fast they move, it’s a distance that takes more than ten days to travel by horse, even if they pass through Hunan and Hubei to get to Henan Province.”

As he said this, Hwa-Rin’s gaze turned to the table where the men who had started the topic were sitting.

“The Hao Clan people, disguised as merchants, are deliberately spreading rumors like this…”

“What?”

When the men who were talking became agitated, Hwa-Rin awkwardly smiled with a subdued expression and waved his hand, saying it wasn’t true.

“I was just talking to myself, so please don’t misunderstand.”

The waiter came to Hwa-Rin’s table with a bottle of Jukyeopcheong and a dish and said in a low voice.

“Sir, there are many martial artists gathered here now, so you could lose your life due to unnecessary misunderstandings. So, pretend you don’t know even if you do, and pretend you didn’t hear even if you did.”

“The Clan Lord is meddling unnecessarily.”

Seo Dae-Young took out a silver coin and gave it to the waiter.

“I will take your words to heart.”

The waiter took the silver coin and smiled brightly, saying to eat slowly and deliciously, and then went to the side where another guest was calling.

“Chief Seo.”

“Yes, tell me.”

Hwa-Rin lowered his voice.

“When I was in the palace, to be exact, when I was in the Eastern Depot [a secret intelligence agency], doing the work of extracting information from the other party, did you spread such sudden rumors like that?”

“It’s a method we mainly use when we have suspicions but no evidence. We look at the other party’s reaction and infer to find those related to the evidence and obtain information through their mouths.”

“It’s not like they don’t move at all, right?”

“That’s right. If the Nine Provinces Death Blood Squad has left the Four Blood Alliance as they said, then they probably did. That way, the other party will think that the rumor is somewhat true.”

“Then it’s true that they’ve figured out something about the person who killed Na Seong-gi.”

“It could be, or it could not be. It will depend on how the person who killed Na Seong-gi reacts. But why are you so interested in the person who killed Na Seong-gi?”

“I was wondering if I left any traces.”

Seo Dae-Young asked back, wondering if he had misheard Hwa-Rin’s words.

“Pardon?”

“I was wondering if I left anything that could be a clue after killing Na Seong-gi, the elders, and that guy’s son.”

“Then it will be difficult.”

“It would be.”

“Don’t joke around, did you really leave any traces?”

Seo Dae-Young asked with a serious expression.

“I don’t think so. If there’s one thing that bothers me, it’s that I slept at the inn, woke up, had dinner, and left the inn.”

“Isn’t there anything strange about that?”

“It was the rainy season, so it rained a lot. It’s a little strange that a person went out at night when it was raining a lot, don’t you think?”

“That’s true. But they don’t know where you live, do they? And unless they sit face to face and talk for a long time, it’s not that easy to draw a sketch of your face, so nothing will happen.”

Seo Dae-Young reassured Hwa-Rin.

“That’s right. Nothing will happen, so I’m worried.”

“Pardon?”

He looked at Hwa-Rin with an expression that said, ‘What kind of nonsense is this?’

“I’m bored. If those guys come looking for me, a lot of exciting things will happen.”

“Haa…”

Seo Dae-Young took a deep breath and calmed himself, then began a storm of nagging towards Hwa-Rin.

“Are you saying that now? Something might happen that could kill all of our family members… How can you be so selfish?”

In response to Seo Dae-Young’s storm of nagging, Hwa-Rin moved the internal energy of his dantian [energy center] to create a thin barrier in front of him, preventing Seo Dae-Young’s voice from crossing the barrier.

“A Clan Lord is like that…”