The Swordmaster Wants To Live Peacefully [EN]: Chapter 299

Swordmaster Wants to Live Peacefully – Episode 298

Swordmaster Wants to Live Peacefully 298

The Holy Shrine of Korea (8)

After Seo Yeon-jung, now imbued with a different essence, returned, Yoo Seong-woo sat on the sofa, contemplating the invitation from the Korean Holy Shrine.

Korea.

The land of his birth and upbringing.

Though divided politically, the myths and heroic deeds of its figures remained, coalescing into a unified Holy Shrine.

For a country relatively small in landmass, it possessed a surprisingly rich collection of heroes.

He couldn’t accurately gauge their strength.

His visit to Takamagahara, the Japanese Holy Shrine, offered some insight, but each Holy Shrine operated within its own unique parameters.

‘The Japanese Holy Shrine could be considered relatively weak for its scale.’

The Japanese Holy Shrine was undeniably vast.

Boasting over eighty thousand deities, this was to be expected, but the disparity between major and minor gods was too pronounced.

Many myths were either vague or fabricated for political expediency.

The only deities with well-defined origins and power were those residing on the 4th and 5th floors of Takamagahara.

Essentially, a mere dozen or so deities sustained the entire Japanese Holy Shrine.

‘The peculiar thing is….’

There were no figures resembling historical Japanese heroes within Takamagahara.

Only those documented in mythology, ancient gods still actively worshipped, and a host of lesser deities.

The Japanese Holy Shrine seemed to only recognize such beings as legitimate deities, granting them entry into Takamagahara.

‘However, the gods of the Korean Holy Shrine I encountered previously included military commanders who were active in wars.’

One deity, possessing a shaman, had expressed displeasure towards him, while another conveyed respect.

He couldn’t avoid this visit to the Holy Shrine.

Postponing it was not an option, and further delay wouldn’t alter the situation.

In fact, now, with his reputation soaring after defeating Susano-o, was the most opportune moment.

“A week from now….”

Indeed, how would the deities of the Korean Holy Shrine receive him?

As an obstacle? A nuisance? Or a talent to be courted?

Regardless, his stance remained unchanged.

His objective was clear, and his path was unwavering.

“Oppa.”

As Yoo Seong-woo pondered, his expression serious, Yoo Ji-woo called out from across the room.

“Oppa, can’t you tell me what’s going on? You seem to be worrying about it too much on your own.”

“…Hmm.”

Yoo Seong-woo gazed at Yoo Ji-woo, noticing her concerned expression.

“I don’t know why Oppa isn’t sharing everything with me, but it doesn’t seem like a problem that can be solved by just worrying alone.”

“That’s certainly true.”

This situation resembled a political maneuver. Instead of agonizing over a problem in isolation, discussing it with others would increase the likelihood of finding a solution.

Besides, Yoo Ji-woo possessed more experience in political maneuvering than he did.

Yoo Seong-woo primarily relied on force to resolve issues, rather than strategic negotiation or political tactics.

Yoo Seong-woo proceeded to explain the entire situation.

After hearing the details, Yoo Ji-woo offered her own interpretation.

“Hmm, it’s like a one-person company making sales equivalent to a large corporation, and you have two options: either be acquired or expand the company.”

“Does it seem that way?”

“But if you decide to expand the company, other large corporations will try to carry out a hostile takeover, even if they have to force it.”

“Well, maybe?”

“Why are you answering like that? If that’s the case, there are several methods, but the best method in the current situation is to pit other companies against each other.”

“Pit them against each other, huh.”

Yoo Ji-woo snapped her fingers, and a hologram materialized above the table.

The hologram displayed the power structure Yoo Seong-woo had described, showcasing the various Holy Shrines surrounding him.

The Japanese Holy Shrine, the Korean Holy Shrine, the Norse Holy Shrine, the Greek Holy Shrine.

Although they hadn’t explicitly revealed their intentions, other Holy Shrines were also likely interested in Yoo Seong-woo.

“If these large corporations get involved, it will naturally turn into a talent war. You should confidently declare your terms at the upcoming Korean workshop.”

“…I roughly understand. You’re saying I should create competition, right? And align myself with the Holy Shrine that offers the most benefits.”

“Exactly. That way, you can buy some time. Meanwhile, Oppa can focus on expanding the company. Think of it as a kind of reverse interview.”

Indeed, Yoo Ji-woo was well-versed in these political strategies.

The problem that had been troubling him was resolved almost instantly, making him feel somewhat foolish.

Of course, for this plan to succeed, Yoo Seong-woo would have to perform his part effectively.

With such a comprehensive plan in place, failure seemed unlikely.

Yoo Seong-woo smiled contentedly, and Yoo Ji-woo mirrored his smile, saying,

“How is it, Oppa? Things go much smoother when we discuss them together, right?”

“You’re not a child anymore. Indeed.”

“Even though the age gap between Oppa and me has widened, I’ve learned a lot too.”

Yoo Seong-woo had to concede. Yoo Ji-woo had matured, and she was striving to support him in any way she could.

If Yoo Seong-woo had been fulfilling his role as an older brother, Yoo Ji-woo was trying to do her part as a younger sister.

“…Ji-woo, you’ve grown a lot.”

“At least I’ve grown enough to support Oppa from behind.”

“Not bad. If I ever establish a Holy Shrine, I’ll accept you as the first member.”

“That’s a great honor, I must say.”

***

And a week before the gateway to the Korean Holy Shrine was to open,

Yoo Seong-woo dedicated his time to addressing pending matters.

He compiled several stories and submitted them in writing to fulfill his contract with Dantalion.

He also summoned the witches and initiated the groundwork for constructing the new Holy Shrine.

Believing that more information was always beneficial, he researched various myths and heroes of Korea who were likely to reside in the Holy Shrine.

“If I took a Korean history test, I think I could get a hundred points.”

“Aren’t you going to fail because you didn’t study modern history?”

“…Except for modern history.”

It seemed improbable that modern figures would be present in the Holy Shrine.

To be recognized as a deity, their stories needed to be told for an extended period, and they required significant accomplishments.

Even Miyamoto Musashi, a renowned Japanese swordsman, only attained the status of a quasi-deity, so modern heroes likely hadn’t had sufficient time to ascend to the Holy Shrine.

Even if there were any, Yoo Seong-woo would be aware if they had achieved feats significant enough to warrant entry into the Holy Shrine.

“Anyway, you’re leaving tonight, right? Be careful.”

“Yeah.”

“Uncle, please be careful.”

Nox clung to Yoo Seong-woo’s leg, expressing his concern.

Yoo Seong-woo had spent some time playing with Nox during the week, primarily venturing into the Abyss to impart the virtues expected of a dragon.

Yoo Ji-woo voiced her opinion, but Nox seemed to enjoy it, so it was deemed acceptable.

“So, how are you getting there? Are they coming to pick you up?”

“Seo Yeon-jung will serve as a guide.”

“Sister… I didn’t ask on purpose, but who is the deity inside Sister in the end?”

“I don’t know either. It seems like a forgotten deity, but considering it has maintained its ego until now, it must be a fairly prominent local god.”

If that weren’t the case, the essence residing within Seo Yeon-jung couldn’t be explained.

And as more time elapsed, on a night illuminated by a full moon,

Seo Yeon-jung materialized in the living room, as before.

“Oh, geez, you scared me!”

Yoo Ji-woo, startled by Seo Yeon-jung’s sudden appearance, exclaimed.

Seo Yeon-jung, an otherworldly figure more akin to a god than a human,

announced,

“The path to the Holy Shrine will open soon. Prepare to depart.”

“The preparations are already complete.”

Yoo Seong-woo stood up from his seat.

He was dressed in his usual comfortable attire:

A shirt and a pair of pants.

And Ilseong [his sword] was tucked into his waist.

It was preferable not to draw it, but he could do so at any moment.

“…Then we can depart.”

Soon, the full moon reached its zenith.

The full moon in the cloudless night sky possessed an almost regal quality.

Seo Yeon-jung raised her hand.

Then, one corner of the living room began to distort, and the wall transformed into a staircase.

A staircase leading towards the moon.

Yoo Seong-woo briefly considered the distance between the Earth and the Moon, then dismissed the thought.

Surely they weren’t going to traverse that distance on those stairs….

“I’ll go first.”

Simultaneously with Seo Yeon-jung’s words, a whitish energy emanated from her body and took form.

Like a ghost, a translucent figure appeared.

A woman in shamanistic attire began to ascend the stairs first, and Yoo Seong-woo waved goodbye to Nox and Yoo Ji-woo before following her.

And a miraculous event occurred.

Despite having taken only a few steps, the living room that should have been behind him had vanished completely, leaving only the Earth visible in the distant expanse.

Yoo Seong-woo paused for a moment, gazing at the round, beautiful blue planet.

Now, Earth had become a playground for the gods.

It wasn’t particularly peaceful, but there were those who viewed this beautiful planet as merely a playground.

Knowing that he was now heading to the moon to confront such beings, a feeling began to stir within him.

“What’s wrong?”

The nameless deity inquired.

Yoo Seong-woo remained silent, continuing to observe the Earth for a while before turning and resuming his ascent.

The two continued to climb the stairs.

Was the path to the Korean Holy Shrine truly this long?

‘I don’t want to come here twice.’

Damn it, this wasn’t like crossing the Ojak Bridge [a bridge in Korean folklore].

This was truly a stairway to heaven.

In a literal sense.

He, who had been walking in silence, could no longer contain himself and asked,

“How much further do we have to go?”

“I don’t know either. These stairs, their length is determined by the divinity of the one walking on them.”

“This is driving me crazy.”

So, he couldn’t know how much longer it would take.

As he frowned, the nameless deity said,

“But it doesn’t seem like it will take that long. Your divinity is something that anyone would acknowledge. It’s just a little further.”

“It’s a method I don’t want to use twice.”

“…If you take a seat in the Korean Holy Shrine, you might be able to change this method.”

“Is that so?”

Well, he had no intention of joining, though.

And, before long, the end of the stairs came into view.

“It seems we’re almost there at last.”

“It was faster than I thought.”

As they drew closer, the destination at the end of the stairs gradually revealed itself.

At the end of the stairs stood a magnificent palace.

It appeared small from afar, but as they approached, its true size became apparent.

The Dancheong-colored [traditional Korean decorative coloring] Lunar Palace (月宮), embodying the pinnacle of beauty with a grandeur and elegance that was overwhelming, stood before Yoo Seong-woo.

The nameless deity, standing at its entrance, turned to face Yoo Seong-woo, bowed his head, and said,

“Welcome, Yoo Seong-woo. This is the Korean Holy Shrine, the Jade Emperor Palace (玉皇宮).”