As Namgung Un returned to his clan, Black Leopard felt a bit dejected.
The absence of the lively, boisterous presence left a noticeable void.
“Young Master, where are we headed now?” Black Leopard asked Bu Eunseol, who was seated at a table, writing something with brush and ink.
“Where to…” At the question, Bu Eunseol set down his brush and gazed out the open window.
It had been nearly a year since he began his journey through the martial world.
He had fought countless strong opponents, but he couldn’t gauge how much stronger he had become. He had simply done his best.
Seeing Bu Eunseol standing in a daze, Black Leopard cautiously asked, “How about we start by renting a carriage?”
“Let’s do it.” Leaving the inn, Bu Eunseol headed toward the relay station to rent a carriage.
Negotiating the price of a carriage was always Black Leopard’s responsibility, so he confidently took the lead. However, upon arriving near the relay station, a man approached Bu Eunseol and politely gestured toward a carriage in front of him.
“Please take this carriage, Young Master.” The man’s appearance was ordinary, but his build was robust, and his eyes were sharp.
He leaned in close to Bu Eunseol and whispered in a low voice, “The Great Lord has ordered you to return to the main pavilion as soon as possible.” Bu Eunseol’s eyes gleamed.
It dawned on him that this man was a member of the Peongan Corps, the intelligence unit of Nangyang Pavilion.
‘The Great Lord has been tracking my every move.’ In an instant, the cold yet ever-concerned face of Baek Yeon, the Great Lord of the Peongan Corps, flashed through his mind.
“Must I go right now?”
At Bu Eunseol’s question, the man murmured softly, “Yes. The coachman has already been arranged.” Hearing this, Bu Eunseol fell into deep thought.
“Black Leopard.”
“Yes.”
“For a while, I’ll be handling matters at the main pavilion.” Bu Eunseol pulled a booklet from his robes and handed it to Black Leopard. “In the meantime, return to Dongpyoseorang and master this.”
Black Leopard took the manual and saw the title Essentials of the Short Sword written on the cover.
“This is…”
“You primarily use a short sword, aside from hidden weapons.” Knowing Black Leopard’s preference for short swords, Bu Eunseol had compiled a manual of short sword techniques based on the martial arts he had mastered over time.
“You wrote another manual… for me?”
“It was for my own sake.” That was half-true.
Studying and revisiting what he had learned deepened his own martial arts understanding.
“I understand. I’ll study it diligently.” Black Leopard respectfully tucked the manual into his robes.
He didn’t bother with words of gratitude or pledges of loyalty. After all, any skills gained from the manual would be used to aid Bu Eunseol.
“Stay safe until we meet again, Young Master.” Nodding, Bu Eunseol climbed into the carriage, and the man skillfully drove the horses.
As Black Leopard watched the carriage depart with a clattering sound, his gaze deepened. He had a premonition that it would be quite some time before he saw Bu Eunseol again.
“I need to get stronger.” Black Leopard tightly gripped the manual in his robes.
For now, the only thing he could do was diligently train in martial arts to become a greater asset when he reunited with Bu Eunseol.
***
Clatter, clatter.
The carriage, which had been speeding along, gradually slowed.
The journey from Anho to Iron Staff Mountain took a full fourteen days. During that time, Bu Eunseol was constantly cultivating his energy within the carriage.
Hummm.
As his cultivation reached its peak, faint red specks of light began to hover around his body.
Having reached the cusp of the third level of the Ban-geuk Method, the Half-Extreme Radiance that once lingered in his eyes now began to manifest in his body as well.
‘My internal energy has deepened.’ Not only had the internal injuries sustained from his battle with the masked man fully healed, but his internal energy had grown even stronger.
‘This is strange.’ It was nearly impossible, according to martial principles, for internal energy to deepen with each recovery from internal injuries.
While bones and muscles grow stronger through repeated healing, internal organs lose resilience with each injury, becoming prone to misalignment. This was precisely why some martial artists never fully recover from severe internal injuries.
‘Could I already be entering the fourth level?’ At the fourth level of the Ban-geuk Method, true energy surges endlessly. This enables the refinement of protective true energy and allows for rapid recovery from internal injuries.
Yet Bu Eunseol’s current level was still the third. So why was this happening?
Chirp, chirp, chirp.
The sound of birds chirping came through the window. They had arrived near Iron Staff Mountain.
“We’ve arrived.” At the coachman’s voice from the driver’s seat, Bu Eunseol slowly stepped out of the carriage.
Despite driving relentlessly for fourteen days, with only brief rests for the horses, the coachman’s eyes remained clear and sharp. He was likely no ordinary coachman but a martial artist with profound internal energy.
“Thanks to you, the journey was comfortable.” Bu Eunseol pulled a promissory note from his robes and offered it, but the coachman waved his hands.
“The fare has already been paid.”
“This is from me.” When Bu Eunseol offered the note again, the coachman bowed.
“Thank you.”
Clatter, clatter.
As the carriage departed, Bu Eunseol looked up at Iron Staff Mountain with a sense of nostalgia.
‘It’s been a year.’ After a brief moment of reflection, he employed his qinggong and began ascending Iron Staff Mountain.
Swish.
Bu Eunseol’s faint shadow reached the mid-slope, where Nangyang Pavilion was located, in an instant. Passing through the wide-open gates, he saw a scene resembling a small fortress city. Crossing the bustling streets and entering an alley, he spotted a small house he had personally repaired.
Bu Eunseol took a deep breath.
‘I’m back.’ It felt like returning to a cozy home after a long absence.
In truth, Nangyang Pavilion was his home. Here, he had a place to rest comfortably. No one treated him as an enemy, and there were elders who would provide shade in times of hardship.
“You’re here.” A low voice came from behind Bu Eunseol as he stood in front of the house.
In the previously empty blacksmith forge, an elderly man with a stern expression now stood.
It was Master Iron, Wang Geol.
“How have you been, Master Iron?” Bu Eunseol respectfully clasped his hands, and Wang Geol, after staring at him intently, nodded.
“Looks like you’ve had a proper journey through the martial world.” His tone was gruff, but his eyes were filled with concern.
At that moment, a commotion erupted from the opposite alley as a dozen or so figures approached noisily.
“Master Iron! Haven’t you finished sharpening the weapons yet?” At the forefront of the group stood a towering man and a wiry one side by side—So Jeon, the Great Lord of the Changsin Corps, and his deputy, Je Woon.
“Huh?” Je Woon spotted Bu Eunseol and slapped his shoulder with a delighted expression.
“Bu Eunseol, you’re back.”
“Deputy Lord.” Bu Eunseol bowed, and Je Woon nodded.
“Have you completed your journey through the martial world?”
“Yes.” At that, the members of the Changsin Corps surrounded Bu Eunseol, each offering a comment.
“Wow, your aura has changed so much I barely recognized you.”
“You could join us as an official member of the Changsin Corps now.” Having fought side by side in life-and-death missions at Storm Valley, they treated Bu Eunseol with great familiarity.
“Thank you.” Bu Eunseol bowed to the members and then greeted So Jeon, who stood nearby.
“Bu Eunseol greets the Great Lord.” In the past, facing So Jeon’s formidable aura head-on would have been daunting.
But now, Bu Eunseol calmly and effortlessly withstood So Jeon’s chilling and sharp presence.
“Hmm.” Letting out a sound of admiration, So Jeon looked Bu Eunseol up and down, licking his lips.
It was as if a drunkard were eyeing a delectable feast.
“A few trips through the martial world, and you’ve truly changed.” With a tone of wonder, he tapped the great sword slung over his shoulder and said, “How about it? Shall we have a real spar with this Great Lord now?”
Before Bu Eunseol could respond, Je Woon interjected with a rebuke.
“Great Lord, is that something to say to someone who’s just returned after a year?”
“What’s wrong with a spar?”
“Offer him a warm meal first, then talk about sparring. And don’t you always use vacuum force during spars, leaving our members battered?”
“Hmph, the martial arts of our pavilion are learned through getting hurt.”
“Hurt? You mean pulverized!” As So Jeon and Je Woon bickered pointlessly, Wang Geol spoke up.
“Ignore those two and head to Clear Breeze Pavilion. The Deputy Pavilion Master is looking for you.”
“Understood.” Bu Eunseol bowed and also paid his respects to So Jeon and Je Woon. “I’ll take my leave.”
“Bu Eunseol! Don’t forget to spar with this Great Lord next time.”
“Stop pushing for spars, I said!” Smiling faintly as he watched the two continue their relentless squabble, Bu Eunseol headed slowly toward Clear Breeze Pavilion.
On his way, he encountered numerous people within Nangyang Pavilion. Some looked surprised, others gazed with curiosity.
‘Something feels off.’ When he first arrived at Nangyang Pavilion, people had always maintained an indifferent attitude, whether he met their eyes or passed by. But now, their gazes seemed to say, ‘A new disciple has joined Nangyang Pavilion?’
In truth, Bu Eunseol’s aura and martial prowess had not only earned him recognition as a disciple of Nangyang Pavilion but had grown astonishingly strong. Yet, unaware of this, Bu Eunseol merely wore a puzzled expression.
“How may I assist you?” Upon arriving at Clear Breeze Pavilion, a passing maid asked Bu Eunseol.
“I am disciple Bu Eunseol, here to see the Deputy Pavilion Master.”
“Follow me.” Guided by the maid, he entered the pavilion, where a garden bloomed with exotic flowers and an elegant gazebo stood.
Passing through the garden to a study adorned with vermilion and blue, the maid spoke softly, “Deputy Pavilion Master, Young Master Bu has arrived.”
“Let him in.” As the door opened, Bu Eunseol saw a desk piled high with books and Dan Cheong, diligently wielding a brush.
Being the leader of a sect, even a small one like Nangyang Pavilion, one of the Ten Demonic Sects, meant handling an unimaginable amount of daily tasks.
“Deputy Pavilion Master.”
“You’re back.” Bu Eunseol bowed respectfully, and Dan Cheong smiled brightly, nodding.
“You’ve become a true man now. I’ve heard all about your exploits through the Peongan Corps.” Bu Eunseol wasn’t particularly surprised by this.
If his actions hadn’t been meticulously reported, they wouldn’t have stationed a Peongan Corps member at the relay station precisely when he needed a carriage.
“Have a seat for a moment.” Dan Cheong smiled and gestured to the seat across from him.
“I just need to finish a few letters. Bring another cup of tea.”
“Yes, sir.” The maid brought a steaming cup of tea to the table where Bu Eunseol sat.
After taking a few sips, he found himself with little to do. Glancing around, his gaze settled on Dan Cheong, who was immersed in his work.
Swish, swish.
Dan Cheong flipped through books with his left hand while writing with his right. Even in daily life, he naturally employed the principle of divided focus. Moreover, he turned pages and wrote at a speed three to four times faster than an ordinary person. Yet his handwriting was neat, and the pace of turning pages was consistent.
‘This is only possible because of the Deputy Pavilion Master’s high martial prowess.’ Dan Cheong’s reflexes and senses were several times superior to those of an average martial artist, allowing him to divide his time several-fold.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.” Having finished his work, Dan Cheong rose from his seat.
With a faint smile, he suddenly looked Bu Eunseol up and down, his mouth agape.
“What in the world happened to you?”
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