Dongpyoseorang. Originally, it refers to wandering aimlessly without a fixed destination.
However, in the martial world, it denotes the mercenary market of Guizhou, where martial artists earn money by selling their skills.
It doesn’t matter where you come from or which sect you belong to. As long as you have the skill, you can join Dongpyoseorang and take on jobs. If you wish, you can even become a mercenary under their banner.
“The Jeongmu Tournament, hosted by Dongpyoseorang, is about to take place,” said Dan Cheong.
“The Jeongmu Tournament… you mean the martial arts competition?” asked Baek Yeon.
“Something like that. But for them, holding the Jeongmu Tournament is more about gathering skilled mercenaries and promoting their services to various factions,” Dan Cheong replied.
Baek Yeon’s face fell at Dan Cheong’s words.
“Vice-Leader, Dongpyoseorang is no place for that boy to go.”
“Why not?”
“Dongpyoseorang is thriving day by day. For the Jeongmu Tournament, not only the righteous and unorthodox factions but even the Martial Alliance is sending their finest warriors.”
“Well, isn’t the path of the martial world inherently dangerous?” Dan Cheong said, brushing off Baek Yeon’s concerns lightly. “It may not be the best place to make a name for oneself, but it’s an excellent opportunity to gain experience. Especially this time, they say the tournament’s prize is so extraordinary that top-tier experts are flocking to it.”
“What’s the prize?” Baek Yeon asked.
“The Yeongsasin Sword,” Dan Cheong answered.
“The Yeongsasin Sword,” Bu Eunseol repeated, his eyes glinting with interest.
‘A sword called divine shouldn’t break easily,’ he thought. He had never cared much for weapons in the past. But the new sword technique he had developed tended to shatter blades with ease, so he needed a good sword.
“I’m going to Dongpyoseorang,” Bu Eunseol declared.
“Eunseol,” Baek Yeon said, unable to hide his concern. “This decision will determine your standing for the next decade. Choose carefully.”
“Thank you, Leader,” Bu Eunseol said, bowing deeply. “For caring about me and worrying for my sake. But I am a disciple of Nangyang.”
“Of course, the ultimate ideal of our sect is the pursuit of martial arts. But you are destined to become a great figure who will one day lead Nangyang.”
“I know. That’s exactly why I’ve chosen to walk the martial path.” Realizing Bu Eunseol’s resolve, Baek Yeon let out a deep sigh.
“Fine. If that’s your decision, there’s nothing I can do.” With a face full of wrinkles, he shook his head. “Do as you wish.”
“Thank you. May I leave immediately, then?” Bu Eunseol asked.
Dan Cheong nodded.
“Of course. But stop by Master Cheol’s place and pick up a weapon.”
“Understood. Thank you.” Bu Eunseol clasped his hands together and bowed deeply once more. “I’ll see you again in a year.” Without hesitation, he turned and left.
Swift and decisive. Once Bu Eunseol made up his mind, he acted without wavering.
“Ugh,” Baek Yeon sighed heavily, like a grandfather watching his reckless grandson head off to the streets. “Vice-Leader, we really should have stopped him.”
“Who could stop that boy’s stubbornness?” Dan Cheong replied.
“Even so, we should have tried. The only ones who can guide that boy properly are you and me.” Baek Yeon’s expression was uncharacteristically gloomy. “That boy could elevate our sect to the top of the Ten Demonic Sects. He could even aim for the successor’s seat in one of the three major powers. If he builds strong ties with the heirs of the Ten Demonic Sects now, it’s entirely possible…”
Baek Yeon rambled on, his voice filled with regret. To rise to the top, martial prowess alone wasn’t enough.
Bu Eunseol was a rare genius. If he could rally the right forces, he could stand tall in the demonic martial world. Yet, like a man obsessed with martial arts, he pursued only the path of the warrior, blind to everything else.
“If only that boy had a bit more ambition, he could stand at the pinnacle of the demonic martial world,” Baek Yeon lamented.
“He will stand tall,” Dan Cheong said in a low voice. “It’s just that the place he wants to stand is a bit different.”
“Even if that path is lined with thorns or a blazing inferno, he’ll walk it. Because that’s how… he’ll grow stronger, faster.”
“What is he so desperate to become strong for?” Baek Yeon asked.
“What, you don’t know?” Dan Cheong said, looking at Baek Yeon with a faint smile. “That boy wants to never lose to anyone.”
“Never lose to anyone…” Baek Yeon trailed off, unable to continue.
Bu Eunseol dreamed of invincibility—a feat even the greatest masters dared not imagine.
He dreamed of becoming the unrivaled champion of the martial world.
***
Dongpyoseorang was located in the rugged region of Guizhou.
Originally, it was just one of many insignificant mercenary groups that took on jobs for money. But about twenty years ago, after a change in leadership, Dongpyoseorang began to flourish rapidly.
The new leader, shrouded in mystery, established a command structure and an intelligence network within the chaotic organization. With reliable jobs, accurate information, and prompt payments, skilled mercenaries began to flock to them. Over time, the group grew into a massive mercenary alliance. The village where Dongpyoseorang was based was unusually bustling.
The Jeongmu Tournament.
It didn’t matter what sect you came from—righteous, demonic, or unorthodox. Any martial artist could participate and vie for the prize. The winner didn’t even have to join Dongpyoseorang.
The reason for hosting such an extravagant event was simple: it drew skilled mercenaries and martial artists from all over, who spread the word of Dongpyoseorang’s influence and brought in more jobs.
Slurp.
Bu Eunseol was eating at a high-end inn not far from the tournament venue. Cheap inns attracted predictable clientele, but high-end ones drew a diverse crowd—martial artists, merchants, and more. With luck, you could overhear valuable information just by sitting there.
‘As expected, it’s crowded,’ Bu Eunseol thought. Having been part of the Nine Deaths Squad, his observational skills rivaled those of seasoned martial artists.
His gaze fell on a group of older martial artists gathered together. They weren’t here for the tournament but had clearly come from their factions with specific purposes.
‘Truly, it’s like a small martial world,’ he mused. Not only were there members of righteous and unorthodox factions, but he also spotted individuals who seemed to belong to the Martial Alliance or the Demonic Sect.
A miniature martial world. That’s what this place was.
“Excuse me, warrior,” a waiter cautiously approached Bu Eunseol’s table. “If it’s alright, could someone share your table? We’re completely full.” Even high-end inns allowed table-sharing. In fact, it was encouraged, as it could lead to unexpected connections.
Bu Eunseol nodded, and the waiter bowed.
“Thank you, warrior! Please, this way.” A young man in lavish silk robes approached, laughing heartily. “Hahaha! The kindness of the martial world hasn’t dried up yet.”
Adorned with expensive accessories around his ears and neck, and a gem-encrusted belt at his waist, he looked like the heir of a wealthy family. He stared at Bu Eunseol and clasped his hands in greeting.
“Greetings.” Bu Eunseol nodded lightly, and the young man sat down, addressing the waiter. “Is there good liquor here?”
“Of course! We have fine white wine made from high-quality sorghum.”
“Hmm. Then bring three jugs of white wine and a fried fish. Make sure to scale the fish properly and remove the innards through the gills.”
“Understood.”
“And when frying, pour oil over the back so the flesh cooks thoroughly and the skin gets crispy.” True to his wealthy appearance, the young man was meticulous about his food.
“Haha. We do all this to eat well, don’t we? Gotta eat right.” The young man smiled brightly at Bu Eunseol, who continued eating quietly without meeting his gaze.
“Oh? That’s not how you eat lotus root and rib soup!” the young man exclaimed, calling the waiter over.
“A plate of chopped vegetables, quick!” The confused waiter hurriedly brought a plate of vegetables.
The young man promptly sprinkled them into Bu Eunseol’s soup.
“Here, try it with these vegetables. It’ll taste much better.” Normally, Bu Eunseol wouldn’t tolerate such behavior.
But for some reason, he didn’t react to the young man’s rudeness and calmly took a spoonful of the soup.
…!
A spark lit up in Bu Eunseol’s eyes as he tasted it. With just a sprinkle of vegetables, the soup’s flavor, combined with the meat, was vastly improved.
“How is it?” the young man asked.
Bu Eunseol nodded instead of answering, and the young man burst into a bright smile.
“Hahaha! Glad you like it!” Just then, the fried fish and liquor he ordered arrived.
After downing a few cups, the young man exhaled deeply and spoke to Bu Eunseol.
“Not bad liquor. Care for a drink?” Bu Eunseol silently shook his head.
“A pity. Not a drinker, I see.” The young man spoke to Bu Eunseol as if they were old friends. “When you drink good liquor like this, it’s best to have three cups in a row without snacks. That way, you can truly savor the flavor when your stomach’s empty. Hahaha!”
Bu Eunseol continued eating quietly, unfazed. Most would stop talking at such a lack of response, but the young man kept going.
“Are you here for the Jeongmu Tournament, too?” Glancing at the sword at Bu Eunseol’s waist, he continued chattering. “With the Yeongsasin Sword as the prize, they say even the masters of old are showing up. Well, martial artists can’t resist a good sword…” As the young man’s chatter went on, a loud crash echoed from a corner of the inn.
Crash!
Two young martial artists had surrounded a middle-aged man with a crescent blade on his back.
“Changshan Ghost! How dare you strut around in broad daylight!”
Changshan Ghost, Yi Gok.
He was a notorious bandit and murderer operating in the Hebei region. But his elusive movement techniques and solitary nature made him impossible to catch.
“Disciples of the Northern Sword Sect,” Yi Gok sneered, eyeing their swords. “Even your sect leader couldn’t last thirty seconds against me before his head rolled. And yet, you brats dare challenge me?” Rising slowly, Yi Gok licked his lips.
“I’ll use your skulls as wine cups.” The Northern Sword Sect disciples faltered.
The inn was filled with not just demonic martial artists but also righteous masters. They had assumed others would step in to help deal with Yi Gok, but to their shock, everyone just watched, showing no reaction.
“Tch. Those Northern Sword Sect kids miscalculated,” the young man sharing Bu Eunseol’s table remarked with a sigh. “They don’t know Dongpyoseorang’s unwritten rule.”
Dongpyoseorang was a mercenary market where masters of all affiliations gathered.
The unspoken rule was that no one interfered in others’ disputes, regardless of righteous or unorthodox affiliations.
“Are you ready?” Yi Gok asked, baring his yellowed teeth in a menacing grin. He never spared those who challenged him.
As he drew the crescent blade from his back, the Northern Sword Sect disciples’ faces paled.
Swish. At that moment, Bu Eunseol wiped his mouth and stood up.
The young man’s eyes sparkled with surprise.
“Oh? You’re stepping in?” He tilted his head.
Bu Eunseol was handsome but lean, and his taiyang acupoint was unremarkable. Despite carrying a sword, he looked like a novice fresh to the martial world.
“Hey, this is Dongpyoseorang. Even if you step in, no one’s gonna clap for you…”
Step, step.
Ignoring him, Bu Eunseol walked forward. As he approached the stairs, Yi Gok’s gaze naturally turned to him.
“Who’re you?” Yi Gok asked, frowning at the approaching Bu Eunseol. “One of the Northern Sword Sect’s lackeys?”
“Move,” Bu Eunseol said.
“What?” Bu Eunseol pointed silently at the passage behind Yi Gok.
The gesture meant, “I need to pass, so get out of the way.”
“Heh heh heh,” Yi Gok chuckled, rubbing his forehead in disbelief. “Is today a festival for fools to entertain me?”
A red glint of killing intent flashed in Yi Gok’s eyes. He assumed Bu Eunseol was deliberately provoking him.
“Well then, I’ll start by gutting you—” Yi Gok’s words were cut off.
A sharp pain stung his throat.
“Wha…?” Touching his neck, he found his hand covered in bright red blood.
“Why is there blood…?”
Only then did he notice the sword in Bu Eunseol’s hand. In the blink of an eye, Bu Eunseol had unleashed a lightning-fast strike, severing Yi Gok’s carotid artery.
“You…!” Yi Gok opened his mouth in shock.
And those were the last words he uttered in this world.
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