“The way back is pretty quiet, huh.”
“Of course it is, after what we went through on the way here.”
By the time we got here, my fame had grown enough to make even the bandits and evil sects grovel. Moreover, now that I’ve become a master, only a crazy person would dare to fight me.
“…It only makes sense that things are quiet, since Master Eun-gong has attained the peak of martial arts.”
“…And you’ve grown stronger since then too, haven’t you?”
“I got stronger too… but it feels unfair since there are two of you.”
Hye-ryeong, who had just reached mid-class among first-rate martial artists, pouted as she said this. It seemed like her current level was bothering her compared to the two of us.
“Don’t rush yourself. Being a first-rate martial artist at your age is already quite remarkable.”
“But there’s hardly any age difference between you and me, right?”
There wasn’t much I could say after that. I had indeed emphasized the age difference quite a bit.
If there had been more of an age gap between Hye-ryeong and me, it might have been comforting. But there was barely a two-year difference, so it probably sounded a bit condescending.
“Alright, alright, I get it. Let’s start looking for a place to camp.”
Stop puffing your cheeks like a little kid. I pressed my fingers against Hye-ryeong’s cheeks to let the air out, then scanned the surroundings with orichalcon-infused eyes.
Is there a good place to camp around here?
Ideally, somewhere with a stream where we can freshen up easily.
After scouting extensively and enhancing my hearing, I finally found a decent spot.
“Let’s head that way.”
“Okay~”
“Eun-gong, is there a river that way?”
“Yeah.”
“Even from such a considerable distance… Truly, the senses of a martial artist who has reached the peak defy imagination. I am thoroughly impressed, Leader Dan.”
As he said this with enthusiasm, it made me feel a little awkward. After clearing my throat a few times, I started walking towards our destination.
—
“There are signs that someone has been here.”
I scanned the clearing we intended to use for camping and commented. Apparently, this wasn’t just a good spot for us; someone had been here recently. And not just a few people.
“…Perhaps it was a caravan passing through the area? There are wheel tracks here too…”
“Looks like they’ve been gone for a while. Should be fine, right?”
“I don’t see any issues.”
Judging from the tracks, they’ve been gone for at least a couple of days, so we shouldn’t get involved with them. Recalling the events of the past, I sighed and pulled out the camping gear from my luggage.
Even though it’s not much more than simple cooking utensils.
“I’ll go fetch water, Uncle!”
“Be careful.”
“Alright~”
“I’ll go gather some branches suitable for firewood.”
“Okay.”
After bidding them farewell, I quickly started setting up the camp. I prepared a warm campfire to brighten the dark night, spread a mat in a good sitting spot, and started preparing the ingredients we had picked up in the last village.
The most peaceful time of the day arrived before we knew it.
“What shall we cook tonight?”
How about a soup with chopped vegetables and dried meat?
Or we could catch an animal nearby and grill it?
Although it’s a bit tedious, with enhanced physical abilities comes the realization that hunting is not that difficult. It wouldn’t be bad to catch a wild boar on its way and roast it.
…If there are wild boars around, that is.
I pulled out a small knife and started preparing the vegetables while waiting for the others to return. Fortunately, Hye-ryeong and Mok-kyeong came back soon enough and started helping with dinner preparations.
“Hehe, it smells delicious~”
“Eun-gong’s cooking is always something to look forward to.”
“It’s not that great.”
“But when I cook, everything burns…”
“It’s because you don’t control the heat.”
While Chinese cooking is indeed about high heat, it’s quite problematic to replicate it in this setting.
Of course, Hye-ryeong’s cooking skills are not exactly outstanding either.
“Still, it’s hard to control the flame!”
“Very few people can delicately adjust a campfire while cooking like Eun-gong.”
There are indeed few individuals who put this much effort into cooking outdoors. Adjusting the fire with orichalcon is not an easy feat.
It was one of the secrets taught by one of my mentors.
When was it…the day before he died?
He told me about it, probably remembering me asking him to share it earlier. He showed me the method, and tragically, the next day he dismounted during a battle and was killed by countless weapons.
…Let’s not dwell on that and ruin the mood.
I stirred the pot with a ladle while glancing at Hye-ryeong and Mok-kyeong who were warming themselves by the fire. Their appearances differed due to their varying skin tones, giving them contrasting auras under the glow of the flames.
The pale Mok-kyeong and the lively Hye-ryeong.
Both are undeniably gorgeous individuals, making it easy to pass the time by casually observing them during moments when I lacked something else to focus on.
Although it holds no particular meaning.
Still, it’s better than staring off into the sky aimlessly.
Hm, it should be almost ready.
“Pass me a bowl.”
“Okay~”
The evening meal marking the end of the day began.
—
“I’m going to practice for a bit.”
“Uncle…can you show us once?”
“What?”
“Your sword force!”
Hye-ryeong looked up at me with sparkling eyes.
Is she really so eager to see the sword force? It’s not like it’s something extraordinary.
No, it is quite extraordinary.
There probably aren’t fifty people in the martial realm who can use sword force.
This realization gives a clearer sense of my current level. If there are fewer than fifty people above me, that’s quite something.
Only in the second half of the original story did foes at the peak of martial arts begin to appear.
Therefore, it seems unlikely that we’ll face any serious threats for a while.
“Sure, that’s fine.”
“Master Eun-gong, what about me…?”
“Come along.”
“Thank you, Master Eun-gong.”
Judging by her slightly excited tone, she must have been looking forward to seeing it too.
We added some logs to the fire to ensure it wouldn’t go out and headed towards the riverbank since the open space there is more convenient for practice.
I stood alone on the riverside clearing and drew my sword.
My longsword.
I never imagined I would achieve sword force using this longsword, not even a blade of orichalcon. Would the leader have been pleased if he had seen it?
Pushing aside nostalgic thoughts, I held the longsword with both hands. Though the grip was a bit rough, it was familiar to my palms as I awakened the mana core.
…Why is it called a mana core anyway?
Suddenly curious, I paused my attempt to extract orichalcon and took a moment to reflect.
Why call it a mana core when what I’m using is orichalcon?
This small doubt makes me sense something peculiar.
Is this a power of the peak level?
“Uncle? Is something wrong?”
“No, just getting used to the increased inner energy.”
I gave an evasive answer and drew out orichalcon from the mana core.
Orichalcon of a level far beyond what it was before I achieved enlightenment broke free and started circulating wildly through my body. Recognizing the flow of orichalcon into my muscles and mana conduits, I gradually infused the sword with it.
The orichalcon encircled the sword in an even more vivid blue hue.
The sword force itself seems more refined.
I marveled and layered more orichalcon on the sword.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Four times…
With each application, the orichalcon on the sword became more pronounced, extending to more than an arm’s length (about 120cm). Judging by this, it should be possible to extend it to twice the length if I really push it.
“Hmm…”
What exactly is an orichalcon blade?
Since the leader only vaguely described it as “the embodiment of overwhelming destruction,” its exact nature remains elusive.
I examined the shimmering orichalcon on the sword in deep thought.
Just because I became a master doesn’t mean knowledge of crafting orichalcon blades automatically appears in my head. I should try to create a sword force using the method I’ve been considering.
I closed my eyes and recalled the leader’s orichalcon blade. His blade had a giant blade of orichalcon enveloping the sword.
…The leader cleaved a city gate into two with his orichalcon blade.
To produce a similar blade, would I need to overlay a precisely refined blade? Would compressing the sword force work?
Compress…and refine.
I opened my eyes and watched as the orichalcon slowly shrank in size, becoming more dense and refined. As it transformed, it began to resemble a finely honed blade rather than a misty vapor.
“This is…”
“This is… sword force.”
“Uncle, that’s incredible!”
A smaller version compared to the leader’s, but similar in form, the orichalcon blade on my sword emitted a soft blue glow. Bathed in moonlight, its ethereal beauty masked its destructive power.
Anyone who touches it carelessly would surely be shredded.
“Uncle, swing it once!”
Let’s give it a try.
I scanned the surroundings for something suitable to cut, spotting a massive rock. It seemed out of place next to the riverside, large enough to provide a good cutting experience.
I took a deep breath and raised my arm, lifting the sword above my head, positioning it to cleave the rock.
Let’s go…
One.
Two.
Three.
I slashed downward in a straightforward vertical motion. Feeling the smooth sensation in my hand, I marveled as the rock split neatly in two.
“That rock was cut in one go…”
“…There’s barely any resistance.”
This is orichalcon blade?
No wonder everyone is so focused on reaching the peak.
The sword force is on an entirely different level. While the sword force can cut through rock, it feels much rougher in comparison.
I examined the cross-section, marveling at how the orichalcon blade sliced through it like cutting cake.
And…
“Hmm?”
“Uncle, what is it?”
“Hye-ryeong, what does this remind you of?”
“…Uh… a basement door?”
“…Seems like a hidden cave.”
We exchanged glances without saying a word.
That fleeting moment was all it took for us to confirm we were on the same page.
“Haha…”
I carefully grabbed the handle and opened the mysterious door hidden beneath the rock.
