“If we cross this border, we’ll be in Hubei Province.”
“Finally, I can see the end of this journey.”
“I really look forward to seeing what the Martial Alliance looks like!”
“Come on, cities are all the same. Little sister, don’t get your hopes up… Ouch! Why did you hit me, little sister!”
“Can’t you take a hint?!”
We’re in Hubei now. During these past few months of travel, I’ve truly realized just how vast the Chinese landmass is, but somehow, the news that our journey is coming to an end doesn’t resonate with me.
“To say that and it still takes a month to cross; this is how expansive China is.”
The landmass is absurdly vast.
“Our destination today is Tongchuan City. It’s located at the southernmost tip of Hubei Province, so once we arrive here, we’ll have entered Hubei.”
“The southernmost part… I’ve heard that Wudang Sect and the Zhuge Family are situated in Hubei.”
If we have the chance, I’d like to visit.
At my suggestion, Elder Baek gave a smile and nodded.
“That’s correct, but unless we specifically seek them out, it’ll be hard to see the Wudang Sect. The Martial Alliance is in Wuhan, but the Wudang Sect is located at the far northwest of Hubei Province, on Wudang Mountain.”
Considering the sheer scale of China, visiting the Wudang Sect would require quite a journey. Hubei Province alone is about half the size of the Korean Peninsula. The scale is enormous.
“The Zhuge Family is in Xiangzhou too! We probably won’t be able to visit them, though…”
“The Zhuge Family… how was it in the original story?”
To be honest, beyond a minor character in the Martial Alliance, they didn’t have much presence. They were unremarkable in martial arts and only notable through Martial Alliance member Zhuge Sanwol.
So, I doubt I’ll cross paths with them, and there’s no particular reason to pay attention.
“Come to think of it, I heard you have an acquaintance in Martial Alliance’s military?”
“Once, I was quite the social butterfly at Hainan Sword Sect. I befriended many people during my Jianghu travels. I even met my wife while on those journeys.”
Elder Baek’s lips curved into a gentle smile. He must be thinking about his wife. They seemed to have been very much in love.
“I need to expand my own network…”
“As your eldest brother, it’s important to form relationships with many people. It’s always better to have more friends and fewer enemies.”
“I’ll work on it.”
“Confucius once said ‘Thirsty and will not drink the water of the corrupt spring (渴不飮盜泉水).’ As the eldest, you must learn how to interact with people at the Martial Alliance and resist the seductive words of others.”
“Yes, sir!”
The next Sect Leader. It must be a heavy burden…
…Before the final battle, the Sect Leader had promised to recommend me for the position of Knight Banneret if I survived.
Had our side won, by now I would likely be walking around with quite a bit of swagger, being one of the youngest Bannerets.
But now, it’s all water under the bridge.
“Uncle, are you hurt somewhere?”
“Just some old memories came to mind.”
“Old memories?”
“Not particularly good ones.”
“Since we’re in a new land, why don’t you put the past behind you and start fresh? The Central Plains can be a nice place to live.”
“Unless we count the impending war with the Demonic Sect.”
“Ack.”
Hye-ryeong remembered this fact with an embarrassed smile.
If it weren’t for the Demonic Sect, by now, I could have found a suitable job or become a guest in someone’s house and lived a quiet life.
Either way, this world, or the previous one, is on the brink of hell.
Still, the martial world can unite their strength to drive the Demonic Sect away.
“Yes.”
In the end, the Protagonist did succeed in bringing down the Demonic Sect with the help of the Martial Alliance.
…Come to think of it, will I encounter the Protagonist at the Martial Alliance?
If I recall correctly, he should have joined the Martial Alliance patrol team around this time.
I have no intention of getting close, but I’d like to see him from afar once…
It might be useful to check if something about the original character has changed, and I’m curious about his face, which in descriptions is surrounded by women because he’s one of the best-looking men.
…The main reason, however, is the lingering sense of unease.
What if the Protagonist doesn’t exist?
What if he drops out for some reason?
…It’s terrifying just thinking about it.
So I must confirm the Protagonist’s existence.
If the martial world has to face the Demonic Sect without the Protagonist, it’s uncertain if they’ll succeed. This will be a crucial turning point for my planned peaceful future.
“Uncle?”
“Hmm, sorry. What were we talking about?”
“No, it’s fine. You suddenly became serious…”
“Just thinking about food, that’s all. Don’t worry about it.”
Hye-ryeong gave a look of disbelief at the mention of food.
“Why worry about food? You could settle in Hainan.”
“One must always prepare, as even the road ahead is unpredictable.”
Who would’ve thought I’d end up in the martial world?
Just a few months ago, I was betting with the leader about what the lunch menu would be.
“Hainan is a great place… but Uncle prefers cities, right?”
Hye-ryeong looked slightly disappointed and slouched her shoulders.
“I’m not against Hainan… but I can’t simply freeload at Hainan Sword Sect.”
Even if Hainan Sword Sect wouldn’t object to me staying, as a person, I still have pride and cannot do nothing. I plan to acquire a suitable position in the Martial Alliance or elevate my cultivation to become a recognized expert in the martial world, creating a place for myself.
“If you don’t have somewhere else to go, you can always come to Hainan Sword Sect?”
“But I’d like to keep it as a backup.”
After coming all this way to the Central Plains, even if I can’t find a place to settle, I should at least take a look around. I at least want to visit famous sects like Wudang, Songshan, and Huashan.
“Sister, that’s a bit too obvious, isn’t it?”
“Brother, please quiet down.”
“…”
Hahkyoung, if you had any sense, you’d be halfway dead already.
I glanced at Hye-ryeong’s sharp gaze after quickly turning my head and gave a wry smile. Hahkyoung always seems to get himself smacked but continues to rile her up anyway.
He’s a peculiar one.
“Ho ho, the Hainan Sword Sect will welcome you. Come whenever you’d like. We’ll treat you well.”
“Thank you.”
We chatted casually like this as we walked until the sky slowly turned a crimson hue. It’s about time to set up camp.
“There’s a ravine nearby; let’s set up camp there.”
Everyone nodded in agreement at Elder Baek’s suggestion. I had no particular objection, so I nodded along with the Hainan Sword Sect disciples.
“Wow…”
“That waterfall looks so impressive just to look at.”
“Elder, I’ve heard that Taoist priests meditate under waterfalls in the buff!”
“The monks of Shaolin do the same. Whether or not it’s truly effective is uncertain, but wouldn’t it be worth trying at least once?”
Training under a waterfall…
It’s a romantic method, but honestly, I don’t think I’d want to do it. Maybe in the summer, but I don’t feel the need to get pummeled by waterfall water in this cool weather.
Even if I’m a warrior with an incredible physique, there’s no need to enjoy unnecessary pain.
I’m not a monk cultivating the Impervious Body Technique to withstand beatings.
“Hahkyoung and Muguang, go gather firewood.”
“Yes!”
“Ha-jin and Gwansam, come along with me to hunt.”
“Master Elder, what about me?”
Hye-ryeong looked at the Elder as if asking why she wasn’t assigned a task. She looked a bit hurt to be left out. The Elder, however, smiled gently and spoke.
“Why not go with Great Hero Wi and catch some fish?”
Saying this, the Elder winked at me.
A wink here was unexpected…
Also, that ‘elderly folk will step aside; you youngsters handle it’ kind of look made this quite awkward.
“Uncle! Let’s go catch some fish!”
“Alright.”
We immediately turned toward the ravine.
Close up, the waterfall looked truly magnificent, as if it could crush the ravine. Although, if you face it, maybe shoulder stiffness would be the least of your problems.
You might break your neck, though.
“With a water flow like this, fishing is out of the question.”
I broke off a thick branch from a nearby tree and began roughing it into shape with my dagger.
Martial artists, however powerful, are still just part of nature. There’s no need to foolishly fight against it. It’s more efficient to make a spear to hunt fish like a proper apex predator.
“Have you caught many fish before, Uncle?”
“Rarely. Never actually.”
There was no time for fishing in the war. All I’m doing is following what I once saw in a movie.
Since the equation in my head is ‘fish hunting = spear,’ I decided to do just that.
“Hehe, I’ll teach you! Believe it or not, I used to catch a lot of fish as a kid!”
“If you’d like to.”
I handed over the spear to Hye-ryeong. She confidently took it, marched toward the ravine, and began inspecting the area.
“Where could the fish be…?”
“Hmm? Is something the matter?”
“Uncle, take a look at this!”
What is it? I abandoned my half-made spear upon her urgent call and approached her. Hye-ryeong pointed toward the stream as soon as I arrived.
“Look at this!”
“What?”
Following Hye-ryeong’s finger, I noticed something red floating in the stream.
Hye-ryeong skillfully fished out the object with the spear and placed it on the ground.
“A piece of cloth?”
A piece of cloth soaked in blood.
Naturally, our gaze shifted to the source of this floating cloth.
Above the waterfall.
Through the rough water, a streak of red hinted at ominous signs.
…Why isn’t there a single day of peace?
I sighed, sensing the approach of another troublesome event.
