“…I congratulate you on having attained enlightenment.”
“Congratulations.”
“Thank you… I was stuck for a while, feeling constrained, but now that you’ve presented this koan to me…”
Koan?
Is this a koan?
I just tossed out some random words, yet he claims to have gained enlightenment from them?
Is this guy’s protagonist stat bar maxed out? I couldn’t help but be astonished by the protagonist’s incomprehensible talent. At this level, wouldn’t throwing around random proverbs get him to the next level?
“…Eun-gong?”
“For now, since you’ve ascended to a new realm, you should focus on consolidating it. So, let’s save the sparring match for next time.”
“Thank you, Eun-gong!”
Understood. You can leave now. After accompanying Mok-kyeong as she repeatedly thanked me and left, I sighed once she was out of sight.
“This feels like witnessing the fragment of an incomprehensible talent.”
“Ahjeossi, what did you say that led to enlightenment?”
“The view changes depending on where you stand.”
At my words, Hye-ryeong tilted her head with a subtle expression.
“It’s a nice saying, but I’m not sure if it’s enough for enlightenment…”
“I don’t know either.”
If enlightenment could be attained so easily, wouldn’t every dog and cow have reached the ultimate realm and founded martial empires by now? At this level, isn’t it pointless to even use spirit medicine?
Generally, I thought internal energy would surge significantly after gaining enlightenment. Perhaps this guy’s energy is already greater than mine. The martial artists of the Western Regions tend to have relatively less aura.
Whether it’s a difference in enlightenment between the West and the East, his aura doesn’t seem to grow as explosively.
Initially, the Western arts are based on smaller amounts of aura, so it’s not a major issue. However, I admit it’d be nice to have the overflowing aura like those from the Central Plains.
This is probably something that can only be resolved with spirit medicine.
“I want to reach the next level too, Ahjeossi! Spar with me!”
“You just trained. Haven’t you showered recently?”
“I can shower again!”
“Rest up for tomorrow.”
“But I can—”
Puffing your cheeks and flailing your arms won’t help.
“Proper practice requires moderation. There’s a saying that too much is as bad as too little.”
“How does Ahjeossi know proverbs? Isn’t that from the Analects?”
“…It just came to me through studying.”
“Ahjeossi is amazing! I don’t really know how to use sophisticated language—”
“Everyone’s different. Don’t be so discouraged. I learned it through hard work.”
To be precise, that’s from my life in the 21st century.
“Haha, Ahjeossi, I’ll head back to my room then!”
“Alright. I’ll join you later after I wash up.”
I watched Hye-ryeong skipping back to her room before heading to my own quarters to change clothes.
—
“Hmph. Everyone’s here now. We’ll begin the lottery to determine the main tournament brackets.”
As the referee spoke, all of us who advanced to the main rounds, including myself and Hye-ryeong, stared at the moderately sized wooden box beside the referee.
“Seems like what we draw here will decide if we advance or not…”
“Don’t worry too much. You’ll do well enough.”
If my memory serves, from the main rounds onward, there will be at least top-tier experts. Most of the standout young talents are from the Nine Sects and Five Families. As long as I don’t face someone from those esteemed factions, it shouldn’t be as hard as you might imagine.
“Are you not nervous, Ahjeossi?”
“Not really.”
Compared to the battlefield where yesterday’s comrade munching on jerked meat might only have his head left by tomorrow, this place feels like heaven. There’s no real worry about dying here, at least.
Though that’s supposed to change soon… We’ll have to see how things go. First, I need to deal with that Heavenly Horse brat from Tian Shan.
“One by one, starting from the person at the front, please draw a paper!”
Ah, it’s beginning.
We stopped chatting and looked as the youth stepped up to the box.
Judging by his spear, he must be one of the rare spear specialists. I heard spears aren’t common in the martial realm, but perhaps that’s not entirely true.
I’d like to test my skills against him, but we don’t know yet if we’ll be matched up.
“Yang Seoyu of the Yang Family! Group 5!”
“…
“Why do you have that look, Ahjeossi?”
“It’s just a cough.”
What’s with that name?
Since the initial ambush, the main brackets were determined without incident.
And as we approached the end, my name was called out.
“William! Step forward!”
I slowly walked forward and inserted my hand into the box.
Let’s go with this slip. I pulled it out and unfolded it, showing it to the referee.
“William! Group 5!”
It’s really happening.
Should I be happy about this?
As I returned to my spot, Hye-ryeong approached with a smile.
“You’re up against the spear wielder!”
“Spear, huh.”
Come to think of it, my main weapon in my knight days was the lance. My sword was a secondary tool.
Though my knowledge of handling a spear isn’t fully transferable… The spears used here are quite different. Originally, the lance was designed for breaking through cavalry lines, so comparing it to what they use here is strange.
Still, I do have some experience, so dealing with this shouldn’t be overly difficult.
Back in Islam, there were several elite Mamluks who were quite skilled with spears.
Compared to those elite warriors specifically trained by the state, this guy is no match.
They were monsters designed for head-to-head combat, unmatched by any non-knight.
Compared to them, this guy is just an amateur.
The fight between seasoned killers and average humans cannot be on the same level.
“…This will be an interesting sparring match.”
“Ugh, my first opponent is from the Huashan Sect…”
“Qing Meihua, I believe?”
“Yes. Lady Qing Meihua of the White Plum.”
…Who’s that again?
Since she isn’t familiar, she must not be one of the main heroines from the original story.
I turned to observe Qing Meihua chatting with the Huashan Sect practitioners.
She seems roughly on par with Hye-ryeong, maybe slightly above. It isn’t a battle Hye-ryeong can’t handle. It’ll be tough, but she’ll manage on her own.
All I can do is cheer her on.
“Don’t lose your confidence. There’s not much difference. Keep the initiative or you’ll be at a disadvantage. Remember what I often say? A fight is about…”
“Taking the lead!”
“Exactly.”
“That’s right, Eun-gong.”
“Did you draw a good bracket?”
“Yes. My first opponent is Young Master Song Wuhán from the Pai Li Sect.”
The Pai Li Sect… A tough fight… Well, considering this guy could get enlightened mid-fight and reach the peak level, I shouldn’t worry too much. I know exactly how absurd the protagonist’s talents are.
“That’s not such a difficult opponent. Good luck.”
“Thank you for your encouragement, Eun-gong.”
“…”
“Hmph.”
Ah, it’s not over yet. I glanced back as the referee gathered our attention. He scanned the participants and then loudly announced:
“The main tournament will start at the Mi hour, two days from now. Don’t be late! Anyone missing after one Daking hour will be disqualified automatically!”
The Mi hour would roughly be around 1 p.m., after lunch.
“Then, martial prodigies who shall lead the future of the martial realm! We shall see you in two days!”
At that, the referee disappeared from the platform, and the participants started to disperse. I briefly watched the martial artists leave before noticing Hye-ryeong tugging my sleeve.
“What’s next, Ahjeossi?”
“We should head to eat. It’s about that time.”
“Already?”
“Seems so.”
“I shall return to patrol duty. Eun-gong…”
“Come along.”
“Eh?”
“While you’re here, let’s enjoy a good meal.”
It’s good to build some camaraderie.
Especially with someone who’ll be valuable for the future battles against the Demonic Sect.
Plus, I remember the mentions in the original story about how inadequate the patrol squad’s meals were, so I couldn’t help but feel sorry for them. You need to eat well even if life is tough.
“I’m fine, thank you.”
“Don’t feel obligated.”
“But…”
Mok-kyeong glanced at Hye-ryeong and then back at me.
Ah, I get it.
I chuckled slightly before speaking.
“Don’t overthink it. Consider this as an opportunity to build relationships. Even you can’t keep working alone forever.”
“…Understood.”
Hye-ryeong, stop glaring at me like that. I need reliable allies if I’m ever to face the Demonic Sect.
I poked Hye-ryeong’s slightly puffed cheeks as she dramatically turned her head.
“Hye-ryeong, pick anything you want to cheer up. After all…”
“…Alright.”
Hye-ryeong finally nodded reluctantly.
