“It’s been burned to ashes…”
So this is what it’s like to live the life of a celebrity.
I sighed as I blankly stared at the pile of letters on the table. All of them were from various noble houses or sects.
Some were merely friendly invitations to visit, but most seriously proposed that I join them as a retainer.
Being a high-level expert, someone who would be considered among the top five percent here, it was no surprise they were so openly eager to recruit me.
Thinking back to the martial arts novels I’ve read, this wasn’t a bad offer at all.
Being a retainer wasn’t like having a regular job – it was more about relaxing and stepping in only when things got dangerous. Some rich families even made a point to collect retainers.
Having famous retainers symbolized the prestige of a house.
“Uncle Eun-gong really is popular.”
“Hm? You’ve gotten about twenty yourself, haven’t you?”
Since people don’t know who you really are… How did you only get twenty? Considering your lottery-like certainty of success, most of the invites are from minor noble houses.
Probably because you’ve been tactfully declining, many must have given up on recruiting you.
As a runner-up, you’re bound to be overshadowed by the winner, which isn’t bad from my perspective.
If you suddenly decided to leave for somewhere else, it could create quite a headache. So I need to think of a way to keep you here… if only there was a good bait.
Wealth?
I’m not poor, but it’s a stretch to call myself wealthy.
Influence?
As a lone individual, I don’t have much influence. Unless I was an Absolute Master or Transformation Realm expert, one of the top few in the world, there’s no chance. It would be better to suggest you join the Hainam Sword Sect.
The Hainam Sword Sect is a mid-level sect and part of the Nine Sects and Eight Factions alliance. It could help Mok-kyeong with her revenge, and as a relatively open sect, it shouldn’t be too difficult to adapt to.
Grr…
It’s irritating that I have to think this hard alone.
“Eun-gong? Are you feeling unwell?”
“Just a headache from all these letters.”
“…I understand. This is the first time I’ve received so many since I was a child…”
“Since you were a child…”
“…Though you might not believe me, I was once the second son of a wealthy family.”
Why bring up old stories suddenly?
Have we grown closer than I realized? Mok-kyong continued while fidgeting with her teacup.
“Back then, our family was well-known in Yunnan, so I used to excitedly open all the invitations to events, dreaming of what might come.”
…This part wasn’t in the original story.
As a novel where the protagonist’s background is hardly mentioned…
“When I believed those days would continue forever. I firmly thought everything would remain peaceful.”
“You think that way when you don’t know any better.”
Right before I was reincarnated, I thought the same thing. Was it the day before my discharge?
I was happy my military service was over, but didn’t expect to end up serving again.
“Eun-gong? Your face…”
“It’s just memories, don’t worry about it.”
“But those good days ended like a flower fading at summer’s end. I still remember that day…
Uncle woke me up in a hurry, gave me a package with secret manuals and emergency funds, and told me to take the secret passage…”
Mok-kying’s face showed regret, as if the memory was still vivid.
“If only I had practiced harder, I might have been able to save Uncle…”
Saying that makes me feel guilty…
Am I really trash?
No, am I?
“Don’t blame yourself too much. If you had fought those who wiped out your house, you probably wouldn’t be here sharpening your blade for revenge.”
“…You’re right. Thank you for listening, Eun-gong.”
“…If you have more to vent, feel free to come by anytime.”
“Uncle! I’m here!”
“Ah, how did the meeting go?”
I looked at Hye-ryeong sitting next to me, taking a deep breath.
After helping Ha-jin talk with sects friendly with the Hainam Sword Sect, she returned. She subtly moved her chair closer to me.
“I talked for almost half an hour mostly with Ha-jin… Men are so tedious.”
“You’ve worked hard.”
“Aunt would’ve been better if you came along.”
“I can’t get involved in Hainam Sword Sect matters.”
As an outsider. There’s nothing I can do there anyway. Seeing my response, Hye-ryeong smiled and said:
“You’re fine.”
“Enough. I hate bother.”
“Pff. I’m the same, but Ha-jin kept insisting.”
“That wasn’t too difficult, was it?”
“Exactly. It’s just casual exchanges with people we occasionally interact with… But without Master Ha-jin, it would be meaningless anyway.”
True.
No matter what Ha-jin does, Big Brother Ha-jin is still the head. Without him involved, nothing would progress. Since Ha-jin is busy elsewhere, Ha-jin is essentially his proxy.
“Speaking of which, why haven’t we seen Ha-jin recently?”
“Um… I heard she’s learning various things. There’s much to learn to become Sect Leader, meetings with the Nine Sects and Eight Factions, and discussions with the Martial Alliance regarding the Demonic Sect.”
“Ah, that’s right. I should visit Elder soon.”
I want to hear about the meeting.
While he might not tell me everything, we’re in this together, so I should hear something. I plan to adjust my schedule based on that information.
My immediate goal is to reach Mastery, then start dealing with some Demon Sect branches. If possible, help Mok-kyeong with her revenge.
While thinking about this rather vague plan, Hye-ryeong poked my hand.
“Uncle? Uncle? Are you listening?”
“Ah, sorry. I was just thinking…”
“What about?”
“How to reach Absolute Mastery?”
“Is Absolute Mastery something you can just aim for?”
…Now that I think about it, you’re right.
If it was something you could just achieve, this world would be filled with people casually unleashing sword qi. Absolute Masters are supposed to be extremely rare.
Thinking about it, my own thoughts must be the height of arrogance.
Mastery itself is said to be a level only the chosen few can reach. Reaching Absolute Mastery would secure my place among the top hundred experts in the Jianghu.
“I’ll try.”
“Uncle can definitely reach it quickly!”
“With Eun-gong’s talent, achieving Great Perfection shouldn’t be far off.”
…I wish.
If I could break through to Mastery, it would make dealing with the story’s events much smoother.
Considering how Original Mok-kyeong went through all kinds of ordeals to fight the top experts from the middle onward… Almost every fight was a life-or-death struggle.
By the time of the Heavenly Horse, there was even a crazy man who had surpassed Transformation Realm to enter Breaking Free… The story ended abruptly, and it’s frustrating how they never properly showed how they won.
If I knew the methods, I could prepare in advance, but I don’t.
“To be honest, it doesn’t seem like it’ll be quick, but I’ll try.”
Which is why I actively participated in the Dragon Peak Gathering.
Someone who might be interesting, possibly helpful in breaking through my limits, would be there.
“Hye-ryeong. Let me start a fight somewhere quickly.”
“What? What did you say?”
“Need to digest after eating.”
Also considering what Peng Jeoksan said, and my own curiosity, now is the best time to build a relationship. While it might be a bit forceful now, I have the excuse of building connections.
“Can I come too?”
“Hm. Maybe it’s better to rest?”
“Are you trying to ditch me?”
“Don’t get the wrong idea. It’s just… it might be a bit dull.”
I’m going to pick a fight, so it’s probably not suitable to bring Hye-ryeong along.
“You’re planning something, aren’t you?”
“You know me well. Thought you’d understand even if I didn’t say.”
“Hehe.”
“So just wait a moment. I’ll be right back.”
“Okay~”
Then, I’ll go.
To the one who will become the offering for my advancement.
