“Hm…”
“Excuse me, friend. A secret manual like this is hard to come by, even if you’re willing to pay extra?”
“Can you guarantee that?”
“Heh, how distrustful of people you are.”
As if I haven’t met enough scammers trying to fleece me like you. I placed the manual with the inscription of金刚步 (Vajra Step) back on the vendor’s stall and turned my head.
“Mr. Zhuge. What exactly is the金刚步?”
“The Vajra Step is a fundamental maneuver taught at Shaolin to learn the basics of evasive techniques. Its pattern is simple and straightforward, excellent for practicing the foundation of evasive arts. However, its predictability makes it less effective in real combat.”
Exposition man, or rather, Mr. Zhuge Hyeon-sang who was coincidentally stalking me at the market, briefly explained the evasive technique the merchant was selling.
“Hm. So, does this look like a genuine Vajra Step manual?”
“Would a Shaolin technique be casually available here? Occasionally, there may be uninformed sellers or leaked manuals from Laypeople circulating, but those manuals are hardly genuine.”
“Even so, what’s your opinion on it?”
“Hem, I admit I’m no expert in martial arts… I was merely relaying what I heard when I acquired my own copy…”
Ha, what a load of scam artists trying to fleece me.
They all assume I don’t speak the Central Plains language and immediately try to deceive me. Seeing Zhuge Hyeon-sang’s occasional appearances made me glad I’d brought him along.
Though why he’s been following me remains unclear.
“There doesn’t seem to be any useful manuals here.”
“Then let’s go.”
I turned around and left the bookstore with Zhuge Hyeon-sang.
—
“How about we take a short rest at an inn?”
After two watches wandering the city searching for manuals, Zhuge Hyeon-sang, tapping his legs, suggested taking a break. Though I considered continuing without rest, I decided to honor his request since he’d been helping with the manual evaluation.
“Know any decent places?”
“I know a decent inn over there.”
“Then let’s head that way.”
I headed toward the inn Zhuge had pointed out. Seating ourselves in a corner, I removed my straw hat, drawing the attention of others.
“A Colored-Eyed Person…”
“The Lion Sword Hero?”
“Truly towering…”
Same reaction every time. I ordered a simple green tea and glanced at Zhuge Hyeon-sang as he was about to speak.
“Great Hero Wi. I realized I missed the opportune moment for conversation… Shall we converse freely? There’s no need for such formalities if you’re older than me.”
“Alright, then let’s speak plainly.”
Though it feels like another misunderstanding piled on, I ignored it.
Considering it, it seems better if I’m perceived as a ‘reasonably wise elder martial artist.’ He might have roughly figured out my actual age, but if not, so be it.
Explaining my exact age would only be needlessly troublesome. Hye-ryeong is likely discussing something with the elder, and Mok-kyeong is engaging the patrol team…
“So, why have you been following me?”
Leaving his usual mysterious demeanor behind, I’d like to understand why he’s been following me. It doesn’t seem like him at all.
“What do you think is the most important element in business?”
“Business?”
Why is he suddenly talking about business?
“Yes, business.”
“Capital?”
“Not wrong, but there’s something more crucial.”
“And what’s that?”
“Connections.”
“Ah, connections.”
This is China.
Where guanxi is valued above all else.
While it’s not like other countries don’t prioritize networking, the Central Plains has been a land where connections mean life or death for thousands of years.
So it didn’t feel strange for him to mention networks as the top priority.
“So, you want to deepen our acquaintance?”
“Exactly.”
“But why does that lead to covert observation?”
“Regrettably, I was discovered quite quickly. Originally, I intended to subtly help when merchants might try to take advantage of you, thus gradually building our relationship.”
Have I accidentally been cast as the protagonist in some romance?
I rubbed my forehead realizing this whole time his subtle actions were part of his plan.
“Couldn’t you have just cultivated a friendship normally?”
“Such relationships are only tightened by dramatic incidents.”
“Ah… Is that so… So why specifically do you want a relationship with me?”
“The Zhuge clan is taught to carefully evaluate individuals. Just as our ancestor chose Liu Bei after he made three visits, we choose potential acquaintances with meticulous care.”
So you were assessing whether I’m suitable for building a connection.
“So, why did you choose me?”
“Isn’t it obvious? Great Hero Wi demonstrated extraordinary martial skills.”
“I’m not sure that alone is reason enough.”
I am merely a martial artist from the Western Regions. It seems odd that he would choose me just because of that.
Firstly, the young talents surrounding him belong to the Five Great Houses or the Nine Schools. Why would he suddenly pick someone like me?
“Of course, I understand your thoughts. However, Great Hero Wi fundamentally differs from them. A person who genuinely embraces the essence of martial arts versus one who merely follows superficially—that’s a significant difference.”
Indeed, it is significant.
“So, I see… And what exactly are you getting at?”
“Zhuge House wishes to extend a line of communication with a future candidate for the Hundred Great Masters long before they achieve renown in the martial realm.”
“Ah.”
Hundred Great Masters?
Such certainty in my future ascension to the peak of martial arts.
I couldn’t help but tilt my head at his confident tone. Regardless, Zhuge Hyeon-sang continued like a salesperson pitching to a potential customer.
“Not even the Five Great Houses or the Nine Schools have many superlative experts. Even Shaolin has fewer than ten individuals surpassing the extraordinary level.”
“I get that generally. So… what do you intend to do to sustain this so-called relationship?”
“Lightfoot, wouldn’t that be useful?”
“Indeed.”
I admitted my shortcoming. There was no point hiding it, and a discerning martial artist likely noticed it already.
“I shall procure a suitable manual for lightfoot skills that will suit your needs. Any easily available manuals on the market will only be second-rate at best.”
“I was waiting for you to say that.”
“Wouldn’t it seem suspicious if I said it outright?”
It still seems suspicious.
I sighed deeply at his actions that utterly shattered his mysterious facade, then finished the lukewarm green tea I’d ordered. The conversation went longer than expected.
“Alright, I get that you want to be my benefactor, but what can I possibly offer you in return?”
“No, there’s nothing more helpful to me than Great Hero Wi becoming one of the Hundred Great Masters. Simply focus on breaking through to higher levels.”
“In that case…”
There’s more to investigate, but that’s enough for now.
I need to prepare for the journey to Mount Wudang; other discussions can wait for another time.
“Well, see you later.”
“Next time we meet at the Martial Alliance, I hope it’s after you’ve made great strides forward.”
Without hesitation, I stood and left the inn.
—
“Mr. Wi! Welcome back! How about the manuals?”
“They claim Zhuge Hyeon-sang is procuring one.”
“Really? Is Zhuge Xiaohex helping?”
“He wants a friendly relationship.”
“Wow… so very Zhuge House-like.”
“So Zhuge House-like?”
“Don’t you know? There’s a rumor about the Zhuge House being obsessed with networking. They even manage relationships with Evil Way experts… It’s said their network stretches from the royal court to Tibet, reaping countless privileges in business.”
Ah.
I see how it works.
With such networks, even dealings in the Evil Way sectors provide protections for their operations. This extends their safeguards beyond just the righteous factions.
“Such an interesting house. But where’s Mok-kyeong?”
“She hasn’t arrived yet.”
“She’ll come in her own time.”
I laid the purchases on the bed and picked out the new clothes.
“Why did you buy leather clothing? It’s something hunters wear…”
“Think of it as prep gear for practicing martial arts.”
Truthfully, I’d rather procure chain armor if I could, but that’s restricted to military personnel and hard to come by. For now, I’ve bought hunting leather outfits which I plan to alter and reinforce.
Considering Aura Armor’s efficiency depends heavily on what one wears…
It’s better to wear leather than cloth, which has minimal impact, even without trying it yet.
“Isn’t this too much travel food?”
“Do you not recall how much I eat normally?”
I eat twice as much as you do.
Depending on the lightfoot technique Zhuge Hyeon-sang brings, I might even need to hunt for food.
“Ah… You’re right!”
Uncertain whether such prompt agreement is a good thing or not.
“Anyway, we’ll depart at dawn tomorrow, so rest up.”
“Understood~”
Sighing slightly, I arranged the items on the bed onto the table and laid down on the bed.
“…So, this is the real start.”
Will I truly attain mastery on this journey?
Considering the shortest path to becoming a master, I chose not to resist the drowsiness creeping over me and closed my eyes.
