“…Mister, where are you going?”
“Out for a little night stroll.”
At my words, Hye-ryeong glanced at me as if I were about to do something wicked, then stole a look at Mok-kyeong. Mok-kyong was sleeping so quietly that it was hard to tell if she was alive or dead.
“…Do you want to come along?”
“…It’s just a walk around the village, that’s all.”
“Even so.”
If that’s what Hye-ryeong wanted…
I nodded my head and carefully opened the door.
Although it’s an old door, making no sound at all is difficult, but coming out without waking the host was not an impossible task.
Since the village chief wasn’t a Martial Realm practitioner.
“Uncle, are you really just going out for a walk?”
There’s no way I could fool Hye-ryeong entirely. After a brief pause, I decided to share as much information as I could.
“…I was just planning to practice the Transient Shadow Steps a bit at dawn.”
“Is it really necessary to do it here?”
Hye-ryeong tilted her head and asked.
“I just had a good feeling.”
“Watching you practice is a bit…”
“Watching won’t make any difference. You’re already familiar with the concept anyway.”
According to the few times I read it on the way here, this Transient Shadow Steps technique wasn’t anything too special. It actually detailed the basic principles and applications of a foundational Martial Arts movement rather comprehensively.
From Hye-ryeong’s perspective, having already learned the Flowing Cloud Steps, it could seem like child’s play, thus watching me practice it wouldn’t be much of an issue.
In fact, Hye-ryeong might even be able to offer me some advice after watching.
“Then, do you want to see me practice, Uncle?”
“Let’s go to an open space first.”
We wandered through the village, shrouded in darkness, looking for a suitable open area. After not too long, we came to the conclusion that it would be better to head into the mountain for the training.
“We might lose our way.”
“Don’t worry. I have a good sense of direction.”
Hye-ryeong placed her hands on her waist, looking quite confident as if challenging me to trust her.
“Alright, then let’s hurry.”
Though the path to the mountain was dark, who were we, exactly?
We were Martial Realm practitioners who could leap over a stretch of 30 feet with determination, break rocks with a punch, and eavesdrop on whispers from afar.
Not even pitch-black darkness could block our path.
“This will do.”
“I’ll sit over there.”
I turned away from Hye-ryeong, who sat on a nearby rock and stared at me, then turned my gaze forward and closed my eyes.
In truth, I had ventured out to look for clues of the Blood Wolf Sect but couldn’t candidly admit it now, so I had to at least show the semblance of trying something.
While keeping my senses wide open, I recalled the theoretical foundation of the basic footwork techniques.
The technique bends the left leg placed behind for tension to propel one forward momentarily.
It wasn’t difficult to perform or master either.
Ultimately, since it was merely a physical recreation of the footwork I used to apply as a substitute without employing any energy flow. However, footwork fundamentally revolves around moving the feet.
To create proper footwork, one must first master foot techniques proficiently.
I moved back and forth across the clearing using the Transient Shadow Steps.
This coarse footwork lacked the flamboyance of advanced techniques despite being exactly what I needed.
What I sought was a footwork technique that could be used against adversaries who would be wearing armor, hence, irrelevant to the current era, but as the saying goes, “simple is best.”
A straightforward and fast technique suits me better.
I…shall create such a style.
“Uncle, it’d be better not to use too much strength in your legs, wouldn’t it?”
“Is that so?”
“My master used to say that applying too much force when moving the feet could disrupt the footwork route.”
“Which boils down to not wasting strength unnecessarily.”
“Exactly.”
“Thank you.”
“Haha…”
How much did she like hearing “thank you”? I broke my gaze from Hye-ryeong’s happy expression and resumed practicing, improving this simple movement until it becomes more perfected.
—
“Are you saying we’ll stay a few more days?”
“You don’t need to worry about our meals. We have provisions brought with us.”
“There’s no way I can treat guests that way. I’ll have to host you with at least a meal. Though I might not be able to offer a lavish feast given the circumstances… how could I possibly not offer food to guests?”
“We’ll pay money, too.”
“Enough. What would an old man like me need money for?”
That statement feels too burdensome on the conscience.
Even though it’s to prevent madness from tearing down this village, staying here under the excuse of training would undoubtedly be a burden for this community.
“Thank you very much, sir.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Thank you for your permission, sir.”
“Not at all. Since I have nothing else to do anyway… I just found it lonely, so don’t worry about it. I’ll go prepare breakfast now, so please rest well.”
With that, the old man left the room. We looked silently at the direction he went for a while before I squatted at the corner, closed my eyes, and began meditating.
“Hye-ryeong, Mok-kyeong, I’ll meditate for a bit, so please stand guard.”
“Alright~”
“Understood, Master Eun-gong.”
Good. With that, I’ll organize the information I have while meditating.
I felt the Mana Core stir slightly as my thoughts immersed deeper.
First of all…when does the Blood Wolf Sect appear?
According to the original story, the village fell apart when a certain martial tournament ended. Thus, the event would likely occur in the next few days.
It may come sooner or later than my expectation, but the probability of the incident happening within my estimated timeframe is quite high.
Since the event happened not long after the tournament finished.
Therefore, it would be wise to stay here for a few more days to wait for Gwak Mu-sam from the Blood Wolf Sect. Even though the original plot might have twisted, the traces of Blood Wolf may remain unaffected.
…Surely, things won’t deviate too much.
While the chance for changes in the Blood Wolf’s movements seems slim, unease arises naturally from time to time.
Since life hardly ever follows precise designs.
Therefore, all I can do is my best.
Just like on the battlefield.
“…It’s done. Hye-ryeong, you should also practice Qi adjustment.”
“If that’s the case, please guard!”
“Of course.”
I readily accepted Hye-ryeong’s request. Offering to guard during meditation is only a matter of courtesy. I sat leaning against the wall while watching her sit cross-legged and begin the process.
She usually doesn’t look this serious.
“…Ha ha. Uncle’s gaze makes it hard to focus.”
“I’m sorry.”
“No, it’s fine.”
I shifted my gaze from Hye-ryeong’s direction toward the window.
The weather was clear, inviting enough to urge us to set off on a journey, if not for our current situation. I waited patiently for Hye-ryeong’s session to end while listening to my surroundings.
The sound of tools clinking, Hye-ryeong’s steady breathing, and the chirping of sparrows in the distance.
With no particular points of interest nearby, it might be time for some idle musings.
Or I should consider how to incorporate the Transient Shadow Steps into the battle techniques.
As I idly passed the time, Hye-ryeong opened her eyes and said,
“Uncle, I’m done!”
“Great. Is it Mok-kyeong’s turn next?”
“I’m fine.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
If she insists…
“Are you awake?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Come this way. I’ve prepared the meal, so let’s eat together.”
“Understood.”
We stood up to have an early lunch together.
—
“…It’s time they showed up, but not even a nose appears.”
Could I have miscalculated the timing?
“Excuse me?”
“It’s nothing.”
I stared blankly at the night sky.
The bright full moon in the night sky caught my eyes.
Looking at the full moon in autumn, I thought about the Mid-Autumn Festival. There’s no such festival here, but…
Wait a second,
Full moon?
Realizing something, I pressed my forehead with my fingers and unraveled the thread of my memories.
“…Today might be the day.”
Why did I forget this fact?
In the original episode’s introduction, a villager who informed the patrol guard spoke about the night of a full moon.
I didn’t need to guess anything; all I had to do was wait for the full moon during this period.
I felt a bittersweet mix of excitement while grabbing the longsword I leaned against the corner.
If he appeared today, where would he emerge?
The original story didn’t specify where Gwak Mu-sam from the Blood Wolf Sect appeared to massacre the villagers. People assumed he came from the mountains.
“…I can’t just sit and wait.”
“Uncle? Why this sudden comment?”
“Hye-ryeong, Mok-kyeong, come with me.”
“In the middle of the night?”
“The full moon made me feel like hunting.”
“Hunting?”
“Hunting… you say?”
My two companions tilted their heads simultaneously in confusion at my words. They seemed puzzled.
However, I couldn’t explain in detail, so I restated firmly:
“A bad premonition has come over me, so I’m going out to greet it. Follow me. If you don’t trust me, you can stay behind.”
“I’ll follow Uncle.”
“Me too, Master Eun-gong.”
Hye-ryeong and Mok-kyeong fastened their swords at their waists and stood behind me.
Let’s sort this out and get some sleep.
Silently, I opened the door and exited the village chief’s house.
—
