Chapter 47 – The Lively Mountain Bandit

Chapter 47 – The Lively Mountain Bandit

The Hour of the Rabbit, the quiet Drunken Lotus Pavilion under the dim sky.

San-ho rubbed his sleepy eyes as he opened the door of the training ground. Although he thought he had come out quite early, he hurried his steps upon seeing Do Yi-gyeom waiting for him.

"Were you in good health through the night? Oh, you didn't wear your veil today."

"There is no need for that anymore."

Normally, Do Yi-gyeom wore a translucent veil from below his eyes. It was the reason why, although there were many rumors about the owner of Drunken Lotus Pavilion, no one had actually seen his face.

"First, let me introduce myself formally. I am Do Yi-gyeom. The owner of Drunken Lotus Pavilion, and a swordsman who was once called by the moniker of the Flowing Cloud Sword."

"There probably isn't anyone in the Jianghu who doesn't know the Flowing Cloud Sword. The youngest of the Ten Venerables of the Martial World, an ill-fated genius who died young…"

Ah, he was still alive. San-ho slapped his hand over his mouth and laughed awkwardly.

Indeed, unless one witnessed a definitive death, it was the way of the Jianghu not to hastily assume another's death. However, most people would likely believe he was already dead. Since he had not shown himself for fifty years, it was a perfectly reasonable assumption.

Do Yi-gyeom, who was staring quietly at San-ho, suddenly spoke.

"About what you said you were looking for last night. The big, red river."

"Yes."

San-ho widened his eyes and waited for the response. He had asked with the mindset of having nothing to lose, so he had not expected to receive an answer so quickly.

"It is a person."

"……"

"I do not know your reason for looking for him, but all I know is that you cannot meet him now, nor should you. Therefore, this is as much as I can tell you for now."

At the answer that came from his mouth, San-ho fell silent for a moment.

Do Yi-gyeom knew who he was. Considering how difficult it would be to find a single person in this vast Central Plains of the Martial World, was that in itself not a miracle?

'But I shouldn't meet him?'

As San-ho was lost in thought for a moment, Do Yi-gyeom spoke with a calm expression.

"However, I cannot hold you back, can I? I will not force you. If you wish to leave, you may leave. I admit my haste."

No matter how much he coveted him, he could not drag him along by force.

Out of the excitement of finally finding someone, he had proposed a duel and suddenly held out a contract, but in the end, wasn't one's own will the most important thing?

"You may think it over more."

If he said he would leave, he would hand him a few decent sets of clothes and some money for travel expenses, and tell him to visit again if he changed his mind. Do Yi-gyeom was having such thoughts.

"Ah, I…"

Tilting his head, San-ho's eyes suddenly sparkled.

"I like it too much though?"

"……Huh?"

When he asked back at the unexpected response, San-ho spoke resolutely.

"If I think about it. You are saying you will teach me swordsmanship, right? You want to make me your disciple, correct?"

"That is… true, right?"

"You'll feed me, house me, and do everything for me here in the meantime, right? Oh, you even sent me martial robes today; a whopping support for food, clothing, and shelter."

Having realized how important food, clothing, and shelter were thanks to suffering a bit on the streets, San-ho continued talking with satisfaction.

San-ho's mentality was too strong to agonize over such a minor thing.

"Besides, you'll also pay me a monthly salary, right?"

"Of course, but…"

"And you'll also share the information I need, right?"

"……Well, that is only if you win the duel…?"

"Is there anything else you can give me?"

"………?"

Responding as if swept along, Do Yi-gyeom tilted his head slightly at the strange feeling that suddenly washed over him.

What was this?

This… feeling of being robbed?

"I eat spiritual medicines well without being picky, and I don't fuss over food either. Oh, and you sent me a sword yesterday; I can keep using this, right? I was just starting to feel the need for one."

"I thought you were… dissatisfied. Didn't you say you didn't want to study under me just yesterday when we were writing the contract?"

"Dissatisfied? I was immature… to think I almost missed such an opportunity…"

"………"

"Think about it. One-on-one personal training from the Flowing Cloud Sword of the Ten Venerables, and free lodging at Drunken Lotus Pavilion, the best tavern under heaven? Moreover, unlimited daily meals prepared by the chef? Manager, are you some kind of philanthropist… or an angel?"

Seriously, what was this?

"I have absolutely no reason to refuse, you know?"

Shrugging his shoulders, San-ho continued talking as smoothly as a flowing river.

"I came to look for information anyway, and to think you even know that. At this rate, isn't this practically a custom-tailored gift for me… or something?"

"That…"

Feeling his mind go blank for a moment, Do Yi-gyeom only blinked his eyes. It was correct, so why did it feel so strange?

"Oh, why is your expression so dark… surely you aren't regretting it? But it's already too late; no take-backs!!! No refunds!!!"

Seeing that, San-ho muttered about a six-week recovery period like a blackmailer lying down in front of a parking lot. They said you're supposed to give generously to your disciple. I came here knowing all about it.

Placing his hands on his waist, San-ho shouted confidently.

"Hand over everything you have!!!"

"Good heavens…"

He was nothing short of a highway robber.

Do Yi-gyeom, meeting a robber for the first time in his life, clapped his hand to his forehead. Hand over everything he had? It was truly the first time he had ever heard such words in his entire life. Who under heaven would dare to fearlessly rob the purse of one of the Ten Venerables? Yet, that someone was right here.

San-ho smacked his lips with an expression that showed he knew his own value better than anyone.

"Breakfast this morning was really delicious too…"

"……"

"Can I eat a lot? I wasn't like this in the past, but I don't know why I'm so hungry these days…"

At the realization that he had brought in a Green Forest bandit instead of a disciple, Do Yi-gyeom let out a deep sigh.

Was this really going to be okay?

Had he grown old and his wits dulled?

"What is wrong?"

"No, it is nothing. My mind is just a bit dazed from meeting a robber for the first time…"

"Oh dear… I see."

"…Ha."

Was this really the same guy from yesterday? The same guy as that ferocious bastard?

Do Yi-gyeom could only open and close his mouth at the disaster he had brought upon himself. How did he get so caught up in this?

Whether he was aware of the other's confusion or not, San-ho shamelessly added more words.

"You know how they say it is better to be a servant at a nobleman's house… since finding out who that person is guarantees a path of hardship anyway. If I suffer that hardship here, I can earn money, learn martial arts, and obtain information. Isn't this exactly what they call catching crayfish while cleaning the ditch, benefiting both sister and brother-in-law?"

"…………"

"By the way, how much is a Drunken Lotus Pavilion waiter's monthly salary? Please give me a lot."

"……I will do what I can……"

What was life? Last night, San-ho had wondered. Suddenly having his feet bound to Drunken Lotus Pavilion, he had ended up looking back on his life in absurdity. However, looking back on his past life brought him a new realization.

Wait, isn't this actually a good thing?

Because the life he had lived was so painful, this was truly nothing. No, rather, it was like a gift package. Guaranteed skills, guaranteed identity, and guaranteed food, clothing, and shelter.

Furthermore, although he did not yet know why Do Yi-gyeom had chosen him, one thing was clear from the circumstances. He was needed. If so, wasn't that a good thing? It was a precious martial art that others could not learn even if they wanted to.

If you cannot avoid it, enjoy it! Having made up his mind, San-ho smiled brightly and spoke.

"By the way, what about the title? Since you told me to study under you, Master?"

"…Just call me the Manager, like the other servants."

"Weren't you making me your disciple?"

"A temporary servant."

"……….Ah."

Making a slightly dissatisfied face for a moment, San-ho nodded.

'Whatever works.'

Moreover, to be honest, it was true that he was looking forward to it. The refreshing sensation, as if his chest had cleared, was vivid. He wanted to feel that sensation again, which could only be felt when facing an overwhelmingly strong opponent.

The sense of fulfillment that had completely filled him.

"So, Manager. What will I be learning now?"

As San-ho's eyes sparkled, Do Yi-gyeom, who had been caught in a storm, regained his senses.

"Ah, yes. You must have mastered the Tang Clan's basic swordsmanship, the Heart-Piercing Sword, right? If so, we can skip the basics. Let us get straight to the point."

"…….."

A faint trace of doubt appeared on San-ho's face.

'How on earth does the Manager know the basic swordsmanship of the Tang Clan?'

Even yesterday, he had glossed over the question of how he knew my identity. Surely he wasn't some hidden… grandfather or something? Having indulged in useless thoughts for a moment, San-ho then stared intently at Do Yi-gyeom.

"The sword art you will learn starting today is the Azure Cloud Meteor Sword. It is a swordsmanship based on softness and swiftness. Since it sometimes flows into illusion, it will likely be quite tricky to master."

"Oh…"

"First, I will demonstrate, and then we will begin with the principles of the opening stance and the explanations of the forms."

'To think I would see the swordsmanship of the Flowing Cloud Sword with my own eyes.'

The martial arts enthusiast San-ho's eyes shone like starlight. Although hidden weapon techniques and poison arts were all cool, the pinnacle of martial arts was ultimately the sword, wasn't it! Though he came from the lineage of hidden weapon arts, it was the modern man San-ho's philosophy that it was best to learn whatever he could.

"Make sure to watch closely."

In the middle of the training ground, Do Yi-gyeom, having finished speaking, quietly closed his eyes.

"……Huu."

Then, along with a long breath, he stretched his sword straight and assumed the opening stance of the Azure Cloud Meteor Sword.

In an instant, even the temperature of the air filling the training ground changed.

Sssg—

The dry gaze Do Yi-gyeom had shown until now vanished, and it was a moment when only the gaze of the Flowing Cloud Sword, the genius swordsman who had proved himself solely with the sword, shone sharply.

San-ho suddenly felt a small doubt.

A man who had appeared as if dropped out of nowhere, displayed a sword art never seen before, and then vanished without anyone knowing.

'Why?'

He had not entered closed-door cultivation for his own achievement, nor had he seized wealth and fame by flaunting his martial prowess. He was simply a man who had chosen a different life.

Although there was no one in the Jianghu who did not know the moniker of the Flowing Cloud Sword, there was also no one who knew that Do Yi-gyeom, the owner of Drunken Lotus Pavilion, was that very Flowing Cloud Sword.

'There must be a reason.'

The reason why he chose me now, after hiding his identity for such a long time, too.

While those thoughts chased one after another.

Before long, the sword of the Flowing Cloud Sword began to draw a gentle arc.

Ssshh—

At the same time, pure white sword qi rose from the tip of the sword.

As if drawing clouds in the air.

The sword of the Flowing Cloud Sword flowed smoothly.

A sword that resembled the principle of softness overcoming hardness, yet was different from it.

It was a bit more free, a bit more lively.

Although it seemed to move slowly, the path of the sword, which was by no means slow, was never interrupted once and flowed smoothly.

As the Flowing Cloud Sword moved elegantly as if performing a sword dance, San-ho felt the thoughts filling his head vanish completely, and the fine hairs all over his body stood on end.

It was beautiful.

The sword qi blooming from the tip of the sword shone pure white, embroidering the sky as if it were being drawn.

Flash!

At that moment, the Flowing Cloud Sword's wrist twisted slightly, and the blade became sharper than before.

The sword that flowed freely like clouds soon led into swiftness.

Faster and sharper.

The movements of the Flowing Cloud Sword changed completely. So much so that it was hard to believe it was a sword art performed by a single person.

Swish!

The clouds that had been winding and drawing soon raged like a typhoon. It was a speed incomparable to just moments ago.

He felt as if his soul was being sucked in by the sharp and fast speed that seemed to sweep the world.

The sword, flowing continuously with mighty power, was like another force of nature.

"Wow…"

An exclamation burst from San-ho's mouth without him realizing.

A sword dance that anyone who understood martial arts could not help but watch spellbound.

The perfect realm of the Unity of Body and Sword.

The body and the sword became one, drawing the path of the sword softly and swiftly. The pure white cloud that started from the tip of the sword soon blanketed the sky.

Finally, between the clouds covering the world.

Flash!

The final path of the sword pierced through the clouds and struck down like a meteor.

"……!!!!"

Whoosh!

A cloud of dust rose in the training ground from the wind of the sword that raged as if exploding.

Stunned by the unbelievable sight, San-ho stared at him, unable to close his mouth. A sword as soft as clouds and as intense as a meteor. One's eyes were drawn to the cloud that felt vivid enough to grasp, yet a meteor pierced the heart in that gap.

Shing—

Having finished his demonstration, the Flowing Cloud Sword sheathed his sword and quietly closed his eyes.

"………"

'I… never expected to pass down this sword.'

The sword of a past he could not forget.

The last successor of the Azure Cloud Meteor Sword.

The thought that the single-inheritance martial art, which he believed would end with him, was being passed down made his chest ache tightly. How long had he longed for this moment?

When he took a long breath to settle himself and opened his eyes, Do Yi-gyeom, the owner of Drunken Lotus Pavilion, stood there once again.

"Wow… Seriously, you really have to be at this level to be one of the Ten Venerables. That was incredible, Manager. Wow…"

Still unable to escape the lingering aftereffects of the sword dance from a moment ago, San-ho let out continuous exclamations of admiration.

"This is the sword that you must learn perfectly. Then, we will begin with the explanation of the opening stance. As a side note,"

He waited for Do Yi-gyeom's next words with an expectant expression.

"There is no secret manual. It is a martial art passed down solely through oral instruction."

San-ho's expression changed in an instant.

"……How long did it take you to learn it like that?"

Knock knock!

Just then, the sound of someone knocking on the closed door of the training ground was heard.

"Hmm?"

The one who opened the door and entered was Un-jo. He offered a greeting to San-ho with a glance, then approached Do Yi-gyeom and spoke.

"Manager, I think you need to come out for a moment."

"Right now?"

Under Do Yi-gyeom's glancing gaze, San-ho placed his hands back on his waist.

"I'll be training by myself. Make lots of money!"

The bandit wearing martial robes waved his hand cheerfully.