Chapter 165 : Greetings
Greetings
They rode without a moment's rest.
The return journey was entirely along a different route than the one they had come.
They had to take a slight detour along a small river, a road the General Affairs Department had specified in detail through a letter.
From the letter's contents, it seemed they had set the return path for all the warriors gathered here.
The intent was clearly not only for the survivors of the Blood Cult's remnants to be eliminated, but also to eradicate any unorthodox villains they might encounter along the way.
By gathering most of the warriors into one place to exterminate the Blood Cult, the administration of other regions had inevitably been neglected for a short period, even if it was brief.
It was said that there were hundreds of requests each month asking the Murim Alliance for the help of Heavenly Martial Hall.
It seemed this was an attempt to fill that gap as much as possible, even in this fashion.
"They really are relentless. They measure manpower only by efficiency. After such a great victory, they could have let us return a bit more leisurely."
Jo Gwang muttered beside him, apparently expecting a slow, relaxing return to enjoy their victory.
"It can't be helped."
Jeong-un, however, inwardly found himself agreeing more with the General Affairs Department.
If all the warriors returned along the same route, that would mean a considerable force was idle at the same time.
Heavenly Martial Hall wasn't relaxed enough to employ personnel so extravagantly.
They were always in need of more hands.
'Not that there was nothing to gain, anyway.'
He had already encountered numerous bandits.
There were even some who had managed to accumulate a bit of internal energy, though clumsily.
If left alone, those scoundrels would have continued to torment the common folk.
Cutting down such lowly unorthodox faction members, they pressed on until Hanyang Prefecture's city center finally came into view in the distance.
"We're here."
"I can't wait to go inside and rest."
Upon entering the city, they found other warriors steadily returning.
Even though the routes were varied, the arrival times inevitably overlapped.
They had just set foot inside the gate of Heavenly Martial Hall when it happened.
Walking along the main street within the hall, a young man in scholar's attire came running towards them as if waiting for their return.
At a glance, it was easy to guess his origin. Only the General Affairs Department wore such outfits in Heavenly Martial Hall.
"You've really worked hard, warriors!"
Without even catching his breath, he bent at the waist and greeted them.
He was a young man, about the same age as Jeong-un, with an impressively honest-looking face.
Even the scholars of the General Affairs Department struggled to master basic internal cultivation methods, but this young man before their eyes didn't have even a trace of energy.
His wrist and palms, revealed outside his sleeves, were smooth, with no signs of roughness.
But the joints of his fingers used to grip a brush were marked by incredibly pronounced calluses.
'Was it called the Five-Finger Method?'
It was how one properly held a brush. Just how many characters had he written for his fingertips' soft skin to grow that tough?
'They're all like this...'
Jeong-un glanced at the man's fingers and thought to himself.
The martial world was called the Murim for a reason—it was a world ruled by spear and sword.
People judged others by their martial prowess.
But of course, wielding a sword wasn't the only way. This land was full of people, and not all of them bore swords.
Every life is multidimensional, and not everyone lives for the same purpose.
'Each person has their own fierce struggle in life.'
Just as he wielded his sword countless times, this young man must have toiled holding his brush for many hours.
Somebody else would be spending half a lifetime gripping a plow.
Facing him, Jeong-un returned the martial salute and spoke:
"I am Yu Jeong-un of the Blue Scale Corps."
The polite greeting made the young man widen his eyes and bow again.
"I am Zhang Hak from the General Affairs Department."
The other companions at Jeong-un's side also raised a martial salute.
Even as he received their respects, Zhang Hak looked rather uncomfortable. It was understandable.
Not all orthodox martial artists were honorable.
They grew up receiving respect on their home soil.
Unconscious condescension towards the scholars was bound to show itself.
"What brings you here?"
Jeong-un waited, gazing steadily, and asked. Remembering the reason he'd come, Zhang Hak quickly replied:
"Ah, you've been told to forgo an in-person report for this mission and deliver it by letter. Since all the contents are the same and the number of people is too high..."
"I understand."
Jeong-un nodded. It made sense, considering everyone had been sent on the same mission.
And since the corps leaders had participated as well, there would be direct witnesses.
But Zhang Hak, as though he wasn't done, looked at Jeong-un and continued.
"However, warrior Yu Jeong-un, you're required to report face-to-face. I came to deliver this message."
"Is it just me?"
At that, Zhang Hak nodded.
"Yes, that was the chief strategist's direct order. The details, I believe, you'll hear from your corps leader."
"Thank you."
Jeong-un offered another martial salute. Zhang Hak glanced at him and spoke again.
"I imagine it concerns your martial skills demonstrated on the battlefield. The rumors are already widespread... That should give you a rough idea."
Jeong-un looked at him steadily. Had he made a good impression? It seemed he'd added words that weren't strictly necessary.
Jeong-un smiled slightly and replied:
"Thank you. I'll keep that in mind."
"Well then."
With another exchange of greetings, Zhang Hak left. As he disappeared, Jeong-un turned to his companions and spoke.
"The three of you should go inside and rest. I'll head to see the corps leader right away."
The mission had been longer than expected.
Though they'd spent a few days recovering after the war, they hadn't truly rested.
Riding a horse over such a long distance had only increased their fatigue.
Since only he was being called, it was better for the others to return and rest as soon as possible.
At this, Tang Yerin opened her eyes wide and replied:
"You must be tired, Yu Jeong-un. Wouldn't it be better to rest for a bit before going? I'm sure the General Affairs Department would understand."
She wasn't wrong. Heavenly Martial Hall didn't immediately demand reports from warriors returning from duty.
If necessary, they could take a brief rest and prioritize tending to wounds at the Medicine Hall.
The most valuable asset of Heavenly Martial Hall was the warriors' bodies, after all.
"From the fact that someone was sent to fetch me, it must be urgent. Besides, I'm not injured anywhere. You don't have to worry."
But Jeong-un shook his head as he replied.
'I'm sure they have a lot they want to ask.'
Out of all those people, only he was called for a face-to-face report.
He didn't want to sidestep or take his time under the pretense of needing rest, especially when they'd gone out of their way to send someone.
Tang Yerin, too, slowly nodded.
After all, she'd witnessed Jeong-un's martial skills herself.
There was no way such an expert would be exhausted from a short ride home.
'Maybe he doesn't even need a fine horse anymore.'
Tang Yerin glanced at Jeong-un, thinking that he'd likely reached such a level that he no longer needed a horse.
Her own grandfather hadn't held reins in a long time either, saying his own legs were now faster and freer than any beast.
"Well, then, I'll be off. I'm a bit tired myself."
Baek Il-gang spoke first, deliberately affecting a nonchalant tone, as if agreeing to do as Jeong-un suggested.
With that, Jeong-un saw off his companions and walked alone down the main street towards Yeom Baek's office.
"... There he is."
"They say his new title is Heaven-defying Lone Sword—that he climbed up against the heavens."
"No wonder such talk is going around."
He encountered numerous warriors along the way.
Most simply exchanged glances as they passed, but there were also many who whispered at a distance.
Some even stared in surprise.
Jeong-un walked on, unfazed.
He hadn't responded in the past, and now cared even less for those stares.
Even Baek Il-gang's complaints that the new title secretly held a malicious undertone came to mind, but it didn't bother him.
'Let them gossip.'
Jeong-un had no interest in such things—unless the name "Heaven-defying" got him accused of treason, anyway.
He'd long since realized that his perspective on life differed considerably from most others.
Their goals were simply not the same as his. He had left his clan gates to see where the sword's edge truly ended.
Now what mattered most was how close he himself had drawn to that end.
'How much further...'
Jeong-un murmured as he walked.
When he thought back to the first time he'd blindly repeated the Three Talent Sword Technique, he realized how far he'd come.
He didn't even have to nitpick the details; he could feel his growth in his very bones.
And yet it wasn't enough.
Now, in that dream that seemed to fade more and more each day, only the regret of not yet seeing the end remained.
How many more times would he have to swing his sword to reach that endpoint?
Even after climbing this far, he had no idea. Still not yet.
Before he knew it, he stood before Yeom Baek's office.
A voice told him to enter, and Jeong-un opened the door and stepped inside.
"......"
Yeom Baek's face was tense, unlike usual.
Even the usual piles of paper documents on his desk were gone.
It was as if he'd been sitting here solely waiting for Jeong-un.
'Good thing I didn't dawdle.'
With that thought, he stepped forward.
"I heard you were looking for me."
"I am—that is, it was the chief strategist who wanted to see you, not I."
"I see."
Jeong-un replied simply and waited for the next words. He'd already heard a hint from Zhang Hak, so nothing would take him by surprise.
"First, there are a few things I need to tell you. First, you've received a mission. You'll need to prepare to depart right away."
"... Immediately?"
At that, even Jeong-un looked at Yeom Baek in surprise.
He'd just gotten back from the last mission, and now he had to leave right away?
He hadn't expected that at all.
Yeom Baek nodded.
"That's how it is. It's better if you hear the details directly from the chief strategist."
"......"
The image of Zhuge Cheon-woo flashed through his mind—the way he casually wore the black martial garb of Heavenly Martial Hall, with no string.
'The chief strategist himself will explain my mission?'
He was surprised not only to be sent off again immediately but also that the chief strategist himself, and not Yeom Baek, would explain the mission.
This was certainly not a common occurrence.
Soon, Yeom Baek spoke again, his expression somber.
"Another corps leader said so: they wondered if your astonishing achievement would truly be a blessing."
"Pardon?"
"You've already surpassed even my own martial skills. It's unprecedented. Even though we gather all the rising stars from across the land, your accomplishment is strange in its uniqueness."
Looking at Jeong-un, Yeom Baek said:
"I didn't answer, but that's the way people see things. Not everyone, but some won't look upon you kindly. Especially in the martial world, where a competitive spirit is instinctive. There will be not only reverence but also jealousy and envy. Already, people are talking. That so much attainment at a young age must come with a twisted character."
"I see."
He'd expected as much. Jeong-un was no longer a clueless newcomer in the martial world. He simply let it pass him by, thinking of it indifferently.
Yeom Baek then met Jeong-un's gaze.
"But their priorities are wrong."
"Pardon?"
"They should be thanking you first. Everyone there is in your debt. I'd like to thank you on their behalf, though it's not enough."