Chapter 168 : Zhuge Cheon-woo
Zhuge Cheon-woo
It was more than expected that more attention would be drawn.
Ever since Jeong-un returned from the mission to annihilate the Blood Cult, he had been at the center of attention for days.
Even the fact that he had not shown himself at the training hall and had secluded himself in his sleeping quarters was the talk of the town.
His name was being repeated everywhere, no matter where he went.
Now was no different.
"Look over there, the Heaven-defying Lone Sword is here. He's walking together with a General Affairs Department scholar."
"... Damn, that really is the martial garb of a four-stripe martial artist."
"I couldn't believe it even after seeing the proclamation posted..."
"It's only natural, considering the martial skills he displayed. He did what even the corps leaders should have done."
"Still, to get four stripes in just your second year. And to go from two stripes straight to four all at once. That's unprecedented."
Though they lowered their voices, such words could not escape the sharp ears of Jeong-un.
There was as much variety in expressions as there was in the words he overheard.
The words Yeom Baek had said a few days before naturally came to his mind.
'You said that awe and envy always come together.'
That was exactly the case.
All sorts of faces were stealing glances at Jeong-un.
Even though they were martial artists who, anywhere outside the Heavenly Martial Hall, would be received as young Immortals, the situation was the same here.
In the end, status was everything.
Jeong-un discreetly asked Jo Yoo-hyeon, who was walking beside him.
"Didn't you say it hasn't been long since the proclamation was posted?"
Jo Yoo-hyeon smiled as he replied.
"While you were changing into your new martial garb, they posted it on the main wall at the center of Heavenly Martial Hall. The news was so sensational that I'm sure it spread through the entire hall in an instant. I bet letterhawks are already flying to all corners of the martial world."
"I honestly don't feel a big difference, though..."
Jeong-un muttered as if talking to himself.
Except for the change of clothes, he really didn't feel much different.
He even wondered if, after hearing so much about it, the actual experience was a little underwhelming.
'It's not like there's a promotion ceremony or anything.'
Of course, he wasn't desiring some extravagant ceremony, but it was clear that Heavenly Martial Hall was a rather unique place.
Despite holding three gruelling entrance exams, they didn't even bother with a formal induction.
"You say there's no difference?"
Jo Yoo-hyeon's eyes widened in surprise. It was as if he'd never heard someone say such a thing before.
"Even your pay, meant to ensure a martial artist's dignity, is different. Four-stripe martial artists receive thirty taels of silver each month. That's an amount ordinary people couldn't even dream of earning in a lifetime. And that's not all—there will easily be at least ten servants attending to you from now on. From all sorts of menial tasks to maintaining and repairing your personal arms and armor—it'll all be handled with just a word from you."
"..."
"You look a bit uncomfortable—is it a burden to you?"
Jo Yoo-hyeon smiled as he looked at Jeong-un.
His gaze lingered on the bright gold thread embroidery of four stripes on Jeong-un's left arm.
Jeong-un spoke slowly.
"The clothing is fancier than the one-stripe or two-stripe garments, and everything you just mentioned... It feels a bit excessive. It's not like I'm lacking hands or feet."
"You'll have to get used to it. Not just at Heavenly Martial Hall, either."
"Pardon?"
When Jeong-un asked back, Jo Yoo-hyeon continued, a meaningful look in his eyes.
"My life will probably end here at Heavenly Martial Hall. For me, there's no place better than this. But not for you. For you, real life will start once you leave this hall. Time really flies—before you know it, the day of your graduation will come."
"..."
"A four-stripe martial artist graduating? Every sect in the martial world will be camped outside the main gates of Heavenly Martial Hall waiting for you. Especially if you, like now, have no definite affiliation."
"Graduation..."
Jeong-un murmured quietly.
It still didn't feel real to him; having only just come of age, it felt like something that would happen in the distant future.
As if reading his thoughts, Jo Yoo-hyeon smiled and said, "Let me say it once more: time passes incredibly quickly."
"I'll have to be careful not to die off in an inn before then,"
Jeong-un replied, half-joking.
Jo Yoo-hyeon laughed aloud, as if he'd heard a very amusing joke.
"Well, here we are. Please, go on in. The chief strategist is waiting."
"Thank you."
Jeong-un gave a martial salute. Jo Yoo-hyeon bowed politely and turned away.
He had visited Zhuge Cheon-woo's pavilion once before. Although it could be called modest, it was still a fine three-story building.
Last time, corps leader Yeom Baek had accompanied him, but now only Jo Yoo-hyeon led him to the front.
As he approached the main entrance, two martial artists standing guard were startled and quickly returned his martial salute, stealing glances at his martial garb at the same time.
"They're waiting for you upstairs."
Jeong-un gave a brief nod and entered.
The first floor of Zhuge Cheon-woo's pavilion was a library storing documents, while the office was on the top, third floor.
He climbed the stairs, arriving at the door, and knocked.
"This is Yu Jeong-un."
"Come in."
Once again, he was facing the chief strategist.
Zhuge Cheon-woo was seated behind a long desk, just as he had been the first time they met.
He was dressed in the same simple black martial garb, without any gold thread embroidery.
Jeong-un raised his hands in a martial salute and spoke.
"I heard you wanted to see me."
"..."
There was no reply, so Jeong-un glanced up to see him silently melting into a gentle smile while looking steadily at Jeong-un.
He still had that handsome, ageless face that was difficult to place in any particular age group.
Except, perhaps from stress, his hair had grown noticeably whiter since the last time—a surprising change in less than a year.
A brief silence passed.
At last, Zhuge Cheon-woo spoke.
"It's good to see you again like this."
"Have you been well?"
"How do I look to you?"
"You still appear quite healthy, sir."
Zhuge Cheon-woo's eyes widened before he burst into hearty laughter.
"Healthy, am I? You're quite interesting, aren't you?"
Jeong-un stood quietly with a faint smile.
He was quietly surprised at how, unlike before, he no longer felt tense in the chief strategist's presence.
Zhuge Cheon-woo asked, "So, you met Great Monk Mu Jung."
"Yes."
That was unexpected.
Jeong-un had thought the chief strategist would start by asking about the Blood Cult incident.
However, Jeong-un answered calmly, without showing his surprise.
"I never imagined the day would come when he would send a letter to the Heavenly Martial Hall. You've caused all sorts of storms, but honestly, that was what surprised me most."
"That much?"
Jeong-un asked, looking somewhat perplexed.
It was just a letter.
Certainly, it was sent by a renowned person, but still, wasn't this a bit much?
Zhuge Cheon-woo smiled and answered, "To me, it's no small thing. Monk Mu Jung was the person who strongly opposed the founding of Heavenly Martial Hall."
"... What?"
"He not only sent a letter to the hall, but sent one requesting us to look after one of our own martial artists—you. You can't imagine how surprised I was."
"..."
So Great Monk Mu Jung had opposed the founding of Heavenly Martial Hall? That was completely unexpected.
Of course, now all the most prestigious sects eagerly send their disciples to the hall, but the only exception are the Shaolin monks.
Jeong-un had always thought that was simply because it went against Buddhist doctrine.
He had no idea Monk Mu Jung had actively opposed the founding itself.
Zhuge Cheon-woo continued.
"Monk Mu Jung was concerned about the concentration of power in the martial world. He said that it would only become another form of authority."
"Authority..."
"I assured him repeatedly that we'd do everything to prevent that, but he wouldn't change his mind. Afterward, there was no contact between Heavenly Martial Hall and Shaolin. It was inevitable."
Jeong-un recalled meeting the Hall Master, the Sword Sovereign. Back then, the Sword Sovereign had only mentioned being not particularly compatible with the Shaolin abbot.
He hadn't known there was this kind of history behind it.
"You opened the way for change. Since then, we've been in regular close correspondence with Shaolin."
"I didn't intend it specifically..."
"There's no need to be modest. Whatever the reason, it's thanks to you."
"..."
Zhuge Cheon-woo looked at Jeong-un with clear satisfaction, even letting a faintly pleased smile appear on his lips.
"And now, here you are, a four-stripe martial artist. Even though I haven't done much for you, I feel very proud and grateful seeing you like this."
"I've already received more than enough here—so much so that I doubt I'll ever be treated this well anywhere else."
"That's merely what any Heavenly Martial Hall martial artist should expect."
"Not for me. I've only enjoyed such luxuries since coming here."
He meant it. Even though Jeong-un's lineage had been a major martial household in his region, it was nothing compared to Heavenly Martial Hall. Even the double's quarters he shared with Baek Il-gang was much larger than clan head Yu Jungho's chambers—enough said.
Jeong-un asked, "I heard there's a mission."
"Yes, there is."
Zhuge Cheon-woo took a sheet of paper from his desk drawer and handed it to Jeong-un as he spoke.
"In the Northern Zhili's Jin Prefecture, there's a place called Zhao clan of Changshan. The descendants of Duke Sunpyeong, who made a name for himself as a guard general in the past, reside there. To this day, their name carries considerable prestige."
"Zhao clan of Changshan...?"
It was a familiar name.
After all, Zhao Gang, whom he had faced in the Shaolin Assembly, was from that very house.
His masterful spear technique had left a strong impression.
"They sent a letter to the Murim Alliance. They've captured a Demonic Cultist and are requesting an investigation."
"...!"
They captured a Demonic Cultist?
Jeong-un's eyes widened. He had seen those cultists himself, making the news even more shocking.
'Back then, all of them killed themselves before they could be captured.'
Zhuge Cheon-woo continued.
"It's a hassle, but I'd like you to go and confirm things yourself. You're the only one among us who has directly faced the Demonic Cult leader several times. There's no one more suited to this task."
"I understand."
Jeong-un nodded without hesitation.
In fact, this was just what he wanted.
Since even the Demonic Cult leader was still watching him, there was no reason to refuse.
He'd have volunteered for anything related to those enemies.
Nonetheless, he felt doubts.
All those cultists had taken their own lives through some method.
And yet, now one of them had been captured by an orthodox sect?
It didn't make sense.
'So this is what he meant by "you'll see me again soon."'
That must be it. No wonder this mission felt so significant.
Then Zhuge Cheon-woo spoke.
"Ah, you have a companion named Baek Il-gang, do you not?"
"Yes."
Jeong-un replied awkwardly.
Never mind the fact that Heavenly Martial Hall kept such close tabs on personal relationships—it was the unexpected name that gave him pause.
Zhuge Cheon-woo smiled and said, "You'll be going with him this time."
"... Pardon?"
"It'll be helpful for this matter. For both you and your friend."
"...?"