Reincarnated Sword Ghost

Chapter 110 : Baek Sword Gate

Baek Sword Gate

Afterwards, Jeong-un wandered slowly around the village as if patrolling it.

He would ascend Mount Song tomorrow.

He had heard that the warriors participating in the Shaolin Assembly would stay in lodgings within Shaolin itself.

But before that, Jeong-un wanted to examine this place a bit more.

The geography of the village, the expressions on people's faces, even the topics of their conversation—he quietly took in the various scenes around him.

'There's definitely something different here.'

Even the small alleys of the market streets had vibrancy. It wasn't simply because of the bustling crowds.

There was a sense that even the many outsiders pouring in had been absorbed into the unique atmosphere of the village.

Perhaps it was the subtle, lively energy inherent to the place itself.

It was reminiscent of the calm found at Hanyang Prefecture where the Heavenly Martial Hall was located.

There, due to the power of the Heavenly Martial Hall, martial artists couldn't act recklessly.

This place had something similar as well.

Warriors with swords at their sides and commoners mingled freely in the streets, yet there was no obvious wariness.

'Impressive, more than I thought.'

Martial artists aren't quick to draw their swords, and this is a spectacle only seen when the safety of the people is assured.

Everyone glanced at the Shaolin monks strolling the streets.

Some of them didn't even look like martial monks.

It was as if the name "Shaolin" itself imposed a tremendous order.

'It's better than the authorities.'

That was his honest impression.

The control exerted by a nearby sword was far greater than the distant law.

Hadn't he encountered the District Head of Kaifeng District just recently?

Just because a city had authorities nearby didn't mean public order was good.

After examining every corner of Hyeonseong for about two shijin, Jeong-un returned to the guesthouse.

Perhaps because he had given a rather large silver coin, the servant welcomed him with a beaming face.

He had booked a room allowing himself ample time.

Even if he would stay at Shaolin starting tomorrow, he thought keeping a room in the village might still prove useful.

Because of the flood of outsiders, it was said to be difficult to find a vacant room.

Having secured one at once, Jeong-un was considered lucky.

He ordered a simple bowl of noodles and sat in a corner.

He planned to have a quick meal and then practice internal energy cultivation in his room.

"Did you see the last sword move Lady Shin used? That was the Shin Clan Manor's Pranja Thirty-Six Swords."

"I heard she studied Shaolin martial arts. As expected of Shaolin's secular branch."

"That Blue Sea Gate lot are shameless. I saw them on the way—they're still staying at another guesthouse."

"Pfft, are they too scared to leave the village? To challenge Shaolin and not dare step outside."

The guesthouse, packed with people, buzzed with talk of the duel that had taken place during the day.

Many had witnessed it, giving rise to a variety of stories.

It was amusing to hear so many different versions of the same event.

At that moment, the door of the guesthouse opened, and a group of martial artists entered.

Instantly, the bustling hall became silent.

Jeong-un glanced at them, focusing especially on the woman standing at the front.

She was the winner of the duel earlier in the day.

Soon the chatter picked up again.

"Great Hero Shin has arrived!"

"If it's not a bother, may I buy you a drink?"

"Please, grant me a chance to exchange words!"

Praise showered upon her.

They did not treat her as if she were a difficult martial artist.

People who likely had never spoken a word to her eagerly approached in a friendly manner.

Apparently, today's duel had made her feel oddly approachable.

She responded with a gentle smile and swept her gaze around the room.

Suddenly, her eyes widened as if she had discovered something and she stepped forward.

Her steps crossed the middle of the guesthouse.

Thud, thud.

She stopped at a small table tucked away in a corner of the guesthouse.

"...?"

Jeong-un simply raised his head and looked at the woman quietly.

'What is this?'

He was a newcomer to Henan.

He naturally knew no one here.

All the more if she was a disciple of a Shaolin secular sect.

Just as he was about to hide his curious expression and speak first, the woman spoke up, her face somehow delighted.

"Are you a disciple of the Baek Sword Gate by any chance?"

"...!"

Jeong-un barely stopped his mouth from falling open.

He blinked several times, hiding his surprise. He hadn't expected this at all.

'Someone knows me?'

Currently, he was here not as Yu Jeong-un of the Heavenly Martial Hall, but as someone wearing different clothes and bearing a different face.

A disciple of the Baek Sword Gate, Cheon Pung. That was his current identity.

He quickly stood up and saluted with a martial salute.

"I am Cheon Pung, the second-generation disciple of Baek Sword Gate."

"I thought so...!"

The woman returned his martial salute with a delighted face.

"I am Shin Soryeong of the Shin Clan Manor."

"So you are Lady Shin."

When Jeong-un replied calmly with a nod, Shin Soryeong nodded and continued.

"Actually, I noticed you watching my duel earlier. Your martial garb was familiar, so it was nice to see. As I recall, the Baek Sword Gate closed its doors two years ago..."

"That's right. We reopened the doors only a few months ago."

Jeong-un answered calmly.

Telling this level of lie was now effortless.

Shin Soryeong nodded and continued,

"You closed your doors for research, and didn't attend last year's Shaolin Assembly. That's quite admirable determination. How is the Young gate leader doing? I remember exchanging brief greetings."

"He is doing well. However, he mentioned he still needs further martial arts training, so he could not attend the Shaolin Assembly this time."

There's no way he could. That person would now be in the afterlife.

He had been beheaded by a warrior of the Heavenly Martial Hall.

Jeong-un recalled what the General Affairs Department had told him and smirked bitterly to himself.

'They said he regularly dealt with unorthodox faction scum.'

Outwardly, the Baek Sword Gate claimed to be of the orthodox faction, but in truth, they colluded with the evil faction and committed countless atrocities.

The Gate leader and his son, the Young gate leader, had spearheaded these plans.

They had even placed the sect's name on the Murim Alliance roster.

When their crimes were revealed, they took civilians as hostages and turned their swords on the warriors of the Heavenly Martial Hall.

They were such heinous villains that most had been killed.

But since their name was on the official roster, they were considered worth keeping as a pawn, with their legacy preserved only for such uses.

As Shin Soryeong naturally sat down, she asked,

"So, young hero Cheon, are you planning to participate in the Shaolin Assembly?"

"Since it would be discourteous to abstain for two consecutive years, I came alone, though I am lacking. As it's my first time in the martial world, the Gate leader instructed me to be especially mindful of my words and actions."

Shin Soryeong smiled as she replied,

"It seems the Gate leader worried needlessly. Your demeanor is quite composed."

"I am unworthy of such praise."

And so, Jeong-un naturally ended up joining Shin Soryeong for the meal.

She seemed genuinely delighted, perhaps because she knew his sect.

Soon, her companions also sat at nearby tables. Onlookers began to whisper.

"That young man must know Lady Shin."

"Look at his face—does he seem ordinary? Surely he's a disciple of a prestigious sect."

"He's extraordinary at a glance."

Normally, such attention would have made Jeong-un uncomfortable.

He didn't like receiving attention without reason, as it made his conduct more bothersome.

But now, it was different.

He was in the role of a disciple from a sect that ruled a rural corner of Jinan, Shandong.

He was supposed to enjoy and seek out such attention, and to mingle with famous martial artists.

'A secular branch of Shaolin, huh.'

Jeong-un gazed quietly at Shin Soryeong's fair face.

If her clan was known to such a degree that many people recognized it, it must have significant influence in the region.

Judging by her demeanor, it seemed she had already attended the Shaolin Assembly several times.

Since Jeong-un was only now starting to learn about this area, keeping close to her might be greatly beneficial.

'Should I try to win her favor?'

Thinking so, Jeong-un brought up the duel from earlier that day.

"The path of the blade you showed, lady, was exquisite. Just watching it was instructional. In fact, I am trying to not forget what I saw."

"Oh my, did I disturb your mental training?"

"Not at all. I've heard that even a brief encounter with an expert can lead to profound insight in the martial world. Perhaps this is a great opportunity for me."

"..."

Shin Soryeong widened her eyes.

'Was there ever such a person?'

The Baek Sword Gate was a sect only famous in a small area of Shandong.

Although they had a reputation for being a bit mundane since they dominated all the nearby merchant guilds and security bureaus, it was said they donated a considerable amount of silver to the Murim Alliance annually.

They had even once joined forces to annihilate an evil sect.

That was when she had met the Young gate leader of Baek Sword Gate.

'But even the Young gate leader wasn't this polished.'

All she recalled about the Young gate leader was that he was taciturn and had dark circles under his eyes.

She was simply happy to greet someone in familiar martial garb.

'But...'

Shin Soryeong found herself smiling at Jeong-un without realizing it.

A disciple of the Baek Sword Gate would not possess particularly sophisticated martial arts.

The energy she sensed from him at this close range was ordinary.

However, his appearance was anything but ordinary.

His manner of speech and action exuded dignity, which, combined with his looks, instantly made a good impression.

Besides, from what she heard, he seemed genuinely interested in martial arts like a true martial artist.

Whereas many rising stars become cocky over minor achievements.

Naturally, she felt inclined to give him a bit of advice.

Her words might not truly become a pivotal opportunity for him, but a heartfelt encouragement could be a great help at times.

Thinking so, Shin Soryeong glanced at Yu Jeong-un's sword and spoke.

"Young Hero Cheon, you must mainly train in swordsmanship."

"I am still shamefully lacking. The sharpness of my sword is far from enough."

Shin Soryeong smiled as she continued.

"There's that saying: 'A thousand-mile journey begins with a single step.' Every small effort eventually becomes a great enlightenment. You shouldn't be obsessed with immediate achievements."

"That is a most encouraging thought."

As Jeong-un nodded obediently, Shin Soryeong went on.

"I, too, realize something as I train each day. My clan's sword technique is woven from thirty-six moves. Each one is quite elaborate."

"I see."

"When I first trained in the sword, the transitions between moves felt somewhat unnatural. As if the movements themselves didn't connect well."

As Jeong-un listened intently, Shin Soryeong's voice grew firmer.

She honestly wished her experience could help him.

"Some criticize our clan's sword technique for this. Because its roots lie in Shaolin's sophisticated fist-and-palm arts, they say it's a 'half-finished' sword technique. But that's because they don't truly understand. It's only natural for there to be some awkwardness since its roots aren't in swordsmanship, but if you repeat it every day, eventually..."

"I see, so that's the reason."

Jeong-un nodded and spoke up.

"When I watched the duel today, I felt as if the essence of fist-and-palm arts was embedded in your sword technique, lady. I was thoroughly impressed."

"Yes?"

Shin Soryeong's eyes widened in disbelief.

He could see the essence of fist-and-palm arts in her sword technique?

"Since your martial art is rooted in fist-and-palm arts, I suppose it's possible. But that's not what's important."

"...?"

Upon hearing Shin Soryeong's words, Jeong-un boldly voiced what he had been thinking.

Normally, his thin face wouldn't have allowed such behavior, but right now he had to play this role. He even needed to win her favor.

"I've heard that swordsmen who reach the realm of mastery eventually feel as if their sword is an extension of their own limbs. So wielding the sword while unleashing the essence of fist-and-palm arts is hardly impossible. In fact, it seems you are striving for such a realm. Surely, it must be a long and arduous journey."

"Ah..."

"In that sense, the Pranja Thirty-Six Swords is truly an excellent sword technique."

"What do you mean by excellent...?"

Jeong-un continued at length, hoping to praise his companion and her martial art.

"You said you train with the sword every day. Then through swordsmanship, you may well have realized the essence of Shaolin's fist-and-palm arts. It's possible thanks to the Pranja Thirty-Six Swords originating from fist-and-palm arts. That may be why, even someone with my poor eye for such things, could glimpse its subtleties within your swordsmanship, lady."

"..."

"Experts say that they are more comfortable with a sword than with bare hands. If you continue to train by breaking down the barriers between your swordsmanship and fist-and-palm arts, you may reach an even higher realm more quickly."

"..."

"The moves themselves are like that too. They merely set the method by which you move true ki and wield the sword. But if you could free yourself from that framework, then one day..."

As Jeong-un trailed off, he closed his mouth gently. There was no response from his companion.

"...?"

Shin Soryeong's gaze had grown distant as she listened to his words.