Reincarnated Sword Ghost

Chapter 83 : Return

Return

The massive front gates of the Heavenly Martial Hall were said to open only rarely.

Because so many people came and went every day, it was too cumbersome to open and close the main gates each time.

'That makes sense.'

Having lived here himself, Jeong-un understood. Dozens left for missions or returned from them each day.

On top of that, many outsiders visited the Heavenly Martial Hall for various purposes.

The main entrance was a heavy iron gate. It took quite some time to open and close, and, above all, it was very noisy. Since it was located at the very center of the fortress, making such a loud noise every time wouldn't have been appreciated by those nearby.

That was why they had installed practical entryways at each of the four cardinal points, east, west, south, and north, built into the surrounding wall. Both the martial hall's warriors and outsiders used those gates to enter and leave the Heavenly Martial Hall. With so many visiting for various reasons, the place was always bustling with life.

Of course, returning warriors did not need to go through any special inspection to enter.

Now, they had just come in through the eastern gate.

"Well then, I'll go make my report."

Jeong-un had to go straight to Yeom Baek's office, the corps leader of the Blue Scale Corps.

The duty of reporting the mission's results belonged to a two-stripes warrior.

"Congratulations, young hero Yu, on successfully completing your first mission as a two-stripes."

"That's right! It was quite a tricky job."

Jo Gwang and Tang Yerin said with smiles.

Even though all had achieved merits by completing the mission, they genuinely congratulated Jeong-un.

"It was all thanks to all of you. Had I been alone, I would probably still be lost out there. I'll also make sure in the report that you deserve more credit."

Jeong-un answered, bowing his head lightly. Baek Il-gang spoke with a grinning face.

"When facing that bandit with my own eyes, the level of his martial arts was suffocating. Only a Young Hero like you could split that body in two."

"I struggled quite a bit. It was only possible thanks to the three of you assisting me."

"Even the Sect Leader of the Jeongmu Sect—and everyone around—see Young Hero Yu as an immortal. Especially that area magistrate's gaze was so intense when looking at you, I felt secondhand pressure just standing there."

Though said with humor, it wasn't wrong.

When Jeong-un said he would return in the future, the magistrate's face had brightened immediately.

And when Jeong-un declined the silver coin pouch, the magistrate, deeply moved by his concern for the common folk, promised to open his granary and give out even more.

Back then, Baek Il-gang had quietly warned that the magistrate's intentions may not be solely for the people but also a ploy to curry favor with Jeong-un, whose name was destined to echo throughout the Central Plains.

'Whatever the motive.'

In the end, as long as the silver and food reached the common people nearby, it was enough.

Jeong-un had promised to keep in touch with the magistrate from time to time, so at least for the five years Jeong-un would be at the Heavenly Martial Hall, the people wouldn't be oppressed.

"Well, everyone, please go and rest."

With those parting words, they went their separate ways.

Baek Il-gang said he needed sleep and returned to his sleeping quarters; Tang Yerin, having sensed a new insight, headed to the training hall; and Jo Gwang went to the tavern to celebrate their successful mission.

As Jeong-un watched their receding backs, he smiled faintly and turned his own steps.

As he entered the main road of the Heavenly Martial Hall, he saw the hall's warriors bustling about.

The corps leaders' offices were located in the main cluster of buildings at the center.

At the very center were pavilions belonging to the Heavenly Martial Hall Leader—whom he had never seen before—and to Zhuge Cheon-woo, whom he had encountered once.

'Now, not even five years are left.'

Already, it was autumn.

The seasons were flying by like an arrow. After a few snowfalls, a new year would arrive.

It was hard to believe that a whole year had already passed.

As he walked, other warriors passing by cast sidelong glances at Jeong-un, whispering among themselves as if previously agreed.

"His energy is so refined."

"Have you not seen him before? That young hero is the Annihilating One-Slash."

"What? That's him...!"

"Since he lives in the private training hall every day, it's no wonder you wouldn't know."

"I heard he took on another mission and now he's back."

Although Jeong-un's name and epithet had already become somewhat known within the Heavenly Martial Hall, few knew his face.

He'd leave early before sunrise for private training, and would only return to his sleeping quarters after dark.

So those who happened to run into him by chance often reacted with surprise upon seeing his youthful face and unexpectedly young appearance.

There was still much speculation about his origins.

Some said he had taken the exam with a token from someone else, others that he had taken first place at the special test where rising stars from a hundred prestigious sects of the Central Plains had gathered.

If those two things alone inspired gossip, even more so that he had become a two-stripes in his first year.

In the current Central Plains, there were no unprepared geniuses.

Geniuses, by definition, were those who, from childhood, had been given precious elixirs and practiced advanced martial arts that refined body and ki.

While it wasn't unheard of for there to be mysterious, reclusive sects teaching independent martial arts, it was hard to surpass those "crafted" geniuses.

Scions of prestigious families enjoyed every benefit, gaining powerful martial achievements from a very young age.

Most warriors could not even be compared to them.

In times like these, a young man from an obscure rural clan took first place among the rising stars.

How could he not draw attention?

There were even rumors that he was a hidden disciple of Mount Hua.

Yet Jeong-un, the man in question, let such rumors pass by him.

It was too bothersome to correct each one, and he felt no reason to do so.

He realized his perspective on life was different from theirs, so there was no need to care about the opinions of others.

For Jeong-un, the only thing that truly mattered was his martial studies.

Just as he nearly reached Yeom Baek's office, two people approached.

"You're Young Hero Yu Jeong-un, right?"

Even at a glance, it was clear these two, a man and woman, were of uncommon status.

The young man was very tall and slender, while the woman was rather short for a martial artist but possessed striking beauty.

With porcelain-white skin and finely arranged features, she fixed her large eyes directly on Jeong-un; determination sparkled in her gaze.

Before replying, Jeong-un guessed to himself that she must be a cherished daughter of a renowned martial clan.

Everything about her gave off that impression. Even her neatly worn black martial attire seemed uniquely tailored.

"To ask so abruptly..."

"Ah."

The young man beside her looked awkward, and the woman, with round eyes, nodded and adjusted her posture before addressing Jeong-un again.

"I am Namgung Jihwa. I'm with the Red Dragon Corps."

"I am Namgung Hyeon. I also serve in the Red Dragon Corps."

The Namgung clan—a prestigious martial household, one of the five great families, and a dominant force in the martial world beyond any match east of Namjignye.

'Their reputation is not lacking.'

Jeong-un genuinely admired them.

It reminded him of how he'd felt meeting Peng Mu-gyeol of the Peng clan.

Regardless of character, their ki was so robust that it seemed to wrap their bodies like well-fitted clothing.

Most rising stars from prestigious families were like this.

Having studied energy control in depth from a young age, by this age they were very skilled at moving and shaping their ki.

"I am Yu Jeong-un of the Blue Scale Corps."

He returned their greeting with a martial salute, not asking their purpose outright.

Inside the Heavenly Martial Hall, and with both dressed in black martial uniforms, there was no need; if they came specifically to greet him, he trusted their reason would become clear.

"Wow, so the rumors don't do you justice? They say your demeanor is so calm that your voice could send chills down a person's spine."

She eyed Jeong-un up and down with obvious curiosity.

Her eyes sparkled, and she curved her lips in an oddly amused smile as she watched his composed reply.

Most people would have been shocked or flustered just hearing her name, but Jeong-un's reaction wasn't like that.

Such was the power the Namgung clan wielded in today's Central Plains.

Namgung Jihwa smiled and said,

"Sorry, I was really curious. You beat Young Hero Yong So-myeong and took first place in the special test, right? You even defeated Light-Flowing Sword, who took first in the regular test. Oh, I saw your duel. They called you the swift sword for stealing his breath—surely that's some secret technique imbued with enlightenment, isn't it? I've thought about it many times since then. And also..."

Namgung Jihwa's gaze now moved to Jeong-un's left arm—specifically, the two golden threads.

"Already two-stripes... I checked several times, but it's true: there's never been anyone in the Hall's history who was promoted to two-stripes in their first year. Truly, you've set an amazing record."

"I wouldn't call it such a great achievement..."

Jeong-un trailed off, patiently waiting for them to reveal their purpose.

It was not as if he was pressed for time—he was en route to make a report to Yeom Baek, but it was nothing urgent, just a routine report on a completed mission.

'I need to learn about the variety of people in the martial world.'

Baek Il-gang often joked about this, but there was some truth in it.

Jeong-un knew he still understood less than half of the martial world's many faces.

To think that all a warrior needed was martial skill was only half-right.

To say such things with confidence, one had to be one of the few true masters of the world.

Now, Jeong-un was no more than a promising rising star just stepping onto the martial world's stage.

That was why, for him, even such small conversations were tremendously helpful—especially with members of the most prestigious families in all the Central Plains.

"To be honest, I first heard your name here. And I heard that you don't really socialize, just focus on your training? There's a rumor about how diligent you are as a warrior. Not that it measures up to my brother—our Hwi doesn't even sleep while training in martial arts."

Her expression was as bold as her words.

She didn't seem to be acting rude—just that her self-confidence came from growing up in an environment where she never had to watch what she said.

"What do you think, brother Hyeon? If you had to compare Young Hero Yu and our brother Hwi—"

"Compare in what way...?"

"Oh, obviously their martial level. Who do you think is stronger?"

Namgung Hyeon, looking troubled, glanced awkwardly at Jeong-un and replied,

"How could I discuss such a thing right in front of him?"

"What can't you discuss? They'll encounter each other sooner or later. And I told you not to be so formal."

"As someone of secondary birth, how could I...?"

"Brother!"

Watching the exchange, Jeong-un couldn't hold back any longer and spoke up.

"Your purpose."

"Huh?"

"What on earth is your purpose right now?"

"......"

Namgung Jihwa stared at Jeong-un with her mouth half open and mumbled quietly,

"...... So, the rumors were true."