novelraw Chapter 11 : Chapter 11
Chapter 11 : Chapter 11
Chapter 11 - Hesitation is Forbidden
The master of Diancang Mountain.
In the past, one would have naturally thought of the swordsmen of the Diancang Sect, but now, bandits were claiming to be its masters.
That fact made Biyoung’s eyes blaze.
“You’re saying you heard information about the stronghold? From whom?”
“My house… my butler.”
Seeing Biyoung's serious expression, Sedong shrank his neck.
‘A butler. For that kid’s family, it makes sense.’
When I walked down the street with Sedong, merchants would occasionally greet him.
Calling him ‘young master.’
Even elderly men would rush over in a single bound and bow their heads.
It was a moment that confirmed the standing of the Lee family in Yiliang County.
A butler of such a family would be able to acquire a lot of information from passing merchants and escort warriors.
“I asked my butler because you seemed interested in Diancang Mountain. To see if he knew anything.”
Watching Biyoung’s stiff expression, Sedong continued his explanation with his small mouth.
“The stronghold that currently controls Diancang Mountain is the Black Tiger Stronghold, a group that has been committing banditry around Kunming and Yiliang County for several years. I heard their power expanded rapidly recently, and they’ve settled down on Diancang Mountain for good.”
“Kunming and Yiliang County… Indeed, those two would be the only places worth plundering in Yunnan.”
“The leader of the Black Tiger Stronghold is a man named Wi Woong of the Iron Heavy Palm, and like his title, he’s a person who uses powerful palm techniques. They say if you’re hit by Wi Woong’s palm, your bones turn to dust.”
“As if his palm techniques would amount to anything.”
“Huh?”
Sedong asked back in surprise, but Biyoung, with his eyes lit like torches, kept his mouth firmly shut.
How dare a mere bandit run rampant on the main mountain of the Diancang Sect?
If he could, he wanted to run to Diancang Mountain right now, wipe out the stronghold, and sever Wi Woong’s head.
However, it was impossible with his current body, which lacked not only internal energy but also sufficient muscle strength.
‘I at least need to be at a level where I can perfectly absorb the Heaven-Shaking Divine Pill.’
Though a fire raged within him, Biyoung calmly analyzed the situation.
Even if he were to reclaim Diancang Mountain, if there was no force to maintain it, someone else might just take over as its master.
Therefore.
The place his steps needed to head right now was not Diancang Mountain, but Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
“Sedong.”
After hearing the whole story, Biyoung clasped his fist and bowed his head to Sedong.
“Thank you for the information. It probably wasn’t something you particularly needed.”
Biyoung, clasping his fist with a disciplined motion, looked like a man from a prestigious orthodox sect.
His clothes were worn and old, and his hair was tied back carelessly, but at this moment, those flaws were not felt.
“Oh? It’s nothing. It wasn’t a big deal.”
Sedong scratched his head and smiled awkwardly.
But Biyoung’s face was quite serious.
“The value of information is determined by the needs of the one who receives it. In that sense, you have helped me greatly.”
At Biyoung’s words, Sedong’s intelligent eyes sparkled.
“Biyoung… you’ve really changed a lot. Not just your martial arts, but the way you speak is so cool.”
“What’s so cool about it? Anyway, for this favor, I’ll definitely….”
Biyoung stopped mid-sentence.
‘Later… No.’
Then, he suddenly stood behind Sedong.
“What’s wrong, Biyoung?”
“I don’t think I’ve taught you footwork, other than hand-to-hand combat. I’ll help you with your stance.”
“Fo-footwork?”
Wasn’t Sedong someone who already admired the Murim?
With a slightly flushed face, he quickly followed the stance Biyoung set for him.
But soon, he frowned and scratched his head.
“Aigoo… this is too difficult.”
“It’s natural for it to be difficult at first. But if you keep repeating it, it will definitely help you later.”
“Okay. I got it…!!”
Even while saying it was difficult, Sedong diligently moved his feet, following Biyoung’s words.
Before he knew it, more sweat than before had beaded on his forehead.
Biyoung watched Sedong, who was dripping with sweat, and gave a faint smile.
‘Well… this much should be fine.’
The footwork Biyoung had just taught him was a technique from the Diancang Sect’s basic footwork, the Flying Eagle Steps.
Though it was only a small part, carelessly teaching the martial arts of the Diancang Sect to others was a taboo.
But this was the only way Biyoung could repay Sedong.
Drawing a sword against an enemy.
Repaying a grudge.
Returning a favor.
In those three things, hesitation is forbidden.
"Hesitation is forbidden when drawing a sword against an enemy, repaying a grudge, or returning a favor."
That was the creed Biyoung always held.
“By the way… Biyoung.”
Sedong, who had been catching his breath, asked Biyoung.
“I’ve wanted to ask you this for a while… why are you so interested in Diancang Mountain and the Diancang Sect?”
“……Interested, you say.”
At his question, Biyoung gave a bitter smile.
It was no wonder that Sedong was curious.
It had been over ten years since the Diancang Sect fell.
Although it was in the same Yunnan region, Diancang Mountain was quite a distance from Yiliang County.
For a fifteen-year-old boy to show an interest bordering on obsession was strange to anyone’s eyes.
However.
‘Why?’
Why, you ask?
For Biyoung, that was as obvious as asking why he breathed.
Restoring Diancang Mountain to its original state.
Because that was the immediate task given to Biyoung.
“There’s something I must do. Absolutely.”
Biyoung’s face, as he looked up at the sky, resembled the sunset that had already turned crimson.
***
The fragrant smell of food, unbefitting of the shabby thatched house.
Jinbae and Biyoung were enjoying their own private feast.
Thanks to completely emptying the pockets of Hongchil and the thugs, the number of side dishes had become plentiful recently.
“Chomp chomp chomp chomp.”
The way he moved his chopsticks was like watching the forms of an unparalleled swordsman.
No, considering Biyoung’s past life, that statement wasn't entirely wrong.
Dazzling movements that seemed wasted on a dinner table.
Biyoung was relentlessly stuffing food into his mouth like that.
“Hoho. You rascal. Eat slowly.”
“I’d like to, but the food is too delicious for me to do so.”
It was a heartfelt statement without a shred of falsehood.
Even in his past life, Biyoung had few memories of eating such delicious cuisine.
He knew how to strike acupoints and had a connection with a sect leader… and on top of that, such amazing cooking skills.
Biyoung became quite curious about the life Jinbae had led.
The problem was that he couldn’t easily ask.
The question, instead, came from Jinbae first.
“Biyoung.”
“Yes, Grandfather.”
“Is everything alright at the Hoyul Martial Arts Hall?”
At Jinbae’s question, Biyoung almost spat out the food he was eating.
“The martial arts hall? Hahaha! O-of course!”
Biyoung laughed awkwardly, breaking into a cold sweat.
Why is he suddenly asking?
Could it be that he found out I quit the hall?
Biyoung cautiously observed Jinbae, just in case.
“It’s just that the group that came by the other day has been bothering me. I was worried you might be having a difficult time at the martial arts hall….”
“Aah. Hey. No, Grandfather.”
Fortunately, it seemed he hadn’t gone to the martial arts hall.
Biyoung breathed a sigh of relief internally.
“Thanks to the good teachings at the martial arts hall these days, my body has become much stronger. Please don’t worry too much.”
“I see… you’ve certainly gotten healthier recently.”
Jinbae looked Biyoung over with fresh eyes.
His face had been handsome since birth, but his somewhat gloomy demeanor had completely changed.
His fair skin was flushed with color, making him look exceptionally gallant, and his expression overflowed with confidence.
His physique was becoming more robust by the day, and his usual movements were uninhibited.
‘It’s almost as if…’
He had become a different person.
It was enough to create such an illusion.
“Actually, there’s a special reason why I’ve become stronger than before.”
“Is that so? What is the secret?”
When Jinbae asked with a pleased expression, Biyoung smiled artlessly while licking the seasoning off his fingers.
“It’s this feast here. It would be strange not to get healthier when eating good food like this every day.”
“Hoho. You rascal.”
Jinbae patted Biyoung’s shoulder once.
This kind of endearing banter was also a change from before.
He couldn’t know the reason for the change, but one thing was certain.
All these changes made Jinbae’s heart glad.
“Eat a lot. I won’t be able to prepare meals like this for a few days starting tomorrow.”
“A few days… are you going peddling again?”
“Yes. This time, it seems like it will take about seven days and nights.”
At the word ‘peddling,’ Biyoung’s eyes lit up.
Of course, there was no way for Jinbae to know the meaning behind that gaze.
“Seven days and nights…”
As Biyoung lowered his eyes and muttered, Jinbae gave a pitiful smile.
“Hoho. You rascal. Do you think that’s too long?”
“I think you could stay a bit longer…”
“Wh-what?”
“Hehe. No. I’ll practice my martial arts diligently and eat well while you’re gone.”
“Yes. You do that.”
Seeing Biyoung with his sparkling eyes, Jinbae felt much more at ease.
Though he felt like he heard something strange in the middle.
After finishing dinner and clearing the dishes, Biyoung was lost in his own thoughts.
‘Is it possible to go to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and back in a week?’
It was not something he could easily guarantee.
If it were his body from his past life, it would have been a task finished in half a day, not seven days and nights.
But with Biyoung’s current body, even a week seemed tight.
An extra day or two wouldn’t be a big deal, but the problem was Jinbae.
Wasn’t he the grandson he had raised like a precious jewel even in their difficult circumstances?
If Biyoung wasn’t there when he returned from his trip, his reaction would be as clear as day.
‘But I can’t delay this any longer.’
Now that he knew the elixir he took was the Heaven-Shaking Divine Pill, it was a matter that had to be resolved quickly.
The next day.
“Have a safe trip, Grandfather!”
“Alright.”
Biyoung, who saw him off with a bright face, returned to his old expression as soon as Jinbae’s figure disappeared.
***
Yunnan.
A poor region with less plains compared to other areas.
Yunnan had its own specialty called tea, but it wasn’t for satisfying hunger.
It could be traded for grain, but the rugged mountain terrain meant that few people traveled through, which was also a problem.
Naturally, it was a region where starving children and beggars were rampant.
“Hoo-wook! Hoo-wook!”
Here.
There was a beggar commonly seen in Yunnan.
His shoes were worn to tatters, and his clothes were riddled with holes.
Strangely, his skin alone was white and fine, but no one paid any mind to such a peculiarity.
He was just another common beggar of Yunnan.
“Hoo-wook! Hoo-wook! Dammit! It’s so damn far!”
True to his beggar-like appearance (?), the fellow’s mouth was also foul.
His exposed face and body were grimy with dirt, never mind the parts covered by his clothes.
This was the result of cutting down on sleep and sometimes trekking through the mountains instead of the main roads.
It was far.
Why was it so damn far?
The common beggar of Yunnan, no, Biyoung’s face, was filled with irritation.
‘I thought it would be tough, but to this extent?’
He had created a Dantian and didn’t skip his energy circulation meditation for a single day.
But Biyoung was still only fifteen.
It hadn’t even been half a month since he started cultivating internal energy.
His underdeveloped muscles were repeatedly injured and regenerated, and his feet, unaccustomed to the journey, were covered in blisters.
“Hoo-wook! You just dare be somewhere else!”
Despite showing up unannounced, Biyoung was threatening someone.
“Look over there, a beggar.”
“Beggars are a dime a dozen here, what’s the big deal?”
“No. Look. That one’s rare. He keeps walking while swearing or talking to himself, doesn’t he?”
“Indeed. A mad beggar.”
The conversation of the guys talking amongst themselves reached his ears, but Biyoung didn’t turn his head.
He didn’t even have the energy to give them a piece of his mind.
But as they say, sincerity moves heaven.
“Hoo-wook…!”
The season when frozen streams began to thaw.
But if white breath still came out, it meant that he had reached a colder region than usual.
“Finally… I’m hereee!!”
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
After staying up for nearly three whole nights, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, its peaks beautifully covered in snow, finally appeared before Biyoung.