novelraw Chapter 3 : Chapter 3
Chapter 3 : Chapter 3
Chapter 03 - So It Was You?
The next day.
“Where are you going?”
From early dawn, Biyoung’s grandfather was busy preparing.
The grandfather grinned and answered.
“Isn't it my usual peddling trip? I should be back in about three days this time as well.”
Peddling?
What kind of peddler is a cripple?
…If I were to ask that, I would become the worst unfilial son in the history of Jianghu.
As Biyoung's sharp eyes rounded, his grandfather patted his shoulder a few times.
“It seems your memory is still not fully intact……”
Grandpa.
My memory isn't just not fully intact, it's completely shattered.
Biyoung inwardly smiled bitterly.
“If there is anything for your grandson to do while I wait, please tell me.”
During the past night, Biyoung had contemplated whether he should leave this place.
Regardless of what this current body was, Biyoung was a swordsman of the Diancang Sect.
But leaving just like this, the image of the old man he saw when he swallowed the poison weighed heavily on his mind.
Wasn't he a frail old man with a frame that looked like it would fly away with just a gentle breeze?
And on top of that, he was crippled.
If he had his way, he wanted to run to Diancang Mountain immediately.
But seeing this old man's words and actions, it seemed that this boy named Biyoung was the entirety of the old man's life.
There were things he needed to confirm as well, so Biyoung decided to stay at this house for the time being.
“Hoho. Just don't skip the martial arts hall and come back safely.”
“The martial arts hall?”
“Yes. The Hoyul Martial Arts Hall you always go to.”
A martial arts hall.
Biyoung obediently bowed his head.
“Yes. I will train diligently every day without fail.”
“Good. When I think of yesterday's events, my feet simply refuse to move, but I cannot postpone my work, so I will be on my way.”
The old man walked out the door with a very reluctant gait.
Although Biyoung had acted as if he were fine last night, he seemed to be worried nonetheless.
‘By the way…….’
Biyoung tilted his head as he watched the old man's retreating back.
Peddling refers to the act of traveling around to sell goods.
It was questionable enough to be walking around with a limp, but he couldn't see a proper bundle, let alone an A-frame carrier.
Shouldn't he at least have something in his hand to sell?
And peddling in clothes that exuded such a Taoist aura?
“……Hmm.”
The thought didn't last long.
For now, taking care of this boy named Biyoung's own business was the priority.
“Alright. Once I go down the mountain, something is bound to turn up.”
Biyoung left the house after about an hour.
There was only one path in the mountains, so there was no fear of getting lost.
Biyoung looked down at his own body as he descended the mountain.
‘It’s more usable than I thought?’
At a glance, it was a scrawny, pathetic body.
Moreover, though hidden by clothes, it was covered in bruises and wounds.
But surprisingly, there was no lingering pain.
It meant that despite its appearance, it was a sturdy frame.
Above all, the innate qi within the body was exceptionally pure.
Biyoung recalled the feeling of when he first created his dantian in his previous life.
‘Just looking at the energy of the innate qi…… it seems like now is even better in a way……?’
For the first time since becoming Biyoung's body, he smiled with satisfaction.
Just as one cannot choose their parents at birth, innate qi was a condition that required heavenly luck.
Others might not know, but Biyoung knew very well how fortunate this was.
Even if one goes through the same training and cultivates internal energy, a better vessel allows for greater efficiency.
Moreover, the conditions were better than those of Yeongbi, who became the greatest master of the Diancang Sect in his 30s.
The potential was beyond words.
‘Perhaps…… I can become an even greater master than in my previous life.’
The smile on his lips spread even wider.
Biyoung ran down to the village at the foot of the mountain with exceptionally light steps.
***
Yiliang County, located in Yunnan Province.
It couldn't compare to a huge commercial center like Luoyang, but it was a village that had pretty much everything one would need.
It was a village with taverns and drapery stores lined up everywhere, and a fair number of passersby.
“Tanghulu! Tanghulu! The very Tanghulu that made a great immortal who had ascended to heaven come back down after smelling it!”
A merchant with a bushy beard held up Tanghulu in both hands that made one's mouth water just by looking at them.
As passing women and children showed interest, the merchant raised his voice even higher.
Just then, a voice was heard from behind the merchant.
“Excuse me……”
“Huh?”
When the bearded merchant turned around, a boy with outstanding features was standing in front of him.
“I'd like to ask you something.”
A sense of disappointment spread across the bearded merchant's face, who had brightened up thinking he was a customer.
The merchant was displeased, but the boy's manner of speech was polite for his age, and his features were so handsome that he obediently nodded his head.
“Alright. Go ahead and speak.”
“I am a student at Hoyul Martial Arts Hall.”
“And?”
“Where is Hoyul Martial Arts Hall?”
“………………Wh, what??”
The bearded merchant almost dropped the Tanghulu he was holding for a moment.
‘What kind of kid is this?’
It was an utterly absurd question.
He claims to attend Hoyul Martial Arts Hall, yet asks ‘how’ to get to the martial arts hall.
The bearded merchant began to seriously consider whether this child was teasing him.
But the boy who asked the question was also feeling quite miserable.
‘I know what that look means, but just let it slide.’
It was all good when I reached the entrance of the village with swift steps.
I thought I would find the martial arts hall right away, but I just couldn't find my way to Hoyul Martial Arts Hall.
Being late to the martial arts hall would inevitably be followed by corporal punishment.
I might have been fine in the body of Yeongbi, the greatest sword in the history of the Diancang Sect, but I had no desire to receive corporal punishment in the bruise-covered body of Biyoung.
“Over there. Turn right at Yihyeon Inn over there, and you'll see it.”
“Thank you.”
Biyoung bowed his head towards the bearded man.
“While we're at it, may I ask one more thing?”
“……Go ahead.”
“What is the name of this village?”
“………….”
Only then did the bearded merchant show a pleased smile.
So this little brat has been teasing me all this time?
“How dare this little brat who hasn't even shed his baby teeth tease an adult!”
The bearded man put the Tanghulu back in its place and rolled up his sleeves.
“No. I'm not teasing you, just a moment!”
Biyoung slowly backed away.
Even he thought it was a ridiculous question.
Still, it's been a day since I entered this kid's body!
I need to know where I am!
“Alright! This is Yiliang County! And it will also be the site of your grave!”
‘Yiliang County…!’
A brilliant light flashed in Biyoung's troubled eyes.
It wasn't that far from Diancang Mountain, the main mountain of the Diancang Sect.
The bearded merchant grabbed Biyoung's shoulder with his thick hand.
No, he tried to grab it.
Stagger.
“Uh……?”
The boy who was in front of him disappeared like a phantom, and the merchant's hand futilely cut through the air.
“Thanks for telling me!”
A little while ago, the boy's voice came from the direction the merchant had pointed.
The boy was waving his hand from an area at least three zhang away.
“Heo…….”
The bearded merchant's eyes widened.
Does he have wings on his feet?
How did he get over there in that instant?
The boy soon disappeared completely, and the bearded merchant could only stare at his own palms with a blank face.
‘I’m slowly getting used to it.’
When he was about to be caught by the bearded merchant, Biyoung had used Flying Eagle Steps, the basic footwork of the Diancang Sect.
It was embarrassing to compare it to his body in his previous life, but Biyoung was gradually adapting to his current body.
“Found it! This goddamn place!”
Saying something that would have made the headmaster of this place foam at the mouth, Biyoung arrived in front of Hoyul Martial Arts Hall.
It was a building of a scale that was embarrassing to call a martial arts hall, and the signboard also had several cracks, which was not a pleasant sight.
Grandpa.
Why didn't you spend some money?
Why did you send me to such a rundown martial arts hall?
‘It doesn’t seem to be one of our subordinate sects, so where is it?’
If it was Yiliang County, most would be subordinate sects of the Diancang Sect.
But he couldn't see the 'hawk' symbol that represented the Diancang Sect.
Biyoung narrowed his eyes for a moment before opening the door.
“Hap!”
In the small training ground, about ten or so students were swinging their fists and feet.
Beads of sweat trickled down the temples of the red-faced children.
“Oho……”
Biyoung found himself smiling with satisfaction without realizing it.
The sight of young children training in martial arts was always a pleasant sight to behold.
The problem was that the current Biyoung was also in the same position.
-Ttak
“Ow!”
A thunderbolt struck the crown of my head.
At the sudden pain, Biyoung caressed the crown of his head with his palm.
When he turned his head, a stern-looking middle-aged man was looking down at Biyoung with a solemn face.
In his hand was a smooth wooden sword.
It seemed this person was the headmaster of Hoyul Martial Arts Hall.
“If you're late, you should hurry inside and train. What are you doing here?”
“Ah……”
Biyoung, who understood the situation, moved with quick steps.
Having found a suitably empty space, Biyoung joined the other students in swinging his fists and feet.
“Hap!”
As I trained, memories of the past came to mind, and I chuckled.
Back then, too, I busily moved my hands and feet with this immature body.
But Biyoung’s smile did not last long.
It was because his eyes met with the headmaster who was watching him from over there.
‘Yikes.’
I thought a roar of thunder would fall, but surprisingly, the headmaster turned his gaze away.
The way he let it slide when I was late, too.
Is the headmaster here of a gentle disposition, unlike his appearance?
“Hap!”
No.
It’s not that.
After observing the training process, Biyoung came to the conclusion that it wasn't so.
He wasn't gentle, he just had no motivation.
Just looking around, there were a plethora of kids who didn't even have the basics down.
But the headmaster, far from correcting their stances, just shifted his gaze here and there with an indifferent face.
‘No wonder the name was Hoyul Martial Arts Hall.’
Hoyul, to put it simply, means good value for money.
Even if it doesn't contain a grand meaning, there should at least be one character related to martial arts.
What's with good value for money!
“From now on, meditate for one ke!”
“Yes!”
Good grief.
The headmaster let out a huge yawn and went outside the training ground.
It was called meditation, but it was just a way to kill time.
Biyoung glanced at the headmaster once with pathetic eyes before sitting down.
How on earth could one learn any martial arts with this?
Grandpa.
Why did you send me to a place like this?
If you don't have money, just don't send me!
Back in my day, huh? Taking a break in less than a sijin was unimaginable!
“Hmm.”
Anyway.
Putting that aside.
It didn't seem like the headmaster was the one who had bruised this body.
When he first heard about the martial arts hall from his grandpa, the one he suspected the most was the headmaster.
He didn't like his irresponsible teaching methods, but he didn't seem to have a nasty hobby of beating up his students.
Then who on earth were the ones who beat him up so viciously…….
Whack!!
“!”
A sudden impact struck his temple, and Biyoung’s body rolled on the training ground floor.
The blow was so strong that what he had received from the headmaster a moment ago felt like a caress from a fairy.
“Kekeke.”
Mocking laughter was heard towards the fallen Biyoung.
“Oof.”
Biyoung shook his head from side to side once.
When he came to his senses and raised his head, a flat-nosed boy with a missing front tooth was half-lying in front of him.
‘Judging by his posture, it seems that guy was the one who kicked.’
To suddenly kick a person who is sitting with their eyes closed.
Biyoung stared blankly at the flat-nosed boy with sunken eyes.
“What now? What are you going to do about it.”
To the left and right of the flat-nosed boy were a group of three or four.
One who stuck out his tongue.
One who clapped his hands in amusement, showing all his gums.
One who was a head taller than his peers.
‘Aha…….’
A question that had been floating in my head was just now clearly resolved.
Biyoung had seen countless people with eyes like that in his life.
Lowly humans who find pleasure in tormenting the weak.
That was something that could be seen not just in the marketplace, but even in large sects.
It was undoubtedly those guys who had bruised Biyoung’s body.
“Hey. Young Master Biyoung. Why were you late today of all days?”
The flat-nosed boy swaggered his shoulders and sneered to his heart's content.
“You didn’t happen to piss and shit your pants like last time, did you? I have a weak stomach, you see.”
“Eheheh.”
At the flat-nosed boy's words, the guys around him burst into excessive laughter.
“I was worried you wouldn't show up today. Last time I saw, your house was far away, so it was hard to get up there.”
From what I heard, it seemed they would go all the way to his house to torment him if he didn't show up at the martial arts hall.
The students who were not part of the gang looked away, avoiding eye contact.
At that sight, Biyoung let out a low sigh.
“Ha…… even though no one taught you separately.”
“?”
Biyoung sighed heavily, like a man over sixty.
“It seems there's a separate breed for bastards like you. Right? Seeing as you’ve been like this since birth.”
“………!!”
“Th, that bastard?”
“Has he gone mad?!”
It was probably a 180-degree change from his previous self.
That's why they were all making such strange faces.
Gazes filled with malice were fixed on Biyoung, but Biyoung was lost in his own thoughts.
‘Just how tormented and difficult must it have been for him to commit suicide. At such a young age.’
Was it because he had become one with Biyoung's body?
It felt as if he could clearly see the pain that kid had gone through.
Biyoung slowly got up from his spot.
Then, with one hand, he slowly massaged his neck.
It was a trivial gesture.
But anyone who knew the ‘World's Fastest Sword’ of the past would have swallowed dry saliva and trembled in their hands.
The Mad Wolf of Diancang.
That was a habit that came out when Yeongbi, the greatest master of the Diancang Sect in all of history, was at his angriest, no, when he was pissed off.
“So it was you? The ones who have been tormenting him until now.”
A faint smile appeared on Biyoung's lips.
It was a handsome sight that would make one's heart flutter like a spring breeze, but at the same time, it gave an inexplicably eerie feeling.
“Haha. This bastard has completely lost it.”
“Did he lose his mind from fear? Keke.”
“Yeah. It was us. What are you going to do about it.”
The flat-nosed boy who had thrown the kick a moment ago strode forward.
Biyoung's attitude seemed to displease him, as he snorted heavily.
“I'll make you crawl home!”
It was when the flat-nosed boy pulled his shoulder back in front of Biyoung.
Paaaaaak!
A sound of splitting firewood, unimaginable to be a sound of a body hitting a body, echoed.
“Uh……?”
Everyone around who had blinked at the loud noise had a bewildered face.
Biyoung, who seemed like he was about to be beaten, was still in the same spot.
“???”
On the other hand, the flat-nosed boy was ‘lying on the training ground floor, having a seizure’, with his face covered in blood from a nosebleed.
“!!!”
‘What in the world just happened……?’
‘What just happened?’
“Ho…… Hongchil-ah!”
It was when the kid who had been flicking his tongue while looking at Biyoung called out the flat-nosed boy's name and was about to run over.
“Hey.”
Biyoung.
No, one pissed-off wolf (Mad Wolf) raised his finger and pointed at each one of them.
“You. You. And you.”
Biyoung, who had pointed out each of the kids who were snickering next to the flat-nosed boy, said in a voice colder than an autumn frost.
“Get outside, right now.”