WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

Chapter 42: Jo Seong-won (1)

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Na SimHyeong, who had been full of expectation, frowned as Jo SeongWon flinched to a stop.

Judging by the trembling of Jo SeongWon's Adam's apple, Jo SeongWon seemed to be urgently using sound telepathy.

Without looking at me, Jo SeongWon sent a message.

[What are you talking about?]

Jo SeongWon was playing dumb.

Jo SeongWon must have thought any further reaction would expose the truth.

But what could Jo SeongWon do?

Thorns or not, I had to bring Jo SeongWon in first.

[You're a beggar, aren't you?]

[What are you...]

[Just because the Beggars' Sect Leader is in Kaifeng, it would be dangerous to side with them.]

The moment I sent that message, Jo SeongWon's eyes trembled like aspen leaves.

Jo SeongWon seemed even more shocked than when I had called Jo SeongWon a beggar.

Now Jo SeongWon surely understood.

I knew Jo SeongWon's identity.

“What are you doing?”

Na SimHyeong was so frustrated that they addressed Jo SeongWon directly.

But perhaps Jo SeongWon was too shocked to hear. Jo SeongWon was staring at me now.

- They seem to be glaring at you.

‘It doesn't matter.’

I had to recruit Jo SeongWon anyway.

As I stared back, Jo SeongWon finally responded.

[...What do you want?]

Instead of answering, I merely gestured toward the space before me.

Jo SeongWon glared at me for a moment, then resumed walking.

“Come over...!?”

Contrary to Na SimHyeong's expectations, Jo SeongWon's steps turned toward me.

With a stiff expression, Jo SeongWon offered a fist-and-palm salute and shouted,

“Squad Leader So. I wish to receive my assignment under the Venerable One.”

It was done.

Jo SeongWon had changed sides.

The history of Jo SeongWon that I knew had now changed.

“Kuahahahahahat!”

Evil Heaven burst into wild laughter, unable to hide his delight.

Perhaps because he had gained the talent everyone wanted, he seemed even happier than before.

The other brigade leaders did not share his mood.

[Squad Leader So... What did you say to him?]

Without turning their head, Na SimHyeong sent me sound telepathy.

They were likely mindful of Evil Heaven.

Someone who had not even twitched when the second candidate, Ha MunChan, made a choice was now sending sound telepathy. They must have been quite upset.

[I didn't say anything special.]

[Nothing special?]

[I merely said that I wanted him to join us.]

There was no need to make excuses, so that was all I said.

Na SimHyeong frowned but sent no further messages.

The result was already decided, and they seemed to have accepted that nothing could be done.

Unlike Na SimHyeong, several brigade leaders glared at me sharply enough to make my skin sting.

- I can see their vessels. Mere sauce dishes.

That was a harsh assessment.

Not everyone could be like Na SimHyeong.

Still, I understood.

During my life as a Spy, I had learned that few things were harder than controlling one's emotions.

If it was difficult even for me, how could it be easy for others?

Then Tyrannical Blood Brigade Leader Gu SangWoong began the next proceedings.

“Then, the fourth candidate.”

* * *

It was cold.

It felt as though a dagger had flown into my chest.

Evil Heaven was glaring at me with a face twisted as fiercely as an enraged demon.

- That old man is greedy.

The SoDam Sword grumbled.

Unfortunately, we had failed to recruit all six.

Three had joined us in succession, so I had a good feeling as well. Yet the next two candidates had requested assignments elsewhere.

One went to Song PilChung, a brigade leader under Gu JeYang, the Third Venerable One. The other went to Na SimHyeong, a brigade leader under the First Blood Star.

At least the final candidate, Gong HyeRyeo, the sole woman among them, requested an assignment with us.

In the end, four of the six had joined our side.

- I thought they would all come. How strange.

- There is nothing strange about it. Nothing is more complicated than the human heart...

- Yes, yes. Your previous master said that, right?

Southern Heavenly Steel Sword was right.

Everyone had their own thoughts, so matters involving people always had variables.

That was why they said there was no perfect strategy in warfare.

Evil Heaven said to me bluntly,

“Only six tenths of that silver tongue you boasted about worked.”

Even seven tenths would have been acceptable, but hearing six tenths made it sound as if only half had worked.

Still, I could not deny that I had failed.

When I silently lowered my head, Song JwaBaek behind me grinned with delight.

He had been scolded all day, so he seemed pleased that I was being reprimanded too.

“Even so, the young master's abilities are remarkable.”

‘Hm?’

An unfamiliar voice came from behind me.

When I turned, a middle-aged person with a thick scar across the bridge of their nose was approaching.

- Did you not sense them?

Southern Heavenly Steel Sword asked me.

Honestly, I had not noticed until I heard his voice.

‘A master.’

Their skill was great enough that it was difficult to sense either their ki or presence.

Song JwaBaek seemed not to have noticed either and looked at the person in confusion.

The middle-aged person looked at us and flashed a grin.

‘Was that a test?’

There was no reason to conceal their presence in this situation, so they must have been testing us.

My gaze naturally went to his hands.

There was no weapon in sight, so they appeared to be a fist practitioner. Sure enough, their fists were covered in calluses.

“Heh heh. If you were here, you should have come running. Were you standing there watching?”

Evil Heaven spoke as though he knew the person.

They seemed acquainted.

Swish!

The middle-aged person offered a fist-and-palm salute.

“My apologies, Elder. It was so interesting that I found myself watching.”

“What was so interesting about it? Tsk, tsk.”

“I think I understand why you accepted the young master as your disciple.”

It seemed they were more than merely acquainted.

This was the first time I had seen Evil Heaven act so warmly toward someone.

“He still has far to go. Do you think this much is enough to show promise? In any case, greet each other. This fellow attended to me until ten years ago.”

At Evil Heaven's introduction, the middle-aged person offered us a fist-and-palm salute and spoke.

“I am Escort Brigade Leader Jang MunWoong. Greetings, young masters.”

As expected, Jang MunWoong was a brigade leader.

I had not exchanged blows with Jang MunWoong, so I could not be certain. Still, compared to the brigade leaders over there, he seemed strong enough that only a few could face him.

Swish!

I offered a fist-and-palm salute as well.

“I am So WoonHwi. Greetings, Brigade Leader.”

“I am Song JwaBaek. Greetings, Brigade Leader.”

“I am Song WooHyun... Greetings.”

At our greetings, Brigade Leader Jang MunWoong lightly nodded and relaxed their hands.

Then Jang MunWoong immediately turned to Evil Heaven.

Why did I feel uneasy?

We had exchanged greetings, but it felt as though Jang MunWoong did not yet acknowledge us as Evil Heaven's disciples.

Brigade Leader Jang MunWoong said to Evil Heaven,

“As ordered, I have secured personnel from Geoak County.”

“And the results?”

“Twenty low-rank warriors, thirteen mid-rank candidates, and two high-rank candidates.”

“That is passable. You are no different from this fellow.”

Evil Heaven voiced his dissatisfaction.

Regardless of his trust in someone, his temperament would not change.

“My apologies. I lack the young master's gift for speaking, so this was all I could manage.”

From their conversation, I learned two things.

Brigade Leader Jang MunWoong was someone Evil Heaven trusted, and the half month Evil Heaven had been absent six months ago likely had something to do with this.

‘Geoak County...’

I knew there were three other places besides Blood-Nurturing Valley where new warriors were trained.

They were spread out like a network of cells, so even I did not know where they were.

However, it seemed Brigade Leader Jang MunWoong had secured people from one of those places on Evil Heaven's orders.

“As for the residence you ordered...”

“We can discuss that later.”

At Evil Heaven's interruption, Brigade Leader Jang MunWoong fell silent.

It seemed they were preparing not only to secure personnel, but also a base of operations.

- That mad old man is no ordinary man either.

‘Indeed.’

He had not told us, but he had steadily been preparing to expand his power base.

A Venerable One was truly a Venerable One.

His vision was broader than I had imagined.

I wondered just how vast the forest he envisioned was.

“Heh heh. Since our household has grown, today will be the last day we live in that cave.”

That was welcome news.

The weather was warm now, but living in the cave during winter had been miserable.

Even with internal energy protecting the body, spending all day in the cold was not easy.

And now there were too many insects.

- Yes, there were. While you slept these past few months, around twenty tiny spiders probably crawled into your mouth.

‘What?’

- You didn't know?

If I had known, I would obviously have spat them out.

‘Why didn't you tell me?’

- You were smacking your lips and eating so happily that I left you alone.

‘You!’

- Hey, you had it easy.

‘What?’

- At least you woke up whenever the insects were bigger and caught them. That bald fellow over there chewed up anything that entered his mouth and swallowed it. That thing with many long legs...

‘Stop!’

Just thinking about it made my skin crawl.

Did that mean Song WooHyun had eaten not just tiny spiders, but centipedes too?

It was amazing that nothing had happened after eating those things.

As I grimaced, Evil Heaven called Song JwaBaek and me.

“Take a few of them and bring everything from inside the cave.”

It seemed we were moving immediately.

Four of us had lived in that cave for a year, so we had accumulated quite a few belongings.

- The old man is rather thrifty.

‘Why throw anything away?’

Besides, Evil Heaven had quite a few personal belongings inside.

They were things he had forbidden us from touching.

“Hey. How many should we take?”

Song JwaBaek asked me.

Assuming we carried all the cave's belongings at once, around seven people including Song JwaBaek and me should be enough.

“Seven. The others seemed to listen to you well earlier.”

“Ahem. Of course.”

“Will you choose them?”

“Just wait.”

Song JwaBaek stepped forward and began choosing candidates.

It was convenient that he moved on his own.

Song JwaBaek seemed like the type who was easy to put to work under me.

- If you tell someone like that they grill meat well, they will keep grilling it.

- That is why my previous master warned me to beware of anyone who praised my grilling.

- Wasn't it because your previous master fussed over things like that that they couldn't meet women?

- No. My previous master was devoted to the sword, so...

- How pathetic, Southern Heaven.

Listening to their conversations kept things from becoming dull.

Meanwhile, Song JwaBaek selected candidates skilled enough in movement skills to climb the peak smoothly.

Among them was a volunteer.

Jo SeongWon.

- Do you know that Jo SeongWon has been staring only at you since earlier?

I knew.

Jo SeongWon had been staring at me until the appointment ceremony ended.

Jo SeongWon must have been unable to sit still because I knew Jo SeongWon's identity.

Since he had volunteered to retrieve the belongings, he seemed to be seeking a chance for us to be alone.

I needed time alone with him as well.

“Alright! Let's go.”

“Yes, sir!”

With Song JwaBaek in the lead, we set off for the cave that had been our residence.

Using movement skills from the Main Hall of Blood-Nurturing Valley, a peak came into view less than two gak away.

As we were about to climb it, Jo SeongWon spoke to me.

“Squad Leader.”

“Yes?”

“I have something to discuss with you. Could you spare me some time?”

He had been sticking close to me and had found no opportunity, so he was openly trying to create a chance to be alone.

Then I should accept.

When I looked at Song JwaBaek, he shook his head and said,

“Hurry and catch up. You know how that old man, no, Master, will react if you are late.”

“I know.”

“You all, follow me.”

Whoosh!

Song JwaBaek went up the mountain first.

The candidates could not hide their admiration for Song JwaBaek's skilled movement skill.

Having learned Evil Heaven's unique Body-Lightening Technique, Song JwaBaek's ability to climb mountains was surely among the best of his peers.

Of course, I could do the same now that I had learned it.

I still could not run straight up a sheer slope like Evil Heaven did, but I could now climb with ease.

Song JwaBaek and the four candidates completely disappeared from view.

Then Jo SeongWon spoke with a stiff expression.

“So WoonHwi.”

Huh?

He suddenly called me by name.

“The third son of the Yiyang So Clan of Luoyang city in Hunan Province.”

Look at this.

As expected of a Beggars' Sect Spy, information about me flowed easily from his mouth.

“Your mother was of low birth. After your dantian was damaged by Ki Rampage in childhood, your Clan has called you trash. That is the information I have on you.”

“Ha!”

He had summarized the key points very well.

Was this because the Beggars' Sect was one of the three great intelligence organizations?

Or because the Yiyang So Clan was one of Hunan Province's three great prestigious martial clans?

“Do you no longer intend to hide that you are a beggar...”

At that moment, Jo SeongWon suddenly darted toward me.

Jo SeongWon's palm shot toward my abdomen.

‘A Palm Technique?’

Tap tap tap tap!

I quickly used a step to retreat.

But Jo SeongWon followed me with a distinctive, staggering step.

Tap tap tap tap!

My judgment had been wrong.

Jo SeongWon was not merely close to Advanced. Jo SeongWon had fully reached that realm.

Moreover, the step and Martial Arts Jo SeongWon was using were far from ordinary.

Pat pat pat pat!

Jo SeongWon swiftly closed in right before me. Jo SeongWon's two hands dropped, then surged upward.

It looked as though a dragon were ascending into the sky.

- Un Hwi! Dodge! That is the Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms!

Southern Heavenly Steel Sword shouted urgently.

‘What?’

I was dumbfounded at the mention of the Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms.

Was that not a peerless Palm Technique learned only by the Beggars' Sect Leader or Young Sect Leader?

Before my regression, I had been no more than third-rate, but I at least knew the names of famous martial clans' ultimate arts.

‘Tsk!’

I needed to draw my sword, but there was no time.

His fierce Palm Technique surged up as if to shatter my jaw.

I brought both fists down upon his Palm Technique.

Bang!

“Huh?”

The Palm Technique had looked simple, but the force within it was immense.

My body rose slightly into the air.

Then Jo SeongWon reached a hand toward me.

A fierce palm force unfolded, like a dragon opening its jaws to devour me.

- It is Proud Dragon Repents.

Southern Heavenly Steel Sword seemed to know the technique.

There was no other choice.

If I could not avoid it, I had to meet it head-on.

I raised my force with the ten star ki technique and thrust out my hand at his Palm Technique.

Bang!

The difference between a proper Palm Technique with a Ki Meditation route and a palm strike powered only by raised Force of ki was stark.

Pat pat pat pat pat!

My body was pushed backward after colliding with Jo SeongWon.

My right palm shook violently, as though it had been struck by a blunt weapon.

It truly seemed to be the Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms.

Jo SeongWon spoke to me as I stood still, my hand trembling.

“I advise you to remain still. Palm force has entered your body through your hand. It will be dangerous if you do not circulate your ki.”

“You hid your abilities well.”

At my words, Jo SeongWon gave a faint smile.

“If you had drawn your sword, I might have had a little trouble, but it would not have been difficult.”

This bastard.

Jo SeongWon was overflowing with confidence.

Jo SeongWon spoke again.

“You now know that you are no match for me, correct? You will answer my questions now.”

He was trying to interrogate me instead.

Watching Jo SeongWon, I lowered my trembling hand.

Then I let out a sigh.

“Whew.”

“Your judgment is quick. Good.”

“Don't misunderstand.”

“What?”

At that moment, I drew the Southern Heavenly Steel Sword like lightning.

Then I launched myself at Jo SeongWon and struck down with my sword.

“Foolish!”

As the tyrannical sword force flew at Jo SeongWon with my draw, Jo SeongWon quickly tried to use a Palm Technique.

With an elegant step, Jo SeongWon tried to knock the blade aside.

Then,

Bang!

Jo SeongWon's palm that touched the blade was flung back.

“What?”

Jo SeongWon's eyes widened.

I smoothly turned the sword force and struck his abdomen with the flat of my blade.

Jo SeongWon urgently blocked the incoming blade with a Palm Technique.

But,

Bang!

“Urgh!”

Jo SeongWon's body was hurled backward as though struck by a cannonball.

To disperse the sword force that had entered Jo SeongWon's palm, Jo SeongWon forcibly spun their body.

After turning several times in midair, Jo SeongWon's body hit the ground.

Thud!

Jo SeongWon looked at me with an incredulous expression and spoke.

“You... hid your abilities?”

I launched myself at him again and said,

“It is too late even if you know now.”

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