Chapter 18 : Chapter 18

Chapter 18 - The Path the Heart Walks (1)

The next day, Moyong Man, looking at Jaun standing with a bundle on his back, spoke with a regretful face.

“Why leave right after the banquet ends? What is so urgent…….”

“I am sorry, but there is a matter I cannot postpone.”

Moyong Man, who nodded at Jaun’s words, said.

“I do not know what the matter is, but I hope Young Hero surely achieves what you desire.”

Moyong Man, who was lost in thought unable to let go of his regret, patted Jaun’s shoulder and opened his mouth.

“I, Moyong Man, am a person who must repay a favor received once by any means to be satisfied. If Young Hero asks in the future, just once in any situation, this Moyong Family will help Young Hero with all our heart without considering the consequences.”

Just as Jaun was about to bow and express his gratitude at Moyong Man’s words, Moyong Man continued.

“Also, since we can continue a good relationship with the Green Forest in the future, huge profits will be generated for the merchant group. I will set aside a certain portion of that profit as Young Hero’s share. I will prepare it so that you can visit Ten Thousand Gold Bank anytime and claim it by stating your name, so please visit the bank without burden.”

At Moyong Man’s words accompanied by a wink, Jaun bowed deeply.

‘Just the support of the Moyong Family would be a great help, but…….’

Although there was the wealth left by Wi Jeong-cheon, if the Moyong Merchant Group took responsibility for funds, future activities would become much easier.

‘Furthermore, the relationship with the Moyong Family Head, who is said to possess one of the top martial prowess in Kangho, has also become solid.’

On top of that, obtaining Moon Fang which he hadn't even thought of, it was a significant level of gain for someone who had just taken his first step into Kangho.

Although the beginning was a bit squeaky, eventually everything ended well, so Jaun’s heart also became much lighter.

“Thank you very much for everything. I hope everyone stays healthy.”

Since the worrisome matter ended well, it was time to move to the Murim Alliance following the original purpose.

Jaun, who exchanged farewells in turn with the regretful Moyong Man, Do Hyeok-rin, and Nam Chung, waved his hand and boarded the carriage prepared by the Moyong Family.

***

“Hey, Ice Rakshasa. I know we have to go to the Murim Alliance, but…… did you really have to squeeze into this carriage and go?”

“Then why are you, Mad Beggar, riding here instead of running quickly with that sublime martial arts of yours?”

“Have you ever seen a beggar refuse a favor offered by others? It can't be helped. How can a beggar just ignore this carriage offered by the Moyong Family Head? Actually, I feel a bit stifled too.”

Contrary to his words, Mad Beggar’s posture of leaning obliquely on the seat and scratching his belly vigorously looked too comfortable.

Ice Rakshasa, sighing as if she couldn't bear to see Mad Beggar’s state, turned her head away sharply.

“Well. If you had the brain and dignity to think that other people would be uncomfortable because of the smell, you wouldn't have become a beggar…….”

Ice Rakshasa, muttering softly, opened her mouth again.

“I am also sitting here because I couldn't find a reason to walk. With such a comfortable carriage and the same destination, wouldn't it be weirder to go separately?”

The eyes of the two people engaging in a pointless battle of nerves quickly scanned Jaun constantly.

The battle of nerves happening inside the carriage was purely because Jaun was present here.

Because both the Murim Alliance and the Sado Alliance began to take interest in the actions of Jaun, who possessed unfathomable martial prowess despite his young age.

The two people were making efforts to recruit Jaun to their respective organizations somehow.

‘It would be much easier to seduce him if we were alone…….’

Since a competitor sat facing her and picked fights at every turn, he was annoying like a thorn in the eye.

Mad Beggar, who had been gauging the atmosphere while bickering with Ice Rakshasa for a long time, couldn't suppress his curiosity and asked Jaun abruptly.

“By the way……. What brings Young Hero Jaun to the Murim Alliance?”

“I became interested in a place called Anti-Demon Squad . I also have some information I want to obtain.”

At Jaun’s words, a smile of relief seeped into Mad Beggar’s face.

“Ahem-hem! You mean the Murim Alliance’s Anti-Demon Squad? Good idea.”

If Jaun was interested in joining the Murim Alliance, it was something to welcome with open arms from Mad Beggar’s perspective.

Ice Rakshasa, glaring at Mad Beggar with pouty lips, turned her body towards Jaun.

“Young Hero. You have to think carefully. Even if you go to that Murim Alliance, unless you are from the Nine Great Sects or the Five Great Families, you won't even be able to settle properly and will be treated coldly. Above all, you have to come to the Sado Alliance which values strength for Young Hero Jaun to unfold what you intend to your heart's content. Starting from the bottom of the Murim Alliance, in what era will you make a name for yourself properly?”

“Is there a similar organization in the Sado Alliance?”

“Of course. It is called Dark Blood Fragrance . Unlike somewhere full of useless things steeped in pretentiousness, there is such a place full of only the scent of blood of demonic people.”

As Jaun’s eyes became round, the anxious Mad Beggar grabbed Jaun’s hand abruptly.

“Wake up, Young Hero. Don't you know how wicked the Sado Alliance bastards are? They are bastards who make even ordinary people bleed without hesitation for their own benefit.”

“Ha! Hypocrite! The whole world knows the Orthodox Faction is the same, so how can you say that? If we commit it openly in front, the Orthodox Faction backstabs secretly. That’s the difference.”

“Oh my? Can you take responsibility for the words you just spat out? That statement just now is an insult to all Orthodox martial artists?”

Jaun scratched his head watching Mad Beggar and Ice Rakshasa starting to bicker again.

“Since I am heading to the Murim Alliance right now anyway, I intend to visit Anti-Demon Squad first. If that side is different from my thoughts, I can go find Dark Blood Fragrance then.”

At Jaun’s words, the raised voices of the two people subsided.

“Rather than that, since it is my first time going into Kangho…… what should I do to apply for Anti-Demon Squad?”

Mad Beggar turned his head quickly.

“To apply for an organization of the Murim Alliance, you must first pass the Murim Alliance entrance exam. After that, you submit an application to the desired organization, but…….”

Mad Beggar scratched his head as if troubled.

“Anti-Demon Squad, which has many opportunities to step forward and make a name, is quite popular among young martial artists, so actually entering it is quite difficult. If Young Hero wants, I will write a letter of recommendation, so submit it along with the application.”

“Whew. Even if he somehow passes the Murim Alliance entrance exam, gets a recommendation letter, and enters Anti-Demon Squad, they won't even seat him in an important position asking where his master is from, where his family is from……. Considering Young Hero Jaun’s life, I told you you shouldn't talk like this now! It’s like pushing a bird that can fly freely in the sky into a chicken coop…… Mmph mmph!”

Mad Beggar, who blocked Ice Rakshasa’s mouth with an urgent expression, continued.

“Young Hero Jaun. Your martial arts seem to be close to at least First Rate level. Right? Then, with just my recommendation letter, you can sufficiently receive a position as a squad leader in Anti-Demon Squad. There is nothing to worry about at all.”

Ice Rakshasa, who struck Mad Beggar’s hand away strongly, bowed her head and retched.

Watching that, Jaun answered with a troubled expression.

“Uhm……. Actually, I don't know well about distinctions like First Rate, Second Rate. So I cannot say clearly what level I am. Since I lived my whole life with my father in the mountains, I am dark to the rules of Kangho.”

Mad Beggar, nodding as if he understood, tapped Jaun’s shoulder and continued his explanation slowly.

“Now, now. There is nothing difficult at all. Just think simply. First, the classification of First Rate, Second Rate, and Third Rate depends on how skillfully one can handle their own energy.”

Mad Beggar spread three fingers and extended them forward.

“You can consider the level where the control of energy is not free as Third Rate, and the level where one can freely contain and utilize energy within their body is called Second Rate.”

Mad Beggar, folding the spread fingers one by one, extended the remaining index finger forward.

“Finally, the level where energy and body achieve perfect harmony so one can freely contain energy not only in their own body but also in objects touching the body, commonly speaking, the level where one can use weapons by imbuing them with Qi, is called First Rate.”

Ice Rakshasa slowly raised her body.

Cold energy began to spread around Ice Rakshasa’s body as she took out a handkerchief, wiped her mouth vigorously, and glared at Mad Beggar.

Mad Beggar, shivering once at the cool killing intent wrapping his body, exhaled white breath, cleared his throat once, and continued.

“And martial artists who have reached the realm beyond the level of controlling energy within their body like Miss Ice Rakshasa here, to move surrounding energy with just a thought or keep a distant area under their influence, are called Peak Masters .”

“Peak…….”

“In most cases, even after training martial arts for at least decades in the Nine Great Sects and reaching the position of elder or higher, they fail to reach the Peak Realm. Of course, since Miss Ice Rakshasa here is a gifted talent counted even in the Sado Alliance, the situation is a bit different.”

Ice Rakshasa turned her head.

Following that, as she ground her teeth with a crunch, frost formed on Mad Beggar’s hair making a cracking sound.

“Ahem. Young Miss. Let’s calm down the anger first. Lady Eun-wol knows almost no martial arts, so what will you do if something big happens.”

Mad Beggar scratched his cheek while blocking the cold energy filling the carriage with his own energy.

“Don't touch my body ever again. Because I will kill you.”

Looking at Ice Rakshasa glaring at him with eyes turned half-transparent, Mad Beggar bowed his head.

“Got it, got it. I am sorry.”

Jaun, watching the two bickering, quietly felt the surrounding energy.

Jaun was getting used to the Realm of Earth Connection , which he achieved after eating the Silver Soul Pill for the first time, day by day.

As he crossed one realm, the internal energy of the meridians Wi Jeong-cheon had planted merged with Jaun’s internal energy, filling his lower abdomen.

Now he became able to feel energy in a range wider than his vision reached, so thanks to that, he could vividly picture the situation outside the carriage even from inside.

‘Probably the Realm of Earth Connection is classified as roughly Peak in Kangho. Then can I consider that I have also surpassed the Peak level? On top of that, if I can operate the Heavenly Demon Divine Art properly without worrying about others’ eyes…….’

Only now could he roughly gauge his level.

Since they said even elders of the Nine Great Sects sometimes fail to reach the Peak, considering the age of fifteen, his skills were not lacking much.

‘Now that I know myself, I should get to know the enemy properly. How the demonic people of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult are composed by level…… I need to find out a bit when I go to the Murim Alliance.’

Jaun, who was quietly checking his internal energy, smirked while looking at the two who started bickering again and turned his eyes out the window.

***

The carriage, running with the two people engaging in endless battles of nerves, approached the first destination before anyone knew it.

The small village revealed under the sky where darkness began to fall wasn't very big, but it was bustling with lively people.

The carriage, slowing down a bit and entering the village, stopped straight at the cleanest inn in the center.

“We plan to rest here today and move again tomorrow morning. Since the accommodation and meal costs have been paid in advance, please rest well and we will see you here at early Sasi (9 AM to 11 AM) tomorrow. If there is anything you need, please tell me anytime.”

The coachman of the Moyong Family who drove the carriage bowed to greet the group and went up to his room.

“Yaaawn…….”

Mad Beggar, yawning loudly, followed the coachman, and Jaun also greeted Eun-wol and Ice Rakshasa and followed Mad Beggar up to the accommodation.

Eun-wol’s gaze stopped at Jaun’s back climbing the stairs.

‘Young Hero Jaun.’

A few days ago, after the confrontation with the Green Forest, the wave of feeling that rose largely towards Jaun showed no sign of subsiding.

Let alone making eye contact, it was hard to even turn her head, and because of her pounding heart, she couldn't hear the stories people shared in the carriage well.

‘Clearly, when we first met, it wasn't to this extent.’

Eun-wol, glancing back once more at Jaun climbing the stairs, lowered her head deeply.

‘No. I can't look…….’

Ice Rakshasa, who was watching Eun-wol like this with her head tilted crookedly from the side, opened her mouth.

“Hey, daughter of Moyong. Shall we chat a bit while taking a bath together?”

Although Eun-wol had held hostility towards the Sado Alliance since childhood, she felt that Ice Rakshasa was a bit different from other Unorthodox people, so she didn't feel much resistance to Ice Rakshasa’s proposal.

“……Yes.”

Eun-wol, nodding her head, moved her steps to the bathhouse prepared on the second floor of the accommodation.

***

The bathhouse was cleaner than expected.

There were three or four wooden tubs placed in the middle of a large space, and warm water was sloshing inside the tubs.

Thin cloths were hung long and tied between the wooden tubs, seemingly for the purpose of blocking vision.

“Come in.”

Unlike Eun-wol who hesitated at the entrance, Ice Rakshasa, who headed towards the center tub without hesitation, undid and threw away the martial arts top she was wearing, then suddenly turned her body towards Eun-wol.

The startled Eun-wol tried to cover her eyes by raising her hands, but she couldn't take her eyes off Ice Rakshasa’s beautiful body with skin white enough to be dazzling.

‘……!’

The pert curve continuing below the slender neckline.

The voluptuous and elegant curves appearing even though covered by undergarments. Eun-wol thought that appearance was like a painting.

Ice Rakshasa, sweeping back her loosened ebony-like hair to one side, opened her mouth towards Eun-wol who was staring at her blankly.

“You, did you say you are fifteen? You don't know men yet, right?”

At the word ‘men’ heard suddenly, Jaun’s firm back flashed through Eun-wol’s mind.

Eun-wol’s face turned red.