Heaven-Defying Hero - Chapter 97

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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#097

No matter how good an inn one stayed at, there was a special warmth that only home could provide.

Ja-gang-cheon, who had returned to the manor, felt at peace the moment he entered through the gates.

Perhaps the others felt the same way, as they spent that entire day resting to recover from their travels.

And from the next day onward, they began an even more intense daily routine.

“Mother. Everyone’s eyes look different now.”

Song Pilsaeng said while taking a walk with Song Ja-in.

Han Pilsaeng’s gait was no longer awkward. Having recovered enough to walk without difficulty, he enjoyed walks the most. And Song Ja-in enjoyed these walks even more.

“They’ve seen the world, haven’t they? There must be great changes in their hearts.”

It was said that seeing once was better than hearing a hundred times.

And that one learned as much as one saw.

This martial arts competition wasn’t simply about competing in martial skills, but would have been a great learning experience for their lives.

“I just like being here.”

“That’s because you’ve already seen too much of the world.”

“Having wandered the world and then settled down, I feel even more keenly how wonderful Deungmyeong Manor is.”

“Having suffered so much since childhood, you should receive compensation now.”

“When it comes to suffering, Mother is the greatest. Probably no one in all of the Central Plains could match you.”

“I’ve been fully compensated by having a son who appreciates me.”

They paused their conversation for a moment. Right now, they wanted to enjoy this time walking together.

“I want to study medicine in earnest.”

“Yes. That blood won’t go anywhere.”

“You won’t oppose it, will you?”

“Of course not. I’ll support everything you do.”

“Even if I meet a woman like Mother?”

“Honestly, I want to say I’d oppose it, but I’ve learned much from being beside our Lord. If you truly love someone, whoever it is will be fine.”

Compared to the fate that Ja-gang-cheon bore, Song Ja-in’s reasons for opposition were childish.

“Our Lord is even changing Mother.”

“I’m learning from him.”

“I’m doing the same.”

“Don’t learn his reckless personality. Our Lord also has aspects he needs to fix.”

“Haha. I’ll keep that in mind, Mother.”

They finished their pleasant walk.

As Song Ja-in had said, the people of Deungmyeong Manor had learned much.

There were many geniuses in the world, and the paths one could choose were infinite.

Danger lurked everywhere, and there were also people who extended helping hands without expecting gain.

“The world is vast.”

“That’s right, Hyeongnim. I realized that I need to work much harder to protect the manor.”

Having seen the vast world, they treasured time and did their best in what they had to do.

It was natural for the entire manor’s atmosphere to become diligent.

After about a month passed like this, guests began visiting the manor.

“It seems we’ve gained some reputation.”

They didn’t come blindly like before. They contacted in advance, made appointments, and visited at the scheduled times.

They were showing courtesy to Deungmyeong Manor.

Of course, there were cases where people came directly to request visits, but even when told they couldn’t meet immediately, no one complained. They didn’t mind making another appointment and returning.

“Connections are building up even while staying still.”

Local village leaders came to visit, and renowned martial arts masters also stopped by.

After that busy summer passed and autumn arrived.

With the East Sea Merchant Guild directly entering distribution, last summer’s ice usage broke all records.

They made that much more money, and the number of East Sea Merchant Guild members increased.

However, there were several accidents.

Due to the exceptionally hot summer, some merchant guild members collapsed.

They had provided rest time and supplemented personnel, but it was unavoidable.

Seeing this, Ja-gang-cheon advanced the Deungmyeong Chejo by one level.

It was more serious training that had to be done consistently for half a hour. So he named it ‘Deungmyeong Training.’

-From now on, all Deungmyeong Merchant Guild members will do Deungmyeong Training for half an hour every day.

Ja-gang-cheon made this mandatory.

-Instead, I’ll give anyone who wants it, including their families, the qualification to learn martial arts at Deungmyeongmun.

The qualification to enter Deungmyeongmun might seem out of nowhere, but in Jiao-nan it was an enormous privilege.

Deungmyeongmun also prepared well and was now ready to teach not only children but adults as well.

They could now give opportunities to people who dreamed of martial arts.

-Three hundred people applied for thirty positions.

That was just the number who gathered on the first day alone. So Deungmyeongmun canceled general disciple recruitment and had been postponing it until now.

-Please wait a bit longer. There’s something I need to think about.

Because Cheon-gu had requested more time.

And on a day when autumn was in full swing.

Cheon-gu finished organizing and gathered the key figures.

“There’s an issue I want to discuss regarding Deungmyeongmun’s disciple recruitment method and future development.”

With the executives of Deungmyeong Manor, the East Sea Merchant Guild Leader, and the Deungmyeong School Head present, Cheon-gu spoke about the problem he had long pondered.

“There’s a method I originally thought of. I thought we couldn’t implement it because one thing was lacking, but that part has finally been filled.”

Cheon-gu said while looking at Ja-gang-cheon.

“Our Lord’s reputation has spread throughout the nation. With this, all conditions are complete.”

Having finished his introduction, Cheon-gu finally spoke his thoughts.

“I want to distribute Deungmyeongmun’s basic mental cultivation method and basic martial arts throughout the nation.”

It was so radical that no one could respond.

If anyone other than Cheon-gu had said this, they would have called him crazy.

“What’s important here is that we’ve already revealed the incantations for the basic mental cultivation method.”

Deungmyeong Chejo also had incantations. During the meditation following the exercises, one person would recite the incantations.

“Over a thousand people have already heard the incantations. And in Deungmyeong Training, slightly more incantations were revealed. At this point, the basic mental cultivation method has been completely disclosed. But there’s a fact we need to address here. Has revealing this caused us any problems?”

Cheon-gu spoke about preconceptions.

“Revealing basic incantations doesn’t cause problems for our manor. And it doesn’t diminish the value of those martial arts. Let me ask the Deungmyeong School Head. What’s the reason hundreds of people seek out Deungmyeongmun?”

“There’s Deungmyeong Manor’s reputation, but Deungmyeong Chejo had a big impact. When people who consistently did the exercises became healthier, more came to learn.”

“Exactly. So I want to expand this phenomenon nationwide.”

Only then did people nod their heads.

“Seven Strongest Warriors of the Rivers and Lakes. Our Lord is considered the greatest of the rising masters. The internal cultivation method mastered by the foremost of the Seven Strongest Warriors would be revealed to the world. Who would refuse this?”

When put this way, it wasn’t simply a matter that would end with Deungmyeong Chejo. In reality, Ja-gang-cheon’s basic martial arts originated from Deungmyeong Chejo and its incantations. More precisely, his parents had created it that way.

“If we reveal the basic mental cultivation method and basic training method along with the incantations, there will probably be a nationwide craze.”

The listeners began imagining that scene.

“Since we’re officially acknowledging and revealing it, people will learn it openly and proudly without hiding.”

“There will probably be discussions everywhere. And talented individuals will want to learn martial arts beyond the basics. Deungmyeongmun will establish martial schools for such people.”

Everyone exclaimed in admiration at those words.

“So you’re revealing basic martial arts to the world to make an unspecified number of people into apprentice disciples.”

“Correct. And the martial schools will accept outstanding talents as formal disciples through examinations. Naturally, talented individuals who can be trained as elites will gather.”

Cheon-gu summarized the real meaning of this plan.

“I want to make Deungmyeongmun the sect with the most disciples in history. While doing so, the elite’s skills must not decline. And I hoped that people of the world would trust and respect Deungmyeong Manor.”

The last statement was shocking once again.

“What tremendous ambition.”

“That’s just like you, Subordinate. It’s a plan so enormous it’s frightening.”

The Merchant Guild Leader, who had been listening to the story, had already finished various calculations.

“We have sufficient funds and manpower. If you give permission, Lord, I’ll begin preparations immediately.”

“Hmm. Let me think about it. Honestly, it seems like a good plan, but I feel like the responsibility is suddenly growing. I need to examine it more carefully.”

Everyone agreed with Ja-gang-cheon’s words. The impact would be so great that proceeding immediately felt burdensome.

“Well then, please carefully consider this plan. If you have any opinions, feel free to share them anytime.”

After ending the meeting, Ja-gang-cheon spoke to Cheon-gu.

“You’re not disappointed that I didn’t proceed immediately, are you?”

“Today’s decision was excellent. It’s the first time you’ve said to reconsider.”

“Oh? Is that so?”

“It was a good decision. When you do that, I can plan more freely.”

“Is that how it works?”

“When there’s someone to stop me, I can be more bold.”

Ja-gang-cheon felt relieved at Cheon-gu’s words.

“That’s a relief.”

“But where are you going?”

When Ja-gang-cheon headed toward the main gate, Cheon-gu asked.

“I’m going to visit Hao-mun.”

“Is something wrong?”

“Someone who should have come hasn’t, so I’m worried.”

“Ah! Then let’s go together. I was curious too.”

They immediately headed toward Hao-mun.

***

“Welcome. The foremost of the Seven Strongest Warriors of the Rivers and Lakes has visited this humble place.”

Yeon-hee greeted Ja-gang-cheon with a bright smile.

“This is a gift. I heard you caused quite a stir at the Namgung Clan this time.”

Ja-gang-cheon opened the box without suspicion. Inside, he saw a single coin made of iron.

“It’s a token showing you’re an important guest of Hao-mun. Show it anywhere in the country and you can receive Hao-mun’s help.”

“I’ll decline this.”

“Haven’t you decided yet? When you came to find me, I thought you’d finished deliberating.”

“Excluding personal friendship with Uncle Geumgang-gae, there will be no exchanges with Gae-bang. This is a decision made entirely with you in mind, sister. I don’t want exchanges with Hao-mun.”

Yeon-hee found herself laughing. Somehow, it sounded better than if he had said he wanted Hao-mun.

He would block Gae-bang’s approach for the sake of exchanges with her.

In the end, Ja-gang-cheon made his decision based on people, not organizations.

“My efforts have finally paid off. Fine. But I still want to give you a gift, so I’ll give you this.”

She pulled out one of the ornaments from her hair.

Unlike her other fancy ornaments, it was a small hairpin made of rough jade.

It was designed to be inserted into only one side of the hair, with a small gap at the end.

“You’re giving this to me now?”

“Yes.”

“Should I throw it as a hidden weapon?”

“How you use it is up to you, Lord.”

Ja-gang-cheon was about to refuse when he felt a suspicious gaze. Miho, who was beside Yeon-hee, was looking at him with puzzled eyes.

‘This seems like something important?’

Thinking there was a reason Yeon-hee gave him this, Ja-gang-cheon took the hairpin.

“Now then, what brings you here?”

“I came to find out Uncle Mugyeong’s whereabouts.”

The Ghost of Martial Arts, Mugyeong, who had left saying he had matters to settle, had sent no word.

“Yes. I’ll look into it and contact you.”

“Please do.”

Ja-gang-cheon, who had returned with a light heart, met Yeon-hee again three days later.

Yeon-hee, who had come to visit Deungmyeong Manor directly after a long time, didn’t have her usual bright expression.

“What’s wrong?”

“I can predict how you’ll act, Lord, but let me give you a word of advice first.”

When Ja-gang-cheon looked puzzled, Yeon-hee spoke with a sighing tone.

“It would be better if you stopped looking for Mugyeong.”

“Why?”

Yeon-hee hesitated until the end but finally spoke up.

“He seems to be involved with Salmak.”

A group of assassins.

A name that should never be associated with anyone in the martial world had been mentioned.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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