The Farmer Who Ended Up Teaching the World’s Greatest Martial Artist - 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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| Chapter 97

“Jeokgang Doksi…?”

At Hwa Jin Sa-tae’s somewhat unexpected words, Yoo Eun-hyun muttered while frowning. He had never heard of it before, but the name Jeokgang Doksi itself emanated a sinister aura.

“Jeokgang Doksi is a type of weapon that is said to have been created by Ja-hyeol-dang about 100 years ago.”

And Jang Deok-hyeong added an explanation as if supplementing, but it was still difficult content for Yoo Eun-hyun to understand. Since he was an ordinary farmer, his knowledge about the martial arts world was still only at the level of a common person, so there was no way he would know about Ja-hyeol-dang from 100 years ago.

“Ja-hyeol-dang was a sect that gained notoriety near Zhejiang and Fujian. They were known for their martial arts, but they also took advantage of being close to Joseon and Wa across the sea to extensively adopt their unique sorcery techniques. Among the martial arts and weapons created through those techniques, there were many items of demonic heresy that deviated from the human path.”

“I see.”

At Hwa Jin Sa-tae’s following explanation, Yoo Eun-hyun nodded slightly. The information about the martial arts world that Yoo Eun-hyun had learned so far was only about current affairs, so hearing stories about the past like this sparked his interest.

“Although Ja-hyeol-dang didn’t have great numbers, they possessed high-level weapons and thus expanded their influence frighteningly. Eventually, the major sects of the martial arts world united and established what was then called the Mu-rim-maeng, designating Ja-hyeol-dang as public enemies of the martial arts world and destroying them completely.”

“Hmm…. But 100 years is quite a long time ago, so why is this relevant now?”

Yoo Eun-hyun’s words were certainly correct. While it was interesting that such events had occurred in the past, 100 years was long enough for the landscape to change ten times over.

“Don’t tell me remnants of that Ja-hyeol-dang still remain?”

Yoo Eun-hyun couldn’t know the scale of Ja-hyeol-dang, but judging by the fact that even major sects of the martial arts world had to unite against them, it certainly wasn’t a small organization. If it wasn’t small, it would have been difficult to completely eliminate them. And since Yoo Eun-hyun, who knew well from farming that while people disappear, techniques remain, this was a sufficiently reasonable suspicion.

“Although 100 years have passed, the name Ja-hyeol-dang is still one that the leadership of Jeongdo doesn’t want to mention. There’s no one in the current martial arts world who dares to claim them.”

“Couldn’t there be places that even Jeongdo hasn’t been able to identify?”

When Yoo Eun-hyun again spoke in a way that seemed to underestimate Jeongdo, Jang Deok-hyeong’s eyes twitched. Perhaps because of Hwa Jin Sa-tae’s earlier warning, he closed his eyes and composed his emotions.

In the current martial arts world, there was only one place that Jeongdo couldn’t properly identify.

“You’re referring to Ma-gyo. Certainly, if it’s the Maegyo Followers who would do anything for victory, they might be interested in such things. But if they are interested, that interest itself would be a big problem.”

Hwa Jin Sa-tae spoke meaningfully. Yoo Eun-hyun could understand what she was trying to say. For Jeongdo, if such things existed, they would merely be something to eliminate, but Mado might want to use them, and such a situation would be what Jeongdo most wanted to avoid.

“But…. From what you’re saying, it sounds like even though Ja-hyeol-dang is gone, Jeokgang Doksi remains.”

At Yoo Eun-hyun’s question, Hwa Jin Sa-tae and Jang Deok-hyeong paused for a moment. Particularly, Jang Deok-hyeong glanced at Hwa Jin Sa-tae, but Hwa Jin Sa-tae didn’t pay attention to him and continued looking at Yoo Eun-hyun as she spoke.

“The Mu-rim-maeng at that time included not only Gupa-ilbang, which is currently part of the Cheonmu Alliance, but also Odaesega…. They’re now called Chiljoongse. At that time there were only five, so they were called Odaesega. They were also included, and particularly since Jeokgang Doksi was a weapon related to poison as its name suggests, the renowned poison family, Sichuan Tang Family, dealt with Jeokgang Doksi and handled their disposal.”

And when Hwa Jin Sa-tae told the story up to this point, Yoo Eun-hyun could now roughly understand the situation. No, he still couldn’t explain it cleanly, but he felt like something was falling into place.

“While disposing of them, they kept some…. Is that what you mean?”

“The possibility is certainly there. No matter how great a dynasty or sect, as long as there is life, it will eventually return to the cycle of reincarnation. But if one cannot understand this, life becomes nothing but suffering. That’s why it’s also human nature to want to prepare for the future. Amitabha.”

Hwa Jin Sa-tae spoke as if reciting Buddhist scripture. Yoo Eun-hyun could fully understand the meaning contained within. But perhaps that wasn’t enough, as Jang Deok-hyeong spoke firmly.

“Sa-tae speaks of suspicion, but we have obtained some circumstantial evidence. We just lack definitive proof.”

“Are you saying the Dang Family is researching Jeokgang Doksi?”

“Merely possessing anything related to Ja-hyeol-dang means complete destruction.”

Jang Deok-hyeong’s expression as he spoke firmly looked as if he suspected Yoo Eun-hyun. From that expression, Yoo Eun-hyun could finally understand what warning they were talking about.

“You’re telling me not to go to the Dang Family? What if I do go?”

“I should have already answered that.”

Jang Deok-hyeong spoke while sending a strong gaze toward Yoo Eun-hyun, as if he wouldn’t bother saying it in words. Yoo Eun-hyun understood the meaning but showed no particular reaction. From the beginning, while they were seriously talking about public enemies of the martial arts world and heretical ways, to Yoo Eun-hyun it was just an old story. It couldn’t help but not resonate much with him.

Of course, normally he wouldn’t want to get involved in such wicked affairs, so he would have ignored it even without their warning, but the problem was that Ju Yu-ryeon was currently at the Dang Family.

Well, he didn’t know how things would turn out, but first he had to go and see the situation before deciding whether to do something or not. But looking at Jang Deok-hyeong now, it seemed he wouldn’t let it slide even if Yoo Eun-hyun just said he would go to the Dang Family.

“Young Hero Yoo said you’re a farmer. Isn’t farming about cultivating, managing, and harvesting from nature?”

“That’s correct.”

Yoo Eun-hyun’s ears perked up at Hwa Jin Sa-tae’s words and he nodded. Hwa Jin Sa-tae continued speaking to such a Yoo Eun-hyun.

“Then you would absolutely not help with anything that harms and destroys that nature, would you?”

“That’s true, but. What exactly is this Jeokgang Doksi, how is it made, and what kind of thing is it that makes it so dangerous?”

Even though Hwa Jin Sa-tae was asking back with a light smile, Yoo Eun-hyun answered her question with a question of his own, wearing a somewhat reluctant expression.

For Yoo Eun-hyun, it was just a question he asked without much thought, but Jang Deok-hyeong spoke again with an angry face.

“I clearly said just a moment ago that merely possessing information related to Ja-hyeol-dang means complete destruction. And I don’t want to know such vile methods.”

“So you’re saying that although you don’t know much about it, since it’s said to be dangerous, you won’t let anyone near it.”

“That’s what justice is! That’s what chivalry is! Even the smallest threat, even the possibility of evil must be eliminated to protect what we can. Do you understand? If even the smallest sacrifice occurs, it’s already too late, no different from justice failing to keep up with evil, so we must always be vigilant and careful of even the smallest evil.”

Seeing Jang Deok-hyeong speak so confidently, Yoo Eun-hyun couldn’t help but be inwardly surprised. He had thought he was just a justice addict intoxicated by the name of a major sect, but the mention of not wanting to make even the smallest sacrifice made him think there was some conviction behind it.

‘Though it’s terrible that he forces his own convictions on others.’

Jang Deok-hyeong’s convictions were admirable from an objective standpoint, but naturally not everyone in the world could live that way.

Not everyone lives with such firm convictions like Jang Deok-hyeong. People’s values differ and those values constantly change, and most can be filled with other values as well.

“Young Hero Yoo. There are many things we can know are dangerous without having to check them ourselves. Also, there’s the saying about following others blindly. If a major family like the Dang Family commits such acts, there’s no guarantee that similar acts won’t occur simultaneously throughout the martial arts world.”

“That’s certainly possible. Even if people disappear, knowledge doesn’t easily vanish, and even from bad things, there’s something to learn.”

Knowing that farming had developed in such a way, Yoo Eun-hyun was nodding when he suddenly realized that Hwa Jin Sa-tae’s reaction was somewhat different from before.

‘Compared to Jang Deok-hyeong, this side seems to be speaking rather vaguely. Am I mistaken? Don’t tell me they’re just saying this while actually having everything themselves.’

Thinking this, Yoo Eun-hyun glanced at Hwa Jin Sa-tae, but the look in her eyes revealed between her wrinkled eyelids was so deep that even Yoo Eun-hyun couldn’t discern it.

“Now. Then you should understand why we came looking for Young Hero Yoo?”

“I understand. But what’s the reason for giving me such advice? There was no need to go this far.”

While he now understood the situation, no matter what, there seemed no reason for these key figures of the Cheonmu Alliance to come and give Yoo Eun-hyun such advice.

“That’s because Young Hero Yoo has a connection with our alliance. All things arise and disappear in dependence upon each other, so this action will become a greater connection and bring karma. Amitabha.”

Hwa Jin Sa-tae said this and chanted while putting her palms together, but unlike her previous words, this time Yoo Eun-hyun couldn’t easily understand what she was saying. Of course, that didn’t mean it wasn’t convincing. When it came to connections between Yoo Eun-hyun and the Cheonmu Alliance, there was only his connection with So Bi-won.

Just like Yu Yeop who meaningfully handed over the Okjukpae, Hwa Jin Sa-tae had also clearly heard something directly or indirectly from So Bi-won or received instructions from him.

‘This is troublesome…. What am I supposed to do with all these different sides telling me different things.’

Yoo Eun-hyun also noticed this fact and sighed inwardly, but he couldn’t get more involved than this.

“I’m grateful for Sa-tae’s advice. I’ll be sure to keep it in mind.”

But since he was grateful for this consideration alone, Yoo Eun-hyun bowed his head toward Hwa Jin Sa-tae in gratitude. He was about to express gratitude to Jang Deok-hyeong as well, but.

“Give me a definitive answer. Are you white? Or are you black?”

Jang Deok-hyeong, wearing an expression like a judge passing judgment, asked Yoo Eun-hyun as if urging him to make a decision. Yoo Eun-hyun, who had been about to express gratitude, frowned.

“I don’t know yet whether I’m white or black. However, I can definitely say that I won’t stray from the human path.”

Yoo Eun-hyun also didn’t want to get involved if Jeokgang Doksi was truly such a blood-stained weapon. But since there was no proof yet and he hadn’t seen what it was, he could only speak this way.

“When white is mixed with black, it becomes gray. And from gray, it’s easier to go toward black than white.”

Certainly, corruption was easier than redemption, and even that redemption required corruption as a prerequisite.

“…That’s true.”

Yoo Eun-hyun could only nod in agreement while keeping his words short and his voice low. That was because a terrifying fighting spirit was flowing from Jang Deok-hyeong.

Particularly, the long sword at Jang Deok-hyeong’s waist was rattling as if wanting to come out, even though he hadn’t touched it.

That sight seemed to show what Jang Deok-hyeong currently wanted to do, and Yoo Eun-hyun, recognizing Jang Deok-hyeong’s intent, was quietly drawing up his energy.

“Come outside. If words won’t work, I have no choice but to use force to protect justice.”

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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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