Chapter 33: To The Azure Forest (2)
「People who have never hunted often have a common misconception,」 so spoke the Immortal Divine Sword.
When Yi-gang asked if he had often hunted, the Immortal Divine Sword replied affirmatively.
「When you roam the Jianghu, inevitably there comes a time when you must procure your own food. There’s a limit to the amount a person can carry. That’s why all wandering warriors are also hunters, to some degree. Anyway, what I meant to say is this.」
Among the weapons martial artists commonly carry, more than seventy percent are swords, blades, and spears.
And these are weapons designed to kill people, not to catch animals.
「There’s this misconception that as you walk through the mountains and forests, beasts will just appear and offer themselves up.」
“Well, if hunting were that easy, all commoners would forsake farming and take up hunting instead.”
「True, cases of absolute martial masters starving to death in the mountains are more common than you’d think. In my time, there was quite the uproar when Namgung’s Azure Sky Sword, or something, went missing. The Namgung folks claimed he was attacked, but in reality, I know he got lost in the Kunlun Mountains and starved…」
‘Hold on a second.’
「Hmm?」
‘Then, why did that wild boar appear?’
It was not small. The wild boar, likely weighing at least 200 jin, or 100 kilograms, was drooling from its yellow tusks.
「How should I know?」
The Immortal Divine Sword replied with a smug tone, causing Yi-gang to chuckle.
At that moment, Neung Ji-pyeong stood protectively in front of Yi-gang.
“Capture it.”
He did not step forward himself. The moment he issued a single command, two warriors of the Biyeon Squad moved like streaks of light.
“Kweeeek!”
As expected, the wild boar was not normal. Even when two people attacked at once, it charged straight ahead.
However, the Biyeon Squad members did not fear the wild boar’s charge. Swords flashed from the left and right.
The Biyeon Squad member on the right sliced the wild boar’s front leg, while the Biyeon Squad member on the left thrust his sword into its head.
The wild boar’s massive body rolled on the ground, causing a loud noise and raising a cloud of dust.
However, Neung Ji-pyeong did not relax, quickly looking behind him instead.
“Damn, there’s another one!”
They had not noticed it right away because of the wild boar that had appeared in front. Looking back, he saw a wild boar with crossed eyes, even bigger than the one they had just downed, emerging from the bushes.
Neung Ji-pyeong, who had been staring at the wild boar, turned his gaze to Yi-gang.
“That’s a surprise. Are they a couple, or siblings?”
It was Yi-gang’s murmur.
‘…Did he notice?’
When Neung Ji-pyeong turned his head. Yi-gang was already showing his back.
How could it be? Did he sense the presence behind him before Neung Ji-pyeong did?
Or, was he not so preoccupied with the wild boar in front that he never let his guard down?
Either way, it was something that surprised Neung Ji-pyeong. If it was the former, it meant that his senses, born of the Great Yin Meridian Blockage, were as sharp as those of a martial master, and if it was the latter, it meant his courage was strong enough not to be startled by the wild boar.
Indeed, recalling how Yi-gang had previously sensed Neung Ji-pyeong’s approach at the Red Jade Training Hall, it was plausible.
Yi-gang’s face was calm.
“Anyway, we have double the meat now.”
「Ho-ho.」
In truth, at the Red Jade Training Hall, Yi-gang had not sensed Neung Ji-pyeong’s approach at all. It was the Immortal Divine Sword who informed him.
「Yes, the strength possessed by the descendants with meridian blockage is precisely that sensitive sense. Do not let your guard down.」
This time it was not the case.
Yi-gang, more than anyone in the group, had first detected the wild boar approaching from behind.
“Kweeek!”
Was it planning some kind of pincer attack?
The wild boar charged straight at Yi-gang. It seemed to be twice Yi-gang’s size. Instead of running away, Yi-gang tightly gripped his meteorite sword.
Swish—!
What passed with a blue streak was Jin Ri-yeon. Her continuously swinging whip sword was smeared with blood and a thick pink liquid.
“Kwik, kweeek…”
The wild boar staggered a few more steps, then collapsed emptily as if from anemia. Blood and brain fluid gushed from the hole in its forehead.
「Hmm, indeed, it’s the Azure Forest’s Treading Cloud. Look at that, it’s truly an invincible light footwork technique.」
As the Immortal Divine Sword said, Jin Ri-yeon’s movements were too fast for the eyes to follow. Moreover, her motions were as light as the martial arts technique’s name, which meant “stepping on clouds,” suggested.
Both wild boars had fallen. Neung Ji-pyeong sheathed his sword and scanned the surroundings.
“It’s strange. Two wild boars attacked us.”
“Hmm, maybe they smelled the food.”
At Yi-gang’s words, Neung Ji-pyeong pondered. It might be understandable in winter, but this was the abundant autumn.
“That might be the case.”
But it was hard to think of any other reason.
“Uh-hyah!”
Yi-gang approached the boar and struggled to grab the leg of the massive creature.
“Please help me. We can’t just leave them after hunting two.”
“Ah, yes, of course.”
Neung Ji-pyeong and the Biyeon Squad members hurried over to assist Yi-gang.
“We’ll be able to have wild boar meat for breakfast.”
Yi-gang seemed happy. Neung Ji-pyeong watched him with a curious eye.
‘He doesn’t seem scared or surprised at all.’
In the wild, even the most courageous adults were usually startled when they encountered a wild boar. The small eyes that shined even in the darkness, the sharp tusks, and the stench that was almost like a foul odor.
However, Yi-gang was even braver than he appeared.
“Will you start teaching me the sword from tomorrow?”
“Ah, yes. Since today is the first day…”
Yi-gang had asked Neung Ji-pyeong to teach him the sword during their journey. It was a somewhat awkward request, so at first, Neung Ji-pyeong thought he might just pretend to teach him superficially.
“Once we arrive in Lantian County tomorrow, we’ll start then.”
But after seeing Yi-gang not faltering in front of the wild boar’s charge and grasping the sword, he felt it again.
Perhaps he might be able to pass on the swordsmanship that he ultimately could not teach Ha-jun to Yi-gang.
A small village near Lantian County—
Yi-gang and his party decided to spend the night there.
Like most farmer villages in the mountains, there was no proper inn.
However, no matter how deep in the mountains a village was, there were always a few travelers who stopped by each month. They usually stayed in private homes, giving a few coins in return.
Yi-gang and his group did the same.
The village chief’s eyes widened in surprise when he received not coins but a whole silver nyang. It was not just because of the money. Just by looking at the clothing and the carriage of Yi-gang and his party, he must have realized they were of no ordinary status.
So, he was a bit surprised when Neung Ji-pyeong said he wanted to sell the wild boar meat.
“Ah, it’s quite rare to encounter a wild boar of this size. You’ve done a remarkable job. You said you caught this big one yourself?”
“That’s right.”
“Then there’s no mistake. That one must be the beast that’s been living in the mountains nearby. It’s been around for a long time, so it’s clever, and the hunters haven’t been able to catch it… Amazing.”
Neung Ji-pyeong gave the fussing village chief a sideways glance.
“We want to dispose of it anyway. Prepare smoked meat, rice, and clean water. Whatever is left, you can give us in coins.”
“Well… How should we…?”
“You figure it out.”
The old man gave a sign to a young man working at the butchery. The young man said in a slightly frightened voice,
“Um, we can probably give you seven or eight coins per jin.”
“…”
Neung Ji-pyeong quietly looked back at Yi-gang.
Yi-gang, who was chewing vigorously on a skewer of wild boar meat, nodded.
The village chief and the young man from the butchery seemed quite intimidated. The village chief began making unsolicited excuses.
“If it were young pork, I’d give you twenty coins for it. But this is an old wild boar. It’s, well, quite tough. And more than anything, our circumstances aren’t that good. But instead, I’ll give you plenty of jerky and rice. Oh dear…”
However, Yi-gang laughed heartily and said to the village chief, “It’s alright, old man. That’s more than enough.”
“Oh my! Thank you, Young Master!”
To these mountain villagers, warriors from the city must seem no different from ghosts.
They were merely getting rid of meat they could not possibly fully use up, but these people bowed to Yi-gang as if he had bestowed mercy upon them.
“You’re heading south?”
“That’s right.”
“It’ll be a while before you come across another village if you go in that direction. It will take you about a day and a half to reach Zhangjia Village. Yes.”
The old man said, bending his back repeatedly.
“It’s quite far. No matter.”
“Since you are kind people, let me tell you something. These days, it’s quite ominous over there.”
At those words, Neung Ji-pyeong raised an eyebrow.
“Ominous?”
“There’s a serious tiger menace. A great tiger has been on the rampage, and several people have been killed.”
When you mentioned a tiger, it was the king of the mountains. Even a first-rate master could fall prey to a tiger in the mountains at night.
“So, the people of Zhangjia Village collected money and called in famous hunters. I’m not sure if they’ve caught the beast yet. Tigers are incredibly cunning creatures, so please be careful, Young Master. Yes.”
“Thank you for your concern,” Yi-gang said and collected the coins.
As they headed back to the village chief’s house, which they had taken as their lodgings, Yi-gang asked, “There’s no need to change our route, is there, Squad Leader Neung?”
“Yes, it’s fine.”
Of course, they had no intention of avoiding the path just because a great tiger was roaming the mountains. Taking a detour would significantly prolong their journey. Besides, Neung Ji-pyeong and the members of Biyeon Squad were capable of catching even a great tiger.
Yi-gang and Neung Ji-pyeong arrived at the village chief’s house.
The reason they chose this place as their lodging was partly because the house was relatively large, but also because it had a yard.
“Use this sword.”
Before leaving, Neung Ji-pyeong decided to instruct Yi-gang in swordsmanship.
“I have my sword. Do I need to use this one specifically?”
“Your sword is indeed extraordinary, Young Master, but it’s too big and heavy. For the swordsmanship I’m going to teach, and for general use, a sword of this kind would be more appropriate.”
Neung Ji-pyeong handed over a sword that was too long to be called a short sword but shorter than the long swords typically used by warriors. He said it was a secondary weapon used by the Biyeon Squad members.
Swinging it, it was definitely lighter, only a bit heavier than a wooden sword. For Yi-gang, who had not yet fully developed his strength, it was the perfect weight.
「He’s very considerate. Your father had good reason to choose him as his child’s teacher.」
The Immortal Divine Sword chuckled.
The one who advised Yi-gang to learn swordsmanship from Neung Ji-pyeong was none other than the Immortal Divine Sword.
「I cannot personally train my descendant by crossing swords with him. That man should be able to refine the descendant’s Heaven’s Shadow Sword.」
The Immortal Divine Sword could demonstrate sword moves or correct Yi-gang’s stance.
However, it could not physically correct his moves or teach by clashing swords since it was a spirit without a body, a limitation it had.
“In that case, I entrust my Heaven’s Shadow Sword to you.”
“Oh, yes. I will assist you with your Heaven’s Shadow Sword Technique but…”
The Immortal Divine Art could not be learned by anyone outside of the bloodline, and the transmission of the Heaven’s Shadow Sword Technique was also prohibited to outsiders like Neung Ji-pyeong, under certain conditions.
But Neung Ji-pyeong seemed hesitant, which was uncharacteristic of his usual confident demeanor.
“Do you have something to say?”
“Uh, well, of course, I intend to help you with your Heaven’s Shadow Sword Technique. However, it is difficult to learn such an intense sword technique in its entirety in just one month.”
It was true. Moreover, Yi-gang could only spare time intermittently during his journey.
But was that not taken into consideration when he asked Neung Ji-pyeong?
“What do you suggest, then?”
“I used to stay at a place before I was entrusted to the Baek Clan.”
“Are you referring to the Shadowless Sword Pavilion?”
“…You know about it.”
Neung Ji-pyeong seemed surprised that Yi-gang knew about his past.
The Shadowless Sword Pavilion had been a martial arts sect that made a name for itself even before Yi-gang was born. Known for its subtle cultivation technique and swift swordsmanship, the Shadowless Sword Pavilion unfortunately met an ignoble end.
A thief, who went by the moniker Shadowless Thief, had stolen a secret technique from the Wudang Sect. The problem was that this thief was a disciple of the Shadowless Sword Pavilion.
The Wudang Sect was enraged.
In reality, the Wudang Sect did not wage war against the Shadowless Sword Pavilion. However, the Shadowless Sword Pavilion lost its standing in the Orthodox Murim. Those affiliated with the sect faced all sorts of persecution and left one after another.
Having lost his sect, Neung Ji-pyeong later sought refuge with the Baek Clan.
“The Heaven’s Shadow Sword Technique requires solid internal energy as a foundation, but you’re not in a position to do that, Young Master. I’d like to teach you a more practical sword technique.”
“Practical sword technique?”
There must be a reason the reticent Neung Ji-pyeong was talking so much.
“It’s the sword technique of the Shadowless Sword Pavilion. Although the sect disappeared disgracefully, if you’re okay with it, Young Master…”
“Is it alright for me to learn it? After all, it’s your exclusive martial arts, Squad Leader Neung.”
“Ah, it’s not like that. It’s just a mere sword technique, so it’s fine.”
It was indeed extraordinary for a martial artist to pass on their unique martial arts to another person. Yi-gang seemed slightly disappointed at Neung Ji-pyeong’s remark about it being a mere sword technique.
「Hm, he doesn’t seem like someone who would teach an insignificant swordsmanship.」
‘Let’s see it first.’
Yi-gang was curious about what kind of swordsmanship Neung Ji-pyeong would show.
“For now, I’ll demonstrate.”
With that, Neung Ji-pyeong unexpectedly turned around.
Showing his back to Yi-gang, he spoke, “Please watch closely, Young Master.”
Was he supposed to watch the sword technique from behind?
Yi-gang did not blink, focusing intently.
With his natural concentration amplified by the Great Yin Meridian Blockage, he could see the falling leaves slowly as if time had slowed.
“It’s just a basic technique.”
As Neung Ji-pyeong said this, he slid his thumb along the sword blade.
Kiiiing—
The blade glinted as it reflected the sunlight.
Neung Ji-pyeong’s body blurred.
Whoong!
The sound was heard afterward.
Just moments ago, Neung Ji-pyeong, who had been facing away, was now looking at Yi-gang, and his sword, previously sheathed at his hip, was drawn, piercing the air next to Yi-gang’s face.
A delayed gust of wind made his neck feel cool, and goosebumps spread across his back.
Neung Ji-pyeong slowly retracted his sword. A falling leaf was skewered at the tip of the blade.
An astonishing feat of art.
With a slight swing of his sword, Neung Ji-pyeong shook off the impaled leaf. A bead of cold sweat trickled down his neck.
“It’s a trivial technique, but if it’s acceptable to you, Young Master, I would like to teach it.”
Yi-gang slightly opened his mouth, forgetting what he was about to say.
Even with his keen senses, he had not fully seen the swift strike. Neung Ji-pyeong’s skill was beyond Yi-gang’s imagination.
And then, the Immortal Divine Sword, silent until now, burst into laughter.
「Uhahahaha, a basic technique? This guy…」
A basic technique. Could such an astonishing technique be dubbed “basic”? Yi-gang realized it too.
「That’s a blatant lie.」
For reasons unknown, Neung Ji-pyeong intended to teach Yi-gang this profound swordsmanship.
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