Episode 261: My martial arts world is not far away.
The carriage was different from the carriages I usually rode.
This was a special carriage used by the Cheonmajeon Guard. The material was light yet strong. It was not broken by any external shock and was being pulled by powerful horses. It was a carriage even equipped with barding for the horses in case of emergency.
While Jo Joo-jo escorted the carriage on horseback, Jeok-yeon rode along in the carriage and explained the escort mission.
“The night shift is in the following carriage. They take turns resting and then rotating duties with us in the evening.”
The same goes for daytime escorts, but I didn’t need nighttime escorts either. If someone approaches me while I’m sleeping, the Heavenly Demon Tiger wakes me up.
Nevertheless, they left it as they did. What Hwi wanted was for them to become great escorts, and the most necessary thing to do that was experience.
Of course, there were things that had to be done to bring about that time.
“Please stop the carriage for a moment.”
Jeok Yeon had Coach Coach’s subordinate stop the carriage.
I even had the night shift wagon join me and gathered them all in front of me.
And then he walked to the carriage. Originally, the Cheonmajeon symbol was engraved on the outside of the carriage, but that part has now been covered.
Sigh.
What was covered was removed with ease. The image of a scary evil spirit was revealed.
“From now on, we will not move while hiding our identity. “Please change your clothes to the official Cheonmajeon Guard uniform.”
The escorts were wearing ordinary military uniforms.
Jeokyeon said in surprise.
“Under the rules, you can’t do that.”
“We make our own regulations. “Do as I command.”
Conflict flashed through the enemy’s eyes toward me, but my worries did not last long. Because while escorting me, they had already broken away from the existing framework.
He ordered his men to change their clothes.
The enemy team and the guards all changed their clothes. The formal attire of the Cheonmajeon Guard was simple yet powerful. A shield was engraved on the left chest of the black military uniform, and a demon symbolizing Cheonmajeon was drawn inside it. Additionally, on the black masks they wore, the word ‘Demon’ was embroidered in powerful handwriting. That was enough.
When they put on formal clothes, their mood completely changed.
He looked at them one by one and said.
“stylish. “Of all the school’s costumes, I think yours is the coolest.”
Then they smiled slightly and looked at each other.
“I know it will be much more difficult for you if we move like this. It will become more dangerous and unexpected variables will arise. If you were regular escorts, you wouldn’t have done this. But you are the ones who will guard the Heavenly Demon from now on.”
At the word ‘Cheonma’, power filled their eyes.
“Has your father ever moved while hiding his identity when making official moves? That’s why. You too will experience and practice from now on. “You are obviously protecting the small sect leader of the Heavenly Demon Church.”
“yes! “I will sacrifice my life to protect you!”
“Please protect me without sacrificing your life. Did you understand?”
My joke lightened the mood slightly.
They seemed to think that now was an opportunity with all the enemy forces gathered together, so they each told us the number they had been assigned.
“During escort operations, we call each other number one through twelfth. “Please call me that too, Master So.”
The enemy regiment was number one, and numbers were assigned according to experience in the escort force. The youngest was Twelve. The youngest, who looked young at first glance, said he was now 18 years old.
I went and stood in front of number twelve. You are too young to die protecting others.
“Don’t your seniors bully you because you’re the youngest?”
“It’s painful because you treat me so well even though I’m the youngest!”
After patting the shoulder of the youngest who gave the correct answer, he got into the carriage.
“Let’s go!”
The carriage started again.
It would have been fine for Jeok Yeon to ride with me, but he rode on horseback and rode with his escorts. It seems that the reason I got into the carriage earlier was to explain the escort mission.
Although he was the leader, he worked as an equal with his subordinates. Rather, I took the initiative and worked more. Perhaps Hwi came to see me in person because he admired this kind of Jeok-yeon. Because I saw the potential to become a good escort.
Our first destination was the Honam branch of Cheonma Shinyo Church.
It took quite some time to get there by carriage, so I took my time.
It was a good opportunity to practice the Heavenly Demon Defense technique.
The carriage was so good that there was almost no shaking. You will be able to focus on the Heavenly Demon Defense God Gong comfortably.
There are now two steps left in the Heavenly Demon Tiger God Gong. The goal is to take it to the next level in this expulsion.
How long did it run like that?
Jeokyeon shouted from outside.
“I’m going to rest for a while.”
The carriage stopped.
While the horses were resting, I got off the carriage and sat down on a rock to rest.
Guards guarded all around me, centered around me. In fact, they concentrated all their attention and looked around.
What are my honest feelings?
How can I protect you if they are lined up everywhere like that?
“Red kite.”
“Yes, Lord Xiaojiao.”
The enemy kite that was standing guard in front approached me.
“Let’s try out the martial arts skills you have learned.”
Jeokyeon was surprised by my words. He realized that I was trying to watch his martial arts skills.
“This opportunity doesn’t come around often, so hurry up!”
“yes! Lord Xiaojiao!”
A mission was a mission, but he was not foolish enough to miss this opportunity.
“The martial art I learned is secret martial arts.”
After revealing the sword technique he had learned, he began practicing Chosik.
Originally, it was polite not to watch other people’s German martial arts skills, so the guards turned their backs.
Jeok Yeon unfolded all of his secret techniques.
“It’s a good sword technique.”
I corrected his bad habits and posture and told him how to practice in the future. I didn’t even say many things. One of the most important things! I pointed out just one thing.
“thank you!”
Jeok Yeon expressed his gratitude with an moved face, and the other guards could not hide their envy.
“There is no need to be so jealous. Forward!”
When I tried to look at everyone’s martial arts skills, Lee Ho said in embarrassment.
“You’re busy, but we can check on you later.”
“You are the ones who are busy.”
“yes?”
“Zidanju can take his time. This is a visit to say hello, right? But you guys need to improve your martial arts skills as quickly as possible. If sword energy flies at your back right now, can you stop it? So, come on, martial arts!”
Without wasting any more time, Lee Ho showed off his martial arts skills and, just as he had done to Jeok Yeon, he also told him what he needed to fix and how he should train in the future.
The other escorts also took turns watching. It didn’t take much time. Because once you look at it, you get the right answer.
I could feel their excitement. Because it was a high-level teaching that I had never heard before. They still have so much to learn, so adding a little bit of exaggeration will make them stronger with every word they say.
“thank you. “We will work harder and improve in the future.”
I’m telling you not to die this time.
At night, the night shift attendants also pointed out points that needed to be corrected.
* * *
It was the third day since I left school.
Crumbling!
There was thunder and it started to rain. It rained so much that it was impossible to drive the carriage.
“I need to rest for a while.”
Jeokyeon stopped the carriage under a large tree.
The escorts surrounded the carriage in the rain.
“Everyone, please come inside the carriage instead of standing around in the rain.”
“We are fine.”
“It’s an order.”
Jeokyeon kept saying no, but in the end, he couldn’t break my will and came inside.
Six people came in, but because it was a large carriage, everyone was able to sit facing each other. I said, handing them something to wipe.
“There is no need to be difficult. “Don’t worry about me, just watch the rain outside.”
I heated the water in the kettle using samadhijinhwa (三昧眞fire) and gave them hot tea. Everyone widened their eyes at that sight.
“I’ll drink it well!”
They were still rigid and had difficulty dealing with me. As soon as I looked out the window, everyone was looking at the window opposite me.
We stared at the rain falling in silence.
Shoot!
Sitting together like this, sipping tea and watching the rain, had its own charm. After dealing with older mazons, it felt refreshing to be with these younger guys.
Jeokyeon spoke cautiously.
“We are supposed to protect Master Xiao, but somehow we feel like we are being protected.”
I smiled slightly and asked Jeokyeon.
“If I had the skills to join the Cheonmajeon Guard, I would have been able to join other organizations as well. “Why did you apply for the escort service?”
He answered without hesitation.
“Ever since I was young, I wanted to be an escort. It looked cool to see the escort drones. “I thought it was honorable to protect someone.”
“Do you still feel the same way?”
Jeokyeon’s answer did not come as quickly as when he first asked.
“I think the same thing.”
The pain in his eyes made me think that maybe he was regretting it. Even so, it’s hard work, and even your eyes will hurt to the point of death.
At that time, I made eye contact with Samho. Among the daytime assistants, he has the most gentle appearance.
“What about you?”
“I thought I was more talented at protecting than at killing.”
“What is the talent for protecting?”
“Guarding someone is never boring. “I think it’s because I have an introverted personality.”
At that time, the slogan was answered without even being asked.
“I decided that the escort mission was relatively safe. “I want to live a long life.”
My colleagues all smiled, as if they had already heard this. It seemed like he enjoyed making his colleagues laugh and joke around.
In any case, it was something I could never hear from Hwi. He lived and is still living in an era of devotion.
But now, these young warriors are definitely different from their predecessors. Of course, that doesn’t mean I think they lack a sense of duty compared to Hwi. I don’t think Hwi is old-fashioned compared to their rational and personal attitude. I just feel that times are changing.
As I sat thinking about this and that, the pouring rain began to subside.
Jeokyeon spoke as if he had been waiting.
“We will leave now.”
They asked before getting off.
“Whose hometown is Hunan Province?”
When I suddenly asked, they showed puzzled expressions.
“Are there any?”
Then Samho, who had previously answered that guarding was his aptitude, stepped forward.
“My hometown is Honam.”
“Are your parents in your hometown?”
“Your mother is alone.”
“When did you last see each other?”
“I think it’s been about three years.”
“Let’s stop by and go.”
Then Samho was surprised.
“no. it’s okay. “I’m on a mission and I can’t do that.”
“You can be late by a few days. What would I miss so much about Honam Island? But how much will your mother miss you? It’s not polite to come all the way here and just leave. “It’s not a request, it’s an order, so let’s go!”
So the carriage started running towards Samho’s hometown.
I know very well that all kinds of people are living in every corner of this central plain and all kinds of things are happening. All kinds of conspiracies and schemes. I know very well how far humans can fall and how cruel they can be. I wonder how many warriors get lost and wander in that forest of Dosan Geomrim.
My martial arts forest is not far away. Cho Chun-bae of Pungryu Bar is my martial arts and Samho’s hometown, who escorts me, is my martial arts. This is how I don’t get lost in martial arts.
The carriage continued to run through the clear sky as if it had never rained so much.
* * *
A carriage running not far from my hometown slowed down. When I took off the curtain and looked outside, I saw a broken carriage lying on the side of the road. There were blood stains on the floor here and there, and traces of a fierce fight.
The enemy’s voice was heard.
“Let’s find out what’s going on.”
Lee Ho went and found out from nearby residents what happened here.
“It is said that a few days ago, the goods of the Honam First Bureau were attacked and robbed. “It is said that in the process, several Pyodu and PyoSa Jjajansu died.”
“Isn’t the Honam Jeilpyo Bureau the largest one here?”
“you’re right.”
Usually, the biggest leader in the region could not be messed with. This is because any place that is as good as Honam Jeilpyo Province has a deep relationship with various branches of the martial arts group, so if you mess with it carelessly, you will face retaliation.
Something unusual happened that does not normally happen.
Of course, it wasn’t for us to intervene, so we told the enemy right away.
“Now let’s speed up.”
“yes!”
The carriage began to run even faster.
* * *
The carriage arrived at Samho’s hometown village.
“It’s over there.”
There was a small guesthouse where Samho pointed.
It was Dohyeon Gaekjan, named after him. On the way here, I heard that it was a guesthouse prepared by Samho with the money he earned after committing himself to this school.
“It was my mother’s dream to run a guest house.”
Isn’t there a good thing about Mine?
The carriage was parked in front of the guesthouse.
When I entered, there were no customers or owners. Samho was surprised and called his mother loudly.
“mother!”
But there was no one. Since the guesthouse rarely closed, worry flashed across Samho’s face.
I went into the kitchen and looked for signs of a fire in the furnace.
“This is a kitchen that was in business until yesterday. So don’t worry.”
At that time, a bright-looking child came into the guesthouse.
“No business today. “The owner and the guest are at Feng Shui Mountain Lodge.”
The child introduced himself by saying that he would come and work for Jeomsoy whenever he was busy.
I asked the child in a friendly way.
“Do you know why you went there?”
“In the morning, the warriors from the Feng Shui lodge came and told me that I had to cook food.”
If that was why it was closed, it was a good thing. When the Murim sect needed lodging, they mobilized people like this.
“Where is the feng shui lodge?”
“It’s at the end of the road on the west side.”
“thanks.”
When I gave the child a coin, the child said yes and left.
This time I asked Samho.
“Do you know about Feng Shui Mountain Lodge?”
“I don’t know. “After leaving my hometown at a young age to pursue martial arts training, I only saw my mother once every two or three years.”
He lowered his head, but no one would think he had done anything wrong. Even in the midst of his busy schedule, he was the most devoted son, coming to see his mother at least once every two or three years.
“Master Xiao, please wait a moment. “I will clean your room first.”
Sam-ho acted calmly as if nothing had happened, but why don’t I know his inner thoughts? You might want to run right away and see your mother. He must have been worried because he was taken from the Murim sect.
I said, getting up from my seat.
“We young people can’t just play around while our mother is working, right? “I’ll go help you and bring you here early.”
Samho said it was okay and even waved his hand at the unexpected words, but I got on the carriage. The guards all got on their horses, and Samho also got on his horse. Even though he said no, a joy that he couldn’t hide flashed across his face.
“Let’s go to the feng shui lodge!”
The carriage began to run towards the Feng Shui Mountain Lodge.