Chapter 10: These Are Supposed to Be Martial Gods?
Chairman of the Merchants’ Association, Oh Jeong-san.
The eldest son of the Oh Clan, he had learned the sword from the Wudang Sect in his youth. When he grew older and inherited the clan, he remained as an affiliated disciple.
Even during his time in the Wudang Sect, he had been considered quite a talented man, and through numerous journeys in the martial world and dealings with merchants, he had grown unshaken by most matters.
Yet now, Oh Jeong-san, wearing the gravest expression in the world, looked around the ruins of the Prosperity Association and spoke.
"Alright, I’ll make sure you get fifty-four nyang without fail. But…"
In that instant, Oh Jeong-san’s aura changed.
Jin Seong-un stared straight at him.
Why was he suddenly pouring out hostility toward him?
"What is it."
"Putting aside your absurd martial skills for a moment… isn’t your hand far too cruel?"
"Is there a difference between killing someone neatly and killing them brutally? In the end, I killed them in an instant, so the pain would have been the same."
"That’s not the point."
Oh Jeong-san was clearly of the orthodox faction.
To him, the sight before him—like a storm of blades tearing corpses apart—looked nothing short of horrific.
The waiter was admirable, yet also tempting.
Both the Merchants’ Association and the Oh Clan were always in need of talent.
It was rare to find someone who possessed both martial talent and business acumen.
And rarer still was someone whose skills in both were enough to satisfy Oh Jeong-san.
However, no matter how exceptional someone might be, if their ideology was warped, they could not be accepted.
After all, he was nominally an affiliated disciple of the Wudang Sect.
He couldn’t possibly harbor someone of the Demonic Path.
"Where did you learn your martial arts?"
"I learned from my masters."
"Masters, you say. Were you part of a sect?"
"No."
Oh Jeong-san’s eyes narrowed further.
"What are your masters’ names or aliases?"
Jin Seong-un shrugged.
That seemed to mean he wasn’t going to tell him, and so Oh Jeong-san infused his sword with killing intent.
"I’ll be frank. Your talent frightens me. At such a young age to possess such martial skill… I can’t even imagine how great a martial artist you’ll become in the future. If someone like you were to walk the unorthodox or demonic path…"
"Are there waiters who walk the unorthodox path?"
"…"
Jin Seong-un and Oh Jeong-san locked eyes.
Though Oh Jeong-san was a man of considerable cultivation, he couldn’t for the life of him read what lay behind those eyes.
That only made the feeling more ominous.
"The ones who taught me martial arts were from the old days."
"You mean experts from a previous generation?"
"Yes, well…"
It wasn’t a lie.
When Jin Seong-un nodded, a glimmer passed through Oh Jeong-san’s eyes.
Indeed, it didn’t feel as though he had formally learned martial arts from any current sect or clan.
"You must have a story. I won’t pry unnecessarily. But there’s no avoiding confirmation."
With that, Oh Jeong-san pointed his sword toward Jin Seong-un. He was a fairly seasoned martial artist himself. After crossing swords a few times, he would be able to tell.
"You’re the one who single-handedly destroyed the Prosperity Association, so I won’t underestimate you."
"There’s no need to, really."
"No, that would be discourteous."
"Hmm."
Regardless, Oh Jeong-san fixed a truly serious gaze on Jin Seong-un before charging forward.
Profound Heaven Steps — one of Wudang Sect’s stealthier and swifter movement arts.
Oh Jeong-san closed the distance in an instant and thrust his sword.
Taiji Sword Art — the only sword technique permitted to affiliated disciples, yet the mysteries contained within were anything but shallow.
It was natural, for it bore the name of the Taiji, the very symbol of Wudang.
In that fleeting moment, Jin Seong-un pondered.
He had many options to respond to the incoming sword.
He could evade with Shadowless Steps, or release a light burst of palm force imbued with the inner strength of the Women’s Moon Heart Method.
Blood-Bare Hands Art was…
No, not this time.
After a brief consideration, Jin Seong-un swung his sword.
There was no particular reason. It was simply because what he held in his hand happened to be the Black High Sword.
Fire Dragon Escape Sword.
Of course, unlike when he killed Hyeol Sang-daeju, crimson and fierce flames did not burst forth.
The lightly swung sword met Oh Jeong-san’s Taiji Sword.
Claaang—!
Qi waves rippled out in all directions.
Feeling the resistance through his wrist, Oh Jeong-san shifted his stance. With a single rotation of his body, the Taiji Sword was once again aimed at Jin Seong-un.
The sequence of movements flowed as smoothly as running water. The sword of Wudang carried gentleness within it.
"...!"
Oh Jeong-san’s eyes widened in sudden shock.
Jin Seong-un’s movements had perfectly matched his own.
After exchanging another strike, Oh Jeong-san quickly pulled his body back.
"Have you learned Wudang’s sword?"
"I don’t know if it’s Wudang’s sword, I only learned as it was taught to me."
Oh Jeong-san stared intently at Jin Seong-un.
Indeed… it was peculiar for it to be Wudang Sect’s sword art.
It certainly felt similar in essence, yet no sword in the Wudang Sect exactly matched it.
"Perhaps the one who taught you the sword was once part of Wudang or another Daoist sect?"
"That’s probably the case."
Sword Immortal.
In any case, his alias bore the title of an immortal.
And, having heard that the Chairman of the Merchants’ Association was from Wudang Sect, the Merchant King had said there should be no problem since Jin Seong-un had learned the sword from the Sword Immortal.
‘So he’s from Wudang Sect.’
Briefly recalling the Sword Immortal, Jin Seong-un nodded.
With a slightly eased wariness, Oh Jeong-san asked,
"Many masters from the Daoist or Buddhist sects are originally people who live at ease. May I ask if the one who taught you the sword told you anything in particular?"
"He wasn’t one to speak much, but…"
Jin Seong-un paused briefly before continuing.
The rather taciturn Sword Immortal always had one phrase he repeated.
"Subdue evil with goodness."
"Hooh!"
A flash of emotion crossed Oh Jeong-san’s eyes.
Was this not the very phrase often spoken by his own master, the current Sect Leader of Wudang Sect, Immortal Unsang?
Of course, it was unthinkable that the Sect Leader himself had directly taught this boy the sword.
The boy’s sword was truly similar to Wudang’s, yet clearly different.
However, it was certain he had learned from a fellow cultivator who looked toward the same path as the Sect Leader.
"In a way, one could say we are fellow disciples."
"I doubt that’s the case."
"No, the Dao of Wudang and Mount Hua are different. It’s different from Zhongnan or Qingcheng as well. Yet it is certain that all of them look toward and advance toward the same place. Thus, you and I can also be called fellow cultivators."
So that’s how it was.
Jin Seong-un scratched his head.
Indeed, it had been the right choice not to use the Blood-Bare Hands Art.
"Waiter. No… Seong-un."
"…Yes."
It felt strangely awkward to have his name called out so suddenly.
But Oh Jeong-san’s expression was more serious than ever.
"Who else knows you possess such martial skill?"
"Just the martial artists of the Prosperity Association who are now dead?"
"Then keep it a secret from now on. I won’t even tell my subordinates. From what I see, you wish to live as a waiter. Is that not so?"
"That’s correct."
"Then it must be kept secret. If a waiter possessed such martial skill, how could customers eat in peace? And how could the world leave you be?"
Jin Seong-un nodded.
He also had no desire to flaunt his martial arts unless it was to help the Martial Gods’ requests or to protect his business.
"The Master of the Prosperity Association was foolish enough to provoke an old Demonic Head passing through Yichang. The Demonic Head slaughtered the Prosperity Association single-handedly. But no matter how strong, it was reckless to do it alone. In his exhausted state, he encountered me and…"
Oh Jeong-san cut his own arm with his sword.
He smeared the flowing blood on his neck and face.
"We fought to mutual injury, and with his last bit of strength, he fled. Do you understand?"
"Yes. In that case, I shouldn’t be here."
Oh Jeong-san grinned.
This was why he liked merchants—they were quick-witted and knew exactly what to do.
"Then let’s each move separately."
Nodding, Jin Seong-un used Shadowless Steps to leave. Oh Jeong-san watched him go with great satisfaction before infusing his voice with inner strength and shouting,
"You wretch! Where do you think you’re fleeing? Tae-seok! The demonic bastard is escaping!"
At that, the Vice Chairman and several martial artists of the Merchants’ Association hurriedly rushed over.
When his subordinates arrived, Oh Jeong-san pointed in a certain direction.
"The demonic bastard slaughtered the Prosperity Association and fled. He’s strong despite being tired, so maintain distance while pursuing! If you can’t find him within half a shichen, return—he may recover and reappear."
"Understood!"
The martial artists dashed off in the direction Oh Jeong-san indicated—completely opposite from where Jin Seong-un had gone.
He did feel a bit sorry for them.
But since they had come prepared to clash with the Prosperity Association anyway, it was good for them to get a warm-up.
Quickly rationalizing it like a true merchant, Oh Jeong-san nodded in satisfaction.
* * *
Seong-un Inn.
As always, Jin Seong-un dusted the scarcely-gathered dust and neatly arranged the furniture.
Today as well, the cook did not show up.
Because the notoriety of the Yichang Prosperity Association was fairly well known, skilled workers simply avoided coming here.
"Well, since the commercial district is changing, it’ll get better soon."
In fact, after the Prosperity Association disappeared, the Jingzhou Merchants’ Association completely took over its place.
For some reason, Chief Constable Hwang vanished.
Jin Seong-un could only assume that Chairman Oh Jeong-san had used his connections to expose all the misdeeds the constable had committed and driven him out.
The commercial district, now under the Merchants’ Association’s control, had completely changed in atmosphere.
First, the tribute payments had been replaced with membership fees.
Compared to the former tribute, the new fee was a mere drop in the bucket.
Also, the purpose and use of these fees were made very transparent to the merchants.
Every bit of the fee was used solely for the development of Yichang’s commercial district.
The Merchants’ Association merely took small profits in return for bringing goods, including alcohol, into Yichang.
Small when thinking of business with one shop, but considering the dozens of shops in Yichang, it became quite a sum.
As it was the Merchants’ Association’s profit, they had no obligation to disclose it—and one-tenth of it went straight into Jin Seong-un’s pocket, as promised.
Most important of all, with a Merchants’ Association led by someone from the Wudang Sect firmly holding ground, unorthodox martial artists could no longer roam freely.
"Hey, Seong-un! Did you hear?"
No Sang-won burst into the inn in a hurry.
Before, he wouldn’t even set foot inside, rambling about ghosts.
"What are you talking about?"
"I heard the Merchants’ Association is bringing in Bamboo Leaf Green! It’s a drink so rare in Yichang that it’s hard to even get a taste of it—surely this is great news!"
"Oh, is that so."
"‘Is that so’? You should be running to the Merchants’ Association right now to get the Bamboo Leaf Green! It’s a fine chance to make a hefty profit!"
"Thank you for letting me know."
When Jin Seong-un bowed slightly, No Sang-won smiled in satisfaction.
Men of middle age were often like that—help someone, receive thanks, and they felt accomplished.
Of course, Jin Seong-un had already secured the Bamboo Leaf Green. The Merchants’ Association had told him about it first, after all.
"Still, I hope we find a cook soon."
"It’s all because Yichang’s reputation has been so poor. But don’t worry, thanks to the Merchants’ Association it’ll improve soon. By the way, how on earth did you persuade them?"
No Sang-won asked with a sly tone.
He had never imagined that Jin Seong-un would actually bring the Merchants’ Association into Yichang.
Most people simply thanked the Merchants’ Association for saving them from the Prosperity Association, but No Sang-won, knowing the truth, was grateful to Jin Seong-un.
Of course, since Jin Seong-un disliked attention, he hadn’t gone out of his way to tell anyone.
"I just asked, and it worked."
"Right. You do have a way with words. Even I was completely taken in when I first met you—enough to reveal this inn’s secret and jump the wall to save you when the Prosperity Association threatened you. I really was something back then."
"Yes, well…"
Jin Seong-un nodded awkwardly.
Regardless, No Sang-won left, chuckling in high spirits.
After glancing outside for a moment, Jin Seong-un locked the inn door.
Until they found a cook, he intended to devote himself to training.
"That was fun."
The battle at the Prosperity Association.
It had only been a few days, but to Jin Seong-un, it felt like it had happened just an hour ago.
He felt he could now understand why martial artists were so obsessed with martial arts.
Having only ever found enjoyment in a well-cleaned inn and the satisfied faces of his customers, Jin Seong-un had, for the first time, discovered another kind of fun.
Stepping into the backyard, he opened the storage shed.
Ever since he had truly unleashed his martial arts, the Martial Gods felt different to him.
If one’s name was recorded throughout history, they were truly great figures. Looking back now, he realized he had felt a sense of dignity from them.
From now on, he should approach them with proper respect and a slightly changed heart.
Just as he thought that, the door swung wide open, revealing the space of the Martial Gods, and…
"Oh."
What met his eyes was Divine Thief and the Merchant King grabbing each other by the collar.
The two were engaged in a test of strength, then rolled across the floor.
It was a fight of even lower quality than a back-alley brawl between third-rate Black Path thugs.
"You thief! If it’s not you, then who else could have stolen it?!"
"Why do you always suspect me first whenever something goes missing? It could be the Sword Immortal, or even the Blood Demon!"
"Say something that makes sense!"
Jin Seong-un blinked.
Come to think of it, the relationship between a merchant and a thief was bound to be strange.
Still…
These are supposed to be Martial Gods?
Such a blasphemous thought flashed through his mind—though only for the briefest moment—before he shook his head to dismiss it.
Upon spotting Jin Seong-un, the two froze in surprise and quickly got to their feet.
After a few coughs to cover their embarrassment and fixing their clothes, they spoke in suddenly solemn tones.
"So, Seong-un, did you accomplish what you set out to do?"
"Thanks to the teachings of this Divine Thief, you’ve come back without so much as a scratch. I am proud."
Looking at the two of them, Jin Seong-un smacked his lips.