Chapter 3 : Chapter 3

Chapter 3. Savior of the Martial World?

The Murim Alliance Headquarters was no ordinary building. Arrow loops for firing bows were bored into the walls everywhere, and the rooftops were cunningly arranged to disorient the movement of any would-be intruders.

To think they'd built a fortress like this in the middle of a city. It was hard to believe the government had allowed it.

On top of that, alarm Formations were installed in the unseen corners. Man, setting up Formations like that across such a vast compound couldn't have come cheap. Definitely a rich bunch. Oh, but how does someone who isn't even a martial artist know about Formations, you ask?

As the former son of a shaman, I knew quite a bit about Formations. After writing Talismans and dancing on blade-tops, constructing Formations was the third most common thing shamans did.

Without a Formation when sealing a Cursed Object, Spectral Qi would spread everywhere and cause all sorts of chaos. I'd learned a thing or two by watching Mom over her shoulder, so I could at least read Formations.

'Still, the Formations here aren't bad. The materials are a bit lacking, though.'

The Formations laid out here were slightly weaker than modern ones. It wasn't that their Formation skill was inferior–it was a difference in materials. In the modern world, the materials used were factory-produced rather than handcrafted.

Surely no one still believed that handcrafted goods stitched together by artisans one stitch at a time were better than factory-made ones. Korea's manufacturing was the best in the world. Factories for the win.

At any rate, the fact that a defensive structure like this had been built meant the Murim Alliance Headquarters had been attacked before.

'Still, it's reassuring. Am I going to live here from now on?'

I hadn't been told the specific reason they'd brought me here, nor had I bothered to ask, but they surely hadn't brought me here to do me harm.

With luck, I could live at the Murim Alliance. And they'd probably just put me to work on odd jobs.

In a way, that was a better life than working for the innkeeper. A salaried man whose pay never gets withheld is the strongest of all. I was ready. Just as I'd been loyal to Boss Jang, I was the type to faithfully serve whoever paid my wages.

In my past life, when I helped Mom run the shaman's practice, my pay was never withheld either. Of course, I worked well beyond the legal working hours and received a pittance that violated every labor standard, but what could I do? Family businesses were all the same.

'Well, even if things go badly, I can just find work as a waiter somewhere in Kaifeng. Since the Murim Alliance is here, there should be fewer troublemakers, right? I won't have to grovel to those thugs anymore.'

Come to think of it, having gotten acquainted with these Daoists, maybe I could become a waiter with the mightiest patron in the land. A waiter backed by the Wudang Sect–the Greatest Waiter Under Heaven, if you will. Hmm, that has a nice ring to it.

[Greatest Waiter Under Heaven–what a load of crap.]

You really have a foul mouth, don't you? Is it because you're a cursed thing……?

[Of all who have passed through my hands, none have been as pathetic as you.]

If you've met so many people, you'd think you'd have picked up some manners. Your masters must have been an uncouth bunch.

[……Is "uncouth" even the right word here?]

Whatever. If it sounds good enough, that's all that matters.

I blithely ignored the Cursed Sword's prattle and popped a piece of Kung Pao Chicken into my mouth. Now this was something else. This was genuinely hard to come by even in the modern world.

Unless you went to China yourself, most Chinese restaurants didn't even serve it. And even if you managed to find one that did, people usually just ordered sweet and sour pork. If you were lucky, you might get Eight Treasures, Yuxiangrousi, or spicy fried chicken–but you'd never find Kung Pao Chicken.

'Having tried Kung Pao Chicken, the list of good things about being reincarnated into the martial world just grew by one.'

That meant the total was now one.

"Does it suit your palate?"

"I could eat this for the rest of my life."

"I'm glad you find it tasty."

Cheonggwang smiled warmly. Hmm, my first impression of him hadn't been great, but the more I saw of him, the more I liked him. A kindly grandfather sort.

At first, I'd inwardly dismissed the Daoists as just another breed of thugs, but spending time with them, these people were a tiny bit better than actual thugs.

"Once you've finished eating, you'll be able to bathe. And then we will go to meet the Alliance Leader."

"The Murim Alliance Leader, you mean?"

"Yes. You must mind your manners."

"If there's one thing I'm good at, it's manners."

Cheonggwang and the other Daoists wore dubious expressions. Don't look at me like that–it hurts my feelings. Believe it or not, back at school, I got complimented all the time for being a polite greeter. I'm telling the truth.

"The bathwater is ready. Please follow me."

The moment I finished eating, a Murim Alliance attendant led me away. When he tried to assist me with the bath, I firmly declined. I'm sooooorry, but having someone attend my bath is a bit much…

Still, having the bathwater drawn and a change of clothes prepared was quite comfortable.

'I never expected to enjoy this kind of luxury.'

So that was why the Daoists had bought me clothes. If I'd been wearing my waiter's clothes, they would've subtly looked down on me, but dressed in neat attire, the attendant was perfectly courteous.

There was one inconvenience, however.

[Bathing again? You are an excessively fussy creature.]

The problem was that I couldn't leave the sword far away even when bathing.

If I wasn't around, it would try to bewitch someone at the first opportunity, so I had no choice. It was a bit uncomfortable, but we had to do this together. I wasn't some swordsman–it was a nuisance, really.

"Just sit still and behave. Relax and enjoy it. Do you know how long it's been since I had warm water……"

[Instead of wasting time on this, if you killed even one more person, your power would–BLURBLE BLURBLE!]

I dunked the noisy Cursed Sword into the water. I'd had my doubts about whether it would actually work, but despite being a piece of metal, it apparently hated getting wet. It loved blood, though. What a piece of work.

[What are you doing?! This will drain the Blood Qi!]

Oh, how wonderful. I'd just learned something useful.

I flashed a grin at the flailing Blood Demon Sword. Could it even see without eyes?

"Act up again and this is what you get."

[How dare you! Do you know who I am?! I am the Blood Demon Sword!]

"Your repertoire really never changes, does it……"

Was that all it knew how to say?

When I came out from the bath, Cheonggwang was waiting for me.

I felt slightly sheepish for making the old man wait, but I brushed it off. I didn't ask him to wait, did I?

"Did you wash up well?"

"Yes. I feel refreshed."

"Then let us be on our way."

Cheonggwang smiled his characteristically warm smile and led the way.

On the walk to the Alliance Leader's Hall, I got a good look at the interior of the Murim Alliance.

There were many structures, though I couldn't tell what most of them were for. Some were probably administrative, others for training, and still others for lodging.

And the gardens were absolutely beautiful. If I tried to describe them in detail, I'd only end up stating the obvious. So let me sum it up in one thought.

'They've plastered this place in money.'

As expected, there was nothing money couldn't buy in any world. Interior design, especially, only grew more refined the more money was poured into it. The name "Murim Alliance" was no empty boast.

"Splendid, is it not?"

"It is. It has real refinement."

"You have a keen eye. These buildings were largely constructed during the Song dynasty and reflect that architectural style. That roof in particular is what they call a xieshan hip-and-gable design……"

Cheonggwang pointed at the tip of a roofline with the excited expression of someone showing off their own home. I didn't know this old man could make a face like that.

"Oh, I see."

I knew nothing about architecture, so I just nodded along and humored him. It'd be rude to show blatant disinterest and embarrass the old man, right? Even after reincarnation, my upbringing in the land of eastern courtesy hadn't left me.

Of course, having been a modern person with no knowledge of architecture didn't mean I was ignorant of everything in this era.

Paintings, in particular, were something I knew reasonably well. This, too, was because I was a shaman's son. If you hung an impressive painting and showed off to clients with a knowledgeable explanation, they'd think, "This shaman must be truly gifted." It was an essential skill for a shaman-practice salesman (son).

After passing through countless buildings, we entered the tallest one. Naturally, this towering building didn't have an elevator either.

"There are a lot of stairs. Aren't you tired?"

"I'll just think of it as exercise."

No point complaining about what doesn't exist.

"Haha, what a positive spirit. Good to see."

Cheonggwang looked at me with the air of someone impressed by a child.

I, on the other hand, was slightly embarrassed. Isn't he treating me too much like a little kid? Fifteen-year-olds don't get praised for climbing stairs…… Is it because he's a Daoist and a bit off on gauging ages? Or does he think I'm younger because I'm short?

At any rate, we climbed the long, long staircase and entered the Alliance Leader's Hall. The hall exuded an atmosphere that was modest yet elegant.

And behind the Alliance Leader's seat hung a single painting. It was none other than the Pleasures of Fishing by Dai Jin, the foremost master of the Zhe School.

They said it combined vigorous, rough brushwork with meticulous detail–but I'd just memorized that. My actual impression was, "Well painted," and that was it.

Still, I could roughly guess what kind of values this Alliance Leader held.

"I am here to see the Alliance Leader."

"Cheonggwang! Welcome. Is that the child…… the one you mentioned in your letter?"

"It is."

The Alliance Leader greeted Cheonggwang warmly, then turned his gaze to me. At first glance he seemed benevolent, but a sharpness lurked beneath. I quickly bowed my head.

"Hello! My name is Jang Yul! It is an honor to meet you, Alliance Leader!"

I greeted him with vigor. Cheonggwang's eyes went round as he stared at me. See? I told you I'm good with manners.

The Alliance Leader laughed heartily.

"Haha! A well-mannered child. A pleasure, Yul."

It may not have conformed to proper etiquette, but I wasn't a martial artist, let alone a scholar. He wouldn't demand such formalities.

The Alliance Leader didn't waste time on small talk and got straight to the point.

"Now then–that sword at your waist…… is that the Blood Demon Sword?"

"Yes, that's right."

I tapped the Blood Demon Sword and replied. The Alliance Leader's eyes narrowed with interest.

"Could I hold it for a moment?"

"Alliance Leader!"

"Do not worry. Surely I would not be consumed by a cursed thing."

The Alliance Leader spoke firmly to Cheonggwang, who'd tried to stop him. Cheonggwang's face was etched with concern.

"How about it? If you don't mind, I would like to take a look."

[Surely you would not think of handing me over–]

I blithely ignored the Blood Demon Sword's protest and answered with a bright smile.

"Go right ahead!"

I immediately unstrapped the Blood Demon Sword from my waist and handed it to the Alliance Leader. His expression shifted.

"……Thank you."

He took the Blood Demon Sword and immediately grimaced. His expression barely changed, but veins bulged in the hand that gripped the sword, and his fingers spasmed as though seized by a cramp.

"Are you all right?"

"……Yes, I'm fine. You carried this sword and felt nothing?"

"Apart from the noise, nothing. That's actually the biggest problem, though. This thing really never shuts up."

"……I see."

The Alliance Leader's hand trembled as though the strain was too much, and he passed the Blood Demon Sword back to me. I strapped it to my waist again. The thing started babbling something, but I ignored it as usual. I'd handed it off more times than I could count by now–what was the fuss about?

The Alliance Leader and Cheonggwang began talking among themselves right in front of me. I pretended not to care and perked up my ears to eavesdrop. They probably hadn't sent me out because the topic was nothing I couldn't hear.

"……Just as your letter described, Cheonggwang."

"Indeed. I was astonished as well."

"If this child truly possesses a constitution immune to cursed things."

At the Alliance Leader's words, Cheonggwang nodded gravely.

"This child is the martial world's great fortune…… No, he will be its savior."

Savior?

What was that supposed to mean?