Chapter 121. Discussion on Chivalry (1)

The sudden request from Seomun Ak and the latter-generation disciples to travel together.

I suddenly recalled their actions when they got involved with the Dragon King Fortress.

They were brats, but they had a sense of chivalry.

Conversely, it meant they had a sense of chivalry but lacked experience.

Naturally, I thought of Yeongcheon.

The innocent Taoist.

A young Taoist who overflowed with a sense of chivalry but was also so meddlesome that he couldn’t distinguish between situations where he should intervene and where he shouldn’t.

He had endlessly clear eyes now, but it wasn’t so in my past life.

Eyes that were worn down by the storms of the world.

And yet, a Taoist who couldn’t let go of his meddlesomeness until the very end and died.

I slightly turned my gaze and looked at Seomun Ak’s right arm.

If my guess was correct, Seomun Ak would lose several of his companions and even his right arm during his tour of the jianghu.

It might have been from the incident with the Dragon King Fortress, or perhaps it happened somewhere else.

In any case, judging by their attitude, they must have gotten into that situation by acting rashly without considering the consequences.

“So that was it.”

I felt like I understood a little now.

The future, decades later, that I remembered.

A world where villains called the Seven Evils ran rampant, and hypocrites who acted like the Righteous Path lived in splendor.

I had thought the whole world had rotted away.

I even wondered if Brother Sama and I were the strange ones.

But we weren’t.

There were plenty of young people overflowing with a sense of chivalry.

It was just that they had all been broken before they could even let their flowers bloom.

Some had lost their lives in vain, some had been worn down by the storms of the world, and some had become cowards.

Was it because I was thinking of meeting Brother Sama soon?

I was suddenly reminded of a story Brother Sama had told me.

The utopia he dreamed of.

The utopia that he couldn’t let blossom because of Hyeok Ilso.

So, I accepted Seomun Ak’s proposal.

“If you wish to travel on the same ship as us, I have no intention of stopping you.”

“Ahem. Th-Thank you.”

“The ship we’re trying to board isn’t even ours, so what is there to be thankful for?”

Replying like the Mount Heng Sect Leader, I observed the latter-generation disciples.

I didn’t know why, but some let out sighs of relief, and some looked at me with joyful eyes.

If the original flow had continued, some of them would not have even existed in the future.

I recalled the battle from a few days ago.

The matter of cleaning up the trash called the Dragon King Fortress and the Black Heaven Sect’s martial force.

That too was a rewarding task in its own right, but I wondered if there wasn’t a greater reward.

Because it was no different from saving those who could have become chivalrous heroes in the future.

The man who, far in the future, had built a large fence around his clan and lived in seclusion, opened his mouth.

“Ahem. Since we’re going to be together anyway, let’s first look for a ship to Poyang Lake together.”

Nodding, I looked at Seomun Ak’s right arm again.

A man who was called one of the Seven Swords North of the River thirty years later, even after losing his right arm.

What kind of future would unfold if he grew up without losing his right arm and without becoming a coward?

It was truly a matter that piqued my curiosity.

I let out a smirk at the interesting thought.

“Let’s do that.”

We were just traveling together for a short while. It wasn’t as if they had grown up yet.

It was also ridiculous to fantasize about a future that hadn’t even arrived.

At that moment, the youngest-looking woman suddenly opened her mouth.

“I-I am Hayeon, the eldest daughter of the Pyo Clan. S-Since we’re going to be together now, I-I thought we should introduce ourselves.”

Although she was said to be the youngest, she was a woman who looked to be around my and the Tang Clan kid’s age.

At her words, the latter-generation disciples, who had been glancing at each other for a moment, spoke first.

“I am Seomun Yeong, the eldest daughter of the Seomoon Clan.”

“I am Pyo Daecheol, the eldest son of the Pyo Clan.”

“I am Seomun Ho of the Seomoon Clan. I look forward to working with you, Young Hero Jin.”

At this, the quick-witted junior sister Baek Hyang responded first.

“My name is Baek Hyang.”

“I-I’m Nam Geon. I-I have no clan.”

“Ahem. My name is Dang Sopyeong. I look forward to working with you.”

After a brief introduction, on the way to look for a ship together.

The latter-generation disciples chattered away from the side.

“Young Hero Jin, when did you start your journey in the jianghu?”

“Ahem. From what you said last time, it seemed like you have been fighting against vicious groups like the Black Heaven Sect and what not for a long time.”

It was like baby birds pestering their mother for food.

It was troublesome, but I decided to accept it for now.

I had allowed them to accompany us, expecting this in the first place.

I couldn’t just lead these inexperienced people around and protect them until they grew up.

Instead, I could pass on my experience to them with my own mouth.

Just like when I told the young master of the Seomoon Clan about the jianghu in my past life.

“It’s been about a year and a half since I threw myself into the jianghu.”

“I’ve only recently gotten involved with the Black Heaven Sect. Before that, I was involved with a group called the Unwol Sect in the south.”

In addition to simply answering their questions, I told them about various things that had happened in the process.

“I happened to visit a man called the Green Valley Teacher. He was a man who had poisoned all the nearby commoners and used them like slaves. He also used the commoners to poison passing travelers and performed terrible poison experiments on them.”

About how diverse the methods that trashy bastards use are, mixed with past experiences.

“Thus, even if it looks like goodwill on the surface, you should not trust it recklessly. The food and water they give you may be poisoned.”

When they heard my stories, some would let out groans.

“Heo. They are truly vicious people.”

“It seems we also need to be a little more vigilant.”

And some would nod their heads vigorously with impressed eyes.

“As expected of Young Hero Jin!”

I had no idea why they were impressed.

For the most part, the youngest, Pyo Hayeon and Seomun Ho, had such reactions.

It seemed to be because they were young.

I became needlessly anxious.

It was a reaction that made me wonder if they were even listening to me properly.

***

A few shichen of Jin Yuseong wandering around Wuhan while talking with the latter-generation disciples.

A minor problem arose.

There was no ship to Poyang Lake in Jiangxi.

To be precise, the earliest ship was in three days.

“It seems pointless to stay in Wuhan for three days.”

As soon as Jin Yuseong’s words ended, Baek Hyang looked back and forth between Jin Yuseong and Nam Geon with a complicated expression.

At this, Jin Yuseong added.

“Don’t worry, junior sister. My body is all healed.”

There had been no major problem even when fighting the Dragon King Fortress. Another five days had passed since then, so it was safe to say he was fully recovered.

At least, that was what Jin Yuseong thought.

The moment Dang Sopyeong shook his head, Seomun Ak asked.

“Young Hero Jin, were you perhaps unwell?”

“I was just minorly injured.”

Dang Sopyeong snorted and added a comment.

“Oh please. If you get ‘minorly’ injured twice, King Yama himself will come to visit.”

“Was it a serious injury?”

At Seomun Ak’s question, Dang Sopyeong nodded his head.

“Just from what I’ve seen myself, it’s been twice. I mean, meeting King Yama and coming back. As for minor injuries, well, they’re countless.”

Dang Sopyeong had said it hoping they would join in and curse along with him, but the younger disciples actually looked impressed instead.

“Did you step up like that even after suffering a serious injury a few days ago?”

“As expected of Young Hero Jin.”

“It was a minor injury.”

At the sight of Jin Yuseong answering in a nonchalant tone, Seomun Ho’s fists trembled.

‘Even that modesty! Truly the image of a chivalrous hero!’

He was at the point where he wanted to record it immediately if he had a brush and paper next to him.

Dang Sopyeong, who was watching the scene from a step away, also saw that sight.

‘…Did that one eat something wrong too?’

He kept trembling, so it seemed he needed to be given some medicine.

Jin Yuseong, who didn’t like conversations to drag on, changed the topic again.

“If we take a boat again anyway, it seems Nam Geon will be in danger, not me. So from now on, let’s travel to Poyang Lake by land.”

At this, a startled Seomun Yeong asked.

“Th-Then are you going to travel separately from us?”

“If your purpose isn’t a boat trip, it doesn’t matter if we travel together.”

At Jin Yuseong’s indifferent answer, the latter-generation disciples looked at each other and then nodded.

And the representative, Seomun Ak, asked.

“Then when are you planning to depart?”

“Is there a need to drag it out? I plan to depart right now.”

“The sun will start to set soon, will that be alright?”

“We can travel for about two shichen and then sleep outdoors.”

Right after Jin Yuseong’s answer, for some reason, the latter-generation disciples showed great interest.

“Sleeping outdoors, that’s really cool.”

“As Miss Seomun said. If you’re on a tour of the jianghu, you should at least try sleeping outdoors once. I’ve only thought about seeing the Yangtze River, I haven’t even thought about sleeping outdoors.”

“I’ve wanted to try it at least once too!”

Dang Sopyeong was certain.

‘As expected, they’re interested in that madman, and it seems they all have problems with their heads.’

On the other hand, Jin Yuseong was making an ‘as expected’ face.

Whether it was the Seomoon Clan or the Pyo Clan, they were both prestigious clans.

Naturally, they would have grown up in an affluent environment. And he had heard that this joint trip was their first journey into the jianghu.

In other words, they were people who couldn’t help but have little experience with sleeping outdoors.

Since they were going to be together anyway, he thought teaching them this would help with their survival.

Naturally, that teaching was in Jin Yuseong’s way.

“Since there’s nothing more to see here, I’ll be leaving now.”

Saying so, Jin Yuseong started walking east first.

Right after leaving the bustling Wuhan.

“From now on, we will run.”

Jin Yuseong used his movement technique and ran.

Baek Hyang, Nam Geon, and Dang Sopyeong, who had expected this, followed him without delay.

The latter-generation disciples also followed him with rather excited faces.

But that too was brief.

As they ran without a break for over half a shichen, the faces of the latter-generation disciples turned pale.

Seomun Ak, who had some breathing room, opened his mouth for his comrades.

“Gasp. Y-Young Hero Jin. H-How about we take a short break and then go? Gasp.”

At that question, Jin Yuseong answered with a look of incomprehension.

“Perhaps there are Underworld bastards living in the next village we arrive at. The earlier we arrive, the earlier we can help the commoners. But why are you talking about taking a break?”

“Ah…”

Seomun Ak was momentarily at a loss for words.

His face momentarily turned red, whether it was because of his labored breathing or embarrassment.

He had just trained comfortably in martial arts at his clan. He had never once in his life had such a thought.

Jin Yuseong, who was observing the state of the latter-generation disciples, opened his mouth again.

“Don’t just think of it as traveling, think of it as training as well. Far away, the wicked enemy who has harmed my family is fleeing. Are you going to give up because you’re out of breath, because you lack stamina?”

Saying so, Jin Yuseong drew his sword.

Screech.

Instead of slowing down for the latter-generation disciples, he began to perform a sword dance in earnest.

Baek Hyang, Nam Geon, and Dang Sopyeong, who had some stamina to spare, also drew their respective weapons.

“Gasp. Gasp.”

The latter-generation disciples, whose breathing had reached its limit, couldn’t even dare to draw their swords.

Only Seomun Ak, who had some energy left, gritted his teeth and drew his sword.

Thus, for another half a shichen, those who had the energy to train their swordsmanship swung their swords, and those who were out of breath blindly moved their two legs.

By the time the sun had completely set, Jin Yuseong, who was in the lead, finally stopped walking.

At the same time, the latter-generation disciples collapsed to the ground.

Jin Yuseong, who had been observing the scene for a moment, opened his mouth.

“You guys teach the young master and misses how to start a fire and prepare for sleeping outdoors. I’ll go get some food.”

The latter-generation disciples who had been sprawling on the ground made startled faces.

What was this, when they didn’t even have the strength to lift a single finger.

But as if there was nothing more to explain, Jin Yuseong started walking.

At the same time, Baek Hyang’s voice was heard.

“First, it seems we need to find things to start a fire with.”

When the latter-generation disciples turned their heads, Jin Yuseong’s group had already gotten up and were doing their own things.

Why was it?

The battle from a few days ago came to Seomun Ak’s mind.

Themselves, who had reached their limit in just over a quarter of an hour. And them, who were relaxed on the other hand.

He had thought it was just a difference in actual combat experience, but now he saw that wasn’t it.

From the start, the quantity and quality of their usual training seemed different.

Seomun Ak, gritting his teeth, got up.

“Everyone, let’s get up.”

At that, his companions also staggered to their feet.

Because Baek Hyang, who was much younger than them, was also moving around fine.

For the sake of their pride, they just couldn’t stay sprawled on the ground.

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