ISS 12

chapter 12

Geomryeong walked out of the traveling troupe and strolled through the market street.

“People are really strange. Why don’t they believe what I say?”

He could sense that the people in the troupe didn’t believe him.

“Is it because I’m close with Grandpa Ghost?”

When he lived on Heukam Island, Cheon Nam-Yeon would scold Gu Young-Cheol every day, saying he was bragging to the kid—but in reality, it wasn’t a lie.

For the three of them, it was simply the truth, but for others hearing it, it was something hard to believe. Geomryeong was no exception.

For him, living with the three of them was normal, but for others, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Based on the stories he had heard from them while growing up, mingling with these people could be somewhat problematic.

“I must be too young. If I show them my martial arts, then they’ll believe me.”

Although Geomryeong was of age, he was still like a child when it came to worldly matters. Rapid learning aside, the gap wasn’t easily closed.

“No… Grandpa Golog said martial arts shouldn’t be practiced just to show others. Grandma Jeonmo said the same thing—it’s not for boasting.”

Geomryeong shook his head, lost in thought.

“Why do I even have to think about this?”

Come to think of it, just because people didn’t believe he was a master didn’t mean he wasn’t one.

“That’s right. Grandpa Ghost said it’s better to hide oneself in the martial world if possible.”

Geomryeong smiled brightly, as if a weight had been lifted from his mind.

“It’s even better if people don’t believe me. I’m not lying, after all.”

His steps became lighter.

When he returned to the Gangnam Courier House, people had gathered there.

“Is something the matter?”

Geomryeong approached the crowd and asked the chief, Seo Nam-Chun.

“Geomryeong, are you coming back from finishing your work?”

“Yes!”

There was no need to mention that he had visited the traveling troupe.

“But what brings you here? Looks like a female guest has arrived.”

“How did you know?”

“I’m a martial arts master. I can sense a person’s presence.”

Snap!

Na-Guk, who was beside him, playfully tossed a chestnut at Geomryeong.

He had lost his right arm to Ak Jeong, the head of Wangak Mountain Fortress, but thanks to the efforts he had put in and the consideration of Jin Seol, the mistress of the courier house, he was living there, supervising the couriers’ sword techniques.

“In-Seok, can’t a master even dodge this?”

“Eh, there’s no intent to kill. And it’s not like getting hit by a chestnut will kill me…”

“If you can’t even speak… didn’t you notice the guest by seeing the shoes left in the hall?”

At Na-Guk’s remark, Seo Nam-Chun nodded. New shoes would naturally indicate a visitor.

“I almost got fooled too.”

“No, really… but why did that old lady come?”

“A high-ranking person from the Wolyeong Sect of the martial world has arrived. She wishes to take our young lady as a disciple.”

Geomryeong nodded. He had correctly guessed that Naeng Yeo-Seol approached Jin Ah-Seol with the intention of taking her as a disciple.

“Ah-Seol, who is exceptionally talented, will become a disciple of Wolyeong Sect. Does that mean she’ll become a martial artist like me?”

They spoke as if agreeing with Geomryeong, careful not to argue.

“That I don’t know. If Mistress Jin permits, she’ll go to Wolyeong Sect to learn martial arts. In ten years, our Gangnam Courier House could grow and gain fame.”

Seo Nam-Chun said this with some excitement.

Who would dare touch a courier house protected by a martial arts master? The truth was, they only needed to be wary of the Nokrimdo and the Shui Chae’s forces, but none could challenge Wolyeong Sect.

Even the rumor that Jin Ah-Seol would become Wolyeong Sect’s disciple would make merchants entrust their goods to their courier house.

“I see. Well, since that lady is a master, she’ll be able to teach Ah-Seol properly.”

Seo Nam-Chun and Na-Guk chatted a little with Geomryeong, but they didn’t realize how Geomryeong had known the visitor was an old lady.

Rrrrrrr!

The door opened, and Jin Seol, Jin Ah-Seol, and Naeng Yeo-Seol stepped out together.

As the three appeared, the people gathered in front of the hall moved aside.

“They were curious about them, Seonja-nim!”

Jin Seol first sought their understanding, worried that the staff might have disturbed Naeng Yeo-Seol’s temper, and then shared the results.

“Our Ah-Seol has decided to become a disciple of Wolyeong Sect.”

“Waaah!”

Hearing that Jin Ah-Seol would become a disciple of Wolyeong Sect, the crowd cheered. With the courier house growing, the benefits would naturally increase for them, and they were delighted.

‘Is becoming a disciple of Wolyeong Sect really that exciting? Aren’t there stronger and better sects in the martial world…?’

If one came from a wealthy and influential family, they could learn from better sects than Wolyeong, but in remote places like Hong Kong, running a courier house made Wolyeong Sect a great opportunity.

Still, Wolyeong Sunja, one of the top 100 martial masters, had been the previous sect leader, and Jin Ah-Seol becoming his immediate disciple was naturally exciting.

‘Maybe I should just play with her and teach her martial arts myself?’

Geomryeong considered this too. Playing with Jin Ah-Seol was never boring, and teasing her could be fun.

But if she went to Wolyeong Sect, he would lose that fun, and it felt like a personal loss.

“—The ways of the world are unpredictable. If it’s not something you can take responsibility for, never make absolute declarations.”

This was what Cheon Nam-Yeon, the solitary master, had told him. Unlike the blunt Gu Young-Cheol, he had taught Geomryeong more valuable lessons.

‘Well, I can’t just take Ah-Seol along and teach her martial arts anyway.’

Although it was fun now, he thought that after a year, things could change, and it would be better for her to learn martial arts at Wolyeong Sect.

Jin Ah-Seol looked at Geomryeong and approached him.

“Uncle! I’m going to learn martial arts! Aren’t you jealous?”

It was said to tease him.

“No, not at all. I’m already a master.”

“Pfft! I’ll come back as a real master. Not a fake master like you, Uncle!”

Emphasizing “real master,” Jin Ah-Seol looked at Naeng Yeo-Seol, silently asking if she would make it happen.

Naeng Yeo-Seol nodded in response.

Jin Ah-Seol smiled victoriously and looked at Geomryeong as if to say, ‘See?’

“Yes, Wolyeong Sect’s martial arts are remarkable. Ah-Seol will definitely become a martial master.”

Jin Ah-Seol wore a look of ‘that’s not it.’

“When you go to learn martial arts, don’t cry because you miss your father. And don’t cry because you miss me.”

“I’m a kid!”

Jin Ah-Seol shouted and ran to Jin Seol, hugging her.

“Well, that’s fine… shouting at least…”

“I’m not playing with Uncle anymore!”

The people merely smiled at the playful exchange.

“Geomryeong!”

Naeng Yeo-Seol called him.

“Yes?”

“Would you like to learn martial arts too? Learning with Ah-Seol will be fun and not boring.”

She tried to tempt him, but Geomryeong was indifferent.

“You shouldn’t miss this opportunity, Geomryeong.”

Even those beside him encouraged him to go learn at Wolyeong Sect, but he remained steadfast.

“Uncle, don’t. Let’s just learn together with Ah-Seol.”

“No. I’m already a master. Why should I learn more? You should go and learn diligently, surpassing me.”

No matter how great Wolyeong Sect’s martial arts were, they were still distinct from what he had learned. Besides, he didn’t like having a master other than the three who had taught him.

“Pfft, always a master, huh? Not even a real master.”

“I am a real master!”

“Master! Is Geomryeong really a master?”

Jin Ah-Seol had heard that masters could recognize other masters and asked Naeng Yeo-Seol.

“I’m not able to recognize this master.”

Naeng Yeo-Seol indirectly said that Geomryeong wasn’t a master.

“Wow! So skilled that even Master can’t recognize you?”

Pretending to be surprised, there was a hint of teasing in her voice.

“That’s right. If Ah-Seol works hard, she’ll become a master like Geomryeong. So go and train hard.”

“Yes! Master!”

Geomryeong knew they were teasing him, but he took it calmly.

Before leaving Heukam Island, he had gained a final realization, fought a life-or-death match with Cheon Nam-Yeon, and won in just over fifty seconds.

He could beat Naeng Yeo-Seol anytime if he wished, but knowing she bore no ill will and that she didn’t believe he was a master, arguing over it would be petty.

‘One day, people will recognize that I’m a master.’