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chapter 66
It Might Not Only Target the Martial World
Upon arriving in Nambyeong, Geomryeong and Seo Gunha went to visit Hwaseong Medical House.
They could have gone to Cheonryong Merchant Guild or Guga Iron Workshop, but Hwaseong Medical House was unrelated to the martial world, so they thought they could stay quietly there.
Yak Jin-yong, the head of Hwaseong Medical House, welcomed Geomryeong and Seo Gunha warmly. The two were staying there as his guests.
“You’re new to the martial world, so how do you know about Hwaseong Medical House? Judging by the fact that the head, Yak Jin-yong, calls you ‘Sasak’… could it be?”
Seo Gunha’s eyes widened, as if he had just realized something new.
“Sasak” is generally a term used for a master’s senior disciples or siblings in the same sect.
In other words, if Geomryeong were considered a Sasak to Yak Jin-yong, it would mean he is at least of the same generation as Yak Jin-yong’s father or holds a comparable status.
But how could Geomryeong, a newcomer to the martial world, have such status?
“You…”
Both Jeonmo Yakbing and Yak Jin-yong of Hwaseong Medical House shared the same surname. While many people in Central Plains share surnames, if Yak Jin-yong called him Sasak, it must have been related to Yakbing.
“Yes. This is my master’s family home.”
With Geomryeong’s words, everything became clear.
“It must not be known to the martial world.”
If it became known that Hwaseong Medical House was Jeonmo Yakbing’s family home, it would surely be destroyed immediately.
“If this fact is known, I might even end up hating my sister.”
He couldn’t admit that his sword was directed at Geomgak, so he phrased it this way instead.
“Understood. I have no reason to reveal this fact. But shouldn’t you tell the master as well?”
He thought that Master Geomhu should know about it.
“If you promise that Master Geomhu won’t tell anyone else, maybe. But it will be difficult.”
Keeping a secret is harder when more people are involved.
“That makes sense. If there’s an opportunity, I’ll tell him; otherwise, I’ll keep it to myself.”
Geomryeong simply nodded without replying.
‘If this place becomes known to martial artists, Geomgak will experience firsthand what the hell of Insae is.’
The days Geomryeong and Seo Gunha spent at Hwaseong Medical House grew longer.
The most common sounds were patients’ weak moans, the smell of medicinal decoctions, and the sight of the patients themselves.
Watching the doctors treat patients sparked a bit of interest in medicine for Seo Gunha.
Although he couldn’t learn much formally, he thought he could at least learn basic first aid, so he asked the doctors and helped treat patients.
Geomryeong realized that, despite Seo Gunha’s appearance, he had a kind heart.
—Sigh… I should see Geomryeong get married and have children…
It seemed like the ghostly thoughts of the Ghost Master reached him.
—Geomryeong, you don’t need pretty things. As long as their hearts are kind, that’s enough. Pretty ones are troublesome because many men will bother them.
—Then why did you and grandmother live in seclusion?
—Haha! That was because it was boring. Childhood friends live in seclusion together, so what would I do alone, right?
At the time, young Geomryeong couldn’t understand the meaning, but now he could.
“If my sister meets Ghost Master’s conditions…”
Seo Gunha had a plain, ordinary face—not ugly, not beautiful—but his heart seemed pure and kind.
“Well, I’m not Ghost Master.”
Geomryeong watched Seo Gunha for a moment before leaving Hwaseong Medical House.
Dressed in tattered clothes with unkempt hair, a barefoot man walked along the main street of Nambyeong.
He looked like a beggar from his shabby clothes, but he was not one.
“Krhhh…”
A low, strange laugh flowed quietly, causing people to think he was insane and step aside.
Naturally, he ended up walking alone on the broad road.
Alone on the street, he smiled as if he owned the world, an eerie sight.
“Ke ke ke!”
After walking for a while, he stopped. Someone was blocking his path.
“He looks crazy…”
The man seemed to be from a local gang.
“Walking alone on this wide road… kurrgh!”
The tattered-haired man grabbed the gang member by the neck.
The man’s strength lifted the gang member off the ground.
“Block the way, and you die.”
Crack!
The gang member’s neck was snapped, and he collapsed.
“Screee!”
Bystanders scattered in panic at the midday murder.
Thud!
The tattered-haired man threw the body aside and continued walking.
His steps were leisurely, relaxed.
Da-da-da-da!
Soon, city guards arrived—twenty of them. They surrounded him, drawing swords to prepare for any threat.
Despite pointing swords, all had tense expressions.
The man narrowed his eyes, displeased with the guards blocking him.
“Submit peacefully.”
“Block the way, and you die.”
With these words, he moved—faster than lightning. The guards’ eyes could barely track him.
He reached out in front of the surrounding guards.
Sssrrrk!
His hand touched a guard’s face, instantly withering it.
It was Absorption Martial Skill.
“Ghh!”
The guards were shocked. Someone proficient in martial arts skills, known only by reputation, appeared before them.
“This one! You’ve learned forbidden martial arts!”
The tattered-haired man turned to the shouting guard, his eyes like one seeing delicious prey.
As a faint smile appeared, his body had already reappeared in front of the guards.
There was no chance to dodge.
His hand touched the guard’s face, draining life into himself.
The surrounding guards were paralyzed with fear.
He was not an ordinary martial artist—he had mastered absorption skill. The untrained guards were far too weak.
To face him, at least someone of Observation Officer rank had to step forward.
As the guards reluctantly stepped aside, he smiled in satisfaction.
“Block the way, and you die.”
He repeated the phrase and moved again.
As he vanished, the guards fled, but he appeared before other guards, who froze in terror.
The demon reached toward the guard.
“You have passed from entering Demon Stage to Spirit Stage.”
A small voice came between the guard and the demon.
Geomryeong appeared, blocking the demon.
Those who had appeared so far had entered the Demon Stage, corrupted by demonic energy. Those at the Spirit Stage had overcome the demonic energy.
“Block the way, and you die.”
The Spirit Stage man reached toward Geomryeong.
Geomryeong blocked his hand and kicked the guard behind him back.
The demon swung wildly, but it was not truly random.
Geomryeong evaded while observing the pattern. He realized the man was more aligned with the unorthodox sect than the orthodox.
Swish!
Geomryeong blurred and vanished, appearing behind the demon.
Smack!
He struck the Jota acupoint—under the left armpit, a point causing severe pain when struck.
“Argh!”
Geomryeong then struck the Mingmen acupoint.
The demon collapsed, defeated.
He extracted a book from the demon’s body and skimmed it.
Flare!
After reading, Geomryeong burned the martial arts book, his expression grim.
‘Do they want chaos?’
He suspected that those behind it sought turmoil not only in the martial world but across Central Plains.
‘Perhaps they are not only targeting the martial world…’
After defeating the demon, the guards approached Geomryeong.
“I am Nam Song from Nambyeong authorities.”
“Geomryeong.”
“We need to take him to the authorities.”
With two guards dead and a murder committed, they needed to retrieve the bodies.
“Do as you wish.”
The guards, grateful for his permission, collected the bodies and left.
“Truly, as I heard, an incredible skill.”
A voice came from a short distance.
A man in patched, tattered clothes approached Geomryeong.
Geomryeong immediately recognized him as belonging to one of the Guga Iron Workshops—the head of the Nambyeong branch.
“My name is Mak Chang-gae.”
“Geomryeong.”
They exchanged names.
“I’ve heard much about you. I’d like to discuss matters….”
“I have nothing to discuss.”
—If you go to the martial world, avoid beggars as much as possible. Nothing good comes from associating with them.
Geomryeong remembered the Ghost Master’s words and refused to converse.
“Then!”
Mak Chang-gae watched in disbelief as Geomryeong vanished.
“Huh.”
He could only smile, realizing he had been outsmarted.
“I thought to ask for some help regarding these events in Central Plains, but….”
Geomryeong left Mak Chang-gae and went directly to Guga Iron Workshop.
“Sasak!”
Goo Seomin rushed out to meet him.
“Have you learned anything?”
Geomryeong approached him. Previously, he had asked him to investigate some matters connected to a necklace.
“Not yet. Finding a person or family from just a necklace is not easy…”
He expected as much. Time was his ally; there was no need to rush.
“Take your time. Also, demons have appeared frequently; any damage?”
“Not much. Only Cheon Jin-haeng worries a little.”
Goo Seomin referred to Cheon Jin-haeng, head of Cheonryong Guild. Those seeking to disrupt Cheonryong’s weapon transport were many.
Geomryeong considered helping but refrained to avoid burdening them.
“Understood.”
“Sasak!”
“Yes?”
“Wouldn’t life here be better than listening to patients’ groans?”
“It’s fine, but it might be a burden.”
“No. You have companions, so this place is better than the medical house.”
The sounds weren’t much different, anyway.
“I’ll consider it. Also, I have a request.”
“What is it?”
“Please make a sword, about 1.5 feet, to hide on the wrist…”
Geomryeong explained the sword in detail.
“I believe you already have one hidden on your wrist…”
“This is a gift. I will pay; make it well.”
“A gift…?”
“For my sister. It must be practical.”
This was unusual. Gifts for women are usually decorative, not practical.
“Shouldn’t it be the opposite?”
“No. My sister is skilled in swordsmanship, so this is for her protection.”
Goo Seomin nodded.
“Understood. It will take about five days.”
“Thank you. Also, contact me immediately if demons appear.”
Geomryeong disliked anyone associated with him being harmed. Though he couldn’t protect everyone alone, he wanted to if possible.
“Don’t worry. Our Guga Iron Workshop is no easy place either.”
