TPM 35

chapter  35

The next day.

The Chief of Danbulwi visited the sect headquarters and said he would take Danyeop under his care for two months.

Normally, such a statement would have been absurd, but since Danbulwi was Danyeop’s adoptive father, no one dared to object.

After finishing his business with Danyeop, Danbulwi next visited the Taehwa Trading Company. He approached the chief of the Yi Wonbang division and expressed his intention to join the investigation team.

The Yi Wonbang chief did not oppose it. Since the event had been ignored by the local martial factions in Jang’an City, no one would complain about Hao Moon participating.

Danbulwi’s martial skill, especially for a Hao Moon member, was quite high, which also helped. Baekwol State was far more dangerous than rumors suggested, so a single expert could be invaluable.

While Taehwa Trading was organizing the investigation team, Danyeop stayed at Gosan Hall at Seol Yeonhee’s request. He continued to refine his Six Gates martial techniques in the training hall.

Danyeop’s goal was to save the Seol Kyungmoon Sect Leader on his own, without relying on Simma.

Gosan Hall Training Ground.

“Huff! Huff!”

After consecutively performing the Cheonjido Technique, Baekryudo Technique, and Chilsangdo Technique, Danyeop panted heavily.

These three methods, collectively known as the Hao Moon’s “Three Great Techniques,” now felt as natural as breathing.

Even Danbulwi could subdue him within ten seconds.

Yet when asked how he compared to the current chief of the Hyunmu Sect, Danbulwi’s answer was always the same:

—Not even close.

Danyeop couldn’t believe how much of a gap there was between himself and Simma. He stared blankly into space.

“Why can’t I even reach Simma’s toes?”

Even though they had learned the same Six Gates martial arts, some strange force made them so different.

Since awakening Simma, Danyeop felt his own mind had sharpened. He could now recall every book he had read in the Terracotta Army easily.

Learning the Thousand Character Classic was a thing of the past. Whatever book he read now, he understood. He could even compose the difficult poetry, and Seol Yeonhee praised it as a masterpiece—though, being only fifteen, she was only half-believed, but that was something.

“Yet Simma is still far superior to me.”

Danyeop was extremely curious about the secret behind that.

At that moment, Seol Yeonhee’s voice called from behind:

“Who is Simma?”

Danyeop turned around, his expression unusually serious, and asked back:

“Have you ever heard the saying, ‘Your greatest enemy is yourself’?”

“Yes.”

“It’s similar. The part of myself I want to overcome—that’s Simma to me.”

He meant it sincerely. Recently, he no longer regarded Simma as a separate being to deny, but as another version of himself.

“Wow, that’s a cool way to put it.”

“Already time for a meal?”

“No, Uncle Dan is here. He said the investigation team’s departure date is set.”

“When?”

“Tomorrow morning.”

“I see.”

“Let’s go. Uncle Dan wants you to come along.”

“All right.”

Danyeop set his straight sword on the rack and turned.

Gosan Hall Inner Residence.

Once seated, Danbulwi spoke:

“You may have heard from Yeonhee, but we depart tomorrow morning. Pack whatever you need tonight.”

“Yes.”

“And this is the sword you’ll use.”

With that, Danbulwi placed a beautiful horizontal sword on the desk. Unlike the crude straight swords used in the training hall, it was elegant.

“It looks quite expensive.”

“It’s meant to last a long time, so I spent a fortune. Swords must be sharpened and polished daily to prevent rust. Take good care of it.”

“Thank you.”

Danyeop bowed deeply. He realized that almost every part of his life had been touched by Danbulwi’s hand. It even felt like genuine family now.

The next morning, Danbulwi and Danyeop left Gosan Hall, escorted by Seol Yeonhee.

Walking through Jang’an City.

Danyeop asked quietly, “How many are in the investigation team?”

“They selected twenty members.”

“Is that enough to be safe?”

Being new to the martial world, that was his biggest concern.

“Baekwol State is a lawless, survival-of-the-fittest place. Twenty people aren’t enough to be truly safe.”

“Then shouldn’t we request reinforcements?”

“Twenty is already the maximum Taehwa Trading could spare.”

“I hope everything goes smoothly.”

“If you ever face life-or-death danger, don’t worry about anyone else—just run. With your Gyeongshin Technique, you should survive.”

“And you?”

“I’ve lived long enough.”

“You’ll end your life as Chief? Didn’t you dream of becoming Sect Leader?”

“Not everyone achieves their dreams.”

“Still…”

“Be wise. I’ll risk danger to save a friend, but you don’t need to.”

“Yes…”

Danyeop knew he was far from being a hero or swordsman.

Soon, they stopped at the main gate of Taehwa Trading. Through the open gate, three carriages and martial artists were visible.

Danbulwi walked in calmly, while timid Danyeop stuck close behind.

The Yi Wonbang chief came forward and introduced Danbulwi to the martial artists:

“Master Dan is a Hao Moon expert and a close friend of Seol Kyungmoon Sect Leader. I vouch for him—follow him without hesitation.”

He mentioned following, but not command authority. In other words, just quietly stay in line. Danbulwi was satisfied with that; all he wanted were carriages and meals provided.

After the chief spoke, thirteen martial artists spread across the three carriages—ten inside, three riding alongside the coachmen. Danbulwi and Danyeop rode in the front carriage. Four mounted warriors led, three brought up the rear.

As the front riders surged forward, the carriages and people followed in sequence. The investigation team made a clattering entrance onto the main road.

Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Kurrrr—!

Inside the moving carriage.

Danyeop gripped the satchel on his lap tightly, and Danbulwi beside him said:

“Why carry it instead of putting it in the cargo hold?”

“It’s not heavy.”

“Over-tension stiffens the body. That’s bad.”

“Yes. But Master…”

“What?”

“If I haven’t seen anyone I know from the Terracotta Army for over a month… why is that?”

He was lamenting missing acquaintances from the Terracotta Army. Fortunately, Danbulwi understood.

“Seems you had no familiar faces in the unit.”

Two warriors in the carriage snickered—they thought it was a foolish question-and-answer exchange between master and disciple. Danyeop wanted to ask more but refrained for their sake.

Some time passed. With nothing to do, Danyeop wondered how long it would take for Simma to awaken. If Simma woke too late in a critical moment, it would be disastrous.

“Master.”

“…Hmm?”

The dozing Danbulwi glanced at him.

“I want to train my internal energy just in case. Please time me.”

“What time…? Ah, I see. Understood.”

Danbulwi nodded vigorously, now fully awake. He would witness the moment when the clumsy Danyeop transformed into the genius Danyeop.

Danyeop inhaled deeply, paused, then exhaled sharply, scanning left and right.

“Why stop?”

“M-Master, what was I doing?”

Only then did Danbulwi realize genius Danyeop had awakened.

“I was timing your deep internal energy practice.”

“I see. How long did it take?”

“Fast enough that I barely noticed.”

Danbulwi glanced at the two warriors across from them, still half-asleep.

Danyeop nodded with satisfaction.

“That should help at critical moments, right?”

“Yes, that eases my mind considerably.”

“Are we heading to Baekwol State now?”

Eager Danyeop practiced internal energy once a day, which allowed him to keep detailed track of events at Gosan Hall.

“We left this morning—around two Sijins (four hours) ago.”

“And there are twenty members?”

“Exactly twenty.”

“How stingy,” Danyeop said disappointedly, considering Baekwol State’s dangers.

“Considering Taehwa Trading’s size, it’s not that stingy.”

“Not very large, then?”

“Just past intermediate level.”

“I see. The number is low, but Master, will it be enough?”

“Even if it isn’t, we’ll deal with it as it comes.”

“Hm, I’ve made some improvements to our sect’s Three Great Techniques. Interested?”

“Improvements?”

Danbulwi’s mood lifted; if genius Danyeop improved the techniques, it would be extraordinary.

“Exactly. I made them better. I’m satisfied with the results.”

“Really?”

“Yes. I’ll show you during the break. You’ll like it too.”

“Ah, that sounds promising.”

Danbulwi’s heart raced at the unexpected news. He had only expected trouble, but this was pleasant.

“So that explains why genius Danyeop’s martial skill is so high.”

Even though they learned the same techniques, why was Danyeop so different? Improving the Six Gates techniques solved the mystery.

“Upgrading Hao Moon techniques!”

This was a true blessing for Hao Moon. Perhaps the local Hao Moon could finally unify the Ten Techniques.

The failure of the first attempt was due to ordinary martial abilities of the disciples. The Six Gates techniques were not enough.

But genius Danyeop had improved them?

“Calm down. First, I need to assess the level of the improved techniques.”

Danbulwi tried to steady his racing heart. Though likely impressive, there was always a small chance of error.

After a while, the carriage slowed and stopped. Two dozing warriors rubbed their eyes and got up.

Danbulwi and Danyeop stepped out with them.

Captain Baek Jin-gang of the investigation team rode over and said to Danbulwi:

“Master Dan, we’ll have lunch here. Departure is in half a Sijin (one hour).”

“Understood.”

Baek Jin-gang rode off to another carriage. Three coachmen lit fires and began preparing soup and roasted meat. Soon, the meal was ready.

Danbulwi and Danyeop took lamb soup and roasted meat to a corner and sat down.