Ep1 - I Spent the Night with the Youngest Daughter of the Martial Arts Leader

The Last Night Spent with the Martial Alliance Leader's Youngest Daughter. Episode 1 The ceiling of the stark white hospital room, the frantic movements of the medical staff, and the fading echo of vital signs, like a dying ember. These were my final memories from my previous life. I died at the age of twenty-seven from a chronic illness, and was reborn in this place, a world of martial arts. When I first became aware of my reincarnation, confusion overwhelmed me. But soon, amidst the vividly surfacing memories, I managed to organize my thoughts gradually. I had been reincarnated into the world of a martial arts novel. A realm where the Nine Great Schools exist, and where orthodox and unorthodox factions collide. I was an orphan wandering the outskirts of a rural area. A life without any connections. A pitiful existence where I had to worry about my next meal every day. The only redeeming quality was that I had a somewhat pleasant appearance. Clear white skin and distinct features. In a rural setting, it was a face that could find some favor. "Hey, you can't keep wandering around hungry." Women were particularly kind to me. Village maidens would hand me sweet potatoes or potatoes, while the women would slyly slip me pancakes or dumplings. Thanks to that, I didn't starve to death. But survival called for more than just subsistence. Though cloaked in the term chivalry, the world of martial arts was nearly barbaric. The strong prevailed. Reason or logic had no place. In this world, only the strong had the privilege to enjoy everything. Living as an orphan, without any ties in such a place, meant that my life was worth less than a willow leaf in a field. When several villagers were swept away and killed amidst the conflict of two sects vying for territory, such thoughts intensified. 'I need to latch onto something.' Find a host to cling to. That was the only way to survive. I gathered all the money I had and sought to become a disciple of a grand sect. "Your talent is lacking. You shall reside in the Outer Sword Pavilion." With the tiniest flicker of hope, I ventured to the Wudang Sect. I believed that even if I secured the lowest position, I would find safety. However, I ended up in the Outer Sword Pavilion. A de facto exile where third-rate external disciples were taught. Seeing those who fared worse than I in the entrance exam head to the Inner Sword Pavilion as formal external disciples made it clear that it wasn't talent I lacked but rather funds. 'I will succeed, no matter what.' Monetary power was also a form of strength. A world ruled by the logic of power. To survive here, I had to struggle no matter what. 'Isn't this neglect excessive?' The education at the Outer Sword Pavilion was perfunctory. They didn’t even teach the basic forms, leaving us Outer Sword Pavilion disciples to engage in clumsy fights with wooden swords as part of our daily routine. Having taken our money, they couldn’t expel us without cause, and would let people wither until they decided to leave on their own accord. I had journeyed a long way to this reputable sect. Reputation amounts to nothing. They were people whose attitudes shifted according to money. They were steeped in worldliness. After squandering a year, I left the Wudang Sect. 'I will not so much as spit in the direction of the Wudang Sect.' Perhaps, from then on, I began to develop a rebellious streak. Great sects, whatsoever, were all the same hypocrites. In a harsh world, spite was my only asset. Thus, I didn't shy away from any provocation and fought back. There is no better practice than actual combat. With nothing to my name, the only way to grow stronger was through that. From street thugs, bandits imposing tolls, to brats flaunting their family's influence. I honed myself by clashing with such people. It was a life where I could be stabbed in the back at any moment, but if I were to vanish like this, it would just be fate. Entrusting myself to a single blade, I journeyed across the world. That was how I spent three years. Dugwi (Dueling Ghost). That was the nickname given to me. "You phenomenal child, you're excessively sharp." During that time, I met my mentor. I was fortunate. The person who subdued my rampaging self was an accomplished figure who could understand me and a master of exceptional skill. Only after meeting my mentor did I officially start my martial arts training. "Are you telling me to become a gatekeeper?" "Yes. This would be perfect to curb your impulsive nature." Just when I thought I'd reached a level of martial prowess where I wouldn't get beaten elsewhere. My mentor suddenly instructed me. A gatekeeper. A lowly position managing the entrance of the Martial Alliance. "Master, did I practice martial arts just to become a mere gatekeeper...?” "My student?" With a gentle gesture, my mentor raised his fist. What could I do? My mentor’s words were like those from heaven. I had no choice but to comply. "I'm here because I heard there’s a recruitment for gatekeepers." I intended to just act like I was going to the interview and return. But the guard captain at the entrance of the Martial Alliance said to me the moment he saw me. "Ah? You. Accepted." What kind of place is this, where you don't even need an interview? And so I became a gatekeeper affiliated with the Martial Alliance. * My assigned location was the East Gate of the Martial Alliance. The job was simple. If someone wanted to enter, I had to verify the token provided by the Martial Alliance and let them in. "Remember just one thing. Be sure not to offend the alliance leader. Simply think of yourself as a screen." The guard captain of the East Gate was an affable character. He'd let things slide as long as they weren't major blunders. The solitary command he earnestly emphasized to the gatekeepers was "Beware of the alliance leader." Being told to be cautious of the head of our organization, is this place really a proper institution? Namgung Hyuk, the Martial Alliance leader. He was infamous for his rotten nature. Should anything not go his way, he was the type to draw his sword immediately. No one dared oppose him because he was the strongest of all. He was the greatest under heaven. Namgung Hyuk's name became known throughout the world because of the battles in Shaanxi. Im Jin Soo, the foremost of the unorthodox faction. His subordinates, the Seven Evil Swords. It didn't take them ten years to unify the unorthodox faction. Battles with masters capable of each single-handedly toppling a fortress. It all began with a sneak attack from Im Jin Soo and the Seven Evil Swords. Under the banner that 'calling it cowardice was merely an excuse of the losers,' they attacked Namgung Hyuk altogether. But with just one move. Namgung Hyuk wielded the Thunderbolt Sword. Boom! The deafening roar that tore through the air, with lightning cleaving the earth in its wake. On the day the heavens were split by that one move, his name resonated throughout the world. "The flies come buzzing again." Namgung Hyuk's single remark after annihilating Im Jin Soo and the Seven Evil Swords in one swoop. After that, no one dared to face him. Such was Namgung Hyuk, who had a daughter. After having three sons, she was the precious jewel born to him in his later years. That was Namgoong Yeonhee. The Most Beautiful Under Heaven. That was the term used to refer to Namgoong Yeonhee. Her ivory skin shone as if it absorbed sunlight, and her eyes delicately curved when she smiled, reminiscent of a crescent moon. A high-bridged nose, full lips, and a slender neckline. The curvature from her ample chest to a waist that resembled fine porcelain, leading to wide hips, was an artwork sculpted by the divine. Beautiful flowers attract insects. In his later years, the precious youngest daughter he cherished. Those who dared to flirt with her all ended up cold corpses under Namgung Hyuk's blade. It became widely known across the martial world that casting eyes upon Namgoong Yeonhee was nothing short of a convoluted form of suicide. 'Is today's suicide candidate Moyong Cheon?' "What did you just say?" A crisis disturbed the peace at the East Gate. Namgung Hyuk was pressing Jegal Sang for answers. It was a scene that had become familiar. "Say that again." "Moyong Family wishes to discuss a marriage proposal with the young lady..." "Do you call that speaking!" His booming yell reverberated. Even without channeling inner strength, it was a shout filled with the wrath of an unsurpassed master. Those with weak constitutions had already collapsed, and even my own knee buckled. "Moyong Cheon, again that impudent fool? How dare he suggest marriage to our Yeonhee?" "..." "Jegal Sang, do you think I put you as an adviser to deliver such nonsense? If a dog barks, you should tear its mouth apart!" Namgung Hyuk's chilling remark. Jegal Sang could do nothing but tremble in terror. How would it feel to withstand such a menacing aura that even froze the surrounding air? "Transmit the message that if this insulting behavior continues, I'll wipe out their three generations." "Understood, Alliance Leader." Eliminating three generations simply for proposing marriage to his daughter, Namgung Hyuk. As if they had committed some grand treason. Just as rumored, he was an overwhelmingly arrogant figure. 'Is this why my master sent me?' There was one thing my master repeatedly emphasized to me. One must learn to control their anger. It was a trait instilled in me from my rough upbringing on the streets. An expression of the mentality that one must never show weakness. My master called it the mindset of a stray dog. 'Even the rising fury is subsiding.' Despite the flowery language with which gossipers praised his martial prowess, I thought there was some exaggeration. But no, there was not. In fact, the endless accolades still fell short. Peerless Might. Namgung Hyuk's presence was powerful enough to cleave the heavens and earth. 'Does Moyong Cheon have multiple lives?' To even think of approaching Namgung Hyuk's youngest daughter. No matter how highly esteemed the Five Great Families might be... He was undeniably a madman. 'Never get involved with Namgoong Yeonhee.' It was the most important lesson for anyone affiliated with the Martial Alliance. Not that I had much to worry about. What were the odds of a gatekeeper encountering Namgoong Yeonhee? After all, there were four gates to the Martial Alliance. At that time, that's what I thought. * 'What is happening?' My head was spinning. The lingering haze of intoxication was wreaking havoc within my mind. Amidst the blurry vision, the first thing I saw was the woman lying next to me. Even the darkness cloaking the room couldn't conceal her beauty. 'Namgoong Yeonhee?' Why on earth was she lying beside me, wearing nothing but a single undergarment? That sight felt like a death sentence. A naked man and woman lying in bed. What transpired was obvious. 'I'm screwed.' I had spent a night with the Martial Alliance leader's youngest daughter.