7 - The Heaven-Slaying Sword

<Chapter 7> Leaving the Village - Entering the Martial World, and the Enchantress (1) --- In broad daylight, Mok Liwon stood in front of the porch of a thatched cottage, his fist wrapped in his other palm, extending forward. Bow of Courtesy(抱拳之礼). This was a formal greeting used in Murim when showing respect to an opponent. "I am off now." On the back of Mok Liwon, clad in gray martial robes, was a backpack. At his waist hung an old iron sword, and in his arms was the cherished book 'Tales of the Wandering Heroes,' which had accompanied him through his long childhood. Mok Seon-oh, who was seated on the porch with a pleased expression, responded to Mok Liwon. "So, you're heading out to the martial world(江湖)." How could he not know the achievements of his disciple? Just from the aura he felt, Mok Seon-oh realized that Mok Liwon had reached the Peak Realm, and he made no further comments. Simply proud and deeply proud, he posed this question to the one who could no longer be called a child. "Wona." "Yes!" "The martial world will be perilous. At times, it will be heartless, at others, deceitful, and occasionally, it will be downright vicious. Can you overcome these adversities?" A question seeking his resolve. Mok Liwon answered with a confident smile. "I will overcome it all with honor." "A splendid answer." Mok Seon-oh nodded. Beside him, an old man with half his hair turned white, Ma Ilsuk, crossed his arms and spoke. "He speaks quite eloquently." Eleven years had passed, yet Ma Ilsuk's demeanor remained rough. However, that didn't mean his heart felt the same. They had shared years together, forming bonds. Feeling a swell of emotion as he looked at Mok Liwon's confident demeanor, Ma Ilsuk took out an emblem from his pocket and tossed it to him. "What is this?" "If you ever find yourself in need, show this to the city beggars. Ah, look for one wearing this kind of belt." Ma Ilsuk tapped the belt around his own waist. "If it's not a difficult request, they'll assist you." Although he had stepped down from his position in the Beggars' Union, that didn't mean the power behind the name King of Beggars(乞王) had diminished in the central Murim. In essence, just possessing his emblem would make Mok Liwon a guest of the Beggars' Union. Mok Liwon looked at Ma Ilsuk with a face filled with gratitude. "Thank you!" "Thankfulness, my foot." Ma Ilsuk snorted dismissively. Yet, despite the expression on his face, concern-laden words poured out. "You must have heard it a thousand times, but hear it once more." "Yes!" "The martial world will not like you." A heavy thud. A bittersweet smile spread across Mok Liwon's face. "…I know." "Yes, you are the Heavenly Slaughter Star. And you possess the Supreme Demonic Physique. If you're fortunate enough to keep this hidden, that's good; however, there are bound to be those who will think of your brother when they see your martial skills." "And through these skills, some might even discern my true identity." "Don't interrupt me." Ma Ilsuk's expression crumpled. Mok Liwon couldn't help but burst into laughter. "I'll keep it in mind." "Arrogant brat." Mok Seon-oh smiled at the bickering of the two. Then he looked at Mok Liwon and spoke. "Go on, then." If he said he felt no regret, it would be a lie. However, it's not a master's duty to hold back a disciple who is just about to embark on his path. Suppressing the arising regrets, he urged. Mok Liwon felt a lump form in his throat as he looked at such a teacher. Mok Liwon widened his gaze, etching the house into his memory one last time. A valley filled with dense trees. A thatched cottage modestly nestled within. And two masters who were like family. Now he was to leave this place and step into a world that would no longer be kind to him. With both excitement and worry, Mok Liwon slowly knelt down and began to bow. A bow of utmost courtesy toward his masters. After finishing the bow, Mok Liwon stood and spoke. "I will return with fame!" Then he turned away. He did not look back as he set off. For he knew well that turning would only add to his regret. * After descending the mountain for about three days. Mok Liwon, who had been leisurely walking with his backpack all the while, let out an exclamation upon seeing the large city before him. "Finally, a city!" For a moment, he thought he had lost his way. For a long time, all he saw were mountain valleys and the places he thought might be inhabited turned out to be ruins, filling him with unease. Thinking how fortunate he was not to starve to death, lost in the mountains upon entering the martial world, Mok Liwon entered the city with such thoughts. "Oh...!" Mok Liwon clenched his fists in excitement. His eyes also began to shine, filled with admiration. ‘How can there be so many people?’ People were everywhere, wherever he looked. Even their ages and genders were all different. For Mok Liwon, who had only ever seen Mok Seon-oh and Ma Ilsuk his entire life, this was a fresh shock. Amidst this. A rumble. At the growling noise from his stomach, Mok Liwon reddened his cheeks in embarrassment. Glancing around. Fortunately, it seemed no one else had heard the sound. "Uh, erhem!" Awkwardly, he cleared his throat for a moment. Mok Liwon soon began to take steps. ‘I must eat first.’ His destination was the inn. The dish he had already decided on. ‘Noodles with bamboo leaf green(죽엽청)!’ Not a single master from the Tales of the Wandering Heroes hasn't had it, the quintessential hero's meal. As a newcomer to the martial world, Mok Liwon began searching for the inn with excited footsteps. * In a small inn called Small Harmony Inn(小和客棧), located on the main street of Suchang County in Jiangxi Province(江西省 修阳縣), an unusual atmosphere lingered, unlike usual. This was not without reason. The appearance of a young man 'drinking' noodles in a corner was creating this atmosphere. His gray martial robes and the backpack leaning against the wall were shabby. The sword he wore on his waist also looked old enough to seem like something rolled out from a market stall. Yet, despite that, he emanated a brilliance. Skin too fair for a man. A high nose bridge, a delicate face line, and long eyelashes. --- **Terms and Translations:** 1. "Tales of the Wandering Heroes(강호협객전)" - Chose "Tales of the Wandering Heroes" as it conveys the idea of a book detailing martial hero stories; alternate translations could be "Records of Chivalrous Heroes in the Martial World." 2. "Bow of Courtesy(抱拳之礼)" - Retained the term for its contextual meaning of a martial courtesy; literal translation is "Fist and Palm Salute." 3. "Small Harmony Inn(小和客棧)" - Translated to show the inn's name, providing context about its setting and the place's atmosphere; literal translation is reflective of the inn's name in Chinese. Each name and term was translated to maintain the story's cultural authenticity while also ensuring the reader understands the setting and context. His appearance, more befitting a noble gentleman than his attire suggested, was striking. This peculiarity contributed to the odd atmosphere in the inn. Some even deluded themselves into thinking he might be the offspring of a prestigious clan on a secret mission. In the opposite corner, a group of hooligans whispered amongst themselves, gawking at Mok Liwon's appearance. "Doesn't that guy look just like a courtesan?" "Right, isn't he like that 'Jade Dragon of the Zhuge Family' or whatever?" "The Zhuge Family? Ah, come on. Why would someone from such a family be in a place like this?" "Don't you know? The rumors about that one being an eccentric are all over the martial world." Their conversation continued. Meanwhile, in the back, the shop boy gaped at Mok Liwon, and elsewhere, several women stared at him with dreamy eyes. Such was the nature of an extraordinary appearance. Even standing still, it naturally drew eyes, and whatever action was taken, it was perceived favorably. So the murmurs of the women peeping at Mok Liwon should be seen in that light. "Oh my, even the way he eats is so gallant…." They were mistaken. He was eating voraciously. “Oh dear, bamboo leaf brew dribbles down his chin. Even his carelessness is quite charming….” It wasn't carelessness; he was deliberately letting it flow. In the 'Tales of the Wandering Heroes,' there was a description: "[the bamboo leaf brew flowed down his chin]." “Surely, he must be some young master disguised among us from a noble house.” That was nonsense. Mok Liwon was a rustic born and raised in the mountains, literally a naïve and unaware bumpkin. The misunderstandings only deepened with no one to clarify them. Meanwhile, lost in his romantic thoughts, Mok Liwon closed his ears to the world, grinning widely. "So delicious!" Exhilarating! "This is the taste of a hero!" The taste was a blend of romance and romance. The noodles were suitably tender, and the bamboo leaf brew had a fiery flavor that scorched his throat wonderfully. The flavor of the worldly food, so different from the mountain herbs he'd eaten, filled Mok Liwon with an almost tearful joy. "How delightful…!" He felt that if such were the adventures of the martial world, he could pursue it for a lifetime. As Mok Liwon laughed heartily, exclamations were born around him. Only then did he become aware of his surroundings. "Hmm?" When he turned his head sharply, everyone quickly buried their faces in their tables. Suddenly, the commotion subsided. Puzzled by these strange reactions, Mok Liwon heard a sigh. "Sigh…." His gaze followed the sound. There was an elderly man, and in front of him sat a middle-aged man with a woeful expression. Mok Liwon felt curious about them. There wasn't much reason, just a sense that they seemed like people in need of help. Mok Liwon's internal energy rose from his Dantian and enveloped his ears. A kind of technique to maximize hearing. He had learned it from the King of Beggars. "That damn Prosperous Lotus Building is driving me into the ground." "Exactly. How are those bastards so heartless? Why do they want to monopolize all the business like this…." "Prosperous Lotus Building?" Mok Liwon furrowed his brow, focusing on one term. "It sounds like a tavern or brothel by name…." While Mok Liwon was pondering, the middle-aged man with a woeful expression slammed the table. Bang! "It's all because of that enchantress!" "Hey, calm down!" "Did I say anything wrong? Deep down, you think the same! Ever since that enchantress came into Prosperous Lotus Building, this alley has changed strangely! The protection money we used to pay the Black Path has doubled, and we see unfamiliar martial artists everywhere! If things continue this way, we'll lose our heads sure enough!" The excited middle-aged man's voice echoed throughout the inn. However, what drew curiosity was how, despite his excitement, no one seemed to approach to calm him, nor did anyone in the inn show any interest in him. More precisely, there was a better term. “…They avoided eye contact.” The people in the inn were avoiding eye contact with him. Mok Liwon's eyes gleamed at this peculiar situation. "It's time for righteous action!" Naive rustic Mok Liwon had such thoughts in the midst of this serious atmosphere. * Whenever one seeks to gather information, certain essential factors must be considered. Things like subtlety and caution. However, Mok Liwon knew none of that. He simply harbored a naïve belief that if he asked people on the streets, anyone would answer him. …Perhaps this was fortunate. Despite it all, Mok Liwon's attempt was successful. Thanks to his annoyingly handsome face. "Thank you, Young Miss! I won't forget this kindness." "No, it's nothing!" Blushing deeply, the young women scampered away from Mok Liwon, who was bowing in the Bow of Courtesy. Without any doubts about this, Mok Liwon straightened and continued his thoughts. "They said it was an enchantress!" That was what the young women had revealed. One day, a woman had suddenly entered this Suchang County. Her journey, marked by a bewitching beauty, went as follows. "She visited the owner of Red Flower Tower, played an instrument, and captivated him so thoroughly with her performance that he esteemed her highly…." Mok Liwon narrowed his eyes. "Suspicious." Playing an instrument well could have been the explanation, but Mok Liwon recalled a caution given by Ma Ilsuk before that. —In Murim, all manner of deceitful arts run rampant. Among the most vile is the sorcery that captivates human hearts, known as the Enchantment Art(攝魂術). —Enchantment Art? —Yes, it's a technique that clouds judgment and turns people into puppets. What the enchantress performed might have been the Enchantment Art. Moreover, since she appeared, the movements of the Black Path had intensified, suggesting she might be a scout sent by a Black Path organization to seize Suchang County. "Surely, they called her an enchantress." Mok Liwon strained his scarcely used mind and continued pondering. Enchantment Art. The sorcery that captivates and turns people into puppets. Even if it wasn’t that, it might be some martial skill that ensnares minds. And if it were so, Mok Liwon knew of it too. --- **Terms and Translations:** 1. "Prosperous Lotus Building(경화루)" - Chosen for the building's name to retain its cultural significance; alternate translations might include "Blooming Lotus Pavilion." 2. "Red Flower Tower(홍화루)" - Translated to convey the place's vibrant connotations, maintaining a sense of allure associated with such establishments. Names and terms were translated with a focus on capturing the unique cultural setting, ensuring the story's depth and richness remain intact. ‘Seduction Art(色功)…!’ Mok Liwon's face turned beet red. Unlike his seven-year-old self, the now older Mok Liwon had gained some knowledge about such matters. He was also aware of the backstory regarding a conflict between Ma Ilsuk and the Blue Blooded Demon. In other words, he understood how Seduction Art could ensnare people. "Ahaha­!" Mok Liwon abruptly turned his body, staring in the direction of Prosperous Lotus Building he had heard about. ‘Seduction Art!’ The moment Mok Liwon thought of the term Seduction Art, he was convinced that the sorcery the enchantress employed wasn't a mere trick but the Seduction Art. Of course, this was without any concrete reason. Tap-tap­! ‘It’s dangerous!’ Mok Liwon sprinted towards Prosperous Lotus Building. The thought that Seduction Art was indeed a perilous martial art and should not befall innocent civilians spurred him on. If civilians were caught, their energy might be fully drained, resulting in death. ‘Better I take the risk!’ With his internal energy reserve, he believed he could withstand it! He could seize an opportunity! Mok Liwon quickened his pace. On his flushed face, a slight yet determined grin spread. ‘Seduction Art!’ In his mind, he was making a firm resolution not to let this art go unchecked. --- **Terms and Translations:** 1. "Seduction Art(色功)" - This translation was chosen to convey the martial technique associated with charming or seducing, keeping its cultural nuances; a literal translation would simply be "Color Technique," which does not capture its intended meaning in this context. In translating these terms, the focus was on maintaining cultural authenticity while making sure that the narrative and emotional buildup remain compelling and understandable for the reader.