16 - The Heaven-Slaying Sword

**Chapter 16: The Three Companions – Journey, Ghost Valley (1)** --- On the third day of their journey. In the marketplace of a small village somewhere in Jiangxi Province. Tang Hwaseo reluctantly acknowledged her mistake. 'I was wrong...' This was a journey that should never have been embarked upon. She realized now, beyond any doubt, that she had let her sympathy lead her astray. This understanding made Tang Hwaseo recall her thoughts. 'Country bumpkin!' Mok Liwon was indeed a country bumpkin. A primitive, unlearned mountain-dweller with no grasp of common knowledge. She should have anticipated how someone like Mok Liwon would react amidst the clash of people and civilization. Tang Hwaseo firmly believed: The most devilish phrase in the world was none other than, 'Miss! What is this?' “Miss! What is this?” Naturally, the question arose yet again. It was something she had heard dozens of times a day since leaving Xuanyang County three days ago. “…It's a sweet.” “A sweet! I know of this! The protagonist of Chronicles of The Jianghu Heroes, chapter three, the Wandering Hero, used to train with a sweet in his mouth!” “Yes, I suppose he did." Tang Hwaseo let out a deep sigh. What lay before her was Mok Liwon, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. The ongoing situation differed little from before. “Hey, shopkeeper. Could you give me one of those sweets?” “Ooh...!” She thought that if she gave him something to chew on, at least he'd be quiet while eating. As she started to fish out coins from her pouch, Mok Liwon cheered loudly. “Thank you, Miss! But do you not partake in sweets?” “I don't enjoy sweet things.” “Hmm…! I see!” Tang Hwaseo cast a sidelong glance at Mok Liwon. He was once again completely absorbed in gazing at the sweet, ignoring her entirely. ‘If only he wasn’t so handsome...’ Perhaps she wouldn't find him so tiresome to look at. That thought crossed her mind. Conversely, it meant he was so incredibly handsome that his foibles were forgivable. '...This isn't the time for such thoughts.' Another sigh escaped as she reflected. There was but a month until the Dragon-Phoenix Assembly, and even riding diligently, it would take them three weeks to reach the venue in Anhui Province. They had already been supposed to leave this village yesterday, but catering to Mok Liwon's curiosity had delayed them until just this afternoon. At this rate, they might not reach the assembly and the entire plan could fall apart. “So sweet! I’ve never tasted anything so sweet in my life!” Mok Liwon's exclamation snapped Tang Hwaseo out of her thoughts. She looked over at him, reflecting. ‘So naive.’ She was incredulous enough to let out a mirthless laugh. She couldn’t fathom why he was so excited over one sweet. “Is it to your liking?” “Indeed! I enjoy it! Since traveling with you, Miss, I’ve seen so many new things. Every moment is delightful!” Tang Hwaseo flinched, her cheeks warming with embarrassment at his sudden words, fanning her face with her hand. “W-What are you saying…?” His face. It was always his face that was the problem. It was hard not to be conscious of his words, said with that face. In her unease and rising discomfort, Tang Hwaseo tried to hold onto her composure as she addressed Mok Liwon. “Enough with the flattery, let's move on. We can't delay in this marketplace any longer.” “Hmm! Very well!” Mok Liwon bit into the sweet and swallowed. Then he said to Tang Hwaseo. “Shall we procure horses here?” “Yes, if we want to proceed quickly, that’s the best option.” “But if we use martial foot techniques to run...” “Why waste energy? And how would you find the path racing through the mountain trails?” It was a pointed reminder of the problem Mok Liwon hadn’t considered due to his lack of common sense. He sealed his lips tightly. “Just follow me quietly.” Mok Liwon nodded his head. --- At last, they arrived at the stables. Tang Hwaseo was stupefied and had to double-check with the stable owner. “No horses? Not even one?” “Well... yes. The trading company that passed through two days ago rented them all.” “What kind of foolishness...” “It was the Tianxia Trading Company…” Tang Hwaseo froze suddenly. The stable owner continued, nervously stammering as he watched her reaction. “They are buying at ten times the current market price. They took every horse and mule to load their goods.” It was an absurd situation. A trading company buying out all the village's horses at ten times their value, and the village selling them, beggared belief. But Tang Hwaseo couldn’t argue with it. ‘Tianxia Trading Company…!’ The unbelievable act was the work of Tianxia Trading Company. “Miss, what is this Tianxia Trading Company?” “It’s the largest trading company in Zhongyuan. To be exact, they’ve rapidly expanded over the past 15 years to become the biggest on the continent.” “They bought all the horses?” “Yes. I suppose our luck has run out.” Tang Hwaseo let out a heavy sigh. Her face bore a heavily furrowed expression. ‘Worst case scenario.’ The next village was at least a three days’ journey away. Moreover, it was even smaller and poorer than here; there was no guarantee they’d find horses there either. Failing to procure horses here meant they would be stranded and the plan would collapse. “If you wait about a week, the trading company should return, and we could…” “That’s too late.” “Then there’s nothing…” The stable owner scratched the back of his head, clicking his tongue. He seemed to lack alternative solutions as well. As a somber mood set in. Mok Liwon glanced between Tang Hwaseo and the stable owner before speaking up. “Then Miss, why not take a shortcut?” “A shortcut? Is there such a thing?” Tang Hwaseo’s face shifted to one of disbelief. It was absurd that this mountain-dwelling simpleton who knew nothing of Jianghu spoke of a shortcut she didn't know. Yet, there was someone present who understood Mok Liwon’s words. “What! Are you planning to go through *That* valley?!” The stable owner cried out in panic. **Translations & Contextual Decisions**: 1. **Chronicles of The Jianghu Heroes (강호협객전)**: Translated the series title to convey its nature as a martial arts novel, retaining the original tone and cultural context. 2. **Tianxia Trading Company (천하상단)**: Translated as "Tianxia", aiming to retain the Chinese influence ("Tianxia" means "under heaven", often used to imply a significant and far-reaching influence). 3. **Shortcut & Valley in Mention**: The original text mentions "곡", which directly translates to a "valley" or a "gorge". In this context, it implies a dangerous and treacherous path possibly known to locals or those with certain knowledge. 4. **Puns/Word Play**: The repeated questioning by Mok Liwon is an intentional comedic relief highlighting his naive curiosity akin to a child’s wonder, and the absurdity/sarcasm is emphasized by Tang Hwaseo's weary response towards his lack of common sense. "No, you can't! That place is Ghost Valley (귀곡)! A single misstep there and it'll cost you your life!" The stable owner's face turned ashen as he uttered these words, causing Tang Hwaseo to furrow her brow. "So, there is a path after all? Tell me more about it." The stable owner tightened his mouth shut, showing clear signs of his determination not to speak any further. ‘Ghost Valley?’ Tang Hwaseo looked at Mok Liwon, curious about what this could mean. "Young Master, where exactly is this shortcut you mentioned?" Since Mok Liwon was the one who brought it up, Tang Hwaseo figured he would know. With a broad grin, Mok Liwon answered. "It's Blood Valley (잔혈곡)!" His loud declaration startled the stable owner, who let out a gasp, and left Tang Hwaseo with a bewildered expression. Yet Mok Liwon, with his bright demeanor, continued to nod his head enthusiastically. "Indeed! It's the gorge where elder martial artists of the righteous Murim valiantly fought during the war against the Blood Heaven Sect!" --- Though ignorant of the world, Mok Liwon knew a few things about this Zhongyuan. Specifically, these were histories of martial exploits that Mok Seon-oh had shared with him through stories. Mok Liwon recalled it well. It was on a rainy night, particularly thunderous. To put him to bed, Mok Seon-oh spun such tales for young Mok Liwon, then just seven. "Blood Valley?" "Yes, it's a place where many heroes of the righteous path stood with desperate resolve to block the Blood Heaven Sect. It’s located in the northern mountains of Jiangxi Province, not far from here. My brother and I were there that day." "Your brother, the King of Beggars?" "You remember." "Hehe..." The hand that tousled his hair was indeed warm. And the playful tone of Mok Seon-oh’s storytelling was thoroughly captivating. "There was much bloodshed. Blood Valley was the fastest route from Jiangxi to Anhui, and if it fell, Anhui could have been taken by the Blood Heaven Sect. It was a dire situation. The common folk living there were all sacrificed by the Blood Heaven Sect, and many experts of Murim League perished to the sword arts of the Evil Blood Ghost (악천혈귀)." "And then what happened?" "What else could have happened…" Mok Liwon remembered. The clap of thunder and Mok Seon-oh pausing his story, followed by the next words. "…This master here defeated all the enemies." The room illuminated by lightning showed Mok Seon-oh's impressive smile. --- Exiting the stable, Tang Hwaseo found herself in a nearby inn, casting a serious look at Mok Liwon. Noodles and bamboo leaf liquor. Across the table, Mok Liwon, upon entering the inn, was devouring his food with a joyful expression. ‘Blood Valley.’ Tang Hwaseo was also familiar with the place. She hadn’t realized it was this close, but she knew what had transpired there and why it was called Ghost Valley. ‘How does he know about it?’ She was curious about how someone as unguided in common sense as Mok Liwon knew about Blood Valley. ‘Master? Yes, it’s likely because of a master.’ His master might have been a former prominent expert in martial arts circles. After all, his martial arts displayed an exceptional and powerful internal energy. Though her curiosity about his master grew, Tang Hwaseo refrained from asking more. ‘This talkative man hasn’t uttered a single word about it.’ He was likely keeping information about his master hidden. It wasn’t unusual. Those who studied under a reclusive master often moved without revealing their origins. ‘Right now, what’s more important is…’ Their next steps. Tang Hwaseo reconsidered what she knew about Blood Valley. 'Indeed, passing through Blood Valley would allow us to exit Jiangxi quickly.’ Although the terrain was harsh and resting spots were scarce, these issues were irrelevant for skilled martial artists like herself and Mok Liwon. The problem, however, was this: ‘Blood Valley still bears traces of the Blood Heaven Sect.’ Blood Valley was a place left untouched since the war, full of corpses and the lingering aura of death. Additionally, rumors said that evil spirits had taken residence due to the malevolent aura settling in the land. ‘The rumors about spirits may be false, but the aura is real.’ Had spirits truly existed, Blood Valley wouldn't be abandoned. Villagers reportedly vanished there because they were overwhelmed by the aura, dying as a result. ‘I will be fine.’ Although the process was horrific, her body had achieved immunity to all poisons. No matter how lethal a toxin, her body consumed it as nourishment without any issue. But the man before her was different. “Hmm? Miss, is the meal not to your liking?” “No, I just have something to consider.” Tang Hwaseo composed herself before continuing. "Young Master Mok, may I ask you something?" “What is it?” “Did you learn anything about detoxification during your training?” Mok Liwon blinked, then nodded. “I know how to expel poison using my internal energy. I also carry several antidote elixirs that my master provided.” Gesturing to his bundle, Mok Liwon posed another question. “But why do you ask?” “Because it seems we need to go to Blood Valley.” “Oh!” Mok Liwon's voice rose, drawing attention from others in the inn. “Ahh…” A dreamy voice drifted from somewhere. As soon as he captured their attention, someone else began to suffer from lovesickness. Tang Hwaseo dismissed the sound. She was initially startled, but was now accustomed to the reactions. With her usual unperturbed expression, Tang Hwaseo nodded and spoke. “I suspect Blood Valley will be swarming with miasma. Having been left unattended for over 20 years, the decay has polluted the ground so badly that just passing through could harm your body from the toxins. Please make appropriate preparations.” “Got it! I must intensify my breathing exercises today to better manage my internal energy!” **Translations & Contextual Decisions**: 1. **Blood Valley (잔혈곡)**: Translated literally as "Blood Valley," retaining the cultural significance of the location as a historical site of conflict. 2. **Evil Blood Ghost (악천혈귀)**: A derogatory title for a formidable opponent, maintained the tone by translating it to something dark and sinister in English. 3. **Miasma (사기)**: Conveyed as "miasma", a term often associated with toxic air or environment, appropriate for describing the post-battle atmosphere of Blood Valley. 4. **Antidote Elixirs**: Translated as "antidote elixirs" based on the context of detoxification, indicating medicine prepared to counteract poisons. 5. The playful and endearing story about Mok Seon-oh's teaching served to highlight Mok Liwon’s naive yet sincere reverence for his master, blending humor with a touch of heroism. Seemingly filled with excitement, Mok Liwon gulped down his noodle soup to the last drop and abruptly stood up, heading towards the second floor of the inn. It was where his room was located. Tang Hwaseo's eyes narrowed with concern. 'Is he really alright?' Seeing Mok Liwon brimming with such enthusiasm only amplified her unease. --- **Translations & Contextual Decisions**: 1. **Noodle Soup (소면)**: Translated as "noodle soup" to retain the cultural context of the simple dish being consumed, capturing the everyday, relatable nature of the scene. 2. **Inn (객잔)**: Translated directly as "inn," denoting the setting as a traditional place of lodging, fitting the historical context typically associated with wuxia narratives. The scene serves to underline a contrast between Mok Liwon's carefree demeanor and Tang Hwaseo's cautious nature, maintaining a sense of apprehension amidst lightheartedness.