Chapter 33

The Two Men's Journey Began

"I'm not interested in a confession."
Bi Ryu-yeon said.
"What?"
"Don't stare at me like that. It's embarrassing!"

These words were directed at Jang U-gang, who was staring at him blankly as if he had seen a ghost. Jang U-gang was completely dazed, like a man who had lost his mind, swimming desperately in a sea of questions with no sight of the shore of answers. However, seeing no clue to the answer, his face looked as if he was very likely to drown in the middle of the sea of questions soon. He simply could not believe this fact.

"H-how are you alive?"
It seemed Jang U-gang's tongue was stiff from shock, and he couldn't even speak properly.
"Huh? Was I ever dead? I don't have any memory of that."
As he gestured as if he was hearing all sorts of strange things about something so obvious, Jang U-gang's face immediately contorted. Looking at his face, crumpled like a poet's failed work, Bi Ryu-yeon smiled brightly.
"Don't look so openly disappointed. I have a good present for you instead."

He had just returned to the Jungyang Escort Bureau party, who had finished inspecting the goods at Hwaunru and were about to go to bed. It was the moment when everyone thought he would be dead. They were thinking, 'How can you hope to come back alive after fearlessly breaking Yeomdo's taboo and pouring the oil of provocation on top of it?' They considered death to be the naturally scheduled course of events. But Bi Ryu-yeon had insolently ignored the schedule of fate, kicked the grim reaper's butt without consulting God, and drastically changed his schedule to make a sudden return.

The expressions of the people who saw him were truly a sight to behold. A person who regrettably broke the teacup they were holding. A person whose documents were blown away by the wind and would take a long time to recover. A person who was organizing documents with a brush and left a diagonal ink stain on the paper, having to rewrite it. And a person who cut their hand on the weapon they were polishing, and so on. Everyone fell into a frenzy as if they had seen a ghost. As everyone stared blankly at Bi Ryu-yeon with faces like they had seen something that didn't exist, Bi Ryu-yeon felt 괜히 awkward.

"Ah, I have someone to introduce. I'll introduce the person who will join our escort from today and go to Nanchang with us."
"By whose authority!"
Before Bi Ryu-yeon could even finish his introduction, Jang U-gang screamed. He was already furious enough to death from the fact that he had returned safely, but now he was trying to take it a step further, so it was enough to make his anger explode. His face was deathly pale from the aftereffects of the shock from a little while ago, but fortunately, his life was not in danger. However, his ki and blood were twisted, so he had to take absolute rest for the time being.
"This isn't your escort bureau. The master of our Jungyang Escort Bureau is my father, and the person in charge of this escort is also my father. This isn't a place where you can just bring in any bum you want."
"Y-Young Master!"
Deung Yeo-ho tried to stop the rampaging Jang U-gang, whose eyes had flipped, but it was no use. It seemed Jang U-gang could no longer see what was in front of him. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to run wild so recklessly in front of Bi Ryu-yeon, whom even Bureau Chief Jang U-yang was careful around.
"Really?"
"Of course. Not before dirt enters my eyes!"
He had spoken carelessly, forgetting that the person standing before him was an existence who possessed both the personality and ability to actually carry out his own words if the situation called for it. For Bi Ryu-yeon, there was nothing he couldn't do, nothing he was reluctant to do. He had barely survived with his life under the terrifying palm force of Yeomdo's Crimson Flame Palm, but he still hadn't come to his senses and was digging his own grave again.
"Really? You'll regret it..."
"Of course."
Jang U-gang was still resolute, not knowing his place. But fortunately for the Jang family of the Jungyang Escort Bureau, Bi Ryu-yeon refused Jang U-gang's request to put dirt in his eyes. Instead, what he did was call a person who was waiting outside the door.
"Come in!"
Bi Ryu-yeon shouted with a face full of joy. And as a person entered, everyone was horrified and had to go through the process of confirming whether they were really in the present, conscious moment. A moment later, the Jungyang Escort Bureau party had to hold their tingling cheeks and shed a few tears. Everyone had pinched and twisted their own cheeks with all their might.
The most surprised person among them was none other than Jang U-gang. It was understandable that he would be surprised, as he had a history of almost hovering on the brink of life and death for the sin he had committed against Yeomdo a few hours ago. He was so tense that he couldn't feel the sensation in his twisted and pinched cheek, and his knees were so weak that it was difficult to even stand properly. Also, his tongue, which had frozen like a frozen pollack, could not function properly, frustrating its owner.
"Th-this person is..."
"Ah, he's the 'any bum' that Young Master Jang was talking about earlier!"
Bi Ryu-yeon said with a smile. Jang U-gang thought that no evil spirit's cunning and wicked smile could compare to Bi Ryu-yeon's smile right now. And, he hit the ground and regretted his futile, illusion-like pride and carelessness.

The attitude and treatment towards Bi Ryu-yeon had changed one hundred and eighty degrees. It was the same for Yeomdo. No, considering his fame and position in the Jianghu, it was a natural treatment for Yeomdo, so rather, thanks to him, the attitude towards Bi Ryu-yeon had transformed into a VIP treatment that would make the imperial family envious.

With Yeomdo's appearance, the story was over. There was no need to tire their mouths by wagging their tongues any longer. Who would dare to go against Yeomdo's wishes? It was something they couldn't even dream of. Jang U-gang, due to the shock from that time, was still unable to speak, suffering from aphasia like a mute who had eaten honey. For Bi Ryu-yeon, it was a pity that he couldn't point at Yeomdo in front of Jang U-gang and say, "This is the person who is more than willing to put dirt in your eyes, greet him." Jang U-gang, with Yeomdo's appearance, had stopped all mental activity and was in a state where he couldn't react to any external stimuli.

Yeomdo received a fervent welcome. What escort mission wouldn't welcome a supreme master of Yeomdo's level? Just by being there, he became the most effective insecticide and shield to repel the swarms of flies that flocked to the goods. Yeomdo had the ability to make hordes of bandits run away with their feet on fire with just his appearance alone.

Of course, it was unknown when and where their reliable protector might turn into a destroyer of total annihilation, but since there was no choice, such worries were unnecessary. Jang U-yang and the rest of the Jungyang Escort Bureau bent their waists at a right angle to welcome Yeomdo, and from then on, Yeomdo headed to Nanchang with Bi Ryu-yeon. This trip to Nanchang was not in Yeomdo's plans, but a promise was a promise, so he had no choice but to endure his indignation and keep his promise.

Yeomdo was not so shameless as to try to nullify a promise he had made by taking advantage of a turn of events. As one could see from the taboo he had set and its execution, he was a simple and stubborn person who kept and fulfilled a promise once made, as if it were set in stone. Thus, the journey of the two men finally began.

---

• The Ascending Heaven Martial Festival and Hwan Jang-han

A vast expanse of blue water, stretching out as far as the eye can see.
Water birds cry, riding the fair wind, and the reeds on the lake shore sway in the gentle breeze.
Next to this transparent clarity, this indigo hue of breathing blue,
Shoulder to shoulder, a colossal human touch rises and spreads out.
The double-layered castle walls, as if expressing the words 'impregnable' in their very form!
It looked as solid and sturdy as an iron wall, like a reliable shield that could block anything.

These incredibly sturdy castle walls enveloped an area so vast that one could not tell where they began or ended, and around them was a moat (a waterway dug around the castle walls in preparation for a siege), which, when viewed from the sky, formed a huge circular belt of water. Inside, it was filled with dozens of huge, magnificent, and splendid pavilions. This fortress itself exuded a stern aura that was unapproachable, as if it were a living creature.

Neighboring the great natural spectacle of Poyang Lake, which spread out vastly from the horizon on the other side of the world, was a cluster of numerous majestic pavilions. This was the seat of the Cheonmu Academy, the great learning ground of the martial way where the essence of the orthodox Murim of the Jianghu breathed, and the core of the orthodox Murim of the Jianghu, which boasted a huge and powerful martial might.
And the city of Nanchang, located adjacent to the Cheonmu Academy, this crystallization of immense martial might and power, and the wide, vast indigo expanse of Poyang Lake. Nanchang was now achieving an astonishing prosperity due to the huge existence of the Cheonmu Academy, along with Poyang Lake.

Hundreds and thousands of people come and go every day, and hundreds and thousands of types of goods are traded without rest. To put it simply, an enormous amount of goods, enough to make one's head spin, was coming in and out, being exchanged. Due to this enormous demand and supply created by the Cheonmu Academy, it was almost inevitable that Nanchang would prosper.
Especially these days, all the lodging and entertainment facilities in Nanchang were repeatedly fully booked without a single exception. In a word, they had hit the jackpot. Thus, the mouths of the owners in this industry were currently stretched wide from ear to ear and showed no signs of closing.

The lodging facilities were already packed with numerous martial artists who had gathered from all over the Central Plains with dreams of success, and the taverns were filled with many people day and night, regardless of the changing positions of the sun and moon, exchanging stories and information. Of course, alcohol was essential at these gatherings. Don't they say that after pulling an all-nighter, all that's left are empty bottles and empty snack plates?

Most of the martial artists gathering in Nanchang now were not all warriors dreaming of ascending to heaven by passing through the gateway to success. Among them, only a portion of the young masters under the age of 30 were warriors dreaming of ascension, and the rest were just so-so spectators, information merchants, or gamblers. Of course, in a broad sense, they could all be called spectators.

But in any case, the reason they had gathered was singular: because of the martial festival called the Cheonmu Academy entrance exam, commonly known as the 'Ascending Heaven Martial Festival,' one of the biggest events of the Cheonmu Academy, which was about to be held.
'Ascending Heaven Martial Festival'
What a name to make a warrior's heart pound and the body of the sword and saber tied to their waist tremble. The number of those who sharpen their swords and polish their sabers every year to pass this easily numbers in the thousands. But among them, only a very small number pass and grasp the shining glory. And the vast majority of those who fail continue to challenge themselves, honing their skills again. If one just passes this Ascending Heaven Martial Festival, not only is a place as a rising star of the orthodox Jianghu completely guaranteed, but one's future is also completely guaranteed.

The measure of skill in the orthodox Jianghu, the gauge of martial standing, the Ascending Heaven Martial Festival!
So who could not pay attention to this Ascending Heaven Martial Festival, who could take their eyes off it? That splendid festival of martial arts is about to begin now.
Around that time, two men entered Nanchang, which was excited and agitated in this vortex of hot enthusiasm. One was a normal-looking young man who looked to be about twenty, and the other was a middle-aged man in his mid-forties with the peculiar appearance of red hair, a red beard, and red eyebrows.

The young man's bangs were so long that they covered his eyes, so it was difficult to grasp his exact appearance, but judging from the jawline that was not completely hidden, he didn't seem to be ugly, and the clothes he was wearing were unremarkable blue martial arts robes with no special features. On the other hand, the middle-aged man in his mid-forties accompanying the young man had an appearance that was impossible to forget once seen, drawing the attention of those around him. The peculiar appearance of red hair, a red beard, and red eyebrows. On top of that, he was even wearing a crimson martial arts robe mixed with a fiery golden color, reminiscent of a huge flame itself. On him, who was red down to the single saber tied to his waist, there was only one thing that was not crimson, and that was the Black Zither on his back, which did not suit him at all.

The jet-black Black Zither, reminiscent of deep darkness, somehow made the middle-aged man look awkward, and all the passersby tilted their heads and glanced at him. But why the middle-aged man was carrying such a Black Zither on his back was a story that only those two knew. It was Bi Ryu-yeon and Yeomdo.

The numerous people who had gathered to watch or participate in the soon-to-begin Ascending Heaven Martial Festival. The inns were already completely occupied by the countless crowds that had flocked in. In this situation, the fact that Bi Ryu-yeon had managed to get a room—and at Hawollu, a renowned inn in Nanchang at that—was nothing short of a mystery. The reservations for all the taverns and inns had already ended a month ago. Therefore, the room prices had skyrocketed, and private lodgings were rampant in the houses located throughout Nanchang. The income earned from private lodgings during this period was an important and lucrative profit that the middle-class families of Nanchang could by no means ignore.

Of course, the price of private lodgings also soared to a high price as the start date of the Ascending Heaven Martial Festival approached. Because of this, tears of blood were welling up in the eyes of the poor people who had come to watch the Ascending Heaven Martial Festival. The warriors and spectators who couldn't even get such private lodgings were in a situation where they were setting up tents on the banks of Poyang Lake to sleep.

That's why a peculiar sight that could be seen every year around this time was the tent village scenery created by the various colored tents that packed the area around Poyang Lake. At this time, the tent sellers of Nanchang saw their sales jump more than three times, so they earned more than half of their annual income during this period. In many ways, the Ascending Heaven Martial Festival had a huge impact on the economy of Nanchang.

In such a situation, it was impossible for there to be a room in a proper inn. And yet, Bi Ryu-yeon got one. And a top-class one at that, at the first-class inn, Hawollu. Hawollu was the number one inn in Nanchang, with the elegant name meaning 'the place where the summer moon stays'.
Total capacity 400 people. Number of employees 100. Famous for comfortably serving guests with the best chefs, the best fine wine, and the best facilities, this place, although the lodging fee was very high, was known to have been fully booked two months in advance. To get a room so easily at such a Hawollu, how could this be?

The answer lay with Bi Ryu-yeon's disciple, Yeomdo, who, if you asked him, would vehemently deny being Bi Ryu-yeon's disciple while brandishing his sword. Who was Yeomdo? Although he was now a man of misfortune who had been struck by a wicked prank of the heavens and had fallen to the status of a disciple to the nameless nobody Bi Ryu-yeon in a fall close to a crash, he was still the head of the five great saber masters of the Jianghu, and the master of the Flame Heaven Saber Sect, a powerful faction in the Jianghu. When such a man asked for a room, who would refuse? And to him of all people, Yeomdo, who was famous for his foul and impatient temper.

Unless one wanted to close down their business that very day and wished for a regeneration from ruin and a rapid change of business, it was something they couldn't even dream of. This was Nanchang, the gathering place of martial arts where all the warriors of the world gathered! It was impossible for Hawollu, which was positioned as a first-class establishment even here, not to recognize Yeomdo. Here in Nanchang, identifying the status of a martial artist was an important matter that determined the success or failure of a business. Accurately judging the opponent's status, ability, position, and importance, and never disobeying or displeasing a supreme master, was the shortcut to surviving in the tavern and lodging industry here in Nanchang.

Isn't this Nanchang a place where the number of inns and taverns that disappeared after getting on the wrong side of a supreme master is more than one can count on ten fingers and ten toes? That's why the owners here were always on high alert in that area, paying close attention. Moreover, since all sorts of martial artists gathered here, the risk of accidents was also frequent.

Even in such a Nanchang, Yeomdo was a peak master classified as special first-class. Moreover, since his risk and caution level was classified as red special first-class, if such a Yeomdo demanded a room, they had to make one even if it meant creating one. His special appearance made it unnecessary to even confirm his identity. There was no one whose identity and appearance were as simple to confirm as Yeomdo's. Moreover, if one just looked into his eyes once, one could immediately grasp his notoriously foul temper, so his appearance itself was a walking identification card.

Therefore, Hawollu had to prepare a room by any means necessary. And when they finally prepared a room, the manager of Hawollu shed tears. They were not tears of success and joy at having accomplished it. They were tears of sorrow for having his own room taken away. To prepare a room that suited Yeomdo's status, they had to create a room that didn't exist. As it turned out, the only room that was easy to take was the manager's residence. This was due to their own judgment that the rooms of the employees, who were of a lower status than him, did not suit Yeomdo's status. Therefore, the manager of Hawollu, Hwan Jang-han, tearfully vacated his room, and soon his room was transformed into a double occupancy guest room in an instant. And it was decided that Manager Hwan Jang-han would stay with the shop boys in their quarters for the time being. Manager Hwan Jang-han really had no choice but to go crazy. But since there was no other way, he could only live up to his name while going crazy inside. The story is that he went crazy inside.

Thus, Bi Ryu-yeon and one other person were provided with a comfortable bed in a top-class accommodation. And so, whether he knew the hidden story behind it or not, Bi Ryu-yeon was just all smiles. That was, until the next day, when he met Gyeongsuni Na Jung-hae.