Chapter 45

In the days when the Martial Alliance didn’t exist, the Zhengpai was merely a loosely tied assembly of large factions and families.

The key point was that they were at least somewhat connected.

They maintained friendships by attending each other’s celebrations or checking in through letters now and then.

It was during this time that the Hidden Dragon Society was established.

At first, it wasn’t even a gathering of latecomers.

It was just a group of real powers from these factions getting together for celebratory events.

They pooled some money and handed it out for things like birthdays, weddings, and funeral rites.

But then, the demonic sect attacked.

The Zhengpai had to band together to survive.

Yet, they were familiar neighbors thanks to the Hidden Dragon Society.

What’s more, our sons were your sons-in-law, and your sons were our sons-in-law!

Thus, we shouted unity as we all came together, which prevented the demonic sect’s invasion.

And that marked the birth of the Martial Alliance.

Once the alliance formally launched under the banner of the Zhengpai, the Hidden Dragon Society was transformed into a preparatory combat team comprised of young warriors.

However, even in cold water, there are distinctions between what’s above and below.

The esteemed youths from the Nine Great Families and the Ten Great Sects could not sit at the same table as the inept members of the Zhengpai.

So the Hidden Dragon Society was divided into two factions.

The Celestial Martial Stage and the Earthly Heroic Stage.

The Celestial Martial Stage consisted of the youths from the Nine Great Families and Ten Great Sects, and included specially recommended members from different factions with no fewer than ten recommendations among them.

The Earthly Heroic Stage gathered the remaining young folks.

So, every young warrior in the Zhengpai dreamed of becoming a member of the Celestial Martial Stage.

To them, the members of the Celestial Martial Stage were the true heavyweights of the Zhengpai Martial World, dancing amidst the clouds.

Putting aside any superficial factors, all members were masters well beyond their years.

They were the true up-and-coming talents with remarkable achievements!

Thus, it was inevitable that the youths of the Zhengpai would yearn for the Celestial Martial Stage.

In their imaginations, the members of the Celestial Martial Stage were dedicated individuals who spared no effort in enhancing each other’s martial arts skills.

Having come to understand the principles and teachings of their unique martial arts, they surely discussed and shared them freely.

Ah! If only I could join in on that discussion and share my opinions!

That was the dream of the young folks of the Zhengpai.

And here was Qing, reveling in that dream.

An enlightening discussion on martial arts with the Celestial Martial Stage members.

“Everyone in the world talks about the One Hundred Day Long Sword, the Thousand Day Saber, and the Ten Thousand Day Blade. Doesn’t that prove that the sword reigns supreme over all weapons? What do you think, Swordmaster?”

“I agree. What about you, Chang-bin?”

Hwasan Sect is also known as the Hwasan Sword Faction.

Meaning those who wield the sword.

“As a master of the plum blossom sword technique, I can only agree…”

Qing nodded and declared.

“Then, by overwhelming consensus, the proposition that the sword is far superior to the Dao has passed.”

Pang Dae-san frowned.

Qing, bubbling with excitement, moved on to the next agenda item.

“Now, for the next topic, I believe that since the Dao only has one blade, it should be referred to as a Half-Sword. Should we start calling it Half-Sword from now on? What do you think?”

“Ooh! Half-Sword? I’ve never encountered a term that describes the Dao so accurately in my life. This is even touching. I will acknowledge it.”

“Still, can we go that far with someone else’s weapon…?”

“Chang-bin, are you betraying us right now? We’re from the Dao Sect, remember? Friends who practice the Dao? Are we abandoning the Dao Sect?”

“…Half-Sword, acknowledged.”

“Then due to the tripartite agreement, henceforth, San-i shall not be a Daoist but a Half-Swordsman…”

Three Swordsmen and one Half-Swordsman.

Even if Pang Dae-san tried to oppose, he was overwhelmed by the numbers and lost to the trap of majority rule.

“Ugh. I can’t even entertain such childishness.”

Pang Dae-san gritted his teeth, thinking.

Was there really a reason to be with Qing?

He didn’t even understand what mood he was in, but.

There was a clear truth to it.

It was for no good reason.

He should have just gone his own way. Damn it.

“Then, today’s snack will be covered by the Half-Swordsman?”

Pang Dae-san growled.

“Are you really insisting that I serve snacks after hearing such nonsense? Your audacity holds the title for the thickest face in the world. Ha.”

“Why not? Isn’t it true that you’ve been half-acknowledged as a swordsman? If it were me, I would be moved to the point of shedding tears and rounding up a whole feast in the neighborhood. Really.”

Next to him, Namgoong Shin-jae nodded vigorously.

Pang Dae-san’s tone lowered a notch.

“A person just rambles on with an open mouth,”

“Hey. If you don’t want to, then don’t. Swordmaster? Aren’t you thirsty? How about a refreshing cup of Dragon Well tea?”

“If you’re thirsty, I’ll wait and see?”

“Then can I have Ice Cream?”

Ice Cream referred to fermented milk frozen as a treat.

It was basically a modern yogurt-flavored ice cream.

Except for the slightly sour note of hand-made yogurt, the taste and texture matched perfectly.

Qing was greatly surprised by the existence of this snack.

Ice cream in this primitive, ancient China!

Were they not primitive people who dug ice in winter to store it?

How could they have this?

It was just that Qing was unaware.

Medieval China was a leading technological country in the world.

They made all sorts of ice products effortlessly even in midsummer.

When it’s hot, cold things are the best.

The West, which just dumped snow and sprinkled syrup on it back then, were truly the uncivilized ones.

Of course, the incredible legacy of medieval China was replaced by the dizzying pleasures of the Red People.

“Will just Ice Cream do? I say we have milk ice, bean paste, and cold snacks set up to eat.”

Qing shouted, raising his sword.

“Indeed, our Swordmaster! A heartfelt swordsman’s oath!”

“Woo!”

Namgoong Shin-jae answered with a roar, raising his sword high.

The swords crossed each other in the air.

Pang Dae-san shook his head.

Qing was merely a madwoman as expected, but the real problem was the older brother Namgoong accepting it all.

In truth, Namgoong Shin-jae was regarded as the best among the up-and-coming talents.

Since childhood, he had shown extraordinary understanding and insight that broke the mold, expected by the entire martial world to be a genius who could solve one issue and reveal a hundred solutions.

He was said to be not just the Sword King but the next Martial Sovereign.

If it weren’t for his weird obsession with ascending through swords alone, he would have already reached the peak after reaching extraordinary levels, or perhaps even the supreme level.

All martial arts would converge to a single point at their height.

That was the principle of martial arts yet Namgoong Shin-jae was completely immersed in swordsmanship alone.

It was natural that he wouldn’t be leveling up.

Namgoong Shin-jae was aware of this fact.

Yet, he persisted stubbornly, flaunting himself as a swordsman.

Serious people are met with serious words.

But fools never interfere, as they say.

That was why the Sword King drowned his frustration every night, drinking heavily without a single glass or snack.

A truly burning filial son.

Pang Dae-san gritted his teeth.

“He is truly acting absurdly.”

At that moment, Chang-bin, who had utterly lost his voice due to Qing’s joining, quietly asked a question.

“But Pang, I am curious. What on earth is this refreshing Dragon Well tea? I’ve never heard such a horrific sound in my life. Does it really exist?”

“Why not ask the person directly?”

“Hmm…”

Chang-bin, stroking his chin, came to a conclusion.

“…It’s not easy.”

Pang Dae-san nearly spat out what he wanted to say, but swallowing it down while sighing since he had to respect his older brother.

In the end, the discussion concluded with Qing joyously munching snacks.

Now and then, it was indeed a sight to behold.

Pang Dae-san couldn’t help feeling displeased by it.

Anyone can feast as long as someone else buys it.

Even the Black Dog raised in their family wouldn’t eat anything from a stranger.

Regardless, Qing was simply having a good time.

Currently, the group was two days into their stay in Xinyang, three days out west, riding.

This was the nature of traveling with the Young Masters.

They would ride in a carriage until reaching the city and would rest for a day or two depending on fatigue.

Then they would rent another carriage and set off again.

Of course, Pang Dae-san, who was somewhat frugal, and Chang-bin, who was really frugal, preferred to join the walkers instead of paying for a carriage and coachman.

But within the group was Namgoong Shin-jae, who would tear up the tickets and fill his money bag to overflowing at every battlefield they reached.

Among the five great families, the Namgoong family was the second richest, and the Sword King’s spending habits resembled a deity descending upon the human realm.

By the way, the wealthiest family among the five was said to reside in Sichuan.

After resting for two days, it was about time to set off.

“This is the junction. If we go north, it will be comfortable and quick. If we go west, it’ll be a long way with no city for a while.”

“Then let’s just go north?”

“If we go north, we’ll end up in Luoyang.”

Damn it. I have a bad history with Luoyang.

Whether it was then or now, my inner strength had grown, yet my level remained the same.

If I had just hit the supreme level, I would have gone there and caused chaos by now.

There were still unresolved unexpected missions awaiting.

Just wait. Once I hit the supreme level, I’ll unleash havoc.

Until then, just keep your heads down, Black Shadow Society!

Or was it Black Dragon Society? What was it again? Whatever.

Everything in this primitive China, names of sects and people, all sound so similar it’s infuriating.

Of course, Qing’s face has changed quite a bit.

But with Pang Dae-san sitting nearby, I would undoubtedly still garner attention, and if any situation arose, I would have to pop out again.

“If we go west…”

“The next town will be near Daebyeolsan, so it’ll be a week’s journey.”

Qing frowned.

That meant a week of either village life or sleeping outdoors.

And honestly, it wasn’t that different in the Central Plains.

From sleeping arrangements to food, it was basically just a choice between a bit more hardship or alleviating that hardship with a few coins.

But what could I do?

Qing asked the group for understanding.

I really thought we’d have to take a rougher route because of me.

“I’m disappointed. Do you think I would ignore the Swordmaster’s hardships?”

“Uh, you should back off here…”

“What? Are you abandoning your Daoist comrades here? Abandoning our distribution? Are you forgetting your connections?”

“I agree…”

Both men absolutely and heartily agreed.

So it was indeed a fortunate event that we weren’t losing our source of water.

With that, they packed their bags and stepped outside.

Strangely, the street was crowded with people, and there was an unusually high ratio of women.

This scene had long ceased to surprise them.

As they ignored it, heading toward the horse stable, Qing witnessed a bizarre sight.

“Please help me find my son…”

“No, you old hag! Where do you think you are?!”

“Oh please, my son said he was going to the Great Justice Gate. Just please let me look for him once. Please…”

In front of an enormous wall that seemed to reach the sky, a white-haired elderly woman was clinging to a martial artist holding a staff, pleading to him.

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