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Chapter 81: This World is Like Nokrim
Lee Chun and Wang Jincheng nodded vigorously.
"Yes, yes. We know well."
"You are absolutely right."
Both, supporting the Cheongun Military Academy, were practically wagging their tails to earn Shim Yanggak's favor. The arrival of new masters was big news for Cheongun's supporters.
Yeon Jeokha and Shim Yanggak, the Immortal Sword Demon, left Manganghong and headed toward the Yangil Inn.
On the way, Shim Yanggak shared his thoughts.
"It seems that Namyang and the Hong Clan [previously called Hongbang] have something special planned."
"Something special?"
"Otherwise, they wouldn't keep insisting on this fight whose outcome seems obvious."
Yeon Jeokha nodded.
If the warriors of Luoyang supported the Cheongun Military Academy, it would be difficult for the Hong Clan to face them.
"Maybe the Yoomyung Cult will send reinforcements."
"Masters like Lunar Fairy?"
Shim Yanggak glanced sideways at Yeon Jeokha's face.
He wanted to know if he really planned to face Lunar Fairy or if he was just saying it casually.
Judging by his expression, it seemed like he was saying it without much thought.
"I don't think a master like Lunar Fairy would get involved in a territorial dispute in this corner. They will send someone less powerful but strong enough to overcome the warriors of Luoyang."
Suddenly, Yeon Jeokha started speaking.
"This world..."
"Yes."
"Is like Nokrim. The Justice Alliance and the Yoomyung Cult fight to seize what they can. If you don't have power, they take what you have; if you have power, you take more."
"That's true. The hypocrites of the righteous sects talk about principles, but they actually fight for their own clans' interests."
"Exactly. Mountain gangs charge tolls, and the sects also charge for protection."
"Hehe."
"Why are you laughing?"
"Your words relieve me. I hope you always keep that just heart."
"Why? Do you think I will change?"
"You seem willing to leave Nokrim."
"Ha! To me, the whole world is like Nokrim. There is no place to go."
"Ah, I understand."
Shim Yanggak felt that his view of Nokrim was a little different, but he didn't give it much importance. After all, he didn't have much time left to live, so it didn't matter if he went to the mountain or not.
Chatting as they walked, they soon arrived at the Yangil Inn.
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Yangil Inn
In front of the central table, a line of wanderers waited their turn.
They told their names and nicknames to an innocent-looking woman in her twenties and then withdrew.
After writing the names with elegant calligraphy, the woman looked up.
A young man, who seemed about seventeen years old, was staring at her intently.
As hard as the times were, he seemed too young to be a hired swordsman.
The woman couldn't help but feel pity and asked.
"Hey, do you know where you've come?"
"Yes."
"If you are too young, we cannot accept you. We need people who can fight, not die."
"Can't I do it at nineteen?"
Yeon Jeokha frowned, visibly uncomfortable.
Ten years without seeing the light of day had left him with a small build. He was always treated like a child, as he looked two or three years younger than he actually was.
"Wow, it looks like you are only seventeen!"
The woman looked at him in surprise.
Upon closer inspection, his eyes had a depth that didn't match his youthful appearance.
As she dipped the brush in ink, she asked.
"What is your name and which clan are you from?"
"Yeon Jeokha, from Waryong Manor."
Yeon Jeokha decided to use the name of Waryong Manor instead of the Five Peaks Mountain Bandits to avoid problems.
Since Waryong Manor no longer existed, he had no qualms about using its name. Besides, technically, it was also his origin sect.
The woman's eyes sparkled with interest.
She didn't expect to meet someone from the Yeon Clan in this place.
After writing down his name and origin on the list, she looked at him again.
If he was a disciple of Waryong Manor, he must be much more skilled than common wanderers.
"Do you already have accommodation?"
"No, not yet."
"Then, how about staying at the Yangil Inn? I can assign you a room."
Being the daughter of Mu Sangwon, the leader of the Cheongun Military Academy, assigning him a room was simple for her.
Yeon Jeokha pointed to Shim Yanggak, who was behind him.
"I came with a companion. Could we share the room?"
The woman nodded after a quick glance at the old man.
"Yes, the room is quite large for one person anyway. What is your companion's name and nickname?"
Her attitude was much more cautious than when dealing with Yeon Jeokha. She thought that an old man in the Murim World must be a master.
Yeon Jeokha stepped aside.
Shim Yanggak took a step forward and answered.
"My name is Shim... Tong. My nickname is Old Dao of Nine Heavens."
He mixed the name he used in the Nokrim meeting.
The woman, although she hadn't heard of that name and nickname, didn't show any surprise. The world is wide and full of unique individuals. She thought that Shim Tong, the Old Dao of Nine Heavens, was one of them.
"I will inform you about your payment after talking to the leader. In the meantime, sit down and have some tea. I will attend to you once I finish with the others."
Yeon Jeokha and Shim Yanggak sat by the window.
The room wasn't very crowded despite the number of volunteers.
Drinking tea, Yeon Jeokha smiled.
"Old Dao of Nine Heavens, Shim Tong?"
"Hehe, I have decided to live with that name from now on."
"Is it okay to change the name your parents gave you just like that?"
"It's fine. After all, Shim Yanggak is also a name my master gave me. I was an orphan."
"I understand. If Old Shim wants to do it, who could stop him?"
Yeon Jeokha also welcomed Shim Yanggak's name change. The Immortal Sword Demon had too many enemies. If he continued using that name, he would always be busy dealing with the consequences.
"How about you also give yourself a good nickname, Young Master?"
"It's too childish for me."
Faced with Yeon Jeokha's firm refusal, Shim Yanggak didn't insist anymore.
About half an hour passed.
The woman who had left for a moment returned.
"It is said that the first-generation disciples of Waryong Manor went to Jeongju... Did you come alone?"
"Yes."
"I am sorry for your people. I didn't know that the Lunar Fairy had such resentment."
"Resentment can often drive people mad."
Yeon Jeokha's calm response made the woman ask cautiously.
"What is your relationship with the Moon-Splitting Swordsman?"
"I am his son."
"Ah! I see."
She looked at him with newfound appreciation.
The direct descendants of Waryong Manor always had outstanding martial skills for their age. Although lately, many looked at them with suspicion due to the Nine Heavens Swordsmanship.
"Please take care of us. We have decided to give you and your companion the best salary. We will pay you three hundred mun per day. Is that okay?"
Yeon Jeokha nodded.
Three hundred mun per day equals three taels of silver in ten days. That's twice what other mercenaries receive.
Shim Yanggak discreetly asked.
"I heard rumors that the clans and sects of Louyang are helping. Do you know which ones?"
"The Palseon Clan, the Daeyeon Clan, and the Chilyang Clan are sending experts."
Shim Yanggak nodded, understanding.
The names were of medium-importance clans. All had deep grievances with the Yoomyung Cult, although Shim Yanggak didn't know all the details.
"Just facing the Hong Clan, our Military Academy is enough. The other clans are here in case the Yoomyung Cult intervenes. They have a great resentment against them."
The Palseon Clan, the Daeyeon Clan, and the Chilyang Clan had suffered much at the hands of the Yoomyung Cult in Yeosu. Helping the Cheongun Military Academy was, in part, their way of revenge.
"Do you think they can face the Yoomyung Cult?"
"I believe so. Even if the Yoomyung Cult intervenes, they will not send their best masters."
"I understand. When will the battle be?"
"We will inform you just before we leave. You won't have to wait long."
The woman, who was speaking, returned to her place when an unknown mercenary entered the inn.
Former members of the Military Academy, who had worked in the Namyang Chamber of Commerce, came and went constantly from the inn.
They had participated in the expedition against the Five Peaks Mountain but did not recognize Yeon Jeokha.
Although his elegant attire helped, the real reason was that no one had seen Yeon Jeokha up close.
Moreover, no one associated the name Yeon with banditry, as he came from Waryong Manor.
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Two days later, the masters of the Palseon, Daeyeon, and Chilyang Clans arrived at the inn.
The place, which was half empty, filled with warriors.
The mercenaries had to find accommodation in other nearby inns.
The experts from the three clans showed particular interest in the mercenary from Waryong Manor.
Hwang Dongyeop from the Palseon Clan, Oh Joongsan from the Daeyeon Clan, and Son Sanggeuk from the Chilyang Clan were especially curious.
They had spent many years together and knew everything about Waryong Manor.
At sunset, four people gathered in the inn's dining room.
There was the young woman from the Military Academy and the three masters from Luoyang: Hwang Dongyeop, Oh Joongsan, and Son Sanggeuk.
The woman asked seriously.
"So, you are saying that the Moon-Splitting Swordsman does not have a son named Yeon Jeokha?"
Hwang Dongyeop, the leader of the Five Heroes of Luoyang, nodded.
"That's right. We are sworn brothers of Yeon Seolju, the third daughter of Waryong Manor, and have traveled together for years."
"I know. The Five Heroes of Luoyang are famous."
The woman murmured in disbelief.
Among the young, the Five Heroes of Luoyang were admired. There were Lee Somin of the Uicheon Sect and Yeon Seolju of Waryong Manor. Although Waryong Manor was not much now, back then, their name reached the heavens.
Hwang Dongyeop continued.
"Yeon Seolju only has two older brothers: Yeon Mubaek and Yeon Seungbaek. Moreover, all the children of Waryong Manor have the second character 'Baek' in their names. Yeon Jeokha does not fit."
"Could he be an illegitimate child?"
The woman remembered Yeon Jeokha's confident face.
She couldn't believe he had usurped someone else's name.
'This makes no sense! Why would he do such a thing, especially now that the name of Waryong Manor is in disgrace?'
"If he said he was from Waryong Manor, he is definitely not an illegitimate child. As far as I know, there is no one named Yeon Jeokha in Waryong Manor. It's all a lie."
Oh Joongsan, the second of the Five Heroes of Luoyang, spoke indignantly.
At that moment, someone came down the stairs.
It was Yeon Jeokha.
Hwang Dongyeop looked at him with wide-eyed surprise.
Oh Joongsan and Son Sanggeuk also hardened their expressions.
As the three stared at him in astonishment, Yeon Jeokha raised a hand in greeting.
"Hello! What a pleasant surprise! How long has it been? Have you all been well?"
"Y-Young Master, what are you doing here?"
Hwang Dongyeop was completely bewildered.
How could the best warrior of the Ten Heroes of the Five Peaks Mountain be here?
Oh Joongsan and Son Sanggeuk turned their heads, avoiding Yeon Jeokha's gaze.
"Didn't you know? I have been traveling the world lately. Something like a warrior's journey."
At the mention of a "warrior's journey," the three men shuddered.
They remembered the times they had left with great hopes only to meet him and be defeated.