Episode 20. The Law of the Apostle
: “But there was a side effect. Right?”
Song Myeong-cheon nodded.
“Yes. My body has become much stronger after learning Hongmong Dabeop. The Great Hongmong method instantly strengthens all types of martial arts. No matter what type of martial arts it is. But everything comes with a price. This Hongmong Great Law… eats away at the owner. Little by little. As time goes by, the Great Law of Hongmong is destroying my body, and has recently been going out of its way to control my consciousness as well. Those twisted and twisted blood paths made me suffer. Also, that guy…”
Song Myeong-cheon looked straight at Han Yi-bi.
Then a black lotus flower-shaped tattoo appeared on his forehead.
A tattoo that oscillates as if it were a living insect.
Song Myeong-cheon spoke with a horrified expression, as if Master Hongmong was some kind of animal.
“It is coiled up in my tangled bottom and living as a parasite. It’s smart enough to never eat its owner all at once… but it’s eating away at my body little by little. So, this could be said to be a kind of deadly poison disguised as martial arts.”
The two people’s eyes met.
“That’s why I’m looking for Geummyeongcho. Geummyeongcho helps protect the body and keep the mind pure, but at the same time, it has very pure and primitive efficacy. “It can defeat almost all types of poisons and plays a role in driving out impure energy from the body.”
So doesn’t this mean that it is possible to drive out Hong Mong Dabeop?
Ebi Han said.
“okay.”
But something is strange.
Han Ibi’s eyes were moist.
And soon it turned into tears and started flowing down.
Song Myeong-cheon asked, somewhat surprised.
“Why are you doing that?”
I don’t know. I keep crying.
All of this… I experienced it myself.
Han Ibi quickly answered while wiping away her tears.
“no. No. Thank you for your hard work. “You’ve worked really hard…”
Song Myeong-cheon was looking at Han Ibi as if she were strange.
* * *
The chef, Mrs. Cho Jin-sook, was squeezing out all the tears and snot.
So, they say you have to do well while you have it….
“No~! We should at least talk about it in advance. Shouldn’t you say hello and leave? “I need to cook him something delicious…”
Looking at his expression, Hwang Bang, the owner of the inn, also seemed very sad that Ace had left like this.
Ebi Han said.
“Mister and uncle. thank you so much. I will come down from the mountain often. Because I have to sell medicinal herbs, I have to come once every two or three months. “I’ll stop by then and say hello.”
Hwang Bang said.
“okay. Thank you so much for this. Anyway, if the situation changes, you can come and work at any time. Understand?”
“yes. Uncle Hwang. Thank you very much.”
“okay. Well, I’ll see you again then, so don’t go far. “You too, please take care of yourself.”
Song Myeong-cheon just nodded without saying a word.
The two took steps towards Magok Mountain again.
* * *
Han Ibi said.
“A man named Tak Bu-yong… How did he know that the old man was in Magok Mountain?”
Song Myeong-cheon said.
“He has been persistently tracking me for three years. Since shaman Jang Mun-in’s body cannot be moved directly, the method is to rely on the neutral and black swordsmen. As soon as they came, I slaughtered them all. “That’s why rumors about me spread like that.”
It was understandable since he mercilessly rips off the opponent’s arm during a fight…
“He was probably very surprised too. “You probably think that my martial arts skills have already been completely eliminated.”
Han Ibi said after being lost in thought for a moment.
“Hmm… If Zhuo Buyong is as knowledgeable about worldly affairs as he is, he would also know about the existence of ‘Geummyeongcho’.”
“The story of Geummyeongcho is a famous anecdote. This is because ‘Magoksan Mountain’ is the native place of ‘Geummyeongcho’, which has been passed down as a legend in the past. He must have guessed that I would be around here. “It seems like people were also planted in the village.”
“And in the end… you found it.”
Yes.
The hut where Song Myeong-cheon and Han Ibi lived had traces of people having visited it. Eventually, the location was discovered.
Song Myeong-cheon and Han Yi-bi hurriedly packed essential household items into sacks.
Grumble!
The flames soared.
Of course, the cabin was made of wood.
It was burning brightly.
The rushing heat. The sound of fire igniting fiercely pierced my eardrums.
It is impossible to use a place that has already been discovered as a residence again. The two began to climb deeper into the mountain.
* * *
The mountain slopes of Magoksan Mountain became more rugged as we climbed higher.
Even after washing my eyes, I couldn’t find any traces of people.
After wandering around for two days and nights, the two discovered an old natural cave near a cliff.
It wasn’t suitable for long stays, but it could be useful for a while.
But… Han Ibi suddenly felt hungry.
Since I hadn’t eaten properly for two days, I was feeling really hungry.
Han Ibi was in a hurry and went looking for wild animals. The really fortunate thing is that the deeper the mountain, the less afraid wild animals are of humans.
Still, most of them were busy running away, but some poor servants were occasionally seen looking this way with curious eyes.
Han Ibi collected a handful of berries that appeared to be a type of raspberry and successfully hunted a rabbit and returned to the cave.
“Elder. “I’m here.”
There was no answer.
Song Myeong-cheon was already sitting at one end of the cave, having a fortune-telling breakfast. In that case, it’s best not to touch it.
However, the complexion of the old man who entered the palace was not bright. It seemed that his health was getting worse day by day.
It gets worse every time you use martial arts.
‘I need to get Geummyeongcho quickly…’
Han Ibi prayed for the soul of the rabbit she knocked out and stretched out again today. The neck was cut open to draw blood, the stomach was cut open and the intestines were emptied.
He was putting rabbit meat in a bowl to boil.
“Hawk.”
Han Ibi couldn’t believe her ears. This was because that blunt old man had never called him so affectionately.
“yes. “Elderly.”
Han Yi-bi answered and looked at the old man. Just then, Song Myeong-cheon finished his fortune-telling breakfast and opened his eyes.
“Come closer.”
“yes. “Elderly.”
Han Yi-bi walked towards Song Myeong-cheon, roughly rubbing her dirty hands on her clothes.
Song Myeong-cheon said.
“Now you must bow to me.”
iced coffee! Finally. at las! Isn’t this ‘Gubaejirye’ that frequently appears in martial arts novels?
The other main characters get this opportunity easily from the beginning of the novel… but why did it take so long for him to do it?…
“Yes! Master. thank you Thank you again!”
Han Ibi answered immediately and began to bow by banging her head nine times. The floor of the cave is made of rock, so it was a little hard, but it should be enough to make your forehead bulge.
Of course, I adjusted my strength. When you look at the descriptions of martial arts novels, many people say that it makes a ‘thump, thump’ sound, but when you actually try it, that’s a bit excessive.
One two three… seven eight nine!
Hmm. If that’s the case, I think it was worth it to show up around this time.
Tiriring.
yes.
[Main Quest Accomplished: You have been granted the status of disciple of Cabin Old Man Song Myeong-cheon.]
Hehehe.
It’s finally here. It’s finally here.
Han Ibi almost shed tears of emotion.
I finally completed the main quest.
However, I was more thrilled to receive Song Myeong-cheon’s recognition than to complete the quest.
Have I ever had such a deep relationship in real life…
or let alone, have I ever cried for someone other than my family?
Anyway… Why on earth did this quest appear in the introduction and only now…
[Reward: You can now continue Song Myeong-cheon’s progress.]
Hmm… Good. That’s good… but what is that progress?
At that time, Song Myeong-cheon spoke.
“I only know the name.”
Han Ibi asked in a daze.
“yes?”
“It’s the martial arts name.”
“What is your military name?”
“Yes. “This is a martial art that I can teach you.”
“ah! “That’s what you mean.”
I think the unidentified author I saw on Epic Quest said ‘Hong blah’, but I don’t really remember.
“The names are ‘Hongmong Dabeop’ and ‘Mahyeondobeop’ respectively.”
It was then.
A sound effect occurred and a status window appeared before my eyes.
[Information about one of the ‘108 (108) bases’ has been captured. You can check the information through the ‘Status Window’. Would you like to check now?” (Y/N)]
Here it comes again.
Let’s take a quick look first. yes.
[This is a search result from the Institute’s DB system.]
Name: Demonic Sword Technique
Classification: Level 4
Series: External Attack
Characteristics: Original name is ‘Mara’ (a term used in Buddhism to refer to a demon-like entity that possesses people) It is a martial art created by Zhou Ho-gyeong (周湖鏡), a general of the Wu Dynasty who was famous for his war martial arts skills. This rogue and wicked martial artist was known to have been put out of practice after the fall of the Wu Dynasty, but it is said that it was passed down under a new name by Master Luo Dan, a descendant of Zhou Huqing who became a monk. Nothing is known about its exact abilities.
So… the conclusion is that we don’t know much. If it’s going to be like this, why even bring up the status window… But this Hongmong Great Law doesn’t even seem like a hundred and eight years old?
At that time, Song Myeong-cheon’s voice was heard.
“The Great Law of Hongmong means the Law of Negongsim. And Mahyeondobeop is about how to use a sword. Although these two martial arts are independent, they can only achieve the best effect when used together.”
“yes. All right.”
“Hongmong Great Law… as you can see from me… is basically a type of magical art.”
“Magong?”
I’ve already noticed this, but out of courtesy, I have to pretend not to know…
“That’s right… Basically, the Great Law of Hongmong contains the principles of the apostle (邪道). To carry this apostle’s duty to its extreme. Once it is planted, it gives great power and authority to the owner, but in the past, the positions of master and slave are reversed. “This is the fear of Great Law Hong Mong.”
‘I see! There is this strange story behind the mage being the villain in the original story of Dream of the Dead.’
“okay. However, there is something I don’t understand. “How is it different from an apostle?”
“For convenience of classification, the character ‘sa’ (邪) was added to the name, but in reality, it is no different from martial arts. Because all martial arts are made to touch the vein at the root. However, it can be said that it is a question of what to consider first and last.”
“I don’t quite understand.”
“Hehehe. “Let’s change it to a question of whether to eat the meat side dish or the vegetable side dish first.”
“It’s still puzzling.”
“good. There is no need to know details. In conclusion, this is a martial art that requires a price to be paid.”
“What is it?”
Han Ibi felt like her mind was becoming more and more complicated.
“Yes. Be it physical or mental. Therefore, I cannot and should never teach you the ‘Great Law of Hong Meng’.”
what. If you’re not going to teach me, why is it taking so long…
“Hmm. thank you But, Master. “If you learn a certain level of martial arts, you don’t have to pay anything, right?”
Song Myeong-cheon said, smiling for the first time in a while.
“you’re welcome. A lot of time and effort. “The process of learning the basic skills that must be built up until the martial arts can be revealed is the price of learning Jeongdo martial arts.”
Han Ibi realized something big. Song Myeong-cheon continued.
“But I will be able to teach you a few of the Demonic Swordsmanship techniques. It will be a great help in self-defense. “It consists of things that can be learned in a short period of time.”
Ohh! where is that great. great. Because you have to live it first.
“yes. “I look forward to your teachings.”
* * *
Because it was deep in the mountains, the days were even shorter. Fire must be conserved.
So the two had to pursue a natural life, living according to the length of the year.
From dawn to afternoon, I collected medicinal herbs and looked for Geummyeongcho in my spare time.
From late afternoon until dusk, I taught some of the basics of the Mahyeondo method.
Meanwhile, Song Myeong-cheon was getting weaker day by day.
Perhaps it was the reward for excessively using the Hongmong Great Technique in the last fight.
Han Ibi could clearly feel it too.
Song Myeong-cheon was struggling to keep the situations of master and slave from being reversed.
It is waging a long, long fight to not lose control of its body.
He wanted to help Song Myeong-cheon recover his health and use martial arts freely.
I felt a sense of duty to find Geummyeongcho so that I could take revenge for the injustice done to me.
If not… wouldn’t it be a very pitiful life?
(Continued in the next part)
