‘Yes. This is what a true passing encounter is meant to be.’
Meeting someone by chance in this vast martial world is truly a miraculous connection and the essence of the martial world’s charm.
His heart had pounded whenever he saw such scenes in martial arts novels, but he never imagined he’d experience it himself.
‘Of course… without Hwanggu, we might not have even brushed sleeves.’
You could say he played a role in making this chance encounter a bit easier?
After their joyful reunion, the two immediately found a nearby inn.
The innkeeper stared at the large dog and blue hawk, then gazed intently at Jin Cheonhee’s face before asking:
“Could you be the martial brother White-Robed Divine Dragon?”
“Y-yes, that’s right.”
“Please, please come in! Hurry!”
The innkeeper’s eyes flashed with light.
‘I bet he’s going to hang a sign later saying “Restaurant Approved by the White-Robed Divine Dragon,” isn’t he?’
He’d heard that since Long Dragon Sword was quite a gourmand, inns where he dined would hang signs claiming “Restaurant Approved by Long Dragon Sword.”
‘I won’t forgive it if the food is bad.’
Professor Jin wasn’t one to allow his name to be used for something tasteless.
He would judge with his own taste buds just how delicious it was.
The innkeeper guided the two to the most honored seat in the inn, even to a room reserved for precious guests.
This confirmed it.
This innkeeper fully intended to profit from the White-Robed Divine Dragon’s name.
However, Jin Cheonhee wasn’t one to refuse what was offered.
Seated at the table, he ordered several dishes that caught his eye from the menu.
The owner went downstairs, delighted.
He would probably add plenty of extras.
‘This aspect of martial world fame is nice.’
When he first entered the martial world, he had to struggle not to get ripped off, but now everyone was desperate to serve him.
As soon as the owner went downstairs, Jin Cheonhee asked.
“What brings you here? And alone at that.”
In response, Cheon Woo smiled gently.
“I’m on martial pilgrimage. Other sects also naturally send people my age for martial pilgrimage.”
‘Oh. So it’s already that time.’
Brief common knowledge.
Martial pilgrimage.
It refers to when a young martial artist from a sect goes out into the martial world alone, or in groups of two or three, to do various things before returning.
Martial arts don’t improve just by swinging a sword at a wall by yourself.
Of course, basics can improve, but without practical experience, becoming a true martial artist remains forever impossible.
One must experience the world itself, clash within it, and cross swords with others for martial arts to grow.
Martial arts isn’t simply about how much you swing a sword.
It’s about who you swing it at, how you swing it, and with what heart you swing it.
One must agonize over all these things, clash, despair, and yet move forward.
‘From a reader’s perspective, it embodies the very theme of the martial arts genre itself.’
Without struggle, there can be no growth.
This martial pilgrimage is prominently featured in any martial arts novel.
‘Usually, many take escort agency jobs during such training, but there are also quite a few martial artists who wander as ronin, performing heroic deeds.’
The escort agency is like the modern-day package delivery escort service.
Just as loading and unloading packages is hard work, escort agency jobs are demanding, so they’re always waiting for young martial artists.
As for heroic deeds… that’s often chosen by martial artists from wealthy families.
While some truly act as heroes, others just wander around with money provided by their families.
Of course, if they waste time like that, they’ll return with their martial arts not improved at all, just older—which is why many families intentionally send them out with very little pocket money.
“So you’ve already reached that stage.”
“Yes. Master said I’ve reached the point where I need practical experience. But people keep doubting whether I’m from Wudang Sect. Despite my Taoist robe and sword.”
“Hmm…”
‘Did I make the eye patch wrong?’
I had embroidered the Wudang symbol in silver thread on the black leather eye patch.
I meant to give him strength so he wouldn’t be disrespected, but instead, he sometimes appears to be a wealthy unorthodox sect leader.
Plus, as he grows, his impression becomes increasingly cold and sharp, moving further and further away from a Taoist’s appearance.
And the intimidation from his large frame adds to it.
“Still, you look more dignified than before?”
At Jin Cheonhee’s compliment, Cheon Woo’s expression softened immediately.
“If you see it that way, then it must be so.”
“Come to think of it, being out here means you left before receiving the gloves, right?”
“Gloves?”
Cheon Woo’s eyes widened.
“Yes, gloves made from white silkworm silk. I sent them to Wudang.”
At those words, Cheon Woo made an expression as if stabbed, going “Urk.”
“If I’d known, I would have departed a bit later.”
Gloves made from white silkworm silk.
Any martial artist would desire them.
Moreover, they were designed with reinforced palms so that once a sword was gripped, it would never be dropped due to external impact.
They were literally gloves made for Cheon Woo.
It would be strange if he weren’t disappointed.
“So where are you heading, Brother?”
“I’m going to Beijing.”
“Beijing? Could it be the imperial palace…?”
At those words, Jin Cheonhee’s eyes widened slightly.
“Why do you think that?”
“Well, with your medical skills, I thought you’d be at that level.”
‘You have good intuition.’
Though it was more like catching a mouse with an ox’s foot, he was indeed going to the imperial palace.
To be precise, not to treat the emperor but to receive the reward earned from previous treatment.
“Then can I go with you?”
What an unexpected proposal.
“Aren’t you on martial pilgrimage?”
“Wandering around like this is martial pilgrimage. You know.”
He had been suffering from martial artists’ duel requests due to his fame.
He had been thinking he might need to travel with escort agency people again like last time, but this was something he would welcome with open arms.
From the perspective of those challenging him to duels, if Cheon Woo stepped forward saying “To duel my brother, defeat me first,” their already slim chances would become even slimmer.
Whether fighting or not, having an extra person counts for at least half the battle.
“I’d be happy to have you.”
At those words, Cheon Woo sighed with relief.
‘This kid. Did he think I would refuse?’
He secretly tends to think of his brother as difficult.
Jin Cheonhee found this amusing and smiled.
***
So they borrowed two fresh horses from the post station.
“Um, Brother. I have a confession to make.”
“What is it?”
“I’ve… never ridden a horse before.”
“What?”
This was unexpected. Jin Cheonhee stared at Cheon Woo, who blushed and scratched the back of his head.
“Well… horses never come up Mount Wudang. And with lightness skills, why would I learn? Well, kids from families with some means might have opportunities to ride horses, but I’m not one of them.”
‘Ah… that’s right. Cheon Woo never had such opportunities.’
Even if not wealthy, children from ordinary merchant families would have chances to ride horses.
Cheon Woo was an orphan, and unlike other disciples who might leave Mount Wudang for outings, he had nowhere to go.
‘I touched a sore spot.’
As a fellow orphan, knowing which parts hurt made him feel a bit sorry.
“Cheon Woo! People normally learn to ride horses when they start martial pilgrimage. Everyone learns that way. You’re definitely not late!”
He deliberately spoke cheerfully and chose the gentlest horse, handing its reins to Cheon Woo.
At that moment.
Neeeiiigh-!
The horse went berserk the moment it saw Cheon Woo.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa, why are you so frightened?”
The stable keeper hurriedly tried to calm the horse.
Seeing this, Cheon Woo awkwardly touched his eye patch.
“Actually, animals tend to be a bit afraid of me, Brother.”
“What’s wrong with your appearance that would scare them? Wait!”
Jin Cheonhee selected horses one by one to bring to Cheon Woo.
Whinnny!
Neeeiiigh!
Every one of them reared up and went berserk in front of Cheon Woo.
“…Brother, don’t force yourself.”
“No, no! These horses are just a bit sensitive!”
…The stable keeper felt somewhat wronged.
With 20 years of experience as a stable keeper, this was the first time he’d seen all horses rear up and go berserk.
But the person before him carried the imperial inspector’s insignia.
He couldn’t bring himself to curse, only feeling resentful inside.
Finally, Jin Cheonhee roughly grabbed the reins of the largest horse.
Neigh!
Jin Cheonhee hugged the horse’s head tightly and whispered.
“Don’t be afraid, okay?”
Just then, Hwanggu, unable to stand it anymore, barked “woof” in a low voice.
At the sound from the spiritual beast, the large horse’s ears flapped violently, and eventually, as if giving up on everything, it drooped its head.
Jin Cheonhee smiled brightly.
“Cheon Woo. I found one! Hey, this big one matches your height perfectly.”
Saying that, he handed over the reins.
“Thank you, Brother.”
“It’s nothing~ Now you just need to learn how to ride. Martial artists naturally have motor skills that are on a completely different level from ordinary citizens. You’ll learn everything in less than fifteen minutes!”
He fussed like that, urging Cheon Woo to mount the horse.
Cheon Woo felt grateful for such a brother.
***
Indeed, he became accustomed to riding in less than fifteen minutes.
“Oh, as expected of my brother. I knew you’d pick it up quickly.”
“Brother… it’s okay. I can ride well now.”
Cheon Woo’s face turned red up to his ears.
While it wasn’t an unpleasant feeling, being coddled like a child was driving him crazy.
“I’ve noticed while walking along the main road that no one picks fights anymore?”
“Ah… that’s probably because of my appearance, Brother.”
“What’s wrong with your appearance?”
“Well… when there’s a large man wearing an eye patch who’s over eight feet tall riding a horse beside you, wouldn’t people wonder what unorthodox sect we’re from? Though they might think you would spare them since you look benevolent, I don’t think I give that impression.”
“How fierce could your appearance be? You’re handsome, you punk!”
Smack!
As Jin Cheonhee patted his back, Cheon Woo smiled bitterly.
Being handsome and looking kind were two different matters.
The Wudang Sect Leader had once described his disciple like this:
-You’ve clearly received Taoist teachings and gained Taoist enlightenment, so why is your aura so ominous? Even that Heavenly-Killing Star fellow looks more presentable than you.
That was how it was.
The Wudang Sect Leader had somewhat given up.
-It seems your appearance is the problem… tsk, anyway. Looking at your eye patch, you’re not even Xiahou Dun[1].
He had always been a straightforward person.
He had no qualms about poking his disciples’ sore spots.
-If your eyes looked a bit kinder, that might help… hmm… smile often… no, don’t smile. It’s creepy. Why is such a handsome face so ominous? Geez.
Cheon Woo had given up.
It wasn’t unusual for children he rescued during his heroic journey to have seizures out of fear upon seeing him.
“As long as you don’t find me scary, Brother. That’s all that matters.”
Cheon Woo said only that much and smiled slightly.
Clop, clop-
As they conversed while walking along the main road, the sun had already begun to set.
Hwanggu showed signs of fatigue, and Noe-jin had perched on Jin Cheonhee’s head, dozing off.
“Once we cross this hill, there’s a village where we can stay for the night.”
“How do you know that, Brother?”
“I looked at a map at the post station before we left.”
“…And?”
“What do you mean ‘and’? I looked, so I know.”
‘He remembers after seeing it just once?’
Cheon Woo was astounded.
He knew that everyone from the Zhuge Clan was intelligent.
And that his brother was particularly brilliant, even among them.
But his brother never showed off his knowledge, nor did he give off the unique atmosphere of a strategist.
Rather, he seemed like an ordinary, kind physician.
Just that.
Yet there were moments like this when he suddenly felt his brother was different from others.
Cheon Woo liked that.
“…”
“Why are you smiling?”
“No reason.”
“You’re being silly.”
He wished everyone in the world would recognize his brother’s specialness.
In fact, the current reputation of the White-Robed Divine Dragon was actually understated.
Not many people knew his brother’s true worth.
That felt regrettable.
And he felt somewhat proud to be one of the few people who knew that side of his brother.
His brother would never notice it, though.