Beastly and Fearlessly - Chapter 19
Only Noblemtl
Episode 19
Ink and steel, cold and iron.
Iron, black as ink and with a cool chill.
It is also called ‘mukcheol’ for short, and its hardness can be compared to that of mannyeonhancheol.
However, while the iron that is made of many years of age is strong and light, the iron that is made of thick steel is heavy and therefore not easy to make into swords or roads.
No, it would be more accurate to say that it can be made, but its weight makes it unsuitable for cutting and stabbing.
Because in the Central Plains, they prefer weapons that are strong but light.
So it is mainly used when making things like organ transplants or prisons.
But here in Namman, the story is different.
What does weight matter to the warriors of the Beast Palace who have strength to spare?
They are people who move rocks as big as houses for fun.
I just witnessed with my own eyes someone tearing off a palm-sized piece of iron with their bare hands.
“If a skilled craftsman melts it well, he can create an unbreakable weapon. It is as hard as iron that has been around for a long time. There is a considerable amount of it, so if you were to use it to strike a sword or a sword, you could probably make ten of them… … .”
For a moment, the great sword hanging from my father’s waist caught my eye.
A gigantic greatsword taller than a child.
“Ah. Ten would be difficult, maybe three or four… … would be difficult. I think two or three would be enough.”
“Oh. That was a really great thing. Somehow, when you left earlier, there were tears in Kwak Dong-ju’s eyes.”
Even if you don’t prefer it as a material for weapons, it’s definitely not an easy item to obtain.
In the first place, it is difficult to obtain the iron itself.
Especially here in Namman.
From what we’ve seen so far, the materials of the weapons used by the Beast Archer warriors aren’t very good.
This is because of the poor quality of iron and the skills of the craftsmen.
So it is made very thick to increase strength.
Of course, I gave up sharpness.
Well, for the warriors of the Beast Palace, it’s probably just a matter of whether to kill the opponent by cutting off their neck or by cracking their head open.
“I got a good one.”
A word from my father.
“The fabric here is also very good. I will take the best piece of fabric and prepare a nice suit for Myung-ee to wear.”
My mother was looking me up and down, taking measurements of my body.
“I guess I’ll have to build it bigger since it’ll be taller.”
It’s bigger here?
Ah. I’m still sixteen.
But why do you suddenly want to make clothes?
It’s a place where people applaud and say that you’re cool if you just wear a tiger skin that doesn’t have any scratches.
Why would you need fancy clothes in such a free-spirited place?
My mother explained, reading my expression.
“I’ll wear it to the reunion next year. And maybe you… … .”
Mother’s gaze turned far to the north.
There was a faint longing in her eyes.
If you are north of Namman, it is the Central Plains.
Where in the Central Plains are you planning to send him, and even make him clothes yourself?
* * *
After Mansanggwakdong visited, I was sick in bed for several days.
This is the first time that four towers have collapsed at once.
In my previous life, I had attained the fourth level of the Gyungsin Gong.
There are eight treasures in total.
But it has never once collapsed and exploded with power.
Because my fucking body was too weak to withstand that force.
When I was fighting Salmakju right before I died, I didn’t even have the strength left to break the wall…
My current body is more than capable of handling the force and aftereffects.
However, it was unavoidable that all the energy would drain away at once and I would become exhausted.
This means that it should not be used lightly unless it is a life-or-death situation.
“Rest is also a form of training.”
The old man spoke to me as I was walking to the training ground.
“I got enough rest.”
“There’s no way a guy who exerted that much force would have rested enough. But that force… … . is not.”
Perhaps he was trying to ask about the power he poured out while destroying the fortress with his great power.
I’d be grateful if you just close your eyes and pretend not to know.
“As you may have felt, the position of Paldong is not eternal. There are many families that are also aiming for that position. And as you will experience later, the competition between Paldong is also fierce. One of the eight places will produce the next Beast King. Everyone is expecting it to be their family.”
The expressions on Nosa’s face were serious.
“In any case, you are now the sole owner of Namcheon Damdong. From now on, whatever you do will represent Namcheon Damdong. Do you understand?”
He nodded quietly.
A position that is never light.
“There will be a lot of competition, especially with the other eight-legged sects. Among them, there is one who inherited the blood of the current Beast King, Jin Jung-ak. He is an amazing guy who everyone agrees will become the next Beast King. I don’t know what his actual skills are, though.”
What the union and management want to say is simple.
You have proven yourself to be the only Sodongju of Namcheon Damdong.
But that’s only a step forward.
There will be more checks and balances and conflicts in the future.
There will be strong competitors ahead.
So, get your mind straight and do your best.
And become the Beast King and bring glory to the name of Namcheon Damdong.
Oh, did my last words mix in too much of my greed?
The old man’s mouth did not say that I should become the Beast King.
But his eyes said it all.
“Sodongju, who is the enemy of our Beast Palace?”
The labor union suddenly asked a question.
Enemy of the South. Enemy of the Beast Palace… … .
From what I heard from Deoksam, there are three enemies in total.
One is the ferocious beasts that appear in the jungle or grassland.
Although it may be a bit odd to call them enemies, the meaning of the phrase ‘The Beast Palace protects the Nanman’ also means protecting the Nanman people.
The second is the various groups of Namman who do not belong to the Beast Palace.
Namman is wide.
There are countless hordes of them beyond the reach of the Beast Palace.
You can’t get rid of them all, and even if you do, they’ll come back again.
In terms of the Central Plains, you could say that they are a group of black bandits who roam around and commit evil deeds.
And the last third is… … .
“The last third enemy is the one you need to be most concerned about.”
The two men’s gazes were turned towards the north.
“The Beast Palace does not want war with the Central Plains. Unless there is something special, they do not cross the Porang Mountain. However, they always covet this place. How many Central Plains warriors do you think cross over to the South Manchuria every year?”
From the Central Plains to the Southern Plains?
“We can’t hold a murderer from the killer who kills and runs away.”
All of this must be because they make fun of the Namman Beast Palace.
Because he looks like a savage, wild man swinging an axe in the distance.
Somehow I felt like I knew why my father had chosen the sword.
“That’s why we must become strong. So that no one in the Central Plains dares to look down on the Nanman. The more they fear us, the safer the Nanman will be. That’s why our warriors of the Beast Palace must become strong.”
This is the biggest difference from the Central Plains.
The purpose of training.
Training to protect someone.
“You are the one who will become the leader of this place. No, maybe the next beast… … . Whatever happens, you must always remember. The reason why you must become strong.”
There are countless reasons to become stronger.
But today, one more important thing happened.
* * *
“You have to lay a good foundation. You have to practice the first move slowly with the correct posture. Don’t raise your energy, but only think about the correct movements and the meaning of the first move.”
Although his voice was loud, as if he was shouting, his expression was filled with pride.
When I went up to the stage to face Damwangsu the other day, I only had two basic techniques of the Gyeongcheon Sword that I had learned.
One-second wave creation and two-second waterfall breaking.
The old man was surprised at my quick learning and tried to teach me the rest of the herbivores, but I refused.
Because knowing well is more important than knowing a lot.
Of course, I was confident that I could win the match with just those two weapons.
I’m currently learning the remaining six supernatural powers.
I could tell right away after seeing the first demonstration that Nosa and Noh put on.
Gyeongcheon Geomhae is an incredible sword technique.
There were countless changes and profound mysteries embedded in simple movements.
A depth that seems to overlook all the swordsmanship in the world.
But now, we have only just set foot on the vast ocean called Gyeongcheongeomhae.
Even with my excellent intelligence, I cannot properly see the meaning contained in this crazy swordsmanship.
I think I know why no one has succeeded.
But if you make the twelve constellations… … .
The energy that can split Mount Tai and divide the Yangtze River will spread from the tip of the sword.
Able to divide the world.
“What is Sodongju doing right now? It seems like he’s been sitting in the same position for a while now, not moving at all.”
“No. The sword is two inches higher than before. Above all, look at the expression on the old man’s face as he watches. Have you ever seen an old man’s face filled with such admiration?”
“By the way, when will we be able to understand the meaning contained in the Gyeongcheon Geomhae?”
“Don’t complain and just swing the axe in your hand. We’re not geniuses like Sodongju.”
The whispering around me did not reach my ears.
Right now, I was in a fierce battle with the virtual enemy right in front of me.
Dozens of sword paths that stab, cut, and block are tangled in a mess.
It’s hard to imagine.
I am given two tasks.
Understanding the Gyeongcheon Sword and recovering the realm of one’s previous life.
In particular, the state of the dark mind is regrettable.
It is still at the first stage, the right eye.
To reach the next stage, Gwangan (廣眼), cultivation alone is not enough.
The best way is to practice, but just watching the experts practice can be helpful.
“Can I go to the training camp?”
Only those who have received the title of Warrior can train in the Great Training Center.
So I’m still training at Soyeonmujang.
“Great martial arts?”
The old master, who had been watching my practice from a half-lying position in the shade, stood up from his seat and shook his butt.
After looking me up and down for a while, he answered.
“So you want to become a warrior? I guess it can be done. It’s a bit fast, but… … I’ll tell my brother-in-law. He wants to take the test to become a warrior.”
Then, without even listening to my answer, he went towards Dongjujeon.
I think you misunderstood what I said.
* * *
“You want to become a warrior?”
Father’s voice.
“Ah, no, that’s it. I think it still needs more time.”
Nosa immediately went to find his father, Dongju, and asked him to take a test to become a warrior.
I just asked if I could watch their training.
“I will give you three months. I expect you to show me a face that is not shameful. I have already told you that Nam Woong Dae Ju will personally confirm your qualifications.”
No, why is Nam Woong-dae suddenly coming in person?
Why is he, the great warrior of the Beast Palace?
It reminded me of a wild bear with a bushy beard.
The way he rolled up his sleeves and said he would break my head and bring me back to my senses.
I’m a little confused. I have to deal with a master who has suddenly reached his peak.
“Why? Aren’t you confident?”
“……no.”
“If you don’t have confidence, I’ll assign you a suitable guy.”
“No. I am grateful that Lord Nam Woong Dae-ju is willing to deal with me personally.”
I’ve faced countless masters at the peak of their power.
Of course, at that time, I was at a higher level than that.
You can always gain enlightenment from a fight with a great warrior.
It will be a good opportunity.
“The title of warrior is not something you can receive only by winning. It is enough to show what you are capable of. Prepare well for three months.”
“……All right.”
If you leave the room and fall down, there is no enlightenment.
If your head breaks, you become a real fool that day and spend the rest of your life being teased by Deoksam.
If you practice for about three months, wouldn’t it be worth a try?
As long as nothing unexpected happens… … .
But incidents always come without warning.