Chapter 32. Obtaining a Martial Art and Sworn Siblings (1)
When Mo Biyoung saw that kind of spending just for hiring a single vagabond, she once again thought that the Young Master was clueless about the ways of the world.
‘Ah, I’ll have to exchange another promissory note on the battlefield.’
The clan head had entrusted promissory notes to Mo Biyoung to ensure that Yong Hwarin wouldn’t run out of money while traveling.
Worried that naïve Yong Hwarin would waste them, he had given them to the meticulous and detail-oriented Mo Biyoung.
There was a reason Yong Hwarin had given so much silver to Jong Seok.
He believed that someone like Jong Seok must have had a reason for hiding his identity, living as a vagabond warrior in Pungnyang County, and working as a merchant escort to earn money.
As expected, Jong Seok’s eyes turned red as he spoke.
“There’s something I haven’t told you.”
“What is it?”
“I have a younger sibling I look after. They’re sick, and the illness is so rare that the medicine is extremely expensive. With this money, their condition should improve for a while.”
“Then you should quickly get the medicine. Also, I’ll be heading to Jeongju—why don’t you bring your sibling along with us?”
Jong Seok was both delighted and slightly suspicious at Yong Hwarin’s words.
“Why are you being so kind to me?”
Hearing that, the Two Wook Sword Demon nodded his head.
‘That’s what I’m saying.’
Yong Hwarin smiled as he looked at Jong Seok.
“It’s because I like you, Brother Jong. Now that I’ve come out into the martial world, I understand what they mean by 'the forest of swords in the martial world.' But in this so-called forest of swords, while I do see blades and violence, I don’t see those so-called chivalrous heroes, nor do I see any sense of justice. Then I saw you, Brother Jong, standing tall against that bastard from Serpent Dragon Sect or whatever it was, and I liked you. You can just chalk it up to the recklessness of someone new to the martial world. I did it to make a friend, so don’t feel burdened. They say people would even sell their parents to make a friend, right? But I got one for just a few silver coins—what a great deal, don’t you think?”
Each of Yong Hwarin’s words struck deeply in Jong Seok’s chest.
Once, he had lived proudly as the youngest disciple of the Hidden Saint Cult, basking in its power—until the cult was destroyed and he fled in secret.
Since then, he had just barely managed to survive in this place, but the kindness Yong Hwarin had shown was slowly melting the bitterness in his heart.
“Very well. Then I’ll accept this, thinking of it as a friend’s kindness.”
“We’re staying at Hohyang Inn, so bring your sibling there.”
With that, Jong Seok bowed deeply to Yong Hwarin, who handed over the silver and let him go without hesitation.
“Thank you for your trust, Young Master Yong.”
As Jong Seok turned and leapt away using his light footwork, Namwook grumbled.
“What if that guy doesn’t come back after taking the money?”
Yong Hwarin looked at the three of them in turn and tilted his head.
“I haven’t lived long, so I don’t know people well, but do you really think a proud warrior who was willing to risk his life against those who framed him would betray our trust over a few silver coins?”
Hearing that, Namwook had nothing to say. Even to him, Jong Seok didn’t seem like someone who would break a promise.
Then Jungwook replied.
“I always believed in the Young Master’s judgment.”
“Right? That’s what I expect from you, Guard Jung. In that case, we should drink some Golden Spring Clear tonight, just the two of us.”
“What? What about me?”
“I can’t drink with someone who doesn’t trust my judgment.”
“Hahaha, Young Master, who said I didn’t trust you? I was just concerned, that’s all.”
“Come now, Guard Jung. Let’s go drink that Golden Spring Clear.”
As the two of them clicked together perfectly, Namwook pouted and watched them go.
Mo Biyoung shook her head as she watched.
Somehow, these Sword Demons, once feared throughout the clan, were starting to resemble the Young Master.
Thanks to drinking a fair amount of Golden Spring Clear the night before, Yong Hwarin had fallen asleep early. Just as he was about to circulate his energy to shake off the hangover, someone shuffled outside his room.
“Who’s there?”
“Ah! You’re awake?”
It was Jong Seok’s voice.
“Brother Jong, what brings you here so early in the morning?”
“I couldn’t come last night because I was boiling medicine for my sibling. I came early because I thought you might be worried.”
“Hahaha, I trust you, Brother Jong. A little delay is no big deal. Is your sibling feeling better?”
Yong Hwarin threw on some clothes and opened the door.
“It’s the kind of illness that improves quickly with the right medicine. They could run around right now.”
“There’s such an illness?”
Jong Seok seemed hesitant to say more, so Yong Hwarin smoothly changed the subject.
“Well, that’s a relief. I was going to wait until your sibling recovered, but does that mean we can leave today?”
“Yes.”
“Then go prepare quickly. We’ll eat and head out.”
As Jong Seok left, Yong Hwarin also stepped out into the back courtyard.
The courtyard was already bustling with people preparing for their morning training.
Among them were people from the Hajung Escort agency.
They bowed to Yong Hwarin.
“You’re up early, Sir Flying Dragon Sword Hero. We’re escort guards, so it’s normal for us to rise early to check the cargo, but we didn’t expect to see you up too.”
Hearing the head escort’s words, Yong Hwarin turned to look behind him.
He thought the so-called Flying Dragon Sword Hero must’ve been someone who came out after him.
Seeing Yong Hwarin’s confused expression, the guards from the escort agency laughed.
“Hahaha, it seems the Young Master hasn’t heard yet.”
“Heard what? What’s this about a Flying Dragon Sword Hero?”
The head of Hajung Escort agency had the urge to tease him a bit more.
“I hear he’s a rising star—chivalrous and highly skilled in martial arts.”
“Really? Oh, are you talking about Brother Jong?”
The head escort shook his head.
It seemed Yong Hwarin hadn’t figured it out yet.
He hadn’t imagined that he could’ve earned a nickname in just a day or two.
“Hahaha, from what I’ve heard, the Flying Dragon Sword Hero’s name is Yong Hwarin.”
When he heard that, Yong Hwarin was surprised, but deep down he was delighted, almost to the point of wanting to dance.
Considering his past life—born to a martial family but unable to learn martial arts properly and ending up in the Upper World—this dashing title thrilled him.
‘Flying Dragon Sword Hero, huh? It sounds like a title that oozes the elegance of a martial master. I can’t believe I have such a nickname now……’
Even in his previous life, he wasn’t completely without nicknames.
But they were embarrassing ones he could barely bring himself to say.
Back then, due to his massive build, people used to call him “Heavenly Sea White Pig.” Just saying “the white pig of the Sky Ocean Merchant Union” would make people know they were talking about Yong Hwarin.
Carrying such a disgraceful nickname had always filled him with shame.
Even though he had thought of that nickname as a disgrace to the clan, he hadn’t made any effort to get rid of it.
He hadn’t even tried to lose weight.
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say he had lived his life in resignation, consumed by self-loathing at having become a disgrace to a martial clan’s legacy. The more that happened, the more obsessed with money he became, gradually turning into a true pig—that was his previous life.
That was why the present-day Yong Hwarin felt so deeply moved by this new nickname.
‘Flying Dragon Sword Hero, Flying Dragon Sword Hero, Flying Dragon Sword Hero.’
As he was basking in his emotions alone, the head escort spoke up.
“I may not be qualified to speak on behalf of my escort agency, but thanks to you, Young Master Yong, we were able to protect the honor of this agency.”
He was referring to the conflict with the Sky Ocean Merchant Union.
“If you ever visit our escort agency, it would be an honor.”
The head escort politely extended the invitation to Yong Hwarin.
Behind that politeness was a calculation: Yong Hwarin clearly possessed martial prowess strong enough to earn a nickname, so forming a connection with the Heavenly Central Sect could be advantageous.
Still, the primary reason for the invitation was genuine goodwill toward Yong Hwarin.
“Understood. I’ve known for a long time that Hajung Escort agency is one of the most historic escort agencys around. If I return to my family home, I will definitely pay a visit.”
Yong Hwarin was actually grateful to the head escort for this, as it presented a natural opportunity to build a relationship with what would eventually become a prominent escort agency.
Once the Hajung Escort agency group left early for their journey, the inn felt almost empty.
“It’s about time we left, too.”
Just then, Jungwook came running in, breathless.
“Young Master! You’ve been given a martial name!”
Right behind him, Namwook chimed in.
“This is something to celebrate. You’ve only just made your debut in the martial world, and already you’ve earned a cool nickname. We ought to throw a banquet!”
Mo Biyoung followed up right after.
“Congratulations on receiving the nickname Flying Dragon Sword Hero.”
Among smaller sects, when disciples or descendants earned a nickname that could bring honor to their group, it was common to celebrate or even hold a feast.
That’s how important a martial nickname was to a warrior.
A warrior without a nickname was often looked down upon.
And now Yong Hwarin had a title like ‘Flying Dragon Sword Hero,’ something that sounded like it belonged to the protagonist of a story—it was only natural for everyone to offer congratulations.
“The Clan Head will be overjoyed when he hears of your nickname, Young Master.”
Being celebrated so much just for getting a nickname, Yong Hwarin felt a little awkward.
“In time, your Young Master will become so famous that this much won’t even surprise you.”
With those offhand words, he headed toward the dining hall.
After hearing nothing but good news all morning, he was strangely hungry.
*
“This is my younger sister.”
Yong Hwarin offered a respectful bow when he saw the woman, who wasn’t much younger than Jong Seok.
“Pleased to meet you. I am Yong Hwarin of the Heavenly Central Sect.”
The woman had a delicate beauty, and even her smile radiated a refreshing charm.
Across both lives, Yong Hwarin had rarely met someone who left such a positive impression. If not for her sickly complexion, she would’ve been even more stunning.
“My name is Jong Munhye. Thank you for helping my brother.”
Her words and demeanor carried an air of refinement.
“No need to thank me. I just forced the matter because I wanted to have Brother Jong as a friend. Please don’t think too much of it.”
Jong Munhye smiled gently.
It was like looking at a single lily in bloom.
“Now I see why ‘Flying Dragon Sword Hero’ suits you. It’s rare to meet someone so humble, and for that humility to feel so genuine.”
Jong Munhye could sense that Yong Hwarin sincerely wanted to be close to her brother.
She didn’t know exactly what aspect of her brother had earned such favor, but she thought Yong Hwarin had a good eye for people. Even if they were descendants of a ruined martial clan, their pride was second to none.
When Yong Hwarin glanced to the side, he noticed the Two Wook Sword Demon looking at him with an eager expression, clearly asking to be introduced.
It was understandable—Jong Munhye was a beauty.
“These gentlemen are martial artists of my clan and serve as my guards. Though, from what I’ve seen, they seem to prefer guarding wine over guarding me.”
“Ahem, ahem! Young Master, aren’t you making us sound like villains now?”
The Two Wook Sword Demon was trying to make a good impression on Jong Munhye, so he was annoyed that the Young Master was sabotaging him.
So he quickly tried to change the subject.
“Not sure if you remember, Young Master, but we already had a nickname in mind for you. Even before you got ‘Flying Dragon Sword Hero.’”
“What was it?”
“Golden Spring Clear Sword. Because you love Golden Spring Clear so much!”