Chapter 49, Gaining a Nickname
So Rihyang's laughter stopped instantly after Jaha's next words.
"But after hearing the rest of what I have to say, you'll probably curse me."
So Rihyang looked curious.
"What is it?"
"I will take responsibility for Miss Ha until the end. In exchange, please teach me Senior Divine Thief's ultimate techniques."
Just as Jaha predicted, the smile disappeared from So Rihyang's face.
Goeui looked at Jaha strangely.
Even in a situation like this, Jaha did not miss the opportunity to make a deal.
Goeui liked that boldness.
He was also curious about So Rihyang's response.
After taking a breath, So Rihyang asked,
"Why do you want to learn the Divine Thief's martial arts, which do not have a particularly good reputation in the world?"
Depending on his answer, she might either teach him or refuse.
Jaha became serious.
He decided to use the same words that had once moved Goeui.
That would show his true reason for wanting to learn the Divine Thief's martial arts.
He also could not ignore the fact that So Rihyang was a woman.
If I explain Byeok Ho's difficult circumstances, So Rihyang will definitely sympathize with him because of her maternal instincts.
Byeok Ho might have been clueless when it came to women.
Jaha was not.
He had enough experience to understand even their emotions.
So Jaha lowered his voice slightly.
He calmly explained how he became an escort to support his sick master.
Then he spoke about accidentally meeting the Demon Physician, learning several martial arts, and becoming involved with Deung Hwahong.
He described how he became enemies with the Western Gorge Sect and Hwancheonma as if he were telling someone else's story.
Then he explained in detail how he met Goeui, cured his master's illness, and even learned Goeui's ultimate techniques.
As he spoke, So Rihyang's eyes slowly became wet.
From Jaha's perspective, these were Byeok Ho's experiences rather than his own.
That was why he could describe them with unusual calmness.
Ironically, that calmness only made So Rihyang sympathize with him more deeply.
It was enough to move her heart.
"If not for the teachings of Senior Demon Physician, I would not be standing here today. That is why I intend to follow his will and take revenge on the Demon Cult. Former Demon Cult Leader Jagang once spoke about people who could fight him evenly. Senior Divine Thief was one of them. That makes me want to learn his martial arts even more."
"I understand what you're saying. But can our martial arts really help you fight the Seven Heavenly Demons?"
So Rihyang asked because she wanted to understand Jaha's resolve.
"To speak honestly, with my background, would I ever be allowed to learn the highest martial arts of the Nine Great Sects?"
So Rihyang answered honestly.
"With Young Hero's background, the Nine Great Sects would probably not accept you as a true disciple. Even if they accepted you because of your talent, you would likely become only an external disciple."
The Nine Great Sects did not accept disciples solely because of good bones or talent.
They carefully examined a person's background and origins before accepting them.
"To fight the Demon Cult Leader or the Heavenly Demons, I would need to learn the greatest techniques of the Nine Great Sects. But someone like me will never receive that opportunity. So I changed the way I think. If I learn the ultimate techniques of the masters praised so highly by the former Demon Cult Leader, then isn't that equal to learning the highest martial arts of the Nine Great Sects? The former Demon Cult Leader must have fought experts from the Nine Great Sects before. Yet instead of naming them, he spoke about other people. Doesn't that prove those people's martial arts were even more impressive?"
Jaha was not only creating sympathy.
He was also subtly praising the Divine Thief's martial arts as being superior to the highest techniques of the Nine Great Sects.
"The former Demon Cult Leader truly said that?"
"Yes. Senior Demon Physician told me himself, so I am certain."
So Rihyang closed her eyes.
A pleased smile appeared on her face.
Eventually, she opened her eyes and slowly raised her upper body.
"To be honest, my late husband and I always regretted never finding proper successors. Later, we took in Ha Yeon and raised her, but having only one disciple always felt insufficient. I was ashamed to think that the Ghost Shadow Sect's techniques might disappear with my generation, leaving me unable to face my own master after death. If Young Hero wishes to learn the Ghost Shadow Sect's techniques, then I should be the one thanking you."
Jaha stood and respectfully cupped his fists.
"Thank you."
"Like Goeui, I will refuse the formal ceremony of accepting a master. Ha Yeon is enough as my true disciple. I will only pass the Ghost Shadow Sect's ultimate techniques to Young Hero."
"Thank you for your consideration."
Goeui watched Jaha gradually learning the martial arts of the extraordinary masters Jagang had once named.
He became increasingly curious about what would happen once all those martial arts blended together.
Damn. At this rate, I really can't leave this brat. I have to see how far he grows.
Goeui did not realize he was already making excuses to justify remaining beside Jaha.
So Rihyang spoke to Ha Yeon, who was sitting nearby.
"From now on, Young Hero Byeok is like an older brother to you."
"Yes."
Ha Yeon answered quietly.
The boldness she had shown during their first meeting had completely disappeared.
"Now I'll tell you where the spiritual medicine is. Retrieve it, then bring back Young Hero Byeok's master and fellow disciples."
However, Jaha shook his head.
"Thinking about it, I don't believe we need to waste these two days. Even if we follow their plan, we lose nothing. And if my scheme works, they'll suffer badly."
Goeui laughed.
"Did you think of another good scheme?"
"Yes."
Others might not know, but Goeui had already seen how good Jaha was at schemes.
Naturally, he became excited.
"What is it?"
Jaha smiled when he saw Goeui's sparkling eyes.
So Rihyang was also curious about Jaha's plan.
Even using all her age and experience, she could not think of a scheme that could make Hwancheonma suffer.
Yet Jaha sounded confident.
After hearing Jaha's explanation, both Goeui and So Rihyang initially looked impressed.
After a moment, their expressions became doubtful.
"Mm. Even I think it's a good idea. But are you really planning to give him the genuine spiritual medicine?"
"Yes."
"Then won't all our effort become meaningless?"
"No. I've already considered that too."
Jaha hid one thing.
There was no need to reveal the secret of the Medical Righteous Sect's spiritual medicine.
This plan only worked because Jaha knew exactly what kind of medicine it was.
So Rihyang quietly asked,
"Let's say you spread rumors throughout inns that Hwancheonma is searching for spiritual medicine and draw the attention of martial artists. How much will that actually help us protect the medicine?"
"It will definitely help."
"You're not going to explain why?"
"Wouldn't it be more fun to watch and find out?"
Goeui replied,
"What a sly bastard."
Even so, Goeui did not press further.
Just as Jaha said, there was some enjoyment in watching events unfold.
"Fine. Do it your way, Young Hero Byeok. I'll watch too."
Jaha stood up.
"Then I'll go around the inns and spread the rumor."
Goeui also stood.
"You can't spread a rumor efficiently alone. This old man will come with you. If the two of us pretend to discuss it, everyone nearby will overhear."
Jaha and Goeui had already visited five inns.
At each one, they pretended to whisper while loudly spreading the story that Hwancheonma was staying in the area searching for a spiritual medicine.
They also spread the claim that Hwancheonma would receive the medicine tomorrow.
In no time, rumors about Hwancheonma and the spiritual medicine spread among martial artists like wildfire.
Martial artists were the kind of people who would risk their lives for spiritual medicines and secret manuals.
Soon, they began forming groups of three or four and searching for Hwancheonma's party.
"Hwancheonma is going to have a headache."
At Jaha's words, Goeui looked confused.
"This old man still doesn't understand. What benefit do we gain by spreading the rumor this widely? Hwancheonma isn't the type to become frightened because a swarm of flies gathers."
"I spread the rumor partly so Hwancheonma can't move secretly. But there's another reason."
"Then what is that reason?"
Goeui asked impatiently.
"To annoy him. Flies can't kill a person, but they can irritate him. They can even stop him from sleeping. I want to make things troublesome for him."
For Jaha's plan to steal the spiritual medicine back, these flies were absolutely necessary.
However, even Goeui did not need to know every detail of the plan.
"Either way, I suppose we'll understand once we watch."
Goeui stopped asking.
He assumed Jaha had a reason for hiding parts of the plan.
Because of the rumor, the entire area began buzzing with activity.
The Medical Righteous Sect's spiritual medicine was known to rival the Shaolin Temple's Great Restoration Pill.
Some people came hoping to benefit while others fought.
Even though Hwancheonma was the opponent, they refused to give up.
After spending the entire day spreading rumors, every inn they entered was now filled with martial artists discussing Hwancheonma and the spiritual medicine.
"That's enough. Let's go back."
Jaha spoke to Goeui after seeing people at the final inn discussing Hwancheonma and the medicine.
Just as they were about to stand, the men at the next table began discussing something new.
"Have you heard? I heard another piece of news today."
"Is it about the spiritual medicine?"
"Yes, it's connected. Do you know who's opposing Hwancheonma over the spiritual medicine?"
"I don't."
"This information is reliable. I overheard Beggar Sect members talking while they ate. You know about the great battle between Hwancheonma, the Western Gorge Sect, and the Vermilion Bird Unit recently, right?"
"Of course. The Vermilion Bird Unit was nearly wiped out. Everyone around here is already talking about it."
"Right. During that battle, a young master appeared like a shooting star."
Jaha and Goeui immediately listened more carefully.
They had both participated in that battle and were curious about the rumors.
Jaha assumed the so-called young master must be one of the three Young Family Heads.
"I've heard about that young master too. What was his name again? His nickname was pretty unusual."
"Heavenly Demon Defying Sword."
"Right. I remembered it because the nickname was so strange."
Hearing the nickname Heavenly Demon Defying Sword, Goeui naturally looked at Jaha.
"Sounds like they're talking about you."
"Heavenly Demon Defying Sword is my nickname?"
"Who else would it be?"
"There's no way that's my nickname."
"Fine. Then this old man will ask."
Goeui suddenly interrupted the two martial artists.
"Forgive me for interrupting your conversation, but who is this Heavenly Demon Defying Sword? I've never heard that nickname before."
The two men looked Jaha and Goeui up and down, then spoke somewhat dismissively.
"Did you two also come because you heard about the spiritual medicine? If so, give up before you lose your lives. Even people like us are being careful."
After kindly warning them, one of the martial artists continued.
"Heavenly Demon Defying Sword is the name given to a young master who recently appeared like a shooting star. You've probably heard the rumor. When Hwancheonma of the Demon Cult and Ma Gi fought over an important person taken from the Mount Hua Sect, a young master rescued that person while facing both of them. They say he was so impressive that he looked down on Hwancheonma himself, so people called him Heavenly Demon Defying Sword. But apparently, that young master isn't from one of the famous families or Nine Great Sects. He's just a disciple of some countryside martial school. Because of that, some people also call him Invincible Village Sword. They use the name out of respect that such a powerful martial artist came from some remote village."
The man spoke about Jaha almost as proudly as if it were his own achievement.
From that alone, Jaha could guess the two men probably also came from humble countryside origins.
Jaha and Goeui had spent the period after the battle at the brothel, so they had not heard how widely the story had spread.
The surviving Vermilion Bird Unit warriors had spread news of the battle throughout the region.
They were especially grateful because Jaha had respected them.
Because of that, some details had been exaggerated.
Jaha was now being described as a formation master who trapped Hwancheonma and Ma Gi, a righteous hero who saved Namgung Cheol, and an extraordinary young master.
Together with the rumors about the spiritual medicine, his story was spreading everywhere.
"And now there's a rumor that Heavenly Demon Defying Sword will fight Hwancheonma over the spiritual medicine."
Jaha looked at Goeui.
He had no idea how the rumor had become so exaggerated.
Goeui spoke.
"Rumors naturally grow flesh as they spread. People also reshape stories into the version they want to hear."
The two martial artists advised Jaha.
"You look like you also came hoping to see Heavenly Demon Defying Sword. Masters like that don't casually show themselves. You should give up and go home. Even people like us would have trouble seeing Heavenly Demon Defying Sword in person."
Apparently, they believed Jaha was some countryside fool who admired Heavenly Demon Defying Sword.
Goeui smiled toward them.
"Would you like to know who the real Heavenly Demon Defying Sword is?"
Just as Goeui was about to announce that the man standing beside him was the Invincible Village Sword and Heavenly Demon Defying Sword they were talking about, Jaha grabbed his arm.
"Senior. Let's go now."
As Jaha dragged him away, Goeui continued talking.
"This old man could let you meet Heavenly Demon Defying Sword."
The two martial artists completely ignored him, assuming Goeui was a crazy old man.
Jaha quickly left the inn before Goeui said anything more ridiculous.
After they stepped outside, Goeui grinned.
"Heavenly Demon Defying Sword. For your first nickname, you really received an incredible one. A sword that looks down on a Heavenly Demon. Hahaha. That's a magnificent nickname. And Invincible Village Sword isn't bad either. I can confidently say those are among the finest nicknames of this generation."
Jaha was too embarrassed to raise his head.
However, strangely, one part of him liked the name Heavenly Demon Defying Sword.
Inside his mind, he kept repeating it again and again.
Here is the complete translation of Chapters 46 to 50. I kept the names, places, factions, martial arts, and terminology consistent with the previous chapters, used simple light novel English, preserved the paragraph flow, italicized inner thoughts and sound effects, and bolded important dialogue.
