Chapter 4: Director Kim is a Martial Genius (1)

Chapter 4: Director Kim is a Martial Genius (1)

After confirming my location, I approached Director Kim, who was still unconscious, and shook him awake.

"Director, Director Kim!"

"Uh, umm..."

Director Kim slowly got up and looked around.

"...Deputy Manager Seo. Where are we now...?"

"...Here."

I briefly explained the situation to the Director.

After the hunchbacked old man had thrust us through the spatial rift, we found ourselves in this place.

It seemed to be a world resembling medieval China, where martial artists really exist.

"...So many things have happened, I can't even tell what's what anymore."

"Indeed."

"I wish someone would tell me this is all just a dream..."

Director Kim's face seemed to have aged ten years in an instant.

"...I'm not sure if it's fortunate or not, not having any abilities or talents. I wonder if it's good that we weren't taken by those monstrous beings, or if we were just abandoned..."

"..."

I had no answer for him either.

In my past life, I was just an ignorant herb collector who knew nothing.

Even though I had survived comfortably for three days with others in this life, it was all thanks to my regression.

As a person, I'm not that remarkable.

"First, we can't stay in this alley forever. Let's go out."

"...Um, okay."

Director Kim and I went out to the bustling streets of Seokyung City.

Seokyung City's bustling area, teeming with all kinds of people, was as crowded as a modern-day shopping district.

"Umm, I can't understand what they're saying. It all sounds like Chinese, and why are people glancing at us?"

"Probably because of the clothes we're wearing."

I had burned the shirt I was originally wearing at Manager Kim's farewell meal to use as fuel, so now I only had an undershirt left.

Director Kim was conspicuously dressed in completely out-of-place hiking gear.

"...This is trouble. By the way, Deputy Manager Seo, do you happen to speak Chinese...?"

"Yes, fortunately, I've had Chinese language training. Listening to them, it sounds similar to a southern Chinese dialect. I think communication should be possible to some extent."

"Wow... That's incredibly lucky...!"

Of course, that was a lie.

The language of this world, starting from oracle bone script, was entirely different from Chinese.

Whether it's traditional, simplified, or any regional dialects of China, they won't work here.

'In my past life, I had to beg and cling to nearby beggars for two months just to learn basic communication...'

I wouldn't need to do that now.

"But since these clothes will attract attention, let's buy new ones."

"How are we going to buy clothes? I doubt our money will work here..."

I smiled wryly and replied.

"Money might not work, but wherever people live, medicine is needed."

I entered a nearby pharmacy and sold various herbs like hemostatic herbs, warming herbs, and fever-reducing herbs.

These were the most common and low-grade herbs I had gathered in Ascension Path.

Of course, these herbs, having absorbed a lot of spiritual energy and not been touched by human hands for a long time in the forest, were three to four times larger than ordinary herbs, and I received a considerable amount of money from the pharmacy.

"Haha, Deputy Manager Seo. As expected, your abilities work even here. Did you, did you receive a lot?"

"...It seems so."

Still, I frowned upon seeing the money given by the pharmacy owner.

'They've really undercut the price.'

It was because of our suspicious appearance.

The herbs were large and abundant, so we received this much, but we might not have gotten anything if they were less.

Of course, this amount was enough to buy new clothes.

I immediately went to the most shabby-looking fabric store nearby and bought two sets of worn clothes.

We changed into these plain-looking clothes and stepped outside.

'The cost of living here is immense.'

It seemed to be three to four times more expensive than in Lianshan City.

As a result, we had to spend all the money we had.

"So, what now? Deputy Manager Seo."The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))

"Just wait a moment, Director. It seems I will need to sell more herbs."

I went to another pharmacy and again sold herbs.

This time, they didn't cut the price because of our suspicious appearance, but still significantly undercut the price.

While I spent three months teaching Director Kim letters and language, I researched the martial arts sects of Seokyung City in Yanguo.

"Demon Slaying Sect(), Self-binding Temple (), Surpassing Bird House (), Seven Mysteries Gate(), Wolf Fang Gang (), Dark Night Association (), and Dragon Fighting Stronghold () are considered the seven major sects of Seokyung City."

I explained each of the sects to him.

Demon Slaying Sect, Self-binding Template, Surpassing Bird House, and Seven Mysteries Gate were classified as righteous sects.

Wolf Fang Gang, Dark Night Association, and Dragon Fighting Stronghold were famous unorthodox forces in Seokyung City.

The four righteous sects and three evil sects were collectively referred to as Four Stars Three Demons () in Seokyung City.

The Demon Slaying Sect mainly practiced sword and blade techniques, Self-binding Temple was a religious sect of Buddhism, Surpassing Bird House was an information organization like Hao Moon (Korean murim organization that consists of thieves, pickpockets, prostitutes, etc), and Seven Mysteries Gate had a long history and encompassed various martial arts.

Wolf Fang Gang specialized in strong and practical fighting techniques, Dark Night Association developed stealth and movement techniques through illegal activities in Seokyung City, and Dragon Fighting Stronghold primarily focused on unarmed fighting techniques.

"Director, which sect appeals to you the most?"

Regardless of the sect, Director Kim's talent would ensure his success.

Without any hesitation, Director Kim made his choice.

"Demon Slaying! Let's go with the Demon Slaying Sect. Afterall, swordsmanship for a heroic warrior, blade techniques for a man, is it not?

'Just like in his past life, he chooses the same path as his first martial art.'

A good choice indeed.

The second coming of the greatest swordsman from my previous life.

Together, Director Kim and I headed towards the Demon Slaying Sect.

The Demon Slaying Sects main branch was located in the eastern part of Seokyung City.

Inside the large compound of the sect, loud shouts of energy could be heard. At the entrance, two warriors wearing swords and blades guarded the gate.

"Halt, what brings you to our sect?"

The guard warriors cautiously inquired, noticing the silk clothes we were wearing.

"This gentleman here is my... elder brother. He has come to learn the martial arts of Demon Slaying, having heard of its reputation."

"Hmm..."

The gatekeeper's eyes turned towards Director Kim.

A middle-aged man with half-balding hair and a plump belly.

"...Um, I apologize, but at that age, it won't be easy to learn martial arts."

"Haha. Still, let us talk to the higher-ups. Even basic self-defense martial arts would be fine."

I gently smiled and replied.

Although I mentioned self-defense martial arts, within a few months, they will be pleading with Director Kim to learn advanced martial arts on their own.

The gatekeepers exchanged looks, sighed, and then opened the gate for us.

Shortly after, Director Kim and I were facing the Hall Master of the Demon Slaying Hall, named Heo Baek.

"So, you wish to learn self-defense martial arts..."

"Yes, if possible, the best self-defense martial arts..."

I handed over a prepared silk case to Heo Baek.

It contained fifteen of the twenty silver ingots I had acquired from selling all the yellow bamboo roots.

Heo Baek opened the case, checked the silver ingots, coughed, and said,

"Hm, hm... I will admit him as an outer disciple of the Demon Slaying Sect. If he wants, I can also teach a couple of our inner disciple martial arts. However, he will be treated as an outer disciple. There are no privileges for those who enter through donations. Also... we will only accept one of you as an outer disciple."

"Um..."

"Hmm..."

Director Kim, surprised by the stingy offer, started to rise. I gently pressed his shoulder, stopping him, and replied to Hall Master Heo Baek,

"Thank you for the honor, Hall Master. That will be sufficient. As an outer disciple, my elder brother here... will join."

"Hmm, then come to the Hall of External Disciples, shortly."

Heo Baek left us with a dismissive gesture and went away.

Kim Young-hoon, looking confused, said to me,

"Eun-hyun, what's the point if I'm the only one learning martial arts? If I knew it would be this expensive, we could have just gone to another sect..."

"No, it might be better for you to learn martial arts."

"No, you, being younger, would be more suitable for learning martial arts..."

"...I've always been bad at physical activities. I'll support you, Mr. Kim, with the remaining silver ingots through business. That's my job and my role. You just need to fulfill your role."

"But..."

After showing a slightly apologetic face, Kim Young-hoon decisively said,

"Alright. If you say so, I too will do my best to learn martial arts and help you. It would be lucky if this old body can even learn the basics."

"Believe in yourself."

"Thank you..."

Thus, Kim Young-hoon became an outer disciple of the Demon Slaying Sect, learning a few outer disciple and three inner disciple martial arts as a privilege for his substantial donation.

Seven months later.

The Demon Slaying Sect was in an uproar.

***

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