004. The Mountain Ascent
Wuam Mountain.
Since early morning, a man had been loitering in front of its entrance gate.
“Ahh, damn it… What do I do… Ahh! Shit… shit…”
He looked to be just past forty, short and stocky in build.
His robes were nothing but tattered rags, patched so many times that the original fabric was no longer discernible. The whole outfit had dulled to the ashen hue of a monk’s robes.
A beggar in every sense.
Step.
Finally making up his mind, the man took a cautious step through the mountain gate.
Shff.
But almost immediately, he hesitated and backed away again.
“Should I just take the main road instead? No… if I do that, I’ll be late! And if I’m late, the Sect Leader’ll beat me like a dog again.”
He muttered incessantly to himself, beads of cold sweat dotting his forehead.
Just then—
“Huh?”
Two figures rounded the mountain path and began approaching the gate.
The first to catch his eye was an exceptionally tall man, well over eight feet, with a massive frame clad in red travel gear.
Despite the sheer size and obvious weight of the pitch-black wooden chest strapped to his back, he walked without labored breath or any sign of fatigue.
‘Even at a glance, he’s no ordinary man. Clearly trained in martial arts.’
The beggar instinctively tried to circulate his internal energy, preparing for the worst—but paused when he noticed the boy beside the giant.
A small boy, strolling casually with hands behind his back, barely into his teens.
His jet-black hair gleamed in the morning light, and his wide, intelligent eyes sparkled with alertness. His red silk robe billowed like a flag around his slender frame, clearly too large for him.
‘Sharp-looking kid. Looks like the son of some minor noble house from Hebei.’
Whoever they were, they were clearly intending to cross Wuam Mountain.
The tall one looked formidable enough, but even so—taking this route was dangerous.
Halfway up the mountain, a monster resided. A fearsome figure whose name sent shivers through the martial world.
Stirred by a misplaced sense of chivalry, the beggar found himself stepping out and blocking the path of the two travelers.
The boy’s eyes widened slightly as they met his.
“What is it, beggar? You trying to die?”
With a face drained of all warmth, Gunryeom glared down at the ragged man blocking their path.
“Huh?”
“I said, are you looking to die?”
“Wha—! No, no, that’s not it…”
The beggar swallowed dryly.
‘He looked like just a strong man from afar, but up close… that aura isn’t normal.’
Realizing the danger he was in, the beggar scrambled to put on a disarming smile—when Seojeong’s gaze flicked to his waist.
“No, no! I didn’t mean to cause trouble. I’m—”
“I know. A Beggars’ Union four-pouch messenger, right?”
The boy’s calm voice, devoid of hostility, caused the man’s tension to melt away.
“Well now, quite sharp-eyed for someone so young. You’re right. I’m Oh Jeong, the branch leader of the Beggars’ Union here in Shijiazhuang. And you, young master, might I ask—”
“You dare—!”
Gunryeom’s killing intent flared, cutting Oh Jeong’s words short.
“Ah, I mean—may I ask where you’re from, sir…?”
Realizing he’d triggered something dangerous, Oh Jeong stammered to correct himself.
He was no small fry, after all. As branch leader of Shijiazhuang, a major regional hub in Hebei, his position wasn’t won through idle games of dice or cards.
His strength rivaled even the master of the famed Muyoung Pavilion.
Yet somehow, he found himself completely overwhelmed by the mere presence of this man.
‘He looks… familiar somehow… Either way, I can’t gauge his level. Best to play it safe.’
Switching tactics, Oh Jeong gave a deep, respectful bow.
“My apologies, young master. This wretched beggar has acted rudely.”
“It’s alright. My friend overreacted a bit, too.”
“You’re most gracious, truly. The moment I laid eyes on you, I knew—you must be the son of a prestigious family.”
Seojeong tilted his head, amused.
“Really?”
“Of course.”
“That’s strange. Was the House of Eon in Jinju ever that prestigious?”
Oh Jeong’s eyes widened.
“You’re from the Eon clan in Jinju?”
“Yes. I’m Eon Seojeong. That one’s Gunryeom—my retainer, my left arm, and the commander and bodyguard of the Eon clan.”
“Ah…”
Hearing the names, Oh Jeong’s mind began connecting dots at lightning speed.
The House of Eon—once hailed alongside Hebei’s illustrious Peng family during the Great War of Righteous and Demonic Sects.
And this boy—Eon Seojeong, the last heir.
“I deeply apologize, young master. I’ve been terribly rude.”
No matter how young or boyish he appeared, he was still the current patriarch of a once-great martial household. That alone warranted respect.
“I’ve long heard of Lord Eon Samun’s valor during the war. Please accept my deepest reverence for your family’s sacrifice.”
“There’s no need to be so formal. That was my father’s merit, not mine.”
Seojeong waved it off casually, and Gunryeom stepped forward again.
“Still, why were you loitering here like a fool?”
Even after all the bowing and scraping, Gunryeom’s tone hadn’t softened one bit.
Oh Jeong blinked at Seojeong for help.
“He’s not big on manners. Don’t mind him, Oh Daehyeop.”
“…If you say so.”
Summoning what little pride he had left, Oh Jeong stood straighter and stared Gunryeom down.
“What was I doing? Debating whether or not to cross this damn mountain, that’s what.”
“……”
“Sir.”
Cowed by Gunryeom’s glare, Oh Jeong added a belated honorific with a sigh.
“I take it you’re heading to the Murim Alliance in Xi’an for the commendation ceremony, for Lord Eon Samun’s contributions during the war?”
“Oh, yes.”
“Well, I suppose you’ve heard this is the shortest route. But you must not have heard—it’s also the most dangerous.”
“Oh? Why’s that?”
Feigning ignorance, Seojeong prompted him further.
“Because of a monster who’s taken root here with a band of mountain bandits. A certain—‘Reaper Blade’ Seo Gwang.”
“Pfft! That’s a real name?”
Seojeong laughed aloud.
“I’m not sure if it’s his real name, but the man’s as cruel and vicious as his alias suggests.”
“Bah, don’t be so dramatic. I’ve heard the name, sure—but is he really all that?”
Gunryeom scoffed, and Oh Jeong bristled.
“You! As strong as you may be, if you meet him, surviving and running away will be your best-case outcome!”
“Is he really that powerful?” Seojeong interjected, halting Gunryeom with a hand.
Oh Jeong’s expression turned serious.
“You’ve heard of the Seven Blade Demons, yes?”
“Vaguely.”
The Seven Blade Demons—seven swordmasters of such skill and renown that they were said to rival entire martial sects alone.
“Well, the Reaper Blade is the very same man who slew Hwalmyeong Blade Peng Sogeuk, one of the seven.”
“Still doesn’t sound like much.”
“Then shut up and let me explain.”
Oh Jeong grinned smugly, having landed a rare blow in the verbal sparring match.
Gunryeom frowned.
“You dirty beggar…”
“There’s more! Countless have died beneath his weapon—the venomous twin blades known as the Hundred Serpent Sabers!”
“That many?”
“Yes!”
“If he’s so dangerous, why are you here, then? You’d be dead in seconds.”
“…True, but I’m fast. And if I take the long road, I’ll be late to Huashan—and the sect leader will beat me half to death. So I’ve been here since dawn, debating whether or not to risk it! Got a problem with that?!”
Overcome with frustration and self-pity, Oh Jeong let out a wail of despair.
“Alright, alright. Calm down, Oh Daehyeop. Gunryeom, you too.”
“Fine.”
“…Forgive my shameful display, young master.”
Seojeong didn’t reply immediately, but then offered,
“Well, it seems like we all have the same goal—how about we cross together?”
“That’s… not an easy decision.”
No matter how strong they looked, Reaper Blade was another level entirely.
But Seojeong added with a smile,
“No need to worry. You said you’re good with lightfoot techniques, right? We’re going to meet the Reaper Blade—so you can use the distraction to slip past.”
“…Pardon?”
Oh Jeong blinked, unsure if he’d heard right.
“It’s exactly what it sounds like. You use us as bait.”
“…Young master, that’s not an offer, that’s—”
A death sentence.
“Then forget it. We’re going, regardless. Let’s go, Gunryeom.”
Without waiting for a reply, Seojeong turned and passed through the mountain gate.
‘Wait—they’re actually going up? Seriously?’
Oh Jeong stood frozen, watching their backs retreat.
He was a man of righteousness. As much as he disliked the rude bodyguard, he couldn’t let them march to their deaths.
“Ahh, damn it…”
Muttering curses under his breath, Oh Jeong broke into a run and followed them up the mountain.
