“Then are we going to the Imperial Palace’s Martial Library today?”
“Yeah. If I have time, I’ll stop by the Secret Pavilion to look for some Spiritual Medicine as well.”
Black Cat and I were having breakfast not in our room but in the dining area. Rumor had it that a stunningly beautiful mysterious woman was staying at the Inn of the Dragon Seat, as I could feel the number of patrons in the first-floor dining area increasing day by day.
To be precise, the Inn of the Dragon Seat was more focused on lodging than dining. Although the Artisan at the Inn was not lacking in skills, not many people came here just for a meal.
The reason Black Cat and I were exposed to the gazes of these people while eating was simple.
We were practicing the technique of eating while wearing a veil.
With her left hand supporting the veil, Black Cat stuffed a dumpling into her mouth. It was cute how she held her chopsticks like a child to shorten the movement.
It was easy to check whether her actions were a success or a failure.
“Hmm…”
“Ha…”
The presence of those sounds meant part of her face was visible. Of course, Black Cat had nearly mastered the act of eating to the point where her face was hardly seen.
“Seriously… I never thought I’d be practicing how to eat. I feel like a child.”
Black Cat sighed in exasperation, but it was unavoidable. Unless she fully mastered the lunar qi when reaching the ultimate stage, she had to keep her face covered.
Until now, Black Cat had comfortably eaten by turning the area under her veil into a space of darkness using the Black Shadow Qi Technique, but since she had decided to adhere to a normal veiling method, she also had to learn how to eat while wearing a regular veil.
“Jeomsoi!”
Two young men called out to Jeomsoi. Pulling at Jeomsoi’s sleeve and whispering in his ear, they were clearly asking about Black Cat’s identity.
But I already knew Jeomsoi’s response.
“I’m sorry. Young Heroes. Those two are guests of the Imperial Family, and I cannot share any information about their identities.”
Typically, that would change their expressions, and they’d be left merely licking their lips. If they caused a ruckus by pestering the Emperor’s guests? It would lead to a delightful meeting with the Commander of the Golden Guards.
There were times when there were still reckless fools who couldn’t comprehend the situation, but in such cases, I could just use my name to solve it. Specifically, my position. There wasn’t anyone who could act all high and mighty in front of the Commanders of the Golden Guards in Nangyang.
Thanks to that, Black Cat and I enjoyed our tea and shared light conversations.
Mainly, we talked about martial arts. After she reached the Peak Stage, Black Cat was doing her utmost to convey her sensations to me. It was material I needed to pay attention to, as it could help me cross the wall of becoming the best and reach the pinnacle.
As we were deep in conversation, the time to enter the Imperial Palace’s Martial Library gradually approached.
“Then have a good trip, Senior. I’ve been starting to grasp the flow of qi lately, so I’ll focus more on my training.”
“Okay.”
I gathered all the necessary tokens before standing up. Even though the Royal Guards escorted me away from the outer perimeter, the security was gradually tightening. I was stopped and checked upon every ten steps with dramatically inflated Chinese-style formalities.
The Imperial Palace’s Martial Library could be described as a fortress. No, it was one solid building without gaps, so it could be called a fortress.
“Currently, with the token you possess, you can utilize the Imperial Library for three days. The visiting hours for the Secret Pavilion start from the first watch until the fifth watch. Please keep this in mind.”
“I understand.”
“You will be guided by this Librarian in the Martial Library. If you tell me the type or name of any books you need, I will find them for you. I will accompany you until you exit the library.”
Is this the role of a monitor? Well, I wasn’t bothered by it.
After all, I had already decided on the martial arts I would learn over these three days.
“I’m looking for the ‘Heart-mind Library’.”
The Librarian’s eyebrows twitched.
“If I may say something inappropriate…”
“That won’t do. I know what you’re getting at. You’re going to tell me that it would take a whole day to memorize just one book, right?”
“…Yes. There are indeed those who harbor illusions about their mental abilities. While it’s true that the opportunity to come in and out of the Imperial Library is precious, do not be overambitious. How about diligently studying other martial arts for now?”
“I just need that martial art, so it doesn’t concern me.”
The Librarian looked at me with suspicion, as if thinking, ‘Sure, other guys said the same,’ but what could they do? They soon began the guidance.
This Imperial Library truly housed all kinds of things. As far as I knew, the original version of the River Cleansing Classic was also supposed to be here.
Here lies the ultimate swordsmanship of the dark element called Specter Sword Technique. The clue to mastering the ultimate version of that sword technique, the “Heat Wave Slash,” lies buried in the ‘Memoirs of a Great Master.’
Besides that, countless treasures of martial arts await in this Imperial Library.
Naturally, it was only reasonable that the Librarian would doubt someone who came to learn the Heart-mind Library, disregarding the opportunity to find legendary martial arts that would make even the disciples of the Nine Great Sects’ eyes spin.
But who am I? The veteran martial artist of the world, Ho Cheon-an.
I know that the martial arts here in the Imperial Library have issues. For example, the original version of the River Cleansing Classic is written in an ancient local dialect; until one learns the correct interpretation from that period, it’s impossible to fully interpret it. And achieving that proper interpretation requires enormous investments.
Let’s take the Specter Sword Technique as an example. The moment I skim through the Memoirs of a Great Master, I would face a test in the technique and enter a battle suppressing my inner ghost. The problem arises—my inner battle will take place right in the Imperial Library.
What happens if, during that inner struggle, I accidentally unleash some qi? If I cause any accidents that tear books or damage the library? I would become a public enemy of the Imperial Family.
Of course, those were just extreme examples, and most of the martial arts here are ones I could learn normally. The issue is that these are secret texts that can only be found in the Imperial Library. How much could I learn in three days from the secret texts of these martial arts?
Instead of that, I decided to solve my biggest weakness: the “Strategy Book.”
“This is it.”
“Thank you.”
The Heart-mind Library. Just as the name suggests. It’s a martial art that allows me to imprint what I want to remember into my mind. Literally, it enables me to insert a book into my head and preserve its content.
I plan to study this Heart-mind Library to store the setting book in my mind.
[Challenger! Nice to meet you. I am the thirteenth scholar of Cheong Seo’s Consortium…]
I swiftly turned the page. Just memorizing and learning the principles of the Heart-mind Library would be a tight squeeze in these three days.
“Ahem!”
The uncomfortable cough of the Clerk was heard, but I didn’t care.
I immediately focused on the principles and content.
—
Thunk!
Okryong trembled in his body. Just crossing the threshold of the Commander of the Golden Guards made the air permeating his lungs feel refreshing. Okryong spread his arms wide to savor the air.
“Susu! What are you doing! Move quickly!”
“Exactly! We have to shove breakfast down our throats quickly so that we can make it to lunch and dinner!”
Okryong yelled with wide eyes. Looking back at Jo Ga-ju, he saw him adjusting his shoelaces.
“What about your spear?”
Jo Ga-ju said sternly.
“Even Mount Tai has to be seen after a meal.”
“Let’s gooo!”
Seeing the three dash out, the Golden Guards’ patrols clicked their tongues.
“Well, this batch is quite something, huh?”
“Haha. Let them be. It’s good to have that kind of excitement during training.”
The three rushed straight into the nearest inn and shouted.
“Oil! Something greasy!”
“Noodles! Anything! Two orders! No, three orders!”
“Rice! Give us rice first!”
“Eek!”
After the commotion that had Jeomsoi fleeing from the murderous gazes of the martial arts experts, the three finally filled their bellies. The mix of carbohydrates and fats enveloped their bodies! They could only utter exclamations about the mouthwatering flavor that stuck to their bodies.
“Wow…”
“This is life.”
With their bellies full, the three finally began discussing their next schedule.
“We should do something until we feel hungry again.”
“Hmm. That’s right. First, how about adjusting Jo Ga-ju’s spear?”
“Is there really a need for you two to follow me?”
“We’re not connected to Nangyang anyway, and since we have to enter the main gate at eight, we have plenty of time.”
“Sounds good. Do you know any forges around?”
“You bet. In Nangyang, it’s gotta be the Gold Iron Workshop. Let’s head there now!”
Okryong led the two, and upon arriving at the Gold Iron Workshop, they were taken aback by its size. Their memories of forges were of small, cramped shops hardly able to separate the working space from the selling space, but this Gold Iron Workshop was one of the largest in the Central Plains.
“Impressive…! Look how that molten iron is pouring down like a waterfall.”
Jo Ga-ju muttered with a fascinated expression. Seeing the spectacle of molten iron flowing from a furnace three stories high filled with excitement, he anticipated the weapon he would eventually get made here.
“Excuse me.”
“Hmm? Where are you folks from?”
Okryong took out the letter written by Gwang Jae-ryeon. After reading it, the man nodded.
“You are here on the referral of one of our Artisans who is a friend of Gwang Jae-ryeon. This way, please.”
“Since when have you been keeping track of these things?”
“Well! A forge has to ask the Artisans, right? Getting a referral from Gwang Jae-ryeon is the best outcome.”
“Now that you mention it, that’s true.”
Seeing Okryong adeptly utilizing connections caused Jo Ga-ju, a stubborn soldier, to admire his friend’s actions.
Being guided to the Artisan, the Artisan looked at the letter and then scrutinized the three carefully.
“What’s your relation to Jae-ryeon?”
“We are classmates in the Golden Guards training.”
“What? Golden Guards?”
The Artisan was taken aback and let out a deep sigh. It wasn’t only the three who were surprised.
“Huff. I see how it is. Alright.”
“What’s wrong? Why the sudden reaction…? ”
“I was originally the Artisan of the Gold Iron Workshop that Gwang Jae-ryeon’s grandfather operated. The Gold Iron Workshop was nearly as renowned as this one. But after making heavy investments to develop a new steel-making method, a series of unfortunate events occurred, leading to the decline of our workshop.”
“Hmm… I see.”
“I too had no choice but to move here after our workshop declined. Huff… If Jae-ryeon is joining the Golden Guards, that means our workshop’s glory has nearly faded.”
Seeing the mood darken, the Artisan realized it and hurriedly cleared his throat.
“Ahem. Sorry about that. So you wanted to adjust a spear? Which one?”
“That would be me.”
The issue regarding Jo Ga-ju’s spear was resolved quickly. The Artisan from the Gold Iron Workshop had ample experience crafting spears for martial artists, and he deemed that it was better for the novice Jo Ga-ju to use a basic spear.
“The spears used by average militiamen are far too weak for martial artists. I’ll make sure to send a proper spear to your unit.”
“Thank you very much.”
The three exited the Gold Iron Workshop.
“I had no idea he had such a backstory.”
The normally boisterous Gwang Jae-ryeon, who always shouted loudly, had a surprising past, and his classmates sighed in appreciation.
“I have to work harder. Even though I’m already doing my best.”
“Pff. If we work harder than this, we might die.”
With light-hearted banter hiding their true feelings, the three began their sightseeing in Nangyang.
“Is there anywhere you want to visit?”
“Well, I want to try the actual food at the Inn of the Dragon Seat.”
“Haha. If we really try the food at the Inn of the Dragon Seat, our other classmates will be eating their hearts out!”
The two agreed to check out the Inn of the Dragon Seat, hoping to have a great story to tell their classmates afterward. Describing the heavenly flavors they experienced in front of their classmates busily devouring eggs and dry meat stirred a lovely sense of excitement in their hearts.
Okryong immediately asked a nearby Merchant.
“Excuse me, which direction is the Inn of the Dragon Seat?”
But the Merchant’s answer was unexpected.
“Are you also going there because of the rumors? You should visit in the evening.”
“Huh? What’s going on at the Inn of the Dragon Seat?”
“Don’t you know what’s going on with the Inn of the Dragon Seat?”
Curiosity piqued, Okryong grabbed a few snacks from the Merchant’s stall and handed over some coins. The Merchant smiled broadly and began to speak.
“Lately, among the guests at the Inn of the Dragon Seat, there’s a legendary beauty in veils. Those who’ve caught a glimpse of her with just the veil agree there’s no one in the world who can compare to her beauty! They say if you visit the Inn either in the morning or evening, you can catch sight of her.”
This was it.
This is the story I could tell my classmates.
Such thoughts flashed through the minds of the three. Jo Ga-ju, Okryong, and Kang Chumo-ru exchanged knowing glances and nodded in agreement.
