Genius Martial Arts Trainer

“Good heavens.”

Jang Geunsu, who had confidently declared that he would make his name known by participating in the Martial Arts Tournament, exclaimed in admiration as he gazed upon Dongting Lake.

“Merely looking upon it fills one’s heart with vast and righteous spirit. It is indeed worthy of the praise of the Sage of Poetry. To think I spent all that time bound to the battlefield without ever visiting a place like this.”

The fact that Du Fu, known as the Sage of Poetry, had written a poem about Dongting Lake was practically common knowledge throughout the Central Plains.

Jang Geunsu’s exclamation, invoking that fact, might have made him look somewhat like a country bumpkin, but no one paid him much attention.

With people gathering from all over the Central Plains ahead of the Martial Arts Tournament, those who behaved like Jang Geunsu could be found everywhere around Dongting Lake.

Moreover, anyone attending the Martial Arts Tournament was naturally a martial artist, and there were not many people bold enough to treat a martial artist like a country bumpkin.

Having experienced nothing beyond his hometown and the northern battlefield, Jang Geunsu once again felt how vast the world was and turned his head from side to side, taking in his surroundings.

“Since the Sage of Poetry’s poem has come to mind, I would like to climb Yueyang Tower and look out over Dongting Lake.”

Thinking of Du Fu’s poem [Climbing Yueyang Tower], he wandered around Dongting Lake until he finally found a tavern bearing a signboard that read [Yueyang Tower].

Several hundred years had passed since the age in which Du Fu had lived, so there was no way to know whether this Yueyang Tower was truly the same Yueyang Tower Du Fu had climbed.

Of course, the tavern itself would insist that it was.

“Oh dear.......”

In any case, Jang Geunsu entered Yueyang Tower in high spirits, only to find himself in an awkward situation.

Yueyang Tower was absolutely packed with people.

That was because there were far more than one or two people who, just like him, had recalled Du Fu’s poem and come looking for Yueyang Tower.

It was only natural. To the people living around Dongting Lake, it was merely a tavern that overcharged its customers, but to outsiders, it was a symbolic place.

With visitors flooding into Dongting Lake for the Martial Arts Tournament, Yueyang Tower had become so crowded that there was nowhere left to sit.

How long had he wandered through the tavern, clinging to the last hope that there might be an empty seat somewhere?

“Huh? Are you not Geunsu!?”

Someone who recognized him called out.

“Brother Nam! What brings you here?”

Jang Geunsu turned toward the voice calling him, then greeted the man in surprise.

The two were comrades of a sort who had served together in the Flying Dragon Unit in the north until recently.

“Hahaha. My friend, if I came here at a time like this, is the reason not obvious?”

“Ah, now that you mention it, that is true. Hahaha! Brother Nam, you also came to participate in the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering!”

“So you came for the same reason. Hahaha. There do not seem to be any seats left. Would you care to join us?”

“Hahaha! I would be delighted!”

Having fortunately encountered a former comrade at a tourist attraction, Jang Geunsu immediately joined their table.

The man who had called out to Jang Geunsu, Nam Seokcheon, introduced him to the others seated there.

“This friend is a comrade who served alongside me during my time in the Flying Dragon Unit. Hahaha.”

“My name is Jang Geunsu.”

When Jang Geunsu offered a cupped-fist salute and greeted them first, the others at the table returned the salute.

Because Yueyang Tower was so crowded, every seat, except those occupied by large groups, had been filled through shared seating.

In other words, aside from one person, everyone gathered there had also met Nam Seokcheon for the first time that day.

“They say all within the four seas are fellow travelers. Since our meeting here is also fate, please accept a drink. Hahaha.”

They had gathered for the first major event held after the war ended, so everyone mingled, and cups of alcohol made their way around the table.

After each of them had downed several cups, one of the women seated with them asked Jang Geunsu.

“I heard from Young Hero Nam that the northern battlefield was exceedingly brutal?”

At her question, everyone present looked at Jang Geunsu with curious eyes.

In truth, that was the main reason this table, formed through shared seating, had become so lively.

Because Nam Seokcheon had revealed that he was a former member of the Flying Dragon Unit, the curious young people had begun asking him one question after another, and they had naturally ended up drinking together.

“The northern barbarians were so tenacious and savage that even if their arms or legs were cut off, those madmen would charge with swords clenched between their teeth.”

When Jang Geunsu answered as though recalling a bitter memory, those listening fell silent as they imagined the terrifying sight.

As the mood appeared to sink, Nam Seokcheon hurriedly spoke.

“Hahaha. Even so, did you not survive that dreadful place after killing more than a hundred barbarians? Where else would one find someone who achieved feats like yours? Hahaha.”

“How could I compare to you, Brother Nam? Hahaha!”

“Well now. Who can say? About how many northern barbarians did you kill?”

“How many....... During my first year, when I was still a greenhorn, I counted them and even bragged about it. But honestly, after the number passed one hundred, I stopped counting, so I am not certain.”

“My, I was the same. Hahaha!”

“As expected! Hahahaha!”

The two veteran martial artists suddenly began praising one another as they raised their cups.

Even afterward, they discussed the situation in the martial world, the bleak atmosphere that had spread throughout the Central Plains because of the war, and stories about the fighting in the north.

But as the drinking went on and they gradually became flushed with intoxication.

“Now that I think about it, Brother Nam is also entering the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering. I fear there may be no chance left for me!”

“Wahahaha! What are you saying? With your ability, you should easily reach the main competition.”

“What good would reaching the main competition do? If I meet Brother Nam, I may be eliminated immediately.”

“Then we need only meet in the finals.”

“That is true!! Hahaha.”

The pride they had restrained while sober began spilling out now that they were drunk.

“Did I not say earlier that I had already killed more than a hundred men in my first year? That is what war is like. Swinging a sword alone in this peaceful Central Plains and fighting among hundreds or thousands on a battlefield are matters on entirely different levels!”

“Hahaha. My younger brother is correct! Do you remember those fledglings who had never experienced the horrors of the battlefield?”

“Of course I do! Hahaha. Even those fellows from the Five Great Families could not keep their wits about them, could they?”

“Indeed, nothing compares to real combat when it comes to improving one’s martial arts. Hahaha.”

They went so far as to openly disparage those who had not participated in the war.

Naturally, the expressions of most of those sharing the table turned sour. Every one of them had remained behind rather than joining the war.

“We understand that you suffered on the battlefield, but are your words not somewhat excessive?”

When one person finally lost patience and challenged them, the conflict ignited in an instant.

“Hmph. You speak that way only because you have never experienced war.”

“You know nothing of how vast the world is. Tsk.”

“You claim to know how vast the world is, yet you behaved like country bumpkins merely because Dongting Lake amazed you?”

“Tsk, tsk. Since the only thing you have ever experienced is the battlefield, hearing you drone on endlessly about war is quite unsightly.”

“What did you just say?”

Bang!

The moment those who could no longer endure it slammed their hands onto the table and rose.

Bang!

Similar incidents began erupting elsewhere.

Nam Seokcheon and Jang Geunsu were not the only former Flying Dragon Unit members who had gone to war.

The same thing had been happening at other tables as well.

Because the tavern was so crowded, they had failed to recognize one another and had been boasting about their exploits at their respective tables. But as disputes broke out one after another and they rose from their seats.

“Guijin, you were here as well?”

“Brother Jang!!”

Only then did they recognize one another and begin exchanging heated greetings, united by comradeship.

And the next move of the former Flying Dragon Unit martial artists, now bound together as one, was naturally to settle matters with those who had picked fights with them.

Thus, the conflicts that had begun at individual tables spread throughout Yueyang Tower, dividing those present into veteran martial artists who had participated in the war and martial artists who had remained in the Central Plains.

Clang!

Clang!

Before long, both sides had drawn their weapons, and a murderous atmosphere formed, as though a massive brawl that would tear the entire inn apart might erupt at any moment.

Peeee!

Along with the sound of a whistle, martial artists dressed in matching uniforms flooded into Yueyang Tower.

They were martial artists of the Zhengmu League.

***

Thanks to the intervention of the Zhengmu League’s martial artists, the disturbance at Yueyang Tower was more or less brought under control.

The Zhengmu League martial artists then led the former Flying Dragon Unit veterans who had nearly caused the incident somewhere else.

They were not being taken into custody.

“The League Leader has prepared a separate drinking gathering, saying that it would be more enjoyable for those who participated in the war to gather among themselves, reminisce, and drink together.”

Upon hearing that a separate gathering had been prepared exclusively for veterans, they took the bait like fish and followed along.

After the veteran martial artists left the tavern.

One Zhengmu League martial artist who remained behind infused his voice with internal energy and shouted.

“The League Leader has sent word asking for your understanding, as they are men whose bodies and minds have been exhausted by the war. Furthermore, in gratitude to all of you for attending the Zhengmu League’s first Martial Arts Tournament, the League Leader has promised to cover the cost of all alcohol and side dishes served at Yueyang Tower today!”

“Ooooooh!”

Mujin had used a suitable measure, knowing that soothing only the veterans might deepen the conflict even further.

As news spread that the Leader of the Zhengmu League was paying, another enormous drinking feast erupted inside Yueyang Tower.

“This is the place.”

Meanwhile, the former Flying Dragon Unit members accompanying the Zhengmu League martial artists arrived at a fairly large estate.

It appeared to have originally been someone’s residence, but rows of tables had been arranged in the courtyard, and alcohol and food were piled high upon them.

“All the food and alcohol have been prepared by the League Leader to entertain you. Please enjoy yourselves to your hearts’ content.”

After paying for the alcohol and side dishes at Yueyang Tower, Mujin had also covered the food and drink for the veterans.

Moreover, this estate had been rented for the day in order to separate the veterans from everyone else.

Naturally, it had cost an enormous amount of money, but Mujin did not care.

There was no need to use the Zhengmu League’s public funds either. His wife was the daughter of the number one merchant association under heaven.

“Wahahaha! The League Leader truly recognizes our efforts!!”

Excited by the lavish feast spread before them, the veteran soldiers sat down around the tables, drinking and talking without pause.

Since every one of them had been comrades on the battlefield, they understood one another well. Moreover, with no outsiders nearby, they could speak even more freely.

Of course, once they had become drunk at Yueyang Tower, they had paid no attention to the people around them there either.

Just as the mood that had been broken earlier rose once more and the cheerful drinking gathering continued.

Creak.

A guest arrived at the estate.

“It is the Leader of the Zhengmu League.”

At the introduction from the man serving as both guide and observer, the gazes of those who had been noisily talking turned toward Mujin.

“It is a pleasure to meet you. I have regretted that the League’s duties kept me so busy that I was never able to visit those who served in the Flying Dragon Unit. When I heard that an opportunity to meet you had been arranged, I came running at once. Hahaha.”

After saying that, Mujin accepted a cup from one of the League’s martial artists, raised it, and spoke.

“Furthermore, there is something I came here to tell you.”

After confirming that everyone’s attention was focused upon him, Mujin continued.

“Our League has considered how we might repay all of you, who represented the martial artists of the Central Plains and went to that dreadful battlefield. Therefore, though it is meager compared to the hardship you endured, we have prepared a modest reward. First, everyone who served in the Flying Dragon Unit will receive compensation. In addition, those who wish to join our League will have their years of service in the Flying Dragon Unit recognized as professional experience and will be hired immediately at a rank two or three grades higher.”

Mujin had announced both monetary rewards and preferential recruitment for experienced personnel.

“Those who are weary from the battlefield and wish to rest may use the reward money to live comfortably in their hometowns. But those who hold great aspirations for the peace and security of the martial world, I hope you will join our League. Now then, enough empty words. Shall we return to enjoying the drinking gathering?”

“Hahaha. Gladly, League Leader!”

Mujin grinned at the veterans’ enthusiastic response, raised his cup, and spoke.

“Once again, thank you for protecting the Central Plains on behalf of the martial world!”

As Mujin drained his cup, the veteran martial artists listening to him also raised their cups and drank together.

And that was not the end of it.

Still holding the cup from which he had drunk, Mujin walked around the estate, greeting each person individually and exchanging drinks with them.

Naturally, Jang Geunsu was among those who shared a cup with Mujin.

“Are you Young Hero Jang Geunsu of the Taehyeon Sword Sect in Inwang County?”

“How did you know, League Leader?”

“Hahaha! You are heroes who saved our Central Plains. Naturally, I ought to remember your names.”

As Mujin spoke and poured alcohol into his cup, Jang Geunsu accepted it respectfully with both hands and looked at Mujin with a deeply moved expression.

In addition to the compensation and preferential recruitment, he had even received the League Leader’s recognition.

The resentment that had built within him from suffering miserably in the war without being acknowledged seemed to melt away.

***

After exchanging drinks with everyone in the estate, Mujin rose and left.

The reason was simple. There were still several more places he needed to visit.

Not every former Flying Dragon Unit member had come to the Martial Arts Tournament, but according to the Strategy Department’s investigation, well over a hundred of them had arrived.

If they had all been gathered in one place, no one knew what kind of incident might occur, so they had been divided among several locations.

Mujin intended to visit each of those places personally, praise them in the same way, and treat them well.

But Mujin did not find the process troublesome or inconvenient.

'They are pitiful fellows.'

Perhaps it was sympathy born from the fact that Mujin himself had been a discharged soldier in his previous life.

Their situation was even worse than his had been.

Anyone driven into an extreme situation was bound to become twisted in some way.

These were men who had spent years continuously witnessing the horrific sight of dozens or hundreds dying on that dreadful battlefield.

It would have been more remarkable if none of them had developed mental problems.

Boasting a little and picking fights over drinks because of lingering resentment was, if anything, relatively healthy.

That was why, when reports about the veteran martial artists first reached him, Mujin had felt pity before irritation.

'If this small amount of effort can ease even a little of their resentment, that alone is enough.'

With that thought in mind, Mujin headed toward the next drinking gathering.