Chapter 95. Taiyi Secret Record (6)

When Jin-ho mentioned he wanted to discuss something, I straightened up.

"What do you want to discuss?"

"Yes. Actually... it's because of this book."

Jin-ho carefully took out the Moonlight Secret Record from his sleeve. The bloodstains here and there immediately brought back the memory of that day's fight.

'So many people died because of this.'

Reflecting on it, this was also the reason we were holed up in this inn.

The fact that the Moonlight Secret Record was the key to the Taiyi Secret Record led to the downfall of the Yi family, and because of that, Jian-chai fought at the inn, and we got involved, trying to save Jin-ho.

I looked at the book and asked, "Why the sudden interest in the Moonlight Secret Record?"

"Well... I heard that martial artists love secret manuals."

"That's true."

I nodded in response to Jin-ho's question. There's no martial artist who doesn't like secret manuals; it's almost common knowledge.

From my perspective, though... it seems better to focus on what you already have and master it. However, martial artists often get overly excited about new techniques.

'Like people who change their phones as soon as a new model comes out.'

Of course, I'm not saying I have no desires or am indifferent to the world. Given my current situation, where I find the Qinghong Sword Technique too difficult to learn, I just don't have much interest in new techniques.

When I said there's no martial artist who doesn't like secret manuals, Jin-ho looked at the memorial tablet on the table and then turned to me, saying, "If I give the Moonlight Secret Record to Master Fan and ask for his help in avenging my father, do you think he would agree?"

It was quite a sudden request, so I was a bit taken aback and asked, "Revenge? With the Moonlight Secret Record?"

"Yes. I've been thinking about it for a few days. I've been considering what to do with this book. But if I keep it, it will only bring endless trouble, won't it?"

"Well, that's true."

He was right. They say that treasures have no owners and swords have no eyes. If you don't have the strength to protect a treasure, it will only put your life in danger.

When I said that, Jin-ho continued, "And I also think that avenging my father can't be delayed."

"You could pass the imperial exams and then do it."

Jin-ho shook his head.

"Passing the imperial exams isn't something that can be done in one or two years."

Reflecting on it, he was right. I nodded, agreeing with Jin-ho's point.

'It would take at least ten years.'

Jin-ho seemed to be quite intelligent, but he was still an ordinary person, not a genius. If he had been born in modern times, he could have become a doctor, but even with that level of intelligence, passing the imperial exams would be a challenge. It would probably take at least ten years of study.

Jin-ho continued, "And even if I pass the imperial exams, there's no guarantee when I would be in a position to take revenge."

"Hmm. That's true."

It's not because of the principle of non-interference in official matters. Organizations like the Nine Dragons Gang, the Four Seas Sect, and the Yan Ying Gang are likely to have connections with influential officials.

It's like a new prosecutor can't immediately investigate corruption involving several members of parliament just because they passed the bar exam.

'If I wait, it might be too late.'

If Jin-ho were to pass the imperial exams, gain some authority, and become, for example, a chief prosecutor, it would probably be at least 30 years from now. By then, the perpetrators would likely be long gone.

I understood the background of why Jin-ho was making this proposal and nodded.

"I understand what you're saying. But I don't know if Master Fan would agree. It's dangerous, after all."

"Is that so...?"

Jin-ho looked a bit dejected. However, it was unrealistic for Fan Chuan-bai to fight against the Nine Dragons Gang, the Yan Ying Gang, or the Four Seas Sect on his own. He would need to be at the level of the Taiyi Sword Master to do so.

"Right. And most importantly, you can't do much with just the Moonlight Secret Record. It wouldn't be of much use even if you gave it to him."

The Moonlight Secret Record is merely a key to the Taiyi Secret Record, a treasure map, not the Taiyi Secret Record itself. It's an encrypted treasure map.

'Would Fan Chuan-bai be able to decipher it before he turns sixty?'

While places like the Nine Dragons Gang and the Four Seas Sect have many people who could potentially decipher it, for Fan Chuan-bai... it would be difficult.

As I was thinking this, Jin-ho said, "I know how to decipher the Moonlight Secret Record."

"You do?"

"Yes. My father taught me the method. For example, if you look here..."

Just as Jin-ho was about to open the Moonlight Secret Record and explain it to me, a voice from behind stopped us.

"Wait a moment."

I turned around to see Fan Chuan-bai already standing and looking at us.

***

When Fan Chuan-bai suddenly woke up, we exchanged slightly awkward glances and then bowed to greet him.

"You're awake?"

"Yes. Well... I couldn't help but get involved after listening to your conversation. Jin-ho."

"Yes, Master Fan."

Fan Chuan-bai, with a serious demeanor, scolded Jin-ho.

"The Moonlight Secret Record is a secret of your Yi family, isn't it? In the martial world, even if you trust someone, you shouldn't casually reveal your secrets to outsiders. You know how your family was destroyed, don't you?"

Jin-ho immediately bowed.

"I made a mistake."

"Right. In the martial world, you should always assume that someone is listening. Do you understand?"

"Yes, thank you for your guidance."

After scolding Jin-ho once, Fan Chuan-bai spoke in a slightly softer tone.

"I know you've lost your family and have no one to rely on, but in the martial world, you must always be cautious when trusting someone."

It felt like he was saying I couldn't be trusted.

As I grumbled to myself, Jin-ho, sensing the mood, bowed carefully.

"I will take it to heart."

"Good. Now, about the Taiyi Secret Record and revenge... hmm."

Fan Chuan-bai thought about our earlier conversation and then spoke.

"Do you want to hear my thoughts on what you just said?"

"If it's not too much trouble, I would like to hear your thoughts, Master Fan."

Jin-ho said this, and Fan Chuan-bai nodded, revealing his true thoughts.

"Alright. To be honest, I'm also tempted by the Taiyi Secret Record."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. If I weren't tempted by the secret manual of the Taiyi Sword Master, I would be lying. Of course, I'm tempted and greedy. If necessary, I would want to obtain it by sweeping away the Nine Dragons Gang."

I recalled how Fan Chuan-bai's eyes had lit up when he saw the Moonlight Secret Record. The same fiery spark was now in his eyes.

"Then..."

Jin-ho, with a slightly brighter expression, was about to speak, but Fan Chuan-bai, extinguishing the fire in his eyes and adopting a stern expression, interrupted.

"But I have no intention of making a deal with a child who hasn't even reached the age of twenty. You're still a child who doesn't understand the martial world or martial arts. Your thoughts might change at any time."

"Ah..."

Fan Chuan-bai's words didn't simply mean he wouldn't make a deal with a child. He was rejecting the proposal for Jin-ho's future.

You might say you won't become a martial artist and will prepare for the imperial exams now, but who knows how your thoughts might change as you grow older.

'Life is like that.'

People often end up doing something completely different from what they dreamed of as children.

How many of those who said they would become YouTubers are still doing it after turning thirty? Life just works that way.

"But I've already made up my mind..."

Jin-ho tried to argue, but Fan Chuan-bai cut him off with a gesture.

"Moreover, I don't want to be known as a despicable person who deceives a child to steal a secret technique."

Legally, Jin-ho is still a minor. Making a deal over a secret technique with a child could lead to trouble. People might say he deceived a child to steal a technique.

'Even if both parties agree, it won't make a difference.'

Rumors are like that. If that happened, Fan Chuan-bai's reputation would be severely damaged.

"..."

Jin-ho bowed, realizing that Fan Chuan-bai's resolve was firm. I nodded, understanding the situation, and Fan Chuan-bai quietly advised.

"I will reject your proposal for these reasons."

"Understood."

In the end, Jin-ho, unable to properly counter, hesitated and then bowed. It was a reasonable proposal, but being treated like a child, he couldn't help but feel dejected.

Just as the atmosphere was settling, Fan Chuan-bai suddenly said,

"However, even if it's not a deal, I can still offer help."

"What do you mean?"

"If you know where the Taiyi Secret Record is, I can go with you to help you obtain it."

Jin-ho, unsure how to respond, looked at Fan Chuan-bai, who continued,

"If you really want a deal, after you obtain it and have grown older, if you still have no regrets about the martial world, then we can discuss it again. At that time, I will seriously consider it without thinking of you as a child."

In other words, if you obtain the treasure and, even after growing up, your resolve remains unchanged, then we can decide again.

"Thank you, Master Fan."

Jin-ho, with tears in his eyes, bowed deeply.

***

The next day, Jin-ho said,

He wanted to think about it after obtaining the Taiyi Secret Record, as suggested by Fan Chuan-bai.

Hearing this, Fan Chuan-bai nodded and asked me,

"Is the door of the Evil Mountain branch still closed today?"

"Yes, it is."

I shrugged and answered. Fan Chuan-bai then said,

"Then it's best to go and find the Taiyi Secret Record. If the door is still closed after we obtain it, we'll just return to Meiyang."

I cautiously brought up the topic,

"But it would be troublesome if it's too far. I can't travel everywhere indefinitely."

These past few days have been a bit confusing, but I'm just a dispatched employee. I can accompany you for a short distance as a service, but a long distance would be problematic.

"Without you, who will read the map?"

"Then I have no choice. I'll bill the Zheng family for the extra charges later."

"You, my friend, are inflexible. That's not how business is done!"

"Have you ever done business, Master Fan?"

As Fan Chuan-bai was acting like this, Jin-ho, with a cautious tone, raised his hand and said,

"Actually, it's not that far from here."

"Really?"

According to the Moonlight Secret Record, the secret cave where the Taiyi Sword Master went into seclusion was about a four-day walk from here. It was much closer than expected.

This distance was worth considering.

"It's not that far."

"It seems he returned to Henan on his way from Sichuan to Shaanxi."

To go from Sichuan to Henan, one had to pass through Shaanxi. While I can't know all the details, it seems the Taiyi Sword Master impulsively went into seclusion on his way back to Henan.

'Fortunately, he didn't go into seclusion in Shaanxi.'

Otherwise, it would have taken at least ten days even with light travel.

Once the decision to leave was made, we immediately left the inn. Since it was a short distance, we decided to hurry.

We packed our bags and left the inn, where we met the innkeeper. It was the same person who had been loitering in front of our door before. The innkeeper, seeing us with our bags, asked awkwardly,

"Um... are you checking out, sir?"

"Yes, we'll clean up."

"Um... understood. Thank you for your stay."

After checking out, we immediately left Evil Mountain and set off. It was best to hurry, as we didn't know when the Nine Dragons Gang might notice us.

After leaving Evil Mountain, we took a short break, and I took the opportunity to brief everyone on the route.

"We'll go this way."

Fan Chuan-bai nodded, indicating I should proceed as I saw fit. I folded the map and put it away, and Jin-ho, who had been watching me, suddenly asked,

"By the way, you said you're a courier, right?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Um... do couriers make a lot of money?"

I looked at Jin-ho for a moment, puzzled by his sudden question, and asked,

"Why do you ask?"

"I need to earn money until I can take the imperial exams. I was thinking of applying to be a courier..."

Jin-ho scratched his head, looking embarrassed. I looked him up and down. His clothes were so worn out that it was clear he had patched them in various places. I understood why he was asking.

'After all, the imperial exams aren't something you can prepare for in a day or two.'

It would take at least ten years of study. From the state of his clothes, it seemed he had no money left at home and was in immediate need, so he was considering becoming a courier.

I shook my head and said,

"I understand, but being a courier isn't a job for a child."

"Is that so..."

Even if he looks like it, a courier is a martial artist, and the job is extremely demanding.

A 15-year-old with only three years of internal energy training and barely mastered family martial arts, and lacking in physical strength, isn't suitable for this job.

'And studying while working isn't easy.'

It's like trying to pass the bar exam while doing manual labor. The chances of success are very low. I turned to Fan Chuan-bai and asked,

"Master Fan, don't you have any savings? Could you support this young man?"

"Why should I be the one to do it?"

Fan Chuan-bai grumbled.

I just shrugged. Fan Chuan-bai isn't the type to have savings, and I was just probing.

At that moment, Fan Chuan-bai, who had been thinking about something, spoke up.

"Perhaps there's something valuable left in the secret cave where the Taiyi Sword Master went into seclusion."

"Something valuable? Besides the Taiyi Secret Record?"

The idea suddenly piqued my interest.

When I asked, Fan Chuan-bai continued,

"Yes. If we find a sword used by the Taiyi Sword Master, it would be worth a lot, wouldn't it?"

Thinking about it, that makes sense. Although it would be rusted and corroded after so many years, it would still have great value as a possession of the Taiyi Sword Master.

Jin-ho, who had been resting nearby, slapped his knee and said,

"Speaking of which, I heard that my sixth-generation ancestor often wore a precious robe made of silk and iron wire."

A robe made of silk and iron wire?

Hearing this, my eyes lit up. Even if it's been 80 years and it's not in its original condition, it would have great symbolic value, being a garment worn by the legendary Taiyi Sword Master.

'If we find the right buyer, it could be worth a lot.'

Feeling a surge of enthusiasm, I stopped resting, stood up, and said to the others,

"Let's go quickly. We can't afford to waste time."

Fan Chuan-bai grumbled, "What's the rush?" but I ignored him. There was no time to hesitate.

Thus, we hurried towards the secret cave of the Taiyi Sword Master.