At Jang Uibo's unbelievable answer, Cheon Myeonghak stopped breathing for a moment and swallowed dryly.
As a merchant who also kept one foot in the martial world, he had at least a vague understanding of what kind of beings they were.
Those who had transcended human limits, who held the martial world beneath their feet.
He knew well how unrealistic it was to imagine such figures teaching Cheon Wuha.
"Such great people… would never take on Wuha as their disciple, would they?"
"Well… if they were to witness the young master's talent directly, it wouldn't be impossible."
"Surely… you don't mean that seriously?"
"Of course I do. They are people who desire to cultivate talent within their sects. Someone like the young master—they would certainly covet him."
"If… if that were to happen, nothing would make me happier…"
At Jang Uibo's answer, Myeonghak's face visibly brightened.
Meeting those absolute beings of the martial world was not something easily done, but if he were to exhaust every means and method, perhaps he could at least arrange for Wuha's talent to be glimpsed.
After all, those mighty ones were not without affiliation. They belonged to sects, and sects and merchant guilds often formed ties of mutual benefit.
But just as Myeonghak's hopes were rising, Jang Uibo added in a cautious tone:
"However… in my opinion, that too would not be the best choice."
"What? Why not?"
"Because his talent is too exceptional."
"…What?"
"The capacity of a person is not as great as one imagines. With moderate talent, one may be celebrated as the hope of a sect. But if a child with no foundation shows excessive talent, he will instead become the target of envy and hostility."
"..."
"In my view, the young master's talent is more than enough to plant feelings of strangeness—and even fear—in them."
"…I understand what you mean."
At Jang Uibo's words, Myeonghak nodded with a dark expression.
Of course he knew.
As a merchant, he understood all too well how ugly the human heart could become.
Without that insight, he could never have grown the Yongmyeong Merchant Guild from a small shop into what it was today.
"Then… may I ask you honestly, great hero: what would be the best path for Wuha?"
"You may take this however you will, but… there's no need to insist on finding him a master."
"What? What do you mean by that?"
"If you continue to bring in teachers unworthy of him, you will only invite the very dangers I mentioned. A child like him could, with self-study alone, aim for the highest of realms. It would be better to create an environment for him to pursue that freely."
"Self-study… is that truly possible?"
"Of course. After all, did he not already defeat me by self-study alone?"
"Th-that was only because you held back, was it not?"
"Well…"
At Myeonghak's question, Jang Uibo gave a wry smile.
It seemed Myeonghak truly did not realize what kind of being his son was.
But of course, the boy himself had never shown off his power or talent, deliberately keeping it hidden.
Seeing no need to say more, Jang Uibo smoothly shifted the subject.
"…In my judgment, the young master's talent could certainly surpass even me through self-study. But if you must appoint him a master, then choose only someone you can absolutely trust."
"I will keep that in mind."
Bowing his head in gratitude for Jang Uibo's heartfelt advice, Myeonghak grew solemn.
And then, after a moment of hesitation, Jang Uibo finally spoke as if he had made up his mind.
"And… setting aside the matter of the young master, I have a request for you, guild master."
"A request, you say?"
"The truth is… I recently encountered a noble person and received a small enlightenment."
"Oh, is that so? Congratulations indeed!"
For a martial artist who had reached a certain realm, even the smallest fortune or teaching could lead to great progress.
Hearing this, Myeonghak offered sincere congratulations, and Jang Uibo continued with a smile.
"Thank you. However, there is one problem."
"What is it? If it is something I can help with, I will do so wholeheartedly."
And this was no empty politeness.
Though their first meeting had been less than pleasant, Jang Uibo had pushed aside his own health to watch over Wuha's talent and had even offered heartfelt counsel for the boy's sake.
Though there had been misunderstandings along the way, at the very least, Myeonghak believed him to be sincere.
"It may be a difficult request. But… will you hear me out?"
"Of course. If a man receives grace, he must repay it. You have offered heartfelt counsel for my son's future—how could I ignore that?"
Without the slightest hesitation, Myeonghak gave his word.
Jang Uibo gazed at him for a moment, then smiled faintly.
"Thank you. The truth is, with this enlightenment, I wish to dedicate myself wholly to cultivation, to break through the wall that has blocked me. But unfortunately… I do not have much at hand."
"Oh… is that so? Please, don't worry. If it is money you need, I will help however I can."
"It is not only money. To focus on cultivation, I require meals, a comfortable bed, and a place where I can train in peace. Sadly, at present, I have no such place."
"…What?"
As he listened, Myeonghak's eyes grew wider and wider.
Could it be that what Jang Uibo was about to ask was what he suspected?
"To speak plainly… may I ask for your help in allowing me to devote myself entirely to cultivation?"
"Y-you don't mean…"
Unable to believe his ears, Myeonghak stammered.
"You wish to… take up residence here in the Yongmyeong Merchant Guild?"
"Yes. That is my request."
"…!"
At Jang Uibo's answer, Myeonghak's jaw dropped open.
What was this?
The Ghost Sword Jang Uibo—renowned among wandering swordsmen as a first-class master—wished to entrust himself to their humble guild?
For Myeonghak, who dreamed of lessening his guild's reliance on Jongui Gate and stepping up as a first-class guild in his own right, this was an unbelievable windfall.
And yet, he could not hide his astonishment.
"B-but why? A man of your caliber could surely find a far greater household than ours…"
"Did you not say earlier that a man should repay grace?"
"…Yes, I did."
"And that is why I have chosen to remain here."
At Jang Uibo's increasingly inexplicable answers, Myeonghak shook his head in bewilderment.
"I don't quite understand…"
"There is no need to. Not everything requires explanation."
Straightening his posture, Jang Uibo looked at Myeonghak with a grave expression.
"All I know is how to wield a sword. But if that is acceptable, then I wish to stay with the Yongmyeong Guild. Will you permit it?"
"Of course. Having a man like you with us would be a great source of strength."
Without hesitation, Myeonghak nodded.
Had Jang Uibo remained the rude, arrogant man from their first meeting, he might have hesitated.
But the man before him today was someone who knew courtesy and righteousness—a proper warrior.
Myeonghak, now sitting straight-backed himself, spoke with certainty.
"I look forward to working with you. As guild master, I will do all I can to support your cultivation while you stay with us."
"Thank you, guild master. I too will help guard the safety of the Yongmyeong Guild."
And thus, in an unexpected turn, the Ghost Sword himself became a new strength for the Yongmyeong Merchant Guild.
"…So you're telling me…"
Cheon Wuha, who had closed the book he had been reading, furrowed his brow deeply.
"That you're staying at the Yongmyeong Guild?"
"Haha. Not staying—already staying. We're family now, young master. I look forward to working with you."
Jang Uibo smiled and cupped his fists in greeting.
Wuha felt the back of his neck stiffen and silently tilted his head up toward the ceiling.
'…Where did I go wrong?'
Had he been too lenient when he beat the man down?
Or was it that misguided bit of mercy, pointing out the path he should follow?
Either way, these were things his past self would never have imagined doing.
"…What game are you playing?"
At last, Wuha could no longer hold back and growled at Jang Uibo.
"If I showed you the way, then you should follow it quietly. Why linger here?"
"Why, isn't it obvious? To repay the grace I received from you, young master."
"Grace?"
At Wuha's incredulous response, Jang Uibo gazed at him with earnest eyes.
"For ten long years, I wandered without knowing my path. But your teaching… it was like someone shining light upon me in the darkness."
"..."
"And what I told the guild master was not untrue. To focus solely on cultivation, I need a place to stay. A place led by a wise man who does not stir up needless strife."
"Haa…"
Jang Uibo's words were filled with sincerity, leaving Wuha at a loss for words.
The deep trust and gratitude in the man's gaze was undeniable.
Having never before received such a look of admiration, Wuha found the situation unbearably awkward.
'Honestly… it's not the worst thing.'
It was only troublesome to have someone under the same roof who knew a bit too much of his true self.
But if he thought about it calmly, having Jang Uibo join the guild was no disadvantage.
'When a problem arises, he can deal with it.'
After all, the guild's fighters—Cho Mudo and the others—were not reliable in a true crisis.
Of course, Wuha himself could handle most things with ease, but that was not the path he wished to take.
In that sense, having a strong manservant—or "guest"—to run errands was certainly fortunate.
"…Does my presence trouble you, young master?"
Watching Wuha's expression carefully, Jang Uibo asked.
Wuha, having finished his thoughts, shook his head.
"Do as you like."
"Thank you, young master!"
At Wuha's permission, Jang Uibo's face lit up with joy.
Wuha, watching him, felt a strange look creep onto his own face.
'It's really nothing special.'
To Wuha's eyes, the path was plain as day.
Even without having held a sword for long, he could see it clearly.
All he had done was point out the obvious first step to someone lost at the start—yet the man rejoiced as though it were divine revelation.
'If only I had done the same in my past life…'
Would the fearful eyes of his subordinates have softened, even a little?
Would some of the countless blades aimed at him have turned instead to shield him?
He was about to sink into such thoughts when footsteps outside the door snapped him back to the present.
"Young master, are you inside?"
"…Yeongseon?"
Wuha's eyes widened at the unexpected visitor.
"Come in."
Creak.
"Young master, guild master—oh?"
The door opened before Wuha could finish speaking, and Yeongseon's eyes went wide as she saw Jang Uibo seated opposite him.
"Wait… why is this swordsman here…?"
"It's nothing. Did you have business with the young master?"
"Ah… yes."
"Then I should take my leave. Young master, I'll visit again another time."
Offering a polite bow, Jang Uibo exited as Yeongseon entered.
She glanced at his retreating back, then leaned toward Wuha and whispered with suspicion.
"Why is he here? And why is he suddenly acting so polite?"
"He said he's going to be eating under our roof from now on. Asked me to take care of him."
"What? Then he's like Instructor Cho Mudo…?"
"Closer to a household guest than that… Anyway, what's the matter?"
Wuha turned the topic back, and though still baffled, Yeongseon nodded.
"Ah, right. The guild master is looking for you."
"My father?"
"Yes. He said he would be waiting in his office."
"…I see."
At her words, Wuha fell into thought.
Jang Uibo had decided to remain at the guild, and now Myeonghak had suddenly summoned him.
It wasn't hard to guess why.
'He'll tell me to study martial arts under Jang Uibo.'
If told to learn, he could put on an act.
But with Go Seokjeong's endless assignments still looming, there was hardly enough time.
Troubled over how to persuade his father, Wuha left his quarters and headed toward the office.
read more brightnovels.com