New Attire
As Jeong-un exited Zhuge Cheon-woo's office, soone was waiting for him up ahead.
"Young Hero Yu! Have you been well?"
It was Jo Yoo-hyeon, the young man from the General Affairs Departnt, greeting Jeong-un with a friendly smile—the very person who had guided him when he first entered the Heavenly Martial Hall.
"It's been a while since we last t."
Jeong-un raised his clasped hands in greeting and bowed his head.
At this, Jo Yoo-hyeon paused, then ca closer with a gentle smile.
"There's no need to be so formal."
"After spending so much ti outside, I've co to realize just how invaluable the solid support of the General Affairs Departnt truly is."
"......"
At those words, Jo Yoo-hyeon's steps slowed for a mont.
The Heavenly Martial Hall was celebrated as a place where prodigies from across the world gathered.
Most were either disciples from renowned sects or children of powerful martial families who wielded influence in their regions.
That was to be expected.
And not only for those who passed the special test.
It was said that martial skill and wealth were inherited through generations.
There were always going to be more masters raised as heirs of famous families than those who had simply fallen from the sky.
Because of this, the martial artists of the Heavenly Martial Hall often considered themselves of noble status, having grown up to believe as much.
They tended to look down, albeit subtly, on those from the General Affairs Departnt who did all sorts of nial tasks.
'But this boy...'
Jo Yoo-hyeon gazed silently at Jeong-un, then gave a slight smile.
"You remain as unique as ever, young hero Jeong-un."
"Unique?"
"I an it in a good way."
"...?"
Jo Yoo-hyeon kept smiling as he extended a hand to the side.
"Let's go, then."
"To where?"
"I'll explain as we walk."
Thus, Jeong-un followed Jo Yoo-hyeon.
It was a scene reminiscent of when he was first guided to Cheong Lindae's dormitory upon entering the hall.
The only difference was that Jeong-un was now dressed in his black martial uniform.
"The chief strategist gave a strict order: do not spare any support that Young Hero Jeong-un needs. The rewards for your achievents over this long mission will also be properly given."
"By rewards, you an...?"
"The most important thing to a martial artist, of course."
Jo Yoo-hyeon's eyes twinkled as he looked toward Jeong-un's waist.
Jeong-un's gaze followed, landing on the ebony scabbard with gold fittings—where his sword was.
"He said it's precious support. Luckily, I don't think his words are an exaggeration. The Heavenly Martial Hall is truly equipped with everything a martial artist could need."
Jeong-un noticed their path veered west, not toward the General Affairs Departnt.
It was a way he had never taken before.
"Forging swords is not a task just anyone can do. You don't just lt tal, pour it into a mold, let it cool, and hamr it—a sword is not so easily made. Each artisan wields the hamr with unique skill, and even if you watch up close, it's hard to discern the difference. But the results are worlds apart. As they say, a single masterwork sword, well-forged, won't rust even after a hundred years subrged in the Yangtze River."
Listening to Jo Yoo-hyeon, Jeong-un grinned quietly.
It was amusing to see his excitent as if he were the craftsman himself—no doubt a sentint borne of good intentions.
"So, where are we headed now?"
"To Armory Pavilion (兵刃閣). The chief strategist has ordered us to equip you with a new sword."
"A sword?"
Jo Yoo-hyeon just nodded with a delighted expression, as if it were his own errand.
Bewildered, Jeong-un simply followed behind.
Soon, they arrived at a pavilion guarded by two doorkeepers.
From the outside, one might have mistaken it for a well-kept library.
'They forge swords in a place like this?'
Jeong-un was a little surprised.
He had expected a dark, noisy place filled with the sound of hamring and flying sparks.
Seeing his reaction, Jo Yoo-hyeon chuckled.
"The actual forges are elsewhere. This is the armory, where completed weapons are stored."
"Then..."
As Jeong-un trailed off, Jo Yoo-hyeon nodded.
"You may pick any sword that suits your taste. Whatever you choose will be a masterpiece—these are selected for their strength and durability by the strictest standards. And..."
Jo Yoo-hyeon glanced at Jeong-un's waist and continued,
"Frankly, any choice will be an improvent over the sword you're using now. I've thought so ever since I first saw it—it looks like its appearance was prioritized over practical usability. For a promising martial artist like you, it's a bit lacking."
"Oh, this..."
Unconsciously, Jeong-un stroked the sword guard with his hand.
The familiar sensation under his fingertips was comforting—he had wielded this sword for training and combat every day, so it felt only natural.
'A new sword, huh?'
Jo Yoo-hyeon's point was valid.
Perhaps, after searching the armory, he would find a sword that suited him perfectly.
Whatever he chose would probably be better than his current sword, and Jo Yoo-hyeon's intentions were kind.
"..."
For a mont, Jeong-un stood deep in thought, then spoke to Jo Yoo-hyeon as if having made up his mind.
"Might I trouble you with a rather unreasonable request?"
"An unreasonable request?"
Puzzled, Jo Yoo-hyeon asked, and Jeong-un explained,
"I'd like to keep using my current sword. If possible, I'd like to have it repaired."
"... That's not too difficult a request."
Clearly skeptical, Jo Yoo-hyeon looked back and forth between Jeong-un and the sword.
"I'm not a swordsman, so I can't claim to understand that sense of attachnt. But I've heard that a weapon familiar to the hand imparts its own kind of strength—but then again, so does a fine new weapon, and perhaps even more so over ti, as it becos familiar to you."
"I'm sure that's true."
"...?"
Jeong-un nodded in agreent, prompting a confused look from Jo Yoo-hyeon, as if asking what the real issue was.
"To be honest, this is the sword I received when I left my family. It's not particularly aningful, but I'd like to use it for as long as I can."
"Ah..."
A soft sigh escaped Jo Yoo-hyeon as he realized his own words had been inconsiderate.
'They said he had no connection to his family anymore, didn't they?'
The Heavenly Martial Hall thoroughly investigated all affiliated martial artists, from their origins to their hidden cultivation.
The rumor that Beggar's Union mbers scurried around during entry tests was no re hearsay.
Jo Yoo-hyeon, managing personnel at the General Affairs Departnt, knew a fair bit about Jeong-un's background—including that he had received the Cloud Dragon Token from Cheong Jin of Mount Hua.
'Perhaps it's more precious because his ties with his family were severed.'
If that was the case, then his earlier suggestion had been a mistake—it was like telling a swordsman to throw away his sword.
'Really...'
It had been an unthinking blunder, perhaps because Jeong-un was several years younger and Jo Yoo-hyeon had subconsciously wanted to look after him.
Jo Yoo-hyeon straightened up and bowed politely.
"I apologize. I shouldn't have presud..."
"It's alright."
Jeong-un replied with a gentle smile.
"You said nothing wrong. It's just my own stubbornness. I guess I've grown attached to the object. It feels odd to replace sothing that's still useful."
"... Please wait a mont."
At his gesture, two attendants approached.
Jo Yoo-hyeon gave them quiet instructions before turning to Jeong-un.
"If you entrust with your sword, I'll see that it's given to the craftsn. Since it's a special request in lieu of a newly-issued weapon, I'll ensure they take extra care. You'll get it back as good as new."
"Thank you."
Jeong-un unfastened his sword and handed it to Jo Yoo-hyeon, who accepted it carefully before giving it to the attendants.
They bowed and departed with the sword.
'It feels empty.'
For the first ti in so long, his waist felt oddly light without the sword.
Jo Yoo-hyeon noticed and comnted,
"You'll need a sword for your training in the anti, so I'll have a suitable one delivered to you tomorrow morning."
"You're thorough."
"It's simply my duty."
There were still countless sword moves to practice and improve, after all.
He would have missed having a practice sword.
"Let's head to our next stop."
"Next?"
Jeong-un asked, surprised that there was more.
Jo Yoo-hyeon smiled.
"This is sothing you won't refuse."
"What is it...?"
"Elixirs."
Jo Yoo-hyeon explained,
"Though you seem uninjured on the surface, as a re scholar, I wouldn't presu to know the true state of a martial artist. You'll be given excellent elixirs to aid your recovery."
"Elixirs for recovery?"
Jeong-un was genuinely impressed.
A masterwork sword and precious elixirs—just one of these was extraordinary.
'The Heavenly Martial Hall really is incredible.'
They said the wealth flowing into the Hall was imnse, and its founding by the Murim Alliance had ties to the royal family from the start, so perhaps it was only natural.
Thus, they headed for the dicine hall.
Receiving the elixirs was simple.
As Jeong-un and Jo Yoo-hyeon entered, a physician stepped forward and handed over a pouch of red silk.
Inside, Jeong-un found three small cultivation pills.
"They're not like the Great Rejuvenation Pill of Shaolin or the Purple Grass Pill of the Mount Hua Sect that boost internal energy. But they will be highly effective for healing internal injuries or replenishing depleted true ki."
"Thank you."
Jeong-un tucked the pouch safely away.
Through his long, unexpected mission across the Central Plains, he'd learned this well—you couldn't always remain at full strength, and the mont you replenished your true ki, you'd end up spending it again wielding your sword.
'They'll be invaluable.'
Receiving three was enough to leave him feeling secure.
"So, is that everything now?"
They finally arrived at the front of the General Affairs Departnt.
When Jeong-un asked, Jo Yoo-hyeon gave him a aningful smile.
"No. There's one more thing left."
"What?"
One more?
Yet they hadn't stopped anywhere else, and the General Affairs Departnt was just a place full of docunts—what more could there be to receive here?
As Jeong-un pondered this, Jo Yoo-hyeon called out loudly,
"Jeok Ah!"
"......"
It was a familiar na.
'If it's Jeok Ah, then—'
Just then, a child ca running out from inside the General Affairs Departnt—the very one who had taken Jeong-un's asurents for his uniform on his first day.
The child smiled brightly and bowed.
"Hello, martial artist."
"You've grown a lot."
Jeong-un nodded, pleased, and returned the greeting.
It hadn't even been several months, but the increase in height was obvious.
Children really did grow quickly. Though they hadn't spoken much, Jeong-un felt strangely glad.
"But what brings you here again...?"
Looking at the child, Jeong-un asked.
Jo Yoo-hyeon responded with a smile in his voice.
"It's not just this child who's grown. You've done well—you'll need a new uniform."
"Huh?"
anwhile, the child called Jeok Ah-ya began circling Jeong-un, just like he had when taking his asurents for the uniform when he first arrived.
"What's this?"
"I expected this, but not so soon."
"What do you an?"
Jo Yoo-hyeon bead.
"You've moved up to two-stripes."
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