It was four days later when I met a prominent figure from the Jeong family, the largest aristocratic family in Kaegyeong. I was led to a separate building of the Jeong family and sat quietly. The architectural style of Goryeo was quite different from that of the Central Plains, and the people's attire and behavior also seemed quite different, so I had been curiously exploring various things during this time. As I sat quietly, a middle-aged man entered the room.
"You've been waiting, I see."
I stood up and made a bow.
"My name is Baek Woong. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Does he understand the language of the Central Plains?
Looking at him cautiously, the middle-aged man with a strong presence said,
"Please sit down comfortably. I am Jeong Cheol-wook."
"Yes."
He spoke fluent Han (Chinese). I thought an interpreter would come separately, but it seemed he could speak Han fluently. Jeong Cheol-wook said as he sat down in a chair.
"Are you saying you want to naturalize in Kaegyeong?"
"Yes, I want to live as a Goryeo person."
"Hmm, that's quite unusual... People from the Central Plains are usually very proud and don't often think of doing such a thing."
Jeong Cheol-wook seemed genuinely surprised. After all, the concept of the Central Plains being the center of the world was common, and it was understandable that he might find it hard to comprehend why someone would come to this small border country and want to live here. However, he continued without making any other comments.
"I've heard that you are a martial artist with outstanding skills. How proficient are you?"
"I can defend myself."
I knew it would be foolish to boast about my martial arts skills in such a setting. Such an attitude would only be a minus point to someone who isn't a martial artist. As expected, Jeong Cheol-wook waved his hand and smiled.
"Haha, no need to be modest. In fact, I've heard roughly from the head of the Daeryong Trading Company."
Jeong Cheol-wook, who had been laughing, continued.
"I've also heard that you single-handedly repelled the Blood Path Sect. If that's true, your skills are on par with the best martial artists in Kaegyeong. I was impressed by that story, which is why I insisted on meeting you."
"I have many shortcomings."
"Hmm... Naturalization is no problem. The head of the Daeryong Trading Company has agreed to cover all your settlement and hard work expenses. However, I have a proposal for you."
"What kind of proposal?"
Jeong Cheol-wook poured some warm tea. After savoring the aroma of the tea for a moment, he said,
"Join our Jeong family as a bodyguard. As a bonus, I can offer you a military position called 'Byeolja,' which is a military officer rank."
"Yes."
He spoke in fluent Han. I thought an interpreter would come separately, but it seemed he could speak Han fluently. Jeong Cheol-wook said as he sat down in a chair.
"Do you want to live in Goryeo?"
"Yes, I want to live as a Goryeo person."
"Hmm, that's quite unusual... People from the Central Plains are usually very proud and don't often think of doing such a thing."
Jeong Cheol-wook seemed genuinely surprised. After all, the concept of the Central Plains being the center of the world was common, and it was understandable that he might find it hard to comprehend why someone would come to this small border country and want to live here. However, he continued without making any other comments.
"I've heard that you are a martial artist with outstanding skills. How proficient are you?"
"I can defend myself."
I knew it would be foolish to boast about my martial arts skills in such a setting. Such an attitude would only be a minus point to someone who isn't a martial artist. As expected, Jeong Cheol-wook waved his hand and smiled.
"Haha, no need to be modest. In fact, I've heard roughly from the head of the Daeryong Trading Company."
Jeong Cheol-wook, who had been laughing, continued.
"I've also heard that you single-handedly repelled the Blood Path Sect. If that's true, your skills are on par with the best martial artists in Kaegyeong. I was impressed by that story, which is why I insisted on meeting you."
"I have many shortcomings."
"Hmm... Naturalization is no problem. The head of the Daeryong Trading Company has agreed to cover all your settlement and hard work expenses. However, I have a proposal for you."
"What kind of proposal?"
Jeong Cheol-wook poured some warm tea. After savoring the aroma of the tea for a moment, he said,
"Join our Jeong family as a bodyguard. As a bonus, I can offer you a military position called 'Byeolja,' which is a military officer rank. If you plan to live in Goryeo, I think this is a good offer."
"......"
I fell silent as the expected proposal came.
'As expected, this was his intention.'
The head of the Daeryong Trading Company wouldn't have connected me with a powerful noble in Kaegyeong for no reason. He was trying to place me under the Jeong family and use me as a connection or a resource when needed. And from the Jeong family's perspective, there was no reason to refuse a young martial artist who had single-handedly repelled the Blood Path Sect. It seemed the matter had already been settled between them.
After thinking for a moment, I replied.
"Is it possible for me to travel around Goryeo when I want to, if I accept this position?"
"Haha... Of course. I've heard you're very interested in traveling around Goryeo. If that's the case, I'll make sure to provide you with many opportunities to travel. If you wish, you might even have the time to leisurely visit Tamra Island, which is quite far away."
If he was offering this much, there was no reason to refuse. In fact, refusing would make future exploration more difficult. So, I nodded and accepted.
"I accept."
"Great! From tomorrow, you will be one of our family's martial artists. Don't worry, I'll issue you a badge for the 'Byeolja' position later."
"However, I don't speak Goryeo well. Is there a way for me to learn the language and writing here?"
"I'll assign a teacher to you. In about three months, you should be able to communicate in simple Korean."
I felt a bit uneasy as everything was going so smoothly.
'Odd. In this life, I only received the blessing of Xiwangmu, not the great fortune of Taehyecheonjun. Why is everything going so well?'
As I showed a puzzled expression, Jeong Cheol-wook tilted his head.
"Why are you so surprised, young man?"
"Ah, it's just that everything is going so smoothly."
"Smoothly, haha! Well, even the Twelve Rhythms martial artists are trying hard to join our family as bodyguards, so your luck is indeed turning."
I casually mentioned,
"Actually, a fortune-teller told me that my luck hasn't been particularly good or bad over the past ten years. I didn't even hear that I had strong good luck. It's just that everything is going so smoothly that I feel uneasy."
"Hmm..."
Jeong Cheol-wook seemed to find it an interesting story as he sipped his tea and thought about it. After a moment, he said,
"Then it's not luck (้) but destiny (ๅฝ)."
"What do you mean?"
"I've studied the Four Pillars of Destiny to some extent."
Jeong Cheol-wook adjusted his seat and continued.
"Luck (้) can be seen as a supernatural element that influences one's fortune, regardless of human will. Therefore, in the Four Pillars of Destiny, luck (้) and destiny (ๅฝ) are often distinguished. Luck is something that can't be resisted, but destiny is a 'process' that one reaches through choices."
"A process?"
"One could also call it karma. From cause to action, from action to result, and from result to cause, leading to further action. Our choices are continuous, and there is always an inescapable responsibility that follows our actions."
"......"
"Haha, did I make it too complicated? To summarize, it's this."
Jeong Cheol-wook emptied his teacup and said,
"If luck is something that brings random fortune or misfortune regardless of your choices, then destiny means that you achieve a good result because you made the right choice. It's a great inevitability that transcends minor coincidences through human will."
"......!!"
"I don't know what you've been through, but if you haven't made any major mistakes, you probably haven't encountered much bad luck. That's why it feels like a great fortune to you."
"That... makes sense."
I had never thought about it that way, but it made sense.
If I make the right choices, I will achieve the right results!
'Right. The great fortune of Taehyecheonjun was a blessing that brought intense luck regardless of my choices, but in this life, I simply made the right choices and got the right results.'
When I received the great fortune of Taehyecheonjun, I made foolish decisions that should have led to my death ten times over. Yet, I survived and even gained benefits, which is why it was called great fortune. But in this life, I simply made the right decisions and got the corresponding results. This was closer to cause and effect than luck.
At the same time, I realized that I had not yet entered a stable life. If what he said was true, the moment I made a wrong decision, I might suddenly die.
After that, I received training on the duties of a bodyguard, working hours, and the etiquette and obligations I should follow, and returned to my quarters. I would likely start living in a separate building of the Jeong family from the next morning.
I also said goodbye to the head of the Daeryong Trading Company.
"Thank you for the good position."
"Haha, it's nothing compared to the help you gave me. If it weren't for you, I would have been killed or enslaved by pirates by now."
The head of the Daeryong Trading Company laughed and said,
"Don't worry about our return journey. The Goryeo side has provided a fleet, and two warships will escort us. The Twelve Rhythms' experts will also be on board. Even if we are attacked like last time, we won't be easily defeated."
"That's a relief."
I suddenly thought of something and asked him,
"Have you ever heard of a place called Haean in the East?"
"Haean...?"
"Actually, I came to Goryeo to find it."
The reason I mentioned this was that I felt a considerable trust had been built with the head of the Daeryong Trading Company, and since we would part ways the next day, I thought it was safe to share. As the head of a massive trading company in Shandong, he likely had unique information.
The head of the Daeryong Trading Company seemed to recall something and snapped his fingers.
"I know there's a temple called Haean in Goryeo."
"A temple (ๅฏบ)?"
"From what I remember, it's in a place called Hapcheon. It's a very large temple, I believe. It's called Haeinsa."
"......!! Thank you!"
I realized I had received a very good clue. If I had tried to find this information in Goryeo, it would have taken a long time. I decided to visit Haeinsa while traveling around Goryeo as a bodyguard.
Next, I said goodbye to the head of Seogung Escort Agency. He also thanked me and said,
"If you ever return to the Central Plains, I will definitely repay you."
"Thank you."
"Hmm, and it's not really information, but I heard an interesting story recently."
"What kind of story?"
The head of Seogung Escort Agency looked around to see if anyone else was listening and whispered,
"Recently, there was a rumor that a phoenix appeared in the Western Capital of Goryeo. A high-level expert from the Twelve Rhythms told me this."
"A phoenix?"
"Just a rumor. But if your purpose is to travel around Goryeo, it might be worth checking out."
"......"
I bid farewell to the head of Seogung Escort Agency and fell into thought.
'A phoenix in the Western Capital?'
This was a story I had never expected.
Phoenix!
It was a legendary creature on par with a dragon, a beautiful bird with a noble crest and a long, elegant tail. It was more of a divine beast and was sometimes used as a symbol of the empress. In particular, it was known in Taoist temples to possess powers that surpassed most immortals.
An ordinary person might dismiss it as a myth, but having seen and felt the powers of various gods and demons, I couldn't take it lightly. If the phoenix really existed, it would be a tremendous discovery.
I decided to visit Haeinsa and then go to the Western Capital after that, and went to sleep.
The next day, my life as a bodyguard for the Jeong family began. Despite being a bodyguard, I couldn't speak Goryeo at all, so a young girl in white came to the separate building to teach me the language.
She looked to be in her late teens, older than I appeared. She had a refined appearance and was quite tall, definitely someone who could be called a beauty. While not a peerless beauty, she seemed capable of shaking the confidence of many men. She giggled when we first met.
"Hi! I'm Lee Joo-hee. I'll teach you Goryeo language and writing from now on!"
She spoke fluent Han. She seemed to have a talent for interpretation despite her young age. I found it odd that she used informal speech, but since I appeared younger than her and didn't feel bad about it, I remained silent. She affectionately patted my head.
"Hey, I heard you're good at martial arts. Is that true?"
"Yes."
"Then teach me sometimes, okay?"
"Ah, sure."
"Let's start learning the language and writing seriously! Haha."
Lee Joo-hee laughed cheerfully and immediately began teaching me the language with focus and enthusiasm, contrary to her initial playful attitude. I started learning Goryeo language from pronunciation, and surprisingly, it wasn't too difficult. Among my meager talents, my language skills weren't too bad.
"Pay attention!"
"Got it."
"Oh, and while you're at it, teach me some martial arts, please."
"......"
Was she serious?
Lee Joo-hee visited me every day and sometimes asked me to teach her martial arts during her free time. Since it wasn't a difficult task, I taught her the basic techniques of Xuan Tian Divine Skill and some simple swordsmanship. After all, Xuan Tian Divine Skill was a pure skill that could easily blend with other internal cultivation methods, and I felt like repaying the favor I owed to her.
For about five months, I continued to stay and learn Goryeo language and writing from Lee Joo-hee. By the time six months had passed, I could communicate in simple Goryeo, albeit with some difficulty.
Surprisingly, Lee Joo-hee showed a talent for martial arts and made rapid progress in the sword techniques I taught her over the six months. Initially, I only taught her a few moves of the Brain Shadow Sword Technique, but soon I had to teach her everything. If she had a proper sword master, she would likely achieve considerable martial arts skills within ten years.
Then, a middle-aged martial artist came to me and said,
"Since you can speak a bit now, come to the Pyeongjijeon Hall tomorrow morning."
I could understand him roughly.
This was the result of six months of intensive language and writing training. I nodded and asked,
"What kind of task is it?"
"You'll see when you get there. Lady Joo-hee will come with you, so just listen quietly."
"Got it."
Lady Joo-hee?
I found it odd that he used respectful language. The middle-aged martial artist had a cultivation level on par with a peak expert and was the leader of the Jeong family's bodyguards. He was likely a martial artist from the Twelve Rhythms, and it was puzzling why he would use respectful language to a young girl like Lee Joo-hee.
However, I was surprised the next day when I went with Lee Joo-hee. She was not wearing her usual white clothes but a fine silk dress, indicating that she held a significant position in Goryeo.
"Hehe, surprised?"
Lee Joo-hee giggled, and I asked,
"You're a noble?"
"Yes. The Lee family works in partnership with the Jeong family. The heads of the two families are sworn brothers, so I stay at Uncle Cheol-wook's house."
"The Lee family..."
"Just act as usual! Haha."
I entered the Pyeongjijeon Hall with Lee Joo-hee. Inside, Jeong Cheol-wook was seated on a high chair, and the Jeong family's bodyguards were lined up on both sides.
"@&&*#&*@@...."
Jeong Cheol-wook spoke to me in Goryeo, which I couldn't understand well.
'Why is he using Goryeo when he can speak Han?'
As I was puzzled, Lee Joo-hee interpreted for me.
"There's a royal ceremony to honor King Gongmin tomorrow, and you will attend as a bodyguard."
I glanced at Jeong Cheol-wook, and he spoke again, which Lee Joo-hee interpreted.
"You will compete with Goryeo martial artists at the ceremony to entertain the guests. He asks you to conduct yourself with dignity."
"......?!"
What did he mean?
I was taken aback but couldn't say anything in this situation.
Rustle
After the meeting, as the bodyguards left the Pyeongjijeon Hall, Jeong Cheol-wook relaxed and spoke in Han.
"Baek Woong, I'm sorry. I had to use Goryeo to maintain my authority in front of the subordinates."
"No, it's fine. Please speak freely."
"As I explained earlier, there's a royal ceremony to honor King Gongmin tomorrow, and you will be part of the bodyguard team. After the ceremony, the royal family and nobles will gather for a celebration, and you