Chapter 1
The ceiling of a pristine white hospital room, the hurried movements of medical staff, and the faint beeping of the vital signs monitor that seemed like a flickering flame.
That was the last memory I had of my previous life.
Having died at the age of 27 due to a chronic illness, I was reincarnated into this place—the world of martial arts.
When I first became aware of my previous life, I was confused. But as the memories gradually became clearer, I started to organize my thoughts.
I had reincarnated into a world similar to that of martial arts novels.
A world where the Nine Great Sects existed, and where the Righteous and Demonic Factions clashed.
I was an orphan wandering around a remote countryside.
A life with no connections.
It was a wretched existence where I had to worry about daily meals.
The only blessing was that I was born with a good appearance.
Fair skin and distinct facial features.
In the countryside, that was enough to be considered handsome.
“Hey, you shouldn’t go around starving like that.”
Women were always particularly kind to me.
Village girls would slip me sweet potatoes or chestnuts, and the older ladies would hand me rice cakes or dumplings.
Thanks to them, I didn’t starve to death.
But it still wasn’t enough.
Though the martial arts world was wrapped up in the concept of chivalry, it was closer to barbarism.
The Law of the Strong.
Reason or logic didn’t matter.
In the martial world, only the strong could enjoy everything.
Living as an orphan with no connections in such a place meant that I was no more than a fragile life like a willow branch on an open field.
When several villagers got caught up and died in a conflict between two sects over territory, my thoughts only solidified further.
‘I need to attach myself to someone.’
Living off of someone else’s power—that was the only way to survive.
I had no choice but to take all the money I had and enter a major sect as a disciple.
“Your Talent is Mediocre. You will stay at the Outer Sword Hall.”
Wudang Sect, which I sought out with the faintest hope.
I thought that if I could at least secure a place, I’d be guaranteed safety.
But I was assigned to the Outer Sword Hall.
A place that was essentially a banishment ground, teaching only third-rate external disciples.
Watching those who were less talented than I heading towards the Inner Sword Hall to be taught as official external disciples, I realized that what I lacked wasn’t talent, but money.
‘I’ll succeed no matter what.’
Money was also power.
In this martial arts world ruled by the law of strength.
To survive here, I had to struggle with all I had.
‘Isn’t this neglect going too far?’
The education in the Outer Sword Hall was lackadaisical.
They didn’t even teach basic swordsmanship, and instead, it became a routine for the Outer Sword Hall disciples to engage in reckless fights with wooden swords.
Since they had taken the money, they couldn’t expel us without reason, so they simply tried to drive people out by starving them of attention until they left on their own.
I travelled a long distance to join this so-called reputable righteous sect.
Taoist priests, my foot.
Their attitude changed depending on the money.
They were deeply immersed in worldly desires.
It took me a whole year to realize this, and I finally left the Wudang Sect.
‘I won’t even spit in the direction of the Wudang Sect.’
Maybe it was from that moment onward.
That I began to develop a rebellious streak.
Reputable righteous sects and whatnot—they were all hypocrites.
In this harsh world, all I had was anger and bitterness.
Thus, I didn’t shy away from any quarrel that came my way and fought.
There is no training as excellent as real combat.
For someone like me who had nothing, becoming stronger could only be achieved through this method.
From street thugs in the marketplace to bandits trying to collect tolls, to naive brats acting arrogant just because of their family’s influence.
I honed myself by confronting and clashing with such people.
I could die at any moment from a knife in the back, but if that was my fate, so be it.
I entrusted my body to a single blade and roamed the world.
Three years passed in that manner.
“Fighting Ghost.”
That was the nickname given to me.
“Young one, your edge is too sharp.”
During that time, I met my Master.
I was fortunate.
The person who subdued me, who charged forward like a madman, was a high-minded man who could understand me and, more importantly, a peerless martial arts master.
Only after meeting my Master did I formally begin learning martial arts.
“Are you saying I should become a gatekeeper?”
“Yes. It’s the perfect position to curb your impatient nature.”
Just when I thought I had reached a level where I wouldn’t be easily beaten up.
My Master suddenly gave me an order.
A gatekeeper.
It was a minor position that managed the entrances of the Murim Alliance.
“Master, did I train in martial arts just to become a mere gatekeeper…?”
“My disciple?”
Master gently raised his fist.
What could I do?
A Master’s words are like the heavens.
I had no choice but to obey his command.
“I heard you’re recruiting gatekeepers, so I’m here to apply.”
I was planning to go through the motions and leave after pretending to take the interview.
But as soon as the security captain at the entrance of the Murim Alliance saw me, he said:
“Huh? You. Accepted.”
What kind of place doesn’t even conduct proper interviews?
And that’s how I became a gatekeeper affiliated with the Murim Alliance.
***
The place I was assigned to was the East Gate of the Murim Alliance.
The job was simple.
If someone wished to enter, I had to check the token issued by the Murim Alliance and let them through.
“Just remember one thing. Be extremely careful not to offend the Lord of the Alliance. Just think of yourself as a decorative screen.”
The security captain of the East Gate had a gentle and easy-going personality.
He was lenient as long as there were no significant mistakes.
The only strict instruction he emphasized to the gatekeepers was to be wary of the Alliance Lord.
To be cautious of the head of your own organization—could this place even be considered normal?
Namgung Hyuk, the Lord of the Murim Alliance.
A master known for his atrocious temper.
A man who would draw his sword at the slightest provocation.
No one dared to defy him because he was the strongest.
He was the Unrivaled Martial Artist of the World.
Namgung Hyuk’s name became renowned across the world after a fight in Shaanxi.
The number one figure of the demonic sect, Im Jin-soo.
His seven evil swordsmen.
It didn’t take them even ten years to unify the demonic sect.
A battle with masters capable of single-handedly destroying a fortress.
It all started with an ambush by Im Jin-soo and the Seven Evil Swordsmen.
With the motto that “Calling Something Cowardly is just an Excuse made by Losers,” the eight of them banded together to attack Namgung Hyuk.
But with just a single move—
Namgung Hyuk wielded the Heaven-Shaking Thunderfall Sword.
Boom!
With a deafening roar that ripped through the air, a thunderbolt split the ground.
On the day that single strike cleaved the sky, his name reverberated throughout the world.
“What a bunch of pesky flies coming at me.”
Namgung Hyuk’s single remark after he annihilated Im Jin-soo and the Seven Evil Swordsmen in an instant.
Since then, no one dared to challenge him.
Namgung Hyuk had one daughter.
After having three sons, she was the beloved daughter he had late in life.
Her name was Namgung Yeon-hee.
She was referred to as the Unrivaled Beauty of the World.
Her snow-white skin glowed as if bathed in sunlight, and the gentle curve of her eyes when she smiled reminded one of a crescent moon.
Her high nose bridge, plump lips, and slender neckline.
A full chest tapering down to a slim waist reminiscent of fine porcelain, flowing into wide hips—a body sculpted like a work of art by the gods.
Beautiful flowers inevitably attract pests.
The precious youngest daughter he had late in life.
Every person who dared to toy with her ended up as a cold corpse at the edge of Namgung Hyuk’s sword.
It became widely known throughout the martial world that making advances toward Namgung Yeon-hee was a complicated form of suicide.
‘So, today’s volunteer for suicide is Moyong Chun?’
“What did you just say?”
A crisis approached the once peaceful East Gate.
Namgung Hyuk was interrogating Jegal Sang.
By now, it was a familiar sight.
“Say it again.”
“Someone from the Moyong Family wishes to discuss a marriage proposal for Miss Yeon-hee…”
“Did you just call that nonsense a ‘proposal’?!”
The booming shout echoed.
Even without infusing his internal energy, it carried the fury of an absolute master.
Those with weaker spirits had already collapsed, and even I could feel one of my knees buckling.
“Moyong Chun? That rascal again? And he dares to propose marriage to my Yeon-hee?”
“…”
“Jegal Sang, did you think I put you in the position of my advisor to relay such drivel? When a dog barks, its mouth should be torn open!”
Namgung Hyuk’s cutting words.
Jegal Sang could only stammer and tremble with a pale face.
What could his heart be feeling as he endured Namgung Hyuk’s deadly aura that seemed to freeze even the surrounding air?
“Tell them this: If they continue spouting such madness, I will wipe out their entire clan.”
“Yes, Lord of the Alliance.”
Namgung Hyuk declared that he would annihilate an entire family line just because someone suggested a marriage proposal to his daughter.
It was as if they had committed treason.
He was exactly as arrogant and overbearing as the rumours described.
‘Is this why Master sent me here?’
My Master had repeatedly emphasized one thing to me.
I must learn to control my anger.
It was a habit that had become ingrained in me while rolling around at the bottom.
An instinct that said I must never be underestimated.
Master had referred to it as the mentality of a wild dog.
‘Any rising anger would quickly subside here.’
Though those who sought to flatter Namgung Hyuk’s martial prowess praised it with all sorts of flowery language, I thought there was a hint of exaggeration.
But that wasn’t the case at all.
In fact, it was as if all those countless praises fell short.
Absolute Invincibility.
Namgung Hyuk’s presence was powerful enough to shake the heavens and earth.
‘Does Moyong Chun have multiple lives?’
To dare approach Namgung Hyuk’s beloved daughter like that.
No matter how esteemed the Moyong Family was—
He must be out of his mind.
‘Never get entangled with Namgung Yeon-hee.’
This was the most important rule that everyone affiliated with the Murim Alliance had to keep in mind.
Not that it was something I needed to worry about too much.
What are the chances that a gatekeeper would encounter Namgung Yeon-hee?
After all, the Murim Alliance has four gates.
That’s what I thought at the time.
***
‘What’s going on?’
My head was spinning.
The lingering effects of alcohol still swirled around in my head, throwing my thoughts into disarray.
Through the hazy vision, the first thing I saw was a woman lying beside me.
Even the darkness that enveloped the room couldn’t conceal her beauty.
‘Namgung Yeon-hee?’
Why was she lying beside me, wearing nothing but her undergarments?
Her presence felt like a death sentence to me.
A naked man and woman lying together in a bedroom.
It was obvious what had happened.
‘Shit.’
I had spent the night with the Murim Alliance Lord’s youngest daughter.
—
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