Chapter 170
**
A formal letter arrived from the Martial Alliance.
The contents weren’t much different from what I had heard from Su-ryeon.
Along with the order to return, there was a thorough insistence to prepare as a support warrior for the Cheonryong Association.
The tone in which it was said seemed to imply that no objections would be entertained.
“…Support warrior for the Cheonryong Association?”
The Plum Blossom Divine clicked his tongue.
“They don’t want to deal with it, so they’re tossing it at you. Do you know the history between the Martial Alliance and the Sado Clan? The Sado Clan formed from a multitude of Sapa, and their leader has been rumored to have a poor relationship with the Martial Alliance since ancient times. More than anything… especially with the current leader.”
“What happened?”
“When I was young, there was a problem between the two. The current leader was a much wilder boy then, while the Sado Clan’s leader was curious about the Martial Alliance. Until then, the Sado Clan’s leader had been a simple heir, hiding their identity while exploring the Martial Alliance… and met the current leader there.”
“…And?”
“The leader took an interest in Lianju. Of course, that attempt ended in failure, but the Sado Clan’s leader formally raised the incident with the Martial Alliance. And the Martial Alliance concluded the matter with a light punishment.”
The Plum Blossom Divine let out a sigh.
“It was an incident buried so quietly that hardly anyone knows about it. Since they took care of the matter at the level of the Martial Alliance, there’s no way the Sado Clan would harbor good feelings. A support warrior sent by the Sado Clan from the Martial Alliance has a reputation for being torn apart.”
“……”
“It’s an age without any sense of propriety. It’s an era where someone who tried to forcibly assault another is chosen as the leader just because they’re skilled and clever. So, if you participate in the war, be cautious. The banner of the Martial Alliance’s support should also be lowered discreetly. You don’t particularly have pride in being part of the Martial Alliance, do you?”
“Thank you for the advice.”
“Don’t mention it. I have my own dealings with you as well.”
“Pardon?”
The Plum Blossom Divine casually pointed to Gu Hwa-rin. For some reason, she, dressed for travel, bowed her head modestly.
Her cheeks were flushed. The gaze she avoided was filled with shyness.
“I… I may be lacking, but… please take care of her…”
“Pardon?”
“You’ve adopted Sua, right? Someone like you should be able to give Hwa-rin over.”
“…Elder? What do you mean?”
“M-Master?! Please don’t say anything strange!”
“Cough, cough. How flustered you are.”
The Plum Blossom Divine chuckled.
“We’re planning to send Hwa-rin out into the world. Even if the flowers have bloomed, pruning the branches is a different matter. Experience is necessary— that’s what I mean. You’ve played a part in that role, but the rest should be something Hwa-rin must acquire herself, don’t you think?”
“…Elder? This is a war. It’s completely different from going to the martial world…”
“This child wants it herself. I’ve had many conversations with her. But her resolve was strong. More than anything, thinking of you being by her side…”
The Plum Blossom Divine grinned.
“I thought you wouldn’t do anything wrong. To let the plum blossoms bloom brilliantly, you must provide the right nutrients, so having someone like you by her side would be reassuring, wouldn’t it?”
“…That’s excessive praise, Elder.”
“I’m just speaking the truth of the sword I’ve seen. It’s not excessive at all. And above all, I’ve told you several times now… Hwa-rin can be quite stubborn. If she decides to do something, she’ll stick to it until the end. Don’t you know? After all, this girl has been persistent for over ten years without giving up, despite never being able to produce a proper plum blossom. How could I break the stubbornness of someone who repeats the same routine even when it’s hard and exhausting?”
“M-Master…”
Gu Hwa-rin’s face turned crimson. I asked once more.
“You know where I come from, right?”
“I know. I do. Nevertheless, Hwa-rin made this choice. She’s someone who has never asked for anything in all the years I’ve taught her. I don’t want to disregard her request.”
“…Lady Gu. Is that really true?”
“…I… I…”
Gu Hwa-rin squinted her eyes.
“Just Hwa-rin… is enough…”
“Pardon?”
“Hwa-rin… is enough… I said…”
She tugged on my sleeve. With a face that looked as if it would burst any moment, she whispered.
“You… you said we’re friends…”
“…Hwa-rin?”
“…Yes.”
“W-Well…”
Seeing her shyly look away made me feel a bit awkward, too.
“If you follow me… you might get caught up in a bad situation. The battlefield isn’t exactly a pleasant place… so please think it over…”
“…I want to follow you.”
“H-Hwa-rin…?”
“Is it… not okay…?”
The hand gripping my sleeve trembled.
As if she had squeezed out all the courage in her life.
“But… if we leave for the martial world… I want to be with you more than anyone else. Even if that place is a battlefield… I want to repay my kindness… I’ll be of help…”
“…….”
The Plum Blossom Divine cleared his throat beside us.
“If helping is what you want, I won’t hold you back. You know, right? Her level has surpassed Huaxing.”
“…That’s not the problem.”
“To be honest, even if you refuse, she’ll follow you secretly. Her stubbornness is no joke. If she’s going to go anyway, just take care of her a bit. I’ll be sure to reward you handsomely.”
…Looks like I have no choice.
I ultimately nodded. Gu Hwa-rin’s expression brightened.
“T-Thank you!”
The Plum Blossom Divine chuckled warmly.
“I would have liked to have a granddaughter like Sua… this is good.”
“Pardon?”
“Just talking to myself.”
. . .
Before leaving, I heeded Sua’s request and inspected her sword a bit more.
The Sword of Huashan, blossoming from her fingertips, was truly magnificent. Its graceful movements and countless feints were indeed the pinnacle of a splendid sword.
The fact that its color was red indicated it was based on the Nine Heavens Blood Demon Technique. It was a hue that was somewhat distant from the plum blossom…
Yet, it had its own beauty. Quite lovely.
“Dad. You know…”
“Hm?”
Sua, cradled in my arms, looked up at me.
“The Sword of Huashan is easy. It looks hard at first glance, but it’s not that difficult.”
“Is that so?”
That’s something only Sua could say.
If Gu Hwa-rin had heard, she would have been horrified.
“The art of the void is interconnected. When you grasp one, the next stage seems faintly visible. The Sword of Huashan was like that. But… the Nine Heavens Blood Demon Sword doesn’t seem to be.”
“Why’s that?”
“It’s getting harder to learn gradually. It feels like something is blocked. So how should I put it…”
Sua murmured.
“…It seems to be a sword that is somewhat distant from what I possess.”
“Distant…”
The Nine Heavens Blood Demon Sword. So, this likely…
Was a martial art related to death.
As one’s body approaches death, it grows more solid and robust. The sword becomes imbued with weight, allowing even the untalented to wield it effectively.
The realization of martial arts is inherently premised on a near-death experience.
I could mimic the form. The method of cultivating inner strength wasn’t too difficult either.
But wasn’t that what I had not done before?
Even if I tried to imitate it, it wouldn’t be true imitation.
Without experiencing countless deaths, without shedding blood to imbue weight…
It would be like picking fruit that is hollow inside.
“Isn’t it the sword of the weak?”
“You’re strong, Dad.”
“I’m not particularly strong. There are plenty of those more talented than me. Just look at you.”
“…I don’t know much about talent. But I know I’m different from others. The things that take time to learn are easy for me.”
Sua jumped down from my arms. She turned to face me.
“Dad… you’re different from me, right?”
“That’s right.”
“Got it. So, I’m different…”
Sua wriggled her fingers.
“Dad. You know, lately, when I swing my sword, I occasionally think about that.”
“What kind of thoughts?”
“You’re amazing, Dad. More than anything. You work harder than me in a way that’s different. Not that it’s an insult or a jab or anything. Just…”
Sua traced a line in the air with her hand.
“When others do this much, I learn this much more. But it feels like you get so much less than that.”
“That might be true.”
“But Dad’s time and my time are different. Even if I gather this much, it feels strangely empty. What I have in my hands seems smaller than I thought, and though I can do anything, I feel like it’s difficult to see the end of it.”
“Hmmm…”
“I want to learn your sword. But you see, the more I swing it, the more I realize. I can’t swing the exact same sword as you. No matter how much I learn and try, the weight will always differ.”
It was a somewhat vague statement. But I felt I roughly understood the meaning behind her words.
The time of the talented and the time of the untalented are different.
But that difference…
Isn’t always what dictates everything.
“Dad’s time is short and solid. My time is long and soft. So… it’s this…”
“I understand what you’re trying to say.”
“…Really?”
“Of course.”
“Eheh, I knew you would understand, Dad.”
Sua clung to me, whining to be petted.
“…Dad. I won’t stop learning your sword.”
“Alright.”
“But… I don’t feel like I’ll see its end. I’m not as solid as you. If I try to attempt that… I feel like I might break before I do.”
“……”
“I think Dad and I will probably walk different paths. The Nine Heavens Blood Demon Sword may be the same, but… the end feels completely opposite… something like that.”
Sua leaned her cheek against my chest.
“But you’ll still love me… right?”
“Of course.”
“…Eheh.”
Sua beamed at me. Looking up, she whispered.
“You’re the strongest person in my world, Dad. And I feel like you’ll always be right in front of me.”
“Why?”
“The Plum Blossom Divine Grandpa said that while it’s good to wide-learn many things, it might not compare to going deep into one.”
Sua’s eyes sparkled.
“Your sword, Dad. That sentiment really fits it. More deeply than anything… deeper than now… I think you’ll reach a place where no one else can reach. Different from me.”
“…Can’t you try too?”
“I prefer going a different way! I want to mix the Nine Heavens Blood Demon Sword with many martial arts! I want to dye the world in a variety of colors! Just like now! People say I have talent, but…”
Sua rubbed her cheek against mine.
“I know. Others might not see it, but I can. No one else in this world, no talented person… will ever be able to be like you, Dad.”
“…….”
“You’ll definitely stand at the very top! Your magnificent sword possesses a talent that even I cannot imitate!”
Separating from the direction of the sword, I pulled Sua into an embrace.
She surely says lovely things.
“…You really pick the prettiest words to say. Who’s your father?”
“Hehe.”
Sua acted cute for me.
“Of course, who’s my father?”
. . .
Preparations to leave Huashan were complete. The group assembled wasn’t just Gu Hwa-rin alone.
Baek Hyun, the disciple of Huashan, looked at me with adoring eyes.
“I heard you helped my junior bloom her plum blossoms.”
The address for Gu Hwa-rin had changed.
In a way, one could call it clever— but I roughly knew Baek Hyun’s character.
He was simply sincere, hence the change in address.
He recognized that the sword she demonstrated was the perfect Sword of Huashan.
“Yes, that’s right…”
“I was foolish. Junior, can you forgive me? I was blind. Though I had a head, I couldn’t think.”
“Pardon?”
“I didn’t recognize someone who knew the Sword of Huashan better than anyone else… If you’d like, I can stab one of my own eyes as an apology. That would be a cheap price to show my sincerity.”
With the look of sincerity, Baek Hyun drew his sword.
Gu Hwa-rin paled.
“It’s fine! I’ll accept your apology!”
“…Thank you, junior. Great friend. I heard you helped my junior bloom her plum blossoms. I, too, sincerely wish to gain the Sword of Huashan.”
Baek Hyun’s fist clenched tightly.
“Please bestow me some teaching as well.”
“We’re not going on a vacation.”
“I’ve already volunteered for the Martial Alliance’s support warriors. The Martial Alliance has already accepted this, so we will be heading to the Cheonryong Association together.”
Baek Hyun’s eyes burned with fervor.
A sincere longing for martial arts. His gesture of bowing to me was filled with sincerity.
“I also want to bloom a proper plum blossom…!”
“I’m not even from Huashan, though…”
“If you grant me a favor, I’ll repay it with my life! Somehow!”
He had indeed volunteered to join the support warriors of the Cheonryong Association.
So it was inevitable we would leave together. Since he had volunteered himself, there was nothing I could say against it.
If you think about it, Baek Hyun…
This man had been someone who took care of me while I was at Huashan.
“I don’t think I can see deeply into it… Is that okay?”
“Of course! And… I want to refer to you as brother!”
“That’s a bit…”
“Please allow it!”
“…Uh… I suppose…?”
“If you could speak comfortably, I’d be grateful!”
Before I knew it, a loyal younger brother had appeared. Now that I think about it…
This man, Baek Hyun, had also been treated like a “sword-obsessed fool” by his elder brothers.
…That’s a fine sentiment.
I, too, am a similar type of person.
The Plum Blossom Divine saw us off. Continuously providing Gu Hwa-rin with various items.
“Put this in the pack. And this one too.”
“…Master. They won’t all fit.”
“Then eat and stuff it in your belly.”
The Plum Blossom Divine took my hand.
“Don’t let Hwa-rin get a drop of water on her hands.”
“Pardon?”
“Make sure to have her sleep on time during training, and if she seems to be lacking sleep, brew her a warm cup of tea. Don’t let it get too hot.”
“Master, please…!”
The Plum Blossom Divine accompanied us all the way down the mountain. He gently smiled at Gu Hwa-rin, who couldn’t lift her face.
“I didn’t know the Clan Master had such a warm heart.”
“…Please don’t say anything… just…”
“I had no idea that the Clan Master could have that expression. Junior.”
“Please, brother…”
Il-ho and Su-ryeon, who emerged from the shadows, joined our group. Baek Hyun’s eyes widened at the sudden appearance.
“What…?! I couldn’t detect even a hint of their presence?!”
“Su-ryeon. Where are the other nine?”
“They’re moving in the surrounding area. Keeping distance. Preemptively responding to any incoming dangers is our way.”
“Uuugh…”
“Young one. Why the strange expression?”
“Don’t hide behind Dad’s shadow!”
“That place is the coziest!”
“I want to hide in the shadow too! Dad! Is that okay?!”
“Stay with me.”
Gu Hwa-rin and Baek Hyun, unable to adapt to the boisterous atmosphere, took notice.
“What is happening…”
“More than anything, that girl… where does she find herself?”
Now that I think about it, Su-ryeon’s aura felt different.
“Has she surpassed something?”
“The experiences from Shaolin helped her. Peering into the far-off distance has made the path clearer. She currently stands at the Huaxing level.”
Surely, I should say she’s a genius…
There are just too many talented individuals around me.
“Huaxing?! I’ll arrive there soon too! Dad! I’ll be stronger! I will become stronger!”
“Please do your best, younger sister.”
“Don’t call me younger sister!”
Il-ho’s power was also at the peak…
The scattered members of Sapa must also be at the same level.
Peak pinnacle. It’s an ironic situation where Baek Hyun stands as the weakest among us.
Glancing over nervously, Baek Hyun asked me.
“Brother. What on earth… is your identity?”
“I was the Martial Alliance Inspector. Now I am the commander of the support warrior group heading to the Cheonryong Association.”
I thought of Young-wol, the bodyguard of the Sado Clan.
Could I possibly track down the whereabouts of the vanished Seven Demons through her?
“…….”
I couldn’t be certain of anything.
I just believed that walking forward, as always, would be the best course of action.
I walked toward the Martial Alliance.
To head for the Cheonryong Association.
