Chapter 144
**
The sound of birds chirping filled the air. Su-ryeon rubbed her eyes and got up.
The warm smell of sunlight crept in through the window. After brushing her hair into some semblance of order, Su-ryeon staggered out, still drowsy.
“Il-ho…”
“Yes.”
I asked the woman who had suddenly risen from the floor.
“What about the dead body…?”
“It’s been placed in the Ice Cavern that only Sapa knows about. I informed the great hero of its location separately.”
“Okay… I can go see it…”
Il-ho disappeared. Leaning against the wall, Su-ryeon slid down to the floor.
Mornings were heavy. So heavy that sometimes she couldn’t open her eyes. On top of that, her unhealthy condition made things worse…
She was incredibly sleepy.
Still, she had to get up… She had to act like an adult…
Ugh…
“Su-ryeon?”
At the call, she slightly opened her eyes. A man, freshly washed after morning training, came into view.
“What are you doing here?”
“I was… going to wash up…”
“You don’t seem well. Why not rest a bit more?”
“But… I still need to clean up…”
“I can wipe you down with a damp towel. Here.”
She was embraced. With great effort, she was led back into the room she had just left.
A wet towel was quickly placed on her head. Hands diligently wiped her face only to disappear and then appear again.
Warm porridge.
“Go on and eat.”
“Ah…”
Su-ryeon quietly accepted the food being placed in her mouth like a baby bird.
It lacked flavor. So bland. Was it because it was temple food?
Tasteless. Everything about the food was. Su-ryeon muttered sleepily.
“I want… salty meat…”
“Wait just a moment.”
“Huh…?”
The heartfelt wish she had unintentionally let slip returned within a single moment.
He came back, sneaking in some cooked meat he had hidden outside.
A quantity so large it would be difficult to eat alone.
As he lifted the meat to her mouth one by one with chopsticks, Su-ryeon stared at him blankly.
The sleepiness that had crept away had returned her to her usual self.
“…I can feed myself.”
“It’s fine. Please eat.”
“But…”
“Here.”
“Ahp.”
With a mumbled mouthful, Su-ryeon finished her meal.
“Why go this far…”
“Isn’t it natural to worry for a business partner?”
“…It’s already over between us.”
“I have no intention of ending things so easily.”
“…I won’t disclose Jeok-un’s identity anywhere.”
“This isn’t because of that. Without Su-ryeon, Heavenly Seer Gongbaek would have lost then and there, and I would have had to get the approval of two masters.”
“……”
“You’re a lifesaver, aren’t you? Especially since you’ve helped me so much…”
He took the empty dishes he had arranged and left.
“Don’t decline, Su-ryeon.”
“……”
Su-ryeon quietly watched his disappearing figure.
A lifesaver, huh…
That seemed like too much. She had received too much. She had even received her life back, been hidden from others…
Thanks to this person, she could kill an enemy she had long wished to eliminate.
Furthermore, she was now receiving care. Outside of training times, he hadn’t left her side for even a moment.
If there was something she wanted, he would bring it for her.
If there was something she wanted to do, he would support her.
If she wanted to wash, he would wipe her face.
“……”
Su-ryeon suppressed the feelings that were rising within her.
It’s been almost a month. The time she had to stay at Shaolin after getting hurt.
During that time, Su-ryeon had to continuously fight with herself.
She had never acted spoiled toward anyone in her life…
Wanting to act like a child.
Calm yourself, Su-ryeon. It’s okay.
She’s almost all healed, after all. She just needed to be careful in the mornings.
Anything beyond that…
“Ah, Su-ryeon.”
“Yes?”
In Jeok-un’s hands, something was being held.
Candy.
The food they had shared for the first time together.
“I brought this just in case… Would you like some?”
“…Uh… Why that…?”
“You seemed to enjoy it before… If you don’t like it, I won’t press you.”
…Well, for the last time… could she enjoy it…?
“…Ah…”
The piece of candy dropped into her gently opened mouth.
Su-ryeon chewed eagerly.
The sweetness gliding down her throat…
Was incredibly pleasant.
. . .
“It’s already been a month.”
Bul-jun brushed his hands together.
“Your growth is astonishing. Who would have guessed you’d follow along so quickly in just a month? But… are you really okay physically?”
“Of course.”
“…To train you to the brink of death… If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn’t have done it at all.”
Covered in blood from the training ground, I stood up.
Gongbaek pointed towards me.
“The swords you mention. The transformed sword, was it? Thanks to that, the diverse transformation techniques that burst forth are truly terrifying. In a level equal to yours, it’s hard to find a rival. They’ll die before they even adapt.”
“Thank you for the compliment.”
“But, I must say. Those moments of switching from one sword to another can lead you into danger.”
I glanced at the three swords stuck in the ground.
His words were true. I felt my own limits.
“You were not born for dual-wielding. You know that, right?”
“I do know.”
“Your sword is impressive… but it’s far from being a brilliant genius. You shouldn’t think about that type of path. Your sword is unrelated to skill. But because of that, there are numerous advantages. I’ve never seen a sword as heavy as yours in my life.”
Bul-jun, who sat before me, stroked his chin.
“Was it called Blood Dyer…? That technique seems completely ingrained in your body.”
“Thanks to Bul-jun, I’ve also learned the remaining transformation technique.”
“Blood Dyer Taebaek… It gave me chills. That terrifying strike is difficult to block unless you bring out the Heart Sword. But it has the flaw of requiring you to draw in your opponent. The other one is the Four Wings… Isn’t that right? That one is a surprisingly fast quick sword. It’s specialized in whittling away at opponents. An excellent transformation technique. No faults at all. They say the Heavenly Demon isn’t your master… So, who is your true master?”
I shrugged slightly.
“Someone closest to the world’s strongest, I suppose.”
“Heh, you can make such an expression too. An excellent master, indeed. To raise a disciple like you… I’m envious. Truly envious, as a fellow warrior.”
“I’m flattered.”
“Nonsense. Then… I would like to see the next form once again.”
The Nine Heavens Blood Demon Sword’s seventh form…
Was it referring to White Malevolent Blood?
I swiftly searched through the secret text. However, even after reading it, it didn’t make sense.
Bul-jun didn’t add anything further either.
“This… When I see it again, it still baffles me. This is not a martial art to be understood with the head. It has to be grasped with the body. If I were to say a few words, it might complicate things further.”
“I understand.”
“Have you heard of the term ‘the unity of body and sword’?”
“I’ve heard of it, but… isn’t it the realm of becoming one with the sword?”
“You’ll need to understand that phrase to wield the technique. The technique called White Malevolent Blood is… quite literally the technique touching the brink of the Martial Arts Stage. The moment you understand it, there will be only a thin wall before you. And when you cross that, you will see the opening of heaven.”
“To see Heaven opening… means it’s the moment of reaching Hyun-kyung.”
“Precisely. It’s that difficult of a technique. What you hold is neither a secret manual nor a common manual. Practically no one in the world can replicate it even if they get a hold of it. It’s a martial art that can only succeed through shedding blood.”
Bul-jun gazed at me intently.
“In the past month, I’ve had an enjoyable experience. Who would have thought teaching martial arts to someone could be this enjoyable? I’ve never met a diligent and sincere warrior like you. You’re practically a model for all warriors.”
“…I don’t know how to respond to such excessive praise…”
“But I can’t only sing praises. Your Yi-hyeong Ki is currently in a disorganized state. It’s merely simplistic. Speaking strictly of its power… you’re closer to a beginner. You need to shape your thoughts. Understand who you are. What you truly want to do will solidify your form. Surrounding your body with Yi-hyeong Ki to enhance strength and durability is a simple idea. Didn’t the one who fought against you also elevate their martial arts’ power through Yi-hyeong Ki? Those seven short spears and one long spear; that alone was the manifestation of his Yi-hyeong Ki. The essence of his life and the form of the power he sought. The trained martial arts and the heightened destructive power.”
Bul-jun chuckled lightly.
“Keep refining. When your strong intent is precisely reflected in your Ki… you’ll be able to foresee much further than now. I’d have loved to teach you, but… our martial arts are positioned on entirely opposite sides, so I couldn’t. It’s truly regrettable. But don’t forget what you learned in your battles with me. Elevate your own strength to its utmost limit.”
“I’ll remember everything you’ve taught me.”
“…In my old age, having a disciple like you would be all I wished for… Tsk tsk… Who would have thought raising someone could be this much fun?”
Bul-jun reached out his hand. He lifted me to my feet.
“Feel free to come to Shaolin anytime. The entire Shaolin will regard you as a benefactor. Oh, and have you heard?”
“What are you talking about…?”
“The vagabonds have been spreading tales of you. Not just that; I’ve taken it upon myself to claim that I owe you a favor as well…”
Bul-jun winked at me.
“Congratulations. Muk Geom. There’s a rumor circulating that your name has fallen like a celestial star throughout the Martial Alliance. Now, if you say ‘Muk Geom,’ many will recognize you.”
“…It’s the respect I wanted, but… it feels a bit unsettling.”
“Straighten your shoulders. Do you have any idea where your name currently ranks?”
“Excuse me?”
“Under the highest authority of the righteous sect, there’s the Four Luminaries, below which are the Nine Stars, and below them are the Seven Swords.”
“And beneath them is the Nine Dragons, thus…”
Bul-jun grinned.
“The rumor has spread that your name sits alongside that of the Nine Dragons. Some are even stretching the idea to call you the last of the Ten Dragons, the Silent Dragon. People really love to assign status to one another. Once you start getting placed in such ranks, more will gravitate towards you. Those trying to win you over will increase, and some may even start keeping a wary eye on you. You’re beginning to stand at the center; it’s time to get tense. A whole new world will unfold, one different from what you’ve known.”
“What exactly…?”
“What’s ‘what’? With your rising fame, your very treatment will change. As a warrior recognized by Bul-jun, you’ll be welcomed as a guest wherever you go. However, unfortunately, some will grow suspicious and try to undermine your reputation… so, it can’t just be seen as a benefit.”
“It’ll become tiresome.”
“For the sake of your goals, isn’t that a passage you must traverse? With fame comes access to crucial information. I just wanted to remind you. Don’t get killed by a blind sword.”
Fame, huh.
It felt a bit surreal now that I actually had it.
The Four Luminaries.
The Nine Stars.
The Seven Swords.
The Nine Dragons.
Even among the righteous sect, these are renowned and talked about titles.
I’ve heard that the Luminaries are absolute beings and that the Nine Stars are not trivial at all.
The Seven Swords beneath, as well as the Nine Dragons, are undoubtedly formidable figures.
Yet to stand on par with such Nine Dragons…
“Ah, and I must say, there’s been a letter from the Martial Alliance.”
“What did it say?”
“It stated to return as soon as your injuries heal. And upon further investigation, I’ve heard rumors that Geumpyeong and Myochoa are to be reprimanded.”
“Reprimanded…?”
“They should have acted as observers, yet this time they did nothing, so it’s only natural they won’t be hearing praise.”
“…….”
“It wouldn’t be out of line to say they distanced themselves from the bothersome gazes… However, Geumpyeong and Myochoa might hold some negative feelings towards you as a result…”
Bul-jun tapped the table.
“If you need assistance, feel free to send me a letter anytime. I’ll personally help you. In the name of Bul-jun.”
