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Jinju Family.

Even if its might has faded in present times, it is a family with an illustrious history.

Once, they were mentioned alongside the Five Great Families. But what about now?

Their noble will has been overshadowed by the power of others.

Now, they have reached a point where they have to rely solely on others’ assistance.

Han Hye-bin, the young head of the Jinju Family, sighed. She drank to ease the frustrating feeling inside her, but…

Not even that was truly relieving. Only heavier emotions piled up inside.

“…….”

Jinju Family and Jegeal Family.

The conflict between the two.

Of course, that was merely a superficial reason. Jegeal Family had seized a part of Jinju Family’s business to exert pressure, practically creating a riot.

There had been several offers prior to this, but upon rejecting them all, they acted in this manner. Yet, there was a reason for those rejections.

Can the current Martial Alliance truly be discussed as ‘justice’?

The old and new Martial Alliances proposed different directions, but…

To her, it seemed nothing more than a grotesque power struggle. The personal sacrifices swept aside in the mix were painfully obvious.

Where is the justice of the righteous faction? Where has the spirit of the Martial Alliance, established to protect the weak with swords, disappeared to?

Hye-bin coughed lightly as the forced alcohol went down.

…However.

Still, there might be some hope left.

Hye-bin lifted her head. She gazed at the sword, moving quietly in the moonlight.

The speed of the sword’s swing is slow. But its weight felt as if it could be sensed from this place.

Sword energy. A faint yet profound aura rippled around it.

Between peak and superpeak.

Standing somewhere in between, a martial artist concluded their sword dance and raised their head.

“…Hoo.”

The neatly swung sword returned to its sheath. Hye-bin poured another drink and offered it to him.

“Wonderful skill, Gwangyang.”

“There’s no need to call me a great hero.”

He let out a hearty laugh. Grinning, he removed his top and sat beside her.

Downing the drink she offered, he gazed at the moon. His profile was filled with charm, making Hye-bin steal glances unknowingly.

There was nothing particularly unique about his appearance. Just an ordinary person you could see anywhere.

But that sword…

Was incredibly upright and beautiful.

“What a splendid sword. Truly.”

“You flatter me too much, I don’t know what to say.”

With an awkward scratch of his head, he donned the shirt he had cast aside. Hye-bin quietly sat next to him.

Gwangyang.

A warrior of the Former Society.

Right now…

The only person she could rely on.

“…Thank you for helping the Jinju Family. We haven’t done anything for the Former Society…”

“You should thank the leader. I am but a follower.”

“…Even so, I’ve heard that it was your intention to come here, Great Hero Gwang. Why are you going so far to assist our family?”

“Eh?”

Hye-bin let out a small sigh.

“The opponent is the Jegeal Family. The ensuing conflict has ultimately led to a duel, and now we wait for someone from the Jegeal Family to arrive. Being a member of the Five Great Families…, they will definitely bring a renowned warrior. Whether a master from their main family or one from the old Martial Alliance… It will surely be a tough duel. If things go wrong… one side could end up crippled.”

“Mm…”

“Yet, what is your reason for assisting us? We are not in a position to offer anything to you, Great Hero Gwang, or the Former Society…”

Hye-bin lightly grasped his hand.

“…Can you tell me now? What is it that you wish for? Hearing that would ease my heart a little.”

“…….”

Gwangyang did not respond. Instead, he looked up at the sky.

The moon hidden between clouds. As he gazed at it silently, he suddenly spoke.

“The night sky is quite beautiful, isn’t it?”

“Yes?”

Hye-bin blinked her eyes. She turned her gaze to match his.

The moon. The stars. The clouds.

And in between…

A black veil.

She stared at it silently for a moment before nodding.

“Yes. It’s beautiful. The night sky.”

“But in the past, I didn’t particularly like the night. Back then, glancing at the night sky was merely a means to pass the time.”

“…Really?”

“I didn’t come from a commendable background. I was actually from the lower class. In the neighborhood, I was just a third-rate thug extorting passage fees from passersby. So lowly that I was closer to a beast than a human.”

He broke into a hearty laugh. Hye-bin stealthily released the hand he had been holding.

“Fortunately, that is not the case anymore. I pretend to be human now. But in pretending to be human, I’ve come to see beings even less human than myself. My involvement in the affairs of the Jinju Family was merely a reaction to the Jegeal Family behaving like beasts, dirty and vile.”

“…….”

“If a beast tries to bite a human, it is the duty of a human to stop it, wouldn’t you agree? There are many unjust things in this world. There were many in the past, but now there are even more. I used to simply endure it. I thought it was normal to accept suffering if one had no power. Yes. I was truly a beast. But there was someone who taught me otherwise.”

“…Who… was it?”

“I can’t say for fear of sullying my master’s reputation, but they are the one true master to me. A person I cannot forget, one I will never forget. They always said: wield a sword that you can be proud of.”

Gwangyang stood up. He turned his gaze from the night sky, focusing on her.

“What the Jinju Family has suffered is unjust. Anyone with eyes can see that. Yet the reason people do not speak out is likely due to fear of the Jegeal Family’s blades.”

“…….”

“However, I do not want that. That is the entirety of my reason. From the moment I took up the sword, I’ve strived for honor, and I have pledged, even in memory of my lost master, to avert my eyes from foolish matters. The reason I wield and polish my sword is solely for that. Having lived like a scoundrel in the past, I now strive to live as a proper human being.”

Gwangyang smiled.

“Young lady, you just need to wait. I will resolve this problem somehow.”

Hye-bin’s eyes glimmered with tears. His words weren’t particularly eloquent or filled with sophisticated language.

But within them flowed a warmth.

The old and new Martial Alliances.

Before her stood laws unseen in both factions.

“…Great Hero Gwang, you are truly a martial artist.”

“I’m working hard to become one.”

“Your master must be quite proud of you.”

“…I hope so.”

Gwangyang laughed.

A slightly bitter laugh.

…

The representative duel between the Jinju Family and Jegeal Family.

And it was said to take place in an open arena for all to see.

Information about who would step forward was easily obtainable.

“…Gwangyang?”

If I’m not mistaken, it is a reunion with someone who was once my disciple.

But I could not meet him separately. The Jinju Family and its retainers who entered the Jegeal Family’s domain were forbidden from visiting.

Moreover, the internal security of the Jegeal Family was formidable, making it unwise to step in hastily. Of course, while there were no reasons that prevented entry,

I wanted to see it.

How much my disciple’s sword had changed in two years.

“…Jeok-un really loves swords.”

“Swords naturally captivate a person’s heart, don’t they?”

Il-ho nodded slightly, as if he respected me. Su-ryeon, clinging to me, gazed over the gathered crowd.

“It’s in three days. The name Gwangyang is well-known now. However… the name of the opponent is still not written. Should we find out separately?”

“That’s fine. Regardless of who the opponent is, the fact remains that we must fight. Plus, it’s a formal duel. Honor between families is at stake, so it likely won’t reach the worst outcome.”

I waited steadily in a nearby lodging for three days. Finally, I could see the people of the Jegeal Family and Jinju Family gathering in the public arena.

Two martial artists stepped onto the stage. The Jegeal Family took their time introducing the person they brought until the very end.

“…Not a martial artist from the Jegeal Family. But a famous one. Jong Cho-baek, the Nine Flower Swordsman. Most likely… he’s someone residing in the Jegeal Family’s household now. A renowned figure, and surely possessing skills worthy of his fame.”

I watched Gwangyang speaking with a woman who appeared to be from the Jinju Family among the crowd.

Her hair had grown longer since last seen. Her physique had also increased. Has she been diligent with training? The depths beginning to show in her gazes and the refined energy were quite pleasing to see.

Su-ryeon blinked.

“She’s much improved compared to before we parted. Is it because she’s Jeok-un’s disciple? I can tell at a glance what kind of time she’s been having.”

“…….”

I’m proud.

Absolutely.

I waited hidden among the crowd for the duel to commence. As the introduction of the stage began with a brief opening remark, both swords were drawn.

The ensuing duel was magnificent, and the clashes of metal echoed through the crowd, bursting with energy.

The sword dance beginning with the blade’s energy was vibrant, receiving the excitement of all who watched.

A battle between masters is not something one can witness everyday. And Jong Cho-baek.

His sword was unbelievably ornate.

“Guh!”

With fierce onslaughts, Gwangyang’s clothes were shredded. Blood spattered from his split skin.

An erupting cheer. But I had no real worries.

He was holding up well. Moreover, he was charging ahead steadfastly.

The Sword of Great Strength.

The technique Gwangyang learned.

It was a type of strong sword, swinging with unwavering might. Naturally, there were also strategies to complement its straightforwardness.

By steadily enduring and pressing forward…

“…Ugh?!”

The opponent, overwhelmed by accumulated shock, would inevitably allow openings.

In that gap, Gwangyang’s sword let out a tremendous sound as it struck. Jong Cho-baek’s body flew into the ground for the first time.

“Hoo…”

After swapping dozens of strikes for mere moments, Jong Cho-baek stood up on shaky legs; however, the momentum had already shifted. Defeat was evident in his gaze.

There was nothing more to see. Gwangyang’s victory was clear. I attempted to push through the crowd to congratulate my disciple’s growth.

However…

“Y-you bastard! Using poison at a sacred duel? What kind of trick is this?!”

“……?”

Coughing and suddenly spitting blood, Jong Cho-baek shouted.

Utterly nonsensical words.

 

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