Chapter 94
**
The execution is in three days.
After hearing that, I pondered what I should do.
It would be good to practice handling my sword. But who knows what will happen on that day? It might be better to simply check my body…
So what should I do in my spare time?
Heukdanhwa looked at me as if it was absurd.
“Rest.”
“…I know that’s true.”
“You really need to rest, Jeok-un. Really.”
According to those words, I took the first day to rest. I slept soundly after gathering quite a bit of fatigue.
However, the accumulated fatigue melted away in just one day. With nothing left, I picked up my sword a bit.
Heukdanhwa clicked her tongue.
“Don’t overdo it, please.”
“Of course.”
I organized my body and diligently cleaned my Ear Sword Bai Ya.
To be honest… I was a bit nervous. It felt as if I was trembling enough to have trouble sleeping.
Ear Sword Bai Ya grumbled, telling me to stop. Feeling guilty, I let go of it.
Heukdanhwa sighed.
“If you’re that worried, why not go out and eat something, Jeok-un? Eating something delicious may calm your feelings a little.”
“Dan-hwa…”
“I’m thinking of honing my Yomawhanyoung technique. I’ve had some realizations while developing the spirit-consigning technique. Go ahead, and when you return, could you help fill the Musubakyu?”
“Of course.”
“Eat well. I intend to suck on something.”
“Then I’ll go eat first.”
The usual place. The usual inn.
I subtly turned my feet there and headed somewhere else.
To be honest… I’ve grown a bit tired of eating the same thing.
I wanted to get some meat into my body. Not cheap, good quality.
Now that my journey is nearing its end, isn’t it alright to spend a bit of money? It would be nice if Heukdanhwa could pack up some suitable food.
I scanned the crowded area. Blending into the lively inns, I ordered a meat dish.
“I’d like to take a few things to go… is that okay?”
“Of course! Client! Right on time, we have just the right amount of ingredients left, so I’ll prepare plenty for you!”
It seemed to be a busy establishment. The gathered people also looked satisfied.
I waited happily. It wasn’t long before the packed food was placed in front of me, wrapped in paper.
Now, all that was left was to enjoy the meal that came with it.
But the moment I grabbed my chopsticks, I heard a distraught voice come from behind.
“What? We’re out of ingredients?”
“That’s correct, my lord. I’m sorry…”
“What kind of business runs out of ingredients after half a day?”
I turned my head. A sharp voice pressuring the staff.
The flustered staff bowed deeply several times. The man, seemingly fed up, clicked his tongue.
It didn’t seem like he clicked his tongue out of frustration.
It felt more like he genuinely regretted it.
I casually glanced down at the wrapped food. Come to think of it…
I hadn’t ordered that much. I got a bit carried away thinking it would be for Heukdanhwa.
“Excuse me…”
“What is it?”
“If you wouldn’t mind, would you like to eat together? It seems the ingredients have run out because I ordered too much.”
“What?”
The man scanned me and the table with the food.
“Do you know who I am?”
“I do not.”
“But why?”
“I just happened to notice you. I apologize if it was rude.”
“…You’re quite a peculiar guy.”
The man snorted. Just as he was about to turn to leave, he sniffed the air and sat down at the table.
“I won’t refuse kindness. Just know I’ll pay.”
“It’s alright. I’m more worried about whether there will be enough.”
“If there’s this much, it would be weirder if there isn’t enough. What’s your name?”
“Mu Myung.”
“…Are you trying to joke with me?”
“I have my reasons.”
“Hmm, that’s an interesting situation. I was chosen by my current master. With many students under him, I learned a sword that others find difficult to master.”
“That’s impressive.”
“I can teach you a technique if you want.”
“I’d also like to learn, but… I have other tasks to attend to.”
“Is it related to the Turtle Messenger Black Wild Dan?”
“It could be seen as similar…”
The man paused for a moment.
“If you’re searching for Turtle Messenger Black Wild Dan, get out of Eungmin.”
“Excuse me?”
“Turtle Messenger Black Wild Dan is probably not here. It’s been six months; it’s odd if they’re here.”
“I see…”
“Of course! The ones who truly sought out Turtle Messenger Black Wild Dan have either died fighting each other. Those left are just clinging to false hopes. The same goes for Nachal and Heuksajong. The only remaining viable force is Wanmazong’s Wima Dan, but if all the others have vanished, it’s basically game over.”
“Understood.”
“What do you mean ‘understood’? Just go. It’ll be a lot more helpful for you. And listen. If you want to get stronger, focus somewhere other than Turtle Messenger Black Wild Dan.”
“Are you referring to swinging a sword?”
“Swinging a sword, yes. There are better options, though.”
“What are they…?”
“Learn the sword that kills.”
The man bit into the meat.
“It’s also called the Killing Sword. Such a sword becomes stronger the more blood it stains. It’s a necessary sword for the weak trying to rise.”
“Are you saying to ultimately kill people?”
“That’s correct. That’s right. Martial arts were originally developed for killing. It’s not strange for their purpose to be used properly. That’s the sword I learned from my master; if you wish to survive, it’s a blade you need to know.”
“I don’t want to kill anyone without a grudge.”
“That’s a foolish statement.”
He dropped his chopsticks.
“Martial means predation. You can have only what you kill. To rise above, you must mix with others. Do you know why?”
“…”
“There’s almost nothing you can gain from half-hearted sparring. Only in places where the scent of death is close does one’s sword develop. They say the martial arts of the righteous differ, but in essence, they’re not that different.”
“The more one swings it, the better they swing it, I think.”
“It will take ages to grow stronger. That’s an ideal sword.”
“Even so, I believe that’s the right answer.”
“Is it? I wonder. You haven’t tasted the harsh realities yet.”
His gaze cut through me.
It was sharp.
“The world is survival of the fittest. If you don’t eat, you’ll be eaten. The person I serve as my master had many talented individuals around him. Many were taken in just like me. I had to swing my sword to survive, and sometimes that meant killing those I didn’t want to kill. The ones I laughed and talked with were cut down by this sword, by my hand.”
“…”
“You can only survive by standing at the top. But is that a special situation just for me? No. Everyone wielding a sword is the same. Within the cycle of killing or being killed, one has no choice but to decide. The only way to grow stronger before meeting someone stronger is to be stronger yourself.”
“What good is it if you become a monster to gain power?”
“It has meaning. The fact that that monster is me has significance. An invincible tyrant. Power represents a person’s value. Even if I become a monster, if everyone fears me, the significance of that power is undeniable.”
“That’s a dangerous ideology.”
“I wonder if it’s not the same as the teachings of our school?”
I couldn’t say it was wrong.
The essence of the Demon Cult lies in power.
But for some reason, the man before me seemed to embody the severity of that doctrine intensely. Is it because he has survived a life where easy choices lay in killing?
“…I.”
I thought before answering.
I set down my chopsticks after finishing my meal.
“I think gaining power is good.”
“That’s obvious.”
“But before that, I believe it’s important to uphold my ideals.”
“…”
“I agree that killing people is the essence of martial arts. I can’t deny that. But I think there’s something beyond that in a sword.”
“What is that something?”
“The power to carry one’s will. The power to change the situation without necessarily killing anyone. Of course, I believe that there will come times when killing someone will be necessary. Every one of us… will have times when we must draw our swords. But aside from those times, I’d rather not see blood if I can help it.”
“Hmm…”
“I will do my best to push forward every moment. It might seem foolish to others, repeating the same things. Initially, I’m not that talented, so that’s the best I can do. But… stacking little efforts day by day until I reach my goal—that’s the sword I wield.”
“You’re from the righteous faction, aren’t you?”
“…No.”
My stomach turned slightly cold.
He clicked his tongue.
“Well, sure. Everyone has their own sword. Little efforts stacked day by day…”
“What do you think?”
“I’m a genius, so I’ve never had to make small efforts. I’ve grasped everything big.”
“I envy you. If I were like that, I might have thought differently. However, I’ve often been told that I lack talent…”
…
Heukdanhwa glanced at me intently.
“You’re stubborn but also not giving up on your beliefs. You’re a prime candidate for an early death.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“Ultimately, it’s up to you. I don’t need to worry about you. The day you realize the necessity of the Killing Sword will come. There are moments when one must bend their ideals against the relentless reality. The most important thing is always your own life, not the ideals you hold. If you cannot live, then what good is your ideal?”
“Even so, there are things more precious than life, like wielding a sword.”
“…You’re different from me. But one day, you will turn into someone like me. That’s just how humans are. That’s what I learned from my master. The moment when you bend your will and choose to survive over your ideals—that’s what brought me to where I am now.”
He scraped his mouth clean.
“Now that the meal is done, let’s wrap up this conversation.”
“Here’s what you mentioned earlier. I’ll bring the gold you gave me too.”
“Take it for yourself. I have plenty.”
He casually tossed me a comment.
“Turtle Messenger Black Wild Dan isn’t here. Leave within a week. If you want to live.”
“Excuse me?”
“Eungmin is not a place for you. So that means, get lost.”
The warrior, who was walking toward the door, suddenly turned back.
“Your sword has little to do with reality.”
“…”
“I know how to bend my ideals. I also know when I have to walk a path I don’t want to take. And I thoroughly understand that all who survive carry swords like that.”
He fiddled with the hilt of his sword.
“You’re mistaken, Mu Myung. But…”
…
He trailed off, chuckling softly.
“That’s enough. Don’t forget my advice.”
Heukdanhwa waited until he disappeared before turning to me.
Rather than an odd person, it felt more like someone who had been forced to become odd.
I called the staff as I returned with the wrapped food, not containing only meat, for Heukdanhwa.
“You’re late… No, why did you bring so much? Didn’t you eat dinner?”
“I did eat.”
“Then am I expected to eat all of this alone? There’s so much!”
“Since I thought it was for you, I got a bit carried away…”
“Are you saying I’m a pig?”
“That’s not what I meant.”
“I know. Just kidding. Still… there’s quite a bit. Can you eat with me?”
As we ate, I realized I had managed to eat a fair amount. Heukdanhwa looked curious and asked.
“You said you ate, yet you’re still eating a lot? Did you eat slowly?”
“I think it was because I was concentrating on the conversation.”
“A conversation? With whom?”
“Someone I met for the first time…”
I recalled Gukcheong’s image.
“He was quite similar in many respects. But ultimately, there was something significantly different.”
“What was different?”
“The person I met… is that how I would put it? Or should I call it the environment?”
To be honest, I hadn’t been in an entirely favorable environment either.
But still, I was able to learn the sword from someone who genuinely saw me, albeit late.
Someone who taught me the meaning of effort and the results of that effort.
Then what kind of person could Gukcheong’s master have been, the one who taught him to wield a sword?
“…Dan-hwa.”
“Yes?”
“What do you think a master who only teaches the Killing Sword would be like?”
“A master teaching the Killing Sword? Hmm…”
Heukdanhwa put a bite of stir-fried vegetables in her mouth, chewing thoughtfully.
“In martial arts, the master and student are often likened to family. Many warriors express that they take on new parents. It’s a heartfelt relationship. Giving your all is akin to passing on martial arts, so if that relationship is taken lightly, isn’t it strange?”
“That’s a valid point.”
“If the master only teaches the Killing Sword, I can see how that might be the case. However… if I were to ask if the character of someone taught solely the Killing Sword is upright, I would hesitate to answer.”
“The sword signifies a person, and a sword made solely for killing comes from a killer.”
“Isn’t martial arts originally about killing people?”
“It once was. But that’s different now, right? The meaning of weapons has changed, and consequently, there are various ways to wield the power that one possesses. The martial arts of the righteous focus on the active sword; many see their training methods as similar to ascetic practices. Our school reveres power, so many follow the principles of the Killing Sword. But if you look closely, that’s not necessarily the case. Strengthening one’s body and accumulating power is merely a means; it doesn’t directly correlate with how well one can kill a person. Thus… there are many paths in martial arts, and even if martial arts are born to kill, that doesn’t mean one should eliminate everything that comes into their view.”
“Hmm…”
“I’ve wrapped it up, but that’s how I see things. Killing Sword? Sure. One can say the essence of martial arts is to kill people. That’s not exactly wrong. Even my Yomawhanyoung technique was crafted with the intent to kill people. But if a master teaching a sword only emphasizes the Killing Sword without opening other options…”
Heukdanhwa pinpointed what I had vaguely felt.
“I think that’s not a true master-student relationship. Maybe… they could be seen as a tool. Perhaps they view a mere disciple not as a person but as a sword they can manipulate? Well, it’s just a guess, though.”
