“Miss-!!!”
At the sight of Gayoung Jin collapsing, Byul Rak immediately cried out. Rushing to her side with agile movements, he quickly sealed her pressure points to stop the bleeding. It wasn’t just to stop the blood; it was also to protect her Dan Tien from further damage.
During this, Dokgo Gupae, with a face that resembled a tiger, ascended the sparring platform.
From his mouth spewed coarse curses that no Taoist should utter.
“Miss… I truly don’t know anything….”
“Can’t you shut your mouth! What are you all doing! Quickly take White Flower away!”
“Master…? Master! Master!”
Following Dokgo Gupae’s command, the Taoists of the Mount Hua Sect snapped out of their daze and dragged White Flower away despite her struggles. Her limbs had gone limp, so she couldn’t offer significant resistance.
After the Mount Hua Sect hurriedly dispersed, someone from the crowd finally found their voice.
“…That was clearly… a lethal technique, right?”
“Is Moon Blossom okay…? Her abdomen was pierced in the middle of manifesting her Ki!”
The spectators, shocked by the scene, slowly began to process what had just happened.
“That’s not important right now… White Flower’s sword technique was clearly…”
“A technique that splits into nine paths… C, c, c, could it be…?”
“It was the Dokgo Gupae Sword Art, which only the Sect Leader and the top disciple are traditionally allowed to learn. But how could White Flower have wielded it…?”
People started recalling the troubling rumors about White Flower.
“Only Sword Dragon and the Elders of Mount Hua have ever mastered the Dokgo Gupae Sword Art…”
“Has the discipline of Mount Hua changed so quickly? That strict and conservative sect…?”
“No way, it’s likely that White Flower… did something inappropriate. Oh my, the martial world is going mad.”
Not long after, the Wu Dang monks, out of breath and holding onto the arms of a physician, ascended the platform.
At that moment, they were confronted by him.
“Noooooo… N-no… N-noooo…”
The young man, who had let down his snow-white short hair, was glaring wildly with bright red sclera and green irises. In his arms, he cradled Gayoung Jin, who was spitting blood due to reversed energy flow. His eyes were filled with incomprehensible rage and murderous intent.
—
It had been foolish.
No one had imagined that White Flower would execute such a suicidal lethal technique in front of everyone during the Seven Flowers Competition.
Thoughts like how White Flower had come to know the Dokgo Gupae Sword Art, or what was going through her mind when she used it, didn’t occur to them.
Humans were, after all, impulsive and foolish creatures.
I was no different, just a human being.
“It doesn’t look good.”
“…”
The medic solemnly spoke.
Though I had expected this answer, hearing it made me feel even more bitter.
“Fortunately, the inner organs were spared, but her life force was disrupted while she was unleashing her Ki.”
“So…?”
“I apologize. We’ll know more after some time.”
The physician’s face was filled with regret.
Why did he feel this way? It wasn’t his fault.
“Haa…”
“The patient probably understands these matters better than I do.”
“I see. Please head back.”
“Yes, I apologize for not being of help as a physician.”
After the physician left, I began to slowly apply needles to Gayoung Jin, who was unconscious in bed.
– This is the first time I’m seeing you actually administer acupuncture.
‘Do you understand why I asked the physician to check her condition instead of reading her pulse myself?’
– How would I know?
‘I was afraid. Even from a glance, it was clear that her condition was not good. If I had read her pulse, the reality would have been confirmed, and I was afraid of that.’
– Such foolishness. Attempting to avoid reality will not change it.
‘That’s correct. What needs retrospection is the past.’
Grrr…
I didn’t intend to strain my voice, but it happened naturally.
I feel somewhat agitated.
The self-reproach comes flooding in; if I had just held on a little longer…
‘Teacher.’
– What is it?
‘Is it in line with the righteous path to severely punish someone for making a mistake?’
– Are you asking me if I should decide White Flower’s fate?
‘No. Let me answer. Unleashing the lethal technique was undoubtedly a mistake, but it was an error. When a martial artist becomes emotionally charged and overpowered, this kind of error can happen at least once in a life.’
– Your words are terrifying. What do you truly wish to say?
‘And yet, this is how people have been affected by that mistake.’
He pointed at Gayoung Jin.
Her breath was faint, almost flickering out at any moment.
‘If Miss becomes paralyzed as a result of this, what should I do?’
– I am no Buddha, so I cannot forgive.
‘I was arrogant. I watched as the lethal technique was unleashed, thinking it couldn’t possibly harm her. The result is before us.’
– …You are reproaching yourself needlessly. You were not alone there.
‘Every time I wielded my sword, hundreds would fall, and I revelled in it. I failed to protect even my lord. So frail, yet intoxicated by the vanity of being the greatest in the Central Plains.’
– Your emotions are wavering. Calm down. I am within your mind, and it worries me that my foundation is shaking. I don’t want to die twice at this age.
‘Phttt…’
Even in moments like this, a jest. Truly a tranquil elder.
Still, the more deaths there are, the more allies he gains, so it’s only natural.
‘If Miss were to end up critically injured or never awaken…’
– What then?
‘I would rewind time. I would return to being the ironclad man who would not tolerate harm to my people. I would become that again.’
– Have you forgotten the pact made with the Demon of Tienshan? We don’t know what kind of underworld might ensue.
‘Then we must pray Miss remains unharmed. Before my unworthy sentiments drag us all to hell.’
– Gather your thoughts. You’re too heated up.
‘…’
Excitement helps in no situation.
Following Master Jin Woo-yong’s advice, I began my meditation next to Miss Jin to calm myself. If I were any other martial artist, attempting meditation without guard would be unimaginable, but for me, with my freely controlled Ki, it wasn’t an issue.
Woo-oo-oo…
But even my meditation doesn’t go as planned.
The phenomena that should normally occur—such as the Five Qi converging, the Three Flowers gathering, and the Heavenly Flowers scattering—are completely absent, evidence of my internal turmoil. While forcing myself might yield results, it would only unnecessarily inflame my emotions.
Knock knock.
Lost in meditation and subconsciously tending to Miss Jin, I hear a knock at the door.
Sensing it, I detected a soft current peculiar to the Wu Dang monks.
“Enter.”
“Excuse me.”
Creak.
The Heavenly Lord entered the chamber with solemn presence. He looked rather haggard, his complexion far from good.
“First of all, I sincerely apologize. The blame for this incident rests entirely with me.”
“…”
The Heavenly Lord bowed to me.
As I had thought before, what sin did he bear?
It was merely a regrettable accident.
“The White Flower who used the banned lethal technique will have her winning qualifications revoked. Thus, Moon Blossom will automatically secure the sixth position.”
“That’s not important. Miss has ended up like this.”
Gestureing at Gayoung Jin with my eyes, Heavenly Lord lowered his head sorrowfully.
“I apologize. I have no words.”
“…”
“And… It’s not just about the lethal technique. The situation is rather chaotic now due to White Flower’s use of the Dokgo Gupae Sword Art. The Head of Mount Hua refuses to comment, and Sword Dragon hasn’t been seen since yesterday. The confusion continues to escalate.”
“The last strike that White Flower used was indeed the Dokgo Gupae Sword Art. I am certain.”
“…Hmm… Although nothing compares to the credibility of your experience…”
Heavenly Lord briefly glanced at me.
Do I appear pitiful?
Certainly, from his perspective, it’s understandable.
“Is the name ‘Master of Swords’ so trivial that it doesn’t even merit a word?”
But I am not him.
I don’t need to consider the Heavenly Lord’s position.
“Right now, I could turn the Mount Hua residence into a bloodbath.”
“Would you not know that…”
“That I refrain from doing so is because I am not a beast. My training has been to live by reason, not emotion. That’s what it means to be human.”
My voice grows stronger.
Emotion begins to infuse it.
The anger, searching for a release, slowly turns toward Heavenly Lord.
“Go. Go now and ensure thorough resolution without my intervention.”
I must send him away. Otherwise, I might attack him.
I turned to look at Gayoung Jin, trying to calm myself. Seeing her motionless form in bed, my thoughts again submerged in anger.
Crack.
“Go already! Quickly, I say!”
The sound of my grinding teeth echoes with my words.
Unavoidable killing intent and anger swirl around Heavenly Lord.
I am trying my best to control it, but the image of Gayoung Jin’s abdomen being pierced by White Flower’s Ki keeps appearing.
Ghrrr…
The building we are in shudders.
Fortunately, I controlled the energy. At least it didn’t collapse.
“Master of Swords…”
Heavenly Lord gasps as he speaks.
Why is he still here after I told him to go? What is he trying to say?
It’s impossible to listen with all this effort to control my killing intent.
“Your… ferocity is… still formidable…”
“What?”
He sits down in front of me, placing both knees on the floor.
What in the world is he saying? What is he going to do?
“I have met you only a few times, but every time I faced you, it was like this…”
“What sudden nonsense is this?”
“Whenever I met the Zen monk, I always felt fear… not out of being weaker, but the type of fear one feels toward beings in a realm beyond humanity…”
“Am I no longer human, then? To say that not even a villain is worthy of being summoned is of no consequence to me.”
“But I am not him.”
I don’t need to consider the Heavenly Lord’s perspective.
“The energy here is something you cannot perceive.”
“…Ah.”
“Do you sense even a speck of malice in it?”
“I see…you were not, indeed.”
Heavenly Lord twists his face.
“Hmm…”
Soon, droplets like chicken dung fall from his eyes.
“Thankfully… thankfully indeed…”
Drip, drop…
The tears from his withered eyes moisten the floor.
“With the hero still standing, there is yet a beacon of hope in this dark martial world…”
I’m irritated.
Why must I watch a grown man cry?
Having my stomach already boiling, why doesn’t he just leave after I answered his question?
“Is there a hero who doesn’t honor the heroes?”
“There is one, one who is truly here…! No matter the rumors that float, the Heavenly Warrior before me, exuding Nan Gung’s spirit, is unmistakable…”
He grasps my robe with trembling hands.
“…!”
Unexpected physical contact causes the emotions I had been suppressing to break through my mental barriers.
Finally, I snap momentarily in a fit of anger.
“Get out of my sight!”
Thud!
“…!”
The Heavenly Lord’s pupils dilate.
“Hero, hero, hero! What possible use is there in all this?!”
“Heeeey, Master of Swords!”
“There exists no hero in a martial world that doesn’t treat its heroes as such. And what hope can there be in such a martial world?!”
“…”
Heavenly Lord tried to reply but closed his mouth.
Strange, this shouldn’t make me so angry.
No matter how grave the situation, even with Gayoung Jin’s life hanging in the balance, this does not warrant this level of agitation within me.
“Stop calling me ‘Master of Swords’! It’s ugly enough to be called such, why keep fanning the flames of distress?!”
My voice gets louder. The killing intent cannot be contained.
Blood rushes to my face via the meridians. My eyes must be bloodshot by now.
“Please don’t misunderstand. That’s not what I meant…”
“You said you were relieved, didn’t you? Relieved that I am not a villain. The reason? All because of your granddaughter!”
“…!”
“Caring about your granddaughter is commendable. One should naturally do that. I used to worry a lot about my own child back in the day. But let’s talk about this. Why is there no one who thinks about me? Praised as one of the Three Greats of the martial world, then abandoned when deemed useless…including you, Heavenly Lord!”
“I apologize. I have erred a thousand times. I should not have turned away from you…”
“Oh, there was one exceptional individual. The only person who ever thought of me. Although now, because of this accursed martial world, they have become this tragic figure.”
There was no need to specify. Both of us knew exactly who that ‘one person’ was.
“…”
“…”
I had a lot to say, but I didn’t want to say it out loud.
I could see how ugly I must appear right now.
So instead of speaking, I quietly raised my hand.
After invoking my gentle Ki, I pushed the door open using the Empty Air Capture technique.
Creak.
“Go.”
“…”
“Isn’t your beloved granddaughter waiting for you? It would be a shame if your granddaughter tried to stop you.”
“Mister…What exactly are you plotting?”
“I’m not planning anything. If I could avoid it…”
I mean it.
Swept away by a storm-like impulse, my sincerest intentions fade.
“…Understood, I shall take my leave.”
Heavenly Lord walked solemnly across the doorway, dejected.
“Grandfather…? Were all those stories just now true?”
“…This old man, who should have been a role model for you, has committed a grave mistake.”
“Is that person truly the Master of Swords…? And a false charge…? What does that mean?”
“Judging by how worried I feel about you being hurt, my failure to live up to this standard seems apparent.”
“…The stories about the Master of Swords being all false…? That can’t be…! How terrible…! How pitiful that person must be…!”
“…This old man has no face to meet the ancestors of our sect.”
As Heavenly Lord moved away conversing with Celestial Flower, I remained completely still, seated in my spot.
I have no idea how much time has passed. It must be near midnight by now.
My head hurts as if it’s splitting. I’ve gripped and released my fists hundreds of times now.
‘Teacher.’
—Don’t bother me right now. I can barely hold my ground against your swirling emotions.
‘Seems futile.’
—What? No matter how hard I try… damn it. She’s coming again.
Sharp presence is approaching where I am located.
An overwhelming Ki so saturated with blood that it could be mistaken for malice. There are few people in the world who possess such Ki.
“Sword Master-! Get out here right now! Didn’t I tell you to come only at night-!”
To bellow so loudly despite everyone else being asleep is outrageous. Thanks to the inner power laced with his voice, I’m even less inclined to go outside.
My low spirits make me unwilling to cater to anyone, even if they die trying.
—What exactly is Jade Flower doing here? Is she prepared to die?
‘She said she’d come yesterday, didn’t she? She’s a person whose convictions are more important than her own life, which is why she’s here.’
—With my current state of mind, I’m about ready to reach enlightenment. Fine, leave me be. I’ll step back. I did anticipate a day like this, but today, of all days.
‘Yes, I was about to say the same.’
—See how arrogant this guy is? Whatever happened to all that talk of etiquette?
‘Do you not understand my feelings better than anyone else, given the state of mind you currently reside in?’
—Tch.
Jin Woo-yong muttered something and then fell silent.
This was his way of acknowledging what I said.
Just as I leaned my head against the wall, exhausted,
“Eeyaa! Sword Master-!”
Jade Flower’s sharp voice cuts through the silence once more.
I’ll stay put. I have no intention of following her around, finding her sight intolerable as I do.
Although normally I have no feelings towards Jade Flower, merely thinking of her now stirs my anger.
This must indicate how sensitive I currently am.
Banging! Creak!
“Sword Master! I know you’re there! Get out here!”
Jade Flower threw open the door, emitting an ominous energy.
Whoosh!
Simultaneously, the cold winter wind rushed in as if the ocean had been unleashed.
With a sick patient indoors, allowing winter wind to intrude shows no respect for the situation.
By now, Jade Flower seems more evil than the infamous Sword Master she’s chasing.
“Huh.”
“…! Don’t act like you can talk without having any say, you!”
“Although I was the one shouting earlier, would you please quieten down?”
“Hmph! One with a broken mouth dares to say such things boldly!”
Swoosh!
Jade Flower draws her sword and points it at me. From her blade radiated firm determination to cut me down immediately.
Comically enough, indeed.
“Talk. There’s a patient inside.”
“Were you ever someone that could be reasoned with…! You, ugly monster…!”
“You may find countless contradictions in my words, but could you at least lower your sword first? Whether you wield it or not, it makes no difference to me.”
“Grrr-! Why are you spouting nonsense-! Is this some kind of fearless provocation designed to scare Taoist Dog?!”
“Haa…”
The anger I’ve been suppressing until now wells up.
I don’t remember wronging Jade Flower. Why does she consider me her mortal enemy?
It’s purely a selfish, prejudiced, self-centered worldview of hers, her so-called ‘thorough justice’.
No consideration for others, seeking only her own satisfaction, what kind of justice or righteousness is this?
While the Zen monk believed everyone’s sense of justice should be respected, I might have to make an exception for Jade Flower.
“Understood? Hurry, come out. Taoist Dog does not wish to involve innocent people.”
“Jade Flower.”
“Patience has its limits! That’s enough, come with me now!”
“Jade Flower-!!!”
Damn it.
Miss Jin needs rest, yet here she comes, not letting me even keep my word.
“What have I done to you, Jade Flower, that you won’t let me keep my promise?”
“You dared to say that…? Alright, let’s go, then. Just know that awakening ‘Evil Sword Master’ means anything but a clean finish.”
“You…!”
“And you said Miss Jin might be dragged in?”
I whispered menacingly to the startled Jade Flower.
“Don’t get the wrong idea. Restraining you is as easy for me as breathing.”
“…!!”
“And I don’t because I respect you. So please, respect me in return.”
“Grrr…”
I pushed off the wall I had been leaning against.
My hand had clenched into a rock-hard fist without me noticing.
“If you don’t want this to be my last plea to you…”
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