Chapter 193 :

<A Messenger from the Past (3)>

The Martial Academy temporarily suspended classes for fifteen days out of consideration for those injured during the Sichuan incident.

Thanks to that, our group could rest after pushing ourselves so hard. With nothing else to do, I threw myself back into the training I had been putting off.

"No matter how many times I look at it, I still do not understand. What kind of sword art is this?"

They said there were as many unusual martial arts in the world as there were people, but the Three Forms of the White Moon that Subdues Heaven was particularly peculiar.

It consisted of three techniques, but they could not be considered merely three fixed techniques.

The elements forming each technique were not sequences of prescribed movements, but movement itself. Any motion could become a technique, while perfectly copying a technique's movements might fail to produce the technique at all.

"In that respect, is it similar to the Flowing Cloud Divine Art?"

The Flowing Cloud Gate's martial arts were mocked as incomplete, but that was not because parts of them had been lost, as had happened with the Taeul Sect's.

The martial art itself was intact, but the actual method of learning it could not be conveyed through writing.

At some point in a previous generation, the transmission of the Flowing Cloud Divine Art must have been interrupted. Without its complete teachings, it had been reduced to an incomplete martial art.

"At least I remember Master Baek's movements in detail, so I can train on my own."

Normally, martial arts like the Flowing Cloud Divine Art could not be learned alone.

That was also why Yaryul Jae had thought to complete it through actual combat.

According to him, although he had completed it far too late, he had ultimately succeeded within his lifetime.

Just as I had done for Moyong Jaehwa, I wanted to pass on to Yaryul Geuk the martial art Yaryul Jae had risked his life to complete in my previous life, but—

"Ah, whatever! What am I supposed to do about that rude little shit?"

Shaking off those thoughts, I focused on my training again.

If the principle of the first technique of the Three Forms of the White Moon that Subdues Heaven was Extreme Speed, the principle of the second was Perfection.

It was closer to a defensive technique than an offensive one, but as I had already noted, it was not limited to defense.

In other words, it could become an attack at any time.

"To be precise, the idea is to hit someone with your shield."

That was not a description I had come up with. It was written in Baek Haegwang's secret manual.

[Block with your shield and strike with your shield. Then you will have no need to draw a sword.]

The Sword Demon was probably the only person under heaven who would describe a sword barrier that way.

It was something of a leap, but the second technique, Perfection, created a sword barrier that advanced rather than retreated.

The Sword Demon's disposition was clearly reflected in his martial arts.

He believed that the best defense was offense.

…

I continued reading through the secret manual of the Three Forms of the White Moon that Subdues Heaven in my mind.

[There must be no gaps in the barrier. The dark faction's hidden weapons are so small they can escape the naked eye. The barrier must be as hard as diamond. The Shandong Ak Family's domineering saber strikes are powerful enough to send an opponent flying even when blocked.]

As befitted sword forms developed through hundreds, if not thousands, of actual battles, the manual was written plainly and directly, without obscure language.

Scattered throughout were accounts of battles against experts he had encountered, including detailed descriptions of sparring matches he had ultimately lost.

The descriptions were so thorough that I could picture his opponents in my mind despite never having seen them.

"Good. Shall we begin?"

I calmly began turning the words organized in my mind into images.

'First, eliminate the gaps.'

My opponent was a heretical expert of the previous generation known as the Hidden Weapon Ghost.

He unleashed Ox-Hair Needles, a common weapon among hidden-weapon users, with uncanny skill.

I brought the Hidden Weapon Ghost I had constructed in my mind into the space before me.

To train more efficiently, I should have engaged in mental sparring as I had when learning the first technique, but that caused tremendous pain and severe side effects.

Unless I needed to use the second technique tomorrow, proceeding steadily was more important.

Shiiing.

The Blood Dragon Sword rang clearly as its blood-colored blade emerged.

The Hidden Weapon Ghost waited leisurely, both hands tucked inside his sleeves.

After assuming my opening stance, I immediately began performing the second technique of the Three Forms of the White Moon that Subdues Heaven.

Whoom, whoom.

The sound of the sword slicing through the air grew increasingly sharp.

Before long, the sword energy tracing paths through the air behind the sword tip formed a tightly woven net.

Swish—swish—

More trails of sword energy filled the spaces between the strands, until not even the smallest gap remained.

Or so it appeared.

"Aaaaargh!"

My muscles were already pulling painfully, and sweat poured from my entire body.

The enormous sword barrier, a jang across, swept toward the Hidden Weapon Ghost as though to swallow him whole.

At that moment, the Hidden Weapon Ghost slipped one hand from his sleeve and flicked it.

Ox-Hair Needles shot out in an instant.

Before the seemingly perfect sword barrier, the three needles appeared certain to be stopped.

But—

Swoosh!

The three Ox-Hair Needles slipped through the sword barrier, aiming for my vital acupoints.

'If this were a real fight, I would already be dead.'

I had thought I had completely sealed every gap in the sword barrier, but the Hidden Weapon Ghost had found an opening and driven his needles through it.

"Again."

I repeated the match twenty-three times, but I could not last even five exchanges.

"Huff, huff, huff."

Moving my body certainly contributed, but performing the second technique was so exhausting in itself that I quickly ran out of breath.

And although this was not full mental sparring, clearly visualizing my opponent consumed so much mental strength that my head felt as though it were on fire.

"Damn, this is exhausting…"

After exhaling a hot breath, I sprawled on the ground and reviewed the matches.

The sword barrier that had seemed completely without gaps.

And the Hidden Weapon Ghost's Ox-Hair Needles that had pierced it.

"…To aim for the gaps left between the sword's passing movements. He really was a monster."

Considering that even such a monstrous figure had died before living out his natural lifespan, I still had a long way to go.

I reassured myself before my spirits could sink.

"Do not rush. You have done well so far. Just keep going like this."

As I gazed at the clear sky for a while, a familiar voice reached my ears.

"Do not rush. You have done well so far. Just keep going like this."

It repeated my words exactly.

"…"

Frowning deeply, I turned my head and found that the Geum, Eun, and Dong brothers had appeared behind me.

"…How long have you been there?"

Eunho extended an arm, spread his fingers, then clenched his hand into a fist and lowered his voice.

"Do not rush. You have done well so far. Just keep going like this."

After delivering the line with exaggerated gravity, a mischievous smile crept across his lips.

"…We arrived when you were saying that."

I had probably been beating this bastard a little less lately, had I not?

My fists itching, I glared at them, then felt a little surprised.

Wait. Had their mastery of the Ghost-Breathing Step I taught them already reached this level?

Just as I began feeling proud of them despite myself, Eunho's voice interrupted again.

He was even bowing with his hands clasped in a formal salute.

"Eldest Senior Brother, may I ask you something?"

"No. If you intend to tease me, do not even open your mouth."

"I am simply curious."

What was that expression?

He looked rather serious, so I eventually allowed the question.

"…What is it?"

"Have you perhaps entered puberty?"

"…"

His respectful demeanor vanished, and his eyes sparkled like a child who had discovered sweets.

"Do you suddenly want to rebel against adults? Do you feel as though you are some evil being concealing a great secret?"

"Or do you feel like you are going to become a hero who upholds justice and practices righteousness?"

Wow. He really had not been beaten enough lately.

Let us see how far he would take this.

"Does it feel like a dragon is writhing inside you, and black energy might pour out if you open your hand…?"

"…Eunho."

"Ah! Eldest Senior Brother, I understand completely. We have all been through it. Geumpyo once stood on a wall and tried to walk through the air…"

I sprang to my feet.

"Die!"

Extreme Speed, the first technique of the Three Forms of the White Moon that Subdues Heaven, shot forth vigorously from my hand.

After returning to the dormitory, we chatted over tea and the snacks the Geum, Eun, and Dong brothers had bought.

"What took you to the market?"

"Dongryong's sword cracked again."

"Hmm?"

Dongryong had already replaced his sword twice.

When the sect-inspection envoy had visited, Dongryong had received a sword bestowed by the Martial Alliance. During the official examination, he had also received a Blue Sky Sword from the Namgung Family.

Both were good swords compared with ordinary blades, but apparently even those had proved insufficient for Dongryong.

'It is inevitable. He uses his sword in such bizarre ways. How could a sword withstand it?'

Swords were normally made to balance thrusting and slashing.

For that reason, most were designed with particular attention to the tip and an iron core reinforcing the center of the blade.

But Dongryong freely used every part of the blade, placing increasingly severe strain on the sword.

I told the Geum, Eun, and Dong brothers what to do.

"For now, use the academy's standard equipment. Once a sword has cracked, there is no telling when it might break."

"You mean an ordinary blue steel sword? That will not last long in Dongryong's hands."

"That is fine. Use one temporarily, and I will find him another sword soon."

"Another sword?"

I had commissioned the Wang Family Estate's escort agency to send the Vajra Indestructible Iron, Wind Crow Copper, and Blood-Sea Jade I received through the Intelligence Department to the Taeul Sect.

It would take some time to finish the forge, but I wanted Jang Dowon to become at least somewhat familiar with the materials beforehand.

The shorter that process became, the sooner the Red Light Sword would enter the world and reveal its brilliance.

Then, if I gave the Blood Dragon Sword to Dongryong, he would never need to replace his sword again.

Even setting everything else aside, the Blood Dragon Sword was made from Vajra Indestructible Iron, a material second to none in durability. It would suit Dongryong well.

"Just keep that in mind for now. If the issued sword breaks, buy another blue steel sword at the market."

"Yes…"

Dongryong lowered his head as though he had done something wrong.

I patted his head.

"This happened because you are exceptional. If anything, I do not begrudge spending the money at all."

"Really?"

Dongryong immediately brightened and smiled like a puppy.

As I enjoyed this long-overdue conversation with my junior brothers—

Knock, knock, knock.

"Representative Jin, it is Jang Ujae."

Before I could answer, Jang Ujae entered the inner room, exchanged greetings with the Geum, Eun, and Dong brothers, and looked at me.

I had not arranged to meet him.

"What brings you here?"

"…Well, I have something to tell you about Yaryul Geuk."

I sent the Geum, Eun, and Dong brothers out and spoke with Jang Ujae alone.

"After you left, I continued keeping an eye on Yaryul Geuk."

Even without being asked, Jang Ujae had taken care of things on his own.

It seemed I really did have a good eye for people.

While I felt pleased, Jang Ujae took a moment to steady his breathing, then spoke with a cautious expression.

"The thing is… Yaryul Geuk has not been doing well lately."

"Not doing well?"

"Yes… Before, at least his face was uninjured. But lately, the wounds on his face keep increasing, and he has become much quieter."

It had not been long since that incident. Had Ak Jupyeong become more vicious in the meantime?

"Before, if you asked him what was wrong, he would immediately start swearing. Now he keeps his mouth shut and sits with his head down even during class."

"…"

"When I questioned him more closely about three days ago…"

Jang Ujae spent a long time looking as though he could not decide whether to continue.

"I tugged at his sleeve and caught a glimpse beneath his clothes… There was not a single uninjured patch of skin."

"Haa…"

Jwa Daegi, who had served as a soldier in the north, had once said that while military violence was brief and straightforward, violence among martial artists was persistent and ugly, making it even more frightening.

Moreover, studying martial arts gave them extensive knowledge of the human body. Martial artists would know better than soldiers how to inflict pain.

Something began boiling inside my chest.

"Where is Yaryul Geuk now?"

"I have not seen him for two days."

"Is that so?"

I rose to my feet.

Jang Ujae immediately stood as well.

"What do you intend to do?"

"First, I will go and see him."

That damned little brat.

Why were he and his brother so alike when it came to making people worry?

As I entered the dormitory with eight-person rooms, a commotion spread among the academy students enjoying their leisure during the temporary suspension of classes.

"It is the Bloodflame Dragon!"

"Why is Jin Sowoon here?"

"This is not where the people who always follow him stay, is it?"

Ignoring them, I entered Yaryul Geuk's room.

"Gah!"

"Wh-what?"

The students who shared the room with Yaryul Geuk sprang up in alarm.

I looked around the room and reassured them.

"It is nothing. I am just here to see someone. Yaryul Geuk is here, right?"

"Why are you looking for that lunatic…?"

"I heard he was here."

Spotting someone on one of the beds with a blanket pulled over his head, I approached and whipped it away.

A startled voice immediately rang out.

"Wh-what is it?"

"…Should I not be the one asking…?"

Whoosh—

Contrary to my expectation that I would find him crying under the blanket, an unfamiliar face appeared.

"What? Who are you?"

I covered his face with the blanket again and looked around.

Then one of the students cautiously spoke up.

"His bed is over here. And he has not come back since yesterday…"

"He has not come back?"

"No."

I examined the space Yaryul Geuk supposedly used.

The other students' wardrobes and lockers were filled with all sorts of privately purchased belongings, but Yaryul Geuk had only the items issued by the academy.

Even those were mostly worn and frayed, as though he had used them for a long time.

'Even Beggar Gang disciples do not live with this little.'

All he had were a few issued martial uniforms and the standard blue steel sword.

There was nothing else worth mentioning.

I barely managed to keep my expression from twisting.

"Hey. Have people been taking his belongings too?"

"…"

I asked the student who had pointed out Yaryul Geuk's bed, but he did not answer.

"I already know Yaryul Geuk is being bullied. Were you involved too?"

"Wh-what are you talking about? Why would we be?"

"Then tell me. Did they take his things or not?"

The student answered hesitantly.

"I do not think they took anything."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

Just as my brow began to furrow at the vague answer—

"He never had anything to begin with."

"…What?"

That was an answer I had not expected.

"Well, we live with him every day, so we know how little money he has. I have never even seen him leave the academy."

I had known the Flowing Cloud Gate was struggling, but I had not realized he lacked even the money for basic living expenses.

I had a very bad feeling about this.

"Has he been acting strangely lately?"

"…"

"You can tell me anything."

"…Well, you already know the White Path Association students have been beating him."

The student scratched his cheek as he answered.

"The night before last, he suddenly apologized for everything he had done."

"Apologized?"

"Yes. Sometimes, when I went to the market, I would buy snacks and leave them in his drawer."

"And?"

"Whenever he found them, he would throw them at me."

"What a fucking lunatic."

The student nodded as though it were nothing unusual, then continued.

"Pretty much. Anyway, it seemed strange, so I asked why he was apologizing. He said his second brother had told him to."

"His second brother?"

"I was half asleep, so I do not remember it clearly."

Were there more brothers between those two?

But how had someone who never left the academy spoken to his second brother?

"What is your name?"

"Mine? Why are you asking all of a sudden?"

"Just curious."

"Nam Eulyong."

"Nam Eulyong of Divine Medicine Hall?"

Oh? Nam Eulyong, who would one day rank among Jiangnan's Ten Great Fists, had stayed in an eight-person room during his academy days?

"You know me?"

I offered a vague excuse.

"…Well, I am the academy representative."

Before he could question me again, I took ten gold nyang from my clothes and handed them to him.

"Keep half for yourself, and use the other half to look after that lunatic like before. If he keeps refusing, you can keep the rest too."

As I turned toward the door, a puzzled voice reached me.

"…What is your relationship with Yaryul Geuk?"

I stopped.

My hand paused just before turning the doorknob.

Our relationship. What relationship…?

From the vast sea of my memories, Yaryul Jae's face emerged clearly, twisted with fury as he stood blocking my way.

The image drew an involuntary smile from me.

"I owe that bastard's brother a favor."

Repaying a kindness was fucking difficult.

Though his sect had been destroyed, Yaryul Jae had been immensely proud of the Flowing Cloud Gate and often boasted about it.

Whenever he did, the Sojeong Unit members would mock it as a ruined sect, and that was always how the fights began.

Yet why had a man like that never mentioned even the brother who had entered the academy, whatever the situation with his other siblings?

Yaryul Jae's story and Yaryul Geuk's current circumstances.

The suffocating situation Yaryul Geuk must have endured, and the words he had left with Nam Eulyong.

As I gathered the pieces and fitted them together, something suddenly flashed through my mind.

'Fuck…!'

I hastily drew up my internal energy and sent it into my feet.

Boom.

Leaving the dormitory, I searched through the memories of my previous life.

Yaryul Jae had never specifically mentioned his brothers.

Certainly not that he had more than one.

A halo of light scattered in all directions, but I paid it no heed and unleashed World-Solitary Divine Movement at full strength.

'Damn it… Why did I take this so lightly?'

If my dreadful suspicion was correct—

Yaryul Geuk would die.

No. Perhaps he was already dead.