Chapter 60: Settlement (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 60: Settlement (1)
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Sharp flashes of sword light filled the training grounds alongside the screech of clashing metal.
A trajectory of swords, branching out into dozens of paths, pressed forward without a single opening. Yet, my father, Jin Seong-baek, evaded them with ease using profound footwork.
The Namcheon Iron Sword’s exclamation echoed repeatedly in my mind.
And for good reason—none of my attacks were landing.
I thought I had reached a level bordering the realm of superhumans after gaining some enlightenment, but my father was reading through every single one of my martial forms.
‘I’m not quite there yet.’
I hadn't used the True Blood Golden Body, the Blood Demon Transformation, the Blood Heaven Great Achievement Sword, or the latter half of the New Path Life-Drawing Sword Technique.
In the first place, the Blood Heaven Great Achievement Sword is difficult to perform without the Blood Demon Sword.
‘This is a spar.’
This wasn't a life-or-death duel, so there was no reason to use those.
The True Blood Golden Body and the Blood Demon Transformation were on a different level entirely. This spar was happening because my father wanted to see how well the martial arts I had learned so far harmonized and how effectively I could utilize them.
Using external power-ups would only hinder his ability to accurately assess my progress.
Just as the sword said, my father’s expression remained stiff throughout the spar.
It was enough to make me wonder if I was truly lacking that much.
‘Then should I try the sixth form of the New Path Life-Drawing Sword Technique, the Chasing Return Wide-Rotation Sword?’
I had been holding back because the power of the latter forms varied wildly. But if he was disappointed, I felt I should at least show him a proper technique.
Just then, my father widened the distance between us and held out his hand.
"Let us stop here."
"Pardon?"
"I believe I have seen enough."
Hmm.
It felt like we were ending on an awkward note.
As I sheathed the Namcheon Iron Sword, Jin Seong-baek spoke.
"Every single one of them is a high-level martial art. It is truly bizarre."
"What do you mean by that?"
I felt a sudden surge of worry. I wondered if learning so many different martial arts had somehow negatively affected me.
However, the words that came out of my father’s mouth were unexpected.
"The martial arts you have mastered each possess such strong energy that they should be difficult to coexist, yet they don't seem to interfere with your execution at all."
"They don't interfere...?"
As I stood there puzzled, Jin Seong-baek took a training sword and drew something on the ground of the training area with its sharp edge.
Swish! Slash! Swish!
They looked like the traces of the martial arts I had just performed.
One was the Life-Drawing Sword Technique, and the other was the Blood Heaven Great Achievement Finger Technique.
The Blood Demon’s two primary martial arts were finger techniques and sword techniques. Since the finger technique was the only one that could be performed without the Blood Demon Transformation or the Blood Demon Sword, I was able to execute it using Innate True Qi.
Slash!
The trace he was leaving now seemed to be the Flash Shadow Throwing Dagger Technique.
Slash!
The next one was the trace of the Sea Origin Bright Wheel Fist.
If the Middle Dantian centered on the Life Bright Divine Art, the Lower Dantian allowed me to perform martial arts centered on the Myeongnyun Divine Art.
After leaving these traces, my father spoke.
"When you learn a martial art, there is a corresponding energy circulation method. Through that, a unique energy suited to that martial art is derived."
"Ah..."
"The more martial arts you learn, the more those derived energies are bound to clash within your body."
I hadn't known this.
The only master who had properly passed down martial arts to me was the Bizarre Hae Ak-cheon. However, because I had hidden many things even from him, I couldn't receive advice on such matters.
Does that mean I’m in a dangerous state right now?
As I worried, my father continued.
"Yet, it is strange. Your martial arts don't seem to clash at all."
"Sir?"
"Even though they are all high-level arts, seeing how the energies manifest naturally without conflict, it seems the secret lies in the Innate Heart Method and the Life Bright Divine Art you've mastered."
I had told my father that I opened the 'Qi' of the Essence, Energy, and Spirit through the Innate Heart Method.
In truth, it had been open since my regression, but I couldn't possibly reveal that.
"Then, is it because I processed the martial arts through Qi—no, through the Middle Dantian?"
At those words, my father drew eight different traces on the ground.
Swish, swish, swish!
They were the traces of Fist, Palm, Leg, Finger, Claw, Saber, Sword, and Spear.
"Our sect is divided into eight types of martial arts. Because they were derived from the same Divine Art, the energies clash less, but that doesn't mean they don't collide at all."
Then what was that back then?
I still couldn't forget that sight.
When my father fought Mu Ak, he had performed eight different martial arts simultaneously. And he hadn't even mastered the Innate Heart Method or the Life Bright Divine Art.
To this, my father spoke with a faint smile.
"The founding ancestor who created the Wind Shadow Eight Streams created our family’s secret, the Harmony Mirror, to achieve balance between the eight martial arts."
"The Harmony Mirror!"
"As you master the Harmony Mirror, you become able to harmonize more martial forms as you reach higher stages."
"How does that relate to the Middle Dantian...?"
"To reach the highest stage of the Harmony Mirror, one must leap over the wall and open the 'Qi' of the Essence, Energy, and Spirit. Even I couldn't understand the secret of the Harmony Mirror even after opening my Qi, but seeing how your martial arts do not clash, I think I finally understand why."
"Ah!"
I think I understood what my father was saying.
Unlike 'Essence,' which is built artificially through breathing, the Innate True Qi—which can be called the primordial energy—was the energy most suited for harmony.
"The one who devised the Innate Heart Method that opened your Qi must be a Grandmaster beyond compare."
My father seemed to be in awe of the creator of the Innate Heart Method.
The Innate Heart Method wasn't created by the Namcheon Sword Guest. He had said that he, too, had found it by chance.
Who could have been the creator who made it possible to learn from the start the 'Qi' that can usually only be opened by surpassing the wall? I was genuinely curious.
Then, Jin Seong-baek said to me.
"In any case, this is good. In truth, the sword, finger, and fist techniques you've learned are, if anything, superior to those of our sect. Rather than forcing yourself to learn the martial arts of the Wind Shadow Eight Streams, mastering the Harmony Mirror will be of much greater help."
Human hearts are truly peculiar.
Even after learning such incredible martial arts, my heart raced at the thought of learning something new.
Jin Seong-baek took a unique footwork stance and spoke.
"Before that, I shall pass down the Wind Shadow Step, which is the foundation of the Harmony Mirror and the Wind Shadow Eight Streams."
The Wind Shadow Step!
It was the lightness skill that had earned Jin Seong-baek the title of 'Wind God.'
"I wish I had more time to teach you more, but it is a pity."
I felt the same regret.
Then, a good idea suddenly popped into my head.
"Father."
"What is it?"
"Do you have a sword you used to use?"
"A sword? I have one I used before I surpassed the wall, but why do you ask?"
At those words, the corners of my mouth curled up on their own.
The next day at noon.
On the streets of Bokan County.
"You look very tired. Are you alright?"
"......I'm fine."
I answered my father’s question, but I was quite exhausted since I hadn't slept a wink.
I had pushed myself to use the Heavenly Secret through the Righteous Wind Sword—one of my father’s eight weapons—to internalize my father’s training into my mindscape, and the fatigue was indescribable.
‘I had to return the sword.’
Actually, at first, I thought about asking to borrow the sword for a while.
But he said the Righteous Wind Sword was a gift from my mother.
In the end, I stayed up all night using the Heavenly Secret to achieve satisfactory results, which led to this state.
"You rascal. You must have stayed up all night practicing the Harmony Mirror. Do not overexert yourself."
I probably should listen.
The more I used the Heavenly Secret, the greater the drain on my mental energy.
"Is it that place?"
My father asked with a trembling voice, pointing to a clinic on the street.
When I nodded, my father rushed into the clinic first, even using his lightness skill.
He seemed desperate to see my maternal grandfather, Ha Seong-un.
It was understandable, as he was about to meet the father-in-law he thought was dead.
When I entered the clinic, I saw my father kneeling before Ha Seong-un, sobbing.
"Elder! I am sorry for being so late."
"My dear man. Why are you crying?"
Ha Seong-un was also shedding tears, his eyes red.
It was a reunion after twenty years.
Seeing the two of them so moved, my own eyes began to sting.
I had cried so much yesterday that I didn't want to shed any more tears.
How wonderful would it have been if my mother were here?
At the Lesser Conversation Sword’s words, a tear finally fell.
Just then, someone wiped away the teardrop rolling down my cheek with their hand.
"Young Lady Sama?"
It was none other than Sama-yeong.
I thought she would be with her father, Moon Evil Sword Sama Chak, but I didn't expect her to be here.
Had she been looking after my grandfather until now to keep her promise to me?
Sama-yeong looked at me with tearful eyes.
"Oh dear. Now I'm starting to cry too."
She, too, seemed moved by the sight.
Who wouldn't be touched by such a sorrowful yet beautiful reunion?
"Thank you for looking after my grandfather, Young Lady Sama."
"Don't mention it. You went through so much trouble because of the difficult situation I caused, Young Master."
She was still feeling guilty about yesterday’s events.
I shook my head, telling her not to worry about it.
Then, my grandfather called for me.
"Unhui."
"Grandfather."
"Come here with that child."
Ha Seong-un, who had called us closer, tightly held Jin Seong-baek’s hand and spoke.
"Listen, son-in-law."
"Please speak, Elder."
"Do you know that our Unhui has a connection with this child?"
'Ah...'
Not long ago, my grandfather hadn't looked too kindly upon Sama-yeong, the daughter of one of the Four Great Villains.
But now, the way he referred to her had become much softer.
Jin Seong-baek nodded and replied.
"I am aware."
At that, Ha Seong-un steadied his breath and spoke cautiously.
"Son-in-law. Please do not be shocked and listen."
For a moment, I almost burst out laughing.
He seemed to be trying to reveal her identity, and seeing him speak so carefully, it seemed he knew my father had a surprisingly easily-startled personality.
Fortunately, my father also knew her identity, so he spoke with a smile.
"I know, Elder."
"You know?"
"Is she not the daughter of the Moon Evil Sword?"
"Hahaha. I suppose Unhui told you."
"No. I saw her with the Moon Evil Sword at Peerless Fortress."
Seeing that my grandfather didn't know that, it seemed Sama-yeong hadn't mentioned it because she felt bad about yesterday.
Since everything turned out well in the end, I hoped she wouldn't feel burdened.
Ha Seong-un took a deep breath and said, "A connection between people is something granted by heaven, so no one can easily block it. Do you not know that better than anyone?"
"........"
"If those two children wish for it, would it be alright for them to see each other?"
"Grandfather."
Sama-yeong was overcome with emotion at Ha Seong-un’s words.
It seemed to be because she was being recognized by the eldest member of the family.
After a moment of joy, she looked at Jin Seong-baek with slightly nervous eyes.
She was likely afraid of what his answer might be.
[Don't worry, Young Lady Sama.]
I sent her a secret sound transmission.
In truth, I had already discussed this with my father. Therefore, I already knew the answer.
Jin Seong-baek looked at Sama-yeong with a benevolent smile and spoke.
"If the two children are happy, how could I, as a father, stand in their way?"
At those words, large tears began to stream down Sama-yeong’s face.
She was so happy she began to sob, which made me feel quite embarrassed.
Jin Seong-baek, watching this awkwardly, spoke to my grandfather with a hint of concern.
"However, I do not know if the Moon Evil Sword feels the same way."
The problem wasn't my father or my grandfather.
It was that her father still didn't think very highly of me.
It was even more so because of the matter with Baek Hye-hyang.
That was why I had to reach a settlement with him.
I asked Sama-yeong.
"Where is your father?"
To the west of Bokan County, a bamboo grove stretched out.
I was told that Sama-yeong’s father, Moon Evil Sword Sama Chak, was waiting there.
The Lesser Conversation Sword spoke with concern.
And for good reason—I had come here with only Sama-yeong.
Jin Seong-baek had offered to come along, but I had declined. It was to prevent the situation from escalating unnecessarily.
"Young Master."
She also looked at me with worry.
It was likely because she knew her father’s temperament better than anyone.
It was something I had to face eventually. I gave her a bright smile to reassure her.
I knew.
The sound of the alias of the precious sword Sama Chak held was echoing in my head.
In the middle of the bamboo grove, Sama Chak was sitting on a large rock as if it were a chair, reading a book like a scholar enjoying the arts.
Looking at him like that, he didn't seem like a villain at all.
"Father!"
At Sama-yeong’s cry, Sama Chak quietly closed the book he was reading.
Then he looked at me, his expression unreadable.
I gave him a respectful fist-and-palm salute.
"Junior Jin Un-hwi offers his greetings to Senior."
I had decided to take my father’s surname now.
It didn't feel natural yet, but I was the Young Master of the Wind Shadow Eight Streams Sect, not the Yikyang So family.
As I remained in the salute, Sama Chak spoke.
"......I don't know what happened, but you've changed."
He was truly one of the Four Great Villains.
As soon as we met, he immediately noticed that my martial prowess had improved, just as my father had.
"I had a small stroke of luck."
"I suppose you received instruction from your father."
It wasn't enlightenment gained through my father’s teaching, but I didn't deny it. There was no need to go around announcing that I had obtained the Sword Immortal’s spirit treasures.
Sama Chak let out a short laugh and spoke.
"That is also your fortune. Regardless, seeing as you came here alone, you don't lack guts."
He must have expected me to bring my father. I could see that my choice had been correct.
Sama Chak opened his book again and said, "My sworn brother’s son hasn't arrived yet, so wait a moment."
"He is not coming."
Sama Chak frowned slightly and asked, "What do you mean by that?"
"It has been revealed that his father, Sect Leader Guyang, was in league with Mu Ak."
"In league with Mu Ak?"
I then explained the circumstances of what had happened.
After hearing everything, Sama Chak shook his head, unable to hide his disappointment.
"A dog born of a tiger."
He was calling the son a dog.
Judging by his reaction, I didn't get the feeling that Sama Chak cherished him that much as a nephew. Why had he become sworn brothers with such a petty man?
As I wondered, Sama Chak closed his book and stood up.
Then, with his hands behind his back, he spoke to me.
"In the end, you are the only one left with the opportunity."
Thud!
I gave him a fist-and-palm salute again and spoke in a respectful voice.
"I will not disappoint you, Elder. Please, allow me to see Young Lady Sama."
At my words, Sama Chak spoke in a dry voice.
"Then, pass my test."
As expected, he wasn't going to let it slide easily. I had hoped it would pass naturally since Gu Yangsan wasn't here.
Sama Chak walked toward me and said, "If you want to be with my daughter, block ten of my martial forms."
"!?"
As soon as those words left his mouth, Sama-yeong stepped in, sounding angry.
"Isn't that too much? You could just accept him, but now you're asking him to endure your techniques?"
From her perspective, it was absurd.
Her father was the Moon Evil Sword, one of the Four Great Villains. Furthermore, he was a master ranked among the top five of the twelve superhumans.
Asking me to block ten of such a master’s forms by myself sounded like he was refusing to give his permission.
At her words, Sama Chak spoke as if scolding her.
"I lost your mother because of this father’s title as a villain. Moreover, that fellow is the Blood Demon. He is in a position with as many enemies as your father; how could I carelessly entrust my daughter to such a man?"
Sama-yeong couldn't find an answer to that.
She had thought her father was just being stubborn, but it seemed she hadn't expected him to reveal such inner thoughts.
After hearing those words, I also understood his feelings.
Sama Chak said to me, "The path you walk, having not even fully seized control of the Blood Cult yet, is no different from a path of thorns. If you are to take my daughter on that path, is it not right to prove you have the appropriate strength?"
"......How could I deny that?"
"Then, receive my ten forms. If you can endure this, I will entrust my daughter to you."
Thud!
I gave a firm fist-and-palm salute once more, showing my resolve.
"I will take your test, Senior."
At that, Sama Chak gave a small snort. It didn't feel like he was mocking me.
Sama-yeong looked at me with worried eyes. I told her I was fine and asked her to step back.
"Young Master......"
As she stepped back with heavy feet, I stood boldly before Sama Chak.
A peerless master, considered one of the best in the martial world, stood before my eyes.
As Sama Chak released his energy, the surrounding air grew heavy, and the atmosphere turned chilling.
"I shall grant you the first move."
Sama Chak spoke without drawing his sword.
Since he was granting me the first move, there was no reason to refuse.
"This junior will give it his all."
"You had better. Otherwise, not even one form—"
Rumble!
Before he could even finish his sentence, I opened my Middle and Upper Dantians simultaneously and activated the Blood Demon Transformation.
Not stopping there, I accelerated the blood flow throughout my body and cast the True Blood Golden Body.
Whoosh!
Immediately, a thick mist of steam rose from my body.
"!?"
At that sight, Sama-yeong’s eyes, which had been filled with anxiety, went wide.
Even Sama Chak, who had been standing leisurely with his left arm behind his back until a moment ago, saw his expression stiffen in an instant.