Chapter 134: 27th Floor. Murim (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 134: 27th Floor. Murim (3)
“Hmm.”
“If those are the conditions…”
The gathered martial artists seemed inclined to accept the terms Faded Heaven Supreme had laid out. The man who had stepped forward earlier asked a follow-up question.
“Then what shall the order be?”
“Whichever you prefer. Those who are ready may step forward and demonstrate.”
“...Wait. You mean to tell us to show our martial arts in front of all these outsiders?”
“Then are you suggesting I dismiss this entire crowd and bring you in one by one? I’d be dead of old age before I finished seeing everyone,” Faded Heaven Supreme replied with a dry sense of humor.
The martial artists looked flustered. The heir of the Geumboksan family grimaced.
“Nonsense. To a martial artist, their techniques are more precious than life itself. You expect us to reveal such secrets in front of all these people?”
“I hate to agree with an upstart brat, but I concur.”
A beautiful woman with short hair—Baekcheon Aryang—nodded in agreement.
Martial arts were, by nature, strictly confidential. Having one’s forms analyzed and countered was a matter of life and death, so they were kept under a veil of absolute secrecy. To demand a demonstration in front of such a large crowd was akin to leaving a vault wide open in a back alley.
As if sensing their concern, Faded Heaven Supreme continued leisurely.
“You do not need to perform your specific forms. A basic stance or the essence of a technique without internal energy will suffice.”
“You claim to be able to discern the strengths and weaknesses of a martial art from just that? How arrogant,” Baekcheon Aryang said, her voice clear and ringing. Her face was filled with conviction. “I came here out of curiosity, but as I suspected, you are nothing but a smooth-talking fraud.”
She hadn't come to Faded Heaven Supreme to receive instruction. She had come to see through his facade.
An eye that could see through all martial arts? Subjugating the Ten Great Masters? It was surely nothing but a bluff. Her goal was to shatter those rumors with her own hands.
Faded Heaven Supreme replied without a change in expression.
“If you do not believe me, you may leave. I did not invite you here in the first place, so I have no intention of stopping you.”
“No. It would be troublesome if you escaped that easily. You said a basic form would be enough? Then try to figure this out.”
Stepping forward, Baekcheon Aryang stomped her foot. Exhaling, she moved her fists slowly. The martial arts of Baekcheon Aryang, one of the Hundred Great Masters of Murim, began to unfold.
[It’s a fist style that mimics the movements of beasts,] the Master of All Weapons muttered. [The arm movements are a feint. The core of the art lies in the footwork. It’s a style better suited for assassination than a head-on confrontation.]
“You can tell just from those movements?”
[It’s not a particularly complex art. In fact, it’s quite simple. You’ll be able to tell too once you get a bit more used to this.]
“I wonder about that.”
Kang Jun-hyeok looked skeptical. Even with his Observation skill at Rank B, he couldn't find the answer from those movements alone.
He wasn't the only one. All the martial artists present wore puzzled expressions. It was only natural; what she was performing now was a mere shell of a form. Trying to discern the strengths and weaknesses of a martial art from that was like trying to understand the internal circuitry of a modern smartphone just by looking at its casing. The Master of All Weapons was the anomaly for realizing it instantly.
After watching the form, Faded Heaven Supreme spoke languidly.
“It is a martial art that mimics the forms of beasts. It’s crude. It doesn't interest me.”
[Oh?]
Interest flickered in the voice of the Master of All Weapons. Baekcheon Aryang’s face stiffened.
“Wh-what nonsense are you spouting?”
“A martial art mimicking beasts. Its core is the tiger. And the wolf.”
“...Wait.”
“Publicly, it is claimed to be a fist technique, but in reality, the kicking techniques are what matter. You deceive with your steps to approach the opponent. And then…”
“Stop! Stop it!” Baekcheon Aryang shouted hurriedly, her face turning pale.
From her reaction alone, everyone could tell—Faded Heaven Supreme’s words were the truth.
Baekcheon Aryang was a master of the Hundred Great Masters from a sect with a single-successor lineage. Everyone had been curious about the martial arts she had learned. Countless gossips had tried to uncover its identity but failed. And yet, he had identified it the moment he saw a simple form.
[His eyes are decent.]
He had earned the recognition of the fastidious Master of All Weapons. It meant Faded Heaven Supreme’s talent was the real deal.
Baekcheon Aryang fled the scene in a hurry. Faded Heaven Supreme sat back down as if exhausted. In the silence, his relaxed voice echoed.
“Next. Is there anyone else who is curious?”
* * *
A talent that was too great often carried a sense of alienness. Even though everyone had come to seek instruction from Faded Heaven Supreme, they began to leave one by one, gripped by an inexplicable fear.
The only ones remaining were the old storyteller, Kang Jun-hyeok, and the son of the Murim Alliance Leader with his entourage. The son of the Murim Alliance Leader clapped his hands.
“Splendid! That was magnificent! Your ability is truly as great as the rumors say, Faded Heaven Supreme!”
“And who might you be?”
“I am the Cloud-Chasing Autumn Wind, Geuk Ji-hak! Son of the Murim Alliance Leader, Geuk Ji-won!”
“So you are the son of the Alliance Leader. Welcome.”
Faded Heaven Supreme spoke indifferently. Geuk Ji-hak’s eyebrow twitched slightly at the lack of deference, but he quickly composed himself and offered a bright smile.
“That talent of yours is certainly special. It would be a great shame to let it rot away like this. Therefore, I shall make you a proposal. Do you have any intention of joining the Murim Alliance?”
“The Murim Alliance… you say?”
“Indeed!” Geuk Ji-hak nodded vigorously. “The Murim Alliance is the undisputed leader of the Murim! Yet those wicked Unorthodox bastards have left the Alliance and are clamoring about forming an Evil Murim Alliance! How lawless! If discipline and order exist, they should not be allowed to act in such a manner!”
Geuk Ji-hak’s fists trembled with performative rage. Faded Heaven Supreme’s expression didn't change in the slightest.
“Thus, I propose this to you, a member of the Murim! Join the Murim Alliance and lend your strength to the peace and stability of the world!”
“Regrettably, this humble body lives like drifting duckweed. The peace and stability of the Murim have nothing to do with me.”
Faded Heaven Supreme’s answer was a flat refusal. Geuk Ji-hak’s face hardened, as if he hadn't expected to be turned down.
“...A war with the Evil Murim Alliance may break out. Are you saying you will just stand by and watch?”
“That is your burden to bear, Geuk Ji-hak.” Faded Heaven Supreme’s eyes were deeply sunken. “As you said, my talent is special. I can see through all things in this world. What do you think the world looks like to someone like me?”
“...”
“It is tedious beyond belief. In a world where everything is predictable, I merely live because I cannot die. The role you speak of does not seem to be mine.”
“...How disappointing. I am sorry, but I have no choice. Everything is for the greater good.”
Geuk Ji-hak stepped back and signaled his bodyguards. They moved forward aggressively.
“There will be some rough handling. Do not resist.”
It seemed he intended to take Faded Heaven Supreme by force.
If Faded Heaven Supreme were dragged off to the Murim Alliance, it would be problematic for Kang Jun-hyeok. However, he didn't step in. Even if he didn't, there was someone else who would.
“That’s enough.”
A deep voice rang out. A sturdy, middle-aged man appeared from behind Faded Heaven Supreme. Panic flickered across Geuk Ji-hak’s face.
“Wind Blood Blade… Chicheon.”
“Back off, Geuk Ji-hak. You will not be taking Faded Heaven Supreme.”
“...This is a necessary evil for the stability of the Murim Alliance.”
“That is your business. It is not Faded Heaven Supreme’s.”
“You will regret this.”
Geuk Ji-hak grit his teeth and gestured. The bodyguards hurriedly retreated. Even they couldn't overcome one of the Ten Great Masters. Watching their departing backs, the old man made a fuss.
“Good heavens! The Murim Alliance wants Faded Heaven Supreme! And an Evil Murim Alliance? I’d heard the rumors, but to think they were true!”
“You seem excited.”
“How could I not be after hearing such an interesting story! The fact that they left us here means the Murim Alliance wants this story to spread!”
“Hmm.”
Did something like this happen? Kang Jun-hyeok wondered.
What Kang Jun-hyeok knew was Faded Heaven Supreme’s talent and that he had died after failing to overcome an illness. He didn't know what had happened in between.
“This is a total windfall!” The old man seemed incredibly happy. For a storyteller like him, there could be no greater jackpot. He smiled broadly and patted Kang Jun-hyeok on the shoulder. “Both you and I have hit the jackpot. I should head back now.”
“You go on ahead. I still have business here.”
“Eh?”
Kang Jun-hyeok stepped forward. Faded Heaven Supreme looked at him with a weary face.
“Do you also have business with me?”
“I’d like to learn about martial arts.”
“Then show me what you have.”
There was no interest in Faded Heaven Supreme’s voice. His expression showed he didn't have a shred of expectation for whatever martial art Kang Jun-hyeok might perform.
Kang Jun-hyeok took a light breath.
The second essence.
Self-Power Unification.
The moment his physical strength converged into one, Faded Heaven Supreme’s pupils dilated.
Thump!
He bolted upright. Chicheon, who was behind him, hurriedly caught him.
“Faded Heaven Supreme! What is it?”
But his words didn't reach Faded Heaven Supreme’s ears. He stared at Kang Jun-hyeok blankly, as if possessed.
[He’s useful after all,] the Master of All Weapons muttered playfully.
“...That, that. That.” After stammering for a long time, Faded Heaven Supreme finally managed to ask, “You. What exactly did you learn?”
“It is a martial art. Did you recognize it?”
“...I do not know. Those movements. That principle. That essence. Even though I clearly saw it, I cannot understand it. Where on earth did you find such a martial art…?”
Faded Heaven Supreme shook his head.
“I am sorry. I do not think I can teach you anything regarding your martial art. Even I cannot comprehend it.”
“No.” Kang Jun-hyeok smiled thinly. “I think you’re the perfect person for the job. At least you realized that you couldn't understand it. I don't even know that much.”
“...Pardon?”
It was a strange thing to say. Confusion clouded Faded Heaven Supreme’s face. Kang Jun-hyeok continued softly.
“May I come in?”
Faded Heaven Supreme slowly nodded. Watching this, the faces of the old man and Chicheon twisted into expressions of utter bewilderment.
* * *
“So.”
After hearing Kang Jun-hyeok’s story, Faded Heaven Supreme let out a groan.
“You are using the martial art, but you do not understand it?”
“I am merely using a power that was given to me. I haven't perfectly understood it or gained enlightenment.”
“How is that even possible… Did you receive it through some special ritual?”
“Something like that.”
“Hah.”
Faded Heaven Supreme made a pained sound. Slowly calming his confusion, he asked cautiously.
“So you came to me to gain an understanding of your own martial art, which even you do not comprehend.”
“Is it possible?”
“Hmm…”
Confusion lingered in Faded Heaven Supreme’s eyes. But at the same time, a faint heat resided within them.
Faded Heaven Supreme was the one who could see through all the martial arts in the world. And yet, a martial art he couldn't understand was right before his eyes.
“...I doubt the being who bestowed this martial art upon you would want it revealed to an outsider.”
[It doesn't matter. If he can understand it, I’ll shower him with praise instead. None of the martial artists I’ve met have ever understood my techniques.]
“He’s someone who would actually prefer that, so it’s not a problem,” Kang Jun-hyeok said.
The Master of All Weapons spoke jovially. Faded Heaven Supreme agonized over Kang Jun-hyeok’s answer, but his hesitation didn't last long. He slowly nodded.
Kang Jun-hyeok smiled.