The Answer Is One (2)
Shrieeek!
The sword he swung was weighty, yet the sound of its blade cutting through the air was remarkably crisp and light.
Slaaash! Shwaaack!
The blade was so massive and thick that it seemed better suited for slashing than thrusting. With its single-edged design like a dao, and its heavy weight like a spear, it could also be used to thrust and push forward. It was a greatsword in every sense.
"Hah! Hah!"
Gang Ryang's body was drenched in sweat. His breathing was utterly ragged.
With his breath in ruins, the power reaching his muscles was scattered haphazardly, and even his perfectly embodied footwork was starting to unravel bit by bit.
No more training would serve any purpose. Any expert witnessing Gang Ryang's current state would say as much nine times out of ten.
But Gang Ryang didn't think that way.
Flaaash! Thunk!
The thick blade embedded itself into a fairly thick tree trunk. With Gang Ryang's internal energy output, he could have cleaved it in a single stroke, yet he hadn't even cut halfway through. It was as if a woodcutter had swung a dull axe.
"Hah! Hah!"
His final strike, poured with all his soul using explosive breathing, made his already violent breaths even rougher.
No matter how tenacious he was, he couldn't endure any longer. Gang Ryang let go of the sword and collapsed flat on the ground.
"D-Damn it all."
Drip, drip, drip.
His hands were torn and burst open, blood oozing steadily. As he panted, he stared at the sword lodged in the tree.
The embedded blade couldn't withstand its own weight and was slowly slipping out.
'Insanely heavy.'
This sword had been custom-ordered from an iron foundry that Yeon Wi had traded with through the Alliance, subcontracted out. Its length neared five chi, and the blade's width easily exceeded half a chi.
Wielding and swinging something like this was heavy labor in itself. Even a peak master would struggle to handle it easily.
Yet Gang Ryang had swung it nonstop for over half a shichen.
"How the hell does Brother Yeon swing an eighty-geun axe like that?"
Gang Ryang had once lifted the Gwangryongbu himself. And he had thought: unless Yeon Hojeong insulted his parents or siblings, he would never challenge him again.
'He's not human.'
It was said to be eighty geun, but swinging it as nimbly as a light sword was a feat even for a transcendent master. Even if possible, repeatedly using such techniques would leave no joints intact later on.
Internal energy wasn't omnipotent. It could maximize physical durability and flexibility, but it couldn't alter the human body's structure or nature.
Yet Yeon Hojeong wielded the Gwangryongbu for over half a day without any visible strain on his joints or muscles. It was astounding.
'There must have been some insane training I don't know about.'
Once, the Yeon family head had shared Yeon Hojeong's past training schedule. Gang Ryang had been shocked, but he hadn't fully believed it. He thought it was beyond what a non-Mujongjibyeok master could endure.
But now he understood.
'That schedule was real. No, it wouldn't be strange if he did even harsher training in places the head didn't see.'
As he organized his thoughts, his breathing gradually returned to normal. Gang Ryang sighed.
"Pathetic."
It wasn't just Yeon Hojeong. He called her "sister," but Muk Bi was still remarkably young by Murim standards. Yet she stood at the doorstep of Mujongjibyeok. It was beyond mere talent.
She too must have reached that realm through blood and bone-shattering effort.
And finally.
'Yeon Jipyeong.'
Gang Ryang's eyes wavered.
'He was incredible.'
After returning to the Alliance, Gang Ryang had holed up in this thicket, handling his meals and sleep there. Not for any other reason—he had been dealt the greatest shock of his life.
'He's younger than me. And yet, that level of martial arts...'
On the way back escorting the Western Divine Maiden Gi U-hui. The martial prowess Yeon Hojeong and Muk Bi displayed was nothing short of divine skill.
Yeon Hojeong held the enemies in close combat while commanding the battle, and Muk Bi sniped from afar, protecting allies flawlessly.
But the enemies outnumbered them. Those who escaped the two monsters targeted Moyong Woo carrying Gi U-hui endlessly.
That was when Yeon Jipyeong stepped forward.
'An astonishing swordsmanship. Beyond its style, the level had already entered the realm of mastery...'
Yeon Jipyeong's swordsmanship was perfect. Or at least, it appeared so to Gang Ryang's eyes.
It was an impregnable fortress of a sword art. Not flexibly responding to attacks, but utterly blocking any assault with an ironclad defense.
For someone not even in his twenties to wield such swordsmanship—it was a shock to the world.
Gang Ryang had returned to the Martial Alliance under the protection of Yeon Jipyeong, who was younger than him, unable to do anything. The impact was beyond words, incomprehensible to outsiders.
Even when Yeon Hojeong had yelled at him to face reality, it hadn't shaken him this much.
At first, he thought: Yeon Hojeong and Yeon Jipyeong were monsters. With the family head's exceptional martial arts, their inherited talent was bound to be extraordinary.
But that was mere escapism.
'My father was strong too.'
The master of Guicheol Sword Sect. The pride of the black path sword sects. His late father's prowess was among the best in the black path.
And Gang Ryang was that man's son.
Gang Ryang closed his eyes.
'Of course, talent plays a role. Differences in teaching too. But the key is how much soul you devote to gaining strength.'
Everyone puts in effort. What matters is knowing something beyond effort.
And to find that "something," Gang Ryang had swung his sword in the forest for days.
The result?
"...I don't know."
Gang Ryang gave a wry smile.
"Am I really this stupid?"
He, hailed as one of the black path's top later-generation talents, now seemed utterly foolish.
"I don't know what more to do or how. But still..."
Even so, these days of self-torment had yielded one realization.
"If it doesn't work, keep going until it does."
At that moment, a voice laced with amusement rang out.
"Good mindset."
Startled, Gang Ryang sprang up and looked behind him. There, squatting, was Yeon Hojeong gazing down at him.
"B-Brother?"
"Yeah."
"When did you arrive?"
"Around when you were hacking at that tree with your stern-as-hell sword?"
Gang Ryang scratched his head sheepishly.
"You saw my ugly side."
"Ugly? It was cool. That strike had soul in it."
"Soul? It was just a desperate swing. I couldn't even split the tree."
"That's why it had soul."
"Huh?"
Yeon Hojeong chuckled.
"Do you need a purpose to put power into it? Do you need anger or sadness to infuse yourself into the sword?"
"...!"
"Sometimes, a swing with no thoughts reveals your path starkly."
Gang Ryang looked at the tree. The sword, still slipping out, looked pathetic despite its size.
"Don't think of the sword—recall yourself in that moment you swung it."
"Myself in that moment..."
"At least from what I saw, that strike mirrored your confused heart, but the trajectory was brutally honest and clean."
Gang Ryang's eyes shook.
Yeon Hojeong stood.
"My little brother was strong, right?"
"Yes. Incredibly so."
"You try not to compare, but you end up measuring against yourself?"
"Yeah."
It was an honest answer. At his vigorous twenties age, pride would make it hard to admit. But Gang Ryang was brutally honest with himself, even if frustrated or bitter.
"Comparing's fine. But don't think the path you've walked so far is wrong because of it."
"...?!"
"You were an outsider to me. Jipyeong's different—he's blood. But now, you're both my brothers."
Gang Ryang's eyes widened.
"Got it? They can differ. But neither is wrong."
"R-Right."
"I won't say enlarge your vessel. But don't stay trapped in delusion too long. You have your own path."
Yeon Hojeong smiled.
"And one more thing. In actual combat ability, at least, you're still far ahead of Jipyeong."
"...!"
Gang Ryang's fists clenched involuntarily.
"In unavoidable fights, you can't just take the blade because their martial arts outclass yours. There's always a way. The key is how quickly you find it and maximize it."
"True."
"Same for martial training."
Yeon Hojeong extended a hand. Gang Ryang grabbed it and stood.
"Enough self-flagellation. Grab your sword and follow."
"W-Where to?"
"Remember what I said first? I'd make you strong."
A feral smile crept across Yeon Hojeong's face.
"Fancy sparring like real combat doesn't always spark growth. If you want to reclaim the title of black path's strongest swordsman, broaden your horizons."
* * *
After washing up cleanly and sating his hunger with rice balls, Yeon Hojeong led Gang Ryang straight to the military affairs office.
Jegal Munho's eyes widened.
"Oh, Commander Yeon."
"Yes, Strategist."
"But who's the young man beside you...?"
Jegal Munho's eyes sparkled.
"From Hunan?"
"Yes."
Gang Ryang gave a crisp cupped-fist salute.
"Gang Ryang pays respects to Strategist Jegal."
It was a very masculine greeting. His clear voice held no prejudice.
Jegal Munho couldn't deny his first impression of Gang Ryang was better than expected.
"Indeed, worth dragging back so stubbornly."
"Haha."
"But you didn't come just to introduce him. What's the business?"
Yeon Hojeong's eyes gleamed.
"The two backers from the Tang family head—registered, right?"
"Of course. You brought the Western Divine Maiden yourself. I registered them immediately."
"Good."
"By the way, I wanted to ask right away, but the mood was too tense... What did you say to Physician Gi? Her face was on the verge of fainting..."
"I'll explain later. First, the reason I'm here."
Jegal Munho chuckled.
"Always so aggressive—what new push are you making? Fine, let's hear it."
"I'd like a private audience with Moyong family head."
"...!!"
Jegal Munho's face hardened.
"Moyong Gun?"
"Yes."
"...I won't ask why. But why come to me? Just go meet him."
"Focus all the Alliance's intelligence on southern Hubei."
"Pardon?"
Yeon Hojeong pointed at Gang Ryang.
"This guy and I will shake down Moyong Gun. If successful, his allies from Hunan will head to the Martial Alliance."
"...!!"
"Anyone connected to Moyong Gun, especially those coming to the Alliance—dig up every detail."