The King's Insight
“What?”
Bu Seon’s eyes widened.
“The third disciple…”
“That’s right.”
Yang Cheon spoke curtly.
“He was thoroughly beaten. It’s fortunate he survived.”
“……!”
“He hasn’t neglected his training. His muscle density, elasticity, and flexibility are all first-rate. He also has a natural talent for accumulating qi. Even without taking any special elixirs, he possesses an unusually vast amount of internal energy for his level.”
“……”
“I taught him the Strange Rock Art. With a first-rate body, first-rate internal energy, and first-rate martial arts, the third disciple can be considered an excellent combatant.”
Yang Cheon’s eyes grew deep.
“Even so, he was defeated. From what I heard, the outcome was decided in an instant. They were supposedly at similar levels, yet he couldn’t land a single effective blow and was left battered. Do you know what that means?”
“He was careless.”
“It goes beyond carelessness. His spirit has rotted. In the martial world, even against an opponent several levels below you, your head can be taken. Yet the third disciple looked down on an opponent whose skill was no different from his own.”
It was fortunate he hadn’t died. If Jeon Hong hadn’t been Yang Cheon’s disciple, with no ties of interest involved, he would have simply been killed.
In other words, Jeon Hong had survived not because of his skill, but because of his background. ‘How humiliating.’ Bu Seon could imagine how wretched Jeon Hong would feel once he woke up.
Yang Cheon shook his head.
“I didn’t come here to badmouth the third disciple.”
“……?”
“You saw it too, didn’t you? When I fought Yeon Hojeong.”
“Ah, yes.”
“At that time, I couldn’t help but be astonished by his combat ability and terrifying insight. In fact, I even took a wound in the first few exchanges.”
Bu Seon remembered the scene clearly. It was probably something she wouldn’t forget until the day she died.
The King of Combat, her master, had been wounded by the attack of an opponent who was far weaker than him. Even if he hadn’t been in peak condition, considering the gap in their martial arts, it was an absurd occurrence.
“Do you understand? I had no intention of killing Yeon Hojeong. I still don’t. That fellow had read my state of mind at the time. That’s why he was able to push me back for a moment, using such bold and unorthodox tactics.”
Yang Cheon smiled.
“Do you see? In a fight, one’s own mental strength is important, but so are the opponent’s mood and circumstances. If Yeon Hojeong had known I was truly intent on killing him, would he have had the nerve to stand against me?”
“……
He absolutely wouldn’t have.”
“Exactly. He wouldn’t have. That’s what makes him remarkable. He knows precisely when to raise his fists, when to wield his axe, and when to bow his head.”
Yang Cheon patted Bu Seon’s shoulder.
“Among my disciples, you were the first to receive the Black Lion Qi because I acknowledged you. But something even more valuable than this Black Lion Qi is that very insight and instinct.”
“……”
“I stopped by to tell you this. Martial arts are the most important thing to a martial artist, but I wanted you to know there are things even more important than martial arts.”
Bu Seon lowered her head.
“Thank you, Master.”
“No need for thanks. I simply wanted to show you that the inner demon you’re struggling with is, in the end, nothing significant.”
Indeed.
Even one of the Sacred Heavens, the strongest in the Central Plains, was willing to learn from the strengths of someone far weaker and younger than himself.
Considering Yang Cheon’s status, it was something that could have wounded his pride. Yet he had reflected on his past self, acknowledged his opponent’s greatness, and sought to fill the gaps in his own abilities. ‘He’s truly remarkable.’ It wasn’t because he had created the first alliance in the history of the dark factions.
Before being the leader of a faction, before being a martial artist worthy of being called the best under heaven, Yang Cheon was someone worth learning from as a person.
Bu Seon closed her eyes. ‘Even Master seeks to learn from others. Who am I to suffer an inner demon because of that person? I never had any reason to struggle with inferiority in the first place.’
Whoosh.
The faint internal energy vibrations that had been emanating from Bu Seon gradually subsided.
Yang Cheon’s smile deepened.
Bu Seon was truly an excellent disciple. It was remarkable that she had reached such a level despite her lacking talent, but even more so that she wasn’t stingy with learning despite having every reason to be arrogant. ‘Well done.’
A few words of guidance wouldn’t immediately free her from her inner demon. However, today’s words could greatly aid her growth. Yang Cheon was certain of it.
“By the way, today is the day you’re meeting those damned folks from Botam.”
“Ah, yes.”
“A pity. I really wanted to meet them today.”
Shaking his head, Yang Cheon suddenly looked into Bu Seon’s eyes.
“That girl. The Sword Queen candidate from Botam’s Lotus Gate.”
“Yes.”
“Now that I think about it, while you were sowing seeds of discord in Botam, it seems you never met her.”
“That’s correct. Not just her—I’ve never seen any of the three candidates. Each faction was thoroughly hiding and training them.”
Bu Seon hadn’t originally infiltrated Botam as a high-ranking member to disrupt it from within.
Unlike the image she showed Yang Cheon now, she was skilled in schemes. She had disguised herself as one of the laborers supplying food to Botam and shaken things up from the inside. In the process, she had built relationships with Botam’s experts, but she had never seen the successors.
Of course, she hadn’t acted alone, but the fact that she had led the operation showed she possessed exceptional abilities beyond martial arts.
“Have you met the master of the Lotus Gate who came here?”
“I haven’t.”
“I thought so.”
Yang Cheon turned his body.
“While I’m away for a bit, keep them entertained. I’ll return around noon tomorrow.”
Bu Seon bowed her head.
“I will obey.”
* * *
Night had deepened.
The moon, hanging brightly in the sky, was especially luminous tonight. Even the surrounding starlight seemed faint, as if one were looking at a bluish sun.
In the rear garden bathed in that moonlight.
Kang Liang, stripped to the waist, was slowly swinging his sword.
Drip. Drip.
Sweat falling from Kang Liang’s body soaked the ground.
The sword moving slowly showed not a single tremor. His practice of the Slow Sword had reached a high level; the blade following the flow of air carried neither killing intent nor sharpness.
Both his sword and footwork were slow. Yet within him, the Ghost King Qi moved busily, heightening the nerves throughout his entire body to an extreme degree.
With his five senses sharpened, simply swinging the sword became more difficult. He couldn’t help but react sensitively to even the slightest stimulus.
Even in such an extreme environment, Kang Liang’s sword and footwork remained undisturbed. As if sword and body had become one, the Ghost King Qi flowing between his hand and the blade was as natural as flowing water.
It was perfect Unity of Body and Sword. All the enlightenment Kang Liang could obtain at the level he walked had reached its peak.
Even so, Kang Liang wasn’t arrogant.
It wasn’t because he wasn’t satisfied with his achievements. It was because he had seen too many masters walking in new realms.
The martial path has no end. Even the Holy Thirteen Seats must have faced their own limits and would be striving to break through them.
Compared to them, he was still only at the crawling stage.
It was truly remarkable that a baby who had been crawling had begun to walk. But if one was satisfied with that, one wouldn’t know when they would be able to run. ‘More.’
Though the sword was slow, Kang Liang’s eyes watching the tip were filled with joy and trembling. ‘Higher, faster.’
Whooooom. Whooooom.
The sword’s cry resonated.
It wasn’t the sword trembling from excessive qi manipulation.
It was the resonance of the soul. The realm of genius that only those who had completely infused their entire being into the sword could reach.
Kang Liang was entering the very realm that even Yayul Jeok had said few in the Saeum Sect had attained—the pure sword cry. ‘To pour everything into the sword……!’
That was when it happened.
Ziiing!
His heightened nerves caught a single faint presence that he would never have detected under normal circumstances.
Whoosh!
The sweat flowing from Kang Liang’s body evaporated in an instant.
Swish.
Kang Liang straightened his posture and closed his eyes.
A deep regret welled up. He had been so close to crossing the wall of the martial path, yet the path of enlightenment had once again gone dark.
Regret becomes attachment, and attachment becomes affliction that corrupts the mind.
Kang Liang took a deep breath. ‘It’s fine.’
The flames of affliction that had been slowly tightening around his neck subsided with a single deep breath. ‘It’s a realm I’ve reached once before. There’s no reason I can’t reach it again.’
Kang Liang opened his eyes.
His gaze was clearer and deeper than before his training.
Shing.
Sheathing his sword, Kang Liang spoke in a calm voice.
“You might as well come out now.”
A moment later, a shadow appeared behind Kang Liang.
“……Impressive.”
“……”
“I expected as much from Yeon Hojeong, but I didn’t think you would sense my presence. No, even Yeon Hojeong wouldn’t have noticed until just now.”
Kang Liang turned around.
Yang Cheon stood there.
Whoosh.
The lukewarm summer breeze brushed past their eyes and fled.
Kang Liang asked calmly.
“I thought you would come through the main gate with your subordinates.”
A glint flashed in Yang Cheon’s eyes.
He had seen through who Kang Liang was at a glance. Kang Liang exuded a presence so remarkable that Yang Cheon wondered why he hadn’t noticed him before.
“All of Hunan is my domain. I could grab anyone on the street and they’d be my subordinate.”
It was tremendous confidence. In reality, countless experts would be stationed throughout the area around Inhwaru.
Kang Liang chuckled.
“Fitting for the lord of the Black Dragon Department.”
Yang Cheon, who had been quietly observing Kang Liang, tilted his head.
“Your reaction is quite refreshing.”
“Is that so.”
“You’re the heir of the Ghost Sword, aren’t you?”
“Yes.”
“To you, I must be an irreconcilable enemy. Moreover, just now—though it wasn’t intentional—I even interrupted the moment you were about to break through the wall of the martial path. As a martial artist, as a person, isn’t this a situation where your eyes should be bloodshot with rage?”
Kang Liang nodded.
“I’m keeping that anger and resentment well stored away. However, I know today isn’t the time to release it, so don’t concern yourself too much.”
“……Not the time to release it?”
“You didn’t come to see me, did you? My sworn brother is on the top floor. You can go there.”
After examining Kang Liang’s gaze, Yang Cheon let out a sigh.
“They say a born genius can’t match a talent who forges their own path. You’ve accumulated learning far beyond your age.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“I want to ask. When will you release that anger and resentment of yours?”
Kang Liang smiled.
“When I become stronger than the Vice Lord. Or when the Vice Lord becomes extremely weakened.”
“……”
“My revenge begins then. So don’t get yourself killed by some random blade.”
After a moment of silence, Yang Cheon spoke as if tossing the words out.
“You’re a dangerous man.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment as well.”
“It is a compliment. But it’s also a death sentence for you.”
Yang Cheon’s eyes grew cold.
“Even from this brief conversation, I can tell. You’re dangerous. You’re someone who could one day drive a blade into my neck. If I simply turn away, that blade tip of yours will keep haunting me.”
“You flatter me.”
“You’ve worked hard to reach this point. Now go on your way.”
Bang!
Yang Cheon’s fist struck Kang Liang’s chest.
Whoosh!
Spitting blood, Kang Liang was sent flying three jang before collapsing.