The Divine Eye of the Hundred Weapons (2)
Flash!
Mak Won's eyes snapped open.
"You're awake?"
The first to greet him was Pae Yul. He had been standing guard nearby like a protector.
"Where am I?"
This was no longer the desolate forest from before. Though it was the same woods, the air no longer carried that acrid stench or killing intent.
In the distance stood an ancient building. It was only two stories tall, yet the surroundings were quiet and the scenery pleasant.
"You completely lost consciousness. I tried to wake you, but your inner energy kept circulating, so I had no choice but to move you while you were still lying down."
"……"
"I see."
Mak Won showed no surprise.
The poison still lingered in his body. He had focused again and again to purge it, only to lose consciousness at some point.
Even then, the Heavenly Martial Divine Weapon had moved on its own, true to its reputation as an ancient divine art, suppressing the toxin.
It was fortunate.
"I considered bringing you inside, but the poison seemed to flare up at times. Since we didn't know its nature, we set up a spot outdoors."
"A wise decision."
"It wasn't mine. It was the unit commander's. Anyway, now that you're awake, that's what matters."
Pae Yul's tone was somewhat stiff.
But Mak Won knew he wasn't a bad person.
It wasn't because he was a warrior of the Jeomchang Sect. Pae Yul simply wasn't smooth in human relationships. That much was clear from just a few exchanges.
Yet beneath it all, he held his own principles and convictions. Mak Won could sense that clearly.
"By the way…… that young man?"
"You mean Yeon Hojeong?"
"Yes. Yeon Hojeong."
The foremost rising star of the martial world.
Mak Won repeated the title inwardly. He had never expected to receive help from such a figure, yet Yeon Hojeong was a true powerhouse who transcended the label of "rising star."
Pae Yul gestured toward the forest entrance with his chin.
"He'll be back soon. Said he had some business to handle."
"Business?"
"Ask him when he returns. Anyway, shouldn't you eat something?"
Mak Won nodded.
"Please."
Pae Yul chuckled and stood up.
"Honest. I like that. Wait a moment."
Shortly after, Pae Yul returned carrying a large bundle and a water flask.
He wasn't alone. Hwang Seok-tae followed beside him, gripping his crimson spear. He wore his armor but had removed his helmet.
Mak Won clasped his hands in greeting.
"My apologies for the late introduction. I owe you my life. Words alone cannot repay such a debt."
Hwang Seok-tae looked uncharacteristically flustered.
"I came under orders from above. The thanks should go to my lord, not me. And……"
The Iron Cavalry had only helped him escape. The ones who had aided him in the critical moment were Yeon Hojeong and Pae Yul.
Hwang Seok-tae closed his mouth without finishing. Mak Won's condition wasn't ideal for lengthy explanations, and the story was long.
"I'll take you somewhere comfortable. First, let's ease your hunger, then head inside."
Mak Won shook his head.
"There seem to be people in the building. I cannot do that. This poison is so lethal that even I cannot control it. If it leaks out, it could cause unforeseen harm."
"Still, you can't stay outdoors forever."
"A hard patch of ground suits me better than a soft bed. I've lived that way nearly my whole life. No need to worry about me."
If he insisted so firmly, he was clearly fine for now.
Pae Yul spoke as he unpacked the bundle.
"Eat first. It's light food that digests quickly."
"Thank you."
Mak Won devoured the meal on the spot, barely pausing to breathe. He paid no mind to the people watching. He must have been starving.
After a quarter of an hour, he had finished everything.
Pae Yul let out a low whistle.
"Quite the appetite."
He had brought various dishes just in case—enough for three or four grown men.
Mak Won had eaten it all right there. A true master had a different stomach indeed.
"I was very hungry. How embarrassing."
"Seeing you eat so well, you'll recover soon. That's a relief."
Hwang Seok-tae subtly signaled Pae Yul with his eyes. Even so, this was one of the Three Lords, a grand elder of the martial world. Wasn't this too rude?
Pae Yul, oddly oblivious in such matters, didn't notice the glance. Even if he had, he would have ignored it.
"I'll take these. Rest easy."
As Pae Yul carried away the empty dishes, Hwang Seok-tae spoke.
"He's always been an eccentric. If you're offended, I apologize on his behalf."
It was a rare sight for Hwang Seok-tae. He seldom lowered himself like this.
Mak Won burst into hearty laughter.
"Why would I be offended? If anything, I'm worried about being a burden."
"As I said, we are under orders. Moreover, escorting one of the Three Lords is an honor."
For a spear user, if asked whom among the Sacred Heavens they most wished to meet, the answer would undoubtedly be the Spear King, So Hyeon-lip.
But the Hundred Weapons Divine Lord Mak Won was no less desirable. He was the king of all weaponry, and among them, he specialized in staff and spear techniques.
Hwang Seok-tae's deference wasn't without reason. Mak Won's achievements and fame alone commanded respect, but as a warrior who studied the spear, Mak Won was an ideal to him.
"No need to praise me so highly. By the way, I'd like to hear what's been happening."
Just then, a clear voice rang out from the forest entrance.
"That might be something we should ask the great hero first."
Mak Won wasn't surprised. Unlike Hwang Seok-tae.
"You've arrived."
Yeon Hojeong clasped his hands in greeting.
"I greet you again. I am Yeon Hojeong, eldest son of the Yeon Family of Byeoksan, chief adjutant of the Martial Alliance's Deliberation Army, and special operations officer of the Black Dragon Department."
An awkward air passed over Mak Won's face.
If forced to divide the martial world into orthodox and unorthodox, Mak Won clearly belonged to the orthodox side. Though he had never founded his own sect, his actions had always kept him far from the demonic path.
In truth, he tended to keep his distance from the unorthodox factions. The black path groups he had seen were all villains who preyed on the weak.
Yet Mak Won showed none of this. Regardless of their affiliations, these people had saved his life. Moreover, the foremost rising star held positions in both the Martial Alliance and the Black Dragon Department.
There was something more here.
Mak Won realized the time had come for a deep conversation.
"It's sudden, but the sooner the better. Let's talk."
* * *
That night.
"Huuu."
Pae Yul caught his breath after a vigorous sweat.
Yeon Hojeong, who had been watching his training from the side, gave a wry smile.
"Are you all right?"
"Huh?"
"I asked if your body is fine. You have internal and external injuries, and your inner energy is unstable."
Though he had defeated them decisively, this battle had been anything but easy.
The assassins' skills were at the first-rate level, and the Tang family's formation, enhanced by the Shinhwa Sect's arts, had been sticky and intricate. It hadn't been a typical martial world fight.
Moreover, their numbers had been overwhelming. If not for Yeon Hojeong drawing most of the attention, Pae Yul's ability to survive with so little damage deserved praise.
Pae Yul spun his short spear like chopsticks as he spoke.
"I trained thinking of it as another battle. Fights in the martial world always come with losses. You rarely enter real combat in perfect condition."
"True."
"I realized something from this fight."
Pae Yul looked up at the sky.
The moonlight was beautiful.
"I've done all I can. The Sun-Piercing Art has become complete in itself. It's the original perfected. Now, it seems only its characteristics change depending on who cultivates it."
"Is that so?"
"What do you think?"
Yeon Hojeong shook his head.
"I'm no monster who can grasp a technique's true essence just by watching its forms."
"Nonsense."
"Still, the Sun-Piercing Art will surely go down in Jeomchang history. I can say that with certainty."
"You think so."
"Furthermore, I can see that the art you created hasn't fully merged with your own body. As you said, refining your own version of the Sun-Piercing Art is what matters."
Pae Yul nodded.
Yeon Hojeong stroked his chin.
"And……"
"Hm?"
"The Sun-Piercing Art is already close to perfection, but…… I think there's still room for further development."
Pae Yul's eyes gleamed.
"You found a flaw?"
"Not a flaw so much as a path forward. No martial art in the world is truly perfect, even if some come close."
The closest to perfection would be the Sasinmu.
The Four Gods Art was an unparalleled divine technique, and it thoroughly divided offense, defense, evasion, and counterattack into separate domains.
By separating them, each field achieved extreme mastery. Then those four perfected domains were blended back into one through a smooth process of integration.
It was a cycle of division and unity. Over countless years, the Sasinmu had undergone this process until it became a flawless divine art with no gaps.
In contrast, the Sun-Piercing Art was an outstanding technique, but its history was still in its infancy.
A young art with a short history had its own advantages, yet it inevitably lacked the refinement of techniques that had spent ages polishing their strengths and eliminating weaknesses.
Pae Yul nodded.
"You're right. Perhaps I was so obsessed with perfecting the Sun-Piercing Art that I neglected my own desires as a martial artist. That's why I gave up on advancing it further."
"You don't need to say that. Not because you're my senior, but because creating an art of this caliber is nearly impossible for anyone."
More than difficult—it bordered on impossible.
In any generation, the number of masters who created a technique that would echo through history could be counted on one hand among the countless martial artists.
Pae Yul was someone who had accomplished that rare and monumental feat.
Yeon Hojeong watched him quietly, then smiled and tossed aside his robe.
"The moonlight is too lovely to sleep. Since we're here, shall we refine the Sun-Piercing Art together?"
It was exactly what Pae Yul wanted. He grumbled.
"I won't teach you the mnemonic chants or principles."
"I didn't ask. I just want to study it with you."
"Fine."
"Now then, let's see……"
Yeon Hojeong set down the Black and White Twin Dragon Axes and the Flood Dragon Chain, then picked up a spear.
"First, the spear…… hm."
Yeon Hojeong tilted his head to the right.
Pae Yul clicked his tongue.
"Guests always show up right when you're about to do something."
"It's an honored guest. Don't say it like that."
"Just saying."
Moments later, Mak Won appeared.
"Did I interrupt?"
Pae Yul clicked his tongue again and shook his head.
"No."
Yeon Hojeong answered without hesitation.
"You did."
"……"
The atmosphere turned awkward for a moment.
Mak Won scratched his head sheepishly.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt. Then……"
"Since you've already interrupted, you might as well join this session, great hero."
"Eh?"
Yeon Hojeong grinned at Pae Yul.
"Since we were interrupted, you should help out in return."
Pae Yul couldn't deny it.
That guy could sell river water with his tongue.