Chapter 35: In the Human World, April's Fragrance Ends (6)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 35: In the Human World, April's Fragrance Ends (6)
The scent of flowers, the aroma of wine, the fragrance of burning incense.
Just a moment ago, they had been sharp in his nostrils.
Now, in the darkness, only the foul stench of oil and the metallic tang of iron filled the air.
In the midst of it all, Seo Mu-ryang muttered.
"What to do about this?"
He brought his thumb and index finger together. Without blinking, he stared at Yeon So-wol.
"I'm not supposed to kill you, you see. But I really, really want to."
The reality of his situation hit Yeon So-wol like a physical blow.
If I lose focus, it’s over.
Seo Mu-ryang made no effort to hide his killing intent. The very air around them trembled under the pressure. The more it vibrated, the deeper Yeon So-wol’s concentration became.
I can’t miss a single thing. Not one.
The world flattened, and more and more threads unraveled before his eyes. He looked down on this world as if it were a sheet of paper he could simply tear apart.
Thwip!
Yeon So-wol kicked off the ground, unleashing the Willow Leaf Step.
Fwiiing—!
An aura, even sharper than before, grazed past his shin. A chilling shockwave of force sent a jolt through his flesh. A direct hit would have shattered the bone.
"Hmm. You've already mastered the Willow Leaf Step. Tricky. Its light changes in direction make it hard to hit. But… can you dodge this?"
Whoosh!
There was no sound of him kicking off the ground, but a cloud of dust suddenly billowed up under the moonlight. Seo Mu-ryang was abruptly right in front of Yeon So-wol.
A sharp tension seized Yeon So-wol, but with it came a thrilling jolt of adrenaline.
Just a fingertip! If I can just touch him with a single fingertip!
Yeon So-wol was ready to reach out at any moment and sever Seo Mu-ryang’s thread. But Seo Mu-ryang stopped just short of Yeon So-wol’s reach.
His thumb and index finger pressed together.
Twaaang!
He flicked a burst of energy at point-blank range.
Fsssh!
Yeon So-wol leaped sideways, barely dodging it. The chilling shockwave of force that grazed his chest made his stomach churn.
Seo Mu-ryang closed in on him, muttering.
"What the hell are you? What's with that thick killing intent? You think you can kill me just by letting me get close?"
No matter how Yeon So-wol tried to hide his killing intent, the man read it as clearly as the lines on his own palm.
"…Curious? Why don't you find out?"
"Nah. I'm not curious."
Twaaang!
Again, a finger flicked right before his nose. This time, he couldn't dodge. Yeon So-wol reflexively swung his scabbard to parry the incoming energy.
Claaaang!
"Kuh!"
He almost lost his grip on the sword. It felt as if someone had smashed the scabbard with a sledgehammer. The force of that single impact burst the skin on Yeon So-wol’s palm, and blood dripped to the ground.
His hands, which had never properly swung a sword, were just that fragile.
"You parried it?"
Seo Mu-ryang’s eyes widened. Then, he lowered his stance and bared his teeth.
"But just looking at the way you hold that sword, I can tell your level. You haven't learned how to use a sword yet, have you? What a shame. I guess that means you die today."
Seo Mu-ryang began flicking his fingers, alternating between his right and left hands. True to his word, he seemed to have no intention of getting any closer.
Twaang!
Tang!
Sometimes he shot from up close, sometimes he shot from a distance in a surprise attack. He shot while circling, while jumping, and in rapid succession. He stayed always just within reach, yet never close enough to be caught by Yeon So-wol’s hand.
Yeon So-wol gritted his teeth. He stubbornly endured, dodging and parrying the onslaught of attacks.
It hurts…
Blood streamed from both his hands. Within his stinging palms, the already black sword hilt was stained an even deeper shade.
Still, Yeon So-wol did not let go. Every time he gripped the hilt, a chilling pain shot up his spine and struck the back of his head, but he had no choice. He had no other way to block the enemy’s attacks. He just had to endure.
"Your arms are trembling, aren't they? Your palms are all torn up, too. I can see your limit. Right?"
"That's what you think."
In this life-or-death moment, Yeon So-wol’s gaze grew strangely calm. When the situation was dire, his desires became simpler.
Come closer. Please, just once, come closer. You can’t kill me from a distance. Come on. Just once.
If he held out to the very end, wouldn't there be just one moment when his opponent finally lost his patience and approached? Instead of just flicking his fingers, wouldn't he throw a punch or thrust a sword?
Yeon So-wol clenched his jaw, focusing only on the one scenario in which he could win.
"…You. You really think you can win, don't you?"
Seo Mu-ryang’s eyebrow twitched.
"A low-rate amateur. If you don't know your place…"
One step. Two steps.
With each step he took, Yeon So-wol’s heart pounded.
A little more. Just a little. Is he coming? Is he?
"I really can't stand it. The aftermath might be a bit of a pain, but whatever… Let's see you block this."
Seo Mu-ryang drew a dagger. The night air around him shimmered with a heat haze, as if he were on fire.
Crrrack. Creak.
A strange sound echoed from his muscles and joints as they were violently refined.
Is he going to throw it? Or… stab me?
If he threw it, Yeon So-wol had to dodge or parry. If he came in for a stab, he had to charge forward and make contact. Yeon So-wol couldn't even blink. The whites of his eyes turned bloodshot.
Just then—
Whoosh!
From far away, a bundle of something shot toward Seo Mu-ryang’s head.
"…!"
The bundle flew at an incredible speed, yet for some reason, it made no sound as it cut through the air. Because of this, Seo Mu-ryang’s reaction was slightly delayed. He was only able to raise his dagger and slash the bundle when it was nearly at his face.
Shhhlick!
A blade flashed under the moonlight, and the paper bundle was torn to shreds beneath it. Nestled inside the bundle was a moist pile of dog shit.
"Gaaah!"
Seo Mu-ryang, his face splattered with the wet, mashed dog droppings, shrieked and staggered back.
"Ptui! Ptui! Ptoo! What—what is this…!"
The nauseating stench of shit mixed with the metallic tang of iron and the foul smell of oil.
"Uuuurgh! Which bastard—!"
As if in answer to his cry, a voice echoed from the distance.
"What kind of son of a bitch dares to touch our Gaga Yeon Seon-hong!"
It was the roar of a tiger, powerful enough to make the mountains and rivers tremble.
Fwip-fwip-fwip!
Immediately after, the loud rustle of a fluttering skirt echoed through the air.
"…The cross-dressing general, Chu Jin-hyeok?"
Recognizing the figure, Seo Mu-ryang’s face contorted in fury.
"…You. You're lucky. We'll meet again."
"Running away? Like a dog with its tail between its legs?"
Seo Mu-ryang’s eyebrow twitched, but he didn't reply, turning his back instead.
Taaat!
The sound of him kicking off the ground wasn't loud, but a thick cloud of dust rose, and in an instant, Seo Mu-ryang was far away, melting into the darkness.
"That bastard! He's damn fast!"
Whoosh!
Chu Jin-hyeok, who had rushed over like a beam of light, stopped beside Yeon So-wol.
"Gaga Yeon? Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere? Who was that crazy bastard?"
Ga-Gaga?
It felt incredibly strange to be called something akin to 'older brother' by a man over forty, but Yeon So-wol didn't let it show.
"Um. That paper bundle just now?"
"Ah. I threw it. Looked like that bastard was about to use some ultimate technique."
"Thank you so much. But… there was dog shit inside it."
Yeon So-wol looked at the black, moist droppings scattered on the ground, reeking foully.
"Ah. That. I always carry some with me."
You carry it with you?
"Sometimes you just need to feed it to someone."
"…"
Feed it to someone? Dog shit?
Yeon So-wol didn't ask any more questions. He just made a promise to himself.
Right. It doesn't matter if he calls me Gaga or whatever. Great Hero Chu Jin-hyeok is just Great Hero Chu Jin-hyeok.
He felt he had to think that way to avoid making a mistake. He did not want to eat dog shit.
Following behind Chu Jin-hyeok, Lee Yu-baek and the men from the Pungryu Martial Arts Hall, Shin Ja-eon and the Severing Sword Sect, and Hang In-woo and the White Dragon Gang all appeared one after another.
Lee Yu-baek asked urgently, "So-wol. Are you all right? That man… I think it was Seo Mu-ryang."
"Yes. I'm fine. Thanks to Great Hero Chu Jin-hyeok here."
"What was that scoundrel trying to do? It was hard to see clearly from a distance, but the atmosphere seemed quite serious."
"He was trying to… kill me."
"Nonsense! That can't be. There must be some misunderstanding."
A voice suddenly cut in. Yeon So-wol’s eyes widened as he turned to look at the speaker.
What is this person talking about?
Hang In-woo, the leader of the White Dragon Gang, was frowning.
"Mu-ryang might be a bit rough around the edges, but he's not that crazy. For him to try and kill my own nephew? That's impossible, isn't it?"
Mu-ryang? Him?
What was this man saying? Yeon So-wol stared blankly at Hang In-woo.
"Hey. Didn't I tell you? He's my friend. I said I would mediate, but for you to just attack him like that…"
Hang In-woo protested to the cross-dressing general, Chu Jin-hyeok. Chu Jin-hyeok’s brow furrowed. Without even glancing at Hang In-woo, he asked Lee Yu-baek, "Gaga Lee Yu-baek. What is he saying right now?"
"…My apologies. I'll have a word with him. He's a bit particular when it comes to his friends."
"Why is he friends with a guy like that in the first place?"
"…I'll have a word with him."
"I don't get it."
Chu Jin-hyeok continued to speak only to Lee Yu-baek. He didn't even look at Hang In-woo, who had voiced the protest. It was a complete dismissal. Hang In-woo’s face flushed red.
"Come on, everyone. None of you have even had a drink with Seo Mu-ryang. He just causes a lot of misunderstandings, but he's not that terrible of a guy…"
Lee Yu-baek chided him.
"In-woo. There are some things you can know without having to share a drink. Haven't I told you time and time again? Be more selective about your friends. And be more selective about your subordinates, too."
"But…"
Hang In-woo started to retort but swallowed his words with a heavy sigh. Then, with a sharp exhale through his nose, he stormed off ahead.
"I guess I can't even choose my own friends?" he muttered as he left.
The members of the White Dragon Gang followed behind him. Among them, Yeon So-wol saw Smiling Dog snickering. Lee Yu-baek let out a deep sigh.
"He's built like a mountain, but he's still so narrow-minded."
"I can hear you!"
"I meant for you to hear it, you fool!"
"Hah!"
Hang In-woo grew more distant until he was out of sight. Yeon So-wol picked up the lantern he had stuck in the ground and examined his scabbard. The scabbard had blocked the enemy’s attacks several times. Thanks to its excellent material, it wasn't badly damaged, but there were nicks carved into the white ray-skin.
This will lower the price if I sell it secondhand…
This was the most precious sword the Chief Daoist of Yanggwang had given him from his own collection. To Yeon So-wol, those words translated to "retirement plan." If things ever got tough, selling this one sword could probably secure him a clean, comfortable, and peaceful life.
But now it was scratched…
A sudden surge of anger rose in Yeon So-wol, and he asked, "Father. Will it be okay?"
"What do you mean?"
"Uncle Hang In-woo. Being friends with someone like Seo Mu-ryang…"
"Hoo."
Lee Yu-baek let out a long sigh.
"It's frustrating. But don't hate In-woo too much."
"…I'm not hating him, I'm worried."
Yeon So-wol had gotten a clear sense of Seo Mu-ryang. He was a wicked villain. Though it was only a hunch, he seemed to be connected to the Mount Cheonro Bandits in some way.
And he considers that man a friend?
Could such a person be trusted?
"So-wol. I have a rough idea of what you're thinking, but that's enough. In-woo and I have saved each other's lives several times over."
Lee Yu-baek had been the first to save Hang In-woo’s life. In the past, when they fought the Yeoljeong Sect, it was Hang In-woo who had brought his men and risked his life to fight alongside him until the end. Like that, they had saved each other's lives time and again, establishing themselves in Xinxing County.
"When you owe each other your lives like that, you come to know without asking. What kind of person he is. What kind of relationship we have. So don't you dare doubt him. He's just… just a man with a flaw or two. Just like me. And just like you. Because we're human."
"…Yes, sir."
Yeon So-wol still felt it wasn't right, but he had no choice but to hold his tongue. They had saved each other's lives multiple times in a relationship that had lasted nearly ten years. He couldn't speak carelessly.
The Jianghu is a complicated place.
The Jianghu was a place with men like Lee Yu-baek. It was also a place with men like Seo Mu-ryang. And between them walked men like Hang In-woo. Good and evil, duty and circumstance, all tangled and intertwined. A current that flows and stagnates.
"Tsk."
Suddenly, Chu Jin-hyeok clicked his tongue. Staring into the darkness, he muttered, "That's right. The feeling is different. When you're close enough to have owed each other your lives multiple times. The feeling changes."
"That's what I mean. It's special," Lee Yu-baek said with a faint smile, looking in the direction Hang In-woo had disappeared.
Chu Jin-hyeok just clicked his tongue again.
*
On the way back, after hearing about the fight between Seo Mu-ryang and Yeon So-wol, Lee Yu-baek said, "That's called the Finger Flicking Art. Only first-rate experts who are skilled in Qigong can use it. It's a profound technique that harms a person by flicking Qi out of thin air."
Second-rate martial artists handle Essence. First-rate martial artists handle Qi.
Essence is stable and fixed, making it difficult to project outside the body. Qi, on the other hand, is fluid and changing, so it can easily flow outside the body. When the Essence within the Eight Extraordinary Meridians melts into Qi and creates harmony, the True Qi that arises in response can finally leave the body and extend outward.
The Finger Flicking Art was an application of that principle, shooting out bursts of energy.
"So you can do things like that once you become first-rate… Can you do it, Father?"
"No. The martial arts of the Pungryu Sect don't go into detail about Qigong. I can't shoot energy out of my body like that."
Lee Yu-baek suddenly looked up at the moon in the sky.
"That's why, if possible, I was thinking of finding you a master who is renowned for their Qigong."
Yeon So-wol’s eyes widened.
Come to think of it… he did say he would find me a master.
He had forgotten. Having secretly thought of Lee Yu-baek as his master all this time, Yeon So-wol was a little bewildered.
"There are many types of Qigong. There's Qigong that protects the body, and there's Qigong like the Finger Flicking Art that attacks from a distance. Having something like that… would probably be especially good for you."
Lee Yu-baek said this knowing that Yeon So-wol possessed some kind of secret technique. If he had a method to bring an opponent to their death, then a Qigong that could both protect his body and serve as a surprising trump card would be a perfect fit. That was his judgment.
Bewilderment aside, Yeon So-wol couldn't help but agree.
That… that makes sense. If I could have protected my body with Qigong, I wouldn't have been so afraid of Seo Mu-ryang’s Finger Flicking Art today.
Another thought suddenly occurred to him.
But I wonder… can the power of the Heavenly Killing Star be used from a distance?
The power of the Heavenly Killing Star was engraved within Yeon So-wol. If he could imbue the Qi that originated from his body with that power…
Then… I think I could fight much more safely…
Once his thoughts reached this point, he had to admit it.
…I'm going to need one. A master to teach me Qigong.
Regardless of his heart leaning toward Lee Yu-baek, he truly needed another master. He felt a renewed sense of gratitude toward Lee Yu-baek.
To think he worried about all this in advance and adopted me…
His mood, which had plummeted because of Seo Mu-ryang and Hang In-woo, softened once again.
Looking at Yeon So-wol, Lee Yu-baek said, "In any case, So-wol, you're now a man of the Jianghu in both name and reality."
"Yes. I suppose so."
To the proud young man, Lee Yu-baek said, "Then I suppose you'll have to kill people from now on."
"…?"
What was he talking about?
I killed thirteen people last time. And three before that.
Lee Yu-baek smiled bitterly.
"I'm not talking about killing to survive. I'm talking about killing for what you believe is right."
"…Is there a difference?"
"There is. When you don't have to kill. When you're safe. To draw your sword solely for what you believe is right… that's different. It's truly different."
Is that so…
It didn't quite resonate with him, but Yeon So-wol committed the words to memory for now. Just then, Shin Ja-eon, the Severing Sword Sect Leader, clicked his tongue.
"Yeon Seon-hong. Yeon Seon-hong."
It was a familiar way of speaking, attaching the nickname to Yeon So-wol’s surname instead of his given name.
"Don't you go fighting just because your heart tells you to, like your father."
"Hey. What's wrong with me?"
Despite Lee Yu-baek’s protest, Shin Ja-eon shook his head.
"Affection, since ancient times, has only ever left behind vain regret."
"I believe I've heard that you, Sect Leader, have also messed things up because of your attachments…"
"That's why I'm saying it. That's why."
"You did it yourself, though…"
"Ahem!"
After bickering with Shin Ja-eon a few times, Lee Yu-baek seemed to have cheered up a bit.
"Anyway. Since you can't learn Qigong right away…"
He grinned.
"Shall we start learning swordsmanship tomorrow?"
"…!"
Finally. Swordsmanship!
Yeon So-wol felt two emotions: excitement and worry.
"…Yes!"
But this time, his heart was already drawn taut. Yeon So-wol gave a slight squeeze to his hand, where blood had dried black.
"Starting tomorrow? Gaga Yeon, then you should hurry and put on some Golden Wound Medicine. Here."
Chu Jin-hyeok applied the medicine to his hand and wrapped it in a bandage.