Chapter 29
Chapter 29
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: Pa-sun and Un-pyo 2
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“Its name… Yes, it is the Demonic Arts of Pa-sun.”
“The Demonic Arts of Pa-sun…! You named it after me!”
“Yes, take it. This is the manual and internal energy method for the Demonic Arts of Pa-sun.”
Truthfully, he had been so absorbed in his research that he'd forgotten to name it, making one up on the spot. Still, Pa-sun was deeply moved.
Mu-heun handed Pa-sun the martial arts manual and internal energy method he had written himself.
“Have you been preparing this all this time while teaching me martial arts…?”
“No matter how many elixirs you consume, without a proper internal energy method, you cannot absorb all of their energy. The unabsorbed energy that remains in your body can instead become a poison.”
“So that's why you only had me do basic training until you could create an internal energy method for me. I didn't even realize…”
“Enough. There's no need to discuss it. Eat the elixir. I will help you with the initial absorption.”
“Yes! Thank you.”
“Afterward, you must circulate the remaining energy yourself according to the principles of the internal energy method to absorb and develop it. That is why I am giving you all of this now.”
“…Thank you.”
Pa-sun was touched that Mu-heun cared for him so much, and he turned away to hide his tears.
And he vowed never to doubt him again,
to follow him to the very end.
He swore this to himself.
Watching Pa-sun's back, Mu-heun smiled faintly and said,
“Eat it. I will help you absorb it.”
“Yes, I understand.”
Pa-sun picked up the elixir, put it in his mouth, and swallowed. He immediately sat down to circulate his energy, and Mu-heun sat behind him to aid in the absorption.
He combined his knowledge of the body's blood vessels, studied during his time as the Divine Doctor, with the principles of energy circulation learned from his master, the Heavenly Demon, creating a path for the fastest and most complete absorption possible.
Following Mu-heun's guidance, Pa-sun memorized the path of energy circulation and accumulated a vast amount of energy in his dantian.
Two weeks later, Pa-sun had completely mastered the first-rate level and stepped into the threshold of the peak.
* * *
-Blade Leaf Valley, Central Pavilion Training Ground
Pa-sun and Un-pyo were having a friendly sparring match.
“W-what in the world is going on?”
“Heh heh, what do you mean? I've just been training hard.”
“That's impossible. No matter how hard you trained, this makes no sense.”
Pa-sun said teasingly.
“What about it?”
“A third-rate warrior becoming second-rate can happen in an instant, and a second-rate warrior reaching first-rate doesn't take much time either. However, the peak is a realm on a completely different level from those below it.”
“Are you saying I'm at the peak?”
“It's hard to believe, but yes. Even if you took an elixir, absorbing and wielding its energy is a battle against time. How could you reach such a level in so short a period? This is absurd.”
“Sir Un-pyo. You're quite talkative for someone in the middle of a match, aren't you?”
“What? You…!”
Un-pyo had taken the elixir gifted to him by the Blade Leaf Demon and was taking his time to absorb its energy. He was already a peak-level master and was now on the verge of completely conquering that realm, but he felt a sense of crisis from Pa-sun's frighteningly rapid rise.
However, no matter how much Pa-sun challenged him, he was no match for Un-pyo, who possessed overwhelming combat experience.
“Autumn Leaf Strike!”
“Kugh!”
After blocking Un-pyo's Autumn Leaf Strike with his spear, Pa-sun was sent tumbling back across the training ground floor. In the next instant, Un-pyo closed the distance and sent him flying with his Blade Wind Cleave.
But Un-pyo had no intention of stopping.
Clang!
He brought his greatsword down on Pa-sun's spear.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
“Aargh! I-I lose! Please stop hitting me…”
“Who was it that said I was too talkative?”
“I-I misspoke! I'm sorry, Sir Un-pyo. I was the one who was too talkative!”
“Hmph!”
Pa-sun had lost to Un-pyo.
And quite miserably at that…
It was to be expected. Not only was there a significant difference in their internal and external energy levels, but even if they were at the same level, there was an insurmountable gap in experience between them.
Pa-sun's attacks were simple and dull, while Un-pyo's were precise and sharp.
“Hoo, your growth rate is frightening. I'll give you that.”
“I might win next time.”
“Hah? Talk is cheap, isn't it?”
“Just you wait and see.”
But one thing was clear: the two had grown quite close in that short time. Moreover, the Blade Leaf Demon and Mu-heun, who were watching them, were thinking the same thing.
‘Pa-sun's growth is definitely not normal.’
After watching Pa-sun and Un-pyo's match, the Blade Leaf Demon seemed lost in thought for a moment before speaking.
“Mu-heun.”
“Yes.”
“What do you think about taking Un-pyo to the main family with you?”
“I heard that Sir Un-pyo is your disciple. Would that be alright?”
“I believe it would be better for him to be by your side than mine.”
“…”
Mu-heun neither strongly affirmed nor denied it. Realizing what this meant, the Blade Leaf Demon spoke again.
“I will speak to Un-pyo. Let's meet here again tomorrow.”
“Understood. Thank you.”
As Pa-sun and Un-pyo were bickering, the Blade Leaf Demon called for Un-pyo.
“Un-pyo, come with me for a moment.”
“Yes.”
On the other hand, Pa-sun called out to Mu-heun.
“My lord, may I have a word with you?”
‘M-my lord?’
“Yes.”
Mu-heun agreed to Pa-sun's request, but he was puzzled.
‘Why does he want to see me…?’
* * *
-The Blade Leaf Demon's Office
The Blade Leaf Demon prepared leaf tea for Un-pyo.
“Un-pyo.”
“Yes, Master.”
“I'll be direct.”
“Please, say whatever is on your mind.”
“I would like you to follow the Fourth Young Master to the main family.”
“…You mean Mount Cheon?”
“Yes.”
“Master.”
The faint aroma of leaf tea filled the office.
“I don't just mean for you to accompany him. I mean for you to follow the Fourth Young Master of the Heavenly Dance Family as you have followed me.”
“…”
The two drank their tea in silence for a moment.
The Blade Leaf Demon looked at Un-pyo and thought.
‘This is the boy who caused trouble in the Azure Dragon Unit, the guardians of the Heavenly Dance Family. He may see the Fourth Young Master as his savior now, but returning there won't be as easy as it sounds…’
“Yes, I know. You must be confused. You probably don't want to leave me, your martial brothers, and Blade Leaf Valley. But…”
The Blade Leaf Demon lifted his cup to his lips.
“He is a new wind for the Divine Cult, and if you stay by his side…”
“Um, Master,”
At Un-pyo's call, the Blade Leaf Demon's hand and mouth froze.
“Oh, yes. Go on.”
“I apologize for interrupting, but I am fine with it.”
“Yes, I knew you would refuse. I knew you would… Huh?”
“I am fine with it.”
Un-pyo said, his expression unchanging.
“Huh…? Un-pyo, you.”
Un-pyo was a man with good instincts. Knowing this, the Blade Leaf Demon saw Un-pyo's expression and realized.
“You've already made up your mind.”
“Yes, I have.”
“Heh heh… heh…”
The Blade Leaf Demon gazed into Un-pyo's eyes for a moment. Looking at him now, it seemed he had made up his mind quite some time ago. He finally set down the teacup in his hand.
‘It seems I was the one who didn't want to let go, not Un-pyo.’
“Since when?”
“From the very beginning.”
“The beginning?”
“It's my intuition. I'm not good at using my head or calculating things. I simply like the Fourth Young Master. Also…”
“Also?”
“He said the same thing you did, Master.”
“The same thing… Yes, what was it?”
“Didn't you tell me that if I don't know which path to take, I should just charge ahead? I felt that his words were similar to what you often used to say.”
[ Un-pyo, if you don't know which path to take, just charge ahead. If you give up because there's no way, then it's truly over. ]
These were words the Blade Leaf Demon had once said to Un-pyo.
“Heh heh, I suppose that's true.”
“Master, are you perhaps disappointed that I agreed so readily?”
“This rascal? What do you take me for? On the contrary, I was admiring how your intuition seems to be even sharper than I thought.”
“Haha, thank you!”
“Yes, Un-pyo! You rascal.”
“Yes.”
“Have a safe journey.”
Un-pyo slowly stood up and gave the Blade Leaf Demon a respectful bow. The Blade Leaf Demon simply patted Un-pyo on the back.
‘I won't nag you about this and that.’
With Un-pyo's intuition and Mu-heun's insight, any nagging would be useless.
‘When the new wind blows, you must go.’
The two men's teacups remained as they were at the beginning,
and the room was filled with the scent of leaf tea.
* * *
-Mu-heun and Pa-sun's Lodging
Pa-sun spoke to me with a resolute expression.
“Sir Mu-heun.”
“Speak.”
“Are you perhaps planning to take Sir Un-pyo with you?”
‘Oho, this one's insight has grown.’
“Yes.”
“Then I would be so bold as to say something.”
“…”
I was perplexed.
So far, I was desperately short on subordinates, so I would welcome any talent with open arms.
From what I had seen, Un-pyo was a suitable candidate, but taking him to the Heavenly Dance Family required the Blade Leaf Demon's permission and Un-pyo's own consent, so I had been waiting.
But… what could Pa-sun possibly have to say about me taking Un-pyo?
Thud!
Pa-sun knelt on one knee, cupped his fist, and spoke.
“I have lived my entire life without knowing the meaning of words like loyalty, fealty, belonging, or solidarity.”
“…?”
The emotion reflected in Pa-sun's eyes was firm resolve.
“But now I know. My life changed completely from the day you told me to choose a name for myself. And the start of that change was when I began to follow you, my lord.”
‘My lord…’
“It's embarrassing, but at one point, I just wanted to learn martial arts by your side. I knew that without martial arts in this world, I would suffer injustice.”
‘I thought that was all you wanted, too.’
“But while saving Blade Leaf Valley by my lord's side, I came to understand. The lives of the powerless and pitiful peasants, or those even lower, are lives of being swayed by others. The same goes for Gu Cheong and all his subordinates.”
“…”
Pa-sun's passionate voice was sincere.
It seemed he had already hardened his resolve.
“But you were different, my lord. You provided me with what I needed, and as I followed your path step by step, I achieved astonishingly rapid growth. You even gave me an elixir and created a martial art and internal energy method just for me.”
“…”
“Even though you must have known I was cursing you behind your back.”
Whack!
I smacked Pa-sun on the head and said.
“There's no need for that useless addition to your words.”
“Th-that was… I'm sorry.”
Though that's what I said, I could clearly see Pa-sun's emotions, and I felt incredibly proud.
In truth, the reason I treated Pa-sun well wasn't because I expected anything, but as a reward for the information he'd given me, and also because I needed him.
But it seems Pa-sun mistook my intentions for unconditional trust and favor.
“And watching you speak with the Blade Leaf Demon, my lord, I realized. I realized what it means to act for a truly great cause, and what the true will of the Heavenly Demon Founder is.”
“…”
Thud!
Pa-sun dropped to his knees and pressed his forehead to the ground.
“Therefore, I, Pa-sun, pledge my eternal loyalty to you, my lord. From now on, I will follow you with all my heart.”
“…”
“Please, accept me as your official subordinate!”
I felt a strange emotion.
Truthfully, although my master, the Heavenly Demon, had asked this of me, I had never shaken the doubt of whether I could truly take charge of the Demonic Cult and change it.
I had merely intended to stop the Sichuan Tang Clan and lend my strength to his cause. But now, it seemed I was starting to become truly invested.
“Well… do as you please.”
“Th-thank you!”
‘Yes, this isn't so bad…’
“Thank you! Next time, I will definitely crush that bastard Un-pyo. Please look forward to it!”
Thud!
I smacked Pa-sun on the head once more and said.
“Learn some camaraderie too.”
“Ah… yes, I understand.”
And so, Pa-sun resolved to serve Mu-heun.
‘If the opportunity arises, I will tell him everything… about my family as well.’
* * *
-The next day, Blade Leaf Valley, Central Pavilion Training Ground.
The Blade Leaf Demon was seated in the spectator area, while Un-pyo was on the training ground, warming up with a greatsword engraved with a leaf.
I entered the training ground, cupped my fist to the Blade Leaf Demon, and spoke.
“You summoned me.”
“Yes, Fourth Young Master. I spoke to Un-pyo.”
“Yes.”
“The lad says he wants to have a go at you. Says he can't serve under someone weaker than him.”
Hah, I didn't expect him to come at it like this. Should I say this is just like him?
“I understand.”
I, too, picked up a sword and stepped onto the training ground.
“Fourth Young Master.”
“Yes, Sir Un-pyo.”
“I request a duel with you.”
“I accept your challenge.”