What Does Martial Arts Mean to Me?
No-ya watched Seo-ah’s awkward expression, then sighed as if he’d made up his mind. "I told you there was someone who wanted to meet you. Do you remember?"
Seo-ah recalled the words No-ya had tossed out casually before she underwent the marrow-washing body cleansing: "I don't think I'll have time later if I don't do it now. And there is someone who wants to see you."
"I remember."
"You were also curious why I was at the Gyomaguan back then, weren't you? It wasn't my intention, but I was there at that person's request."
"......"
"That request was to bring someone to them. And that person happened to be you. The one who asked me this might make a very heavy request of you. No, they will. So, before that happens, I want you to keep this in mind."
As the atmosphere grew heavy, Seo-ah pushed aside her lighthearted desire to show off her new appearance and focused on No-ya’s words.
"No matter what that person says. No matter how much they try to coax you with sweet words. The decision is yours. Whether you refuse that request or accept it, no one can blame you. Do you understand?"
"What kind of request is it?"
"Hmm... rather than me explaining it, it would be better to hear it directly from them."
Seo-ah nodded. Did she have questions? Plenty. Why did that person want her brought to them? Who were they that No-ya, the most exalted figure in the Cult, would so readily fulfill their request? Honestly, it didn't make sense. Back then... No-ya didn't even know about her talent, did he? Why would a high-ranking person seek out someone who was, at the time, nothing more than a mere maid? But she trusted No-ya’s request. She trusted his words. She had faith that he would never do anything to harm her.
Seo-ah nodded slowly. No-ya continued.
"Now, here is the main point. Before you meet them, there is something I must ask you. What does martial arts mean to you?"
Seo-ah closed her mouth.
What does martial arts mean to me?
Why did I want to learn martial arts? The answer came to mind sooner than she expected. Seo-ah thought back to the day she first received the martial arts manual from No-ya and learned the Naegong Simbeop. The day she used the moonlight as a candle to read the secret manual and forge her Dantian. What was she thinking back then?
'I wanted to climb higher.'
Compared to then, her mindset hadn't changed at all. This world was so different from the modern era. Human life was often treated as less than the dust on the street. She didn't want to die. She wanted to continue her life. To avoid having her life snatched away in vain, she had to climb. Martial arts was simply the means to that end. To her, martial arts was the brush that allowed her to safely finish the painting of her life.
This is what she thought: Martial arts had become her life itself. If she had picked up a brush, she would have made writing her life and become a bureaucrat. If she had picked up gold, she would have made commerce her life and become a merchant. Because the opportunity she grasped was No-ya’s sword, martial arts became her life.
'Is this answer enough?'
......Seo-ah organized her thoughts.
"To me, martial arts is simply life."
"Life?"
"Yes. I learned martial arts for my own peace. I have no grand cause. I have no lofty ambitions. Even if someone were to tell me I don't act like a true martial artist, I would have nothing to say to them."
"Why do you think that?"
"You asked me why I learn martial arts. I learned it to live today. I will learn it to live tomorrow, too. To live a life where no one can force their will upon me. To live a life where my existence is not swayed by others."
No-ya nodded silently. His expression was hard to read; it looked as if he were frowning at her un-martial-like words, yet also as if he were impressed by the depth of her answer. The important thing was that No-ya was listening to her. Seo-ah spoke her thoughts without hesitation.
"That will be the same for me next year. However, I don't know what I will become in the distant future. I might harbor grand ambitions. I might embrace a cause that everyone looks up to. Or I might end up no different from a black-path thug, settling for reality without harboring anything at all. But isn't all of this my life?"
"......"
"So I will say it. To me, martial arts has now become my life itself. It is life. Because I want to live. Because I am moving forward, and I do not know where my will might flow."
"Keep speaking."
"The reason I learn martial arts will change from moment to moment. Because, unlike the great figures in stories, I was not born with a grand cause."
Seo-ah defined her reason for learning martial arts that way. Life. Life itself. No-ya nodded.
"That is remarkable. I did not expect such a profound answer. At the very least, I understand well why you intend to learn martial arts. However, there is a point in your words that is incorrect."
"?"
"You said that great people are born with grand causes, but that is not true. Most people live their lives just as you described, finding meaning in their own existence, and naturally, a will for martial arts takes root within them."
No-ya smiled as if satisfied. "I don't think I need to worry."
"Worry?"
"It means I don't think you will be swayed no matter what that old fox says. Get up."
"So, who are we going to meet?"
"That is..."
That is? "I will tell you in the carriage after you say goodbye to your friends. Haha."
Seo-ah, feeling deflated, followed No-ya out the door. As they stepped out, No-ya remarked, "By the way, you really... have changed a lot."
"Really? How is it?"
"I couldn't even joke that you were ugly anymore."
"Right? Honestly, even if I'm not the best in the Central Plains, I'm at least the most beautiful in Xinjiang..."
"I don't think it's quite that much."
No-ya and Seo-ah walked down the hallway, exchanging such banter.
'I think I'll have to be away for a while.'
No-ya had said that while walking down the hall. Because of that, Seo-ah went to find the children to say her goodbyes. There was a minor happening where, because her appearance had changed so drastically, everyone except So-yul didn't recognize her for a moment.
"So-yul, how did you recognize me right away?"
"How could I forget the Boss's scent?"
Seo-ah was momentarily speechless, thinking of So-yul, who used to bury her face in her bedchamber. She shook her head slowly. Then, No-ya stepped forward and introduced himself. Perhaps they had heard from Dan-ryang that No-ya was the Sword Holy Sovereign, as they didn't seem as shocked as she expected. No-ya continued.
"Seo-ah must be away from here for a while. So I will ask. Do you all have a set place to stay?"
The twins and So-yul shook their heads, while Dan-ryang and So-so nodded, as they had places to go.
No-ya first asked Dan-ryang and So-so if they wanted anything in particular. Dan-ryang bowed her head and said, "I am fine. I was someone who owed a debt to Seo-ah."
"Is that so? If you need anything in the future, come find me at the Forest of Ten Thousand Swords."
Next, So-so spoke. "I... if it's alright with Seo-ah... ahem. I want to stay by Seo-ah's side..."
The maids of the Inner Hall usually handled the miscellaneous tasks of the Cult, but depending on the situation, they could be drafted as a personal maid for a True Disciple. So-so was saying she wanted to be her personal maid. No-ya looked at her, and Seo-ah nodded.
"I will do that. I will send word to the Inner Hall. Until we return, someone will be assigned to teach you the work you need to do."
"Thank you!"
Next were the twins. Since they had nowhere to go, No-ya spoke first. "If you are willing, I would like to accept you as swordsmen of the Forest of Ten Thousand Swords."
"By any chance, will Seo-ah unni be staying at the Sword Forest later too?"
"I believe so, for a while."
The twins looked at each other and nodded. Among the private martial organizations ruled by the Ten Demonic Monarchs, the Forest of Ten Thousand Swords was a better place to hone one's sword than any other sect or clan. It was a good thing.
Finally, it was So-yul's turn. This time, before No-ya could speak, So-yul spoke first, a step faster.
"I... I will go to the Sword Forest too!"
"You cannot."
"Then, let me go to the Inner Hall and stay with the Boss!"
"No."
So-yul’s expression soured. It was an insolent look, hard to believe it was directed at a Sovereign of the Cult. "Why not?"
"You already have a place where you belong, don't you?"
"Because of the Dark Cloud Scholar? I'm not his disciple anymore."
......Seo-ah looked at No-ya. Then, she saw No-ya’s Adam's apple bobbing. 'Voice transmission?'
A chilling silence flowed. So-yul approached Seo-ah with tears in her eyes. "Boss... I'll come find you soon. I'll send you letters, so you have to write back as soon as you get back, okay?"
Seo-ah’s eyes widened. No, So-yul, who usually took half a shichen to persuade even if she tried, was being persuaded this easily? Seo-ah said, flustered, "Uh... of course. I'll definitely send letters."
With that, everyone’s personal affairs were settled, and they said their goodbyes.
Clatter. Clatter.
Seo-ah, having boarded a carriage meant for distinguished guests rather than one for moving luggage—a carriage on a different level than the one she took to the Gyomaguan—recalled what happened earlier and asked No-ya, "How did you get So-yul to back down?"
"I used the future as collateral."
"What?"
"It's a secret."
Seo-ah asked No-ya persistently several more times after that, but No-ya repeated the word "secret" like a parrot. Eventually, giving up, Seo-ah leaned her body against the plush carriage and asked something else.
"So, who are we going to meet? You said you'd tell me in the carriage earlier."
"We are going to meet a high-ranking person."
"A high-ranking person?"
With the positions of Cult Leader and Divine Maiden currently vacant, wasn't the highest expert representing the Cult one of the Ten Demonic Monarchs? Seo-ah asked back, "Is there someone higher than No-ya?"
"There is exactly one."
"Who?"
"The Left Emissary of Light."