Name Your Sword
"Sixteen years ago, there were five Great Swordsmen in White Cloud City. They were a different breed from the three Great Swordsmen of today," Jeong Sam-seok began.
"However, a tragedy occurred. One of the five died, and another was banished from White Cloud City. Though he wasn't officially stripped of his title, he was forced to wander the outer lands forever, forbidden from returning to the city for the rest of his life."
"Was that person you, Master?" Bukjin asked.
Jeong Sam-seok nodded. "You figured it out quickly."
'Isn't it weirder not to figure it out?' Bukjin thought, recalling the typical lines of drama protagonists he’d seen back on Earth.
Jeong Sam-seok continued his tale. "My master was one of the seven successors of White Cloud City at the time. His name was Mak Yu-geon, known as the White Cloud Immortal Sword. He was originally the rightful first heir to the position of City Lord. However, he gave up that seat to protect me. Afterward, I was driven out of White Cloud City and wandered the empire before finally settling here in Unmong City. When I left, a single condition was imposed upon me: I would only earn the right to return if I could raise a swordsmanship genius as brilliant as my deceased Senior Brother, who had been one of the five Great Swordsmen. Only then could I see my master again."
Jeong Sam-seok recounted his past with stark brevity.
"Then why did your Senior Brother die?" Bukjin asked.
"It’s a complicated story," Jeong Sam-seok replied. "But it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say he died because of me."
Hearing this, all sorts of theories swirled in Bukjin’s head. However, he felt that prying too much would be disrespectful to his master. "Did you like that Senior Brother very much, Master?"
Jeong Sam-seok nodded, his eyes distant as if lost in memory. "The five Great Swordsmen were originally just talented individuals within White Cloud City. But it was our eldest Senior Brother who shook the entire North Sea Empire and made us famous. He was the most skilled, the most radiant among us—our pride. Only he had the right to teach and scold us. Without him, we wouldn't exist. To the four of us who remained, he wasn't just a Senior Brother; he was a mentor and a father figure."
"I see."
For some reason, Sim Bi came to Bukjin's mind. Sim Bi had been like a master and a brother to the geniuses Yi Do and Do Man-seong at the National Imperial Junior Academy, earning their absolute trust. Even after Sim Bi fell into Demonic Possession, the two had overcome their fear to try and help him. In the end, however, they were consumed—their blood and flesh absorbed by the possessed Sim Bi. Because of that incident, both of their families had fallen into complete ruin.
Through Jeong Sam-seok, Bukjin began to understand the causal links of the past and decided not to ask any more questions. Though he was still curious about certain details, Jeong Sam-seok looked like he didn't want to be interrogated further. Bukjin sensed that pushing him now would only serve to reopen old wounds and scars from years ago.
"I heard from Dean Cho Heun that Jo Pacheon used to be your disciple," Bukjin said, his expression tinged with curiosity. "Did you choose him back then because you hoped he would become a genius like your Senior Brother, allowing you to return to White Cloud City?"
"That’s right," Jeong Sam-seok answered. "I didn't realize Cho Heun had such a loose tongue. He told you everything, didn't he?"
After a brief hesitation, Jeong Sam-seok spoke again. "Back then, my master did everything in his power to protect me. Because of that, the other three Great Swordsmen forgave me. However, they set a condition: every three years, we would hold a Sword-Testing Pact. They would bring their disciples to Unmong City to test my progress. Out of the three, Junior Brother Baek hates me the most. That’s because he was the one who respected our eldest Senior Brother the most. He viewed him as an idol and an older brother. That’s why he’s always the most aggressive when the Sword-Testing Pact comes around..."
'So that's how it happened,' Bukjin thought, finally realizing the truth behind the events.
"Three years ago, when Junior Brother Baek came to Unmong City, he saw Jo Pacheon. He was captivated by the boy's talent and lured him away with all sorts of tempting offers. That was how Jo Pacheon came to serve Junior Brother Baek as his master, entering his tutelage and becoming a member of White Cloud City."
Jeong Sam-seok gave a simple explanation of what had happened three years prior. Hearing this, Bukjin scratched his head.
"Isn't Baek Hae-geum's eye for talent a bit lacking? From what I've seen, that Jo Pacheon guy isn't all that great. Seeing as he betrayed you for his own gain, he’ll probably betray White Cloud City the moment a bigger profit dangles in front of him."
Jeong Sam-seok didn't respond. He stared at the moonlight reflecting on the surface of the pond, lost in deep thought. It was as if he were retracing the years of his life. After a moment, he reached into his robe and pulled out a small wooden statue.
The statue was carved in the likeness of a kind-looking old man with a sage-like aura. He wore a very ordinary white, cloud-patterned robe. His clean, transcendent face bore a gentle smile. Even at a glance, the statue captured the spirit of someone who had transcended the mundane world.
"Is this the master you mentioned? The one who gave up everything to protect you?" Bukjin asked.
Jeong Sam-seok nodded. "Yes. It is him."
Looking at the statue, Bukjin suddenly spoke up. "You said his name was Mak Yu-geon? Judging by his appearance, he looks like he didn't have much money."
Thwack!
Jeong Sam-seok raised his hand and gave Bukjin a sharp rap on the head.
"How dare you utter such nonsense about your Grandmaster?"
Bukjin clutched his head, looking aggrieved. "Master, didn't you just ask me who I was a moment ago? Like we were strangers?"
"And yet! Didn't you say that once a master, always a master?"
"I'm starting to regret saying that. I acknowledged you as my master, but you haven't given me a single gift since taking me in as a disciple, have you?"
"Ho ho! You were happy enough to hop on my boat, but now that it looks like it's sinking, you want to jump off?"
"Huh? Wait a minute. It looks like you have another statue in your robe... Who's that? Is it your eldest Senior Brother? My... Great-Uncle Master?"
"No... You brat! Stop talking nonsense! Where would I have another statue in my robe? There's nothing, I tell you!"
"I definitely saw it..."
Thwack!
"Ouch! Are you resorting to violence because you're losing the argument?"
Bukjin intentionally joked around to lighten the mood. It seemed to work, as Jeong Sam-seok’s spirits appeared much improved. Just then, the boys and girls finished selecting their swords. Everyone had chosen a blade that suited them.
Bukjin returned to his spot, dragging his greatsword across the ground and sending sparks flying. Baek Geum-un had also returned to her place.
"You really chose that sword?" Bukjin asked, surprised as he looked at the blue greatsword in Baek Geum-un's hand.
"What do you mean by that?" Baek Geum-un asked, her eyes wide like a startled rabbit.
"You're the one who said this sword suited me, Senior!"
"Uh..."
In truth, Bukjin had just been joking around. But seeing Baek Geum-un's current mood, he felt like she might actually cut him down if he told her the truth. He quickly used his wits to answer.
"Ah, right! Of course! I examined it very closely. You can rest easy."
At that, Baek Geum-un's darkening expression brightened once more. Watching her, Bukjin thought to himself, 'Something's weird. Since when did this haughty girl start listening to me so obediently?'
However, Bukjin's words hadn't been entirely a joke. Earlier, when he had used his mental power to examine the swords, he had felt an energy from the greatsword Baek Geum-un chose that was remarkably similar to her own. 'Maybe her choosing this sword wasn't a mistake after all?'
While they were talking, the other youths were also carefully examining their chosen blades. Among them, Dongbang Jeon had selected a dark red saw-toothed sword. The energy of the saw-toothed blade was very similar to his fire-attribute Hyeongi. Hyeol Yeom chose a rapier as red as blood, while Song Cheong-bong picked a triple-edged sword. Im Hae-dang chose a Gold-Bone Jade Sword, which perfectly matched his flamboyant attire. Song Gyeol-il, meanwhile, had opted for an orange dagger.
Bukjin took a closer look to see what Jo Pacheon had picked. The sword chosen by the so-called genius of geniuses from White Cloud City was a pale gold blade with an exceptionally wide edge.
"Now, it seems everyone has chosen a sword. I hope you are satisfied and trust in your choices," Yeo Nak-yeon announced. Her voice rang out clearly to everyone present. "The next step is to name your sword. Among the distinguished guests here today is Master Beom Jo-ang, the successor of Grandmaster Beom. Once you have named your swords, the Master will engrave those names upon them. From that moment on, the sword will truly belong to you."
Name Your Sword.
The veteran swordsmen in the audience all smiled with expectant expressions. Among the youths who had chosen their swords, some seemed to already have a name in mind, while others looked deeply conflicted.
'Name your sword.' It sounded like a simple task. However, a sword's name was meant to contain one's will. The name is determined by the intent and ambition held in the heart of the swordsman who wields it. In other words, this step was a test of the young swordsmen's attitude and resolve toward the path of the sword.
"I shall name my sword Indomitable," Dongbang Jeon declared, handing his red saw-toothed blade to Beom Jo-ang.
Hearing this, the veteran swordsmen nodded in approval. The sword he had chosen was a saw-toothed blade with countless jagged edges. Giving such a sword the name Indomitable—signifying that he would never yield, no matter the obstacles—was a true reflection of his will. It was a name that perfectly suited Dongbang Jeon's stubborn and unbending personality. His surname was Dongbang (East), and his given name was Jeon (War). It resonated with the meaning: 'A warrior does not yield.' It was a fine name that captured the essence of the Unity of Man and Sword.