Rewarding Merit
Inside his carriage, No Dae-won, the magistrate of Sambong-hyeon, wore a grin stretched from ear to ear.
"Truly remarkable, wouldn't you say?"
"Is that so."
The man who answered him was clad in golden armor, helmet and all, even within the confines of the carriage. The single golden sword tucked at his waist was clearly no ordinary weapon—one look at the hilt made that plain.
This man was Eun Jinsan, Vice Commissioner of Senior Rank Three in the Kingdom of Jeok.
The post of Vice Commissioner was by no means a lowly one.
The supreme power in the Kingdom of Jeok was, of course, the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
Its highest commander was a man called Danri Se-ak, the Commissioner—a master who, at present, had reached the considerable Realm of Myth.
Directly beneath the Commissioner stood the Vice Commissioners.
Only two such posts existed in all of Jeok, and Eun Jinsan, the man before No Dae-won, held one of them. And this man obeyed not the Emperor's command, but the command of the War King.
The War King, In Cheon.
Yes.
Everything Yi Do had set in motion could now be settled without incident.
The War King was exceptionally well disposed toward men of the martial world. And Yi Do knew his own worth.
He had slipped a letter to the War King through No Dae-won. Its contents were simple.
I will give you a land.
That was how the letter opened. When the War King read it, he burst out laughing—and he was already a man prone to laughter, but the rest of the letter nearly split his belly.
Yi Do had finished settling accounts with the Jeok royal house, and he intended to repay that debt. He would tear every martial artist in Jangan Commandery limb from limb, so come and take this land. In return, a branch of the Asura Sword Sect would be established there, and he would cooperate closely with the authorities to maintain order. Beyond that, the letter was filled with formal pleasantries—but the War King found it thoroughly to his liking.
The War King said but one thing:
This insolent whelp dares to make use of Jim.
It wasn't a matter of insight. The intent was so transparent he couldn't have missed it if he tried.
And yet, that very thing—
I like it. Eun Jinsan, you will go. Go and secure our claim to Jangan Commandery.
The words carried a double meaning.
And Eun Jinsan grasped the War King's intent with perfect clarity.
Eun Jinsan spoke to No Dae-won sitting before him.
"If that martialist Yi Do fails to bring Jangan Commandery fully under his control, this entire affair will be laid at his feet. The War King has never intervened, nor have I. But if he does bring it under his control completely—"
Eun Jinsan paused, weighing his words. Hmm. That phrasing would do.
"The Kingdom of Jeok's territory will expand, and the Yeon State will be powerless to do anything about it."
No Dae-won smiled faintly.
"It will surely come to pass. That man is a martialist unlike any of the common sorts we've seen until now."
"Is he, now."
"Indeed. Clear-headed, decisive, and a man among men—if he gives his word, he will keep it, whatever the cost."
"Well, he was no ordinary martialist, so I suppose slaughtering the imperial guard wholesale was within character."
On that matter, No Dae-won had nothing to say.
Because it was true.
"Think nothing of it. The War King has taken a liking to him. If he has pleased the War King's eye, then he has pleased mine all the same."
"...Truly, the pride of the Embroidered Uniform Guard... I, No Dae-won, am in awe."
Before long, the carriage came to a halt.
No Dae-won and Eun Jinsan stepped down.
Three men stood waiting before them, drenched in blood from head to toe—and of the three, Eun Jinsan's gaze fixed on one in particular.
He didn't need to ask who was who.
That man was Yi Do.
Yi Do cupped his hands in a salute.
"I am Yi Do."
"...I am Eun Jinsan."
"I never expected to meet a Vice Commissioner of the Embroidered Uniform Guard in a place like this."
"The pleasantries are done. Now—how did the business fare? Was it concluded as written in the letter?"
Yi Do nodded.
Truthfully, he was a little impressed.
Eun Jinsan had reached the Realm of Harmony in his own right. And in that man's eyes, Yi Do appeared to be at Three Harmonies Tranquility.
Yet with merely that level of cultivation, he had cleared out an entire region this vast?
...Insane was the only word for it, and even that felt insufficient.
It was extraordinary.
No one else could have done such a thing. Who else would even have thought to drag the War King into it?
And the War King had taken a liking to the man.
Now that he considered it, it was entirely deserved.
The unease Eun Jinsan had harbored was settled by this. He had needed to change his bearing. He had not doubted the War King's judgment, but it was also true that this man called Yi Do had struck him as ambiguous.
No longer.
Eun Jinsan returned the salute with meticulous courtesy.
"You have labored hard."
Even his manner of speech had shifted.
But Yi Do, as though he had expected exactly this—as though certain this show would come—simply bowed once more in silence. Eun Jinsan spoke.
"We will handle what remains. The officials will be dealt with, so do not trouble yourself."
"Ah, there is something I wished to say on that subject as well."
"By all means."
"I have already taken care of the officials here."
"...Taken care of them?"
"I killed the county governor and put down two hundred constables."
"..."
"All you need do is go in and occupy the place."
"...I... see... Truly... decisive work."
Since ascending to the Realm of Harmony, he had never once been this flustered. What could he even say...
Heh.
Laughing in sheer disbelief, Eun Jinsan raised his hand.
At that signal, the thousand Embroidered Uniform Guards standing at attention behind them all dropped to one knee in unison.
"Hear me. Today, Jangan Commandery becomes territory of the Kingdom of Jeok. Go, seize the government offices, divide the villages among yourselves, and station our soldiers throughout the commandery."
The golden guards roared as one.
"Your command!"
Eun Jinsan stepped forward. Brushing past Yi Do's side, he murmured in a low voice.
"I would like to share a drink with you before long, if you would permit it?"
"There is no need to lower your speech. A man of your standing—a Vice Commissioner—has no obligation to honor a mere martialist with formal address."
"No, you are no mere martialist. You are one who has pleased His eye, and beyond that you have proven your own worth. To speak down to you would be to belittle his discernment—how could I do such a thing?"
"I understand."
"And I thank you for understanding. Arrange the meeting as you see fit. The place matters not—Jangan Commandery or Sambong-hyeon, either will serve. I will come to you."
"I intend to remain in Jangan Commandery for the time being. I will send word soon."
"Good."
And so Eun Jinsan led the golden guards off to occupy Jangan Commandery, while No Dae-won, who had waited quietly, approached Yi Do with a sly smile.
"You've labored hard. Truly, hard."
"Hard, yes—but the results were worth it, so you, my lord magistrate, who stood with me, will also reap a fine reward. In a case like this... the governorship itself would be that reward, I should think."
No Dae-won burst into laughter. Even imagining it put him in high spirits.
"I will take my leave first."
"Of course. Go and rest. I will follow that gentleman and see to matters on the political side."
"As you wish."
No Dae-won and the constables of Sambong-hyeon trailed after Eun Jinsan.
Yi Do exhaled slowly.
It was finished.
"You've worked hard."
At Un Dohyeon's words, he gave a light nod.
"...This insane scheme... it actually worked."
That was Myeong Hyeon.
"Did you think it would fail?"
"To be honest? Yes. I thought it would fail."
"Your faith is lacking."
"...It isn't just me. Anyone in my place would have thought the same."
Then—
"Why did you fight alongside me?"
"...Does the reason matter? I just... did."
"Just did? When the arrows came flying at the Pung clan's estate, you loosened your blood pathways to shield me. Was that also just something you did?"
"Well... I just went where my heart led... and, er, whatever... I don't see what's wrong with trying to save someone. Heartlessly."
Yi Do rested a hand on Myeong Hyeon's shoulder.
He had been a shadow of the Imperial Sword Sect—but a man who wished to escape that shadow.
Myeong Hyeon surely had troubles of his own. His very existence was indeed fatal, but that much could be treated.
"Myeong Hyeon."
"...Yes?"
"I hope that heart of yours never changes."
"...What is this sudden nonsense? You're frightening me."
Yi Do chuckled and lowered his hand.
"I have things to say. When the sun sets, come find me alone."
"Now I'm growing properly afraid. What could you possibly want to say?"
There were too many watchful eyes here. And too many listening ears.
At the very least, it was not a conversation for a public place.
He turned to Un Dohyeon next.
"Is everyone gathered at the Jangan branch?"
"Yes. All of them."
It felt as though the long, long day had finally ended—but in truth, it was not over yet.
As of today, this Jangan Commandery had definitively become territory of the Kingdom of Jeok.
Moreover, the single greatest force behind its conquest had been Yi Do, and Yi Do belonged to the Asura Sword Sect.
Which meant that a branch of the Asura Sword Sect rightfully belonged here.
Put another way—
This land had become the sect's domain. A new vein of gold had opened.
Yes.
The most important thing of all.
Rewarding merit.
Yi Do never forgot a grievance. But he never forgot a debt of gratitude, either.
He would reward generously.
Generously enough that people would whisper he played favorites.
He turned around.
"To the Jangan branch."
"Yes, my lord."
Around the time the distribution of rewards was beginning at the Jangan branch, a reckoning of merit was underway at the Asura Sword Sect as well.
Strictly speaking, "rewarding merit" was perhaps not quite the right term, but the spirit of it was the same.
"Hahaha... truly... who could have imagined such a thing."
"...Sect Master, I share that opinion... but this is not a matter to be taken lightly."
"What is?"
"...Yi Do. I knew his hand was decisive, but I never imagined it was this decisive. He has invaded another's territory and seized it. Sect Master."
Dokgo Dan-ya regarded Sangguan Yeonhwi, Master of the Asura Pavilion, with steady eyes. Go on.
"Is this man... truly the 'future' of our Asura Sword Sect?"
Dokgo Dan-ya simply continued to look at him. The weight of that gaze was considerable, but Sangguan Yeonhwi gave no sign of it. Nor did he look away.
Slowly, Dokgo Dan-ya's mouth opened.
"You've grown old, too."
"...I beg your pardon?"
"Yeonhwi. Do you believe the murim as it stands today is a righteous world?"
"...I don't follow..."
"I am an insect."
Sangguan Yeonhwi jolted in alarm.
"Sect Master! How can you say such a thing—!"
"You are an insect as well. The elders are insects, every martialist gathered there is an insect, and all the people of the world are insects. Insects who wield swords, insects who wear official hats, insects who study, insects who throw fists, insects who weave schemes."
Yeonhwi was appalled.
"...Sect Master... no, my lord... why would you demean yourself so? You are, and never could be, an insect."
An enigmatic smile touched the corners of Dokgo Dan-ya's mouth.
Truth, he had meant to say, sometimes brings a pain that wrings the heart from its shell—but the words went unsaid. There was no need to voice them.
The burden was enough for one man to carry.
And yet—
...No.
Regarding Sangguan Yeonhwi with a strange expression, Dokgo Dan-ya changed the subject.
"They say Yi Do laid hands on the government and seized territory. Has anything changed because of it?"
"...In the end, there will be war. Enemies will multiply, and we may face a joint campaign against us."
"But followers will appear as well. Allies, too."
"Isn't that rather optimistic?"
"Yeonhwi, there are already those who follow Yi Do, and allies have already emerged."
"..."
"The clans of Sambong-hyeon, and now the clans of Jangan Commandery, will follow Yi Do. Moreover, a man called the War King has come to regard him with favor. If anything, I am the one who worries."
"...Worry, you say?"
"I worry the War King may take Yi Do from us, Yeonhwi."
"...I see."
"If the whole murim were to turn against our Asura Sword Sect, what would you do?"
"I would fight."
"Good. That is precisely why you are Master of the Asura Pavilion. Because your will and mine are one."
"Sect Master..."
"If my words trouble you—that Yi Do is the future of our sect—then watch the results."
"..."
"Come to think of it, when the boy first entered the sect, he said something to me."
"...May I ask what?"
"He said he had his doubts about whether the Asura Sword Sect could hold him."
Sangguan Yeonhwi swallowed hard.
"Looking at you, I finally understand what he meant. And it isn't only you—the elders right now are thinking much the same. Am I wrong?"
"...No. With Elder Chodong excepted, the rest of the elders are raising a fierce protest at this very moment. They're demanding he be dismissed from office at once."
Dokgo Dan-ya tilted his head.
"Chodong is staying silent?"
"Yes."
"Why, I wonder. Do you know the reason?"
"...I can't say. If he is belatedly repenting his own failings, then so much the better—but if he is instead weaving schemes behind the scenes..."
"Then things become tiresome."
Dokgo Dan-ya found the whole situation fascinating.
Was it not as though the game itself had been rigged from the start?
Let it be said plainly: he had intended none of this.
And yet it had come to pass—
Which meant the current of the world had moved of its own accord. And that, we call destiny.
"What is to be done about Neung Don?"
"...No one has made contact with him yet. Perhaps it is time to begin loosening his confinement, little by little."
Dokgo Dan-ya shook his head.
"If no one has approached Neung Don, then someone has approached another elder. Set watchers on every elder in the sect. Quietly."
"Yes, Sect Master."
Dokgo Dan-ya regarded Sangguan Yeonhwi with a look of quiet fondness.
"Yeonhwi."
"Yes, Sect Master."
"What does it truly mean, to live without regret?"
"...Sect Master..."
"And what does it mean, to offer loyalty while deceiving oneself?"
"..."
"It means one stands upright before oneself—and, contradictorily, does not."
Yeonhwi's expression stiffened. It was the face of a man who could not begin to grasp what Dokgo Dan-ya was trying to say.
Then, abruptly, Dokgo Dan-ya changed the subject again.
"By the way—why is it that our branch master has never learned the martial arts of the Asura Sword Sect?"
Disciples of the Asura Sword Sect learned the Asura Heart Sutra as a foundation. Upon rising to branch master rank, they learned the Asura Softened Heaven Art—and as cultivation methods, the efficacy of these two arts far surpassed ordinary heart sutras.
There were many sword arts as well. The Twelve Forms of the Asura Sword, the Asura Three Swords, and so on.
Yi Do had learned none of them. Had never used a single one.
There was a reason for that.
"...Well, ordinarily the Great Elder should have granted them, but he went straight into seclusion and seems to have been unable to pass them along."
Dokgo Dan-ya laughed.
"It seems our Great Elder has at last attained a genuine enlightenment this time. He will likely enter the Realm of Entering Divinity... I do wonder where our Great Elder's limits truly lie."
"Hard to say. It is beyond me to judge—but might he even glimpse what lies beyond that?"
Dokgo Dan-ya burst into laughter.
No one knew when the Great Elder would emerge. But when he did, he would surely become a great asset.
What mattered now was Yi Do.
"No matter how I look at it, that boy Yi Do is the genuine article."
"..."
"To keep a talent like that bound to the Asura Sword Sect, there is only one thing for it in the end—debts and gratitude."
Dokgo Dan-ya drew a single volume from within his robes and tossed it to Sangguan Yeonhwi. Catching it in both hands, Yeonhwi's eyes went wide with shock.
The Dark Asura Heavenly Sword.
That was what the cover read.
This art was Dokgo Dan-ya's secret inheritance—a technique passed down, generation to generation, solely to the Sect Masters of the Asura Sword Sect.
"S... Sect Master...?"
"Why so startled?"
"...Nothing. You must have your reasons. Am I simply to deliver this?"
Dokgo Dan-ya nodded.
"And he has fully exposed the truth of the massacre across every branch of Sambong-hyeon, and handled the aftermath without a single loose thread. He deserves separate compensation for that as well—see that it is arranged properly, Yeonhwi. That task is yours."
"Yes. Understood."
"Go, then."
Sangguan Yeonhwi saluted with formal courtesy and withdrew from the Sect Master's hall.
Left alone, Dokgo Dan-ya lifted his head and gazed upon the Asura—the very symbol of the Asura Sword Sect.
He stood that way for a long while.
Across the grounds, the Shura banners rippled in the wind.
Could those banners one day be planted over all the world?
In this vast, boundless murim, Dokgo Dan-ya gazed at a single thing.
The world.
I want the whole world beneath my feet.
And yet, the more he considered it, the more impossible it seemed.
Was it that he lacked the vessel for it?
"...An insect who wields a sword, hm. Not a bad line."
He intended to struggle. Once, at least.
Just then—
BOOM. The doors of the Sect Master's hall burst open. Dokgo Dan-ya turned, and his eyes went round as saucers.
"Great Elder...?"
It was Myo Man-ri.
"Hey there, Sect Master! I've entered the Realm of Entering Divinity! Hehehehehe!"
Dokgo Dan-ya smiled faintly.
"I always knew you would ascend someday—I simply never imagined you would climb so soon."
"Hehehehe, save the pleasantries—let's have a spar."
Apparently he hadn't expected an answer from Dokgo Dan-ya in the first place. Myo Man-ri planted his stance—his speed, the shift of qi around him, every last measure of it was not the Realm of Harmony.
It was the Realm of Entering Divinity.
The first thing Myo Man-ri did upon breaking his seclusion and entering Entering Divinity was to hurl himself at the Sect Master.
Amused, Dokgo Dan-ya laughed as he drew the Asura Heavenly Sword. His blade swept out, riding a howling gale.
Thunder fell upon Myo Man-ri.
KKWAAANG—!