Endless Tears and the Dawn of Resolve
Endless tears streamed down her cheeks.
“Kuhk!”
The excruciating pain clawing at her chest forced her to buckle at the knees and bow her head. She could scarcely lift her gaze to where her sister lay. Amid the relentless agony ripping through her heart, she couldn’t even wail aloud. She was a sinner.
Sister!
All she could do now was hold her ground here. No matter what abuse others hurled at her, this was what she had to do.
Mu Yun approached quietly. For the first time, he gently placed a hand on her shoulder. He had no choice if he wanted to speak to her with her face buried. A moment later, her head, still wracked with sobs, lifted slowly. The streams of tears tracing her cheeks showed no sign of stopping. Her lips, twisted in grief, trembled faintly.
Now the sole parent to So-ryeo, there was something she absolutely had to say to him.
“……I’m sorry.”
Mu Yun slowly shook his head. He, too, had words he must deliver.
“It’s what she wanted. No one’s at fault.”
“…….”
“You saw it, didn’t you?”
“……?”
“Did the smile she wore until the end, gazing at you, ever change?”
“……!”
“She did it to show you. If it had been anything else, I would’ve stopped her first.”
“……!”
Mu Yun handed her a single letter.
“You’ll understand when you read it.”
“……?”
A moment later, her trembling eyes fixed on one spot. A short message was written there.
I don’t even know how many times I’ve rewritten this. It got too long as I wrote, but now it’s shorter. You must have felt it—the meaning behind this dance. I wanted you to show it to So-ryeo. You know it’s in my place, right? And I want to see you walking the path I couldn’t. Take good care of So-ryeo. My sister, Seo-yeon.
Like desolate waves crashing in the night, washing over her as she was buried, the image of the departed rippled at the edges of her misty eyes. Her slumped back shuddered violently with surging emotion. The muffled sobs she’d stifled broke free through her hands, as if she could hold them back no longer. Her churning chest finally unleashed its pent-up grief.
“Kuhk! Kuhuhk!”
Belated regret and resentment poured forth in endless wails.
“Huuuung! Kuhuhk!”
The moon rose, stars twinkled. Darkness spread its wings of night. For a long while, the stars scattered their light across the void. Only when the tears rolling down her face had fully subsided did the dawn light pierce the morning mist, climbing the horizon.
Her head, bowed through the forgotten night, lifted slowly. The renewed fire in her eyes burned with an intensity never seen before. Yuseon’s heartfelt wish burrowed deep into her soul, churning like a tempest.
Sister! ……I will. I promise.
The freshly risen sun sparkled in her eyes, carrying the fresh clarity of dawn.
＊ ＊ ＊
The next day, atop a peak on Mang-san.
Gong Ya-seong spoke softly.
“Time to head down.”
“Yeah.”
Mu Yun circled the peak once more. The place where he’d bid farewell to his friend Yeo Dan. This time, he’d sent Yuseon off on the wind as well. It was what she wanted.
Not long ago, she had asked.
—Bangju-nim. Where are you off to?
—Yeah. To Mang-san.
—You go there often? For some fresh air?
—Something like that. And to meet a friend.
—A friend?
—Someone I sent off from there. I think of him sometimes.
—……Then you’ll keep going there from now on?
—As long as I’m alive.
—……!
Yuseon had left a letter for Mu Yun too. Two requests. To pass on the heart method to Jin Seo-yeon. And to send her off here. So that when he came to visit his friend, he’d remember her a little. Then they could meet forever.
Yeah. I’ll come often.
She’d written about So-ryeo’s birth father, Ha Hu Cheon-gi, too. Never tell him, or anyone. Only then could she grow as Mu Yun’s true daughter.
I’ll do that. Don’t worry.
Now, only Gong Ya-seong and he knew the truth.
Mu Yun’s gaze turned to the distant sky. The warm gift left behind by the departed, filling his heart.
I’ll raise her well. No more mistakes.
One mistake with Wol So-ryeo from his previous life was enough. That was why this was a promise he owed Yuseon—and a vow etched in his soul.
If there’s someone So-ryeo truly loves, no matter who, I’ll quietly watch over her and cheer her on. I’ll help, but never interfere.
It was also the way to repay what he owed Yeo Hwi and Wol So-ryeo.
As they descended the peak and entered the mountain path, Mu Yun’s brows furrowed sharply. The most chilling smile he could muster curved his lips.
Of all times, you show up now!
Right after sending off someone dear, one fool was stealthily tailing them. He had no intention of letting it slide.
As he raised his inner energy and focused, Mu Yun’s eyes flashed. A chilling aura crept up his spine. Three years had passed, but he’d never forget it.
This was definitely that.
Jeok-un Munju Seol Do-seung!
He hadn’t sensed it last time, but now the resonance was clear.
A scoff escaped him.
Coming alone? I could carry you back.
Without Seol Do-seung, Jeok-un Mun would lose its center. And here he was, walking right into it. No need to alert those he cared for.
“Go on ahead. I’ll follow slowly.”
Gong Ya-seong paused, then guessed.
“You sent her off well. Don’t linger too long.”
“Got it.”
As the group descended, Mu Yun veered into the woods. After a few steps, his eyes narrowed.
The inner energy feels different.
Something was off. He unleashed his full power, scanning the forest again.
Weeeing!
The chill was unmistakably what he’d felt from Seol Do-seung, but up close, the pursuer’s energy was distinct.
Only when he drew near did certainty strike.
Not Seol Do-seung. But what is this similar aura?
No need to ponder further.
Sasak!
The foe revealed himself.
“Thanks for coming. I was tempted to carry you.”
Black martial robes, wide bamboo hat. His storm-like aura already erupted unchecked. And the unknown energy laced within his power. Mu Yun had to ask.
“Who are you?”
“Why the hat, then? Make it quick.”
Mu Yun hesitated briefly. Ask first or strike first? Simple.
Both.
He pulled back his stance.
Papat!
“You came for me, right?”
“If you’re Cheong-ho Bangju!”
“That’s me.”
“Good enough.”
Words barely ended, the hatted man cleaved the air.
Hwik!
His speed revealed his caliber.
Definitely past Cho-jeol-jeong.
Mu Yun retreated without shifting his forward gaze.
Papat!
“A few more questions.”
“No talk!”
No point prodding one who’d shut his mouth. Better to let bodies speak.
“Fair enough.”
“……?”
A chase unfolded between relentless pursuer and deliberate prey.
Shik! Papat! Suuk!
Branches snapped in the wake of their windborne movements.
Tuduk! Tik! Tidik!
The pursuer’s enveloping aura intensified. Even with heightened power fused to his clan’s ultimate technique, the half-zhang gap wouldn’t close. Seo-mun Yeom-ho’s eyes twitched. The foe darted through six zhangs with unnatural ease.
As expected, he’s fast in tight spaces.
Rumors held true—his steps, infused with external arts into inner energy, danced freely through confines. At least he wasn’t fleeing outward.
His lightness skill must lack power.
Mu Yun had no intent to widen the gap. He was still questioning with his body. But even scouring his meridians dozens of times with Sin-gi Sim-ui Gong yielded no answers to the odd energy. Time for another way.
Have to touch him.
With the thought, he leaped back, creating space.
Shik!
He voiced his honest sentiment.
“Guess it won’t work.”
A pleased smile rose on Seo-mun Yeom-ho’s face.
“Smart choice. Time to end it.”
“You’re right.”
Seo-mun Yeom-ho summoned a majestic aura. Pure inner energy surged from his dantian like a tide.
Wooong!
Intangible force heated his body; he poised to stomp with amplified steps—when the foe charged first.
Papat!
Grateful, Seo-mun Yeom-ho obliged.
I’ll kill you painlessly.
Blazing qi poured into his sword strike. But as they clashed, his eyes bulged. The faint smile vanished.
W-what is that?
The initial closing speed was just enough to rile a warrior’s spirit. Yet the storm-like aura around the foe’s hand gaped his mouth. Overwhelming pressure made his body quake involuntarily. His voice boomed.
“N-no way!”
His raised hand shimmered with azure light. The dense aura spiraled upward. Through energy projection, it materialized—not mere pressure, but qi. As the glow condensed, the air roiled.
Wooong!
The qi, warping the surroundings like raging waves, targeted him.
Weeeing!
Seo-mun Yeom-ho’s eyes widened. A short cry escaped.
“Kwangang!”
The billowing, potent energy was sword aura’s kin—fist aura. Unmistakable. He’d strived for its essence, witnessed it in countless clan battles.
One thought flashed.
Not the target.
But instinct ruled now. A hazy afterimage blurred perception’s limits. Speed beyond expectation rang alarms in his mind.
Huk!
Now he knew. The initial charge was a feint—to trap his feet. Ruthless dread chilled his spine.
Dodge!
No time for defense. The searing aura already scorched his skin like wildfire. All he could do: retreat while thrusting his sword.
Shik!
But as howling wind and azure light blinded him—
Peok!
Shuuuk!
Not the fist cloaked in kwangang. Distracted, he missed the other hand. Agony from that punch blanked his mind. Despair crashed like a tidal wave.
To fall like this.
Kwangang varied wildly—size, density marking realms. This foe drew it instantly, vividly. Compared to his sect elders—
Peak Cho-jeol-jeong.
Thought ended. Eyes glazing, consciousness faded. In his falling vision, the foe’s curious gaze lingered. Seeking his identity, no doubt. But he could do nothing now but seal his lips.
Tuuk!
A while later, cold earth against his back snapped Seo-mun Yeom-ho’s eyes open slightly.
H-here!
Through slitted lids, the face from before. Darkness of unconsciousness reclaimed his vision. Memory was reality.
A!
His chest clenched; eyes shut. What remained—process unknown—was inevitable. As regrets surged, one sharp one filled his head.
I should’ve investigated more.
He’d trusted Seo-mun Chaeryeong too fully. Even with the clan’s recent pill boosting his realm. All too late, of course.