Chapter 102: Window of the Heart (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 102: Window of the Heart (3)
Seok Myeong turned his gaze toward Song Hak.
“Martial Uncle Song Hak, what are you implying?”
“You insolent wretch! I witnessed that duel with my own eyes! Do you dare betray your masters and ancestors by lying to us now?!”
Seok Myeong looked at him, bewildered.
This was different from what Cheol Mu-jin had promised. The elder had been certain that Song Hak would keep his mouth shut.
Furthermore, Song Hak had looked uncomfortable until just a moment ago. What could have caused this sudden change in demeanor?
“If I hadn't been there to clean up the mess, you might have died right then and there, never even making it back to this hall. Yeon-hui was there as well—how can you speak such nonsense!”
Seok Myeong stared with blank eyes.
Yeon-hui? She had seen it too. Yet Song Hak was twisting the facts entirely. He couldn't understand what the man was plotting.
Just then, Song Jeong called for Yeon-hui.
“Come forward.”
Yeon-hui, who had been waiting at the entrance of the Grand Purity Hall, stepped inside. She had been summoned in advance following the initial report.
“Is what Song Hak says true?” Sect Leader Song Jeong asked.
Yeon-hui hesitated before speaking, her voice trembling slightly. “I was so flustered at the time that I couldn't see everything clearly. All I remember is that Senior Brother Seok Myeong was the first to collapse.”
At this, Song Hak interjected sharply. “And what happened after that?”
“That is…”
“Senior Brother Myeong didn't wake up for a long time.”
Song Hak immediately seized upon her words.
“On the other hand, Cheol Gun was up and about by the next day, or perhaps the day after. Sect Leader, it is certain. Seok Myeong lost, and Cheol Gun was the victor.”
“…”
Seok Myeong could not offer a rebuttal. In truth, he didn't remember the final moments clearly himself. He had lost consciousness and remained bedridden for several days.
Even so…
If that were the case, why had Cheol Mu-jin, Cheol Jung, Cheol Gun, and even Cheol So-yeon of the Golden Martial Association acted the way they did? Even when Seok Myeong himself admitted defeat, they were the ones who had insisted otherwise.
Things had reached a point where even Seok Myeong, the participant, was becoming confused.
Was I mistaken? Did I really lose?
The Sect Leader then shifted the topic.
“Then I shall ask one more thing. Is it true that you traveled with Cheol So-yeon of the Golden Martial Association—a daughter of the Unorthodox Faction—throughout your entire journey?”
The hall erupted into murmurs once again. This was a different kind of whispering than before—sharper, more judgmental.
The Qingcheng Sect was known for having an exceptionally poor relationship with the Unorthodox Faction. Members of Qingcheng were the type to either start a fight or take a long detour if they spotted Unorthodox groups on the road. To think a disciple had traveled with one for the duration of his journey was scandalous.
The atmosphere turned icy in an instant. Seok Myeong’s eyes turned back to Song Hak.
How did he know this? Only Cheol Mu-jin should have been aware of that fact.
There’s no way he would have told him.
Yeon-hui’s dark expression and Song Hak’s confident demeanor… perhaps he had known everything all along. Or perhaps, even if he hadn't known the details, he had inferred it. They had met at the Golden Martial Association, and Seok Myeong had been with Cheol So-yeon at the time.
“That is…” Seok Myeong hesitated for a brief moment. He was walking into a trap that had already been set. However, he had no other choice. “It is true.”
“You are saying you traveled with a girl from the Unorthodox Faction?”
“Yes.”
The edge of Song Jeong’s usually gentle voice sharpened. He seemed agitated by the idea that his own disciple—a disciple of Qingcheng—would act in such a manner.
“Tell me your reason.”
“I wanted to know more.”
“To know more? Hmph. Are you saying you took a liking to the girl?”
“That is not what I meant. The Unorthodox Faction I knew was composed of wicked people who lacked discernment and would risk their lives for profit. However, the Golden Martial Association never showed me such a side.”
At Seok Myeong’s calm explanation, Song Hak jumped in as if he had been waiting for a slip-up.
“This brat is actually defending the Unorthodox Faction within our very sect?!”
Seok Myeong glared straight at Song Hak and replied, “I wanted to confirm that not everyone in the Unorthodox Faction is evil. Especially when there are those in the Orthodox Faction who would use treacherous hands against their own comrades.”
“…!”
Song Hak froze for a moment.
The Five Elements Four Changes Formation.
It was the treacherous technique he himself had used against Seok Myeong. Although he had prepared excuses, he would be equally cornered if the conversation continued in this direction.
“Hahaha.”
Sect Leader Song Jeong shook his head. He looked as though he couldn't understand why the usually mild-mannered Seok Myeong was acting this way.
“Seok Myeong. Do you understand the implications of traveling with a daughter of the Unorthodox Faction?”
“I do, Sect Leader. The Golden Martial Association likely placed her with me to keep me under surveillance.”
“Hmm?”
“I believe they intended to learn about Qingcheng’s swordsmanship through me, or perhaps find a weakness, or even place me in their debt. Given the nature of the Unorthodox Faction, such actions are to be expected.”
“And you did it knowing that?” Song Jeong’s expression hardened further.
The severity of punishment differs between a mistake made in ignorance and a wrong committed with full knowledge. Since Seok Myeong admitted he knew his actions could harm Qingcheng, the Sect Leader had no choice but to reprimand him.
“I did, Sect Leader. A gentleman walks the high road. I believed that as long as I did nothing wrong myself, no one could find fault with me, no matter how hard they tried. Furthermore, the Golden Martial Association is not the only one capable of creating a debt. Our sect is the great Qingcheng, is it not?”
“Oh?”
The Sect Leader and Song Hak’s eyes widened at Seok Myeong’s counter-argument.
“I visited the Cheon family and shared a brief friendship with them, and during my journey, I engaged and defeated the Black Snake Union. In a small sense, this demonstrated the dignity of Qingcheng; in a larger sense, it will sow discord within the Unorthodox Faction. After all, Cheol So-yeon—the precious daughter of the Golden Martial Association—was with me during those events.”
“…!”
Another silence fell over the hall.
Seok Myeong was interpreting the exact same events in a completely opposite way. This was only possible because he wasn't being cunning; rather, he was being stubbornly honest. Many in the sect who knew Seok Myeong’s personality tilted their heads, then nodded as if thinking, ‘If it’s him, he really might have thought that way.’
“A battle with the Black Snake Union? Then are you saying that the mysterious expert who reportedly wiped them out in Shanxi was actually you?” Song Mun hurriedly cut in to ask.
“I was not alone. I met Elder Song Yeo-guk, who was once a secular disciple of our sect, and received his help.”
“Song Yeo-guk… Song Yeo-guk!”
Clap!
Song Mun clapped his hands as he realized who it was. Song Yeo-guk—the man once called the greatest secular disciple of his generation. He had studied at Qingcheng for a long time during the 'Song' generation, but he was a memorable figure because he had strangely refused formal induction into the sect before leaving.
“After that, I visited the Cutting Sword Gate. Their procedures were complex and peculiar. There, I crossed swords and built ties with many figures of the Jianghu…”
“Enough of this!” Song Hak interrupted him.
He had expected the boy to walk into a trap because of his dull honesty, but his expectations had been subverted. He could feel the favorable gazes within Qingcheng increasing one by one as Seok Myeong revealed the facts. If this continued, the boy would truly be recognized as a Qingcheng Swordsman. Song Hak had to cut him off.
“Sect Leader, how about we do this?”
“Do what?”
“If what Seok Myeong says is true—if he truly achieved such feats in the Jianghu—then he is more than worthy of the title of Qingcheng Swordsman. However, shouldn't we test him first?”
“A test?” Song Jeong listened with interest.
Song Hak reached out and pointed to his son, Seok Jun.
“The final stage of the Qingcheng Swordsman trial is to duel a fellow Qingcheng Swordsman anyway. Let us have Seok Myeong and Seok Jun face each other. If he truly possesses the martial prowess to stand equal to Cheol Gun and wipe out the Black Snake Union, surely he can defeat my humble son.”
At that moment, Seok Myeong’s gaze shifted to where he was pointing. Among the crowd, Seok Jun was staring at him with a stiff expression.
So this was it… Song Hak.
Seok Myeong finally realized Song Hak’s objective. From the beginning, the elder had talked in circles to prevent the truth from coming out and had relentlessly pursued Seok Myeong’s weaknesses—all for this moment. He was acting out of absolute confidence in the Five Elements Four Changes Formation he had secretly placed on Seok Myeong’s body.
“What say you?” Song Hak’s face looked immensely pleased.
And for good reason—he believed that if Seok Myeong backed down now, he would look like a liar, and even if he fought, he would have no chance of winning. Strength. In the end, everything could be proven through strength. It seemed difficult, but it was actually a simple process.
“Shouldn't we ask for Seok Jun’s opinion as well?”
“I shall do so, of course.”
It was then that Seok Jun walked out boldly through the gap in the crowd and shouted, “I accept!”
He hadn't wanted such a strange duel, but this was an opportunity for him as well. He didn't want to believe—and couldn't believe—that Seok Myeong had built such a reputation. He might be the Eldest Disciple in name, but how could a bookworm who spent his life cooped up in a storehouse become a master overnight?
If he won here and now, it would prove Seok Myeong’s words were lies. He had to break the man’s pride while everyone was watching.
Ssh.
Seok Myeong stood up from his seat. It might be a truly meaningless fight, but if it had to be done, he didn't want to avoid it.
“I will do it as well.”
One does not avoid a challenge that has been issued. That was the spirit of Qingcheng.
*
Thud.
People began to gather around the martial arts training ground prepared near the entrance of the Grand Purity Hall. Not only the formal disciples of Qingcheng but also the trainees and junior students had gathered without exception. Among them were children who should have still been at the True Martial Hall.
Several more elders had joined after hearing the rumors, and Sect Leader Song Jeong stood at the center of them, looking up at the arena.
Seok Myeong and Seok Jun.
The disciples of Qingcheng watching the two held their breath. One was a man recognized by the elders as a rising star, a man evaluated as the future leader of Qingcheng. While Seok Jun hadn't made it into the Five Dragons, he was considered one of the Seven Well Heroes—the seven outstanding masters of Sichuan.
In contrast, Seok Myeong was a disciple who had never received much attention in Qingcheng. Aside from the empty title of Eldest Disciple and the eccentricity of being the last of the Azure Cloud lineage, he had nothing to show for himself.
Watching from a distance, Song Hak found it difficult to hide his blooming smile.
Foolish boy, you’re digging your own grave.
It was a fight Seok Myeong could never win. He trusted the Five Elements Four Changes Formation he had placed. How could one defeat Seok Jun without internal energy?
It was impossible. Nevertheless, seeing Seok Myeong act so recklessly made Song Hak tilt his head slightly.
But it is a bit strange. Does he still not realize what has been done to his body?
One cannot display martial skill without internal energy. Judging by the way Seok Myeong had glared at him earlier, the boy must have had a strong suspicion, even if he lacked proof.
If so, where did the fame he supposedly earned in the Jianghu come from? The alias of 'Hyeok-jin' alone wouldn't have been enough for a newcomer. Thus, Song Hak concluded that the Golden Martial Association—a giant of the Unorthodox Faction—must have been backing him from behind.
Now that I think about it, did he say he met Song Yeo-guk? He was also of the Azure Cloud lineage, so perhaps they found some sort of solution.
He felt a brief flash of annoyance at the unexpected variable. But that soon turned into a pleasant sense of relief. Song Hak’s gaze turned toward Seok Jun, and his expression became as serene as someone enjoying a beautiful view.
The time for the restraint was shorter than expected, but the results are sufficient.
Seok Jun had grown significantly over the past six months. Thanks to potent medicine and intensive instruction, his son had improved by leaps and bounds. After grueling training, he had experienced several moments of enlightenment, and now he was skilled enough to be presented anywhere without shame.
The Azure Center Sword Technique that Song Hak always emphasized had already reached its peak, and Seok Jun was flawless in the Cloud Shadow Step, the Illusory Lost Track Step, and even the Heaven and Earth Sword and the Azure Cloud Red Mist Sword.
In the beginning, he only had the name, but now he has the skill to match.
While Song Hak’s influence had played a part in Seok Jun securing a position as an instructor at the Martial Arts Hall, it was largely due to Seok Jun’s own abilities. He was already, in name and reality, one of the top swordsmen of Qingcheng. Even if Cheol Gun were to come here, he wouldn't lose easily.
“Take your positions,” Song Mun called the two forward.