Chapter 5: Teaching (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 5: Teaching (3)
However, Seok Myeong soon shook his head.
"I don't believe that is a place where I belong."
"Pardon? Why not? The First Generation Disciples and everyone else are going. Is there a particular reason?"
"I just feel that way."
"Oh, come now... Eldest Disciple, don't be like that. Let’s go together. You should be there to grace the occasion with your presence. Besides, our junior sister must miss you dearly. She’s followed you around since she was a child, hasn't she?"
"That was when we were children, not now. And didn't you say many Martial Uncles and Senior Martial Uncles would be there? They won't be pleased to see her associating with me."
"What? Why wouldn't they like it? You are the renowned Daoist of the Azure Cloud lineage within the Qingcheng Sect."
"That may be true, but..."
Seok Myeong started to explain his reasoning to Seok Jin but stopped himself.
His standing had diminished noticeably since his master passed away six months ago. It wasn't just a matter of resources; the clever Seok Myeong couldn't help but notice that the elders' attitudes had shifted significantly.
Seok Jin, being straightforward and simple-minded, seemed blissfully unaware of such nuances.
"So, do you really not intend to go?"
"Let me think about it."
"Eldest Disciple, you're missing out on such a good opportunity... Well, alright. I'll stop by again if I hear any more news."
"Right."
Seok Jin gave a quick bow and vanished into the distance in an instant, looking quite cheerful.
"That fellow... he seems to be in a very good mood. To think he'd even go out of his way like this."
Knowing Seok Jin's usual pace, Seok Myeong could tell just how excited he was. Just as he was about to go out of sight, he utilized the Flying Stream Step and disappeared completely.
Left alone again, Seok Myeong looked down at the path.
In the midst of the tranquility, only the sounds of birds and insects reached his ears. For some reason, a sudden wave of loneliness washed over him.
"It's been over two years since I've seen her, using one excuse or another. I wonder how much she has changed..."
Seok Myeong was briefly lost in memories of Yeon-hui.
She had been particularly fond of him. He didn't know why, but she had always wanted to be by his side.
"Hm?"
Just then, he saw Seok Jin, who had just disappeared into the distance, running back toward him. Seok Myeong waited for him, wondering what was the matter.
"Ah, and one more thing, Eldest Disciple."
Seok Jin approached, speaking while catching his breath.
"Yes? Did you leave something unsaid?"
"Martial Uncle Song Hak is looking for you."
"Me? Why...?"
"I'm not sure. He said he had something to discuss. So, I told him I would deliver the message personally."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. Well, now that I've delivered the news, I'll really be going!"
"Take care."
Having finished the conversation, Seok Jin once again utilized his movement technique and quickened his pace. This time, he disappeared from sight in the blink of an eye.
"Martial Uncle Song Hak..."
After Seok Jin vanished, Seok Myeong stood there with a grim expression.
Song Hak, the Master of the Martial Hall.
He managed the Jinmu Hall of Qingcheng. He possessed a fiery and powerful personality, and most disciples were so terrified of him they couldn't even hold a proper conversation in his presence.
He was fifth in the sect's hierarchy. However, his influence was considered second only to the Sect Leader because his position involved overseeing the sect's annual affairs. It was no exaggeration to say he played a pivotal role in the Qingcheng Sect.
Perhaps because of this, most Qingcheng disciples felt they had to get on his good side by any means necessary, and they certainly avoided doing anything that might offend him.
Unfortunately, Seok Myeong did not meet those criteria.
His master and Song Hak had not been on good terms, and one could say the same for Seok Myeong himself. For that reason, Song Hak seemed to dislike him—or more accurately, he seemed to dislike the Azure Cloud lineage.
"Well, it's just as well, since I have something to say to him too."
Seok Myeong decided he needed to meet Song Hak.
"But I am worried."
Thinking of the stern and overbearing man, Seok Myeong felt a weight in his chest. He began walking toward the Martial Hall where Song Hak was located.
*
The path leading to the Palace of Supreme Clarity was busy with reconstruction work. Workers were sweating profusely, taking great care not to damage the ancient buildings.
Seok Myeong walked aimlessly, watching the workers diligently carrying timber. Since he had no reason to go to the Palace of Supreme Clarity, he didn't slow his pace.
After passing the Palace and walking a bit further, he heard the voices of children. He had arrived at the Martial Hall before he knew it.
Seok Myeong paused to show respect to the plaque hanging above the Martial Hall, which read: No Sword No Person.
If there is no sword, there is no person.
This was the motto hung above every building in the Qingcheng Sect. Even the Sect Leader had to show respect before this sign.
"Haat!"
"Yat!"
After paying his respects, Seok Myeong looked around.
In the training ground in front of the Martial Hall, children were seriously practicing their martial arts. Seeing as they were all holding wooden swords, it was clearly time for swordsmanship practice.
Without realizing it, Seok Myeong found a spot on the side and sat down on the ground. Watching the children perform their forms brought back memories.
"I had times like that too."
The training ground of the Martial Hall, paved uniformly with blue stone, was no different from any other training ground. However, it was so spacious that it seemed almost overwhelming for children to use. Because they were spread out so far, it looked difficult to supervise them all.
Seok Myeong's gaze turned toward the boy closest to him.
The boy held his sword high as if in deep thought and kept his eyes closed, remaining motionless for a while. Then, at a certain moment—
"Haat! Hahat!"
The stationary sword moved brilliantly, like a falling waterfall. It wasn't crude or reckless; he distributed his strength appropriately, showing a fairly high level of achievement.
"Is that the Fifth Initial Form of the Azure Cloud Meteor Sword? It's not easy to maintain the line while gaining speed, but his posture is quite well-formed for such a young age."
The Azure Cloud Meteor Sword was one of the foundational sword techniques of Qingcheng, a style that flowed majestically yet changed violently. It was a core technique that significantly influenced advanced martial arts like the Azure Cloud Red Mist Sword and the Heaven and Earth Sword.
"Hahat!"
It was when the boy's swordsmanship transitioned from the Sixth Initial Form to the final Seventh Initial Form.
"That's...!"
Seok Myeong, who had been comfortably immersed in watching the swordsmanship, suddenly frowned. He reacted reflexively to an unexpected flow of the sword.
Seok Myeong stood up and hurried toward the boy.
"Child."
It was just as the boy finished his sword sequence and turned around. A strange young man was gesturing toward him.
"Who are you?"
"I am a Daoist who lives in the village below."
"Ah, hello."
The boy greeted him quite maturely. Seok Myeong accepted the greeting lightly and spoke.
"Let me ask you something. Wasn't what you just performed the Azure Cloud Meteor Sword?"
"Yes, that's right. How did you know?"
"I am also a disciple of Qingcheng, so of course I know."
"Ah, I see."
The boy nodded as if that made sense.
"But, child."
"Yes, Daoist?"
"When you performed the final Seventh Initial Form of the Azure Cloud Meteor Sword, why did you take another breath while holding the sword up? Surely you should have gathered your strength by continuing your breath naturally."
"No, that's not right. This is the part where you apply force."
"That can't be. With the breathing of the Azure Wind Origin Heart Method, applying force there would actually be counterproductive. Are you sure you haven't misunderstood?"
"The Azure Wind Origin Heart Method? What kind of heart method is that? We are learning the Azure Origin Heart Method."
"What? The Azure Origin Heart Method?"
Seok Myeong couldn't believe his ears.
"Why are you learning the Azure Origin Heart Method? It was decided that the Azure Wind Origin Heart Method would be taught starting last year."
Seok Myeong asked again urgently.
"I don't know. We only learn the Azure Origin Heart Method."
"That shouldn't be the case."
Seok Myeong tilted his head in confusion.
The Azure Wind Origin Heart Method was a technique developed through hundreds of years of research and improvement to compensate for the weaknesses of the Qingcheng heart methods. It could be called the greatest masterpiece of the Azure Cloud lineage, and it had even been grandly announced that it would be taught to the children starting last year.
Seok Myeong looked at the children with a dazed expression.
Training was in full swing. Everyone took a deep breath before thrusting their swords, and their movements were no different from the boy he had just spoken to. They were following the breathing of the Azure Origin Heart Method, which allowed for frequent, temporary bursts of strong power.
Nowhere could he see any children who had mastered the Azure Wind Origin Heart Method.
"Um, Daoist. I'll be going now."
The boy left the area and entered the Martial Hall. The other children in the training ground also began to disappear one by one.
Even so, Seok Myeong remained standing there, dazed. He kept muttering to himself.
"It can't be. It can't be... This was a promise made to my master."
*
"Seok Myeong?"
Song Hak, who had been pacing by the window overlooking the pond, asked Jeong Gil, the Deputy Hall Master.
"Yes, he is waiting outside right now."
"Is that so?"
A mysterious smile played on Song Hak's lips. In a way, he looked angry, but in another way, he looked sad.
"Well, how did he seem to you? Did he look angry?"
"Pardon?"
"Never mind."
Song Hak turned around and sat down with a strange smile.
"Call him in."
"Yes."
Jeong Gil bowed and disappeared.
A moment later, a young man in worn and tattered clothing appeared, looking around in confusion.
This was only the second time Seok Myeong had entered the office of the Martial Hall. Even so, he was bewildered because it had changed so much from before.
Along with various diagrams and ornate patterns, the room was filled with rare and expensive items he had never seen before in his life. It was very different from the simple office it used to be, as if a massive amount of money had been spent on it.
"Wash your hands."
Song Hak pointed to one side while looking at Seok Myeong.
There was water in a small basin placed in front of a round jar. Once Seok Myeong washed his hands, Song Hak approached and held out a wooden box. It was a box roughly the size of a sword.
"Place it carefully beside you."
This was a ritual of Qingcheng. The Qingcheng Sect, which valued the sword as much as life itself, required everyone, regardless of who they were, to show respect to the sword. To prevent swords from clashing when sitting down, they were placed in wooden boxes beforehand.
Song Hak also had a wooden box containing his sword beside him.
When Seok Myeong took the box and placed his sword inside, Song Hak pointed to a seat off to the side. It wasn't a chair, but a seat carved out of stone.
Watching Song Hak's reaction, Seok Myeong sat down cautiously.
"I called you here because I have something important to say."
Only then did Song Hak get to the point. Seok Myeong's gaze turned toward him.
"As of today, I want you to move out of the Azure Moon Storehouse."