Chapter 6: Qingcheng Swordsman (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 6: Qingcheng Swordsman (1)
“...!”
Seok Myeong’s eyes wavered. Though his lips remained pressed tight, his pupils dilated with shock.
As if he had fully expected such a reaction, Song Hak continued speaking without a hint of hesitation.
“I intend to establish another secret pavilion soon, but space is at a premium. Tearing down an old building to construct a new one is a terrible waste, and Qingcheng does not have the luxury for such extravagance right now. While considering which of the existing buildings would be suitable, the Azure Moon Storehouse caught my eye. I deemed it appropriate, as it is spacious and already filled with bookshelves.”
“....”
“Well, there is no need to worry. It is not as if I am demolishing the building; I am merely planning to store other texts there. You may visit on your own whenever you have the time.”
Song Hak looked down at Seok Myeong with a heavy, calculating gaze. It was obvious he had more to say.
“Now then, tell me what you think.”
“I will follow your orders.”
“Is that so? I appreciate your cooperation.”
“However... where am I to go?”
“Hmm.” Song Hak stood up and approached Seok Myeong. “There should be a house near Chaoyang Cave. I heard a certain Taoist used it in the past; with a few repairs, it should be a decent enough place to live. Wolseong Lake is nearby as well, so if you keep an open mind, it won't be so bad.”
Song Hak scrutinized Seok Myeong’s eyes. In any normal situation, the boy should have been furious. He should have been jumping in rage, venting his anger at the blatant disrespect. Yet, Seok Myeong appeared calm.
‘I heard rumors that he became a fool from being cooped up in his room, and it seems they were true.’
Song Hak was certain the boy would be angry, but no such emotion was visible. As if he were completely unperturbed, Seok Myeong simply stared back with a composed expression.
“I understand. I shall do as you say.”
“I am glad you are reasonable.”
Stupid brat.
Song Hak thought something entirely different from what he spoke as he rose from his seat.
“I won't see you out.”
Having dismissed him, Song Hak began walking toward the window where he had been looking down at the pond moments ago. He had only taken a few steps when Seok Myeong’s calm expression shifted, and a cold voice cut through the air.
“However, Martial Uncle, there is one thing I am curious about.”
“What is it?”
“Too many coincidences are overlapping.”
“Meaning?”
As Song Hak turned around, Seok Myeong continued.
“Are the Sect Leader and several elders not currently away from the mountain for their Jianghu travels? A decision that should originally be made through collective discussion is being executed with great haste by you, Martial Uncle. Furthermore, you are sending me away without discussing the inherent roles of each temple and pavilion.”
Song Hak’s eyes narrowed. “And? Are you saying you cannot obey?”
“No. I thought you had your own reasons for doing so—until I considered the children who were recently admitted.”
“What about those children?” Song Hak’s expression turned icy.
“It is the heart method.”
“The heart method... Are you referring to the Azure Wind Origin Heart Method?”
“Yes.” Seok Myeong locked eyes directly with Song Hak. “The Azure Wind Origin Heart Method is imbued with the blood and sweat shed by the Azure Cloud Taoists over hundreds of years. That effort only barely bore fruit during my Master’s time. Even the Elder Council recognized the Azure Wind Origin Heart Method and decreed that new disciples must be taught it at the Jinmu Hall. Why are you teaching them the Azure Origin Heart Method instead?”
As he continued to press the issue, Song Hak’s expression softened slightly. Perhaps he thought Seok Myeong’s words weren't entirely wrong, or perhaps it was a point he had already anticipated.
“Since you’ve come here knowing everything, I shall tell you.”
Seok Myeong was momentarily flustered by how nonchalantly Song Hak accepted the challenge. He listened closely as the man spoke.
“The reason I did not teach the children that heart method is because that martial art is a far more trivial technique than you think.”
“...!”
“There are two major flaws in that heart method. One is the Azure Wind energy itself. The spirit of Qingcheng, which should naturally be dissolved within the heart method, cannot be felt. And an even greater problem is...”
Song Hak watched Seok Myeong with a mocking smile.
“It lies in the fact that both you and your master are utterly incompetent.”
“...!”
Song Hak was a man of massive stature, nearly seven feet tall. As he glared coldly at Seok Myeong, the pressure he exerted was so intense it felt like murderous intent.
“How dare those who cannot even wield a sword properly act so presumptuously as to create a martial art? You are mere fledglings wandering at the level of the Small Heavenly Circuit, unable to even pierce the Ren and Du meridians, let alone reach the Realm of Two Manifesting Suns.”
It was the moment Song Hak’s true feelings were revealed. Just as it is difficult to recognize high virtue if a person’s character is lacking, he mistrusted the heart method simply because the creator's martial skill was weak.
“Look around you. Seok Jun, who is your age, has already become a Qingcheng Swordsman. In terms of martial arts, he is strong enough that dozens of people like you couldn't defeat him even if you attacked at once. Do you know what heart method Seok Jun learned?”
“....”
“It was the Azure Origin Heart Method. Not that pathetic martial art your master created. He achieved such outstanding results without your 'special' technique. Then what about you? Despite being Seok Jun’s senior brother, your skills are so miserable that you aren't even mentioned among the Rising Stars of Qingcheng.”
“....”
“Why is there such a difference? If you learned such a 'great' heart method, you should at least have the skills to show for it, yet you are inferior to all your peers. Go ahead, speak up! Use that mouth of yours!”
Seok Myeong could not answer. No, he could not. Dozens of excuses flashed through his mind, but he couldn't voice them. Regardless of the process, the result was that the man’s words were technically true. After a moment of silence, Seok Myeong finally spoke.
“If you are insulting me for my dullness, I will accept it. But do not insult my Master.”
“What?” Song Hak’s eyebrows twisted in anger. Whether by rank or skill, this brat who should have been cowering in silence was daring to talk back.
“My Master was sufficiently strong. I do not doubt your reputation, Martial Uncle Song Hak, but he is not someone to be so recklessly disparaged.”
“This brat...?”
“If my Master had set his mind to it, he would have easily become a Qingcheng Swordsman. No, he would have achieved far more. The reason he did not was because he judged that laying the foundation—the pillars of Qingcheng—was more meaningful than simply flaunting his own martial prowess.”
“Ha! That is merely your opinion. Look at the results. In the end, did he not die without achieving anything?”
“Martial Uncle! You go too far!”
“And was that death an honorable one? He died after suffering for a year from a chronic illness whose name was not even known. And he called himself a martial artist.”
“...!”
Tremble.
Seok Myeong’s hands, resting on his knees, shook violently. Red blood trickled from his bitten lip. He could endure insults directed at himself. He could overlook any punishment or shame. But he could not bear the insults toward his Master.
As Seok Myeong glared at him with eyes filled with rage, Song Hak curled his lip and leaned in close.
“Ho. And what will you do if you look at me like that?”
“....”
“Are you going to draw your sword against me, your Martial Uncle, right here?”
It was a blatant provocation. But Seok Myeong did not back down. Staring back boldly, he spat out his words.
“Is being a Qingcheng Swordsman truly that great of a thing?”
“What?”
“I asked if being a Qingcheng Swordsman is so great that you feel entitled to look down on my Master.”
“...Heh, hahahaha!”
Song Hak’s lips curled upward. He clearly hadn't expected such a sudden outburst.
“It is great. It is a magnificent thing. A fellow like you won't realize it even if you die and are reborn ten times over.”
“Then what will you do if I show you?”
“What?”
“If I become a Qingcheng Swordsman, will you admit your mistake? Will you admit that my Master could have become a Qingcheng Swordsman at any time?”
“Heh....”
Song Hak looked at Seok Myeong as if he were looking at a lunatic. Then, he burst into a thunderous laugh once more.
“Hahaha! Kuhahaha!”
The laughter filled the room, so loud that Seok Myeong’s ears felt numb. After a moment, Song Hak returned to his usual cold expression.
“It seems you still think becoming a Qingcheng Swordsman is as easy as taking a stroll. Then again, how much would a bookworm like you know? Fine, very well. It may be the reckless bravado of youth, but if you become a Qingcheng Swordsman, I will acknowledge it. Furthermore, I will grant you whatever you wish. Anything, as long as it is within my power.”
He thumped his chest as if giving a solemn guarantee.
“You have made a promise.”
“Of course. In exchange, there must be a condition for when you fail.”
Seok Myeong’s lips twitched, but he didn't back down.
“If you fail the examination, leave Qingcheng. Leave and never set foot inside again.”
“...!”
“If you ask why, you’ve already said it yourself. I dislike you. That’s right, I hate you. And of course, I hated your master even more. I have endured your presence until now, but you dare to cross me?”
As soon as he finished speaking, Song Hak’s eyes flashed with a sharp light, infused with raw internal energy. Seok Myeong felt a shock so great his legs trembled, but he did not look away. He felt that if he averted his eyes now, his words would become a joke.
“I understand. I agree to the terms.”
Seok Myeong stood up. He acted quickly because he could no longer withstand the man’s crushing pressure. He cupped his hands in a dignified salute and stepped back. He turned around and walked out slowly, one step at a time.
A long while after he had gone, Song Hak walked to the window. The sunlight from the cloudless sky shone down, warmly illuminating his face.
“The brat... it seems he hasn't just been idling away his time.”
Song Hak had briefly released his internal energy to test Seok Myeong’s skill. To his surprise, the boy had endured the pressure with composure.
“But he will have to work much harder. His current skill is far from enough to become a Qingcheng Swordsman. Then again, a fellow like him can never reach that level.”
Moreover, there were only two years left. Unless the heavens and earth were overturned, it was an impossible feat.
*
Seok Myeong looked haggard as he left the Jinmu Hall. His eyes were bloodshot, and beads of sweat stood out on his forehead. He couldn't spare a single glance at the magnificent pavilions being built around him, sights that would normally have commanded attention.
Cough, cough!
After a long walk, Seok Myeong let out a deep cough. He thought back to the encounter.
“It was like facing a great mountain.”
The pressure Song Hak had displayed was truly immense. The overwhelming sense of intimidation, like a giant beast pouncing, had made it difficult to breathe.
“I am truly pathetic. To think that a first-generation disciple like myself was overwhelmed and suffered internal injuries from nothing more than an opponent’s momentum...”
The energy Song Hak had displayed was merely the light radiating from his eyes—not even energy he had intentionally unleashed from his dantian. It was external qi exerted reflexively. With just that much power, Seok Myeong’s legs had weakened and he had suffered internal damage.
And that man was Taoist Song Hak, one of the top experts within Qingcheng.
“It is lamentable. That I can do nothing against one who insults my Master.”
Seok Myeong stopped walking. Looking up at the bright blue sky, he thought of the man who had passed away half a year ago.
“Master...”
True Person Song Hye.
Not only Song Hak, but many elders of Qingcheng had called his martial arts unremarkable. Some had even belittled him, saying his skill fell far short of his generational rank.
But they were all wrong. True Person Song Hye was strong. Seok Myeong was certain that no one in the Qingcheng Sect was stronger than him.
Seok Myeong remembered. About ten years before True Person Song Hye passed away, he had manifested three lotuses above his head. That was the legendary realm of Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown.
True Person Song Hye had achieved a realm that even the current Sect Leader had only recently reached, and he had done so over a decade ago. Despite that, True Person Song Hye never revealed his martial prowess. Until the day he left this world, he had never shown his true skill to anyone other than Seok Myeong.
At the time, Seok Myeong had asked him directly: Why didn't he become a Qingcheng Swordsman? Why didn't he show his skill even while enduring such insults?
Every time, True Person Song Hye would answer the same way:
“Teaching you is still more important.”
At first, Seok Myeong hadn't understood those words, but now he thought he knew. Because his master possessed martial prowess similar to—or even superior to—the Sect Leader, he had hidden his strength. He worried that the disciple he left behind might suffer unnecessary political disadvantages. Furthermore, he likely thought that becoming a Qingcheng Swordsman would make him too busy with sect affairs to research the true depths of martial arts.
“Master...”
A lump formed in Seok Myeong’s throat. Even though he knew he was being pathetic, at this moment, he wanted to return to being a child and cling to his Master’s robes.
“What am I to do...”
The void left by a person is often felt only much later. Having lost his Master at a young age, Seok Myeong had been filled with a frantic sense of grief. Today, a crushing sense of desolation was added to that sorrow.