Chapter 69: Infiltration (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 69: Infiltration (2)
By evening, Hyeok-jin was deep in the throes of his martial arts cultivation.
The unique stances and fluid transitions of his Right Sword Left Saber style drew the gazes of everyone nearby. As his coordination between the saber and sword grew more sophisticated and systematic, a subtle change began to take root in Hyeok-jin’s heart.
I want to face a strong opponent.
I don’t care who it is; I want a fight to the death.
This burgeoning bloodlust was a direct result of the new realm he had recently reached.
“Hah! Hah!”
The speed of his lunges was nothing short of spectacular. It was a true Fast Sword Style; as the heavy saber pulled back, the sword shot forward simultaneously, creating a blurring illusion of even greater velocity.
Giving Hyeok-jin a saber had been like giving wings to a tiger. For someone who had previously only practiced basic sword forms, this new variable increased the lethality of his swordsmanship exponentially. The only things he lacked now were raw experience and the maturity to adapt his techniques to the chaos of real combat.
“Not bad.”
Hyeok-jin froze mid-motion at the sudden voice drifting down from above. There was only one person who would speak to him with such casual arrogance.
The Golden Martial Association’s spoiled princess, Cheol So-yeon.
“Good grief. Is peeping at other people’s martial arts your hobby now?”
“Even if I watch, I wouldn’t understand the half of it. My martial arts consist of the Flying Dagger Art and footwork. I wouldn’t know the first thing about the Right Sword Left Saber—or whatever it’s called.”
“I suppose so. It doesn’t really matter.”
Hyeok-jin let out a short, dry laugh.
Thud.
Cheol So-yeon hopped down from the tree and continued, her expression turning serious.
“In four days, Jeok Ya-seong and Dan Ri-geon are heading to the Banquet of Connection. It’s a gathering hosted by the Samu Alliance, and they’re going as representatives of the federation branch. That means Hong Geom-baek will be the only master of any renown left inside the Black Snake Union. That day is your chance.”
Hyeok-jin tilted his head. “Why are you telling me this?”
“Because I’m leaving this place.”
“Are you serious?”
“Did you think I was joking?”
“I was just hoping you were.”
“……”
“……”
An awkward silence fell between them. It was rare for the two of them to be alone, and since they weren’t particularly close, neither knew how to bridge the gap.
Hyeok-jin was the first to break the silence.
“Even if you don’t fight with us, can’t you come back once this is over?”
“No. The opponent is the Samu Alliance. If I get entangled with your lot and it causes problems for my family, will you take responsibility?”
“No…”
He wanted to say ‘yes,’ but he knew she was right. Hyeok-jin looked at her.
“Will we ever meet again?”
“If you survive that place, then perhaps. I did promise to have one more duel with Brother Cheol Gun, after all.”
With those final words, she turned away. She had said everything she needed to say.
“Let me ask one more thing,” Hyeok-jin called out, stopping her in her tracks.
“What?”
“If I’m ever in danger, can I tell them I’m close with the Golden Martial Association?”
“Why?”
“They might spare me.”
“Heh.”
Cheol So-yeon let out a sound that was somewhere between a scoff and a chuckle.
“Do whatever you want.”
She took a few steps away before tossing one last remark over her shoulder.
“Hey. Just tell them you’re close to me.”
*
“Can External Styles and Internal Arts ever be unified?” Seok Myeong asked Song Yeo-guk.
Ever since he had heard the theory that the external is the internal and the internal is the external, he had found it difficult to concentrate. The thought had been circling his mind for days.
“Strictly speaking, the properties of external and internal arts are not meant to be unified.”
“Pardon? If the external is the internal, aren't they the same thing?”
“It means you can use the external as if it were the internal; it doesn't mean their fundamental natures are identical. If they were the same, why would we categorize them into Internal Arts and External Styles in the first place?”
Seok Myeong fell silent. He knew this. He understood that internal and external were different. However, the deeper he delved into external styles, the more questions arose. It was possible to use them like internal energy, and at times, they truly felt like the same thing.
“However,” Song Yeo-guk added, “it is possible.”
Seok Myeong’s eyes snapped open. “How?”
“It happens when the power of your internal energy and your external strength reach a state of perfect, balanced equality. When that happens, a truly pure energy is produced.”
“……”
“But in reality, it is nearly impossible. There are too many constraints.”
“I want to know the details,” Seok Myeong said, leaning in. This was a field he knew little about.
“To learn an internal heart method, you must master at least one technique. You know this, right?”
“Yes.”
“External styles are the same. Generally, one trains the physical body to master external arts, but the higher level of training involves learning a heart method that draws out Innate Energy. Do you know of this as well?”
“I do.”
“Then the conclusion is that to make the internal and external powers equal, you must master two different heart methods—two methods with completely different properties. But the ridiculous part is that a problem arises even then.”
“……”
“When the two powers become perfectly equal, you need someone to build a bridge to harmonize them. Who will do that? The answer is clear: you need a third heart method of that specific nature. In other words, in addition to the two primary heart methods, a third must exist to guide the two energies. Think about it. Do you think it’s possible for one person to master three different heart methods, especially ones with such conflicting natures?”
“...!”
For a moment, Seok Myeong doubted his own ears. It felt as if Song Yeo-guk was describing his own martial arts.
And then, a memory suddenly surfaced. The technique he had used against Cheol Gun at the very end—that monochromatic energy he couldn't identify.
“If what you say is possible, can one truly use the pure energy of nature?”
“Theoretically, yes. If it were possible, one could wield a power beyond imagination.”
“How strong would it be?”
“It would likely surpass even Astral Energy, the realm of the absolute.”
“That strong?”
“Of course. It would be the crystallization of pure energy.”
“Ah…”
“But why do you ask?”
“Oh, it’s nothing.”
Seok Myeong felt a sense of daze, but he didn't let it show. Nothing was certain yet. He couldn't be sure if the energy he had seen back then was indeed the energy of nature. More importantly, he still didn't know how to call upon that power again.
Creak.
The door opened, and Hyeok-jin walked in. With a massive saber slung over his shoulder and his sword hilt in hand, his gaze was unusually solemn.
“I’m ready, Brother Seok Myeong.”
Seok Myeong nodded and looked at Song Yeo-guk.
“I feel as though I am putting you in danger because of my own selfishness.”
“Not at all, Martial Uncle. Risking one’s life for justice is the spirit of Qingcheng.”
“Right. That was the spirit of Qingcheng.”
Song Yeo-guk looked at Seok Myeong with a serious expression and continued.
“I will say it once more: do not engage them unnecessarily. With your current skills, you could fall into great peril. Just free the maids and servants who are being tormented. After that, I will finish things by taking my revenge once I have recovered my strength.”
“Understood.”
“Then, we shall head out first.”
Seok Myeong and Hyeok-jin gave him a formal fist-and-palm salute. They locked eyes for a moment before stepping out of the room.
“Sigh. How did I end up like this?”
Song Yeo-guk’s hollow sigh filled the empty room.
*
A row of large buildings stood before a massive cliff, looking as if the pavilions had been hammered directly into the rock face. Each building was over five stories tall and of such grand scale that the sight alone was enough to inspire awe.
The Black Snake Union.
The calligraphy on the plaque hanging over the main gate was powerful enough to overwhelm anyone entering. Beside the gate stood wooden carvings of Guardian Kings, each as tall as a grown man.
“Are you preparing already?”
An old man standing at the garden entrance asked in surprise at the words of a long-haired man. As far as he knew, the event was supposed to be tomorrow.
“I must prepare in advance. Rehearsals are meant to be done early.”
“But there is still plenty of time until tomorrow... Ah, I understand.”
The old man started to add a few more words but quickly shut his mouth. He knew exactly how cruel the man before him was.
A large sword scar ran from his forehead, across his right eye, down to his cheekbone. He had a well-built physique, a piercing gaze, and prominent cheekbones.
This was Hong Geom-baek.
The man Song Yeo-guk was supposed to have killed in the past was walking around perfectly alive.
“Today, I am the master.”
He wandered around with a smirk. The Union Leader was away, and Dan Ri-geon, who always annoyed him, was gone as well. He made his way toward the main building.
“Is the bathwater ready?” he asked a maid waiting in front of a room. She was a graceful, pretty young girl.
“A-not yet, sir.” Her voice was youthful and trembling.
“Why? Did I not order you to do so just a moment ago?”
“That is... there were orders that no one should enter the Union Leader’s chambers...”
“What!”
Slap!
The man suddenly swung his hand and struck the girl across the face.
“Agh!”
The maid screamed and collapsed to the floor.
“You wench! Am I just 'anyone'? I am Hong Geom-baek, the Union Leader’s right hand! I am Hong Geom-baek, not Dan Ri-geon!”
He flew into an excessive rage. Not only was he angry that she dared to talk back, but her words felt like a slight against his status.
“I-I’m sorry.”
The girl trembled in terror. But Hong Geom-baek had no intention of stopping. He grabbed her by the wrist and tried to drag her into the room.
“Come here. I’m going to beat the life out of you.”
“Please spare me! Please!”
“This wench dares to defy me again—”
“What is going on here?”
It was then that three men dressed in black approached him.
The Life Killing Team. They were the Union Leader’s personal guard, responsible for monitoring the interior of the Black Snake Union. They always moved in groups of three when patrolling the buildings.
Hong Geom-baek scowled. These meddlesome pests had arrived. If he caused a scene in front of them, word would surely reach the Union Leader’s ears, and it wouldn't be in his favor.
“This wench is being annoying, that’s all.”
“……”
“So I’m taking her to my room to teach her a lesson.”
At those words, the man in the lead spoke. “This is the Union Leader’s chamber.”
“Ah, right. My mistake.”
He gave an awkward laugh and began dragging the girl away again.
“Please spare me, milord! Please spare me!”
The girl struggled as she was dragged by Hong Geom-baek’s hand. She seemed to realize what was about to happen to her. After all, her collar had already been torn open in that short span; no matter how young she was, she couldn't fail to notice his intent.
It was then.
Suddenly, the man in black behind them grabbed her by the hair. He then bowed his head to Hong Geom-baek.
“I will handle this.”
“Ah, there’s no need to go that far...”
“Do not worry. I will report this in a way that ensures no blame falls on you, milord.”
“Well...”
Before he could even give his consent, the man in black forcibly dragged the girl away by her hair. He walked forward without waiting for an answer.
“Well... I suppose one less maid won't matter. Follow them,” Hong Geom-baek instructed the other man in black beside him.
The two remaining guards glanced at Hong Geom-baek once before following the man who had gone ahead.
“She was quite pretty, though... What a waste.”
Hong Geom-baek scratched his head as he watched them disappear. He clicked his tongue in regret, lingered for a moment, and then turned back toward his own quarters.
*
“P-please spare me.”
Jeong Wol pleaded through her tears. She couldn't see the man’s face because he was holding her by the hair, but since her hands were free, she kept rubbing them together in a desperate plea.
She truly wanted to live.
She had endured a hellish life of slavery and survived with gritted teeth to get this far. She had a reason why she couldn't die. At the very least, she couldn't die here.
When they reached a secluded clearing, the man let go of her hair. She immediately grabbed the man’s pant leg and begged.
“Please spare me. I was wrong. It won't... it won't ever happen again.”
But the man’s gaze was heartless and still. He showed no emotion whatsoever.
“Will you do it?” asked the man in black who had first spoken to Hong Geom-baek.
The other man in black standing before the girl nodded. He drew his sword.
Shring.
The sword made a clear, ringing sound. To the girl, however, it sounded like a melody of death. She believed her fate was about to be sealed by that blade. Jeong Wol’s face turned even paler.
“P-please spare me, mister. Please. I was really wrong. I want to live, mister.”
But the man did not stop. He grabbed her by the hair and pulled her up.
“Mister, I can’t die yet. I have to find my mother. I can’t die before I see my mother.”
The girl screamed, trembling. But the heartless sword lunged straight for her.
“Agh!”
The girl clutched the man and groaned. Tears streamed down her face as she realized the sword had pierced her body.
“Mother, I’m sorry.”
The light began to fade from the girl’s eyes. She remembered the last words her mother had said when they were separated.
The promise that she would definitely find Estate Owner Song—those words would not leave her mind.
“Ah...”
As her vision grew dim, she stared blankly ahead.
Suddenly, behind the man who had stabbed her...
One of the three men standing there swung a saber down at his comrade.
The target tried to block with incredibly fast reflexes, but that was the end of it. The man’s head was severed in a single stroke.
“It’s okay now.”
“...?”
And then.
She heard the voice of the man who had stabbed her... the man who was still holding her.
“Because no one is going to hurt you anymore.”
“Ah!”
At the kind voice, the girl finally realized. Her body hadn't been stabbed. The cold blade had passed not through her abdomen, but through the space between her chest and her armpit.
“I promise you,” came the voice of the man, Seok Myeong.
It was the voice she had wanted to hear. The words she had longed for.
“From now on, there will be more happy days than sad ones. Because your mother is right here.”
“Heh.”
Tears began to pour from her eyes.
The men in black removed their masks. One was Hyeok-jin, and the other was...
“Mother...”
The mother she had missed so dearly, the mother she could only see in her dreams, was standing right there.
(To be continued in Sword Emperor, Volume 4)