Chapter 13
Chapter 13
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: A Father's Lament
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Emptied the cup. I observed Maeng Cheon's complexion.
His eyes held no malice. But that didn't mean any readable emotion surfaced either.
The third cup passed between us. Maeng Cheon finally spoke.
"Why did you train in the Three Disasters Swordsmanship for over ten years?"
"...Because I believed it was my path."
"Was that really the only reason you swung it?"
"......."
I had to mix truth with lies.
That was the only way to deceive him.
"I thought becoming a martial artist was the only way to support my family. Isn't it better than gripping farming tools?"
"Money, huh. It's important. So what happened?"
"As you can see, I didn't achieve great success. Not even with the Three Disasters Swordsmanship... My talent wasn't suited for being a martial artist."
"What did your father say?"
"...My father..."
I bit my lip slightly.
"He said nothing."
"I see."
The cups clinked once more.
A faint buzz of intoxication rose.
"I thought it was something I had to do anyway. I just regret not achieving it in the end."
"I see. You've matured early. How old are you?"
"Twenty-six this year."
"When did you first pick up a sword?"
"...Fourteen."
I shaved a few years off my real age with a small lie.
Maeng Cheon muttered while holding his cup.
"You've been... incredibly diligent."
"Diligence, but I have nothing to show for it."
"How is that your fault? It's heaven's doing. No need to blame yourself."
".........?"
No hostility in particular. Nor did it seem like he was probing for something.
Then why had he dragged me here?
I peered into my cup. It didn't look poisoned. Besides, if Heavenly Tribulation had detected anything, it would have expelled it by now.
The side dishes were the same. Nothing on the table posed a problem.
"...I have a son."
Ah.
The problem wasn't the table after all.
I stayed silent. Maeng Cheon downed his drink alone. After emptying one cup, he immediately poured another.
"He's different from you. Completely different. Being the firstborn, I spoiled him rotten."
"If I'd had a child, I'd have acted the same way as you, Sect Leader."
"See that? That natural consideration. You only see it in those who've weathered life's storms. My son lacks it. He's never faced danger or hardship... nothing."
Maeng Cheon chuckled softly.
"Black Heaven Axe Sect. Our sect has honed the axe for generations. I did, and so did all our disciples. It's a crude weapon, but it has advantages over others. Pros and cons. Just like the principle of life."
"......"
"My son refused to learn it. So I hired a suitable martial arts instructor. But... he rejected even that. He's always said he'd never touch anything less than truly remarkable martial arts."
"That must trouble you."
"Trouble? So-hong, I once had a second son. But he died. Do you know how?"
Maeng Cheon fiddled with his cup.
"He was playing near the lake, it seems. By the time my eldest screamed in shock, it was too late. After that, I demolished every lake in the estate. But that didn't bring my second son back."
"......"
"My wife hanged herself upon seeing our second son dead. She left no note, believing her negligence killed him."
"...Sect Leader."
"No need to comfort me forcibly. I'm fine. Loneliness pierces to the bone at first, but eventually becomes one with you, doesn't it? And I still have my eldest. I swore at my wife's grave to raise him right."
"I'll drink with you."
"I'm fine. I have my own hands."
Maeng Cheon filled his cup to the brim. He downed it again.
"But... my eldest has no talent for anything. That's not all-his temperament is brutal, constantly abusing the younger children. There have been several servant corpses found in the Black Heaven Axe Sect. Everyone knows who did it, even if unspoken."
"........."
"Sometimes I think-if I'd punished him in time, what then? Days pass like that. Lately, work slips from my grasp more than ever. It's worsened since he changed. My hands tremble at times. I can't even hold an axe."
Maeng Cheon muttered gloomily.
"For the Black Heaven Axe Sect Leader to be ensnared by heart demons, unable to wield his axe... The world would mock me. But I've decided this is my karma. My fault for failing to raise one son properly..."
"......."
I'd obtained the necessary information.
But at the same time, I hesitated.
Maeng Cheon. He was frailer than I'd imagined. Not a martial artist, but merely a father.
I picked up a side dish and chewed. It stuck in my throat, so I washed it down with alcohol.
Maeng Cheon filled my empty cup.
"A gloomy tale. So-hong, that's why I called you here."
"...Do you have a request for me?"
"Just keep doing what you're doing. Listen to my stories. That's all. My chest feels stuffy. I couldn't tell anyone. A sect leader is the pillar of the sect, isn't he? If the pillar shakes, the whole sect crumbles. You can't show weakness to those close to you."
"How could a mere outsider like me..."
"Didn't you train in the Three Disasters Swordsmanship for ten years? A sword reflects the man. Yours lacked talent but was steadfast. I can trust someone with that persistence. Come again tomorrow. I'll reward you handsomely."
Maeng Cheon laughed lowly.
"Sorry for burdening you with an old man's worries, So-hong."
"......."
I might glean more information.
It wouldn't harm me.
I just needed to play along for five days anyway.
"Understood, Sect Leader."
"Thank you."
......
I told Number 20 everything that happened.
Number 20 stared at me blankly.
"To maintain your current identity, it's best to keep the connection. That... would indeed be safer."
"You think so too, Number 20."
"Are you okay?"
"Of course I'm fine."
Number 20 turned her head.
"Keep saying you're fine. Don't change your mind. Remember, we're the Blood Demon Squad. Not hunters."
"...I know."
The next day, I met Maeng Cheon. He grinned broadly and handed me a money pouch.
"It's from my personal savings."
"It's too much."
"Not too little for a drinking buddy. Think of it as... friend money? So-hong, what did you do today?"
"I searched the mountains. Found some game trails, but no beasts."
"Diligent as ever. That diligence will surely help your future. If only my son were like that. Tsk."
Most of what Maeng Cheon said was complaints and dissatisfaction about his son.
But it wasn't filled solely with contempt.
"There was a time... my son brought me something. He looked hesitant, like he'd caused trouble again. But there was liquor behind his back."
"Liquor?"
"Nothing precious. But he slipped it inside the gate and left. Means he's not purely savage. Thinking back, he had some decent sides before."
"He probably still does."
"No way. So-hong, my son has changed. Don't know why... but his appetite's increased. As his body bloats, his temperament grows fiercer. Called physicians, but they found nothing."
"Could it be poison..."
"That's why I summoned one from farther away. Turns out he's a disciple of the Myriad Sages Divine Healer. He's on his way from afar, so he'll arrive soon. Until then, I'm trying to humor the boy."
Maeng Cheon downed his drink. He fiddled with the cup, then suddenly asked me.
"Fat can be lost even if he gains some, right?"
"Of course, Sect Leader."
"His illness must have sharpened his temper. Once cured, it'll all resolve. Whew. Talking it out eases me. Though it's not certain..."
"......."
"If I don't believe in my son, who will?"
Maeng Cheon was a father.
Undeniably, just one man as a father.
At the same time, a rather amusing fellow.
"Want to try the axe?"
"Sect Leader, then all our talks would be for naught."
"Kuhuhu. Just kidding. You're so stiff."
"Not that stiff."
"A man should be stiff. You know... that?"
"Sect Leader."
"Getting stiffer."
At his thick jest, I sighed.
"You're quite drunk."
"Am I? Seems I am a bit. Sorry to hold up a young friend so long. Go on. See you tomorrow."
"Drinking every day isn't good for your health."
"Then tomorrow we'll do something else."
The next day, Maeng Cheon stood in the garden with an axe. He beckoned me lightly.
"A man should enjoy more than just drink. Too much liquor turns you into a beggar, no?"
"...I dare not receive your axe technique."
"I know. Just watch. I need to shake off this slump, don't I? It's rehabilitation-light exercise."
"Then I don't need to be here..."
"Watch, So-hong."
Maeng Cheon's axe moved. Tyrannical motion. A blade edge that shattered everything in its path.
The downward strike split the air. The bursting wind grazed my hair.
"What do you think?"
"...Splendid."
"Is it? Splendid. But my son saw it and called it rubbish."
That was something he absolutely shouldn't say. I wanted to tell him sincerely.
I saw it in him. The years piled up. The sorrow in the axe's edge.
The spirit of a man who had to rise again under the name 'Sect Leader,' even on the verge of collapse.
"It's an unparalleled axe technique, Sect Leader."
"Really think so?"
"Didn't you praise my Three Disasters Swordsmanship?"
I clasped my hands in respect.
"That praise suits you best, Sect Leader."
"No talent?"
"...That's not what I meant!"
"Your voice booms. First time hearing you raise it like that."
Maeng Cheon laughed heartily.
"How about lightly crossing blades?"
"...Is that alright?"
"Don't worry. I'll adjust. They've said since ancient times that martial artists dancing with swords is a way to peer into each other."
Maeng Cheon handed me a sword.
"Shall we share deeper stories, So-hong?"
"Very well."
I gripped the sword without hesitation. A chance to gauge Maeng Cheon's axe.
I gave my all but lost in the end. Still, I gained something.
"Your sword is heavy. Truly heavy."
"Yet it couldn't withstand your axe, Sect Leader."
"For now. But what if countless stories mix into it? A sword is life. Time melts into it. Someday your sword..."
Maeng Cheon smiled.
"...will weigh more than a thousand-catty boulder."
"...I'm ashamed. But no matter how strong I become, I won't beat your axe. It could shatter boulders."
"Kuhuhu. Did you see inside?"
"Yes. Weighty."
"And within?"
"........."
I held my tongue.
Maeng Cheon sheathed his axe.
"It's shaking. Breaking apart. Rehabilitation's too late. By the time the Myriad Sages Divine Healer's disciple arrives... continuing martial arts might be impossible."
"Can't the physician treat you?"
"The heart demon is greater than I thought. Even holding the axe, it feels ungraspable. I'm crumbling from within. Truth is... I've long wondered if I even deserve to wield it."
Maeng Cheon stroked the axe's edge.
"Now's the time to focus solely on my eldest. My last hope isn't martial arts. It's him. Late, but... time to be a proper father."
"...You can do it, Sect Leader."
"Thanks, So-hong. You've helped greatly. Coming tomorrow?"
"...Tomorrow."
"I'd like that."
"I will."
"Good."
Maeng Cheon tucked the axe at his waist and turned his head sharply.
"So-hong."
"Yes?"
"Keep going."
He smiled faintly.
"Effort never betrays. The sword you've swung diligently will aid you. Definitely."
"......."
I returned to my lodgings.
I shared what I'd learned with Number 20. She sighed in relief.
"A crumbling master. Assassination should be relatively easy. Maybe even one strike."
"......."
"Your face looks bad, Number 30."
"Sorry."
"You okay?"
"I'm fine."
I was fine.
Truly fine.
The day before the last. I sought Maeng Cheon again. He welcomed me with a smile.
"So-hong! The Myriad Sages Divine Healer's disciple is nearby! Arriving today, they say!"
"Really?"
"Once he comes, my eldest will return to normal. Lucky. Isn't it great?"
Maeng Cheon rummaged in his bosom.
"Thanks for the short time. Thanks to you, I could bare my heart freely."
"The honor was mine, Sect Leader."
"Something for such a man. So-hong."
Maeng Cheon handed me a pouch.
"A Reversion Pill. Your internal energy seemed poor. Might be the root cause. Absorb it well, and you could gain ten years' worth."
"......"
"Don't make that face, So-hong. It's not that expensive. And aren't we friends already? Just giving what's due. Watching you... I thought..."
Maeng Cheon grinned.
"...if my second son had grown, he'd be like you."
I bit my lip.
"...Sect Leader."
"So take it. No refusals. Tuck it away. Put some money in there too. Sadly, no drinks today. But this isn't the end. Don't forget to be my confidant now and then, So-hong."
Maeng Cheon patted my shoulder.
"Thank you. For listening. If I'm the pillar of the Black Heaven Axe Sect, you temporarily supported me."
"......."
"I won't go far. Visit again. Not as a hunter, but as my friend."
I turned and left the Black Heaven Axe Sect. Only after a few more steps did I realize.
I couldn't kill Maeng Cheon.
From the moment he called me son, even briefly...
I knew I couldn't kill him.
"Number 30."
"...Yes."
"Tomorrow's execution day. You know?"
"I know."
I fiddled with my sword. Gazed at the night streets beyond the lodgings.
Drew the sword. Reflected myself in the gleaming blade.
Red Cloud.
What to do.
I lay awake through the night. Then, early next morning, I headed to the Black Heaven Axe Sect.
Not to confess anything. Just to talk with Maeng Cheon one more time.
That was all.
But...
"...The Sect Leader has passed."
He was dead.
Before we could even draw our swords.
"Died in an accident. Leave. No guests today."
"Tell me why. Who..."
"An accident while treating Sect Leader's eldest son, Maeng So-un. Verified by the Myriad Sages Divine Healer's disciple."
The gatekeeper's face was also distorted. Lamenting his position, forced to accept the unreasonable.
"Go, So-hong. No one here to welcome you anymore..."