Chapter 144
Chapter 144
************************-
Translator: uly
Chapter: 144
Chapter Title: A Month's Grace and Growth
************************-
The chirping of birds echoed.
Suryeon rubbed her eyes and sat up.
The scent of warm sunlight drifted past the window and crept inside. After combing her hair and tidying it, Suryeon shuffled out of the room, her head nodding sleepily.
"Fir...st Lake..."
"Yes."
I asked the woman who rose from the floor as if sprouting up.
"The body... disposal...?"
"We left it in Ice Valley, known only to sect members. I told Hero Red the location separately."
"Yeah... go ahead and see it..."
Number 1 vanished. Suryeon leaned against the wall and slid down bonelessly.
Morning felt heavy. So heavy that some days she couldn't even open her eyes. And with her poor physical state on top of it...
Sleepy. Incredibly so.
Still, she had to get up... had to act like a grown-up...
Ugh...
"Suryeon?"
She cracked her eyes open at the call. A man who had apparently finished morning training and washed up lightly came into view.
"What are you doing here?"
"Going to... wash up..."
"Your body doesn't seem right. Rest a little longer."
"Still... I need to groom myself..."
"I'll wipe you down with a damp towel. Come here."
She was swept into his arms. Back she went to the room she'd barely managed to leave.
A damp towel settled right on her head. Hands that wiped her face meticulously every which way vanished briefly, then returned.
Warm porridge.
"Say ahh."
"Ah..."
Suryeon quietly accepted the food that entered her mouth like a baby bird.
No seasoning. Bland as could be. Temple food, maybe that's why.
Bland. The whole meal. Suryeon murmured in a hazy tone.
"I want... salty meat..."
"Wait just a moment."
"Huh...?"
The honest wish she'd let slip unknowingly returned in under an hour.
He'd smuggled in meat cooked outside and set the dishes before her.
Far too much for one person.
As he fed her bites one by one with the spoon, Suryeon stared at him.
Her sleep had fled by now, returning her usual self.
"...The girl can feed herself."
"It's fine. Go on."
"Still..."
"Here."
"Ahmpf."
Suryeon chewed and swallowed until the meal was done.
"Why go this far..."
"Worrying about a partner is only natural, isn't it?"
"...Our partnership's already over."
"Not one I care to end."
"...I won't breathe a word about Red Cloud's identity anywhere."
"That's not why. Without Suryeon, Cheonhyang Hermit would've lost on the spot, and I'd have faced two masters' combined assault."
"......"
"You're my lifesaver. And I've gotten plenty of help besides..."
Red Cloud left with the cleared trays.
"Don't refuse. Suryeon."
"......"
Suryeon quietly tracked his retreating back with her gaze.
A favor received...
If so, she'd received far too many. Her life saved, hidden from prying eyes...
Thanks to him, she'd slain her lifelong foe.
And now nursing care too. Aside from training hours, he hadn't left her side for a second.
Whatever she wanted to eat, he'd fetch it.
Whatever movement she craved, he'd support her.
Even wiping her face himself when she wanted to wash.
"......"
Suryeon tamped down the emotions surging unbidden.
Nearly a month. The stretch after her injury forcing her to stay in Shaolin.
All the while, she'd battled herself nonstop.
A feeling she'd never indulged toward anyone...
The urge to act spoiled.
Get it together, Suryeon. You're fine.
The pain's mostly gone. Just take care in the mornings.
Anything more would be...
"Ah, Suryeon."
"Yes?"
Red Cloud had returned, something in his hand.
Candied fruit.
The treat they'd shared for the first time.
"Bought it just in case... Won't you have some?"
"...Urgh... wh-why that one..."
"You seemed to enjoy it before... If it's not to your taste, I'll toss it."
...Just this once... it should be fine to savor, right...?
"...Ah..."
A piece tumbled into her parted lips.
Suryeon crunched away.
The sweetness gliding down her throat...
Felt so very good.
...
"A whole month already."
Buljon. Emptiness shook the blood from his hands.
"Your growth is astounding. Who could've guessed you'd keep pace like this in just a month? But that body of yours... you're truly alright?"
"Of course."
"...Training that drives you to death's door. Had I not witnessed it, I'd never have permitted it."
I hauled myself up in the blood-drenched training yard.
Emptiness jabbed a finger at me.
"Those swords of yours. Transforming blades, was it? The riot of morphing techniques pouring out-positively horrifying. At your level, opponents would be scarce. Dead before they adapt."
"My thanks for the praise."
"But consider this: that split-second gap switching blades could drag you to ruin."
I eyed the three blades stabbed into the ground.
He was spot on. A limit I felt keenly myself.
"You weren't born for dual wielding. You know that."
"I do."
"Your swordplay dazzles... yet lacks that spark of genius. Shun such paths. Yours stands apart from finesse. Though that brings its own strengths aplenty. Never have I seen blades so weighty."
Buljon sat me before him and stroked his chin.
"Yeomhyeolsa, right? That technique's settled deep in your flesh."
"Thanks to you, Venerable, I mastered the final transforming stance as well."
"Yeomhyeolsa Taepaek... sent shivers down my spine. That brutal blow's heft defies blocking without heart sword. But it demands drawing the foe in-a glaring flaw. The last one's Sayik, yeah? Astonishingly swift thrust sword. Tailored for carving foes down. Flawless transforming form. No teacher in the Heavenly Demon... so who truly forged you?"
My shoulders twitched faintly.
"The closest to supreme under heaven."
"Keh heh heh. You've got that look too. Exemplary master. Molding a disciple like you... envy stirs. Deep envy, as one martial artist to another."
"You're too kind."
"Kind? Nonsense. Now then... care to show the next form again?"
Nine Heavens Blood Demon Sword, seventh form...
Baegaksinhyeol.
I rifled the manual. Still incomprehensible despite reading.
Buljon offered no further comment.
"Even rewatched... same verdict. No martial art for the mind. Body alone comprehends it. My words might only muddle it further."
"Understood."
"Heard of body-sword unity?"
"I've heard the term... but isn't it the realm where body and sword merge as one?"
"Grasp that, and you'll wield this. Baegaksinhyeol teeters at Transformation Realm's brink. Master it, and a mere veil separates you from beyond. Breach it-you'll glimpse heaven opening."
"Heaven opening... the gateway to Manifestation Realm."
"Precisely. A fiendishly tough form. Yours isn't mere manual-few could emulate it with the book in hand. Demands blood and sweat for mastery."
Buljon eyed me steadily.
"This past month brought rare joy. Who knew imparting arts could thrill so? Never crossed a pupil so diligent, steadfast. You're every warrior's exemplar."
"...Such praise leaves me at a loss..."
"Praise alone won't do. Your will-formed aura lacks true shape. Stagnant in simplicity. The aura proper? Novice level. Visualize. Your true self. Pin down your desires precisely-form solidifies. Cloaking the body for strength and endurance? Crude notion. Even your foe amplified his arts via will-formed aura, no? Seven short spears, one long-that embodied his. Life's core, power pursued. Honed techniques, unleashed devastation."
Buljon chuckled dryly.
"Refine it. Infuse your aura with clear intent... horizons expand. I'd have taught you gladly, but our paths oppose utterly-couldn't bridge it. Pity. Yet etch our clashes deep. Drive your strength to the limit."
"I'll treasure every lesson."
"...Twilight years with a disciple like you? Wish fulfilled... tch tch... who'd dream rearing one so rewarding?"
Buljon extended a hand. He pulled me to my feet.
"Visit Shaolin anytime. The whole temple hails you benefactor. Oh. Catch the rumors?"
"What rumors...?"
"Vagabonds blabbing your tale. And not just that-I boasted personally of your grace to me..."
Buljon winked.
"Congratulations, Silent Sword. Word's out a legend graced Murim Alliance. Mutter 'Silent Sword' now, throngs will know you."
"...Fame I sought... tastes bittersweet."
"Chin up. Know your name's station now?"
"Pardon?"
"Righteous Four Venerables oversee Nine Stars, they the Seven Swords, those the Nine Dragons-martial world's finest juniors..."
Buljon grinned.
"Rumor pairs your name with the Nine Dragons. Some stretch it to Ten, dubbing you the last: Silent Dragon. Folks adore hierarchies. Enter one, suitors flock. Recruiters multiply, rivals eye you warily. You've hit the core-stay vigilant. A new world dawns, beyond your ken."
"Precisely how...?"
"How? Renown shifts treatment wholesale. Venerable-endorsed warrior? VIP honors everywhere. Shame some now question, chip at your shine... no pure boon."
"Tiring times ahead."
"Passage you must brave for your aims, no? Fame unlocks intel. Just my counsel: shun blind blades."
Fame.
Having it felt oddly disorienting.
Four Venerables.
Nine Stars.
Seven Swords.
Nine Dragons.
Righteous faction's loftiest, most whispered titles.
Four Venerables deemed invincible, Nine Stars their peers.
The Seven Swords beneath, Nine Dragons no less formidable.
Equated with those Nine Dragons...
"Oh. Also, missive from Murim Alliance."
"What'd it say?"
"Return once healed. I dug around... Geumpyeong and Myochoa, who went ahead, face reprimands."
"Reprimands...?"
"Inspection squadmates who did zilch this time-naturally no kind words."
"......."
"Convenient cull of thorns... though Geumpyeong and Myochoa might nurse grudges against you now..."
Buljon tapped his wooden fish.
"Need aid? Letter me anytime. I'll step in. In the Venerable's name."