Chapter 30
Chapter 30
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: The Weight of the Clan
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Sima Ak swung his sword. I waited silently until it was over.
I slipped my words into his ragged breaths.
"Is this the Sima Clan's swordsmanship?"
"Yes. It's the Sima One Sword."
"..."
Sima Clan.
Thanks to Ghost Shadow Prodigy Sima Gon, the name was renowned as a prestigious family skilled in both knowledge and martial arts.
But it seemed I had to strike the latter from the record. The swordsmanship used by the current clan head was far from what anyone would call "skilled."
"..."
"I can even see your expression under that mask."
Sima Ak leaned on his sword.
"Fine. It's just as you saw. My Sima One Sword is pathetic."
"...It seems more than just pathetic."
"Then what is it?"
"The beginning and end don't connect. Given the name 'One Sword,' it feels like the entire technique is meant to form a single, complete whole..."
The beginning of the Sima One Sword was clean, but the end was chaotic.
"Did you perhaps lose the manual's incantations?"
"You're not completely clueless. You sniff things out like a dog. But this isn't simply a matter of losing the manual's incantations."
Sima Ak brushed back his disheveled hair.
"It's a famous story that the manual in the main house disappeared. It vanished just days after my grandfather went missing. But I received instruction in the sword directly from him. I still remember that sight vividly. Even without the manual, recalling the technique is simple for me."
"..."
"There's only one reason the end is chaotic. My body is too weak. Hey, dog. Here's what I need from you. I'll carve out some time bit by bit from now on. You'll have spare time at night. Use it to help me refine my form and build my stamina."
"Refine your form? What do you...?"
"Sima One Sword. I don't expect you to perfect it. Just correct my sword-swinging posture. I'm clumsy with my body. Even when I try to mimic my grandfather's sword, it doesn't suit me. You're from the Blood Demon Squad, right? Bottom of the barrel? You must understand bodies better than some martial arts genius."
Sima Ak let out a deep breath.
"If you can't help with that, then at least help here. Number 30. I won't take no for an answer."
"..."
Sima One Sword.
I pictured the sword I'd seen in my mind. I visualized the complex opening in my head and tried to imagine what followed.
...It doesn't connect. It really doesn't connect.
I couldn't link the latter part. But I could at least fix Sima Ak's posture.
"But Clan Head, there are several problems."
"What?"
"Your stamina is lacking, your qi is insufficient, and your body is a mess."
"So?"
"Everything needs to be overhauled, but time will be short."
"Just teach the necessary parts. That'll be enough. I'll make up for the deficiencies later myself. I just..."
Sima Ak smiled bitterly for the first time.
"...need a sword to leave behind for the Sima Clan. My head is sharp enough to record what I learn in a book. I have to teach my successor at least as much as what was lost in the manual, don't I? Just in case they end up as frail as me."
"You really cherish the Sima Clan."
"That's what being clan head means, you idiot. If I didn't care from the start, why would I take on this annoying position?"
Sima Ak pointed his sword tip at me.
"Will you do it, or not?"
"...Didn't you say you won't accept a refusal?"
I stood up.
"No choices left, then."
"...Right. There are no choices."
Sima Ak nodded slightly.
"Fulfill your duty. Escort warrior Number 30."
"Training isn't an escort warrior's responsibility, but..."
I drew my sword.
"...with everyone in the Sima Clan so busy, I suppose I need to handle both roles."
Sima Ak smirked.
"Smooth talker, aren't you?"
...
I taught Sima Ak. But we hit a snag right away.
Sima Ak's body was terrible. He had no talent for martial arts to begin with.
If I was merely ordinary, he had no talent for the sword at all. And he didn't even seem to like it.
"Sima One Sword? I practice it out of obligation. I don't like this brutal stuff to begin with."
"The sword is beautiful..."
"What beauty? Talking beauty about killing people is laughable. I don't understand warriors."
His stamina improved slowly, so even teaching one thing was a struggle. Even when I pointed out his posture, he lacked the knack for moving his body and couldn't replicate it.
"Like this?"
"A bit more... like this..."
"What? Explain so I can understand! Don't just show me with your body!"
"Lower your waist a bit!"
"Don't raise your voice!"
Sima Ak's swings were weak; they couldn't even cut a twig.
"...Was the Sima Clan's One Sword always such a pathetic technique?"
"The wielder is pathetic, so the technique ends up this way."
"Those words have thorns."
"Follow along before sharper ones come."
"Threatening me, you dog?"
Me, who had little experience teaching.
And Sima Ak, who couldn't follow even when taught.
But we had something in common. No matter how high the wall, we didn't give up easily.
Sweat-soaked and gasping, Sima Ak wailed the next day from muscle pain.
But he limped back to the stele anyway.
"The Sima One Sword must connect. Even if not through me, then through my descendants. The Sima Clan's greatness can't end with my generation."
"...Why go that far...?"
"It's a sense of responsibility. I was the only one left to shoulder what Grandfather left behind. Dog, do you know this feeling?"
"I've had to hold up a household alone before."
"Not a complete lost cause, for a dog."
Sima Ak's sword was similar on the second day. Despite his body screaming, he gritted his teeth and swung.
"The Sima Clan is everything to me."
"Why so...?"
"The Sima Clan's greatness has been passed down through generations. The name Sima Clan itself is like a massive spirit. A treasure handed down through the bloodline. Even in the cult, it's a renowned prestigious family."
Sima Ak's sword was similar on the third day. But he still didn't let go of it.
"Those who inherit the blood must bear that responsibility."
"Isn't it unfair to bear responsibility just because you inherited the blood?"
"Has the world ever been fair? Everyone lives like this."
"You don't seem like someone who submits to such logic."
"...What do you know?"
Sima Ak struck downward with his sword.
He split the twig for the first time.
"I know nothing, Clan Head. But I can voice what I've seen."
"..."
"I only asked because it seemed there was more to it. You don't have to answer if you don't want to."
Sima Ak shrugged. He looked down at the severed twig.
His crooked lips twitched.
"...My father died young. I don't even know his face. My mother passed early too. They were of one mind and crossed the line together. It was an accident. For me, family was just my little sister and grandfather."
"..."
"Grandfather practically led the Sima Clan alone. He was someone with much to teach. I grew up watching his back. Ghost Shadow Prodigy Sima Gon. My grandfather taught me many things. How to hold chopsticks. How to show manners. How to read books. How to talk to people..."
"Looks like you didn't master talking to people."
"Want to die?"
Sima Ak smirked.
"Fine, dog. Everything except that, I learned plenty. Grandfather was my idol. I wanted to be like him. But I couldn't. I had no talent for martial arts. Fortunately, my head was sharp enough to learn how to run the clan. Do you know what Grandfather always said?"
"No idea."
"'Every member of the Sima Clan is my family.' He said it countless times. He proved it by treating the servants kindly. Laughter never ceased around him. I... probably liked that sight. Seeing the Sima Clan members living peacefully within the clan's fold."
"..."
"Call it responsibility or whatever. This is the place I vowed to protect. So I'll protect it, no matter what schemes arise. For the Sima Clan name to endure, I'd even drink poison. If the fold vanishes, the sheep inside get devoured by wolves. I don't want to see that. That's all."
I mulled over Sima Ak's words. I looked down at the sword he held.
What weight did that bony hand lift it with?
For a moment, I felt like I'd glimpsed who he really was. I held my tongue.
I simply showed him the sword again.
"Try it like this, Clan Head."
"...Hmph."
Sima Ak turned his head awkwardly.
Out of curiosity, I asked one more thing.
"By the way... did you learn that manner of speech from your grandfather too?"
"Shameless types only tuck tail when you speak to them like this. There were annoyingly many who targeted the Sima Clan because I was young and unskilled in martial arts. Speak nicely to those bastards, and they climb all over you."
"It's too familiar to be intentional..."
"Don't babble!"
Sima Ak struck downward with his sword.
He grunted pulling it from the tree and sighed.
"A week really is too much."
"It's improved, though."
"By an ant's fart?"
"I have a question, Clan Head."
"Why do you have so many questions?"
"Why me?"
"..."
Sima Ak sheathed his sword.
"Because you're an outsider."
"What's that got to do with it?"
"Everyone in the Sima Clan knows. That I'm a hopeless weakling. No way they don't. But seeing it firsthand is a whole different story, idiot."
"..."
"Prestige is connected. What if the Sima Clan head looks ridiculous flailing with a sword? What if someone outside the clan sees it?"
"..."
"If a lord shows weakness, even existing loyalty can fade."
"That doesn't seem to be all."
"Sharp one."
Sima Ak scratched his head vigorously.
"Yeah. Take the Chuui Guard right now. Even my most trusted escorts wouldn't laugh at me. But my feelings?"
"Pardon?"
"Can you proudly show what you're bad at in front of others? What about my shame?"
"Not ashamed in front of me?"
"I'm not that delicate about a dog who's leaving."
"...Pfft."
"What're you snickering at?!"
My last day as escort warrior approached.
I thought Sima Ak would ask for more sword lessons as usual, but he brought out something else.
"Sit beside me, dog."
"What's this?"
"Eyes just for show? It's booze. I drank alone, so only one cup. Not much left anyway, so have a drink."
Sima Ak poured into the cup. He eyed the remaining amount sloshing, then put the bottle to his lips.
"Gotta have this sometimes."
I sniffed it. No refined aroma.
Just ordinary rice wine. Cheap stuff you see anywhere.
"I figured a clan head would drink better than this."
"Being able to drink it is what matters. Not about the price. Vulgar dog."
"Why give this to me...?"
"Even a dog like you was fairly useful. Not completely useless. The Sima One Sword is still the same, but now I can at least stick it in a tree."
Sima Ak clicked his tongue.
"...Thanks to you, I fixed my posture. So here, take it. Be grateful."
I caught the embarrassment hidden in his grumbling.
I smirked.
"Give me money instead."
"No money."
"Didn't you say money was the one thing you had plenty of?"
"Clan heads lie sometimes too. Hey, how old are you? Why keep sassing me?"
"Twenty... twenty-five now."
"I'm one year older. Don't get cocky."
"Call you 'hyung'?"
"Bullshit."
I downed the cup. The aftertaste was a bit bitter.
But the booze after so long still tasted plenty sweet.
Ridiculously small amount to get drunk. But because it was small, I could savor the lingering taste.
"Alright, hey, dog. Your set time is up. What'd you see?"
"..."
"Got any proof? Proof I'm colluding?"
I stared at him silently. The moment to decide had come.
Trust him.
Or trust the more solid evidence from the Cheonak Sect.
In the silence, I fiddled with my sword. The choice was mine.
Which path to take, Red Cloud.
The easy, comfortable one.
Or the hard, difficult one.
"..."
In the flickering lantern light, I opened my closed mouth.
"Clan Head. Did you know some of the goods meant for the cult from the warehouse are missing?"
"...What?"
I decided to trust my judgment.
"Something's happening here without your knowledge. So I'll ask once more. Did you really... not divert any of the tribute goods for the cult?"
"..."
Sima Ak's face hardened. He shot to his feet.
I grabbed the lantern and followed him.
We reached the warehouse. Sima Ak unlocked the bolted door.
"Clan Head? Why at this hour...?"
"Out of the way."
With trembling hands, he pulled out the key. He checked every empty box.
"What is this...?"
"Number 30!"
Number 20's voice rang into the warehouse after so long.
"We need to move now! Right now!"