Chapter 54
Chapter 54
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 54
Chapter Title: Grasping the Overreaching
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"That's not particularly wrong."
The Blood Demon Squad Leader smiled.
"The Blood Demon Squad is the unit tasked with guiding the inspection team. As long as he hasn't given up, we have a responsibility to watch his back. Of course, direct assistance is off-limits. We're just leading the way, so we can't help him hands-on. Bicheon. You get that, right?"
"Of course. I'll just make sure nothing goes wrong from behind."
"If that's how you're handling it, I won't stand in your way."
"...There's a bit of a snag in your words, Squad Leader."
Jin Wi-ryang asked with a mocking tone.
"How do you know my squad member won't help him directly?"
"Are you saying you don't trust the Blood Demon Squad?"
"Squad Leader, I trust you, but that squad member isn't you, is he?"
Jin Wi-ryang glanced at me. His eyes brimmed with hostility.
He smirked with a look that screamed, How dare you crawl up to me?
"Fairness. Isn't certainty better than uncertainty? If you're volunteering to watch his back and bring him along separately, why not impose some reasonable restrictions on him?"
"What are you getting at?"
"I have something. Dispersing Power Poison. A toxin that scatters your internal energy, leaving you unable to use it."
"...Are you suggesting I poison my own subordinate right now?"
"It's a mild effect that wears off with time. The duration isn't long, so it'll naturally detoxify. But..."
Jin Wi-ryang shrugged.
"He won't be able to use internal energy for at least ten days. Fair enough, don't you think?"
"You're way over the line, Jin Wi-ryang. Are you challenging my authority? Someone dosed with Dispersing Power Poison can't navigate the path to the Sealed Demon Cave."
"He looks pretty well-trained. His body's sturdy enough; he doesn't seem to need internal energy anyway. Besides, I'm not crossing any lines, Squad Leader. Please rein in your anger. I'm just saying I need some certainty too."
Myriad Gods Sect juniors subtly gathered behind him.
"Isn't favoritism toward one group controversial in a place meant to foster unity? Better to nip it in the bud cleanly."
"I refuse."
"If you refuse, no choice. I'll stick to my position. I can't trust that guy. If you don't do what I suggest, even if Young Master Yeon reaches the Sealed Demon Cave, I'll have to doubt his qualifications. Didn't the test start when we escaped the Black Constellation Star? Treating the unqualified the same as the qualified naturally raises questions about the Blood Demon Squad's fairness."
"You dare...!"
"Young Master Yeon."
Dispersing Power Poison, huh.
I hadn't expected him to go that far. Pure malice.
In this treacherous terrain without internal energy, it was as good as telling him not to follow.
But I accepted. To take responsibility for my own words.
Everything out of Jin Wi-ryang's mouth grated on me. Standing opposite my own views, I wanted to shut him up.
If you could overcome everything with what's given, what meaning would effort have? What weight do the words of someone mocking another's path carry?
I didn't like it.
Not from the start, not now.
I turned to Yeon-gwang. I asked the hulking figure looking at me with wavering eyes.
"What will you do?"
"M-Master warrior... I really..."
"You won't know until you try, will you? It's not too late to give up at the end."
"......."
"No need to mind the stares."
The juniors were crowding in. The Blood Demon Squad gathered as the mood grew tense.
The escort warriors glanced our way. I could feel Eun Seol-ran looking too.
But I didn't look at anyone.
I just spoke to Yeon-gwang.
"The choice is entirely yours."
".......!"
Yeon-gwang's eyes shook. He looked down at his sword, then opened his mouth.
He was still gauging my reaction. But I shook my head.
If he truly meant it, I planned to let him go.
But if he had even the slightest lingering attachment...
He had to go.
Because it was right.
"I... I..."
He stammered, then drew a deep breath. He still bowed his head uncertainly.
But the words that slipped out held his true heart.
"...I'll... see it through to the end."
Yes.
That one phrase was enough.
I extended my hand to Jin Wi-ryang.
"Young Master Jin. The Dispersing Power Poison, please."
"...You're really going to take it?"
"If I didn't intend to, I wouldn't have brought it up."
I chewed and swallowed the poison he offered, making a show of it.
Even circulating the Nine Heavens Blood Demon Art, my qi wouldn't flow.
This was leagues beyond the poison in the Blood Demon Valley.
It wasn't mild. What Jin Wi-ryang gave me was poison of the deadliest kind.
Undoubtedly the most potent strain of Dispersing Power Poison. He lied about it being light. Heavenly Tribulation was struggling to expel it.
In the end, Heavenly Tribulation would reclaim its dominance. It was already breaking down the toxin bit by bit and pushing it out.
But as he said, the outcome was clear.
I wouldn't be able to use internal energy for a while.
"We'll catch up. On time."
But it was fine.
My heart was still moved.
...
The sun rose. The inspection team moved out.
As before, we lagged behind.
The conditions were worse now. Without internal energy, I couldn't move like before.
Climbing even one boulder took endless effort. I nearly slipped several times.
I pushed my powerless body hard. I'd adapt eventually, so though a bit slower than before, I could keep up a steady pace.
Yeon-gwang hesitated but followed behind me.
"Why... why go so far to help me...?"
"I didn't say those words to help Young Master Yeon."
"Th-Then..."
"Honestly, I'm pissed off. Everything from one to ten that came out of his mouth rubbed me wrong."
"......."
"I moved because it bothered me. Since you decided it yourself, no need to feel burdened."
The wind was picking up. I lowered my stance.
The fickle weather kept shifting. Standing tall might send my body tumbling down at any moment.
Yeon-gwang muttered from behind. His voice was too soft to catch clearly.
"...Thank you."
"I didn't swallow that poison to hear thanks. Young Master Yeon, actions matter more than words. If you want to prove your heart, move your feet."
I reached out to the staggering Yeon-gwang.
"Let's go. Long road ahead."
"...Yes."
The intensifying wind swept us even after sunset.
We fell further behind than the day before. We barely caught sight of them at dawn.
The group at our hard-won destination had already rested and was packing up, drenched in cold sweat as we arrived.
"...Jeez, doesn't know his place."
Jin Wi-ryang sneered at our state as he passed. The others glanced and moved on.
Only Eun Seol-ran watched us for a while. Gun Cheon-gyeong whispered too.
"You okay?"
"Holding up, Senior."
"...You don't look it, but you've got some stubborn streak. Follow carefully. I'll keep leaving traces."
Only charred firewood remained where everyone had left. I glanced at the rising sun.
We needed a break, even brief. Otherwise, the gap would widen.
"Unpack, Young Master Yeon. Rest while you can."
"...Sorry."
We unpacked in the cave. Instead of sleeping, I quickly pulled out rations and heated them.
Just warming pre-made food. Yeon-gwang nodded off over the hot meal.
I glanced at the sun.
"Better rest one hourglass. Close your eyes."
"And you, Master warrior...?"
"Don't worry about me."
I leaned against the wall. Head bowed while sitting.
Deep sleep might waste unknown time. I woke in fits, checking constantly.
Exactly one hour later, I roused him. Yeon-gwang, half-asleep, stepped out again.
We followed the traces. But the gap was wider than yesterday; by next day, we reached their abandoned camp.
We couldn't catch up on time. My body was part of it, and Yeon-gwang was tiring too.
Our pace slowed relentlessly.
Yeon-gwang's panting grew louder.
The waterskins ran dry; we quenched thirst with spit.
"......."
"......."
What little talk there was dwindled further. The late-night cave held only cold, day-old firewood.
Too late. Absurdly late.
Yeon-gwang leaned against the cave wall.
"...Maybe."
Yeon-gwang muttered with a pallid face.
"I dreamed too big for my station."
"......."
"It was impossible from the start. Even if I reach the Sealed Demon Cave with help, no way that Ghost Valley Wild Sword would help the likes of me. He's the one who forges swords only for geniuses among geniuses."
"......."
"I lack talent. My master chose me probably because... he misjudged me. Forcing what can't be done naturally wears you out, right? Thunderbolt Sword isn't a technique for the likes of me. It's natural others mock. A fine sword in unworthy hands... being scorned is only natural..."
Yeon-gwang coughed raggedly. He looked at me.
"Better... stop here. I can't make it on time. Quitting and heading back..."
"Why can't you dream beyond your station?"
I pulled out food. Relit the cold firewood.
Heated the meal. Watched steam rise.
Repeat what we did.
Until success.
"If even dreaming is forbidden, who in the world would stride forward?"
"H-Ha... but..."
"I don't know much. About you or your master. But one thing I do know."
The food warmed.
I handed it to him.
"Better than endless excuses is using that time for one more step."
"Why... why..."
"Won't you regret it?"
I was exhausted.
My powerless body ached. Catnaps made my frame creak.
But I could walk.
I could still walk.
"Those words you just said."
"......."
Yeon-gwang, staring blankly, took the food with trembling hands.
He chewed steadily.
...
"...What was your master like, Master warrior...?"
Blisters formed on my feet from the march. The brutal terrain was breaking my body.
Raw pain I hadn't felt in ages. With Heavenly Tribulation focused on the poison, my body wasn't regenerating...
Each step screamed from my soles.
Result of endless bare-body forced march.
But I swallowed groans and moved. This pain was nothing now.
"What kind...?"
Yeon-gwang staggered. I pulled his arm up.
"A bit rough-spoken, but warm inside. Our first meeting was the worst. He saw me in pain and laughed."
"...Pardon?"
"Exactly that. Our initial bond was more foe than master-disciple. But due to someone, it changed form eventually."
Wind blew. Rain poured.
We walked with open mouths. To ease thirst.
"Learned the sword. Martial arts too. Can't properly call her Master yet... but I definitely see her as one myself."
"Quite a... complicated relationship."
"Maybe to others, but not to me."
I thought of her.
Took one more step.
"Received so much, so for her, I'd do even more."
"...I... feel the same."
Yeon-gwang walked beside me.
"My master... cared for a stray like me. Took me as disciple, taught his sword. I... wanted to live up to his expectations. But lacking talent..."
"......."
"Don't you want to give back when you receive? Master was most important to me. Irreplaceable... like a father. But I showed him nothing. Couldn't even properly show the Thunderbolt Sword he always demonstrated."
Leaned in the cave.
Dry wood in center, we faced each other.
Heated food.
Ate.
"Even on his deathbed, I only showed weakness. Just cried. That's my biggest regret. Wanted to show strength and resolve at the end... but it was so hard."
"How many can show that when a loved one departs?"
"Ha ha... hearts don't work that way."
Walked again.
Chased the gap relentlessly.
"That's why I tried fixing this sword. Showed only weakness till end, so wanted to show something before he died."
"Is that sword so precious?"
"That's part... but sword's just a means. Master said his Thunderbolt Sword was always unfinished. Learned from ancestors, but end unseen. He lived solely for its completion. Now I've inherited that, want to prove at his grave his legacy endures in our cult. By completing his sword with my hands."
"......"
"Meet expectations, even late. That's my wish. He said in life this holds Thunderbolt Sword's essence, so fixing it might yield something. Gather it all, complete Thunderbolt Sword... show those who mocked him they were wrong. Of course... want to repair his relic too."
I nodded. Pushed his back.
"Good plan."
Next day's cave corner had two waterskins. Scribbled note too.
[Drink up and hang in there, junior. Keeping up okay?]
Gun Cheon-gyeong. I burst laughing.
My eyes didn't lie. The waterskins proved it.
What a kind soul. Fresh rainwater filled them just in time.
Quenched our thirst.
But stamina hit limits. Yeon-gwang wobbled.
Me too.
"Can we... catch up...?"
"Try till we can't."
Mind frayed too. Sleep-deprived. Knew deep sleep meant falling irretrievably behind, so we pressed on.
One hour per day.
Brief catnaps.
Terrain worsened. Broken mouths only groaned.
I endured.
But Yeon-gwang couldn't.
On the tenth day, he spoke. Whispered through cracked lips.
"...Body's... at limit, Master warrior."
"......."
"Feet won't move. Soles peeled off, can't walk. Hands gripping rocks are raw, skin gone."
"......."
"Did our best... but impossible."
I knew he'd hit his limit. So I didn't stop him.
He was right. We'd done enough.
...Respect it.
Last question.
"Satisfied with this?"
"...Yes."
"Sleep then. Won't wake you."
Watched him turn over. Used my pack as pillow, closed eyes.
Exhausted body crashed instantly. Mind plunged into abyss for a moment.
Full of regret.
But...
I couldn't force him either.
Walking or not was always his choice.
...
Yeon-gwang stared at the wall.
A crack. Nothing beyond. Yet he kept staring.
Sleep tugged. But didn't come. Thought giving up would ease his heart, but no.
Something stuck in throat. Coughed to spit it out, but couldn't.
Heart in turmoil.
Rolled over, same.
"......."
...But.
Impossible is impossible.
Yeon-gwang thought so. Life has impossibles. Things slip even clutching with both hands.
No matter effort, unreachable.
Those swinging swords to gain all don't know. Only stubborn pursuers do.
World unfair.
And at center of that unfair world was himself.
"......."
Feet hurt. Hands too.
Chipped nails visible. Calluses torn, bleeding.
Painful. Still hurts sitting; walking worse.
Knees buckling like dislocated. Shaking, can't walk.
Not fleeing.
Truly couldn't.
「Gwang-ah.」
Familiar voice. Yeon-gwang unwittingly looked outside.
Wind dying down. Moonlight beyond.
...Actually.
He always had a hideout when tired. Quiet, no one came, could close eyes peacefully.
But truth: not because empty. Someone always came when eerie moonlight gathered. In exhausted, forsaken hours, a subtle visitor.
Always consistent, eventually waited for.
「Sulking again?」
...Master.
I... don't know.
Think I did enough. Unqualified yet boarded forcibly, sinking natural, right?
Pushed by logic, just giving up.
...But...
Why... won't sleep come...
"......"
Yeon-gwang stared blankly at moonlight. Turned, looked back.
The man forbidden internal energy was there. Walked ahead bare-bodied, took wind for him.
Why doesn't that man give up?
Clearly suffering, yet keeps walking how?
Don't know. Head spins. Must sleep. Wake, thoughts clear.
So close eyes.
Close eyes to...
...somehow...
「Won't you regret it?」
Eyes snapped open.
Yeon-gwang realized late.
Why moonlight so bright.
Why master's voice echoed in ears.
Why soles raw yet no sleep.
"...Ah."
Ah. Yes. That's it.
I know. Now no one seeks me even if I hide.
Zone out here, master's name fades too.
Reason he came simple: fix master's broken relic, truly complete Thunderbolt Sword.
But not purely for self.
Show those mocking "foolish disciple" that master was right.
Prove with body his greatness, right choice of disciple.
I know.
Stopping here means regret for sure.
"...Crunch."
Bit lip. Can I move?
...No.
Don't overthink, Yeon-gwang.
Didn't Bi warrior say?
Instead of excuses...
One step forward matters.
...
Someone shook me awake. I slowly lifted my head.
Slightly shifted moon shadow. Head ached, proving the hour's catnap.
"...Master warrior."
"......."
"Want... to try more."
Looked aside.
Wrecked-faced Yeon-gwang said.
"Walk more. I can."
"Why...?"
"Tried to give up... definitely did..."
Something clutched to his chest.
Master's sword.
Clutching the broken blade, Yeon-gwang gritted teeth.
"Felt like... I'd regret... couldn't be satisfied..."
Legs trembled visibly. Shoes' soles shredded with blood.
Proved whole body walking powerless.
But he moved. Crawled, knelt before me.
"No talent. Might lack to fulfill master's dream. Truth is... always thought so. Talked big, but inwardly concluded couldn't complete Thunderbolt Sword."
"......."
"Already deemed impossible inwardly, showed nothing. Till departure, nothing shown. Jin Wi-ryang's right. I'm a cripple. Worthless trash... good-for-nothing fool. Ha, but..."
Hand gripping sword trembled.
"Tried... to sleep... but couldn't... heart uneasy... received much... gave back... nothing... nothing... so..."
Tear fell on scabbard.
"Self... so... pathetic... tried... to fix it... came here... can't even do that... so..."
Man lifted head.
Wrecked face twisted. Bitten gums burst, spewing blood.
"So...!"
But that spilled blood...
"...Want to embrace it. A dream beyond my station."
Flame ignited in crushed soul.
He prostrated. Forehead to ground.
Slammed repeatedly. Skin split, blood flowed. Stained floor, trailed down chin.
But didn't stop.
Cried in pain, kept begging.
"Master warrior, know it's absurd. Know not for powerless man."
"......"
"But want to go. Forward. Fulfill this sword, master's wish. But alone, lacking. Help me. Must reach Sealed Demon Cave. Meet Ghost Valley Wild Sword, fix sword."
"......."
"Lied. Can still walk. Go further. I... I..."
Head to ground, he spoke.
Bloody legs shaking.
"Haven't done enough yet. Master warrior, I can walk more."
I raised gaze. Extended hand, blocked next forehead slam.
Wiped his face. Cleared dazed mind.
Stood.
Packed.
"...Let's go, Young Master Yeon."
Stepped forward.
"Move. If you're that pathetic to yourself..."
The path unending without surrender.
"Just walk that much more from now."
He wiped blood with hand. Cleared tears, gritted teeth.
Stood on trembling legs. Adjusted bloody shoe soles, shouldered pack.
Staggered.
But straightened immediately.
"...Yes!"
We walked again.
Blood and sweat mixed, shaking legs...
To grasp the overreaching.
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