What's the Problem?
The Byeongmachong was a place of closed-off living, so rumors spread quickly.
—Baek Yu-hwa is teaching the Heaven and Earth Blade Technique to Dan Yeop.
The next day.
Breakfast time.
Third-generation disciple Hong Cho-yeon sat down in front of Baek Yu-hwa.
While idly poking at her vegetables with chopsticks, Hong Cho-yeon suddenly asked, “Baek Sa-mei, what exactly is your relationship with Dan Yeop?”
“Pardon?”
Baek Yu-hwa looked at Hong Cho-yeon with startled eyes at the abrupt question.
What exactly is your relationship with Dan Yeop?
It was the most ridiculous thing she had heard since entering the Byeongmachong.
“I heard you’ve been spending a lot of time with Dan Yeop lately.”
“Me?”
“They say the two of you were together until late last night. Is that not true?”
“Ah, Instructor Go Muk told me to teach Senior Dan Yeop the Heaven and Earth Blade Technique.”
“I see. I thought it was something else. There were strange rumors going around, so I almost misunderstood.”
“Strange rumors?”
“Something about Baek Sa-mei meeting with Dan Yeop?”
“Aigoo! It’s not like that at all. Why would I be meeting with Senior Dan Yeop?”
“Dan Yeop has a decent face, doesn’t he? Even that fox-like Ha Yong-wol wagged her tail at him. Of course, that got him properly marked by Ma Eun-rok.”
The names of Ha Yong-wol and Ma Eun-rok—who had already left the tomb—came out of Hong Cho-yeon’s mouth.
Only then did Baek Yu-hwa see through Hong Cho-yeon’s true intentions and firmly deny it.
“That will never happen. If Instructor Go Muk hadn’t asked, I wouldn’t have spent any time with him at all.”
“So you’re saying you won’t meet with Dan Yeop from now on?”
“…….”
For a moment, Baek Yu-hwa was at a loss for words.
The promise she had made to teach Dan Yeop the Heaven and Earth Blade Technique had come to mind.
“Huh? Why do you look so surprised? Did I put you in a difficult position?”
Not only the third-generation disciples but even the fourth-generation ones sitting farther away turned their attention to Hong Cho-yeon.
Such was the power of Hong Cho-yeon’s words—she was once called one of the three great beauties of the Byeongmachong.
After gauging the reactions around her, Hong Cho-yeon took another step forward.
“Baek Sa-mei, if you’re interested in Dan Yeop, just tell me anytime. I’ll speak to Instructor Dan and have him sent to the Jeommun branch. Even if Dan Yeop is weak, he should do fine working as a waiter.”
At that moment, Baek Yu-hwa’s eyes grew chillingly cold.
The first-generation disciples brought in from outside would be distributed to the Six Gates after leaving the tomb. So those words were nothing more than mockery aimed at her and the Jeommun branch.
‘Haa! What is she even saying?’
There was an inherent hierarchy within the Six Gates.
The Amun, which leaned toward the unorthodox, stood at the top, followed by the Jeommun, which was made up of shop clerks.
That was why Hong Cho-yeon—the daughter of the Amun leader—could mock Baek Yu-hwa, who was stronger than her.
Soon, Baek Yu-hwa swallowed her anger and responded with a deliberately calm expression.
“I didn’t know Senior Hong had that kind of influence. In that case, I’ll ask for your help. Please send Senior Dan Yeop to the Jeommun branch.”
“Oh my! Really? You want to take that idiot Dan Yeop to the Jeommun?”
Hong Cho-yeon’s words were completely unrestrained.
All of this stemmed from people making assumptions about the relationship between Instructor Dan Bul-wi and Dan Yeop.
“Yes. As you said, there’s no problem with him working as a waiter.”
When Baek Yu-hwa pretended to accept the offer and struck back, Hong Cho-yeon looked slightly flustered.
After all, Dan Yeop’s future was something the leaders of the Six Gates would decide.
Sensing the situation becoming difficult to handle, she quickly changed the subject.
“Oh, right! Sa-mei, did you hear that the seniors who left the tomb have been deployed to Hadong Island? Maybe it’s better that Dan Yeop stays in the Byeongmachong. I heard three of the first-generation disciples have already died.”
“Three first-generation disciples died?”
“Wow, the fighting must have been fierce.”
“At this rate, won’t about thirty people die before they unify the Ten Blades?”
“Thirty? As time passes, the resistance will only grow stronger, so the number will probably increase.”
“Ah, that makes sense.”
“There’s no need to be scared. Heroes are born in chaotic times. The ones who survive will rise straight to the top.”
“That’s right. If things go well, we might even get a Hall Master in their twenties.”
At the words ‘Hall Master in their twenties,’ the mood that had been sinking suddenly revived.
Baek Yu-hwa inwardly clicked her tongue at Hong Cho-yeon’s cunning.
‘Anyway, the real problem is teaching Senior Dan Yeop.’
If the two of them were seen together again, there was no telling what Hong Cho-yeon would say.
She could simply break her promise with Dan Yeop, but for some reason she didn’t want to.
It wasn’t just that she didn’t want to be manipulated by Hong Cho-yeon. More than that, she wanted to uncover the truth behind Dan Yeop’s real nature.
‘Should I just ignore it?’
She figured she could endure until the departure examination by thinking, ‘A dog is barking.’ Once she left the tomb, she would have no reason to get entangled with Hong Cho-yeon again.
***
That same morning.
The martial arts instructors of the Six Gates announced to the trainees that the third-generation disciples’ departure examination would be held in five days.
After the announcement, a sharp glint appeared in the eyes of the third-generation disciples.
They were filled with dreams of surviving this chaotic era and rising to the top.
The training halls of the Six Gates were bustling with third-generation disciples preparing for the examination.
Around 5 PM.
Jeommun training hall.
Dan Yeop had spent the entire day in the Jeommun training hall.
Among children who looked no older than ten, the seventeen-year-old stood firm, swinging his blade.
As soon as afternoon training ended, the children poured out like the tide.
The empty space was soon filled by five third-generation disciples who had come for final preparations.
While training, the third-generation disciples kept stealing glances at Dan Yeop.
It was because of the tense exchange between Hong Cho-yeon and Baek Yu-hwa over him that morning.
Hong Cho-yeon was currently the greatest beauty in the Byeongmachong, and Baek Yu-hwa was the greatest expert.
In a place with so little entertainment, it was impossible not to pay attention.
When Baek Yu-hwa appeared a short while later, the third-generation disciples exchanged meaningful looks in secret.
‘She’s here.’
‘Didn’t she say they weren’t meeting?’
‘Are those two really involved?’
Baek Yu-hwa glanced at the third-generation disciples before approaching Dan Yeop.
“Senior Dan, how far have you gotten?”
“Three movements of the second form?”
“Wow! You’ve improved a lot. You must have worked really hard. See? I told you that if you try, you can do it.”
Baek Yu-hwa, who knew Dan Yeop’s condition, made a big fuss.
The person who couldn’t even grasp the first form properly had progressed three more movements!
She could imagine how he must have spent the entire day to achieve that.
“Hehe…….”
When Dan Yeop smiled awkwardly, a mocking voice came from behind.
“Wow, what a nice atmosphere.”
It was Hong Cho-yeon.
Baek Yu-hwa’s face twisted slightly when she saw who it was.
Paying her no mind, Hong Cho-yeon spoke to her companion, Geum Seo-jin.
“Seo-jin, didn’t Baek Sa-mei say this morning that she would never meet with Dan Yeop? Did I hear wrong?”
“Well, I’m not sure…….”
Geum Seo-jin tried to stay out of their quarrel by playing dumb.
Hong Cho-yeon stared directly at Baek Yu-hwa and asked, “Baek Sa-mei, are you going to keep saying it’s not true while spending such a good time with Dan Yeop?”
“Don’t misunderstand. I’m only helping Senior Dan so he can pass the departure examination. That’s why I’m looking over the Heaven and Earth Blade Technique for him.”
Baek Yu-hwa drew a clear line, but Hong Cho-yeon wasn’t about to let it go.
“Reeeally? That’s surprising to hear. Even the first-generation disciples gave up on Dan Yeop, yet a third-generation disciple like Baek Sa-mei is going to help him pass the examination? Why? Are you and Dan Yeop that close?”
Hong Cho-yeon’s twisted words made Baek Yu-hwa feel sick to her stomach.
“That’s because Instructor Go Muk asked me to teach Senior Dan Yeop the Heaven and Earth Blade Technique… Haa! I explained this to you this morning.”
“So Instructor Go Muk told you to help Dan Yeop pass the examination?”
“That’s not it.”
“Then why are you using Instructor Go Muk as an excuse? Anyone listening would think he ordered you to do it. Right, Seo-jin?”
Hong Cho-yeon dragged Geum Seo-jin into it again, and this time Geum Seo-jin didn’t stay neutral.
“I thought so too.”
“See? Baek Sa-mei phrased it so strangely. How dishonest.”
Baek Yu-hwa, thoroughly irritated by Hong Cho-yeon’s constant jabs, finally spoke.
“I’m sorry. I must have spoken in a way that caused misunderstanding.”
Then her gaze turned to Dan Yeop.
“Senior Dan Yeop, it looks like I won’t be able to help you anymore. I’m sorry for not being able to keep my promise.”
“Oh, it’s fine. Thank you for everything.”
Dan Yeop lowered his head, feeling like the argument had started because of him.
Having said her piece, Baek Yu-hwa left without looking back.
Hong Cho-yeon approached Dan Yeop, who stood with his shoulders slumped, and whispered, “Dan Yeop, don’t even look at a tree you can’t climb.”
At that moment, Dan Yeop’s face turned bright red like a ripe persimmon as he waved his hands frantically.
“W-what are you saying…….”
“You’re not even fit to be a waiter. So stop hanging around the Jeommun branch and go to the G imun to live as a kept man.”
“Who would ever…….”
Dan Yeop tried to retort in a surge of anger, but Hong Cho-yeon simply turned and left without listening.
As Dan Yeop stood there with a bewildered expression, Geum Seo-jin spoke to him.
“Don’t take it too personally. I don’t think Senior Hong meant it.”
“Then what did she mean?”
“I’m not sure about that either… Anyway, even if you end up going to the G imun later, you absolutely must not become a kept man.”
“I wouldn’t do that even if someone asked me to.”
“Um, Senior?”
“Yeah?”
“I could help you train in the Heaven and Earth Blade Technique…….”
“No. If you do that, Hong Cho-yeon will start bothering you too.”
“Unlike Senior Baek, I don’t stand out, so it’ll be fine. Even Senior Hong won’t say anything if I’m the one helping.”
“I feel like she would…….”
“I’m telling you she won’t. If she does say something, I can just stop then.”
When Geum Seo-jin insisted so strongly, Dan Yeop reluctantly accepted her kindness.
With Geum Seo-jin’s help, Dan Yeop trained in the Heaven and Earth Blade Technique.
Their training continued even after dinner.
Contrary to Dan Yeop’s worries, Hong Cho-yeon did not come back to the Jeommun training hall.
Geum Seo-jin visited the Jeommun training hall again the following afternoon.
But the problem was Dan Yeop’s progress.
Even though Geum Seo-jin taught him until her throat grew hoarse, Dan Yeop could not get past the third movement of the second form.
“No, from there you take a step to the right while executing a left slash! Then another step for a right slash! Bring the blade back in front of your chest!”
Veins stood out on Geum Seo-jin’s neck.
Dan Yeop’s face burned red with shame.
The more Geum Seo-jin pressed him, the more his mind went blank, until eventually he couldn’t do anything at all.
When he simply stood there frozen, Geum Seo-jin let out a long sigh.
“Haa! Senior Dan, what are you doing?”
“Ah, um… what was I doing just now? Was it the first form? Or the second?”
“……You were on the sixth movement of the second form.”
“I was?”
“Who else is here? Haa! What’s the problem here?”
Her words struck him like arrows, and Dan Yeop’s shoulders drooped.
The tip of his straight blade touched the stone floor with a soft clack, but he was too mentally and physically exhausted to lift it.
Geum Seo-jin looked at Dan Yeop’s tired face and shook her head.
‘At this rate, he’ll never pass the examination…….’
Dan Yeop had trained the second form all day long yet couldn’t even memorize three movements.
It would be a miracle if he mastered the second form in the three days they had left.
“It’s already late today, so I’ll head out. You should rest too, Senior.”
“Thanks. And you don’t have to come out starting tomorrow. You need to prepare for the departure examination too, Sa-mei.”
“……Understood.”
Though reluctant, Geum Seo-jin accepted reality.
Helping others was only possible when there was at least some chance of success.
She couldn’t waste her own time on something that was clearly hopeless.
If it were the greatest expert Baek Yu-hwa, maybe it would be different?
Even she had a lot to prepare for the departure examination that would be held in three days.
Geum Seo-jin left first, leaving Dan Yeop alone in the training hall.
He set his straight blade on the rack and looked around the empty space.
He had trained here from morning until late at night, yet he had only managed to learn three movements of the second form.
When he trained with Baek Yu-hwa, it had felt hopeful. He couldn’t understand why things had turned out this way.
“Haa… I need to pass the examination…….”
If ‘Eul’—the other version of himself who had crushed Deung-pyeong and Yu Ja-cho—were awake, passing the departure examination would be no problem.
He also knew how to wake Eul up.
But doing so would drive his own body into a state of qi deviation.
Was it right to harm his own body just to pass the examination?
Dan Yeop’s steps as he left the Jeommun training hall were heavier than they had ever been.