Chapter 8
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: Grand Martial - 2
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"That's not it."
It happened while I was practicing the Mount Tai Pressing Down form, swinging my sword downward. The moment I stopped moving the blade, Yu Ye-ryeon stood before me and lightly swung a tree branch.
"All martial arts are like this, but the simpler the technique, the more precisely you need to grasp the meaning embedded in the form."
Mount Tai Pressing Down. A sword art that crushes down like Mount Tai itself.
In the entire martial world—no, even among those who hadn't learned any martial arts—who could truly understand and execute this most basic of basics?
As I looked at her with doubt, Yu Ye-ryeon took the sword from my hand.
"Your internal energy and the sword's momentum must align. Watch closely."
Standing before me, she slowly raised the sword. It was the most ordinary downward strike posture, but just as her blade began to move, I sensed something extraordinary.
It was dominating.
The sword pointing at the heavens lorded over everything in the world, pressing down upon it all.
The instant it moved, it felt like everything existed beneath Yu Ye-ryeon's feet.
Just watching the downward cut made my knees buckle instinctively.
I staggered back a step, and she flashed a grin at me before handing the sword back.
"That's Mount Tai Pressing Down. When the sword, yourself, and your internal energy become one, the blade reigns supreme over all."
"Not easy."
"Exactly. That's the realm of Sword and Man as One. And if you advance further... No, not yet."
She scratched her head and stepped behind me. Then, embracing me lightly, she guided my hand forward to grip the sword.
"Like this."
The soft, warm sensation against my back made it hard to focus. Even with the sweet scent clouding my mind, Yu Ye-ryeon continued unperturbed, moving the sword.
"Concentrate."
Making it impossible to concentrate while telling me to do so—what a tease. But I had no time for such spoiled thoughts. The energy flowing from the sword we held together forced my focus.
"Remember, this is your position in the world."
Though it followed her hand, in that instant, I felt atop Mount Tai itself. Was this the majesty of an emperor with all beneath his feet?
This... I had to make it my own.
...
Despite countless practices before, I'd never felt that sensation until raising the sword with Yu Ye-ryeon. I'd swung it endlessly for another taste, but it was futile.
Today, however, I understood. After being battered repeatedly by the Soaring Palace Free Sword Art—which embodies the heavens—I could finally glimpse above it.
"Huuu..."
"Again. Try it once more."
Namgung Hye gripped her sword in bewilderment. I nodded to her, assumed my stance slowly, and once again nullified the surging blue energy with Mount Tai Pressing Down.
"........."
Realizing it wasn't luck, her face hardened. She bit her lip and tried to swing again.
"Enough, Hye-ya. Stop."
"But!"
"We've been rude to the young hero. I think that's enough for the grand martial display."
"Understood."
I needed time to consolidate what I'd just gained. After cupping my fists to Namgung Hye and Namgung Je, I headed to the training ground. Yu Ye-ryeon approached, patted my back, and ruffled my hair.
"Well done."
"Thank you."
Is this the thrill of nurturing someone? Yu Ye-ryeon recalled the earlier scene and smiled unwittingly.
'A genius... I suppose?'
It felt regrettable.
If his talent matched hers, she would have passed on her swordsmanship right away. But unlike her explosive and domineering style, Jin Hyun's aptitude was serene and kingly.
He valued a momentum like flowing water, not the erupting force of her sword.
That's why she'd taught him the Three Ultimates Sword Art, and he'd already grown this much. As his teacher, she felt immense pride.
'He might even grasp the ultimate essence of the Three Ultimates.'
Could Jin Hyun reach that height? Suppressing her excitement, she smiled faintly.
"Your disciple... is truly remarkable."
"Disciple? He's not. I'm just teaching him the sword."
She shrugged off Namgung Je's praise nonchalantly. Yet her mood floated lightly despite her words. Whether he noticed or not, Namgung Je stared in the direction Jin Hyun had gone before asking,
"If possible, I'd like to take him to our family for a while."
"Why?"
"Well..."
He hesitated, then sighed softly. It was that difficult a topic. And she already guessed what he meant.
"In that strike earlier... I saw the Emperor."
The Emperor. One who presses down and reigns over all.
The Namgung Family had its strongest latent sword form, called the Emperor Sword Form.
No one since the great-grand patriarch had manifested it. The imperial aura, known only through tales, felt in another...
Thinking Jin Hyun's strike might be the key to reclaiming it, Namgung Je requested politely.
"No."
"Why?"
"He still has much to learn from me. To regain the Emperor Sword Form, your family would teach him many things."
They would. Perhaps even the oral transmissions of the form. If Jin Hyun completed it, they might want to learn from him.
The Emperor Sword Form was that vital to the Namgung Family.
But her opponent was Sword Heaven. They couldn't impose their will alone.
"May I know the reason?"
"Jin Hyun is a blank slate now. I can't paint it blue."
"Hm. Then if young hero Jin wishes...?"
"Then he can go. He's not my disciple, after all."
Namgung Je's expression brightened. Yu Ye-ryeon nodded to him as he excused himself briefly.
Moments later.
Seeing Namgung Je return from the training ground, she grinned.
His face told her exactly what Jin Hyun had said.
"What'd he say?"
"He has much left to learn himself, so he has nothing to teach others."
As expected.
Thinking of Jin Hyun content with learning from her made her chuckle, her chest tingling pleasantly.
The Namgung Family was a renowned righteous power, far wealthier than here.
He could learn advanced sword arts beyond Three Ultimates.
Yet he chose to stay. Finding him admirable, she laughed outright.
"Ahh, he's not suited to be my disciple, but if he insists on learning under me, what can I do? Hehe."
"I'm envious. How did you find that young hero?"
His words rang with genuine envy, silencing her. Find?
"Less found... more chosen."
He'd approached her himself.
Departure is in two days, they say. Mythical Hound possesses immense cunning, so it can't be caught easily. Both the Namgung Family and Yu Ye-ryeon need special preparations, hence the two days.
So what to do meanwhile? Nothing changed.
I just kept training alone as usual.
While practicing in my usual clearing as always, thinking today would repeat yesterday, something new arrived.
"Hey. You always train alone?"
It was Namgung Hye. For someone sneaking up quietly, that was a silly opener.
"I always do."
"Do you like training?"
Like or not didn't matter. I did it because I had to.
As we chatted about this and that, she glanced around and pulled something from her pocket.
"Hey. This Western candy is delicious."
"........."
"It's rare. I don't get much myself. Here, for you."
It was wrapped in paper. Inside was a light brown square candy, soft like caramel.
True, I'd never seen it around here.
She offered it confidently with a smile, but I shook my head.
"No Western candy, but I can make it."
Make it if it's not there.
"M-Make it? You can make this?"
"Yeah. Not that hard. I'll try after training."
"Uh... That's not why I..."
"Don't want it?"
"I do, but."
Girls and sweets, I guess. She didn't outright refuse.
Caramel's easy enough. Make some later, share with Yu Ye-ryeon and Hina too.
"Gotta keep training for now."
"Y-Yeah. Right. Um. Can I train here too?"
"Sure."
Plenty of space for me.