Messenger from the Past (3)
The Murim Academy had entered a two-week provisional break to accommodate those injured in the Sichuan incident. Thanks to that, our weary group could finally rest, and with nothing else pressing, I dove back into the training I'd been putting off.
"I still can't wrap my head around it no matter how many times I look. What kind of sword art pulls off this kind of madness?"
There are as many unique martial arts in the world as there are people, but the White Moon Heaven-Subduing Three Forms stood out as particularly bizarre. Composed of just three forms, it couldn't simply be dismissed as such. The elements forming the forms weren't chains of patterned movements but the movements themselves—so any motion could become a form, and conversely, perfectly following a form might not qualify as one.
"In that sense, it's kinda like the Yuyun Divine Art?"
The Yuyunmun's arts were mocked as half-baked, but unlike Taeulmun's lost or degraded techniques, theirs were intact. The problem was that the method of transmission wasn't through written words. At some point in their lineage, the proper teaching of the Yuyun Divine Art had been severed, turning a complete art into a half-finished one.
"At least I can train it alone because I remember Baek Hae-gwang's movements in detail."
Arts like the Yuyun Divine Art weren't meant to be self-taught. That was why Yaryul Jae had aimed to perfect it through real combat. He'd succeeded late in life, but he had completed it before his death. Just as I'd passed on his perfected art from my previous life to Moyong Jaehwa, I wanted to do the same for Yaryul Geuk... but.
"Ah! Screw it! What am I supposed to do about that ungrateful little shit?!"
Shaking off the thought, I refocused on training. If the essence of the first form of the White Moon Heaven-Subduing Three Forms was Extreme Swiftness, then the second form's was Perfection.
"Block with the shield. Strike with the shield. Then you won't need to draw your sword separately."
Only the Sword Demon would describe sword blocking in such crude terms. It was an exaggeration, but the second form, Perfection, wasn't a retreating block—it was an advancing one. The Sword Demon's aggressive nature shone through in his art. He believed the best defense was offense.
I continued reciting the manual in my mind.
"A block must have no gaps. Black path hidden weapons are too small to see. It must be as solid as diamond. The Sandong Ak family's domineering strikes can send foes flying."
Born from hundreds—no, thousands—of real battles, the manual was intuitively written without cryptic phrasing. It even detailed his fights with masters, including those he'd lost, so vividly that I could picture the opponents in my mind despite never seeing them.
"Alright. Let's get started!"
I calmly transformed the words in my head into images.
'First, seal the gaps.'
The opponent was a black path master called the Hidden Ghost, infamous for unleashing ghostly barrages of black hair needles, a staple hidden weapon.
I manifested the image into reality. For efficiency, I could simulate a mental spar like with the first form, but that was too taxing and had severe side effects. Since I didn't need to use the second form tomorrow, steady progress was key.
With a soft shing, the Black Dragon Sword revealed its dark blade with a clear ring.
The Hidden Ghost waited leisurely, hands tucked into his sleeves. I assumed my stance and unleashed the second form of the White Moon Heaven-Subduing Three Forms.
Whoooong, whoooong.
The sword's air-cutting hum sharpened. Sword qi traced paths along the blade, weaving into a dense net in the air.
Shiiik—shiiik—
More qi filled the net's gaps until no space remained. Or so it seemed.
"Ughhh!"
My muscles cramped fiercely, sweat pouring from every inch of my body. The massive ten-foot sword barrier engulfed the Hidden Ghost.
Then, he casually whipped a hand from his sleeve.
Three black hair needles shot out instantly. They looked doomed against the perfect barrier—but.
Splurt—
The needles pierced vital points through unseen gaps.
'In a real fight, I'd be dead.'
I'd thought the barrier flawless, yet he'd exploited the flaw.
'Again.'
After twenty-three spars, I couldn't exceed five exchanges.
"Huff, huff, huff."
Moving my body took a toll, but deploying the form was inherently exhausting, leaving me breathless. Visualizing the opponent clearly also drained my mental energy, making my head feel like it was on fire.
"Whew, this is brutal..."
I exhaled hot breath and flopped onto the ground, reviewing the spar. The barrier had seemed gapless, yet the needles had slipped through.
"...Targeting the gaps in the sword's trajectory. As expected of a monster."
Even such monsters met their end before fulfilling their destinies. My road was still long. I steadied my sinking spirits.
"Don't rush. You've come this far steadily. Keep going as you are."
As I gazed at the clear sky, a familiar voice echoed my words.
"Don't rush. You've come this far steadily. Keep going as you are."
"......"
Frowning, I turned to see the gold-silver-bronze brothers behind me.
"......How long have you been there?"
Eunho stretched his arm, palm out, then clenched a fist, lowering his voice dramatically.
"Don't rush. You've come this far steadily. Keep going as you are."
A mischievous grin spread across his face.
"We arrived right when you said that, Big Brother."
"......"
Had I been slacking on beating this punk lately? My fists itched as I glared, but I paused in surprise. Their progress in the Ghost Steps I'd taught was already this advanced?
As I felt a swell of pride, Eunho interrupted again, bowing with a fist salute.
"Big Brother, may I ask something?"
"No. If it's to tease me, don't even open your mouth."
"I'm just curious."
What was with that serious face? I relented.
"......What?"
"Are you going through puberty by any chance?"
"......"
His eyes sparkled like a kid spotting candy.
"Do you feel like rebelling against adults, or like you're some secretive evil being?"
"......"
"Or maybe like you're a hero upholding justice and righteousness?"
Damn, I really had been too lenient lately. Let's see how far he'd push.
"Like a dragon writhing in your gut, or black energy bursting from your palms..."
"......Eunho."
"Ah! Big Brother, I get it. We've all been there. Geum Pyo tried void-stepping on a wall..."
I shot to my feet.
"You're dead!"
The first form, Extreme Swiftness, exploded from my hand with ferocity.
#
Back in the dorm, we sipped tea and snacks the gold-silver-bronze brothers had bought, chatting idly.
"What brings you to the market?"
"Dongryong's sword cracked again."
"Hm?"
This was Dongryong's second sword already. He'd received one as a Murim Alliance gift during the Cheonsu Lion's visit and another, the Nangong family's spear-sword, mid-entrance exam. Both were superior to average blades, yet insufficient for him.
No surprise. He wields it in such bizarre ways—how could any sword endure?
Standard swords balance thrusting and slashing, focusing reinforcement on the tip with a steel core in the middle. But Dongryong used the entire blade freely, increasing stress exponentially.
I instructed the brothers.
"Use the academy's standard gear for now. A cracked sword could snap anytime."
"The regular Blue Steel Sword? It won't last in Dongryong's hands."
"It's fine. Use it temporarily, and I'll get you better ones soon."
"Better ones?"
I'd sent diamond unbreakable steel, phoenix tail copper, and blood sea jade via Wang Merchant Group's transport to Taeulmun. It'd take time for the forge, but I wanted Jang Dowon familiar with the materials beforehand. The sooner, the sooner the Red Light Sword would shine—and with the Black Dragon Sword for Dongryong, no more replacements needed. Its diamond steel durability suited him perfectly.
"Just know that for now. If the standard breaks, buy a new Blue Steel from the market."
"Yes......"
Dongryong hung his head like he'd done something wrong. I ruffled his hair.
"This happens because you're exceptional. Spending money on you is no waste."
"Really?"
He beamed like a puppy. As we brothers caught up after so long,
Knock knock.
"Representative Jin, it's Jang Ujae."
Before I could respond, Jang Ujae entered, greeted the brothers, and looked at me. No prior appointment?
"What's up?"
"......It's about that Yaryul Geuk kid."
I sent the brothers out and met him privately.
"After you left, I kept an eye on Yaryul Geuk."
He'd taken initiative without being asked. Good eye for people.
Unlike my satisfaction, Jang Ujae caught his breath, face cautious.
"Lately...... his condition's been poor."
"Poor how?"
"Yes...... He used to have no facial scars at least, but now they're multiplying, he's quieter, barely speaks."
Had Ak Jupyeong tormented him again so soon?
"The kid who used to curse first now stays silent, head down even in class."
"......"
"Three days ago, when I asked in detail......"
Jang Ujae hesitated.
"I tugged his sleeve and glimpsed inside...... His skin was a mess, no unmarred spot."
"Haa......"
Jwa Daegi, the northern soldier, once said army violence was quick and clean, but martial artists' was persistent and sticky—far scarier. With anatomical knowledge from training, they knew exactly how to inflict pain.
Something boiled in my chest.
"Where's Yaryul Geuk now?"
"Haven't seen him for two days."
"I see."
I stood. Jang Ujae followed.
"What do you plan?"
"Gotta meet him first."
Damn brat. Him and his brother—why are they both so infuriatingly pitiful?
#
Entering the eight-man dorm, murmurs rippled among the relaxed students enjoying the break.
"It's the Black Flame Dragon!"
"Why's Jin Sowoon in the eight-man dorm?"
"No usual crew here."
I ignored them and headed to Yaryul Geuk's room.
"Hup!"
"Wh-what?!"
Yaryul Geuk and his roommates jumped up. I scanned the room reassuringly.
"Nothing big. Here for someone. Yaryul Geuk around?"
"Huh?"
"Why that guy...?"
"Heard he was here."
I yanked the blanket off a lump on the bed.
An unfamiliar panicked face emerged—not the tearful one I'd expected.
"Who the hell are you?"
"......That's my line."
I covered him back and looked around. One kid cautiously pointed.
"His spot's there. Hasn't come back since yesterday......"
"Hasn't come back?"
"Yeah."
Yaryul Geuk's area had only academy-issued items, worn and frayed.
Even beggars have more.
Just a few uniforms and a standard Blue Steel Sword. Nothing else.
I forced down a grimace.
"Hey. Did they take his stuff too?"
"......"
The informant stayed silent.
"I know he's being bullied. You lot in on it?"
"Wh-what? Why would we?"
"Anyway, did he lose stuff or not?"
He hemmed and hawed.
"Probably not."
"What?"
"He never had anything to begin with."
"......Huh?"
"We live together—we know. He's broke. Never seen him leave campus."
I knew Yuyunmun was struggling, but penniless to this degree? Bad feeling.
"Any recent weirdness?"
"......"
"Anything."
"......Everyone knows the Baekdo Association kids beat him."
He scratched his cheek.
"Two nights ago, he suddenly apologized for the past."
"Apologized?"
"Yeah. I'd sneak snacks into his drawer when I went to market."
"And?"
"He'd find them and chuck 'em at me."
"Fucking psycho."
"Right? I asked why—he mumbled his second brother told him to."
"Second brother?"
"Overheard half-asleep, not clear."
Another brother between them? How'd he hear from someone he never meets off-campus?
"What's your name?"
"Me? Why?"
"Just."
"Nam Eullyong."
"Nam Eullyong of Singibang?"
Oh, the future top ten southern fist master roomed in the eight-man dorm?
"You know me?"
I bullshitted.
"......Academy rep, right?"
Before more questions, I handed him ten nyang.
"Half for you, half for that psycho like before. If he refuses, keep it all."
As I turned for the door,
"......What's your deal with Yaryul Geuk?"
I paused at the knob.
Deal? What deal...
From my vast memories, Yaryul Jae's furious face blocking my path surfaced vividly. I smirked unwittingly.
"I owe his brother a favor."
Repaying debts is such a pain.
#
Leaving the dorm, I sifted through past-life memories. Yaryul Jae never mentioned siblings—let alone multiples.
Despite his fallen sect, he boasted proudly of Yuyunmun, sparking fights with Small Justice Squad mocks. Yet he'd omitted this academy brother.
Yaryul Jae's tales, Yaryul Geuk's plight, his stifled frustration, words to Nam Eullyong.
Piecing it together, a chilling thought struck.
'Fuck...!'
I surged qi to my legs.
Boom.
Dirt scattered, but I unleashed Heavenly Lone Walker God Step at full speed.
'Damn it... Why was I so careless?'
If my dark hunch was right, Yaryul Geuk was dead. Or maybe already gone.