Chapter 4: Master and Disciple (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 4: Master and Disciple (3)
Although they had expected the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult to pursue them relentlessly, the journey back to the Azure Heaven Association was surprisingly peaceful.
During their occasional rests, Namgung Jun was able to learn about the current state of the Jianghu and the Azure Heaven Association.
He learned that the Three Sects and One Gang, as well as the Five Great Mountains Sword Sects, were resisting the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult within their respective territories. He also heard that the Azure Heaven Association had recently engaged in a massive clash with the Demonic Cult.
While there were many interesting stories, what truly caught Namgung Jun's attention was the nature of the Azure Heaven Association itself.
"So, the Azure Heaven Association is not an ordinary sect?"
"An alliance or coalition would be a more accurate description. The Azure Heaven Association was born from the survivors of sects and families that were exterminated by the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult."
"Yet, it is intriguing that chivalry is one of its core virtues."
Considering the association's founding, it was only natural that they would seek the total eradication of the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult. Why, then, when all their strength should have been poured into revenge, did they also pursue chivalrous deeds?
Lee Se-ha immediately cleared up his confusion.
"The ones who helped those survivors escape the clutches of the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult were the chivalrous heroes of the Jianghu."
"I see."
"Many of those heroes sacrificed themselves in the process. Thanks to them, the survivors who barely managed to escape came to a realization."
"What did they realize?"
Lee Se-ha cleared her throat, then lowered her voice slightly, as if imitating someone else.
"'To throw a life bought with the sacrifices of heroes back into the flames of resentment is against all reason.' That was said by one of the survivors. That same survivor later became the first Azure Heaven Association Leader."
Lee Se-ha slightly lowered the bamboo hat on her head as she added, "To use a new life, saved by a hero, to help others like themselves. For the survivors who had lost everything, this was the only way to honor the heroes' sacrifices and repay their debt. Embracing chivalry instead of being consumed by revenge—that was the beginning of the Azure Heaven Association."
In a way, the survivors had filled the void left by the fallen heroes.
Impressive.
Hearing the story, it seemed the chivalry of those heroes had deeply moved the survivors, who had previously only yearned for revenge and survival. Although he couldn't judge hastily without seeing it for himself, it was clear that the heroes had played a major role in redirecting the survivors' gaze—and the tips of their blades.
Not toward the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult itself, but toward the world suffering under its tyranny.
"I understand now why the Azure Heaven Association pursues chivalry."
Lee Se-ha, who always wore a bright smile, felt her lips twitch. She had noticed Namgung Jun's probing gaze.
"My family was also exterminated by the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult."
"Then some of the martial arts Master has learned must belong to the Azure Heaven Association."
Lee Se-ha nodded. "The martial arts of the Azure Heaven Association consist of techniques recovered from exterminated sects, collected from the wandering martial artists of the Jianghu, or voluntarily contributed by individuals."
"People actually do that?" Namgung Jun couldn't help but be surprised.
The secrecy of one's martial arts was a highly sensitive issue for any practitioner, as exposure could directly lead to their techniques being countered and dismantled.
"They either fear their arts dying out with their generation, or they want others to learn them to help stand against the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult."
"Then, the other martial arts Master learned are also...?"
"Yes. I chose the arts that suited me best from the Azure Heaven Association's library and learned them. You will do the same."
Namgung Jun nodded quietly.
I expected as much, but...
Piecing together what he had heard from Lee Se-ha, it seemed roughly two hundred years had passed since the fall of Namcheon Palace. Learning that the martial arts of his fallen sect had somehow ended up in the Azure Heaven Association left him with a strange feeling.
It felt like receiving definitive confirmation of Namcheon Palace's destruction. Still, Namgung Jun's tightly clenched fists showed no signs of loosening.
Indeed. The martial arts themselves are not what matters. What matters is that the righteous spirit of Namcheon Palace lives on.
Although he would have to see and judge for himself, he quite liked the sound of the place.
In the current Jianghu, the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult reigned supreme. The Righteous Faction merely managed to stall the Demonic Cult's expansion in a few regions, while the Unorthodox Faction either kept their distance or submitted entirely to ensure their own survival.
In such a world, the existence of those who resisted the Demonic Cult's reign of terror and performed deeds of chivalry was incredibly welcome.
Having organized his thoughts, Namgung Jun subtly shifted his gaze. Lee Se-ha had fallen silent.
Hmm.
Though she was trying hard to look cheerful, a faint shadow had fallen over her face. It seemed the memories of her family's extermination had resurfaced.
After watching her for a moment, Namgung Jun abruptly stood up.
"I should start preparing camp. Please rest, Master."
"Huh? No, let's do it together."
Lee Se-ha quickly called out to him, but Namgung Jun vanished into the forest as if he hadn't heard a thing.
Watching his retreating figure, Lee Se-ha let out a blank sigh. "I lost my composure in front of my disciple."
Slap!
She slapped her own cheeks and opened her eyes wide, her dark eyes shimmering with renewed resolve.
"I am a master now."
Lee Se-ha steeled her heart. Teaching martial arts wasn't enough. She had to become a pillar of support, a shelter for her disciple.
That was the true role of a master.
*
Namgung Jun looked around.
Where is this?
He had certainly gone to sleep after dinner. Yet, before he knew it, he was standing alone on a crimson plain. The dark red landscape surrounding him created a gruesome sight.
"Ah."
The blood-stained wilderness was filled with the corpses of his disciples.
Namgung Jun knew instinctively.
This was a dream. A terribly cruel nightmare.
Yet, he could not look away. The guilt of failing to protect them weighed heavily in his chest, as cold and unyielding as thousand-year-old iron.
Splash!
As he crossed the blood-red wilderness, Namgung Jun's entire body was stained crimson. At the same time, his feet began to sink into the ground as if trapped in a swamp.
Even so, Namgung Jun did not care. He glared ahead and forged onward as if it were the only thing to do.
"I am sorry, my disciples."
The corpses of his disciples squirmed grotesquely, gathering around him. Even when surrounded by countless bodies, he did not stop walking. He intended to face this nightmare head-on.
Hands covered in blood and lacerations grabbed at his legs. Half-rotted limbs pressed down on his knees. The corpses enveloped his entire body, the crushing pressure and the thick scent of blood becoming one with the regrets harbored in his heart.
Still, Namgung Jun kept his back straight and looked forward.
And he cried out.
"If only I had been a little stronger! If only I had reached a higher state!"
Namgung Jun's remorse echoed through the dream. He walked and walked endlessly across the wilderness that seemed to have no end, because that was all he could do.
*
Lee Se-ha's eyes snapped open.
Her disciple, sleeping on the other side of the campfire, was groaning in pain.
She moved cautiously. Namgung Jun's face was deeply contorted in his sleep.
"My disciples..."
His words were too slurred to make out clearly. But as he sweat coldly and groaned, it was obvious he was having a nightmare.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry... It's because I was lacking."
This time, the words were clear. Lee Se-ha's heavy eyelids lowered slightly.
Just who is he apologizing to?
After a moment's hesitation, she pursed her lips with resolve. Then, she gently placed her hand on Namgung Jun's forehead.
"It's okay," Lee Se-ha whispered into his ear. "You did your best."
Perhaps it was the clarity of her voice or the warmth of her hand. His restless tossing eased, and soon, his erratic breathing stabilized.
"Thank goodness."
A faint smile curved Lee Se-ha's pale pink lips. She was glad she could fulfill her role as a master. Supporting a faltering disciple was also a master's duty.
Once Namgung Jun fell into a peaceful sleep, Lee Se-ha quietly stepped away.
Looking up at the night sky revealed through the trees, she saw the bright, full moon. It seemed her disciple had a past he had not yet revealed. However, she had no desire to pry. She believed that when the time came, he would tell her himself.
A true master must not only teach martial arts but also earn their disciple's trust.
Since his talent was so extraordinary, he might surpass her in a short time. If that happened, it would be another joy of being a master.
Yet, Lee Se-ha resolved herself again and again. There would surely be things she could teach him besides martial arts. She had to be a source of support for her disciple through her presence alone.
"I can't sleep."
Her disciple's sleep-talking still lingered in her ears. In the end, Lee Se-ha did not return to the campfire.
When sleep eluded her, training was always the best remedy.
The moonlight, faintly filtering through the clouds, struck her sword blade and scattered into beautiful shards of light.
*
Huangshan.
It stretched for hundreds of li across the southern part of Anhui Province, boasting more than seventy peaks in total.
"It's a truly beautiful place, isn't it?"
"Yes," Namgung Jun's reply was brief as he gazed at the scenery. It wasn't that he was captivated by its beauty.
To think the Azure Heaven Association settled here.
In his past life, Namcheon Palace had also been located on Huangshan. In a way, this mountain was his hometown.
"Disciple, Huangshan is famous for its 'Four Wonders.' Do you want to guess what they are?"
"The pines, the mist, the rocks, and the hot springs."
"Oh."
She had asked the question hoping to see him deep in thought, not expecting him to answer correctly right away. However, Lee Se-ha skillfully continued the conversation.
"The Azure Heaven Association is hidden within the Four Wonders of Huangshan."
Namgung Jun understood immediately. The mist and the steam from the hot springs obscured one's vision, while the densely packed pines and jagged rocks disoriented one's sense of direction.
And formations.
It appeared a massive formation had been laid out across the area, utilizing Huangshan's natural terrain to deceive the senses even more effectively.
"We've arrived."
The moment he stepped forward, following Lee Se-ha's exact footsteps, his obstructed vision cleared instantly. Before him, a series of fortress walls and pavilions stretched between the canyons.
"Ah," Namgung Jun let out a soft exclamation.
It's Namcheon Palace.
Although its former appearance had mostly vanished, the layout of some pavilions and fortress walls made it clear that the Azure Heaven Association had been built upon the ruins of Namcheon Palace.
What a coincidence.
As Namgung Jun stared blankly at the panoramic view of the Azure Heaven Association, Lee Se-ha tugged at his sleeve. He followed behind her.
"Let's go. The Association Leader is away, so we'll head straight to the Ink Fragrance Department."
"What kind of place is the Ink Fragrance Department?"
"It's responsible for various fields like administration, finance, intelligence, and personnel. Simply put, they manage the day-to-day affairs of the Azure Heaven Association. If the Sword Fragrance Department I belong to is the sword of the association, the Ink Fragrance Department is its brush."
As they entered the gates, the martial artists standing guard welcomed Lee Se-ha.
"Welcome back, Hall Master."
"Greetings to the Heavenly Sword Hall Master."
The guards glanced at Namgung Jun and immediately stepped aside. His association with Lee Se-ha was all the verification he needed.
Namgung Jun watched the martial artists walking around the inner fortress and asked, "Are all the people here..."
"...wearing bamboo hats?" Lee Se-ha finished, tapping the edge of her own hat with a finger. "The bamboo hat is the symbol of the Azure Heaven Association. All members wear them."
"Is there a meaning behind it?"
Lee Se-ha hesitated for a moment before tilting her chin playfully. "Hehe. Find out for yourself later."
She led Namgung Jun to a stop in front of a pavilion. Perhaps due to its importance, its scale was grander than the others.
"Is this the Ink Fragrance Department?"
"Yes. You have to take the entrance exam here."
As soon as Lee Se-ha finished speaking, the doors of the Ink Fragrance Department opened, and two men emerged. One was a scrawny old man, and the other was a well-built, muscular man. Both wore scholar's robes.
The old man looked back and forth between Lee Se-ha and Namgung Jun. "Heavenly Sword Hall Master. Is this the boy?"
"Yes. The boy with the Nine Yin Severed Meridian, and my disciple."
"You took him as your disciple? You must like him quite a bit." The head of the Ink Fragrance Department, Ink Lord Yun Gyeong-jong, slowly crossed his arms. "Since we have the guarantee of someone as discerning as you, we will skip the other tests. When can he take the martial arts exam?"
Although the question was directed at Lee Se-ha, Namgung Jun answered immediately.
"I can do it right now."
"Right now? If you've just become the Heavenly Sword Hall Master's disciple, you must have only recently begun learning martial arts."
"That is correct. I have only learned the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Formula."
"And yet you want to take the exam?"
Yun Gyeong-jong stared at Lee Se-ha, his gaze demanding an explanation, but she merely offered a bright smile.
"Hah, interesting." Yun Gyeong-jong gestured to the man accompanying him. "Withstand a single strike from this man's sword."
The muscular man, who had been silent until now, drew his sword the moment Yun Gyeong-jong finished speaking.
"I am Kang Mong of the Ink Fragrance Department."
When a distance of seven paces remained between them, Kang Mong issued a warning. "Don't try to dodge. You will die."
Immediately after speaking, Kang Mong brought his sword down in a vertical slash.
A sword strike laden with heavy power plunged toward the crown of Namgung Jun's head.