The Extreme Sword Dragon (11)
The match had just concluded. The two combatants had already descended from the stage to treat their injuries. Yugwangbaek, gazing at the arena where their clash had taken place, spoke to Bulgwang Daesa.
"Did you see that, Bulgwang Daesa?"
"They are both remarkable children."
Bulgwang Daesa slowly opened his eyes, which had remained closed from the start of the spar until now. He moved his clasped hands deliberately, pointing first to one side, then the other.
"I thought the young benefactor would be helplessly overwhelmed, yet in the end, he completely overturned the tide."
"However, it was not surprising, Alliance Leader. Just as the night before a storm is eerily calm, perhaps he too had been storing up that quiet night. Such is life, I suppose."
Or perhaps my senses have simply dulled with age.
With a gentle, benevolent smile, Bulgwang Daesa suddenly stiffened his expression and closed his eyes once more. He furrowed his brows slightly, letting out a low hum as if deeply troubled. For Bulgwang Daesa, whose enlightenment was said to be unmatched under the heavens, to be in such contemplation was an exceedingly rare sight.
Yugwangbaek waited patiently. After a time that was not overly long, the monk spoke again.
"However... I am uncertain whether it would be right to appoint that boy as the Dragon."
Yugwangbaek could not understand. Objectively speaking, the boy had already surpassed the current Dragons—excluding Nazar, who had stepped into the Super Peak Realm. To hesitate in naming Jin Sowoon, who had defeated her, as the Dragon... it seemed impossible.
Yet Bulgwang Daesa appeared utterly sincere. Had it been anyone else, Yugwangbaek might have dismissed it as poor jesting and delivered a light rebuke. But because he trusted the monk as a person, he continued to listen.
"Whether we like it or not, if that child becomes a Dragon, he will inevitably reach the same heights as us and become a central figure leading the future of the Murim."
Was that not an auspicious sign? Even Yugwangbaek, who prided himself on having seen nearly everything the world had to offer, could not begin to guess how far the boy might go. As an elder of the Murim, he could not help but secretly hope that such a magnificent swordsman would guide its bright future, no matter what dreams he harbored.
That was precisely why Yugwangbaek found the monk's words difficult to comprehend. He asked cautiously,
"Would that be a problem? His character did not seem particularly flawed."
Bulgwang Daesa shook his head slowly and replied,
"...Alliance Leader. A crow may appear entirely black on the outside, yet its insides might remain purely white. Conversely, a white heron may be white only on the surface, while its insides have been burned pitch black. The eyes of the masses are simply blinded by its beautiful white feathers and cannot see the truth."
A crow is black on the outside. Paradoxically, because it displays all its negative aspects openly, perhaps its heart remains white. A white heron is white on the outside. Yet just as maintaining pure white is more difficult than being stained black, perhaps the heron carries an immense burden in order to preserve its color.
"Is Jin Sowoon a white heron?"
Whether a crow's heart is white or a heron's heart is black, keen observers can discern it. But if that white heron is so dazzlingly beautiful that it captivates everyone's gaze, then perhaps no one will notice the suffering it bears.
That was what Bulgwang Daesa meant.
"Though it is merely the shallow opinion of this unworthy monk, that is what my eyes perceive, Alliance Leader."
"He is a white heron so beautiful that no one can fully embrace him."
A being who races alone toward the endless end of the path. Who in this world could truly comfort him? The world would only admire his pure white wings and pay no attention to the burdens he carries. In truth, they would not even realize them. No matter how outstanding he might be, as one born a mere human, what hardships bind him?
"Nevertheless, you still intend to embrace him within the Alliance? Because a turbulent age is approaching."
Such a white heron was far too dangerous. At the slightest slip, he might release everything he held, unleashing the pitch-black resentment accumulated over the years he had hidden it upon the world.
Even so, Yugwangbaek planned to bring the boy into the Alliance by any means necessary—or at the very least, ensure he remained at the Namgung Clan to maintain the current balance.
The Heavenly Demon Cult of Xinjiang had recently shown momentum that could no longer be ignored. They were gradually extending their demonic grasp toward Qinghai and its surrounding regions, completely ignoring repeated warnings.
And what of the Western Regions? There, the Baehwa Cult had suddenly begun to stir. Having already seized the throne of the Western Regions, they now threatened both allies and enemies alike.
Since the imperial family had become a mere figurehead, the barbarians of the north were once again sharpening their blades, stealthily eyeing the fertile lands of the Central Plains.
No one knew when it would happen, or who the opponent would be. But the Murim upheaval would undoubtedly arrive in the near future.
At that time, the boy would become a solid wall for the Central Plains. He would become the back upon which all the people of the world could rely.
"Then you must hold him well. So that he does not waver, does not twist, does not collapse."
So that the white heron does not lose its white light.
"If so, he will surely be a child who covers the entire world with his pure white wings."
Yugwangbaek mulled over those words for a moment before lifting his head. He turned to Bulgwang Daesa and said,
"I see. Daesa, I have received advice as precious as a thousand gold pieces. Thank you."
After speaking, he paused briefly, then smiled faintly at the monk and asked,
"Then, may I make the declaration now?"
Bulgwang Daesa did not answer Yugwangbaek's question immediately. Only after a slight delay, without turning to look at him, did he reply.
"I am merely a humble Buddhist. You, Alliance Leader, are the leader of a great organization. In the face of such a grand cause, I too am but one member. I will respect the Alliance Leader's will."
Upon hearing Bulgwang Daesa's answer, Yugwangbaek rose slowly from his seat. In that instant, every gaze in the venue turned toward him at once. Yugwangbaek swept his eyes over them all, took a deep breath, and infused his voice with inner energy as he addressed the crowd.
"Greetings, fellow warriors of the Murim."
"At last, this Dragon and Phoenix Gathering has reached its conclusion."
Yugwangbaek unconsciously glanced at the now-empty arena. Normally, the winner of the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering would stand there to receive their title, but the match had been so fierce this time that it was impossible.
"Originally, I should have proclaimed his title before the newly appointed Dragon, but the one who has become the Dragon this time suffered rather severe injuries. The physician says he requires treatment, so we must regrettably leave his seat empty."
If it were only a short while, we could have waited, but the doctor said it would take at least two hours for proper treatment.
He could not keep all these people waiting that long, which was why he had risen first.
"Everyone present must have witnessed it."
"The divine prowess of a single boy."
"His sword was faster than his opponent's. His sword was sharper than his opponent's. Though it appeared chaotic, it was difficult to find an equal."
Yugwangbaek walked slowly forward. With a firm step, he planted his feet at the center of the arena.
"He is a boy named Jin Sowoon of the Pacheon Sword Gate. He is only ten years old. Are you not astonished? He has surpassed those who have lived twice his lifetime and claimed the highest position among them."
Yugwangbaek placed a hand over his chest and raised his voice slightly.
"I do not know how each of you perceived him. Everyone's impressions will differ. But through him, I saw something. The immense potential to one day glimpse the Sword Extreme—the dream of all swordsmen."
The pinnacle of the sword. It was a dream that perhaps every swordsman had entertained at least once. To pour the countless profound principles of the sword into a single blade. It was nothing short of the realm of the gods.
"Setting aside my positions as Alliance Leader and one of the Ten Venerables, as one of the many senior swordsmen of the Murim, I sincerely wish to cheer for his potential."
"He is the Extreme Sword—both the pinnacle of the blade and the blade that conquers all."
A sword that wins. Geukgeom. The extreme of the sword. Geukgeom. It was a linguistic play on words. At the same time, it was the highest praise for the sword he had displayed to the world.
Yugwangbaek drew one of his twin swords and raised it high toward the sky, making his final declaration to the assembly. His voice was so powerful that it echoed beyond the temple gates and could be heard all the way down Mount Song.
"A boy once called the Sword Blind of the Murim has today grasped the jewel in his mouth and finally soared into the heavens."
"He is no longer an imugi."
"He is the Extreme Sword Dragon, Jin Sowoon."
"I earnestly pray that he may kindle the noble flame of chivalry within his heart."
Today, the Murim welcomed a new dragon. It took less than a week for the great name of that dragon to spread across the entire Murim.