The Moon in My Hand
When I came to, the duel was nearing its end.
"...You must have used sorcery. Therefore, in the name of the Namgung Clan, I shall execute you."
Hearing Namgung Seong spout such bullshit woke me right up.
Provoked by the old man's mockery, Namgung Seong unleashed his Sword Astral.
Wow... So that's a Sword Astral.
It was quite a refreshing sight to behold the moment I woke up.
I had never seen one before. So that was a Sword Astral? Even though it was my first time seeing it, I knew instantly.
It's magnificent...
It was intense and clean, yet profoundly deep.
I had seen Sword Qi occasionally, but this was on a completely different level.
It felt as if it could cut through absolutely anything. That was exactly it. I found myself completely captivated by its brilliant radiance.
...Wait, what? Why did I wake up, though?
Only then did I realize I had regained consciousness.
Huh?
But something felt strange. My mind was awake, but I had no control over my body.
My body was still being controlled by Yoo Chun-gil, that old man.
Namgung Seong moved. The Sword Astral poured down like a landslide happening right before my eyes.
Whoa, fuck. Aren't we going to die if we mess this up?
How on earth were we supposed to block that? Was this really going to be okay? Doubts flooded my mind.
Right then.
"Splendid."
Even in the face of that terrifying Sword Astral, this damn old man was spouting nonsense. We were definitely screwed.
However.
Huh?
All my thoughts vanished in an instant.
It happened the moment I—or rather, Yoo Chun-gil—moved the body.
Strength surged into the hand. He swung. Namgung Seong's sword was already close. At this rate, it would be too late.
Even though I knew that, instead of feeling fear, I found myself focusing entirely on that single moment.
The energy flowing from the dantian. The energy that had been quiet until a moment ago exploded like fireworks.
The toe stepping forward. The waist, relaxed rather than tensed. The chest opening wide, and the arm extending to draw a circle.
And the wooden sword infused with energy.
As all of these elements aligned perfectly, an indescribable ecstasy washed over me.
What was this? I couldn't tell. I only knew one thing.
...I want to try it.
The thought flashed through my mind.
Ah.
The moment that thought occurred to me, I regained complete control over my body.
It felt as if Yoo Chun-gil had vanished, leaving my body entirely under my own command.
Before me, the Sword Astral was still crashing down.
Instinct told me. If I stopped or hesitated now, I would die.
So, I just did it.
I maintained the breath I was exhaling, followed the flow of energy, and used the muscles exactly as I had felt them.
It wasn't that difficult. I just had to memorize how the body moved and replicate it.
That was all.
And just like that.
A moon bloomed from my hand.
[...So, you just did it, and it worked?]
"Yes."
As I finished explaining what had happened, Yoo Chun-gil wore a somewhat dazed expression.
"That's really all there is to it. I just picked up the flow right before it broke and carried it through."
I felt genuinely wronged.
"I mean, I barely managed to salvage a situation where we could have died. Why are you interrogating me like this?"
[....]
Even at my words, Yoo Chun-gil remained silent. It wasn't that he had nothing to say; rather, he seemed to be so deep in thought that he wasn't listening to a single word I said.
"Old man. Can you hear me?"
[....]
"Really? Nothing?"
[....]
"Hey."
[What did you just say, you punk?]
"Wow... The weather is nice today."
I immediately averted my gaze under his glare.
Damn old man. If you can hear me, you should answer.
I tried my best to avoid his eyes, but Yoo Chun-gil kept glaring at me, clearly unwilling to let it slide so easily.
Left with no choice, I spoke up.
"Then why didn't you answer me?"
[I had some things to ponder, that is all.]
"Then you should have told me not to talk to you because you were thinking."
[One does not announce every single thought before—wait, you rascal? Are you trying to talk down to me? Have you forgotten whose hands hold your life thread?]
"Wow."
I gasped in sheer admiration at the old man's words.
"You are incredibly petty. Threatening me just because you're losing an argument? Isn't that a bit too cheap for someone of your age?"
[...Then why are you trying to kneel?]
"Because I have to say what's on my mind, but I also value my life."
[....]
The old man shut his mouth tight, seemingly genuinely speechless this time.
After a brief moment, he shook his head and spoke again.
[No matter how I look at it, you are not sane...]
"...What?"
Who was calling whom insane? Dumbfounded, I was about to snap back from my kneeling position when—
[But then again, you were indeed the right choice.]
"..."
I froze upon seeing Yoo Chun-gil's expression.
The smile on his face as he looked at me was incredibly bright.
But because it looked exactly like a child who had just found a fascinating new toy, it was actually terrifying.
A day passed.
When I opened my eyes, it was roughly dawn. Although I always woke up at the same time, the ceiling above me still felt unfamiliar.
I sat up. The surroundings were quiet.
Normally, I would hear snoring from both sides, but now there was no one.
Is this really okay? The question crossed my mind briefly, but I didn't dwell on it.
I don't know if it's okay or not. Let's just enjoy it for now.
If it wasn't, so what? That was a problem for later.
I changed my clothes and stepped outside. The crisp dawn air brushed against the tip of my nose. Feeling it, I began to move.
After walking a short distance, I spotted some people who were already awake.
They were the few members of the Anhui Branch who did early morning training.
Their gazes immediately locked onto me.
"It's Young Master Bang."
"It really is Young Master Bang."
"..."
I scratched my cheek at the words that reached my ears.
Yes, I am Young Master Bang, you bastards, I muttered inwardly, making sure they couldn't hear.
Perhaps because the dawn was so quiet, their whispers carried exceptionally well.
"The one who defeated the Young Azure Sword..."
"It wasn't just a defeat. He completely pulverized his crotch..."
"Ugh..."
"..."
Yeah, I probably shouldn't train here. I had expected it, but the change in just one day was overwhelming. I was feeling it firsthand.
I turned around and headed elsewhere.
[Why not just train there? Why move again?]
Yoo Chun-gil, who was following me, asked.
"If I stay, they won't be able to focus because of me, and I won't be able to focus either. Why force it?"
Just now, they had stopped what they were doing to watch me. It was better for me to leave.
Yoo Chun-gil looked at me with a subtle expression and spoke.
[I have been curious about this since yesterday. May I ask?]
"No."
[Why do you seem to feel absolutely nothing?]
"...Didn't I just tell you not to ask?"
[Did it truly feel as though you had a choice?]
"..."
Dammit.
I let out a deep sigh. My morning was already off to a terrible start.
"Feel what?"
[Well, you are receiving quite a bit of attention now, and your treatment has changed. I wondered why you do not seem to care at all.]
So that was what he meant. I snorted at the ridiculous question and replied.
"...Do I have to feel something?"
[It would not hurt.]
"Sure, it wouldn't hurt. It wouldn't hurt, but..."
One had to consider the circumstances before enjoying such things. Especially in my case.
"It's not something I achieved with my own hands. It feels dirty, so I don't want to enjoy it."
[Oh?]
"If anything, it makes me anxious. It feels like standing on a thin stick over a vast ocean."
[For someone who claims to be anxious, you do not look it.]
"That's because I'm pretending. Showing anxiety won't make anything better."
A life where you couldn't say you were anxious even when you were. Living a lifetime like that made one skilled at this.
Hiding my true self. That was my greatest ability.
[Hmm. Is that so?]
Yoo Chun-gil smiled strangely at my words. He had been doing that since yesterday.
Why on earth did he keep smiling like that?
It was incredibly unsettling.
This is exactly why I didn't want to get involved with an evil spirit.
Dammit. Of all the spirits to get tangled up with, it had to be this one.
[Do not curse me in your mind.]
"...I didn't."
As I had noted before, this spirit was quick-witted. Extremely so.
What should I do now? It seemed early morning training was out of the question.
Though I probably couldn't have done much anyway because of the muscle aches.
Still, skipping my usual routine left a bad taste in my mouth.
If I couldn't train, what was I supposed to do? There wasn't much time left until the morning training anyway.
As I was pondering, someone approached me from a distance. An annoyingly handsome face appeared first thing in the morning.
"Ah, Young Master Bang. Here you are."
It was Cheon Ui-jin.
"Good morning. Were you looking for me?"
"Ah, yes... I went to your quarters, but they said you weren't there..."
I hadn't been out long. We must have missed each other.
"What is it?"
"Well... Do you have a moment? There is something I would like to show you."
I considered Cheon Ui-jin's request for a moment. Since I had time to spare, it seemed fine.
"Sure. Where should we go?"
We arrived at Cheon Ui-jin's quarters. While not as luxurious as mine, it was still quite high-class.
Two teacups were placed on the table, and tea was poured with a soft trickle.
"...I apologize that this is all I have to offer."
"No, it's fine. We have to eat breakfast soon anyway."
Besides, I wasn't much of a tea drinker to begin with.
"By the way, you don't have any servants?"
Despite the size of the quarters, it seemed Cheon Ui-jin was living here completely alone. He had prepared the tea and everything else himself.
"Yes. Since I had to travel under a hidden identity... and my guard handled most other things..."
Cheon Ui-jin trailed off into silence. It was likely because he was referring to his guard, that bastard.
Cheon Ui-jin forced a smile and continued.
"I have sent word, so someone should arrive shortly."
By "someone," did he mean people from Cheongwol Gate? Probably.
The direct descendant of the Sect Leader was targeted for assassination, after all...
And above all.
Because I am here.
Since I, the supposed successor of the Sword Saint, was here, they would definitely take action.
"So, what is this about?"
"Haha..."
When I cut straight to the point, showing no interest in the previous topic, Cheon Ui-jin laughed awkwardly.
Seeing that, I offered a quick apology.
"Sorry. I'm usually a bit blunt."
"Ah, no. I am the one who intruded so early in the morning."
I was curious about what could be important enough to call me over at dawn. He certainly hadn't invited me just to drink tea.
"The reason I wished to see you, Young Master, is simple."
As if to satisfy my curiosity immediately, Cheon Ui-jin walked over to a box sitting in the corner. It had been there since I entered the room.
"...I felt it was only right to show this to you first, Young Master."
"...What is it?"
Just as I was wondering what he was about to show me, Cheon Ui-jin pulled out an object wrapped in cloth from the box.
[Hmm.]
Upon seeing it, Yoo Chun-gil let out a low sigh. I frowned at his reaction.
He knows what it is.
The old man seemed to recognize the object. What on earth could it be?
Cheon Ui-jin carried it over with extreme care, as if handling a priceless treasure. He carefully unwrapped the cloth.
"...Huh?"
When the object finally revealed itself, I let out a rather dumbfounded sound.
I couldn't help it.
The object Cheon Ui-jin showed me was none other than a sword. Or rather, something that used to be a sword.
Not only was the blade completely dull from age, but it also looked like it had originally been a greatsword, with more than half of it snapped off. Only a small fragment of the blade remained attached to the hilt.
What is that?
Why was he showing me this piece of junk?
"If it is you, Young Master Bang... surely you know what this is?"
"...No, how could I possibly know what this worn-out antique..."
[It is my sword.]
"Of course I know. It is the cherished weapon of the Sword Saint."
[You crazy bastard...]
Look who's talking.
It was a relief I had corrected myself quickly, but seriously, how was anyone supposed to recognize that junk as the Sword Saint's weapon?
But wait.
...Hold on. The old man's weapon?
Once the truth sank in, my mind cooled down rapidly.
The Sword Saint's cherished weapon. Cheon Ui-jin. Cheongwol Gate... Anhui...
I began to piece the clues together.
"The reason I am showing this to you, Young Master Bang, is..."
I reached a conclusion in an instant.
"You are correct."
"Pardon?"
"I mean that what you are thinking is correct, Young Master Cheon. I, too, came to Anhui to find this. Such was the final will left by the Sword Saint."
[...Huh?]
Yoo Chun-gil reacted to my words with utter confusion, his face practically asking what kind of nonsense I was spouting.
However.
"...I knew it...!"
Cheon Ui-jin's eyes widened as if his suspicions had been confirmed. Looking at the pathetic excuse for a sword and Cheon Ui-jin, I felt a surge of certainty.
This situation...
I can definitely use this.
If I played my cards right, I could turn this entirely to my advantage.