An Unwanted Shadow
Martial arts, by definition, categorized one's realm based on how they gathered and applied energy in their dantian.
If you could merely gather energy in your dantian, you were a Third-class martial artist.
If you could apply that energy and begin channeling it into your sword, you were Second-class.
Once the energy channeled into the blade began to take physical form, you were First-class.
Beyond that?
Well, I didn't know.
They said that once you reached the Peak realm, the energy did this and that to your body, but that had absolutely nothing to do with me.
I was just a run-of-the-mill Third-class martial artist, which meant one thing: in the world of martial arts, I was a total scrub.
Under normal circumstances, a bottom-tier martial artist like me wouldn't have even been able to join the Martial Alliance. That was my place in the world, and yet...
"I have no idea what I'm doing..."
I rubbed my neck, where the cold, sharp sensation still lingered.
It was the exact spot where a blade had been resting just moments ago.
Fortunately, I wasn't bleeding, but it was a close call that could have easily ended in my death.
The way he had looked at me under the moonlight flashed through my mind.
His gaze had been so terrifyingly cold that I'd almost pissed myself.
I had spoken up believing he wouldn't actually kill me, and thankfully, he hadn't. Still, it was an experience I never wanted to repeat.
"Are you satisfied now?" I asked, turning to the side.
There stood the blue-eyed old man, grinning back at me.
"Not bad. Yes, that should do it."
"Doesn't matter if he doesn't listen, does it?" I grumbled.
Keep his hips straight, shift his weight, and so on. The old man's wish was simply to pass a few pointers to Yeon Socheon.
Of all the things I'd done in my lives, acting as a mouthpiece for a ghost to give martial arts advice was a first.
"He knows it came from me, so he probably won't even listen. Is there really any point to this?" I asked, skeptical.
The old man replied instantly.
"He will listen."
"How can you be so sure?"
"Because it is advice worth listening to. It is exactly what he needs right now. Heheh."
"..."
His confidence seemed baseless, but I decided to let it go.
"Whatever you say."
This was none of my business anyway.
I had almost died, and my relationship with Yeon Socheon was completely ruined. There was nothing more I could do.
"I've granted your favor. Whether you move on to the afterlife or just hang around, do whatever you want. I'm leaving."
As I turned to leave without a shred of lingering attachment, the old man stared at me with a peculiar expression.
"Child."
"Yes?"
"Why do you ask nothing?"
"Huh?"
I wondered what he meant.
"Ask what?"
"Why I asked such a favor of you, what my relationship with that boy is, or even who I am... Why do you not ask a single question?"
"Ah."
I nodded. So that was what he was curious about. If that was the case, my answer was already set.
"Because I don't really care."
"Hmm...?"
"Even if I tried to understand all that stuff about posture and movements, I wouldn't get it anyway."
I didn't know the first thing about shifting weight or proper forms.
"And as for your relationship... I assume it's something like grandfather and grandson, or master and disciple."
They certainly weren't husband and wife or lovers. With only a few obvious possibilities left, there was no need to pry.
"Whatever it is, I have no intention of finding out, nor do I want to get involved."
I wasn't an idiot. I knew the old man was no ordinary spirit. In my past life, I had met all kinds of people, and I knew that ghosts who remained this vivid and clear after death were always individuals who had held immense power when they were alive. This old man was undoubtedly one of them.
"Ho. You call yourself a martial artist, yet you do not seek my teachings?"
The way he emphasized 'my' carried a massive amount of pride. I was slightly curious about who he had been to speak with such confidence, but...
"That sounds like a poisoned chalice if I ever heard one. So yes, I want absolutely nothing to do with it."
Do not get involved with ghosts more than necessary. That was my rule. No matter how legendary the old man might have been, I had no desire to find out.
Live a long, quiet life. Don't stick your neck out.
My life goal remained unchanged.
Still, it was annoying that my relationship with Yeon Socheon had soured so badly. Even if I had been forced into it, I had overstepped my bounds. I suppose I should be glad it ended with just a threat.
"Mmm. I see."
The old man reacted to my answer with a look of intrigue.
"Anyway... please keep your promise."
It was a pact that he would never mention my ability to see spirits to any other ghost we might encounter.
"Of course, of course."
The old man nodded. Seeing that, I let out a quiet sigh of relief.
"But child, I have one question."
The old man spoke again.
"My favor is finished, but what if our positions were reversed?"
"...Reversed?"
"Could there not come a day when you must ask a favor of me?"
How sudden. Me, asking a favor of this old man?
Not a chance.
I shook my head. Ask a favor of a ghost? That would never happen.
"If that ever happens, I'll grant whatever wish you have."
"Is that so?"
The old man grinned. There was something deeply unsettling about that smile.
"Very well. I shall see you next time, then."
The old man waved his hand and vanished. He hadn't crossed over, and seeing how freely he moved around, he clearly wasn't a bound spirit.
Watching the empty space where he had stood, I scratched the back of my neck.
Next time...?
"See you next time." Those words lingered uncomfortably in my mind. I knew ghosts couldn't directly interfere with the living world, yet a strange sense of unease washed over me.
...Ah, whatever. What's the worst that could happen?
It wasn't like anything was actually going to change.
With that thought, I got through the rest of the night.
"How... How did you do it? Just how did you know?"
Oh, great.
My bad feeling proved right almost immediately.
It was the morning right after my night watch duty.
To make matters worse, my shift had been right before dawn, leaving me with barely any sleep. I stumbled outside looking like a complete mess, only for someone to grab my exhausted body.
"Young Master... Young Master Bang."
Wondering who it was, I looked up.
Yeon Socheon?
The one holding onto me was none other than Yeon Socheon—the very guy who had held a sword to my throat just last night.
I stared at him, trying to figure out what he wanted, when I noticed something strange.
"What's wrong? Socheon, did you not sleep?"
Socheon looked terrible. His hair was a disheveled mess, his skin was pale, and dark circles hung heavily under his eyes. He looked completely exhausted.
Did he stay up all night training?
I had heard that once a martial artist reached the Second-class realm, going without sleep for a few days was barely an inconvenience. But this didn't look like the result of simple training.
Just then—
Grab!
"Huh?"
Socheon gripped my shoulder tightly.
"...Socheon, what is the meaning of this?"
"Who... Who on earth are you?"
"Excuse me?"
My identity?
"What do you mean..."
I started to speak, but then my eyes narrowed.
Ah... this had to be about last night.
The advice I had given him on behalf of the old man. I hadn't expected it to actually help, but Socheon must have followed it just as the ghost predicted. Did he achieve some kind of breakthrough because of it?
But he looks awful for someone who just had a breakthrough.
Usually, gaining enlightenment made a martial artist ecstatic, but Socheon's current state was the exact opposite. Yet, judging by the way he was acting toward me, he had definitely realized something.
What the hell happened to him?
This was shaping up to be incredibly annoying. My mind raced as I tried to figure out a way to slip away.
"My hips... my hips..." Socheon mumbled repeatedly, looking like a broken machine.
I scratched my cheek.
"When I did as you said, Young Master Bang, it really..."
"Socheon," I said, cutting him off.
"Y-yes?"
"That ship has sailed."
I kept my face completely expressionless as I continued.
"Didn't you make yourself clear last night? You told me never to approach you again."
"...!"
Yes, Socheon had said exactly that. He had warned me that there wouldn't be a next time.
I had been so terrified that I'd checked my pants afterward to make sure I hadn't soiled myself.
Well, that was then.
And this is now.
His own words were the perfect shield to use against him.
"I have nothing more to say to you. Don't worry, I intend to follow your warning to the letter."
"T-that's..."
Socheon's face darkened.
I didn't care what kind of enlightenment he was seeking; it had nothing to do with me. The same went for the old man's affairs.
"Just think of it as a dream. That's what I'm going to do. What could a lowly Third-class martial artist like me possibly know? I must have temporarily lost my mind last night."
I waved my hand dismissively and tried to walk past him, but Socheon refused to let go of my arm.
"Hey, could you let go of me...?"
"There is no way you knew nothing."
"I really don't—"
"Unless you learned the exact same techniques as me, there is no way you could have pointed out my flaw so precisely. I am no fool. Which means... you must also be from that place—"
"Whoa, whoa! Shut it! Shut your mouth!"
I quickly slapped my hand over Socheon's mouth.
"Are you out of your mind?"
"Mmph..."
Wherever 'that place' was, I didn't want to hear it.
It was obvious Socheon was hiding his true identity. In fact, most people in the Alliance probably knew and were just pretending not to. Yet, whatever misunderstanding he had cooked up, he was about to blab about his background.
"I'm not listening."
I refused to get involved. It sounded like a massive headache.
"Whatever you're thinking, you've got the wrong guy. I don't know what kind of place you're talking about, but please keep me out of it."
"..."
The more I spoke, the more a strange certainty filled Socheon's eyes.
Ah, I've really stepped in it this time, haven't I?
The old man had told me he just wanted to correct a minor flaw in Socheon's form. What exactly did he have me say to him?
A few silent seconds passed.
Slowly, Socheon released his grip on my arm.
"I... understand..."
He clearly didn't understand at all, but he reluctantly let me go. His lingering gaze was deeply concerning, but...
What can I do?
There was nothing more I could do, so I ignored him and walked away. I never expected him to corner me first thing in the morning.
Even as I walked, I could feel his eyes burning into my back. I kept going.
The old ghost hadn't reappeared since he vanished, so all I had to do was wait for things to calm down. I just hoped for a peaceful day.
As Bang Seongyeon walked away and disappeared from view...
"..."
Socheon quietly watched him go before whispering, "...Pung Yeon."
"Yes, Young Master."
Hearing the Sound Transmission from his bodyguard, Socheon continued.
"What you told me last night... is it true?"
"Yes, there is not a single lie in my words."
Pung Yeon repeated what he had told Socheon the previous night.
"That man definitely noticed that I was watching him."
Yesterday afternoon, right after Bang Seongyeon had spat water at Socheon, Pung Yeon had secretly followed him. Socheon had let the matter slide, but Pung Yeon could not forgive the insult. He had intended to teach Seongyeon a lesson without revealing his identity.
But then...
What are you doing?
Seongyeon, who had been alone, suddenly turned his head and looked directly at the hidden Pung Yeon, casually muttering to himself.
In that instant—
Shhh—!
An inexplicable sensation washed over Pung Yeon's entire body.
Feeling it, Pung Yeon knew instinctively.
It was a warning. A clear message that he was being watched, telling him not to try anything.
Pung Yeon was a Peak-realm expert. He was a martial artist who had crossed the boundary separating the First-class realm from the Peak, a difference as vast as heaven and earth.
For someone of his caliber to feel such pressure...
"Are you saying... Young Master Bang is a Peak-realm master?" Socheon asked.
"I cannot say for certain. However, the possibility exists."
Socheon frowned at Pung Yeon's response.
"Then why did you report this so late?"
Socheon had been left in shock after practicing his sword forms following Seongyeon's departure. While he was still trying to process what had happened, Pung Yeon had belatedly delivered the news. If he had known sooner, Socheon wouldn't have dismissed Seongyeon so easily.
"Forgive me. I initially thought it was just my imagination, but after seeing what transpired, I became certain."
Socheon bit his lip.
He had heard that Bang Seongyeon was not even twenty yet. If he truly was a Peak-realm master, it defied all logic.
Moreover...
I felt nothing when I grabbed him just now.
When Socheon had gripped Seongyeon's arm to gauge his cultivation, he had subtly channeled his internal energy. Yet, all he felt from Seongyeon was the weak, disorganized energy of a Third-class martial artist or lower. There was no other presence.
Is he hiding his strength?
Did Seongyeon realize Socheon was testing him and deliberately suppress his energy? If so, his control was terrifyingly absolute. It was so perfect that it was easier to believe he was genuinely just a Third-class nobody.
Socheon nodded as a realization struck him.
But if he is from my sect, it all makes sense.
Every doubt about Bang Seongyeon could be explained if he belonged to the same organization. Why he chose to endure humiliation and persecution while hiding his true strength, why he had given Socheon advice, and why someone from Liaoning was here in Anhui...
Yes.
Socheon's eyes widened as the pieces fell into place. The clues aligned to point to a single conclusion.
He is also a descendant of the Blue Moon Sect.
Bang Seongyeon was either a disciple of the same sect, or a descendant of its lineage. Socheon was absolutely convinced of it.
Just before noon.
I was summoned to the Squad Leader's office within the branch. I wasn't the only one; most of the members of the 2nd Squad were gathered there as well.
"Orders have come down," the Squad Leader announced, drawing everyone's attention. "We have received reports that traces of Sancheon Gwiin have been spotted nearby."
"Gasps..."
"Sancheon Gwiin?!"
"Squad Leader, is that true?"
The squad members gasped in shock. I was no exception.
Sancheon Gwiin...?
Sancheon Gwiin.
He was a notorious rogue martial artist active in the Anhui and Zhejiang regions, unaffiliated with the Martial Alliance. In other words, an unorthodox martial artist.
He was known to wield a massive nodachi, and his cultivation was said to be at the Peak realm.
Recently, he had been on the run after killing a member of the Namgung Family, one of the Five Great Families.
And of all places, he had to be spotted here?
Talk about terrible luck. And by that, I meant my own luck, not his.
Damn it, if you're going to run, run somewhere far away.
Shandong or Hebei would have been nice. I heard the Alliance branches there were well-managed. Why did he have to hide out in Anhui of all places and get caught?
My life really never gets a break.
I barely managed to swallow a heavy sigh.
"The 1st Squad will handle the subjugation... while our 2nd Squad and the 3rd Squad will be in charge of the search."
The Squad Leader's words brought a small wave of relief.
Right, we had dedicated combat squads, so they wouldn't send us to the front lines. As long as I didn't search too diligently, there was no way I'd run into him.
Actually, I absolutely must not run into him.
A Peak-realm master? Is he insane?
Even First-class martial artists were considered living weapons. How monstrous must a Peak-realm master be?
I heard they could manifest Sword Gang, which was a level above Sword Qi. They said they could slice through solid rock as if it were tofu.
I really, really don't want to run into him.
Just thinking about it gave me goosebumps. I didn't even want to participate in the search, but there was no way out of it, right?
Just as that thought crossed my mind...
"The Branch Leader has high expectations for this operation, so I expect everyone to do their absolute best."
Damn it.
The Squad Leader completely shut down any hope of slacking off. I didn't expect the Branch Leader to be brought into this.
Is he drooling at the chance because the Namgung Family is involved?
That was obviously the reason for all this fuss. Since the target was a rogue wanted by one of the Five Great Families, capturing him would give our branch massive leverage and prestige. That was why they were mobilizing every single member to catch him.
"The squad assignments have already been drawn up, so go prepare for deployment."
"Loyalty!"
"Loyalty!"
"...Loy...alty..."
I was the only one who answered with a dying voice.
Is there anywhere I can just hide out and kill time?
As I was trying to scheme a way out...
Stare...
"..."
I felt a burning sensation on the back of my head.
It was a gaze I had felt ever since entering the office. Feeling it, I steeled my resolve.
Do not look back. Absolutely do not look back.
The owner of that gaze was none other than Yeon Socheon. Ever since this morning, he had been staring at me. During training, during lunch, and all the way here—non-stop!
I'm going to get indigestion at this rate.
How long was he going to keep this up? I tried to ignore it, but it wasn't easy.
...Whatever. If I just lay low, he'll get over it in a month.
Whatever misunderstanding he had, it would fade as long as nothing happened. Or maybe Socheon would leave before then. For now, I just needed to figure out how to avoid him.
I can use the search as an excuse to slack off today, so I only need to worry about tomorrow.
There was no way we'd be put in the same group. There was a long line of people begging to be grouped with Socheon.
Yeah, I'll be fine.
I'd probably be paired with Yu Hyeongin like always, so I wouldn't have to deal with Socheon.
I nodded in relief, only for my hopes to be shattered five minutes later.
"I look forward to working with you, Young Master Bang."
Looking at the white-haired youth bowing slightly to me, I dragged a hand down my face.
"...Ah, my life."
Seriously, nothing ever went my way.