Things Gone Astray (5)
I knew this man with his particular habit all too well.
Ilmun.
My bodyguard from back then.
No doubt about it.
How many times had I crossed swords with him?
In my previous life, I'd sparred often with my bodyguards and fought alongside them, so there was no way I could miss that telltale habit.
But he was the second son of the Poreungsa Clan in Honam Province?
It was only natural that I hadn't recognized him at first glance.
For one thing, his name was different.
My bodyguard had been named Ilmun, but this second son sparring with me now was Yeon Ju-hyeok.
Besides, when he'd served as my guard, his face had been horribly burned and disfigured by fire.
That's why he'd always worn a mask.
His vocal cords had been damaged too, leaving his voice far from pleasant.
And yet his skills had been outstanding, his loyalty unwavering—he'd become my bodyguard because of it.
He'd died on the same day I did.
For now, let me recall what I remembered about him…
Come to think of it, Palgap had mentioned that a massive fire had broken out at the Poreungsa Clan house in Honam Province back then.
The second son's family and the fourth son, who happened to be home, had all perished in the blaze.
So…
The second son hadn't died after all. He'd barely survived and ended up as my bodyguard?
I could only gaze at him with complicated eyes.
In the courtyard of the guesthouse, the spar between Yeon Ju-hyeok, second son of the Poreungsa Clan in Honam Province, and Eun Seo-ho continued.
Sword met sword.
Yeon Ju-hyeok's realm was first-rate.
For a man in his early thirties, achieving first-rate was commendable.
Especially considering that even elders in most sects barely reached peak.
Eun Seo-ho was matching him blow for blow at an even level.
The head of the Poreungsa Clan in Honam Province watched and thought,
'Without a doubt… that man's realm is peak, but he's holding back for Ju-hyeok's sake?'
Then something odd caught his eye.
"…!"
It was Eun Seo-ho's footprints.
The courtyard was close to the rear garden, so the ground was dirt, and Yeon Ju-hyeok's footprints were scattered all over beneath them.
'Why are there no footprints from that man?'
Soon, he noticed what no one else had.
'Gasp! Unless my eyes are playing tricks, that man hasn't moved a single step since we started!'
As far as he knew, holding off a first-rate warrior like that was impossible even at peak realm.
Which meant Eun Seo-ho was far beyond peak.
'He's been hiding his true realm?'
His eyes gleamed.
'Perfect timing.'
The spar was nearing its end.
"I think that's enough for now."
At Eun Seo-ho's words, Yeon Ju-hyeok panted as he replied,
"I've broadened my horizons plenty. Thank you for humoring me."
"No trouble at all."
"Father said to wait for his reply."
At Young Master Hangsu's words, the head of the Poreungsa Clan in Honam Province said he'd write a letter if they waited.
But it wouldn't come quickly. He had plenty to mull over.
Back at the annex, Young Master Hangsu asked me,
"Were you able to show off your martial arts?"
I chuckled lightly.
"How else do you think I brought back those eyes from the North Sea?"
"Fair point."
He just nodded and retreated to his room.
Cold, isn't he?
After all, I'd sparred because I was traveling with him—couldn't he at least say thanks?
He'd been so eloquent in front of the Poreungsa head earlier, but with me, he turned curt and indifferent.
Whatever. Once this is sorted, we won't cross paths again.
I looked up at the sky. The sun had fully set.
No one else would come looking for me, right?
Tonight, I planned to sneak into the fourth young master's quarters. No matter how I sliced it, he seemed awfully suspicious.
Back in my room, I told Palgap,
"Palgap. If anyone comes looking, say I'm asleep."
"Where are you off to?"
"Yeah, just something I need to check out."
I changed into light, easy-moving clothes while waiting for night to deepen.
Honestly, night-walker garb would be least conspicuous, but if spotted, it'd look way too shady.
And changing back if someone called would be a hassle…
So I opted for the darkest shade of travel clothes.
That's when it happened.
"My lord, a servant's here from outside."
"…?"
I tilted my head and stepped out.
Didn't recognize this servant.
"Are you Seonhyeopmirang Daehyeop?"
I nodded.
"The young master sent me to fetch you."
"Which young master?"
"Second young master Yeon Ju-hyeok."
What could this be about?
I wanted to refuse, but changed my mind and accepted.
Going at his invitation meant I could boldly enter the inner quarters.
Moments later.
I followed the servant into the inner compound.
"But as an outsider, is it really okay for me to enter the inner quarters this late?"
Usually, they didn't let outsiders in late at night.
The servant kindly replied,
"No need to worry. If invited by someone residing in the inner quarters, it's fine."
"I see."
Soon, we arrived at… a training ground?
It sure looked like one.
It was that spacious, and the floor was paved with blue stone.
Money well spent, clearly.
And there stood Young Master Yeon Ju-hyeok.
"You've come, Daehyeop."
"The title daehyeop embarrasses me—please, just call me sodanju."
"Well…"
"I insist."
Reluctantly, he nodded.
"Very well, if you prefer."
He continued,
"I've summoned you, sodanju, because I have a request. I beg you to grant it."
His gaze urged me to ask what it was.
"…"
No helping it.
"What is this request?"
"Spar with me."
"I recall we already sparred earlier. You want another?"
He nodded at my question.
"Yes. I know you went easy on me earlier to save face in front of my family."
"…"
Truth be told, I hadn't shown my full strength earlier because of the suspicious fourth son.
But Young Master Yeon Ju-hyeok mistook it for sparing his pride.
Well, misconceptions are free.
"This time, don't hold back. I want to know my true level."
His eyes burned with sincerity.
They overlapped with the gaze of Ilmun, the bodyguard who'd given his life for me in my previous life.
"Sigh…"
I let out a breath and agreed.
"Can't be helped. Very well."
"Thank you!"
"But with wooden swords, not live blades."
He looked taken aback at my proposal.
"Wooden swords? But I want a real sword fight."
I shook my head.
"Live or wooden, they're equally dangerous. Why insist on live steel?"
"Because you need real swords to get used to actual combat, right?"
"A master calligrapher doesn't blame the brush."
"…"
"Refuse my suggestion, and there's no spar."
Truthfully, wooden swords were to avoid trouble for both of us.
I'd only recently reached super first-rate.
A slip with live blades would be disastrous.
I'd held back earlier on purpose, but with him serious now, who knew?
Besides, even if he was fine with it, live sparring could spark misunderstandings with others.
Wooden swords? That's just training, no issue.
Finally, he nodded.
"Understood."
"Lend me a wooden sword."
He instructed the servant, who brought two.
I hefted mine.
Heavy and sturdy—iron core inside, perfectly balanced.
"Fine wooden sword."
"Made of cheon-gang wood."
"Ah, of course."
I nodded and said,
"Take your stance. No holding back, as you asked. I won't yield even three forms."
"Got it."
We assumed positions.
Silence fell around us. Even breaths grew cautious.
As tension thickened.
Clack!
Young Master Yeon Ju-hyeok struck first.
Impressively fast, but slow to my eyes.
This is the gap between super first-rate and first-rate.
I hadn't felt it so keenly at peak.
I raised my wooden sword to parry his overhead strike.
"Ugh!"
He didn't drop it, countering with force.
As I'd sensed earlier, his skill was solid.
Not every first-rate could recover from my block and strike back so swiftly.
I parried again.
But this time, infused with the subtlety of Songjeolseol.
One of the Jinseol Twelve Style Swordsmanship forms—a midguard.
"…!"
His face twisted in shock. My qi locked his sword immobile.
And then,
Swish.
Like flowing water, I laid my wooden sword at his throat.
"I lose."
At his admission, I lowered my blade.
Our exchange had lasted mere seconds—five moves at most.
Regret in his eyes, he bowed earnestly.
"Once more, please."
But I knew one wouldn't suffice for him.
The Ilmun I remembered was tenacious, never one to quit.
Time to set terms.
"Five more times. No more."
His face lit up.
"Thank you."
We sparred, and in the next four, he always struck first—I won each.
Brief clashes, seconds long.
"Last one now."
"…"
"A promise is a promise."
"Understood."
To the reluctant youth, I said,
"This time, I strike first."
He nodded tensely, gripping tight.
I lunged.
Whoosh!
"…!"
Unlike before, I infused true killing intent.
At that moment, a shadow burst from the side, sensing it.
Just as I thought.
Wooden sword for his sake too. Sneaking in the shadows—he was clearly Yeon Ju-hyeok's bodyguard.
Yeon Ju-hyeok must have known he was there. That's why he'd dared request live blades.
The guard rushed me, drawing his sword in panic.
But.
Tap.
Before he could, my wooden sword lightly bonked Yeon Ju-hyeok's head.
"Uh…"
He stared blankly; I smirked.
"In real combat, you'd be dead."
"Uh…"
Still dazed. His guard hadn't even fully drawn, frozen in shock.
"What went through your mind just now?"
"Uh…"
He swallowed hard.
"Nothing."
"That's right—facing a master's killing intent blanks the mind. What saves you in that moment?"
"…"
I pressed on—no real question there.
"Be honest. When training swordsmanship, you skimp on basics, don't you?"
"…How did you know?"
"You couldn't even react properly to my strike. With solid basics, you could've blocked it. It wasn't that fast."
He glanced at his hands.
"I hear you're an inner disciple of the Hyeongsan Sect. Not just them—most sects start daily routines with basic drills."
"True. Hyeongsan did too."
"Repeating the nine basic sword paths hundreds of times is tedious, grueling. But it's not to torment disciples. It's to make sword swings instinct in a crisis."
I continued,
"So before seeking out strong foes for perilous spars, focus on basics. Skip them daily, and even against superiors, you might block once or twice."
I turned to the bodyguard.
"Then your guard won't be late."
In his previous life, he'd said it.
Regretted neglecting basics.
If he hadn't, he could've protected those dear to him.
Lived without that hated existence…
His bitter smile as he spoke those words flashed in my mind.
In this life, I hoped he'd avoid that regret—even if it meant harsh methods.
"As promised, five spars done. Time to head out."
I handed the wooden sword to the servant and turned to leave.
That's when.
"Master!"
"Hm?"
Turning, he knelt, kowtowing.
And shouted,
"I'll take you as my master!"
Wait, what? You're older than me…
This is awkward.