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Episode 42: Back Then, We Were Innocent
As time passed, the sword of Paesando Hwang Yeomdong fiercely attacked Gwahakgeom Eomcho.
Clang, clang, clang~
Eomcho's sword was constantly in danger against Hwang Yeomdong's aggressive blade, like a candle in the wind.
However, the spectators commented, "Hwang Yeomdong's sword technique is powerful, and Gwahakgeom's technique is delicate, so it seems like a balanced fight."
Yeon Jeokha listened carefully to the spectators' words and focused on the sword and blade. Contrary to what they said, Hwang's blade was clearly dominating the sword.
Paesando's arrogant face showed that he also knew Gwahakgeom was not at his level.
The problem was that even though the victory was clear, Paesando's energy kept increasing.
To top it off, at one point, a bluish energy formed around Hwang Yeomdong's blade.
Even without that energy, he had already dominated the fight, but now he had introduced his internal energy without anyone noticing.
Ching.
The blade's force made Gwahakgeom's sword fall and retreat.
Simultaneously, Paesando passed by Gwahakgeom like a ghost and lifted his blade in a diagonal slash.
"Ah!"
Clang.
A sharp cry came from Eomcho's mouth as the blade pierced his chest.
In battles between warriors, there is no place for compassion, but among comrades, they usually do not seek each other's death. Gwahakgeom had that faint hope.
However, in Hwang Yeomdong's eyes, there was an intense murderous intent.
Naturally, Eomcho thought his chest had been pierced and was paralyzed.
Seeing this, Yeon Jeokha shook his head.
"Tsk tsk! He doesn't have his heart in the right place."
That's the difference between a master and a novice. The Sage of Heaven and Earth said that you should never lose your true intention, even in the worst circumstances.
Even if you are injured by a sword, your heart should not waver. If you lose strength as if the world is ending because of a wound, you will die. Gwahakgeom was alive, but essentially, he was already dead.
Eomcho looked at his chest with a stunned expression.
He expected to find his chest open, but surprisingly, it was intact.
At that moment, Hwang Yeomdong quickly withdrew his blade and shouted.
"Who is the master here?"
However, no one responded.
Hwang Yeomdong looked around nervously.
"Who did this...?"
The thought of the coin embedded in his blade gave him chills.
Someone with the skill to insert a coin into a moving blade was an impressive master.
He waited for a moment, but there was no response. Hwang Yeomdong looked around and spoke.
"The fight intensified, and I used a deadly technique unintentionally. I don't know who it is, but thank you for preventing a tragedy."
The spectators murmured at Hwang Yeomdong's sudden action.
Only then did they understand that something had happened.
Hwang Yeomdong turned to Eomcho.
"Eomcho, you're lucky. We'll stop here for today. Don't unsheathe your sword without thinking."
"......"
Eomcho said nothing with a disheartened face. He knew Hwang Yeomdong was much more skilled than he was and could only endure in silence.
Hwang Yeomdong left with an unsatisfied expression.
When the fight ended, the spectators began to disperse.
Walking down the road, Yeon Jeokha made a comment to the Ten Heroes of Five Peaks Mountain.
"You can't stand still after using all your energy in one move. If you do like that Gwahakgeom, no matter how many lives you have, it won't be enough."
Ha Sobaek asked, smiling.
"I saw a coin embedded in Paesando's blade. Did you throw it, brother?"
"Yes. It seems there is no difference between the sword techniques of the Righteous Faction and the Evil Faction. He was determined to kill him."
"He said the fight intensified, and he lost control."
Immortal Sword Demon Shim Yanggak, who had spent many years on the street, laughed lightly.
"Ha ha, that's an excuse. That Paesando planned to kill him from the beginning. The hypocrites of the Righteous Faction usually don't use deadly techniques in public."
"Why would they? It doesn't make sense."
"Maybe he had a vendetta against Gwahakgeom, or Paesando was a bit crazy, or maybe there is an unknown reason."
"It's complicated."
Ha Sobaek, shaking her head, looked at Yeon Jeokha.
"Did you know all this when you helped him, brother?"
"No. I just saw that Paesando was using dirty tricks and exposed him."
"Is that all? Didn't you have other intentions?"
"No. I don't like dirty tricks. If you're going to kill, do it openly. If not, then don't do it. I can't stand hypocrites."
"I thought you helped him because you felt sorry for Gwahakgeom."
"Feeling sorry for someone who unsheathes his sword first in front of a master? No. Living like that will lead you to die in a dark place."
"If you hadn't intervened, he would have died today. But brother, how do you know if someone is stronger without fighting?"
"I don't know. I just avoid people who give me a bad feeling."
"Has there been anyone like that?"
"Yes, one person."
Yeon Jeokha thought of Heaven Destroyer Demon Lord Seok Muhae and shuddered slightly.
"Wow. I've lived without feeling anything."
Han Chaeyeon intervened.
"If you continue like that, you'll be killed anytime. Don't unsheathe your sword in front of anyone. Did you see that man?"
"Then, shouldn't you be more careful than me, sister?"
With that observation, Han Chaeyeon, somewhat uncomfortable, shrugged and murmured.
"Ah... When will they call us masters?"
"More than being called masters, when I unsheathe my sword, the sound of my heart beating reaches my ears."
Yeon Jeokha looked at the two women and commented.
"The first day I fought with a sword, I thought my heart would jump out of my throat."
Ha Sobaek opened her eyes in surprise.
"Really? Even a master like you?"
"Yes, for ten years, I trained in an isolated place, keeping my calm and my heart. But when the time came to fight, I heard sounds I had never heard before."
"Did someone speak to you?"
"No, I just heard a 'beep.'"
"Wow, you must have lived a really pure life. I didn't get that far."
"Back then, I was very innocent."
At Yeon Jeokha's serious words, Shim Yanggak glanced sideways.
These kids, who were barely seventeen or eighteen years old, talked as if they were elders who had seen everything in life. Though he felt tempted to intervene, he held back. Martial arts, he thought, can really make people humble.
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Hapbi.
Residence of the Namgung Family.
At noon, Ma Gon, the Leader of the Ascension Clan, came to visit Namgung Byeok, the Sword Emperor.
Namgung Byeok looked at Ma Gon with curiosity. Although they were in the same region, they rarely visited each other, so he didn't understand why Ma Gon had sought him out.
Ma Gon, visibly agitated, spoke as soon as he sat down.
"Great Hero Namgung, I need your help."
"Ha ha. You seem in a hurry. What happened?"
"A few days ago, one of our sect's disciples disappeared."
"And?"
Namgung Byeok didn't understand why Ma Gon had come to the Namgung Family residence for that matter. Usually, conflicts in Murim were resolved in the Justice Alliance in Nanjing.
"I also sent someone to the Justice Alliance, but that doesn't ease my mind."
"What kind of help do you need from the Namgung Family?"
"I would like to seek your daughter's advice."
"Hum!"
Namgung Byeok let out a sound of disapproval.
It seems Ma Gon needed the help of his daughter, known as the Heart-Reading Solitary Flower.
However, Namgung Byeok didn't immediately accept.
He wanted to hear the details before deciding whether to call his daughter or not.
"First, tell me what it's about, and then we'll see."
"Yes, of course, I'll explain briefly. Three days ago, a disciple left the house saying he was going to the Ascension Clan and disappeared. If it were just that, we could wait for the Justice Alliance's investigation results, but I've heard a strange rumor."
"What rumor?"
"It is said that the Ascending Dragon Clan from southern Hanan is coming to help us. But I don't know the Ascending Dragon Clan. And just when a disciple disappeared, I'm worried it might be related."
"So, you say you don't know the Ascending Dragon Clan, but it is said to be coming to help your sect."
"Yes. That means something bad could happen to my Ascension Clan. I'm worried that the disciple's disappearance is related."
"That's strange."
"That's why I came to seek your daughter's opinion."
"What does the Justice Alliance say about the Ascending Dragon Clan?"
The Justice Alliance, as a union of righteous sects, had information about the sects in Hanan.
"They say they don't know any sect called the Ascending Dragon Clan. It could be a newly created sect or a false name."
"Wow! That's ambiguous."
"The Justice Alliance only says to wait. But I'm desperate."
"I understand. Wait a moment."
Namgung Byeok sent a servant to call his daughter, Namgung Yeon, to the main hall.
Somehow, his eldest son, Namgung Cheon, also showed up running.
'Why did he come too? Despite his age, he keeps getting involved in everything. Tsk tsk.'
Though he understood his affection for his sister, it seemed excessive to him. Namgung Byeok introduced the two to Ma Gon.
"Master Ma, these are my children. Introduce yourselves. This is Master Ma Gon of the Ascension Clan."
"I am Namgung Cheon. I have heard a lot about you. I hope to count on your guidance and support."
"......"
Unlike her brother, who greeted courteously, Namgung Yeon only made a slight bow and looked away.
Once seated, Ma Gon observed Namgung Yeon with curiosity. Under normal circumstances, he would have paid more attention to the eldest son, Namgung Cheon, but today was an exception.
Heart-Reading Solitary Flower.
As her nickname suggested, the nineteen-year-old Namgung Yeon was as beautiful as a flower.
But some said her nickname also meant "solitary heart," as she lived isolated from others. Although she was present in the same place, she seemed distant, explaining the jokes about her nickname.
"Yeon, Master Ma has come to seek your advice. Master Ma, please speak freely."
Finally, Namgung Yeon looked up and stared at Ma Gon.
Her face was expressionless like a doll, which made Ma Gon hesitate to speak.
But necessity makes a man.
Forcing a smile, Ma Gon spoke.
"Miss, as they say, you are as beautiful as a flower. I am Ma Gon, the master of the Ascension Clan. I know it is a bother, but if you could help me this time, I will never forget it."
"......"
Namgung Yeon didn't blink or respond.
Seeing no reaction, Ma Gon got straight to the point.
"I told the Justice Alliance everything about the Ascending Dragon Clan and the disciple's disappearance. The Alliance says the Ascending Dragon Clan is a new sect or a false name. I want to know if the Ascending Dragon Clan is behind this or if they are really coming to help us. And I also want to know what happened to our missing disciple."
Ma Gon looked at Namgung Yeon hopefully.
The fame of the Heart-Reading Solitary Flower in Namjikryeseong was as great as that of the Namgung Family.
They said she had never failed to solve a problem.
Her incredible memory and knowledge made her famous, and recently she was called "omniscient."