Chapter v10c13

Moyong Hui vs. the Sword Saint

‘Sorry, but you cannot enter!’

It was a given. Eun Seol Ran had no intention of expressing dissatisfaction about it.

After all, she was a person of the Black Way, not the White Way…

Access to the secrets of another sect was impossible. So, she had no choice but to wait outside the Phantom Demon Cave, praying for the safety of the people inside. Her heart was heavy with worry and anxiety, but there was only one thing she could do: wait quietly.

“Will everyone be safe…”

Because of her concern, she couldn’t even taste the tea properly. She couldn’t even feel if the tea leaves had steeped correctly in the appropriately heated water.

Her mind was filled with worry for the people she knew. And the hesitant look in Moyong Hui’s eyes from the day before also troubled her. A woman’s intuition suggested that he undoubtedly had something to tell her. But, hesitating, the moment passed, and he turned away without a word.

‘Should I have stopped him then…’

But she hadn’t.

“Hui! I hope you are safe…”

Recently, Moyong Hui had been reacting differently than usual, which made even the cheerful her feel awkward around him. But she was just as worried.

Bi Ryu Yeon, Na Yerin, Moyong Hui… and Hyo Ryong! She thought of each of them in her mind.

“I hope they are all safe.”

It might seem strange for a person of the Black Way to worry about those of the White Way. But such facts meant nothing to her. There are priorities as a human being that surpass affiliation and origin. Who can dare assert that it’s right to hate and despise endlessly just because of differences in belonging, origin, and ideology?

She worried about them as an individual. Sadly, all she could do for them was to wish them well in her heart.

“Everyone, be strong.”

She murmured quietly as she habitually sipped her tea.

The taste of the tea was bitter.

“Child!”

At the affectionate voice from behind, Moyong Hui flinched and stopped in his tracks. The voice contained an intangible power that captivated people, but it also held affection for Moyong Hui.

‘Surely not!’

Moyong Hui turned around with disbelief on his face. His eyes widened in astonishment. There he was, with snow-white hair and a long beard yet his skin glowed with youthfulness, and his deep eyes were so clear of any evil spirit that they appeared profound. He wore a clean white robe as if spun from the finest snow.

“Grandfather!”

Moyong Hui exclaimed. The old man from Sunpung Dogol was none other than the Sword Saint Moyong Jeongcheon himself. A part of the reason why Moyong Hui insisted on wearing only white clothes was undoubtedly influenced greatly by the Sword Saint.

“What brings you to this place…?”

Moyong Hui couldn’t hide his bewilderment. Why would his grandfather who should be at home be here now?

To Moyong Hui’s question, the Sword Saint smiled kindly.

“Hehehe. It seems your skills have improved a lot.”

“You flatter me.”

Moyong Hui was modest, but he felt quite pleased inside. How many people within the martial world could receive such praise from the Sword Saint?

“Hehehe. Then, are you ready to surpass me?”

The Sword Saint asked with a gentle smile. However, the content of the question was monumental. Moyong Hui was taken aback by the Sword Saint’s sudden question.

“Someday, I will indeed surpass you.”

Moyong Hui answered.

His grandfather was his hero and idol. But someday, he would be the greatest obstacle to overcome. Every man, by nature, yearns to surpass his father. In Moyong Hui’s case, that person was his grandfather.

The name of the Sword Saint Moyong Jeongcheon was not only the radiant glory that made the Moyong Family the foremost of the Eight Great Sects but also a heavy burden and a vast wall for the bloodline within the Moyong Family. It was a formidable, indelible shadow! An insurmountable wall! Although the shadow within was warm, some felt overwhelmed by it.

Yet even with future prospects attached, there was no one but Moyong Hui determined to overcome the esteemed reputation of the Sword Saint.

“Hehehe, ‘someday’ huh… You are the only one in the vast family who possesses the ambition to surpass me. Your father never dared to assure he would surpass this old man, even in his youthful, spirited days.”

“So, are you saying my intentions are mistaken?”

Moyong Hui asked.

“Hehehe! How could that be? A person who is resolved to surpass a stronger opponent is a true warrior of the martial world, a true martial artist. You’ve only said what is expected of you. For a martial artist, there is no such thing as complacency, just as there is no end on the path of the sword.”

Moyong Hui breathed a sigh of relief inside. He had no clue why the Sword Saint was here or that the power of the Phantom Demon Cave had completely bound him.

“Shall we test your skills?”

The Sword Saint pulled out a twig from nowhere. He was confident that even against a renowned figure like Moyong Hui, he needed nothing more than this single twig. Apparently, age had caught up, and he wanted to witness his grandson’s antics.

‘This… This has happened before…’

Suddenly he was seized by an eerie feeling. He was sure he had experienced this before.

‘Yes. I remember! It’s just like the situation on the last day before I left for Cheonmu Academy when I faced Grandfather.’

That day had indeed been like this. And…

And he had been utterly defeated without excuse. It was a perfect defeat. It had been a huge shock to him, who had already made a name for himself. Even against the revered Sword Saint Moyong Jeongcheon, he had not expected to be thoroughly outplayed without even a chance to fight back. The barrier of the ‘Three Stars of Cheonmu Academy’ was indeed high.

‘But why is that day repeating right before my eyes?’

Moreover, the pressure he was feeling now was the same level of unbearable pressure he felt in front of the Sword Saint. A sense of oppression as if a weight of a thousand catties pressed down on him!

The Phantom Demon Cave was like a mirror. It reflected the dark desires and scars hidden deep in people’s consciousness, showing them back to themselves as illusions. That’s why it was almost impossible to feel any incongruity with reality.

“Hehehe.”

With just a twig in his hand, Moyong Hui felt an immense sense of pressure, as if a tremendous cliff obstructed his way. It was like a tall mountain that even flying birds had to rest their wings before crossing. He held so much respect for his grandfather! What Moyong Hui felt now was reverence.

‘How did it turn out that day?’

The results hadn’t been very promising. Moyong Hui failed to conquer the Sword Saint’s twig. His keen blade, which was sharp enough to be guaranteed to cut down the natural plant that burns well and is certainly weaker than steel, had been frantically maneuvered against just a twig. The continuous techniques of Moyong Hui were effortlessly blocked by the Sword Saint with a mere gesture.

Of course, the Sword Saint had perfected Moyong Family’s private martial arts and created a new flow called ‘Silver River Stream’. Creating a new flow is possible only for someone who has reached the pinnacle in one area. Only those who have attained enlightenment can walk the new path.

That day, Moyong Hui had failed to break the twig sword that the Sword Saint held. As a result of his futile attempt and sloppy tactics, he became drenched in sweat. Exhausted, Moyong Hui heaved heavy breaths.

‘There’s still a long way to go…’

He reproached himself. The mountain he intended to climb felt even higher.

Still, he didn’t receive a scolding for his superficial learning. He had only left a slight mark on the twig held by the Sword Saint, using his galaxy’s utmost secret technique, ‘Meteor Breaker’. This was the utmost achievement Moyong Hui had taken away from that day, his everything. He hadn’t heard any grumbling from his grandfather.

“Hehehe! You dared to touch the old man’s sword; you’ve improved a lot.”

The Sword Saint praised him instead. It seemed to him that he was quite satisfied.

‘This time! This time for sure!’

The recollection of the past ended. Now was the real beginning. This time, Moyong Hui, with a determination that could not be outdone, with a will to surely break that twig sword, tightly grasped his weapon.

“Haap! Silver River Meteor Shower!”

Like meteors, his sword energy formed constellations and streaked towards the Sword Saint.

He leaped towards the wall he had to surpass. The first attempt failed. What about the second…?

The blade’s light exploded gloriously.

“Pant… pant… pant.”

‘Was it still too hard for me…?’

Moyong Hui gasped for breath.

He had given his all, but little had improved. Even the sword he was holding now felt heavy. Despite throwing everything he had into his techniques, the Sword Saint remained unshaken, as if an invisible shield surrounded him. Moyong Hui decided to use the greatest technique he had learned from the Sword Saint.

“Can you surpass me with the techniques I taught you?”

Moyong Hui winced at the Sword Saint’s words. Nonetheless, he had no other option.

“Then I will go.”

“Come at me!”

Galaxy Style Opening Sword

Ultimate Secret Technique

Galaxy Annihilation

In an instant, a light emanated from the tip of Moyong Hui’s sword, illuminating the dark interior of the Phantom Demon Cave. The sword energy brightened the surroundings, dispelling the darkness.

No matter that his opponent was his grandfather, he did not want to lose. He charged at the Sword Saint with all his might, radiating brilliant sword energy in every direction, pouring all his energy into surpassing his grandfather’s afterimage.

Tens of meteors flying towards the Sword Saint were blocked by the twig he swung, falling to the ground. Although it was only a twig, when held by the Sword Saint, it wielded a power as formidable as any divine weapon.

“Hah!”

Just before his varied attacks turned completely futile, Moyong Hui leaped once more towards the Sword Saint. This was a technique not taught by the Sword Saint.

Whoosh!

Moyong Hui’s final stroke caused the end of the Sword Saint’s twig to be slightly nicked. At last, his sword had penetrated the Sword Saint’s defense, albeit minutely. Still, it was a significant step forward for him, and he felt like shouting in triumph.

“Grandfather! …Huh?”

When Moyong Hui looked for the Sword Saint to share his joy, the Sword Saint’s shadow had vanished.

Moyong Hui was left dumbfounded.

“Why do you look so despondent?”

At the very familiar voice, Moyong Hui’s head spun around.

“How… how is this possible…?”

Moyong Hui was utterly confused. There was no reason for the owner of that voice to be here. And she should not have been there. Right after the Sword Saint’s image disappeared, the person who appeared was none other than Eun Seol Ran. Her beauty shone even brighter in this darkness. She seemed almost otherworldly!

‘Beautiful.’

Moyong Hui sincerely thought so at that moment. Surely no one would dispute his view.

Moyong Hui suddenly felt tightness in his chest, breathlessness, and his heart pounding violently. He couldn’t even speak properly.

“Miss Eun… why… how are you here?”

It was impossible for her to have entered here, given her status as an agent of the Black Way. Instead of responding, she just smiled. It felt almost like a cheat to him.

Thump, thump, thump!

His heart beat erratically. The speed of his blood flow quickened, and his face heated up.

Despite learning for over ten years on how to control every part of his body through martial arts, from physiological reactions to all senses, those lessons were of no use in this moment.

As she walked closer step by step, a sweet and heady fragrance teased his nose. A scent so intoxicating that it could melt his reason and mind—the mature fragrance of a woman!

Her face, now so near, almost touched his own.

Gulp!

He swallowed unknowingly. The situation was more nerve-wracking and tense than meeting a deadly foe or even being pressured by the Sword Saint just before.

“Um… Miss Eun…”

When Moyong Hui called out to her, she smiled broadly like a flower in full bloom and said,

“I don’t like you!”

“Excuse me?”

For a moment, Moyong Hui couldn’t comprehend what he had heard. She kindly repeated what she said without hesitation.

“I dislike you. You’re tiresome, uninteresting, and you just make me angry. I despise you, so stiff and immovable like a block of wood. You’re really annoying!”

Moyong Hui trembled as though struck by lightning. Her words were like a bolt from the blue. He felt an acute pain in his heart.

She continued spitefully,

“Besides, you are a man of the righteous path, and I am the daughter of the wicked Black Way. How can we ever get along?”

“Does it matter if you are from the righteous or the black path? Doesn’t it not matter?”

Startled, Moyong Hui was genuinely surprised by his own words. The one who was the most bound by and affected by background and heritage was none other than himself.

“Oh? Weren’t you the one who was deeply tied to the concepts of right and wrong?”

Her sharp words were like stabs to Moyong Hui’s heart. Despite the cold sarcasm, Moyong Hui had nothing to retort with. How could he be assertive towards others when he was not honest with himself? Moyong Hui was not that shameless.

“Considering so many conditions for love, you must be good at it, Mr. Moyong. What an innocent man, haha.”

She laughed. It was as if she were mocking him.

‘Is she rebuking me for being trapped by circumstances and unable to act on my desires?’

Moyong Hui felt heartache.

“If you can’t discard everything, if you lack the courage, it can’t be called love. A woman should not be expected to conform one-sidedly to you. You can’t always hope for a favorable environment. There are trillions of lives in this world; how could their romances always be smooth? Love is a process of mutual adaptation. If you don’t have the courage to change yourself, you don’t deserve to love. One-sided emotional demand? Do you think love is a one-way street? If so, you’re mistaken. That is not love but obsession. It’s merely a vile desire in the guise of love. Don’t deceive yourself or those around you. First, be ready to change yourself. If you can’t muster the courage, then cleanly give up. It’s the cleanest way to end without getting dirty.”

He listened to her words silently. Her criticism was sharp from start to finish. Love is not a one-way street! Those words stayed in his heart long after she finished speaking.

When she finished speaking, Moyong Hui realized how deeply interested he was in her. He realized he was in love with her. It was his first love, with the highest chance of failure.

“……”

He couldn’t respond or make excuses. He suddenly felt incredibly ashamed. He felt like a hypocrite. He couldn’t even look straight at her face.

Tears rolled down her cheeks.

His heart ached as if being carved out.

With a lonely face yet a faint smile, she shed tears like dew on stars, drifting away.

“Miss Eun!”

Moyong Hui chased after her, trying to catch her. But the distance between them did not close. Finally, her image, like powdered silver sand, disappeared from his sight. It was like a midsummer night’s dream.

Before long, he came to his senses and realized he was standing somewhere inside the cave. Suddenly, the world looked different.

‘Am I in love now?’

It was an unexpected event, even to himself.

‘What should I do about it? How to cope?’

His head throbbed painfully. Despite this, there was no clear solution. His emotions wandered within his heart, unable to find an exit.

The theory that love does not concern ideology, origin, or affiliation may be idealistic. Reality’s walls are too high, and reality itself is quite harsh and cold.