Chapter v16c6

“The Mo-yong clan has many talented youngsters, but this child is the only one who can inherit your sword.”

“Hahaha, do you really think so? He’s my third grandson, not even the eldest.”

“Hmph, why are you pretending? You already know it. You sly old fox.”

“Hahaha, I’ve been found out! I have high hopes for him. He might inherit my legacy.”

“That’s better than it being lost.”

“Speaking of legacies, you said you had a child who could inherit yours too, didn’t you?”

“I believe you mentioned it was your daughter…”

“Yes. She could inherit everything I have. She might even surpass me. But her heart is still closed… It’s a shame that she can’t reach a new level until she opens her heart. She needs a good opportunity…”

That was when he decided. He would never betray his grandfather’s expectations. He would never let him down, never let the three saints down. Never!

‘But what is this pathetic state I’m in?’

‘Is this really okay, Mo-yong Hwi?’

Of course not! How could he be okay when he felt like a dagger had been plunged into his heart?

‘Have I forgotten my vow?’

Of course not. Forgetting his vow would be the same as abandoning his own identity.

One thing was certain: he couldn’t stay like this. He had to change. But how?

‘Ultimately, it’s your mind that defines the world! By changing your perception, you can change the world. The world has no meaning without the filter of your mind. It’s meaningless. Well, that’s part of its charm.’

Who had said that? Bi Ryu-yeon? It was too intellectual and profound for someone like him, so he hadn’t given it much thought. But he was right. Ultimately, he was the only one who could change himself. The world wasn’t kind enough to change for him. He was the only one who had been given permission to paint on the blank canvas of the world he had been born with.

‘Is it okay to betray their expectations? Have you forgotten whose grandson you are? Have you forgotten the pride of the Mo-yong Clan?’

He felt even more pathetic.

‘It’s not too late to give up. Trust your blood, trust yourself! What can you do if you don’t even believe in yourself?’

He couldn’t give up. He made up his mind, and a surge of energy coursed through him.

Once the path was set, all he had to do was walk it. He needed the courage to take the first step, the perseverance to keep going, and the patience to endure the boredom.

And he was nothing if not patient and persistent.

‘Yes, there’s still time. I’m still young. There’s no need to rush. One step at a time!’

His spirits lifted, and his face brightened.

‘You’ve finally overcome your obstacle!’

It was a hurdle that every martial artist, every person, had to face at some point in their life. But he had faith in his grandson, and he had watched him silently. And his grandson had lived up to his expectations. The Sword Saint looked at his beloved grandson with pride.

The snot-nosed child who had been led by the hand had grown into a man who could walk his own path.

A commotion erupted in front of them.

“What’s going on? It sounds like there’s trouble ahead.”

People were rushing about, talking amongst themselves. It was a chaotic scene, but there was a clear center to the commotion. A crowd of people, young and old, men and women, had gathered in a circle.

The commotion was visible even from a distance. It wasn’t loud, but it carried an air of shock and disbelief.

And then, they saw it.

“T-This is…!”

Mo-yong Hwi was speechless. He couldn’t find the words to describe what he was seeing. He finally understood why everyone else was so stunned. It was impossible not to be shocked by this.

“What are you waiting for? Draw your sword!”

A beautiful middle-aged woman shouted, pointing at someone. And that someone was his friend, Bi Ryu-yeon.

She didn’t seem like the type to make demands. But she was clearly demanding something now. And what confused him even more was that he recognized her. He couldn’t forget her face. Ten years had passed, but she hadn’t aged a day. Time seemed to have passed her by. He also saw Na Yerin, her face pale with anxiety, which was unusual for the Ice Phoenix. Dokgo Ryeong, the Lion of the Academy, was trying to calm her down.

He looked at his grandfather. The Sword Saint was also watching them, his face grim.

“Haha, what’s this?”

He chuckled softly. Even he seemed surprised by this.

The woman who was ordering Bi Ryu-yeon to draw his sword. She had many titles.

The Guardian of the Goddess of Mercy, the Best Swordswoman in the World, the Master of the Sword Valley, one of the Heavenly Martial three saints…

She was known by many names. But most people called her with respect and reverence.

The Sword Empress!

Do-seong was standing a short distance away, hidden by his bamboo hat. The Sword Saint was also wearing a hat. It was necessary to avoid unwanted attention. Fame was a burden.

Do-seong had chosen his spot well. He had a clear view of the scene. He was waiting for the Sword Saint.

“Oh, you’re back.”

He said, glancing at the Sword Saint.

“I’m back. What’s going on here?”

It was unheard of for the Sword Empress to be confronting a young man like this.

“There’s a bit of a problem.”

“A problem?”

“SHe loves her disciple like a daughters. It’s something every parent goes through.”

“Hmm…”

“SHe doesn’t like her daughter’s husband.”

“…?”

Do-seong’s explanation, though well-intentioned, was unhelpful. The Sword Saint wished they could talk about something else. As if reading his mind, Do-seong asked.

“How is ‘he’ doing?”

“I asked the medical team to move him to our room. It’s safer that way.”

“Is he awake?”

The Sword Saint shook his head.

“He’s alive, but he’s still unconscious. He mumbles incoherently sometimes, but it’s too fragmented to make sense of.”

“Incoherently?”

Do-seong asked.

“He keeps saying ‘dragon’.”

“Dragon?”

Do-seong repeated. The Sword Saint nodded. It was a mystery.

“By the way, who’s that puppy following you around?”

He had finally noticed Mo-yong Hwi.

“My third grandson.”

“Ah, is this the little snot-nosed kid?”

He still remembered him.

“Greet him, Hwi. Remember Do-seong?”

“Of course I remember. It’s good to see you again, Elder Do-seong.”

Mo-yong Hwi bowed respectfully.

“My, you’ve grown!”

Do-seong said, smiling. He had actually forgotten about Mo-yong Hwi until the Sword Saint reminded him. But it was understandable. He had lived for over a hundred years.

“You were this tall… You came up to my waist! It’s been ten years, hasn’t it? Ten years… Has it really been that long…?”

He seemed to be feeling the passage of time.

“It’s all your fault for wandering around! You should think about the people around you. Your son-in-law is always running around looking for you.”

“Ah, Ma Jin-ga? He’s busy enough running the Heavenly Academy. Why does he bother with an old man like me?”

“Tsk, tsk, you stubborn old fool…”

The Sword Saint shook his head at his friend. Do-seong bristled. Even a legend had feelings.

“What? Stubborn? You’re one to talk! Don’t even think about leaving without me. You’re the most stubborn person I know! You’re the only one who doesn’t realize it!”

“I’m not stubborn! I always strive for the Doctrine of the Mean.”

“Hmph, everyone else might believe you because they’re blinded by your fame or intimidated by your authority. But I don’t believe you.”

Do-seong said sharply.

“Why? I still don’t understand why you think that.”

“You really don’t know? Or are you pretending? Remember what you said to me years ago? ‘Hey, Hu Sik! Do you think it’s possible to cut a river in half with a sword?'”

“I remember. You laughed at me. It was about eighty years ago.”

The Sword Saint admitted it readily.

“But what about it?”

“That’s the problem! You held a grudge because I laughed at you, and you said you would prove it to me. Do you remember how long it took?”

If it had been anyone else, they would have been locked up.

“But I succeeded in the end, didn’t I?”

The Sword Saint said casually.

“Yes, after thirty years!”

Do-seong spat. Mo-yong Hwi, listening to their conversation, was completely lost.

“You’re mistaken! Even I wouldn’t waste thirty years on something like that. It only took twenty-five years! Not thirty. The look on your face was priceless. It was worth all the effort.”

The Sword Saint corrected him. Mo-yong Hwi had no idea what they were talking about. It was like a conversation from another world. Cutting a river in half eighty years ago? What?

“Twenty-five years, thirty years, it’s all the same! You even created some strange sword called the ‘World-Splitting Sword’ or something… And then you said you would cut the ocean in half…”

“Ah, I haven’t succeeded in that yet! It’s difficult. Nature is truly amazing…”

“What’s so difficult about it?”

Do-seong asked, his ears perked up.

“The ocean, of course. The power of nature is boundless. I’ve been working on it for fifty years, but it’s not easy. But it’s good training. I recommend it!”

“I’ll pass.”

Do-seong shook his head, thinking that his friend was crazy. But he didn’t say it out loud.

“But even we can’t compare to the Sword Empress. Have we ever defeated her?”

The Sword Saint asked. Do-seong thought about it for a moment, then shook his head.

“No. Never.”

It was true. They had never defeated her. He looked at Bi Ryu-yeon, who was facing the Sword Empress, with sympathy.

“He’s in for a tough time.”