Chapter v18c22

## Overwhelming

– Three Seconds

Perhaps it was due to the virtue of yielding to women, or perhaps it was because she was simply more aggressive. Whatever the reason, Ryu-Ran was the first to attack. She charged at Namgung-Sang, her sword flashing, choosing to face him alone, without Yoo Un-Bi’s assistance. It was probably a matter of pride. She was confident in her skills. She believed she could defeat anyone her age. Being born a few years earlier didn’t make you stronger. She wanted to prove herself, and Namgung-Sang was the perfect target. Her swordsmanship was swift and precise, a testament to her dedication to the sword.

“She’s fast!”

Yoo Un-Bi exclaimed, impressed by her speed.

Her movements were fluid and controlled, worthy of a disciple from a prestigious sect. Her single, decisive strike revealed the depth of her training. And as a devoted sword enthusiast, her bluish blade was honed to a razor-sharp edge, as thin as a hair. But that was just Yoo Un-Bi’s assessment, based on his own limited experience. Namgung-Sang saw it differently. He could see the trajectory of her sword as clearly as the lines on his palm. He knew where it would start, where it would pass, and where it would change direction. Her swordsmanship was too straightforward, too predictable. He took half a step back, his hands clasped behind his back, before he even had time to fully process the astonishing change in his perception.

Whoosh!

The sharp blade missed him by an inch. It was a wasted strike.

“Damn it!”

Ryu-Ran was flustered. She berated herself for forgetting a simple truth: the larger the attack, the larger the opening if it failed. She had assumed that Namgung-Sang would exploit her opening. It was the natural reaction of a martial artist. But he hadn’t. He had simply stepped back, lost in thought. He had been too surprised to analyze the situation earlier, but now, with a moment to spare, he felt a sense of unease.

‘What was that? And why is she so clumsy? An Emei disciple shouldn’t be this unskilled. Has the Emei swordsmanship become this slow?’

He could see her attack as clearly as if he were reading his own palm. And he had instinctively dodged it, his body moving slightly out of the way. His body had reacted before his mind could catch up. He had executed the most efficient evasion with the smallest movement, before he even fully grasped the situation.

‘Is this Inch-Vision… Is this the result of that hellish training?’

The memory of those nightmarish days sent shivers down his spine.

The sun had been shining brightly that day too, a clear blue sky overhead.

* * *

Clank! Clank!

“So, as I was saying…”

Bi Ryu-Yeon started speaking.

“You have to fight economically.”

“Economically?”

Clank!

“Yes, economically. It’s simple, right? It’s a simple and obvious principle, but everyone seems to forget it. And in that regard, you’ve failed.”

Clank! Clank! Clank!

“But… martial arts isn’t about making money, is it?”

Why was he talking about economics?

“What does it mean to fight economically?”

Clank! Clank!

Bi Ryu-Yeon asked.

“Isn’t it about making a lot of money?”

Thwack!

“Ouch!”

He couldn’t help but cry out.

“Fighting economically means avoiding waste. And in that regard, you’re too wasteful. Not just you, but everyone else too.”

Clank! Clank!

Bi Ryu-Yeon circled him, continuing his lecture.

“Do you know why you’re so wasteful?”

“Why?”

“Because you don’t think! Especially when you’re fighting someone weaker than you. You just fight mindlessly, don’t you?”

He asked, his voice intimidating, his face close to Namgung-Sang’s.

“Well, yeah.”

Clank!

Namgung-Sang admitted sheepishly, turning his head to avoid Bi Ryu-Yeon’s intense gaze.

Bi Ryu-Yeon straightened up.

“But do you really think you can improve that way? You can’t just fight mindlessly against someone weaker than you. Of course, fighting stronger opponents will help you improve faster. But you don’t get many opportunities to fight ‘suitable’ opponents. In that regard, you’re lucky, Gungsang-ah. At least ‘Red Uncle’ is a decent opponent.”

“No offense, but… I wouldn’t call him ‘decent.'”

Namgung-Sang said cautiously, recalling Yeomdo, who always seemed eager to roast them during their regular training sessions. But Bi Ryu-Yeon ignored him, continuing his lecture.

“It’s a given that you should be able to defeat someone weaker than you. It would be strange if you couldn’t. If you lose to someone who’s less experienced and less skilled than you, it just proves that you’re incompetent. You lose either way.”

“Then what should I do?”

Namgung-Sang asked, looking up. He could feel the skin on his neck tightening.

“You have to create your own limitations.”

Bi Ryu-Yeon said, turning around.

“Limitations?”

It was an ominous word.

“If you can’t compete with weaker opponents, then fight the strongest opponent.”

“The strongest opponent? Who is that? Where is he?”

“He’s right here. Right in front of you. You can meet him anytime you close your eyes. Try it. Do you see him?”

“No.”

“Look closer. You’ll see a pathetic, indecisive, weak-willed man. Do you see him?”

“I… I don’t know who that is, but it sounds strangely familiar.”

“Of course. You’ve seen him countless times. Every morning, before you go to sleep. In the mirror. You’ve probably done it before, right? You know, those poems about talking to your reflection when you’re lonely or sad.”

Namgung-Sang shuddered.

“H-how did you…”

“Huh? You really did that? I was just joking. Oh… You really did? Hmm…”

Namgung-Sang felt the need to change the subject.

“Ah! I remember now. Hmm… But he wasn’t very indecisive or weak-willed, was he? He was quite handsome, actually. And surprisingly reliable.”

“That’s just an illusion. Your memory is faulty. Tsk, tsk, are you getting senile?”

“N-no, of course not. So the strongest opponent you’re talking about is…”

“Yes, it’s you. You are your own worst enemy!”

Bi Ryu-Yeon poked Namgung-Sang’s chest.

“He’s a formidable opponent. He defeats you without even fighting. Because he makes you give up before you even start. You can’t even fight him unless you defeat him first. So how strong is he? Don’t you agree?”

Namgung-Sang had no rebuttal.

“So don’t give up before you even start. It’s boring. It’s no fun teaching someone who’s already given up. I constantly remind myself that I can become an economical warrior.”

“So if I just keep reminding myself, I’ll definitely become an economical master?”

“No, not necessarily. Then everyone would be a master. Actions speak louder than words. It’s pointless if you don’t follow through. You never know what might happen in this world. But it does increase your chances significantly. Always remember! Never forget! And take action! Constantly calculate how few movements you need to subdue your opponent. Fewer movements not only conserve your stamina and internal energy, but they also have another advantage.”

“What’s that?”

Clank!

“Speed!”

Bi Ryu-Yeon answered, his voice sharp and clear.

“I can dodge with minimal movement, closing the distance and bringing my opponent within my range. If our sword speeds are equal, the one who travels the shorter distance wins. Because ultimately, it’s about who lands the first blow.”

He continued circling Namgung-Sang, who was still immobilized.

“So you have to reduce waste. Reduce unnecessary movements and maximize efficiency. Otherwise, you’ll never become a true master. A true master is someone who can achieve maximum effect with minimal effort. These days, everyone calls themselves a master.”

His tongue was as sharp as ever, even after delivering thousands of scathing remarks.

“You need two things to become a master: the ability to see through your opponent’s techniques, and the physical strength to execute your judgment. And that’s the kind of person you have to surpass.”

Clank!

“In that regard, ‘Red Uncle’ is too wasteful. He just tries to overpower everyone.”

Clank! Clank!

“But… I have a question.”

“What is it?”

“I’m curious how this is related to my current predicament.”

Namgung-Sang frowned, looking at his current state. He still didn’t like it.

It was difficult to examine himself properly, as his limbs were bound. His arms and legs were tied to a large cross. The shackles were made of iron, and they clanked every time he struggled. He had been tied up like this for almost two hours, forced to listen to Bi Ryu-Yeon’s endless lecture.

“It’s very relevant. This is the first step to becoming an economical master.”

Bi Ryu-Yeon’s smile seemed demonic to Namgung-Sang.

“Are you saying this is also part of my training?”

“Of course. Why else would I do this? Do you think I enjoy torturing you for no reason?”

“Yes.”

He answered without hesitation.

“Oh, really? You think so? I’ll keep that in mind.”

Namgung-Sang’s face paled.

“The first step to mastering Inch-Vision is to train your eyesight. But you’ve already laid the foundation with that bead-threading exercise at Mount Emei, so think of this as the next level. Simple, right?”

As he listened to Bi Ryu-Yeon’s explanation, a thought occurred to him.

“Wait a minute. You weren’t even there during that training camp.”

Oops. Bi Ryu-Yeon had forgotten.

“No, I meant that’s how Old Master used to teach it.”

“…?”

Namgung-Sang still looked puzzled, so Bi Ryu-Yeon clapped his hands twice.

Clap! Clap!

“Now, now, don’t get distracted by such trivial matters. You need to focus. Because if you don’t, you might die.”

He was holding a throwing dagger, its blade gleaming in the sunlight.

Grin!

His smile was as chilling as the blade in his hand.

“W-what are you going to do with that?”

“I wonder?”

One should always be optimistic. Positive thinking was a powerful force. But Namgung-Sang couldn’t help but imagine the worst.

“Eldest Senior Brother, you’re not going to throw that at me, are you? I’m completely defenseless.”

“Yes, I am.”

He answered without hesitation.

“Really?”

“Of course.”

Any sane person would know better than to throw a dagger at someone, especially someone who was tied up.

Thwack!

A thunderclap erupted beside his right ear. The cross shuddered, the vibrations traveling through his body.

‘How?’

He hadn’t even seen him throw it. The dagger was embedded in the wood beside his ear, its arrival announced by a loud thud. He hadn’t even seen it coming.

Rustle.

A few strands of hair, severed by the blade, drifted in the breeze.

“Did you see that?”

“No.”

“When did he throw it?”

“I only saw him holding it.”

“Did his arm even move?”

“No. I didn’t even see his muscles twitch.”

Murmurs of astonishment erupted from the Vermilion Bird members who had been watching in silence. Jin-Ryeong was probably the most shocked. But Namgung-Sang had chosen this path, so all she could do was watch and worry.

“That was just a taste. Don’t be so easily surprised. Well, I’ll go easy on you this time since it’s your first time.”

Clank! Clank! Clank!

“You’re going to throw another one?”

He was already holding another dagger.

“Don’t worry! It’s still the first stage, so I won’t aim for your forehead. Well, personally, I’d like to skip all the boring steps and go straight for the kill, but it would be troublesome if you died. It’s hard to dispose of a body, you know.”

His tone was ambiguous, a mixture of jest and seriousness. Or perhaps it was the fact that it could turn serious at any moment that made it so terrifying.

“Then where?”

“Let’s start with your ears. Think of it as target practice.”

Namgung-Sang’s ears twitched.

“I’ll throw this ‘cutie’ at either your right ear or your left ear. All you have to do is watch and dodge. If I aim for your right ear, dodge to the left. If I aim for your left ear, dodge to the right. Simple, right?”

“Simple?”

Namgung-Sang was convinced that his Eldest Senior Brother had a disregard for human life.

“But… I can only move an inch in this state. And only my head.”

His limbs were bound, and whoever had made these shackles had used high-quality iron. He couldn’t break free.

“I told you, let’s be economical. Reduce waste. So dodge within an inch. I’m only throwing one dagger now, but I’ll increase the number as you improve.”

“Liar.”

Namgung-Sang felt his mind going numb. He was on the verge of a mental breakdown.

“Focus. Don’t let your mind wander. Don’t be consumed by fear. No negativity allowed under my watch.”

“But…”

“You’re thinking, ‘Who wouldn’t be negative in this situation?’ right?”

“Gulp!”

He had read his mind.

“But there are people who wouldn’t be negative. They exist. So you can do it too. Just do it.”

His demand was simple.

“That’s why you’re called ‘pathetic,’ you pathetic fool!”

Bi Ryu-Yeon scolded him.

“Don’t lose yourself. Focus your mind. If you lose yourself, you cease to exist. So focus. Enhance your senses. And abandon all hesitation, all negativity. You can do it. You will succeed. No, you’ve already succeeded. Gather the fragments of your thoughts and forge a single decision. Open your eyes and see the truth. And face it head-on.”

Whoosh!

He threw another dagger.