Chapter v19c2

## A Hundred Years of Longing

– Gaze (Continued)

“Fundamentals are crucial. To cultivate a bountiful harvest, you need fertile land. To sail a grand ship, you need vast waters. And to leap to great heights, you need solid ground. If your vessel cannot contain it, I will shatter it without hesitation.”

He knew Yeomdo and the Ice Sword were capable of such ruthlessness. He was about to leave when he stopped abruptly.

“Who’s there?”

Mo Yong Hwi asked, turning his head slightly. Silence was his only answer. He tried again, his voice cutting through the stillness.

“Are you not going to reveal yourself?”

He stared into the darkness, but there was no movement.

He had been sensing someone’s gaze lately. But like a ghost, like a shadow, the owner of that gaze never revealed themselves.

‘Who is it?’

The gaze was both subtle and persistent. But it didn’t feel feminine. He was from a prestigious family, a promising talent, and on top of that – though most people considered this the most important factor – handsome. He had many female admirers, which often caused him trouble. There had been many women who had followed him relentlessly, their eyes burning with obsession. It was a nuisance, but he was powerless to stop them. That was when he had first experienced the terrifying persistence of women. Thanks to those experiences, he had developed the ability to distinguish between a man’s gaze and a woman’s. He had become sensitive to it after surviving numerous close calls. Based on his experience, this gaze was definitely masculine. A sharp, predatory gaze, like a blade. If the owner of this gaze was a woman, it would be terrifying.

‘No, it can’t be…’

He reassured himself.

A gaze that seemed to dissect his very being. Only the owner of that gaze knew what awaited him at the end of that dissection.

‘A formidable master…’

The fact that he could sense the gaze but couldn’t pinpoint its location meant the owner was highly skilled. Of course, Mo Yong Hwi was also training rigorously. His training regimen was so intense that even he, who had been training diligently since birth, found it difficult to endure.

His current instructor was Yeomdo. Their goal seemed to be to build a solid foundation. What kind of incredible martial art required the skills of Yeomdo and the Ice Sword as mere groundwork? It was truly worthy of being called legendary.

He had asked himself countless times if he could do it, but there was no answer. He was struggling even before reaching the main part of the training.

He tried to recall anyone who might be watching him, but no one came to mind. But it didn’t matter.

“I’ll find out soon enough.”

He waved his hand dismissively at the darkness and continued on his way. He still had much to learn. He hadn’t even finished today’s training.

And the most difficult part of his training, sparring with Master Yeomdo, was still ahead of him. The thought filled him with fatigue. But he couldn’t give up. He had vowed never to give up again. He wasn’t going to limit himself.

He quickened his pace, his thoughts drifting.

‘I wonder what he’s doing now?’

* * *

Is it raining?

He looked up. The night sky was clear, as if mocking him. Then why was he drenched in sweat? He turned his head slowly to the left. A network of cracks, like spiderwebs, now covered the wall he had been leaning against.

They hadn’t been there before. And the center of those cracks was less than an inch from his face.

‘That was close…’

If he had been an inch to the right, his face would have been cracked like the wall. If he had lost his composure and moved even slightly, he would have been discovered.

‘Whew…’

He let out a silent sigh of relief. He had thought he was perfectly concealed, blending into the darkness, but he had been partially detected.

“Indeed! That’s Mo Yong Hwi of the Seven Absolute Divine Swords!”

His popularity was undeniable. His skills were another matter. This was the twentieth time. He had been observing Mo Yong Hwi’s fights for three days.

But there was a problem.

“This is useless!”

He grumbled.

All twenty opponents had been defeated in a single blow, making it impossible to analyze Mo Yong Hwi’s fighting style. He needed to see him draw his sword and fight properly.

The only thing he had learned was the obvious: he had to be cautious. He needed more training.

‘Real combat is what I need…’

He might lose in his current state. He couldn’t imagine himself as the victor. Losing? That was unacceptable. He had to win, for the honor of his family and to fulfill their century-long dream.

He needed to strengthen his resolve and sharpen his swordsmanship. Solo training had its limits.

That left him with only one option. Fortunately, there were plenty of prey. Nanchang was teeming with potential opponents.

He had realized that if he couldn’t defeat his opponents in a single blow, he wouldn’t even be able to stand on the same starting line.

* * *

## The Frozen Tavern

– Apologize!

Na Ye-Rin’s residence was usually quiet. She disliked noise, and those who knew her respected her preference.

Bang!

The door flew open with a loud crash. Na Ye-Rin’s eyes widened in surprise. It had never happened before.

“Miss Eun?”

The person standing next to the door, its hinges threatening to detach, was Eun Seol-Ran.

‘Is this really the Eun Seol-Ran I know?’

She couldn’t be sure.

“Miss Eun, I thought you returned to the Machun Pavilion…”

She hadn’t seen her recently.

“Return? Who said I returned? I’ve been here all winter! Na Ye-Rin, look at me!”

Eun Seol-Ran grabbed her wrist, her sudden forcefulness leaving Na Ye-Rin speechless. This wasn’t like her.

“Where are we going?”

She asked, her voice bewildered.

“Drinking!”

Eun Seol-Ran replied curtly, without looking back.

* * *

The Golden Orchid Tavern was as crowded as ever. People were gathered in groups, drinking and chatting.

“Have you heard of the ‘Divine Wind Hero’?”

“Come on, you’re drunk. That’s just a rumor. No one has confirmed his existence. You believe such nonsense?”

“The Divine Wind Hero? The mysterious young hero who saved the Hwasan Meeting from the great fire?”

“That’s what I’m saying. It’s a rumor. The Hwasan Meeting was saved by the Three Saints of Cheonmu, not some imaginary Divine Wind Hero! They’re the reason everyone survived that disaster!”

“But I heard it wasn’t them… The fire was so intense that no one knows what really happened inside.”

“Could you even see your own feet in all that smoke and fire? That’s why such rumors spread. If people had seen clearly, there wouldn’t be any such rumors. The Divine Wind Hero… He’s just a fantasy. How could a young man possess such power? Hey, Hyeok-i. Do you think it’s possible?”

“Well… That’s true, but…”

“I’m more curious about his whereabouts!”

“Whose whereabouts?”

“Who else? The one who started the fire at the Hwasan’s Cheonmu Peak!”

“Ah, you mean the ‘Fire Extinguishing Young Master’ Bi, the descendant of the Heavenly Calamity?”

“That’s what they’re calling him these days.”

“But the Righteous Heaven Alliance and the Dark Heaven Alliance have been searching for him, but they haven’t found a single trace. He’s vanished without a trace.”

“To think he would do such a thing at such a young age… He must be a terrifying person.”

“Indeed… I… Gulp!”

“Hey, Hyeok-i! What’s wrong? Did you choke?”

Splash.

Several people spilled their drinks on their clothes. That was the most benign reaction. A few men near the entrance poked their nostrils with their chopsticks as they turned their heads. Countless people stared with wide eyes, as if their eyeballs were about to pop out.

The tavern fell silent as two beautiful women entered. No one dared to make a sound. Not even a breath.

* * *

“This is…”

Na Ye-Rin, who had been dragged here against her will, looked around and asked.

“It’s a tavern! Where else would we go to drink?”

“That’s true, but…”

Eun Seol-Ran was unusually forceful tonight. Even Na Ye-Rin found it difficult to handle her.

“Come on, sit here!”

“Here?”

Eun Seol-Ran pointed to a table in the center of the tavern. Na Ye-Rin’s eyes widened. They were visible from the second and third floors. It wasn’t a pleasant situation.

“Why don’t we get a private room, Miss Eun?”

“Private room? Why? We haven’t done anything wrong! Just sit down!”

Overwhelmed by her inexplicable forcefulness, Na Ye-Rin sat down. It was an unprecedented act.

“Excuse me, ladies. What can I get you?”

A waiter with half-closed eyes and a slack jaw approached them.

“Alcohol!”

It was a curt answer, as if she was scolding him for asking such a pointless question.

“What kind of…”

There were many types of alcohol.

“The strongest one you have!”

Eun Seol-Ran answered without hesitation. Na Ye-Rin didn’t even have time to object.

“And plenty of food!”

Her order was short, simple, and clear.

* * *

Na Ye-Rin would never have set foot in a tavern. She wouldn’t even go near one. But tonight, she had been dragged here by Eun Seol-Ran. She was far from comfortable.

“Miss Eun, maybe we should stop drinking now?”

Na Ye-Rin asked, her face filled with concern. The tavern was packed, with barely any space to move. But their surroundings were strangely empty, as if a void had been carved out around them.

“It’s alright, it’s alright! This is nothing! Nothing!”

She glanced at a corner of the table.

‘That’s the sixth bottle…’

It was no wonder her words were slurred. Na Ye-Rin couldn’t help but worry. She had never heard of Eun Seol-Ran being a heavy drinker. She had only ever seen her drink tea. But tonight, she was drinking like a fish.

“Na Ye-Rin… Do you know?”

Eun Seol-Ran asked, her body swaying, her words slurred. Her eyes were unfocused. Na Ye-Rin was flustered by her proximity.

“K-know what?”

“Men are idiots! All of them!”

Bang!

The table shook.

“Idiots who cling to worthless beliefs!”

Bang!

The table shook again.

“That’s why women, children, and the world always suffer… They can only think like that because they’ve never raised a child. They don’t care what happens to the world or their own families.”

Eun Seol-Ran took another drink, as if to quench her anger.

“Calm down, Miss Eun! I think you should stop drinking. You’re drunk.”

Na Ye-Rin said, her voice filled with concern.

“I’m not drunk! And I’m perfectly calm! If I wasn’t calm, would I be drinking like this? That idiotic Mo Yong Hwi… He didn’t even notice me all winter… No one cared…”

Eun Seol-Ran’s pent-up frustrations came pouring out.

“All of them!”

Words she would never normally use came tumbling out of her mouth. She was truly angry.

“Men are so self-centered! All of them!”

Bang!

The table shook again. Na Ye-Rin was getting used to it.

“They think women are just there to wait and support them! They’re wrong! That’s an outdated notion! This is a new era!”

“But it doesn’t seem to have changed much.”

“Trust me! The world is changing!”

It seemed like a drunken prophecy. Na Ye-Rin had never heard anything good about drunken prophecies.

“He was the same. He chased after his ideals and died… Without saying a word to me…”

Na Ye-Rin noticed the pain hidden beneath Eun Seol-Ran’s drunken facade.

“Miss Eun, who are you talking about?”

But she didn’t get an answer.

Thud!

Eun Seol-Ran’s forehead hit the table. She had passed out.

“Miss Eun! Miss Eun!”

She shook her, patted her, slapped her cheeks, and pinched her, but she was unresponsive.

“What should I do?”

Na Ye-Rin was at a loss. But she was the only one who could protect Eun Seol-Ran from the wolves surrounding them.

“I have no choice…”

She placed her right hand near her sword hilt, picked up a cup, and sighed. And then, she downed the fiery liquid in one gulp.

But her troubles weren’t over yet.