Chapter v7c16

The Unstable Taboo Gal Hyobong

While the students of Cheonmu Academy were pouring all their efforts into a short-term intensive special training, Cheonji Samsal was troubled by some issue, leaving no leisure to pay attention elsewhere.

This unexpected incident that suddenly struck had significantly altered their plans. The piece that was supposed to move most importantly in the plan was not reliable. Moreover, it turned out to be defective and transformed into a troublemaker causing serious problems.

“Another one died.”

“Again?”

Cheon Sal’s face contorted mercilessly. The complexion of the subordinate who approached to report was as dark as someone who had been dipped in ink. He had noticed that his superior was extremely upset. At such times, he always felt the threat to his life. Serving under someone so capricious, cruel, and accustomed to killing was hardly a good position. Without the courage to risk one’s life over trivial matters, it was not a job one could readily take on. He took pride in his work.

It was already the seventh report of the same kind. There was no doubt that it was terribly bad news that upset the superior’s mood by twelvefold. Especially since there had been no good news recently, his life was as good as forfeited, and he was currently just counting the days until his funeral. His internal organs had long turned to ash due to anxiety and tension.

Member 27 of the first phantom sword trembled with fear. Every time he made such a report, the murderous aura emanating from Cheon Sal made his neck chill, not just once or twice. The Cheonji Samsal were the ones who could slice up the subordinate in front of them into pieces for the simple, ignorant, and clear reason of feeling annoyed.

The fear and dread felt in front of them were not a disgrace to a warrior. It was just a natural reaction as a living being! It was absurd to nitpick over physiological phenomena.

“Damn, this is the first time since learning the secret arts that I’ve dealt with such a high-maintenance bastard! Why is he so persistent… If I don’t apply the spells repeatedly, he seems like he’ll go berserk at any moment!”

Cheon Sal grumbled continuously, showing his displeasure. Fortunately, it seemed there was no intention to vent his anger by taking 27’s life for the time being.

“If it weren’t for the Blood Jade Token!”

Cheon Sal spat out the words as if chewing them. Jisal nodded as if in agreement.

“What can we do? We have no right to defy the authority of the Blood Jade Token!”

“Ah! I know! But who would have thought that rat-like bastard would come smiling and push the Blood Jade Token in front of our eyes!”

If it weren’t for that, he would have kicked him out immediately, without considering military affairs or anything else.

However, they could not dare defy the sacred authority of the Blood Jade Token. Once an order was given under the authority of the Blood Jade Token, they had to follow it by any means necessary.

“Is that really the only way?”

Relying on the power of medicine was not a preferable method, but it seemed they had no choice but to use the secret pill, The Demonic God Pill. It was better than leaving it as is and turning it into a nuisance. There was also some unidentified person wandering around nearby. Maintaining the siege was nearly impossible. The Wudang faction might notice soon.

“It’s repulsive!”

Finally, he reached into his bosom. His hand grasped a medicine pouch. Although he suddenly felt it was a pity, Cheon Sal suppressed his feelings and endured. However, this patience was only temporary.

Three days later!

Cheon Sal had to shed tears of regret because he had thrown away the The Demonic God Pill. It was something he had spent ten years making… but he did not get the return on his investment.

In the end, Hyeobong went berserk. He had never thought that the The Demonic God Pill he cherished would act as a catalyst.

It was the evening of a day when a significant crisis in martial arts was overcome. Namgung Sang went to Bi Ryu-yeon to hear the answer to the question he had been harboring, to vent his dissatisfaction and stabilize his mind.

However, if he expected an answer or advice from Bi Ryu-yeon, it was clearly a mistake on Namgung Sang’s part, and no one could deny it.

“Cowards!”

Namgung Sang was endlessly complaining in front of Bi Ryu-yeon, unable to hide his anxiety.

“Why? Because there are many enemies?”

“Yes!”

“So, it’s unfair?”

“Yes! It’s too cowardly. For the majority to try to take down the minority! Ugh… Cowards!”

“Are you a fool?”

Fool!

That was Bi Ryu-yeon’s final conclusion about Namgung Sang.

“So, what are you going to do?”

“What can I do? I have no choice but to fight, Senior Brother!”

“Why are you asking me then? The outcome is already clear, so why do you need to confirm your decision with me?”

Namgung Sang was speechless. Bi Ryu-yeon continued to hammer nails into the heart of the silenced Namgung Sang.

“This damned world is like a fabric intricately woven with irrationality and injustice. Besides, it’s a standard tactic for the bad guys to attack the minority with the majority. In fact, during war, it’s the way of military strategy for a general to use the majority of troops to attack the minority. That’s what makes a proper general. In war, victory comes first, and morality comes last!

But does that mean you’re going to give up here? Just because it seems the enemy’s power is greater than yours? Can you kneel and bow your head in front of them? If you can do such a despicable act without hesitation, then surrender is a good option! Is that what you’ll do?”

Bi Ryu-yeon fired the questions mercilessly. Namgung Sang felt as if his heart was being sliced with a real sword. “No… No! I will fight to the end, even if it means my death.”

“!”

“Kuek!”

As Namgung Sang’s face burned with fiery will, Bi Ryu-yeon’s fist struck him. Caught off guard, Namgung Sang took the punch squarely. The price of acceptance was a numbing pain, enough to make his teeth rattle.

With a dumbfounded look, Namgung Sang stared at Bi Ryu-yeon, filled with incomprehensible opinions.

“You fool! The purpose of a fight is ultimately to ruthlessly trample the enemy and survive! Dying together is just an excuse for the weak!”

It was an opinion that seemed too radical.

“Vermilion Bird Thunderclap Sword!”

“Yes!”

“Namgung Sang!”

Bi Ryu-yeon called out, and Namgung Sang tensed up and responded.

“Survive!”

“Yes!”“I have only this to say to you! No matter how loudly you decry the world’s unfairness, reality cannot be changed. Rising up and surviving in the face of such unfairness depends on you. Every unfairness has its flaws. It’s not so sturdy that it won’t collapse under some shock! The way to survive, ask your own will! Master Yeom will teach you the way. Do not hope for my help! This is your trial, not mine!”

Namgung Sang hung his head low. The words could not have been more coldly cruel. Yet, Bi Ryu-yeon seemed to take it as a matter of course.

“Yes!”

Namgung Sang replied in a deflated voice.

“Namgung ! The stars are bright!”

“Indeed.”

Why talk about stars at such a serious time? His heart was heavy. There was no leisure left to gaze at stars.

“It’s like shining silver coins embedded in black silk!”

“That… That’s right.”

Why bring up a story related to the value of money? Suddenly, he was confused.

“Think of Ryeong!”

At Bi Ryu-yeon words, Namgung Sang trembled as if struck by lightning. It was a decisive blow.

“For the sake of survival, it’s good to cling to one’s own values. A bandit friend of mine , said that there is no bigger fool in the world than someone who dies first leaving behind a woman he loves! Who do you think is a bigger fool than that?”

“I don’t know.”

“That’s a man who can’t protect the woman he loves. A man should be able to muster that much strength!”

“Yes, Senior Brother!”

Namgung Sang’s body shook as if an arrow had pierced his heart.

“Senior Brother, do you have a woman worth that value?”

Bi Ryu-yeon smiled faintly.

“Haha! Well… I don’t care whether I have one or not! I’m not weak enough to let a woman affect my life and death!”

Does he have one or not?

“Why?”

“Because I’m not going to die anyway.”

Namgung Sang thought What a tremendous pride, the ultimate in arrogance, a pride that pierces the heavens. Looking at Bi Ryu-yeon face, it was filled with peace and ease.

Looking at his face, he felt an odd sense that everything would work out. Namgung Sang looked up at the stars in the night sky. It was a subtle beauty that seemed to engulf his soul. It felt like looking at a sea of stars. Hope rose in Namgung Sang’s heart. He was not as pessimistic as before.

“It’s going to get busy again from tomorrow.”

“Yes!”

Namgung Sang would never forget the beauty of the stars he saw that night. There are many injustices in the world that constantly confuse our vision. What should we do in such a world?

…………………………………………………………….

The deep sea of stars did not leave an answer for him. A deep study on attracting women’s interest

“Sigh!”

Bi Ryu-yeon sighed with a troubled face.

“Phew!”

He seemed to be carrying a great concern, alternating his gaze between the moon and the stars.

“What should I do?”

“What do you mean?”

Yeom do felt uncomfortable watching his unusually serious face. It was so unlike him. Yeom do would rather gouge out his eyes than see Bi Ryu-yeon troubled. If there was a problem, it was better to hear it quickly and resolve it quickly.

Otherwise, he would be the only one left in trouble if something nonsensical happened.

“How can I advance my relationship with a woman?”

“What?”

The moment he heard Bi Ryu-yeon words, the tension in Yeom do’s shoulders drained away. To think he was so deep in thought over a question about dating!

Yeom do felt like he had been cheated.

‘I must have been crazy to worry about him…’

It was a clear mistake on his part. Sometimes there are people in this world who don’t need others’ worries, nor are they worth worrying about.

Asking Yeom do about love was a mistake. People have their own specialties that they develop. When it comes to Yeom do, love was his weakest area.

“Well, maybe you could evoke sympathy?”

Yeom do spoke uncertainly, recalling some uncertain knowledge he had once heard.

“Sympathy? What’s that?”

Bi Ryu-yeon asked with a strange expression he had never shown before.

“What else? It’s the natural compassion that arises when you see someone weak!”

“Does such an emotion really exist?”

“Yes?”

Yeom do looked at Bi Ryu-yeon with a face full of strong assertion.

“Aren’t the weak just to be laughed at?”

It was a very curious expression. Yeom do just stared blankly at Bi Ryu-yeon. ‘Is he serious?’ It was a question worth pondering.

“Surely the master told me that…”

Bi Ryu-yeon still looked puzzled.

“Hmm… How do you evoke sympathy?”

“First, you have to become weak!”

Yeom do replied bluntly.

“That’s a difficult request!”

It seemed a very difficult task for him to become weak.

“What exactly does it mean to be weak?”

Bi Ryu-yeon asked seriously.

“Hmm! That’s a tough question to answer.”

In truth, Yeom do was also far from being weak, so he couldn’t explain the feeling accurately.

Like a monk grasping a koan, they both fell into deep thought.

“Shall I try it?”

Yeom do shuddered at Bi Ryu-yeon faint murmur. That was exactly the look he had when he was about to have a dangerous and bizarre idea.

‘Oh… No!’

Yeom do cried out inside. A silent scream tore through his heart and shook his mind wildly.

Bi Ryu-yeon figure was drifting away like an uncatchable illusion. He had to catch it! Stop it! Interrupt it! Reason screamed, emotions boiled fiercely, but the body did not move. One nightmare was enough. Two were too much. Bi Ryu-yeon figure moved further away. He should reach out and catch it, so why couldn’t he?

Suddenly, Yeom do wanted to cry. The uncertainty of not knowing when, where, or what would happen next was terrifying.

And the next day, as Bi Ryu-yeon predicted, became the busiest day of that summer.