Chapter v9c22

Seek out the talented individuals of Taegeuk!

Bing Geom Gwan Chul Soo

When rumors spread within the academy that Eun Seol-ran was investigating Bi Ryu-yeon,

most of the students scoffed, depleting nearly all of their internal energy.

Some unabashedly said that Eun Seol-ran was ‘wasting her time’.

However, Eun Seol-ran did not heed their words. Her own judgment based on what she saw and heard was her priority. Her intuition as a woman played a significant role in this.

The more Eun Seol-ran investigated Bi Ryu-yeon, the more she felt like she was getting lost in a labyrinth. The more she tried to learn about him, the less she knew. People’s opinions and testimonies about the same incident varied greatly. Moreover, many were evasive or vague when it came to matters involving Mount Wudang. It was unclear what they found so uncomfortable, but it was clear they were avoiding answering anything about Bi Ryu-yeon. Eun Seol-ran could swear on her pride as a woman that this was the case.

The more she investigated, the more Eun Seol-ran’s motivation grew.

“What kind of person is Bi Ryu-yeon?” she asked Na Yerin, the next person she questioned.

“He’s always causing trouble,” Na Yerin replied without hesitation. There was never a time when Bi Ryu-yeon’s presence was quiet. However, to Eun Seol-ran, this was a disheartening answer. Perhaps she had hoped for a different response. Facts that everyone talked about were useless to her.

“Is there nothing else you can say?”

Eun Seol-ran wanted to hear something more unique.

“What other way is there to describe him besides being troublesome?”

“Hmm!”

Lee Jin-seol nodded in agreement with her question.

“At first, he challenged Maha Ryeong, leader of the Gun Ung Hoe, and the second time, Chang Cheon Ryong Yong Cheon Myeong, the leader of the Gu Jeong Hoe! He really boasts a brilliant track record. Amazing, really…”

Lee Jin-seol listed the major incidents caused by Bi Ryu-yeon on her fingers.

“I’m worried about what he will do next!”

Na Yerin responded with concern to Lee Jin-seol’s words.

“Hohoho! Miss Na seems very worried about Mr. Bi’s safety, doesn’t she?”

Eun Seol-ran did not miss the opportunity. Na Yerin was quite flustered by Eun Seol-ran’s sudden question.

“That’s not what I meant. Please refrain from magnifying unnecessary misunderstandings.”

“Hohoho! Is there a need to be so serious? You don’t dislike Mr. Bi, do you?”

Eun Seol-ran prodded Na Yerin subtly.

“O… Of course, I don’t dislike him. But that doesn’t mean I like him either.”

“Hohoho! There’s no need to emphasize the latter part so much. The answer I wanted was in the first part, not the unnecessary latter. It’s not like Miss Na to give answers to unasked questions.”

“That… That’s…”

Eun Seol-ran smiled triumphantly. She was skilled in these matters. Na Yerin, inexperienced in love, was no match for Eun Seol-ran. Na Yerin was confused.

‘Should we stop here?’

Pushing further might have the opposite effect on Na Yerin. For her, who had built walls around herself, it was more effective to approach her gradually, step by step.

“What will the troublesome man do next?”

Eun Seol-ran quickly changed the subject.

“Maybe he’ll fight with the cold and renowned Grandmaster Bing Geom? Haven’t you heard the rumors that he fought and won against master Yeom?”

Lee Jin-seol laughed as she spoke. It was a light-hearted comment meant in jest. However, the rumors that Bi Ryu-yeon had fought Yeom and even won were indeed circulating. But since Bi Ryu-yeon was without a single wound on his body, no one believed these rumors as they were.

“Again, such nonsense! You speak of impossibilities! Stop this foolish talk and focus on your training!”

“Hehe… Yes!”

Lee Jin-seol laughed with a tongue-in-cheek expression, but it was a forced smile. She seemed not quite able to control her facial expressions yet. Though she was dying to ask about other matters, she dared not speak out of fear. She lacked the courage to ask about the true nature of that day’s events. Thus, she could not meet Eun Seol-ran’s gaze properly.

“I Beg of you!”

Sword Master said, to Bing Geom

“Leave it to me!”

bing geom responded respectfully.

“I believe your eyes are more accurate than anyone else’s in this Heavenly Martial Arts Academy! Report to me exactly what you see and judge!”

It was already suspicious how Yeom, a social misfit, seemed to be moving as if he were a disciple to a master. According to the reports of the subordinates, it was unbelievable that the two were seen together like master and student.

‘Could such a thing really be possible with a social misfit like Yeom?’

There were too many similar reports for it to be dismissed as a mere joke.

“Bi Ryun Yeon, you say?”

It was impossible not to be concerned about such an entity.

The master sat quietly in meditation, his body covered with web-like fine scars.

When the master, revered as a god in the martial world, suddenly returned one day with injuries, Bing Geom and Yeomdo thought he was just joking around, using his profound energy. If there were anyone in the current martial world who could inflict such injuries on the master, it would only be ‘Him’, the very terror that plunged the whole martial world into a bloody chaos 80 years ago. However, ‘He’ had been missing without a trace after receiving a combined attack from his own master Taeguk Shingun Muhin Hyuk Weol Rin, Cheon Mu Sam Seong, and Muhin Ma Gal Jung Hyuk, and his life or death was not confirmed. There was no way ‘He’ would suddenly reappear after 80 years. If such an event had occurred, the entire martial world would have been turned upside down. But for all that, the martial world was as peaceful as could be, to the point of boredom.

Yet it was unbelievable that in this peaceful martial world, there could exist someone who dared to inflict a fatal wound on a Muhin (deity).

“Ah!”

“Yes, master!”

Since 20 years ago, the name Yeomdo was already synonymous with feelings of inferiority among men. But even then, he did not have the explosive temperament he has now. In fact, it’s hard to believe, but compared to his current demeanor, he used to have a personality so quiet that it was unimaginable before that incident.

“You are the owner of the Ganyeong Jigi (Qi of the Dry Sun), as you know?”

At his master’s kind voice, tears seemed ready to spill. At this time, he was truly a good and sincere disciple.

“Yes! I am well aware. You said I am suited to learn the sword qi.”

“Right! You have a Ganyeong Jiche (Body of the Dry Sun), making you suitable to learn Hwal Yeong Divine Power. But your energy leans too much toward the extreme Yang, making it unsuitable to receive the Bimryeong Jigi (Qi of the Shadow). It’s a pity that both of you tend to lean towards one extreme in terms of energy. And… Gwak Ah!”

This time, Hyuk Weol Rin looked at bing geom.

“Yes, master!”

Bing Geom responded politely.

“Haha, you always keep yourself composed! Just as Gwak Ah has inherited the energy of the sun, you have the possession of the Koneum Jigi (Qi of the Moon).”

“I am well aware.”

“Good, you should be! You always handle everything so flawlessly that you hardly ever cause worry. However, your excessive coldness is a problem! Try to get closer to people.

As you know, you have a Kon Eumji (Body of the Moon), making you suitable to learn the Bing Baek Divine Power. But you must also be aware that your energy leans heavily towards the extreme Yin. Yin and Yang originated from one, and they are one! If you two combine your strengths, there won’t be many in this world who can oppose you.”

It was a very kind and affectionate voice.

“Master…”

‘Never will such a thing happen. To join forces with this thing. Please don’t say such harsh words!’ Neither of them could continue what they wanted to say. Their master was about to enter a divine state. They implicitly agreed not to show their unworthy side in front of such a master. That was the least they could do as disciples. However, their master was not so easy-going as befitting his reputation.

“You two still don’t get along well! Sigh… Even if I tell you to get along now, it would only be a temporary solution. How could you ever perform the Geon Gon Il Wol Hap Gyeok Jin (Sun and Moon Combined Attack Formation) that I have created by just bickering and fighting!”

bing geom and Yeomdo both felt a prick of conscience. Their master’s clear eyes saw through their pretense in an instant. The master Hyuk Weol Rin stopped speaking for a moment with regret, looked at them both in turn, and then quietly opened his mouth. There was no more time.

“Ah! Gwak Ah!”

“Yes, master! Command me.”

“Listen well! I will pass on my last realization and will to you.”

“Last realization?”

Both were hearing this for the first time.

“When you descend the mountain and go out into the Jianghu, do not reveal my death! The martial world thinks that all the core forces of Cheong Yeok Ryeong have been wiped out, and only their remnants remain. But I think differently. They have not disappeared yet. Like bears hibernating in winter, they have only gone into temporary dormancy. To them, I must be a huge stumbling block. As long as Muhin Ma Gal Jung Hyuk is alive and my death is not confirmed, they will not dare to show themselves. Never disclose my death! And if possible, hide the fact that you are my disciples.”

“Master, it’s not okay. You cannot go. For the sake of the martial world, you cannot go yet.”

“This is an undeniable heavenly mandate. Now my will shall continue through you.”

Swoosh!

The master pulled out an object from within. Wrapped carefully in white silk was the object that he must leave for posterity. Now all that was left were two disciples, uneasy at the prospect of being alone. Although not without a trace of anxiety, there was no alternative left.

Gulp!

They both swallowed hard as their excitement made their hearts pound.

“I will pass this on to you!”

Rustle, rustle!

As the silk was unwrapped, an auspicious radiance beamed from within the silk cloth.

“This… This is!!!”

Both of their eyes widened in shock.