episode_0057

“So, you came to see the Swordwall?”

“Yes. I heard that Master Namgung insisted that we must see the Swordwall of the volcano.”

“Haha, the Swordwall is the profound insight that the Great Senior of Mucheon Daeje gained by looking at the volcano’s sword. It is also a sacred relic of the sect. It cannot be shown to outsiders lightly.”

It seemed like it was not something to be shown to just anyone.

Cheong had originally thought how nice it would be to appreciate the natural scenery, but the sight of the Swordwall while climbing the volcano was beyond imagination.

It was the first scenic view that a former industrial worker who had only lived within the industrial complex had ever encountered.

Although Korea’s landscapes were beautiful, they were on a smaller scale and did not overwhelm people.

Cheong did not hide his disappointment.

“Oh, is that so…”

Upon hearing this, Yuha Jinin chuckled.

“But, since you are a member of the Dojo family, I can’t call you an outsider.”

“Can I see it then? Can I take a look?”

“Sure, but if something comes to mind when you see the Swordwall, will you tell me? Maybe you have a talent like the youngest that sees things differently.”

“Of course. I will fill you in with a detailed and thorough commentary.”

“Haha. You don’t have to go that far.”

Of course, what Yuha Jinin had said was not really expecting much.

Even the greatest master of the volcano would only feel the overwhelming gap in skill when looking at the Swordwall.

What could a mere apprentice and a late-stage novice understand by looking at it?

After their conversation, Pangdaesan and Namgung Shinjae, who were sitting behind them like a folding screen, exchanged glances.

It was unbelievable.

They had passed on the task of admiring the Swordwall to a member of the lower class.

It was not difficult or dangerous, but it was a very annoying task that could not guarantee success.

So, in order to fulfill the task, they had to leave the comfortable world of the sect and wander around the fortress.

Of course, it was not a compulsory task to perform with all one’s heart and soul.

But since they had seen the Swordwall, they had to at least pretend to be performing the task.

They couldn’t just go back to the sect and lie down.

And yet.

Was Cheong not saying, “Oh my, how lovely, let’s go see the Swordwall” like that?

They understood the relationship between the Dojo sects.

But when the treatment was so different, it was really too much to bear.

However, it was different for Yuha Jinin.

Whether they were from the Odae or Sipdae, the Baekdo Jeongpa family, which discussed the losers of the region, ultimately had to choose family over righteousness in the moment of decision.

Even the Great Senior of Mucheon Daeje had said so.

Those who truly sought the world were only the mountains of the sects.

And Daemo Seomunsurin was a particularly high peak among the mountains.

It was not the Shinnyeomun, but Seomunsurin himself who said so.

It was already a troubled time with ominous signs.

He had not exposed the Swordwall to the heirs of the sects for no reason.

If a great disaster erupted in the volcano as predicted, could he not borrow the power of Seomunsurin through Cheong’s favor?

Of course, there was also the fact that the youngest was showing signs of being a good match.

As they grew older and their positions became higher, they were elderly who all hesitated with a difficult expression.

It was only natural for them to fall for the confident youngest with a bright smile.

“Haha. I would like to talk more with the youngest siblings, but as a senior of a sect, I am so busy. Those who want to meet me cannot spend too much time.”

“Oh. Are you busy? I thought you were just busy for no reason…”

“I don’t have time, so go see it quickly. You have time to spend with the new youngest sibling.”

—-

The level of Mucheon Daeje was not known.

However, it was well known that he had reached a level where he could ascend before his sixtieth birthday.

Refusing to ascend and choosing to stay on the ground.

It was a solemn resolution of the famous Bulyeonmuguk, who declared that he would not ascend until he saw the end of Muhak.

Thus, the Great Emperor Mucheon went around the nine provinces and obtained the essence of Muhak, the vision of the martial arts world.

According to the legend passed down through generations, the Great Emperor Mucheon simply barged in and demanded the vision to be revealed.

The truth was that the senior martial artists took it to their graves, so it was an unknown matter.

However, even though he was considered the benefactor of the martial arts world, saved from the conspiracy of the officials, it was indeed questionable to readily give up the vision of the martial arts world.

Instead, the Great Emperor Mucheon left behind the insights he gained from the vision in the form of the Swordwall of the Nine Provinces.

Some criticized why the Gufa monopolized what the senior martial artists left behind.

But the Gufa stood firm.

Just looking at the place where the Great Emperor Mucheon left the Swordwall, it was clear.

Why would he choose a place that was difficult to find and inaccessible to outsiders to carve the Swordwall?

It was a consideration to prevent just anyone from seeing it.

Clearly, it was intended as a gift to you, so any speculation from outsiders would be futile.

This was the ancient story told by the venerable Jin-in.

As they listened and asked questions, they arrived at the entrance of a narrow valley on a small peak.

They passed through the short valley surrounded by cliffs.

There, the Swordwall stood.

“Oh…”

They exclaimed.

In short, it was a giant cliff covered with densely packed petal-shaped scars.

In fact, it wasn’t that astonishing.

Whether it was carved with a sword or due to some natural erosion, they couldn’t tell.

In fact, the majestic landscape of the vast land combined with the mountainside was a much more stunning sight.

They thought.

But since the person showing it was sincere.

It was both polite and obligatory to engage in idle chatter for the kind-hearted volcanic master.

This judgment was the reason why they were endeared to the elders.

Just as they were about to speak.

[Anomaly Detected – Legacy of the Great Emperor Mucheon]

[You have witnessed the insights left by the Great Emperor Mucheon.]

In an instant, the world was tinged with ash.

The only one with color, an old man.

With his white hair tightly tied back.

He had a stubborn expression.

With a sword in hand, he closed his eyes and stood quietly, regulating his breath.

White petals flowed from the sword.

The petals scattering like white flowers made it seem as if the sword was melting away.

And the sword moved.

Along the path of the sword, countless petals bloomed.

The petals floated.

Swept by the wind, gently falling and fluttering, rising with a soft rustle.

Whirling like a storm, swirling around, spreading out into the vast sky, the whole world filled with nothing but petals…

The entire field of vision was dazzling with white flowers.

Alone in the storm of beautiful light.

Unconsciously, they reached out their hand.

The overflowing world was filled with nothing but petals, pulling and unfolding, but nothing could be grasped.

A single petal gently landed on their palm as they stared blankly in sorrow.

Trying to grasp it, but it slipped through their fingers.

Just quietly approaching.

They raised their head.

The old man was no longer visible, only the sword remained.

The old man was there.

The old man was the sword, and the sword was the old man.

Finally, the sword flew.

Countless petals, each one a sharp blade, followed the storm of the sword.

The starlight flickered brightly, causing the cliff to ache with traces of a brilliant smile.

Cheong looked at the cliff.

It was the prophecy left by the Great Heavenly Emperor.

It was a chaotic and unpredictable proclamation written with impossible randomness.

Absentmindedly, a voice flowed from Cheong’s lips.

“The fluttering of the butterflies in the Cheonghaeseong flower garden turns into a storm in Bukgyeong. This is the harmony born from the mere will of a tiny creature that governs all changes in the world.”

Words spoken and unspoken.

Cheong didn’t even know what he was saying.

“If even a tiny creature can create such chaos, with the countless wills of humans, any change becomes unpredictable.”

Cheong looked up at the sky.

The sky was cloudy, the atmosphere dark.

“The ever-changing world. Can humans dare to understand the will of the heavens? Does ignorance truly place the truth beyond the reach of humanity?”

The old man despaired.

But he never wavered.

For it is in the face of defeat that humanity truly shows its purity.

That’s how living beings have evolved.

The old man spoke.

“The heavens-”

In an instant, Cheong’s senses expanded.

He crossed volcanoes and islands.

Disciples of the volcano laughed, trained, fought, and argued in distant cities and inns. In the markets, there was a sense of excitement, a different kind of interest, right? Just a little more to see-

His senses expanded further.

Crossing the plains, over the highest mountain ranges, encountering the red-skinned barbarians. The barbarians who ate pigskin, who burned witches, who charged in the name of the gods…

And finally, crossing the ocean, passing by people in tents with feathered hats.

Cheong finally faced a blue planet, with stars and oceans.

The majestic universe unfolded before Cheong’s eyes.

The most beautiful world that humans could encounter.

And then.

All the starlight twinkled at once, beckoning Cheong.

The stars whispered in gentle and kind voices.

– Die.

—

He spoke.

“I will not seek to understand the heavens or the earth. I will simply walk the lonely path, gazing at the tip of the sword as I advance.”

—

Thud! Cheong suddenly vomited blood.

Dark blood splattered on the floor.

“Hey, hey!” “Cheong! Are you okay?” “Geomu! Blood!” “Soldier! Are you okay!?”

Four voices rang in his ears simultaneously.

Cheong raised his hand.

It was a signal that he was okay for now.

But his stomach still churned.

“I, my back…”

Cheong pointed to his back and shook his hand.

He didn’t know which of the four, but someone patted his back.

And then the remaining vomit came up.

Gweeek, hoo, gweeek.

With an embarrassing sound, Cheong continued to vomit blood.

It seemed like he was going to vomit all the blood in his body.

Afterward, he felt strangely refreshed.

Cheong wiped his mouth with his sleeve.

“Phew! I might survive now. Ah, feels refreshing.”

He felt strangely light.

Was it because of the mood? Was he really feeling light?

“Youngest sister, are you okay?”

“Oh. Just a moment…”

Cheong opened the notification window of his martial arts skill.

A new martial skill had been added and sparkled.

It had a purple border.

Suddenly, a martial skill he hadn’t known before came to mind.

Dokgo Gugum (독고구검).

Eight stances, a thousand changes.