novelraw Chapter 52 : Chapter 52
Chapter 52 : Chapter 52
Chapter 52. Cho Yeon-seo (2)
Swish, swish.
The ink stick was finely ground on the inkstone.
Under the oil lamp, Cho Yeon-seo’s hand holding the ink stick was as delicate as a woman’s. The faint scent of ink spread throughout the room.
“……”
His gestures were even quite reverent.
Cho Yeon-seo, who had taken Lee Byeok to a guest room, had started grinding ink without a word.
Although about a quarter of an hour had passed in silence, Lee Byeok did not open his mouth.
Cho Yeon-seo of the Rogues’ Guild Guardian Squad.
He called himself a ‘painter’.
It was likely a self-deprecating term for a painter who paints pictures.
He couldn't help but recall Lee Jincheon, who claimed to be a medicine peddler, and Old Master Go, who had called himself a butcher.
“Young Master, do you know calligraphy?”
It was after another quarter of an hour had passed that Cho Yeon-seo opened his mouth.
“…Not to the extent of calling it an art.”
He had learned to write early on, so he could do it. But that was literally just being able to do it.
“I see. That’s enough. In that case, would you come here and write something?”
“What kind of text are you referring to?”
“Anything is fine. Even a single character is fine, so please show me your writing.”
“……”
Cho Yeon-seo held out the brush.
Lee Byeok approached and accepted it.
A moment of hesitation flickered, but soon he wrote a single character on the paper without difficulty.
Sword.
“Pfft… Aha, ohoho!”
Suddenly, Cho Yeon-seo began to burst into laughter. Thump! Thump! He clutched his stomach and pounded the table.
“Ahaha! Haha! Hoho… hmm! My apologies. I’m sorry if I offended you, Young Master~”
“…I do not mind.”
“Ahaha! Don’t misunderstand. It’s not that it’s bad… it’s just that it was so unexpected. For that person’s disciple, it’s far too upright.”
“……”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Young Master. I’ve wanted to meet you for a long time. I couldn’t bear my curiosity about what kind of person the Squad Leader’s disciple would be.”
“…Squad Leader?”
“Oh my, you didn’t know?”
Cho Yeon-seo’s eyes widened.
Squad Leader, of course, must be referring to Lee Jincheon.
However, it was the first time he had heard that Lee Jincheon, while a member of the Guardian Squad, was the leader of that group.
“Well, but when you think about it, it’s only natural. Can you imagine your master, Young Master, serving under someone else?”
“…It is difficult to imagine.”
However, it was not difficult to accept.
Indeed, considering Ji Soyak, who was strangely polite to him, or Old Master Go, who had given him martial arts out of the blue… that made more sense.
“Right? If a monster that unfathomable isn’t the leader, who would dare to be?”
Grasp.
Suddenly, Cho Yeon-seo’s hand reached out.
It wrapped around Lee Byeok’s hand, which held the brush.
Flinch. Lee Byeok was surprised. He didn’t even have a moment to avoid it. But he felt no hostility.
It was difficult to guess the other’s intentions, but what he felt beyond the sweet scent was something close to goodwill.
“Now, concentrate and feel carefully.”
And Cho Yeon-seo’s hand, holding Lee Byeok’s, slowly began to move.
Naturally, Lee Byeok’s hand moved along with it, and the held brush left a trail of ink on the paper.
‘…Is this a brush conversation?’
Lee Byeok silently entrusted his hand to Cho Yeon-seo. He tried to sear the characters being written on the paper into his eyes.
However.
As each character followed the next, at some point, Lee Byeok realized. The characters were not what was important. It was the movement of the brush itself.
“It’s called the Eight-Section Nine-Palace Brush Art.”
Kuk. Seeing the look of realization spread across Lee Byeok’s face, Cho Yeon-seo let out a faint smile.
“If you draw two lines, horizontally and vertically, on a blank sheet of paper, you get nine sectors. On top of that, with eight turns, there is no form the tip of the brush cannot express.”
“……”
This was a brush, yet not a brush.
In essence, it was no different from a sword path. Lee Byeok’s hand held a brush, but his mind was already holding a sword.
Sometimes soft, sometimes strong.
The brush danced. It made dots and drew lines, and as the lines bent and curved, they eventually formed a shape.
Hook. A light dizziness washed over him.
He read the movements hidden within the brush’s motion. It was by no means light. Within it, Lee Byeok slowly fell into a state of selflessness.
Time passed quickly.
And from a certain point, even before Cho Yeon-seo led him, Lee Byeok felt as if he already knew the direction the brush wanted to go.
Sssk.
His fingertips twitched.
They wanted to move on their own.
“…Indeed. A monstrous talent.”
Cho Yeon-seo whispered softly.
Startled. Lee Byeok came to his senses.
The brush had already stopped.
And beads of sweat had formed on Cho Yeon-seo’s forehead.
There was no reason for a peak expert to sweat from writing just a few characters.
It must have meant he had poured that much mental energy into it.
“……”
Lee Byeok looked at the hand holding the brush.
The sensation of the sword path remained vivid at his fingertips. He was not ignorant of what it meant.
‘I have received a sword path.’
Again, following Old Master Go.
Of course, it went without saying that for a martial artist, it was something of immeasurable value.
But… Lee Byeok did not know what to say.
“Hm? Is there ink on my face?”
“…No.”
“Ohoho, that’s a relief. In that case, please look not at my face, but at the writing on the paper.”
Cho Yeon-seo said, pretending it was nothing. Lee Byeok had no choice but to lower his gaze.
The white paper, which had been only empty space until a moment ago, was now densely filled with traces of ink forming sentences.
Lee Byeok read the first line.
“…Full Moon Unchanging Heart Art.”
It was… the mnemonic of a heart art.
In other words, the essence of the martial art Cho Yeon-seo had learned was completely melted into the white paper.
The trajectory of the brush strokes indicated the sword path, and at the same time, its content spoke of the heart art that accompanied the sword path.
“I heard that Old Master Go already beat me to it. But if you rely too much on that butcher’s swordplay, the Young Master’s upright writing will be ruined. I really, really hate that sort of thing.”
Smirk. Cho Yeon-seo’s eyes once again curved into a crescent.
“Of course, compared to the Young Master’s teacher, it’s nothing but a trivial skill… but well, it seems you have complicated circumstances, Young Master, so it should be more than enough to use for now.”
“……”
More than enough to use for now.
The level of the sword path he had received from Cho Yeon-seo was not something that could be expressed with such words.
To learn it or not to learn it.
Unlike with the Saber of Butchery, for the current Lee Byeok, who was faced with problems from the past, such deliberation was a luxury.
“…Thank you, Great Warrior. However, I would like to ask why you are bestowing such a teaching upon me.”
“Ohoho, Young Master, you say strange things.”
Cho Yeon-seo covered his mouth and laughed.
“‘Help’ is a word you use for others. Helping a family member isn’t help, it’s just something you do.”
“……”
“That’s right. It seems the Young Master still hasn’t quite grasped your own position. How cute.”
Seueuk, tak.
Suddenly, Cho Yeon-seo put his hand into his robe. He took out an object that was also familiar to Lee Byeok’s eyes and placed it on the table.
“Young Master, you know what this is, don’t you?”
Cho Yeon-seo asked.
It was a Guardian Order Lord.
Of course, an identical object was also inside Lee Byeok’s robes.
“…I understand it to be an item that proves one’s affiliation with the Guardian Squad, the military arm of the Rogues’ Guild.”
“Ohoho, correct. But in that case, what is this Guardian Squad? Why does a mere military unit have everyone carrying something as grand as an ‘Order Lord’ in the first place?”
“……”
Lee Byeok fell into thought for a moment.
Previously, Lee Byeok had asked Ji Soyak, the head of the Rogues’ Guild branch and master of the Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion, about the Guardian Squad.
At that time, Ji Soyak had given the answer, ‘An elite military unit with the authority to have an audience with the hidden leader of the Rogues’ Guild.’
It was not a very clear explanation.
“As you know, Young Master, our Rogues’ Guild is structured as a thoroughly compartmentalized organization. Although there’s a minimal framework centered on the branches in each region, honestly, it’s a mess.”
Cho Yeon-seo continued his explanation.
The Rogues’ Guild was a group where all sorts of miscellaneous forces, both from the Murim and non-Murim, were tangled together.
As a result, the chain of command was a mess.
In reality, until one stepped forward and revealed themselves, it was not easy for even fellow members of the Rogues’ Guild to identify each other.
“However, before this Guardian Order Lord, all those compartmentalized organizations and affiliated members become equal.”
“…What does that mean?”
“Shall we call it a kind of ‘mobilization power’? The Guardian Order Lord is an object that represents the will of the Sect Leader, and it is the ironclad rule of our sect that it must be followed with the highest priority, even above the orders of a branch or a higher-up.”
“……”
Lee Byeok looked down at the token.
Suddenly, the inside of his robe felt a little heavier.
“However, that’s not all. From here on is a story that only our Guardian Squad members know, but even though they look the same, the Young Master’s Guardian Order Lord and the rest are by no means the same.”
For a moment, a playful look appeared on Cho Yeon-seo’s face. Ssk. He leaned in and lowered his voice as much as possible.
“Well, to put it simply. If my or Old Master Go’s Guardian Order Lord can mobilize the members of the sect… the Young Master’s Guardian Order Lord can bring together even ‘us’.”
“……”
“Ah, of course, that doesn’t mean it works anytime. Our members are mostly scattered across the Central Plains, carrying out the Sect Leader’s top-secret orders. Uhuhu…”
Cho Yeon-seo, who had been letting out a playful laugh, suddenly changed his expression. Ahem. He cleared his throat and spoke in his original voice again.
“Listen carefully, Young Master. Being the leader of the Rogues’ Guild Guardian Squad means being closer to the Sect Leader than anyone else.”
“…I see.”
“So, there’s no debt of gratitude you need to feel towards us. Except for the Sect Leader and the Squad Leader, no one can treat you with disrespect, so please, feel free to take whatever you need from the Rogues’ Guild.”
***
“Keoheong! Go in peace, Big brother!”
“This kindness! I will never forget it for the rest of my life! I will always live by your will and righteousness!”
“Keke! Why are you making a fuss like we’ll never see each other again? Don’t die, just eat well and live well, you bastards! Kehehe!”
The Flying Dragon Squad party set off on horseback.
They left Huaihua amidst a boisterous send-off from the disciples of the Invincible Sect and other Evil Faction sects.
“…He’s hogging all the farewells by himself, even though he barely did anything.”
“Kekeke! Jealous? Huh?! This is the fiery friendship between men!”
“Ahaha… It really is amazing, in many ways.”
The party’s new destination was Dongting Lake in Yueyang.
Three days after the battle with the Righteous Sword Sect, the Beggar’s Gang had sent a letter to the Invincible Sect through one of its disciples.
It seemed they planned to hold negotiations by gathering representatives of the involved factions under the leadership of the Beggar’s Gang to end the conflict between the Righteous and Evil Factions in Hunan Murim.
Not long after the letter was delivered, the Righteous Sword Sect lifted its siege on the occupied sects and withdrew.
Thus, the disciples of various sects who had gathered at the Invincible Sect were able to return to their respective sects.
They had achieved their initial goal.
Of course, the outcome could be overturned at any time depending on the negotiations held at Dongting Lake.
However, the Evil Faction forces in Huaihua, including the Invincible Sect whose leader was bedridden, who had been on the verge of annihilation, had no capacity to dispatch personnel to Dongting Lake.
“Ohoho, Dongting Lake! The wine drunk while gazing at the moon from Yueyang Tower must be special, right? It’s quite a shame I can’t go with you.”
Cho Yeon-seo of the Rogues’ Guild also said he couldn’t go with them due to his duties as a member of the Guardian Squad.
Nod. Lee Byeok bowed his head.
And so, in the end, it was only the four members of the Flying Dragon Squad who left Huaihua and set out for Yueyang.
Of course, that didn’t mean they had gained nothing in Huaihua.
No matter what anyone said, the Flying Dragon Squad had become the saviors of the Evil Faction forces in Huaihua.
It would be fair to say that they had successfully taken the first step toward their goal of ‘reclaiming the influence of the Paewang Family.’
Dudududu!
The party rode their horses swiftly.
Unlike when they were heading to Huaihua, they couldn’t afford to be leisurely.
The negotiations were to be held in half a month, but they had to arrive as quickly as possible to buy time to grasp the situation.
“It’s not just the Righteous Faction we have to be wary of. Perhaps… the Black Heaven Gang might show up claiming to represent the Evil Faction Alliance and cause trouble.”
Judging by Diancang’s movements, if there really was a secret pact with the Black Heaven Gang, the Black Heaven Gang would likely subtly side with the Righteous Faction and try to give up the Hunan Murim.
Perhaps… they would have to play their own part to prevent such a situation.
“Well, if we play our cards right, we might be able to win the support of not just Huaihua but the entire Hunan Evil Faction Murim in one fell swoop.”
Gongson Su said in a bright voice.
Of course, it wouldn’t be as easy as it sounded.
Even with the Beggar’s Gang’s mediation and the Rogues’ Guild’s support, if they lost the momentum, they could be defeated with their eyes wide open.
“……”
Throughout the journey across Hunan towards Yueyang, Lee Byeok replayed in his mind what he had learned from Cho Yeon-seo.
Before leaving the Invincible Sect, he had thoroughly memorized the paper with the mnemonics and then burned it.
What was quite surprising was that the sword path of the Eight-Section Nine-Palace Brush Art shared some context with the basic teachings of the Azure River Sword Style.
Dividing the directions into nine and placing the sword on the path from oneself to the opponent.
Also, its method of focusing on the bends reminded him of the movements of the Third Form of the Sword-Withdrawal Style, Curved Sword.
However.
‘…It’s not easy.’
His understanding stopped there.
Because it was similar, it was easy to understand, but also because it was similar, it was not easy to distinguish the subtle difference of the final step.
Just one step.
He was just one step short.
Because of this, even though Lee Byeok had mastered the sword path of the Eight-Section Nine-Palace Brush Art and memorized the mnemonics of the Full Moon Unchanging Heart Art, he could not obtain the forms.
He couldn't tell where one form began and ended within the moving sword.
It was like learning how to write with a brush but not understanding the meaning of the words one had written.
‘I’ve learned everything I could be taught. It must mean that what wasn't taught, I must figure out for myself.’
Riding his horse, Lee Byeok sank into contemplation.
He recalled the time he had received the Saber of Butchery and the Red Faction Heart Art from Old Master Go.
At that time, Lee Byeok had been engrossed in killing intent, and as he wielded the Saber of Butchery following that feeling, the Innate power had naturally formed the path of the Red Faction Heart Art.
But unlike then, the Innate power now did not readily respond to the Full Moon Unchanging Heart Art.
In other words, simply ‘knowing’ the mnemonics was not enough.
A heart art is a study of the heart.
Just as the Red Faction Heart Art responded to killing intent, to master the Full Moon Unchanging Heart Art, he ultimately had to know the state of mind that could draw out that power.
Full Moon Unchanging Heart Art.
‘…The full moon does not change.’
But what kind of heart was that?
He couldn't guess. It was just a hunch that if he solved this riddle, he would be able to obtain both the forms and the internal energy.
“……”
Lee Byeok became a little anxious.
It was better not to reveal the Seonwoo Clan's sword against the Righteous Faction as much as possible.
Even so, drawing out the Saber of Butchery, which was engrossed in ‘killing,’ was also a dangerous choice.
Therefore, for the current Lee Byeok, mastering the Eight-Section Nine-Palace Brush Art to the point where it could be used in actual combat was a rather urgent matter.
However, the true form of that teaching was hidden behind a thin veil, seemingly visible yet not.
Naturally, he became less talkative.
Gongson Su and Eon Mi-hee, who read Lee Byeok’s uncomfortable expression, also refrained from carelessly approaching or speaking to him.
Naturally, silence was maintained among the riding party.
Clop, clop.
The party entered Yueyang.
With about half a day’s journey left, they made their last camp for the night.
Thump.
Late at night, someone placed a hand on the shoulder of Lee Byeok, who had volunteered for the night watch and was sitting by the fire, engrossed in his riddle.
“…What is it?”
“What do you mean, what is it? It’s time to change the watch. Kekeke!”
“I seem to recall saying that I have things to think about, so I’d be fine on my own tonight.”
“Did you? Oh well, whatever.”
“……”
“Ah, I’m craving a drink~ slurp.”
As if it didn’t matter, Pa Jin-seong sat down next to Lee Byeok. He casually stretched and licked his lips.
“Drinking half-heartedly in Huaihua just made me want to drink more. I’ll be able to drink to my heart’s content when we get to Dongting Lake, right? Kekeke!”
“……”
Lee Byeok furrowed his brow.
His concentration had been disturbed. And it seemed he had no intention of backing down. In that case, he could just get up himself.
Lee Byeok tried to stand up.
“Hey, Squad Leader.”
“…Why do you call?”
Pa Jin-seong grinned.
“When we get to Dongting Lake, I’ll buy you a round. Let’s the two of us have a good drink.”
“……”
“Well, I’m indebted to you in many ways. Let me buy you at least one drink. Kehehe.”
“…Do you even have the money for that?”
From the time they first met at Gathering Lake in Guizhou, Pa Jin-seong had been a penniless beggar.
And throughout the journey, Pa Jin-seong was in a position where he owed Gongson Su for every single thing he ate and wore.
“Ah, well, actually. I secretly received some friendly support from the younger brothers I met in Huaihua. Kekeke!”
Jingle. A few coins briefly showed themselves from inside Pa Jin-seong’s sleeve before disappearing.
“…I’m fine. I don’t particularly enjoy alcohol. Anyway, then I’ll leave the night watch to you.”
He couldn’t understand why Pa Jin-seong would suddenly strike up a conversation like this in the middle of the night.
Although they had been together for about two months, he had almost no memory of having a private conversation.
In any case, that wasn’t what was important right now. Lee Byeok stood up from his seat. At that moment, Pa Jin-seong spoke.
“Hmph! So prickly. Hey. I may not look it, but I’m a couple of years older than you. When someone shows goodwill for a change, you should have the decency to play along, right? Huh?”
“……”
“I know you’re the greatest genius in the world, but if you cling to one thing like that, you might just break as a person, you know?”
He seemed somewhat offended.
Of course, Lee Byeok had no capacity to consider such things. He turned around. He started walking towards the spot where the blankets were piled up.
“Tch, what’s the use of being strong in martial arts? If you’re only stiff, you’ll break. A person has to know how to bend, I tell you.”
From behind him, Pa Jin-seong’s mumbling continued. He had no intention of listening carefully.
‘…Bend?’
But suddenly, one word stuck in his ear. At the same time, something flashed through his mind.
Whirl, stomp, stomp, grab!
“Kehek! Wait, what?!”
“…What did you mean by that just now?”
Lee Byeok, who had hastily turned back, grabbed Pa Jin-seong’s shoulders. Pa Jin-seong’s panicked eyes darted around.
“W-What do you mean? Hey, let go! Won’t you let go?! I-I wasn’t cursing at you!”
“What exactly is the difference between breaking and bending?”