novelraw Chapter 182
Chapter 182
Sssshhh!
At last, along the line Kwak Yeon had drawn, the faint wall of true qi arose.
“Ah!”
Danmok Seong let out a cry of admiration.
“Truly astounding. I had expected as much, yet I never imagined you would unfold the Seongra Heaven Sword Wall this swiftly.”
Kwak Yeon grasped the Cheonggang Sword in both hands and gave the sword salute.
“It is only at the level of crude imitation.”
“Not so.”
Danmok Seong shook his head firmly and continued.
“The beginning is always the hardest. All the more so with martial skills of ascension. In any case, you have clearly grasped the hidden meaning of the Seongra Heaven Sword Wall. There is nothing further this old man can teach.”
At those words, a sharp ache pierced Kwak Yeon’s heart.
Once again, the moment of parting had drawn near.
“Taoist Kwak, do not think of paying obeisance to me. The sword salute just now suffices.”
“Even so, to offer thanks for your guidance is my duty. Especially as I have received instruction in the supreme skill you devised over a lifetime.”
“Then this old man must also bow to you.”
“...?”
“For I have passed on no more than a single martial art, yet you have resolved the hundred-year agony of my clan.”
He was speaking of gratitude for the night of inner-power exertion, when Kwak Yeon had bestowed insight upon Young Lord Danmok Cheong.
“So, there is no need for troublesome bowing between us.”
“...I understand.”
When Kwak Yeon replaced obeisance with a formal bow, Danmok Seong smiled with satisfaction and spoke.
“In any case, be diligent in your practice whenever possible. I greatly look forward to the might of the Seongra Heaven Sword Wall when unfurled at the level of Gang .”
Even when deployed at the realm of super-grandmaster, the Seongra Heaven Sword Wall could block blades and swords alike.
How terrifying, then, would it be when manifested at the realm of Gang?
‘If some fool attempts to pierce this Taoist’s Seongra Heaven Sword Wall, both blade and man will be shorn clean in an instant.’
It was a pity that Danmok Seong himself would likely never behold such power with his own eyes.
With a faint, self-mocking smile, Danmok Seong continued.
“Taoist Kwak, I thank you for all that has been done.”
“Elder Danmok, those are words I ought to say.”
“In any case, I pray that you achieve your purpose. Now, go at once to Sister Hong. We have kept her waiting too long.”
Kwak Yeon knew well that farewells are best kept short.
Yet before leaving, he remembered one last matter and opened his mouth.
“Elder, may I trouble you with one final request?”
“...?”
“It is nothing difficult. I would be grateful if you would grant it.”
****
―Creak!
Ju Yeoryeong stepped out as the door of the Hong Family Shrine (Honggajimyo) opened.
She bowed demurely to Kwak Yeon.
“Great Aunt is waiting for you.”
It was an uncharacteristically gentle appearance for Ju Yeoryeong.
“Thank you.”
Kwak Yeon also returned with a formal bow.
When he entered the shrine, Ju Yeoryeong closed the door behind him.
―Clack!
Inside, the White-Haired Demon Queen sat as before before the altar.
With a powerful sense of déjà vu, Kwak Yeon bowed to her.
“Great Aunt (Daego), this junior disciple has come to take his leave.”
Unable to ask outright why she had summoned him, he offered his farewell instead.
“Taoist Kwak, come burn a stick of incense.”
The White-Haired Demon Queen spoke without even turning her head.
“...?”
Puzzled, Kwak Yeon nevertheless obeyed, stepping to the altar and lighting incense.
‘Ah! So Great Aunt wished me, with the Taoist’s Dao-power, to console the spirits of the Hong Family, and thus bade me stop here before departing.’
He could not bring himself to confess that he was a Taoist who had studied in vain. Instead, he sincerely prayed for the spirits’ peace, reciting the mantra inwardly.
Having completed the chant, Kwak Yeon was about to step back when the White-Haired Demon Queen spoke.
“Offer five bows.”
Kwak Yeon started.
Five bows were a rite of utmost reverence, second only to the nine bows offered to one’s master. Such were reserved only for a savior of life or for lords and princes.
He did not know the reason, but since he had gravely disturbed the shrine with their battle, he complied and offered five bows.
“Remain kneeling.”
“...?”
Kwak Yeon, half-risen, froze in place as she spoke again.
“Now, push aside the altar stone.”
At her increasingly inexplicable command, Kwak Yeon stared at her wide-eyed.
“The altar stone weighs a thousand catties, yet with your strength you can move it.”
Indeed, if he summoned his inner qi, he could lift it.
But to touch the altar stone of another family’s shrine was blasphemous!
“...!”
Yet upon seeing the depth in her gaze, Kwak Yeon obeyed and moved the altar stone.
―Rumble!
As it slid aside, a stone coffer of about one span’s size was revealed beneath.
“...?”
“Open it.”
‘Ah! So this was the reason!’
Now he understood why she had ordered incense to be burned and five bows to be offered before this shrine.
―Clatter!
Within the stone coffer lay a single yellowed book.
Falling Star Nine Swords.
‘A martial secret manual!’
Startled, Kwak Yeon looked up. The White-Haired Demon Queen spoke.
“That is the very object that brought about the destruction of my clan.”
“Ah...”
“Two hundred years ago, it was the secret manual of Gu Jeolhwi, the Demonic Hero, the Wielder of the Falling Star Divine Sword. As you can tell from that epithet—Wielder of the Falling Star Divine Sword—he was born under the star Po Junxing , dwelling between orthodox and demonic paths. Thus he was called the Demonic Hero.”
“...”
“Do not ask how or why that manual came into my hands, or why it fell to me to guard it. It is from long ago, and the memories are too bitter.”
Kwak Yeon understood her deep pain and nodded silently.
“I see.”
“As that manual was the source of the Hong Family’s extermination, I had once thought to burn it before the ancestral tablets. Yet the manual itself bore no sin, and as a martial person I could not destroy the achievement of a supreme master. So I sealed it away.”
Kwak Yeon, recalling how Patriarch Jang Sambong had once spoken of preserving the true teachings of the Western monks, readily grasped her dilemma.
Yet one point he could not comprehend, and he asked.
“Why did Great Aunt not take this transcendent art for herself?”
“The Falling Star Nine Swords was in conflict with the arts of our Moonlight Palace, and being a yang-firm art, unsuited for a woman’s body. More than that...”
She paused, then resumed.
“...it was an object that called blood. I did not wish it within the palace.”
Kwak Yeon knew well the hardships Moonlight Palace had faced as a sect of women alone, and thus her concern was understandable.
“I entrust it to you, Taoist Kwak. I believe you can shoulder it.”
Kwak Yeon bowed hastily.
“Great Aunt, your teaching of Solitary Moon Illumines the Boundless Skill alone is more than enough.”
“Taoist Kwak, you have already bowed before the spirits in thanks for this manual.”
“...!”
“If you take it, the grievances of the Hong Family’s souls may be eased.”
Her eyes shone with expectation.
“In any case, it is now yours. If it troubles you, burn it, discard it—as you will.”
“Great Aunt...”
“Truly, I feel relieved now that you will bear it.”
“...!”
Suddenly, the Honwonmusang Technique stirred within him, and he felt the deep sorrow hidden in her voice.
“Great Aunt, you do not intend to return here again, do you?”
She looked at him in surprise, then slowly nodded.
“Thanks to you, I have glimpsed the path that would take a lifetime to tread. I will now enter seclusion, and gradually revise the flaws of the Moon Maiden Mental Discipline.”
Having chosen to set aside her resentment toward Danmok Seong, she had no further reason to step into the martial world.
“A shrine with no descendants to visit is but a blight. Better that trees and grass reclaim the place than that it mislead men’s eyes.”
She meant to burn the Hong Family Shrine and depart.
‘She has truly cast aside the past. That is why she entrusts me with this manual.’
“Keeping one pressed for time, I have spoken only idle words. Taoist Kwak, go now. Before the spirits of the Hong Family, I shall not accept farewells.”
Her gaze was filled with loneliness and grief.
“...!”
Kwak Yeon felt as though he were watching the twilight of a life lived in fierce struggle.
‘The sunset that ends a day of fierce striving deserves to be beautiful.’
With that thought, Kwak Yeon spoke the words he had prepared.
“Great Aunt, instead of bidding farewell, I would like to be seen off by Young Lady Ju.”
“...?”
“We have shared time together. If you permit, I would like to take my leave of her separately.”
“So be it.”
Kwak Yeon rose and bowed.
“Hermit Taoist Kwak Yeon of Samryeong Palace offers earnest prayers that Great Aunt accomplish her great undertaking.”
When he departed, silence filled the shrine. Then the White-Haired Demon Queen suddenly spoke.
“Do not skulk outside like a monk drenched in rain. Come in.”
―Creak!
Danmok Seong carefully opened the door and entered.
“Danmok Seong, what lingering attachment brings you here? I have forgotten all.”
“Sister Hong, may this sinner offer one cup of sacrificial wine before the spirits of the Hong Family?”
“Do as you will.”
Danmok Seong poured the wine he had brought ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) before the tablets, lit incense, and bowed.
When he had finished, he said.
“Sister Hong, I will not return to the Danmok Clan. Though it will not earn your forgiveness, I will spend my remaining years guarding this shrine.”
“Hmph!”
She snorted.
“What ghost would welcome an old man squatting by a tomb? You’ll only make trouble when your corpse must be cleared away.”
Danmok Seong’s face was stricken.
Even he knew he was begging forgiveness far too late.
“Elder, there is a saying: the moment one thinks it is too late is the earliest time. Do not leave behind regret.”
Because of Taoist Kwak’s entreaty, he had steeled his resolve.
And as he suffered his own shame, she said:
“If you have time, come once every fifteenth day of the seventh month.”
“Sister Hong...?”
“On that night, the lotuses in the pond below bloom beneath the full moon. It is worth seeing.”
“If Sister Hong wishes it, I shall come. But know this: I do not come for flower viewing, but to atone.”
“Just come when I tell you!”
“...?”
“I too will try to spare the time that day.”
“Ah... Sister Hong.”
“Humph! It is only because a man looking at flowers alone beneath the moon would be pathetic. Do not imagine anything more.”
“Of course not. I would never.”
His face brightened.
“Elder, if you see an opportunity, do not hesitate. And do not make assumptions as you did in the past.”
With that reminder, Danmok Seong also recalled Grand Scholar Seol Junghyu’s words urging him: “Cast off your regrets.”
‘Never again will I flee. Now that I know Sister Hong’s heart.’
Clenching both fists, he said:
“Sister Hong, the sky brightens. The moon must be rising. Shall we go see the lotuses now?”
“...!”
“How many more times will we behold those blossoms together? Sister Hong, let us see them fully while we can.”
At his brave suggestion, the White-Haired Demon Queen reluctantly rose and stepped outside.
The moon had risen into the night sky, casting its light across Lotus Valley, where on the empty ground that once held the Hong Family estate, lotuses were beginning to bloom one by one upon the pond.