Return of the Mount Hua

If one must bear it. (13)

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Seeing Jongli Gok’s twisted expression, Im Sobyeong smirked.

“Got a complaint?”

Jongli Gok nearly drove his sword into that sly face.

No, perhaps there’s really no need to hesitate. After all, isn’t this bastard from an Evil Sect as well? Maybe this is a good chance to…

“Phew.”

But then, Jongli Gok forced down his anger and let out a long sigh. Anyone who associates with Hwasan Geomhyeop seems to have a knack for shattering a person’s composure.

However, in any case, this incident was clearly his blunder.

“I won’t make the same mistake again.”

“Oh, this isn’t something that will end so simply.”

“…What do you mean?”

“You don’t intend to fight forever, do you? You must be familiar with the word ‘contradiction.’”

Jongli Gok let out another short sigh.

‘Contradiction.’

It wasn’t wrong. With his sword, he could fend off Jeok Ho, but bringing him down would be difficult. On the other hand, Jeok Ho wouldn’t fall to that sword, yet he couldn’t bring down Jongli Gok either.

In the end, it meant a fight where no winner could be decided.

If this place weren’t a battlefield, they could simply continue fighting until one of them got tired, but now was not the time for that.

Jongli Gok glanced at Im Sobyeong.

‘So that means I have to trust this unworthy bastard.’

He would have preferred to avoid that conclusion if he could, but now there was no other way. There was just one thing.

“……But.”

“Hmm?”

“It doesn’t seem like that scenario works to our advantage.”

No sooner had Jongli Gok finished speaking than Cheon Myeon Susa Dam Yeohae stepped forward and stood next to Jeok Ho.

“Ha! Are you ignoring me right now?”

Im Sobyeong exclaimed in disbelief, but Jongli Gok cleanly ignored him.

No matter how generously one tried to assess him, it was hard to see Im Sobyeong as equal to Cheon Myeon Susa. Of course, Im Sobyeong had just blocked Cheon Myeon Susa’s attack a moment ago, but…

‘That alone isn’t enough to call them equals.’

This was a cool-headed assessment, free of personal bias. Even if Im Sobyeong truly was a genius, boasting not only a brilliant mind but also a talent for martial arts, Cheon Myeon Susa possessed a strength that mere talent could never surpass.

That were the years he had lived.

“Hmm.”

Jongli Gok frowned slightly. No matter how you looked at it, it wasn’t an especially optimistic situation. But it didn’t really matter.

Jongli Gok spoke curtly to Im Sobyeong.

“Hold off that technique for a moment. Then I’ll finish off Cheon Myeon Susa and help you.”

“You’re not suggesting a joint attack?”

“…Just imagining it is revolting. Teaming up with a Sapa bastard.”

“Let’s be clear: I’m the hands, and you’re the feet.”

…This time, Jongli Gok nearly lost his composure. Only the fortitude he had built over decades as the Sect Leader of Jongnam allowed him to swallow down the vulgar insults threatening to spill out.

He began to think it might be fine to drag out the fight a bit longer. Just until Im Sobyeong’s neck was severed.

“Can you do it?”

“What do you take me for?”

“A bandit.”

“…Well, you’re not wrong.”

Muttering that maybe he should change his profession because he couldn’t stand this filth anymore, Im Sobyeong grumbled on. Jongli Gok neatly ignored him and focused all his attention on Cheon Myeon Susa.

Cheon Myeon Susa and Jeok Ho likewise seemed disinclined towards any notion of a joint assault. It was hardly surprising – matching moves with someone you’d never worked with wasn’t as simple as it sounded. So they would likely choose to each bring down their respective foe as quickly as possible.

Just like Jongli Gok himself.

“Now, are you going to answer me? Can you do it?”

“Tsk.”

Im Sobyeong fanned his face leisurely. He looked as though he were here for some pleasant outing.

Whatever he might truly be feeling inside, just managing to keep such composure under these circumstances was remarkable. One had to admit it. Clearly, even at a young age, he was worthy of being called Nokrim King.

“Hey, I’ll finish things up quickly and come help you, so try not to get yourself killed for nothing. If the Sect Leader dies here, there’s someone who’d be rather bothered.”

For the first time, Jongli Gok let out a faint chuckle.

“So it wouldn’t be pleasing?”

“Hmm, maybe it would.”

Upon hearing that, Jongli Gok became a bit curious as well.

How would that raging goby* react if word got back to him that Jongli Gok had been killed by some Sapa scoundrel?

“But he probably wouldn’t be happy.”

“…..Hmm?”

Jongli Gok turned to look at Im Sobyeong as though he’d heard something strange.

“The so-called Sect Leader of Gupaillbang wouldn’t even realize how humiliating it is – of all things – to die at the hands of a member of the Evil Sect, and he will be up in arms about it, won’t he? Then he’d rant, ‘What does that make Hwasan, who got beaten by Jongnam while I was gone?’”

“Pfft…”

He tried to hold it back, but in the end a laugh slipped out. Jongli Gok could vividly picture Chung Myung foaming at the mouth and throwing a fit, shouting the exact words Im Sobyeong has predicted.

“That does sound about right.”

“Doesn’t it?”

“…Then I suppose I have to live. Getting cursed at even after I’m dead just won’t do.”

Im Sobyeong let out a slight chuckle as well. Of course, it wasn’t really the time to be laughing, so he quickly stifled it.

His gaze shifted to Jeok Ho.

‘So that’s the one I’ll have to face?’

He couldn’t help letting out a small sigh. Someone that crude and simple-minded wasn’t really to his taste. If he had to fight anyway, he would’ve preferred someone with at least a little bit of refinement.

“Wasn’t it Jeok Ho?”

“…”

“Consider it an honor. I’ll take you on.”

Jeok Ho’s lips twitched, as he was clearly displeased.

“You?”

“Why? Is it not to your liking….”

Boooom!

Without warning, the dreadful blade energy unique to Jeok Ho shot towards Im Sobyeong. It was the same clean yet powerful energy that had earlier elicited Im Sobyeong’s admiration.

Jongli Gok’s expression hardened. The trajectory of that atrack was peculiar. If Im Sobyeong failed to block it, it would naturally continue on to strike Jongli Gok. The path of the attack clearly conveyed Jeok Ho’s stance against Jongli Gok.

Jongli Gok reflexively gripped his sword.

“Tsk.”

Just then, Im Sobyeong clicked his tongue briefly. Then, with a light motion, he extended his fan forward.

Swiiiish.

It looked like he was fanning himself slowly, yet the outcome of that motion was anything but gentle.

Boooom!

The blade energy brushed past Im Sobyeong and smashed into the ground, causing a huge explosion. With just a slight flick of his fan, he had twisted the incoming energy off its course.

Jeok Ho’s eyes gleamed strangely.

‘What was that movement of the fan just now?’

It seemed gentle, akin to Wudang’s sword technique, yet clearly different. Perhaps it was a blend of unrestrained curves and sharp lines.

What was certain was that there was a martial arts principle [무리(武理)] within it that Jeok Ho had never seen before.

Intrigued, Jeok Ho took a step forward.

“How strange. You’re worth fighting against, at least.”

“Huh, that’s quite an honor.”

Im Sobyeong laughed brightly.

Jeok Ho’s upper lip twitched again in discontent. For some reason, Nokrim King’s grin got on his nerves, even though it didn’t seem intended as provocation.

Well, wiping that smile off his face would be easy enough. Just as Jeok Ho was about to push off the ground and charge at Im Sobyeong.

Slaaash.

Jeok Ho’s eyes widened.

Im Sobyeong’s fan appeared right before his eyes. To be precise, the fully opened fan was rushing straight towards his face.

Jeok Ho reflexively swung his blade horizontally.

But the moment the blade met the fan, he sensed that something was off. Rather than being torn apart, the fan clung to his blade as though smeared with glue, latching on and refusing to let go.

It felt like a tough bowstring was coiling around it.

Before he could even shudder in shock, a powerful rotational force [회전경(回轉勁)] traveled along the blade and began to borrow into him.

Crunch.

As soon as he felt his wrist twist, Jeok Ho pushed off the ground and spun his body. He realized that if he tried to resist in a half-baked way, every bone in his wrist would shatter.

‘Khuk!’

But even in that moment, he refused to remain on the defensive. The instant he yanked his blade free with all his might, he launched another strike in midair.

Upward, then to the left and right – in three directions.

Yet before his attack could extend even a few chi, the firmly folded fan blocked the blade’s path.

Clang!

‘What?’

Jeok Ho was startled. It wasn’t as though he swung and then got blocked. He was blocked before he could even swing. It was almost as if Im Sobyeong had read his mind.

Jeok Ho’s heart leapt into his throat, as he tried to retreat in a hurry.

“That won’t do.”

Simultaneously, the folded fan spread wide, and then it multiplied countless times over, surrounding Jeok Ho on all sides. In an instant, everything within his sight was covered by fans fluttering like butterflies.

Jeok Ho ground his teeth harshly.

Crunch.

He mustered all his strength into the hand gripping his blade, then began swinging in all directions. Soon, his entire body was swept up in a raging storm of blade energy. It seemed impossible for a mere fan to break through that energy.

And at that moment, Im Sobyeong’s fan changed its shape once again.

Among the fans swirling around, teasing Jeok Ho in their unfolded state, one suddenly snapped shut with a sharp sound and struck the very tip of Jeok Ho’s blade, which he was swinging fiercely.

Clang!

His blade came to a halt as if it were a lie. Immediately afterwards…

“Hup.”

Clang!

After repeatedly striking and pushing the flat of the blade, Im Sobyeong slipped in close to Jeok Ho’s chest.

“We’ve met before, haven’t we?”

“You!”

Boom!

Im Sobyeong’s palm [장심(掌心)**] slammed into Jeok Ho’s jaw. Jeok Ho’s head jerked back as if it might snap, and his body was lifted into the air.

Then the fan struck Jeok Ho’s chest while he was still off the ground, lightly, as if swatting at a fly.

Thud!

Jeok Ho’s body was flung away like a loosed arrow and slammed into the ground.

Thump. Thump.

After bouncing a couple of times, he ended up sprawled on the ground.

“…”

And then, a strange silence fell.

Of course, it made sense that the fallen Jeok Ho would be silent. So the true source of that silence were Jongli Gok and Cheon Myeon Susa. Unable even to hide their shock, they stared blankly at Im Sobyeong.

What on earth had just happened?

“Tsk.”

Im Sobyeong casually opened his folded fan again and, fanning his face, spoke.

“Anyway, these thugs of Gangho never seem to think things through. Do they believe I became Nokrim King by gambling playing domino***?”

He snorted, looking genuinely displeased.

“You see, even though I might look like this, I’m one of the ‘Five Shadows [오음(五陰)].’ Or is it the ‘Four Shadows’ now? Uh… how many was it?”

Im Sobyeong tilted his head, then shook it side to side as though he really had no idea.

“Anyway, I possess those rare severed meridians****, so there’s no way I’d be weak.”

Looking at Jeok Ho, who lay collapsed, Im Sobyeong let out a small laugh.

“I may not be able to handle that monster from Hwasan, but there’s no way I’d be beaten by a small fry like you.”

Jeok Ho, who had been twitching faintly, staggered to his feet. A line of blood, fine as silk thread, trickled from his mouth.

“…..Indeed.”

His teeth were stained red with blood, as he revealed them in a grin. Even though he had been knocked around terribly, his face clearly showed delight.

“I got the order wrong. I should have dared to seek your guidance first, Nokrim King.”

“Well, that’s not too hard. But…”

Im Sobyeong gave him a meaningful smile.

“…You’d better be prepared. Nokrim King’s lessons don’t come cheap.”

A murderous intent brimming with excitement gleamed in Jeok Ho’s eyes.

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*망둥이 – gobiidae or gobies – is a family of bony fish in the order gobiiformes. In Korean this term is often used to describe a person with rash/aggressive/unreasonable behavior. It is used in idioms such as “like a goby eating its own offspring”: a metaphorical saying that describes conflicts or fights among those of the same group or family; and many others. 

**장심(掌心) – specifically refers to the central part of the palm ‘hollow of the palm.’

***골패(骨牌) – Chinese domino.

****절맥 – used in the chapter ‘severed meridians – the full being 절맥증(絕脈症) ‘severed meridians syndrome. 

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