Go ahead and prove it. (2)
“Hmm. Indeed.”
The old scholars watching the scene wore intrigued expressions.
‘They certainly are different.’
They had not yet shown anything unmistakably remarkable. And even so, the scholars could not shake the thought that those disciples of Hwasan were of a different kind from the prodigies they had seen until now.
A person is completed through learning. They had no intention of denying that fact. But those who had devoted their entire lives to scholarship did not deny another fact either.
‘The vessel one is born with differs from person to person.’
And as far as they knew, Jwa Gohak was, quite literally, a ‘great vessel*.’
Not a great vessel in the sense of ‘a great talent matures late [대기만성(大器晚成)],’ but in the sense that he had been born with a great capacity from the very beginning.
Even the most outstanding talents under heaven often found themselves overwhelmed before Jwa Gohak’s presence, unable to continue speaking properly. Yet those people seemed to feel no hesitation at all before him. Especially seeing how they were even going so far as to provoke him like that.
“How fascinating. I wonder whether they became extraordinary thanks to martial arts, or whether extraordinary people simply gathered in that sect.”
“Neither of those would be entirely wrong, I suppose… but does it not seem a little different?”
“Different how?”
The shorter of the two old scholars spoke carefully.
“In my view, it simply seems that Jwa Gohak does not look particularly extraordinary in their eyes.”
“Is such a thing possible? Jwa Gohak?“
Even if calling Jwa Gohak a Crouching Dragon** was excessive, he was more than worthy of being called a Lone Crane [일학(一鶴)]. Could someone like that truly not appear extraordinary?
“Would it not be possible if they lived while seeing someone even more extraordinary every day?”
“Hm.”
The tall old scholar, Chief Scribe, looked with interest at one of Hwasan’s disciples. At Chung Myung, who, for some reason, had been quiet since earlier.
“Those who grew up seeing a dragon, is it…”
“For now, let us watch a little longer.”
Even as they spoke, the first test – no, the duel disguised as a test – was steadily being prepared.
The target that had first been set up at a distance of one hundred paces was moved twice as far away, to a distance of two hundred paces.
“….That’s far.”
“Can you even see anything?”
“I think there is a target there, at least.”
Their words were half exaggeration. After all, it was impossible for martial artists who had trained their eyesight to be unable to make out a large target a mere two hundred paces away.
But shooting an arrow from that distance and striking the target was another matter.
“The rules are simple. Each of you will shoot ten arrows, and the one who lands more hits on the target will win.”
“Hmm.”
“Then, whoever is ready may begin.“
Song Hyeon turned his head, glanced at Tang Soso, and said.
“Will you be all right, Sojeo?”
“What do you mean?”
“If you are only going to suffer needless humiliation, giving up first might also be an option. The sages said that acknowledging one’s shortcomings is also courage.”
“Did those sages not teach you that a bow is shot with the hands, not with the mouth?”
“You…!”
Song Hyeon’s face flushed red in an instant.
“Do not regret this!”
With a lightning fast movement, Song Hyeon nocked an arrow and drew the bow. Before one arrow had even reached the target, another arrow was already flying through the sky, and before that arrow could reach the target, yet another had been loosed.
In the blink of an eye, ten arrows cleaved through the air one after another.
Thung! Thung! Thung!
And those ten arrows, without a single exception, pierced straight through the center of the target.
It was, quite literally, an archery skill bordering a miracle.
“Wooaaaaaaaah!”
“It’s amazing no matter how many times you see it!”
Cheers burst from the scholars watching. They were shouts of certainty in their victory.
“Well?”
Song Hyeon looked at Tang Soso with a triumphant expression. No, to be precise, with the face of someone doing his utmost to hold back his joy.
But Tang Soso seemed entirely unimpressed even after seeing the result he had produced.
“I told you, didn’t I?”
“…Told me what?”
“That it isn’t such an impressive skill.”
Tang Soso took an arrow from the quiver and nocked it to the bow. Then, without the slightest hesitation, she drew the string and shot the arrow.
Th-th-th-thung!
Song Hyeon’s eyes flew wide open. Tang Soso shot the arrows at a speed at least twice as fast as his own. Her hands were so fast that her movements could hardly be seen as those of someone shooting a bow.
But the result was shocking.
Crack! Crack! Craaack!
Not a single arrow missed. All ten arrows pierced through the target. Compared to the result Song Hyeon had produced, the accuracy was slightly lacking, but…
‘Considering the speed, it absolutely cannot be called a worse result than mine.’
No, rather, a question arose in him. If Song Hyeon drew the bowstring at the same speed as her, would he really be able to show that much accuracy?
Pushing aside the answer he already knew in his heart, Song Hyeon spoke.
“How can you draw the string so quickly… It is not as though drawing a bowstring requires an ordinary amount of strength.”
At that, Tang Soso snorted and said.
“That sounds just like something someone who writes and reads books would say. What do you think martial artists are?”
“…”
“If you’re a martial artist, this much is only natural. Especially if there’s someone in your sect who never opens his mouth without shouting, ‘Skill comes from mental strength, and mental strength comes from physical stamina.’”
When Tang Soso looked back, Chung Myung lifted his chin with a face that said, ‘What did I do?’ and seeing that, Tang Soso let out a small laugh.
But from Song Hyeon’s position, there was no way he could be pleased by Tang Soso acting so relaxed with him right in front of her. He shook his head and opened his mouth with a hardened expression.
“I acknowledge your skill. But we must decide the match. With this method, no winner will be determined.”
“Is that so? From where I stand, it seems the match has already been decided.”
At those words, Song Hyeon’s face twisted slightly. But before he could say anything in rebuttal, Tang Soso continued.
“Well, if that is what you think, it cannot be helped. We are the ones taking the test, after all. So? Do you have another method in mind?”
Her attitude said that she did not care what the method was.
Song Hyeon glared at Tang Soso, then bit his lip hard.
‘This will not do.‘
He had already tied with Tang Soso. No – those with keen eyes had probably already realized that he had fallen behind by the slightest margin. In that situation, what would change even if he barely won the next match?
Song Hyeon glanced to the side, at the scholars watching him. They were all his fellow disciples and friends, but at the same time, one day, they would become his political rivals. And not just for a single moment, but for their entire lives.
If he showed weakness in front of such people, it would not end with simply being humiliated here and now.
‘I cannot allow that.’
Having made his decision, Song Hyeon glared at Tang Soso with a blazing sharp gaze.
“The sages said that through bow and arrow, one should cultivate both mind and skill. It seems we have already competed sufficiently in the skill, so how about we compete in the mastery of our mind this time?”
“Mind?”
“To be precise, one should call it courage. How about it? Sojeo, do you have the will to test your courage against mine?”
“What is the method?”
“It is simple. At a distance of fifty paces, we use each other as targets and shoot arrows at one another.”
“What?”
At those words, the disciples of Hwasan cried out in shock. But Tang Soso, the person directly involved, waited without another word for Song Hyeon to continue.
“And the one who dodges first loses.”
“So the one who dodges later is the more courageous one?”
“That is correct. It is something that cannot be done without courage.”
“It does seem less like a contest of courage and more like a contest of stupidity, though.”
Tang Soso let out a sigh.
“Since I have already agreed to go along with this foolishness, there is no need to refuse now. Fine. Let’s do it.”
“I knew you would accept, Sojeo.”
Inwardly, Song Hyeon rejoiced.
Not once had he ever thought that he would be outdone by anyone in archery, but to be honest, this female Taoist was no easy opponent.
But with this method, Song Hyeon was confident he would win no matter what. Because everyone who had ever competed with him this way had been forced to accept a painful defeat.
Moreover, he was a scholar who had spent his entire life refining both mind and body. When it came to composure and courage, he was confident he would not fall behind anyone under heaven.
“Then let us begin.”
“Yes.”
The two stood facing each other at a distance.
“For reference, blocking is against the rules. Only dodging is permitted.”
“Yes, yes. I know.”
“It seems you do not understand.”
“Yes?”
Paaaat!
At that moment, an arrow grazed past Tang Soso’s cheek.
“Do not take this lightly. One wrong move and you die.”
Tang Soso silently glared at Song Hyeon.
“That bastard!”
Just as Jo Geol flared up and was about to rush out, Yoon Jong and Baek Cheon seized his shoulders tightly.
“Let go! That bastard just infused his arrow with internal energy!”
“We know.”
“Then why are we holding back? We should kill him!”
“Do you think Soso cannot do that?”
“…Huh?”
Baek Cheon and Yoon Jong shrugged at the same time.
“If Soso sets her mind to it, beating that guy down would be nothing. She could probably slam that head of his into the ground right now.”
“Or she would turn him into a hedgehog.”
Jo Geol stared blankly at the two of them, then nodded.
“That’s true.”
“Yes. So leave her be. If she is staying quiet, it means Soso has something in mind.”
At those words, Jo Geol looked back at Tang Soso again.
Sure enough, Tang Soso was gazing at Song Hyeon with an expressionless face, not so much as twitching an eyebrow.
That face was almost…
‘It is strangely like Sago’s, so it gives me chills…?’
But this was something Song Hyeon, who did not know Tang Soso and Yu Iseol, could not possibly notice.
“Well? Wouldn’t it be better to give up now?”
Song Hyeon said casually, wearing a triumphant smile.
He had done this many times before. As a result, Song Hyeon had learned just how advantageous it was, in this contest of courage, to plant a subtle fear in his opponent first.
Even if Tang Soso tried to intimidate him now, it would not work. Having anticipated it and prepared himself, Song Hyeon would not be shaken.
“I told you, you talk too much.”
Without changing her expression in the slightest, Tang Soso jerked her chin briefly.
“Let’s begin. No need to drag this out.“
“If you insist.”
Facing Tang Soso fifty paces away, Song Hyeon nocked an arrow to the bowstring. Then Jwa Gohak stepped into the center and raised his hand slightly.
“I will give the signal. Both of you, prepare yourselves.”
At Jwa Gohak’s words, Tang Soso also took out an arrow and nocked it to the string.
“Huuup.”
Beyond the bow, which creaked under the strain, he could see her aiming back at him with a posture that was clearly unfamiliar to him.
‘No matter how much she pretends to be composed…’
She might look perfectly calm on the outside, but inwardly she was surely at a loss.
Of course, Song Hyeon had no intention of using internal energy in this match. But since he had shown it earlier, Tang Soso could not help but be conscious of it.
On the other hand, Tang Soso absolutely could not imbue her arrow with internal energy. To them, this place was no different from enemy territory. If she put internal energy into it even by accident, it could easily escalate into a fight. Then the test itself would be called off.
One who had to be conscious of it, and one who did not.
‘There is simply no way I can lose.’
Song Hyeon made no effort to hide the confidence surging up within him, and put even more strength into the hand drawing the bowstring.
And then.
“Now!”
Jwa Gohak brought the hand he had been holding up down in a single stroke. Song Hyeon and Tang Soso, who had been waiting for the signal, released their bowstrings at the same time.
Piiiiiiing!
Like salmon swimming against a waterfall, the two vibrating arrows cleaved through the air and brushed past each other. The arrows, carrying fierce momentum, shot sharply towards their respective targets.
Song Hyeon held his breath.
No matter how many times he experienced it, he could never grow accustomed to this sight. The arrow flying towards him like a messenger of death, and the opponent visible beyond it. But before long, the opponent’s figure disappeared, and the sight of the arrow flying towards his head began to fill his entire vision.
‘More…..’
Once an arrow had left the bowstring, it could not be stopped. It meant the attack could not be halted midway, as one might during a spar with swords. Whether he died or lived depended solely on himself.
‘Not yet, not yet… ’
With his teeth clenched, Song Hyeon stared at the arrow flying towards him. The arrow, already within half a step of him, was writhing like a demon’s tongue as it tried to pierce his forehead.
‘Not yet…’
His heart pounded wildly, and every muscle in his body tightened and shrank. His instincts, gripped by the fear of death, were screaming at him to twist his head away immediately.
‘Just a little more…….’
Song Hyeon, who had endured and endured to the very end, finally twisted his head violently to avoid the arrow that had come close enough to touch his forehead.
‘I did it!’
Perfect. Never before had he endured all the way to the very limit like this. Even so, Song Hyeon had never lost in this contest. So naturally, victory would be his this time as well.
But that thought lasted only for a moment. The instant he twisted his head away, Song Hyeon saw it.
‘What?’
Tang Soso.
She was standing perfectly straight, without turning even slightly. Even with the arrow that had flown towards her almost close enough to touch her forehead.
‘That, that lunatic!’
She could not dodge it. No matter how extraordinary her skill, avoiding an arrow that had flown that close was impossible.
But Tang Soso showed not even the slightest tremor, as though her face had been plated in iron. As if she had resolved herself to death.
Seeing that unmoving gaze, Song Hyeon sensed the horrifying conclusion that was about to unfold, and at the very moment he was about to squeeze his eyes shut…
Kaaaaang!
Like a bolt of lightning, a sword flashed through the air and struck away the arrow that was about to hit Tang Soso’s forehead.
Drip.
Perhaps because it had been struck away a little late, a thin line of blood trickled down from Tang Soso’s forehead.
“Why did you not dodge?”
“They said I would lose if I dodged.”
“You would have died.”
“I figured Sago would block it for me.”
Yu Iseol looked at Tang Soso with an expression that, rare for her, openly revealed emotion. Then she shook her head. But Tang Soso acted as though something like this was nothing at all. Licking the blood from her lips with her tongue, she flashed a grin.
“How about it? I think I won.”
“…”
As though the strength had gone out of his legs, Song Hyeon slowly sank down on the spot.
Song Hyeon stared blankly at Tang Soso, and at the blood flowing down her face, with an expression that said he could not understand it at all. In the end, he lowered his head.
“I have lost.”
It was a defeat that left no room for excuses.
Special Spinoff Chapter 43 >>>
Side Story “Leaving Home” Part III >>>
________
*대기(大器) – figurative expression to describe a person of great talent.
**와룡(臥龍) – (historical) art name of Zhuge Liang. As for Lone Crane, I didn’t find anything connected to Zhuge Liang, but there is an idiom: 학립계군(鶴立雞群) – a crane standing among chickens, maybe it’s related to that.
________
Please, subscribe/donate on Patreon or Buymeacoffee – support my work and help me buy official cookies to purchase the chapters. My schedule is on the About page.
Leave a Reply