What is it you desire? (5)
Yoon Jong’s eyes grew tense.
Thinking about it, there was no particular reason to be so nervous. After all, how many times had he seen Jo Geol charge at Chung Myung only to get crushed?
And yet, the reason he could not easily push down the tension rising within him was probably because it was clear that this match was different in nature from all those before it.
Jo Geol was strong. He had grown incomparably stronger than he had been in the past. Even Yoon Jong could now barely manage to cross swords with him. If one were to name the person who had made the greatest progress through this war, it would certainly be Jo Geol.
That was why, even as he felt nervous, he was also secretly curious.
‘How close has Geol become to that bastard Chung Myung now?’
Would they still have to confirm only that same hopelessly distant gap, or, unlike before, would he be able to so much as step on that man’s shadow?
Yoon Jong lightly clenched his fist and looked at the two people facing each other.
And Jo Geol, standing at the end of that gaze, was far more tense than Yoon Jong realized.
‘This is driving me crazy.’
Gripping his sword tightly, Jo Geol stared at the person standing before him.
Hwasan Geomhyeop Chung Myung.
The man standing before him with a sword in hand was someone more familiar and dear to him than anyone. Yet now, instead of his usual relaxed demeanor, he stood properly in a middle guard, staring straight at Jo Geol.
‘I can’t breathe.’
It felt as though every muscle in his body had drawn tight, as though his throat were being squeezed shut.
‘Of course.’
The person before his eyes was his fellow disciple. But at the same time, he was undeniably the greatest swordsman under heaven. There was no way facing such a person would not weigh heavily on him.
Even so, at this moment, that pressure and burden felt welcome instead. Because it meant that bastard Chung Myung was taking him seriously.
‘Petty tricks won’t work on him.’
Considering who his opponent was, there was only one thing Jo Geol could do.
“Huuu.”
Lightly, and even more lightly. No, rather than lightly, freely.
At last, Jo Geol kicked off the ground.
Paaaat!
A fearsome swift sword. A swift sword carrying such immense force, that it was hard to imagine this was only a spar, shot towards Chung Myung like a ray of light.
The streak of light that seemed about to pierce straight through Chung Myung split into dozens in the span of an instant. Then it fiercely aimed for Chung Myung’s entire body.
Chung Myung’s sword moved.
Chung Myung’s sword, unfolding far more slowly than Jo Geol’s, blocked every last one of Jo Geol’s incoming sword-shadows without leaving a single one behind. It did not feel fast, but there was nothing slow about it either. A sword that simply existed where it needed to be, at the moment it needed to be there. Seeing that somehow different flow of the sword, Jo Geol bit down on his lip.
Paaaat!
Jo Geol’s sword cut through the air again without delay.
Faster. Faster still. The swift sword, drawn up to its limit, aimed for Chung Myung’s neck at a speed it had never reached before.
Kaaang!
But this time as well, Chung Myung’s sword, lifted indifferently, blocked the tip of Jo Geol’s sword as if it were only natural.
At that instant, Jo Geol’s extended sword drew back very slightly. Then the tip of the sword split into dozens as if fireworks had burst forth, spreading out as though to pierce through Chung Myung’s entire body. It was a sword strike akin to firing over a dozen arrows at once from close range.
No matter if his opponent was Chung Myung, blocking the entirety of this attack would be impossible…
‘Huh?’
Jo Geol’s eyes flew wide open.
Just as Chung Myung’s lowered sword seemed to sway lightly, numerous of plum blossoms bloomed in an instant and filled all the space between the two of them. The sword energy, covered in plum blossoms so vivid it seemed red would rub off if touched, soon melted away without a trace in the blink of an eye, like snow beneath the spring sun.
The reason Jo Geol twisted his head at that moment might not have been only because of his skill. Just as Chung Myung knew him well, he knew Chung Myung well, too.
The sword energy that shot through the plum blossoms grazed Jo Geol’s cheek. Along with a burning sensation, something hot soon flowed down his face.
Had he been even a little slower, his face would have been pierced through. If he had not known Chung Myung so well, he would certainly have fallen for that move. No, the fact that he had known full well and still failed to avoid it perfectly spoke of the gap between him and Chung Myung.
“Haha.”
A hollow laugh escaped him on its own.
Strong. Ridiculously strong.
At the same time, a despair beyond description washed over him.
He had already faced opponents strong enough to inspire despair more than once. In the Northern Sea, on the Yangtze, and in Hangzhou as well.
But the ‘swordsman’ before his eyes now was different in nature from those people. Those he had met before had overwhelmed him with power, speed, and ideal skill beyond his reach. The person before him now felt like something that could not even be grasped by hand.
Something that existed, yet did not exist, something he could never reach for all eternity…
“An Immortal*, huh…..”
Yoon Jong, hearing Jo Geol’s murmur, tilted his head and stared at him. But Jo Geol merely adjusted his grip on the sword and smiled bitterly.
‘It doesn’t matter.’
Whether the one before him was an Immortal, that is, a Sword Immortal [검선(劍仙)], or a monster, he would simply swing his sword. If he could not reach it, then he would become faster. And if that still was not enough, then he would become faster still.
“Haap!”
Jo Geol closed the distance to Chung Myung in a single breath. At the same time, he released the fastest sword energy he could send out.
Kaaang!
The instant that sword energy was blocked without fail by Chung Myung’s sword, a fierce light poured from Jo Geol’s eyes. Chung Myung slightly turned his head and avoided Jo Geol’s sword, which shot out once again like a thunderbolt.
‘Now!’
From the tip of Jo Geol’s sword, which had passed by Chung Myung, red plum blossoms flared into bloom.
The pinnacle of the swift sword. Jo Geol’s way of making plum blossoms bloom within the span of a single fleeting moment.
A new sword technique, one that belonged to Jo Geol alone and had been honed through the war against Sapaeryon, revealed itself at this moment.
Of course, the plum blossoms were distorted, neither clear nor distinct. But plum blossoms that bloomed abruptly from an unexpected place were threatening enough.
No matter how capable Chung Myung was in every regard, he should not be able to counter this move easily. He would surely have his attention stolen by the plum blossoms blooming behind his back.
‘It’s reaching…..’
But at that moment, Chung Myung stepped forward.
‘What?’
Thud!
Before he could even understand the situation, Chung Myung’s fully opened palm struck Jo Geol squarely on the chin. At the shock and dizziness that was enough to send his mind reeling for an instant, Jo Geol staggered and retreated several steps in succession.
Drip.
Blood flowed down from Jo Geol’s nose.
“Huh..”
Only then, understanding the situation, he let out a hollow laugh.
‘The one whose attention was stolen by the plum blossoms behind… wasn’t you, but me?’
As he laughed bitterly, he clenched his teeth so hard they ground together audibly. Self-loathing and despair at the strength of his opponent mixed together, and a heat rose within him as though he had swallowed burning charcoal.
“You…..”
Just as Jo Geol was about to raise his sword once more, a voice so cold it seemed all the emotion had been carved out of it, dug into his ears.
“Pouring it all out at once and feeling refreshed, that wouldn’t be bad either.”
Jo Geol came to an abrupt halt.
It was not mockery. Nor was it advice casually tossed his way. The swordsman before his eyes was still looking at him with the same gaze as a moment ago.
From those brief words, Jo Geol realized what he had been doing just now.
‘Was I trying to decide the outcome of this match right now?’
Had he been planning to vent his frustrations while facing an opponent against whom he could finally swing his sword without restraint?
No, that was absolutely not it.
Jo Geol slowly steadied his breathing. Then he fixed his somewhat calmer eyes on Chung Myung again. Only then did Chung Myung nod faintly.
Jo Geol’s sword slowly traced Hwasan’s opening stance. Gently, almost as though taking its first steps, it lightly prodded at Chung Myung.
The sword, which had been unfolding slowly and lightly, gradually began to gain speed. The sword, accelerating again and again, soon began repeating the sword form that had been the same as at the beginning at a fearsome speed.
Chung Myung narrowed his eyes.
It was a speed so extreme that even Chung Myung, who had prepared himself for it, found his breath catching for a moment.
But Chung Myung knew. He knew the real thing lay elsewhere.
Paat.
The swift sword, fast enough to seem almost excessive, began to show an abrupt change. The sword path that had been coming straight in suddenly curved, then rushed towards Chung Myung’s neck.
Chung Myung quickly drew back his sword and blocked the incoming sword energy. Had he not known beforehand and prepared for it, even Chung Myung would certainly have been caught off guard.
Having drawn back his sword, Chung Myung watched the flying sword energies closely. One by one, the sword energies began to stray from their paths. The moment Jo Geol released the sword he had been restraining with all his strength, dozens of sword energies shot towards Chung Myung all twisting wildly in midair however they pleased.
Watching this, Chung Myung could not help but let out a hollow laugh.
‘This is, just completely…’
Chung Myung’s sword released stream after stream of crimson plum blossoms.
‘…an Evil Sect’s sword.’
Kagagagagang!
Dozens of streaks of sword energy, drawing chilling trajectories, were blocked by the plum-blossom sword energy. Yet even amid that clash, several sword energies carrying substantial force pierced through the thin plum blossom sword energy and ultimately grazed Chung Myung’s body.
Slice.
The hem of his clothes was cut, and a faint red line was drawn across his body. Chung Myung’s smile deepened even further.
What would Chung Mun, who had clicked his tongue at Chung Myung’s sword and said it was full of evil energy, have said if he saw this sword? Would he still have acknowledged it as Hwasan’s sword, or would he have condemned it as heretical and tried to suppress it?
Well, in truth, there was no particular need to worry about that. Chung Mun was no longer here, and the one judging this sword was none other than Chung Myung.
“Haaaaaap!”
In that instant, Jo Geol’s sword flew straight towards Chung Myung, carrying tremendous force. Red sword energy scattered crimson plum petals like lingering afterimages along its trajectory.
Chung Myung bared his teeth and swung his own sword with all his might towards Jo Geol’s sword.
Kwaaaaaang!
Jo Geol’s body was flung backward like an arrow loosed from a bow.
Even after rolling across the ground several times, Jo Geol, unable to fully withstand that force, clutched his wrist and let out a groan.
“Uugh…. Thought it was going to break.”
But that lasted only a moment. He sprang up from where he was and asked with a face full of expectation.
“How is it?”
“Hmm.”
Chung Myung smirked.
“A swift sword you can’t control yourself is no different from a killing sword. It’ll kill your opponent, and someday, it’ll kill your fellow disciples too.”
Jo Geol, looking slightly dejected, nodded.
“I know. That’s why I’m troubled.”
“…”
“Would it be better to give up on this sword after all? No matter how I think about it, it seems like those Sapa bastards influenced me far too much.”
“Sapa?”
“That’s how it is, isn’t it?”
Jo Geol clicked his tongue bitterly.
“After slaughtering each other so relentlessly, it’s only natural for killing intent to seep into my sword.”
Chung Myung stared blankly at Jo Geol, then burst out laughing.
“Why are you laughing?”
“Cut it out, idiot.”
Chung Myung let out a deep sigh.
“A great tree does not become a reed just because it suffers under hail, is battered by wind, or even ends up burned by spreading flames. Its roots are different from the start.”
“Huh?”
“Your sword came from Hwasan, Sahyeong. I’m saying it doesn’t become a Sapa’s sword just because you went through a few things like that.”
Jo Geol stared blankly at Chung Myung, then nodded with a stiff expression.
“….Then why is this happening? A killing sword keeps bursting out on its own, and I can’t control it.”
“Because you’re trying to control it.”
“What are you talking about? It’s dangerous if I don’t control it.”
“That’s not the real problem.”
“Huh?”
Chung Myung stretched his sword straight out in front of him.
“You make plum blossoms bloom from the tip of your sword. It’s not a bad idea.”
“It just sort of came out by accident while I was…”
“But why does it have to be that way?”
“…Huh?”
“Sahyeong, do you know when plum blossoms bloom?”
“What kind of obvious thing are you saying? Plum blossoms bloom from early spring.”
Chung Myung shook his head.
“No. I’m asking if you know when each and every plum blossom opens its bud.”
“……That’s.”
Jo Geol closed his mouth. Was there anyone in the world who had ever deliberately watched such a thing with their own eyes?
“That’s how blooming works. When you try to see it, you can’t, but before you know it, flowers have bloomed, and before you know it, they have already withered away. You could call it countless fleeting instants, I suppose.”
As Jo Geol listened to Chung Myung, his mouth fell slightly open. Chung Myung continued speaking calmly.
“You can’t force flowers to bloom according to your will. You adjust yourself to it. If the flower wants to bloom, then leave it be. But you insist on forcibly stopping it and controlling it, so…”
Chung Myung stopped speaking and looked at Jo Geol.
Jo Geol was staring at the distant sky, frozen like a stone statue. Without anyone noticing, he had already abandoned the conversation and sunk deep into contemplation.
Yoon Jong sighed and approached.
“So standing guard falls on me again.”
“Will you be all right?”
“Cleaning up after my Saje must be the duty of a senior. If I’d known it would be like this, I should have entered the sect as the youngest.”
“Wouldn’t that have been even more terrifying?”
“Ugh. That’s true too.”
Yoon Jong plopped down beside Jo Geol and sat cross-legged. Chung Myung was about to say something to him, but Yoon Jong spoke first.
“I’m saying this just in case, but don’t jump to conclusions.”
“…What are you talking about all of a sudden?”
“I’m not hoping for anything like this.”
Yoon Jong shrugged.
“If there is someone walking a new path, then there also needs to be someone who stubbornly walks the existing one. That’s what a sect is.”
“That wasn’t really what I was going to say.”
“I’m saying it just in case.”
Yoon Jong smiled softly.
“Go on. You must be busy.”
“Yeah.”
Chung Myung left Jo Geol and Yoon Jong behind and took a few steps before turning his head.
“Sahyeong.”
“Yeah?”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it.”
After taking a few more steps, Chung Myung looked back at the two of them once again.
Jo Geol, gazing at the distant sky, and Yoon Jong, seated beside him like a great tree. Strangely, that sight lodged itself deeply in Chung Myung’s mind.
After watching them for a long while, Chung Myung turned away with a faint smile.
Since when had those small trees grown so tall?
There was a strange lightness in Chung Myung’s steps as he walked away.
Special Spinoff Chapter 44 >>>
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*신선 – Taosit (usually hermit) sage/immortal with miraculous powers. Celestial/divine being.
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