Chapter 19. Hyuk Dae-woong

Taang!

Sword and sword clashed.

Unable to withstand the impact of the collision, Seonwoo Hyeop’s body flew up. He only managed to land after being pushed back a considerable distance.

“Do you understand now?”

“…I apologize, Big Brother.”

Seonwoo Hyeop lowered his head.

“No matter how many times we clash, it seems this foolish younger brother will not be able to properly grasp the difference between the Azure River Sword Style and the Azure River Flowing Leaf Sword Style.”

“…There is no need to be anxious. Since they are sword styles that split from the same root, it is natural to feel that way.”

Seonwoo Byeok sheathed his sword.

The Seonwoo Clan’s Azure River Sword Style and the direct lineage’s secret Azure River Flowing Leaf Sword Style were, in fact, just one sword art divided into two for the convenience of training.

Sword-Drawing and Sword-Withdrawal.

The sword that goes from me to the opponent.

The sword that returns from the opponent to me.

Possessing nine directions between the opponent and myself, one freely comes and goes, creating a suitable sword path at every moment.

And on top of that, one chooses and adds from the Sword-Drawing Form’s Straight, Fast, Strong, and the Sword-Withdrawal Form’s Curve, Change, Yielding, a total of six groups.

However, if there was a crucial difference.

“If the Azure River Sword Style emphasizes the continuous connection between techniques, the essence of the Azure River Flowing Leaf Sword Style lies in pouring one entire group into a single strike.”

“……”

“Through the connection of the Azure River Sword Style, you open the opponent’s weakness, and through the single strike of the Azure River Flowing Leaf Sword Style, you decide the match. The sword of the Seonwoo Clan is—”

Teobeok teobeok.

Seonwoo Hyeop, with listless steps, turned his back on Seonwoo Byeok. Teolseok. He collapsed onto a chair on the outskirts of the training ground.

Seonwoo Byeok stopped speaking.

He followed behind Seonwoo Hyeop and sat down on the chair next to him.

Seonwoo Hyeop’s breathing was raggedly composing itself. On the other hand, Seonwoo Byeok’s breathing was not disturbed at all.

“…Big Brother, did you know?”

“Know what?”

Again, Seonwoo Hyeop broke the silence.

“That you become incredibly talkative only when you talk about the sword.”

“……”

Hahat. Seonwoo Hyeop laughed awkwardly.

“It seems I am excessively untalented. I felt the limits of my ability just by polishing the Azure River Sword Style, but thanks to being born as the head’s legitimate son, it feels like my crotch is about to tear.”

“…To unfold the Azure River Flowing Leaf Sword Style, a deep understanding of the groups is important. I too, after hitting a wall several times, barely managed to—”

“You are humble, Big Brother.”

Suddenly, Seonwoo Hyeop spoke in a low voice.

“But Big Brother, excessive humility only pains the hearts of those who follow.”

“……”

Hyeop was no longer a child.

His younger brother was growing up so fast that he could feel the difference between yesterday and today.

From time to time, Seonwoo Byeok felt a sense of unfamiliarity from his younger brother.

“Big Brother, you will soon become the young master of the main family, won’t you?”

Seonwoo Hyeop spoke as if letting slip a trivial matter.

Seonwoo Byeok’s wavering gaze turned to his younger brother.

“Ahaha, how could I not know? Rumors are already rampant within the clan. Even if they weren’t, it’s far more reasonable than someone like me inheriting the family’s great enterprise.”

“…Hyeop.”

“I do not resent you, Big Brother. What meaning would there be in blaming my own shortcomings on you?”

“……”

A short silence flowed between the brothers.

It was a topic the two had tried not to mention for a long time.

But today’s Seonwoo Hyeop seemed to have no intention of stopping. He continued speaking as if he had been honing this moment.

“Big Brother, do you love this clan?”

“……”

Seonwoo Byeok thought.

The illegitimate son of the clan head. The child of a maid.

From the moment he was born, Seonwoo Byeok was a shameful existence that had to be hidden, and no one acknowledged him.

So, Seonwoo Byeok swung his sword. He closed the door to his heart and poured everything into the sword in his hand.

And as a result, Seonwoo Byeok gradually began to gain recognition from those around him.

Everyone acknowledged Seonwoo Byeok’s sword as outstanding, and finally, through the sword, Seonwoo Byeok acquired the status of the clan head’s son posthumously.

Therefore, Seonwoo Byeok loved the sword of the Seonwoo Clan.

But Hyeop’s gaze was quite heavy, and the answer his younger brother wanted was probably not that.

So Seonwoo Byeok considered it deeply.

“…I am not sure.”

“I see. I love it.”

“……”

“So I, from behind you, Big Brother, intend to do everything I can for the clan.”

For a moment, Seonwoo Hyeop’s eyes shone.

“Not just in this Yunnan Province, but further, until our Seonwoo Clan’s name echoes throughout the world, to every corner of the world.”

“…Hyeop.”

“So, for me, Big Brother, you must become a stronger swordsman than anyone else. A sword of Seonwoo that will never break, whether the opponent is Wudang or Namgung or whatever.”

“……”

“I will protect your back with all my might, so you, Big Brother, please protect this clan. Do you understand?”

Seonwoo Byeok looked at his younger brother.

In the past, Hyeop was weak. The child in his memory was always crying, unable to bear the weight of the sword, and crushed by the gazes directed at the legitimate son.

But he was also the child who, from the moment he himself was not yet acknowledged by anyone, had called him Big Brother and followed him with small steps.

“…I will try.”

***

Taang!

“Take this, Azure River Training Sword Style! Sword-Drawing!”

“Kyaak! You pig! Where’s the swordsmanship in that! It’s just like beating laundry with a stick!”

Taang, taang, taang!

“Ah, shut up! Winning is all that matters! Sword-Drawing! Sword-Withdrawal! Sword-Drawing! Sword-Withdrawal! Sword-Drawing! Sword-Withdrawal! Sword-Drawing! Sword-Withdrawal! Swo—”

“Ah, this is really!”

Ppaak!

“Kkeuak!”

Wang Suyeon, who had been continuously retreating from Jang Seok-du’s barrage of wooden sword strikes, kicked Jang Seok-du’s shin with the tip of her foot.

Teolseok. Jang Seok-du collapsed, clutching his shin. As he rolled around, he glanced at Lee Byeok.

“……”

Hleutgeut. As if by appointment, Wang Suyeon’s gaze also turned towards Lee Byeok.

“……”

Lee Byeok thought.

He felt like he knew. The children were now trying to make him laugh.

It was a bit awkward, but… it would probably be best to laugh somehow. Lee Byeok showed a smile.

Ssiik.

Jang Seok-du’s and Wang Suyeon’s faces simultaneously turned pale.

“Hi-Hiik! Big brother! I’m sorry!”

“O-Oppa! I was wrong…! Please don’t kill Seok-du! It was all my idea! I’ll never play around with swordsmanship again!”

“……”

Lee Byeok spent a while sweating profusely, trying to explain his expression.

The children shuddered as if they had seen something they shouldn't have.

“Oppa, but are you really okay?”

Wang Suyeon, who had been stealthily watching him, threw out a question.

“…What do you mean?”

“The wound, it still hurts a little, doesn’t it?”

“No, if it’s about that, I’m fine.”

After the clash with the disciples of Qingcheng at the Gathering Lake market, Lee Byeok, who had been carried back to the village unconscious, was bedridden for a few more days.

That was the end of it.

With Lee Jincheon’s treatment, the sword wound healed quickly, and in less than ten days, Lee Byeok was able to get up from his bed.

As if nothing had happened.

“……”

Wang Suyeon’s gaze turned sullen.

In fact, Lee Byeok himself knew that he was not okay.

After returning from Gathering Lake, Lee Byeok had been continuously dreaming of the past.

Memories that now held no meaning.

But Lee Byeok did not know how to deal with those meaningless things.

He tried to calm his mind with the sword as always, but the distracting thoughts would not disappear.

Every morning was heavy, and his mind wavered. Sometimes, even when he was awake, Lee Byeok lost his sense of reality.

He didn't even know the reason why.

The only clue was the thought that it was somehow related to the two previous experiences where he had drawn out his inner energy, however briefly.

But even after pondering it, it was difficult to see any connection between them.

The memories grew clearer with time.

It felt as if he was paying the price for the power he had used.

He had no choice but to endure.

Urururu.

Just then, with a boisterous noise, the children came flocking out from inside.

They were the children who had been learning writing from Jaegal Somi.

“…I’ll be going, oppa.”

Wang Suyeon, with a complicated expression, bowed her head. She turned and mixed in with the children, leaving through the gate.

Wang Suyeon was sensitive.

It seemed she was feeling, in her own way, that Lee Byeok’s condition was not very good.

Or perhaps it meant that he himself was unable to hide his turmoil.

Watching her retreating back, Lee Byeok suddenly realized that Jang Seok-du had not left with Wang Suyeon.

Jang Seok-du, whose eyes met Lee Byeok’s, swallowed dryly.

As if he had made up his mind, he came up close to Lee Byeok.

“Big brother. I know this is going to sound really, really funny and presumptuous of me to say, but……”

“…What is it?”

“I want to become strong. Not just strong, but really, incredibly strong.”

Jang Seok-du scratched his cheek as if embarrassed.

“You might see me as just a kid now, Big brother. But I want to become incredibly strong… and protect everyone in this village that I love.”

“……”

“O-Of course, it’ll be difficult for me to become as strong as you Brothers and Sisters… but still! If something like that happens again, someday, I want to be able to help, not be a burden……!”

Bulge. Jang Seok-du’s fist tightened.

Children grow. The recent events, in particular, could not have been nothing to Jang Seok-du.

Suddenly, Lee Byeok thought.

Jang Seok-du was the same age as Seonwoo Hyeop.

Taang!

“Hahat, the kid’s saying some admirable things, huh? You’re going to protect us? Does that mean you’ve gotten a bit of a big head now?”

Just then, a hand like a cauldron lid patted Jang Seok-du’s back.

“Brother D-Dae-woong! That’s not it!”

“Getting stronger is good, of course, it’s good! But Seok-du, I’m actually a little hurt. We’ve spent so much time together, but you’re only sticking to Byeok. Does that mean you’ve mastered the Three Talents Sword now? Huh? How about a duel for old time’s sake?”

Kkulkeok!

Jang Seok-du swallowed his saliva.

Soon, his pupils began to tremble.

He flailed his arms and legs, trying to say something, before hastily bowing his head.

“I-I, today, I suddenly have a stomachache…! I’ll be going now! Goodbye, Big brothers!”

Hwik. Jang Seok-du turned around so fast it made a whooshing sound. Padadadak. He disappeared out the gate.

“Hahat, what a cute kid.”

“……”

“What do you think of that kid, Byeok?”

Hyuk Dae-woong asked with a smiling face.

“…He has talent.”

Jang Seok-du had martial talent.

Although he wasn't a prodigy of the ages, his talent was enough to be welcomed in any martial arts hall if he left the village.

“Right? I thought so too. I really wanted to teach him my spear arts, but… I have my own circumstances.”

Hyuk Dae-woong scratched his head.

Of course, it wasn't incomprehensible.

Secret martial arts were not to be carelessly leaked.

“Well, but just because you have talent doesn't mean you have to become a martial artist. In fact, a half-baked martial art is a shortcut to ruining your life.”

“……”

“I’m serious. That’s what I think. But maybe that kid, this time, has found his own reason to become stronger.”

Of course, Jang Seok-du was already learning the Azure River Training Sword Style from Lee Byeok.

But that was, in the end, just the ‘form’.

Martial arts were fundamentally teachings that surpassed the body’s limits through the harmony of inner energy and form.

Learning only the form of techniques without accumulating inner energy was ultimately only half the picture.

Although he was a bit old to start learning an inner energy cultivation method from the basics now… he was in a much better condition than those who had lost their Qi Centers.

“But even so, whether it’s right to teach that kid inner energy… I still don’t know.”

Hyuk Dae-woong said in a rather serious voice. Lee Byeok also understood the meaning of his words.

Possessing power sometimes resulted in one’s life flowing in a strange direction, regardless of one’s own will.

“No, well. More than that, I don’t know if I’m in any position to talk about passing on inner energy to anyone else right now.”

“…I see.”

The two of them chuckled.

It was a matter to think about in various ways.

Suddenly, the bandage wrapped around Hyuk Dae-woong’s chest inside his shirt came into Lee Byeok’s view.

“Hyuk Dae-woong, are you alright now?”

“No, that’s what I should be asking you. Are you going to treat me like a patient for months just because I got scratched by a damn puppy’s claws?”

“……”

A damn puppy.

As far as Lee Byeok remembered, Hyuk Dae-woong’s condition was a serious injury to the point where his bones were exposed.

But it was also true that the current Hyuk Dae-woong looked perfectly fine.

Ppudeudeuk!

“By the way, summer is at its end.”

Hyuk Dae-woong stretched.

As he said, the sky had grown higher. The warmth was gradually disappearing from the wind that blew.

“Byeok. I’ve been lying around all the time, so I’m getting antsy. Want to go chop some wood together?”

“…Wood?”

“Yeah, it’s probably best to do it in advance. Winter comes in the blink of an eye in these mountains.”

Kkuuk kkuuk. Hyuk Dae-woong said as he twisted the joints of his shoulders, waist, and his whole body.

“I actually have something I want to talk about too.”

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