Chapter 42

42. Back then, we were innocent.

As time passed, Pae San Do's saber techniques became more and more aggressive, relentlessly pressing against Gohak Geom's sword.

Clang, clang, clang.

Gohak Geom's sword, like a candle in the wind, seemed precarious, unable to catch a breath amidst the relentless attacks.

However, the onlookers chattered, saying, "Pae San Do's saber techniques are bold, and Gohak Geom's sword techniques are delicate, making it seem like a close fight."

Despite the onlookers' descriptions, the saber was clearly overpowering the sword.

From the confident expression on Pae San Do's face, it seemed he knew that Gohak Geom was no match for him.

The problem was that Pae San Do's momentum was only growing stronger, even though the outcome was already clear.

To make matters worse, a pale aura enveloped Pae San Do's saber in an instant.

Even in a situation where the outcome was already decided, he had secretly poured his inner strength into the saber.

Clang.

Unable to withstand the force of the saber, Gohak Geom's sword was knocked back.

At the same time, Pae San Do, like a ghost, brushed past Gohak Geom and struck his saber diagonally.

"Ah!"

Thud.

The saber cut through Gohak Geom's chest, and a shrill scream erupted from his lips.

While there is no room for mercy in the battles of martial artists, there is an unwritten rule among peers not to aim for each other's lives. Gohak Geom had such vague expectations.

However, Pae San Do's eyes were filled with murderous intent.

Naturally, Gohak Geom, thinking his chest had been split open, froze in an instant.

Seeing this, Yeon Jikha shook his head.

"Tsk tsk! No presence of mind."

That's the difference between a master and a novice. Cheon Ji Sang said that one should never lose one's composure in any situation. This applies not only when you have cut down your opponent.

Even if you are struck by a sword, you must not let your mind waver. If you lose your strength as if the world has ended after being hit by a sword, it will lead to death. Gohak Geom was alive, but he was as good as dead.

Gohak Geom looked down at his chest with a dazed expression.

He expected his chest to be split open, but to his surprise, it was intact.

At that moment, Pae San Do quickly retracted his saber and shouted.

"Who are you, honored sir?"

However, no one stepped forward.

Pae San Do looked around nervously.

'Who could have done this...'

The thought of the coin embedded in the saber blade sent shivers down his spine.

To embed a coin in a saber blade with a lightning-fast strike! What a formidable master!

After waiting for a while with no response, Pae San Do said, looking around.

"The fight became intense, and I inadvertently used a lethal technique. Whoever you are, I am grateful for preventing a tragedy."

The onlookers murmured at Pae San Do's sudden actions.

Only then did they realize something had happened to Pae San Do.

Pae San Do turned his gaze to Gohak Geom.

"Gohak Geom, you're lucky. We'll end it here today. From now on, don't draw your sword recklessly."

"..."

Gohak Geom, with a dejected face, said nothing. Knowing that Pae San Do's skills were far superior to his, he could only endure.

Pae San Do left with an unsatisfied expression.

As the fight ended, the onlookers began to disperse.

Walking along the main road, Yeon Jikha casually said to the Five Peaks' Heroes.

"When using a sword, you shouldn't pour all your strength into one strike and then stand there dumbfounded. If you do, like that Gohak Geom, you'll be in trouble even if you have multiple lives."

Ha So-baek laughed and asked.

"Wasn't the coin embedded in Pae San Do's saber blade thrown by you, brother?"

"Yes. Whether it's the righteous or the unrighteous, they all seem to be ready to fight to the death."

"Maybe he got carried away in the heat of the moment."

Shim Yang-gak, who had spent a long time in the underworld, laughed lightly.

"Ha ha, that's just an excuse. Pae San Do seemed to have intended to kill from the start. The righteous often pretend to be virtuous in front of others."

"Really? Why would he do that? There's no reason to, right?"

"Either he has a grudge against Gohak Geom, or Pae San Do is a bit crazy, or there's some unknown reason."

"Complicated. It's complicated."

Ha So-baek, shaking his head, turned to Yeon Jikha.

"Did you help because you knew about this, brother?"

"No. I just saw that Pae San Do was showing his true colors and decided to teach him a lesson."

"Is that all? No other reason?"

"Yes. I hate deceit. If you're going to kill, do it openly. Otherwise, don't. I can't stand hypocrisy."

"I thought you helped because you felt sorry for Gohak Geom."

"What's there to feel sorry for when you draw your sword first in front of a master? It's like a puppy not knowing the fear of a tiger. If you keep living like that, you'll end up getting killed in a dark alley."

"True, if you hadn't helped today, he would have died. But brother, how do you know if someone is a master without fighting them?"

"Well, I tend to avoid people who give me a bad feeling."

"Have you met such a person?"

"Yes, just one."

Thinking of the Green Forest Chief, Ba Chien Majun, Yeon Jikha shuddered.

"Wow. I've lived without any such feelings."

Han Chae-yeon interjected.

"You might end up in trouble. Don't draw your sword in front of just anyone. Did you see that man?"

"Hey, isn't it more important for you to be careful?"

Feeling a bit stung, Han Chae-yeon shrugged and muttered.

"Ha! When will we ever be called masters?"

"Even before that, when I draw my sword, I can hear my heart pounding in my ears."

Yeon Jikha said to the two women.

"When I first fought with a sword, I thought my heart was going to jump out of my throat."

Ha So-baek's eyes widened.

"Really? Even a master like you?"

"I spent ten years in a strange place, practicing martial arts. Back then, I could maintain my composure and presence of mind. But when I actually had to use a real sword, I could hear sounds I had never heard before."

"Did someone talk to you?"

"No, just a 'beep' sound."

"Wow, you must have lived a good life. I wasn't that bad, though."

"Back then, we were innocent."

Yeon Jikha's serious tone made Shim Yang-gak glance at him.

These young people, just seventeen or eighteen, were talking as if they had lived a lifetime. It made him want to join in, but he couldn't. Martial arts seem to make people quite cynical.

***

Hefei.

Nangong Family's Guest Hall.

Around noon, the head of Seungcheon Gate, Magun, visited the Sword King Nangong Bok.

Nangong Bok looked at Magun with a puzzled expression, not understanding why Magun, who rarely visited, had come.

Seemingly in a hurry, Magun spoke as soon as he sat down.

"Nangong Daxia, I need your help."

"Ha ha. Seeing you speak before you even catch your breath, it must be quite urgent."

"Actually, one of my disciples went missing a few days ago."

"And?"

Nangong Bok couldn't understand why Magun was telling him this. Matters of the martial world were usually handled by the Justice Alliance in Nanjing.

"I have sent someone to the Justice Alliance, but I can't feel at ease with just that."

"Is there something the Nangong Family can do to help?"

"I would like to seek the advice of your daughter."

"Hmm!"

Nangong Bok let out a sigh.

Now he saw that Magun needed the help of his daughter, known as 'Hwa Yong Dok Sim.'

However, Nangong Bok didn't immediately agree.

He wanted to hear the details of the matter before deciding whether to call his daughter.

"Let me hear the details first, and then we can talk."

"Ah, yes. Let me briefly explain. Four days ago, one of my disciples left home to go to Seungcheon Gate and then disappeared. If that was all, we could wait for the results of the Justice Alliance's investigation, but... I've heard some strange rumors recently."

"What kind of rumors?"

"I heard that the Biryong Gate from Henan is coming to our sect. They say they are here to help us, but I don't know the Biryong Gate. When my disciple went missing, I started to wonder if there was a connection."

"So, you don't know the Biryong Gate, but there's a rumor that they are coming to help Seungcheon Gate?"

"Yes. Doesn't that mean something is about to happen to our Seungcheon Gate? I'm worried that my disciple's disappearance might be related to this."

"That is indeed strange."

"I'm frustrated, so I came to seek your daughter's opinion."

"What did the Justice Alliance say about the Biryong Gate?"

The Justice Alliance, being a coalition of the righteous, had information on the martial sects in Henan.

"They said they don't know the Biryong Gate. It could be a newly formed sect or a fake name..."

"Ha! That's ambiguous."

"The Justice Alliance just said to wait and see, so I'm frustrated."

"I understand. Please wait a moment."

Nangong Bok sent a servant to call Nangong Yan to the main hall.

However, his eldest son, Nangong Cheon, also came running.

'Why did he come when I didn't call him? He always sticks his nose where it doesn't belong. Tsk tsk!'

While he understood the affection for his younger sister, it felt like having a busybody. Nangong Bok, inwardly sighing, introduced the two to Magun.

"Magun Daxia, these are my son and daughter. Please introduce yourselves. This is Magun Daxia, the head of Seungcheon Gate."

"I am Nangong Cheon. I have heard much about you. I look forward to your guidance."

"..."

Unlike his brother, who greeted politely, Nangong Yan briefly made eye contact and then turned away.

As the two sat opposite each other, Magun looked at Nangong Yan with curiosity. Normally, he would have focused on Nangong Cheon, the young master, but today was an exception.

Hwa Yong Dok Sim.

Nangong Yan, at nineteen, was as beautiful as her nickname suggested, "a beauty who can read hearts."

However, some people call her Dok Sim (獨心), meaning "solitary heart," because she lives isolated from others.

Even now, though sitting together, Nangong Yan seemed distant, as if in a different place. This is why people play word games with her nickname.

"Yan, Magun Daxia has come to seek your advice. Please speak freely."

Only then did Nangong Yan meet Magun's eyes.

Facing the expressionless Nangong Yan, Magun hesitated to speak.

But a thirsty person must dig a well.

Magun forced a smile and said.

"Miss, you are as beautiful as I've heard. I am Magun, the head of Seungcheon Gate. It would be a great help if you could assist me this once. I will never forget your kindness."

"..."

Nangong Yan listened without blinking.

Seeing no response, Magun quickly got to the point.

"...I have told the Justice Alliance about the Biryong Gate and my missing disciple. They said the Biryong Gate could be a new sect or a fake name. I want to know if this is the work of the Biryong Gate or if they are truly here to help Seungcheon Gate. I also want to know what happened to my disciple."

Magun looked at Nangong Yan with hopeful eyes.

In Nangok Ryeongsung, the name Hwa Yong Dok Sim was as famous as the Nangong Family.

It was said that nothing was unsolvable when she took charge.

With her exceptional memory and intelligence, she knew everything, and now she is even called Wu Bu Tong Zhi (無不通知), meaning "omniscient."