2 – 01# Nine Deaths, One Life (2)

Realm.

It was a concept encapsulating the skill a martial artist painstakingly honed throughout their life. At the same time, it was a goal every martial artist yearned to reach – to ascend to greater heights.

The level where one could barely control inner energy, a state hardly deserving of the title, was commonly referred to as third-rate. Understanding rudimentary forms and beginning to manipulate inner energy marked the realm of second-rate.

Only upon reaching the second-rate did one truly earn recognition as a martial artist. Even at this level, ordinary folk wouldn’t dare to challenge them. Yet, the gap between second-rate and first-rate was even more profound.

It wasn’t merely about controlling inner energy, but about truly grasping the meaning embedded within the martial arts one had learned. To wield the hidden, ultimate techniques with some proficiency.

That was what they called first-rate.

Even if the form was the same, the profound enlightenment and skilled application of inner energy made a first-rate master’s technique immeasurably superior to that of a second-rate practitioner.

And first-rate masters recognized their own kind. Though he had only just planted a foot into that first-rate realm, Muyong Hyun, precisely because of that, could vaguely discern the opponent’s level.

Especially that Deaju, as the assassins called him. He was, at the very least, a first-rate master. Otherwise, he could never have wielded the Muyong Clan’s secret techniques with such perfection.

Even within the Muyong Clan, a pillar of the Five Great Houses, first-rate masters were not commonplace. The number of martial artists affiliated with the Muyong Clan who had reached that level was roughly forty.

Even that number dwindled to thirty if you excluded those, like Muyong Hyun himself, who were merely on the cusp of the first-rate realm. Still, it had been enough to parry Deaju’s techniques.

But his inner energy, and even his understanding and mastery of the forms, were overwhelmingly superior. He couldn’t last. He was dragged along until he was ultimately defeated.

Of course, considering Muyong Hyun was only twenty years old, it was a remarkable achievement. But if that passing old man hadn’t intervened, it would have been all for naught.

His immense talent would have withered before it could blossom. At first, he’d felt a pang of realization. Was his recklessness about to cause the death of an innocent?

‘I, Muyong Hyun, the young lord of the Muyong Clan, a pillar of the righteous martial alliance, have dragged an innocent bystander into this… I am ashamed.’

Despite the shame that shook him, Muyong Hyun refused to lose focus. Seizing the opportunity when Deaju’s attention shifted to the old master, he prepared to unleash his final technique, resolved to go down with the enemy.

‘At the very least, I will not allow innocent blood to be shed.’

Bearing that desperate resolve in his heart, he reached for his sword. But what followed was an unbelievable spectacle, even to Muyong Hyun himself. Of course, he had known the old master was no ordinary man.

An old man wandering the mountain path alone, late at night, in a place so deserted? Had no one else been able to see him, he would have suspected a ghost.

But the odds of a first-rate master, capable of turning the tide of this disastrous battle, just happening to pass by were too improbable. He had resigned himself to a suicidal strike.

Yet in that instant, Mo Yong-hyeon witnessed it clearly with his own two eyes. The old man’s sword, drawn from his waist like a flash of light, sliced through Dae-ju’s neck with a lightness akin to cutting through radish, an unbelievable sight.

One might say, what’s so difficult about a sword cleaving flesh? But to sever a human being with a blade is never an easy feat. Especially when the opponent is a warrior of the first-rate.

First-rate warriors, owing to their accumulated external prowess, possess bodies stronger than steel. Furthermore, mastering the manipulation of inner force, they can surround their bodies with qi like a suit of armor, blocking enemy attacks.

This is called Protective Qi.

Even in fights between first-rate warriors, it was one reason why battles rarely ended swiftly. Yet the old man, with a single stroke. A mere drawing of his blade, had decapitated Dae-ju.

‘I thought he was no ordinary individual, but to behead a first-rate warrior with nothing more than a basic drawing technique, without even using stances properly… Although he did not display the Sword Aura, the hallmark of mastery, he is surely a master who has reached the pinnacle…!!’

This was no exaggeration. According to Mo Yong-hyeon’s understanding, the only ones capable of easily severing the head of a first-rate master without even using techniques were those who had reached the pinnacle of skill.

And unless blessed by heaven, even among the Five Great Clans, there would be at most two or three who had reached the pinnacle. To be aided by such a pinnacle master?

This was a stroke of fortune indeed.

‘Judging by his lack of Sword Aura, is he only a second-rate warrior? Still, luck was on my side.’

Of course, the other party harbored entirely different thoughts.

◇

The tide of battle turned in an instant. Upon seeing their leader’s head fall, the assassins were greatly dismayed. Taking advantage of this opening, the youth’s group, who had requested my aid, launched a counterattack and seized victory.

His voice was full of confidence, and he strode forward with an air of great importance. I was certain he had something to rely on. But to think he was merely second-rate, incapable of even using Sword Aura.

But I couldn’t say I didn’t understand. In martial arts novels, there are realms like Hwagyeong, Hyeonkyeong, Saengsakyeong, and even the natural realm, going as far as Noejeol. But those are merely tales of the martial world.

I didn’t know exactly where in the mountains I was, but at least it wasn’t the stage one would call the Central Plains martial world. It was more akin to a rural area than anything else.

‘Even if the realm of first-rate is as common as dogs and pigs in modern martial arts novels, a first-rate master is still first-rate. It would be troublesome if first-rate masters were rolling around even in a rural place like this.’

Therefore, I concluded that these masked men were mere bandits. Forest brigands at best. And the people who had almost been killed by them were travelling merchants from a minor trade guild.

“We are truly grateful for your assistance, Daehyeop. Though I am inadequate, I am Mo Yong-hyeon, the young master of the Mo Yong Clan.”

“…….”

Thanks to that, when the youth, who seemed to be the leader, introduced himself as from the Mo Yong Clan, I was honestly a bit taken aback. Depending on the story, the Mo Yong Clan usually appears as one of the Five Great Clans.

But, while it’s a bit rude to say, for the young master of the Mo Yong Clan, no less, to be this weak… I couldn’t help but feel a bit sorry for him.

However, I didn’t voice it directly to his face. The other party was the young master of the Mo Yong Clan, one of the Five Great Clans. While there was no need to cater to his feelings, there was no need to make things unpleasant.

“May I ask Daehyeop for your esteemed name?”

“Call me Mumyeong.”

[I trust in you, and I leave the name Mumyeong with you. Please, fulfill our long-held wish on our behalf.]

It wasn’t as if I answered with a pseudonym. The name Mumyeong was the name the old man had bestowed upon me. The old man was a benefactor who had saved my life, and essentially played the role of my parents.

I had no intention of abandoning the name the old man had given me. However, there was one thing that bothered me. Our long-held wish… What exactly was that wish?

“I understand, Daehyeop.”

“What do you intend to do from now on?”

“First, we must gather the bodies of those brave warriors who fought, and then return to the Murong Clan.”

“Was it not a purpose that spurred you to assemble this caravan?”

“Yes, that is so. But with enemies at our backs, how can we hope to achieve anything great?”

It seems this ambush was orchestrated from within the Murong Clan itself. To send assassins to eliminate the young clan head… Truly, the Five Great Clans are a fractured lot.

After offering his gratitude, Murong Xuan immediately began collecting the bodies of his fallen men. I heard that nearly twenty young warriors tragically lost their lives in this attack.

Once they had recovered all their own, they gathered the corpses of the assassins who had also perished in the fighting. He intended to use these remains to unmask the traitors within the Murong Clan.

“I thank you once more. I implore you, please accept this small token of our gratitude.”

“…Small? You call this small?”

“Great Hero, you have safeguarded the future of the Murong Clan. I am only ashamed that this is all we can offer you at present.”

The gifts he presented as recompense for saving his life consisted of what appeared to be precious porcelain boxes filled with a not-insignificant amount of silver. And even this, he insisted, was a meager offering.

“Once this matter is resolved, I will return and offer a proper reward, Great Hero.”

With those words, Murong Xuan led his people back toward the Murong Clan. I initially assumed it was just polite talk. Frankly, the repayment he had already given was more than sufficient.

But it was no empty promise. Roughly two months passed. Then, Murong Xuan truly did seek me out again. And this time, he brought a young girl with him.

“And who is this child?”

“Say hello, Su-ah. This is the Nameless Great Hero who saved your brother’s life.”

The girl had striking, short brown hair that barely brushed her shoulders. Her eyes, as sharp as if carved from jade, swept over me, scrutinizing me from head to toe. A sneer then curled upon her lips.

“Why have you brought me to this… mildew-ridden place?”

What the hell is wrong with this brat?