42 – 04# A Honeyed Mouth, a Dagger in the Heart (1)

In the *murim*, there exists something called the Hundred Greatest Masters.

Some consider it nothing more than a flashy sham, but the name is a title for the young sprouts growing in the *murim*, an encouragement from seniors who have walked the path before them.

Most martial artists with ambition aim to reach the pinnacle of martial arts, the peak of excellence. But if everyone who aspired to it could reach it, how could it be the end of the road?

It was commonplace in the *murim* for those once called geniuses to have their spirits broken by endless stagnation, and not a few among them went astray.

Therefore, the seniors who had walked the path before them established a promise to encourage their juniors. That promise was the title of Hundred Greatest Masters, intended to encourage young sprouts.

A hundred promising young martial artists, deemed most likely to reach the pinnacle. They aren’t chosen through a formal tournament, but each possesses an undeniable reputation.

The mere fact that they are seen as having the highest potential to reach the pinnacle is a measure of how much hope the martial artists of the *murim* place in these young warriors.

However, in the present *murim*, that meaning has been corrupted. Some become complacent, satisfied with simply being among the Hundred Greatest Masters. Up to that point, it isn’t really a problem.

Those who settle are pushed aside and become obsolete by those who advance.

It is the way of nature, the driving force behind progress.

However, the biggest problem is…

…that they, too, are keenly aware of this fact.

◇

Following the incident, the Seonmu Academy formally apologized to Sua and Yeon. At the same time, they even issued appropriate punishments to the disciples who had attacked my students first.

The person most surprised by this entirely unexpected outcome was none other than Namgung Yeon. Yeon was from the Namgung Clan, a pillar of the righteous martial alliance and its leader, and though not in precise detail…

…she certainly knew that the righteous faction’s higher-ups rarely apologized in person. Especially if the other party wasn’t even part of the same righteous martial alliance.

“Just what happened?!”

“We simply had a light conversation.”

“Is… is that so?”

Naturally, Yeon didn’t seem to believe me. But I couldn’t exactly tell her that four people had died, so I simply brushed it off with a vague smile.

What mattered, however, was that the instructors had recognized Sua’s accomplishments in an official setting with the Seonmu Academy. Martial artists who have reached a certain level can gauge the other’s prowess.

“To possess such talent at the mere age of sixteen…!!”

“She’s undoubtedly capable enough to enter the Hundred Grandmasters.”

“The Hundred Grandmasters…?”

Of course, I knew about the Hundred Grandmasters. However, the setting of the Hundred Grandmasters itself varies greatly from work to work; sometimes they appear as masters unattainable by ordinary martial artists…

…while other times they are simply battle power measuring tools to highlight the protagonist’s strength. Judging from this perspective, it seems that the Hundred Grandmasters here are closer to the latter.

‘To be called a Hundred Grandmaster without even being able to properly use sword ki… Or is this just the typical exaggeration of martial arts novels?’

Either way, I didn’t think it would have a particularly good influence on Sua. One must always be humble and hone oneself. If she only hears praise like that, she is bound to become arrogant.

“I have no intention of being satisfied here, Master.”

“It’s good to see you keeping yourself in check.”

“But Sua Sajae! Entering the Hundred Grandmasters at that age is absolutely not common!”

“Considering the path Master has walked, this is just a drop in the bucket.”

Fortunately, Sua was spiritually developed enough to restrain herself without me having to say anything. Her past experiences with the Moryong Clan seemed to have provided a foothold.

“I don’t know what it is, but it means Sajae did well, right?”

“Of course. You could say she brought honor to Master and all of you.”

“Forget about the Hundred Grandmasters. There’s something more important than that.”

“Are you referring to the meeting between the Moryong Clan and the righteous martial alliance?”

“That’s right. That’s not something we can simply gloss over.”

Word has it, the Moyong Clan, whose exchanges were severed in the name of history and tradition, is now resuming relations with the orthodox Murim Alliance. Well, that rumor has been circulating for ages.

“The problem is, the Seonmu Academy wants us to personally attend and grace the occasion.”

“Well, Sasu Su-a is, strictly speaking, a warrior of the Moyong Clan as well.”

“My body and soul are entirely devoted to Sifu.”

“Gasp!!”

What the hell is with the gasping?

Thanks to Su-a blurting out such nonsense, my lifespan shortened a little bit more today. Just as I was about to explain that it was obviously a lie, Seolhwa also raised her hand, eyes gleaming.

“Me too! Include me too!!”

“Of course.”

“Si-sifu, you had a secret you couldn’t tell others.”

“That’s not it.”

As a result, I had to spend a considerable amount of time dispelling Namgung Yeon’s misunderstanding. Afterwards, I gave Su-a and Seolhwa a stern scolding. Never say things that could be misconstrued by others.

“I understand what you mean.”

“I see, Sifu is embarrassed.”

“That’s not it. I’ll explain this part to you later.”

“I hope it’s a proper explanation. Anyway… what are you thinking of doing?”

Under different circumstances, I would have simply refused out of annoyance, but this matter is related to the Moyong Clan. After going through that incident, our relationship with the Moyong Clan was almost beyond collaborators, nearly akin to companions.

“To be sure, I am a little worried about my brother… but I will still follow Sifu’s will.”

“If you say it like that, how can I refuse?”

“Then…?”

“Let’s all go on an outing together, after a long time.”

“Yay!!”

“To see the Murim Alliance-organized conference as merely an outing, Sifu really is…”

Again, Namgung Yeon seems to be falling into some strange delusion.

Too bothersome to correct, I just let it go.

◇

Hundred Grandmasters.

The weight and credibility that name carries is heavier than you can imagine. Even commoners have heard of the names of the Hundred Grandmasters. So, how much credibility would it hold for Murim people?

Thanks to that, a warrior who managed to get his name listed, even at the bottom of the Hundred Grandmasters, could practically be considered successful. Whether it was a courier company or a sect, they would be treated with respect anywhere.

Ma Kang, a man at the bottom of the Hundred Grandmasters, who had the title of Black Tiger Greatsword 黑虎大劍, was also one of the warriors who made good use of the Hundred Grandmasters title.

“Haa… the taste of liquor is bitter today.”

Ma-gang, with a rough gulp of rice wine from his cup at the tavern, released a heavy sigh. Despite his massive build and ferociously shaped face, he was burdened with surprisingly numerous worries.

This damnable martial world, it seems to be overflowing with talent.

Hardly a day goes by without countless prodigies and geniuses bursting onto the scene, threatening his position. Especially that young female martial artist from Henan. She hadn’t been around long enough to earn a moniker yet.

To reach the ranks of a first-rate expert at just sixteen.

No doubt a nickname would be attached to her name soon enough.

Not only her, but other geniuses too were springing up from the bottom ranks, so naturally, the position held by Heuk-ho Dae-geom, Ma-gang, at the very bottom of the Hundred Greats, was bound to vanish.

Truth be told, Ma-gang himself had once been a promising talent. His natural physique and the monstrous strength born from it were ideal for mastering martial arts. Thanks to that, there weren’t many who could stand against him.

But as time flowed on, the situation changed. While geniuses and prodigies were advancing and progressing one after another, for some reason, Ma-gang could only remain stuck in place.

Of course, it wasn’t as if he hadn’t trained. He had earnestly practiced in his own way, and even humbled himself to seek out and serve a master with great difficulty. Though all ended in failure.

“Time is cruel. I was content just standing in this spot, but even the single thing that remains to me will soon be taken away.”

“The Black Tiger Greatsword, Ma-gang, a Hundred Greats recognized even by the Righteous Faction, why such lamentations?”

“…And who might you be?”

A woman with eye-catching, poppy-red hair tied back, dressed in silken clothes, had already seated herself across from him. Naturally, Ma-gang couldn’t help but be wary of her.

Even if he was a bit drunk, he was still undeniably a first-rate martial artist, and the Black Tiger Greatsword, Ma-gang, who, although at the bottom, had his name listed amongst the Hundred Greats. But such a he didn’t even feel her approach?

“At least a first-rate expert on par with me. No, a master of the sublime realm, perhaps? But if she were that high, there’s no way I wouldn’t recognize her face…”

“Who I am isn’t important. What *is* important, is you.”

“What does that mean?”

At those words, the red-haired woman etched a smile upon her lips. A smile so beautiful, that even Ma-gang, who usually never gave women a second glance, felt a momentary thump in his chest.

“Don’t you wish to climb to higher places?”