7 – 01# Nine Deaths, One Life (7)

It felt like the sky was collapsing. The fear of falling into a deep abyss where the bottom couldn’t even be seen. Was this how a frog in a well felt when faced with the vast ocean?

Having heard she was a genius almost every day since she started learning martial arts, a wall was something unfamiliar and fearful, an unidentifiable entity.

In fact, looking purely at cultivation level, it wasn’t unheard of for martial artists to reach the second-rate stage at Soo-ah’s age. Rather, those who were commonly called prodigies were sometimes similar or even faster.

Even so, the only reason Soo-ah was called the unprecedented genius in the history of the Moryong Clan was because of her monstrous understanding. Simply by watching martial arts, she could perfectly comprehend them.

Understanding was the power to awaken and comprehend martial arts. In the beginning, those with naturally gifted physiques were at an advantage when learning martial arts, but eventually, one progressed through enlightenment.

The ability to understand and display the subtleties within initial moves was undoubtedly a very important talent. But Soo-ah was beyond that. She couldn’t be expressed simply with the word understanding.

It was an understanding close to monstrous.

That was a weapon so powerful that it even erased the resentment and hatred for the unjust Clan Lord. Soo-ah, who was isolated and helpless in the clan, could only mimic.

At the time, no martial artist dared to teach Soo-ah martial arts for fear of attracting the Clan Lord’s ire. Even Moryong Hyeon, who took care of her in various ways, was young back then and had to watch his step.

The only pinnacle master in the Moryong Clan, the Supreme Clan Elder Moryong Jin, was there. But even he was ultimately a member of the clan, so he couldn’t openly ignore the Clan Lord’s threats.

Since no one stood by the girl’s side or even dared to speak to her. The only thing a child could do in utter isolation was to pick up a sword and imitate the adults.

Perhaps the child was simply craving attention. At first, they didn’t pay attention, but soon after, they began to notice something was off, one by one.

The initial moves the child displayed were too sharp and solid to be called clumsy imitations. Of course, there were shortcomings, but it had long since surpassed the level of mere imitation.

[There’s no doubt her understanding is unbelievably outstanding.]

[To let such a talented person rot is foolish, Clan Lord.]

“Su-ah. Do you desire to learn martial arts… to that extent?”

“…Yes!”

It began that day. The day her father, who had never so much as glanced in her direction, called her name for the first time and began to look at her. Only then did the girl realize.

*It’s because I am good.*

*It’s because I am a genius.*

*That is why Father loves me.*

She no longer had to curl up in a cold place to sleep. She could now eat her fill without watching every bite. But even so.

Not a single day passed when the girl felt at ease. She feared being abandoned again. She feared that everything she was enjoying would vanish like a bubble, burst in the morning light.

And so, she etched her father’s—no, the Clan Lord’s—teachings deep within her heart. She did not dwell on the right or wrong of his words. The most important thing was the Clan Lord’s approval.

Having ascended to the level of Second-Rate almost instantly under the Clan Lord’s direct instruction, Su-ah had never encountered a wall. Of course, it wasn’t as if there weren’t martial artists stronger than she.

Her own brother, Mo Yong-hyun, for one, not to mention the martial artists belonging to the Azure Dragon Hall—an elite group within the Mo Yong Clan comprised only of First-Rate martial artists and above—they were all far stronger than Su-ah.

*‘Hmph, if I was given the same time as them, I could do that much too. No, I’m confident I could do even better.’*

Yet, Su-ah had never felt a wall against any of them. Rather, a burning desire to compete ignited within the depths of her heart. She felt that if she only tried a little harder, she could win.

Of course, the Elder of the Mo Yong Clan, the Supreme Clan Lord Mo Yong-jin, who had reached the pinnacle of mastery, was another matter. She couldn’t even begin to imagine defeating him. But then again, he was already well past seventy.

If one were to assume she had trained in martial arts for the same amount of time, could she truly say she wouldn’t be able to reach the pinnacle of mastery? Perhaps others couldn’t, but Su-ah did not think so.

But this man, Mu-myung, whom she had just met, was different. A master who had reached the pinnacle at the mere age of thirty? It was a shock that seemed to negate everything she had learned so far.

Su-ah could easily imagine herself reaching the pinnacle of mastery. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t picture herself reaching that level at thirty years old.

*‘Impossible. A master who reached the pinnacle at thirty? That can’t be. Judging by his face, he must be boasting.’*

Even as she desperately denied it as nonsense, Su-ah didn’t dare demand proof from Mu-myung. What if she actually saw him imbue his sword with *qi* with her own two eyes?

She feared that she wouldn’t be able to endure it, that her heart would crumble. To Su-ah, martial arts were a means of proving herself, and talent was her only worth. But what if even that became tarnished?

What if her talent—which had been the driving force that allowed her to look down on others, drunk on arrogance—was actually nothing more than a handful of sand? She thrashed about, unwilling to accept that truth.

She never forgot to ask Mu-myung for sparring matches whenever she got the chance. Each time, she poured forth all her strength, wielding her techniques with a desperate resolve. But nothing, none of it, ever touched him.

*‘It feels like I could train my whole life and still not be able to win. Am I really a genius? Or am I just a common stone, mistaken for a jewel?’*

“The *murim* is not so easy that you can navigate it with talent alone, Su-ah. I hope you can learn something you lack by receiving his guidance.”

Already the fourth night had arrived, yet Su-ah tossed and turned, unable to sleep, the words her brother had spoken just before she left echoing in her ears.

Su-ah, who could grasp ten things from learning one, was experiencing for the first time the frustration of being bound by ignorance. There was definitely something there, but she had no idea what it was.

Finally concluding that she couldn’t fall asleep like this, Su-ah sighed and went outside. Whenever she felt unbearably lonely, she would always look up at the stars in the night sky to soothe her heart.

But the moment she stepped outside, what caught Su-ah’s eye was Mu-myung, alone in the courtyard, swinging his sword. Her eyes widened like lanterns at the unexpected sight.

Su-ah, who could understand and remember every martial art she saw, easily recognized the swordplay Mu-myung was practicing. Yet, the confusion only deepened.

The swordplay Mu-myung was wielding was none other than the Three Powers Sword Technique. At least, the Three Powers Sword Technique that she knew was a Third-Rate martial art, a manual containing only the most basic foundation.

‘Even within the Murong Clan, the San Cai Swordplay is taught to those lacking in fundamentals, or to novices just beginning to learn martial arts. Why, then, is he wielding it alone…?’

Those ignorant of its depth might dismiss the San Cai Swordplay as mere third-rate martial arts. Yet, for those just embarking on their martial journey, no swordplay was quite as excellent.

Other martial arts or sword techniques take the circulation of inner energy as their foundation. If one’s inner energy is insufficient or they’re unaccustomed to its flow, they risk internal injury.

In contrast, the San Cai Swordplay simply outlines the basic methods of wielding a sword. Naturally, there’s no need to circulate inner energy, making it perfect for beginners.

To put it another way, a martial artist who has surpassed even first-rate and reached the peak would have long since abandoned something like the San Cai Swordplay. And yet, there he was, wielding it.

Moreover, even with its monotonous strokes, the sword emitted an edge sharper than any she had ever witnessed. For Sooah, observing, it was enough to drive her mad.

“Why are you wielding something like the San Cai Swordplay?”

“…Why are you not yet asleep?”

“I couldn’t sleep, so I came out to admire the starlight. I happened to see you.”

“I see.”

Moo-myung nodded, paused in his reply, and seemed lost in thought. Sooah didn’t press him, waiting patiently for an answer. Hoping this vexation could be relieved.

“I am returning to my roots, to solidify my foundation further.”

“But…are you not already a master with a foundation that is overflowing?”

“Who decided that? What we always lack, even with a lifetime of effort, is the very foundation.”

*The fact that I only know the San Cai Swordplay must be hidden at all costs.*

In truth, Moo-myung was simply feigning knowledge of other martial arts to conceal his own deficiencies. But the same words can be felt differently depending on the speaker.

“…!!”

It was as if she had been struck in the head with a hammer. The more ripe the rice, the lower it bows its head. Those words rang true. Even a master who had reached the peak spoke in such a manner.

Was she, with only this much achievement, so arrogant? Shame welled up within her, and she could not bring herself to lift her head. And simultaneously, a certain desire settled in her heart.

*If I show him that I am working hard here…*

Would this great hero perhaps acknowledge me?