8 – 01# Nine Deaths, One Life (8)

With a spirited shout, the crude wooden sword, like the fangs of a predator eyeing its prey, aimed for his neck with a fierce spirit. The fighting spirit contained in the move was undoubtedly impressive.

However, it was far too slow to ever reach his neck. A simple step back was enough to effortlessly evade it. Yet, his opponent didn’t know the meaning of giving up.

Despite numerous failures, an indomitable will pressed on with the next strike. They had been sparring for a full shichen (two hours) already.

*He’s made remarkable progress since the first day.*

Of course, sheer will alone couldn’t keep someone wielding a sword for so long. And that would be true even for a martial artist who didn’t utilize their inner energy.

However, those at the second-rate level, who could properly circulate inner energy, could greatly increase their limits compared to ordinary people. Even considering that, Sooah Murong’s growth was extraordinarily rapid.

Just on the first day, she hadn’t been able to control her own strength, thrashing about like a wild colt, and collapsing from exhaustion after barely an ildagyeong (roughly 15 minutes).

That Sooah Murong had grown so much in just five days that she still had some energy to spare even after a shichen had passed. She must have gained experience and discovered her own methods.

‘The flow of inner energy has become impossibly refined compared to the first day. It’s as if the useless dissipation of energy has drastically lessened. To reach this point without any explicit guidance…’

Of course, I too have only trained alone in the mountains for twenty-five years. I couldn’t definitively say that her path was the absolute correct one, but it was undeniably improved compared to her first day.

However, the gap in our levels remained severe, and she still couldn’t touch a single hair on my head. Still, seeing Mo Yong Sua improve by leaps and bounds with each passing day…

I even worried slightly that she might someday catch up to me. So, Mo Yong Clan really didn’t call her a once-in-a-millennium genius for nothing, huh.

“You’ve worked hard.”

“Yes, you too.”

“What did Great Hero think of my form?”

“….”

What is this? Why is she suddenly asking me something like that?

Blindsided by her unexpected question after the sparring session, I was taken aback and hesitated to answer. Mo Yong Sua usually avoided speaking to me as much as possible.

I didn’t know why, but perhaps it was due to the risk of her exposing my shallowness. For my part, I wholeheartedly welcomed her avoidance.

But out of nowhere, she throws me this question. It was certainly an effective ambush, one reason being that my well of knowledge was nearly dry, and I couldn’t offer any proper advice.

If I were at the Hwakyung stage, freely wielding Sword Essence, or at least at the level of Transcendent Master, perhaps. Sadly, I was just an elite-level warrior who could only manipulate Sword Aura.

Even that was due to being cooped up in the mountains, training alone. I couldn’t give an accurate evaluation. I mean, how can I comment when I haven’t seen any other stances?

“Too slow. It’s hard to see this as the Mo Yong Clan’s sword style, which values the mysteries of swiftness.”

“Understood, I will take that to heart.”

Please don’t! Just let it go in one ear and out the other.

In the end, I could only dress up my own impressions as much as possible to sound knowledgeable. You might call it putting on airs. But I have no choice but to do so.

‘To maintain ties with the Mo Yong Clan, there’s no other option. I must do this to prevent my shallowness from being exposed.’

Of course, a master above the Transcendence realm would immediately notice it, but at least martial artists below the elite level could be tricked by my imposing presence and believable words.

Even Mo Yong Hyun, whom I saved, believes me to be a master above the Transcendence realm. It wasn’t that I didn’t feel guilty, but if you really break it down, I haven’t directly deceived them.

‘I’ve simply not corrected their misconceptions.’

That’s why I bothered to take on the responsibility of looking after Mo Yong Hyun’s younger sister, Mo Yong Sua. Even if my true abilities are revealed later, accumulating debt will give me something to use to my advantage down the road.

“Great Hero, may I ask for another bout?”

“Good.”

“Thank you! Great Hero!”

I sighed inwardly and retook my stance. Mo Yong Hyun said everything would be settled in fifteen days at most. Let’s endure until then.

Let my true skill be exposed when I directly visit the Mo Yong Clan—that’s enough.

It would be even better if I could get those spiritual medicines or martial arts manuals without having to visit!

◇

These were days sweet as a dream.

Of course, there was none of the gaudy opulence of the Sego, gorging oneself on delicacies and draping oneself in silk. Yet, what use is possessing all the world if one’s heart finds no peace?

At least here, Sua could find such peace. No longer did she need to tremble with the fear of being cast aside. The Great Hero did not exactly shower her with affection.

But neither did he outright ignore her. If she sought conversation, he would meet her gaze squarely and exchange words. This first taste of treatment befitting a person was quite alien to her.

“Too slow. Barely resembling the Mooyong Sego’s swordsmanship, renowned for its celerity.”

“Keep your heart aflame, but your mind chilled.”

“To sacrifice all else for the sake of speed is utter foolishness!”

Soon, these realizations began to permeate her forms. This was the decisive factor in her rapid progress, something Sua herself felt keenly.

Her inner energy flowed with an ease incomparable to the first day. More importantly, even those forms she could not execute in the Sego due to insufficient power were now child’s play.

“Your qi manipulation has improved beyond measure since that first day.”

“It is all thanks to your help, Great Hero.”

“I have done nothing. It is all the result of your own dedicated practice.”

“…”

At this first-ever praise, Sua nearly forgot her dignity and leaped for joy like a child. Had she ever received praise from the Lord of the Sego?

She could confidently assert, never. He only provided warm rooms, food, clothing, and luxuries. Even conversations were mostly brief,

and conducted in front of others. In private, he regarded her as one might regard a chicken passed by an ox. Astonishingly, Sua had never considered this strange.

‘At the time, I was simply overjoyed. Finally, the Lord was acknowledging me as a member of the clan. But, was that truly the case? Was I truly accepted as one of the Sego?’

Even as doubts blazed like a wildfire, time marched relentlessly on. Before long, a month had passed, leaving Mumyeong to tilt his head in perplexity.

“He said it would be finished in a fortnight at most. It is taking longer than expected.”

“Indeed, Brother said he would return after fifteen days…”

“Surely, nothing untoward has happened. He is merely delayed for some reason.”

Afraid Sua might feel anxious, Mumyeong hastened to reassure her. But Sua was not actually consumed by worry. Rather, she clicked her tongue in disappointment, muttering,

“Truthfully, I wouldn’t mind if it were delayed a bit longer…”

“Hm?”

“Ah, it’s nothing at all!!”

Fearful of revealing her innermost thoughts, Sua shook her head, her face flushed as red as a persimmon. But her desire to spend more time remained genuine.

However, joyous times always seem to slip by quickly. On the evening of their one-month anniversary, unexpected guests arrived. Mumyeong frowned.

Judging by their ornate attire and bearing, they were undoubtedly martial artists sent from the Mooyong Sego. Yet, they hardly seemed to be here with friendly intentions.

As proof, the martial artists arrayed themselves in formation, encircling the thatched cottage as if laying siege. Their posture conveyed a resolute will to allow no escape, not even through a rat hole.

Nameless, sensing the situation taking a peculiar turn, wordlessly positioned himself in front of Sua. Simultaneously, a young man with ferret-like features and squinting eyes, his hair the color of snow, stepped forward as well.

“It is an honor to meet you, Senior. I am Moyong Sa, a proud member of the esteemed Medical Dragon Hall of the Moyong Clan, and commander of the Medical Dragon Corps.”

“Nameless. I don’t see Young Master Moyong Hyun here.”

“Ah, you mean him?”

The way Moyong Sa’s lip curled upwards caused Nameless’ brow to twitch. An ominous premonition, as always, never strayed far from the truth. Moyong Sa, smiling, happily obliged with an answer.

“Young Master Moyong Hyun has been apprehended for defying the Clan Lord and disrupting the peace of the family…”

But before the words could fully form, Nameless’ body was already in motion. He scooped up Sua, who stood behind him with a worried expression, and secured her firmly at his side.

He then propelled himself forward, gliding across the ice. With a swift, economical movement, Nameless closed the distance and planted his foot, kicking out with the full force of his weight.

*Thwack!*

Caught completely off guard by the sudden attack, Moyong Sa was sent hurtling into a tree. Upon crashing down, the force of the impact caused the tree itself to collapse upon him.

Not satisfied with merely incapacitating Moyong Sa, Nameless’ eyes darted around, assessing the situation. Now was the chance, while the warriors were still reeling from their commander’s swift defeat.

‘If they had intended to resolve things amicably, they wouldn’t have sent so many warriors. Which means they must have come here with sinister intentions.’

He had to get out of here, as quickly as possible.