Chapter 34 – The Dagger in The Bag (5)
Honing martial arts skills could be considered fundamental for a martial artist. However, if asked whether I was a good master, unfortunately, I could not provide a definitive answer.
This was because I only knew the basic Three Disasters Sword Technique. Of course, I had martial arts skills learned from the Murong family, but strictly speaking, it was closer to knowing about them.
I was quite far from being considered proficient in the Murong family’s martial arts. At best, I could only pretend to teach Sua. If I didn’t even have that much knowledge.
I probably wouldn’t have been able to maintain the facade of being an excellent master for long. Repeating impressive lines from martial arts novels would eventually reach its limits.
From that perspective, the past month had been very comfortable. I could relax under the pretext of preparing to move. But sweet days pass quickly.
Now, having been forced to settle down because of Yang Mi-yeon, I could no longer postpone things. I tried to recall impressive lines from martial arts novels as I faced Sua.
“I will go first.”
“Come.”
As soon as the words fell, Sua immediately closed the distance. Her speed was at least twice as fast as the last time I saw her. This was the result of consistent training.
However, Sua’s wooden sword targeting my right shoulder like lightning was intercepted by an anonymous wooden sword midway. But she seemed to have anticipated this.
Sua did not even show a surprised expression and calmly entered a counter-attack. Her sword technique was calm to the point where one could say she was experienced, regardless of her age.
‘She is now certainly at a level similar to Murong-hyeon. It’s an impressive achievement for her age.’
I heard that Murong-hyeon was a martial artist who had stepped into the first-class realm. Considering that people typically enter the first-class realm around the age of thirty, she was ten years ahead.
Sua was already looking beyond the first-class realm at the incredibly young age of sixteen. Of course, as one progresses further, supreme realms and transcendant realms become abundant.
However, Sua’s aggressive momentum did not last long. She exposed a very small gap during the fight, which I directly exploited.
My wooden sword had stopped just before touching Sua’s neck. Realizing this, Sua had no choice but to retreat with a look of frustration. I nodded and said,
“You’ve really improved a lot.”
“I’m still far from perfect.”
“This is not empty praise. At this level, you could probably have a great match with Murong-hyeon’s young hero.”
“If you say so…”
“But you shouldn’t be satisfied with just this. Keep striving further.”
I sincerely gave Sua advice. Of course, her talent was exceptional. But could she be content with just reaching the first-class realm? She must at least reach the supreme realm.
Even during our sparring, Seolhwa was seated and performing internal energy circulation through the sword heart technique. Seolhwa was easier to teach compared to Sua.
Literally, she was a child with no foundation. Teaching her the Spear-sword mind technique and basic Three disaster sword Technique was sufficient. However, the biggest challenge was undoubtedly Sua.
“Master, I have a question.”
“What is it?”
“What do you think is the true essence of the Flash Cloud-Splitting Sword Technique?”
Unlike the pure beginner Seolhwa, Sua was closer to an advanced student. As a result, her question level was very high. It was almost overwhelming to answer.
‘What essence could the Flash Cloud-Splitting Sword Technique have? It’s just incredibly fast.’
Perhaps because I hadn’t yet reached the peak realm? I couldn’t think of any particular essence of the Flash Cloud-Splitting Sword Technique. Therefore, I had to respond with something plausible.
“Do you think there’s an answer in martial arts?”
“Wouldn’t there be a correct answer?”
“Wrong. Even with the same sword technique, everyone pursues different martial arts paths. Sometimes, it’s important to look within yourself rather than relying on others’ answers.”
Though I tried to sound profound, essentially I meant that I didn’t know well, so she should figure it out herself. Even I thought it was a somewhat poor explanation.
Surprisingly, Sua looked like she had realized something and suddenly sat cross-legged and began internal energy circulation. Did she understand my cryptic words perfectly?
A light almost pure white began circulating her entire body, eventually being absorbed into her lower abdomen. Finally, Sua opened her eyes.
“Thank you, Master.”
“If you’re satisfied, that’s enough.”
“I will continue to train and definitely become a disciple who can help you.”
Indeed, the rumors about her being an unprecedented genius of the Murong family didn’t seem to be empty words. I was struck by how quickly she could comprehend things from just a few words.
At first glance, her internal energy volume had significantly increased. Compared to before, it had increased at least twofold. Moreover, her internal energy circulation through her body was as natural as flowing water.
However, she still couldn’t use sword energy, so reaching a perfect first-class realm seemed slightly premature. Still, such an achievement at her age was certainly impressive.
“Senior sister! Something seems very different about you!”
“Thanks for noticing, Junior Sister.”
‘Moreover, she seems strangely more mature. Has her spirit grown through this enlightenment? Whatever the case, it’s good for Sua.’
I nodded. Just a few months ago, she was a childish girl jealous of Seolhwa, but now she was completely unrecognizable.
“I’ve chopped the firewood.”
“Good job.”
“If you’ve chopped the firewood, you should do other work too. Why are you just standing there blankly?”
…Or maybe not. She seemed just the same.
◇
It felt like someone was blocking my breathing hole.
Just a little more effort, just a bit more struggling, and I could have climbed up. Yet, I would ultimately fail and fall back down.
As this repeated, I eventually became afraid of even trying to climb up. What was the point of trying when I would fail anyway? Was honing martial arts truly meaningful?
Would I remain stagnant and never progress in my entire life? Though she didn’t show it to her master, anxiety was gradually accumulating in Sua’s heart.
“Master, I have a question.”
“What is it?”
“What do you think is the true essence of the Flash Cloud-Splitting Sword Technique?”
Eventually, unable to bear her anxiety, Sua asked her question. Recently, her master had focused more on sparring than direct instruction.
Of course, she wasn’t doubting her master. Her master surely had his reasons. But feeling somewhat slow, she couldn’t find the answer and thus asked the question.
“Do you think there are answers in martial arts?”
“Wouldn’t there be a correct answer?”
“Wrong. With the same sword technique, everyone pursues different martial paths. Therefore, sometimes it’s important to look within yourself rather than relying on others’ answers.”
Not seeking answers from others, but reflecting on oneself.
If someone else had said this, it might have only increased her confusion. But Sua’s comprehension allowed her to grasp the meaning hidden in her master’s words.
Thanks to this, Sua realized the truth she had been deliberately avoiding. She had been thinking there was a definitive answer on her path and continuously searching for it.
Unfortunately, this was still a remnant of her past. Yes, the damnable father who had already predetermined and taught her answers before meeting her master.
Murong gang.
He was still subtly present within her.
He had always forced his desired answers upon her.
Thus, from some point, Sua had relied on others’ answers instead of determining her own. But were all the things she had rejected truly not answers?
‘Relying on others cannot be considered first-class. Believing in and pioneering one’s own chosen path. That might be the true essence of first-class.’
A small enlightenment began changing everything. Considering Sua’s talent, it wouldn’t have been strange if she had reached the first-class realm much earlier. But every matter has its reasons.
Until now, Sua had been bound by the shackles of the name Murong-gang. But not anymore. Sua finally drew her sword without hesitation and cut through the chains binding her.
The arrogant girl who used to judge others by their appearance no longer existed. When Sua, now completely transformed, opened her eyes, what she saw was,
“I’ve chopped the firewood.”
“Good job.”
A bizarre girl in male clothing wagging her tail next to her master.
“If you’ve chopped the firewood, you should do other work too. Why are you just standing there blankly?”
Initially skeptical. Sure enough, her intuition was right. This shameless girl was trying to approach her master by disguising herself as a man?
Her master might not care and would accept her, but she was different.
