Chapter 40- The Dagger in The Bag (11)
Every martial art has its own profound principles and subtle techniques embedded within. The forms are similar to standardized patterns that allow for the easiest implementation of these subtle techniques. For example, in the case of the Emperor Sword Form.
It is the sword of the Overlord, containing the principles of domination and weight, and the forms were created to implement this path of domination. This is because those forms are the most efficient for implementing the Overlord’s way.
Similarly, beyond the Five Great Families and the Nine Schools, it cannot be denied that every sect’s forms have principles they pursue, and this was as natural as people breathing and eating.
However, there was one person who questioned this absolute truth. He wondered, why go through the trouble of implementing principles through the framework of forms?
Because it’s tradition?
Because everyone does it?
That’s utterly ridiculous.
Of course, the man’s doubt bordered on severe delusion. Everything that exists in the world ultimately has a reason. The martial forms were not created for mere show.
Because they are the most efficient and powerful. Forms were created and continuously improved throughout the ages, compensating for weaknesses, evolving to where they are today.
Therefore, the man should have realized the reason after repeating futile efforts and given up. At least if he had been merely what people commonly consider a genius.
But the man ultimately accomplished it. At the incredibly young age of twenty. Not limiting principles to forms, but achieving results with mere casual swings.
Sometimes it could become a sword containing the domination of the Emperor Sword Form, sometimes a sword with the Taichi principle of the Wudang Sect—a martial art approaching omnipotence. A sword bordering on demonic, unbound by form.
Martial artists referred to him with fear.
The Sword Demon.
â—‡
The first person to notice the anomaly was Pang Hyeon-cheol, the headmaster of the academy. As a master who had reached the peak, he immediately sensed that something unusual was happening at the entrance.
After ordering the other instructors to evacuate the officials, he alone ran toward the main gate as fast as possible. Thanks to this, Pang Hyeon-cheol was able to witness the scene in time.
A sword strike without any form deflecting all the hidden weapons coming from all directions, and then beheading Instructor Lee Kang-hui. A scene of slaughter that made him doubt his eyes.
‘That’s… The sword energy of the Murong Family!!’
Pang Hyeon-cheol belonged to the generation that had personally witnessed, albeit from a distance, the overwhelming presence of the Sword Demon when he swept through the righteous sects in the past. In other words, it would be no exaggeration to say he had been through everything.
He had even visited the Murong Family, which had completely severed ties with the martial world, and crossed swords with Murong Jin, who was the family head at that time. Thanks to this, Pang Hyeon-cheol could immediately recognize the identity.
The Righteous Dragon Flying Stream Sword Technique. The sword energy imbued with the ultimate principles sought by the Murong Family. However, the opponent was definitely not a martial artist belonging to the Murong Family. There was no way Pang Hyeon-cheol would miss that fact.
‘I have directly experienced the martial artists of the Murong Family before. But the internal energy I feel from that person is on a completely different level from the Murong Family’s.’
If the internal energy felt from the Murong Family’s martial artists was like the refreshing coolness of a waterfall flowing in a valley, the power felt from this person was like a greedily burning flame.
It was like a hungry ghost that devours everything. A monstrous internal energy that he could never forget even after several decades. He thought he would never feel it again…
“…Were you sent by the Murong Family?”
“No. Not unrelated, but I don’t belong to the Murong Family.”
‘So it really is the Sword Demon… Damn it.’
Still, since decades had passed, he had held onto a slim hope. But through the brief exchange just now, he had no choice but to be certain.
Someone who could skillfully wield the sword energy of the Righteous Dragon Flying Stream Sword Technique, the ultimate principle of the Murong Family, yet was not a martial artist of the Murong Family?
Even in the mind of Pang Hyeon-cheol, who had been through everything, there was only one being capable of such a feat. Moreover, the appearance of the old man standing proudly now felt completely natural.
Extraordinary internal energy, the sword energy of the Murong Family’s Righteous Dragon Flying Stream Sword Technique, and on top of that, an appearance that could only be believed to be that of an old man. Pang Hyeon-cheol, confronting the old man, felt his lips going dry.
“But I haven’t heard the most important fact. Who are you?”
“…I am Pang Hyeon-cheol, the headmaster of Sunmoo Academy.”
“I see.”
A martial artist who was one of only two peak masters of the Northern Pang Family and the headmaster of Sunmoo Academy. Even after hearing Pang Hyeon-cheol’s name directly, the Sword Demon simply nodded lightly, as if it was nothing.
“I want to ask about the current situation. What happened?”
“Aren’t you suspicious?”
“If you had killing intent toward me, I wouldn’t be standing here unharmed.”
It wasn’t excessive humility, but how could one not be humble before the Sword Demon? If he were to fight the Sword Demon directly, it was clear he would not last long before being defeated.
Therefore, the best course of action he could take now was dialogue. If he unnecessarily provoked the opponent, not only himself but also the young officials behind him could all be swept away at once.
â—‡
A scary-looking old man appeared.
After I killed the crazy guy who suddenly tried to frame me by bringing assassins, an old man suddenly appeared, and I thought my heart would stop. In the martial world, there has long been a saying,
In the martial world, beware of the elderly and children.
By modern standards, this sounds absurd, but in the martial world where all sorts of strange beings exist, it’s not entirely wrong. Especially since most old people tend to be masters.
And if a child speaks like an old person, you should also be careful. There’s a high chance it’s an old monster who has taken the form of a child through a body-transforming technique. The old man before me was clearly no joke.
‘What kind of build… He seems to be almost 8 feet tall.’
With his height approaching 8 feet tall, and matching sturdy muscles, this old man looked like he would literally practice ‘mess with me and die’ through his actions. As he stared at me with a hardened expression…
I naturally became tense. However, fortunately, there was no conflict with the old man. Instead of drawing his sword, he initiated a conversation.
Moreover, thanks to the active explanation from the gatekeeper whom I had saved, who could clear up this highly misunderstandable situation, I was fortunately able to easily clear my name of the murder accusation.
Pang Hyeon-cheol and I sat facing each other in a pavilion built in the center of a pond within the academy. Due to the unfortunate incident that had just occurred, the academy had chosen to temporarily close.
“Have the officials been sent back?”
“Yes. After such an unfortunate incident occurred, we cannot shamelessly operate the academy as usual, can we?”
“That’s right.”
“I’ve also dismissed all the other instructors. Now, would you tell me what happened?”
“Before that, there’s something I need to receive first.”
The reason I originally came to the academy was singular, but it was temporarily put on hold because of the sudden attack by that crazy guy. Despite the situation, I still needed to receive what I came for.
“Your officials attacked my disciples. I came to receive an apology for that.”
“I am ashamed. I will personally apologize on behalf of the foolish officials.”
“There’s no need for a warrior like you to apologize to me. I would like those ignorant officials to apologize directly to my disciples.”
“…I will arrange for that soon.”
And the matter was resolved more easily than expected. I didn’t expect him to agree to apologize so readily. Perhaps not everyone in the righteous sects is rotten to the core?
“You’re not lying, are you?”
“I, Pang Hyeon-cheol, promise upon my name.”
“Then I have no choice but to believe you.”
“That seems to settle this matter… Shall we get back to the main point now?”
“Let’s do that.”
I told Pang Hyeon-cheol everything that had just happened, without adding even a hint of falsehood. As I continued my story, questions began to cloud Pang Hyeon-cheol’s face.
“He suddenly attacked you? With assassins?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t doubt you, but Instructor Lee Kang-hui was well-regarded at the academy. Although he had a quick temper… He wasn’t corrupt enough to hire assassins to attack a stranger.”
It seems this Lee Kang-hui was quite a promising talent at the academy. For this tiger-like master to defend him to such an extent. I cleared my throat and continued.
“If that’s not doubt, then what is it?”
“At least I mean there must be some reason, don’t you think?”
“There is a reason. He was a spy belonging to the Evil sect.”
“…Did you just say Evil sect?”
Where do I even begin to explain this?
