4 - The Heaven-Slaying Sword

〈 Chapter 4 〉 An Episode ­ Childhood (3) * * * On the floor of the straw house, The King of Beggars, Ma Ilsuk, faced his long-time sworn brother, casting a glance at Mok Liwon who peeked over the fence in their direction. "Is that the child you mentioned?" "Did you think I brought another child in the meantime?" “…He’s grown up quite promisingly.” It had been about seven years since their last meeting. Ma Ilsuk observed Mok Liwon with a settled gaze, then turned his eyes to look at Mok Seon-oh. "The boy's body was made for cultivating demonic arts. I asked you to investigate if there were more cases like this, right?" "Yes." Mok Seon-oh's expression was not favorable. "I wanted to teach him my martial arts, but seeing his blood vessels like that, I wondered if my teachings might be a poison to him instead." "You are indeed very cautious, my brother." Ma Ilsuk snorted. "I did investigate. When I searched the archives of the alliance, I found references to such phenomena in an unexpected place." "Unexpected?" "The Blood Incident from seven years ago." Mok Seon-oh's eyes widened. Ma Ilsuk nodded and continued, "You are thinking correctly. Among the documents we salvaged after burning down the Blood Heaven Sect that day, there were references to a grand technique." "A grand technique, you say…?" "Do you remember where we found the child?" How could he forget? The altar behind the hall, where the scent of blood hung heavily. A place presumed to have been used for some sinister sorcery directed at the child lingered vividly in Mok Seon-oh's mind. Mok Seon-oh's expression twisted. "…Are you suggesting the grand technique has already been completed on his body?" "Yes. The document described it using that name." Ma Ilsuk's face hardened, and he took a moment to steady his breath before speaking again. "Supreme Demonic Physique(極魔之體)." Mok Seon-oh inhaled sharply. His expression was now painfully crumpled. Could he not know? Anyone with a foot in Murim knows what the body termed as Supreme Demonic Physique(極魔之體) is. "…The body of the Heavenly Demon." "Indeed. The third Heavenly Demon, Lee Mu-baek, still ranks among the top three throughout history, and he was born with the Supreme Demonic Physique(極魔之體)." Ma Ilsuk sighed. "And he was also born under the star of the Heavenly Slaughter." "…Did the Blood Demon wish for the reincarnation of Lee Mu-baek?" “I don’t know now. Didn't you sever his neck?” Mok Seon-oh let out a hollow laughter. In such an immensely perplexing situation, he felt an overwhelming sense of helplessness with no one to turn to for answers. Ma Ilsuk understood Mok Seon-oh's feelings. Why wouldn't he? The child, who even took his name in defiance, who vowed to overcome his given fate, now seems to be born with a body made for cultivating demonic arts. It would be odd not to feel frustrated. However, stripping away the emotional aspect, Ma Ilsuk found himself thinking that perhaps this was for the best. "Brother." "Speak." "…It's not too late yet." Mok Seon-oh's eyes widened. Unperturbed by his mood, Ma Ilsuk continued, "I didn't act back then because I wanted to respect your will. And knowing your decisions, I did my best to reach here. But look. Ultimately, the child’s fate is one that personal effort alone cannot alter. So now, just let go…." "Enough!" Mok Seon-oh scolded him. Ma Ilsuk's lips clammed shut, and Mok Liwon, who had been trying to eavesdrop from a distance, flinched at the shout and diverted his attention. Two pairs of eyes locked onto Mok Liwon, who awkwardly scratched his head and withdrew. Mok Seon-oh watched the child's retreating figure with a sorrowful look and spoke, "…That's enough." "Brother…." "Beggar." Ma Ilsuk's fists clenched tightly. Whenever Mok Seon-oh used that old nickname, he knew all too well what words were coming next. "I…." Just as Mok Seon-oh was about to continue, Ma Ilsuk suddenly stood up. "…Stop." Mok Seon-oh's gaze shifted to Ma Ilsuk. Ma Ilsuk bit his lip firmly before articulating, "You’re trying to convince me again, right? To appeal to brotherhood once more, aren't you? But…” Ma Ilsuk trailed off, reluctant. He knew well that the words he was about to speak would wound the sworn brother he respected, hence the hesitation arose. Yet, it was a truth he felt he had to express. "I don’t like that child." Ma Ilsuk disliked Mok Liwon. A child who had taken the name revered by a great hero, perceived only as a potential source of evil, incited in him an extreme bitterness. "If it weren't for that child, you wouldn't have needed to relinquish your name. No, that’s not all, is it? Many esteemed warriors of the Orthodox Murim might have bowed down to follow you willingly. Perhaps the Orthodox Murim could have entered a new golden era under your name!" His words flowed out long and bitter. Years of pent-up grievances now poured out as he vented all that had festered. "It's still the same! Many are waiting for you to return, hoping you will become the highest star once again!" Sword Saint(劍聖) Mok Seon-oh. Without a doubt, it was a name representing the most brilliant star in Murim. "Just…" Just for the sake of a child, one who might grow into evil, should such a name fade? Ma Ilsuk’s face was deeply distressed as he pierced Mok Seon-oh with his gaze. Mok Seon-oh, unable to retort, hung his head at Ma Ilsuk’s expression. Was this the hidden intention all along? Had his ambition so hurt others? Regret filled his heart. So did feelings of guilt. Yet, inside, there remained an undying fondness. Or rather, if expressed now, it was an affection. He couldn't abandon Mok Liwon, a child who shared his name, a child who smiled at the little creatures in the forest. "…I'm sorry." Ma Ilsuk lamented. "…No." Perhaps he had always known. His sworn brother was that kind of person, never once breaking his stubborn will. With a deep sigh, Ma Ilsuk turned away from Mok Seon-oh, feeling a useless frustration. "I'm sorry. It's not my place to raise my voice…." Silence filled the space between them. Ma Ilsuk thought to himself. Right now, his head was too hot to have a normal conversation. "…I'll cool my head for a bit." Ma Ilsuk left the room. Mok Seon-oh remained, looking up at the sky and trying to calm his troubled mind. * Ma Ilsuk walked aimlessly after leaving the straw house. By his previous reckoning, walking straight down this path would lead to a stream, where he intended to wash his face and gather his thoughts. Parting the bushes and slipping between trees, Ma Ilsuk arrived at the stream, only to find a small figure that made him frown. "…Ah! King of Beggars!" It was Mok Liwon. With fair skin, black hair, and an impression akin to that of a girl. Ma Ilsuk clicked his tongue in annoyance and passed Mok Liwon by. "Why are you out here?" "I was waiting for the conversation to end! The atmosphere seemed serious, so I thought it best not to interrupt!" The way the child spoke, clearly articulated, gave the impression of intelligence. Realizing this thought, Ma Ilsuk shuddered and quickly dismissed it. "…Hmph, so you can gauge the mood." He knew his demeanor was childish. Yet what could he do? Considering what his sworn brother had lost because of this child, and what the Orthodox Murim had forfeited, his insides churned. While Ma Ilsuk's face stayed stubbornly stern, Mok Liwon spoke up. "You're Master’s sworn brother, right?" "…What?" "Master told me! He has a sworn brother, the King of Beggars, who is among the top five heroes he knows! So when you said your name, I was so surprised!" Even though Ma Ilsuk's demeanor was curt, Mok Liwon paid it no mind, enthusiastically waving his arms as he explained. Ma Ilsuk found himself fighting back a grin against his will. "Did my brother speak of me…?" It seemed his sworn brother had already shared information about him with the child. Realizing this, Ma Ilsuk couldn't help but listen closely. "Yes! When he occasionally tells stories about Murim, he mentions you, King of Beggars! The battle you both had at Bloody Ravine, the time you faced each other in the finals of the Blue Dragon Martial Assembly, and…!" The cheerful recounting continued. A voice as pure and clear as a bird's chirp echoed. The more Ma Ilsuk listened, the more a lump formed in his throat, an emotional swell rising within him. 'Did he remember… all of it?' He thought his sworn brother had moved on, had secluded himself, leaving those days behind. "…Ah! The most entertaining story was about the battle with the Blue-Blooded Fiend!" "Uh, what?!" Caught off guard in his nostalgia, Ma Ilsuk jolted at the mention of the ‘Blue-Blooded Fiend.’ The Blue-Blooded Fiend. A witch from the Blood Heaven Sect intending to extract intelligence from the Murim Alliance. Hers was one of the few names Ma Ilsuk could never forget. Their sworn brotherhood was forged when Mok Seon-oh saved him from falling completely under her spell, so hearing this story from the child was quite a shock. "The Blue-Blooded Fiend! Master said you restrained that witch for three days and nights! He said if it weren’t for you, we might never have captured her!" Restrained? Well, perhaps it was more accurate to say he was ‘restrained.’ Becoming entranced by her charms marked one of the most shameful memories in Ma Ilsuk’s life. "Ahem…!" Ma Ilsuk’s face blushed with embarrassment. Young Mok Liwon, unaware of the full context, simply gazed upon him with admiration in his eyes. In the midst of his embarrassment, Ma Ilsuk became aware of a realization. 'Hold on….' Did he sense any malice when facing this child? Did he perceive any aura of demonic energy? As this notion surfaced, Ma Ilsuk’s demeanor grew serious. His gaze fixed firmly on Mok Liwon. Mok Liwon tilted his head in confusion. His eyes, pure and radiant. If one looked closely, his irises appeared a reddish-brown hue. …And within them, there was none of the wickedness that Ma Ilsuk feared. "…." Ma Ilsuk's brow furrowed. Indeed, there was no way Mok Seon-oh would teach this child anything malicious. Even if the boy's fate was unchangeable, Mok Seon-oh was someone who would still offer love to such a child. As Ma Ilsuk and Mok Liwon’s gazes locked by the stream where water flowed smoothly, Ma Ilsuk suddenly asked, "You, answer me." "Yes?" "You…." Ma Ilsuk hesitated, choosing his words carefully. Could it be that he was enchanted by those eyes? An inexplicable question bubbled up within him, and the hope he had clung to seven years ago resurfaced, urging him to finally ask, "…What do you want to become?" Mok Liwon looked at Ma Ilsuk, contemplating the reason behind such a question. It was clear where Mok Liwon's desires lay. "I want to become a hero! Like Master, a great hero!" Ma Ilsuk's eyes widened slightly. His fists clenched tightly, near crushing. "Why?" "Why, you ask?" "There must be a reason. To raise your name, gain power and influence, or perhaps acquire wealth." He deliberately spelled out potential motivations. Hoping that the child might utter at least one of these reasons, offering Ma Ilsuk a measure of ease. So, the shame he felt for resenting this child might lessen. Yet Mok Liwon, untainted by worldly ambitions, simply smiled. "I saw stars in Master's sword. They were dazzling and beautiful, and when I close my eyes, it feels like I can still see Master's stars." He closed his eyes as he spoke. His smile deepened. "I love Master's stars. When I look at them, it feels like the whole world lights up, and thinking of them makes the dark nights less frightening." His voice was dreamy, filled with a definitive longing and tender affection. "I want to hold such a star in my heart as well. I want to become someone who protects others. To become a beautifully shining star that lights the way for others." Mok Liwon opened his eyes. The features Ma Ilsuk once likened to a girl's were now blossoming into an even more charming expression as his eyes folded like a crescent moon. "The star I wish to hold is Master's star. And Master's star is the star of a hero. So, I wish to become a hero." As Mok Liwon finished speaking, Ma Ilsuk let out a dry laugh. "Ha…." There was something he didn't want to acknowledge. Something he wanted to leave as mere resentment. And there stood a child who embodied those feelings before him. Yet, Ma Ilsuk couldn't help but see someone else in the child's demeanor. "…You are quite the audacious kid." Mok Liwon's radiant smile was reminiscent of the charming hero's smile that seemed directly inherited from Mok Seon-oh. * * *