5 - The Heaven-Slaying Sword

〈 Episode 5 〉 Chapter - Childhood (4) * * * "I will help you." Ma Ilsuk said upon returning to the thatched house. Mok Seon-oh blinked his eyes and gazed awkwardly at him. For Mok Seon-oh, it was something incomprehensible. Just a moment ago, the man was grumbling, saying he had no desire to help, only to suddenly change his mind. As thoughts persisted for a moment, all Mok Seon-oh could do was smile in response. "Thank you." Certainly, it was because Seon-oh figured nothing else mattered as long as his younger brother came forward after a change of heart. * Finally, the three gathered in one place. In front of the smiling Mok Seon-oh and the sullen Ma Ilsuk, Mok Liwon blinked his eyes, looking at the two. In the midst of that, Ma Ilsuk spoke. "From today, this King of Beggars will aid your training." Although it was said as a notification, Mok Liwon beamed brightly at the words. "Really?!" Ma Ilsuk's body shuddered. The rush of enthusiasm to what he intended to deliver with gravity made him feel embarrassed all at once. But only for a moment. Ma Ilsuk soon stiffened his expression and continued speaking to Mok Liwon. "Yes, because your character is quite unusual." "Unusual character?" "Do you know what star you were born under?" Mok Liwon nodded his head. "The Heavenly Slaughter Star!" "If so, do you know why that star is called the star of the demon?" About to answer, Mok Liwon suddenly halted and closed his mouth. 'Come to think of it….' He didn't know much about it. Even Mok Seon-oh, who told him about the concept of the Heavenly Slaughter Star, only spoke in vague terms like, "Those born under this star carry the fate of slaughter spirits." In the silence that arose when Mok Liwon closed his mouth, Ma Ilsuk sighed and murmured, "I knew this would happen…." Ma Ilsuk's gaze, filled with dissatisfaction, turned to Mok Seon-oh. Mok Seon-oh coughed awkwardly, responding defensively to his gaze. "I planned to tell him as he grew older." "You should have told him much sooner." "Ugh…." After shifting his gaze once more to Mok Liwon, Ma Ilsuk spat out sternly, "Listen here." "Yes!" "The reason why the Heavenly Slaughter Star is called the star of the demon is not due to anything else." Clack­. Ma Ilsuk took a step forward. Mok Liwon swallowed hard and looked up at Ma Ilsuk. The fixed gaze, holding an air of coldness, conveyed an overwhelming presence Mok Liwon had never felt before. "It is because those born under the Heavenly Slaughter Star possess a peculiar feature." Saying this, Ma Ilsuk pulled out a dagger from his bosom. And he placed the bladed section upon his palm. "A peculiar feature?" "Yes." Not knowing what action he was about to take, Mok Liwon thought it wouldn't be something pleasant. The expectation proved accurate. With deeply sunken eyes fixed on Mok Liwon, Ma Ilsuk, as he answered, drew the dagger. Snap­. "It's just that they become overly excited upon seeing blood." Mok Liwon's vision began to fill with red blood. At that moment, Mok Liwon felt it. Thump­. The heartbeat was heavy, a thrilling sensation rising—a feeling he had never experienced before. * Mok Liwon opened his eyes to find the bright full moon illuminating the night sky. Gazing blankly at the ceiling of his room, Mok Liwon recalled the events that occurred before he fell asleep and suddenly rose in surprise. ‘Master!’ The scene he remembered was like this. At the moment when his vision was filled with the red, fishy liquid, he experienced palpitations along with a strange thirst. Even breathing felt laboriously hot, and his gaze was glued to the blood welling on Ma Ilsuk's palm. Hence, Mok Liwon rushed towards Ma Ilsuk. It was Mok Seon-oh who stopped him. Only then did Mok Liwon fully recall all that transpired and hurriedly exited the room. "Are you awake?" In the yard just ahead, Mok Seon-oh, who was gazing at the night sky, spoke. Delivered in a calm tone as though nothing had happened, Mok Liwon found himself unconsciously shivering. “Master…?” “How is your body feeling?” How does it feel? Of course, it's fine. It had to be fine. At the moment when he was about to attack Ma Ilsuk, it was Mok Seon-oh’s forearm that blocked his teeth. Mok Liwon's gaze moved toward Mok Seon-oh's left forearm. Sensing that gaze, Mok Seon-oh laughed and responded. "This master is alright." It was a gentle voice. For some reason, Mok Liwon felt tears welling up at the sound of that voice. “Why are you crying?” Mok Seon-oh approached Mok Liwon and gently patted his head. Mok Liwon shuddered as his throat tightened. “Master….” “Yes, this master is here.” Tap. Tap. Mok Seon-oh, who had been stroking Mok Liwon’s head, now wrapped him in an embrace and patted his back. Mok Liwon hitched with breaths and continued to speak. “Am I turning into a demon…?” It was due to fear. The events of the day struck him profoundly, and he was suddenly terrified that he might act like that each time he saw blood in the future. “Can’t I become a hero?” Ma Ilsuk had said. Those under the Heavenly Slaughter Star get overly excited upon seeing blood. That’s why it’s known as the star that brings slaughter spirits. Indeed, it was true. Even amidst such fear, Mok Liwon felt his heart pounding at the mere thought of blood. The combination of thrill and fear led him to worry that this might be his life forever. Mok Seon-oh, seeing Mok Liwon’s tearful state, felt a searing pain in his heart. How could he not understand? With such a sensitive nature, he couldn't stand the sight of a trapped rabbit—a trait known to Mok Seon-oh, who fully grasped how terrifying this peculiar feature could be for such a child. In truth, Ma Ilsuk’s method wasn’t pleasing to Mok Seon-oh. While the purpose of providing shock to create awareness was good, he couldn't shake the thought that it had instilled fear in the child first. Mok Seon-oh held Mok Liwon tightly. Terms not on the list: 1. 일장(一章) -> Chapter; I chose "chapter" to match the literary context, as it refers to a section of a novel or story. Alternate names could be "installment" or "segment." Literal translation: "one chapter." 2. 유년기(幼年期) -> Childhood; I opted for "childhood" since it accurately describes a period of life this chapter focuses on. Alternate translations: "youth" or "juvenile years." Literal translation: "infancy period." 3. 단도(短刀) -> Dagger; "Dagger" is a common term in English for a short, pointed weapon, matching the context of the weapon Ma Ilsuk pulled out. Alternate translations could be "short sword" or "knife." Literal translation: "short sword." And so he answered in a gentle voice. "You are mistaken. You can become a hero." "But…." "Liwon." After letting go of Mok Liwon, who he had been embracing, Mok Seon-oh placed his hands on both of his shoulders and looked at him as he continued speaking. "Do you know the difference between a demon and a hero?" Mok Liwon did not answer. Mok Seon-oh smiled gently at Mok Liwon and continued to speak. "The key difference is not using one's power recklessly and restraining oneself from committing evil even when such urges arise." Explaining things to the child wasn't easy. Due to Liwon's innocence, it was necessary to use words that touched the heart rather than complex ideas or terms. It involved turning abstract concepts into something intuitive. Mok Seon-oh calmly looked at Mok Liwon, pondering, and then posed a question. "Liwon." “Yes….” "If someone with pure internal energy uses their strength rightly, is that person a hero?" Mok Liwon held back tears as he pondered. Then he nodded. “Yes….” He could state it clearly. For Mok Seon-oh, who stood in front of him at that moment, was just such a person. Mok Seon-oh smiled and asked the next question. "Then if someone with such pure martial prowess uses that power to exploit others, would you still call them a hero?" Mok Liwon shook his head. To him, a hero was someone who benefited others, not someone who exploited them. Mok Seon-oh continued to ask. “What if someone with malicious internal energy uses that strength to help others?” Mok Liwon’s body twitched. Smiling slightly mischievously, Mok Seon-oh went on. “Would you call that person a hero, or rather, a demon because of their sinister power?” Mok Liwon's lips moved slightly. His eyes were now fixed on Mok Seon-oh. "Liwon." “Yes….” “A sword has no eyes. A sword cannot discriminate, nor can it discern good from evil. Only the swordmaster who wields it exists for the sword.” Mok Seon-oh’s hand gently brushed Mok Liwon’s face. His tears, which had gathered, slowly fell away under his touch. “What does it matter if the sword is a little sinister, or if it looks unsightly? As long as you know righteousness, isn't that enough to make that sword a hero's sword?” Mok Liwon listened quietly, peering into Mok Seon-oh’s eyes. The eyes, white like the rest of him, had one black spot. In general, blackness was often associated with evil. Mok Liwon knew that as well. Yet, the reason Mok Liwon knew that blackness and evil were different was that the black in his eyes was a reflection of brilliant starlight. “No matter your sinister tendencies, if you suppress them and channel your killing intent toward righteousness, wouldn't that be enough?” Mok Seon-oh didn’t stop there. “There was a person called Ma-hyeop.” “Ma-hyeop…?” “Yes, Ma-hyeop. Despite possessing sinister martial arts, he used his power to punish evildoers—a man whose story is even featured in the book ‘Tales of Jianghu Heroes’ available in the city bookstores.” A sparkle of interest appeared in Mok Liwon’s eyes. Mok Seon-oh, laughing a little awkwardly, continued. “There’s no rule saying you can’t become like him.” In truth, it was a lie. The person called Ma-hyeop did not exist, and the book ‘Tales of Jianghu Heroes’ was a mere fiction for entertainment. Moreover, it was a book criticized for seemingly advocating for demons. Still, Mok Seon-oh didn’t mind. ‘So what if it is?’ Even such an insignificant, low-rated book could be a beacon of hope to someone as earnest as this child. "Liwon, aren’t you a good child who can direct the wrath within you toward the right cause?" Mok Seon-oh finished speaking and awaited Mok Liwon’s response. Mok Liwon twitched his fingertips, looking at Mok Seon-oh. He looked at the starlight in his eyes, at the stars scattered across the night sky, and at the pale moon embracing them. It was a breathtakingly beautiful and achingly heartfelt scene. Mok Liwon simply gazed at that scene before slowly nodding his head. “Yes….” “Yes, you are a child who knows goodness and righteousness. Surely, you will become a hero.” Mok Seon-oh’s laughter gently tickled Mok Liwon’s ears. At that moment, Mok Liwon realized. ‘My heart….’ No longer raced uncomfortably. “I'll ask one of the association members to get you the ‘Tales of Jianghu Heroes’. You will also like the story of Ma-hyeop.” You will, too. At those words, Mok Liwon asked. “Do you like Ma-hyeop, Master?” Mok Liwon did not know Ma-hyeop. He also had no knowledge of the ‘Tales of Jianghu Heroes’ or Murim it spoke of. Therefore, what mattered most to him was one thing. Whether his master, his parental figure, could truly love someone like him who belonged to the demonic lineage. Whether he would affirm the righteousness achieved through demonic means. Mok Seon-oh blinked at the tense expression of Mok Liwon, then burst into laughter and answered. “Of course, how could I dislike him when he is also a hero?” A child's world was small. It ended with a lone thatched house in a mountain valley and the stream in front of it—small in size. Thus, the child felt overwhelmed with emotion at the words of the elder. He rejoiced at the acceptance of his world by his parental figure. On this day, the child finally dreams of something vivid. To follow in the footsteps of Ma-hyeop, a man he had never known in life. Terms not on the list: 1. 조곤조곤하다 -> Gentle; Used "gentle" to convey the soft-spoken manner of conversation. Alternate translations: "soft," "soothing." Literal translation: "in a soft-spoken manner." 2. 정순한 무공(正純한 武功) -> Pure Martial Prowess; A term indicating untainted martial skill or power. I chose "pure" to highlight its moral clarity and absence of malice. Alternate translation: "righteous martial arts." Literal translation: "upright pure martial arts." 3. 정순한 내공(正純한 內功) -> Pure Internal Energy; Similarly, this indicates morally clear internal strength. "Pure" denotes the righteousness and moral clarity of the energy. Alternate translation: "righteous internal power." Literal translation: "upright pure internal energy." 4. 마협(魔俠) -> Ma-hyeop; Name of a fictional character, translated phonetically. Alternate translations: none since it is a proper noun. 5. 강호협객전(江湖俠客傳) -> Tales of Jianghu Heroes; Descriptive translation, as 江湖 implies a martial arts world setting, and 俠客傳 evokes tales of warriors. Alternate translation: "Tales of Martial Heroes." Literal translation: "Tales of Heroes of the Martial World." These choices were made to keep the language accessible and aligned with the narrative's tone and context.