12 - The Heaven-Slaying Sword

〈 Chapter 12 〉 The Village Head – A Newcomer to Jianghu, and the Enchantress (6) * * * The pavilion was in chaos. Even though the business hadn't officially started yet, it was bustling due to the rowdy troublemakers flocking in. Mok Liwon, having descended to the highest floor with Tang Hwaseo, looked down over the railing, scanning for something. ‘Where is it?’ There was an aura he could feel. A well-refined killing intent. It was subtle and precise, gliding towards him like a fish swimming silently and stealthily under a lake. Mok Liwon sharpened his senses, broadening his awareness. Only then could he find the man standing still at the entrance of Gyeonghwa Pavilion. ‘...There.’ Though the man's large straw hat obscured his facial features, his robust physique and scarred hands were unmistakably those of a martial artist. Additionally, the heavy aura and energy emanating from him suggested his martial arts skills were far from ordinary. In a tense moment, the martial artist lifted his head. Mok Liwon's fingertips trembled. ‘...Someone more experienced than me.’ Mok Liwon immediately recognized that the man was a master who had reached the mature Peak Realm. In a brief exchange of glances, as soon as the two confirmed each other's existence, the man turned and left the pavilion. Only then did Mok Liwon feel his tension ease slightly, and he turned to Tang Hwaseo. But he had to swallow his surprise. “…Is something wrong, Miss?” Tang Hwaseo was looking at the spot where the man had left with an expression Mok Liwon had never seen before. Her pupils were trembling horribly. Her face was ashen. Mok Liwon knew. That expression was one born of fear. * It didn't take long for the turmoil to subside. Once the guards of the pavilion and Tang Hwaseo's henchmen brought order, there was nothing the troublemakers could do. It went smoothly. That might have been one way to describe it, but the expression on Tang Hwaseo's face after returning to the top floor remained tense. The reason was simple: she had also seen the man Mok Liwon had spotted. Not through the aura, but because she already knew the man, she could find him. ‘...Pyo San.’ His ominous and pallid complexion, and the wrinkles scarred by the worldly winds. That was undoubtedly the hateful shadow of her family that had haunted her throughout her childhood. ­Miss, it's time. The voice announcing a painful time echoed once more. Simultaneously, the sensation of her organs twisting inside reemerged. It was a phantom pain. Even though it was a pain she no longer felt, even knowing it was an illusion, Hwaseo shuddered at the sensation. ‘They found me….’ They had finally come all the way here. Those tenacious ones had eventually traced her here without missing a single clue. ‘Failure.’ It seemed her long escape was coming to an end. No, could this even be called an end? ‘It would be the start of a more dreadful time.’ Now that they knew she was considering escape, they would become even more persistent. They would leave nothing behind and attempt to erase all she had. Hwaseo bit her lip tightly, sensing the presence at the ceiling and the door. ‘…These people must escape.’ They had abandoned their names and faces for her sake. If things continued like this, they would all fall victim to Pyo San. ‘At least.’ Even if she couldn't escape, she had to devise a plan to ensure their survival. “Swordsman.” Tang Hwaseo called out to Mok Liwon. Only then did Mok Liwon, who had remained silent, break his silence. “Speak.” “I have one request to make.” “What is it?” “Please evacuate my people to a safe place. I will ensure you are not shortchanged in compensation, so I beg of you.” A rustling movement arose from different parts. Soon, seven masked figures emerged from the ceiling and one from the door, prostrating themselves before Hwaseo. So-hyang, who was at the front, spoke. “It is impossible.” “It is an order. Obey it.” Hwaseo didn't look at them. She simply closed her eyes and said so. It meant she would accept no objections. It was an odd thing, but So-hyang and the masked figures had no choice but to comply with her words. Though usually lenient in most matters, Hwaseo had a peculiar tendency not to back down once she made up her mind. “Please, swordsman, I beg of you.” Hwaseo's words were directed at Mok Liwon once again. Mok Liwon quietly regarded her before responding. “What will you do, Miss?” “I will go to them. Surrendering myself will satisfy them, and at least these people will have their lives preserved.” “Are you giving up? Without even trying to fight?” Hwaseo's eyes opened. She looked at Mok Liwon, unable to understand the meaning or intention behind his words. The man before her was gazing at her with a calm expression. “Why must you give up, Miss? Why must these people flee?” Though it was an earnest question, Hwaseo thought there was something unusual about his tone this time. Perhaps it was because his usual good-natured smile was absent. “Swordsman?” “I know that you are not someone guilty, Miss. On the contrary, you are accumulating virtuous deeds. The smiles of the people in this pavilion are proof of that.” His words continued in praise of her, much like before, yet this time a different nuance was present. Of course, it was because Mok Liwon was far from happy at this moment. The reason was so straightforward that even the question of 'why' seemed extravagant. “The righteous do not kneel. In truth, it's the other way around. It is the wicked who should kneel and beg for their lives.” The current situation did not align with his principles at all. Hwaseo let out a hollow laugh. In her mind, she even contemplated silencing his mouth, which was spouting idealistic words even in this instance. Truthfully, it was an opinion that could be ignored. --- New Terms: 1. Pyo San (표산) - The context indicates that this is likely a person or entity that represents a past and persistent threat to Tang Hwaseo. It is translated as "Pyo San," given the lack of additional contextual information about the character in this passage. Alternatives could be "Marked Mountain" if taken literally in Korean, given that 'Pyo' can mean mark or target and 'San' means mountain, but this is not used due to the narrative context suggesting a name or a title of an opposing force. Just handing over money and telling them to repay the debts incurred up to now should have sufficed. Yet, Tang Hwaseo retorted against those words. A fury she couldn't comprehend had taken root within her, driving her to speak. The frustration and how he so stubbornly adhered to righteousness were things she found incredibly irritable. “Yes, you speak quite soundly. But are you aware? The world does not follow the path of righteousness. To assert your beliefs, you require immense strength. Even now, as you see below, you mentioned that there is a Peak Realm martial artist, did you not? By the looks of it, I would surmise that his martial prowess surpasses yours.” Mok Liwon did not reply. His silence was a tacit agreement. Tang Hwaseo clenched her fists and continued her speech. “What will you do just because it's righteous? Can you defeat that martial artist? Does resisting against that martial artist seem like it will improve the situation? Look here. Jianghu isn't the romantic place you imagine. Even if we resist, what awaits us in the end is likely a dreadful defeat. People who could be saved will end up dead.” It had been quite some time since she'd spoken so much. Tang Hwaseo was heaving as she poured out her emotions. Even now, she had no idea why she was speaking so much. She couldn't pinpoint what exactly was inciting such a surge of rage within her. ...Or maybe, she did know after all. Tang Hwaseo frowned and smiled bitterly. ‘I’ve grown fond of him.’ She might be worried that this fool, chasing after his ideals, might die an untimely death. Perhaps she just hoped his head would remain attached to his body. ‘Have I grown too deeply involved?’ As she was just beginning to regret the fleeting futility of it all, Mok Liwon spoke. “You never know until you try.” “…What?” “I said you never know until you try. Hmm, no.” Mok Liwon stood up. He still wore a calm expression. He looked as if he was pondering something as he gazed into the air for a moment, then turned to Tang Hwaseo and smiled. “I don’t feel like I’m going to lose.” The sudden pull at the back of her neck took her by surprise. At the peak of her rising anger, when Tang Hwaseo was about to get up and slap him, Mok Liwon continued. “You’ve forgotten something, Miss.” Hesitating­—. Tang Hwaseo's body froze. In her vision was Mok Liwon’s face, looking reliable despite the inappropriate occasion. “A hero does not yield to the villain. This is a line from Chapter 1 of ‘Chronicles of The Jianghu Heroes.’” Tap-tap. Speaking those words while patting his attire, Mok Liwon walked towards the door. “See you later.” Creak­. The door closed. * A grand estate on the outskirts of Xiangyang. Inside, two men faced each other in a building with the sign ‘One Wheel Society (一？會)’ elegantly written over the main entrance. One was a large man with a groveling, fawning face, the lord of the One Wheel Society, and the other was Pyo San, who had spotted Tang Hwaseo at the entrance of Gyeonghwa Pavilion. “I, I am at a loss with such a great personage coming forth….” “Cut the nonsense. Just being in the same place as a black path dweller like you is shameful enough.” Twitch­—. The lord, Kang Byuk-woon, trembled slightly at Pyo San’s demeanor. His mind was full of grievances. ‘Rude bastard.’ To speak like that after coming here and claiming to help first off rubs him the wrong way. But he couldn’t voice his dissatisfaction because Pyo San’s martial prowess was so formidable that even the entire One Wheel Society couldn't lay a finger on him. “I, I misspoke…!” Kang Byuk-woon bowed his head even lower. He had to endure. Gyeonghwa Pavilion was the largest brothel in Xiangyang. Swallowing it would yield enormous profits, far beyond what petty emotional grievances could ruin. Silently, Kang Byuk-woon refilled Pyo San’s cup. His thoughts revolved around currying favor and completing the task. As he put on a forced smile, suddenly— “Leader! There’s an intruder!” The vice lord guarding the inner quarters burst open the door and shouted. Both Kang Byuk-woon and Pyo San turned their gaze toward him. “What? An intruder? Who?” “I, I don’t know! That is….” The vice lord’s complexion was ghostly pale. His expression was as if he had just seen a ghost. “…One, one person. It’s just one person.” Contextually, it seemed that one person had intruded and he couldn't stop them so he'd run here. As Kang Byuk-woon was about to turn red with anger and yell, Pyo San stood up. “Must be him.” With a knowing expression, Kang Byuk-woon glanced at Pyo San. Pyo San looked back and spoke. “I have an idea. I’ll be back.” Leaving those words behind, he passed by the vice lord and headed toward where the commotion was coming from. * Bang­! Mok Liwon moved through, beating the approaching black path dwellers with his sheathed sword. A lone incursion. Yet no one could stop him. Obviously. A Peak Realm martial artist is considered a superhuman being. The black path dwellers, merely commoners gathering to do hooligan acts, had no way to stop him. “Where is the leader?” Having finally subdued all the black path members in the garden, Mok Liwon asked the fallen figure with a calm demeanor. At that moment. Swoosh­! Something grazed past Mok Liwon's cheek, leaving a cut on his face. Mok Liwon’s head snapped up. There stood a middle-aged man with a somber appearance, wearing a straw hat, the Peak Realm martial artist he had spotted at the entrance of Gyeonghwa Pavilion. “You’ve come all the way here. Or should I thank you for saving me the trouble of finding you?” He spoke in a leisurely tone. Mok Liwon’s gaze darkened. As soon as he looked at the man, the suspicion he held solidified into certainty. ‘…As I thought.’ The aura emanating from the man was too pristine. “I have a question for you.” “Ask away. For someone who has mastered such martial arts at your age, I can extend that much courtesy, as your senior.” Senior. Mok Liwon mulled over the word. --- New Terms: 1. Cheongma (천화) - **Contextual Translation:** Not directly mentioned in the translated passages but appears as a reference or in other contexts. It can refer to an individual's name or a title given its appearance without context here. **Literal Translation:** "Heaven Flower," with "Cheong" meaning celestial or heavenly, and "Ma" meaning flower. **Alternatives:** "Heavenly Blossom" or "Celestial Petal" depending on context clarity and narrative background. 2. One Wheel Society (일륜회) - Translated from '일륜회,' literally meaning "One Wheel Association." The translation retains the essence of a formal or organized group or society. **Alternative:** "Unified Wheel Union" or "Single Wheel League," but "One Wheel Society" is chosen here for clarity and simplicity. As he allowed his head to cool, he felt clarity in his thoughts. "You called yourself a senior." "Indeed." "There was something I've been pondering ever since I arrived here." Thud. Mok Liwon took a step forward, voicing the mystery that had been weighing on him. "There's something I simply can't comprehend. The aura emanating from you is nothing short of pure. So why is someone like you aiding the black path?" "If that's a misunderstanding—" "There cannot be any misunderstanding. There should never be one. It is absolutely unacceptable." Thud. He took another step forward. His face, previously calm, began to exude a frigid aura, settling into an icy gaze. "There can be no justification for tainting the righteous path that so many heroes have glorified." His words were almost a murmur, bordering on self-hypnosis. Indeed, the emotion Mok Liwon was feeling as he looked at Pyo San was an emotion rarely seen in him—anger. "There should be no words of justification after trampling on the righteous while committing acts of a villain." For Mok Liwon, the righteous path was sacred. Moreover, it was a sense of justice that had made him, even burdened with the Heavenly Slaughter Star, a hero. Therefore, he could not forgive Pyo San. "It is time." Srrng­. For the first time, Mok Liwon drew his sword from its sheath. What emerged over the blade was the dark star, a sword aura emblematic of a martial artist who had reached the Peak Realm. "Do not dare to speak of seniority with such a vile mouth." In that moment, a blood-red glint flickered across Mok Liwon's eyes. --- New Terms: 1. Sword Aura (검기상인) - Translated from '검기상인,' referring to the aura associated with a master swordsman's presence, particularly one who has reached a high level of martial arts proficiency. In this context, it also symbolizes Mok Liwon's mastery within the Peak Realm. **Literal Translations:** "Sword Energy Image" or "Sword Qi Merchant," but "Sword Aura" is used here for clarity and consistency with martial arts terminology. 2. Black Path (흑도) - Refers to the underworld or unorthodox martial sects within the context of Murim, translated as "black path" to imply a path of corruption or villainy. **Alternative:** "Dark Path" or "Shadow Path," but "Black Path" conveys a more literal translation.