43 - Dragon Phoenix Assembly (16) - The Heaven-Slaying Sword

Celestial Sword Sect. The 11th disciple. And the master of rumors. Through the three meanings embedded in a single phrase, Namgung Hyuk understood. "So, he was alive." That Mok Seon-o, the Sword Saint, had not yet passed away. Namgung Hyuk felt a surge of elation. An uncontainable aura burst forth violently, and Mok Riwon choked under its oppressive weight. "Where is he?" Namgung Hyuk asked again. There was a curious sparkle in his eyes. "Where is the Sword Saint? Yes, that scoundrel Gullwang must be with him, right? Speak." The very air around them screamed. Crushed and smashed, it slammed to the ground. It was merely the energy that seeped out without him even trying to exert his full power. It was merely a phenomenon that occurred. Beyond the Realm. Amid all the extraordinary talents throughout the expansive martial world, only the very best could barely touch the threshold of this supreme realm, and it was crushing Mok Riwon with its distant aura. "Ah...!" Mok Riwon's eyes widened. He barely managed to keep his stance firm, despite his trembling legs. It felt like someone was choking him, a sensation so intense he thought he might lose consciousness at any moment, but Mok Riwon did not fall. "I cannot say." "Why not?" "...Because the Sword Emperor did not share his reasons for seeking my master. I do not wish to engage in anything that might pose a threat to my master's safety." Mok Riwon faced Namgung Hyuk squarely. Namgung Hyuk, pressing down on him, scrutinized his gaze. A gaze filled with resolve and determination. Namgung Hyuk, seemingly pondering for a bit, eventually retracted his aura. "...You are absolutely correct. As a martial artist and a disciple." Namgung Hyuk then added, "I have shown an unworthy side of myself. My apologies." Indeed, he was a junior by many years. And a man who had come all this way without knowing the reason, yet had not managed to control a moment of emotion, for which Namgung Hyuk felt ashamed. At last feeling his breathing ease, Mok Riwon let out a heavy sigh and bowed deeply. "Thank you for your consideration." "Once more, I ask. Where is the Sword Saint?" Mok Riwon's body twitched. His face began to show signs of distress. 'We’re getting nowhere.' The conversation was not progressing. Though Mai Seok's described ruthlessness was not present, this stubborn character made him wish that actual ruthlessness would have been easier to handle. "I'm sorry..." "I do not intend to harm him." Mok Riwon looked up. Namgung Hyuk continued, his voice almost a murmur. "I simply have an unresolved matter that needs settling." "You speak of..." "A duel I have yet to finish. We need to have a match." Mok Riwon clamped his mouth shut. The reason flitted through his mind. -Do you know how shameless the Sword Emperor is? If he says he had a duel with brother, it's a loss every time! Never won even once but keeps insisting 'we have yet to settle things.' Ridiculous. He doesn't even count duels he loses as real duels. Sword Emperor? More like Sword Fool would be fitting. He couldn't help but agree deeply. Though it was a biased view from Mai Seok, Mok Riwon could not help but empathize with it. 'What should I do...?' He continued to ponder. At least it was clear that Namgung Hyuk bore no ill will toward him. After all, he hadn’t mentioned the "heaven" in Celestial Murder even though he already knew everything about him. Moreover, while asking about the Sword Saint's whereabouts, he did not express any negative emotions. It was merely a competitive spirit. That was all that was visible in Namgung Hyuk. "...May I ask one question?" "Speak." "Why do you desire a duel with my master?" "..." For the first time, a change crossed Namgung Hyuk’s expression. It seemed to convey incredulity. "Is a reason necessary?" Namgung Hyuk truly could not comprehend. A great adversary that remains unbeaten in one's life. A duel left lingering as regret. Indeed, for a martial artist, for a swordsman. To give up and retreat from such an opponent would actually be the anomaly. "I simply wish to conclude the duel." "..." Mok Riwon felt bewilderingly lost. When was the last time he felt this way? At age 10, the day when Mai Seok declared, 'I feel like eating meat today,' throwing him a snare and telling him to catch a rabbit. Mok Riwon felt his spirit drain away. Yet, amidst this, a certain conviction arose concerning Namgung Hyuk's impending response. "...He is in Kangseo Province. I cannot say more than that." "Kangseo Province. I heard you clearly." Namgung Hyuk’s expression hardened once more. It bore a look of satisfaction. Mok Riwon thought to himself, 'There won’t be any trouble, then.' Whatever it was, it seemed Namgung Hyuk’s only concern was the duel. "You may leave now." Namgung Hyuk spoke thus and closed his eyes. There was no hint of attachment in his words. Upon witnessing this, Mok Riwon recalled the small lingering unease within him, wishing to resolve it. "...May I ask you one question?" "What is it?" "It seems to me that you have no other interest in me, Sword Emperor. Clearly, the star bestowed upon me..." "Is that important?" "...Excuse me?" Namgung Hyuk opened his eyes. Only indifference filled his gaze as he finished his business. "Do you truly believe a mere star dictates the sword?" Mok Riwon's eyes slightly widened. Namgung Hyuk sneered upon seeing his face. "Whatever it may be, in the end, you are a swordsman. That's all there is to it." Sword Emperor Namgung Hyuk. He truly devoted his life to the sword. Nothing beyond the act of wielding a sword mattered to him. This was true even on the day the blood feud concluded. -Don't make me laugh. Are you saying you will abandon the sword now? -Not abandoning the sword. I'm putting down the name. -If I kill that flesh and blood, would you retract your words? -Sword Emperor, my resolve will not change. -... He was someone who did not care the slightest about Mok Riwon's origin. If he were to show any interest, it would only pertain to the swordsmanship Mok Riwon learned and his martial prowess. "Now leave." "Yes, I have overstayed my welcome." Mok Riwon felt an indescribable emotion stirring within him. For someone born with a fate deserving of condemnation by all of Zhongyuan, meeting someone who did not feel the need to hide his origins or deny his existence was an sentimental event. Even if it stemmed from indifference. Mok Riwon accordingly turned and left the room. Only then did Namgung Hyuk gaze at his departing figure, thinking, 'That one is much better.' He was comparing his grandson, Namgung Jincheon, with Mok Riwon. 'It will be interesting.' The transcendent martial artist was convinced. Emperors cannot overcome the killing intent. Due to their arrogance, confining their world within that arrogance, they would eventually collapse. However, what's important comes afterwards. 'Really...' Would his grandson cast aside his arrogance and advance forward, or would he succumb to the devil within and crumble? It seemed preparation was necessary regardless. * Mok Riwon headed towards a pond on one corner of the garden, his heart restless. The lush pine trees sparsely casting shadows created a rather cool pond. 'A swordsman, nothing more.' Mok Riwon mulled over these words, cracking a slight smile. 'Yes, I am a swordsman. A person who lives by the sword.' There was joy. And an overwhelming feeling. While reminiscing over these words, Mok Riwon began to sense a vague notion, previously obscured by fog, starting to become faintly visible. It was a sort of minor realization. About the martial way (Wu) and chivalry (Xia), as well as the purpose (Yi) and the sword (Jian). It was enlightenment concerning their essence. Although it was an enlightenment hard to grasp due to its nearly ethereal light, Mok Riwon was not in a hurry. 'I should meditate when I get back.' Now that it had revealed itself, however faintly, enlightenment, as always, would eventually fall into his grasp. His hand twitched. He wanted to wield his sword as soon as possible. As he was about to stand up with this thought. "Huee..." A very childish voice came from nearby. Mok Riwon thought 'oops' as he realized, embarrassed, that he hadn't noticed someone approaching due to his deep thoughts. Mok Riwon turned his head. There stood a young girl, her face flushing red with a blank expression, who seemed to be about four or five years old. "Hmm?" "Huee..." The girl's eyes shone dreamily, her chubby cheeks burning pink, which was quite endearing. 'Is she from the Namgung family?' He could only think so, as the clothes the girl wore were clearly of fine quality. "Little one, who are you?" Mok Riwon asked with a refreshing smile. The girl, startled by his smile, widened her eyes. "So, Soa..." "So it's Soa. Have you lost your way?" He inquired, noting that despite her fine clothes, no one seemed to be watching over her. The girl introduced as Soa shook her head vigorously. "No..." Then she fidgeted with her fingertips. While Mok Riwon was tilting his head in puzzlement. Suddenly- Soa clung to Mok Riwon's leg. "Hubby...!" Soa shouted again, closing her eyes tight. "It's hubby...!" Mok Riwon was taken aback. How could he not be? A child had unexpectedly called him 'hubby,' a thing bound to astonish anyone. Embarrassed, Mok Riwon scratched his cheek and laughed, then gently stroked Soa's head and said, "I'm sorry, but I'm not your hubby." Thud! Soa looked up at Mok Riwon with a face as if the world had come crashing down. "Not...?" "It's not like that." It was a regrettable situation. Mok Riwon was intelligent and not slow to catch on, but despite that, he was largely ignorant about the beings called humans. This was especially true with children. Having only ever interacted with elders and peers, Mok Riwon lacked understanding of a child's innocence or their idolization. Soa's face grew more tearful. "My hubby is gone..." "That's not the correct term. Something that 'is gone' implies it was there and then disappeared, but Soa's hubby never existed to begin with, so 'you don't have a hubby' is more accurate." Mok Riwon, pleased with his logical explanation, smiled contentedly. However, it was a mistake. "Hic…!" To a child, the truth was too heavy a burden. Soa's whimpering grew louder, and Mok Riwon expressed his confusion. "Why, why are you crying…!" "Hubbaaang…!" "Eh? Hubby? You're crying because you don’t have a hubby? Don’t cry! When you're older, surely, you'll meet a wonderful hubby!" "Hubbaaang…!" "You, you’re too young to have a hubby! So, stop right there!" Mok Riwon relentlessly pressed on without catching a breath. By now, saying something like 'I am your hubby' might have sufficed, but Mok Riwon, who only knew to speak uprightly, could hardly be expected to say such a thing. Soa, or Namgung Soa, considering the full name, encountered an adversary to her whims for the first time in her life. And it just had to be an astoundingly handsome man. Had he angered her, it might have been better, but Mok Riwon's appearance was too striking. After all, in Namgung Soa's life, there had never been a face that could calm her anger just by looking at it. Thus, there was only one thing to do. If at first, you don’t succeed, try, try again. Just like her uncle, Changseong Sword Namgung Un, often said, Namgung Soa exhibited persistence for the first time in her life. "Hubby-!" Namgung Soa clung to Mok Riwon's leg like a cicada. Mok Riwon felt his heart drop at her resounding cry. In the midst of this, "Soa." A man's voice resonated in the space. It was Namgung Jincheon. Namgung Soa looked up sneakily at Namgung Jincheon. "…Brother?" "Come here." Namgung Jincheon waved his hand indifferently. Then, Namgung Soa hesitantly glanced back and forth between Mok Riwon and Namgung Jincheon before she pouted her lips and walked toward Namgung Jincheon. Namgung Jincheon picked up Namgung Soa. Then, he looked at Mok Riwon and fell silent. "…" "…" It was an uncomfortable silence. Finally, Namgung Jincheon asked with a voice devoid of any discernible emotion. "Mokgeum (Silent Sword), are you interested in child love?" "No-!" Mok Riwon felt unjustly maligned.