85 - Defiance, Resolution (3) - The Heaven-Slaying Sword

At the sudden call, Mok Riwon found himself seated, though his nerves were far from settled. After all, this was no other than the leader of the martial alliance. Moreover, an individual among the Four Stars and Six Kings who had opposed the very notion of his existence. Even acknowledging Sa Baek Un's intentions were for a greater cause, and accepting he was a man of virtue, it naturally did nothing to ease the tension. '...No, I must calm down.' Mok Riwon steadied his heart. The words of Yum So So came to mind. 'All I need to do is prove myself. Why am I so consumed by fear?' Mok Riwon took a deep breath. In the midst of this, Sa Baek Un spoke. "Why so tense?" "No, not at all!" Mok Riwon straightened his back. At this sight, Sa Baek Un chuckled heartily and waved his hand dismissively. "Don't be so nervous. Really, my body may have aged, but perhaps my heart still desires the vigor of youth. It somewhat disheartens me when the younger ones treat me with such formality. Could you sit a bit more comfortably for my sake?" "Yes…!” Mok Riwon relaxed his shoulders. Stiff as he was. Sensing no further persuasion from Sa Baek Un, who seemed disappointed as he picked up his drink, perhaps feeling his invitation had become more of a demand. "Shall we have a drink first?" "Ah, I'll join you." "Much appreciated." Clink. As Mok Riwon poured the drink, a refreshing aroma wafted through the air. Mok Riwon exclaimed in admiration at the burst of fragrance. "This is…." "It’s called 'Baekju.' I have a brewer acquaintance who sends me a bottle each year." "Such a precious thing…." "Isn’t it fitting to share with a distinguished guest?" Sa Baek Un smiled gently. Then, taking the bottle, he filled Mok Riwon's cup. Mok Riwon, following proper etiquette, accepted the cup with both hands. "Try a sip." Mok Riwon swallowed nervously before slowly sipping the drink. And then, he let out an exclamation. "Ah…." The taste was irresistible. The moment the alcohol touched his lips, its coolness, the smooth warmth as it flowed down his throat, and the clear fragrance that rose as he exhaled. "Truly, an excellent flavor! I've never tasted such fine alcohol in my life!" Mok Riwon’s face brightened as he enthusiastically praised. "I don't know how to thank you enough for sharing such a rare drink! Truly, I'm grateful…." “It seems you’ve relaxed a bit now.” “Ah.” Mok Riwon's eyes widened as he bowed his head. Indeed, the drink had considerably eased the tension he had been feeling up to that moment. He raised his head to look at Sa Baek Un once more. "There’s a saying that a warrior should not indulge in alcohol, but I disagree. A moderate intoxication stirs a warm passion in my heart." The towering elderly man, mismatched with his formidable physique, wore a gentle smile. If one had to describe it, it was like a father’s smile. He was the man who perfectly embodied the wider martial world’s perception of a fatherly figure. Mok Riwon felt an inexplicable urge to fidget with his fingers, smiling in response. 'I am….' Was it really fear of not being acknowledged by such a person that had gripped him? He briefly scolded himself. Mok Riwon steadied his resolve once more. '...He will surely acknowledge me.' It was still too early to discuss his origins and star status. However, thoughts of eventually revealing his identity, to proudly validate himself as a hero of the martial arts world, entered his mind. "...Thank you for your consideration." "So, how is life in the alliance treating you?" "I'm learning a lot. Especially from the advisor!" "I can’t share the details, but the person you're referring to is far more remarkable than you know. Make the most of it." Certainly, it was that feared presence. Mok Riwon laughed awkwardly, picking up a piece of meat to eat. Then, with an 'Ah!' he brought out a letter from his robe. "Hmm? What's that?" "The Black Dragon… I mean, Sir Namgung asked me to deliver this letter! He specifically instructed me to make sure it reaches you!" "Hmm, is that so?" Sa Baek Un said, unfolding the letter immediately and bursting into laughter. "Such audacity, it’s almost like looking back at the Sword King in his youth." Startled, Mok Riwon glanced at Sa Baek Un apprehensively. The letter was a request for the bestowment of a divine elixir. Given Mok Riwon’s eager anticipation for the elixir, the tension regarding Sa Baek Un's response was inevitable. Sa Baek Un quickly caught the drift. A teasing smile appeared on his lips. "Why? Do you want it too?" "Uh…." Mok Riwon, trailing off and avoiding eye contact, scratched the back of his red face. "...It would be a lie to say I don’t." "Honesty suits you." Sa Baek Un pocketed the letter, then added, "The elixir will be granted, even without this letter." "Really?!" "Certainly. After all, isn’t it the feat of capturing one of the Six Demons?" Mok Riwon's eyes sparkled. His clenched fists indicated he was struggling to contain his excitement. Sa Baek Un, watching him for a while, suddenly asked, "By the way." "Yes?" "I've heard... You took quite an unexpected action." Mok Riwon's body froze. At that moment, Sa Baek Un was looking at him with an inscrutable smile. "May I inquire about the reason?" The thought that came to Mok Riwon wasn't anything else but an acknowledgment that the inevitable had arrived. Given that the previous mission was no small affair and had already been reported up the chain, it would have been odd if Sa Baek Un was unaware of the proceedings. Mok Riwon smiled bitterly, offering no excuses. "...Because I believed that overlooking the threat to civilians is not the way of a knight." He spoke his honest feelings. Sa Baek Un 'hmmed' and stroked his chin. "I'd like to hear more about it." "It's exactly as I said. I couldn't stand by and watch civilians potentially get hurt. If I had waited there for reinforcements, another civilian might have lost their life that night." "I see." Sa Baek Un poured himself another drink of Baekju, looking at its surface in silence for a moment before speaking again. "...That's a fine sentiment." Mok Riwon remained silent, sensing that Sa Baek Un hadn't finished speaking yet, and rightly so. "But it was also a foolish judgment." Saying so, Sa Baek Un took a sip, savored the aroma for a moment, and then continued after setting down his cup. "May I offer you some advice? This comes from a senior in the martial arts, as the leader of the alliance, and as an elder." "...Please, enlighten me." "Don’t divide the world so starkly into black and white." A slight bitterness tinged Sa Baek Un's smile. Mok Riwon listened attentively to the words that followed, delivered in a soft, persuasive tone. "You and your colleagues viewed the situation too simplistically." "Simplistically, you say…" "Why only think of bringing in the main force? Surely, there must have been a local branch of the alliance in that city. Couldn’t you have drawn upon those martial artists to bolster your forces?" Mok Riwon's eyes widened. Sa Baek Un chuckled. "I suppose you didn't trust the martial artists from the branch. Is that not so?" "No, that’s not…" "Of course, I'm not saying you deliberately dismissed them. Ah, I've already met you all once, didn't I? Wouldn't I know? My point is, you’ve perhaps thought yourselves too special. That’s blinding you." A spark of realization shone in Mok Riwon's eyes as he began to understand Sa Baek Un's message. "...Are we becoming arrogant?" "One might say that. Alternatively, it could be considered a sense of responsibility." "Responsibility…?" "Didn’t you think that if not for you, no one could save them?" Mok Riwon could not refute his words. 'Indeed, that’s what I believed.' At that moment, he was convinced that he alone had to act to save those civilians. That only he could save them. "...I will reflect on this." "It's not that your mindset is wrong. I believe that special individuals require special responsibilities. But listen." Sa Baek Un picked up the bottle, this time to pour Mok Riwon a drink. Mok Riwon accepted the cup respectfully with both hands. "Try to be a bit more flexible." Sa Baek Un smiled softly. "Had you requested support from the members of the alliance, they could have assisted you in ways other than combat. Distracting the enemy, guarding the rear – tasks of that sort." "...Indeed." "Look a bit wider. And don’t divide people into just friends and foes, those to be protected and those to be helped. A world viewed in only black and white is harsh and cold; dwell in it, and you might find yourself enveloped in solitude." Mok Riwon quietly regarded Sa Baek Un. The fleeting bitterness, the sincerity of the words being shared. It was more profound than mere recollection. Thus, Mok Riwon ventured to ask. "Experience...is it?" "I won't deny it. But understand that it's a painful memory I can't share in detail." Realizing it would be rude to probe further, Mok Riwon bowed his head. Sa Baek Un then concluded. "People often say the martial world is vast and deep. But I believe humans are even more mystifying. A single aspect can never fully reveal their worth because people are always changing…" His words flowed smoothly, piercing not just the ears but the heart. "...That's why I believe we shouldn't prematurely judge their potential." This became a moment of realization for Mok Riwon. The possibility of change. Faith within these aspects. A small truth, garnered over a lifetime by a transcendent martial artist, rippled through Mok Riwon's heart. "Ah…" Mok Riwon's eyes shimmered like rippling water. Sa Baek Un widened his eyes for a moment, then burst into laughter. "A swift learner, you are." "Th-Thank you…!" Mok Riwon, flustered, abruptly stood and attempted to take a formal stance. Sa Baek Un waved his hand in refusal. "That's enough. Let's end our meeting here. You should go. Now is the time for meditation, isn't it?" "How could I…!" "A senior finds more joy in a junior's enlightenment than in sharing a meal. Off you go." Sa Baek Un said those words and playfully flicked Mok Riwon's cup with his fingers. "I wish to wager." Mok Riwon's expression undulated at the teasing words. His fists clenched tighter than ever before. Mok Riwon bit down on his lip. Then, with a powerful gesture, he formed a fist salute, bowing deeply. "Thank you for your teachings!" With that, he dashed out. It felt as though he was on the verge of understanding something. Pieces of advice he had received thus far began to connect, using those words as a seam. Not just black and white, but a spectrum of colors. Change and possibility. And faith. 'The martial world.' It was the color spectrum of the martial world. That was the hue of the martial world Mok Riwon had experienced so far. As Mok Riwon, wearing a broad smile, began to leave the garden, Sa Baek Un watched his back with a kindly smile. 'Really…' An amusing junior, he thought.