165 - Gathering, Meeting (7) - The Heaven-Slaying Sword

The meeting ended in a languid manner. Since it wasn't a meeting meant to resolve everything in a single day, this was not a major issue. However, the confusion was inevitable. The problem was Ma Il-seok's statement. The fact that the most talked-about late-stage disciple in Gangho was his student had spread throughout the martial world, extending beyond the confines of the meeting. "Exactly! I thought it made no sense! How could such an extraordinary man have an unknown master?" "I understand if it’s Geol Wang! The man who even gave up the position of the sect leader of Baebang and vanished. What was he doing all this time? Raising his successor!” Everywhere, there was talk about Mok Riwon and Ma Il-seok. It wasn't a bad turn of events. Given the gloom brought upon the central martial world due to the incidents at Cheongryongbimu Assembly and Cheonghae, this news was a welcome glimmer of hope. Hope. That was what the central martial world needed more than anything at this moment. Not everyone was pleased, however. When closely scrutinizing Ma Il-seok and Mok Riwon, numerous puzzling aspects emerged. “However, I do not understand why Geol Wang would teach him swordsmanship. Geol Wang himself does not use a sword.” “Besides that, there’s something else. There has been a dominant opinion in Gangho. That Geol Wang followed the Sword Saint. But coincidentally, amidst all of this…” Someone doubted. They believed Ma Il-seok was lying. And they combined what they knew with one more conjecture. A conjecture profoundly close to the truth. “…Could Ink Dragon be a disciple of the Sword Saint? Why, doesn’t everything he has shown thus far greatly resemble the Sword Saint?” There were too many dubious points to consider it merely speculative. Above all, the relationship between Ma Il-seok and Mok Seon-O raised questions. It was rare for someone in Gangho not to know of these two individuals. The voiced opinion quickly spread in all directions. Of course, with aspects of the story being fantastical, immediate rebuttals emerged. Among those most fervently objecting were Mok Riwon's followers, Gwak Chil and Wang Heo. “Stop spouting nonsense! Ink Dragon is indeed a disciple of Geol Wang!” “Then explain why Ink Dragon specializes in swordsmanship!” “You still don’t see?!” Bang! Gwak Chil slammed his fist down on the tavern table. “Geol Wang yearned for the Sword Saint! He aimed to bring forth someone like the Sword Saint to Gangho once again!” Gwak Chil was desperate. Not without reason. He already knew that Mok Riwon bore the Heavenly Killing Star. Gwak Chil had declared he would keep this secret at all costs. Staking his reputation, his life, and even his renowned pen name, Gwak Chil-pyo. “Ink Dragon, fear not!” Gwak Chil, albeit unknowingly to anyone else, boasted a loyalty and brotherhood unmatched by any. He reinforced his voice with conviction. “That explains everything! Who was the Sword Saint? A grand swordsman and hero whose name will live on in the history of Gangho's martial world! During the era of Blood Sorcery, did not everyone follow his lead? Geol Wang, his right-hand man, knew! Gangho needs someone like the Sword Saint! That’s what benefits Gangho the most!” Conviction in one’s tone often lent persuasive power. The crowd began to be swayed by his story. Gwak Chil, a third-rate martial artist but in reality, the once celebrated master writer Gwak Chil-pyo. Weaving a convincing tale was easier for him than piecing together a story while lying down. “Brother Gwak, truly remarkable deduction!” His fellow, Wang Heo, clapped and cheered. Soon, the surrounding crowd joined in the applause. "Ohhhhh!" The rumor quickly morphed, shaping into the narrative Gwak Chil had intended. * The rumor outside quickly infiltrated the martial alliance. A narrative woven from falsehood and misunderstanding turned the tide of perception towards Ma Il-seok and Mok Riwon within the alliance. “A true grandmaster! To think he put aside his own anonymity to nurture a martial artist in the mountains for the sake of Gangho!” “Also, a man true to his word! To honor his sworn brother by raising a martial artist who understands the spirit of camaraderie and righteousness! Who can say there’s no romance in that!” Ma Il-seok became awkward amidst the whispers that followed him everywhere. "Happy now?” Yeom Soh-so asked. Ilseok awkwardly coughed and looked up at the sky. “Pfft, happy, indeed.” Despite claiming so, Ma Il-seok couldn’t hide the twitching corners of his lips. Of course, he was pleased. How could he not show a liking to words that raised his stature? Although based on falsehoods, this was a white lie, and Ma Il-seok had nothing to fret over. “Sigh.” Yeom Soh-so clicked his tongue and sighed. Ma Il-seok paid no heed. * “Geol Wang’s disciple, huh.” In the dining hall of Yongbong Peak's main building, Mok Riwon had to awkwardly smile at Namgung Jincheon’s question. Not just because of his question, but Hyewon had been down all day, Ilwoon had just come from offering prayers and disciplines, and now Seo Ye was looking at Riwon with interest and excitement. For Riwon, it was a pressure-filled situation. "I didn't even mention such a past..." Namgung Jincheon's eyes narrowed. His face almost seemed sulky. Mok Riwon couldn't bring himself to tell the truth, so he stumbled over his words. "It's because my master told me to keep it hidden..." Indeed, it wasn't a lie. Technically, Ma Il-seok was Mok Riwon's master. After all, some of the throwing techniques and footwork that Riwon used were secretly modified versions of Baebang's secret techniques, taught by Ma Il-seok. It was a secret he would take to his grave. "Then, does this make Lord Mok a member of Baebang?" Hyewon asked amidst it all, her question sharp as a knife. Usually, a disciple followed their master's school. "That's not the case." Dang Hwa-seo answered. "According to what I personally asked Geol Wang, he considers Mok Sohyeop's affiliation separate from Baebang. It's because he was a disciple taught after Geol Wang left Baebang..." Mok Riwon nodded. "Right! I am not affiliated with Baebang. Moreover, the swordsmanship I use was taught by my master from techniques he fortuitously acquired in a hidden cave!" It was a story they had agreed upon beforehand. And not entirely a lie. The Hidden Cave was a place where descendants of Riwon's lineage were required to visit once reaching a certain level, to study the legacy left by the predecessors of the Holy Lian Discipline. Technically, a hidden cave did exist somewhere. 'It's about time.' According to Mok Seon-o, entering the Hidden Cave was the final step before transcendence, preparing for it was part of advancing through the eight levels of the Holy Lian Discipline. Riwon's constellation was in the process of forming its sixth star, meaning he would need to visit Gangseong Peak once his seventh star was complete. "Anyway, since Mok Sohyeop seems troubled by this discussion, let's end it here. More importantly, where on earth is Jegal San?" Dang Hwa-seo's voice carried an edge. His absence throughout the day was the reason. Naturally, the atmosphere tightened around them. Angering Dang Hwa-seo was an unwritten rule in Yongbong Peak to be avoided at all costs. "I saw him briefly during the day, during the meeting." Seo Ye said. "When I asked what he was doing, he said he was off to 'take a dump.' It was off-putting, but thinking about it now, it does seem odd.” Dang Hwa-seo let out a hollow laugh at Seo Ye's words, delivered with a puzzled tilt of her head. "Really, that's what he said, huh?" A venomous aura began to seep from Dang Hwa-seo's form. The members of Yongbong Peak hesitantly moved away from her. "I, I need to see the hall master for a moment!" "I should also visit my master!" Ilwoon and Hyewon were the first to leave. Following them, Namgung Jincheon led Seo Ye away. Left alone was Mok Riwon. 'Who, who will?' Please, save me! he cried out, but it was an empty echo. There was no plausible reason in this place to extricate him. * Jegal San was sleeping atop the roof of one of the alliance's halls. Such moments came with dreams. -San. His mother's touch, her smile, her gentle tone. Jegal San savored it, smiling faintly amidst it all. "Why did you not attend the meeting?" A stern voice was heard. It belonged to the man Jegal San despised more than anything in the world. Jerking awake, the younger man got to his feet. "Do I need to ask twice?" "...My lord." "You may call me father in private." Before Jegal San stood a middle-aged man, his expression emotionless, hair peppered with gray, draped in a wide coat. Great King Jegal Beok, his father. "Hah..." Jegal San scoffed, a sneering expression soon overtaking his face. "With what face do you play the father?" "Because it is my duty." "Duty, duty, duty. You really do adore your duties, don't you?" Jegal San's expression sharpened. "You ask why I did not attend the meeting? Why even ask such obvious questions." "..." "Because I despise you. I do not wish to stand as the successor to someone as abhorrent as you." Jegal Beok was silent. To Jegal San, his father's silence seemed nothing but despicable. "Seems you still can't break the habit of shutting up when at a loss for words." "...Disrespectful." "You expect manners?" How could you, of all people, expect that from me? Holding back his words, Jegal San responded. "Are you worthy of the respect that is due?" It was a standoff they were both tired of. At least, Jegal San was. "How could someone who watched his wife die and ignored the assassins targeting his child expect any form of respect?" Jegal Beok stiffened. Jegal San found him utterly contemptible. Over more than two decades of watching him, his father was a man seemingly devoid of any emotion, incapable of offering any kind of affection or connection. No, Jegal San had stopped expecting that. There was only one reason he hated him. One reason he still harbored resentment. "Is your beloved concubine doing well?" Because Jegal Beok kept the concubine who had killed his mother alive by his side. How could this not seem absurd? "...It's a matter for the clan." "Yes, of course, you wouldn’t care whether my mother, who lacks a powerful backing, lives or dies." "One must not act on emotions." "Do you possess emotions that could cause you to act?" Jegal San already knew how this standoff would end. Jegal Beok would keep making excuses to the end. Tired and frustrated, he himself would be the first to leave. Knowing the outcome, why stay any longer? Jegal San turned away. "Regardless, I will not attend the meeting. I will not stand as the young master of the Jegal clan." With those words, Jegal San used his lightness skill to leap down from the roof. Below, Jegal Muyeon, a military commander of the alliance, stood with a somber expression. "...You have a hard time ahead." Jegal San passed by him without another word.