It has been 50 days since I left the Black Rabbit Union.
Except for the Shadow Moon Martial Arts training, I have cut off all of my interest in worldly affairs. Since I am immersed in my training without being involved in any of the Low Down Sect’s work, Cha Sung-tae has no choice but to become the temporary leader and deal with any tasks.
He then brings up the rules, which clearly state that I need to be involved in the world’s affairs.
Unexpectedly, it is all because of news sent by the Sword Demon.
The content inside is brief.
[Elegant Jade Pavillion, Miyao Mountains
The New Year is approaching.
Business is happening in private. The number of observers on both sides is limited to two, and one seat is vacant, so you should come.
Originally I thought of putting in my disciples, but then I thought of you.
It will be a meaningful day if you come with me.
Come and meet me.
Waiting for our reunion at the Elegant Jade Pavilion.
To the Baekeungji Swordsman of the Low Down Sect]
I continue to read the letter over and over again. There is no doubt about the tone, the writing, and the words.
Cha Sung-tae then asks me.
“What’s in it?”
I answer his question quickly.
“I am invited to Mount Miyao. It will be good to leave today.”
“Will it take long? Should I come?”
“I wish you could, but I have to be alone this time.”
“Will something good happen from going there?”
I nod.
“I know that it’ll be a mess. Do not go there unless something serious happens. Even if people come looking for me, just tell them I left.”
“Yes, you will leave right away?”
“No. I need to take a bath first.”
Cha Sung-tae looks shocked.
“Oh…?”
“What?”
“Is it a woman? Why are you taking a bath?”
I blink my eyes at him.
“…”
He then bows immediately.
“I apologize.”
I put my hand over my chest and begin to recite.
“Peace of mind.”
“Yes.”
“My inner peace is like a river.”
“Nice, nice. Quiet, I like it. The Sect Leader is changing more and more as the days pass. The dignity of a leader is slowly seeping into your body. That is wonderful, leader.”
I nod while I look at him while holding back my laughter and walk out of the hall. As I did, I hit him on the back of the head.
“Act in moderation.”
Cha Sung-tae rubs his head as he says.
“Come back safe, sect leader.”
I managed to arrive at the Elegant Jade Pavillion on the first day of the New Year while wearing clean attire.
As soon as I arrive, I immediately recognize the person standing outside this hut-like place.
‘Amazing.’
Only the most famous uniforms in Kangho can be seen here. A white robe with a character embroidered on the shoulders covered the wearer from top to bottom.
As I approach the gates, the soldiers posted there halt me briefly.
“You are invited?”
I nod as I reply.
“Low Down Sect.”
The guards must have been informed in advance about the Low Down Sect leader. They looked surprised, however. Is it because I am young?
I smile as I enter the pavilion.
‘More merits for me.’
If the Murim Alliance is to investigate the Low Down Sect, they will only get information about how the various Unorthodox Faction sects got beaten up.
This is the outcome I wanted.
This is also the first time I’ve come to this pavilion. It is so spacious that it looks more like a mansion. Soon, a man approaches me with his hand held out.
“Sect leader, I will guide you.”
I let him guide me and thankfully met up with the Sword Demon.
Because of the Sword Demon’s actions, I might end up meeting with the Murim Alliance soon.
It surely will be a mystery.
Moyong Baek, who was practicing medicine now, was a master of poisons in my past life. In other words, since I am a martial artist that lacks the full knowledge, I don’t dare to predict how this life will go.
As I am guided to him, the Sword Demon looks at me.
And he then says.
“You are here.”
“Yes.”
“Sit down.”
As I sit down, the man on the left asks the same thing.
“You are here?”
I ignore the question and directly ask the Sword Demon.
“The opponent?”
To which he responds.
“Alliance leader.”
I look around the empty place and then say.
“Why isn’t he coming? If the guests are called, then shouldn’t he be here too?”
The Sword Demon then gives a rare smile. The person on my left looks shocked at this.
And he then says.
“Crazy. Is the alliance leader your friend? How dare a cub try to question a tiger? It is the Alliance leader. Be careful with your words and actions.”
I look to my left with some shock.
‘You are a martial artist too, you bastard. Ah, fuck, so frustrating.’
It seems like he thought he still had some value here.
The Sword Demon ignores the disciple’s words and asks me.
“How have you been?”
“Nothing much happened.”
“Training?’
“I have been immersed in it lately.”
“I didn’t do anything to interrupt it, right?”
I shake my head.
“If it’s a spar, it’s only proper to break down any number of doors to come here. However, senior…”
“Go on.”
“I heard you were injured, so why did you have to compete with the Alliance leader so quickly?”
The Sword Demon smiles.
“If the busiest man in the world wants to give me some time, I need to respond.”
“Hmm.”
“I am skilled enough to not get hurt, and I just need to endure through. If you two become stimulated after watching the spar, then there is meaning regardless of victory or defeat.”
I turn towards the person to my left as I have nothing to say.
Suddenly, I feel immersed in my thoughts as my body clenches. I feel like I owe this to the Sword Demon.
And the three people arrive.
I am shocked as soon as I look at the alliance leader.
‘Wow, I was shocked for a second there. He really is the leader.’
Since I’ve returned to the past, it is only natural for this man to be younger too. As I only remember the face I’ve seen before, I am surprised to see that this man is still in his youth. He has more black hair than gray, and his face looks younger despite holding the same blunt expressions.
Im Sobaek, the Murim Alliance leader.
Swordsman.
Chivalrous spirit.
And the man I hated the most.
I know this is my first time seeing his face up close in this life, considering I’ve only once seen him from a distance.
Im Sobaek takes his place at the head, and his followers stand on his right and left.
Im Sobaek opens his mouth.
“I see Sword Demon. Are these two your observers?”
“As you can see.”
“Are you the second son of the Mong family?”
The one on the left gets up and says.
“Mong Yeon of the Mong family greets the Alliance leader.”
It’s my first time hearing this guy’s name too.
Im Sobaek nods his head to the left guy.
“There was a rumor that you are the strongest among his disciples.”
To which the guy answers.
“Among the disciples, yes.”
“Right. Then when will you come to the Murim Alliance? I will give you a position. Normally you need to swear allegiance, but for you, I can just make a spot.”
“Ah…’
Lefty panics, as the Sword Demon says.
“Leader Im, he is still in training, so let’s talk about it later.”
Im Sobaek then looks at left Mong again.
“What we usually do is train. Even after you join us, you will have enough time to train.”
Lefty then bows his head.
“I will remember that.”
And then he turns to me.
“Nice to meet you, Low Down Sect leader Lee Zaha.”
I reply to him without much thought.
“Same here.”
“…”
The atmosphere immediately turns sour.
I watch the people’s faces around me. The Sword Demon and his disciple are both looking at me. The young men on the right and left side of the alliance leader are also staring at my face.
Im Sobaek doesn’t seem very surprised and then asks the man next to him.
“What does the Low Down Sect do, though?”
“It is just a sect that operates regardless of region.”
“Are you sure?”
“There is very little information on it.”
“There were rumors that he dealt with the Unorthodox side.”
“I see.”
Im Sobaek then asks the Sword Demon.
“Why is this friend observing?”
To which he responds.
“Because he has great skills.”
“If so, should I find out?”
“He is still young, so I don’t know about that.”
Im Sobaek nods his head.
“Right. Anyway, what are we going to fight with? Are we using swords? There were rumors that you were hurt by the cult leader, so don’t overdo it. We can compete often when the time comes.”
The Sword Demon then responds.
“Wooden sword.”
Im Sobaek nods again.
“Wooden swords. Go and get it.”
One of the young men set off to bring some wooden swords for the duel. Im Sobaek then says to the Sword Demon.
“You, if you lose, come to the Murim Alliance.”
The Sword Demon responds.
“What can I even do there?”
“What could you do? Teach the kids.”
“I refuse.”
“If you refuse, I cannot guarantee what happens next. Let’s think about it. If you win, is there anything you want me to do?”
“Give me a pill.”
Im Sobaek nods and then tells the other young man.
“Fine. If I lose, I will give the best one I have to the Sword Demon.”
“Yes, leader.”
Im Sobaek then says to the Sword Demon.
“Let’s go.”
Everyone gets up from their seats.
I sigh slightly as I step out. No matter how anyone looks at this, the Sword Demon would not win. It was my first time seeing Im Sobaek this closeup, but he wasn’t someone who looked weak in any aspect.
But it’s not just me who has realized this. Even the Sword Demon and his disciples have realized this as their expressions are dark.
As we leave the pavilion, Im Sobaek asks me.
“Why are you sighing, Low Down Sect leader?”
“It is my heart which sighs.”
“It can be your heart, but I am asking since I am curious.”
I respond to his words.
“I sigh because I think that this side will lose.”
Im Sobaek nods.
“If you think that the person you are cheering for is going to lose, then sighing is inevitable. However, there is no need to attach deep meaning to victory or defeat as this duel is being done with wooden swords.”
The young man who has returned with the wooden swords then hands them over to Im Sobaek.
“Leader.”
Im Sobaek grabs one as the young man hands the other to the Sword Demon.
Im Sobaek holds the wooden sword and then says.
“Everyone move.”
Only he and the Sword Demon remain in the center as the rest of us observers move back.
Im Sobaek asks.
“Sword Demon, are you ready?”
After which, he proceeds to widen the distance between them and increase the power of his sword.
Im Sobaek then tells him.
“Take it slow. I will wait.”
The Sword Demon stares at Im Sobaek with his mouth shut. Im Sobaek, on the other hand, is looking around the place as if his thoughts are elsewhere. He then looks at the disciple and me. A man with no concerns.
I cross my arms as I look at both of them.
The Sword Demon is motionless as if the world has stopped while Im Sobaek is lost in thought.
He isn’t paying attention to the spar. It feels like he just accepted this challenge without much thought. This doesn’t sit well with me.
When the Sword Demon doesn’t move, Im Sobaek asks him.
“If there is something to ask, ask it right away.”
The Sword Demon asks.
“Alliance leader, when did you go past the level of a wooden sword?”
Im Sobaek tilts his head.
“Level of the wooden sword?”
Im Sobaek asks the young men on his side.
“When did I become the leader?’
“Four years ago.”
“In that case, I passed the state of a wooden sword five years ago. It has been a while, so don’t rush. Just because you learned it quickly doesn’t mean that you are good at it. Sometimes they just push through it. Take it slowly.”
The Sword Demon asks again, his confidence disappearing.
“Why learn it slowly?”
Im Sobaek replies in understanding.
“It is because the road is vast and long. It isn’t bad to get there slowly. Sometimes we might even meet a wall.”
The Sword Demon smiles faintly and then raises his sword.
“I am ready.”
Im Sobaek nods.
“Then let’s start.”
His blunt expression then changes. His eyes widen slightly as a smile graces his lips. His form is nothing special, but his entire body is moving as if it is breathing.
On the other hand, the Sword Demon doesn’t move.
I feel there is a reason for them to drag this spar on. Just as I think that the Sword Demon makes the first move.
I can see his form as he holds the wooden sword and moves toward Im Sobaek. The sword’s movement is simple.
Im Sobaek swings the wooden sword down in a form similar to standing. I notice that his sword’s movement is a bit strange.
As the swords collide, one of them shatters.
At the same time, the Sword Demon holds his place.
As Im Sobaek responds this way, the Sword Demon groans and takes three steps back.
This is a strangely simple spar.
The Sword Demon throws away his shattered wooden sword to the ground without regrets as Im Sobake nods.
“Alliance leader.”
“Uh?”
“I lost.”
Im Sobaek responds by throwing his wooden sword away.
“You worked hard too. There was no need for a tense battle, but I had to show it. Go cultivate right away. Your internal understanding will deepen.”
Im Sobaek looks around and snaps his finger.
“Come over.”
Not just the young men but the guards in the area also respond.
“Yes, leader.”
And Im Sobaek then tells the Sword Demon.
“Let’s meet again.”
The Sword Demon holds out his hand.
“Let’s meet again.”
Im Sobaek turns around and heads for the entrance as the front gate opens. Even though the spar was short, this retreat was even faster.
The Murim Alliance leader disappears right away.
An impressive retreat with no words spoken.
“…”
