Book 13 Chapter 9

The correlation between distance and skill

- Three inches

"Hey there! Interesting young man!"

Interesting young man? It was likely referring to Bi Ryuyeon.

Designated Bi Ryuyeon looked at the old man.

"How much do you think your skill is worth?"

"Hmm."

Bi Ryuyeon suddenly put his chin on his hand and fell into thought, as if he had encountered a difficult problem.

"Well, relatively speaking, at my current state, I'd say three inches (about 9cm)."

His current state referred to him wearing the Mukryonghwan. Of course, Geomchi couldn't know that.

The delegation members were bewildered, not understanding what he meant. They asked about his martial arts level, and he said three inches?

However, only Geomchi's expression was one of shock. It would be more accurate to say it was a shock that made him tremble.

"Three inches? Ha ha, what a boastful young man."

It wasn't admiration, but rather a sneer, or perhaps he was just enjoying a joke.

"I make honesty my creed. I don't lie about such trivial matters. If you don't believe me, you can test me. I don't think there's any need to go out of your way for such trouble."

Since he wasn't spreading false information, there was no need to be intimidated. Bi Ryuyeon's voice overflowed with confidence.

"Young man, I can at least commend your spirit. I will forgive you because I value your spirit and confidence."

The old man was surprised by his own deep mercy and benevolence. He might have been dumbfounded by the combination of recklessness, arrogance, and impudence.

"You… lack faith."

Bi Ryuyeon said with a tone of pity.

In fact, "three inches" referred to the inter-interval (간합) with Geomchi Seobunmyong.

Inter-interval (간합)!

Here, "inter" (간) refers to a temporal concept, and "interval" (합) refers to a spatial concept. Simply put, it can be described as the spatio-temporal distance between the opponent and oneself.

In other words, the three inches Bi Ryuyeon mentioned meant that he could enter within three inches of Seobunmyong's sword strike and still withstand his sword. In simpler terms, he declared that he could stand right in front of the opponent and not die, meaning that Seobunmyong's sword would not be able to harm his body under any circumstances.

"A person must take responsibility for their words! Do you really think it's possible?"

The old man secretly decided to forgive him if he honestly admitted his mistake and begged for forgiveness.

"Of course."

However, the answer was consistent.

"There are quite a few interesting young men these days. Then, let's see you prove your skill. Tell us how far your current level has reached."

A sharp gleam, like tempered sword light, flashed deep within Geomchi's narrowed eyes.

Only a very few among them understood the conversation between these two people. Yong Cheonmyong was one of those few.

'No way? Does he think that's possible? Even without his right hand, judging by his divine power just now, it would have been difficult to get within a jang. If he were to take a gamble, it would be five chi! But that's a gamble for life and death. Safety is not guaranteed. But three inches? Such absurd bravado…!'

Moyong Hwi also thought.

'Reckless. Approaching that close within Geomchi Seobunmyong's sword strike is simply suicidal! It's worthless. The safe distance is a jang, the effective range is five chi! If you risk your life, you might be able to get within four chi…'

The young prodigy looked at Bi Ryuyeon with new eyes. His eyes, shining with latent power, cried out.

'Show me if you can take responsibility for those words.'

It was the same for Geomchi.

"I hope you are a young man who can take responsibility for your words."

Seobunmyong said.

"People lack faith and always seek proof. It's important to have more trust in the other person."

Bi Ryuyeon lamented the current reality of the martial arts world, which lacked faith and trust. However, Seobunmyong did not budge.

"Anyone can talk, but not everyone can act. I don't need someone who does what anyone can do. But I do need someone who can do what no one else can. That's all."

"That's true, too."

As if convinced by Geomchi's words, Bi Ryuyeon started looking around. He seemed to be searching for something. What would be good… His eyes clearly said so. At that moment, Bi Ryuyeon's eyes caught sight of a creature. A body as red as a mountain covered in autumn leaves, four majestic wings flapping at an imperceptible speed, and two large eyes monitoring the surroundings. It was a dragonfly.

"Here's something good."

Bi Ryuyeon pointed at a dragonfly flying in front of his chest and said.

'What are you going to show us, Ryuyeon?'

Jang Hong's piercing gaze was directed at Bi Ryuyeon. He hoped to steal a glimpse of the secret hidden within him.

'How dare you!'

Maharyeong's vicious gaze exploded towards Bi Ryuyeon. It seemed that his embarrassment today would bring her the most joy. Her eyes were filled with a certain anticipation.

In addition, countless other gazes, including those of Yeomdo, Binggeom, Dokgoryeong, and Jujakdan, focused on Bi Ryuyeon.

'Ryuyeon…'

And… finally, the galaxy-like gaze in Na Yerim's eyes flowed towards Bi Ryuyeon.

The waterfall of intense interest, hatred, and murderous intent focused on his own body did not shake the placid water of his mind, as his studies were not shallow. The more he wavered with tension, embarrassment, or pressure, the farther away the probability of success became. This is because such miscellaneous emotions, the more they accumulated, limited and reduced the infinite potential latent in the human body. Therefore, sometimes it is necessary to put on a steel-like will and a thick skin.

Bi Ryuyeon did not need to expend any additional willpower to maintain this mental calm. Why would it require extra effort for something as natural as breathing!

Bi Ryuyeon looked at the dragonfly with a calm gaze. The dragonfly, flapping its wings up, down, left, and right, gradually seemed to slow down. Even a turtle's step would be much faster than this.

Up once, down once, up again once.

Each flap of the dragonfly's wings was clearly visible. He could sense the slightest details, such as which joint and muscle of the dragonfly moved for each wing beat.

Bi Ryuyeon's eyes, hidden behind his long bangs, glowed golden for a moment. At that instant, his lightly hanging right hand moved slowly. It was a very slow movement, like a person sinking in the vast deep sea. A ponderous move that felt frustrating to watch.

His hand very slowly grazed the lower part of the dragonfly. And at that moment, a white light flashed from his fingertips, disappearing like a mirage.

And… nothing happened.

"Destination?"

"I heard it's somewhere around here. We've walked enough and climbed enough, so shouldn't it appear soon?"

"Where on earth is Hongmaegok? It's not some secret valley where a peerless treasure is hidden, so why is it so complicated? Arrogant. Not even a sign, how unfriendly! Unfriendly!"

Yeomdo unleashed a sharp criticism of the entire operational system of the Huashan Gyeyak Hall's meeting for its carelessness and unfriendliness. The forest, which had grown so large that it blocked out the sunlight, became increasingly dense. The animal trails, which were difficult to walk on and sometimes irritating, amplified their dissatisfaction. The uneven, overgrown grass and tangled tree roots made the footing unstable, making it difficult to use lightness skill. There was a risk of producing stragglers who got lost.

"Sigh, will we be able to arrive before the first snow?"

In response to Bi Ryuyeon's question, Yeomdo glanced at the still warm autumn sun and replied.

"If his explanation is not mistaken."

'What on earth did he see to send us here?'

Judging by his expression, Binggeom also seemed unaware of the reason. It was clear from his deeply thoughtful, emaciated face. Yeomdo felt a strange sense of relief. Neither of them knew. If he hadn't noticed and Binggeom had… the thought alone was embarrassing.

Although they had been together for quite a long time, he was still a man full of mysteries. What was his true identity? Yeomdo still couldn't find the answer to this question. Two mysterious figures by his side… It was definitely not a pleasant feeling.

Muttering inwardly, Yeomdo, who was leading the way up the mountain path, was watched by the old man from the conference with a strange gaze. Bi Ryuyeon was saying something to Na Yerim. Even by keenly gathering all his senses, he still felt nothing special from him.

'Returning to the origin?'

No way… It was a level that was difficult to reach at his age. But…

Certainly, the move he showed just now was remarkable. It was worth remembering.

'Although no one properly recognized it…'

Perhaps only Geomchi Seobunmyong did.

"Huh?"

He said he would show us, but what exactly did he show? Literally, nothing happened. No, one thing did happen. The dragonfly that Bi Ryuyeon's hand brushed past slowly flew and landed on Geomchi's outstretched palm. Well, if one insisted it was something significant, it could be considered significant, but that was all.

Seobunmyong's gaze, riddled with sword marks, calmly glanced at the dragonfly that had landed on his palm.

'Was it just talk after all?'

He thought that anyone could just talk, but at that moment!

"Gasp!"

Geomchi's eyes widened as if they would tear open.

'…'

A long silence followed. Those who were absorbed in the silence dared not speak. And after a while!

Geomchi's tightly closed lips slowly opened.

"Go!"

"What?"

As Yeomdo asked again, Geomchi slowly and deliberately repeated his words, imprinting them.

"…Go! You… are qualified."

Geomchi Seobunmyong stared intently at the dragonfly, which had landed on his palm and sat there, as if frozen like a stone statue.

'I can't believe it!'

He tried hard to convince himself, but it was still difficult.

'Has that young man already achieved the level that took me one 갑자 (60 years) to barely reach?'

At some point, the dragonfly stopped moving as if time around it had frozen. The minimum elements required for life were not felt in this dragonfly.

'Is that guy a monster? Or…'

Crack!

The dragonfly, placed on Geomchi's palm and captured in frozen time, changed. It split cleanly in two from between its eyebrows to the tip of its tail. The cut surface was as smooth as a mirror.

They continued to walk, pushing through the forest. The mountains were adorned in colorful, beautiful garments for autumn. However, there was one thing lacking.

It was not yet the season, so they could not have the good fortune of seeing the blooming plum blossoms, the pride of Huashan. Lee Jinseol seemed regretful about this.

"But I heard that somewhere on Huashan, there is a mysterious valley where plum blossoms bloom year-round. They say the beauty of that utopia is beyond description, and its mystical fragrance is so strong that it paralyzes the mind, and that plum blossom spirits live there!"

In response to Lee Jinseol's words, Jo Cheonwu laughed and replied.

"Hahaha! I've only heard of such places through rumors and legends, but I've never actually seen them. The Five Great Mountains of the Central Plains usually have one or two mysterious legends that stimulate people's imagination."

At that very moment, Yoon Junho felt a tremor run through his entire body as if struck by lightning. Goosebumps were rising all over him.

"S-surely…"

A delicate fragrance tickled his nose. While it might be pleasant to others, to Yoon Junho, it was as terrifying as a deadly poison.

'But it's not the season yet…'

The golden autumn sun had not yet cooled down. It was too early for flower buds to burst.

It was called Hongmaegok. Geomchi had certainly called the place they had to arrive at by that name.

Hongmaegok (Red Plum Valley)…

Then, the old story his master had told him suddenly came to mind. A mysterious hidden place where plum blossoms never withered. That place was also called Hongmaegok.

He had thought it was just a fragment of a story…

The scent that Yoon Junho smelled! It was undoubtedly the fragrance of plum blossoms, which should not be blooming yet.