Book 14 Chapter 2

Vision (視野)

- Grand Prince Bei vs. Bilu Yeon

"The bird that flies high sees far. Do you know what this means?"

My master said.

"Everything begins with seeing! What does your vision see, what does it hold,

And what can it discern?"

At that time, I couldn't come up with an answer to my master's words.

"Have the eyes of a Daebong (大鵬)!"

I still clearly remember my master saying that.

"May I switch places?"

With a very polite phrase to gauge the opponent's intentions, Bilu Yeon walked towards Mo Yonghui with a light step, as if taking a stroll. Gauging the intention was good, but moving before hearing the answer was a slight breach of etiquette. However, no one at that spot would make an issue of it now.

"Ryu Yeon…, you…"

Ignoring the drops of blood running down his wrist, Mo Yonghui stared blankly at his dorm mate. Unlike himself, whose heart felt like it was twisting with desperation and impatience, Bilu Yeon maintained a calm smile. As if there were no problems at all.

In that moment, Mo Yonghui let out a sigh of relief. Of course, he didn't think Bilu Yeon would defeat the monster in the darkness. Although he didn't have a habit of overestimating himself, he couldn't imagine that Bilu Yeon could handle an unidentified, monstrous master with overwhelming power who could push him to such a corner.

"You're not someone who can handle him!"

Mo Yonghui shouted urgently.

"That's your judgment!"

Bilu Yeon's reply was concise.

Of course, Mo Yonghui knew well that Bilu Yeon hadn't gotten this far by mere luck, as the cold and cynical evaluations of those around him suggested. If they had eyes and ears, they couldn't possibly judge so simply and easily. Of course, if they weren't allowed to belittle, demean, and mock someone of unknown, lowly origin (as they claimed), they wouldn't have been able to bear it. But covering one's eyes, ears, and mouth doesn't make what happened disappear.

However, even with this friend's unknown potential, it was his rational and reasonable judgment that this matter was impossible to handle. This was because he had intended to stop the monster, prepared to die. But even then, he couldn't guarantee how much time he could buy.

He was flooded with regret, thinking if this was all the result of his blood, sweat, and bone-grinding training.

'Mo Yonghui! Mo Yonghui! You've been too arrogant!'

What was this about being a once-in-a-century prodigy, a successor to the Sword Saint (劍聖)? The moniker Seven Absolute Divine Sword (七絶神劍) felt shameful. Even though he couldn't guarantee he'd have a body left by the time the sun rose today.

"Another life to die has been added!"

An intense coldness, with a force that could freeze even the starlight gently illuminating the night. The shadow within the shadow, like a crystal of cold darkness, seemed unmoved, as if it were a being sculpted into the language of 'calm and collected.'

"You're not human!"

Bilu Yeon sneered immediately.

"Hmm…, hmm…, hmm…, heh…"

What was he seeing now? Mo Yonghui watched his dorm mate with bewildered eyes. Bilu Yeon, blocking his path, was staring intently, shifting his gaze here and there towards the problem monster. Then, he suddenly asked.

"Hey! Hui! Do you know how to exert influence over an opponent?"

Mo Yonghui was dumbfounded by the sudden question. It wasn't the kind of question one would expect in the midst of a battlefield where blood and flesh were about to fly. But Bilu Yeon remained unconcerned.

"I don't know."

Mo Yonghui had no choice but to answer. Even though this wasn't the time for such small talk.

"First, you have to see the opponent. You have to capture the opponent within your vision. Only when you can recognize the opponent can you exert power over them!"

Bilu Yeon's voice was very light and lively. Even though it wasn't the time.

"That…, that's…"

"Are you going to say it's obvious?"

Bilu Yeon preempted Mo Yonghui's question. His words suddenly cut off, he had no choice but to nod with a displeased expression, his mouth shut.

"But people usually act as if they don't know this simple fact at all. Perhaps they really don't know. Even this sim·ple, fundamental of fundamentals."

"……"

What was this friend trying to say? And was it okay to continue this tension-free conversation? Fortunately, there was no particular reaction from the other side of the darkness.

"Then, conversely, do you know how to escape an opponent's influence?"

After thinking for a moment, Mo Yonghui came up with the answer.

"If you go outside the opponent's field of vision, that would be it."

Then, Bilu Yeon suddenly clapped his hands.

"Exactly. As expected of my dorm mate, who boasts the best record among second-year Kan-do students. I call that 'moving out of vision' or 'cognitive evasion' (認知回避). I'm sorry, but this answer won't be reflected in your score. Don't blame me for that!"

"It doesn't matter."

He didn't have a shred of leeway to care about such trivial matters now. Yet, whether he didn't know, or deliberately pretended not to, Bilu Yeon continued to speak.

"As you said, withdrawing yourself from the opponent's cognition and perception is the way to protect yourself from their actions and avoid them. So, what should you do to win against an opponent?"

Bilu Yeon seemed to find this kind of Q&A very amusing.

"Then…"

Mo Yonghui had somehow returned to the mindset of a beginner hearing a lecture on combat for the first time.

"The conclusion is already there! Yes, to defeat the opponent, you must withdraw yourself from the opponent's cognitive domain and draw the opponent into your own cognitive domain. This is what we call the 'cognitive gap' (認知の 간격). And it's the first step to defeating an enemy!"

Mo Yonghui trembled as if struck by lightning. This was a story that completely overturned the concept of distance he had known. He couldn't believe that that friend, who had spent his days idly playing, possessed such insight. The mysteries of the universe would not have been more wondrous.

But there was no more time to listen. Whether it was tired of waiting, the killing intent emanating from the other side of the darkness intensified.

"I will take responsibility here! Ryu Yeon, quickly take Miss Eun and leave this place!"

Mo Yonghui shouted, aiming his beloved sword Seonghwi (星輝) towards the darkness. It should have been a scene befitting solemnity and grandeur, but a snicker escaped Bilu Yeon's lips. He didn't understand even after explaining it so thoroughly…

"Don't be stubborn! Is this the time to show off your petty pride, you goody-two-shoes?"

"W-what!"

He glared at Bilu Yeon with fierce eyes burning with anger. The long-haired youth didn't even flinch at this ferocious gaze.

"Why are you still standing here?"

Bilu Yeon suddenly asked, sounding exasperated.

"What do you mean? All of a sudden?"

Bilu Yeon pretended to hit his chest with his fist.

"You're such a frustrating friend. Haven't you understood yet, even after I explained it so thoroughly and kindly?"

"I understood everything you said!"

Then, Bilu Yeon said with a pitying tone.

"Tsk tsk, you really have poor comprehension. You didn't seem like such a dullard."

It wasn't a boast, but he had never been told he was dull or had poor comprehension. On the other hand, he had often been envied for being too intelligent and having excellent comprehension. However, for Bilu Yeon, his past achievements were not a consideration at all. As Mo Yonghui stood there with a somewhat angry expression, Bilu Yeon clicked his tongue with a look of pity.

"Can you see the opponent lurking in the darkness over there?"

Mo Yonghui now knew well that Bilu Yeon's 'seeing' didn't just mean looking at things.

"No!"

Mo Yonghui honestly shook his head.

"Then are you also outside of the opponent's field of vision?"

In an instant, Mo Yonghui's expression stiffened, and his complexion turned ashen.

"See! You still don't understand at all! What I meant was, why are you still standing here when you can't capture the opponent within your cognitive domain, yet you are completely caught within the opponent's cognitive domain!"

It felt like his heart was being ripped out with a sharpened knife. The back of his head felt numb, as if struck by a blunt instrument.

"Tsk tsk, look at your current state! At best, you're standing, and at worst, you're a complete mess, inside and out!"

A harsh critique devoid of any consideration. However, it was powerful enough to silence him. The insult received that day and the shame felt that day were etched into Mo Yonghui's heart with invisible words. He would never forget that feeling until the end of his days.

"……"

Although Bilu Yeon's words were close to abuse, they were so accurate that this goody-two-shoes, blushing with shame, couldn't dare to refute them.

"You cute thing! It's no use surviving by throwing away a friend's life (?) here; you'll just have restless dreams later and gain nothing."

He wouldn't do anything that was a loss, 'even if he died'! This was an unchanging, strong, and ultimate conviction etched into Bilu Yeon's heart.

"Go!"

Bilu Yeon said, looking at Mo Yonghui, whose white robes were stained red with blood flowing from his wounds. His tone was calm. But within it lay a powerful strength.

"But…"

He still seemed displeased about entrusting his fight to someone else.

"Don't worry! I'll collect this debt later with plenty of interest! Don't try to back out later!"

A confident smile.

After a moment of deliberation between his own will and the fallen Eun Seollan, Mo Yonghui finally nodded. Then, he carefully picked up the unconscious woman and carried her on his back.

Bilu Yeon's gaze was fixed on both Mo Yonghui and Eun Seollan, but he didn't let his guard down for a moment against the being shrouded in darkness.

"I'm sorry!"

After picking up Eun Seollan, Mo Yonghui hesitated for a moment, then bowed his head slightly and apologized. It was rare for anyone to receive a sincere apology from this young man who had rushed with all his might to achieve perfection in all things, so as not to be ashamed of his own blood.

All of this was the sin brought about by his own weakness! At this moment, the young man was blaming himself more intensely and fiercely than ever before, as if whipping himself with a thorny whip.

"Rather than apologies, it's money! Don't run away when we settle the accounts later!"

He said, still in a calm voice.

"I have no intention of opposing your obsession with money, so rest assured! Even I wouldn't do something so reckless. Because I know that my life is precious too!"

It was a joke that didn't quite suit Mo Yonghui, but it could be considered his way of showing consideration.

"When you tell a joke, smile more with your face!"

Bilu Yeon retorted with a chuckle at his clumsy expression.

However, Mo Yonghui knew how meticulous he was when it came to financial matters.

"Then go!"

As Bilu Yeon shouted, Mo Yonghui, with Eun Seollan on his back, lunged in the opposite direction. Despite his injured body and the added weight of another person, his movement was as agile as a leopard.

"It's impolite to turn away without the owner's permission."

Before the low voice emanating from the darkness finished, a sharp killing intent shot out.

But…, the action couldn't continue.

Mo Yonghui ran. With Eun Seollan on his back.

The soft touch of her chest pressed against his back, but he didn't even have time to savor it. He ran, leaping over walls, cutting down enemies blocking his path… towards the place where his friends were…

Fortunately, it wasn't difficult to find the place. Because it was incredibly flamboyant, noisy, and spectacular.

Boom! Bang!

Clang! Clang!

Aaaaagh! Ugh! Ack! Ugh! Kherk! Khek! Ggueeeek!

On one side of the manor, amid the sound of sword strikes that loudly shook the night sky, screams and flames erupted.

'It really makes finding the way easy!'

Anyone with eyes and ears could follow the sure guide that led him.

Whoosh! Shook! Shook shook shook shook!

However, just because the direction was certain didn't mean the path was easy. Twelve masked men in black, appearing from nowhere, blocked his way.

Twelve Asura Star-Shattering Formation (十二修羅碎星陣)

The formation, with its grandiose name meaning 'Twelve Asuras Shattering Stars,' unfolded before Mo Yonghui in an instant. Their mission was simple: to retrieve the woman alive by any means necessary.

A powerful force erupted from the activated formation, pressing down on Mo Yonghui's entire body.

"Hand over the woman!"

The masked man at the front shouted. His weapon was a jagged saber (鋸齒刀) that seemed to have drunk the blood of hundreds.

Clang!

Mo Yonghui, without stopping his running figure, silently drew his beloved sword named 'Seonghwi (Star Brilliance).'

'Hui! A sword emits a brighter and more brilliant light when there is something precious to protect. I hope you will find your own precious thing someday. For your sword to shine even more brilliantly!'

The story he heard on his grandfather's lap when he was young suddenly came to mind.

'It's okay if I'm not the one in her heart. It's okay if her gaze isn't on me. Still…, still…, I will protect her!'

In that moment, all hesitation and torment washed away from his mind. And finally, a profound peace settled in.

"Get out of the way! Those who block my path will all die!"

No questions asked!

From the tip of Mo Yonghui's white, transparent sword, starlight-like sword energy burst out like rain.

Galaxy Meteor Sword Technique (銀河流星劍法)

The Five Ultimate Techniques (奧義) of Sword Energy (劍技)

Star Light Ten Thousand Li (星光萬里)

Bavavavababat!

A shower of meteors swept through the enemies, clearing a path. It was a sword light that possessed a brighter and stronger light than any sword energy he had shown so far.

The Star-Shattering Formation, unable to live up to its name, shattered into pieces and scattered into dust in the darkness of the night.

"Are you okay?"

The entity in the darkness paused its movement with a start. Bilu Yeon felt a torrent of killing intent, which had been directed at Mo Yonghui, turn towards him instead, accompanied by an ice-pick-like gaze.

"…Is that you? The one who stopped my movement?"

He hadn't attacked the fleeing prey because he couldn't, not because he didn't. His hunt had been thwarted. And by the hand of an unknown brat.

The shadow had no intention of letting the two escape from the beginning. No matter what happened to Mo Yonghui, Eun Seollan could absolutely not be let go. She hadn't even been confirmed if she had been 'dealt with' properly. But even so, he didn't. No, he couldn't.

'How can this be…'

The monster in the shadow, Grand Prince Bei, couldn't believe it.

'How?'

His instincts, tempered through tens of thousands of immersions in the fires of hell, refused to attack the two.

It took a moment to grasp the reality of the warning that resounded intensely in his mind. His cold, chilling eyes turned towards Bilu Yeon.

Bilu Yeon? It was a name he had only recently heard through reports. He had briefly thought him peculiar, but never a person to watch out for. He might be interesting and peculiar, but he was just another of those ordinary eccentrics, and he hadn't thought he would ever become an obstacle in his path.

'Could it be that he's wary of the opening created while I attack those two? If so, is that fellow a master skilled enough to break through the guard at that moment?'

He didn't want to admit it, but his instincts felt so. Instincts are honest. Sometimes, instincts triggered by intuition are far more accurate than fragments of thought that can be heavily laden with subjective and distorted judgments.

'This guy?'

From beyond the darkness and night, a man stood leisurely, his smile unwavering. However, his face was hidden by his long bangs, making it impossible to see clearly.

'Then I shall test you!'

As if to embody that resolve, a brilliant light shone from the darkness.

To reach that place, Mo Yonghui had to pass through three scorched doors that looked like they had been blown away by a brain blast and two collapsed walls. And where he arrived, dozens of black-clothed figures lay scattered around like burnt charcoal, having passed through moments that must have been incredibly hot.

"Sister Seollan!"

The first person to spot them was Seok Ryuha (石榴霞). She had been momentarily stunned by this noisy and absurd incident. Seok Ryuha was convinced she would never forget the explosive spectacle she had just witnessed for the rest of her life. She couldn't believe that someone who displayed such monstrous ferocity, like a demon from hell, liked the same color as herself.

'How unfortunate are the people who receive direct teachings from someone like this?'

Even with such thoughts, she had no idea that she was currently surrounded by stars of misfortune.

"Is Sister okay?"

Although she noticed Mo Yonghui's wounds, her sister's well-being, whom she had known for a long time, was more important to her than the handsome young man she had met today.

"She just hasn't woken up yet, but she's okay."

Mo Yonghui confirmed, nodding with a worried gaze. Only then did Seok Ryuha heave a sigh of relief.

"It would be a loss to the entire martial arts world if such a beauty were to suffer a terrible fate."

Jang Hong, who had interjected unnecessarily, nodded beside her and chimed in.

"Ack!"

Namgung Sang, who had unconsciously nodded in agreement, was sharply pinched by Jin Ryeong.

Self-inflicted (自業自得)!

"What about that guy?"

Of course, Mo Yonghui knew who 'that guy' was that Yeom Do was referring to. If Bilu Yeon were here, he would have lamented, 'Master, calling him 'that guy'! What an impudent disciple!'

"He's still behind!"

A fleeting flicker of agitation crossed Na Yerin's face before vanishing at the speed of light. A cold aura, like an ice flower with its petals tightly closed, emanated from her tightly closed lips. Her delicate jade hands moved cautiously to the area of her chest where she felt a strange sensation.

Thump thump!

Her heart didn't seem to be controlled as well as her expression, which moved in the direction reason desired. Even if you put ice on a flame, the flame wouldn't completely extinguish.

Yeom Do's gaze swept over Mo Yonghui's entire body in an instant. The sharp wounds that seemed to have drunk blood caught his keen eyes. Each one was a masterpiece.

"Is the opponent strong?"

"Yes, they are."

Mo Yonghui answered without hesitation.

"Well, it must be someone who put you in such a predicament!"

"I'm sorry!"

It was an apology for his cowardice in leaving his comrade behind.

"It's okay! If it's 'that monster kid'!"

Yeom Do declared.

"I'll ask again. Is it you?"

The shadow asked.

"Hmm…, it could be. If there's no one else here besides me."

He spoke as if mentioning something completely unrelated to himself. He was deflecting.

"You never know, right? Perhaps there's someone else hidden here besides me?"

If one were to add a pinch of suspicion to that, it was a statement with a subtle resonance that suggested someone else might be hiding. It was an ambiguous tone, perhaps even condescending and mocking.

However, Grand Prince Bei did not express displeasure. His unwavering, cold gaze continued to crawl across Bilu Yeon's face.

"There is no one else here but you!"

A firm answer. His low, cold tone was filled with certainty.

'What a shame Mo Yonghui wasn't attacked!'

Bilu Yeon clicked his tongue inwardly. It was truly a regrettable matter.

"Why did you withdraw your killing intent towards my friend? You could have easily finished him off."

Bilu Yeon clicked his tongue regretfully, with gestures that expressed immense disappointment. Whether he asked because he didn't know the reason or pretended not to know was unclear due to his ambiguous attitude.

"Are you… dissatisfied?"

A low, toneless voice drifted from beyond the darkness.

"Even if he looks like that, he's a very, very successful guy in the martial world. He's not very trustworthy, lacks flexibility, and lives with an obsession with perfection that doesn't tolerate even a speck of dust or a single hair. If you had eliminated him in advance, it would have been beneficial to exert influence later, wouldn't it?"

It was as if he were dissatisfied that Mo Yonghui hadn't been attacked by his hand.

"……"

Grand Prince Bei was silent for a moment, seemingly bewildered.

"…Is it that disappointing to you that I didn't attack him?"

"Well, a little."

Another brief silence followed. However, the silence was quickly broken, and the Grand Prince's low, cold, and sharp voice flowed out.

"…You have great confidence!"

Then, this time, Bilu Yeon showed a surprised expression.

"Oh? You noticed? That's quite something!"

He had never heard such patronizing praise, the kind given to children, so it was a fresh admiration for the Grand Prince. Except for the minor point that it stirred up his anger and grated on his nerves.

"Are you saying that if I had made a move, you could have killed me by taking advantage of that opening?"

"It would have been much less effort."

Bilu Yeon's face still held a bright smile, as if expressing his confidence that he could kill him even now.

"…Interesting!"

For the first time, something that could be called emotion faintly emerged from the shadow's voice.

"I am curious whether your skills are truly great enough to back up your confidence."

"Ah, I'm a bit humble."

Bei took the wisest course of action regarding Bilu Yeon. That was to ignore his words. Then he continued with a voice filled with intense power.

"I made a promise! If you evade my speed for one second, I will spare you!"

"I quite like people who make arrogant promises."

"That promise is still valid!"

He declared.

"Ho?"

The timid (?) Bilu Yeon was surprised by such immense self-confidence. Suddenly, he began to worry greatly about the opponent. So he chose to be kind.

"It's interesting! But it's best not to make promises you'll regret soon."

" I have never broken a promise."

In that moment, a terrifying aura erupted from the space where the Grand Prince's shadow was hidden. It was pure killing intent, like a tidal wave that could engulf a village or city at once.

"Now, take this! Then I'll spare you."

The same condition, the same promise, that unchanging, absolute confidence. Those words brought a smile to the lips of a young man.

"It's getting more and more interesting."

'This is no joke!'

Bilu Yeon grumbled, hating people who couldn't distinguish between jokes and seriousness and didn't know moderation.

The dark and heavy aura, which seemed to open the path to death, was increasingly overlapping. The dark energy seemed to reach the sky, as black clouds obscured the Big Dipper and its central Polaris in the night sky.

'This, this… I need to get serious too!'

Bilu Yeon had to admit that an unusual being was blocking his path.

The thought that it might be time to wake up suddenly crossed his mind.

"It's about time to open my eyes…"

Bilu Yeon muttered in his still leisurely voice.

Yeom Do's swift and thunderous steps, which had been violently breaking through with the rescue party for Miss Eun, suddenly stopped. His gaze turned towards the dark silk cloth scattered with stars. He no longer remembered how many large doors and how many enemies had been crushed under his blade waves.

His burning gaze cooled and turned towards one spot. It was far away from where they were.

"The night is restless!"

An ominous energy swept over Yeom Do's entire body.

"Master!"

A somewhat urgent voice called him. It was Jang Hong. He was looking in the same direction as himself. Yeom Do looked at Jang Hong with a slightly surprised gaze.

'Is this brat feeling the same thing I am?'

He knew he was a cunning fellow who hid something… In any case, his premonition wasn't good. His gaze turned forward again.

"Break through in a short time!"

His eyes, which had cooled, blazed fiercely once more, along with his beloved sword Hongyeom.

Na Yerin continued to remain silent, looking only forward as she ran. The atmosphere was such that she couldn't be spoken to, so even her sister and protector, Dokko Ryong, who followed her like a guardian, dared not say a word.

"Why is she so angry?"

The one-eyed woman, who ran while wielding her sword without rest, muttered with a bewildered expression.

"Is she angry?"

Since she couldn't tell at all, Lee Jinseol asked, rolling her eyes that still had tear stains on them. To her, Na Yerin's face was as noble as the cold moon, as always, with no trace of any emotion visible on it.

"Yes, she's definitely angry! Make sure you're careful if you're near her when she makes that expression!"

In what way was she angry? Lee Jinseol still couldn't understand. It seemed that the vision of the person who claimed to be the guardian of the Heavenly Martial First Flower (天武第一花) was vastly different from that of ordinary people.

"Sister… are you angry?"

Finally unable to bear it, Dokko Ryong asked. She didn't miss Na Yerin's body stiffening for a moment.

"No! I'm not angry!"

The answer returned was extremely cold. But…

Na Yerin strode out of the group and stepped forward. There was no time to stop her. Her beloved sword 'Hansang Okryong' was already covered in cold frost like a cloud.

A cold aura, frozen solid, spiraled out from the sword like a dance.

Hansang Okryong Divine Sword (寒霜玉靈神劍)

Secretly Transmitted (秘傳) Ultimate Technique (奧義)

Ice Butterfly Chaotic Dream (氷蝶亂夢)

Hundreds of ice butterflies, swirling in the air, danced colorfully and chillingly. It was a dreamlike scene, as if a part of a dream filled with pure white butterflies had been cut out. While incredibly beautiful, each butterfly carried a fatal power.

Enemies, whose souls were entranced by the dance of the mirage-like butterflies enveloped in the five-colored aurora emanating from the delicate jade hands of a heavenly fairy, were ruthlessly struck down.

A thick fog enveloped her entire body as a result of the sword waves she unleashed. As the mist swirled around her like white silk, she quietly spoke, her night-sky-like eyes half-open.

"I…, I'm not angry!"

Lee Jinseol watched the dreamlike scene with a dazed expression. The thought that it was more frightening not to know what she was thinking suddenly struck her. It was the first time she had ever felt fear from Na Yerin.

"Don't worry!"

It was Yeom Do who spoke, breaking through her barrier that made it difficult even to approach.

'Worry…? Emotion showing on my face?'

She unconsciously reached up and touched her cheeks and mouth, but felt no change.

'But how?'

To experience such a feeling (as 'concern for others') was already surprising, let alone for it to arise in her mind and manifest on the surface… It was a rare experience that Na Yerin could be astonished by.

Without paying attention to her reaction, Yeom Do continued.

"Put aside your useless worries! It's a wasted effort. If she were someone who would die from this much, I wouldn't have to suffer like this!"

It was indeed as he said. For Yeom Do, the problem was that she was too persistent.

'Even if she wanted to die there, she wouldn't?'

The red-haired swordsman thought with a troubled expression.

The only being who could understand his complex and bewildering thoughts at this moment was his sworn enemy, the Ice Sword, which was the double-edged sword of sorrow and despair that most cruelly stabbed his delicate (?) heart.