Book 16 Chapter 3

Moyong Hwi's Troubles

- A Bond of Affection -

What is Qi?

What are the Eight Trigrams?

What is Yin and Yang?

What is Nature?

What is the Supreme Unity?

Is Nature, that which is of itself, caused by itself without any other cause? If so, does that mean that nothingness, the opposite of existence, cannot exist? Does nature have no beginning and no end? If so, is what is generally called nothingness relative nothingness or absolute nothingness? Does the 'nothingness' in 'existence arises from nothingness' refer to absolute nothingness, which is formless and unchanging, rather than a relative nothingness that is not even nothing? Not being fixed means being able to change into anything. If so, is it acceptable to view the nature of the Dao, which can even be called the first cause, as formlessness?

But what does such speculative thinking have to do with the development of martial arts? Is there really a need to find answers to such abstruse matters? Shouldn't a warrior just temper their muscles and bones like steel and wield their sword as fast and sharp as the wind?

If I had been the ignorant child I once was, not questioning the world, simply flowing with what was given, there would have been no problem with such a self-indulgent conclusion. However, now that I know better than anyone that the realm of a true master cannot be reached by merely training the body, I could not bring myself to do so. It would be an act of evading the enormous problem that had suddenly appeared before me. I could not be a coward. But… I might already be a coward.

"Hoo…"

A low sigh escaped Moyong Hwi's lips.

Lately, this gifted young man (self-proclaimed, unlike another) had been plagued by worries. It was due to the profound questions that tormented him. Of course, such an undertaking consumed an immense amount of mental energy. But was there any result? The biggest problem and the most infuriating aspect of these profound questions was that the answers did not come in proportion to the effort spent. In short, it was a terribly unprofitable endeavor. It was unlikely that such a despairingly unprofitable endeavor could be found anywhere in the world.

Of course, if the conclusions to such matters could be resolved simply and clearly in such a short time, discussions about them would not have continued for hundreds of years. However, I had to accept the unavoidable reality that I could not move on to the next stage without overcoming these profound questions.

'When things reach their extreme, they reverse…'

This means that all properties change to the opposite when they reach their extreme. It was said to be the way the world cycles. When things reach their extreme, parity is not preserved. A complete balance between yin and yang does not exist. Complete balance, in a sense, does not exist. And in this case, it should not exist. For it signifies the world's stillness, its freezing. Complete symmetry is not preserved, and because of this, the world repeats an endless cycle and never stops.

'Understanding the world is understanding myself, and understanding my essence is understanding the world. It is not for nothing that the human body is called a microcosm and nature, that which is of itself, is called the macrocosm.'

The old man, who introduced himself as Hyeokjung, said so. A mysterious old man… The old man said he would pass down the most powerful martial arts in the current martial world. He boasted that whoever inherited its true lineage could become the undisputed number one under heaven. And what he had just said, he said, was like an initiation process into that martial art. How surprised I was when I later learned that the old man was the leader of the Yuryeongja!

I didn't think it was a lie. If it were truly the true lineage of Taegeuk Shingun Moo-shin Hyeok Worin, he was fully qualified. The old man's status further enhanced the credibility of his words. But I could not accept it.

'Thank you for your words. It is an honor that you evaluate me, a clumsy half-hearted martial artist, so highly. However, I cannot. I have not even fully digested what I am currently learning. How can I be qualified to inherit such divine arts?'

I refused. Although I said so, perhaps I was actually afraid. To inherit it meant to take on immense responsibility and obligation. Even so, I was willing to bear that.

However…

There was something more frightening than that.

It was the fear of self-doubt, that it might be an opportunity to confirm how insignificant I was. I was afraid of realizing my clumsiness, my limitations. I had already experienced frustration several times. Once at the hands of a friend I once despised, and once at the hands of a faceless entity from the darkness.

Yes, to be honest, I was afraid of my future, where I might not be able to properly digest those divine arts. If I experienced frustration one more time, I felt I would truly collapse. So I shrunk back and made up a superficial reason, different from my true intentions, to refuse.

The old man did not get angry. Nor did he seem to give up. I was grateful that he didn't curse me, 'You madman, throwing away such a golden opportunity bestowed by heaven!' Instead, he left, leaving behind a profound question as a thread of connection. He said that if I pondered it deeply, I might gain enlightenment.

The question left at the beginning and end was imprinted in my mind as if it were a brand, and it became a remarkable skill that jumbled my thoughts. A question without an answer was like a maze of darkness with no exit.

"Was my vessel [器] only this much? Did people carelessly waste the words 'genius' and 'prodigy' on such a mediocre person?"

As the seed of self-doubt sprouted, this weed began to multiply at a terrifying speed and soon covered my entire mind. I had never doubted my abilities so much before. Having never experienced frustration until now, my resilience was also lacking. Therefore, the despair I felt this time was indescribably devastating.

Of course, I had always taken pride in myself, but I was not arrogant, nor did I lose the virtue of humility and become presumptuous. I strictly prevented my mind and body from being swayed by such things through thorough self-control. My grandfather's awe-inspiring presence, higher and more distant than Mount Tai and the Big Dipper, served as a 'shield' that prevented premature arrogance.

However, I had never been looked down upon by anyone of my generation. I had not accumulated enough experience to be treated so lightly. I was neither so weak nor so shameless as to rely on the shadow of my bloodline, and I had grasped the ordinary, yet surprisingly little-known and even less practiced, neglected truth that only I could cultivate my own abilities. The sweat I poured into honing my swordsmanship was not something that could be measured by a scale that held one or two mal. Was it also a talent to be able to constantly strive? Natural talent combined with unceasing effort, that was the driving force that had made Moyong Hwi, the Seven Cut Divine Sword, until now.

But that talent and effort had hit a wall for the first time. The shock was unavoidable, and it was so powerful that it shook the very foundation of my spirit.

The sense of powerlessness I felt this time was a shock I had never experienced before. The moment I could no longer believe in myself, the world lost all hope and turned gray.

It was suffocating. It was overwhelmingly suffocating. I had never felt so lonely before.

"Grandfather…"

Moyong Hwi thought of Moyong Jeongcheon, the Sword Saint, his role model and goal as a martial artist. His grandfather was always a strong pillar, providing comfort just by thinking of him when times were hard. But this time, it seemed his usual comfort was no longer effective, making me feel even more alone. Loneliness washed over me like a wave. Walking through my own inner self, where I could see no path, was no different from being adrift alone on a vast ocean. I felt like a castaway searching for the light of a lighthouse. I suddenly missed my grandfather desperately. Longing, like the overflowing Yellow River, swept through my heart.

"Why do you look like you're about to cry? Do you have some unanswered question?"

At first, I thought it was a hallucination. It was a voice I missed terribly, filled with affection. After staring blankly for a long time, I realized that it was not an auditory illusion caused by imagination.

Moyong Hwi's head snapped back forcefully. This was the second time since coming to Mount Hua that I had left my back exposed without any warning. But that didn't matter now. I wasn't surprised by that. I rubbed my eyes in disbelief.

"…Grandfather?"

Within reach, stood the person I respected and cherished most in this world.

It was my grandfather, the Sword Saint Moyong Jeongcheon.

"Is this a dream?"

I blurted out a foolish question in a dazed voice.

"Hoho, my boy. Why are your eyes so wide, unlike you? You look like you've seen a ghost!"

It truly felt that way. It was as if the person I missed the most, yet dreaded meeting the most, had appeared in reality beyond my consciousness.

"Hohoho, boy! Whether it's a dream or not, real or fake, why don't you check it yourself?"

The white-haired old man burst into hearty laughter, his face beaming with a benevolent smile, spreading his arms wide as if to embrace the world.

It wasn't a dream…

"H-Grandfather!"

My throat suddenly choked up. Tears welled up in my eyes. But as a man, I couldn't show tears. I couldn't make such a disgraceful spectacle in front of my grandfather. The blood of the Sword Saint should not shed tears carelessly. But Moyong Hwi, unable to hold back, rushed into the Sword Saint's arms like a child. Even the young man of model behavior, known as the Seven Cut Divine Sword in the martial world and who lived a life of near-perfect restraint and disciplined actions, was nothing more than a pampered grandchild in front of his grandfather, Moyong Jeongcheon. It would have been a shock to those who knew him as a cold and indifferent person.

"Hohoho, boy. You've gotten more spoiled in the two years since I last saw you!"

The Sword Saint laughed benevolently and patted his grandson's back as he was held in his embrace.

As the overwhelming longing subsided somewhat, Moyong Hwi began to wonder about the reason behind the current situation that had surprised him. Among the various ways to resolve his doubts, he decided to take the fastest and most effective method: 'ask the person directly.' He was curious about the reason why his grandfather, who rarely ventured out into the martial world, was here.

"Boy, you seem to have forgotten who I am."

This was the Sword Saint's answer to his question.

"You are the greatest swordsman in the martial world with the title of Sword Saint, one of the Three Heavenly Luminaries, and my proud grandfather. How could I forget that fact?"

Moyong Hwi replied respectfully.

"Hoho, and yet you ask such a question?"

At his grandfather's gentle rebuke, Moyong Hwi finally realized something.

"I see. I have asked a foolish question."

There was no place in the current martial world that Sword Saint Moyong Jeongcheon could not go. Especially if it was Tianwu Peak on Mount Hua, where the Hua Shan Grand Assembly was being held. The Three Heavenly Luminaries had been treated as honored guests at the Hua Shan Assembly for the past hundred years. This time too, a formal invitation would have been sent to their main family. While other insignificant events might not have mattered, there was no record of a Hua Shan Assembly being held without the attendance of the Three Luminaries. It was proof that they always paid unwavering attention and interest to this matter.

Of course, invitations with the utmost courtesy were sent to the Three Heavenly Luminaries for all large and small events held in the martial world, not just here. Whether the three attended or not was not the important issue. Of course, it would be a great honor to them if such a thing happened, but they did not harbor such great expectations. The point was whether it was sent or not. That was the minimum, the lowest form of etiquette towards the legends of the martial world.

"Ah, my friends are waiting over there. If I make them wait any longer, I don't know what frivolous things they might say, so I should go quickly. You should come with me too. They will be happy to see familiar faces after so long."

"If they are your acquaintances…"

There weren't many people who could ascend Mount Hua Tianwu Peak with the Sword Saint as his acquaintance. The figures of two people quickly came to mind.

"Could it be those two…?"

The Sword Saint nodded.

"If not them, then who else? It's a persistent bond that hasn't been broken for a hundred years, hohoho. You should greet them too, shouldn't you? It's been quite a while…"

"Yes, it will be ten years since I last saw those two."

"Right, it's been ten years since you tumbled off that roof!"

"H-Grandfather… that story…"

The Sword Saint murmured with his eyes lost in memories, and Moyong Hwi blushed in embarrassment. A past he had completely forgotten came to mind.

When the three of them first met long ago, Moyong Hwi was just a twelve-year-old snot-nosed child. However, he was the descendant of a martial family and had been systematically learning martial arts since the age of five. Therefore, like the descendants of other martial families, he grew up constantly hearing stories of the countless remarkable individuals and reclusive masters of the martial world.

Stories about numerous remarkable individuals and legendary masters were encouraged as they instilled dreams in children and helped them set goals. After all, what other stories could be told besides such tales? And among them, the most popular were the stories related to the Three Heavenly Luminaries, the living legends of the current martial world. To enhance the pride of being a descendant of the Moyong family, the elders of the clan would always tell the children, whenever they had time or when the children begged for stories, the legendary martial exploits of Sword Saint Moyong Jeongcheon until their ears were numb.

No descendant of a branch family or protector family showed disinterest in those stories. And as companions to the Sword Saint's story, the roles of Sword Empress and Sword Sage – who would have surely thrown a tantrum if they heard this – were never left out. For that reason, Moyong Hwi grew up naturally hearing stories of the legendary martial hero Sword Saint Moyong Jeongcheon and his reliable companions and helpers, Sword Sage and Sword Empress, as trees absorb sunlight, and they became the heroes in his heart.

Therefore, when Sword Sage and Sword Empress visited the Moyong family for the first time after his birth and held a meeting of the Three Heavenly Luminaries in the backyard, he watched their meeting with eyes full of admiration… The one who most eagerly eavesdropped on that meeting was Moyong Hwi himself. And eventually, he was discovered. However, none of the three rebuked him. Instead, they even saved him when he tumbled off the roof in his embarrassment at being caught eavesdropping.

"They say time flows like water… it's been ten years since you fell off that roof and received help from the Sword Empress! Those two will be happy too. They were very fond of you, calling you clever."

"Yes, because of that, I was often envied by other children."

It was natural in the world of children. But the child was so delighted by meeting legends that he didn't care about the envy of those around him.

"There are many talented children in the Moyong family, but this child seems to be the only one who will inherit your sword."

"Hohoho, do you really think so? This child is the third grandson, not the eldest."

"Hmph, why do you say that? You already know everything yourself, so why are you being so sly?"

"Hohoho, was I found out? Actually, I have great expectations for this child. My true lineage might be passed down to this child."

"It's better than it being lost."

"Speaking of which, you said this sister has a child who could inherit her true lineage?"

"I heard it was your daughter…?"

"Yes. That child could take everything from me. Furthermore, she might surpass me. But her heart is still closed… it's a shame she can't enter a new realm until that closed heart opens. Some good occasion must arise…"

At that moment, I made a decision. I decided to become a child who would never betray my grandfather's expectations. I would never betray their names, their expectations. Never!

'But what is this pathetic state I am in now?'

'Is it really okay like this, Moyong Hwi?'

Of course not! How could I be alright after a dagger was plunged into my heart?

'Have you forgotten the vow you made then?'

Of course, I haven't forgotten. To forget that vow would be equivalent to discarding my own self.

One thing is certain: this cannot continue. I must change. But how?

'In the end, it's one's own mind that defines the world! By changing the cognition of the mind, the transformation of consciousness, one can change the world. After all, the world has no meaning without passing through the framework of the mind. It is meaningless in itself. Well, that's the charm of the world, too.'

Who said that? Was it Biryu Yeon? Even though it came from that fellow's casual mouth, it was too learned and too profound, so I hadn't thought about it deeply. It was as he said. Ultimately, only I can change myself. The world is not so kind as to allow others to change me on my behalf. I was the only one permitted to draw on the white paper of the world that I was given from birth.

'Is it alright to betray the expectations of those three like this? Have you forgotten whose grandson you are? Have you forgotten the pride of the glorious Moyong family?'

But what does my current state look like? I felt even more pathetic.

'It's too early to give up. Believe in your blood, and believe in yourself! What can a person do if they can't even believe in themselves?'

It was indeed impossible to give up like this. As I solidified my resolve, an incredible vigor suddenly surged through my entire body.

Once the path is set, I will just walk on it. What is needed is the courage to step onto an unknown path, the patience not to give up halfway, and the perseverance to overcome boredom.

And although it's not a boast, Moyong Hwi was slightly confident in his patience and perseverance.

'Yes, there is still plenty of time. I am still young. There is no need to rush. Just move forward one step at a time!'

My dejected heart stretched out and courage surged back. My expression brightened accordingly.

'My boy, he seems to have finally overcome the hurdle!'

It was a hurdle that any martial artist, or indeed anyone living life, would face at least once. But he believed in his grandson and watched him quietly. And his grandson fully met his expectations. The Sword Saint looked at his beloved grandson with a proud gaze.

The snot-nosed child who had only been led by others' hands had now become an adult walking his own path on his own two feet.

Mutter, mutter, mutter!

The Moyong grandfather and grandson, walking together, saw a group of people gathered ahead.

"What's going on? It's quite noisy up ahead."

People were bustling about everywhere. They were in small groups, exchanging opinions moment by moment. Upon closer inspection, it could be seen that the complex movements were spreading out from a central point. A group of people, regardless of age or gender, were gathered in a circle around one spot.

Even from a distance of over ten zhang, the Sword Saint and Moyong Hwi could clearly see the murmuring crowd. They were not overly talkative. Rather, the energy emanating from there was closer to the lingering resonance after an explosion of absurdity and shock.

And the two of them also witnessed a surprising sight there.

"Th-this is!!!"

Moyong Hwi was speechless at the sight he witnessed. No language came to mind to describe the current situation. Only then could he understand why the other people were so dumbfounded. Anyone who saw such a situation and didn't feel bewildered must have a problem.

"What are you doing? Draw your sword at once!"

A middle-aged woman with an elegant appearance was pointing at someone and shouting. And the target was a friend Moyong Hwi knew very well: Biryu Yeon.

The woman, who maintained her graceful demeanor, did not seem like the type to make such forceful demands. However, she was now demanding it in a resolute voice. But what was even more bewildering to Moyong Hwi was that the middle-aged woman's face was that of someone he remembered. Her face was unforgettable. Even after ten years, it was as if time had bypassed her; she showed no signs of aging. The vicissitudes of time seemed to have failed to engrave age on her face. Meanwhile, over there, Na Yerim stood nervously, her face bewildered, unbecoming of her epithet "Ice Phoenix." And beside her, her fellow disciple Sajin, Dokko Ryong, was trying to calm her down.

Moyong Hwi unconsciously glanced at his grandfather's face. His grandfather was also looking at the two of them with a slightly stern expression.

"Hoho, what kind of mischievous prank is this?"

A low, disbelieving laugh escaped the Sword Saint's lips. It was clear that the incident unfolding before them was classified as an unexpected situation even for this giant.

The woman who was pressuring Biryu Yeon to draw his sword. Many titles were associated with her.

Guardian deity of Guanyin Bodhisattva, Foremost Swordswoman Under Heaven, Master of the Sword Pavilion, First Seat of the Three Heavenly Luminaries…

She was called by many names. But most people called her with respect and reverence:

The Sword Empress!

The Sword Sage had taken a position slightly away from the curtain of benevolence. He was wearing a straw hat, so he did not have to worry about his fame. The Sword Saint also wore a straw hat in areas where the number of people significantly increased. If he didn't, he might be in trouble. Famous people are always tiring.

The place where the Sword Sage stood was a prime spot with a good view of the 'scene.' He was very satisfied with his excellent choice and was waiting for the Sword Sage there.

"Oh, you're back?"

The Sword Sage, who had approached, said, turning his head slightly to confirm his presence.

"I'm back. But what is this prank?"

The Sword Empress of the world exuding killing intent in front of a young man. It was unthinkable by common sense.

"Ah, there's a bit of a problem."

"Problem?"

"It's about the love for a disciple being like love for a child. It's something every parent goes through at least once."

"Hmm…"

"It's always that the father doesn't like the son-in-law his daughter brings home."

"……?"

Although the Sword Sage's explanation seemed to be for the purpose of helping me understand, it was a decent explanation, apart from the fact that it was completely unhelpful. So, the Sword Sage, quite naturally, wished that the topic would shift from the incomprehensible realm to a comprehensible one. As if sensing his thoughts, the Sword Sage asked,

"More importantly, what happened to 'him'?"

"Ah, I asked the medical team to specifically bring him to our room, the three of us. It seemed safer that way."

"Has he regained consciousness?"

The Sword Saint slowly shook his head.

"He's saved his life. But he's still in a coma. Sometimes he mutters unintelligible things in his sleep, but it's too fragmented to grasp the overall context yet."

"Unintelligible things?"

The Sword Sage asked again, and he received a kind answer.

"He was looking for a dragon."

"Dragon?"

The Sword Sage asked again, and the Sword Saint nodded once more to confirm. It was still an unsolved riddle, and not a problem that could be solved inadvertently. So, he changed the subject.

"Ah, but who is this dog that's sticking so closely to your side?"

Only then did the Sword Sage's gaze fall upon Moyong Hwi, standing blankly beside his white-haired friend.

"It's my third grandson!"

"Ah, is this the snot-nosed brat from back then?"

It seemed the impression of Moyong Hwi had miraculously remained in a corner of his memory.

"Greet him, Hwi! Do you remember? This is Elder Doseong."

"How could I forget Elder? It's been a long time, Elder!"

Moyong Hwi respectfully cupped his fist and bowed courteously.

"Oh, you've grown so much!"

Doseong replied with a pleased smile. In fact, Doseong had forgotten Moyong Hwi's existence until the Sword Saint introduced him. But that was not something to be overly criticized. After living for over a hundred years, such things were commonplace.

"Was he about this tall…? Reaching about my waist! This is the first time I've seen him since then. It's been about ten years. Ten years… ten years…"

Seeing the boy become a young man, he seemed to feel the flow of time that he had forgotten.

"It's all because of your wandering habit! Well, who can stop your wandering habit? But think about those around you too. Because of your whims, your son-in-law is always busy running around looking for you."

"Ah, you mean that fellow Majin? He's so busy just holding the position of head of the Heavenly Martial Academy, why is he chasing after an insignificant old man like me?"

"Tsk tsk, stubborn old fool…"

The Sword Saint clicked his tongue, looking at his friend, who was far from being stable. Then, as if on cue, Doseong bristled. Even a legend of the martial world could feel offended, and he believed in bravely protesting against slander.

"What, stubborn fool? Do you think you're not stubborn? Don't you dare disappear on me. You're even more stubborn than I am. You're the only one in this world who doesn't know that fact!"

"What do you mean I'm stubborn? I always observe the Middle Way and try to practice it."

"Hmph, others might believe those words due to your brilliant aura, or pretend to believe them out of fear of your authority. But I don't believe those words."

Doseong's tone was very sharp.

"Why? I still can't understand why you hold such a misconception."

"Why? Are you really asking because you don't know? Or are you pretending not to know? What did you say to me back then? 'Hey, Hushik, don't you think I can cut a river with a sword?'"

"There was such a time. You laughed heartily then. It seems to have been about eighty years ago."

The Sword Saint readily admitted the fact. Ten years could change mountains and rivers, and this was a story from before the mountains and rivers had changed eight times.

"But what about it?"

"That was the problem afterward. Angered by my laughter for no reason, you said you'd show me the possibility directly and told me to wait, have you forgotten how long that took?"

If the person who uttered those words had not been the Sword Saint, he would probably have been confined.

"But you succeeded in the end, didn't you?"

The Sword Saint said nonchalantly.

"Yes, it took thirty years!"

Doseong said as if spitting it out. Although they were conversing like people, Moyong Hwi, who was listening beside them, could only blink.

"You are mistaken! Even I would not be so reckless as to spend thirty years on such a thing. It only took twenty-five years! It didn't take thirty years. Your face back then was truly a sight to behold. That alone seemed worth twenty-five years of effort."

The Sword Saint kindly corrected Doseong's mistaken point. Moyong Hwi, who was listening beside them, could not understand the full story at all. It was a story from another world. Eighty years ago, what about the river? And what happened? It was a conversation that could not possibly take place between humans.

"Twenty-five years or thirty years, it's all the same! To do something like that, you created something strange called the 'Opening Sword' or something… After that, you got so into it that you blabbed, 'This time it's the sea!'"

"Ah, I haven't succeeded yet! It's difficult, really difficult. Nature is truly great…"

"What's difficult?"

Doseong pulled his ear out with a look of great suspicion.

"Ah, that sea. Indeed, the power of nature is vast and immeasurable. I've been working on it for the past fifty years, but it's still not easy. Still, it helps a lot with training. I recommend it to you too!"

"I politely decline."

Though he considered his friend a terrible person, Doseong shook his head, though he didn't say so out of consideration for appearances. Then the Sword Saint said,

"But still, aren't we both inferior to the Sword Empress? Have we ever defeated her even once?"

Doseong paused and reflected on the past hundred years, then slowly shook his head.

"No. Not once!"

It was truly as if it were a lie, but he had never once defeated her. He looked at Biryu Yeon, who was facing the Sword Empress, with a gaze full of pity.

"That friend will have quite a bit of trouble too."