Book 19 Chapter 20
**A Bolt from the Blue (靑天霹靂)**
—The Death of One Person, and Then…
“Oppa, Kyung-young oppa! Let’s go to the market!”
“No!”
The boy refused in a firm voice. However, his refusal didn’t work on his six-year-old younger sister.
“Ah, let’s go~”
His sister pestered him again. The boy shook his head again.
“Young-yi oppa~ Let’s go~”
“No! It’s safer to stay here right now!”
Boy Yoo Kyung-young put on a troubled expression, but he couldn’t agree to her request. The girl shook her head vigorously. Her cheeks were puffed up like ripe, red apples.
“But… but… we haven’t gone out even once since that day!”
That was true.
“Sorry, sorry! But no!”
“Why? Uncle….”
“That’s enough!”
At the mention of “Uncle,” Yoo Kyung-young involuntarily shouted. It was a topic he didn’t even want to think about, let alone bring up. In fact, being confined like a prisoner at the Jungyang Courier Service was all because of that. Ever since encountering Yoon Yi-jung in the marketplace that day, Yoo Kyung-young hadn’t been able to go outside. And on the second day he met Yoon Yi-jung, he had become the head of the family, destined to carry on its business. He was afraid. Terribly afraid. The horrible fear that engulfed the boy when the only trust he had left, the trust he believed in the most, crumbled was indescribable by words. Yet, his young sister, unaware of his inner turmoil, kept begging him to go out. But Yoo Kyung-young never wanted to step outside that door, where the gaze of surveillance might flash at any moment.
‘But who should I consult with now?’
With everything he could trust gone, who could he consult with? And if he didn’t trust the other person, what would be the point of consulting? If he wasn’t ready to listen to their advice and heed their words, such consultation would be a waste of time. So…
“Waaahhhhh!”
At that moment, a loud cry erupted beside him. He must have been startled by the sudden outburst.
The boy was flustered. He had to comfort her somehow. The boy apologized first.
“Sorry, sorry. Stop crying. Oppa was wrong. Just bear with it a little. I’ll take you to the market in a few days. I’ll buy you delicious things too.”
In his haste, Yoo Kyung-young placated his sister with a lie.
“Really?”
“Really.”
Yoo Kyung-young made a promise about his false promise.
“Promise!”
The girl extended her pinky finger. After a moment’s hesitation, Yoo Kyung-young sighed and extended his own finger. The girl happily shook her hand. In sync, Yoo Kyung-young’s arm fluttered up and down.
“Then, have we made a contract now?”
The girl asked, her clear eyes sparkling.
“What, a contract? Where did you learn that word?”
Surprised by the unexpected word from his sister, the boy asked back.
“Dad!”
“Father?”
“Yes, Dad said that a contract is kept with faith and trust. A merchant without credibility goes bankrupt. But oppa, what is faith and trust?”
Yoo Kyung-young’s heart sank. What had he almost done? He had almost made a promise he wouldn’t keep, just for a moment’s escape. He had almost made a false contract. To the customer he should trust the most, his own sister. That would have made him unfit as a merchant. That would have meant he had no face to show his father. The boy resolved to take his sister to the market no matter what.
Just as the boy was taking another step towards the path of a merchant, thunder roared as if to bless it.
*Crash!*
Startled, Yoo Kyung-young nearly fell backward with his sister. The sound of the door opening was that loud and violent. It was enough to believe someone had attacked. It was a miracle the door didn’t break.
“Miss Jin! Miss Jin!”
The person who kicked open the door was none other than Yoo Eun-sung, the number one sword of Jungmyeong. He must have been incredibly urgent, as his face showed evident haste. Fortunately, despite the urgent but powerful kick infused with his formidable internal energy, the door didn’t break. It seemed to be made of exceptionally sturdy material.
“Hmm?”
Only then did the children, with wide eyes, come into his view.
“Ah, Kyung-young. Have you perhaps seen where Miss Jin is?”
“She is training in the rear training ground.”
“Thank you.”
Without another word, Yoo Eun-sung hurried towards the backyard. His footsteps seemed to create a whistling sound as he moved. Yoo Kyung-young watched Yoo Eun-sung disappear from sight, a question forming on his face.
“What could it be? Why is he in such a hurry? Did something catch fire at the Cheonmu Academy?”
As Yoo Kyung-young said, Jin So-ryung was in the training ground. Yoo Eun-sung’s steps stopped abruptly just as he was about to call her name. She was currently teaching her disciple, Yu Ran. He couldn’t decide if it was permissible to interrupt that moment. The moment of imparting a crucial lesson was deeply significant for both the learner and the teacher. It was a moment where enlightenment beyond value could be gained, and a single word could change one’s entire life. To interfere with such a momentous occasion based on personal judgment would be presumptuous and an excessive overreach of authority. He decided to observe for now.
“Do you know why you were defeated?”
Jin So-ryung asked. It was about her defeat at the hands of Namgung Sang.
“Because the disciple is weak.”
“Incorrect.”
“What? Incorrect?”
Besides being weak, what other reason could there be? Was any other reason needed for defeat? Jin So-ryung perceived her disciple’s state of mind.
“Defeat is merely an outcome. And being weak is not the fundamental cause. It is merely a process situated between cause and effect. Not everything that precedes an effect is its cause.”
She continued,
“Failing is not bad. What is bad is failing to learn anything from failure. Everyone fails. The degree of difference simply varies. A life entirely composed of success is impossible. The worst is not failing, but being frustrated and unable to overcome failure. The common characteristic of such frustrated individuals is their unwillingness to learn anything from failure. Only those who gain lessons from failure can overcome it without being discouraged. Remember this. Despair is akin to abandoning your own future.”
Frustration was forbidden in living life.
“Learn from failure! However, do not repeat failures in order to gain lessons. So, also remember this. It is far more beneficial to learn from others’ failures than from your own. The concept of ‘using another mountain’s stone’ is not difficult.”
That was not all she wanted to say.
“You just said you lost because you were weak. So, what must you do to not be weak? Is it enough to simply become strong? That might be a simple answer, but the question remains. How can one become strong? Which aspect needs to be trained more? Do you have an answer prepared for that question? Can you become truly strong just by wanting to be strong? Clearly identifying your shortcomings, and then changing them, can alter the outcome. That is what you must find within yourself. That which can change you in the shortest possible time, and that which you can change yourself in a short time.”
“Your disciple is dull and cannot yet grasp your profound meaning. Please enlighten me.”
Yu Ran requested guidance. She instinctively realized that her master had identified her weakness.
“That is due to your lack of discernment.”
“Discernment?”
“Yes. Your lack of discernment in observing your opponent is the cause of your defeat.”
Jin So-ryung replied in a firm voice.
“Then what is discernment?”
Yu Ran asked.
“Just as everyone’s way of thinking is different, so are their abilities. Realistic differences in skill are inevitable. It is impossible for everyone to have the same skill. All that can be achieved are similar results. That is what is called reality. A world where everyone is the same is merely an illusion. Nor should it be the same. It is because there are highs and lows that water flows, wind blows, and stars move. If everyone were the same, there would be no change. Without change, there would be no progress or advancement. And what a boring world that would be. And like stagnant water, it would eventually rot. Discernment is what allows you to perceive those differences.”
“……”
“You can evaluate taste without becoming a chef. Similarly, you can evaluate a master’s martial arts without becoming a master. However, a master’s evaluation and a novice’s evaluation are not the same. Completely different analyses will inevitably lead to completely different results.”
Yu Ran listened to Jin So-ryung’s words with bated breath.
“Masters have information that only masters can know. Things learned through enlightenment, things that should be called wisdom rather than knowledge. That is because it is living knowledge that can never be obtained without personal experience. Why, don’t you understand?”
Jin So-ryung asked, looking at the signs of deep thought evident on her disciple’s face.
“I am sorry, master!”
“There is no need to apologize. It seems showing you directly is better than just talking. Bring me the two apples on the tray over there.”
The fruits brought out by the Jungyang Courier Service, though not requested, were piled high on a silver tray. It was useless to refuse, so they were left in a corner, and the apple Yu Ran brought was one of them.
“Watch closely!”
Jin So-ryung lightly tossed the apple upwards. In the next instant, a flash of light appeared, and the apple was resting on the tip of her sword, which had shot out like a beam of light. Yu Ran couldn’t even properly see when her master’s sword had been drawn.
“Now, what happened to this apple?”
“It… it was split into four pieces.”
“Then I must have swung my sword twice?”
“Y-yes, master.”
“Is that so? Would masters also answer like you?”
“That is…”
In fact, not having properly grasped how the sword was swung, Yu Ran lacked confidence in her answer.
“The very fact that you lack confidence in your answer is proof that your discernment is still insufficient. You must cultivate eyes that can see through the hazy fog and grasp the true form. Then confidence will naturally follow. Watch.”
As Jin So-ryung lightly flicked her finger, the apple resting on the sword tip split into exactly eight pieces, as if measured by a ruler. Even more astonishing was the fact that the peel had been peeled off in a single strip, like an apple being peeled around. In other words, Jin So-ryung had first peeled the skin in a circle and then cut the core into eight pieces. But how?
“Oh, this is….”
Yu Ran had no words but these.
“Was it too fast? Then let’s try it differently this time. Place the remaining apple on your palm and stand there.”
As Yu Ran did as she was told, Jin So-ryung slowly extended her sword. It was an incredibly slow pace, enough to make one yawn. While standing less than half a meter away, Yu Ran was contemplating when the sword tip would reach her, the tip lightly touched the end of the apple. It touched only very lightly, as if playing a prank. It felt less forceful than a mosquito bite. Jin So-ryung retracted her sword just as slowly as she had extended it.
“Now, what about this time? I did it slowly, so you must have seen it well, right? Did you see anything?”
“Um… nothing happened to the apple.”
“Nothing happened?”
Jin So-ryung countered as if to ask if that was truly the case.
“Yes… nothing happened.”
“Are you absolutely sure about what you said?”
Jin So-ryung asked again in a strong voice, as if seeking confirmation.
“Yes, I am sure.”
Yu Ran replied in a firm voice.
“You are wrong again.”
From her standing position, Jin So-ryung lightly flicked her finger, unleashing a gust of wind (指風) that pierced a small hole in the apple. Yu Ran’s eyes widened. Of course, it wasn’t because of the wind. A yellow liquid, like juice, flowed from the small hole in the red apple. It was apple juice.
“What do you say? Can you still say nothing happened?”
“……”
Yu Ran, already speechless, could not reply. The finely ground apple juice flowed for a long time before finally stopping. Yet, the apple’s shape remained intact.
“Would you like to look inside?”
Jin So-ryung flicked her index finger lightly again. The apple then split into two pieces, as if cut by a sharp knife.
‘Fingertip Sword (指風劍)….’
It was a higher-level technique than ordinary fingertip wind, which merely pierced like a drill. Unlike ordinary fingertip wind, it was a technique that could cut objects by rotating the fingertip wind like a fan, and it was also called ‘Fingertip Whirlwind (指旋風)’. It was a technique that was surprisingly difficult to master, and there were surprisingly few renowned masters who had learned it.
“Oh, this is….”
Yu Ran’s eyes widened once more. The inside of the apple was perfectly hollow. Only the paper-thin apple peel barely maintained its shape.
“You judged that my sword’s speed was slow and that it would have no significant power. Was I wrong?”
“…No.”
Yu Ran replied in a dejected voice.
“Of course, speed is power. Fast is strong. That is common sense. However, slowness does not necessarily mean weakness. Masters are beings who can make the slow strong, not just make the fast even faster. Masters are those who overturn common sense. Therefore, it is natural that a master’s eyes cannot be the same as those of an ordinary person. Masters are those who see not only the surface but also its underlying reality. That is the discernment of a master, different from that of an ordinary person. Therefore, they are not afraid of being different. It is because they possess such vision that they can have confidence in their decisions, even if they stand with the minority rather than the majority.”
Yu Ran was now completely speechless.
“To cultivate discernment is the same as cultivating wisdom. A master can pass on that wisdom to a disciple. Masters hope that through this transmission, the disciple’s discernment will reach a higher level. Masters instinctively know that the most important thing a master teaches a disciple is not superficial knowledge like simple techniques, but enhancing that discernment. That is why not every disciple under a good master becomes a good disciple. It is also the reason why most disciples cannot surpass their masters. Furthermore, since discernment is very subjective, it is easy to be swayed by public opinion. Overcoming such waves and seeing the world with one’s own discernment is by no means easy. To see properly is a difficult task.”
“……”
“So, cultivate your discernment further. If you do not want to become a failure in life, be yourself. Among these, the most important thing is to see yourself. When you can look at yourself squarely, you will be able to see beyond it.”
“I will engrave your invaluable teachings deep within my heart, disciple.”
Yu Ran replied, bowing deeply. Her voice was trembling, but she did not shed tears in the end.
“I have kept you waiting, Great Hero Yoo!”
“Not at all. I have listened well to your excellent teachings.”
“I am ashamed. To hear such words from you, Great Hero Yoo. But what is your business? You seem very urgent?”
Only then did Yoo Eun-sung remember the reason for his visit. It was a lingering effect of being lost in Jin So-ryung’s presence.
“Oh! I forgot, Miss Jin! I must have lost my mind for a moment to forget such an important matter. Miss Jin, wasn’t the person you were scheduled to spar with in a few days the third son of the Namgung family, Namgung Sang?”
“Yes, that’s right. I’m supposed to fight that child.”
There was only one reason: to test if he was worthy of marrying Jin Ryung. Yoo Eun-sung knew this well. So, he was hesitant whether to convey this news or not. However, it was something he would eventually know, and hiding it wouldn’t solve anything.
“Um… please don’t be shocked when you hear this……”
She couldn’t understand why he was dragging his feet so much.
“I am curious as to why Great Hero Yoo is being so hesitant. Please tell me. I will not be shocked.”
Encouraged by her words, Yoo Eun-sung carefully delivered the surprising news he had brought. And despite Yoo Eun-sung’s warning, Jin So-ryung was aghast.
“What? What did you just say…?”
It was the disciple, Yu Ran, who raised her voice on behalf of her master. She also had a connection to the news Yoo Eun-sung brought. She had a terrible karma, for it was because of the person in the news that her most respected master had been humiliated.
“So… what did you say, Great Hero Yoo?”
Still in a state of confusion, Jin So-ryung asked back, barely regaining her composure. Yoo Eun-sung had no choice but to repeat what he had said once.
“That young man named Namgung Sang… is said to have been murdered (被殺)!”
<To be continued in Vol. 20 of 『Biraedo』>