Book 9 Chapter 23

Find the Talent of the Taegeuk!

- Binggeom Kwancheolsu

As rumors spread within the academy that Eun Seollan was investigating Bi Ryuyeon, most of the officials scoffed.

They had exhausted nearly all of their internal energy.

Some even openly said Eun Seollan was "wasting her time."

However, Eun Seollan did not listen to their words. Her judgment was based on what she saw and heard with her own eyes and ears. And her intuition as a woman also played a significant role.

The more Eun Seollan investigated Bi Ryuyeon, the more she felt like she was falling into a labyrinth. The more she tried to find out about Bi Ryuyeon, the less she knew. People's opinions and testimonies about the same incidents varied too much. Moreover, many people avoided answering or gave vague responses regarding the incident on Mount Wudang. She couldn't tell what was bothering them, but they were clearly evading answers about Bi Ryuyeon. She could swear on her pride as a woman.

The more she investigated, the more Eun Seollan's determination grew.

"What kind of person is Young Master Bi?"

The target of this question was Na Yerim.

"He's always causing trouble."

Na Yerim answered without hesitation. Of course, there had never been a moment of quiet around him since he met Bi Ryuyeon. However, it was a disappointing answer for Eun Seollan. Perhaps she had hoped for a different answer for herself. Facts that everyone else talked about were useless to her.

"Do you have anything else to say besides that?"

Eun Seollan wanted to hear more unique information.

"Besides being troublesome, what other expression is there?"

"Hmm!"

Lee Jinseol nodded beside her, as if agreeing with her words.

"First, the head of the Heroes' Guild, Cheol Okjam Ma Haryeong, and second, the head of the Nine Springs Guild, Changcheonryong Yong Cheonmyeong! He has a truly brilliant record. Truly amazing! Truly…"

Lee Jinseol counted the major incidents Bi Ryuyeon had caused on her fingers.

"I'm worried about what he'll do this time!"

Na Yerim responded to Lee Jinseol's words with a worried tone.

"Hahaha! Miss Na, you seem very concerned about Young Master Bi's safety, don't you?"

Eun Seollan didn't miss the opportunity. Na Yerim was quite flustered by Eun Seollan's sudden question.

"That wasn't what I meant. Please refrain from expanding unnecessary misunderstandings."

"Hahaha! Do you really need to be so serious? It's not like you dislike Young Master Bi, is it?"

Eun Seollan subtly tested Na Yerim.

"Of… of course, I don't dislike him. But I don't like him either."

"Hahaha! There's no need to emphasize the latter part so much. The answer I wanted was the first part, not the unnecessary latter part. It's unlike you, Miss Na, to answer questions that weren't asked."

"Th… that's…"

Eun Seollan smiled triumphantly. In this regard, she was an expert. Na Yerim, who had no experience in love, was no match for Eun Seollan. Na Yerim was confused.

'Should I stop here?'

Any further would be counterproductive for Na Yerim. For her, who had built walls around herself, a gradual approach, step by step, would be more effective.

"More importantly, what will that troublesome person do this time?"

Eun Seollan quickly changed the subject.

"Maybe he'll fight the notoriously cold Grandmaster Binggeom, Lord Sang, this time? There are also rumors that he fought and won against Lord Yeomdo!"

Lee Jinseol said with a laugh. It was a light remark made with the intention of having fun. However, it was true that rumors were circulating about Bi Ryuyeon fighting Yeomdo. There were even rumors, as Lee Jinseol said, that he had fought and won. However, since Bi Ryuyeon was unharmed with not a single scratch on his body, no one believed those rumors at face value.

"Nonsense again! You're talking about something absurd! There's no way that could happen! Stop with the silly talk and focus on your training!"

"Hehe… Yes!"

Lee Jinseol laughed, sticking out her tongue. However, it was a laugh mixed with a hint of coercion. It seemed her facial control wasn't complete yet. Lee Jinseol was dying to know about other matters but dared not speak for fear. She lacked the courage to ask about the truth of that day. Therefore, she couldn't meet Eun Seollan's gaze properly.

"Please!"

The Sword Master said, looking at Binggeom.

"Leave it to me!"

Binggeom replied respectfully.

"I believe your eyes are more accurate than anyone else's in this Cheonmu Academy! Tell me exactly what you see and judge!"

He had already been suspicious of Yeomdo's recent actions, which were like a thorn in his side. According to his subordinate's report, they were seen together as if they were master and disciple, which was an unbelievable report.

'Is that possible for someone like Yeomdo, a social misfit?'

There were too many similar reports to dismiss it as a mere joke.

'Bi Ryuyeon?'

In any case, he was a person who couldn't be ignored.

The master sat quietly, his body covered in fine, spiderweb-like wounds.

When the master, who was revered as a god in the martial arts world, returned injured one day, Binggeom and Yeomdo thought he was just playing around, perhaps with his internal energy. If there was anyone in the current martial arts world who could inflict such wounds on their master, it would only be "him," the embodiment of terror who had plunged the entire martial arts world into a bloodbath 80 years ago. However, "he" had disappeared after being attacked by the combined forces of his master, Taegeuk Sin-gun Mu-sin Hyeok Wolrin, the Three Stars of Cheonmu, and Mu-sin-ma Gal Jung-hyeok 80 years ago, with his life and death unknown. It was unlikely that he would suddenly reappear 80 years later. If such a thing had happened, the entire martial arts world would have been in an uproar. However, the martial arts world was, to the point of being boring, peaceful.

Yet, it was unbelievable that there was someone in this peaceful martial arts world who could inflict mortal wounds on Mu-sin.

"Gwak-a!"

"Yes, Master!"

Twenty years ago, Yeomdo's inferiority complex regarding his female name had existed. However, at that time, he was not as irascible as he was now. In fact, it was unbelievable, but compared to his current appearance, he was incredibly quiet, to the point where it was unimaginable. Until that incident…

"You are a possessor of Geonyangjigi (乾陽之氣), inheriting the sun's energy. You know this, right?"

The master's gentle voice made tears well up in his eyes. Even at this time, he was a diligent and sincere, good disciple.

"Yes! I know very well. You said I have a constitution suitable for practicing Geomyeomgi (劍焰氣)."

"That's right! You have a Geonyangjiche (乾陽之體), a constitution suitable for practicing Hwaryeong Shen Gong. However, your energy is too skewed towards extreme yang, making it unsuitable for accepting Bingnyeongjigi. It's a shame that both of you tend to have your energy skewed in one direction. And… Gwan-a!"

This time, Hyeok Wolrin looked at Binggeom.

"Yes, Master!"

Binggeom replied respectfully.

"Hahaha, you are always so composed! Just as Gwak-a inherited the sun's energy, you inherit the moon's energy, Gon-eumjigi (坤陰之氣)."

"I know very well."

"Yes, you'll know very well! You've always been perfect in everything, so you haven't caused much worry. However, your excessive coldness is a problem! Try to be closer to people."

"As you know, you have a Goningjiche (坤陰之體), a constitution suitable for practicing Bingbaek Shen Gong. However, you are also aware that your energy is heavily skewed towards extreme yin. Yin and yang are originally one, derived from one! If you two combine your strengths, there won't be many who can oppose you in this world."

It was a very kind and loving voice.

"Master…"

'That will never happen. To combine with this fellow? Don't say such harsh words!' Both of them couldn't finish saying it. Their master was about to ascend to heaven. They didn't want to show their unpleasant sides in front of such a master, so they had a tacit agreement. That was the least they could do as disciples. However, their master, true to his reputation, was not so easygoing.

"You two still don't get along! Hmph… Trying to force you to get along now would only be a temporary fix. If you keep bickering like this, how can you deploy the Geon-gon Il-wol Hap-gyeok Jin (乾坤日月合擊陣) that I created?"

Both Binggeom and Yeomdo couldn't help but flinch with guilt. Their master's clear eyes had seen through their pretense at once. After pausing for a moment with regret, Master Hyeok Wolrin looked at the two of them alternately and then spoke quietly. Time was running out.

"Gwan-a! Gwak-a!"

"Yes, Master! Please command me."

"Listen carefully! I will impart my final insights and last will to you."

"Fi… final insights?"

Both of them heard it for the first time.

"When you descend the mountain and enter the martial arts world, never reveal my death! The martial arts world thinks that the core forces of the Cheon-geop-ryeong have all disappeared and only remnants remain, but I think differently. They have not disappeared. They are merely in hibernation, like bears in winter. To them, who have not yet fully revived their former strength, I would be a tremendous obstacle. As long as Mu-sin-ma Gal Jung-hyeok is alive and my death is not confirmed, they will not dare to reveal themselves. Never reveal my death! And try to hide the fact that you are my disciples as much as possible."

"Master… No. You cannot die. You must not die, for the sake of the martial arts world."

"This is an unalterable destiny. My will shall now be carried on through you."

Swoosh!

The master took something out of his robe. It was carefully wrapped in white silk! This was the last item he had to leave to future generations. Now, only his two disciples, who were like sworn enemies and thus made him extremely anxious, remained. Although there was a slight sense of unease, there was no alternative.

Gulp!

The two of them swallowed dryly, their Adam's apples bobbing. Their hearts pounded with sudden excitement.

"I shall pass this on to you!"

Rustle! As the silk was unwrapped, a radiant glow emanated from within the silk wrapping.

"Th… this is!!!"

Their eyes widened in astonishment.

"Have you remembered it clearly?"

"Yes… Master! Sob sob sob"

Tears fell from their eyes. The two of them were sobbing now.

"Find someone who can bring together Yeombaek (炎魄) and Binghun (氷魂)! Those who can embrace both 'Right' and 'Opposite'! The divine flames Hongyeom (紅焰) and the divine sword Bingnu (氷淚) will guide the way. That person will be the talent to unite the Taegeuk into one. Find the one with the energy of the stars, Seongsin (星辰)!"

This was the master's last will and advice.

"The talent of the Taegeuk! Once you find that talent, strive to cooperate and unite the Taegeuk! I believe in you. From the underworld, I will pray for the formation of the martial arts world to emerge from your hands. Our connection ends here!"

Although the master's body was covered in fine, spiderweb-like wounds, he showed no sign of faltering as he sat. However, he clearly foresaw how much life he had left. Both Yeomdo and Binggeom shed tears. They could not suppress their overwhelming grief.

"Master! Tell us who your enemy is! We will surely avenge you!"

"Tell us the culprit!"

Both Yeomdo and Binggeom cried out in unison. However, their master, Taegeuk Sin-gun Mu-sin Hyeok Wolrin, who was a founder of the martial arts world during the Cheon-geop Blood Era, smiled gently and shook his head.

"That is none of your concern. I have no regrets in this battle. If there is one regret, it is only that I did not win the battle. It is impossible for you with your current skills! Until you find the talent of the Taegeuk and unite the Taegeuk, do not harbor any other thoughts!"

"Master! Tell us the culprit!"

Once again, Yeomdo and Binggeom pleaded with Mu-sin. However, Taegeuk Sin-gun remained unmoved.

"It is too heavy a burden for you! I cannot leave you with such a heavy burden. Instead, I entrust to you, Hyeok So-un, that child. I believe that child will determine their own fate, but I hope you will help them."

"Yes, Master!"

Unending tears poured from their eyes.

"Everyone dies eventually! I was prepared for this the moment I took up a sword as a martial artist. Do not grieve too much. Now! I entrust the succession to you."

And the Mu-sin, leaving his glorious name etched brilliantly in the history of the martial arts world, quietly closed his eyes. It was the moment a great star of the martial arts world fell like a meteor. However, his name would live on forever as a legend.

"Master…"

Binggeom brought his left hand to his chest. It was an item he had never taken off since that day. It was an item as precious as their master's life, which he had shared with Yeomdo. It was an item they had to protect with their lives.

After reminiscing about the past for a moment, Binggeom's gaze returned to the present.