The Difference Between Hunting and Fishing (1)
The warriors guarding the Celestial Dragon Library were from the Fierce Tiger Brigade. This was because the library was exclusively for the use of the leader.
The person in charge, upon receiving the entry permit issued by Galsaryang, let me in without asking for detailed reasons.
“Please, go on in.”
Normally, even with an entry permit, one would have to endure a lengthy interrogation about the purpose of the visit and the expected conduct inside.
But I was allowed in without a word. The eyes of not just the person in charge but also the other warriors were filled with goodwill.
I could guess why. Rumors must have spread within the Fierce Tiger Brigade that Galsaryang and I had prevented unnecessary sacrifices of the brigade leader and his subordinates.
“Thank you.”
I bowed politely and stepped into the Celestial Dragon Library.
After the war with the Sima Sect, I frequented this place. I read various books to reach the state of the Heart Sword, but in my later years, having given up on that pursuit, I rarely visited.
I felt a pang of guilt towards the library. I had visited multiple times a day when I needed it, only to stop coming altogether when I no longer did.
I walked slowly between the shelves.
There were books on a wide range of topics, from martial arts manuals to strategy guides. As it was a place used by the leader, there were many books that were hard to find elsewhere. Of course, that didn’t mean there were any extraordinary martial arts manuals.
During the recent Justice Pavilion exam, I read books from various fields.
I realized then that while reading books from other fields might not directly impact martial arts, it certainly had an indirect effect.
Reading changed me as a person, and consequently, the martial arts I practiced also changed.
I hoped to have the opportunity to read the books here more thoroughly someday. During my time as the leader, I only read books related to martial arts. But now, I wanted to explore other topics.
In any case, my reason for visiting today was to read a specific book.
The Compendium of Demonic Arts
After the war, the martial arts scholars of the alliance compiled a book categorizing the demonic arts of the Blood Heaven Sect.
I flipped through the pages to find the section on movement techniques. I wanted to find the technique that Cheonsoseon had demonstrated.
In the final moment, Cheonsoseon’s eyes shone white, and he vanished before my eyes.
I instinctively knew it wasn’t a conventional martial art. I had never seen or heard of such a technique. So, I decided to start my search with demonic arts.
I recognized some of the demonic arts. They were the techniques used by the masters of the Demonic Sect I had fought against.
The battles of that day came back to me as if they had happened yesterday.
I remembered every move exchanged, understanding how Go players could replay their games from memory. It was the same for a warrior recalling their battles.
In my past life, I also recalled past battles. But the feelings now were distinctly different. The thought that crossed my mind most was this:
Why did I fight like that back then?
There were many moments that didn’t make sense to me now. I felt I would have fought differently if it were today.
Of course, I couldn’t predict the outcome with certainty. I might even lose if I fought as I imagined now. Thoughts and reality are undoubtedly different.
One thing was certain, though. My perspective on martial arts had changed from my past life to now. Because I had changed. In every way.
I meticulously examined the movement techniques but couldn’t find the method Cheonsoseon had shown.
I turned the pages again, this time looking at the sections on stealth and illusion techniques.
There were various methods for concealing oneself, but none involved disappearing with a white light from the eyes.
“Could it not be a demonic art?”
After placing the Blood Heaven Sect Compendium back on the shelf, I picked up another book. This time, it was a compilation of all the unorthodox martial arts.
The Compendium of Unorthodox Arts
As I examined the unorthodox arts, memories of past battles with unorthodox masters resurfaced. Again, there were many parts I felt I would handle differently now.
The same martial arts, the same people, yet different battles came to mind. Truly, the world of martial arts seemed endless.
I scrutinized the unorthodox arts thoroughly, but there was no trace of the technique Cheonsoseon had shown.
“Could it be a conventional martial art?”
Though it seemed unlikely, I had to check the conventional arts as well.
This book was much thicker than the other two.
The Compendium of Conventional Arts
I focused on the sections related to movement techniques.
It wasn’t in the recent martial arts. I searched and searched through the older ones.
“Found it!”
To my surprise, Cheonsoseon’s technique was among the martial arts of the past.
The White Light Shadowless Divine Step
A movement technique that involved disappearing with a white light from the eyes, just like what Cheonsoseon had shown.
The explanation was brief, just a single line.
The unique technique of the phantom thief, Cheonbomyung.
Phantom thief Cheonbomyung? It sounded vaguely familiar, yet not. Judging by the alias, he seemed to be a thief.
Cheonsoseon and a thief. It was an unlikely combination.
Nonetheless, it was the first clue I had found about them.
“Have you ever heard of the phantom thief Cheonbomyung?”
Fortunately, Galsaryang remembered.
“Yes, I’ve heard of him. About a hundred years ago, a thief named Cheonbomyung appeared and threw the martial world into chaos. I remember him because, true to his name, he was indeed a peculiar individual.”
“What was peculiar about him?”
“He didn’t steal from the wealthy but only from martial artists.”
“Only from martial artists?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Did he steal martial arts or weapons?”
“If he had, he wouldn’t have been called a phantom thief. It’s said he didn’t steal anything valuable. He would take clothes or small change from masters who possessed precious swords.”
“Truly an incomprehensible person.”
“Yes, indeed.”
“Was he a highly skilled martial artist?”
“No, it’s said he never used martial arts during his exploits. He simply used a miraculous footwork technique that martial artists couldn’t catch him with.”
That must be the White Light Shadowless Divine Step.
“But why are you asking about the phantom thief?”
“The martial art Cheonsoseon used that day was Cheonbomyung’s technique.”
“What?”
Galsaryang was genuinely surprised, as it was an unexpected revelation.
“Are you saying they are connected to the phantom thief?”
“Whether they learned the technique by chance or have a direct connection, I can’t say. For now, please look into Cheonbomyung’s later activities.”
“Yes, understood.”
“Then I’ll be heading out for a bit.”
As I was about to leave in a hurry, Galsaryang asked.
“Where are you off to in such a rush?”
I replied with a smile.
“Not sure if it’ll be hunting or fishing.”
“Do you have bait?”
When I gave him a meaningful look, Galsaryang flinched.
“My goodness! It’s me, isn’t it?”
Heukseok stood on a hill overlooking the Martial Alliance in the distance.
His once robust and pleasant demeanor had turned cold. Since entering the martial world, and especially this organization, had he ever been cornered like this?
He had lost the Bloodless Army and Mabeon, and even Pyeonno was dead. Even without Cheonsoseon’s threats about the White Robe’s successor, he felt the crisis keenly.
Cheonsoseon had ordered him to uncover the mastermind or master behind Galsaryang. If he failed this mission…
At that moment, two figures appeared behind him.
A man dressed in black, like Heukseok, had brought a woman with him. The woman, forcibly brought along, was Chilho.
Without turning around, Heukseok asked.
“Do you know who I am?”
“No, I don’t.”
“Yet you’re not afraid.”
Indeed, Chilho showed no fear. In truth, she had given up.
The martial artist who brought her was much stronger than her.
He was a master known as Iron Knot, Heukseok’s enforcer. Heukseok trusted him to handle important tasks.
But Chilho hadn’t given up just because Iron Knot was stronger.
When faced with such situations, Chilho didn’t want to fight tooth and nail to overcome them. Instead, she often thought:
…I wish it would all just end.
She had been searching for hope in her life for some time.
Do hope and despair always walk hand in hand?
The more she sought hope, the more she found despair.
“Why did you bring me here?”
Though it was her first time seeing Heukseok and Iron Knot, she could tell they were from her organization. There was a common feeling among its members. A sense of rigidity, like statues standing alone in ancient ruins.
“Why do you think?”
Chilho’s expression slightly soured. She thought such questions were meaningless, mere wordplay.
“I don’t know.”
“You investigated Galsaryang, didn’t you?”
“Yes.”
“What did you find out about him?”
Only then did Chilho understand why she had been brought here.
“I can’t disclose that. It’s information I can only report to my direct superior.”
“Can’t you show some flexibility among comrades?”
“No, I can’t.”
At Chilho’s refusal, Heukseok turned around. He had anticipated that words wouldn’t work, so he chose another method.
He approached Chilho with a murderous aura, roughly grabbing her by the collar.
“Do I look like I’m joking?”
His thick hand squeezed her neck.
She struggled to breathe. Despite the pain, Chilho thought it wouldn’t matter if she died here.
The sense of futility emanating from Chilho provoked Heukseok. Just as he was about to tighten his grip further, a voice interrupted.
“Stop right there!”
Someone rushed to the scene, and it was Ilho. He was drenched in sweat, a clear sign of how fast he must have run to get there. For someone of Ilho’s caliber to be sweating, it was evident he had hurried.
Without a word, he handed over what he had brought to Cheolgyeol, who was blocking his path.
“Here’s the report from Chilho that you asked for.”
Cheolgyeol took it and passed it to Heukseok. Heukseok, who had been exuding a menacing aura, calmed down and began to read the report. It confirmed that the deaths of Heukmirang and Gono were indeed linked to Galsaryang.
“Is this all?”
“Yes, that’s all.”
“Damn it!”
The report only pointed to Galsaryang, lacking the information Heukseok truly sought. He knew his organization inside out and was well aware that there was nothing more to be found.
Heukseok turned to Chilho and asked again.
“That kind of attitude will only shorten your lifespan. Got it?”
“Yes.”
“If you need to report to the higher-ups, do it.”
Leaving those words with Ilho, Heukseok leaped away, with Cheolgyeol following suit.
Now, only Ilho and Chilho remained.
“Did you have a death wish?”
“No.”
“Then why act like that?”
“They were the ones who broke the rules.”
“When have they ever fought by the rules? Be careful. Heukseok is cornered right now. Desperation can make people do unpredictable things.”
Chilho gave a faint smile. What good would it do? She had almost died today because of someone she had never even heard of before—Heukseok. This was the organization she belonged to, and this was her reality.
“Was it really okay to hand over the report like that?”
“Does it matter?”
Both Ilho and Chilho knew it did. If nothing happened, it would be fine, but if something went wrong, it would be treated as a serious offense.
“Thank you for saving me.”
Chilho bowed her head. Ilho, who had been quietly watching her, turned away.
“No need for thanks.”
He almost suggested they grab a drink to celebrate surviving, but as always, he swallowed the words back down.
“Aren’t you leaving?”
“You go ahead. I have someone to meet.”
Curious as to who it might be, Ilho didn’t ask.
“Be careful.”
“Yes.”
With that, Ilho leaped away, leaving the place behind.
“Byulgunsa is currently in the emergency operations room. You probably won’t be able to meet him even if you go.”
Hearing this from the soldier guarding the former office, Chilho nodded and quickly turned away.
She had wanted to see him one last time before leaving.
Their connection was nothing significant. When she thought of him, she thought of dumplings. Just a few dumplings… yet she wanted to see his face once more.
Lately, she found herself thinking of certain people more often.
There was Galpyo, whom she met during her first mission related to Majeongsu, and the nameless hero from the Hwanggeumdaeyeon mission.
This new soldier was one of them too.
Was her heart growing softer? She had been raised to be devoid of emotions… was she an anomaly?
One thing was clear: the more people she remembered, the deeper her loneliness grew.
As she exited the Jeonguigak building, she ran into someone.
“Oh? It’s you.”
The person entering the building was Byeokridan.
“What brings you here? Do you still have a mission left?”
In response to Byeokridan’s question, she answered.
“Ah, yes.”
“I see. Well then, take care.”
As Byeokridan was about to pass by, Chilho suddenly spoke up.
“Have you eaten? You once bought me dumplings, after all.”
Byeokridan paused, looking at her for a moment before saying something unexpected.
“Instead of that, how about we grab a drink?”
This time, Chilho looked at Byeokridan. Then she nodded.
“Sure, my treat.”
Chilho turned and started walking.
But Byeokridan didn’t follow. When she stopped and turned around, he pointed in the opposite direction.
“The exit is that way.”
“Oh.”
Byeokridan started walking first. With a slightly flushed face, she followed him. She felt embarrassed, as if she had been caught off guard.
‘Damn it!’