When Starlight Falls (3)
My lips touched hers.
Soft. So incredibly soft that I wondered if I had ever felt anything like it before.
I sensed her surprise, a small warmth spreading as her eyes flew open.
But I kept mine closed, focusing solely on the sensation of her lips.
Her trembling was palpable through the kiss.
Soon, I felt her relax, her eyes closing as we both surrendered to a brief, sweet kiss.
When it ended, and our lips parted, I opened my eyes to find her looking back at me.
My face was flushed. It hadn’t been a planned kiss.
The sight of her, eyes closed in prayer, was so beautiful that my heart raced, and before I knew it, I had leaned in.
Oh, my!
I was flustered by my unexpected action. Her face was as red as a ripe persimmon.
Yet, somehow, I felt good. It had been a long time since my heart had raced like that.
To be honest, when I first saw her, my heart didn’t skip a beat. I only thought she was incredibly beautiful. But over time, my feelings for her had changed.
An awkward silence settled between us. Thankfully, we had the beautiful night sky to gaze at.
After a moment, I asked, “What did you wish for?”
”…I didn’t really make one.”
“What was it going to be?”
She hesitated before blurting out, “Peace in the martial world?”
She was trying to lighten the mood with a joke, and I played along.
“Hahaha.”
“Why are you laughing so hard?”
“Wasn’t it meant to be funny?”
“Well, yes, but laughing that hard makes me feel bad. What? Do I not suit the idea of peace in the martial world?”
Of course not. When has a woman as beautiful as you ever suited such a notion?
“Hahaha. No, it’s fine. Wish for it.”
“Pfft.”
Song Hwarin pouted, an expression uncharacteristic of her, but it was adorable.
The awkwardness dissipated.
I didn’t say anything about the kiss. It wasn’t planned, nor was it a mistake.
It was simply how I felt in the moment. I’ll leave the future to my future feelings.
Things might work out between us, or they might not. We could end up happy or perhaps even unhappy.
Not knowing the future is what allows us to live in the present.
Still, I felt a bit guilty for interrupting her wish. So, I looked up at the sky and said, “Isn’t there another one falling?”
Just then, she spoke.
“One more time.”
“What?”
When I turned my head, she kissed me.
Not knowing the future? We don’t even know what’s right in front of us.
This kiss was deeper, sweeter, and lasted a little longer.
Ma Cheolgun stood alone in the leaderless main hall.
Above him was the empty seat of the Grandmaster.
He stared at it for a long time before slowly ascending the red-carpeted steps.
Step by step, he climbed the stairs.
Finally, he stood before the Grandmaster’s seat.
How he had longed to sit there.
The thought that it would soon be his made his heart race. He felt like he could fly from happiness.
He knew the forces behind him intended to use him.
But things wouldn’t go their way. His father had been their victim, but he would not be. He would become the leader and seek revenge.
Just as he was about to sit, a voice came from behind.
“Congratulations.”
Startled, he turned to see Ma Ryeongin standing at the end of the red carpet.
Children from all over the martial world were returning to the alliance. Ma Ryeongin was the first to arrive.
Feeling ashamed of his attempt to sit, Ma Cheolgun’s face turned red.
Ma Ryeongin walked along the red carpet, speaking.
“Everyone thinks you’ll be the leader. Our great brother is finally taking over the martial world!”
He had to release Ma Ryeongin, who had tried to kill him, because of their father.
Ma Cheolgun suspected that Ma Ryeongin was deeply connected to the forces behind the scenes. That’s why he had survived despite his actions.
Ma Cheolgun descended the stairs and grabbed Ma Ryeongin by the collar.
“You! Do you even know what you’ve done?”
“What did I do?”
“You!”
Ma Cheolgun couldn’t say anything. He wasn’t free from guilt over their father’s death.
Ma Ryeongin looked at him with eyes that seemed to know everything.
And then, with a voice as unpleasant as his gaze, he spoke.
“I’m surprised. I didn’t think you’d be like this.”
It was a clear taunt.
“What?”
Murderous intent flared in Ma Cheolgun’s eyes.
He wanted to kill him on the spot, but seeing Ma Ryeongin’s confidence, he suspected a trap.
Ma Ryeongin felt unfamiliar. He had disliked him since childhood. It wasn’t just his cunning and slyness. There was something unsettling about him. This unfamiliar feeling was an extension of that.
His instincts were right.
“You bastard!”
Ma Cheolgun shoved Ma Ryeongin roughly.
Ma Ryeongin, pushed away, smirked.
“You’ll make a great leader. You’re good at pretending to be nice in front of others.”
Ma Cheolgun clenched his fists. Despite the palpable murderous intent, Ma Ryeongin continued his barbed words.
“After all, that seat is for hiding people, right? So enjoy it to your heart’s content. Just be careful not to lose your head.”
With that, Ma Ryeongin turned and walked away.
He stopped at the door, not forgetting to taunt one last time.
“So, how did you kill Father?”
“You crazy bastard!”
Uncontrollable rage exploded from Ma Cheolgun.
By the time he turned around in a fit of anger, Ma Ryeongin had already left through the door.
“Damn it!”
He wanted to break something in his rising fury.
But Ma Cheolgun’s fists couldn’t destroy the Grandmaster’s seat before him.
The next day, I spent the entire day with Song Hwarin.
In the morning, we trained together. Just like yesterday, we practiced our techniques in unison. Our movements were now naturally synchronized.
After training, Song Hwarin said to me, “I feel like my swordsmanship has changed.”
Realizing that was significant and impressive. It had only been two days of teaching, but she had clearly grown. This was the teaching of the world’s greatest master.
“It’ll change even more.”
“Really?”
“Many times over.”
She nodded with eyes full of anticipation.
Once she mastered the advanced swordsmanship, she wouldn’t need to desire more martial skills. There would be few who could match her.
After training, we went to a tavern in the marketplace for a meal.
We ordered a feast of Shandong cuisine, which we couldn’t get in Hubei. Hungry from training, we devoured everything, surprising the waiter.
After eating, we wandered around the marketplace.
We had done this before, but it felt different this time.
Was it because of the kiss?
The time spent with her felt different.
In the evening, we had a drink. Just enough to feel good.
After a day of fun, I walked her back to the Song family estate.
At the gate, I said my goodbyes.
“I’ll be leaving early tomorrow.”
I didn’t plan to spend all ten days in Shandong. There was one last place I wanted to visit.
“I had a great time.”
“Me too.”
“Take care.”
“You too.”
I turned to leave.
Then she spoke from behind.
“About yesterday… don’t feel pressured.”
I turned back to her.
“You can break off the engagement anytime. I’m ready to accept it.”
She didn’t want to be a burden to me.
This time, I asked, “Do you feel burdened?”
She shook her head. It was a question I didn’t need to ask. If she felt burdened, there wouldn’t have been a second kiss or today’s day together.
I smiled and said, “Neither do I.”
Her expression relaxed.
“Let’s just see where this goes.”
With those words, I turned away.
Where fate would lead us, only time would tell. That’s how fate works.
Before leaving Shandong, I taught Guangdu a formation.
It was the same formation that had trapped Heukseok before. Simple to set up, yet highly effective.
“It looks impressive.”
“It may not be the highest level, but it can trap enemies in a pinch.”
I focused my information network on the Shandong area, but I was also keeping an eye on other things.
“I’ll send the necessary funds, materials, and someone to help with the setup. Assist him in setting up the formation. Install it at key points in the estate. Once done, meet with Miss Song and set it up at the Song family estate too.”
“Understood.”
“If you need advice on this, seek out the chief steward. He should be able to help.”
“Yes, young master.”
In case of danger, time is crucial. A moment’s difference could mean life or death.
Breaking this formation wouldn’t be easy for ordinary martial artists. It would require an expert in formations.
In the meantime, I could arrive, or they could escape the crisis.
“Is it that dangerous?”
I nodded solemnly.
“It is.”
Guangdu’s expression turned serious.
“I’ll leave the estate in your hands for now.”
In terms of martial arts, my father and Seojung were stronger than Guangdu. But Guangdu’s skills were next in line. Considering his limited internal energy, it was an impressive achievement.
“I used to only handle the cleaning around the estate.”
I laughed at Guangdu’s jest.
“Then it’s fitting. The ones you’ll be dealing with are trash.”
I didn’t return to the Infinite.
Instead, I went to the one place in this world where I could truly be alone—the secluded cave where I had once mastered the art of the Crane’s Secret Technique.
With a single bound, I soared up to the peak of Cheonmun Mountain. From the summit, I leapt gracefully towards the hidden entrance beneath the crane’s tail, my movements more fluid and agile than ever before.
The cave, untouched by time, welcomed me back like a long-lost home. It felt comforting, like returning to a familiar sanctuary after a long journey.
First, I paid my respects at the resting place of the master who had passed down the Crane’s Secret Technique to me.
“Have you been well? I’ve been putting your teachings to good use.”
After offering my respects, I tidied up the cave.
The cave was so inviting that I could imagine spending the rest of my life here.
Once the cleaning was done, I sprawled out in a spot where sunlight streamed through a crack in the cave.
“Ah, this feels wonderful.”
I wanted to spend the remaining time completely alone. I craved solitude, a break from everything and everyone. While rest could be found anywhere, I sought a place where I could be utterly undisturbed. That was why I had come to this cave.
Of course, for me, the greatest rest would come from practicing the Heavenly Martial Heart Technique.
But that was a physical rest.
This time, I sought a different kind of rest.
I did absolutely nothing.
If I felt sleepy, I slept for hours on end. When I was hungry, I hunted rabbits and deer in the mountains.
I did so little that I wondered if I was wasting this precious time.
Since being reborn as a master of the Wall of Separation, I had been running non-stop. Instinctively, I knew I needed this deep rest.
Sometimes, doing nothing and resting completely is the best thing for mental and physical health.
Of course, there’s a limit to how long one can laze around. When that limit was reached, I turned to contemplation.
Recent battles with formidable foes had naturally elevated my martial skills. But balance is crucial in martial arts. After intense battles, time is needed to process and integrate the experiences.
I took this rare opportunity to reflect and organize my martial knowledge.
I felt that I was nearing mastery of the Crane’s Secret Technique. Perhaps one more true battle would push me to complete mastery. What comes after reaching mastery would be crucial.
Would I find myself at a crossroads, deciding whether to enter the realm of the Mind Sword?
I had a vague premonition that such a moment was approaching.
And so, I rested properly for the first time in ages.
Though I wished I could rest longer, the longing for rest would make the next break all the more valuable.
I emerged from the cave and stood at the summit.
For a moment, I stood there, letting the wind caress my face as I took in the breathtaking view.
“I’ll be back.”
With those words, I leapt down.
The fierce wind that whipped against my face seemed to whisper:
The vacation is over. It’s time to face them again.