At the End of Fate’s Branches (2)
The next day, I gathered the junior sword squad.
Even though it hadn’t been long since I last saw them, I could sense a change in them.
“How have you been?”
“Great!”
The squad members responded with enthusiasm.
“A warrior doesn’t show their worth with words. Show me how you’ve been through your actions!”
The squad members parted to create space in the middle.
Five at a time stepped forward to demonstrate their skills. Just by watching their movements, I could see how much they had achieved.
The junior sword squad had definitely grown.
At the heart of this remarkable progress was Gwan-hwi.
His stamina had improved significantly, and his techniques were executed with much more power and precision.
Moreover, his throwing knife skills had advanced to the point where he could hit a target from thirty paces away three times in a row.
“As promised, I’ll teach you how to infuse your inner energy into your throwing knives.”
“Thank you.”
Gwan-hwi’s face lit up with excitement. The others who practiced with him looked on with envy, but I only taught Gwan-hwi how to channel his energy.
It was because if they weren’t ready, infusing energy could lead to accidents.
In front of everyone, Gwan-hwi demonstrated.
Swish!
With energy infused, the speed of the knife increased dramatically.
The squad members watching cheered.
I spoke calmly to the elated Gwan-hwi.
“Infusing energy into your knives isn’t always the best option.”
“Why not?”
“A swordsman uses throwing knives in emergencies. If you overdo it in a panic, it could clash with your swordsmanship’s energy flow and cause internal injuries.”
“Ah, I understand.”
“But with enough practice, you’ll be able to adjust your energy freely as needed.”
Gwan-hwi grinned. He would undoubtedly choose the path of thorough training.
“Do you remember what I told you before?”
“You said it’s okay to take things slowly. Working hard is good, but overdoing it can backfire.”
“Good, as long as you haven’t forgotten.”
Teaching Gwan-hwi served as motivation for everyone. Those who work hard deserve greater rewards.
I believe in the importance of such motivation within the organization. Pitting Gwang-du and Gwan-hwi against each other was part of that.
“I’m planning to recruit new squad members next spring.”
The news of new recruits brought excitement to their faces.
The plan was to expand the squad to forty members by adding more teams.
“Train hard so you won’t be embarrassed in front of your juniors!”
“Yes, sir!”
I went around correcting their stances one by one.
Even brief pointers could sometimes lead to significant breakthroughs in their martial arts achievements.
Grow strong, my young warriors!
The meeting was dragging on.
In a corner of the Song family guest hall, Song Hwa-rin was also present.
Today, they were dealing with matters concerning the Eastern Sword Manor.
It had been two months since she started learning the family business from her father. Every day brought new challenges.
Some days were filled with endless meetings, while others required using force to subdue opponents.
Initially, she thought it wouldn’t be too difficult, but running a martial arts clan was more challenging than she had imagined.
Even today, the negotiations were a constant battle of wits, with the same discussions repeating over and over.
The unreasonable demands from the other side frustrated Song Hwa-rin, but she tried her best to keep her emotions in check.
At times like this, she realized how remarkable her father was.
If it were her, she would have stormed out several times. But her father patiently continued the negotiations, sometimes coaxing, sometimes taking a firm stance.
As the only daughter, she knew she would eventually have to take over the family business.
‘Can I really do it?’
She worried whether she could handle things as calmly as her father did.
It was only after another half-hour that the meeting finally concluded. Fortunately, it ended without putting the Song family at a disadvantage.
As they stepped outside the guest hall, Song Woo-kyung smiled and said,
“That was tough, wasn’t it?”
“I was just sitting there. You did all the hard work, Father. Thank you for your efforts.”
“Haha. Having you there was reassuring.”
She could sense it. Her father wasn’t just teaching her the business.
He was lonely these days, longing for someone to share the burden with, a feeling only a daughter could understand.
‘Is Father getting old?’
The thought alone made her heart ache.
When she returned to her room, Su-ran came to report.
“Master Byeok has been waiting for you.”
When she stepped outside, Byeok Ri-dan was waiting in the garden.
“When did you get here?”
“Just a little while ago. How have you been?”
“I’ve been well. Did you just return from Hubei?”
“I have to go back in a few days.”
“You’re busy.”
Hearing that he had to leave again, a wave of sadness washed over her. She was surprised by her own feelings of disappointment.
She gazed at Byeok Ri-dan for a moment. No other man looked at her with such calm eyes.
“Every time I see you, you seem different.”
Curious, Byeok Ri-dan asked,
“How so?”
“I can’t quite put it into words…”
Though she trailed off, she felt it.
He had grown stronger. His body seemed more solid, and his eyes were deeper and clearer. His martial skills must have improved as well.
Honestly, she was drawn to Byeok Ri-dan. Hearing he was back made her genuinely happy, and seeing his face erased the fatigue from the earlier meeting.
But she didn’t want to reveal these feelings. She had been the one to suggest breaking off their engagement, and she couldn’t just change her mind now.
To avoid revealing her emotions, she changed the subject.
“You have two swords?”
Her gaze fell on the swords at his waist.
I was carrying two swords at my side.
One was the Celestial Sword, and the other was the Asura King Sword.
I had no intention of modifying the Asura King Sword. It was already a discreet weapon, hard to recognize at a glance.
Still, I wrapped the hilt in dark cloth, a common practice among warriors to prevent slipping, so it wouldn’t look out of place.
At first, I considered storing the Asura King Sword in the secret chamber at Seonhak Peak.
But I decided against it.
The sword had found its way to me, so it would always stay by my side.
As I grew more accustomed to the Seonhak martial arts, I rarely needed to draw the Asura King Sword. If I ever did, it would mean things had already gone awry.
Since there was no real need to carry two swords, I planned to give the modified Celestial Sword to someone soon.
I tapped the Asura King Sword and said,
“I found a decent sword. Shall we take a walk?”
“Sure.”
We strolled through the backyard together.
The winter air was crisp, but it was refreshing.
I first met her in winter, and now it was winter again.
A lot had changed over the past year. Both she and I had grown.
“Thank you for looking after my mother while I was away.”
“There’s no need to thank me. It was the right thing to do.”
“By the way, how’s that technique coming along?”
She was working on fixing a flaw in her technique that had a critical weakness.
“I’m still working on it. Trying this and that. It’s not as easy as I thought. Once I find the right method, I’ll show you. Can you check it for me then?”
“Of course.”
I admired her determination to figure it out on her own. Yes, she’ll improve a lot through this process.
“Shall we have a drink?”
I said it without thinking, then quickly realized my mistake.
“Oh, sorry. You don’t drink, do you?”
To my surprise, she replied,
“Let’s have a drink. I can enjoy the atmosphere instead. My treat.”
The tavern we went to was called Phoenix.
This uniquely named tavern was located midway between Gokbu and Chuseong. She had led me there, saying it had a nice atmosphere.
It was quite a distance, but once we arrived, I had no regrets.
Most taverns were noisy, with chefs shouting from the kitchen, servers rushing around, and merchants and warriors sharing tales of the martial world. They were all pretty much the same.
But this place was different.
Bright and clean, musicians played instruments, and there was even a stage. It felt more like a banquet hall than a tavern.
Seeing me look around, she said,
“What’s with you? Acting like it’s your first time here.”
“It is my first time.”
“I know you’ve been here often with other women.”
True, the old Byeok Ri-dan would have frequented such places.
The atmosphere was indeed pleasant, and most of the patrons were couples.
Following the server, we took a seat in a corner.
We ordered drinks and food, and I also ordered tea for her.
“When did you come here?”
“When I first returned and heard you frequented this place… I came to see what it was like.”
An unexpected reason.
Soon, our drinks and food arrived. It was about twice as expensive as a regular tavern, but it wasn’t the taste that stood out; it was the ambiance.
Sipping drinks while listening to the gentle music created a unique mood.
“I’m starting to learn the Song family business in earnest.”
I had once encountered Song Woo-kyung and Song Hwa-rin while traveling in a carriage carrying Ma Jeong-su. They must have been returning from handling family matters then.
“It’s harder than I thought.”
I nodded in agreement.
“I feel the same.”
“But you’re doing well, aren’t you? Honestly, your junior sword squad inspired me. It made me want to do just as well. But I haven’t even properly started, and it’s already tough.”
She looked exasperated as she drank her tea like it was alcohol.
She had just turned twenty-one.
It’s tough, isn’t it? If it weren’t, how could it be the vibrant youth of a twenty-one-year-old? Sometimes, even I find this world overwhelming.
“Once you get the hang of it, you’ll get better at it.”
“Do you think so?”
“Of course.”
I raised my cup, and she lifted her teacup to toast.
“Let’s hang in there.”
Dancers took the stage, and the gentle music shifted to a lively tune. We watched as they began to dance.
“I’m always envious of good dancers. How do they move like that?”
I chuckled at her comment. “I bet you’d be great at it too.”
Song Hwa-rin waved her hands dismissively, shaking her head. “I’m a total klutz.”
“Haha.”
Talking about dancing reminded me of the legendary master of the underworld, the Empress of Delight. Her unique martial art was the Dance of Death, a mesmerizing performance that drained the energy of those who watched. She was truly a phenomenal dancer.
In the end, she danced her final, seductive dance, but it was my sword that ended her life.
Song Hwa-rin applauded the dancers. “Wow, they’re amazing.”
I joined in the applause. “They really are.”
Watching the dancers, I realized something. Despite attending countless banquets and seeing numerous performances, I had never truly watched the dances before.
I was always busy, meeting people and engaging in conversations. The dancers were just part of the background, like paintings on the wall. I took their presence for granted, assuming they were just another fixture of the banquet hall.
This tavern was no different. Had I not come here with her, I wouldn’t have known it existed.
I act as if I know everything about this world after seventy years, but there are still things I don’t know, things I haven’t experienced.
The realization I had with Chil-ho in the carriage was similar. Simple words, yet things I had never fully acknowledged.
I spent countless hours meditating, reading difficult martial arts texts and scriptures, absorbing the wisdom of sages, and studying works left by scholars, painters, and musicians.
Yet, I never reached the state of mind I sought.
Now, I understand. Great truths aren’t always found in grand places. They can be in a casual remark, a dancer’s movement, or even in a cricket or an ant.
I’ve decided to live this life differently. It’s not just about having a different job or meeting different people.
I need to see the world anew. Only by seeing what I haven’t seen before can I truly live a new life, and I believe the path to the state of mind I seek lies at the end of that journey.
Even today, I’ve gained some insight.
Wait, come to think of it…
In this life, I’ve found enlightenment not through martial arts training, but in everyday moments. And both times, it happened while I was with a woman.
Does this mean I need to go around meeting women to reach the state of mind I desire?