Chapter 105

I sat there for a long time, as if lost in a trance.

I’d once heard rumors about a mysterious martial art practiced within dreams—where you could enter a dream space and train. With that skill, you could repeatedly relive any memory you wished, or even conjure up an opponent you’d fought before to spar against.

Of course, I couldn’t use that technique.

But I could do something somewhat similar.

Using my greatest talent—my memory—I could vividly replay scenes I’d witnessed in reality.

In meditation, I recalled the awe-inspiring sword techniques I’d just seen.

Gradually, the scenery, the swordmaster’s figure, and those transcendent sword strikes unfolded clearly in my mind’s eye.

“Actually, this method helped me internalize what I learned from Mukrang so quickly—the use of Shin-eung Bi-sang, Gongjik Ssaek, and all.”

Especially with Mukrang, it wasn’t just watching his movements; my body had moved along with his, so I could even recall the sensations and feelings from that moment. That was an incredible advantage.

So even now, I kept replaying the swordmaster’s cuts and thrusts in my mind, over and over.

Breathing, movements, sensations—all etched deep into my soul.

After a long while, I slowly opened my eyes, feeling a twinge of regret.

I had a dinner appointment soon, so I couldn’t continue training.

“I wish I could’ve watched it at least a thousand times.”

But as I opened my eyes, I was startled.

Right in front of me, the swordmaster was patiently waiting for me to finish meditating.

And he was looking at me with a warm, satisfied smile.

“Master Swordmaster?!”

I was so flustered I didn’t even know what to say.

He spoke first instead.

“I was worried you’d be late for the gathering, but you woke up just in time. Come, let’s go together.”

Tonight was the dinner for our Seventh Division.

It was a farewell party for me and Cheongyeon Sojeo, as well as a welcome for Ma Maengun and Ya Unhyang Sojeo.

Cheongyeon Sojeo hadn’t returned yet, so it felt a bit awkward, but since we didn’t know when she’d be back, we decided to start with whoever was here.

Apparently, the swordmaster had been waiting to take me along.

“If I’d known you were here, I would’ve gotten up sooner. I’m sorry.”

I apologized sincerely, but he laughed heartily and shook his head.

“Hahaha! I enjoyed watching you so focused. If I’d disturbed your training, I’d be the one apologizing. So there’s no need to feel bad.”

“But didn’t you waste too much time waiting for me? You could’ve spent that time with Cheongyeon Sojeo.”

He glanced around discreetly, then whispered.

“I love my daughter more than anything in the world, but that doesn’t mean I want to be with Cheongyeon all the time. I have my own life, too. Of course, this is a secret from Cheongyeon.”

He winked as he said it, and I couldn’t help but smile.

To put someone at ease so quickly—this was truly the swordmaster’s way.

I asked him suddenly.

“Why do you generously teach us, who have nothing to do with you? We’re neither your disciples nor your fellow schoolmates.”

To a martial artist, their skills and insights are their greatest treasures—far beyond material wealth.

So it’s rare for a martial artist to teach outsiders.

Moreover, helping others grow could pose a future threat to one’s own school.

But the swordmaster seemed to have no such concerns.

Though he never taught his Seongra Sword Technique, he had generously shared his knowledge with all the warriors of the Biryong Corps whenever he could.

At first, I thought maybe it was because we were comrades of Cheongyeon Sojeo.

But later I realized that wasn’t the case.

He taught others in the Biryong Corps just as generously.

His kindness was deeply appreciated, but I couldn’t help but wonder why.

The swordmaster paused thoughtfully, then smiled faintly and began to speak.

“When I was young, my dream was to become the greatest hero under heaven and create a world where benevolence thrived.”

His words caught me off guard, and I nodded in admiration.

“Ah, I see.”

It was a story worthy of admiration.

He had truly become the greatest hero he dreamed of as a child.

A life where dreams come true—how wonderful and enviable.

But the swordmaster’s expression turned somewhat bitter as he continued.

“Now, I’m shamefully called the greatest hero under heaven. In that regard, I suppose I’ve fulfilled part of my dream. But here’s the thing: even though I’m called the greatest hero, a world where benevolence lives simply hasn’t come. No matter how many evil demons I slay or villains I punish, the world remains a harsh place for the weak. In fact, after gaining such fame, it’s become even harder to deal with them—they scurry away like cockroaches.”

He chuckled softly, a laugh tinged with self-mockery.

“I was arrogant. Thinking I alone could change the world.”

A sigh escaped me.

His confession resonated deeply.

I, too, aim to change the future with my own strength.

But if even the swordmaster couldn’t do it, was my ambition just arrogance?

My mind grew tangled.

Then he grinned and said to me,

“So I pondered for a long time. And I came to my own conclusion. To create a world where benevolence lives, my strength alone is never enough. It’s simply impossible. Among the weak, there are evil ones; among third-rate warriors, there are villains. But the ones I can handle are only the famous masters.”

Then, with a mischievous glint, he added,

“So I thought: if it’s hard alone, what if I increase the number of people fighting alongside me? If there are villains among ordinary people, then strengthen the good ordinary people; if there are villains among third-rate warriors, then empower the good third-rate warriors. If benevolent people increase in every group, wouldn’t a world where benevolence lives eventually come?”

His eyes burned with passion—like a young man full of zeal, like a conqueror with ambitions to rule the world.

“You asked why I teach outsiders with no connection to me? That’s a very wrong assumption. They’re never unrelated. You are all comrades who will help me realize my dream.”

My chest tightened, and I was speechless.

His boyish smile, his grand view that called everyone comrades—it was overwhelming.

He truly was the greatest hero under heaven.

“You all have your own reasons for being on the front lines. But still, I believe that those who dedicate their precious youth fighting the Blood Sect are nothing less than heroes. So it’s only natural that I help you grow stronger.”

He looked at me with warm eyes—the kind of warmth I’d rarely received from an elder.

Then, as if remembering something, he exclaimed, “Ah!” and continued.

“Of course, there are people like Mayugyeom on the front lines. But didn’t you, who learned from me, stop him? Isn’t that proof that my dream is coming true? Hahaha!”

My throat tightened, but I managed a smile and spoke.

“I see. You’re truly fulfilling a grand dream, sir.”

He beamed.

“Exactly! You understand! My close friends always scold me for being childish at my age when I talk like this, hahaha! Well, whatever—thank you, anyway, hahaha!”

He laughed heartily for a long time, then suddenly asked me,

“But I’m curious about your dream. May I ask what it is?”

I smiled awkwardly and shook my head.

“My goal is small compared to yours, sir. I’m too embarrassed to say.”

He grinned and shook his head.

“Don’t be like that. One thing I’ve learned at my age is that everyone is different. Those who can’t accept that and become strong in martial arts often become a scourge to the world.”

People who can’t accept others’ differences and gain power become a menace.

His words struck a chord.

He went on.

“So don’t be ashamed. Whether your dream is to become the greatest in the world and dominate it, or to build a happy family and live peacefully—everyone has their own dream. As long as it’s not a dream to exploit the weak, it’s fine. Don’t be ashamed of your dream. If anything, it’s the dream that should be pitied. Ah, but that’s just my opinion.”

I couldn’t help but admire him once more.

I’d met many masters who proclaimed their own justice and truth, but never one who humbly said, “That’s just my opinion.”

His generosity and consideration in accepting others’ differences—how could anyone grow old like him?

He was truly someone worthy of the deepest respect.

For a moment, I felt an overwhelming urge to share my dream with him.

Because somehow, I was certain he would wholeheartedly support me and offer his help.

Carefully, I began to speak.

“My dream is to erase the Blood Sect from this world. So that no one around me has to die because of them anymore. That is my dream right now.”

He smiled warmly and patted my shoulder.

“Of course! I’ve known all along that you’re a true hero! Yes, I hope you achieve that dream. I’ll help you however I can!”

His words filled me with such reassurance.

Grateful beyond words, I bowed sincerely.

“Thank you. Truly, thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

He paused, as if lost in thought, then suddenly spoke again.

“But tell me, am I mistaken, or do you not see yourself in that dream of yours? Where do you fit in that vision?”

“…Excuse me?”

His question caught me off guard.

Me, absent from my own dream?

I’d never thought about it that way.

“To wipe out the Blood Sect and save those around you—that’s a noble dream. But once the Blood Sect is gone, what will you be doing in that world?”

Only after a moment did I understand what he meant.

His own dream was to become the greatest hero in the land, to live in a world where righteousness thrived.

So naturally, he saw himself as part of that dream.

But in my dream of erasing the Blood Sect, I hadn’t really placed myself anywhere.

It was a realization that struck me only now.

He looked at me with a serious expression.

“This is just my personal view, of course. But I believe that, just as the world is important, so too must be oneself. Some who value themselves over the world may become villains, but I’ve seen many who put the world above themselves fall into despair. That emptiness that comes when the world you thought was so important turns out to be different from what you expected.”

The idea that the world I valued more than myself could disappoint me was hard to grasp.

Isn’t the world always different from what I expect?

Seeing my puzzled look, he gave an example.

“It might sound extreme, but imagine you succeed in destroying the Blood Sect. Yet, those who rise to power afterward are just as wicked. What then? What if those you saved end up causing as much chaos as the Blood Sect did?”

Suddenly, it all clicked.

The image of the Martial Alliance sprang to mind.

If I destroyed the Blood Sect, but then the Martial Alliance ran wild, causing my loved ones to perish—that would be utterly heartbreaking.

I asked him quietly.

“Have you ever felt that kind of emptiness yourself?”

Earlier, he mentioned having seen such people, but somehow it felt like he was speaking from experience.

He gave a bitter smile.

“Well, the path of a hero isn’t always a beautiful one.”

I simply nodded.

His expression carried a weight I didn’t want to probe further.

Instead, I asked another question.

“How did you overcome that emptiness?”

He grinned.

“For me, it was family.”

“Family?”

“Yes. Even if I couldn’t change the whole world, I could at least make the world my family lived in a place where righteousness thrived. And knowing there was a place to return to, a place to rest and start again, gave me incredible strength.”

His face lit up with happiness when he spoke of family.

Watching him, I felt a warmth spread through me.

He continued.

“Some say family is a weakness for a warrior. But I don’t think so. If it’s a weakness, it’s only because they’re so important to you. For me, family was the pillar that held my life up. Without them, I might have given up on my dreams long ago. Even now, think about it—after more than ten years of trust, I was betrayed by a close friend in the Martial Alliance. Without family, how could I have endured that?”

I nodded in admiration.

I’d never thought deeply about it before, but surely the betrayal by Jeogal Jigang must have been a huge blow to him.

It was like imagining Bisea Young or Bae Jongkwan betraying me—just the thought was terrifying.

“Family…”

To me, that word hadn’t always carried such a warm meaning.

But if I could have a happy family like his, maybe it would give me great strength.

As I pondered this, he glanced at me slyly and asked in a low voice,

“So, tell me, have you already set your sights on a bride?”

There was something oddly intense in his tone.

I thought of Na Sojeo for a moment, but shook my head and smiled.

“No, I haven’t really thought about that yet. Right now, just surviving takes all my focus…”

He nodded, looking somewhat disappointed.

“Hmm, I see.”

I felt a little sorry—after all his guidance, I seemed to have let him down.

Feeling awkward, I quickly added,

“I’ll start looking seriously from now on. I realize now that my dream needs to include a place for myself.”

His face brightened immediately, and he patted my shoulder enthusiastically.

“Ah! I’m glad to hear you say that! You really are my… hmm, my disciple, I mean.”

“Thank you.”

It was an honor to be thought of as a disciple by the great Sword Saint himself.

He cleared his throat and spoke again in a low voice.

“Also, from my experience, the best woman is often the one right beside you. So keep your eyes open.”

His words brought Na Sojeo back to my mind.

I felt a twinge of sadness but simply smiled and nodded.

“Yes, I think that’s true.”

He laughed heartily and patted my shoulder again—though it stung a little.

“Hahaha! I knew you’d see it that way. Foolish men often dream about strangers, but the greatest treasure is always right beside you! Hahaha!”

“Yes, that’s really true.”

“Ha ha ha! We’re on the same wavelength! You really are my… hmm, my disciple! Ha ha ha!”

On the way to the banquet, we talked about many things—martial arts, life on the front lines, even love in youth.

I found myself thinking how wonderful it would be if he were my father.

If only I could have shared such moments with my own father.

It was a day when I truly envied Na Sojeo.