Episode 180: Debt

Hyun-gong’s sudden action left not only Mu-ryang-ja but also Tang Mu-jin and his group in shock.

“Hyun-gong, you finally show your true colors!”

Everyone seemed to share the same thought as they stared at Hyun-gong.

In a situation where most would shrink back in embarrassment, Hyun-gong’s expression remained unflinching. He knew that showing weakness would only invite more attacks.

When the perpetrator stands firm, people subconsciously question themselves: “Am I the one seeing this wrong?” or “Is this how it’s supposed to be?”

Naturally, Tang Mu-jin’s group began to think along those lines.

“Am I the only one finding this odd?”

“Well, Mu-ryang-ja’s actions aren’t that different.”

“Maybe it’s just unconventional, not shameless…”

As the tension eased, Hyun-gong pressed his sword closer to Baek Hyang-ah’s neck. A thin line of blood trickled down, a clear warning that any struggle would be disastrous.

Baek Hyang-ah turned her eyes, filled with resentment, towards Hyun-gong. Meeting her gaze, Hyun-gong maintained his cold demeanor and thought, “Four points to Mu-ryang-ja.”

Though four points were significant, they weren’t enough to change the game. In a chilling whisper, Hyun-gong said, “I didn’t intend for things to turn out this way, but I have no desire to harm you. Don’t resist.”

Hyun-gong believed that with such a polite approach, even an unknown lady wouldn’t think poorly of him. It seemed as if everything was under his control.

With confidence, Hyun-gong squared his shoulders. Now that he held the reins, it was time to use them to his advantage.

“Mu-ryang-ja! If you want to save this lady’s life, face the Flash Sword yourself!”

Contrary to Hyun-gong’s expectations, Mu-ryang-ja remained still, his gaze icy as he looked at Hyun-gong.

Mu-ryang-ja had lived a life without restraint. For forty years, he had been a warrior of the dark path, and even after switching to the righteous path twenty years ago, he was well-respected in the community. The idea of someone trying to shackle him was both unfamiliar and unwelcome.

Of course, Baek Hyang-ah was special to Mu-ryang-ja. She was his first disciple, the only bloodline of the revered Sword King, and she was rapidly advancing using the immense yin energy and internal power unique to the Nine Yin Pulse.

But that was it. To Mu-ryang-ja, his own life was paramount. If he exhausted himself fighting the Flash Sword Yoo Gwan-il, he risked being vulnerable to the young ones afterward.

Mu-ryang-ja made a pragmatic decision.

“Regrettably, I must abandon Baek Hyang-ah.”

Hyun-gong, observing Mu-ryang-ja closely, quickly realized his intention to overturn the situation. Swiftly, Hyun-gong proposed a different condition.

“No need to fight the Flash Sword. Just don’t hide behind your companions like a coward!”

“Hmm.”

This suggested a three-way battle, a condition that could introduce the much-needed variable Tang Mu-jin’s group hoped for, and one Mu-ryang-ja could accept.

Mu-ryang-ja thought, “The odds of me falling to the Flash Sword are lower than those kids. Not a bad deal.”

He glared at Hyun-gong once more before positioning himself slightly away from Yoo Gwan-il and Tang Mu-jin’s group.

All eyes, including those of Tang Mu-jin’s group and Mu-ryang-ja, focused on Yoo Gwan-il. The battle’s direction would change depending on whom the enraged Yoo Gwan-il targeted.

An enraged beast always goes for the most obvious weakness first. Yoo Gwan-il’s eyes landed on the trembling Hong Geol-gae, an undeniable weak point.

Spotting the vulnerability, Yoo Gwan-il charged at Tang Mu-jin’s group, swinging his sword.

“Argh!”

“Fall back!”

As Hong Geol-gae retreated, Namgung Myung and Yoo Jin-gwang leaped forward to block Yoo Gwan-il’s sword.

While Namgung Myung and Yoo Jin-gwang fought, Tang Mu-jin, positioned at the rear, kept a close watch on Mu-ryang-ja’s movements. As expected, Mu-ryang-ja began to move, seizing an opportunity. Whatever he planned, Tang Mu-jin had no intention of being caught off guard.

Hidden behind his companions, Tang Mu-jin subtly moved his left hand. Five needles, as thin as ox hair, slipped from his sleeve and settled at his fingertips.

“Think I’ll let you attack first?”

Tang Mu-jin flicked his fingers silently. Tick, tick.

The slender needles flew low, skimming the ground. Though they seemed to vanish in an unrelated direction, they changed course as if tethered to strings whenever Tang Mu-jin moved his left hand.

Years ago, he could barely change their direction once, but now, the needles moved fluidly like living insects, altering their path multiple times.

Even combined, the weight of the five needles was less than a small pebble. However, controlling five needles simultaneously, especially over such a distance, was a feat even top-tier masters struggled to replicate.

While top-tier masters could manipulate objects in the air, aside from moving heavier items, their skill wasn’t vastly different from that of first-rate or peak martial artists.

This unconventional attack was undeniably effective. The needle assault caught Mu-ryang-ja off guard, striking him from a blind spot and embedding in the back of his neck.

”…!”

An ordinary martial artist would focus on expelling the poison upon sensing it. But Mu-ryang-ja was different. Instead of suppressing the poison, he heightened his senses to defend against any follow-up attacks.

This was an exceptionally effective response, allowing Mu-ryang-ja to deflect three of the stealthily flying poisoned needles.

Conversely, this meant Mu-ryang-ja allowed two needles to hit him.

He plucked the two needles from his body and tossed them to the ground, quickly suppressing the poison as he retreated. A chill ran down his spine.

“Crafty bastard!”

Two needles embedded in his body, two types of poison infiltrating his system. Likely, each of the five needles carried a different poison.

If there were only five poisons, he might manage to suppress them and escape, but it was unlikely Tang Mu-jin only wielded five types. If seven or eight deadly poisons were mixed, even Mu-ryang-ja couldn’t guarantee his survival.

“I didn’t even notice when he launched the needles. How did he do it?”

Until now, Mu-ryang-ja had assumed the leader of the group was the Flash Sword’s son. If he had to name others, it would be the one-armed man and the Wudang sect’s Hyun-gong.

However, the most troublesome opponent was Tang Mu-jin, who seemed relatively weaker.

He knew Tang Mu-jin practiced poison arts, but he hadn’t expected them to be this threatening. In some ways, Tang Mu-jin was several times more dangerous than the Flash Sword’s son. In a more chaotic battle, he would have been even more challenging.

“Of course, someone of lesser skill wouldn’t be part of this group.”

Mu-ryang-ja berated himself for his complacency and sharpened his focus.

In the next moment, Mu-ryang-ja realized there was someone even more perplexing than Tang Mu-jin: Hong Geol-gae.

“If the one using poison is this skilled, then what about that beggar?”

Tang Mu-jin, who seemed the second most unskilled in the group, had shown such a formidable technique. Therefore, the most unskilled-looking beggar must be hiding an even more dangerous skill to maintain balance.

Mu-ryang-ja’s mind raced.

“An ancient master in disguise? Or perhaps he’s learned some sorcery?”

Movements of the beggar, which he had previously dismissed, now seemed suspicious. Even in a dire situation, he didn’t actively engage the Flash Sword but stayed back, occasionally extending his bamboo staff defensively.

As his thoughts reached this point, Mu-ryang-ja’s eyes widened. He recalled something he had overlooked.

“How did he block the Flash Sword’s strikes with just a bamboo staff?”

Moreover, the bamboo staff held by the beggar bore no scratches. Unless he possessed overwhelming internal power to overpower the Flash Sword, such a feat was impossible.

Mu-ryang-ja wanted to rush in and eliminate Tang Mu-jin immediately, but he hesitated, unable to gauge Hong Geol-gae’s martial prowess. The three-way battle reached a delicate balance once more.

Watching the scene unfold, Hong Geol-gae whispered to Tang Mu-jin.

“What’s with Mu-ryang-ja? He’s suddenly cautious.”

“I threw some needles. Once you taste the stealthy poison, you can’t help but be wary.”

Hearing Tang Mu-jin’s explanation, Hong Geol-gae nodded. Tang Mu-jin’s poison arts were recognized even by the Three-Eyed Buddha for their threat. After nearly three more years of training, they were undoubtedly even more formidable now.

A pang of envy struck Hong Geol-gae. His friends had all broken through the pinnacle, yet he remained uncertain when he would surpass that barrier.

He longed to risk it all and challenge the Flash Sword, hoping for a breakthrough. But the skill gap between him and the Flash Sword was too vast. If he stepped forward, he’d likely lose his head before enduring even a few moves.

At that moment, Yoo Gwan-il assumed a peculiar stance. His elbow bent back behind his ear, holding his sword horizontally.

It was a move from the Huye-sail technique he had seen before.

Yujin Kwang whispered urgently, “I’ll handle this. Fall back!”

Namgoong Myung retreated without a word.

Yujin Kwang mirrored Yookwan Il’s stance as if reflected in a mirror. The only difference was that while Yookwan Il executed the Huye Sayeol technique with his right arm, Yujin Kwang mimicked it with his left.

‘If I can perfectly replicate Huye Sayeol, I can counter my father’s technique with my own sword.’

As Yookwan Il’s shoulder twitched, Yujin Kwang struck without hesitation. The tips of their swords met, point to point.

But Yookwan Il’s sword was swifter and sharper. The imbalance between the two swords was evident, and Yookwan Il’s blade grazed Yujin Kwang’s left shoulder.

Yujin Kwang felt a searing pain in his shoulder, but it was the faint breeze against his neck that filled him with greater fear.

‘If it had been even a hair closer, I’d be dead.’

As Yookwan Il prepared to strike again, Dang Moojin assumed a stance to unleash his Odok Shinsa. Yujin Kwang quickly deflected Yookwan Il’s sword and stopped Dang Moojin.

“Not yet!”

This was a fight for survival, but it was also a moment where the martial arts of the Jeomchang School were being passed down. If Yookwan Il died before Yujin Kwang could grasp the essence, the school’s techniques would be lost forever.

To inherit the Jeomchang School’s martial arts, Yujin Kwang had to endure as much as possible in this battle with his father.

But the cost was the lives of everyone involved. Dang Moojin spoke with concern.

“How much longer do you need?”

“I won’t be greedy. Just one more chance.”

“When the opportunity comes, can you strike down your father?”

“Of course. It’s what he wanted. Why would I hesitate?”

Yujin Kwang thought, if he were in his father’s shoes, he’d rather die at his son’s hand than at the hands of an outsider.

Lost in thought, Yookwan Il’s Bun Gwang Sword technique grazed Yujin Kwang’s forehead and chest.

Yookwan Il seemed to ignore Moo Ryungja entirely, focusing solely on Yujin Kwang. It was a father’s desire to teach his son as much as possible, a warrior’s desire to pass on his skills.

As the long exchange ended, Yookwan Il stepped back, assuming a poised stance uncharacteristic of a madman. His elbows drew back, preparing once more for Huye Sayeol.

The moment Yookwan Il readied himself, Moo Ryungja realized it was time to make his move.

‘I’ll take them both out in one strike.’

If a fight was inevitable, he had to seize the best opportunity. The most threatening move Yookwan Il could make was that peculiar thrust.

It was a technique with significant openings, but those were Yookwan Il’s to manage, not his. In fact, the larger the opening, the better.

Of course, Yookwan Il had no idea what Moo Ryungja was planning. Yookwan Il’s Huye Sayeol sliced through the air more sharply than ever. Yujin Kwang met it with his own sword.

‘This is the last chance.’

But before Yookwan Il’s sword could reach Yujin Kwang, a blade pierced through Yookwan Il’s abdomen, continuing forward to target Yujin Kwang.

The sword that emerged from his father’s belly was Moo Ryungja’s.

Yookwan Il, seemingly unfazed by pain, continued his thrust, but it was not the perfect Huye Sayeol.

Sparks flew in Yujin Kwang’s eyes. His father’s end shouldn’t be like this, and the last chance to master Huye Sayeol shouldn’t vanish this way.

Yujin Kwang clenched his teeth so hard they nearly shattered.

‘I’d rather go down together.’

Dang Moojin and his companions had shared the risk for Yujin Kwang and the Jeomchang School, despite having no obligation.

If the outcome was this futile, it was his duty to repay the debt by striking down Moo Ryungja, even if it meant not dodging the attack.

Yujin Kwang’s sword, ready to face death, aimed for Moo Ryungja’s heart behind Yookwan Il.

Moo Ryungja’s single eye showed a flicker of surprise, and a faint fear as Yujin Kwang made an unexpected move.

In Moo Ryungja’s eye, there was a hint of fear. In Yujin Kwang’s, a resolve without a trace of hesitation.

As their gazes met, Yujin Kwang felt his consciousness expand.

It wasn’t like breaking through a wall to a new level, or suddenly seeing a vast space.

Instead, Yujin Kwang saw a desolate night sky and a narrow path. He and Yookwan Il stood on the path, while Moo Ryungja seemed a step off it.

Yujin Kwang looked up, trying to see where the path led. It stretched from him, through Yookwan Il, into the endless night sky.

Though he couldn’t see what lay at the end, Yujin Kwang instinctively knew something was there.

Perhaps this was why warriors spoke of enlightenment while wielding their swords.

Though his body remained still, in his mind, Yujin Kwang took a step forward. His father’s and his own forms dissolved like mist.

Taking his father’s place, Yujin Kwang realized how to wield his sword. His body moved instinctively, striking toward whatever lay at the path’s end.

It wasn’t a precise strike aimed at an opponent. Yet among the countless strikes he’d made, none had been as clean.

It wasn’t a hurried strike. Yet none had been as swift.

He felt the sensation of the sword slicing through the air at his fingertips.

Before he even thought he’d fully extended his arm, the sword had already reached its target.

Yujin Kwang’s sword shattered his father’s old blade, pierced his father’s heart, and continued to pierce Moo Ryungja’s heart behind him.

“What…?”

The fear in Moo Ryungja’s eye turned to the terror of death. But Yujin Kwang wasn’t looking at the dying man’s eyes.

He looked at his father’s face. Amidst the disheveled white hair, Yookwan Il’s clear smile shone through. A smile of pure satisfaction, one Yujin Kwang had never seen, even in childhood.

Yookwan Il whispered to Yujin Kwang, “I couldn’t repay my debts as a leader, nor as a father. But as a warrior, I’ve settled my dues.”

With those final words, Moo Ryungja and Yookwan Il collapsed.

Yujin Kwang knelt, cradling his father’s lifeless body.

It was the moment when a master died, and one who had surpassed the pinnacle but was never called a master also passed. And it was the moment a new warrior ascended to that pinnacle.

Yet Yujin Kwang wept for a long time.