Chapter 393. It’s a secret from the people of the world.
After resting for a few days in Ilyang County, before setting off for Mount Hua, we discussed whether or not we should say farewell to Yoran. Eldest Brother and Shitpants both said they did not know what to do, so the decision had fallen to me.
In truth, I did not know what to do either, so we came out of the Zaha Inn and stared blankly at the setting sun.
If she were a child who could be fooled with a simple lie, we would have exchanged parting words.
But all three of us knew that our disciple was one to whom lies generally did not work.
All the masters had to do was say, briefly, We are going to Mount Hua and will return.
But I needed time to think, wondering if even that might leave a wound on Yoran. Eldest Brother was looking at the sky as it changed color from moment to moment, and Shitpants said nothing either.
After a while, Shitpants asked me.
“Should we leave quietly at dawn?”
“No.”
“Then what are you going to say?”
“The things we normally can’t say, the only one who’ll really listen is Yoran. Let’s just say everything we want to say. Even if the parting words remain as a wound, it can’t be helped.”
Everyone has wounds.
If such a story would make Yoran stronger, then I had no intention of treating her like a child.
Since Yoran was our disciple, it was right to treat her as a disciple.
While we had been silent for quite some time.
Yoran, whom no one had called, came outside, placed a chair beside us, and sat down.
Eldest Brother spoke first.
“Yoran.”
“Yes, Great Master.”
“Since we have rested well for a few days, your masters will go to Mount Hua and deal with the Cult Leader who once visited Ilyang County.”
“Understood.”
Eldest Brother simply spoke the truth. As soon as he finished, Shitpants opened his mouth.
“You must recite the mnemonic formula every morning and evening. Understood?”
“Yes, I’m already doing that now.”
“And circulating qi and regulating your breath?”
“For the first three years, once at noon. Even if I want to do more, I’ll restrain myself.”
Shitpants nodded.
“When learning ice arts, the most important thing is not to suffer internal injuries. You must learn slowly until your body adapts. Your master learned it with that same caution, yet I still sometimes suffer from cold energy that suddenly comes upon me.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
Yoran asked me.
“Third Master, have you worked out the plan?”
I looked at Yoran beside me and said.
“Plan?”
“Yes.”
It seemed that, in Yoran’s eyes, I was in charge of strategy.
“……The Cult Leader will take time as well, since he has to put his affairs in order before coming. The sect’s exact name is the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. In the past, the cult’s main headquarters was outside the Central Plains. It is called the old main headquarters. If he calls in experts from there, it will take time for them to join him.”
“Ah, so the Cult Leader isn’t going alone either?”
“Of course not. It would be difficult for him to handle us alone. There is no expert under heaven who can handle the four of us at the same time. So the Cult Leader must bring allies too.”
“I understand.”
“Your masters will climb Mount Hua and begin training, each intending to surpass their current realm. So it may take a little long for us to return.”
“Yes.”
Yoran looked at me.
“Master, but can’t all four of you masters face the Cult Leader at the same time?”
“I will think about that.”
“The way I see it, it’s unfair.”
“What is?”
“His subordinates treated the Cult Leader like a god. Even to me, it looked as though he had become strong with the help of the cultists. Four masters attacking one person together might seem cowardly at first glance, but isn’t it the same as four masters facing the entire Divine Cult?”
I could not help but be impressed.
“Our disciple is far too clever. What do you think, Eldest Brother?”
Eldest Brother nodded as well.
“She is not wrong.”
I turned the matter over carefully in my head before answering Yoran.
“In any case, this master will use his head well and make sure no one dies. Even if not all four of us go, once I complete the Zaha Divine Art, the Cult Leader will be no match for me.”
“Zaha Divine Art? You put your own name on a martial art?”
“Because right now, it is a martial art only I can use, so I deliberately gave it a name. There is no one under heaven who performs the exact same martial art. Even if you inherit your Fourth Master’s ice arts, they will become a martial art different from the ice arts your Fourth Master performs. Of course, that is after you complete them and develop them further. One day, when you feel you have surpassed your Fourth Master’s ice arts, give them a new name.”
“Fourth Master will feel hurt, won’t he?”
“He will not.”
Shitpants added.
“I’d be proud.”
Yoran said to Eldest Brother.
“When you return, please teach me the sword.”
Eldest Brother nodded.
“Very well.”
Shitpants stood, then jerked his chin at Yoran.
“Yoran, let’s go for a walk.”
“Yes.”
Shitpants clasped his hands behind his back and began walking slowly with Yoran. I remained with Eldest Brother and simply let out a breath. A little while later, a familiar face appeared up ahead. It was Uncle Geum Cheolyong of the Dragonhead Ironworks, who had come after hearing that I had returned.
“Uncle Geum.”
Uncle Geum first paid his respects to Eldest Brother.
“Great Master, it has been a long time.”
Then Uncle Geum said to me.
“Sect Leader, I have been waiting only for your return.”
“Hm, did I have an unpaid tab?”
Uncle Geum looked back and jerked his chin. Deputy Workshop Master Yonggae, who had followed him, placed a long wooden case on the table.
“Sect Leader, it has been a while. Big Brother and I prepared a gift.”
When Deputy Workshop Master Yonggae opened the wooden case, a pure white longsword lay within. A white dragon was drawn on the scabbard, and the hilt was naturally shaped like a dragon’s head.
I looked at the sword and said.
“You finally completed it?”
Uncle Geum nodded.
“Every time I heard news of you now and then, your exploits were tremendous. There is no need to say who made it for you.”
I took hold of the longsword and drew it.
Just by looking at the face of a blade, one could tell whether it was a shoddy sword or a famed blade, and this was, by anyone’s measure, a well-made sword. If it had been a carelessly made sword, I would have soon sheathed it again, but I had no choice but to draw it all the way and look.
The balance on left and right was harmonious to the point of perfection.
The thickness of the blade was appropriate, and the angles of both edges were ideal.
The finishing of the sword tip, too, left nothing to criticize.
All the effort Uncle Geum and Deputy Chief Yonggae had put in all this time was contained, entire, in this single sword.
From now on, no matter what work Yongdu Ironworks took on, they would not starve to death.
I asked Uncle Geum.
“What is the sword’s name?”
“That is for the Sect Leader to decide. Naturally, it has no name right now. Well, it feels a bit awkward for me to say it myself, but since even the inn’s name is in that vein… Zaha Divine Sword?”
“Divine Sword, is it….”
Brother Deuksu came out of the inn and greeted Uncle Geum.
“You’re here. Huh? Is this the Zaha Divine Sword I’ve only heard about? Let me see.”
Brother Deuksu looked over the blade with his eyes wide open.
“Wow, this is incredible. How did you bring it at such a perfect time? I heard from the Sect Leader that his sword was taken by the Cult Leader the other day.”
Geum Cheolyong nodded.
“Is that so? Then there is no need for regret anymore.”
Eldest Brother said from beside us.
“Hand it over.”
Eldest Brother received the so-called Zaha Divine Sword, drew it, and studied the blade for a long while. Then he briefly exchanged glances with me before opening his mouth.
“Chief Geum, your skill has improved. This is not a longsword that can be made easily.”
Uncle Geum answered with a bright expression.
“Thank you.”
Eldest Brother continued.
“I do not know whether the Cult Leader will use a sword, but officially, he possesses the Heavenly Demon Sword. Ordinary weapons cannot withstand it. Therefore, we must use weapons capable of enduring not only the Heavenly Demon Sword but also the internal energy added to it.”
Uncle Geum nodded as though he agreed.
“You are absolutely right.”
Eldest Brother continued.
“In truth, it seems the Sect Leader and we will be facing the Cult Leader directly before long.”
“Pardon?”
“I am grateful for your gift, Chief Geum, but we cannot climb Mount Hua carrying a sword that will break in battle. Fortunately, the sword I possess is not inferior in hardness even compared to the Heavenly Demon Sword, so I will test it first. With a great battle ahead, this is only natural.”
As Eldest Brother said, it was only natural.
Uncle Geum agreed as well.
“That is true.”
Eldest Brother drew the Radiant Sword with his left hand, and without another word, struck it down upon the Zaha Divine Sword. Given Eldest Brother’s personality, he would have put equal strength into both hands. There was a metallic sound, and nothing happened.
Eldest Brother nodded as if he had gauged its hardness, then clashed them again.
With a metallic ring that somehow sounded clear, the blade of the Zaha Divine Sword snapped cleanly.
I looked at the broken Zaha Divine Sword, then at Eldest Brother’s expression, and then at Uncle Geum’s. The last time, Uncle Geum had been so startled he looked ready to faint on the spot, but this time, he stared at the broken blade with his brow furrowed.
“…….”
Eldest Brother said.
“Chief Geum.”
“Yes.”
“Though it broke, it was not a sword of low completion. There was likely no one within the ironworks who could have broken this sword. That is because there were no experts with deep internal energy. In other words, this must have been the very best you could make, Chief Geum.”
“That is so.”
“It is the same with martial arts, but becoming the best under heaven at forging swords is this difficult. In a sense, it is only natural. Even families of smiths who have continued through generations cannot easily make famed swords close to being the best under heaven. The Heavenly Demon Sword and the Radiant Sword are blades that have survived in the demonic path for a long time without breaking. You can imagine how extraordinary their hardness must be, can you not?”
“Yes.”
Eldest Brother looked at Uncle Geum with a gentle smile.
“In my view, Chief Geum, you have only one step left now. If you can make it harder than this, then you will be a craftsman worthy of discussion throughout the world. The broken sword, too, is a child you made, so I shall return it to you.”
When Eldest Brother held out the broken Zaha Divine Sword, Uncle Geum received it.
Eldest Brother raised one finger and spoke to Uncle Geum in a kind tone, as though offering advice.
“One step remains. It will not be easy. Coming this far is impressive, but you must cast aside the errors and mistakes you experienced on the way here, and the thought that this much should be enough, then examine the process again from beginning to end. A sword that has broken should be called something like the Zaha Sword. Divine Sword is an arrogant expression.”
Uncle Geum nodded.
“I understand.”
“I have spoken as if I know everything, but I myself wonder whether I grew as quickly as you, Chief Geum. It was good to see you after so long.”
Uncle Geum exchanged a glance with Deputy Chief Yonggae, then answered in a noticeably more relaxed tone.
“Great Master, thank you for your words.”
Eldest Brother said.
“When you return, start with ordinary longswords. Earn money with good longswords, and with that money, accumulate the time and wealth needed to focus on famed swords.”
Uncle Geum answered like this.
“Yes. I will start again from the basics, and when my training has been repeated sufficiently, I will challenge the Zaha Sword once more.”
Brother Deuksu said.
“At least have a meal before you go.”
Uncle Geum shook his head.
“Not today. I will come another time. Then, Great Master, Sect Leader. I will take my leave first.”
“Take care on your way.”
I watched Uncle Geum and the Deputy Chief return to the ironworks, then said.
“Next time, I think a true famed sword really will come out.”
Eldest Brother nodded as if he agreed.
“I think so as well. It was not a bad sword. It was only a little lacking for the word complete. Like us.”
I nodded too.
“Like us.”
After turning Eldest Brother’s words over once, laughter came to me on its own. Even if a sword breaks, if the heart of the one who makes it does not break, that is an unbreakable conviction. I am the same.
In my heart, I already held a Zaha Divine Sword that could never break.
...The Lust Demon, together with Yoran, made a wide circuit around Ilyang County and then returned near Zaha Inn. As they walked, he had explained in detail the points she had to be careful about when learning the Jade Flower Ice Art. For the difficult parts, he first made her memorize them, then listened to them repeatedly from Yoran’s own mouth.
Because she was such an intelligent disciple, there was no great problem with memorization itself.
He had also told her that since there were parts one came to grasp only while practicing, memorizing it first was more important than anything.
There was so much to teach that the walk felt exceedingly short.
The Lust Demon stopped for a moment with Yoran and looked at the lights of Zaha Inn.
“Yoran.”
“Yes, Master.”
The Lust Demon looked at Yoran and said.
“This Fourth Master of yours will tell you a secret I have never told anyone.”
“Yes.”
“As you know, the path of Great Master’s martial arts and mine are different.”
“Yes, I know.”
“I do not know what others may think, but I have never once overestimated my own martial arts.”
“What does that mean, Master?”
The Lust Demon sat down and met Yoran’s eyes at her level.
“The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult is known as the Demonic Cult.”
“I know.”
“Long ago, they even killed those who had learned the Jade Flower Ice Art in an attempt to uncover its formula. But those who had inherited the Jade Flower Ice Art would not reveal it, even if it meant death. Not a single one divulged it. They were so stubborn that even that dreadful Demonic Cult gave up. You may not be able to believe it now, but trust your master’s words. The Jade Flower Ice Art is a divine art. Once mastered to completion, it has no equal. Whether it is the strongest of the Cult or the greatest master of the Murim Alliance, none can be a match for one who has brought the Jade Flower Ice Art to its peak. And I tried not to be overconfident in my martial arts until I had reached that peak. What I mean is, because I was still in the midst of the process, I never once displayed it to its absolute limit.”
“Yes.”
“This time, when we ascend Mount Hua, your master intends to show the Cult Leader the end of the Jade Flower Ice Art.”
“Yes.”
“This fourth master of yours intends to make sure no one dies. So you need not be too consumed by worry in Ilyang County.”
The Lust Demon caught the tear falling from Yoran’s eye on his finger, and as soon as it froze, he said,
“When we reach the very end, this fourth master of yours will show them on Mount Hua who the true strongest is. Yoran.”
“Yes, Master.”
“From now on, freeze every tear that falls. What is the strongest?”
“The Jade Flower Ice Art.”
The Lust Demon nodded.
“When it is just the two of us, let us call it the Jade Flower Divine Art. It is a secret from the people of the world.”
Yoran nodded as well.
“Understood.”
Now the Lust Demon had told Yoran all the secrets of the Jade Flower Ice Art.
The Jade Flower Ice Art was the Jade Flower Divine Art, and once mastered to completion, it had no equal.
It was not a lie made up to reassure his young disciple; this was the truth.