Episode 343
Union (3)
That night.
“…?”
Yeon Ho-jeong, who was sitting alone on his bed and considering the next strategy, read an extremely secret force aimed at him.
The secretiveness of the force was comparable to that of an assassin, but the purity contained in the energy was more profound than that of any other sect’s divine skill in the world.
‘How?’
It was an energy that Yeon Ho-jeong knew. So it was even more surprising.
This is because the ‘this person’ he knows is never someone who would move this secretly.
Sreuk.
Yeon Ho-jeong quickly went out the window and went down to the yard and looked towards the west.
The clear momentum gradually faded away. It probably means telling yourself to follow him.
‘Why don’t you send a telegram?’
The reason was unknown, but Yeonhojeong still moved. Ki (氣) tells us not only a person’s feelings but also their personality, and at least there was no hint of wrong intention from ‘this person’.
Slurp.
Yeon Ho-jeong secretly chased the opponent’s energy. Since I called it this way in the middle of the night, it’s probably something that other people shouldn’t know about.
How much did it move like that?
After going a good twenty miles, a small training ground appeared. It was a training ground that Yeonhojeong had never seen before.
There were several such places in the Murim League. The Murim Alliance was that big.
And in the center of the training ground.
“Are you here?”
Yeon Ho-jeong took control with moderation.
“It’s been heightened so far.”
“haha.”
Surprisingly, the person who called Yeonhojeong was Seunghyeonjinin, a member of the Shaman faction.
“He was the head of a military unit, so he must have been very busy, unlike old men who had nothing to do. I should have stopped by once in a while to pat my shoulder, but my butt was so heavy that I couldn’t even come. “I’m sorry.”
“How can you say that?”
“I’m serious.”
Of course, Yeonho also knew. Seung Hyun Jin-in is not just saying empty words.
Seunghyeonjinin turned his back and looked up at the sky.
“You are truly an amazing person.”
Yeon Ho-jeong looked at Seung Hyeon-jin in silence.
Seunghyeonjinin, who was looking up at the sky, slowly closed his eyes.
“The first time I saw you was after you returned from traveling around the central plains with the Mortal Army and slaying various evil enemies.”
“….”
“At that time, I questioned you without hesitation. Hehe, you said you were asking questions, but in reality, I really wanted to scold you. “It’s a shame.”
“no.”
“But you had your own thoughts, and you cared for the soldiers more than anyone else. “We only exchanged a few words, but it was enough for me to understand your true feelings.”
Seunghyunjin opened his eyes again and looked at Yeonhojeong.
At that moment, Yeon Ho-jeong felt his heart becoming somewhat lonely.
Seunghyeonjin’s eyes looking at himself. Those eyes reminded him of the innocence he must have been born with, even though it had rotted away on a battlefield full of blood and flesh.
Seunghyunjin’s eyes were so clear and deep. The eyes were completely different from Yeonhojeong’s unique clear eyes. They were the eyes of a true Taoist who had not only realized the Tao of Seonmu (仙武) but was also well-versed in the Tao of the secular world.
“It is nearly impossible to find salvation in a life filled with killing. At least that’s what I think.”
“….”
“But you were different. Although you were wielding a murderous sword, you had an unwavering, strong mind and were full of concern for the world. “It was a tight line, but I knew it was very thick and strong.”
“That’s too much praise.”
“I’m not exaggerating. “I’m just being honest about what I saw and felt.”
Seunghyunjin smiled.
“I like you.”
It was a word with great resonance.
Although she has never lived to be acknowledged by anyone, Yeon Ho-jeong felt moved for no reason.
The head of the shaman sect, a real Taoist who is different from the superficial worldly powerhouses, likes him. Even though he is a murderer who has lived a life soaked in blood.
I was grateful and embarrassed by that fact. This is because he did not think that he was worthy of the recognition of such an outstanding Taoist.
“But no matter how thick the good you have, the muddy water poured in by murderous karma is always a scary thing. “I’m sure you can take care of it, but I can’t help but be very worried about your future.”
“Thank you for your words.”
“So, I would like to give you a little help.”
“yes?”
Yeon Ho-jeong tilted his head.
“You mean help?”
Seunghyunjin suddenly burst into laughter.
“About noon today, Ambassador Bangjang came to visit this person.”
“…!”
“You didn’t tell me exactly what the situation was. “I just said you were fighting a hard fight and asked if there was anything you could do for him.”
“Ambassador Bangjang….”
“I heard that there are several people moving with you. However, they are the heads of the six families and are already nearing completion. “Whether it is martial arts, one’s own opinion, or the purpose of life.”
The cold winds of late winter subsided and the warm winds of early spring came.
Seunghyeonjin’s eyes became deeper and deeper as he was hit by the wind.
“I know that you are no better than the heads of the six families, as well as the heads of the nine factions.”
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“These are difficult words to bear.”
“I’m not talking about martial arts. “I’m talking about your will and strong character.”
“There are still many things lacking.”
Seunghyunjin shook his head.
“But you are still young. It’s scarier when you’re young. “I don’t know, but among the leading figures of the next generation, there won’t be many juniors who will have a reputation as bright as your name.”
“….”
“Those who have power cannot be free from the responsibility that comes with its weight. The moment you forget that responsibility, the world will fall into ruin. You may wonder whether such a thing is possible with one person’s madness, but it is quite possible. “That is Moorim and the world.”
I know.
Yeon Ho-jeong almost answered that way without even realizing it.
Those who have a great influence on the world, whether martial or literary, are not easy to control based on that fact alone. Every word they say shakes the hearts of the public, and when the hearts of the public shake, the foundation of the country also shakes.
A person who sits in a high position and has a reputation for being unexalted.
This is why such people must have a sense of responsibility. Even if it’s a life you don’t want, you have to show that you deserve it.
Only then will the world not fall into chaos. If you are not confident in doing so, it is best to leave the world and go into the mountains.
It was cold, but it was true.
“It has always been like that for powerful politicians or magnates. “It is not easy to find people who abuse their rights but take responsibility for it.”
Seunghyeonjinin naturally waved his hand.
Phew.
The warm wind lingered around his graying fingertips, warming the air in the training hall comfortably.
“Please come up.”
Yeon Ho-jeong went up to the training hall.
Seunghyeonjinin slowly lowered his posture.
“Take a good look. “At your level, once will be enough.”
It was from then on.
From then on, Seunghyeonjinin’s beautiful dance moves began.
Phew.
The gentle steps he took were so light that they seemed weightless.
Huh. Phew.
The two swinging hands contained a clear and profound charm.
Even as the puffy sleeves fluttered back and forth in the air, no sound was made. However, the sound of the wind flowing along the hand tickled Yeonhojeong’s ears.
It’s soft and soft. Seunghyeonjinin’s hands, moving infinitely smoothly, drew lines more beautiful than those of any dancer in the world.
However, when Yeon Ho-jeong saw this, his face was filled with astonishment rather than admiration.
‘This?!’
Huh!
The wind noise became stronger.
The beautiful dance line gradually became sharper. The softness of the curves remained the same, but the shape that used to draw a perfect circle became flatter and faster.
yet.
Pow!
A quick strike that burst into the air.
The supply and demand of Jingi is perfect. That’s why it was an even more surprising martial law.
Even though I didn’t use any kicks, the shock waves spreading through the air were extremely abundant. By drawing a circle and putting all the power he had gathered into one fist, it seemed like he could crush the peak martial arts attack head-on with just that.
What was even more surprising was that Yeon Ho-jeong already knew that martial law.
Slurp.
Seunghyunjin, who straightened his posture, smiled awkwardly.
“How is it?”
“…You are amazing.”
“There’s nothing to say. Frequency is still lacking in discipline. So, I put on too much force in the middle.”
Yeon Ho-jeong was purely amazed.
“That’s not what you’re saying. “Who can show such strength with the infinitely soft Wudang Taijiquan?”
Yes. What Seunghyeonjinin showed was Taijiquan, which Yeonhojeong also knew.
However, just because the movements are similar, it cannot be said to be the same Taijiquan.
Seunghyeonjinin’s Taijiquan was accompanied by indescribable enlightenment and the supply and release of power that reached perfection.
It was not a martial art that could be used just by knowing the movements. The form is easy, but the enlightenment contained within it is difficult to imitate.
That was Seunghyeonjinin’s martial arts. Even though he did not have much practical experience, it was the power of Jang Mun-in, a shaman who became independent based on pure enlightenment and the teachings of Zen masters.
And the moment Yeon Ho-jeong saw it, he was sure.
‘I lose.’
If you have the power of the Dark Emperor, you can win. No, it’s not just that he’s the Emperor of Darkness, but if he goes up just one step further than he is now, he can achieve a close match with Seung Hyun Jin-in with his extreme practical skills.
But Yeonhojeong will lose. It had to be that way.
‘I already lost in my heart.’
Martial arts is not something that can be performed only with fists and feet.
Yeon Ho-jeong felt a depth that was difficult to reach in Seung Hyeon-jin’s Taijiquan. And I was awed by its depth.
Even if Yeon Ho-jeong regains the strength he had during his time as Emperor of Darkness, he will not be able to win against Seung Hyeon-jin-in.
why? Because they won’t fight in the first place.
If Seunghyeonjinin points his sword at him, Yeonhojeong will immediately put down his ax and declare defeat.
That was the ultimate enlightenment that practitioners of Taoist Buddhism, the pinnacle of Taoist Buddhism, should attain.
Seunghyeonjinin burst into laughter.
“That’s really true of you. “You look at my tai chi and think first about winning and losing.”
“Ah…”
“As expected, you are a born warrior. “In ten years, there will be only a handful of people who will be able to defeat you with worldly martial arts.”
“I’m embarrassed.”
“When you looked at my Tai Chi, you thought of victory and defeat rather than wanting to emulate me, and soon saw yourself losing. It’s the difference between you and me. However, I would like to narrow the gap a little.”
“yes?”
“I heard that you and some of the heads of the six families are doing hard work for Jiang Hu. “I didn’t ask specifically, but looking at the ambassador’s face, I thought it was not normal.”
“….”
“I don’t know what kind of killing will dye your future red, but I hope to instill at least a ray of warmth in your weary heart. “That’s it.”
Immediately after those words, Seunghyeonjinin sang an unknown phrase.
Yeon Ho-jeong immediately got down on his knees and recited Seunghyeonjinin’s verse exactly.
It was not a martial arts performance by a non-partisan faction. It was Seung Hyeon-jin’s enlightenment that was incorporated into Tai Chi.
His voice was surprisingly calm and had a strange rhythm to it, making it feel like I was listening to a song. It also had a strong enough resonance that anyone could memorize it just by hearing it once.
In this way, Yeon Ho-jeong received a large gift before his departure.
Perhaps it was the supreme enlightenment of the shaman Wonmusin (元武神), who would protect his heart for the rest of his life.
