Chapter 61: Death Is A Cold Path (2)
What was trust?
What was chivalry?
The martial artists that roam Jianghu believe in the saying, “those who tie must untie.”
It means that if you tie a knot, you are the one who should untie it.
If someone has shown you kindness, you must repay it. On the contrary, if someone bears a grudge, they repay it with blood and vengeance.
In this process of mutual trust, one might seek help from others familiar with the ways of chivalry. However, in the end, it was up to the individual to solve their problems.
Therefore, initially, Yi-gang did not ask about the circumstances of the Immortal Divine Sword.
But after hearing Forest Lord’s words, he changed his mind. Was it really right to just ignore everything?
For Yi-gang, who had lived a longer life as someone from modern times, it wasn’t.
Hence, he had asked about it in the garden yesterday.
The Immortal Divine Sword did not get angry at Yi-gang.
It seemed to search its memories, becoming distant, and continued speaking hesitantly.
Last night, Yi-gang was able to hear the complex tale of the Immortal Divine Sword.
And, after a full day had passed.
‘I wonder what those who attacked me and targeted Ha-jun were after. The meteorite sword?’
Yi-gang’s reason for inquiring about the Immortal Divine Sword’s past included this as well.
The assassins were looking for a hidden space within the manor. Perhaps what they were after wasn’t Yi-gang’s life, but the meteorite sword.
「I’m not sure. Unless it were the Azure Forest, even they wouldn’t have known about its presence there.」
‘Can the Azure Forest be trusted?’
「It’s true that there’s no one in the world who can be fully trusted, but they wouldn’t have lied to me. Their oaths carry a compulsion.」
The tone was one of certainty.
As expected, the Immortal Divine Sword had faked its death. And then it had taken refuge in the outskirts of Mount Heng, where the Azure Forest was.
Living as a hermit there for decades, it eventually grew old and met its death.
However, the reason that forced it into hiding wasn’t resolved.
In the end, the Immortal Divine Sword wanted to remain in this world, even if only as a spirit.
And almost 100 years passed.
「It took a long time. During my meditations as a soul, I encountered the descendant.」
‘Was it for atonement?’
「You could say that... but it might have just been for self-satisfaction.」
Yi-gang nodded at that remark.
The Immortal Divine Sword had certainly committed a sin. A sin so grave that even after it had risen to be the greatest in the world, elevating the Baek Clan to the peak of renown, it had to forsake everything.
He confided it all to his descendant, Yi-gang. After that, the Immortal Divine Sword seemed peculiarly dejected.
‘Anyway, do you have any idea who these assassins are?’
「At my level of expertise, just by crossing swords I can discern much about my opponent. Of course, I know.」
On second thought, he didn’t seem that dejected.
‘Then who are they?’
「They were just ordinary fellows. Their martial arts skills were third-rate. However, there were a few, especially one named Jeok-pyo, who were a bit different. Their martial arts were very sinister.」
‘So you don’t really know then?’
「Hmph.」
Yi-gang looked at the Immortal Divine Sword with an expression of disbelief.
Even after hearing from the Immortal Divine Sword, he couldn’t determine the identities of the assassins.
Yi-gang finally sighed and looked away.
This place was the Medical Hall, where Ha-jun was receiving treatment.
“If he’s been given the precious elixir pill... he should wake up,” Yi-gang murmured bitterly.
In reality, Ha-jun’s condition was worse than he had heard.
He had lost so much blood that his face was pale, and his lips were dry and chapped.
His chest was tightly wrapped in bandages. When Yi-gang had entered, the bandages, which had been clean, were slowly getting stained with blood.
The wound was so severe that without administering the elixir, he might have really died, especially at such a young age of twelve.
“I’ve committed an unforgivable crime.”
Next to him, Jeong Gu of the Low Down Sect knelt. His body was in poor condition after being tortured by the Red Dragon Corps and Baek Jin-tae, yet, even in such discomfort, he deeply bowed his head to Yi-gang.
“Due to my failure to anticipate the appearance of that fiend, Young Master Ha-jun...”
“So, are you willing to atone with your life?”
Without even glancing at Jeong Gu, Yi-gang posed the question.
“If it’s the price for failing my mission... willingly.”
“And, in exchange, you want me to spare your master?”
Jeong Gu couldn’t respond.
If Yi-gang truly desired it, the elders and the Red Dragon Corps could have annihilated the Low Down Sect’s Xi’an Branch.
“Thanks to you, Young Master Yi-gang, my life was spared.”
“Yes, I saved you. Twice, in fact.”
Fortunately, Ha-jun’s eyes returned to their normal position.
However, instead of looking at Yi-gang, he was looking next to him.
At the floating Immortal Divine Sword.
“Who is that bald old man... next to you?”
「You, little brat!」
The Immortal Divine Sword’s face twisted in anger.
Yi-gang was also taken aback.
“Can you see him? This old man?”
“Yes... Of course I can see him.”
Until now, the only person who had seen the Immortal Divine Sword’s form was Yi-gang. Though Forest Lord felt its presence, he hadn’t seen it clearly. Yet here was Ha-jun, looking right at it.
「I’m not bald; I just have a short haircut!」
“He’s saying something, but I can’t hear him.”
It seemed that he couldn’t hear the voice.
Yi-gang asked the Immortal Divine Sword what could have caused this.
「Since he’s wandering between life and death, being close to death might temporarily allow him to see me...」
“Just as I thought, his current physical condition isn’t good.”
「Anyway, can’t you tell him? That I’m not bald, but I had cut my hair short before I died. Who would’ve known that hair doesn’t grow back when you become a spirit?」
“That’s not the point right now.”
While waving his hand dismissively, Yi-gang inwardly sighed with relief. Thankfully, it seemed unlikely that baldness was hereditary.
“Brother...?”
“It seems you need to rest a bit more. But before that, I have one question.”
“Hmm?”
“The man with the mask who stabbed you. We need to find out who he is. You mentioned you inflicted a wound on the back of his hand.”
Fear washed over Ha-jun’s face for a moment. It seemed the terror was etched deep within him, right alongside the pain from his chest wound.
He gasped for air, then whispered something so softly it was almost inaudible.
Yi-gang leaned in closer to Ha-jun to hear.
Ha-jun was undoubtedly a genius with the sword, and he might have noticed clues that neither the Biyeon Squad members nor Jeong Gu saw.
“That man, definitely, when the poison dart hit...”
Yi-gang’s eyes widened in shock.
“...he definitely used Moon Shadow Step.”
Moon Shadow Step. That was undoubtedly a light footwork technique of the Baek Clan.
Having said that, Ha-jun slowly closed his eyes. He seemed to have exhausted all his energy.
Yi-gang muttered in disbelief, “Moon Shadow Step?”
Even though it’s considered one of the basic techniques among the clan’s light footwork technique, it’s not something trivial enough to be leaked outside.
Along with the basic martial arts of the clan, it allowed for covert movements, and only certified warriors and above from the Baek Clan were allowed to learn this technique.
「Hmm, I had hoped there wouldn’t be such an incident.」
That statement implied one thing.
“It seems we have a traitor among us.”
The threat might be inside the clan.
“We need to monitor the head of the medical hall.”
Yi-gang decided to keep the discussion about Golden Needle Phantom and the elixir pill Ha-jun consumed a secret for now.
Baek Jin-tae gave a sly smile.
He was looking at his subordinate, Soryu.
“Soryu. Your mastery of the light footwork technique has grown significantly. Hehe.”
Soryu responded politely, “Thank you.”
“Your mastery in the Lesser Yang Cultivation Technique has already reached the sixth level; you indeed have talent. Haha, you’ve also nearly perfected the Moon Shadow Step, it seems you’re ready to learn the next technique.”
“If given the opportunity, I will work hard.”
“Am I not the Red Dragon Corps Commander? Getting permission should be easy for me.”
It was Baek Jin-tae who recognized Soryu’s talent and taught her martial arts. Seeing Baek Jin-tae’s proud smile, Soryu quietly lowered her head.
“If you are deemed worthy, I can immediately place you in the First Corps.”
The Red Dragon Corps was a military group in the Baek Clan, one of the most powerful. Those who carried out actual operations under Baek Jin-tae’s command were divided into three groups:
First Corps, Second Corps, and Third Corps.
Among them, the one that could be considered Baek Jin-tae’s closest confidants was the First Corps.
Although Soryu was favored by Baek Jin-tae, she had not been able to join the First Corps.
“I’m still not ready.”
“Hehe, ever so modest. Now, let’s go.”
Soryu looked up at Baek Jin-tae. Where could they be going?
“Yi-gang has some important matters to discuss.”
Soryu quietly nodded her head.
‘Follow the orders,’ that was one of the lessons she had learned alongside martial arts from Baek Jin-tae.
