ISS 20

chapter 20

The family of the Shin Clan was gathered together for breakfast, though today there were two additional invited guests.

The clan head, Shin Uijemin, glanced over at Sword Spirit, who was sitting a little apart, eating his food very slowly. It wasn’t that he ate in a sloppy or ill-mannered way. Rather, he ate with such care it was as though he were performing a ritual offering to heaven.

Besides Uijemin, another person was staring at him intently: Shin Uigun, who had suffered humiliation at Sword Spirit’s hands. His eyes glared with such ferocity it seemed he might cut the man apart with his gaze alone. He felt somewhat resentful that his elder brother Uigi had even invited Sword Spirit into their home.

The eldest son, Uicheon, wasn’t paying much attention to Sword Spirit. His interest lay instead with Jeok Hwamyung, the Swordsman of Remaining Light. To him, Sword Spirit was nothing more than a delicately pretty-faced man who looked more like a woman.

The ones most captivated by Sword Spirit were none other than Madam Byeok Hyein and her daughter Ui Aryeong. His face was as fine as a woman’s, his skin fairer and smoother than their own, and his hair—though he was a man—was silkier than silk. Their fascination, in that sense, was natural.

Yet, since Sword Spirit was quietly focused on eating, none of them could find the right moment to strike up a conversation. Because of that, breakfast lasted a little longer than usual—over a full meal’s time.

After the meal, while drinking tea together, questions finally began to flow toward Sword Spirit.

“Did the prepared food suit your taste?” asked Uijemin, the host.

“Thank you for inviting me, Clan Head. The food suited me so well that I ate more than I intended,” Jeok Hwamyung answered politely.

Uijemin smiled in satisfaction.

“I heard from Uigi that you enjoyed yourselves yesterday.”

Jeok Hwamyung glanced at Uigi, who gave a sheepish smile.

“We got along well and had a pleasant time. Thanks to that, I’ve gained a fine younger brother, so I’m pleased.”

At the word “younger brother,” Uijemin nodded at his second son, Uigi.

For warriors of the martial world, martial skill was important, but connections were equally so. Though Jeok Hwamyung was not yet among the top one hundred masters, given his youth, in ten years he was certain to rise into that rank. For Uigi to develop a sworn brotherhood with such a man would be a great advantage.

“Thank you. He may lack in many ways, so I hope you will guide him well.”

“Not at all. Rather, I feel I’ve gained too fine a younger brother—it may be difficult to keep up. If I were to run out of tricks, even he might be disappointed…”

As Uijemin and Jeok Hwamyung exchanged words, Madam Byeok Hyein and Aryeong could not take their eyes off Sword Spirit.

“How can a man have such flawless skin?”

When Sword Spirit shook his head, his hair cascaded gently to the side.

“Mother, look at his hair. I think it’s even finer than mine.”

The mother and daughter whispered about his looks, thinking the distance between them was far enough that Sword Spirit wouldn’t hear. But he heard every word clearly.

“Elder Brother! It’s him. He’s the one who used sorcery to disgrace Soje and insult our clan,” Uigun muttered in a low voice to Uicheon.

“Does Uigi not know this?”

“He knows. But I can’t understand why he acts this way. Surely he too has been bewitched by that man’s sorcery.”

Uigun’s eyes burned with disapproval as he whispered. Though Uicheon trusted Uigi’s judgment more than Uigun’s words, he himself had yet to hear anything from Uigi about Sword Spirit, so his own gaze toward the guest was less than warm. He couldn’t ask outright while his father was speaking with Jeok Hwamyung, but he waited for the chance.

“And you are…?”

“I am called Sword Spirit.”

Uijemin examined him closely. If Uigi hadn’t said otherwise, he would never have thought this young man a martial artist. He looked more like a scholar.

‘At his age, he couldn’t possibly have reached the realm of Returning to Simplicity… nor is he some ancient master who has undergone Reversing Age. Impossible.’

It was easy to say such things aloud, but even among the hundred greatest masters, those who had attained such a realm were rare. And Uijemin did not think himself so far beneath Sword Spirit that he couldn’t perceive his level at all.

Yet, by Uigi’s account, he couldn’t even avoid the man’s hand. He had tried multiple times, thinking it mere trickery, but the result was always the same.

‘If even Uigi couldn’t avoid it… then perhaps it truly is martial skill. But what level…?’

“I heard from Uigi that you’ve attained remarkable skill at such a young age. Truly, the martial world is fortunate,” Uijemin said with a habitual tone. Whether or not Sword Spirit’s ability was genuine, praising him a little would at least smooth the atmosphere.

“You flatter me,” Sword Spirit replied, keeping his manners this time. He knew when to be casual and when to be formal.

“If it’s not impolite, may I ask who taught you your martial arts?”

“My grandfathers, and one grandmother.”

Though he said so, to Uijemin’s eyes, he still didn’t look like someone trained in martial arts.

“Is that so? And your parents…?”

“From as early as I can remember, I was raised by my grandparents. I have no memory of my parents.”

“Kh-hm…” Uijemin cleared his throat, realizing he may have touched a sore spot. Aryeong looked at Sword Spirit with pity.

“My apologies.”

“It’s nothing. Please don’t mind.”

And truly, he didn’t mind. Having never seen his parents even once, how could he feel grief for them? From childhood to now, he had only lived with three elders on Dark Island. He had never felt loneliness from it. To him, parents were neither here nor there. The only trace of his origins was the necklace around his neck, which was said to be the sole clue to his true lineage.

A brief awkward silence fell.

“Hmph! To think a trickster who practices sorcery dares sit here…”

The voice was low, but loud enough for all in the room to hear.

Uijemin’s gaze snapped toward his third son, Uigun.

“How dare you speak so before our guest?”

“Father, this man has scorned and insulted our clan.”

At those words, Uigi’s expression hardened. Sword Spirit was his guest, whom he had personally invited. To insult him like that was no different from insulting Uigi himself.

“Mind your words before Father,” Uigi said curtly.

“Elder Brother, I cannot understand you. That man insulted our clan—how can you show him favor?”

The air grew tense.

“Excuse me…” Sword Spirit finally interjected.

“I only said that for a clan to prosper from generation to generation, its members must cultivate themselves and sharpen their skills. Was that insulting your clan?”

He repeated the exact words he had spoken to Uigun before. Uijemin’s expression shifted slightly. It wasn’t exactly an insult, but it did prick one’s pride.

“You see, Father! He—”

“Enough.”

“Father!”

“The young man’s words are not wrong. And you—how long will you continue wasting your life without discipline?”

Uijemin knew of Uigun’s reckless lifestyle. Though it hadn’t caused great harm yet, it was like clothes slowly soaking in rain—sooner or later, it would bring disgrace.

Uigun’s face flushed with shame and anger. He expected his family to defend him, not humiliate him in front of outsiders.

“He’s using sorcery to bewitch Second Brother!” Uigun shouted.

‘This man is tarnishing Shin Clan’s honor,’ Jeok Hwamyung thought grimly.

“You insolent boy!” Uijemin thundered.

There were things one simply did not say before guests.

“Since he insists on calling it sorcery, allow me to demonstrate once more. If the Clan Head sees for himself, he can judge whether it is sorcery or not. That way, Young Master Uigun’s misunderstanding can be cleared.”

“You—!” Uigun glared, but Sword Spirit remained perfectly courteous.

―A man must act according to necessity.

It was a teaching of Master Jeonmo Yakbing.

―Showing proper respect to the station of others is vital in the martial world. Especially among the righteous sects.

―Hah! Those pompous righteous sect types cling to pointless etiquette as if it were life itself.

Yakbing and Gu Yeongcheol often argued over such matters, but Sword Spirit followed Yakbing’s lesson faithfully.

Uijemin turned to Uigi.

“Father, I have confirmed it myself. It is not sorcery.”

“Elder Brother, you’ve been bewitched!” Uigun shot back.

“You insolent fool!”

Still, Uigun refused to yield.

Jeok Hwamyung grew uneasy. By forming ties with Uigi, he had inadvertently caused Sword Spirit trouble.

Sword Spirit rose to his feet, and Uigun immediately stood as well, eager to prove himself right.

“Have you studied all night?” Sword Spirit asked dryly.

“I’ll reveal here and now that you are a vile heretic!” Uigun spat.

“Is that so?” A smirk tugged at Sword Spirit’s lips.

He turned toward Uijemin.

“The technique is simple. I’ll extend my hand and place it on your son’s shoulder. Yesterday, I touched his face, but before the family, I’ll settle for the shoulder.”

“Watch carefully and judge.”

Then, to Uigun: “This time, I hope you manage to avoid it.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than Sword Spirit’s hand moved. Slowly, visibly. Yet Uigun still could not move.

Thud!

Just as before.

“Now, do you still think this is sorcery?”