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chapter 48
Under Son Jiheon’s watchful eyes, Danyeop’s martial training approached its final phase.
He had long since moved beyond the forms of the True Three Great Sword Techniques.
He simply followed the flow of his energy, thrusting, slashing, and cutting through the void repeatedly.
His movements were like water in motion.
Like a river cutting across the plains, his technique flowed steadily, then plunged suddenly like a waterfall, surged fiercely like rapids, and then curved gently, wrapping around as if caressing the air.
At a certain moment, his dao stretched toward the heavens.
From the tip of his blade, the energy shot out like a luminous spear and vanished into the night sky.
Tsutsutsutsut―!
Exhausted, Danyeop gathered his energy and remained still for a while, savoring the lingering sense of a new realm he had reached.
After a moment, as he turned around, someone emerged from the darkness.
It was Son Jiheon.
Danyeop froze upon seeing his face.
‘Did he see?’
From the difference in Son Jiheon’s expression, it seemed likely.
Sure enough, Son Jiheon immediately clasped his hands and bowed at the waist.
“Lord Danyeop, I apologize. I couldn’t sleep, so I went for a walk, and unintentionally saw you training.”
“Ah, yes.”
Danyeop thought the matter was already done and let it pass.
The martial techniques of the Hao Sect were no secret of the martial world, and it was his own fault for training where someone could see him.
Then Son Jiheon spoke again.
“Lord Danyeop.”
Danyeop turned to him.
Hesitating, Son Jiheon finally spoke.
“I apologize for the times I challenged you out of jealousy. Please forgive me.”
“……”
Danyeop was caught off guard by the sudden apology.
It was because Simma (心魔) had left no trace of these disputes.
‘So Son Gongja was waging his mental battle with Simma alone.’
He could roughly picture the situation.
“Ah, yes, thank you for saying that.”
Danyeop accepted the apology, knowing refusal might make him seem petty.
“I attend the National Academy (Gukjahak), but honestly, I have neither talent nor interest in academics. I have not met the expectations of my elders at home.”
“Ah, yes……”
“I learned martial arts at Hyunmu Hall from a young age and later studied under Elder Jongnam of the sect for several years. Still, my thirst for martial arts was not quenched. Perhaps it was because of my lack of talent. While my peers advanced steadily, I was forced by my grandfather to enter the National Academy. The further I drifted from martial arts, the more……”
Danyeop didn’t know why Son Jiheon was revealing his life story, but he listened.
He couldn’t just leave someone so absorbed in their own tale.
Listening, he noticed many similarities to himself.
Being the same age, their worries were much alike.
Among them, lamenting one’s lack of talent struck a chord deeply.
Hadn’t he also been called a monkey for over ten years?
“…There were times when I felt inferior to your exceptional abilities, Lord Danyeop. The more I felt this way, the more I questioned my own life. I had nothing to boast of, neither in martial arts nor in academics. My life felt like a pebble underfoot, insignificant and unnoticed.”
Hearing this, Danyeop felt the urge for drink.
Simma also often left him feeling self-loathing.
“…Who am I? Why was I born? What is my life for? Is it okay to live like this? Questions like these…”
At that moment, Danyeop felt a lump in his throat.
Son Jiheon before him was no different from himself.
“Lord Son, do you have any wine?”
For the first time, Danyeop opened his heart to someone.
“Yes. My grandfather received a large stock as a gift. Shall we go to my room for a drink?”
“Yes.”
Danyeop and Son Jiheon walked side by side toward the inner quarters.
Danyeop awoke from a nightmare, trapped under a tree.
“Ugh…”
With a frustrated groan, he opened his eyes to the morning sunlight streaming through the window.
He blinked and pushed away something resting on his chest.
Oddly, his face felt a little numb and swollen.
‘Why?’
Then memories of the previous night came flooding back.
―…Hey, drink up! This is Baekwol Myungju, a precious wine my grandfather cherishes. It’s over twenty years old. You can’t even buy it with money.
―Really? Then we must drink it. If you save it, it’ll go bad.
―Hahaha! Right, right. Friend, you’re the best. We met so late…
He recalled drinking with Son Jiheon until dawn.
When he subtly lifted his torso, Son Jiheon was sprawled asleep beside him.
What had been on his chest was his leg.
Danyeop sat in stunned silence, then quickly got up.
He remembered he had to be at Jipdanhyang by 9 a.m.
‘Oh no! This is bad.’
Being late would be utterly shameful.
He hurriedly adjusted his clothes and was about to dash out when a voice called from outside.
“Lord Gongja, did you cough? You should have breakfast.”
Son Jiheon slowly sat up, still groggy.
Danyeop quickly opened the door.
“Soje, what time is it now?”
Startled to see Danyeop come from Son Jiheon’s room, Soje answered promptly.
“It’s just past 8 a.m. Lord Danyeop, would you like to join for breakfast as well?”
“Ah! Yes.”
Relieved he wasn’t late, Danyeop exhaled deeply.
Being late for his first Hao Sect event would have been regrettable.
Then Son Jiheon’s voice came from behind.
“Friend, you woke early.”
“Oh… I’ll wash up first and then come for breakfast.”
“Right, don’t take too long.”
Danyeop hurried to the separate quarters’ well and washed his face.
As he did, memories of the previous night’s wild drinking returned.
It was behavior he would never normally have done.
‘Hmm! Maybe it was the joy from the accomplishment in martial arts?’
Or perhaps he had felt camaraderie with Son Jiheon.
‘What exactly did we talk about?’
So many words, yet nothing remained clear in memory.
Danyeop quickly dried his face and ran to the inner quarters.
Inner Quarters
Breakfast’s atmosphere was slightly different because of Son Jiheon.
Until yesterday, Son Jiheon had teased Danyeop and his younger sister like a spoiled child, and had even gotten scolded by his mother and grandfather.
But now, he was unexpectedly kind to Danyeop.
More precisely, he exhibited a mix of kindness, consideration, and courtesy.
The first to notice the change was Son Yubaek.
He reminded Son Jiheon:
“Jiheon, even though Lord Danyeop is your age, you should not be disrespectful.”
It was a subtle way of asking why they were so familiar.
Son Jiheon confidently replied:
“Grandfather, Danyeop and I shared a drink until dawn and confided in each other. We’ve become bosom friends. Right, friend?”
“Jiheon speaks well. Lord Son, please also speak freely.”
Son Yubaek’s face brightened.
“I see. Making such a friend is truly something to celebrate. Tonight, I shall treat both of you. Will you both have time in the evening?”
Son Jiheon could barely contain his joy at having such a gifted friend.
“Grandfather, I will come no matter what.”
“I will as well.”
“Good, then we shall meet tonight. You may look forward to it. I shall lavishly offer the finest wine I’ve been saving for the best in the world.”
Son Jiheon’s expression stiffened slightly.
Danyeop was a little concerned but pretended not to notice.
Finishing breakfast earlier than usual, Danyeop rose without drinking tea.
“Lord Son, I will take my leave. I have business to attend to. Thank you for your generous hospitality. That is all.”
Bowing, he hurried out of the inner quarters.
On the way to Jipdanhyang, Danyeop thought he had made a good choice staying with Son Taek.
Jipdanhyang was not far from there.
As he entered the alley of incense shops, his heart raced.
He would show Baek Yuhwa the changes in himself.
He had longed for this moment.
The front door of Jipdanhyang bore a sign indicating it was closed.
Danyeop slowly opened the door and stepped inside.
A middle-aged man at the counter said casually:
“Ah, sorry. We’re closed today.”
“I was told to pick up incense ordered by 9 a.m.”
“Ah! You came for the items. Go straight to Ansikheon at the back.”
Danyeop walked to the back as Yanghoe Munwi had before, opening the back door.
Two pavilions flanked the wide garden.
Now, Ansikheon on the right was much larger than Simhyanggak on the left.
He headed toward Ansikheon.
As he arrived, someone emerged.
It was Lee So, one of the famed “Three Beauties of the Armored Tomb” first generation, and Lee Hwa, who always accompanied her.
Lee So smiled upon seeing Danyeop.
“Oh? Danyeop? I heard you graduated with the 4th generation. Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
Lee Hwa, walking beside Lee So, frowned.
“Thank you? Hey, you just spoke casually to So? You graduated with the 4th generation?”
Some women, like Jinmu and Noshim, were like this.
Lee Hwa had always stuck close to Lee So during the Armored Tomb era and particularly disliked Danyeop.
In the past, he would have lowered his head and passed, but not now.
Last night’s achievements had given him some confidence.
“But who are you? You look familiar.”
He truly could not remember her name.
This struck a nerve with Lee Hwa’s insecurities.
Not confident in her appearance, she thought Danyeop was mocking her.
“What?! You idiot! How dare you speak! Want to die?”
Just as Lee Hwa exploded, a sturdy man in his mid-twenties appeared and glared.
“Hey, you punks! Do you think you can bark here? Want to die? Do you think this is the Armored Tomb? Don’t make a sound, or I’ll rip your mouths open. Got it?”
Intimidated, Lee Hwa bowed.
“Yes…”
The man turned to Danyeop.
“And you?”
“I was keeping quiet originally.”
“Hah! You dare answer me? After the event, come find me. Try to run, and you’re dead.”
He glared at Danyeop, then went inside.
Lee Hwa, still annoyed, muttered:
“Idiot, now you’re on Lim Sa-hyung’s radar. You have no idea how terrifying he is.”
Lim Jeong’s nickname was Blood Hound.
Among the young Hao Sect members, he was infamous for his cruelty.
But Danyeop did not respond and passed by Lee So and Lee Hwa.
