“Heh heh.”
Jong Ri Un let out a hearty laugh. What should he do with this child who dared to discuss talent in front of Geomjon? In one way, it was courageous; in another, it was audacious.
All the martial artists who met him always humbled themselves. Naturally so. The Seven Masters was not a place achievable through effort alone. Immense effort was required, but so was talent. Jong Ri Un himself was among the most talented figures in Jungwon.
Yet, in front of such a Geomjon, this boy claimed to be talented.
“So you have talent in martial arts, you say?”
It was absurd. No matter how talented someone was, people needed time above all.
It must have been hard enough to gain such knowledge at twelve, yet to have learned martial arts too.
Perhaps that was it. When someone knows little, everything is fun, and he believes himself talented. Having barely begun martial arts, he simply found it interesting.
Thinking that way, Bi Myeonggak’s report made perfect sense. Gold-necked Hwan had not even studied martial arts for a full year.
If that was true, it would be difficult even to become a high master, let alone a supreme master. Most supreme masters began their training at four or five years old.
At that moment, an ingenious plan flashed through Jong Ri Un’s mind. If he made good use of this child’s pride, he could get the outcome he wanted.
It was a rather shameful thought for one of the Seven Masters, but that was how much Jong Ri Un coveted Gold-necked Hwan.
“Then, how about this? Let’s make a bet.”
Jong Ri Un cast the bait. Gold-necked Hwan smiled brightly. That young, beautiful face looked utterly innocent. It was a stark contrast to the cold, sharp gaze she had when discussing Taeguk and Heaven, Earth, and Man earlier.
But a child was still a child. Sometimes, even an exceptional child will show an innocent side in other areas. Perhaps, for Gold-necked Hwan, martial arts was that innocent domain.
“Will you try sparring with my disciple? You saw her earlier, right? The one named Yu-wol.”
“I saw. What shall we wager on this bet?”
“Each of us will grant the other’s wish, just one.”
Jong Ri Un smiled slyly. Sometimes, when Gal Yu-wol clung too much, he used this very tactic.
If she could even touch a hair on his body, she could stay by his side as much as she liked. Otherwise, she had to train humbly. Of course, Gal Yu-wol had never won before.
“I don’t have a particular wish. Just take care of my father for me.”
“If that’s all, won’t I feel a bit sorry? Even if I am protecting him for a greater cause, he’s not my father, he’s your father’s… Hmm, what would be good? I’ll give you a gift from Cheon Gi Go. Normally, it’s a place you can open only once when you become an elder.”
Cheon Gi Go was the Murim Alliance’s armory, a collection of rare treasures. This much was not too much for his conscience. It was, after all, a rather ridiculous proposal. Still, he had to make sure that Gal Yu-wol wouldn’t be harmed at all.
“Then let’s do that.”
“I’ll wish for you to join the Murim Alliance. That’s neater.”
Jong Ri Un smiled. Gold-necked Hwan nodded his innocent face. Soon, they briefly discussed the time and rules of the Bi Mu.
No further words were needed. There was a method most fitting for the martial world. As the old saying went, in Kangho, the sword speaks louder than words.
Jong Ri Un smiled in satisfaction. Gold-necked Hwan, peaceful as ever, drank tea. For a moment, her face hidden by the teacup turned cold. Of course, Jong Ri Un did not see it.
***
It wasn’t that the Murim Alliance didn’t hold Bi Mu matches. In fact, they were held nearly every day. In Kangho, a Bi Mu was simply a form of training.
But the ones that became the talk of the town were rare. Like the Bi Mu between Gang Un and Jong Ri Un, or between the female bodyguard and the female bodyguard’s rival.
In that sense, this Bi Mu was quite the topic. After all, the Murim Alliance Leader’s disciple and the youngest son of the Hwanggeum Family were to face off.
A Bi Mu between such rare and adorable children, and a chance to witness the martial skills of the Murim Alliance Leader’s disciple firsthand. That alone made it sensational.
Moreover, the disciple’s opponent drew as much attention. Just what sort of prodigy could spar with the Murim Alliance Leader’s disciple?
People assumed it must be someone from the Namgung Sega or Wudang Sect. But no—it was the youngest son of the Hwanggeum Family. Not only a member of the upper class, but a so-called fool who had suddenly appeared.
Even the Elderly Council of the Murim Alliance couldn’t understand it. The Jangrohoeui had gathered, including Gang Un, Mok Hyeonhak, and three other elders.
“Why is the Hwanggeum Family’s youngest son participating all of a sudden?”
“Who knows. Maybe he was rude to the Alliance Leader?”
“But the Alliance Leader isn’t the type to retaliate like that.”
“That’s true, too.”
The elders each offered their own interpretations. But it was already a given that Gal Yu-wol would win.
Unlike other warriors, these elders could meet privately with the Alliance Leader and often saw Gal Yu-wol, knowing well her accomplishments.
“But won’t Yu-wol cause trouble? She’s a bit… odd, personality-wise.”
“You don’t know the Alliance Leader. She turns into an angel in front of him.”
Gal Yu-wol’s temperament was infamous in the Jangrohoeui. She would only follow Jong Ri Un and reject everyone else. Usually silent, but the moment the Alliance Leader was with someone else, she would growl and get jealous.
Her mood swings were so extreme that she seemed unstable in the elders’ eyes.
Also, they could easily predict what would happen if Gal Yu-wol and the Hwanggeum Family’s young master clashed. Having observed her training, all the elders were worried.
Gal Yu-wol was far superior to her peers in martial arts. The members of the Hyeonmu Unit guarding the Murim Alliance were all first-class, but she could take on two at once.
Not only was she strong in martial arts, but her odd personality meant that matching her with a peer was a mistake the Alliance Leader could only make by not knowing her well.
While all the elders fretted, a voice rang from the corner.
“The youngest son wouldn’t have accepted so easily. He must have something up his sleeve.”
All eyes turned that way. Though he lay back, his face hidden by a wide-brimmed hat, the elders knew who he was.
It was Mok Hyeonhak, the master of qinggong known in Kangho as Bidonghyeong.
“What do you mean, Elder Mok?”
“Just as I said.”
Mok Hyeonhak spoke without lowering his hat. Gang Un, quietly listening, joined in.
“I agree. Even if I don’t know his martial arts, he’s no fool. In fact, he’s so smart it’s chilling.”
At Gang Un and Mok Hyeonhak’s words, the other three elders chuckled. Unlike ordinary elders, Gang Un and Mok Hyeonhak were Su-seok Jangro, head elders. If their judgment said so, it was likely true.
Everyone knew the two Su-seok Jangro had recently been dispatched to the Hwanggeum Family on the Alliance Leader’s orders. But the other elders, not knowing what happened there, could only be suspicious.
Still, as the Su-seok Jangro had spoken, none argued, though their conviction in Gal Yu-wol’s victory did not waver.
***
Inside the Murim Alliance’s building was a large oval-shaped training ground. It was one of the main places where all units drilled. The ground was never perfectly level, except today—it was spotless.
It was the day of the Murim Alliance Leader’s disciple’s Bi Mu. It drew the attention of all the alliance’s warriors.
Gal Yu-wol, the leader’s disciple, stuck to the Alliance Leader so closely that she was rarely seen. And to have her sparring with someone her age for the first time only fueled the buzz.
“Wow, even the challenger is cute.”
“What should we do? Is there anyone who wants to stop this?”
While Gal Yu-wol, calmly preparing, was a focus of attention, so was her pitiful opponent. The boy swinging a wooden sword looked pitiable to the alliance’s warriors and elders.
More than that, Gold-necked Hwan had such a cute and handsome face. Though his temperament was bad, even Gal Yu-wol’s looks were widely acknowledged, and he was on par with her.
How many young martial artists had their noses broken and bones smashed in a poorly executed Bi Mu? To think such innate beauty could be ruined in a single match—it was impossible not to feel sorry.
Now, everyone was ready. They wore all-in-one uniforms covering the whole body, with metal mesh around the face, allowing them to see and block blows.
Usually, safety was not considered to this extent in Bi Mu, but Jong Ri Un had taken special care.
Regardless of the concerns, the time for Bi Mu drew near. As it approached, the training ground grew quiet. Both Gal Yu-wol and Gold-necked Hwan donned their Protective Gear, and Jong Ri Un checked each piece.
After confirming everything, Jong Ri Un explained the prearranged rules.
“The rules of this Bi Mu are as follows. Even if you can manifest qi, do not use it. Do not aim for vital points.”
“Yes.”
Gal Yu-wol answered easily, but Gold-necked Hwan did not. Jong Ri Un looked at him. With the mask on, his expression was hidden. Maybe he was nervous before the match.
But the words that soon came from behind Gold-necked Hwan’s mask were so outrageous.
“On second thought, I think we should be allowed to use qi.”
His voice was loud enough for everyone around the quiet training ground to hear.
In an instant, the warriors buzzed.
“What did he just say?”
“He asked to use qi, I think.”
“Is it even possible at that age? If so, that’s impressive.”
“Still, it could be dangerous.”
Words of concern and excitement floated around the training ground. Even Jong Ri Un was bewildered.
Of course, this Bi Mu had started from his own selfishness. If Gold-necked Hwan were to get hurt, he could never forgive himself.
And he had never heard that Gold-necked Hwan could use qi. To use qi at twelve years old! That alone was an amazing achievement.
“Young master, you can use qi?”
“I haven’t manifested it for long, but yes.”
“Heh.”
Jong Ri Un changed his mind. If he could manifest qi at twelve, then he truly was talented.
This youngest son was neither arrogant nor conceited. He merely acknowledged his talent for what it was.
It was unexpected, but could he defeat Gal Yu-wol? She was a genius among geniuses, personally chosen by the Alliance Leader. She had manifested qi at ten, and by eleven could take on two first-class fighters.
Even among geniuses, there were those on another level. Jong Ri Un began to regret this. In the end, it’s always the lesser genius who despairs when meeting a true prodigy. He did not want to inflict such feelings.
But it was too late. Gal Yu-wol, like a fish in water, bounced her face up and down.
“I like it too, Master.”
“I don’t recommend it, but… Will you be alright, young master?”
“It wouldn’t be a real Bi Mu unless we went all out.”
He had a point. Jong Ri Un had nothing to say in response to Gold-necked Hwan’s firm logic.
“If anything seems even a little dangerous, I’ll step in right away.”
“Yes, please do.”
Gold-necked Hwan was simple and forthright. Jong Ri Un, uneasy, walked up to the elevated platform.
As he went, Gal Yu-wol whispered quietly to Gold-necked Hwan.
“Hey, then why did you say not to use qi in the first place?”
“I thought you couldn’t use it. But later I heard you could.”
Gold-necked Hwan answered as if it were obvious. Watching him bow his head, shaking his legs to check his gear, he seemed totally unconcerned. Gal Yu-wol couldn’t help but laugh. A peer, who even adult warriors feared, was disregarding her.
Gal Yu-wol felt both a fresh sense of excitement and a crack in her pride.
“You’re really going to get hurt. Don’t blame me later. I can’t control my qi very well.”
“Then I win.”
Gold-necked Hwan answered, lifting his head.
“Because I can control mine.”
Just before the Bi Mu began, as Gal Yu-wol finally met Gold-necked Hwan’s gaze, she suddenly felt nervous.
For in the eyes of Gold-necked Hwan, staring right back at her, a blue glow flickered.