So-ah felt a sense of profound change.
Six years had passed since he met his grandfather and began training in martial arts.
Not only had So-ah acquired stamina and senses that were close to the realm of the gods, but he had also reached a point where he could perfectly perform the Ten-Second Invincible Arts even with his eyes closed.
Moreover, today So-ah had achieved the realm of Five Qi Courting the Origin and Three Flowers Gathering at the Peak.
This was nothing short of the emergence of a heaven-shaking young master.
Moyong Cheon was now confident that nothing in the world could torment So-ah, and he spoke softly.
“Prepare to descend the mountain.”
At that, So-ah replied with a questioning gaze.
“What do you mean by that, Grandpa?”
“So-ah. You have now entered the Realm of Transformation. In other words, you have nothing more to learn from me.”
So-ah could not agree with his grandfather’s words.
Although it was true that his martial arts had improved to the point where the phrase “leaps and bounds” was insufficient, it was still nothing compared to his grandfather.
“That’s ridiculous. You’re much stronger than me, Grandpa…”
At this, Moyong Cheon smiled.
“Ho ho, So-ah. From the Realm of Transformation onwards, one cannot expect to advance in martial arts by receiving instruction from someone else. From then on, one can only glimpse the next realm through a desperate and lonely battle with oneself. But most people do not know this principle. That is why those who transcend the Realm of Transformation and knock on the door of the Profound Realm are extremely few.”
So-ah felt a sense of curiosity at his grandfather’s words.
The Profound Realm.
This realm, also known as the Realm of Profound Mystery, was in fact the highest realm a human could reach.
He wanted to know a little more about it through his grandfather.
“How many people have reached the Profound Realm?”
“I don’t know for sure either. But if I were to name only the people I know, there would be Master Yong-gak of the Jongnam Sect, the Twin Demons, who are among the ten great masters of the Unorthodox Path, Grand Master Gong-seung of Shaolin, and the Blood Demon, the leader of the now-destroyed Asura Blood Cult.”
“What about you, Grandpa? Aren’t you in the Profound Realm?”
“Of course, it has been several decades since this old man entered the Profound Realm.”
“Then what about Grandpa Wi-ji? You said he was incredibly strong too, right?”
“To be precise, old man Wi-ji has crossed the threshold of the Profound Realm.”
At those words, So-ah was startled.
“Cr-Crossed the threshold of the Profound Realm. What does that mean? Is there a realm higher than the Profound Realm?”
“Of course. But that is a realm that even I do not properly understand, so I cannot say for sure. What is certain is that old man Wi-ji is the one who has reached the most unique and highest realm in the current martial world.”
“Aha… then Grandpa Wi-ji must be the greatest under heaven, right?”
“That is unknown.”
“Huh? Didn’t you just say that Grandpa Wi-ji’s realm is unique?”
At that, Moyong Cheon stroked his beard and began to speak with an amused expression.
“So-ah. Victory is not decided by the realm of martial arts alone. It can be overturned at any time depending on the compatibility of martial arts, the luck of the day, the difference in rich practical experience, and willpower.”
“Aha…”
“Therefore, even among the masters of the Profound Realm, their individual enlightenments and realms are different, but one cannot easily predict the outcome of a fight until they actually fight.”
“I see.”
“One thing is certain: the more you fight, the better you get. Although I realized the Profound Realm later than Grand Master Gong-seung of Shaolin, the Twin Demons, the Blood Demon, and old man Wi-ji, in reality, everyone except old man Wi-ji has been defeated by me.”
So-ah’s eyes sparkled at Moyong Cheon’s words.
His face seemed to say, ‘As expected, my grandpa is the best!’
“That is why I am ordering you to descend the mountain.”
“Why?”
“For the next three years. Watch every fight that exists in the world. Duels between masters are good, and duels between low-level fighters are also good. You will even find something to realize for yourself by watching fights between animals.”
“But Grandpa…”
“Of course, I know how you feel. You have relied only on me since you were young, so it will be hard for you to leave. But isn’t this for your own progress, not for a parting? And you need to learn about the world. Are you going to spend your life cooped up in this estate with me? Someday, when I die, you will have to stand on your own. It is time to prepare.”
For a moment, So-ah’s heart sank.
The thought that his grandfather would die someday was frightening.
But even thinking about it himself, he knew too little about the world.
Realizing that there was truth in his grandfather’s words, So-ah nodded with a gloomy expression.
“I understand… Grandpa. But three years is too long. And what about Huin-dung-i, not to mention you, Grandpa?”
As the name Huin-dung-i came out of So-ah’s mouth, Huin-dung-i, who had been yawning lazily in a corner of the estate, got up.
Huin-dung-i had grown into a large white tiger, exuding a dignity befitting the hero of the mountains.
“Grrr…”
Huin-dung-i made a sound and approached So-ah. Then it sat down, pressing its back firmly against So-ah’s shin.
At that, Moyong Cheon stroked Huin-dung-i’s head and said.
“You don’t need to worry about this fellow. Although it follows you more, it also relies on me quite a bit, so it will be fine. I will take good care of it.”
“Yes, Grandpa.”
“Three years from now, on the ninth day of the ninth month. Come back then.”
In fact, So-ah was still dazed.
The first step into the world.
He was scared, and he was also sad to be separated from his grandfather and Huin-dung-i.
But,
“Yes. I’ll be back. I’ll watch a lot of fights, learn about the world, and come back with many experiences!”
A gentle ripple spread through So-ah’s heart.
What would the world that unfolded before his eyes be like?
What kind of things would happen?
Such questions stimulated So-ah.
Once he had made up his mind, there was no need to hesitate.
“So-ah. There is something you must keep in mind before you descend the mountain.”
“Yes.”
“As you wander the martial world, you will get involved with martial artists. But do not speak of old man Wi-ji to the martial artists of the Orthodox Path, including the Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Families, who are called the so-called Righteous Faction.”
“Why?”
“Old man Wi-ji has a bit of a bad reputation among the people of the Righteous Faction, hahaha.”
“I understand, Grandpa.”
“One more thing. This is a personal request.”
“Please speak.”
Moyong Cheon took out a letter from his robes.
Then he handed it to So-ah.
“Will you deliver this to my family, the Moyong Family?”
“Ah! I will. You want to go home too, don’t you, Grandpa?”
“I do miss my son and granddaughter. That’s why I’m asking you to deliver this letter.”
“Yes! I’ll deliver it.”
“Then prepare to descend the mountain.”
***
So-ah’s luggage was simple.
In fact, there was nothing to call luggage.
All he had were the dark iron bracelets and anklets his grandfather had put on his wrists and ankles three years ago, and a couple of sets of martial arts clothes.
“Huin-dung-i, you have to be good without me, okay? Listen well to Grandpa.”
Now that he was about to leave, So-ah couldn’t take his eyes off Huin-dung-i.
So he kept stroking Huin-dung-i’s head, and Huin-dung-i, as if sensing the brief parting, acted even more affectionate than usual.
Just then.
“So-ah. Congratulations on your first venture into the world. Use this money for your expenses.”
Moyong Cheon handed him a shiny lump.
So-ah’s eyes widened like lanterns when he saw it.
“Gasp… Grandpa! This is a gold ingot, isn’t it?!”
So-ah couldn’t help but be surprised.
A gold ingot was an enormous amount of money, equivalent to 500 silver taels.
“Ho ho, it’s a lot of money, but it might not be enough if you’re wandering the world for three years.”
“No way! Grandpa. With one gold ingot, I could last for ten years.”
“You don’t know… if you wander aimlessly, you’ll spend a lot of money. Take it.”
“Thank you!”
So-ah took the gold ingot and immediately gave a deep bow.
At that, a light of turbid emotion and regret burst from Moyong Cheon’s eyes.
“So-ah, remember. Three years from now, on the ninth day of the ninth month. You must return to the estate. Understand?”
“I will remember.”
“Then be on your way.”
So-ah got up from his seat and was about to leave the estate.
In that moment, something unknown suddenly welled up inside him, and tears welled up in his eyes.
“Grandpa! You must stay healthy!”
In the end, he hugged his grandfather tightly.
He had entered puberty and become more shy, so he didn’t say it, but in fact, to So-ah, Moyong Cheon was like a parent.
So-ah would have probably said he loved him in his heart.
Moyong Cheon, who knew So-ah’s heart well, burst into a hearty laugh and said in a gentle voice.
“Ho ho! What’s a man to do with such a soft heart? Have a good trip.”
“Yes… Grandpa.”
“And So-ah.”
“Yes?”
“Six years ago, I told you what to do when someone tries to torment you. Do you remember?”
So-ah grinned at Moyong Cheon’s words.
“Never show mercy!”
“Hahaha! You have a good memory.”
“Haha, I’m smart, you know.”
“Yes. That is enough.”
Thus, So-ah temporarily put aside his six years of mountain life and threw himself into his first journey into the martial world.
***
So-ah’s steps were endlessly light.
He had money, he had learned a heaven-shaking martial art, and So-ah had nothing to fear.
‘Hmm… after visiting Grandpa’s family, should I go see Chan-hyung?’
So-ah missed Wi-ji Chan.
For two years after they first met, Wi-ji Chan had visited the estate once or twice a year to receive the Tendon-Splitting and Bone-Dislocating Art and massage from Moyong Cheon, but for some reason, there had been no news from him this year.
So he wanted to see him.
But he soon changed his mind.
Because someone else suddenly came to mind.
‘I wonder if Im-yi is doing well.’
It was Im-yi.
He hadn’t seen her since they parted at the age of nine, so there was no need to even mention how much he missed her.
‘The Emei Sect is in the same Sichuan province, so I should go to the Emei Sect before looking for the Moyong Family!’
So-ah’s decision was made.
He remembered Abbess Hong-ryeon’s words that he could come and visit whenever he missed Im-yi.
He would probably be able to meet Im-yi without much difficulty.
As soon as the thought came to him, So-ah decided to hike through the mountains rather than taking the main road, and he circulated his internal energy through the Great Whale Heart Law.
It was to perform the Swift Whale Step, the lightness skill of the Ten-Second Invincible Arts.
Woooong…
As his profound internal energy boiled, he felt a deep resonance from his dantian.
The moment that resonance reached his two legs,
—Papapang!
Exuding a powerful momentum like a giant gliding whale, So-ah’s figure soared up like a mirage.
***
“Young master… who are you?”
So-ah scratched his head.
He had rushed to the Emei Sect in his eagerness to see Im-yi, but when a young girl blocked his way and asked him that, he didn’t know what to say.
Moreover, the girl’s face was flushed red.
Of course, it was because So-ah’s face was so cute, but So-ah, who knew nothing about matters between men and women, was just bewildered.
“My name is Jin So-ah.”
“Ah! Young Master Jin… I mean… I meant to ask for Young Master Jin’s sect. Your identity must be clear to enter our sect.”
“I came to see Im-yi… and I don’t have a sect. But I do have someone who taught me.”
“That is…”
“Grandpa Moyong Cheon.”
The girl’s expression changed.
(End of Chapter)