Book 7 Chapter 16

The Unstable Restraint of Galyo Bong

When the students of Cheonmu Academy were pouring all their energy into short-term intensive special reinforcement training, Cheonjisalsang were so preoccupied with a certain problem that they had no leisure to pay attention elsewhere.

This sudden, unexpected situation had drastically altered their plans. The piece that was supposed to move most crucially according to their plan was proving to be unreliable. Furthermore, it was revealed to be defective and had turned into a troublesome item causing serious trouble.

"Another one died."

"Again?"

Cheonsal's face contorted mercilessly. The subordinate who approached to report had a face as dark as if he had fallen into ink. He sensed that his superior's mood was extremely upset. At times like these, he always felt a threat to his life. For someone so eccentric, cruel, and who ate murder for three meals a day, being a messenger was hardly a good post. It was not something one could easily do without the courage to risk their life for trivial matters. He had reason to be proud of his job.

This was already the seventh report of the same type. There was no room for argument that it was terribly bad news that would thoroughly upset the reporting superior. Especially since there had been no good news lately, his life was already as good as forfeit, and he was currently just counting down the days until his memorial service. His internal organs had long since turned to ash from anxiety and tension.

Member twenty-seven of the Chohongomdae trembled. Every time he delivered such a report, the killing intent emanating from Cheonsal sent a chill down his neck more than once. These were the Cheonjisalsang, who could cut down their subordinates in bunches like dried fish for the simple, ignorant, and clear reason of being displeased.

The fear and dread they felt before them was not a warrior's shame. It was merely a natural reaction of a living being! It was absurd to find fault with a physiological phenomenon.

"Damn it, this is the first time I've had such a troublesome one since learning secret arts! Why is it so persistent… If I don't constantly layer spells on it, it seems like it will go berserk at any moment… Ugh!"

Cheonsal grumbled incessantly, showing a displeased expression. The only fortunate thing was that he had no intention of cutting off twenty-seven's head as an outlet for his anger for the time being.

"If it weren't for the Blood Jade Tablet!"

Cheonsal said as if spitting. Jisal nodded in agreement.

"What can we do! We have no right to defy the authority of the Blood Jade Tablet!"

"Ah! I know! But who knew that that rat-like fellow would come grinning, shoving the Blood Jade Tablet in our faces at that time!"

If it weren't for that, he would have kicked him in the butt and told him to get lost immediately. Without regard for whether he was a military man or not.

However… they could not dare to defy the supreme authority of the Blood Jade Tablet. Once an order came down under the authority of the Blood Jade Tablet, they had to follow and report back by any means necessary.

"Is that the only way?"

Relying on medicine was not a method he particularly favored, but it seemed they had no choice but to use the secret medicine, the Demonic Spirit Pill. It was better than leaving it as it was and turning it into a troublesome item. There was also some unknown person wandering around nearby. Maintaining the encirclement was becoming nearly impossible. Soon, the Wudang Sect might notice.

"This is troubling!"

Finally, he reached into his bosom. He felt a medicine box in his hand. He suddenly felt regret, but Cheonsal suppressed the feeling. However, such patience was ultimately short-lived.

Three days later!

Cheonsal had to shed tears of regret because of the Demonic Spirit Pill he had thrown into the air. It took ten years to make, yet he couldn't get the return on investment.

Hyobong had finally gone berserk. He never imagined that the Demonic Spirit Pill he cherished would serve as a catalyst.

It was that evening, after he had overcome a major hurdle in his martial arts. Namgung Sang visited Biryu Yeon to hear the answer to the questions that had been bothering him. It was to vent his accumulated dissatisfaction and to calm his mind.

However, if he expected to receive an answer or advice from Biryu Yeon, it would undoubtedly have been Namgung Sang's mistake, and no one could deny that.

"Cowardly bastards!"

Namgung Sang was incessantly complaining to Biryu Yeon about what was bothering him. He couldn't hide his anxiety.

"Why? Because there are too many enemies?"

"Yes!"

"And you think it's unfair?"

"Yes! They are too cowardly. The many trying to defeat the few! Krr… cowardly bastards!"

"Are you an idiot?"

Idiot!

This was Biryu Yeon's final conclusion about Namgung Sang.

"So, what are you going to do?"

"What else can I do? I have no choice but to fight, Senior Disciple Brother!"

"Then why are you asking me? The outcome is already clearly decided, so why do you need to confirm your decision with me?"

"…"

Namgung Sang was speechless and couldn't answer. Biryu Yeon continued to drive nails into Namgung Sang's heart, which he had silenced.

"This damned world is like a fabric intricately woven with irrationality and absurdity. Moreover, it's standard for villains to attack the few with the many. In fact, even a general in war attacks the few with superior numbers, and that's the way of military strategy. That's a proper general. War is about victory or defeat first, and good or evil comes later!

But does that mean you'll give up here? Just because the opponent's forces seem to be superior to yours? Can you kneel before them and bow your head? If you can do such a despicable thing without hesitation, surrender is also a good option! Will you do that?"

Biryu Yeon fired questions relentlessly. Namgung Sang felt as if his heart was being brutally stabbed with a genuine sword.

"N-no! I will fight to the end. Even if I die."

"Thwack!"

"Kuek!"

Biryu Yeon's fist landed squarely on Namgung Sang's face, which was burning with passion and determination. Namgung Sang inadvertently absorbed his punch completely. The price of absorption was a throbbing pain that made his teeth rattle, a painful ordeal.

With a foolish gaze, filled with incomprehensible opinion, Namgung Sang looked at Biryu Yeon.

"You fool! The ultimate goal of a fight is to crush the enemy without mercy and survive! Mutual destruction is just an excuse for the weak!"

It was an opinion that felt outrageously violent.

"Leader of the Vermilion Bird Group, Lei Dian Jian Long, Namgung Sang!"

"Yes!"

Namgung Sang answered, tensing his body at Biryu Yeon's call.

"Survive!"

"Yes!"

"That's all I have to say! No matter how vehemently you shout that the world is irrational, you cannot change reality. It is up to you to break through that irrationality and rise up triumphantly, to survive. Any irrationality has a loophole. Because that irrationality, that absurdity, is not so solid that it cannot crumble under any shock! Ask yourself, your own will, how to survive! Elder Yeom will guide you. Never expect my help! This is your trial, not mine!"

Namgung Sang bowed his head deeply. It was a brutally cold statement. But Biryu Yeon's attitude was as if it were natural.

"Yes!"

Namgung Sang replied in a dejected voice.

"Gungsang! The stars are bright!"

"They are."

Why stars at such a serious moment? His heart was filled with mixed feelings. He had no leisure to admire the stars.

"They're like shining silver coins embedded in black silk!"

"Th-they are."

Why was talk related to value measurement, money, coming up here? He suddenly became confused.

"Think of Yeong-i!"

At Biryu Yeon's words, Namgung Sang trembled all over as if struck by lightning. This was the decisive blow.

"It's not good to cling to one value just to survive. My friend, Mr. Im, whose nickname is Mountain Bandit, said there's no greater fool than a man who dies before the woman he loves! Do you know who is an even greater fool?"

"I don't know."

"It's a man who can't protect one woman he loves. A man should develop that kind of strength himself!"

"Yes, Senior Disciple Brother!"

Namgung Sang's body trembled as if an arrow had pierced his heart.

"Does Senior Disciple Brother have a woman of that much value?"

Biryu Yeon smiled faintly.

"Heh heh… Well… I don't care if I do or not! I'm not so weak as to tie my life and death to a woman!"

Does he have one or not?

"Why?"

"Because I'm not going to die anyway."

Namgung Sang thought it was an immense pride, the height of arrogant self-conceit, piercing the sky. Come to think of it, Biryu Yeon's face was filled with peace and abundant leisure.

Looking at his face, he felt a strange sense that everything would work out well. Namgung Sang raised his head and looked at the stars in the night sky. It was a subdued beauty that seemed to steal one's soul. It felt like looking at a sea of stars. Namgung Sang's heart, too, felt a surge of hope. He was no longer as pessimistic as he had been at first.

"It's going to be busy again starting tomorrow."

"Yes!"

Namgung Sang never forgot the beauty of the stars he saw that night. Looking around the world, there are so many absurd things. They constantly cloud our vision. What should we do in such a world?

Even the abyssal sea of stars did not leave him an answer.