Chapter 406
## Chapter 406. The Reason for the Struggle (6)
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The earliest memory he held of his existence was that of being shoved from behind. Within the blurred images of his youth, an impoverished old pair was forcing him toward terrifying, menacing figures, while he desperately held onto the elderly couple, pleading that he did not wish to go.
“Get over there! Why won’t this brat do a single thing he’s told……!”
The couple, shuddering as though consumed by sheer terror, suddenly flew into a rage and kicked him away when he refused to let go. Hit by the striking pain echoing through his frame, he lost the ability to cling to them any longer.
“Kyakyakya. Check out the old timer. He acts like an absolute grandmaster in front of a mere toddler.”
“Khahahaha. I nearly soiled myself because I was so frightened.”
The mocking laughter erupting from all sides remained etched with vivid clarity in his mind. Reflecting on it later, that impoverished pair must have been his birth parents or guardians who filled that role. Having nothing else of value to be stripped of by those bandits, the old couple had surrendered him in order to secure the rations required to survive the winter frost.
The daily routine that followed bore no resemblance to his past. His earlier days had been plagued merely by starvation. Now, however, he had to survive that same hunger alongside brutal, exhausting labor. He was also forced to endure random beatings that the men, returning bloodied and battered from their raids, inflicted upon him simply to release their fury.
“I—I am truly sorry. I was just so famished……”
“You dare lay a hand on the rations before we have even eaten?”
While preparing meals, one youth was even beaten to death for clandestinely taking a handful of food. Scavenging the tiny shreds of meat clinging to the bones discarded by the bandits was the sole luxury permitted in that wretched place. Each time the men flung their finished bones onto the dirt, he scrambled against the other captive youngsters. In those frantic moments, violent scraps were inevitable, and the bandits took great pleasure in watching the chaos.
He survived in this twisted environment where agony and torment were the norms of existence, and avoiding starvation equated to joy. That was until the day men clad in identical garments and wielding matching blades stormed the mountain fortress, unleashing a total massacre.
“…….”
“…….”
Not a single youth wept for the deaths of their captors. There were, however, youngsters who trembled in fear that they might be slaughtered next. He looked down at the tyrants who were brutally broken and driven into the dirt. It marked the very first occasion he had ever looked down upon them from above.
And he lifted his gaze to look up at the uninvited arrivals. Dissimilar to the bandits who radiated nothing but dread and terror, these newcomers framed against the azure sky appeared imposing and unbreakable. The most terrifying men in his world were completely helpless against these poised figures. The savage axes and the brutal momentum that could cleave a boy in two were severed like soft curd by a blade no wider than three fingers.
Rather than being gripped by terror at the sight of slaughter before his eyes, he found himself utterly captivated by their extraordinary skills that defied ordinary reality. Following the destruction of the mountain fortress, the youths who had been used as slaves within the camp were rounded up in one spot and transported elsewhere. Yet, none of the youngsters felt delight or relief. For none of them had ever known the concepts of ‘liberty,’ ‘tranquility,’ or ‘normalcy.’ They merely felt an even profound dread toward the enigmatic warriors who had severed the massive axes they feared with a single sweep and shattered great iron swords like brittle twigs.
“You…… harbor a unique gift.”
Just as he was about to be loaded onto a wagon to be hauled away like the rest of the children, a middle-aged figure ran his hands over his frame.
“What say you? Will you venture with me?”
That marked his initial encounter with Cheong-su Jin-in. The destination he journeyed to in his wake was the Wudang Sect, the most illustrious organization in the *Kangho*, and only after a significant period did he discover that his savior was the individual closest to inheriting the mantle of the next leader.
Upon entering the Wudang Sect, the circumstance that astounded him above all else was that agony and torment were no longer part of daily life. No matter the quantity of food he consumed, no one reprimanded him, and even if he slumbered until he was fully rested, no lashes followed. Naturally, there were tasks he was required to perform. Service and training.
Yet even that amounted to light chores suited for children of that development, mostly involving washing garments or fetching water. Other youths of similar age grumbled and threw tantrums, claiming the work was exhausting, but to Hyeon-yeong, such tasks were a genuine delight. Training brought even greater happiness. Sprinting, leaping, and exerting his physique without any malicious threat. Each time he strained his muscles, he felt as though the traumas of his past were dissolving piece by piece. To Hyeon-yeong, conditioning felt remarkably akin to ‘peaceful play.’
The moment he came to savor and recognize this blissful routine, a profound query developed in his mind.
[*The ‘me’ who existed in the mountain fortress and the ‘me’ currently in Wudang are identical, so why do I experience such vastly contrasting existences?*]
When he questioned the mentor who had bestowed upon him the title of ‘Hyeon-yeong,’ Cheong-su Jin-in replied with an expression more warm and gentle than ever before.
“It is because the world has fallen into corruption.”
Every time that rough, calloused palm caressed his hair, a profound warmth swelled within him.
“Because the Orthodoxy has not been properly established and mankind fails to uphold righteousness, the helpless are cast into agonizing despair.”
Hyeon-yeong, who had harbored no fury even when abandoned by his guardians or when dragged to the mountain fortress and witness to fatal beatings, felt true rage for the first time.
“Then…… because righteousness is absent, does that imply youths like myself will continue to suffer in times to come?”
“Undoubtedly.”
In a flash, a vast hopelessness enveloped his entire being, and his heart hammered wildly. What a grim, unforgiving realm this world truly was. The agony of his past, which he believed he had outrun through physical exertion, began to slither across his skin like a living entity.
“Master. What actions must I take to ensure mankind upholds righteousness?”
“You must simply restore the Orthodoxy to its proper place.”
“What does it mean to restore the Orthodoxy to its proper place?”
“It means to master yourself and demonstrate righteousness to all.”
His mentor patted his head once more with an expression of immense pride.
“You are already performing remarkably well.”
From that day forward, Hyeon-yeong’s sole purpose became the proper establishment of the Orthodoxy. Redeeming the world from misery and ensuring no further casualties like himself would ever be produced. That remained Hyeon-yeong’s solitary ambition. He immersed himself even deeper into his martial arts and yielded spectacular progress. To the degree that not just his mentor, Cheong-su Jin-in, but even the reigning leader paid visits to observe Hyeon-yeong’s growth.
“I shall transform into a pillar that secures the foundation of the Orthodoxy for the glory of Wudang, bringing tranquility to the *Kangho* and the entire realm hereafter!”
He could withstand any degree of grueling training or exhausting study. Because he possessed a definitive purpose. Furthermore, everyone within Wudang granted him boundless encouragement to assist Hyeon-yeong in his journey. Until the arrival of that fateful day.
“Incredible. To think a youth who has not even formally crossed the threshold of true martial arts can manipulate internal energy entirely on his own.”
“In the entire history of the *Kangho*, a prodigy with this depth of intuition is unprecedented.”
“This is Wudang’s supreme blessing! Supreme blessing!”
A younger junior disciple who arrived two years after Hyeon-yeong entered the fold. Following the emergence of that youth, all the admiration and focus that had once been showered upon Hyeon-yeong shifted entirely to him. A massive portion of the resources and interest previously reserved for him began to dwindle away.
“It is a tragedy! Hyeon-cheong, if not for the appearance of that youth, you would surely have ascended as the Sect Leader of Wudang.”
Even his devoted mentor seemed to distance himself from his progress, yet Hyeon-yeong remained untroubled.
“It matters not, Master. My ambition is to manifest righteousness and secure the Orthodoxy, not to attain personal prestige.”
“Indeed, your perspective is noble.”
To the student who offered such admirable sentiments, Cheong-su Jin-in delicately approached a specific matter for the first time.
“……When a light shines with immense brilliance, the shadow it casts is bound to be equally dark. Are you aware of this truth?”
“I am.”
“That youth requires a deep shadow.”
He placed his hands firmly upon his disciple’s shoulders.
“Are you prepared to embody that role?”
“…….”
“You will be denied the path of prominence available to the other disciples. Even so……”
A look containing a subdued, flickering flame scrutinized Hyeon-yeong from head to toe.
“For the preservation of the Orthodoxy, for the defense of righteousness, can you accept the duty of the shadow?”
Hyeon-yeong felt neither resentment nor grief. For he had long been prepared to discard his own life at any moment for the preservation of righteousness and the Orthodoxy. He gazed steadily into his mentor’s eyes.
“Without hesitation.”
“Excellent. From this hour forward, you are the shadow of ‘Yong-so-ah.’ Our Wudang shall now flourish for eternity.”
Because it was the very first time he had witnessed his mentor display such a radiant grin, Hyeon-yeong felt a profound sense of fulfillment, despite the fact that this was the exact second he was abandoning his own destiny.
The instant torment of a magnitude his physical form could no longer tolerate struck, his consciousness teetered on the brink of slipping into a deep void to escape the agony. A distinct voice pierced his thoughts.
[*You are fortunate. I truly desired to instruct you on the nature of real sacrifice.*]
For what reason was he standing here? What duty was he required to fulfill? Who was he…… who was ‘I’? He addressed the rising inquiries one after another.
—To defend righteousness and establish the Orthodoxy.
—To eliminate Dam-ak, who seeks to plunge the realm into endless misery.
—Hyeon-yeong of the ‘Wudang Sect.’
Wielding these realizations, he dragged his consciousness back from the encroaching void.
*‘Partial rupture of the Dantian. The laceration ripping across my chest constitutes an incredibly severe wound. The tendons of the left arm and the tissue of the right leg are dangerously compromised. Whether engagement can be sustained…….’*
Hyeon-yeong, evaluating the total damage to his physique in a split second, arrived at a firm determination.
*‘Feasible, provided that Jin So-un’s prowess exceeds current estimations. Drawing upon inner reserves far past safe boundaries is absolutely mandatory.’*
The trauma inflicted upon his Dantian could be remedied through half a day of deep meditation. Yet if he delayed to heal, Dam-ak would slip away from his grasp right here.
[*You are fortunate. I truly desired to instruct you on the nature of real sacrifice.*]
Bizarrely, Jin So-un’s words echoed continuously in his ears. The man spoke as if he, Hyeon-yeong, possessed no understanding of what it meant to give up everything.
*‘I…… am ignorant of sacrifice?’*
Should he fail to slay Dam-ak in this place, the Saheuk-ryeon would seize absolute dominion and the realm would once more be overrun by depraved tyrants. If the world degenerated to that state, there was no telling when or where another helpless casualty like himself would be created.
*‘I cannot permit his escape!’*
The moment for contemplation concluded, and his response was instantaneous. A surge of inner power obeyed his intent, tearing through the most perilous pathways of his internal network. The energy marshaled in this fashion slammed directly into the forbidden core of his Dantian.
*Gong.* A resonant chime vibrated within the Dantian.
*Gong.* Accompanied by a violent tremor, the Innate (*Seon-cheon*) reserves that ought to have remained locked away in the deepest recess emerged and flooded outward for the first time in his existence.
*Go-o-o-o—*
When his eyelids parted once more, the environment appeared transformed. Even the vibrations of small creatures burrowing beneath the dirt and tiny bugs dwelling within the bark of trees were perfectly perceptible. The boundless tide of power erupting from his Dantian sent a wave of intense euphoria throughout his entire frame, instilling a feeling of absolute supremacy for the first time in his life.
And as he whipped his gaze upward. *‘Dam-ak!’* He caught sight of the panicked expression of the villain who absolutely had to perish. Then, a pair of ferocious eyes glaring directly at him. *‘Jin So-un!’*
The instant he pushed off the ground and executed the Cloud-Stepping Leap, his physical form propelled forward even swifter than anticipated. He experienced a brief moment of disorientation, but Hyeon-yeong’s innate genius quickly mastered the sensation and stabilized his perceptions. By the time his feet struck the earth a second time, his silhouette had already intercepted the path of Jin So-un, who had previously been a vast distance away.
“That lunatic, after I went out of my way to preserve his life!”
*Sswwaeeek—*
Jin So-un’s rapid blade, which just moments ago was far too swift to track with the naked eye let alone parry, was now perfectly legible. Simultaneously, Hyeon-yeong’s limbs executed his tactical intent with flawless precision.
*Ching!*
The velocity he maintained was distinctly superior on his end. The moment this became certain, Hyeon-yeong accelerated his movements by a clear margin.
*Ching! Ching! Ching!*
Observing that Jin So-un’s defensive blade was gradually losing its rapid pace, he instantly redirected his aggression toward Dam-ak. For Jin So-un had merely wandered from the true path after being momentarily corrupted by an evil influence. If he simply eliminated Dam-ak, who was orchestrating the corruption, the man would recover himself.
With that conviction anchoring his mind, greater force flooded his grip. How many innocent souls does a single wicked person taint!
*Ching!*
At last, Jin So-un’s defensive weapon was forced wide to one side, exposing Dam-ak’s features between Jin So-un’s shoulder and neck. Hyeon-yeong drove his blade forward without a shred of hesitation.
*‘This concludes it!’*
*Puchuk!*
*Kreeeek—*
Yet why did this occur? He distinctly perceived the sensation of a blade slicing into flesh, but the steel failed to penetrate any deeper. When he shifted his focus down.
“……!”
Dam-ak remained unharmed and drawing breath, for Jin So-un had thrust his own left hand forward to intercept the sharp edge with his bare flesh.
“How could you possibly go to such lengths……”
“This battle is far from finished, you miserable bastard!”
Jin So-un, with blood spraying from his palm as he clamped down on the incoming steel while brandishing the Red Light Sword with his remaining arm. Hyeon-yeong instantly relinquished his grip on the weapon and leaped backward, only to charge forward once more while unleashing the Seven Stars Fist.
*Bang! Bang-bang-bang-bang! Bang-bang!*
With every concussive strike that hammered down, Jin So-un desperately shielded Dam-ak, who remained bound to his back. Behaving precisely like a feral beast fighting to the death to protect its helpless offspring.
*‘Is this individual…… utterly beyond salvation!’*
This did not resemble the conduct of someone who had merely traded his morality for petty greed or had been tricked after falling under a dark spell. Just as his birth parents had done, mortals abandoned noble ideals when faced with immediate suffering. Yet this spirit refused to retreat regardless of the consequences. This caliber of resolve was a trait displayed only by those acting on absolute, unshakable belief.
Hyeon-yeong retrieved his discarded weapon from the earth once more. It brought him no joy, but alternative paths had vanished. For there remained no possible method to reason with the man before him. The vast blue sky filled his vision. He directed the point of his weapon toward the warrior silhouetted against the open heavens.
“Forgive me, for I am left with no choice but to end your life.”
The warrior, who appeared thoroughly unrefined without a single trace of elegance, spat through clenched teeth.
“Have you suffered a total Qi Deviation? You are babbling absolute nonsense.”
