Chapter 411
## Chapter 411. The Reason for the Living (5)
—
Cheong-su-jin-in stared into the still waters of the pond without uttering a sound. After spending hours observing his quiet fixation on the water, the courtesan serving him at last broke the silence.
“May I ask what captures your attention so deeply?”
Offering no response to her inquiry, Cheong-su-jin-in merely raised his vessel of wine to touch his lips. Flushed with self-consciousness, the woman who had dared to speak quickly lowered her gaze.
“Please… forgive my intrusion.”
“Have you ever paid close attention to how a carp swims?”
The courtesan, who had braced herself for a sharp reprimand, blinked in surprise, her expression resembling a frightened hare.
“Excuse me? Ah… yes, I have observed them quite often.”
“Did it ever occur to you to anticipate their precise path?”
Faced with such an unusual inquiry, the woman inclined her head in confusion.
“If one tosses bait, they swim closer, but otherwise, they simply swim around together, do they not?”
“I dedicated myself to foreseeing their choices.”
Cheong-su-jin-in placed his goblet back onto the surface with a sharp ring. Witnessing this, a small smirk touched the courtesan’s mouth. Was it not typical for gentlemen to brag about odd feats that carried no weight in the wider world? Though she found the notion of tracking a fish’s path entirely trivial, she was highly skilled in the art of conversation. Pouring more aromatic spirits into the vacant cup, she softened the atmosphere with her melodious tones.
“How fascinating. What drove you to calculate the trajectory of a mere fish?”
Uncovering the underlying intent and offering praise—this specific talent allowed her to command fees far exceeding those of her peers. Cheong-su-jin-in swirled the liquid in his cup, his eyes fixed on the aquatic scenery.
“There came a time when the erratic darting of those creatures struck me as arrogant. It offended me that a common fish could defy human foresight. It injured my self-esteem.”
The woman had to fight hard to hold back a giggle. Imagining a man’s dignity being shattered by a pond-dweller was absurd. It was clear now why he kept this particular triumph away from polite society.
“Through hundreds of sunsets, spanning into thousands, I used every spare moment to study this water. I captured them, consumed them, set them free, and monitored how predators pursued them. By the time my two-thousandth day concluded, I could finally divine every single turn they would make.”
The sheer absurdity of dedicating two thousand days to mastering the whims of a carp was overwhelming. Finding the entire tale to be an amusement rather than an impressive feat, her grin widened.
“How remarkable. Your dedication is truly unparalleled.”
*Trickle.*
Perhaps her underlying skepticism had bled through her tone? Cheong-su-jin-in, who had previously ignored her existence entirely, shifted his gaze directly onto her.
“You think I am spinning tales.”
Hearing his icy tone, the entertainer realized she had overstepped. Fear gripping her, she quickly lowered her forehead.
“N-no, please do not misunderstand. I trust your words completely. Truly, I do.”
Cheong-su-jin-in reached out, plucking a slender chopstick from the small tray she carried, wrapping his fingers around it as though handling a blade.
“Observe.”
At the far end of the short wooden utensil, a brilliant azure radiance roughly twelve inches in length manifested. Recognizing immediately that this was the dangerous sword energy wielded by masters of martial arts, the woman’s complexion drained of color as she instinctively tried to retreat.
“Heup!”
Yet, mysteriously, her limbs refused to comply with her will to flee.
“This lowly servant erred in her judgment! Have mercy, I beg of you!”
Her desperate entreaties met only with absolute indifference from Cheong-su-jin-in, and this cold quietude amplified her dread tenfold. She found herself incapable of bowing lower or dropping to the floor to seek clemency; it felt as though an invisible hand gripped the nape of her neck, forcing her to look straight into Cheong-su-jin-in’s blank visage. As sheer terror paralyzed her form, tears began to well up along her eyelashes.
“Witness the manifestation of my two thousand days of dedication. The White Carp Sword Technique (*Baek-ri-geom-beop*).”
Having spoken, he swept the point of the chopstick through the air.
“Kyaaa!”
Squeezing her eyelids shut in anticipation of a fatal blow, the woman slowly parted them upon realizing she remained unharmed. In that heartbeat, her jaw dropped in sheer astonishment. Radiant streaks of leftover energy beautifully patterned the atmosphere before her. Captivated entirely by this otherworldly elegance, she traced the shimmering pathways with her eyes until a sudden realization struck her.
*‘Could these be… carp?’*
The instant the thought crossed her mind, the lingering glowing traces solidified into distinct figures. They resembled ethereal white carp that seemed far too magnificent for the earthly realm. A total of eight carp glided effortlessly through the open air as though the atmosphere itself had transformed into water. To her eyes, there was no sign of crude mortal craft in their design; they were completely flawless entities.
Without her noticing, the spectral fish encircled her, weaving gracefully through the spaces around her arms and waist. They circled the back of her neck to glide along her shoulders, drifted past her legs, and then surged upward toward her torso like creatures ascending to the heavens. Mesmerized by the breathtaking display, the entertainer found her gaze meeting that of a carp rising directly toward her chest.
“KYAAAAA!!!”
A bloodcurdling scream erupted from her lips. The look within the creature’s glowing eyes unleashed an overwhelming torrent of absolute horror. She could not comprehend her own violent outburst, for she had just been floating in a daze of enchantment. Yet, in that final second, the undeniable sensation of her impending demise had pierced through her consciousness.
Unclosing her eyes once more, she saw that the pale fish had dissolved into nothingness.
“Oh…”
Gazing vacantly at the empty space, she slowly directed her sight back to Cheong-su-jin-in. The man who had just orchestrated such an unbelievable spectacle had already discarded the utensil and returned to monitoring the waters.
“An arrival is imminent, so take your leave.”
“What? Oh… right away, sir.”
Just as she prepared to pivot and depart, his voice stopped her.
“Take care to preserve the locks that have been severed from your head. Let them serve as a permanent reminder to guard your tongue, illustrating the consequences of letting insolent amusement show.”
“I do not understand…”
Mid-sentence, a dull sound echoed as her long, carefully styled tresses were instantly severed level with her ears, dropping heavily to the ground. Overcome with panic and giving no thought to retrieving her fallen locks, the woman bolted away, passing a group of approaching men.
“Then the rumors spoke the truth.”
“?”
The leader of the newly arrived party cast a piercing look at Cheong-su-jin-in.
“Miserable men who vent their frustrations on women within entertainment houses.”
“The foundational principles of Wudang recognize no division among social ranks, reaching from the loftiest heights down to the humblest depths.”
Jegal So-myeong retrieved the fallen strands of hair from the ground, gently clearing away the grit.
“Even if it means destroying a person’s means of survival?”
“…….”
Cheong-su-jin-in bristled inwardly under the calm, impeccably composed demeanor of Jegal So-myeong, who looked for all the world like a paragon of elegance.
“Have you journeyed to this spot merely to gloat over your success, General Counselor of the Murim Alliance?”
“Are you aware of a certain detail? When intelligence arrived detailing Dam-ak’s meeting with representatives of the Saheuk-ryeon, your exact whereabouts were provided alongside it. And it was uncovered by none other than Gaebang.”
Upon hearing Jegal So-myeong’s revelation, Cheong-su-jin-in’s expression twisted with profound rage. Jegal So-myeong deliberately surveyed the surroundings before letting his gaze drop to the drink resting before his counterpart.
“Well… it has been quite some time since a drink sounded appealing. Seeing as I bypassed any admission costs today, my disposition is quite pleasant.”
“…….”
“Moreover, the accompanying entertainment is exceptionally fitting. Few things offer more amusement than watching conspirators turn on one another in a frantic struggle.”
Lines of crimson tension showed clearly against his fair skin, yet Cheong-su-jin-in forced his words to come out steadily.
“……Do not let a brief stroke of fortune inflate your pride; history shows that those carried by mere luck meet disastrous ends.”
“Fortune, you say?”
A cold, mocking smile formed on Jegal So-myeong’s face.
“Is it your belief that all of this is accidental?”
“…….”
“A simple twist of fate that your vaunted foresight failed to catch?”
Pure scorn filled Jegal So-myeong’s gaze. He looked with a mixture of revulsion and pity at the figure before him, who used haughtiness as a flimsy barrier against reality.
“This exact trait makes you entirely repulsive to me. You confidently pass judgment on your peers and execute your schemes carelessly, all while lacking any real understanding of your own position.”
“A conflict was inevitable. On this occasion, chance favored you—”
“I have learned that Dam-ak explicitly commanded his forces to refrain from engaging, even if those demonstrating suffered losses. In addition, he successfully restrained the Saheuk-ryeon from issuing an official challenge of war.”
Cheong-su-jin-in’s gaze widened in absolute shock at this staggering revelation. Jegal So-myeong then delivered the decisive blow with his next words.
“And those instructions were dispatched prior to his arrival at the Murim Alliance.”
If those orders predated his entry into the Murim Alliance, it meant they were issued before the assassination plot had even materialized within the ranks of the Jeongdo-hoe. Stunned by a reality that defied his calculations, he found himself utterly speechless.
“Fabrications… it must be a falsehood. Truly. Such a thing is impossible. It cannot be true.”
“Keep shielding yourself from the truth and remain a prisoner of your own grand delusions. Your ignorance will serve the interests of the Murim Alliance far better.”
Deeming the conversation finished, Jegal So-myeong turned to address his subordinates.
“Do not delay. Restrain the culprit.”
Immediately, guards from the Inspection Pavilion moved to encircle Cheong-su-jin-in. Straightening his garments with a swift motion, Cheong-su-jin-in signaled them to back off. Lifting his chin defiantly, he declared to the gathering.
“I am fully capable of walking unassisted.”
“…….”
The operatives of the Inspection Pavilion hesitated, glancing toward Jegal So-myeong for guidance. Under ordinary circumstances, a figure of his status would be permitted to walk freely. Yet,
“Why do you hesitate! Secure him before he attempts flight!”
Chastised by Jegal So-myeong, the guards moved forward with tense features to bind Cheong-su-jin-in securely. During the brief struggle, the vessel of wine tipped over, splashing dark liquid across Cheong-su-jin-in’s immaculate white vestments.
“How unfortunate, your attire has been ruined. If you do not address it quickly, the blemish will only expand and worsen, Cheong-su-jin-in.”
The unspoken warning to cooperate was clear. It highlighted Jegal So-myeong’s absolute resolve to show no leniency whatsoever. Dropping his mask of indifference, Cheong-su-jin-in snarled.
“Do you genuinely believe Wudang will remain passive in the face of this?”
“And what if they decide to act?”
“In the end, both Wudang and the Jeongdo-hoe will rally to my defense. Your ultimate ambitions will remain unfulfilled.”
Jegal So-myeong dismissed the threat with a sharp chuckle. Indeed, such a scenario was plausible. In fact, it was highly probable. Yet, the foundations of the world were shifting. An unprecedented tide of transformation was building momentum beneath the surface. At that moment, Jegal So-myeong’s thoughts drifted to the individual responsible for sparking this transformation.
“Are you familiar with the concept? Even the grandest dam can be completely undone by a single minute fracture.”
“…….”
“That initial breach has already been made. Consider Jin So-un, the very individual who dismantled your schemes on this occasion. An initiate from an obscure, low-tier lineage claimed the highest honors at the academy and arose as a pivotal figure within the Murim Alliance. On top of that, he put an end to the reckless endeavors of both the Jeongdo-hoe and Wudang.”
“…….”
“Moving forward, that fracture will expand with terrifying speed. The moment the entire dam bursts is rapidly approaching.”
Staring at the retreating form of Jegal So-myeong as he marched away without a backward glance, Cheong-su-jin-in allowed his unbridled fury to show.
“Jin So-un……”
*Grind.*
He gnashed his teeth with such force that fresh crimson blood seeped from his bitten lips, dripping slowly down to stain his garments.
Upon regaining consciousness, I discovered I was resting within a pavilion tent. Soothing Gold Sore Ointment covered my various injuries, and thick layers of cloth dressings encased my form; my battered attire had also been replaced with a clean set of training robes. Taking stock of my physical condition, it was apparent that I had fallen into a profound slumber. Judging by the bright daylight piercing through the fabric entrance, it felt as though at least twenty-four hours had slipped away.
Gently retrieving the Red Light Sword, I made my way outside into the open air. Beyond the original two hundred combatants I had previously noted, a massive force numbering close to five hundred had erected a sprawling encampment, keeping watch and tuning up their gear.
“You are finally up,” remarked a guard who appeared to be a seasoned fighter. He saluted before escorting me toward the position held by Dam-ak.
“You look rather worse for wear, Jin-gong-ja.”
“I was just about to offer you the same compliment, Counselor Dam.”
Truthfully, the pair of us presented a thoroughly comical picture. This encampment sat right near the ridge where my desperate final clash against the Maengho Unit had unfolded. Down along the base of the slope, soldiers were actively gathering the casualties from the engagement. It struck me all over again just how vast an army of White Way practitioners I had faced down. If I kept this up, people might start classifying me as a villainous Black Way combatant.
*‘On second thought, those hypocrites represent the corrupt faction of the White Way, whereas I stand for the righteous side. Naturally.’*
Following our brief moment of levity, Dam-ak returned his attention to surveying the surrounding landscape. The earth remained deeply stained with dark pools of blood, amidst scattered remnants of shattered blades and armor. The scars left by the brutal confrontation were etched deeply into the terrain, testifying to its violence.
“……Your struggle was incredibly brutal, yet you managed to cling to life against all odds.”
He paused, contemplating the arduous journey that had transpired over the preceding days. Following an extended interval of quiet, he inquired in a level tone.
“Has the *Kangho* always been a realm of this nature?”
The query struck a chord of deep familiarity. It echoed an old voice locked away within my thoughts, forcefully dragging up recollections from my previous existence.
$$*Has the Kangho always been a realm of this nature?*$$
Stumbling on unguided steps, his vision unfocused, and looking pale enough to vanish entirely, the man from that memory had barely managed to rasp out those words through split lips. Stepping away from the memory, I looked at Dam-ak, whose eyes were fixed directly on me. Even after flirting with death, his focus remained sharp, and despite the weathering effects of recent trials, his countenance radiated immense strength. The Dam-ak standing before me now was a completely different person from the one in my previous incarnation.
The present Dam-ak posed another question to me.
“Is the *Kangho* truly an environment where countless souls must pour out their lifeblood and endure torment for the sake of a single individual?”
His posture was firm, showing no signs of weakness.
“What purpose drives all of this conflict?”
He sought genuine understanding.
“…….”
I met his eyes directly, having long moved past the self-centered, manipulative person I used to be in my previous life.
“The *Kangho* has…… always been precisely this kind of world.”
“So it is merely an arena where battles are fought for their own sake, and lives are thrown away without purpose?”
Unlike the tragic figure from my past, his expression bore no traces of despair. The realization dawned on me: neither of us resembled our former selves anymore. We were no longer bound to a fate of passively watching destruction unfold around us without understanding why.
“A fundamental purpose underlies our combat.”
“A purpose for the combat……”
He muttered the phrase under his breath repeatedly, as though he had finally stumbled upon a vital answer he had sought for ages. Finally, he pressed further.
“Could you explain the meaning behind that?”
His inquiry held the desperate edge of someone parched for truth. Recognizing this, I formulated a response intended purely to guide him, rather than an empty statement meant to shield myself.
“We take up arms to defend the things we hold most dear.”
“The things we hold most dear……”
“This cannot be compared to historical conflicts where crowns shift and new rulers claim dominion over the realm. Our combat is for survival, for safeguarding the people who matter to us, and occasionally, we must stand our ground even when defeat is a certainty.”
I offered these insights while recalling the version of Dam-ak from my previous life, who had thrown his lot in with the Murim Alliance despite its impending doom, holding the line until his final breath. Back then, he had been plagued by an undercurrent of worry he could never quite shake.
“An arena where a warrior continues to clash blades until the final hour, even if they are left standing completely alone. That is the true essence of the *Kangho*.”
What grand ideal had driven his fierce combat in that old timeline? Had some fresh conviction taken root within his soul during this current life? Mulling over my explanation, Dam-ak lightly rubbed his jaw.
“To contest a losing battle, fully aware of the outcome……”
He drifted into a profound silence for a lengthy period.
“Defending what is truly valuable……”
Fixing his eyes on me, his mouth curved into an appreciative grin.
“At last, you have provided an explanation that resonates with me.”
“Did it offer some clarity?”
“Undoubtedly. Since Young Hero Jin clarified the purpose behind our battles—”
The calm intensity within his eyes flared with sudden brilliance.
“I, too, have been able to find the reason for living once again.”
It was an expression of pure clarity that I had never witnessed from him, neither in my previous life nor in this one.
