Chapter 430: Her (2)

Paaaatt!

Sparks fly as Kim Young-hoon lets out a joyful laugh, beads of sweat running down his face.

Swoooosh—

The wind sweeps through Cedar Wood Grove, cooling the heat of the sparring match. I stand in the breeze, waiting for Kim Yeon's words.

"The Mad Lord told me. When she went to his Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress..."

Her words continue, and I listen silently.

After some time, the members of the Supreme Council, having finished their sparring with Kim Young-hoon, all turn their heads toward me in unison.

"We've heard much about you. That you've...reached this realm through the same means as us, despite having the body of the Heaven Tribe?"

After absorbing all of Kim Yeon's explanation, I silently take a step towards the Supreme Council of the Heart Tribe.

Thunk—

With just a single step, the members of the Supreme Council who had been directing their intent at me freeze in place.

They stare at me, frozen, and even Kim Young-hoon beyond them shares the same reaction.

Kim Young-hoon's eyes are wide enough to pop out of his head.

I look at them calmly, letting my sword hang by my side.

A slight nod.

No words are needed.

With a mere nod of my head, light flashes, and the twenty-two leaders of the Supreme Council, who only sent projections to face Kim Young-hoon, reveal their main bodies within the hall.

"We nearly failed to recognize a High Person (高人). Please forgive us."

I simply continue to gaze at them silently.

But even though I'm merely looking at them, they tremble all over, unable to bear the pressure of my presence and on the verge of collapsing.

In that state, I take another silent step forward.

At that moment, most of the twenty-two members of the Supreme Council start trembling violently, falling to their knees and collapsing in place.

It seems that upon gazing directly at my soul, which has realized the Sub-Heart Sword, none of them are able to maintain their composure.

The Sub-Heart Sword is something beyond comprehension for those around the level of Entering Heavens Beyond the Path or Treading Heavens.

However, the very fact that they are at a high realm means they can see too much, making the shock all the more overwhelming.

Kim Young-hoon, in particular, seems the most affected, as he grips his saber against the ground, cold sweat pouring down his face uncontrollably.

But indeed, they are the leaders of the Heart Tribe. Despite being directly exposed to my overwhelming presence, they manage to stand and regain their composure.

I shift my gaze towards the five among them who respond best to my pressure.

Their appearances are unimpressive.

A little one from the Small Person Race, a Flower Plant Race with a body shriveled like a spinach leaf, a Shrimp Shell Race that resembles a shrimp, a Miniature Monkey Race that looks like a small, baby monkey, and a Tiny Fungal Race that resembles a mushroom.

Yet despite their frail appearances, they seem more formidable than anyone else present.

Among them, one figure stands out the most.

He is of the Small Person Race, standing no more than one palm's length, a dwarf Heart Tribe.

The Small Person Race is one of the well-known slave races, resembling the Human Race but far weaker and possessing little to no supernatural powers, making them easy prey and often captured and kept as pets.

Yet, the elderly Small Person Race standing before me with his face covered in scars doesn't appear small at all.

Holding a needle like a sword in his hand, the Small Person Race Elder looks up at me and speaks.

"Teach me a move!"

"Hah!"

With the old man's shout, the five members of the Heart Tribe charge at me with a unified cry.

From this point, words are no longer needed.

Their combined assault begins.

Paaatt!

The Small Person Race Elder, wielding his needle like a sword, executes a sword technique before me and waves his toothpick-sized needle.

Though it appears somewhat cute, the outcome is far from that.

Toong!

As I deflect the slash from the old dwarf's needle upwards, the sky splits apart.

A move similar to Sky-Splitting Kim Young-hoon shown before!

An all-out strike carried out with the intent to cut through the entire Heart Tribe territory!

The withered body of the Flower Plant Race seems to be flying over me before striking down at me using the thousand-pound drop technique.

Swoosh!

As I sidestep using footwork, a flash of light follows, and the spot where the Flower Plant Race lands with the thousand-pound drop explodes, causing the surrounding terrain to shift and change violently.

Kugugugugu!

In the midst of the explosive brilliance, I calmly raise my sword and turn my gaze towards the Shrimp Shell Race charging at me.

They seem to be a boxer, and with their shrimp-like body, they thrust both fists toward me.

It's clearly a laughable scene, appearing nothing more than a shrimp flailing its arms.

But I smile faintly and swing my sword with all my strength.

Kugugugung!

Paaat!

As my single strike clashes with the Shrimp Shell Race boxer's punch, a formless shockwave blankets the entire area.

It feels as though all sound in the area has been erased.

The shockwave causes my body to lose function for a moment, and a ringing 'Piii' sound fills my ears.

Bo-woong!

Of course, I quickly regain my balance and prepare for the next attack. The baby monkey-like Miniature Monkey Race rushes at me, grabbing hold of the ground beneath my feet.

Fwooong!

Simultaneously, they swing the very ground I'm standing on, throwing me off balance. The mushroom looking Tiny Fungal Race stretches out both palms toward me.

Kigigigigik—

Their palms are filled with an immense concentration of Qi, and I can feel that everything within that energy is rapidly disintegrating, nearing the point of annihilation.

Behind me, the Small Person Race Elder. Above me, the Flower Plant Race warrior. Below my feet, the Miniature Monkey Race. In front of me, the Tiny Fungal Race and Shrimp Shell Race boxers. They are all closing in on me.

Beyond them, the remaining 17 leaders of the Supreme Council, having assessed the situation, are attempting to distract my 'vision' by disrupting me from a distance.

Those who have awakened to the manifestation of sound arts like Yu Hwa begin their performance.

With the sharp sound of a gayageum (a traditional Korean zither), my body is immediately slashed, and an inescapable formless net covers me, making my whole body feel as heavy as a thousand pounds.

Darkness clouds my vision, and the blood flowing through my body grows hot, leaving me in a state unable to control my body.

And in that state, I silently extend my sword and begin to dance with them.

Toong—

My sword hums as it deflects their attacks, sometimes redirecting them, and other times countering them.

It seeps out.

My sword naturally flows into the center of their formation, like a stream slipping between rocks.

In the midst of our sword dance, we become completely united.

I can feel their intent.

The exultation of facing an opponent beyond comparison and competing against a master.

Joy, excitement, reverence, and respect...

I envelop their intent with my own.

I overlay their Martial Arts with my own Martial Arts.

It feels bleak.

Painful.

Miserable.

Suffocating.

The vision is black.

The Grand Cultivator Association gave me the nickname 'Sword Devil.'

I have no interest in such a grim title, but at least in this moment, I think it suits me all too well.

That's how much my sword right now is steeped in dreadful screams and heartbreak.

A hollow yet dreadful sword movement spirals within my refined swordsmanship as I intertwine with the supreme masters of the Heart Tribe Supreme Council.

Kim Yeon's earlier words echo faintly in my mind.

—When the Mad Lord first met Hyang-hwa, he mistook her for one of his own bloodline.

The old man with the needle lands at the tip of my sword, spins seven times counterclockwise, and unleashes a powerful slash with the accumulated rotational force.

—He said that in the Head Realm, the Extraordinary Pattern Law Talent is actually a Heavenly Penalty (天刑) that only his bloodline bears.

Using my right foot as a pivot, I spin clockwise, shaking off the elder and dispersing the rotational force of the slash he sent flying.

—But he quickly realized that Hyang-hwa isn't of his bloodline. He said that those with the Extraordinary Pattern Law Talent all bear a 'curse,' and since the curses differ depending on the bloodline, Hyang-hwa not having the same curse as his is proof that she isn't of his kin.

Woo-woong—

My sword vibrates.

I continue sparring with the Supreme Council without using any Qi.

However, my emotions are being expressed through my swordsmanship, and my pain descends from the Plane of Soul to the Plane of Qi.

The surroundings gradually begin to be engulfed by devilish energy.

—The Mad Lord said that the Extraordinary Pattern Law Talent is like 'a bird trapped in a cage.' A bird that cannot leave the cage... It's the first time I heard it, but he said those with the Extraordinary Pattern Law Talent must never leave the world they were born in. Their Heavenly Penalty and curse begins the moment they 'escape their world.' In other words...those born with the Extraordinary Pattern Law Talent in the Lower Realms must never ascend.

The surroundings are painted in darkness, and my sword energy slices through the air in all directions.

Without drawing upon the energy within me or the Heaven and Earth spiritual energy, my sheer intensity causes my intent at the Plane of Soul to descend to the Plane of Qi, transforming into turbid energy.

Amidst the torrent of devilish energy, a golden radiance pieces through between the 22 intents surrounding me.

Kawang—

Kim Young-hoon, unable to resist any longer, has stepped into the fray.

But I push Kim Young-hoon's saber aside and recklessly unleash a barrage of sword energy.

—The curse of the Jo Clan...is said to be tied to their surname. I'm not sure of the details but...even though Hyang-hwa's curse is different, they do share some common points.

The sword dance that started with calm emotions has at some point turned into a killing sword.

I struggle to suppress the rising dark emotions within me, pouring more killing intent into my blade.

—Those cursed are said to eventually die. The Mad Lord connected his heart with [Her]'s and forcibly tethered his soul to this land using the ghostly energy of the Nether Crossing Ship's power source. And Hyang-hwa is...

Kaang—

My sword sends the old man with the needle flying.

And finally,

Flash!

The sword pressure unfolding from my sword spreads out, knocking back the 22 members of the Heart Tribe Supreme Council along with Kim Young-hoon, allowing me to finally calm down.

—...gradually losing the senses of her body. At this rate, not in centuries, but within mere decades, she'll lose all her five senses. Eventually, even the sense of breathing will vanish, and she'll die.

Clench!

I thrust the sword into the ground.

"Haah..."

I exhale.

My chest feels tight.

Right now, there's no connection between me and Buk Hyang-hwa.

But strangely, my chest still feels heavy.

I know the reason all too well.

Even though the woman in this life is different from the one from the tenth life, witnessing her death again is agonizing.

'No, that's not it...'

To be precise, it's 'not just that.'

'How many times...has it been already?'

It wasn't long ago that I lost my followers to Great Mountain, or that I died while holding Kang Min-hee in my arms.

And now, once again, it's been decided that one of my connections is going to disappear.

Yes, this is loneliness.

The dam of emotions, which had always struggled with the pain of losing connections, is now beginning to overflow with the finality of Buk Hyang-hwa's terminal fate.

Squeeze...

I grip the Colorless Glass Sword tightly and slowly suppress my complicated emotions.

And at that moment, the Heart Tribe Supreme Council, led by the Small Person Race Elder, bows deeply to me.

"It's an honor to witness such incredible skill."

"...I'm ashamed."

I give a bitter smile, unable to meet their eyes, nor those of Kim Yeon watching from behind me. I simply look up at the sky and speak.

"I failed to control my emotions, and turbid energy tainted my sword path."

"Is that so?"

"...Aren't you going to ask why?"

"If you wish to tell us, go ahead. Most of us in the Heart Tribe have lived under abuse and torment, carrying a hundred or even a thousand pains within us. Thus, in Cedar Wood Grove, we do not have the custom of prying into each other's hearts."

"...Thank you."

Looking at those who show me such courtesy, I feel embarrassed, yet overwhelmed by anger, sorrow, and indescribable panic. I lower my head, trembling.

Seeing me like this, the Small Person Race Elder smiles gently and says:

"In any case, after exchanging blades, I understand. Neither you nor that person...are evil. Even though you couldn't steady your heart, you never resorted to a killing move in the end. Respecting your kind heart, we of Cedar Wood Grove will accept you and the Surpassing Radiant Divine Demon as members of our forest."

"I thank you once again but..."

I calm my troubled heart, unsettled by thoughts of Buk Hyang-hwa, and ask a question.

"What do you plan to do about the Human Race?"

In the end, that is the biggest issue.

What we just competed in was a pure martial contest, and that's the only reason I won.

If we were to truly go all out, I would be the one who would surely lose.

Why?

Wo-woong—

'They're all disciples of Jang Ik.'

Within their heart essence, as if it's the most natural thing, Jang Ik's podao is embedded in each of them.

At their level, they are skilled enough to sufficiently draw out Jang Ik's podao through their own will and wield it with Jang Ik's 'original power.'

In short, the moment I decide to oppose them, I will have to endure at least 22 single strikes at the Star Shattering stage.

Woo-woong—

I observe the energy within me.

'I've reached the Second Step Before the Throne.'

Now, it is possible for me to use Star Shattering level attacks.

Of course...only for about three moves.

It will still take much more time before I can become fully accustomed to this realm.

As such, in my current relationship with the Heart Tribe, I can only take the position of the 'weaker' party.

At my question, they seem to exchange glances before responding.

"Normally, we would go through a trial before carrying out a sentence."

"How is the trial conducted?"

"It's simple. It proceeds according to one's cultivation realm. For the Grand Cultivators at the Integration stage and the old monsters at the Four-Axis stage, our Supreme Council conducts a duel with them, during which we uncover their emotions and ideologies, essence, and past deeds. If any evil acts are revealed in the process, we execute them immediately."

"..."

"For those at the Heavenly Being stage and Nascent Soul stage, they are made to face the wall for ten days while undergoing interrogation. Anyone who shows suspicious signs during this process is sentenced to death. From the Core Formation stage onwards, we conduct a more detailed inquiry, dividing the types of execution based on the severity of their sins. This ranges from a merciful beheading to harsher punishments like imprisonment until death or execution by boiling. For those at the Qi Building stage, we subject them to a proper interrogation period, where those who have committed heinous offenses face death, while those with fewer crimes are sentenced to imprisonment or hard labor. Qi Refining cultivators...are generally sentenced to labor."

"There's too many executions."

"There's no other choice, is there? To us, the Heaven Tribe and the Earth Tribe are not targets for rehabilitation or salvation but subjects of judgment. If someone is truly innocent and has never unjustly tormented the weak, even if they are a Grand Cultivator at the Integration stage who practices devilish arts, we do not punish them."

The Small Person Race Elder lets out a faint laugh and adds,

"Of course, when it comes to the Human Race, one of the Six Great Heaven Tribe Races...even if they are Qi Refining cultivators, the vast majority take the sacrifices of others as if it's something completely natural, trampling over them...most of the Human Race is evil."

His words are full of contempt, but I can't deny them.

The sheer number of vengeful souls Kang Min-hee absorbed in the Human Race territory alone is enough to hint at the depth of humanity's sins.

Still, I look at the Small Person Race Elder and ask.

"If you truly intended to do such a thing, you would've wiped out the Human Race before I even woke up. Yet, you waited, and only after I came out did you inform me of all this. Doesn't that mean there's something you want from me?"

At my words, the Small Person Race Elder smiles.

"You are correct."

"Tell me what you want."

In response to my words, the elder bows politely and says,

"I understand that you did not use your full strength in our earlier sparring match."

"...That is true."

If I really used my full power, the Heart Tribe territory would have been completely destroyed, leaving no one—Heart Tribe or otherwise—alive.

"Please exchange a genuine single strike with one of us."

"...What?"

"If one of us can face your true strike, we will delay our judgment of humanity's sins."

I can sense the burning desire in their eyes.

"The chance to face a master of a higher realm is extremely rare for us. Especially since we've already reached the pinnacle of the First Step Before the Throne. Don't you agree, O Esteemed One?"

I momentarily open and close my mouth at their words, then gaze at them with a gloomy expression as I speak.

"I'm sorry. I respect your enlightenment. I also have the desire to compete with you. However...now is not the time."

"Why not?"

"...My state of mind is unstable. If I get serious, I might end up killing you."

I have only recently lost my followers to Great Mountain.

And I only recently held Kang Min-hee in my arms as I committed suicide!

Now, on top of that, I learned of Buk Hyang-hwa's terminal diagnosis.

One after another!

All my connections!

Are leaving my side!

Ssssssssss—

As I recall that fact, turbid energy, ghostly energy, and devilish energy once again rise around me.

"...I don't want to kill those who have treated me as a guest. Please, if possible, come to me after I've calmed my heart."

Upon hearing my words, the faces of the 22 Supreme Council leaders all twist into expressions as menacing as evil spirits.

"...O Esteemed One, may I say something?"

"As much as you wish."

"We dare not claim to understand how you feel, Esteemed One. No, none of us can truly understand each other's feelings."

The words of the old man from the Small Person Race are quite amusing.

Isn't it because we possess the ability to read others' heart essences that we are called the Heart Tribe?

Yet, from the mouth of one from the Heart Tribe, who possesses this sight, comes the words that one cannot truly understand another's feelings?

It's a strange statement.

'I think I understand.'

But somehow, I feel like I can understand his words.

"We possess the eyes to peer into the heart, but no matter how much we read, it's merely an outward reflection. It's impossible to truly stand in someone else's shoes and offer genuine comfort. That's why, in our Cedar Wood Grove, not only is it an unspoken rule not to pry into others' emotions, but we also forbid offering careless consolation. Comforting someone is only permissible between those who share a deep connection."

He meets my gaze.

"Thus none of us will comfort you, Esteemed One. None of us will claim to understand your heart. However! Just as we have not dared to judge you carelessly, we ask that you do not judge us carelessly either! Who among us do you think fears death?!"

Boom!

All 22 members of the Supreme Council step forward in unison and shout.

"To see the realm beyond, we are all willing to discard our lives at any moment! Stop with your strange words and show us your true strength!"

"..."

I look at them, feeling slightly incredulous.

'They call me Esteemed One, but they don't treat me like how an ordinary cultivator would treat an Esteemed One.'

To most cultivators, Esteemed Ones are akin to gods.

Thus, when dealing with an Esteemed One, they wouldn't dare to look at them directly, nor would they act in any way other than a devout follower obeying the command of their deity.

But these people are different.

'You've raised good disciples, Master...'

Even if it means death, each of them possess the spirit to speak their minds to a god then die.

No, it's precisely because they are such people that they became members of the Heart Tribe, reached Entering Heavens, and rose to this level.

"There's one more issue."

"What is it?"

I give them a bitter smile as I speak.

"I, too, am a disciple of the Heaven-Collapsing Esteemed One."

"Hm...!"

"In other words, if I were to kill any of you, as a fellow disciple, I would be killing my own senior brothers and sisters. So..."

"What does that matter!!!"

The Small Person Race Elder shouts once more with a thunderous voice.

"Stop with the formalities and focus on sincerity! Besides, even if we are senior brothers and sisters, discussing enlightenment between us is only natural! If you've gained enlightenment ahead of us, then help guide your slower senior brothers and sisters!!!"

The old man's words leave me momentarily speechless, and I finally respond with a complex gaze.

"...Understood."

Squirm, squirm...

I control the darkness welling up within me, the murderous intent rising from my chest, and ask,

"So, who among you will receive this junior brother's sincere strike?"

As expected, the Small Person Race Elder steps forward.

"I shall be the one."

I stare at him for a moment before speaking.

"Do not regret this."

"I will have no regrets."

"Then, here I come."

Tstststst—

The speed at which our consciousnesses accelerate grows faster and faster.

In an instant, the surroundings darken, and only the two of us remain in this world.

Here, physical size or any bodily constraints no longer matter.

What remains is simply how one counters the other's techniques.

[Sub-Heart Sword.]

From the start, I unleash my most powerful technique.

To present an ambiguous move in front of someone who has shown such resolve would be an insult to my opponent!

I pour everything I have into this one move!

[Transcending Mountain Ridge Embedment.]

The Heart Sword that emerges from my heart essence digs into his heart essence at a speed faster than recognition.

A single sword that cuts away at the heart every time he recalls me!

But this is not the end.

The application of Transcending Mountain Ridge Embedment.

Paaaatt!

[Transcending Rivers Embedment (川涉越深).]

The mountain grows steeper the further one climbs, and the river deepens the more one crosses.

A person's heart is just like this—one step inside becomes as deep as ten, the end never in sight.

The Sub-Heart Sword that cuts through the heart at the Plane of Soul merges with the ability of the All-Heavens Sword and descends to the Plane of Qi.

In short...

Pukwakak!

Originally, Transcending Mountain Ridge Embedment merely cuts the heart upon perceiving me, causing pain. But now, it means that perceiving me will cut even the physical body.

Kwakak—

The needle he is holding snaps.

But I can sense it clearly.

'He countered it.'

Though it was far from perfect, he 'confronted' the form of Transcending Mountain Ridge Embedment.

If his output had been as high as that of the Heaven or Earth Tribes, he might have completely shattered my Sub-Heart Sword.

But that's all.

In the end, one of the leaders of the Supreme Council.

The old man from the Small Person Race died standing.

I know.

When I unleashed the Sub-Heart Sword, I succeeded in perfectly controlling my emotions.

However, because the Small Person Race Elder had faced me with his full power, this death was caused by the rebound of that elder's force.

"Rest in peace, Senior Brother."

"Senior Brother."

"Senior Brother..."

The leaders of the Supreme Council all pay their respects in unison towards the Small Person Race Elder.

I know who he was.

The highest-ranking disciple of Jang Ik's current students.

The Vice-leader of the Heart Tribe Supreme Council.

At this moment, in Jang Ik's absence, he was the acting leader of the Heart Tribe.

"Senior Brother Gyeong Chang! Your noble spirit will be remembered forever!!!"

The swordsman of the Small Person Race, Gyeong Chang!

On my first day of waking up in the Heart Tribe's Cedar Wood Grove, I killed Jang Ik's oldest disciple.

Author's Note: The subtle brilliance of Foolish Old Man Moves Mountains begins with the growing volume of its content.