Episode 12. Road to Sacheon2013.10.12.
Wow.
The boat moved without hesitation through the river. Since we were going up the Yangtze River, it wasn’t that fast, but the breaking current was strong and powerful.
On the boat, Sonbin was enjoying the river breeze for the first time in a long time.
“Feel so good.”
It was the moment when Sonbin muttered that.
“Wow.”
An uncomfortable sound from next door broke Sonbin’s mood. Sonbin frowned and looked to the side.
There were five or six people holding on to the boat, some of whom were hanging on to the boat and some who were sitting down. Everyone’s face is pale and they are staggering around as if they will fall down at any moment.
These were people who complained of motion sickness after a long boat trip.
‘Tsk tsk.’
After quietly expressing his sympathy, Sonbin moved away. This was because he was worried that he would feel bad for no reason. Sonbin walked a few steps and stopped when he saw a familiar person.
‘huh?’
The middle-aged man, stylishly dressed in luxurious silk clothes, had a huge physique, as if he was asserting that this is what dignity means.
His neatly slicked-back hair and well-groomed beard had a smattering of white, but his thick-lined, Honam-type face looked like a middle-aged man in his prime.
The sight of him leisurely leaning on the boat, his clothes blowing in the river wind, looked every bit like the person in charge of a fairly successful merchant company or a high-ranking official enjoying a cruise.
Sonbin approached him with a bitter smile.
“What did Powell do?”
The handsome middle-aged man looked back at Son Bin. And she answered.
“It’s close.”
That middle-aged man was none other than Sajahyuk. He did not have the uniform he always wore, nor the black belt or powel he carried on his back. His long-sleeved robe completely obscured his impressive forearms, making him look like a completely different person at first glance.
‘They say the clothes are wings… … .’
As the clothes change, even the facial expression looks completely different. In the past, there was an intimidating feeling that made viewers feel intimidated, but now it has a confident, likable and exciting impression.
“It suits you quite well.”
it suits you. So much so that Sonbin was reminded of how unsightly his clothes were.
“I just looked for clothes that fit.”
Sonbin asked Sajahyeok, who answered calmly.
“Why are you dressed like that?”
“Because it’s annoying.”
‘It’s annoying?’
Sonbin tilted his head. I was thinking that changing clothes would be more troublesome, but Sajahyeok continued.
“Whenever the government or naval forces see me, they aim their spears at me. The warriors passing by attack him with a useless desire to win. Moreover, there are many people who approach with all kinds of hidden intentions, so how can it not be bothersome?”
‘ah.’
Sonbin immediately understood the meaning of what he said.
Who wouldn’t be wary when they see a warrior with a huge black sword and an unusual aura? It would not be strange at all if the government or naval forces pulled out their spears the moment they saw Sajahyeok.
The Yangtze River is a long river that crosses the continent. The ship passes through numerous cities and towns, and is inspected every time it passes a military facility or naval base.
Although it is a formal inspection, the presence of Sajahyeok is enough to make the formal inspection a serious one.
‘He is a person with such a strong presence… … .’
Sonbin smiled bitterly. Even though I couldn’t see it, I understood the situation very well. It is obvious that a warrior with a lot of blood would have a strong desire to win against Sajahyeok.
Rustling.
Sonbin took out a thin brush and a newly compiled booklet from his arms. Since I had already used up the old booklet, I bound it again in the early morning. This booklet was already the third volume. Although it is still shabby because it is made of cheap paper.
“Is that why you dressed like that?”
“Yes. “Most people judge people based on their first impression or appearance.”
Sonbin nodded. This is because even in Sonbin’s eyes, Sajahyeok’s impression seemed very different. Even though he is still the same Sajahyuk on the inside.
“Hmm, somehow it seemed like you would break it with force.”
Sonbin said while diligently moving the thin brush.
“I gave up such childish thoughts a long time ago. “The world.”
Sajahyeok turned his head and saw the flowing waves. The blowing wind lightly shakes his hair.
“It is not a place where one lives only by strength. And I don’t live in a world alone.”
Sonbin stopped brushing for a moment and smiled bitterly. It’s such an obvious statement, but it’s really refreshing to hear it from Sajahyuk.
“There is a lot of flow. And it’s everywhere. “Everyone is together in the flow.”
Sajahyeok suddenly spoke. His gaze was directed towards the flowing waves of the Yangtze River.
“But not many people see it. “There is no one who wants to see the big trend.”
“What on earth is that flow?”
Sonbin asked. Sajahyuk chuckled.
“No one can say that. “It can only be known by obtaining it with your hands and responding to it with your heart.”
‘Accept with your hands and respond with your heart?’
Sonbin suddenly realized that the expression was somewhat familiar.
“Isn’t that what an old sage said about the way of heaven?”
“is it?”
Sajahyuk spoke in an indifferent tone.
“It could be so. “The path along which the flow takes is also called Tao (道).”
After writing down Sajahyeok’s words, Sonbin asked.
“Anyway, I guess it means I didn’t change my clothes to avoid that group of beauties.”
“Yes.”
“So are you avoiding someone else?”
Sajahyuk’s eyes shone sharply.
“Why did you think that?”
Sonbin shrugged his shoulders in response to Sajahyuk’s question.
“If we were going up the Yangtze River from the beginning, there would be no need to come back like this, right?”
If you need a boat to go up the Yangtze River, all you have to do is go to the Yangtze River Port, which is closest to the guest house at Homun Mountain. It would have been easiest to take a boat from Wuhan.
But Sajahyeok didn’t do that. Rather, he has been moving from place to place without direction.
“There doesn’t seem to be any particular reason for stopping by, so I wondered if it was to avoid someone following me. “I also thought that there might be a reason for changing clothes.”
Sajahyeok, who was silent for a moment, spoke in a low voice.
“right.”
“Who is that person?”
Sajahyuk’s eyes slightly wavered. It was Sonbin’s first time seeing something like that.
“In this world… … .”
Sajahyuk spoke as if sighing.
“I’m the only one I can’t beat.”
Sonbin was surprised. It’s surprising that there is someone Sajahyuk can’t defeat, but I never imagined Sajahyuk would admit it so obediently.
‘How strong is he… … .’
Sonbin was curious. However, Sajahyeok kept his mouth shut and did not say anything.
The atmosphere was so unusual that Sonbin had to give up asking any more questions. It was clear that it was a very sensitive issue for him, and maybe it was something that should not be touched.
‘Hmm. Who could it be? And why?’
Sajahyeok is avoiding someone. And that person is probably chasing Sajahyeok. I’m curious about who it is, but I’m even more curious about the reason.
‘Are you one of those people who say it’s life or death? Judging by the atmosphere, I don’t think that’s the case… … .’
First of all, I don’t feel any tension in Sajahyuk’s attitude. So it shouldn’t be that serious.
‘Still, I don’t know. ‘This person is so unreasonable.’
It’s nonsensical. The mere fact that Sajahyeok is avoiding it may be something quite serious. However, if Sajahyeok doesn’t tell you, it means you don’t need to know.
Maybe that’s why Sonbin didn’t feel very anxious. I’m just curious who it is and why.
For a while after that, Sonbin could not let go of his regrets and mumbled the booklet in his hands. But Sajahyuk didn’t say anything in the end.
***
Shoot!
Tap, tap.
The carriage was running in the pouring rain. All the windows were tightly closed, but the strong rain continued to pound on the shutters, making noise.
Because of the heavy rain, the carriage was not able to speed up properly, so although it was a little noisy inside the carriage, it had a relaxed atmosphere with less shaking than usual.
“I’ve come all the way to Sacheon, but I can’t even see outside.”
Sonbin said in a grumpy voice. After traveling up the Yangtze River and arriving at Chongqing, the two entered the Sichuan region by carriage.
Sonbin was amazed by the exotic atmosphere that was different from before, but the scenery soon disappeared into darkness due to the pouring rain.
“The rainy, cloudy sky has its own deep atmosphere, but I can’t even open the window… … .”
Sonbin spoke as if he were lamenting. The Sichuan region, home to many major historical events and a unique culture, is also famous for its rugged mountain terrain and unique spicy cuisine.
As Son Bin, who first set foot in such a historical area, he couldn’t help but regret not being able to look out the window.
“The climate here is humid and hot.”
Sajahyuk spoke in a relaxed voice. He was still wearing his long robe. This is because he boarded the carriage as soon as he got off the ship in Chongqing.
“Food also contains a lot of spices, so it would be better to be careful about what you eat.”
“Aren’t you going to tell me about that group of beauties?”
Sajahyeok remained calm despite Sonbin’s sudden question.
“There is no need to know, and there is no benefit to knowing.”
“The young lady said that you didn’t plan everything that day. Is that really true?”
“Did you say that?”
“I did.”
Sonbin nodded.
“You have a good memory.”
“It’s worse than a hastily scribbled record.”
Sajahyuk smiled bitterly. Sonbin looked back at the writing he had written that day and found that passage.
“Most people think that others are similar to themselves. The same goes for that child. Because he lives in conspiracies and schemes, he is always in the habit of being suspicious. That’s just the child’s illusion. However, it is clear that I provoked them first that day.”
“So, it means that it is true that you induced that dance. “Why did you do that?”
“Didn’t I tell you? I’m interested in strong people. And, I needed to show it to you. “I just didn’t know it would be a more troublesome problem than I thought.”
Sajahyuk said.
“But it will end soon.”
Sajahyeok’s tone of voice was decisive. At least he seemed confident that Sajahyeok would not have to worry about that issue.
“Is the person who is looking for you strong?”
Suddenly, Sajahyeok’s face darkened.
Sonbin felt a pang inside, wondering if his pride had been touched, but he didn’t show it. Sajahyeok, who was silent for a moment, quietly opened his mouth.
“Strong? Yes, strong.”
Sajahyuk said.
“Of all the people in the world, if there is anyone who can be called a martial arts genius, it is only that child. “If I had shown that child the Hyeoncheon Dao method like I did to you, he might have already come up with the method of destruction.”
“Law of destruction?”
Sonbin quickly took out a booklet and a brush.
“It refers to a method of digging into the weaknesses of a specific martial art and professionally neutralizing it. “It’s not a big deal in itself, but it’s absolutely effective against at least one martial skill.”
“Is there something like that?”
“Knowing the weaknesses of a martial art is often unknown even to those who have practiced the martial art. “It is impossible without a fundamental understanding of martial arts and a flash of genius.”
“Hmm.”
Sonbin moved his brush and nodded.
“I think I think very highly of that person.”
“is it?”
Sajahyuk smiled bitterly.
“Maybe so.”
Shoot!
Tap, tap.
Sajahyuk said nothing more.
With the sound of the carriage and the sound of rain echoing, Sun Bin quietly closed the booklet, and shortly thereafter the carriage entered Chengdu, the largest city in Sichuan Province.
***
There was no sound of mountain birds or the cries of insects. There was no peculiar smell that was felt after the rain stopped.
But maybe that was Sonbin’s illusion. This is because all of Sonbin’s senses were now focused on the movements of Lion Hyuk unfolding before her eyes.
Huh.
Lion’s Hyuk’s Powell finished the last move. The black long sword, which was shining for a moment as if savoring the lingering scent, quietly disappeared into its sheath with a low sound as if it had finished its work.
Sreung.
widely.
Sajahyeok stood in the middle of an empty lot bathed in moonlight, quietly savoring the lingering scent. The blue moon, which had been hidden by Powell’s light, once again cast its light on Sa-hyeok’s sturdy back and shoulders, and in that quiet clearing, only Son Bin began to get busy.
Whirring, whirling.
Sonbin’s thin brush, which had not moved until then, ran over the empty booklet and wrote down sentences in one stroke. This is because he had to write down the afterimages left behind by Lion Hyuk’s Tao before they disappear from his mind.
Jerk, jerk.
Sajahyuk walked to Sonbin.
“Did you see it?”
“Sleep, wait a minute.”
Sonbin raised one hand and made Sajahyuk stop talking for a moment. Meanwhile, the other hand holding the thin brush runs over the booklet without stopping.
“hmm.”
Sajahyuk silently looked down at Sonbin.
Sarak, Sarak.
Sonbin’s thin, flying calligraphy, which Sajahyeok is difficult to recognize properly, soon filled an old booklet, then moved on to the next page, stopping only after filling it more than halfway.
“Whoa.”
Sonbin exhaled with a satisfied expression. After waiting for the food to dry for a moment, Sonbin turned the pages of her book and read the sentences she had written from the beginning.
“It’s okay.”
“There are a lot of them.”
When Sonbin looked up at Sajahyuk to see what he was talking about, Sajahyuk spoke.
“My Tao doesn’t change, so why do your sentences get longer?”
Sonbin shrugged his shoulders.
“It seems like more things are catching my eye. Wouldn’t that be a good thing? “It means that now there is at least something to see.”
“Not like that.”
Sajahyuk shook his head.
“Seeing a lot and seeing correctly are different. If you don’t see the big trend, you’re not seeing it correctly, no matter how many changes and techniques you see. No, rather.”
Sajahyuk said.
“Being able to see complex changes and flashy techniques obscures your perspective and clouds your judgment. As everything becomes more refined and pure, it becomes simpler. “What is truly true should be able to be easily held by a child’s handful of hands.”
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martial arts,