A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 393

393. The Path Opened by the Heart

The day after the meeting at Yeongju Fortress, the Lord of Yeongju introduced Son Bin and his party to the general commanding the Yeongji army.

“I am Vikram Singh.”

General Vikram Singh said, offering a polite military salute. Wearing a black turban and sporting a beard, he was a middle-aged soldier with intense eyes and a sturdy build.

“Pleased to meet you. I am Son Bin.”

Vikram Singh smiled at Son Bin’s greeting.

“I am glad to be subjugating the Demonic Sect together. Shall we discuss the current situation first?”

General Vikram was quite handsome, and when he smiled, he looked benevolent and gentle. However, when discussing the operation plan with Son Bin, he showed his sharp military acumen.

He didn’t ignore the opinions of Son Bin, an outsider, nor did he try to flaunt his military power. From the attitude of his subordinates towards him, it was easy to see that he was highly respected.

Thanks to this, preparations for subjugating the demons, magical beasts, and the Water Demon God leading them were proceeding smoothly.

The only problem was the lack of time. Son Bin himself had preparations to make for the subjugation of the Water Demon God.

***

“Elder, would you teach me some martial arts?”

Son Bin asked Old Gun in the small garden behind their lodgings.

“Martial arts?”

Old Gun blinked, then frowned.

“What are you talking about all of a sudden? Don’t talk nonsense. Just tell me what you want.”

Son Bin gave an awkward smile and replied.

“What do you call it? Something like moving quickly, or jumping high, or changing direction in the air.”

“Hmm.”

Old Gun looked at Son Bin suspiciously. But soon, he answered.

“It sounds like you’re talking about body movement techniques, but body movement techniques aren’t learned separately. Famous martial arts, whether fist techniques, swordsmanship, or axe techniques, are always combined with unique body movement techniques or footwork.”

“I see.”

Son Bin nodded. Moving the body is fundamental to swordsmanship or fist techniques. Naturally, there must be body movement techniques or footwork.

“Of course, some martial arts specialize in body movement techniques, like Wudang’s Cloud Riding, which flows like clouds, or Shaolin’s Immovable Vajra. Ah, is Immovable Vajra a bit different?”

Old Gun shrugged and continued.

“Other than that, they’re just simple tricks, like the quick-running Light Steps, the Trace-Free Steps on Snow, Water Treading, or the Thousand Weights Drop. Oh, there’s also the legendary Aerial Walking….”

Old Gun, who dismissed techniques that would make other martial artists faint as ‘simple tricks,’ turned to Son Bin.

“But why all of a sudden? People like Wol-ah, who bring all sorts of diverse moves to create ridiculous things, might like this, but you don’t need this, do you?”

Dang Wol-ah combines and applies numerous martial arts to make them even more difficult and complex.

And she uses them differently to suit each situation. Even Old Gun is amazed by her Ironclad Hell.

However, Son Bin’s Hyuncheon Grand River Sword Art is not like that.

To put it extremely, there is no body movement technique in the Hyuncheon Grand River Sword Art. The body simply follows the flow of the sword naturally.

“I realized something during the last battle with Sheh.”

“Sheh? That strange guy who disappeared before our eyes?”

Son Bin nodded.

“He had the ability to completely conceal himself. Fortunately, I was able to defeat him, but what if Sheh had tried to harm someone else then?”

Son Bin was the only one who could see Sheh at that time. Sheh’s ability was not just a trick, so Old Gun or Seo Rin might have been harmed if Sheh had been so inclined.

“So you wanted to learn body movement techniques to protect us?”

Old Gun was dumbfounded. It was because he realized the need for body movement techniques to protect them.

In fact, Old Gun is the one protecting Son Bin, so it’s natural to be dumbfounded. But why does the tip of his nose feel a little tingly?

“Until now, I have only pursued the path of the sword [劍道, Gendo] myself because I thought that was my place.”

What Son Bin has been pursuing is not power. Son Bin’s sword is an art [武藝, Muye] and in that noble and beautiful path [武道, Mudo].

“But now.”

However, the reason Son Bin had such a desire was because of Saja Hyuk.

The overwhelming power he showed and the beautiful sword path, like a Mount Tai standing under the sky, captivated Son Bin’s heart.

Therefore, it was almost inevitable that Son Bin would say this.

“I’m going to be a little more greedy.”

“Heh.”

Old Gun laughed.

“Becoming like the Martial Emperor is ‘a little’? If the other guys from the Outer History heard that, their expressions would be quite a sight to see.”

Old Gun couldn’t stop laughing as if he was dumbfounded himself.

“But well.”

Old Gun shrugged and said.

“If you want to do it, do it. No matter what others say.”

Son Bin nodded to express his gratitude. Old Gun, who was laughing, put his hand on his chin and pondered for a moment.

“Body movement techniques… I have a few useful ones, but it’s absurd to tell someone like you to start from the basics.”

“A master? What am I….”

Son Bin said with an awkward smile.

“And you can start from the basics. No, please start from the basics.”

Son Bin said with sparkling eyes, but Old Gun frowned instead.

“Tsk.”

Old Gun clicked his tongue and said.

“I know who your standard for ‘master’ is, but don’t say that in front of others. If you’re not a master, what are the people who lost to you?”

That’s true. While Son Bin was speechless at Old Gun’s obvious remark, Old Gun’s voice continued.

“And starting from the basics isn’t always good. Just like there are clothes that fit each person, the way of teaching is also different. Would you teach a bird how to walk first?”

Again, Son Bin had nothing to say in rebuttal. And Old Gun had no intention of arguing about it any further.

“I’ll give you a rough explanation first.”

Son Bin straightened his posture and humbly listened to Old Gun’s words.

“Martial arts start with appearance, that is, form and style. Each move has a deeper meaning than what is visible on the surface, which is called ‘esoteric meaning.’ Naturally, it is not taught to just anyone, and whether or not you understand this ‘esoteric meaning’ is the standard that separates masters from amateurs.”

Old Gun stretched out his hand lightly as he spoke. And he withdrew his hand, then thrust it out again.

Bang.

“Oh.”

Son Bin exclaimed.

“Did you see that? The same movement produces completely different power. This is the difference between knowing and not knowing the ‘esoteric meaning.’ No matter how great the martial art is, if you don’t know this ‘esoteric meaning,’ it’s just exercise. Of course, body movement techniques are the same.”

Old Gun continued to speak to Son Bin, who was nodding.

“Once you reach the level of a master, the next important thing is internal strength, that is, internal energy [qi]. In fact, it becomes a decisive factor in determining victory or defeat at the level of a master or higher. Once there is a difference in internal strength, you can’t withstand it.”

Whoosh.

Old Gun took out his sword, So-ryeong.

“When internal energy is accumulated and its operation becomes perfect, and you can infuse your sword with energy, it becomes evidence of entering the realm of perfection. This is called Sword Energy Manifestation.”

The blade of the shining So-ryeong trembled for a moment, and soon a blue aura settled on the blade.

Buzz.

Sword Energy Manifestation is the dream of all martial artists. The moment his sword contains energy, he no longer has to walk on the ground. He becomes like a living immortal.

“But then, how can you reach the realm beyond perfection?”

Shriek.

Old Gun lightly swung So-ryeong. The trajectory created by the blue sword energy draws a beautiful trace in the air.

“Can you just accumulate tremendous internal strength? Or can you learn a divine art with tremendous esoteric meaning, and then say that you have reached the realm beyond perfection?”

Son Bin, who had been captivated by the appearance of So-ryeong, tilted his head.

“Well. Somehow, I don’t think that’s it.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Old Gun, who had been looking at So-ryeong for a moment, slowly withdrew his internal energy.

“That’s not a new realm, it’s just like gaining weight. If you do it wrong, it can be poisonous. From then on, what’s important is….”

Old Gun said, gently stroking his sword, So-ryeong.

“The path of the heart, that is, the Dao [道, Dao].”

“Dao….”

Old Gun’s words reminded him of Saja Hyuk’s memory. Old Gun gave a bitter smile to Son Bin, who was quietly repeating the words.

“It’s easy to say Dao [道, Dao], but it’s completely grasping at clouds. You can’t know it even if it’s right in front of you, and you can’t realize it just because someone tells you. Moreover, it’s different for each person. As a result, many guys have gone crazy. No, perhaps what you can never achieve without going crazy is the realm of transcendence?”

Old Gun lowered his gaze and looked down at his sword, So-ryeong, in his hand.

“However, once you enter the realm of transcendence, the world changes from then on. Not me, but the world.”

Swish.

So-ryeong soared from Old Gun’s hand. Old Gun didn’t even move, but So-ryeong, imbued with a blue aura, began to fly through the air as if it were alive.

Whoo-oong, oong.

“Laws and common sense no longer apply, whether it’s the laws of the world, or human ethics and morality. From then on, my own heart is the Dao [道, Dao] of the world.”

Swish.

Old Gun moved his hand lightly. So-ryeong, which had been dancing in the air, flew to Old Gun and stopped quietly in front of him.

Woo-oong.

Like a demure young lady, So-ryeong floated in front of Old Gun’s eyes. Old Gun wore a gentle smile.

“That’s why it’s called Beyond the Heavens (天外天, Tianwaitian). That’s why it’s Outer History (外史, Waishi).”

Old Gun reached out his hand. So-ryeong obediently laid itself in Old Gun’s hand. The swaying blue aura had also disappeared.

Swish.

Old Gun, who had put away So-ryeong, raised his eyes and looked at Son Bin.

“But after that, I don’t really know.”

Son Bin blinked, wondering if there was anything after Outer History. But Old Gun sighed slightly and continued.

“If I had to say, it would be the Martial Emperor and Okryong among the Heavenly Outer Sages. You and the Martial Emperor talk about the flow filling the heavens and the earth, but to be honest, I don’t understand any of it. I sometimes feel something similar, but I still can’t figure it out. I can’t even imagine seeing it.”

It’s not that he can’t guess. What the Martial Emperor sees is probably something bigger and higher. Not just the Dao of this world, but something that embraces and flows through the world of worlds.

‘Okryong is the same.’

Old Gun chuckled. It’s natural that Okryong values the Martial Emperor so much. To him, the Martial Emperor is perhaps the only person in this world who has meaning.

‘No, is it two people now?’

The Martial Emperor and Okryong, and Son Bin. They are the only people in this world who can understand each other. The reason why the eccentric Okryong acknowledges Son Bin is probably because of that.

“And you know what’s funny?”

Old Gun, who gently stroked So-ryeong, put away his sword.

“Even if you’re an Outer History, you die if your head is cut off. Not only that, but you can be caught off guard, and there are times when you think, ‘Oops.’ You regret a lot and sometimes you’re lonely enough to die.”

Old Gun smiled bitterly.

“When I hold a sword, I feel like I’ve become a god, but in fact, I’m still trapped in this world. That’s why everyone wants to ascend to immortality or attain enlightenment.”

Old Gun, who was smiling bitterly, shrugged.

“I was supposed to explain, but I ended up complaining about my life. Anyway, there’s something more important to those who have already entered the realm of Outer History than moves or martial arts. In the case of me and the masters of Outer History, that’s the Dao [道, Dao], which is also the state of mind.”

“State of mind?”

“Yes. State of mind, or heart [心, Xin].”

Old Gun said with a serious face.

“For example, there is a technique called Thousand Weights Drop. But it doesn’t really become a thousand weights. The important thing is the state of mind of something weighing a thousand weights suddenly having its rope cut and crashing down relentlessly.”

“Isn’t it supposed to get heavier and fall down?”

Old Gun smiled at Son Bin’s question.

“Didn’t you know? Just because it gets heavier doesn’t mean it suddenly falls down.”

Son Bin tilted his head at the words he heard for the first time. Moreover, Old Gun’s tone seemed as if he had experienced it himself.

“Have you tried it?”

“Yeah.”

Old Gun nodded, seemingly proud. He seemed quite happy to be teaching Son Bin something he didn’t know.

“I tried it myself. But the direction didn’t change. Other than slowing down a little in the direction I was flying, there was no change. There was no way I could fall straight down. So I thought, ‘This isn’t it.'”

“I see.”

“Yeah. So the important thing is the state of mind of crashing down, like a heavy thing crashing down. Conversely, if you imagine a light feather gently landing, you can land very softly. Oh, and it can’t just get lighter either.”

Old Gun frowned and said.

“Whether it gets heavier or lighter, it falls the same way. So it’s important to vividly recall that feeling, that state of mind. Got it?”

It was hard to understand that it falls the same way whether it’s heavy or light. But what could he say when Old Gun had tried it?

“Make it clear what you want to do. And focus on it.”

Old Gun smiled at Son Bin’s serious eyes.

“Then your heart will show you the way. The world will open its doors for you.”

Old Gun shrugged as he spoke.

“Well, sometimes it doesn’t open.”

Son Bin smiled, looking at Old Gun’s mischievous expression because Old Gun’s eyes were more gentle and soft than ever before.

***

Tension was running high in the fortress located on the border of the territory to which Lahore belonged. A sharp tension emanated from the cannons lined up ready to fire and the fully armed soldiers.

Perhaps that was natural because the demon subjugation operation that had been prepared for the past few days was about to begin.

“They’re coming!”

The adjutant shouted, seeing the smoke signal rising in the distance. General Vikram Singh nodded silently.

“As expected.”

“As expected.”

Son Bin, who was standing next to him, also nodded. Unlike the other soldiers, Son Bin was in his usual attire.

General Vikram Singh had suggested wearing at least simple armor, but Son Bin declined, saying he was not used to it.

“Is everything ready?”

“It was close, but fortunately it’s done. Everyone says it’s thanks to ‘Young Master Son’ for helping.”

The general spoke the title ‘Young Master Son’ in the language of the Central Plains [Mandarin Chinese].

“No. The plan was made by the general. I just helped a little.”

General Vikram Singh smiled at Son Bin’s words.

“You’re not trying to shift the responsibility to me in case we lose, are you?”

“Of course not.”

Son Bin also smiled and said.

“We will not lose. No, we can’t lose. From the beginning….”

Doo-doo-doo-doo.

The appearance of demons and magical beasts rushing in from afar slowly began to reveal itself. Son Bin looked at the sight and continued.

“This is not a battle, but a hunt.”

Normally, an alarm would be sounded in the camp now, and cannons would be hurriedly prepared on the walls, but now there is only tense anticipation here because all preparations have already been completed.

Preparations to hunt the Water Demon God.

“Now, it begins.”

Son Bin said with sparkling eyes. General Vikram Singh nodded in response to Son Bin’s words with deep and intense eyes.

The hunt for the Water Demon God that they had prepared was about to begin.

(Author’s words)

Galileo Old Gun, a thorough empiricist.