Chapter 20 …
Invincible Sword Spirit (20) – The Same Outcome
The Shin Chang-ui family had gathered together to share breakfast, and this morning, there were two additional guests.
Byuk Ryuk-chang, the head of the Shin Chang-ui family, watched the Sword Spirit eating slowly from a distance.
It wasn’t carelessness or a breach of etiquette; he ate with such care, almost as if offering a ritual to the heavens.
Another person observing him was Eui Do-gun, who had been embarrassed by the Sword Spirit earlier.
Eui Do-gun’s gaze was sharp enough to seem like it could cut through the Sword Spirit’s entire body. He couldn’t help but feel a bit resentful, wondering why Eui Do-gi had even invited him over.
Eui Do-cheon, the eldest of the Shin Chang-ui family, wasn’t particularly interested in the Sword Spirit. His attention was more focused on the leftover sword prodigy, Jeok Hwa-myeong.
To him, the Sword Spirit was merely a man who looked delicate, almost feminine.
The people who were genuinely interested in the Sword Spirit were none other than Byuk Hye-in, the lady of the house, and her daughter, Eui Ah-ryeong.
With a face as beautiful as a woman’s, skin whiter and more flawless than theirs, and hair as smooth as silk despite being a man, it was natural that their attention was drawn to him.
But all of them hesitated to speak while the Sword Spirit was eating slowly. Thanks to that, breakfast lasted a bit longer than usual, allowing them to share the meal together for a while.
After breakfast, as they sat down to tea, a flood of questions for the Sword Spirit emerged.
“Was the food prepared to your taste?”
As the host, this was a matter of concern for Byuk Ryuk-chang.
“Thank you for inviting me, head of the family! The food suited my taste so well that I couldn’t help but eat heartily,” Jeok Hwa-myeong said politely, causing Byuk Ryuk-chang to look satisfied.
“I hear you had a pleasant time with Do-gi yesterday.”
Jeok Hwa-myeong looked at Eui Do-gi, who smiled awkwardly.
“We got along well, so it was enjoyable. I also gained a fine younger brother, which pleased me.”
At the mention of “younger brother,” Byuk Ryuk-chang nodded toward his second son, Do-gi.
In the martial world, connections were as important as martial skill.
Jeok Hwa-myeong, even if not counted among the top hundred masters yet, was skilled enough that in ten years’ time, he could easily join their ranks.
For Do-gi, forming a brotherly bond with such a master could prove invaluable.
“Thank you. I suppose you see many areas where he lacks. Please guide him well.”
“Not at all. On the contrary, I have gained a brother too worthy of me, which leaves me a bit troubled. If my own resources were depleted, it might not look good to him…”
While Byuk Ryuk-chang and Jeok Hwa-myeong conversed, Byuk Hye-in and Eui Ah-ryeong couldn’t take their eyes off the Sword Spirit.
“How can a man have such flawless skin?”
As the Sword Spirit shook his head, his hair naturally fell to the side.
“Mother, look at his hair. It’s even more beautiful than mine.”
The two whispered about his appearance. Although the distance between them made them think the Sword Spirit couldn’t hear, he caught every word.
“Brother! That’s the one. He used his sorcery to humiliate So-je and insult our family,” Eui Do-gun whispered quietly beside the eldest, Eui Do-cheon.
“Does Do-gi not know this?”
“He does. But I don’t understand why he acts that way. Surely, my second brother must have been deceived by his sorcery as well.”
Eui Do-gun glared at the Sword Spirit and spoke to Eui Do-cheon.
Though Eui Do-cheon trusted Eui Do-gi’s actions more than Eui Do-gun’s words, he had not yet heard from Do-gi about the Sword Spirit, so his gaze remained sharp.
Since Byuk Ryuk-chang was talking with Jeok Hwa-myeong, he couldn’t intervene, but he waited for a chance to directly question the Sword Spirit.
“But you are…”
“Sword Spirit, at your service.”
Byuk Ryuk-chang studied the Sword Spirit closely. Without hearing from Eui Do-gi, he might have assumed him to be a scholar rather than a martial artist.
‘At that age, he likely hasn’t reached Banbak Gwijin… and he surely isn’t a master of Banrohwandong.’
Although Banbak Gwijin was spoken lightly, only a handful of the top hundred masters reached that level.
Still, he didn’t think the Sword Spirit could be beyond recognition.
According to Eui Do-gi, even he couldn’t evade the Sword Spirit’s hands. He had tried several times thinking it was sorcery, but the results were the same.
‘If Do-gi couldn’t dodge his hands, then he must have martial skill… but I can’t be certain.’
“I hear you’ve mastered such great martial arts at a young age. Truly a blessing to the martial world,” Byuk Ryuk-chang said habitually, intending to ease the atmosphere by praising him.
“You flatter me,” the Sword Spirit replied, unusually polite.
He distinguished between formal and informal settings, speaking appropriately in each.
“If it’s not impolite, may I ask who taught you your martial arts?”
“I learned from my grandfathers and one grandmother,” he answered.
Though he claimed to have learned martial arts, to Byuk Ryuk-chang, he seemed far from a martial artist.
‘I can’t tell if he’s lying or not.’
Byuk Ryuk-chang studied him carefully but could discern nothing from his expression.
“And your parents?”
“From the time I became aware, I was raised by my grandparents and grandmother, so I have no memories of my parents.”
Byuk Ryuk-chang cleared his throat, realizing his question had touched a sore spot.
Eui Ah-ryeong looked at the Sword Spirit with a hint of pity.
“I apologize.”
“No need. Please don’t worry,” he replied.
The truth was, having never seen his parents, he couldn’t feel sorrow for them. Growing up in Hukumdo with three others, he never experienced loneliness the way others might if they had seen families together. For him, parents were optional, existing or not made no difference.
He had only a wooden box that brought him to Hukumdo and the necklace around his neck as proof of his past.
A brief, awkward silence followed.
“Humph! To think he uses sorcery…”
The voice was low but audible to everyone in the room.
Byuk Ryuk-chang’s gaze turned to his third son, Eui Do-gun.
“What kind of manners are those in front of a guest?”
Byuk Ryuk-chang scolded him.
“Father, this one disrespected the main house,” Eui Do-gun said.
Eui Do-gi’s expression changed slightly. This was the guest he had brought, and to hear such words about him was clearly an insult.
“Watch your words in front of your father,” Eui Do-gi cautioned, remaining composed.
“Brother! Honestly, I don’t understand you,” Eui Do-gun said.
“What do you mean?”
“This one insulted the main house. Why show favor to someone like him?”
The atmosphere grew tense.
“Excuse me…” the Sword Spirit interjected.
“The prestige of a family is uncertain. To ensure its prosperity for generations, one must cultivate oneself and hone one’s skills… How is that insulting the family?”
He repeated his words to Eui Do-gun, causing Byuk Ryuk-chang’s expression to shift slightly.
It wasn’t disrespect, though it did prick their pride.
“See! That one…”
“Enough,” Byuk Ryuk-chang interrupted.
“Father!”
“The Sword Spirit is not wrong. Until when will you live so heedlessly?”
Byuk Ryuk-chang had some understanding of Eui Do-gun’s lifestyle. His behavior hadn’t caused serious harm yet, but left unchecked, it could tarnish the family’s name.
Eui Do-gun flushed with embarrassment and anger.
“This one used sorcery to deceive my second brother, Father!” he shouted.
‘Eui Do-gun seeks to overshadow the glory of the Shin Chang-ui family,’ Jeok Hwa-myeong thought.
“That one!” Byuk Ryuk-chang barked.
Even if displeased, one must maintain proper speech in front of guests.
“I will demonstrate once more. Head of the family, see for yourself, and confirm whether this is sorcery,” the Sword Spirit said politely.
“That one…”
Despite acting differently than usual, the Sword Spirit remained natural and courteous.
A person must act according to necessity.
—Byon Mo-yak-bing
Maintaining proper decorum according to the person is crucial in the martial world, especially for righteous sects.
—“True, unlike those scruffy righteous sects who obsess over unnecessary etiquette,” said Gu Young-chul.
The Sword Spirit had thoroughly adopted this teaching.
Byuk Ryuk-chang looked at Eui Do-gi.
“Father! I’ve checked. This is by no means sorcery.”
“You are deceived by his magic,” Eui Do-gun insisted.
“That one!”
Eui Do-gun refused to relent, putting Jeok Hwa-myeong in a difficult position.
The Sword Spirit rose and looked at Eui Do-gun, who also stood, determined to prove the truth.
“Have you been practicing overnight?”
“I will show here that you are indeed a cruel heretic,” Eui Do-gun said.
“Is that so?” The Sword Spirit smirked.
He turned to Byuk Ryuk-chang.
“The move I will show is simple. I will just place my hand on your son’s shoulder.”
Previously, he had moved his hand to the face, but in front of family, he would place it on the shoulder.
“Observe and judge.”
He addressed Eui Do-gun.
“Try to avoid it this time if you can.”
As he slowly moved his hand, Eui Do-gun still could not react.
Thud!
No different from yesterday.
“Do you think this is sorcery?”
