Chapter 70
In the past, he had practiced mental imagery countless times. Reviewing battles after facing enemies—analyzing how he fought—was also a form of mental training.
For a sword master, the most important thing was to consider how he should have moved to defeat his enemies faster.
In his mental imagery, Youngwoo (Yeongwoong) struck down everything in Cheongung (the Heavenly Palace) again and again.
The mental landscape, which had once been solely about harming others, had changed in many ways.
Endless darkness. Yet darkness in which anything was possible.
Harmony Formation.
Within the serene universe, Youngwoo found a clue to harmony.
Like a newborn learning how to put strength in his legs to stand, how to take the first step forward, he discovered how to rise and move.
Back then, the sword master had skipped the processes of standing and walking, rushing straight ahead.
Even now, it was the same. He tried to balance his vital energy, spirit, and mind (精氣神), but his impatience left him unbalanced.
Within his microcosm, Youngwoo gradually realized how to rise.
“…I can reach a higher level.”
He felt a certainty. It was time to go outside.
One by one, he awakened his senses. His palms faced the sky. A gentle summer breeze brushed his cheeks.
The scent of grass wafted to his nose. He could hear someone nearby exhaling softly, the chirping of birds, and hurried footsteps.
He slowly opened his eyes. Faced with the sudden flood of sensations, he squinted.
“Ah… Miss!”
It was Sogyo’s voice. Even without consciously stimulating his spiritual sense, he could feel her presence.
This was the nature of senses.
Even without using all five senses and spiritual awareness, one could know.
He grasped a clue for how to use these senses more harmoniously.
“…Uh, Sogyo. Sorry. Were you worried?”
“No, not at all.”
Sogyo knelt before him, shaking her head.
“I want to stand. Can you help me?”
“Of course, of course. Here, stand up slowly.”
He took her hand and helped her rise. He closed and opened his hand.
Nothing had changed dramatically. Only, he could now feel the energy more vividly, down to his fingertips.
Like a child holding a hand for the first time, he slowly clenched his fist tightly.
As if to never let go of this feeling.
“…How long have I been like this?”
“Not even a moment has passed.”
“A moment? Really?”
“Yes. A moment.”
“I see.”
He nodded. It felt like he had been in that state his whole life, yet it had been so brief.
Concern appeared on Sogyo’s face. It wasn’t necessary to worry, but Youngwoo, with an awkward expression, spoke.
“Just holding your hand and walking made me feel so comfortable. I thought I wanted to stay like this.”
“Y-You felt comfortable holding my hand?”
Sogyo asked in a slightly trembling voice. Youngwoo nodded as if it were obvious.
“Of course. I told you, Sogyo, you’re like family. Did you not believe me?”
He reached out and held her hand again.
“I believe you… Miss.”
“Then only trust me.”
Youngwoo lifted his head and said teasingly, and Sogyo gave a small smile.
He liked that smile and smiled along with her.
“Miss!”
“Yeongah!”
From afar, people were running over hurriedly. Red-cheeked Hyanga, and the surprised Seol Wonpyeong, Seol Dojin, and Geum Cheongsan.
“Where? Are you hurt again?”
“Yeongah, are you okay?”
Seol Wonpyeong and Seol Dojin checked over Youngwoo’s body.
“Oh, no. It’s not pain…”
Scratching his cheek with a finger, Youngwoo gave a slightly embarrassed expression.
“Then why did you suddenly collapse?”
“Huh? I collapsed?”
His gaze turned to Hyanga, who had gone to call them. She must know the answer.
As all eyes fell on her, Hyanga lowered her head.
“Um… Miss was walking with her eyes covered and suddenly sat down. Sogyo seemed startled too, so…”
“Ah.”
Youngwoo let out a short sigh. He could understand why someone who didn’t know martial arts would be startled.
To ordinary civilians, martial arts is just swinging a sword. They wouldn’t understand the specialness of the moment.
“I told them exactly what happened…”
As Hyanga’s voice trailed off, Youngwoo spoke.
“Good job, Hyanga.”
“Really?”
Cheered by his words, Hyanga brightened up.
“Good thing it wasn’t serious.”
“You scared us thinking you collapsed again.”
Seol Wonpyeong and Seol Dojin sighed. Youngwoo’s relieved expression made it clear how worried everyone had been.
The faces of his family who rushed over at the news of his collapse would be hard to forget.
A tingling warmth started in his chest and spread quickly through his body.
He was truly grateful to be here now.
Smiling brightly, he said:
“Yes, really, it’s nothing serious. Now, shall I cover my eyes again?”
“Ahem. Well, sure.”
Seol Wonpyeong, embarrassed, avoided his gaze.
He had sensed that something had been prepared to show the martial arts hall, but hadn’t expected everyone to be so eager.
As Youngwoo moved to cover his eyes with a cloth again, Seol Dojin spoke:
“No need. I’ll carry you.”
“Dojin, you?”
“Yes. We’re right next door anyway. No need to cover your eyes.”
“Alright, let’s do that.”
After a brief discussion, Seol Dojin offered his back. Youngwoo laughed heartily at the absurdity of the situation.
“Hahaha!”
His bright laughter made everyone smile.
“Yes, please take care of me, brother.”
Youngwoo climbed onto Seol Dojin’s back. Wrapping his arms around Dojin’s neck, he rose.
“Then, let’s go!”
“Yeah, let’s go.”
Resting his head on Dojin’s back, Youngwoo felt the warmth of it.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
Soon after, fireworks exploded incessantly, filling the air with smoke.
“W-What is all this?”
Still on Dojin’s back, Youngwoo asked in surprise.
People from the Central Plains liked to celebrate joyful occasions with fireworks. Youngwoo knew this well.
But this was excessive.
It wasn’t anyone’s birthday or a wedding.
A massive amount of fireworks exploded in front of the martial arts hall, enough for a noble family’s celebration.
“How much did that cost…?”
Youngwoo squeezed his eyes shut from the smoke. He told himself it was the smoke, not the money.
“Hahaha. Yeongah, look. Grandfather and I prepared this.”
“W-What is this?”
Dojin turned his back to show the fireworks more clearly.
“Your father built the martial arts hall, but isn’t it proper for your grandfather to host the celebration? When you build a new house, you have a celebration.”
“I-I see.”
Youngwoo nodded silently. Many people clapped and cheered at the fireworks.
It felt real.
He didn’t know much about ordinary civilians’ lives—he only knew how to wield a sword. But the servants, the workers from Seol’s guild, and even laborers who helped construct the hall, all filled the vast grounds.
It was the first time, in Youngwoo’s memory, that so many people had gathered at Seol’s inner courtyard.
“Grandfather must have truly opened his heart.”
Seol’s household was normally so closed off. Inviting outsiders into the inner courtyard was no small change.
“A celebration for a newly built hall… is a bit excessive, but…”
It wasn’t. The hall was enormous. The courtyard was outfitted with blue stone for an outdoor martial arts area, and the huge building served as the indoor hall.
“Now, let’s lower the signboard.”
“Huh? The s-signboard?”
As Youngwoo stepped down from Dojin’s back, he stammered. A signboard for a martial arts hall?
Still, Seol Wonpyeong led him to the covered sign.
“Grab this rope and pull. I’ll help you.”
“I’ll help too.”
Dojin stood beside him, speaking kindly.
“Yes. Thank you, grandfather, brother.”
“Alright, let’s do it.”
Still dazed, Youngwoo pulled the rope with Seol Wonpyeong and Dojin.
The cloth fell, revealing the signboard:
Subokgak (Longevity and Fortune Pavilion).
Written in vigorous calligraphy, the hall’s name meant living a long life and enjoying lasting fortune.
Holding back tears, Youngwoo asked Seol Wonpyeong, recognizing the handwriting:
“Did you write this, Grandfather?”
“Ahem. Yes. The name was thought up by Dojin and your father, and I wrote it.”
“Thank you, Grandfather. Thank you, brother.”
“Why cry on such a happy day? Smile, Yeongah.”
“Yes, Grandfather. I will.”
Youngwoo nodded, smiling brightly.
He cried while laughing, and laughed while crying.
