756 – 9. There is not a single day when I don’t do that (5)
“A long time ago, I also climbed Cheongeomsan Mountain, filled with regret and helplessness.”
It was the swordsman’s confession. As a young man, he wandered the world and left behind many adventure stories, but these are stories that have never been heard.
I guess it’s because it’s still a painful memory.
After such a long time, even the look on my face as I recite the past feels lonely.
“It was a moment when the faith I had believed in my entire life was shaken. He loved swords and thought he could do anything with just one sword. But that was outrageous arrogance.”
In the past, the swordsman had shared a similar wound with me.
It was around the time when I was in a panic because I couldn’t save Celine.
He was born as the eldest son of the imperial family. Although his imperial politics were not so easy that he could be guaranteed his position in power, it was clear that he had the opportunity to gain an advantage.
But Geomgong did not do that.
There was only one reason: he loved the sword.
To the point where you don’t need anything other than that elegant blade.
The person who inherited the throne was Geomgong’s younger brother. The two, who had a rare friendship, accepted each other’s fate without the usual fight over the throne.
Just when the final farewell is approaching.
The swordsman just couldn’t accept that fact.
“The sword is a tool for killing. Actually, it’s nothing more… Isn’t it funny? “I can’t believe I only realized that fact decades after holding the sword.”
It was the lament of a man who could not save his younger brother.
No, rather, it should be said that it is closer to ridicule toward oneself. Literally, the knife was a tool for ‘killing.’
There was no way to save someone who was about to die.
“But you climbed Mount Thousand Swords, right?”
“Because I was curious.”
The old man’s voice as he answered my question was calm.
As if he were reciting a reasonable conclusion.
“This is a place where people who are crazy about swords gather. I thought that if I went there, I would somehow find the answer. What was I thinking wrong? Also, do I still love the sword?”
Once again, my choice was ‘silence’.
How dare you understand the heart of a swordsman? When I was agonizing over not being able to save Celine, there was no one who could understand my heartache.
That I have to carry it alone.
It might have been the fate of the ‘Master’. As strong as you are, you should not depend on anyone. On the contrary, I don’t know if everyone has to depend on me.
So the man also had no choice but to find the answer on his own.
Pieces of the past leaked out between the wounded swordsman’s lips. It was a tone that showed traces of time, but it did not give the impression that it was shabby or unsightly.
“I was disappointed at first. Because the swordsmen of Heavenly Sword Mountain were human beings no different from me… “Those who are hurt, disappointed, and choose to run away.”
“But are you sending me away?”
“I finally found the answer… Right on that mountain.”
When my eyes took on a strange look, the swordsman laughed for the first time in a while.
It seemed like I was recalling some nostalgic memory.
“I met a precious person.”
“I wonder if he can help me…” ….”
“Yes, probably so.”
That ‘sword master’ is an opponent who can be treated so favorably.
I couldn’t figure it out. The doubts around my eyes only deepened.
The old man’s voice became a little warmer.
“I hope a good relationship comes to you too.”
Actually, there were still more questions left.
Then what happened to ‘Heavenly Sword’? Even so, there was no way a swordsman who was passionate about collecting famous swords would not have collected any information about them.
Moreover, what is the ‘answer’ found there?
I wanted to ask, but I couldn’t bring myself to open my lips. Is it because the swordsman seemed to be in a particularly good mood as he looked back on the passage of time?
But he said.
“There are two ways to climb Cheongeomsan Mountain. The first is, as mentioned earlier, cutting off all ties with the secular world and joining the ‘sword circle’… ….”
This is probably the story I should keep in mind the most.
“As a human being in this world, challenging the ‘Heavenly Sword Road.'”
“With the help of a thousand swords… “What?”
A rebuttal thrown out inadvertently.
It was a word I had never heard before, and at the same time, it was a concept I had only seen a few minutes ago.
‘Cheongeomjiro (天劍之路)’.
Because those were the words written in the letter I opened just now.
“Yes, ‘Cheongeomjiro’… Literally, it refers to the process of obtaining the legendary ‘Heavenly Sword.'”
“No, why is it so important?” … ?”
Before I even ask why I was forgotten.
The swordsman said one word as if nothing had happened.
“It was a lie.”
So I had no choice but to pout.
It’s a very reasonable story, but there are still some points that I don’t understand. Didn’t ‘I’ from the future leave advice to obtain the ‘Heavenly Sword’?
Have you noticed these complaints?
The old man’s reminiscences did not last long.
“Actually, things like ‘Heavenly Sword’ were actually good… At least it was that way for me.”
“Did you also challenge ‘Cheongeomjiro’?”
“Yes, you will too.”
This was something that could be said even without necessarily predicting the future. Because the possibility of me abandoning all my worldly ties was extremely small.
Right before becoming ‘Master’, I had already made up my mind.
I won’t throw anything away.
So, it was right to exclude the option of throwing something away. It’s not just me, but it’s also the choice that most of my colleagues who are going to Heavenly Sword Mountain will choose.
Geomgong spoke as a senior who climbed that path first.
“You have to carry it alone.”
A decision I have made over and over again.
Heavy and cruel. Still, I didn’t feel it was particularly burdensome. Because it was something I had prepared for a long time ago.
It was right after that that I received unexpected advice.
“But sometimes, you might find someone to share your burden with.”
“…… ?”
“If I meet a good person.”
At the same time, the man smiled slightly.
I smiled and shook my head. It was because I wanted to make fun of me.
I was feeling it inside. That the advice was sincere, and that such a fate was waiting for me.
Nevertheless, the reason I brought up another topic was simple.
“Hey, old man… “Sien.”
“How dare you call the princess’s name! I told you to call me ‘Her Highness the Fifth Princess’ instead of ‘Shien’…… !”
“Shien’s mother.”
Because I was not the only one who had to solve the fate at Heavenly Sword Mountain.
As he added, the swordsmith’s voice suddenly quieted down. He said nothing for a while, frowning and teasing me.
He tsk and turned his head away.
“…… “Viltheon, it looks like he was talking nonsense.”
“Are you sure he is missing?”
Tuk, knock, knock.
Geomgong tapped the desk next to his head several times with his index finger. He looked like he was lost in thought, but the time didn’t last long.
Anyway, we revealed all kinds of secrets.
Because there was no information that could not be shared between the masters of the empire.
After a deep sigh, the swordsman revealed the truth.
“Okay… However, it would be more accurate to say ‘I did not find it.'”
“You didn’t find it? No matter how much of a queen she is, she gave birth to a princess…….”
“Shien, because I thought that child would be hurt!”
As expected, he was a swordsman full of love for his granddaughter. When you reach the end, your voice gets louder.
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However, I didn’t understand at first so I had to ask.
“A wound? I know when Shien wants to see me…….”
“The mother who almost strangled me to death? Ian… “You didn’t even see what Shien was like back then.”
If I pointed that out, I had nothing to say.
As I pressed my lips together, the swordsmith’s voice continued without interruption.
“If I saw anything that reminded me of my mother, I would tremble… Wouldn’t you say so? He must have been the only person that young child could rely on… “You have been completely betrayed!”
“So you didn’t track it?”
“I did. However, as you know the result…….”
There was no need to listen to the answer I gave after sighing.
An attempt was probably made to find out his whereabouts. It was just an ‘attempt’.
It seemed that the imperial family did not actively try to find out the location of the ‘Empress.’ If they wanted to do that, it would have been an organization that had the ability to find a corpse a long time ago.
There is only one reason for not doing so.
Because she is the woman who almost killed ‘Sien’.
I didn’t say anything. All he did was look at the swordsman’s face closely.
He had an unpleasant expression on his face, but before he knew it, he was smiling faintly.
“Well, I guess it would be good…” Because it’s already over. Just shout out when you get to Cheongeomsan Mountain. ‘Jian’s disciple Ian’ has come… Then I will welcome you.”
Who is ‘Jian’?
If you think about it, the answer is obvious. Because there was only one opponent that the swordsman could mention so confidently.
“I will do as you wish.”
That’s the end.
I had to head to Cheongeomsan Mountain.
*
“Come on, Ian.”
I was looking at the picture frame with a shocked expression.
Among the plaques that list all 30 days of the month, the days underlined in red particularly stood out.
It was a symbol of love.
“On this day, you have to be with me.”
The saint said that to me. In a voice as if there was no possibility of counterargument.
I had no choice but to ask in an absurd state.
“No, wait… That day is your fertile period… Wait!”
Some time later, after satisfying his wife, who was looking somewhat determined.
I was finally able to leave.
To Heavenly Sword Mountain.
Bruh