The flowing blue sword qi was blocked by the red sword qi.

However, the red sword qi seemed weak and struggled to completely block the surging blue sword qi.

Sasuk.

Baek Cheon bit his lip without realizing it.

-From today, I am your teacher.

The image of Un Geom, smiling kindly and speaking with bright eyes, appeared before him.

In Baek Cheons eyes at that time, Un Geom was the most confident person in the world.

His broad shoulders, which could embrace everything, and his strong mouth, which spoke only the truth.

And Un Geoms impression clearly reflected the person he was. He never neglected training, even for a day, when it came to teaching his disciples.

It got to the point where he thought that if a person could be made out of a sword, then it would look like Un Geom.

The person he admired and still admires.

Sasuk

And then he heard a soft sob from somewhere. He tried hard to hold it in but couldnt; it escaped like a groan.

Everyone knew well how Un Geom felt standing there.

That was why he couldnt take his eyes off.

Even though his vision blurred because of the welling tears, he didnt take his eyes off the stage. The child was trembling, and he bit his lips even though his heart felt like it would break.

This wasnt a simple spar.

It was the cry of Un Geom. As always, Un Geoms teachings were shown to them through actions, not words.

As a disciple, how could he take his eyes off his teacher who taught him so much?

I will have to look closely.

Baek Cheon clenched his fists and looked; he couldnt miss a single moment now.

Among the passionate disciples, only Un Am watched Un Geom with strange thoughts.

Sajae.

The sword qi was rough.

It wasnt the blade of the past, which was sharper and more refined than any blade. It was rough, odd, and rattled like weak metal.

It was as if a wheel was spinning in the wind and got worn out.

But

Right, sajae. That is no problem.

The person wielding the sword was still Un Geom.

Un Am knew.

How painful it must be for someone who fell from a high mountain to drag themselves back to the mountaintop with broken legs.

That is why the current Un Geom is several times stronger than the Un Geom of the past.

-I will become the greatest sword of Mount Hua someday.

Do not lose now, sajae.

Why did the back he had been looking at for so long appear so pitiful? His back, which seemed the most reliable in the world, now looked sad.

But Un Am denied those feelings.

Do not pity those who fight.

It would be an insult to the person holding the sword.

All he could do was believe in Un Geoms victory. All he had to do was believe without doubt.

Kakakak!

A sound as if the tip of a sword was being broken down.

Of course, that couldnt have happened. This was the cold steel sword made by the Tang family. An item made with special attention from the weight of the blade to the direction of the tilt for a left-handed sword.

Un Geom knew it. How Chung Myung made the sword.

But how could he show weakness in front of all these people?

Paaaah!

The sword qi surged and targeted his entire body.

Slow.

His body could not keep up with what his head thought. His sword, which was moving naturally from his mind, was now moving faster than expected.

This gap and the sense of discomfort constantly followed him.

In other words, it could be called despair.

Perhaps the opponent Un Geom was fighting now wasnt Wudangs disciples but the despair within him.

Right, then

A smile that didnt fit this situation formed on the lips of Un Geom, who was holding the trembling sword.

It was nice.

Un Geoms head turned to the disciples of Mount Hua. Of course, they couldnt look away, so they could see it, and he believed that his feelings were being conveyed.

Kids.

The world was not that easy. Because the disciples of Mount Hua had someone to guide them and they didnt neglect their efforts, such growth was possible.

But that would not continue forever.

One day, his disciples would have to face enemies stronger than themselves, solve problems independently, and confront taller mountains.

The mountain of despair.

I am such a bad teacher.

Now, he has nothing more to teach them.

Baek Cheon and some others have already surpassed him, and the rest will soon do the same. Now, he was in a state of learning from them.

Clench!

His opponents sword qi, which couldnt be blocked, had pierced through his shoulder, breaking the bone.

Which is why, pay attention.

Nevertheless, he could still be called a teacher because he had something to teach beyond just the sword.

The world will always be harsh.

He could not stop those winds for them. He could no longer protect or guide you.

But

I can surely tell you how to endure the despair.

He could show them how to move ahead with their feet strong and firmly planted on the ground, even when they felt lost.

Paat.

The red sword qi, which exploded out violently, split the waves of sword qi.

Although it was a rough method, the will inside couldnt be disturbed, not even in the slightest.

Thud!

Un Geom took a step forward.

Living in the world is like moving through waves.

Overcoming the high waves once was never enough. Waves will continue to come again.

So do not be shaken, children.

A person has to stand firmly. In the end, waves would pass by. They will sweep through the body and vanish.

Wasnt despair the same, too?

Even though it might be difficult to endure now, and the pain would make them clench their teeth, one day, they would be crushed like a passing wave.

So!

Endure it.

He had their back if they were having a hard time alone, so do not be afraid of anything.

Kwaaaak!

At that moment, the rushing blue sword qi soared twice as high. Un Geoms sword qi was swept away and collapsed, and soon Un Geoms body was also hit by the rushing sword qi and thrown back.

In the meantime, he never let go of his sword, and with no arm to support the balance, he fell helplessly.

Sasuk!

Senior Sasuk!

Sasuk!

Those deafening screams.

Un Geom, who fell to the ground, looked blankly at the sky.

I dont know.

He didnt know it all, either. Why was he fighting? Was it to prove himself as a swordsman? Maybe it was because he didnt want to tarnish the reputation of Mount Hua. Or maybe he wanted to show something to his disciples.

But he was sure of one thing.

Push!

His sword stuck to the ground.

Un Geom struggled to get up using his sword as a cane and looked forward. Red blood flowed from the deep cuts of sword qi, but Un Geom didnt look at that.

His only hand was trembling. Nevertheless, his legs firmly landed on the ground again.

Mu Gaks face looked a bit tired at that sight.

The spar

Unable to continue speaking, he struggled to open his lips.

I think it is coming to an end.

And Un Geom grinned.

I apologize, but I havent given up. I wish we could hang out a bit more.

if you want to.

Mu Gaks face hardened as he swung the sword again.

Swish!

A swift sword.

The sword qi erupted from his sword and vanished before appearing in front of Un Geom.

Kang!

Un Geom twisted his body and struck the flying sword qi.

But.

Pat!

The sword skills of Mu Gak didnt stop coming. He continued to do the same several times, targeting Un Geoms body.

Kang! Kang!

Every time he blocked the sword qi, his body was pushed back by one inch. Even though he was able to block it, he couldnt handle the power contained in the sword.

Un Geoms body, which had constantly blocked the sword qi, was finally unable to handle it and fell to the ground.

Kwang!

He failed to maintain his balance, not yet fully adapted to having only one arm.

Ugh.

Un Geoms fist, gripping the sword, pressed down on the ground. His one remaining arm.

Yet, he managed to leverage it to stand up once more. The hand holding the sword trembled, but his face remained as serene as when the spar first began.

Mu Gak, observing that unwavering expression, unwittingly asked,

why?

Why was this man enduring so much?

The outcome of the spar was already determined.

Then, what did he hope to gain by subjecting his body to such suffering?

Mu Gak couldnt comprehend it at all.

Why are you doing this?

After all, this is just a spar, not a life-or-death challenge. Even if you lose, who would point fingers and mock you?

After all

Un Geom chuckled, looking up at Mu Gak. There was no malice in it.

You see, as one lives

Sometimes you fall and fail.

You lose your way, get frustrated, and sometimes find yourself engulfed in despair.

It was a seemingly random statement. But Mu Gak didnt interrupt the man.

What do you do then?

what should be done?

Un Geom shook his head.

It isnt anything much.

Just walk. Stand up and walk again. Even if your knees hurt and your ankles crack. You have no other choice but to walk again.

Taoist

Look here, Taoist.

Un Geom raised the sword.

Are you saying that I, the one who should teach my disciples to overcome lifes hurdles and keep walking, should step down at this level?

There are times in life when you must give up climbing the mountain halfway. But theres nothing wrong with that. Give up then and climb again. True surrender isnt going down the mountain or falling. Its when you hesitate to even attempt the climb.

Mu Gak knew.

This man wasnt speaking to him or even to himself. This was for the disciples of Mount Hua watching the spar.

So do not worry and move. I am a swordsman of Mount Hua. And the swordsman of Mount Hua isnt one to lose his way.

Mu Gak closed his eyes. And only after a while did he slowly open them.

May I know your name again?

Un Geom of Mount Hua.

Un Geom.

Mu Gak sighed at that.

Elder. We were so wrong.

It was wrong to say that Mount Hua only had second and third-class disciples to guide them.

Wasnt there one here?

With someone like this supporting the backs of the disciples, why would Mount Hua ever feel helpless? Werent they the ones who didnt see this clearly?

Their Wudang

Mu Gak immediately pulled out the sheath tied to his waist and threw it to the ground.

When a swordsman threw away their sheath, it expressed his will to fight without care for life and death. But at this moment, the meaning was different.

It means that the person in front of him was an opponent with whom one has to fight for life or death. An expression of respect.

I

Mu Gak looked at Un Geom with a firm look.

Will never forget that name.

Thank you.

And I will do my best. Be prepared.

Definitely.

Mu Gak took a deep breath.

His sword began to move in a different path from before. It was not like the water anymore. But a round and smooth arc was drawn in the air.

Taiji Wisdom Sword.

A sword that cuts through everything.

The strongest in Wudang.

This sword, which has been prohibited from being used in spars, was being unfolded because of his respect for the opponent.

His sword quietly cut the circle down.

The world started when one force was divided into Yin and Yang. A sword that contained the origin of the world itself.

The sword qi, divided into black and white, majestically attacked Un Geom. Un Geom, who faced it, held the plum blossom sword.

Strange.

The sword in his hand felt oddly warm.

Even though it shouldnt be that way, this warmth was moving from his sword.

-Hall leader!

Un Geom smiled.

It was as if he could see his young disciples running towards him amidst the numerous plum blossoms on Mount Hua.

You will surpass me and step into the world.

So, until then

I wish for my sword to be your shade.

And soon, Un Geoms sword felled a huge tree.

A huge tree that will spread its branches all over the world and provide safe shade.

The shade created by Un Geom might have been a bit warm, too.