Time flowed swiftly, like running water.
The Affectionate Blossom Sect was a sect forbidden to men, with no history of males staying long within its grounds. Yet Bu Eunseol and Hyeok Sojin not only broke this taboo but also brought subtle changes to the place.
Buzz, buzz.
At the White Lotus Pavilion, where the training grounds and secret manuals were housed, disciples of the Affectionate Blossom Sect gathered in droves. The martial arts library, previously filled with feminine techniques, movement arts, and sound-based skills, was now stocked with powerful demonic techniques that could be easily wielded.
“Lute Flashing Hand is a technique that primarily uses the sleeves, so you must not expend excessive energy. Reversing Heaven, Exhausting Force—focus on redirecting the enemy’s attack and draining their strength…”
In front of the training grounds, disciples who had studied the manuals lined up before Hyeok Sojin, learning practical methods and techniques directly from him. Unlike the light feminine martial arts they had practiced before, these were grand, domineering demonic techniques taught by a successor of the Ten Demonic Sects himself!
Fearing they might miss this rare opportunity, not only the martial instructors but also ordinary disciples flocked like clouds.
‘Damn it.’ Hyeok Sojin, watching the growing crowd of disciples, wore a frustrated expression. ‘I don’t even have time to train my own martial arts.’
His ability to overcome laziness stemmed solely from his desire to advance his martial arts and grow stronger. Yet here he was, unexpectedly playing the role of a martial arts instructor, teaching others?
“Hmm.” Only as the sun began to set did the long line of disciples finally disperse. “Phew.”
Letting out a sigh, Hyeok Sojin, with a weary face, drank from a teapot left on a table at the edge of the training grounds.
“Young Master, I don’t understand the No Existence Without Movement principle in the Ice Soul Phantom Killing Sword Technique…” But before he could finish the tea, another disciple of the Affectionate Blossom Sect approached, holding a sword manual.
‘Haha…’ Staring at the setting sun, Hyeok Sojin’s eyes lost focus.
Like a bell that rings when shaken, he began mechanically explaining the principle.
***
“But what is that Nangyang man doing?”
In contrast to Hyeok Sojin, Bu Eunseol’s days were leisurely. Every day, he took Geuk Hyebin out to explore the surroundings of the Affectionate Blossom Sect or crouched down with her to observe insects.
“He’s supposed to be teaching the Little Mistress martial arts, right?”
“Then why is he always wandering around like that?” The disciples of the Affectionate Blossom Sect whispered, casting strange glances as Bu Eunseol roamed with Geuk Hyebin as if on a scenic outing.
Geuk Hyeryeong, hearing reports of Bu Eunseol’s activities from her confidant at her residence, the Pure Gold Pavilion, also wore a puzzled expression.
“The one who’s supposed to teach a demonic killing technique is wandering around every day?”
“That is so, Pavilion Master.”
“Hmm.” Geuk Hyeryeong let out a heavy sigh.
Nearly a month had passed.
A demonic killing technique, a deadly move designed to end an enemy’s life, consists of multiple complex forms, making it extremely difficult to master. Even with daily practice, it’s hard to learn, yet with a month nearly gone, he was leisurely wandering around?
‘Wait, could this guy be…?’ A strange thought flashed through Geuk Hyeryeong’s mind. ‘Is he wandering around every day to win her favor?’ Bu Eunseol possessed a charm and presence that could captivate any woman.
Even a pure young girl… might not be immune to it.
‘This guy! Could he have used this method to gain the support of Heaven and Earth Severing Sect?’ Now that she thought about it, it was odd that he was traveling with the grandson of Heaven and Earth Severing Sect.
He must be scheming something with that enchanting appearance.
“You!” The thought enraged Geuk Hyeryeong, and she shot to her feet, shouting. “Where is that Bu Eunseol right now?!”
Near the western garden of the Affectionate Blossom Sect.
The area, with its picturesque scenery, featured a stream cascading from a low cliff. Below it, Geuk Hyebin was splashing in the water with her pants rolled up, while Bu Eunseol stood at a distance, watching her.
Step, step.
Then, from afar, the sound of short strides approached. Though her skin was rough like aged tree bark, her gait and sharp eyes were as swift and lively as a young man’s.
It was Geuk Hyeryeong.
‘So he thought my promise was a joke!’ Seeing her granddaughter playing in the stream with her pants rolled up, sparks flew from Geuk Hyeryeong’s eyes.
At that moment, Geuk Hyebin, standing in the water, noticed her and approached with a smile.
“Ahh.” Her large eyes sparkled with a radiant smile, and Geuk Hyeryeong forcibly suppressed her rising anger.
“Yes, it looks like you’re having fun.”
“What’s the matter?” As Bu Eunseol approached with a calm expression, Geuk Hyeryeong’s face hardened.
“What are you doing here?”
“Training.”
“Training?” Her suppressed rage surged to the top of her head.
If Geuk Hyebin weren’t clutching her sleeve, she might have struck Bu Eunseol’s head right then.
“I see. So Nangyang has a secret technique for training in water.”
“It’s not training in that sense.”
“Not training? Then what are you doing here?”
“You could call it character education, if you will.”
“Character education?”
“Yes.” Pointing to the stream, Bu Eunseol said calmly, “This child may seem upright on the surface, but in reality, she doesn’t know how to live among others.”
“What do you mean?”
“Growing older doesn’t automatically mature one’s character. Especially for children, proper values must be instilled according to their disposition.” Geuk Hyeryeong’s eyes widened at the unheard-of notion.
‘It sounds serious, yet bizarre.’ But Bu Eunseol’s clear eyes didn’t seem to be spouting nonsense.
After a moment of thought, Geuk Hyeryeong asked again.
“I don’t understand what you’re saying. Can’t you explain it simply?”
“This child’s exposure to the world has been far too limited. That’s why a proper character couldn’t take root.” Bu Eunseol spoke with a serious expression. “To raise a child properly, you must invest that much care. But unfortunately, it seems the Affectionate Blossom Sect has failed to do so.”
“Nonsense! Are you saying this Pavilion Master raised this child wrongly?” Geuk Hyeryeong retorted, unable to accept it. “Hyebin was taught by not only this Pavilion’s finest but also the greatest masters in various fields. And you say she wasn’t raised properly?”
“They taught her knowledge in their fields, but they didn’t nurture her inner self, did they?”
“Nurture her inner self? What kind of absurd talk is that?”
“Children emulate those they spend the most time with.” Bu Eunseol’s eyes deepened, as if recalling a memory. “A child raised by a grandfather resembles the grandfather, and a child raised by parents resembles the parents. But this child had no such figure.”
At that moment, Geuk Hyeryeong’s mind grew turbulent. Aside from the nanny who cared for her during meals and sleep, Geuk Hyebin had been taught by the greatest masters in various fields.
But that was all.
Busy managing the Affectionate Blossom Sect, Geuk Hyeryeong had rarely spent time with Geuk Hyebin.
“Then, Hyebin…”
“Despite receiving excellent education, she has developed an almost inhuman disposition. Because no one has truly influenced her.”
Originally, Bu Eunseol’s plan was to show her the laws of nature to temper her gentle disposition significantly. But after recalling how she saved the rabbit from the hawk, he realized it wasn’t mere purity or compassion.
‘She was acting without any empathy, simply going through the motions.’
If she had truly pitied the rabbit and wanted to help? She would have at least carefully removed the hawk’s talons embedded in its back. But Geuk Hyebin had forcibly yanked the talons out without hesitation. As a result, the rabbit’s skin was torn off, and blood poured out.
At first, Bu Eunseol hadn’t thought much of it. But later, he realized such actions were impossible for a child with genuine compassion.
“This child severely lacks empathy.”
“Empathy?”
“Yes. To put it simply, she was helping others out of habit, without any emotion.”
“Why on earth…?”
“Because that’s how she gains attention from the Pavilion Master and those around her.”
Geuk Hyeryeong trembled as if struck by a blow. Her beloved granddaughter, clutching her sleeve. The child she thought helped others out of a noble heart was, in reality, devoid of emotion?
“If even one person had given her genuine, warm love, it wouldn’t have come to this.” As he spoke, a pang struck Bu Eunseol’s heart.
‘That was true for me as well…’ An orphan, Bu Eunseol had never received love from anyone. He had merely struggled day by day to avoid starvation.
In a harsh world, abandoned and isolated, emotions were a luxury for him.
If he hadn’t met his grandfather, Bu Zhanyang.
If he hadn’t received that boundless, warm love.
Bu Eunseol would still be an emotionless human, both toward others and himself.
‘But now…’ Bu Eunseol inwardly shook his head. When Bu Zhanyang met a tragic death, his temperament had begun reverting to his childhood self.
If he hadn’t formed bonds with figures like Black Leopard, Tang Gon, or Namgung Un in the martial world… Bu Eunseol would have fully reverted to the emotionless disposition of his orphaned days.
“So, you’ve been wandering around with Hyebin?”
“Not wandering, but instilling proper values. Teaching her to appreciate the beauty of nature and observe the lives of wild animals…” Pausing briefly, Bu Eunseol continued. “And showing her how people interact and live together.”
His eyes, gazing at the distant sky, were filled with deep longing. These lessons were all ones he had received from his grandfather, Bu Zhanyang.
“I see. That’s what it was.” Realizing her grave mistake, Geuk Hyeryeong tightly embraced Geuk Hyebin, who was clutching her sleeve. “This old woman has done you such a terrible wrong.”
She should have spent more time with her granddaughter, beyond managing the Affectionate Blossom Sect. More than hiring renowned masters, more than providing fine food and clothing…
She should have held her hand and taken her out to see the world, even just once.
“Ahh.” Geuk Hyebin shook her head, wearing a crestfallen expression.
Unlike her habitual bright smiles, thanks to Bu Eunseol’s help over the past month, she had begun to empathize with others’ feelings, even if just a little.
“I’m sorry, so sorry, Hyebin.” Tears flowed from Geuk Hyeryeong’s eyes, which had been frozen like a glacier.
After her son and daughter-in-law died tragically, she had expanded her influence through covert dealings with orthodox and unorthodox powers. All to pass down a stronger Affectionate Blossom Sect to Geuk Hyebin.
Yet, in the end, that had led to harming the child.
“Ahh. Ahh.” As Geuk Hyeryeong cried, tears also streamed from Geuk Hyebin’s eyes.
She was finally feeling the depth of her grandmother’s love. The stream became a sea of tears in an instant.
“…” Watching silently, Bu Eunseol quietly turned and left the stream.
His back looked profoundly lonely, but with Geuk Hyeryeong and Geuk Hyebin embracing each other, no one noticed.
***
Bu Eunseol didn’t teach Geuk Hyebin a killing technique but achieved the best possible outcome.
Yet Geuk Hyeryeong didn’t promise to support him or send word to Majeon. However, from that day forward, vast funds were poured into Nangyang and Heaven and Earth Severing Sect.
Neither sect was particularly wealthy.
Especially Nangyang, which focused solely on martial arts without building influence, suffered from chronic deficits. By generously funding both sects, Geuk Hyeryeong effectively declared her support for Bu Eunseol to the entire martial world.
Step, step.
Leaving the stream, Bu Eunseol walked toward the heart of the Affectionate Blossom Sect. Though he seemed to walk calmly, he was calming his mind and channeling his internal energy. His body and spirit were in perfect harmony, and a faint haze of energy shimmered around him. His steps finally stopped in front of the training platform at the White Lotus Pavilion.
Having resolved everything, he would soon leave the Affectionate Blossom Sect. But before that, he intended to resume a duel he had postponed.
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