Gambling

Using the mechanism hidden in the bed, Yun-seon re-entered the cave, unable to hide his devastated heart.

He was dumbfounded—what was he, that so many people gave their lives to save him?

On the other hand, his determination to live only grew stronger.

‘I must live. My life is no longer mine alone.’

If he met those Jo Sang-won mentioned, he might learn why he had survived.

If he had endured until now for revenge, then now he wanted to find the true reason behind that revenge.

Every movement felt like his broken ribs were stabbing into his organs, but he no longer felt pain.

He remembered the path exactly.

‘Tiger Rock… just let me make it there…’

Unlike the wind, Yun-seon’s steps grew slower and slower.

His vision wavered and his hands trembled.

He was increasingly unsure if his body could even pass through the narrow tunnel.

Swish!

When cold metal touched his neck, Yun-seon realized another crisis had come.

“You brat, how dare you strike me and run?”

Do-pyeong rubbed his chest where Jo Sang-won had struck a pressure point, threatening Yun-seon.

Since he hadn’t seen who knocked him out, he assumed it was Yun-seon’s trick.

Hearing Do-pyeong’s voice, Yun-seon sighed in relief.

Though the sword point pressed at his nape, it didn’t feel very threatening.

“Senior Brother Kwak, now you share my fate.”

“What the hell are you saying, you madman…?”

Kwak Do-pyeong cursed first, but seeing Yun-seon’s calm expression, unease crept in.

“Your master knows you freed me. He’ll already think you’re on my side—what will you do?”

“What?”

Darkness clouded Do-pyeong’s mind.

He had devoted nearly ten years of body and soul to his master, and this was lightning from a clear sky.

“Sahyung, let’s train in the scripture’s martial arts together, as planned. Once we’re top masters, no one will dare look down on you.”

“Don’t spout nonsense!”

He shouted, but his heart wavered violently.

If Yun-seon was right, then of course his master already knew he had freed him.

He had no choice.

“Let’s leave this cave first. I’m dizzy and can’t breathe from being in here too long.”

Do-pyeong pressed his sword at his back as he forced Yun-seon to lead.

‘Ah, it seems fate doesn’t demand my death yet.’

That small hope lightened Yun-seon’s heart.

The tunnel was impossible alone, but with Do-pyeong opening the way, it would not be hard.

“Sahyung, from here on it’s absolutely impossible.”

When they reached the cave entrance, Yun-seon looked back at Do-pyeong with a tearful face.

Clearly, in his current condition, it seemed impossible for him to pass through the tunnel.

Do-pyeong felt as though he was being deceived, but since there was no other way, he grumbled and stepped forward.

“I’ll widen the tunnel as I go, so wait behind and follow. I’ll seal your pressure points first, so don’t even think of pulling tricks!”

“Oh dear, Sahyung. But I have no strength to crawl—what should I do?”

Yun-seon sat down on the ground with his bottom and started to whimper.

Do-pyeong was dumbfounded and could only stare down at him.

“Then what do you propose?”

“Why not tie me up and pull me along with a rope? You won’t need to seal my points, and you won’t have to worry about me attacking.”

Do-pyeong thought it over—it would be hard work, but Yun-seon’s logic made sense.

He went back to the place Yun-seon had been tied, fetched a long rope, and tied him up tightly.

“No matter how much you struggle, tied this thoroughly, you won’t escape.”

Looking at Do-pyeong’s satisfied back, Yun-seon smiled faintly.

Having been surrounded by hypocrites, even someone like Kwak Do-pyeong now seemed almost endearing.

In martial skill, Yun-seon had long since surpassed him.

He could cut him down in one strike if he wished, but he resolved not to harm him.

Though Do-pyeong had tormented him with every spiteful act, Yun-seon understood his inferiority complex.

‘Let’s hope we never meet again.’

Do-pyeong had to bear both their weights unexpectedly, but thanks to it Yun-seon could finally catch his breath.

He secretly chewed and swallowed the pill Yun Seol had given him, circulated his energy, and soon regained enough strength to move his limbs.

Fortunately, Kwak Do-pyeong was a strong young man, and the tunnel was no longer than the width of a decent room.

Within less than two hours, the two made it out of the cave.

“Now, let’s hurry down the mountain.”

Just as Do-pyeong tried to aim his sword at Yun-seon again—

The crudely sealed pressure points were already undone, and in the blink of an eye, Yun-seon used Grappling Hand to snatch Do-pyeong’s sword.

“Huh?”

“Sahyung, forgive me.”

Yun-seon gave an awkward smile as he turned the sword back against Do-pyeong’s throat.

Do-pyeong, utterly shocked by the turn of events, collapsed onto the ground.

“How… how can you…?”

This was the same Yun-seon who had once fumbled over even memorizing The Living Sword forms.

Do-pyeong couldn’t believe what he saw and his eyes rolled around in disbelief.

Only when he saw Yun-seon holding the sword in his left hand did he realize he’d been thoroughly deceived.

“You bastard!”

But realizing it now was pointless.

“Sahyung, even resentment is still a bond, so let me give you one piece of advice.”

“What crazy nonsense are you spouting?”

Yun-seon ignored his curses and continued.

“It seems your master has used his disciples as bait for a trap. He doesn’t care whether you live or die. Given how things are, why not descend the mountain and return to your family home?”

If Jo Sang-won had wanted to deal with things easily, Kwak Do-pyeong would already be dead.

Yun-seon didn’t want to drive a life spared by mercy back into death.

“Hmph, what a laugh. Worry about your own future! You think you can escape this place? You must take the Five Great Mountain Swords for fools!”

Do-pyeong’s voice rose louder and louder.

He feared Yun-seon might stab him, but his wounded pride was worse.

And now to be pitied—he could have gone mad from humiliation.

“Sahyung…”

“So this is as far as you’ve come?”

Just as Yun-seon moved to knock him unconscious, a familiar voice boomed through the mountains.

Yun-seon could only despair once again.

He had thought he’d shaken them off, but the sect leaders of the Five Great Mountain Swords had followed after him.

Do-pyeong, seeing his master’s face, became overjoyed and screamed even louder.

“Sect Head! Sect Head! Please save me!”

“Jo Yang…”

Yun-seon bit his lips until they bled to suppress the rage boiling up.

His hand holding Do-pyeong’s nape trembled violently as the man tried to run toward them.

“There’s no one left to help you. Surrender.”

Go Geun-dong cried out arrogantly, brimming with confidence.

“But since we’ve shared bonds, if you cooperate, we’ll at least spare your life.”

Yun-seon didn’t even look at Go Geun-dong.

He spat straight at Jo Yang’s pitying face as the man stood with folded arms.

“I’d sooner smash my head and die here than beg for my life.”

He hauled the choking Kwak Do-pyeong up and thrust him forward.

“Take even one step closer and I’ll pierce his throat!”

The rendezvous point was still far away.

Yun-seon felt sorry for Do-pyeong, but this was the only way to buy time.

“Tsk tsk, how wicked for one so young.”

Go Yu-saeng, since Yun-seon was an Emptiness Dhuta Sect disciple, only clicked his tongue and held back.

He wanted to seize him and snap his neck at once, but he couldn’t act without Jo Yang’s signal.

His insides burned, but Jo Yang only watched calmly.

“Senior Brother Kwak, don’t be afraid. I won’t hurt you. Just help me a little longer.”

Yun-seon whispered in Do-pyeong’s ear, then began stepping backward.

Terrified, Do-pyeong opened and closed his mouth soundlessly as he was dragged along.

Maintaining the standoff, they were soon within a hundred paces of the cliff.

“Boy, there’s a cliff right behind you—give up now. You may not trust the others, but trust me. I promise, you will not be harmed.”

As the situation grew dire, So So-jeong grew anxious.

She desired the scripture more than anyone.

She couldn’t let the fish already in her net slip away.

She approached gently, sword lowered, looking free of malice.

But suddenly, Yun-seon recalled the last martial gathering.

Wasn’t she the very one who shamelessly used Gu poison without remorse?

“Not one among you lacks cruelty.”

With a hollow laugh, Yun-seon pulled Do-pyeong’s body even closer in front of him.

If they came any nearer, he’d have no choice but to jump.

Yun-seon glanced down the cliff and his head spun.

Jagged rocks jutted out at random—if he hit them, not even his bones would remain.

‘Damn!’

Jo Yang, watching closely, finally realized.

Yun-seon always fought to live—he’d never imagined he would choose suicide.

But already Yun-seon’s toes pointed toward the cliff.

Swish!

“Urgh!”

A sound cut through the air—and suddenly Do-pyeong’s weight doubled.

It was Jo Yang’s desperate move—he had thrown something.

A dreadful premonition stabbed through Yun-seon’s chest.

“Sahyung!”

A long needle, the length of a finger joint, was buried deep in Kwak Do-pyeong’s neck.

With only a final death cry left behind, he perished.

It was the death of a young man who never had the chance to chase his dreams.

“How… how can you kill your own disciple!”

Yun-seon howled, but Jo Yang only brushed off his hands and replied.

“Why blame me? If you hadn’t taken him hostage, this wouldn’t have happened.”

“Hmph! I’ll break every joint in your body!”

At last, Go Yu-saeng lunged at Yun-seon like a madman.

His long, sharp nails flew straight at Yun-seon’s neck, as if they’d pierce his organs on contact.

Go Geun-dong also drew his sword, leaving Yun-seon utterly trapped.

“So this really was the tiger, after all.”

Yun-seon glanced at the rock beneath his feet and muttered words they couldn’t understand.

Then, with barely a jang’s distance left between him and Go Yu-saeng’s claws, he threw himself without hesitation off the cliff.

“Yun-seon!”

For a moment, he thought he heard Ju-un’s familiar voice, but it was meaningless now.

“Master, Sahyung… I miss you.”

It was surely Yun-seon’s own tears, yet as he fell, they dropped like raindrops above his body.

“Sect Lord, is there no way we can go together?”

“Young Warrior Kang…”

Jo Sang-won had embraced Yun-seon gently and whispered in a low voice.

“If you meet the tiger, don’t hesitate—jump. Who knows? After a harsh trial, the merciless mother may finally acknowledge you and lift you up.”

Jo Sang-won smiled faintly at Yun-seon, whose eyes were wide like a startled rabbit.

“I wish you fortune.”

도박 (賭博), Gambling:

요행수를 바라고 위험한 일이나 가능성 없는 일에 손을 대는 일.
To take on a dangerous or hopeless endeavor, hoping only for luck.