Cause And Effect Retribution

The disciples of the Eminent Mountain Sect felt darkness before their eyes. They had long heard the rumors about Ma Jingun. Among the Seven Stellar Lords, Yi Seomun was said to be the most skilled in martial arts, but in real combat, none could rival Ma Jingun.

His spear techniques had no formal moves. Having fought only to kill on countless battlefields, he had no need for any flashy skills.

“In-gyeong, remember this well.”

Go Geun-dong forced a smile as he turned to his nephew. The annihilation of the Eminent Mountain Sect had to be prevented. That was the last duty he, ignorant and incompetent as he was, could fulfill as sect leader.

“Run without looking back. You must never return.”

“Uncle?”

For the first time in his life, In-gyeong felt extreme fear at his uncle’s resolute expression.

“Instead, remember this clearly. Never forget the enemies who destroyed the Eminent Mountain Sect—who killed your family!”

Geun-dong grabbed In-gyeong’s shoulders and shook him roughly, as the boy stared at him with blank eyes.

“You must survive no matter what.”

“Uncle! Uncle!”

Geun-dong handed In-gyeong over to his closest aide, Elder Hwang, giving him a brief hand signal. They had already agreed on this before departing. At least that much preparation brought a sliver of relief.

Elder Hwang gave a solemn bow to the Sect Leader, then slung the struggling In-gyeong over one shoulder. Without looking back, he infused his footwork with internal qi and dashed down the opposite path.

“Do you even know who we are, to dare block our path?”

Go Geun-dong shouted at Ma Jingun, trying to hide his fear. Though he had never crossed blades with him, he could tell without even fighting: there was no way he could win. Today was his last day.

“I am Ma Jingun, Celestial Immortal of the Taiyi Divine Sect. Are you the Sect Leader of the Eminent Mountain Sect?”

His dry voice circled through the forest and pierced into their ears. The disciples of the Eminent Mountain Sect, gripped by fear, did not dare to move and only clenched their swords tightly.

“So it seems the butcher of the Demonic Cult has come! I was planning to avenge my master anyway—this works out well, very well indeed.”

Geun-dong feigned bravado as he drew his sword Waxing Moon from its scabbard. The thin, sharp blade gleamed in the moonlight. Their master, Shin Yang-seon, had given Geun-dong and Geun-nam a pair of twin swords—Waxing Moon and Waning Moon—with solemn reminders.

“A sword is not merely a weapon, but the wielder’s heart. Never draw it when your mind is cluttered and distracted. Otherwise, you will wound yourself, not your opponent.”

Hearing his master’s voice echo in his ears, Geun-dong nearly burst into tears.

‘Master, though my skills are meager, I will not shame you as your disciple.’

When he finished preparing and assumed an attack stance, the disciples also steeled their hearts. Exchanging glances, they busily moved to their assigned positions. Soon, centered around Go Geun-dong, twenty-five blades formed the Full Moon Sword Formation.

“Hm.”

Ma Jingun, still unguarded, watched their movements. For him, there was no such thing as preparation forms. If the enemy came, he would simply stab and slash.

“Waxing Moon Sword, First Form!”

At Geun-dong’s shout, the formation swiftly shifted into a radial shape. The web-like formation centered around the sect leader was so dense that once inside, it was nearly impossible to escape.

“Waning Moon Sword, First Form!”

The outer ring disciples used the Waxing Moon Sword techniques, while those inside unleashed the Waning Moon Sword techniques, and a storm of Sword qi rushed toward Ma Jingun. The swordplay of the two disciples flanking Go Geun-dong was especially dazzling—enough to draw a sigh of admiration even from the indifferent Ma Jingun.

“Moonlight Torrential Shower!”

The two crossed their swords and charged at Ma Jingun. Like a sudden downpour, flashing sword light filled the dark sky. Just as the twin blades were about to strike him, he suddenly ducked, grabbed a pine tree to his left, and spun his body around.

“Where do you think you’re going!”

This time, Go Geun-dong, who had been watching, leapt forward. His Waxing Moon Sword bent like a whip and followed Ma Jingun’s evasive movement, slashing a long vertical line down his back.

‘Got him.’

Seeing red drops of blood bead on his opponent’s back, Go Geun-dong cheered inwardly. Ma Jingun’s movements seemed slower than rumored—perhaps the stories were exaggerated. Thinking he could land a fatal wound, Geun-dong thrust Waxing Moon Sword deeper and moved to Ma Jingun’s front.

“Take this!”

But Ma Jingun, as if waiting, did not dodge and instead caught the Waxing Moon Sword head-on. Feeling his blade sink in, Geun-dong tried to pull back in shock—but the tip of his sword was already caught.

“That was truly a fine sword art.”

In Ma Jingun’s eyes, meeting him directly, there was no emotion at all. Reflected in those unusually black, glossy pupils was only Geun-dong’s own panicked face. Then, Ma Jingun smirked, raising one corner of his lips, and flicked the captured blade with his fingers.

Piing!

The rebound of the Waxing Moon Sword flung Go Geun-dong several jang¹ away.

“Sect Leader!”

Sensing their sect leader’s danger, two disciples lunged in from both sides. The left sword thrust toward Ma Jingun’s armpit, while the right blade slashed from thigh to knee.

“Amusing.”

Sliding back effortlessly, Ma Jingun finally thrust his spear straight forward. It blocked the blade aimed at his armpit, then with a rebound technique easily flung away the attacker on the left. At the same time, he bent his leg to block the sword coming from the right with his knee—when the blade struck his bone, it snapped, throwing its wielder away as well.

“Indeed, the sword art of the Eminent Mountain Sword is formidable. However—”

Ma Jingun glanced at the three who had fallen around him at a distance, smiling faintly.

“From here on, the world shall never see that sword art again.”

Ma Jingun slowly began spinning the spear Mita² in his right hand. Since its blade was shaped like a sickle, the faster he spun it, the more it resembled a single circle.

“Run!”

Sensing a sudden ominous aura, Go Geun-dong urgently shouted to the disciples fallen on either side. Quick-witted, they curled up defensively. One hand extended their swords diagonally to shield their faces, while the other unleashed internal force through the Half-Moon Palm technique, creating gusts of energy. Anyone who entered that radius would suffer a fatal blow—that was the Eminent Mountain Sect’s inner martial method.

Shwik!

As Ma Jingun’s black spear-shadow swept over them, they thought their gusts had struck his chest. But before they even realized, their bodies were severed in half. Standing nearby, Go Geun-dong was drenched head to toe in the blood gushing from them.

“Ahhh!”

He was so shocked and horrified that no sound escaped him. Those two disciples, masters of the Full Moon Sword Art, were far stronger than him in skill—yet they had died without even a scream.

“Why us, of all people?”

Go Geun-dong howled in anguish and resentment. Why the Eminent Mountain Sect? Why were shameless sects that abandoned loyalty and fled to save themselves spared, while his sect was slaughtered?

“Cause and effect retribution.”

Ma Jingun looked down with an indifferent expression and spat out a curt remark.

“What?”

“If you don’t understand its meaning, so be it.”

He muttered to himself and adjusted his spear again. He had only allowed the sect leader time to rise out of courtesy—but there was no mercy or compassion in his spear. From his glossy eyes radiated a chilling killing intent that made Go Geun-dong shiver.

“Run away!”

Go Geun-dong shouted with all his might, determined to at least save the remaining disciples. Just moments before, he had clung to the faint hope that since there was only one opponent, perhaps they could survive if they combined their strength. But now he realized it had been a fatal misjudgment.

If he could just cling to this man and perish together, perhaps a few disciples might live. Go Geun-dong resolved that even if his limbs were severed, he would buy as much time as possible.

“Sect Leader!”

“Hurry!”

Urging the brothers who could not bring themselves to leave, Go Geun-dong rose abruptly and straightened his stance. If he gave his all, he might not inflict a fatal wound, but at least sever a tendon. A trace of grim resolve flickered in his eyes.

“Sect Leader Go, it is useless.”

Ma Jingun looked down at Go Geun-dong with a calm expression. A man a head taller might have cowed him with an oppressive gaze, but one who had something to protect could only burn with determination.

The Eminent Mountain disciples stepped back hesitantly, determined not to let their leader’s sacrifice be in vain. When the clash began, they planned to scatter in all directions. If even one survived, this bitter disgrace would surely be avenged. In each of their hearts grew a solemn resolve.

Cheang!

Ma Jingun’s spear Mita shot forward, stabbing at Go Geun-dong’s left leg. Unfazed, he plunged his Waxing Moon Sword downward toward his opponent’s right sole. But in the next instant, Mita changed direction, sweeping upward. Geun-dong used Waxing Moon to guard his face, and with a clear metallic clang the two blades collided fiercely. The weaker sword body of Waxing Moon quivered violently.

“I’ll kill you!”

The impact left Go Geun-dong’s hands numb, nearly dropping his sword. But he had no time to hesitate. The spear whirled in a great arc toward his neck. He quickly switched hands and thrust his sword upward, counterattacking. Considering the length of the spear, he thought his blade might strike first.

‘Ahh…’

But Mita’s speed was far greater than he imagined. What he thought had gone behind him had already circled back, arriving beneath his chin. In the time it took to swallow, everything would be over.

The last thing Go Geun-dong saw was the backs of the Eminent Mountain Sect disciples scattering in all directions. Yes—if he could at least save their lives, his death would not be in vain.

All his life, he had been told he was the lesser brother. Reckless, irresponsible—that reputation had always followed him. Only at the final moment of his life did he finally feel pride as Sect Leader.

‘Master, at last I can show my face with a little dignity.’

At that moment.

“I will take care of the rest.”

A clear, refreshing voice cut across his vision, followed by the sweep of red robes. The woman wielding twin swords mercilessly stabbed and slashed the fleeing disciples of the Eminent Mountain Sect. Those escaping down side paths all had her throwing blades buried in their backs. It was Hyunjin, Okhyeong of the Taiyi Divine Sect.

“No!”

With his final mission cruelly thwarted, Go Geun-dong’s head fell.

Ma Jingun twirled Mita a few times to shake off the clinging blood and quietly watched Hyunjin. He had been ready to step in, but her strikes were far too swift and precise. Everything was settled in less than a quarter of an hour.

“What of Jeok-woo?”

“He said he would block the road toward Dragon Gate Mountain, but there’s been no news yet.”

Hyunjin replied with a grimace. No matter if it was duty, cutting down twenty lives was nothing pleasant.

“Don’t take it too much to heart.”

At Ma Jingun’s indifferent words, Hyunjin forced a smile. Tonight, only with heavy drinking would sleep overcome her.

인과응보(因果應報), Cause and Effect Retribution:

Depending on the good and evil deeds of past lives, fortune or misfortune exists in the present; and depending on good and evil deeds in this life, fortune or misfortune awaits in the next.