Strange Fate

It took no less than four days to reach Geumdang.

During that time, Yun-seon suffered three seizures, and the pain grew progressively worse.

With external medicine bought from villages and the internal injury medicine Ju-un had, he barely clung to life—but it wouldn’t have been strange if he had died at any moment.

“Ju-un, now that we’ve reached Geumdang, I won’t trouble you further.”

Yun-seon was still fearful and uneasy, but he thought there was nothing more he could do.

Despite her sharp words and behavior, Ju-un had looked after him with great care throughout the journey.

That alone filled him with overwhelming gratitude.

“Well, since it’s come to this, I’ll go with you all the way to Dhuta Mountain. Believe it or not, I’ve got some loyalty.”

“What? Thank you. Truly, thank you.”

At her unexpected reply, Yun-seon was both startled and relieved.

Since Yun-seon had never met peers other than his senior brother, the journey with her was actually quite enjoyable.

‘First, I must confirm the scripture’s whereabouts….’

Though she searched for excuses inwardly, Ju-un’s decision really came from a heavy sense of responsibility.

Day by day, watching Yun-seon’s complexion deteriorate became harder for her.

If he parted ways with her and died, she knew she couldn’t bear the guilt.

“Let’s rest here and leave early tomorrow morning.”

Seeing Yun-seon sweating coldly since earlier, it seemed another seizure was imminent.

Pitying him as he struggled to endure, Ju-un used her own fatigue as an excuse and entered the inn at midday.

Yun-seon noticed her consideration but didn’t call it out.

That he could endure even after losing his family just four days ago was thanks entirely to Ju-un’s kindness.

He expected the inn to be quiet after mealtime, but instead it was packed with martial artists from various factions.

“Is this some special day?”

“Wow.”

Yun-seon’s eyes widened as he busily looked around in amazement.

Though he had stopped at inns along the way, it was his first time seeing one this large and lavish.

“I’m hungry—let’s order a bunch of food.”

Ju-un called the waiter and ordered far more food than usual.

‘At least if he eats well, he won’t die with regrets.’

Without realizing it, Ju-un looked at Yun-seon with pity.

His fate was truly harsh.

“I’ve wanted to ask—why are the swords named ‘Water Moon’ and ‘Moon Heart’?”

Yun-seon asked as he stuffed his mouth with food.

The reason he had immediately believed Ju-un was Sword Immortal’s disciple when they first met was because of her sword, Moon Heart.

Both swords had been forged personally by Yul-cheon and Mu-yeong’s master.

Their shape and material were identical—only the calligraphy of their names differed.

“What happens if you combine the characters of the two swords’ names?”

“Water Moon, Moon Heart… Water Moon Heart?”

Ju-un nodded firmly.

“A heart like the moon reflected in water—that’s the meaning of Water Moon Heart.”

“Huh?”

Hearing for the first time about the swords’ essence, Yun-seon looked utterly confused.

“For the moon to be reflected in water, the water must be perfectly calm. It means to always maintain a heart that is tranquil and still, like that water.”

“That’s a beautiful meaning.”

Yun-seon, liking the meaning, kept muttering to himself, “Water Moon Heart, Water Moon Heart.”

Suddenly, the face of his master, who bore no resentment even at the end, came to mind.

‘But Master, I must seek revenge.’

That alone was the goal sustaining Yun-seon’s life now.

He clenched his right fist with all the strength he could muster.

Though his right arm was so ruined he couldn’t even hold chopsticks, he firmly believed it would someday heal.

Watching him, Ju-un’s face was filled with worry.

‘Even if he’s lucky enough to survive, that arm will have to be cut off….’

But she felt she could never bring herself to say it before they parted.

“Huh? Why is that guy here?”

“Does he even know where he is?”

Suddenly, the inn grew noisy.

Gasps of shock and clucking tongues filled the hall.

Yun-seon casually turned his head toward where everyone’s gaze had gathered.

“Bring me a good jug of wine.”

A loud, rough voice rang out, and soon a broad-shouldered man appeared at the top of the inn’s second-floor staircase.

Each step he took made the wood groan as if it might collapse, loud and jarring.

He carried a massive dao (saber) over his shoulder, so large it spanned his entire back and its hilt jutted above his head.

“He’s got guts, showing his face here.”

Seeing his face, Ju-un sighed softly, looking unimpressed.

“You know him?”

Yun-seon, excited, urged Ju-un for an answer.

Ju-un didn’t want to say much, but hesitated—if she pretended not to know, Yun-seon would only pester her more.

“Well, he’s…”

Just as Ju-un was about to answer.

“Well, look who it is!”

The man scanning the room spotted Ju-un and lit up with delight.

He didn’t even notice Yun-seon sitting there—his eyes were fixed solely on Ju-un as he greeted her.

“Miss Ju, long time no see. Is Sword Immortal still well?”

Only then did Yun-seon clearly see the man’s face.

Thick brows and piercing eyes gave him a striking presence—unforgettable at first sight.

In contrast, his nose and mouth were small, but his constant smile made him seem approachable.

“I don’t particularly want to greet you.”

Ju-un openly made a displeased face and turned her back to him.

The man scratched his head awkwardly, then noticed Yun-seon and laughed heartily in greeting.

“Oh! You’ve got company. Who might you be, lad?”

When Yun-seon hesitated awkwardly, Ju-un turned back and snapped.

“Isn’t it proper to give your own name first?”

“Ah, right.”

The man chuckled awkwardly, as if realizing his blunder, and addressed Yun-seon again.

“I’m Jeok-woo¹, called the Swift Saber Mad Bandit. You look younger than me, so just call me hyung-nim.”

“I’m but a nameless nobody—my name is Kang Yun-seon.”

Seeing Yun-seon’s delicate features contrasted by his gloomy expression, Jeok-woo figured he must have a story.

But he didn’t care much.

He loved making friends and wasn’t picky, so he was simply glad to meet someone new.

“This too is fate—let’s sit together and catch up.”

Without waiting for permission, Jeok-woo tried to sit with them.

“Yun-seon, there’s nothing good that comes from befriending that man.”

Ju-un curtly told Yun-seon this as she kicked the chair he was about to sit on out from under him.

Yet Jeok-woo just roared with laughter, not the least offended by her antics.

If anything, he seemed to expect it, and smoothly shifted his attention to Yun-seon.

“Are you alright?”

“What?”

Yun-seon pointed toward Jeok-woo’s backside as he asked.

Because Ju-un had kicked the chair away, Jeok-woo was squatting in mid-air.

Yet, balanced only on his legs, he looked completely at ease.

“Miss Ju’s temper is among the five worst in all the martial world, you know.”

Ju-un’s face darkened dangerously, but Jeok-woo continued teasing her without a care.

Finally, Ju-un snapped back curtly.

“Even your name’s awful. Not ‘timely rain’ Jeok-woo, but ‘excessive rain’ Jeokzwoo.”

“Since Miss Ju² is the cloud, naturally I must be the rain that follows.”

At his sly retort, Ju-un flushed red with anger.

Yun-seon worried she might be hurt, but at the same time, Jeok-woo’s cheerfulness lifted his mood.

Even the spasms he had felt creeping in earlier seemed to fade when the man was around.

“It’s the Emptiness Dhuta Sect.”

“They’re disciples of the Emptiness Dhuta Sect!”

Just as the three were finishing their meal, cheers erupted as a group of boys in white robes entered the inn.

Martial artists who had disapproved of Jeok-woo but hadn’t dared step up now whispered to each other.

“Now this’ll make the wine taste better.”

“How dare a Demonic Cult dog wander into this place?”

“Just thinking about that bastard being kicked out makes me feel refreshed.”

Hearing the comments from all sides, Yun-seon grew uneasy.

Clearly a conflict was brewing, yet Ju-un and Jeok-woo just kept trading barbs with each other.

Sure enough, just as Yun-seon feared, the Emptiness Dhuta Sect disciples approached their table.

“Excuse us, you three.”

One among them—pale-faced, with neat and well-defined features—stepped forward and bowed politely.

“Well, well, a welcoming party, how kind.”

Jeok-woo chuckled and looked the disciples up and down.

Some of the more hot-blooded ones scowled at his rudeness.

But the boy in front still smiled politely as he addressed them.

“I am Baek Hyeong-jin, fifth disciple of the Emptiness Dhuta Sect. Might I have the honor of your names?”

For a moment, Yun-seon wondered if it was safe to reveal his identity.

Just then, Ju-un kicked his foot under the table.

He understood her signal and kept his mouth shut.

“Jeok-woo, disciple of the Taiyi Divine Sect. Surely you didn’t ask out of ignorance.”

Grinning, Jeok-woo stared Hyeongjin down.

“Fifteen days from now, the Five Great Mountain Swords will host a martial gathering here. Regrettably, disciples of uninvited sects may not participate—so you should leave.”

Though his tone was polite, the undertone was one of condescension.

Jeok-woo, though just over twenty, was seasoned in the martial world and well-versed in people—he easily read between the lines.

Even though it was their first meeting, something about Hyeongjin rubbed him the wrong way.

In fact, the disciples glaring at him openly felt more honest by comparison.

“And if I refuse?”

Ju-un smirked at Jeok-woo’s response.

She too had found the Emptiness Dhuta disciples’ arrogance irritating.

She didn’t intend to help Jeok-woo, but part of her hoped he’d beat them soundly.

“Then we’ll have no choice but to use force.”

Hyeongjin raised his right hand, signaling to the disciples behind him.

At once, seven youths drew their swords and took their stances.

“No need to bring out my darling for brats like you.”

Jeok-woo unstrapped the saber from his shoulder and handed it to Yun-seon.

“Little brother, I’ll go teach them a lesson. Keep an eye on my darling for me.”

Yun-seon nodded awkwardly, and Jeok-woo flashed his trademark broad grin.

“Don’t waste my time—come all at once.”

The moment Jeok-woo finished, seven swords thrust straight at him without flourish.

“The Living Sword.”

Ju-un watched with faint admiration as the seven displayed their disciplined swordsmanship.

The “Water-Moon Heart” swords were quick, flexible blades suited to fast swordplay.

Thus they excelled more at piercing than slashing, and were good for channeling internal energy.

By contrast, The Living Sword style was heavy, with little variation—requiring thick, weighty swords.

All seven disciples wielded swords crafted precisely for this style.

In the hands of one with strong inner power, they would be unmatched weapons.

“Such an honest sword style. But with wielders this shabby, they won’t even graze my sleeve.”

Despite his burly frame, Jeok-woo slipped nimbly between the seven.

Though unarmed, somehow each sword kept getting caught and flicked away by his hands.

“Chopsticks!”

Only then did Yun-seon realize Jeok-woo had gone out with chopsticks instead of a weapon.

“All show and no…”

Ju-un said so, but her face betrayed a pleased look as she watched him.

As expected, the Taiyi Divine Sect’s martial arts were strange and impressive.

“Fifth Form of The Living Sword!”

At Hyeongjin’s shout, the seven disciples’ footwork suddenly shifted.

“Cloud-Stepping Stride?”

How could mere fledglings under twenty employ Cloud-Stepping Stride, the peerless lightness skill even masters struggled with?

In truth, only their steps had changed—their strikes remained simple and crude.

But the dissonance forced opponents into hesitation, creating openings.

Even Jeok-woo faltered for the same reason.

And Hyeongjin seized that fleeting chance.

“Watch out!”

Hyeongjin’s blade came for Jeok-woo’s back.

It wasn’t refined enough for a prestigious sect’s technique, but if it struck, it would deal a serious wound.

Yun-seon recalled the scene of Jong-yeon being cut down, and his vision went dark.

He shouted with all his strength, but the blade was already at Jeok-woo’s vital acupoint.

Clang!

The heavy ring of metal—blocking The Living Sword—came from Ju-un’s blade, Moon Heart.

기연(奇緣), A Strange Fate:
An uncanny relationship