The Afterglow Of Hatred (4)

“Congratulations.”

Im Yeo-wol’s congratulations were brief and memorable.

“It was a fine match. I learned a lot.”

Do Il-gang’s excited voice was full of sincerity.

“Hm, I liked how you targeted the opponent’s gaps without hesitation. You have a duelist’s instincts.”

Han Cheol-sang kept nodding, delivering a coolheaded assessment.

After thanking them all, Seol So-ha looked to Jin-hyeon.

Jin-hyeon smiled.

“Why look at me like that? Everyone says you did well.”

Seol So-ha asked carefully.

“Was there anything lacking?”

“You finished it before I could even look for flaws. There was nothing to fault in this bout.”

“Ah, is that so?“

“I liked the composure you showed at the start. It is not easy to always carry that into a fight. What matters is that you fought without tensing up or being dragged around by the opponent.”

“Yes. I understand.”

“Good work. Those strong only in martial arts lose sooner or later. Do not forget the poise and cool head you showed. That too is part of your skill.”

“I will keep it in mind.”

Han Cheol-sang cut in.

“The next semifinal is in two hours. Shall we have a modest drink to celebrate? Though of course, Lady Seol shouldn’t drink.”

“Sounds good.”

They were about to seek out a wine shop in broad daylight.

“An impressive display of martial arts.”

The sudden voice carried a strong presence.

Seol So-ha glanced over and started. The middle-aged man approaching with a few attendants radiated unusual qi.

The man kept nodding like Han Cheol-sang.

“Your martial art is outstanding. Your attainment is not yet deep, but your lines and sword wind are incredibly complex. I can hardly imagine how strong you will be once you attain great achievement.”

“Thank you. And you are…”

Then Jin-hyeon spoke.

“Here to watch the duel?”

“Heh heh, he entered as he pleased, yet he is still my nephew. I came hoping to see something, but he showed only disgrace.”

Only then did the group realize who he was.

Seol So-ha respectfully cupped fist to palm.

“I greet Elder Ha of the Cheongyang Association.”

Im Yeo-wol and Do Il-gang also bowed in silence, paying respect to a senior.

Ha Suk-heon burst into a chuckle.

“No need for such formality. I am merely a spectator.”

It was a rather plain response.

“But I do have a question, if you would answer.”

“Yes.”

“I do not belittle Lady Seol’s talent, but apart from the arts shown, her composure in unfolding sword forms was striking, rare for her age. It was not the Seol Clan’s restrained form either. Did you receive teaching from a master other than your father.”

“Ah, that is…”

Then Jin-hyeon said,

“She received a few months of instruction from the best teacher.”

“Oh. You know this teacher as well?”

“How could I not? That teacher is me.”

Ha Suk-heon’s jaw dropped, then he laughed again.

“Indeed. If it is you, it makes perfect sense. No wonder my foolish nephew lost so easily.”

It was a remark that could be read as crediting the outcome to Jin-hyeon rather than to Seol So-ha.

Seol So-ha herself thought that natural, but Jin-hyeon shook his head.

“She would have done well without me. As you saw, her talent is outstanding.”

“Heh heh, no matter how fine the carriage, without a well-paved road it is hard to gain speed. Is that not so, Lady Seol?”

Seol So-ha bowed her head.

“The elder is right. Without my teacher, even reaching the main bracket would have been hard.”

“Heh heh heh!”

Laughing boldly, Ha Suk-heon said mildly,

“I hear many around you call you Teacher, as Lady Seol just did. May I call you that as well?”

“Call me as you like.”

“Good then, Teacher. If you have time, would you walk with me?”

Jin-hyeon smiled.

It looked sincere yet masked, an inscrutable expression. At least to Han Cheol-sang it did.

“Gladly.”

A short while later.

“The wind is pleasant, though a bit cold.”

“It seems it will snow soon.”

“So it seems.”

Ha Suk-heon asked lightly in passing,

“Have you given it thought?”

Jin-hyeon grinned.

“I have thought enough.”

“Oh, you have?”

“About the drink.”

“Ah?”

“I know it is no small chance to share a drink with an elder of the Cheongyang Association. I still hesitate over a private audience with the Association Leader, but drinking with you would be an honor.”

It is not only between men and women that one pushes and pulls. Jin-hyeon moved in measured steps.

Ha Suk-heon’s smile deepened.

“Good. First we should grow closer. Talking business without even minimal familiarity is not a good look.”

“Is that so?”

“In any case if you will have a drink with me, talk will be easier. Let us not rush and proceed step by step.”

“Agreed.”

As he spoke with a smile, a long sigh suddenly slipped from Ha Suk-heon.

“Truly frustrating, is it not?”

“What do you mean?”

“My nephew.”

Ha Suk-heon shook his head.

“It is only natural your impression of our Association is poor. I hear you suffered something unpleasant that day.”

He had apparently looked into the events here after Jin-hyeon left yesterday.

‘So he knows.’

Jin-hyeon gave a wry smile.

“I had my reasons, though they can only sound like excuses.”

“Heh, no. The problem begins with my nephew inserting himself into the Radiant Sword Festival. I do not mean to fault your actions, so please do not misunderstand.”

Waving a hand, Ha Suk-heon smacked his lips.

“The times are unsettled. I hear the other leaders of the Eight Houses who showed their faces have suddenly disappeared, leaving the hosts quite at a loss.”

“Is that so?”

“Well, even small fry hold seats in Sichuan, so the branch must pay attention.”

That one line showed how little he thought of the other Eight Martial Houses. His kindness to Seol So-ha owed partly to her victory over Ha Jun and partly to Jin-hyeon at her side.

“In any case, I apologize on my nephew’s behalf for his discourtesy that day.”

“Not at all. I know I was aggressive too. I am the one who would like to clear the air.”

An unmistakable regret touched Jin-hyeon’s face, and Ha Suk-heon sighed inwardly.

‘That frustrating fool. Even this youth younger than him knows basic conduct.’

With this level of martial art at his age, none would blame him for arrogance.

Yet he spoke calmly and well. Knowing how much a word matters, Ha Suk-heon could only find Ha Jun’s character wanting.

“Hearing you say that puts me at ease. Being an uncle is not easy.”

“Ha ha.”

“We are both abashed, so let us quietly lay that day to rest.”

“Agreed.”

He did not want to marvel at every turn, yet the comparison rose again.

Jin-hyeon could apologize when due and hold his station when he must.

Like praise, apologies in excess become poison. With one concise clear answer he marked that both sides bore fault.

‘How brisk and clean.’

People see what they wish. At first he was dazzled by skill, but more and more Ha Suk-heon grew fond of Jin-hyeon.

“Are you hungry?”

“I am fine for now.”

“Good. Then let us have some tea. There is someone I would like to introduce to you.”

Jin-hyeon’s eyes gleamed.

“To me?”

“Yes. Ah. If it is burdensome, we can drink separately.”

Fondness was fondness, and business was business. Ha Suk-heon subtly tested him.

“It is a bit burdensome, but with you there is nothing to fear. It would be my honor.”

“Heh heh, is that so?”

“Meeting many people has helped me. I learned it is better to open my ears more than my mouth, even before those I know.”

Jin-hyeon smiled sheepishly.

“I realized it, but cutting my words is not easy.”

Fierce ambition and human frankness. He liked him all the more. Ha Suk-heon smiled in satisfaction.

He was also sure Jin-hyeon had taken well to him. A man clear on right and wrong would not agree to meet unless he felt goodwill.

“By the way, who is it?”

“Lacking compared to you, yet still a fine master. His temper is a bit sharp, but he knows courtesy.”

“Is that so?”

“He is also competing in the next Radiant Sword Festival semifinal.”

For a moment, Jin-hyeon’s gaze deepened.

“Impressive.”

“Heh heh, hearing that from you makes me blush.”

Ha Suk-heon cleared his throat.

“In any case he is strong enough that I quietly consider him a title contender. He may well vie with Lady Seol for the win.”

“I hope he is stronger than Lady Seol.”

“Hm?”

Jin-hyeon shrugged.

“Affection as her teacher aside, she’s a person of the White Sword Seol Clan, is she not? It’s still early for her to bear the fame of winning the festival.”

Ha Suk-heon’s eyes flashed.

‘As expected!’

Jin-hyeon was using the White Sword Seol Clan thoroughly.

He had suspected but not confirmed it. Now he could take it as fact.

Ha Suk-heon beamed.

“Right. White Sword still lacks much.”

“Then shall we go with a light heart.”

“Heh heh heh. Let us!”

Thus the two headed for a tea house a bit away from the festival grounds.

Few people passed by, but a single tea house stood tall where one could take in fine mountain scenery.

“Let us go in.”

“There are others inside?”

“?!”

“One master, and one more who is not a master but has trained internal energy…”

“You have keen senses.”

Ha Suk-heon murmured.

“In truth, the important one is not the semifinalist but the one with him.”

“Is that so?”

“It would be good for you to make acquaintance as well.”

Ha Suk-heon took the lead.

Following slowly, Jin-hyeon suddenly felt a hard to name sense of déjà vu.

And that feeling stirred a strange displeasure.

‘What is this?’

His heart began to beat stronger. He stopped without thinking and narrowed his eyes at the tea house.

‘…Why am I feeling this?’

At that moment, Ha Suk-heon looked back at him.

“Teacher?”

“Ah, my apologies.”

Soon at the tea house, Ha Suk-heon asked his leave of Jin-hyeon.

“I will go in first. If you would wait a moment…”

“Yes, I will wait.”

Kkiiik.

Opening the door himself, Ha Suk-heon spoke with a smile.

“You are seated right in front.”

“We greet you, Great Hero Ha.”

“Heh heh, no need for such etiquette. Is that how a leader of a great merchant house should be?”

“Our clan may be a house of great merchants, but I know my own shortcomings. Even aside from that, who would sit stiff before an elder of the Cheongyang Association?”

“You are the same as ever.”

“Ha ha. People do not change.”

“It has been a while, and it is forward to say, but I have someone to introduce. Would that be all right?”

“Oh my. Of course. It would be our honor.”

“Heh heh heh.”

Ha Suk-heon spoke toward the half-open door.

“Teacher, please come in.”

Thump.

Why was that? Jin-hyeon didn’t want to open the door at all.

But his hand was already on it. A subtle heat seemed to rise from his palm on the rough wood.

Thump.

It was an ominous feeling. His Soul-Refining Qi, quiet until now, threatened to flare on its own.

Jin-hyeon slowly, very slowly opened the door.

Beyond the door, revealed bit by bit.

Two men stood before Ha Suk-heon. One looked about Han Cheol-sang’s age, a wandering swordsman with a lean frame and striking sharp eyes.

And at his side, the one who had been smiling and speaking with Ha Suk-heon.

Crack.

The door’s edge crumbled under his tightened grip.

The man’s lavish attire was outside Jin-hyeon’s concern.

The eyes of the youth who had lived and died with a hammer and now bore a sword heavier than any hammer fixed on the two characters engraved over the man’s left chest. Divine Iron.