Chapter 3-11

“Moonlit Sword Dance is a sword art that does not attack first. It defends against the enemy’s attack, exploits the opening that creates, and thrusts at the opponent with the minimum possible movement. However, that saber you received is too long and is not particularly suited for thrusting.”

At Dan Yeryeong’s words, Bai Shixuan nodded. Since they were trying to transform a sword art centered on thrusting into a saber art centered on slashing, difficulties were only natural. However, neither Dan Yeryeong nor Jin Yuha was some mediocre martial artist. They had been martial artists who once contended for the title of strongest under heaven, and their names invariably appeared whenever people debated the greatest martial artist of all time. Since they were the Heavenly Demon and Demon Shadow, Bai Shixuan thought that although converting a sword art into a saber art might be difficult, it certainly would not be impossible.

“The Moonlit Sword Dance consists of five forms in total. The first form is used to defend against an opponent’s attack. Once you become more proficient, redirecting attacks will become easier as well. The second, third, fourth, and fifth forms are techniques for counterattacking after defending against an attack with the first form. However, converting all four of those forms into saber techniques proved too difficult. More precisely, he and I concluded that it would be better for you to block the opponent’s attack with the first form and then attack according to your own instincts. Of course, I will teach you everything from the first through the fifth form, but I believe the only ones you will actually be able to use are the first form and the final fifth form, Moonlit Blossom.”

After finishing her explanation, Dan Yeryeong unfastened the flexible sword from around her waist. Bai Shixuan had thought it was simply a belt he had never seen before, but it had actually been a flexible sword. Dan Yeryeong’s limp, flexible blade soon straightened completely.

“Watch carefully.”

Dan Yeryeong spoke while looking at Bai Shixuan, then began moving her sword. The moment Bai Shixuan saw her perform the sword art, he understood why Dan Yeryeong’s technique was called Moonlit Sword Dance, with the character for dance, rather than Moonlit Sword Martial Art. Dan Yeryeong was dancing. Had it been night, the sight of her dancing beneath the moonlight would surely have been even more beautiful.

Dan Yeryeong certainly appeared to be performing a sword dance, but it was unmistakably swordsmanship. It was called a sword dance because it was as beautiful as a dance, but Bai Shixuan already knew well how powerful it was. Contrary to its soft and fluttering appearance, it was an immensely powerful sword art.

“I performed it somewhat slowly. What did you think?”

Dan Yeryeong had performed the entire Moonlit Sword Dance slowly so that Bai Shixuan would not miss any of the forms. When she stopped moving and spoke, Bai Shixuan nodded and raised his saber. Then, recalling the way Dan Yeryeong had moved, he began to dance. However, the Moonlit Sword Dance had originally been created for female martial artists. Naturally, it was difficult for Bai Shixuan, as a man, to perform the Moonlit Sword Dance as beautifully as Dan Yeryeong did. Even so, Bai Shixuan moved his saber with great care.

“Impressive. You are still inexperienced, but you memorized every sword path. Now you simply need to work on performing the sword art without allowing your true qi to break its flow. And perhaps fix that somewhat inelegant appearance as well…….”

“Yes. I think I managed it because Mother teaches so well.”

“Hoho. Flattering me like that won’t get you anything.”

Dan Yeryeong said that in response to Bai Shixuan’s words, but Jin Yuha’s earlier praise seemed to have put her in a good mood. As Bai Shixuan watched Dan Yeryeong smile, he began moving his saber again. This time, rather than relying only on physical strength without circulating true qi as he had done moments ago, he moved his true qi exactly as Dan Yeryeong had taught him while performing the sword dance. Dan Yeryeong continued smiling as she watched Bai Shixuan perform the Moonlit Sword Dance.

“Yeryeong. How is he?”

“Just as you can see. He’s doing well. This is my first time teaching him, but now I understand why you praised him so much.”

“Ahem! Who praised him?”

Jin Yuha cleared his throat and turned his head away as he spoke. Dan Yeryeong laughed while looking at him. When she turned back toward Bai Shixuan, his Moonlit Sword Dance had already ended.

“Since you are merely performing the sword dance rather than actually attacking someone, it is possible even with the saber you are holding now. But in an actual fight, it would be difficult unless you were using a sword.”

“Yes.”

“Even with the saber you carry, however, the first form, Moon Shadow Veils the Radiance, and the fifth form, Moonlit Blossom, will be of great help, so do not neglect your training. In particular, think carefully about what counterattack you will use after Moon Shadow Veils the Radiance.”

“Understood.”

Bai Shixuan nodded at Jin Yuha’s words. Jin Yuha and Dan Yeryeong had initially tried to convert the sword art completely into a saber art, but because they wanted Bai Shixuan to discover the answer himself, they instead taught him a slightly modified version of the Moonlit Sword Dance. Bai Shixuan had initially thought he would learn a version of the Moonlit Sword Dance fully transformed into saber techniques, but even in its current state, he did not feel disappointed at all. Perhaps that was because he believed the two of them had deliberately left the Moonlit Sword Dance incomplete because they trusted that Bai Shixuan could handle the rest himself.

‘I don’t want to see them disappointed in me.’

That resolve had been the driving force behind Bai Shixuan’s rapid progress in martial arts up to this point.

“We have done everything we can. Have you mastered all of the Four Divine Beasts Martial Art?”

“I have not mastered all of it yet.”

Bai Shixuan shook his head at Jin Yuha’s question. Even at that answer, Jin Yuha smiled and spoke.

“But I trust that you have memorized all of it. If you have, burn it. It is not the sort of martial art that should remain in the world.”

“Yes.”

He had spent four years here. Unlike Dan Yeryeong, who always smiled gently and treated him warmly, Jin Yuha had always been strict. The man rarely smiled unless Dan Yeryeong was present, yet now he was looking at Bai Shixuan with a gentle smile. Even his tone was warm. Because of Jin Yuha’s behavior, Bai Shixuan began to feel increasingly uneasy.

“You kept up remarkably well and progressed quickly. But if you move too quickly, you are bound to stumble. Especially from this point onward, everything that remains is something you can never accomplish with impatience. Yeryeong and I can no longer help you, but I believe you will do well on your own.”

“Master…….”

Bai Shixuan called out to Jin Yuha as the man spoke like someone preparing to leave for somewhere far away. Although Bai Shixuan called him, Jin Yuha did not answer and instead looked toward the house. Dan Yeryeong was walking out from there dressed in clean white robes. Jin Yuha always wore white, so there was nothing unusual about seeing him dressed that way, but Dan Yeryeong normally wore ornate palace robes rather than white. Seeing her emerge in plain white robes only intensified Bai Shixuan’s unease.

“Take this.”

“Mother. What are you……?”

When Dan Yeryeong held out her flexible sword, Bai Shixuan shook his head and refused. If he accepted this sword, the two of them would surely leave just like that. Bai Shixuan tried somehow to refuse, but Dan Yeryeong took his hand and placed the sword in it.

“I was happy to have you with us for these four years. Although we do not share blood, he and I cherished you as though you were our own son. Isn’t that right?”

Dan Yeryeong turned her head and smiled as she asked Jin Yuha, who was watching the two of them. Jin Yuha’s face flushed slightly before he nodded. Dan Yeryeong smiled at him, then turned back toward Bai Shixuan.

“I’m sorry, but I have one more favor to ask of you. The place established by the daughter who left us, whom I mentioned before, is called the Sword Pavilion. If something ever happens there, I would like you to help them. Three times is fine, ten times is fine, even once is fine—but if they ever ask something that would harm you, never agree to it. Do you understand?”

At Dan Yeryeong’s words, Bai Shixuan silently nodded. Dan Yeryeong smiled as she wiped away the tears running down Bai Shixuan’s cheeks, then walked over to Jin Yuha.

“Thanks to you, we can finally leave. I no longer have any lingering attachments…….”

“You have learned the martial arts of all three people who once contended for the title of strongest under heaven, so never allow yourself to be looked down upon anywhere. And remember this well. If you ever meet someone who has learned the remaining one of the Three Great Martial Arts Under Heaven, avoid them until you have achieved complete mastery of either the Four Divine Beasts Martial Art or the Heavenly Demon Divine Art.”

When Dan Yeryeong finished speaking, Jin Yuha continued. Bai Shixuan still said nothing and merely nodded. Seeing Bai Shixuan unable to speak properly because his throat was choked with emotion, Jin Yuha stroked his head.

“Then we shall be going now.”

“Father, Mother. Even though we are not related by blood, thank you so much for treating me as your son.”

It was the first time Bai Shixuan had called Jin Yuha “Father.” Jin Yuha smiled at Bai Shixuan and nodded. Bai Shixuan slowly began bowing deeply before the two of them. They watched him for a moment before turning away and beginning to walk.

“The house is yours. I hope you will live here someday with that girl named Xuelan. But I’m sorry that we are the ones breaking our promise after you said you would live with Xuelan while caring for us. Stay healthy, then. Our beloved son.”

Dan Yeryeong’s voice reached Bai Shixuan’s ears as he bowed. But Bai Shixuan still could not raise his head. As he remained prostrate on the ground, his body gradually began to tremble.
The two who had been half-human and half-immortal had finally departed. Dan Yeryeong had been unable to Ascend because of her lingering attachment to the Sun-Moon Divine Cult. Jin Yuha, in turn, had been unable to leave while she remained behind. In the end, through Bai Shixuan, Dan Yeryeong finally released that lingering attachment and departed together with Jin Yuha. They left behind their son, Bai Shixuan, so that he could punish the Blood Cult for abandoning the Sun-Moon Divine Cult.