An unexpected event occurred as they traversed the forest.
"Haa⦠Hahâ¦"
They had stopped for the night along the forest trail leading to Hanam, setting up camp near the heart of the woods.
Behind the red-flagged carriage, a little deeper into the forestâ
"Hooâ¦"
Near a gravel-strewn creek where the water flowed gently, a woman knelt on one knee.
Clatter--!
She used her sword as a crutch, barely managing to stay upright.
"Haa⦠Hooâ¦"
The golden-haired woman gasped for air, wiping the sweat from her brow.
Her vision was blurred, her body trembling with exhaustion, and she looked as if she could collapse at any moment. It wasnât just appearancesâshe knew.
Her body had already reached its limit. It wouldnât be surprising if she fell unconscious right then and there.
But she couldnât.
At least, not in front of the person standing before her.
"Urghâ¦"
She let out a strained groan as she forced herself to stand. Her entire body ached.
Since embarking on this journeyâwhich hardly qualified as a proper journeyâthis had been her constant state.
Still, she had no regrets. It was all of her own choosing.
"Huffâ¦"
Suppressing her ragged breathing, the woman clasped her trembling hands together and bowed respectfully.
"Thank you⦠for your guidance."
"Hmm."
The golden-haired woman, Wi Seol-ah, addressed her words to the man before her, who nodded in acknowledgment.
The gravel ground was already in ruins, scarred by long, jagged sword marks. The earth bore signs of a violent storm, with only one exceptionâthe area where the man stood.
It was as if that spot alone had been untouched by the chaos.
Wi Seol-ah swallowed hard as she gazed at it.
"â¦I didnât even come close."
No matter how tirelessly she swung her sword, she hadnât even grazed him, let alone forced him to take a single step back.
The gap between their levels was staggering.
Vrrr...
Her sword, still embedded in the ground, hummed faintly.
Though she had already retracted her qi, the blade continued to vibrate, a testament to her mastery as a swordswoman. Yet, against her opponent, even that mastery was meaningless.
"It would be unworthy to call this guidance. You must have gained nothing from it," the man said in a low, steady voice.
Wi Seol-ah swallowed hard.
"I⦠I apologize."
"Thereâs no need for apologies. It was merely an observation."
Crunch.
Stepping over the gravel, the towering man, Gu Cheolwoon, approached her slowly.
"Thereâs no point in continuing this exchange. You understand that as well, donât you?"
Wi Seol-ah bit her lip at his words.
The difference in their abilities was insurmountable. There was nothing more to gain from their sparring.
Gu Cheolwoonâs blunt yet clear assessment made her sigh inwardly.
"Thank you. Iâve already gained much from you, Master Gu."
Acknowledging the truth was her choice.
Gu Cheolwoon nodded at her words, then spoke again.
"I donât know what you think, but if you seek a higher path, you may need to seek out your grandfather."