Why is it called the Three Treasures Sword Technique?
Because it is a swordplay that contains a concise series of sword movements capable of killing an opponent in three steps.
Given the constraint of three steps, which is by no means a long distance or timeframe, each movement of the Three Treasures Sword Technique had to be extremely simple.
So simple, in fact, that one could hardly even notice the swing.
Thus, there were no elaborate variations or deception in the techniques of the Three Treasures Sword Technique. It simply cleaved through the enemy in front of its wielder.
‘This is harder to apply than I thought. Is this what superior martial arts are like?’
Though it’s not complete—it’s only half—this technique was still quite helpful to him.
Simplicity.
After all, longsword swordsmanship valued simplicity in movement as well.
As did most martial arts.
“Ox.”
The sword traced a circle, gently pushing Mok-kyeong’s blade aside. Though her sword tried to break free from the flow, at her current level, she could not escape the pressure of William’s blade.
As if it were planned from the start, William naturally guided Mok-kyeong’s sword into a half-circle and moved forward himself.
‘This… this is supreme mastery. An insurmountable height.’
A flicker of longing flashed in Mok-kyeong’s eyes.
William did not miss it. In response, he slid his sword down Mok-kyeong’s neck and pressed it against her throat.
“…You’ve lost.”
“That was a good bout.”
“Thank you for sparring with me.”
“There’s no need to thank me.”
“To a martial artist, sparring with someone of higher skill such as yourself is akin to good fortune.”
What does a martial artist need to transcend their limits?
Some might say luck,
some might say trials,
others might say experience—but in Mok-kyeong’s eyes, William represented a fortuitous encounter that encompassed all three.
Sparring with a top master, let alone a supreme grandmaster, was an incredibly rare opportunity.
Once someone reaches grandmaster level, they tend to become too set in their ways to move easily. Their age plays a role, but William had a significant advantage in that he was still young.
He was still young enough not to concern himself only with self-cultivation.
‘Given our pact, if he chooses to help with my revenge…’
Even the assistance of a peak master would be a source of gratitude, so to receive the help of a grandmaster was extraordinary. Staring at the man before her, undoubtedly one of the strongest in the martial realm, Mok-kyeong’s heart beat faster.
“Your swordplay has become sharper.”
“High praise. I was rather impressed by your refined style, Great Hero Wi.”
“I’m reducing my killing intent through enlightenment at Wudang, but I can’t tell if it’s working.”
Reducing one’s killing intent.
It sounds simple in theory, but execution is difficult.
After all, his battlefield experience, though the source of his strength, is also a form of restraint.
However, just as Grandmaster Taeheo had said, William was making efforts to diminish his killing intent.
‘Will a life-stealing blade affect someone who’s reached the pinnacle of such art?’
Celestial Horse Technique (天馬神功) is a martial art completed atop a mountain built from countless killings. Recalling the brief yet powerful appearance of this technique in the original story, William sheathed his sword.
“Great Hero Wi, may I ask you one question?”
“What is it?”
“Where are you heading, Great Hero Wi?”
“Reality? Or the ideal?”
“Both, I suppose.”
“Living well is reality, and striving higher represents the ideal.”
He had already surpassed the master level.
So, aiming for grandmaster was not a bad choice.
Recalling the three grandmasters said to exist in Europe, William thought of them.
Aurelius, a master of Roman gladiatorial arts.
Rodrigo, the greatest knight.
Theogenes, patriarch of the Greek martial tradition.
He hadn’t seen them in person, but they were the targets he should aim for. Setting his sights on figures of the martial realm wouldn’t align with what he’d learned or pursued.
“Higher… Are you attempting to transcend grandmaster level?”
“Of course.”
“Great Hero Wi is certainly capable.”
At Mok-kyeong’s statement, William smiled bitterly and nodded.
“You can reach higher as well.”
“How… how could someone like me achieve that? I’m still a beginner who hasn’t even broken through the wall.”
“Hmm…”
William paused his words, looking at Hye-ryeong who was approaching them. As always, she handed him a towel and passed one to Mok-kyeong as well.
Though her manner toward Mok-kyeong was somewhat casual, it wasn’t something to fuss over.
“Thank you!”
“You’re welcome. Hye-ryeong, has anyone come by?”
“Uh… I’m not sure.”
‘I thought this would be about the time Zhuge Hyeon-sang would arrive, but is he still busy?’
“Great Hero Wi! Young Zhuge has arrived!”
“Guide him inside and ask him to wait for a moment!”
Hearing the steward of Haenam Manor’s cry, William quickly wiped his face with the towel and turned his body. He was still not presentable enough to receive a guest, so he planned to clean up quickly before heading back in.
He turned toward the bathroom then stopped, looking back at Mok-kyeong.
“Time is short, would you like to bathe together?”
“Oh, no, that’s…”
Mok-kyeong’s face immediately reddened like a beet at the unexpected request for a mixed bath.
“That’s not appropriate!”
Hye-ryeong, overhearing this, shouted and got angry.
“Why are you angry?”
“T-That’s something you shouldn’t do!”
“Alright, I’ll head to the bath first. Mok-kyeong, get ready to clean up too.”
“Understood…”
‘Is it really that surprising?’
William scratched his head, then headed toward the bathroom.
—
“It’s been a while.”
“Not even four days have passed.”
“Considering our places are less than thirty li apart, four days is quite a long time, isn’t it?”
Is that so?
“Anyway, moving on. What about the information?”
“Firstly, regarding the Seoncheon Merchant Guild, although it’s unclear if they have the Three Treasures Sword Technique, rumors have spread that they intend to auction off a manual from a renowned master.”
They’re trying to sell the Three Treasures Sword Technique?
Or could it be that they’re looking for the latter half of the technique?
He couldn’t have forgotten something buried in the secret cavern, but it could be a guess that someone survived and took the latter half away.
Whatever it may be, that’s not the most crucial part.
“What about Yunnam Family?”
“From what it seems, the power that eradicated Yunnam Family is likely Sa Blood Gang from the unorthodox sects… but there are suspicious points.”
“Suspicious points?”
“Yunnam Family, though not a large group, isn’t weak enough to be wiped out by just an unorthodox faction. Immediately, let’s consider that Sa Blood Gang does not have any peak masters, yet the family head of Yunnam was part of the Yunnam Seven Swords, specifically Baihua Sword (百華劍).”
“So there’s a hidden force backing this?”
“Correct.”
His information-gathering is better than expected. I internally assessed his response, which was fairly close to what I knew from the original story. Asking about Yunnam Family also tested the credibility of his information.
“So, do you have any guesses as to who the perpetrator might be?”
“Several places come to mind, but the reasons remain unclear.”
“Yunnam Family isn’t exactly a major force. It’s not one of the nine great sects, and they aren’t particularly illustrious in the orthodox sects. Nor do they have many enemies.”
Zhuge Hyeon-sang looked down into his tea cup with an expression of frustration, as if he truly didn’t know.
“…Well, if it were that easy to uncover, it would have already been revealed by now. Anyway, there’s something fishy about Yunnam Family’s annihilation, so I’d appreciate further investigation.”
“Actually, Hao Gate would be better suited for this. Since Sa Blood Gang is the apparent culprit in Yunnam Family’s downfall, information from the unorthodox sects connected to Hao Gate would be of higher quality.”
“Isn’t Hao Gate quite expensive?”
“With your capabilities, Great Hero Wi, wouldn’t you always be able to earn enough for the fee?”
True, considering the worth of a grandmaster, it’s not an unreasonable statement.
Listening to Zhuge Hyeon-sang reminded me how much I’ve grown since becoming a master.
“Alright, let’s move on. Have you figured out a way to meet with the Martial Alliance Leader?”
“I’ve been gathering information and moving around, but generally, there’s no way to meet privately. Naturally, as the Martial Alliance Leader, they must always remain cautious for their safety.”
“Even the top-ranked wouldn’t pose much of a threat to him.”
He’s a supreme master, after all.
“But even the leader is human. There will always be moments of weakness.”
“I see… meaning there’s no regular way to meet him?”
“Yes, generally speaking.”
There is no way to meet in a usual manner.
By contrast, that implies there is a way to meet through an unusual method.
“And that would be?”
“Challenge the Martial Alliance Leader to a duel. A succession duel, specifically.”
An unexpected solution.
“Simple enough.”
I smiled and nodded at his words.
