“Chahaaap!”

The sword strikes in.
What could the essence of dominance be?
The common understanding of dominance is that it’s a blend of speed and strength, and I’ve thought that way for many years.
However, as I continued sparring with Moyong Yeon-hwa, the essence of dominance felt different.

Zzing!
I block Moyong Yeon-hwa’s swift strikes with ease.
Dominance isn’t just about being fast and strong; it’s about creating flow.
Is there another threat that feels as intuitively dangerous as speed and strength? When faced with such a threat, opponents can only shrink back, and you can maintain your momentum by inducing their passive movements while continuing your assault.

But what happens to the swordplay embodying the essence of dominance when that flow can’t be maintained?
I extended my sword—not to attack, but just to touch my sword against the opponent’s.

Clank.
Using a technique called “touch,” I halted the opponent’s attack by connecting my sword with theirs.
It’s used to neutralize an opponent’s assault without allowing them to extend their sword properly.
A look of confusion crossed Moyong Yeon-hwa’s face as she repeatedly swung her sword to shake off mine.
The reason was twofold.
First, I had suddenly changed my approach after relentlessly launching dominant attacks, and second, the technique I was using was difficult to shake off against either the Dominance Sword or the Half-Reverse Moon Blade.

I broke her counterattack with the Dominance Sword.
I disrupted her offensive with the Half-Reverse Moon Blade.
So, how does one deal with someone choosing to dominate rather than attack or defend?
Moyong Yeon-hwa couldn’t provide a proper answer to this question.

Clang! Clang!
Sometimes, I swung my sword just enough to shake her, and at other times, I matched her rhythms as she attempted to shake me off.
For a while, we reached a stalemate.
I was inexperienced in using the touch technique in practice, even though I knew the theory.
Additionally, from my perspective, there was no reason to break the stalemate.
My aim was not to win the match but to see if Moyong Yeon-hwa could overcome the situation she was in.

“Hrmm!”
Watching Moyong Yeon-hwa struggle to break out of the current situation brought a wry smile to my face.
I should’ve noticed when the Faction Master confidently faced off against the direct line.

The Blood Sect’s method counters the Moyong Clan’s Dominance Sword and Half-Reverse Moon Blade.
The Moyong Clan’s martial arts easily handle extreme offenses and defenses.
And the Blood Sect’s method strikes with a powerful blow after suppressing the opponent.
Even if a senior member underestimated me and launched an all-out attack during our match, it was too much to expect them to do so again against the direct line.

The reason there were only traces of destruction in the training hall was simple.
The methods of suppression left no marks in the training hall, only the dominant techniques would leave traces behind.

“Ugh!”
Slam!
Moyong Yeon-hwa’s sword was pinned to the ground beneath mine.
It was the first time I had used the touch technique since being born.
As time passed, I became more adept at the technique, and Moyong Yeon-hwa was overwhelmed by my improved execution.

“Umm. I’ve been completely outmatched.”
A wry smile appeared on Moyong Yeon-hwa’s face. She must be feeling quite bad after being precisely exploited by an outsider using her clan’s martial arts.
“By the way, do you have a reason for suddenly using a completely new technique?”

Pausing for a moment, I shared what had happened the previous night, leaving out any mention of the Iron Blood Rat and only conveying my encounter with the senior member in the forest.

“You did something so dangerous!”
“I’m fine. I was able to escape safely once I showed my real skills.”
“…Is that so.”
Moyong Yeon-hwa’s expression turned somber as she calmed her startled heart.
“Did the Brain Knife Outcast suddenly change their technique because of the martial arts the senior member displayed?”
“Yes.”

I described the senior’s method in as much detail as possible. Moyong Yeon-hwa’s expression grew darker with each passing moment.
She also realized within my description that the method was indeed counter-strategic against the Moyong Clan’s swordplay.
For a brief moment, silence fell between us.
They both knew that flipping the synergy of martial arts between practitioners couldn’t be accomplished in just a few days of training.

“First and foremost, thank you for taking such a risk. Thanks to you, I was able to gather valuable information which will greatly help in the upcoming match with Elder Moyong Seo.”
“What do you plan to do now?”
“…Well…”

Moyong Yeon-hwa wore a complicated expression.
Even in this moment, sweat was pouring down her face. She was sweating so much that her clothes felt damp.
This was proof of how devoted she had been to her intensive training.

“What does the Brain Knife Outcast think? Is there a chance of victory?”
“I think it’s not high.”
“Ha-ha, so there’s still some chance.”

I chose silence in response to her difficult question. This prompted Moyong Yeon-hwa to chuckle.
“I threw that question without even thinking, didn’t I?”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, while I was acting in the faction, it seems I got a taste of what it’s like to wield you, Brain Knife Outcast. Seeing your troubled expression gives me a bit of strength.”

“Ahem…”
“Ha-ha, just kidding.”
Moyong Yeon-hwa lifted her sword.
“Things aren’t looking good, but we have our tasks to complete. I’ve resolved to do everything I can.”

Her gaze as she resumed her stance burned with passion.
“Then I shall go.”
“Yes!”

* *

While I was continuing special training with Moyong Yeon-hwa, I unexpectedly received a message from my group.
It was said that Moyong Mo was looking for me.
“Oh, older brother! Here I am!”

Moyong Mo, waiting for me on one side of the inn where our group was staying, greeted me warmly.
“Younger brother.”

I looked at Moyong Mo with an apologetic expression.
I had vanished during the process of escaping the faction where Moyong Mo was a guest. I was so preoccupied with facing the Red Blood Rat and Blood Person that I didn’t even have time to manage a disguise.

“I’m sorry. It turned out this way…”
“Hahaha! It’s okay. I was surprised to hear that you had disappeared, but they said it seemed you jumped over the wall to chase after Yeon-hwa, so nobody was suspicious!”
“Hmm…”

Moyong Mo casually brushed it off, but during that chaotic time, it must have been a considerable headache for him as a guest to have lost me.
“I just stopped to check if anything was wrong.”
“I’m sorry for making you worry.”

The conflict between the clan and the faction was confidential. From the faction’s perspective, they wouldn’t want to gather outside attention, and from the clan’s perspective, they couldn’t publicly unveil the conflict between the direct line and the branch clan.

The matches were to be held in a quiet area with few people around, so the outcome would likely be accepted only within the Moyong Clan, but it would be a big deal for the branch of the Shengsu Faction.
Despite running the mine, it was the day when the skills and martial arts of the Faction Master and senior members, previously hidden away, would be revealed.
Moyong Mo’s expression two days before this huge upheaval wasn’t bad.
No, he looked pleased.
“I’ve come to express my gratitude to you today.”
“Hmm?”
“Thanks to you, we now know the true state of the mine, and because of the method you shared, the issues surrounding it have been brought to light.”

Is it too early to be happy?
As this thought filled my mind, Moyong Mo continued speaking.
“The outlook for the mine hasn’t been determined yet, but after today’s inspection, I saw the guilty merchants sweating bullets trying to figure things out. Well, once the fate of the mine is settled, they’ll probably go back to their old ways.”
“…Is that so?”
“Yes. This is all thanks to you.”

I stared intently at the smiling Moyong Mo.
“I have one question.”
“Sure.”
“You said the future of the mine hasn’t been determined yet? There’s a chance that the merchants will continue managing the mine instead of the Shengsu Faction, yet you seem to be in good spirits already.”
“Um… that’s true.”

Despite acknowledging this, Moyong Mo’s expression remained bright.
“However, won’t the result still be similar?”
“Hmm?”

Moyong Mo’s answer completely caught me off-guard.
“I believe it would be ideal for the branch clan to directly handle the mine. But even if the merchants continue to manage it, I can work hard.”
“…Work hard?”
“Yes. Now that I know the mine’s actual situation, the miners have learned how to resist the merchants’ oppression, and I’ve also gotten a clue on what to observe and manage in the mine.”
“But because of that…”
“Well, the faction won’t like it, but what will change? The faction’s already in a position of being disregarded. If the merchants manage the mine, I can just work harder to supervise and keep an eye on them.”

I finally understood why Moyong Mo was smiling.
If the outcome of the matches is good, then that’s great.
However, even if the merchants end up managing the mine, he wouldn’t give in.
Because he firmly believes this is the right path.

Regardless of the outcome of the matches, Moyong Mo had already decided on the path he would take.
“Hahaha! Now that I’ve confirmed you’re safe, I’ll be on my way. In fact, when I sneaked out to inspect the mine, the other branch members didn’t look too happy.”
“…I see.”
“I’ll come visit again later.”

I saw Moyong Mo off as he left easily. Watching his figure disappear among the crowd made my chest somewhat tight.
“Huh…”
Feeling that tightness, I turned back to the inn where the direct line members of the Moyong Clan were staying.

Moyong Mo’s situation is certainly not positive.
Even if the direct line wins the matches without complications and settles the infiltrators of the Blood Sect with a moderate punishment, it’s unlikely that Moyong Mo would be able to directly manage the mine.
No matter how lenient the punishment is, the chances of the branch clan members staying here with the Shengsu Faction are extremely low.

If the branch clans that have interacted with the Blood Sect are left in place, there’s a high possibility of re-contact, so the branch clans would either scatter to different factions or be returned to the main house.
Though Moyong Mo is certainly innocent of collusion with the Blood Sect… frankly speaking, there was no reason for the main house to keep him in the Shengsu Faction.
Even if he had affection for the mine, it’s not like Moyong Mo is an expert on mines.
Even if he somehow managed to stay, the likelihood of being granted access to the mine would also be slim.
As those thoughts clouded my mind, I glanced around where Moyong Seo and Moyong Chan-gyeong were training.
“Keep it up! Can you break the flow of the stone quality with just this?”
“Uwaah!”

They were putting in a lot of effort in their training, but the flaws were immediately apparent. The expression on Moyong Seo’s face, who was overseeing Chan-gyeong’s training, didn’t look too bright either.
After watching them for a moment, I moved on.
What would happen if we were to lose the matches?
The entire faction would inevitably be labeled as collaborators with the Blood Sect.
If by chance a violent clash occurred during this process, it would truly be a bloodbath.

Moyong Mo wouldn’t be safe either.
Imagining such an unpleasant future as I walked, I arrived at the training area for Moyong Yeon-hwa, where the sound of swordplay filled the air.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
“Phew!”

Moyong Yeon-hwa was fiercely changing her techniques to harmonize her Dominance Sword and Half-Reverse Moon Blade.
Her face was drenched with sweat, indicating that she had immersed herself in practice after I had left.
“Would you like to take a short break?”
“Ah, you’re back.”

Moyong Yeon-hwa stumbled slightly. It seemed she had exhausted all her Qi and energy while pushing herself to execute her techniques.
I helped steady her as I took her to a chair.
“Phew… I showed a poor display.”
“No.”

I looked at Moyong Yeon-hwa, who was wiping her sweat with a towel like a wilted vegetable. Was she really calculating her odds of victory?
I suddenly became curious.
If she were to win, would Moyong Mo be safe?
“I have something I want to ask.”

Receiving a puzzled look from Moyong Yeon-hwa, I began to speak. I relayed that I had just met Moyong Mo and questioned what resolve he carried.
“So, he has such determination?”
“If he wins the matches, will Moyong Mo be able to directly manage the mine?”

Moyong Yeon-hwa answered without hesitation.
“It will be difficult.”
Is that so?
…It was the first word that came to mind for the answer I had anticipated.
“But I will make it happen.”

However, Moyong Yeon-hwa’s words didn’t end there.
“If we can fully resolve this situation… it may be possible. I might have to attach a clause where I take responsibility or seek help from Uncle Moyong Seo or even beg my parents.”

Perhaps feeling embarrassed about asking her parents for help, her face flushed slightly.
I found myself asking without thinking.
“Why are you willing to go that far?”

Why?
To Moyong Yeon-hwa, the Shengsu Faction was just one of many factions within the Moyong Clan. There were no special bonds or memories from her time in the mines.
So why was she willing to take on such risks for this Shengsu Faction?
“Well, I suppose it’s because I’m a direct line of the Moyong Clan.”

Moyong Yeon-hwa replied that way.
“As a child, I grew up with the branch clan members here in the main house. I used to run around the alleys with them, and the Elder of the Faction would pat my head, calling me cute.”
“Those people made the wrong choices. However, the people I know wouldn’t easily make such choices. So I still believe that if given a chance to reverse their decisions, the branch clans wouldn’t make the same choices as now.”

“…What makes you believe in them?”
“Partly because I saw that as a child… but it’s not just faith that leads me to this conclusion.”

Moyong Yeon-hwa continued as she looked down at her sword.
“The Faction Master wanted to become a greater person, but due to being from a branch, he became independent. And I remained in the main house as a direct line, receiving teachings about our clan’s martial arts. It’s time to pay for the privileges I’ve enjoyed due to being a direct line.”
“…Obligation.”
“Yes. If I benefited from all of this by remaining in the main house and training comfortably, it’s my duty to do my best for the branch clan members who supported the Moyong Clan and allowed me to train in peace.”

After saying this, Moyong Yeon-hwa smiled shyly as if feeling embarrassed.
“In truth, I’ve attached a grand motive to it, but ultimately, I just want to do this.”
Is that so?
It seems Moyong Yeon-hwa had already made up her mind. Upon reflecting on this, it might be a natural conclusion.
She must have had ample time to prepare herself for the path she would take towards the Shengsu Faction while trekking thousands of miles from Liaoning to here to deal with the faction that opposed the main house.

In the end, was I the only one who wasn’t ready?
“My sweat has dried. Shall we go over it once more?”
Seeing Moyong Yeon-hwa rise and grasp her sword, I thought.
Do I have the means to help her win the matches?
Yes, there is.
That would be the realization.
If I could grant Moyong Yeon-hwa realization, then the odds against the senior member in the matches would change.

The question is what would happen next.
If I grant her realization, how would things unfold?
Given that the Blood Sect’s plans had been disrupted, they would naturally investigate further. In that course, they would discover the name Ho Cheon-an.
Merely the three characters of Ho Cheon-an might not raise suspicion, but if the circumstances of Moyong Yeon-hwa suddenly gaining realization just before the matches came to light, what might occur?
Upon receiving this information, my maternal grandfather would undoubtedly realize I was still alive.
Because of that, I intentionally wiped thoughts of realization from my mind.
To avoid becoming a target for the Blood Sect.
To evade the issues tied to my bloodline.
“Then, I shall go.”
Swish!

It seemed that the short rest hadn’t fully rejuvenated her, as Moyong Yeon-hwa’s swordplay lacked vigor.
Nonetheless, there was no tremor in her eyes.
Regardless of the circumstances regarding the faction or the decisions of her clan, Moyong Mo had resolved to stay true to her beliefs.
Moyong Yeon-hwa had decided to dedicate herself to saving her faction, despite not having committed any offense.
Despite the ties of blood and environment pulling on them, they chose their own paths.
Could I remain silent and just watch the results they would face?

“Damn it.”
“Great Hero…?”
That could not be the case.
I was someone with a severe case of bottled-up feelings.
Someone who would never let Moyong Mo stumble or Moyong Yeon-hwa lose such a tedious struggle.
So.
I held the realization on my tongue.