Chapter 10: Sword and DemonSword (9)

Human growth follows stages.

As children, it’s normal to rely on parents and act spoiled.

Missteps bring scolding and lessons on the right path.

As we grow older and wiser, we start to reflect on ourselves.

Am I significant in this world?

What do I love? What do I truly desire?

This is the phase of stepping out from the parental shelter, exploring one’s identity to forge a personal path.

Through many more stages, humans mature fully and pass their roles to the next generation.

But what happens if someone skips a stage and ages without experiencing it?

The unfulfilled self from that stage lingers in the heart.

If you couldn’t depend on parents, a needy child remains.

If you didn’t pour out passion in youth, a fiery young soul persists.

If you never built a family, a yearning parent dwells within.

They don’t vanish—they stay, intact.

There’s no option to simply skip life’s stages.

You must act childish at times, laugh and play with friends in youthful vigor.

Even if it feels out of place for your age, you must complete the stages you missed.

Only then can you fully mature.

Even for someone as ruthless and cold as Sword Demon.

—

At a lodging on the village outskirts, Yunmyeong gazed at the girl sleeping soundly beside him.

“I got dragged into pointless trouble because of you,” he said to the sword.

[We’ll see about that. If you dislike it so much, why not toss her back outside?]

“As expected, you’re a vile demonic sword with no shred of human compassion.”

[I’m not human to begin with.]

Though he feigned annoyance, deep down, it didn’t feel entirely bad.

Saving the girl with his own hands sparked a faint sense that he’d done something meaningful.

Just then, Sohwal entered the room.

“No signs of pursuit so far. They likely don’t even know we’re here.”

“Good. That’s fortunate.”

“By the way, sir… about the girl…”

Sohwal looked at Yunmyeong with a hint of curiosity.

“I brought her as a guide. Got a problem with that?”

“N-No, sir. I was just concerned about the mission…”

“No need to worry. If it comes to it, we’ll leave her behind.”

As they spoke, the girl stirred, slowly regaining consciousness.

“Ugh…”

Clutching her stomach, still sore from the beating, she curled up slightly.

Seeing this, Yunmyeong spoke.

“Don’t move recklessly. If you want to recover, rest for a few days. If the situation allows, that is.”

“Y-You’re…”

Recognizing him, the girl spoke, but Yunmyeong removed his bamboo hat, revealing his face, and cut her off firmly.

“And don’t call me ‘mister.’ I’m still young.”

At thirty-three, he was indeed older by the standards of the time, enough to be called “mister.” But years of martial arts training kept his body as youthful as someone in their twenties.

Confused, the girl squinted at his face.

Meeting his gaze, she blushed unwittingly.

Yunmyeong’s refined features and sharp jawline were more than enough to stir a young heart.

“Uh, s-sorry. What should I call you then?”

“Hmm, just call me ‘Hero Yun.’”

The girl bowed, expressing gratitude.

“If you hadn’t stepped in, I’d be dead.”

Unaccustomed to such thanks, Yunmyeong turned his head slightly and asked indifferently, “What’s your name?”

“It’s Yuhwa.”

“Yuhwa. Your parents gave you a fine name.”

“…My parents didn’t name me. The madam of the brothel did.”

Intending kindness, Yunmyeong was caught off guard by her unexpected reply.

“Ahem, well… Why were you being chased by those thugs?”

“They wanted me to serve men since I’d come of age. I escaped but got caught.”

“Come of age? You still look like a child to me.”

“There are always creepy men who prefer young girls.”

“That’s vile.”

Though it was a shameful story, Yuhwa showed no hesitation.

“Still, that was brave. You must’ve been terrified.”

“Accepting a cruel fate is even more terrifying.”

“Oh?”

Yunmyeong admired Yuhwa’s resolve.

Most people accept their fate and live in compliance.

Defying it to carve one’s own path is arduous and dangerous.

This girl, rejecting a life as a courtesan, nearly died in her pursuit of freedom.

“Without me, you’d be dead.”

“But you saved me, proving my choice wasn’t wrong. Thank you again.”

Yunmyeong gave a faint smile at her bold words.

He hadn’t expected much from her, but her mindset impressed him.

“Fine. You’ve escaped danger for now, but what’s your plan? Staying here will get you caught eventually.”

Yuhwa met his gaze with determined eyes.

“Hero Yun, take me with you! I’m weak now, but I’ll become someone you need!”

“Ha! That’s bold.”

Naturally, Yunmyeong, on a critical mission, had no intention of accepting her request.

Sohwal, listening nearby, frowned slightly, displeased, but stayed silent out of respect for her superior.

“Do you even know who I am?”

“A martial artist… aren’t you?”

“Not all martial artists are the same.”

“Then… are you from the black path?”

Yunmyeong chuckled at her guess.

“Black path, huh? Close enough.”

To be precise, he was of the demonic path.

The black path and demonic path sound similar, but they differ in purpose.

The black path acts purely for personal gain.

Black-path sects are typically groups of martial artists united for profit or money.

The demonic path, however, acts to uphold twisted beliefs.

Groups like the Heavenly Demon Cult or Blood Heaven Cult are tied to “cults,” rooted in faith.

Beliefs like “might makes right,” disregarding the weak, or destructive ideals requiring sacrifice and suffering—ideas incomprehensible to ordinary people.

Demonic path martial artists are rarely seen.

They hide their affiliations or stay secluded in their strongholds.

Thus, Yuhwa, seeing the handsome and approachable Yunmyeong, couldn’t imagine him as a crazed demonic killer.

“I’m not as clean as you think. Still want to follow me?”

“…”

Yuhwa lowered her head in silence.

“Whatever you’re imagining, it’s worse.”

After a pause, she replied with resolute eyes and voice, “Yes. I want to follow your path, my savior!”

“You don’t seem to understand what I’m saying.”

Yunmyeong channeled a mix of demonic energy and killing intent, releasing it toward her.

The air shifted, and Yuhwa’s body and expression froze.

“Gah?!”

“Following me means facing death constantly. If you’re fleeing to me out of fear of your life, think again.”

The room filled with thick killing intent and demonic energy. Untrained in martial arts, Yuhwa felt crushed, struggling to breathe.

When Yunmyeong withdrew his aura, she collapsed, gasping.

“Huff… huff…!”

“Still want to follow me, knowing you’ll face that countless times?”

He’d been harsh, but he believed this was necessary to deter her.

The martial world was too brutal for half-hearted resolve.

Yuhwa looked at him with trembling eyes, then lowered her head.

“Looks like you’ve made up your mind.”

Yunmyeong grabbed Soul-Severing Blade and opened the door.

“Pave your own path.”

Suddenly, his mother’s words from childhood echoed.

“Never trust others. Life is about enduring alone, in solitude.”

Leaving those words, he stepped out with Sohwal.

As their footsteps faded, only Yuhwa’s faint, trembling breaths remained in the room.

Even those were drowned out by the night’s sounds—crickets and flowing water—beyond the window.