Chronicles of the Lazy Sovereign Chapter 676

#676

Taejonbirok Volume 28, Episode 1

Chapter 148: The Lazy Man Takes on a Challenge (1)

“……Reorganization.”

Saga swallowed dry saliva.

'That's a great saying.'

It's already a thing of the past.

Even though Saga already knew that such a thing hadn't happened, he couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat at those arrogant words. Perhaps it was the tension and fear he must have felt at the time, conveyed so clearly in Gwanggu Shingae's voice, that made him feel this way.

“Can I ask you something?”

Gwanggu Shingae nodded quietly.

"There's something I don't quite understand. If what you're saying is true, doesn't that mean everyone there lost their will to fight just because of that single move by that Heavenly Horse?"

"yes."

“But that blow is….”

Saga tilted his head.

"I'm not sure if I'm misunderstanding, but in terms of power, it doesn't seem all that different from what the Gwanghwimujeon displayed. In fact, I think the Gwanghwimujeon displayed even more power…"

“That’s right.”

The Gwanggu Shingae spoke bluntly.

"Of course, the power that blew away a corner of the volcano was tremendous. But in terms of the results it demonstrated, Wei Yanhu was no less impressive. And the Dancheon Sword's performance was no less impressive."

“What if I do it?”

“That’s a difficult question.”

Gwanggu Shingae sighed.

It wasn't a sigh of embarrassment at having to explain, but rather a look of reluctance to recall the scene for explanation.

“How would you describe me to others?”

“……What are you talking about?”

“It’s literally true.”

Saga looked at the Gwanggu Shingae with slightly ambiguous eyes.

If I had to explain the Gwanggu Shingae… … .

"You're a writer and speaker, so you can probably explain things quite accurately. But can those words fully express me?"

“It’s difficult.”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

Gwanggu Shingae sighed deeply.

"There are things in this world that can't be expressed through words or writing. And defining any event or person is largely determined by the unspoken parts. That was no different."

The face of the Gwanggu Shingae was distorted horribly.

"It's not about power or anything like that. You know it the moment you see it. Anyone who's mastered martial arts will know… that it's on a whole other level. It's not simply because it's strong. It's because it embodies a realm that surpasses everything we know, a realm we can't even begin to imagine how to replicate."

Gwanggu Shingae laughed in vain.

"Even when I saw Wei Yanhu's martial arts, or the sword of Dancheongeom, I didn't think that way. I knew it was an incredibly high level, something I couldn't match even if I spent my entire life striving for. But… it's different. It's not like that. Cheonma's martial arts weren't human."

Gwanggu Shingae shivered as if he was shivering just thinking about it.

"It was bleak. It's almost as if my mind was empty. No one there knew what to do."

“Even though there are so many people gathered together…….”

“It’s going to be hard to understand. I find it hard to explain, too.”

The Gwanggu Shingae chuckled.

"I was the same way. My mind went blank, I couldn't think of anything. Have you ever seen something like that? A mouse that encounters a cat nearby can't move. That's exactly what it was like. I couldn't do anything, nothing."

“…….”

The conversation stopped.

The feeling of helplessness that flowed from Gwanggu Shingae was contagious even to Saga.

"but……."

Saga raised his voice slightly to lighten the mood.

“Haven’t we finally solved it?”

"solve?"

“Yes. Since the Holy Spirit is alive, the Holy Spirit’s plan is….”

“No.”

Before he could even finish speaking, Gwanggu Shingae cut off Saga.

“That’s not it.”

Gwanggu Shingae spoke with a slightly regretful voice.

"He did his best. But the situation was beyond his ability to resolve. It was beyond the reach of anyone in the world."

“…….”

"We could only hope for a miracle. You couldn't understand the depth of despair."

“What if I do it?”

“Didn’t I tell you?”

"yes?"

“They say there is a hidden side.”

The Gwanggu Shingae chuckled.

"Listen carefully. Now I'll tell you the story you wanted to hear: why that history had to be hidden."

Gwanggu Shingae continued his story in a calm tone different from before.

* * *

Those who learn martial arts want to become strong.

Why are the strong treated well in the martial arts world?

It's simple. Everyone aspires to be strong.

In reality, how much can the world's greatest master possibly accomplish? Even if he were the greatest master, he wouldn't be able to face Shaolin alone.

But the world reveres Shaolin more than it reveres the best in the world. The best in the world is granted authority far beyond that of Shaolin. Even though their power is incomparable.

Because an individual cannot defeat a group.

It's irrational, but that's how longing works. Those who have mastered martial arts naturally seek individual strength. If you want to become stronger as a group, shouldn't you join the military, not the martial arts world?

For martial artists, "the best in the world" isn't simply the strongest person in the world. It's a goal they must eventually reach, an object of aspiration.

why?

It's simple but strong.

There's no need to overthink it. Those who live in the world of martial arts are all caught up in such illusions.

Just think about it. What a terrible place the world of martial arts is.

It's a place where no one will sympathize even if you get into an altercation with a strong person on the street and get stabbed to death. Isn't this a world where strength becomes justice, where strength becomes righteousness?

Outside of the martial arts world, the world is a place where the principles of Confucius and Mencius are discussed and the laws that humans must uphold are debated. Strictly speaking, those in the martial arts world are those who fail to follow this trend and are left behind.

Survival of the fittest.

How cruel and ruthless are these words? Yet, the martial artists still believe them and follow them unwaveringly.

… … So I got punished.

Doesn't the law of the jungle mean that it's natural for the strong to prey on the weak?

If they believed and followed those words, they would believe that they would be able to stand in a position of strength.

But we'll meet again.

The absolute predator.

I'm talking about a predator of a different dimension that cannot be overcome through effort.

It was only then that I realized.

How cruel and terrible is the saying, “survival of the fittest.”

It was already too late, though.

* * *

My hands and feet start shaking on their own.

There is a story I have heard countless times since I first learned martial arts from my teacher.

Don't lose your composure.

No matter how strong the opponent, you must never lose your composure. The moment you lose your composure, your thinking becomes dull. With dull thinking, your hands and feet become clumsy. With clumsy hands and feet, you will be unable to properly respond even in situations that could potentially save your life.

It's obvious.

His teacher, and all other teachers, would have said the same thing. As such, these words were both truth and maxim in the martial arts world.

Cool head, warm heart.

Never lose your composure in any situation. That composure will save you.

'Obvious.'

Jang-il bit his lip tightly.

It was a phrase I'd heard countless times from the king and other elders. It was a phrase I could never emphasize enough. And it was a phrase I'd engraved countless times in my head.

But at this moment, Jang Il realized.

How fragile was his resolve, which he thought he had firmly engraved.

My heart is pounding.

'Keep your composure?'

I can't help but laugh.

His eyes were already captured by the Heavenly Horse.

I can't take my eyes off it.

The moment he takes his eyes off her, it feels like the Heavenly Horse will slit his throat.

I know.

At this very moment, the Heavenly Horse paid him no attention. He was no more interested than a walker in the forest would be indifferent to the insects clinging to the trees.

You may be clearly aware that he is here, but you may not feel that he is worthy of your attention.

I know.

But that was Cheonma's position.

When a person enters a quiet forest, the insects cease their chirping. To the person, the insects may be nothing, but to the insects, the person is a life-threatening threat.

Jang Il was in exactly that position right now.

Cheonma didn't do anything to him. But Jang-il couldn't take his eyes off him. His every gesture, every breath, made his heart pound.

'Does this mean we have to fight?'

It's amazing.

how…….

How to fight the author.

That's nonsense.

Some things are possible with human power, and some are impossible. No matter how hard a bug tries to attack, it will be crushed by human hands.

Everything he had built up was worthless.

Ignorance, wisdom… …they all lose their meaning at this moment. All that remains is choice.

Should I risk my life to block the path of the Heavenly Horse in order to protect my pride as a warrior, or should I give up this hopeless fight and try to escape, believing in a slim chance?

"flaw……."

The ending was predetermined for both of them.

If the Heavenly Demon did not permit it, no one could stop him, and no one could escape. At this very moment, the volcano was completely within the Heavenly Demon's grasp.

then…….

So then what should we do?

What should he do when faced with an absolute enemy against whom he cannot even attempt resistance?

Jang-il's gaze turned without him knowing it.

His gaze was fixed on one person's back.

Wi Yeon-ho.

It wasn't a thoughtful turn of the head. In that moment of endless despair, he found himself unknowingly chasing Wei Yanhu's back.

And it seemed the same for everyone else. The gaze that had been directed towards Cheonma shifted to Wi Yeonho.

Wei Yanho's back.

Everyone's gaze and wishes are still on his back, which is still stretched out.

Wi Yeon-ho felt it and turned his head from side to side.

"hmm."

Wei Yanho waved his sword twice.

Jang Il realized that the series of movements was an act of relieving tension.

But even that action seems amazing.

He was oppressed by the presence of the Heavenly Demon, and could barely turn his head. However, Wi Yeon-ho calmly moved his sword even with the Heavenly Demon right in front of him.

“I don’t understand, so I’m saying this…….”

Wi Yeon-ho opened his mouth.

“Where have you been all this time, that you couldn’t do anything with all that power?”

Cheonma looked at him with slightly surprised eyes.

“You’re calm?”

“Did you think I would be scared?”

"……any."

Wi Yeon-ho snickers.

“I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I’ve seen too much to be that scared.”

“…….”

"Honestly, I was a little surprised. I never thought I'd see this in real life. It's amazing. But…"

Wi Yeon-ho grabbed his sword.

"I've seen more amazing things than I've ever seen before. This isn't enough to scare me."

Baek Muhan.

The shadow of the great warrior was guarding Wei Yan Lake.