Chapter 611

## Chapter 611. The Lazy One Faces (1)

Who could deny the greatness of the Great Family of the Infinity Sword?

They are the only ones in the martial world who can boast of having reached the pinnacle of the sword.

Not even the Wudang Sects, Mount Hua, or even the Namgung Family would dare to argue about swordsmanship in their presence.

It’s not just because Baek Muhan emerged from the Great Family of the Infinity Sword. Of course, with just the Sword Emperor Baek Muhan, the Infinity Sword could proclaim itself as the origin of all swords. No one would dare to question their pride.

But even without Baek Muhan, it would be the same.

The Great Family of the Infinity Sword not only gave birth to the Sword Emperor Baek Muhan. In fact, compared to the brilliant achievements they left behind, even the name of the Sword Emperor might seem insignificant.

Are their feats something ordinary?

They collected and studied hundreds, thousands of styles of swordsmanship scattered throughout the world, unifying them to forge a new sword.

Saying it is easy, but trying to carry it out… how difficult would it be?

The Great Family of the Infinity Sword was the one who achieved it.

All the schools of swordsmanship in the world owe them something.

What they gathered, merged, and redefined spread again throughout the world, advancing their martial arts. That’s why the Great Family of the Infinity Sword receives the respect of everyone, the respect of…

“Except for Baek Muhan.”

“…True.”

Baek Muhan was a separate case.

Even within the Great Family of the Infinity Sword, which generally did not oppress other sects, Baek Muhan was an anomaly. He wished to subdue the other sects under his feet.

“The truth is, I find it hard to believe.”

“What?”

“Well… about the Sword Emperor.”

“What’s wrong with the Sword Emperor?”

“That he oppressed others in that way… it seems to me…”

Saga’s words made sense.

In general, the great masters known in the martial world usually also have a reputation for great character.

Needless to mention Bodhidharma or Zhang Sanfeng, as they were enlightened ones who reached the Dao. It is even said that the Heavenly Demon was exceptionally magnanimous.

But Baek Muhan…

“Did he really have that temperament?”

“I don’t know.”

Gwanggu Singae shrugged.

“I haven’t even seen Baek Muhan in person, how would I know? I’m just saying it because Wei Yanho mentioned it.”

“But to fully trust that…”

“There’s no choice but to believe it.”

“Huh? Why?”

Gwanggu Singae replied naturally.

“Because Wei Yanho said it.”

“……”

Seeing that Saga was speechless, Gwanggu Singae added:

“Of course, it sounds absurd, but it’s a sufficient reason. Because Wei Yanho is someone who doesn’t stop saying nonsense, but never lies.”

“Mmm…”

It was a statement that sounded unconvincing, but at the same time very convincing.

“Besides, it would be impossible for Wei Yanho to invent each of those anecdotal details. Others might do it, but Wei Yanho, even less so.”

“Why?”

“Do you think he would do something like that? He would rather take a nap.”

That sounded much more convincing.

Certainly, Wei Yanho was not someone who would invent Baek Muhan’s personality. Whether it was the righteous Wei Yanho of the story he knew, or the despicable Wei Yanho that Gwanggu Singae spoke of, neither of them would do something like that.

No version of Wei Yanho would do that. One for being righteous, the other for pure Lazy.

“And there’s something you’re wrong about.”

“Huh? Me?”

“Is there anyone else here?”

Gwanggu Singae clicked his tongue.

“You’re not the only one. People often fall into that strange prejudice. The prejudice that someone with extraordinary abilities must have a noble character.”

“I…”

Saga closed his mouth.

He wanted to deny it, but he couldn’t.

But, isn’t it true?

Most of those who achieve great things are recognized for their noble character.

And beyond those cliché words, it was something that could be deduced rationally.

“Is it wrong to assume that those who know more and delve deeper are better people?”

“Wisdom and knowledge are different things.”

Gwanggu Singae smiled wryly.

“Saying that learning more and knowing more makes you a better person is just a lie from teachers.”

“But…”

“You know it too. Throughout history, those who committed the worst atrocities, those who caused the greatest damage to the world, and even those who continue to do so now, were never fools.”

“That’s true, but…”

It was something he couldn’t deny.

Most of those who caused great evil in the world were scholars and powerful men. If you take the average of the world, they would be among those who “learned more and delved deeper” as Saga said.

And it was also true that those same people caused more damage to the world. If, as Saga said, those who know more have a more noble character, then these things would not have even happened.

“If you let go of that prejudice, the world becomes simpler. Why do you think Baek Muhan should have a good character?”

“Mmm…”

“In fact, that’s impossible.”

“Impossible?”

“Of course.”

Gwanggu Singae let out a mocking laugh.

“Humans are beings governed by their desires. You are no different. Could you live showing all your innermost thoughts to others?”

“Ah, no, that…”

Saga hesitated.

He wanted to say yes, but he couldn’t. Humans are like that. There is no one whose outward appearance completely matches their inner self.

Even the most noble person outwardly hides baseness that they cannot show. Those who manage to hide that baseness until the end, the world calls them “saints” and venerates them.

But Saga was not a saint.

“You can’t?”

“……”

“You see, that’s how things are.”

Gwanggu Singae laughed.

“Hey, all humans are like that. They feign purity, but in the bathroom, they strain until they turn red. Even the noble Confucius had children.”

“What does that have to do with this?”

“Everyone has those desires, understand? But people suppress those desires to live in society.”

Gwanggu Singae lowered his voice a little and asked:

“Why? Why do we do it?”

“…Because it shouldn’t be done.”

Gwanggu Singae smiled, as if he liked the answer.

“Exactly. It shouldn’t be done. Because the moment I show my desires, I hurt others. And those who are hurt will seek revenge. So, because of my desires, I will end up suffering. In other words, if everyone showed their desires without filter, I would be harmed. That’s why we suppress ourselves…”

Gwanggu Singae frowned.

“The problem is that Baek Muhan didn’t need to do it.”

“How…?”

As always, Saga was going to ask, but he stopped.

Suddenly, he understood.

“To punish, scold, and teach what is right, you must be stronger than the other person. Whether with violence, power, or whatever, only the one who is above can teach another.”

“You can also learn from a child.”

“There are those who learn from children, but no one who receives scolding from them. Isn’t that so?”

“……”

“And you must be able to punish their mistakes. But… who would dare to punish Baek Muhan? Who could sanction him?”

“That would be impossible.”

It would be ridiculous.

Baek Muhan was a genius.

Not just any genius, but the greatest genius the martial world has ever seen. His martial arts were beyond the understanding of anyone of his time. Everyone in the Great Family of the Infinity Sword immersed themselves in his teachings, but no one managed to understand them.

Baek Muhan told Wei Yanho that even within his clan they avoided him, but that statement was half true, half false. Perhaps the human being Baek Muhan was rejected, but his martial arts never were.

The greatest genius in the martial world.

That was Baek Muhan.

Who could scold him or teach him? He surpassed his own parents in ability before he turned twenty.

As for martial arts, no one could teach him, and in the martial world, nothing is more important than martial arts. So, it was not strange that Baek Muhan became arrogant.

“Someone who is never scolded, who can do whatever they want without being criticized, cannot develop a normal personality. Even in the Beggar Sect, the new ones are treated very badly at first. Because begging is dangerous. People think they can mistreat those they consider inferior. That’s why beggars are easy targets for venting. In order not to die beaten, there is a lot to learn.”

“Why are you talking about beggars suddenly?”

“Even a beggar, who seems to need to learn nothing, must do so to survive. And must be scolded. But Baek Muhan was too brilliant. Too great. And as a result…”

Gwanggu Singae shook his head.

“He became a monster.”

Gwanggu Singae sighed softly.

“That was the beginning of the whole tragedy.”

“……”

The gravity in Gwanggu Singae’s voice made Saga tremble.

“He didn’t know. Since he was never oppressed, since he was never repressed, he didn’t understand the pain he caused to others.”

“But that’s no excuse, is it?”

“Correct. I’m not defending Baek Muhan. I’m just explaining the context of then. The orthodox factions, after enduring so much, finally acted. But…”

Gwanggu Singae closed his eyes.

“Their method was too low and petty.”

“……”

“And then they felt fear. They only understood the magnitude of their actions when it was too late. He who rides a tiger cannot get off. If he does, he will be devoured.”

“That’s why they razed the Great Family of the Infinity Sword?”

“Because without an ambush, the cost in lives would have been terrible. The Great Family of the Infinity Sword was that strong.”

“But that was also low and petty.”

It was the original sin of the martial world.

That’s why no one can raise their head in front of Baekgeom Fortress.

“Only Wei Yanho was free of that sin. Because he had the right to point out the mistakes of Baekgeom Fortress.”

“Yes. That’s right.”

“But…”

Gwanggu Singae’s voice faded.

“That was also a tragedy.”

“Huh?”

“Destiny is terrifying. No matter how much you try to avoid it, in the end you face it. Humans are weak and insignificant before destiny.”

“……”

“Wei Yanho also discovered that, that was…”

A gust of wind shook the lamp.

Wobbling, dangerously wobbling.