Chapter 66
In the deepest part of Cheongnim, standing before a small pond, Jegal Dam stepped onto the water without hesitation.
The next moment, the bamboo that had densely surrounded him disappeared, and the entrance to a cave appeared. Without so much as raising an eyebrow at the astonishing sight, Jegal Dam walked inside.
The passageway leading underground was narrow. But luminous pearls embedded here and there kept the darkness at bay.
No one sought this place, yet it was better maintained than anywhere else.
A secret archive—its existence known only to a select few of the direct bloodline. From the beginning of the martial world until now, every record of those long years was preserved here.
And the true identity of this cave was the sole path into that archive.
—Dama, this is the place you must protect.
He vividly remembered the day, when he was seven, holding the hand of his father, Jegal Myeong, as he first set foot here.
—It is both a blessing and a burden given to the one who will carry on the Jegal name.
A blessing, and yet also a weight.
Though his father’s words sounded contradictory, Jegal Dam understood. So he simply nodded and answered,
—I see.
That was all. Only, he held his father’s hand a little tighter.
A blessing, yet also a burden.
Though still young, Jegal Dam knew that this was how his grandfather had looked at him. And so, he grasped the meaning all too easily.
Last year, he had once greeted his grandfather Jegal Jo’s longtime friend.
—A child born beneath the stars. O, Primeval Celestial Lord…
Zhongli Chusan, known as the “Wandering Sage of Ten Thousand Paths,” who had inherited the ancient teachings of the Mo Mountain Sect, muttered those words before closing his eyes.
He was famed for reading the heavens, for his uncanny ability to divine fortune and calamity, and so was called the Sage of All Paths.
Jegal Dam had been excited to meet him. But after hearing such shocking words, he froze in place.
For he was clever enough to understand—it was a pronouncement of his fate.
—M-master Zhongli, what do you mean by that?
—Heh. This old man’s tongue was careless. Best to pretend you never heard it.
Even at his grandfather’s questioning, the old sage only chuckled, as though embarrassed to have spoken needlessly.
But from that day onward, Jegal Dam noticed the change in his grandfather’s gaze.
Where once there had been only praise for his wit, now his eyes held more—joy and pride, yes, but also deep worry and unease.
So Jegal Dam buried himself in books, devoting more and more time to the family’s studies. He did not know what else he could do.
Yet he could not stop the words of the Sage from echoing in his mind.
A child born beneath the stars.
Jegal Dam knew well what that meant—born under one of the 108 ominous stars described in Daoist teachings.
It was said that those born under the notorious Star of Heavenly Slaughter were destined to carry killing intent. Unable to conceal it, they would harm others easily, and once blood was shed, they would lose all reason.
Even if not the Heavenly Slaughter Star, those born under any of the 108 ominous stars shared the same curse—if they could not master themselves, they would inevitably bring disaster.
Jegal Dam knew he was one such child.
Only four people shared this knowledge: the Sage Zhongli, his grandfather Jegal Jo, his father Jegal Myeong, and himself.
Day by day, the clan’s praises for Jegal Dam grew, but his heart was not at ease.
He already sensed he was fundamentally different from others.
The elders claimed it was because of his brilliance—that once in a century, a genius like him was born, and even among the extraordinary Jegal clan, his intellect was unmatched.
But what if it wasn’t brilliance? What if it was only because, as the Sage had said, he bore the burden of an ominous star?
Jegal Dam was afraid. He did not want to bring ruin upon his family.
So he thought long and hard, until at last, he went to his grandfather.
—I will… no longer practice martial arts.
He knelt before him and confessed.
—I will not learn ways to harm others.
He hoped his grandfather’s gaze would change, that those uneasy eyes would soften.
—I will never become the young master. Fortunately, my younger brother has been born. He will inherit the Jegal name instead.
His grandfather loved the clan more than anyone. If Jegal Dam renounced succession, then the family would be safe.
Even if the curse of the star awakened, nothing would happen.
—And when the time comes, I will leave the clan.
Jegal Dam finished, carefully hiding his emotions.
—You fool!
But what came was his grandfather’s furious roar.
—How dare you say such words as a descendant of Jegal!
Jegal Dam was bewildered. He had been taught that while one might not always find the best strategy, one must never choose the worst.
To leave the family, as he had proposed, was to avoid the worst.
So why was his grandfather so angry? He could not understand.
—Dama.
His grandfather, calming his temper, called to him again. The tone was kind. Jegal Dam almost burst into tears, but he held them back and looked up.
—Do you know the saying, “Exhaust yourself unto death”?
—Yes, it is from the memorial of Chancellor Zhuge Liang, is it not?
—Indeed. Chancellor Zhuge’s wish was to complete the unification of the realm under Shu Han. He vowed to devote all his strength, to fight until death itself. That was his resolve when he marched to war.
—Yes, Grandfather.
—And he kept that vow until the very moment he closed his eyes. Even in wars with little hope, he devised strategies to prevail, and in every endeavor, he gave his whole heart.
Jegal Dam wanted to point out that Zhuge Liang had, in the end, failed to unify the realm. But he held his tongue.
—You wish to say, “Man proposes, Heaven disposes,” do you not?
—H-how did…
—I can see it in your face. Yes, even Zhuge Liang sighed, saying that one may plan, but Heaven decides the outcome.
—…Yes.
It was well known that Zhuge Liang had lamented letting Sima Yi escape in a battle he should have won.
—But listen. He could sigh like that only because he had done everything within his power. To blame Heaven means you have done all that man can do. Do you understand?
—I… I do not fully understand.
Even with his grandfather’s gentle explanation, Jegal Dam shook his head.
—Exactly. You are still young. Barely six years old. What have you done yet? I do not know what Heaven demands of you, nor do you. But…
Jegal Dam could not answer.
—We were born with the name Jegal. You must remember what that means. Do all that you possibly can. Only then, at the very end, may you blame Heaven. Do you understand, my grandson?
—Y-yes, Grandfather.
Barely able to respond, young Jegal Dam burst into tears. The sorrow he had held back for so long poured out, and he wept and wept.
—Heh. Crying like that—so you’re still just a child after all. Come here.
In his grandfather’s embrace, Jegal Dam cried for a long time. His grandfather’s chest was vast and endlessly warm, soothing him with gentle words of “It’s alright, it’s alright.”
The very next day, his father Jegal Myeong took his hand and brought him to Cheongnim’s secret archive.
No matter what, it was decided—Jegal Dam would be the one to lead the Jegal clan.
And so, Jegal Dam gave his all. He did not neglect martial arts, nor his studies.
Two years ago, however, his grandfather Jegal Jo passed away.
Jegal Dam, who had tried to follow his grandfather’s will and experience all that he could, lost his way.
—A child born beneath the stars.
Try as he might to forget, only those words remained.
