Around the time Japan became unified, tensions were mounting in the neighboring country of Joseon Dynasty Korea. When a country in disarray comes together as one, it often means one thing: The country is close to expanding overseas.

Because Korea was adjacent to Japan, they fortified their defenses in order to be ready for a Japanese invasion at any moment. The coastguard, under the command of Navy Admiral Lee Sun Shin, was a part of that defense. With a distinguished admiral at the helm, many promising youths joined the coastguard. The country had high expectations for its maritime defenses.

As a young boy, Yun Sung entered the Seung dojo where Hwang Sung Kyung, the renowned coastguardsman who served under Admiral Lee, learned his skills. Hwang-who was 14 years his senior-was a hero to Yun Sung.

Time passed, and Yun Sung matured into a hot-blooded, reckless young man. He became well known in the dojo, even by his seniors. Recognizing his potential, Master Seung Han Myong took him under his wing and taught him directly. By this time, Hwang, whom Yun Sung had idolized as a child, was no longer his hero. Rather, he was now a man who Yun Sung avowed to surpass. In order to prove his skills, the youthful and enthusiastic Yun Sung wished to fight Hwang-a man who had traveled the world twice in his search for the Sword of Salvation.

Even his seniors looked forward to Yun Sung's future. Although he was temperamental and emotional, they knew that his heart was pure.

One day, news reached the Seung Dojo that Hwang was returning from his long journey. Yun Sung saw this as an opportunity. He was in top condition, in both body and mind. Yun Sung was convinced that he could make Hwang acknowledge his fighting skills. Not only that, he might also prove that he was actually stronger than Hwang.

Wiser from his long journey around the world, Hwang ignored the challenge. Disappointed that his mission to find the Sword of Salvation had failed, Hwang rejoined the military to defend his country from the impending Japanese invasion.

Yun Sung was dissatisfied that Hwang ignored his challenge. Seung Mina, the master's daughter, saw the brooding Yun Sung and handed him a single-handed sword. "How long are you going to sulk like that?" she asked him. "You're still such a child. Take a good look at your reflection in this sword, and think things through."

The weapon she handed to Yun Sung was a Seung family heirloom. According to legend, it possessed the ability to reflect the deepest thoughts of those who held the blade.

That night, Yun Sung studied the image of himself in the sword, and thought about what he should do. An array of thoughts and feelings entered his mind.

He realized it was foolish to challenge someone for personal reasons when the country was in such peril. But what could Yun Sung do to make Hwang acknowledge him? Yun Sung mulled over his options. He then realized that if he could obtain the Sword of Salvation that Hwang had failed to find, Hwang would be forced to recognize Yun Sung's talents and respect him. A challenge against Hwang would have to wait until after Yun Sung saved the country.

Save his motherland and prove his strength-this allowed him to achieve two goals in one fell swoop. He was quite pleased with his plan.

Once Yun Sung made his decision, he could not stay put for long. He immediately packed his belongings, wrote a letter to his master, and left the dojo. Upon hearing rumors that a pirate from Ryukyu (present day Okinawa)-whom Hwang fought to a draw four years earlier-took the southern route to Europe, Yun Sung decided to take that same path without a moment's hesitation.

During his journey, Yun Sung learned of the true abominable nature of the Sword of Salvation, and became tormented as to what to do. Nevertheless, he continued his search, which brought him ever closer to the evil blade. But the message that Japan invaded Korea was what solidified his resolve.

Yun Sung did not care if Soul Edge was evil…as long as he could make Hwang respect his skills and defeat the Japanese invaders.