Chapter v16c7

An Unbelievable Commotion, An Unbelievable Duel

– Sword Empress vs. Bi Ryu-yeon –

As Do-seong had said, it wasn’t just a matter of hardship.

To Mo-yong Hui, the mere fact that such an absurd event could occur in this orderly world felt like an outrage against heaven.

He didn’t know how this had happened, nor did he want to know. What good would it do to uncover the depths of his roommate’s foolishness? But one thing was certain: the situation was as bad as it could possibly be.

To dare defy Sword Empress Yi Ok-sang… He would have been better off committing seppuku. Bi Ryu-yeon had crossed a line he shouldn’t have crossed. He might be banished from the martial world forever. The Jianghu was vast, but there was nowhere that would welcome someone who had incurred the wrath of the Sword Empress.

“Draw your sword!”

The Sword Empress commanded again, her voice cold. But Bi Ryu-yeon remained motionless, his head bowed slightly. It was impossible to read his expression, especially with his face half-hidden by his hair.

“Are you deaf?”

She shouted again. Bi Ryu-yeon finally raised his head, but his expression was still unreadable. However, he remained calm, even in the face of this disastrous situation. He wasn’t afraid.

“Master, please stop!”

Na Yerin pleaded, rushing forward and grabbing the Sword Empress’s sleeve. Her voice was filled with desperation. Her icy mask had crumbled. She was showing a side of herself that she had never shown anyone before, not even her master. But Yi Ok-sang was unmoved.

“Step aside!”

Her voice was firm, brooking no argument.

“Ryeong, what are you waiting for? Take her away!”

Dokgo Ryeong, who had been standing there helplessly, sprang into action. SHe grabbed Na Yerin, with Yi Jin-seol’s help, and dragged her away from the scene.

“Well? Are you afraid?”

The Sword Empress asked, her voice laced with mockery. Bi Ryu-yeon raised his head and met her gaze. He wasn’t angered by her provocation.

Her gaze was sharp as a sword, but he didn’t flinch. Not that it would have been visible anyway, with his eyes hidden behind his hair.

It was impossible to tell what he was thinking.

“I…”

He started to speak, then stopped. He wasn’t afraid. Something else was bothering him. He was hesitating.

“What’s wrong? Are you scared?”

If he was, she would be disappointed. She couldn’t tolerate a coward being near her beloved disciple.

“Are you a coward? Will you admit defeat without a fight? Then it’s simple. Raise your hands, declare yourself a coward and a loser in front of everyone, and never show your face in front of my disciple again!”

Na Yerin, hearing this, paled. She had never imagined her master would make such a demand.

“I’m afraid I can’t do that. I was only taught how to defeat my opponents, not how to surrender. Even if you’re famous, you can’t expect to win without a fight.”

“Oh? You have some backbone after all! I’m relieved.”

A master of the Sword Empress’s caliber could imbue her voice with Qi, using it to suppress her opponent’s mind and spirit. It was a battle of wills, a test of mental fortitude. The weaker one would lose before the fight even began. He couldn’t lose before the fight even began.

“Will you draw your sword now?”

She asked, her voice cold.

“You’re determined to fight me, aren’t you? I didn’t want to fight you. There’s no reason, no meaning to this fight…”

He didn’t want to fight the Sword Empress, especially since she was Na Yerin’s master. It was awkward. But her will was as strong as steel.

“You have to fight me. And if you lose, you must never appear before my disciple again. You must treat her like air. Because I, Sword Empress Yi Ok-sang, demand it.”

She said, pointing at Na Yerin, who was being supported by Dokgo Ryeong. She was determined to get her way.

“You’re stubborn! Your disciples must have a hard time.”

“Perhaps.”

She admitted. She didn’t look at Dokgo Ryeong. He was lucky.

“Will you force me to comply if I refuse?”

“Of course!”

She didn’t hesitate. There was no escape. He had to accept it.

“Alright. I like your aggressive style. I’ll accept your challenge. But this fight seems unfair. I have everything to lose, and nothing to gain. Don’t you think that’s a bit unfair?”

“So? What do you want? I’ll grant you one request.”

“What do I get if I win? I don’t want to fight for no reason.”

“You think you can win? Against me?”

She asked, her voice incredulous. The audience was equally stunned.

“Of course. Why would I fight if I didn’t think I could win? What’s the point of fighting if you’ve already lost?”

“Hahaha! You’re an interesting one. You’re right. There’s no point in fighting a losing battle.”

She seemed to be amused by his audacity. Her anger had dissipated.

“He’s definitely crazy! Isn’t he, Jun-ho?”

“Yes, Brother! He’s the only one who would dare challenge the Sword Empress… But do you think he can win, Hyo-ryong?”

“I don’t know… It’s not looking good! He’s facing a tough opponent.”

Jang Hong, Hyo-ryong, and Yoon Jun-ho were among the stunned audience. They thought they were used to Bi Ryu-yeon’s antics, but he had surprised them again. The Sword Empress seemed to be thinking. And then, she made an offer.

“Recognition!”

She said, her voice short and sharp. But her words had a profound impact.

“R-Reco… hic… recognition?”

Wi Ji-cheon, the leader of the Ice Phoenix Protection Squad, stammered, hiccupping. Had he heard correctly? Something unbelievable was happening. He was so shocked that he hadn’t even noticed the blood trickling from his clenched teeth.

“Recognition?”

“Re-co-gni-tion?!!!”

The audience gasped. Recognition. Official recognition. She was offering to acknowledge their relationship. Even Bi Ryu-yeon was surprised.

“Really?”

“I don’t go back on my promises.”

If Na Baek-cheon, Na Yerin’s father and the leader of the Orthodox Alliance, had heard this, he would have fainted. Everyone else was shocked too. Na Yerin, the Ice Beauty of Mount Hua. The most beautiful woman in the world, with admirers all over the Orthodox Alliance, even within the Heavenly Demon Pavilion. But she was as cold as ice, her heart unmoved by any man. She was like the cold, lonely moon in the night sky, untouchable. Everyone who knew her was stunned by the Sword Empress’s offer. Bi Ryu-yeon had just made enemies of half the men in the Jianghu.

“M-Master!”

Na Yerin, finally realizing what was happening, cried out. But the Sword Empress ignored her.

“Yes! You can have my recognition. Officially!”

She emphasized the word “officially.”

“What do you say?”

Bi Ryu-yeon was silent for a moment. But his mind was racing. He finally looked up, his decision made.

The Sword Empress’s recognition. It was a tempting offer. It was worth a fortune in the Jianghu. It was more valuable than any other form of recognition. He couldn’t resist the temptation, even though he knew it was dangerous.

“That’s a very tempting offer. Irresistible, even…”

He said, smiling, his lips curving up towards his right ear. Na Yerin wanted to cry. She was confused and anxious. Things were happening without her consent. Were they really that close? Recognition… That was something that only happened between couples. They weren’t there yet. And then, a terrifying thought struck her.

“No, Ryu-yeon! Don’t accept it! Apologize! You can’t win! You can’t defeat her!”

She cried out, her voice desperate. The Sword Empress was serious. She was going to defeat him, no matter the cost. She didn’t care if he was crippled or killed. But Bi Ryu-yeon didn’t move.

“What should I apologize for? For falling in love with you? Or for you falling in love with me? Neither of those things require an apology. It’s natural for a man and a woman to be attracted to each other. It’s the way of heaven, the law of nature. Why should I be ashamed? Because she’s the Sword Empress? Because she’s your master? I respect her, but I won’t grovel.”

“B-But…”

She couldn’t think of a counterargument.

The word “love” hung in the air. Na Yerin’s face flushed crimson. She hadn’t expected to hear those words in this situation. They hit her like a thunderbolt.

Bi Ryu-yeon, after a brief pause, asked again, his voice soft.

“Do you still want me to give up?”

“…”

She didn’t answer. And he didn’t press her for an answer. Silence was an answer in itself.

‘Why couldn’t I answer his question? Why?’

She was lost in a fog of confusion. The only thing she was sure of was that her heart was pounding, her blood rushing through her veins. Her cold heart was warming, her frozen emotions thawing. The lock that had been sealed for twenty years was breaking, the rusty hinges creaking open.

“These youngsters…”

The Sword Empress sighed, massaging her temples. She had never seen her disciple like this before. She was full of surprises.

‘Is it because of him?’

She looked at Bi Ryu-yeon, who was standing there calmly. At least he wasn’t trembling.

He wasn’t fazed by the presence of one of the most powerful figures in the martial world. His spirit was strong, his sense of self unshakeable. He never lost himself, no matter what others said about him. He was called crazy, arrogant, disrespectful, but he didn’t care. He knew who he was.

She smiled faintly.

“You have a silver tongue. Alright! I’ll give you a chance.”

“A chance?”

“Survive ten moves against me! If you can do that, I’ll concede defeat!”