Chapter v18c24

## The Divine Maiden and Bi Ryu-Yeon

– Namgung-Sang’s Fate in Another’s Hands

“Wait!”

As Namgung-Sang was debating whether or not to draw his sword, Bi Ryu-Yeon intervened.

“And who might you be?”

Jin So-Ryeong asked the unexpected intruder.

“My name is Bi Ryu-Yeon.”

He replied with a slight bow. Surprisingly, Jin So-Ryeong recognized the name.

“Bi Ryu-Yeon? Are you the one who ‘accidentally’ won the recent Hwasan Meeting?”

Jin So-Ryeong had only recently heard the rumors about him. A young, unknown man had won the controversial Hwasan Meeting, but no one would explain how or why he was declared the winner.

“I’m not sure why ‘accidentally’ is part of it, but yes, I’m that Bi Ryu-Yeon.”

He didn’t seem too concerned about the negative rumors surrounding him. He understood that no matter what others said, he would remain himself. Rumors could be manipulated and exaggerated at will, and he found it pointless to pay attention to them.

“So, what do you want to say?”

Jin So-Ryeong asked again.

“It’s unfair.”

“Unfair?”

“Yes, unfair.”

“What’s unfair?”

“Considering the differences in status, age, and reputation in Jianghu, there’s a significant gap between the two. Plus, you’re the aunt of the person he loves. There are many disadvantages on his side.”

“And?”

“So, if things proceed one-sidedly, he’ll have no choice but to nod along, even if it’s against his favor. Isn’t that unfair? Don’t you agree?”

Jin So-Ryeong wasn’t angry. Bi Ryu-Yeon’s argument made sense. She didn’t want to force an unwanted duel.

“You have a point.”

She considered for a moment before answering.

“Of course, I do.”

Bi Ryu-Yeon said confidently.

“So how do we make it fair?”

That was the question he had been waiting for.

“Since they requested the duel, shouldn’t we decide how it will be conducted?”

Bi Ryu-Yeon proposed the idea he had been preparing.

“That’s reasonable. Let’s do it that way.”

Jin So-Ryeong agreed, indifferent to the specifics. A master of her level didn’t concern herself with trivial details. Everything was going according to plan.

“What do you suggest?”

He needed to provide an answer that Jin So-Ryeong would accept. He couldn’t just make unreasonable demands.

“I’ve heard rumors about a secret Emei sword technique called ‘Flying Lotus.'”

Bi Ryu-Yeon began, and Jin So-Ryeong was slightly surprised.

“Yes, that’s true.”

Her surprise was evident in her tone. She hadn’t expected him to know about it. It was a success. In reality, he had learned about it from Jin-Ryeong.

“I heard that in the past fifty years, no one but the Emei Sect’s leader has mastered it.”

“That’s true.”

Jin So-Ryeong admitted. It wasn’t a well-known fact, but it wasn’t exactly a secret either.

“But I’ve heard that you, miss, have mastered this secret technique. Is that true?”

“Miss?”

Ryu-Ran, who had been standing quietly behind her, almost choked at Bi Ryu-Yeon’s audacity in addressing Jin So-Ryeong as “miss.” But Jin So-Ryeong remained unfazed.

“It’s not a secret. Yes, it’s true. But what does that have to do with the duel?”

“Of course, it’s related.”

“I can agree not to use that technique in the duel, if that’s what you’re asking. I wasn’t planning to use such a powerful technique anyway.”

But Jin So-Ryeong was mistaken.

“No, it’s the opposite. I’d like you to use only that technique. If we can break it, we win. If we fail, you win. How about that?”

“Are you serious?”

Jin So-Ryeong asked, genuinely surprised. She hadn’t expected such a proposal.

“Do you know what that technique entails?”

“A little.”

Bi Ryu-Yeon replied nonchalantly.

“And you still want to face it head-on?”

“He’s the one who will face it, not me.”

Bi Ryu-Yeon gestured to Namgung-Sang with both hands.

If Jin-Ryeong had been there, she would have immediately shouted, “No!” and tried to stop him. She knew better than anyone how terrifying that technique was, being from the Emei Sect herself.

And she would have felt wronged. She had thought Bi Ryu-Yeon was trying to seal Jin So-Ryeong’s most powerful technique. But she had forgotten that his schemes always took unexpected turns.

“Isn’t it more advantageous not to face it?”

Jin So-Ryeong asked. She was confident she could handle such a restriction. Namgung-Sang also thought it was a good idea. But Bi Ryu-Yeon’s answer was the opposite of what he expected.

“Huh? That would be cowardly.”

Bi Ryu-Yeon said without changing his expression. The word “cowardly” left Namgung-Sang momentarily stunned. His mind was paralyzed. When had his senior brother become so righteous? Suddenly, the world seemed like a joke.

“It only has meaning if you face it head-on and overcome it. Otherwise, how can you expect to be seen as a suitable match for Jin-Ryeong? You’d be labeled as someone who only won because of favors.”

“You have a point. I didn’t consider that. I almost did something unfair to him.”

Jin So-Ryeong nodded, impressed by Bi Ryu-Yeon’s seemingly fair attitude. She was completely persuaded by his words.

“I apologize, Namgung.”

“Oh, no. Please, there’s no need to apologize.”

Namgung-Sang waved his hands in a panic. How could he cling to her skirt after she apologized? He realized he was in a trap.

“Even if you break it, it doesn’t mean you’ve truly defeated it. It just means you’ve survived. If you survive, you win. If you don’t, you lose. How about that?”

“A killing move is a technique meant to kill. If it fails to kill, it’s been broken.”

It was a harsh, even extreme standard.

“You understand well.”

Bi Ryu-Yeon nodded, seemingly in agreement with her perspective.

“But if you can’t block it, you might die. I want to make it clear that I won’t hold back. I believe that’s disrespectful to my opponent.”

Namgung-Sang briefly wondered if being disrespected might not be such a bad thing.

“Well, that’s his fate.”

Bi Ryu-Yeon, having meddled in someone else’s fate, suddenly shifted the responsibility to Namgung-Sang.

“Th-this is…”

Namgung-Sang felt helpless, but he was powerless to change his fate. His cruel fate was beyond his control.

“When would you like to do it? Let’s set a date.”

“How about in fifteen days?”

After that, the main rounds of the Ascending Martial Arts Competition would start, and everyone would be busy.

“Sounds good.”

“Then we’ll inform you of the location.”

“No objections.”

“Where are you staying?”

“I’m staying at the Middle Heaven Merchant Guild’s Nanchang branch.”

Bi Ryu-Yeon looked up, surprised to hear a familiar location.

“That’s unexpected.”

He hadn’t known she was connected to the Middle Heaven Merchant Guild.

“I’m familiar with that place, so I’ll make sure to inform you.”

“See you in fifteen days.”

“In fifteen days.”

Bi Ryu-Yeon replied.

* * *

“She’s quite the aunt. No wonder Jin-Ryeong makes such a fuss.”

Bi Ryu-Yeon commented as he watched Jin So-Ryeong and Ryu-Ran disappear with the children. Namgung-Sang was still bewildered by the sudden turn of events.

“What should I do now?”

He asked, his face showing his confusion. He was caught in a fate he hadn’t chosen.

“Tsk, tsk, this is the fate you chose. Don’t think of it as my doing. That’s a big mistake. I’m just helping you grasp the fate you chose for yourself.”

Namgung-Sang wondered when “helping” had become synonymous with “interfering.” And no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t remember choosing this fate.

But he knew that if he protested, saying, “I don’t think I chose this fate,” he’d only get a flick on the forehead. Fate was a monster beyond human control. It just so happened that this monster was right beside him, wearing a human disguise.

“You have to seize your fate yourself. Shall we go?”

Bi Ryu-Yeon stretched.

“Where to?”

“Special training!”

He wanted to take him for more training.

“That again? I thought it was over.”

Namgung-Sang really wanted to escape. He had just gotten out of that hell, and now he was being dragged back in? He wanted to refuse.

“Huh? That was just a warm-up for the real training! You can’t block that technique with just that. Do you want to die before you get married?”

“No, I have to get married.”

“Don’t worry! I won’t let you die. Trust me. And this time, it’s short! It’s a fifteen-day crash course!”

Bi Ryu-Yeon seemed genuinely happy. The thought of his misfortune bringing joy to Bi Ryu-Yeon made Namgung-Sang even more depressed.

“What about the Middle Heaven Merchant Guild’s Nanchang branch?”

Their original destination had been the Middle Heaven Merchant Guild’s Nanchang branch, but Bi Ryu-Yeon seemed to have lost interest.

“Something more important came up, so we’ll go later. Besides, that formidable lady is staying there, so it’s not a good idea to go before the duel.”

Knowing the shipment had arrived safely was enough. They could deal with the details after the duel.

With that, Bi Ryu-Yeon turned back to Cheonmu Academy with Namgung-Sang.

* * *

Whoosh!

A silver streak cut elegantly through the forest, spiraling gracefully. Like a bird with a will of its own, it sliced through the air with ease. It was a white sword.

If an ordinary person had seen this, they would have screamed,

“Ah! A haunted sword!”

It looked like a sword, but the truth was different.

If a martial artist had seen it, they would have exclaimed in shock,

“This is Sword Control!”

A mystical technique that allowed one to control a sword in the air without touching it. It was a dream for any swordsman.

There were no invisible strings. It wasn’t an illusion. Yet it floated in the air, moving like a fish swimming through water.

Whoosh!

The dancing sword shot up into the sky, becoming a dot. It soared as if it would pierce the heavens and reach the moon, then stopped abruptly.

Perfect stillness. In that moment, everything was frozen in silence.

Slowly, the sword tilted, pivoting on its hilt. It aligned parallel to the ground, then continued to fall. As the sword reversed its course, its tip aimed at the earth.

Whoosh!

The sword, suspended in the sky, plummeted with terrifying speed.

Namgung-Sang’s eyes snapped open as the sharp killing intent aimed at his crown chakra. He had never faced an attack from directly above.

“Damn it!”

He had no choice but to retreat.

But the sword didn’t stop. It fell like a white bolt of lightning, stopping just before hitting the ground. The tip hovered, searching for its vanished target. It hadn’t gone far, and victory was still within reach.

Whoosh!

The sword shot towards Namgung-Sang again, a white streak. Few could wield Sword Control with such mastery. Who was the owner of this sword? And why were they targeting Namgung-Sang so relentlessly?

The sword was called “Ice White,” and its owner was Gwan Cheol-Su, a renowned swordsman known as the Ice Sword.

‘Can I do it now?’

Namgung-Sang turned and drew his sword. The sword was coming straight at him. It was fast, but not unstoppable. He thought he had a chance. But he was wrong.

As the sword flew towards him, its frosty blade flickered, creating two images.

“Split Sword Technique!”

His jaw dropped. This was cheating.

The Split Sword Technique was a pinnacle of swordsmanship, akin to Sword Control. It was a high-level technique, far beyond simply controlling a sword. Few had mastered it.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

The two split images veered left and right, targeting Namgung-Sang. An unpredictable coordinated attack.

‘I can’t dodge it!’

He closed his eyes tightly.

“Aaaah!”

Jin-Ryeong’s scream echoed.

* * *

A day after the unexpected encounter with Jin So-Ryeong, Namgung-Sang finally gathered the courage to ask Bi Ryu-Yeon a question.

“Eldest Senior Brother!”

“What?”

“That Flying Lotus technique… What is it? Why did you choose it?”

He had been curious ever since he heard the name yesterday.

“Huh? You didn’t know?”

Bi Ryu-Yeon sounded surprised, as if he had assumed Namgung-Sang knew.

“No, I didn’t.”

“Isn’t it an Emei sword technique? Didn’t Jin-Ryeong teach you?”

“She didn’t.”

He felt a little hurt.

“Jin-Ryeong said it’s more of a state than a technique.”

“A state?”

“Yes. It’s basically Sword Control.”

“What? What did you say?”

For a moment, he wondered if he had misheard. But Bi Ryu-Yeon shattered that hope.

“It’s Sword Control! That’s what the Flying Lotus technique is.”

The revelation left Namgung-Sang in shock.

“You know, controlling a sword with qi, without touching it. Don’t you know?”

It wasn’t just a matter of knowing.

“So you’re telling me to face Sword Control?”

“No!”

Bi Ryu-Yeon answered firmly. Namgung-Sang’s face lit up slightly.

“I’m telling you to face it and break it. It’s not just about facing it.”

Boom!

It felt like a massive weight had dropped into his heart. His head spun. The pressure of facing the pinnacle of Emei swordsmanship, wielded by one of the Five Great Swordsmen, was overwhelming.

“Don’t worry!”

How could he not worry?

“Everything’s prepared.”

Prepared, my foot.

Clap! Clap!

“Come out!”

Bi Ryu-Yeon clapped twice, and someone emerged from the bushes.

Namgung-Sang felt a chill run down his spine. It wasn’t because they were deep in the mountains. It wasn’t because he had a cold. It was because of the opponent standing before him. He had to face this person.

“The Ice Sword Master!”

The person was none other than Gwan Cheol-Su, the Ice Sword.

“It’s been a while.”

They hadn’t seen each other since the Hwasan Meeting. Gwan Cheol-Su had been busy dealing with the aftermath. He had finally found some time, only to end up here. He wasn’t thrilled.

“Introduce yourself. He’s going to train you for the next fifteen days.”

Bi Ryu-Yeon said cheerfully.

“Real training is best done in real combat. You’ll learn how to fight in a short time by facing someone of similar skill. So…”

He looked at Gwan Cheol-Su.

“Don’t hold back!”

And Gwan Cheol-Su didn’t.

* * *

“Uh?”

Namgung-Sang opened his eyes slightly. He moved his right hand to his forehead in silence. It was smooth. Fortunately, there was no new hole. He was still alive. Just a little embarrassed. Thankfully, he didn’t need to change his pants. That was a relief. He didn’t want to embarrass himself further.

“Comfortable?”

A voice came from somewhere, and he replied instinctively.

“Yes.”

“Want to keep lying down?”

“Can I?”

The blue sky filled his vision. The sky, so naturally above him, had never seemed so welcoming. It seemed to have a depth different from the usual blue. He was happy. Though that happiness was short-lived.

“Of course. It’s not hard to keep you bedridden for a few months.”

He jumped up, crushing the grass beneath him. He looked at the person who had asked him.

“E-Eldest Senior Brother…”

“Why? Didn’t you want to keep lying down?”

“No, I can’t just lie around when I have so much training to do. I can’t do that.”

“Really? That’s a shame.”

Bi Ryu-Yeon said, unclenching his right fist. He didn’t want to ask what was a shame.

“Why are you so scared, Gungsang? Is that technique really that terrifying?”

“Of course. It’s Sword Control. And it includes the Split Sword Technique. It’s one of the pinnacles of swordsmanship. It’s a dream for any swordsman. How can I not be afraid of facing such a high-level technique?”

Whack!

Stars danced before his eyes. Bi Ryu-Yeon seemed to have gained the ability to knock stars out of the sky.

“What are your eyes for? Do you think your head is just for balance? What’s the point of having eyes if you can’t see straight? Just…!”

Bi Ryu-Yeon made a scissor motion with his fingers, and Namgung-Sang flinched, covering his eyes with his hands.

“Tsk, tsk, you let others’ illusions fool you before you even see the reality. Why did you go through hellish training? Why do you use it against weaker opponents but forget it when facing stronger ones? You’ve lost before you even started. Not to Sword Control, but to the illusion created by collective belief.”

“I-illusion?”

“Yes, illusion.”

“Sword Control seems powerful, but it’s just an illusion. It’s an illusion inflated by people’s words. It might work on novices or intermediates, but it’s not that effective against higher levels.”

“Is that true?”

Namgung-Sang’s eyes widened.

Bi Ryu-Yeon nodded, trying to convey how pathetic he found them.

“Do you know what makes Sword Control scary? Have you ever thought about it?”

“No.”

He answered in a small voice. He couldn’t find anything scarier than a sword flying through the air. Just because it flew without being touched didn’t make it threatening.

“It’s the element of surprise.”

“Surprise?”

That was new.

“Yes. Imagine a technique you’ve only heard about suddenly appearing before you. Wouldn’t people be shocked? Especially a technique that’s become legendary through gossip.”

Namgung-Sang listened intently.

“But in reality, Sword Control isn’t that practical. It’s not as threatening as imagined. It’s an inefficient technique. It’s wasteful and not as powerful as the effort put in. But it does have one strong point.”

“What is it?”

“The element of surprise. And the reputation it’s built over time. Even if it’s just a reputation, if the opponent can’t see through it, it’s real. So they get scared. L-like you. Then what happens? Their mind weakens. Like a frog before a snake. L-like you. Of course, gaps appear. Their reactions slow. I can’t block it. I can’t block such a great technique. When the mind is filled with negativity, everything turns negative. Negative thinking blocks all possibilities. And do you know what it means to give up possibilities?”

Namgung-Sang shook his head.

“It means giving up the future.”

Bi Ryu-Yeon paused, giving him time to reflect, or maybe because his tongue was tired. But he wasn’t done.

“Only novices think Sword Control is powerful. It sounds impressive. But it doesn’t match the speed of full physical strength. Slower speed means less force. If you can fly a sword with qi, adding physical strength would make it fly faster. Isn’t that obvious?”

Namgung-Sang felt like he couldn’t even do simple math.

“Well, it has its advantages. The ease of control. It can create surprises. You can stab from unexpected angles. But if you’re prepared? It might work on novices, but experts can defend against it. But why waste energy on novices with such a big technique? Big techniques create big gaps. They consume a lot of qi. So against someone strong enough to warrant such a technique, Sword Control is useless. And against weaker opponents, there’s no need to use it. But they probably thought you looked like a novice, so they used it. The goal is to exploit the flaw in their thinking.”

“The flaw in their thinking…”

He murmured.

“Yes, the flaw in their thinking. Sword Control also exploits the gaps in the mind. That’s why it’s strong.”

Bi Ryu-Yeon looked him in the eye. His eyes revealed his confusion. Breaking long-held beliefs was never easy and inevitably led to confusion. But if he couldn’t break them, he couldn’t overcome himself or experience a new world. In the end, only his own beak could break the shell of the world.

“Don’t forget. The fear in your mind is what holds you back and leads you to hell. It’s not the greatness of Sword Control that stabs you, but your mind. And that’s the true fear of Sword Control. But on the flip side, many have died foolishly by overusing it out of arrogance.”

The exact numbers weren’t known, but it was said that they exceeded ten fingers.

“So don’t be fooled by appearances. The flashiness of a technique isn’t proof of true strength. The world is the same in that regard. So don’t be intimidated beforehand. If you stay focused, you can block it. And that’s where your victory lies.”

‘And my victory too!’

Bi Ryu-Yeon said confidently, pondering how to draw people to the duel. His unwavering confidence made Namgung-Sang feel it was possible. Bi Ryu-Yeon continued.

“Sword Control is dangerous. For the user, not the target. Especially when there are multiple opponents. It requires immense mental strength. The key is mental focus, which makes the body sluggish. It’s a state of vulnerability. If there are multiple opponents, one can distract the sword while the other attacks the user. Of course, there are ways to counter this.”

Bi Ryu-Yeon paused, poking Namgung-Sang’s forehead with his finger.

“The problem is that you and your friends haven’t experienced this. It’s new because you haven’t experienced it. Humans need time to adapt to new environments. Especially in battle. Why do you think I brought that dull guy?”

He didn’t want to know, but reality forced him to.

“……”

Bi Ryu-Yeon spoke clearly, as if engraving it into Namgung-Sang’s soul.

“To experience it firsthand. The fight of a true master. The depth. The fear. And what Sword Control is like!”