Chapter 160: The Thing I Wanted to Show You. (4)

The Thing I Wanted to Show You. (4)

‘…What…is this?’

Nan-gong Bi-ah, barely managing to adjust her stance, thought. What in the world was that?

Drip.

Blood trickled from the corner of her mouth again.

Following that, Nan-gong Bi-ah frowned, a rare expression for her.

It was likely due to a significant internal shock, as her inner energy wasn’t moving as she willed.

‘…I didn’t see….’

Whatever shock it was, Nan-gong Bi-ah couldn’t tell what Jang Seon-yeon had done, right up until the moment she took a defensive stance after being attacked.

First, she had to try and control her inner energy, which refused to move as she willed.

But before that.

‘…!’

Nan-gong Bi-ah immediately covered her nose, unable to even wipe away the blood flowing from her mouth.

Because a terrible stench assaulted her senses.

‘Why on earth…?’

She couldn’t understand.

Just moments ago, the stench had been barely noticeable.

Habitually, she glanced around.

To see if he was there.

Nan-gong Bi-ah found Tang Soyeol and Wi Seol-ah, and him, amidst the crowd of spectators that had quickly gathered.

He was staring at Jang Seon-yeon in front of him with wide, astonished eyes.

His expression was as if he were utterly shocked by something.

‘…He’s here…but why?’

He was definitely nearby.

At that distance, the stench shouldn’t have affected him.

Why…? Why was there a stench?

“Where are you looking so intently?”

Chills.

Nan-gong Bi-ah moved her body in response to the movement detected by her inner energy sense.

Blood-!

Blood splattered along with the sensation of something grazing her cheek.

‘Sword energy…!’

Nan-gong Bi-ah immediately tried to regulate her inner energy to raise her sword form again, but.

Woong-!

“Ugh…!”

Jang Seon-yeon was faster.

The sword’s call felt up close turned her stomach inside out.

The sword form she was about to unleash collapsed, and the inner energy she was gathering scattered.

Her subsequent loss of balance created an opening.

Jang Seon-yeon didn’t miss it.

Kung!

With an impact felt in her abdomen, Nan-gong Bi-ah’s body flew upwards.

“Kkeuut…!”

She barely managed to surround herself with inner energy to defend, but it wasn’t without impact.

Tududuk!

Staggering, she barely regained her footing.

The blood she had spilled earlier wouldn’t stop flowing from her mouth.

Nan-gong Bi-ah managed to create some distance and had to compose her inner energy.

‘…This is strange….’

He was faster than when she first faced him.

And heavier.

It felt like he had become a different person.

Jang Seon-yeon’s martial arts from earlier were certainly threatening.

But he hadn’t seemed skilled enough to apply and use them.

Meaning he was still inexperienced.

While he was outstanding compared to others Nan-gong Bi-ah had faced.

Compared to the talented individuals Nan-gong Bi-ah had encountered so far, he wasn’t particularly remarkable.

‘So now?’

What she felt was completely different.

The level of fighting spirit (鬪氣) she could vaguely sense was entirely different from before.

“I apologize to you.”

Jang Seon-yeon spoke, looking at Nan-gong Bi-ah.

Nan-gong Bi-ah slightly furrowed her brows, unsure of his meaning, so Jang Seon-yeon continued.

“I’m not used to it yet, so I didn’t want to use it if possible.”

Woong….

A sound continued to emanate from the sword.

To Nan-gong Bi-ah, it sounded like a growl.

Not used to it?

Was he talking about martial arts?

Or something else?

Jang Seon-yeon merely smiled at Nan-gong Bi-ah’s question.

“I never expected to use it in this martial arts tournament. But it’s turned out this way.”

As Jang Seon-yeon took a step forward, Nan-gong Bi-ah immediately raised her Emperor Sword Form.

Jang Seon-yeon showed a surprised expression at that sight.

“…Your body must be in terrible shape. I respect that, Miss Nan-gong.”

Jang Seon-yeon’s way of addressing her sent an involuntary shiver down her spine.

However, as Jang Seon-yeon said, her body was indeed not normal.

Even now, the Emperor Sword Form she was deploying wasn’t stable and was wavering.

This was likely also due to the stench felt from all directions.

‘…I feel like I’m going to vomit.’

She was starting to understand a little.

This wasn’t the stench emanating from Jang Seon-yeon.

It was the stench of the world, which had disappeared through Gu Yangcheon, pouring onto Nan-gong Bi-ah once more.

‘…Why…’

She couldn’t know the reason, but Nan-gong Bi-ah felt it was clearly so.

Her stomach felt heavy, and the world grew dark.

She had stepped into the hell she had felt her entire life, once again.

Even covering her nose didn’t erase the smell she perceived.

It was excruciating pain.

Why was it so difficult?

She had experienced this her whole life, yet it felt harder than usual.

‘…I want to escape.’

She wanted to run away right now.

He was nearby, so perhaps if she ran to him and hugged him, the stench would disappear again?

Nan-gong Bi-ah was even having thoughts like that.

Still.

“Hoo…”

Nan-gong Bi-ah immediately adjusted her stance again.

She hadn’t spoken to him just to show him such a state.

-Trust me.

There was a reason she had specifically said those words to him.

It was because she hated the worried look in his eyes.

This was a thought Nan-gong Bi-ah had harbored since experiencing the incident at the Hua San Sect.

‘I hate my incompetence.’

It was a thought she’d never had before, yet Nan-gong Bi-ah often recalled such words.

Referring to her own useless self.

Herself, who could do nothing and watched his back with a broken arm.

She hated herself for being by his side, only receiving his worries.

Receiving worries and affection is happiness.

Happiness.

It was the first emotion Nan-gong Bi-ah had clearly understood.

Being next to him makes her happy.

She could fall into peaceful sleep, and breathing felt comfortable.

She liked walking slowly while looking at the scenery.

Though she realized it late, it was thanks to him that she could appreciate this.

Closing her eyes, what came to mind were not nightmares, but warm imaginings.

Nan-gong Bi-ah called this happiness.

That’s why she couldn’t give up.

She didn’t want to be by his side looking so incompetent.

Someone who couldn’t live without him.

Could she be helpful by his side?

Nan-gong Bi-ah didn’t think so.

She didn’t want such a useless person to be beside him.

That’s precisely why it couldn’t be her.

Nan-gong Bi-ah had to show him.

That she was someone who could stand on her own.

“Hmm…”

Jang Seon-yeon let out a hum.

Because Nan-gong Bi-ah’s sword tip had turned towards him again.

“You don’t intend to forfeit, do you?”

He hoped she would forfeit if possible.

Not only did he not want to use this power for long.

He hadn’t thought he’d use it in such a trivial tournament.

‘Honestly, I wasn’t even sure if I’d use it against the Thunder Dragon.’

Who would have thought there would be two people who surpassed Jang Seon-yeon’s expectations.

It felt even worse because most of Peng Woo-jin’s taunts seemed to have come true.

Kkeudeuk.

The hand holding the sword tightened.

An expanded body.

Inside his body, inner energy and qi intertwined, giving a sense of explosive power.

Jang Seon-yeon looked at Nan-gong Bi-ah.

A face full of bloodstains. Slightly disheveled hair.

White skin smudged with dust from rolling on the ground.

Despite her ruined state after just a few exchanges, Nan-gong Bi-ah’s eyes were calm yet resolute.

It was as if the image of the Poisonous Staff she first met overlapped.

The green-haired girl was like that too. Jang Seon-yeon couldn’t understand.

How could she not despair?

How could she not run away?

What was the reason for not harboring fear when facing an insurmountable wall?

‘It’s irritating.’

Why did the martial artist’s behavior, showing she hadn’t collapsed, sting so much?

The act of maintaining solitary nobility amidst the already broken and rotten orthodox sects.

It was utterly disgusting to Jang Seon-yeon.

Not facing reality and still dreaming of something?

What could be gained by doing so?

‘Disgusting.’

This wasn’t said to them, but to himself.

He wished to stand above all men, so he must not lie to himself.

He was merely envious.

Compared to himself, who had sought another path crushed by the wall, they seemed more formidable.

‘Don’t wither.’

He swept aside useless thoughts.

He had to remember that he had been chosen.

Jang Seon-yeon approached Nan-gong Bi-ah.

If she wouldn’t give up, he just had to make it so she couldn’t.

Although he himself couldn’t adapt to the suddenly increased speed.

Jang Seon-yeon swung his sword. Defensive lightning energy spread, but.

Jang Seon-yeon’s sword cut through it like paper, piercing through.

Kkang-!

Swords clashed, ringing out a clear sound.

The sound was incredibly clear, but the pressure emanating from the bursting inner energy was not.

Shockwaves spread in all directions.

Whoosh! Nan-gong Bi-ah couldn’t withstand the impact and her stance wavered.

Jang Seon-yeon, who wouldn’t miss such an opportunity, didn’t stop attacking.

Kkang! Kkang!

His body, boosted by qi, gained momentum in speed that had dulled from performing martial arts, and the faintly resonating sword’s call held the opponent’s feet.

‘Faster.’

As he gradually assimilated with the qi, Jang Seon-yeon’s speed increased.

Likewise, his strength would increase. The growing sound of the blade cutting through the wind was proof of this.

But.

‘Why.’

Can’t it reach?

Koong-! He stomped heavily on the ground, and inner energy emanated around him.

Woowoong!

The sword’s call resonated as if reacting to this.

Geugeugeuk!

The clashing swords fiercely bared their teeth, terrifyingly.

Yet.

Kkang-!

Jang Seon-yeon’s sword still didn’t reach Nan-gong Bi-ah.

“…How?”

Words he uttered without realizing it.

Jang Seon-yeon couldn’t comprehend the bizarre situation that continued.

Not only speed but also strength were far superior.

With qi drawn in, there was no way he should be pushed back. But why couldn’t he break through?

He tried breaking through all paths rapidly, but Nan-gong Bi-ah ultimately blocked them.

Woong….

Jang Seon-yeon suddenly looked up at a sound he heard. A distinct sword’s call.

He hastily checked his sword, but this wasn’t the sound coming from his own sword.

Woong….

A very small, yet clear and distinct sound.

It wasn’t a mistake. This was the sound coming from Nan-gong Bi-ah’s sword.

‘…A sword’s call?’

The sound currently piercing Jang Seon-yeon’s ears wasn’t the artificial sword’s call he produced.

It was a true sword’s call (劍鳴), produced by a swordsman who had reached a certain level, becoming one with the sword.

How could it make a sword’s call now?

Did she have a hidden move?

But it seemed too late for that.

The current Nan-gong Bi-ah, busy blocking the qi-infused sword, looked much worse off than before.

Blood flowed from her nose, and perhaps unable to block all the impact, blood also flowed from the hand gripping the sword.

However, her gaze remained unwavering.

Instead, Nan-gong Bi-ah’s aura had become calmer.

Jang Seon-yeon couldn’t tolerate that.

“…How are you still standing like that?”

“…”

“Give up. Miss Nan-gong, there’s nothing good that will come from fighting further.”

No answer came.

In response to Jang Seon-yeon’s words, Nan-gong Bi-ah simply raised her sword again.

Woong!

A much clearer cry than before.

It seemed to answer that the match wasn’t over yet.

Seeing that, Jang Seon-yeon finally gritted his teeth and drew up all his qi.

Woong!

At the same time, his sword also produced a sword’s call, but its quality was different from the sound Nan-gong Bi-ah produced.

He didn’t like it.

Why didn’t his sword make a sound like that? He should be superior.

He had been chosen. Why?

“…Distracting thoughts.”

Jang Seon-yeon flinched at the voice that suddenly reached him.

Nan-gong Bi-ah, who had been consistently silent, had spoken.

“…Focus.”

For a moment, he thought she was talking to him.

It was Nan-gong Bi-ah talking to herself.

Woowoong!

Nan-gong Bi-ah’s sword call grew louder.

“…I can do it.”

She trailed off.

As if she were concentrating on something.

Only then could Jang Seon-yeon see something in Nan-gong Bi-ah.

Her eyes were clear, and her will was high.

But she wasn’t looking at him.

She was feeling something and focusing there.

Enlightenment.

Right.

Nan-gong Bi-ah had now entered the realm of enlightenment.

“…How dare you…”

Was she gaining enlightenment by using him?

Not just anyone, but during a match with him?

Seueu!

Wisps of haze began to rise from Jang Seon-yeon’s shoulders.

The faint sky-blue haze contained a beautiful light to behold.

“I didn’t expect you’d make me bring this out.”

In Yu-seong, this was called Divine Qi (神氣).

It was a power bestowed only upon those chosen by heaven, so it was fitting to call it that.

More and more blue energy filled Jang Seon-yeon’s sword.

It was a beautiful shimmer, but hidden within was a deep and vast power.

“Do not regret this…”

For it is all karma you have created.

Jang Seon-yeon raised his sword towards Nan-gong Bi-ah and charged.

In response, Nan-gong Bi-ah also moved slowly.

The sword, imbued with lightning energy at her gracefully moving feet, moved along with the flow.

Though the contained inner energy was meager, and she wasn’t even using the Emperor Sword Form, her signature technique.

Nan-gong Bi-ah stepped into Jang Seon-yeon’s domain without hesitation.

Eventually, sword met sword.

In that instant, light spread and flashed across the martial arts stage. Only light, without a sound.

After the light that had filled the stage in an instant vanished.

The martial arts stage was filled with emptiness.

The moment they clashed was fleeting.

The result was already decided.

The referee, confirming the match was over, raised his hand and declared.

“…Jang Seon-yeon wins.”

Jang Seon-yeon was the one standing there.

Nan-gong Bi-ah had lost consciousness and collapsed.

-Waaaaaaaah!

After a brief silence, cheers erupted from the audience seats.

Jang Seon-yeon remained motionless, just standing in his spot.

Seureuk.

Jang Seon-yeon slowly turned around at a presence he suddenly felt from behind.

There, someone was holding the unconscious Nan-gong Bi-ah.

A boy with dark black hair, wearing red martial arts attire.

Gu Yangcheon, who appeared out of nowhere, had come onto the stage and picked up Nan-gong Bi-ah.

Their gazes met for a moment.

Meeting Gu Yangcheon’s fierce eyes, Jang Seon-yeon said nothing.

Instead, it was Gu Yangcheon who spoke.

“Why the long face?”

It was a voice devoid of any emotion.

The words themselves were also incomprehensible.

A long face?

What kind of expression was he making?

“Looks like you know what kind of bullshit you pulled. Judging by that shitty expression you’re wearing.”

Rude and coarse profanity, utterly lacking any manners.

Although he could have retorted, Jang Seon-yeon couldn’t say anything.

For some reason, his mouth wouldn’t open.

Gu Yangcheon, watching silently, said no more and descended the stage, still holding Nan-gong Bi-ah.

Left alone amidst the cheers after the referee had also left, Jang Seon-yeon simply covered his face with both hands.

Because somehow, it felt like he had to.