Chapter 523: Give it to me just once.
by Afuhfuihgs
Starting with the jewel, the blade glittered brilliantly.
The translucent blade, which seemed like a concentration of Ki, exuded a subtle aura.
Is that all?
‘This….’
I could feel not only the heat around me but also the fire Ki I possessed being strengthened.
‘Amazing?’
It’s surprisingly so.
Not only did vitality surge through my body, but my very energy was being enhanced.
‘It’s similar to when I used blood Ki back then.’
Although I’ve now become one with blood Ki and undergone shedding, it felt similar to when I used blood Ki in my previous human body.
Recalling that, I looked at the 뇌아 (Brain Core) again.
‘It was a much more incredible item than I thought.’
I had simply thought it would enhance brain Ki, but I never imagined it could strengthen the body and energy like this.
“How… how did you do that…?”
A surprised voice could be heard.
It was Goiseon’s voice.
Seeing the 뇌아 activated in my hand, he widened his eyes, apparently quite amazed.
‘Can Goiseon use this too?’
A question crossed my mind.
Could Goiseon, who abandoned Namgung’s martial arts to become a shaman, use the 뇌아?
If he could use it, there would be no greater treasure.
‘…If that’s the case, it’s better than the 귀정 (Ghostly Calm)?’
“What, punk?”
As I said it as if comparing, I heard Noyya retort indignantly.
But, it was actually true.
The 귀정, which possessed the trait ‘Absolutely Indestructible’.
And comparing it to the 뇌아 with these effects…
‘In terms of combat, this one is overwhelmingly superior.’
Ultimately, I don’t use swords, so I can’t end up using the 뇌아.
Excluding that, the 뇌아 was indeed an incredible item.
‘The problem is that it consumes Ki like crazy, though.’
Perhaps because the blade itself was made of Ki, the Ki consumption was immense.
In my case, since I naturally have a lot of Ki, I could probably use it for several hours at this rate, but…
‘Others wouldn’t last long.’
Moreover, since it’s used as a sword aura… unless one is at the peak, they likely couldn’t use it.
If I tried to use it recklessly, I could end up touching primordial Ki.
As I examined it from various angles, looking at the 뇌아 with interest…
“You baaaaastard…!!”
Namgung Myung’s roar echoed in my ears.
“How… HOW could you draw out the blade?!”
‘…Even if you’re angry at me for that. I’m just as bewildered.’
I just poured Ki into it, and since it seemed to take it well, I gave it a bit more.
And then suddenly, pyong! It activated. What am I supposed to do about that?
‘I didn’t know it would work either.’
Since I’m not related to brain Ki, it was something I never expected to be able to use the 뇌아.
Swish….
I gave it a tentative swing.
‘…Wow.’
Immediately, I couldn’t help but admire it inwardly.
The feeling is different.
It was incomparably lighter than a regular steel sword, and the way the blade cut the air felt distinctly different.
Is this a famous sword?
I guess this is why sword masters go crazy for good swords.
‘No, besides, where would you even find a blade made of sword aura in the first place?’
As I swung it a few times, feeling the texture…
“Grrr! Let go right now! You punk!”
Namgung Myung continued to rage as if he couldn’t stand it, but naturally, I let it in one ear and out the other.
‘Just bear with it a little. It’s not like it’ll wear out from a little use.’
“…This punk…? This is something only those of the Namgung family can use…!”
Well, I understand that, but…
‘I can use it, though.’
Then what is this 뇌아 activated in my hand?
Especially since I’m not even of Namgung blood.
Moreover, what I felt from the blade wasn’t brain Ki.
This was clearly fire Ki.
The blade, fully imbued with my energy, was definitely far from brain Ki.
Why can I use this?
It’s a question I should have pondered when I could pick it up so casually in the first place, but…
Now wasn’t the time to figure that out.
“Is… is it done…?”
“…Yeah, it seems roughly done.”
Although she should have been surprised seeing the 뇌아, Namgung Bi-ah asked me with her usual expression.
She seemed uninterested whether I used the 뇌아 or not.
‘…Isn’t she surprised?’
I mean, this blade just popped out of a stick.
Goiseon is currently looking like his eyes are about to pop out.
‘Well, yeah.’
She’s always been like that.
Woowooong-!
Every time I swung it slightly, the blade made a sound.
An immense amount of vibration could be felt.
Just looking at it, it had an overwhelming presence.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t use it at the level of the Thunder God’s Descent that the Sword Demon Queen used.
Even this alone felt sufficiently powerful.
‘Should I not use it?’
For a moment, I wondered if it wouldn’t be better to put the 뇌아 away and use the 귀정 instead.
Such a conscientious thought flashed through my mind, but…
“…”
Swoosh.
Pointing the sword at Namgung Bi-ah, I erased the thought.
It wasn’t the time to worry about such things.
The sword tip, fully imbued with fire Ki.
Namgung Bi-ah glanced at it briefly, then quickly shifted her gaze to me and spoke.
“I’m going.”
Just as I was about to reply…
“Swishhh-!”
“…!”
Without even hearing my answer, Namgung Bi-ah shot forward.
Fast.
She was so fast that a faint afterimage remained.
She closed the distance in an instant, burrowing into my space.
Her low stance, the angle of her sword grip.
‘She’s going for an upward slash.’
The moment I thought it, the blade shot upwards.
There wasn’t enough time to move backward.
I quickly rotated my body and dodged sideways.
The moment I dodged, her sword path changed direction, following me.
‘Ha.’
Well, look at this?
It’s hard to believe she changed direction so suddenly from that angle.
This means…
‘She predicted I would dodge like this from the start?’
That would be the correct assumption.
I raised my sword and blocked Namgung Bi-ah’s attack.
The moment the 뇌아’s blade met hers…
“Kang-!”
“…!”
A brilliant sound erupted, and Namgung Bi-ah’s sword was knocked away.
I hadn’t done anything.
The sword itself unleashed a repulsive force, deflecting the attack.
Seeing that, I let out a hollow laugh.
‘This thing is insane.’
The blade itself has a repulsive force?
‘She definitely used Ki, right?’
Just before, when the sword was deflected. I felt energy leaving her body.
It meant the 뇌아 had used my body’s energy without permission to defend.
‘…They really call it one of the Five Great Famous Swords.’
The more I see it, the more I regret it’s not gauntlets. If there were gauntlets like this, I’d steal them and use them.
As the recoil exploded, Namgung Bi-ah’s movements faltered for a moment.
I didn’t miss that moment.
Half a step forward.
After closing in a bit closer…
I moved my arm.
“Swish-! The 뇌아 shot towards Namgung Bi-ah’s chest.”
A simple thrust without any embellishment.
Just a movement made fast by aligning with her realm.
Namgung Bi-ah’s gaze turned towards the sword tip.
Then.
“Whooosh-!”
“…Huh.”
An overwhelming aura burst forth from Namgung Bi-ah’s body.
It was the Namgung family’s secret technique, the Emperor Sword Form.
My body was crushed by the aura.
Could Namgung Bi-ah use this much power?
‘It’s so different from back then.’
After regressing, around the time I first met Namgung Bi-ah.
The Emperor Sword Form she displayed as if to announce she was a daughter of the Namgung family.
Compared to then, the current Emperor Sword Form was incredibly heavy.
An imposing pressure that expressed an overwhelming presence befitting its name; perhaps those of the same or slightly higher realm would be intimidated by this alone.
However.
Her Emperor Sword Form is still incomplete.
“Koong-!”
As I unleashed heat to counter it, Namgung Bi-ah’s Emperor Sword Form began to recede instantly.
Her energy crumbled as if shattering.
Seeing that, Namgung Bi-ah’s beautiful brow furrowed.
‘She’s still got a long way to go.’
The Emperor Sword Form the Sword Demon Queen showed in her past life.
Compared to how she suppressed the entire surrounding area back then…
The current Namgung Bi-ah is still lacking.
The Emperor Sword Form, which unleashes the presence and fighting spirit possessed by a warrior, easily collapses before a greater presence.
It was a counter-method I realized while sparring with the Sword Demon Queen in my past life.
Crushingly pour Ki to amplify presence.
A crappy method used to counter it.
It was a method only someone like me, with abundant Ki, could use.
The thrust was fired towards Namgung Bi-ah without reservation.
The regrettable part is…
‘A brief opening appeared.’
An opening was created while countering the Emperor Sword Form.
Namgung Bi-ah didn’t miss this.
“Kkigigig-!”
Taking advantage of the opening, she twisted her body and deflected the thrust with the flat of her blade.
“Geugeugeugeugeug-! The 뇌아 unleashed its repulsion as if waiting.”
Namgung Bi-ah endured it, successfully deflecting the attack.
‘Hmm.’
The deflected sword tip grazed the air.
I think the judgment just now wasn’t bad, but…
I turned my body and swung my leg.
“Ppeok-!”
“Keuk…!”
Hit in the chest with my foot, Namgung Bi-ah was pushed back.
“Keok….”
After flying back a couple of steps, Namgung Bi-ah knelt halfway and gasped for air.
I looked at her and said,
“Is that all?”
“…”
It was still insufficient.
Her judgment wasn’t bad, but that’s all.
After all…
“There were countless moments I could have finished this. You know that, right?”
“…Yeah…”
The first time I swung the sword.
Around the time Namgung Bi-ah’s sword was knocked away by the repulsion.
If I hadn’t been holding the sword, it would have ended then.
The 뇌아’s performance is indeed good, but…
Ultimately, the fact that it requires using a sword is like shackles to me.
Not to mention my footwork, my body is aligned far from swordsmanship.
It’s my own fault for training that way deliberately, so I can’t complain, but…
“…If you’re only going to show me this, I can’t let you go.”
“…”
Namgung Bi-ah slowly got up.
Although I had significantly held back my strength in the recent kick, her Ki was disrupted, so she shouldn’t have been able to breathe properly.
With just a few breaths, even her expression returned to normal.
Seureung.
The sword turned towards me again.
“Again… please.”
“…”
The sword still didn’t waver.
Her gaze was the same.
Namgung Bi-ah surely must have known.
She must have realized that reaching me with the previous exchange was impossible, but…
She still seemed intent on trying.
“Why? Why are you trying to do this?”
“…”
“Can’t you… not go…?”
As I spoke, pathetic words unintentionally slipped out.
I hadn’t intended to say such pathetic things.
Once spoken, the words wouldn’t stop.
“You said you wouldn’t leave.”
She wouldn’t leave me.
Namgung Bi-ah was the one who clearly told me that.
“…You said that.”
I know this is obsession.
I knew it was possessiveness too.
Still, I didn’t want to let go.
It was dangerous.
I had been cautious because I disliked being tied down like this, so that each person wouldn’t have a greater influence on me.
I was mentally preparing myself in advance for when the blood calamity would erupt.
So that no matter what happened, I could throw myself in without hesitation.
To the point where I wouldn’t have the slightest thought of wanting to live.
That’s what I wanted to achieve, but…
Looking now, it seems it was already too late.
Hearing my words, Namgung Bi-ah steadied her stance and said to me,
“I won’t leave. No matter how long it takes.”
“Then even now….”
“To do that, I have to go.”
Such contradictory words.
Biting my lip, I gripped the 뇌아.
“…Fine, if you want to go that badly, I understand. But no matter how I think about it, I don’t want to let you go.”
“…”
“The promise remains the same. Prove yourself to me. Then I’ll let you go.”
Is it the effect of shedding?
The feeling of something disappearing from my embrace bothered me immensely.
I want to protect it by any means necessary.
Such feelings began to envelop my body.
Tuk-!
Namgung Bi-ah lunged again. The exact same trajectory as before.
Seeing that, I frowned.
‘What is she trying to do?’
If it’s the same as before, it’s meaningless. Just as I thought that…
Woong-!
A sound came from Namgung Bi-ah’s sword. It was the sword’s name.
A particularly clear and deep sword resonance. This indicated that Namgung Bi-ah’s level was quite high right now.
As the sword resonance sounded, Namgung Bi-ah’s sword gradually began to sway.
Her sword path unfolded.
It was Namgung family swordsmanship. A hint of disappointment brushed past me at the familiar sword path.
Just then.
“…Huh…”
Upon this, Namgung Myung let out astonished admiration.
The person who was just yelling at me to let go of the 뇌아 was now reacting with surprise.
“…That… How could that child do that…”
The sword path continued smoothly.
I wondered why Namgung Myung was reacting like this, but then…
‘This…?’
Watching the gradually extending sword path, I too could understand.
‘This is…’
‘The Sword Demon Queen’s sword.’
Her sword dance under the moonlight.
It was similar to the sword path back then.
The sword that transcended all the Namgung family’s flaws, the completed sword that finally reached its potential.
Although it still seemed somewhat lacking compared to the Sword Demon Queen, and its rough appearance felt weak…
This was definitely the sword from back then.
‘When did she…?’
Dodging the sword path, I swallowed my surprise.
When on earth did she obtain something like this?
‘Did she learn from the Sword King?’
The condition I set when teaching the Sword King Namgung family’s swordsmanship.
I recalled asking him to inform Namgung Bi-ah if he gained any enlightenment.
I wondered if it was that, but…
‘No…’
The timing wasn’t right for that.
The recent times I met the Sword King were only a few days in Hanam.
It’s far too short a time to have learned then.
That means, in the end, it’s more likely Namgung Bi-ah figured this out on her own.
‘Surprising.’
When did she train to become a sword like this?
She must have put in tremendous effort.
Since no one likely guided her on the right path, she must have been engulfed in countless confusions while cultivating her sword.
‘Is this the right path?’
She must have agonized over it endlessly while walking this path.
If she finally found it like this…
‘Was I not paying attention to you?’
It means I wasn’t noticing Namgung Bi-ah’s efforts.
I could tell by feeling Namgung Bi-ah’s martial arts.
Her upright heart.
“…”
I can feel it.
Perhaps because it’s martial arts, there are no lies.
Her feelings towards me were felt, damn it all.
“Paang-!”
“Eut…!”
Deflecting the sword, I tripped Namgung Bi-ah, ruining her stance.
Just as I was about to swing the 뇌아…
“Pajik-! Brain Ki manifested from Namgung Bi-ah’s body and poured towards me.”
It was the will to not cease attacking even with her stance broken.
So I created distance backward and swung my hand.
“Hwaaah-!”
Flames erupted, engulfing all the brain Ki.
With that, I rolled my eyes.
The brain Ki was weaker than it appeared.
It was an attack that only amplified its size, perhaps a feint?
I spread my Ki sense. Something was caught.
Immediately, I swung the sword to the left.
“Kkang-!”
As expected, Namgung Bi-ah burrowed in from the left, launching a surprise attack.
Her offense gradually sharpened.
Is she growing through fighting?
No.
She’s just gradually revealing her strength from the start.
She probably wants to show me.
‘That she’s worked this hard.’
‘So please watch me.’
Feeling that pure heart made my insides feel heavy.
Is she embarrassed?
Is she ashamed of herself acting out of possessiveness?
Perhaps so.
“Swik-! Swik-!”
Brain Ki permeated her sword path.
Her speed increased.
“Hooook-!”
“…!”
Using her sword path, Namgung Bi-ah was even unleashing the Emperor Sword Form.
She bound my ankles with pressure and pressed the attack with Ki-filled swordsmanship.
Within that, feints and wit were mixed.
Such practiced movements were too much for a late-stage cultivator barely past the age of twenty to display.
Namgung’s fallen masterpiece.
The name Sword Demon Queen, which was called that, was imbued within it.
“…You worked hard.”
It was something that blurted out unintentionally.
Upon hearing this, Namgung Bi-ah’s eyes widened as she was performing her martial arts.
She apparently never expected to hear such words.
“…Yeah.”
Namgung Bi-ah replied and smiled.
That smile was the most beautiful smile I had ever seen from Namgung Bi-ah in my entire life.
Does she want to complete this sword that badly?
I can feel her heart.
It’s not just that.
As we continued our exchange, our Ki mingled, and our hearts began to converse as if resonating.
Martial arts hold no lies.
Because they are unnecessarily honest, it becomes quite overwhelming at times like this.
I can feel it so clearly.
I could fully feel that I was imbued in all her actions.
‘Why?’
It’s perhaps natural that I cherish her.
Because she died for me, and she is by my side even in this life.
Even if I couldn’t give her all my heart, it wasn’t strange to think of her differently.
It was difficult to admit, but I eventually had to.
Her place was clearly etched within my heart.
But then…
‘Why do you…?’
Why does she harbor such feelings for me?
Our swords met.
Sparks flew.
In the moment my vision was obscured by the embers, she spoke.
“Me too….”
What kind of answer would it be?
Just as I felt her intentions through her martial arts, did she feel something too?
Whatever she felt, I didn’t want to hear it.
Brain Ki accumulated.
My presence grew, but the Emperor Sword Form didn’t yield.
For some reason, Namgung Bi-ah’s strength felt amplified.
She increased her power.
“Charyureuk-!”
The rings of the Nine Flame Wheel Formation within my body rotated.
The flames grew larger, increasing my presence.
The 뇌아’s light also intensified.
I could see the Emperor Sword Form’s fighting spirit receding.
Namgung Bi-ah’s sword path was still maintained, but perhaps due to the strain, her speed had slowed slightly.
An opening appeared.
Towards it, I swung the 뇌아.
A clumsy movement, merely fast, a sword technique too shameful to even call swordsmanship.
Nevertheless, it was sufficient to pierce the opening.
I swung without hesitation.
Just then.
“I… love you too.”
Namgung Bi-ah’s voice was heard.
I bit my lip.
Of all things, the emotion I least wanted to reveal was exposed.
Putting aside the shame of being discovered, thankfully, the 뇌아’s blade remained steady.
I swung it straight.
“Kkang-!”
The 뇌아, filled with power, soon met Namgung Bi-ah’s sword and split it cleanly in two. It wasn’t just the sword; the inherent power was different from the start.
Is this the end?
As I judged that…
Swoosh.
Namgung Bi-ah’s hand wrapped around mine.
“What…?”
My eyes widened.
I realized my mistake.
I hadn’t been able to see properly, distracted by Namgung Bi-ah’s words, but she had already half-released her grip on the sword.
Did she intend to discard the sword from the start?
What was she thinking, doing that?
I didn’t even have time to process it.
“Ppaak-!”
Namgung Bi-ah aimed for my wrist and struck with her fist.
My body, already unbalanced from using clumsy swordsmanship, lost its footing completely.
Since my posture was solely focused on Namgung Bi-ah’s sword, it was difficult to shift.
A punch swung to exploit the opening at my wrist.
It wasn’t a particularly strong attack, but the hand it hit momentarily lost its strength.
Namgung Bi-ah didn’t miss that opening this time either.
“…You…!”
I unintentionally blurted out words at the action that followed.
It’s because Namgung Bi-ah took advantage of the moment my grip loosened to snatch the 뇌아.
The 뇌아 slipped from my hand, its energy releasing…
…and in an instant, the blade vanished, returning to just the hilt.
I don’t know what happened, but… did Namgung Bi-ah not know about this problem?
Even if she took the 뇌아, it would be useless if she couldn’t use it.
This must surely be her mistake.
The moment I thought that…
“Hwaaaah-!”
“…What?”
The 뇌아 that Namgung Bi-ah snatched suddenly emitted light, as if by magic.
“Kurung-!”
As if thunder struck her body, Namgung Bi-ah’s form absorbed the light.
Through the jewel, the blade radiated light.
It was a blade far more brilliant than when I used the 뇌아.
Brain Ki burst forth in all directions.
White brain Ki wrapped around Namgung Bi-ah’s body.
And then.
Swik.
The 뇌아’s blade stopped just before slicing my neck.
“…”
Silence descended.
In the quiet, settled silence, it was Namgung Bi-ah who spoke.
“I… won.”
“…”
With the same appearance as the Sword Demon Queen from my past life.
Namgung Bi-ah smiled.
Seeing that, I couldn’t help but smile along.
“Haha….”
Looking back later, I probably realized it here.
That I would never be able to defeat Namgung Bi-ah until the day I die.
This wasn’t about martial arts.
There was no way now.
To think I’d lose like this. I closed my eyes in resignation.
My inner feelings were still complicated, but there was nothing more I could do.
“Yeah… you won…?”
As I tried to speak reluctantly…
Something blocked my mouth.
Surprised, wondering what it was, I opened my eyes.
Namgung Bi-ah was kissing me.
It lasted only a few seconds.
My body stiffened rigidly, as if turned to stone.
A sudden, fleeting kiss.
Leaving me frozen with a dumbfounded expression, Namgung Bi-ah pulled back…
“…I’m not going anywhere… So… don’t worry.”
She said that, smiling brightly.
Of course, the idiot that I am, I couldn’t say anything in response.
…My frozen body wouldn’t unfreeze.
“Oh my! Oh my! Look at them! Kids these days don’t care about what people think, oh my!”
Seeing the two suddenly kiss amidst the duel, Baekryeon Geom jumped up and down, hitting Goiseon’s shoulder.
She seemed quite excited, as the force of her hits was considerable.
“…It hurts, Noona.”
“Oh my! Look at her smile! How can she be so pretty?”
“I’m telling you it hurts…?”
As if Goiseon’s words fell on deaf ears, Baekryeon Geom was utterly thrilled.
She seemed delighted by the youngsters dating.
“…Goodness…”
Watching them, Goiseon sighed repeatedly. It was due to a different kind of bewilderment than Baekryeon Geom’s.
I could somewhat understand why Gu Yangcheon had reacted so sensitively.
“It seems he misunderstood…”
He probably thinks his nephew and he are leaving for the Northern Sea immediately, but…
“Even if we go, it’ll be next year. Goodness…”
I only grasped the situation. I can’t go to the Northern Sea right now.
Because the circumstances weren’t right to go to the Northern Sea now.
So, even if it takes a little time…
I had intended to teach my nephew swordsmanship right after finishing all my business, but…
The problem was that my nephew suddenly declared he’d follow.
We’re not going right away.
Even this current permission was ultimately like receiving future business in advance.
Gu Yangcheon seems to be thinking something else.
Or perhaps, did this also happen as intended?
Goiseon wiped a bead of sweat from his brow as he looked at his nephew.
Before going to Gu Yangcheon’s residence, my nephew had said something.
“-Please don’t… say anything….”
“-Hm?”
“-I’ll… tell you later.”
I’ll tell him about going to the Northern Sea, but…
He asked me not to mention the exact timing.
Goiseon wondered why Namgung Bi-ah had asked him not to mention that, but…
Seeing the current situation, he was slightly taken aback.
“…My nephew is much more cunning than I expected.”
Namgung Bi-ah isn’t as clueless as she looks.
In fact, she might be smarter than anyone.
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