Chapter 150: Friendly Martial Arts Tournament. (3)

Tang Soyeol was a late bloomer.

You could tell just by thinking about the age difference between her and her older brother, Tang Juyeok.

Perhaps thanks to that.

Her father, the Clan Head, would often treat her older brother, Tang Juyeok, like dirt, but he doted on his daughter, Tang Soyeol.

It got to the point where he broke off the engagement talks with the Namgung family because Tang Soyeol threw a tantrum, didn’t he?

She grew up receiving a lot of love.

Considering how most sibling relationships among the clans of prestigious families are quite bad.

The reason they could grow up so harmoniously must be all of these.

The fact that she had absolutely no standing regarding the succession rights probably helped too.

‘My daughter.’

‘Yes.’

‘Someday, if a man you like appears, bring him to this father first.’

‘Why?’

‘…It’s nothing much, but I have to see his face first.’

Hearing her father’s words then, Tang Soyeol thought she absolutely shouldn’t do that.

And for good reason, because when she saw the wriggling malice emanating from her father’s body, it didn’t seem like anything good would happen.

Malice.

It was something Tang Soyeol felt closest to and saw as familiar.

This talent was mixed in with the reasons she, the precious jewel of the Tang family, received so much love.

Tang Soyeol possessed the most outstanding physique among all the Tang family bloodlines in history.

Not only did she have immunity to poison, but even if her assassination techniques lagged behind, she showed exceptional talent in martial arts that utilized poison.

The faint emerald green light that permeated one of her eyes, despite her being a girl not yet of age, was proof of this.

The threshold of absolute poison immunity.

Even Dokjeolcheon Tang Jemun, the most outstanding martial artist in Tang family history who repelled the Blood Demon’s bloody calamity, couldn’t reach absolute poison immunity.

Many people say.

That Tang Soyeol might reach that great achievement.

Though Tang Soyeol herself wasn’t particularly interested.

She just found poisonous herbs palatable and ate them often.

She simply enjoyed it because she was good at poison techniques.

Combined with the spirit pills provided by the family, her cultivation level rose, and she eventually received the name ‘Poison Phoenix’, that’s all.

Tang Soyeol never had any ambition regarding martial arts in the first place.

‘Go with the flow.’

Let’s live content with what’s given.

That is the purpose of life Tang Soyeol dreams of.

That’s why, when facing Sword Phoenix and Geom Ryong, she could avoid despair upon seeing their lofty talents.

And why she couldn’t feel jealous of Namgung Bi-ah or Wi Seol-ah’s otherworldly beauty.

She is content with herself.

Tang Soyeol lived thinking this was her own strength.

Until now.

More precisely, until she met him.

Drip-!

Something trickled down her lips, and upon checking, she realized it was blood.

Blood was flowing from her nose.

‘What was that just now…?’

Her vision was shaking too.

She was sure she had dodged the blow.

What could have happened?

Tang Soyeol barely managed to steady her wavering eyes and focused on her opponent.

The boy from the Tae Ryeong Jang family who had revealed himself as the Sect Leader’s son.

He was someone Tang Soyeol hadn’t had a good first impression of.

For starters, she didn’t like his looks.

He had a gentle impression, like Geom Ryong of Mount Hua she had faced before.

But he looked effeminate, and she got a strong feeling that there was something shady about him.

‘…I’m already starting to feel sick.’

Tang Soyeol knew her tastes were unusual.

Considering the reactions of those around her, and the person himself reacting strangely, she couldn’t help but know.

But it didn’t matter.

What if tastes differ? There must be someone out there who matches her tastes.

In fact, Tang Soyeol had even met such a person, so it was fine.

‘I was lucky enough to find him….’

The problem was that the people around that person were filled with overwhelmingly powerful women.

‘Calm down, Soyeol.’

First, she cleared her mind of those thoughts.

Because she was in the middle of a martial arts match right now.

Barely a quarter of a quarter-turn had passed since the match began.

Tang Soyeol first created distance.

Her body was trembling slightly.

The shock probably hadn’t fully subsided yet.

Was I careless?

No.

She hadn’t been careless.

It was the opponent that Gu Yangcheon himself had said would be strong.

It was funny that she had tensed her whole body just because of someone else’s words, yet…

…somehow, his words made it happen like this.

Tang Soyeol raised her internal energy.

As she raised it, she slightly winced from a sudden pain.

‘I’m hurt inside.’

Her internal energy wasn’t moving as she wished.

Was it because of that blow just now?

What on earth did he do?

Tang Soyeol still couldn’t understand.

The martial arts match began, and Tang Soyeol faced Jang Seonyeon.

In that split second exchange, she had clearly dodged the sword.

Because Jang Seonyeon’s sword wasn’t that fast.

The swords wielded by Noeryong or Geom Ryong were much faster.

She knew this for sure, having faced them directly before.

‘Then why?’

She couldn’t dwell on the question for long.

Even though it was a match, it had to be treated as a real fight.

Realizing her internal energy wasn’t moving properly, Tang Soyeol immediately took out a hidden weapon from her robes and threw it.

At the Friendship Martial Arts Tournament, many of the provided weapons or hidden weapons had dulled edges.

The rules also included not being able to use one’s own cherished weapon.

This was detrimental to the characteristics of the Tang family’s martial arts.

It was probably the same for other martial artists, but for someone using poison techniques and assassination skills, unfamiliar tools were incredibly inconvenient.

Ting-! Ting-!

The throwing knives that flew rapidly towards the opponent rolled powerlessly onto the floor after a few sword strikes.

It didn’t matter.

They were meant as a distraction in the first place.

Swoosh-!

A green aura flickered around Tang Soyeol’s dagger.

It wasn’t that she couldn’t use her internal energy at all.

Still, if she could use it even a little, it wouldn’t hinder her martial arts.

Tang Soyeol’s small frame shot forward like a fired arrow.

It was faster than the blink of an eye to reach the opponent.

Tang Soyeol’s hand moved, leaving five marks in the air.

Whoosh-!

The Tang family’s Poisonous Fang Seven Swift Strikes (毒牙七依迅).

It’s called that because the seven streams of energy carrying poison resemble a snake’s fangs.

Tang Soyeol, whose cultivation level was still low, could only unleash five fangs.

Even so, this was not a lacking level.

Rather, considering Tang Soyeol’s age, it was more than enough.

Seeing the shooting green light, Tang Soyeol felt relieved inwardly.

‘I hit him…!’

It was too late to dodge.

The distance was unfavorable for a counterattack.

If I incapacitate him like this…!

Vwoom….

“…Guh…!?”

A pained groan erupted from Tang Soyeol’s lips.

Within that instant, she felt a great shock that disrupted even the internal energy she had barely managed to control.

As a backlash, the Poisonous Fang Seven Swift Strikes broke apart and crumbled before reaching the opponent.

Slam-!

“…!”

Something forcefully dug into Tang Soyeol’s abdomen.

Judging by the feeling, it was definitely the hilt of a sword.

Perhaps because a little internal energy was channeled into it, the severe pain shook her insides.

Simultaneously with the impact, Tang Soyeol’s body flew backward.

Tang Soyeol barely managed to land using a breakfall technique, but…

“Gasp… pant…!”

Her insides twisted violently, and her mind shook.

Even the internal energy supporting her body scattered, causing her physical form to collapse onto her knees powerlessly.

Crack-crack.

Blood trickled from her mouth.

She tried to get up quickly, but her trembling knees wouldn’t obey.

‘…Just now…. Just now.’

While clutching her abdomen and groaning, Tang Soyeol looked at Jang Seonyeon, who was still standing calmly in his original spot.

He stood with his sword drawn, but there was no particular movement.

He wore an expression as if concerned about her being sent flying, but even that wasn’t a face she could quite trust.

More importantly, Tang Soyeol had to recall the exchange just now.

‘…The sound.’

The sensation that had shaken Tang Soyeol’s internal energy right before the impact on her abdomen.

It was definitely due to the sound that came from Jang Seonyeon’s sword.

‘Sword Name…?’

Could it be that Jang Seonyeon’s cultivation level was high enough to manifest a Sword Name?

She couldn’t know.

In the first place, a Sword Name wasn’t martial arts.

At least, as far as she knew.

‘Then…. Sound Cultivation (音功)?’

If there was the most likely possibility, it would be that.

Because if it was about delivering shock through sound, it could only be Sound Cultivation.

Of course, since he was the son of Nakgeom (樂劍 – Joyful Sword/Music Sword), it was plausible enough.

‘His cultivation level is that high?’

Sound Cultivation itself is quite difficult, making it an advanced martial art that cannot even be attempted at a low level.

If Tang Soyeol were to learn and attempt Sound Cultivation right now, not only would it consume a tremendous amount of internal energy, but she might quickly get exhausted and collapse.

‘You mean he can use it at a level suitable for a match…?’

Sound Cultivation produced not with a musical instrument, but with a sword.

This peculiar combination was also the reason the Sect Leader was called Nakgeom.

Jang Seonyeon, by appearance, looked like a boy.

Meaning, his appearance wasn’t much different from Gu Yangcheon, towards whom she openly showed affection.

From the exchange just now, Tang Soyeol knew for sure.

That she couldn’t defeat that boy.

‘The level is different….’

She was definitely on the weaker side among the Three Peaks of the Five Dragons, but compared to other later disciples, Jang Seonyeon felt different.

Because Tang Soyeol wasn’t arrogant, she could see more accurately.

That Jang Seonyeon hadn’t even properly unleashed the power he possessed.

She barely managed to stop the blood flowing from her mouth.

Even during that time, Jang Seonyeon didn’t approach Tang Soyeol.

Is he waiting for me?

But that didn’t seem to be the feeling.

‘…Perhaps, is he hoping I’ll concede?’

For a martial artist, conceding is a blow to one’s pride as devastating as the world collapsing.

Because it meant running away from the opponent without fighting to the end.

Even for her, who was called Poison Phoenix.

‘Is that what he wants?’

Tang Soyeol suddenly had such a thought.

She wondered if this wasn’t what that boy desired.

The feeling she had always had, that behind his not-so-handsome but kind face there was something more…

…perhaps it was for this reason that it came to mind again now.

She tried to push herself up, but wobbled and sank back down again.

She couldn’t know what Jang Seonyeon’s intentions were, but…

‘…Should I concede.’

Because she knew she couldn’t win even if she tried harder, she felt it wouldn’t matter either way.

‘Trying hard will just be suffering.’

It was regrettable, but some things just couldn’t be done no matter how hard you tried.

Even if her nickname ‘Poison Phoenix’ was tarnished by this incident, it didn’t particularly matter.

Because, unlike others, Tang Soyeol didn’t consider the name ‘Poison Phoenix’ something she wanted to protect.

She took her gaze off Jang Seonyeon and looked around.

Near the martial arts stage, many people were already watching this way.

Many pairs of eyes were filled with shock and surprise towards Jang Seonyeon.

Of course.

He was creating such an overwhelming difference.

Tang Soyeol sighed deeply as she observed those gazes.

Thinking that her father would probably be a little sad about this.

Just as she was about to open her lips, murmuring about conceding…

Tang Soyeol spotted someone in the distance.

Sharp eyes and red martial attire.

She saw a boy standing alone a little distance away, looking this way.

‘Young Master Gu…?’

Tang Soyeol was surprised herself that she could find Gu Yangcheon so easily among so many people.

She was surprised twice more upon seeing his expression.

‘Why is he worrying about me?’

What was reflected in Gu Yangcheon’s eyes was definitely concern.

Why?

For someone who seemed to have no interest in others to be worrying about her.

Perhaps because of that, her heart started racing uncontrollably again.

Even though she knew she shouldn’t be like this during a match.

“Hoo….”

An irrepressible breath escaped.

The reason her breath was slightly mixed with heat was probably because her body was heating up on its own.

‘I’m ruined…. I really think I’m ruined.’

Just knowing that Gu Yangcheon was worrying about her made her heat up like this.

‘If it’s going to be like this, he should just push me away completely….’

It was amusing that she felt a slight resentment.

Towards Gu Yangcheon, who subtly drew a line but didn’t completely push her away.

Does Gu Yangcheon know? How bad he is at lying.

This is a story from the trip to Henan.

Both Namgung Bi-ah and Wi Seol-ah were slender and pretty, so Soyeol kept picking at her food.

Gu Yangcheon seemed to have noticed that right away, asking Tang Soyeol one day.

‘You’re hungry, aren’t you?’

‘Huh?’

‘You’re eating less than usual.’

‘Oh, no. I’m fine. Young Master… I don’t really have an appetite.’

‘…Hmm, I understand.’

Tang Soyeol blamed herself for the conversation that ended so indifferently.

Wishing she had drawn out the conversation a little longer.

As time passed like that.

‘Miss.’

‘Yeah?’

‘This, Young Master Gu asked me to give it to you….’

Starting after she ate, the attendants kept bringing things.

She heard Gu Yangcheon had requested it.

‘Ah, this… Young Master Gu told me not to tell you, Miss.’

Of course, it turned out a little differently than Gu Yangcheon might have wished.

Tang Soyeol wondered if this was perhaps because of their previous conversation.

When she asked later, he clicked his tongue, saying, ‘…So you found out about this.’

Tang Soyeol liked even that sight.

Gu Yangcheon said he hated seeing someone starve.

That was absurd.

How much could someone from the prestigious Tang family lineage starve?

When it was cold, he would subtly move closer and share his warmth.

He wasn’t trained in fire arts for that purpose.

When she looked at him as if asking what this was, Gu Yangcheon always gave the same answer.

‘It’s just part of my training.’

A lie.

He couldn’t meet her eyes, and his voice was stiff when he answered.

Anyone could see it was a lie.

Just a lie told to hide his shyness.

‘I know he doesn’t act like this only towards me.’

Tang Soyeol knew that Gu Yangcheon’s grumbling kindness wasn’t directed only at her.

Towards everyone around him.

Giving unconditionally.

Despite his blunt way of speaking and his expression always full of annoyance.

Gu Yangcheon’s actions were as warm as his martial arts.

How could she not love him?

How could she not approach him?

The liking she harbored just by looking at his outward appearance was just that – liking.

Thinking back now, it might not have been mere liking, but affection.

But, from the moment she could see his inner self…

Tang Soyeol gave up.

Letting go of him within her heart.

‘…Giving up….’

She recognized Gu Yangcheon’s gaze watching her from afar.

‘If we happen to meet on the martial arts stage. Would you grant me one favor?’

She recalled herself saying that confidently.

After saying that, when this situation arose, she immediately tried to let go.

She had always been like that.

First, she felt the gap in talent with Sword Phoenix, and then with Geom Ryong.

So she ran away.

Thinking, isn’t this enough? That being called Poison Phoenix was sufficient.

She wasn’t going to become the best under heaven, was she?

It was the same with other things.

She gave up because she couldn’t become the Clan Head in the first place.

She gave up on many things.

Thinking she couldn’t achieve it, she ran away telling herself to be satisfied with this much.

However, when it came to him, she could no longer do that.

She didn’t want to run away.

And she hated giving up even more.

She wanted to be by his side.

That’s why she refused when Gu Yangcheon said she could drop the formalities.

Because she thought it was cowardly.

To gain a relationship in this manner.

The words ‘I concede’ rose to the tip of her throat, but she forcefully swallowed them back down.

Tang Soyeol pushed herself up.

She forcibly roused her unresponsive body.

She roughly wiped away the blood trickling down her chin.

“Thank you for waiting.”

Whatever Jang Seonyeon’s intentions were, she had to convey her words.

Because it was true that he had waited for her.

Even as she spoke, her insides churned.

At the same time, her dantian screamed. Though her insides were raging as if an earthquake had struck…

“May I ask again.”

She didn’t show it.

Because Gu Yangcheon was watching.

She had to show him she was okay.

She hated seeing Gu Yangcheon wear a worried expression.

Tang Soyeol didn’t want to be someone who caused Gu Yangcheon worry.

She wanted to be someone who could stand proudly by his side.

At Tang Soyeol’s words, Jang Seonyeon’s expression changed.

A somewhat surprised face.

Why is he making that face?

“…How curious.”

Jang Seonyeon spoke.

It felt slightly different from the polite and gentle voice she heard at the banquet.

Perhaps that was the end of his brief words, Jang Seonyeon changed his stance.

He aimed the tip of his sword at Tang Soyeol.

Tang Soyeol gritted her teeth too.

It was clear he would do something, but she had no way to block it.

She just channeled energy into her dagger like before.

‘Ughhh….’

Her insides screamed.

Trying to forcibly use her unresponsive internal energy felt like severe pain piercing through her entire body.

Poisonous Fang Seven Swift Strikes (毒牙七依迅).

One of the Tang family’s secret techniques used earlier.

Green energy rising like heat haze.

Furthermore, she could feel one of her pupils gradually growing hot.

Is it because of the pain?

It was a sensation slightly different from that.

Rather, it felt refreshing.

Because she felt a refreshing clarity, as if breaking out of a shell.

As if to prove it, her internal energy was clearer and firmer than before.

‘How is this possible.’

Clearly, her internal energy hadn’t moved as she wished.

And her body was still staggering from the shock she received earlier.

Her physical senses were clearer than before. Why was it, she felt like something was possible.

Tang Soyeol took a breath to steady herself and intended to rush at Jang Seonyeon like before, but…

Thwack-!

In an instant, Tang Soyeol collapsed with a thud, accompanied by severe pain in her head.

Jang Seonyeon had approached right in front of Tang Soyeol and struck her head with the flat of his sword.

The situation unfolded in an instant, and the referee watching from the martial arts stage quickly spoke, looking at Jang Seonyeon.

“Winner…. Jang Seonyeon.”

Along with the referee’s words, cheers erupted from the surroundings.

People tend to welcome unexpected situations.

Especially martial artists.

The fact that Tang Soyeol, known as Poison Phoenix among the Three Peaks of the Five Dragons, had lost to a later disciple whose name wasn’t even properly known must have been significant news to them.

Jang Seonyeon himself, the person involved, merely looked down at the fallen Tang Soyeol with somewhat chilled eyes.

Due to his lowered head, no one could see his expression.

Tang Soyeol’s face, covered in blood and looking somewhat disheveled as she lay unconscious.

Jang Seonyeon stared at that face until he could put a smile back on his own, then stepped down.

---

The first martial arts match concluded, and there was a brief waiting period.

Tang Soyeol, who had fainted after the match, was immediately taken to the infirmary within the sect.

It was still vivid.

The sight of Namgung Bi-ah dragging Tang Soyeol away as soon as the match ended.

‘She managed not to interfere.’

I saw Namgung Bi-ah watching, clenching her fists and trembling.

Tang Soyeol wiped the blood from her face and lay quietly with her eyes closed.

There were no abnormalities with her body, and they said she’d wake up soon, so all I had to do was wait.

“I knew I couldn’t win.”

I knew it.

That Tang Soyeol couldn’t defeat Jang Seonyeon.

Even knowing that, I couldn’t help but hold a sliver of hope at the end.

‘Was she trying to cross the wall?’

The state Tang Soyeol showed at the end.

Unlike Mu Yeon or Yeong Pung, Tang Soyeol hadn’t reached the wall yet.

The subtle aura that emanated in the final moments of the match was definitely a sensation from beyond the wall.

‘Even if left as it was, she probably couldn’t have crossed it.’

It wasn’t at a level where she could cross over, no matter what realization she gained.

She had merely stepped onto it for a moment.

Perhaps Jang Seonyeon noticed that too, which is why he ended it so quickly.

‘That’s not it.’

Jang Seonyeon wasn’t at a level to see something like that.

He just sensed something and moved a bit hastily.

‘What could that be.’

Jang Seonyeon’s expression, and even the way he stood still at the end.

As I was thinking about various things, someone gently grasped my hand.

“…Young… Master.”

“You’re awake?”

“…Ah.”

Tang Soyeol clutched her head and sat up.

She looked around briefly, then laughed emptily.

“I guess I lost.”

Her slightly smiling face was full of regret.

“I didn’t know I’d lose from the start…. It’s so embarrassing. After saying I’d win and go up like this.”

“It’s okay.”

“Huh?”

“You were cool. In your own way.”

The appearance of a martial artist who doesn’t give up deserves respect.

Just like in my past life, she was a person worthy of being called a martial artist.

“…But since I lost…?”

Tang Soyeol, about to say something, widened her eyes.

It must be because she felt something strange.

I couldn’t stand her gaze and got up.

“…The physician and Bi-ah will be here soon.”

“Wait a moment. Young Master, just a moment…. You’re using informal speech now….”

“Take care.”

“Wai…Wait!”

Tang Soyeol urgently tried to grab me, but since I had no intention of being caught, I closed the door and left.

Unlike when I dropped formalities with Namgung Bi-ah.

It felt quite embarrassing.

‘…’

I figured it would be fine since we wouldn’t run into each other for a while anyway.

I tried hard to fix my face, which kept getting messed up.

I also corrected my mindset of taking this martial arts match lightly.

A little, just a little bit.

I felt like I should take it seriously.