Chapter 159: Hwangbo Hyeji (2)

The match between Hwangbo Hyeji and Namgung Suah began with Namgung Suah’s opening strike.

“Hup…!”

Crackle! She kicked off the ground, electric currents lingering where she had been.

For her who stood at the threshold to the Transcendent Realm, even the slightest of movements now carried traces of her mental image.

Approaching like a lightning bolt, she seemed to embody the very storm itself.

“Ugh…!”

Hwangbo Hyeji quickly arched her back. Swish! The greatsword grazed her nose.

This won’t do…

She consciously pushed all thoughts aside.

For this moment, she would forget even her mother’s words. Focus simply on what is in front of her. Heavy as Mount Tai.

Boom!

With an explosive step forward, she used the force to snap her waist straight. Then, while diving past Namgung Suah’s defenses, her fist pulled back like a loaded spring.

Her body looked fragile, but the power inside was anything but.

Hwangbo Hyeji held her breath and threw everything into that punch.

CLANG────────!!

Her fist struck the side of the greatsword. Hum—the blade vibrated.

However, Namgung Suah had mastered controlling her strength. The greatsword traced a gentle circle, deflecting the impact and redirecting that very force in a wide arc.

Crackle!

Azure lightning. Hwangbo Hyeji quickly raised both arms in defense.

Slash! Blood droplets scattered along the sword’s path.

Even with inner qi protecting her arms from deep wounds, the fact that only she had been injured was problematic.

She’d already lost this exchange.

“Huu…”

Hwangbo Hyeji quickly retreated while steadying her breathing.

If I can win this time…

Would Mother praise me?

She quickly shook off the thought. This wasn’t something to think about mid-match.

But one thought led to another in an endless chain.

Young Expert Namgung said he’d cheer for me…?

Encouragement. Helping her find strength. Telling her to give her all in the match. In the end, wasn’t that telling her to win?

No.

He’d said there was no need to obsess over victory or defeat. Just give her all in the match…

But then what? What happens if she gives her all and loses? What meaning would a defeat like that have?

Of course, without giving her all, winning against this opponent was impossible. She had to give everything. Nevertheless…

Her chest felt suffocatingly tight with indescribable emotions.

Hwangbo Hyeji bit her lip hard as she looked at Namgung Suah, who was waiting for her. That kindness… was it also part of Namgung family tradition? Like Young Expert Namgung…

“Are you alright?”

“…What?”

“This may sound out of nowhere, but… overthinking isn’t good either.”

“Yes…”

“Follow your heart. It might not be so bad to live that way just once.”

Though I’m not very good at practicing that myself.

Namgung Suah giggled, looking very beautiful where she stood. Hwangbo Hyeji stared blankly at her before— Smack! She slapped herself across the face.

“Oh my…”

“Thank you. I’ll do this properly.”

“Fufu, if I lose after saying all this, it will be embarrassing.”

Namgung Suah smiled brightly while dragging her greatsword along the ground.

“Huu…!”

Hwangbo Hyeji exhaled deeply, explosively releasing all her inner qi at once.

Mount Tai Thunderous Divine Fist. The Hwangbo Clan’s secret martial art. Its fierce power gathered around her fist.

She saw the brown fist qi surrounding her punch.

Solid as a rock. Envisioning Mount Tai that withstands all storms, she moved forward.

Boom!

Her steps were heavy, yet her advancing form was swift as a bird.

Namgung Suah immediately reacted, pivoting on her front foot. The greatsword traced a massive arc skyward.

“Hup—!”

Hwangbo Hyeji turned to dodge. The greatsword grazed her shoulder by a hair’s breadth.

Bzzzz— electrical currents sparked in the air. Hwangbo Hyeji’s eyes lit up, stomping down to drive her foot into the ground.

RUMBLE──!!

The arena shook, slightly disrupting Namgung Suah’s stance.

Like a large tree with deep roots, Hwangbo Hyeji’s entire body twisted around her planted foot.

Heavy and solid.

Her body, which was turned as far back as it could go, released instantaneously. With her feet as roots, waist transferring strength to her arms, her fist exploded.

BOOM────────────!!!

Hwangbo Hyeji’s punch slammed through the empty air like the sound of thunder.

But Namgung Suah had already floated into the air like a butterfly clinging to her greatsword.

“Ah…!”

Seeing this up close, Hwangbo Hyeji couldn’t help but gasp in admiration.

The upward strike had been preparation for this. As if drawn by the greatsword’s force, Namgung Suah rose into the air. Rumble! Her body was momentarily wrapped in lightning.

She saw it all vivdly.

Time seemed to slow, each movement engraving itself into her eyes.

Namgung Suah’s next move, the rolling thunder, traces of past matches carved into the arena, and the heat of the cheering crowd.

She saw her mother’s eyes watching her.

What emotion lay within those eyes?

Affection? Probably. No, certainly. Mother loved her. She knew that much.

Displeasure. Definitely. Anyone could see she was being outmatched by Namgung Suah. There was no way Mother could be satisfied.

And what else was there?

Anxiety. Envy. Jealousy. And a fervor for martial arts. What was Mother seeing right now?

Mother. Yes. Her desire to fulfill her hopes and dreams, her shoulders worn down under the expectations, and the joy of exchanging blows in combat.

Those chaotics in the back of her mind were shoved back as time flowed on.

The greatsword was approaching her, yet it still seemed slow.

Hwangbo Hyeji’s eyes searched for someone.

Namgung Myeong. He was shouting loudly.

Though inaudible over the slowed time, crowd’s cheers, and roaring thunder, Hwangbo Hyeji knew it was encouragement meant for her.

I don’t know anymore. I also…

Everything fell away. She emptied her mind, accepting the flow of time as it sped up again.

Rumble!

The greatsword approached, but Hwangbo Hyeji didn’t dodge.

Crunch!

The taste of metal and blood. Namgung Suah’s eyes widened.

Hwangbo Hyeji had caught the greatsword with her teeth, her eyes blazing fiercely.

Blood flowed, her teeth shook, and yet her torn and bloodied lips curved widely.

She laughed madly while throwing punch after punch.

Bang! Thud!

Thunder echoed throughout the arena.

Namgung Suah’s greatsword and Hwangbo Hyeji’s fists each produced different thunderclaps as they clashed violently.

The crowd cheered at the intense match. Every time Hwangbo Hyeji’s blood sprayed, loud shouts erupted.

Namgung Myeong watched her match with sweaty palms.

She seems to be pushing herself too hard…

There was a difference between giving your all and being driven by desperation.

If she was satisfied in the end, it would be fine, but if not, she would break.

Thud!

After dozens of exchanges, Hwangbo Hyeji instinctively knew.

This will be the last one.

Win or lose. No, she’d almost certainly lose, but this one punch would be her last.

The greatsword thrusted towards her, poised for her shoulder. She offered it up.

Crack! The long greatsword pierced through her shoulder.

She didn’t feel any pain. She forced her pierced arm to move, grasping the blade, and stepping forward with all of her weight behind a single punch.

“…Ah.”

Namgung Suah flowed like water.

Taking advantage of the greatsword stabbed in the left shoulder, Namgung Suah pushed against the blade with her palm and dove to Hwangbo Hyeji’s left side.

The obstructing greatsword made it impossible to even turn her body. Hwangbo Hyeji desperately threw a punch, but it couldn’t possibly reach.

BOOM──────────!!!

Her fist struck only the air. With her hand placed on Hwangbo Hyeji’s abdomen, Namgung Suah said.

“You did well.”

Crackle!

Lightning burst forth, and Hwangbo Hyeji’s vision turned blue.

When she regained consciousness, she was cradled in Namgung Suah’s arms.

— Winner…! Namgung Suah of the Namgung Clan…!

I lost.

Hwangbo Hyeji sighed.

“…I learned much from you.”

Immediately after the match ended, Hwangbo Hyeji received various treatments from physicians who rushed over.

They slathered herbs and wound medicine all over her injuries, wrapping everything in bandages. The pure white bandages were stained red with blood.

Hwangbo Hyeji limped as she walked.

Still, this much…

It had been quite good. Anyone watching could see she’d given her all. She simply hadn’t been able to reach Namgung Suah despite everything.

Confidence timidly peeked out from her somewhat relieved chest.

Though her loose teeth and torn lips hurt terribly, she swallowed the bloody saliva and sought out her mother.

“Mother.”

Hwangbo Hyeji smiled awkwardly before her mother.

“I’m sorry.”

Even while apologizing, she secretly hoped deep down that she would hear:

You did well. You gave your all.

—Or perhaps, are you alright? How are your injuries? Are you in much pain?

Because Mother loves me.

Whether out of praise or concern, even the smallest of words would make all this pain fly away.

“How disappointing.”

“…What?”

“What was that match? Fighting so disgracefully and not even winning. Fighting like street ruffians and gaining nothing from it.”

Hwangbo Hyeji’s mouth clamped shut.

“Enough, go rest. Once your injuries heal, I’ll find someone to oversee your training.”

“Elder brother, please help this younger brother just once.”

At Namgung Myeong’s request, Seojun readily nodded.

Seojun had also heard the conversation between Hwangbo Hyeji and her mother. He could guess what Namgung Myeong wished for.

“Should I just fire off the Primordial Sun-Moon Art at the Hwangbo residence?”

Just that much was no problem at all.

“N-No… Not that. However, could you accompany me to the Hwangbo residence? I don’t believe things can continue as they are.”

“Of course. Just trust your big bro.”

Seojun knew how to treat men and women with true equality.