Chapter 161: The Thing I Want to Show You. (1)

I think I’ve heard people say they get drunk on the flow.

Moving not where you think, but where the sword’s path guides you.

Some even call this the realm of enlightenment.

Before my eyes can even focus, the sword lunges forward.

The inner energy contained within the sword rode the flowing waves, spreading beautifully.

As if floating in a calm lake, drifting along.

The way of nature?

Namgung Bi-ah doesn’t know about such difficult concepts.

She simply entrusted her body to it.

I kept thinking it was strange.

Why Namgung’s sword paths never connected properly.

Why only when imbued with inner energy did a proper sword path finally unfold.

Each time I swung my sword countless times, the sense of dissonance grew, but…

Namgung Bi-ah just kept swinging.

Because there was no answer, or rather, because she didn’t know the answer.

But now, I think I understand.

Because I can see the path.

Woong.

The sword cried out.

As if answering that this was correct.

The flowing track (線路) showed me the way forward, as if inviting me.

Should I go there?

Or should I not?

The deliberation was short.

Hesitation didn’t suit Namgung Bi-ah’s personality.

Let’s regret it after we go.

As always, there was no need to harbor fear for the path not taken.

The tip of my sword lightly touched the track.

As if it had been waiting, it extended along the path.

It’s smooth.

Was a sword path always this smooth?

There was no obstruction, and the blade cutting through the air fluttered gently.

Pajik! The lightning energy mixed in with the flow.

It wasn’t something Namgung Bi-ah intended.

As it flowed along the track, it naturally permeated.

Is this assimilation (同化)?

It’s a strange feeling.

But it’s not bad.

Rather, it felt much more comfortable, like something that was bound had been released.

Namgung Bi-ah saw the end of the flow.

Not the opponent in the martial arts match, but the true end.

Flowing endlessly, someone stood at the end of the track far away.

‘Who is it…?’

I couldn’t see clearly.

The clothes they wore were faintly visible, suggesting they were from the Namgung family.

Who could it be?

Could it be Father, or perhaps Grandfather?

If not, maybe… Great-grandfather?

But the atmosphere felt different.

At the very least, it didn’t seem like anyone Namgung Bi-ah knew.

The more I swung my sword, the closer the distance became.

Very slowly, so slowly that you wouldn’t notice unless you concentrated.

Still, the distance was definitely closing.

Perhaps that’s why I felt this path wasn’t wrong.

‘…Just a little more.’

I didn’t know why, but I wanted to get there even a little faster.

It felt like I had to.

I felt that if I went there, no, that going there was my path.

I tried to quicken my steps, but the more I did, the more it felt like I was deviating from the track for some reason.

Namgung Bi-ah thought.

Ah, I shouldn’t be impatient.

In a fleeting moment, Namgung Bi-ah solidified her thoughts and slowed her pace.

This, too, was without hesitation.

The wavering path became firm once more.

And then.

-Hmm.

A voice was heard.

-Not bad.

Beyond Namgung Bi-ah’s gaze, a man standing with his hands clasped behind his back continued speaking.

-Come slowly.

-If you rush, unbecoming of your station, you’ll fall.

-So you don’t fall. Take your time.

-And thus, come to where I am.

The man’s face was still unseen.

Yet, Namgung Bi-ah felt, for some reason, that she had to go there.

Leisurely, and yet arrogant.

But a man whose arrogance suited him so perfectly it didn’t feel out of place.

-Then, I shall give you a gift.

At the words whispered with a smile, as if pleased.

Namgung Bi-ah opened her eyes, which she had closed for a long time.

---

“Unnie…? Unnie!”

“Oh…! Bi-ah unnie’s awake!”

Through my blurry vision, I see green and black hair.

Next, two cute-looking girls came into view.

“…Ah.”

Namgung Bi-ah let out a single word.

Because I realized it was a dream.

It was such a vivid dream.

So vivid, it wouldn’t have been strange even if it were reality.

“How are you feeling…?”

“…It hurts.”

My head throbbed all the way down to my toes.

“Of course, you hurt… Is your chest okay?”

“…My chest?”

Namgung Bi-ah looked down at her chest at Tang Soyeol’s words.

I could see it was wrapped tightly not with compression bandages, but with medical ones.

“Fortunately, the sword didn’t cut too deep, so you’ll be fine after resting for a while. They say there won’t be any scars.”

“…Mm.”

It seemed only my chest was injured, but for some reason, my whole body ached.

It felt like muscle pain.

‘Muscle pain…?’

It was something I hadn’t felt since reaching a certain level.

But why am I feeling this now?

Namgung Bi-ah tried to push herself up, but Tang Soyeol and Wi Seol-ah urgently stopped her.

“Stay down.”

“You can’t get up!”

“Eunggeuk…”

“How can someone injured be so thoughtless.”

“…Soyeol unnie… also just got up last time…”

“…That was different!”

Tang Soyeol, seemingly having nothing else to say, quickly changed the subject.

It was true that Tang Soyeol had also moved recklessly before.

Even setting that aside.

Namgung Bi-ah wanted to move right away.

Because I wanted to recall the sensations I felt in the dream and during the martial arts match.

It was a sensation I couldn’t afford to forget.

‘Ah, the match….’

As my thoughts reached that point, Namgung Bi-ah realized something.

“…I lost.”

I remembered losing the match. The realization made my chest sink heavily.

I had declared I would show them something impressive, yet I had been defeated.

Tang Soyeol, seeing Namgung Bi-ah like that, could only hesitate, unsure what to say.

After all, she herself had lost; what comforting words could she possibly offer?

Saying things like ‘you fought well’ or ‘it was a valuable loss’.

Those were just empty, hollow consolations.

“Unnie…”

“He…? Where did he go…?”

Tang Soyeol felt a strange sensation from Namgung Bi-ah’s question.

Namgung Bi-ah wasn’t asking ‘where is he,’ but rather ‘where did he go.’

A conviction that Gu Yangcheon must have been here was palpable.

‘…Faith is terrifying.’

And I envied it.

Because I suddenly felt the bond they shared.

More importantly, Gu Yangcheon had indeed been here until just a moment ago.

Tang Soyeol answered Namgung Bi-ah.

“…He left a little while ago. Because he has to participate in the martial arts tournament.”

As she said it, she thought to herself how petty she was for sounding slightly curt without realizing it.

“Ah.”

At Tang Soyeol’s answer, Namgung Bi-ah uttered a single word.

The reason Namgung Bi-ah thought Gu Yangcheon had been here was simple.

‘…There’s no stench.’

It seemed faintly present, but it was barely noticeable.

The slight lingering warmth also indicated he had been nearby until recently.

“What a relief…”

Namgung Bi-ah felt that comfort and could breathe a sigh of relief simultaneously.

It meant the terrible stench that had reappeared at the martial arts stage had vanished again.

I didn’t know why it had reappeared then, but…

What if it reappears again?

A sliver of fear washed over me for a moment.

‘…I have to go to him.’

I wanted to go and confirm. Praying fervently that my unease would prove unfounded.

Finally, Namgung Bi-ah tried to sit up again.

But Wi Seol-ah blocked her.

“Unnie, I told you not to move!”

“…”

Seeing Namgung Bi-ah’s stubborn expression at Wi Seol-ah’s words, Tang Soyeol added, as if she’d been waiting.

“She said you need to rest for a while. It’s not just the wounds; your internal state is quite disrupted…”

“That…”

“Young Master Gu told us to stop you if you tried to get up.”

“…”

As soon as she heard Tang Soyeol’s words, Namgung Bi-ah obediently lay back down.

Even the little stubbornness she had seemed to vanish when Gu Yangcheon’s name was mentioned.

From Tang Soyeol’s perspective, it was both endearing and slightly annoying.

“And… he asked me to relay a message when you woke up.”

Namgung Bi-ah’s eyes snapped open at Tang Soyeol’s words.

“Unnie, isn’t your reaction a bit too different?”

“What is it?”

“You just don’t listen to me…?”

Tang Soyeol couldn’t help but smile at the absurd sight.

Honestly, you had to admit this unnie was strange.

“I saw it well.”

At Tang Soyeol’s words, Namgung Bi-ah’s hair rustled.

“Rest. Now, I’ll show you.”

Following the words, her previously hazy gaze sharpened slightly.

“That’s what he asked me to tell you.”

Namgung Bi-ah, who had been staring with a momentarily surprised expression, slowly closed her eyes.

“Unnie, why did you suddenly close your eyes?”

“…Because he told me to rest?”

“…”

Tang Soyeol ran a hand down her face.

How did that beautiful, cold unnie end up like this?

Of course, he is that handsome… You could live just by looking at his face… maybe.

Huh, maybe that’s possible?

I thought it was strange, but the more I looked, the more I thought it might actually be possible.

“But Soyeol.”

“Yes.”

“You’re imitating him well…?”

“Right? I think I did a decent job.”

“It’s true… It was too similar.”

Wi Seol-ah shivered, brushing her shoulders as if getting goosebumps.

Was it really that similar?

It was a reasonably good impression.

Although it was more about imitating his speech pattern than his voice.

That characteristic way of speaking, spitting out words curtly and seeming emotionless.

To be precise, it was an incredibly rude and unpleasant tone.

But that itself was part of the charm.

‘Though I suspect it’s only the three of us who think that.’

Maybe this is actually a good thing.

There are already so many women involved with him. Knowing Gu Yangcheon’s true nature was enough with just three people.

‘…Maybe four.’

The reason I thought of four was because Peng Ah-hee’s face flashed through my mind for a moment.

Even though they broke off the engagement, they had been engaged.

Peng Ah-hee herself didn’t seem to view Gu Yangcheon particularly negatively.

Of course, neither Gu Yangcheon nor Peng Ah-hee seemed to show much romantic interest in each other, but…

Still, I couldn’t help but feel concerned.

The problem was, I was also an interloper, so I had no right to talk.

‘Ugh…’

Then, another face flashed by.

Snow Phoenix.

For some reason, Tang Soyeol felt concerned about her.

More than that, she was someone Tang Soyeol felt guilty about as a member of the Tang family name.

‘…It can’t be.’

It’s just an ominous premonition mixed with anxiety.

Snow Phoenix wouldn’t have had the time or opportunity to develop feelings for Gu Yangcheon, so it must just be needless worry.

Tang Soyeol decided to think that way.

“Anyway, Unnie, you should rest well for a while.”

Namgung Bi-ah didn’t answer, perhaps already falling asleep.

She seemed so urgent earlier, but could one person change so drastically from just one message telling them to rest…?

Even while finding it strange, I had nothing else to say.

Because Tang Soyeol herself felt she might act the same way if faced with the same situation.

Watching Namgung Bi-ah quietly, Tang Soyeol asked Wi Seol-ah.

“Are you okay not going?”

“Huh?”

“Shouldn’t you go see Young Master Gu’s match?”

While it was understandable for Tang Soyeol,

I thought Wi Seol-ah should probably go, so I asked, but she just smiled faintly, as if it were fine.

At that sight, Tang Soyeol cleared her throat slightly and turned her head.

‘…This one is difficult to deal with.’

I knew Wi Seol-ah was a servant, but Tang Soyeol found her difficult.

Setting aside the fact that she was Gu Yangcheon’s personal attendant, she was just difficult to interact with.

Why? I couldn’t figure out the reason, but Tang Soyeol definitely felt that way.

“It’s fine. Young Master said he’d be back soon.”

At Wi Seol-ah’s words, Tang Soyeol tilted her head.

Did Gu Yangcheon say something like that? Wi Seol-ah’s expression was hidden by her long hair, but…

Her voice seemed lower somehow.

Trying to sneak a peek at her expression.

“I’m hungry. Shall we eat?”

Wi Seol-ah suddenly exclaimed brightly to Tang Soyeol.

“…Uh, okay.”

“What should we eat… What do you like, Soyeol unnie?”

“Huh? I’m fine with anything… Ah, I have some leftover poison grass from yesterday, maybe that…?”

“Then we definitely need to eat!”

“…Yeah, okay.”

Does she dislike medicinal herbs?

Why would she dislike them… Poison grass is delicious.

Tang Soyeol secretly put on a slightly crestfallen expression.

---

The martial arts stage of the Four Rivers Arena.

As if the earlier fervor hadn’t cooled, the murmuring of the crowd showed no signs of subsiding.

Well, considering the level of match that unfolded during the junior disciples’ bouts, it was natural for people to be buzzing.

From Moyong Hi-ah’s perspective, however, it wasn’t exactly welcome.

While such attention might be helpful later on,

Moyong Hi-ah couldn’t quite display the outstanding performance they expected.

‘The level was different.’

Jang Seon-yeon, the Sect Leader’s son.

The strength he displayed far surpassed that of the junior disciples.

So much so that it was baffling why he was pushed back midway.

It was too ambiguous to say he was holding back.

‘…That woman too.’

Namgung Bi-ah, wasn’t it? The woman said to be Noryong’s sister.

If one only looked at her beauty, it was breathtaking.

And the same could be said for her skill.

Sword dance.

Moyong Hi-ah couldn’t forget the sword dance she performed.

It was so beautiful that even though Jang Seon-yeon was the victor, it was Namgung Bi-ah who remained in memory.

Especially the movements in the final moments were on a level that defied description.

Despite her appearance being more disheveled than before, when she held her sword and danced, it made everything else fade away.

The sense of otherness, as if she alone stood amidst this crowd.

It was nothing short of shocking for Moyong Hi-ah.

The problem was.

‘That all these people saw it before me.’

Already, after watching the previous match, people were calling her the Namgung family’s Sword Dancer.

Some were even calling Jang Seon-yeon the Jang family’s Divine Warrior.

Moyong Hi-ah let out a deep sigh.

‘…With Noryong already eliminated.’

Is there really a need for me to come up here?

Moyong Hi-ah hadn’t particularly wanted to participate in the tournament in the first place.

The banquet was unavoidable, but…

She didn’t want to exert herself by participating in the tournament itself.

Despite that, the reason she participated in the matches and engaged in these trivial games was…

‘…Father.’

With others like Sword Phoenix, Jam Ryong, Geom Ryong, and others who showed superior levels compared to the other Dragons and Phoenixes absent.

It was impossible for everyone else not to show up.

That must have been the original agreement.

‘Really….’

The name Snow Phoenix felt utterly futile.

How far could I go with such a fake name?

‘I feel like I’m getting tired.’

Or perhaps, I was already tired.

Still, I couldn’t complain.

Because I knew how much sacrifice Father, and indeed the entire clan, had made for me.

Moyong Hi-ah simply drew her sword quietly.

Her opponent was already on the stage.

‘Gu Yangcheon.’

The boy standing still across the way. Just before the match began, the boy was looking somewhere.

Where is he looking?

Following his gaze, I saw the highest point of the Alliance.

Where the Sect Leader and the Alliance’s high-ranking officials gathered.

‘Why is he looking there?’

Moyong Hi-ah doesn’t know much about that boy.

However, one thing she did notice was.

That the boy was tightly concealing his strength.

Is it right to say he’s concealing it?

Perhaps he simply hasn’t had an opponent worthy of showing it.

Moyong Hi-ah’s intuition told her so.

Even Jang Seon-yeon, who was starting to be called the Divine Warrior.

Or Namgung Bi-ah, known as the Sword Dancer.

Whether Noryong or Poison Phoenix.

Or even herself.

None of them seemed to register in that boy’s gaze.

Perhaps because it was strange.

“Where are you looking so intently?”

Moyong Hi-ah suddenly spoke to Gu Yangcheon.

Moyong Hi-ah didn’t know why she felt compelled to speak to him.

Gu Yangcheon’s gaze shifted upon hearing her voice and turned towards Moyong Hi-ah.

“…Just thinking. I had some stray thoughts.”

Although they hadn’t exchanged many words.

It wasn’t his usual leisurely, curt way of speaking.

Indifferent.

A voice truly devoid of any emotion, indifferent.

As their eyes met, Gu Yangcheon suddenly spoke to Moyong Hi-ah.

“I apologize.”

It was an apology.

Suddenly…?

Such a sudden apology.

Was there anything Gu Yangcheon had done to warrant an apology to Moyong Hi-ah?

Moyong Hi-ah tried hard to recall, but she couldn’t remember Gu Yangcheon acting in any particular way towards her.

Of course, his attitude of half-ignoring her and seeming to dislike her was somewhat irritating to Moyong Hi-ah.

But it wasn’t something specific enough to point out.

“Why are you apologizing so suddenly?”

As Moyong Hi-ah asked, Gu Yangcheon was about to answer.

“Four Rivers Arena, Sansu District versus Gu Yangcheon. Moyong Family’s Moyong Hi-ah.”

The referee interrupted, cutting off his words before I could hear them.

But Moyong Hi-ah immediately understood why Gu Yangcheon had apologized.

“Begin.”

Hwa-reuk-

“…Whoa.”

A single exclamation.

This was uttered by Moyong Hi-ah.

In an instant, my breath caught in my throat.

Because a heat impossible in mid-winter had engulfed the martial arts stage.

The winter wind died, blocked by the intense heat.

Flames, rooting themselves massively, endlessly swirled around.

Within seconds, above the stage.

A small sun had been created.

Within it, Gu Yangcheon simply looked at Moyong Hi-ah with a calm expression.

Seeing that, Moyong Hi-ah said in a voice filled with emptiness.

“…Isn’t this a bit too much?”

The level is different.

Such words fell far short of describing it.

A sun appearing suddenly in a place where stars played.

It was nothing short of outrageous bullying.