Chapter 83: Great Ghost (3)

Daejeolgui (Great Despair Ghost) (3)

Waking up groggily in the morning, I drank a glass of water Wi Seol-ah gave me.

“…Ah…. I’m gonna die.”

To be this thirsty the moment I wake up… I must have sweated buckets while sleeping.

[You might die; you’ve been rolling around all night for days. How could you possibly be fine?]

“…Is it wrong for a martial artist to train diligently? Why are you criticizing me.”

I rubbed my throbbing shoulders and spoke to Shin Noyya.

Lately, after training every night for the past few days, exhaustion was starting to set in rather than refreshment.

What was annoying, separate from that, was the fact that I could feel my body improving.

The lines of the muscles that had been tense everywhere were becoming clearer.

They say muscles grow fast due to the bet… but this feels too fast.

I forced my stiff body up and went outside.

As soon as I stepped out, I looked up at the sky and felt the weather was exceptionally good today.

‘Not a single cloud.’

The clear late summer sky is always beautiful, no matter how many times I see it.

Maybe it’s because we’re on a high mountain, but the fact that it’s not too hot is also contributing to my good mood.

‘Did Namgung Bi-ah go out?’

Seeing she wasn’t around, it seemed she had left early in the morning again.

Perhaps she went to find Gu Ryeong-hwa, like I mentioned yesterday.

I briefly considered going to look for her but quickly dismissed the thought.

I felt it wouldn’t be beneficial to visit now.

“What is she doing today?”

Since Gu Ryeong-hwa declared she wouldn’t return, we could leave immediately without waiting for the Jehwajeon to end.

The problem is that the Sword Master (Geomjon) hasn’t arrived yet.

Honestly, it wasn’t a foolish thought of worrying about the well-being of the Three Masters (Samjon)… it was just a feeling that I shouldn’t leave them behind.

Should I go find the magic stone (Maseok) I couldn’t get yesterday then?

‘There are plenty of mountains besides this one; if I turn them upside down, I’m bound to find one.’

Or should I train more?

It felt strange, like I was training harder at someone else’s sect than I would at home.

[Isn’t it because you see visible changes, making you train harder?]

“That seems right.”

I hate to admit it, but Hwasan’s training methods were definitely helping my external martial arts (Oegong).

How should I put it… it felt like my muscles were stacking up neatly.

Even though my mind and body felt like they were dying proportionally.

[So, are you planning to continue training today as well?]

“I do intend to, for now… but I need to take care of something first.”

If I planned to return before the Jehwajeon.

I remembered Gu Ryeong-hwa saying she wanted to see me one more time before Sword Queen (Geomhu) left. Since I had nothing else to do, I planned to visit her today for that reason.

It wasn’t something that could be postponed.

After changing my clothes, I saw Wi Seol-ah passing by and called out to her.

“I’m going out for a bit.”

“Where are you going?”

“I have something to do.”

“Can’t I go with you…?”

I felt that Shin Ui or Gu Ryeong-hwa might not be too keen on me bringing her along.

More importantly.

This time, I also wanted to get things straight regarding Zhuge Hyuk.

“I’ll go alone today.”

“Hmph…. Be careful on your way.”

“I’ll buy you chicken skewers when I get back.”

“Have a safe trip!”

“…”

Did her voice just get significantly brighter?

Must be my imagination…?

******************

What should I do?

Namgung Bi-ah thought, hiding her trembling hands.

Her mind was filled with the urge to cover her nose immediately.

Putting aside the stench, what was this disgusting aura enveloping the surroundings?

‘…Killing intent?’

It felt too foul to be mere killing intent, yet different from true killing intent.

A giant figure wielding a massive saber, which one could barely call a sword.

Seeing him directly, Namgung Bi-ah knew instantly.

This person was far beyond her ability to handle.

She could tell just from the palpable presence radiating around his body.

And the sword energy (geomgi) she instinctively deflected.

She knew for sure from that fleeting sensation.

Her still trembling arm, holding the sword, was proof.

He was a martial artist who had reached the peak, or perhaps even higher.

How long could she last if her sword met his…?

She couldn’t know for sure, but it wouldn’t be long.

‘…This is bad.’

Namgung Bi-ah had only found Gu Ryeong-hwa and followed her.

She had intended to greet her, but she followed along due to the subtly dark atmosphere.

She never expected such an ambush.

Should she consider herself fortunate that she was there?

She wasn’t sure…

Unlike Namgung Bi-ah’s trembling gaze, the man simply looked over Namgung Bi-ah and Gu Ryeong-hwa without a word.

Slowly, from head to toe.

As if appraising them.

The man’s gaze, scanning her head, face, neck, chest, down to her feet, made Namgung Bi-ah suppress a nauseating feeling rising in her throat.

Finally, the man’s gaze returned to Namgung Bi-ah’s eyes. He smiled chillingly and spoke.

“Good… good. Where did such a pretty one suddenly drop from?”

At his words, Namgung Bi-ah felt goosebumps cover her entire body.

She instinctively knew what he meant.

“If only I had time… I’d get a taste right here… too bad, right? Because I’m a bit busy.”

The man lifted the great saber stuck in the ground and slung it over his shoulder.

Even that simple movement exuded an imposing aura that made Namgung Bi-ah bite her lip slightly.

Seeing that, the man let out a puff of air.

“Even your scared face is damnably pretty. Where did such a bitch pop out from? Makes me all hard.”

“…Who… are you…?”

“Oh… your voice is nice too…. Do you think you’d know who I am if I told you? This older brother here is called Ya-hyeoljeok.”

As he laughed wickedly, Namgung Bi-ah slowly adjusted her stance.

At her movement, Ya-hyeoljeok’s expression slightly contorted.

“It would be unsightly if you got hurt, so I’d prefer you didn’t. I want pretty ones to stay pretty.”

Because then I can have my fun later.

Hearing the unspoken words behind Ya-hyeoljeok’s statement, Namgung Bi-ah simply raised her sword.

“Un… Unni.”

Gu Ryeong-hwa called out to Namgung Bi-ah nervously, and Namgung Bi-ah whispered to her.

“…Run.”

“No…. Let’s run together…!”

Gu Ryeong-hwa seemed to have some intuition about the opponent, speaking to Namgung Bi-ah in a trembling voice, but Namgung Bi-ah’s expression was resolute.

She couldn’t run.

Even if the man’s original target wasn’t her, she was included now.

‘…What should I do?’

Namgung Bi-ah took a breath and enveloped her entire body with her internal energy (Naegi).

She had told Gu Ryeong-hwa to run, but would that man permit it?

After using her Naegi to slightly warm her body, she spoke to Gu Ryeong-hwa again.

“Quickly… go to Hwasan Sect and warn the people.”

“But…”

Gu Ryeong-hwa looked back with trembling eyes at the hut where her master was.

Her master could barely walk, let alone run.

What if… what if, in her absence, the man’s hand reached the hut…?

“Snap out of it.”

“…!”

Gu Ryeong-hwa flinched at Namgung Bi-ah’s sharp, decisive words.

“…Look at the situation properly. You can’t help right now. If there’s something you need to protect, think about what must be done immediately.”

Her speech wasn’t the usual quiet and slightly slow Namgung Bi-ah.

Namgung Bi-ah didn’t know what Gu Ryeong-hwa was worried about. She just assumed Gu Ryeong-hwa couldn’t make a quick judgment because there was something else involved.

While speaking to Gu Ryeong-hwa, her gaze remained fixed on the man.

Ssssuuuu….

The sound came from Namgung Bi-ah’s mouth.

A low, heavy breath.

She drew a real sword, not a wooden one, and aimed its tip at the man.

“Are you really going to do it? This older brother is busy and can’t go easy on you. Think carefully, pretty one.”

Ya-hyeoljeok’s playful voice, Gu Ryeong-hwa bit her molars to hide her trembling lips.

Although her breathing didn’t steady like Namgung Bi-ah’s, Gu Ryeong-hwa tried her best to remain calm.

Despite her efforts, Gu Ryeong-hwa couldn’t completely shake the deep fear that the giant sword Ya-hyeoljeok held might turn towards her.

Just as Ya-hyeoljeok took a step forward, Namgung Bi-ah sprang forward like an arrow, as if she had been waiting.

Fwoosh!

The sword cut through the air with a menacing sound.

Namgung Bi-ah’s sword was fast and precise.

So fast that Gu Ryeong-hwa could barely see it.

But Ya-hyeoljeok dodged it effortlessly.

To be able to move so quickly with such a massive frame.

Namgung Bi-ah continued her assault, as if she had expected this.

The energy contained within her sword left traces along its path.

The sight was unbelievably beautiful, but Gu Ryeong-hwa had no time to dwell on it.

-Quickly… go to Hwasan Sect and warn the people.

She recalled Namgung Bi-ah’s words.

As Ya-hyeoljeok twisted his body to dodge the swing of her sword, Gu Ryeong-hwa pushed off the ground and ran.

“…Tsk.”

Seeing that, Ya-hyeoljeok clicked his tongue.

He gripped the Great Saber, which he had barely used while dodging, and aimed it at the back of the fleeing girl.

He had already anticipated this; there were few options available to the girls in this situation anyway.

He was momentarily surprised that the sword wielded by the white-haired cutie was of surprisingly high quality and precision, but that was all.

She was just a brat who had barely passed twenty.

‘Her face is so pretty, I don’t want to hurt it if possible.’

He glanced at the face of the woman fiercely executing her moves.

Ya-hyeoljeok had never seen such a beautiful woman in his life.

What would it feel like to pin down a woman like this?

Just imagining it made his lower body heat up uncontrollably, bringing a smile to his face.

To achieve that…

‘There should be no unnecessary complications.’

He couldn’t do anything right now, so he planned to knock her down roughly, deal with his original objective, and then take her to the cave.

If Shin Ui was there, he’d take her along with her companion.

Therefore, he needed to avoid any troublesome interference.

Ya-hyeoljeok immediately prepared to swing his Great Saber, imbued with energy.

With the sword energy flying straight at her, Gu Ryeong-hwa’s head would fall, unable to dodge.

Then, as Ya-hyeoljeok moved to swing the Great Saber.

Fwoosh!

“…!”

In that split second, Namgung Bi-ah thrust her sword forward.

The heavy aura surrounding them instantly made Ya-hyeoljeok feel sluggish.

He belatedly activated his footwork, but it was too late. Namgung Bi-ah’s sword sliced across Ya-hyeoljeok’s abdomen.

“…Oh.”

A short exclamation.

Ya-hyeoljeok uttered a small sound of admiration and touched his stomach. A little blood flowed out.

The cut wasn’t deep, so it wasn’t a major issue, but it was about the burst of energy the girl had unleashed.

He realized she had been waiting for this moment, hiding her ability.

He smiled, finding it an amusing trick.

As a result, he lost Gu Ryeong-hwa, but Ya-hyeoljeok felt his mood improve, perhaps because he discovered something interesting.

Should he chase and kill her now?

The pretty one in front of him was a concern.

“Pretty one…. What’s your relationship with Namgung?”

The heavy energy he felt moments ago was definitely the Emperor Sword Form (Jewang Geomhyeong). He had felt it directly on the battlefield a few times, so it wasn’t a mistake.

Things he hadn’t properly seen while captivated by her face now came into view.

Her white-blonde hair, blue eyes, and distinctive sharp aura.

The peculiar individuality possessed by the Namgung bloodline finally caught his eye.

“…First Gu, and now Namgung is at Hwasan too. What’s going on?”

Ya-hyeoljeok smiled menacingly, thinking of Bae-chong in his mind.

Bae-chong’s words hadn’t mentioned anything about Namgung, as far as he recalled.

‘Useless bastard. I really should kill him when I get back.’

He had already planned to kill him for being annoying, but Ya-hyeoljeok felt he needed to expedite things slightly.

…Sss.

With a shallow breath, the energy emanating from Namgung Bi-ah’s body grew stronger.

Since her hidden move had failed, she needed to concentrate more.

Now that she was exposed, she had to be more decisive.

‘How long will she last?’

Hiding her anxious thoughts, Namgung Bi-ah prepared her next move when suddenly, she felt an icy premonition and immediately raised her sword to defend.

She judged it was too late to dodge.

Kuwung!

Along with a heavy impact, Namgung Bi-ah’s body was slightly lifted into the air.

“…Ugh!”

Namgung Bi-ah flew straight back, hitting a wooden pillar with a harsh sound, and collapsed.

“Ah, I couldn’t control my strength.”

At Ya-hyeoljeok’s voice, Namgung Bi-ah spat out bile, barely holding onto consciousness.

‘What was that…?’

She couldn’t even properly see how the attack was executed.

Seeing Ya-hyeoljeok casually tapping his hands, she guessed he must have struck with his fist.

‘This…?’

Judging by the Great Saber he carried, she assumed he wasn’t a martial artist specializing in unarmed combat, but could such a blow really be just a punch?

Throb!

“Ugh…!”

Pain shot through her left arm, eliciting a groan from Namgung Bi-ah.

Judging by the sensation, her arm seemed to be broken.

Sensing Ya-hyeoljeok approaching slowly, Namgung Bi-ah hastily tried to get up.

Watching Namgung Bi-ah, Ya-hyeoljeok asked.

“Your face isn’t hurt, is it?”

At Ya-hyeoljeok’s question from not far away, Namgung Bi-ah clenched her lips tightly.

******************

I was wandering around the area with light steps.

I went to inquire again about the magic stone (Maseok) and also asked about the operating hours of the chicken skewer stall I had enjoyed last time.

I asked in advance because I didn’t want to find it closed if I came to buy some.

Fortunately, they said it was open until late.

While I was asking, I bought and ate a skewer to fill my stomach before heading back towards Shin Ui’s hut where Sword Queen (Geomhu) was.

I left the area and soon entered the forest.

Finding the path was a bit difficult, but since I’d been here once or twice, I seemed to be finding my way well.

‘I bet Shin Ui will glare at me again when I get there.’

He’s an old man with a very unpleasant expression, and his glaring because he doesn’t like me makes it awkward to face him.

[…I never imagined I’d hear about expressions from you.]

‘You only chime in at times like this.’

[What can I do if the words are just too absurd?]

While walking and having a trivial chat with Shin Noyya, I saw someone running frantically from a distance.

“Gu Ryeong-hwa…?”

Surprisingly, it was Gu Ryeong-hwa, whom I thought would be at Hwasan Sect.

I thought she’d be with Namgung Bi-ah. Had she already returned to the hut?

‘Then where is Namgung Bi-ah…?’

Gu Ryeong-hwa was running, unable to even catch her breath properly.

She ran straight towards me, looking like she might collapse any second. Our eyes met.

With a face that looked like she was about to cry, Gu Ryeong-hwa shouted.

“Oppa…!”

“Huh?”

Oppa…? The moment I heard it, my brain felt like it had malfunctioned.

It was the first time in decades I’d heard Gu Ryeong-hwa say that word to me.

Why is she acting like this all of a sudden? Is she sick…?

“Oppa… Oppa…!”

“Hey, what’s wrong…”

“Unni…!”

The moment I heard Gu Ryeong-hwa’s urgent cry, my mind instantly went cold.