Chapter 99
The tournament that began just after noon was unfolding for quite a long time.
The three third-generation disciples participating had prepared for this day for a prolonged period, and all were genuinely invested.
Moreover, since they were all from the same sect, their sword techniques were more or less the same.
It was taking longer because they knew each other so well.
In a way, it might feel tedious for some, but the audience’s enthusiasm didn’t seem to wane at all.
“Wow, the reactions are incredible.”
“They all seem to be having fun.”
Maybe there were fewer spectators, but judging by their excitement, it was comparable to the tournaments organized by the Murim Alliance.
Honestly, I found it a bit boring.
‘…Is it because I’ve been hanging out with Yung Pung a lot lately?’
Since my only comparison was Yung Pung, the swordplay of the spectators looked rather crude in my eyes.
They lacked the unique fluidity of the Plum Blossom Sword Technique, and their application of speed and techniques felt particularly disappointing.
To put it bluntly, at my current level, I could probably neutralize them with one hit.
This would apply not only to me but also to Yung Pung and even Namgung Bi-ah.
‘…I see why they excluded Yung Pung from the second-generation disciples.’
Now, I finally understood the reasoning behind that decision.
It wasn’t because those disciples were inadequate.
They were, after all, martial artists from the Ten Sect Alliance, particularly disciples of the esteemed Mount Hua Sect.
While they were strong for their age…
The problem lay with the individuals I had recently encountered, who were just so overwhelming.
‘After all, being a first-rate martial artist at such a young age isn’t exactly common.’
Geniuses like Yung Pung and Namgung Bi-ah were certainly exceptional.
Curious if I was the only one finding the tournament boring, I glanced at Namgung Bi-ah.
I couldn’t see her face clearly due to her veil, but I sensed some subtle movement.
I couldn’t help but ask, “You just yawned, didn’t you?”
“…”
At my question, Namgung Bi-ah flinched and quickly looked away.
Her tied-back hair swayed as she moved her head.
I stole a glance at the hairpin she wore before shifting my gaze to Wi Seol-Ah.
Unlike me and Namgung Bi-ah, Wi Seol-Ah was watching the tournament with bright eyes.
“Are you having fun?”
“Yes!”
Her bright exclamation revealed the genuine emotions she felt watching the match.
I guess it was different for her since she wasn’t viewing it with the same mindset as mine.
Wooahh-!
Suddenly hearing the cheers from the crowd, I turned to the arena and noticed one wooden sword had been dropped.
“…I lost.”
“You did great.”
The winner gently patted the loser’s shoulder.
It looked like the one who lost was either younger or had joined the sect later.
I could hear the murmurs of those surrounding us.
“It seems the level this year is much higher than last year.”
“To see such a transformation in just one year makes me proud.”
“This is what the Mount Hua Sect is all about…! Yup!”
Certainly, my worn-out perspective compared to theirs was different.
Even if it was from a perspective of regular civilians rather than martial artists.
‘Am I the one who has changed?’
Am I thinking I’m at their level just because of my regression?
If that was the case, then I definitely needed to reevaluate my thoughts.
This could someday bring me regret.
I had to be more careful, as I had experienced similar situations before.
As I was sorting through my thoughts, Namgung Bi-ah spoke up.
“…She has come out.”
My eyes widened at those words.
I could hear the murmurs from everyone around me.
“What? There was a girl among the disciples?”
“There wasn’t one last year… Has she just joined?”
“No way, even wealthy families tried to get their kids into the Mount Hua Sect, but they got straight-up rejected. I heard they aren’t accepting any new disciples right now.”
A girl stood on the arena, dressed in the Mount Hua Sect’s signature white attire, holding a wooden sword with a straight posture.
She had tightly tied black hair and took deep breaths while evaluating her surroundings.
Amidst the crowd, her gaze remained calm.
Or perhaps she was just pretending to be calm while overwhelming thoughts raced through her mind.
I just observed silently.
Soon, she drew out her wooden sword and assumed a combat stance.
Before the duel began, the two opponents introduced themselves.
“…I am Yung Jin, a third-generation disciple of the Mount Hua Sect.”
“I am Gu Ryunghwa, a second-generation disciple of the Mount Hua Sect.”
Their voices weren’t loud, but they were clear enough for the crowd to hear, causing quite a stir of surprise.
After their introductions were complete,
“Begin!”
With the shout infused with Qi, Gu Ryunghwa’s duel commenced.
*
– What the heck… a second-generation disciple? They look so young; how is that possible?
– I haven’t seen her before. Considering she introduced herself just now, she may not even be an official disciple yet.
I could hear the crowd murmuring again.
I tried to tune them out, but their words invaded my mind.
Gu Ryunghwa made a determined effort to focus solely on her opponent on the other side.
The expression on the third-generation disciple’s face conveyed irritation.
He looked quite displeased with his opponent.
Most likely, he was upset about fighting someone he didn’t consider equal to himself.
He probably didn’t view her as a senior either.
His prevailing negative feelings stemmed from having to fight against a little girl rather than any sense of rivalry or respect.
Gu Ryunghwa’s breathing grew heavier.
I want to compete alongside the second-generation disciples on the first day of the tournament.
She genuinely wished to participate with the others but also suppressed her desire, realizing that clinging to it would only make her seem foolish.
This involved her pride as a disciple of her master.
However, she had ultimately decided to let it go.
Shinhyun had asked her carefully if she was okay with this decision, and she simply nodded in determined response.
The question concealed so many layers of meaning.
And she understood every one of them.
Slowly, she raised her wooden sword, focusing her gaze on her opponent.
I’m scared…
Fear still gripped her.
She felt like running away at that moment.
The frown on her opponent’s face and the sharpness of his glare were intimidating.
No matter how much she screamed or cried for help, he never turned away.
“Begin-!”
The moment the contest started, her opponent charged directly at her.
He swung his sword as if intending to end the match quickly.
However, there was hardly any force behind his strike.
It seemed like he was pulling his punches.
Witnessing this, Gu Ryunghwa gritted her teeth.
She swung back, matching his intensity.
All those years of training—every day was dedicated to this moment, to this unfolding.
She’d lost count of the times she’d made her palms bleed, and a nosebleed became a regular aspect of her efforts.
Every bit of this was focused on blooming those beautiful plum blossoms in her sword.
Thud-!
“…!”
Yung Jin, her opponent, was taken by surprise when his sword strike was blocked.
He hadn’t even considered that his attack could be obstructed.
Her strength might still be lacking, but she opted to redirect the incoming attack rather than attempting to block it head-on.
Drawing an arc with her sword as she moved, Yung Jin’s strike was deflected away.
This provided her an opening to counter.
She swung her sword towards the gap created, yet Yung Jin managed to block her in time.
‘…I hesitated.’
She froze for a moment, paralyzed by fear of unleashing the full force of her strike.
In that brief encounter, Yung Jin seemed to realign himself for the next duel.
Deciding not to lower his guard ever again, he readied himself.
“Haah…”
Her breath was still ragged.
The reason Gu Ryunghwa wished for her sword to flourish with plum blossoms was for her master—the Sword Master of the Plum Blossom.
She yearned for her master to rest easy knowing that she had bloomed just before falling into eternal rest.
That was why she practiced relentlessly, sacrificing even her sleep.
However, now it dawned on her that blooming wasn’t something that could be forced.
Furthermore, with the Sword Master starting to recover, Gu Ryunghwa felt as though she had lost her objective and wondered if she had become void inside.
‘What reason do I have to learn the sword now?’
She was glad that the Sword Master was healthy and training alongside her once more.
But Gu Ryunghwa still found herself at a loss for direction in life.
Sensing this void, one day, her Sword Master advised her.
– Discover what you wish to express with your sword.
To find the essence behind her sword.
This was the very first assignment given to Gu Ryunghwa by her Sword Master, who always guided her step-by-step without stating the answers outright.
Swish!
Yung Jin’s sword barely grazed Gu Ryunghwa’s hair.
Unlike before, his attack was filled with intent and precision.
While it might not have been at full seriousness, it was evident he was exerting more effort than before.
Gu Ryunghwa maintained a calm demeanor, completely unfazed by the sword facing her.
If not the blossoming plum blossoms, then what must I instill in my sword?
This question revolved endlessly in her mind.
What pressed down on her in desperation?
Revenge?
The vengeful thoughts toward her family for what they had done to her beloved mother.
The resentment simmering towards her brother for abandoning her.
Was it that intent she had to channel into her sword instead?
“Ugh!”
Gu Ryunghwa felt a tremor as she was overpowered by her opponent’s strikes.
His relentless assaults continued to escalate.
The Sword Master’s teaching was focused on defense rather than offense.
She had mentioned that even though they learned the same sword style, its meaning could differ based on who wielded it.
Stay calm, you can divert it.
“Huh…?”
Yung Jin seemed stunned, gasping at what happened.
He believed his strike was impossible to block, yet Gu Ryunghwa managed to redirect it.
Gradually, her haggard breaths started to stabilize.
I don’t want to project such emotions into my sword.
While painful memories still haunted her, she refused to choose revenge as the path toward overcoming them.
She remained resentful towards Gu Yangcheon.
Yet despite it all, she still harbored hopes for him upon witnessing his newfound changes. Her gaze shifted back toward him, her focus unwavering.
She felt foolish.
Even after enduring so much pain, she hadn’t changed; she still resembled the girl who helplessly waited for her brother to return, yearning for love and comfort.
In that moment, the thought resurfaced unbidden, wrapped in desperation before she even realized it.
– Can we return to how we used to be?
This was a question laced with hope.
Had Gu Yangcheon simply uttered those words of affirmation then, she might have tried to enact those feelings while pretending nothing had ever happened.
That would be her escape from reality.
It wouldn’t hurt to live as though she had forgotten the past.
‘But would that truly be painless?’
She might forget the agonizing moments completely.
Perhaps she could gaze upon a future without the shadows of her painful past.
Living while needing to pretend she didn’t know about anything, living within a self-constructed illusion.
But,
Even she, Gu Ryunghwa, understood this was not her desire.
While deflecting every attack, her eyes were glued to the spectator area.
It didn’t take long before she found him.
There were only so many people dressed in red with fierce expressions.
As expected, she quickly spotted Gu Yangcheon deep within the crowd.
Upon seeing him, she struggled to stifle a giggle.
He had previously commented with a careless demeanor as if he was just there to spectate, but seeing his worried expression now…
What had transpired over the last year that altered her brother so much?
She could easily discern the guilt and remorse stacked under his gaze whenever their eyes met.
She understood he wished to apologize, yet the words didn’t come forth.
No, Gu Ryunghwa never puzzled over why Gu Yangcheon didn’t apologize.
Their distance had stretched far too wide by now.
She was sure he wouldn’t exert effort to shrink that gap either.
As this thought crossed her mind, it felt like she was beginning to recognize her intentions.
Swish-!
An attack that pierced through an opening their opponent had left grazed past Yung Jin’s shoulder.
She swung gently, purposefully avoiding serious harm to Yung Jin. The critical aspect was that her strike had landed.
The expression of disbelief instantly washed over Yung Jin’s face.
His pride was undoubtedly wounded by her considerate, yet firm, strike.
Despite the hostility emanating from him now, Gu Ryunghwa remained unfazed.
As her feet dug into the ground, she focused her strength.
The Qi originating from her lower abdomen spread throughout her body, gradually amplifying the power in her legs.
If there remained any distance between them, she would bridge it.
Yes, if he wouldn’t step forward, she would simply advance towards him.
If she couldn’t go back to how things were, she would create a new life with her brother.
She would resent him, angrily expressing her grievances.
Tears would surely stain her face over the deep scars of her heart.
Yet, she ultimately wanted to choose forgiveness.
Should her sword not express anything about the plum blossoms, this intent was all she wished to express through her martial practice.
Gu Ryunghwa weaved gracefully through Yung Jin’s relentless strikes.
The blooming talent shone brightly in the face of adversity.
She was at a disadvantage physically, lacking in strength and Qi buildup.
However, strangely, she felt no fear, not even for a moment.
She dodged every oncoming strike and inched closer to him with every swing.
Witnessing this, Yung Jin’s expression morphed into bewilderment and concern.
His earlier assumptions about defeating her with ease scattered like leaves in the wind.
From that moment, Yung Jin had come into this duel with full commitment.
What is this…
How could this appear as a dream to him when Yung Jin had undergone similar experiences before?
This wasn’t just unique to him; all the third-generation disciples had observed and experienced this.
When Yung Pung had been young, he had gone through precisely this.
He had joined the sect later than the rest but blossomed into a prestigious swordsman in just a handful of years.
Such accomplishments bred envious feelings across all the third-generation disciples.
A sword forged from personal emotions could never hold firm.
Yung Jin’s swordplay reflected that sentiment.
When Gu Ryunghwa saw his movements start to lag, she recognized the opportunity presented.
Her encounters with Namgung Bi-ah during practice had honed her instincts for moments like this.
To seize this moment without fail.
She redirected Yung Jin’s strike, creating an opening, and then aimed for his wrist.
“Aghh!”
A cry escaped him as he lost control of his wooden sword, sending it skittering across the ground.
Simultaneously, Gu Ryunghwa’s sword pointed firmly at Yung Jin’s neck.
As the suspense of the duel shattered, cheers erupted from the crowd.
After the match concluded, Yung Jin, his face marked with disbelief, picked up his fallen sword and bowed his head.
“…I lo…!”
Struggling to suppress his frustration, Yung Jin was almost ready to accept defeat only to catch a glimpse of Gu Ryunghwa’s smiling face.
Gu Ryunghwa was grinning.
Not the usual sour expression she sported.
– She wore a bright smile that lit up her innocent face.
As if she truly enjoyed her fight with Yung Jin.
She looked at him and said, “You did well.”
“Ah… Yes…!”
He stuttered in response.
After that, Gu Ryunghwa stepped down from the arena.
Yung Jin, wiping the beads of sweat from his forehead, stared at Gu Ryunghwa as she walked away.
Strangely, that smile was one he would remember for the rest of his life, captivated by its innocence and beauty.
*
With the duel now over, cheers echoed all around.
The match had brought about an unexpected wave of surprises.
“…She won.”
Namgung Bi-ah voiced her astonishment.
I couldn’t see her face, but I was certain she was utterly taken aback.
I felt the same way.
I would have never imagined Gu Ryunghwa winning that contest.
What happened?
Given my prior recollections of Gu Ryunghwa, this was all the more perplexing.
In my past life, Gu Ryunghwa wasn’t a martial artist well-known by many.
“…But her performance just now…”
Anyone who had studied martial arts could recognize the potential she had displayed.
To further reinforce this, I noticed a stir among the elders sitting nearby.
What she exhibited was not the result of a mere stroke of luck.
‘It felt as if a dam she had built within herself burst wide open.’
As she walked off the stage, our gazes met.
She smiled and waved at me.
In that moment, I knew something significant had changed within her.
Seeing her cheerful expression melted away something sour within my own heart.
Just moments before, she looked as though she was struggling without direction, but it felt like she had freed herself from whatever had been stifling her during the duel.
‘And here I remain, stuck even after undergoing my regression.’
Unlike me, that young girl had found her own way out.
“Cute.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle at Namgung Bi-ah’s comment.
“So suddenly?”
“…Her smile is utterly adorable.”
“Yeah! It resembles how the Young Master smiles!”
“…That’s not the case.”
“Hey.”
Namgung Bi-ah rebuffed Wi Seol-Ah’s assertion sharply.
While her statement had a ring of truth, it still grated on me.
As I scolded Namgung Bi-ah, I waved back at Gu Ryunghwa.
‘That aside…’
My thoughts shifted back to Gu Ryunghwa’s opponent, who had been glaring at her with a deathly stare immediately after the duel.
“…I need to ask Yung Pung what that guy’s name is.”
I didn’t plan on doing anything too drastic, but I found him hard to tolerate.
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