I think I’ve heard the phrase “go with the flow” before.
Instead of moving where I want to think, I instinctively move towards where the sword’s path leads.
Some even call this the realm of enlightenment.
Before I cast my gaze, the sword stretches out first.
The spirit contained within the sword spreads beautifully, riding the flowing waves.
Like a gentle ripple floating on a calm lake.
The principle of nature?
Namgung Bi-ah doesn’t know anything that complicated.
She simply entrusted her body to the flow.
She always found it strange.
Why doesn’t Namgung’s sword technique flow smoothly?
Why does a proper path only unfurl itself when she contains her spirit in the sword?
Each time she swung her sword, the sense of dissonance grew stronger.
But Namgung Bi-ah simply swung the sword.
There were no answers, or maybe she simply didn’t know them.
Yet, at this moment, she felt like she understood.
Because now, she could see a path.
Humm…
The sword cried out.
As if to confirm that this was indeed the right answer.
The flowing line revealed a path that beckoned her towards it.
Should I go there…?
Or should I not?
The contemplation was brief.
It didn’t suit Namgung Bi-ah’s personality to hesitate.
Let’s go and regret it later.
As always, there was no need to fear the path she hadn’t taken.
The tip of her sword gently touched the line of the path.
As if it had been waiting, it started to flow along the path.
It felt soft.
Was the sword’s path always meant to be this smooth?
There was no blockage, and the blade cut through the air with a whoosh.
Crackle! As the flow continued, lightning Qi intertwined.
It wasn’t something Namgung Bi-ah intended.
It naturally seeped in as she followed the path.
Was this the process of becoming one with the sword?
It felt strange.
But not unpleasant.
Instead, it felt as if something that had been tied up was finally released, making her feel much more at ease.
Namgung Bi-ah saw the end of the flowing path.
Not the opponent she was dueling against, but something greater, something beyond.
Someone stood at the distant end of the path.
Who could it be…?
She couldn’t see clearly.
Judging by their clothing, it seemed like someone from the Namgung Clan.
Who could it be?
Could it be her father, or perhaps her grandfather?
Or if it’s neither… Could it be her great-grandfather?
But the atmosphere felt different from any of them.
At least, it didn’t seem like someone Namgung Bi-ah recognized.
As she followed the path, the distance closed in.
Very slowly, so slowly that one could only notice if they focused hard.
Yet, she was definitely closing the distance.
Maybe that’s why she felt assured that this was the right path.
Just a bit more…
For reasons unknown, she wanted to reach that person a little faster.
She felt like she needed to.
She felt that heading there, no, going there was her path.
She quickened her steps, but curiously, it felt like she was about to stray off the line.
Namgung Bi-ah thought.
Ah, I shouldn’t rush this.
Having realized this, Namgung Bi-ah slowed her steps.
There was no hesitation in that either.
The wavering path became firm once again.
And just then…
Hmm…
She heard a voice.
Not bad.
The man, standing with his hands behind his back, continued speaking from a distance.
Come slowly.
You might fall if you rush without knowing your limits.
So take your time and come to where I am.
She still couldn’t see the man’s face.
But despite that, Namgung Bi-ah had the feeling she needed to get to him.
He was relaxed and exuded an air of arrogance…
But strangely, that arrogance suited him far too well.
Then I will give you a present.
As he whispered those words with a hint of satisfaction…
Namgung Bi-ah finally opened her eyes, which she had kept closed for so long.
“Sis…? Sis!”
“Oh…! Sis Bi-ah is awake!”
Through her blurred vision, she caught sight of two girls: one with black hair and the other with green hair.
As her vision cleared, the sight of the two cute girls became clearer.
“…Oh.”
Namgung Bi-ah uttered a small sound.
She realized it had all been a dream.
A dream that felt far too real.
So real that she wouldn’t have found it strange even if someone told her it was reality.
“How are you feeling…?”
“…It hurts.”
Her body ached all over.
“Of course it hurts… Is your chest okay?”
“…Chest?”
Namgung Bi-ah looked down at her chest after hearing Tang Soyeol’s words.
It wasn’t a compress bandage; it was a treatment bandage tightly wrapped around.
Thank goodness they said it wasn’t a deep cut, so with some rest, she’d be fine, and it wouldn’t leave a scar.
“…Okay.”
It seemed like her chest was her only injury, yet she felt pain throughout her whole body.
It felt like muscle soreness.
Muscle soreness…?
It was something she hadn’t experienced since reaching a certain level.
So why was she feeling this way now?
Namgung Bi-ah tried to sit up, but Tang Soyeol and Wi Seol-Ah urgently stopped her.
“Stay down!”
“You can’t get up yet!”
“Ugh…”
“How can someone so injured think of moving around recklessly?”
“…But you… also got up right away…”
“…That’s different!”
Since Tang Soyeol had no good comeback, she resorted to shouting back.
After all, Tang Soyeol had moved recklessly after her own fight.
Leaving that aside…
Namgung Bi-ah truly wanted to get up.
She wanted to recall the sensations she felt in her dream and during the duel.
She thought she needed to hold on to those feelings.
Oh, the duel…
With that thought crossing her mind, Namgung Bi-ah realized something.
“…I lost.”
That she had lost in the duel. Remembering brought a heavy weight to her heart.
She had boasted that she would show them, yet here she was, defeated.
Seeing Namgung Bi-ah like that, Tang Soyeol struggled to find any encouraging words.
How could she know what to say when she herself was grappling with her own defeat?
Whether she fought well or not…
It would merely be an empty consolation.
“Sis…”
“Where is he…? Did he go somewhere…?”
Tang Soyeol couldn’t help but feel that something was odd about Namgung Bi-ah’s words.
Namgung Bi-ah’s question wasn’t a simple “Where is he?” but rather a “Where did he go?”
As if she was completely certain that Gu Yangcheon had been here.
…Her faith is frightening.
At the same time, it made Tang Soyeol feel a twinge of envy.
She could sense their bond.
More importantly, Gu Yangcheon had been here just moments ago.
Tang Soyeol answered Namgung Bi-ah.
“…He left a little while ago. He has to be at the duel after all.”
In speaking those words, she couldn’t help but feel a bit mean, saying it as though it was obvious.
“Oh.”
Namgung Bi-ah had her reasons for thinking Gu Yangcheon had been here.
…There’s no foul smell.
Though there were faint traces, they hardly registered.
The slight warmth left over confirmed that he had indeed been present not long ago.
I’m relieved…
As she could sense his presence, Namgung Bi-ah felt a warm wave of comfort wash over her.
This meant the terrible stench she had endured during the duel had vanished once more.
She didn’t understand why it had returned before…
But now, there was an inkling of fear that it could come back.
…I have to go to him.
She wanted to confirm that her worries were unfounded.
Namgung Bi-ah was set on moving her body again,
But Wi Seol-Ah wouldn’t allow it.
“Sis, we told you to stay put!”
“…”
As Namgung Bi-ah made a stubborn face after hearing Wi Seol-Ah, Tang Soyeol was waiting for her moment to speak.
“They said you need more time before you can move. Not just the wounds, but your internal condition is also quite disorganized…”
“Well…”
“And Young Master Gu told us to stop you from getting up.”
“…”
It was only after hearing Tang Soyeol’s last words that Namgung Bi-ah decided to lay back down.
It seemed as though any stubbornness she possessed escaped her whenever Gu Yangcheon’s name was mentioned.
To Tang Soyeol, that aspect was both endearing and too vexing.
“Also… he told me to deliver his message to you when you awaken.”
Namgung Bi-ah’s eyes sparkled at Tang Soyeol’s words.
“Sis, doesn’t your reaction seem a bit different this time?”
“What did he say?”
“So you hear his words, but not mine…?”
Tang Soyeol let out a chuckle at the sight of Namgung Bi-ah.
Geez, I really need to remember how strange Sis is.
“It was a good match.”
The remark made Namgung Bi-ah’s hair sway gently.
“Rest well; now it’s my turn to show you.”
Upon hearing the entirety of the message, Namgung Bi-ah’s sleepy eyes began to shine brighter.
That’s what he told me to convey to you.
Namgung Bi-ah, who had opened her eyes wide in shock at first, slowly closed them again.
“Sis, why are you suddenly closing your eyes?”
“…He told me to rest, right?”
“…”
Tang Soyeol felt as though she was wiping away a tear.
What had happened to her beautiful, icy sister?
Of course, I mean… He is that handsome… but you can’t live just because you like his face… Or maybe you could…
Huh, perhaps that was possible after all?
At first, she found it strange, but the more she thought about it, the more plausible it felt.
“But Soyeol.”
“Yeah?”
“I’d say you’re good at mimicking him…?”
“Right? I thought I nailed it pretty well.”
“Yeah… it sounded exactly like him.”
Wi Seol-Ah shuddered a bit, as if she had received chills from the accuracy of Tang Soyeol’s imitation.
Tch, was it really that similar?
It was a pretty good impersonation.
Although not so much in terms of voice, but rather the way he spoke.
His distinct, blunt, and seemingly emotionless tone.
To put it bluntly, it was a rude and grating way of speaking,
But that very quirk added a certain charm.
Though it feels like we’re the only ones who think this way.
Perhaps that was a glad rep revelation.
He had way too many girls following him as it was, and having three aware girls of Gu Yangcheon seemed more than enough.
…Though it seemed like four.
Tang Soyeol’s mind momentarily flitted to the thought of Peng Ah-hee.
Though their engagement had ended, they had shared a bond at one point.
And it seemed like she didn’t have any negative feelings towards Gu Yangcheon either.
Even if there wasn’t any romantic interest between them…
Tang Soyeol couldn’t help but feel slightly discomforted by the situation.
After all, she was also the one who chose to insert herself into his circle.
Ugh…
Another girl flickered across her mind.
Snow Phoenix.
For some reason, Tang Soyeol couldn’t shake the feeling of concern regarding her.
Honestly, she felt guilty because of the Tang family name connected to her.
…That just cannot be right.
She may be overthinking it.
Snow Phoenix had no interest or reason to like Gu Yangcheon, so it seemed pointless to worry about.
That’s what she told herself.
“Anyway, you should rest for a bit, Sis.”
Namgung Bi-ah didn’t respond since she had already fallen asleep.
She looked in such a hurry, yet just a single word from Gu Yangcheon urging her to rest had rendered her so relaxed…
Even though Tang Soyeol found the situation odd,
She felt that if she were in the same position, she might behave in the very same way.
After keeping her gaze fixed on Namgung Bi-ah for a moment, Tang Soyeol turned to Wi Seol-Ah.
“Is it alright if you don’t go?”
“Huh?”
“Don’t you want to go watch Young Master Gu’s duel?”
Pandemonium aside, she thought it’d make sense for at least Wi Seol-Ah to go, so she asked…
However, Wi Seol-Ah only smiled, indicating it was fine for her to stay.
Seeing that response, Tang Soyeol coughed lightly and turned her head away.
…It’s somehow hard to converse with her.
Though Tang Soyeol knew Wi Seol-Ah was a servant, something about interacting with her felt complicated.
Why is that?
Though she couldn’t identify why, Tang Soyeol felt this way.
“It’s alright. Young Master said he’ll be back soon.”
Hearing Wi Seol-Ah’s words, Tang Soyeol raised an eyebrow.
Had Gu Yangcheon really mentioned that? The way his long hair obscured Wi Seol-Ah’s expression made her unable to see, but there was something off about the tone of her voice.
When Tang Soyeol tried to sneak a glance at Wi Seol-Ah’s face…
“I’m hungry. Do you want to eat something?”
With a bright face, Wi Seol-Ah exclaimed at Tang Soyeol.
“…Um, uh sure.”
“What should we eat…? What does Sis Soyeol like?”
“Hmm? I’m fine with anything… Oh, I do have some leftover poisonous herbs from yesterday. Maybe we could-”
“Then we should have a proper meal!”
“…Sure, yeah.”
Does she not like herbal medicine?
I wonder why… poisonous herbs are quite delicious.
Tang Soyeol secretly made a pouty expression.
In the semifinal duel arena…
The earlier excitement hadn’t yet cooled, as people still buzzed with conversations, clearly uninterested in stopping.
It made sense; after witnessing a battle of such caliber during a young prodigy tournament, the frenzy was justified.
But for Moyong Hi-ah, it wasn’t something she looked forward to.
Such attention might help in the future…
But she simply couldn’t guarantee a performance that would meet those lofty expectations.
He was on a whole different level.
The Alliance Leader’s son, Jang Seonyeon.
His strength was vastly superior to that of other young talents.
Moyong Hi-ah couldn’t comprehend how he had been pushed back in the match, even as the pivotal moment approached.
It hardly seemed fair to conclude that he had been holding back.
…That lady, too.
Namgung Bi-ah, the sister of the Lightning Dragon.
Her beauty was breathtaking…
And her swordsmanship wasn’t any less impressive.
Her sword dance.
Moyong Hi-ah couldn’t shake the memory of the sword dance that Namgung Bi-ah had performed.
It was so mesmerizing that, despite Jang Seonyeon winning, it was Namgung Bi-ah who lingered in Moyong Hi-ah’s memory.
Especially the way she moved during the final moments; it transcended words.
The chaos of her disheveled state during the fight was wiped from Moyong Hi-ah’s mind when she witnessed her graceful sword dance.
And among the many faces in the crowd, it felt like only Namgung Bi-ah stood out…
This was utterly shocking for Moyong Hi-ah.
The issue was…
…I’m next after such an outstanding performance.
People were already attributing nicknames to Namgung Bi-ah and Jang Seonyeon after witnessing their fight.
Moyong Hi-ah let out a sigh.
…With the Lightning Dragon out of the way,
Is there really a point in me climbing this high up in the tournament?
Moyong Hi-ah had never intended to join the tournament in the first place.
There was nothing she could do about the banquet meeting, but she didn’t want to expend energy competing in this optional tournament.
Yet, the reason she had still chosen to participate in the tournament rested with…
Father.
Her father.
With the Sword Phoenix, Water Dragon, and Sword Dragon showcasing their superiority over other Dragons and Phoenixes, not participating had implications.
After all, it simply wouldn’t do to have no Dragons and Phoenixes competing.
That’s how the agreement must have panned out.
Ugh…
The name Snow Phoenix had begun to feel profoundly pointless.
She found herself wondering how far she’d have to carry this fake title.
I feel like I’m going to tire out…
Or perhaps I’m already exhausted.
But she couldn’t mutter a single complaint.
Not when she knew how much her father and the clan were sacrificing on her behalf.
Moyong Hi-ah quietly drew her sword.
Her opponent had already taken their place on the stage.
Gu Yangcheon.
The boy quietly standing on the opposite side. The duel was about to kick off any second, yet the boy was looking elsewhere.
What does he see?
As Moyong Hi-ah followed his gaze, it led up towards the highest point of the Murim Alliance.
Where the Alliance Leader and the other high-ranking members from the Alliance were gathered.
Why is he staring up there?
Moyong Hi-ah didn’t know much about the boy.
However, one thing was clear…
The boy hid his strength.
Or was it correct to say he was merely concealing his true capabilities?
Perhaps the issue was he simply hadn’t found anyone worthy of using his full strength against.
That instinct boiled down to the essence.
Neither Jang Seonyeon, the one being talked about as the Meteor Sword…
Nor the Sword Dancer Namgung Bi-ah…
Not even the Lightning Dragon or Poison Bee…
Or me myself…
None of us seemed to be worthy of his attention.
Was this what made her feel so odd?
“Where are you looking?”
Maybe that was why Moyong Hi-ah suddenly spoke up to Gu Yangcheon.
…I was merely lost in thought.
A few exchanges had already taken place, but his reply didn’t have the relaxed yet rude tone he usually carried.
He felt disturbingly indifferent.
With that emotionless voice, Moyong Hi-ah felt he lacked warmth.
As Moyong Hi-ah fixed her gaze on him, Gu Yangcheon broke the silence.
I’m sorry.
An unexpected apology.
So suddenly…?
Had there been something that warranted an apology?
Moyong Hi-ah racked her brain trying to piece together the events, but Gu Yangcheon had never really done anything that would lead her to expect this.
While she felt slightly annoyed at how he sometimes acted as if he found her presence a burden…
This wasn’t a direct enough reason to apologize.
“Why the sudden apology?”
As Gu Yangcheon began to reply to Moyong Hi-ah’s inquiry…
Semifinals, Gu Clan’s Gu Yangcheon vs. Moyong Clan’s Moyong Hi-ah.
A judge intervened just in time, cutting off their discussion.
But despite that, Moyong Hi-ah quickly figured out the reasoning behind his apology.
Begin.
Fwoosh—
…Wow.
An involuntary sound escaped Moyong Hi-ah’s lips.
In the blink of an eye, she found herself breathless.
A wave of heat, unnatural for winter, consumed the arena before her.
The winter chill was kept at bay by the heat, making it difficult for people to breathe.
Flames swirled endlessly throughout the area.
A few seconds later…
A small sun had formed above the arena.
In the midst of those flames, Gu Yangcheon retained his calm demeanor while looking at Moyong Hi-ah.
Witnessing this made Moyong Hi-ah voice her thoughts, weary yet astonished.
…Isn’t this a tad excessive?
He was operating on a different plane entirely.
Such a description hardly did his display justice.
How could the sun manifest in a realm meant for mere stars?
This was beyond unreasonable; it was a blatant exhibition of power and misconduct.
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