Chapter 163: The Thing I Wish To Show (3)
Thud… Thud… Thud…!
In the basement deep beneath the Murim Alliance Palace at Hanam…
The sound that echoed in his ears was still the same.
He slowly advanced, following the torches embedded in the walls.
The stairs leading down still felt endless.
The continuous sound was turning into noise, squeezing his heart tighter.
“Your expression doesn’t look that great,” came a voice from ahead.
Namgung Cheonjun swallowed hard at the question.
It was devoid of any emotion, not even a hint of concern.
“…Are you making fun of me right now?”
“No way, why would I make fun of Namgung Gongja? It wouldn’t even be that fun.”
A man, dressed in black from head to toe.
Peng Woojin wore a slight smile.
“I just find it a bit amusing.”
Although Namgung Cheonjun couldn’t see Peng Woojin’s expression since he was looking straight ahead, he understood.
Peng Woojin was not smiling, despite his playful tone.
“…What’s so funny?”
“How could it not be funny when the great Lightning Dragon is shaking like that?”
“Who… are you saying is shaking…!”
Namgung Cheonjun, about to roar in anger, suddenly fell silent.
It was because Peng Woojin had turned to look behind him.
Meeting those obsidian-like eyes, the heat that swelled inside him extinguished as if he were gripped by fear.
It was as if he had been scared out of his wits.
Crack-
Perhaps due to his pride being crushed, Namgung Cheonjun silently gritted his teeth.
“What are you so afraid of?”
Peng Woojin’s expressionless face, and his calm, detached voice.
Namgung Cheonjun found it difficult to bear.
Peng Woojin gazed at Namgung Cheonjun for a moment before speaking again.
“I don’t get it. Is it because of your defeat?”
“…!”
“From the way your expression soured immediately, I’d say I’m at least half right.”
Every one of Peng Woojin’s words felt like a dagger, burying deep and causing wounds within.
To be more precise, it felt like he was prodding at a fresh scar.
Namgung Cheonjun had lost against Gu Yangcheon in a duel.
And it was a humiliating defeat, to say the least.
Even the legendary Namgung Cheonjun couldn’t come up with an excuse.
After all, they were clearly in different leagues.
Though he hated to admit it, the martial artist in him had already acknowledged it.
Gu Yangcheon had reached heights in martial prowess beyond his imagination.
‘…That bastard.’
Even while mentally cursing him, Namgung Cheonjun felt a wave of nausea.
After all, he kept wondering if he was even in a position to say such things.
But above all…
‘…The energy has vanished…’
The power he had barely managed to gain had evaporated.
Namgung Cheonjun couldn’t help but grimace.
‘Where did it go?’
It was a force that would propel him far ahead of the other Dragons.
Even if it was fleeting, he had felt its strength during his duel with Gu Yangcheon.
Thus, forgetting about that power was an unbearable ordeal.
Still, he longed for it all the more.
‘Why… why… why did it disappear?’
His yearning turned into a thirst that left him parched.
Having tasted it just once amplified his desire.
‘If I have that power, whether it’s the Water Dragon, Sword Dragon, Sword Phoenix, or even Peng Woojin right here, I might just be able to surpass them all.’
The strength he missed was something Namgung Cheonjun craved deeply.
Peng Woojin looked at him, then turned away.
‘How pathetic.’
What a dismal sight.
‘No, it doesn’t even deserve to be called a sight anymore.’
The young man who once shone even faintly had lost all his brilliance.
And at that moment, Peng Woojin completely lost interest in Namgung Cheonjun.
He had no time for someone devoid of light.
However…
‘Did he say the Celestial Qi vanished?’
Peng Woojin recalled how Namgung Cheonjun had screamed in arrogance, his despair clear as he admitted to the absence of that newfound power.
It was utterly shameful.
To grasp progress not through his own strength, but by relying on a different source.
How far did he expect to go with borrowed power like that?
‘He doesn’t even know what a sorry state he’s in.’
But now, that was no longer his concern.
What mattered to Peng Woojin instead was a sliver of interest in how he lost his power.
While he might have lost interest in the Lightning Dragon, he found the situation itself rather interesting.
‘They mentioned he used it before it was entirely settled in his body. Could that be the issue?’
Since it was before the power fully immersed itself in his being, perhaps it disappeared simply from overuse.
The thought had some merit, yet Peng Woojin still pondered the validity of that theory.
Reflecting on the final moments of the duel between Gu Yangcheon and the Lightning Dragon, he vividly recalled the aura Gu Yangcheon had shown Namgung Cheonjun.
The chilling atmosphere that had sent shivers racing down his spine.
Though he didn’t express it outwardly, it was clear there had been a fierce killing intent stirring within him.
Peng Woojin could definitely feel it.
Was that face of annoyance really the true essence of that boy?
Or was it merely a façade?
Peng Woojin found himself curious.
About the very being that was Gu Yangcheon.
‘What on earth are you hiding, Young Master Gu?’
Peng Woojin brushed his hand across his lips.
Naturally, a smile crept up to his face.
‘How troublesome.’
He had to rein in his excitement, lest he burst out in sheer glee.
The thrill bubbling within him made his body feel restless.
However, Peng Woojin embraced the sensation.
After all, the boy radiated a light unlike any other – how could he not feel exhilarated?
It was only natural for the corners of his mouth to curve upwards with excitement.
‘Such a letdown.’
He craved to meet Gu Yangcheon right at this moment.
But alas, that wasn’t possible, which only amplified his desire.
Not long after, an entrance appeared.
A colossal door emanating a blue light.
One might question why there were no guards at such a secretive location.
Yet, Peng Woojin understood that such guards weren’t necessary.
As suspected, as Namgung Cheonjun approached the door, it began to open as if it had been waiting for his arrival.
Boom-!
With a resounding thud, the door swung open.
“Welcome.”
A woman emerged from within and greeted the two men.
Peng Woojin fixed his gaze on her.
Her face was obscured by a veil.
But the intriguing fact was that even when attempting to see through her with his Qi, he couldn’t catch a glimpse of her.
This indicated that she was anything but an ordinary person.
Peng Woojin then inquired, “Is the Chief Abbott present?”
“The Heavenly Eye has yet to arrive.”
“Hmm…”
He had assumed she would already be here.
“He left a message saying he would be late, as he had something to discuss with the Harmonic Sword.”
Peng Woojin glanced behind him.
Namgung Cheonjun appeared to be in a state of utmost desperation, beads of sweat rolling down his face profusely.
As he struggled to organize his thoughts, the woman spoke up.
“Please, come in.”
Surprised by her words, Peng Woojin raised an eyebrow.
“I heard that outsiders typically aren’t permitted here, so why the sudden invitation?”
“The Dancer has permitted it, stating that both of you may enter.”
Peng Woojin’s interest piqued.
“That strict woman?”
His words were somewhat sharp.
Knowing how significant the ‘Dancer’ was to her, Peng Woojin had surely stepped over the line.
Still, the veiled woman showed no reaction to his comment.
“I’ll guide you now.”
Her voice remained emotionless as she repeated her invitation.
Seeing this, Peng Woojin merely shook his head lightly.
“You’re just as dull as ever.”
Having lost all interest, he walked past the woman and entered the darkness, with Namgung Cheonjun hurriedly following suit.
As the two stepped into the shadows…
“…”
The woman stared at the staircase the two had descended from for quite a while.
As if something were there.
Once she was done observing, she turned around and walked back into the room.
And then…
SLAM!
The gigantic door shut with a booming sound, plunging the place back into darkness.
The semifinals wrapped up, and night fell swiftly afterwards.
Though my body felt fit, my mind was a bit fatigued.
It was because the way others looked at me had shifted dramatically.
I had defeated the Pissing Dragon and overpowered the Snow Phoenix.
With esteemed prodigies now viewing me differently, even those around me couldn’t help but perceive me with more weight.
‘This kind of attention always leaves me drained.’
Of course, the stares I received in my past life were entirely different from now – they gave off a different feeling after all.
Nevertheless, the exhaustion lingered.
‘I’ve been through too much to be giddy about this…’
“Young Master! Young Master!”
“Hmm?”
“Is something wrong?”
Wi Seol-Ah asked while rubbing her head against my shoulder.
The hairpiece I’d gifted her emanated a pleasant floral scent.
“No… why do you ask?”
“You seem to be in a good mood!”
“…”
At her cheerful words, I instinctively covered my mouth.
Had I unintentionally been in a good mood?
‘…I’m getting goosebumps.’
Had I truly become so excited over receiving attention just because I defeated children?
Thinking that way made me feel rather pitiful.
As my mood began to darken, a soft hand, like white jade, landed on my forehead.
“What’s up?”
“…Suddenly, your expression seemed to get worse…”
It was Namgung Bi-ah’s hand from where she lay in the medical room. At her words, I chuckled softly.
Who’s worrying about whom here?
“Just ensure you rest properly; you shouldn’t concern yourself with me.”
While saying this, I observed Namgung Bi-ah.
The sword wound crossing her chest.
Though she was a top-tier martial artist and the wound was minor, it didn’t change that it could’ve been dangerous.
The doctor had mentioned it wouldn’t leave a scar, so I suppose that was a silver lining.
However, it seemed Namgung Bi-ah didn’t much care if it left a scar or not.
In fact, Tang Soyeol had been in an uproar about how that shouldn’t happen.
“…I want to go out.”
At Namgung Bi-ah’s sudden proclamation, I shook my head.
“No.”
“Why…?”
“Clearly, as soon as you go out, you’re heading straight to the training area.”
“…”
“…Don’t look at me like that.”
When I had returned from my duel earlier, the first thing Namgung Bi-ah had said upon seeing me was that she wanted to leave.
I wouldn’t have minded if she simply wanted to take a stroll, but seeing her intently searching for her sword told me training was her primary intent.
‘Where did she learn to make those eyes look so pitiful?’
Lately, be it Wi Seol-Ah or Namgung Bi-ah, they had seemingly figured out the power of their beauty and began to use it to their advantage.
When I firmly denied her request, Namgung Bi-ah instantaneously returned to her usual expression.
And then she continued with a hint of disappointment in her tone.
“…Soyeol told me she would listen if I did this.”
“Sis… I distinctly remember not teaching you to use this for that purpose. Right?”
To prove her innocence, Tang Soyeol appeared.
She was curled up a bit, likely due to the biting cold outside.
Upon catching a glimpse of her, I asked, “Where have you been?”
“Oh… I went to see Young Lady Moyong.”
Listening to her while flowing my Qi to emit warmth made Tang Soyeol’s expression relax a bit as the chill started to dissipate.
Seeing that, I asked, “When you say Moyong, do you mean the Snow Phoenix?”
“Yes.”
While I sensed a strange connection between Tang Soyeol and Moyong Hi-ah, it didn’t appear they were particularly close.
If anything, it seemed Tang Soyeol was more likely than not nervous around her.
‘Was she bullied or something?’
However, judging by how boldly she dealt with that Hwangbo pig last time, it didn’t seem like Tang Soyeol had a weak personality.
Her friend Peng Ah-hee had described Tang Soyeol as having quite a strong character.
Her outward appearance contrasted sharply with her personality.
If we compared them to animals: Wi Seol-Ah would be a puppy, Namgung Bi-ah would be a cat…
And Tang Soyeol seemed most akin to a squirrel.
“Rodents always do have a fierce demeanor…”
“Huh?”
“Nothing really. Have you eaten?”
“I haven’t yet, as I wanted to eat with you…”
Tang Soyeol said this shyly, a bashful smile on her lips.
“Hmm? Are we eating?”
Wi Seol-Ah’s eyes sparkled at the mention of food.
I then delightedly pinched Wi Seol-Ah’s cheeks as if I had been waiting for this moment.
“Ugh…”
“…This just keeps getting worse.”
“Ugh…?”
I could tell the moment I touched them.
Wi Seol-Ah’s cheeks had grown even slimmer.
While she became increasingly pretty day by day, it left me dissatisfied as the sensation of touching her cheeks diminished.
“Are you sure you’re eating two bowls at a time?”
“Yeah… I had three earlier…”
“Then why is this happening? What are you hiding in your belly?”
Why on earth is she losing weight despite eating that much daily?
I even told her to keep snacks handy.
As I pondered aloud, Tang Soyeol spoke as if it were the most obvious thing ever.
“Your Highness… you never tried touching Seol-Ah’s stomach, right? What’s there to hide with a frame like that?”
“Isn’t it weirder if I touch it?”
Upon hearing my remark, Tang Soyeol nodded, realizing it made sense.
At that moment, Wi Seol-Ah tugged at her clothing and asked, “Stomach? Want me to show it to you?”
“…What… am I supposed to do with that? Just stay still.”
She seemed ready to lift her clothing any second, so I hastily pulled her hands down.
We weren’t the only ones in this medical room; what on earth was she thinking?
“You seemed curious, so…”
Could it have been because I rejected her request?
Wi Seol-Ah wore a sullen expression.
Was there really nothing else in her life to feel sorrow over but trivial matters like this?
I momentarily considered a light tap to her forehead but ended up just ruffling her hair instead.
Continuing our conversation, I asked, “So, how was the Snow Phoenix?”
About Moyong Hi-ah’s condition that I was really curious about.
“Eh? Um, she seemed fine overall. I think her clan is more concerned about her than the doctors are, making that a good thing.”
That was likely better than relying solely on the medical room’s doctors.
Especially considering the condition Moyong Hi-ah suffered from.
As far as I knew, even though she had attendants, they were also reputed for their medical skills.
She was one of the students of the Immortal Healer, after all.
‘She likely wasn’t seriously injured since I held back a bit.’
Thanks to that, I ended up using more Qi than I expected, but the end result was positive.
In truth, considering how the Snow Phoenix struggled to reach this high in the tournament, I wanted to exchange a few blows with her, yet because she had been in such a fragile state, I had to end it swiftly.
‘I don’t even know why she was in that state back then.’
Was it simply because she was younger than in my past life?
The Snow Phoenix I remembered was a woman who never displayed confusion.
She was a cold figure, one who wouldn’t blink an eye in the snowfield on her own.
Even when faced with death, she remained unfazed.
The Snow Phoenix had only appeared shocked in my memory one singular time.
And recalling that it had been due to me, I couldn’t help but feel discomfort.
‘Old Man Shin probably cursed at me.’
That was guaranteed.
That old man would’ve surely scorned me for having another woman around me.
‘I wonder when he’ll wake up again.’
I didn’t think he had disappeared completely.
After all, I could distinctly sense his presence within me, particularly as I reached higher tiers of power.
It had been a few days since I met Jang Seonyeon, and although I understood the situation with the Ya Hyeoljeok battle,
Was my emotional turmoil truly sufficient to keep him dormant for this long?
‘I can’t believe there’s absolutely nothing I can figure out.’
The fact that I didn’t understand my own physique was incredibly frustrating.
“Hey…”
While I was lost in my thoughts, a voice suddenly broke through my contemplation.
“Can I go… see tomorrow?”
Namgung Bi-ah asked cautiously.
She was likely referring to the upcoming duel.
“Where do you plan to go with your body like that?”
“I can move…”
I was aware of how deeply Namgung Bi-ah yearned to train right at that moment.
Having grasped something profound, how could she not desire to move?
‘If it were enlightenment I would forget in a short while, I might have jumped up straight away,’
But looking at her, it didn’t seem like Namgung Bi-ah would easily forget that enlightenment.
Even now, her eyes were alive with the sword dance she’d been visualizing.
She must’ve longed to swing it then and there.
The reason she restrained herself was likely due to my words.
I wanted to tell her to rest again the following day.
Even if it seemed like excessive protection, her chest wound made it difficult to say anything different.
“Tomorrow…”
Still, knowing she was containing her martial artist instincts just for me, I felt I could no longer hold her back.
“It’s okay, as long as you’re careful. You’re allowed to move.”
In the end, I gave her the answer she awaited.
After I expressed my approval, Namgung Bi-ah beamed as if she had been waiting for just that.
‘I had something I wanted to show her as well.’
Just as she wished to present something to me…
There was, too, something I wanted to unveil for her.
Though the nuances might differ somewhat from hers.
So the next day…
I stood face to face with Jang Seonyeon on the dueling stage.
The moment I had been waiting for had finally arrived.
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