Chapter 160: The Thing I Wished To Show You (4)
‘…What…?’
Finally managing to adjust her posture, Namgung Bi-ah thought to herself in utter bewilderment. What on earth was happening?
Drip.
Blood trickled down her mouth once again.
Namgung Bi-ah wore a rare frown as she processed the situation.
She seemed unable to control her Qi due to the overwhelming shock to her body.
‘…I couldn’t see it…’
What kind of impact had that been? Even during the moment when she was attacked, Namgung Bi-ah had no clue what action Jang Seonyeon had taken.
First, she had to grasp her unruly Qi to manage it somehow.
But before that…
‘…!’
Namgung Bi-ah instinctively pinched her nose before she could wipe the blood off her face.
She detected an awful stench.
‘Why…?’
She couldn’t grasp it.
Just a moment ago, she had hardly noticed any foul smell.
Habitually, she looked around.
This was to see if he was close by.
In the crowd, Namgung Bi-ah quickly spotted Tang Soyeol and Wi Seol-Ah, and then the person she had been searching for.
He was staring at Jang Seonyeon with wide eyes.
It looked as if he were in shock.
‘…He’s here… but then why?’
He was standing nearby…
At this distance, the stench shouldn’t have reached her that strongly…
‘But then why…? Why can I smell it?’
“Where are you looking?”
–!
Instinctively, Namgung Bi-ah moved her body.
Slash!
With a sensation of something slashing her cheek, blood spattered.
‘The sword…!’
Namgung Bi-ah immediately tried to regain control of her Qi to re-establish her sword stance…
Ring!
“Ugh…!”
But Jang Seonyeon was quicker.
The sharp resonance of his sword brought pain coursing through her.
Her sword stance crumbled and the Qi she had been channeling dispersed.
In that moment of vulnerability…
Jang Seonyeon seized the opportunity.
Bang!
Along with the impact that resonated through her abdomen, Namgung Bi-ah’s body was sent flying.
“Agh…!”
Although she had barely managed to defend with her Qi, the shock was still felt.
Spatter!
She wobbled but somehow regained her footing.
Blood continued to trickle down from her mouth.
After finally getting some distance, Namgung Bi-ah needed to calm her swirling Qi.
‘…It’s strange…’
He was much faster than at the start of their battle, and his strikes felt heavier.
Almost as if he had transformed into a different person.
The Jang Seonyeon she had faced earlier had certainly displayed intimidating skills, but didn’t appear capable of harnessing them to the fullest.
This indicated he still lacked experience.
While he was superior to many others Namgung Bi-ah had faced, when compared to all the talented individuals she had encountered, he didn’t stand out much.
‘Then what about now?’
It felt wholly different now.
The level of martial intent she sensed from him was entirely beyond what it had been before.
“I do feel sorry for you.”
Jang Seonyeon gazed at Namgung Bi-ah as he spoke.
Confused, she raised her eyebrows, prompting him to clarify.
“I’m still not accustomed to it, so if possible, I wanted to avoid using it.”
Ring…
The sound of his sword resonated continuously.
To Namgung Bi-ah, it sounded like a growl.
What did he mean by not being used to it?
Did he refer to his technique?
Or was it something else?
Jang Seonyeon merely smiled at Namgung Bi-ah’s puzzled expression.
“I never expected to use it in our spar but look where we are now.”
As he stepped forward, Namgung Bi-ah quickly summoned her Master of Swords once again.
Jang Seonyeon’s expression shifted to astonishment.
“…Your body must be in excruciating pain. I commend your resolve, Lady Namgung.”
Namgung Bi-ah felt a chilling sensation as Jang Seonyeon referred to her.
However, just as Jang Seonyeon said, her body was not in good condition.
Even now, her Master of Swords was barely under her control.
This might have also been due to the unbearable stench wafting about her.
‘…I feel like I’m going to puke.’
She started to piece it together.
The stench wasn’t emanating from Jang Seonyeon.
But rather, the noxious miasma she thought had vanished when Gu Yangcheon appeared was flooding back, overwhelming her senses once again.
‘…Why…’
She didn’t understand the reason behind this feeling.
Everything felt tight, and her surroundings darkened.
She was stepping back into the hell she had battled her whole life against.
No matter how much she pinched her nose, the stench simply wouldn’t abate.
It was agonizingly painful.
Why was this so excruciating?
She had lived through it all her life, yet it felt drastically harder than she remembered.
‘…I want to run away.’
She longed to escape on the spot.
With him so close, what if she rushed to him and hugged him? Would the foul odor finally dissipate?
She was desperate enough to entertain such notions.
But regardless…
“Phew…”
Namgung Bi-ah steeled herself once again.
She hadn’t said those words just to display a feeble side to him.
– Believe in me.
She hadn’t shared that sentiment for no reason.
She despised the worry reflected in his gaze.
This thought had lingered in Namgung Bi-ah’s mind since that incident with the volcano.
‘I hate my incompetence.’
It was a sentiment she had never allowed herself to feel before, but it had begun to creep in lately.
She recalled the times when she felt utterly helpless.
Just watching him from behind with a broken arm, utterly incapable of helping.
She despised herself for being a burden.
His concern and attention had become a source of happiness for her.
Happiness.
That was the first emotion Namgung Bi-ah understood clearly.
She was happy beside him.
Able to enjoy peaceful sleep and breathe freely within his presence.
She cherished meandering walks while admiring the scenery.
Though she only realized it later, she knew she appreciated such moments because of him.
Closing her eyes now conjured warm visions rather than nightmares.
Namgung Bi-ah named this happiness.
That’s why she couldn’t relinquish it.
She didn’t want to remain at his side while being so helpless.
‘Can I truly be of assistance to him if I can’t even exist without him?’
Namgung Bi-ah didn’t believe so.
He wouldn’t want someone so useless beside him.
Thus, she absolutely refused to become such a person.
Namgung Bi-ah had to prove she was capable of standing on her own two feet.
“Hmm…”
Jang Seonyeon murmured.
It was because Namgung Bi-ah’s sword was once again directed at him.
“Do you not intend to forfeit?”
He would have preferred if she did.
He didn’t wish to exhaust his power any further.
Furthermore, he hadn’t expected he would have to use it in such a trivial tournament.
‘I didn’t expect to utilize it against the Lightning Dragon either.’
‘Yet, here I am, surprised to discover two individuals surpassing my expectations.’
Jang Seonyeon felt a flicker of annoyance at the realization that Peng Woojin’s taunts were proving accurate.
Clench.
He tightened his grip on the sword.
In his though hardened body, the Qi and newfound energy melded together, creating a force of explosive strength.
Jang Seonyeon set his gaze on Namgung Bi-ah.
Her face was smudged with blood, her hair tousled.
Moreover, her skin was dust-laden from rolling on the ground.
Despite the disarray, Namgung Bi-ah’s eyes remained calm and resolute.
He was seeing the invincible figure from before.
The green-haired girl had been just like this. Jang Seonyeon couldn’t fathom the reason.
How could they not despair?
Why wouldn’t they run?
What kept them from feeling fear while facing an insurmountable wall?
‘It’s infuriating.’
The sight of those proud martial artists refusing to yield stirred up annoyance within him.
To cling so stubbornly to their dignity as if their group hadn’t already rotted into decay—what could be more contemptible?
‘Are they still dreaming without acknowledging reality?’
‘What is there to gain from such delusions?’
‘Disgusting.’
Those words weren’t directed at them but rather at himself.
He wished to be above crowds, thus could not allow himself the luxury of self-deceit.
He merely felt envy.
They appeared more formidable than the one who had chosen a different route after being flattened by the wall standing before him.
‘Don’t let yourself rot.’
He cast aside nonsensical thoughts.
He should remember he was the one chosen.
Jang Seonyeon advanced toward Namgung Bi-ah.
‘If she won’t concede, then I must compel her to.’
He wasn’t used to this newfound pace of his own.
Nevertheless, he swung his sword. The Lightning Qi generated a barrier for defense, but Jang Seonyeon’s sword sliced through it like it was mere paper.
Clang!
The clang of metal rang out as the swords collided.
The sound was clean, yet the ensuing burst of Qi was far from it.
Shockwaves spread in all directions.
Namgung Bi-ah couldn’t withstand the impact and wobbled.
Continuing his onslaught, Jang Seonyeon showed no signs of relenting.
Clang! Clang!
Fueled by energy, his body moved even faster and became more destructive, ensnaring his opponent with the ringing of his sword.
‘A little quicker.’
As he grew more accustomed to the energy, Jang Seonyeon picked up speed.
The power behind his sword inevitably strengthened as well; the sound of his blade slicing the air grew increasingly fierce.
But…
‘Why.’
‘Why isn’t it reaching her?’
Bang!
With a thunderous stomp, he unleashed a wave of Qi forward.
Ring!
His sword resonated in tandem.
ClKlklk!
The blades clashed fiercely together.
But still…
Clang!
Jang Seonyeon’s sword failed to make contact with Namgung Bi-ah.
“…How?”
He accidentally muttered aloud.
Jang Seonyeon found himself baffled by the peculiar situation unfolding before him.
He had speed on his side, even strength superior to hers.
‘There’s no way I should be pushed back while utilizing this energy. So why can’t I break through?’
He tried to carve through with rapid strikes, yet Namgung Bi-ah managed to nullify them all.
Ring…
Jang Seonyeon’s eyes widened at the sudden sound. It was a sharp sword resonance.
He quickly checked his weapon, but the sound wasn’t originating from his sword.
Ring…
A faint, yet distinct sound filled the air.
No ‘mistake about it. This was originating from Namgung Bi-ah’s sword.
‘…Sword Resonance?’
The sound that stabbed at his ears was fundamentally different from the artificial resonance he produced.
Instead, it represented true sword resonance, achievable only when a swordsman reached a certain realm and became in harmony with their weapon.
‘But why did she wait until now to showcase her sword resonance?’
‘Did she have a hidden card?’
‘But isn’t it rather late for her to exert it now?’
Right now, Namgung Bi-ah looked even more disheveled from fending off his numerous strikes.
She had blood flowing from her nose and hands since she couldn’t block all the impacts.
Yet, the determination in her eyes burned brightly.
To Jang Seonyeon, she appeared more composed than before.
He couldn’t allow that to happen.
“Why are you still standing there?”
“…”
“Give up. There’s nothing to gain from continuing this fight.”
She remained silent. Instead, Namgung Bi-ah lifted her sword once more in response to Jang Seonyeon.
Ring!
The tone of her sword resonated even clearer than before.
It seemed like a declaration that the battle was far from over.
Jang Seonyeon gritted his teeth and aligned all his Qi for an even greater assault.
Ring!
Jang Seonyeon’s sword echoed along with hers, but the essence of their sounds differed significantly.
He found it displeasing.
‘Why won’t my sword resonate like that? I should be far superior.’
‘I’m the chosen one, so why is this happening?’
“…Eliminate trivial thoughts.”
A sudden voice startled Jang Seonyeon.
Namgung Bi-ah had spoken after a prolonged silence.
“…Focus.”
At first, he assumed she was addressing him…
But it turned out to be her self-talk.
Ring!
Namgung Bi-ah’s sword resonance intensified.
“…I can do this.”
She murmured.
It seemed as if she was concentrating on something.
There and then, Jang Seonyeon made a key realization about Namgung Bi-ah.
Her eyes exuded determination…
But it was not him who she was gazing at.
Instead, she appeared to be absorbed in something entirely different.
Enlightenment.
That’s right.
Namgung Bi-ah was entering a state of enlightenment.
“…You dare…”
‘Is she using me as a stepping stone for her enlightenment?’
‘In the midst of battle, no less?’
Shhhh!
A haze began to swirl around Jang Seonyeon’s shoulders.
The light blue fog was stunning in its beauty.
“I didn’t anticipate I would have to go this far.”
It was referred to as Divine Qi amongst meteorites.
This force was reserved solely for the chosen by heaven, making it a fitting title.
A blue mist began to envelop Jang Seonyeon’s sword.
It presented an exquisite shimmer, yet the strength hidden within was dark and vast.
“Do not regret your actions…”
‘This is all a result of your doing.’
Jang Seonyeon hoisted his sword and charged towards Namgung Bi-ah.
Namgung Bi-ah, too, started to make her move slowly.
Her graceful steps propelled her sword, which flowed forth, powered by her Lightning Qi.
There wasn’t much Qi endowed to her sword, nor was her Master of Swords actively in play…
Yet, Namgung Bi-ah unwaveringly propelled herself into Jang Seonyeon’s arena.
At last, the two swords clashed.
Light exploded into being in the arena for an instant. Soundless, ushered only by blinding light.
When the brilliance that enveloped the arena dissipated…
Only silence remained in the space where they had faced off.
The encounter happened in a heartbeat, and the conclusion was all but clear.
The judge, after confirming the end of the battle, raised his hand and proclaimed.
“…Victory goes to Jang Seonyeon.”
It was Jang Seonyeon standing proudly…
While Namgung Bi-ah lay unconscious on the ground.
—Woaaahhhh!
The audience erupted with cheers, shattering the silence.
Yet Jang Seonyeon remained still, absorbed in his own thoughts.
Suddenly sensing a presence behind him, he slowly turned around.
There stood someone lifting the unconscious Namgung Bi-ah.
A boy with raven-black hair clad in a crimson uniform.
Gu Yangcheon had emerged as if from thin air, scooping up Namgung Bi-ah.
In that instant, their eyes met.
Faced with Gu Yangcheon’s fierce glare, Jang Seonyeon didn’t utter a word.
Instead, it was Gu Yangcheon who broke the silence first.
“What’s with that gloomy expression?”
His voice contained no hint of emotion.
Jang Seonyeon found himself at a loss when processing the meaning behind his words.
Gloomy expression?
What kind of expression was he making that prompted such a reaction?
“It seems you’re quite aware of the horrid act you committed, judging by that wretched expression plastered across your face.”
His words were rough and devoid of propriety.
Typically, one would feel the urge to retort, but Jang Seonyeon found himself unable to respond.
For some inexplicable reason, his mouth refused to move.
Gu Yangcheon kept his focus on him and chose not to say anything further; he walked down from the arena with Namgung Bi-ah still in his arms.
As the judge followed, leaving Jang Seonyeon standing alone amidst the cheers, he quietly covered his face with his hands.
For some reason, it felt like the appropriate action to take.
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