Chapter: 287
The sweltering heat lingers still.
What is happening over there?
So much so that one needn’t even look.
It was filled with dense heat and tension.
Even though it was a winter’s night surrounded by cold,
The chill was hardly felt.
Sabak.
The leaves rustle underfoot.
Leaving the palpable heat behind,
Wi Seol-ah walked a bit.
If possible, she aimed for a place where the moonlight shone brightly. It felt like the right choice.
—Is it okay if I don’t look?
She didn’t focus on the voice that drifted in.
It was a voice that seemed moist with concern.
But now was not the time for such things.
She didn’t travel too far.
After all, the secondary exam was temporarily frozen,
So she had to return soon.
As she walked a little farther, she fortunately found a spot where the moonlight poured down clearly.
Just as she slowly approached and settled down,
“That’s unexpected.”
The person who had been following behind finally spoke up.
She knew it.
She sensed he was following her.
“I thought you would watch what he does.”
“…”
“I guess you’re not curious.”
For some reason, a fissure appeared on the smiling man’s face.
Along with it came an unpleasant emotion.
Seeing that, Wi Seol-ah kept her mouth shut.
Because she didn’t want to engage in conversation.
“You ignored my request and set out first.”
“I have no obligation to grant your request.”
At Wi Seol-ah’s sharp words, Jang Seon-yeon chuckled softly.
“It’s always the same with you, but I don’t understand.”
“What do you mean?”
“Tell me why you hate me so much.”
Despite Jang Seon-yeon’s words, Wi Seol-ah wore an expressionless face.
“I haven’t done anything to you. Why do you hate me so?”
“I suppose that’s still the case.”
“… Hah.”
At such a firm statement,
Jang Seon-yeon merely smiled bitterly.
“How can you be so sure? As if you’re certain I’m going to do something.”
“Isn’t it?”
Wi Seol-ah’s tone was nonchalant.
As if she was sure he would indeed do something.
Such solid words left Jang Seon-yeon speechless.
“… You really are going too far.”
“You too. You’re not denying it.”
“If I deny it, can you trust me?”
“No.”
Heh heh.
Jang Seon-yeon laughed.
A thought that had been occupying her mind recently wouldn’t leave.
‘It’s tangled.’
Literally.
A road that should have been smooth and straightforward.
There was a sense that it had gone awry from somewhere.
‘Where did it all start?’
Where had it gone wrong?
Her thoughts and plans should have been perfect.
Moreover, she prided herself on having the talent to support him.
‘What on earth…?’
Not just the people around her.
Even that woman.
It only felt like things were getting more complicated.
Countless reviewers and acquaintances around sent her admiration and expectations.
Yet the ones she cared about most felt differently. Why was there such a gap?
While pondering that,
Jang Seon-yeon already knew the answer.
‘It must be because of him.’
Jang Seon-yeon recalled the face that flickered in her mind.
He was someone she hadn’t given much thought to when she first saw him.
Just when many were interested and staring at him,
She distinctly remembered his gaze being different.
Malice.
At that time, the guy’s eyes were filled with malice.
Did he even think to hide it?
The gaze was thick with contempt.
Since it was the first time someone had looked at her like that,
She couldn’t forget that moment.
‘Why is that?’
Jang Seon-yeon didn’t know.
At least she hadn’t done anything to deserve that look yet.
And if she did,
She would’ve done it without anyone noticing.
Just plain malice.
Jang Seon-yeon wasn’t accustomed to that kind of gaze.
But she didn’t think deeply about it either.
He must feel that way because he envied her.
She thought it was the eyes of someone who covets what they cannot have.
‘Hah.’
While lost in such thoughts, Jang Seon-yeon sighed inwardly.
She felt contemptible for having thought so little of herself.
‘He envies me?’
Did he truly?
That couldn’t be.
She was just a stage for him to shine.
But all the attention was drawn elsewhere.
The True Dragon.
Just thinking about it made her stomach churn.
It was a nickname that made her heart race.
Why.
Why was that jerk from the same generation as her?
It was a wretched thought that always emerged just before she fell asleep.
Words filled with self-loathing.
A sentiment she never imagined she would have.
That guy, just as the title he earned indicated,
Was a dragon holding its breath amidst a flurry of snakes.
As its massive body writhed,
The feast of snakes, having barely maintained its semblance, collapsed.
That’s what his appearance was like back then.
He tried to change the subject,
Even if he donned a mask and claimed holy status.
How far could that go?
This was something Jang Seon-yeon had long come to understand.
Besides,
If he displayed such a facade from a distance now…
‘… Is he trying to show me something?’
As she pondered the jerk’s intentions,
Jang Seon-yeon ground her teeth.
Surely the reason he began to assert himself and make an impression was just to flaunt that to her.
She was confident of this.
—You say you think I’m garbage too.
When she asked why he despised her so,
This was what Gu Yangcheon had commented.
Just recalling it raised her ire, given the coarse tone and sharply mocking expression.
Conversely, she felt a questioning itch.
‘How did he know?’
For some reason,
Gu Yangcheon spoke to her as if he understood every facet of her.
Clearly, they had not seen or heard of one another before the Dragon Clan Gathering.
‘It doesn’t sit right with me.’
How could it sit well?
He had snatched away all the attention she desired.
And furthermore,
‘What irks me most is that he possesses the talent to validate it.’
As much as she hated to admit it,
He was of another caliber compared to other reviewers.
Like a star shining alone, falling from the heavens.
A star?
How absurd.
Even among the geniuses hailed as stars in this “Meteor Generation,”
He was on a completely different trajectory.
That’s precisely why.
‘He must be eradicated.’
She had to remove him from her sight.
Because the brightest star should always be herself.
Now visible, the Sword Dragon and Sleeping Dragon also irked her,
But they weren’t nearly as infuriating as Gu Yangcheon.
Suffocating inside, Jang Seon-yeon glanced at the woman before her.
Though her features were obscured by her hood,
She was a remarkably beautiful woman.
Her allure hadn’t struck her as such at first,
But as time passed, she seemed to radiate more and more beauty.
More fittingly than the faint moonlight.
In stark contrast,
Her appearance was better suited to the broad daylight.
Ironically,
It seemed to stem from the sword techniques forged while gazing at her own “Black Moon.”
This woman grew more enchanting with each passing day.
Her lineage was invaluable to Jang Seon-yeon.
The sole successor of the Sword Venerable.
Moreover, the woman was exceptionally talented.
‘No matter how remarkable that Gu Yangcheon is.’
Could he possibly be in any way comparable to her, who had surpassed the threshold in merely two years?
“I thought you wouldn’t forget.”
At Jang Seon-yeon’s words, Wi Seol-ah bit her lip subtly.
“I mean, when I stand on the highest pedestal here, you will belong to me.”
Before arriving here,
It was a wager and a vow shared with Wi Seol-ah.
She inquired in response.
“… Have you forgotten the counter proposition?”
“Ah, that one?”
At Wi Seol-ah’s words, Jang Seon-yeon smiled gently.
The emotion behind that smile made Wi Seol-ah frown.
“If I am unable to do that, I’m ready to comply.”
What was it?
Had she asked her father for permission to enter the Taecheon Magic Realm?
Also, had she shown a desire to acquire one of the precious items owned by the Jang Clan?
“May I ask you one thing?”
“…”
It seemed Wi Seol-ah was disregarding her completely.
Ignoring that, Jang Seon-yeon continued speaking.
“What is it that you find so appealing about him?”
“What?”
As the topic of Gu Yangcheon slipped from Jang Seon-yeon’s lips,
Wi Seol-ah’s voice and gaze iced over.
However, should that mean Jang Seon-yeon would fall silent now?
“I am aware you served at his household. Those memories must be very special, huh? It must have only been a little over a year.”
“What makes you think you know anything to speak so carelessly?”
“I don’t know, which is precisely why I seek knowledge from you. Clearly, you are quite upset.”
Even as she ground her teeth in rage, she held an unexpected beauty.
“I even heard tales of his engagement to another woman.”
“….”
“If you served him and developed feelings, that I would understand, but do you really believe there’s an empty space for you beside him now?”
In response to Jang Seon-yeon’s words,
Wi Seol-ah’s reaction was vehement.
As it had always been.
From long ago, Wi Seol-ah had an evident weakness regarding stories about that guy.
Is it really that good?
Is she really wishing for it that strongly?
Though she was averse to it,
That reaction made for a splendid means of provocation.
“You…”
“Perhaps you accepted my wager because deep down you believe I can’t advance with him around.”
In some ways, it must’ve felt like a comfortable statement for Wi Seol-ah.
The True Dragon had announced ambitions to reach the Heavenly Dragon Academy,
And moreover, Wi Seol-ah herself would also be going to the Heavenly Dragon Academy.
She probably thought this wager could be broken at any moment.
‘It seems you don’t realize yet.’
If one finds themselves rising too high to follow,
Simply drag them down, and that’s that.
This simple truth appeared to have escaped her notice.
‘Does your head resemble a bloom-filled garden?’
The world wouldn’t be so tranquil.
It seemed she still dwelled in peace all this time.
‘If you provoke me any further, it seems you might draw your sword.’
It looked as though she was trying hard to stifle her emotions.
Jang Seon-yeon could grasp the fact that Wi Seol-ah had reached her limit.
If she says just one more word now,
Could Wi Seol-ah resist?
Jang Seon-yeon found herself curious about that.
“Watch closely. Once he breaks down completely and bows to me…”
Clunk.
With a chilling sensation, Jang Seon-yeon summoned her energy.
Sure enough, if this kept up…
Thud.
“… Wait, what?”
Contrary to her expectations that Wi Seol-ah would swiftly draw her sword,
Jang Seon-yeon found herself taken aback by the sudden turn of events.
Someone had unexpectedly appeared before them.
Like a specter.
She hadn’t sensed a hint of anyone approaching until now.
Wi Seol-ah, too, was astonished by this revelation.
Amidst the stunned silence mixed with surprise,
A calm wind began to flow.
“… Sister?”
Wi Seol-ah’s voice floated through the air.
As she whispered those words, the figure that had intervened turned their gaze toward her.
Platinum hair shimmering under the moonlight.
Wearing navy blue robes.
Even the subtle energy felt was palpable.
‘…That woman.’
Jang Seon-yeon immediately recognized her opponent.
Even with a mask,
Such a figure was engraved deeply in her memory.
‘Sword Dancer…?’
The woman who had lost to her sword in the Dragon Clan Gathering.
Geommuhee, Namgung Bi-ah turned at Wi Seol-ah’s call and regarded that direction.
She then waved her hand lightly and spoke to Wi Seol-ah.
“… Hello.”
A serene tone echoing the ambiance perfectly.
Wi Seol-ah, peering at her, wore an astonished expression.
“Why is my sister…?”
“… I was searching for you. I’m relieved to have found you.”
“Me?”
“Yeah…”
Wi Seol-ah’s eyes trembled at Namgung Bi-ah’s words.
Observing that expression,
Namgung Bi-ah slowly opened her lips again.
“I still haven’t properly introduced myself…”
After explaining the reason for her search,
She initiated another request with Wi Seol-ah.
“It’s been a long time.”
“… Yes, it has.”
“Have you been well?”
Her tone was detached.
But as she listened, it carried a somewhat gentle undertone, as if genuinely pleased to meet her again.
Yet, Wi Seol-ah,
In response to the “Have you been well?” inquiry, couldn’t muster a reply.
She simply bit her lips in silence.
As Namgung Bi-ah tried to step closer to Wi Seol-ah at that moment,
“Sword Dancer.”
Jang Seon-yeon interrupted, summoning Namgung Bi-ah’s attention.
“… It’s a pleasure to see you again after so long, however, she and I have yet to finish our conversation.”
Contrary to her usual tone, Jang Seon-yeon’s voice carried a chill today.
Faced with several aspects that displeased her, she found it difficult to restrain her emotions.
“Let’s talk later…”
“Who?”
“… What?”
Namgung Bi-ah slowly turned her head to look at Jang Seon-yeon as she addressed her.
Jang Seon-yeon momentarily found herself speechless.
After thinking for a long moment, she felt as if she had misheard.
“What did you just say?”
“You… who are you?”
But it seemed her hearing had indeed been accurate.
Namgung Bi-ah repeated the question just as it had been asked before.
Tilting her head, she asked Jang Seon-yeon who exactly she was.
Jang Seon-yeon struggled to keep a smile while suppressing her bubbling anger.
And took a step closer to Namgung Bi-ah.
That can’t be possible.
“Don’t joke around, Sword Dancer.”
At that moment in the arena,
The woman who had viciously swung her sword toward her,
She couldn’t possibly forget her? That was utterly ridiculous.
“There’s no way you wouldn’t remember me…”
“… Don’t come closer.”
With that, Namgung Bi-ah gestured for her not to approach, firmly drawing a line.
Although the mask concealed her expression,
Her voice bore a sound as if she struggled to articulate it.
What in the world was happening?
As Jang Seon-yeon’s expression began to shift ever so slightly,
“… You reek… Don’t come any closer…”
At Namgung Bi-ah’s resolute statement,
Jang Seon-yeon’s mask finally shattered.
Whoosh!
Surrounding area burst into flames.
A massive torrent of fire, imbued with a fiery red hue,
Seemed to intentionally create a ruckus all around.
Boom!
“Argh!”
A nearby reviewer was swept off by the wind pressure and floated into the air,
Landing roughly on the ground. A multitude were in a similar predicament.
The instructors could only scramble to manage the chaos they couldn’t control.
Crunch!
The heat that passed through engulfed an ancient tree.
Whoosh!
Visible before them, the tree consumed by flames was reduced to ash.
Watching the area engulfed in fire,
There was no doubt it resembled a scene from hell.
‘That’s remarkable.’
Watching from a distance, Bi Eejin felt the rising heat.
He expressed his satisfaction.
‘The ability to control one’s energy is quite impressive.’
Despite the great fireball rampaging around,
It seemed only one or two were scorched occasionally.
Nothing ignited in the proximity.
In other words,
Even while exerting such force,
The control displayed was near flawless.
‘And at that age, no less?’
My word.
Thinking of the master behind this ferocious flame,
Pajon couldn’t help but smile with approval.
It was at a level surpassing his expectations.
Whoosh!
“Ugh!”
As the heat began to seep in their direction,
Vivi, who’d been watching alongside, startled and sought refuge behind Bi Eejin.
Hoo!
Seeing that, Bi Eejin discreetly revealed a smile.
“…Wow…”
It appeared, perhaps due to the slight lessening of the heat,
Vivi was agog, her eyes shimmering as she gazed at the flames.
“Isn’t that something? How can they do such a thing…?”
“Isn’t that quite something indeed?”
“Of course!”
Though it seems outstanding among the later indices,
In the end, it was still a later index.
The opponent was known as a master called Geomhu.
In such heated circumstances, the flames rose so high and thick
That it obscured all signs of what was happening within.
‘Incredible…!’
Vivi’s eyes sparkled.
She had thought only her brother could accomplish such feats.
Was it typical among the Six Dragons and Three Peaks?
It was understandable that she might feel disappointed in herself upon feeling the stark disparities in talent,
Yet Vivi felt nothing but awe.
“I didn’t anticipate the inspection being postponed.”
“Who said they were forced back?”
At Vivi’s words, Bi Eejin abruptly interrupted.
“Well, as it stands, your esteemed swordmaster seems unable to act. So the reasoning for their being “forced back” is…”
“Unable to act, you say…”
Hmmm.
Upon Vivi’s words, Bi Eejin lightly stroked his beardless chin, presenting a perplexed demeanor.
It was usual for him to react that way.
That is to say, either he had made an odd comment, or he had heard something unusual but didn’t want to go through the hassle of correcting it.
“Geez…”
He didn’t like that response.
As Vivi chuckled and attempted to tickle Bi Eejin’s side,
Rustle.
“Hmm?”
The raucous sounds destroying the surroundings suddenly fell silent.
A flower petal drifted in from somewhere and landed delicately upon Vivi’s nose.
“Oing?”
Curious, she reached out to touch it, only for the petal to glimmer slightly before disintegrating into powder and disappearing.
Seeing that unfold, Vivi hurriedly turned to Bi Eejin.
“Brother, just now…”
“Keep an eye out. An intriguing moment is upon us.”
Bi Eejin’s reaction seemed to suggest he’d anticipated this outcome.
Vivi puffed out her lips in a childish pout but, true to his word, redirected her focus to the heart of the flames.
Nothing visible just yet, however.
Slowly, subtle changes began to emerge in Vivi’s eyes.
‘Huh?’
From within the raging flames,
The petals began to interlace together.
‘What is this…?’
Her mind hesitated momentarily.
But she soon recognized it.
These were plum blossom leaves.
Countless plum leaves started to envelop the flames, riding upon the inferno.
Looking on, Bi Eejin thought.
‘Not bad, but somewhat clumsy.’
While the preparation was on point and his ability to control himself was astounding,
He appeared to be lacking in outright combat.
The reason the inspection seemed to be lagging in such an instance was straightforward.
He simply evaded the attacks.
He was merely employing light steps and maintaining distance, evading all those wild flames.
Moments later.
Whoosh!
The plum leaves, swept by the wind, turned into a whirlwind.
All the surrounding flames, consumed by this gust, were lifted into the air,
Putting an end to the fiery blaze.
‘Oh…’
Bi Eejin couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration at this display.
The vast abundance of flames came to vanish,
Instantly erased by the breath of the wind.
‘Has something shifted?’
Bi Eejin felt puzzled as he gazed at Geomhu.
If it were the Geomhu of old,
They surely would have adopted a softer approach this time.
She had adopted a rather harsh demeanor with her juniors.
Not typical of her.
This suggested,
It seemed Geomhu possessed expectations for that child.
Show me more.
This much was merely disappointing.
She had high expectations indeed.
Even he himself had been somewhat satisfied up to that recently revealed display.
‘Her time has shaped her into something more prudent.’
Had she said such a thing in front of her superior,
She would have raised her sword in declaration.
But since it was merely a thought she had to herself, it mattered little.
Grinning happily, Bi Eejin shifted his gaze from Geomhu to others around.
‘So now, what do you plan to do?’
All the surrounding flames had extinguished.
Though the heat lingered,
Gu Yangcheon, the master of flames,
remained with a furrowed brow as he looked upon Geomhu.
He likely understood.
That the current circumstances scrutinized him.
It wasn’t merely an entrance exam.
Gu Yangcheon was aware he stood on Geomhu’s examination table.
‘How will you choose to present yourself?’
A frown etched on the countenance of the world’s foremost swordsman,
He appeared to hold considerable discontent,
Interpreting it to imply,
Isn’t this enough?
But Geomhu wore an expression filled with anticipation, just as she had at the outset.
“Sigh.”
Observing this, Gu Yangcheon finally exhaled.
Along with it came a shift in expression, appearing as though he had surrendered.
Yet Bi Eejin felt a wave of longing wash over him.
This dissatisfaction wasn’t simply about Gu Yangcheon’s resignation.
‘It seems he intends to hide something.’
It appeared he had more to reveal but chose not to.
That bit of mystery was somewhat disconcerting.
‘Still, to this degree, it’s apparent that child suits the role…?’
What was regrettable, remained regrettable.
Just as Bi Eejin solidified his belief that Gu Yangcheon was indeed the right choice,
“I trust that the inspection will be conducted without issues by you, Geomhu.”
“… Huh? What do you mean by that?”
“Please take good care of me.”
The moment Gu Yangcheon uttered that cryptic remark,
Phew!
“…!”
Both Bi Eejin and Geomhu’s eyes widened simultaneously.
As Gu Yangcheon spread his palms and closed his eyes,
The surrounding air shifted dramatically.
“Flame Jade.”
The night sky pivoted.
My site has received a lot of DMCA notices, lol. From now on, I will update the MTL on https://darkmtl.com/.
The site is fast and lightweight because there are no ads yet. However, the theme is different from Cybor-TL, so take some time to familiarize yourself.
Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.