The Sword Speaks for the Warrior
“Th-the winner is Dan Mok-gyeong of the patrol unit!”
The shocking declaration sent the crowd into chaos.
“Namgung Huy lost?”
“The Azure Dragon Sword, Namgung Huy?”
Both the victor and the defeated stood frozen in disbelief. Mok-gyeong sheathed her sword, her expression barely under control.
“If my luck had been any worse…”
Without the sudden enlightenment during the match, she would have suffered a humiliating defeat. Knowing that, she could only count herself fortunate. Enlightenment came without warning, after all.
“I… lost?”
Namgung Huy had believed that reaching the Peak realm at his age meant he would never taste defeat. The sight of his sword flying from his hand and the reality of his loss refused to sink in.
Yet there was no denying it. His blade lay three jang away, rolling across the ground.
Staggering forward, Namgung Huy retrieved his sword and forced a bright smile as he clasped his hands in salute.
“A-a fine match! Hahaha!”
His laughter sounded painfully forced.
“It doesn’t feel like I won.”
She had emerged from a trance to find Namgung Huy staring at her, weaponless. Instead of joy, Mok-gyeong felt only awkwardness and a quiet sigh.
She returned the salute with a troubled face.
“It was a good match, Young Hero Namgung Huy.”
—
As expected of the protagonist, her growth was absurd. Exchanging a few techniques with a Peak master and reaching that realm herself? Her awakening was so shocking that anyone watching might think Peak experts grew on trees.
…If I fought her now, would she break through again and beat me?
The thought was oddly impressive. If I just handed everything over and stepped back, maybe she’d take care of the Heavenly Demon on her own.
Of course, that was only idle speculation. I had no desire to follow the original novel’s tragic path, and forcing her into such danger would weigh on my conscience. The captain would have punched me square in the face if he knew I was even considering it.
“Benefactor. I have returned.”
“Well done. And congratulations on stepping onto the path of the Peak.”
“…Thank you.”
Despite her dramatic breakthrough and victory over a stronger opponent, Mok-gyeong’s expression remained subdued. She had won while lost in a trance and now doubted whether the victory was truly hers. She had wrestled with the same doubt in the original story.
“It doesn’t feel real.”
“You won, so don’t dwell on it. In the end, your sword clearly knocked his away.”
I patted her shoulder in reassurance. She seemed to draw some strength from my words and bowed her head, her face a little brighter.
“…Thank you, Benefactor.”
“No need for thanks. I didn’t do anything special.”
“You’re the only one who speaks to me like this.”
“Well, you could try being a little more sociable…”
She couldn’t keep acting like a loner forever. Once word spread of an under-twenty Peak expert, people would swarm her anyway. In the martial world, a Peak master before the age of twenty was rarer than once in a century, even among the Five Great Clans. That was why Namgung Huy had been hailed as the orthodox faction’s greatest rising star alongside his title of Azure Dragon Sword.
But this girl had no backing and still reached the Peak before twenty. Both the Martial Alliance and the great clans would soon take notice. Remembering how persistent they had been in the original novel… I wanted to keep her close, but did I even have the means?
Her goal was revenge against those who destroyed the Yunnan Dan family. To achieve that, she would need the support of a powerful faction. Yet here I was, merely a guest of the Hainan Sword Sect, with no faction of my own. Even if they accepted her, I doubted they could offer real help. The Hainan Sword Sect wasn’t exactly overflowing with resources, and while they valued righteousness, I couldn’t imagine them going out of their way for an outsider.
“This won’t be easy…”
“Pardon?”
“Ah, nothing. Just a lot on my mind.”
“Because of me?”
“No. Just too many things piling up.”
It wasn’t entirely a lie. There really was a mountain of work ahead.
And…
“Since you won, we’re enemies now.”
“Pardon?”
“Our final match will be between you and me.”
“I see.”
Mok-gyeong nodded, her face complicated. I didn’t press her. She already seemed burdened enough without me stirring the pot.
“Let’s do our best.”
“…I will win.”
“Good. That’s the spirit.”
Hesitating because we knew each other would only disappoint her.
“Let’s go eat.”
“Pardon?”
“We still have to eat to live. Can’t survive on tasteless food.”
Everyone knew how bland the patrol unit’s meals were. Mok-gyeong froze for a moment before nodding with a faint smile.
“…Yes.”
—
The final day of the tournament dawned.
I stretched beneath a cloudless sky. All that remained was to head to the arena for the last match.
On paper, I held the advantage—higher realm, more real combat experience. But my opponent was the protagonist. She could grow explosively from the smallest trigger.
Losing wouldn’t be catastrophic; I had other ways to obtain elixirs. Still, as a martial artist, I had no intention of going down easily.
I would fight to win. What kind of martial artist steps onto the stage already prepared to lose?
“Mister! Time’s up!”
“Got it! I’m coming!”
I fastened my sword at my waist and opened the door. Hye-ryeong stood waiting, dressed more elaborately than usual. Her outfit was less revealing but far more ornate.
“Hehe, I bought this recently when I went out! Isn’t it pretty?”
“It is.”
She had clothes like that? My confusion must have shown, because she grinned and explained where it came from. Personally, I still preferred the Hainan Sword Sect uniform, but saying so would ruin the mood. Humming softly, I walked beside her toward the arena.
All the way there, Hye-ryeong chattered happily, gesturing with her arms. She talked about how Wuhan’s markets were even larger than Chibi’s, how she had wandered the city while I trained. It was rather cute.
…Chest aside.
“Mister, you have to win!”
“Of course. Don’t worry. You know there’s still a pretty big gap between Mok-gyeong and me.”
“Even so, don’t let your guard down!”
“I know.”
Even as I said it, I couldn’t help worrying about what Mok-gyeong might pull during the match. But I had faced similar situations before. If I stayed calm, her experience gap would be my advantage.
“Hye-ryeong, I’m off.”
“I’ll cheer as loud as I can! You have to come back victorious!”
“Watch closely and don’t worry. I’ll bring back that elixir as the champion.”
Leaving Hye-ryeong behind, I made my way to the stage. Passing through the waiting area, I saw the crowd’s countless gazes and Mok-gyeong waiting for me. She met my eyes, clasped her hands in salute with a complicated expression, and bowed.
I returned the gesture as I stepped onto the platform. The unfamiliar judge cleared his throat and bellowed.
“Fellow martial artists! Welcome to the finals of the Martial Alliance Tournament! Today these two warriors, having defeated countless others, will prove whether they are truly worthy of the championship!”
He was more long-winded than usual. Must be because it was the final.
“Before we begin, allow me to introduce our finalists! From Yunnan, the swordsman who defeated the Azure Dragon Sword with exceptional skill to reach the finals—Dan Mok-gyeong!”
“Dan Mok-gyeong! Dan Mok-gyeong!”
“I bet three silver pieces on you—win!”
“Mok-gyeong! You have to win! The patrol unit’s dinner fund is riding on you!”
At least the patrol unit was supporting her. I glanced at the uniformed officers before turning back to the judge. It was my turn now.
“And his opponent! A swordsman from the Western Regions, known as the Blue-Eyed Envoy—Young Hero William!”
“You never know where life will take you…”
“Who would’ve thought a patrol member and a foreigner would reach the finals?”
Whispers rippled through the crowd. Given how unexpected the finalists were, it was understandable.
I smirked at Mok-gyeong.
“Both of you, step back five paces!”
We moved apart without hesitation. Once we had taken our positions, the judge shouted from the edge of the stage.
“Now! Let the final match begin!”