Chapter 75
Chapter 75
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 75
Chapter Title: Midnight Confessions
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I woke up in a daze. It was still a bit before my turn for night watch, but for some reason, sleep wouldn't come. Wi Seongcheon, sprawled out on the ground, blinked his eyes and quietly sat up.
He spotted Dang Seona sitting ramrod straight. Wi Seongcheon gave up on sleeping more. His turn was right after hers anyway.
Wi Seongcheon turned his head, looking for Pang Yeonhwa. She had finished her watch long ago and was curled up like a cat, fast asleep.
"Why not sleep more?"
Dang Seona turned her head back upon hearing his rustling and spoke. Wi Seongcheon chuckled softly in response.
"Better to stay awake than doze off in fits and starts."
"Is that so? Then come sit over here. I was getting bored anyway."
Dang Seona waved him over with a smile. Wi Seongcheon stood and sat down beside her. In front of the comfortably seated Dang Seona lay an assortment of hidden weapons.
Wi Seongcheon's eyes sparkled as he stared openly at her arsenal. Dang Seona let out a soft laugh at his gaze.
"You're making me self-conscious staring like that."
"It's my first time seeing hidden weapons laid out so openly."
"Why not ask Heeran? She'd probably show you, saying it's no big deal."
"Nah, that feels off. For a warrior who uses them, the types of hidden weapons are as secretive as their martial arts, right?"
"You know that, yet you're saying it's okay to look at mine?"
"Don't you want to show them?"
"No, it's fine. These ones aren't any real issue even if you see them."
As Wi Seongcheon said, hidden weapons were supposed to be secretive, but what truly mattered was how one wielded them.
Dang Seona didn't bother hiding hers. Seeing them ahead of time wouldn't make them any easier to deal with.
"How was it today?"
"Pardon?"
"The beast subjugation. Your first time, right?"
"It was... just strange, and a bit unsettling. Oh, don't misunderstand. It's not because of that ghost story you mentioned earlier."
That part hadn't fazed him at all. Even if the beasts were once human or animals, they were now threats to humanity. Dang Seona giggled.
"Honestly, I wanted to see you squirm."
"Why?"
"Because it's fun. Back when I told Heeran the same thing, she burst into tears."
"How old was she?"
"Heeran was nine. There was a beast outbreak in the forests of Sichuan, so Tang Clan warriors went out to exterminate them. Heeran and I tagged along. That was her first time killing a beast."
It had been over ten years ago already. Dang Seona smiled genuinely, reminiscing about that distant memory.
The moment was still vivid. Approaching the proud little Dang Heeran after her first kill.
"You know? Beasts used to be humans.
When she said that, Dang Heeran's face had gone pale. Her chubby cheeks, still baby-soft, had stiffened, and she'd wailed. It was a memory that brought joy every time she recalled it.
"You're so mischievous."
"But she got used to it soon enough. Even if they were once human, they're not anymore."
"You weren't hoping I'd bawl like Heeran, were you?"
"I did want to see that. But I didn't think you'd cry over something like this. I figured you'd be a little shocked, that's all."
"Guess I disappointed you by not being."
"A bit. But that made you even more intriguing."
Giggling, Dang Seona stared straight at Wi Seongcheon's face. It was a gaze that could feel burdensome, but Wi Seongcheon felt more delight than discomfort. One of the Dragon-Phoenix youths was openly showing interest in him.
"What intrigues you?"
"A lot. Heavenly Flower Sect, your martial arts. But you wouldn't answer if I asked directly, right?"
"I don't know much about Heavenly Flower Sect myself. As for martial arts... well, it's embarrassing for me to say after staring at your weapons, but I don't want to share."
"Why?"
"Because I might have to fight you someday."
Wi Seongcheon answered honestly. Experiencing Hwaina's poison firsthand. Staring at Dang Seona's weapons. It was all preparation for the day he'd inevitably face her. Dang Seona didn't seem surprised at all and just chuckled.
"Someday, huh. When? The Righteous Heaven Tournament?"
"That's too soon, isn't it?"
"You're right. The tournament's only a month away. Still... I'm curious. If you and I fought, who would win?"
"You, senior."
It wasn't false modesty. Wi Seongcheon truly believed and said it. He'd watched her fight all day.
But he couldn't get a read on her. Her hidden weapon techniques seemed utterly ordinary, not befitting her Dragon-Phoenix reputation.
That was just appearance. Imagining himself on the receiving end of those "ordinary" techniques left him with no answers. Plus, Dang Seona hadn't even properly used her poison arts. If they fought?
Total defeat.
"So I don't want to fight."
"You only want fights you can win?"
"Not necessarily. But winning is preferable, right?"
At least, he had no plans to challenge her at the Righteous Heaven Tournament.
"Among the Dragon-Phoenix youths, how strong are you, senior?"
"You're asking a tough one."
"Everyone's curious and loves hearing about it."
Who was the strongest among the Ten Heroes? Who was the strongest among the Dragon-Phoenix? As Wi Seongcheon said, everyone wondered and loved such talk.
"Thanks to getting close to you, I can even ask this. How great is that?"
Dang Seona burst into laughter at his playful remark. The others were still asleep, so her voice stayed very low. What part had amused her?
'Getting close.'
Wi Seongcheon was certain that phrase had triggered her laugh. Regardless of how Dang Seona saw it, he'd declared them close first, narrowing the distance. If she pushed him away now, well, that would be that.
"Whatever. No other Dragon-Phoenix around to hear, so no need to worry about their pride."
Dang Seona spoke in a voice laced with mirth.
"If it's a fight to the death, I'm the strongest."
She said it without hesitation, smiling. Martial arts were techniques for killing. Hidden weapons and poison, especially, were for slaying foes stealthily and effectively.
Thus, her confidence was absolute. She had honed assassination skills superior to any other Dragon-Phoenix.
"Even against Mu Yeonjun?"
"Yeah. In a fight to the death, I'd kill Mu Yeonjun before he could kill me."
Dang Seona spoke without pause this time too. Of course, it wouldn't be easy. But no matter the process, she was confident she could kill him.
Even if he had learned from one of the Ten Heroes, she was the direct disciple of the Poison Witch, another of the Ten.
"In a fight where killing's off-limits... I'd have to be humble. Top of the mid-tier at best?"
"What about Senior Jinu?"
Wi Seongcheon smiled and asked. That was his real aim. Little Buddha Jinu. His target at the Righteous Heaven Tournament.
He'd heard the same from Uha Yeon and Jeong Mi-ju.
Total defeat.
"Senior Jinu is strong."
Dang Seona replied.
"He has no weaknesses. You know the saying, 'All the world's martial arts come from Shaolin'?"
"Yes."
It was arrogant, but most in the martial world acknowledged it.
Shaolin's prestige was that immense. They called it the pillar of righteous martial society for good reason. Their Seventy-Two Supreme Arts covered nearly every martial discipline.
Jinu was hailed as the greatest prodigy in Shaolin history.
"But his pride is too strong because of it. That might be his weakness."
"Weakness...?"
"What, wasn't that what you were curious about?"
Dang Seona's smile deepened. Nailed it. Rather than feign ignorance, Wi Seongcheon openly grinned in affirmation.
"Busted."
"You don't want to fight me, but you plan to take on Senior Jinu?"
"Can't avoid it if it comes to that. He seems to dislike me anyway."
"True. At the Righteous Heaven Society meeting, he was really fixated on you. Especially after Senior Jinbae lost, tarnishing the 'pride' of Shaolin that Jinu holds dear."
Yet Jinu hadn't openly pressured him. Wi Seongcheon knew it wasn't mercy.
Jinu was just biding his time, waiting for him to ripen. Jinbae's defeat had saved Won-gwang Bul's face for writing the recommendation. But Shaolin's honor was another story.
Shaolin's honor could be restored by crushing Wi Seongcheon, now acknowledged as a Hidden Dragon.
Slow or fast, it was coming. Even if they didn't meet at the tournament, Jinu would force a fight.
"Since we're at it, mind giving a few more tips? How do I beat Senior Jinu?"
"My advice wouldn't help you. Our martial arts are too different. Or how about this? If you want, I could lend you some of my secret poisons."
Use poison. Tempting as it was, Wi Seongcheon couldn't accept.
If he'd always used poison, fine. But using it against Jinu would earn him accusations of cowardice, win or lose.
"No can do."
"Knew you'd say that."
Dang Seona giggled. She began neatly packing away her spread-out weapons. It was nearly time for the watch shift. But she didn't bother preparing to sleep. Staying up a few nights caused her no real fatigue.
"Why are you looking for the Blue Sea Hunter?"
Sitting with her knees hugged to her chest, Dang Seona gazed at Wi Seongcheon and asked. It wasn't something to hide, so he answered casually.
"Got something to ask him. I have an older brother..."
"Wi Seongyeol. Missing for three years, right?"
She knew. Wi Seongcheon grinned.
"You really take an interest in me. You even knew about the Martial Alliance incident from ten years ago."
"Am I the only one?"
Dang Seona chuckled.
"The moment you declared yourself a Hidden Dragon and defeated Shaolin's Iron Arm Jinbae, you stopped being just the young lord of some degenerate Heavenly Flower Sect. You became a true 'Hidden Dragon.' Even Taegeuk Sword Lord of the Ten Heroes acknowledged you as one, and he'd been instructing you and Lianhua before that."
Right.
It wasn't just Dang Seona. Many were digging into Wi Seongcheon and Heavenly Flower Sect.
Just months ago, Heavenly Flower Sect was a faction not worth knowing in detail. How old was the sect leader? Who was his wife?
How many kids? Why bother? Heavenly Flower was trash. They pledged to the Martial Alliance now, but who knew when they'd flip to the Black Death Society.
That sufficed. But when Wi Seongcheon, their young lord, entered Heavenly Academy, attention turned to Heavenly Flower Sect.
Then rumors spread he'd beaten Hwangbo Seongu, and he defeated Jinbae before everyone's eyes.
"You see me as a Hidden Dragon too, senior?"
"Your skills are the real deal."
Dang Seona smiled in reply. That was answer enough.
"You think the Blue Sea Hunter knows about your brother?"
"Not certain."
"You must like your brother a lot."
"Of course. Without him, my childhood would've been miserable. I am who I am because of him."
"Not a drop of blood shared."
"Does that matter?"
"No, it doesn't."
Dang Seona's smile didn't change. The shift time had passed, but she didn't lie down.
"Brothers, sisters, siblings... parents. What matters in those bonds isn't blood—it's how you see each other. You know, right? Heeran and I share only half our blood."
"Heeran told me."
Dang Seona smiled faintly.
"It's common in clans."
"Whoa, saying that makes me wonder. What if my brother turns out to be some kid our dad had outside?"
"Could be. ...What do you think?"
"Our dad... well, Mom died when I was young... With his carefree personality, he might've had a woman or two on the side... But he wouldn't disown a child like that from the start."
"Good father."
Dang Seona giggled.
"How do we sisters look to you?"
"That's too sensitive for me to answer."
"Come on, you asked me something like that before. No Heeran here, so be honest. We're 'close,' after all."
Wi Seongcheon made a troubled face. He'd been the one to claim closeness first, so he couldn't draw a line now.
Truthfully, only his expression was troubled. Deep down, he was glad. He was curious about the odd sisters anyway.
"You love your little sister too much, senior."
"True."
Dang Seona nodded readily.
"I've loved Heeran since we were kids. Knowing we shared only 'half' our blood... I hated it so much back then."
She loathed it utterly. How wonderful if they were fully blood sisters? True sisters from the same mother's womb.
"Heeran was always inferior to me. Lacking in everything. Poison use, crafting, hidden weapons."
Listing them would take forever. Everything Dang Heeran could do, Dang Seona could too—and far better.
When Dang Heeran practiced hidden weapons, Dang Seona immediately joined her side to train as well. Same for serpent poison arts.
As a result, everyone in the Tang Clan knew the elder sister Dang Seona overwhelmingly surpassed her younger sibling.
In that way, Dang Seona devoured all attention directed at her sister.
"You're right."
Dang Seona slowly tilted her head, gazing at Wi Seongcheon. Her jet-black hair cascaded down, half-covering her face.
"I want Heeran to always be my little sister."
Wi Seongcheon silently met her gaze. He'd meant it lightly, but Dang Seona dove right in, pouring out her heart.
"With nothing better than me. Unable to do anything without me. Fearing me yet craving my approval deep down—that adorable little sister. That's what you wanted to hear, right?"
Wi Seongcheon didn't reply, just smirked.
"There's no rule she has to stay weaker forever."
"There is. I'll never let Heeran surpass me."
Dang Seona smiled calmly and lifted her head. She glanced back. There was Pang Yeonhwa, curled up asleep. Not just her.
Chatting like this—weren't the sensitive-eared martial artists bound to wake?
Seo Il or Du Jun didn't matter. Dang Seona gazed at Pang Yeonhwa's back with sadistic pleasure.
"What do you think of Heeran?"
It was a pointed question. Pang Yeonhwa didn't twitch, but Dang Seona sensed her breathing shift slightly.
Wi Seongcheon noticed too.
"Friends."
"Friends, yeah, friends. Nice word."
Dang Seona giggled and turned away.
"Do you know why I'm telling you this?"
"Not a clue."
"I'm conflicted."
"About what?"
"If I steal you away, will Heeran... cry like a child? Or get mad?"
Either way, just imagining it thrilled her. Deep in Dang Seona's eyes as she watched him, twisted affection flickered like heat haze.
"I'm not some object—how would you even?"
"Ways abound if I try."
Dang Seona nodded, smiling. Pressing down her wind-tossed hair, she smiled at him—breathtakingly beautiful and pure.
But the eyes buried in those slender curves were chilling enough to freeze one's heartbeat.
Wi Seongcheon could see why she was called Serpent Princess.
"...Sorry, but I don't want to make Heeran cry or angry."
"You think I'd enjoy that?"
"You seem to."
"Yeah, I would."
"Sadistic. Your future husband'll have it rough."
She giggled at his joke. Standing, she stretched languidly.
"Talking with you was fun, but that's enough for tonight."
"I won't tell Heeran."
"Doesn't matter if you do. She knows anyway."
"True. Heeran knows you adore her to death. Loosen up a bit."
"I'm plenty loose already. In the Tang Clan, you or Bang Jun couldn't even approach Heeran."
Already. If Dang Seona willed it, she could anytime. She simply chose not to.
"Did I reject you, senior?"
"Technically, yeah? No real courtship though."
"Not courtship. You love Heeran, not me—so if you want to steal something, take Bang Jun instead."
"I don't always steal Heeran's things. Just what I want."
'Guess she doesn't like charity cases.'
Wi Seongcheon felt a twinge of pity for the absent Bang Jun.