Chapter 167: True Dragon (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 167: True Dragon (1)
She closed the windows to keep out the chill and sipped a spicy tea brewed from dried spice berries to warm herself.
For an ordinary person, this tea would induce a raging heat, but for Moyong Hi-ah, its effect was slight—barely enough to take the edge off the cold.
Yet a single leaf of this herb cost enough to feed a farmer for a month.
There was no greater extravagance.
The clan provided it, but even so, using such a treasure as mere tea—and not even medicine—felt excessively wasteful.
“…Funny, isn’t it?”
Moyong Hi-ah spoke bitterly, taking small, deliberate sips.
“I was utterly defeated—unable to do a thing—and yet here I am, drinking something this precious.”
“…Young Lady.”
“There’s no need to look at me like that.”
Noticing her guest’s cup was empty, Moyong Hi-ah refilled it.
“What brings you here today?”
“…”
“I expected you to be quite busy around this time. Are you sure you shouldn’t go?”
The final match of the tournament was likely starting right about now.
The bout had drawn so much attention that even Moyong Hi-ah, confined to this cold corner of the room, had heard of it.
And it must be especially important to you, Tang Soyeol.
Because it was that boy’s fight.
“Young Lady Tang.”
“Yes…”
Moyong Hi-ah studied Tang Soyeol’s face.
It was a cute face, one that suited her green hair well—soft and unassuming, like a small, gentle creature. A stark contrast to Moyong Hi-ah’s own sharp, cold features.
Reading the emotions plain in Tang Soyeol’s wide eyes, Moyong Hi-ah spoke again.
“I know you feel guilty toward me.”
“…”
“And because I’m a shrewd person, I know how to take advantage of that.”
“…”
“I also believe you’re aware of this, since you’re no fool.”
Tang Soyeol said nothing, but her silence was confirmation enough.
The guilt she felt toward Moyong Hi-ah… it was something Moyong Hi-ah honestly didn’t understand.
If anything, Tang Soyeol’s only “crime” was sharing the Tang Clan name. Nothing more.
“Does what happened that day still weigh on you?”
“It’s a burden I’ll carry for the rest of my life.”
“Why?”
“Because I am of the Tang Clan, and the suffering Young Lady Moyong must endure will last forever.”
Suffering?
“You mean the scar on my back?”
A scar easily hidden beneath clothing. Besides my servant, no one has seen it in nearly ten years.
“I don’t believe it’s just a scar.”
That’s what Tang Soyeol says, but the Tang Clan has already compensated me generously.
This tea I’m drinking…
The freedom to research a cure for my condition… all of it comes from the compensation the Tang Clan provided.
Well, the result of that research was the scar on my back and a deepening of this cold within me.
But even if I hadn’t undergone that procedure, my life wouldn’t be much different.
As far as Moyong Hi-ah was concerned, her clan had been duly compensated.
It seemed, however, that she was the only one who felt that way—especially her father, the clan lord.
“So why come here on such an important day?”
“…”
“Especially when you don’t even know what your visit might mean to me. You came out of obligation, not to apologize.”
“Would my apology mean anything to you…?”
“To be honest, not really.”
If anything, a cheap apology might leave a worse impression.
That was why, despite visiting often, Tang Soyeol never actually apologized.
Still, it’s uncomfortable.
Moyong Hi-ah simply felt uneasy.
Tang Soyeol sent her a letter every year from the Tang Clan.
Her constant caution and deference… it all made Moyong Hi-ah uncomfortable.
It would be beneficial to leverage that guilt, but…
…Sigh.
Knowing that Tang Soyeol’s feelings were genuine made it difficult to exploit her.
Even if Moyong Hi-ah wasn’t in a position to be choosy.
“…I understand how you feel, but you needn’t trouble yourself like this.”
The Poison Phoenix was known for her ferocity—a stark contrast to her delicate appearance. Moyong Hi-ah had always thought Tang Soyeol had a personality that would push people away if they saw her true nature.
After all, she herself was much the same.
Yet the Tang Soyeol before her now seemed genuinely gentle.
The way she’s been lately… is quite different from how she used to be.
Back then, Tang Soyeol had seemed like a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Now, she was gentle as a lamb.
Though she still has that same fierce nature, judging by how she dealt with Hwangbo Cheolwi at the guesthouse.
But the self she shows around us… that might be closer to her true nature.
Or perhaps she’s begun to reveal it.
She opened the window and looked outside.
Winter still held the land in its grip.
There was a long way to go before spring.
It seemed winter had ended for Tang Soyeol…
But for Moyong Hi-ah, the cold persisted, unchanging.
Even as seasons turn and temperatures rise, I will always be alone in the cold.
That is what fate has decreed for me.
Would it be different if I struggled?
The thought crossed her mind.
Or perhaps struggle is pointless.
Maybe I was born only to vanish with the winter wind.
“Young Lady Moyong?”
Moyong Hi-ah wondered if her expression had betrayed her thoughts; Tang Soyeol’s voice was laced with concern.
As one of the few who knew of Moyong Hi-ah’s condition, Tang Soyeol was quick to worry.
“Are you… injured from your match?”
A faint smile touched Moyong Hi-ah’s lips.
“No, I wasn’t hurt anywhere.”
It was the truth.
Despite being engulfed by those colossal flames, she bore no injuries.
That means he had perfect control over that attack.
Hah. Can I even call it an attack?
I was utterly powerless against him.
I knew I couldn’t win, but I’d hoped to exchange at least a few blows.
He was in a completely different league.
Last year, the one who had shocked Moyong Hi-ah most was the Sword Dragon.
The young man who made plum blossoms bloom had demonstrated a sword art so overwhelming it truly honored Mount Hua’s legacy.
Moyong Hi-ah had thought no young prodigy could surpass him.
The Sword Phoenix, the Sword Dragon, the Sleeping Dragon…
And if one stretched the definition, Peng Woojin, the former Heavenly Dragon.
Each possessed genius enough to redefine their generation. She never expected someone greater to appear.
And yet, someone had shattered her expectations completely.
Gu Yangcheon of the Shanxi Gu Clan.
Moyong Hi-ah reflected on the boy from Shanxi, but found herself at a loss for words.
Even the title “Genius” felt inadequate.
I simply thought he was… unique.
When she first saw him, the girls around him shone so brightly they overshadowed him.
All she’d thought was that he was surprisingly lucky with women for his looks.
A charmer, nothing more.
And the strange way he treated me… that reluctant look in his eyes.
I thought he was just trying to catch my attention.
And yet, I caught myself watching him more than I’d like to admit.
But I soon realized my assumptions were wrong.
Hwangbo Cheolwi and that other Gu clansman…
What was his name?
He was from the same clan as Gu Yangcheon, so Gu something-or-other.
Well, if I can’t remember, he must not be important.
Anyway, during that brief conflict at the guesthouse…
I saw it.
Everyone in Gu Yangcheon’s group had their eyes on him.
Even though someone else was confronting Hwangbo Cheolwi, they were all wary of Gu Yangcheon.
It was clear who the true center of the group was.
And as time passed…
I came to understand the truth.
It wasn’t that Gu Yangcheon was overshadowed by those around him.
He was deliberately concealing his presence.
He shone so brightly he had to hide himself completely.
Moyong Hi-ah rubbed her chest, remembering the flame she had witnessed the day before.
The sensation she’d felt in that moment returned to her.
When she faced Gu Yangcheon’s fire in the arena, she had felt… warmth.
…Was it a mistake?
For an instant, heat had flooded her chest, and the Ice Qi that perpetually froze her body seemed to recede.
When she regained consciousness, she dismissed it as a misunderstanding.
Does that even make sense?
If my Ice Qi could be dispersed simply by standing near a hot flame, my life wouldn’t be so cold and lonely.
I must have been mistaken, overwhelmed by the sheer scale of that fire.
That’s what I told myself.
And yet…
…Perhaps.
Hope sprouts from the smallest of things.
In a desolate land, even a trickle of water can seep deep into the soil.
But Moyong Hi-ah’s emotions were too frozen to entertain such hope.
“Young Lady Moyong, are you really alright? Should I call someone?”
Tang Soyeol continued to press, concerned by her strange behavior.
Moyong Hi-ah fell silent for a moment, as if deep in thought, then met Tang Soyeol’s gaze.
“Young Lady Tang.”
“Yes…?”
“May I… ask a fav—”
Knock knock.
Just as Moyong Hi-ah began to speak, she sensed a presence outside.
—My Lady.
It was Tang Soyeol’s servant.
“What is it? I’m still speaking with Young Lady Moyong.”
Tang Soyeol frowned, clearly annoyed by the interruption.
Hearing her mistress’s tone, the servant’s voice grew more cautious. Still, her business seemed urgent.
—It’s not pressing… but you instructed us to inform you once the match concluded.
As soon as the servant finished, Tang Soyeol shot to her feet and opened the door.
Moyong Hi-ah’s eyes widened at the sudden movement.
“W-What’s the result?”
Tang Soyeol’s eager question betrayed her earlier pretense of indifference. It seemed she hadn’t been as unconcerned about missing the match as she’d claimed.
“Oh… um, I heard that Young Master Gu was victorious…”
“…!”
Tang Soyeol threw her arms skyward and let out a cheer.
Just how happy is she to shout like that?
“Oh… Um… Sorry.”
Realizing how loud she’d been, Tang Soyeol quickly shrunk back, covering her mouth with her hand.
Moyong Hi-ah laughed aloud—a rare sound.
Blushing, Tang Soyeol seemed to think she was being mocked.
How can she change so completely?
And was his victory really something to be that happy about?
Moyong Hi-ah couldn’t comprehend it.
“Oh… Young Lady Moyong, you said you wanted to ask me for something?”
“No, it’s fine.”
Moyong Hi-ah swallowed her words.
Now wasn’t the time.
“I’ll come visit you myself later.”
“Huh? Young Lady Moyong will?”
“I believe I’ve found a reason to.”
Rather than asking a favor of Tang Soyeol, Moyong Hi-ah decided it would be better to go herself.
Leveraging Tang Soyeol’s guilt felt wrong, especially after seeing how genuinely happy her smile had been.
“You should go now, or you’ll be late.”
Tang Soyeol hesitated briefly, but eventually bowed her head and hurried out the door.
Moyong Hi-ah watched her leave, then closed her eyes and lay down again.
For some reason, she felt like sleeping for a while.
* * *
After leaving Moyong Hi-ah’s room, Tang Soyeol quickened her pace.
If she didn’t, she felt she might burst with impatience.
She said Young Master Gu won.
Tang Soyeol had believed he would win.
She had been captivated not only by his sharp, fierce gaze but also by the extraordinary martial prowess that matched his striking presence.
Although, in the eyes of the Poison Phoenix herself, it was almost a given that he would surpass all other young prodigies.
Still, she couldn’t contain her excitement.
One might wonder why she was so thrilled by another’s victory, but Tang Soyeol couldn’t help it.
“I need to go congratulate him quickly.”
Wait, is congratulating him enough?
Should I prepare a gift?
If I remember correctly, he said this is his first Dragons and Phoenixes Tournament.
Hmm… Do I have any poisonous herbs left?
Tang Soyeol had plenty of herbs that aided Qi flow and relieved exhaustion.
She had been saving them for later, but she was more than willing to give them to Gu Yangcheon.
The only slight issue was that the herbs’ toxicity was rather potent.
Well, since I’ll be there, I can detoxify him if needed.
Walking excitedly toward Gu Yangcheon’s quarters, she heard voices as she approached.
—Oh, so he’s not here right now?
“Hmm?”
Following the sound, Tang Soyeol spotted two familiar figures.
One was Wi Seol-Ah, Gu Yangcheon’s servant, whom Tang Soyeol always found somewhat difficult to approach.
The other was…
A hobo…?
It was Chuwong of the Beggar’s Sect, who appeared at the tournament every year without fail.
Tang Soyeol had encountered him many times.
He hadn’t left the best impression—always skulking around—but she acknowledged his talent for gathering information.
But why is he talking to Wi Seol-Ah?
As she wondered, Wi Seol-Ah replied to Chuwong.
“Young Master isn’t here right now!”
“…Damn, I thought this would be the perfect time. You don’t know when he’ll be back?”
“Nope!”
“…Hnnngh.”
From the sound of it, he had come after hearing of Gu Yangcheon’s victory.
Tang Soyeol had to admit the Beggar’s Sect was impressively fast with such things.
After watching for a moment, she approached calmly.
Thinking Wi Seol-Ah, as a servant, might not handle the situation well, Tang Soyeol decided to step in.
“Hngh, was I too impatient? I could’ve sworn he promised to talk after the tournament ended…”
It seemed he had spoken to Gu Yangcheon before.
Tang Soyeol cleared her throat softly as she drew near.
“Then could you please pass a message to the True Dragon? Tell him Chuwong of the Beggar’s Sect came by.”
Tang Soyeol froze mid-step.
Her eyes widened in confusion. Had she heard correctly?
What did he just say?
True Dragon…?