Chapter 312: The Dragon's Diary (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 312: The Dragon's Diary (3)
Their first encounter with that child took place beneath a cloudless sky.
It was a spring day, bathed in soothing sunlight.
* * *
Back then, the young lady wore the light blue uniform of the Murim Alliance. She had discarded Mount Hua’s white robes after fleeing the sect following an argument with her master.
At that time, she held no special title.
She was simply one of many swordswomen serving within the Murim Alliance.
That was all anyone knew of her then.
…Why are we the ones handling this?
Her voice echoed through the forest. A slight frown creased her forehead as she spoke, making her displeasure clear.
Silence.
The response came from a young man with a fierce expression. Though intimidating, he was tall and handsome, with a firm-set jaw. He was the senior of the lady’s group, a renowned martial artist in the Central Plains even then. He was the strongest Heavenly Dragon in the Murim Alliance’s history, a prodigy destined to reach the Zenith.
His name was Gu Cheolun.
Hearing her senior’s curt reply, the lady’s frown deepened.
But, Senior. This is a mission for the Blue Dragon Army… so why are we taking over?
Her unit had been tasked with pursuing a Demon that the Blue Dragon Army had allowed to escape. She was not happy about it.
Upon joining the Murim Alliance as a swordswoman, she had been directly assigned to the prestigious Heavenly Dragon Army, bypassing the usual lengthy procedures. This decision, made by two individuals who believed in her skill and strength, had earned her many bitter stares from members of the Blue Dragon Army. And now, that very army was asking her to clean up their mess.
Isn’t this unfair?
Was his name Namgung Jin? That rude man they called the Sword Dragon—she disliked him intensely. He was the one who had given her the most scornful looks, and now he needed her help? Was this how a man of the Orthodox Faction should act? It made her sigh in frustration.
Yet, her senior remained silent. He had always been like this, ever since she first met him. He spoke only when absolutely necessary. But on the battlefield, his strength was unbelievable. In her eyes, that was the true measure of the Heavenly Dragon.
Finally, Gu Cheolun glanced back at her.
This is the Captain’s order. We will follow it.
The Heavenly Dragon Army was the main force of the Alliance Leader, the very face of the Murim Alliance. Being assigned to it had surely attracted even more jealousy toward Gu Cheolun than it had toward her, yet he seemed utterly unaffected.
Instead of worrying about this, use the time to tidy yourself.
…What do you mean?
The sword at your waist is loose. Secure it properly.
Hearing this, the lady quickly checked her sword. But it was perfectly secure, just as she thought.
Senior, it’s fine!
Gu Cheolun responded with a cold gaze.
The fact that you felt the need to check means it’s already too late. It means you weren’t certain.
What…!
She tried to argue, but the words stuck in her throat.
Focus on yourself, not others. It will be more beneficial for you.
The lady fell silent. She had plenty to say, but she was not skilled with words, and he was her senior. Arguing further was impossible. Focusing on herself… that was far too difficult for her.
Senior…
Just as she began to speak, Gu Cheolun raised a large hand to stop her.
Senior?
Quiet.
Woong.
As his heavy command echoed, a palpable heat began radiating from him, saturating their surroundings. It was his unique aura.
There is something ahead.
Hearing this, the lady—Soi—snapped to attention.
Shing.
She drew her sword and gathered her Qi.
Blaze.
In an instant, Gu Cheolun enveloped himself in intense heat and surged forward. No further command was needed. No matter how he moved, Soi was ready to support him from behind.
A moment later,
Blaze-!
Gu Cheolun summoned flames, accelerated, and charged into a patch of tall grass. Soi followed closely, her Qi at the ready.
…Huh?
She found herself in a place that seemed anything but dangerous.
A place like this existed…?
Soi had been through this area several times, but she had never seen this before. It was a small, hidden field, blanketed with blooming flowers. Though it was spring, the sight felt strangely out of place.
Shaking off her surprise, Soi returned to the moment. This was no time to admire the scenery.
Senior…!
She scanned the area with her sword raised. Gu Cheolun stood with flames still flickering around him, and in his grasp—
…Senior?
He was holding someone by the neck.
…Ugh…
A person?
The person in his grip was a woman Soi had never seen. Her most striking feature was her hair.
It’s white.
A pure, snowy white. Soi had never seen hair so colorless. Was it the result of some Mind Art? Yet, the woman emitted no discernible Qi.
I-I can’t…
The woman struggled to speak, but Gu Cheolun’s grip didn't loosen.
Senior?
An unknown outsider. Who are you?
Ough…
As he tightened his hold, the woman groaned in pain. Was he trying to crush her neck?
If you won’t answer, I will reduce you to ashes.
He was serious. He was going to burn her alive. Was he insane?
Senior! Wait!
Soi hurriedly grabbed his arm, but he didn’t budge. The fact that his flames didn’t harm her showed he was controlling his power precisely.
Gu Cheolun stared at Soi.
What are you doing?
I should be asking you that! She’s clearly not a Demon!
She had checked. No matter how she looked at it, this was an ordinary person. This brutality was unjustified.
As Soi raised her voice, Gu Cheolun’s gaze turned colder.
Why do you think that?
Huh?
I am asking why you are so sure she is not a Demon.
Uh…
Because it was obvious. Soi couldn’t form the words, but Gu Cheolun seemed to understand. He clicked his tongue.
You cannot be certain until you see what lies within.
See what’s inside?
Do not judge a book by its cover. Does Mount Hua not teach you that?
…!
She appeared suddenly within Murim Alliance territory. How can you be so calm when you do not know if she is a martial artist of the Unorthodox Faction, or a Demon wearing a human skin?
Soi bit her lip, stung by the insult to her sect. This man could be needlessly cold and cruel.
…Even so, you won’t get any answers like that.
What do you mean?
If you choke her like that, she can’t possibly speak.
At Soi’s words, Gu Cheolun’s eyes shifted slightly. A few seconds later,
Thud.
Eek!
The woman fell effortlessly to the ground. Her wavy white hair fanned out like delicate butterfly wings. A flower petal drifted down and settled upon it.
Oww…
She groaned, apparently feeling the impact, but at the same time,
Shing.
Soi’s sword was pointed directly at her neck.
What are you?
Her tone was now sharp and commanding.
Hearing this, Gu Cheolun allowed the flames around him to recede, as if deciding to observe.
Wha?
The woman looked up at Soi with wide eyes. Soi had to conceal her own shock when she saw them clearly—her pupils were as beautiful and clear as gemstones.
…Your name. What is it?
Soi’s voice trembled slightly, but she maintained the flow of her Qi.
The woman tilted her head for a moment, then answered with a bright smile that, to Soi, seemed to bloom like a flower. It was strangely soothing.
Cheonhee.
My name is Cheonhee.
That was their first meeting.
* * *
…She’s not dead? What do you mean?
The Sword Queen’s voice sharpened.
Crack, crack.
It wasn't just her voice; her uncontrollable Combat Qi began to shake the very barrier surrounding them. Her power was far greater than he had anticipated, he noted as he observed her.
It is as I said. That child did not die.
Cheonhee. She had been the Sword Queen’s friend, the concubine of the Tiger Warrior, and the biological mother of the True Dragon. And now, the Qinghai Sword was claiming she was still alive—a statement the Sword Queen could not comprehend.
Let me ask this. Why are you mentioning her now?
I believed you should know. I thought the Sword Queen would be curious.
If that was your belief, you should have told me much earlier.
He should have told her before she had nearly lost her mind, during her long wanderings in the Abyss.
What is your reason for telling me now?
She struggled to suppress her Combat Qi, to hold back her rising anger.
I saw the child.
Child?
Yes. The child of that child.
He was referring to the True Dragon.
I had always wished to see her child, but never had the opportunity until now.
…My disciple is also there.
Correct. Your disciple is also that girl’s child.
Is telling me this related to what you said earlier?
The Qinghai Sword fell silent at her question. His eyes remained closed, but the Sword Queen could feel his gaze upon her.
I have only one thing to say to you, Sword Queen.
…Head.
You must decide whether to hear it or not. That is all I can tell you.
The Sword Queen bit her lip repeatedly. There were things she did not know. Whether it was the Celestial Plum Blossom, Gu Cheolun, the Sword Venerable, the Heavenly Eye, or the Qinghai Sword himself—all those involved in the events of that time had lost something profoundly important, though she did not know what.
Did that mean…
‘What about me?’
The Sword Queen wondered what she had lost. Was it the life she had nearly sacrificed? She couldn’t be sure, because she had regained it—with the help of her friend’s child, no less.
So what did she need to do now? The Sword Queen did not hesitate. Her time for hesitation had ended long ago.
…Tell me.
Hearing her response, the Qinghai Sword stroked his beard thoughtfully, sinking into silence once more.
Head?
My apologies. I must consider how much I can reveal.
It was the same for all of them. Speaking of those events required extreme caution.
The fact that Cheonhee is still alive—is that true?
Yes. That child is still alive.
Then where is she right n—
You are asking about something you already know.
The Sword Queen bit her lip again.
The reason you wandered the Abyss for so long… Was it not because you already knew?
…
As you suspect, the child is in the Abyss.
It confirmed her deepest suspicion.
…In the Abyss, you say.
Yes.
Why…?
I am not sure why you are asking me that.
The Qinghai Sword slightly opened his eyes. His white pupils were revealed.
Is it so strange for a child to return to where she belongs?
…Head, you know that is not the truth.
I do not wish to know.
His tone was firm and final.
Head.
One must know how to forget.
I simply do not understand what you mean by that.
It was always like this. In a world where sheer martial power was not enough to attain everything, no one would tell the Sword Queen about the things she had forgotten. She had to find them herself—whether it was the truth or the secrets.
Gazing at her with his pale pupils, the Qinghai Sword spoke in a low voice.
Sword Queen, do you know the essence of this world?
…Essence?
Yes. Its essence.
The question came from nowhere. The essence of the world? The Qinghai Sword’s shoulders trembled slightly as he spoke.
That child… was the essence of the world.
The statement that Cheonhee was the essence sent the Sword Queen’s mind reeling.
What do you…
This land…
…!
Blood suddenly trickled from the Qinghai Sword’s mouth. The Sword Queen’s eyes widened in shock as she moved to help him, but he raised a hand, stopping her.
Originally, this world should have met its end centuries ago.
The Sword Queen flinched. A land that should have died centuries ago? The meaning was difficult to grasp.
Then,
Head, wait…!
The Sword Queen shouted. The blood was clearly a result of a Shackle placed upon him. Even if the Qinghai Sword denied it, she could see it for what it was.
She rushed forward, but the Qinghai Sword was faster.
Craaack-!
…!
In an instant, he snapped his left pinky finger.
Thud-!
It was severed completely.
This much should be enough.
What did he mean? Strangely, his expression now seemed more peaceful, despite the self-mutilation. No blood flowed from the wound; he had already staunched it with his Qi. How could he be so calm?
I shall continue.
The Qinghai Sword steadied himself, preparing to speak again.
…Head, you can stop now.
The Sword Queen knew. The more he spoke, the more he damaged his own body.
Noticing her concern, the Qinghai Sword offered a faint smile.
As always, you are kind.
I am not.
Do not worry. I have no intention of throwing my life away. I still have matters to attend to.
The Sword Queen clenched her eyes shut. Setting aside the truth of his words, she felt trapped—torn between hearing the truth and preventing him from further harm. She didn’t understand why he chose to tell her this now, and she had completely forgotten her original purpose for being here.
…But, as you said, if this world should have ended centuries ago…
The Sword Queen decided to listen. She felt this might be her only chance.
I do not understand how this connects to Cheonhee, or how the world continues to exist.
That is—
Just as the Qinghai Sword began to respond,
Woong-!
…!
A powerful sensation emanated from the barriers they had both erected. It was so intense it made them flinch, their bodies trembling involuntarily. The energy was incredibly dense.
This is…?
The Sword Queen was the first to recognize it. That was understandable, for what they felt was none other than Taoist Qi—specifically, the unique Qi of Mount Hua, with which she was intimately familiar.
The location is…
Her eyes widened as she pinpointed the source. To her shock, the Taoist Qi was emanating from near the Head’s building—the very place where Gu Yangcheon was currently located.