Chapter 337: Confrontation (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 337: Confrontation (1)
CRASH-!
The very sky seemed to shake.
CRACK-!
The Qi saturating the area began to warp, its color shifting as it was consumed by an unknown force. A thick, malevolent blackness devoured the protective energy shielding the students.
-Aghhh!
-H-Help me!
Screams erupted from all directions.
Something was terribly wrong. The students had expected danger during their trials, but these cries weren't born from encountering demonic beasts. This was something else entirely.
SWOOSH-!
A storm of Qi raged. While it was common for martial artists' energy to blend with the air, this Qi carried a vile, unsettling aura—the distinct, foul energy of the Unorthodox Faction. It mingled with the atmosphere, spreading slowly but inexorably. The scent of blood clung to the forest trees, and beneath the blackened sky, visibility dropped to near zero.
Then,
SWISH-!
A flash of light pierced the darkness. A sword, charged with sinister Unorthodox Qi, shot straight toward a trembling student. The student flinched, finally reacting, but it was too late. The blade was aimed directly at his neck.
SPLAT!
Blood sprayed across the nearby trees.
Yet, it was not the student who died, but the mysterious martial artist who had thrown the blade. As the student sat in shock, staring at the man who had just died before his eyes,
Drip.
Blood trickled from a nearby sword, held by a figure calmly scanning her surroundings. She seemed to be searching for any remaining threats. After a brief moment, her gaze fell upon the student.
"Are you okay?"
"Y-Yes… I-I'm fine."
The student's eyes were drawn to the woman's hair—a brown shade with a subtle golden sheen, now stained with blood. A crimson trickle ran down her pale cheek, yet there was an inexplicable allure to her appearance. Even in his fear, he couldn't look away.
"Take the path to the left. You should find an instructor there."
Ignoring his stare, she pointed with a steady hand, telling him to flee. The student scrambled to his feet.
"A-Aren't you coming too… Young Lady?"
It wasn't just fear that prompted his question. Of course, he was terrified after nearly dying, but that wasn't the only reason. At least, that's what he told himself.
In response, the young woman only looked around, her face expressionless. She remained silent.
"What… is happening?"
"I'm not sure."
After her short reply, she shook the blood from her sword. The metallic scent grew stronger. She then glanced at the man she had just killed. There should have been no pain; she had struck a vital point. This was the second life she had taken today, yet she felt… nothing. It was the first time she had killed since learning to wield a sword. She stared at the lifeless body beneath her blade and felt utterly empty.
"...I don't like this."
The young woman frowned. She knew this situation was anything but ordinary.
"Pardon?"
"Nothing. Be cautious of your surroundings, unless you wish to end up like you almost did earlier."
She turned to leave. The student hastily reached out, trying to grab her shoulder.
"...Hgh."
But before he could touch her, she turned slightly, fixing him with a piercing gaze. Her fierce eyes forced him to step back immediately.
"U…Um, it's dangerous. You should come too."
The student knew exactly who she was. There wasn't a single student at the Academy who didn't recognize her. She was one of its most famous figures: Wi Seol-Ah, descendant of the Heavenly Sword Venerable. It was all but certain she would demonstrate exceptional talent and make a name for herself.
The student withdrew his hand upon hearing her cold tone.
"I'm fine."
Then Wi Seol-Ah spoke again. "I have someone to look for."
With those words, she leapt lightly into the air. It wasn't a great height, but enough to survey the surroundings.
It's gone.
Wi Seol-Ah frowned as she scanned the area. Gu Yangcheon's presence had vanished.
…What happened?
It occurred in an instant. She had widened her senses, wary that Jang Seonyeon might attempt something, and had detected Gu Yangcheon's presence clearly. Then, it was simply gone. After that, something strange began to disturb the Qi around her. Just the sensation of it sent chills down her spine.
But that wasn't the only problem.
An ambush?
A mysterious group had appeared and begun slaughtering students. That was the source of the overwhelming scent of blood.
Wi Seol-Ah scanned her surroundings once more. The air was thick with the coppery smell. She had no idea why this ambush was happening or what its goal could be,
…Where did he go?
But for Wi Seol-Ah, none of that mattered. Nothing was more important than Gu Yangcheon's safety.
I knew it. I should have followed him from the beginning.
Regret washed over her. She had seen which direction he went, yet she had chosen not to follow. Gritting her teeth, Wi Seol-Ah directed a silent question inward.
…Did you know this would happen?
She asked, but received no response.
Sis.
She called again, but only silence answered. Wi Seol-Ah had stayed away from Gu Yangcheon during this test because the voice inside her had urged her to. It had told her to stay still if she wanted to help him. She had questioned its reasoning, but its only answer was that it was for his sake. In the end, Wi Seol-Ah had held herself back, even as she sensed Jang Seonyeon closing in on Gu Yangcheon.
And now, this was the result.
This was for him?
How could this possibly help him? If something happened to Gu Yangcheon…
Clench.
Wi Seol-Ah tightened her grip on her sword. Her once innocent gaze sharpened, turning fierce. Without him, she would lose her very reason for learning the sword.
I must find him.
Wi Seol-Ah leapt toward the last place she had sensed his presence. It wasn't far. She quickened her pace, surging forward. Screams continued to echo around her, but she didn't turn away.
Where is it?
She ran tirelessly, searching for the right path. His presence was especially distinct; she could feel it even if he tried to hide it. It was likely near the mountain's peak.
Just as Wi Seol-Ah prepared to leap toward the peak,
SLAM.
"...!"
She staggered, catching herself against a nearby tree. A sharp pain coursed through her body. Wincing, she bit her lip and reached into her pocket. She pulled out a charm pouch, a gift from the Immortal Healer. With trembling hands, she opened it, took out one of the marbles inside, and swallowed it.
Gulp.
Now, of all times…!
She clenched her teeth. She felt the medicine slide down her throat, but its effects were slow to manifest. She tried desperately to channel her Qi, but her haste only intensified the pain, making movement difficult.
"Huff… Huff."
Wiping sweat from her brow, she forced herself to keep moving. Finding him was more important than the pain wracking her body.
However,
It's dangerous.
She was immobilized for precious minutes, and she knew her surroundings were extremely perilous. Her Qi wouldn't flow properly. Unlike before, when she could fully conceal her presence, she now found herself exposed, her energy pathways sealed.
…Hghh…
A feverish heat began to spread through her. The medicine's effect was slowly working, but her feet still felt trapped.
Then,
Rustle.
A noise came from the tall grass behind her.
Wi Seol-Ah gripped her sword tightly, focusing all her attention. Was it another enemy like before? She didn't know their identities—she had killed the others during their ambush—but they were far from weak, their strength around the First-rate level.
She pointed her sword toward the sound, struggling to stay conscious. She just needed to endure for a few more minutes.
I'll endure it somehow, and…
"I had no intention of revealing myself, but I was curious about where you were headed."
"...Ah."
Wi Seol-Ah's tense expression softened slightly as she recognized the voice from beyond the grass. It was familiar.
"Considering your current state, I think it's best I assist you."
A figure emerged from the tall grass, dressed in black. His expression was blank, his loosely tied hair distinctly recognizable.
"Are you okay?"
It was one of the Six Dragons and Three Phoenixes.
The Dragon Warrior, Bi Eejin.
As the disaster unfolded elsewhere,
"Aghhhh…!"
Cheol Jiseon's screams echoed through the air. A grown man was being tossed around like a ragdoll, held aloft by his collar. And that man was Cheol Jiseon himself.
The one leaping across the terrain as if carrying mere baggage was none other than the Sword Dancer, Namgung Bi-ah, whom he had encountered earlier. Outwardly delicate, she handled his considerable weight as if he were a toy.
H…Help me.
In this absurd situation, all Cheol Jiseon could do was scream.
"Young Lady…! Please slow dooownnn…!"
Cheol Jiseon pleaded desperately, but Namgung Bi-ah didn't even pretend to hear him. If he had known it would come to this, he would have preferred she left him behind.
-Where did he go?
She had appeared out of nowhere, demanded to know Gu Yangcheon's whereabouts, and—without waiting for a proper reply—darted off in a specific direction, dragging him along. She was clearly in a hurry.
"Aghh…!"
Yet, despite carrying another person, her speed was astounding, almost unreal. Previously overshadowed by monsters like Gu Yangcheon and the Sleeping Dragon, Cheol Jiseon now realized the Sword Dancer was just as formidable.
…I-I didn't get to tell her about the True Dragon.
She hadn't explicitly said who she sought, but Cheol Jiseon knew Namgung Bi-ah was looking for the True Dragon, Gu Yangcheon. He had noticed her gaze toward him was different. Besides, everyone at the Academy knew the two were engaged. Many wondered how a frightening figure like the True Dragon could be engaged to the beautiful Sword Dancer, some even suspecting a forced arrangement. But those doubts vanished when they saw how she treated him differently. In truth, the True Dragon was hated largely because of the Sword Dancer's favor. She was no longer just called the greatest beauty of Anhui, but the Zenith of Beauty—a title bestowed by onlookers as she trained, utterly indifferent to their stares.
Cheol Jiseon agreed. All the women surrounding the True Dragon, especially the Sword Dancer and the Sword Venerable's descendant, were exceptionally captivating.
But this was no time for such thoughts.
"Young Ladyyy…"
As Cheol Jiseon began worrying his skin would be ripped off by the harsh wind, the Sword Dancer suddenly released his collar.
"Uh… wait?"
Being freed was a relief, but the sudden release sent him tumbling across the ground.
"Aghhh!"
He rolled several times before finally slamming into a tree and coming to a stop.
"...Huff… Huff… I'm saved."
Cheol Jiseon, dizzy and disoriented, barely managed to get up. He wondered if she had dropped him by accident. If not, it meant she had discarded him like a piece of baggage.
…I guess I am baggage, though.
As the fear from his near-death experience lingered, he looked around for the Sword Dancer. Regardless of her treatment, she was his savior, and he possessed information about the True Dragon's whereabouts.
Would I die if I tell her?
Cheol Jiseon wondered. The Sword Dancer's face was beautiful, but the look she had given him earlier was terrifying. Despite his fear, he decided he would tell her. He might have opened the gate under Jang Seonyeon's influence, and even though the True Dragon had reassured him,
…No matter how much I think about it, this isn't right.
Ultimately, it was his actions that had led to this chaos.
As he searched for Namgung Bi-ah,
ZAAAP-!
A sharp, crackling Lightning Qi erupted from somewhere. Cheol Jiseon recognized it immediately as the Sword Dancer's energy—his research had told him she wielded Lightning Qi. But that meant she was in a fight. Wasn't that a sign of danger?
Despite his fear, he forced himself toward the source of the energy. Even though they had separated only moments ago, she was further away than he expected. She had covered an incredible distance in that short time.
Cheol Jiseon gathered his Qi, gripping his sword tightly in his trembling hand as he moved toward her.
As he approached the origin of the Lightning Qi,
"...!"
He struggled to contain his shock at the sight before him.
"Oh no."
A heavy, oppressive voice reached his ears.
"Another disrupter, I see."
Cheol Jiseon's entire body began to tremble. The Qi imbued in that voice alone was too much for him to handle.
In the distance, he spotted a girl leaning against a rock—the Poison Phoenix of the Tang Clan. Beside her stood the Young Lady of the Peng Clan. And there, facing off against an unknown figure, was the Sword Dancer, her Lightning Qi crackling violently in the air around her.
Her opponent was a middle-aged man with neatly tied hair, dressed in dark robes. His skin was pale, and his eyes glowed with a sinister violet light.
Cheol Jiseon knew immediately upon seeing him. This was not someone he could even dream of opposing.
The man cast a brief, dismissive glance at Cheol Jiseon before turning his attention back to the Sword Dancer, a hint of boredom in his expression.
"It's been a while. I believe we've met before."
"…"
The Sword Dancer's face was taut with tension. She knew him.
The man's brow furrowed slightly, his dissatisfaction evident. "Do you remember me?"
The Sword Dancer nodded slowly. "…I do."
"Yet you still draw your sword against me." His tone was condescending. "Do I look like a joke to you?"
"…"
"Or perhaps… you see me as a joke because of my defeat at the hands of the Flaming Demon that day?"
A dark, ominous aura began to seep from the man's body.
"…Even though I am the Lord of the Black Palace."
At the man's words, Cheol Jiseon's legs gave out, and he collapsed to his knees.