Chapter 42: Sword Phoenix (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 42: Sword Phoenix (2)
The Dishonored Venerable, one of the Three Venerables, often said that we lived in an age of shooting stars.
He coined the phrase because genius martial artists kept appearing out of nowhere, as though they had fallen from the sky like meteors.
It was an unfair world.
There were so many youths blessed with immense natural talent that most could only be called prodigies, not geniuses.
And because there were so many prodigies, many were eventually seen as merely mediocre.
In the end, those who might have passed for mediocre in another era were dismissed as outright fools.
Truly, it was an unjust time to be alive.
From a certain angle, one could call this the world’s greatest era—countless brilliant martial artists emerging in a single generation.
But for me, it was the opposite.
You were born in the wrong generation.
I’d heard it before.
You aren’t talentless… but it’s not enough.
I’d heard it a thousand times.
A bit disappointing compared to your elder sisters.
No—I’d heard it tens of thousands of times.
It was around this point in my past life that rage began to simmer inside me.
I wasn’t the only star trying to shine in a sky already overflowing with them.
Back then, I blamed the world for its absurdity.
It made no sense to blame my bloodline when my own sisters shone so brightly across the martial world.
Still, even if I couldn’t become a star of the world, it didn’t matter that much.
Because even among the stars, some outshone all others.
Take, for example, the Lightning Sword of the Namgung Clan, or the Poison Queen of the Tang Clan.
The Dragon Sword of Mount Hua was still lying low around this time, but soon his blade would ignite with flames that eclipsed all rivals.
And it wouldn’t be long before Wudang’s sleeping dragon awakened.
Among the countless young martial artists of the world, those who rose through talent and effort to become Dragons and Phoenixes were the true stars of this era.
Many believed the future Zenith of the martial world would emerge from their ranks.
And among them, the Sword Phoenix was special.
She was the greatest prodigy of them all.
The one who displayed overwhelming might even while surrounded by the world’s dragons.
After Peng Woojin succeeded as Young Lord of the Peng Clan and relinquished his title as the ‘greatest prodigy,’ it passed naturally to the Sword Phoenix.
Surprisingly, no one objected.
Not even the proudest, most arrogant young masters dared raise a voice against it.
That alone spoke volumes about how fearsome the Sword Phoenix truly was.
And it was also why I had never liked her.
I disliked that, despite sharing the same father, she possessed talents I couldn’t even dream of.
I disliked that her name always came before mine, no matter where I went.
To me, the Sword Phoenix was a mountain I could never climb, no matter how hard I tried.
An ocean I could never cross, no matter how fiercely I rowed.
That was why I didn’t like her.
Why I wanted to flee every time her name was mentioned.
But after telling myself these things for so long, a doubt eventually surfaced in my mind:
Is that really the truth?
A question I couldn’t answer—because deep down, I already knew.
…The real problem is—
No matter how many reasons I fabricated to hate her, I was always aware of one undeniable fact:
Even if I piled excuse upon excuse to resent her…
I could never truly bring myself to hate her.
That was what I truly disliked.
At least, that’s how I felt… until now.
“Little brother.”
“…Yeah?”
“Huh? ‘Yeah’!?”
“Yes… I meant—Yes, sister…?”
“Good, that’s better. Hey, your hands are drooping—lift them properly.”
“…Yes.”
With trembling arms raised high, I thought to myself:
…‘Can’t hate her,’ my ass.
Now, it felt all too easy.
…This cruel bitch.
* * *
I had bolted the moment I heard the news, but I was caught almost instantly—far too easily.
The Second Elder, standing right in front of me, shot out a hand and seized me by the scruff.
“And where do you think you’re going?”
“…Second Elder, could you pretend you didn’t see me? Just this once?”
“What nonsense is this? I didn’t just come about the engagement—your sister has returned!”
“Exactly! One reason was bad enough, but now there are two! That’s why I’m running!”
“…This old man doesn’t understand you. Your sister is back after so long—why flee?”
“How can I face her when I don’t know what she’ll do to me…? I’m going to hide in the mountains for a few months. Don’t come looking.”
“…Did you catch some illness in Sichuan? Why are you acting like this? You’re making me want to knock you out cold.”
I froze at the Elder’s threatening tone.
This crazy old man!
And of all the places to grab me, he had me by the neck—now there was no chance of breaking free.
Even with my improved qi, I was still nothing compared to the Second Elder.
Still… I kept scanning for an escape route, planning my next move.
Then, I sensed a presence I never wanted to feel again.
It’s… getting closer…!!
I thought she was in the Lord’s quarters!
A powerful aura was approaching, growing stronger with every second.
My newly enhanced qi allowed me to detect it from this distance.
As the presence neared, my body grew hot, as though burning from the inside.
What in the—what is this?
Her mere aura was bearing down on me, pressing like a physical weight.
Seriously, did she set herself on fire or something?
How could a human radiate such overwhelming pressure so casually?
At least try to conceal it…!
The madwoman made no effort to suppress her qi—it felt like she was actively trying to scorch the entire estate.
The Second Elder released me as the immense energy drew near.
He knew there was no point in me running now.
The moment the thought crossed my mind—
A figure leaped lightly over the gate and landed before us.
I turned to face the intruder.
Despite the fiery energy she emanated, her physique seemed almost delicate.
Long hair streaked with shades of red, eyes burning a dark crimson—clear proof she had reached the Fifth Star of a destructive flame art.
A martial artist who could rightfully claim her place among the world’s strongest.
She’d inherited the fierce Gu Clan features, but with finely sculpted beauty.
Where my second sister had an innocent look, this terrifying one took after our father’s sharp, imposing traits.
A cape billowed behind her, emblazoned with a golden tiger—the mark of the Gu Clan’s sword unit leader.
The woman stared at me for what felt like an eternity, then swept her hair back casually.
Only then did the crushing pressure vanish.
As I finally caught my breath, the woman with crimson lips spoke.
“Little brother.”
“Yeah…?”
“You should greet your elder sister properly when you see her.”
“…”
Cold sweat trickled down my temple.
…What do I say?
I ran through a hundred responses before settling on one.
“Hi…?”
“…”
No reply.
She only tilted her head, as if waiting.
Clearly unsatisfied, I tried again.
“Hello… eldest sister?”
Nod.
She nodded immediately, apparently pleased.
…I’m losing my mind.
The Sword Phoenix, Gu Huibi.
My eldest sister, whom I hadn’t seen in years.
Some things never change, huh?
Gu Huibi watched me with fiery intensity.
…Why is she looking down at me like that?
Wait… why am I…?
We shouldn’t be that different in height.
…That’s when I realized—I had unconsciously sunk to my knees.
“…?”
…What?
Did my instincts force me to kneel?
Shockingly, it seemed pure fear had taken over.
“I like how quick you are to act.”
Gu Huibi smiled ominously, satisfied with my posture.
…Her smile was terrifying.
“Now raise your hands, too.”
“…Huh? Why my hands?”
“Must I repeat myself?”
I immediately lifted my hands high.
Again, my body moved against my will.
What kind of shitty upbringing is this…?
“Little brother.”
“…Yeah.”
“Huh? ‘Yeah’!?”
“Yes… I mean, Yes, sister…?”
“Good, that’s more like it. Hey—your hands are sagging. Keep them up properly.”
“…Yes.”
Why was she like this after all these years?
I shot a pleading glance at the Second Elder, but he only watched with a satisfied expression.
“It’s good to see you siblings getting along so well.”
“…You call this ‘getting along’?”
“Hahahaha!”
Gu Huibi, having meted out her unexplained punishment, finally turned and bowed respectfully to the Elder.
“It’s been a long time, Second Elder.”
“Indeed it has. How have you been, Huibi?”
“Much the same, Elder.”
“I can see that. I hear you’re excelling as leader of the swordsmen.”
“It’s only possible because everyone supports me.”
The two exchanged pleasantries, calm and civil.
All well and good, but—
How long did I have to keep my hands up?
…At my age, really.
My arms trembled.
Not from fatigue, but from sheer humiliation.
…I swear.
“This is just too much…!”
I couldn’t take it.
There was no way I’d allow such humiliation in this reborn life.
I dropped my arms and rounded on Gu Huibi.
“How old do you think I am that I should be treated like—”
“Raise them again.”
“Yes.”
Goddammit…
Gu Huibi turned from the Elder and stepped closer, her gaze piercing.
With her qi igniting her eyes a fiery red, she looked both mystical and terrifying.
“Little brother.”
“…Yes?”
“Do you know what you’ve done wrong?”
“Was it… trying to run when I heard you were back…?”
“…You tried to what?”
Shit… Wrong guess.
I coughed awkwardly and tried to look away, but Gu Huibi pressed a finger to my cheek and forced my face back toward hers.
What’s going on? What did I even do to deserve this?
They say people think faster in emergencies—must be true, because another possibility hit me.
“…Is this about second sister?”
“Yeonseo?”
“Yes, if you’re punishing me because I slapped her—”
“You slapped Yeonseo?”
…Not that either, then.
I seemed to be confessing to crimes she didn’t even know about.
Strangely, Gu Huibi didn’t seem particularly bothered by the admission.
What was wrong with her that she didn’t care her younger sister had been struck?
“Strange. I didn’t think Yeonseo would let someone of your level slap her.”
“Then why are you punishing me?”
My words seemed to displease her; her gaze sharpened, prickling my skin like needles.
“You.”
“Yes?”
“I heard you’re arranging another marriage.”
“…Huh?”
I stared blankly, my mind stumbling.
What did she just say?
Did I hear that right?
Marriage? What does my marriage have to do with this punishment?
Gu Huibi went on, ignoring my confusion.
“Why didn’t you tell me beforehand?”
“I only found out today myself…?”
Even if I had known earlier, why would I need to inform Gu Huibi?
…Wait, so I’m really being punished over something this stupid?
“That’s why you’re angry?”
“Of course I’m angry! How dare you arrange another marriage without my permission!”
“What are you talking about? Have you lost your mind!?”
I let out a dry, disbelieving laugh.
What was she going on about? Was she drunk in the middle of the day?
As I raised my voice, Gu Huibi’s brow furrowed—a clear sign she was growing truly furious.
T-This might be getting dangerous…?
Swoosh!
Sure enough, heat erupted from her body.
Her cape whipped violently in the torrent of her qi.
…I’m screwed, aren’t I?
The instincts of a little brother raised on beatings screamed at me to kowtow immediately.
But my rational mind whispered:
It’s already too late.
Damn it… what good are you now?
I shuffled back subtly, preparing to bolt, when Gu Huibi’s icy voice cut through the air.
“Lost my mind? How dare you say such—”
“Young Master…?”
An unexpected voice interrupted.
Gu Huibi’s raging qi vanished in an instant.
I turned and saw Wi Seol-Ah standing there, holding a tray of warm dumplings, her eyes fixed on me.
“What…”
A chill ran down my spine. I looked away from Seol-Ah and back to Gu Huibi.
The fiery gaze that had been locked on me was now directed, cold and sharp, at Wi Seol-Ah.