Chapter 44: Sword Phoenix (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 44: Sword Phoenix (4)
The moment I entered my father’s room, his voice cut through the silence.
“I heard you destroyed the Lightning Dragon’s arm.”
No greeting, no preamble—just a question, delivered like a blade. That was his way. I was used to it, but it never got easier.
And what a question it was.
I hesitated, unsure how to answer. Should I simply state the facts?
“I didn’t destroy it. I broke it—that’s all.”
It was a weak distinction, and I knew it. Destroy, break—the meaning was much the same. But I had to say something.
Fortunately, my father didn’t seem to care much for my wording.
“Why did you do it?”
That was the real question. He had likely already heard the full account from the servants, yet he wanted it from my own lips.
I took a slow breath before answering.
“The Lightning Dragon challenged me to a duel. I accepted. When he tried to kill me, I retaliated.”
Short, direct—that was the truth of it. I might have provoked him a little—he was being insufferable—but he was the one who took the bait.
“The Lightning Dragon tried to kill you?”
“Yes. We agreed not to use qi, but he channeled it into his wooden sword and struck to kill.”
“Evidence?”
“Every spectator saw it.”
The Young Lord of the Tang Clan had seen it most clearly. Tang Soyeol was there too, though she seemed too dazed afterward to be a reliable witness.
My father gave a slow nod.
“Then that is that.”
No matter the situation, his reactions were always subdued. His own son had just defeated the Lightning Dragon in a duel, and he showed nothing—no pride, no surprise. I had rarely seen my father truly shaken by anything. Not when his son became a demon, not when his children died one by one, not even when he himself was dying.
As I stood there in silence, he spoke again.
“It seems you’ve achieved a new level.”
“…Pardon?”
He had said those same words to Gu Yeonseo during our meal not long ago. Now he was saying them to me. I almost found it funny.
But even when I broke through to the Third Star of the Flame Arts in such a short time, he hadn’t reacted strongly. He was always like this—impassive, detached.
“Good work.”
“…Thank you.”
…Huh?
Despite myself, I felt the corners of my mouth twitch upward. I fought to keep my expression neutral. Was I really so pleased by such a small compliment at my age?
Then again… this was a first.
Had anyone ever praised me before? I didn’t think so.
No wonder such a simple phrase affected me so easily.
Having asked his questions, my father fell silent. Sometimes I wondered if he ever suspected me of lying.
After reading through another letter, he shifted topics.
“I assume you met your fiancée there, since you had conflict with the Namgung Clan.”
“…”
There it was. The real issue.
Sigh… fiancée.
Just the word made me tense.
I steadied my voice before asking, “How did this come about?”
“What?”
“The marriage arrangement with the Namgung Clan. How did it happen?”
No matter how I looked at it, the match felt random. Sudden. In my previous life, there had been no new marriage agreement—and certainly not with the Namgung Clan.
My father answered, indifferent to my unease.
“It was decided in the Elder’s meeting. It should not be a problem for you.”
“…”
Not a problem? What kind of reasoning was that? What had happened to make Namgung Bi-ah my fiancée all of a sudden?
As I stewed silently, my father continued.
“You caused trouble with the Peng Clan’s arrangement. I trust you will not repeat that mistake.”
Had he sensed my reluctance? There was a warning in his words—don’t mess this up a second time.
Because of that, I couldn’t argue. I had no choice but to stay silent.
Flutter.
The sound of folding paper filled the room as I waited. My father hadn’t dismissed me yet, which meant he had more to say.
Tap. Tap.
His ring finger tapped lightly against the desk—a habit of his when deep in thought. Seeing it, I frowned. I had the same habit. It was one of the small, unwelcome things that reminded me I was truly his son.
“The heart of summer is near.”
His voice pulled me from my thoughts.
What is he talking about now?
“Yes, it’s summer.”
The days were growing hotter, but why mention it now?
Wait. Summer…
“The martial arts tournament at Mount Hua will begin soon.”
My heart stuttered at his words. My breath caught.
Mount Hua.
The name alone summoned memories of flames and ashes.
…Don’t think about it.
I drew a slow breath, calming myself.
My father watched me. “Something wrong?”
“…It’s nothing. What of the tournament?”
Instead of answering, he handed me the letter he’d been holding.
I took it carefully and read. Then I frowned.
“Why are you giving me this?”
“Bring her here.”
“But why?”
“Because you must.”
What kind of reasoning was that?
I didn’t hide my displeasure. “You know I just returned from Sichuan.”
“You have one week to prepare for the journey.”
“I assume I don’t have the option to refuse?”
What a ridiculous order. Sending me on another long trip right after I’d come back. Was the heat getting to him? Unlikely—he practiced Flame Arts. Had he changed his mind about something?
The Gu Clan rarely allowed its direct descendants to travel freely. Gu Huibi was an exception—her talent earned her that privilege. But I was different. I may be the clan leader’s son, but to the outside world, I was still young, untested. Letting me travel so far before I’d even been formally named Young Lord was… unusual. And I doubted many in the clan approved.
Yet here he was, sending me all the way to Mount Hua.
“Father, even so, isn’t it too much to ask me to go to Mount Hua—”
“You don’t have to go if you don’t wish to.”
“Oh? Then I won’t—”
“However,” he cut in, “if you go, I will reward you with a Euphoric Heavenly Pill from the clan’s secret vault.”
“—of course I’ll go, as is my duty as your son. When should I depart?”
The words left my mouth before I could reconsider. The pill… it was too tempting.
…Was I being too opportunistic?
A flicker of guilt rose as I saw my father’s slight frown. But a Euphoric Heavenly Pill in exchange for a journey? That was a deal I couldn’t refuse.
It was a treasure second only to Shaolin’s So-Hua Elixir. Consuming it could grant qi equivalent to twenty years of cultivation.
And my father was serious—he really would open the vault for me.
My qi had grown during my last trip, but only because my foundation had been so pitiful before. In truth, both my body and my qi reserves were still lacking.
“…You said I have a week to prepare?”
It didn’t feel like enough. I had matters to settle.
“Do you need more?”
“May I leave in ten days?”
He nodded.
Then he picked up another letter. How many did he have to read?
Ten days. At least he’d agreed.
I would have ten days here in Shanxi before setting out again. The thought of another long journey so soon was exhausting, but for a Heavenly Pill, it was worth it.
Still, it was strange. Offering such a treasure for a simple task… My father wouldn’t lie, but was this really important enough to warrant that reward?
He pointed toward the door without looking up.
“You are dismissed. Go and rest.”
“Yes.”
I was glad to leave. His presence always put me on edge.
Still, this meant I had to visit the Haomoon Clan soon, and continue my training besides.
Mount Hua…
I remembered plum blossoms blooming in brilliant profusion.
And I remembered them burning, turning to ash.
Do I have any right to set foot there again?
Don’t think about it.
This line of thought led nowhere good.
But that was the past. It wouldn’t happen again in this life.
As always, I would keep my secrets buried deep.
Just follow orders.
Better to focus on the mission.
After leaving my father’s room, I sorted through everything we’d discussed—especially my task: retrieve the last-born of the Gu Clan from Mount Hua.
* * *
When I returned to my quarters, the Second Elder and Gu Huibi were already gone.
After causing so much trouble, they just vanished. Typical. Still, I was grateful for the peace.
As I headed to my room to change, I noticed the Sword Venerable holding a broom. He saw me and bowed respectfully.
It had been a while, but his demeanor still made me uncomfortable.
Sob…
I turned toward the sound. There was Wi Seol-Ah, kneeling on the ground with her hands raised—the same punishment Gu Huibi had once given me.
Tears streamed down her face, but the Sword Venerable paid her no mind as he swept calmly.
It took me a moment to realize why she was being punished.
Ah. She followed me to Sichuan in secret.
She’d been gone a whole month without his permission. No wonder.
“Young Masterrr…”
Damn. Our eyes met.
I’d been trying to slip past unnoticed, but she was staring right at me, pleading silently. There was nothing I could do. The Sword Venerable was not someone I could easily interfere with.
…My only option is to retreat.
Still, I felt I should say something.
“…It’s getting cold at night. Please let her rest when you’re done.”
The Sword Venerable offered a gentle smile.
“Thank you for your concern, Young Master.”
“…It’s nothing.”
Cold? It’s summer. What a weak excuse.
Wi Seol-Ah looked utterly betrayed by my pathetic attempt.
“Young Masterrr!”
“How dare you raise your voice while being punished!” the Sword Venerable scolded.
She whimpered like a scolded puppy.
I’m sorry. There’s nothing I can do. You brought this on yourself—endure it a little longer.
I slipped into my room and closed the door, blocking out the sound of her cries. I even covered my ears.
All I wanted was to lie down and sleep. The day had drained me—the marriage discussion, Gu Huibi’s antics… I needed rest.
It was almost nightfall. If I slept now, I could recover.
Just as I began to relax, I sensed a presence outside.
“Young Master, it’s Hongwa.”
“What is it?”
“I came to see if you would like dinner.”
“…No appetite. Maybe later.”
The servant left.
I considered eating some dumplings, but I really wasn’t hungry. Sleep was all I wanted. I could always eat after my midnight training.
But less than half an hour after sending Hongwa away, I regretted my decision.
Someone barged into my room while I was napping.
“Little brother! You’re skipping dinner!?”
It was Gu Huibi. And she was holding a dumpling.