Chapter 46: Sword Phoenix (6)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 46: Sword Phoenix (6)
Human memory is a fickle thing, especially when it comes to events long past. Even for a martial prodigy like Gu Huibi, this truth held firm.
Yet, one memory remained etched into her mind, indelible.
[Please, take good care of Yangcheon.]
It was Gu Huibi’s warmest memory, a touchstone she returned to in times of hardship—a memory that was both a balm and a poison.
To Gu Huibi, that woman was the kindest and most beautiful soul she had ever known. She was the polar opposite of the Gu Clan’s wild son. In truth, it often felt as though she loved them more than their own birth mother.
She was the mother who would let her son rest his head upon her knees.
The mother whose smile never faltered, no matter what trouble her children caused.
The mother who worried for her injured children more than they worried for themselves.
Mother.
She was the very definition of the word, lacking in nothing.
Now, that mother—who had watched over them not with power, but with boundless kindness—was gone.
Gu Huibi had vowed to herself that she would move heaven and earth to fulfill her mother’s final wish: to save Gu Yangcheon.
But she had failed. She was not her kind mother, try as she might. The effort was there, but from the moment of her birth, it was an impossible task. So, she sought another way.
Gu Huibi’s first conclusion was that she needed strength, and thus, she took up the sword. Fortunately, she was a natural. An aggressive temperament coursed through her veins, an inheritance from the Gu Clan bloodline that persisted even after she left. She never shed it.
But she also never forgot the lesson her mother had imparted:
Where there is love, it is possible to save those you cherish.
That truth, demonstrated through her mother’s every action, became Gu Huibi’s creed. She would live by it, and she would carry it with her until the very end.
* * *
“Little brother.”
I called out to him. It seemed he had grown a little since I last saw him. I could tell he’d gotten thinner; his previous fondness for sweets had given him a chubby look that was now gone. It was partly why I’d felt a pang of guilt and brought him dumplings. Seeing him enjoy them did make me happy, though.
“Hey.”
I used a tone utterly devoid of affection and smiled. To me, his defiance was like a kitten showing its claws—endearingly cute.
It appeared a lingering energy from his trip to Sichuan still resided within him. And in the brief moment I looked away, he’d managed to find trouble again. No matter how much I scolded him, he never listened.
How dare he agree to another marriage arrangement?
It was just like with the Peng Clan engagement.
These things only happen when I’m away from home.
I was starting to develop a grudge against my father, who kept arranging these marriages without so much as informing me.
And it always coincides with me being away on business. Is he doing it on purpose?
But the most baffling thing was his complete transformation after just a few months of my absence.
He was my little brother. I would know him anywhere. It was just that he now carried himself with the bearing of a martial artist.
Just look at him now. The brother I knew would have been cowering in a corner of his room, yet here he stood before my overwhelming aura, showing no fear. Instead, he was searching for an opening—a chance to counter-attack.
How to describe this feeling?
Magnificent? Or does that make me sound like a pervert?
A duel against a strong opponent is always a thrill. There is no room for retreat on either side. I never imagined I would feel this way facing my own brother. I had constantly worried about what to do with his disobedience…
But to see him change for the better in such a short time filled me with both pride and a tinge of regret that I missed it. Had he remained his wild self, I would have seriously considered dragging him into my swordsmen group by force. Now, that seemed unnecessary.
Is this also because of that Namgung girl?
Blaze-!
My emotions surged, causing my Qi to flare uncontrollably for a moment.
The Military Exhibition of Tang? Is that where they met? I thought he’d make some pathetic excuse and skip it again this year.
I heard the Second Elder forced him to go. That’s the rumor, anyway.
Of course, it had to be the Second Elder, the one person I can’t even complain to… Sigh.
That girl from Namgung… I wonder if she’s pretty.
Judging by the Lightning Dragon’s looks, she must be at least passable. I would have preferred to meet her in person, but her clan has hidden her away so thoroughly I couldn’t find a chance.
…The only scrap of information I managed to dig up was that she was hailed as the top beauty of Anhui. What a useless piece of intel.
“Sister.”
My brother’s voice cut short my thoughts. Gu Yangcheon had already settled into a fighting stance.
“What is it?”
“I called because you seemed lost in thought in the middle of our duel.”
“Oh? Worried your big sister might get hurt? How thoughtful.”
Gu Yangcheon didn’t reply, instead cracking his neck and stretching his limbs. With every movement, I could hear the popping of his joints—or at least, it seemed that way to me.
Even in his ready stance, I couldn’t sense the specific, intense heat characteristic of the Third Star of the Gu Flame Wheel Art.
Why is that?
Is he preparing something else? Or is he just nervous?
“Little brother, aren’t you going to use a sword?”
“I don’t use a sword anymore.”
His words gave me pause.
He doesn’t use a sword anymore?
I saw him carrying a wooden practice sword just a few months ago. Did he give it up because it didn’t suit him? But that would mean he’d trained with the sword for a long time. To abandon it simply because he didn’t like it…
Shouldn’t I scold him for that?
That was my initial thought, but I quickly dismissed it.
…I’ll let it be.
I couldn’t scold him over such trivial matters. After all, I wasn’t his mother.
“…Yeah, whatever. It’s his choice,” I said, leveling my wooden sword at him. “Little brother.”
“Yes?”
“Aren’t you going to make a move?”
“I am.”
I shifted into my own stance at his reply. Truthfully, I hadn’t planned to take this duel seriously. I wanted to teach him a lesson for agreeing to another marriage, but I had no intention of hurting someone who was already injured.
Let’s keep it light, just a casual spar.
My primary goal was to help disperse the stagnant Qi within him. I had to remember that.
It had been a long time since I’d crossed blades with my brother. Unlike Gu Yeonseo, who was obsessed with sparring with me, Gu Yangcheon had always despised it. This was a novel experience.
Take it easy on him.
I wanted to prolong this moment. If I used too much force, it would be over in an instant, and I’d fail in my mission to help him.
I was acutely aware of my own capabilities. I had always been a step ahead of the other Four Dragons and Two Phoenixes, a fact that constantly reinforced my confidence in my talent. Some might call this arrogance, but my skills backed it up.
But that lunatic from the Peng Clan…
That madman. No, he’s called the Young Lord of Peng now. Despite his insanity, his martial talent was on another level, even among the world’s prodigies. Yet, he wasn’t completely beyond my reach. It wouldn’t be long before I caught up, was my assessment.
“Sister.”
Gu Yangcheon’s voice snapped me back to the present. I’d gotten lost in thought again. No matter the opponent, such a lapse was unacceptable. I was about to apologize when I sensed something strange.
His voice was much closer than it should have been.
“Wha—!”
Before I could even form the word, my body reacted instinctively, honed by months of battling demons. My wooden sword swept through the air, trailing a crescent of red Qi.
But it met empty air.
Press-!
The attack hadn’t come from the front. A sensation at my flank made me twist my body aside with desperate speed.
Pow-!
I barely evaded the blow. The moment I did, a concuss blast of Qi erupted where the punch landed. It all happened in a split second.
I took several hurried steps back, my eyes wide with shock as I stared at Gu Yangcheon. He now stood where I had been a moment before. A faint red aura shimmered around the fist he had casually retracted.
Just barely.
As I moved away, the area around him darkened again, but in that darkness, I could see his eyes clearly. They held a faint crimson glint.
How…?
The manifestation of red Qi around one’s body, the change in physical bearing… these were signs of reaching a stage I myself had attained.
Then how is he…?
The question echoed in my mind. I could recognize it because we practiced the same art. What he was using was undoubtedly the destructive Gu Flame Wheel Art, yet it felt different. If I had to compare it to anyone, it was reminiscent of the Clan Lord himself.
His stance, his piercing gaze, the Qi swirling around him… I saw the shadow of the Tiger Warrior in Gu Yangcheon.
This wasn’t just because he was his son. It was utterly bizarre. My father was on the verge of the highest realm of the Gu Flame Wheel Art, while Gu Yangcheon was, at best, at the Third Star. Yet the resemblance was uncanny.
Shaking out his hand, Gu Yangcheon spoke.
“Sister.”
A sense of pressure washed over me—something I hadn’t even felt facing demons. It wasn’t the pressure of his Qi. It was the sheer presence of Gu Yangcheon himself that was daunting.
Me, the greatest prodigy, the Sword Phoenix in the flesh…
…How astounding.
What could have happened to change that child so dramatically? A wave of self-reproach washed over me for having been away those few months, for missing this transformation. The disappointment was acute.
Gu Yangcheon looked directly at me and said, “Are you done letting your guard down?”
“…You’re right. How could I be so careless?” I admitted.
If Gu Yangcheon hadn’t called my name…
If he had aimed for my chin instead of my flank…
Would I still be standing here?
I wasn’t sure.
Forcing down the inexplicable joy bubbling within me, I asked, “Little brother, what happened while I was gone?”
“A lot happened,” he replied, his expression turning somewhat sour. Apparently, not all of it was pleasant.
“Oh no… This is bad,” I murmured, lightly licking my lips.
I was thrilled by the idea of my brother achieving great things. I felt immense relief that he, who seemed headed down a wrong path, had found a better one.
Separate from that sentiment, however, my martial instincts screamed at me: Subdue the enemy.
I hadn’t forgotten my main objective for this duel, but a greedy desire began to stir within me.
Just a little… It can’t hurt, right?
Just a little… Surely he can handle it?
The moment I made that decision—
Blaze-!
I acted without hesitation.
* * *
…Is she finally back to her senses?
I let out a sigh as the heat radiating from her intensified dramatically. What had she been thinking about for so long? She kept frowning, then smiling, repeating the cycle over and over.
I could have ended it instantly by aiming for her chin, but since the point was to expel my lingering Qi—which was likely her intention as well—I’d settled for a warning shot. I just wanted to convey, ‘Wake up, I’m strong enough to be a proper martial artist now.’
But maybe I overdid it?
Holy… How much has she been holding back?
I flinched as a wave of scorching heat brushed past me. I was certain. The intensity she radiated now surpassed that of the Fifth Star Gu Flame Wheel Art. It was at least a level beyond.
“…You’re finally back to your senses, right, sister?” I asked, unable to hide my nervousness.
Gu Huibi, now wreathed in flames, smiled back. “Yeah! I’m fine, I’m fine.”
She did not look fine. A nickname spontaneously formed in my mind for this woman who seemed to have lost her composure: Mad Flaming Sword Gu Huibi.
…In simpler terms, I was just calling her a crazy woman on fire.
However you sliced it, it wasn’t a flattering title, but it fit her perfectly. Had I provoked her too much?
Thanks to reaching the Third Star, manipulating my Qi felt significantly easier, which had allowed me to land that surprise attack.
“…Though I regret it now.”
It seemed I had stirred up the crazy fire boar a bit too much. Stopping her now was going to be difficult.
“I’m coming, little brother…!”
“…On second thought, I don’t think you— Oh, for fuck’s sake.”
She charged at me before I could finish my sentence.
And that night, my training ground was utterly destroyed in the rampage of Gu Huibi.
* * *
While Gu Yangcheon’s residence was being demolished, a different scene unfolded in the main chamber of the Namgung Clan Lord.
“…Explain this.”
Lord Namgung Jin could not hide the tremor in his eyes as he addressed the guard kneeling before him.
“What is the meaning of this?”
The guard who had delivered the letter could only prostrate himself lower. “…This happened due to my negligence. I apologize, My Lord.”
His words fell on deaf ears. The Lord’s attention was entirely consumed by the letter clutched in his hand.
Namgung Jin read the short, hastily scrawled sentence his daughter had left behind, his hands shaking. The message was so devoid of effort it was almost difficult to comprehend. Yet, Namgung Jin was certain it was from her. Only his daughter would leave such a careless note and still manage to slip away so conspicuously from under the nose of the entire Namgung Clan.
“…You claim no one knows when she disappeared?”
“Yes, My Lord…”
Namgung Jin frowned deeply at the guard’s reply. A part of him wondered if he should be proud that she had evaded all the clan’s watchers. He would have been delighted, if not for the contents of the letter.
Unable to contain his fury any longer, Namgung Jin crumpled the paper in his fist.
“…Find her. Bring her back.”
His voice, filled with ferocious pressure, echoed through the room. The guard, overwhelmed, could barely manage a response, choking back a cry as he nodded vigorously.
On the crumpled letter left by Namgung Bi-ah, a single line was written:
I'm going away to see my fiance.
In essence, Namgung Bi-ah had run away from home.