Chapter 58: The Fall of Plum Blossom Dragon (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 58: The Fall of Plum Blossom Dragon (1)
“Right now?”
My brows furrowed as I asked the question, and Yung Pung nodded in response.
I could understand his disappointment at our interrupted duel earlier. But no matter how I looked at it, his intentions no longer seemed pure.
He’s really bad at lying.
His directness and emotional honesty made him seem almost innocent.
[Nah, he’s just immature.]
Elder Shin’s comment made me cough in surprise. Coming from him, of all people, that was rich.
Should the former Lord of Mount Hua really be bad-mouthing his own disciple?
[Oh, so now you acknowledge me as the true Divine Sword of Mount Hua?]
Elder Shin laughed at my retort.
[In this world, being honest with your emotions doesn’t do you any favors. You’re young, but I think you understand what I mean.]
A little?
I understood his words better than anyone possibly could. Then again, anyone who had lived in the martial world would know this truth. It was precisely why I could tell that Yung Pung had likely been spoiled since childhood.
[It’s not always right to shelter a child. And for one with so much talent, they should have been stricter.]
Elder Shin’s disappointment was unexpected. Given that he had lived through war, I assumed he would have a more hardened view on raising the next generation.
[Of course, when faced with a beauty like her, anyone would be charmed, no matter their training.]
Following Elder Shin’s remark, my gaze drifted to Namgung Bi-ah.
Her white hair, tinged with blue, shimmered under the moonlight. The campfire before her cast a charming glow upon her face.
She was truly beautiful.
Unlike Wi Seol-Ah, who still retained a hint of childish softness, Namgung Bi-ah had fully blossomed. It made me wonder if a human could truly possess such beauty.
As I had thought in my past life, with her looks alone, it wouldn’t have been strange for her fame to spread beyond Anhui, throughout the entire world. And yet, the opposite was true—even when one considered her monstrous talent.
Was this also the doing of the Namgung Clan?
Either way, I could understand Yung Pung’s actions to some extent.
[I’m more astounded that you feel nothing, considering she’s your fiancée.]
A smirk touched my lips at Elder Shin’s words. After all…
I was no different.
Namgung Bi-ah was undoubtedly beautiful now, but her current beauty paled in comparison to her days as the ‘Demonic Sword.’
The Demonic Sword had been surrounded by an icy, dreamlike aura. Even other demonic humans who had lost their sanity would freeze when they laid eyes upon her.
But even then… there was a reason I felt uneasy around her.
The Demonic Sword was notorious for her violence, even among other demonic beings. Even the Demon Blade, who reveled in carnage, avoided her.
When she turned on her own clan…
When she waded through battlefields…
When she fought other demonic humans…
The Demonic Sword from my memories harbored an extreme hatred for humankind. Her fighting style was brutally violent. She didn’t just aim to kill; she sought to inflict death in the most painful way possible.
To give an example, I had seen her sever a man’s genitals in the heat of battle. And it wasn’t a one-time occurrence.
It reached a point where the Heavenly Demon itself told her to tone it down. Not that she ever listened.
But what kind of demonic human ignores a direct command from the Heavenly Demon?
That lunatic…
The truly frightening part was that, no matter how heinous her actions, she never radiated a shred of killing intent. Was there anything more dreadful than that?
The memory of her causing trouble wherever she went, and me always having to clean up the mess, gave me a headache.
[…What kind of thoughts are you having to make me feel so uncomfortable?]
It’s nothing.
However, if I had to point something out, it was that the Namgung Bi-ah of this life was a completely different person from the Demonic Sword of my memories. At least, that’s what I tried to tell myself.
Noticing my stare, Namgung Bi-ah lifted her head and met my eyes.
She looked identical to the Demonic Sword, yet her aura was entirely different. It was as if they were two separate people. The Namgung Bi-ah before me seemed empty… dull.
I wondered what had happened to make her so recklessly violent in my past life. Against my will, I felt a flicker of curiosity about something I had always avoided.
“Young Master.”
Yung Pung’s call snapped me from my thoughts.
“Yes?”
Why was he—? Oh, right. The duel.
I looked at him and asked, “It looked like you injured your back earlier. Will you be alright?”
“An injury like this is nothing to me.”
I understood his determination, but it was clear his emotions were running the show. The Mount Hua disciples who had been watching from a distance began to approach, their expressions disapproving of Yung Pung’s behavior.
I studied Yung Pung for a moment longer before speaking. “Let’s do it.”
[Huh?]
Not only Elder Shin, but everyone around us seemed shocked by my answer. Was it really that surprising?
[You were planning to refuse the duel until a moment ago. What changed your mind?]
…It’s nothing, really.
It wasn’t any grand reason. As Elder Shin said, I had initially intended to decline. But looking at Yung Pung, I felt a little sorry for him.
Elder Shin laughed.
[You try hard to hide it, but you’re not much better at lying than he is.]
Can you just let it slide?
[I will, since it’s not my place to stop you. I’m just curious why a guy who seems younger than that kid feels so indebted to Mount Hua.]*
I couldn’t let Elder Shin know the real reason.
Because I had accepted the duel, the Mount Hua group, who had been advancing to scold Yung Pung, came to an awkward halt. Judging by the fire in Shinhyun’s eyes, a severe reprimand was still inevitable for Yung Pung.
As I stood up to follow Yung Pung, someone grabbed my wrist firmly.
It was Namgung Bi-ah.
I tried to pull away, but her grip was surprisingly strong…
“Lady Namgung, what is the meaning of this?”
“You… are going to duel?”
“…Yes, as you can see.”
Namgung Bi-ah’s eyes widened at my response. It was the first time I had seen her express such clear shock.
“…What about me?” Her voice held a faint note of betrayal.
Was this really such a big deal to her?
“…Do you want to fight Yung Pung instead?”
I had my own goal in accepting the duel, but if Namgung Bi-ah took my place, that would be fine, too. For some reason, Yung Pung looked even more excited at my suggestion.
“I wouldn’t mind that either!”
“No.”
Namgung Bi-ah’s swift refusal was like a bucket of cold water on Yung Pung’s enthusiasm. The chill in her tone surprised me. Yung Pung instantly paled, as if her rejection had dealt him an internal injury.
A person who was obsessed with skilled swordsmen was rejecting a duel with the Dragon Sword?
I don’t even use a sword.
I felt something strange as Namgung Bi-ah slightly turned her head away.
Is she sulking? Is she actually… sulking because I didn’t fight her?
[You really are a son of a bitch.]
Elder Shin cursed as if he’d been waiting for the opportunity. It was the second worst thing he’d called me, right after ‘mantis.’
Can a Taoist really use such language…?
[I’m already dead, so who cares? You should get rid of that stereotypical thinking.]
So it’s my fault now?
[Yes. I’ll have you know a certain monk was almost expelled from his clan for secretly stealing meat. What’s the problem with a Taoist cursing a little?]*
I really didn’t need to know that… the dark history of a figure recorded in the annals of time. It was even more absurd coming from the ghost of Mount Hua’s former lord.
I decided not to dwell on it and turned my attention back to Yung Pung. “Young Master, are you sure you can fight?”
A bit of light returned to Yung Pung’s eyes at my question. “Yeah, of course I can. I will.” For some reason, he seemed even more fired up than before. This guy was more trouble than I’d thought.
[Once jealousy blinds you, you can’t see anything else.]
I didn’t disagree with Elder Shin’s words. It was the most relatable thing he’d said in a while.
Crunch.
My foot stepped on an old branch, the sound crisp in the night air. Though it was midsummer, the evening breeze after nightfall kept the heat at bay.
We took our positions a reasonable distance apart, with Shinhyun standing between us, just like before. Anger was written all over Shinhyun’s face, and I wasn’t sure if Yung Pung noticed—
Never mind. He was clearly aware and deliberately avoiding Shinhyun’s gaze. He probably knew that once the duel was over, Shinhyun’s wrath would descend upon him in full force.
We observed each other for a moment. Yung Pung’s expression was different now, more composed.
“…I apologize for my actions,” Yung Pung said, his voice quiet, almost a whisper, unlike his earlier bravado.
His sudden apology piqued my curiosity. “Why the sudden change?”
“…I was told not to let my emotions control me, but I’ve embarrassed myself again.”
Had the cool night air cleared his head? It was surprising he realized it so quickly.
[At least he’s not the worst kind.]
You think so?
[He can observe and judge himself objectively. That’s a necessary quality for a martial artist.]*
He truly lived up to his origins from a Taoist clan. Although, I still noticed Yung Pung sneaking glances at Namgung Bi-ah.
Wait, where was Wi Seol-Ah? I had assumed she would be next to Namgung Bi-ah, but she was nowhere in sight.
She’s probably off playing somewhere.
That’s what I decided to believe.
[It’s understandable he’s weak to a woman’s charm at his age.]*
You’re defending him all of a sudden? If that’s the case, I’m younger than Yung Pung.
[Ahem… I have to defend my own disciple. Besides, no matter how I look at it, you may be younger physically, but your mental age is certainly not that of a child.]*
I didn’t respond to Elder Shin. It would feel wrong to lie to him about my true age.
After stretching, Shinhyun spoke. “Begin.”
I expected Yung Pung to charge immediately, but instead, he stood his ground, observing me carefully.
[He sensed something during your last exchange.]*
Before Namgung Bi-ah sent him flying, he had experienced my movements, however briefly.
[Good observation. If he continues to grow like this, the future of Mount Hua will be in his hands.]*
Elder Shin’s praise was genuine. I initially thought it might be bias, but then I realized he could perceive Yung Pung’s intent precisely because he was from Mount Hua.
-Rustle.
Something fluttered down near Yung Pung. It looked like a plum blossom, crumbling to dust as soon as it touched the ground.
Suddenly, plum blossoms materialized around Yung Pung, swirling as if caught in a gentle breeze.
To make your sword blossom, to manifest the Qi of plum blossoms—that was the dream of every Mount Hua martial artist, the first great goal for any disciple of the clan.
The Plum Blossom Sword Art.
This was the first time I had seen Yung Pung like this.
[…To have such mastery over the Plum Blossom Art at his age… What monstrous talent.]*
Elder Shin’s voice was heated with surprise.
While I was simply observing, Elder Shin continued.
[Want some tips on how to beat him?]*
I almost smirked at his absurd offer.
I thought you said you had to support your own side?
[At this rate, you’re just going to get beaten to a pulp and collapse. You won’t achieve the reason you accepted this duel.]*
So that was his intention…
Elder Shin.
[What is it?]*
How far can you see?
I asked him what he perceived when he looked at Yung Pung and me.
Elder Shin fell silent for a moment. Could he truly gauge our full capabilities?
[In my current state, I can’t perceive that much.]*
It seemed his vision was limited. I gave a slight nod. That was for the best; it would be troublesome if he could see everything.
The plum blossom Qi emanating from Yung Pung began to engulf the area around me. It appeared beautiful and warm on the surface, but the sharp Qi felt like countless swords pointed at me.
It was already impressive that he could generate so much Qi, but to imbue it with such powerful will was another feat entirely. He truly lived up to his reputation as Mount Hua’s best.
“I shall begin, Young Master.”
“Not going to give a weaker opponent the first move?”
“I never once considered you a weaker opponent.”
“…Huh.”
He was different from the others. I felt genuinely sorry for having compared him to the likes of Gu Jeolyub and Namgung Cheonjun.
“I’ll be starti-…?”
Yung Pung froze mid-motion. I could feel his shock as his eyes widened and his breathing hitched.
[W-What is this?]*
Even Elder Shin was stunned, his voice faltering.
-Blaze-!
My Gu Flame Wheel Art erupted. A torrent of Qi burst from my body, not focused into a single point but allowed to run wild, flowing everywhere.
An intense heat began to devour the space around us. The raging inferno, with no intention of cooling, swallowed the plum blossom Qi lingering in the air.
The phantom petals started to burn away, consumed by my blazing Qi. Once his Qi was incinerated, the fiery energy began swirling around my body, forming a protective wheel of flame.
I can even do something like this now that my Qi has increased.
I wouldn’t have dared attempt this before, as I lacked the reserves. Now, it came easily.
The ‘Blazing Wheel.’
It wasn’t a particularly complex technique—simply forming a wheel of flame around one’s body. But it was incredibly Qi-intensive, so I rarely used it. I was controlling it well for now, but I couldn’t sustain it for long.
[…I failed to realize a real monster was right in front of me.]*
He was overpraising me. Though Elder Shin’s compliment was initially pleasing, I couldn’t help but feel conflicted. I honestly hadn’t expected to go this far, but a long-dormant excitement was stirring within me.
Yung Pung stood before me, visibly shocked as he watched his plum blossoms burn away one by one. Shinhyun, watching from the sidelines, wore a similar expression of astonishment.
“Young Master Yung Pung.”
He flinched at my call, as if waking from a trance.
“Here I come.”
I didn’t wait for his response. I leaped toward him, flames swirling around my body. A colossal inferno instantly engulfed Yung Pung.