Chapter 75: Cold in the Midst of Summer (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 75: Cold in the Midst of Summer (1)
I stepped into the hut and saw the Plum Blossom Sword Saint sleeping soundly, her breathing soft and even. Careful not to disturb her, I settled quietly into an open space.
The Immortal Healer rummaged through a drawer, producing bandages and a jar of medicinal salve for my wound.
For a martial artist with strong inner qi, a minor cut like this would heal in moments.
“You’re not thinking that, are you?”
“…O-Of course not.”
How perceptive…!
“Being a martial artist doesn’t make you immortal. A slit throat or a torn heart will kill you just the same.”
With that, he began applying the salve to my hand. It stung at first, but the discomfort faded as he wrapped the bandage snugly.
“Someone like you should understand that better than most.”
“…Huh?”
“What happened outside?”
I froze, stunned by his sudden question. Did he already know? His expression was grave, leaving no doubt that he was aware.
How did he find out? I was careful not to get any blood on me.
My first instinct was to play dumb, but there was no point. If I told the Celestial Plum Blossom, he would inform the Immortal Healer anyway. So I offered a light smile.
“I dealt with some troublemakers lurking around the hut.”
“…Were they a threat?”
“I believe they were from the Unorthodox Faction.”
The Immortal Healer’s expression shifted to one of pity. Why? Because I looked young? Well, I was young.
“…Is this your first time?”
“First time for what?”
“Killing someone.”
I fell silent, unsure how to answer. So that was it. My hands were still trembling slightly from the fight, and his gaze was fixed on them, his face deadly serious.
There was only one thing I could say.
“I’m fine.”
My body hadn’t fully calmed down yet, but I wasn’t dwelling on it deeply.
Does he blame himself? He’s more considerate than I thought.
It made sense why he’d chosen to be a doctor.
“It was something I’d have to face sooner or later anyway.”
The Immortal Healer valued every life, regardless of who they were. I wouldn’t tell him to change that. Most martial artists wouldn’t care, which was probably why he wore such a bitter expression now.
“There were men skulking around the hut. The Celestial Plum Blossom would have handled it if I’d told him.”
“Thank you.”
His gratitude caught me off guard. I hadn’t expected it. Noticing my surprise, the Immortal Healer frowned.
“What’s with that look? Do you think I’m incapable of thanking someone who helped me?”
“…No, it’s not that.”
“Don’t bother lying. Your face says it all.”
…Does it really?
[Your face is an open book. Don’t even try.]
…Hm.
I thought I was better at hiding it.
The treatment seemed finished, so I started to rise.
“…Don’t overexert yourself during training, and try to eat more vegetables.”
I paused at his unexpected advice. When I glanced back, he gave a fake cough and gestured for me to leave.
Feeling almost kicked out, I stood dazed outside the hut when Elder Shin’s voice echoed in my mind.
[He said that because of the energy inside you.]
“Oh.”
So he did care, despite his refusal to treat me. He was more thoughtful than I’d given him credit for.
[Speaking of which, what are you going to do about that thing inside you?]
What do you mean? I was told to live my life praying it doesn’t explode. So that’s what I’ll do.
[You mentioned before that you might have a solution.]*
I bit my lip. I did have a plan, but I was still hesitant. However, time was running short, and I needed to decide soon.
“Hey.”
Gu Ryunghwa spoke up as I stood there.
“Are you done?”
“…As you can see.”
She was chopping something with a kitchen knife. A potato? It was so mutilated it was barely recognizable. I thought about asking, but she was wholly focused on the task.
After hacking at the potato for a long time, she spoke again.
“…Um… Are… you okay?”
I tilted my head, confused, then realized she was looking at my bandaged hand.
“Are you worried?”
She shouted back, annoyed. “Who said I was worried!? I was just going to tell you to get lost if you’re finished.”
“I was planning to, so don’t worry.”
“I said I’m not worried…!”
Her outburst was unnecessary, so I ignored her. Letting her chirp all she wanted, I started back toward Mount Hua.
* * *
Upon returning to Mount Hua, I went straight to the Celestial Plum Blossom’s residence and reported everything. A simple letter delivery had turned into a bloody encounter, and his expression grew serious.
“I’m sorry.”
To my surprise, his first words were an apology. I told him it was fine.
Fortunately, he didn’t press for details about the mess I’d left in the forest, only saying he would investigate later. He ended the conversation by stating he would send scouts to the area, though his face remained troubled.
“…It seems I need to conduct a thorough sweep of the perimeter.”
He was concerned that intruders had been near the barrier and that one had escaped. Very few knew he was sheltering the Plum Blossom Sword Saint within that barrier. Given that an outsider like me had found out, it wouldn’t be strange for him to suspect me, especially with the recent disappearances of Mount Hua disciples.
Was that the Black Palace’s doing?
I didn’t know, but it seemed likely. I wanted to understand their motives and how they possessed that trace of Demonic Qi, but I had no way of finding out. I couldn’t even fully control my own body.
“Kid.”
“Yes.”
I responded instantly and looked at him. After collecting his thoughts, his expression eased back to its usual calm. To remain so composed in such times… I felt a flicker of respect.
“You faced difficulties on this task… I will bring you a gift in a few days. Keeping you here longer would only weary you further.”
“A gift?”
“An outsider became entangled in the Mount Hua Sect’s conflicts. It is my responsibility to provide adequate compensation.”
He could have blamed me for using my Flame Arts so brutally, but I held my tongue since he was offering something.
How could I refuse a gift?
I bowed and took my leave. He assured me the sect would handle the rest, so the matter was resolved from my end. The worst I suffered was a scratch on my hand, for which I was grateful.
[You live in a lenient world, brat.]
I understood why Elder Shin said that. Perhaps it was because this was Mount Hua Sect, but the world I lived in now was far more peaceful than the apocalyptic future I remembered.
Though that future isn’t far off. A few years at most.
Only a few years remained until that dreaded era arrived.
After completing the errand, it was already past lunch. Back at the lodge, the servants were busy with chores.
Where is Wi Seol-Ah?
I’d developed a habit of looking for her upon returning. Sure enough, she was working diligently alongside the other servants. She noticed me, smiled brightly, and waved. I waved back.
If Wi Seol-Ah was here, the Sword Venerable might be too, but I couldn’t find him anywhere. It was surprising she’d returned to the sect alone, but it was pointless to worry about the Sword Venerable. I assumed he had business in Shaanxi and put it out of my mind.
Entering my room, I found it empty. Namgung Bi-ah was gone.
“Where did she go?”
The blankets were neatly folded, suggesting she’d left some time ago. But where would she go on Mount Hua?
As I stood there puzzled, a passing servant spoke up.
“Lady Namgung went to the mountain.”
“The mountain? What for?”
“…She took a wooden sword with her. I believe she went to train.”
“…I see. Thank you.”
“Y-Yes!”
The servant flinched at my gratitude. I thought my relations with the servants had improved, but perhaps not.
[For a servant to be scared of being thanked… How did you treat them before?]
…I was a bit harsh in the past. I’m trying to be better now.
I was thankful I hadn’t resurrected at a time when I’d caused a major scene.
If I’d regressed a year or two later…
What would have happened?
…I don’t even want to think about it.
After watching Wi Seol-Ah for a while, I headed to the mountain where Namgung Bi-ah had gone. I had no particular reason beyond curiosity about why she’d chosen that place.
The mountain’s height alone was nauseating. Having used qi extensively earlier, the climb was exhausting even with qi reinforcement.
Swoosh—!
As I walked through the trees, a sharp sensation brushed past me.
Namgung Bi-ah usually had a low presence, overshadowed by her stunning beauty, but she possessed a unique trait, just as she had in her previous life.
Woosh—! Swoosh—!
When she held a sword, she became a different person. Her typically vacant eyes sharpened with an eerie, absolute focus channeled entirely into her blade.
This made her easy to find.
In a small clearing, I saw Namgung Bi-ah practicing her sword forms. I wasn’t the only one watching; several Mount Hua disciples were observing from the periphery.
There are more than I expected… Are they here to watch her?
Despite the audience, Namgung Bi-ah trained as if alone, her concentration unbreakable. A sharp pressure filled the area as she moved, holding a wooden sword, as if dancing on the edge of a blade.
It was the same sight I’d witnessed when I first met her after my regression:
The Master of Swords.
Her fluid, graceful movements were a world apart from her useless brother’s style. The Master of Swords’ elegant forms dominated the entire clearing.
[…How impressive.]*
Elder Shin’s comment reminded me of what he’d said about Yung Pung. Honestly, Namgung Bi-ah seemed far more impressive to me.
Unlike the sharp, aggressive qi the Namgung Clan was known for, her swordsmanship was fluid and elegant, like a dance. She sought to refine her art and find enlightenment on the path of the sword, and her movements were mesmerizingly beautiful.
It was hard to believe such grace earned her the title ‘Master of Swords.’ I was reminded once more of her excellence.
Yung Pung, Namgung Bi-ah, and the other geniuses of this era were already shining brightly.
Unlike me at this time.
[The current world is brimming with passion, huh…]*
I nodded in agreement.
I watched her sword dance for a long time. It felt different from what I was used to—there was no violence, only purity and elegance, unlike the Demonic Sword’s style.
…Beautiful.
That was the only word for it.
Crunch
Namgung Bi-ah stopped abruptly at the sound of a twig snapping.
Oh…
A murmur of disappointment rippled through the spectators, a testament to her captivating performance.
She looked toward the source of the sound—directly at me.
…Shit, I stepped on it.
I’d tried to be careful, but I’d failed. While everyone else watched her, she was looking only at me. A faint sheen of sweat glistened on her forehead, which she wiped away with her sleeve.
“…Huh?”
As she looked at me, her eyes suddenly contorted, then widened in shock. Abruptly, she threw her wooden sword aside and rushed toward me.
In a flash, she was before me, grabbing my clothes with both hands and sniffing me like an anxious dog.
“…What the hell! What are you doing!?”
I tried to push her away, shocked, but she held fast, her expression a mix of shock and despair.
Why does she look so desperate?
After sniffing me intently, her trembling eyes gradually calmed, and she stepped back. Then her legs gave way, and she collapsed to the ground.
“What’s wrong? Are you hurt?”
“Thank goodness…”
She seemed immensely relieved. Had she broken out in a colder sweat from fear than from her training? Her forehead was drenched. I moved closer and wiped it with my sleeve.
Suddenly, she grabbed my wrist with trembling hands and gently brought it to her nose.
What is she doing now?
“Do I smell?”
Had I picked up an odor? Some troublesome things had happened, but I hadn’t exerted myself enough to sweat.
Namgung Bi-ah shook her head quickly, her voice soft. “…You don’t stink.”
For some reason, I felt relieved.
After sitting silently for a long moment, she weakly got to her feet. For the hundredth time, I wondered whether to pull my hand back or leave it. In the end, I left it there; she seemed so serious.
[If you’d chosen otherwise, you wouldn’t be worthy of being called a man.]
“Are you done training?”
“…Yeah.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to continue? You still have time.”
“…Since you are here.”
Is she stopping because I’m here?
Trying to understand Namgung Bi-ah would only give me a headache, so I didn’t bother.
She quietly retrieved her wooden sword and trotted back to me.
“Your hand… it’s hurt?”
“Yeah, just a scratch.”
Everyone’s asking me that today.
Her next words carried a tone of disappointment. “…I wanted to ask you for a duel.”
“…”
…I was suddenly thankful for the injury.