Chapter 78: Not Ugly
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 78: Not Ugly
[Brother…!]
The sob escaped my lips as I wandered through the woods near our home, bathed in an unseasonably warm sunlight that broke through the usual cold-season fog.
This was a memory from my childhood.
I was the seeker in our little game of hide-and-seek. I always preferred being the seeker; hiding alone in the shadows was too frightening. Brother had boasted he was an expert at hiding, assuring me there was no need to worry about always being the one to search.
[Brother… where are you?]
I trudged forward, pushing aside low-hanging branches. Despite his boasts, Brother was never very good at hiding. I always found him without fail. This time was no different—I spotted a corner of his Gu clan clothing peeking out from behind a tree not far away.
My tear-streaked face instantly brightened.
Found you!
I darted my head around the tree to surprise him.
[Huh…?]
But Brother wasn't there. Only his jacket, snagged on the bark.
[Brother, where are—]
[Boo—!]
[Kyaghhhh!]
A shout from behind sent me tumbling to the ground with a scream. The shock was so great that tears sprang to my eyes. When I spun around, I saw Brother laughing at me.
His eyes were normally sharp and fierce, but when he smiled, they became kind and warm.
[Did I scare ya?]
[I… I was so scared…]
[I knew this would work.]
His proud grin annoyed me. In retaliation, I pummeled his shoulders with my small fists. He just kept laughing, completely unfazed by my weak blows. After his laughter subsided, he reached out a hand for me to take.
I gave him a puzzled look but took it anyway.
[Let’s go back. Mom is probably waiting for us.]
[Already…?]
[Yeah. We’ll get in trouble if we stay out any longer.]
That was impossible. Neither of us had ever seen Mom truly angry. Still, I nodded. I always listened to Brother.
His hand was endlessly warm. Before I realized it, he had draped the jacket he'd used to trick me over my shoulders. He'd done it because the day had grown chilly.
Even if it was cold, I could bear it as long as we were together.
[…Sister Yeonseo bullied me again earlier.]
[Sister did?]
[Yeah… She glared at me and said it was her mom, even though Mom is ours too…]
[I see.]
Brother patted my head with his warm hand. The gentle touch made my heart melt with happiness.
[Since Sister is part of our family too, she can say that, right?]
[…Yeah, I guess.]
The way Brother looked at me was always so warm and comforting. I loved that. I didn't like Father's cold, sharp eyes, but the eyes of Brother and Mom were always filled with warmth. That was all I needed in life.
That was what Gu Ryunghwa believed back then.
[What should we eat today?]
[I want fish!]
[Fish? Okay, let’s go ask Mom.]
[Yeah!]
Walking hand-in-hand with Brother, we soon arrived home. As evening approached, the lights were already on, and I could see Mom waving to us from a distance.
[Mommm!]
I waved back energetically, then broke into a run and threw my arms around her. Her hands were cold from waiting outside for so long… but I loved those cold hands all the same.
Soon, she patted the head of Brother, who had followed behind me.
It was the cold season, but the people around me filled me with endless warmth. That was all I needed. I believed I would be happy as long as I could hold onto this wonderful life. That was the simple dream of my childhood.
But the Heavens had other plans.
A week later, everything was ruined, and Gu Ryunghwa's life hit rock bottom.
* * *
Every summer, the Mount Hua Sect held a tournament for its disciples.
It was a simple competition where disciples sparred to determine a winner, but it also served as a process for the sect to select new Swordsmen of Mount Hua.
All second-generation disciples who had not yet attained the title were required to participate. For third-generation disciples, it was optional.
By this rule, Gu Ryunghwa, as a second-generation disciple, was technically obligated to enter. However, due to her special circumstances, the elders and first-generation disciples had granted her an exception, allowing her to compete only against the third-generation students.
But Gu Ryunghwa had refused.
She had no desire to fight juniors, and she felt she couldn't back down from the main tournament without tarnishing her Master's honor.
-Swish—! Swoosh—!
The wooden sword I swung heavily, without a moment's pause…
I had practiced these swings countless times since joining Mount Hua Sect. Yet, I still hadn't reached a level where I could properly execute the Plum Blossom Sword Art. There were so many other Mount Hua techniques I had yet to master.
I was growing desperate. Even I could feel that time was running out.
In contrast, my Master told me to relax and take my time. She said that since I was still young, I had plenty of opportunities ahead.
However.
Even if I become an exemplary swordsman in the future… what meaning would that accomplishment hold if my Master is no longer here to see it?
Gu Ryunghwa bit her lip at the thought.
The end of the year—the limit of my Master's lifespan, as stated by the Immortal Healer—was creeping ever closer.
There was still so much I needed to accomplish before I could even hope to make plum blossoms bloom with my sword. Despite that, I desperately wanted to show my Master that very sight.
If only I had talent like… that person.
The one who was essentially the youngest among the third-generation disciples. The one hailed as the future of Mount Hua Sect.
The Sword Dragon, Yung Pung.
If I possessed his talent, perhaps I wouldn't feel so desperate now.
Without realizing it, I had begun to envy Yung Pung. And I knew all too well that I could never be like him… a thought that did nothing to calm my restless heart.
Because of this turmoil, I felt my sword swings were losing their proper form.
“…Sigh.”
My hands stung from the prolonged training. Yet, the only thought in my mind was to push on. My Master was in no condition to instruct me now. I had to teach myself.
“…Ugh.”
As my desperation grew, nothing seemed to go right. Today felt especially worse because of the scene I had witnessed that morning.
Gu Yangcheon, surrounded by those girls.
The family member I hadn't seen in so long appeared to be in an even sorrier state than before.
The brother from my memories was already dead. He had died on the same day my mother left this world. At least, that was how it felt.
The kind boy with a heart of infinite warmth had been burned away by the smoldering corruption of the Gu Clan, leaving behind only a vengeful, abominable spirit.
“I… I still had a little bit of hope left.”
The Gu Yangcheon I saw after so long seemed different. He wasn't the warm brother from my memories, but he was no longer the utterly repulsive man I had last seen. The disgusting desires that once burned in his sharp eyes seemed to have vanished.
That was why a sliver of hope remained in me. Hope that he might return to the brother I once knew and cherished.
But it was a futile thought.
“That’s impossible.”
I still hadn't truly let go of the past, even though I thought I had when I fled in fear.
Distracted by these useless thoughts, I decided to lose myself in more sword practice, hoping to drive them away.
Today, none of the Mount Hua disciples had come to the mountain to train, likely because of the tournament. I honestly preferred the solitude. Training in a crowd was always uncomfortable.
Just as I began my practice again…
- Swoosh
I froze at a distinct sound.
- Swoosh—! Swish swoosh—!
The sound of someone else swinging a sword. But it was different. Unlike the characteristic sounds of Mount Hua's sword arts, this was distinctly unique…
And what was this sharp, pervasive sensation I was feeling?
I followed the sound, a part of me wondering if it was just another Mount Hua martial artist. But I couldn't stop my feet.
When I finally reached the source…
- Swoosh—!
A fierce wind generated by a sword strike whipped through my hair.
…Huh?
The first thing that caught my eye was her enchanting beauty. White hair flowing in tandem with her exquisite swordplay, and captivating blue eyes focused solely on her blade… a mesmerizing, and annoyingly distracting, sight.
Her footwork was light and swift, yet I was certain each sword strike carried immense, hidden weight.
Elegance.
How could such grace be woven into such fierce movements? I couldn't comprehend it. Was I so unskilled that I couldn't even understand her art? Did it mean she was that far beyond me?
Countless thoughts swirled, but my eyes remained locked on her display, unable to look away.
How can her movements be so fluid? What does she feel when she swings her sword?
I wondered if I could ever reach a level where I could wield a sword like that. The thought made my heart beat with excitement.
I knew I was neglecting my own training by watching her, but I had a feeling that witnessing this phenomenal sword art to its conclusion would teach me something.
As the woman prepared for another swing, her sword poised to cut the air once more…
“…Whew.”
She suddenly stopped altogether, leaving the final movement unfinished.
A wave of disappointment and dissatisfaction washed over me. I felt I could have gained some insight if I had seen the complete form.
But a bigger problem loomed. I had been secretly watching her train. Furthermore, I had tried to glean something from another martial artist's personal practice. I had been spellbound, but that was no excuse.
Maybe I can claim I was investigating an outsider training on Mount Hua's sacred grounds?
As I wrestled with my thoughts, the woman's eyes met mine.
“…Huh?”
Now that I got a better look, her face seemed familiar. Pale skin mirroring her snow-white hair, and those enchanting blue eyes. Even drenched in sweat, she looked more alluring than disheveled. Her beauty was breathtaking, even to someone of the same gender.
And… she was definitely one of the girls who had been with Gu Yangcheon this morning.
…She’s a martial artist?
I hadn't had a chance to find out earlier, having dismissed her as just another beautiful follower of my brother. To discover she was a martial artist of this caliber…
Under her gaze, I began to sweat profusely. Her apathetic expression made it impossible to guess her thoughts. She simply tilted her head, looked at me, then nodded once at the wooden sword in my hand.
What does that mean?
I braced for trouble, for a reprimand for my intrusion.
But the words that came from her mouth were… unexpected, to say the least.
“…Want to…”
“Pardon?”
“…Duel?”
I frowned, thinking I must have misheard.
* * *
And now, here I was.
Thankfully, she didn't seem angry that I had spied on her training. In fact, she appeared completely indifferent to the matter, which, as a fellow martial artist, only deepened my confusion.
How can she be so unconcerned?
Furthermore, I was utterly dumbfounded by her challenge. I wondered if it was a pretext to punish me, but soon dismissed the idea. I accepted the duel, feeling that such opportunities were rare in a martial artist's life.
So our duel began in earnest.
I charged at her repeatedly, but couldn't even brush her clothes with my wooden sword. My uniform was stained with dirt from constantly dodging and rolling, and my body trembled uncontrollably from exhaustion.
I looked up at Namgung Bi-ah with tired eyes.
…How have I not touched her even once?
Each miss was by a hair's breadth, making me suspect she was deliberately letting me get close.
…But why? Is she trying to teach me something? But then, why…?
After catching my breath, I forced myself to stand and face her again.
Namgung Bi-ah, waiting patiently, wasn't even breathing heavily, unlike during her solo training. In fact, she looked almost bored. At her level, she could likely face any of the second-generation disciples without difficulty.
I didn't know her exact age, but she seemed to be in her early twenties, not much older than Yung Pung. The world was truly full of monstrous geniuses. The thought bruised my pride.
Remembering the morning's events, I spoke to her.
“…We saw each other this morning, right?”
“…?”
“What’s your relationship with that man?”
Unexpectedly, my question seemed to strike a nerve. Her emotionless facade cracked ever so slightly. Her eyes widened a fraction, and one eyebrow twitched almost imperceptibly.
After a moment of thought, Namgung Bi-ah replied.
“Fiancée…”
“…He’s not someone you should be with.”
“…Hmm?”
“I don’t know what led you to him, but it’s a waste… For someone like you to be tied to that disgusting, ugly man who never puts effort into anything is just… wasteful.”
“…”
“So it’s not too late to—”
I couldn't finish my sentence.
The atmosphere shifted drastically. The woman before me still wore an apathetic expression, but something fundamental had changed.
- Thump
I raised my sword instinctively as she took a step toward me.
…What the?
Something was different, but I couldn't pinpoint what. In that instant, the person standing across from me reminded me of someone.
The Sword Queen.
My own Master.
Not long ago, when she was still relatively healthy, my Master had shown me her overwhelming aura. I now felt a similar, immense pressure emanating from the woman walking toward me.
Alarm bells rang in my head. I had no choice but to channel the last dregs of my Qi into my sword to defend against the impending danger.
The woman spoke, her voice low but clear.
“…Not ugly.”
“Pardon…?”
“He’s not ugly.”
Is she angry?
Her voice, previously soft and faint, now carried a stronger, sharper edge. Judging by the overwhelming energy radiating from her, I understood. She had been holding back immensely during our duel, but I never imagined she was this… powerful.
I tried to find words to explain the misunderstanding, but my body had frozen solid under her crushing pressure. I was terrified.
“If you say something like that…”
Her footsteps quickened. In the same moment, her figure vanished from my sight.
“You deserve to be punished…”
A flash of blue light, and a wooden sword materialized right before my eyes.
I squeezed my eyes shut.
Was I mistaken? Just before I closed them, I thought I saw flames erupting around me, engulfing everything.