Chapter 81: The Great Demon (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 81: The Great Demon (1)
I was well aware that Huayin had more than one shop dealing in demon-related goods. Yet, after scouring the entire city, I came to a stark realization.
Finding a demonic stone for sale right now was like trying to pluck a star from the sky.
No matter which merchant I asked, the answer was always the same.
Demons had become far less common than in the past, they said. And since demonic stones were practically worthless now, no one bothered to stock them.
In the end, I had no choice but to return to Mount Hua empty-handed.
“Well, the only thing I got from that trip was some chicken skewers…”
“They were tasty, though, right?”
“Yeah, they were.”
By the way, I paid Muyeon back for the skewers once we got back to the lodge. All I got in return was a weird look and a comment about how that was ‘so unlike me,’ which gave me pause.
How did I end up being perceived this way…?
Maybe I just shouldn’t pay him back next time.
Do I have to give up on the demonic stones for now?
There were bound to be a few demons lurking in the mountains of Shaanxi. Perhaps it was time to consider that option? It would be my last resort if everything else failed.
As I looked around the lodge, I noticed someone was missing and couldn't help but ask.
“She’s still not back?”
I was referring to Namgung Bi-ah. The servants simply said they hadn't seen her return to the lodgings. I’d heard she’d gone out to train early in the morning, but dinner time was fast approaching. I knew she was a training fanatic, but this was longer than her usual sessions…
[Are you worried?]
…No way.
Why would I be worried about her…?
[You were looking for her because she hasn’t returned, and you’re wondering if she’s eaten, right? Doesn’t that mean you’re worried about her?]
…Ahem.
I let out a deliberate cough at those words. I couldn’t very well tell Elder Shin he was wrong.
As I sat on the floor resting, I saw Wi Seol-Ah approaching from a distance. Judging by her attire, she’d been busy preparing dinner.
“What’s up?”
“Hongwa Noona asked me to find out what you’d like to eat!”
“…What I’d like to eat?”
Dumplings were the first thing that came to mind, but they couldn’t just magically produce them here. So, I just told her to make the usual fare.
“She mentioned we have fish, too.”
“Oh, I’ll have that, then.”
“Okay!”
She hopped away after our conversation ended. Soon, I got up from the ground…
[Where are you off to?]
Elder Shin’s question sounded like it came with a cunning smile. I ignored him, feigned another cough, and went on my way.
I just thought she needed to eat something. A person can’t live on nothing, after all.
[So, you’re going to fetch her because you don’t want her to starve, is that it?]
…
He’s right, but why am I so reluctant to admit it?
Maybe it was just because it was Elder Shin saying it.
I stood up and headed straight for the mountain where Namgung Bi-ah usually trained. There was still a little time before sunset. It was best to bring her back quickly since the meal was almost ready.
I can’t believe I’m concerned about her.
I didn’t know why I should care about someone who could probably just eat grass or whatever she found. One excuse I could muster was that, in my previous life, she looked like the type who’d starve to death if someone didn’t force-feed her. That was a valid reason for concern now.
…But that’s not the only reason.
No matter how I tried, I couldn’t fool myself into believing that.
After a short climb, I reached Namgung Bi-ah’s usual training spot.
-Swish-! Swoosh-!
Just as expected, I heard the sound of sword swings. I recognized her presence immediately. However, while climbing, I had also sensed a second, equally familiar presence nearby.
Like yesterday, they were dueling again.
-Swoosh-!
-Tch…!
I heard a sound of frustration as someone’s wooden sword cut through nothing but air.
-Your footwork… was excessive…
-O-One more time, please…
-Okay.
I pushed through the bushes, following their voices. The scene was a repeat of yesterday. Gu Ryunghwa was covered head to toe in dirt from rolling on the ground, while Namgung Bi-ah remained pristine, not even sweating.
Gu Ryunghwa noticed my arrival and turned towards me. The moment she saw it was me, her brow furrowed into a frown.
“…Why are you here?”
What kind of greeting was that for someone who just arrived?
“Uh… I was just passing by.”
“Then keep passing by.”
“I stopped because I saw a familiar face.”
I looked pointedly at Namgung Bi-ah as I said this, my eyes demanding an explanation for why she was still here so late.
“…”
Namgung Bi-ah instantly averted her gaze.
Huh?
Since she seemed to be ignoring my silent question, I decided to ask directly.
“Why are you still here? It’s late. Have you eaten?”
She continued to avoid my eyes…
“Hey—”
“Don’t scold Noona.”
“What?”
I looked at Gu Ryunghwa, who had cut me off. Honestly, what she’d just said was the most absurd thing I’d heard all day.
Noona…? Noona?
Since when did she become your Noona?
Noticing my thoughts, Gu Ryunghwa’s face flushed a faint red.
“…I… I begged her to train me after she came to me this morning.”
“This morning… You went to see my little sister this morning?”
Namgung Bi-ah gave a slow nod. However, Gu Ryunghwa immediately interrupted again, disliking my choice of words.
“Who’s your little sister?”
“Then what are you, my older sister?”
“…”
What did she even want me to call her?
Namgung Bi-ah kept her mouth firmly shut, still avoiding my gaze.
“So, you’ve been here since morning?”
She nodded again. She had been here since dawn, starving herself, just because Gu Ryunghwa had begged for instruction. I couldn’t help but let out a small sigh.
“Let’s head back to the lodge. The sun will be down soon.”
“…Okay.”
Namgung Bi-ah immediately sheathed her wooden sword and prepared to leave. Gu Ryunghwa didn’t look happy, but there was nothing she could do since Namgung Bi-ah had agreed.
After they finished tidying up, Gu Ryunghwa bowed deeply to Namgung Bi-ah.
“Noona… Thank you for today.”
“It was nothing… I enjoyed it.”
After speaking with Namgung Bi-ah and brushing the dirt from her clothes, Gu Ryunghwa turned to leave, but I stopped her.
“Where are you going?”
“Mind your own business.”
“You probably haven’t eaten either, so why don’t you—”
I was trying to invite her to join us for the meal, but I didn’t get to finish. Gu Ryunghwa’s shoulder began to tremble under my hand.
-Tap-!
She slapped my hand away forcefully and stepped back, putting distance between us.
“D-Don’t touch me…!”
Her eyes trembled with some unidentifiable emotion as she looked at me, and then she immediately dashed off into the bushes. I was left speechless.
…Maybe I was too hasty.
The time I’d spent dwelling on the past was far longer than the time she had lived it. I’d failed to consider Gu Ryunghwa’s feelings about our current relationship.
A sigh escaped my lips as I spoke to Namgung Bi-ah.
“Let’s go.”
Namgung Bi-ah had been looking in the direction Gu Ryunghwa disappeared, but she simply nodded in acknowledgment without a word.
When we descended the mountain, dinner was already prepared. Wi Seol-Ah looked incredibly proud, announcing that she had grilled the fish herself.
“Is that why this one, in particular, is so charred…?”
“They say that’s the most delicious part.”
No… It looks like the least appetizing part, no matter how you slice it.
I took a tentative bite with some trepidation. The fish looked like something a demon might cook, but taste-wise, it was surprisingly good. My shocked expression only made Wi Seol-Ah look even prouder and more haughty, which irked me a bit.
As we ate, I decided to ask Namgung Bi-ah about what had happened with my sister.
“It’s just…”
Her explanation was simple. She felt bad about what had transpired between them yesterday. So, when Gu Ryunghwa begged for another duel, she had acquiesced. They had been training together from the early morning until now.
I could understand Gu Ryunghwa’s behavior, but the fact that Namgung Bi-ah was guiding her training was a shock. In my previous life, she’d never cared for anyone except skilled swordsmen.
“…Tomorrow.”
“Hmm?”
“Can I go again tomorrow?”
Namgung Bi-ah asked in a pleading tone, wanting to know if she could see Gu Ryunghwa again.
What for?
I didn’t believe she was helping out of sheer enjoyment. Gu Ryunghwa wasn’t nearly at a level that could entertain Namgung Bi-ah; that would require someone like Yung Pung or Muyeon. For her to want to go back tomorrow meant she wanted to see this through.
“…Do as you please.”
“Okay.”
Namgung Bi-ah took a sip of water, her expression one of relief after receiving my permission. Seeing her like that, I whispered softly.
“Please… take care of her.”
Namgung Bi-ah’s eyes widened in surprise. I was simply asking her to do what I couldn’t for Gu Ryunghwa, but she looked at me as if shocked by the request itself.
“You…”
“What about me?”
“You… requested something of me.”
“Then, I might as well…”
“Try my best.”
“No need to go that far.”
I stopped using my chopsticks, feeling oddly embarrassed. I couldn’t help it.
Because Namgung Bi-ah was smiling.
I’d seen her smile before, but it always hit me hard.
“Cgh… Cough!”
Her unexpected smile sent a piece of food down the wrong pipe. I quickly gulped down a cup of water. Chills ran down my spine from that smile of hers. It showed just how dangerous Namgung Bi-ah’s smile truly was.
I’ve gotten somewhat used to Wi Seol-Ah’s smiles by now, but…
I had a feeling this one would take me a very long time to get used to.
* * *
Even after the sun had vanished below the horizon, Gu Ryunghwa had not returned to her quarters. She could still be seen relentlessly swinging her sword in the clearing.
-Swish-! Swiswoosh-!
She swung her sword through the air for a long time, the fierce wind whipping against her body.
“Ah…!”
With a short groan, she let go of her wooden sword. Gu Ryunghwa looked down at her hand after dropping it. The hand gripping the hilt was already torn and bleeding profusely.
“…It hurts…”
After days of near-endless sword practice, her sword hand had reached its limit. Yet, Gu Ryunghwa picked up the wooden sword again shortly after. She wrapped the pre-cut strips of cloth she’d brought around her hand, which provided some relief.
She recalled the movements Namgung Bi-ah had demonstrated.
Minimize large motions.
Don’t put excessive force into the strikes.
But still focus intently on the swing.
They were the most fundamental principles of sword arts, yet they were the most helpful advice for her current situation. Having experienced their application in a real duel made their true meaning easier to grasp.
Gu Ryunghwa had wondered why Namgung Bi-ah seemed so nervous when she approached her in the morning. But she understood after Namgung Bi-ah accepted every one of her requests without hesitation. For some reason, Namgung Bi-ah was trying to get on her good side.
But why…?
Gu Ryunghwa wondered why such a high-level martial artist, with an almost unearthly beauty, would act that way. After some thought, she was reminded of her elder brother, Gu Yangcheon.
She didn’t understand why, but she knew Namgung Bi-ah had feelings for Gu Yangcheon. That was likely the primary reason she was being nice to his little sister—something Gu Ryunghwa found unexpected. She couldn’t fathom why such an impressive person would be interested in someone like her brother.
I don’t get it.
It might have made some sense if it was the Gu Yangcheon she knew in the past, but that wasn’t the case anymore. That’s why Gu Ryunghwa couldn’t comprehend her reasons.
-Don’t go around lifting your face up; just looking at you pisses me off.
-I told you not to call me brother!
-Just shut your mouth… And get out of my sight.
“…Waah…”
Even now, years later, those words made her heart wrench with pain. Just the memory made her tremble with fear and hurt. After a while, she managed to stifle her tears and continued swinging her sword as if her life depended on it.
Why is he now…
-Morning… you went to my little sister this morning?
-What are you then, my older sister?
She ignored the pain ravaging her hand and swung again and again. She needed to drown out Gu Yangcheon’s voice, which echoed in her mind without cease.
She felt annoyed. Annoyed that she had been so shaken by the word ‘sister’ coming from that wretched boy’s lips that she had run away. She hated that, for a brief moment, a spark of hope had flickered in her heart—hope that she could return to the life she once had.
Don’t forget, Ryunghwa… You need to blossom your own flowers.
For the master who had cared for her until now. To give her master peace, knowing her student had bloomed before drawing her last breath.
Under the lonely moonlight, Gu Ryunghwa continued to swing her sword with unwavering determination.