Chapter 59
Chapter 59
Ch. 59🔒 .｡.:✧ Butterfly Dance ✧:.｡.
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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Chaos
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It was a quiet night, the atmosphere subdued.
Filled with a strange sense of solemnity, I stepped out into the clearing in front of the thatched house and took a slow, deep breath.
Chirp— Chirp—
In the depths of the mountains, alive with the sound of crickets, I was about to engage in a duel with an elder of the Tang Clan.
‘Of course, Tang Hyeon-cheol must be confused about which side to take… but it’s clear he requested this duel to test my martial prowess.’
I slowly reached for Falling Star.
Perhaps because my whole body was tense.
Falling Star trembled in response to my emotions.
I always felt that the sword, Falling Star, had a will of its own.
At least, that’s what I thought.
As we stood facing each other in a corner of the moonlit clearing, Tang Hyeon-cheol, who had drawn his straight sword, asked a question.
“I heard you weren’t a martial artist who had honed his sword from a young age. Did you achieve your current level after entering Mount Hua?”
“…That’s right.”
“If that’s true, it’s truly unbelievable… to reach the level of a peak master in less than two years after joining a sect…”
“You flatter me.”
As I replied with the same nonchalant attitude, Tang Hyeon-cheol, who was facing me, hummed and swallowed.
He must have roughly guessed my level of martial prowess from the incident during the day.
But the reason Tang Hyeon-cheol had requested a duel with me now was—
‘To find the limits of my martial prowess.’
Like a few days ago, though it was the middle of the night, our gazes began to shine eerily.
Tang Hyeon-cheol and I could feel that we were both ready.
There was no need for pleasantries like yielding the first move or letting the senior attack first.
Such formalities, which only hypocrites would engage in, were something Tang Hyeon-cheol would naturally ignore.
Without hesitation, I drew Falling Star from my waist and immediately rushed towards where Tang Hyeon-cheol stood.
Paang—!
As if my contained potential had exploded, my figure shot forward.
Tang Hyeon-cheol, who had been watching with a wary gaze, frowned slightly and immediately deployed his protective qi.
“Fast…!”
Kwaaaang—!
Just as Tang Hyeon-cheol’s short words were about to be crushed and scattered by the wind pressure, the sound of tearing air shook the ground.
At our first clash, even my brother, Eun Hajin, who was watching from a distance, had his eyes wide open.
‘Well, once you surpass the First-Rate level and reach the position of a peak master… you can finally be called a superhuman.’
In that sense, it would be difficult for Eun Hajin, who was not a natural-born martial artist, to notice how our first exchange had manifested.
I had hoped that Eun Hajin would also gain something from the duel with Tang Hyeon-cheol, but I thought that would be too much to ask.
Meanwhile, as Tang Hyeon-cheol was still busy deploying his protective qi, he must have thought I was being careless.
Even while he was on the defensive, Tang Hyeon-cheol’s sharp sword qi pierced towards my side.
“……!”
‘It’s too late.’
In that instant, a slight smile curved my lips, and I twisted my body with the flow, like a turning wheel.
Even if I was showing an opening by defending late, if I could perceive the flow of the air, and in the moment of our clash, not be afraid, but move forward and switch to an attack…
Reversing the defensive posture was—
‘Not impossible at all.’
Charrrrng—!
As I twisted my body in the air like a fiercely spinning wheel, the qi wave that Tang Hyeon-cheol had shot out was completely broken and bounced off the ground.
Kwang!
The sound of tearing air rang out once more.
The eyes of Tang Hyeon-cheol, who had witnessed the move I had just performed with his own two eyes, began to fill with disbelief.
In that fleeting moment, he sent a short telepathic message, as if questioning.
[…How did you do that just now?]
But I didn’t bother to answer such a question and just let out a hollow laugh.
After our protective qi had spread across the ground, a certain amount of offense and defense began to continue.
Chwaak—!
The tip of Tang Hyeon-cheol’s sword, which cut through the air with a light sound, drew a graceful curve and struck from a blind spot.
‘It looks like a close fight, but… I still have some leeway.’
Paat—
Instead of immediately switching to a counterattack, I first regained my composure and took a step back.
A sharp edge like a flash of light at the tip of the blade.
I swung Falling Star to meet it, as if narrowly deflecting it.
Kaang—!
The sharp sound of metal pierced my ears as the bladed weapons clashed.
At that moment, Tang Hyeon-cheol’s voice echoed in the air.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve enjoyed a fight like this…!”
“……!”
“If you still have a hidden move, can you show it to me here without hesitation?”
“…Can you handle it?”
A question asking if he really could.
Even in the Sichuan Tang Clan, which held a seat in the Five Great Families, Tang Hyeon-cheol was an elder who competed for the top spot in martial prowess.
The question I had just asked was likely to be considered quite arrogant and rude to Tang Hyeon-cheol.
But if it isn’t sincere, my intentions would just fizzle out.
If we had intended to confirm each other’s true feelings through a duel from the beginning, Tang Hyeon-cheol would likely be enjoying this question rather than getting angry.
And my prediction was not wrong.
Soon, Tang Hyeon-cheol shouted with a hearty voice, filled with energy.
“It doesn’t matter! In this day and age, I can’t even remember the last time I clashed with an opponent with such sincerity.”
“……”
“It’s safe to say that there are almost no one with your level of martial prowess in the Tang Clan. I don’t regret coming to the Silver River Trading Company for the first time. Yes… it’s not something to be proud of, but you can set aside any worries about hurting your opponent.”
“In that case…”
Swish—
I slowly raised the tip of my sword.
At that, Tang Hyeon-cheol glanced at me and, to switch to the offensive, kicked off the ground and rushed towards me.
At his momentum, as he lowered his body and charged, I still focused all my attention on blocking while controlling my breathing.
Paat—!
As if reminiscent of a well-choreographed script, our sword dance continued in the clearing where only the moonlight existed.
There was no hesitation.
I was not nervous.
Anxiety was out of the question.
‘I’m just enjoying it.’
A spring dream.
I didn’t want to produce a result like a fleeting summer night’s dream.
I was not in a hurry, but because Tang Hyeon-cheol was swinging his sword at me with all his heart, my excitement did not easily subside.
But finally, I calmly perceived the situation and cooled my mind, and while connecting one move to another, I contemplated how to convince my opponent.
‘Beyond doing my best…’
To break through my own limits, what kind of ultimate move should I unleash?
That question flashed through my mind in an instant.
But the thought solidified into conviction after a few seconds.
The thought came naturally.
‘If it’s the sword technique I’ve practiced with the most confidence, and have endlessly yearned for…’
Plum Blossom Sword Technique.
I couldn’t deny it.
The first sword technique I learned, the Six Harmonies Sword Technique.
The Azure River Sword Technique I received from the elder of Mount Hua.
The Heavenly Sun Sword Formula I obtained from the hidden place of the Heavenly Sword Sect.
And, the Heavenly Evasion Sword Technique left by the Sword Immortal sleeping in the Valley of No Return.
None of them were the ultimate goal I was aiming for.
All of the aforementioned were the martial arts of masters prepared for future generations, not a representation of my own inner image.
But, if it was the Plum Blossom Sword Technique—
‘If it’s this sword technique that I’ve constantly trained, and found hope in despite despairing many times after falling into this novel world…!’
I could prove the inner image that I considered as my ultimate goal.
Yes.
Then, let me swing my sword and unfold my inner image.
Let me continue to unfold the moves and express my heart.
Simply showing my sincerity would be enough.
“Hmm…!”
“……”
Perhaps because he felt something.
Tang Hyeon-cheol’s expression changed with a chill, and his body twisted slightly.
Noticing this, I straightened the tip of my sword.
An afterimage was left because I swung the tip of the sword.
It was close to a graceful curve.
But,
Could that really express the current situation?
‘Like the inner image contained in the move I just performed… if a butterfly were to dance and fly on a spring day when the plum blossoms have fallen…’
A truly beautiful scene would unfold.
Then, let’s give it a name.
Imagine the nature where the plum blossoms are in bloom, and imagine a butterfly fluttering and flying.
Then there is a name that truly fits this scene.
‘Plum Blossom Butterfly Dance.’
Yes, that’s what I should call it.
‘…Let’s end this.’
A short word flashed through my mind.
It was at that moment.
As if Falling Star was a butterfly searching for a plum blossom, it began to fly towards the opponent, drawing a graceful curve as mentioned before.
“This is…!”
Kwang!
Tang Hyeon-cheol’s body, who was trying to deduce what had happened, stumbled back a few steps, and then soared into the air.
Kudangtang!
A slight roar echoed as Tang Hyeon-cheol hit the ground hard.
In that fleeting moment, I controlled the strength in my hand holding the sword to control Falling Star, whose sword cry was still ringing.
“Keuk…!”
“Huu.”
“J-Just now… what was that…?!”
Tang Hyeon-cheol stared at me blankly.
At his question, which was blurted out in a daze, I took a deep breath and shook my head once.
Then I opened my mouth.
“…It’s hard to explain, but I believe you must have felt something from this.”
“Hmm…!”
“It’s… a bit difficult for me to express what just happened in words.”
Because I used up so much of my mental energy—
As I muttered weakly, Tang Hyeon-cheol regained his composure and shook his head.
And then, as if there had been a change of heart, he said in an unwavering voice.
“You are right. It would be meaningless and rude to ask for more explanation.”
“…Thank you for your understanding.”
“Not at all. Thanks to the exchange just now, I can finally make a decision without any regrets.”
Tang Hyeon-cheol smiled, as if relieved.
He said as if making a declaration.
“Tonight, I saw hope in you.”
At his words, I slowly nodded.
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The promised five days passed, and the day of the family council finally arrived.
‘There are a lot of people.’
I glanced around and let out a short sigh.
The main gate of the family head’s residence, which was usually not allowed, was open, and I walked towards the inside with Eun Hajin.
Eun Hajin, who was standing next to me, frowned.
“Are they really going to do it?”
“……”
“I don’t like it. I expected it, but…”
At my brother, Eun Hajin’s words, instead of answering him, I thought.
‘We are both ready anyway…’
I turned my gaze from Eun Hajin to the family head’s residence.
And then I muttered out of context.
“…There will be a massacre worth watching in the family head’s residence today.”
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