Chapter 24
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: Lee Seo-jeong (2)
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Mujin sent his younger brother down first, then finished chopping the wood. He stacked it up like a mountain on the carrying frame before slowly descending.
On the way back to the Pine Tiger Sect, he spotted some villagers.
They greeted him warmly, and Mujin happily exchanged pleasantries, enjoying the everyday routine.
It was a scene he couldn't have imagined before his return. The villagers used to fear and avoid him. He felt ashamed of his past self, who would fly into rages over the smallest things and pick fights at every opportunity.
'I was immature.'
-You still look pretty immature. If this is grown-up, how the hell did you survive before?
'How many times do I have to tell you? I'm better than you. You lived like a puppet without even your own ego, and you're calling me immature!'
-I might not have had my own will, but you chose yours. Who's insulting who here?
'Quit picking fights and just circulate my qi.'
-You bastard. Am I your qi-circulating slave now?
'If you're bored, work on developing your sorcery. Aren't you gonna get revenge on those guys?'
-You'll regret this later, for sure.
His bickering with Cheon-gyeong had become routine. The guy only played nice when he wanted to butter Mujin up; otherwise, he was always itching for a fight. If Mujin hadn't become a pacifist after his return, they'd be at each other's throats every day.
Hm?
As he neared the sect, a familiar aura brushed against him.
Soon, its owner came into view.
She acknowledged him first.
"Long time no see."
"Were you waiting for me?"
"Yes."
"You could've waited inside."
"I don't like sitting around."
She had a unique personality. She'd probably asked around, then wandered the sect's surroundings until it was time. She was the decisive type who hated owing favors. Even during her Sword Empress days, her clear boundaries had earned her many enemies.
Her reason for coming was obvious.
Mujin didn't beat around the bush. Still, he figured trying it once wouldn't hurt. She was in a plateau right now. It might help her break through to the next realm sooner than expected.
The problem was it offered him zero benefit. The skill gap was too wide. Better to steer it toward mutual gain.
"Rest up from your journey today. We'll spar tomorrow morning."
"Can't we do it now?"
"I'd like to eat, sleep, and spar in peak condition. Of course, I know real battles don't always let you do that. But this is just a spar, right?"
"...Fine."
For Lee Seo-jeong, this was a novel experience. Since entering the martial world, she'd never met a man who steered conversations like this. He wasn't backing down or acting servile, but calling it humble felt off too.
'Can't read him.'
She had innate senses. She could size up an opponent at a glance. But this man eluded judgment. Maybe that's why she'd come all this way.
-That ironclad personality hasn't changed.
'More self-praise?'
-She took down the Black-White Demonic Sword. That's why I stepped in.
'Ho, impressive.'
The Black-White Demonic Sword was a pinnacle expert of the Demonic Cult of the Demon God. He'd claimed hundreds of high-level martial artists with his signature Black Heaven Mara Blood Sword. His infamy reigned until the Demon King began his major moves. Defeating him was no small feat.
'Must've been tough. Ah, she got the Ice Crystal.'
-Exactly.
Her breakthrough came right after absorbing the Ice Crystal. She'd been building her name before, but afterward, her level jumped entirely.
"No point standing around here. Come inside. We've got plenty of rooms, so no worries there. We'll eat together too."
"Is that okay?"
"Of course."
"Then, if you don't mind."
Mujin led Lee Seo-jeong into the sect. There was some minor fuss. She was a stunning beauty who drew eyes—cool demeanor and all, she ranked among the continent's finest.
On the flip side, plenty eyed Mujin with concern, wondering if the old wastrel had returned. He'd earned his reputation now and explained things to his family.
'Huh. This guy.'
One man couldn't tear his gaze away. Mujin's lips curved into a smirk.
The punk had dragged his brother out for drinks in the dead of night.
The next morning, Mujin headed to the mountain with Lee Seo-jeong.
Fetching wood in the morning was Mujin's routine, so he paid it no mind. Plus, her reputation preceded her.
Before Young Sword Empress, she'd been called Cold Blood Sword—no ordinary guts would let you even approach her. Folks found it weirder that Mujin knew her.
Halfway up the mountain, where the path led into the woods, an unexpected face had claimed the spot first. Mujin put on an awkward act and asked,
"What're you doing here?"
"Bro, cut it out."
"Cut what out."
"You said you'd give it your all."
"Sparring is giving it your all—that's the etiquette. Right?"
"Yeah, but... well, not... I mean."
Muho was frustrated.
He couldn't flat-out say no—not with her staring right at him. Going all out here would end badly; he knew it.
Last night's drunken talk replayed.
-What's she here for?
-Wants a spar.
-With you?
-Yeah. Gotta show her my skills so she never climbs back up.
-Is that necessary?
-Ya gotta stomp young sprouts thoroughly to make 'em strong. Like you.
That hit home; he couldn't stay at the manor. He knew the spot, so no issue. Up at dawn, he arrived first and waited for his brother and her.
No matter how he sliced it, this spar was a bad idea. Might help her, but he'd need time to recover from the mental blow. You don't know till you've been there—and she was a woman, no less.
-She's a woman.
-If you're gonna discriminate by gender, age, whatever, go live in the mountains. She hates being babied anyway. You heard the rumors. What if she holds a grudge later?
True enough.
Old folks, women, kids—sometimes scarier. You try not to let your guard down, but subconsciously you do. That's why the jianghu saying: the weaker they look, the more cautious you be.
"What's with you today? You look like a frostbitten mutt, fidgeting pathetically."
"Sparring's about gauging each other's skill. Even if it's like real combat, it can't be real combat."
"Impartial Sword, why the long preamble? Other reasons? Maybe."
Impartial Sword plus Cold Blood Sword?
Sounds pretty good.
"...Absolutely not."
"How'd you know what I was gonna ask?"
"What were you gonna ask?"
"Whoops, forgot—got distracted. I'll let you know if I remember. Now step aside."
"Wait!"
Muho couldn't think of a way to stop it. Anyone else, he'd let it go—but this was his brother. That lofty fairy of a woman, unshakable as the sky falling, would shatter against him. Imagining it made him itch to intervene.
'Was he always like this?'
Mujin clicked his tongue at his flustered little brother. The Impartial Sword moniker rang hollow now. No poker face—panic plastered all over.
'Can't stop now.'
Mujin felt a twinge of fondness for his squirming sibling and wanted to drag it out. Lee Seo-jeong cut in before it got too heartwarming.
"Do you have other business?"
"Uh, well..."
"If not, please step back."
"It's not nothing."
"It's not anything either."
"Kinda is, though..."
Her directness left Muho speechless. But backing off meant watching a woman he liked get humiliated. He wanted to stop it, but had no grounds. Once you pick up the sword, no mercy for being a woman. If you can't handle that, don't pick it up.
Screw it.
All or nothing.
"I challenge you to a duel!"
"This is awkward. And I challenged first."
"Please! I really want to cross swords!"
"Follow the order!"
Lee Seo-jeong's expression barely shifted, but her eyes chilled slightly. Disappointed by his reckless challenge—it disrespected her senior too.
Muho regretted it instantly. Shouldn't have said it, but desperation slipped it out. And she was right.
That was when.
"Milady. If you grant my brother's request, I'll offer a small favor in return later."
"Even if it's unreasonable?"
"I know it's rude. But as his only brother, I can't refuse his plea."
"Fine. I'll get my answer for this rudeness later."
She accepted, considering the brothers' bond. Sparring one before the other changed nothing. Still irked her, though.
-Do well.
'Damn it!'
Muho sighed deeply at the telepathic message. Bro knew all along and toyed with him. The sudden drinks last night were planned. No backing out now. He'd left a bad impression; had to make it up with his best.
'Not bad.'
Mujin settled on his favorite stump.
Lee Seo-jeong and Muho faced off.
She was a bit on edge. Being interrupted grated. But seeing him draw his sword changed her mind.
'Strong.'
The feedback through their blades exceeded expectations. A novel sensation even for her. She'd never met a peer this skilled at his age.
Shing!
She drew the Ice Dragon Sword her master had bestowed. No underestimating now—she brushed off her displeasure. Facing a foe like this with distractions wasn't a martial artist's way.
'Hmph, even better than the rumors.'
She'd heard tales of the Young Sword Empress Lee Seo-jeong. Ruthless hand against villains, despite her beauty.
"I won't yield the first move."
"I don't want it."
For the first time, Lee Seo-jeong and Muho saw eye to eye. Not in words, but as swordsmen acknowledging each other.
Their auras clashed.
Then, the swords unfolded.