A Butterfly Amidst the Frost
Thwack!
"Junior! Easy, easy!" Man Hanseok, who had blocked the cudgel with his forearm, winced slightly before staring at Yoo Jeoksan with a look of sheer bewilderment.
Yoo Jeoksan, holding a long wooden cudgel in both hands, paused and blinked in confusion. "Huh? But... I was going easy."
"Don't the instructors ever say anything to you?"
"They did say that if I hit that hard, my fellow Dongdo would get hurt."
"See? That's why nobody wants to spar with you, right?"
"I guess so?"
"I knew it." As Man Hanseok grumbled, rubbing his forearm, I jeered from the sidelines where I was watching.
"Boo, look at the senior getting beat up by a freshman."
"Hey! Junior Jeoksan is just built different!"
"Boo, a sixth-year getting thrashed by a first-year and blaming it on 'constitution.'"
"Chef Yoon, why don't you try trading blows with him yourself? He's on a completely different level!"
"What is this, the multiverse? Different dimension, my foot."
"Multi... what?"
"Come on, Hanseok. An adult shouldn't interfere in a kids' fight. Go at it one more time."
"I'm telling you, it really hurts!"
"Boo, running away from a spar because a first-year gave him a boo-boo."
As I childishly needled him, Man Hanseok, seemingly a bit piqued, turned to Yoo Jeoksan.
"Junior Jeoksan."
"Yes, Senior."
"Come at me with everything you've got."
At Man Hanseok's serious declaration, Yoo Jeoksan nodded and began to swing his cudgel.
Yes, this is the gap between a first-year and a sixth-year. No longer was Man Hanseok intentionally closing the distance to let himself get hit; instead, he utilized his full skill, maintaining a spear's length of distance and deftly evading every strike.
Thanks to that, Yoo Jeoksan was now sweating profusely, struggling to defend against Man Hanseok's suddenly shifted offense.
"Chef Yoon."
"Yeah? What is it?"
"Why are you always so mean to Senior Man?"
At Gongson Yeongji's blunt question as she watched the spar beside me, I shrugged.
"I just tease the people I like the most."
"Then... what about me?"
"Should I start burying a generous heap of chili powder and ginger powder at the bottom of your rice bowl from now on?"
"N-no, I'd hate that..."
"See? I don't tease you because I know you don't like it. Even with Lady Seonwoo, I only tease her just enough to keep her from actually getting mad."
Still, I suppose it looked a bit harsh from Gongson Yeongji's perspective. I'd have to make it up to her later.
While I was lost in thought, the serious spar between Man Hanseok and Yoo Jeoksan had already come to an end. They had exchanged about ten bouts, which meant it had concluded rather quickly.
"Wow. As expected, a sixth-year really is on another level."
"Uh... should I be happy to hear that?"
Man Hanseok tilted his head, unsure whether he should take that as a compliment or an insult.
"Just say, 'That was martial prowess worthy of the top first-year. Well done.' That'll wrap it up nicely."
"Uh, Junior Jeoksan. Well... done...?"
"Thank... you...?"
Both Man Hanseok and Yoo Jeoksan ended their sentences with rising inflections. What were they, the Riddler?
As I was giving Man Hanseok a few pointers after their heated spar, a crowd of students came rushing toward us in a flurry. They certainly weren't here for my autograph... Judging by their expressions, they seemed to be in a state of panicked annoyance.
"It's a disaster. A literal disaster."
"Who on earth arranged this meeting?"
"Ugh, just thinking about it makes my eardrums feel like they're going to burst!"
"Shudder. It gives me goosebumps."
Though they were all saying different things, their descriptions made it sound as if they had just escaped from some terrifying monster.
"Oh? It's the Chef Uncle."
"Hello, Chef."
A couple of upperclassmen I recognized bowed politely. I couldn't help but ask.
"What's wrong with everyone? Is there a problem?"
"Ah... it's a bit hard to explain with that friend over there..."
"Who? Yeongji?"
"Well, you know. Talking about the Dongdo Association President in front of a member of the Dongdo Association is a bit..."
At the upperclassman's words, Gongson Yeongji realized what was going on and let her head droop.
"Ah, they really met..."
"Who met who?"
Why was everyone being so frustratingly vague?
"Look, Yeongji is probably a victim here too, so just spit it out. What's going on?"
"The Dongdo Association President and Her Imperial Highness are walking around together."
"Huh?"
So, the academy's resident troublemaker and the imperial family's troublemaker-to-be were hanging out?
"Oh, boy."
"...Now you see why we're running away?"
"Yeah. Hurry up and run. It'd probably be safer to hide out in Geumgang Hall or Soyo Hall."
"That's exactly what we were planning."
With those words, the upperclassman bolted. Yoo Jeoksan tilted his head in confusion.
"Isn't getting a chance to see Her Imperial Highness a good thing? Why do they hate it so much?"
"Chef Yoon, do we really have to explain every single little detail to him?"
"No."
I shook my head at Man Hanseok's question. Honestly, in cases like this, seeing is believing.
And right on cue, a booming voice echoed from the distance.
"AND THIS IS THE SOUTHERN SIDE OF THE SMALL MARTIAL ARTS GROUND! DIRECTLY OPPOSITE ARE THE EASTERN PAVILION AND THE NAMBANGGWAN!"
"..."
"WOULD YOU LIKE TO STEP INSIDE THE ACADEMY BUILDING AS WELL?!"
Shake, shake.
I saw Princess Bohui dressed in a splendid purple court gown, a boisterous Yang Seoran, Namgung Mun silently trailing behind them, and a deeply anxious maid hovering nearby.
"THEN SHALL WE HEAD TO THE OTHER TRAINING GROUND?!"
Shake, shake.
When Princess Bohui shook her head in refusal once again, Yang Seoran's expression faltered slightly. She had a look that clearly said, Uh-oh, this isn't going according to plan.
Here was someone on whom the absolute authority of the Little Sword Queen held absolutely no sway.
"There."
Instead, Princess Bohui pointed toward us. Specifically, she pointed right at me. Our Princess certainly has sharp eyes.
"I want to go there."
"OH! CHEF-IN-CHIEEEEF!"
"You're going to burst my eardrums. Just come over."
Having finally spotted me, Yang Seoran strode over with giant steps, while Princess Bohui followed with dainty, hurried strides. They came straight to me.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!"
"I was just letting the kids spar and giving them some feedback."
"AS EXPECTED OF THE THREE-VIRTUE CHEF, CHEF YOON, WHO CARES ONLY FOR OUR DONGDO! YET ALSO A WEIRDO WHO FORGES KITCHEN KNIVES OUT OF BLACK IRON!"
"Can't you just stick to the first part like you used to?"
"ABSOLUTELY NOT! I PLAN TO KEEP CALLING YOU A WEIRDO FOR AT LEAST A YEAR!"
For a whole year? She really is as stubborn as they come, fitting for the Little Sword Queen. But then again, Yang Seoran's antics were nothing new. I brushed it off and greeted the most important person present.
"Your Imperial Highness, what brings you all the way here...?"
"Inspection."
"Ah, so you are inspecting how the common folk live."
"Why aren't they sparring?"
"Well, because they've already finished... Ah, do you wish to see how the students of our academy spar?"
Nod, nod. As Princess Bohui nodded, I looked at Yoo Jeoksan and Gongson Yeongji.
"You two have already gone a few rounds, so you must be tired, right?"
"A-and our skills aren't really worthy of being shown in front of Her Imperial Highness anyway."
We needed to show her a proper spar, but we couldn't just show her a match between first-years. As I wondered what to do... my gaze fell upon Yang Seoran, who was staring blankly as if this had nothing to do with her.
The clear-eyed madwoman. I choose you.
"Come to think of it, I've never actually seen Lady Yang display her martial arts."
"HMM! IT IS TRUE THAT I HAVE NEVER SHOWN MY TRUE SKILLS TO THE CHEF-IN-CHIEF!"
"Since we're here, why don't you show us a spar with your sixth-year junior, Hanseok? I'm sure Her Imperial Highness would enjoy it."
A clash between the Little Sword Queen and the Mount Tai New Hero. This was a rare treat. I knew Yang Seoran would accept without hesitation, but honestly, I expected Man Hanseok to show some reluctance. However...
"I don't have a wooden sword, but would a wooden pole be alright?"
Instead of his usual grumbling, Man Hanseok immediately gripped his wooden pole and replied. Seeing this, Yang Seoran wore a face that said, Excellent, quite spirited! and turned to Namgung Mun behind her.
"MUN, GIVE ME MY WOODEN SWORD!"
"Here."
As Namgung Mun handed her a wooden sword crafted from solid ebony, she immediately flung off her cloak and gripped the hilt.
"SHALL WE ENGAGE IN A STANDARD SPAR, OR A HUNDRED-BOUT SPAR?!"
"Does a hundred-bout spar change things?"
"WE MUST DECIDE THE VICTOR WITHIN A HUNDRED BOUTS, SO WE POUR OUT OUR STRONGEST TECHNIQUES FROM THE VERY START! IT IS A SPECTACLE TO BEHOLD, EXHILARATING AND SWIFT!"
"But it also means the injuries are much more severe?"
"OF COURSE!"
At those words, I glanced at Princess Bohui, who simply nodded. Hmm, she truly has the makings of a ruler. Whether the commoners got hurt or not, as long as it entertained her, right?
"I'll cut—er, stop the match before things get too out of hand, so feel free to go wild."
"DID YOU HEAR THAT, JUNIOR MAN?! A HUNDRED-BOUT SPAR IT IS!"
"I will show you exactly how I earned the title of Mount Tai New Hero."
Whoa, scary. Was this really the Man Hanseok I knew? He seemed incredibly serious today. I tiptoed over to him and whispered.
"Hanseok, why are you suddenly so fired up?"
"Because I've never once seen the Student Association President spar. Whenever she does, she always keeps it strictly private."
"Uh... so you're curious about how strong Lady Yang is and wanted to test her? But couldn't you have just challenged her some other time?"
"If she were the type to easily accept, wouldn't I have done so already?"
"So she doesn't accept easily."
"She is like a flower blooming on a sheer cliff."
"Is she a flower you want to pluck?"
"Surprisingly, there are quite a few who do. Though I am not one of them."
"Right, of course. You prefer the flower blooming on the cliffs of the Tang Clan."
Leaving aside the fact that Yang Seoran had her own fans, and that Man Hanseok was madly in love with Dang Go-hye, their determination to fight was clear. As both of them stepped onto the Small Martial Arts Ground, Princess Bohui let out a soft huff of breath. She seemed incredibly excited. Usually, doesn't the imperial court have storytellers or order two members of the Brocade Guard to fight for entertainment? Why did she look like she was seeing this for the very first time?
"Excuse me, um... Miss Maid?"
I called out to the maid standing behind Princess Bohui, and she replied in a quiet voice.
"Yes, Three-Virtue Chef."
"Is Her Highness seeing something like this for the first time?"
"Her Highness is His Majesty's youngest daughter. He wished for her to see only beautiful things."
Phrased that way, it made a martial artist's duel sound like something ugly and forbidden. No, it wasn't just my imagination; they likely truly believed that. It was probably connected to that incident—whether it was called the Noksa Affair or Noksa's Rebellion—the assassination of the Emperor's younger brother.
"Then, is it alright for us to show her this?"
"The moment she entered the Mutual Righteousness Academy, His Majesty had already given his tacit approval."
In that case, they just needed to fight hard enough to leave a good impression of martial artists. Man Hanseok took a deep breath, gripping his pole, while Yang Seoran stood silently with her wooden sword lowered. As the referee of this spar, I quickly gauged the aura flowing between them and clapped my hands twice. *Clap, clap!*
At the sound of the signal, both of them assumed their starting stances and locked eyes. Just as I was beginning to wonder if they were ever going to move, they suddenly lunged forward and clashed.
*Clack! Clack, cl-clack!*
Man Hanseok's pole and Yang Seoran's sword collided six times in the blink of an eye. Whoa, look at those movements. What caught my eye in particular was Yang Seoran's swordplay. At first, I thought the sunlight reflecting off the polished wooden sword was playing tricks on my eyes, but gradually, a vivid red shape began to materialize.
"...Butterflies?"
Princess Bohui muttered to herself, having noticed it as well. At her words, Yoo Jeoksan and Gongson Yeongji chimed in.
"Aren't those butterflies the signature technique of the Sword Queen?"
"Yes. It must be the Sword Queen's Red Butterfly Sword Play."
I had assumed it was called the Red Butterfly Sword Play because the blood sprayed from slashing an opponent resembled fluttering butterflies, but apparently, that wasn't the case. Just as plum blossoms bloomed when using the Plum Blossom Sword Play, butterflies seemed to flutter when executing the Red Butterfly Sword Play. It would probably pair quite well with a master of the Mount Hua Sect.
Furthermore, Yang Seoran's offense was incredibly flashy yet razor-sharp. Having inherited the Sword Queen's Red Butterfly Sword Play, she wielded her sword with fluid grace, her long limbs extending with perfect flexibility.
"Incredible."
"Wow. She was definitely holding back when she sparred with me."
Yoo Jeoksan commented in awe. Even under Yang Seoran's fierce onslaught, Man Hanseok remained unfazed, spinning his pole to deflect every strike.
"It'll probably start to change once they pass the thirty-bout mark."
"Thirty bouts?"
"That's when they'll both be fully warmed up."
This applied to both Yang Seoran and Man Hanseok. What they were showing now was merely a taste.
"What do you think, Yeongji?"
"So far, the President seems to have the upper hand, but I'm not sure yet because Senior Man hasn't done that."
"Ah, that."
That was, of course, this. A hot-blooded display that didn't quite match the cold nature of his Ice Limit Spear technique.
"UWOOOOOOOOAH!!!"
Man Hanseok's face flushed red as he let out a hot-blooded roar, and his Ice Limit Spear began to manifest at its peak. It was a battle cry brimming with heat, a stark contrast to the freezing energy radiating from his weapon.
"What is he, a barbarian?"
"A barbarian? What's that?"
"Uh... kind of like the nomads of the Northern Yuan."
"Ah."
Gongson Yeongji understood instantly when I compared it to the Northern Yuan nomads. I suppose that was the benefit of growing up near the borderlands.
"Ugh!"
Oh, she was suddenly being pushed back. As Man Hanseok advanced menacingly, swinging his pole diagonally, Yang Seoran retreated in visible fluster. She seemed to mutter something under her breath, and judging by her lip movements, it looked like: I'm being pushed back? She clearly hadn't expected to be on the defensive.
Yet, Yang Seoran did not give up. If anything, she accelerated.
"KALPA!"
*Swish, swish, swish!* Along with three clean, consecutive slashes.
"ANNIHILATION!"
She swung her Red Butterfly Sword mercilessly, as if targeting every single vital point on his body. Crimson butterflies fluttered wildly in her wake.
Oho. Now that is cool.
This time, Man Hanseok retreated three steps, swept his pole across the ground, and roared.
"HYAH!"
"...!"
As his pole swept upward, a cloud of dust and glittering white powder scattered into the air. It wasn't mere dust; the moisture in the air had frozen instantly due to his sheer cold qi. He's really been grinding lately. His training is paying off.
And at that very moment, a strange light flashed in Yang Seoran's eyes.
*Schwing!*
With a bizarre, high-pitched hum, she slashed horizontally, diagonally, and horizontally again, carving a clean zigzag pattern through the air.
*Thud, thud, clatter!*
The wooden training pole in Man Hanseok's hands split into three clean pieces and clattered to the ground.
"...Huh?"
Unlike Man Hanseok, who stared in utter disbelief at what had just happened, Yang Seoran wiped the sweat from her temple with the back of her hand and grinned.
"JUNIOR MAN! THAT WAS A SPLENDID MATCH!"
She truly possessed the strength worthy of the title Little Sword Queen.