Chapter 176
Chapter 176
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 176
Chapter Title: Traveling Together (1)
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"The cleanup for the kids has been handled properly."
Neung Sohwa nodded as she gazed at the five urns cradled in the arms of White Sword Unit Leader Dan Rihwa.
"The Tang Family put a lot of care into it."
"I already thanked them earlier."
Neung Sohwa recalled how the Tang Family head had bowed repeatedly in gratitude, saying it was actually thanks to the Sword Pavilion that they'd escaped their crisis.
"Keep them safe. Once we reach the Sword Pavilion, we need to enshrine them properly with all due respect."
"Understood."
"And..."
"What is it? Something you want to say?"
As Neung Sohwa asked with a hint of weariness, Dan Rihwa hesitated for a moment before speaking up.
"Young Master Sima wishes to meet with you."
"Young Master Sima?"
Her eyes sparkled as if the fatigue had vanished in an instant.
It was because, after the spar with Dang Cheonhwa and the subsequent battle with the Thunderclap Temple, they hadn't been able to properly talk amid all the chaos.
"Yes."
"Where? Has he come here?"
"He said he's waiting at Fragrant Cloud Pavilion."
"Fragrant Cloud Pavilion? Where's that?"
"I checked—it's a pavilion by an artificial pond on the eastern side of the Tang Family grounds."
Neung Sohwa started to rise but glanced at the urns in Dan Rihwa's arms and sank back down.
"Pathetic, aren't I?"
"Pardon?"
"Please tell him I'm too exhausted today. Let's meet in a day or two."
Seeing the bitter expression on Neung Sohwa's face, Dan Rihwa assumed the aftereffects of the spar hadn't fully faded yet and nodded.
"I'll relay that."
Dan Rihwa bowed politely and withdrew slowly.
"How'd it go? You didn't agree to meet right away, did you?"
Jin Lim grabbed Dan Rihwa's arm excitedly.
"She still seems worn out. She postponed the meeting."
"Really? That's weird. I can't imagine why."
Jin Lim tilted her head.
"Quiet down and focus on tending to the Pavilion Lord. Make sure she eats properly too."
Jin Lim shrank back under Dan Rihwa's stern gaze and replied.
"Got it."
Even as she bowed her head in response, Jin Lim couldn't quite understand. Over the past year or so, though she'd hidden it well, Jin Lim knew how much Neung Sohwa had longed to see Sima Geon again.
Their meeting took place a day later.
When Neung Sohwa arrived at Fragrant Cloud Pavilion with Dan Rihwa and a few escorts, Sima Geon, who had arrived early, greeted her warmly.
"Welcome."
"Sorry I'm a bit late."
"No, I just got here myself. I heard the spar left some lingering effects—are you feeling better now?"
Neung Sohwa gave an awkward smile at Sima Geon's words.
"I'm fine now."
"That's a relief."
Sima Geon let out a light breath and poured her some tea he'd prepared in advance.
"Here."
"Thank you."
Neung Sohwa sipped her tea quietly with downcast eyes, then subtly lifted her gaze.
"So, what made you want to see me all of a sudden?"
"I think I made a mistake the other day."
"A mistake?"
"I heard you were upset because I went on about the sparring match unnecessarily."
"Pardon? Not at all. Who said that...?"
The Sword Queen trailed off mid-question, roughly guessing who had been spreading such rumors.
"You weren't?"
"No, not really."
"Good, then. It's been weighing on my mind for days."
Sima Geon sighed in relief and lifted his teacup. Neung Sohwa lowered her eyes and did the same.
A brief silence fell, lasting only three or four breaths, but to the two of them, it felt endlessly long.
"By the way, I heard about your master. I can't imagine how shocked you must have been by the sudden news. I don't even know what to say to comfort you."
"Thank you. My master always hoped to see you again if the chance arose."
"Is that so."
Sima Geon's face clouded with regret as he recalled the previous Sword Queen, whose very presence exuded elegance and grace, and her gentle smile.
"She was really looking forward to your spar too."
"Pardon?"
Sima Geon widened his eyes.
"She knew I'd given you the challenge letter."
"Ah! I see."
Sima Geon blushed, remembering how he'd mistaken the challenge letter for a love letter.
"How's the Sword Queen's Journey going, by the way? I've been wandering remote places, so I haven't heard much."
A shadow fell over Neung Sohwa's face.
"Because of the Sword Queen's Journey, I couldn't even properly mourn my master. What a terrible disciple I've become."
"What do you mean...?"
"Before leaving to meet the Heavenly Demon Cult Leader, my master left me with her final request. No matter what, the Sword Queen's Journey must continue. It was like she foresaw something terrible was coming. And yet she knew all that and..."
Tears welled up in Neung Sohwa's eyes.
When her gaze met Sima Geon's, she quickly turned away, wiped them, and forced a bright expression.
"To honor her dying wish, I'm pressing on. Along the way, we've even been attacked by what seem to be Blood Death Cult members."
Unconsciously, Neung Sohwa's hand went to the back of her neck. But Sima Geon's sharp eyes didn't miss the scar there. Fortunately small, but in a spot that would bother any woman.
"My stubbornness caused heavy losses for the White Sword Unit."
Neung Sohwa's gaze drifted to Dan Rihwa, standing guard nearby.
"By tradition, a disciple on the Sword Queen's Journey goes alone or with just one or two attendants. But after my master passed, escorts were assigned—because I became the Sword Pavilion Lord. I refused at first but eventually allowed a minimal number. After the third spar, we were ambushed, and nearly all the White Sword Unit members guarding me lost their lives. If not for Unit Leader Dan Rihwa's desperate defense, I might have died then. Now I have no choice but to travel with the White Sword Unit."
"It might sound callous, but it turned into a blessing in disguise for the Tang Family. It helped them safely weather the crisis."
"You could see it that way."
Neung Sohwa gave a faint smile.
"So, how many spars have you had so far?"
"Twelve."
"No defeats, of course?"
Sima Geon asked lightly, but Neung Sohwa's expression stiffened slightly.
Seeing her reaction, Sima Geon inwardly winced.
If what Manchu had told him was true—that no Sword Queen on the Journey had ever lost—then her response suggested she might have suffered a defeat.
As he silently berated himself for the needless question, Neung Sohwa smiled softly at him.
"I haven't lost yet."
"Haha! Good."
Sima Geon laughed in relief.
"That said, there have been times I've wondered if it turned into a life-or-death fight instead of a spar, the outcome might have been different. Like my match with Elder Poison Ghost."
Sima Geon recalled Dang Cheonhwa's Ten Thousand Petal Storm. And Neung Sohwa's swordsmanship that neutralized it.
Ten Thousand Petal Storm was perfect in itself. No room for further refinement—it was that devastating.
Yet Neung Sohwa's swordplay that rendered it powerless was astounding. He'd felt her strength even in the battle against the Long River Water Alliance, but now she seemed far stronger.
Perhaps the Sword Queen's Journey wasn't just about displaying the Sword Queen's prowess to the world—it was a process to perfect her martial arts through spars with masters.
What stood out was that, despite being capable of neutralizing Ten Thousand Petal Storm, her swordsmanship didn't feel fully complete yet. It was just a hunch, nothing concrete.
"Still, I doubt you'd lose."
"Pardon?"
"If your opponent was fighting for their life, you'd do the same. You didn't go all-out against Elder Poison Ghost, did you?"
"No, I gave my best..."
"Not that. Your best, sure—but not with the intent to kill, staking your life on it, like I just said."
"Of course not. It was a spar."
Neung Sohwa's voice sharpened.
"That's why the elder held back. He sensed that difference."
"Ah!"
Neung Sohwa finally grasped what Sima Geon meant and let out an exclamation.
"I'm looking forward to seeing the full power of the Sword Queen's swordsmanship, unleashed with her life on the line."
Neung Sohwa felt a flush of embarrassment at being called the Sword Queen.
To hide it, she quickly changed the subject.
"How have you been all this time, Young Master Sima? I heard you were chasing down your enemy. Oh, and speaking of which, there was someone with you I hadn't met before."
"You mean Surin."
Neung Sohwa's expression flickered slightly at his familiar tone.
"An old comrade. We trained together since we were kids."
"A comrade..."
"Yes. I thought I'd never see her again, but things fell into place. It was just a few days after I returned to Sohung. Out of nowhere, Black Wolf showed up and..."
As Sima Geon's explanation continued, the tension eased from Neung Sohwa's face bit by bit. But when she learned of So Surin's suffering, it filled with anger.
"...So I wandered for over a year hunting that bastard Yinjeokso. I finally gave up and was heading back home when I thought I'd stop by to see the elder first. And that's when I found out you'd come to the Tang Family. You can't imagine my surprise."
"Were you as shocked as I was? When I finished the spar and saw you there, I was stunned—and so happy."
Sima Geon's lips curved into a smile at her words.
"So, who's next after Elder Poison Ghost? It's already decided, right?"
"Yes. Normally I'd deliver the challenge myself, but sometimes I have to ask others. This time is one of those cases."
"Who is it?"
"A man named Soaring Dragon Sword Emperor Baek Muhyeon."
"The name alone screams powerhouse."
Sima Geon joked lightly.
"Don't laugh. He really is strong. He's second on the Martial Record."
"First is the Sword Queen."
"Stop teasing."
Neung Sohwa shot him a glare with a slightly raised voice and sighed.
"You have no idea how burdensome every one of these spars is for me."
"You're right, I don't. But there's one thing I know for sure: with your skill, you can beat any opponent. So have a bit more faith in yourself and take it easy."
Sima Geon's calm voice carried an unwavering belief in her abilities.
Neung Sohwa's eyes trembled faintly.
She'd heard countless praises and encouragements, but none had bolstered her like this.
"Thank you."
Sima Geon stared at her radiant smile in a daze for a moment, his heart racing. He'd thought her beautiful before, but this feeling was new.
"When do you plan to leave the Tang Family?"
He snapped back to attention at her question.
"Nothing set in stone. When are you leaving?"
"I'll stay another day."
"With so many injured, isn't that rushing it?"
"No choice. By now, he's probably received the challenge. Can't keep him waiting."
"So, where's this Soaring Dragon Sword Emperor?"
Sima Geon's tone grew a touch curt.
"Living Immortal Medical House. It's not his usual residence, but apparently he's staying there now."
"Did you say Living Immortal Medical House just now?"
A broad grin spread across Sima Geon's face as he repeated the question.