Chapter 199
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 199
Chapter Title: Mok Jieun's Victory
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"...I lost."
Red Peak Baek Iryeong admitted her defeat.
Perhaps because it felt so surreal, Mok Jieun—the actual winner—wore a dazed expression.
In fact, I felt much the same as I watched from the sidelines.
'She actually won this.'
I'd already thought the match was decided, but Mok Jieun's monstrous talent had turned the tables.
And it wasn't as if she'd been hiding her true strength all along.
The training ground remained shrouded in silence even after the spar ended.
Then, suddenly, applause began to echo through the air.
Clap, clap, clap—
It was Mok Jicheon, who'd been watching the match alongside me.
He seemed to be trying his hardest to keep a straight face, but his lips kept twitching uncontrollably. Looked like he'd failed at controlling his expression.
'Does big bro like this too much?'
Well, his little sister had just beaten one of the famed Five Dragons and Five Phoenixes. How could he not be thrilled?
I could understand it, at least a little.
'Wait, hold on. I'm his little brother too.'
I wondered if he'd be that happy even if it were me who'd won.
He might be pleased deep down, but I doubted he'd make such a foolish face.
"This Mok branch family member has had his eyes opened by this spar. You were both magnificent."
He was using polite speech, so it was clearly directed at Baek Iryeong, but Mok Jicheon's gaze kept drifting toward Mok Jieun.
'Sigh, big bro. At least try to hide your proud face.'
I said that, but truthfully, I was struggling to keep my own expression in check.
Ever since I'd judged her talent to be the real deal, my lips kept trying to curl up.
'Hold it together, Jimyeong. Don't let it show now and give Baek-sunbae a bad impression.'
As I worked to maintain my clarity of mind, the two who had finished sparring sheathed their swords.
The two women gazed at each other.
The one who spoke first was Baek Iryeong, the loser of the match.
"Could you tell me the name of that technique you used at the end?"
"Well..."
Seeing Mok Jieun hesitate, Baek Iryeong belatedly waved her hand dismissively.
"No, forget it. You don't have to say if it's hard. I was just so impressed that I asked."
"..."
Mok Jieun looked at a loss for words.
I knew exactly what was going on, so I understood she was flustered about what to say. But I worried how it might look to Baek Iryeong, who didn't know the full story.
'This won't cause a rift between them, will it?'
But as if to immediately disprove my fears, Baek Iryeong approached Mok Jieun with a bright smile.
"I said it's fine. It was just simple curiosity. I don't want to put you in a tough spot, Jieun, so don't worry."
"...Okay."
Only then did Mok Jieun's expression brighten a little.
It was a scene that made it hard to tell who had won and who had lost.
'Still, both being beauties makes it a nice sight.'
I decided against butting in rashly and chose to watch for now.
And I quickly realized it was the right call.
"It feels such a shame to part ways right after this, so how about we continue that drinking party from earlier here at the clan grounds?"
Mok Jicheon stepped forward with the suggestion once more.
Having just witnessed such an excellent spar, it wasn't odd to gather and talk about it.
But this time, he received a firm refusal.
"I'm sorry, Mok Gongja-nim. I'd like to rest for today. I also want to sort through the insights I just gained..."
Baek Iryeong was still smiling brightly as she refused, but there was something different about her voice.
And that wasn't strange at all.
'She's frustrated, huh.'
She might have smiled in front of her sparring opponent Mok Jieun, but there was no way she was truly happy about it.
Not when she'd lost to a younger opponent in a match she'd all but won.
Mok Jicheon seemed to realize it late as well, chuckling awkwardly and averting his gaze slightly.
"Now that I think about it, I forgot you came from far away, Baek Sojeo. Please go and rest."
It was at that moment.
The moment I'd been waiting for.
'Perfect. I can follow her now and comfort her sweetly.'
Maybe hold her hand lightly, pat her shoulder...
Of course, her mental trauma might prevent things from going as planned, but persistent gentle attempts were key to helping her slowly get used to it.
I was about to trail after Baek Iryeong when—
"How was it?"
Mok Jieun had approached without me noticing and was staring right at me.
She wanted my evaluation of the spar she'd just fought.
'Oh no...'
But I couldn't brush off Mok Jieun now to chase after Baek Iryeong.
In the end, I pushed aside my regrets and met Mok Jieun's eyes.
She watched me quietly, waiting for my response.
Looking at her face, I started to wonder what to say.
'I was shocked, sure... but if I praise her too much here, will she get arrogant?'
Of course, that wasn't like Mok Jieun at all, but who knew? She might get complacent and neglect her training if she got satisfied with this.
'...Nah, probably not.'
Still, praising her with the full honesty of my feelings somehow felt off.
Maybe because I'd spent my whole life with her like that.
But I couldn't very well say something negative after witnessing such a brilliant display.
After a moment's thought, I gave her a safe, neutral compliment.
"Eh, it wasn't bad."
Only after saying it did I worry it sounded too half-hearted.
I glanced at her, wondering if I should add more, but realized it wasn't necessary.
"Yeah?"
Her lips twitched as she beamed.
Just like siblings—she wore the exact same expression Mok Jicheon had earlier.
'Good thing I didn't praise her honestly.'
This was just the right amount—better than calling her a "genius" or saying it was "amazing."
But Mok Jicheon, who'd been watching from the side, apparently didn't like it. He clicked his tongue and approached us.
"You punk! Can't you just praise her honestly for once? Jieun, that was brilliant. Especially that last sword sequence—even Father couldn't match the perfection of your Mok Heavenly Sword Technique."
Unlike me, he lavished her with praise, but Mok Jieun's expression remained indifferent.
Mok Jicheon, mid-praise, noticed and narrowed his eyes.
"Why aren't you happy with my praise?"
"...You're weak, oppa."
It was the plain truth, but it hit hard.
He stood there stunned for a long moment before turning his anger toward me.
"Jimyeong, you punk! Don't you know how hard your sister has worked? And all you say is 'not bad'? Is that what you tell Jieun after she produces such outstanding results?!"
"Big bro, you're being pathetic."
"...Am I? Ahem."
A laugh slipped out at Mok Jicheon's feigned nonchalance.
I might've been twitching my lips in a foolish grin just like those two earlier.
That said, I did agree with Mok Jicheon to some extent.
'It was definitely more than just "not bad."'
But praising her now as "brilliant" felt embarrassing.
Then I remembered something I'd forgotten.
'Oh, right! The Saryeong Pills!'
The two Saryeong Pills I'd obtained from the Saryeong Gate.
One was set aside for Yeon-i, who was laboring away at Mount Hua Sect, and I was still mulling over the other.
'I even considered giving it to big bro.'
If it were any other elixir, I'd have given it to Mok Jieun without hesitation, but elixirs build tolerance after the first dose, halving their effect.
And Mok Jieun had already taken the one I'd sent her.
So I'd been thinking of just handing it to Mok Jicheon, but this spar convinced me otherwise.
'Eh, halved effect or not, it'd be way more effective for little sis than big bro.'
Decision made, I pulled a wooden box from my robes.
The two took an interest as I suddenly produced it.
"What's that?"
"Huh? What's that?"
Instead of explaining, I simply opened the box.
A single round, dark blue pill was revealed to all.
"A Saryeong Pill?"
"Where'd you get that?!"
They both exclaimed in surprise.
Feeling a swell of satisfaction at their reactions, I held the box out to Mok Jieun.
"You've had one before, right?"
"You're giving it to me again?"
Mok Jieun glanced guiltily at Mok Jicheon.
He jumped in right away.
"Jimyeong, where's mine? You're not saying you don't have one for me, are you? I don't remember raising an ungrateful punk like you."
"Come on, big bro, you're too weak for it. Waste of a Saryeong Pill. Think you could beat a Dragon or Phoenix even if you took it?"
"Mm, yeah, that might be a stretch. Fine! I'll graciously yield this time!"
As if he'd been waiting, Mok Jicheon stepped back immediately.
But his face, as he yielded, was filled with smug satisfaction.
'He planned this from the start.'
Even jumping in midway was probably to keep Mok Jieun from feeling guilty.
That was our big bro for you.
But Mok Jieun still seemed pricked by her conscience and added one more thing.
"What about Yeon-i at Mount Hua Sect...?"
"Don't worry. I've got hers set aside separately."
I pressed the wooden box into Mok Jieun's hands, then pulled another from my robes.
Once again, the two looked shocked.
"Jimyeong, you rascal! How many of those do you have?!"
A hint of expectation gleamed in Mok Jicheon's eyes.
Maybe hoping there were more.
But that was it.
"Sadly, this is the last one. I was saving it for Yeon-i... Tempted?"
"...Tch, fine. You punk!"
He looked genuinely disappointed.
Guess I'd have to snag one more from the Saryeong Gate later for our big bro.