—————————————————————–
Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: cyno
—————————————————————–
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Whoosh—
A snowball filled with malice, mockery, hatred, and resentment came flying.
Thud!
It hit something and shattered into powdery snow, scattering into the air.
The person struck by the snowball staggered briefly before helplessly lowering their head.
“We don’t need scum like you in the seven blossom tournament!”
Yoo So-eun, who was only a head taller than Namgung Su-ah, wrapped her arms around the girl.
Given her own slender frame, she couldn’t fully shield her, but she tried.
“If you have any shame, get out! Disappear right now!”
The crowd continued to hurl insults and scream at the two.
Some of the words went beyond mere “righteousness,” crossing into outright cruelty.
“Namgung is no longer part of the orthodox sects!”
“How shameless can you be to show your face here! Have you no pride?!”
It was a collective behavior born from mob mentality.
Because others were cursing, because everyone was jeering—one by one, they joined in.
To prove that they, too, belonged to the so-called “orthodox sects.”
Because of their petty selfishness, Yoo So-eun and Namgung Su-ah—who were not evil—were subjected to slander and contempt.
The people who were once my wife and daughter, who had abandoned me, were now being bullied.
Grr—
Of course, I was angry.
What gives you the right? I wanted to step forward and confront them right then and there.
And even though we were estranged, they had once been my family.
They were the driving force behind my regression. Every time I wanted to give up, I would rewind time while looking at their faces, powerless.
Seeing them now, standing as scapegoats before that disgusting crowd, was deeply unpleasant.
But… why?
“Sir? Why are you covering your mouth with your hand? Did something get stuck in your teeth?”
“…It’s nothing.”
It was satisfying.
Watching the people who had abandoned me standing in the same position I once did, being insulted—it was indescribably satisfying.
I knew I shouldn’t feel this way. I shouldn’t take pleasure in seeing them wrongfully condemned. It wasn’t intentional, nor was it some kind of revenge.
But I wasn’t a sage who could control my emotions with reason. And I certainly wasn’t a machine.
—If those bastards had recognized you, it would’ve been even more entertaining. It’s a shame they’re just hanging their heads.
‘Was that why you told me not to wear a mask?’
—Ahem, consider it killing two birds with one stone. You needed a boost to your rock-bottom self-esteem.
‘……’
—Don’t look at me like that. It’s true that I said it for your sake.
Ignoring Jin Wu-yong’s meaningless chatter, I turned my gaze back to them.
I felt filthy. The fact that my former family was being insulted simply for having once been my family made disgust and irritation surge within me.
But I couldn’t act recklessly.
Because, in contrast to the irritation, anger, and disgust—there was a perverse satisfaction lurking in the depths of my heart, holding me back.
It was clearly a maddening sight, yet at the same time, it felt refreshing.
Like a blocked corner of my heart had suddenly been cleared.
I had always considered myself a righteous person, but now I was feeling emotions I shouldn’t.
Am I… evil?
—Let me make one thing clear. Don’t define what you’re feeling now as evil.
‘What do you mean?’
—It’s just a primal emotion anyone would feel. The people who misunderstood and slandered you are now in the same position, being slandered themselves. It’s only natural to feel uncomfortable that you’re not the one doing it, and the satisfaction at the end is something any human would feel. It’s not evil, it’s nothing at all—so don’t go drowning in self-loathing later over something so pointless.
‘…Still, this isn’t a pleasant sight.’
—Of course, and that’s also a natural feeling. There’s a saying about shared suffering, isn’t there? Feeling pity for those in the same position as you is also natural.
‘I want to stop it. If anyone’s going to insult those two, it should be me. Not those vermin. Honestly, I’m angrier at those vermin than anything else.’
—Do as you wish. But I don’t think you need to.
‘Huh?’
Just as I was about to question Jin Wu-yong’s cryptic remark—
“ENOUGH—!!!”
A thunderous roar, one that only a Supreme Peak Master could unleash, swept through the arena.
BOOM—!
At the same time, a thick plum blossom fragrance erupted from the center of the stage, spreading in all directions.
—
The leader of the Mount Hua Sect, Gojon Dokgo Goo-pae, leaped high into the air before landing on the stage.
The impact of his landing sent tremors through the entire Mubong Mountain, if only for a moment.
“What do you all think you’re doing?!”
Not as the leader of Mount Hua—but as Yoo So-eun’s father.
He was genuinely furious.
“What wrong have these two committed to deserve this?! They are victims too!”
The shout, infused with the inner energy of one of the Twelve Supreme Masters, echoed deafeningly.
The audience had no choice but to cover their ears briefly.
Seizing the momentary silence, Gojon turned his back to Yoo So-eun and whispered to her.
“What kind of suffering have you brought upon yourself by leaving a perfectly good sect?”
“……”
“…Foolish girl. Just go inside.”
Despite trembling in fear, Yoo So-eun continued shielding Namgung Su-ah as they made their way toward the Namgung tent.
Watching their retreating figures with a somewhat sorrowful gaze, Gojon glanced briefly at the Dang Family sitting beside the Mount Hua delegation before quietly speaking to Dokjon.
“Dokjon, if it’s not too much trouble, could you switch seats with Namgung?”
An unexpected opportunity to call in a favor.
Not foolish enough to let it slip, Dokjon smiled amiably and stood up.
“Of course. Kids, get up. We’ve been asked to move to the Namgung tent.”
Those who didn’t realize it was an opportunity wore puzzled expressions, but Dang So-baek—who had caught on faster than Dokwang—quickly responded.
“Yes, come on, everyone. We’ve just received a ‘request’ from Gojon himself.”
Once she stood, the rest of the Dang Family reluctantly rose and moved to the Namgung tent. Meanwhile, Yoo So-eun, still gripping Namgung Su-ah’s hand tightly, entered the Dang Family’s tent, now placed beside Mount Hua’s.
After ensuring his daughter and granddaughter were seated where he could protect them at any moment, Gojon swept his gaze over the assembled crowd and bellowed:
“Before they are of Namgung—they are my daughter and granddaughter!”
No one dared utter a word under that solemn declaration.
Violet energy, dense enough to be visible, surged from Gojon’s entire body—proof of just how enraged he was.
“And even if they were of Namgung—your blind condemnation is nothing more than barbaric guilt by association!”
With each thunderous word, the snow piled on the stage melted under the intense heat, as if the stage existed in a different world altogether.
“If there’s still anyone here who dares throw snow at them—do it! But know this—you will make an enemy of me, Gojon Dokgo Goo-pae!”
“……”
“…I’m glad no one stepped forward.”
Having finished speaking, Gojon slowly descended from the stage and took a seat directly behind Yoo So-eun among the Mount Hua delegation.
The crowd, who had been hurling abuse moments ago, fell silent like bees that had tasted honey.
Meanwhile, Cheonjon—who had been staring blankly at Byeok-rak standing beside Jin Ga-young—snapped back to reality and stepped forward.
“Muryangsoobul… This old man should have been the one to speak, but Gojon has done so in my place. What disgraceful behavior at the sacred seven blossom tournament.”
“Ahem…”
“Ahem! Cough! Hmm…”
“Please observe proper decorum. Those who cannot do so have no right to set foot on Mubong Mountain. This mountain is open to all, regardless of status—but not to those without manners.”
After sternly warning the crowd, Cheonjon cast a worried glance at Yoo So-eun and Namgung Su-ah.
Yoo So-eun had covered her ears, so Namgung Su-ah’s face wasn’t visible, but since her body wasn’t trembling, she likely hadn’t been too shaken.
Letting out a sigh of deep relief, Cheonjon turned back toward the Mubong Sect’s seating—only to spot the Taiyuan Jin Family.
More precisely, Byeok-rak, who was glaring intensely at the Namgung Family from there.
—…I’m sorry. I should have stepped in sooner.
Though he hadn’t interacted much with the Sword Saint and didn’t know him well, one thing was certain:
No one here could stop him if he decided to act.
And right now, he was extremely displeased.
That was why Cheonjon had apologized.
“Well, that was quite the disturbance. Let the next participants enter.”
Following this, the nuns of Emei, led by Seolhwa, made their entrance.
And so, the seven blossom tournament—precarious from the very beginning—officially commenced.
—
“So that child is my granddaughter.”
“……”
“Don’t turn around. Just listen, foolish girl.”
Gojon’s self-deprecating words dug into Yoo So-eun’s ears.
Each time, her slender shoulders flinched slightly.
“Are you afraid?”
“……”
“Then why did you choose that bastard, the Sword Saint? With your talent, if you had stayed, you could have become Mount Hua’s first female leader.”
“…I’m sorry.”
“Even if you had to leave, why him? Do you know how many men adored you? Mubong’s Muryong followed you around, the eldest son of the Zhuge Family confessed his love, even the second son of the Hwang Family came to Mount Hua after seeing you just once!”
“I… don’t know what to say……”
“When you left Mount Hua, I resented you… but I also secretly cheered for you. ‘Our daughter has grown up,’ I thought. But look at you now. Did you marry into Namgung just to get snowballs thrown at you?”
“……”
Each of Gojon’s resentful words stabbed into Yoo So-eun’s heart like daggers.
‘I’m sorry… Dad…’
Worried that Namgung Su-ah might hear, she clamped her hands even tighter over the girl’s ears—unaware that her own ears were left completely exposed.
“A scholar dies for one who understands him; a woman adorns herself for one who pleases her.”
“……”
“So what is this? Your martial arts have regressed, your inner energy is barely detectable. Was it worth giving everything up for a love that wasn’t even fulfilling?”
“…Regret?”
“Yes. Do you regret leaving the sect you were born and raised in for that Namgung bastard?”
In response to Gojon’s loaded question, Yoo So-eun answered immediately—without a hint of hesitation.
Though her voice was soft, it carried unmistakable resolve.
“No.”
“What…?”
“If I hadn’t followed him back then, I wouldn’t have Su-ah now.”
“……”
Yoo So-eun’s arms tightened around Namgung Su-ah.
“That child will spend her whole life labeled as the Sword Saint’s daughter. Doesn’t that make you pity her?”
“It’s okay. I’ll just work harder.”
“What nonsense—”
“I’ll perform enough good deeds to make up for his sins. Every year, I’ll distribute food to the starving, start a lending service with minimal interest, personally apologize to every victim of his crimes. I’ll help merchant groups without charging fees. If I keep at it… someday, the good deeds of Namgung will outweigh his evils.”
“You foolish girl! Do you have any idea how long that will take?! Even if it happens, it’ll be long after you’re dead! The grudges of the martial world don’t fade so easily—they last at least sixty years!”
“I don’t care. I’ll take the insults my whole life if I have to. I’ll accept it as the price for choosing the wrong husband. But I can’t let Su-ah suffer for it. At the very least, I won’t let my daughter inherit our sins. I’ll make sure of it.”
Of course, despite being young, Namgung Su-ah was a Peak Master.
Even with Yoo So-eun’s hands covering her ears—without any inner energy reinforcing them—there was no way she couldn’t hear the outside world.
Squeeze—
Namgung Su-ah’s grip on Yoo So-eun’s waist tightened.
It hurt, but Yoo So-eun didn’t show it. She endured silently.
Because she was her mother.
The one who had to embrace, shield, and protect her daughter.
The unshakable pillar she could always rely on.
Even if, to some, she was just a pitiful, foolish girl.
“If life gets too hard, come back to Mount Hua anytime.”
“…Thank you, Dad.”
“The air is good there. If you don’t like it, you can recuperate at Shaolin. Your son is there, isn’t he?”
“Yes, I will. It’s been… about twelve years since I last saw him.”
“That brat. Even if he’s ordained, he should’ve visited his mother at least once.”
“Don’t say that. He must have his reasons.”
“You’re too soft. You should get angry sometimes. Do you know how frustrating it’s been watching you? No matter how harsh the training, even when your palms were bleeding, you never complained. How did I end up with such a fool for a daughter?”
“…I can’t help my nature.”
“And yet, the first time you fell for someone, you defied me and left. Honestly… I was happy too. ‘When did our daughter grow up like this?’ I thought. But seeing you now… Ugh, forget it. Why am I repeating myself?”
Gojon’s eyes—known to the martial world as belonging to a man with neither blood nor tears—reddened slightly.
A faint dampness seemed to gather in them.
Though Yoo So-eun couldn’t see it directly, she felt the subtle tremor through the back of his head pressed against hers.
Then, helplessly, she raised her head.
The first match of the seven blossom tournament was about to begin—Okhwa and Seolhwa were ascending the stage.
“Huh…?”
Then, across the stage, someone caught her eye.
A head of gray hair—seen only once but impossible to forget.
Beneath it, well-defined features and blue eyes that uncannily resembled her daughter’s.
“What’s wrong? Did you see something? Your energy is trembling.”
“…It’s nothing.”
“Fine, stop daydreaming and focus on the match. It’ll be a good lesson for you, given how much you’ve neglected your training. Okhwa’s sword just grazed Seolhwa. But why is Okhwa’s energy so unstable?”
Though she tried to shift her attention to the match at Gojon’s scolding, Yoo So-eun’s gaze kept drifting back to Byeok-rak.
All the while, she made sure to keep Namgung Su-ah’s head turned toward the stage—just in case the girl spotted him.
‘Byeok-rak… Are you really okay showing your face like that…?’
The moment she laid eyes on him, a heaviness settled in her chest.
She hated him.
After all, this entire mess was ultimately his fault.
Their current plight, the rift with her father—none of it would have happened if he hadn’t committed crimes and strayed from the path.
But what could she do?
Like it or not, he was the husband she had chosen.
A wife must bear the sins of her husband.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
[Your Text Here]
