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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: cyno
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“Moon Flower! Moon Flower!”
“Heavenly Flower! Heavenly Flower!”
Deafening cheers erupted through Mount Wudang, filling the air with excitement.
Admiration, blessings, awe, exhilaration—every emotion poured into the roaring voices.
“Heh.”
And it wasn’t just the spectators who felt it.
“The next generation of the martial world seems full of promise.”
Cheonjon muttered to himself, a hint of anticipation in his voice.
His gaze wasn’t on his victorious disciple, Heavenly Flower—but on Jin Gayeong, the Sword Flower of Taiyuan Jin Family, being carried away on a stretcher.
Though she should be called Moon Flower now.
“Tsk.”
Unlike Cheonjon, someone else was less than pleased.
“Even a child from Taiyuan has such tenacity, yet you—what are you?”
“……”
Baekhwa hung her head as the Hua Shan Sect Leader, Gojon Dokgo Gugpae, glared at her in irritation.
“I’ll be watching closely tomorrow. If you disappoint me again—prepare yourself.”
“…Yes.”
“Pathetic. You disgrace the name of Plum Blossom Swordmaster.”
Having heard of Baekhwa’s disgraceful conduct from Cheonjon, his gaze was sharper than ever.
Baekhwa, unaware, only saw him as her usual terrifying sect leader.
“Now, now—let’s all calm down. I understand the excitement, but everyone is too worked up.”
Cheonjon steadied his own exhilarated voice as he continued.
Not that there was much left—the first day’s matches had concluded.
“As you’ve all seen, the first round of the Chilhwajeon is over. The second round will take place over the next two days.”
The second round.
With the Seven Flowers now split into winners and losers, it was time to determine their rankings.
The winners would compete for 1st to 4th place.
The losers would fight for 5th to 7th.
Of course, holding consecutive matches without proper rest meant some wouldn’t perform at their peak—but that was part of the spectacle.
A favored champion falling due to bad matchups, an underdog rising—what could be more thrilling?
Even among the underground gambling dens Heukjeom, bets on the Chilhwajeon’s rankings moved the most money.
“You may all disperse. Today’s defeated—Baekhwa, Seolhwa, and Sword… no, Moon Flower—should rest and recover. Our sect will provide herbs, elixirs, and medical supplies as needed.”
And so, the eventful first day of the Chilhwajeon came to a close.
No one knew yet—
That this smooth-running tournament would later be called the “Worst Chilhwajeon in History.”
—
A Father’s Regret
“Ow ow ow…! M-Mister! Gently! Be gentle…!”
Jin Gayeong whined dramatically.
SMACK!
“Eeeek! I-I said it hurts…! Why’d you hit me?!”
“You were exaggerating too much.”
Something about her pouting face was oddly cute, so he lightly tapped her back—which only made her react even more theatrically.
Ever since she decided to change her mindset, he’d been developing strange new habits. It was slightly concerning.
“W-What exaggeration?! I’m really in pain here! It’s not like I want you to bandage me or anything!”
“Your tone just now was suspiciously earnest. Haha.”
You lunatic, she’s not exaggerating. Can’t you see the tears in her eyes?
‘……’
At Jin Wuyong’s words, he quickly checked—and sure enough, her eyes were slightly wet.
Ah. Had he gone too far?
“My apologies.”
“It’s fine. Actually… I like that you’re treating me more casually now.”
“Is that so?”
“Of course! Not that I’m asking you to hit me again! I mean, in that sense, I have something to say—Ow ow ow!”
He continued bandaging her bruised arm, cutting her off.
But this was more important right now.
As he wrapped the bandages, he channeled his energy into her body, probing for answers.
Why was her congenital qi lacking?
How was she alive despite it?
By the way, now I see why you never noticed.
‘What do you mean?’
Even when I check her meridians, there’s no sign. I’ve infused her with energy before—after her fight with Namgung Soso—and it felt the same. How did you know, Master?
What, you think a ghost like me can’t sense congenital qi? That’d be stranger.
‘So it wasn’t strange that I missed it. Her body feels completely normal. Though if pushed to extremes like today, that frail state might return.’
Hmm… any ideas?
‘Just one. But I can’t be sure.’
As they discussed her condition, Jin Gayeong—having finished bandaging herself—spoke up.
“Mister… the places I got hit really hurt…”
She deliberately turned her back, showing off her pale skin.
“Huuu~ Can I ask for a favor…?”
“No. That would be improper.”
“Hmph…….”
“You should sleep. You have another match tomorrow—rest as much as you can.”
“O-Okay… You’re always so stubborn…”
Puffing her cheeks, Jin Gayeong headed to her quarters.
The moment she left, Jin Wuyong pounced with questions.
You said you had an idea? What is it?
‘There’s only one person I know who uses congenital qi like internal energy.’
…Ah! You mean your sister!
‘She’s not my sister anymore… but yes. If you’ve seen my memories, you know about Namgung Soso.’
Right, that girl with the bizarre constitution—using congenital qi like it was nothing. Hah!
‘Exactly. She was always fine, but I worried endlessly.’
It does sound similar. But be careful. Congenital qi isn’t something to take lightly. Once lost, it can’t be replenished.
‘There is a way. Back then, I researched a supreme elixir for Namgung Soso—the Twice-Life Pill 二生丸. Rare even for emperors who bathe in Gongcheongseokyu. The problem is finding it… but Hao Gate can track it down. If not, the Beggars’ Sect can help.’
Our son-in-law has it all planned out, huh?
‘If I hadn’t, my regression would’ve been wasted.’
Once the Chilhwajeon ended, he’d have to move quickly.
Too many things to do.
But that was fine.
Having never rested in his life, idleness only made him uneasy.
Speaking of, isn’t Okhwa late? Didn’t you tell her to come tonight?
‘She lacks the courage. Facing me terrifies her—she can’t bring herself to move.’
Oho~ Playing mind games with a former comrade? How ruthless.
‘She’ll come eventually. She’s the type to prioritize conviction over her own life. Hesitant, but she’ll show up. Just not tonight.’
Entertaining. I was worried your old personality was resurfacing, but this is useful.
‘Is that so?’
Despite his earlier warnings about bloodshed, Jin Wuyong still worried.
It left a bitter taste. Did he really seem so emotionally stunted?
He’d even clarified—his dream of losing control was just a dream.
Yet you read people so well—why can’t you understand one girl’s heart…?
‘What are you talking about?’
Tch. Whatever. Go to sleep. Don’t you love napping as much as chicken legs?
‘……’
Something felt off, but the night was deep. He headed to his quarters.
—
A Father’s Regret
Flashback – The Day the Namgung Family Fell
On the day the Blood Cult surrounded the Namgung Family, Namgung Sua trembled in his arms.
The sight was heartbreaking.
“D-Dad…….”
“Sua.”
The Namgung estate burned beyond recognition.
Everyone but him and Sua had met gruesome ends.
Preparing to reverse time once more, he spoke softly—wanting to comfort her before the end.
“I-I’m scared… So scared…….”
Burrowing into his chest, she sobbed.
“……”
“I don’t wanna die… I wanna live…….”
Could anyone understand a father’s helplessness? Watching his daughter cry, unable to do anything?
That day was one of the worst in all his regressions.
“I-I still have so much I wanna do…….”
“……”
“I practiced cooking chicken legs… for when you came home…….”
So he told her.
Even if time reversed, he wanted to reassure her now.
“Sua.”
“H-Huh? Why…? Dad…? Why… are you smiling…?”
He just wanted to comfort her.
That was all.
“Dad has… the power to turn back time.”
“Wh…What?”
“I’ve done it before. I’ll keep doing it—until I save you.”
Amidst the roaring flames, the Blood Cult’s screams—he spoke as if in another world.
“D-Dad? What are you saying……? Stop joking…….”
“I’m serious. I’ll stay sane. Until I save you.”
He just wanted her to hold on.
“R-Really…? You can really… turn back time……?”
“Yes. So don’t be afraid. Dad will save you.”
“Sob… Sob…….”
He didn’t know then—
That “soon” would take ten thousand years.
For Sua, it’d only be a few years.
“B-But…….”
“Hmm?”
“What about you…?”
“What do you mean?”
“If only you turn back time… It’s too hard on you…….”
“It’s okay. As long as I can save you, Dad can do anything. That’s my fate.”
“Sob… Sob…….”
He didn’t know then—
“Ghk…! Cough! Cough!”
That revealing heaven’s secrets to the unworthy carried a curse.
“S-Sua?! Sua!”
Suddenly, blood poured from Namgung Sua’s seven apertures.
Panicked, he clutched her limp body, screaming her name—but nothing changed.
“Sua! Sua!! Namgung Sua!! Wake up!!”
“Gurgle… D-Dad…….”
“What’s wrong?! Sua!! Wake up!! Hey! Namgung Sua!!”
In the end, he reversed time again. Namgung Sua’s death was undone.
But no matter how many times he rewound, that memory remained.
His damned mouth had killed his daughter.
Forgetting was harder than remembering.
And so began his lonely regressions—
A secret he could never share.
—
Present
“Ghk—!”
What?! Why’d you yell?!
“Huff… Huff…!”
Blinking, his vision cleared.
The room was dark. Jin Gayeong’s steady breaths sounded from the next bed.
“Ah…….”
Seeing Namgung Sua earlier must’ve stirred old memories.
Illusions of a past that only existed in his mind now.
This brat, what nightmare did you have now? Can’t even let a ghost rest in peace.
“My apologies.”
Whatever. What did you dream about? How can someone at your level still have nightmares? Your body’s transcendent, but your mind’s in hell.
No rebuttal came. Jin Wuyong wasn’t wrong.
‘Just thought about Namgung Sua.’
Ah, your daughter. Thought you didn’t care, but seeing her today got to you?
‘Can’t be helped. You’ve seen my memories—you know what she means to me.’
I know. The kid you cherished more than anyone.
‘Then no further explanation needed.’
He laid back down.
The damp pillow was uncomfortable, but he didn’t feel like moving.
One question.
‘What now? Let me sleep.’
What is Namgung Sua to you now?
‘A stranger.’
Don’t lie. Blood ties aren’t so easily severed. Even if they were, what of the life you dedicated to her?
‘……’
Truthfully, she wasn’t just a stranger.
‘A resentful stranger.’
Resentful, you say.
‘After all I sacrificed, she didn’t believe me in the end. That’s all.’
—
A Daughter’s Dream
“Nn…”
Namgung Sua slept in her usual position—buried in Yoo So-eun’s ample chest.
It was a habit she couldn’t break, even if it made breathing slightly difficult. It reminded her of sleeping against her father’s chest.
“Ghk…!”
But in her dreams, a horrific scene unfolded.
The Hell Realm Jin Wuyong once saw in Namgung Cheolbin’s mind—now haunted her.
RUMBLE—!
Countless lost souls toiled under massive boulders, shackled at the ankles.
Among them—a white-haired, blue-eyed man. Namgung Cheolbin.
“N-No…”
Tears welled in Namgung Sua’s sleeping eyes.
Yoo So-eun, awake due to her daughter’s murmurs, gently wiped them away.
Futile, as more quickly replaced them.
“Dad won’t go to hell… He’s done good deeds…”
The word “Dad” made Yoo So-eun’s heart clench.
“He’s doing his best… He promised… to live righteously…….”
Again—”Dad.”
‘She didn’t recognize him today… but she still remembers…’
A dull ache spread in Yoo So-eun’s chest.
It hurt. She felt pathetic—unable to properly comfort her own child.
“Dad would never go to hell… He’s the kindest person… Why would he…?”
She couldn’t bring herself to whisper the truth—that Namgung Cheolbin was not a good man.
Her daughter had already exhausted herself in today’s match. She just wanted her to sleep peacefully.
Yoo So-eun herself wouldn’t sleep tonight—but that was nothing new.
Even back in the Namgung Family, construction noises near her quarters had often kept her awake.
This was just an extension of that.
Gently, she slid her left arm under Namgung Sua’s head—so she wouldn’t wake with a stiff neck.
Then, with her right hand, she softly stroked her daughter’s tear-stained cheeks.
Her arm would be numb by morning, but it didn’t matter.
She was used to enduring.
“Dad… Don’t go to hell…….”
‘I love you, my daughter.’
She was used to hardship.
Throb—
Suddenly, the day’s events resurfaced.
Namgung Sua’s dazzling performance, cheered by the entire martial world.
As a mother, it was one of her proudest moments.
But good memories were always overshadowed by the bad.
Get lost!
Snowballs pelting her—some hiding sharp stones.
The scorn and venom laced between them.
Throb—
A stinging pain flared in her back—not emotional, but physical.
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