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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: cyno
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It has already been six days since Jin Gayoung began her training to counter Namgung Soso.
Surprisingly, she has successfully mastered all the techniques to counter Namgung Soso in such a short time.
Not only that, but she has also started to toy with me, who was mimicking Namgung Soso, by applying variations to the techniques.
It seems she now believes she can handle Namgung Soso with ease.
*Clang—!*
After finishing the final technique, she sheathed her sword.
Jin Gayoung followed suit and put her sword away.
“Well done, miss.”
“Huff, huff…! How was it? Have I improved a lot……?”
“Your progress is nothing short of remarkable. I’ve never seen anyone with as much martial talent as you, miss.”
“Hehe.”
Of course, that’s a lie since Sua exists, but it doesn’t change the fact that Jin Gayoung possesses extraordinary martial talent.
“However, your breathing control is still a bit rough.”
“Ugh……”
“It’s fine. That’s not something you can master overnight. After reviewing what you’ve learned so far, tomorrow we’ll go and challenge Bi Hwa to a martial duel.”
Jin Gayoung didn’t say anything like, “I already declared I wouldn’t do that, so going back on my word would be embarrassing.”
That’s a good attitude.
Pride is useless when it comes to surviving in this harsh martial world.
“Can I really do it?”
“From what I’ve seen, you’re more than ready.”
“Really?”
“I can’t say you’ve reached a higher level than Bi Hwa… but since you’ve trained specifically to counter her, you won’t lose.”
Perhaps because of my firm response.
Even though she was exhausted and lying on the ground, Jin Gayoung smiled brightly.
Her expression was so endearing that I unconsciously reached out and patted her head.
At my touch, Jin Gayoung flinched for a moment, then closed her eyes and accepted it.
*Swoosh, pat—.*
It felt like I was raising a disciple again after a long time.
“Hehe… I succeeded in getting patted by you……”
By now, I’ve gotten used to her strange mutterings about “success,” so they don’t bother me anymore.
Is this a sign that I’ve grown closer to her?
—
“Byeokrak-nim? Can you come out for a moment and see me?”
While I was patting Jin Gayoung, who was lying on the ground, a voice transmission came from beyond the wall.
The only person who would send a voice transmission instead of speaking directly, and from behind a wall, is one person.
“Miss, please rest. I’ll be back shortly.”
“Y-you’re leaving? You’ll come back, right?”
“Of course, where would I go leaving you behind?”
“R-right…! Come back safely……!”
Jin Gayoung, whose cheeks had turned red without her realizing it, lay her head on the ground as I got up and headed for the door.
As if she had been watching everything, Namgung Soso was standing right outside the door.
“Can we move to a different place……?”
She glanced back at Jin Gayoung, who was resting.
Judging by Namgung Soso’s expression, it seemed she wanted to discuss something that shouldn’t be overheard.
“Of course.”
“Ah… th-thank you……!”
She led the way, and I followed her footsteps.
By the way, Namgung Soso didn’t look well.
Her face had turned pale, and her limbs looked frail.
Though she seemed to be walking fine, if you looked closely, it seemed like she could collapse at any moment.
Then.
*Stumble—.*
Namgung Soso staggered as if she had a headache.
*Thud—.*
I quickly caught her, but she flinched and pushed my hand away.
“S-sorry… I’ve been feeling unwell lately……”
“If you’re feeling unwell, you should rest. It seems like you’re pushing yourself too hard.”
“R-really? But I really need to talk to you……”
“Let’s stop here. We’re far enough from the Hangsan Sword Sect. There’s no one around.”
“Alright. Then I’ll talk here……”
What could she possibly want to discuss that requires such caution?
Her mouth finally opened just as I was starting to wonder.
“Tomorrow, you’re planning to challenge me to a martial duel, right? From the Taiyuan Jin family.”
“You’ve been watching everything, so you already know, don’t you?”
My slightly cold reply implied, “Why are you asking when you already know?”
Namgung Soso flinched for a moment, then finally got to the point.
“What will you do if I refuse the duel?”
“Are you saying you’ll refuse?”
“No, I’m not saying that. I’m just asking what you’ll do if I do.”
It seemed like she had something else to say, but why was she dragging out the introduction so long?
I’ll have to respond for now.
“What can I do? I’ll just go back. But I don’t think you’ll refuse.”
“Why…?”
“There’s public opinion to consider. If you, miss, avoid a duel with our lady, people will mock you as a coward who ran away out of fear. Naturally, the perception that the Sword Flower is stronger than Bi Hwa will spread.”
“What if I use my illness as an excuse? Look at this. Do you think someone as frail as me can even fight?”
As she spoke, Namgung Soso lifted her clothes to show her stomach.
Her stomach was so sunken that her ribs were visible.
Why is she exposing herself so carelessly to an outsider? What does she trust me for?
Seeing my only younger sister in such a state, a part of me felt a pang of sadness.
“The public, who loves to mock and ridicule, won’t care about such circumstances. Even if they know, they’ll turn a blind eye.”
Just like they did to me.
They’ll bury the truth if it’s not entertaining and only focus on the juicy bits to spread rumors.
“But even so, the title of Seven Flowers will be out of reach! Are you okay with that?”
That’s also true.
Whether she’s mocked or ridiculed for refusing the duel, Jin Gayoung will lose the chance to earn the title of Seven Flowers.
If she refuses because she’s afraid of losing, it’ll be a forfeit, but if it’s due to illness, she can’t take the title either.
But that doesn’t seem to be what she’s getting at.
“So what’s your point? Did you call me here just to say that?”
“No, I have a proposal.”
“What is it?”
“I’ll accept the duel. I’ll give up the title of Seven Flowers. Whether the Sword Flower wins or loses.”
Whether Jin Gayoung wins or loses……?
“What do you want?”
“…You.”
“Excuse me?”
“You. If I win the duel, join me as my subordinate. That’s my proposal……!”
I wanted to ask what nonsense she was spouting.
But her expression was too desperate to be a joke.
As if her life depended on this.
Her breathing was ragged, and her face was flushed with both embarrassment and shadows.
She looked like she could faint at any moment.
“I don’t understand. Just three days ago, you were accusing me of using some kind of spell on you.”
“I’m trying to catch you! To find out what kind of spell you used on me! I’ll keep you by my side and figure it out!”
“……”
“…I can’t just arrest and interrogate you without evidence…!”
For some reason, her current demeanor reminds me of the time she saved me in the past.
When I was chained in the Blood Cult’s underground prison, barely breathing, and she infiltrated the stronghold of hundreds of thousands of Blood Cult members to save me.
Back then, she was just as desperate to save me as if I were her own life, and now she seems similar.
“Do you think you can beat our lady? As you said, your current physical condition isn’t fit for a fight.”
“I-I’ll handle that! So answer me! Will you accept my proposal?”
“You’ll give up the title of Seven Flowers whether you win or lose, right?”
“Yes, I’m serious.”
“Then I accept.”
I don’t think Jin Gayoung, who has undergone this special training, will lose.
Especially since Namgung Soso’s physical condition is at its worst.
Even if she does lose, I can repay the kindness of the person who made me feel human warmth again after so long and leave without regrets.
Rather, I don’t understand why she’s willing to give up the title of Seven Flowers, which signifies one of the most outstanding young talents in the Central Plains, for one person.
“R-really? You’ll join me if I win, right?”
“If you win, yes. Then I’ll take my leave now.”
“Th-thank you……!”
“On the contrary, I should thank you. For giving our lady a chance.”
After bowing politely to express my gratitude, I used light footwork to quickly return to the Hangsan Sword Sect.
I briefly considered helping her since she wasn’t feeling well, but as one of the top martial artists among the Seven Flowers, she should be able to handle it herself.
The Namgung Soso who tore through waves of Blood Cult members, screaming my name even as her body was torn and broken, wouldn’t kneel over something like an illness.
—
“Sir? Y-you’re back already?”
“Why do you look like you’re greeting someone who’s been gone for days? I was only gone for a little over half an hour.”
“I-I thought you went somewhere far……”
“As I said earlier, where would I go leaving you behind? Don’t worry, I won’t leave you.”
“That’s a relief… I’m so relieved……!”
Of course, even if I accepted the proposal, I have no intention of quietly staying by Namgung Soso’s side.
It might be unnecessary worry, but if I’m going to live as a servant, I want to be Jin Gayoung’s servant.
Have I grown attached to her in such a short time? Even though this relationship will inevitably end someday.
“Sir.”
While I was lost in thought, Jin Gayoung suddenly called me.
“Speak.”
“You must never leave me. You have to stay by my side always.”
“Don’t worry.”
*‘I won’t leave until you cast me away.’*
To do that, I’ll have to make sure Jin Gayoung wins this duel.
“Now, get up. Think of me as Bi Hwa and attack.”
“Huh? A-again?”
“Use everything you’ve learned so far.”
“Alright… If you say so, I’ll do it……!”
Even though it must be exhausting, Jin Gayoung’s eyes lit up with determination at my words.
How could I leave such a girl behind?
—
After Byeokrak left.
Namgung Soso, who had been struggling to hold herself together, collapsed to the ground.
“Haa, haa……!”
Rough breaths escaped through her parted lips.
*Thump, thump……!*
Her heart, which refused to calm down, raced uncontrollably, and each time, Namgung Soso tried to soothe it with deep breaths.
Of course, it didn’t work.
“Ugh……”
These emotions, this pounding, this confusion.
She was certain now.
It was the same feeling that had tormented her for years, the one she thought she had finally escaped.
“Damn it……”
Namgung Soso had joined the Hangsan Sword Sect to forget her brother, who had embraced another woman.
But the heart doesn’t follow one’s will.
Even during the great war against the Blood Cult, while she outwardly cut down cultists and saved people, inwardly she was always fighting her own battle of love.
She tried to forget.
She wanted to forget.
She wanted to meet a normal man and experience ordinary love, not the man who no longer cared for her and was, above all, her blood relative.
But she couldn’t.
Even when rumors of Namgung Cheolbin’s ugly side surfaced, and his true nature was revealed, she outwardly cursed and hated him but inwardly felt pity.
When everyone cursed him, even though she knew he deserved it, it hurt her as if she were the one being cursed.
So, a couple of times, she got drunk and beat up those who cursed him.
Of course, those times weren’t happy.
Rather, they were filled with guilt.
She wanted to curse him too.
She wanted to freely denounce the villain like everyone else.
But whenever she tried, the attachment and lingering feelings in her heart held her back.
Even when she deliberately said harsh things to him to shake off her feelings, her heart flowed independently of her will.
So, when she heard that Namgung Cheolbin had been stripped of his position as head of the Namgung family and expelled, she even entertained the absurd thought that since he was no longer her brother, it would be okay to meet him.
As soon as she realized she had such thoughts, she slapped herself as punishment.
Anyway, after days of painful struggle, the day finally came when thoughts of him became less frequent.
Of course, she wasn’t particularly happy.
Because that space had been filled by someone new.
Byeokrak.
From her spying, she learned that he was a servant of the Jin family with high-level martial skills unbecoming of a servant, always wearing a mask, making it impossible to see his true nature.
Namgung Soso judged.
This is my problem.
He might have cast some spell on me without my knowledge, but the fact that the same symptoms as with my brother appeared means there’s something wrong with me.
Who in the world vomits and trembles just from thinking about someone they love?
‘This time… I’ll break free……!’
I’ll escape this terrible mental illness and find a proper relationship.
I can always earn the title of Seven Flowers elsewhere.
Since it’s not something that will disappear if left alone, fixing my own issues is the top priority.
To do that, I need to deal with this man named Byeokrak.
‘Ugh…… the voice again…….’
*Beeeeep—.*
A strange ringing began to sound.
She already knew from experience that this sound signaled the onset of auditory hallucinations.
Soon, Byeokrak’s rough voice echoed in her mind.
*‘You trash. Please cut off that dick of yours. It’s disgusting and filthy.’*
“Huuuu……”
A horrifying sensation of revulsion swept over Namgung Soso.
After writhing in pain a few times, she gave up and stared blankly into the void.
It wasn’t a deliberate action.
‘Where… did I hear those words……?’
No, was it even about cutting off his dick?
Maybe it was just her imagination.
‘I don’t know……’
Now, no thoughts came to mind.
‘What should I do tomorrow……?’
Though she had blurted out her thoughts, how would she handle the Sword Flower, who had thoroughly prepared to counter her?
‘Ugh……’
Faced with all these headaches, Namgung Soso buried her head in the ground and collapsed.
—
The night streets of Shanxi Province were dominated by a massive underworld gang.
The Wangsa Faction.
Now, hundreds of Wangsa thugs were gathered in Hunyuan County at the foot of Mount Hang.
As the dominant organization of a single province, the gang occasionally included first-rate martial artists and even peak experts.
At their head, Wang Sabang infused his voice with internal energy and shouted.
“For the past 10 years, we’ve done all the dirty work and supported the Hangsan Sword Sect from behind the scenes!”
His booming voice shook the buildings.
The gang members had already covered their ears to protect their eardrums.
“As a result! The Hangsan Sword Sect has risen to stand atop the Five Evil Sword Sects! They’ve proudly earned a place among the Nine Great Sects! All thanks to our efforts behind the scenes!”
One of the crowd chimed in.
“That’s right! It’s all thanks to us!”
He was planted by Wang Sabang.
“But now, that treacherous Hangsan Sword Sect leader wants to abandon us! Does that make sense? Brothers!”
Another planted member responded.
“It makes no sense!”
The other gang members, unaware of the setup, began to follow along, swept up in the atmosphere.
“That’s right! If we endure this unfair treatment in silence, we’re not the Wangsa Faction! So, at dawn tomorrow, we’ll attack the Hangsan Sword Sect! Don’t worry about the Martial Alliance! I’ve already bribed them! This is just a power struggle between the Wangsa Faction and the Hangsan Sword Sect to determine the true ruler of Shanxi Province!”
“……”
Seeing the men listening silently, Wang Sabang smirked bitterly.
What? The Nine Great Sects?
Before the war, maybe, but now the Hangsan Sword Sect is nothing but a toothless wolf.
In contrast, we’ve grown strong through countless battles, the top underworld faction in Shanxi Province.
Even if we wanted to lose, we couldn’t.
The only concern is the Martial Alliance behind the Nine Great Sects, but since I’ve already bribed them, there shouldn’t be any issues.
If things go south, we can always ask the Black Dragon Society for help.
The Martial Alliance, weakened by the great war against the Blood Cult, and the newly powerful Black Dragon Society of the underworld won’t back down easily.
“Let’s use this opportunity to show the world the power of the Wangsa Faction!!”
By the time Wang Sabang’s final shout filled every corner of the Wangsa Faction.
The gang members’ cheers had already drowned out his voice.
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