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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Wjin
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As a disciple of the Sword Saint Na Yerin, and as the head disciple of the righteous Hongseong Clan, working for the Murim Alliance was a natural course of action.
This was especially true since the Hongseong Clan believed in extending a helping hand to those without power.
After all, being part of the Murim Alliance meant they could receive not only information to help those in need but also support.
Thus, it was no surprise that Hongryeon, who had been active as a member of the Murim Alliance and built up her reputation, was given the position of Inspector General.
On her first day as Inspector General, she went to capture a monster called Chakchi, a creature with three legs, four bat-like wings, and a snake’s head. That was when she met her.
She was a strange woman. She had jet-black hair and deep eyes. Her toned body showed that she was no ordinary martial artist.
The woman, dressed in the attire of the Moonlight Pavilion, representing the Hongseong Clan’s rival, confidently said, ‘Let’s have a duel.’
It was absurd.
Hongryeon had a lot of work to do in the Murim Alliance, and she was busy exploring hidden realms and defeating monsters.
And yet, even though she was a martial artist from the Moonlight Pavilion, she wanted to have a leisurely duel?
Hongryeon rejected her offer and went to capture the Chakchi that was harassing a mountain village.
And there, she saw it. The power of the woman who had initiated that strange first encounter.
A martial artist who pursued extreme speed, wielding a sword technique as fast as light.
It wasn’t that she didn’t feel a surge of competitive spirit. Hongryeon was also a martial artist, and she clearly had the desire to test her skills against a strong opponent of her age.
Therefore, after defeating the Chakchi, she drew her sword against the woman who suggested they duel again.
The head disciples of the Hongseong Clan and the Moonlight Pavilion, who had been rivals for a long time, were pointing their weapons at each other. Perhaps it was an unavoidable fate.
The first duel ended in Hongryeon’s victory.
Chae-jin was strong, but she was just a little bit lacking compared to Hongryeon, who had accumulated experience fighting many enemies while active in the Murim Alliance.
In the end, Chae-jin admitted defeat, but that didn’t mean she gave up.
Hongryeon had laughed at her passion and spirit, but she didn’t laugh. She wasn’t so free as to keep accepting duels.
Of course, it was true that her skills improved by dueling with Chae-jin, but since she had to rest for a few days after each duel, Chae-jin wasn’t exactly a pleasant opponent for Hongryeon.
After all, she had a lot of work to do.
On the other hand, if she were to completely crush her, she would have to suffer great damage herself, as the difference between them was only slight.
In the end, Hongryeon was reluctant to duel with her, and the more she did, the more Chae-jin clung to her.
How long had it been like that?
It was the same this time.
She needed to find a potion for her youngest disciple, but Chae-jin had come to her and asked for a duel. Considering how exhausted she became after just one duel with her, she couldn’t do that.
That’s why she had avoided her even though she came to visit. What was the point of fighting if she wasn’t going to gain anything?
But now.
She had a reason to fight.
“Huuu…”
Suppressing the unknown irritation rising in her chest, Hongryeon held her greatsword. At the same time, a deep red energy began to emanate.
The moment it settled on the greatsword, Hongryeon quickly swung it.
“Haaaaa!!”
A huge wave of sword energy burst out with a fierce roar.
The sword energy, resembling red starlight, destroyed the training grounds, and after unleashing the final technique, Hongryeon collapsed to the ground.
Normally, this would have been enough to calm her down a bit. But strangely, her heart wouldn’t settle.
“…Tsk.”
Clicking her tongue briefly, Hongryeon rose from her seat.
“Head Disciple!!”
Hongryeon turned her head. One of the Hongseong Clan’s junior disciples came running. Hurrying over, she handed her a letter.
“Chae-jin of the Moonlight Pavilion…”
“…Haha!!”
Laughter erupted.
The content of her letter was just one line.
‘Let’s meet at the inn.’
But in many ways, it was enough to make Hongryeon’s heart race.
.
.
.
The training that started in the afternoon continued into the night. When the moon rose, the sword that had initially been aimed at the sky had only moved as far as Chae-jin’s eye level.
Nevertheless, there was no change in any other aspect.
Only the sword.
She had to wield the slowest sword technique while only observing the movement of the sword.
Even while performing this slow movement, Chae-jin’s mind was drawing the past.
She thought she had to win.
As the daughter of the Sword Master and the head disciple of the righteous Moonlight Pavilion, she thought she had to defeat the Hongseong Clan.
She had to show her worth as the head disciple of the Moonlight Pavilion.
She had to prove it.
The chains that bound her body, created by that pressure, were no different from a curse.
That’s why she made up her mind the moment she entered the Murim Alliance and met Hongryeon.
She would definitely defeat her and prove that the Moonlight Pavilion was superior to the Hongseong Clan.
But it wasn’t easy. Unlike herself, Hongryeon had accumulated a lot of experience. Moreover, if her martial arts level was even slightly lower, it was obvious that it would be difficult to win.
That’s why Chae-jin couldn’t stop.
The chains that bound her body turned into a curse as she fought, won, and lost against Hongryeon.
A curse that she would definitely, confidently defeat her.
A curse that she would defeat the you who, unlike me, is trusted by everyone, had become a curse.
That’s why Chae-jin had to blindly attack Hongryeon.
“Huuu…”
Letting out a low breath, she slowly pulled her sword. With the moonlight reflecting off it, giving it a silver glow, she stared at the sky.
The white moon.
The moon she carried on her shoulders.
The moon she had to eventually surpass.
The ultimate form of the Moonlight Sword Technique that she had seen from her father in the past came to mind. Sun, moon, stars.
A powerful sword technique that could cut through anything in the world.
Ilseom (One Flash).
Chae-jin, who had been captivated by it and entered the path of the Moonlight Sword Technique, still saw it as an insurmountable wall.
Right. How could she overcome that when she hadn’t even surpassed Hongryeon yet.
But it was alright.
Chae-jin calmly raised her sword. Unlike the slow movements she had been practicing until now, the sword’s movement, though slow, was clearly visible as it cut through the air.
At that moment.
-Slash!!
A rock in the backyard was cut cleanly and slid down. It was a sharpness that was hard to believe was achieved without even drawing out sword energy.
Chae-jin examined the cross-section of the fallen rock and chuckled.
If it were her past self, she could only have looked at this level in awe.
Gently raising her head, Chae-jin stared at the still-lit room. The smile on her lips grew as she thought of the person who would be working there.
And, her teeth ground together at the rising, viscous feeling.
Chae-jin bit her lip and swung her sword once more. As she stared at the rock being cut again, she closed her eyes.
The image of her standing next to him came to mind.
At that moment, Chae-jin trembled with a terrible fear.
A fear more terrifying than the fear of defeat.
More terrifying than the fear of incompetence.
“…That can’t happen.”
Right.
It can’t.
So…
Chae-jin spurred herself on to train even harder, trying to suppress the thoughts that kept coming to mind.
By now, the letter would have arrived at the Hongseong Clan.
“…Hongryeon.”
Muttering briefly, she glanced at the upper floor of the inn and thought.
This time, for sure.
.
.
.
The day after Hongryeon received the letter.
Due to the Pachoseon and Changun’gi installed in the basement of the inn, the taste of the food improved, and the inn had more customers.
Therefore, when the lunch rush was over, the exhausted employees closed the inn’s doors to rest, but today was different.
Hongseong Clan’s Head Disciple, Hongryeon.
Moonlight Pavilion’s Head Disciple, Chae-jin.
Because the two rivals were sitting at a table facing each other.
“You didn’t run away?”
The first to speak was Hongryeon. Chae-jin shrugged as she watched Hongryeon’s lips curl up.
“Why would I run when this is where I belong.”
Once again, a heavy atmosphere settled. If there had been customers, the atmosphere was so thick and heavy that they would have gotten indigestion just from eating.
Even the employees who were trying to rest had fled to other places. There wasn’t a single person who could bring them tea.
And.
The only person who could handle this heavy atmosphere came down.
“You came earlier than I expected. Would you like some tea?”
“Ah. Yes. You’re here. Hehe. I’ll enjoy it.”
Smiling brightly, Hongryeon showed a demureness that didn’t suit her. Because of that, Chae-jin was bewildered.
Hongryeon is using… honorifics?
No, no. You were using casual speech with him until just recently, weren’t you?
Why suddenly?
“The Murim Alliance would be shocked if they saw this.”
“It’s not strange, is it? Considering our age and the fact that I, and our Hongseong Clan, rely on him a lot. I need to change too.”
Chae-jin laughed as if finding Hongryeon’s attempt to appear relaxed amusing.
Then, she grabbed Yuwol, who had brought tea and placed it in front of them, and whispered in his ear after gently pulling her body close.
“When I was practicing earlier, the form was a bit off. When using the ‘Cheonhugi’ technique, the flow of internal energy…”
“Ah. Is that so? Thank you.”
“Hehe. It’s nothing.”
Chae-jin slowly moved away from him, accepting the whisper naturally, and smiled. Hongryeon clenched her fist.
The thoughts of the two women, who now considered each other rivals, were surprisingly aligned.
”This thieving cat…?”
“I trust you both know why you are gathered here.”
As the two exchanged sharp glares, Yuwol took out the prepared papers. And he handed one copy each to Hongryeon and Chae-jin.
The two, who had been staring at each other, quickly took the papers and tilted their heads after seeing the neatly written contents.
“…What’s this?”
“I don’t want you to duel excessively? Avoid serious injuries…”
“Yes. Minor injuries are one thing, but I’ve heard that people often have to recuperate for a long time due to serious injuries sustained during duels. Honestly, I don’t want that.”
“Well, it’s a duel, so of course there will be some injuries.”
“Martial artists shouldn’t be afraid of things like that.”
The two spoke as if admonishing him, but Yuwol was unyielding. He just looked at them with a serious expression.
“There are three reasons. First, the place where you dueled in the past was the Murim Alliance. There, the Divine Physician was present, so even if you were seriously injured, there was no danger.”
“That’s true, but…”
“Second. Both of you are working with me. From my perspective, as someone who has to officiate, if either of you gets hurt, wouldn’t I be a fool who brought harm upon myself? Do you want to make me that?”
“…That’s.”
“…Not, but.”
“Finally, the third.”
Yuwol looked at the two of them straight in the eyes.
“I don’t want to see either of you get hurt.”
“……”
“……”
Hongryeon and Chae-jin couldn’t say anything. In the end, all they could do was sigh and put their seals on the pledge.
After receiving the pledges with both their seals, Yuwol calmly put them away.
“When do you plan to have the duel?”
“Well, there’s no point in dragging it out, is there? If there’s a place, I’m fine with right now.”
“Hongryeon. Are you the same?”
“Of course.”
Yuwol nodded at the two women who answered confidently.
“Then there’s a good place. I can use the martial arts training grounds of the local government office for a few days. Also, there’s a physician and medicine readily available there, so even if an unavoidable injury occurs, it can be treated.”
What a well-prepared person.
When did he prepare all this?
How could one…
The two, who had been staring blankly at Yuwol, suddenly came to their senses.
If they were going to duel today, they shouldn’t be wasting time like this.
They needed to warm up, even if just a little.
“The duel will be at sunset. Then. Prepare well and meet at the government office.”
“It seemed like you would be able to show me your accomplishments.”
“As I said before, I hope I won’t have to see those accomplishments.”
He had said it when they met before. That showing your accomplishments meant you were in a dangerous situation, and he didn’t want to see that.
Hongryeon recalled those sweet words and nodded, then left. Chae-jin pointed at the pledge.
“But will that be enough? Shouldn’t we have invited the Sword Saint as well?”
“Of course, I will invite her. But not because I don’t think you’ll keep your promise, but to accurately determine the outcome of the match. I will officiate, but my martial arts are weaker than both of yours, so I can’t accurately judge. I plan to ask the Sword Saint for help in that regard.”
Chae-jin just nodded without saying anything and left.
After the two of them left, Yuwol, sitting alone in the inn, let out a heavy sigh.
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In the scenario we had planned, if the Moonlight Pavilion and the Hongseong Clan could form an alliance, or at least a foundation for cooperation, nothing could be better.
After all, it meant being able to use the power of two extraordinary individuals, the Sword Saint and the Sword Master, as well as two powerful factions.
But I had thought it was easier said than done…
There seemed to be a possibility that it could work.
By creating a point of contact between Hongryeon and Chae-jin, and guiding their jealousy and rivalry towards each other in a positive direction.
There’s nothing more splendid than rivals who have become comrades.
It would be fine if it were Hongryeon and Chae-jin, who regarded each other as rivals.
I looked at the pledges I had received from the two earlier.
I had thought they would both resist, but they had surprisingly readily put their seals on them, so there seemed to be some possibility.
Of course, as Chae-jin said, this wasn’t enforceable, but these people wouldn’t go back on their word, would they?
“Ah.”
As I was thinking, it was already time to prepare. This was a very important matter for me too.
I prayed to Jesus, Buddha, and Allah, then composed myself and headed to the government office.
In the barracks inside the government office. When I arrived at the training grounds, the two women were staring at each other.
And in the corner, the Sword Saint was watching in silence with her arms crossed. When I gave her a slight nod, she responded by lightly nodding her head.
I hope she will do what I asked…
“I will dismiss the soldiers.”
“Yes.”
I raised my hand to the military officer.
The soldiers, who thought they would be able to watch a duel between two prominent martial artists, Nakil Geom Hongryeon and the Weolkwangdo Chaejin, retreated dejectedly.
After the officer bowed and left, I stepped forward to the training grounds. And after looking at both of them, I thought.
Perhaps this might be the last chance to change their relationship.
So, it must not fail.
Perhaps because of that tension, my face unknowingly hardened.
But there was no time to worry about that now.
The important thing was that in this duel, no one got hurt and it ended.
Therefore, I looked at them with the utmost seriousness I could muster. Both of them. They were waiting for my signal.
Both of them.
Perhaps even the Sword Saint.
Naturally, I was too.
All four people in this training ground were anticipating what was to come.
I spoke as seriously as possible, as if throwing a stone into that tension.
Hoping they would keep their promise to me.
“Begin.”
Simultaneously, the two women collided without even a roar.
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