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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Cyno
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Amidst the pure white snowflakes swirling in the neutral faction’s territory, a woman bustled about, visiting various quarters.
She was Yoo So-eun, the mistress of the Namgung family.
“Ah, hello? Are you the Poison Flower, Dang So-baek…?”
Exuding her uniquely alluring aura, Yoo So-eun glanced at the girl before her.
Well aware of her own circumstances, she made sure to keep her demeanor as humble as possible.
Though, by nature, she was already a rather timid woman.
“Yes, I’m Dang So-baek. But why has the lady of the Namgung family come here?”
The Poison Flower, Dang So-baek, scrutinized her with sharp eyes.
The sensation of the Dang family’s distinctive green eyes sweeping over her body made Yoo So-eun instinctively shrink back.
“I came to give you a gift… Here, it’s called the Gongjindan. Have you heard of it?”
“Gongjindan? As a member of the Dang family, how could I not know of such a precious elixir? But you’re giving it to me as a gift?”
“…Yes, as a gift. As a token of goodwill between our Namgung family and yours—”
“A ‘gift’? More like tribute. A tribute to ensure your daughter is well taken care of.”
“Wh-What?”
Dang So-baek’s cold gaze bore into Yoo So-eun’s eyes.
The sensation was like a venomous snake coiling around her body, squeezing relentlessly, causing Yoo So-eun’s delicate shoulders to tremble.
Though the girl before her was much younger, Yoo So-eun found herself thoroughly intimidated.
“Name: Yoo So-eun. Age: thirty-four.”
Dang So-baek’s short hair, barely reaching her neck, swayed slightly.
Yoo So-eun’s heart sank.
“Daughter of the Huashan Sect’s leader, the High Elder Dugu Jiubai, once known as the Plum Blossom Sword Maiden, famed for her swordsmanship. But at seventeen, she met the Sword Saint Namgung Cheol-bin, became pregnant, and—unusually for a high-born lady—entered into a love marriage rather than a political one. At nineteen, she gave birth to Namgung Su-ah, now known as the Thunder Flower, and has lived ever since as the mistress of the Namgung family.”
“…! Wh-What are you—?!”
“Her familial and maternal love is extraordinary. Though her personality is gentle, she becomes fiercely strong when it comes to her child. Her specialty is chicken leg dishes—apparently because the Sword Saint liked them? Even when the Sword Saint was away for a decade during the war with the Blood Cult, she single-handedly managed the household, proving her exceptional domestic skills.”
“H-How—?!”
“That’s all the information I have on you in my head.”
“All… that about me…? That’s everything…?”
“Ah, one more thing. There’s a small mole under your left breast. But how do I even know that? Not that it’s particularly important.”
“…!”
Thud—!
Yoo So-eun staggered back in shock, collapsing onto the floor.
Dang So-baek extended a hand toward her, her gaze piercing as if she could see straight through Yoo So-eun’s heart.
‘They say she’s the Alliance’s strategist… but how does she memorize all this?’
Before she knew it, Dang So-baek no longer seemed like a mere girl in Yoo So-eun’s eyes—but a towering giant.
“Put that ‘gift’ away. Even if I accepted it, it wouldn’t change my stance.”
“…! Ah, th-then I’ll prepare something else—”
“No, forget that. Let’s talk about something else. About the Sword Saint.”
“Huh…? Th-The Sword Saint? About Cheol-bin?”
Having just unexpectedly reunited with the Sword Saint earlier that day, Yoo So-eun’s confusion only deepened.
It felt as though she were spinning helplessly in the palm of Dang So-baek’s hand.
Whether Yoo So-eun was flustered or not, Dang So-baek showed no hesitation in pressing forward.
“First, come inside. Let’s talk properly.”
“Ah, alright. But you just mentioned the Sword Saint—”
Hesitantly, Yoo So-eun followed Dang So-baek into her quarters, where she was met with a study packed floor-to-ceiling with books.
Though the quarters were provided by the neutral faction, the sheer volume of books suggested Dang So-baek had brought them herself.
‘Is this what it takes to be the Alliance’s strategist? But why is she asking about Cheol-bin…?’
“Sit there. Take off your shoes before stepping up. Place the Gongjindan on your lap. I have a bit of a cleanliness obsession. Or would you prefer to clean the floor yourself?”
“Ah, n-no. I’ll do as you say…”
She didn’t understand what “cleanliness obsession” meant, but as someone long accustomed to household chores, Yoo So-eun obediently followed the girl’s instructions and sat on the offered chair.
Dang So-baek pulled up another chair across from her, placed a sheet of paper on her lap, and prepared to write with a brush about a foot long.
“I’ve been investigating the Sword Saint. He’s a fascinating man. I just need you to answer a few questions for me. Can you do that?”
“Th-This isn’t anything strange, is it? I can’t answer everything…!”
Worried that she might be asked about the Sword Saint’s whereabouts, Yoo So-eun hesitated.
If that were the case, she had no intention of answering.
No matter how much she resented him, they were strangers now.
But contrary to her expectations, Dang So-baek’s questions were entirely different.
Completely different.
“Huh? Wh-What do you mean? Why are you asking about that?”
“That’s irrelevant. If it’s uncomfortable, you don’t have to answer. But… it might affect your relationship with your daughter, no?”
“Ghk…!”
“There are many more questions, so let’s hurry. I’ve been wanting to interrogate the Sword Saint’s family for a while, and now I finally have the chance.”
At that moment, Yoo So-eun found herself missing even the arrogant Baihua of Huashan, who had openly scorned her.
Reluctantly, she opened her mouth.
As a mother, she had to fill the void left by Namgung Cheol-bin for her daughter, Namgung Su-ah.
“…Once. Just once.”
“Hmm…? Just once? Were the two of you not on good terms?”
Dang So-baek scribbled notes swiftly before pressing further.
Yoo So-eun, forced to reveal her private life to a girl at least ten years her junior, felt deeply humiliated.
If not for Namgung Su-ah, she would have stormed out immediately.
“N-No! He was a wonderful man!”
“But you only did it once? Ah, was one of you practicing abstinence?”
“That’s not it. And to be precise, it was twice. Once before marriage, and once after…”
“So your first son and the Thunder Flower were conceived from those two times? But why not after that? Even during the war, you’d think it’d happen at least once more.”
After a brief hesitation, Yoo So-eun spoke cautiously.
“He said we shouldn’t have more children. That increasing what we had to protect would be dangerous… or something like that.”
Her words were barely a whisper, but Dang So-baek’s eyes gleamed at the last sentence.
“…Just as I thought. The pieces are falling into place.”
“What? What did you just—”
“Never mind that. Let’s move to the next question. Second question: Did the Sword Saint ever have any weaknesses? Someone who could control him completely, make him unable to resist?”
“W-Weaknesses? He didn’t have any!”
“None at all? That can’t be. Even something minor—anything at all. Really, nothing?”
“Absolutely nothing… How could someone like him have weaknesses? Everything about him was already laid bare…”
“Hmm… That’s strange… Alright, let’s move on to the next question.”
From then on, Yoo So-eun endured what felt like hours of interrogation—no, questioning—from Dang So-baek.
Creak—
“Ugh…”
Yoo So-eun let out an exhausted groan.
Having lost so much time to Dang So-baek, by the time she returned to her quarters, darkness had already enveloped the surroundings.
“I’m exhausted…”
Sighing deeply, she glanced around her room.
The only smooth conversation she’d had was with the neutral faction’s Cheonhwa—likely because the woman was inherently kind and gentle.
But unfortunately, none of her other interactions had gone well.
The Kunlun Sect’s Okhwa, whom she hadn’t even met, and the Emei Sect’s frosty Seolhwa were at least bearable.
But Huashan’s Baihua had scorned her as a has-been, hurling humiliating insults.
And the Dang family’s Poison Flower had detained her for hours, forcing her to speak about shameful details of her past with her ex-husband.
And when she visited the Jin family’s Sword Flower… she even had an unexpected reunion with her former husband, Namgung Cheol-bin.
‘Did I act too submissive?’
Even though she had vowed to curse him out if they ever met again, old habits kicked in—she spoke formally and even apologized for past harsh words.
The greater humiliation was that even her apology was rejected.
‘No… it was for the best. If he’s taken an interest in the Sword Flower, I can’t let him badmouth Su-ah to her…’
Creak—
“Su-ah? Where are you?”
She searched the rooms for Namgung Su-ah, but strangely, her daughter was nowhere to be found.
Except in one place.
“Su-ah! Answer me if you can hear me! Hey!”
‘Don’t tell me she’s still…?’
A dreadful suspicion flashed through her mind, and she rushed toward the training hall.
When she forcefully pushed open the door, she found—
“Mom? When did you get back?”
Namgung Su-ah, smiling brightly at her.
“……”
“You should’ve said something. And why are you sweating so much?”
Drip—
“……”
Her hands, gripping a sword, were bleeding profusely.
Perhaps because of that, the blood dripping from Su-ah’s raised hands had soaked into her hair as well.
“…!”
“Why are you looking at me like that? Is something wrong?”
Since when had it been like this?
No one else seemed to notice, but as her mother, Yoo So-eun knew.
Namgung Su-ah was slowly breaking.
She believed it was because of her father’s absence and the collapse of their family.
That’s why she had asked Namgung Cheol-bin earlier—
Wouldn’t you like to see your daughter’s face?
Of course, she had been flatly rejected.
“…! What are you doing?! If your skin’s torn, you need to treat it first!”
Striding forward, Yoo So-eun grabbed Su-ah’s wrist and lifted it.
“Ack…!”
Su-ah winced slightly at the rough handling, causing Yoo So-eun to loosen her grip—but only slightly.
“I already treated it! Can’t you see the bandage? I even applied medicine!”
Su-ah defiantly held up her bandaged hand.
True to her word, it was wrapped tightly—though the bandage was soaked red.
She had continued swinging her sword even with the bandage on, tearing the skin beneath.
“Sigh… Put the sword down and give me your hand. I’ll reapply the medicine.”
“You’re doing it? Fine. Let’s hurry so I can sleep. I’m tired.”
“Yes, I’ll make sure you rest early. Just give me your hand. Honestly, this child…!”
“What? Why’d you stop? What were you going to say?”
Already mentally drained from the day’s events, Yoo So-eun fought back tears as she rewrapped Su-ah’s hand.
As a mother, she couldn’t show weakness—not when her daughter had already lost her father.
It was heartbreaking and overwhelming, but she clenched her teeth and endured.
“There, all done. Go to bed now. No more training.”
“Wow, you finished already? Thanks. I’ll head in now.”
“Good. And from now on, train in moderation. Please, don’t hurt yourself anymore…”
“Yeah, yeah. I’ll be careful. Stop nagging me about it. You’ve been saying the same thing for months…”
“……”
After changing from her training clothes into something more comfortable, Namgung Su-ah trudged off to her bedroom.
Yoo So-eun watched her retreating figure for a long moment before finally turning away and heading to her own room.
After such a grueling day, she thought it was finally over.
“Ah…”
At least, until she lay down in bed wearing only her undergarments.
Twitch—
As exhausted as she was—so much that she felt she’d fall asleep the moment she closed her eyes—her body had other plans.
Twitch, twitch—
The moment she lay down, fatigue and an irritating itchiness spread through her limbs.
Two sensations that shouldn’t coexist, yet her body refused to let her rest.
“Ngh…”
At thirty-four, she was at the peak of a woman’s sexual desire.
“I just want to sleep…!”
But her traitorous body wouldn’t allow it.
She buried her face in the pillow, trying to suppress her thoughts, but her body’s desires were anything but weak.
In fact, the more she resisted, the stronger they grew, refusing to leave her alone.
Knock, knock—
Salvation came from an unexpected source—a knock at the door.
“Who is it…?”
“Mom, it’s me.”
Hearing the familiar voice, Yoo So-eun’s face brightened momentarily.
Creak—
But when she opened the door and saw the pillow in Namgung Su-ah’s hands, her expression stiffened.
At the same time, the heat in her body quickly faded.
A fortunate turn of events—though a small part of her couldn’t help but feel disappointed.
“Why… why are you here?”
“Let’s sleep together tonight. The Seven Flowers Tournament is in four days.”
“…Alright. Come in.”
Pushing aside the lingering warmth, Yoo So-eun lifted the blanket, and Su-ah burrowed inside.
She nestled snugly against Yoo So-eun’s ample chest—an unexpected move that startled her mother.
But instead of pushing her away, Yoo So-eun gently stroked her head, as if she were still a nursing child.
“My dear daughter, what’s gotten into you tonight?”
Yoo So-eun teased lightly.
“Dad used to hold me like this a lot back then…”
Su-ah’s voice trembled slightly.
“But I can’t remember it anymore…”
Her voice cracked further.
“It was… so long ago…!”
Yoo So-eun’s face slowly hardened.
“I know I shouldn’t say this to you, Mom…!”
The day, filled with so many twists and turns, was finally coming to an end.
Meanwhile, in the dead of night when everyone was asleep—
A girl with short hair reaching her shoulders stared intently at the crescent moon hanging in the night sky.
Or rather, at the stars surrounding it.
The Poison Flower, Dang So-baek.
The eldest daughter of the Sichuan Dang family and the current strategist of the Martial Alliance, succeeding Namgung Bin.
In her vast mind, the conversation she’d had with Yoo So-eun earlier replayed endlessly.
Thud—
Then, at the sound of footsteps behind her, she instinctively turned her head.
“What’s our daughter doing out here?”
The man who appeared was the Poison Emperor, the Dark Yang Poison Lord—Dang So-baek’s father and leader of the Sichuan Dang family.
“Reading the celestial signs.”
“At this hour?”
“The stars are clearest when all the lights are out.”
“Tch, what’s the point of that? You’d be better off training more.”
“Ugh… how uncultured…”
Ignoring him, Dang So-baek gazed back at the sky before suddenly speaking.
“By the way, Dad, what happened to that thing I asked you to look into?”
“That thing? You dump all sorts of tasks on me—how am I supposed to know which one?”
“You know, the mastermind behind the Sword Saint’s downfall. Haven’t found them yet?”
“Ah, that…? Well, So-baek, I understand what you’re saying, but no matter how you look at it, the Sword Saint isn’t innocent—”
“Ugh! So frustrating!”
Dang So-baek exploded at her father’s excuses.
“Does Dad really think the Sword Saint would commit a crime? All the so-called witnesses are dead, and the Sword Saint himself hasn’t caused any trouble since being exiled from the Namgung family! At this point, shouldn’t we at least suspect foul play?”
Her father rubbed the back of his neck, sighing.
“Haah, So-baek. The Sword Saint killed the Blade Sovereign and the Sword Sovereign not long ago. Do you really think that doesn’t count? Why are you so insistent on his innocence when the evidence is already clear?”
Dang So-baek puffed her cheeks in frustration.
“That’s a lie from the Alliance Leader! That idiot would never admit such a thing openly! He only cares about himself!”
“Sigh… This girl just won’t let go.”
“Think logically! The Sword Saint, who devoted himself to the martial world during the True Blood War—why would he suddenly commit a crime out of nowhere? Anyone can see it’s a frame job! Evidence? Dad and I fake that all the time!”
“Ahem, keep your voice down. What if someone hears?”
“My theory is this: Someone got leverage over the Sword Saint. They blackmailed him, and he had no choice but to step down quietly.”
“Does that make sense? What kind of leverage could the Sword Saint possibly have? If he had a weakness, he’d have just killed whoever knew. That’s probably why all the witnesses are dead.”
“What if they used his daughter as a hostage? Cursed her or something. There are plenty of ways—like poisoning someone close to him and using the antidote as leverage to force him into exile.”
Though unusually intelligent for a martial artist—enough to rise to the Alliance’s strategist position—Dang So-baek was a headache when she got like this.
Like now, when she was the only one shouting “You’re all wrong!” about something everyone else believed.
And because she was never wrong, it was impossible to dismiss her outright.
Especially since she’d become obsessed with the Sword Saint months ago.
“Damn it, they’re all idiots. How can they not see the obvious?”
“Alright, So-baek. Let’s say you’re right. If there’s some hidden reason behind the Sword Saint’s downfall, isn’t that his own business? Why are you meddling? Shouldn’t you be training?”
“We have to help him! He’s suffering unjustly! We need to clear his name and make the real culprit pay!”
“But why you? That’s what I’m saying. It’s someone else’s problem.”
The Poison Emperor massaged his temples irritably.
Dang So-baek leaned against the railing, staring intently at the blue crescent moon.
She seemed lost in thought.
Noticing this, her father asked bluntly:
“By the way, what’s so great about the Sword Saint? You, who’ve supposedly understood the principles of all things under heaven and find everything tedious—why are you so interested in him?”
Of course, as a member of the Dang family—known alongside the Zhuge family for their scholarly pursuits—he couldn’t help but be curious.
“Yeah, he’s fascinating. The more I learn, the more intriguing he becomes.”
“He is remarkable. The Blood Cult, the Heavenly Demon… his achievements are unbelievable.”
“No, his achievements aren’t what matter.”
Then, in a voice so profound even her father—who didn’t understand—couldn’t forget, Dang So-baek spoke:
“His actions, every word he’s spoken, his relationships.”
Her tone carried the weight of a girl who had secluded herself in the Dang family’s library for years before stepping into the world.
“Most importantly, his ‘history’ as recorded in the celestial annals.”
It was a rare glimpse into why she had ventured into the martial world.
“The deeper I dig, the more enthralling it gets.”
Though her final words sounded less like a genius observing the world and more like a girl smitten with a man.
“It’s like… it’s reawakening my sense of justice as a righteous martial artist.”
Then, lowering her gaze briefly, she suddenly jumped in shock.
“Dad! I told you not to wear shoes here! Take them off and clean this right now!”
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