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EP.56 What Do You Want Now…? (1)

It’s been three days since we started our journey together.

The mountain path was particularly treacherous and narrow, so we couldn’t take a carriage and had to walk.

“…Grandfather has disappeared.”

Wi Seol-Ah, who had been walking quietly beside me, spoke softly.

In her arms was a box containing Hwasan’s Treasure.

Shin Noya appeared upon hearing Wi Seol-Ah’s distressing words.

[How intriguing, even though I don’t feel any particular aura.]

After sticking to me, Wi Seol-Ah didn’t seem to notice, but she mentioned she often talked to me before I absorbed the energy from the treasure.

Wi Seol-Ah has an innate insight without realizing it.

This became evident when we searched for Biwaegun, showcasing her peculiar abilities.

Could this also be a type of talent?

[She’s quite a beauty; if a child like her has such looks, she could aim to be the greatest beauty in the world someday.]

‘What kind of evaluation are you making about a child?’

Certainly, if I think of Wi Seol-Ah when she grows up, she would definitely be more than worthy of such praise.

But for now, she still shows signs of being young. Her baby fat hasn’t even gone away.

‘After feeding her rice cakes constantly, it seems she has no intention of losing it.’

Of course, she looked much better than before, in my opinion.

It was also entertaining to tease her.

“In a little while, we’ll come across a valley.”

It was Shin Hyeon who had been walking ahead.

Thanks to the guidance of Hwasan Sect, our journey had become a bit easier.

Finding the way was significantly more manageable.

As Shin Hyeon said, after walking for about an hour, a valley appeared.

Soon night would fall again, so we stopped and prepared to camp.

“Junior.”

While sitting with Wi Seol-Ah and eating dumplings by the river, Yeongpung approached.

“Yes.”

I had learned within the past few days that Sword Dragon was quite the talkative person.

If I were to put it differently, he resembled a rather verbose Peng Woojin.

Oh… that’s a bit unpleasant.

However, the words Yeongpung offered were far more unexpected than I anticipated.

“How about we have a meal together when we go to Shaanxi?”

“Out of the blue?”

“I’ve hardly seen any Late-Stage Talents my age, so I was excited.”

What could he be intending?

Looking at his face, I didn’t sense any strong intentions…

The more favorable the impression, the more likely the person has a dirty background.

“I don’t know if you’ll like it, but it’s the best place for dumplings in Shaanxi.”

“Let’s go together sometime.”

What a nice guy.

[…Crazy guy.]

“But, you’ve never seen any Late-Stage Talents?”

“I’ve seen a few… but we never really talked. Everyone seems to have a clear range in their own areas.”

The Late-Stage Talents Yeongpung referred to must be the Dragon and Phoenix Siblings.

Those born with talent are likely to have a distinct lineage, after all.

[Something feels like the whining of someone lacking.]

‘Could you please stop reading my mind so casually?’

[From my perspective, you seem to be a peak talent at that age range, so what’s not to like?]

As Shin Noya said, if you put aside reincarnation or opportunity, I can see how it might look that way.

‘Seeing as you aren’t reacting to the thought of reincarnation, is it because you really can’t read it?’

He quickly sensed his own flaws, but said nothing about this part.

I was relieved.

I didn’t want to discuss this.

As I was sorting my thoughts, Yeongpung continued.

“Well, since you’re from the family of the incident…”

Yeongpung’s words reminded me of something I had been curious about since last time.

Why does he refer to the younger brother as the “incident”?

Aren’t they all part of the three great disciples? It was the perfect opportunity for inquiry while we were already conversing.

“Yeongpung, regarding your family…”

“Junior, since we’ve become close, could I ask you a favor?”

I was about to bring it up, but his interruption buried my question.

But did he say we were close?

I didn’t think we were that close yet.

Yeongpung’s approach was astonishingly quick.

Of course, I wanted to keep a bit of distance.

“…What sudden favor are you asking for?”

“Well, it’s nothing special…”

What could he be so shyly asking for, scratching the back of his head like that?

Seeing a handsome guy behaving awkwardly felt oddly overbearing.

After a brief hesitation, Yeongpung finally spoke.

Seemingly gathering up his courage.

“Would you like to spar with me?”

“No?”

I reflexively answered before comprehending the awkwardness that soon hit me.

Isn’t that a bit too extreme for someone who came over to casually invite me for a meal?

The real issue came with Yeongpung’s response.

“Yes? Why not?”

‘Why not, you little twerp…’

He wore that innocent expression as if he had no idea why I was turning him down.

That was even more ridiculous.

“Suddenly suggesting a spar? Where did that come from?”

“I heard that to become friends, you need to hit and be hit, right?”

“…Who said such crazy nonsense?”

“Our Sect Leader.”

“…..”

[Cough… Cough!]

Shin Noya had a fit over Yeongpung’s shocking declaration.

Did someone really say such peculiar things, and it came from the Hwasan Sect Leader? Is that truly the case…?

Is this really a martial sect?

[…Cough, it isn’t technically incorrect.]

‘It seems glaringly wrong, though.’

Noya tried to cover it up, but there was no denying it.

Let alone in a martial discipline, where fighting to befriend someone – it was as if they were bandits or something.

[Where in the world is there a martial sect as dignified and proud as Hwasan?]

‘Please don’t raise your voice like that…’

Yeongpung, looking at me with his clear eyes as if to say what was so weird, was even more terrifying.

It was clear he was just like Peng Woojin.

“So are we not going to spar…?”

“…Why do you sound so upset about that?”

Could you please stop putting water in your voice when you speak, it’s awkward when you’re a man.

Hearing his tone sent shivers down my spine.

“Can’t you just spar with the other disciples?”

It’s not like Yeongpung is the only Late-Stage Talent in Hwasan.

The Gu Sect has many bright talents, and I’m sure there are loads of skilled disciples.

Yeongpung frowned at my words.

“The other disciples don’t enjoy sparring with me much.”

“Oh.”

From the shadow on his face and his significant remark, understanding wasn’t hard.

Being too exceptionally talented can evoke fear in ordinary martial artists.

Especially in these times, where the stars spill over.

Sword Dragon.

Considering the name he possesses, it must be a tremendous trial for the Hwasan disciples living in the same era.

If Gu Huibi weren’t around, he’d definitely be the top Late-Stage Talent.

It was evident even at a glance.

It felt almost sorry to compare him to the Thunder Dragon.

The youngest at Hwasan who mastered the Plum Blossom Sword Technique.

He was a genius who could bloom the plum blossom at a much younger age than others, achieving what typically wouldn’t come until adulthood.

For those training with him at a similar age, he must be an immense wall or burden.

Having just started to grasp how to contain one’s energy in the sword, while others have already blossomed.

‘The issue is that this gap will never narrow as time passes.’

It was clear just by looking at it, but now sparring with Yeongpung?

That was akin to having insecurity as a martial artist or feeling the pressure to step into the realm of evil spirits.

If I were in their shoes, could I endure it?

Thinking back to my previous life, where I was pushed around by my sisters, it wouldn’t be that different, but honestly, wouldn’t it have been tougher holding their position in a martial sect?

“Setting that aside, why do you want to spar with me?”

“I thought it would be fine since you’re a junior.”

I made a reluctant face at Yeongpung’s words.

I could sense his confidence and assurance in his own skills and talent.

I could feel his passion for the sword as well.

The reason he asked me to spar was that he thought we would be on a similar level when it came to evaluating our skills.

[The kid has sharp eyes.]

I could see that too, and even Shin Noya, observing my body objectively, would agree.

But suggesting a spar right off the bat…

As if he could read my reluctance, Shin Noya spoke up.

[So why not just do it?]

‘You sure do speak easily of others’ affairs.’

[There’s really no reason to hesitate.]

Shin Noya was right.

If it were a light spar, then there was no need for distance at all.

It’s merely a spar.

There was no fear of losing.

Having gone through too many defeats to let something like that shake my emotions.

It’s just.

Simply.

I just didn’t want to intermingle with the people of Hwasan.

That was all there was to it.

[Why are you feeling so guilty about it?]

‘…Please stop prying into my feelings.’

“Junior?”

Yeongpung called out to me with a puzzled expression. I hesitated to respond.

At this point, it was nobody else’s business.

It was something only I needed to understand.

While it was a problem to view it so simply.

As I spaced out, Shin Noya spoke.

[I don’t know what guilt you feel towards Hwasan, but if you truly feel bad, why not just accept it?]

“….Um.”

[If a martial artist asks you to spar, it’s a good thing. Why hesitate, you man? Seriously, if you’re going to be like that, just cut it off already.]

What the hell, what do you mean cut it off?

Though it was said like a sage’s quote, it felt incredibly rough and low.

But there was some truth to it.

In the end, I calmly stood up and spoke to Yeongpung.

“Let’s do it.”

Maybe sometimes it’s okay to fit in.

“Yay!”

“Young Master… Are we fighting?”

Wi Seol-Ah, who had been quietly munching on dumplings next to me, looked on.

Seeing the worry in her eyes, I gently patted her head.

“We’re not fighting; this is how we get to know each other.”

[Exactly!]

Of course, that was Hwasan’s standard…

While Wi Seol-Ah nestled her head under my hand, her bubbly voice echoed.

“Make sure to win!”

“…I’ll do my best.”

 

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