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Chapter 288: The Pursuit

The sizzling heat was still intense.

Something was happening on the other side.

It was something I didn’t even need to see.

The air was thick and laden with energy.

Even on a winter night, surrounded by such cold, it didn’t feel so chilling.

Crunch.

Leaves crunched underfoot.

Putting the humidity-laden warmth behind her, Wi Seol-Ah took a few steps forward.

She aimed for a spot where the moonlight shone brightly—it felt right that way.

“Are you okay not looking?”

She didn’t pay heed to the voice that reached her ear.

It was a voice that seemed to be laced with concern, but—

This wasn’t the time for that.

She hadn’t gone far.

During the short pause of the second examination, she had to return soon.

Luckily, as she walked a bit, she arrived at a place where the moonlight was distinct.

Just as she settled in slowly—

“That’s unexpected.”

The one trailing behind her finally spoke up.

She already knew.

It was clear he had been following her.

“I thought you would observe what he was doing.”

“Hmm… You don’t seem curious at all.”

A fissure seemed to appear on the smiling man’s face for some reason.

Alongside that, a low emotion was evident.

Seeing that, Wi Seol-Ah didn’t utter a word.

She didn’t want to engage in conversation.

“You disregarded my request and took off first.”

“I’m under no obligation to fulfill your request.”

With Wi Seol-Ah’s sharp reply, Jang Seonyeon chuckled softly.

“It’s always like this, but I really can’t understand.”

“What’s there to understand?”

“Why do you dislike me so much?”

Even with Jang Seonyeon’s words, Wi Seol-Ah maintained her emotionless face.

“I’ve done nothing to you. Why do you hate me so?”

“That’s true for now.”

Ah.

At the determined tone of her words, Jang Seonyeon could only smile bitterly.

“Why are you so definitive? As if I’m bound to do something.”

“Aren’t you?”

Wi Seol-Ah’s voice was flat.

As if to say that he was certainly going to mess something up.

Her conviction was too solid for Jang Seonyeon not to fall silent.

“Really, you’re too much.”

“You’re not denying it, either.”

“If I were to deny it, would you believe me?”

“No.”

Hehe.

Jang Seonyeon laughed.

Thoughts that had been occupying his mind lately wouldn’t leave him.

‘It’s tangled up.’

As it truly was.

A path that should have been smooth.

Somewhere along the way, it felt like it had twisted.

‘Where did it start to get tangled?’

He couldn’t pinpoint since his thoughts and plans had to have been perfect.

Let alone, he prided himself on having the talent to back them up.

‘What the hell…’

The people around him, of course, even that woman—

Only the feeling that things were getting more complicated lingered.

Countless late-stage talents sent admiration and expectations his way.

Yet, the ones he truly wished to see didn’t feel that way. Why was there such a difference?

While he pondered,

Jang Seonyeon already knew the answer.

‘It must be because of that guy.’

He envisioned the face of that person in his mind.

A person he hadn’t cared about when he first met him.

It was just that when many people looked at him with interest, his gaze was different.

Malice.

…

Unavoidably.

The person’s gaze brimmed with malignance.

Clearly, he had no intention of hiding it.

The look in his eyes was filled with disdain.

Having been looked at like that for the first time, Jang Seonyeon couldn’t forget that moment.

‘Why?’

He couldn’t figure it out.

At least, he hadn’t done anything to warrant receiving such a gaze from that guy ‘yet.’

Even if he had…

He would have made sure it went unnoticed.

Simply pure malice.

Jang Seonyeon wasn’t accustomed to such looks.

Yet, he didn’t dwell on it either.

He thought it was just that he envied him.

That person must have looked at him with covetous eyes for what he couldn’t possess.

‘Hah.’

Having recalled it, Jang Seonyeon internally scoffed.

He felt trivial for having thought of it as such.

‘He envies me, huh?’

Had that guy really envied him?

That was unlikely.

He was a stage made for him to shine.

Yet, all eyes had turned to someone else.

Jin Ryong.

Just thinking about it made his stomach churn.

It made his heart race—a name so notorious.

Why?

Why was such a person from the same generation as him?

Around the time he would fall asleep, those thoughts would resurface, gnawing at him.

Words that invoked self-loathing.

He never thought he’d be the one to think such thoughts.

That guy, just as his received title suggested.

Among the writhing snakes,

He was the lone dragon holding its breath.

When his massive body stirred,

The serpent’s bounds that kept them together crumbled.

That was what it meant for that guy to appear at that time.

Despite what he tried to say about the beggar clan and having to wear a disguise, how long would that last?

Jang Seonyeon even wrung out this knowledge himself.

Especially if he was seeing such a scene from afar now.

‘… Is he trying to show me something?’

Jang Seonyeon bit down on his teeth, recalling the potential intentions of that guy.

The reason for his overwhelming energy and presence was likely to show off to him.

Jang Seonyeon was convinced of it.

“You also hate me, don’t you?”

When he asked why he disliked him so much,

Gu Yangcheong once told Jang Seonyeon that very thing.

Due to his rough tone and the sneering expression, it brought about feelings of fury.

Yet, it left him pondering.

‘How did he know?’

For some reason, Gu Yangcheong spoke as if he saw straight through him.

Clearly, they hadn’t met or heard of each other until the Dragon Meeting.

‘It displeases me.’

How could he feel pleased?

That guy had stolen all the attention that he yearned for.

Moreover,

‘The fact that he has the talent to back it up is what irks me the most.’

Though he didn’t want to admit it,

That guy was on a different level than the other late-stage talents.

As if he were a star shining brightly, seemingly bestowed by the heavens.

A star?

How ridiculous.

Even among the geniuses, each called a star in the generation of meteors,

That guy was on a different orbit altogether.

Thus, the need arose.

‘I must eliminate him.’

He had to be removed from sight.

The brightest star had to be him alone.

The Sword Dragon and the Sleeping Dragon that caught his attention were bothersome,

But not as much as Gu Yangcheong.

As he wrestled with his frustrations inside, Jang Seonyeon looked at the woman before him.

Although she wore a mask that obscured her face, she was a truly beautiful woman.

When he first saw her, he didn’t think so much…

But, as time passed, her beauty seemed to glow more brilliantly.

More suited for the noonday sun than the delicate moonlight.

Ironically.

It was a martial technique created while looking at his own black moon.

The woman grew more beautiful with each passing day.

Her background was immensely beneficial to Jang Seonyeon.

The only successor of the Sword Sovereign.

Moreover, she had exceptional talent too.

‘No matter how great Gu Yangcheong may be…’

Would he outshine a woman who surpassed the wall in just one or two years?

“I thought you wouldn’t forget.”

At Jang Seonyeon’s words, Wi Seol-Ah slightly bit her lips.

“When I stand at the highest position here, you will become mine.”

Before coming here,

That was the pact she made with Wi Seol-Ah.

She, in turn, asked, “… Have you forgotten the opposite side of the story?”

“Oh, that one?”

At Wi Seol-Ah’s words, Jang Seonyeon smiled gently.

Seeing the emotions contained in that smile, Wi Seol-Ah frowned.

“If I can’t do it, I’ll fulfill any request you have.” What was it again?

Hadn’t she asked her father to enter the Demonic Gate of Taechon?

Moreover, didn’t she wish for one of the treasures owned by the Jang family?

“Can I ask one thing?” “ ”

Though Wi Seol-Ah seemed to not even hear, Jang Seonyeon ignored her silence and continued speaking.

“What does he find so appealing about you?”

“What?”

When Jang Seonyeon brought up Gu Yangcheong, Wi Seol-Ah’s voice and gaze turned icy.

Of course, that wouldn’t mean Jang Seonyeon would stop talking.

“Though I know you served in his household, is that memory really so precious? It’s only been a little over a year.”

“Who do you think you are to speak so carelessly?”

“I’m saying I don’t know; tell me, you seem quite angry.”

The sight of her grinding her teeth was even beautiful.

“I’ve heard he’s even engaged to another woman now.”

“I’d understand if you were accumulating feelings while serving him, but do you really think your vacancy beside him will be filled now?”

At Jang Seonyeon’s words, Wi Seol-Ah’s reaction was intense.

It had always been that way.

For some reason, Wi Seol-Ah was especially weak against discussions about that guy.

Was it that wonderful?

Did she want it that badly?

Even if it displeased him so,

That very reaction served as a tool to provoke him.

“You…”

“Perhaps, the reason you accepted my pact is that you, in the end, think I can’t rise because of him.”

Jang Seonyeon might have thought that Wi Seol-Ah would see it as a comforting comment.

Jin Ryong was said to be going to the Shinryong Temple.

Moreover, since Wi Seol-Ah herself would also get to go there,

She must think such a pact would be easily annulled.

‘It seems you’re still not aware.’

If you can’t rise because you’re too high up,

Then just pull him down.

It seemed that truth was lost on her.

‘Must be a flower-brained girl.’

The world wasn’t so peaceful.

Sadly, she still lived in tranquility.

‘If I provoke her more, she seems ready to draw her sword.’

Though she appeared to be suppressing her emotions, Jang Seonyeon understood.

He recognized that Wi Seol-Ah was nearing her limits.

If he said one more word,

Would Wi Seol-Ah be able to hold back?

Jang Seonyeon was curious about that.

“Keep watching. When he finally breaks down and bows to me…”

Clank.

With a chilling sensation, Jang Seonyeon immediately gathered his energy.

As expected, if things continued like this—

Thud.

“… Huh?”

Contrary to what he thought would happen—that Wi Seol-Ah would immediately draw her sword—

Jang Seonyeon found himself frozen in place at the sudden appearance of someone.

Like a ghost.

Until someone suddenly appeared between him and Wi Seol-Ah, he hadn’t noticed their presence at all.

Both he and Wi Seol-Ah were startled when they confirmed this.

A silence filled with surprise hung in the air.

A calm breeze blew through.

“… Sister…?”

The wind carried the voice of Wi Seol-Ah.

As if she whispered, the newcomer turned their gaze in that direction.

With hair that shimmered under the moonlight and a martial robe of deep blue,

Even the faint aura felt ethereal.

‘… That woman is…’

Jang Seonyeon immediately recognized who it was.

Even with a veil on, that appearance had etched deeply into his memory.

‘The Sword Dance Hero?’

A woman he had lost to during the Dragon Meeting.

The Sword Dance Hero, Nangong Bi-ah, turned her head at Wi Seol-Ah’s call and gently waved at her.

“… Hello.”

Her voice was tranquil, reminiscent of the surrounding atmosphere.

Observing Bi-ah, Wi Seol-Ah looked quite surprised.

“Why are you here…?”

“I was looking for you. I’m relieved to have found you…”

“You mean… me?”

“Yeah…”

At Bi-ah’s words, Wi Seol-Ah’s eyes trembled.

Seeing Wi Seol-Ah like that,

Nangong Bi-ah slowly opened her lips.

“I haven’t greeted you properly yet…”

After explaining her reason for seeking her,

She initiated another conversation with Wi Seol-Ah.

“It’s been a while.”

“… It has been a while.”

“Have you… been well?”

The flat voice came off slightly kind. It felt as if she truly was delighted to see her.

However, Wi Seol-Ah couldn’t answer the question about whether she had been well.

She merely curled her lips in silence.

When Bi-ah attempted to step closer to Wi Seol-Ah,

“Sword Dance Hero.”

Jang Seonyeon called out to Nangong Bi-ah.

“… It’s a pleasure to meet you after so long. However, she and I still haven’t finished our conversation.”

Unlike usual, Jang Seonyeon’s voice carried an icy tone.

With several situations piling up that didn’t sit well with him, keeping his composure was proving challenging.

“I was saying our conversation can wait…”

“Who?”

“… Huh?”

As Nangong Bi-ah slowly turned her head to face Jang Seonyeon, he found himself momentarily speechless.

No matter how he thought about it, it seemed like he had heard incorrectly.

“What did you just say…?”

“You… who are you?”

But it seemed he had indeed heard correctly.

Nangong Bi-ah repeated the same question, tilting her head in confusion.

She was asking who he was.

This prompted Jang Seonyeon to cool down his boiling emotions and forcibly adopt a smile.

It couldn’t be.

“Don’t joke with me, Sword Dance Hero.”

The very woman who had swung her sword at him so mercilessly during the Martial Arts Tournament.

Did she really not remember him? That was preposterous.

“Surely, Young Lady would remember me…”

“… Don’t come closer.”

At that, Nangong Bi-ah gestured for him to back off, drawing a line.

Though her expression was obscured by the veil, her voice carried a tone that seemed strained.

What kind of situation was this?

Jang Seonyeon’s expression began to shift slowly.

“… It smells. Don’t come any closer…”

With those firm words from Nangong Bi-ah, Jang Seonyeon’s facade finally shattered.

Flame Burst!

The area around him was filled with fire.

A massive stream of red flame surged as if it possessed sentience, turning the surroundings into chaos.

Bam!

“Ahhh!”

Nearby late-stage talents were swept away by the force and remained suspended in the air, only to crash hard onto the ground. Many others were in similar predicaments.

Even the instructors, unable to rectify the situation, scrambled only to manage those in distress.

Crunch!

The searing heat engulfed an old tree, charring it to ashes in an instant.

As he watched the area engulfed in flames,

Bi Yi-jin, who stood some distance away, couldn’t help but express his satisfaction.

‘Incredible.’

Observing from afar, he felt the heat radiating from it.

‘Her ability to regulate her energy is remarkable.’

Even with such a massive flame swirling around.

Though occasionally, a few would be ignited, no true fire was spreading around.

This meant she was exerting that force while maintaining a perfect balance.

‘At such a young age, too?’

Wow.

Thinking about the fierce master of flames, the Pejon couldn’t help but smile.

She was significantly more impressive than he had anticipated.

Flame Burst!

“Ugh!”

As the heat spilled out, it threatened to flow his way.

Bi Bi, watching beside him, gasped and clung to Bi Yi-jin’s back.

Woo Hyeok.

Noticing that, Bi Yi-jin discreetly extended an energy barrier.

“… Wow…”

As the heat subsided slightly, Bi Bi stared at the flames with sparkling eyes.

“Isn’t it amazing? How can she do that…?”

“Is that so?”

“Of course!”

Even if one stood out among the late-stage talents, they were still late-stage talents.

The opponent was none other than the Sword Demoness, a martial master.

In such circumstances, the overwhelming temperature and dense flames masked what was truly happening within.

‘Incredible…!’

Bi Bi’s eyes gleamed brightly.

She had thought only her brother could do such things.

Were all the Six Dragons and Three Peaks like this?

As she felt the disparity in talent, she could have easily felt disappointed in herself.

But instead, she merely found it fascinating.

“I never thought the Sword Demoness would be beaten.”

“Who’s being beaten?”

Bi Yi-jin cut her off abruptly at her comment.

“Well, the Sword Demoness can’t seem to do anything right now. If that’s the case, then…”

“Can’t do anything?”

Hmm.

Upon hearing Bi Bi’s words, Bi Yi-jin stroked his smooth chin, showing an ambiguous reaction.

Such responses typically indicated that he found their remarks odd or had heard something strange but didn’t feel like correcting it.

“Damn….”

Not pleased with her response,

As Bi Bi attempted to poke Bi Yi-jin’s side,

Rustle.

“Huh?”

Suddenly, the din around them quieted down, and a flower petal floated down to land delicately on Bi Bi’s nose.

Oh?

As she reached to touch it, the petal sparkled before turning to dust and vanishing into thin air.

Watching that, Bi Bi attempted to convey her urgency to Bi Yi-jin.

“Onii-chan, just now…”

“Keep watching. It’s an interesting moment.”

Bi Yi-jin displayed a reaction that seemed to imply he had expected that.

Though Bi Bi pouted at his response, she directed her gaze back towards the epicenter of the flames.

Still, she couldn’t see much of anything.

Yet, differences began to gradually come into view even for Bi Bi.

‘Huh?’

Within the chaotic flames,

The numerous plum blossom leaves began to intermingle.

‘What is…?’

She spent a moment contemplating,

Then swiftly realized.

These were plum blossom leaves.

Countless plum blossom leaves began to swirl around the flames, wrapping around them.

Seeing this, Bi Yi-jin thought,

‘Not bad, but a bit awkward.’

A fearsome Qi and her ability to control it were astonishingly high.

Yet, ironically, when it came to direct combat, things seemed to be amiss.

The reason the Sword Demoness appeared to be faltering lay in her simple evasion.

She was merely maintaining distance while dodging effortlessly.

Dodging amidst such wild flames.

Soon after.

Whirl!

The plum blossom leaves whipped around like a whirlwind,

As every inch of flame was swept away, casting everything into the void.

‘Oh ho…’

Bi Yi-jin couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.

All those flames,

Disappeared without a trace, blown away by the gale.

‘Has she changed?’

Bi Yi-jin observed the Sword Demoness with curiosity.

If it were the previous Sword Demoness, she would have taken a kinder approach.

Yet now, it seemed she had become quite aggressive in her methods.

That was unlike her.

This must mean—

The Sword Demoness seemed to harbor expectations towards that boy.

She wanted to see more.

To have her heart stirred a bit more.

That intention was evident in her actions.

The degree of her excitement seemed to be quite significant.

Even he found himself somewhat satisfied with the display she just put forth.

‘Guess she has loosened up a bit with age.’

If she had spoken those words directly in front of the Sword Demoness,

Her rank as a Pejon wouldn’t matter, a sword would likely be drawn.

But, since it was merely thought in secret, it held no significance.

Feeling a surge of delight, Bi Yi-jin looked past the Sword Demoness to see another person.

‘So now, what do you plan to do?’

With all the flames dissipated,

Though heat lingered,

The one who wielded those flames, Gu Yangcheong, wore a profound frown as he stared at the Sword Demoness.

He probably understood.

That this was not merely a test of the admission but a trial laid forth by the Sword Demoness.

‘How will he present himself?’

Before the user of flames stood a person of great renown.

That frown he wore seemed to say he wasn’t satisfied with the circumstances.

The essence of his expression was clear.

Wasn’t this enough?

Yet, the Sword Demoness had not shifted her expectant gaze away.

“Aah.”

Seeing that, Gu Yangcheong finally let out a sigh.

Along with that, his expression morphed, as though he were giving up.

Bi Yi-jin couldn’t help but feel a smidgen of regret.

Not because Gu Yangcheong’s giving up was a letdown.

‘Is he going to hide more?’

He likely possessed more but seemed unwilling to reveal it.

That was slightly disappointing.

‘Still, if this much is shown, he truly is suited…?’

Though feeling regretful, he affirmed Gu Yangcheong’s worth internally.

“So I trust Master Sword Demoness will take care of things with precision.”

“… Huh? What do you mean by that?”

“Just a polite request, please.”

The moment Gu Yangcheong spoke in an ambiguous manner.

Wooosh!

“…!”

The eyes of Bi Yi-jin and the Sword Demoness widened in unison.

As Gu Yangcheong opened his palm and closed his eyes,

The air around them seemed to shift.

“Flame Jade.”

The night sky twisted.

 

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