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The sparring began and ended in the blink of an eye.

They barely exchanged twenty moves, and there were hardly any wounds left to speak of.

Fssss.

The dispersed energy gradually settled down.

The lingering heat was a remnant of the Thunder Qi.

The mist created by Eunranggeom was also slowly dissipating.

Swish. Clang-!

The unsheathed sword was sucked back into the sword sheath.

It was the sound of Eunranggeom and the Sword Dance Hero recovering their blades.

This confirmed that the two sword masters had concluded their sparring.

As the movements and sounds subsided, the onlookers finally expressed their repressed reactions.

“…This is absurd…”

“Seriously, did the Iron Dragon Lord really lose…? To that young lady, no, to the Sword Dance Hero?”

One of the world’s white-grade masters and a key figure supporting the Martial Alliance.

Eunranggeom, known as a prominent figure among the Transformation Realm Martial Artists, had been defeated by a woman who hadn’t even reached adulthood.

If I hadn’t seen it myself, I would never have believed such a tale.

Both seemed unharmed, yet this time, the Iron Dragon Lord declared his defeat personally.

It appeared that they could still continue the match. Observing the energy levels and situation, it seemed the Sword Dance Hero had been at a disadvantage.

How could the Iron Dragon Lord have declared his loss?

Just as everyone was questioning this…

“Hah.”

I had to swallow my breath inwardly at the sight.

“It’s insane.”

I was genuinely shocked.

Was it about the Iron Dragon Lord losing? Yes, that too.

But I hadn’t expected Nangong Bi-ah to push herself this far.

To be honest, I had never anticipated her victory.

My original intention was merely to showcase that Nangong Bi-ah was a Martial Artist capable enough to qualify.

The bet itself was a means to gain justification from that initial strike.

A victory by surprise.

Nangong Bi-ah had exploited Eunranggeom’s carelessness and achieved a victory that wasn’t truly a victory.

Of course.

“I did use a little trick.”

There was one hidden detail to her victory.

It was the diversion of Eunranggeom’s perception, so he underestimated Nangong Bi-ah’s level.

I had subtly smeared the energy to make it seem weaker than it actually was.

I had triggered a slight energy barrier to lure him into carelessness, which allowed her to successfully ambush him.

That was the extent of my plan.

For Nangong Bi-ah to seize that opportunity and bring home a victory was already pushing my calculations.

“Who would’ve thought this would happen?”

The subsequent sparring fell outside my predictions.

Nangong Bi-ah provoked Eunranggeom, dragging him into a further duel.

Eunranggeom accepted the challenge, and since I had already achieved my goal and gained my justification, I thought about stopping it, but—

“I didn’t.”

I purposely refrained from intervening.

The reason was simple.

“Nangong Bi-ah wanted it.”

During the immediate following sparring.

It looked as though Nangong Bi-ah sought out that duel.

At first, I felt puzzled.

Nangong Bi-ah enjoyed sparring.

Apart from the rare moments she took breaks for healing, she had sparred countless times.

She seemed to relish fighting strong opponents, thriving in the process for her immense growth.

“This time was a different case.”

This was purely a sparring session for training.

But this time was different.

She stood to lose a lot if she were to be defeated. To be precise, it would result in significant losses for me.

Back in the day, she wouldn’t have understood such stakes as she does now.

Yet she still initiated the sparring.

Did she have confidence in winning?

It didn’t seem that way.

“Nangong Bi-ah must be aware.”

She surely understood that Eunranggeom was at a higher realm than her.

Especially in such an open Sparring Stage, her chances of winning could only be described as minimal.

Nevertheless, she insisted on instigating the duel.

I was caught in thought.

What kind of reason could there be for Nangong Bi-ah to instigate a sparring session?

Did she possess some kind of certainty? I would soon uncover that answer.

“To my surprise, she has a cunning side to her.”

After realizing the reason, I chuckled softly.

Nangong Bi-ah’s insistence on challenging Eunranggeom.

It wasn’t driven by a lack of certainty of winning.

Instead.

“She was absolutely sure she would win.”

Nangong Bi-ah had this conviction.

That she would undoubtedly be victorious.

Despite the gap in realms, how could this be possible?

The answer lay in the reason she had just claimed her previous victory.

“Could it be she grasped Heart Sword (심검)?”

A power that deviates from the realm that Martial Artists aspire to attain.

Here, ‘Heart Sword’ refers to the domain of one’s heart. It could only be achieved when sword masters reached what they call Divine Sword Unity.

It was a power accessible only to those among the Transformation Realm Martial Artists who had attained enlightenment.

In her previous life, the Demon Sword Queen had also reached that level…

“…Could she actually already be utilizing it?”

I didn’t expect Nangong Bi-ah to have touched upon Divine Sword Unity.

Especially, how shocked I was when she utilized the Divine Sword.

“I was surprised when Shin Ryong or Wi Seol-Ah used it.”

Just like those two, I was completely blown away by the fact that Nangong Bi-ah had already reached that stage.

Particularly…

“To think she would use that to provoke a duel.”

From the moment the sparring began, she had been planning it with the Heart Sword in mind.

Upon recalling that initial ambush.

In retrospect, the plan must have already been in motion at that moment.

“She set the stage with her ambush and also implanted the Heart Sword.”

She had drawn the sword near his throat to divert his attention while simultaneously crafting a delicate Heart Sword behind Eunranggeom.

So subtle that I would have never noticed had I not used my Heart Eye.

“Was that even possible with the Heart Sword?”

It was somewhat different from what I knew about the domain.

It was a far more delicate and tenuous thing.

She had implanted that behind Eunranggeom.

From then onward, a thoroughly calculated sparring unfolded.

No matter how slight, it was positioned on the back of his neck that even the masterful Eunranggeom might overlook.

Nangong Bi-ah needed to attract Eunranggeom’s gaze as much as possible.

She closed the distance at the risk of danger.

While causing the Thunder Qi to scatter everywhere excessively.

Moreover.

“She also modified the Imperial Sword Form.”

While maintaining the Heart Sword, she was also using Thunder Qi at the same time.

Executing the Imperial Sword Form in that state?

That was utterly impossible.

The Imperial Sword Form required a significant amount of inner strength.

To use it in its proper form was far-fetched.

So Nangong Bi-ah must have chosen to do this.

“If she couldn’t use it in its proper form, she’d have to modify and use it.”

She reduced the inner strength output while still being able to use it in conjunction with other powers.

Although she diminished its explosive potential, she shrank the size to provide at least some pressure while enhancing precision.

“That truly is insane.”

What she was attempting was no small feat.

Just how meticulous must one’s inner strength regulation be to accomplish that?

“To put it in my words, it feels as if I’m using the Flame Jade Sacred Spear while separately utilizing the Flame Jade.”

…Just thinking about it was dizzying.

Although it wasn’t impossible, it certainly wasn’t an efficient method.

Nonetheless.

“In this situation, it wasn’t bad at all.”

It was fitting to draw attention, and consequently, Eunranggeom remained oblivious.

As they reached their climax.

“It was only when the Heart Sword had reached his neck that he noticed.”

Once Eunranggeom grasped the situation, he declared his defeat.

From the very beginning.

From that moment of ambush to this very point, it had all been a battle of calculations.

This meant she had played him right into her hands, which was enough to crush his spirit.

Indeed, Eunranggeom’s expression was far from pleasant.

“…That was a good duel.”

“…”

In response to Eunranggeom’s words, Nangong Bi-ah nodded.

Following that, Eunranggeom stepped down from the Sparring Stage and approached me, saying.

“…Star King.”

“Yes.”

“I lost. I apologize for taking such a narrow view.”

‘Oh?’

It was a far cleaner acknowledgment than I had expected.

I thought he might make a mess of things, claiming techniques like sorcery prevented him from accepting defeat.

Yet Eunranggeom cleanly accepted his loss without any fuss.

‘He must feel some regret for sure.’

In terms of realm, Eunranggeom undoubtedly had the upper hand.

If they were to fight again, Eunranggeom would likely win nine out of ten times.

Having lost in such a match, it seemed he was a surprisingly composed individual.

‘This is unexpected.’

Was he a surprisingly decent human being?

Or was it just his character as a Martial Artist?

With curious eyes, I looked at Eunranggeom and spoke.

“You acknowledge your defeat more easily than I anticipated?”

“There was no reason not to accept a loss in that fight.”

“Feeling no regret?”

“Regretful, yes. But…”

Eunranggeom glanced at Nangong Bi-ah.

“This sparring was a complete loss for me.”

“…”

Seeing that, I nodded as well.

It was not an incorrect statement.

“Understood. You accept defeat so clearly that I have no more words. Ah, but please don’t forget about the bet.”

“…I am aware.”

The moment I brought up the bet, Eunranggeom’s expression darkened slightly.

“Excuse me for leaving first.”

“Not going to stay and watch?”

“Yes. I can’t remain any longer as it would be unbecoming for me…”

“True. I understand that.”

“…”

Who could bear staying longer after being defeated?

I was aware of that much.

Suddenly, Eunranggeom’s face twisted into a pained expression, but he quickly made a courteous exit from the Sparring Area.

Simultaneously, the Iron Dragon members inside also poured out, leaving it desolate in a flash.

I gazed at the exit he had just taken before shifting my focus back to the Sparring Stage.

“Well then….”

I prepared to start the next trial.

Just as I was about to utter my words, I paused.

“…”

“…”

Nangong Bi-ah was still standing atop the Sparring Stage.

As our eyes locked, I found myself swallowing nervously.

‘…Sss.’

The thoughts I had about her coming here were clear, but I truly didn’t want to draw her at this moment.

If I pulled Nangong Bi-ah now…

‘…It feels like I’d be making her a target like the Black Flame Sect in my previous life.’

Not to mention I didn’t wish to involve Nangong Bi-ah in this whole matter.

With all those thoughts running through my mind, I was again about to suggest her disqualification when—

“…”

Looking at Nangong Bi-ah’s face made it hard to voice my thoughts.

The look in her eyes was communicating something to me.

After everything she had done, was it not enough for a pass?

Having defeated Eunranggeom and successfully demonstrating her abilities, should I really eliminate her in this situation?

‘It would seem reasonable to pass her.’

Setting aside personal feelings would serve as evidence for this being an objective test, so it wouldn’t be an evil thing to disqualify her now.

‘Sss….’

I was worried that if I disqualified her now, I would be exposed to the sort of gaze and retribution from her.

Moreover.

‘As the saying goes, she had worked this hard.’

Was it right to ignore what she accomplished?

These thoughts plagued me continuously.

“Hah.”

In the end, with a sigh, I made my decision.

I turned to the still wide-eyed Nangong Bi-ah and spoke.

“…You pass.”

“…!”

Her eyes widened at my words.

She reacted in astonishment before a subtle smile broke out on her face.

“Ugh….”

“Ah, ha…!”

The reactions from those around her were nothing short of bewildered.

Should I gouge their eyes out in disbelief?

Such thoughts flashed through my mind.

 

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