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EP.42 Sword Phoenix (2)

The one known as Pejon, one of the Three Eminent Beings, proclaimed directly:

He said it was the age of Yuseong.

Just like stars piercing through the sky and falling to the earth, the geniuses of the century were emerging in droves.

This is truly an absurd era.

With so many talented individuals around, brilliant geniuses become prodigies.

Prodigies are deemed mediocre.

Mediocre individuals turn into dullards in this age.

How absurd this era is.

From the perspective of the Central Plains, this is an age where many outstanding martial artists are born, and perhaps it can be seen as the most brilliant era.

But not for me.

“I was born in the wrong era.”

I had heard those words countless times.

“I don’t lack talent… but it feels strange.”

I had heard that thousands of times.

“It’s disappointing compared to my sisters.”

That was something I had heard tens of thousands of times.

The time when I didn’t understand the topic was probably around now.

In a world overflowing with stars, I wasn’t the only one.

Back then, I blamed the absurdity of the world.

It was painful to see others shine so brightly while I couldn’t shine as a star.

However, in contrast to my inability to become a star, there are always brighter stars amidst countless others.

Nangong’s Thunder Dragon was one of them.

Tang’s Poison Phoenix was another.

Although Hwasan’s Sword Dragon is quiet now, it won’t be long before it blossoms plum blossoms at the sword tip.

It won’t take long for Wudang’s Sleeping Dragon to awaken, either.

Among the countless young martial artists, those who have taken the spot of Dragons and Phoenixes with their talent and effort are the stars of this era.

If a future great hero were to emerge, it is almost certain they would come from among them.

Among them, the Sword Phoenix was a particularly dazzling woman.

The highest Late-Stage Talent.

In the midst of writhing dragons, she radiates an exceptional presence.

When Peng Woojin, known as Jin Ryong, stepped down from the position of Lesser Clan Leader of the Peng family, the title of highest Late-Stage Talent naturally fell to Sword Phoenix.

Amazingly, nobody raised an objection.

Overflowing with arrogance and confidence, they didn’t express even a hint of dissent.

This only meant that Sword Phoenix’s status was exceptionally high.

That’s why I hated her.

Even though we were siblings with the same father, I despised the talent that I couldn’t dare to compete against.

I loathed that, wherever I went, my name was always preceded by hers.

To me, Sword Phoenix was like an insurmountable wall and a vast sea I could never cross.

That’s why I hated her.

She was so far ahead that it felt hopeless, and I always wanted to run away.

As I lamented internally, another thought surfaced.

“Is this really the true reason?”

I couldn’t find an answer.

But I already knew without the need to recall.

“…The biggest problem is.”

Even if I plastered on reasons for my hatred,

I knew what the truth was.

No matter how many reasons I concocted, I couldn’t bring myself to hate her.

And that was what I hated.

That had certainly been the case until now……

“Brother.”

“…Yeah.”

“Huh? Huh!?”

“Yes… Yes, sister….”

“Right, that’s correct. Brother, your hand is drooping again. Hold it up straight.”

“…Yes.”

As I struggled to raise my trembling arm back up high, I thought to myself.

‘…I shouldn’t hate her, but at this moment, I feel like I could really hate her very hard.’

It seemed like I could do it easily now.

…That wicked girl.

As soon as I heard the news, my escape plan was thwarted too easily.

Elder Lee, who was standing before me, seized me.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

“…Elder Lee, can you please pretend you didn’t see me just this once?”

“What are you talking about? Your engagement and your sister is here, you know?”

“Yes, with one already too much, and now there are two reasons, so of course I want to escape!”

“…I can’t understand you, son. How can you leave without even seeing your sister who’s home for the first time in months?”

“How can I show my face knowing what might happen…? I’ll be hiding in the mountains for the next few months, so don’t bother looking for me.”

“…Did you eat something wrong in Sichuan? Why are you acting so wildly, you’re making me want to knock you out.”

At Elder Lee’s fierce words, I briefly froze.

This crazy old man…!

Having my nape gripped like this leaves me unable to escape whatever he might do.

Even if my luck has increased, it is still pointless in front of Elder Lee.

Nonetheless, my eyes were scanning for an escape route, and my mind was racing with ways to flee.

At that moment, I sensed an energy I absolutely didn’t want to feel.

‘It’s coming this way…!!’

They said they were in the Head House…!

In spite of Elder Lee’s words, I could distinctly feel an energy rapidly approaching from a distance.

The ever-growing Technique of the Flame Wheel was resonating wildly with that familiar energy.

As the energy drew closer, a heat surged inside me.

‘Crazy, what kind of energy is this?’

The presence was overwhelmingly strong.

Is the person really enveloped in flames or something?

How can a human approach like that, radiating such heat?

‘Just hide it a little…!’

Do they plan on melting everything around them with that reckless energy?

With the immense energy, Elder Lee dropped me unceremoniously to the ground.

Anyway, it was pointless to run now.

Before I even had time to think about that, someone landed gracefully before the door to the residence.

I took a deep breath and focused on the newcomer.

Contrary to the energy surrounding her, she had a rather delicate build.

Her long black hair, flowing down her back, carried a hint of red, and her eyes glowed deep crimson.

This was proof that she had surpassed the fifth level of the Technique of the Flame Wheel and became a martial artist who could make a name in the Central Plains.

She had the fierce gaze characteristic of the Gu Family’s Bloodline, but combined with her energy and the striking features of her face, she embodied a powerful beauty.

If my second sister Gu Yeonseo had a relatively gentle impression, this terrifying individual had definitely inherited our father’s face.

Adorning her flowing red robe were stunning golden embroideries fashioned into a magnificent tiger.

That was none other than the attire worn by the Great Lord of the Gu Clan’s Sword Team.

The woman stared at me for a while before smoothening her hair back with her hand.

Only then did the suffocating Flame Energy dissipate.

As I finally exhaled the breath I had been holding, her vibrant red lips opened simultaneously.

“Brother.”

With a voice lower than most women’s and an unwavering tone, there was a sense of gravity in her words.

“Brother.”

“Huh…?”

“If you see your sister, you should greet her first.”

“…”

Cold sweat trickled down.

…What should I say? In that fleeting moment, I mulled over hundreds of options.

After a while, I managed to force the words out.

“Hello…?”

“….”

No response.

She merely nodded her head.

Seemingly displeased, I added a follow-up.

“How… are you?”

A nod.

She seemed satisfied, as if she had been waiting for my words.

‘…This is insane.’

Sword Phoenix Gu Huibi.

My first sister, whom I hadn’t seen in years.

What should I say? Should I comment on her unchanged appearance?

Gu Huibi was glaring down at me with eyes ablaze.

‘…Why is she looking down at me?’

True, we were about the same height.

…But then I realized I had somehow knelt down.

“…?”

…Oh?

Did I instinctively drop to my knees?

Surprisingly, the fear ingrained in my body had caused this.

“Your reflexes are fast.”

Gu Huibi seemed to find my position amusing and smiled.

…That smile was terribly intimidating.

“You should raise your hand too.”

“…Huh? Why my hand?”

“Are you not going to?”

The moment she said that, my hand shot up instinctively.

It was beyond my control.

Damn early education….

“Brother.”

“…Yeah.”

“Huh? Huh!?”

“Yes… Yes, sister….”

“Right, that’s correct. Your hand is falling again. Hold it straight up.”

“…Yes.”

Why is it that the moment we reunite, I have to endure this nonsense?

I shot a glance at Elder Lee as a sign for help, but he was grinning at me instead.

“The sibling bond is as strong as ever.”

“…Does this look healthy to you?”

“Hahaha!”

As Gu Huibi toyed with me and left me standing awkwardly, she exchanged pleasantries with Elder Lee.

This is all well and good.

But must my arm remain like this?

‘…I can’t believe I’m this old and…’

It trembled uncontrollably.

Not because my arm was tired, but from sheer embarrassment.

…Seriously.

“This isn’t right…!”

I couldn’t bear it any longer.

After going through the trouble of coming back to life, being toyed with like this just made no sense.

Eventually, I could no longer keep it in and shot a glare at Gu Huibi.

“How old am I now, for crying out loud…!”

“Raise it again.”

“Yes.”

Damn…….

Gu Huibi stepped behind Elder Lee and approached me, locking eyes.

Her gaze, tinged crimson from her unique martial arts, radiated both mystery and fear.

“Brother.”

“…Yes.”

“Do you know what you did wrong?”

“Is it because you came here, and I tried to run away…?”

“…Were you trying to escape?”

Uh oh…. This isn’t good.

I coughed awkwardly and averted my gaze, but Gu Huibi poked my cheek with her finger and turned my head back.

What the heck? What did I do to deserve this punishment?

When facing a crisis, one becomes clever, and another notion popped into my head.

“…Is it because of my second sister?”

“Yeonseo?”

“Yes, if this is about me slapping Yeonseo, then….”

“Yeonseo got slapped by you?”

…Oh, so that’s not it either?

For some reason, I felt like I was confessing one by one.

But strangely enough, this confession seemed to earn a lackluster reaction from Gu Huibi.

Why would she not react even though a sister got slapped?

“How strange, it doesn’t seem like Yeonseo would be the type to get slapped by you.”

“Then why are you treating me like this?”

Seemingly offended by my question, Gu Huibi fixed her fierce gaze upon me.

The energy subtly seeping from her made me tingle.

“You.”

“Yes.”

“You’re getting engaged again, right?”

“…What?”

I unknowingly made a dumbfounded expression.

What did I just hear?

Is this really what I heard?

It sounded like engagement, but what does this have to do with my current scolding?

Without a hint of concern for my confusion, Gu Huibi pressed on.

“Why didn’t you tell me about it?”

“I just found out today…?”

Even if I had known in advance, why would I have to tell Gu Huibi about my engagement?

…Wait a minute, are you seriously scolding me about this right now?

“Are you seriously mad over that?”

“Of course I’m mad! You’re getting engaged again without asking your sister’s permission!?”

“What the heck are you talking about! Sister, are you out of your mind?!”

I couldn’t contain my incredulity and let out a hollow laugh.

Has she been drinking heavily during daytime or something; what kind of crazy talk is this!

As I raised my voice in frustration, Gu Huibi furrowed her brows.

That expression was definitely one that came out when she was genuinely angry.

Uh oh, this seems a bit dangerous…?

Fwoosh!

Just as expected, the heat emanating from Gu Huibi surged.

Seeing the robe flutter with the heat, I could understand how much energy she held within her.

‘…This is just insane.’

The instincts of a younger brother raised in a violent manner warned me.

There’s no choice but to bash my head against the wall now.

My rationality screamed at me.

Yet, it felt too late.

‘You crazy woman… what am I supposed to do now?’

Just as I timidly contemplated escaping, Gu Huibi’s fierce voice rang out.

“Are you insane? You’re only getting to say this to me because I’m letting you….”

“Young Master…?”

In that moment, an unexpected voice interjected.

The heat that had been about to explode from Gu Huibi instantly vanished.

Turning toward the direction of the voice, I saw Wi Seol-Ah holding a bowl of steaming dumplings, staring at me.

“What….”

As I glanced at Wi Seol-Ah, a chilling sensation returned as I looked back at Gu Huibi, whose blazing gaze was now fixated on Wi Seol-Ah.

 

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