Chapter 521
Chapter 522 – Just Try Holding It Once
Should I send her off?
The words of Nangong Bi-ah, who said she wanted to go, tangled my thoughts.
If I have to let her go…
Why should I?
North Sea.
That distant land, I wanted to stop Nangong Bi-ah, who was so eager to go there.
However, I couldn’t easily do that.
The reason was simple.
Her eyes—
The way Nangong Bi-ah looked at me with her eyes, clear as ever, overwhelmed me.
The once blank gaze vanished, and her blue eyes sparkled like jewels.
As if she had found her path.
It was truly hard to tell her not to go when I saw those brightly shining eyes.
So…
I told her again.
Please, don’t go.
Don’t leave me behind in that faraway place.
I wanted to say those words.
Even if it sounded shameful and petty, I just wanted to hold on to Nangong Bi-ah.
Such a shameless emotion it was.
I had pushed it away so much that I didn’t want to feel this way, yet now those worries entangled my feelings like a seed.
This was more than love; it was a bitter sense of possession.
With Nangong Bi-ah in my heart, that place had grown uncontrollably larger.
Yet…
“I have to go.”
Even with my plea to stay, Nangong Bi-ah looked at me with those clear eyes.
So bright and vivid.
It felt so unfair for her to finally show eyes that she usually hid.
Should I let her go? Just stand by silently?
That’s not possible.
To think that she’d gain strength to protect me? That she had to go to the North Sea for that?
What nonsense.
‘Who’s protecting whom?’
What kind of situation am I in right now?
Moreover, what is the reason for rolling around like this? Is she really trying to protect me in this lifetime?
That’s absurd.
I wanted to shout it out loud.
‘You are not protecting me. I am protecting you.’
So just stay quietly by my side.
I wanted to say something so trivial, but I had to bite my tongue and hold it back.
This damn affection stirred my possessiveness but made me endure it.
That’s why I couldn’t say it.
However, even if I couldn’t voice my thoughts, my actions weren’t restrained.
I faced Nangong Bi-ah.
“…”
As I quietly looked at her, our eyes met.
She didn’t shy away.
I stared deeply into her blue eyes.
‘…’
As I looked into those eyes, I found myself wanting to look away.
When was it?
The last time I looked at her so slowly.
I tried hard to recall, but…
‘Perhaps it never happened.’
As far as I knew, I had never seen Nangong Bi-ah’s features this closely.
Maybe that’s why I gazed more intently.
Her hair shimmered with hues of blue, and her skin was as white as snow. It almost seemed like she had a delicate makeup around her eyes, conveying a subtle ambiance.
Beautiful.
She was still beautiful.
While gazing calmly, I…
“…”
I noticed the ornament in Nangong Bi-ah’s hair.
It was the moon-shaped decoration I had gifted her.
Oh, she still wears it.
Because I bought her something so cheap, it looks a bit worn now.
Next time, I should buy her something a little better.
‘Hah.’
Thinking that, I let out a short sigh.
Am I going crazy, thinking of such things now?
All kinds of thoughts crossed my mind.
I knew well.
The ultimate point of all these thoughts was a futile attempt to turn away from the fact that I didn’t want to let her go.
Maybe knowing that made it even harder.
Turning away like that was never going to happen.
If it could, I wouldn’t have kept Nangong Bi-ah beside me from the start.
She probably wouldn’t understand how big a choice it was to be by my side.
And I hoped she would remain oblivious to it.
Swoosh.
A chilling sound echoed in my ear.
It was the sound of Nangong Bi-ah drawing her sword.
I asked while watching her.
“Are you really going to do it?”
“Yes….”
Nangong Bi-ah nodded firmly at my question.
Her posture was straight. Honest.
Sparring.
Despite my ridiculous request, Nangong Bi-ah accepted without hesitation.
It couldn’t work.
No matter how much of a genius Nangong Bi-ah was, this was outside the realm of possibility.
She surely knew that as well.
Yet the reason she accepted must be…
‘… Because of my pathetic terms.’
The conditions attached to this sparring might have been the reason.
To use swords for the sparring.
Just having a sparring session for the sake of it didn’t make any sense, so I attached this condition.
Moreover, in a twisted way, I inserted the wordplay that it wasn’t about me winning but earning her acknowledgment.
This was my cunning plan to persuade Nangong Bi-ah to agree to the sparring.
She’d have to present something that made sense.
Thus, I would make her give up by defeating her.
That’s my goal right now.
Shameless, huh?
‘I know. I’m aware of that…’
I know it all too well.
But it was precisely because I didn’t want to let Nangong Bi-ah go.
Forget the days when I desperately wanted her to go.
Now, I was in a state where I could not afford to be without her. Especially in a situation like this.
‘… My mind isn’t right.’
I hadn’t told anyone, but my mental state wasn’t okay right now.
I needed time not only to gather my energy but also to comprehend my altered emotions and mental state.
Given such circumstances, I hoped Nangong Bi-ah wouldn’t leave right now.
Whether I was cursed for my base possession or criticized for my selfishness, my heart felt this way.
I raised my sword to face Nangong Bi-ah.
A rough iron sword I had picked up from around.
If I could, I’d use Gui Jeong, but that felt too extravagant.
As I held the sword, I felt the gazes around me.
The looks of Baek Cheon-gyeom and Gwaeseon.
The glances were full of curiosity, likely wondering why I aimed to spar with Nangong Bi-ah using a sword.
I’m sure they found it quite strange.
While there was an obvious gap in realms,
For a martial arts category fighter to wield a sword meant I would be giving up my main martial arts in battle, which in broader terms was like fighting while sacrificing both arms.
I knew nothing about swords.
Even if I placed a bet, without enlightenment, it’d be half-hearted sword energy.
Without knowing how to utilize a sword path, it’d only be clumsily swinging it.
In a fight against the matured peak Nangong Bi-ah, there’s little doubt I’d lose without any surprises.
At least, that’s how it would seem to them.
Since Nangong Bi-ah knew me, she might not think the same way.
From what I could gather from her acceptance of this duel, she likely thought along the same lines.
But…
‘… Noya, I’ll leave it to you.’
There was none other than Hwasan Sword God Shin Cheol by my side.
A person who wouldn’t lose in sword fights anywhere.
He rose to the height of a hero with a single sword.
I had seen how he toyed with Nangong Jin, almost like teaching a child.
Once more, I was determined to give her a thorough lesson with a sword.
Thinking that, I spoke to Noya.
[… Huh…? Me…?]
Noya, who had been quiet, suddenly spoke to me in confusion.
That reaction felt strangely sharp.
‘What’s with that reaction…?’
[No… wait, are you telling me to fight?]
‘Then who else would fight?’
[You crazy fool? It’s your body, so of course, you should fight!]
Noya exclaimed in disbelief.
Hearing that, I felt equally incredulous.
‘What?! How am I supposed to fight? I don’t even know how to wield a sword!’
[Why are you saying that so shamelessly! If you didn’t know how to use it, you shouldn’t have said you would!]
‘Of course, when someone says they’re using a sword, it’s obvious Noya should take over.’
That had always been the case.
So I assumed it would be the same this time.
[Hah… Hahaha… what do I do with this crazy guy? You’re just trying to take advantage of everyone.]
Noya lamented, as if facing an unexpected situation.
[You said you’d use a sword, so I thought you’d fight just a bit and let me win… But to be a coward at this level…! Is it right to do that to your fiancée?]
‘… Well, can you scold me later? Can you just help me once…?’]
I know I’d get a pitiful look, but I had to pull this off by throwing a tantrum.
Judging that, I tried asking Noya for help.
[No way.]
Noya flatly refused.
‘Noya…!’
[Even if you ask, my answer’s still no.]
‘Why? You can steal whatever you want usually… Why act like this now?’
[You brat…? When did I steal and use anything…? And it’s not that I don’t want to, but I can’t anymore.]
‘What?’
… Can’t? What does that mean?
I widened my eyes in surprise at the unexpected statement, and Noya continued explaining.
[Right after your body changed, I could no longer borrow it.]
‘… What? What kind of ridiculous statement is that?’
This was the first I heard of it.
It had only been a few days since the separation, but it was something I had never heard from Noya before.
What on earth is going on? Just as I was about to ponder, Noya added more.
[… I was so busy spinning around, I forgot all about it.]
‘Crazy…!’
After hearing Noya’s words, my head went completely blank.
Noya could no longer enter my body?
Then…
‘What do I do…?’
[Why are you asking me? You’re the one who messed up your own situation.]
I’ve messed up. I’ve really messed up.
‘… This can’t be true! Just tell me it’s a lie. I’ll give you one last pass.’
[What? Are you going to bet on the reputation of the former sect leader? My words are the truth.]
‘That kind of thing won’t convince me… I feel like you’d do it casually anyway.’
[Hah, kid, if I could have stolen your body, I’d have already done so and stripped you or made you bite your tongue, you know…? The fact that I couldn’t is what makes me feel lonely.]
Damn it.
Hearing that made it feel like it was really impossible.
Facing an unexpected situation made my brain go wild.
‘What should I do?’
What on earth should I do?
My eyes began to dart crazily.
I wondered if Nangong Bi-ah noticed, as she tilted her head in confusion.
“… What’s… wrong?”
Worried, Nangong Bi-ah spoke to me.
Should I challenge her to a fistfight right now? Such a desire surged within me.
[Isn’t that a bit… too pathetic?]
‘…’
Noya dismissed the idea as truly embarrassing.
I knew that too.
If I truly suggested that, I’d likely despise myself.
‘… So what now? There’s no solution left.’
[Just a little sharp sword fight should work out. What’s so hard about that?]
As if he wasn’t used to cutting through the heavens, he spoke so easily.
If it weren’t difficult, I would’ve trained my sword skills instead of throwing punches!
’Should I just resort to using Gui Jeong?’
The Gui Jeong tied to my left arm.
Using this might make things different.
At least it would be better than this iron sword.
‘No… even Gui Jeong may just be indestructible, so it might not help at all,’
If thinking like that, maybe not Gui Jeong but…
Swish.
I glanced at the Thunder Fang in my other hand.
Just moments ago, I had finished talking with Nangong Ming in our residence.
We hadn’t spoken much, but important discussions had occurred.
Could it be that the weight of those discussions was the issue?
Nangong Ming was keeping silent.
‘… If we’re considering efficiency, it’s better than Gui Jeong.’
Being an item that maximizes the user’s power, it would definitely fit the situation better right now.
‘But I can’t use it.’
No matter how I could grasp Gui Jeong, I couldn’t wield this without the selection of Thunder Qi and Thunder Fang.
“…”
Quietly looking at the Thunder Fang, I tentatively infused some energy into it.
Utilizing the fact that I could touch it, I lightly poured in some energy.
[Where the hell are you putting that filthy energy…!?]
Nangong Ming, who had been quiet, suddenly shouted in anger.
I got caught.
Giving an awkward laugh, I said, ‘I was just trying just in case.’
[Hah…! A mere wannabe to even touch it…! Don’t get any foolish expectations. You can’t use it without my permission.]
Only sensing Thunder Fang’s selection was needed, but also needed the permission of the irascible elder.
It couldn’t be a more annoying item.
‘Gui Jeong is definitely better.’
In that regard, Gui Jeong is much better.
At least, it didn’t require me to cater to Noya’s whims.
But…
Was it just an illusion?
As I contemplated while infusing energy into Thunder Fang.
‘I feel like something might come of this.’
It felt like the energy was absorbing better than expected.
Seeing that, I pushed a bit more energy into it.
Did it realize? Nangong Ming mixed irritation into his voice.
[Weren’t you told it’s useless? I clearly said…!]
Swoosh-!
“Uh?”
[… Uh…?]
After a while of pushing in a significant amount of energy,
Suddenly, light began to shine from the jewel of the Thunder Fang, and…
Fwoosh-!
An immense heat erupted following the light.
“…”
[…]
In the sudden situation, Nangong Ming, who had been noisy, fell silent.
I quietly whispered while looking at the Thunder Fang in my hand.
“This is happening…?”
