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EP.75 Between Snow and Summer. (1)

Upon entering the hut, the Sword Demoness seemed to be asleep, merely breathing softly.

Seeing that, I carefully took a seat in the empty spot.

Shin Yi rummaged through the drawer, pulling out rice cakes and bandages to prepare.

With this level of injury, a martial artist who had made a bet on their Lower Dantian would recover quickly.

“You’re not thinking that, are you?”

“…N-No.”

Quick on the uptake, are we…?

“A martial artist can’t survive just by having their head cut off or heart ripped out.”

As Shin Yi spoke, she applied golden ointment to my hand.

A sharp sting shot through, but after a few layers of bandage, it felt alright again.

“I thought you would know better.”

“…Huh?”

“What happened outside?”

“…!”

Caught off guard by Shin Yi’s sudden question, I was left speechless.

Could she have asked because she knew something? Her serious expression suggested it was possible.

How did she figure it out? I had been careful not to mention anything about blood.

I considered pretending I didn’t know, but it wouldn’t take long for Myohwa Seon to inform her, so hiding it was pointless.

Ultimately, I forced a smile and spoke up.

“There was a bit of a situation. I saw some guys targeting the hut.”

“…Did you use an assassin?”

“Yeah, they seemed to be from the Demonic Faction from what I could tell.”

“…”

The look Shin Yi gave me changed to one of unintentional sympathy.

What kind of expression is that?

Is it because I look young?

‘Well, I am young in reality.’

“…Is this your first time?”

“What do you mean by that…?”

“I mean, is it your first time killing someone?”

Unable to think of a response to Shin Yi’s words, I fell silent.

Is that why she looks at me that way?

The aftereffects still lingered, causing my hands to tremble slightly, and Shin Yi’s expression showed concern.

The only thing I could think of in response to her gaze was—

“I’m fine.”

Maybe the shock of it all was messing me up, but I was somehow okay, really.

Could she think of this as her fault?

She was surprisingly compassionate for an elder.

Maybe that’s why she chose to be a physician.

“It was something you had to experience eventually.”

Although Shin Yi valued life and took responsibility as a physician, she wouldn’t say to cherish every life equally.

That advice held little meaning for martial artists.

So, Shin Yi simply wore a bitter expression.

“There were groups lurking near the hut. If we go back and inform Myohwa Seon, they will take action.”

“Thank you.”

I was taken aback by Shin Yi’s words of gratitude. She seemed the type who wouldn’t say such things at all.

Did my expression show that?

Shin Yi raised an eyebrow at me.

“What’s with that rotten expression? Did I seem like someone who wouldn’t bother thanking you?”

“…No, it wasn’t like that.”

“Not like that, huh? Don’t think about lying elsewhere. How can your face give away so much?”

‘…Does it show that much?’

[Your face gives the answer so just stay quiet.]

‘…Hmm.’

Was it really that obvious? I thought I was being discreet.

Once the treatment was complete, I thanked her and tried to get up.

“…Don’t overdo your physical training, and try to eat mostly vegetables whenever possible.”

I paused at Shin Yi’s sudden remark.

What was she saying? When I looked at her, she was clearing her throat repeatedly, urging me to leave.

Finally, partially chased out, I stood blankly in front of the hut when Shin Noya spoke up.

[Seems like she’s saying that because of the energy in your body.]

“Ah.”

I said I wouldn’t do anything, but was she hinting she wanted to tell me something?

She truly seemed to have a deeper bond than I expected.

[Now that it’s been mentioned, how do you plan to deal with the energy in your body?]

‘What can I do? I’ve been told to live and hope it doesn’t burst.’

[Didn’t you say there’s a subtle way to deal with it?]

I bit my dry lips at Shin Noya’s words.

I had a guess, but I was still in the midst of pondering over it.

Time didn’t seem terribly long, so I had to make a choice soon.

“Hey.”

As I stood there lost in thought, Gu Ryeonghwa called out to me.

“Is your treatment done?”

“…As you can see.”

Gu Ryeonghwa was busy chopping something with a kitchen knife.

What is that…? A potato? It was cut into pieces so small it was hard to identify, and I wondered if I should even ask her about it.

In the meantime, Gu Ryeonghwa seemed deeply focused on chopping the potato.

After a while of serious chopping, she suddenly addressed me.

“…Are you… okay?”

I tilted my head at Gu Ryeonghwa’s question.

Her gaze kept drifting towards my hand.

“Are you worried?”

Didn’t seem like it did to her, as she suddenly snapped back, yelling.

“Who’s worried! If the treatment is done, I’m telling you to disappear from my sight!”

“Don’t worry, I’m leaving anyway.”

“I’m not worried…!”

Her shouting was loud enough that I decided to ignore her.

The buzzing from Gu Ryeonghwa’s voice faded as I took my leave, heading back to the Hwasan Sect.

*

Upon immediately returning to Hwasan, I explained the situation to Myohwa Seon.

I thought I’d just need to deliver a letter, but upon hearing that someone had died, Myohwa Seon’s face tightened momentarily.

“I’m sorry.”

The first thing she said, with a hardened expression, was an apology.

I assured her it was fine.

Luckily, she hadn’t mentioned whether I had overdone it.

To be precise, it would suffice if I checked again later.

After confirming the situation and deciding to send a scholar for retrieval, I ended the conversation, but Myohwa Seon’s expression didn’t ease quickly.

“…We need to conduct a more thorough search.”

The fact that they had gotten so close and that one escaped without being captured was concerning.

Few people knew that Shin Yi was tending to the Sword Demoness, including the leader of the sect.

Since I had discovered it as an outsider, it wouldn’t be strange for them to suspect me if an incident occurred, yet Myohwa Seon didn’t seem to think in that direction.

Especially considering that there had been a series of disappearances among the Hwasan Sect members.

‘Could it be the work of the Black Night Palace?’

I wasn’t sure, but for some reason, I felt like it might be.

I wanted to know what they were up to now, and why there was a demon energy-like aura emanating from them.

But for now, there was no significant way to find out.

I had many restrictions on physically moving.

“Child.”

“Yes.”

I replied to Myohwa Seon’s call.

It seemed she had finished organizing her thoughts, and returned to me with a relaxed expression.

Even though the situation wasn’t great, the fact that she could regain her composure like this was admirable.

“I appreciate your hard work… If I keep holding you up, you must be tired, so I’ll find something I can offer you later.”

“Something you can offer?”

“Since an outsider got caught up in the Hwasan problem, it’s only right to take responsibility.”

If she said that, then I could say my impulsive actions had played a part too, but since she was offering something, I kept my mouth shut.

‘I can’t refuse her offer.’

Thinking that, I bid farewell to Myohwa Seon and left her residence.

I had heard that the remaining tasks would be handled by Hwasan, so there were no issues.

Moreover, I was relieved that my only injury was a scratch on my hand.

[It’s a rather diluted world.]

I could somewhat see where Shin Noya was coming from with that statement.

To be precise, it could only be the case with Hwasan, but this world was indeed more peaceful than the one I had experienced before.

‘Although that peace won’t last long.’

Not much time left—just a few years.

That damned time was approaching sooner than I’d like to imagine.

As I finished my errand, it was around lunchtime.

Upon entering the lodging, I saw servants busy with house chores.

‘Where’s Wi Seol-Ah?’

I was starting to habitually search for Wi Seol-Ah when I noticed her energetically helping the servants with their tasks.

In the midst of all that, she spotted me and smiled warmly while waving her hand.

I waved back appropriately.

If Wi Seol-Ah was here, could it also mean the Sword Sovereign was around?

But I couldn’t see the Sword Sovereign anywhere.

She couldn’t have come alone, right?

It didn’t make sense for someone of my status to worry about the Sword Sovereign, so I just figured she had other matters to attend to as I headed to my room.

I wondered if Nangong Bi-ah was still asleep, but the room was completely empty.

“Where could she have gone?”

The bedding was neatly put away, suggesting she had left a while ago.

Did she have anywhere to go in Hwasan?

As I poked around, a passing servant informed me.

“Lady Nangong has gone up toward the back mountain.”

“The back mountain? What for?”

“…I saw her take a training sword with her. She’s probably gone to practice.”

“…Ah, I see. Thank you.”

“Yes, yes!”

At my thanks, the servant flinched slightly.

I thought she had gotten better recently, but maybe she still found me awkward to deal with.

[If the servant is flinching at a thank you… just how poorly did you treat them?]

‘…Well, I guess I was a bit harsh.’

I was trying to be better.

Luckily, I hadn’t caused any major accidents since arriving in this earlier time.

‘If I had been just 1-2 years late…’

I didn’t want to think about what could have happened.

I made my way toward the back mountain where I expected Nangong Bi-ah had headed.

I was intrigued, not so much by the purpose of her going there but because she chose to climb that dauntingly high mountain.

Climbing a mountain that looked like it could make you gag just by looking at it was slightly taxing, perhaps because of the bout that happened in the morning.

Hoo—

As I traversed the trees, I increasingly felt a tingling energy all over my body.

Despite her somewhat faint presence compared to her appearance, Nangong Bi-ah had an undeniable strong personality, especially at moments when she was truly present.

-Hoo! Hoo!

Once she held her sword, Nangong Bi-ah transformed completely into another being.

Her usual dull gaze vanished, and only a distinguished sword remained standing there.

Finding Nangong Bi-ah wasn’t particularly difficult.

Spotting a small clearing, I saw her wielding her sword right in the center.

I wasn’t the only one here; several Hwasan Sect members were watching.

There were more spectators than I expected…?

‘Are they just watching?’

Some seemed to be gathered just to see Nangong Bi-ah’s movements.

Meanwhile, she appeared unfazed and continued her training even amidst all the eyes on her.

That electrifying energy weighed upon those around her.

With her sword in hand, Nangong Bi-ah exuded an aura as if walking on a tightrope.

The unique technique of the Nangong Clan, the Imperial Sword Form.

Her movements were fluid, nothing like her sibling’s style.

Nangong Bi-ah displayed an incredibly graceful technique that I could barely compare to.

The aura of a ruler flowed through her elegant motions, pressing down on everyone nearby.

[…Impressive.]

It was the same amazement I had previously heard from Shin Noya when watching Yeongpung.

To be honest, I felt that Nangong Bi-ah’s level surpassed Yeongpung’s.

Unlike the piercing sword technique of the Nangong Clan that encompasses speed and sharpness.

Nangong Bi-ah’s movements were fluid and beautiful.

If I had to describe it, it was akin to a sword dance.

I knew what she had felt in that sword tip and the realization that resulted from it.

The strokes she swung for that outcome seemed all the more demanding.

To be honest, I found it hard to believe that Nangong Bi-ah could maintain the structures of the Imperial Sword Form with such movements.

Yet again, I was reminded of the talent she possessed.

Yeongpung, Nangong Bi-ah, and even the late-blooming talents, all of whom were deemed geniuses, shone brightly on their own.

‘Unlike me at that time.’

[This current era is no different from the Dragon Realm.]

I nodded in agreement with Shin Noya’s sentiment.

Though I had seen her swordsmanship for so long, the aura emanating from Nangong Bi-ah’s sword tip held a completely different feel.

There was no trace of the brutality possessed by the Demon Sword Queen, rather a hidden purity and elegance.

‘…It’s beautiful.’

I couldn’t think of another word to describe it.

Her sword path was genuinely beautiful.

With a flick of her sword, Nangong Bi-ah continued to swing until a faint sound accompanied her graceful dance.

-Oh…

A sigh escaped from the onlookers.

Her performance was flawless, it seemed.

Nangong Bi-ah’s gaze turned to the direction of the sound.

And there I stood.

‘…No way, did I just step on something?’

I thought I was being careful, but it seemed I had unknowingly stepped on a branch.

Amidst the dim disapproval in the spectators’ eyes, Nangong Bi-ah was solely focused on me.

Perhaps due to her intense activity, sweat beads glistened on her forehead.

She seemed to disregard that as she wiped the sweat threatening to drip from her chin with her sleeve.

“…Huh?”

Nangong Bi-ah’s eyes widened as if shocked by something while staring directly at me.

Then she tossed her training sword aside and rushed toward me.

Nangong Bi-ah grabbed my clothing with both hands, pulled me closer, and pressed her face against mine, sniffing me.

“…What are you doing!?”

I pushed her away in confusion, but she was relentless.

Why does she seem so frantic, with that expression of panic and despair?

‘Why does she look so desperate?’

In her trembling eyes, after fidgeting near me, she seemed to calm down a bit and slightly distanced herself.

Suddenly, her legs gave way, and she collapsed to the ground.

“What’s going on? Are you hurt?”

“Thank goodness…”

After sniffing for a while and seeming relieved, her expression softened.

It seemed like there was more cold sweat flowing now than the sweat from her earlier training.

Was she sweating that much? I gently wiped her sweat with my clothing.

In response, Nangong Bi-ah grabbed my trembling hand.

Cautiously, she pulled my hand and pressed her nose against it.

What was she doing?

“Do I smell bad?”

Am I giving off a sweat scent? I had been through some stuff earlier, but not enough to make me foul.

When I asked, Nangong Bi-ah quickly shook her head.

“…You don’t smell like anything.”

There was a sense of relief in her words that I couldn’t quite grasp.

After a while of standing there, Nangong Bi-ah swayed as she rose to her feet.

Inside, I was unsure whether to pull away or what to say; I must have gone through that dilemma hundreds of times.

In the end, since she appeared serious, I thought it best just to leave her be.

[If you had chosen differently there, you’d be in big trouble.]

“Is your training finished?”

“…Yeah.”

“Are you sure it’s okay not to do more? There seems to be plenty of time left.”

“…Since you came, I won’t do it anymore.”

Does that mean she won’t practice just because I’m here?

I wondered if that was necessary, but it seemed trying to understand her thoughts would only lead to my own detriment.

Nangong Bi-ah quietly turned around and picked up the training sword, approaching me.

“Your hand… are you hurt?”

“It was just a little scratch.”

Everyone seemed to be asking about it.

Nangong Bi-ah, who was watching me closely, spoke as if regretful.

“…I wanted to spar.”

“…”

…Suddenly, I felt relieved that I had gotten hurt.

 

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