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EP.78 Not Ugly at All. (1)

“Ugh, big brother…!”

With a quivering voice, blurry vision, and the chilly season contrasting with warm sunlight—

This was a memory from my childhood.

A time when I wandered through the forest behind our house.

With short steps, I waddled along.

I was the seeker.

I preferred being on the lookout rather than hiding, because being alone was scary.

My brother had said not to worry, he was confident in hiding.

“Big brother… where are you?”

I moved forward, leaning on trees.

Unlike his words, my brother wasn’t very good at hiding.

He always ended up giving himself away somehow.

This time too, I saw a hint of his clothes peeking from behind a distant tree trunk.

My tear-filled eyes brightened in an instant.

My once slow steps quickened.

Found you!

I quickly leaned in to surprise him.

“Whoa…?!”

But contrary to my expectations, my brother was nowhere to be found.

Just the outer garment of the Gu clan remained.

“Where did big brother go…?”

“Yaaah—!”

“Ughyaaaaaah!”

With a startling noise from behind, I screamed and fell back.

I was so startled, a tear rolled down my cheek.

Turning around, there he was, laughing.

Although he had fierce eyes, when he smiled, he had a kind face.

“Surprised, huh?”

“I… I was really surprised…”

“I thought this would work.”

The way he grinned with satisfaction was utterly infuriating.

I found him so annoying that I poked his shoulder playfully.

It didn’t seem to hurt him at all; he just continued to chuckle.

After a while, my brother extended his hand as if inviting me to hold it.

I faked a pout but took his hand and stood up.

“Let’s go back, mother must be waiting.”

“Already…?”

“Well, if we take too long, she might get angry.”

That wouldn’t happen.

I’d never seen our mother angry.

I only nodded in understanding at my brother’s words.

Our joined hands felt warm.

The outer garment that I’d tossed aside earlier had somehow been draped over my shoulders.

It was because of the cold weather.

Although the season was chilly, we could bear it together.

“…Sister Yeonseo has been bothering me again.”

“Sister?”

“Yeah… she kept glaring at me and said, ‘Even though she’s our mother, she’s my mother.’”

“I see.”

At my words, he patted my head.

His gentle touch melted my heart.

“Maybe she said that because she sees you as family?”

“…Yeah.”

His warm gaze always made me feel safe.

I disliked the coldness in our father’s gaze, but the warmth in my brother and mother’s eyes made up for it.

That was enough for me.

At that moment, Gu Ryeonghwa thought that way.

“What do you want to eat today?”

“I want fish!”

“Really? Let’s go tell her.”

“Okay!”

As we walked together, the sight of our residence gradually came into view.

Perhaps night was approaching, I could see our mother waving from afar into the lit-up house.

“Mom!”

With all my might, I waved my hands.

I quickly ran and jumped into my mother’s warm embrace.

Having waited outside for quite a while, her hands were cold, but—

It felt good.

Mother then ruffled my brother’s hair as he approached.

Even in the cold season, Gu Ryeonghwa felt warmth.

That was enough.

If we lived like this, surely we’d be happy.

It was a small dream harbored in a young heart.

However, was the sky displeased with such a wish?

Seven days later—

Everything fell apart, and Gu Ryeonghwa’s life plummeted into despair.

Every late summer, Hwasan would gather its disciples to hold the Jehwa Contest.

It was a simple martial arts tournament where each disciple competed against one another, but it served as a sort of exam in selecting the Plum Blossom Sword Technique.

Disciples who weren’t Plum Blossom Sword cultivators were required to participate, while the Three Great Disciples could volunteer.

Thus, Gu Ryeonghwa, as a disciple of the Sword Demoness, was obliged to participate, yet there was talk among the first disciples and elders that it was acceptable to skip it or to participate among the Three Great Disciples.

Gu Ryeonghwa refused this notion.

She didn’t want to fight among the Three Great Disciples, and for the honor of the Sword Demoness, she felt she must not step back.

Swoosh! Swoosh!

The wooden sword swung with weight behind it.

The sword, which she had wielded repetitively since entering Hwasan.

Though she couldn’t yet master the Plum Blossom Sword Technique, Hwasan didn’t only teach that.

She felt anxious.

Even she could think that she was overly anxious now.

In contrast, her master told her that there was no need to rush.

At such a young age, she was destined to shine greatly in the future.

However.

Even if she was recognized for her efforts and shone brightly—

What would it mean if her master wasn’t by her side?

Gu Ryeonghwa bit her lip.

“Shin Yi said there isn’t much time left this year.”

There would still be a long way to go before the plum blossoms bloomed on her sword tip.

Nevertheless, Gu Ryeonghwa wanted to show her master the blooming plum blossoms on her sword.

‘If only I had talent like that person…’

She was the youngest among the Three Great Disciples.

At the same time, she was someone whose name stood alongside the Plum Blossom Sword Technique and was acknowledged as Hwasan’s greatest talent.

Sword Dragon Yeongpung.

Had she possessed talents similar to his, perhaps the worries of her master would have lessened.

Gu Ryeonghwa secretly envied and resented Yeongpung.

Knowing she couldn’t become like him, her narrow-minded heart refused to open.

Was it because of that?

Today, it seemed the sword didn’t swing smoothly.

“…Hmph.”

Maybe it was because she had swung it without rest; her palms throbbed.

Even so, Gu Ryeonghwa intended to keep swinging.

Her master wasn’t in a situation to teach her swordsmanship.

So she had to fill in her own shortcomings.

“…How frustrating.”

In her anxious state, her focus wavered, preventing her from succeeding.

Was it because of what she saw in the morning? Today felt particularly like that.

The image of Gu Yangcheong entangled with some unknown woman.

The long-lost figure of kin appeared so careless.

The brother Gu Ryeonghwa remembered had already died.

Since the moment their mother vanished, her brother had died.

At least, that’s how it felt for Gu Ryeonghwa.

The boy who had warmth hidden beneath fierce eyes had burned to death in the heat of the Gu clan.

What remained in the ashes was just a malevolent spirit.

“A little… just a little, I hoped.”

Gu Yangcheong looked different upon their long-awaited encounter.

It wasn’t his former self, but it was certainly different from what she had seen recently.

At least it felt like the chilling emotions reflected in his eyes had lifted somewhat.

That’s why she might have unconsciously embraced hope.

That he might return to how he once was.

Such a trivial thought.

“That couldn’t be the case.”

After finally letting go, overcoming fear and discomfort, was she still unable to free herself from lingering attachments?

As her whimsical thoughts teetered, Gu Ryeonghwa swung her sword once more to shake them off.

Today was a day when scholars wouldn’t come to the training ground in the mountains.

It was probably a day set for group training.

Gu Ryeonghwa thought that this was much more comfortable.

Nothing could be easier than wielding a sword amidst discomfort.

As she prepared to execute her techniques—

Whoosh—

The sound carried in with the wind halted her movements.

Hooosh! Whooosh-whoosh!

It was the sound of a sword swinging.

However, something felt off.

Before blooming the plum blossoms, the rules of Hwasan’s sword path demanded strictness, but this was different, emanating from some irregular movements.

What was that prickling sensation brushing against her shoulders?

Gu Ryeonghwa stepped toward the source of the sound. What if it was a scholar?

Such thoughts briefly crossed her mind, but she couldn’t halt her steps.

As her toes finally reached the back—

Whoooosh—!

The fierce sword wind caused her hair to dance in the air.

‘…What the?’

Her first feeling was that it was beautiful.

Her white hair danced with every fierce movement, and those blue eyes solely focused on the sword tip were captivating.

Although her steps seemed light, Gu Ryeonghwa sensed that the weight they bore was anything but light.

Balance.

Why did she sense such a feeling from that irregular swordsmanship?

Gu Ryeonghwa couldn’t comprehend.

Was it something she didn’t dare to see? Or was that woman’s skill just that remarkable?

A myriad of complex thoughts swirled in her mind, but her eyes remained transfixed on the woman’s sword dance.

How could she move so gracefully?

What kind of mindset allowed her to wield the sword like that?

Would there come a day when she could swing her sword with such elegance?

Gu Ryeonghwa heard the pounding of her own heart.

While it was due to her excessive focus, she felt that if she could witness this sword path to the end, she might grasp something.

As the woman took half a step forward and swung her sword horizontally—

“…Huh.”

Without finishing her move, the woman came to a stop.

From the unsheathed sword tip, Gu Ryeonghwa felt a severe sense of regret and thirst.

If only she could have watched just a little longer, she felt she could have gained something.

But behind Gu Ryeonghwa’s frustration loomed a significant issue.

She had been watching the training indiscriminately.

Moreover, the fact that she had tried to grasp an understanding from that training was the problem.

Although she had indulged in an unrestrained act of watching, there was no room for excuses.

An outsider was wielding a sword at Hwasan’s training ground; wasn’t it easy to push that matter forward?

While Gu Ryeonghwa, scheming to find a way to survive, was preoccupied, the woman’s gaze landed on her.

“…Huh?”

Upon making eye contact, it was a familiar face.

White skin akin to her hair and those blue eyes.

Her sweat-soaked appearance appeared more enchanting than dirty.

What a breathtaking beauty even another woman would find hard to breathe around… she had to be one of the women entwined with Gu Yangcheong.

‘…A martial artist?’

Perhaps due to the circumstances, she hadn’t seen her clearly, but to think such a level of martial artist existed…

A bead of sweat formed on Gu Ryeonghwa’s forehead as she locked eyes with the woman.

The vacant and emotionless expression made it difficult to fathom her thoughts.

For a brief moment, she tilted her head at Gu Ryeonghwa’s face, then nodded at her wooden sword.

What is this?

Gu Ryeonghwa tensed up, fearful of being chastised for her undisguised training.

Unexpectedly, the woman’s words were beyond her expectation.

“…Martial Arts Sparring….”

“Huh?”

“…Shall we do it?”

Gu Ryeonghwa couldn’t help but frown, thinking she had misheard.

And so, now in the present.

Fortunately, Gu Ryeonghwa didn’t face any blame or punishment for her undisguised spectating.

The woman seemed to pay no heed to such matters.

In the position of a martial artist, it was odd.

How could this be…?

In this situation, unexpectedly invited to a sparring session, Gu Ryeonghwa could only feel flustered.

Did she intend to teach her a lesson under the guise of sparring?

But that didn’t seem likely.

Such opportunities were rare, and after a brief consideration, Gu Ryeonghwa readily accepted the offer.

Thus, the sparring began.

Despite tenaciously tailing her, Gu Ryeonghwa couldn’t land a single touch on Nangong Bi-ah’s attire.

Her body was covered in dust from rolling on the ground, and despite her vigorous movements, exhaustion had overtaken her, making her tremble.

Gu Ryeonghwa looked up at Nangong Bi-ah with tired eyes, thinking, “…Why can’t I get even one hit?”

With the continuous precarious distance maintained, she began to wonder if Nangong Bi-ah was intentionally keeping her at bay.

‘…Why?’

To teach her? Could she really be trying to impart lessons?

If so, then why…?

After a long exhale, Gu Ryeonghwa finally pushed herself up.

Nangong Bi-ah, standing still, appeared as unaffected by the hustle as she had been during her swordplay earlier.

Upon closer inspection, she looked a bit bored.

At this level, honestly, she felt like she could handle even first disciples without an issue.

Though Gu Ryeonghwa wasn’t sure of her exact age, she looked to be possibly just over her early twenties.

Her age wasn’t drastically different from Yeongpung’s. The world certainly had many talented individuals.

The insecurities boiling inside her felt like they were deepening.

After forming such thoughts, Gu Ryeonghwa spoke to Nangong Bi-ah.

“…We saw each other this morning.”

“…?”

“What’s your relationship with that man?”

Gu Ryeonghwa’s unexpected question seemed to crack Nangong Bi-ah’s usual impassiveness.

Her eyes widened slightly, and one of her eyebrows furrowed.

How should she respond? Nangong Bi-ah pondered for a moment before opening her mouth.

“We’re engaged….”

“…Someone like you doesn’t seem like a match for him.”

“…Huh?”

“I don’t know what circumstances led to this, but you are far too good for him…. Someone so lazy, who’s making no effort, has a nasty temper, and is downright ugly….”

“…”

“So even now….”

Gu Ryeonghwa was in the midst of voicing her thoughts when she abruptly fell silent.

The atmosphere seemed to change slightly.

Nangong Bi-ah still wore her usual expression, but something felt different.

With a single step forward, Gu Ryeonghwa immediately raised her sword.

‘…What’s this?’

Something felt different, but she couldn’t pinpoint what it was.

Holding her sword down and locking eyes with the woman, Gu Ryeonghwa felt a crossroad with someone akin to herself.

The Sword Demoness.

Her teacher.

In the not-so-distant past, during a brief moment of good health, her master had shown her the presence she had.

Gu Ryeonghwa faintly sensed that atmosphere.

Feeling a faint echo like a bell ringing through her head as she wrapped her remaining resolve tightly around her sword.

The woman spoke.

“…Not ugly at all.”

“Huh…?”

“Not ugly at all.”

Was she angry?

Her tone was languid and weak, yet somehow held a hint of firmness.

The aura she exuded, which had been subtly present, now felt all too clear.

While she was aware that the woman was observing her, she hadn’t anticipated it to this degree….

It felt like something was off, but she searched in vain for any way to resolve it, as the energy enveloped her from all around, weighing her down.

Maybe it was fear.

“If you speak so carelessly….”

The woman’s pace quickened. In the same instant, the presence that had nagged her vanished altogether.

“You’ll get punished….”

With a flash of blue light, the wooden sword appeared before her.

Gu Ryeonghwa squeezed her eyes shut in anticipation.

Was it just an illusion?

Just before closing her eyes, she thought she caught a glimpse of flames enveloping her front.

 

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