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Chapter 60




EP.60 Plum Dragon Falls (3)
Plum Dragon Falls (3)
Nothing is pleasant.
Not the sound of the rain, nor the moonlight that doesn’t understand the theme.
Not even the wind that brushes past her hair.
Everything is unpleasant.
In the midst of her thoughts, the woman asks,
[...Crying?]
[Shut up, anyone can see it’s just rain.]
The man replied harshly, but the woman’s hand touched his cheek.
He would have slapped it away under normal circumstances, but this time he held back.
[Not...crying.]
[You’re asking for too much.]
There’s been too much to cry over.
There’s nothing left to cry about now.
[...What a pity.]
The woman’s voice was devoid of emotion.
Even as they approached death, it remained the same.
Perhaps from observing and executing countless deaths, she had become numb to it all.
The woman’s arm was torn off, and a large hole was in her chest.
Despite the fatal injuries, she was still barely breathing, a sign of her reaching a supreme level of martial arts.
But even that wouldn’t last much longer.
[Why did you do it?]
The man asked, unable to understand.
In the final moment, the sword strikes were aimed at him.
The woman could have survived, but she took the blow for him.
The man couldn’t understand.
He didn’t want to understand.
He should have been the one lying on the ground.
That was how it was supposed to be from the moment the war began.
The woman had interfered.
That’s what made him angry.
Yes, he was angry. That’s what he thought.
The woman slowly caressed his cheek.
The sound of the rain piling up made him feel disgusted.
[Don’t cry.]
The man tried to push her hand away at her words.
He couldn’t bring himself to do it, even as she grabbed his wrist.
[...Don’t cry.]
The woman kept repeating the same words. What could she be seeing with her eyes already closed, why was she muttering?
Sympathy?
Meaningless camaraderie?
He couldn’t tell.
[...I said I won’t cry.]
[Don’t...cry.]
The woman’s silver-white hair, soaked in rain, was gradually losing its luster.
The moonlight, which had been shining endlessly, unfortunately disappeared at this moment.
[...Is the moon still up...?]
The woman asked.
The man looked up at the sky at her words.
The sky, covered in dark clouds, was only raining.
The woman loved the moon.
She often sat alone on a rock and watched the moon.
The man, despite himself, remembered every detail of her.
[...Yes, it’s still up.]
There was no way the moon could be seen through the dark clouds.
Both the woman and the man knew this.
It was just a meaningless act.
[...Are you here?]
The woman asked.
The man let out a dry laugh at her words.
[You’re touching my cheek, yet you’re asking this?]
The corners of the woman’s mouth seemed to twitch slightly at the man’s words.
Did she laugh? The man thought he must have seen it wrong.
[...Both are here, that’s fortunate.]
What was fortunate?
The man couldn’t ask again.
With those words, the woman’s breath ceased.
Only then did the man slowly let go of her hand.
He couldn’t properly bury her or take her body away.
The woman wouldn’t have wanted that, and the situation didn’t allow it.
[Found you...]
The man slowly stood up at the voice from behind.
Dozens, perhaps hundreds, of martial artists faced him from behind.
They wore blue and white clothes with the character 盟 (Meng) on the lower part.
Among the countless martial artists, a man with a chiseled face at the front pointed his sword.
[You didn’t manage to run far, I see.]
His determination to uphold justice and alliances was evident on his face.
The man had to suppress a shiver at the sight.
[...Ryuseong Sword.]
Ryuseong Sword, Zhang Chengyan, the future of the righteous faction.
He quietly spat out the man’s name.
At the man’s call, Ryuseong Sword’s eyebrows twitched slightly.
The woman beside him shouted.
[How dare you! Don’t speak the Great Master’s name with your dirty mouth!]
He didn’t say anything in response to the shout. The heavy rain felt even heavier.
[...I keep forgetting.]
He wiped his face with his hand, feeling tired.
Yes, he keeps forgetting.
Why he is standing here.
What his role is, he keeps forgetting.
[...Satan will die soon. Surrender peacefully!]
Ryuseong Sword’s words made him laugh bitterly.
He tried to hold it in but couldn’t.
[The Sect Leader? To whom?]
[The Three Respects are now with Satan...]
[Oh, the Three Respects? Leaving it to those old men, you came to catch a mere pawn like me.]
His lips kept curling up despite his efforts to stop them.
Ryuseong Sword’s face became more and more distorted.
The man finally stopped his stifled laughter at the sight.
[Yes, I should...I should do it quickly. If I don’t do it right, you’ll get angry again.]
As the man took a step forward,
Flames erupted from his feet and spread throughout the forest in an instant.
Among the martial artists preparing for battle, the man only had eyes for Ryuseong Sword.
With a blank face, the man met Ryuseong Sword’s gaze and said,
[Disgusting brat.]
At the man’s words, Ryuseong Sword’s lips trembled slightly, but his expression was obscured by the flames.
The flames spread and soon engulfed the entire forest, burning a vast area of about ten miles in less than an hour.
The report to the Martial Arts Alliance stated that the demon had escaped and the only survivor was Ryuseong Sword.
******************
“Sparring.”
I gasped at Namgung Bia’s words.
Occasionally, memories pop up involuntarily, bringing up only unpleasant ones.
Why? Why did this memory suddenly come up, especially now?
I couldn’t bear to meet Namgung Bia’s firm gaze and turned my head slightly.
I was afraid it would make me sensitive.
“...Didn’t you just finish a sparring match?”
I just finished sparring with Youngfeng.
Namgung Bia must have seen that.
Why is she asking for another sparring match right away?
Namgung Bia’s lips slightly protruded at my question.
What a strange expression... It was rare.
In my previous life, it was unimaginable for Namgung Bia to make such an expression.
Each time, I felt a strange emotion as I realized she was different from Majeonhu.
[You keep cursing inside. Calm down, you’re so restless.]
‘Your language is getting worse.’
[Hmph.]
She wanted to spar, but is she displeased because it’s actually her descendant?
Nah, she can’t be that petty...
[...Damn brat.]
‘...Guess so.’
Still, she’s a figure from Huashan.
Even in this era, she harbors such feelings.
[That’s a different matter. The current leader is responsible for the children.]
‘Then what’s bothering you?’
[...Seeing you wield the Plum Blossom Sword like that makes me feel a bit frustrated. I didn’t do that in my time...!]
‘...What are you talking about?’
[These days, they just... Ah... That’s not how you wield the Plum Blossom Sword...]
I decided to ignore her ridiculous words.
I looked at Namgung Bia and said,
“Are you still pouting?”
Are you being unreasonable because you’re upset that I sparred with Youngfeng but not with you?
Perhaps I hit a nerve, as Namgung Bia’s eyes slightly trembled.
“...I’m not pouting.”
Her voice was also slightly trembling.
“You seem to be pouting.”
“No...I’m not.”
“Really?”
But why do you keep avoiding my gaze? Was she always this expressive?
Is it because she’s still young, or is she always like this?
I couldn’t tell.
Namgung Bia, who kept avoiding my gaze, made me curious.
“Miss Namgung.”
“...Yes?”
“Do you like the moon?”
Namgung Bia tilted her head at my sudden question.
It was understandable given how out of the blue it was.
After a moment’s thought, Namgung Bia’s eyes rolled and she answered.
“Not really...?”
I laughed bitterly at her response.
“You didn’t like the moon?”
I thought she said she liked it.
Or did she never say it explicitly?
“...?”
Looking at the puzzled Namgung Bia, I said,
“The sparring... Let’s do it next time.”
“...!”
Namgung Bia’s eyes widened.
Is it that surprising that I suggested doing it next time?
“...Are we sparring?”
“Not if you stop using informal speech.”
“Huh?”
“No...never mind. Do as you please.”
Honestly, I’ve given up a bit.
This feels like something that won’t change no matter what.
I’ve used too much energy already, and my body will get tired soon.
I tried to control it, but it’s a powerful martial art that’s hard to use for long, and it will put a strain on my body.
I’ll probably suffer a bit lying down.
[I hope you get a cramp.]
‘Why do you keep saying things that don’t fit your age? A ghost getting a cramp...’
[Age...!? This brat is disrespectful...!]
The headache kept coming because of the noise.
Holding my throbbing head, Namgung Bia approached slightly.
“What’s wrong?”
“Just a bit of a headache...”
Suddenly, Namgung Bia’s hand touched my cheek.
Maybe because of that, the recent memory overlapped.
“Fever...”
[Don’t cry.]
An unpleasant feeling welled up inside me, and I unconsciously pushed Namgung Bia’s hand away.
“...?”
Namgung Bia looked back and forth between her rejected hand and me.
I had acted too harshly without realizing it.
I cleared my throat and apologized to Namgung Bia.
“Sorry, I was startled.”
[You really can’t handle it.]
Namgung Bia nodded slightly.
It seemed to be a sign that she was okay.
“Then...next time.”
Namgung Bia turned and walked away.
Is it just my imagination, or does she seem a bit more cheerful?
Watching her, Shin No-ya asked,
[You were so reluctant, what’s on your mind?]
‘When did I ever refuse?’
[Even when you said you’d do it with that woman, and even now, you still find it awkward...]
‘I just said it because you seemed so eager to do it.’
[...Alright, if you do it, be more careful this time.]
‘What do you mean?’
[Whether it’s that beast-like martial art or anything else, if you use it, be careful.]
I didn’t understand Shin No-ya’s words. He didn’t seem to be joking.
[You randomly use it, and I have to deal with the aftermath.]
‘...What?’
[What did you eat to harbor such a bizarre thing...? Should an old man suffer for it?]
‘You’re not even in this world, so what are you talking about?’
Shin No-ya let out a scream in response to my answer.
It was more annoying because blocking my ears wouldn’t help.
It was a troublesome conversation, even if it was a joke.
Using it a lot makes it worse...
Shin No-ya’s words were inconvenient from my perspective.
Just when I thought I could move a bit, problems arise?
‘What is it...?’
Is it because of the aura of the demon beast?
Or was there something in my body from the beginning?
I’m also considering the possibility that Shin No-ya is lying, but I can’t be sure.
‘Will I find out if I go to Huashan quickly?’
Going to Huashan doesn’t seem like it will reveal much, but I don’t have any other options right now.
‘Should I look into this later as well?’
There was nothing I could do in the mountains.
I left the matter of Youngfeng to the Huashan Sect and returned to the camp.
I suddenly felt a sense of strangeness upon arrival and realized that Wui Seol-a hadn’t come to greet me.
“...What? Where did she really go?”
It’s not like she’s obligated to come out, but it’s a bit unsettling not to see her, who usually appears quickly.
I stopped a passing servant and asked.
“Seol-a was with Grandfather Wei earlier.”
I was relieved to hear the servant’s words.
If she’s with Jianzun, there’s nothing to worry about.
...Will I be traveling with Namgung Bia from tomorrow?
[...That sounds good. Nice and...]
What should I do? While I was thinking, Shin No-ya’s words popped up.
‘...Shin No-ya, you’re not a Taoist, are you?’
[Brat... How dare you call the ancestor of Taoism a dog.]
No, this guy can’t be the leader of Huashan...
Let alone the Huashan Sword Saint, it’s even worse.
It’s a terrible thing to do to the current Huashan Sect disciples.
[...Do you know I’m listening?]
‘Yes, I know. Don’t worry.’
[Ha, you really are a rotten brat.]
After finishing the sparring match, the night had grown much deeper.
I should go to bed soon, or I’ll be exhausted tomorrow.
I was a bit concerned about Youngfeng, as I might have pushed it a bit too far.
[Too much...? Watching the Plum Blossom Sword burn in front of you and calling it too much...?]
...I think he’ll handle it well.
If he can’t handle this, he won’t be able to overcome the wall.
I wanted to wash up because I was a bit sweaty from moving around, but it was too much trouble, so I decided to just go to bed.
[...Going to bed like this is really dirty.]
I ignored Shin No-ya’s words as usual.
******************
Wui Seol-a was having a rare conversation with Jianzun.
The conversation was mostly Jianzun embellishing his past martial arts journey and telling it like a fable.
Wui Seol-a just found it entertaining.
Just as she was about to fall asleep, Wui Seol-a asked Jianzun,
“Grandfather.”
“Hmm?”
“What’s a fiancĂ©?”
“...Hmm?”
Wui Seol-a’s question made Jianzun’s face contort.
He felt a mix of self-reproach and bewilderment for not teaching her such basic knowledge, despite raising her freely.
He didn’t understand why she was asking this out of the blue, but he thought it was just her curious nature, like when she asked if eagles or hawks tasted better.
Thinking it was another one of those questions, Jianzun answered Wui Seol-a.
“...A fiancĂ©, that is...”
“Hmm...!”
As Wui Seol-a listened to Jianzun’s explanation, her expression grew darker.
Unaware of this, Jianzun continued his explanation.
The next day,
Wui Seol-a didn’t speak to Namgung Bia.