After panting for a while, Yeongpung finally managed to speak.
The ground around Yeongpung was completely dug up and in a mess, with broken wooden swords piled up on one side.
His inner strength had long been depleted, and he no longer had the strength to even hold a sword.
They had repeated the sparring from morning until dusk, so it was no wonder.
"You have worked hard."
Yeongpung looked at the owner of the voice.
"…Strong."
That was his only thought.
Wasn't his name Wuyan? The young man who was serving as Ou Yangqian's bodyguard was truly impressive.
With the Flower Festival approaching, Yeongpung, who was intensifying his sparring, was glad to have a strong swordsman like him to practice with.
But I didn't expect him to be this good….
At that moment, Yeongpung thought of Nangong Bei.
He could feel his cheeks turning red.
It was a shameful memory.
It was the reason he ended up sparring with Ou Yangqian, and in a way, it was a memory of enlightenment that helped him regain his composure.
But he couldn't help but think of his immature self.
"Seems similar… but it's a completely different feeling."
He knew that Nangong Bei was a direct descendant of the Nangong family, one of the Four Great Clans, but whether it was her personality or her family background, she didn't hesitate to practice her family's martial arts even in front of an audience.
As if to say, "If you want to watch, go ahead," she performed a beautiful sword dance.
The restrained sword movements contained various benevolent techniques (1111 Road).
She had a versatile and well-polished sword style, which, to put it negatively, was a mixed bag of techniques.
However, with her flexible body and talent, the mixed techniques became more of an advantage.
At least, that's how it looked to Yeongpung.
Still, if we fought, I would lose.
'This person…'
Wuyan was the opposite.
Clean and skilled, his fundamentals were solid.
He was a perfect example of a typical swordsman.
Yeongpung quickly analyzed the reason for his defeat.
Wuyan's sword focused solely on the basics, not relying on special changes in sword movements or superior senses.
The reason for Yeongpung's defeat was simply that Wuyan's sword was faster and heavier.
Sighing at the clear and undeniable reason, Yeongpung thought, 'The world outside the well has no end.'
Seeing Ou Yangqian, his arrogance in talent was shattered, and seeing Nangong Bei, he felt ashamed and realized his shortcomings.
And now, seeing Wuyan, he felt the futility of it all.
'There's no time to build confidence.'
Yeongpung felt the name "sword dragon" that was attached to him becoming heavier.
Wuyan calmly extended his hand to Yeongpung.
"Thank you. I learned a lot from you."
"…No, I should be the one to thank you. You spent the whole day with me."
Taking Wuyan's hand, Yeongpung stood up.
His body was covered in dirt, but a quick shake was enough to clean it off.
Wuyan looked at Yeongpung and said, "We've been outside for too long. I think it's time to go back. Is the master planning to stay longer?"
"Yes, I think I'll stay a bit longer."
To calm his restless heart, there was nothing but practice.
At least, that was the only method Yeongpung knew.
Wuyan nodded at Yeongpung's words.
After finishing the cleanup, he started down the mountain path to return to the lodging.
While walking and feeling the cool breeze, Wuyan's expression remained stern.
It seemed to be the first time he had spent the whole day sparring without focusing on his bodyguard duties.
'What was the meaning of this?'
Like Yeongpung, Wuyan also had a sense of suffocation that he couldn't hide.
Although it was a deviation from his usual routine, Wuyan only felt a deep sense of guilt for neglecting his duties.
"Since I'm not doing my job as a bodyguard properly…"
His words, carried by the wind, were filled with self-reproach.
How many times had Ou Yangqian been in danger?
Perhaps because he felt safe after joining the prestigious Huashan Sect, Ou Yangqian had faced a crisis, fighting against a peak-level martial artist.
What was I doing at that time?
What excuse could I come up with? I couldn't think of any.
I was complacent.
And I was the bodyguard.
'Incompetent.'
Of course, Ou Yangqian had his own ways of avoiding trouble, and his talent was gradually reaching a level where he no longer needed a bodyguard.
But that was a futile thought.
I am a sword and a shield.
Ou Yangqian should not be hurt, except when I die. It wasn't about passion for the family or loyalty to Ou Yangqian.
It was a matter of responsibility and the essence of my character.
A martial artist is finished the moment they lose themselves.
This was a famous saying left by the Sword Sage, one of the Three Respects of the World, whom Wuyan admired.
Ou Yangqian was getting stronger every day.
When I first met him, he was clearly not even a second-rate martial artist.
Now, Ou Yangqian is a first-rate martial artist, and he will soon reach the peak level.
This growth was achieved in less than a year.
What about me?
How many years have I been here without reaching the peak? Wuyan had always thought that he wasn't in a position to be impatient.
Time was still on his side, and with consistent effort, he would eventually reach the peak.
'…But when exactly?'
Incompetent.
Am I really that incompetent?
What's the point of training a sword if I can't protect?
Where is my sword heading?
Wuyan didn't know. It felt like he had lost the path he had just found.
What did I gain from the sparring sessions I've had recently?
'I realized what potential is.'
Unlike myself, I could glimpse what these endlessly shining people possess.
Just thinking about Yeongpung, for example.
His growth was visible during just one day of sparring.
By the end, Yeongpung had started to catch all of Wuyan's sword movements that he had missed ten times out of five.
The gaps in Yeongpung's movements that Wuyan could see were gradually disappearing until they were almost invisible.
Yeongpung looked regretful, but Wuyan had to hide his surprise at such progress.
Yeongpung will eventually reach Wuyan's level and might surpass him soon.
Wuyan was confident that the time was not far off.
'And when that time comes, will I still be in the same place?'
Self-reproach and inferiority.
I can feel how thick the wall in front of me is.
...
...
......
"Is this also a demon?.."
He had stopped walking without realizing it.
The wind seemed to be pushing him to return to the lodging, but his feet felt glued to the ground.
'Just like this…'
Just for a moment, just a short moment, to rest.
It felt like something inside was twisting and becoming tangled.
I'll rest for a moment and then return to the lodging, and continue working as if nothing happened.
Wuyan made a resolve.
While standing there, something caught his ear.
-Whoosh!
-Swish!
"Hmm?"
It was definitely not the sound of the wind.
It was a sound that Wuyan, as a swordsman, was very familiar with.
His feet, which had been glued to the ground, naturally lifted.
Without realizing it, he was moving in the direction of the sound.
-Swish! Whoosh!
Pushing through the bushes and moving a bit, he saw someone swinging a sword on a flat area.
'…Why?'
He was surprised because the person practicing was someone Wuyan knew.
"Attendant Wei…?"
It was Wei Xueya.
Ou Yangqian's personal attendant, a girl with a pretty face who was adored by all the servants under Ou Yangqian.
Such a girl was swinging a sword in the middle of the mountain, where no one seemed to be around.
'Why is she doing this?'
Whoosh, swish, whoosh!
Her movements were clumsy and awkward, as if she had never formally learned swordsmanship.
But there was a strange strength in them.
'Is she trying to exercise?'
That was the only thing Wuyan could think of when he saw what Wei Xueya was doing.
Whoosh...
Suddenly, Wei Xueya stopped swinging her sword and tilted her head.
"Is this not right?"
"Hmm…?"
Was she talking to herself? Wuyan had seen her innocent and unique personality before, so he thought it might be the same this time.
"It's difficult… but this seems right."
As she pouted, Wuyan, watching her movements, took a deep breath.
From top to bottom.
A single, clean downward slash was perfect, even to Wuyan's eyes.
It was different from the clumsy movements she had shown before.
'What is this…?'
Did I see it wrong? Despite clearly seeing it, he still had doubts.
"Why is this more beautiful and comfortable? Why do I have to do it differently?"
Wuyan checked to see if anyone was around, but there was no sign of anyone.
"…I'll go to Grandfather… No, I won't go to Grandfather, he's bad."
She frowned slightly, as if pouting.
As she slowly continued her movements, Wuyan was even more shocked.
How could she be so clean? It was just a simple movement.
Just a downward slash, just a light swing.
But something was different.
How can she do this? While Wuyan was shocked, Wei Xueya quickly stopped her sword.
"I understand… I won't do it."
As if she had been scolded, Wei Xueya's movements returned to the clumsy ones Wuyan had first seen.
Unable to just watch, Wuyan finally stepped forward.
"I couldn't just stand there and watch."
"Attendant Wei…?"
"Ah! It's Wuyan-oppa!"
She waved her hand happily, just as Wuyan remembered her.
"What are you doing here…?"
In response to Wuyan's question, Wei Xueya smiled confidently and said, "I'm learning swordsmanship!"
"From… who?"
"Well… Uncle…"
Wei Xueya, who was about to answer casually, suddenly paused. Her eyes darted around as if she was surprised.
"…I'm practicing by myself."
She quickly changed her answer.
No matter how he checked, Wei Xueya was alone. She didn't seem to be lying. She looked at Wuyan and asked,
"Is Wuyan-oppa going back now? Young Master was looking for you earlier."
"Ah…!"
Oh no…
The mistake of being absent-minded had already caught up with him.
Wuyan tried to hide his true feelings and smiled at Wei Xueya.
"I was too focused on training today. I'll apologize to Young Master."
"Hmm? No, Young Master said, 'Wuyan will do well on his own,' and didn't say anything else!"
She tilted her eyes, mimicking Young Master, which was cute.
Wuyan, without realizing it, reached out to pat her head but quickly stopped.
Wei Xueya was friendly to everyone but had a line she wouldn't cross with anyone.
She especially disliked being patted or touched.
Only Wei Luoya and Ou Yangqian were allowed to do that, so Wuyan lowered his hand.
Just as the atmosphere was about to become awkward, Wei Xueya asked again,
"Are you going back now, oppa?"
Wuyan nodded.
"Yes, I've rested enough, and I need to go back."
Wuyan looked at the small wooden sword Wei Xueya was holding and carefully asked,
"Attendant Wei…"
"Yes?"
"Why are you suddenly practicing swordsmanship?"
Wei Xueya blinked at Wuyan's question, as if thinking about her answer.
The wait wasn't long. Wei Xueya quickly said, as if it was no big deal,
"Young Master gets hurt every day. Someone must be bullying him."
From small scratches to the recent serious incident, Wei Xueya felt a pain in her heart every time Ou Yangqian was hurt.
Even though she wasn't the one in pain.
Wei Xueya hated that feeling.
She hated it more than being hurt herself, to see Ou Yangqian in pain.
"So I want to protect him."
Wuyan was speechless at her innocent smile.
It was a well-known fact among the servants that Wei Xueya was particularly devoted to and fond of Ou Yangqian.
It was obvious, and Wuyan understood it as a matter of what she could and couldn't do.
Of course, the movements he had just seen from Wei Xueya were surprisingly advanced.
'She's just an attendant, after all.'
The thought that slipped into his mind made Wuyan clench his teeth.
He realized he had unconsciously looked down on and belittled Wei Xueya.
Wei Xueya, unaware of Wuyan's thoughts, just smiled.
Then she said cheerfully,
"I'm going back too! Young Master will be waiting."
She gathered her wooden sword and started to walk away.
Wuyan watched her back.
'How despicable, Wuyan, to think that others can't do what I can't do.'
Even though he knew Wei Xueya's feelings were genuine, he had harbored bad thoughts.
'Snap out of it. There's still a long way to go.'
He couldn't afford to break down here. He needed to pull himself together.
Sigh…
He let out a deep sigh, letting go of his narrow-minded thoughts.
Suddenly, Wei Xueya, who had been walking briskly, stopped and came back to Wuyan.
"Attendant Wei…?"
Wuyan took a step back without realizing it.
Wei Xueya, who had been smiling, now had a serious expression.
"That's enough."
"Excuse me?"
Her voice was much lower than usual. What's going on?
Ignoring Wuyan's reaction, Wei Xueya continued,
"At least you seem to know what you need to do, so I don't need to say more."
Her small, white hand touched Wuyan's chest.
Wuyan tried to move but froze, perhaps startled by the unusual atmosphere.
Wei Xueya, without looking at Wuyan, continued, looking at his chest,
"Don't be too rigid. Sometimes you need to break the mold."
Thump—
Pushed by Wei Xueya's hand, Wuyan took a step back.
A shock started from his chest and spread throughout his body.
"Huh…!"
An ambush…? He couldn't help but think that.
Why would Attendant Wei do this? Confused, Wuyan tried to gather his energy, but the shock was fleeting.
He quickly felt a sense of emptiness and rubbed his chest urgently.
"What…!"
He was about to ask what she was trying to do, but Wei Xueya had already returned to her