Chapter 120

Sulin thought it was an utterly cowardly tactic.

If you want to catch the heart of your sister-in-law, you should do it boldly, flaunting your charm and building a rapport with sweet gifts of rare treasures.

To resort to cowardly tricks like martial arts, how pathetic.

Especially since Nan-ah had already witnessed Qing’s great power, which could wield a person like a weapon.

Hmph. If you have strength, I have poison.

If only my sister would quickly lose her affection for you.

Whether Nan-ah was concocting some horrendous scheme or not, Qing was enjoying her long-overdue training.

Pang Choryeo was an experienced warrior from the previous generation.

The timing of later generations and the gap between them are quite ambiguous.

Originally, this was due to the distribution of noble families.

Once a later generation settles into their sect, they pass on their position to the next, meaning that the same age group ends up transferring roles among themselves as well.

Thus, the current oldest of the later generation, Chang-bin, was thirty years old (a lover expert, never experienced in love, single), while Pang Choryeo, approaching thirty-seven, was a senior to the previous batch of martial artists.

With the know-how of a senior from the same group, and being at the entry-level of the Supreme Martial Artist, her skills were already superior, making every moment like an extension of the great sword’s way.

Qing’s great sword depicted a full moon.

Pang Choryeo diagonally posed with her sword, one hand supporting the blade as a chilling screech echoed through the air, and sparks flew as the two great swords clashed.

The tip of Qing’s great sword struck the ground.

Pang Choryeo’s sword suddenly changed direction, lunging straight toward Qing, who ended up kneeling and almost kissing the ground with her head.

And now!

Qing twisted the hilt of her sword with all her might, trying for a fearsome overhead strike.

However, that attempt fell short as Pang Choryeo’s kick sent Qing’s body twisting sideways.

“Vulnerability!”

Pang Choryeo’s fist shot out towards Qing’s exposed side.

It was a punch capable of shattering rocks.

Just before impact, the fist extended with fingers out, poking at Qing’s side.

Qing jumped up, producing a half-formed laughter, crumpling like a torn piece of paper.

“Wow. How unexpected, you’ve got a ticklish side.”

“Ah, what am I supposed to do if it tickles?”

“What a surprise! I never saw that coming; you’ve got a surprisingly feminine side.”

“……?”

Qing tilted her head in confusion.

Of course, hearing that she’s feminine would typically startle her, but being told so openly that she wasn’t didn’t sit quite right either.

More pressing was whether my evaluation was oddly favorable.

Why on earth?

As soon as we get a bit closer, does everyone react like this?

Is there something wrong with my attitude?

Qing seriously reflected on herself.

The conclusion came swiftly.

But I’m always truthful and sincere, right?

Seems like that’s just how friendships work in the Central Plain.

Now that I think about it, whether here or there, when people get close, they usually tease each other and laugh together.

“That overhead strike you just attempted? Not a good tactic. Traditionally, every weapon has its timing, so a Great Master focuses on leveraging its strengths. A great sword must flow from above to below to unleash its true power.”

“So wouldn’t it surprise you more…?”

“Well. Since Qing Ah is also skilled in brawling, it would’ve been better to drop the sword or throw dirt instead. You forced the blade’s direction, so your arm was already twisted, and the movement became predictable while your power diminished. You were left vulnerable after that kick; you would’ve been dead, right?”

Unlike Namgung’s master, Pang Choryeo didn’t just pursue the great sword.

In fact, according to her, the great sword was an obsolete weapon.

Putting aside its not-so-portable nature, since it needed both hands, its usability was inferior compared to other shorter weapons, which could easily incorporate martial arts techniques with the free hand.

Its only advantages were its long range and overwhelming destructive power, but as a master’s level increased, they compensated for that with their Qi, making the great sword’s unique benefits gradually fade.

However, when asked why she still chose the great sword, Pang Choryeo’s answer was simple.

“This is the foundation of my family. If you can just swap it out for convenience, it couldn’t be called a foundation.”

Though, considering that, the Pang family didn’t use great swords.

“Typically, we say a sword obeys the way and a sword goes against the heavens, because the techniques of these two weapons differ. The great sword flows downward, avoiding impact, and rises again like water, while merely swinging it around with force isn’t everything.”

“Oh.”

It felt familiar; something suddenly sparked a recollection.

Qing lifted her great sword again.

“Let’s try that again.”

“Sure. Come on.”

Qing flew forward with the Moon Lady’s Step, her sword dropping straight down.

The thick blade, swaying, suddenly collided with Pang Choryeo’s, skyrocketing upward.

At that moment, a fiery sunset-colored blade burst forth, creating four loud strikes of metal as they clashed.

Pang Choryeo leaped back in surprise.

“Whoa. What was that? What style was that just now?”

“Uh, that’s the Moon Lady’s Sword Technique.”

In the later half, there were some tricky sword stances that didn’t work well with the sword, so she tried applying it with a great sword.

“Hmm. The Moon Lady’s Sword Technique, huh? It’s such an ancient style. Back then, the sword and weapon weren’t distinguished; they merely referred to it as ‘the blade.'”

Suddenly, a girl appeared.

She wore a dress dyed a deep blue, her hair falling freely, creating the silhouette of a graceful girl.

As she danced, bearing a sword, what she held was not a sword, but merely a branch.

She looked at Qing, flashed a gentle smile, and started dancing in a layered rhythm.

Eight different sword techniques flowed in sequence, and she danced with such joy, her clear laughter ringing out.

The ‘sword’ she wielded was delicate and slender, seemingly bending with every movement, while simultaneously appearing as a straight bamboo sword or a sturdy trunk adorned with numerous branches.

All were mere branches but varied in shape, size, and weight.

Some were straight and short, others curved and long, some firm, others agilely swaying. Some large, others laden with twigs, some dry and precarious, and some sharpened at the ends…

Then, suddenly, the surroundings dimmed, and the girl became transparent, forming a constellation made of stars connected with lines.

A blinding starry light filled the area.

Still so far away.

But within reach if one just reached out.

Suddenly, a semi-transparent square screen appeared before her. A forebodingly glowing inscription flickered, just as Qing was about to touch it with her finger.

Someone poked her side.

Turning her head, she saw the girl in the blue dress shaking her head.

“Hm?”

“What’s wrong?”

“Oh?”

Qing scanned her surroundings.

The Tang Family’s training field was as it was, but what was it? An apparition?

Qing glanced down at the great sword in her hands.

Then, she scrutinized it closely, swinging it and tapping the blade to hear its sound.

Only then did Qing understand the great sword.

She felt a rush of excitement, wanting to sketch out all the countless lines, points, and shapes that could arise from understanding its length, weight, and balance.

“Let’s try it one more time. I saw something.”

The ensuing duel was more intense than before.

Unlike the one-sided instruction fights of the past, they now matched on equal footing.

Pang Choryeo summarized Qing’s state.

“Congratulations. You’ve stepped into the realm of Divine Sword Merging.”

“Divine Sword Merging?”

“I don’t know why you can’t solidify that insight right now. Generally, someone must first understand themselves and the weapon, treating it like a part of their body before they learn to embed their spirit into the weapon.”

“Oh, I already know that! My master said something similar. That’s the Divine Sword Merging!”

Qing said with a blank expression.

Thanks to that, Pang Choryeo burst into laughter.

About Divine Sword Merging, Seomun Sulin had shown what it meant.

People held swords, but the people became invisible.

Of course, they weren’t truly invisible.

It was like saying Sulin was hiding behind that thin sword or that the sword’s presence was so overwhelming that one couldn’t notice the person wielding it.

Even just watching it caused shivers down one’s spine, making the senses twist into an eerie feeling.

“I don’t really get it, but won’t I understand more if I try again?”

“Oh my, look at you. I didn’t expect that you turned out to be a heavenly martial artist after all?”

“What exactly are you seeing…?”

As Pang Choryeo burst into hearty laughter,

“Sister! Seomun something! Oh dear, look at you sweating. Aren’t you hot?”

With a cheerful voice, Tang Nan-ah trotted into the training ground, carrying a large tray.

“Training is great, but you should have something refreshing too. I’ve prepared some snacks.”

“Oh. Refreshing things. And snacks.”

Qing perked up and plopped down on the floor.

If Sulin had been watching, she would’ve immediately unleashed a volley of criticism, but beside her was Pang Choryeo.

As Pang Choryeo sat next to her, there was no one to point out this dreadful scene.

“Here, this one’s for you, and this one’s for Seomun what’s-her-name.”

As Pang Choryeo neatly set the snacks on the tray, Qing was presented with a haphazard pile of goodies.

“Hey, can we not have differentiation with food?”

“Well, yours has more, you know?”

“I acknowledge the rightful distinction.”

Qing suddenly amended her statement.

The presentation wasn’t crucial.

What mattered was the taste and quantity.

Without delay, Qing lifted a huge bowl.

Crushed ice rattled within, making a pleasant sound as it jangled.

Just as Qing was about to take a sip, she gulped down some saliva.

Tang Nan-ah was staring at Qing intensely.

“What’s wrong, thirsty?”

“No, no, no, what are you talking about? Just drink up. It’s a blend of yuja and honey, right? Sweet, sour, refreshing, and tasty. That’s all there is to it.”

“Oh! Yuja honey tea.”

Qing smiled and downed the yuja honey tea.

Her whole body was still dripping with sweat, and it felt as if it were being absorbed into her very being.

“Ah, this is good.”

Qing set her partially emptied cup down and immediately reached for the snacks.

Just then, Tang Nan-ah, looking expectantly, asked,

“How is it?”

“Huh? It’s delicious! Refreshing!”

“And? Don’t you feel something else?”

Qing tilted her head.

What was it, some secret ingredient?

She paused her snack momentarily, took a big sip of the cold tea, and swirled it with the ice.

Sweet, sour, and something fiery.

“Gulp. Got it! Spicy, right? It’s not as intense as Uncle Chang’s, but I can recognize that flavor!”

“Huh?”

“Oh, wait. Is it cinnamon? That aftertaste feels a bit spicy?”

“Huh?”

With surprise, Tang Nan-ah stared at Qing.

Then, astounded, she turned to Pang Choryeo.

“Ah, Nan-ah, thank you. This tastes nice.”

Pang Choryeo replied, lifting her bowl with a smile.

Tang Nan-ah giggled.

“Hehe, what is it…?”

But then she glanced back at Qing with a look full of suspicion.

She wore an expression reminiscent of a muddled mess, wondering about something suspiciously.

When she was a physician, it looked plausible, but why did she seem to have so many contradictions?

After all, the basic essence should be quite different, shouldn’t it?

“What’s up with you?”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“That’s strange? Give that here.”

Tang Nan-ah snatched Qing’s cold tea and gulped it down.

And moments later.

Suddenly, with a gasp and an agonizing moan, she held her stomach and began to sneeze.

“You tricked me! Ugh, ah! Achoo! Heh, ah, achoo! Hic. Ugh, my stomach! Achoo!”

“What’s going on? Are you okay?”

“My stomach hurts! Ah, achoo! Achoo! Achoo!”

This time, it was three sneezes in a row.

As you might know, continuous sneezing can be quite painful.

As expected, her eyes grew red, tears streamed down, and mucus flowed liberally from her nose.

The acclaim of the best dish from Sichuan faded away as her twisted expression, with tears and snot running, led to sheer awkwardness.

It’s just a human limitation, after all.

“My stomach… Ugh! Ah! Achoo!”

Tang Nan-ah hugged her belly and staggered away uncomfortably.

“What did she eat wrong?”

Qing mumbled as she finished her cold tea.

This was really a well-done drink.

I should definitely ask for another serving.

And thus, amid the already darkening evening, the sounds of sneezing faded away into the distance.

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