Chapter 259

“Why are you swinging that sword?”

Qing questioned.

“Hmm. Isn’t it to survive?”

“That might have been the case when your skills were lacking, but now you’re considered a master disciple. If you only want to survive, you’ve gained enough skill to do so. But then, the sword for survival loses its edge and becomes dull, doesn’t it?”

“Ah.”

Honestly, that was true.

By the time you reach the peak of your skills, you could live comfortably as a local martial artist. Of course, powerful masters keep popping up. But recently, have I really had to worry about survival?

Even when dealing with those Blood Sect guys, I charged in, confident that I was immune to poisons.

Besides, what was I thinking then? If things went south, I could just run away.

With my refreshment techniques, I could easily claim to be among the best in the world, so running away was a confidence boost for me.

In the first place, I didn’t really worry about myself. I was just concerned about minor nuisances like the Ronin or Mo Yong Joo-hee.

So, is that why? Because I can get by comfortably?

“I really don’t know.”

Then Seomun Sulin gently ruffled Qing’s hair and replied.

“The sword in your heart can change at any moment. It’s not a law that you must stick to just because you’ve decided on it once. And since there is no absolute right answer, it’s your decision. So go ahead and ponder freely without worries.”

“Hmm.”

For Qing, martial arts were just convenient tools.

Honestly, I still couldn’t fully grasp it, or rather, I couldn’t believe it. It felt like I couldn’t feel the reality of it.

What exactly is inner strength? It’s this all-encompassing resource that acts on any part of the body, gained by concentrating the mind and breathing in the energy of the universe.

In my hometown, there’s no such superhuman ability.

If there were, systematic education and management would have established it as a basic subject, leading to the martialization of the entire population, creating a billion absolute masters. I mean, what would even happen with that?

They’d be powerless under heat weapons anyway.

If a billion masters could master thermal energy, we might be able to boil water to turn turbines. How eco-friendly, right?

Or a billion masters could master ice techniques to combat global warming. Also eco-friendly.

So, if inner strength existed in that modern world, the Earth probably wouldn’t be in such pain, would it?

Isn’t there something off about this conclusion…

As Qing’s serious ponderings spiraled into foolish delusions, Seomun Sulin let out a deep sigh as if she could see a cloud of question marks swirling around Qing’s “that expression.”

“Hah. You’re hopeless. Why can’t you focus?”

But really, it wasn’t a lack of focus; it was more accurate to say I was unconsciously avoiding it.

My mind was instinctively blocking thoughts that could lead to a doubt about the world.

So, dangerous thoughts would veer off course, like sailing a boat into a high mountain or casting into the vast space of the stars.

“Hmm. I don’t know.”

Qing’s shoulders slumped.

Seomun Sulin once again lovingly ruffled his hair with more strength.

“You know, it’s usually harder to find sincerity within yourself than to seek external things. Hm. So rather, no. It shouldn’t be that way.”

“Ah! Master, if you cut off like that, I’m going to lose sleep trying to satisfy my curiosity!”

Seomun Sulin snorted with amusement.

“Then don’t sleep and just practice. That’s actually a good thing.”

—-

Mo Yong Joo-hee’s reason for having her head buried between her legs in the Muchen Pavilion training hall was surprisingly simple.

She just wanted to sleep.

As a woman, she couldn’t just lay out in broad daylight, so she sought a position conducive to a nap.

The reason she needed to sleep so badly was even simpler.

She couldn’t sleep at night.

When left alone in the dark, anxiety gripped her, and rather than sleep, she often found herself crawling under the bed to hide and stifle her own breath.

Only when the painfully long night passed, the day broke, and sounds of people nearby reached her ears could she finally relax.

Among those voices, there was one that brought her particular comfort.

“It’s okay. Young Lady Mo Yong hasn’t done anything wrong. Things will get better. It hurts a lot right now, but I believe it will be alright.”

The sweet whispers in her ears made it feel like things would truly turn out that way. It felt like the truth.

That’s why she went outside to sleep.

But now, that time was over.

Stupid girl. She said she wouldn’t throw it away…

Still, Mo Yong Joo-hee agreed with Qing’s words. Whenever she thought of Qing, painful memories resurfaced.

Unknowingly, hatred and injustice came pouring out.

Yeah. Maybe it’s not surprising to be cast aside.

Who would want someone like me?

But I can endure. I must endure.

Because I have a home to go back to. For the clan’s sake.

What should I do? Should I tell my family?

Honestly, I wish I could pour it all out and just receive comfort in the warm embrace of my family.

But that too is terrifying and shameful.

The fact that the daughter of the mighty family was kidnapped by the Blood Sect would bring substantial shame to the clan.

Especially since she foolishly fled alone and got captured.

More than anything, I didn’t want to trouble the clan for my own pain.

Like when Mom was sick, I didn’t want to burden them.

Just let it fade away. With time, everything will be fine.

Just like they said, it’ll be fine, it’ll get better.

The guest hall allotted to the Mo Yong Clan looked just like any other day.

“Ah, Young Lady! You’ve returned!”

“Yes. Uh, how about Father? And Joon?”

“The head is inside, and the Young Master went out to play. He can never sit still, can he?”

“Well…”

Mo Yong Joo-hee trailed off.

She didn’t expect a grand welcome, but the casual demeanor as if nothing had happened made her heart ache.

I was in so much pain, yet everyone else seemed oblivious, just moving on as if nothing had happened.

Mo Yong Seong-ik was the same.

“What’s up, daughter? You said you were going home? Why are you back?”

“Well…”

Mo Yong Joo-hee couldn’t continue.

Her throat felt hot, and she felt on the verge of tears.

This can’t happen. I can’t let this happen.

I need to speak up. If I don’t, I can’t hold on any longer. It’s too painful to brush it aside. I just want some comfort.

Gathering her courage, Mo Yong Joo-hee was about to speak up.

But then…

“Going out is fine, but don’t drop your guard. The Blood Sect’s scoundrels seem to be stirring, so even though I know our daughter is skilled, you must be careful.”

Mo Yong Joo-hee’s heart sank.

“Blood Sect, Blood Sect…?”

“Just keep this to yourself. The Blood Sect has set up shop properly in Gaebong District. Even the Martial Alliance has three scoundrels addicted to solitude coming out.”

Among the Martial Alliance warriors, two had suffered losses in their families. Even the Gaebong District officials were mourning five losses, and shockwaves rippled through the military command as well.

This was due to the demise of the Blood Sect’s master, causing all his underlings to self-destruct simultaneously.

“Fortunately, we stopped them early; otherwise, how tragic would it have been? Can you imagine, a military commander being one of the Blood Sect’s lackeys? Thirty thousand soldiers could have easily fallen under their control. But then again, the Martial Alliance can’t throw stones when they live in a glass house either, with their own higher-ups being in a mess.”

Mo Yong Joo-hee’s eyes trembled.

She had promised not to say anything.

That it would all be kept a secret.

“How did you find out? Who told you?”

“The deputy commander went to gather information himself. I mean, that’s probably not it. But the commanding general must have informed him of the situation.”

Mo Yong Joo-hee sighed in relief.

It seemed Qing didn’t betray her or abandon her entirely. It appeared he hadn’t broken his promise to keep it a secret.

Deputy commander, Hyunhwa?

Then what about my story?

Did they find out that I got captured?

“Don’t go spreading it around. If others find out, it’ll lead to being a laughingstock. Hah. I’m embarrassed just thinking about it.”

From Mo Yong Seong-ik’s attitude, it seemed they didn’t know about him.

Maybe that’s a good thing.

I could casually admit I got captured.

But then, Mo Yong Seong-ik’s lamentations silenced her.

“The Martial Alliance is in utter chaos. They’re busy trying to figure out just how much information leaked.”

“That’s…”

“They are saying there’s someone who knows about Jin-Joo. One of the Blood Sect’s lackeys wiped out a powerful family. Not only that, but they reportedly turned that entire family into Jiangshi, which is worse than death.”

Mo Yong Joo-hee’s face lost color.

Thank goodness she was sitting; had she been standing, she would have collapsed.

But her spirit had already been crushed.

“Daughter? What’s wrong?”

“N-no. But still. Those people being captured by the Blood Sect, it wasn’t their fault, right? They probably didn’t expect to be captured.”

“A true warrior should have fought to the death, don’t you think? If a warrior gets captured, that’s already shameful beyond belief. If they knew about the Blood Sect’s tricks, they should have risked their lives to take a few down, even in mutual destruction, or at least inform the Alliance. They must have begged for their lives, huh. Hah. What a bunch of trash.”

“Ugh.”

“Daughter?”

Eventually, unable to hold back her churning insides, Mo Yong Joo-hee let it all out.

“Why? Why is this happening? Are you in pain? Get a physician, someone from the Tang Family, no, just hold on. I’ll call someone immediately—”

“No! No, it’s not that!”

Mo Yong Joo-hee cried out in a near-scream.

The Tang Family can’t be involved. Not the Tang Family…

“I just ate something that didn’t agree with me, so I was forcing myself to eat it down. Now, I’m feeling a bit better.”

“You idiot! Were you trying to force that down to make yourself feel better?”

“I-I was just—heh, heh…”

Mo Yong Joo-hee forced a smile.

Mo Yong Seong-ik, unable to erase his worried expression, sternly advised.

“If you feel any pain, don’t hide it. If I see you in the same state as your mother, I’ll really be off to the other side myself. Got it? Daughter?”

“Of course!”

Mo Yong Joo-hee desperately tried to smile, swallowing her inner screams.

—-

As the Martial World Tournament wrapped up its major events one by one, the finals of the Dream Dragon Martial Arts Conference were set to be the grand finale.

They said there were numerous unexpected events during this Dream Dragon Conference.

However, people’s opinions were different when coming into versus going out—now, everyone seemed to have completely forgotten the past.

Through a match that anyone watching could agree was a fair contest, Qing triumphed over Wolbong, showcasing his beauty in the process. What’s more, during the introductions afterward, it was revealed he was a disciple of the best female martial artist.

Then, those who had previously whispered about his looks now nodded solemnly, agreeing about his capabilities.

It turned out he was naturally graceful from the beginning. And at such a young age to possess such elegance! He was exactly the kind of disciple one would expect from the best female martial artist.

Ha! Those who had opposed him are now acting all high and mighty.

What’s going on? What’s this guy…!

For some unknown reason, after the semi-finals, fights—both verbal and physical—break out ever so frequently in Gaebong.

And it wasn’t only physical brawls; arguments were rampant too.

In every restaurant, tavern, food stall, and teahouse in Gaebong, people raised their voices, their faces flushed in heated debate.

Typically, when such trends arise, it’s because there’s an interesting topic everyone is eager to discuss, leading to a situation where everyone wants to voice their opinions.

And in every gathering place, the loud discussion was about this:

What would be an appropriate title for the disciple of the best female martial artist, Seomun Qing?

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