“Moon Blossom! Moon Blossom!”
“Heavenly Flower! Heavenly Flower!”
The thunderous cheers echoed throughout Mount Wudang, stirring up excitement.
These were cries of jubilation, blessing, admiration, and exhilaration.
“Ho ho.”
It wasn’t just the spectators who were feeling these emotions.
“Perhaps the next generation of the martial world will overflow with prosperity.”
Heavenly Lord muttered to himself with anticipation.
However, his gaze wasn’t on his own disciple and winner, Heavenly Flower, but on Jade Flower of the Taewon Jin Clan who was being carried away on a stretcher.
Though should call her Moon Blossom now.
“Tsk.”
On the other hand, there were those who expressed regret quite differently.
“The Taiyuan children have such great tenacity, but what about you?”
“…”
Grand Master Dokgo Gupae of the Mount Hua Sect glared irritably at the bowed head of White Flower.
“I’ll be watching you carefully tomorrow. If you show the same disappointing performance… prepare yourself.”
“…Yes.”
“Pathetic. It’s unworthy of the name Plum Swordswoman.”
Having heard about White Flower’s disgraceful conduct from Heavenly Lord, Grand Master’s eyes were piercing as he looked at her.
Though White Flower only knew him as the usual fearsome Grand Master.
“Calm down, everyone. While even I am impressed by the duel that just took place, things are getting a bit too heated.”
Heavenly Lord tried to bring down the enthusiastic atmosphere.
As a matter of fact, since the first round of the Seven Flowers Competition had concluded, he was merely wrapping things up.
“As you all know, the preliminary round of the Seven Flowers Competition has ended. But the secondary round awaits us on the next two days.”
The secondary round of the Seven Flowers Competition.
Since the seven flowers were divided into four and three during the preliminary round, now was the time to determine each participant’s rank.
The winners would compete against each other for the 1st to 4th ranking.
The losers would compete against each other for the 5th to 7th ranking.
Of course, without proper rest and continuing the matches would prevent the fighters from unleashing their full potential, but that is also part of the charm of the Seven Flowers Competition.
What if a contender favored to win the championship is knocked down by the match-ups and someone unexpected takes their place? Could such a development not be interesting?
Among the various gambling schemes secretly conducted at the Black Shop, the Seven Flowers Competition’s ranking bets involve the most money.
“Alright, everyone return to your quarters. White Flower, Snow Flower, and Sword… Moon Blossom, please rest and recover as much as possible. If you need any herbs, potions, or medical supplies, don’t hesitate to ask as the sect will provide as much assistance as possible.”
Thus, the first day of the Seven Flowers Competition, eventful in every way, came to an end.
At that time, no one knew.
That the smooth-sailing Seven Flowers Competition would later be known as the “Worst Seven Flowers Competition” in history.
“Aiya… Uncle! Be more gentle! Be more gentle with me!”
Jinyoung let out a whiny groan.
Slap!
“Kyaaa! It hurts, I’m telling you! Why are you hitting me?!”
“It’s because you’re exaggerating your pain too much.”
Seeing her dramatic reaction after slapping her on the back seemed quite adorable.
Since the day I decided to change my attitude, strange habits seem to keep developing, making me somewhat worried.
“What, what exaggeration? I’m really in pain, I swear! I don’t want you wrapping my bandages!”
“That’s what I thought. There was some sincerity in your words just now. Haha.”
– You moron, didn’t you see the tears in her eyes? That wasn’t exaggeration.
“…”
After hearing Jinyoung’s words, I quickly checked her expression and saw she actually had tears welling up.
Ah, I may have gone too far.
“I apologize.”
“It’s fine. In fact… I feel like you’re treating me more casually than before, and I like it.”
“Is that so?”
“Of course! I didn’t mean for you to hit me again! But what I mean to say is… Kyaaa!”
I finished wrapping the bandage around Jinyoung’s wounded arm.
Though her words were interrupted, this was more important at the moment.
Because while wrapping her bandage, I need to send my energy into her body to discover the secret.
Why is her innate energy deficient?
How can she still be alive with such a lack of innate energy?
– By the way, now I understand why you didn’t know about Jinyoung’s deficiency in innate energy.
“Hmm, I see. Inserting energy through the meridians shows no signs. It’s similar to when I gave energy to young miss after her spar with So So Namgung. How did you know, master?”
– Am I not like a ghost? A soul that remains after death, if I couldn’t penetrate something as simple as innate energy, it would be strange.
“I suppose it shouldn’t be surprising that I couldn’t discover it. Her physical state is no different from an average person. If pushed too hard during the competition like before, her fragile state may reappear.”
– Hmm… Do you have any inkling?
“There is one idea, though I can’t be certain easily.”
While discussing Young’s constitution with Master Jinyong, Jinyoung, who had quietly finished wrapping the bandages herself, spoke up.
“Uncle… but the place where I was hit hurts so much…”
She turned around as if showing me her white back.
“Can you help me… please?”
“I’m sorry, not appropriate.”
“Hnng…”
“Please hurry and rest. You have another match tomorrow and need to recover as much as possible.”
“Alright… Always a stickler…”
Jinyoung puffed her cheeks and walked towards her sleeping quarters.
As soon as she left, Master Jinu Yong asked me a question immediately.
– Do you suspect anything? What is it?
“A person who uses innate energy like internal power. Isn’t there only one such person?”
– …Ah! You mean your younger sister!
“She’s not a younger sister anymore but… you know. About Namgung So So.”
– I remember now. She was strange, always using her innate energy without consequence, right?
“Yes, and I was always worried. Even So So Namgung herself seemed fine at all times.”
– That does seem similar indeed. Nevertheless, be cautious. One should never overlook innate energy. Once it’s lost, it cannot be easily replenished.
“There’s a method. There’s a miraculous elixir I learned about when I was concerned about Namgung So So. Its effects are so powerful it’s said to give new life. Known as the exceedingly rare Esheng Pill. Even the emperor who bathes in Qingstone oil struggles to obtain it. The problem is I don’t know its current location, but it should be locatable through the Haro Gate. If that fails, the Kai House is another option.”
– So you’ve actually had plans from the start, son-in-law?
“If I couldn’t even think of this much, it would mean I wasted my second chance.”
Once the Seven Flowers Competition concludes, I’ll need to act promptly.
The tasks keep piling up.
Of course, from my perspective, it’s a good thing.
Since I’ve never had a break in my entire life, having no plans and just resting makes me rather uneasy.
– By the way, has Yu Hwa not come despite the nightfall? Didn’t I clearly send her a private message telling her to visit tonight?
“She lacks the audacity. She’s probably scared to face me, frozen in fear before she can even take a step.”
– Hah, so you’re toying with her psychology, having shared meals at the same table?
“She will come sooner or later. Her belief and sense of justice are more important to her than her life. Though she’ll hesitate, she’ll eventually come, likely not tonight though.”
– Interesting, very interesting. Now the gears in your mind are finally turning. I worried about your old personality coming back but see, it has advantages after all.
“Yes.”
Even though he was talking about bloodshed recently, it seems he hasn’t shaken off his worries yet.
That makes me internally sigh. It implies he saw me as a beginner who couldn’t control my emotions.
The nightmare I had a few days ago was merely a dream, and I’ve firmly reminded myself of that.
– Hey, someone who reads others’ minds, why can’t you understand a woman’s heart?
“What nonsense are you saying?”
– Never mind. Tsk tsk, go to sleep already. Don’t you love sleep as much as a chicken leg?
“…”
Though I feel uneasy about something, it’s late, so I headed to my sleeping quarters.
It was the day the Blood Cult surrounded the Namgung family.
Namgung Sua trembled as she laid in my arms.
She looked so pitiful.
“A-Apa…”
“Sua.”
The Namgung estate was in complete chaos, burning in a way that was unrecognizable.
Except for Sua and me, all the Namgungs had met a tragic end.
As the final moment approached, I prepared to rewind time once again.
At that moment, Namgung Sua’s trembling voice broke the silence.
“I-I’m scared… it’s too scary…”
She pressed her head further into my chest.
“…”
“I don’t want to die… I want to live…”
As my daughter sobbed, accepting death against her will, I wanted nothing more than to comfort and console her.
…
That’s all I wanted.
“In fact, I told her.”
Though everything would disappear after I rewound time, I wanted to provide comfort to my sobbing daughter in front of me at that moment.
“Sua.”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“You mustn’t be surprised by what I’m about to say.”
“Why? Why are you like this…? Why are you smiling, Papa…?”
I wanted to console her. I wanted to soothe her.
…
That was all.
“Actually, Papa has… the ability to rewind time.”
“Eh?”
“I’ve used it until now and will continue to use it until I can rescue our Sua.”
The intense heat, the screams of tearing flesh, the bloodcurdling cheers of the Blood Cult.
Despite all this, as if I were in an entirely different world, I slowly planted the seed of hope in Sua.
“Papa? What kind of nonsense are you talking about…? Don’t say such strange things… Everyone’s gone mad, but why, Papa…?”
“I’m perfectly fine. I have to stay strong because I need to save our Sua.”
I just wanted to comfort her, even if I rewound time later.
“Is it… really true? Can Papa really rewind time…?”
“Then, why are you shaking? I’ll definitely save you.”
“Hic, hic hic…”
“It won’t take long. Soon, very soon, I’ll save you. Can you wait just a little longer? Can you be brave? Our Sua is brave.”
Then, I didn’t know.
That rewinding wouldn’t take long.
Until I realized it would take ten thousand years.
Though it would seem like just a few years for Namgung Sua.
“Then… ”
“Hmm?”
“What about you, Papa?”
“Why do you ask?”
“What about you, Papa? If you just rewind time… won’t it be too hard for you?”
“It’s fine. If I can save our Sua, Papa will do anything. It’s because it’s my sacred duty.”
“Hic, hic hic…”
It was then I didn’t realize.
“Hic, hic hic!”
That the ability granted by heaven should not be divulged carelessly.
Though the act of telling itself isn’t necessarily bad, if someone lacks the strength to withstand knowing heaven’s will, it weakens both body and mind, leading to death eventually.
“Crrrkk! Crrk! Crrkk!”
“Sua! Sua! Sua!”
Suddenly, blood started flowing from all seven orifices of Namgung Sua’s body.
Panic-stricken, I grabbed her as she started to collapse and repeatedly called her name, but it made no difference.
“Sua! Sua!! Namgung Sua!!! Snap out of it!!”
“Grkrl… Papa…”
“Why is this happening? Sua!! Snap out of it!! Hey!! Namgung Sua!!”
Once again, I rewound that day’s timeline, and Namgung Sua’s death became nonexistent.
But no matter how many times I rewound time, the memories of that day stayed vivid in my memory.
Because my damn mouth had killed my daughter in that memory, it was something I couldn’t forget even if I tried.
Forgetting, after all, is much harder than remembering.
That was when it started.
A lonely regression life where I couldn’t confide in anyone, not even in my deepest moments.
Snap!
“Huuuuugggh!”
– What, what is it! Why are you yelling all of a sudden?
“Phewh, phewh…!”
My blurred vision immediately cleared as I focused my eyes.
It was dark around me. The neighboring bed carried Jin Gayoung’s deep asleep breaths.
“Ah…”
It must have been seeing Sua after a long time. My old reminiscences must have resurfaced.
Now she only exists in my memories, a figment of memory if you would.
– What have you seen a dream about? Why are you keeping me up like this even in my spirit form?
“I apologize.”
– Never mind, tell me what dream you had. Why are you still having nightmares even at this advanced stage? Are you in the Heaven Beyond Heavens physically but mentally in the Asura Hell?
“About Namgung Su-a.”
– Namgung Su-a? Your child? I thought you didn’t care much about her, but does she still trouble your mind after seeing her today?
“I have no control over it. You should know well enough what Namgung Su-a means to me by now.”
– Yes, I know. She was the child you cherished more than anything.
“Then there’s nothing more to explain.”
Saying that, I rested my head back on the pillow.
I felt uncomfortable from the damp sensation against my neck, but I didn’t bother getting up about it.
– Let me ask you one thing.
“What is it now? Let me sleep.”
– To you now, who is Namgung Su-a?
“Stranger.”
– Don’t utter nonsense. Is family something that can be easily severed? And what happens to your past life which you dedicated to this girl if your family ties are severed?
“…”
In truth, as he said, Namgung Su-a and I are not mere strangers.
“An estranged stranger.”
– You say estranged, do you?
“Because despite everything I’ve sacrificed for her, she didn’t trust me. That’s something I resent her for. That’s all.”
“Um…”
Namgung Su-a was asleep in her usual posture already.
It had become habitual for her to sleep with her head nestled between the ample bosom of Yu So-eun.
Even though doing so slightly hindered her breathing, it brought back memories of the good old days when she would snuggle into Namgung Cheol-bin’s chest, so she couldn’t stop doing it despite wanting to.
“Uh…”
In her dreams, she was facing a horrifying scene.
The very vision of Hell that Jin Woo-yong had witnessed when he entered Namgung Cheol-bin’s mind was unfolding before her.
Boom-boom-boom!
There were countless ghosts present in this Hell.
Among them were various evil spirits and people who had committed grave sins while alive.
All of them had heavy shackles attached to their ankles, and while sweating profusely, they were carrying massive rocks on their heads.
Among them was Namgung Cheol-bin, a handsome man with white hair and clear eyes.
“No, it’s not true…”
Splish…
A small tear gathered in the corner of Namgung Su-a’s eyes in reality.
Yu So-eun, who was awake because of Namgung Su-a’s mumbling in her sleep, cautiously reached out and wiped away the tear.
The tear re-formed immediately, but that was of no importance.
“Papa wouldn’t go to Hell… He would accumulate good deeds…”
Hearing the word ‘Papa’ slip from Namgung Su-a’s tiny lips made Yu So-eun’s heart plummet.
“Papa is doing fine, hasn’t he promised? To live honestly and uprightly…”
Once again, the word ‘Papa’ was repeated.
‘Even though Sua couldn’t recognize him today… She still hasn’t forgotten him…’
Yu So-eun felt a pang in her heart.
It was difficult. She couldn’t even properly comfort her own daughter, and she couldn’t help but feel somewhat pitiful for herself.
“Papa wouldn’t go to Hell… He’s kinder than anyone else… Why would Papa go to Hell…”
Yu So-eun wanted to whisper that Papa isn’t necessarily kind nor a saint but couldn’t bring herself to do so.
The child had already exerted so much energy during today’s match. She simply wanted the girl to sleep peacefully.
Even though Yu So-eun herself wouldn’t be getting any sleep tonight, that’s nothing new.
Even when they were staying in the Namgung estate, she had never slept properly due to the constant noisy construction near her living quarters.
She considered this as an extension of that time and carefully slid her left arm under Namgung Su-a’s neck.
Just in case the child woke up with a sore neck.
Sooooosh, soooosh…
And with her right hand, she gently caressed Namgung Su-a’s tear-filled eyes.
Her arm would likely feel numb in the morning, but that was fine.
She’s used to enduring such things.
“Papa… Don’t go to Hell…”
‘I love you, my daughter.’
It was fine because she was used to enduring hardship.
Throb…
Just then, she recalled an incident from earlier.
Namgung Su-a’s magnificent figure, cheered and blessed by all the martial artists, came to her mind.
From a mother’s perspective, it could have been considered the best moment of her life.
However, good memories are inevitably overshadowed by bad ones.
– Get lost!
The snowball flying towards her, filled with stones that hurt so badly, came to her mind.
Along with that, she remembered the cold looks and bitter words hidden within.
Throb…
A sharp pain resurfaced in her back where she had been hit earlier. It was physical pain, not emotional.
When the moonlight filters through the cracks of the ancient tree’s leaves, it casts a soft pattern on the ground. There, amidst the tranquil scene, a young girl softly stirs in her sleep, murmuring words only known to her dreams.
