Chapter 20: The Sword and the Will

Clunk-

Clunk-

The inside of the carriage was noisy beyond belief.

It wasn’t just because of the shaking.

“Sojin-nim, what kind of weapon do you usually use? Is it the sword, like I thought? I personally find the saber more suited for me. Maybe it’s because of the Pang family bloodline, but when I first picked up a saber, it felt so natural…”

“I see.”

“If it’s the Guangdong Jin family, it must be the True Blood Great Sword technique, right? I’ve watched my grandfather practice it a few times. The red light that flashed at the end of each move was so beautiful… I’m not an expert in swordsmanship, but the techniques between each stance… they were quite interesting.”

“Is that so?”

“By the way, Sojin-nim, you didn’t release red energy, but blue, right? How did you do that? Could it be the advanced stages of the Jin family techniques…? I’d love to learn the Five Tigers Break the Door Saber like my grandfather, but I haven’t even mastered the Heaven and Earth Hundred Sabers yet…”

“Ha, once we reach the Mujakwon, Master Raeji will probably have something to say… I really don’t want to. He even asked me to deliver a strange letter this time. I didn’t want to do it… Ah! We’re here!”

She stretched her hand outside the carriage and pointed to the Jeongdo Mujakwon.

‘We finally arrived.’

During the ride, Pang Gayun hadn’t stopped talking once.

Responding to her had been fine for a couple of hours,
but this was a bit much.

“I’ll thank you again. I’m alive because of you.”

When she got off the carriage, she bowed deeply, her cheeks turning as red as an apple.

“It’s nothing. Let’s go.”

In my mind, all I could think about was handing Pang Gayun over and getting my reward.

When we crossed the gates and reached the entrance of the academy, a group of people was blocking the path.

Because of the tense atmosphere, many of the students walked through the back door instead of the front.

This is such a nuisance.
Everything else is fine, but don’t block the path.

“Dang Soyeong! Apologize to me now!”

“Why should I?”

“Did you not attack cowardly?”

“When you were threatening me, acting all high and mighty, where was this attitude? Don’t spout nonsense!”

A woman with violet hair and a man with an arrogant look.
They were very familiar and insignificant people.

“Dang Soyeong, do you need a real taste of defeat to snap out of it? I won’t say it twice…”

“Well? I’ll go in first. You can tidy up after.”

“Wait a minute…!”

Before Namgungjin finished speaking, Dang Soyeong had already entered the academy.

“….”

‘No doubt, Dang Soyeong must have smacked him around after he acted all cocky.’

Even if I didn’t see it, I could imagine the situation in my head.

What a fool.

It seemed like he was trying to regain his pride too late…

But it was already too late.

“……Ugh, uuaaa!!”

The man, furious, stomped angrily on the ground.

His internal power might surpass Dang Soyeong’s, but if he was the one relying on the environment, he was bound to lose.

However, if he received the South Jade Iron Sword from his family, the story might be different.

‘Do you have it now?’

The famous sword of the Namgung family that Namgungjin will acquire in the future.

It is renowned for taking the lives of countless righteous martial artists.

It wasn’t that he killed them, but rather that the Namok Iron Sword ended up in the hands of the Elder of the Blood Sect, Xuelin Shou (Blood Flame Hand).

The sword itself was a flawless masterpiece.

If two martial artists were of similar skill, the one with the better weapon would naturally win.

The more cards you have to protect your life, the better.

“Hmm.”

He reached for the sword at his waist.

It was an expensive-looking sword with ornate decorations, but despite its value as a piece of art, it wasn’t a great sword.

‘Is there a decent sword I can use before obtaining the Celestial Sword?’

No,

Namgungjin could just get the Namok Iron Sword.

“Pang Sojeo, you go ahead first. I have something to do, I’ll catch up later.”

“Alright. I’ll go ahead.”

She’s more obedient than I expected.

He walked toward them and casually raised his hand in a greeting.

“Hey, it’s been a while. How have you been?”

He spoke in as friendly a tone as possible.

“Ah? Namgungjin, over there…”

The guy looked at me with a suspicious, wary gaze.

“This bastard… Has he lost his mind? How dare he speak to me? Does he want to die? He’s pissing me off… This is perfect. Let’s settle this here and now!!”

Swish-

Namgungjin was growing angrier with each passing moment until, finally, he drew his sword.

He had anger management issues.

Who’s going to fight for him?

The sword he drew was, of course, not the Namok Iron Sword.

‘Well, if he had brought out the Namok Iron Sword and lost to Dang Soyeong, he should have just killed himself.’

“It’s nothing special. I just came by to say hello. We’re both from the same academy, after all.”

“Stop talking nonsense and draw your sword! I don’t want to hear that you fought someone without a weapon again!”

His pride was as high as the sky.

Normally, he would be an annoying person, but right now, he had a purpose, so I ignored his words.

“Calm down. I didn’t come here to fight.”

“Tch… then just get lost. Associating with scum like you is an insult to me.”

When he waved his hand and turned his back, I didn’t miss the opportunity.

“Idiot.”

“What? You bastard just—!”

“Are you not an idiot? From a distance, I saw Dang Soyeong, a mere member, ignore you… Did you lose to her?”

“Th-this…!”

“You dumbass. Look at you, carrying a stupid sword.”

“Have you finished talking…!!”

Namgungjin’s face turned red with anger after being ignored by someone he held a deep grudge against.

Without a second thought, he drew his sword.

Swish-

“Look at my sword. Even though I was expelled from the Jin family, I managed to bring out this famous sword.”

On the surface, the sword appeared dazzling,

But I could tell.

Namgungjin had no ability to discern a good sword.

He compared his sword to my dazzling sword and soon sighed.

“…You’re right.”

What an idiot.

It seemed that Namgungjin, being foolish, was easily swayed by nonsense.

“You’re not a beggar, yet you carry such a cheap sword… Pathetic.”

“Kuh, this bastard…!! If you came here to look down on me, then leave right now! Otherwise, let’s settle this with a life-or-death duel!!”

A life-or-death duel sounds good.

But am I crazy?

Even if I take you down now, there’s nothing to gain.

“Come back after you’ve switched your sword.”

“This bastard…!!”

“I’m leaving, idiot.”

After saying that, I walked into the academy.

With just a few words, if Namgungjin brings back the Namok Iron Sword, it will be good for me.

Even if he doesn’t, if I keep pushing him like this, he will bring it eventually.

“Hey! You bastard!”

“Namgungjin, please calm down.”

“Please calm down. There are too many people around.”

Seeing him scream out in anger…

Maybe I can get it all in one go?

I couldn’t help but smile slightly.

“Ugh…! Gu Yang Jihee!”

“Go, go together!”

When I entered the first floor of the dorm, the younger students scattered in fear.

“Tch.”

“Jihee, I was about to kick them all out myself.”

“Yeah. They’re all idiots. Don’t mind them.”

I nodded silently.

It doesn’t matter.

In the martial world, only the strong matter.

Strength is everything.

If I prove my skill in the martial arts competition, they will come crawling back as if nothing happened.

That’s how it has always been.

And this time…

‘I might be able to teach that pathetic man a lesson… Could he possibly fail to even pass the preliminaries?’

If that’s the case, then he was just that kind of person.

I don’t have any reason to care about him.

“Jihee, I’ll bring the tea.”

“Go ahead.”

As I slowly walked toward the break area, an unexpected combination caught my eye.

The former members of the old Jincheon faction.

Han Seol-a, Shin Ju-ha, and…

‘Dang Soyeong’s face looks quite pleasant.’

She looked furious, her face red with anger.

“Why is the atmosphere like this?”

When I entered the break area, Seol-a, with a somewhat grim expression, was the first to lift her head.

“Jihee, welcome.”

Shin Ju-ha, who looked exhausted, raised one hand without saying a word.

A deep shadow appeared around her eyes.

“Hmph….”

However, Dang Soyeong turned her head and said nothing.

“Soyeong, we’ve been members together for years… isn’t this a bit too cold?”

“Gu Yang Jihee, we’re competitors now… I’d prefer if you didn’t pretend to be friendly anymore.”

She glared at me fiercely and spoke curtly.

‘What an insolent woman….’

I’ve never liked her.

“I’m not pretending to be friendly; I’m just following my family’s teachings to care for those beneath me. Don’t worry about it. Though… was that too complicated for someone who’s not even the heir of their family?”

“What, what did you just say? Beneath you? Are you done talking now? Do you still think I belong to Jincheon? Do you think no one will back you up now?”

Dang Soyeong stood up abruptly, shouting with no grace.

“Did I say something wrong?”

“Stop it. Both of you…”

“Hmph! You’ve ruined my mood. I’ll be going now.”

She shot me a venomous look and stormed out of the room.

‘I don’t like her.’

She’s an unpleasant woman.

“Master, as promised, I’ve brought Pang Sojeo safely.”

“Hahahahaha! Well done, Sojin…”

“…Do you really want me to take this step?

I’d rather join the Demon Sect.

I shook my head silently.

Perhaps you’d consider working under me?”

“The orthodox sect’s budding young sprouts are raised in the Degree Mu-hak-gwan, working here is like leading the new era…”

“Master, I appreciate your kind words, but I’d like to receive the promised items soon.”

The state of the young sprouts isn’t great… someone other than me will lead this new era.

“Hmm….”

He clicked his tongue in apparent disappointment.

Master Raeji took a small wooden box from the bookshelf and placed it on the table.

“Ten pills of the Kangjin Dan.”

He handed over the elixir more casually than I expected.

However, seeing that he added three more pills…

‘Something’s going on here?’

It’s not cheap elixir, so this is an excessive reward.

As expected,

He casually started a conversation, hands behind his back.

“Sojin, do you have a moment?”

“What’s the matter?”

“My friend would like to meet you.”

Master’s friend?

“Could it be… Ohodoje Pang Seomak?”

“Yes, that’s the one.”

Why does the Doje suddenly want to meet me?

I had a bad feeling about it.

The only contact I’ve had is Pang Gayun…

Creeeak-

“Ah! There you are, Sojin!”

At that moment, Pang Gayun opened the door and stepped in with a bright smile.

Her bright smile sent an odd shiver down my spine.

The judgment was made in an instant.

“I decline.”