Rustle!
I gripped the match chart tightly in my hand. My gaze burned with fury as I stared beyond the martial arts stage toward a pavilion.
It was likely where the Leader and the executives were gathered.
As I looked at it, my face twisted in disgust.
“These fucking bastards.”
Emotion wavered in my voice as I forcefully suppressed the energy that threatened to spread out.
Control wasn’t easy, which only ant my anger was boiling over inside.
Yu Yeon and Wi Seol-ah were paired up.
Just knowing that was enough to feel like a thorn had sprouted in my throat.
The old sches of the Alliance.
Even with a new Leader, nothing had changed. It was laughable in the worst way.
‘You sons of bitches.’
The reason for such an obvious setup was plain as day.
Wi Seol-ah had recently been gaining subtle recognition as the successor of the Sword Master.
This was due to her distinctive physical traits.
‘Those who learn the Moonlit Dance Sword gain golden hair and golden eyes.’
It was a characteristic of the unique martial art used by the Sword Master, officially acknowledged by the Sword Master themselves.
Her already extraordinary appearance played a role as well, but that wasn’t all.
The martial prowess she demonstrated back at the Divine Dragon Hall had also made an impression.
Even if she had lived quietly, no one would have forgotten the news of a successor to one of the Three Masters,
especially the Sword Master.
Take Tu-ryong, for example.
When it was revealed that Tu-ryong, who had only been known as one of the Six Dragons and Three Peaks, was a disciple of Paejon, his value skyrocketed.
Such was the worth of being a successor to one of the Three Masters.
And among them, the Sword Master stood closest to the title of Heaven’s Best.
A forr Leader of the Alliance, still regarded as a mountain the current Sword Saint must surpass.
The successor of such a figure had appeared at the martial tournant.
‘So they couldn’t resist exploiting it, could they?’
Even looking at the match chart, their filthy intentions were clear.
The Divine Dragon of Shaolin defeats the successor of the Sword Master.
This not only elevates Shaolin’s current standing but also...
‘Erase the na left behind by the Sword Master?’
It was a blatant political move to further solidify the current Sword Saint’s position.
They sought to crush the symbols of the past and erase any trace of them.
From a political standpoint, it wasn’t a bad thod.
After all, the nas of predecessors often beca burdens for those who ca after them.
But.
‘This feels disgusting.’
And Wi Seol-ah was the one placed in that position.
That was what made it so revolting and infuriating.
So much so that I wanted to charge in and kill them all right now.
Kuuugh.
My clenched fist trembled uncontrollably.
What should I do? I couldn’t calm down.
At that mont, I felt a cold sensation on the back of my hand.
It was Namgung Bi-ah’s hand.
“...”
Without a word, Namgung Bi-ah enveloped my hand in hers.
Perhaps it was the coolness of her touch, but fortunately, I didn’t explode. I managed to hold myself back.
Yes, I could hold back.
It didn’t an I was calm or at ease; I was rely enduring it.
‘Please, let this pass.’
Let nothing go wrong.
Please let none of my fears co to pass.
Because if they did—
‘I don’t know what I might do.’
I might lose control and turn everything around into ruins.
I desperately prayed that it wouldn’t co to that.
******************
The first round of the main tournant had begun.
On the martial arts stage, just like the previous day, two pairs of martial artists were already engaged in duels.
Those whose matches were scheduled later sat in the waiting area, maintaining a quiet atmosphere.
Wi Seol-ah was no exception.
She, too, sat perfectly still in her seat, barely moving.
The only thing moving was her mouth.
Wi Seol-ah was chewing on sothing diligently, having popped it into her cheek.
It was a honey cookie.
The sweet flavor spread throughout her mouth as she chewed it with a leisurely yet quick rhythm.
Finishing one, she picked up another and ate it.
Even while eating snacks, Wi Seol-ah’s expression remained indifferent. It was a stark contrast to how excitedly she ate in front of Gu Yangcheon.
In truth, Wi Seol-ah didn’t particularly like snacks.
She had enjoyed them as a child, but as she grew older, her taste for sweets faded.
Over ti, snacks beca sothing she ate only when given.
Сookie, however, was an exception.
Not because it tasted particularly good, but because it brought back mories.
They were things he had prepared for her, and those monts had left an impression.
Eating cookies now was her way of revisiting those mories.
"It’s sweet."
Sweet and even sweeter.
He probably still thought she liked snacks.
That’s why, whenever he returned from sowhere, he always brought her sothing.
Quite a lot of it, too.
“Hoohoo.”
The thought brought a faint smile to Wi Seol-ah’s otherwise expressionless face.
He wouldn’t know.
The reason she ate so much and appeared to enjoy it was solely because he watched her with an affectionate gaze, as if she were cute.
"I hope he never finds out."
Always. Always, it would be better if he didn’t know.
So she could continue to stay by his side, like a child.
Harboring a slightly selfish wish, Wi Seol-ah picked up another piece of cookie.
Even though many eyes were drawn to her—whether because of her appearance, her connection to the Sword Master, or simply out of curiosity—Wi Seol-ah didn’t pay them any mind.
She was long accustod to such attention.
She simply recalled sothing she had forgotten.
"I forgot the veil again."
The veil he had given her, insisting she wear it.
Once again, she had forgotten to bring it. Would she get scolded later?
Just as she began to feel slightly uneasy, soone approached her.
“Lady Wi.”
Hearing the voice, Wi Seol-ah raised her head to see a neatly dressed young man standing before her.
He wore a white martial uniform embroidered with plum blossoms.
It was a familiar face.
It was Yeongpung of the Sword Dragon lineage.
“You are Lady Wi, correct?”
“Ah.”
When Yeongpung spoke with a smile, Wi Seol-ah nodded.
“Hello.”
“Ah, it’s good to see you. How long has it been? I believe the last ti was at the Divine Dragon Hall. Do you rember ?”
“Yes.”
She rembered him.
He was soone Gu Yangcheon had spoken of favorably, so she knew him.
That was all—nothing more, nothing less.
“When I heard you were participating in the martial tournant, I thought I’d co by to say hello.”
“Ah… nice to see you.”
“It’s a sha. If Young Master Gu were here, I’d have greeted him as well.”
His expression genuinely reflected his disappointnt.
“Ah, I also heard that Young Master Gu has done sothing remarkable again. He truly is an extraordinary individual.”
“Isn’t he? Young Master Gu is amazing.”
Wi Seol-ah smiled. She responded instinctively to the praise of Gu Yangcheon.
“Yes, truly incredible. If you happen to see him, could you let him know I’m watching him closely?”
Yeongpung’s request made Wi Seol-ah tilt her head slightly.
“Why don’t you tell him yourself?”
If he wanted to see him so badly, why didn’t he go?
As the question crossed her mind, Yeongpung explained.
“Until we et as opponents in this tournant, I’ve resolved not to see Young Master Gu.”
Yeongpung’s expression beca firm, a display of his determination.
“That’s why I’m cautiously asking you to deliver the ssage for .”
The sentint was hard to understand.
Still, Wi Seol-ah nodded.
“Alright.”
“Ah! Thank you.”
Yeongpung smiled at her response and offered a polite bow.
“I apologize for disturbing your break. I hope you achieve great results in the tournant.”
“Thank you.”
With that, their brief conversation ended, and Yeongpung walked away.
Watching him for a mont, Wi Seol-ah soon shifted her gaze.
Yeongpung’s cheerful face quickly faded from her mind.
Her emotionless eyes scanned her surroundings.
Occasionally, her gaze t soone else’s by chance.
Most of them were already looking at her, so it wasn’t surprising.
Each ti their eyes t, the reactions varied.
Seventy percent would avoid her gaze imdiately.
Twenty percent would freeze in shock.
The remaining ten percent would either look at her with desire or show vague hostility or animosity.
Everyone had different eyes.
How could they be so diverse?
Watching them, Wi Seol-ah found herself with a peculiar impression.
"It’s uncomfortable."
Being in the sa space as such people.
Breathing the sa air as them.
For so reason, it felt stifling and uncomfortable.
Just as her breathing grew a little heavier, she thought of Gu Yangcheon.
That alone was enough to calm her down slightly.
This wasn’t normal.
Her unusual tendencies might trouble him.
She thought about it, over and over again.
"I mustn’t let him know about this discomfort."
Because he would worry.
He would look at her with concern and try to do sothing about it.
Wi Seol-ah didn’t want that.
So she endured.
Quietly calming herself, she mindlessly ate another piece of cookie.
The cookies was nearly gone.
Looking at it, Wi Seol-ah felt a tinge of regret.
Was there anywhere she could get more?
As she pondered this, she glanced around.
“...”
“...”
Once again, her eyes t soone else’s.
This ti, the gaze was peculiar.
The person didn’t look away, nor did their expression mirror the reactions of others.
"Who is that?"
She didn’t know.
Judging by the shaven head and robes, they appeared to be from Shaolin.
Their gazes remained locked.
Seconds passed.
Nod.
The monk from the other side bowed politely to Wi Seol-ah before withdrawing his gaze.
Wi Seol-ah returned a slight bow in response.
It was a peculiar kind of stare.
But she quickly forgot about it.
It wasn’t worth dwelling on for long. After that, she remained silent for a considerable ti.
Ti continued to pass. Until her turn ca, Wi Seol-ah built an invisible wall around herself, preventing anyone from approaching her, and kept her eyes closed.
Only when her turn arrived did she open her eyes.
And stepping onto the martial stage, she realized sothing.
The Shaolin monk who had been staring at her earlier was her opponent.
“I am Yu Yeon of Shaolin. I look forward to your guidance.”
The Shaolin monk who had watched her earlier introduced himself as Yu Yeon and once again greeted her.
“I’m Wi Seol-ah.”
They exchanged greetings with the referee standing between them.
For so reason, the atmosphere in the audience felt unusually heated.
There were sounds coming from the crowd, but Wi Seol-ah heard none of it.
It was like the barking of dogs—nothing worth paying attention to.
She focused solely on the opponent in front of her.
The sa eyes as before.
Now that they were closer, she could sense the emotions within them more clearly.
She had to ask.
“Why are you looking at like that?”
“Pardon?”
Yu Yeon hesitated at Wi Seol-ah’s unexpected question.
“Why are you looking at like that?”
“…What do you an…?”
“What makes you feel so sorry?”
“…!”
Wi Seol-ah tilted her head as she asked, and Yu Yeon’s expression crumbled.
She could see it clearly—that was the look of soone who had been caught.
“Why do you feel that way toward ? Do you have a reason?”
Her tone was sharp yet innocent.
Hearing her question, Yu Yeon remained silent.
He bit his lip, his eyes showing turmoil.
Wi Seol-ah couldn’t understand.
Why did he feel sorry for her?
Eventually, Yu Yeon spoke slowly.
“…I’ve heard that you are the successor of the Sword Master.”
Wi Seol-ah’s brow furrowed at his words.
It was an irritating topic.
“So what?”
“I am called the Divine Dragon of Shaolin.”
The Divine Dragon of Shaolin.
It was a na she had heard before, though she didn’t know much about it.
“I suspect there may be many reasons why we’ve ended up standing here together.”
Wi Seol-ah didn’t understand. She was never one to grasp the complexities of the world.
“Because of that, I’ve been distracted and failed to act appropriately. I will restrain myself.”
Yu Yeon’s emotions were conflicted, his deanor uneasy.
Even after hearing his explanation, Wi Seol-ah still didn’t get it.
“Why does that matter?”
“Excuse ?”
“I don’t know about any of that. So, right now—”
With her hand resting on the hilt of her sword, she asked Yu Yeon.
“Are you saying you won’t fight ?”
“…”
“No matter the situation, if you’re not refusing to fight, focus.”
What did the Divine Dragon of Shaolin have to do with anything?
What did his feelings have to do with anything?
Wi Seol-ah didn’t care.
None of it mattered.
“The apology or courtesy you owe is to fight properly.”
Her calm tone made Yu Yeon’s eyes widen.
Perhaps he hadn’t expected such words, or maybe it was the fact that a young woman was admonishing him.
Yu Yeon, who had been stiff, began to regain so composure.
“…I apologize.”
This ti, his apology sounded different.
Having said this, Yu Yeon assud his stance.
Seeing this, Wi Seol-ah also drew her sword.
Sreung—
The sharp blade glead in the light.
The referee nodded upon confirming that both combatants were ready.
“Let the duel begin!”
At the referee’s command, Yu Yeon took a deep breath.
Yet, hesitation lingered in his movents.
He bit his lip slightly, his expression tightening.
Then—
Swish.
The sound of sothing being sliced echoed.
Yu Yeon’s gaze dropped.
A piece of fabric, cut cleanly from his clothing, fluttered to the ground.
It was a cloth belt.
Yu Yeon’s eyes widened in shock as he stared at it.
The belt fell to the floor.
“I just said sothing, didn’t I? Didn’t you hear ?”
A voice ca from ahead.
Yu Yeon imdiately turned his head to the young woman.
She stood there, sword in hand, in the sa calm stance as before.
“Focus.”
Her tone was steady, as if she hadn’t even swung her blade.
“I said, focus.”
Sweat began to form on Yu Yeon’s bald head.
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