Book 16 Chapter 10

The Sword Empress's Certification

"Disciples Dokgo Ryong and Na Yerim pay their respects to Master.

It is a relief to see you looking so well."

Dokgo Ryong and Na Yerim knelt on one knee,

bowing before the Sword Empress with utmost reverence.

"Was that the kind of person you chose?"

The Sword Empress's calm voice was directed at Na Yerim.

"M-Master… I, I…"

Na Yerim couldn't find the words to say before her Master, who was gazing down at her with stern eyes. No matter the reason, the fact that she had forgotten her duty as a disciple of the Sword Pavilion remained unchanged. She was prepared for any harsh scolding or criticism. However, to her surprise, instead of being slapped, she felt a gentle hand stroking her hair.

Startled, Na Yerim looked up at the Sword Empress's face. A gentle smile graced her Master's features. It was a benevolent smile, like that of a mother she had always seen since childhood.

"You've changed a lot, haven't you? Isn't it time for you to be honest with your heart?"

The Sword Empress spoke in a voice filled with kindness. Warmth and compassion enveloped Na Yerim's entire body.

"I-Is that so? I don't think I've changed that much…"

Na Yerim's flustered response made her cheeks flush slightly, and her voice trailed off. Seeing this, the Sword Empress chuckled softly and then shook her head.

"No! Before, you closed off your heart and acted like a doll. You were afraid of the world and kept retreating inward. You decided to become a cold ice doll, cutting off contact with the outside world. You didn't want to be hurt anymore. Communicating with the outside world was painful. Now, it seems you've awakened to the human heart again. Your expression has become so much better. Perhaps you can now pioneer new realms that were once blocked off."

"M-Master…"

The Sword Empress patted Na Yerim's back with a warm smile as her disciple's eyes welled up.

"There, there! You must show respect and gratitude to the one who brought spring back to your winter field!"

The Sword Empress's gaze briefly fell on Bi Ryu Yeon. Bi Ryu Yeon grinned and waved. The killing intent he had displayed moments ago had vanished from his face. Instead, warmth had taken its place.

"I was worried you were almost defenseless in that regard, but perhaps it's because you take after me, you have a good eye for men. I can rest easy now!"

At the Sword Empress's words, Na Yerim blushed shyly and lowered her head. Her flushed cheeks seemed as if they might steam.

"Hohoho, then you're just a typical young woman!"

The Sword Empress burst into a hearty laugh, amused by her disciple's rare and charmingly cute appearance.

"D-Don't tease me, Master!"

Now, Na Yerim's face had turned as red as a ripe persimmon, delighting her Master even more.

Dokgo Ryong, watching the scene beside them, looked at his junior sister with envy for a moment. Then, he found himself chasing someone's shadow and was startled.

And by coincidence? He spotted the man in her gaze. He had finished a serious conversation with his subordinates and had escaped from a state of shock.

'Great Prince Bi… Why am I paying attention to that man…'

He shook his head from side to side, as if to shake off his impression of him. The blindfold over his left eye began to ache again.

"Kyaak!"

Gwan Seol Ji let out a short scream. Known more as the daughter of the Ice Sword than by her alias Ice Jade Fairy, her father's fame was too bright for her to shine on her own. Still, she was undeniably one of the Seven Phoenixes. She had always believed that not all Seven Phoenixes had to have 'Phoenix' in their titles, but that wasn't important now. Someone roughly bumped her shoulder as they passed by, their eyes not leaving the arena. Not a single apology. It was an incredibly rude act.

"H-Hey! Why are you…"

She turned her head sharply to protest, but her lips sealed shut. Her eyes had met for a split second with a man's before they parted. It was the eyes of the man who had just bumped into her.

"Seol Ji, what's wrong? Did something happen? You look pale…"

Cheong Heun of the Three Severing Swords, who had been with her moments ago, noticed something was off and approached her. But she seemed not to hear him, her pale face fixed on the receding back of the man.

"Huh? Who's that?!"

The unforgettable back came into view. Even without seeing his face, she knew instantly who it was. The back of someone who was once a close friend. But also the back of someone who was now as distant as if from a lie. It was the back of Wi Ji Cheon.

"Seol Ji, why? You look pale?"

"That person… he was your friend, wasn't he? The one who was the leader of the Bing Bong Royal Guard?"

"That's right. Is there a problem?"

Gwan Seol Ji's usually smooth brow was slightly furrowed. Everyone gave way to the killing intent radiating from him. Though she didn't know the full story, his current state was not normal. Cold sweat slicked her palms. Her body trembled slightly.

"His face was like a demon. I've never in my life seen a face so filled with hatred and rage. It was truly… horrific."

Her face was as pale as if she had seen a ghost, and she was trembling.

"His heart was filled with endless darkness."

It was an ominous gaze, devoid of light, giving off a very dangerous feeling.

As if she never wanted to recall that gaze again, she shivered.

Cheong Heun gazed at his friend's back, a past image he remembered now discarded, with a look of bewilderment. His back grew smaller and smaller, eventually disappearing from his sight. A sudden sense of regret filled Cheong Heun, a sadness that the distance created might never be bridged.

"What a shame, Sword Empress. You were in great danger!"

Once everyone else had moved away and only the three of them remained, the Sword Saint spoke to the Sword Empress.

"Heh, yes. I never thought he would push me that far… I almost meant it."

"Still, you seem to be the only one enjoying yourself?"

To Do Seong's words, she replied with a bright smile.

"Yes, it's been such a long time since I've felt this kind of sweat. Honestly, aren't you jealous?"

She seemed genuinely pleased. It was a good sweat, after all, something she hadn't experienced in a long time. She never had the opportunity. When she was on the island, there was no one for her to fight and break a sweat over. This refreshing feeling was truly a rare occurrence. She was savoring a kind of liberation.

"No… well, rather than jealous…"

Do Seong trailed off. He seemed genuinely envious.

"In any case, this outcome was also unexpected. You endured well. This could have resulted in someone's death."

"At that age, to reach such a level… Even though I didn't go all out, to display such skill… Who on earth trained him?"

The Sword Empress was implying that she hadn't revealed her true power.

"We still haven't identified his lineage."

"A lineage that even the Sword Saint couldn't discern… He truly is shrouded in mystery."

"I don't know who he studied under or which sect he belongs to. But his strength is genuine."

"I agree!"

"I agree."

"Then, do you permit it now?"

"We'll have to acknowledge it for now. It's a promise made under the name of the Heavenly Martial Samsara; breaking it would make us a laughingstock of the world."

She couldn't let that happen.

"'For now'… Then there's a next step?"

"Of course. I can't just hand over my most cherished disciple so easily."

"Then how good does he need to be?"

"Hmm… Well? At least he should be able to defeat me, shouldn't he?"

The Sword Saint looked at the Sword Empress, who was smiling innocently, using the word 'at least' in a place where it absolutely shouldn't be.

"That child… His name was Bi Ryu Yeon, wasn't it? I hope nothing happens to him…"

"What's wrong, Sword Empress? Do you have some worries?"

"No, once someone receives this much attention, they're bound to attract envious individuals, whether they like it or not. And if she's the Sword Empress's disciple, Na Yerim, isn't she the treasured daughter of Baek Cheon? Renowned for her beauty?"

"Yes, that's the one. Her beauty and heavenly charm brought her misfortune at a young age… If the Alliance Leader had been even a moment later, it would have been irreversible."

Recalling that incident, the Sword Empress's expression darkened slightly.

"I hope nothing happens. Envy and jealousy sometimes lead to disaster. I only hope my worries are unfounded."

"I agree."