Book 17 Chapter 9

A Letter

— Afternoon Nap

It was a late afternoon in early spring, when the warm sunlight was encroaching upon the tail end of winter, that a letter arrived addressed to Jinyeong, one of the Seven Phoenixes. She was currently strolling through the garden with her lover, Namgung Sang, whose specialty, as described by their eldest disciple Bi Ryuyeon, was to act shamelessly despite his grand alias, the Thunderous Dragon of Lightning Sword. The Cheonmu Academy boasted numerous beautifully landscaped gardens, with pavilions built in various styles, ponds adorned with natural stones, and well-maintained trees and lush green grass, all harmonizing to attract lovers. Jinyeong received the letter in one such place, the Wolyeong Pavilion.

Perhaps feeling awkward reading it standing, she moved inside the pavilion and hastily opened the letter. Jinyeong’s face lit up.

Who could the letter be from? Could it be from another man? She immediately dispelled Namgung Sang’s suspicions, who was torturing his mind with petty imaginations befitting his name.

“Sang, look at this! My aunt is coming here!”

Joy rippled across her slender, milky-white face like ripples of light reflecting on a lake.

“Your aunt… is that the…?”

Jinyong nodded vigorously, pride filling her smile.

“Yes, it’s her!”

That answer alone was enough for Namgung Sang to know who it was.

“But she’s currently at the Ami Sect…”

Of course, while it was a considerable distance from Namchang, located by Paya Lake, to Sichuan, it wasn’t an impossible distance to travel. However, if it was Jinyeong’s aunt, it was indeed ‘that person,’ or rather, ‘that esteemed person.’

She was a legendary heroine, far more renowned than Jinyeong, who held the title of Ami Ilbong and was one of the Seven Phoenixes. Furthermore, she was Jinyeong’s object of admiration and goal. She was the most famous woman in the Ami Sect, considered closest to becoming the next sect leader, despite being a disciple of the same sect.

“… Ami Shinnyeo (Divine Maiden of the Beautiful Brows)!”

Namgung Sang’s voice, spoken inadvertently, was filled with awe. She was a figure worthy of such reverence. A formidable woman, even praised as the best in the realm of sword mastery, who was rumored to surpass even the sect leader, Hye Sim, if her true abilities were considered without her myriad titles. A woman of iron who captivated the hearts of countless men in the martial world yet gave her heart to no one, a flower on a cliff, a star in the sky.

The ‘Jin Family’ located on the Great Road in Sichuan Province had a deep and long-standing bond with the Ami Sect. The closest and strongest connection among them was with Jin Dalang, who was like an aunt to Jinyeong, also known as Ami Shinnyeo or the Divine Maiden of Sichuan. For many years, she had established her reputation as a guardian of Sichuan, surpassing even Tang Xiaoye, the mistress of poison from the Tang Family of Sichuan, and Chu Xiaoyoung, the Sword Maiden of Qingcheng, in her influence. Indeed, twenty years ago, they were known as the ‘Three Little Divine Maidens of Sichuan’ and competed fiercely, and even in their mid-thirties, their rivalry showed no signs of waning.

Even though those who were once called the Little Three Divine Maidens had now all established their own families, the two former rivals could not compare to the brilliant fame she now possessed. The only flaw that could be found in her near perfection was that she remained unmarried. Regarding this, there were various opinions, speculations, and fantasies among gossips, but none were definitive. Some even said it was because she hadn't forgotten an unknown enigmatic figure she met twenty years ago.

However, she was a disciple of Taoism, and the sect leaders of the Ami Sect had been unmarried for generations—it was actually impossible according to sect rules—so there was nothing to criticize. In fact, it was a flaw that was not a flaw, further enhancing her value. A flower on a cliff that could not be obtained. Such a setting was precisely what stimulated the imaginations of countless men.

“I heard that she hasn’t set foot in the Ami Sect for the past five years. Was I misinformed?”

Jinyong shook her head and replied.

“No. That’s true.”

She intensely disliked being bothered by people. Her reason was that if she became entangled with the complexities of the secular world, she wouldn’t be able to take care of herself, which was the most important thing. Meeting people was a very tiring affair for her. It was too difficult to find someone who truly understood her world, and most people only wanted to see her for their own satisfaction. This was not what she wanted, and given her personality, she couldn’t say it directly. So, she decided to seclude herself in the mountains.

“She dislikes troublesome things. Whenever she makes an appearance, people around her don’t leave her alone. The fame of Ami Shinnyeo hasn’t diminished with time. Even now in her mid-thirties… she still has so many admirers. There are countless people who offer their entire fortunes to marry her.”

Somehow, Jinyong seemed unusually excited when talking about her aunt. In fact, she was an ardent devotee of Ami Shinnyeo.

“Know your place!” Jinyong seemed to be clearly wanting to say, suppressing it with all her might.

That’s why Jinyeong’s aunt had cut off ties with the outside world five years ago. When men become troublesome, there are few creatures more persistently bothersome. Not only are they troublesome, but they also don’t understand, are sometimes ignorant, and even violent due to poor upbringing. Especially their imagination, based on a paltry sense of male superiority, was truly the height of annoyance and fatigue.

Know your place. And why couldn’t they understand?

There are people who twist even direct, clear, and undeniably firm answers to suit their own preferences. Even when attempting to communicate in human language, communication is always impossible. This is true even when speaking the same language in the same region. No woman would want to be bound to someone intellectually challenged with whom communication is impossible.

“My goodness…”

Jinyong continued to read the letter with a cheerful heart, letting Namgung Sang’s exclamation of surprise fall on one ear.

At first, it was an ordinary greeting letter, the kind one could find anywhere. It inquired about her well-being after a long time and whether she had made progress in her swordsmanship. It also mentioned that the writer had recently had a “small” enlightenment in swordsmanship and had seen some progress.

A small enlightenment…

‘It seems she has achieved something truly great this time. Where will the achievements of this person ever end….’

It was an expression she rarely used. For her to have used the modifier “small” meant that something significant had clearly happened.

Jinyong let out a soft sigh. Even now, she was a sufficiently high goal, but this goal never stopped. It actively sought to break through its limits and move forward, without even considering those who were chasing it.

‘Well, that’s why I admire her…’

She never stopped her self-development and progress. No matter how much others praised her, she was never satisfied. She never settled. The goal she pursued was fundamentally different. Therefore, the praise of ordinary people held no interest for her. Her target was beyond the realm of the superhuman.

“It seems sufficient as it is.”

In fact, she could already be called a superhuman. Yet, was there still room to become stronger?

It was truly unbelievable. If she ran ahead so relentlessly, what were the juniors chasing behind supposed to do? However, Jinyeong knew well that finding such consideration from her was harder than plucking a star from the sky. Her aunt was the kind of person who would leave behind those who were exhausted and stumbling, and quicken her pace to get further ahead. Or perhaps she would complain, “I’m too busy with my own training to look after juniors!”

However, as Jinyong read the last lines of the letter, her expression suddenly changed. Various emotions surfaced on her face simultaneously, painting a strange and complex pattern.

The vivid image of her being overjoyed just moments before was nowhere to be seen.

“What’s wrong, Ryeong? Did something bad happen? You look unwell. Is there something bad written in the letter?”

Namgung Sang asked with a worried face, startled by this sudden change. He was, in fact, a talented individual in matters of worry and concern. He instinctively knew that this was the perfect opportunity to fully utilize that ability.

However, his worries didn’t reach her ears for a while. She was worried not about herself, but about this man, Namgung Sang, who was worried about her.

“Huuuuuuu∼”

A sigh escaped her lips involuntarily.

‘What should I do about this…’

She despaired again at the fact that her aunt had no talent for jokes, even though she wished it were a joke.

Jinyong let out another long sigh and, looking ahead, extended her arm sideways to present the letter right in front of Namgung Sang’s nose.

Namgung Sang stared blankly for a moment, looking alternately at the letter clutched tightly in the small, slender hand extended towards him and at Jinyeong’s face, which was now turned towards the ground, avoiding his gaze.

“Is it okay if I read it?”

She nodded weakly, giving her assent.

“Hmm, let’s see.”

Namgung Sang, who was also a little curious, thought it was a good opportunity and quickly took it and began to read.

To my dear Ryeong.

Have you been well? Aunt has been well too. It’s been four years since you entered the Cheonmu Academy. It’s been four years since I last saw your smile. That’s why this meeting is even more anticipated. Your junior sister, Yurann, will also be coming along this time. That child has been recommended by the sect and will be entering the Cheonmu Academy. You are only a year apart, but there is a significant difference. I didn’t intend to keep her by my side for so long… (omitted)…….

The beginning was very ordinary. It was a letter filled with a loving heart from an aunt to her niece, with nothing unusual to be found.

However, the part that shocked Jinyeong was not that section.

“Look from the sixth line from the left.”

Namgung Sang, still bewildered and not understanding, followed Jinyeong’s instructions and shifted his gaze to the sixth line from the leftmost edge of the letter, written vertically.

…So, I heard from your elder brother that you have found a beloved. That’s something to congratulate. I don’t quite understand such feelings myself, but I must congratulate you nonetheless, right? Therefore, I will meet him once on my way there. As your aunt, I believe I have the obligation and the right to confirm whether that man is worthy of being your companion. Let’s postpone the congratulations until then. I trust you will not object, as always. I promise to do my best, as I always have, to repay your trust.

Then, I will end here, looking forward to our reunion in a few days.

Your aunt.

“How can this be…?”

The slow-witted Namgung Sang couldn’t understand why her face had become so pale at this sentence. A slow-witted man often makes a woman suffer in many ways.

“Huuu∼”

Jinyong let out another sigh that seemed to sink the earth. She hoped it would lighten her heart, but it seemed to have little effect. She had lost count of how many sighs she had already exhaled.

“That means my aunt is going to test you.”

“A test? Is it a general term for an act of finding out something through a certain procedure, such as giving questions or making someone perform tasks to gauge their knowledge or skill level?”

“Yes, that’s exactly it. It’s also called an examination (goshi)… No, that’s not what’s important right now.”

She almost got caught up in the flow for a moment. They say one is influenced by the company they keep; perhaps she was inheriting some of their eldest disciple’s habits.

“The verbal definition of such a name is not important. What’s important is its essence. A name doesn’t reflect the essence. You know that, right?”

I don’t know. If that weren’t the case, Namgung Sang would have realized how dangerous his situation was before she explained it in detail.

“To put it simply, Sang, you have the glorious opportunity to cross swords with Ami Shinnyeo. Along with the honor of potentially dying by her sword.”

“N-No way…?”

No matter how glorious, he would refuse to become a skewer of meat stuck on the tip of a sword. It wouldn’t taste good anyway. But could she really go that far? Doubt remained. Such behavior was extremely contradictory to common sense. It was unimaginable for someone like Ami Shinnyeo to act that way. Jinyeong immediately sensed Namgung Sang’s complacency. It was because he hastily reached conclusions based solely on imagination, without considering the reality, that errors occurred.

“My aunt might do it. No, she definitely will. No matter what. She’s not interested in weak men anyway. Nor does she like strong and ignorant ones. One thing is for sure: she always keeps her word.”

In other words, she was demanding. Her tastes were.

“Am I not good enough as I am now?”

While there were many monsters around, Namgung Sang was confident in his own abilities. Not to brag, but he was one of the Nine Dragons and Seven Phoenixes, and the leader of the Vermilion Bird Squad, even if he was just Bi Ryuyeon’s subordinate. He had never felt inferior in terms of skill among his peers recently. Except for a few inhuman monsters.

“What I can be sure of is that in my current state, I absolutely cannot pass her test.”

It was a certainty akin to instinct. However, Namgung Sang was hurt by Jinyeong’s absolute conviction. As a man, he did have a sense of pride.

“Surely… it’s not that extreme…”

He hoped Jinyeong would deny it. However, Jinyeong clearly had no intention of distorting reality with complacent comfort. Her firm answer was full of such resolve.

“No. She’s fully capable of it. Moreover, she has a bad habit.”

That habit was always the root cause of turning small problems into mountains.

“A bad habit?”

“She doesn’t hold back in her attacks. She almost always goes all out. In a good way, she’s serious; in a bad way, she’s merciless. Even with you, she would be even more ruthless, not lenient.”

Yet, paradoxically, that ‘bad habit’ was also the driving force behind who she is today.

Although Namgung Sang was called the Thunderous Dragon of Lightning Sword and was one of the Nine Dragons, he knew he was no match for Ami Shinnyeo, who had been tested countless times in the harsh martial world for a long time.

“Then, do you think you can withstand her consecutive attacks? Her continuous techniques, called ‘Seven Transformations and Ten Thousand Changes’—so named for encompassing ten thousand changes in seven transformations—? The sword techniques of Ami Shinnyeo, Jin Solyeong, the only female swordsman among the Five Great Swordsmen of the World?”

Indeed, Ami Shinnyeo, Jin Solyeong, was a genius swordswoman who ranked alongside the Five Great Swordsmen of the World despite being a woman. In other words, she was an unparalleled swordsman, discussed at the level of the Sword Master Binggeom. She was still a star out of reach for Namgung Sang.

“…It’s probably impossible, isn’t it?”

“Oh, you admit it surprisingly easily?”

“Denying the present yields nothing.”

Namgung Sang replied with a small sigh.

“Is that what the eldest disciple says?”

“That’s right. Those are words engraved into my bones by him.”

“… We all said that.”

The present stands on the foundation of the past, and the present becomes the foundation of the future. No being can be completely free from this cycle of history. To ignore one’s present self was to escape reality, and those who have left the stage of life will not receive applause, not even from God. However, the path of self-control was long and arduous.

“…So, what should I do first?”

Namgung Sang asked Jinyeong with a face full of worry and impatience. Shouldn’t he use his own head first, rather than relying on others? It was a truly pathetic sight. If loving such a man was a sin, then it was a sin. Jinyeong inwardly added one more sigh to her infinite number of sighs.

“Well…”

Does asking your lover produce any sharp solutions?

It would be better to break up with such a pathetic man early… She felt like a sinner for not being able to let go of him yet.

“H-How can I become stronger than I am now?”

It was a pathetic reason for seeking strength, but it was not a time to save face.

Although a bit late, Namgung Sang, who had finally grasped the seriousness of the situation, fell into contemplation, fidgeting nervously. His courage to try and devise a proper solution with a flustered and disorganized mind was truly commendable.

The standard that Ami Shinnyeo, Jin Solyeong, demanded was undoubtedly very high. Failing to meet that standard would result in at least dismissal, and in the worst-case scenario, death, which was a terrifying thought even to imagine. She absolutely wanted to avoid that. What should I do? What should I do? What…

“Should I ask… gulp!”

A single sentence escaped his lips inadvertently at the end of his tangled thoughts like a chaotic hemp. The moment Namgung Sang realized the meaning of what he had said so thoughtlessly, he was startled. His entire body instantly broke out in a cold sweat. The color drained from his face as if it were an ebbing tide. The mental blow he received was immense. Past nightmares crumbled the dam of oblivion and flooded in. They broke through the buried foundation of memory and erupted violently.

“Are you serious… about what you just said, Sang?”

Jinyong looked at Namgung Sang with widened eyes of shock. Her voice trembled slightly. She was actually moved at that moment. By the fact that Namgung Sang was willing to throw himself into such a terrible danger (!) for her sake. Tears began to well up in her eyes.

“Ah, no. It’s not like… even if I’m in a hurry, I wouldn’t do something like that…”

Although Jinyeong’s tear-filled eyes, brimming with emotion, were a bit burdensome, he couldn’t suddenly grasp the hand of the Grim Reaper.

“It’s unthinkable… unthinkable.”

Namgung Sang muttered as if he were out of his mind. Although it was fleeting, he felt his mind calm down from the shock of the enormous mistake he had made.

“I must have been really flustered. To say something I shouldn’t have. That’s not a path a human can take. You know that too, Ryeong?”

“I don’t!”

Jinyong’s response was cold.

Namgung Sang quietly chastised his own weakness and foolishness.

‘How heartbreaking! I momentarily lost my mind and stepped onto the threshold of chaos!’

“Then are you giving up? Is there a path forward, and you’re giving up here? Am I only worth that much to you?”

“Th-That’s…”

Namgung Sang was speechless and couldn’t retort, hitting his chest in frustration.

‘Ah! I really wasn’t in my right mind. How could I have even thought of such a terrible thing, even unconsciously? Now is the time to set aside such foolish solutions and think about what I can do!’

You don’t have to go all the way to hell to get salvation. Even while alive, a ray of saving light will surely shine upon you. If the heavens are not indifferent.

‘If I were trained by the eldest disciple…’

He didn’t want to admit it, but he would definitely become stronger. That much he could guarantee. He was also confident. The other party possessed sufficient (!) kindness to go to any means necessary to make him so.

As he recalled that chilling and thrilling kindness, a shiver suddenly crept up his spine.

“If that happens, wouldn’t I be more likely to die prematurely before even meeting my aunt?”

He absolutely wanted to avoid that case.

“Do you dislike it that much?”

Jinyong asked.

“Of course!”

Namgung Sang clenched his fists and spewed out the sediment of his heart as if spitting blood.

“It’s amazing that you would say that even knowing the eldest disciple’s twisted and difficult personality! That’s insane! Asking the eldest disciple!”

His body trembled violently with intense excitement. Even if he uttered hundreds of thousands of words until his tongue was torn and his jaw joints wore away, it would be impossible to express all the resentment accumulated deep in his heart.

“He’s fiercer than a lion, cunning as a fox, and more treacherous than a viper, yet he’s obsessed with money, gambles like it’s his job, and the only thing he’s interested in is figuring out how to torment us more every single day! Yes! That’s right! That person is not human! Calling that monster human is an insult to humanity!”

“Heh!”

It’s common for a man to smile. It can be seen as something good happening. However, if this simple smile were to change someone’s destiny, it’s worth examining the meaning of that smile. Especially if the owner of that smile is covering their eyes with their long bangs.

“So you think that. That’s a little disappointing.”

The world often moves independently of individual will, more often than not.

The young man, Bi Ryuyeon, who was listening to their conversation, knew this well. If asked where it started, he could answer from the sound of the letter being torn open. If asked where, he could answer from above their heads. If asked if he was eavesdropping, he would have the willingness to answer with a firm no.

The previous guest was himself. Whether his presence there was inevitable or accidental was unknown. He simply thought it was a nice day and he might enjoy a delicious nap. And this was one of his favorite napping spots.

Appropriate sunlight adjustment that wasn't dazzling, quietness that wouldn’t wake him from a deep sleep, the sound of wind and trees dancing rhythmically, which pleased his sensitive ears when his eyes were closed, and perfect independence.

The pavilion atop the Wolyeong Pavilion was an exceptionally elegant spot for a leisurely nap. It was Namgung Sang and Jinyeong who awoke the sleeping lion. If these two had known that fact, they would have wanted to bite their tongues in shame for their pathetic mistake.

Indeed. Bi Ryuyeon had heard everything.

From where? From the beginning! Until when? Until the end!

They say birds hear words spoken by day and mice hear them at night. Namgung Sang and Jinyeong had underestimated the ways of the world.

They had been playing for affection under the nose of the harbinger of disaster.

“Tsk tsk, there’s no need to be so embarrassed. If you just ask for help, I will always help.”

Because he had spread a soundproof barrier around him using his qi, his voice couldn’t be heard even if he were directly below. Therefore, he could mutter to his heart’s content.

“It seems I have to step in again.”

He couldn’t let darkness fall upon the future of his beloved disciple and junior disciple! He couldn’t tolerate his disciple and junior disciple failing a test and being eliminated. For that, he was willing to endure a little inconvenience. It would be a bit of trouble, but he couldn’t be ignored, could he?

One way or another, even if it meant death (!), he had to get them recognized, or it would be inconvenient for him. The thought of having raised such weaklings with his own hands sent shivers down his spine.

*Grin*!

“Good, things are getting interesting.”

The harbinger of disaster smiled ominously.

Bi Ryuyeon began to rack his brain, concocting various plans in his mind.

“Ah, but if I only pay attention to Sang, won’t the other kids get jealous and feel neglected?”

That, in itself, was a problem.

Bi Ryuyeon sighed, saying that being popular was always troublesome.

He had been too lenient until now, so it was time to be a little stricter. He had been somewhat disappointed with his disciples at the Huashan branch, so he felt the need for training. This was a good opportunity.

At this moment, Namgung Sang and Jinyeong, along with the sixteen members of the Vermilion Bird Squad, felt an inexplicable chill.

“What’s wrong, Sang? Why are you suddenly trembling?”

“No. I just suddenly felt a chill all over my body.”

“Actually, I felt that just now too. It felt like cold ice running down my spine.”

The signs were not good.

“I hope nothing happens…”

Sometimes, the body’s intuition is more accurate than reason. But it was already too late. An arrow shot from a bow never turns back before hitting its target.

Especially when it came to Bi Ryuyeon, he was the kind of person who would ruthlessly whip the tail of an arrow if it seemed to fall weakly.

Of course, Jinyeong agreed with his assessment of Bi Ryuyeon. However, at present, there was no other alternative. Both he and she knew that better than anyone. Yet, he kept trying to avoid the seemingly endless one-way path that remained for him.

“So, you’re scared?”

Jinyong rebuked Namgung Sang with a sharp voice.

“No, that is…”

No man wanted to admit to being a coward in front of the woman he loved.

“Speak clearly, Namgung Sang! Don’t run away. From me! And from yourself!”

‘I am running away…’

Her words pierced his heart like a dagger. He could no longer postpone acknowledging the truth he had been avoiding.

“Yes… actually, I’m scared.”

Namgung Sang said, bowing his head.

“I… am afraid of the eldest disciple. When I’m with him, the world I knew keeps shattering, and I’m afraid. I don’t want to admit that the world I knew was full of lies. I don’t want to admit that I am a weak and pathetic human who lived comfortably in that world and wants to continue doing so.”

Jinyong quietly approached him, opened her arms, and hugged him tightly. Then, she patted his back as he cried.

“It’s okay. Don’t be scared. Actually, I’m also afraid of the eldest disciple. I’m afraid of his obsession with constantly trying to surpass human limits without knowing satisfaction. But we can’t go back to how we were. Even if we wanted to settle, we can’t anymore. We’ve lost our place to rest. We can’t remain children anymore. So, let’s go forward together. I’ll be by your side.”

These were warm words that healed his heart. He was fortunate to have met such a woman.

“Will you really do that, Ryeong?”

“Of course, Sang!”

“You two are having fun!”

“Right… having fun… Huh?”

Namgung Sang, feeling a sense of bewilderment, blinked like a carp and looked at Jinyeong. Her face was pale, and she was shaking her head. Perhaps she was lamenting her fate of becoming a widow before marriage.

Did it sprout from the earth? Did it fall from the sky? A man suddenly appeared before them. A face that both of them knew too well.

The man who appeared suddenly opened his mouth, which was not hidden by his bangs.

“Truly a flattering assessment, and honest opinion. Thank you, Sang. It was very helpful.”

“Gasp!”

Namgung Sang and Jinyeong’s hearts sank. Their tears instantly dried up. Where did he suddenly appear from? They hadn’t felt any presence.

And to what was it helpful? A sense of dread suddenly struck them.

‘Come to think of it… what happened to Nohak…?’

Memories they didn’t want to recall resurfaced in their minds. The two froze, embracing each other.