The surroundings were silent.
As if trying to comprehend what had just happened, everyone held their breath and watched the situation.
A few seconds passed like that.
Though it was merely the span of a few seconds, the silence felt particularly long—likely because those watching had too many thoughts running through their heads.
The moment the silence everyone had been keeping was broken,
it started with words someone spat out.
“Unbelievable.”
Along with that brief shock, words that had barely been held back poured out incessantly, as if bursting forth.
“What was that just now? Did you see…?”
“The White Lotus Sword was pushed back…!”
A fight between martial artists.
A brutal martial contest where internal energy and sword qi rampaged.
Moreover, though it was called a contest, it was a battle lacking only the intent to kill—one that no one could rashly intervene in.
They merely watched the precarious situation, anxious that something might go wrong.
No one had been able to intervene.
“No way….”
“They said he was amazing, said he was great, so the rumors were true.”
Seeing the youth who had nonchalantly intervened in the blade clash, everyone had to widen their eyes.
A youth looking around with a furrowed brow and eyes raised high.
He was a figure evaluated by the world as the most promising martial artist in the current Central Plains.
“Xiao Yanluo (Little Yama)….”
Xiao Yanluo, Ouyang Tian.
The martial artist who had subdued the mastermind behind the Divine Dragon Hall raid, committed by the prisoner currently being transported.
A young hero who had protected the honor of the righteous faction by ruthlessly executing members of the demonic faction.
A comet who, using these achievements, was beginning to establish himself as an expert, having broken free from the younger generation.
“…They said in the rumors that he had entered the Transformation Realm. Could those words truly be true?”
“Hey, no matter how you look at it, reaching the Transformation Realm at an age not even past the coming-of-age ceremony—wouldn’t that be a bit of an exaggeration?”
“If that isn’t the case, how would you explain that situation…?”
“…I suppose so.”
The one who had tried to deny it, driven by jealousy toward the talent possessed as a martial artist, firmly shut his mouth.
He was a martial artist too, so there was no way he could not know how great the martial prowess Xiao Yanluo had briefly shown just now was.
Furthermore, it was to the extent that it was difficult to even perceive how he had acted to cause the situation just now.
“But no matter what, the Transformation Realm….”
Even if he had reached the Peak at that age, it was a situation that would make one cry out in shock.
Beyond that, the Transformation Realm? The man could not easily acknowledge it.
It was due to the foolish jealousy that people could not help but have.
And quite a number of others were recalling the same emotions as this man.
This was evidence that Xiao Yanluo’s talent was truly outstanding.
A talent outstanding enough to incite jealousy even from martial artists who had trained for a long time themselves.
However, no matter how outstanding….
‘Pushing back… the White Lotus Sword.’
No matter how outstanding a talent Xiao Yanluo possessed, his display just now was excessively, no, beyond the pale.
Not only piercing through the sword qi of none other than the White Lotus Sword but pushing it back?
Who was the White Lotus Sword?
One of the heroines with enough influence and skill to be mentioned as a candidate for the new Sword Empress immediately after the previous generation’s Sword Empress died.
A master who would be counted on one hand if you were to pick the idols of female martial artists.
Though she had ceased her activities a few years ago, so her fame had waned by now,
the fact that the White Lotus Sword was a renowned master was undeniable.
It should undoubtedly be so, and yet….
‘What in the world… is that youth?’
The man watching could not understand no matter how much he thought about it. And it was not just this man—the others were the same.
And.
Xiao Yanluo, who was receiving all that attention,
‘…Ah, I’m fucked. This crazy bastard for real.’
Was cursing himself out greatly for having caused an incident because he couldn’t hold back his temper.
*****************
I glanced around. There was more than one or two onlookers.
‘Damn it.’
I had to let out an internal lament at that sight.
Several families bound for Sacheonhaeng were with us, and since the main objective was escort, there were already plenty of people; it felt like the majority of them were here.
Judging by their wide eyes and murmuring voices, this was not a pleasant situation.
—It’s Xiao Yanluo….
—Xiao Yema….
The sounds of the nickname subtly reaching my ears made my annoyance surge even more.
Along with it, regret was also mixed in and surging.
Those emotions soon turned into resentment and shot toward the main culprits who had created this situation.
‘What the hell is this first thing in the morning?’
I looked at those sprawled on the ground with a deeply furrowed expression. When the three women slightly rising met my eyes, I could see their shoulders tremble.
Seeing that, I didn’t voice it aloud but shaped the words with my mouth.
You guys.
See me later.
Since I made the word with my mouth emphatically, perhaps they understood; all three avoided my gaze.
Leaving those three troublemakers behind, I looked at the woman on the opposite side with blank eyes.
A woman sitting on the ground, looking this way with an expression as if her soul had escaped somewhere.
Murong Feiyan, the White Lotus Sword.
Looking at her, my brow couldn’t help but furrow.
‘What the hell is that lady doing?’
She’s old enough to be old, and has plenty of activity experience—why such a veteran would cause this kind of trouble was beyond me.
This was not about the martial contest.
A martial contest is something martial artists can do as much as they want if their hearts align.
Conversely, if their hearts don’t align, they can do it even more.
From the standpoint of those who cultivate martial arts and train, a martial contest was, in other words, something that could be done anytime.
Moreover, a master teaching a lesson to inferiors?
From the inferiors’ perspective, it could be called an unprecedented opportunity, but….
‘That could have been a huge disaster.’
The situation just now had been problematic.
It was a brutal exchange with sword qi rampaging to a degree unfitting for a contest. That much could be overlooked if one tried.
The problem was the energy the White Lotus Sword had drawn out at the end.
‘Was she planning to wreck everything?’
If it was meant merely to intimidate, the intensity was excessive.
It was undoubtedly energy that would have erupted from the sword tip if I had not stopped it.
If that had happened….
‘They wouldn’t have died, but.’
Judging by their levels, it was clear they would have shed blood.
Throb.
Thinking that far, I felt an unknown pain in my arm.
It seemed I had suffered slight damage from the incident just now.
Fortunately, the wound was not deep, nor was it a cut from a sword.
Checking that, I could let out a breath of relief internally.
‘That was close.’
To others, it might have looked like I jumped in and blew everything away, but in reality, it was not such a cool situation.
I aimed for both sides to hesitate due to my intervention, and seeing that opening, I used the incoming force in reverse to blow it away.
It might sound like an amazing method when spoken, but it was merely a way to block it, so the damage was all on my side.
“Ha.”
I’m already tired, and now this.
Hiding my throbbing arm as best I could, I spread a qi barrier around the surroundings and then opened my mouth toward the White Lotus Sword.
“…What in the world is this situation?”
Hearing my question, the White Lotus Sword finally erased her blank expression and strength entered her eyes.
She had looked somewhat dazed; had she finally come to her senses now?
“Ah….”
Whether the White Lotus Sword had belatedly checked the surroundings, she let out a short word and rose. Looking at her gaze, I continued speaking.
“Senior.”
“Hmm?”
“I wonder if this sort of thing was included in my escort role.”
At the words laced with faint sarcasm, the White Lotus Sword’s eyebrows twitched.
I wondered if she was angry. Even so, my mouth did not stop.
“Th-that’s… this is…”
“If you are an escort, you should protect me like an escort; why would you exchange blade clashes with my people? I truly do not understand.”
“…”
“Or did you perhaps hope that the children would get hurt?”
Considering the difference in years with the White Lotus Sword, my words could be considered devoid of manners.
But no matter what, with my shitty personality, I had to say what needed to be said.
The White Lotus Sword bit her lip and frowned at my fierce words.
Though I was somewhat worried she might point her sword at me again, it wasn’t as if I was wrong.
“What in the world were you thinking? Do you have a separate reason for doing this in front of so many people?”
To my question, the White Lotus Sword hesitated for a moment before spitting out an answer.
That answer was somewhat astounding.
“…The children caught my eye, so I thought I’d play with them…”
Seeing the White Lotus Sword averting her gaze as if embarrassed, I had to let out a hollow laugh.
If she had said she wanted to give them some teaching through a martial contest, it would have passed as an excuse, however flimsy.
I couldn’t understand what she was getting at by honestly saying she did it because she was bored.
“You are long past the age to play with children just because you see them, are you not?”
“…Urk.”
The White Lotus Sword flinched as if struck in a vital point.
No matter how young she looked, she was a woman of my father’s generation.
In other words, she was not at an age to cross blades with youngsters because she was bored.
What was questionable was that the White Lotus Sword seemed more ashamed than angry at my sarcasm.
‘Though that is the natural reaction.’
In a way, it was indeed natural, but….
Humans who had surpassed that realm at that age all had nothing but pride left, so normally if someone acted like this, they would get angry.
The White Lotus Sword was truly full of signs of shame.
‘Well…’
She had nearly caused trouble during a martial contest, so it was understandable that she felt ashamed.
If I were the White Lotus Sword, I would have walked around with my face buried in the ground for several days.
Even so, the White Lotus Sword’s reaction was somewhat unexpected, but now was not the time to dwell on such things.
Whatever her intention or whatever kind of person the White Lotus Sword was, I didn’t care.
What was important was that she had nearly injured those three due to a mistake.
Thinking of that, I suppressed my emotions and spat out words to her.
“Even if Lady Mi permitted it, if the White Lotus Sword is going to act as she pleases like this, I would like the discussion of the escort role to be as if it never happened.”
“…What?”
The White Lotus Sword’s expression changed instantly at my words.
Were my words that difficult?
Simply put, if she was going to do as she pleased, she should get lost instead of being an escort.
I hadn’t needed or wanted an escort from the start.
It was already a hassle, so this worked out well.
“I will speak to Lady Mi later myself, so please simply enjoy your journey comfortably.”
“A-ah, wait a moment…!”
After conveying my words, I sharply turned my back on the White Lotus Sword.
Because I did not want to talk long with someone whose thoughts I could not fathom.
Though the White Lotus Sword showed a flustered reaction, I merely dispersed the qi barrier I had placed around the surroundings and moved my steps.
Since there were so many people’s eyes, I did not want to stay long.
Ah, even in the midst of that, I did not forget to speak to the three fellows who were subtly sighing in relief as if they had gotten off lightly.
“You guys, come see me later.”
“…”
I quickly left that place after confirming the expressions of those who were making crying faces.
I didn’t particularly intend to scold them.
I just thought I needed to hear how things had gotten to this point.
Of course, I couldn’t guarantee I wouldn’t be angry.
******************
A short while after the morning incident, as noon passed.
I was training, moving a heavy rock this way and that.
Since we absolutely had to move in the afternoon, I planned to repeat my training until then.
Of course, I couldn’t focus excessively, so I was only doing simple physical training.
“Hoo…”
Regulating my breath, I lifted a rock that looked several times the size of my body.
Since it was training using only my body without employing internal energy.
As time passed, I was gradually feeling vitality as I became drenched in sweat.
‘Feeling vitality just from sweating… What is this.’
If it were the past, I would have called it lunacy.
Especially when training with Yeongpung, I had cursed them inwardly as crazy bastards, but now I was doing such things without a care.
While moving the rock here and there and training.
Thud—! Uhyeok, who had been training beside me, threw down his rock and spoke to me.
“There was a big incident in the morning. What happened?”
Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Uhyeok asked.
Ah, was this guy not there?
“…They say all the martial artists who were there saw it; why didn’t you?”
“I don’t really like noisy places.”
So he doesn’t like noisy places.
He certainly had that vibe in his previous life too.
I had thought of giving a brief explanation, but since I didn’t want to recall it, I decided to let it go.
“It was nothing much.”
I answered roughly and focused on my training.
Uhyeok seemed to want to ask something more, but realizing I had no intention of answering, he pouted his lips and lifted the rock again.
Why is this bastard pouting his lips like that unpleasantly?
I was about to put it back in with a fist.
At the moment I was about to growl and curse that bastard,
Paeucheol spoke to me.
“It was tremendously impressive, to say it was nothing much, Hyung-nim.”
“Were you watching again…?”
“How could I not watch when it is where Hyung-nim goes.”
“…”
This bastard is disgusting in his own way.
Why are the men gathering around me all such strange bastards?
…No, it wasn’t limited to men; they were all strange.
Feeling that, I became even more certain.
‘As expected, I’m the most normal.’
Yes, of course.
While nodding my head repeatedly and sizing up the situation.
“…I… I can’t do it anymore…”
Cheoljiseon, who had been trembling as he joined the training, slumped down.
Seeing that, Paeucheol snorted and said to Cheoljiseon.
“Ji-seon Hyung-nim… You can still do two more sets.”
“Impossible…! Two more! That’s impossible!”
Cheoljiseon shrieked in surprise at Paeucheol’s words, and Paeucheol smiled creepily at that.
“I see. I must have seen wrong.”
“Right? No matter how I look at it, it’s impossi—”
“To think you had the strength left to shout so loudly. It seems three more sets are possible. Please, go ahead.”
“Aaaack!”
What the hell are those two doing?
Whatever it was, it wasn’t a situation I wanted to get involved in.
Averting my gaze and about to resume my training.
I sensed someone approaching from afar.
I immediately turned my head in the direction the presence was felt.
“This is….”
Before long, Uhyeok seemed to have felt it too and shifted his gaze.
At that moment, we could see a woman with black hair landing lightly.
Seeing that, I couldn’t help but frown.
“…White Lotus Sword.”
The person who appeared out of nowhere was none other than the White Lotus Sword.
Seeing that,
‘Does she have business with me?’
It was highly likely she had come looking for me because of the morning incident.
Furthermore, it might be to vent her anger at the rudeness she had belatedly realized.
‘That would be troublesome.’
Though it had been strange for her not to get angry then.
Whether my words were right or wrong, hearing such sarcasm to her face, getting angry was the law of this dogshit Central Plains.
Sighing, I organized my thoughts.
‘If I apologize roughly, will she let it pass?’
I was angry at the time.
I’m sorry for acting rudely. I couldn’t help it then.
If I bowed my head roughly like that, I thought it might pass.
As I was thinking so.
The White Lotus Sword’s expression as she approached was unusual.
She seemed angry, or perhaps it was a feeling of looking urgent.
Seeing that, I recalled.
‘No way.’
Just like the morning incident, was she perhaps planning to cross blades with me too?
Ah, that would be a bit troublesome.
Swallowing dryly in case such a thing happened, I looked at the White Lotus Sword.
As she approached step by step, tension was felt.
Though I hadn’t seen the White Lotus Sword much, I knew she had a strange personality where one couldn’t tell what she would do.
Worried about that, as I tried to show courtesy first to the approaching White Lotus Sword.
Her body, having reached a position close to me, quickly bent.
‘Crap!’
A surprise attack?
Seeing that, I tried to raise my internal energy to deal with the surprise attack, but an unexpected event occurred.
Because the White Lotus Sword suddenly grabbed my pant leg.
“Wha…!”
The moment I urgently looked at her, wondering what in the world this was, the White Lotus Sword looked at me and shouted with all her might.
“I’m sorryyy! Please forgive meee…!!”
“…Wai…!”
The White Lotus Sword started wailing while grabbing my pant leg.
In the bewildering situation, Uhyeok and Paeucheol watching that, and even Cheoljiseon, looked at me with strange eyes.
Meanwhile, Cheoljiseon quietly whispered.
“…Now even the White Lotus Sword… No, but isn’t the age difference a bit severe for that…?”
Damn it, those words reached especially clearly.
What was dogshit was that the surrounding bastards nodded slightly at Cheoljiseon’s words.
It seemed a ridiculous misunderstanding had occurred.
“Hey! It’s not like that…! Let go! Why is this lady like this!”
“I’m sorryyy!”
I shouted desperately.
But there was no one who believed me.