EP.42 Sword Phoenix (劍鳳). (2)
Sword Phoenix (劍鳳) (2)
The one of the Three Venerables of the World, the Venerable of Defeat (Paizun), personally said.
He said that this is the era of shooting stars.
It was a term coined because geniuses of the century appeared like bamboo shoots after rain, as if piercing the sky and falling to the ground like stars.
This is truly an absurd era.
Because there are so many talented people, outstanding geniuses become mere prodigies.
Prodigies become ordinary talents.
And ordinary talents become dullards.
How absurd an era this is.
From the Central Plains' perspective, since it is a period that produces many outstanding martial artists, one might see it as the most brilliant era.
But not for me.
'I was born in the wrong era.'
Words I had heard countless times.
'It's not that you lack talent... but it's a bit peculiar.'
Words I had heard thousands of times.
'Compared to your sisters, it's quite lacking.'
Words I had heard tens of thousands of times.
The time when I, not knowing my place, was filled with anger was probably around this time.
Amidst the stars pouring into the world, I alone was not a star.
Back then, I blamed the absurdity of the world.
Because to blame my own bloodline, the others shone far too brightly.
However, contrary to my failure to become a star.
Even among the countless stars, there are bound to be those that shine brighter.
The Nangong's Thunder Dragon was like that.
The Tang Sect's Poison Phoenix was like that.
The Huashan's Sword Dragon is quiet now, but it won't be long before plum blossoms bloom from the tip of his sword.
And it won't be too long before the Wudang's Hidden Dragon awakens from its slumber.
Among the innumerably many young martial artists, those who claimed the seats of dragons and phoenixes with talent and effort are the stars of this era.
It was an almost certain trend that if the Number One Under Heaven of the next generation were to emerge, they would come from among them.
The Sword Phoenix was a woman exceptionally glamorous even among them.
The foremost of the Late-born Masters.
One who exuded an exceptionally outstanding presence among the writhing dragons.
From the point when Peng Wuzhen, who was called the True Dragon (眞龍), accepted the position of the Young Patriarch of the Peng Clan and stepped down from the Late-born Masters.
The position of the foremost Late-born Master naturally went to the Sword Phoenix.
Surprisingly, no one raised any objections.
Those who would be filled with arrogance and confidence did not show even the slightest hint of objection.
It also meant that the Sword Phoenix's prestige was that outstanding.
That is why I hated her.
I hated that she possessed a talent I couldn't dare to covet, even though we were children of the same father.
I also hated that wherever I went, the Sword Phoenix's name was attached in front of mine.
To me, the Sword Phoenix was like a wall that couldn't be crossed no matter what method I used.
She was like a vast sea that couldn't be crossed no matter how much I rowed.
That was why I hated her.
Because she, who was so far ahead, was too distant and difficult, I always wanted to run away.
As I lamented inwardly for a while, another thought arose.
'Is this the real reason?'
An answer doesn't come to mind.
Because I already know without needing to think of it.
'...Actually, the biggest problem is.'
Even if I tack on and stretch out the reasons for hating her.
I actually knew.
Even if I made up this many reasons and brought up the justification to hate her.
In the end, because I couldn't hate her.
That was what I hated.
Until now, it was definitely like that......
"Little brother."
"...Yeah."
"Yeah? U-yeah!?"
"Ye... Yes, Sister..."
"Good, that's right. Little brother, your hands are dropping again. Keep them straight up."
"...Yes."
Trembling, I raised my gradually dropping arms straight up into the sky again and thought.
'...Not being able to hate her, my ass. Right now, I feel like I can hate her very diligently.'
It felt like I could easily do it now.
...This wicked bitch.
******************
The escape plan I was going to execute as soon as I heard the news was thwarted far too easily.
Because the Second Elder, who was in front of me, grabbed me.
"Where are you going?"
"...Second Elder, can't you just pretend you didn't see me just this once?"
"What are you talking about? Not only the engagement, but your sister has come too?"
"Yes, even one reason is more than enough, but there are two reasons, so I'm running away!"
"...This old man cannot understand. Your sister has returned home after months, so how can you try to leave without even seeing her face?"
"Why would I see her face when I know what I'll suffer...? I'll be holed up in the mountains for a few months, so don't look for me."
"...Did you eat something wrong in Sichuan? Why are you acting so frivolous, making me want to knock you out?"
At the Second Elder's murderous words, I stopped moving for a moment.
This crazy old man...!
Of all things, I was grabbed by the back of my neck, so there was no way to escape no matter what I did.
Even if my internal energy had increased, it was still a futile story in front of the Second Elder.
Even so, my eyes were looking for where to escape, and my head was thinking about how to escape.
At that moment, an aura I never wanted to feel was felt.
'This way... She's coming this way...!!'
I heard she was in the Patriarch's office...!
Making the Second Elder's words in vain, the aura growing closer from afar was clearly felt.
It was because my increased Nine Flame Flower Wheel Art was resonating on its own with the familiar aura.
As the aura grew closer, the inside of my body grew hot.
'Crazy, what kind of aura is this.'
The presence is too strong.
No, really, did she drape herself in flames?
How can a human approach while letting out such heat like that.
'At least try to hide it a little...!'
That crazy woman wasn't hiding her aura at all, as if she intended to melt her surroundings.
Feeling the massive aura, the Second Elder dropped me onto the floor.
Because there was no point in running away now anyway.
As soon as I thought of that.
Someone landed softly in front of my quarters, crossing over the wall.
I took repeated deep breaths and took in the intruder who had appeared.
Contrary to the aura draped around her body, she has a quite delicate figure.
In the black long hair flowing down her back, a hint of red lingers little by little, and her two eyes are a deep crimson.
This was proof that the Nine Flame Flower Wheel Art had surpassed the 5th star.
It meant she had become a martial artist who could make a name for herself as a powerhouse in the Central Plains.
She inherited the fierce eyes that the Gu Clan's bloodline possessed, but with the aura she carried and the distinct features, she gave the impression of a strong beauty.
If the second sister, Gu Yeonseo, had a relatively kind impression.
That scary person was the spitting image of my father's face.
Due to the surging aura, the fluttering red robe had a gorgeous tiger embroidered in gold thread.
That was none other than the robe worn by the Commander of the Sword Squad belonging to the Gu Clan.
The woman looked at me for a while before sweeping her hair back with her hand.
Only then did the oppressive heat disappear.
As I barely let out the breath I was holding, the woman's bright red lips also opened at the same time.
"Little brother."
A rather low pitch for a woman, and a weight was felt in her unwavering voice.
"Little brother."
"Uh...?"
"If you see your sister, you should greet me first."
"...."
Cold sweat streamed down.
....What should I say? In a very fleeting moment, I went through hundreds of worries.
Then I barely brought myself to speak.
"Hello...?"
"...."
No answer.
She just gave a slight nod.
It seemed she wasn't quite satisfied, so I tried adding more.
"Are you... well?"
Nod.
As if my words finally pleased her, she nodded as if she had been waiting for it.
'...She's crazy.'
Sword Phoenix, Gu Huibi.
It was my eldest sister, whom I hadn't seen in years.
What should I say? Should I say she looks the same as ever?
Gu Huibi was looking down at me with blazing eyes.
'...Why is she looking down at me?'
Right? Our heights should be roughly similar.
...Thinking that, I realized I was already kneeling.
"...?"
....Huh?
Did I instinctively kneel?
Surprisingly, the fear ingrained in my body had made me do this.
"It's good that you act quickly."
Gu Huibi grinned as if she liked how I looked.
...Her smiling face was too terrifying.
"You have to raise your hands too."
"...Uh? Why my hands?"
"You won't raise them?"
At those words, my hands quickly went up.
This too had nothing to do with my will.
Fucking early education....
"Little brother."
"...Yeah."
"Yes? Y-yes!?"
"Ye... Yes, Sister..."
"Good, that's right. Little brother, your hands are dropping again. Keep them straight up."
"...Yes."
Why is she throwing a fit right after seeing me for the first time in a while.
I glanced at the Second Elder as a sign for help, but he was looking at me with a rather pleased expression.
"Your sibling affection is still great."
"...Does this look good to you?"
"Hohohoho!"
Leaving me to suddenly serve a punishment without even knowing the reason, Gu Huibi threw me aside and bowed to the Second Elder.
"It's been a long time, Second Elder."
"Yes, Huibi, have you been well too?"
"I'm always the same."
"Same my foot, I've heard that you're properly fulfilling your role as the Commander of the Sword Squad."
"That's because the members are all working hard."
The Second Elder and Gu Huibi exchanged pleasantries, sharing greetings and chatting with each other ha-ha, ho-ho.
That's all good and all, but.
Do I have to keep my arms like this?
'...At my age.'
I'm trembling.
Not because my raised arms are tired, but because of the shame.
....Seriously.
"This is a bit much...!"
I really can't stand it anymore.
Being swayed like this even after regressing was nonsense.
Unable to bear it any longer, I lowered my arms to confront Gu Huibi.
"How old do you think I am to...!"
"Raise them again."
"Yes."
Fuck....
Gu Huibi left the Second Elder behind, approached me, and briefly made eye contact.
Gu Huibi's pupils were dyed red due to her mental cultivation method, bringing a sense of mystery along with fear.
"Little brother."
"...Yes."
"Do you know what you did wrong?"
"That I tried to run away when you came...?"
"....Did you try to run away?"
I'm fucked... This wasn't it.
As I let out a dry cough and tried to slightly avert my gaze, Gu Huibi poked my cheek with her finger and turned my head back.
What is it? What did I do wrong that I have to be scolded like this?
They say people get smarter when faced with a crisis, another reason popped into my head.
"...Is it perhaps because of the second sister?"
"Yeonseo?"
"Yes, if it's because I slapped Second Sister Yeonseo..."
"Yeonseo got slapped by you?"
...Uh, this isn't it either?
For some reason, it feels like I'm confessing one by one.
But strangely enough, at this confession, Gu Huibi rather made a nonchalant expression.
Her younger sister got slapped, why is she reacting like that.
"Amazing, I didn't think Yeonseo was at the level of getting hit by you."
"If that's not it either, then why are you doing this to me, Sister?"
As if my words rubbed her the wrong way, Gu Huibi glared at me with fierce eyes.
The aura creeping out little by little was prickly.
"You."
"Yes."
"I heard you're getting engaged again."
"...What?"
I unknowingly made a really stupid expression.
What did I just hear?
Did I hear it right?
I'm sure she said engagement... but what does engagement have to do with me getting scolded right now?
As if she didn't care about my questions, Gu Huibi continued speaking.
"Why didn't you tell me about that?"
"I only found out today too...?"
Even if I knew in advance, why would I have to tell Gu Huibi about the engagement?
...No wait, then am I really getting scolded for that right now?
"Are you angry because of that right now?"
"Of course I'm angry because of that! You're getting engaged again without your sister's permission!?"
"What are you even saying right now! Sister, have you really gone crazy!?"
I was so dumbfounded that a hollow laugh came out.
Did she heavily binge on day-drinking, what kind of bizarre nonsense is she spouting!
As I yelled in anger, Gu Huibi's brow furrowed.
That was an expression that came out when she was really angry.
Uh, this seems a bit dangerous...?
Whoosh!
Sure enough, heat burst out from Gu Huibi's body.
Seeing her robe fluttering along with the heat, I could tell how much internal energy she was holding in her body.
'...I think I fucked up?'
The instinct of a younger brother who grew up getting beaten was telling me.
To bow my head right now.
My rationality said.
It's too late even if I do.
'Crazy bastard... then what am I supposed to do.'
As I was hesitantly moving, thinking I should try running away even now, Gu Huibi's fierce voice was heard.
"Crazy? You're saying things you can't say now because I'm going easy on you..."
"Young Master...?"
In that gap, an unexpected voice interrupted.
Gu Huibi's aura, which had been burning like it was about to explode, disappeared in an instant.
I turned to the direction where the voice came from, and Wi Seol-ah was looking at me, holding a bowl containing steaming hot dumplings.
"Wha..."
Looking at Wi Seol-ah, I felt a chilling sensation and looked back at Gu Huibi.
Gu Huibi's blazing eyes, which had been looking at me, were now directed at Wi Seol-ah.