Chapter 218

I clutched the sword to my chest without a word. The Taiji Sword Immortal said something, apparently trying to lighten the mood.

But I couldn't bring myself to answer.

I could see Yeon Ryang so clearly, his enormous frame hunched over as he polished his sword whenever he had a spare moment.

I bit down hard on my lip to suppress a sob, and the taste of blood filled my mouth.

If I stayed like this, I was afraid I would make a terrible spectacle of myself in front of my guest.

I lowered my head.

"Forgive me, Elder. I don't think I'm in any condition to entertain guests right now."

My voice trembled. The Taiji Sword Immortal let out a troubled sigh and rose to his feet.

"Oh, dear. It seems this old man has troubled you, young lady. I shall take my leave. There is no need to see me out."

"No, please. I should at least escort you—"

"Stay inside. If you overexert yourself on my account, I shall be the one getting scolded."

He shook his head and prepared to leave without even attempting a reassuring smile.

There was none of his usual playfulness in his eyes.

The sight made my stomach churn.

Everyone looked at me like that.

With eyes full of pity.

Eyes that made it painfully obvious they could no longer bear to watch me like this and wanted to get away.

The Taiji Sword Immortal looked at me with a pained expression before cautiously adding,

"This may be presumptuous of me, but your brother wanted you to live a peaceful life."

"......"

"That boy would never want you to suffer because of him."

"I... I... ngh."

My throat tightened as though someone had wrapped their hands around °• N ?? v ?? l i g h t •° my neck.

I was breathing, yet I couldn't seem to draw a breath.

Swallowing a sigh, the Taiji Sword Immortal approached me slowly. He patted the back of my hand, then gently pried open the fingers I had clenched around the sword, one by one.

Only then did I notice the beads of blood gathering at my fingertips.

"I should not have said that. This old man shall be on his way."

He offered a subdued farewell and turned away before I could even respond.

"My lady, please give me your hand. You'll end up with scars..."

Songji hurried over with a clean cloth and anxiously wiped the blood from my fingers.

I let her tend to my hand, staring blankly into space.

My teeth ground together.

Everyone said the same thing.

Don't throw yourself into the flames. Don't destroy yourself.

But how could I possibly do that?

I had to go.

Even if I had to burn my own body to ashes, I had to go.

*****

"The Taiji Sword Immortal came to see Little Sister?"

"Yes, my lady. Everyone's making a tremendous fuss over how the two of them could possibly know each other."

Tang Juhee tilted her head as a maid helped her change her clothes.

I heard she'd made quite a name for herself in the martial world, but now she's got someone like that coming to visit her?

It hadn't been long since the gift sent by the Dragon and Phoenix Corps' Commander Paeng had caused such a stir. Now the Taiji Sword Immortal, hailed as the greatest swordsman in the world, had come to visit.

Everyone was bound to be making a fuss and gossiping about it.

If gossip were all they did, that would be fine, but...

After a moment's thought, Tang Juhee crooked a finger.

"Soso. Bring my outer robe back."

"Yes, my lady."

"I'm going to see Little Sister. Don't follow me."

"Yes."

The maid obediently helped Tang Juhee back into her clothes.

Tang Juhee fastened her sash, stretched at length, and left her quarters.

She intended to take care of the people around Sohae's residence before anyone caught sight of her little sister slipping out on one of her nighttime excursions.

Contrary to Tang Juhee's expectations, however, Tang Sohae was still at her own residence.

She was out on the training ground. Perhaps she had felt restless and wanted to stretch her limbs.

"Little Sister, you didn't go out ton—"

Tang Juhee's cheerful greeting trailed off as confusion crossed her face.

Tang Sohae stood motionless in the training ground, holding a sword wrapped in several layers of cloth.

A sword? Did Little Sister ever use a sword? Grandfather would absolutely hate that.

Narrowing her eyes at the strange sight, Tang Juhee looked her little sister over.

On closer inspection, Sohae was wearing her nightclothes and had no shoes on.

She was hardly dressed to be seen by others.

Tang Juhee's expression hardened instantly.

The moment she reached toward the training ground, someone caught her wrist.

"Grandfather."

"Don't touch her. Interfering will only make it worse."

Tang Jung sighed as he stopped her.

There wasn't the slightest hint of surprise on his face. Clearly, Tang Sohae's strange behavior was nothing new.

Tang Juhee nodded grimly. Her gaze fell on Songji, who was clutching the door handle, looking utterly at a loss.

Tang Juhee asked in a whisper,

"Shall I kill her?"

"Leave her be. She's a child Sohae is fond of."

"Then perhaps I should cut her vocal cords so she can't go running her mouth..."

"I said leave her alone. Do you still not know what Sohae is like? Lay a hand on that girl, and Sohae will be beside herself, crying and making a scene."

Tang Jung folded his arms and muttered,

"...Yes. Perhaps that would be better. I'd rather see her cry her heart out and make a scene than watch her force down tears of blood."

His expression was cold as frost as he watched Tang Sohae pace around the training ground, clutching the sword tightly to her chest.

"Juhee, you saw nothing."

"Yes."

Tang Juhee answered calmly, her own eyes turning just as cold.

Tang Sohae remained outside for a long time. Only after more than an hour had passed did she finally drag her feet back to her bedroom.

Songji hurried to wipe away the muddy footprints.

A long shadow fell over her.

"Hey, you."

Songji's heart dropped at the unmistakable voice.

"Y-yes...! Grand Princess...!"

She answered hastily, trembling so badly that she didn't dare raise her head.

Tang Juhee was nothing like her kind mistress. If Songji displeased her, she would crush her to death as casually as swatting a fly.

Just as Songji squeezed her eyes shut and flattened herself against the ground, a calm voice reached her ears.

"If your mistress tries to leave her quarters, come and get me. If you try to stop her yourself, you'll end up dead."

There was no threat in the instruction to seek her help.

But the pressure radiating from the martial artist was so overwhelming that Songji could barely answer.

She nodded frantically, gasping for breath.

Only after the oppressive presence weighing down the air had disappeared did she wipe her tears away and straighten up.

The first light of dawn was already creeping across the sky.

******

When I opened my eyes, I was curled up with Yeon Ryang's sword clutched to my chest.

I vaguely remembered trying to polish it, but... I must have dozed off.

I rubbed my rough, dry face and raised my head.

It was already broad daylight outside.

I had seriously overslept.

I'm screwed. Grandfather must be wondering where I am.

I scratched my head in irritation.

Hearing the noise and realizing I was awake, Songji knocked softly on the door.

"My lady, I'll bring in some water for you to wash."

"Mm. Thank you, Songji."

With Songji's help, I washed and made myself presentable, then hurried to get ready.

Despite my arriving much later than usual, Grandfather said nothing about it.

He merely smiled gently.

"You slept in, so why does your face look so worn out? Come here, little one. Let's get some food into you first."

Resting his chin on one hand, Grandfather placed a piece of meat in my bowl and asked casually,

"So, did you see Taeheo?"

"Yes. He came by yesterday."

"Geunmyeong tells me you're acquainted with that fellow's disciple."

"Daoist Jinseong? Yes, we're close."

Grandfather's mouth twitched faintly when I nodded.

"...Close?"

"Yes. We became friends through sparring. He's helped me quite a bit, too."

Grandfather let out a low groan and furrowed his brow.

"Hmph. How old did you say that boy was?"

I had a pretty good idea what he was thinking, so I hurriedly waved my hands.

"What? Oh, come on, Grandfather. It's nothing like that. Daoist Jinseong isn't that kind of person, either. He's a Daoist. A Daoist!"

"Tsk, tsk. You think being a Daoist makes any difference? Men are all the same."

"Daoist Jinseong is different. I've never met anyone so stubbornly inflexible in my life."

Even after my vehement denial, Grandfather didn't seem reassured.

He repeatedly warned me that if some fellow came approaching with a sweet smile on his face, I should beat him senseless first.

I nodded obediently.

If Jinseong ever approached me with a sweet smile on his face, I probably would have to beat him senseless.

It would mean he was either an impostor or had eaten something that had seriously disagreed with him.

...But could I actually beat him? He'd probably block everything I threw at him.

I chewed on my meat as I recalled my sparring matches with Jinseong.

Grandfather narrowed his eyes.

"What are you thinking about so hard?"

"I was trying to figure out what I should do to beat Daoist Jinseong. I still haven't managed to knock him down."

"...You've become a martial artist through and through. Bring him here sometime. Your grandfather will show you how to overcome him."

Grandfather chuckled and took a sip of tea.

Surely I was imagining things when it sounded as though he meant to beat Jinseong senseless himself.

"So, you went to the Alliance yesterday."

"Yes. I heard the Branch Chief was an acquaintance of Deokju's, so I went to meet her. I took the opportunity to look around the Sichuan branch while I was there."

"And?"

His gentle questioning made it clear that he already knew why I had visited the Alliance.

Even so, he seemed to want me to tell him myself.

If he already knew, there was no point in hiding it. He would find out soon enough anyway.

I put down my chopsticks and cautiously began.

"Grandfather, there's something I'd like your permission for..."

"Go on, little one."

"I want to enter the martial tournament the Alliance is holding."

"And what made my little pup suddenly think of doing that?"

Despite the affection in his voice, Grandfather didn't look particularly pleased.

I answered honestly.

"I want to join the Martial Alliance. The Demon Extermination Corps."

"The Demon Extermination Corps..."

Grandfather murmured the words and slowly closed his eyes.

He remained silent for a long time.

It was another seven or eight minutes before he finally opened his eyes and met my gaze.

"Little one."

"Yes?"

"Is it revenge you seek, or is it because you cannot let go?"

Grandfather's quiet question hung between us, his eyes darkening until they were as black as the deepest night.