Chapter 132: Faintly, Suddenly (2)
Tomorrow it is.
Sitting in the guest room, meditating at midnight, Cheonma came to visit.
Didnt you say that the training starts today?
I intended to, but that wretched woman detained me for five hours, so I had no choice.
Was he boasting about his good fortune?
Its unnecessary to listen.
I let the old mans excuses go in one ear and out the other.
I dont have much time.
Yikes. Thats your problem. Anyway, Ive passed the message. Come unarmed by noon tomorrow.
The old man warned me just before leaving.
Ah, your sparring partner will be a bit stronger than you, just so you know.
-Thump.
The door closed with a loud noise.
The room darkened again. I sat quietly, head bowed, for a long time.
Theres a place to lie down, but tonight, its only a light sleep.
Leaning against the wall, I closed my eyes.
The slight discomfort actually provided me with a good nights sleep.
The day of the spar.
-Thump, thump, thump, thump.
The sound of the drum was loud enough to stir the heart.
Was the spar talked about throughout the neighborhood?
It was natural for the seats to be full, and even the stairs were packed with martial artists.
Will you be okay?
Cheondo, dressed as a servant, quietly approached and asked me.
Cheondo was wearing unusual clothes, resembling a commoner from a drama.
Why are you dressed like that?
Usually, I hide my identity as the successor. Even my name and the fact that Im the masters daughter.
Was that so? It seems like a way to avoid unnecessary conflicts and focus on cultivation by completely hiding the successors identity.
There must have been a reason why Baekdo was treated as the eldest daughter.
Thinking this made me slightly resent the old man who sent me to the arena.
Cheonma must have thought I was capable enough to handle some conflicts.
Well, from their perspective, I was a complete outsider, so it was natural.
Anyway, I should go now. Good luck.
Cheondo seemed a bit brighter and more direct in expression than yesterday.
-Thump, thump, thump.
The drum sounded again.
Ahead, a woman dressed in red appeared, holding a real sword in one hand.
A woman.
Did he say the person would be a bit stronger than me?
I unwrapped the bandage that was tightly wound around my wrist.
The long scar on my arm was exposed.
Huff.
Exhaling slowly, I sharpened my senses.
My chest grew as cold as a block of ice.
As I was gathering my thoughts, the woman took a step towards me.
Are you my sparring partner?
Her tone was arrogant.
Yeah.
My response made the womans face scrunch up.
Youre unaware that Im the head of Dowon. Show some respect.
Why should I show respect when youre not my master? If were here to spar, then lets focus on the spar.
The changing colors of a masters face.
From afar, Cheonma and his daughters were watching this scene.
Additionally, many martial artists and elders from various clans filled the stands, making it embarrassing for her to be disregarded.
I took off my blood-soaked bandage and laid it on the ground.
Youre injured, can you fight properly? Its laughable if you cant even last a minute.
I loosened my shoulders to calm my body.
What an idiot, claiming to be a disciple.
I took a deep breath. Now, my distracted mind seemed to focus on a single point.
Give up now. It would be better for you.
Shut up. Were not fighting with our mouths.
What?
Did you eat a train boiler instead of a bamboo leaf?
I extended one arm, taking my stance.
The woman looked bewildered, doubting her ears.
Bamboo leaf, what? Haha.
Soon, she sneered and tightened her grip on her sword.
A vivid murderous intent enveloped my body.
Dont regret this later. I, Hongyeon, will take your head right now.
The lively drumming suddenly stopped.
Then, a short ringing sound followed.
-Ding~ Ding~
Hongyeons scarlet figure started moving towards me.
-Thud!
The sound of the womans footsteps resonated clearly in my head.
I could feel the flow of wind moving through my wounded skin.
My flesh trembled as the sword approached.
I moved to counter.
-Clang!
I deflected the red-flashing sword aimed at my shoulder with the palm of my hand.
Normally, one would step back at this point, but Hongyeon pressed in deeper.
Hwa.
Quickly, Hongyeon stabbed the outside of my chest with her finger, not with the swords tip.
-Poof.
Hongyeon stepped back, displaying a sinister smile.
.
A red magical flower bloomed from the stabbed area.
Blood continuously surged, soaking my uniform red.
Moving more will only increase the bleeding.
Leaning forward, I clenched my right fist.
She noticed too late and tried to create distance, but it was too late.
-Thud!
One hit.
I broke her ribs and impacted her organs directly.
Seeing Hongyeon trying to retreat, I stepped forward. A sword from behind now pierced my right arm. I pushed my face forward again.
If I had no arms, then with my mouth.
I bit into the opponents shoulder, tearing off her flesh.
Ugh, Aargh!
Hongyeon, grimacing in severe pain, created a considerable distance.
The swords flying around lost their concentration and fell to the ground.
Blood poured from her hand clutching her shoulder.
Mad What a lunatic.
As I infused magic, the swords embedded in my body were ejected and fell to the ground.
After catching my breath for a while, I looked around.
In my narrowed field of vision, I saw a severed arm.
Picking it up, I pressed it against the severed area.
-Ugh, crackle!
A grim sound as bones and flesh came together.
Veins bulged blue on the skin.
The more severe the injury, the stronger the power of my ability.
Despite the tendons and nerves being severed, the violently torn arm quickly recovered.
.
Horror colored Hongyeons face.
Are you human?
I took a step forward. Hongyeons magic was significantly depleted; even if she wielded swords again, she could only manage a few.
I could deflect them directly with my hands.
I walked towards Hongyeon, covered in blood.
The terrified eyes of the woman come into my view.
-Bang!
I deflected the swords again.
Then, the solid swords disintegrate as if unraveling bandages.
Magic that didnt persist once concentration was broken.
Was the person called a master not accustomed to pain?
Of course, that was what I was aiming for.
My blood still contained the nerve poison that Cheonma had spread last time.
It hadnt been detoxified yet, so its effect was still present.
Damn, I
Hongyeon, whose woodification had dissolved, conceded defeat with her words.
Before her lips could finish, I tripped her and pushed her chest, knocking her over.
Ugh!
I climbed on top of Hongyeon and lifted my tightly clenched fist.
The blood from my body soaked Hongyeons face.
A hit on the blood-stained area.
-Thud!
I felt the sensation of her nose bone breaking at the end of my fist.
Stop it. I understand-
I didnt stop.
With the World Tree of Time possibly running out of time and returning to reality, this sparring was nothing but a waste of time.
Cheondo might die. So could Sansuyu. And Byeol.
Even the future of our daughter could not be guaranteed in this situation.
Time was precious.
To think I stopped by this sparring ground just to prove myself.
Stop.
I didnt cease at her plea.
-Thud!
The desperate sound of impact echoed in the sparring ground, eagerly anticipated by the warriors, now silent as if filled with dead mice.
When I was about to deliver another blow.
-Whoosh, thwack!
The last sword, flying from behind, pierced my raised right hand.
A woefully insufficient resistance.
I struck down without care.
Ugh gurgle, gack.
I moved my fist diligently.
-Thud!
Guh, guk, grrgh.
How many times had I hit?
Stop it.
Just as I was about to raise my fist again, the old man who had approached unnoticed grabbed my wrist.
A strong force held my hand.
This tree might be worthless to you, but she has lived like a fool for me. Thats enough.
Without her, he would be too busy. Cheonma said that.
I quietly spoke to him.
If that was the case, you should have stopped me when my arm fell off. Are you kidding me? At this point, one more hit is fine.
I suppose it does seem that way. People dont die that easily.
Let go.
The old man silently released my wrist.
-Thud!
After delivering the final blow, Hongyeons head fell back.
My clenched fist was dripping with her blood.
I got up from my seat and wiped the corner of my eyes. Relaxing my jaw, a clot of blood fell from my mouth.
The old man watching me shivered with a sickened face.
Ive seen many, but youre worse than those high on drugs and lost their senses.
Its necessary. This way, other bastards wont climb up.
To me, it seems more like you were just annoyed.
What Cheondo would think of me, I was not sure but thats not my concern right now.
I staggered to my feet.
It felt like I could lose consciousness and fall backward any moment. I bit my tongue to forcibly awaken my body.
Pulling the sword embedded in my hand, it turned into maple leaves and disappeared as if burning.
From then on, there was no more fainting.
