NOVEL NEXT Chapter 46
Extreme Yang Reversal certainly exerts a powerful influence on others, and while this manifests in the form of ‘miracles’,
what happens if the person behind the miracle continues to steer it in their desired direction?
Ka-ang!
“Impressive.”
Watching Mo Yongseol’s sword energy as she swings her sword, the martial master, Pyeongwol, clicks his tongue.
“Hasn’t her skill already reached its peak?”
“All that’s left is to break through the wall; her speed is faster than mine, senpai.”
In response to Pyeongwol’s words, the Sword Saint replies.
While it feels like I’m grasping at straws here, I can only infer from the clashing of their martial arts as I struggle to follow their duel with my eyes.
“Hmm!”
Pyeongga’s head of the family, Pyeongrim, swings his sword with great force.
As expected from the Pyeong family, which pursues both speed and strength, he presses Mo Yongseol with a double-handed swing.
Ka-ang!
However, Mo Yongseol deflected the attack with her sword placed at an angle.
By twisting her position on the ground, she let the weight of the sword flow away, causing the sword to slide off her blade.
“Remarkable. One could say her external energy is already perfected. Is that the power of miracles?”
“If one desired a strong body free of pain, it wouldn’t turn out like that.”
As the two converse, it’s clear to see that typically, a woman like Mo Yongseol wouldn’t be able to handle a sword stance like that.
Yet, Mo Yongseol isn’t just relying on her form; she’s either deflecting or countering Pyeongrim’s stance with ‘strength’.
“Heh, usually, those skilled in external energy tend to be all brawn, yet isn’t this also the miraculous blessing of Physician Seok?”
“To some extent, yes.”
It’s a little embarrassing to admit, but the one reason Mo Yongseol possesses this powerful strength that does not fit her delicate frame is simple.
She wished for it fervently.
For her body to be strong.
However, she also wished for it while maintaining her more gorgeous appearance, not resembling a muscular brute like the masters of the Green Forest.
The results of those wishes unfold right before my eyes.
Against Pyeongrim, who is at least twice her size, Mo Yongseol is holding her own, exchanging blows.
Clang, clang, ka-ang!
“Huff…!”
Surprisingly, Pyeongrim started to falter.
At first, it seemed he would be pushed back by her powerful attacks, but soon he adapted to her offensive and quickly sought a chance to counter.
Slowly but surely, Mo Yongseol is gaining the upper hand against the peak master.
“In terms of skill, Seol is better than I am.”
“Is that so? However, a weak point might still exist….”
“Her internal energy.”
“Hyaap!”
Pyeongrim lets out a fierce shout as he swings his sword.
A blue light flickers at the tip of the sword, clearly indicating that his internal energy is infused within the blade.
“!!”
Mo Yongseol jumps back to evade the sword.
Until then, she had countered with her sword, but as soon as the internal energy was unleashed, she immediately opted to retreat to avoid the attack.
“Huuh….”
Mo Yongseol repositions herself, extending her sword forward.
A chill begins to flow from her body and envelops the sword, making the surroundings seem as if they are freezing with a crackling sound.
What can I say about that energy? From the time I spent with the Demon Cult, I can only define it with one term.
Killing intent (殺氣).
Even against Pyeongrim, the head of the Pyeong family, Mo Yongseol is exuding killing intent as she concentrates on winning, no matter what.
Therefore—
“Stop.”
The duel comes to an end here.
“Seol. That will be enough.”
“…….”
“Mo Yongseol.”
Even upon the Sword Saint’s words, Mo Yongseol continues to glare only at Pyeongrim.
Muttering something under her breath, she appears as if possessed, with a ghostly aura leaking from her.
“Tsk.”
“Oh dear. It seems blood doesn’t lie.”
The Sword Saint clicks his tongue, and Pyeongwol shakes his head.
Considering that the Sword Saint was once referred to as the ‘Sword Demon’, Mo Yongseol’s display isn’t particularly strange at all—
But, ‘Given Pyeongwol’s reaction, it seems she’s not taking after the Sword Saint.’
If that were the case and it stemmed from the Sword Saint’s blood, he would’ve shown signs of guilt, and Pyeongwol would’ve chastised him or reacted in some way.
But there’s none of that.
Instead, they seem to be withholding mention of a certain taboo, trying to handle the current situation delicately.
“Mo Yong Seol. That’s enough; sheathe your sword.”
“…….”
“Hah. Is there no other way?”
The Sword Saint and Pyeongwol turn their gaze to me.
“You call her.”
“Understood.”
I steady my breath and step forward.
Mo Yongseol’s killing intent still flickers sharply, enough to cause Pyeongrim, facing her, to swallow hard—
“Beloved, Mo Yong Seol.”
“!!”
At my words, Mo Yongseol’s killing intent suddenly dissipated.
“D-Doctor?!”
In an instant, even the chill vanished, and she returned to her usual self as if the ice melted in a scorching flame.
“Y-you shouldn’t say such things…!”
“Now, lower your sword and embrace me.”
“…Yes.”
Mo Yongseol, fastening her sword back to her waist, walked over to me and embraced me with open arms.
“Ah.”
“There’s no sheathe.”
“…… It’s unavoidable, senpai.”
Pyeongwol watched Mo Yongseol and me with a bitter smile, while the Sword Saint looked at me as if he had attained enlightenment or something.
“If it were another woman and not Seol, I would’ve thought you used a marriage spell.”
“Not at all….”
“That’s why I’m saying it. This is Seol’s issue, so it’s not your fault.”
“…….”
This might be a temperament inherited from Mo Yongseol’s mother, or perhaps it manifests mixed with the Sword Saint’s traits.
It might be the temperament associated with what some call the powerful aura of death, ‘Celestial Lethal Star’ (天殺星)—
“At least your daughter is an improvement. If that group over there with their eyes fixated on the sword—”
Ka──ang!
The sharp sound of swords clashing rings out.
The clash of blades startled Mo Yongseol.
“Th-that’s not me!”
“I know, young lady.”
I pulled Mo Yongseol tightly and patted her back.
“How can something this soft make such a sharp sound?”
“Doctor…. then what on earth is this sound?”
“Hah.”
The Sword Saint covered his face with his hand.
“That old fool is acting foolishly.”
“Isn’t it more of a fault on the other side for not matching?”
“With how he’s acting, that iron-blooded soul wouldn’t be able to stay calm.”
Clang, clang, ka-ang!
“Seol. Come follow me with Physician Seok. It may not be the best start, but this will greatly aid your observation.”
“What’s going on? What exactly is happening within the family…?”
“Two female swordmasters are sparring.”
“……?”
* * *
Since it’s quite rare for outsiders to come and go in the Mo Yong Family, the people of the Mo Yong Family couldn’t help but feel puzzled by a white-haired girl frequently wandering near the Medical Hall.
“Isn’t that the Sword Mistress who reversed aging, hmm!”
“Oh ho. You have sharp awareness; you might be on par with the Heavenly Demon.”
“Just how many lives do you have?”
Even if they inferred, it would be best to act as if they didn’t know.
Even realizing it, they ought to keep their lips sealed.
While it’s often said that words can travel a thousand miles, if one speaks carelessly, they could lose their own necks, thus they must exercise as much caution as possible.
So,
At present, the Mo Yong Family was dealing with the presence of a person named Sword Mistress, Geum Seorin.
“Hey there, Sword Mistress. Oh, you look beautiful today.”
“Hohoho, thank you very much, Dain.”
“Ugh….”
Of course, reactions varied, but they could only treat her strictly as ‘Sword Mistress Geum Seorin’.
“You seem particularly joyful today; is something good happening?”
“Oh, it’s nothing special. Just… started my period.”
“Pfft!”
The girl known as Sword Mistress Geum Seorin was indeed quite a unique person.
“No, is it even acceptable to say that?”
“Oh my. There’s nothing to hide, is there? It’s not something to be embarrassed about.”
Should I call her frank, or should I say she lacks embarrassment?
“What, Miss Geum.”
“What is it?”
“They say these days it’s a virtue for girls to be honest about their emotions, but talking openly about your period… is a different matter.”
“…Oh, is that so?”
The path for talented young girls in the martial world is quite different from that of normal girls.
“What should I do then? Please tell me how to handle it.”
“Cough, cough. It’s better to speak indirectly as much as possible. This was something my daughter often said: a woman experiences a period of illusion once a month.”
“Oh, the period of illusion.”
“Exactly. On that day, one’s body condition tends to worsen, so it’s essential to ensure that illusion doesn’t harm one’s body any further.”
“Hmm….”
As for the ‘common sense’ about the existence of Geum Seorin, the warriors of the Mo Yong Family are truly doing their best.
“Is that really true?”
“You may have spent a long time in the sword mansion, distanced from the mortal world, but that is indeed the case!”
“Ah, I see! I will make sure to express myself more indirectly from now on.”
The warriors of the Mo Yong Family were putting forth their best efforts to flesh out the background of Geum Seorin.
In essence, it was a disguise, but while everyone knew it, they chose to ignore it and engage in conversation. They felt very pleased with their efforts in building up Geum Seorin’s reputation.
“Miss Geum, perhaps once we finish this, would you be willing to spar with me…?”
“Oh hoho. Of course! I’m entirely willing to assist.”
The warriors of the Mo Yong Family decided.
Instead of catering to the ‘setup’ of Sword Mistress Geum Seorin, they would steer the situation in a way that would aid their own martial arts advancement.
After all, one cannot deny or refuse the flow.
Then wouldn’t it be better to ride this current, slightly shelving their intellect, and focus on personal training?
Whether she’s a Sword Mistress or a Sword Saint, what difference does it make?
By accommodating and conveniently shelving the uncomfortable truth in the back of their minds, the mysterious young smiling swordswoman can watch their swords and offer advice!
Unless someone suddenly steps in to break this discomfort, it’s all for the best—
“What are you doing, Sword Mistress?”
“…….”
“Aren’t you embarrassed?”
A guest came to the Mo Yong Family.
“Wow. Though she reversed aging, I didn’t expect her to lose her shame as well.”
The Imperial guest, Imperial First Sword, Yeocheong.
“Sword Mistress. Don’t you feel any shame at your age?”
“…….”
She provoked her by calling the Sword Mistress as ‘Sword Saint’.
Ka-ang!
“I’m just a young girl, Sword Mistress Geum Seorin!”
“You’re at an age where having a granddaughter would not be strange.”
And the banter continued.