Try Living Well Without Me

“This is madness!”

“How dare you, someone like Jin family…!”

Clang!

Infuriated by Gayoung Jin’s sudden outburst, White Flower and Snow Flower drew their swords.

The atmosphere turned hostile in the blink of an eye.

“What are you two doing?”

“Hah! Are you serious? Can’t you see that they’re glaring at us?”

“Eh? Me? It was just an accident, I assure you.”

“Damn, I heard this niece of yours killed her uncle and became the head of the family—truly shameless.”

“… I was planning to let it slide, but you’ve been pushing your luck.”

“What? What did you just say? Let it slide? Hah, how quaint.”

Gayoung Jin also resisted, hoisting the Moonlight Division soldier over her shoulder, which made the situation increasingly intense.

At the brink of conflict.

The blades drawn by White Flower and Snow Flower clashed with Gayoung Jin’s axe under the glimmer of reflected light.

The reflected light stung their eyes, but none of them budged.

The surrounding martial artists could only nervously observe.

“Unfortunately, we must end this practice match here since the courtyard has become a mess.”

Until now, Heavenly Lord had been quietly observing with Heavenly Flower and now intervened by grabbing the blade tips of White Flower and Snow Flower with his fingers.

“Now now, Taoist masters, please step forward and clean up this place immediately. And call a repairman to fix the courtyard.”

“W, what kind of internal energy is this…!”

White Flower and Snow Flower tried to pull their swords free from Heavenly Lord’s grip but to no avail.

Seeing this, Gayoung Jin subtly set down the Moonlight Division soldier, and the rising tension slowly dissipated.

Although the hostile gazes of White Flower and Snow Flower toward Gayoung Jin remained.

“Both of you, sheathe your swords. There are many martial artists watching.”

Heavenly Lord warned them gently, and soon White Flower and Snow Flower returned their swords to their scabbards.

“Ah, such a shame; I was hoping to see Elder Jade Flower’s blade. It seems that won’t happen.”

With that, she turned to Jade Flower, slightly bowed her head, and left with Byul Rak by her side.

To any onlooker, it looked like Gayoung Jin was backing down from White Flower and Snow Flower.

How presumptuous.

“Hmph… someone needs to teach that woman a lesson.”

“She’s gotten arrogant after eliminating some troublemakers. A typical narrow-minded individual.”

Despite hearing their obvious gossip, Gayoung Jin whistled and ignored them.

Worried about this, Byul Rak cautiously spoke.

“You do always take bold moves.”

“Honestly, they’re not good people to look at. Why don’t they focus on sharpening their own skills instead of criticizing others?”

“It’s common for those who lack anything themselves to try to bring others down. That’s all jealousy.”

“… That sounds surprisingly wise coming from you.”

“I’m sorry.”

“For what? It’s all because of how excellent you are.”

At their retreating figure, Jade Flower couldn’t help but stare with sparkling eyes.

Creak…

“Hmm?”

As the door opened, Byul Rak reflexively turned to find Jade Flower, clad in her usual white robes, standing there.

Whether it was fortunate or unfortunate, Byul Rak had been about to remove his mask.

“Ah, White Blade Wanderer.”

“What brings you here at this hour? It’s getting late.”

“I deliberately came at this time. Is Sword Flower inside?”

“She’s preparing to rest within.”

“Er… Excuse me, but could you ask her to come out? Or should I enter?”

Despite knowing it was a breach of etiquette, Jade Flower acted with great caution.

It didn’t seem to be just because of the late hour.

“Is this something that must be said now?”

“It’s not urgently necessary, but I want to avoid other people’s eyes.”

“Even if it’s just for that reason, it’s not allowed. Please come back tomorrow.”

“…”

Knowing how impolite her behavior was, Jade Flower chose to silently retreat.

At that very moment, Gayoung Jin’s pre-adolescent voice floated from inside the room.

“It’s fine, come in, I’m not asleep yet.”

“Aga-sshi.”

“It’s really fine. If Jade Flower came here tonight to avoid other people’s eyes, we should at least hear her out.”

With Gayoung Jin’s approval, Jade Flower entered her quarters cautiously.

When Byul Rak tried to follow, Jade Flower firmly stopped him.

“Hold it, are you intending to listen in as well?”

“I’m Agassi’s bodyguard.”

“I came here to have a private conversation with Sword Flower.”

“I won’t disclose anything to anyone.”

Their dispute was interrupted by Gayoung Jin.

“White Blade Wanderer is virtually my other self. If his presence bothers you, you can leave.”

Hearing this, Jade Flower hesitated for a moment before decisively nodding.

“No, but you must strictly promise not to leak any of this information. I will hold Jade Flower responsible if you do.”

“I’m not the type to speak indiscreetly.”

“… I’ll trust you.”

In the end, Jade Flower and Byul Rak both entered Gayoung Jin’s quarters.

Sitting across from Gayoung Jin, Jade Flower made an astonishing proposal.

“I’ve done some research on Sword Flower. You overthrew the corrupt interests in your family and took the position of family head, didn’t you?”

“Wow, I didn’t know I was of such interest to you, Jade Flower.”

“I’m not here to criticize you. In fact, I would commend you. And I have a proposal as well.”

“A proposal?”

Even Byul Rak listening in was surprised by the nature of her suggestion.

“Would you like to turn the martial world upside down with me?”

“…”

“The duel earlier was impressive. Your style may be rough and crude, but I saw potential. The talent that could cut away this rotten martial world.”

“What exactly are you saying right now?”

“You know it too. After publicly removing your family’s uncle and elders, I assume there’s probably more you’ve dealt with discretely for appearances or personal grievances.”

“…”

Gayoung Jin had no rebuttals because every word Jade Flower said was true.

Because of some unknown public opinion or personal grudges, there were quite a few people she dealt with quietly.

“Of course you’re not against it. I desire that too. Evil must be eradicated. Whether it’s the elders of the martial alliance or the leaders of the Blood Cult—evil people deserve destruction. Compassion? Where does that exist? Evil individuals do not change. They should be wiped out like garbage.”

“Uh… Are you seriously proposing… this right now?”

“I’m offering a partnership. I understand it might not be feasible immediately. You, Sword Flower, must have your own goals. I can see some ambition in you.”

“…”

“Of course, it won’t be easy. Evil is often committed by strong individuals, and among them are super-strong experts that aren’t easily touched. Plus, there are those who control information and rumors, hiding their identities thoroughly while committing evil. Evil must be eradicated from its very roots, but currently, the martial world is as bad as the Blood Cult era.”

Meanwhile, silently listening to Jade Flower, Byul Rak recalls thoughts of Bin Namgung.

– Hmm, listen to her. She’s truly an uncompromising extremist.

‘So she’s probably killed more Blood Cult members than me, then.’

– You were saving people, and your secret killings don’t even compare to her numbers. Should we even compare these counts?

‘…What’s the point of those numbers. What’s truly important is the heart and convictions.’

Byul Rak briefly considered dropping a hint to Jade Flower about Namgung to use her against him but quickly dismissed the idea because whenever he thought of Namgung, an inexplicable wariness crept over him.

Despite Namgung being at the peak of martial skills, there was something more than just intelligence about him.

“Of course, hearing an immediate answer might be too much, right?”

“I’m sorry, please give me some time to think. Your goal is to eradicate evil, but my priority is to make our Taewon Jin clan one of the Great Families.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, visible evil should be eradicated. It’s common sense to clean up trash when you see it on the street. But I have no intention of searching for it. I must focus on my goals.”

“That’s fine. Your contribution alone would be enough.”

“It’s not a complete refusal. I just need some time to calculate, considering various factors.”

“Then… until when will you need the time?”

As she stood up, Jade Flower asked.

After pondering for a moment, Gayoung Jin replied,

“The last day of the Seven Flowers Competition, I’ll give you an answer then.”

Some time after the decade-long Pure Blood Tournament had ended,

That day, Jade Flower was still deep in her “closed retreat,” meditating as she engaged in imaginal spars with Sword Sage, a man labeled as wicked.

Of course, she lost, in just one move, as always.

The total record was: 2871 battles, 2871 losses.

It was disheartening, but Jade Flower did not give up.

Because evil must be extinguished.

‘Ugh…’

However, the more she engaged in these imaginal spars, the more she fell into self-doubt.

There was a rising skepticism about whether Sword Sage truly was an evil person.

No matter how many times they fought, no matter how many times she lost,

She could not see an intention from Sword Sage to kill her in those spars.

Even though he wasn’t a compassionate monk.

‘I must have been too extreme back then.’

Suddenly, Jade Flower recalled the reprimands the monk always gave her.

“Do not become another evil in the quest to eliminate evil. Reflect on your actions always. Rewind your past and examine it.”

Although she was always locked in conflict with the monk during the Pure Blood Tournament, his words left a deep impression on her mind, never fading.

Just like right now.

‘I was too numb facing the shocking truths about the righteous faction.’

Once one thought took root, it continued to branch out.

‘What about the dark shadow? That’s a trait of demon arts, isn’t it?’

Though a brief obstacle appeared in her thinking,

‘Still, I should’ve had a conversation. Wasn’t Sword Sage known for dispensing justice?’

Once doubt starts to spiral, it grows, especially in humans.

Perhaps even more so in her, who had been closely observing Sword Sage for a long time.

‘Leaving immediately that day was a mistake too. I should’ve questioned him right then and there.’

Of course, adjusting her thoughts after nearly three years was not easy.

‘There should be at least a conversation. He hasn’t manifested any intentions to kill me in this sparring. Even if I die, the truth must be known.’

Again, the monk’s words echoed in her mind, swaying her.

She always contradicted him out loud but inwardly agreed with the monk more than anyone.

“Eradicating evil is good, but you must carefully consider—would the person you label evil not be an innocent victim? It is better to let ten evil men escape than unjustly harm one innocent.”

‘Let’s investigate further. I was too secluded in my retreat and unaware of the affairs of the world. He may have had valid reasons, even if he did practice demon arts—he must be punished, but for now, let’s have a talk.’

Concluding her complex thoughts, she descended from her retreat after several years.

Not feeling the need to rest, she immediately prepared to journey to Anhui.

“Hm?”

But as she descended Kunlun Mountain, a heavy demonic aura caught her senses.

It was a chilling demonic energy, tinged with a faint stench of blood.

“…A demon?”

Abhorring demons with every fiber of her being, her forehead veins bulged in unconscious fury. She soared downwards with Kunlun Sect’s supreme divine technique, Divine Swift Lost Track Steps.

Swish—.

As she arrived at the base of the mountain,

“Sword… Sage…?”

“Ugh… Keh…!”

She found Sword Sage staggering, exuding a smoky demonic aura while revealing his distinct Blood Eye, breathing heavily.

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