Try Living Well Without Me

“There’s not enough information.”

A woman with brown hair tied neatly at the back was walking, her hair fluttering in the breeze.

The girl had strikingly azure eyes, luminous like the sky.

“This isn’t good… this can’t be… I need to uncover who framed Brother Namgung Cheolbin as soon as possible…”

The woman’s name was So So Namgung.

At one point, she was one of the Seven Flowers and a pride of the Hangan Sword Sect.

Even if she’d now stepped away from her position as a martial artist to be simply someone’s younger sister.

“Here is the last place to find evidence other than Bin Namgung. I must uncover something here.”

A faint metallic smell rose to her throat.

Because she’d been pushing her limits for months, enduring one exhausting ordeal after another.

She’d crushed bandits blocking her path from the Green Forest Alliance and eradicated two aquatic groups while crossing the Yangtze River.

Her injuries were a result of those battles, but there was no time to rest, not even a second.

“Brother…”

She had to apologize to her brother Namgung Cheolbin as soon as possible.

She had to bring the head of the mastermind behind all these schemes to him.

Actually, it wasn’t an absolute necessity. That man, seemingly detached and calm during her time in the Hangan Sword Sect, probably wouldn’t care.

Still, if she didn’t give herself this purpose, she doubted she could bear the weight of her sins.

She felt remorseful and sorry for herself.

If she didn’t do something, she might hang herself immediately from the roof.

Why had she ever hurled those harsh words at Namgung Cheolbin for her selfish reasons?

And it was regrettable that she had rejected his feelings so mercilessly when, during their previous encounters, she’d always followed him, hoping to be with him.

“Step.”

So So Namgung entered a tall building.

This was the residence of Sword Lord, the leader of the Martial Arts Alliance, the greatest conglomerate of the Central Plains.

Though Sword Lord is often criticized as a figurehead among the elders, the status of this place couldn’t be underestimated, so the design was rather luxurious.

Though, Namgung So So, knowing the enormous cost of its construction, didn’t find it particularly appealing.

“Let’s not let others notice.”

Namgung So So deployed her stealth skill learned during the Blood Wars to follow after her brother, creeping silently through the house.

Despite a few martial artists and normal people moving around, none seemed to notice her presence.

This was due not only to her excellent skill in stealth but also to the killing chi that surrounded her. That kind of energy suited the art of assassination perfectly.

“There’s no one in the main hall. So where else might the Lord be…”

The office.

Namgung So So, hanging from the ceiling, gritted her teeth tightly as her long hair dangled below her.

Still obstructed by falling hair, she decided to close her eyes and use her senses instead to find Sword Lord while hanging upside down and crawling like a spider across the ceiling.

The expected was not always true, for Namgung So So quickly located Sword Lord’s presence.

From within the room, harsh yelling could be heard—a voice loud enough only a superior of the household should possess.

“Are you even capable of proper thought? What do you plan to do without the important item?”

“Huuu… Sorry… But I thought Master Sword didn’t need it since you said last time…”

“What? Are you insane? Did I ever say such a thing? Am I lying right now?!”

“Ah, no sir… Sorry sir… It’s my fault…”

An attendant, her face flushed red, bowed on her knees crying while the Sword Lord paced and fumed.

This was the “daily routine” of Sword Lord—a man of great influence, often boiling with anger from the senior council, releasing it onto his maids.

Of course, Sword Lord was extremely mindful of their silence, lest these affairs leaked outside.

“So, Sword Lord… You haven’t changed a bit since those days.”

Watching from above on the ceiling, Namgung So So sighed, shaking her head.

“Even back in the war, you were utterly ineffective, but now it seems you’ve become even worse in bullying your subordinates.”

A little vein throbbed on her forehead as she recalled how Sword Lord framed the Sword Sage.

“Let’s not let my emotions take control.”

Moreover, Sword Lord was the only survivor spreading rumors about the Sword Sage and still alive.

“This is a rare chance. The first and perhaps the only one to extract information from the Sword Lord.”

Initially, Namgung So So thought the mastermind behind framing Namgung Cheolbin could be Sword Lord, but upon reflection, she ruled it out.

Firstly, Sword Lord was not that smart, and as for capable assistants around him, there were none.

Even those renowned as the master’s hands and feet during the war—such as the head of the Baiying Force—had all disappeared without a trace.

“Get out of my sight immediately! Go outside and stand with your hands up!”

“Wait, but this is mid-winter… are you joking, Master?”

“Does it look like I’m joking?!”

“Aaa… Sorry sir…”

Wearing a terrified expression, the attendant left the office.

Namgung So So, who had been waiting patiently behind cover, unsheathed a small knife once the door was shut.

She moved as silent as a spider towards Sword Lord.

Approaching to a distance where resistance was impossible, she was ready to press the knife to his neck.

She was positioned above, hanging upside down at the back of his head, out of his line of sight.

Still, Namgung So So’s heart was pounding with intensity, though she was trying hard to remain undetected.

With pounding beats, she advanced toward Sword Lord.

Sword Lord seemed unaware, fuming as usual.

“Alright, let’s get closer…”

“Who let this useless one in here? Did I instruct thus? How annoying it is for you to linger here! Try enduring this freezing winter!”

Thus, with the dagger in her right hand and her left clinging to the ceiling, she moved stealthily.

Unaware of the oversight—just one.

However dull or insensitive, even a nominal master wouldn’t be fooled easily.

“What are you then? A hitman sent to assassinate me?”

The figure of Namgung So So stopped abruptly.

The Twelve Lords of the world weren’t ones to be easily deceived, not even someone possessing a killing aura like Namgung So So.

“Ah, it doesn’t seem like an assassination. No killing intent emanates from you.”

Namgung So So’s predatory stance shifted into that of prey in an instant.

“Then let’s see the face of whoever dares to target me.”

Sword Lord turned back leisurely.

When their eyes met, an expression of curiosity arose.

“Hmm? Aren’t you… Bihwa? Wait, you’re not Bihwa, are you?”

The tone transformed instantly upon identifying Namgung So So.

“Why are you here, Bihwa? Shouldn’t you be at the Seven Flowers Hall? Why are you here?”

Detecting the weapon in Namgung So So’s hand, the slight curiosity turned subtly hostile.

“…There’s something I’d like to inquire about.”

“Let me go first, my questions come first. What is the meaning of this?”

“…”

Namgung So So frowned, realizing her plan had been foiled.

Seeing that, Sword Lord exhibited an expression filled with curiosity.

Bang!

Suddenly, Namgung So So kicked off the ceiling and began to flee at a speed incomparable to ordinary martial artists.

“…”

Had she been anyone else, such an escape angle would have been simply impossible. But then again, wasn’t her nickname precisely Bihwa—Flying Blossom?

As one of the best in the world in terms of agility, she was recognized among the few who excelled in this area.

Swoosh!

Everyone present was too preoccupied to notice Namgung So So’s flight, save for Sword Lord.

“…What do you even plan to achieve?”

Already a distant dot, Namgung So So continued in her escape.

In a single leap, Sword Lord also soared through the air, gaining momentum with each movement until he could cover distances spanning dozens of yards in an instant.

“Where do you think you’re heading?”

Even among those who had mastered agility, the capabilities of a supreme master like Namgung So So were akin to the antics of a day-old puppy.

“Hmmph. Did you run around here just to come here?”

Eventually, near a mountain distanced from the residence, Namgung So So was caught.

With a casual tone, Sword Lord blocked her path and questioned her.

“Yes, precisely to lure you here.”

A calm response that promptly erased the initial calm from Sword Lord’s face.

“…Lure?”

“First, let me ask you one thing. Your answer will determine your life or death.”

Namgung So So held her dagger in her left hand and her sword, drawn from the waist, in the right.

As though prepared to fight Sword Lord.

“You must be out of your mind. I know you’re renowned, but my name, Sword Lord, is no mere vanity.”

“Why did you falsely accuse the Sword Sage? And why an accusation that would gain you nothing?”

“Let me think… If I claim I don’t remember something that happened half a year ago, would you believe me?”

“It can’t rely just on words then.”

“Even if I were willing to tell, I am unable…”

SWISH!

Suddenly, Namgung So So blurred out of sight, only to reappear behind Sword Lord in an instance.

Sword Lord swung his blade reflexively without looking back, but Namgung So So had already ducked below to evade.

She followed up with a quick slash using her dagger held in her left hand.

It was a clean strike, targeting Sword Lord’s flank from an impeccable angle.

TANG!

It would’ve certainly sliced through had the opponent been anyone else.

CLENCH!

Using the sword, Sword Lord warded off the dagger and immediately retaliated with a punch from the close proximity.

Unfortunately for Namgung So So, she lacked the reflex to dodge, leaving her no choice but to take a direct hit to the face.

CRACK!

Her head spun a complete 180 degrees, but her body remained firmly grounded, refusing to buckle.

“You withstood this?”

The unexpected resilience surprised Sword Lord.

“HAA!”

With a fierce cry, Namgung So So took advantage of the opening to strike Sword Lord with her blade, finding yet another perfect angle.

“Huh! I can’t evade, can I…!”

Recognizing he couldn’t dodge, Sword Lord quickly adjusted his grip.

“Then I offer this bone for the flesh!”

Determining that sacrifice was necessary, Sword Lord exposed his thigh and struck downwards powerfully with his sword towards Namgung So So.

“River of Heaven, Infinite (天河無窮)!”

A single stroke encompassing three-six methods surged towards her.

Namgung So So’s choice of response?

“…”

She chose mutual destruction. Knowing her internal power alone wouldn’t suffice, she channeled all the vitality granted by the killing aura into her blade and struck back.

SQUEAK!

WHOOSH!

Their swords clashed fiercely, sending Namgung So So retreating with no less than thirty-six sword cuts across her body.

Her shredded clothing was saturated with flowing blood.

“Grrrr…”

“Ha, ha… Are you usually this relentless?”

Meanwhile, Sword Lord had just one long slash across his chest. It was a cut made possible by Namgung So So tapping into the killing aura.

Certainly, it wasn’t negligible as a wound, but compared to the fatal injuries Namgung So So sustained, it was far more favorable.

“Relentlessness is about stubbornly persisting against all odds.”

At least outwardly, she was.

“Hmm? Wait… What is this sudden ache in my lower dantian…”

“I’ve already created a win-win situation, but it’s you, Sword Lord, who is reckless.”

“URGH… Keuh… Khah!”

As the light reflected off Namgung So So’s sword the moment before, Sword Lord distinctly noticed its dark purple hue.

“GRR… GRR… Uuuuh…”

Quickly coughing a few times, Sword Lord hastily examined the wound underneath his robe. Instead of blood flowing, it was raw internal energy trickling out from the wound.

“Poison…! How dare a righteous sect member resort to poison! Aren’t you ashamed?”

“Why be ashamed when you don’t see anything? Plus, this is quite familiar to me.”

During the Blood War, Namgung So So had desperately learned various miscellaneous skills in her attempt to keep up with Namgung Cheolbin.

Among those skills included ‘Sealing Poison’ too.

Though a deed frowned upon by the righteous sects, for someone who had gone so far as to shave away her innate essence just to chase him, mere criticism was no obstacle.

Moreover, it didn’t matter as long as no one found out.

“Fresh Lung Collapse, the most expensive one with immediate effect.”

“You, you brat…”

“Stop yelling. I’ve got more prepared.”

SHING!

Ignoring the searing pain as if her whole body was tearing apart, Namgung So So charged again towards Sword Lord.

With his internal energy significantly depleted, even his renowned eyesight could barely catch up.

Hence, Sword Lord employed his supreme master’s Qi sense to close his eyes and detect Namgung So So’s movements.

Perceiving the incoming sword, he steadied his breath and swung.

It seemed like a commendable defensive move if Namgung So So were a regular swordsman.

WHOOSH!

Just as their swords clashed, Namgung So So casually sprinkled an unidentified powder from her other hand.

FIZZZLE!

As soon as the powder made contact with Sword Lord’s skin, it began to smoke. More alarmingly, upon penetrating the open wound on his chest, Sword Lord lost his sanity amidst the pain and screamed.

“AAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!”

Amidst the unprecedented anguish of a burning sensation all over his body, Sword Lord didn’t let go of his sword even in an unconscious state, trying desperately to stay upright.

POOF! POOF! POOF!

But with his senses both visually and internally impaired, he was ultimately pinned down by Namgung So So’s pressure points.

“GGH… Uuagh…”

Once that was done, Namgung So So took out bandages she’d prepared beforehand and wrapped herself tightly, though her numerous wounds still required professional treatment. That luxury of time was unaffordable due to the immense vitality depleted during the fight.

“Alright, let’s have a little chat now.”

PFFF.

Namgung So So released the pressure points on Sword Lord she had sealed. Still rigid, Sword Lord was subjected to questioning.

Her inquiry into the truth about her brother, Namgung Cheolbin.

However…

“Tell me why you falsely accused the Sword Sage.”

“…”

“Tell me who was behind this. Did it involve Bin Namgung?”

“…”

“For every unanswered question, I’ll cut off a finger. Speak!”

“!”

Sword Lord remained silent against all queries.

Not out of choice.

“Wh-Why have you suddenly become mute? I’ve released the pressure points!”

Even as Namgung So So grabbed his collar and threatened, Sword Lord only continued to shut his mouth.

“Is bloodshed necessary, then? Fine, if that’s what it takes, I’ll grant it. You, who dared accuse my brother without cause, weren’t meant to be spared anyway.”

SHRUNK! SHRUNK!

Despite Namgung So So slicing through his limbs with her dagger, Sword Lord’s lips remained resolutely sealed, as if bound by something.

As if controlled by unseen forces.

“…! ……!!!”

His fluctuating pupils and irregular breaths clearly showed the pain from torture wasn’t absent.

Namgung So So, having encountered Blood Sect members countless times, recognized such responses fairly well.

“Could you… be bound by a spell? Forbidden from speaking by orders from behind?”

Sword Lord’s red, strained eyeballs flicked up and down frantically.

And shortly after, they burst, spurting blood and mucus while trembling uncontrollably.

“……!!!!!”

“It appears you were indeed bound by a spell.”

The Blood Sect’s forte was precisely these spells.

Through spells, they craft undead known as Jiangshi and perform rituals. Their mystical and eerie powers once pushed the Central Plains martial world to its limits. Of course, the terrifying power of their Blood Arts couldn’t be underestimated either.

CRACK…

Namgung So So’s face contorted with anger.

She had successfully captured Sword Lord, but now realized no information could be extracted from him.

Being bound by a spell that restricts expression, threatening his life wasn’t going to yield any more results.

‘Then… rather…’

Her hand reflexively sought her dagger again.

Unaware and unable to detect anything with his eyes and depleted inner energy, Sword Lord froze upon feeling something cold pressing against his face.

But without the ability to move even a finger, he could do nothing against the blade’s approach.

SKREEEEEEEEECH.

“………!!!”

A silent scream of terror escaped as the knife began its work, his expression pale with the fear of death.

Regardless, Namgung So So’s dagger carved forward steadily.

“Because of my identity, there are limits to what information I can gather…”

“…!!!!!!!!”

“Let me provide you with a new identity, then. As Martial Arts Alliance Lord, you’d naturally have more information than me.”

“…!!!!!!!!!”

After about half an hour, Sword Lord’s face was entirely severed.

From losing the fight to bleeding excessively, he had died long ago.

Not minding that, Namgung So So slowly began attaching Sword Lord’s severed face onto her own.

After handling it for a while, she murmured her own thoughts aloud.

“Perhaps I should enlarge the nose a bit… My forehead is smaller than his, but that can be hidden with hair. Where was that place that specializes in fine facial masks again?”

A chilling or horrifying sight awaited anyone who observed the exquisite young woman in her twenties applying someone else’s face to her own.

“It’s fine. It’s just beginning. If I live as the Alliance Lord, sooner or later, the masterminds will find me. If not, using the Alliance Lord’s status will still help me find more clues than I could in my current standing.”

With her determination and obsession reaching a fever pitch, even grotesque scenes meant no constraints.

“As long as I find the culprits… As long as I present them to my brother, he’ll forgive me….”

Moreover, her fluctuating vitality had begun taking a toll on her mental stability.

“W-Would he refuse forgiveness if he doesn’t? Should I find another way…? No, Brother is benevolent… He will surely forgive me…”

Despite her mental state swinging between heaven and hell due to her emotional instability, the truth of survival was that people always chose what benefited them.

“No… Brother Namgung is the most compassionate person in the world… He’ll surely forgive me if I repent sincerely while presenting the culprit’s head…”

Unaware that this self-delusion would eventually spiral into her complete mental collapse and detachment of emotions.

“I hope that day comes soon… I can sit face to face with Brother and share meals again… Hahaha…”

Just like Sword Sage Namgung Cheolbin would.

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