Try Living Well Without Me

“Alright, draw your sword.”

At my words, she stopped her endless sobbing, tried to calm herself, and drew her sword.

An icy blade as sharp as frost faced me, without a hint of dullness.

Of course, since I have seen this sword countless billions of times, it only makes me feel endearment.

“Hu…h, thank you so much… ”

“I am but a servant of my lord. If there’s anything you need, you should use me whenever necessary.”

Saying thus, I picked up a branch from the ground.

Truthfully, even without a sword, I could summon my Heart Sword, but if I did that, it might reveal that I am the Sword Sage, so I refrained.

The branch I held, about half the length of Jin Gayoung’s sword, was significantly shorter, yet she appeared visibly tense.

“So, how are you going to help me win…?”

“Give me just one week. Just one week of time.”

“Though we’re both considered at the peak of our arts, the difference between me and Byul is like the heavens and the earth. Can something like one week even make a difference?”

“That part is unnecessary to worry about. My lord only needs to completely trust and follow my guidance.”

“Hmm…somehow, I trust you when you say it like that.”

“Consider me Byul and face me in a mock battle. I’ll show and teach you every flaw, habit, and martial technique of Byul.”

“You’re remarkable. I didn’t think this was possible.”

“…”

Among the countless loops of regression, Namgung So-so has been the one who has fought back-to-back with me the most, save for a few exceptions like Ok Hwa or the Divine Ascendant.

There’s no way I could not know her martial arts and all their intricate details.

One might ask if it doesn’t prick my conscience, but I will act for Jin Gayoung’s sake as ‘Byul’.

At least, until she discovers my true identity and casts me aside.

This is my way of repaying the warmth she’s given me anew.

“Then, let’s begin.”

“Yes…thank you very much. Hehe…Success practicing with my benefactor!”

As she muttered something incomprehensible, I gave her a formal bow and struck with the branch.

At first, lightly, only exerting eight-tenths of Namgung So-so’s physical abilities.

Swish!

My branch swept towards her in a whirling motion.

Jin Gayoung quickly raised her sword to defend, but my branch slid along her blade at a diagonal angle until it touched her neck.

Her face showed a slight surprise at the smoothness of the attack, like a stream flowing freely, unhindered.

Clack.

“This is the first move of the Subduing Dragon Swordplay, Hwal-yong. It’s a technique that nullifies the opponent’s defense and strikes at their weakness. Essentially, it’s full of feints, and the foundation of the Subduing Dragon Swordplay.”

“Ah…I think I understand…”

“And this is how Byul uses Hwal-yong.”

After withdrawing my branch, I struck again.

This time, it wasn’t fast enough to escape her vision completely. Realizing this, Jin Gayoung attempted to rotate her sword to cut off the incoming branch.

An astute choice.

She must have recalled the method to counter Hwal-yong so quickly.

She truly has a remarkable talent to live up to her nickname ‘Sword Flower’.

However…

Whoosh!

“Eh?”

Clack.

“This is what Byul often does.”

“Just now… what did you do?”

“Right when my lord tried to cut, I pulled back the branch once. This caused your sword to chop through the air, leaving you open for me to strike.”

“That’s…”

“Yes. This is countering the method used to counter ordinary Hwal-yong. Byul often uses the two in combination. Piercing through the neck by slipping the sword away from those unfamiliar with Hwal-yong, and for those who try to counter it by cutting, she uses her own style—stepping back a bit, then thrusting forward.”

Jin Gayoung nodded as if she understood.

Judging by her expression, it wasn’t just a superficial nod. She seemed genuinely to understand.

To grasp this so easily…she might be even more talented than I imagine.

“Well, please try it yourself.”

“Me?!”

“Originally, the best strategy for understanding an opponent’s swordplay is through firsthand practice. That’s how you discern weaknesses and vulnerable points.”

That’s true.

It’s the same principle behind why I wanted to learn Blood Demon’s Blood Sea Swordplay and Celestial Demon’s Celestial Demon Swordplay.

Though, I didn’t end up learning them.

“And, shouldn’t I also demonstrate how to counter both of those techniques?”

“Ah…yes! I’ll try once!”

Having steadied her sword and closed her eyes muttering something, Jin Gayoung advanced, pointing her blade straight at me.

Not yelling a battle cry—good habit.

Clack.

I positioned my branch against her incoming strike.

Without any intent to push it away, no force was applied.

Flick!

Seizing control of her sword using a technique of light attachment, though she gripped the handle, the sword was now within my control.

Whoosh!

I spun her around for about three rotations, then when she had lost her balance sufficiently, I raised the sword.

Whoosh!

Rising like a fish caught on a line, Jin Gayoung floated into the air, her face full of bewilderment as if she’d been ensnared by an illusion.

Plop!

Instead of slamming her to the ground, I gently caught her with my arms.

With my right arm supporting her shoulder and my left around her waist, I ended up cradling her quite inadvertently.

“Well, how about that?”

“Ah, ah…I-I don’t know…!”

Jin Gayoung’s face turned bright red.

As I quietly studied her, her gaze averted, trying to avoid my eyes.

“What don’t you understand?”

“E-Everything!”

“Is it difficult to grasp? It’s true that simultaneously applying the principles of fluidity, lightness, and righteousness isn’t easy.”

“But, if you do it again, I can try harder!”

Despite knowing it wouldn’t work just by doing it one more time, Jin Gayoung, gripping her fists, quickly insisted.

Her passionate attitude was admirable and heartening to watch.

“If you say so, I’ll show you again.”

Taking the starting stance, I responded to her approach with the exact same method as before.

Clack. Flick. Whoosh! Whoosh! Plop!

Contrary to her bold declaration, Jin Gayoung ended up in the same situation, flailing helplessly in mid-air before falling into my arms once more.

This time, it felt like I used a bit more restraint, didn’t it?

“Aah…please…don’t look at me like that…!”

“Would you like to try again?”

“…Yes, if it’s not too much trouble… Please…”

Afterward, Jin Gayoung repeated the set of movements tirelessly, attempting to break through Namgung So-so’s first move of the Subduing Dragon Swordplay.

Each time, her face grew hotter, but that’s probably because practicing was strenuous.

Thump!

Finally, after throwing up all the food she had consumed at the banquet, Namgung So-so collapsed.

“Exactly… why am I like this…?”

Even asking herself this brought no answer.

Since the visit of the Taewon Jin Clan’s party that day, or more specifically since she saw a masked figure descending from Jin Gayoung’s carriage—this strange trembling and restlessness had persisted.

“Ugh…”

Her hands trembled, her heart incessantly pounding without respite.

It was impossible to calm her breath, and why her face kept getting hot, she could not comprehend.

“Ugh…!”

The sickening feeling of her stomach twisting was highly uncomfortable, but the masked man continued to trouble her thoughts more.

No matter how she closed her eyes, the image of him supporting Jin Gayoung inside the carriage kept resurfacing.

Despite not having had her eyebrows adorned with artistic ink, the memory persisted.

“Auuhh… Haa, haa.”

Her mind was utterly unable to find peace.

Faced with this turmoil, she swung her familiar sword around aimlessly, which helped slightly, though only temporarily.

The moment she paused, the strange phenomenon returned with full force.

Thump, thump!

It hurt.

Her chest, her heart, her very soul was in excruciating pain.

The pain was unbearable to the extent that she wished to collapse on the ground, clutching her heart and weep pitifully.

Clang!

Ultimately, Namgung So-so, throwing her sword down, collapsed in a heap, losing all self-control.

‘This… it’s the same as back then.’

A long time ago, when she had harbored romantic feelings for her elder brother, Namgung Cheolbin.

Though she had not yet fully overcome it, it wasn’t wrong to consider it as ‘back then’; the trembling and excitement had once again enveloped Namgung So-so.

Even the slightest separation from him would cause her legs to tremble uncontrollably, an almost manic emotion from those days.

“Haaah…”

Despite sitting on the ground and taking deep breaths, her mind remained restless.

I want to see that masked man again.

Who he is to be affecting her like this?

I must find out, even if I have to force it.

“…No, I need to confirm.”

Regardless of what strange alignment this is, it must stop.

I must practice, there’s a journey ahead, and I cannot get tangled up in these personal feelings, accomplishing nothing.

I must uncover who this man is, reveal the face hidden behind that pale mask, and find out why I am affected this way.

I must sever this strange phenomenon.

Otherwise, continuing the life of a swordsman would become impossible.

With that resolution, Namgung So-so surveyed her surroundings.

Looking around hurriedly as if searching for something.

Fortunately—or perhaps unfortunately—she did not have to search for long.

“O-Over there!”

On the circumference path outside Gangsan Sword School,

Two pale figures were walking along the path.

The masked man and the Jin Clan’s Sword Flower.

“So… what should I say to start a conversation?”

Should I ask who he is?

No, there must be a reason for wearing a mask.

If he was going to reveal his identity easily, he wouldn’t have bothered to wear one in the first place.

‘But… what’s his relationship with Sword Flower?’

At a glance, it seemed like that of bodyguard and master, though there was something more intimate, more tender between the two.

Then again, they aren’t lovers—if they were, they wouldn’t be strolling together without holding hands.

‘Ugh-ugh…’

Whatever the case, it was unsettling.

Just witnessing this from afar.

Without much hesitation, she ran toward them.

Rushing like a man bewitched by a fox.

Even employing rarely used light-step techniques, she clumsily bounded towards the outskirts.

“!”

Though she managed to catch up to them at a distance of three or so feet…

‘What should I say naturally?’

A question that should have been easy to answer under normal circumstances,

Yet strangely, her mind had gone blank, producing no thoughts, much like facing her elder brother in the past.

“My lord, you are remarkably talented. Please don’t underestimate yourself.”

“No, there are far more extraordinary individuals in this world than me.”

Amid their cheerful exchange, the two seemed to be growing closer.

If left like this, they would probably pass her and move on without notice.

‘No, this can’t happen…’

In a rush, Namgung So-so impulsively dashed forward.

And to the four eyes staring curiously at her sudden appearance, she awkwardly smiled and started the conversation.

“Did you both enjoy your meal?”

Though it came spontaneously, she thought it wasn’t a bad greeting.

To which Sword Flower responded, bowing gracefully, letting her dark tresses flow elegantly.

“Yes, the hospitality of Gangsan Sword School was so overwhelming, I didn’t know what to do. And may I ask, did Nonpareil Bihwa also enjoy the meal?”

Normally, she should have said ‘Yes, I enjoyed it too. Haha,’ to conclude on a good note and part amicably, but she didn’t want that.

She didn’t want to separate from the masked man standing stone-like beside the Sword Flower.

Hence, she answered truthfully.

To prolong the conversation,

To spend just a little more time near him.

“Unfortunately, I couldn’t really enjoy my meal.”

“Is something the matter?”

“My stomach isn’t feeling well. I’ve never been this way before, but today, I feel a peculiar chill and my body isn’t in good condition.”

While chatting with Sword Flower, Namgung So-so sneaked glances at the masked man.

Without his hood, his silver-streaked short hair, perhaps bleached, was visible, an appearance she’d never encountered before.

Yet, strangely, she felt a sense of familiarity, like facing something she had long yearned for.

Thump, thump…

Her heart began to beat even stronger than before.

The sorrowful palpitations she had felt when he descended from the carriage returned with intensity, due to the fact that his mask was now turned toward her.

Amidst this, the clueless Sword Flower continued to talk.

“Dear me, we happen to have a good tonic for such occasions. Would you like some?”

“Haha…thank…thank you.”

She wasted no time in answering.

The time spent conversing with Sword Flower felt precious to her.

She wanted to use every moment looking at the masked man.

Meanwhile, the restless sensation in her chest persisted annoyingly.

“Then, we’ll take our leave now. We’ll send someone tomorrow with the tonic.”

Going?

Before even confirming the identity of the masked man?

“No, wait…!”

“Then, we’ll take our leave. Take a pleasant walk.”

“Wait, just a moment!”

She hastily stopped Sword Flower who had bowed and was about to leave.

Actually, her hand had grabbed the arm of the person behind Sword Flower—the masked man.

Despite realizing that this action was unbecoming, Namgung So-so held onto his wrist tightly and didn’t let go.

“…What do you need?”

A coarse, gravelly deep voice emerged from the masked man, much like rubbing rough iron.

“…! I, the voice…!”

“I know my voice is weird. So please, hurry up and tell me, why are you holding my lord’s hand?”

“Um… well…”

She couldn’t go as far as to directly ask if they could talk privately without Sword Flower present.

Instead…

“Teacher…What is your honored name?”

Even though he addressed her as ‘lord’, indicating a lower status, she addressed him naturally as ‘teacher’.

“…”

“I’m sorry! I’m very rude! I mean… what I want to say is… ”

“…Lightning.”

The woman, trembling in her voice trying to correct herself, stopped at the sound of the metallic voice suddenly speaking.

“Lightning… that’s your name?”

“That will do. We shall take our leave now.”

“A, ah… but, but…”

“Goodbye, Lady Bihwa!”

Sword Flower and the masked man called Lightning thus departed.

Long after they had gone, Namgung So-so remained rooted to the spot.

The feeling when she had held Lightning’s wrist—a distinctly icy sensation akin to touching a sword blade, yet strangely warm and inviting.

A feeling so irresistible, akin to forbidden sorcery, deeply addicting.

“Haauuugh…”

She crumpled to the ground, sliding to her knees, unable to maintain herself upright any longer due to the tension she had held on to.

“Lightning,” she thought, the name resonating in her mind as the best she’d ever encountered—excluding Cheolbin, of course.

She thought it unconsciously.

The Gangshan Sect Leader, returning to his office after the feast, glared at the man in front of him.

The man with a scruffy beard and imposing muscles was Wang Safang.

The chief of Wangsa gang, the premier black guild in Shanxi Province.

“Lord Sect Leader! How can you treat us like this?”

Wang Safang bellowed his grievance.

Because of the meal and entertainment just before, the Sect Leader frowned and belched his disapproval.

“What’s wrong?”

“Increasing this month’s pay, how else are we supposed to survive!”

“Well, I never said we’d cut it forever. It’s just for this month. The Sect’s budget is a bit tight this month.”

“What? If we hadn’t been there for all your dirty work, would you have even made that budget?”

“Come on, it’s not that we won’t pay forever, settle down. We’ll talk about this later.”

As with most partners in business, they were in conflict over money matters.

Of course, with the Sect Leader of one of the Nine Great Clans, Gangshan Sect, Wang Safang had no choice but to step back.

“Sect Leader… you’ll regret this.”

However, this retreat wasn’t like their usual ones.

“Go on, I’m tired. Belch* Need some rest.”

In Wang Safang’s eyes, a fiery rage brewed.

“Even worms will squirm if stepped on.”

“You’re not a worm, Wang, act with reason.”

“…”

“Hmm…”

The calm yawn of the Gangshan Sect Leader only infuriated Wang Safang further.

Retreating silently as the Sect Leader’s back faded away.

Deep within Wang Safang’s mind, the Gangshan Sect Leader, Fu Long Jian, was already a cold, dead corpse bereft of any warmth.

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