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Chapter 20
“……”
Wol and Namgung Mindo stood in the marketplace, staring at each other. To be exact, Wol was rubbing one foot against the ground as if he found everything bothersome, while only Mindo glared at him fiercely.
“Draw your sword!”
“Just come at me.”
“Y-You…!”
Mindo pulled out his sword, enraged by Wol’s blatantly dismissive reply, and immediately kicked off the ground, leaping toward him.
Great Evolution Sword Art (大衍劍法)
It was an intermediate-level sword art based on its main techniques, Great Evolution Shadow Slash and Great Evolution Heavenly Net. Its momentum was impressive—yet Wol merely yawned, hopped lightly to the side, and dodged him as if to tease him.
Mindo’s eyes grew even fiercer. He unfolded the sword art again and stepped into Infinite Step, but in that instant, Wol’s scabbard came crashing down onto his head.
Thwack!
With a loud crack, Mindo collapsed face-first onto the ground. Wol sighed and stomped on the bent-over man’s back.
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!
“Ah! He’s going to die!”
His other brothers rushed over to stop him. Only after thoroughly stomping him did Wol step back. Mindo, a complete mess, was dragged away by the others as he bled profusely from the nose. He was probably headed off for treatment—and to calm his qi, which had likely been thrown into chaos.
Wol snorted dismissively and returned to the inn.
“Well done.”
“Indeed.”
When Sa-yeol praised him lightly, he lowered himself and sat beside her.
“?”
“You said I did well.”
“……”
Sa-yeol gently patted his head. He rubbed his head against her palm like a dog and growled contentedly. She truly could not tell whether she had picked up a person or a stray dog. Sohwa stared at Wol with growing suspicion, but Wol paid no mind and basked in Sa-yeol’s praise.
“…We should rest a little more before departing.”
At that moment, Jado, who had gone to check on Mindo’s injuries, returned with a sigh. Sa-yeol merely said “As you wish,” but Wol snorted again. Jado bowed awkwardly, unsure how to handle him.
“The road back will be peaceful, at least.”
Sa-yeol alone spoke calmly, unfazed by the situation.
A few days later, they arrived in Hefei. It was the largest city in the region, bustling with people. As their ornate carriage passed through the streets, curious eyes followed it. Especially with Wol sitting atop the carriage, people stared even harder, wondering what on earth they were witnessing.
Wol should have been embarrassed, yet he simply sat on top with his eyes closed, hugging his sword. Jado guided them straight to the academy. Mindo, face battered, trudged along behind them, utterly deflated. He must have never imagined losing so easily.
Hopefully this will cure his bad habits…
Their first task was to bring the carriage to the academy. They passed through the crowds and stopped before the grand academy where people gathered most densely. The Namgung family’s academy was renowned; being run by one of the wealthiest clans, even the front gate gleamed from its polish.
“Second disciple Namgung Jado has returned with the brothers!”
Creeeak—
No sooner had he spoken than the academy gates opened, revealing the vast training hall inside. Someone ran out toward them.
“Senior Jado, you’re back!”
“Yes, Jungmyeong. How have you been?”
“More importantly! Senior Dowi has emerged!”
“What? Finally?!”
Namgung Dowi, who had entered closed-door training, had finally emerged. Wol cracked an eye open from the top of the carriage. Of course, all he could see was the carriage roof—but what he really wanted to check was Sa-yeol’s reaction. However, the interior of the carriage remained quiet. Only Sohwa’s excited voice echoed.
“Young Master Dowi must have broken through!”
“Seems so.”
“Aren’t you happy? He was the only one who was kind to you…”
“It is something worth celebrating.”
Sa-yeol wasn’t sure how to feel toward Namgung Dowi. Yes, he had been kind to her—but it felt like a story from a lifetime ago. And in the end, he hadn’t been able to save her. Though… that didn’t matter.
In the end, only you can save yourself.
Sa-yeol had never expected anyone to rescue her. Not in the past, and not now. In the past, she failed only because she lacked the power to save herself. Only she could save herself—yet she hadn’t, and instead sacrificed her friend and still failed.
So in this life, she would do it alone.
She had no intention of relying on anyone. She had no expectations for Namgung Dowi either. If he would remain a kind older brother, that would be enough.
When the carriage stopped, Sa-yeol stepped down with Sohwa. Everyone training nearby naturally turned their gaze toward her. It was only natural—Sa-yeol wore the attire of someone from the Namgung family.
Black garments, a golden sash, long white hair, and golden eyes matching her belt. Her appearance was utterly unfamiliar to them. They did not know how to react to the sudden appearance of an unknown Namgung bloodline—until someone called out to her.
“I’ve heard the story.”
Sa-yeol turned. The middle-aged man with a beard resembled her father. She recognized him instantly.
Namgung Wonjong.
The one person who could tell whether she had been possessed or had used forbidden techniques to return. Sa-yeol bowed to him.
“I greet you, Uncle.”
“…Mm.”
Sa-yeol signaled to Sohwa to wait and followed Wonjong. She watched his back and thought: He claimed he had no interest in becoming clan head, yet he was far more competent than the useless rabble clinging to the family—and perhaps even better than her own father. Of course, a man who worked directly at the academy would naturally be different from her father, who spent his life cowering before the patriarch.
They entered a small infirmary. Two chairs sat on one side—likely for tending injured children. On the other side was an empty bed. No one seemed injured today.
“Sit.”
“Yes.”
“I heard you’ve learned forbidden arts, yet I see no such signs.”
“Is that so?”
“You ask as if you genuinely don’t know.”
“Yes.”
Sa-yeol sat calmly. Wonjong extended his hand. She placed her wrist atop his. He began taking her pulse. Sa-yeol opened her pathways, allowing him to sense her qi—something not easily done.
Silence settled between them. After a long while, he released her wrist.
“I cannot detect anything.”
“Is that so?”
“But your inner strength is considerable. If I dare guess… have you reached Peak Level?”
“I have.”
“…Did you encounter some fortuitous chance?”
“Heh.”
She let out a laugh devoid of meaning—so stiff her lips didn’t even move, only sound emerging. Wonjong quietly studied her face. He knew well what she had endured. One day, his older brother had dragged home an illegitimate child. She had been treated worse than an animal.
“It must have been very bitter for you.”
“I wonder.”
“I heard about your father.”
“A tragic event.”
“…You were not possessed.”
“You can tell?”
“One look is enough. I will report as much to the main household.”
“Thank you.”
“But be cautious. There is something odd.”
“Odd?”
“Your yin energy is strong—which is expected, considering your bloodline. But the fact that there are no side effects is strange. As if someone has already… intervened.”
