Chapter 163
When I opened my eyes again, dawn was only beginning to gray the sky. Rubbing the sleep from them, I instinctively reached for my concealed weapons, then let out a hollow laugh.
To think my first instinct at this hour was to prepare for training. I really had become a martial artist down to the bone.
As I got ready to head outside, the wooden case containing the golden needles caught my eye.
After a moment’s hesitation, I took them out and slipped them into my sleeve.
The old man’s intentions were certainly suspicious, but leaving such fine concealed weapons unused would be an insult to the smith who had poured his heart into making them.
Since I had them, I ought to try them at least once.
...No. If they were good, I would keep using them.
Humming to myself, I left the hut and began searching the area around it.
Rampaging through the yard might damage the formation, so I wanted to find a suitable clearing.
I was lightly leaping from tree to tree as I searched the forest when I spotted Yeon Ryang in the middle of his dawn training.
I hurriedly tried to slip away, but he sensed my presence, lowered his sword, and turned toward me. I quickly waved my hands.
“Sorry, Brother. I wasn’t trying to spy on you.”
When I hastily explained myself, watching his expression, Yeon Ryang gave a quiet laugh and beckoned me over.
“You can watch. It’s only natural you’d be curious about your brother’s sword.”
“Huh? I can?”
“Of course. Why not? It’s hardly some peerless secret art. Just a collection of tricks.”
Before, merely revealing a couple of moves had been enough to make him mutter about silencing witnesses.
I swallowed at his unfamiliar reaction, and Yeon Ryang shrugged and winked.
“It’s really fine. You’re not some stranger.”
“E-Even so...”
“My sword doesn’t have anything you could properly call forms in the first place. It has no real foundation.”
He waved a hand as if telling me not to worry, then resumed training where I could clearly see him. It was as good as explicit permission to watch.
I held my breath, struggling to contain my excitement. The chance to observe another martial artist’s private training was exceedingly rare.
Even Grandfather, who had personally taught me, never allowed anyone to watch his individual practice. It was that private.
Perched on a branch, I opened my eyes wide and studied Yeon Ryang’s sword without blinking.
Perhaps my discernment had improved, because I could now see things I never had before.
His sword was a killing sword specialized in ending a fight with a single strike.
Rather than binding himself to fixed forms, he adapted to his opponent as the situation demanded.
And...
He had always fought alone.
My heart grew heavy as I watched how he moved, never once allowing his back to become exposed.
A person’s life really did seep into their sword.
When my expression darkened, Yeon Ryang chuckled, mischief glinting in his eyes.
“Ugly, isn’t it?”
“Not at all. It’s impressive.”
At my answer, he smiled, rolled his shoulders a few times, and pointed the tip of his sword at me.
“Since we’re on the subject, how about a spar with my little sister? It’s been a while.”
“What? Out of nowhere?”
“But no inner force. Now, defend yourself.”
“Wait—what?”
A scream tore out of me as Yeon Ryang closed the distance in an instant. Caught completely off guard, I leaped down from the tree in alarm.
“Aaah! Wait! You said no inner force!”
“I’m not using any.”
“Then why are you being so vicious? Aah! Brother, wait! Just wait a second!”
“There’s no ‘wait a second’ in a real fight, Sohae.”
“Have you forgotten how long your sword is? I use concealed weapons! Of course I’m at a disadvantage if you stick this close!”
“No swordsman in a real fight will accommodate your circumstances. You need to get used to close combat too.”
Yeon Ryang calmly leveled his sword at me, his entire demeanor starkly different from usual. I hurriedly pulled out a throwing knife and took my stance.
“What’s gotten into you all of a sudden? You sound exactly like Monk Beopgong right now.”
“Hmm. Do I? I should at least be better than that bald fraud.”
Scratching his cheek, Yeon Ryang’s expression changed, and a murderous aura surged from him.
It was the first time he had ever turned his killing sword on me.
When I stiffened in alarm, he gave me a serious warning.
“I know it isn’t a pleasant aura, but you need to grow accustomed to it. The refined gentlemen of the orthodox faction might not use a sword like this, but wanderers are different. If you aren’t used to it, their presence alone can overwhelm you and throw off your breathing.”
“I-I know that! But this is too sudden—agh!”
“In an urgent situation, a moment’s choice decides whether you live or die. And it’s less a conscious choice than instinct, so... it can be difficult to learn.”
“W-Wait! I haven’t even warmed up yet, Brother!”
“But experience can compensate for that to a degree.”
“Are you even listening? I said I haven’t warmed up!”
Shrieking all the while, I evaded Yeon Ryang’s strike, darted behind a tree, and threw my knife.
“You should throw it properly.”
Yeon Ryang lightly knocked it aside, then brought his sword down in a tone that made his dissatisfaction plain.
I twisted away in a panic.
The tree I had been using for cover split in two and crashed apart to either side.
“You said you weren’t using inner force! Liar!”
“I’m not. You tear trees apart with brute strength too, Sohae.”
There was no trace of his usual tenderness in the way he came after me without mercy.
Sweat poured down my face as I struggled to read the path of his sword.
Left? No, right?
As I clutched my concealed weapon and hesitated awkwardly, Yeon Ryang spoke sharply.
“Don’t hesitate. When someone attacks you, strike back immediately. Even if it’s your brother, don’t hesitate to cut him down.”
Then he swung his sword with terrifying force.
“Brother, you know you’re acting really strange today, don’t—agh! Seriously!”
Yeon Ryang’s relentless sword consisted of nothing more than simple cuts, sweeps, and thrusts.
But they came so quickly that I could barely distinguish feints from true attacks.
Worse, he disrupted my rhythm and exploited my openings with such effortless precision that the slightest pause felt as though it would cost me my head.
I wondered what strange wind had possessed him, but I did not dislike it. Once I adjusted to his speed, I even began to enjoy myself.
Because at least for now, I could tell that Yeon Ryang was treating me not as a child he had to protect, but as a fellow martial artist.
When I bared my teeth in a grin, Yeon Ryang rubbed his forehead as though I were hopeless.
“My lady. Weren’t you just whining a moment ago? Aren’t you enjoying this a little too much?”
“It’s fun!”
“That bald fraud was right. You really were born for this.”
Muttering to himself, Yeon Ryang twisted his trajectory and aimed for my lower body. Realizing he meant to throw me off balance, I dodged with a grumble.
“You won’t catch me with that twice.”
“You already noticed?”
Yeon Ryang snickered as I widened the distance and scattered concealed weapons toward him.
Then I realized something was wrong.
The eyes staring at me were red.
“Brother, that’s cheating. You said no inner force, but your eyes are red.”
“Oh. I truly wasn’t using any.”
Looking troubled by my accusation, Yeon Ryang hurriedly reined in his energy. His blood-red irises slowly darkened back to black.
He wasn’t the sort of person who made mistakes like that.
I found it strange, but there was no time to dwell on it. Blocking the sword in front of me came first.
I planted a foot on the oncoming blade and went for Yeon Ryang’s right arm. He licked his lower lip and burst into laughter.
“Yes. That’s how you should come at me.”
His praise did not stop him from ruthlessly throwing me off. He planted a foot on my back, pinned me to the ground, and laid the edge of his sword against my neck.
The murderous pressure was so intense that my back grew damp and my skin prickled.
In a real fight, that strike would unquestionably have killed me.
I looked up at Yeon Ryang, gasping for breath. He flinched, withdrew his sword, and hurriedly pulled me to my feet.
“Damn. Your brother went too far. Are you all right?”
Regret filled his face as he brushed the dirt from me. I blinked at him blankly.
What was that?
For a moment, I had felt something.
When I did not answer, Yeon Ryang grew flustered and cupped my cheek.
“Sohae, are you all right? Did I frighten you?”
“...”
“Sohae?”
His worried voice snapped me back to my senses. I shook my head hard and opened my mouth.
“Brother. Can we do it again?”
“Are you sure? Your fingertips are trembling.”
“I’m not trembling because I’m scared. I’m trembling because I’m excited.”
I lowered my gaze to my hands.
It had lasted only an instant, but instead of calculating the throw in my head, I had felt as though the concealed weapon had become part of my body and shot outward on its own.
What was that? How had I done it?
“Brother. Just one more time. Please?”
“We need to eat breakfast. The sun’s already up.”
“I want to keep going. I felt something just now. Let’s do it again!”
I grabbed his sleeve and pleaded until he shook his head as though there was no stopping me.
“It seems Young Master Yang really did spur you on. Fine. Few things aid growth more than a competitive spirit.”
Muttering, Yeon Ryang drew his sword again. He strode backward to open the distance, then beckoned me forward.
“Then come at me, little sister.”
*****
After fending off his storm-like sword all morning, I had no strength left.
I collapsed flat on the dirt and gasped like a fish stranded on land.
When I remained utterly motionless, Cane crept over, pressed one forepaw against my nose, and let go.
“Hey. Stop that...”
“Kyuu.”
“I said stop...”
“Kiii.”
Now this damn sable was making fun of me. Ugh. I felt like I was going to throw up.
I pushed Cane away and stared at the clouds drifting overhead. Yeon Ryang stood above me, laughing.
Unlike me, who had been reduced to mush, he looked perfectly fresh, as though he had not shed a single drop of sweat.
“Brother... the sky’s gone yellow...”
“That means you trained properly. Let’s wash up and eat. I already wrapped all the dumplings. They only need to be boiled.”
“When did you do that? Do you have two bodies?”
My stamina had improved beyond comparison since leaving the Tang Clan, but I still could not keep up with that man.
After helping me to my feet, Yeon Ryang went to prepare breakfast. I watched his retreating back, groaning, then dragged myself toward the well.
Splashing my face with cold water made me feel a little more alive.
I lowered the bucket again, intending to fill the bath, when Yeon Ryang called from the kitchen.
“Sohae. Can you come here for a moment?”
“Hm? Why?”
“There’s something here.”
He sounded faintly surprised.
I set down the bucket and headed for the kitchen.
When he saw me, Yeon Ryang pointed toward a row of earthenware jars lined up in one corner.
I staggered over and peered inside.
My eyes widened.
“...Huh? What is this?”