Book 21 Chapter 10

The Passionate Tiger, the Bowed Jang Hong

—The Weight of Karma

No matter how much of a peerless beauty one is, it's an unavoidable fate to be slightly disheveled after waking up from sleep. Na Yerim was no exception. However, in this case, it served to enhance her allure even more.

Perhaps it's because she knows she can never be perfect. Most people tend to feel a sense of repulsion towards perfection. A perfect human being becomes something other than human, perhaps a 'monster' or 'unlovable.' Therefore, a small crack in perfection, a moderate dishevelment, actually adds to one's lovability.

"Did you sleep well, Yeonbi?"

Na Yerim, looking in the mirror, asked as she tidied her hair after waking up. Her jet-black hair flowed gently.

"Lin, your hair is so beautiful. It's even silkier than silk."

Yeonbi exclaimed, unable to take her eyes off the flowing black hair.

"Is it? I don't really know."

Na Yerim blushed slightly at Yeonbi's compliment.

"That level of beauty should be designated a national treasure without any problem. You must have some special care secret, right?"

Yeonbi stated confidently.

"A secret? Not really…"

"Hmph, it's just like those who win martial arts competitions saying, 'I slept exactly seven hours every day and trained only with secret manuals as my master taught me. I swear I didn't use any elixirs or have a hidden master.' See? Can't you see these shining eyes of mine? Come on, spill it. Do you secretly take beauty-enhancing elixirs every night?"

Yeonbi's playful reprimand made Yerim burst into laughter. Her laughter was clear, like jade beads rolling on a silver tray.

"Oh, is it that funny? This is the first time I've seen Lin laugh like that."

Yeonbi asked.

"Heh, no one has ever told me jokes as funny as Yeonbi's."

Even Dokgo Saja, with whom she was close, had never exchanged such playful banter. Putting aside their joke-telling skills, Dokgo Ryeong wasn't particularly interested in grooming herself.

"Oh dear, a woman's beauty is an important matter. Beautiful looks are a woman's weapon! I didn't know when I was young, but as I live, makeup and body care are often more useful than muscles. They're pleasing to the eye and reduce fights. Men with bulky muscles, who are ignorant and sweaty, can't do this."

As Yeonbi spoke, intoxicated by an inexplicable sense of victory, Na Yerim tilted her head as if something was bothering her.

"Still, aren't there some exceptions? For instance…"

"For instance?"

"Like Young Master Moyong… Ah, no, please forget what I just said."

Na Yerim said, waving her hand flusteredly.

'What was I saying…'

She couldn't quite understand why those words had come out. It was something she would never have said normally.

'Did I catch it from Yeonbi?'

"Oh, that's quite an interesting suggestion. Hehehe, that sounds fun?"

Yeonbi chimed in with a smile.

"Come to think of it, it's almost time to go to the orientation."

"Indeed. Who was the person in charge? It was something like Ok…"

She seemed to have forgotten. Na Yerim answered instead.

"Ok Yu-gyeong, the Blood Jade Immortal. She's one of the few female masters recognized in the martial arts world by my master."

Yeonbi looked slightly surprised at her words.

"Your master? The Sword Empress?"

The Sword Empress would undoubtedly have strict and demanding standards for recognizing masters. Furthermore, being a woman, she would be even more cautious and picky, so if someone passed her standards, they wouldn't have ordinary skills.

"They say she's also called the Blood Rakshasa here."

A fearsome alias. However, perhaps to gain fame as a woman in the dark arts, one had to act like her alias. If she were mediocre, she would be ignored or devoured.

"Oh dear, we can't be late today. If we displease that auntie, we'll have a tough time!"

Na Yerim smiled softly at Yeonbi's amusing tone.

It didn't take long to get ready. As Na Yerim picked up her beloved sword, 'Ice Tear,' Yeonbi lightly lifted her black umbrella. A new morning at Macheon Pavilion was finally beginning.

When Ok Yu-gyeong, the chief of Macheon Pavilion's martial arts department and captain of the Seventh Dormitory's Blood Peak Squad, ascended the stage, all eyes turned to her. The gazes of some of the Cheonmu Academy disciples were unusual. Although her aura was cold, she possessed a voluptuous figure and a mature, seductive beauty.

Those who knew her true nature in Macheon Pavilion would flinch or move away from her even from afar, but the disciples from Cheonmu Academy who had just arrived yesterday did not yet know her true nature.

"I thought 'Rakshasa' meant a burly, tiger-like auntie, but she's quite beautiful."

Yeonbi whispered to Na Yerim.

"Indeed. Though cold, her dignified aura is overwhelming. Like a perfectly tempered sword."

Na Yerim admired her aura. Just by looking at her appearance, it was clear she was a master of considerable skill.

"Indeed, if you approach her, you'll be cut down instantly. She's dangerous yet draws the gaze of martial artists; she's like a magic sword."

Yeonbi's insight was also considerable.

"Looking at her, countless men must have approached her and been defeated."

Just as such things happened occasionally in the righteous path, they would undoubtedly occur in the dark path. In fact, the frequency might even be higher. Yet, to emanate such a dignified spirit meant that she had overcome all those threats with her skills alone.

"She's quite a remarkable woman. It's no wonder she's recognized by my master."

She proved her worth simply by her standing position.

"Indeed. If she were to meet Junior Master Jin, who do you think would be stronger?"

"Junior Master Jin? Ah, you mean Goddess Ami, Lady Jin?"

Jin So-ryeong, along with Yu Eun-seong, the foremost sword expert of Cheonjimgak, was accompanying them as an instructor. For the sake of distinction, the Cheonmu Academy group was conveniently calling the elder masters of Sword and Flame 'teachers,' and Jin So-ryeong and Yu Eun-seong 'junior masters.'

"Didn't it feel like sparks were flying when Junior Master Jin and Instructor Ok met?"

After a high-handed welcoming ceremony, upon arriving at their assigned dormitory, they were greeted by the Blood Jade Immortal Ok Yu-gyeong. She had come to inform them of the next day's schedule.

"I thought the two of them couldn't hold back and would exchange a few moves right then and there, but they both had great patience."

"Yesterday was the first day, right? With their positions, they couldn't just draw their swords carelessly."

Na Yerim also clearly remembered the scene: the fierce fighting spirit that tensed the surroundings the moment they exchanged names. One was a renowned goddess from the righteous path, the other a famous immortal from the dark path! Both were among the strongest swordswomen of their generation. It was natural for their competitive spirits to flare up.

"I can confidently say that those two will definitely find a reason to fight soon."

Yeonbi's face lit up, as if she was looking forward to that moment.

"Yeonbi, you look happy?"

"It's fun, isn't it? Aren't you curious, Lin? Who would win if they fought?"

It's difficult for the person being asked when asked so frankly.

"W-well, I am curious, but…"

Na Yerim herself was a disciple of the Sword Pavilion and had some skill in swordsmanship. While she felt uneasy about wanting a fight, it would be a lie to say that a female martial artist walking the path of the sword wouldn't be interested in the outcome of the two.

"They say the most interesting things in the world are watching fires and fights. What's wrong with enjoying it a little? We're not the ones instigating the fight, so it's fine."

"Quiet there!"

Just then, Ok Yu-gyeong noticed the two whispering and cautioned them. She seemed to have no tolerance for lax behavior. Lee Jin-seol, who had been sitting one seat away and glaring at Yeonbi, wore a bright smile.

"Oops, we got caught."

Yeonbi stuck out her tongue and soon shifted her gaze to Ok Yu-gyeong.

"I trust everyone knows who I am, so I'll skip the introductions. If I call your name, raise your hand and answer."

Ok Yu-gyeong said, holding up the attendance roster on the stage. She began calling out names from the top of the roster. As people raised their hands and answered, Ok Yu-gyeong carefully scrutinized each one. Her sharp gaze and occasional remarks showed that her roll call was not just a formality.

In the brief moment they answered the roll call and the Blood Rakshasa's gaze swept over them, everyone in the group felt as if they were being judged without an invisible scale. It was the first time their individual scores were being assigned in Macheon Pavilion. Some flinched under Ok Yu-gyeong's piercing gaze, while others were encouraged and filled with renewed courage. For instance, Mah-Ryeong.

"Hmph, are you Mah-Ryeong, the only daughter of the Pavilion Master Mah?"

Under Ok Yu-gyeong's intrigued gaze, Mah-Ryeong bowed with a confident posture and replied.

"Yes, I am."

Ok Yu-gyeong's lips curved into a faint smile at his response.

"I like strong women! I like you. I look forward to your performance!"

It was natural for Mah-Ryeong to feel a touch of emotion at those words. However, there were some who were not particularly pleased by Ok Yu-gyeong's encouragement.

"Hoho? So you're Na Yerim of Bingbaek Peak, renowned as the most beautiful woman in the world."

Rumors about Na Yerim had traveled over mountains and rivers, across vast lakes, and reached this place. Men disciples, seizing the opportunity, stole glances at her, their eyes filled with enchantment.

"It's an undeserved rumor. Please disregard such pleasant words."

To her, the title of the most beautiful woman in the world was a seed of disaster. No matter how much praise she received, she couldn't be happy.

"Well, seeing you now, you truly live up to your reputation! You might even make me, a woman, fall for you. So, is the Sword Empress doing well?"

By the end, her tone became tinged with respect. In fact, the Sword Empress Lee Ok-sang was the person Ok Yu-gyeong respected most in the current martial arts world. She was the only one who refused to bow to any man and could sometimes make even the Sword Saint and Dao Saint sweat. The Sword Empress was Ok Yu-gyeong's ultimate ideal and goal.

"Yes, she's as robust as ever."

Perhaps she was currently researching how to easily catch seagulls in the South Sea, or maybe she was on a culinary tour seeking out delicious food.

"Is that so? She seems to be the same."

It appeared Ok Yu-gyeong had met the Sword Empress before.

"Speaking of which, the child who entered our Macheon Pavilion this time is around your age and has exceptional talent. I think she wouldn't lose to you."

Looking at Ok Yu-gyeong's face, it seemed she was itching to pit the two against each other. However, Na Yerim was not the type to be easily fired up by competitiveness, so she remained silent.

"Have you perhaps heard of Yeong-ryeong of Monghwan Villa?"

Na Yerim shook her head.

"With all due respect, this is the first time I've heard that name."

"As expected, it's not a name known in the righteous path either. Then I'll introduce you later. By the way…"

Her words sounded as if she was talking about letting them fight later.

"Didn't you have a messenger named Dokgo… Something? She's not on the list."

At that moment, Na Yerim's face became as if a dagger had been plunged into her heart. Seeing her face turn pale in an instant, Ok Yu-gyeong couldn't hide her surprise.

'How could the child who was like an ice doll turn such a face… Is there some story behind it?'

Na Yerim opened her mouth with difficulty.

"The messenger… Dokgo Saja… couldn't come with us."

Every word she uttered with difficulty seemed to carry a heartache that made the listener's chest ache.

"Why?"

Na Yerim did not answer the question. Revealing a reality she never wanted to admit was excruciatingly painful. Instead, Yong Cheon-myeong answered the question.

"Lady Dokgo Ryeong of Dokan Peak has been missing since the recent disaster at the Huashan gathering."

"Is that so? I wanted to see that child's skills too, it's truly a shame."

It was a sincere sigh of regret. She was truly a belligerent woman. Her passion for the sword was undeniably no less than Jin So-ryeong's.

After that, Ok Yu-gyeong continued calling out names, but her gaze stopped abruptly at a certain point in the attendance roster. Her eyes stared fixedly at that spot for a while. Then, instead of calling the name, she raised her head and surveyed the delegation one by one. Her gaze stopped at the spot between Hyo-ryong, who had a messy hairstyle and wore an eyepatch, and Yoon Jun-ho, who sat timidly.

Without averting her gaze, she called out the name.

"Jang… Hong…!"

The person in question quickly averted his gaze.

"Y-yes…"

Jang Hong raised his hand halfway and answered in a voice as small as a mosquito. He kept looking around, perhaps afraid of making eye contact.

'Huh? Why is Jang Hyung acting like this today?'

A simultaneous question arose in the minds of Hyo-ryong and Yoon Jun-ho, who were sitting on either side. It was the first time they had seen Jang Hong look like a frightened puppy. Why did Jang Hong, who always seemed like an elder brother, appear so small today?

"Hoho, there's someone here who doesn't seem to fit in this fresh setting. Have you come to the wrong place?"

Ok Yu-gyeong said coldly, staring with sharp eyes. It was clear who her venomous arrows were aimed at.

"……"

Jang Hong remained silent, his head still bowed.

"Are you a mute who ate honey, why aren't you answering? Student Jang Hong!"

Her tone was filled with palpable hostility.

"Th-that is…"

"You can sit there so nonchalantly with such a face? I am truly impressed by your audacity!"

Ok Yu-gyeong seemed to possess the ability to reproduce the sound of a twisted blade with her voice.

'In what way does that look like a nonchalant face?'

As he watched Jang Hong floundering, Hyo-ryong's mind naturally conjured the question. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead, and his once energetic eyes flickered with anxiety. His face was as pale as a sick person's, and his hands and feet trembled like a person with palsy. Nowhere did it look like a nonchalant face. The Jang Hong that Hyo-ryong knew was nowhere to be found.

"Doesn't Instructor Ok's tone suddenly seem to have switched to polite language?"

Yeonbi whispered. It had subtly changed from when she spoke to Jang Hong, but even in polite language, there was no sense of respect. Instead, it was a severely twisted tone.

"I agree. Yeonbi is indeed sharp."

Na Yerim also nodded while whispering. Lee Jin-seol, upon noticing the two happily whispering again, wore a pathetic expression like a rain-soaked puppy. Although the reason was different, Lee Jin-seol wasn't the only one in a pathetic situation.

"If… you don't like me being here, I will leave."

Jang Hong quietly rose from his seat. His tone carried no anger or resentment. A cold sneer formed on Ok Yu-gyeong's lips.

"No. Stay right there. If you disappear for approximately seven years, four months, and fourteen days, it would be problematic. Do you understand?"

Jang Hong's face contorted with distress and pain, as if his whole body had been eviscerated. It was a very precise number.

"I understand…"

With a strained reply, Jang Hong sat back down.

A chilling silence filled the building. Everyone instinctively felt that they should not intervene in this situation.

"Well, it's been slightly delayed by an unpleasant matter, but I trust you will all understand."

No one raised any objections to her. They felt that she might explode if provoked. After quickly completing the remaining roll call procedures, Ok Yu-gyeong folded the attendance roster.

"From now on, we will get to the main point. Our Macheon Pavilion's dormitories are each constructed as independent military units capable of carrying out their own missions. The current independent unit system is designed to enable immediate and efficient responses to any situation, at any time."

In short, it was a wartime system. Furthermore, it meant that the dormitories had to solve their own problems.

"Although the title 'Thirteen of Macheon' suggests there are thirteen dormitories, that is not the case. Do you all know that there are four islands, East, West, South, and North, surrounding Jajuk Island?"

Everyone nodded. As they entered Macheon Pavilion under the escort of fast ships piloted by formidable martial artists, they had seen it. Flames erupted all around the formidable Jajuk fences, and finally, they saw the four islands reflected in the giant rings of fire that rose above the islands.

The enthusiastic show of force disguised as a welcome was quite successful. Some were intimidated by its overwhelming presence from the very beginning. Macheon Pavilion was clearly more than just a school. They had already realized that they had been living a comfortable life in a place that was far too comfortable.

"East, West, South, North, three dormitories per island, for a total of twelve dormitories."

"Is there no thirteenth unit?"

Someone asked. If it was the Thirteen of Macheon, the number was one short.

"There is one, but no one knows it."

Ok Yu-gyeong's answer left everyone looking bewildered.

"No one has confirmed the existence of that unit for the past hundred years. We also refer to it as the 'Phantom Thirteenth Unit.' Therefore, starting today, I will lend you that thirteenth position. You will all be temporary Thirteenth Units and will undergo thorough training. If you are not here to play, you will be treated the same as students from other dormitories."

A murmur spread like a wave.

'I didn't hear anything about this at all!'

The whispers from various directions could be summarized as such.

"The first thing you must do now is…"

Blood Jade Immortal Ok Yu-gyeong said emphatically, looking around.

"To choose a class leader. The deadline is tomorrow! The method is…"

She paused for a moment before uttering a single sentence.

"Freedom!"