Book 23 Chapter 9

He was a passerby.

"Who are you?"

"Go and find out elsewhere, kid!! This is no place for playing house! You'll get seriously hurt trying to wield a blade with those stick-like arms. You'll get hurt, that's what. So go eat more of your mother's chopsticks and come back~ Understand?"

The largest of the three villains spoke with a soft, mocking tone, trying to reason with the boy.

"Kyahahahaha!"

"Uwahahahaha!"

The other two burst into loud laughter. Their intention to crush his spirit by openly ignoring him was clear.

"Still, I will apply for the tournament. So please, move aside."

The boy spoke boldly, undeterred by the blatant threats from the three men. In that instant, the mocking expressions of the men contorted fiercely. Seeing the boy's resolute demeanor, Yeonbi, along with Na Yerim, moved closer to the scene, her interest piqued.

"Well now! Look at this spirited little one! When adults speak kindly to you, you should listen properly! Huh?"

"Please, move aside! I absolutely must participate!"

"Hmph, you? A little kid like you wants to participate in a fighting tournament? What can you even do if you participate? Do you think you can even touch a single hair of that fearsome Seven Disasters Scar, huh?"

A burly man in yellow robes, with a grotesque face, leaned in and asked flirtatiously.

"I will do my best."

"Nonsense! What can a little brat like you do?"

"I can do it too! Probably."

"What if you can't?"

The burly man in yellow robes, with a grotesque face, leaned in and asked flirtatiously.

"Th-then…"

The silver-haired boy stammered, hesitating. This experience seemed very unfamiliar to him. Indeed, these three were notorious villains who had killed many people; setting aside their skill, their aura was incredibly menacing.

"Get lost!"

The youngest of the three villains forcefully pushed the boy.

"Kyaak!"

The silver-haired boy's body flew backward as if suspended in mid-air. He was on the verge of falling on his backside. However, despite falling almost defenselessly on his rear, the sound wasn't as loud as expected. Na Yerim watched this scene with a surprised expression and asked,

"Did you just see that? It looked like he stopped momentarily in mid-air?"

Yeonbi nodded and replied,

"Yes, I saw it. That's fortunate. He managed to avoid the pain of his backside splitting into several pieces."

It was as if an invisible hand had caught the boy.

"And before that, when he was pushed… he was pushed back before their palms even touched him. As if he were a dandelion seed, light and airy."

Na Yerim confirmed that Yeonbi had seen the same things.

"Wind… That's a very interesting ability."

"As expected of Yeonbi! You recognized it at a glance."

"You too, Yerim!"

Indeed, a possessor of the Dragon Visage. Her observation skills were sharp.

"The attribute of wind, which does not belong to the Five Elements… it's quite intriguing."

It wasn't something seen often. If one had reached the pinnacle in that domain, there was the Drifting Unfettered Qi of the capital city. That too was a technique that manipulated air.

"Oh my, isn't wind part of metal in the Five Elements?"

Na Yerim pointed out.

"It's classified that way. But what is the relationship between wind and metal? Wood-Fire-Earth-Metal-Water, the natural cycle, the cycle of the Five Elements, I understand that, but why wind belongs to metal remains a question. It doesn't easily resonate with me."

He wasn't naive enough to blindly believe something just because it was written in old books. Yeonbi believed in things only after understanding them. Blind faith only brought ignorance and fanaticism.

"That's all the more reason it's a rare ability."

The sword techniques of Bing Geom and Na Yerim's own secret arts were all based on the attribute of water. Frozen water, solidified water, could be called its attribute.

"If it's not the Five Elements, could it be an internal energy cultivation method based on the Eight Trigrams?"

Yeonbi did not deny it.

"There's a possibility. If it's the attribute of wind, it would be the Xun trigram."

If it wasn't based on that, there was no theoretical basis for the wind attribute. Regardless, putting aside the complexities, one thing was certain: the silver-haired boy's ability was very peculiar.

"Quite interesting."

"Yeonbi, you seem very interested in that boy?"

At those words, Yeonbi smiled faintly as she looked at Na Yerim.

"Weren't you the same, Yerim? Besides, this kind of energy manipulation is difficult without considerable internal energy to support it. It's unlikely to be an accumulation achievable at that age. Doesn't it seem like there's a story behind it?"

"Indeed, he seems like a boy with a story…"

Just then, Yeonbi raised her index finger and said,

"Ah, but Yerim, there's one thing I need to correct."

"Yes? What is it?"

Had she missed something? Na Yerim's face asked the question. Yeonbi's raised index finger pointed towards the silver-haired boy.

"That kid isn't a boy, it's a girl."

"Eh?"

At Yeonbi's words, Na Yerim's eyes widened.

"A girl?"

Na Yerim still seemed to have trouble believing it.

"Yes, a girl. Why? You don't believe me?"

Yeonbi asked with a grin.

"It's not that, but…"

Na Yerim hesitated to answer.

"Then shall we go and confirm?"

The two immediately approached the silver-haired boy, whose gender was uncertain.

As the boy awkwardly stood up, the menacing thugs were still blocking his path like a wall.

At this moment, someone stepped forward before Na Yerim and Yeonbi. That person was a woman.

Upon seeing the woman, Na Yerim's eyes widened as if they would tear open. An unforgettable face, the face of someone she had desperately searched for, was before her eyes.

The person who appeared was none other than Yeongryeong.

"And who are you?"

One of the men shouted roughly.

"A passerby."

The woman replied briefly in a curt voice, as if even talking to such men was disgusting.

"What business does a passing woman have here?"

The woman ordered, glaring at the Three Villains with her right eye, which flickered like flames.

"Get lost!"

It was a short but powerful statement.

The men seemed to flinch for a moment, but it lasted only an instant. They believed in their own masculinity more than their instincts. They believed that tough, dignified men like themselves would never flinch at a mere woman's words. It was an absurd notion, so they decided to ignore it. What followed was a loud burst of laughter.

"Puhahaha! What did you say? Get lost? Did you tell these elders to get lost?"

"Yes."

"My, my! You seem to need some etiquette lessons! A woman who is too impertinent won't receive love! Uhuhuhuhu!"

The man on the right of the Three Villains said with a sinister grin.

"There's nothing I need to receive from scum like you."

The woman's reply was short and cold.

"Hehehe, then these elders will show you the joy a woman can bring! The joy of obedience, that is."

The Three Villains burst into laughter again, unable to regain their senses. Yeongryeong sighed as if they were pathetic and said,

"Scum are scum indeed."

Conversation is only possible when the other party is ready. Further monologue was meaningless.

"I've spoken too long with scum. Any more conversation will only soil my mouth. Draw your weapons! Let's finish this quickly!"

*Clang!*

The sword was drawn, its clear ring echoing.

Yeonbi stopped Na Yerim, who was about to step forward. Looking at her with questioning eyes, Yeonbi replied,

"Let's watch a little longer. Let's confirm if that person is who we know."

If it were truly her, she wouldn't be defeated by such worthless individuals who could only spew vulgarities. Only then did Na Yerim stop her advance. And she watched Yeongryeong face the Three Villains.

The tip of her sword was as steady as her right eye.

*Whoosh!*

A silver sword light sliced through the air.

*Screech!*

*Thump! Thump! Thump!*

The right arms of the three men from Gangnam, who were laughing and chattering about how they would deal with Yeongryeong after drawing their weapons, were severed with a single slash, blood gushing from their shoulders like fountains.

"Kyahahahaha! I'm dying! I'm dying! Kyahahaha!"

"It hurts! Waaah! It hurts! Waaah! Mommy! Waaah!"

"Hoohoohooo! Kooooohooohoooo!"

The Three Villains, covered in tears and snot, rolled around on the ground disgracefully, screaming. However, there was not a flicker of emotion in the woman's eyes as she saw the blood. Furthermore, not a drop of blood stained the blade that had cut their arms.

Raising her sword slightly again, Yeongryeong said coldly,

"For now, I have taken your right arms. If any of you are left-handed, speak up! If you still have the courage to fight, I will face you."

Of course, that opponent would have to be prepared to lose their left arm as well. None of the three stepped forward. They were in too much pain to think properly.

"Get lost!"

Instead of their arms, their blocked ears seemed to have opened. Without even thinking to wipe the tears and snot from their pain-stricken faces, they snatched up their severed arms and fled in a panic.

*Click!*

With a slight swing of her hand, Yeongryeong sheathed her sword.

"Waaaaah!"

At that moment, cheers erupted from the crowd. It was applause for the valiant woman who had driven away the Gangnam Three Villains single-handedly. As if unaccustomed to such cheers, Yeongryeong blushed in embarrassment. The fierce demeanor she had shown moments before had vanished, and she looked like an ordinary girl. Then, a voice was heard from behind her.

"Ryeong unnie!"

At the sound of her name being called, Yeongryeong's head turned back. Standing there were a dazzlingly beautiful woman in white and another woman in black. The woman in white, with her hands clasped tightly, had eyes as clear and deep as the night sky, trembling faintly like the surface of a wind-swept lake. It was Na Yerim of Bingbaek Peak, who had confirmed Yeongryeong's sword energy and could no longer hold back, bursting forth from the crowd.

Yeongryeong looked at Na Yerim for a moment, and finally opened her mouth.

"Who are you?"

"Who? …Ryeong unnie? It's me. Yerim."

Na Yerim's voice trembled, having been utterly shocked by Yeongryeong's question.

"My name is indeed Ryeong. But you seem to be a stranger. Who are you, really? Can I know your name?"

Yeongryeong replied with a bewildered expression.

"Dokgo Saja…"

The trembling voice escaped her red lips without her realizing it. She was confused.

"Dokgo Saja? That's strange. You must have mistaken me for someone else. My surname isn't Dokgo. My surname is Mong."

Yeongryeong kindly corrected her.

"Surname Mong?"

What was happening? Na Yerim couldn't believe it. All the information that had entered her Dragon Visage told her she was Dokgo Ryeong. It wasn't just her appearance. The subtle way she walked, the movement of her muscles, the pitch of her voice, and the minute movements of her facial muscles all pointed to her being Dokgo Ryeong.

As Na Yerim stood there bewildered, two shadows rushed forward, blocking the path between Na Yerim and Yeongryeong. Those two were the maids who had followed Yeongryeong out of Monghwan Mountain, Monghwan Shuangwu.

"Who dares block the way between my sister and me?"

Na Yerim, displeased by the sudden action of Monghwan Shuangwu, asked in a cold voice. A silent but formidable aura spread out, pressing upon the two. Her aura possessed a dignity that overwhelmed all, making even Monghwan Shuangwu falter.

However, as if unwilling to lose, Mongmu, with her fiery personality, stepped forward and shouted,

"Hmph, this person is not your sister! This is our master, Lady Mong Yeongryeong of Monghwan Mountain. You must have mistaken her for someone else!"

"Mistaken her for someone else…"

It was absolutely impossible. How could she not recognize Dokgo Saja, of all people? No matter how she changed, even after decades, she would recognize Dokgo Ryeong. This person was definitely Dokgo Ryeong. But where?

'Monghwan Mountain?'

It was a name Na Yerim had never heard before.

"And do they teach maids at Monghwan Mountain to brazenly block their master's path?"

Interrupting her master's conversation was unthinkable.

"There's a reason!"

Mongmu shouted back, not backing down.

"It's because you are an enemy of my lady!"

Na Yerim, listening to this, couldn't think of a more absurd reason.

"An enemy? That's impossible."

Mongmu and Huanmu shook their heads in unison.

"No. It's entirely possible. Because you are a disciple of Geomgak, aren't you?"

Upon hearing Mongmu's question directed at Na Yerim, Yeongryeong's eyes widened. With a different look than before, Yeongryeong turned her head sharply and looked at Na Yerim. Yeonbi was the first to notice this subtle change in Yeongryeong. However, it was not a situation where she could carelessly interfere. Na Yerim, having nothing to hide, readily admitted her origin.

"Yes, I am a disciple of Geomgak."

Upon hearing this, Yeongryeong's complexion turned pale.

"Are… are you really? Are you truly a disciple of Geomgak?"

Yeongryeong asked in a slightly trembling voice. To Na Yerim, this was a very strange question.

"Of course, unnie. Aren't you and I disciples of the same Geomgak? We are like sisters. You haven't forgotten that fact, have you?"

Yeongryeong shook her head vigorously.

"A lie!"

Yeongryeong's clear shout echoed.

"A, a lie?"

The words were so shocking that Na Yerim was instantly disheartened. How could she deny her master's disciple? Moreover, it seemed she didn't even remember herself, her fellow disciple sister.

"A lie! That's a complete lie! How could I be a disciple of that hateful Geomgak!"

Yeongryeong's cry was filled with burning anger and hatred.

"What do you mean… we truly…"

Na Yerim's complexion, which had been as white as jade, turned even paler.

"Silence! Are you trying to insult me now?"

The hatred ignited by the word Geomgak erupted from Yeongryeong's entire body. Startled by the fierce killing intent and animosity emanating from Yeongryeong's body, Na Yerim retorted,

"Insult? What do you mean? I would never do that to Saja!"

Then, a cold smile formed on Yeongryeong's lips. The voice echoed deep within her heart that Geomgak was what she hated most, what she had to reject the most. She pointed her index finger at her left eye, hidden by her hair, and asked,

"Do you know where the place is that inflicted this indelible scar on me?"

Na Yerim shook her head. In fact, although Dokgo Ryeong had never hidden anything from her, she had never revealed anything about her left eye. Nor had Na Yerim ever asked. She knew it was a wound that had left deep scars not only on her body but also on her heart, a wound that would never be erased. The greatest consideration she could offer was to avoid touching that wound as much as possible.

"The place that inflicted this indelible scar on me is Geomgak!"

As Yeongryeong spoke, she genuinely hated Geomgak.

"N-no way…!"

That was impossible. How could Geomgak, of all places, gouge out the eye of someone who might be one of her successors?

"That's impossible. You must have misunderstood!"

Na Yerim cried out desperately. Something was clearly wrong.

"Then, my memory is wrong?"

At that moment, Monghwan Shuangwu flinched, their complexions hardening.

"That…"

Na Yerim could not answer. With no answer, Yeongryeong once again stared at Na Yerim with bloodshot eyes and shouted,

"Let me say it again! I am not that person, Dokgo Ryeong. How could I be a disciple of Geomgak, my sworn enemy? My name is Mong Yeongryeong! The eldest daughter of Monghwan Mountain, Mong Yeongryeong. Geomgak is my enemy! I hate Geomgak! I hate you who took my eye! Na Yerim, you are no exception. You are my enemy, and I hate you, a disciple of Geomgak!"

What burned intensely in her exposed right eye was clearly the flame of hatred. She didn't even need to use the power of the Dragon Visage. From the woman who called herself Mong Yeongryeong and declared Geomgak her enemy, endless hatred and anger emanated. The dense darkness swirling from her entire being was not a lie.

"How can this be…!"

Na Yerim's body swayed. She was shocked by those cold words. Regardless of whether she was Dokgo Ryeong herself or not, hearing words of hatred from someone with Dokgo Ryeong's face shattered Na Yerim's heart as if it were being broken into pieces. While she tightly closed her heart to others, once she opened it to someone, she became almost defenseless, which was Na Yerim's characteristic. Her heart felt as if it would break from sadness and pain.

Just then, Yeonbi, who had been watching quietly by her side, stepped forward and said,

"Ah, it makes sense if you think about it this way. It's actually more plausible."

Na Yerim looked at the owner of the hand that gently embraced her shoulder. She felt a little better, having been cornered.

"And who are you?"

Yeongryeong asked in a cold voice.

"A friend."

Yeonbi replied with a smile.

"What do you mean by that?"

"What do I mean? I mean exactly what I said. It's more reasonable to think that you've lost your memory or had it altered, rather than not being that Dokgo Ryeong."

"On what grounds?"

Yeonbi replied without hesitation.

"Because you truly are Dokgo Ryeong."

"Nonsense! You two are both crazy!"

Yeonbi shrugged slightly at Yeongryeong's fierce reaction.

"Well, I understand that you don't want to believe it, but the truth is the truth. Sometimes the truth brings pain."

"Yeonbi…"

Na Yerim looked at Yeonbi with a mix of emotions in her eyes. It was as if a ray of light was shining from the bottom of the darkness that had enveloped her moments before. Looking at Na Yerim, Yeonbi smiled.

"I believe in Yerim's judgment. If Yerim saw it that way, then it is so. If Yerim is certain, don't give up easily just because she says otherwise. No one knows the truth yet. Sometimes, you need to stubbornly assert your will. Who is right and who is wrong will be determined later."

It was a rather radical thought. However, Yeonbi truly believed it. She believed in Na Yerim's Dragon Visage. Her eyes had never misjudged before. She might not see something, but she never saw it incorrectly. Na Yerim was deeply moved by the fact that someone trusted her to such an extent.

"…"

She was so moved that she didn't know how to express her feelings. However, Yeonbi could feel her emotions perfectly.

"Yerim, do you truly believe she is that Dokgo Saja?"

*Nod!*

Na Yerim nodded without hesitation.

"Then I will believe in Yerim. So, Yerim, believe in yourself too."

Yeonbi said with a bright, unclouded smile.

"Hearing you say that gives me courage, Yeonbi. Then I will be a little more stubborn. Until the truth is confirmed."

Na Yerim looked at Yeongryeong with eyes that had made a certain resolution.

"Ridiculous! That's delusion! Do you think that's possible? How can I not be me? How can I not know who I am?"

Then Yeonbi said kindly with a smile.

"Oh my, don't worry about that. Most people in the world just live without truly knowing who they are. If everyone knew who they were, why would there be terms like self-reflection or identity formation? These phrases arise because people don't know themselves well."

"Shut up, shut up, shut up! Are you mocking me now?"

Yeongryeong shouted, feeling as if she were being mocked.

"I'm just stating facts. Well, in this case, it seems a bit different. But it doesn't seem impossible. The world is vast, and there are many strange techniques. Even if there are illusionary arts or hypnosis that manipulate people's memories, it wouldn't be strange. It's not as if there are no precedents."

She deliberately said this to test them, observing Monghwan Shuangwu closely. She wanted to see if there would be any special reaction.

"Yes. Come to think of it, something like that happened before. During the joint training at Mudang Mountain two years ago…"

Galhyo Peak, who ambushed them then, was not in his right mind and was being controlled by someone. The mastermind had still not been revealed, but it was a fact. If that was the case, there was no reason why something similar couldn't happen to Dokgo Ryeong. Her suspicion gradually turned into certainty.

"You are indeed Dokgo Ryeong, Dokgo Saja! I can be sure of it, even at the cost of my life!"

Na Yerim shouted with conviction, looking straight at Yeongryeong with deep, unfathomable eyes like a still lake.

"Then stake your life!"

Yeongryeong said in a cold voice, no longer wanting to argue.

"My life? What do you mean by that?"

She could stake her life. Na Yerim was not afraid of any price if it meant returning Dokgo Ryeong to her original self.

"If you're going to say things like that, do it after you defeat me!"

Na Yerim did not back down.

"Alright. If my unnie is asleep, it's this younger sister's duty to wake her up. Since you say so, I will prove my words with my sword. How shall we determine the method of victory?"

She could do anything, whether it was a duel or not, as long as it meant finding Dokgo Ryeong.

"Are you participating in the fighting tournament too?"

Yeongryeong asked with a pained expression, suppressing her surging hatred.

"Yes, of course. I am also participating in the fighting tournament."

According to the rules, registered contestants could not fight against each other. This was a measure to prevent illegal match-fixing as much as possible. In matches where a lot of money was involved, it was common for opponents to be incapacitated through illicit means before the match. Giving rise to distrust before the tournament began was not sound business practice. The money would only continue to flow if everyone believed there was no manipulation.

"Very well. Then I will participate as well. The duel will take place there. I promise. If you meet me there, you will die by my sword."

Hearing such cruel words from her dear older sister was immensely painful. However, Na Yerim endured the pain, bit her lip, and said,

"I also promise, I will definitely restore you to your original self. With all my strength! Even if I have to defeat you! I will! I will definitely restore you!"

A firm will shone like a star in Na Yerim's eyes. It was a promise to herself not to back down.

"I can't believe you can still talk such nonsense so boldly. Everything will be settled at the fighting tournament. Then we will meet again in the arena."

At that place, someone had to fall.

"Yes. Then, in the arena!"

Na Yerim and Yeongryeong replied.

"Let's meet again!"

"Let's meet again!"

Yeongryeong turned her back without hesitation and walked forward. Monghwan Shuangwu glanced at Na Yerim once before following her.

Yeonbi approached Na Yerim and gently placed her hand on her shoulder, as if to comfort her trembling frame, whispering without words. Na Yerim was very grateful for such quiet consideration during this difficult time.

'Still, I'm grateful you're alive.'

Na Yerim comforted herself, deciding to be content with that for now.

"Let's meet again, unnie."

Na Yerim said in a low voice, looking at Yeongryeong's retreating back.

'Then… then in my true form…'

However, Na Yerim swallowed the rest of her words. It was her part to show through actions rather than words.

"Yeonbi…"

Na Yerim quietly called her friend's name, her gaze fixed ahead.

"Yes?"

Her friend's voice came from beside her.

"I… I won't cry."

However, Na Yerim's voice trembled as if her throat was choked.

"That's right. Tears don't suit Yerim. A smile suits you much better. You're much prettier that way too."

Yeonbi's words were low but warm.

"Then I should smile?"

Na Yerim said with a wry smile.

"Yes. Smile, Yerim."

"But I haven't smiled much, have I?"

She was called the Lady of Ice, Bingbaek Peak. Smiling was not something she was accustomed to.

"Don't worry. You'll smile a lot more from now on."

Yeonbi said, tightly holding Na Yerim's hand.

"…"

Na Yerim smiled as she looked at Yeonbi. The smile she managed to force while swallowing her tears looked very lonely.

"I will make it so, I promise."

Yeonbi declared with sincerity.

Na Yerim smiled. Like crystalline tears, tears rolled down her fair cheeks as she smiled.