Book 24 Chapter 7

Jin Ling vs. Namgung Sang

—Opening! A Lover's Deadly Duel!

“How about it, Jin Ling? Won’t you reconsider?”

Maha Ryeong asked Jin Ling, who was simply glaring across at her without a word.

“No, Sunbae Ha Ryeong. There’s no need.”

Jin Ling replied curtly. The two were now calling each other by name.

“Are you really going to fight?”

“Of course. Otherwise, would I have climbed this high, taking down so many people?”

The enraged Jin Ling, facing the enemies blocking her path, was like a Rakshasa. She seemed to be pouring all her nowhere-to-go anger into this arena. Many men had been beaten into pulp by her hands, but her burning fury still showed no signs of extinguishing. It made one suspect that the sect name ‘May Frost’ might have been poorly chosen. Her friend Namgung Sansan opened her mouth in a worried tone.

“Well, I followed you here because it’s your business, Ling, but honestly, I’m still a bit suspicious. I can’t believe that Sang guy suddenly became so bold, can I? That fellow, Ling, your clothes are still…!”

Upon receiving Jin Ling’s sharp gaze, Namgung Sansan realized her mistake and quickly shut her mouth.

“That’s why I’m even more upset!”

Jin Ling shouted in a sharp tone.

“No, I mean, there must have been a misunderstanding…”

Namgung Sansan tried to salvage the situation, but it wasn’t going as well as she’d hoped.

“I haven’t even received a proposal yet!”

Jin Ling shrieked.

‘Ah, so that’s why she’s more angry.’

In that case…

“You… you already knew, didn’t you?”

Namgung Sansan asked in a suspicious voice.

“I don’t know! I don’t want to know! This isn’t about that!”

Jin Ling retorted, turning her head sharply as if shouting.

“I thought you already had. I never imagined you hadn’t yet. The last time at Wolyeong Pavilion, I thought you had then. A proposal.”

“It was thwarted by the eldest disciple’s interference that time. And then everything proceeded through the eldest disciple’s mouth; I’ve never heard it from his own lips. He’s a coward.”

“So what are you going to do?”

“Didn’t the eldest disciple say? Make it happen if it doesn’t happen.”

What exactly was she going to make happen?

“Is that your intention, Ling?”

Namgung Sansan seemed to understand what she meant.

“Yes.”

Sansan didn’t try to stop her friend.

“Then do it! Believe in what you believe. That guy needs to be reprimanded sometimes to snap him out of it. Most men are fools. So, it might be good to be a bit clearer. They aren’t sensitive enough to hear women’s subtle, unspoken words. All men are dense.”

“I really don’t like that he’s so unclear.”

“The eldest disciple always said that was his problem too. After meeting the eldest disciple and going through hell a few times, he’s gotten a bit stronger on his own.”

Namgung Sang had probably made the most growth among the Zhuque Clan. Although they hadn’t compared their skills recently, everyone acknowledged that fact.

“But it’s still not enough. He’s still indecisive. I want him to tell me more clearly. After waiting so long!”

“So what are you going to do?”

“I’m going to get an answer.”

Jin Ling replied in a voice filled with firm resolve.

“Alright. I’ve set up the stage for conversation, so pour it all out. After Ling returns, Senior Ma, you can handle Senior Yong.”

“M-me? How?”

Maha Ryeong was a bit taken aback by Jin Ling’s resolute attitude.

“Just figure it out. You won once, didn’t you? What’s so difficult about winning twice?”

Sansan said in a casual tone.

“But that person hasn’t pounced on a woman or cheated yet?”

She spoke as if she had no reason to fight. Her association with Jin Ling was purely out of female anger, but she didn’t want to get caught up in that anger herself. She didn’t particularly like the fact that a woman she’d never seen before was attached to Yong Cheonmyeong, but there was still room for them to resolve things through conversation. Moreover, seeing Jin Ling raging like a Rakshasa, burning with anger, she suddenly felt that she shouldn’t be like that. One learns from the damaged without becoming damaged oneself. This seemed to be the essence of 'learning from others' mistakes.'

‘Just as humans can learn something from others' successes, they can also learn from their failures.’

In this case, it was incredibly fortunate that the one who failed wasn’t herself.

Jin Ling finally walked towards the battlefield where the wheels of fate were turning. In her eyes, she saw him, the man in question, walking from the other side.

When was the first time she captured him in her gaze? It was probably on the way to Amisan. Before that, he was just a competitor.

Among the Nine Dragons and Seven Phoenixes, there were no men or women. Jin Ling wanted to win, regardless of gender. Thus, the third son of the Namgung family was merely one of the subjects of her attention as a rival. Then, when did he start to stand out from the others?

He was incredibly cool when he was absorbed in his sword. When he spoke to women, he was incredibly clumsy and even awkward, but when he held a sword, he looked so handsome, which was truly remarkable. At that time, Jin Ling learned that one cannot know a man by looking at just one side.

And then… she fell in love with him after he threw himself to save her from a charging tiger and got a wound on his back. That wound still remained on his back.

She thought his presence would always be by her side for the rest of her life. It was a certainty. But a while ago, that belief was shattered. She felt a terrible sense of betrayal, and she had to return it somehow.

Finally, the two stood facing each other.

What fate awaited the two destined individuals standing in the middle of the arena, no one could know at that moment. However, one thing was certain: the air between them was boiling. The taut tension was so palpable that it was thrilling even to those watching from afar. It was hard to call it a duel. This was because the spectators felt a sense of familiarity with the peculiar feeling that arose between the two, and their tension was due to that familiarity. They had often felt this kind of sensation in the past, and it was always when they were in discord with their lovers or wives. They had unconsciously remembered the unique tension that permeated those times with their animal senses. Then, by feeling a similar sensation in an unexpected place, the feeling stored in their subconscious was brought out. The reason people were now tense was because of that.

“Will they be okay?”

Naye Rin asked in a slightly worried tone. Her senses, possessing the Yong’an, were dozens of times more developed than others, so she was acutely aware that the tension emanating from the two was extraordinary. The emotions swirling between the two were like a fierce whirlpool in a stormy sea. The pure killing intent often felt in ordinary duels was not present. Instead, anger, misunderstanding, disappointment, affection, regret, resentment, and countless other emotions converged and swirled together.

“Um, isn’t it natural for lovers to fight? It’s not that strange, is it? Everyone does it, right? I don’t know well, but isn’t that how it is?”

Yoon Mi’s words, as she sat quietly, seemed plausible at first glance. It was because it was a widely known fact. It was like common sense. Then Yeon Bi raised an objection.

“Wait, who decided that? That fighting is natural? They don’t have to fight. It’s entirely possible. If they want to and try to. If so, wouldn’t it be much happier to live without fighting, instead of living while fighting, which is bothersome, draining, and also makes you feel bad and hurt your emotions?”

“But most people fight, don’t they?”

“That means not *everyone* fights. Why do you need to put yourself in the majority? If only an absolute minority can grasp happiness, wouldn’t it be much more beneficial to try and enter that minority?”

“I have no rebuttal.”

“So, the excuse that everyone else fights is just an excuse. In reality, it’s a world where it’s wrong for lovers and couples to fight and live. Furthermore, if you conclude that it’s impossible and set limits, you can never achieve it. To deny something is to erase the possibility of that fact happening in your world. In any case, no matter what anyone says, it’s nice to live happily without fighting, right? And it’s fun!”

And then she added with a decisive remark.

“If their bond breaks at this point, it was only worth that much from the beginning. If there is will, they will continue to hold onto that bond. If not, they will separate.”

“You’re cold, Yeon Bi.”

These were extremely cold and even dry remarks coming from the person who could be considered the actual culprit behind all of this, or, to put it more gently, the instigator. Of course, Yeon Bi didn’t care at all.

“I’m just being honest. What’s more surprising is that Rin cares about such things. You never used to pay that much attention to other people’s affairs, did you? Even if you paid attention, it was limited to two or three people around you?”

“Everything flows and changes. Nothing remains the same. If anything, it would be better if it changed in a more progressive direction, wouldn’t it? Ah, this isn’t my own words. It’s what someone I know, who isn’t here right now, told me.”

“So, Rin, you agree with that person’s idea?”

“Yes. That’s why I’ve come to think that changing isn’t bad either. I’m trying to step outside my own world a little.”

It was very good to see Na Ye Rin, who had been withdrawn within her own world, not being satisfied with her current self and trying to change with more courage.

“It’s not stepping outside your world, it’s expanding your world.”

“That’s right. You definitely added that. That…”

Then, Yeon Bi quickly cut in, snatching the opportunity for Na Ye Rin to continue.

“You’re definitely different from the Rin I first saw. I’m glad you’ve changed like this.”

Yeon Bi smiled.

“I’m glad I didn’t disappoint you, Yeon Bi.”

Na Ye Rin smiled back.

“Of course, how could I be disappointed? Rin, whom I met after ten years, had become an unrecognizable beauty. How could I be disappointed? Who would believe she was the messy, unkempt girl from back then? Wow, what a surprise! That’s all I can say.”

“You’re teasing me.”

Na Ye Rin said, her face slightly flushed. Such an unreserved demeanor was also nowhere to be found before. However, Yeon Bi was one of the very few who had the good fortune to see such a different side of Bingbaekpung up close. She was in a position where she could accept the envy of hundreds, even thousands, of people without complaint. But she herself accepted that fact as if it were natural, without any hint of apology.

Na Ye Rin quietly watched the arena, where misunderstanding and anger swirled, and opened her mouth.

“Is it possible for me to live happily with someone too?”

Yeon Bi asked in surprise, blinking.

“Rin, do you have someone like that? That’s truly amazing.”

Na Ye Rin chuckled at Yeon Bi’s flustered reaction and said,

“Is that such a surprising thing? You’re surprised by just a few casual words, that’s unlike you, Yeon Bi?”

However, Yeon Bi was clearly genuinely flustered. It would be fitting to say she was agitated. The reason was unclear, but her mind was suddenly in such turmoil that she felt this way. It felt like a casual remark had been the trigger. Yeon Bi shook her head, trying to calm herself.

“No, it’s definitely surprising. You never thought about marriage before, right? Back then, for Rin, it was something that would never happen to her, something absolutely impossible. But what Rin just said…”

Yeon Bi was so agitated that she couldn't finish her sentence. Na Ye Rin smiled slightly.

“You said everything changes, right? I must have changed a bit too.”

She calmly accepted her own change. That was also somewhat shocking.

“It’s truly surprising.”

“I just thought that maybe such things could also be not bad. Of course, it’s just a thought. I also doubt if it’s really possible.”

“Then do you have a subject?”

This question seemed to hit the mark. Na Ye Rin, unlike her usual self, blushed slightly and hesitated before answering.

“That is…”

Yeon Bi swallowed hard and stared intently at Na Ye Rin’s red lips with a tense posture. And finally, Na Ye Rin’s lips parted. And just as she was about to say something.

“Waaaaaaaah!”

A thunderous roar erupted from the audience. The words were swallowed by the roar. No, it would be more accurate to say that the words that were about to come out retreated.

“Oh! Clash! A great clash! You are truly blessed with a feast for your eyes! It is a rare blessing to witness the Jin San Secret Arts of the Namgung family and the Amipa sect here. Magnificent! As befits the leading figures among the youth, they all possess incredible skill!”

Yeon Bi turned her gaze to the two clashing sharply. Yeon Bi’s cold, hardened eyes seemed to say:

‘Both of you, just you wait!’

Yeon Bi’s tightly closed lips parted, and a quiet shout escaped.

“Both of you die!”

In those hawk-eye-like pupils, the shimmering golden light contained no hint of forgiveness.