Tang Family Sword Peak
Ma yugyeom's crimson sword energy and my violet sword energy clashed, sparking violently in midair.
As our blades locked, Ma yugyeom's eyes widened in shock and he shouted:
"The Pinnacle?! When did you reach the Pinnacle realm?!"
After receiving the teachings of the Sword Saint and spending days in meditation, I had come to an understanding.
Sword energy wasn't about compressing aura—it had to be drawn out thinner, sharper, and more forcefully, just like a torrent of water cutting through stone under immense pressure.
The Sword Saint had used water as an example to enlighten me.
Bounced apart, we both rushed in again, trading strikes as fast as flashes of light.
Ma yugyeom's sword thrust toward me at a speed that seemed like it could pierce space itself.
Shiiik!
It was so fast it looked like it could pierce even the sun.
His supersonic thrust created three afterimages as it came for me. I swung my sword desperately, barely deflecting them.
Titing!
"Urgh!"
Though I had reached the Pinnacle realm and could block his aura, I still couldn't match his skill as a swordsman.
"Wahaha! Still a greenhorn! Even your aura is sloppy!"
Ma yugyeom sneered as he thrust his blade again and again like a torrential downpour.
Sh-sh-sh-shiiik!
He was right. I wasn't yet accustomed to forming aura. It consumed too much inner power and lacked stability.
Fortunately, after reaching the Pinnacle realm I had replenished my energy with elixirs.
"Wahahaha! Die!"
"Ghhhk!"
Ma yugyeom was now utterly confident of his victory.
I could barely defend against his blinding thrusts, with no room to counterattack.
I realized something grim: my Illusory Sword: Thirteen Lightning Strikes style was poorly matched against his supersonic Swift Sword technique.
The Illusory Sword was useful against weaker or equal opponents in numbers—but against someone of higher skill, its illusions only created openings for them to exploit.
Slash!
"Ghhh!"
His sword energy grazed my left arm, splattering blood.
My clothes were already shredded, my body covered with wounds from grazing sword aura.
"Wahahaha! Is this your limit? Pathetic!"
His eyes glowed with madness as he unleashed an even fiercer storm of attacks.
Grit!
I clenched my teeth.
But the situation was dire.
His superiority was clear, my energy consumption was massive, and I didn't know how much longer I could endure.
I was only holding on thanks to having an edge in movement techniques.
Then suddenly, an idea flashed.
A technique I had never used before.
The Fourteenth and Fifteenth Forms of the Seonu Thirteen Swords.
I had discovered them in a hidden part of the manual, but never once attempted them.
They required aura to perform—so only now, at the Pinnacle realm, could I attempt them.
But…
I hesitated.
Would it mean anything to unleash a technique I only knew in theory?
What if I wasted the last of my energy and lost my chance?
Part of me thought instead—
Should I just run?
If I fled now while I still had some energy left, Ma yugyeom's movement techniques would never catch me.
But if I wasted more inner power here, escape would become impossible.
Of course, if I fled, I would have to abandon Lady Tang. But… she wasn't someone truly important to me.
She wasn't one of the comrades I desperately wanted to save—just a fellow disciple I knew by face.
There was no need to risk my life for her.
The option of running loomed larger in my mind.
To have returned only to die here—not even to the Demon Cult's leader, but to Ma yugyeom—would be too bitter an end.
As I wavered, it happened.
"Haaaap!"
Shuaaak!
A slight gap appeared in Ma yugyeom's relentless attacks.
Not enough to counterattack—but perfect to escape through.
My eyes lit up.
This is my chance!
I instinctively prepared to leap away.
If I missed this, I might never escape alive.
"Iiiik!"
But just as I was about to leap, I froze.
In my mind, Myung Sahyeon's face appeared—the man who had approached me with a laugh, apologizing for having once looked down on me. Even as another man, he had seemed admirable.
Would I abandon the woman he had loved so deeply that he overcame the Soul-Devouring Art?
Impossible.
My feet refused to move.
And unbelievably, that hesitation saved my life.
"Haaaap!"
Shuaaaak!
In the very direction I had been about to flee, Ma yugyeom unleashed a blinding flash.
A blue spear of sword aura tore through the space.
It was One Strike, One Kill, executed at the Pinnacle realm.
Seeing the glowing lance pass before my eyes, I realized at once—
He had expected me to flee. He had deliberately created a gap, then prepared that killing strike.
But because I hesitated, his attack had missed.
"Wh-what?!"
Ma yugyeom's eyes filled with shock.
His full-powered strike left him open.
I clenched my teeth.
I couldn't waste this chance.
"Haaap!"
Seonu Thirteen Swords, Fourteenth Form—
Vermilion Bird Manifestation!
Shuaaaak!
My violet sword aura transformed into a blazing bird.
It was the first time I had unleashed the Fourteenth Form.
A flaming avian shape spread its wings, swooping down upon Ma yugyeom.
My entire inner power drained out in an instant.
"Grhhk!"
The violet bird shrieked as it engulfed Ma yugyeom.
—Piiiiiii!
"Uwaaaah!"
Ma yugyeom spun his blade desperately, unleashing the Forty-Eight Wind-Rotating Swords, the strongest defensive form of the Jeomchang Sword Art.
Kwak-kwak-kwak-kwak-kwak!
A massive explosion erupted, violet and crimson aura colliding in a storm.
I watched, gasping, my body hollow with exhaustion.
"Haaah… haaah… haaah…"
When the explosion settled, I ground my teeth.
Ma yugyeom was still standing.
He looked like he had weathered a storm, but he wasn't gravely injured.
If only my energy had lasted longer, I could have finished him…
But I hadn't had enough.
Or rather, I lacked mastery.
But that no longer mattered.
Ma yugyeom bared his teeth.
"That was impressive. I almost died."
Then he smirked.
"But now… it's your turn to die."
Damn it.
He was right.
With no inner power left, I couldn't fight, couldn't even flee.
It seemed my second life would end here.
"Farewell, Seonu Jin."
He raised his sword—
When suddenly, a voice rang out.
"Well, I disagree. If anyone should be saying farewell, it's you, Ma yugyeom."
Startled, I turned.
Lady Tang was standing tall, her sword leveled at him.
Her eyes burned cold as she spoke.
"You dared to try something vile with me."
From her blade, Tang Family's signature green sword aura blazed forth.
Her eyes burned with hatred to match.
For the first time, fear flickered in Ma yugyeom's gaze.
Just as there had been a clear difference between me and him, so too was there between him and her.
He was the Fourth Captain, and Tang Yeo-eun the Third—because she was stronger.
And after exhausting himself against me, he had even less chance against her.
"Urgh…"
Ma yugyeom staggered back, then suddenly bolted.
"Uwaaaaah!"
With a wretched scream, he vanished like lightning—faster, perhaps, than when chasing me.
"Haaah…"
I collapsed with a sigh.
I had truly thought I was dead.
No energy, no strength, my body in pain all over.
Smiling weakly, I turned to Lady Tang.
"Thanks to you, I'm alive. Good thing you came to your senses just in—"
But I couldn't finish.
She collapsed unconscious.
"Lady Tang?!"
I rushed to her, cradling her.
Her body was burning with fever, drenched in cold sweat.
She must have pushed herself too far in her weakened state.
This was troublesome.
With my own energy and stamina gone, I could barely move, much less carry her to safety.
And if Ma yugyeom returned…
"Urgh!"
I staggered, carrying her into a hidden spot nearby.
At least I had a sachet of poison-repelling incense.
I found a hollow between trees—recently vacated by snakes that had fled from the incense.
It was unpleasant, but it would have to do.
I covered the place with brush and held her close.
Her body was growing cold, though her forehead still burned with fever.
She began murmuring deliriously again.
"…I'm sorry I was born, Mother. I should have died instead… I'm sorry…"
The Soul-Devouring Art Ma yugyeom cast on her hadn't been completely broken.
"I am Tang Yeo-eun… Tang Yeo-eun belongs to Ma yugyeom…"
I couldn't just leave her like this.
Suddenly I remembered—at times like these, the best way to save someone was to remove their clothes and share body heat.
But I just couldn't bring myself to go that far.
Instead, I held her tightly in my arms and rubbed her body with my hands, trying to warm her.
Then, over and over, I whispered into her ear:
"Lady Tang, Tang Yeo-eun, you are precious and valuable. I'm truly glad you were born safely into this world. Brother Myung Sahyeon would surely feel the same. Tang Yeo-eun belongs only to herself. No one else can ever be her master."
It was an action born of nothing but a pure desire to bring her back.
Yet in both my lives, it was the first time I had ever been this close to a woman's body.
Though she was a martial artist, her body felt endlessly soft. And her fragrance was so sweet, it was hard to believe such a scent could come from a human being.
It was difficult to keep my heart pure.
And right beside me, her unconscious face was… breathtakingly beautiful.
She looked like a goddess herself.
Every time I tried to close my eyes, fearing I would lose myself just by looking, they opened again of their own accord to gaze at her.
Many impulses surged within me, but I barely restrained them, thinking of Lady Na and Myung Sahyeon.
I lost track of time.
All night long, I held her tightly to warm her body, whispering endlessly in her ear. I couldn't even circulate my energy as dawn began to break.
Thankfully, her body temperature seemed to have returned to normal.
At last, seeing her breathe peacefully with a calm expression, I carefully laid her down beside me and collapsed myself.
I was too exhausted to think anymore.
And soon, I fell asleep.
In my dream, I thought I heard Lady Tang's voice thanking me.
And also… the voice of an unknown man.
— Hm. At last, I've found a worthy successor. Not bad at all.
It was a voice I had never heard before, but I figured it was just an illusion.
I was too tired; such things were understandable.
When I woke, she was already awake, sitting up.
As I rose, she turned her head awkwardly and said,
"Th-thank… you."
"Th-there's no need to thank me. I only did what I had to… ha ha… ha ha…"
And so, without another word, we returned to the Thirteenth Unit.
By then, Ma yugyeom still had not returned.
Perhaps he had truly fled for good.
I immediately went to his quarters, broke down the locked door, and entered.
There, I found a letter from his mother, a secret manual, and elixirs.
Reading them, I finally understood the tangled web of ties—
the Blood Evil of the Jeon Family, the Jeomchang Sect, the Blood Demon, and Ma yugyeom's mother.
I could almost understand why Ma yugyeom had collapsed.
To discover that his spiritual pillar, the Jeomchang Sect, and his father had ruined his mother… that their actions had birthed the monster Sa-hye Blood Demon, who turned out to be his grandfather….
For someone who had hated the Blood Sect and the Blood Demon more than anyone, what kind of despair must that have brought?
And yet… understanding didn't mean his actions could be excused.
I reported everything directly to Captain Seolpung, and a senior council meeting was urgently convened.
It was the first time I had ever attended one.
The gathered captains and vice-captains were struck silent by the shocking truth.
That Ma yugyeom, who despised the Blood Sect more than anyone, was the grandson of the Blood Demon… that he had drained Ma Yeo-gyeong to death and tried to soul-ensnare Lady Tang…
It was unbelievable.
I glanced at Tang Yeo-eun.
Even as she listened to what Ma yugyeom had tried to do to her, she sat calmly, her face as cold and composed as ever.
I was relieved to see she seemed to have recovered.
After checking her state, I was the first among the silent captains to speak.
"Judging from the evidence, I suspect Captain Ma learned the techniques written here and was devoured by demonic energy. His eyes did not look normal. Shocked to his core, he broke down and was corrupted—that must be why he changed so suddenly."
I had once heard from Elder Seok Gyeongdal that Blood Sect arts destroyed the practitioner's mind, so I could say this with conviction.
At my words, Captain Lee Sagunil shut his eyes tightly.
As a fellow Jeomchang Sect disciple, his grief was great.
Seeing him, Vice-Captain Gam Jiin spoke softly:
"Then perhaps… we should keep this among ourselves? If the Fourth Unit members or the Thirteenth Division hear this, the shock may be unbearable."
Some seemed to consider it, but I shook my head firmly.
"No."
"What?"
"If the members don't know, and Ma yugyeom approaches them again, what do you think will happen?"
The room grew heavy.
A Pinnacle master, skilled in energy-draining and suggestion arts—if he approached unsuspecting members, the tragedy would be catastrophic.
"I sympathize with his plight. But this truth must be spread to the frontlines at once."
The senior council members nodded grimly.
Thus, the meeting concluded with the decision to spread word of Ma yugyeom's situation as quickly as possible.
This meant he could never return to the frontlines.
I worried what kind of path he would take now, having turned to the Blood Sect far earlier than in my previous life.
And I also worried how Jegal Jigang, the Thunder of the Martial Alliance, would react to this news.
Once revealed, the old history between the Blood Demon and the Jeomchang Sect would inevitably come to light—and he would not want that.
Perhaps he'll even take extreme measures. As he once tried with Lady Cheongyeon.
The problem was, I had no way of stopping it.
All I could do was hope Sword Saint Elder would return to the Alliance soon and take charge.
After that, the Thirteenth Division's atmosphere grew heavy.
Especially the Fourth Unit, which had lost both captain and vice-captain—it was like a mourning house.
Thankfully, Lady Tang seemed to be holding up well.
In fact, rumors said she was even taking on the duties once handled by Vice-Captain Myung Sahyeon, who had always cared for others.
That was a relief.
A few days later, I decided to visit her.
I needed to ask her for Bone-Dissolving Powder in preparation for the Iron Ogre's appearance.
The powder, which dissolves corpses and erases traces, was also effective in weakening an Iron Ogre's skin.
I had only learned this after many sacrifices in my past life.
Before, I had no connection to her, so I never asked. But now? I am, after all, her lifesaver. Perhaps she'll agree.
So I thought.
When I went to the Third Unit and asked her members, they told me she was training alone at the practice grounds.
Apparently, she preferred solitude while cultivating.
I hesitated.
Is it right to intrude when she's training alone?
But in the end, I went.
It seemed easier to ask when she was alone.
"Haaap! Haa… haa… haa…"
At the training grounds, she swung her sword, breathing hard.
Her expression was still cold as ice, but her swordplay radiated urgency and grief.
I realized then—
She isn't truly okay after all.
Of course. How could anyone recover so quickly from what had happened?
It was only natural.
When she finally stopped, panting from exhaustion, I called softly:
"Lady Tang."
She turned to look at me.
"Ah…"
And at that moment, her cold mask shattered.
Tang Yeo-eun had been fighting with all her might to appear normal.
With Myung Sahyeon gone, she couldn't collapse as well.
She had to gather herself and show her members a dependable figure.
But it wasn't easy.
Myung Sahyeon's absence left too great a void—not only personally, but in managing the team.
Being warm and attentive to each member was incredibly hard for her.
Sometimes, she just wanted to sit down and give up. To cry out that she was exhausted too.
But she couldn't.
She was the one Myung Sahyeon had loved with his life.
For her to break down would dishonor even his love.
So, whenever she faltered, she repeated the words he had once whispered into her ear like a spell:
I am a person of worth. I am someone precious. Therefore… I can do this.
The words Seonu Jin had whispered all night sustained her.
Words she had never heard in her life—words that made her want to weep.
Even now, his voice echoed in her head, keeping her going day by day.
But there were still moments she could not endure.
Every morning, when she stepped into the empty practice grounds… she was reminded again.
Myung Sahyeon was gone.
He had left her behind.
Then, she would grit her teeth and swing her sword, forcing herself not to crumble—for Myung Sahyeon's sake.
But…
It was too hard.
Too painful. Too unbearable.
And today was the same.
She swung her sword, holding back sobs that threatened to escape.
Training properly didn't matter. What mattered was not collapsing.
Because she was the woman Myung Sahyeon had loved.
For his sake, she could never break.
And then—
A voice reached her.
The same voice that always lingered in her mind.
"Lady Tang."
Startled, she turned.
And there he was.
Myung Sahyeon was gone, but the one who had whispered she was precious, that she was worthy—Seonu Jin was standing there.
"Uhuhhk!"
Tang Yeo-eun burst into tears. She didn't even know why.
She simply couldn't hold on any longer.
Like a child who finds its mother, like someone discovering light in endless darkness.
Covering her face with both hands, she wept without end.
"L-Lady Tang?!"
Seonu Jin rushed to her, shocked.
The cold, strong figure she usually showed was gone—she was small, frail, and sobbing.
Her trembling shoulders looked unbearably pitiful.
After a moment's hesitation, Seonu Jin gently embraced her.
And for a long time after, Tang Yeo-eun cried endlessly in his arms.
Once more, he whispered into her ear:
"Lady Tang, you are more precious and valuable than anyone. And right now… you're already doing well enough."
It was exactly what Tang Yeo-eun needed most to hear.