Chapter 37

Kwon Hyuk-gi's body soared into the air.

His body stopped in mid-air as if pinned to the full moon behind him. A powerful pressure held him immobile.

Soon after, a piercing ghostly sound rang out.

Kiiiiiiiiing!

It was the sound of Jeok Leegeon's Greatsword being drawn. The moment the Sword Spirit revealed itself,

Shoooooaaaaaang!

An immense light flew forth.

"Kuaaaaaaaack!"

Screaming, Kwon Hyuk-gi squeezed his eyes shut. He felt as if dozens, hundreds of ghosts were tearing at his body.

Shwing-- shweeeing-- shwing-- shwing!

It was the most refreshing sound he had ever heard. It was the last sound Kwon Hyuk-gi would hear in this world, the sound of Jeok Leegeon's Greatsword slicing through the air.

Shwing-- shweeeing--

A heavy yet light sound.

Thud, thud, thud.

Kwon Hyuk-gi's form shattered in the air, scattering into pieces.

Kiiiiiiiiiya--

The Greatsword cried out fearsomely until the moment it was fully returned to its Sword Sheath.

The sound was as terrifying as the look in Jeok Leegeon's eyes.

How much time had passed?

Jeong Charyeon opened her eyes to the sound of a lullaby.

Where am I?

She remembered the duel with Kwon Hyuk-gi.

Huh? Am I alive?

Jeok Leegeon was carrying her on his back, walking. At any other time, she would have been startled and screamed or jumped off his back.

But his back was so warm, and the two hands supporting her were as warm as those of a blood relative. And the lullaby was incredibly gentle.

Standing alone on a windy cliff,

I sing about the path I must take.

No one hears my song,

Only the flower blooming alone on the rock hears.

Jeok Leegeon, having stopped singing, asked quietly.

"Are you awake?"

"Put me down."

"Just stay put. You're hurt."

"...What happened?"

"What do you mean, what happened? You won."

"I won? Really?"

"That guy, he really had no luck. To be stabbed by a sword swung with your eyes closed."

"Don't tell me he's dead?"

"He wasn't that unskilled. He got stabbed in the shoulder and was so embarrassed that he's leaving Jianghu completely. Well, how could he hold his head up after losing to you?"

"Really? He just gave up like that?"

"He didn't seem like a complete villain."

"Tell me the truth."

"Actually, he had a son about our age. He abandoned him a long time ago, but suddenly he remembered him, or something?"

"Stop talking nonsense and tell me the truth."

Jeok Leegeon paused for a moment.

"I stabbed him as he was trying to get up again."

"So? Is he dead?"

"Is he a Zombie? How could he live after being stabbed in the heart?"

Jeong Charyeon's body trembled.

Jeok Leegeon slowly started walking again.

"I killed him, so why are you trembling? Are you scared of being on a murderer's back?"

"I guess so."

Jeong Charyeon sighed. Her body continued to tremble.

Even though Jeok Leegeon had killed him, she was half responsible for his death.

"There's no need to make a fuss."

"What do you mean?"

"The guilt of killing someone, something like that."

"...Are you stupid? Why would I feel guilty when you killed him?"

Jeong Charyeon's voice was still trembling.

"They say that drawing a sword without the resolve to be ruthless is an insult to the sword."

"Who says that?"

"There is, someone like that."

Jeong Charyeon chuckled.

It was the first time she had been carried on another man's back since she was carried by her father as a child.

But why is it so comfortable?

"Am I heavy?"

"As light as a feather... that's a lie, but it's not enough to make me angry."

"You should just say I'm light in situations like this."

"Then I'd feel wronged."

"At least the woman who becomes your wife won't be bored."

"Umhahahaha! That's right. She'll die. I'll just keep her going day and night."

Oops, I let my guard down again. This guy, he just bites if you show him a weakness.

But it's not bad. If it's this guy.

Was it because the tension had eased? Sleepiness washed over her.

Jeong Charyeon leaned her face against Jeok Leegeon's back.

It was as warm and comforting as the moonlight.

"It's just the beginning, though."

"Huh?"

"It's just the beginning. The Dragon Phoenix Year, the Heavenly Dragon Battle, the Conquest of the World. Umhahahaha!"

Jeong Charyeon smiled faintly.

Yes, it's coming soon!