Free Web NovelChapter 8: Yeon-a
The girl's body rose into the air. She pressed down with her sword, adding her weight against Tang Min's hidden weapon.
"You're skinny, but you've got good strength for your size."
Perhaps frustrated that Tang Min hadn't yielded, the girl sprang back as if recoiling.
Dressed in tattered clothes, the girl looked about fifteen. And she held a sword ill-suited to her slight frame. So long it would reach her chest if she stood upright beside her, the sword suggested it belonged to another.
Or perhaps, someone had abandoned it.
At a glance, the sword seemed flimsy. It was chipped in places, and the section near the hilt was stained with a reddish rust, as if blood had pooled there.
Her humble attire and worn sword. Yet, in stark contrast to this shabby appearance, the girl's eyes shone more brilliantly than any gem.
The girl lowered her sword near her abdomen, taking her stance again.
"Tsk. Good strength, but ill-mannered. Is this how you greet guests?"
"Those who come bearing objects to harm people are hardly guests."
"Oh, you can even distinguish the smell of poison?"
Tang Min's eyes sparkled.
"She's definitely a child raised by Yeonjuda."
His added remark, directed at So-hwa, confirmed he knew the girl before them was Yeonjuda's child.
A declaration that he would fight this child, even if she tried to stop him.
Perhaps from his long wandering in the Murim world, Tang Min possessed excellent discernment. He seemed intrigued by the potential of the child who would one day become one of the Ten Great Swords of the World.
So-hwa bit her lip, her head throbbing.
'I need to gain Yeon-a's favor...'
She worried she might end up becoming Yeon-a's enemy instead. In the brief time she pondered how to stop the fight, the old man and the young girl clashed like mad beasts, swinging swords and blocking with hidden weapons.
Clang, Ka-ang. Clang. Kwa-ang!
"More, show me more!"
"Ugh!"
One was utterly frustrated, while the other seemed to relish the reaction.
Tang Hak subtly tugged at So-hwa's sleeve.
"S-Sister. Shouldn't we stop them? What if the Grand Elder harms the Young Miss..."
So-hwa's gaze slid towards Tang Hak.
"...Would you try to stop him?"
Tang Hak clamped his mouth shut.
Tang Min was strong and headstrong.
He was essential for their journey to Yeonjuda, as he possessed the authority to overturn the Tang family head's command, but he had this one flaw.
When he went wild, no one could stop him.
Tang Min teased Yeon-a, circling her as if toying with a cub.
"Hehe, not that way, child."
Yeon-a attacked him with all her might, but her sword path was constantly deflected by his small, palm-sized hidden weapon. Moreover, she couldn't properly swing her sword, unable to withstand the impact on her hands.
"Ugh!"
As if exploding with frustration, Yeon-a raised her sword high.
However, after taking a stance to strike down in one swift motion, Yeon-a twisted her sword path just as Tang Min met her with his hidden weapon, instead plunging towards his flank.
"Oh."
Tang Min uttered a small exclamation of admiration and moved aside, allowing Yeon-a's sword free rein.
Yeon-a wildly swung her sword along the opened path.
Unaware that her opponent had wanted exactly that.
In an instant, Tang Min's figure vanished.
"Ugh!"
Appearing behind Yeon-a, Tang Min muttered aloud.
"But... that looks like a technique I've seen somewhere."
Yeon-a immediately spun around and struck down with her sword, but Tang Min's figure had already disappeared. Flustered, Yeon-a frowned and searched for Tang Min.
Just then, Tang Min's figure reappeared in front of Yeon-a.
"You! Coward!"
"Hmm? This is the first time I've heard someone call movement techniques cowardly. Haven't you learned movement techniques yet?"
Yeon-a swung her sword and rushed forward, but her sword path was blocked by a lightly tossed hidden weapon from Tang Min.
Kwa-ang.
The hidden weapon, colliding as if clinging to the sword blade, produced a deafening roar. It was clear he had imbued it with energy, as the sound was tremendous.
Tang Hak shivered, wrapping his arms around his shoulders.
"Ow. That really hurts. The impact is incredible. It feels like your wrist is shattering and your insides are bursting. But that Young Miss is enduring it well... especially with her thin wrists and slight frame."
To So-hwa's eyes, it didn't seem that way. Yeon-a was also clearly struggling with the pain.
Yeon-a stumbled back a step. She lowered her stance, covering her chest with her sword in a defensive posture, but even standing seemed difficult. The girl's arms were trembling slightly.
Tang Min waited for the child to regain her composure. However, just as Yeon-a straightened her back and tried to stand tall, he threw a hidden weapon again. Flustered, Yeon-a quickly moved her sword to parry the hidden weapons assailing her from all directions.
Clang. Ka-ang. Clang.
The sword, swung swiftly and concisely, parried all of Tang Min's hidden weapons. Seeing this, Tang Min's face hardened coldly.
The hidden weapons that had been circling Yeon-a playfully simultaneously lunged forward. And just as they were about to pierce her skin, they stopped moving. The sharp metal objects suspended in mid-air blocked Yeon-a's every movement like a cage.
A heavy silence descended.
So profound that the soft sound of Tang Min's footsteps was clearly audible.
Step.
"You."
Tang Min stopped a step away from Yeon-a and asked in a cold voice.
"Did you learn Kunlun's sword arts?"
***
So-hwa froze at the mention of Kunlun.
Kunlun was a Daoist sect located in Qinghai province, bordering Sichuan to the northwest, renowned for its miraculous sword techniques. However, the moment So-hwa heard the name Kunlun, she thought of something else.
In her past life, the first righteous faction annihilated by the Demonic Cult.
Thanks to that sect located on Mount Kunlun, the Demonic Cult's power was significantly weakened, but they themselves perished at the hands of the Demonic Cult.
How could Yeon-a know about Kunlun?
Just as she wondered, a flash of light flashed before her eyes.
Kwa-ang.
Yeon-a clutched her wrist, and her sword had flown far behind her.
Tang Min said sharply, his voice devoid of laughter.
"It's not right to show off sword techniques stolen from other sects. Unless you want to see the person who taught you sword arts die."
Yeon-a retorted in a cold voice.
"No one taught me sword arts."
"Then?"
The girl looked at Tang Min with eyes that didn't understand, frowning. After a long moment, Yeon-a asked.
"...Isn't that something anyone could figure out how to imitate without specific instruction?"
The girl's voice was very flat.
A heavy silence instantly fell, born from the collective realization of everyone who couldn't accomplish 'that much'.
Yeon-a stared intently at Tang Min, seemingly serious. Her expression truly conveyed a lack of understanding. Tang Min met her gaze, then subtly tilted his head.
"...You learned it yourself?"
"I've seen others' swordsmanship, but I haven't received direct instruction, so it's not a lie."
"Hahaha."
Suddenly, Tang Min burst into laughter.
Seeing Tang Min laughing heartily, Tang Hak tapped So-hwa's shoulder. A voice filled with fear tickled her eardrum.
"Sister, he... he seems pleased."
So-hwa pressed her hand hard against her forehead.
It was maddening. Tang Min was showing a level of interest unlike anything before. He had clearly recognized Yeon-a's potential.
Tang Min occasionally summoned martial artists who caught his eye to the training ground and attacked them without warning. He seemed to think he was teaching them a lesson, but there was a reason the Tang family martial artists kept their distance from the Tang family's foremost master.
Generally, a martial artist would consider learning from a master the honor of a lifetime, but there were no such martial artists in the Tang family estate.
This was not the Tang family members' fault, but Tang Min's.
Because crossing paths with Tang Min even once meant a stay of at least ten days in the medical hall.
Ta-at.
Having stopped laughing, Tang Min moved a few paces away, towards a tree. He kicked the sword lying at his feet.
"Pick it up."
As soon as Yeon-a grasped her sword, she rushed at Tang Min.
Kwa-ang. Kwang!
The sound of sword and hidden weapon clashing echoed in their eardrums. In an instant, over ten exchanges passed. Gradually, Yeon-a's expression distorted as she parried the hidden weapons. It was clear how serious Tang Min was; the hidden weapons were imbued with ample energy, shining with a purple light.
"Guh."
Finally, Yeon-a coughed up blood.
Tang Hak, startled, instinctively stepped forward.
"Heavens! To be so serious against such a frail, thin girl!"
Tang Min never went easy on anyone, no matter who they were. Perhaps he thought he *was* going easy, but from the receiving end, it didn't feel that way at all.
It was the same now. A world-class expert had made a girl of barely fifteen cough up blood.
How could this possibly be called 'going easy'?
Perhaps it was fortunate this happened at Yeonjuda. A divine doctor's medical arts could quickly treat her... No, why am I even having these thoughts?
So-hwa suppressed the irritation surging from her chest.
Oblivious, Tang Min continued to torment Yeon-a with mocking remarks.
"Anyway, where did you meet the Daoist from Kunlun? Did they visit Yeonjuda, or was it an attack?"
"I don't remember. I don't even know if he was a Daoist from Kunlun."
Tang Min squinted one eye.
"...But child, you're speaking informally. Did your parents, or rather, your guardian, teach you that?"
"There's no need for courtesy towards those who harm others."
"Oh, really? Is that what you were taught? Ah, you said no one taught you."
Tang Min chuckled lightly and stepped back a few paces, then surprisingly, lowered his hand.
"Well, whether you achieved this level alone or are trying to protect your master, it's commendable. In my vast generosity, I shall overlook today's events. Now, guide me. I must meet Yeonjuda's divine doctor, or your guardian, immediately."
Yeon-a responded to the excitedly chattering Tang Min with a scoff.
"Generosity, my foot."
Yeon-a gripped her sword tightly again. However, unlike before, she didn't rush forward readily. She seemed to have gauged Tang Min's martial prowess.
"You cannot be guests."
Tang Min curled his lips annoyingly and tilted his head from side to side.
"Hmm? Then how do you plan to stop me?"
The girl stared at Tang Min with sunken eyes. freёweɓnovel.com
"No, no, don't glare. I'm not being sarcastic; I'm genuinely curious. How do you plan to stop me?"
"If I have enough time, I can stop you."
Tang Min's eyes widened, and he scratched his cheek.
"Well, you might look like a frail and pure young man to me, but I'm an old man with deep internal energy and stamina, who has lived far longer than you. If we fight for long, won't you just turn into mush?"
Whether she knew Tang Min was an old man who had reached the age of reversing youth, Yeon-a showed no change in expression. She only slightly frowned when Tang Min referred to himself as a pure young man.
As if it wasn't even worth answering, Yeon-a shot towards Tang Min. Tang Min, with a relaxed expression, threw a flying knife he had been twirling on his finger.
At that moment, Tang Min's expression twisted.
Yeon-a, who had been rushing towards Tang Min's chest as if to stab him, suddenly threw her sword to the ground.
Tang Min frantically tried to recall the flying knife.
But the flying knife had already reached the girl's chest.
Thud.
Yeon-a reached out and intercepted the flying knife. Blood burst from her torn palm, but Yeon-a merely exerted force with her fingers, twisting the trajectory of the flying knife in her hand.
Simultaneously, the flying knife flew.
Precisely towards Tang Min.
Tang Min didn't move. But his expression was no longer relaxed as before.
Thwack.
The moment the flying knife struck the tree, all sound vanished.
Only the rustling of wind and leaves filled the silence.
Swoosh.
The swaying new leaves along the branches repeatedly cast shadows and light across Tang Min's face.
Everyone was speechless, staring at the scene before them. They dared not open their mouths.
...Tang Min's sleeve was torn.
