Episode 73
“Well, that…”
Yerin unintentionally trailed off at the end of her sentence.
‘No, even though my body is only sixteen years old, my essence is that of a hundred-year-old White Orchid.’
In terms of mental age, Doyul is three hundred years younger than me.
Is it not a bit funny to lose to such a kid?
Unable to say such words, Yerin just covered it up with a laugh.
More importantly,
‘I have to have a sparring session with the members of the Snow Sword Unit.’
Yerin didn’t forget the purpose of her visit today.
Showing the modified vegetarian diet to the Snow Sword Unit, allowing each member to realize and improve the flaws in the vegetarian diet!
Glancing at the faces of the Snow Sword Unit members with a sidelong glance, Yerin spoke up.
“Perhaps, can the members learn a thing or two?”
At her words, the members of the Snow Sword Unit looked somewhat awkward.
“Well, that…”
“If, during the sparring, by any chance, one of the members gets injured, it could be a big problem, right?”
No matter how outstanding their skills may be, Yerin’s appearance is that of a sixteen-year-old girl.
‘Well, what can you do if they’re worried.’
Yerin quickly nodded her head.
“It’s okay.”
“But, Lady Yerin.”
In Gangho, isn’t there a saying to be careful with children, the elderly, and women?
Yerin provocatively shrugged her shoulders, subtly challenging the Seolgeomdae members.
“Maybe you’ll learn something from me instead?”
“Hmm…”
“Training itself isn’t difficult, but…”
The Seolgeomdae members looked at each other, unsure of what to do.
The child’s enthusiasm was cute.
But, it’s still concerning to engage in training with a child’s age and immature body.
At that moment, Seolgeomdaeju, who had been observing the situation, intervened in the conversation.
“Then let’s do it this way.”
“Ju-nim?”
“I will be with you during the training.”
Seolgeomdaeju?
Yerin’s eyes widened.
“Don’t worry, I won’t interfere with the training.”
“Really?”
“I’ll just watch from the side, and if the training gets too intense and dangerous, I’ll step in.”
Seolgeomdaeju smiled kindly.
“In case something happens to the child during the training, it would be a big problem.”
“Okay, do as you please.”
That’s it.
Yerin nodded vigorously.
In response to Seolgeomdaeju’s proposal to ensure that no dangerous situations arise, the other members also agreed to the training.
However, there was a member who cautiously asked Doyul.
“Lord, is it really okay for the child to engage in the training?”
“Worried? Why would I be?”
Doyul looked puzzled.
Seolgeomdae member sighed as if frustrated.
“Lord’s words, don’t you remember what you just said?”
“Um… to be careful with children, the elderly, and women in Gangho?”
“That’s right.”
Doyul, with a serious look, added, “And my wife is involved in two of those.”
“Your Highness, I’m not joking…”
“Neither am I?”
Doyul shrugged as if to say, “I’m not joking either.”
“I’m actually more worried about the Seolgeomdae member who will be facing my wife.”
“Are you serious?”
“Believe it or not.”
The Seolgeomdae member couldn’t hide their surprise.
Doyul then suggested, “If you’re so worried, how about we make a bet on who will win?”
“That, that’s…”
“I’ll bet a silver coin on my wife winning.”
It was a firm voice, as if he fully believed his wife would win.
Yerin stepped onto the training ground.
Her opponent was a sturdy Seolgeomdae member.
“I’ll be careful.”
“No need for that.”
Yerin nodded slightly and pursed her lips.
“Do your best.”
“No, I mean…”
“If not, I’ll get mad.”
Yerin replied firmly.
“If that’s the case.”
The Seolgeomdae member bowed to Yerin with a puzzled look.
Yerin, facing her opponent, raised her wooden sword.
“First move?”
“I’ll yield.”
“Okay.”
Yerin nodded and struck the ground.
Thunk!
The two wooden swords clashed fiercely.
For a moment, the Seolgeomdae member’s eyes widened slightly.
“This…?”
Yerin’s wooden sword smoothly slid over the Seolgeomdae member’s blade, aiming for the opponent’s neck.
Startled, the Seolgeomdae member pushed Yerin away with force.
Thunk!
The sound of the wooden swords clashing was sharp.
At the same time, Yerin stepped back, executing a defensive move.
“Definitely, modifying the strike is much more efficient.”
Unlike before, the strikes were smoothly coming together.
Enjoying her satisfaction, Yerin glanced at the Seolgeomdae member with a sidelong look.
“I wonder if they noticed the modified strike?”
Yerin tightened her grip on the wooden sword.
“If the Seolgeomdae member wants to easily confirm the modified strike, it’s better to show the change during the training. It’ll be easier to compare with the previous strike.”
So, for now, let’s go on the offensive a little more.
Yerin swung her wooden sword once again.
Clang!
Yerin’s wooden sword slid over the Seolgeomdae member’s, causing a cry to escape.
Unconsciously, the Seolgeomdae member swallowed dryly.
“What’s going on?”
At first, I thought the young lady was just passionate about martial arts. I tried to help her improve her skills.
But… it seems like something else is going on.
Yerin was improving in real-time through this sparring.
Each time she unfolded a strike and stepped into a stance, her movements became more precise.
But most of all, it was those chillingly calm eyes.
“That’s not a look you’d expect from a mere thirteen-year-old.”
Even as she faced the much older Seolgeomdae member directly, there was no hint of hesitation in those eyes.
If anything…
“It’s like the gaze of a seasoned sword master who’s crossed countless battlefields.”
A shiver ran down my spine.
“If this continues, I might actually lose!”
My grip tightened involuntarily.
The Seolgeomdae member suddenly realized that they were giving it their all.
And there were eyes closely watching the two sparring.
“…The strike that the young lady is unfolding.”
The Seolgeomdae leader read the trajectory of the entwining and separating wooden swords with a keen eye.
“It’s subtly different from the previous strike.”
The unfolding of the sword, the stepping of the stance itself was based on the martial arts of the North Ice Palace.
But there was a wall that had been firmly blocking the Seolgeomdae leader’s path.
The subtle gap in the connection between strikes.
The weakness of the strike that could not be overcome.
Yerin’s movements did not reveal that weakness.
In fact, she seemed to be continuously improving even as she moved, filling the limits of the strike.
“This is unbelievable.”
I couldn’t take my eyes off the sparring.
The Seolgeomdae leader was fixated on Yerin as if in a trance.
The Seolgeomdae members, too, were watching the sparring with eyes full of astonishment.
“That, that’s the strike that the young lady is unfolding.”
One of the Seolgeomdae members murmured in a stunned voice.
“Isn’t it a bit different from the strikes we’ve seen so far?”
“Yeah. It’s just a very slight change in the sword, but…”
“The strikes are coming together very smoothly.”
What is the Seolgeomdae?
It was a place where warriors who dedicated their lives to martial arts, guarding the North Ice Palace, gathered.
All the Seolgeomdae members were completely unable to take their eyes off Yerin’s sparring.
“I, I want to unfold a strike like that too.”
One of the Seolgeomdae members squirmed as if they wanted to jump up and grab a sword right away.
Another member who was watching the sparring gave a sharp remark.
“It’s not just you.”
“How can she move like that?”
“And what about the stance?”
“Really, the Martial Arts Master praises the young lady as a rare talent…”
The Seolgeomdae members murmured among themselves.
Doyul watched the duel between the Seolgeomdae member and Yerin with his arms crossed.
Even though his wife and the warrior raised with great care at the North Ice Palace were facing off, his expression showed no signs of worry.
On the contrary.
“My wife went through the test given by the Eternal Ice Spirit there and came out,” Doyul thought.
Taking his gaze off Yerin, Doyul looked down at the Eternal Ice Spirit sitting at his feet.
The Eternal Ice Spirit.
A great spirit containing the purest energy of nature.
And Yerin was the most outstanding person among those Doyul knew.
It wasn’t just a physical issue.
It was in her deep understanding of martial arts and high level of mastery.
With Yerin meeting the Eternal Ice Spirit, there was no doubt she would progress.
– Human fights are truly boring.
The Eternal Ice Spirit yawned loudly and stretched out its body.
Its drowsy movements were very relaxed.
That appearance was oddly irritating.
“What kind of test was it that allowed her to improve so much in such a short time?”
Yerin’s progress was not intimidating.
On the contrary, it pleased him.
But like a thorn under his fingernail, there was a feeling that kept bothering him.
“Somehow… my wife seems so distant.”
As if Yerin would leave his side at any moment and disappear into a place he could never reach.
An inexplicable and eerie sense of unease was creeping over him.
