The woman’s stance was somehow unusual.
She wore the martial artist uniform identifying her as a member of the Moyong Family, complete with ornaments and a sword from the Baekcheongumdae at her waist, indicating her high standing within the family.
Moreover, the faint but discernible aura emanating from her made it clear she was no weak fighter. She appeared slightly past her thirties, with a fresh beauty about her.
If you’re wondering what exactly felt strange about such a person, well—
"Talking to a young brat like that, huh? So impressive, right?"
"..."
"If you're going to grow old, at least do it gracefully, you geezer. Did you shove all your age into your backside?"
Despite her refined looks and noble background, her rough way of speaking was quite jarring.
On top of that, she stood with one hip out, chewing something indeterminate. It was…
'...What kind of coarse behavior is this?'
She was like a thug you might be unlucky enough to encounter in a back alley. Her appearance was stunning, but her demeanor was the complete opposite, which made me flinch without realizing it.
What puzzled me even more was that the Blade King was keeping his mouth shut in front of her.
Judging by the flushed color of his face, he was angry, but for some reason, he wasn’t snapping at her.
Seeing that, it seemed the Peng Family Head knew who she was…
‘Who could she be…?’
A high-ranking woman from the Moyong Family? The options were quite limited, so it shouldn’t have been hard to guess.
But it was strangely difficult to recall.
While I was trying to figure out who she was, the Peng Family Head finally opened his mouth.
"What is the meaning of this?"
"That’s what I’d like to ask. What do you think you're doing?"
She even mocked his tone, her words practically dripping with sarcasm.
The woman was outright ignoring him, and the Peng Family Head’s face grew even redder.
"Baekryeongum…! What brings you here to insult me like this?"
"...!"
Upon hearing his words, I realized who she was.
'This woman is Baekryeongum?'
I scrutinized her with surprised eyes. Why hadn’t I considered that?
If you were to think of a famed female warrior from the Moyong Family, it could only be her.
'Baekryeongum Moyong Biyeon.'
She was a direct descendant of the Moyong Family and a fairly well-known figure in the martial arts world, chiefly due to her title as "Sword Queen."
If you look at certain rules that have been passed down in Zhongyuan, one of them is the tradition, or rather the custom, of inheriting notable titles.
For example, the title of "Sword King" is held by Namgung Jin. His title as the "Celestial Sword King" is proof of that.
No one else can use the title "Sword King."
It’s an unwritten rule. Other than the current Sword King, no one else can take that title.
Of course, just because someone holds the title "Sword King" doesn’t mean it can’t be taken from them.
Namgung Jin could retire with the title of Sword King, or one could challenge the current titleholder to a duel to the death and seize the title that way.
But hardly anyone would do such a thing. The risks are too high, and it’s generally accepted that when one’s prime has passed, they retire with their title.
There are a few symbolic titles like the Sword King that have been passed down in Zhongyuan.
And like the Sword King, the title of "Sword Queen" is one of those symbolic titles.
It signifies the most outstanding female swordswoman.
Naturally, it’s a title that would make any female swordswoman salivate.
Baekryeongum Moyong Biyeon was one of the few female swordswomen vying for that title of Sword Queen.
After the previous Sword Queen died in an accident, the position was left vacant.
It was debated who would take up the position, and Moyong Biyeon was one of the contenders.
Although she didn’t become the Sword Queen, being a contender meant she was quite a significant figure.
The reason I hadn’t recognized her was simple.
‘This... Was this really her?’
She was far too different from the Baekryeongum I’d heard of.
"An insult? You think I’m insulting you?"
"What else would you call this if not an insult?"
"And here I thought you’d be grateful instead of talking like an idiot."
"What?"
Moyong Biyeon, although tall for a woman, looked tiny next to the Peng Family Head.
Yet she brazenly poked his chest with her finger, as if she had nothing to lose.
"You’re spilling trash out of your mouth and disgracing your family, and I’m here cleaning up after you. You should be grateful."
"...You…!"
"Are you having fun roughhousing with a young girl, even at your age? When are you going to grow up? I thought you’d matured when you became family head, but apparently not."
"Baekryeongum!"
"Why are you yelling like that?"
The Peng Family Head’s outburst was drowned out by Moyong Biyeon’s thunderous voice.
Seeing the madness flickering in her eyes, I couldn’t help but step back.
Even Gu Yeonseo, who was standing nearby, was trembling slightly.
This was why I hadn’t recognized her as Baekryeongum.
The rumors of Baekryeongum that circulated through Zhongyuan were not much different from those about the current Mount Hua Sword Queen.
A righteous person.
She couldn’t overlook people in distress, burning herself out to save others—one of the few heroes of her kind.
Just as the current Sword Queen had earned her fame by single-handedly stopping the forces of the Demonic Cult,
Baekryeongum had also once risked her life to stop a horde of demons and had become the talk of the town.
She had saved a nameless village, risking her life, and when later asked why, she had replied:
-"The meal that the child gave me was delicious."
She was grateful to those who had shown her kindness in passing, saying that was enough reason to risk her life.
Baekryeongum was such a person. At least, that’s how I knew her.
‘What was she like in my past life?’
The memory was faint. I couldn’t recall much, likely because the Moyong Family hadn’t participated in the war.
That’s probably why I barely remembered them.
The Moyong Family Head had left, taking Moyong Heea’s body to the Ice Palace.
Did Moyong Biyeon leave with him back then? That would explain why I didn’t know much about her.
‘...I have no idea.’
It wasn’t something I’d given much thought to, so there wasn’t much I could recall now.
Meanwhile, Moyong Biyeon continued grinding her teeth, speaking to the Peng Family Head.
"You bastard. You were all 'sister, sister' back then, and now you think you can treat me like this just because you wear a few hats?"
"...What?"
It wasn’t the Peng Family Head who was surprised by Moyong Biyeon’s words; it was me.
‘Did she just say “sister”?’
...Does that mean Moyong Biyeon is older than the Peng Family Head? That was a shocking revelation.
Moyong Biyeon looked barely over thirty, while the Peng Family Head appeared nearly sixty.
Had he been weathered by the storms of life alone?
"I tried to be respectful now that you’re family head, but you’ve forgotten all the good old memories, haven’t you? You want a beating?"
She grinned, causing the Peng Family Head’s face to twist.
"It’s because of old ties that I’m holding back."
"Holding back? Then don’t hold back. Draw your sword, Peng Family. I’ll slice that rotten tongue of yours along with it."
She showed no signs of backing down against the Blade King himself.
Their auras mixed with killing intent, spreading thickly through the air.
What were these lunatics thinking, causing a scene in the middle of a crowded street?
The Peng Family Head sneered at her.
"Are you not concerned that Moyong Family Head might hear about this?"
There was Baekryeongum, openly hurling insults at the Peng Family Head right in the street.
Whether or not it was true, this was like a spark that could ignite tensions between the Moyong and Peng Families.
Trying to pressure her with political concerns, he mentioned the Moyong Family Head.
But she remained unfazed, smiling wider as she raised her hand.
Her clenched fist suddenly shot up, revealing just one thin, white middle finger.
"Screw you."
"...!"
"Do you think our Family Head would be scared of the likes of you? If that’s enough to silence me, then he should step down. Who do you think you’re threatening?"
At this point, I felt almost dizzy from the tension.
At first, she reminded me of Gu Heebi’s rough demeanor, but now I could tell she was far worse.
Was this really the Baekryeongum I knew?
Unfazed by the stares around her, Moyong Biyeon sneered at the Peng Family Head, who was grinding his teeth.
"Well? Draw your sword. Let’s see what you’ve got."
A clash between two prominent figures of the martial arts world was unfolding in the middle of Hanan.
Moyong Biyeon didn’t seem to care about the people watching, while the Peng Family Head was casting glances around.
Moyong Biyeon, with her hand on her sword hilt, appeared ready to draw any moment, and her aura deepened.
The Peng Family Head’s body began to swell slightly.
This really was a ticking time bomb.
Would it be better to sneak away? Getting involved here seemed like a bad idea.
Just as I was sizing up an escape route,
The Peng Family Head withdrew his aura and spoke to Moyong Biyeon.
"I will not forget this insult, Baekryeongum…"
It looked like he was backing down.
"Forget it? Let’s settle it now," she sneered, but the Peng Family Head turned and began to walk away. He had decided to give up.
The martial artists who appeared to be with the Peng Family Head followed him, and once they were gone, Moyong Biyeon retracted her aura.
It seemed the matter had passed for now.
Watching the retreating back of the Peng Family Head, Moyong Biyeon whispered softly.
"Pfft, that idiot. How could his body be so big while his insides are so small?"
Hearing her, I found myself nodding in agreement.
‘This feels different.’
My perception of the Blade King was changing.
Peng Woojin and Peng Ah-hee didn’t give off this vibe, but for some reason, their family head seemed like he was under some kind of spell.
A heart demon, perhaps.
It reminded me of what Elder Jang had once said when meeting Peng Woojin, that the Peng Family Head was blessed with good children.
I wondered if he had been referring to the Peng Family Head in a roundabout way.
Just as I was thinking about that, Moyong Biyeon turned to look at Gu Yeonseo.
"Are you okay?"
Startled, Gu Yeonseo quickly composed herself, her tension palpable.
Awkwardly, she bowed and spoke with embarrassment.
"Thank you for helping me, senior. I’m Gu Yeonseo from the Gu Family."
Moyong Biyeon smiled warmly, as if amused by Gu Yeonseo's demeanor.
"Senior? Just call me ‘sister’ instead."
"I... I couldn’t possibly… That would be inappropriate…!"
Blushing, Gu Yeonseo stammered, and Moyong Biyeon chuckled, reaching out to pat her on the head.
For a moment, her gaze lingered on the Gu Family emblem embroidered on Gu Yeonseo’s chest, her expression slightly wistful.
Why was she looking at it like that?
But then Moyong Biyeon returned to her usual self and spoke to Gu Yeonseo.
"Was that big bear scaring you?"
"No, not at all…"
"Yeah, right. Just think of it as stepping on crap."
Gu Yeonseo, embarrassed, avoided making eye contact. Seeing a family member feel ashamed made me uncomfortable.
Letting go of her shoulder, I was about to greet Moyong Biyeon when her gaze shifted to me.
Was she expecting a greeting? I quickly prepared to bow.
"Did I interrupt something?"
Her unexpected formality caught me off guard.
"Excuse me?"
"I got mad and stepped in, but it seemed like you were about to handle things yourself."
She must have noticed I was about to step in. But why was she being so polite?
"No, not at all."
"Not at all, huh? Well, thank you for what you did. It must have been a hassle."
Moyong Biyeon’s words made me smile wryly inside.
‘She noticed the Qi barrier I put up.’
She must have realized I used a Qi barrier to keep our conversation private. I chuckled awkwardly and replied.
"On the contrary, I should be thanking you for stepping in, Senior Baekryeongum."
"Hmm?"
Moyong Biyeon cocked her head, as if sensing something off.
Had I given something away?
As I pondered, Moyong Biyeon’s expression grew curious. She suddenly stepped closer and reached for my bamboo hat.
"...!"
I was startled and tried to stop her, but her hand was quicker than I anticipated.
She lifted my hat slightly, revealing my face to her.
"What the…!"
Feeling a mix of irritation and surprise at her sudden action, I looked at her, but to my surprise, Moyong Biyeon’s eyes were trembling.
Why was she the one looking shocked?
Oblivious to my confusion, she seemed incredibly taken aback, looking at me as if she were lost in thought.
"...Gu... Hero?"
"Excuse me?"
The way she called me was unnecessarily sentimental.