novelzi Chapter 31
Chapter 31
Chapter 31: The Difference Between a Sect and a Clan
Jeomchil’s eyes widened in surprise. “W-wait!” She must have misheard. “Miss Sohwa suggested I be sent away?”
“Yes.”
“B-but why? She seemed to think highly of my skills. Why would she...?” Had she taken pity on her? The thought made her stomach churn.
Tang Min, watching her, smiled slyly. “She said you would become one of the greatest in the world.”
“What? That’s ridiculous...”@@@@
“Indeed. I agree. You’re nowhere near that level. You’re clearly weaker than me.”
“...” He looked her up and down, his eyes narrowed in appraisal. “Look at you. Your expression changes with every word. You’re a hundred years away from achieving a tranquil mind. You have some talent, yes, but that’s all.”
Her eyes narrowed as well, mirroring his expression, and he chuckled.
“Anyway, they’re not sending you away because you lack talent. It’s quite the opposite, actually. So, dry your tears.”
She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. “So, it’s the Wudang Sect?”
“I can’t teach you the techniques of other sects, but I’m familiar with their styles. I think you’d be a good fit for Wudang, but Sohwa disagrees. Well, there are other sects interested in you. You can go elsewhere if you wish, but I think Wudang is the best choice. Ahem, let’s move somewhere more comfortable to discuss this further...” He suddenly stopped, his gaze shifting towards the entrance.
A maid entered the pavilion, bowing respectfully to Tang Min before turning to Jeomchil with a smile. “Miss Tang Sohwa wishes to see you. I see you had a prior engagement. May I ask when you might be available?”
Jeomchil looked at Tang Min, her eyes pleading. He understood.
“Go ahead,” he said, his voice slightly strained. “We can talk again tomorrow morning.”
She immediately jumped to her feet.
Tang Min, as if worried she might change her mind, added, “Child, the Wudang Sect is the best fit for you. Wudang! It’s not that I want to see that Arrogant Old Coot groveling at your feet. This is for your own good. If you choose Wudang, I’ll reward you with... to help you surpass your master...”
“Elder Tang Min.” The maid, sensing another rambling tangent, interrupted him politely, turning towards him with a smile. She bowed deeply, her perfect etiquette a silent yet effective way of silencing him.
He cleared his throat and waved his hand dismissively. “Yes, yes, go ahead. Forgive my rambling.”
Confused, Jeomchil looked from the maid to Tang Min, then, following the maid, hurried out of the pavilion.
Her steps were unsteady, whether from the rain-slicked ground or her own anxiety. As she reached the main hall, her clumsiness worsened, her feet slipping on the polished wooden floor.
She slowed down, carefully placing each foot before the other, then stopped abruptly.
Through the railing, she saw a small bamboo grove, the slender stalks swaying gently in the breeze. And amidst the bamboo, she saw the clan heiress.
She walked towards the reception hall, her steps now measured and cautious.
Mesmerized, Yeon-a approached the box and peered inside. Her eyes widened in surprise at the slender blade, less than half the thickness of her current sword. “...This is for me?”
“Yes. It’s yours.”
Silence.
Yeon-a, her face flushed with a mixture of surprise and confusion, stood speechless. Elder Yoon, unable to bear the awkward silence, glanced at Sohwa. “Miss, may I explain?”
“Go ahead.”
As if waiting for her permission, he pulled out the sword.
Shing. The blade, drawn from its dark green scabbard, shimmered in the sunlight. Yeon-a’s eyes lit up.
He held the sword in his right hand, then switched it to his left. “I observed your movements. You seem to be ambidextrous, equally skilled with both hands. And despite using such a heavy sword, your movements are remarkably swift. Your arm strength is quite impressive. However, you seem to be overcompensating for the weight, putting unnecessary strain on your muscles. A lighter blade will allow for greater speed and control, conserving your energy. So, this sword...” He launched into a detailed explanation of his creation, his voice filled with pride.
Yeon-a listened intently, nodding like a eager student, her gaze fixed on the sword.
Sohwa, watching the excited craftsman and the enthralled young swordsman, smiled inwardly. A swordsman was a swordsman, regardless of age.
When he offered her the sword, she hesitantly reached out and grasped the hilt.
Her eyes instantly changed, sharpening with focus. She lowered the tip of the sword towards the floor, testing its balance, the blade twisting slightly, catching the sunlight. It was a small movement, yet the atmosphere in the room instantly shifted, charged with a sudden intensity. She had unconsciously channeled her internal energy into the blade.
Delighted by her reaction, Elder Yoon asked, his smile widening, “It’s light, isn’t it?”
“...Yes. It feels like I’m holding nothing.”
“Indeed. That’s the feeling you should have when wielding a sword. The one you’ve been using is too heavy. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Every disadvantage has its advantages. Your strength has improved significantly. Now, you simply need to refine your control, your precision.”
Yeon-a shifted impatiently, eager to test the new blade.
Sohwa, watching her, stood up. She had heard that Yeon-a had been practicing relentlessly since arriving at the Tang Clan estate. She must be itching to try out her new sword.
“You’re dismissed,” she said, hoping to send them on their way.
“Already?”
Sohwa nodded.
But Yeon-a, instead of leaving, frowned slightly. “Is there... anything else you wanted to discuss?”
Anything else?
Had she missed something? As she searched her memories, Yeon-a’s eyes suddenly reddened.
“I... I don’t understand you.”