Chapter 34 Duel of the Phoenix (3) - Martial Arts Masochist

A duel serves as an exceptional medium for conversation—a profound exchange conducted not with words, but through the blade. In the fleeting instant where swords clash, depending on one's mastery, one can catch a glimpse into the opponent's past. With the subtle blend of feigned and true strikes in every moment, it's possible to discern the nuances of the opponent's character. As you come to know your adversary better, the conversation grows deeper and more genuine. It's akin to an understanding that transcends words, communicated through mere eye contact, or perhaps something that resonates without even crossing blades. This wasn’t the first time Cheongwol and Tang So Ran had crossed swords. While it was the first time they dueled before an audience, given the geographical closeness of the Emei Sect and the Tang family from Sichuan, they frequently had the opportunity to spar. Yet even so, those sessions were never as serious or prolonged, often just a handful of exchanges that ended quickly. Despite that, from the very first moment their blades met, Tang So Ran realized something. Cheongwol belonged to the same breed as she did—someone touching the edge of the heart demon. Tang So Ran sensed the seed planted within her chest more quickly than anyone else—perhaps even sooner than Cheongwol herself. Reading someone’s mind is always challenging, but those with shared afflictions recognize each other first. It’s an inexplicable feeling, akin to an animal's instinct. And at that moment, Tang So Ran had to acknowledge the overwhelming relief she felt realizing there was another soul suffering from the heart demon, just as she was. Knowing someone else was as broken as she, brought an odd sense of comfort. Discovering herself smiling at another’s misfortune, she felt a revulsion towards herself... Yet emotions, unlike reason, cannot be as easily controlled. No matter how much she tried to deny it, she couldn’t refute the relief she felt. For someone as isolated and burdened with an untold load as Tang So Ran, the existence of someone similar was the greatest solace. Alongside that shared camaraderie, she felt a profound empathy. You're struggling there too, aren't you? You're crying there as well. It must be difficult for you, too. This sentiment eventually grew into a sense of familiarity. No, it wasn't the desire to become friends with Cheongwol, for Cheongwol was naturally a difficult person to approach. Although she would flash a gentle smile in front of others, that was merely a mask. Tang So Ran could see it, for she wore the same mask. It wasn’t anything else. She wished for Cheongwol to remain in that place. An unspeakable, hideous wish. Just as she couldn't escape her heart demon no matter how she thrashed, she hoped Cheongwol wouldn’t leave her behind. She had even somewhat accepted it—heart demons were something one could not escape. For that reason, she was increasingly afraid of being left alone. Perhaps it was the nature of their heart demons that was the problem. If Cheongwol's heart demon was akin to intense anger, Tang So Ran's was a profound emptiness— a void that nothing could fill, a loneliness that lingered despite any effort. The sensation of having no place in the world. For Tang So Ran, only the moments filled with the cheers of countless people could temporarily quench this thirst. And when those cheers faded, the existence of kindred spirits was what filled her void. Not only Cheongwol, but through information trickling from Hao Mun or the Beggars' Clan, as the number of those afflicted by heart demons increased, so too did her vile relief. Knowing they existed meant she was not alone. They proved that she wasn't the only one who was strange. ...Even now, she simply wanted to confirm it. She had heard about the bodies discovered on Mount Emei. Recently, Tang So Ran had become so ravaged by her heart demon that she ceased worrying about others’ perceptions. She was curious. "...Because we're the same kind." Could it be you're in a more dire situation than I am? Are you suffering more than me? What choice did you make? "...That's why I'm curious about your choice." "...Kindred spirits." Tang So Ran nodded at Cheongwol’s whisper. "...Yes." By now, Tang So Ran had poured a multitude of emotions into this duel. Subtle changes in Cheongwol could be sensed. Thus, she needed to verify further. You have to have a heart demon. To ensure I'm not alone. To ensure my struggles aren't meaningless. Thus, I will prove it by defeating you. **** ...Kindred spirits? Cheongwol understood the hidden meaning in Tang So Ran's words without any need for further explanation. Heart demons. Cheongwol also sensed what she was referring to. Perhaps she knew instinctively as well. Just as Tang So Ran had said—kindred spirits. From the aura naturally emanating, it felt as though the burden Tang So Ran carried had been conveyed to Cheongwol. Swish. In a split second, Tang So Ran lunged. Before Cheongwol could react, the dagger cleaved through the air, aiming for her side. "You, too, suffer as much as I do, if not more," whispered words meant only for her ears. But Cheongwol flowed with the attack, redirecting it even faster than the dagger could pierce her, dissolving the assault. Her neatly tied hair swayed in the momentary breeze. "...Wol Ah, we know this pain." Cheongwol's fingertips trembled slightly at that remark. However, she soon fixed her gaze on Tang So Ran with determined eyes and responded. "...So what?" In the next clash, as sword met dagger, a resounding boom reverberated across the arena. "As I said, I'm only curious about your choice. How you coped with this inescapable pain." Cheongwol spun sideways, her sword tracing a crescent. Tang So Ran quickly leapt, avoiding its path. "If you wish to know about me, shouldn’t you first reveal your own choice, Senior?" Tang So Ran's lips twisted into a subtle smile. This time, that smile felt different—slightly chilling. Her long sleeves fluttered, and Cheongwol tilted her head just in time to dodge the incoming poisoned needles. "...My choice... It's not difficult." Tang So Ran's movements turned sharp once more, as if she launched her attack intentionally to continue the conversation. "I once heard a story. It was about a Taoist master—loved by all, with unparalleled cultivation—but within him resided the fiercest of demons." As Cheongwol retreated to widen the gap between them, Tang So Ran followed closely, not even pausing for breath. "Relentlessly pursued by the urge to kill, haunted by those who respected him..." "He laughed at others and wanted to toss the little children clinging to his clothes into the river," Tang So Ran continued, lightly aligned with Cheongwol, who wondered about the story's conclusion. "Yet this Taoist hid that demon until his dying breath. So, should he be called a villain or a sage?" she posed, leaving the question hanging in the air like the breath she briefly held. Finally, taking a step forward, she closed the thought. "I will be that Taoist." Cheongwol clenched her teeth at the unsettling narrative as she prepared her next move—a calm but powerful technique from the So Yang Sword style, the third form: Wolha Yuyeong (Moonlit Night Flowing Shadow). Pretending to retreat, she lowered her center of gravity. As her sword sliced through the air, its movement was graceful and fluid, like a dance—each motion intertwined, flawlessly aligned with every familiar repetition of countless practices, right down to the reflex in her arms, the calibrated power of her shoulders, and the resilience in her knees. -Swish! Tang So Ran's left sleeve tore, and several poisoned needles and hidden weapons tumbled to the ground. Cheongwol, seeing Tang So Ran step back, declared, "...I can't live like that." "I know. You're not that kind of person," Tang So Ran replied, conceding to Cheongwol's nature after years of acquaintance. "But you still have to choose, don't you? This heart demon will be with us for a lifetime...for starters, you should give up," she insisted, pointing to Cheongwol's arm where a dark, poisoned needle had embedded itself. "Soon, your vision will go dark. Don’t worry—it’s temporary," Tang So Ran assured. Ah, so I’ve been hit, Cheongwol realized as she assessed the burgeoning void in her vision. "You've shown the audience enough, haven't you? There’s no need to struggle anymore," Tang So Ran stated with palpable disdain towards the spectators. "Wol Ah, I’ve voiced my reasons for wanting this duel. I desired a dialogue with you...and to become that Taoist, displaying what everyone yearns to see." As darkness crept into her vision, Cheongwol blinked, knowing Tang So Ran spoke the truth. Her line of sight contracted like a tunnel collapsing inward—a claustrophobic silence swallowing her awareness. Her longing to win curdled into frustration. "Conversely, why did you accept this duel?" "..." Momentarily, Cheongwol looked around in contemplation. Why? Only then did the uproarious cheers of the crowd fully materialize in her awareness. "Dokbong! Dokbong!" "Lady Tang So Ran! Press on!" "Just a bit more!" "Don't give up, Lady Cheongwol! We've bet thirty coins on you!" Peering through the encroaching darkness, she absorbed the expressions of the audience—those who had once cheered for her, now exhilarated by the fierce duel. The insane glee upon their faces mirrored the fervor of their cheers. At that moment, it dawned on her. Their desires weren’t for her victory but for sheer entertainment. Even the people from Emei Sect’s village were chanting the name of Dopung. Those who, just days ago, had groveled and flattered her. The buried heart demon within her stirred once more. Why did she participate in this duel? To become just a spectacle? In seeking an answer, she turned her head towards the opposite side. The numerous first and second disciples—all eyes steeped in disappointment, as though they had already expected and accepted defeat. Her seniors, wearing hidden smiles, seemed mocking, quietly ridiculing her predicament. Rubbing her eyes did nothing to change that view. Was this truly the sect she had belonged to? Although she had known, feeling it firsthand from the dueling stage doubled the ache. Being asked for her reason, she struggled to find an answer—a reason she, herself, could grasp. Especially with those seniors and townsfolk... Would her loss bring them such immense joy? She wanted to erase the smiles from their faces immediately. If only she unsheathed her Extermination Sword right then... surely, their expressions would change in an instant. This wasn't the limit of her capabilities. Tang So Ran coaxed her once again. "...Stop here, Wol Ah. I’ve met my objective. If you don’t want further humiliation... surrender now. You can’t live with shame, can you?" "...Ha." Cheongwol’s hollow laughter escaped in response to Tang So Ran's persisting words. A sudden clarity overwhelmed her. She chuckled softly, barely aware of it herself. Tang So Ran tilted her head, seemingly puzzled at Cheongwol's reaction. Maybe Tang So Ran was right not too long ago. Yet now, Cheongwol realized it wasn’t the complete truth. The time in that sinister basement flashed before her mind’s eye once more. ...In her own way, she found she could endure disgrace and shame. "You know nothing about me, Senior Tang." As her vision nearly fully dimmed, Cheongwol turned her gaze toward Han Seo Jin. Though he was afar, she spotted him immediately. His face bore a deeper frown and his jaw clenched. ...It was the worried expression she yearned to witness. And with that final image, her sight turned pitch-black. However, a smile graced Cheongwol's lips. Her once-raging heart calmed once more. And in finding her reason for the duel, she spoke, “We are not the same.” "...What?" Pooling her inner energy, she harnessed the explosive strength flowing through her core. It was just like wearing a blindfold—she merely had to sense the direction. In Han Seo Jin's basement, she had done the same. -Huuaahhh!! Her inner energy surged across her skin. Instantly, she became aware of the surrounding presences, even with closed eyes. Cheongwol charged at Tang So Ran. A point where she would have previously surrendered, she instead approached again. “How…!” Tang So Ran frantically searched her sleeves, but nothing was left inside the torn cloth. -Thud!! The hilt of Cheongwol’s sword pierced Tang So Ran’s solar plexus. “-Gah!” -Flump!! Dopung’s legs gave way, collapsing beneath her. Cheongwol did not withdraw her sword but instead aimed it directly at Tang So Ran. It was a victory snatched in a moment's opening and with the opponent's oversight. Although she could not see Tang So Ran's face, the tremor in her silent breathing was notably evident. "Ch- Cheongwol! Victory!" Her master’s voice resounded, triggering waves of cheers. Perhaps these cheers would have brought her joy previously, because she had bested Dopung. “Haa… haa…” However, Cheongwol’s mind was engulfed elsewhere. She longed to see just one face—a singular expression. “...Senior Tang, the antidote, please.” “...” “Senior Tang.” “...” Tang So Ran remained silent. "Master!" Cheongwol called out urgently, summoning So Woon and the Tang family members who rushed onto the stage. After receiving the antidote, Cheongwol quickly swallowed it, using her remaining inner energy to expel the poison coursing through her body. Gradually, her darkened vision started to return, and she repeatedly blinked her eyes. "Yes! Damn, that was amazing! What was that?!" Cheongwol could finally see Han Seojin's image, leaping about in joy. "Aren’t you having fun, Seojin?" he exclaimed, unable to control his excitement as he hugged the beggar's heads alongside him. Seeing him so jubilant, as if it were his own victory, elicited a genuine smile from Cheongwol — a smile she couldn't recall how long it had been since she last wore. Spectators around her marveled at her radiant expression. Cheongwol quietly swallowed the emotions she couldn't convey to Han Seojin. ...I did it for you. Unbeknownst to herself, overwhelmed with emotion, she bit her lip gently. For you, who worried about me. The euphoria coursed through her mind. She couldn't remember the last time she was so happy. **** As Tang So Ran sat on the floor in a daze, she blinked slowly, a singular question surfacing in her mind. ...Why did I... lose? She gazed up at Cheongwol, who was now beaming. Even as a fellow woman, Cheongwol's beauty seemed to shine blindingly bright. Yet, more than her skill, it was her smile that shocked Tang So Ran. It was a smile that someone with a heart demon couldn't possibly wear. "...You..." Tang So Ran whispered in disbelief, "...your heart demon..."