Chapter 66
At the same time, Namgung Jin’s new technique shattered behind him with a loud crack, and he began to be pushed backward.
Namgung Jin instinctively tried to channel his inner energy into his legs to resist, but in the end, he did nothing.
“I will keep the promise not to use my inner energy.”
As a result, he couldn’t withstand Sau’s strength and was thrown backward.
After flying for quite a distance, he slammed heavily into a large rock, his body becoming battered and torn.
With broken ribs, even breathing became a struggle.
Namgung Jin let out a bitter laugh at the realization of his rare defeat.
“I’ve been far too arrogant.”
He had even lost without learning anything about the martial arts Sau was using.
It seemed Sau had used some form of fist technique in his final attack, but the movements were so clear and unadorned that he couldn’t figure out which style it was.
Strong, but lacking distinct characteristics. Swift enough to slice the air, yet calm.
A martial art he had never seen before.
Still, it wasn’t a completely fruitless duel.
Even with his vision blurred, Namgung Jin couldn’t forget Sau’s final words:
“The sword is too straight.”
What did that mean?
If he could understand the truth behind that statement, could he reach a higher level of martial skill?
For now, he needed to return to the inn… Baek Sojeo would be worried.
But Namgung Jin didn’t have the strength to move even a single hand. It seemed it would take a long time just to realign his twisted qi and blood.
At that moment, Sau approached him.
“…….”
He looked down indifferently at Namgung Jin, who was on the verge of fainting.
Despite not using inner energy, the fact that Namgung Jin hadn’t fainted from such a powerful strike was remarkable.
“The first person since Baek Garim who hasn’t fainted after taking a full Qingfeng Ping Palm.”
Sau had used a martial technique from the Cheongseong sect instead of the usual demonic school’s style, just in case.
Now he had to decide what to do with Namgung Jin—leave him here, or take him along.
“You… are you planning to… kill me?” Namgung Jin wheezed.
“And if I did?”
“…….”
“You fool. Don’t you realize how foolish it is to challenge a master whose true identity you don’t even know?”
Sau clicked his tongue.
“Haha… but you treated Baek Sojeo rather well. I trusted that.”
“…….”
At this sharp remark, a slight narrowing appeared around Sau’s eyes.
“You wouldn’t do something to make Baek Sojeo sad, right…?”
The words caused his brows to furrow.
Who was he to even consider the sadness of another?
“Shut up.”
With a frown, Sau unleashed a final strike, knocking Namgung Jin completely unconscious.
“Ughk!”
Namgung Jin’s eyes finally closed as blood streamed from his mouth.
He had only been beaten to the point of near-death, so he wouldn’t die immediately. But later…
“He might really die.”
If Namgung Jin did die, Baeksam would cry endlessly until her tears ran dry.
And then, she would probably avoid him for the rest of her life.
Then he would have to use force to kidnap her, forcing her to heal him…
“…….”
Strangely, the thought was unpleasant.
For some reason, he didn’t want to do it that way.
Though he didn’t know why, he wanted to earn her favor instead of incurring her resentment, letting her heal him willingly.
A good idea struck him then.
“I should use Namgung Jin to my advantage.”
Sau casually slung the limp Namgung Jin over his shoulder, as if he had always wanted to kill him.
He returned to the inn at a speed almost unbelievable for a grown man.
Sau threw Namgung Jin’s bloodied body into Baeksam’s room.
Coincidentally, Baeksam and Jegal Haesu were both there.
“Sam Anryong has lost. He has no strength left, so he might die soon.”
Seeing Namgung Jin limp and soaked in blood, the two were shocked.
“Sa… Sau! We asked you not to hurt him. Why… why did you do this?”
Sau strode forward with long, measured steps until he was in front of her.
He lowered his stance to meet her gaze.
“…….”
Soso stared directly into his black, emotionless eyes.
They were frightening, but she did not flinch.
“You promised nothing. The only promise I made was not to devour you.”
“If you persecute my companions, I will no longer follow you.”
“You have no right to command me. I decide my own path.”
It was an unbearably arrogant statement.
Soso briefly regretted comparing this insolent man to Lord Eonwoo, even for a moment.
“A thoughtful Lord Eonwoo would never say such things.”
Soso changed her mind about Sau, deciding he was not a bad person.
“I no longer wish to follow you. I dislike you.”
“……What?”
“Please leave this room.”
“…….”
A slight crack appeared on Sau’s previously expressionless face.
Gradually, his emotions revealed themselves: confusion.
“Dislike…?”
He repeated her blunt rejection as if protesting.
“But you were the one who requested the duel first.”
“Even so, Namgung Sau is my benefactor. I cannot follow someone who threatened my benefactor’s life.”
Benefactor or not, it didn’t matter. In the martial world, the strong survive; the weak die.
Just like the Cheongseong sect or my past…
But Sau could not argue.
He could not force himself against her, who looked him in the eye, tears threatening to spill.
At that moment, Namgung Jin, lying on the floor, coughed up blood.
“Ughk…!”
Soso passed Sau and rushed to Namgung Jin.
His condition seemed critical. Even calling a physician might be too late.
“Can I use my healing abilities in front of Sau?”
But Sau showed no sign of leaving the room. He didn’t question her, yet remained motionless.
And there was no one who could force him out.
Soso made a decision.
“Even if my abilities are revealed, I won’t regret this.”
She had promised herself the day before that she would not regret acting in situations where danger could arise.
Not turning away from someone in need. Understanding that people heal people, and that it is natural.
Soso extended her hands forward.
“Samah!”
Jegal Haesu’s voice called out, filled with worry, but he could not stop her.
This time, she could shed tears without biting the inside of her cheek.
Seeing Namgung Jin, bloodied and gasping for breath, naturally brought tears to her eyes.
Hot tears ran down her cheeks. Her eyes burned more intensely.
The desire to save Namgung Jin caused golden energy to surge from her hands.
It manifested faster than the previous day.
The more she used her powers, the more familiar and masterful she became. Even in a chaotic moment, she realized it.
“Focus.”
Soso closed her eyes and entered a state of selflessness.
The sounds around her faded, and even the breeze brushing against her cheeks was perceived acutely.
The more she concentrated, the stronger the golden energy from her delicate hands became.
It penetrated Namgung Jin, reaching every wound.
Broken bones fused, and torn flesh healed.
Even his ragged, near-death breathing gradually returned to calm.
Tears and sweat streamed continuously down Soso’s face, while golden energy swirled behind her like a dragon ascending to the heavens.
She had reached the ultimate state of selflessness.
A state where it seemed any injury could be healed.
Jegal Haesu and Sau, breathless, could only watch this awe-inspiring scene unfold before their eyes.
