Chapter 187

Chapter 187
**Chapter: 187**

**Chapter Title: Return (3)**

—

**Clang!**

Following a high-pitched ring of colliding steel, the blade gripped by Sima Jin was sent spiraling into the air.

Sima Jin gazed down at her lacerated palm for a brief second, then pressed her lips together and whispered,

“I am defeated.”

“Are you alright, little sister?”

Dokgo Ryong sprinted toward her, his face a mask of alarm.

“I’m fine.”

“Fine? Don’t be ridiculous! There is blood everywhere.”

Dokgo Ryong behaved as if he were responsible for a terrible crime, hovering frantically over Sima Jin’s bleeding hand.

“Really, I told you it’s nothing.”

“It certainly is not. Stay right there. I’m going to fetch the medicine this instant.”

As Dokgo Ryong flew toward the house, Baek Muhyeon approached, rolling his eyes at the young man’s dramatic nature.

“It appears your teacher miscalculated your ceiling.”

Sima Jin lowered her gaze in shame, feeling she had embarrassed herself in the presence of her mentor.

“I offer my apologies.”

“No, you misunderstand me.”

Baek Muhyeon retrieved the weapon Sima Jin had yielded and spoke with a gentle warmth.

“A short while ago, you claimed six months would suffice to overtake your senior brother. Do you recall that?”

“I do.”

“I must retract that statement. From where I stand, you two are already on equal footing.”

Sima Jin’s eyes grew wide with astonishment, prompting a deep, resonant laugh from Baek Muhyeon.

“Don’t look so bewildered. That isn’t to say you’ve surpassed him yet. Seeing is better than listening, after all. Pay attention.”

Baek Muhyeon began to move the sword in slow, deliberate arcs.

Sima Jin watched with intense concentration, recognizing the exact maneuvers she had just employed against Dokgo Ryong.

“During your assault, he moved to block and inadvertently bared his left flank. It was a vulnerability that surfaced for a mere heartbeat, yet your eyes caught it. But what followed? You thought you had seized the lead, but that specific strike caused a microscopic disruption in your breathing and centered gravity. Do you perceive it now?”

Sima Jin immediately understood her teacher’s lesson as he demonstrated the fluid motion and the slightly trembling trajectory of the blade.

“That single fracture was the catalyst for your loss. You identified it as a weakness, but it was a trap. He manipulated you into seeing it that way.”

Baek Muhyeon brought the blade to a halt.

“That is the power of experience. Despite your massive reserves of inner energy, you cannot best your senior brother currently because of that disparity in seasoning.”

Baek Muhyeon gave a broad smirk as he spotted Dokgo Ryong rushing back toward them.

“Your senior may behave like a simpleton, but you won’t find many his age with such a history of real combat. Well, with the exception of your siblings, naturally. They exist in a separate realm entirely.”

Baek Muhyeon returned the sword to her with a mischievous glint in his eye.

“I am grateful, Master.”

Before Sima Jin could finish her respectful bow, Dokgo Ryong grabbed her wrist.

“Let me see that hand.”

“I told you, I’m perfectly okay.”

“Nonsense. Infection could set in.”

Ignoring Sima Jin’s pushback, Dokgo Ryong meticulously cleansed the cut and bound it with fresh fabric.

“Replace the dressing once a day and ensure it stays dry for a while.”

A weary sigh left Baek Muhyeon as he watched Dokgo Ryong’s obsessive care.

“The person whose hand you are fussing over happens to be—”

“Excuse me? When did I ever—”

Dokgo Ryong, realizing he was still clutching Sima Jin’s hand, quickly let go and shuffled back.

“—a healer famous enough to catch the eye of the Living Immortal Medical House, considered the pinnacle of the medical world. I believe they call this ‘carrying coals to Newcastle,’ don’t they?”

“No! Why bring the young master into this? I was simply concerned for my little sister.”

Dokgo Ryong’s face turned a vivid crimson as he stammered out his justifications.

“Enough. Now, what do you have to say for yourself?”

“About what?”

“That duel. You don’t actually believe you triumphed through raw prowess, do you?”

“…”

“Clever tricks only work a few times. They won’t sustain you forever.”

“I am aware.”

His reply was faint, his spirit clearly dampened.

“I recognize your diligence. But if you fail to sharpen your skills further…”

Baek Muhyeon went quiet all of a sudden.

A deep-seated uncertainty took root in his mind.

*‘Can this boy ever truly outshine that girl’s natural genius through sheer persistence?’*

The conclusion arrived swiftly.

*‘It is fundamentally impossible.’*

It had been barely a year since she had committed to the martial path—a period where most are still learning to stand—and yet she was already standing toe-to-toe with Dokgo Ryong.

Dokgo Ryong was a prodigy in his own right, a rarity among his peers. However, he was eclipsed by the divine gifts bestowed upon Sima Jin.

Dokgo Ryong rubbed the back of his neck, observing his master’s pensive state.

“I get it. My little sister is going to leave me in the dust soon. Haha! I’ve been trying my hardest to stay in front, but it’s a struggle. Regardless, I’ll hold my ground as long as I can, so don’t fret over it.”

In Dokgo Ryong’s level tone, Baek Muhyeon could hear the weight of his invisible toil. He felt a mix of respect and sorrow for the boy.

It was in that moment.

“Master.”

Sima Jin signaled to Baek Muhyeon, pointing toward a party of travelers nearing them from the distance.

Baek Muhyeon turned his head, letting out a soft grunt of acknowledgment.

“Wait, is that the Sword Queen? You mentioned she’d be arriving about now.”

Dokgo Ryong blinked and squinted as he asked.

“It looks to be so.”

Shortly after, Neung Sohwa arrived at the head of the Sword Pavilion followers.

“Are you perhaps the Senior Blue Dragon Sword Emperor?”

Neung Sohwa addressed Baek Muhyeon with great courtesy.

“That is correct. I am Baek Muhyeon.”

“This junior offers her respect to the Senior.”

Neung Sohwa performed a formal bow, and the members of the White Sword Corps followed her lead.

“We offer our respects to the Senior Blue Dragon Sword Emperor.”

Baek Muhyeon acknowledged the greeting.

“Haha! It is quite an event to meet the Sword Queen. I was quite startled to receive a challenge from you in my twilight years.”

“I was perhaps overbold in requesting your tutelage.”

“Overbold? Not at all. Everyone understands the weight of a challenge from the Sword Queen. If anything, it is a point of pride.”

Baek Muhyeon dismissed her modesty with a wave of his hand.

In the world of martial arts, it was a legendary honor for a fighter to be called out by the Sword Queen herself.

“Ah, let me introduce them. These two are my students.”

Dokgo Ryong and Sima Jin, standing side-by-side, bowed with enthusiasm.

“My name is Dokgo Ryong.”

“I am Sima Jin.”

Before they could even finish their introduction—

“Little sister!”

“Jin!”

“What are you doing in this place?”

Sima Geon and the rest of his companions emerged from behind the White Sword Corps. Their expressions were a chaotic blend of delight and shock.

Sima Jin’s eyes went wide as she processed the sudden sight of Sima Geon.

“Big Brother!”

Sima Jin threw herself into Sima Geon’s arms. Her frame trembled—it appeared she was weeping. Sima Geon stayed quiet, gently stroking her hair.

Baek Muhyeon and Dokgo Ryong were the most bewildered by this sudden turn of events. Even the Sword Queen’s party, who were aware that Sima Jin was supposed to be studying at the Living Immortal Medical House, looked stunned.

“I was told you had gone far away. How did you end up here?”

Sima Jin eventually looked up, her cheeks wet with tears, and asked.

“That is exactly what we want to ask you. And what, are we invisible now?”

Cheol Woo reached out and playfully messed up Sima Jin’s hair.

“Brother Cheol Woo!”

Sima Jin smiled brightly, greeting Cheol Woo with warmth, along with Noe Jeon, Man Chu, Gwa Yu, and the others.

When Sima Jin noticed So Surin, Noe Jeon moved to introduce her.

“This is a companion who traveled with us previously. She rejoined us shortly after you departed for the Living Immortal Medical House.”

“I know. You are Sister So, aren’t you?”

“Eh? How could you know that?”

“I have been writing back and forth with my younger brothers.”

“Ah, that makes sense.”

“I am So Surin. Your brother has told me much about you.”

“Yes. It is a pleasure to meet you, Sister.”

Even though it was their first encounter, Sima Jin felt an instant bond with So Surin.

“That’s enough small talk—explain. Why are you here? Weren’t you supposed to be mastering medicine?”

At Cheol Woo’s inquiry, Sima Jin’s eyes shifted toward Baek Muhyeon and Dokgo Ryong, who both looked quite out of place. She realized the confusion she had caused.

“Big Brother, this gentleman is my teacher. Master, this is my elder brother.”

“A pleasure. I am Baek Muhyeon.”

“Sima Geon.”

The manners of the two men as they acknowledged each other were polar opposites.

Baek Muhyeon was visibly pleased to meet the sibling of his favorite pupil, but Sima Geon remained guarded.

He couldn’t bring himself to be friendly without understanding why Sima Jin, who had supposedly gone to the Living Immortal Medical House for healing arts, was now the apprentice of Baek Muhyeon.

Sima Geon’s piercing gaze took a measure of Baek Muhyeon.

Remembering the Crimson Dragon Fortress, he knew many wanted to exploit her potential. He worried that Sima Jin had been coerced into this situation.

As Baek Muhyeon picked up on Sima Geon’s frosty reception and began to piece together his concerns, Dokgo Ryong—oblivious to the tension—stepped in with a loud, cheerful laugh.

“Hahaha! It’s fantastic to meet you, brothers! My sister has told me all about you. I am Dokgo Ryong.”

The saying goes that you can’t be angry at a smiling face, but there are exceptions.

“When exactly did we become brothers to you?”

“Pardon?”

Dokgo Ryong recoiled at Cheol Woo’s blunt response.

“Are you hard of hearing? At what point did we give you permission to call us brothers?”

“Brother Cheol Woo!”

Sima Jin slapped Cheol Woo’s arm to make him stop.

“Jin.”

Sima Geon spoke to Sima Jin.

“Yes.”

“I require an account of this. We believed you were pursuing medicine. That was the reason we sent you to this region. But this situation is different. The teacher you introduced is a master of the sword, not of healing. Is that not the case?”

Sima Geon directed the weight of his question not at Sima Jin, but toward Baek Muhyeon.

“Would you permit this old man to clarify?”

“No. I want the story from my sister.”

Baek Muhyeon’s eyebrow twitched at Sima Geon’s cold dismissal.

It was far more disrespectful than he had anticipated.

Under normal circumstances, he would have roared in fury, but he restrained himself for her sake.

Sensing the growing friction, Sima Jin spoke up quickly.

“Well, my senior brother had suffered an injury, and so…”

To clear the air, Sima Jin recounted the events in detail, making sure to paint her master in a positive light.

The narrative was extensive but the core was straightforward.

She had gone to the Living Immortal Medical House to assist with Dokgo Ryong’s recovery, where Baek Muhyeon had identified her dormant potential and moved mountains to convince her to become his disciple—eventually winning her over.

Sima Geon watched Sima Jin’s face intensely as she narrated.

He searched for any hint of coercion or intimidation from Baek Muhyeon, but found none. Her enthusiastic voice, her expression, and the way she highlighted even minor details to protect her teacher’s reputation showed her true feelings.

“And what of your medical training? What did the Clear Heart Clinic Lord have to say about this?”

“I am still studying medicine, of course. When I mentioned my desire to learn martial arts, the others were unsure, but Master agreed instantly. He said there was no harm in it as long as I didn’t neglect my medical path.”

“Tsk tsk. He’s far too soft for his own good. Doesn’t even realize his student has been poached.”

Cheol Woo clicked his tongue, thinking of Hwang Jeong, the Clear Heart Clinic Lord.

“If martial arts were what you wanted, you should have just said so. You have plenty of people capable of teaching you.”

“I didn’t have the desire for it back then.”

Sima Jin gave a small smile, and Cheol Woo found it impossible to stay annoyed.

“Being recognized for your talent and having the Sword Queen send a challenge—it seems like a decent path, however…”

Cheol Woo turned his eyes toward Baek Muhyeon, who was barely masking his irritation, and Dokgo Ryong, who looked somewhat lost.

“It still feels wrong to me.”

“Your choice of words is becoming…”

Unable to remain silent any longer, Baek Muhyeon began to intervene when Neung Sohwa—who had been silent and observant since the start—suddenly reached out and took Sima Jin’s hand.

“I have heard many things about you from Sima Gongzi. It is truly wonderful to finally meet you.”

“Pardon? Oh, yes.”

Sima Jin was caught off guard by Neung Sohwa’s sudden warmth, which was a sharp contrast to their formal greeting only minutes before.