Chapter 66

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The two of them were not even in a relationship.

They ended up in a draw after a month of preparation for the duel, which was initiated in a fit of anger over the family's honor, so there was nothing to talk about as they sat side by side.

Unable to bear the awkward silence any longer, Ryeon started the conversation.

"Well, both of you were really impressive."

"......"

"......"

In the suffocating atmosphere, Ryeon swallowed a sigh.

'Ah. It should have been decided one way or the other...'

Then at least one of them would have felt bad.

Danmokseong and Geumjongha's eyes were red with frustration, and both were holding back their tears out of pride.

"Should I step aside?"

Geumjongha wondered why he was even being included in the review.

But as soon as he tried to get up, both of them grabbed Ryeon from either side. They were both startled and quickly let go of their hands.

"......Alright, alright. I won't go."

Ryeon sat back down. Danmokseong, who had been staring at Ryeon with intense eyes, bowed his head slightly.

Geumjongha was a stranger, but Danmokseong was a cousin, and they had grown quite close during the preparation for the duel, training together.

Ryeon patted Danmokseong's back first.

"Seong, you really worked hard. You were amazing. Really."

"I lost, didn't I? I...... I."

Danmokseong's voice trembled.

Ryeon scratched his cheek.

Considering that Danmokseong, who had only learned swordsmanship for a short time after getting up from his sickbed, managed to face Geumjongha, it seemed he thought he had to beat Geumjongha.

"No, Seong. I......"

"Of course, Miss Ryeon is good."

Suddenly, Choe Chi's voice made Ryeon's vision blur for a moment, and he turned to look at Geumjongha.

Geumjongha's fierce gaze made him open his eyes wide.

"Why are you looking at me like that? Did I say something strange?"

"Be quiet for a moment."

"No, it's only natural that you're better. You lost to me, didn't you? It was really impressive...... to beat me, Miss Ryeon must have a truly genius talent!"

Geumjongha even clapped. Ryeon was so surprised that his mouth dropped open.

It seemed that Geumjongha had come to this conclusion, unable to deny the reality. It was a thought that not just anyone could have.

Danmokseong alternated his gaze between Ryeon and Geumjongha. It was hard to tell what he was thinking, as he kept his mouth tightly shut.

Then Danmokseong muttered softly.

"You're right. Ryeon is...... weaker, but better than me......"

After a month of training and studying together, it was impossible for Danmokseong not to know Ryeon's skills.

The same went for Geumjongha's skills. The reason Geumjongha lost to Ryeon, as he said, was likely due to Ryeon's talent and skill, which surpassed his own.

At the moment Danmokseong finally accepted this result, Geumjongha tilted his head. It was because of the phrase "weaker, but."

"Right, after the duel with me, Miss Ryeon stumbled. That's why our father was so worried. Are you okay now?"

Geumjongha felt a bit better after saying this, as if he was acting like an older brother.

'Right. I'm two years older, after all.'

"When was that...... Of course, I'm fine."

Danmokseong seemed to be thinking about something deeply and came to a conclusion on his own.

"Okay, I understand."

"Huh? Seong, you understand? Understand what?"

In response to Ryeon's question, Danmokseong, who had come to a conclusion on his own, stood in front of Ryeon with a determined look.

"Seong, what are you doing?"

"Why are you two acting like that?"

Geumjongha was puzzled, but the Danmokseong girls were too focused on him to pay attention.

Danmokseong gripped Ryeon's shoulder tightly.

"Ryeon, from now on, just trust me."

"Huh? I...... I always trust you."

"Two...... What are you two doing?"

It seemed there was some kind of misunderstanding, but it was impossible to figure out what it was, so there was no way to clarify it.

Danmokseong, perhaps embarrassed, let go of Ryeon as if pushing him away and sat back down with an even more serious and enthusiastic expression.

Observing the tension between them, Geumjongha cleared his throat and said to Ryeon.

"Then, Miss Ryeon, help us review the duel."

"A review should be done by the two who fought."

"You watched the whole thing, didn't you?"

"You two did it directly."

Ryeon mimicked the movements of an invisible sword, as he had seen in the duel just now. At the same time, Geumjongha's eyes sparkled. It was as if a flash of lightning had struck right in front of him.

"Just now! What did you just do? Is that our family's sword technique?"

Pressed by the momentum, Ryeon took a step back and glanced at Danmokseong.

Danmokseong, who was barely maintaining his composure, also seemed to be very curious about what he had just seen.

Ryeon, who had only moved his lips, finally decided to help the review as the two young people in front of him wanted.

'They're both smart, so the luck factor will definitely go up...... Good, good. It's good.'

"Alright, I'll help. Let's start with the first move......"

* * *

"Madam Weiji, it's been so long, hasn't it?"

"Yes, I'll visit more often from now on."

"Ahem."

"Hem."

While Weiji Qing and Song Yinglang were shaking hands and exchanging greetings, Danmok Xianyao and Jin Jige made a quiet and awkward cough.

Putting aside the matter of Danmok Xiancheng, they had been competitors in Hangzhou, and both had rather aggressive personalities, so they were thinking, 'Why are we smiling at each other now?' but tried not to show it.

When the two ladies smiled, Jin Jige started the conversation.

"Still, it must be very pleasing to see the two talented daughters of the Danmok family."

"That's the least they should do, being from the Danmok family."

Danmok Xianyao, who had been praising Danmokseong, now put on a calm demeanor and said.

While Jin Jige's eyebrows twitched, Song Yinglang sighed honestly, hiding her disappointment.

"Even though our Jongha was said to be the best around until he was ten, how did it come to this?"

"Madam."

"Phew. Sir, that's right. Miss Seong has only been learning the sword for a month, hasn't she?"

A hint of pride appeared on Danmok Xianyao's face, but it turned serious at Song Yinglang's next words.

"Then, is Miss Seong going to fully commit to the sword? With the famous people in the family, it would be a wonderful thing."

"That's......"

A month ago, Danmok Xianyao had firmly stated that Seong would only deal with their son and not take up the sword again, but now he couldn't say that.

Seeing Danmok Xianyao's troubled expression, Jin Jige, who guessed the situation, changed the topic.

"By the way, will your children attend the upcoming Hangzhou martial arts competition next year?"

"Yes, I think so. Bia is still young, so she will stay in the family. Is the Jin family also bringing Jin Gongzi?"

"Heavens, don't even mention it. He said he would stay behind if he lost this duel. Now that it ended like this, what can we do? He'll probably say, 'Then, you should have said a draw is not allowed!' or 'What can we do about Miss's outstanding talent?' We have to take him to keep him quiet."

"I heard your in-laws are in Nanzhili. If you visit them now, they would be very happy."

"Well, I'm not sure. I tend to speak my mind, so half of my in-laws like me and half don't."

Danmok Xianyao, trying to suppress a laugh, made an awkward cough and quickly turned his head.

Seeing her speak so frankly about her son's loss in front of the people whose son had beaten him, he could imagine how she must have been at home.

"Actually, at first, I was also one of the people who didn't like me."

"Madam!"

Jin Jige, a bit flustered, called Song Yinglang softly, but it was more out of urgent embarrassment than scolding. Song Yinglang chuckled.

"But both Miss Ryeon and Miss Seong are so mature and well-behaved. They are also very humble."

"Hem."

Danmok Xianyao made a small cough and glanced at Weiji Qing.

"Ryeon is definitely like our Inner Hall Master. Seong...... looks a lot like her father."

"Ah! You mean Master of the Outer Hall, Mr. Seok. I've heard about him. I heard that there used to be a line in front of his house in Jiangnan just to see his face?"

"But no one could win his heart, despite that."

Danmok Xianyao said this without thinking and, realizing what she had said, blushed when she received the gazes of the three people.

* * *

In the carriage returning to the family estate, the children, who seemed very tired, were leaning on each other and sound asleep.

It had been a day full of events.

The children, who had said they would review the duel, appeared in a mess despite the effort to change into clean clothes. Only Danmok Ryeon looked presentable.

Danmok Xianyao, feeling exasperated, saw the Jin family head make a knowing expression, which twisted her mood, but she held it in.

After that, they received a gift from the Jin family, which they had prepared for the duel. When Danmok Xianyao looked into the box, she almost fell backward.