Chapter v20c20

## The Day of Destiny

– Money, Money, Money! Dance in My Palms!

The morning of destiny dawned. Namgung-Sang stretched and got out of bed. Fortunately, he hadn’t suffered from insomnia. He seemed to have gotten enough sleep.

* * *

“Insomnia is a sign of a disturbed mind. It’s a sign that you’ve already lost the battle before it even begins. I want you to rest well and be in top condition. If you get insomnia, you’re dead! Do you understand? If you really can’t sleep, ask me. I can knock you out with a single touch.”

* * *

He had declined the offer. He didn’t want to risk being sent to the afterlife. He was too young to visit such a place.

‘Did his words work?’

He had slept soundly last night, which was surprising, even to himself.

“So it’s really happening.”

As they were about to leave the Branch Manager’s office yesterday, after settling the “this and that” related to his resurrection, Jin So-Ryeong had stopped him.

“Master Namgung, I know we’ve been busy with other matters, but it seems like the day of our duel is approaching. Don’t you think?”

“Y-yes, ma’am.”

He replied, cursing her excellent memory.

“When was the date of our duel again?”

He realized his mistake.

‘Damn it! I forgot.’

Now that she mentioned it…

“W-well…”

He hesitated.

He couldn’t think straight, trying to calculate the days since they had first met.

“It’s tomorrow, right?”

Bi Ryu-Yeon interjected, his face suddenly appearing before him.

“T-tomorrow?”

“Yes! Tomorrow!”

‘Gasp! It’s tomorrow already?’

Now that he thought about it, it was true. He had been so preoccupied with his Eldest Senior Brother that he had completely forgotten about it.

“You didn’t forget, did you?”

Bi Ryu-Yeon’s gaze, piercing through his bangs, was intense. It was like the gaze of a predator, stalking its prey in the forest.

“O-of course not. How could I?”

He denied it vehemently.

“Good. Let’s assume that’s true. Until you win tomorrow, that is.”

He was about to sigh in relief, but then he coughed. His words meant…

‘If I lose, he’s going to bring it up again!’

He was capable of doing that.

“Everything’s ready. So just come to the designated location tomorrow.”

Bi Ryu-Yeon said to Jin So-Ryeong, his voice polite.

“Ready? What do you mean?”

She hadn’t heard anything about it.

“You’ll see tomorrow.”

He replied confidently.

‘Ready? What’s he talking about?’

He had no idea what he was talking about.

‘He was in prison. How could he have prepared anything…?’

He wasn’t the type to sit still, even in prison… It seemed like he had done everything he could.

‘He always boasted that the only thing that could bind him was his own mind, not chains…’

He had actually put his words into action… Bi Ryu-Yeon was a terrifying person. He had a rough idea of what he had done.

‘I wasn’t the only one who suffered!’

He knew that the disciples must have been through a lot, preparing for this. There were people working hard behind the scenes, keeping the world running. The thought comforted him.

‘But I suffered the most!’

He wouldn’t concede that point.

* * *

## The Gathering Crowd

– Today is the Day of Destiny!

“Eldest Senior Brother hates doing things himself, but he loves making a big spectacle.”

No-Hak said, looking at the vast dueling arena and the crowds streaming into it.

“He always says, ‘If you’re not going to think, then don’t. But if you’re going to think, think big.’ And, ‘The bigger the stage, the better.’ Right?”

Hyun-Woon was also impressed by the scale of the event. What was even more impressive was that they had done it all themselves.

“That’s true. But we’re the ones who suffer because of it.”

“That’s also true.”

The plan had come from Bi Ryu-Yeon’s mind, but the Vermilion Bird group was the one who had to execute it.

“It was tough. We barely slept for the past week.”

“Sleep… now that you mention it, I think I used to sleep. It was hard work, but it’s rewarding, isn’t it?”

Was this what they called a sense of accomplishment? He felt a surge of motivation, wanting to make it even better. He couldn’t help but scrutinize every detail.

“Hmm, how about we hang a banner that says ‘Duel for Marriage’ above that empty space?”

Hyun-Woon’s gaze landed on the empty space above the entrance to the arena. It was calling out to him, begging to be decorated. But Tang-Sam disagreed.

“That’s not right. That’s something you do when a beautiful young woman is looking for a strong husband.”

He said.

“Do women still do that these days? It’s a dangerous idea, isn’t it?”

“It’s reckless. Just because someone is strong in martial arts doesn’t mean they’re a good person. It’s their choice, so we should respect it. But I wouldn’t recommend it. It’s like marrying someone for their money or status, without considering their personality. You’re only looking at their abilities.”

“That’s true.”

Tang-Sam nodded.

“But isn’t a woman’s marriage at stake today as well? I think it’s okay to hang a ‘Duel for Marriage’ banner.”

Geum Yeong-Ho said.

“That’s true, but it’s a bit different. What if people misunderstand and think that Hero Jin is looking for a husband?”

“That’s true. That would be a problem…”

Hyun-Woon looked around. The arena was almost full.

“Whew~”

He whistled softly.

“What do you think? My skills are amazing, aren’t they? I even managed to rent the grand dueling arena, which is only used for special occasions like the Samsung Martial Arts Competition finals!”

Geum Yeong-Ho boasted.

“Good job. You worked hard.”

“Don’t you want to know how I did it?”

“Later!”

Hyun-Woon replied firmly.

“Oh, what are those three doing?”

Namgung San-San asked.

“Ah, the Invisible Trio? They’re managing the betting booth over there.”

Dan Mok-Su replied.

“Ah, that’s why I couldn’t see them.”

“They’re always like that. Well, there’s also someone who never speaks, even when he’s right next to you.”

Hwa Seol-Ok said, pointing at Il-Gong, the bald monk.

“…”

Il-Gong bowed his head in greeting, then returned to his silence.

“Where’s Miss Jin?”

“I don’t see her yet. She’s probably still in her room.”

“Now that you mention it, I don’t see Sang either.”

The two main characters were both missing.

“They must have a lot on their minds right now.”

Namgung San-San said sympathetically.

“Hmm, it’s an important day for her as well.”

“Marriage or widowhood. It’s one or the other.”

Geum Yeong-Ho said casually. His thoughtless remark angered the women.

“Hey, fatty! Is that something you should be saying to a friend?”

“How can you say such an ominous thing on a day like this?”

“That’s right! Just because you have a potbelly doesn’t mean you can say whatever you want.”

“Ugh, that mouth of his.”

“Just shut him up! Permanently!”

The women of the Vermilion Bird group shouted in unison. They couldn’t understand how men could be so thoughtless. And they couldn’t even fix their mistakes.

“Hey, you. You should apologize. Before you get buried alive.”

Hyun-Woon whispered, nudging him in the ribs.

“We might have to bury a body today…”

Tang-Sam added, punching him in the other side.

“I-I’m… s-sorry. I misspoke. Please forgive me. I’m a fool. This mouth of mine is my enemy!”

*Slap! Slap!*

He slapped himself on the mouth, unable to withstand their pressure any longer.

“Just die!”

The women weren’t appeased. It was easier to lose trust than to gain it.

* * *

Meanwhile, Jang-Hong and Hyo-Ryong were sitting in a corner of the arena, watching the crowd. Yoon Jun-Ho was with them. They couldn’t miss this historic duel. They had managed to secure good seats thanks to their “friend,” Bi Ryu-Yeon.

“The Emei Goddess is popular, isn’t she? Most of these people are here to see her, right, Brother Jang?”

Hyo-Ryong said, impressed by the size of the crowd.

“Probably. No offense to Sang, but he’s just a prop.”

Jin So-Ryeong’s presence had generated a lot of interest in the duel.

“I just met Bi Yeon-Tae, the lifetime chairman of the Lovers of Young Ladies Club. He was practically delirious with excitement. He even hired a bunch of painters. Eight of them!”

“He hasn’t graduated yet?”

Jang-Hong nodded.

“He must have failed again.”

“Again? He failed last year too, didn’t he?”

“Yes, he did.”

“What’s he going to do with all those painters?”

Hyo-Ryong asked.

“I don’t know the details, but he said it’s to capture the Goddess’s beauty from all angles.”

“He’s thorough.”

It was typical of Bi Yeon-Tae.

“Tsk, that’s our Bi Yeon-Tae…”

Jang-Hong replied, clicking his tongue.

“By the way, Brother Jang, who do you think will win?”

“Hmm, even with the handicap, I think the Emei Goddess will win. She’s only allowed to use one technique, but I heard it’s the Sword Control Technique.”

“The Sword Control Technique? Really?”

“Really.”

“Then it’s a sure win for the Emei Goddess.”

Hyo-Ryong did the math, but there was only one answer.

“Why? Did you bet on Sang?”

“N-no, of course not. Hahaha!”

Jang-Hong saw his flustered expression and said,

“You did, didn’t you?”

* * *

“What do you think, Ryu-Yeon? Do we have a chance?”

“It’s about fifty-fifty right now.”

“Fifty-fifty?”

“Why? You don’t think so?”

“It’s not because she’s a woman, but her qi is incredibly strong. I can feel it from here, like a sharp sword.”

“She’s definitely strong. But I’ve made sufficient preparations. The rest is up to him. The problem is his timidity… I hope he doesn’t get intimidated. If he does, he’s finished.”

“Do you think he can overcome it?”

“We’ll see.”

It was all up to Namgung-Sang now.

* * *

“This is impressive.”

The Sword King said, looking around in admiration.

“I agree. It’s amazing that the students managed to pull this off. Whoever planned this is quite skilled.”

The Sword Saint said, equally impressed.

“I know. They’re quite talented.”

The Sword Empress agreed.

Bi Ryu-Yeon’s name wasn’t on the list of organizers. So the Three Heavenly Swords had no idea that he was involved.

“Shall we place a bet?”

The Sword Empress asked, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

“Sure. Let’s do it.”

“You’re betting on So-Ryeong, of course…”

“Of course.”

“Sword King, who are you betting on?”

“Hmm… I’m not sure.”

“The winner buys lunch, right?”

“Of course. Although I’m not sure if I can afford it, even if I win big…”

The Sword Saint muttered.

“What? What did you say?”

“N-nothing. Nothing at all. R-right, Sword King?”

“Huh? Oh, y-yes, of course! Hahaha!”

They denied it vehemently, sweating profusely.

“Hmm, is that so?”

The Sword Empress glared at them. She was the only one who could make two out of three of the Three Heavenly Swords sweat.

* * *

“Sigh…”

Namgung-Sang stood on the dueling platform, surrounded by a sea of faces, and sighed. He saw people betting on the outcome of the duel, their pockets overflowing with money. It was the most crowded area in the arena. He didn’t need to look at the odds to know that he was the underdog. It was common sense.

‘Common sense…’

“Sigh~”

He sighed again.

‘Breaking common sense. That’s something Eldest Senior Brother would love…’

Realistically, objectively, it was impossible for him to defeat Jin So-Ryeong, one of the Five Great Swordsmen. He knew that. So everyone who wanted to win money would bet on her. They wouldn’t bet on him. No one wanted to lose money. So his popularity would plummet, and the odds would skyrocket. But the risk was too high. It was a gamble. But with Bi Ryu-Yeon involved, things were different.

He broke common sense and turned the impossible into the possible. He turned the world upside down. And then he pocketed all the money. Even if it was an exception, it was still reality.

“Just like this…”

He had created a situation where he could win, even though he was supposed to lose. He had created new rules, limiting Jin So-Ryeong’s abilities and enhancing his own, to minimize the risk he was taking.

‘I almost died…’

The past two weeks of training had been brutal. He was lucky to be alive. But a sliver of hope had emerged from the depths of despair. And whether he could seize that hope was entirely up to him.

He remembered what Bi Ryu-Yeon had said to him right before he stepped onto the platform.

* * *

“Hey, Sang! Have you ever seen me bet on a losing game? No? This time is no different. You’re going to win. Because I bet on you. And I always win.”

His voice was filled with an unshakeable confidence, as if it were the only truth in the world.

“Isn’t that a bit different? The causality seems backwards.”

He voiced his timid doubt.

“Shut up! Don’t worry about the details. Do you think I wouldn’t have prepared for the possibility of losing money? So stop trembling. Relax and be confident. You’re carrying my money. You should be stronger.”

His strange encouragement, which sounded more like a threat, strangely reassured him.

“They think it’s common sense for the Emei Goddess, Jin So-Ryeong, to defeat the Vermilion Bird Leader, Namgung-Sang? Then go break that common sense. That’s what my disciple should do!”

“B-but that’s unreasonable…”

“So what? That’s the beauty of breaking the rules. A world that follows common sense and repeats itself is a stagnant world. A dead world! Have you ever seen this world stagnate? No, of course not! Then why does it keep changing? It’s so annoying.”

“W-well…”

“It’s because there are always exceptions. Disturbances that reject the stagnation of the world. Remember this! Only those who can disrupt the stagnant flow of the world can change it. Instead of being swept away by change, why not stand at the center of it? That’s how you make things happen. And that’s how you make money.”

Bi Ryu-Yeon’s words struck a chord in his heart.

“Common sense is just a guide. It’s not the whole picture. The possibilities of the future are infinite. It’s up to you to choose your path. Whether you’ll be bound by common sense or break free from it. You’ve died and come back to life. Be confident! Go change the world. Make it interesting!”

“Yes, Eldest Senior Brother! I’ll do my best.”

He replied resolutely, completely swayed by his words, and strode towards the entrance to the platform.

“Waaaaaaaaaaaaah!”

A thunderous roar greeted him as he stepped into the light.