Chapter 152: Friendly Martial Arts Tournament. (5)

Squeak.

Squeak.

-Kuaaaak!

Along with a chilling sound, screams spread.

The ground was covered in severed flesh, and blood pooled upon it.

Though I prayed for disaster to pass by, reality did not grant my wish.

It simply raged on indifferently.

-S-save…

Squeak!

The fleeing person’s neck was cleanly severed.

Blood splattered violently in all directions, but the culprit’s clothes bore not a single trace.

It was a strange sight, as if blood droplets actively avoided them.

A man hiding behind the wall, watching this, grabbed his trembling shoulders and ran in the opposite direction.

His terrified legs did not obey easily, but he had to move them, even by force.

‘I must hurry and inform, inform the palace…!’

A monster has appeared.

We need to revise the plan.

‘How did they know?’

The man could not understand.

He had heard about the fall of the Shaanxi branch a few months ago, but…

That was because a foolish Yaheojeok acted against the Palace Lord’s will.

He only got caught because he blundered around ignorantly.

Not to mention, didn’t they even lose the important flower?

That idiot. The man thought so, recalling Yaheojeok at the time.

That place and this place are different.

We didn’t kidnap martial artists, and since Shaolin and the Martial Arts Alliance were nearby, we moved with even greater secrecy, leaving no trace.

The world’s Fallen Sword Dao.

This is a place that even the Shaolin Abbot, who reads heavenly signs, couldn’t detect.

‘Then, what on earth…!’

Then what exactly is that monster?

How did it find out and launch a surprise attack?

Even alone.

Grinding.

The man clenched his teeth as he put strength into his legs.

The face of the Branch Master, whose neck was just severed, flashed in his mind.

He saw with his own eyes a martial artist who had reached peak mastery crumble with a single sword strike.

‘Did… did they have a sword?’

He couldn’t remember.

Everything was blurry due to the thick fear.

He just ran.

The man’s mind was filled only with the thought of needing to inform the Palace Lord quickly.

‘Just a little more…!’

The exit was not far now.

If I just get past there, it’ll be okay…

Squeak.

Thump…! Roll…

The man running towards the exit had his neck suddenly fall off, and his body was thrown onto the ground.

The last survivor in the branch perished so futilely.

Step…

Within the branch, filled only with silence, calm footsteps echoed unusually loudly.

Even after slaughtering dozens of martial artists, the culprit’s body was immaculate, without a single scratch.

Corpses, looking like they were brutally sliced by a knife, lay scattered on the floor, yet the person responsible for this situation held no sword in their hands.

“I’m sorry.”

In the empty atmosphere, a frail voice echoed through the cave.

Who was this apology directed towards?

The lone survivor simply continued talking to herself.

“Borrowing your body as I please. And making you do things like this with your own hands.”

The person she was speaking to could not hear these words.

Because I hoped you wouldn’t see, you’re probably in bed right now, half-forced.

“…I’m truly sorry, but I’ll ask for just a little more.”

I can’t stay long anyway.

This was almost the last time I could use this child’s body.

I knew the sooner I did this, the faster that time would come.

Nevertheless, I had to do it.

I wouldn’t be able to atone late.

The unfulfilled karma from the previous day will be passed on to this child.

Then at least. Even just a little bit.

I wanted to clear away even a single pebble from the path he would walk.

Even while wondering what difference it would make now, I had to do it.

I have to do this, at least.

That’s why I’m here. The girl shed the darkness and melted back into the light, unseen by others.

Her steps were fast. Faster than anyone.

“Seol-ah!”

Hanam County remained brightly lit even as time flowed and night arrived.

There were still many people, and amidst the bustling crowd, Hong Wa felt relieved.

“Where did you go!”

Hong Wa quickly ran and hugged Wi Seol-ah.

“Your sister was worried…!”

“Ew… sorry….”

“If you keep worrying your sister like this… I won’t help you next time.”

“Hiiing…”

“Even if it’s Grandpa Wi’s business…”

“I’m sorry, sister… I won’t do it again. I got lost.”

Seeing Wi Seol-ah’s tearful expression, Hong Wa tried to say something more but couldn’t, letting out a deep sigh.

“…You did the errands, right?”

“No!”

“What?”

“But! It’s okay if I don’t do the rest!”

“…No, no. It’s fine if you did it all. Let’s go quickly. Brother Muyeon is worried sick, sweating buckets in this winter….”

“Okay!”

As she walked, led by Hong Wa’s hand, Wi Seol-ah’s gaze turned towards the distant Maengseong.

She hadn’t lied.

The words ‘it’s okay if you don’t do the rest.’ There was no need to say them right now.

‘After he gains everything from this matter.’

After you obtain all that you wish to gain.

That was the time to do it.

Jang Seonyeon surfaced in Wi Seol-ah’s coldly settled eyes.

He wouldn’t kill that guy this time.

More precisely, he wouldn’t be able to.

That’s why it was something she had to do.

She would carry and scatter the karma and burdens he should have received in his past life.

‘The words “I’m sorry.” I won’t be able to say those either.’

It was something she had always wanted to say someday.

If only she were given the chance.

If she could meet him just one more time.

They were the words she wanted to say while looking into his eyes, but…

‘I know I shouldn’t dare to hope for even such a chance.’

She blew out her breath, filled with lingering attachment, carried on the cold air.

He wouldn’t want such a meeting.

This child wouldn’t want it either.

She was merely a trace left by lingering attachment.

Therefore, she must not harbor any more intentions.

Wi Seol-ah shifted her gaze back to Hong Wa.

Her hands were cold from waiting for her, and her reddened ears caught her eye.

Sssshh.

All she could do was convey a little warmth, tinged with apology.

“Hmm?”

Hong Wa, perhaps feeling something strange, shifted her gaze towards Wi Seol-ah.

“Seol-ah.”

“Yes?”

“Uh… did you do something?”

“Yes…? What do you mean?”

As Wi Seol-ah asked with sparkling eyes, Hong Wa tilted her head slightly and looked ahead again.

The winter evening passed quietly, as if nothing had happened.

---

Some time had passed since the new match list was released during the day.

Enough time for those who had fought in the matches to rest a bit and eat.

As they were spending time appropriately, Tang Soyeol, emerging from the medical quarters, spoke.

“Young Master Gu… I’m sorry I couldn’t come cheer you on during the matches this afternoon.”

“It doesn’t matter. Stop making that face.”

As he spoke dismissively, Tang Soyeol’s shoulders trembled slightly.

She had reacted like that every time she heard informal speech.

‘Why is she acting like that.’

She even told me to use informal speech, yet she herself wasn’t.

I told her it was okay to use informal speech, but she refused, saying it felt like cheating.

What kind of cheating…?

She was truly an incomprehensible person.

Thinking I should just fill my stomach, I kept eating dumplings.

Besides Tang Soyeol and Namgung Bi-ah, there was one more guest who visited the tent.

These dumplings were also brought by that guest.

The guest said, sounding incredulous.

“…I thought it was just a coincidence, but it really is true that women flock to you?”

“Why are you picking a fight as soon as you arrive?”

“I was complimenting you, you idiot.”

It was a girl with dark black bobbed hair, looking slightly audacious.

It was Peng Ah-hee, who had protected me at the banquet the day before yesterday.

“Anyway, after coming all this way to watch…”

“Exactly. Why did you come?”

“I told you. I came to watch.”

I was truly taken aback when Peng Ah-hee suddenly showed up at the tent with food.

She came completely out of the blue.

And with dumplings, no less.

“You’re not even participating in the matches, are you?”

“Informal speech again.”

“Yo.”

“…N-no, just don’t.”

She said it with an even more contemptuous expression.

She told me to do it, so why is she getting angry again?

“Anyway, I only intended to come for the banquet this time. It was obvious the Family Head would say something if I didn’t go. My brother said he was going for business, so I just tagged along.”

Given the Peng family head’s personality, that seemed likely.

I pictured a man with the build of a giant bear and a fiery temper.

‘It’s strange that such children came from a father with that face and personality.’

Just looking at his face told the story.

Peng Woo-jin and Peng Ah-hee were handsome and beautiful, but that man was quite far from it.

‘I bet the mother’s side is incredibly beautiful.’

Moreover, Peng Ah-hee was the child of a concubine, so both wives must be beautiful.

“What are you looking at? Is something on your face?”

“No, nothing. So, what’s up?”

“I didn’t come to see you. I came to see a friend.”

“A friend?”

Peng Ah-hee’s gaze turned towards Tang Soyeol. Then, Tang Soyeol coughed dryly while eating.

As if waiting, Peng Ah-hee also opened her mouth.

“So proud, aren’t we.”

“…Kuhuk…cough…”

Were they acquainted?

Peng Ah-hee said, looking at Tang Soyeol.

“Can’t swallow your food?”

“…Well…”

“You lost from your first match, didn’t you?”

“…Yeah.”

“So proud! After being so confident.”

Tang Soyeol covered her face with her green hair, seemingly speechless.

It looked like she wanted to hide in a mouse hole.

Peng Ah-hee sighed, looking at Tang Soyeol, and asked.

“…Are you okay?”

“Yeah… I wasn’t hurt.”

“You look like it.”

“…”

“Just kidding. Your opponent must have been very strong.”

At Peng Ah-hee’s words, Tang Soyeol’s face crumpled.

Yet, she kept sneaking dumplings.

“…Were you very hungry?”

“…Yeah, the porridge wasn’t very tasty.”

“I figured as much, so I bought these.”

“Thank you…”

Tang Soyeol drooped her head as if she had been caught in the rain.

Peng Ah-hee looked at Tang Soyeol like that, then shifted her gaze towards me.

“This kid might have a bad attitude, but she’s a good kid.”

“Ah, Ah-hee!”

At Peng Ah-hee’s words, I made a strange expression.

“Attitude? I’ve never been impolite.”

“What?”

At my words, Peng Ah-hee made a strange expression instead.

But in reality, Tang Soyeol had never shown such behavior towards me or my companions.

Far from being impolite, she seemed rather considerate.

Hearing that, Peng Ah-hee looked at Tang Soyeol with a horrified expression and said.

“You… your pretense is quite something, huh?”

“N-no! What pretense!”

“You audacious girl… the whole world knows what your personality is like.”

Tang Soyeol glared resentfully, but Peng Ah-hee didn’t change her expression.

Seeing that, I could tell.

That the two were very close.

“Soyeol, I always thought your taste was really strange, but I never expected it would turn out like this.”

“…What did I do?”

“What’s there to say. Of all people…”

Peng Ah-hee looked me up and down. I felt quite unpleasant…?

“You be careful too.”

“What…?”

“Be careful when you sleep at night. If you receive gifts from the Tang family, try not to eat them if possible, because their Family Head…”

“Hey!”

Unable to hold back, Tang Soyeol shouted with force.

Perhaps because of that, Namgung Bi-ah, who was sleeping in the back, stirred slightly.

“Oh my, you startled me!”

Seeing that, Peng Ah-hee seemed surprised, perhaps not realizing Namgung Bi-ah was there.

It was literally a chaotic situation.

“W-why is that person here too?”

“She said she was sleepy.”

Someone who had to go up to the martial arts stage right after I finished was sleeping like that, saying she was sleepy.

‘Is it because of who her opponent is?’

For reference, Namgung Bi-ah’s opponent was Gu Jeolyub.

Thanks to that, Gu Jeolyub would probably be sitting somewhere huddled, looking crestfallen.

“But why in your tent… Ah.”

She seemed to realize that Namgung Bi-ah and I were engaged.

Of course, that couldn’t be the sole reason for her being here like this.

“Still… shouldn’t she be somewhere else?”

The reason she was glancing around was likely because my opponent was Namgung Cheon-jun.

Although Namgung Bi-ah herself didn’t seem to care, it was a bit different from my perspective.

I even subtly asked Namgung Bi-ah if she shouldn’t be somewhere else, considering other people’s gazes.

Upon hearing that, Namgung Bi-ah frowned sharply! and then lay down to sleep.

As if expressing her displeasure with her entire body.

Peng Ah-hee, seeing the silent Namgung Bi-ah, tried to ease the atmosphere and continued speaking.

“Well, given our relationship… it’s a bit awkward to cheer for either side, isn’t it?”

“…I don’t cheer.”

Namgung Bi-ah replied quietly to Peng Ah-hee’s words.

“…There’s no need.”

In a way, it was a firm and cold statement.

Peng Ah-hee also shut her mouth tightly for a moment.

Unlike her, I could understand.

Although there might be some misunderstanding due to her limited vocabulary, in my view, it meant, ‘You’ll do well even without that.’

“Anyway…”

The problem is she leaves out half the context, and she doesn’t seem to have any intention of changing.

It didn’t matter to me now, though.

Amidst the slightly awkward atmosphere, a servant delivered a message through the tent flap.

“Young Master, it’s time…”

“Ah, I’m coming out now.”

It felt like it was about time to leave anyway, so I stopped eating and circulated my internal energy a bit.

The heat rose slightly, and my body, which had been relaxed, tensed up again.

It meant I was in the perfect state to move.

The place I was led to showed a clear difference from where I had fought matches before.

For one, it was much wider.

It looked much sturdier. They must have used good materials so it wouldn’t break during matches.

It certainly didn’t seem like it would break easily. Easily, that is.

I slowly ascended the martial arts stage.

Then, murmuring sounds came from the surroundings. The audience was full even in this cold weather.

Seriously, why do people love watching fights so much?

“It’s a child? Such a kid reached the top eight?”

“How did they get there? Was it good luck with the matchups?”

“I heard even a late-stage disciple of Wudang lost to that kid…”

“Not just any place, but… Wudang? Surely, that’s just a rumor.”

Those gathered to watch included not only the late-stage disciples who attended the banquet but also others.

They were probably merchants from Hanam supporting the Alliance or similar people.

Because the Friendly Martial Arts Tournament wouldn’t be shown to civilians.

“Shanxi District…? Isn’t Shanxi District the sect of Ho-hyeop?”

“Oh… Ho-hyeop had a son?”

“But why wasn’t he known until now… Perhaps a collateral branch?”

“Hey, man! How could a collateral branch reach this far? If he’s Ho-hyeop’s child, he’d also be Sword Phoenix’s younger brother. Ho-hyeop just has great luck with children.”

“Ho… then it’s even more regrettable.”

“What is?”

“No matter how talented, facing that opponent, they’ll probably stop here. That’s what’s regrettable.”

The man watching replied, looking at the young man ascending the stage across from him.

“Even if the kid is talented, they won’t be a match for that person.”

A white-haired young man with a sculpted appearance stepped onto the stage.

Blue martial attire with golden embroidery.

The gradually felt cold aura and disciplined movements made many people gasp in admiration.

The young man was the most famous sword-wielding noble family in the Central Plains.

The center of the Four Great Families of the Central Plains’ orthodox sects.

The Thunder Dragon, Namgung Cheon-jun, of the Great Namgung Family.

He stood on the stage, his eyes shining.

Srrring.

The blade slowly drawn from the scabbard shone under the moonlight.

Although it was a sword provided by the Martial Arts Alliance, the person holding it was handsome, giving it the feel of a famous sword.

While preparing, Namgung Cheon-jun suddenly looked at me and spoke.

“Foolish fellow.”

The voice, spoken softly, was clearly audible here because energy was imbued within the sound.

The referee hadn’t come up yet.

Namgung Cheon-jun was speaking in a whisper, as if whispering so the audience couldn’t hear, imbuing his words with energy.

“It’s commendable that you’ve made it this far, but you’re a truly dull-witted fellow.”

“Brother-in-law. You have too much attitude talking to your brother-in-law.”

“You…!”

At the words spat out casually, Namgung Cheon-jun almost flared up.

As expected, the word ‘brother-in-law’ seemed to be something he really disliked hearing. Why was he acting up when he started the provocation?

If he dislikes it, I should do it more.

Namgung Cheon-jun, who seemed to be forcing himself to calm down, spoke again.

“Didn’t I tell you? If you don’t want to get hurt badly, forfeit before meeting me.”

“My nose isn’t that big. It’s smaller than yours, brother-in-law?”

“…Your tongue is still nimble, and it seems you still don’t know your place.”

The way he held his sword began to change slightly.

He prepared his stance to move easily at any time, but…

Even that didn’t seem entirely serious. Why are all these guys from famous families so complacent?

If a blood relative acts like this, their family will be wiped out in the future.

Namgung Cheon-jun, unaware of my thoughts, simply continued speaking.

“Do you really think the incident in Sichuan was you defeating me?”

“What incident? Ah, you mean when you got beaten by me and crawled on the floor?”

“…If I could have used my internal energy, cutting off your neck would have been an easy task.”

At Namgung Cheon-jun’s words, I almost clicked my tongue.

What should I do with that guy?

“Do you know this, brother-in-law?”

“This punk keeps…”

“If the old man I know heard what you’re saying, you bastard, he would have cursed you out.”

If the elder had heard, he might have told him to rip his butt apart.

“Are you saying a martial artist can’t do anything without internal energy? With that mindset, just tell a waiter to become the Young Master of the Namgung Family. He’d do better than you.”

“This punk…!”

He tried to shout something, veins popping in his neck, but the referee was ascending the stage.

The referee was different from the previous matches.

It seemed a strong martial artist, capable of intervening at any time, was officiating.

The murmuring voices watching Namgung Cheon-jun and me quieted down with the referee’s appearance.

Everyone must be focusing to see the anticipated match.

“Quarterfinals, Namgung Cheon-jun of the Namgung Family.”

Namgung Cheon-jun channeled energy into his sword tip upon the referee’s call. There were no formal words about showing courtesy to each other.

Actually, I preferred it.

‘Oh…’

I could tell from the tingling sensation that brushed past my cheek.

Namgung Cheon-jun’s sword clearly held lightning energy now. It seemed he hadn’t just been playing around.

“Gu Yangcheon of the Shanxi District Family.”

His face, filled with the confidence that he could cut me down anytime, was not unpleasant to look at; rather, it was somewhat acceptable.

Namgung Cheon-jun was definitely a genius.

It was just that too many people stood before him.

Honestly, I didn’t particularly care about that arrogance either.

What business is it of mine if he lives knowing how great he is?

It would have been fine if he hadn’t kept provoking me annoyingly.

Also, it would have been better if he had properly controlled his gaze when glancing at Namgung Bi-ah.

I am narrow-minded yet also generous.

In my past life, I was a mad dog, but now, I can tolerate things to some extent.

This matter too, surely.

If Namgung Cheon-jun had hidden the base desire reflected in his eyes.

It was something I wouldn’t have bothered to pay attention to.

If he couldn’t do that, then that’s Namgung Cheon-jun’s sin.

“Begin.”

The referee’s voice is heard.

Simultaneously.

-Gu-yeomtae-arang (Co-Flame-Form-Fang-Wolf).

The giant flame extending from my fist.

Engulfed half the stage.