Chapter 711: Divine Dragon Martial Arts Festival.

Swish-!

I tightly gripped the tournament bracket I was holding.

Then, with eyes burning hot, I stared at a corner beyond the martial stage.

The space where the Alliance Leader and executives were probably gathered.

I scowled, looking at that place.

“These fucking bastards.”

Emotion flickered in my voice. I forcibly suppressed the energy threatening to burst out.

Controlling it wasn’t easy. That meant I was boiling with rage inside.

Yu Yeon and Wi Seol-ah were matched.

Just seeing that felt like a thorn growing in my throat.

The Alliance’s old scheming.

It was enough to make me laugh hollowly at the sight, unchanged even though the Alliance Leader had changed.

‘Bastards.’

The reason they deliberately set it up like this was obvious.

Wi Seol-ah had recently been making a name for herself, implicitly known as a descendant of the Sword Saint.

It was due to the physical traits she possessed.

‘Those who learn the Moon Gleam Sword Dance gain blonde hair and golden eyes.’

That was a characteristic of the unique martial art the Sword Saint supposedly used.

This was also something the Sword Saint had officially acknowledged.

Of course, her own ridiculously outstanding appearance must have played a part too.

Not to mention the martial prowess she displayed at the Dragon God Manor back then.

Even if she had lived quietly, the Three Saints…

It’s not like many people would have forgotten the news that a descendant of the Sword Saint had appeared.

Just look at Two Dragons.

He was only known as one of the Six Dragons and Three Peaks, but his value changed once word spread that Two Dragons was a disciple of the Blade Saint.

That was the value a descendant of the Three Saints held.

And yet, among them, the Sword Saint, said to be closest to being the greatest under heaven.

Not only that, but a former Alliance Leader, someone still considered a mountain the Sword Master must overcome.

And a descendant of that Sword Saint appeared at the Martial Arts Tournament.

‘Seeing that, they couldn’t resist using it, could they?’

Just looking at the bracket, their dirty intentions were crystal clear.

The Dragon God of Shaolin defeats the descendant of the Sword Saint.

Thus, promoting Shaolin of the present, and in addition…

‘They intend to erase the name left behind by the Sword Saint, one by one?’

It was clearly a political move to further solidify the current Sword Master’s position.

They crush each other’s symbols to erase traces.

As a political tactic, it wasn’t a bad method.

After all, the names of predecessors are always a burden to their successors.

However.

‘This feels disgusting.’

Wi Seol-ah is placed in that position.

That’s what makes it sickening and infuriating.

Enough to make me want to storm in and kill them all right now.

Ggggrrr.

My clenched fist trembled slightly.

What should I do?

I couldn’t calm down.

Just then.

I felt a cold touch on the back of my hand.

It was Namgung Bi-ah’s hand.

“…”

Namgung Bi-ah wordlessly wrapped her hand around mine.

Perhaps because her cool skin touched mine, I thankfully managed to hold back without exploding.

Yes, I could only hold back.

Not calming down or quieting.

I could merely endure.

‘Please, just stop.’

Without any incidents.

I desperately hoped that nothing worrying would happen.

I wished and wished for it.

Otherwise.

‘I don’t know what I might do.’

I might lose control and turn this whole area into a disaster zone.

I desperately prayed it wouldn’t come to that.

---

The first round of the main tournament had begun.

On the martial stage, just like yesterday, two pairs of martial artists began their duels.

Those whose turn was later sat in the waiting area, maintaining a quiet atmosphere.

Wi Seol-ah was no different.

She too sat in her seat, motionless and still.

Perhaps the only thing moving was her mouth.

Wi Seol-ah popped something into her mouth and was chewing diligently.

It was a Yakgwa.

The sweet taste spread in her mouth. Feeling it, she chewed the Yakgwa, seemingly slow yet fast.

She ate one, then popped another in.

Even while eating the snack, Wi Seol-ah’s expression was blank.

Unlike how she excitedly ate in front of Gu Yangcheon.

Actually, Wi Seol-ah didn’t really like snacks.

She liked them when she was young, but as she got a little older, she stopped enjoying sweets.

As time passed, snacks mostly became something she’d eat if given.

Even so, she made sure to eat Yakgwa.

Not because they tasted good… but because the memories were good.

The things he used to bring her remained in her mind, becoming memories.

Eating Yakgwa deliberately was her way of ruminating on those memories.

‘Sweet.’

So sweet, so very sweet.

He probably still thinks I like snacks.

That’s why whenever he went out and came back, he always brought something back for me.

A lot, too.

“Heh.”

Thinking of that brought a brief smile to Wi Seol-ah’s blank face.

He probably doesn’t know.

That the reason she ate a lot and liked food was solely because of his gaze, as if finding her adorable.

‘I wish he never finds out.’

I wish he never, ever finds out.

So that I can always stay by his side, looking like a child.

Harboring that somewhat selfish wish, Wi Seol-ah ate another Yakgwa.

Although many eyes were cast her way from the surroundings, due to her appearance or the name ‘Sword Saint’ mixed in… Wi Seol-ah paid them no mind.

She had received so many glances that she had grown accustomed to them.

She was merely recalling what she had forgotten.

‘I forgot my veil again.’

The veil he had packed for her, telling her to wear it always.

Wi Seol-ah had forgotten it again.

Will I get scolded later?

Just as she was feeling slightly anxious.

Someone approached Wi Seol-ah.

“Miss Wi.”

At the call, Wi Seol-ah looked up to see a refreshingly handsome young man.

White martial attire embroidered with plum blossoms.

And a familiar face.

It was Yeongpung, the Sword Dragon.

“You are Miss Wi, aren’t you?”

“Ah.”

As Yeongpung spoke with a smile, Wi Seol-ah nodded.

“Hello.”

“Ah, it’s nice to meet you. How long has it been? I think this is the first time since the Dragon God Manor. Do you remember me?”

“Yes.”

I remember.

He’s someone he thinks highly of, so I know him.

Nothing more, nothing less.

“I heard you were participating in the Martial Arts Tournament too, so I came by to say hello.”

“Ah… It’s nice to meet you.”

“It’s a shame. I wish Young Hero Gu was here too, so we could greet him.”

His expression looked genuinely regretful.

“Ah, I heard Young Hero Gu did something amazing again. He truly is an incredible person.”

“Right? Young Master Gu is amazing.”

Wi Seol-ah smiled.

She reacted to the praise for Gu Yangcheon.

“Yes.”

He really is.

“If you happen to see Young Hero Gu, could you please tell him I’m watching him with great interest?”

At Yeongpung’s words, Wi Seol-ah tilted her head slightly.

“You could just tell him yourself.”

If he wanted to see him that badly, he could just go see him.

Why wasn’t Yeongpung going to see Gu Yangcheon?

As she pondered this question, Yeongpung spoke to Wi Seol-ah.

“Until we face each other in this Martial Arts Tournament… I’ve decided not to meet Young Hero Gu.”

Yeongpung’s expression hardened, as if stating his resolve.

“So, I came to carefully ask if you could relay my message…”

Feelings she couldn’t quite understand.

But Wi Seol-ah nodded.

“Alright.”

“Ah! Thank you.”

Yeongpung also smiled at Wi Seol-ah’s reply and bowed politely.

“I apologize for disturbing your rest. Then, I wish you the best of luck.”

“Yes.”

The brief conversation ended, and Yeongpung disappeared.

Wi Seol-ah, who had watched him for a moment, also turned her gaze away.

Yeongpung’s face, so fresh just moments ago, quickly faded from her mind.

Then, she looked around with uninspired eyes.

When she glanced around, there were times their eyes met by chance.

Since most people were looking at her, it was a natural consequence.

Each time their eyes met, their reactions varied.

Some immediately looked away upon meeting her gaze.

Others froze in surprise.

The rest were those who openly showed lustful desire upon seeing her.

Or those who displayed hostility or ambiguous feelings.

Everyone had different eyes.

How could they be so varied?

Watching them, Wi Seol-ah drew a rather subtle conclusion.

‘It’s uncomfortable.’

Being in the same place as such beings.

Breathing the same air.

Felt inexplicably uncomfortable and stifling.

Why did she feel this way?

As she started to feel slightly breathless, she thought of Gu Yangcheon in her mind.

Then, she could feel herself gradually calming down.

This isn’t normal.

Her peculiarity could make him uncomfortable.

She thought and thought about it.

‘I mustn’t let him know about this discomfort.’

He would worry.

He’d look at me with worried eyes and try to do something about it.

Wi Seol-ah didn’t like that.

That’s why she endured.

She calmly suppressed her emotions and casually ate another Yakgwa.

The Yakgwa were almost all gone.

Seeing that, Wi Seol-ah felt a sense of regret.

Where could she get more?

As she thought of that and looked around…

“…”

“…”

Her eyes met someone else’s.

The gaze was strange.

He didn’t avoid her gaze and possessed feelings quite different from others.

‘Who is it.’

I don’t know who it is.

Judging by his shaved head and attire, he seemed to be from Shaolin.

They quietly exchanged glances.

A few seconds passed like that.

Nod.

The other person bowed politely to Wi Seol-ah and averted his gaze.

Seeing that, Wi Seol-ah also gave a slight bow.

It was a strange kind of gaze.

However, she quickly forgot this too.

It wasn’t something worth dwelling on.

She remained quiet for a long time after that.

Time continued to flow, and until her turn came, Wi Seol-ah closed her eyes, erecting a wall to keep anyone from approaching.

Only when her turn finally arrived did she open her closed eyes.

And upon stepping onto the martial stage, she realized.

That the Shaolin disciple who had looked at her earlier was none other than her opponent.

“I am Yu Yeon of Shaolin. Please treat me well.”

The Shaolin individual who had looked at her earlier.

He introduced himself as Yu Yeon and greeted her again.

“I’m Wi Seol-ah.”

They exchanged greetings with the referee between them.

For some reason, the spectator stands felt unusually heated.

She could hear some noise, but Wi Seol-ah heard nothing.

It felt like dogs barking.

She focused solely on the opponent before her.

The same eyes as before.

Seeing them up close, the emotions contained within felt even clearer.

So she couldn’t help but ask.

“What’s wrong?”

“Hm?”

Yu Yeon paused at Wi Seol-ah’s question and replied.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“…What….”

“What are you so sorry about?”

“…!”

Yu Yeon’s expression crumbled at Wi Seol-ah’s questioning tilt of the head.

She could see it clearly.

That was the look of someone caught.

“Why do you have those feelings towards me? Is there a reason?”

A question that was sharp yet seemed pure.

Hearing that, Yu Yeon offered no reply.

He merely bit his lip, his eyes troubled.

I really don’t understand.

Why that person felt sorry towards me.

Wi Seol-ah couldn’t comprehend it.

Then, Yu Yeon slowly began to speak to Wi Seol-ah.

“…I heard you, disciple… are the descendant of the Sword Saint.”

Hearing that, a crease formed between Wi Seol-ah’s brows.

Of all things, it was the most awkward question.

“And?”

“I am known as the Dragon God of Shaolin.”

The Dragon God of Shaolin.

It’s a name I’ve heard before.

Though I don’t know the details.

“Therefore, there might be many reasons why you, disciple, and I stand here.”

What did he mean?

Wi Seol-ah, naive about worldly affairs, didn’t quite understand.

“It bothered me slightly, so I couldn’t maintain proper composure. I will compose myself.”

Complex emotions and a sense of discomfort were evident in his eyes.

Even after hearing Yu Yeon, Wi Seol-ah still didn’t get it.

“What’s the problem with that?”

“Hm?”

“I don’t really understand things like that.”

“So right now.”

Placing her hand on the sword hilt, she asked Yu Yeon.

“Does that mean you won’t fight me?”

“…”

“No matter the situation.”

“If you’re not going to refuse to fight, then focus.”

What about the Dragon God, what about Shaolin.

What about the opponent’s feelings.

Wi Seol-ah paid none of it any mind.

That wasn’t what was important.

“The apology or courtesy you should show me right now is that.”

Yu Yeon’s eyes widened at her nonchalant tone.

Was it because of the unexpected words?

Or perhaps because he was being reprimanded by a woman his own age?

Yu Yeon’s eyes, frozen for a moment, began to calm slightly.

“…I apologize.”

After uttering an apology different from before, Yu Yeon took his stance.

Seeing that, Wi Seol-ah also drew her sword.

Shing-

The sharp blade was revealed to the world.

The referee, confirming Yu Yeon and Wi Seol-ah, nodded.

“…Begin the duel!”

With the referee’s call, Yu Yeon took a breath.

However, his hesitation remained the same.

Yu Yeon bit his lip slightly and frowned.

Just then.

Slice.

A sound of something being cut came from somewhere.

Yu Yeon’s gaze shifted downwards.

Something cut from his clothes fluttered down to the floor.

It was a sash made of cloth.

Seeing it, Yu Yeon’s eyes widened like saucers.

The sash finally hit the ground.

“I just told you.”

“Didn’t you hear me?”

The voice came from in front of him.

Yu Yeon’s head immediately turned towards the woman.

She stood exactly as she had when drawing her sword.

“Focus.”

Her posture was calm, as if she hadn’t even swung her sword.

“I said, focus.”

Seeing that, cold sweat began to form on the top of Yu Yeon’s vacant head.