Chapter 725: Divine Dragon Martial Arts Festival.

Looking at the tournament bracket, the first thought that came to mind was just one thing.

‘Why did they do it like that.’

Seriously, why did they draw up the bracket like this?

Anyone could see that the League was tampering with the bracket.

I knew this ever since they changed the matchups, claiming extra personnel were added.

They must be planning something else.

It’s probably just a pretext for him. I knew that much, but…

‘Why?’

This bracket wasn’t part of my predictions.

Tuk. Tuk.

I tap my side with my fingertips, thinking.

What on earth could be the reason?

‘Didn’t they intend to pit the Divine Dragon against the Blade King?’

I had already figured out their schemes.

The purpose of this martial arts festival was to pit the Divine Dragon against the Blade King. Whether it was the semifinals or the finals, that’s what should have happened.

I knew this from the moment the Blade King announced his participation.

And then, the Divine Dragon would put on a good show, get eliminated, and the Blade King would win to wrap it all up.

That was the scenario I had anticipated.

‘It makes no sense for the Blade King to lose.’

It’s not because of his cultivation level or skill.

‘Because the League wouldn’t let the Hebei Peng family lose.’

The Peng family is one of the prominent families supporting the Murim League.

If the head of that family participated in the martial arts festival and lost, the damage to the League would be immense.

‘In the first place, the Blade King must have entered with the Murim League’s agreement.’

The Blade King isn’t an idiot.

Well, maybe he is, but even if he were a complete moron, it doesn’t make sense for a King-level martial artist to participate in something like this festival.

Why would the Blade King participate in a fight where he only stands to lose?

‘Of course, he must have participated because there was something exchanged.’

It could have been favorable terms.

Or it could have been coercion he couldn’t escape.

However, the important thing is that the Blade King participated, and…

‘The intention was to use that to elevate the Divine Dragon.’

The Divine Dragon would show a good performance against the Blade King and then lose.

The intention was to clearly showcase the advantage of being a Hwagyeong-level martial artist, and to show the audience that they could at least put up a fight against the Blade King.

That was clearly my prediction, but…

‘An anomaly occurred.’

An anomaly occurred.

‘The Blade King has fallen.’

In the last fight against the Twin Dragon, the Blade King’s position was completely shattered.

The most humiliating victory in the past ten years.

Being treated like a toy by the later-generation disciple Twin Dragon, and screaming while watching the Twin Dragon forfeit…

The position the Blade King had barely maintained in the Central Plains was destroyed that day.

‘If I’m not mistaken, the Peng family must be in turmoil right now.’

The merchant guilds that witnessed the match must have started pulling out, and other guilds, seeing the trend, would have followed suit.

Given this situation, it was uncertain how the League, whose plan had gone awry, would react.

Whether they would stick to the plan and pit the Blade King against the Divine Dragon, or resort to a different strategy.

That was hard to say, but…

‘I never expected them to go this route.’

To have me fight in the fourth round of the main tournament.

It was an incomprehensible move.

‘What’s the reason?’

Why was I matched against the Divine Dragon at this point?

This wasn’t among the variables I had considered.

Isn’t that right?

‘The League needs to elevate the Divine Dragon somehow.’

Even though the Blade King ended up looking ridiculous, they still had to do what they had to do.

Make it easy for the Divine Dragon to win, but not so easy that it ends anticlimactically.

Excluding Tang Soyeol and a few others who had already shown strength in the martial arts festival.

‘The number of potential opponents is, at most, four or five.’

If you pick out those with adequate cultivation levels, that’s about it.

But I wasn’t among them.

Perhaps.

‘Did I seem weak? Is that why they matched me?’

It’s plausible, but…

‘No way. As incompetent as the Murim League might be.’

How many things did I intentionally reveal?

I caught the eyes of the Sword Emperor and the Sword Saint. I even revealed my strength during the matches.

Even if I didn’t show my full power, no one would think I’m weak.

‘They’d likely be questioning something else.’

Just how strong is this guy?

‘Since the Arrogant Lord caused a stir, they must be thinking even more intensely.’

Especially at a time when the inconspicuous Twin Dragon caused such a major incident.

Expectations and vigilance towards all later-generation disciples have skyrocketed.

In such a situation, matching me, who seems ambiguous, against the Divine Dragon is akin to a gamble.

A gamble where anything could happen.

‘Why take a gamble when there’s a safer path?’

From the League’s perspective, it’s utterly nonsensical.

That’s why it’s even more baffling.

‘What could be their intention?’

My mind races.

An unknown variable.

To deal with this, I had to find out the reason somehow.

As I was racking my brain like crazy…

“Gu So-hyup.”

“…!”

Hearing my name called, I widened my eyes and turned my head.

A familiar face comes into view.

White martial arts attire with plum blossom embroidery. The insignia signifying a disciple of the Mount Hua Sect, and a handsome face.

“…Yeongpung Dojang.”

Mount Hua’s Foremost Talent. Sword Dragon Yeongpung.

“Haha. Have you been well?”

His approach, smiling, was as refreshing as ever.

Damn kid… he got even handsomer as he got older.

Not only handsome, he seemed taller too. Even though I worked my butt off to gain my height…

“Yes, I’m always the same.”

“Is that so? Ah, I did convey my greetings to Miss Wi… Did you happen to hear?”

“I heard.”

I suppose so.

Wi Seol-ah mentioned she had talked about Yeongpung and me last time.

“I originally intended to visit as soon as I arrived in Hannam… but due to circumstances, I’m greeting you this late.”

“It’s fine. Greetings, well… I haven’t greeted you either.”

I knew the Mount Hua Sect was in Hannam, and I knew Yeongpung was participating in the martial arts festival.

Since I was also aware and didn’t seek him out, there was no need for apologies.

As we exchanged a few more words…

A hesitant expression flickered across Yeongpung’s face.

“…And also… about that incident last time…”

“That’s fine.”

As he was about to say something with a tremor in his voice, I cut him off immediately.

He probably intended to apologize again for what happened at the Wudang Sect.

“You don’t need to apologize. I’ve already forgotten about it.”

Yeongpung, who had gotten angry at me when I received the flying letter back then.

It seemed he was still bothered by how he lost control of his emotions and acted strangely.

‘He did act quite strangely, though.’

It was an uncharacteristic display, considering Yeongpung’s personality, but…

I didn’t dwell on it.

Since I refused his apology, Yeongpung briefly pursed his lips and then…

“Thank you.”

He offered a light thanks instead of an apology.

It wasn’t necessary either, but it was better than an apology, so I decided to let it slide.

“Ah, Dojang.”

“Yes. Gu So-hyup?”

“By any chance… do you hear strange noises every night… or feel the presence of a foul-mouthed old man’s voice?”

“Yes…?”

He looked at me as if asking why I’d suddenly ask something so bizarre.

“You asked something similar last time… Haha. Not at all.”

“I see.”

“I don’t know the reason, but don’t worry. I’m a Taoist master, after all. If such a thing were to happen, I could immediately exorcise it.”

Uh… you shouldn’t exorcise it, though?

Yeongpung replied playfully. Seeing that, I inwardly panicked.

‘What if you exorcise your own ancestor?’

He’s saying something disastrous.

Even if they aren’t blood-related, isn’t that also a form of patricide?

‘Anyway. The point is, he doesn’t hear the voice.’

Even though Yeongpung became the successor of the Mount Hua Sword Saint, it seems he doesn’t hear voices like I do.

Maybe it’s because I thought of the Old Master after so long, but I recall something I heard in the Northern Sea.

‘Did they say I was the Old Master’s reincarnation?’

The body is indeed like that.

Namgung Myung said so through Woo Hyuk’s body.

‘…’

Thinking about it made me feel disgusted.

‘That foul-tempered old man is my past life?’

It was an incredibly unpleasant thought.

“Gu So-hyup? What’s wrong? Your expression…”

“It’s nothing. Something unpleasant just came to mind.”

“Ah… I see.”

I felt queasy. I quickly shook my head.

“Anyway, that’s settled… Is she doing well?”

Wanting to change the subject, I brought it up.

“Her… you mean?”

“My sister.”

“Ah, you mean Sa-go-nim.”

My younger sister, who was staying at Mount Hua. When I asked about Gu Ryeong-hwa, Yeongpung chuckled somewhat sheepishly.

She came with him, didn’t she?

“She’s probably in her quarters right now. She seems a bit… angry, too.”

“Angry?”

“Perhaps the issue is that… So-hyup hasn’t visited her.”

“Hmph.”

I let out a hollow laugh at his words.

“What a joke. He didn’t visit her either.”

It had been days since I arrived in Hannam, and Gu Ryeong-hwa hadn’t sought me out either. While I could understand that, given I was busy, why was she the one getting angry?

“I tried telling her that myself. But Sa-go-nim said, ‘How can I go there…?'”

“…Hmm?”

How can she go? Just walk over…

‘Ah.’

I stopped, remembering.

I finally seemed to understand the reason.

‘It’s because of Madam Mi.’

Madam Mi.

Since it’s her residence and nearby, Gu Ryeong-hwa seems reluctant to visit.

‘That’s right.’

Madam Mi and Gu Ryeong-hwa don’t get along.

I had forgotten that for a moment.

‘Damn…’

Tsk.

It seems I’ll have to visit her after all.

As I clicked my tongue, Yeongpung chuckled softly.

“It seems I’ve made things awkward with my words.”

“It’s not that. It’s just that she’s annoyed with me, not you. It’s not your fault.”

I had momentarily forgotten something I should have known.

Remembering it just put me in a bad mood.

Holding back a sigh, I said to Yeongpung.

“Could you please tell her I’ll visit within three days?”

“I will definitely relay the message.”

“Thank you.”

I thanked him and awkwardly scratched my cheek.

It’s not that I’m trying to play the role of an older brother belatedly…

‘Still, I need to pay some attention.’

I couldn’t just ignore it completely.

As I savored the bittersweet feeling…

“In any case. It was a conversation I had looked forward to, so I enjoyed it.”

Yeongpung suddenly seemed ready to conclude our conversation.

“Are you leaving?”

“Yes. It’s a shame, but I think this is about right.”

His business concluded, Yeongpung also carefully offered a polite gesture.

Then, he said to me in a serious tone.

“As for the rest of our conversation… I eagerly await the chance to continue it on the martial stage.”

At those words, I lifted the corners of my mouth.

‘Is this a declaration of war?’

I’ll win and hold out until I meet you.

That meaning was felt without reservation.

“Yes. Well… I’ll be looking forward to it.”

If you can, try me.

I didn’t discourage him either.

I did something in Shaanxi.

To pull Yeongpung out of his well-trodden path, I decided to remain as an insurmountable wall.

My feelings haven’t changed.

Try and overcome me. That’s still how I felt towards Yeongpung.

‘Thanks to that, things turned out pretty well, didn’t they?’

After exchanging farewells, Yeongpung took his leave.

I watched Yeongpung’s retreating back, casting a peculiar gaze.

‘He’s gotten stronger.’

Yeongpung was significantly stronger than when I last saw him a few months ago.

Whether he’s Hwagyeong or not is somewhat uncertain. It’s not that I can’t see it, but rather an ambiguous feeling.

‘Hmm.’

Staring at him, I glanced sideways.

“Hey.”

“Huh?”

Someone looked up at my call.

It was Bong-soon, dozing off while leaning on a pole.

Seeing the drool dripping from the corner of her mouth, any affection I might have felt just vanished.

She looks pretty, but her state is just…

“What do you think?”

“About wha…?”

“Speak properly, it’s unpleasant to hear.”

“About what?”

“Him. What do you think of him?”

I gestured towards the departing Yeongpung, and Bong-soon looked over with interest.

Then.

“Oh.”

She let out a short exclamation.

“He’s really strong!”

“That’s obvious, you punk.”

“Then?”

“Do you think you can win? He’s your opponent.”

“Hmm.”

Bong-soon was scheduled to fight the Sword Dragon in this martial arts festival.

Upon hearing he was her opponent, she finally looked at Yeongpung with slightly deeper eyes.

Quietly. And calmly.

After watching for a while, Bong-soon asked me with a slightly dazed expression.

“Can I kill him?”

“No.”

I answered immediately.

Hearing my reply, Bong-soon nodded and said.

“Then I don’t know. It’s ambiguous.”

Bong-soon, who was quite good at self-assessment.

If she said that, it must truly be the case.

So, I decided to ask differently.

“Then, what if you can kill him?”

When I asked what would happen if she could kill him.

“Then…”

Emotion dawned on Bong-soon’s previously dazed face.

Next, she smiled, and the expression she wore…

“I’ll win.”

It was a truly chilling smile.

---

Not long after, the fourth round of the main tournament began.

This schedule started much earlier than usual.

The reason was that the participants from the third round had been mixed in.

Even starting early, the end time would be even later.

I wondered if they could split the dates, but seeing the League push forward without doing so, it seemed there were scheduling issues.

‘Well, that doesn’t matter to me.’

An extended timeframe is fine.

Extending the dates would actually cause problems for my side, so I didn’t mind this aspect.

Kuuung–!!

A loud sound is heard.

Looking at the martial arts stage, I saw a giant fall to the ground.

Was it called Six-Body Stone Fist (戮彈石拳)?

He was a renowned, accomplished peak martial artist.

It seemed he lost to his opponent, the Piercing Six Truth Sword (慓六諦劍).

“Gyo Cheol-in of the Mu-an Pyo Sect. Victor.”

Wooooooah–!!

Cheers erupted as the referee made the ruling.

I had seen it for days, but the cheers were still loud.

Watching this, I nodded.

‘Not bad.’

Gyo Cheol-in, the Piercing Six Truth Sword.

He’s from an unheard-of sect called the Mu-an Pyo Sect. They say it’s a sect that passes down techniques to only one successor. He used martial arts I’d never seen before.

‘His cultivation is just before Hwagyeong.’

He’s at a level where he could break through the wall soon.

He’ll likely reach Hwagyeong before long, and based on my senses, he’s definitely someone who could make it into the Hundred Great Masters.

He gives off a good vibe.

Perhaps others felt the same way, as I saw personnel from the merchant guilds making moves.

‘They’re fast, as always.’

They’re quickly trying to gather information about the Mu-an Pyo Sect and Gyo Cheol-in.

The faster ones will likely try to negotiate directly with Gyo Cheol-in.

The appearance of a martial artist causes the merchant guilds to move.

It was like this before, but it’s gotten worse with the appearance of the Red Demon.

‘I need to start preparing on my side too.’

I’ve already told Moyong Hi-ah, so she’ll prepare, but I also need to lay the groundwork without delay.

Recalling my plans, I spoke to the guy in front of me.

“It’ll be your turn soon.”

“Yes.”

Seong-yul nodded at my words.

After one more match concludes, it’ll be Seong-yul’s turn.

Looking at Seong-yul, who seemed somewhat listless, I shifted my gaze slightly.

Towards the young man standing alone far away, not gathered with anyone.

Peng Woo-jin.

The son of the Blade King, whose reputation is plummeting daily.

He was the previous Divine Dragon, now called the Unrivaled Blade.

As I watched him, Peng Woo-jin looked at me. Our eyes met.

Then, as if he had been waiting, Peng Woo-jin waved at me.

Despite his father’s bizarre state, Peng Woo-jin doesn’t seem to care at all.

Every time I see him, something feels strange.

‘How on earth could such a person be born from the Blade King?’

A good father, a bad son.

It’s a saying I’ve heard my whole life, but this guy is the opposite.

Should I call it a bad father, good son?

Peng Woo-jin was truly an alien existence.

For a member of the Peng family, he’s rather small in stature and not very aggressive.

He resembles his father, so he must be his son.

It’s like…

It felt quite strange.

“Hmm.”

After looking at Peng Woo-jin, I turned back to Seong-yul and nodded.

“Hey.”

“Yes?”

Seong-yul looked at me when I called him.

His slightly shining yellow eyes and his still pitiful complexion.

Yet, his face seemed vaguely at ease.

Is he that relieved not to be fighting a Kunlun disciple?

‘Damn it. If you’re going to look like that, I told you to at least tell me your situation.’

His suffering subtly bothers me.

But he seems completely unwilling to talk about it, which is even more irritating.

It’s kind of infuriating.

Yes, that must be it.

“Let’s make a bet.”

“Why the sudden suggestion?”

“Yeah.”

“…What kind of…?”

That’s the reason I blurted that out somewhat spontaneously.

“See your opponent over there?”

I pointed towards Peng Woo-jin, and Seong-yul followed my gesture, looking at him.

“Yes.”

“Win.”

“What?”

“Win, using everything you can. If you do that…”

I said with a grin.

“The death of the Lone Qinghai Sword we talked about last time.”

“…!”

As soon as I mentioned it, Seong-yul’s eyes widened.

“I’ll tell you why it’s the Murim League’s fault.”

“…”

The story of the Lone Qinghai Sword that I had left unfinished.

As I brought up the topic, Seong-yul’s expression turned cold rapidly.