Chapter 1231: Scorched World

“Ah, damn it……”

Beomdong, from the Flying Dragon Unit. He spat out a curse. He shuddered, looking at the youngest brat who had confidently called his name.

‘That guy…!’

A mocking laugh. A vile face that showed no manners whatsoever.

His fierce, even ferocious appearance, coupled with his peculiar personality.

He was a guy Beomdong couldn’t stand in the slightest.

He didn’t like how the brat swaggered about being a disciple of the Sword Master, but what was even more irritating was…

‘Because of that guy…!’

The fact that Beomdong’s own position had become a complete mess.

It was during the time the Martial Alliance was selecting new Sword Unit members.

Beomdong, who was judging there, had faced that guy named Baek Yangcheon.

‘……Damn it.’

Back then, Beomdong had been utterly defeated by that guy. He’d been sent flying in a single blow and lost consciousness. What humiliation and insults had he endured because of that incident?

He remembered the laughter of his colleagues when word got out that he’d lost to a new recruit.

“Grrr……”

Even though the Flying Dragon Unit’s main purpose was information gathering, their combat power was by no means low.

A member of the Eight Sword Unit losing to a new recruit? There was no greater shame.

Thanks to that, harsh words rained down, like people saying maybe that guy should be the youngest recruit.

‘……You damn bastard.’

His resentment towards Baek Yangcheon grew, but the bigger problem was that the guy was even more formidable than he’d thought.

After defeating him, the guy suddenly became the Sword Master’s disciple. And after that…

‘……He beat the hell out of Sword Dragon?’

Namgung’s next family head, who was no different from that guy in terms of manners.

Rumors that he’d beaten Sword Dragon Namgung Jin and left him in a wreck were already rampant within the Martial Alliance.

Honestly, every time Beomdong heard those rumors, he felt relieved. Because the guy who ruined him was still a great fighter. Thanks to that, the rumors were starting to die down a bit.

But then.

‘He’s calling me now……?’

To call his name again at this very spot.

“Ggguh……”

Beomdong climbed onto the martial arts stage with a pale face.

He ascended, swallowing dryly. Baek Yangcheon, whom he faced, grinned at him.

“Long time no see?”

“……”

‘That guy… he remembered me.’

“Why…… did you call me?”

“I saw a familiar face.”

“That’s the reason?”

“Yes. I called you because I was glad to see you?”

“……”

Beomdong cursed him out internally, a whole bucketful. To call him here for such a flimsy reason?

Irritation surged.

“You…… you must be mistaken about something.”

“Hmm?”

This won’t do.

“Just because you won with that cheap surprise attack. Did you really think you were strong?”

What happened back then was due to the surprise attack.

“You don’t know that things would be different if we faced each other properly. That arrogance will be your downfall.”

“Hmm……”

Baek Yangcheon tilted his head. His expression was unnerving. It was even more so because Beomdong couldn’t tell what he was thinking.

Did I act rashly for nothing? The thought crossed his mind, but…

“I’ll show you. The dignity of a senior.”

Srrring-!!

Beomdong finally drew his sword and spoke.

Seeing that, Baek Yangcheon’s smile deepened.

‘Ah, shit.’

He froze at the sight of that bleak face. He looked terrifyingly scary.

Is it okay for a person’s face to look like that?

His knees felt weak.

“Is the talk finished?”

The referee intervened between them and said.

“No. I still have more to say-“

“Yes. It’s finished.”

Beomdong tried to continue speaking, but even that was cut off. Without even being able to properly state his case, the referee raised his hand.

“Wait.”

“Beomdong of the Flying Dragon Unit and Baek Yangcheon of the Azure Dragon Unit.”

No matter what Beomdong said, the referee’s hand didn’t stop.

“Begin the match-“

Along with those words, a gust of wind blew.

Baek Yangcheon instantly closed the distance, charging into Beomdong’s space. Seeing that, Beomdong moved quickly.

Swift sword strikes poured down on Baek Yangcheon. Seeing that, Baek Yangcheon twisted his upper body.

Swish-!!

Sword energy-infused sword paths chased his form.

“Hup!”

Beomdong’s eyes shone. Though flustered, his stance was neat. He wasn’t just admitted into the Flying Dragon Unit for nothing.

“Oh……”

“Beomdong’s improved more than I thought?”

Those who knew him exclaimed in surprise.

“His footwork isn’t ordinary.”

“The Flying Dragon Unit Leader was subtly bragging. Seems like he’s at that level?”

“He acted so weak all this time. Not bad.”

Beomdong heard the praise. Hearing that, Beomdong’s lips curled up. The reaction was better than expected.

‘Besides.’

This fight. He thought he’d just get beaten one-sidedly, but it felt manageable. Something felt strange.

‘What’s this guy up to?’

Swinging his sword, he looked at Baek Yangcheon. The guy dodged his sword again.

But.

‘Something.’

It feels manageable.

Was that punch back then just a fluke? He clearly couldn’t even see it, so he thought the difference in skill level was immense.

‘This is…’

Like an advantage? Or rather, he felt he had the upper hand.

Thump-!

His confident steps moved forward. Perhaps because he perceived it as manageable, unnecessary tension left him.

The tip of his sword became sharper, his aura visibly changed.

Shiiik–!!

Returning Fragrance Cloud Sword.

Beomdong’s sword is a deceptive sword. A sword that tricks the opponent and aims for openings.

Those swords extended, surrounding Baek Yangcheon.

Seeing that, Baek Yangcheon faltered for a moment.

Couldn’t find an opening? Good. Thinking that, Beomdong unleashed his sword with all his might.

“Hup!”

Exhaling a battle cry, the sword went straight for Baek Yangcheon.

“It’s over.”

“Heard he was quite something. Turns out he’s mediocre?”

The Sword Unit members made sounds of losing interest.

And then.

“That guy…… he’s quite something.”

The absolute powers watching from the high seats afar.

Cheolhyeol Busan let out a dry laugh and said. Hearing this, the Sword Master replied impassively.

“Well, he probably has his reasons.”

“Reasons? He’s just using his opponent as a test subject. What happened between that kid and your disciple?”

“Well……. I haven’t paid that much attention to the details.”

“If that’s not the case, he wouldn’t be acting like this.”

Cheolhyeol Busan rested his chin on his hand and looked at Baek Yangcheon.

It looked like he was slightly losing. Everyone must have been seeing it that way, but…

“Tsk tsk.”

He wasn’t losing.

Look at Baek Yangcheon’s face.

He was smiling.

“Even if I hate to admit it, he seems like your disciple.”

“That’s…… an unpleasant thing to say.”

“When you attacked me, you had that exact same face.”

He was excited. His face showed he was enjoying the fight he was in. His energy was depleted. His skill level weakened.

Although the situation had become trivial for him,

He was enjoying it.

“Tsk tsk……”

Cheolhyeol Busan clicked his tongue again. This time, it wasn’t directed at Baek Yangcheon.

“Poor guy.”

The opponent…… the kid whose name he couldn’t remember.

He said that to him.

Right after that.

Kkang-!!

“……Nngh!?”

A groan escaped Beomdong’s lips. His sword suddenly shot up into the sky. What the?

‘What happened……!’

Why did the sword suddenly jump up? His eyes widened considerably.

It should have clearly pierced straight through with the sword tip. An unexpected blow landed. Something had penetrated through his aura.

He identified an anomaly on the blade. Beomdong’s eyes sharpened.

Between the sword energy that should have covered everything, something was empty.

‘What is that?’

Why was it empty? As he wondered,

Whack.

“Nngh!?”

His knee bent. Baek Yangcheon, who had closed in, hooked his leg around Beomdong’s knee, forcing it to bend. His stance collapsed.

His head bowed downwards.

Paaak-!!

“Gack!”

An impact hit his jaw. His head was jerked upwards.

That wasn’t all.

KWAANG-! Pababak-!!

As his body sprang up, two or three blows landed on his exposed upper body.

“Cough!”

Beomdong spat blood right there. Then, Baek Yangcheon’s spinning foot slammed into his side.

KUUUNG-!!

With the impact, Beomdong was sent flying, skidding across the floor.

“Ggguuh……”

He collapsed and lost consciousness. The referee, confirming this, quietly said to Baek Yangcheon.

“……Beomdong of the Flying Dragon Unit loses. Baek Yangcheon of the Azure Dragon Unit wins.”

“……”

“……Huh?”

Despite the declaration of victory, no one spoke. Confusion lingered. Faces showed they couldn’t understand what had happened.

Why did Beomdong, who seemed to be losing, suddenly collapse? As they wondered,

“Haha.”

Someone laughed.

The deputy leader of the Divine Dragon Unit, watching from the very back. It was Tae Hoan.

“Ah…… well. I misjudged the person.”

Tae Hoan looked at Baek Yangcheon with an intense gaze.

“A curious fellow has arrived?”

His eyes were full of interest. It was only natural.

“Did he deliberately not use his aura?”

“What?”

“Not using aura……!?”

At those words, the surroundings fell into shock. He didn’t use his aura? If so… does that mean only Beomdong used his aura in this match?

“What’s the reason?”

Tae Hoan asked, seemingly curious, but…

“Who knows.”

Baek Yangcheon shrugged at the words.

“If you’re curious, you can fight me later.”

“Huk.”

“That guy……!?”

The surrounding people were aghast at his subsequent words. It wasn’t something one would say to the Divine Dragon Unit’s deputy leader, the best in the world.

“……Ooh.”

Hearing that, Tae Hoan exclaimed in admiration.

“He’s got spirit. Not bad.”

Kkeugeuk.

The sound of him cracking his neck was quite chilling.

“I’ll remember those words.”

“Yes.”

Hearing Tae Hoan’s words, Baek Yangcheon turned his back. As he descended the martial arts stage, Tae Hoan’s gaze was fixed solely on Baek Yangcheon.

As if he couldn’t possibly let him go.