episode_0146

***

– Fouett

I open my eyes and cough loudly.

Gum clack clack. I move my swollen and stiff eyes.

The statement ‘It’s an unfamiliar ceiling’ is too cliché.

My last memory was that it was very cold.

I felt sluggish, so I lowered my head slightly, and a thick blanket was placed on top of my body.

“If you lose, you lose. The aftereffects last a long time.”

Normally, I should already be sweating profusely, but even under the pile of blankets, my body is cold.

How long have you been lying down?

The light seen through the gap in the bars was dark.

Did he faint until night after being attacked by Cheongyeon?

I guess he couldn’t have been lying down for more than two days.

“……”

I feel someone nearby, so I turn my head.

You can see the Master sitting cross-legged on the floor.

Closing my eyes and controlling my breathing seems to be helping me with good luck.

Ah, it’s night now, so it’s a lucky late-night snack.

……

Did he go out of his mind because he was hit by Cheongyeon?

I don’t know why I’m doing this.

Move slowly so as not to disturb.

Even moving is difficult due to the weight of the blanket.

I woke up whining and a thick blanket was draped around my waist.

I rub my still shivering body with my hands and start the spirit that has not yet recovered.

Open your right hand.

hmm….

Slowly extract the energy from the Danjeon and circulate it throughout the body.

Feel the flow of energy circulating throughout your body and focus on your index finger.

It felt like the energy in my index finger was moving a little faster than in other places…

– Growling

The flame blooming on the index finger flickers.

Yes, this is how it was done.

When I was trapped in the ice created by Cheongyeon, I quickly tried to escape.

As a result, my entire body felt hot, and at the same time, I had the intuition that it was going to ignite a firework.

Normally, I would have slowed down due to the rising body temperature, but thanks to Cheongyeon’s ice, I think my body temperature was properly balanced.

As a result, he succeeded in creating a spark and punching Cheongyeon in the face.

In short, in order to ignite, the bet must circulate at a certain speed or higher.

And now that I realize this principle, I think I understand why Yan Lun-gong fights. This is because the speed of energy flowing through a very small part of the body must be increased to create fire.

Of course, you can surround your entire body with flames, but it puts a lot of strain on your body. The burden on the body, the rising body temperature…

I daresay that even the great master and master probably won’t be able to maintain it for long.

Like the flame on a candle on a cake, look at the flame fluttering at the tip of your index finger and then blow it out.

And again, he spins the bet on his index finger to create a spark.

This is a more natural movement than before.

“Oh… I guess I’m a bit of a genius.”

I feel better because I can speak the way I want.

Even though I lost to Cheongyeon, I don’t feel any resentment.

Rather, I praise myself for hitting the jackpot.

Of course, Cheongyeon did look after me… but it is an indelible fact that I dealt a significant blow to one of the successors to the three great martial arts techniques.

“Are you awake?”

While I was making noises like that, I heard a sound from next to me.

Master broke the long silence.

“Yes.”

“How is your body?”

“It’s okay other than being a little creepy.”

“Cheongyeon seemed to have relaxed in the end, though. If I had truly lowered my sword, I would have frozen to death.”

“This is a competition where killing is not allowed in the first place.”

“You could say I got excited for a moment and [accidentally] killed him. Should they at least punish Bingryun-gong’s successor for killing a nameless warrior?”

“That’s what I heard.”

“Anyway, that’s enough.”

“Why aren’t you saying anything?”

“What?”

“Why is it there? It was Yan Lun Gong’s shame because he lost to Bing Lun Gong. I knew you would scold me like this.”

At my words, Master looks straight into my eyes.

Then, he slightly raises the corners of his mouth and makes a faint smile.

“Well done.”

“Yes?”

I ask back at the unexpected compliment.

“Don’t make me say it twice.”

Master glares at me with a venomous look on his face.

Then he sighs and opens his mouth again.

“You did well enough. You showed me all the ways you could do it, and you learned how to speak in a short period of time. You are great for today.”

I look away slightly. Are you embarrassed?

You shouldn’t offend Master by using your mouth for no reason.

Because I am a good disciple.

“Thank you. By the way, what happens next?”

“Cheongyeon advanced to the finals with a bye, and I have a game tomorrow.”

“It’s the semifinals. How about your opponent tomorrow?”

“Well, he is a famous martial artist. Although he is not my opponent.”

Master proudly spread his shoulders.

“The finals are the day after tomorrow. Cheongyeon can rest for a day, but Master can’t rest.”

“That doesn’t have much of an impact. It doesn’t matter how much you’ve trained so far.”

Oooh, famous quote.

“Have you ever hung out with Cheongyeon?”

“I have massaged several times.”

“It may be presumptuous, but… what is your record?”

“6 wins, 0 losses. I have 6 wins.”

“Oh, then victory is a given.”

“Well. A lot of time has passed since the last meeting, so it seems difficult to judge it carelessly…”

On rare occasions, Master slurred his words.

The lack of confidence bothers me, so I find myself bragging for no reason.

“Still. Because there is such a thing as human compatibility. You always said that. It is said that Yeomnyungong is the strongest martial arts technique.”

“Huh, that’s right. Anyway, what I want to say is that no matter what the opponent’s record is, I will not let down my guard.”

“Good posture.”

“Hehe, thank you.”

When I praise my teacher by raising my thumb, the teacher shakes his shoulders and smiles.

“……”

Master, who had been showing off for a while, tilts his head for a moment and looks at me.

“? why? I got something on my face.”

“No, that’s not it.”

Master’s face crumples little by little.

“Why are you treating me like a subordinate?”

Uh… really?

As I looked at Master’s increasingly crumpled face, I hurriedly came up with an excuse.

“Uh… Well, I’m actually older though… Ugh!”

thud!

Master’s honey balm exploded on the top of my head.

I went back to bed, and Master, who saw me, snorted and said.

“A cocky guy. Anyway, get some more rest. The chill of Bingryun-gong cannot be shaken off by taking a day off.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

He rubs his numb head and answers bluntly.

Master laughs again and stands up.

“It looks like you’re in good shape, seeing as you’re shaking. I’ll just leave now. Take a break.”

“Yes. Have a good night too, Master.”

Master left the room, and I covered myself with the blanket again and went to sleep.

***

So the next day, as Master said, Master passed the semifinals without much effort.

For a competition held by young martial artists with bright futures, it was a bit disappointing that it seemed like the outcome was easy.

And the next day.

This powerful force can be felt even in the economy class seat where I sit.

The game hasn’t even started yet, but it’s a battle of wits as we stare at each other.

“Now, get ready!”

The referee’s loud voice rings out.

The fight between Yeomryungong and Bingryungong.

Regardless of VIP or general seats, everyone holds their breath and looks at the stadium.

“……”

“……”

“Okay then! Start!!”

As the hand of judgment descended, extraordinary energies exploded from beneath the feet of Master and Cheongyeon.

A huge explosion occurred at the same time as the cloud hit Master’s feet.

And the ice quickly erodes the stadium as if to quell the explosion.

The fight between expert and expert has begun.