Chapter 151: Friendly Martial Arts Tournament. (4)

Friendly Martial Arts Tournament. (4)

It was the second day since the martial arts tournament began.

There had been one more match since the first martial arts bout, but no situation arose that garnered as much attention as when Tang Soyeol was eliminated.

After all, the fact that one of the Five Dragons and Three Peaks was eliminated in the very first match was on a level that shouldn’t have happened.

Thanks to that, talk like this spread quickly through word of mouth.

“Did you hear that? They say Poison Phoenix was eliminated already.”

“What nonsense is that? Have you been drinking since midday?”

“…No, why don’t you believe me? It’s true, I tell you.”

Hearing it alone might make one half-believe, half-doubt, but the evidence was scattered everywhere.

“The Alliance Leader’s son?”

“I told you! They say Poison Phoenix was pushed back without even being able to use his strength; the difference in skill was glaringly obvious.”

“…That Poison Phoenix? How could that happen?”

“A descendant of Nak-geom… And isn’t one of the Five Dragons and Three Peaks spots currently vacant?”

“That’s why everyone’s anticipating it; you never know when a new Dragon might appear.”

“Then what about that young man? This time, from Gu Clan…”

This is the kind of reputation the Five Dragons and Three Peaks receive throughout the Central Plains.

The signboard proclaiming them geniuses representing the current generation of orthodox sects.

The Alliance knows that too, which is why they’re trying to be mindful of the matchups as much as possible.

Because if they face each other from the start, it could lead to a difficult situation.

‘I can tell just from this.’

The Alliance is pushing Jang Seon-yeon.

Under the name of a new star.

If there’s something that makes me think a bit differently at this point.

I need to think about the Dragons and Peaks who didn’t attend the banquet.

Sword Phoenix, that’s understandable.

Knowing that crazy sister’s personality, she might have just not shown up.

Geom-ryong and.

Jam-ryong.

Did they really choose not to come on their own accord?

‘I’m not sure, but.’

I harbored a suspicion that there might have been some discussion with the Alliance regarding that.

Recalling Maehwa-seon, whom I faced, they didn’t seem like the type to do that, but.

Then again, you never know about people.

‘…Tsk.’

Anyway, through the subsequent matchups, Snow Phoenix and Roe-ryong were able to advance without much difficulty.

Gu Jeolyub and Namgung Bi-ah were the same.

Namgung Bi-ah, in particular, secured victory while maintaining a bored expression throughout the entire martial arts stage.

I heard some crazy bastards felt exhilarated by that and are spreading rumors calling her the Flower of Namgung, almost like followers.

I was reminded once again that there are just so many crazy people in the world.

‘Gu Jeolyub was a bit unexpected.’

In the first place, Gu Jeolyub did have talent, but it was closer to having good luck with the matchups.

He managed to avoid a few guys who caught my eye and faced weaker opponents.

It was a situation slightly different from my expectations.

Because most of the guys I expected to advance and face off had fallen.

Representatively, the young man named Bi-yeon-seom, whom I met during the very first martial arts bout, was included.

‘…That’s just bad luck.’

His skill wasn’t bad.

If he could wrap his sword tip with inner energy that clearly, he should be among the upper echelon of later-generation disciples.

The problem is that his opponent was me.

‘Was one strike too much?’

Maybe it would have been better to go a bit easier, but the situation was urgent then.

And now, I needed to show a more definitive performance.

“I am Wu Yi-hyeon, the third disciple of Wu-dang.”

“Gu Yangcheon of the Gu family of Shanxi.”

From the hand holding the sword, to the slightly extended toes.

The gaze, and the exhaled breath.

‘Ah, Wu-dang.’

Such a thought naturally arose.

It was from the atmosphere, not the introduction.

He’s a warrior who feels like he has a calm disposition, with an appearance suggesting he’s one or two years older than me.

It was the second day’s martial arts bout.

And the final bout to advance to the highly regarded Top 8.

As I was loosening up my still-stiff body, Wu Yi-hyeon suddenly spoke to me.

“I’ve heard a lot about you, Young Hero.”

“Hmm?”

“They say you finished all your previous opponents in a single strike.”

“Ah…. Well, it just happened that way.”

When the openings were so obvious, how could I not strike?

Every opponent I met had their jaw, chest, everything wide open.

If you get stabbed in real combat like that, you die immediately.

Kids these days… Tsk tsk.

‘Did rumors spread again amidst all this?’

I thought I heard people saying earlier that I seemed like a disciple of Pae-jon.

Most of the talk was about Jang Seon-yeon, who defeated Tang Soyeol, so it got buried, but.

Wu Yi-hyeon’s eyes slightly lit up at my answer as he said.

“I won’t be defeated that easily.”

“Ah, yes.”

Everyone says that.

‘If you’re going to prepare, maybe your legs first… No.’

What’s the point of giving advice in my head?

Especially regarding Wu-dang, I had quite a bit to say.

Because I remembered a guy who excitedly showed off his swordsmanship, thinking it was superior.

“Master Wu.”

“Yes.”

“May I ask you something as well?”

Wu Yi-hyeon showed a slightly tense expression, hearing me suddenly ask something.

He probably thought I was going to provoke him, just like he did.

‘If he’s going to be that tense, why provoke in the first place?’

But I, the one provoked, was utterly indifferent.

And I hadn’t called him for that purpose anyway.

“Jam-ryong doesn’t seem to have come this time.”

“…”

Bringing up Wu-dang’s famous later-generation disciple caused Wu Yi-hyeon’s expression to subtly contort.

“…Why do you ask about that?”

His voice was even filled with wariness.

I knew why he felt that wariness.

‘That guy must still be the same.’

Jam-ryong is a crazy bastard in a different sense than Peng Woo-jin.

Wu-dang even called him something else instead of Jam-ryong.

‘A guy they’re ashamed to show off.’

That’s probably the kind of treatment he gets.

Because aside from his outstanding talent, his personality is just damn infuriating.

So the reason Wu Yi-hyeon is wary is likely because he’s reluctant to bring up Jam-ryong to others.

That’s confirmed, so it’s fine.

“I just asked. We’re kind of close.”

“…What? You and our senior brother?”

His expression suggested disbelief at such a nonsensical statement.

Of course, this is about my past life, and we aren’t close yet.

“Anyway, I’m just saying.”

As I said that with a grin, Wu Yi-hyeon seemed even more tense, raising his guard.

Why…?

Why does everyone back away whenever I just smile?

I feel so wronged, really.

I let out a sigh full of emotion, and the referee, judging that we were ready, shouted the start.

Wu Yi-hyeon immediately drew his sword and slightly loosened his stance.

Seeing that, I nodded inwardly.

‘Not bad.’

He loosens rather than applies force.

It contained some of the principles of Wu-dang’s sword techniques.

Deflecting rather than cutting.

Flowing rather than deflecting.

If Hwa-san’s sword is like slowly taking root in the ground.

Wu-dang’s sword becomes a tranquil river.

However.

‘It’s not bad, but….’

Unfortunately, it seems he hasn’t fully grasped the principles.

Then again, it would be impossible for the third disciple to fully understand the meaning behind Wu-dang’s sword.

That’s probably why Jam-ryong is even more remarkable.

He aimed the tip of his sword and cautiously took his stance, appearing to wait for my move.

‘Good choice.’

Is it because of those guys who rashly charged forward and ended up lying on the ground like corpses?

Now, opponents who are cautious against me are starting to appear.

Swish.

As I slightly moved my toes, Wu Yi-hyeon’s eyes followed.

Using his eyes isn’t bad either.

‘Fitting that Wu-dang sent him.’

I heard that instead of Jam-ryong, a few disciples came.

Hwa-san doesn’t seem to have come at all, though.

Did others from the Nine Great Sects also come?

I don’t know, I didn’t pay attention to that extent.

The timing was also somewhat ambiguous.

Just a few years later, later-generation disciples poured out like a flood.

Now, in a way, it’s a period of stagnation.

A generation of meteors, where only the most outstanding gather.

For later-generation disciples living in the same era, it was an utterly hellish generation.

As I watched him quietly, Wu Yi-hyeon’s sword began to move slightly.

The tip of his sword trembled slightly, drawing the principles of Tai Chi.

The way he gradually carved out sword paths showed the accomplishment of diligent training, but.

Bbaak-!

“Ugh…”

His jaw was just as open as the others.

Wu Yi-hyeon collapsed with a thud.

In the first place, it wasn’t a difference in skill that warranted any ‘what ifs’ or ‘buts’.

Although I described it as ‘open,’ to be precise, it meant he wasn’t in a state to block or deflect my strike.

“…Gu Yangcheon wins.”

As soon as I heard the referee’s words, I stepped down from the martial arts stage again.

His junior disciples will take care of the cleanup, I suppose.

“One strike again…?”

“Maybe the opponent was weak…”

“Hey, do you think the Wu-dang sect is shit? You’ll get divine punishment for that.”

“No, Wu-dang sect or whatever… Does finishing that in one go make any sense? That’s what we should be talking about.”

Talk about me started reaching my ears.

To be honest, the talk was happening later than I expected.

After showing this much, something should have happened sooner.

Perhaps it was due to so many variables.

Of course, rumors like this can be helpful, so it’s not entirely bad….

“As expected… the rumors about being Pae-jon’s disciple are true…”

“It’s not true!”

“Eek!”

When I couldn’t hold back and yelled, the guys talking quickly scattered.

Ah, this damn personality.

‘Getting riled up over trivial words.’

It’s a damn personality that just bursts out. I got frustrated at myself for getting angry over nothing and ruffled my hair.

Just live as much as you’ve aged, Yangcheon.

As I calmed my flushed breath from getting worked up, I sensed someone approaching.

“Why… are you like this?”

A voice that sounded cold yet quiet.

Normally, if I sensed someone approaching, I’d reach out with my hand first, but the accompanying scent made me feel calmer.

Her silvery-white hair fluttered in the winter breeze.

“It’s nothing.”

I replied to Namgung Bi-ah, who was looking at me with concern. It really was nothing.

I just got worked up over nothing.

“Did you finish well?”

“…Yeah.”

It seemed so.

I knew she probably had her match around the same time.

And the fact that she’s here now.

Just looking at her martial arts uniform, which wasn’t dirty at all, told me that.

“Who was your opponent?”

“…I don’t know…?”

She seemed genuinely clueless.

I couldn’t help but offer my condolences to her opponent.

A defeat where not even a name was left behind; it’s a bit bittersweet, isn’t it?

“Where… are you going? The medical bay…?”

“No, why the medical bay all of a sudden? I’m not injured.”

“…Soyeol.”

“Forget it. He’ll be getting treatment properly on his own.”

Actually, I did visit him briefly this morning. Tang Soyeol was asleep, so he wouldn’t know, but.

“…Then where are you going?”

“Where you were headed.”

“Huh?”

At my answer, Namgung Bi-ah tilted her head as if she didn’t understand what I meant.

Then her eyes widened as if she realized.

She looked at me with a subtle expression.

It felt like she was thinking, ‘He seems to be concerned after all.’

“Why, what?”

At my words, Namgung Bi-ah smiled slightly.

Then she shook her head as if it was nothing. It was a look I found quite displeasing.

To be receiving a look of approval from that lukewarm person….

“…What about Seol-ah?”

As I chewed my tongue listlessly, Namgung Bi-ah asked.

“She went out.”

“Today too…?”

“Yeah. She seemed busy.”

I was already feeling a bit disappointed about that.

She said she’d cheer me on a lot, but then she wasn’t showing up at the martial arts stage.

Of course, there hadn’t been any matches long enough for her to watch or not watch, but.

‘She did look tired, perhaps from being busy.’

It was rare for Wi Seol-ah to look tired.

She seemed to be doing a lot of work, but she was always cheerful.

Though sometimes she seemed like she was slacking off.

‘I should grab her sometime and ask.’

The simplest way would be to find Hong-wa and ask, but.

Hong-wa was also hard to find.

Kuuung-!

Kung!

As I walked, trying to clear my head, I heard sounds from afar.

It was the martial arts stage for the next match.

It was the place where Namgung Bi-ah had just finished her match.

And in that spot.

“Wow, why them again?”

Gu Jeolyub and Hwangbo Cheol-wi were engaged in a match. Them again.

What a persistent, ill-fated connection. Isn’t that also a kind of fate?

At this point, I guess I have to see it that way.

Kuuung-!

Hwangbo Cheol-wi’s thick, massive fist cut through the air.

Compared to his large frame exceeding eight feet, his movements were agile.

Kwang-!

However, Gu Jeolyub is faster.

As I’ve said consistently, at the banquet hall, and at Ba-cheon-maru.

Honestly speaking, there was no need to watch this match.

Unless that idiot makes a mistake, he won’t lose.

“But why did you come…?”

At Namgung Bi-ah’s probing question, I instantly shut my mouth.

Right, why did I come?

“I was just bored.”

Isn’t that a pretty lame answer I just came up with?

At this point, I briefly recalled No-ya asking if I ate my age through my ass.

‘…That person isn’t a Daoist.’

What’s with a Daoist talking about asses? Asses.

Especially someone who’s supposed to be a hero.

“Right… I came because I was bored.”

Meanwhile, Namgung Bi-ah kindly agreed with me, but her eyes were already half-filled with amusement.

Namgung Bi-ah, who rarely smiles, sometimes hints at it like this.

With her eyes, she communicates that she’s smiling.

‘Life.’

How did my treatment end up like this?

“Gu Jeolyub wins!”

“Oh, dear.”

How lost in thought was I?

I snapped back to reality at the referee’s shout, but the match was already over.

Gu Jeolyub’s sword tip was touching Hwangbo Cheol-wi’s neck, and Hwangbo Cheol-wi’s fist, having missed Gu Jeolyub’s cheek, was frozen in place.

Waaaaah-!

As soon as the match concluded, the spectators cheered.

There’s nothing that heats up their hearts quite like an intense match.

“Intense…?”

A match that shouldn’t have been intense was intense?

It wasn’t even close, was it? Rather, if Gu Jeolyub had won easily, maybe.

“Well, I’ll be?”

Hwangbo Cheol-wi and Gu Jeolyub even shook hands. What is that?

‘What am I even watching right now?’

The match ended with an unexpectedly heartwarming atmosphere. Wait, why heartwarming…?

Gu Jeolyub descended from the martial arts stage.

Receiving attention, he wore a slightly smug, annoying expression, but then he saw me and froze.

“Hey.”

As I called out as if I’d been waiting, he flinched.

But it seemed he couldn’t hide his smug expression.

“You seem pleased. Your lips keep pointing towards the sky?”

“…Heh, no sir.”

‘No sir’? What do you mean ‘no sir’.

“You… No, forget it. You did well.”

I almost pointed out how he barely won, but I held back.

Honestly, I didn’t expect Gu Jeolyub to make it this far. Same for that Hwangbo Fatty.

“Uh, First Young Master, what brings you here….”

“I was just passing by. Wondering if there were any matches left.”

“Ah…”

Gu Jeolyub nodded as if he understood.

It wasn’t a lie.

I did come to watch the remaining matches.

“Did you happen to see the end?”

“See what?”

Gu Jeolyub, who would normally be too intimidated to speak, approached me for some reason.

And he sounded slightly excited.

“How I dodged Young Hero Hwangbo’s Ho-yeon-tu and then drew my sword…”

“Oh… you know Hwangbo family martial arts too?”

“…Pardon? No. Young Hero Hwangbo was shouting it as he used it…”

“…He shouts the name of the martial art he’s using while using it?”

Is he out of his mind?

If he’s going to do that, why not kindly announce ‘I’ll strike from the left~’?

Imagining that giant fighting like that made my stomach churn.

“…Please tell me you don’t do that too?”

“…”

“Why can’t you answer? You damn…”

“N-no, I didn’t.”

“Right? If you did, I wouldn’t be able to show my face from shame.”

“But I didn’t, so why are you, First Young Master….”

“We have the same surname, you bastard… It’s a disgrace to the family, really.”

No matter how immature the kid is, he wouldn’t do that.

He wouldn’t shout the name of his martial art, would he?

If that were the case, I’d burn him down, surname and all.

As I groaned and made noises, Namgung Bi-ah subtly approached and asked me.

“Hey…. Aren’t you watching anything else?”

“Anything else?”

Namgung Bi-ah pointed somewhere with her finger.

That direction must be where the Fourth Sect’s matches are taking place.

“I don’t need to watch.”

I wasn’t particularly curious.

It’s where Namgung Cheon-jun and Moyong Hi-ah belong.

Those two would probably advance.

Because the match bracket looked exactly like that.

As expected.

Soon, word came that the Fourth Sect’s matches were also over.

In this confined space, rumors traveled faster than the wind.

As my prediction, the two who advanced were indeed them.

Up to this point, I hadn’t thought much of it.

Excluding Tang Soyeol and Jang Seon-yeon, it wasn’t particularly surprising.

A short while after the final group matches concluded.

The awaited match bracket was newly posted.

“Oh…”

After confirming the news, I immediately let out an exclamation.

The first Top 8 match of the day.

-Namgung Cheon-jun of the Namgung Family versus Gu Yangcheon of the Gu family of Shanxi.

I don’t know how it ended up like this, but it was an interesting situation.

It was so amusing that I couldn’t help but chuckle slightly the moment I saw the bracket.