Chapter 715: Divine Dragon Martial Arts Festival.

Hearing my answer, Cheol Ji-seon falls silent for a moment.

Since I’d given my affirmation, I expected some kind of reaction.

Judging so, I waited for a short while.

Tuk tuk.

I tapped my fingertips on the tabletop.

I wondered what Cheol Ji-seon would ask. Would he ask why I did it? Or would he ask if I had a plan to get him out?

As I waited patiently, Cheol Ji-seon soon opened his mouth.

“…Was there a reason you had to do that?”

It was the former. He asked why rather than about a plan. Moreover, it was an answer that showed Cheol Ji-seon’s personality. It was a considerate approach towards the other person, even in this situation, rather than a direct question of ‘why’. Of course, it’s not a communication style that suits me.

“A reason… I did it because it was necessary.”

“Necessary?”

“Yes, it was necessary.”

Tang Deok absolutely had to be captured by the sect. In the name of the Demonic Cult (魔敎). If he were captured around this time, it would be chronologically appropriate. And it would be even better if Illyong Daeju, famous for his impatient personality, had gone.

“Then, why did you go out of your way to send Lady Naxi…?”

At Cheol Ji-seon’s question, I tilted my head.

“What? Weren’t you saying that knowing this?”

The last time I mentioned sending Naxi to Hubei. Cheol Ji-seon had reacted as if I were cruel. I thought it was a reaction born from him suspecting something to some extent, but…

“It was just as I said, an assumption. I really didn’t know it would be like this…”

I listened closely to his words, which sounded worried. What was his intention? I was waiting for what would follow. Just then.

“Even so, a comrade-“

“Haha.”

Cheol Ji-seon’s words made me burst out laughing involuntarily. It seemed the guy was mistaken about something.

“Ji-seon-ah.”

“…Huh?”

“Who’s a comrade?”

“…!”

Cheol Ji-seon’s eyes widened at my rather cold words.

“…Yangcheon-ah…? You…”

“Don’t misunderstand. Those guys aren’t comrades.”

“What do you mean.”

“I’m telling you not to get attached unnecessarily. Look, when you get attached and linger, your vision gets clouded.”

As I continued speaking, Cheol Ji-seon’s eyes trembled. Watching him, I took a sip of tea.

“Your goal and my goal. They align, which is why we are together.”

There are few people I can call comrades. Cheol Ji-seon might be at a level where I could call him a comrade. But that’s about it.

“Ji-seon-ah.”

“…”

Cheol Ji-seon didn’t answer my call. But it didn’t matter.

“If you have a problem with this, you can either completely change the plan yourself or rescue him and bring him back.”

“…!”

“If you can’t, then just keep your useless sense of justice hidden inside. It’s completely useless right now.”

My destination is clear. Even if my intended destination and Cheol Ji-seon’s goal differ somewhat. Our paths are similar, which is why he is by my side.

“Just focus on what you need to see. I used him because he was necessary.”

I chewed and swallowed a handful of the dried snacks in front of me. It went down easily, even without alcohol.

“…”

Hearing my words, Cheol Ji-seon said nothing more. Whether it was because he had nothing to say or nothing he could say, I didn’t know. I didn’t care.

‘It’s right to go my own way.’

Regardless of Cheol Ji-seon’s intentions. Regardless of how others might see it, going my own way is the only right path. Only then.

‘Can I bear the responsibility alone.’

Gulp.

After finishing the tea, I stood up. I’d heard all I needed to. And I’d roughly grasped the surrounding news, so it was time to leave.

‘The bait has been taken.’

Now, all I have to do is wait for the time.

“I’m leaving first. You said you were going to see House Lord Hwangbo, right?”

“Uh, yeah…”

“Alright, see you later.”

Tuk tuk.

As I moved, I lightly patted Cheol Ji-seon’s shoulder and started walking. Until I went down the stairs. I didn’t look back to see what expression Cheol Ji-seon had on his face.

---

Two days passed.

The first preliminary round, held on the second day. Three days had passed immediately after it ended. The reason was simple. To check our condition and lower fatigue levels right after the preliminary round. In other words, it was a rest period.

Tuduk.

I stretched lightly and started walking.

‘My internal injuries have all healed.’

Although the major ones still remained. The most recent internal injuries had healed. That was enough.

Hwi-iing.

I turned my head slightly at the feeling of the wind.

The end of summer. The wind had already begun to carry the scent of autumn. The leaves will start changing soon.

‘…’

It meant time was passing, which wasn’t exactly a welcome thought for me.

‘Am I impatient?’

I ran my hand down my chest. Am I impatient?

Yes. I am impatient.

How could I not be? My life was one where I had to wipe away sweat every single day.

‘It’s not easy.’

Even though I chose this life myself, the frustration remains the same.

I let out a small laugh. I had to laugh, at least.

“Look over there…”

“Those people…”

Hearing the voices in my ear, I looked straight ahead. The streets of Hanam, still crowded with people. Several days had passed since the preliminary rounds began, but many changes had already occurred. For example.

“It’s the Crescent Moon Sword… Truly as beautiful as the rumors say.”

“How can a person be this beautiful?”

Wi Seol-ah, walking beside me. The number of people recognizing her had increased. And by a lot.

“Her match was truly amazing, wasn’t it?”

“She looks younger than my daughter… Is she really a martial artist of the Hwa Gyeong realm?”

“The way she wields her sword is said to be like seeing the Sword Saint in his youth.”

Her match against the Dragon God. The aftermath was still lingering. Even without the match, her face drew attention, but now, a subtle admiration was mixed in.

“What a shame… I wanted to see more.”

Some people lamented Wi Seol-ah’s elimination. Others were properly imprinted with the Dragon God’s status.

“What could be done? Her opponent was none other than the Dragon God of Shaolin.”

‘Tsk…’

I clicked my tongue inwardly. This turned out exactly as Shaolin would have wanted.

‘Is this a problem caused by trying too hard?’

The successor of the Sword Saint was strong. Incredibly strong, at that. But.

‘The Dragon God was stronger.’

Because of that, the situation turned out even better than Shaolin had envisioned. The Dragon God’s status was currently piercing the heavens. Of course, it would.

‘Even I thought he was insane.’

There was something I sometimes thought when looking at Wi Seol-ah or Namgung Bi-ah. That the two of them seemed like beauty made manifest in human form. I often thought that inwardly. But looking at the Dragon God, he was talent personified.

‘Like talent given human form.’

Yeongpung or Woohyeok.

‘I felt a similar sensation when looking at those guys, but he was just too much, incredibly so.’

It wasn’t just Hwa Gyeong; it was the realm of Sim Sang. The martial art he used. Hwang-a Gang-ram. I knew it the moment I saw it.

‘Its principle is similar to my Seong Chang.’

It involves grasping the flow with Sim Sang to prevent it from scattering while enveloping it with energy. The difficulty level was such that I couldn’t help but let out a hollow laugh upon seeing it.

‘That’s why no one can use it easily.’

How many people in Shaolin could use it right now? It’s a martial art that requires at least the Hwa Gyeong realm, so even counting on my fingers, it wouldn’t exceed five.

‘A martial artist in his prime used a martial art of that difficulty.’

So it’s natural that this fervor is arising. Yes, it’s natural. That’s why I wasn’t taking any particular action.

‘Because it was within reasonable limits.’

A different appearance from my past life. I don’t know what happened, but the Dragon God of this era had long surpassed the wall.

‘I thought he might be in a similar situation to Yeongpung.’

Yeongpung, who was like a frog in a well. I thought the Dragon God wouldn’t be much different, just like that guy.

‘What could it be?’

How did he possibly break free?

‘Was there someone he could aim for?’

Someone who could prevent him from becoming arrogant. Was there anyone else like that in Shaolin? The question arose, but it was something I didn’t know. As I walked, more voices reached my ears.

“Next to the Crescent Moon Sword… isn’t that the woman? The Poison Phoenix of the Tang Family, wasn’t she?”

Tang Soyeol was next to Wi Seol-ah. And talk about Tang Soyeol could also be heard. For reference, just as Wi Seol-ah gained a moniker, Tang Soyeol’s moniker had changed. That moniker was none other than.

“Oh, hey. Poison Phoenix? What are you talking about from back then?”

“Right. She’s not the Poison Phoenix anymore…”

“She’s the Poison Phoenix (毒拳)!”

Ppudeuk.

At the words I heard, the sound of teeth gnashing somewhere reached me. It was from Tang Soyeol.

“…Poison Phoenix… That… Does that even make sense?”

She was frowning deeply, clearly displeased about something. But given her innocent-looking appearance, it wasn’t intimidating.

“Seol-ah got the Crescent Moon Sword… they gave her something pretty. Why me…!”

“In the first place, anything associated with poison usually isn’t pretty.”

“Exactly!”

Tang Soyeol shrieked at my unhelpful words.

“…I didn’t even use poison in the match. Why is it attached to me…”

“You should take that up with your family.”

No matter how ruined the Tang Family is, the Tang Family is the Tang Family. They were the most famous clan regarding poison, so it couldn’t be helped.

“I didn’t do it on purpose… I didn’t even use poison, so why…”

“…”

On purpose…?

‘…Could it be she expected her moniker to change and did it intentionally?’

That couldn’t be it. Even if that were the case, she shouldn’t have shattered the Bullet Sword with her bare fists at the very least.

“Since you smashed it like that with your fists… do you think a pretty moniker would stick?”

“…No, but… I didn’t know that person would be so weak.”

She said terrifying words with a perfectly calm expression. A top 100 master instantly became a weakling.

‘Poison Phoenix…’

Her small frame and cute appearance, which were already notable. And for her moniker to become Poison Phoenix in that state. It really didn’t suit her. It made me think that involuntarily.

‘But what can you do?’

It had already become that way. Once a moniker is known, it rarely changes. To change it, one had to cause a major incident or show something significant.

‘Like Wi Seol-ah or Tang Soyeol this time.’

Poison Phoenix.

Tang Soyeol, who received it, was expressing her dissatisfaction stubbornly. Wi Seol-ah, however…

“Young Master. Would you like to eat some yakgwa? It’s delicious…!”

“…Thanks.”

She didn’t seem to think much of it. Even with the new moniker, she didn’t seem particularly bothered. Just like when she lost her match, she didn’t seem regretful about the defeat; she even looked slightly brighter than usual. It was the same with Namgung Bi-ah, and it seemed Wi Seol-ah was similar.

‘Well, it was the same in my past life too.’

Right after achieving great results in the operation to suppress the unorthodox sects in my past life. Wi Seol-ah’s identity as the Sword Saint’s disciple and granddaughter was revealed, earning her the name Little Sword Saint. At the time, Little Sword Saint had frowned, showing displeasure instead.

‘She said it was too burdensome, didn’t she?’

That the moniker given to her was too heavy. That was the reason. I heard that once.

‘Then, is it lighter now?’

Compared to Little Sword Saint, Crescent Moon Sword did feel lighter. Is that why she doesn’t think much of it?

‘…If so, that’s fortunate.’

She doesn’t have the same expression she wore in her past life. That’s all that matters.

Tuk.

“Hm? Young Master?”

Without a word, I stroked Wi Seol-ah’s hair. Wi Seol-ah looked at me as if asking why, but I ignored her and just went ahead and touched it.

“Mmm?”

I was touching it a bit roughly, but her hair was so soft it didn’t tangle easily.

“…Young Master.”

At that sight, a dark voice came from below. It was Tang Soyeol.

“…Why… are you only touching Seol-ah?”

“…Hm?”

What did she say?

“Is it perhaps because she’s the Crescent Moon Sword? Compared to her… am I not touched because I’m the dull, dark, heavy, old-man-like Poison Phoenix?”

“…”

What is this persecution complex? The words made me feel suffocated the moment I heard them.

“Me… Because I’m Poison Phoenix…! Ugh!”

Before it got worse, I ruffled Tang Soyeol’s hair too. Only then did Tang Soyeol quiet down. Walking while stroking both of them with my hands, I wondered what on earth this situation was.

“…Look over there… it’s So-Yeomra….”

This time, voices whispering while looking at me reached my ears.

“So-Yeomra with Poison Phoenix and Crescent Moon Sword…”

“I only heard rumors. It’s true then.”

“They say he’s a lecher… but he doesn’t seem that handsome. Why?”

“I heard he’s engaged to the Sword Dancer of the Namgung Family.”

“What…? You mean the Sword Dancer they call the Number One Beauty of Anhui?”

“And yet, he treats women like that…”

“What a piece of trash.”

“He’s trash.”

“He’s definitely trash. Probably unusable for recycling.”

…Shit.

Just hearing it gives me a headache. Why are those kinds of rumors spreading about me alone?

‘I think I handled things reasonably well?’

I had a proper match with Mr. Pungnim, and I even confirmed that rumors were subtly spreading, but… Why are the only stories about me like this?

‘Why am I even considered a lecher.’

If I had actually done something, I wouldn’t feel wronged. Damn it.

“Huh… Did he hear us?”

“Phew, what a sinister face.”

“That’s… So-Yeomra, who supposedly burned unorthodox sect members alive…”

“…”

I really hope those people know this. That I don’t just burn unorthodox sect members alive.

“Hoo…”

“Are you alright, Young Master?”

“I’m fine.”

I almost committed murder for a moment, but thankfully, I held back. I couldn’t just go around killing people on the street. Not unless it was sneakily, anyway. Gritting my teeth, I continued walking. My destination was, naturally, the Murim Alliance.

“Identity confirmed for all three of you. You may enter.”

After completing the verification process at the entrance, I took a step forward. Inside, fewer people were gathered than on the first day.

‘About half.’

More accurately, slightly less than half. There must have been those who gave up due to severe injuries over the two days, or who conceded due to lack of stamina. It wouldn’t be exactly half.

‘Will there be byes then?’

It wasn’t impossible. If the number was awkward, it was bound to happen.

Just then.

“Oh.”

Someone waved towards us from afar. It was the Fist Saint.

“Over here.”

Next to the Fist Saint was Seong-yul, looking somewhat exhausted. Seeing that, I had to chuckle.

“With the two of you here, it makes for a rather peculiar picture.”

“Hmph.”

Today marked the third preliminary round. After filtering people out in the first and second preliminary rounds. They filter again over two days. After going through that several times, the semifinals would begin.

‘We’ll fight until we’re sick of it.’

Just imagining it is tiring. I felt like I wanted to skip over it somehow.

‘While the others are probably filled with fervor.’

I guess I’m quite the oddball. Being a martial artist, yet not particularly liking matches.

As I was listlessly looking around.

“Why has someone who isn’t even participating today come here?”

The Fist Saint, casually stretching his shoulders, asked me. That’s right. I am not participating today. I heard my schedule was for tomorrow. Yet, the reason I came anyway was…

“It’s not exactly because of… Young Master Bi, but…”

Tang Soyeol and Wi Seol-ah also wanted to participate. And since that rascal Seong-yul was participating, I came to check it out. So, I came to see them both, you could say. From that perspective, I looked towards Seong-yul. Seong-yul was fidgeting like a puppy needing to relieve itself.

“Hey, why are you acting like-“

As I started to speak, I checked the direction Seong-yul was looking. Over there, several martial artists… no, disciples were gathered. My gaze focused on the robes they were wearing. White robes embroidered with patterns resembling wind currents. They were the same as the robes worn by the now-deceased Azure Sea Sword a few years ago. This meant…

‘Hmm.’

That they were figures from the Kunlun Sect, Seong-yul’s original affiliation. After observing them, I lifted my head. Towards the board where the matchups for today’s matches were listed.

“…”

As I quietly examined them one by one. A few noticeable entries caught my eye. Jin Im-seok of the Gwangju Jin Family vs. Jo Cheon of the Kunlun Sect.

‘So that’s why this mess is happening.’

Jin Im-seok was the fake identity I created for Seong-yul. And Jin Im-seok’s opponent was the Kunlun Sect. Should I call this fate, if fate exists?

‘He said nothing happened last time, but what a load of crap.’

Seong-yul’s expression was grim, so I asked if something was wrong. He played dumb, saying nothing had happened. But judging by his reaction now, something must have happened.

‘Tsk tsk.’

If he had told me beforehand, I could have done something. In any case, I didn’t like it.

‘Moreover… it seems like this isn’t just Seong-yul’s problem?’

Seong-yul is matched against a Kunlun Sect disciple. I could let that slide, but what caught my attention was an entry much further down than Seong-yul’s match. It was the Fist Saint’s opponent. Peng Zhou of the North Hebei Peng Family vs. Bi Ui-jin of the Xi’an Bi Family.

“…”

The Fist Saint’s opponent was none other than the King of Blades.