Chapter 729: Falling Dragon (Falling Dragon)

There’s nothing I can say about the sight of him coming over with that bright smile.

And the bruises… I don’t know why they were there, but there were quite a lot.

There weren’t any major injuries, but if you counted the minor ones, his condition was extremely bad.

Bongsoon was proving with her body just how tough the martial arts match had been.

‘Even though she lost, though.’

I clutched my throbbing forehead.

She lost.

Bongsoon had ultimately been defeated by Geomryong.

“Heeheehee!”

I had to endure my headache watching Bongsoon laugh as if she’d had fun.

Naturally, I had watched all the matches, and I knew the reason for her defeat.

‘This wasn’t much different from Seongyul either…’

A difference in skill level.

This was something that was evident even in the match between Peng Woojin and Seongyul.

However, it wasn’t an overwhelming difference in power like those two.

It was a level close to being almost equal.

‘The circumstances were a big problem.’

There was something I had asked Bongsoon before the match.

I asked her if she could win against Yeongpung, looking at Yeongpung.

Bongsoon had answered.

‘If it were a martial arts match, I don’t know, but…’

‘If it were a fight to the death, I’d win.’

Bongsoon had said so confidently.

Also, my thoughts weren’t any different on that point.

A fight where the intent is to kill.

In that process, Bongsoon would be stronger than Yeongpung.

Yeongpung is closer to being an orthodox disciple who hasn’t fully matured.

How much real combat experience could he possibly have?

But Bongsoon is different.

‘…She’s just like a wild beast.’

She doesn’t hesitate to kill, and she doesn’t shy away from any means or methods.

If it had been a fight to the death, even in my eyes, Bongsoon would have had a high probability of winning.

Of course.

‘That wasn’t a certainty either, though.’

Yeongpung’s performance in the match was beyond imagination.

‘The plum blossoms have become much deeper.’

The sword dance she usually performed had become sharper and more refined.

The sword intent Yeongpung harbored had become more profound.

‘Looks like she really did train properly.’

You could tell just by looking at her muscles.

Yeongpung’s body, strengthened through arduous training, looked unbelievably solid.

‘…If you’re going to build a foundation, this is how you should do it.’

Even if the rise in her level was slow, she was faithful to the basics above all else.

Perhaps if Yeongpung reaches the peak state, her efforts up to now would be a significant advantage.

Furthermore, whether I know it or not, if things continue like this, Yeongpung has a high probability of becoming the Sword King of the next generation.

There’s that guy Woohyeok too… but in terms of swordsmanship, Yeongpung seems to have improved more.

‘Well, that’s beside the point…’

I didn’t expect Bongsoon to lose here.

I had considered the possibility of her losing, but the disappointment was unavoidable.

‘As expected. Was the problem that she couldn’t use her artifact?’

It was the keepsake of the previous Sword Empress that Bongsoon used.

The use of artifacts was prohibited in this martial arts tournament, so she couldn’t bring it. Perhaps because her beloved weapon was gone, Bongsoon couldn’t show her full strength.

However.

‘It’s the same for Yeongpung.’

She probably couldn’t use her beloved weapon either.

And for good reason.

‘Yeongpung must have an artifact core too.’

For some reason, two artifact cores remained.

Yeongpung must possess the artifact core that Hwasan retrieved from Mudang.

‘Yeongpung also couldn’t reveal her artifact core in the match.’

It’s true that both had issues due to the situation.

And it’s also true that Bongsoon lost as a result.

‘Tsk.’

It meant it was time to accept defeat.

‘If it comes to this… I’ll have to go with the second plan.’

There were two plans prepared related to Bongsoon.

The second plan was the one I had considered in case she lost the match.

‘I’ll have to send word to Guild Leader Hwangbo later.’

I had to quickly assess the situation and deal with it.

Just after concluding that and letting out a sigh.

“…So.”

I pushed the bruised Bongsoon aside and turned around.

“What business do you have?”

Because someone had come looking for me.

“…”

At my words, the guy behind me flinched.

A shaved head, a handsome face. And a youth with familiar golden eyes.

It was Yu Yeon, the youth called the hope of Shaolin.

“Who are you?”

As I asked with a frown, Yu Yeon spoke to me with an awkward expression.

“…I came to pay my respects.”

“Respects?”

I tilted my head at Yu Yeon’s words.

“What kind of respects?”

Aren’t we not the kind of people who exchange pleasantries?

Such a question arose.

However.

“Have you been well? Patron.”

Yu Yeon, though seeming uncomfortable, offered his respects first.

I watched him calmly and nodded.

“Yeah. Have you been well too?”

“Yes, I have.”

“No, you don’t look like you have.”

“…”

At my words, Yu Yeon let out a dry cough.

He must have realized what I meant.

Yu Yeon was currently wearing bandages around his chest.

It seemed the wounds from his fight with Wi Seol-ah hadn’t fully healed.

‘The wounds were deep back then.’

It wasn’t a fatal wound, but it wasn’t the kind that would heal in a few days.

For anyone else, it was the kind of level that might cause them to forfeit the next match due to the strain.

Despite suffering such wounds, Yu Yeon had come to the martial arts arena again today.

‘Is that truly his own will, or someone else’s?’

Even if Shaolin was much more corrupt than I expected, I doubt they would push an injured disciple to the martial arts arena, but…

‘You never know.’

“Can you fight in that state?”

As I asked, tilting my head, Yu Yeon slightly bit his lip.

“…I can.”

“Hmm.”

He looks like he might die like that.

I didn’t say that.

What would be the point of me worrying about that guy?

Holding back my words, I looked around.

The gazes were intense; most people were already looking at the Divine Dragon.

‘The impact he showed last time was quite something.’

Overwhelming power that couldn’t be seen as belonging to a late-stage disciple.

The Divine Dragon had already become a figure who held much meaning for others.

That could be caution.

Or it could be admiration.

Whatever it was, it meant his position had risen too high to be called a late-stage disciple.

Because of that, the interest of many people was now focused on just one thing.

‘If the Twin Dragons fought the Divine Dragon, who would win?’

The Twin Dragons who crushed the King of Blades.

The Divine Dragon who introduced himself to the world.

If those two clashed, who would win?

It was something many people were curious about, but it became an impossible story when the Twin Dragons forfeited.

Therefore, there were also those who, with regret, were curious about the King of Blades and the Divine Dragon.

The funny thing there is.

‘The public opinion leaning towards a 50/50 chance is significant.’

Half believed the Divine Dragon would win.

And half believed the King of Blades would win.

That was the current public opinion.

What a pathetic situation this is.

‘To think the King of Blades’ reputation has fallen that far.’

It’s laughable that a martial artist of the King rank is being compared to a mere late-stage disciple. How absurd is it that they see the odds as 50/50?

‘That guy must be shedding tears of blood right now.’

It wouldn’t just be tears.

He’d probably be smashing everything around him out of sheer anger.

This was all a situation created by the Venerable Conqueror.

‘Tsk,’

That damn old man.

Because that fellow caused trouble, things got a bit messed up.

‘…Thanks to that, talk about the relationship between the Demonic Cult and the Venerable Conqueror has decreased a bit, but…’

It’s still a headache, nonetheless.

Holding back a sigh that threatened to escape, I looked back at Yu Yeon.

“So. What is it you want?”

“…”

He wouldn’t have come all this way just to pay respects.

As I said earlier, we weren’t the kind of people to exchange pleasantries.

To my question, Yu Yeon couldn’t utter any words.

More accurately, he was stammering, unable to speak.

He kept opening and closing his lips, as if hesitating about something.

Just as I was about to get annoyed by his frustrating demeanor.

“Oh! It’s that person from back then!”

The bruised Bongsoon suddenly stepped forward.

“Baldy! Shiny shiny!”

“…What, punk?”

“Can I touch you again this time?”

At the words spoken with such excitement, my eyes widened.

What is that crazy bitch saying?

“Touch what… Wait. ‘Again this time’? What do you mean by that?”

Does ‘again this time’ mean she’s touched him before?

“Yeah! I touched him last time! He’s super squeaky clean. Leader… ah, no, Young Master, do you want to touch him too?”

I said it half-jokingly, but Bongsoon spoke with sparkling eyes, as if she had seen a jewel.

This is driving me crazy.

‘Even so, this would definitely piss him off.’

So I looked at Yu Yeon with an awkward expression.

But.

“…Uh… um… uh….”

Contrary to my expectations, Yu Yeon was sputtering as if he had broken down.

Why is that bastard acting like that again?

His face and ears turned bright red; his condition was clearly not good.

“…”

Seeing that, I thought.

…No way.

“Hey.”

“…Y-yes?”

Yu Yeon flinched at my call.

Seeing that, I asked.

“Are you crushing on her?”

“…!”

Yu Yeon was startled by my question.

Look at this bastard…?

“No way, really….”

“Oh. What’s this, what’s this?”

As I was about to say it with disgust, Bongsoon chimed in this time.

I had a bad feeling.

“Do you want to mate with me- Gyaak!”

As expected, she was about to spout nonsense, so I smacked her on the head.

“Oww, it hurts…!!”

“…Please. Please just shut up and get lost in the corner…”

I couldn’t stand the sheer embarrassment.

I kicked Bongsoon towards Tang Soyeol.

It meant to take her away.

Bongsoon, kicked in the rear, disappeared with a silly grin.

After sending off all the baggage, I was finally left alone with Yu Yeon.

“…Hoo…”

Suppressing my rising anger, I wiped my face.

I was so embarrassed I couldn’t even lift my head.

“C-cough…”

Yu Yeon seemed to be in the same boat, as he suddenly let out a dry cough.

And then.

“It’s not like that.”

He suddenly started to explain.

“…Not like what?”

“I mean… I don’t… have feelings for her… or anything like that. I follow the Buddha’s teachings and don’t harbor such dark desires towards the opposite sex…”

“No, you don’t have to explain. I’m not interested.”

“…Yes? Ah. I see…”

“Aren’t monks guys? It’s natural to like women. She might be crazy, but she’s decent-looking. It’s perfectly possible.”

“N-no! I clearly said it’s not like that…!!”

“Enough. So why did you come? If you have no business, disappear so I can rest.”

I cut to the chase, wanting to get to the point quickly.

At my words, Yu Yeon paused for a moment, then his expression changed.

As expected. It seemed he did have a reason for coming.

What could it be? Why on earth did he come to see me like this?

Just as that curiosity arose.

“…I have one request.”

Yu Yeon finally spoke the words he had been holding back.

“Soon, I will have a martial arts match with you, Patron.”

“That’s right.”

The match bracket was arranged that way.

But why is he bringing this up?

“…At that time…”

“At that time?”

“…Please, Patron, fight me properly.”

“Hmm?”

Hearing that, I looked at Yu Yeon, surprised.

What is this guy saying right now?

“…What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

“I came to ask that you put your all into the match, Patron.”

“Hmm.”

Is a match a joke? I was always serious.

I was about to say that, but looking into Yu Yeon’s eyes, I closed my mouth for a moment.

This guy was serious.

His intensely determined eyes were filled with an unknown fervor.

Seeing that, I clicked my tongue and scratched the back of my neck.

It was the kind of look that made me reluctant to give a casual answer.

“…Hey.”

So this time, I dropped the playful tone.

“Yes.”

“Then you’ll die.”

“…!”

Yu Yeon’s shoulders trembled at my response.

“If your body were fine, maybe. But what kind of bullshit declaration of war is that in your condition? Are you crazy?”

“…This much doesn’t bother me. I can do it sufficiently.”

“What are you talking about, you fucking bald scrub?”

“….”

Was it because the words were harsh? Yu Yeon’s expression hardened.

Even seeing that, my mouth didn’t stop.

“That’s not something that can be done just by asking. It depends on your actions.”

“…Depends on my actions means…”

“Make me fight you properly. Then I’ll do as you wish.”

“…”

I don’t know why Yu Yeon suddenly made such a request, but at least he seemed sincere, so I answered him properly.

If you want to see sincerity, act in a way that allows me to show it.

That was what I meant.

As if he understood the meaning, Yu Yeon’s eyes held even more fervor.

“I understand. I will show you as you said, Patron.”

Woong.

‘Hmm.’

Along with his words, a feeling brushed past my heart.

My fighting spirit reacted to Yu Yeon’s state of mind.

“Today. I will defeat you, Patron.”

I chuckled at Yu Yeon’s words.

“Then let’s see if you can.”

“…”

No further words were heard.

Yu Yeon bowed respectfully, and as soon as he finished his greeting, he turned and walked away.

What’s with that guy? Did he really come just to say this?

To properly fight him if they had a match?

‘Did that bald monk eat too many dumplings and go crazy?’

It reached the point where I couldn’t help but think that.

And that wasn’t the only strange thing.

‘What is it?’

I thought, watching Yu Yeon’s retreating back.

There was something subtly bothering me.

Honestly, it wasn’t much.

It was purely instinct.

There was no reason, no justification for it.

If I had thought of it normally, I would have dismissed it as nonsense.

Unable to hold back, I called out to the receding Yu Yeon.

“By any chance…”

At my voice, Yu Yeon stopped walking.

“The match bracket being set up like this. Was that your doing?”

“…”

Yu Yeon remained silent upon hearing my question.

For a few seconds. Yu Yeon, who had been quiet, replied.

“I don’t know what you mean.”

He answered without turning his head and continued walking.

Yu Yeon grew further away.

Watching him, I became certain.

“Haha. Look at this.”

It seems.

“It was that guy’s doing?”

It seemed so.