Chapter 798: If you say one more word.

Chulgeok-.

On the martial arts stage, which had yet to be cleared, a man placed his hand over his sword.

A single sword was tied at his waist.

It was the man’s cherished weapon, a treasure called Eun-a-jeol-geom (恩娥晢劍), a famous sword crafted by the Tang family in the past.

If one were to draw a sword as beautiful as its name, it was a blade counted among the best.

The swordsmanship of the warrior wielding that sword was no less beautiful, earning him considerable fame.

Seureureung-!

Eun-a-jeol-geom slid out of its scabbard, its lovely blade revealed to the world.

“…Oh…”

“Wow…”

As if his fame wasn’t a lie, the onlookers expressed their admiration.

And what about his aura?

“…So this is the Alliance Leader?”

Yeoltu-jeon-geom, who had descended below the martial arts stage unnoticed, let out a low murmur.

The killing intent of the swordsman who drew his sword dominated the surroundings.

The arrogance, felt subtly depending on one’s level, instantly turned into humility.

Concealing his cold sweat, Yeoltu-jeon-geom looked at the man holding the sword.

‘He’s a master.’

Even though my own skills weren’t ones to be intimidated anywhere, seeing the opponent made even that meaningless.

One of the swordsmen leading the main force of the Martial Alliance.

The anti-demon combat unit.

The leader of the Iron Dragon Unit. Eun-rang-geom.

As he drew his sword, the surroundings fell silent.

The Hundred Great Masters of the Central Plains.

It’s a position one could only enter after reaching a certain level, even after ascending to the ‘Hwa-gyeong’ realm, known as the supreme state.

The leaders of the orthodox sects were all included among the Hundred Great Masters, except for the deceased leader of the Wind Dragon Unit.

This was also true for Eun-rang-geom.

The Hundred Great Masters are often described as the dream martial artists aspire to.

Martial artists who reach that place gain absolute standing, making it a position everyone desires.

Furthermore.

“…Whoa… his aura…”

“It’s so sharp…!”

Ultimately, that position is something one can only obtain with skill.

Eun-rang-geom on the martial arts stage was clearly demonstrating this.

That he was the leader of the Iron Dragon Unit and a master who had reached the Hwa-gyeong realm.

Gwoooowoooo—!!!

The chilling killing intent displayed by a master-level warrior.

It swallowed the entire, by no means small, martial arts stage.

The air sank heavily, causing those nearby to frown.

Because a suffocating tightness gripped their entire bodies.

Watching this, Yeoltu-jeon-geom swallowed dryly.

‘…Is this really okay.’

Is this situation truly alright?

Yeoltu-jeon-geom looked somewhere with trembling eyes.

The area where the broken tables near the judging stand, placed just before, had been cleared, leaving only a lone chair.

A young man, sitting quietly and watching the martial arts stage, could be seen.

‘Star King….’

Star King Gu Yangcheon.

Yeoltu-jeon-geom thought, looking at the person who orchestrated this situation.

‘Do you truly have some intention behind this?’

Naturally, it was an inner thought that wouldn’t receive an answer.

---

Uwoooong.

Seueueueue—!

The lingering, howling sword’s name and the spreading energy.

The master of the energy within the rough vortex they created by mixing, Eun-rang-geom, slowly opened his eyes.

“…Hmph.”

His light exhale clearly showed his discomfort.

That’s right. Eun-rang-geom was quite displeased with this situation.

‘This is truly irritating.’

Being on the martial arts stage under so many gazes.

Drawing his cherished weapon, which he would never normally draw if possible.

Let alone his opponent, whom he had specifically drawn his sword to face.

He didn’t like anything about it.

He looked straight ahead with eyes layered with such discomfort.

A woman stood before him.

With silver-white hair, blue eyes, and dressed in navy-blue attire, she was an incredible beauty.

Her appearance was such that even Eun-rang-geom, who had been through thick and thin, couldn’t help but keep glancing at her.

Her alias was Sword Dancer, a rising talent who appeared at the friendly martial arts festival a few years ago and showed great promise.

They said she was nicknamed Sword Dancer because her swordplay resembled a dance, and her appearance was exceptionally outstanding.

Recalling that, Eun-rang-geom nodded.

‘Indeed.’

I thought it wasn’t an alias an ordinary rising talent would have, but seeing her, my opinion changed.

‘She’s strong.’

I could tell immediately.

That the woman before him was considerably strong, even in Eun-rang-geom’s eyes.

She was too strong to be called just a rising talent.

Perhaps.

‘I might be looking at the Sword Empress of the next generation.’

I can tell without clashing swords.

A strong candidate for the Sword Empress who would lead the era after Maehwa Sword Empress.

In Eun-rang-geom’s view, Sword Dancer was worth that much.

It’s truly absurd.

‘They called it the generation of shooting stars.’

The Divine Dragon, and Crescent Moon Sword, said to be the successor of the Sword Master.

They are all far too exceptional to be called mere rising talents.

‘And among them, the most bizarre existence is…’

Eun-rang-geom turned his head to look beside him.

There sat the very person who created this ridiculous situation. The true monster called the representative of the generation of shooting stars.

‘Star King.’

Master of the stars…

The young man confirmed to be the greatest existence among the pouring geniuses.

Star King Gu Yangcheon.

He was looking at me.

Kkeudeuk-!

At the gaze, Eun-rang-geom gritted his teeth.

I didn’t like the way he looked at me with interest from the start.

Even generously speaking, he’s the age of Eun-rang-geom’s child.

He’s just a young brat.

Even among the rising talents called the generation of shooting stars, he’s on the younger side.

‘What a monster….’

Looking at such a guy, Eun-rang-geom shuddered.

The youngest king. That doesn’t matter.

Many doubted Star King’s skills, and Eun-rang-geom himself couldn’t fully believe them either.

However, he wasn’t the type to just barge in saying he couldn’t believe it, like the Twin Illusion Swords.

It wasn’t just anything; they said he thrashed the Sword King (刀王) like catching a rat.

This was the fact passed down amidst hundreds of people. Hearing this, Eun-rang-geom could recall.

‘If it were me.’

If it were myself.

Could I have thrashed the Sword King like catching a rat?

‘…’

Eun-rang-geom shook his head inwardly.

I have confidence in victory.

Eun-rang-geom was confident he could defeat the Sword King.

However, discussing a perfect victory was ambiguous.

This wasn’t just Eun-rang-geom.

Even including all the leaders, only two people could overwhelmingly defeat the Sword King.

The Guardian Unit Leader, Sword Emperor, and…

The Azure Dragon Unit Leader, Il-cheong Sword.

It should have been something only those two could accomplish.

‘But Star King did it.’

That means…

‘Star King is at least at the level of Il-cheong Sword, right?’

It was unbelievable.

That brat is at the level of Il-cheong Sword, who is said to be close to becoming one of the top ten masters?

It was truly nonsensical.

‘…’

Nevertheless, Eun-rang-geom didn’t offer any further denial.

Reality was like that.

No matter how much I denied it, reality was just like that.

Eun-rang-geom scrutinized Star King, frowning.

The guy looking this way, resting his chin on his hand.

Even trying to gauge his energy, I couldn’t properly perceive it.

This means he’s at least on par with me.

‘Damn it.’

Feeling this, Eun-rang-geom frowned.

Not only did some unknown brat appear and suddenly take a leader’s seat, but he was also looking down on them and provoking them. From Eun-rang-geom’s perspective, anger simply boiled up.

It was like that now.

‘To think I have to do this pointless thing.’

I’m drawing my sword and unleashing my aura, but it truly feels wrong.

Furthermore, it was even laughable.

“Hoo…”

That I…

Iron Dragon Unit Leader Eun-rang-geom.

Am being played by that brat’s games and drew my sword.

-Let’s make a bet.

Star King said to Eun-rang-geom with a smile. Let’s make a bet.

He said that if Eun-rang-geom won the bet, he would give him the Seong-ryong Unit.

And on top of that.

‘Did he say he’d lick my feet?’

It was utterly sordid, yet also a tempting offer.

That’s why.

-…I suppose I’ll hear you out.

I’ll hear out what kind of bet it is.

Eun-rang-geom said so without realizing it.

-Oh? Really?

Star King smiled as if he had been waiting.

-Then, please spar with that person.

-What?

He said this, gesturing towards the martial arts stage.

Eun-rang-geom followed his gesture, looked at the position, and had to frown.

-Wait, are you talking about Yeoltu-jeon-geom…?

Yeoltu-jeon-geom. One of the famous swordsmen, a master expected to reach the Hwa-gyeong realm soon.

Was he asking me to spar with him? As Eun-rang-geom looked at Star King with a strange expression,

-Huh? No. The person next to him.

-…If you mean next to him…

Surely not.

-…Are you referring to Sword Dancer?

-Yes.

Star King said that. Spar with Sword Dancer.

Hearing that, Eun-rang-geom’s face crumpled completely.

-Star King, are you sane?

-Why? Do you dislike it?

-This is a humiliation directed at me.

To spar with a rising talent next to him, not even Yeoltu-jeon-geom.

Let alone the Divine Dragon, confirmed to have reached Hwa-gyeong, or the successor of the Sword Master, who is highly anticipated.

To be told to fight Sword Dancer, neither of them.

This is something that couldn’t happen without him ignoring me.

Just as Eun-rang-geom was about to speak to Star King with a face showing he felt insulted,

-So? Do you not want to do it? Then don’t.

-Star King.

-If you don’t want to, you don’t have to. Am I forcing you to fight? I just want to show you.

Star King pointed at Sword Dancer with a firm expression.

-That your ignorant assumption that she isn’t up to standard is wrong. I’m staking my pride to show you that.

-‘…Hah.’

Only then could Eun-rang-geom understand.

That Star King had created this situation because of what he had said.

-If you dislike that, then quit. Quit, and just shut your mouth and sit there quietly.

-….

Hearing his words, Eun-rang-geom spoke to him, his eyes slightly unfocused.

-You’ll regret that.

-I’ll handle that myself.

-…I heard that woman is your fiancée. And yet you intend to force this?

-You say a lot. So, are you going to do it or not?

-….

A moment of silence passed.

Countless thoughts crossed his mind, but ultimately, what remained for Eun-rang-geom was Star King’s mention of giving him the Seong-ryong Unit.

He didn’t really expect to obtain the Seong-ryong Unit.

However.

‘It’s enough to serve as some justification.’

Star King’s words, and the situation that unfolded.

The outcome to be gained from it.

No matter how I looked at it, there was no loss. As long as I won the bet.

-…When you say spar, surely it’s not just about winning. What is the method?

-Do as you please.

-Huh?

Do as I please?

-So, does it mean I just need to win the spar?

-That’s up to you, senior.

-….

What on earth could be his intention?

Could he really think Sword Dancer can win?

If so, perhaps Star King mistakes himself for a monster and assumes others are too.

It doesn’t matter.

The more the opponent is consumed by arrogance, the better.

It’s just…

There was one thing I hadn’t asked yet.

-Star King.

-Yes.

-I’ve heard everything. Then, conversely, what do I lose if I lose the bet?

As it’s a bet, there must be something for both sides to lose.

If Star King offered something like that, I must also have something to lose. He asked, recalling that.

-Ah. That. Yes, that.

Hearing this, Star King said with a smile.

“…”

Hearing that, Eun-rang-geom made his choice.

This was the result of that choice.

“Young lady.”

“…?”

At the call, Namgung Bi-ah looked up and glanced at Eun-rang-geom.

What beautiful eyes. Such a thought naturally crossed my mind.

“I don’t particularly hold any ill will towards you, young lady. Especially since I have a connection with your father.”

Sword Dancer’s father was the Sword King of the Namgung family.

It wasn’t a deep connection, but Eun-rang-geom knew him.

“So, perhaps even now-.”

Seureung-!

“…!”

At the sound, Eun-rang-geom’s eyes widened.

He could stop even now.

To his words spoken with concern, Namgung Bi-ah responded by drawing her sword.

Seeing that, Eun-rang-geom asked.

“Do you truly intend to spar with me…?”

“…”

“…Setting Star King aside. Do you also believe you have a chance against me?”

Sword Dancer is strong.

As I said earlier, it was a level Eun-rang-geom could discern.

However, being strong doesn’t mean she’s stronger than me.

Eun-rang-geom could grasp Sword Dancer’s level all too well.

An astonishing level, but that’s where it ends.

She was still far from reaching me. That was Eun-rang-geom’s judgment.

“I wonder what this is truly all about….”

In such a situation, was a pair of man and woman both ignoring me?

Ppudeudeuk-!!

Eun-rang-geom clenched his fists fiercely.

“Fine.”

Yes, let’s see what you’ve got.

I don’t know what Star King wanted to show, but having come this far, I can’t back down.

Now that it’s come to this, I’ll just show them too.

Giiing.

Eun-a-jeol-geom let out a low sword’s name.

“Before the spar, I shall grant you three breaths.”

“…”

“Come.”

A courtesy of three breaths.

Eun-rang-geom said, lowering his aura. At his words, everyone’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

Exactly three breaths.

Eun-rang-geom intended to yield for three breaths and deliver a blow on the fourth move.

Thinking he would end this ridiculous spar like that, just then.

“Three breaths?”

Namgung Bi-ah tilted her head and said.

“Yes. Three…”

Hwiik-!

Suddenly, Namgung Bi-ah began to swing her sword.

That was once.

Swiik-!

Then twice.

Swiik-!

And thrice.

Having swung her sword a total of three times, Namgung Bi-ah looked at Eun-rang-geom with her characteristic expression.

“Three breaths.”

At her calmly spoken words, the onlookers all covered their mouths.

“…Th-!”

Kkeudeuk.

In an instant, Eun-rang-geom’s face turned red.

His anger surged, and he immediately let out a loud shout, but.

“Even when you try to show consideration, you ignore someone like this-!”

Tuk.

“…!? “

Even Eun-rang-geom’s outburst didn’t last long.

A cool sensation touched his neck.

The sword’s edge was touching his skin.

“Consideration?”

At the voice, Eun-rang-geom lowered his head.

The voice, which had been somewhat distant until moments ago, was now heard right before his nose.

A faint floral scent could be felt.

Her silk-like silver-white hair swayed.

At the same time.

“…Who…?”

Namgung Bi-ah whispered to Eun-rang-geom.