Non-Combat Tournament – Part 1

“Huff… Huff… Brother Namgoong, did you know that those who reach the pinnacle of Maehwa Sword Technique are said to have the scent of maehwa in their sweat?”

I lay on the ground, gasping for breath.

“Did you finally lose it from getting hit in the head too much? How dare you call Master by her family name so carelessly. And I’m a woman. Not a brother.”

“Ah, come on… just let it slide. I’m dying here.”

“Are you tired? Still, I acknowledge your persistence in continuing to challenge me.”

Sweat poured down like rain, soaking not only my face but my entire body.

The feeling of damp clothes sticking to my back wasn’t pleasant.

I never got used to it.

“How many times was that?”

“Well, I stopped counting after 300. And do you think it’s appropriate to ask me that? Disciple.”

Master said, seemingly displeased, while breathing evenly.

Seeing Master already sitting in a lotus position, it seemed today’s sparring was already over.

Come to think of it, we started after breakfast, and it was already past noon.

It was a limit both in terms of the promised number of rounds and my physical strength.

“Ugh… I got beaten badly again today.”

I muttered while lying down, without the strength to get up.

While traveling from Sichuan to Anhui, I sparred with Master every day.

As the number of rounds increased, the time I could endure also increased, and around this time, I made a suggestion to Master.

[Use a weapon?]

I told her to use a weapon and fight me, as I didn’t know who would appear in the martial arts tournament.

[I use fists and kicks. I don’t think it will be of much help to you.]

At Master’s strangely unconfident reaction, I wiggled my fingers and said.

[Come on, Master is better than the riffraff who will appear in the preliminaries, right? You have the basics of a martial artist, don’t you?]

By giving her such a subtle compliment, her nose was raised again, and she said, ‘Hmm, hmm… do you think so too?’ putting strength in her shoulders, that was my Master.

Anyway, after getting hit with various weapons, rolling on the ground, and vomiting, I finally arrived in Anhui.

And since today’s sparring is over, it can be said that the preparation for the martial arts tournament is over.

If I were to ask myself if there had been any dramatic changes, I wouldn’t know.

I still hadn’t achieved the ignition.

But that didn’t mean I hadn’t gained anything at all.

At least, I was confident that I wouldn’t be eliminated disgracefully in the martial arts tournament.

Yes, I think I could compete for about two rounds. Three rounds if I’m lucky?

“Inho.”

“Yes?”

As I got up, thinking about this and that, Master got up as well and spoke to me.

“Why are you learning martial arts?”

At her strangely serious face, I thought for a moment and answered.

“Do you ask because you don’t know? I’m learning because Master told me to. Ugh!”

Master’s kick directly hit my thigh.

My leg buckled, and I fell to the ground again.

“Don’t play with words.”

At Master’s somewhat subdued voice, I thought quietly.

That’s right? Why am I learning? If I was going to follow Master, I should have volunteered to be a servant.

Why am I learning martial arts to the death, something that’s not even in my destiny?

“I don’t know…”

“Even you, with your empty head, must have at least some thoughts.”

Seriously. The way she talks.

“It’s fun.”

“Fun?”

Master frowned.

Yes, it’s a simple reason.

“Learning martial arts is fun. I’ve had a life with no connection to martial arts, but since I started learning, I’ve become greedy to do well.”

“……”

Master stared at me and then let out a hollow laugh.

“Huh, martial arts is fun… you’re a strange one.”

“Isn’t learning martial arts fun for Master?”

I asked back.

“Well, martial arts was a necessity for me, not a choice, so I’ve never thought about it.”

Tilting her head, Master looked at a distant hill.

It is said that Anhui is beyond that hill.

“Well, that could be the case. It would be even more so for the Namgoong family.”

“No, the Namgoong family rather tried to take martial arts away from me.”

“Why?”

At my question, Master gave a bitter smile.

“Because I had no talent.”

What is she saying? The Heavenly Demon who will make the world tremble in fear in the future has no talent? That’s a novel bullshit.

“That’s nonsense. How can Master have no talent? You have more than enough.”

“Huh, you’re the only one who says I have talent. My Master also said that I didn’t have much talent in martial arts.”

“Well, Grand Master must have been mistaken.”

“Hehe… thank you for the kind words, even if they are just words. Anyway, I didn’t stand out much in the Namgoong family. Besides, I was from a collateral line, so how would I have been treated?”

“I don’t know much about the affairs of prestigious families…”

“My father proposed a political marriage to me. He always said that if I couldn’t become a great martial artist, I should get married and help the family.”

“But Master is still…”

As I trailed off, Master laughed.

“Isn’t it funny? It was when I was even younger than now. It’s like forcing a political marriage on a child…”

Master turned her head and covered her face.

“Still, how did you become a disciple of Yomryun Skill?”

“It was heavenly luck. If my Master, who was visiting the family for a while, hadn’t chosen me, I would have gotten married as it was.”

Master shook her head, as if she didn’t want to remember it again.

“That’s why Yomryun Skill is precious to me. Master helped me to remain a martial artist, so I must live up to that expectation.”

There would be no room for ‘the fun of learning martial arts’ to squeeze into someone so full of such determination.

“So, I will surely win the martial arts tournament this time.”

I could feel a strong obsession in Master’s words.

“Master will definitely do well. I guarantee it.”

To lighten the subdued atmosphere, I tried to speak in a seemingly cheerful voice.

“Hmph, what use is your guarantee?”

It’s a relief that I think I can see a slight relief on Master’s face as she scoffed.

Master and I arrived in Anhui, and Grand Master, who had left earlier with the horses, greeted us.

“You’re a little late.”

Perhaps because we arrived later than expected, Grand Master had a stern expression.

“I was exhausted in the middle. I’m sorry, Grand Master.”

Before Master could say anything, I stepped forward and bowed my head.

“Well, it can happen.”

At my action, Grand Master didn’t say anything else and turned around.

Master and I followed Grand Master and headed to the inn provided by the Martial Arts Alliance.

The unexpected encounter took place at the entrance of the inn.

“Yeomjin…”

A man with a cold impression frowned upon seeing Grand Master.

No matter how I looked at it, it didn’t feel like a welcome.

Behind the man, there was a woman with bluish hair, standing demurely.

“Oh, who is this? Isn’t it Ice Sword?”

Undeterred by the man’s reaction, Grand Master laughed cheerfully.

“Did you come because of the martial arts tournament?”

At the man called Ice Sword’s words, Grand Master nodded.

“It’s the easiest way to check my disciple’s achievements. Don’t you have the same purpose?”

Yeomjin turned his gaze to Cheong-yeon and said.

“……”

Cheong-yeon, who received Yeomjin’s gaze, did not avoid his eyes and faced him.

“I can feel that you’ve grown more than when I saw you last time. You’d be a match for our Soyou.”

Yeomjin said, scanning Cheong-yeon.

“You’re saying strange things. It’s truly arrogant to say that as if she’s going to be your disciple’s rival, Yeomjin.”

I could feel sparks flying between the man and Grand Master.

And, Master and the blue-haired woman were also exchanging sharp glances.

What is going on?

“Soyou… long time no see.”

The woman spoke to Master first.

“…It’s been a while, Cheong-yeon.”

The woman’s eyes, who received Master’s greeting, lingered on me.

“But, who are you?”

At the woman’s question, is it just my imagination that Master’s eyes trembled slightly?