The Yong Bong Gihwa unfolded just as I had predicted.
‘The Sichuan Tang Clan and Namgung Clan with their own unique powers…’
These were the powerful families depicted in the original [King of Diamond Fist]. Originally, they were meant to stand against Bi Wol, the Heavenly Demon, alongside Kim Hyul, fighting together.
Although circumstances have changed now, their presence was evident even in the past War of Good and Evil.
– What is martial power (武), and what is chivalry (俠)!
The Martial Alliance and the Sado Clan fought against each other to determine who the true masters of the martial world were. I was classified as part of the ‘sapa’ (evil faction) because I fought for the weak, like wandering warriors and the sick.
– Why would someone like you be considered ‘sapa’? Isn’t your heart closer to the righteous path?
I tried hard to minimize the deaths during that event.
I bowed my head to Shin Ui countless times, pleading for days, collecting various elixirs from the Secret Vault to prepare to heal people.
I never expected that what had only been written about in the past would actually happen.
– Oh my, Bing Yeon, was it? The way you act makes a lot of things look different.
Ultimately, I managed to wrap up the War of Good and Evil as smoothly as possible, and for surviving that battlefield, I earned the nickname Bing Ryong (Ice Dragon).
Seeing that even a ‘sapa’ like me could participate in the Yong Bong Gihwa hosted by the current Martial Alliance leader, it was clear that they had shifted towards acknowledging each other’s existence.
“Master, Bi Wol returns with victory…!”
As if to show that change visually, I heard the quick do do do of Bi Wol’s footsteps getting closer. With her arms wide open and a bright smile, I found myself unable to keep my gaze steady and shifted my eyes to the ground.
“…Good job.”
“Why aren’t you hugging me?”
I blocked Bi Wol, who was approaching, with my forehead pressed down, and she pouted in dissatisfaction at my response.
“Aren’t you too old for that now?”
A grown martial artist who had reached the point of attending the Yong Bong Gihwa, Bi Wol, who should have been revered as the Heavenly Demon and the leader of the Demon Sect, was just a pure person clinging to me.
“Then, can you at least accept my feelings?”
Bi Wol flashed a mischievous smile and rubbed her face in my direction, seemingly demanding that I acknowledge her efforts after consistently bringing back victories from the Yong Bong Gihwa.
“…Do you know what the term ‘Gishemyeoljo’ means?”
I recited to her the principles that prevented me from accepting Bi Wol’s affections for three significant reasons.
“Isn’t it a disgrace or deception to insult your own master or founder?”
“Yes, this also applies when a student engages in an unhealthy relationship with their teacher. How can one call a beast that knows not of virtue and propriety human?”
First, such perspectives existed in society. In this martial world, it was regarded as a grave sin for disciples under the same sect to marry or engage in inappropriate relationships, surpassing even betrayal or collusion with another faction.
If caught doing such things, immediate punishment was to sever the dantian and make one a cripple.
“…Wouldn’t it be fine if I stopped being your disciple then?”
Bi Wol paused at my words, contemplating for a moment before throwing out a surprisingly sharp retort that seemed out of character for her.
“Are you saying you want to leave the sect?”
“Yes, if that is the only way I can dedicate my love to you, then indeed.”
With a sly grin, Bi Wol appeared to flaunt that I was well within her palm. I felt a slight chill run down my spine in response to her smile.
“We are ‘sapa’ under the Sado Clan. There’s no need to cling to matters deemed trivial by the world!”
She slightly loosened her previous composure, and as I directed my gaze to the ground, she even managed to smile mischievously.
“Moreover, however much the pathetic men of the righteous side shout about virtue, can it compare to your benevolence, Master?”
Confidence radiated from Bi Wol’s face. As she said, within her sect, I was the only one healing the sick and unfortunate.
There were places as poor as beggars, but no sect was so obsessed with saving people.
So much so that even Shin Ui would call me a madman.
“However, I am a dying man. The chances of me not making it through this year are quite high.”
Second, I was living a life on borrowed time, where even the slightest use of my energy twisted my meridians. My condition made it so that I wouldn’t live long due to the Nine Pulse Meridians accumulating cold energy throughout my body.
Reaching 20 years alive could be considered a miracle.
“So you’re participating in this martial arts tournament to seek the Eternal Extreme Elixir?”
“Yes, that could be the only solution.”
“The connection with the Outsider might not be easily resolved. No matter how rich the elixir’s efficacy is in extreme energy, it’s no guarantee.”
I shook my head, trying to temper Bi Wol’s expectations lightly. It was my last hope after all, but what if I used it and still didn’t heal?
Bi Wol might go on a rampage, searching the martial world to save me, even resorting to killing. Her gaze was razor-sharp, focused on securing her victory.
“One day, I will surely find a way. Unlike in the past, you now have junior sisters who share the same goal.”
As Bi Wol said this, she glanced around, and Azazel and Verdandi nodded in response, as if agreeing.
“Exactly! If we join forces, that would be no problem at all!”
“It’s annoying, but if you die, I feel that little bastard will come to bother me.”
From the very beginning, Azazel’s attitude had grown unnaturally soft. I swallowed nervously, wondering what had caused that change as I observed her.
Seeing them ignite their ambitions, like final bosses from the original story, my heart grew increasingly anxious.
“I raised you like my own daughter. I have never looked at you with a sexual gaze…”
The third reason was that Bi Wol and her fellow disciples were like daughters to me, created alongside Seolhwa. As long as she lived in this world, an unhealthy relationship between parent and child should never happen.
“I know. That’s why I long for you even more.”
Bi Wol chuckled softly, teasingly brushing my chin. She once mentioned that she liked how my gaze was different from the lewd looks other men gave her.
“When you taught me martial arts, not once did you glance at this ample chest.”
“That was only natural.”
The beginning and end of martial arts were rooted in maintaining proper form. A slight angle or shift in energy could lose its sharpness.
“In life-or-death situations, even a moment’s negligence can determine victory or defeat.”
“Hm, I thought you were asexual, but it seems that’s not the case? Your words are truly captivating.”
“……”
After resolving the issue with the demon, Bi Wol began to approach me as if she had forgotten how to gauge distance with an opponent. Was that good or bad? I was relieved that the future where I would be engulfed by the power of the Heavenly Demon Star would disappear.
“…Where did you learn to say such things?”
“I learned it from Sister Azazel.”
Bi Wol stuck out her tongue and giggled as if trying to tease me. The bothersome gesture of wanting me to understand her feelings was indeed something Azazel would excel at.
Beeep─.
I immediately turned to the side, and just like Bi Wol, Azazel was sticking her tongue out with the same expression.
*
After passing that comical episode, I gathered my remaining disciples to discuss the upcoming matches.
“The Namgung Clan is renowned for its fast and heavy sword techniques thanks to their Light and Heavy Sword. Think of those quick and powerful strikes, but it should be easy to handle if you consider deflecting with your wrist.”
Unlike the Infinite Sword Techniques that reach a state of the Intangible Sword, it isn’t a situation where swords clash or one is merely aiming for an angle against an opponent.
“However, if you use this method once, you risk becoming trapped later, so you should only use it once.”
The important rule was that unlike the preliminaries, which decided wins and losses in just a few exchanges, the main event required three contestants, where the first to achieve two victories would advance to the finals.
If they didn’t have this rule, any sect could conspire and bring over a strong fighter to ruin the tournament.
“So what should we do from here on out?”
“That’s a good question. Verdandi. You’ll understand if you look at this.”
I picked up a brush and began writing on the jade tablet after hearing Verdandi’s words. I meticulously wrote down all the martial arts and techniques of the Namgung Clan that existed in the original [King of Diamond Fist].
“Master, what exactly are you? Seeing you know all this, should the Namgung Clan send an assassin after you?”
Bi Wol muttered in disbelief, barely able to trust her own eyes. Originally, I had even written down techniques passed down as secret skills.
Her reaction was actually quite normal.
“It’s a secret. If you’ve been involved in this martial world for a long time, you tend to know a lot.”
Since the Infinite Sword Techniques had started to look favorably upon me after the War of Good and Evil, this was like the ultimate compendium containing techniques he’d created as well.
As the writer who fashioned the settings, I also modified the martial arts, so I couldn’t over-rely on existing knowledge alone to be victorious.
“Anyway, push forward with speed starting from the second round. If that doesn’t work, do your best to defend and look for openings….”
The Namgung Clan’s sword techniques were the Light and Heavy Swords. This meant one would easily break or determine victory or defeat in just a few exchanges.
“I understand! So, you’re saying I’ll have the advantage in a long game!”
Verdandi was a disciple who could grasp three insights from one advice. Her brilliance emanated from a purity reminiscent of Seolhwa’s puzzling and riddle-loving personality.
“Are you giving me no advice at all?”
“…Azazel?”
The Saint, with her pink hair flowing, approached me as if she had taken an interest in the soon-to-happen martial arts tournament.
She didn’t even need to use her tentacles behind her; simply invoking Mordigian’s mantra would allow her to win without any damage.
“Is there really a reason to do so?”
“Yes, this is not a place where many gather. If you reveal the power of an Outsider in such a spot, the entire crowd would go mad.”
“Indeed, that is a sharp observation.”
Seeing Azazel maintain her cold demeanor, I had assumed she wouldn’t heed my advice regardless of how much I urged her.
“Brother, you seem to be quite careless at times like this.”
Feeling a strange sensation brushing against my shoulder, I was trying to shake off the confusion.
“…Is this a new rival?”
Hearing Bi Wol’s small mumble, I trembled, fearing how the future might unfold.
