Chapter: 729
I had nothing to say as I saw her coming with such a bright smile.
The bruises were quite hefty, and I couldn’t help but wonder why they were like that.
There were no major injuries, but if I were to get picky about the little ones, her condition was definitely not great.
Bong-soon was proving with her body that it had been a rather grueling match.
“I lost, though.”
I clasped my throbbing forehead.
I lost.
In the end, Bong-soon was defeated by Geomryong.
“Hehehe!”
I had to stifle my headache while watching Bong-soon smile like she was having the time of her life.
Naturally, everyone had been watching the match and knew the reason for her defeat.
“This wasn’t much different from Seongyul….”
The difference in levels.
This had also been evident in the match between Pang Woo-jin and Seongyul.
However, the disparity in power this time wasn’t as overwhelming as those two.
It was almost an equal level.
“The situation was indeed a big issue.”
Before the match, I had asked Bong-soon if she could win against Youngpung.
Bong-soon had confidently replied.
“Maybe in a regular match, I wouldn’t know. But if it’s a fight to the death, I’ll win.”
Bong-soon said this with such confidence.
Furthermore, I didn’t entirely disagree with her view either.
A fight to the death.
In such a scenario, I believed Bong-soon would be stronger than Youngpung.
Youngpung was still closer to being an unrefined political pawn.
How much practical experience could he really have?
But Bong-soon was different.
“…That guy is just a beast.”
She had no hesitation in killing, nor did she pick her means and methods.
If it were a fight to the death, I believed Bong-soon would likely have the edge.
Of course.
“I can’t say that for sure either.”
The performance Youngpung had shown during the match was beyond my imagination.
“The plum blossoms have gone much darker.”
The sword dance she originally performed had become sharper and more delicate.
The pot that Youngpung carried had become more profound.
“I guess he really trained properly.”
That was evident just by looking at his muscles.
Youngpung’s body, built through rigorous training, appeared unbelievably solid.
“…If you’re going to build a foundation, that’s how you should do it.”
Even if the rise in the realm is slow, the essence of sticking to the basics outweighed everything else.
If Youngpung eventually ascends to Hwagyeong, all his efforts would surely provide considerable advantages.
Moreover, if left unchecked, it appeared highly likely that Youngpung would be the next generation’s sword king.
There’s also that guy Woohyuk… but in terms of swordsmanship, Youngpung seemed to be excelling more.
“Well, putting that aside….”
I never thought Bong-soon would lose here.
While I had anticipated the possibility of losing, disappointment lingered unabated.
“Perhaps the issue was not being able to use the ghost.”
The heirloom from the previous sword master that Bong-soon utilized.
Since the use of ghost items was prohibited in this event, it was unavoidable that she couldn’t use it. Since Ae-byeong was absent, perhaps that contributed to her not being able to display her full potential.
However.
“This is true for Youngpung too.”
He likely couldn’t use his spirit either.
Which makes sense, considering.
“Because Youngpung must also have a ghost.”
For some reason, there were only two of those spirits remaining.
Youngpung would probably possess the spirit that was reclaimed by the volcano from the shaman.
“Yet Youngpung couldn’t unveil his spirit during the match.”
It’s true that both of them faced issues under those circumstances.
Thus, it was factual that Bong-soon had lost.
“Tsk.”
It indicated that it was time to concede.
“If it comes to this… I’ll need to activate Plan B.”
Two plans had been prepared regarding Bong-soon.
This was the second strategy I had in mind in case the first match ended in failure.
“I should reach out to Hwangbo Gaju later.”
I needed to quickly grasp the situation and respond accordingly.
Just after making that judgment and sighing,
“…So.”
I turned around while clearing away the bruised Bong-soon.
“What’s your business?”
Someone had come looking for me.
“…”
The guy behind me flinched at my words.
A well-groomed young man with a smooth head and a handsome face. There was something oddly familiar about him.
It was Shenlong Yuyeon, who was labeled the hope of Shaolin.
“What do you want?”
When I asked with a frown, Yuyeon offered me an awkward smile.
“… I came to say hello.”
“Hello?”
Yuyeon’s words left me puzzled.
“What kind of hello?”
We weren’t really on a level where we’d exchange pleasantries.
Questions swirled in my mind.
“Have you been well, sir?”
Despite appearing uncomfortable, Yuyeon initiated the conversation.
I quietly observed him and nodded.
“Oh. You’ve been well?”
“Yes.”
“No, it really doesn’t seem that way.”
“…”
At my words, Yuyeon cleared his throat, possibly understanding the implication.
At that moment, Yuyeon had a bandage wrapped around his chest.
It appeared the wounds from the fight with Wi Seol-ah hadn’t completely healed yet.
“That wound must have been deep.”
While it wasn’t a lethal wound, it certainly wouldn’t heal in a day or two.
Anyone else might have been too injured to participate in the next match.
Despite his injuries, Yuyeon returned to the stage once again today.
“Is this voluntary or involuntary?”
While Shaolin was way worse than I supposed, it was hard to believe they would push an injured disciple onto the battle stage.
“Who knows?”
People are unpredictable.
“Can you even fight like that?”
When I asked, Yuyeon bit his lip slightly.
“… I can do it.”
“Hmm.”
I thought he was going to collapse.
I refrained from expressing that. What good would it do me to worry about him?
I held my tongue and looked around.
The stares were intense; most people were already watching Shenlong.
“Last time’s impact was quite substantial.”
An overwhelming display of strength akin to a raging force.
Shenlong had become someone of great significance to others.
That could signify a warning.
Or perhaps it was adoration.
Whichever way you looked at it, his standing had grown too high to simply be termed a late index.
Because of that, many now had only one burning question.
“If Shenlong and Tulong fought, who would win?”
The dragon who trampled on the Tao King.
The divine dragon who presented himself to the world.
If those two faced off, who’s the likely victor?
Many were curious about that notion, but it became a futile discussion after Tulong’s withdrawal.
Consequently, some were left disappointed and still wondered about the encounter between the Tao King and Shenlong.
The amusing part was:
“The public opinion seems split down the middle.”
Half believed Shenlong would win.
Half believed the Tao King would take the victory.
That was the existing public sentiment.
What a tragic state of affairs.
“To think the Tao King’s reputation has fallen this low.”
It’s laughable that a king-level warrior is now compared to a mere late index, and seeing those odds at 50/50 is utterly absurd.
“That old man must be shedding blood and tears right now.”
Would it be just tears?
He’d probably be smashing everything in sight out of sheer fury.
This was all a situation that the Demonic Cult had caused.
“Tsk,”
Damn that old man.
His blunder had thrown everything into chaos.
“…Thanks to that, the chatter about the relationship between the Demonic Cult and the Pagans has somewhat diminished.”
It was a headache all the same.
I curbed a sigh that was about to slip out and stared at Yuyeon once more.
“So, what’s your business?”
“…”
He probably hadn’t come merely for greetings.
As I mentioned, we weren’t on friendly enough terms for that.
To my inquiry, Yuyeon was silent.
Well, technically, ‘silent’ isn’t quite right. It’s more like he couldn’t even utter a word.
He kept parting his lips, hesitating over something.
Just as I was about to grow annoyed at his indecision,
“Oh! It’s that one!”
Bong-soon, bruised as she was, suddenly interrupted.
“Bald! All shiny!”
“… What?”
“Can I touch it again?”
My eyes widened at her overly enthusiastic words.
What on earth was that crazy girl thinking?
“Touching what… wait a minute, ‘again’? What are you talking about?”
Does ‘again’ imply she’s touched it before?
“Yes! I touched it last time! It was so soft! Hey, leader… I mean, Confucius, do you want to touch it too?”
Thinking there’s no way this was real, I was taken aback by Bong-soon, who had sparkles in her eyes as if she were looking at a jewel.
I’d seriously lose it.
“No matter how you slice it, this is just ridiculous.”
So, I shot an awkward look at Yuyeon. But then,
“…Uh… that… um…”
Contrary to what I expected, Yuyeon appeared to be malfunctioning, as if something had broken within him.
What was wrong with him now?
His face and ears flushed beet red; he was clearly not okay.
“…”
I thought about this strange sight.
…No way.
“Hey.”
“…Yes…? Yes?”
Yuyeon flinched at my call.
I examined him before asking the definitive question.
“Do you have a crush on her?”
“…!”
At my words, Yuyeon jumped in shock. I never thought it would provoke such a reaction from him!
“Surely not….”
“Oh, what? What is it?”
I began to say something else when Bong-soon jumped in, and an ominous feeling overtook me.
“I want to mate with you— Kkueek!”
As expected, before she could say more nonsense, I smacked her on the head.
“Ow! That hurts…!!”
“…Please. Do me a favor and just shut up.”
The embarrassment was unbearable.
I kicked Bong-soon in the direction of the medical team. That was a signal to take her away. She giggled as she trotted off after getting kicked in the butt.
Once I sent all the baggage away, it was finally just Yuyeon and myself left.
“…Phew.”
I wiped my face, trying to suppress my boiling anger.
I honestly couldn’t lift my head in shame.
“Gah, hrum…”
Yuyeon, too, seemed to be in a similar situation, suddenly clearing his throat.
Then he said,
“It’s not what you think.”
He instantly began to clarify.
“…What do you mean it’s not?”
“I mean, it’s not like I’m in love with you or anything like that! I follow the will of Buddha and do not harbor such unwholesome thoughts toward the opposite sex…”
“No need for clarification. I’m not interested.”
“…Huh? Oh. I see…”
“Aren’t monks supposed to be men? They can like women too. No matter how crazy she is, she’s good to look at. It’s totally plausible.”
“Oh no! That’s definitely not it…!!”
“Anyway, why did you come looking for me? If you don’t have any business, just disappear and let me rest.”
I rushed to the point, urging him to get to the main topic.
At those words, Yuyeon hesitated for a moment before changing his expression.
Just as expected. He seemed to have something to say after all.
What could it be? What on earth could possibly make him seek me out?
As curiosity built up,
“…I have a favor to ask.”
Yuyeon finally spoke out, the words he had been holding back.
“In a little while, I will be having a match against the master.”
“I suppose so.”
That’s how the bracket was set up.
But, why was he bringing this up?
“…At that time….”
“At that time?”
“…I hope that the master can fight me earnestly.”
“Hmm?”
Hearing this left me startled, staring at Yuyeon.
What on earth was he saying now?
“…Why are you saying this all of a sudden?”
“I came to ask that you pray sincerely in our fight.”
“Hmm.”
Is this some kind of joke? I have always been serious.
I was about to express myself, but Yuyeon’s intense gaze made me pause.
He was being absolutely serious.
His fiercely hardened eyes radiated a heat I couldn’t quite place.
I clicked my tongue and scratched my neck awkwardly, feeling hesitant to respond.
“…Hey.”
So, this time I dropped the playful tone.
“Yes.”
“Then you might die.”
“…!”
Yuyeon’s shoulders trembled at my response.
“I don’t care about your state of mind or body. What kind of absurd declaration of war is that? Have you lost your mind?”
“…This is nothing. I can manage.”
“What are you talking about, you bald-headed fool?”
“…”
Was my wording too harsh? Yuyeon’s face hardened after that.
Even as I witnessed this, I continued.
“Don’t think saying this will change anything. It all depends on what you decide to do.”
“…Depends on how I act?”
“Make sure to give it your all. If you do, I’ll grant you whatever you desire.”
“….”
I had no clue why Yuyeon felt compelled to ask for this, but at least he was sincere. It was worth responding in kind.
If he wanted to see my sincerity, he needed to act in a manner that reflected that.
That was the message.
Yuyeon’s eyes burned with even more fervor as he seemed to understand my meaning.
“Understood. I will show you as you say.”
Hmm.
Feeling a presence stir in my heart, I realized my aura resonated with Yuyeon’s intent.
“Today, I will defeat you.”
I chuckled at Yuyeon’s declaration.
“Sure, let’s see what you can do.”
“…”
No further words lingered in the air.
Yuyeon gave a polite bow and, after completing his greeting, turned on his heel and left.
What the heck was that guy? Was that really the only reason he came here?
To request I give my all in the match?
“Did Yuyeon’s brain get scrambled after eating dumplings?”
I couldn’t help but think that.
But that was far from the only strange thing.
“What is it?”
I pondered while gazing at Yuyeon’s retreating figure.
Something was slightly bothering me.
Honestly, it wasn’t anything too significant.
It was purely instinctual.
There was no logical reason or justification for this feeling.
Had I thought it through normally, I would have dismissed it as nonsense.
Unable to contain myself, I shouted after the retreating Yuyeon.
“Just out of curiosity.”
At the sound of my voice, Yuyeon halted mid-step.
“About how the brackets turned out like that. Was that your doing?”
“…”
Yuyeon fell silent upon hearing my question.
Seconds passed. Then, he finally responded.
“I don’t know what you mean.”
With that, he continued to walk away without turning.
As he distanced himself, a thought crossed my mind.
“Ha! Would you look at that?”
Perhaps.
“Was it you who orchestrated this?”
Everything felt aligned.
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