Chapter 11: Nine Dragons Day (5)
The attendants of the Peng Clan came to retrieve Peng Woojin, who was sprawled on the dirt after receiving a blow from the Second Elder.
Peng Ah-Hee expressed her gratitude to the Second Elder, but seeing the swelling red on Peng Woojin’s face made her question if this was truly the right thing to do.
Although she did say he deserved it…
“It was mutually agreed upon,” the Second Elder stated firmly.
“In any case, if the Peng Clan brings this up later, please make sure to tell them I had nothing to do with it.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll make it clear that you were involved in this.”
“Wait, what fault do I have in this?”
“You didn’t stop us when you could have, Yangcheon, so you’re also at fault.”
What is this old man going on about?
How in the world was I supposed to stop them when they jumped in so quickly and floored him with one punch?
I wanted to say that, but after witnessing the Second Elder beat Peng Woojin, I decided to swallow my words.
…Guess I should tone it down a bit.
Honestly, if it were me taking that hit, I might’ve dropped dead right where I stood.
I resolved to be cautious and refrain from becoming the next target of such blows.
After the stormy schedule, I approached Wi Seol-Ah, who was staring at the Second Elder with gleaming eyes.
“Huh, what’s with those sparkly eyes?”
“Young master! Pow! And he went down! So incredibly cool!”
Are you talking about the Second Elder beating up Peng Woojin…?
Isn’t it normal to be scared by that? How does it make sense that she’s calling it cool?
Seeing the charming smile of Wi Seol-Ah, the Second Elder chuckled in delight.
“This lovely young lady knows what’s good!”
Then he pulled out some yakgwa and handed it to Wi Seol-Ah.
“Since you praised me, I’ll give you this as a gift.”
“Wow! Yakgwa! Grandpa Bear is the best!”
“Bears? Hahaha! So I look that strong, do I?”
No, it seems she’s just calling you a bear because of your appearance.
That was something I dared not say aloud.
Though Wi Seol-Ah was technically a servant, the Second Elder merely laughed merrily instead of being upset about her lack of decorum.
Is it her beauty? Or her youth? Well, as all is well that ends well, I guess that’s okay.
After giving Wi Seol-Ah her yakgwa, the Second Elder called for me.
“Yangcheon.”
“Yes?”
“Earlier, I was about to say something before I was interrupted—”
Now that I think about it, he did mention he wanted to talk to me.
The Second Elder continued as I glanced at him with curiosity.
“There are battles to attend after the Nine Dragons Competition ends.”
“You’re participating in a duel? Who are you trying to kill this time…”
“Who said I’d be killing anyone!? And it’s not me, it’s you who’ll be fighting.”
“…Excuse me?”
What is he even talking about?
“Me? All of a sudden?”
Why should I get caught up in this trouble?
Finally, around 1 pm, the Nine Dragons Competition began. Since many people from the Gu Clan’s distant relatives and martial artists from Shanxi were participating, there were hundreds in attendance.
How could this possibly finish in a day, let alone before sunset?
I was just planning to watch, so it would be easier than fighting or judging the bouts myself.
Yet, I couldn’t shake this unsettling feeling about my upcoming participation.
“I hope this fight just lasts forever.”
If the matches ran late, I’d have an excuse to make a run for it.
Watching the competition was entertaining. People often get excited watching martial artists show off their skills. I felt the same buzz.
The display of a spearman was exhilarating. He knew how to make good use of his spear’s long reach.
Unfortunately, his opponent was a swordswoman. Not the greatest matchup.
Yet, the swordswoman remained calm, dodging the spear strikes while keeping her focus on him.
Did she say she’s from a distant branch?
The swordswoman introduced herself as a distant relative of the Gu Clan, her name was… Gu something.
“Hya!”
The spearman, irritated from dodging too much, began swinging his spear wildly, but only managed to slash through empty air.
It was clear he had trained hard, but impatience was his enemy.
Exerting unnecessary force disrupted his rhythm. His opponent seized the opportunity.
The match concluded in an instant. The swordswoman skillfully redirected the spear after it hit the ground and lunged at the spearman.
With the distance closed, the spearman could do nothing as she aimed her sword’s blade toward his neck.
With a defeated sigh, he stepped back, acknowledging his loss.
Disappointment was painted all over his face.
“Gu Sunyeol wins,” the judge announced.
So her name was Gu Sunyeol.
It was an impressive match, but it seemed she wouldn’t be a legendary martial artist capable of leaving her name in history.
Or perhaps I simply didn’t remember her.
“That girl will surely be selected,” the Second Elder proclaimed confidently.
Composure in a martial artist is a valuable trait. Even if it wasn’t today, she would undoubtedly be picked eventually.
“How much time do we have left…,” I wondered.
Looking around, I noted that only half of the matches remained.
Expecting it to take a long time with so many participants, I realized that with such a large number of contests and each bout being relatively brief, we might finish soon.
On the first day, I’d wished for quick closure to head home, yet now, I found myself hoping time would stall indefinitely.
I glared resentfully at the Second Elder.
As if sensing my stare, the Second Elder spoke to me.
“Why do you direct such a resentful gaze at this old man?”
“Don’t get me wrong; I’m gazing at you with utmost respect.”
“Not just your eyes, though. Your mouth is spouting resentment as well.”
Seeing him laugh, I sighed in response.
All because of the direct lineage battle I had to take part in. Given that it was only my cousin Gu Yeonseo and me left, it was obvious who I was up against.
I questioned why this nonsensical situation arose, and the Second Elder said he just found it amusing. Apparently, the elders all liked the idea.
Remembering the absurdity of it made me think of Peng Woojin, who had just gotten thrashed.
Well, I can’t exactly pummel the Second Elder…
The thought of doing that was laughable. I wasn’t sure I could even land a hit on him.
“Don’t worry.”
I turned to Gu Yeonseo, who spoke up.
“No one expects anything from you. You needn’t worry about embarrassment—it’s already obvious. Since we have blood ties, I’ll make sure to end it painlessly.”
“…How thoughtful of you. I am ever so grateful.”
So grateful, it’s almost tear-jerking.
Gu Yeonseo had an expression that suggested she never even entertained the possibility of defeating me.
This likely explained why she agreed wholeheartedly with the Second Elder’s plan; she seemed almost pleased about it.
It was certainly understandable.
Comparing myself, who performed no effort at all, with a genius who worked consistently hard—to draw the line between us was to compare the earth to the heavens.
Seriously, I might as well forfeit, right?
I had reached such a low point, that going lower was hardly a possibility.
Each blemish on my name was already noticeable; one more wouldn’t worsen the stain.
“Yangcheon, let me give you a preface.”
The Second Elder leaned closer and whispered.
“If you’re even thinking about forfeiting, I may just unceremoniously give you a flick that’s a little more forceful.”
“Surely not. There’s no way that’d happen…”
This cursed household… Not a single normal person existed here!
*
I had contemplated this before, but unfortunately, time was not something I could influence.
The Nine Dragons Competition wrapped up in a snap, and the moment I dreaded arrived.
As the sun set, lights flickered on. This year, a total of 21 individuals were chosen to join the ranks of Gu swordsmen.
The next day would feature celebrations. Of course, I had planned to vanish quietly after a two-day stay.
But then, here I was, unexpectedly embroiled in chaos.
Having garnered excessive negative attention in my previous life, I thought I’d be happier living without any focus on me in this one.
Quietly, I hoped to live undetected, without anyone acknowledging my existence.
Yet that plan appeared to be skewed—no, it was thoroughly derailed by this event.
I noticed Gu Yeonseo was already on the arena floor.
With her sword poised and her stance polished, bits of her well-trained skills were now visible.
‘Ugh, I really don’t want to go…’
With an accusatory tone, I addressed the Second Elder.
“Did you truly want to see me humiliated in front of all these people?”
This old man, a devil incarnate across both lives.
The Second Elder smiled quizzically at my resentful words, then said,
“So, you truly ‘do’ not think you’ll win?”
I paused at his statement while stepping into the arena.
“What bizarre nonsense are you spouting? What do you mean by not winning? It’s more like I can’t win!”
“Right, right, if you’ve concluded that, then so be it.”
…This guy truly acts like a fox beneath a bear’s guise.
Ignoring his words, I proceeded onto the arena’s ground.
*
A lone moon hung bright in the night sky.
It was a slender crescent tonight.
The arena felt desolate after all the martial artists had retreated.
Numerous spectators gathered around, but inside the arena, only two individuals stood.
To have blood relatives fight for spectators’ joy—even for the Second Elder, it felt a bit excessive.
“Are you not going to use a sword?” Gu Yeonseo asked as I warmed up my body.
A sword? Did I even use one at this point?
The Gu Clan was known for their use of both swords and fists. We were a tad different than the Peng, Moyong, and Namgung clans, all focused solely on swords.
The flame arts of the Gu Clan could be channeled through nearly any melee weapon.
However, swords and fists tended to fare best with these flame arts.
For me, the punching style was the most natural.
“I’ve chosen not to use a sword; it feels ill-suited for my style.”
“You say that so easily, yet you’ve never devoted any time or effort to come to that conclusion.”
Since Gu Yeonseo was unaware of my recent experiences, it was natural for her to perceive it this way. I saw no need to refute, as it would make me seem like I was making excuses.
Gu Yeonseo spoke once more.
“Do you have any idea how long it’s been since we sparred?”
“No clue.”
“It’s been a long time! I’ve always yearned for this opportunity; now I can officially beat you! Though, honestly, I didn’t wish for it to be in front of such a crowd.”
“How can you deliver such terrifying words with such ease?”
My memories were foggy. A lot had slipped away.
But my last duel with Gu Yeonseo from my previous life remained vivid.
This wasn’t just a simple sparring session.
Gu Yeonseo had aimed her sword at me, engulfed in flames.
“Flaming Sword.”
That was the title eventually given to Gu Yeonseo, and I thought it suited her quite well.
Even envisioning my old self, battered, bloodied, with tears streaming down my face—she bore the ferocious intent to kill without flinching. I could still recall it sharply.
“You vile bastard, I’ll be the one to kill you! Only I!”
That day, it had rained.
But right now, there was no rain at all.
That event was still to come in this life, and I was resolved to prevent it from ever happening again.
I needed to keep that thought pinned to my mind.
“I always wanted this chance, but you kept running away.”
The innocence of her youthful appearance and her childish-sounding voice were starkly contrasting with the grown-up version I had remembered from my past life.
Still, the way she drew her sword against me was unchanged.
A wooden sword instead of steel, yet it bore an uncanny resemblance to that day.
During my puddle of memories, Gu Yeonseo interjected once more.
“I hate you.”
While her words were far from tender, they served to jolt me back to reality.
“I know.”
I was very aware; there was no way I could overlook the signs she had shown in solitude.
“I despise how you put no effort into anything, how you carry the burden of being a son of the Gu Clan yet embody such a disgraceful character.”
“I understand, but hearing it verbally stings a bit.”
I could empathize with her. I too would’ve disliked my former self.
‘Isn’t it amusing to think I’m different now?’
That was a question I still didn’t have the answer to.
“Begin!”
Shouted the Second Elder, his voice amplified by his essence. My ears rang from the sudden sound.
Immediately, Gu Yeonseo surged forth, probably having waited for that command. She didn’t hold back at all, even against someone as weak as me.
I could feel the heat radiating from her as she closed in.
This stemmed from her mastery of the Gu Clan’s flame arts at the third realm. The warmth enveloped the surroundings.
She clearly doesn’t plan to hold back at all.
Gu Yeonseo’s strikes illustrated her extensive training. Each swing was nearly flawless.
Stepping back, I tilted my torso to dodge her attack.
Gu Yeonseo’s eyes widened; she didn’t expect me to elude that.
But without misgiving, she transitioned into a new onslaught. Each strike was aimed for my vital points.
In this situation, all I could do was dodge, relying on my basic physicality. If I overextended and depended on my weak body with overexertion, my movements would stiffen when they needed to remain fluid.
Her attacks were indeed swift and deadly, yet through my slight momentum advantage, I could evade them.
I felt winded already.
In my mind, I was strategizing how to make my loss seem natural, to finish this without getting pummeled or raising the Second Elder’s suspicions.
“You’re still the same, only knowing how to evade!”
Gu Yeonseo yelled while relentlessly striking at me.
I could nearly visualize her rage with the murderous intent in her strikes.
Somehow, I managed to survive her furious assault unscathed.
Gradually, Gu Yeonseo’s gritting teeth betrayed her rising impatience as none of her shots found their mark. That early confidence had vanished.
What’s making her so eager?
Then she retreated to widen the gap, changing her battle stance.
From her wooden sword, a flicker of heat began to rise.
That looked extremely dangerous.
…I definitely can’t let that hit me.
Gu Yeonseo, now entering the third realm, had infused her flame arts into her wooden sword. This implied she was nearing the fourth realm.
However, the technique was half-baked and shaky, her Qi still unsure.
Casting a glance at the Second Elder, I saw him propping himself with his chin, seemingly amused by our spar.
He wasn’t even considering lending a hand.
…Damn, how do I feign getting hit without revealing the act?
I felt as if it could be done, but it was certainly fraught with risk.
What’s my next move?
The faint red hue around Gu Yeonseo’s wooden sword began to pulsate.
She trembled slightly, unable to wholly control her Qi yet.
“While doing nothing, without a shred of talent, and you never lift a finger to amend things, but just because you are a son…!”
She rambled out in frustration, as if overwhelmed with Qi.
Once again, I could wholly comprehend Gu Yeonseo’s sentiments.
I understood perfectly why she detested me, and it all felt justifiable.
However, Gu Yeonseo continued even further.
“If that’s how you’ll live your life, then…you may as well just vanish like your mother did.”
“What?”
That was appallingly out of line.
Gu Yeonseo charged at me, her strength rippling through her limbs. The arena ground cracked under the pressure of her forceful strides.
But her attack, fueled by all her fury, made her actions predictable and readable.
I managed to twist my body aside to evade her sword.
As she processed the empty air where I had stood, she lost her balance and struggled to regain control of her strength.
Responding quickly, she attempted to stabilize herself, but—
Without a moment’s hesitation, I landed a punch directly to her face.
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