Chapter: 731
– Not allowed.
The Shaolin abbot’s escort, one of the top hundred masters, Gyeolgeukcheonbong, said.
– Yuyeon. Do you know what you’re talking about?
– I know.
Despite his firm demeanor, Yuyeon did not waver.
– I want to face him.
– So, you want me to change the tournament bracket? Do you think that makes sense?
He wanted to face Soyeonra in the fourth round. Thus, Yuyeon had come to ask Gyeolgeukcheonbong for a favor.
Upon hearing that, he frowned in anger.
– This is a fair selection based on drawing lots…
– Everyone already knows it’s not fair.
Gyeolgeukcheonbong scowled at Yuyeon’s statement.
– What? You’re saying that right now—!
– One, I believe it’s the will of the Buddha as well. After all, I am from Shaolin.
It must carry some significance.
Even if he couldn’t understand it, if the head monk, Cheonan, understood and tried to do it, that would be akin to the will of the Buddha.
That’s what Yuyeon aimed to comprehend.
But.
– …I sincerely beg you to listen to my wishes regarding this matter.
– Yuyeon!
– I have to meet him somehow before it’s too late.
Ugh!
A pang of pain surged through his chest with every movement.
Enduring that, Yuyeon thought to herself.
Before it’s too late.
Before I get hurt even more.
When I can truly showcase my strength.
I must meet him no matter what.
– Yuyeon. Do you not know what this martial arts competition means to Shaolin?
– I know. That’s why I stepped forward.
– Knowing that…!
– One, this is something I must do.
Taking a deep breath, Yuyeon spoke to Gyeolgeukcheonbong before her.
– Because I am meant to be the roof of Shaolin.
– …!
– Because I am someone who must eventually stand at the peak in the name of Shaolin.
He was fully aware of the expectations that rested upon him in Shaolin.
How could he not know? The weight of that knowledge made life even more sorrowful.
– That’s why I must confront him.
She steadied her trembling voice.
– If I don’t do this, the regrets I carry will become a barrier around me until the day I die.
– …Her…!
– I will continue to recall this moment, regretting it again and again. This will block my path forward.
– You little…
Gyeolgeukcheonbong frowned at Yuyeon’s words.
– How dare you threaten me with that?
– Namu Abita Buddha.
Yuyeon did not deny his words.
If he did not grant her request now, she would become possessed by a demon and would be rendered powerless.
Then, wouldn’t even Shaolin’s aspirations remain unfulfilled?
Yuyeon’s statement carried such implications.
– This brat… really…!
Having grasped her meaning, Gyeolgeukcheonbong was ready to explode in anger.
– Stop.
– …!
At the sound from behind, the elder had to steady himself.
– Please, stop.
The head of Shaolin, Cheonan, spoke up.
– …However.
– Please hear the child’s request. I will personally convey the message to the inspector.
– Master…!
Gyeolgeukcheonbong appeared surprised, but Cheonan simply fixed his gaze on Yuyeon, who was kneeling.
– Yuyeon.
– …Yes.
– Is this truly your wish?
– …I’m sorry.
– No, don’t apologize. What you’re seeking might very well be the will of the Buddha. Even if it seems coercive, it wouldn’t be challenging to oblige.
Cheonan, despite his aged body, approached her.
– What we strive for as well, is ultimately against our wills.
– …
Yuyeon found herself at a loss for words after expressing her thoughts.
Because Cheonan’s voice was dripping with sorrow.
– We are violating our own beliefs. To you, we must surely appear muddied.
– That’s not true…
– I know. I just believe I must follow this path. It’s simply insufficient to cast aside the sense of guilt.
Cheonan gently stroked Yuyeon’s hair with a tender hand.
– Do as you wish. But…
The hand that had been caressing her gently came to a halt after a few strokes.
– I hope you won’t forget where you ultimately need to go.
– …
Wherever it is I must head.
The summit where I ought to stand bearing the name of Shaolin.
– Yes… I’ll keep that in mind.
Faced with that heavy, suffocating atmosphere, Yuyeon bit her lip and answered.
That was the compulsion she obtained.
And thus, it became the opportunity granted to her.
Crackling—!
“…!”
As Yuyeon beheld the collapsing world, her eyes darted about.
‘…What…?’
What was happening?
Though questions loomed, she wouldn’t dwell on them.
Her unstable body moved swiftly.
Ka-thud—!
A jolt came from her left.
Yuyeon immediately twisted her body.
“Tsk.”
With a quick hiss, her body rebounded away.
BANG!
She was sent scattering.
Gold-hued afterimages twirled through the air.
This was the trace left by her own energy, a remnant of Hwang-A Gangram.
It shattered and splintered away.
The secret art of Shaolin, believed to be indestructible.
Now easily crushed in bare hands.
‘Unbelievable…!’
Yuyeon gritted her teeth and pressed onward.
She attempted to distance herself, but that was futile.
In no time, she found herself grasped by the collar, unable to flee.
Hwang A Gang Ram refused to permit the opponent’s approach.
That was undoubtedly the case.
Yet the adversary proceeded to crush through her defenses as if such constraints mattered not.
And then.
Whew-!
CRACKLE-!!
With a powerful fist, the armor shattered into pieces.
“Cough!”
The backlash hit Yuyeon instantly.
The protective gear enveloping her body disintegrated.
Pain surged through her abdomen, driving her to her knees.
Thud.
“Ugh… cough…?”
In agony, she reflected on the unconceivable reality.
What on earth had occurred?
‘Surely… Surely.’
From the very moment the duel began, she had rushed in wielding Hwang-A Gang-Ram, determined to gain the upper hand.
And now.
And yet…?
‘It… broke….’
It was ruined.
Hwang A Gangram had been utterly obliterated by her opponent’s hands.
Thud.
As energy dwindled against the ground, Yuyeon lifted her head.
The opponent loomed closer, peering down at her.
A mere thirty seconds had elapsed since the start.
In that brief time, Yuyeon found herself kneeling already.
“That’s what I warned you about.”
Shiver.
Yuyeon trembled at the sound of the other person’s voice.
“I told you, make a mistake, and you’ll die?”
“…”
Those blue eyes.
Even though every instinct urged her to escape the gaze, Yuyeon couldn’t dare turn away.
“Tsk. What do you even expect to achieve while fighting like that? Look at you now. You can’t even hold your ground properly.”
She found herself at a loss for words, struck dumb by the indifference in his tone.
He was correct.
Yuyeon struggled to summon her energy properly due to the injury in her chest.
Consequently, she was far weaker than she usually was and couldn’t exhibit the moves she intended.
‘Even so…’
It shouldn’t have led to such a pitiful collapse.
How had it come to this?
Yuyeon already had the answer.
‘…He’s strong.’
It was simply due to her opponent’s strength.
The young man before her. His dreams and aspirations were overwhelmingly powerful.
That was the sole reason for her predicament.
With a firm grip, she clenched her fists.
And then she rose to her feet.
Extreme pain flared in her chest.
Was this just backlash?
Yuyeon mulled over it and attempted to commence the combat again.
Boom!
“Cough!”
Yuyeon’s body soared through the air from a swift kick.
She crashed to the ground, rolling from the impact.
After rolling a couple more times, Yuyeon finally steadied herself and readied for the next attack.
One.
“…Phew… Haa….”
Gu Yangcheon stood before her, motionless.
What was he planning next?
While Yuyeon endured the pain, she observed him carefully.
Then, Gu Yangcheon slowly raised his hand.
Woosh.
A powerful energy sparked from the tip of his finger. It glimmered sharply and clearly.
Was he planning to attack with that? Why would someone adept at swordsmanship conjure such power?
What strategy could contend with that…?
SWISH-!!
“…!!”
As thoughts flitted through her mind, Yuyeon’s eyes widened at the scene unfolding before her.
“What on earth are you doing–!”
She exclaimed loudly.
It was inevitable.
Gu Yangcheon had swiftly plunged the energy across his own chest.
Drip.
Crimson blood gushed from the wound, soaking his garb.
Though clad in black, the extent of the wound was clear to see.
“Sijoo—!!”
“Shut up.”
“…!”
“Don’t scream so loudly. Who’s hurting more, you or me? If someone were here, they might think you’re the one bleeding.”
Despite whatever pain he must be experiencing, Gu Yangcheon didn’t flinch once.
“You mentioned you wanted it done right.”
“What in the world…!”
“Then isn’t this fair?”
He laughed bitterly while blood poured from him.
“This way, you’ll have no excuses left.”
“…Huh?”
Yuyeon’s expression contorted as if she couldn’t grasp his reasoning.
“Because of the pain. My body didn’t respond the way I needed. That’s why I lost even when I could have fought back. Isn’t that something you can’t possibly say?”
“…!”
Yuyeon found herself swallowing hard at the subsequent explanation.
Could he have inflicted such a wound merely for reasons like that? A wound so profound?
It was an absurd act.
“Even if that weren’t true…! Regardless of what happened, I would have accepted the outcome…!”
“That’s really odd. Why do you seem to keep bothering me about this?”
As he spoke, Gu Yangcheon lifted his hand into the air.
“Initially, I thought you despised me… but it seems that’s not the actual case. Well, even if that were true.”
And then,
“I’m merely doing this out of my own desire, so keep your mouth shut.”
WHOOSH—!!!
A massive inferno erupted from his fingertips, soaring into the sky.
Blue flames ascended unceasingly upward.
Watching it unfold, Yuyeon sensed herself trembling gradually.
All of this was a gamble.
An amount that could deplete her energy reserves even when released for just a few seconds.
Gu Yangcheon had been releasing it for ten seconds, twenty seconds, dozens, and even longer.
After relentlessly exuding flames without reason.
“This should suffice.”
After ceasing the blaze, Gu Yangcheon turned to Yuyeon.
“I’ve emptied exactly half of my energy.”
Upon hearing his words, Yuyeon realized the gravity of the situation.
Gu Yangcheon had not only wounded his own body but also drained his energy in the process.
The reasoning behind it?
“Now you’re likely at a similar disadvantage as me.”
To create an analogous situation for her.
Merely for that injury and deficit.
He had pushed himself to such extremes without any hesitation.
“How does it feel? Does it seem a bit more manageable now?”
“…Sijoo…”
“I had really intended to do this before we began our fight, you know.”
SWISH. Gu Yangcheon grazed his chest lightly.
As he shifted slightly, his palms brimmed with blood.
“I never expected you’d lunge at me impulsively the moment we started. Are you a fool? Why waste your energy when you’re already in pain? You can’t be in your right mind.”
“…Well, that’s…”
“You claimed you would defeat me. That won’t do. It doesn’t make sense unless you factor in the likelihood of losing. Ah, were you actually considering losing?”
“It’s not true….”
Gritting her teeth, Yuyeon sprang back to her feet.
The atmosphere had fallen into an immense stillness.
The cheers that had once rallied for her had long been silenced.
The events of just moments ago reflected that completely.
The surroundings had been overwhelmed by the flames Gu Yangcheon released.
All eyes were directed at him instead of her.
In that fleeting moment, she felt like her spirit had been seized, yet she paid it no mind.
Perhaps deep down, this was the reception she’d been yearning for.
As evidence, even amidst the pain, her mind felt liberated unlike ever before.
“I will… defeat you.”
“Okay.”
His response was resolute.
Upon hearing it, Gu Yangcheon broke into a chuckle.
“I felt that way before as well. You’re refreshing.”
“…”
“No one has ever spoken to me like that in this lifetime. I ignored everyone until I experienced the bite of the bitter truth myself.”
Drip drip—!
The trickling blood deepened in hue.
Gu Yangcheon was allowing the bleeding to continue unrestrained.
“But you’re different… Just what on earth do you think it is?”
“…”
At his question, Yuyeon remained silent.
Understanding the crux of this feeling was still beyond her grasp.
If it were admiration, then it would be so.
If it were respect, it might align too.
It may seem close to pride. Yet, weren’t they fundamentally one of these two?
Yuyeon contemplated, considering.
“Did I do something to disturb you? No… Nothing comes to mind.”
If he didn’t remember, that was perfectly fine.
If he held it solely in his own memory, that was enough.
Yuyeon stayed silent, raising her fists.
“…I appreciate your consideration. I’ve regained my senses.”
She took a formal stance, expressing her gratitude.
“I will face this with all my heart.”
“…Hmm.”
In response to her demeanor, Gu Yangcheon scratched the back of his neck, appearing somewhat troubled.
“Ah… Seriously.”
He sighed deeply and then added.
“The more I see you, the more I like you. This isn’t how it should be.”
What could that even mean?
As Yuyeon was about to voice her confusion.
Thump.
Gu Yangcheon took a step forward.
At that moment.
WHOOSH—!!
An overwhelming surge of energy began to emanate from Gu Yangcheon’s being.
“Ugh… Ugh…?!”
Shivers down spine.
Yuyeon’s body began to tremble uncontrollably compared to before.
As soon as she encountered the energy, she felt her muscles tighten to a rigid state.
What on earth was this? Was it a life force?
Flashbacks of the prior non-combat encounter surfaced.
The fight between Jinimseok and Bisungdo.
There, Yuyeon had witnessed an overwhelming aura of killing intent.
She was taken aback the moment she saw it. How could anyone exude such a ferocious energy? Her thoughts spiraled in that direction.
‘This, this is….’
It was an entirely different realm of intensity.
That was an aura too fearsome to even label merely as life.
It felt like her mind was teetering on the brink of insanity.
“What did you say?”
Gu Yangcheon slowly approached the hapless Yuyeon.
“Did I say to do it properly?”
He regurgitated her words, chewing over them thoughtfully.
“Good. I’ll honor that request.”
All the while, his smile neither faded nor diminished—only intensified.
The energy and his wild grin interlaced.
This was an unprecedented experience for Gu Yangcheon.
In this expansive, enlightened moment, this was the first time he had unleashed all of his power.
As for any wish he may entertain…
“Endure it.”
He simply hoped that Yuyeon didn’t break under the weight of this fight.
That was merely his tiniest aspiration.
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