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Chul Jiseon paused for a moment after hearing the answer.

Since I had shown my agreement, I anticipated some kind of reaction.

Judging that way, I waited a bit longer.

Tap, tap.

She started to knock on the table with her fingertips.

I wondered what Chul Jiseon would ask.

Would she inquire why I did it?

Or perhaps ask if I had any plans to escape?

As I quietly awaited that, Chul Jiseon finally opened her mouth.

“…Was there a reason to do so?”

It was about the reason.

Instead of asking about the plans, she was curious about why I acted that way.

Her response certainly reflected her personality.

Rather than a blunt question of why, it was a considerate approach even amidst this chaos.

Of course, it wasn’t the way I communicated.

“A reason… I did it because I needed to.”

“Needed to?”

“Yeah, I needed to.”

Tang Deok had to be caught.

In the name of the Demonic Sect.

If captured around this time, it would be just right.

Moreover, if First Dragon Great Lord — known for his impatience — had gone there, it would be all the better.

“Then what was the point of sending Young Lady Nahi?”

At Chul Jiseon’s question, I tilted my head.

“What? Didn’t you know when I sent Nahi to Hebei?”

When I mentioned sending Nahi there, Chul Jiseon reacted as if I was being cruel.

Since she had a hint of understanding, that response wasn’t surprising.

“I only expected it. I didn’t think it would be like this.”

She muttered as if worried, prompting me to listen closely.

What was her intention? I waited for her next words.

Then, at that moment…

“Still, a comrade—”

“Haha.”

I couldn’t help but burst out laughing at Chul Jiseon’s words.

She seemed to have some misunderstanding.

“Jiseon.”

“…What?”

“Who said they were comrades?”

“…!”

Her eyes widened at my somewhat chilling remark.

“…Yangcheon…? You…”

“Don’t get the wrong idea. They are not comrades.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“That means don’t waste your feelings. Look, when you get attached, it clouds your judgment.”

As I continued talking, I could see Chul Jiseon’s eyes quivering.

I took a sip of my drink while watching her.

“Our goals, yours and mine, overlap, and that’s why we’re together.”

There were only a few people I could call comrades.

Chul Jiseon could be labeled one, but that was about it.

“Jiseon.”

“…”

Even though I called out, Chul Jiseon didn’t respond. But that was fine.

“If you’re unhappy with this, then you’d better change your plans completely or go rescue that person.”

“…!”

“If you can’t do that, then keep your useless sense of justice hidden inside. It’s of no use right now.”

The destination was clear.

Even if my goals and Chul Jiseon’s were somewhat different, the path we were taking was similar, which is why she was by my side.

“Just look at it. I used them because it was necessary.”

I chewed and swallowed a handful of the dry snacks in front of me.

Even without alcohol, they went down easily.

“…”

Chul Jiseon no longer said anything.

I didn’t know whether it was because she had nothing to say or couldn’t say anything, but I didn’t care.

‘Going my way is what matters.’

No matter what Chul Jiseon thought.

No matter how others viewed me, it was only right for me to go my own way.

Because that way…

‘I can take responsibility all by myself.’

Gulp.

After finishing my tea, I stood up.

I had heard all I needed to, and I had a good grasp of the surrounding news, so it was time to head back.

‘Now that I’ve baited the hook…’

I just needed to wait for the right moment.

“I’m heading out first. You said you would go see Hwang Bo-ju, right?”

“Uh, yeah…”

“Okay, see you later.”

Tap, tap.

I lightly tapped Chul Jiseon’s shoulder as I walked away.

I didn’t once look back to see what expression she was making until I went down the stairs.

Two days had passed.

The first main round on the second day.

Right after that, three days flowed.

The reason was simple. Right after the main round ended, I needed to check my condition and lower my fatigue.

In other words, it was a period of rest.

Crack.

I moved as I lightly stretched my body.

‘My internal injuries are all healed.’

Although the major ones still remained.

The most recent injuries had healed.

That was enough.

Whoosh.

I turned my head slightly to feel the breeze.

At the end of summer.

The scent of autumn was already mingling with the wind.

Soon, the leaves would change colors.

‘…’

It implied that time was passing, which wasn’t something I particularly welcomed.

‘Am I being impatient?’

I brushed my hand over my chest.

Am I impatient?

Yes, I am.

How could I not be?

It was a life where I had to wipe away sweat every day.

‘Not easy.’

It was a life I chose for myself, but the frustration was still there.

I smirked.

I had to laugh at the ridiculousness of it.

“Look over there…”

“They are…”

Hearing the whispers, I looked straight ahead.

The streets of Hanam were still bustling with a crowd.

Even though several days had passed since the main round started, there had already been vast changes.

Notably…

“That’s the Sword Moonblade… she’s truly beautiful as the rumors said.”

“How can someone be that beautiful?”

Walking beside me was Wi Seol-Ah.

More and more people were beginning to recognize her.

A considerable increase, indeed.

“The martial arts sparring was truly splendid, right?”

“She looks younger than our daughter… is she really a Transformation Realm Martial Artist?”

“They say when she wields her sword, it’s like seeing the young Sword Sovereign.”

The aftermath of the sparring with Shin Ryong still lingered.

Her face had already drawn attention, but now it was mixed with a hint of admiration.

“Such a pity… I wanted to see more of her.”

There were those who lamented Wi Seol-Ah’s disqualification as well.

“What can be done? The opponent was formidable. That’s the Shin Ryong from Shaolin, right?”

Some had firmly imprinted the status of Shin Ryong in their minds.

‘Tsk…’

I clicked my tongue inwardly.

This was happening just as Shaolin wanted.

‘Was it a problem caused by working too hard?’

The Sword Sovereign’s successor was strong.

Remarkably so.

But…

‘Shin Ryong was stronger.’

Because of that, it had shaped into a state that was better than what Shaolin had envisioned.

Shin Ryong’s status was now shooting through the sky.

Of course, it was expected.

‘Even I thought he was insane.’

There was something I occasionally thought when I looked at Wi Seol-Ah and Nangong Bi-ah.

Those two seemed like they were crafted from the essence of beauty.

Often I thought that inwardly, but looking at Shin Ryong, he was the embodiment of talent.

‘It felt like they had turned talent into human form.’

When I looked at Yeongpung and Woo Hyeok.

“That feeling would appear occasionally with them too, but he was on another level.”

Not merely a Transformation Realm Martial Artist, but in the Realm of the Heart.

The martial arts he used, Hwang Ah Gangram.

The moment I saw it, I realized.

‘The principle is similar to my Sacred Spear.’

It doesn’t go astray while surrounding energy and being held by the Realm of the Heart.

Recognizing that made me chuckle out loud.

‘With that difficulty, it’s clear that nobody can use it casually.’

How many people could wield that martial arts in Shaolin?

It was something you’d need to be at least a Transformation Realm Martial Artist for, so it wouldn’t exceed five even if counted on fingers.

‘That martial arts of such difficulty was used by a youth in his prime.’

Naturally, such heat would arise.

Yes, it was expected.

Thus, I wasn’t acting rashly.

‘It matched the level.’

A different appearance compared to my previous life.

I didn’t know what had happened, but the current Shin Ryong had surpassed beyond the wall by far.

‘I thought it would be a similar case to Yeongpung.’

Yeongpung, who used to be a frog in a well.

I had believed that Shin Ryong wouldn’t differ much.

‘What on earth happened to break out of that?’

Was there someone worth making a goal out of?

Someone who wouldn’t let him grow arrogant. Did such a person exist within Shaolin?

Questions arose, but it wasn’t something I’d understand well.

Amidst that, the whispers around me grew louder as I walked.

“Isn’t that the lady next to Sword Moonblade… the Poison Phoenix from Tang Clan?”

Next to Wi Seol-Ah was Tang Soyeol, and I could hear conversations brewing about her.

For reference, just as Wi Seol-Ah gained a title, Tang Soyeol’s title had changed as well.

That title was none other than…

“Ah, Poison Phoenix. What an outdated tale to speak of.”

“Right? Now she’s no longer Poison Phoenix but…”

“Poison Fist, right?”

Chew.

Amidst the whispered words, the sound of someone biting something could be heard.

It was coming from Tang Soyeol.

“…Poison Fist… is that really… does that even make sense?”

She seemed displeased, her face scrunched up.

Yet, with her innocent appearance, it didn’t seem intimidating.

“Seol-Ah is Sword Moonblade… why am I the only one with a heavy title?”

“If poison gets attached, it’s usually not pretty.”

“Exactly!”

At my seemingly unhelpful words, Tang Soyeol yelled with a honk.

“…I didn’t even use poison during the martial arts sparring. Why does it stick to me…?”

“You’d have to ask your family about that.”

Even though Tang Clan is rather fallen now, they were still famous for their poisons.

“There was no intention… I didn’t even use poison, so how could it…?”

“…”

Intentional, huh…?

‘…Could it be that she predicted her title would change and acted like that?’

That wouldn’t be the case.

Even if so, she should not have smashed that guy to pieces with her fists.

“Given how you smashed him with your fists… wouldn’t a pretty title stick?”

“…No, but… I didn’t think that guy would be that weak!”

She spoke with an expression so serene, it was terrifying.

The White-Grade Master had instantly transformed into a weakling.

‘Poison Fist, huh…’

With a small frame and an adorably innocent appearance.

Now her title, which became known as Poison Fist, was truly unfitting.

The thought arose naturally.

‘But what can be done?’

What has already happened cannot be undone.

Once a name is known, it rarely changes.

To change it, you’d have to commit a massive act or exhibit something extraordinary.

Just like what Wi Seol-Ah and Tang Soyeol has done.

Poison Fist.

Tang Soyeol, who received that title, was voicing her discontent ruthlessly.

And Wi Seol-Ah was…

“Prince, would you like some rice cakes? They’re delicious…!”

“…Thank you.”

She didn’t seem to care much.

Even after gaining a title, she didn’t seem too bothered.

Just like when she lost the martial arts sparring; she couldn’t even show any disappointment and appeared somewhat brighter than usual.

It seemed Wi Seol-Ah had a similar trait as Nangong Bi-ah.

‘Well, after all, it was like that in my past life.’

Right after she had made a significant contribution in the mission against the Demon Faction, Wi Seol-Ah was revealed to be the disciple and granddaughter of the Sword Sovereign, earning her the title of So Sword Sect.

But at that time, the So Sword Sect had frowned upon it, expressing irritation instead.

‘She had said it felt too heavy.’

The title she was given felt so heavy.

So that’s why. I had heard that somewhere.

‘Then, is this one lighter?’

Compared to So Sword Sect, Sword Moonblade would indeed feel lighter.

So that might be why she didn’t give it too much thought.

‘…If so, that’s a relief.’

She didn’t carry the expressions she had in her previous life. That was enough.

Tap.

“Hmm? Prince?”

Without saying much, I gently patted Wi Seol-Ah’s hair.

She looked at me as if questioning why, but I ignored her and kept stroking.

“Hmm?”

Despite my seemingly rough touch, her hair was so soft it didn’t tangle at all.

“…Prince.”

At that moment, I heard a dark voice coming from below.

It was Tang Soyeol.

“…Why is it that you only touch Seol-Ah?”

“…Hmm?”

What was that?

“Are you… touching her because she’s Sword Moonblade? And what about me? Am I just a dull, dark, heavy old man named Poison Fist that you won’t touch?”

“…”

What is this senseless paranoia?

It was an exasperating statement upon hearing it.

“Am I… am I Poison Fist…! Ugh!”

Before it got worse, I patted Tang Soyeol’s head as well.

Only then did she quiet down.

I walked while stroking both their heads; it felt like some bizarre situation.

“…Look over there… it’s So Yeomra…”

This time, whispers drifted my way.

“So Yeomra is with Poison Fist and Sword Moonblade…”

“I’ve only heard rumors, but it’s true.”

“They say he’s a lecher… but he doesn’t seem that good-looking. Why is that?”

“From what I heard, he’s engaged to the Sword Dance Hero from Nangong Clan.”

“What…? Is that the Sword Dance Hero known as Anhui’s Most Beautiful Woman?”

“Yet, he treats women like that…”

“Scum.”

“Trash.”

“Indeed, that’s trash. He won’t even be able to be recycled.”

…Damn.

I thought I might get a headache just from listening.

Why’s it only me that such rumors spread?

‘It doesn’t seem like I did anything particularly notable?’

I had indeed fought well with Lord Poongrim, and I confirmed the rumors that had secretly spread.

Why do those tales about me end up like that?

‘Why the hell am I labeled a lecher?’

Even if something had been done, I wouldn’t feel aggrieved.

“Hah… did they hear us saying that?”

“Ugh, what a horrific face.”

“That’s… So Yeomra, who supposedly burned the Demon Faction alive….”

“…”

I sincerely hope they have realized that I don’t just burn demons alive.

“Phew…”

“Are you alright, Prince?”

“I’m fine.”

Though I was close to losing my composure for a moment, I thankfully held it in.

I couldn’t just up and kill someone on the street.

At least not openly.

I managed to suppress my anger and continued walking.

The destination was, naturally, the Martial Alliance.

“Everyone, identity verification complete. You may enter.”

From the entrance, I finished the identification process and stepped forward.

Inside, the number of attendees was less crowded than on the first day.

‘About half.’

More precisely, it was just below half.

After two days, those with deep injuries probably gave up or couldn’t continue due to exhaustion.

So, it wouldn’t be a precise half.

‘Then would there be a walkover?’

It wasn’t impossible.

If the number was ambiguous, it would likely be a fact.

At that moment.

“Oh.”

In the distance, someone was waving at us.

It was Pejon.

“Right here.”

Next to Pejon was Seongyul, who looked somewhat tired.

I couldn’t help but laugh at that sight.

“Seeing the two of you, it’s quite a peculiar image.”

“Hmph.”

Today marked the third round of the main competitions.

Filtering people in the first day’s round and again over the next two days.

After a few rounds, we would start the semifinals.

‘I’ll get ridiculously tired of fighting.’

Just imagining it made me weary.

I wanted to pass it over adequately.

‘Others would be bursting with excitement.’

I felt a bit unusual myself.

Here I was, a martial artist, and yet I didn’t particularly like martial arts sparring.

As I observed my surroundings casually, Pejon asked me.

“Why are you here if you’re not participating today?”

I realized it was true.

I wasn’t participating today.

From what I’d heard, it was scheduled for tomorrow.

Yet here I was for no particular reason.

“Not specifically because of you… Bi Prince.”

Tang Soyeol had talked about wanting to come, and Wi Seol-Ah was participating after all.

So, I figured I’d drop by to watch.

With that perspective, I looked over at Seongyul.

He was fidgeting around like a puppy that needed to pee.

“Hey, why are you acting like that—”

As I began to speak, I noticed where Seongyul was looking.

There were several martial artists… No, it seemed they were disciples gathered together.

I focused my gaze on their robes.

The white robes embroidered with wind motifs were similar to those worn by Cheonghae Ilgeom, who had passed away years ago.

This meant…

‘Hmm.’

That meant those individuals were probably from Xuanyuan Sect to which Seongyul originally belonged.

I examined them closely and then lifted my head.

In front of me was the bracket for today’s martial arts sparring.

“…”

After quietly observing one by one, there were several striking phrases visible.

Jin Imseok from Xuanyuan Sect vs Jo Cheon from Kunlun Sect.

‘So that’s why they were freaking out.’

Jin Imseok was the fake identity I created for Seongyul.

And now his opponent was from Xuanyuan Sect.

If that’s not fate, what is?

‘They just said nothing weird had happened last time, but what a joke.’

Seongyul’s face was grim, so I asked him if something was up, and he merely ignored me, claiming nothing was wrong.

But given his current reaction, it appeared there was indeed something going on.

‘Tsk, tsk.’

If he had mentioned it ahead of time, I would have done something about it.

I found it unsettling.

‘Moreover… it doesn’t look like the issue is just related to Seongyul?’

Seongyul and a disciple from Xuanyuan Sect are about to clash.

While that is something for him to deal with, I couldn’t shake off the unease provoked by a name appearing much lower in the bracket.

It was Pejon’s opponent.

Hebei Peng Clan’s Peng Zhou vs Seo Anbi, from the Bi Clan.

“…”

Pejon’s opponent was, incredibly, the Sword King.

 

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