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Chapter 7: The Clash of the Great Lords

“One by one, come forth.”

The moment those words escaped my lips, I braced myself for a whirlwind of chaos.

I honestly thought a storm would erupt, with bets exploding and everyone lunging at me in an instant. Yet surprisingly—

“Ugh.”

“Is he really—!”

Instead of charging at me, the Great Lords merely fumed with anger, their intentions clear—they wanted to swing their swords at me.

The murderous aura radiating from them was palpable, and every intent was aimed squarely at me. Yet they hesitated.

‘How unexpected.’

I swallowed my surprise inwardly at their restraint.

They were more calculated than I gave them credit for.

‘They seem to have brains after all.’

Despite their desires for violence, they were holding back.

Normally, this would be the point where blades would clash, yet they were hesitating because—

‘They see no clear resolution.’

Even if the martial artists were nothing but brutes, they possessed instincts, eyes, and ears.

Regardless of what they had seen or heard, they must understand more than meets the eye.

They were likely recalling—

‘The deeds I’ve committed.’

Slaying the demons and punishing those who had attacked.

But that wasn’t the crux of the matter.

‘It’s about the time I fought the Sword King.’

I had made a mess of things in the Martial Arts Tournament.

They must have heard about that incident.

If they had a brain, they would’ve been trying to gauge me the moment I announced my arrival.

They would currently be reconsidering—

‘If this fight would actually be beneficial for them.’

When they charge in without a second thought, would they really face no repercussions?

They were weighing that over and over.

‘So, a Great Lord is still a Great Lord, huh?’

If they were more reckless characters, they would have rushed in without assessing my strength or the situation.

However, their social status had brought forth this caution.

Though—

‘I can see their calculations.’

The Double Blade was scanning me, assessing every inch of my being.

The brief engagement had been neutralized, and combined with the Sword King incident, it seemed they were thoughtfully weighing my abilities.

‘What an interesting thought.’

I wondered how I appeared in his eyes.

My qi and firepower had increased since just a few days ago. Yet—

‘My realm hasn’t changed, so perhaps they still don’t fully grasp my potential.’

Considering there hadn’t been any changes in that regard, it might be difficult to perceive any significant difference.

True to this deduction, the hesitation of the Double Blade grew.

I couldn’t help but chuckle at that.

So, he really cannot see—

How I am, what my realm is, or whether I’m a worthy opponent for him.

“All on my own?”

“You chicken out when faced with one opponent, huh?”

I boldly threw down the gauntlet.

“Then come at me all at once, you cowards!”

“!”

The air trembled—!

A wave surged as if a shockwave had been released, and I lost all patience with their reluctance, prompting both the Double Blade and Eunranggeom to draw their swords.

Three blades sliced through the air toward me in an instant.

Just as I prepared to move my shoulder—

<Krrr—!>

“Ugh!?”

Suddenly, another blade pierced through the fray, blocking the two’s attacks.

The advancing distance stopped short of me, revealing yet another figure standing between us.

Cheongryong Great Lord Il Cheonggeom.

He blocked their swords and stood in the way.

The Double Blade and Eunranggeom scowled at Il Cheonggeom’s intervention.

“Are you kidding me?”

“What’s the meaning of this…?”

Their expressions hinted at disbelief that he would stand in their way.

In response, Il Cheonggeom slowly retrieved his sword, addressing them.

“Calm down.”

“Calm down? You expect us to calm down after what he just said?”

“Did you not hear the taunts he threw our way? And yet you tell us to stay calm? What kind of nonsense—”

“What’s nonsense?”

Swish—!

Gripping his sword, Il Cheonggeom glared at the Double Blade.

Simultaneously, a cold, oppressive aura erupted from his feet, swallowing them whole.

“…Ugh!?”

The intensity blindsided the Double Blade, causing him to tremble slightly.

This wasn’t just some light-hearted qi; it was far more ferocious and solid.

“Then are you saying you’re willing to shed blood here?”

Il Cheonggeom’s eyes sharpened.

“Gold Dragon Master, have you forgotten whose presence you are in?”

Whose presence indeed.

It was likely a reference to Muk Yeon.

“M-My apologies, Cheongryong Great Lord…”

“There shall be no exceptions. Strategist Muk is here in place of the Great Lord, and your actions are nothing short of disrespectful.”

“Grrrr.”

The Double Blade gritted his teeth at Il Cheonggeom’s remarks.

“How dare you treat me with such disdain—!”

But his outburst was cut short.

Shh-rrr!

Blood began to trickle down from the Double Blade’s throat.

Il Cheonggeom’s blade was perilously close to making contact. He couldn’t even afford to react in the face of this deadly situation.

It was an electrifying tension. In that brief moment, Il Cheonggeom spoke softly.

“Any further actions will be considered treason.”

“…”

That earnest gaze communicated a promise of violence; another word from anyone could bring utter devastation.

That gaze shifted from him to Eunranggeom, and finally, it was fixed on me.

“Eunranggeom is no exception. Star King, you, too.”

With a weighty atmosphere, Il Cheonggeom growled.

“Although you may not be a Great Lord yet, if your position is assured, then you are also a member of the Alliance. Why not cease the pointless squabbling? Unless you truly desire bloodshed?”

If that was the case, he would step in to prevent it.

That was the intention radiating from Il Cheonggeom.

Watching him, I thought for a brief moment.

‘Is this sufficient?’

I considered this could suffice.

Thus, I raised my hand lightly and spoke to him.

“Very well. Since you are right, if the seniors decide to halt, I, too, will draw a line here.”

With a casual tone, I suggested this while letting out a hint of my energy.

As it trickled, the energy seeped into my skin, bringing forth a cold sweat that I wiped from my brow.

An intentional act.

I could see Il Cheonggeom take note of it.

“…With the Star King saying that, what do the two Great Lords think?”

“…”

“…”

With Il Cheonggeom interjecting, it was clear the anger hadn’t dissipated, nor had any discussions led anywhere. However, it was no longer suitable to continue.

They must have recognized this, as even while grinding their teeth, they could offer but one response.

“…We shall comply.”

With that, the Great Lords carefully stepped back, allowing me to finally address Il Cheonggeom.

“It seems the situation has concluded.”

“…”

One person stirred as if to respond.

It was Mingong, who stood before me, having been behind the scenes just before things escalated.

The difference being—

‘Il Cheonggeom was here to intervene, while Mingong was close to defending me.’

Somewhat unsettling, that feeling lingered.

“Should I be thanking you?”

I asked Mingong, my voice reflecting my gratitude.

“…Not at all. I had intentions similar to Il Cheonggeom’s.”

Mingong explained that his purpose was not to protect, but to prevent conflict.

Nodding at him as I considered his intentions, I remained wary.

He had responded quickly, beyond my expectations.

At the moment chaos erupted, even if he was a fraction late, Min-gong had arrived before Il Cheonggeom.

The distance was supposed to favor me, yet he had arrived earlier despite departing later.

‘Hmmm.’

What was going on here?

Somehow, I sensed unease creeping in.

Before I could scrutinize Mingong further, a voice suddenly interrupted.

“It seems the talks need to conclude here.”

Muk Yeon’s voice rang out.

He appeared visibly uncomfortable and was rising to his feet.

“Muk the Strategist.”

Il Cheonggeom approached him, concern evident in his expression.

“I seem to have spoken too hastily. I apologize for my blunder… Thus, next time I’ll be sure to prepare better before presenting myself. My apologies.”

Muk Yeon moved as if he had to hide his struggle to speak, leaving the room, while none dared to stop him.

His departure, laden with discomfort, rendered everyone else flabbergasted.

Ah, but of course—

‘That sneaky old man.’

To me, it was nothing but a comical performance.

It was Muk Yeon who orchestrated this scenario.

He created this uncomfortable situation, using me to apply pressure on the Great Lords.

All in an effort to steer us toward the conditions I’d named.

Everything was part of that crafty old man’s plan.

Sigh.

I had thought it wouldn’t be easy, but I hadn’t expected him to be so sly.

Narrowing my eyes, I gazed at the doors through which Muk Yeon had just exited.

Shall we have a face-off, then?

‘Alright then, bring it on.’

No matter what he had envisioned or planned, I had no intention of backing down.

I turned to look back at the still-fuming Double Blade and the dazed Eunranggeom.

Shifting my gaze back to Il Cheonggeom, I locked eyes with him.

He met my gaze, and we held that stare for a moment before I allowed a slight smile to surface.

“Though the results are less than favorable, it seems we’ve concluded our discussions. I will take my leave now. That is alright, yes?”

“…”

“I’ve heard I must return tomorrow… In that case, I shall see you tomorrow, seniors.”

Respectfully, I inclined my head slightly and turned away.

I sensed a response might be forthcoming, but I chose to disregard it.

‘The bait has been cast.’

The decision of the prey to bite rested no longer in my hands.

Now, all I had to do was wait for them to take the hook.

Creek—!

However, as I grasped the door to exit, one thought crossed my mind.

‘It shouldn’t take long at all.’

I felt they had already taken the bait.

 

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