Chapter 707
싸아아아-.
After the sparring ended, all that remained on the stage was a serene silence and the sound of the wind.
In a situation where even breathing was inaudible, I slowly lifted my head.
In front of me lay the fallen Wind Forest’s Honorary Fist.
I took a deep breath as I looked at him.
‘Ah, I feel a bit sorry for this.’
At the same time, I couldn’t help but grin awkwardly.
I had known all along that he had reached the Transformation Realm.
It was also apparent that he hadn’t been there long.
Though he seemed to be hiding his momentum, it was so uncontrollable that it seeped out little by little.
Moreover, I understood why he had kept his realm a secret despite that.
So, I felt a bit guilty.
Normally, he would have been the star of the stage right now.
‘Thanks to that, things turned out this way, so I’m grateful too.’
I raised my bowed body.
Then.
“…What….”
“Th-That’s….”
The quiet silence shattered, and murmurs started to spread.
“Did the Wind Forest’s Honorary Fist fall…?”
“Wasn’t he supposed to be a martial artist of the Transformation Realm?”
“Could it be that it was all a lie?”
The Wind Forest’s Honorary Fist had indeed reached the Transformation Realm.
The loud exclamations came from the martial artists in the audience.
Was that information fake?
Such suspicions flashed by, but the observing martial artists were different.
“…No, the Honorary Fist definitely reached the Transformation Realm. I, Thunder Power Spear, will attest to this.”
“Wh-What!? Thunder Power Spear…!?”
“Did he just say…?”
“Y-Yeah. The giant with a long scar on his cheek. That’s Thunder Power Spear.”
All eyes concentrated on the man in the audience.
Thunder Power Spear, who stood among the White-Grade Masters of the Central Plains.
Was he watching the martial arts tournament from the spectator’s stand?
Also….
“Thunder Power Spear has testified that the Wind Forest’s Honorary Fist’s realm is real.”
“…So, the Wind Forest’s Honorary Fist really is at the Transformation Realm.”
Was it because it was a statement made by a fellow martial artist at the same realm?
His words carried weight.
The fact that the Wind Forest’s Honorary Fist was indeed at the Transformation Realm flowed out.
With that, another question arose.
“Then… what was that just now?”
A single remark triggered it.
“So, So Yeomra? Did So Yeomra defeat the Wind Forest’s Honorary Fist?”
“W-Was it really a demonic technique?”
“What the hell, how dare you use demonic techniques here in the Martial Alliance!”
“Can one really defeat a martial artist of the Transformation Realm with a demonic technique…?”
“Then… does that mean that young man is also at the Transformation Realm?”
As those words were spoken, those around me turned to stare at Thunder Power Spear.
Suddenly being the target of many gazes made Thunder Power Spear panic for a moment.
Everyone seemed to hope for a definitive answer from him.
“Hmm….”
But Thunder Power Spear found it hard to respond.
He hadn’t been able to confirm it either.
The reason was.
‘I didn’t see it.’
Though he was called Thunder Power Spear because of his spear techniques that were faster than lightning, even he couldn’t catch So Yeomra’s movements in his sight.
It might also have been that the Wind Forest’s Honorary Fist blocked the view, but how could he have knocked down his opponent in that brief moment?
‘Could it really have been a demonic technique?’
Thunder Power Spear couldn’t help but think that way.
It was hard to understand otherwise.
But if it wasn’t a demonic technique…
‘…Does that mean that young man has reached the Transformation Realm?’
This would mean that So Yeomra was also a martial artist of the Transformation Realm.
Moreover, not all Transformation Realm martial artists are the same.
The Wind Forest’s Honorary Fist was someone who had just recently reached his level.
Thunder Power Spear thought it wouldn’t take long to defeat such a newly established honorary fist.
However.
‘There’s no way he could have taken him down that quickly.’
He certainly wouldn’t be able to subdue him as fast as Gu Yangcheong.
At the very least, three exchanges would have been necessary.
Yet this young man had managed to topple the Honorary Fist in the blink of an eye, so Thunder Power Spear furrowed his brow and stared at So Yeomra.
Not just Thunder Power Spear.
Everyone began to realize.
“So Yeomra…. What on earth is his identity? Is he really a martial artist of the Transformation Realm, this young man?”
“Come to think of it…. I’ve heard rumors before. A few years ago, there were whispers that So Yeomra had reached the Transformation Realm. Does that mean that…?”
“What do you mean by that? So Yeomra is said to be young and now barely past twenty. Are you talking about a few years ago…?”
“Are you saying he reached it faster than Shin Ryong? Then isn’t this basically the official verification by the alliance?”
The questions began to pile up.
It would accumulate and transform into a dagger.
The sharply honed dagger would stab through the barely stacked wall, creating a crack.
Becoming a dagger itself.
Gu Yangcheong felt such reactions and turned to the judge.
“Shouldn’t you announce the results?”
“…!”
The judge flinched in response to the call.
He appeared to be unaware of the current situation.
“Ah, um….”
After a moment of daze and mumbling, he seemed to gather his thoughts and hurriedly added.
“Th-There’s… the sparring is over. Now, number eighteen wins—.”
“Uhm, it’s number seventeen.”
“Oh.”
He still seemed dazed.
“Seventeen…. W-Wins.”
Even as the judge’s declaration came out, the murmurs were still ongoing.
Sure, let those questions erupt.
I had endured until now for those reactions.
Slick.
Gu Yangcheong turned his back and walked away from the sparring stage.
As he descended and disappeared, the audience was buzzing only about Gu Yangcheong,
Which was the very situation he had longed for.
He walked.
Kept walking.
Moving slowly to not seem hurried. With each step, the gazes were pointed at him.
All eyes were on the martial artists who had just witnessed the sparring.
They were all staring at my face.
The glances that had previously been furtive now boldly gazed at me.
Among the flood of stares, various emotions swirled around.
Astonishment.
Doubt.
Guard.
Fear.
A whirlwind of emotions, yet it didn’t feel entirely bad.
“Did he take down the Honorary Fist in one strike…?”
“I couldn’t even see him….”
“How could this happen….”
The whispers gave me a slight headache.
The sight of these insignificant beings yapping was amusing.
I couldn’t help but think that I had to suppress those feelings.
‘Screw this.’
I had been feeling alright lately, but every time I tried to act a little bit, it turned into this.
Could my blood be boiling? Such sensations had occurred occasionally.
Suppressing a sigh as I walked, I arrived at the position where Tang Soyeol and Bong-Soon were.
Tang Soyeol, spotting me, greeted me with a bright smile and waved her hand.
Strangely enough, seeing her made me feel a bit more settled.
“Good job out there.”
“What do you mean a job? I didn’t do anything.”
For some reason, I felt a tad embarrassed.
So, even though I was grumbling against my true feelings, Tang Soyeol simply smiled at my words.
“You did well, my Prince…. You worked hard.”
“Yeah! You were amazing! Just as I expected from my partner….”
I smacked Bong-Soon’s forehead hard as she tried to sneak in a silly remark.
“Kyah!”
Bong-Soon screamed, clutching her head.
“Please… just be quiet.”
“Guhhhh! I…I feel good….”
“…”
I felt dizzy.
Just a moment ago, my mind was complicated, but now it felt like I might burst just looking at her.
“Pfft….”
The situation seemed funny enough that Tang Soyeol also appeared to be stifling her laughter.
What a mess. It was all a total mess.
All gazes were fixed on this side, yet we were in a totally different mood.
Strangely, it didn’t feel all that bad.
I shook my head and looked at Tang Soyeol.
“Aren’t you nervous?”
“Eh?”
It was still far from the end, as the sparring would go up to fifty, so it would be her turn next.
Still, it seemed that she felt not a hint of nervousness.
Well, Bong-Soon was below human standards, so she was an exception, but why was Tang Soyeol acting so calm?
I asked, looking at her with curious eyes, and she replied.
“There’s no need to be nervous against someone like that.”
“Ah….”
It was a reasonable answer; I nodded my head.
I guess against that guy, there wouldn’t be much to be anxious about.
“Why? Do you think I’m going to lose?”
“Eh, of course not.”
While there’s no such thing as absolute certainties, probabilities do exist.
In this case, the chances of Tang Soyeol losing to that man were almost nonexistent.
Unless she tried to lose on purpose.
In response to my answer, Tang Soyeol smiled sweetly.
“Then you don’t have to worry.”
Hearing her words, I slightly averted my gaze.
“Who said I was worried?”
I had been caught.
I tried to hide it as much as possible, but how did she know?
“I won’t lose. Not unless it’s to you….”
Tang Soyeol wiped the smile off her face and spoke seriously.
“I have no intention of losing to anyone.”
To anyone.
Her words carried a strangely poignant meaning.
If it were confidence, then it was confidence; if it were competitiveness, then competitiveness.
Had Tang Soyeol always been like this? Or had the King of Demons done something to her?
While it looked good, there was something eerie about it.
“…Alright.”
It felt strange, but I didn’t pry any further.
Tang Soyeol, too, began to shift her gaze and look around.
The stares continued to overflow in this direction.
This was partly my fault.
And it was also half Tang Soyeol’s fault.
“Ah, the Tang Clan’s daughter.”
“Isn’t it Poison Phoenix? I heard he hasn’t reached the peak yet, so how did he come this far?”
The martial artists whispered while looking at Tang Soyeol.
“It’s obvious. He must’ve pulled some trick.”
“Indeed….”
The words that reached my ears weren’t pleasant.
The Tang Clan’s reputation in the Central Plains was currently at its worst.
The abduction of orphaned children for experiments had been revealed.
Because of that, discussions were swirling about whether to even keep the Tang Clan in the righteous faction.
In such circumstances, the bloodline of the Tang Clan had appeared, leaving no choice for the murmurings to be directed solely at Tang Soyeol.
“While the family may have issues, she is certainly charming.”
“Are you only going to trust her based on her looks? In this day and age, all are similar.”
“Tch. Even Yu Tan-Geom was momentarily taken in. It’s clear it’s because of her.”
Suu.
Unable to bear listening, I released my energy.
Guuuuhhh—!
“…Eep!?”
“Whoa….”
Those brutes began to tremble in fear.
It was hard to hold back my emotions.
Should I kill them?
Or perhaps burn them from the toes up?
Unable to control myself, I began to stride toward them.
Clap.
Tang Soyeol grabbed my hand, blocking me just like last time.
There was one notable difference from before.
“My Prince.”
“…”
At her clear voice, I looked at Tang Soyeol.
Her eyes were unwavering.
“Please, don’t.”
This request was the same as last time.
However.
“If you just stay in my embrace, I won’t be able to do anything.”
“…!”
At Tang Soyeol’s words, I found myself stiffening up.
“I don’t want to live like that.”
“You….”
“Honestly, I feel really happy. Just being protected by you makes me feel like I own the world. But… I can’t just stay like this.”
“What do you mean?”
I asked, confused, but Tang Soyeol continued speaking, her smile still intact.
“Walking together doesn’t mean just that.”
“…”
“I want to walk with you.”
It was a statement laden with meaning that left me breathless.
I felt her sincerity, and it magnified that.
“That’s why I came. To show you.”
“Show me? Show me what?”
“That I can stand on my own, even without your help. I can walk, run, and even fly.”
“…”
“So, for just a moment, please watch over me. I ask you.”
As she tightened her grip on my hand, I felt the cold yet warm energy returning.
Saaaaa….
As I withdrew my killing intent, those overwhelmed by the energy crumpled down helplessly.
“Ugh…. Ah….”
Those with lower realms even retched.
Watching them, I stepped back and folded my arms.
“Thank you, my Prince.”
“…”
With my brow furrowed, I didn’t reply.
It wasn’t because I disapproved of Tang Soyeol’s attitude.
I was unhappy with myself for losing control when I knew her feelings deep down.
At the same time, it made me curious.
‘What on earth is she trying to show me…?’
What was she trying to achieve by doing all this?
Questions gradually sprouted, but soon they would be resolved.
Just moments ago, I was standing on the sparring stage.
On the cold marble, someone lay bleeding and unconscious.
“Ugh…ck.”
The one groaning in pain was the White-Grade Master Yu Tan-Geom.
A renowned master who had reached the Transformation Realm.
And that great figure was now bleeding and struggling on the ground,
As the audience gazed at Yu Tan-Geom, they were once again rendered speechless.
At that moment.
Someone gently stepped on the face of the crumpled Yu Tan-Geom.
“Ugh!”
He couldn’t even scream properly.
Just looking at him, the owner of that foot,
Tang Soyeol smiled enchantingly and said,
“Senior, you must get up.”
That voice sent shivers down the spines of those watching.
Cold yet mesmerizing.
“Or are you going to lie there like a dog? How utterly disgraceful…”
An overwhelming gaze was directed downward.
Her white calves slightly visible between her clothes.
And the quaking Yu Tan-Geom below her.
In this bizarre situation, I stared blankly at Tang Soyeol.
…Was this what she meant by showing me?
If so, then that was exceedingly strange.
