Chapter 590
590
Episode 590. The Benevolent Chivalrous Pretty Boy (4)
The next day came.
Today is the day of my second match in the main round.
What became of Geumbong of the Qingcheng Sect?
Given the Sect Leader’s personality, I doubt he would have let it slide.
Just then, the door to my room opened and Palgap came in.
“Good morning, sir.” (Palgap)
“What’s with that lively greeting?” (Seoho)
Because today, he seemed far more excited than usual.
At my question, Palgap grinned and said,
“Hehehe, I found out some very interesting information, sir.” (Palgap)
“Information?” (Seoho)
“You know, that bastard with the truly rotten manners, sir.” (Palgap)
I realized at once whom he meant.
“Daoist Geumbong?” (Seoho)
“Yes, that fellow, sir. I went and quietly looked into the news, sir.” (Palgap)
I had been curious anyway, so this was perfect.
“So, what happened to him?” (Seoho)
“They say he is locked up in the underground prison of the Cheongbyeok Inn, sir.” (Palgap)
Come to think of it, Cheongbyeok Inn belonged to the Qingcheng Sect, so they had said there was a prison underground.
“And they say the Sect Leader gave orders that he would have nothing to do with it at all, and that they were to find out the source of the drug that poisoned him by any means necessary, sir.” (Palgap)
Wow!
The Sect Leader really has steeled his heart.
It is truly difficult to give such an order regarding one’s own son.
According to my memories from my previous life, the sweet life of Warrior Geumbong probably did not last very long.
Because I remember the Sect Leader changing not long afterward.
Perhaps something similar had repeated itself back then too?
So in the end, opposition within the Qingcheng Sect grew, and the Sect Leader eventually stepped down from his position, or something like that.
The reason the Qingcheng Sect could maintain its high reputation despite allowing marriage and allowing those children to enter the Qingcheng Sect was because its discipline was strict.
In a place like that, he lost his reason whenever something involved Warrior Geumbong, so there was no way opposition would not arise.
As such, Warrior Geumbong would likely undergo a rather painful and severe interrogation.
“Thanks for going out of your way to find out.” (Seoho)
“Who am I, sir? Am I not the Young Master’s one and only servant, sir?” (Palgap)
“That’s true.” (Seoho)
I nodded and gave a faint laugh.
Then now, I should forget about the Qingcheng Sect’s matters for a while and focus on the duel before me.
.
.
.
After eating breakfast, I got ready to head to the dueling grounds.
Just then, Jinho Hyung’s voice came from outside.
“Seoho, can I come in?” (Jinho)
“Yeah, come in.” (Seoho)
The door opened and Jinho Hyung came in. As soon as he entered, Hyung held out a small pouch to me.
“Take it.” (Jinho)
“What is this?” (Seoho)
I tilted my head and opened the pouch, and inside it was a small box.
When I carefully opened that box, a refreshing fragrance spread out.
“It was hard to obtain.” (Jinho)
At Hyung’s words, my eyes could only go wide.
“This… is it perhaps a spiritual pill?” (Seoho)
“It is not a spiritual pill, but it is on the level of a quasi-spiritual pill. It has the effect of assisting qi circulation.” (Jinho)
Eating a spiritual medicine that helps with qi circulation like this right before a duel is not against the rules.
But no one eats spiritual medicine that increases inner arts.
Because if you duel right after eating such a spiritual medicine, that is exactly the perfect way to become a cripple.
“Thank you.” (Seoho)
“And… do your best today.” (Jinho)
“That is, of course…” (Seoho)
But Jinho Hyung cut off my words and said,
“Do not think of losing on purpose for my sake.” (Jinho)
“……” (Seoho)
How did he know?
I had already been considering whether to lose today.
Originally, I had been thinking of winning about one more time, but there were a few things bothering me.
First, the more I kept winning, the higher the Alliance Leader’s prestige would rise.
Second, Jinho Hyung was someone who would become the Captain of the Eunhae Trading Company’s armed force, the Silver Wind Unit, and being evaluated as weaker than me would do him no good.
“But, Hyung. No matter how I think about it, nothing good will come of me rising higher than you.” (Seoho)
“I do not care.” (Jinho)
“Other people will say things.” (Seoho)
“Let them spout whatever they want!” (Jinho)
“But Hyung…” (Seoho)
“Hmm……” (Jinho)
After thinking for a moment, Jinho Hyung smiled as though something had come to mind and said,
“Then how about this?” (Jinho)
“What?” (Seoho)
“I mean the alias. Honestly, even if you do need an alias, The Benevolent Chivalrous Pretty Boy is a bit burdensome, isn’t it?” (Jinho)
“…It is.” (Seoho)
It is exactly as Jinho Hyung said.
A beautiful man who carries out benevolent chivalry!
If one has such an alias, one cannot help but be cautious in one’s actions.
“But if you put on an outstanding performance in this duel, couldn’t you get an even cooler alias instead of The Benevolent Chivalrous Pretty Boy?” (Jinho)
“An even cooler… alias?” (Seoho)
“Right. Something like Silver Sword Pretty Boy, who wields a silver sword, or maybe Martial Merchant Sword Immortal, with the meaning of a merchant who uses martial arts.” (Jinho)
Without realizing it, I could not help but be tempted by Jinho Hyung’s words.
“That, that sounds good?” (Seoho)
“Right?” (Jinho)
“So do not think of losing on purpose today. Got it?” (Jinho)
“Yeah. I got it.” (Seoho)
It seems Jinho Hyung has a merchant’s blood in him too.
To think he would persuade me like this!
Not bad.
.
.
.
I headed to the dueling grounds with my family, sat down, and waited for my turn to come.
Now, there are seven remaining duels in the Earth Division in total.
The final winner of the Earth Division who remains until the end there will fight for the championship against Young Master Jegal Yua, the final winner of the Heaven Division.
“From now on, we will begin the second round duels of the Earth Division’s main tournament. The first duel is Hyangok of the Emei Sect against Jinsu of the Kongtong Sect!” (Announcer)
“Waaaaaaah!”
Amid the cheers of the people, Hyangok Noona and Warrior Jinsu of the Kongtong Sect went up onto the dueling stage.
After each of them attached tokens to their bodies, they exchanged a clasped-hands greeting.
Boom!
With the sound of the drum, the duel began.
At the same time, Warrior Jinsu took his starting stance, and that starting stance was somewhat unusual.
It was like the posture of a fierce beast about to tear the opponent apart at any moment, and his gaze was extremely sharp.
Well, considering the characteristics of the Kongtong Sect, such a sharp aura might be natural.
The Kongtong Sect is located in the northwestern part of the Empire together with the Kunlun Sect.
Because of that, they often clashed with the Demonic Cult, and their martial arts had also developed in a very practical and destructive direction.
Hmm, Elder Gyeongsanja is over there.
He is someone I once met because of the matter with the Sword Tomb located on Mount Yanzhi in Gansu Province.
The power struggle over the position of next Sect Leader had been fierce, but in the end, Elder Gyeongsanja did not become the Sect Leader of the Kongtong Sect.
Because before the previous Sect Leader ascended, he suddenly set up the next Sect Leader through an unconventional move and then ascended.
The previous Sect Leader had known.
That if Elder Gyeongsanja, who had deep ties with the Martial Alliance, became the Sect Leader, the identity of the Kongtong Sect might collapse.
In any case, one of the warriors who had come with Elder Gyeongsanja back then was that very Warrior Jinsu.
It has been a while.
He was someone with quite a strong sense of responsibility and who acted proactively.
Taat!
Warrior Jinsu launched the first attack, and Hyangok Noona calmly met it head-on.
Kaaang!
I wonder who will win?
The level called the pinnacle is by no means a level one can reach easily.
In a small sect or clan, it was a level at which one could rise to the position of Elder.
That is why a friendly duel becomes a contest of pride between forces.
Pueok!
Ssat!
The two people’s weapons and fists flew back and forth fiercely, and the bloody battle continued.
Hyangok Noona looked quite excited.
It was probably because she had met an opponent against whom she could fight with all her strength after so long.
Of course, there are not few pinnacle-level masters in the Emei Sect, but they are all likely elders of a higher generation, so she must show them due respect.
So it is difficult to fight with full strength like this.
On top of that, unlike the warriors until now, Warrior Jinsu is not ignoring or teasing her, but is sincerely facing her as a martial artist.
That point made Hyangok Noona feel pleased.
Well, meeting an opponent against whom one can display one’s full strength is not an easy thing.
How much time passed like that?
“Hoo, hoo.” (Hyangok)
“Hah, hah……” (Jinsu)
Hyangok Noona and Warrior Jinsu moved apart from each other and gasped for breath.
The tokens fallen on the floor numbered thirteen in total.
The single remaining token was attached to Hyangok Noona’s body.
“The winner of this match is Hyangok of the Emei Sect!” (Geum Yeonhwa)
“Waaaaaaaaah!”
A tremendous shout erupted. I and the people of the Eunhae Trading Company also shouted toward Noona.
“You’re amazing! Hyangok!” (Seoho)
“Gale Fairy Hyangok!”
“Gale Fairy! Gale Fairy! Gale Fairy!”
People repeatedly shouted the alias Gale Fairy.
It is a new alias that has been attached to Hyangok Noona this time.
It is an alias born from Noona’s appearance as she used her sword like a gale, without hesitation.
There are cases where an alias is given by a superior, but usually, what people come up with and call someone becomes that alias.
That is why, when one shows a different side, that alias also changes.
Noona also seemed to like her new alias, as she was smiling.
Well, when she first heard the alias Snow Sword Heroine, she nearly drew her blade on a passerby.
Until now, she had not been able to properly display her martial prowess, and before that, she had defeated her opponents with words.
But not today.
Today’s duel with Warrior Jinsu of the Kongtong Sect clearly showed that martial prowess.
Thanks to that, Noona gained a new alias.
“See?” (Jinho)
Jinho Hyung laughed faintly and said,
“If you do well enough too, you can get a new alias like Hyangok Noona.” (Jinho)
Now that things have turned out this way, Jinho Hyung’s words have even more persuasive power.
“What are you thinking about, sir?” (Palgap)
At Palgap’s question, I said,
“I was thinking about the alias people will give me.” (Seoho)
“They will surely give you a cool alias, sir.” (Palgap)
At Palgap’s words, everyone nodded.
But Miss Seohyang had a meaningful expression on her face.
What does that mean?
But when she makes that kind of expression, she does not tell me the reason, so I could only endure my curiosity.
And before long, my turn came.
“This is today’s final duel! Wuhyeon of the Mount Hua Sect! His opponent is Eun Seoho of the Eunhae Trading Company!” (Announcer)
“Waaaaaaaaah!”
I went up onto the dueling stage while receiving everyone’s cheers.
Warrior Wuhyeon, who came up from the opposite side, was Warrior Myeongjong’s Senior Brother, and they say he possesses the greatest skill within that generation, so the Mount Hua Sect has high expectations for him.
I am sorry, Warrior Myeongjong.
I must win.
Because I have to create a new alias for myself.
Warrior Wuhyeon and I each attached tokens to our bodies, headed to the center, and exchanged a clasped-hands greeting.
“I look forward to today’s match.” (Seoho)
“As do I.” (Wuhyeon)
When each of us had finished greeting each other and stepped about one pace back,
Boom!
The sound of the drum rang out.
It was the start of the duel.
We began a probing battle while observing each other.
This was boring, but it was a process absolutely necessary for victory.
Because charging in without grasping the opponent’s weaknesses or traits is the shortcut to defeat.
In other words, it also means one can strategically shake the opponent.
I deliberately showed a slight opening.
Taat!
Just as I intended, Warrior Wuhyeon charged toward me.
Chaeng!
Sword and sword collided.
And so our exchange of offense and defense began.
Before my eyes, plum blossoms fluttered, and at the tip of my nose, I felt the rich scent of plum blossoms.
It was the Plum Blossom Sword, the representative martial art symbolizing the Mount Hua Sect.
In a friendly duel, one cannot directly use sword qi, but one can use it indirectly for defense.
Thanks to that, I can see the plum blossoms.
Shuuuk!
His sword flew in.
Against it, my sword bent in a wide arc.
It was a secret technique of the Heavenly Flow Ice Art, embodying flowing river water.
Using that, I blocked his sword.
At the same time, I imbued my sword with the principles of Snow Thicket.
A swamp of snow.
It does not stop the opponent from moving right away, but slowly makes their movements sluggish and gradually seals them off.
Because movement is important enough that one could say all martial arts begin with footwork.
How much time passed like that?
Gradually, Warrior Wuhyeon’s movements began to grow dull. His expression said he had realized something was wrong, but it was already too late.
Kwajik!
Warrior Wuhyeon’s token broke.
A dismayed expression.
But I cannot just one-sidedly destroy only the opponent’s tokens.
Because I had to show only about the level of skill known to the world.
So I pretended I could not continue the attack just now and allowed one of my own tokens to be broken.
Thanks to staging such a fierce exchange, before long, each of us had three tokens remaining.
“Hoo, hoo, hoo.” (Wuhyeon)
He, breathing roughly, could not keep his balance and slipped on the sweat that had fallen to the floor, falling over.
Of course, it was not my sweat, but Warrior Wuhyeon’s sweat.
Bang!
It meant he was tired enough that he could not keep his center of gravity, and it also meant he had sweated that much.
Instead of swinging my sword, I approached him and held out my hand.
“Oh no! Are you all right?” (Seoho)
“Ah, yes. I am fine.” (Wuhyeon)
“Take my hand and stand up.” (Seoho)
After hesitating for a moment, he took my hand and rose from his spot.
“Waaaaaaaaah!”
Seeing the people cheering, it seemed this sight had been quite moving.
“Then, let us continue the duel.” (Seoho)
“Hoo, hoo, no.” (Wuhyeon)
He shook his head and wiped away his sweat.
“The sun is setting.” (Wuhyeon)
At those words, I looked at the sky, and the sun really was setting.
When I had gone up onto the dueling stage, the sun had still been high, so when on earth had this much time passed?
“And there is no reason to continue the duel any further. I wondered why Warrior Inbong forfeited, but now I think I understand.” (Wuhyeon)
He continued.
“Even if we cross swords any longer, there is no chance that I will win. I, too, will forfeit.” (Wuhyeon)
“What? You are saying you will forfeit?” (Seoho)
“That is correct.” (Wuhyeon)
He respectfully gave a clasped-hands greeting.
“I learned a great deal. As expected, I understand why the Alliance Leader recommended you.” (Wuhyeon)
“……” (Seoho)
I could not bring myself to stop him as he staggered down from the training ground.
Because he looked so clearly exhausted that it was impressive he had endured this far.
No, why am I perfectly fine…….
Captain Geum Yeonhwa came up onto the dueling stage and declared,
“The winner of this duel is Eun Seoho of the Eunhae Trading Company!” (Geum Yeonhwa)
“Waaaaaaaaah!”
“To think he held out his hand to his duel opponent! As expected of the Benevolent Chivalrous Pretty Boy!”
“The Benevolent Chivalrous Pretty Boy! The Benevolent Chivalrous Pretty Boy!”
People chanted my alias, and I listened to those cheers with a hollow smile.
No, why do I keep being The Benevolent Chivalrous Pretty Boy?
There are so many other cool aliases too.
Like that, I trudged down from the dueling stage.
“I am back.” (Seoho)
“Yes, you worked hard.” (Father)
“How admirable! My son!” (Mother)
After greeting my parents, I approached Jinho Hyung.
“Hyung, you said I would get a cooler alias?” (Seoho)
“……” (Jinho)
At my words, Jinho Hyung turned his head away with an awkward cough, as though he had nothing to say.