Chapter 107

In the dark night, in a secret room, a single candle was flickering in the faint wind and the breath of a person. The sixteen people who were casting shadows under the flickering candlelight all had a Vermilion Bird, with its wings spread as if to fly, embroidered on their right chests. They were none other than the sixteen members of the Vermilion Bird Squad.

Why had these sixteen people all gathered in one place in the dead of night? Despite the distinction between men and women...

They were all silent, their faces stiff. It was a serious appearance, as if waiting for a lifelong adversary. What was it that had made these people, who were considered the best talents of the Cheonmu Academy, so nervous?

"Huu!"

As if by promise, they all took a deep breath in unison and then exhaled. It included the intention to relieve the tension, even if only slightly, and to relax the muscles with their breathing. Because if one's heart was hasty, it was difficult to get a good result.

Everyone's eyes shone like those of a falcon, like the cold light on a sword's edge.

The flickering candlelight in the inhaling and exhaling breath created dark shadows on everyone's faces.

Judging from the fact that they had secretly arranged a place in the dead of night and were facing each other with serious faces with a single flickering candle placed lonely in the middle, it was not a leisurely chat.

"Can we really win?"

Near the left waist of the one who had cautiously brought up the story, a seven-blossom plum pattern was embroidered. The seven-blossom plum embroidery and the reddish-brown martial robe were the mark of the Mount Hua Sect, and the one who had spoken was none other than Jo Cheon-u, who was called the sword ghost of the Mount Hua Sect. The seven-blossom plum decoration also indicated a position just below the elders.

But who was going to win against whom?

"Well... I don't know! I can't dare to guarantee it."

As Geum Yeong-ho himself had said, this matter could not be carelessly guaranteed. If he could have guaranteed it, he would not have gathered here like this and been worrying.

"Do you really think you can win? You know more about that person than anyone else here! I want to hear your opinion."

As Jo Cheon-u had said, Hyeonun knew more about that person in detail than anyone else here. And on the other hand, he also sincerely respected him.

"I think it might be a bit too much! He's not that simple of an opponent, and besides, even I don't know to what extent my senior brother's true realm has been achieved. At least, that's what I think."

"Do you say that even after seeing with your own two eyes that our Tang Sam and Old Beggar were knocked out? I never think that person has the skill to defeat the two so simply."

Lee Jaryong, a disciple of the Kunlun Sect wearing a martial robe that was a harmony of white and black, as if seeing a crane's feather, expressed his opinion in a slightly nervous tone. His eyes were much smaller and more sharply slit than an ordinary person's, so his impression looked even sharper.

As the names of Tang Sam and No Hak were mentioned along with a disgraceful incident, the atmosphere became even more gloomy. The faces of the two frowned slightly. Couldn't they just ignore that and let it go? There was no need to mention their names so clearly.

"Jaryong's words are also right. He's a person who made a mess of the two in one breath. The great senior brother... Even he can't guarantee it so easily. I can swear on my sword!"

"..."

Cheongmun, a disciple of the Qingcheng Sect, also agreed. To bet the honor of the sword was the same as betting one's life. It also meant that he was that confident in his own opinion.

Now, the only one who was remaining silent here was Ilgong, who had always been taciturn. For him, who had lived under the strict discipline of the Shaolin Temple, a place like this was just burdensome. For him, who was a monk, or a Buddhist disciple if expressed a little more elegantly, one of the most unsuitable places was a place like today. Although he had joined because of his friends, there was no role for him to play in this place. He just remained silent and watched the situation unfold.

The women were also no different from Ilgong.

"We must be careful. But I don't think it's a matter to bet the honor of the sword on. It's definitely not a matter to be decided hastily.

I also acknowledge his skills. His sword ki, even though he hasn't shown it all, is surprisingly amazing. To be honest, I can't guarantee a victory yet either. Even though I'm one of the Nine Dragons. But can we really say that we have seen all of the great senior brother's skills?"

The answer was 'no'. Namgung Sang's point was right. It was a problem that had to be carefully considered once more.

"Hmm, hmm..."

At Namgung Sang's well-ordered story, Geum Yeong-ho let out a dry cough. It was Geum Yeong-ho, the successor of the Geumho Merchant Guild, who had presided over this meeting today and was also currently leading the hall. Because everyone had expectations for his ability.

Silence cast a curtain of stillness over the entire room. No one uttered a word. What they were now watching in silence was just one thing.

A leather bag placed lonely under the flickering light in the middle of the table they were sitting around! Everyone was just staring at it intently.

"Even if Namgung Sang and I attack him together, it might still be difficult to defeat him and win the Three Sages Festival. Although my pride is hurt..."

Jo Cheon-u honestly admitted. A true master did not carelessly show off his bravado.

"We can't even participate."

That was also the complaint of all, including Jaryong.

"Damn it, why can't we participate in the Three Sages Martial Festival because of the battle with those punks?"

Lee Jaryong spat out nervously. Although he was behind No Hak, his personality was also quite hasty and rough. It might have been because he had lived in the Kunlun Sect, which was located at the desolate end of the Murim. The Kunlun Sect was so far from the center of the Murim that it was actually very difficult to have exchanges.

"Then do you think you can surpass the Azure Dragon Squad while paying attention to the Three Sages Martial Festival?"

Jin Ryeong asked in a quiet voice. There was only one answer.

"Hmm..., that would be impossible."

As the name of the Azure Dragon Squad came out, his and the others' complaints went deep into their stomachs. For them, there was a matter that was, in a way, more important than the Three Sages Martial Festival. It was the match against the Azure Dragon Squad. The match to determine who was the best among the Four Gods Squads, for that, the Vermilion Bird Squad had given up the Three Sages Martial Festival. To be precise, it was something that Yeomdo had carelessly decided without asking for their opinion after an argument with the Ice Sword, Gwan Cheol-su, but the result was the same. It was the same for the Azure Dragon Squad. By the agreement of the two Old Masters, both the Azure Dragon Squad and the Vermilion Bird Squad had given up their participation rights for this Three Sages Martial Festival. Even though they all had more than enough qualifications to participate.

"We can never lose!"

Lee Jaryong said in a firm voice.

"If we lose, not only the great senior brother but also the Old Master might come running out of Mount Emei."

It was Jin Ryeong's words.

"Just thinking about it gives me the creeps. Miss Jin! You shouldn't say such a frightening and terrible thing carelessly! What will you do if your words become a seed?"

Tang Sam said, trembling. He did not want to hear such a story even as a joke. It was the same for No Hak. He was also scratching his shabby body to the point where it made one frown, and wasn't a pile of dirt being scratched off! It was frightening to watch. Namgung Sang quickly looked away.

"To prevent such a disaster from happening, we must win! Let's do our best in tomorrow's training as well. Because these days, we've avoided being knocked out in one blow! It's a great development."

As Namgung Sang had said, the only one who was seeing blood from the fierce special training was Yun Jun-ho, who was not present here now, as it was overwhelming for him to even follow the basic training. Even so, his effort of chasing after them with all his might without a single complaint was commendable.

"In fact, since we've only seen the first round, there's no basis to say anything definitively. So I'll listen to your opinions once more and make a final decision. More than anything, I think the person who will decide the direction of the choice is Hyeonun. Let's listen to his opinion and make a final conclusion."

Geum Yeong-ho said, coordinating the chaotic hall. That was the role he was currently in charge of. At his one word, everyone's gaze was focused on Hyeonun.

Hyeonun knew well what his friends wanted from him.

The key and core of the match was whether he could defeat the Three-Section Sword, Cheong-heun.

Everyone's gaze was on Hyeonun. It was to the point of being a little burdensome. Although they were in the same grade, if one were to go by the genealogy of his sect, the Wudang Sect, the Three-Section Sword, Cheong-heun, was Hyeonun's senior brother. Since Cheong-heun had been raised in the Wudang Sect from a young age, he belonged to a quite high position in Hyeonun's generation. Because he had held his initiation ceremony at that early of an age. And he was a senior brother who had always trained with Hyeonun from a young age. Therefore, the person who knew more about the Flying Heavenly Dragon, Cheong-heun, than anyone else here was also Hyeonun. And Hyeonun never left out this word when he explained him.

"He's a genius, Senior Brother Cheong-heun!"

That was Hyeonun's answer, as if it were a matter of course. And it was also the same answer to the same question every time. He had never hesitated in this answer once.

"Umm..."

The hall entered an even more serious state. The groan-like sound that Hyeonun had let out further increased the seriousness. A heavy silence pressed down between them. Geum Yeong-ho asked.

"How would it be compared to you? Aren't you also one of the Cheonmu Nine Dragons?"

Hyeonun shook his head. It was a skeptical reaction.

"Although we are the same Nine Dragons, my senior brother's skills are to the extent that I cannot dare to follow."

"Is it to that extent?"

Hyeonun's outstanding skills were something that all sixteen gathered here knew well.

"Although I'm also getting stronger these days, if we were to determine the winner, I guarantee that it would end in my defeat within 500 seconds."

Even while admitting his own defeat, not a single shred of shame could be found on his face. It also meant that he acknowledged the opponent's skills that much.

"Umm! To be evaluated to that extent by you. Are his skills to that extent?"

Geum Yeong-ho let out a groan.

An opponent whose defeat Hyeonun, one of the same Cheonmu Nine Dragons, guaranteed himself. The Three-Section Sword, Cheong-heun, was such an existence. Therefore, they could not dare to be careless about him.

"What! With just that! In the past, I would have been crushed within 200 seconds... His sword technique alone is truly a unique existence. Don't you all know that the divine dragon of the Wudang Sect refers to my senior brother, not me!"

Finally, Hyeonun declared his certain defeat. Everyone knew that since it was his judgment, it could not be wrong. But, even while taking such a risk, they had to do it. They had to bet everything they had and clash.

The face of their great senior brother, Bi Ryu-yeon, which they wanted to bury in the back of their memories and did not want to bring out, flickered before their eyes.

"But to concentrate on one place like that, isn't it too dangerous? If you're that worried, couldn't we divide it into two places?"

Namgung San, who had been watching quietly until now, said a word. She was slowly starting to stand out among the female disciples as well as the Seven Phoenixes these days. But her personality was still cautious.

"Haha! That's something you don't know, Miss Namgung. If you have information that others don't know, you should know how to use it. That's what they call an opportunity. No one knows the true face of the great senior brother yet. Of course, in that respect, we are the same. But we know one more thing that others don't know."

Geum Yeong-ho smiled and looked at her. Her eyes, which had received Geum Yeong-ho's gaze head-on, sparkled.

"The great senior brother's skills!"

"Yes, that's right. And that skill is a big variable that can determine the winner of the competition. This is what they call an opportunity. If you use it well, it's a big hit, and if not, it's a bust. That's why we are paying so much attention to the Three-Section Sword, Cheong-heun, who can be said to be the biggest variable. Whether he can stop the great senior brother."

Indeed, after hearing it, Geum Yeong-ho's words made sense. But it seemed that there was one fact that had been overlooked.

"But, there is one strange point! Have you forgotten that there is another variable in this competition, Mr. Geum?"

For a moment, Geum Yeong-ho's face was like that of a person who had been struck by lightning on the back of the head.

"The Seven Absolutes Divine Sword, Moyong Hwi!"

Only then did Geum Yeong-ho slap his forehead with his palm. Judging from the sound, it seemed he had hit it without any mercy.

"Oh, oh! Why didn't I think of that! To have forgotten such an important second variable."

No Hak could not hold back his curiosity and asked.

"Why? Is Moyong Hwi going to win this time?"

Since Geum Yeong-ho's thoughts were swirling in his head like lightning, he ended it by just glaring at the frivolous No Hak, who could not grasp the atmosphere. He wanted to give him a lecture on the reason, but now was not the time to consume his mental energy on that.

"No. Let's bet everything on the great senior brother."

Geum Yeong-ho said as if declaring.

"Why? Weren't you the one who was hesitating to bet on Cheong-heun, risking the stigma of betrayal, until just a moment ago? But have you suddenly decided to bet on the great senior brother? Is Moyong Hwi a pushover or something?"

"Hahaha! That's right! He's a pushover! A pushover indeed!"

"What a frustrating friend, as cunning as a son of a funeral home! I'm dying of curiosity, so just spill the beans."

No Hak urged. No matter how much he was beaten, his hasty temper showed no signs of being cured, as if it were an incurable disease.

"I'm also curious!"

Namgung Sang, who had stubbornly cast his vote for the great senior brother from the beginning and had thus been at odds with Geum Yeong-ho for a while, also urged him.

"That is..."

Geum Yeong-ho explained to them step by step why they had to bet everything on the great senior brother. The faces of the members of the Vermilion Bird Squad, who had been listening to his explanation with faces full of doubt at first, gradually brightened, and in the end, they could not hold back and burst into laughter.

"Hahaha! Indeed, that's right, indeed it is. Why didn't I think of that simple logic!"

"No objection."

"I have no objection either."

"Me too!"

"Me too!"

"..."

Everyone said a word with a voice mixed with admiration. As the brief commotion subsided, Geum Yeong-ho straightened his posture in his chair and said with a serious face.

"It's finally decided! It was a long journey. It was not an easy task. I don't want to make such a difficult choice between two alternatives ever again."

Everyone's gaze was gathered on Geum Yeong-ho. It had been tacitly agreed that everyone would follow his judgment on this matter. Therefore, his responsibility was that heavy.

"Then tomorrow, I will bet everything on the side that the great senior brother wins!"

"Umm!"

At Geum Yeong-ho's words, everyone nodded their heads in agreement. No one raised an objection. The opinions had finally been converged into one.

They had been putting their heads together and worrying for this until now. Although it was by no means a small amount of money, they had decided to take a risk for once.

More than anything, they were also afraid of the aftermath that would befall them if it became known later that they had not bet on the great senior brother. To be honest...

"Ah! Others will call us crazy!"

Geum Yeong-ho grumbled. Even without seeing it, the faces of the people around him were visible in his eyes.

"We have to endure it, what can we do!"

It was Hyeonun's words. He was also in a lighthearted mood, as all the decisions had been made.

"Isn't it something we were prepared for from the beginning! If we're afraid of the gazes of those around us, how can we do such a thing?"

Namgung Sang said firmly. He, who had always been indecisive, had changed beyond recognition after the Mount Emei training and now even felt a sense of decisiveness.

"I also agree with Mr. Namgung's words."

As even Jin Ryeong came forward to support Namgung Sang, his face immediately turned red. Whistling sounds suddenly came from the surroundings, and it became noisy. The more it did, the more embarrassed Namgung Sang seemed to be, and he dropped his head. It seemed that it was still a long way off for his personality to be completely corrected.

"All or nothing! That is the question! Amitabha!"

It was Hyeonun's one word, which still did not make him feel like a Taoist master at all.

"Yeong-ho, then I'll leave it to you tomorrow!"

Namgung Sang said, placing his hand on his shoulder.

"Leave it to me."

Geum Yeong-ho said, nodding his head readily. Perhaps because he had made a big decision, his face was bright, as if he had shaken off the pressure that had been building up in the meantime.

And the next day!

Geum Yeong-ho was at a place where people were swarming like a swarm of bees. The place was filled with the heat and noise of the people. But rather than the clamor, the vitality of life pulsating was felt in it. He always liked this kind of atmosphere.

In his hand was the leather pouch that had been on the table they had been sitting around last night. Since it was a pouch that contained the living expenses of all the members of the Vermilion Bird Squad, his handling of it could not help but be careful.