Chapter 109

Although he had a certain degree of inferiority complex, he kept it deeply hidden. As one of the typical humans who thought the nine great sects were the best, he often acted up, relying on Baek Mu-yeong's authority, so he was hated by others and was also often criticized for being a punk who rode on the coattails of a tiger.

One of his facial features was a large, unsightly mole in the middle of his right cheek, so people called him 'Spotty'. To be honest, it was unexpected even for Geum Yeong-ho to meet him in a place like this. They were the Azure Dragon Squad punks he didn't want to associate with anyway, and the punk in front of him now was the one he disliked the most among them. How could he be in a good mood?

"Are you a fool?"

The first word he spat out was a low-class language where the whereabouts of manners could not be found. Immediately, a double wick was lit on Geum Yeong-ho's face.

Do Gwang-seo had also been watching from the side as Geum Yeong-ho bet everything on Bi Ryu-yeon.

"On what grounds are you spouting such nonsense?"

These days, the relationship between the Azure Dragon Squad and the Vermilion Bird Squad was deteriorating, just like the relationship between their respective masters. That's why they often got into fights over every little thing. It seemed that the emotions of their teaching masters had been transmitted to them.

"It seems the Vermilion Bird Squad is finally not in its right mind. Have you gone crazy as a group? Or are your eyes crooked?"

"Rude words! Low-class tongue! It's very unpleasant to hear!"

"What on earth did you see to bet on such a greenhorn?"

"I don't know about other things, but I picked him because he looks 10 times stronger than the likes of you. Why? Do you have a problem?"

The legitimate son of the Geumho Mountain Villa also did not lose and retorted, his face turning red and blue.

Besides, the opponent they were laughing at was their (whatever the genealogy) great senior brother. They could curse him themselves, but they could not let others curse him. This was a matter of feeling. Because for some reason, if Bi Ryu-yeon, the person who was their great senior brother, was cursed by someone else, it felt like their entire group was being cursed in a chain reaction.

"Even if your eyes are rotten, shouldn't you bet on something that's worth it? I'm worried that others around you will look down on your insight as foolish!"

Do Gwang-seo used the expression 'you all' instead of 'you'. He was planning to take issue with not only Geum Yeong-ho's personal judgment but also the insight of the entire Vermilion Bird Squad.

'As expected of the venomous snake of the Azure Dragon Squad! It's a water ghost tactic of not giving any opening!'

To Geum Yeong-ho, the words of the spotty punk in front of him were taken to mean that if the current situation did not become a rumor in the Cheonmu Academy, he would step up himself, although it was tiring and troublesome, and become the source of the rumor. And as he found out later, it was actually so.

"We are not so desperate as to need your worries. We'll know which side's insight is more excellent only after the competition is over. How are you going to hold your head up if things go wrong after boasting so much?"

Geum Yeong-ho's words were full of thorns.

"Hahahaha! Noble insight! Watch carefully! Don't regret it later, hitting the ground!"

Although anger had reached the peak of his head, Geum Yeong-ho barely managed to calm his mind.

"I can't help but sigh at how pathetic it is that you still don't know that your insight is worthless."

Geum Yeong-ho shot back in a sneering tone. If that side came out like that, this side couldn't lose either.

"Shall I hear the reason?"

Do Gwang-seo said with an arrogant expression, crossing his arms.

"Anyway, your insight, without needing a grand explanation, is just following what everyone else is doing. The Three-Section Sword, Cheong-heun! Look around, it's the place where people are betting the most money. Probably most of the people here will bet on him. What's the difference between them and you, who are acting all high and mighty! This is a funny thing. Can't you all make a single bet based on your own judgment?"

There was no need for logic anymore. It was enough if he could just shoot back at the opponent, even if it didn't make sense.

"Hmph! Who else can win the Cheonmu Three Sages Martial Festival besides Mr. Three-Section Sword, Cheong-heun? It seems your eyes and ears are attached for nothing, you've been carrying around something useless all this time. I want to applaud your patience."

The argument between the two was gradually turning into an emotional fight.

"There's also the Seven Absolutes Divine Sword, Moyong Hwi! He shouldn't be taken lightly either!"

If there was a sensation in this competition, it could be said to be the rapid advance of the Seven Absolutes Divine Sword, Moyong Hwi. Especially after the first duel, where he had revealed his splendid martial prowess, which had only been rumored, the number of people who bet on him had increased significantly. Anyway, Cheong-heun's side was too crowded. The spirit of adventure and the shadow of the Sword Saint's name were driving the votes to Moyong Hwi's side.

"Then why did you bet on a nameless greenhorn instead of Moyong Hwi?"

'That punk again!'

Geum Yeong-ho's impression crumpled. I will definitely cut this punk to pieces someday. Geum Yeong-ho made a firm decision.

"That's because we have an insight and an excellent discernment that are three steps ahead of others, especially you all. Well, your lack of insight and discernment was a big help, though."

Geum Yeong-ho said with all his might, being sarcastic. Do Gwang-seo did not lose either.

"I've seen that absurd confidence well. I'm so curious how long that smile will last. I'm worried about my sleep from now on. If you're that confident, do you have the confidence to make a bet with me? I won't catch you even if you run away with your tail between your legs like a dog."

There was no one who would run away after hearing such words. It was also what Geum Yeong-ho had been hoping for.

"You're the one who shouldn't run away! Since you've dug your own grave, I'll acknowledge your commendable spirit and cover you with soil myself."

Sparks flew between Geum Yeong-ho and Do Gwang-seo. The two stared at each other with blazing eyes and never yielded their momentum.

"The condition?"

Geum Yeong-ho asked.

"The loser will acknowledge that their insight is lower to the winner and perform the three prostrations and nine bows, and then buy the most magnificent dinner at the Nanchang First Tower!"

The three prostrations and nine bows was the highest form of respect for a teacher, where one touched their forehead to the ground three times and bowed nine times. But when it came down to a peer, it was also the greatest shame. Honor was put on the line as a condition of the bet. As long as honor, which was more precious than life, was put on the line, it was a match that could never be yielded.

Only after the bet was decided did the two finally end their denunciation of each other. But the hardships that had befallen Geum Yeong-ho were not all over yet.

"Why are two fatties gathered and making such a fuss? Do you think this is an animal farm?"

The moment he heard the rough and loud voice from behind him, Geum Yeong-ho almost died of a heart attack on the spot.

His vision went dark. He didn't want to die without even receiving a bow from the spotty punk.

'N..., no way...'

Geum Yeong-ho's head turned back, sweating profusely.

'A..., as expected!'

His vision went dark. He had thought 'no way', but as luck would have it, Old Master Yeomdo was standing there firmly. Emitting a burning radiance from his eyes... No matter how big his guts were, he had no choice but to be scared.

"Didn't I ask you what's going on, Geumletdonho?"

The punk Do Gwang-seo, who had realized that the one who had shouted was Yeomdo, also seemed quite flustered. But no matter how flustered he was, could it be as much as Geum Yeong-ho?

The owner of the voice was the voice of the existence of fear, Master Yeomdo, who had driven the Vermilion Bird Squad into a nightmare for nearly half a year.

He was a person who should not be here by calculation, but he was now appearing here firmly.

'I'm dead!'

'...I'm dead. My friends, please engrave on my tombstone that Geum Yeong-ho of the Vermilion Bird Squad died a violent death! It's a pity that I can't see you all again! Ah...'

Geum Yeong-ho's complexion, which had been full of vitality until just a moment ago, instantly turned pale like a corpse. His mind was currently in a state of rampage, with all sorts of thoughts swirling at once.

Huk! To think I would meet Old Master Yeomdo in a place like this. It felt like I had stopped by hell and had met King Yama. It was frightening to even steal a glance at Old Master Yeomdo's impression, which would already be distorted. Even though he hadn't opened his mouth yet, it felt as if the scolding that would burst out of Yeomdo's mouth was ringing in his ears.

"You foolish idiot! How much training do you have to do, and you're enjoying a betting gamble here and slacking off! You still haven't come to your senses. Shall I give you a lesson to make you come to your senses? Do you want to die?" It was a terrifying atmosphere, as if he would burst into a roar and throw a ruthless punch. He even felt a killing intent that pierced his whole body. He regretted not having written a will in advance.

Geum Yeong-ho knew well. He knew well that Yeomdo was the kind of person with whom logic and reason did not work at all. This kind of person could never have a normal conversation. (The half a year he had received tutelage from Yeomdo had taught him that for sure) And he would never bend his own claims. Even if those claims were wrong. (So he could not be persuaded with persuasion, eloquence, or reason) As a merchant and as a human being, he was the most troublesome kind of existence to deal with.

If logic worked and reason was accepted, wouldn't he be able to proceed with or drop any story? Since he acted according to his own temper and never knew how to bend his own claims, it was impossible to predict where he would fly off to. In other words, Geum Yeong-ho's life was now hanging on Yeomdo's mood. If he survived, it was Geum Yeong-ho, who vowed never to raise his son like that. If he survived... But the probability of survival was too slim.

A moment that felt like an eternity passed. Geum Yeong-ho, with his eyes tightly shut, was waiting for the fate that would come.

Huh? But something was strange. He had noticed the strangeness just after the moment that had felt like an eternity had passed. He had his eyes tightly shut and was clenching his teeth, but what should have flown was not flying. After a silence that felt like an eternity, Geumho, who could not bear it any longer, opened his eyes slightly and stole a glance at Yeomdo. The sword was not yet drawn. Then he might be thinking of solving it violently with his fists.

Ugh..., he should have ended it cleanly in one blow. He wanted to decline multiple blows.

"Old Master! You're here!"

Geum Yeong-ho quickly took a fist-and-palm salute and bowed his waist deeply. Yeomdo's impression, who had received the disciple's greeting, became even worse. And a shout burst out.

"Who told you to greet me now? Didn't I just ask you what's going on? Have you gone deaf in the meantime? Shall I pierce it for you?"

It was a shout that indicated that the fire on the dog's mess had not yet been extinguished.

"Uh... well, that is..."

No matter how good his guts were, Geum Yeong-ho had no choice but to be extremely cautious. The fact that he had not been sent to the other world, regardless of the reason, gave him hope. Even if it was as small as a rat's tail...

"Well, my opinion and this friend's opinion were divided on who would win this match. So there was a brief conflict of opinion."

Geum Yeong-ho made an excuse, sweating profusely like rain. It felt as if his breath was being choked. It felt as if a fiery order would fall on him right away, asking what he was doing now instead of training. Wasn't it Old Master Yeomdo, who had made them unable to participate in the Three Sages Martial Festival, saying that they had to fight the Azure Dragon Squad with all their might and win? There was no way he would just let this kind of thing slide.

"So, who did you bet on?"

"Whaaat?"

Geum Yeong-ho's complexion turned black. Yeomdo had known everything. Now, all that was left was for the fiery order to fall. It would be a fiery order accompanied by a fist, ten out of ten times. Yeomdo's fiery order and the flurry of fists were an inseparable relationship that always went together. Now, Geum Yeong-ho had to worry. Would he take all the blame himself, or would he distribute the joint responsibility? Ugh! The choice was not easy.

"Uh..., on Bi Ryu-yeon sa..., to..."

Since the Azure Dragon Squad punk was in front of him, he couldn't bring himself to say the word 'senior brother' completely (so that he would think it was either a senior brother or a junior brother) and mumbled appropriately.

"What about that Azure Dragon Squad punk?"

It seemed that Yeomdo had also recognized that Do Gwang-seo was a Azure Dragon Squad punk. He must have recognized it by seeing the Azure Dragon embroidery on Do Gwang-seo's sleeve. Do Gwang-seo, who had received Yeomdo's unkind and even terrifying gaze head-on, could not help but flinch and shrink his body.

"That Azure Dragon Squad punk bet on the Three-Section Sword, Cheong-heun."

A gaze like the blazing fire of hell was directed at Geum Yeong-ho. He had no choice but to pray earnestly. If he failed... It was terrible just to imagine.

'Krrrr!'

Yeomdo's gaze was so intense and hot that it was enough to burn his whole body. It was a terrible feeling, as if his whole body was being dissected and burned under his gaze. To live or to die? The right to decide the life-and-death judgment was all in Yeomdo's hands, and Geum Yeong-ho was just in a position to wait for the judgment.

Tuk!

When Geum Yeong-ho was wondering where he would go if he died, a pouch fell in front of Geum Yeong-ho, who was thinking of an excuse to make in front of King Yama. Judging from the sound, it was clearly silver. It was not his ears that could not distinguish the sound of money.

"Bet all of mine on Bi Ryu-yeon too! And, whether it's a bet, a duel, or a fight, you have to do better than those ice-block disciples and you must win! Do you understand?"

"Y..., yes! Master!"

And then he turned his body and disappeared. Geum Yeong-ho stood there blankly, with his eyes wide open, until Yeomdo's figure disappeared from his sight.

"Huu! It feels like I've aged 10 years, no, at least 30 years..."

Only after Yeomdo's figure had completely disappeared from his sight could Geum Yeong-ho finally let out the sigh he had been holding back. The strength in his whole body was drained. He really thought he was going to see the other world today. He had almost ended his life. It was a satisfying feeling, as if he had gained an extra life. An overwhelming joy welled up from the depths of his heart.

When he turned his head, the punk Do Gwang-seo was also staring blankly at the back of Yeomdo, who had disappeared. He must have been surprised. He himself was this surprised, how could he not be surprised? Especially Yeomdo's last gaze, which had been glaring at Do Gwang-seo as if to eat him, must have been sufficiently threatening. Besides, had he ever imagined that the famous Old Master Yeomdo would bet on Bi Ryu-yeon? Seeing that punk's dazed appearance, he was inwardly triumphant.

Yeomdo had also cast a vote for Bi Ryu-yeon. It was Geum Yeong-ho, who was even more relieved. And he was confident that he would not regret it.

Until this time, that is.