Chapter 113

• A Cold and Beautiful Sword

"Finally, I heard that even Jeon Ok-gi, whom we had believed in, has lost!"

Cheong-heun said, with two teacups between them.

"That's right! He lost!"

Baek Mu-yeong also knew, as he had already received the report.

It was no exaggeration to say that there was no match that they would move for directly, unless it was Moyong Hwi's match.

"I heard he suffered a quite terrible fate..."

"Hmph!"

At Cheong-heun's question, Baek Mu-yeong could not help but let out a bitter laugh.

"They say he'll have a hard time moving for three months. A warning must have been sent to Bi Ryu-yeon as well. He's a punk who reveres and worships the honor of a prestigious family like the heavens... To have suffered such a fate, it seems he's not of ordinary skill! The rumor might be true..."

Baek Mu-yeong's body, which had been listening intently to Cheong-heun's words, stiffened.

"Are you saying that his skills are not a lie?"

Baek Mu-yeong asked, staring at Cheong-heun.

"I can't make a clear judgment yet, but it seems to be a fact that he's not weak. It seems that the line where one can win with just luck and skill has passed! This is already the fifth one!"

Cheong-heun's voice had become slightly grave.

"We'll have to impose sanctions soon!"

"Do you have any plan?"

Although he knew that asking this was a foolish question, he had no choice but to ask to hear the answer.

"Someone will have to block his path around this time. We have to think about the worst-case scenario, don't we? It's already five consecutive wins!"

Cheong-heun said, holding a teacup that was emitting a deep tea fragrance. But no matter how much of an unusual atmosphere he was creating, it seemed that it was not yet to the extent of attracting his attention, and there was a leisure on his face.

"Don't worry about that. Isn't there that friend who has finally come out after breaking his seclusion!"

At Baek Mu-yeong's leisurely words, Cheong-heun's eyes sparkled.

"Really? There was that punk. I had forgotten because he hasn't been seen at all these days. Then that's a relief."

"He's also smoothly on his fifth consecutive win. Of course, it's a natural thing for him. If it goes on like this, he'll face that punk named Bi Ryu-yeon in the finals. He's been looking forward to it. Besides, he seems to believe that Bi Ryu-yeon will definitely come up to the finals."

Baek Mu-yeong's words were very unexpected for Cheong-heun. What on earth was the identity of that punk named Bi Ryu-yeon, whom the prideful Wi Ji-cheon was so sure of?

"If he says so, then it must be so. I'll believe him."

Cheong-heun also had no choice but to believe. He was one of the few people in the academy with whom he could cross swords.

"Still, it's a relief! But it's very unexpected. For him to participate in the Three Sages representing the Nine Orthodoxies Association so readily."

"To be honest, I was also surprised! For that punk to accept our proposal so readily!"

Cheong-heun also agreed with Baek Mu-yeong's words and nodded his head.

"The rumor might be true to some extent!"

"I can't believe it. Would a mere first-year greenhorn have such an ability?"

Baek Mu-yeong's judgment was as cold as ever. But Cheong-heun, who had the experience of facing him with a sword directly, knew better than anyone how deep his sword skill was.

"We'll know if we keep watching from now on! Anyway, since it was something he asked for first, we have nothing to be sorry for, but it's something to welcome with open arms. With this, we can be relieved about the Three Sages Grand Battle side."

"Although we had to hastily change people and change all the tactics because of his participation, he's more than worth it."

"Mu-yeong! When I saw that punk the other day..."

Cheong-heun seemed to have something he wanted to say. He opened his mouth cautiously, which was unlike him.

"I felt it too!"

Before Cheong-heun's words could end, Baek Mu-yeong received the words.

"As expected, you felt it too!"

"Of course. I knew one thing for sure. The fact that his skills have not been dulled because of a woman."

"It felt more keen and sharp."

Cheong-heun also obediently expressed his agreement.

"It's proof that his seclusion training was not in vain, so it's a good thing for us! That's right! If it's the current him, he won't lose to anyone he fights."

That's why they could be relieved about the Three Sages Grand Battle side for now. Now was the time to pay more attention to the other side.

"How did the Sword Empress Exhibition look? Miss Na Ye-rin has also already gone up to the semifinals! How was it?"

"She was strong and beautiful!"

Cheong-heun frankly confessed his feelings. Baek Mu-yeong, due to various busy matters, could not directly confirm the progress of the Three Sages Martial Festival and often received it in writing. Therefore, the task of actually going to see and judge was Cheong-heun's share. Besides, for Baek Mu-yeong, Cheong-heun's insight was more reliable than anyone else's.

"For you to say that, it's the highest praise! I was relieved that the One-Eyed Phoenix, Dokgo-ryeong, was not participating, but to think there would be such a variable..."

Baek Mu-yeong's complexion darkened slightly. Her strength was beyond imagination.

"I could see at a glance that she had learned the sword to a quite profound realm. It was a dazzlingly beautiful sword ki. Perhaps men would not realize it even after giving their necks to that brilliant beauty."

Baek Mu-yeong, who had heard his admiration, said with a big laugh.

"Hahaha! She would be very jealous if she heard that!"

Cheong-heun's cheeks reddened slightly. Although Cheong-heun had almost no one to follow him in martial arts within the Nine Orthodoxies Association, he was still weak in this area. He was no different from a country bumpkin.

"If you tell her, I won't leave you alone."

"Hahaha! You're so scary when you're so serious. She's also already in the semifinals. If it goes on like this, two phoenixes will fight for the jade throne in the finals. It's a pity that Miss Jeong has been eliminated, but I can't say that when I think of you! Was she still cold and beautiful?"

Baek Mu-yeong kept teasing Cheong-heun, with a bright smile that he only showed to Cheong-heun sometimes. The 'she' he had mentioned this time was not Na Ye-rin but another woman. And it was also the reason why Cheong-heun's cheeks were reddening. Cheong-heun, who could avoid a hundred flying swords without any problem, was still helpless in this kind of defense.

"Of course! Her sword is still cold, but her heart is still warm. No one will be able to predict the winner of this Sword Empress Exhibition!"

At Cheong-heun's words, Baek Mu-yeong just quietly nodded his head.

Among the two who had been silent for a while, the one who opened his mouth first again was Cheong-heun.

"By the way, any news from the leader?"

"Not yet!"

Baek Mu-yeong answered lightly. It also meant that he himself did not know any more.

"Is that so? Then I'll be on my way. I enjoyed the tea. Your tea ceremony skills are amazing whenever I see them!"

Cheong-heun did not ask any more about the leader and left his seat.

"You're overpraising me! Go safely!"

Now that he had drunk the tea, it was time to fulfill the responsibility he had been entrusted with.

• The Great Fortune Striking Zither

Bi Ryu-yeon's unwanted reunion with Wi Ji-cheon
was at Na Ye-rin's semifinal match.
Of course, it was not that he had wanted to meet him.
He was just stuck like a tag-along next to Na Ye-rin, so he had no choice but to
face him, but for Bi Ryu-yeon, it had no further great meaning.

The others who had gathered for the eye candy to see Na Ye-rin's duel were not able to approach her vicinity carelessly, being afraid of Wi Ji-cheon's gaze.

If they had committed such an act with big guts, they knew well what kind of punishment Wi Ji-cheon would inflict. Wi Ji-cheon's defense was too much of an iron wall to covet the flower. But there was someone who crossed that line of death without much thought. Wi Ji-cheon's face, who had seen that, immediately crumpled. Dokgo-ryeong's face also distorted slightly. Only Na Ye-rin was still maintaining an expressionless look.

"Hello, Miss Na. It's a nice day."

The one who was greeting with a broad smile was none other than Bi Ryu-yeon.

"What is it?"

Na Ye-rin asked back in a quiet voice. It was a pleasant voice to hear whenever he heard it. Bi Ryu-yeon could feel himself becoming more and more joyful.

"What do you mean, what is it! I came to cheer for Miss Na. Do your best."

At a glance, it was nothing special, but there was not a single person who had come right up to her before her match and had given words of encouragement like Bi Ryu-yeon. Because there were too many gazes around, and the defense was also too strong. But Bi Ryu-yeon was approaching her and talking to her calmly, as if to mock all of this. She did not ignore him either.

"Thank you."

Although she had received the words without any change in her expression, even this was a great achievement. Because even this was a privilege that was rarely given. Wi Ji-cheon's face, who was watching this, could not help but turn even redder.

"Huh? Who is this? Uh..., so..., what was your name?"

Bi Ryu-yeon asked with a puzzled expression, looking at Wi Ji-cheon as if he had just come into his eyes. Wi Ji-cheon's face, who had received Bi Ryu-yeon's question, turned red again.

"You punk! Have you already forgotten?"

It was enough to be angry that he had recognized him only after he had finished his own business, but to not even remember his name! It was Bi Ryu-yeon, who was turning Wi Ji-cheon's stomach upside down in one word.

"I am the disciple of the Qingcheng Sect and the leader of the Ice Phoenix Flower Guard, the Swift Wind Sword Dragon, Wi Ji-cheon!"

It was a quite lengthy introduction. Only then did Bi Ryu-yeon, who had realized that Wi Ji-cheon's name was in the words that had flashed by, clap his hands.

"Ah! That's right, that's right! It was Senior Wi Ji-cheon. I thought I had seen him somewhere."

In fact, this was only the second time he had met Wi Ji-cheon since he had met him in early spring. So it was a reunion after nearly eight months. The flowers of spring had already withered, and now it was autumn, the season of harvest when fruits were borne. Since Wi Ji-cheon's existence had been recognized as an insignificant person in Bi Ryu-yeon's mind from the beginning, it was understandable that his memory was faint.

Wi Ji-cheon, who had not been able to escape from the shock of his defeat for a while, had decided to go into seclusion training to wash away the humiliation of that day and had entered the difficult Hundred-Day Martial Practice. It was a training that had started with the sole determination to defeat Bi Ryu-yeon.

Wi Ji-cheon, who had obtained results after arduous training, had just finished his seclusion training and had come out a while ago to participate in the Cheonmu Three Sages Martial Festival. And he had shouted with joy after hearing the news about Bi Ryu-yeon.

It was a rumor that Bi Ryu-yeon, the sinner of all ages who had committed an act that would enrage both heaven and man, was participating in the Three Sages Martial Festival. He had immediately confirmed the truth of that rumor and had soon been able to receive the news that the rumor was true.

He had smiled with satisfaction.

Because the opportunity to repay the humiliation he had suffered from a moment of carelessness had come. He had finally been able to show the results of his bone-cutting training. So he had applied to participate in the Three Sages Martial Festival, even though he mainly used a sword.

Only to fight Bi Ryu-yeon... And to defeat him in the most miserable way... Then, he would re-establish his fallen honor. He had decided so.

"Ah, hello! It's been a long time! I thought I had seen you somewhere, and it was a familiar face. By the way, I'm glad to see you're living well."

It was Bi Ryu-yeon, who was just calm even after remembering who Wi Ji-cheon was.

"What do you mean?"

Wi Ji-cheon asked back with a stiff face, trying to suppress the bursting anger. It was Wi Ji-cheon, whose heart was boiling just by looking at Bi Ryu-yeon's face.

"I was worried that you might have committed suicide, unable to bear the events of that day. I couldn't see you at all."

It was Bi Ryu-yeon, who was unhesitatingly rubbing salt in the wound of Wi Ji-cheon, who was suppressing his anger and enduring it.

"You, you punk..."

He was so angry that he could not even speak properly. If it weren't for Na Ye-rin's presence, a sword fight would have broken out right away.

"If a person is treating you with sincerity, you shouldn't take that attitude, isn't that a discourtesy?"

Wi Ji-cheon's impression was strangely distorted. After rubbing all the salt in the wound by himself, he was acting as if nothing had happened, so there was no way his eyes would not be turned upside down.

"I will repay the humiliation of that day. Let's meet in the finals."

Wi Ji-cheon threw a word as if shooting it and then took an attitude of not wanting to deal with him any more.

"Why would I meet you in the finals, senior? I'm puzzled?"

At Bi Ryu-yeon's question, which feigned innocence, Wi Ji-cheon's impression once again distorted fiercely. Because Bi Ryu-yeon's words were proof that he was not paying any attention to his existence at all. Or he was playing with him...

How could he not be angry when his existence, which was considered the biggest obstacle and the favorite to win the Three Sages Grand Battle, was being so completely ignored?

"Of course, because I have entered the Three Sages Martial Festival. Unfortunately, since my group is different from yours, we can't meet in the middle, but if you don't get eliminated, we can meet in the finals. Don't lose until you are broken under my hand."

Bi Ryu-yeon had to be broken by his own hands, not anyone else's. And in the most miserable way...

"Oh, it seems you have the skill to go up to the finals, senior. Wow~, this is a great discovery. I had no idea. Did you eat something good in the meantime?"

Wasn't this completely intentional and mocking? Sparks flew from Wi Ji-cheon's eyes. It was an unbearable insult. But the fact that she was standing next to him was still holding back his feet and reason, so he could not act rashly.

"I will of course go up, so you should worry about your side. Then..."

As if he did not want to talk to Wi Ji-cheon any more, he smiled and soon turned his gaze to Na Ye-rin. Because Wi Ji-cheon had interrupted in the middle, he had not been able to talk properly. But Na Ye-rin was on her way to the duel stage to advance to the semifinal match. Bi Ryu-yeon, as if he had some regrets, shouted at her back as she was going up on the duel stage.

"Miss Na, do well!"

Since Na Ye-rin had already gone up on the duel stage, Bi Ryu-yeon, who had no reason to be here, waved his hand at Wi Ji-cheon once and had his disciples take him back to the seat he had reserved.

Wi Ji-cheon's stomach was already completely turned upside down.