Chapter 124

• The Unclaimed Mountain and the Fisherman's Gain

The melody that Bi Ryu-yeon was playing was slowly reaching its climax.
On the other hand, Wi Ji-cheon, who was on the receiving end, was struggling to get out of that situation, but once he had fallen into a heart demon, it was not easy to get out.

That's why one should always be careful. Because there was a danger of falling into a state of qi deviation if one made a mistake.

Ting!

With a sound of a plucked string that struck Wi Ji-cheon's mind, the melody that had been reaching its climax was suddenly cut off. It was clearly an intentional act.

"Uwek!"

As the melody was suddenly cut off, Wi Ji-cheon vomited a bowl of blood. His body and mind, which had been swept away by the melody, could not adapt to the suddenly cut-off sound, and his insides were shaken, causing him to vomit blood.

But for Wi Ji-cheon, it was a relief that it had ended here. After vomiting about a bowl of blood, he felt his insides clear and his head clear. If Bi Ryu-yeon had continued his melody, he might have eventually fallen into a heart demon and entered a state of qi deviation, and his qi and blood would have been tangled, and he would have become a cripple. Although Bi Ryu-yeon had shown mercy in his hands, there was no way such a thing would be visible to Wi Ji-cheon, who had vomited a bowl of blood.

Now that his body had returned to its normal state, it was time to do what he had to do. Wi Ji-cheon rushed towards Bi Ryu-yeon, emitting a terrifying and bluish sword ki. Because of the internal injury he had suffered a moment ago, he was in a state where he could not carelessly operate the sword aura, which put a lot of strain on his body.

'Oh, oh! He doesn't even know gratitude...'

It was Bi Ryu-yeon, who felt inwardly resentful. A bundle of merciless sword ki rushed to Bi Ryu-yeon's whole body. He had to move his body if he did not want to die. The killing intent that was rising up was a sword form that was too fierce to be used on a duel stage.

"Oh, oh!"

A series of fierce sword forms, which were used only when deciding life and death, were emitted from the tip of Wi Ji-cheon's sword. It was a series of sword forms filled with killing intent that was trying to take a life. Even Bi Ryu-yeon could not be careless in the face of his fierce and merciless sword net, and he was avoiding it using the Phoenix Dance. Wi Ji-cheon's sword ki was too fierce to be avoided with just the zither-playing walk.

"Will this be okay?"

Mun Il-gi, who was worried after reading the fierceness of the sword ki and the killing intent contained in it, sought Yeomdo's opinion, who was next to him. It was a question of whether it would be better to stop it at this point. If it continued any longer, they might really see blood. Even if it ended properly, it seemed that Wi Ji-cheon's discipline would be unavoidable.

"Don't worry! He's not a punk who will die from just that!"

Yeomdo said in a tone that told him not to worry. Unlike the worried faces of Mun Il-gi and the other martial arts masters, he was just calm and composed.

'Still, it would be nice if he got at least one arm... or one or two wounds...'

Yeomdo thought about his simple dream for a moment. He had a slight expectation that if he rushed in with his eyes lit up like that, he might succeed. The problem was...

'He's lost his reason too much! How can he exert his full power like that! Tsk...'

As expected of Yeomdo, it was a sharp point that immediately grasped Wi Ji-cheon's current problem. It seemed that the heavens had no intention of granting his small wish.

"By the way, that child is avoiding it well, like an eel. Wi Ji-cheon's fierce sword ki has not yet harmed his body even once."

Mun Il-gi, who had suddenly realized one fact, let out a cry of admiration. As he had said, Wi Ji-cheon had not yet inflicted even a slight injury on Bi Ryu-yeon's body and was getting exhausted on his own. Seeing him get tired so quickly and easily, which was unlike him, it seemed that the blow he had received from the sound art was not small. Cold sweat was already forming on his forehead. It was proof that he had operated his true qi excessively.

"It seems the winner will be decided soon."

As soon as Yeomdo's words ended, Wi Ji-cheon's eyes flashed. Once again, a loud shout erupted from his mouth.

"Kuaaaaaaah! Whirlwind Thunder!"

Like a thunderbolt falling from the sky, Wi Ji-cheon's sword rushed towards Bi Ryu-yeon.

"Hmph!"

Bi Ryu-yeon snorted as if it were ridiculous. At the same time, as he swung his hand once, with a 'pang' sound, the sword ki that had been flying towards Bi Ryu-yeon with a good momentum was extinguished in the air. It seemed as if it had been blocked by an invisible barrier.

"Kuk!"

Wi Ji-cheon let out a groan. Although he never wanted to admit it, he had to admit the skill of the opponent in front of him.

"You didn't expect that a sword ki of that level would work on me, did you? I thought the next turn was ready, was I wrong?"

"Whirlwind Soul-Cutting!"

Before the words could end, once again, eighteen streams of sword ki stretched out from the tip of the sword like a gale. This time, it was a blow that he had done his best. But Wi Ji-cheon's blow this time also seemed to be insufficient. As Bi Ryu-yeon playfully shook his form once, Wi Ji-cheon's sword ki flew away in vain, without even touching Bi Ryu-yeon's clothes. No matter how powerful it was, it had to hit the opponent to inflict damage. No matter how much power it had, a sword ki that did not hit the target was useless.

"Not yet, not yet. Try a little harder."

It was rare to be as shameful as being cheered on and encouraged by the enemy. How leisurely must one be to be giving words of encouragement to the opponent?

"Krrrrrr!"

Wi Ji-cheon was so angry that his lid was about to blow. Had he ever been ignored like this even once in his life? His stubbornness soared. This time, he decided to use his hidden ultimate form, regardless of whether he died or not. It was a killing technique that was never used in a duel competition because it was a sword ki that would surely shed blood once it was used.

But there was no way he, whose eyes were already turned upside down, would see such a thing, and there was no way his thoughts would reach that far.

"Take this! Heavenly Wind Demonic Thunder Cut!"

"Huh! It's dangerous! Such a killing form..."

Among the judges, Gang Ha-yun, who was from the Qingcheng Sect, was surprised and jumped up from his seat. The Heavenly Wind Demonic Thunder Cut was a killing form that was forbidden to be used carelessly, even among the twelve forms of the Whirlwind Sword Method, the secret sword of the Qingcheng Sect.

He had not expected that a person like Wi Ji-cheon would unfold such a ruthless killing form in a duel competition. But Bi Ryu-yeon, the person in question, was leisurely even in front of the terrifying killing form.

"This is a little more fun!"

A terrifying sword ki like a whirlwind was emitted from the tip of Wi Ji-cheon's sword. A creepy white sword ki swept in as if to cut Bi Ryu-yeon's waist in two. In the eyes of everyone who was watching, it seemed as if they could see the blood that would soon gush out from Bi Ryu-yeon's waist.

In front of this terrifying sword ki, Bi Ryu-yeon made the most reckless choice. He chose the ink zither he was holding in his hand as a shield against the sword ki that seemed to cut everything. Bi Ryu-yeon stood the ink zither up on his right side, with the side with the strings facing outward.

Everyone thought that Bi Ryu-yeon's waist would also spurt blood along with the ink zither that would soon be cut in two. The ink zither that stood in front of Wi Ji-cheon's sword ki looked too shabby.

Jjeojeong!

A sound that was like the eardrums were being torn erupted. It was a sound that was hard to believe was the sound of a wooden ink zither and a sword made of hundred-refined steel clashing. The entire audience's eyes widened at this unbelievable fact.

Everyone's prediction was wrong. Bi Ryu-yeon's Thunder Zither, the Ink Thunder, had blocked Wi Ji-cheon's sword ki with dignity and arrogance, without a single scratch. Rather, it had even bounced his sword back as if it were ridiculous. Wi Ji-cheon, who could not withstand the rebounding force, had to take five steps back.

Wi Ji-cheon could not help but be terrified at this surprising and at the same time absurd counterattack. It was a shock as if his heart had sunk. The decisive blow, the final ultimate form, had ended in failure. Now, there was nothing more to be gained by scratching.

"The Thunder Spirit thread, with the Thunder Spirit Divine Skill's qi circulated, can never be cut by any sharpness. Now, the play is over."

At the same time, Bi Ryu-yeon's eyes spewed flames. Leaving his right hand that was holding the ink zither as it was, Bi Ryu-yeon's left hand was stretched out forward.

"As a return gift and a farewell gift for listening to my performance so far, I will let you hear my final performance. The performance of brilliance and silence..."

The smile on his lips deepened. As his hair was slightly blown by the wind, Wi Ji-cheon felt as if he had seen something that was making him shiver, something that was flashing like a thunder light. Bi Ryu-yeon's left hand, which had not been stretched out even once since the Three Sages Martial Festival had begun, was stretched out forward. Three streams of silver light shot out from within it like light arrows.

The secret meaning of the Flying Thunder Dagger, the Sword Ki
The chapter of the Wind, Cloud, and Thunder Roar
The Thunder Light Flowing River Tune

Ryu-yeon's fingers roamed over the silver strings as if playing a zither. According to his hand movements, three strands of silver flash danced around his body as if dancing, and then they disappeared as if seeping into the air.

Wi Ji-cheon could not understand what was happening in front of his eyes.

Chaeng!

First, the sword, which was like a martial artist's life, fell from his grasp and flew away. It was just that a light had flashed in front of his eyes. Wi Ji-cheon, who had felt an instinctive danger at this unexpected situation, tried to move his form and get away. Because sometimes, there was no friend as reliable as a martial artist's instinct.

"Huk!"

But he could not move, like a butterfly caught in a spider's web. He could not move his body, as if his movements were tied by an formless rope.

"Kuaaaaaaah!"

The moment he felt his blocked movements, a thunderbolt-like shock struck his whole body. It was a huge shock, as if a thunderbolt in the sky had fallen on his one body. The silk martial robe he had newly worn yesterday was torn into thousands of pieces, and soon, blood splattered.

Although it was not enough blood to be a lethal dose, his whole body was covered with spiderweb-like wounds, and a little bit of fresh blood was flowing out from between those wounds. Although he had controlled his strength and had only cut the skin, his eyes had already lost their life, and no focus could be found. He was just standing there, staggering like a person who had lost his mind. To anyone's eyes, the whereabouts of the victory were clear.

Teolseok!

His knees bent weakly.

The figure of Bi Ryu-yeon, who was still smiling on the other side, came into his full view. It was a complete defeat.

"Th..., th..., that martial art is!"

The Sword Revered, Gongson Il-chwi, who was watching with the head of the academy, the Iron Fist, Ma Jin-ga, from the best seat in the spectator seats, shouted as he jumped up from his seat. Unlike his usual self, who was known for his deep cultivation, his eyes were wide open as if they would tear.

No matter how much he tried to calm his mind, the trembling would not stop. The martial arts masters, who were surprised by his sudden action, just stared at him with blank eyes.

"Head of the council, do you happen to know that technique? It's a martial art I'm seeing for the first time today. I can't guess the sect. Hoho! A thread sword that strikes the enemy at a speed that is invisible to the eye..."

Gongson Il-chwi did not answer the question of the head of the academy, Ma Jin-ga, right away, as if he were deeply engrossed in some thought.

"Is something wrong, Head of the council?"

The head of the academy, Ma Jin-ga, who had been watching Bi Ryu-yeon's amazing blow with his mouth wide open, asked about his sudden action. He was filled with curiosity about what on earth in the world had surprised this person.

"Ah, no. It seems this old man has made a mistake for a moment, Head of the academy. Hohohoho! As I was watching the duel of those children, I suddenly remembered an old thought I had forgotten. It seems I was lost in thought for a moment and had mistaken the place."

"Hahaha! It's not like you, Head of the council. A mistake? Seeing you so surprised, was it a bad memory?"

"A bad memory... Hohoho!"

Gongson Il-chwi just smiled slightly and said no more. At this time, his eyes had sunk deeper than the abyss, and his sunken two eyes were emitting a mysterious light.

'A bad memory! It's a terrible memory that I don't want to remember ever again. To have remembered an old memory that I had buried with a single move of a mere child, a memory that I never wanted to bring up... Did I really see it wrong?'

It was not a problem that could be judged rashly. But it was something that had to be confirmed before moving on.

"Bi Ryu-yeon! Victory!"

With the judge's decision, Bi Ryu-yeon's final victory was confirmed. Thus, the glory of winning the Cheonmu Three Sages Martial Festival's Three Sages Grand Battle went to Bi Ryu-yeon. It was a victory that no one had expected.

"Yahoo! I really won!"

"Long live Senior Brother! This isn't a dream, is it?"

The ones from whom the cheers of joy erupted were the members of the Vermilion Bird Squad who had bet money on Bi Ryu-yeon, and his few friends, Hyo-ryong and Jang Hong.

"Ah! Did I overdo it a little?"

Bi Ryu-yeon, who had come down from the duel stage, grumbled, twisting his body.

"Senior Brother! You've worked hard."

As Bi Ryu-yeon came down from the duel stage, the ones who all rushed to him were the members of the Vermilion Bird Squad. They were so excited with joy that they could sincerely rejoice in Bi Ryu-yeon's victory.

"I think I really overdid it! My body feels sluggish!"

"It's natural after such a fierce battle! You've worked hard."

It was Namgung Sang's words, who was handing him a towel with a smile. But Bi Ryu-yeon looked at such a Namgung Sang as if he were strange.

"What are you talking about? That's not what I'm talking about! As expected, if you try to control your strength weakly and show mercy in your hands, it puts a strain on your body. My muscles are also stiff... As expected, it's very difficult to win without killing!"

It was Bi Ryu-yeon, who was continuously grumbling without a break. Even his complaints were just stories that would make others faint if they heard them. The eyes of the members of the Vermilion Bird Squad who were listening widened. It was a story that was just hard to believe.

"Huhu! Anyway, since I won, did I keep my promise?"

It was Bi Ryu-yeon, who was smiling softly at the thought of Na Ye-rin.

The question of who would win the overall championship of the Three Sages Martial Festival was always a matter of intense interest for the entire Cheonmu Academy.

But this year, no one was interested in this.

On the empty duel stage, the much-talked-about and much-troubled Bi Ryu-yeon was standing alone. Even though it was the overall final, he had no opponent. The Saber Saint Exhibition, which had been one of the biggest upsets of this Three Sages Festival, had not been able to determine a winner due to a draw. The Sword Empress Exhibition had also failed to determine a winner.

Besides, the winner of the Sword Saint Exhibition, who had almost always won the overall championship, had also not been decided due to a draw. Besides, both Moyong Hwi and Cheong-heun were still recuperating from the injuries they had suffered at that time.

The only place where a winner had been decided was the Three Sages Grand Battle. So, the only participant in this overall final was Bi Ryu-yeon, the winner of the Three Sages Grand Battle. A strange thing had happened where the only one who had the qualification to participate in the overall final was Bi Ryu-yeon. The organizing committee had also worried and worried about this unexpected situation, but there was no way a good solution would come up. They had no choice but to give the glory of the overall championship to Bi Ryu-yeon. From Bi Ryu-yeon's point of view, it was no different from getting it for free.

So there was no way anyone would be interested in this place. There were only a few people who thought that Bi Ryu-yeon deserved the glory of the overall championship of the Cheonmu Three Sages Martial Festival.

Even now, Bi Ryu-yeon was standing alone on the duel stage, but even the few spectators all knew that there was no one who would come up. The reason why Bi Ryu-yeon was up there now was because of the awards ceremony that would start soon. It was obvious that in the eyes of the public, Bi Ryu-yeon would have been seen as a lucky punk who had gotten a fisherman's gain. Or he would have looked like a thief.

For this reason, the battle of pride between the Nine Orthodoxies Association, the representative of the young nine great sects, and the Heroes Association, the representative of the young small and medium-sized sects and the eight great families! This battle had returned to a draw, not a victory for anyone. It was impossible to determine a winner.

The ambition of the Heroes Association, which had said that they would surely win this time and crush the noses of the punks who were boasting about being the nine great sects, had come to nothing, and the ambition of the Nine Orthodoxies Association, which had said that they would win this time too and crush the hopes of the Heroes Association, had also been buried in darkness without seeing the light.

The draw of the Sword Saint Exhibition, which had inflicted a blow on both sides, and the draws of the Saber Saint Exhibition and the Sword Empress Exhibition! And the winner of the Three Sages Grand Battle and the overall final winner, Bi Ryu-yeon, who everyone had been absurd about, the biggest upset of the Cheonmu Academy's Three Sages Festival! He was a person who did not belong anywhere.

This Three Sages Festival had ended without being a victory for anyone, and at the same time, it had ended by giving the glory to an absurd third-party punk. For the two groups that had been secretly sharpening their knives against each other, it was an absurdly empty thing.

The Unclaimed Mountain, the Fisherman's Gain! These were the two old sayings that came to everyone's mind.