Chapter 125

• Epilogue

"How was it?"

Bi Ryu-yeon asked with a bright smile.

The person who had to answer this question was the peerless young lady, Na Ye-rin, who was standing in front of him, and who still possessed the unique magic to make anyone who looked at her feel entranced.

"..."

At first, she couldn't readily answer Bi Ryu-yeon's question. To be honest, she hadn't expected him to make it this far. But who would have guessed that he would actually win the Three Sages Martial Festival!

"No answer..."

Bi Ryu-yeon said in a slightly dejected voice. But if he were to be discouraged here, he wouldn't be Bi Ryu-yeon anymore.

"It turned out as I said, right? I won, right?"

"Yes!"

She answered quietly. As expected, her voice was pleasant to hear no matter when. Even the music of the heavens, the Heavenly Sound, couldn't compare to this.

"Honestly, it was unexpected. I really didn't expect it to turn out exactly as you said."

"That's an honest answer."

Bi Ryu-yeon smiled brightly.

"..."

"Then you'll apologize now, right?"

Bi Ryu-yeon said, as if a child were whining.

"For what?"

"For suspecting that I was the culprit who entered the Sword Empress's quarters."

It was a dignified attitude, as if it were a matter of course. What a detestable punk!

Still, in his own way, he had honestly omitted the words 'intruder of the Baekhyang-gwan' and had only uttered the words 'intruder of the Sword Empress's quarters'. In fact, while he might not know about the Baekhyang-gwan, it wasn't him who had intruded into the Sword Empress's quarters.

"I'm sorry! I was hasty, so I apologize."

Although she was still suspicious, she apologized for now. Bi Ryu-yeon had perfectly(?) fulfilled the absurd promise she had made. A promise was a promise.

"Then what about the apology gift?"

It was Bi Ryu-yeon, speaking as if he had been waiting.

"Huh?"

She looked at Bi Ryu-yeon with an expression that asked what he meant. But at some point, Bi Ryu-yeon had come right up to her nose.

'I couldn't read it again...'

As expected, it wasn't a mistake. It was the same this time. Even though he was at such a close distance, even though his hand was holding her slender wrist, which was whiter and more beautiful than a pearl, and even though there was physical contact, she couldn't read anything. On one hand, she was anxious, but on the other hand, she was also rather at ease.

Bi Ryu-yeon's lips touched her lips. This time too, it was an unpermitted theft. As expected, although it wasn't as good as the first time, a thrill like a direct hit from a thunderbolt flowed through her whole body. It was sweet. Last time, she hadn't been able to feel it well because her mind had gone completely blank, but this time, since her mind was fully intact, she could feel that ecstatic feeling well.

For some reason, she didn't resist. After an eternity of time, Bi Ryu-yeon's lips separated from Na Ye-rin's lips. If it were to become known, it would be a major incident that would tear the hearts of numerous men once again.

Chaeng!

Without any warning, Na Ye-rin's sword once again emitted a silver flash. But...

"You didn't succeed this time either."

Had he been on his guard? Her eyes shone strangely. This time, he hadn't even cut a single hem of his clothes.

"I succeeded!"

It was Bi Ryu-yeon, speaking calmly with an innocent smile still on his face. A smile that many would call detestable bloomed on his face.

"It seems you've paid the price for your apology. Then excuse me!"

It was her words, in which no fragment of emotion could be felt. In this respect, Bi Ryu-yeon was also a little disappointed. He had wanted to see a more smiling face... It was still a face in which no emotion was felt at all. If a richer emotion were to be imbued, it would be more beautiful than anything else in this world... Bi Ryu-yeon was extremely sorry about that. She turned her back and moved away from him.

"See you again next time!"

She tried to ignore Bi Ryu-yeon's voice as he shouted loudly, waving his hand.

"I won!"

Geum Yeong-ho said with a satisfied expression. The smile of a winner graced his face. In contrast, a dark shadow of a loser was cast on the face of the Fast Illusion Sword, Do Gwang-seo.

"Krrrr, I lost."

The opponent obediently admitted his defeat. As expected, his eyes and judgment were accurate. Do Gwang-seo was now standing with a dejected look, as if he were about to die.

"How did you know?"

Do Gwang-seo asked in a tone that suggested he couldn't understand at all.

"What do you mean?"

"How could you predict that greenhorn's victory? There must have been no basis."

That was the part that Do Gwang-seo couldn't understand the most. To say that he had just guessed, there was something that wasn't quite right.

"Hohoho, just because you don't have it, do you think others don't either? If you think so, you've made a big mistake. A gamble is always a matter of a single point. I had that single point, and you didn't. That's why I won. Don't try to know any more. A gambler always has a hidden card that they don't tell others. Isn't it a great discourtesy to ask about that? It's a taboo. There's no way you wouldn't know."

'And only a fool would ask such a thing,' he added a word in his mind.

'Because there's a very terrible story hidden there.'

That story was a top-secret matter that had to be hidden from others. A smile bloomed on the thick face of the winner, Geum Yeong-ho.

"It seems my skills haven't rusted yet. You'll keep your promise, right?"

Do Gwang-seo's face crumpled like a used tissue. A man's word is as good as a thousand pieces of gold, and although he was reluctant, he had no choice. How could he raise his head to the members of the Azure Dragon Squad from now on? The more he thought about it, the more miserable it was.

"Why are you hesitating so much? You seem too stiff. Yes, surely you haven't forgotten the bet just because a few Days have passed, have you?"

Geum Yeong-ho said in a dissatisfied voice. A promise was a promise! A bet was a bet! Keep it quickly, that was the meaning. An unbearable shame filled his chest. Do Gwang-seo clenched his teeth.

"I, Do Gwang-seo of the Azure Dragon Squad, admit that my humble insight is inferior to that of Mr. Geum Yeong-ho of the Vermilion Bird Squad, and I offer my bows!"

Shouting this, he bowed his forehead to the ground three times and prostrated himself nine times. He felt like he would rather die. On the other hand, Geum Yeong-ho, who was receiving the bows, felt as if he would ascend to the heavens in the joy of victory.

The winnings were piled up in Geum Yeong-ho's hands. There were only three other people besides him who had predicted Bi Ryu-yeon's victory. Moreover, although it was a pity that the winnings were a little divided, since the amount he had bet was incomparably large compared to the other three, the winnings that went to him were also the largest. The money he had bet on a risk had come back to him dozens of times over. He had hit the so-called jackpot.

Besides, with the bet with Do Gwang-seo, he was also given a splendid dinner at the number one restaurant in Nanchang, in addition to the three bows and nine prostrations. As the name Nanchang's Number One Restaurant suggested, it was a place that was so expensive that an ordinary person's eyes would roll back. All that money had come into Geum Yeong-ho's hands. It was a windfall.

"Kyaa! This is why I make bets!"

The moment he received the highest winnings, which were so heavy that his hands were heavy, a thrilling pleasure ran through every corner of his body. It was the best feeling.

He had won. His pockets were also full. He had also seen the dejected appearance of that punk Do Gwang-seo of the Azure Dragon Squad. Geum Yeong-ho's steps, as he was returning to the room where the members were gathered, could not help but be light and cheerful. Geum Yeong-ho, who was enjoying a heart-warming happiness, was so drunk on happiness that he didn't notice that a certain misfortune was aiming for him and was rushing towards him. But to blame his carelessness, this misfortune was too irresistible.

"Hey! You look happy? But what you're holding in your hand looks really heavy? Shall I hold it for you?"

"No, it's okay... Kuk! Kek! Kuhuk!"

As a bright and cheerful voice was heard from behind him, the face of Geum Yeong-ho, who had been responding with a bright smile unconsciously, immediately turned pale, as if he had encountered the god of death.

"No, what's wrong? Anyone who sees you would think you're having a seizure?"

Bi Ryu-yeon's smiling face looked like a demon in Geum Yeong-ho's eyes. Bi Ryu-yeon's finger pointed at the heavy prize money pouch that Geum Yeong-ho was trying to hide behind his back.

"Because of whom?"

The bright smile on Bi Ryu-yeon's face gradually deepened. At times like this, one should never have any other thoughts or think of any foolish tricks. Geum Yeong-ho also knew well that when the usual informal speech changed to respectful speech, it was a kind of danger signal.

"What do you mean?"

But Geum Yeong-ho took courage and took a risk. To give up here without any attempt, what he was holding in his hand was too precious. The smile on Bi Ryu-yeon's lips deepened a little more.

"Oh? You really don't know? Then I'm disappointed. I have no choice but to trouble myself to remind you. Because of whom did you win this bet? Surely you haven't forgotten, have you?"

Geum Yeong-ho's vision became bleak. His heart sank. The great senior brother had come here knowing everything. Ah! He hated himself for being able to predict the great senior brother's next action so clearly.

"Forget! Of course, it's thanks to the wise and proud great senior brother. How can I dare to forget the great senior brother's grace? I have never forgotten it even in my dreams... That would be an absurdity. Hahaha..."

Geum Yeong-ho's flattery seemed to have reached the realm of the gods now. Whether it was the price of selling even his conscience, or thanks to the unknown power that was said to be emitted when one's life was on the line, his tongue was rolling smoothly. But there was no strength in his laughter.

"It's certain that it's the victory I gained by running around with my whole body, right?"

"Of course."

Although his mouth was pouting inwardly, the sorrow of the weak was unavoidable.

"Then of course there would be a service fee, right? If not, wouldn't that be a shameless act?"

"Of course. How could there not be?"

Even if he was shedding tears of blood inwardly, he had no choice but to say this with a forced smile. Why was there no spare life? Just thinking about it was extremely regrettable.

"I will look forward to your consideration, junior brother!"

He didn't say the shabby words that if it didn't meet his expectations, he would do something or other. Because he would know well. Because experience sometimes showed the ability to understand even what was not said.

'Kuhuhuhuk!'

Geum Yeong-ho, with a heart that was tearing apart, shed tears of blood and had to offer more than half of the winnings to Bi Ryu-yeon. Because he couldn't defy Bi Ryu-yeon's gaze, which was smiling deeply at him when he had offered only a third. The money that Bi Ryu-yeon had collected under the pretext of a service fee was so enormous that Geum Yeong-ho couldn't hide his sorrowful heart, to the point where he would beat the ground and wail.

The Insight Evaluation Meeting!

There was no way Bi Ryu-yeon would miss such a golden opportunity to rake in money with a rake. In fact, the reason why Geum Yeong-ho had met Yeomdo on that day was because Yeomdo had gone to place a bet on Bi Ryu-yeon's errand. Of course, it was under his own name. Therefore, the story of his meeting with Geum Yeong-ho had all flowed into Bi Ryu-yeon's ears.

Because Yeomdo had come back and had carelessly told Bi Ryu-yeon everything about his meeting with Geum Yeong-ho. That much story was enough for Bi Ryu-yeon to grasp the whole situation. And then, he had been silent until now and had stretched out his demonic hand at the last moment. Thus, the members of the Vermilion Bird Squad had no choice but to have a tip that was bigger than the belly (also called a 'bbing' in slang) extorted from them.

Compared to Geum Yeong-ho, whose every step back was like a thousand pounds, Bi Ryu-yeon's steps back were lighter than a bird's feather and were as cheerful as if he would fly away.

One month after that!

Now, autumn had ripened to its fullest and was about to wither away with the fallen leaves. But there was still a place that was overflowing with vitality, to the point of exploding. That place was the exclusive training ground of the Vermilion Bird Squad, located in the south of the Cheonmu Academy.

Kwang!

"Keok!"

No Hak's body flew 12 to 15 meters away and was thrown to the ground. Besides, as if the aftermath of the force still remained, No Hak had to roll three or four more times and clean the floor of the training ground.

"Next!"

Yeomdo shouted in a loud voice. A hot energy was surging through his whole body. It was a terrifying momentum that was frightening to face.

"Yes!"

The one who had drawn his sword for the next turn was the Cloud Dragon, Hyeonun. His sword was deepening day by day in the harsh training. Now, there was no unsightly thing like being blown away in a single clash.

Yeomdo's saber and Hyeonun's sword harmonized, drawing a wonderful dance of blue sword light and red saber light. It was Hyeonun, who was now holding on quite well. He didn't show the disgraceful appearance of being busy blocking in a hurry, as he had in the past.

"You've improved a lot! You're pretty good."

It was Yeomdo, who was showing the leisure to praise Hyeonun as if it were nothing, even in the midst of the fierce battle.

"Yes! Th..., ank you."

Hyeonun answered with difficulty. Now, he was overwhelmed just by concentrating his mind on blocking Yeomdo's saber ki.

"But this place is empty!"

Yeomdo's beloved saber, the Crimson Flame, rushed to Hyeonun's side. With a feeling of 'oops', Hyeonun twisted his sword and blocked his side. He refused to have his waist bisected at a young age.

Kwakwang!

Although he had blocked it, his strength was insufficient. The timing was also not appropriate, and he was about half a second late. The result was disastrous. Hyeonun also flew 12 meters away like a kite with a broken string and was thrown to the ground, sweeping the floor. Still, since his skill was a few moves better than No Hak's, he even showed an attempt to right his form. Although it was almost useless...

"Next!"

Yeomdo shouted again.

"Yes! Please take care of me."

The one who had stepped forward this time was the one who was called the Thunderbolt Sword Dragon and was making a name for himself as Namgung Sang.

"Don't be careless. Do your best. The end of the year is not far away. The Three Sages Festival is also already over. Now, all that's left is to have a fight with that Ice Sword punk's Azure Dragon Squad. Losing is not tolerated. We will win unconditionally. Do you understand?"

Yeomdo let out a roar of spirit, as if roaring with a loud shout. A fierce wave of ki that made one shiver from the tips of one's fingers to the tips of one's hair was felt.

"Yes! Old Master!"

"Come!"

Yeomdo shouted. Namgung Sang rushed towards Yeomdo, scattering a pure white sword ki. Once again, a sword dance and a saber dance harmonized. They were serious now, and no one could stop them.

One month after the Three Sages Martial Festival had ended!

Yeomdo was pushing the training of the Vermilion Bird Squad even more, and the training was becoming harsh. In the midst of that, only Yun Jun-ho, who was caught in the middle, was on the verge of death. This time too, he was lying sprawled in a corner, having fainted before the training was even half over. Just to have endured this much was a great improvement for him. If any decent first-year student who was said to be flying and crawling were to participate in their training, they would faint before even an hour had passed after starting. Yun Jun-ho had endured for nearly two hours and then had fainted. But in a situation where his own nose was a stone's throw away, no one had the leisure to pay attention to him. The decisive battle with the Azure Dragon Squad. It was really not far away now.

Hyo-ryong had one mission that had been entrusted to him. He couldn't tell even his close friend Bi Ryu-yeon about that mission. It was not a problem that would end with a simple break-up. What he had to do was to find out everything about the Cheonmu Academy. First, since one had to know the enemy and know oneself, knowing the enemy was as important as training. Hyo-ryong looked at a masked person who was prostrating himself in front of him. There was no need to reveal his existence and greet him so politely, even at the risk of danger, but the masked person, Number One of the Traceless, was stubborn. This was his assertion that he couldn't bend. Since he was in a position where he couldn't treat Number One of the Traceless carelessly, Hyo-ryong had to receive Number One of the Traceless's greetings every time.

"You haven't found out yet?"

Hyo-ryong asked with a puzzled look. Was there information that couldn't be found even with the information organization of the Traceless Pavilion?

"Yes! I'm sorry. No matter how much I look, it's a complete mystery."

Number One bowed his head deeply, as if he were sorry. Number One inwardly decided that he would have to discipline his subordinates a little when he returned. It seemed that the discipline of the pavilion had become lax these days.

"Is it such a secret sect?"

Hyo-ryong shook his head from side to side, as if he couldn't understand. What Hyo-ryong had asked Number One for was a general investigation into Bi Ryu-yeon's sect of origin. But the answer that had come back was the one word 'unknown'. It was a rare thing. It was impossible to guess the sect just from the forms he had seen so far. And it was not that there was a lot of information either. Bi Ryu-yeon rarely spoke about his sect. It seemed that he would have to spend more time, unlike the plan.

"Then, for now, please focus on the investigation of the Three-Section Sword, Cheong-heun, and the Seven Absolutes Divine Sword, Moyong Hwi. Especially, since those two are highly likely individuals, be careful and collect as much information as possible."

"Yes! I understand."

"Ah! And..."

Hyo-ryong called out to Number One, as if he had suddenly remembered something.

"Please give your order."

Number One answered politely.

"For now, concentrate all your efforts on the three people above, but as a bonus, also gather information about a person named Jang Hong."

For now, he had to know about Jang Hong too.

"I will obey your command!"

"And Cheong-heun and Moyong Hwi! Remember that those two take precedence over any other people. The time is approaching."

"I will keep that in mind."

As Hyo-ryong gave a signal to leave, the body of Number One of the Traceless disappeared as if melting into the darkness of the night. It was a neat skill that always drew admiration.

"Huu!"

Hyo-ryong, letting out a sigh, looked at the moon hanging in the night sky. Whether it knew his heart or not, the moon was still just bright. The night was deepening.