Chapter 98
Chapter 98
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 98
Chapter Title: Butterfly Toying with the Serpent
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The audience had no idea what significance that single attack held, but they cheered all the same. Dang Heeran, who had failed to pierce Dang Seona's whirlwind barrier throughout the match, had finally run her black needle straight through it at the very end, drawing blood from Dang Seona.
No one was more moved than Dang Jinhu. Tears like chicken droppings streamed down his face as he gazed down at the arena. He had watched Dang Heer's efforts ever since she was a little girl.
And today, they had finally borne fruit. Though the outcome of Dang Heer's defeat remained unchanged, her attack had undoubtedly reached Dang Seona.
"What the hell... was that just now?"
Dang Taejin muttered. It was unbelievable. The hidden weapon technique Dang Heeran unleashed at the end was not part of the Tang Clan's Heavenly Death Hidden Armament Arts.
It felt raw and unrefined, yet Dang Heeran had connected the move that came *after* the ultimate technique of the Heavenly Death Hidden Armament Arts: Myriad Heavenly Petal Shower.
It was astonishing. Over hundreds of years of Tang Clan history, the Heavenly Death Hidden Armament Arts had been refined and perfected generation after generation. Myriad Heavenly Petal Shower was the crowning final ultimate. There was no reason for anything to follow it.
So had Dang Heeran merely added something superfluous? No, that wasn't it. She had clearly linked the *next* move after Myriad Heavenly Petal Shower. The execution had lasted only an instant, but Dang Taejin had seen it plainly: that single form pierced through every subtlety honed over centuries of the Heavenly Death Hidden Armament Arts and presented what came beyond.
"While you ignored Heeran, that child... trained herself relentlessly, day after day."
Dang Jinhu said in a voice thick with sobs.
"You might see only the eldest, Seona, as some once-in-a-lifetime genius, but to me, Heeran is every bit the genius she is."
Dang Taejin had no words. It was undeniable. He let out a long sigh and sank back into his seat. With complicated emotions churning inside him, he looked down at Dang Seona cradling Dang Heeran.
Dang Seona was no different; she was speechless too. She stared down at Heeran with a dazed expression. Etched across the face of the unconscious girl was a triumphant smile.
Her cheek throbbed where the hidden weapon had grazed it. Blood trickled from the wound into her lips. The bitter taste of poisoned blood on her tongue made Dang Seona's body shiver faintly.
"...Impressive."
A profound thrill filled Dang Seona's heart to the brim. She flashed a radiant smile as she helped Dang Heeran to her feet. Her little sister's technique had been superb. For the first time, her hidden weapon had reached Dang Seona.
*Butterfly Toying with the Serpent.*
The chilling ecstasy surging through Dang Seona came from the name of the form her sister had uttered. *A butterfly toying with a serpent...* Dang Seona gazed down at her unconscious little sister with eyes full of affection.
Everything her little sister had done was for the sole purpose of surpassing her big sister. And that delighted Dang Seona. Even if her sister had spat venomous words and ultimately drawn blood from her body.
*To surpass me, she went this far...!*
What joy could compare? Dang Seona gently stroked her sister's cheek with a soft hand. But she couldn't simply bask in the moment.
Her sister's injuries were severe. Dang Seona had slammed her to the ground, but she'd pulled back her power at the last instant, sparing her from harm there. Still, both arms had dislocated from the strain, and she'd sustained internal injuries as well—all self-inflicted.
The waiting physicians from the medical bureau rushed in with a stretcher. Dang Seona wanted nothing more than to follow them to the medical tent, but she couldn't just yet.
Her father's gaze was boring into her from across the way. She handed Dang Heeran over to the physicians and stepped back.
"See? Good thing we let it go all the way."
"Not *that* good. She still lost. And broke her arms to boot."
Wi Juseok grumbled. He rubbed his lower belly absently as he continued.
"Nothing beats a sound body anyway. That last move she showed was impressive, sure, but it didn't change the result."
"But it *touched* her."
"Just a graze. Keep that in mind. The Heavenly Flower Sect's arts let you 'graze' over and over... but in the end, martial arts means 'grazing to drop your foe.' If you can't drop them, there's no point forcing the graze."
"You're talking about the Gansu business?"
"Yeah. You landed one on the Poison Blood Demon Fiend, right? But that strike didn't kill it."
"I nearly died instead."
"Pure luck. It not killing you. You not dying from the poison. You don't seriously think luck like that'll hold forever?"
"No way."
Wi Seongcheon quipped back playfully. Wi Juseok smacked his lips at the sight of his smirking son.
"...You sure your body's fine?"
"Wrist's mostly healed. Won't push it."
"Internals?"
"Fine too."
"...Right."
Wi Juseok fell silent. Wi Seongcheon cocked his head at his father's quiet, then stood.
It was about time for him to get ready for his match. A prickling gaze on his nape made him glance back: the Kunlun Sect leader was glaring daggers at him.
Wi Seongcheon's opponent in the first round was a second-year Kunlun disciple, Mu Ilsan.
No wonder the glare was so murderous. Wi Seongcheon spotted Mu Ilsan nowhere in sight and realized why.
Mu Ilsan was probably warming up furiously for the arena. Meanwhile, his actual opponent was lounging in the stands, watching other matches—so of course the Kunlun leader was fuming.
Wi Seongcheon flashed a sly smile and offered a courteous bow. Not that he needed to prep for the guy, but manners were manners.
"No need to bow your head like that."
Wi Seongcheon murmured as he left his father's side. Wi Juseok snorted and crossed his arms. He knew exactly what his son meant.
*'Can't be *too* brazen, though.'*
He'd considered greeting the Kunlun leader but decided against it. They'd just take it as mockery.
* * *
"Heard there was big trouble in Gansu."
He ran into Jinu in the waiting room. The man, sitting cross-legged, opened his eyes as Wi Seongcheon entered and spoke up. Not surprising, since they were in the same Group Four. Wi Seongcheon grinned and nodded.
"Yeah. Heaven's luck kept me alive."
"Haha! The Buddha must've been watching over you. If there'd been a massacre there... even thinking about it is horrifying."
Jinu shook his head. Wi Seongcheon sat a short distance away. Propping his chin on his hand, Jinu stared fixedly at Wi Seongcheon's right hand, still wrapped in bandages.
"But you know, sometimes I think..."
Jinu spoke up abruptly.
"What happened in Gansu was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If... I'd been there instead of Layman Wi Seongcheon."
"Pfft."
Wi Seongcheon burst out laughing before he could finish. But Jinu didn't take offense. If anything, Wi Seongcheon's laughter tugged the corners of Jinu's mouth upward too, forming the clear, beaming smile that had earned him the moniker Smiling Buddha.
"...I might've taken down the Poison Blood Demon Fiend."
It was blatant, obvious provocation. Wi Seongcheon couldn't stifle his laughter at Jinu's calculated jab. Chuckling with shaking shoulders, he nodded.
"Maybe. Yeah, who knows? Gotta try to find out, right?"
"Exactly. Like you say, layman—you only know by doing it yourself. Of course, even if I'd been there in your place, I might not have beaten the Poison Blood Demon Fiend. But that's in the past... so talking's free, isn't it?"
Jinu said with a smile. *Clack.* His hand dropped from his chin, and he began rolling his prayer beads.
"But this much, I'm certain."
"What's that?"
"That I'm stronger than you, Layman Wi Seongcheon."
Jinu said with a bright smile. His eyes crinkled shut in mirth, but there was no arrogance or bravado in his words. He meant it sincerely.
"Could be."
Wi Seongcheon yielded graciously. Jinu let out a chuckle.
"Why'd you pick me?"
"Figured you're the strongest of the Dragon-Phoenixes, senior."
Wi Seongcheon answered honestly. That was the first reason he'd named Jinu.
"And you dislike me, right?"
"Dislike? Nah."
The second reason. Jinu shook his head in denial, but Wi Seongcheon just grinned.
"Your logic's lost on me, layman. I'm the strongest Dragon-Phoenix... so you picked me... Ah, I get it. Fighting me's a foregone conclusion. Everyone figures I'll win. You stand to lose nothing by challenging me and dropping."
"Yep."
Wi Seongcheon didn't deny it. That was the biggest reason he'd chosen Jinu. Smiling Buddha Jinu was Shaolin's finest prodigy. Losing to him cost Wi Seongcheon nothing.
But if he won...
"But here's the thing, senior. Just 'cause it's okay to lose... doesn't mean I picked the fight planning to."
Wi Seongcheon rose slowly. Group One would send Dang Seona to the finals as champion. No Dragon-Phoenixes in Groups Two or Three. And Group Four—everyone assumed Jinu would take it.
Wi Seongcheon wanted to be the upset.
"Besides. Turns out I was wrong."
"...Hm?"
*Crack, crack.*
Wi Seongcheon rolled his joints as he walked past Jinu. Jinu tilted his head, watching Wi Seongcheon's back as he paused at the waiting room door.
A chill settled inexplicably in one side of his chest.
"...Wrong about what?"
Jinu asked, narrowing his eyes. Wi Seongcheon glanced back with a smirk.
"Thought you were the strongest Dragon-Phoenix, senior. Turns out I was off."
"...Haha! What makes you say that?"
"You think you're the strongest of the Dragon-Phoenixes?"
Jinu just grinned wordlessly. The smile said it all.
"When I first heard about the Dragon-Phoenixes, yeah, I pegged you as number one. But... after getting a feel, nope."
"You haven't faced me yet."
"Can't argue that. But... call it a hunch."
Wi Seongcheon teased with a sly chuckle.
"In my book, the strongest Dragon-Phoenix is Senior Oh Haryeon."
Jinu's smile turned icy.
"In a match to the death, it'd be Senior Dang Seona."
Jinu's beaming face looked like a mask flipped inside out. Wi Seongcheon sensed the hostility rippling beneath the smile. He raised his hand boldly and splayed it open in front of Jinu.
"You're third, senior."
He folded his thumb and pinky, leaving three fingers up. Then he extended the pinky and wagged it in front of Jinu.
"Nah. Mu Yeonjun's a Dragon-Phoenix too, so you're fourth."
"...Haha! Can't help what you think. Evaluations are subjective, after all."
Jinu forced the smile. Wi Seongcheon grinned back and turned away. Jinu silently watched him exit the waiting room.
"...Fourth?"
The smile drained from Jinu's face.
*Prideful as expected.* Recalling how Jinu's grin had stiffened, Wi Seongcheon stepped onto the arena.
His opponent, Mu Ilsan, was already standing there, face tense.
Murmurs swelled as Wi Seongcheon ascended. Heavenly Flower Sect's hidden dragon. The rumors had spread, but most spectators doubted their veracity.
It was absurd, after all. A mere Heavenly Flower Sect disciple taking down Quan-Gu and a Shaolin Arhat candidate?
And startling one of the Ten Demons, the Poison Blood Demon Fiend, to boot? Thus, the eyes peering down from the stands brimmed with skepticism—and eager anticipation of whether this Heavenly Flower disciple would live up to his title and the hype.
"Sorry."
Wi Seongcheon spoke first, his voice low and subdued.
*Boom!*
His words were swiftly drowned by the drum signaling the start. Mu Ilsan couldn't make sense of the sudden apology.
But he didn't press. The match had begun.
*Shing!*
Mu Ilsan drew his sword. Forcing down his tension, he leveled it at Wi Seongcheon.
The tension hung heavy. Ever since seeing the bracket yesterday, he'd felt rotten luck. *Why me?* His foe was the rising star, the hidden dragon Wi Seongcheon.
The crowd new to Wi Seongcheon questioned his prowess, but Mu Ilsan knew the rumors weren't exaggerated.
He'd witnessed Jinbae's match against him. He hadn't made the cut for the Gansu expeditionals, but he'd heard all about Wi Seongcheon's feats there.
Mu Ilsan had no confidence in beating him. But damn it all—his sect, Kunlun, dismissed Wi Seongcheon solely because he was from Heavenly Flower.
*'Somehow...'*
He had to put on a fight convincing enough for everyone—then lose. That thought filled Mu Ilsan's mind.
Wi Seongcheon had no intention of holding back.
*'Time's dragged on.'*
Had they started yet? Or was it over? Such thoughts in mind, he strode forward.
Mu Ilsan panicked at Wi Seongcheon's direct approach with no probing.
"You bastard!"
Rage boiled up next. He'd realized Wi Seongcheon's eyes weren't even on him, right there in front.
The raised sword swathed itself in azure sword qi. Kunlun's Phantasmal Demon Sword technique unfolded in an instant, bearing down to crush Wi Seongcheon's front.
That was as far as Mu Ilsan's awareness lasted.
His thrust sword grazed past Wi Seongcheon's body by a hair, and as he moved to chain into the next form—
Wi Seongcheon's hand lashed out like a whip, brushing Mu Ilsan's chin and snapping the thread of his consciousness.
"Can't afford to dawdle."
Wi Seongcheon muttered as he caught Mu Ilsan's slumping body.
That was why he'd apologized first.
*'Hasn't started yet, right?'*
Wi Seongcheon's thoughts were already drifting south, to the arena where Paeng Yeonhwa waited.
"Not bad."