Chapter 11: Nine Dragons Day (5)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 11: Nine Dragons Day (5)
The Peng Clan attendants rushed to retrieve Peng Woojin, who lay sprawled on the ground after the Second Elder’s blow.
Peng Ah-hee thanked the Second Elder, but seeing the angry red swelling on Peng Woojin’s face made me wonder if this was really the right way to handle things. Peng Ah-hee did say he deserved it, though…
“It was a mutually agreed-upon lesson,” the Second Elder reminded me.
Either way, I decided to put some distance between myself and the situation. “If the Peng Clan complains about this later, please make it clear that I had nothing to do with it.”
“Don’t worry,” the Second Elder grinned. “I’ll be sure to tell them you were involved.”
“Wait, what fault did I have in any of this?”
“You didn’t stop us when you had the chance, Yangcheon. That makes you an accomplice.”
What is this old man talking about?
How was I supposed to stop you when you jumped in and knocked him out with one punch?!
That’s what I wanted to say, but after watching the Second Elder beat Peng Woojin to a pulp, I decided to keep my mouth shut.
…Better to tone it down.
The only reason Peng Woojin survived that hit was because he was Peng Woojin. If I had taken a blow like that, I would’ve died on the spot.
I resolved to play it safe with my body and avoid doing anything that might invite such a devastating strike.
Throughout all this, Wi Seol-Ah was gazing at the Second Elder with stars in her eyes.
“Why are you looking at him like that?” I asked.
“Young Master! He went POW! And the bad man fell down! That was so cool!”
…She thinks the Second Elder beating the crap out of someone is cool?
Shouldn’t that be terrifying? Since when is a public beating something to admire?
The Second Elder, clearly in a good mood, laughed heartily at her remark. “This young lady knows what’s up!”
He then took out a yakgwa and handed it to Wi Seol-Ah. “A treat for complimenting this old man.”
“Wow! Yakgwa! You’re awesome, Bear Grandpa!”
“A bear? Hahaha! Does this old man really look that strong?”
No, I think she’s calling you a bear because you actually look like one.
…Again, not something I could say out loud.
The Second Elder just smiled and let Wi Seol-Ah be, even though her informality was technically disrespectful from a servant.
Is it because she’s pretty? Or because she’s young? Well, things ended peacefully, so I’ll let it slide.
The Second Elder turned away from Wi Seol-Ah, who had quieted down happily with her yakgwa.
“Yangcheon.”
“Yes?”
“About what I was saying earlier, before I was so rudely interrupted—”
Now that he mentioned it, he did say he was looking for me.
The Second Elder continued as I looked at him curiously. “There is a fight you must participate in after the Nine Dragons Tournament ends.”
“You’re fighting? Who are you planning to kill this time…”
“This time!? I didn’t kill anyone last time! And it’s not me who’s fighting—it’s you.”
“…Excuse me?”
What is he talking about now?
“Me? All of a sudden?”
Why would I sign up for such a hassle?
* * *
Around one in the afternoon, the Nine Dragons Tournament finally began. With participants coming from all over Shanxi, hundreds had gathered.
I had no idea how they planned to finish this in a single day, let alone before sunset. Since I was only spectating, it was far easier than actually fighting or judging the matches.
Unfortunately, a slight unease now gnawed at me about my own impending fight.
“I hope these matches never end.”
If the preceding fights dragged on long enough, I might still find an excuse to weasel out of my new obligation.
The tournament itself was entertaining. Most spectators enjoyed watching martial artists showcase their skills, and I was no different.
It was particularly exciting when a spearman stepped into the arena. He was skilled, making full use of his weapon’s long reach.
His opponent, unfortunately for him, was a swordmaiden. Not an ideal matchup.
Yet the swordmaiden remained perfectly calm. She dodged every one of his thrusts and sweeps while keeping a close watch on his movements.
“Distant relative,” she said, right?
She had introduced herself as a distant relative of the Gu Clan. Her name was Gu… something.
“Hya!”
The spearman, frustrated by her constant evasion, began swinging his spear more wildly—but still only cut through empty air.
I could tell he had trained diligently. But his growing impatience was like a poison.
Putting excessive force into his attacks only broke his focus, giving his opponent an opening. This match was already decided.
As the spearhead rebounded off the ground from a failed lunge, the swordmaiden deftly struck it aside. With the spearman off-balance, she closed the distance in a flash.
Now that she was inside his reach, the spearman was helpless. He tried to bring his weapon around, but her wooden sword was already at his throat.
He sighed and stepped back, admitting defeat. Disappointment was written all over his face.
The judge announced the result. “Gu Sunyeol wins.”
So her name was Gu Sunyeol.
It was a entertaining fight, but I had a feeling she wouldn’t become famous enough for her name to spread far in the future.
Or maybe I just didn’t remember her.
“That girl will be selected, for sure,” the Second Elder said confidently.
Maintaining composure as a martial artist was a valuable skill. She would definitely be chosen someday, if not today.
“How much time is left…”
I looked—only half the matches remained.
I’d expected the event to last much longer with so many participants, but since each duel was so brief, it seemed like everything would be over soon.
On the first day, I’d wanted this whole affair to end quickly. Now, I was praying for the second day’s events to stretch on forever.
I shot a resentful look at the Second Elder.
Noticing my stare, he asked, “Why are you looking at this old man with so much animosity?”
“Don’t misunderstand. It’s a look of deep respect.”
“Even your voice is dripping with animosity.”
The Second Elder laughed as I sighed.
All because of this “battle of blood relatives” I’d been roped into. The only blood relatives present were me and Gu Yeonseo, so my opponent was obvious.
When I asked how this happened, the Second Elder admitted he’d suggested it for fun—and the other elders actually liked the idea enough to make it happen.
The word “fun” reminded me vividly of Peng Woojin’s beating.
Well, it’s not like I can teach the Second Elder a lesson…
Beating him up was impossible. I wondered if I could even land a single hit on him.
“Don’t worry.”
I turned to see Gu Yeonseo, the one who had spoken.
“No one expects anything from you. There’s no need to worry about embarrassment when the outcome is already obvious. Since you’re a blood relative, I’ll make it painless.”
“…How considerate. I’m so thankful.”
So thankful that tears were practically welling in my eyes.
Gu Yeonseo radiated confidence, not even entertaining the possibility of defeat.
No wonder she’d agreed so readily to the Second Elder’s idea. She even looked happy about it.
To be fair, her confidence was justified.
Comparing me—someone who never put effort into anything—to a genius who dedicated herself entirely to training was like comparing the earth to the sky.
Maybe I should just forfeit.
My reputation was already rock-bottom. One more black mark wouldn’t make it any worse.
“Yangcheon, let me tell you something in advance.”
The Second Elder leaned in and whispered, “If you’re even thinking about forfeiting, I might accidentally hit you with a bit of strength.”
“—Forfeit? Of course not…”
This dysfunctional household… Was anyone here normal!
* * *
I’d had the thought before, but unfortunately, I couldn’t control the passage of time.
The Nine Dragons Tournament wrapped up in a flash, and the moment I dreaded had arrived.
Lights were lit as the sun set. This year, a total of twenty-one new Gu swordsmen were selected.
The following day would be a festival. My original plan had been to slip away inconspicuously after two days here.
But now I’d been thrown into this mess.
I’d received enough negative attention in my previous life; I’d hoped to live quietly and peacefully in this one, without anyone acknowledging my existence.
But that plan was now thoroughly ruined.
I saw Gu Yeonseo already standing in the open arena. Her posture and grip alone spoke volumes about her skill.
I really don’t want to do this…
I spoke to the Second Elder in an accusing tone. “You really want to see me beaten up in front of all these people?”
This old man was a demon in both this life and the last.
The Second Elder gave a strange smile at my resentful words. Then he said, “You’re really ‘not’ going to win?”
I paused mid-step onto the arena platform. “What nonsense are you spouting now? It’s not that I’m ‘not’ going to win—I ‘can’t’ win.”
“Right, right. If you say so.”
…This guy acts like a fox, even though he looks like a bear.
Ignoring him, I stepped onto the arena floor.
* * *
A solitary moon hung in the night sky—a waxing crescent.
The arena was calm and quiet now that all the other fighters had left. Spectators still filled the stands, but only two people remained on the platform.
Making blood relatives fight for public entertainment… even for the Second Elder, this felt excessive.
“You’re not using a sword?” Gu Yeonseo asked as I stretched.
A sword? Did I even use a sword at this point?
The Gu Clan employed either swords or fists, unlike the Peng, Moyong, and Namgung clans, who focused solely on swords. Our Gu Clan Gu Flame Wheel Art could be channeled through any melee weapon, but swords and fists were the most compatible.
For me, fighting with my fists was the most efficient.
“I’ve decided against a sword. It doesn’t suit my style.”
“You say that so easily, even though you’ve put no effort into justifying that decision.”
Since Gu Yeonseo didn’t know what I’d been doing lately, her assumption was natural. Arguing would only sound like making excuses, so I let it go.
“Do you know how long it’s been since our last bout?” she asked.
“Nope.”
“It’s been a long time. I’ve always wanted a rematch. This time, I can officially beat you. Not that I particularly enjoy doing it in front of a crowd.”
“How can you say something so scary so casually?”
Most of my memories were faint, but my last bout with Gu Yeonseo in my previous life remained vivid.
It wasn’t just a sparring match.
I remembered her pointing a sword wreathed in flames at me.
[Flaming Sword]
That was the title she would eventually earn. It suited her perfectly.
Even facing a broken man—one with tears in his eyes and blood on his lips—she had attacked with single-minded brutality, intent on slaughter. That memory was burned into my mind.
“You sick bastard, I will be the one to kill you! Me, and me alone!”
It had been raining that day.
But not tonight.
That event hadn’t happened in this life, and I was determined to prevent it from ever occurring again. I had to keep that goal firmly in mind.
“I’ve always wanted this chance,” Gu Yeonseo said. “But you always ran away before I could take it.”
Her baby face and voice, which still sounded childlike, were a stark contrast to the mature woman she became in my past life.
But the way she drew her sword against me was the same.
It was a wooden practice sword, not steel, but the image overlapped painfully with that day.
While I was lost in memory, Gu Yeonseo spoke again. “I hate you.”
Her harsh words snapped me back to the present. “I know.”
How could I not? She made it abundantly clear whenever we were alone.
“I hate that you never put effort into anything. I hate your trash personality, and how you coast on being a son of the Gu Clan.”
“I’m aware, but hearing it firsthand still stings.”
I understood her. Even I would despise the person I used to be.
Do I really think I’ve changed that much?
I didn’t even know the answer myself.
“Begin!”
The Second Elder’s shout, amplified by Qi, made my ears ring. I’d been caught off guard.
Gu Yeonseo shot forward instantly, as if she’d been waiting for the signal. She showed no mercy, even against a weakling like me.
I felt her heat as she closed in—the heat of someone who had reached the Third Star of the Gu Flame Wheel Art. It radiated from her, permeating the air around us.
She really has no intention of holding back.
Her sword form was flawless, a testament to her rigorous training. I stepped back, bending my torso to avoid the strike.
Her eyes widened in surprise. She hadn’t expected me to dodge.
But she pressed on without pause, each strike aimed at a vital point.
All I could do was rely on my basic physique to evade. Using Qi in this underdeveloped body would only cause stiffness when I needed flexibility.
Her attacks were fast and lethal, but I managed to stay just a beat ahead, dodging each one.
I was already breathing heavily.
In my mind, I calculated how to end this naturally—without being half-killed or arousing the Second Elder’s suspicion.
“You’re still! The same! All you know is how to dodge!”
Gu Yeonseo exclaimed between furious swings. Her ferocity was almost a physical force.
Yet, I emerged from her onslaught unscathed.
As none of her attacks landed, her teeth clenched tighter. Her earlier confidence had vanished.
Why was she so impatient?
She suddenly stepped back to create distance and settled into a new stance.
A visible heat began to rise from her wooden sword.
That looked dangerous.
…I can’t let that hit me.
Having recently broken through to the Third Star, Gu Yeonseo could already infuse her Gu Flame Wheel Art into her wooden sword. She was nearing the Fourth Star.
But her technique was still incomplete, her Qi unstable.
A quick glance at the Second Elder showed him watching with his chin in his hands, seemingly amused by our spar. He had no intention of intervening.
…Shit. Can I dodge this and make it look like I got hit?
I probably could, but the risk felt too high.
What should I do…
A faint red aura now enveloped Gu Yeonseo’s wooden sword. Her hand shook slightly from the unstable Qi circulation.
“You do nothing! You have no talent! And you never try to make up for it! But just because you’re a son…!”
She rambled, her mind seemingly shaken by the strain of controlling so much Qi.
Again, I understood her feelings completely. I knew why she hated me, and I accepted it as justified.
But then Gu Yeonseo kept talking.
“If you’re going to live like that… then you should just disappear, just like your mother.”
“What?”
She had crossed a line.
Gu Yeonseo charged, swathed in Qi. The arena floor cracked under the force of her steps.
But her rage made her impatient, her attack telegraphed and easy to read.
I tilted my body just enough for her sword to whistle past.
As she realized her target was no longer there, she stumbled, unable to control her momentum.
She reacted quickly, trying to regain her balance, but—
I didn’t hesitate. My fist shot out and struck her squarely in the face.