Chapter 702: Heavenly Dragon Martial Arts Tournament (11)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 702: Heavenly Dragon Martial Arts Tournament (11)
A long line had formed for the registration.
Tang Soyeol looked at Bongsun, the black-haired woman who was staring at her own hands with a look of pure thrill, and asked, "…Young Lady Bong, are you in a good mood?"
"Yup!" Bongsun beamed, her face radiant. "It was super squeaky clean! I want to touch it again. If I see that oppa again, do you think he’ll let me?"
"…I don’t know about the texture, but it certainly made my heart pound."
Oppa, of all things. Hearing that choice of address made Tang Soyeol’s head spin.
The Heavenly Dragon of Shaolin.
A member of the Meteor Generation, he stood at the very forefront of the countless geniuses known by that name and was one of the most famous martial artists of the past few years. Attention followed him wherever he went, yet Bongsun had charged straight at him, demanding to touch the Heavenly Dragon’s head.
Watching it happen, Tang Soyeol thought she was going to faint from the sheer audacity.
…And what’s more.
‘Why did he actually let her touch it?’
When Bongsun had rushed him, the Heavenly Dragon had actually given her permission. That was the strangest part of all.
‘Was it out of consideration?’
To put it nicely, Bongsun was pure. To be precise, she was a bit slow. Perhaps the Heavenly Dragon had deliberately treated her with kindness in response to her eccentric behavior. It was certainly possible for a man of Shaolin, a sect known for its benevolence.
‘But still…’
The way the Heavenly Dragon had looked at Bongsun didn’t seem entirely like that. Benevolence and consideration—it felt different from those simple emotions. At least, that’s how it appeared to Tang Soyeol’s eyes.
‘It can’t be.’
No, surely not. A man of Shaolin, who had abandoned all worldly desires to follow the will of Buddha, would not succumb to such things. Tang Soyeol decided it was just her imagination.
"Young Lady Bong."
"Hm?"
"You were very lucky just now. Asking to touch the head of a bald… I mean, someone without hair, is incredibly rude."
The issue wasn't really about the hair, but in her flustered state, Tang Soyeol found herself rambling.
"Okay! I get it!" Bongsun seemed to catch the gist of the warning, smiling and nodding vigorously. Then she leaned in and whispered to Tang Soyeol, "So, I’ll spare that oppa’s life just once. Because I’m grateful."
"..."
For some reason, those words were deeply unsettling. The fact that she said it with such an innocent expression only made it more chilling.
"Young Lady Bo—"
"The registration is closing soon! Everyone, please stay in line!"
Just as Tang Soyeol was about to press Bongsun for an explanation, a warning barked out from a martial artist of the Alliance.
"Ah! I have to go now! Sis, I’m leaving first!"
"Wai—!"
Before she could be stopped, Bongsun sprinted toward the line corresponding to the color on her wooden pass. Watching her go, Tang Soyeol shouted after her, "Don’t forget what the Young Master said! Be moderate!!"
"Okaay!"
Without looking back, Bongsun gave a small wave of affirmation. Tang Soyeol could only watch her retreating back before letting out a deep, weary sigh.
"Aigo, what a headache…"
Of all the luck, their preliminary rounds had fallen on the same day. Gu Yangcheon had told her to make sure Bongsun held back, and she had agreed, but the task was proving to be more exhausting than she’d anticipated. An unruly tomboy who was impossible to control—how on earth did such a woman come to know Gu Yangcheon?
‘What is he planning now?’
Tang Soyeol’s eyes narrowed as her thoughts shifted to Gu Yangcheon.
Three years had passed since the incident at the Tang Clan. During that time, Gu Yangcheon had been so busy he didn't have a moment to breathe. Excluding the time she had been away for her own training, the period she had witnessed firsthand was truly unbelievable.
Gu Yangcheon underwent an absurd amount of training every single day. If he had even a moment of spare time, he would study poisons with her or head out on mysterious errands. Even those outings seemed to have a grim purpose, as he always returned with a strained, haunted expression.
And then he would go right back to training. She had almost never seen him rest, let alone sleep properly.
As time passed, she began to see unfamiliar faces appearing around him. The people he found and brought back were all broken in some way, and Gu Yangcheon’s eyes as he looked at them were as cold as frost.
Was it disgust? Or perhaps aversion? Even while showing emotions that revealed his distaste, he continued to save them.
For what purpose was he gathering so many people? She was curious but couldn't bring herself to ask. She knew that Gu Yangcheon would struggle with such questions.
There was even a time when he returned reeking of blood. What on earth had he done? Even then, Tang Soyeol stayed silent. She later found out that he had been exterminating demons and, simultaneously, had annihilated a group of Unorthodox Faction members who were raiding a village.
When asked for a reason, Gu Yangcheon had simply replied:
[I just needed to blow off some steam.]
Although she knew that wasn't the whole story, she could tell that it was, in a way, the truth. He was becoming consumed.
With each passing day, Gu Yangcheon changed. His realm rose, and his knowledge grew. The Lord of the Tang Clan, the Poison King, had remarked that Gu Yangcheon was much smarter than he appeared. He had a knack for learning; he never had to be told the same thing twice and memorized most things after a single glance.
The Poison King had told her privately that if Gu Yangcheon had been born into the Tang Clan, he would have reached the rank of an elder at the very least. From Tang Soyeol’s perspective, her father’s expression suggested he thought the position of Clan Lord would have suited him just as well, though his pride prevented him from saying it aloud.
He was an outstanding talent. If that was the Poison King’s assessment, it meant Gu Yangcheon was far beyond mediocre. Yet, Gu Yangcheon judged himself with brutal harshness. He would call himself a dullard, grumbling that a "true genius" would have handled things with ease.
‘What kind of genius is he talking about?’
Who was the genius in Gu Yangcheon’s eyes? Was it the Three Venerables, said to stand above the heavens? Or was it the other members of the Six Dragons and Three Phoenixes?
The Three Venerables were one thing, but comparing him to the Six Dragons and Three Phoenixes felt like a poor fit.
‘…No matter who you compare him to, isn’t Young Master Gu superior?’
Tang Soyeol herself was one of the Six Dragons and Three Phoenixes, known as the Poison Phoenix. Even when she thought of herself or any of the others, Gu Yangcheon held the upper hand. No, it was beyond comparison. Who would dare to compare them?
In Tang Soyeol’s eyes, Gu Yangcheon was a genius sent from the heavens. His power, his strategic mind, his overwhelming presence—and on top of that, his handsome face. There was no one in the world more perfect than Gu Yangcheon.
Except, perhaps, for his slightly(?) hot temper and his excessive luck with women.
‘Luck with women…’
The thought made Tang Soyeol flash a bitter smile.
"Haa."
She let out a sigh that rose from deep within her chest. It was frustrating.
‘What should I do?’
She still remembered the expression on Gu Yangcheon’s face the day Namgung Bi-ah left for the North Sea. In that moment, Tang Soyeol was certain: she would never be able to take that woman's place.
She had endured hellish training, and her realm had soared. She had reached a level she had only ever dreamed of, and yet…
‘What a shame…’
Tang Soyeol felt an unidentifiable sense of regret. She had tried so hard to be able to stand by his side, so why did she feel this way? Was she now seeking a position she could never obtain? Even as she told herself that wasn't it, she knew the truth.
‘Because giving up is never easy.’
Even if you let go of many things, there are some you just can’t release. Tang Soyeol allowed a small, sad smile to grace her lips.
Just then.
"Tsk."
A sharp, mocking sound came from behind her. Tang Soyeol’s smile vanished instantly as she turned toward the source.
Not far away, a man who was drawing a fair amount of attention was staring at her. He was someone Tang Soyeol recognized, and his scowling face made it clear he did not view her favorably.
Oil Bullet Sword.
A master of the Fusion Realm and a martial artist known as a brilliant swordsman. He was the man Tang Soyeol had a small altercation with previously. Seeing him here, it seemed he was also participating in this second preliminary round.
"..."
Tang Soyeol met Oil Bullet Sword’s gaze. It was a strange thing; the passionate emotions that had flared up when she thought of Gu Yangcheon cooled instantly the moment she saw this man. Her body and her gaze settled into a cold stillness.
As she looked at Oil Bullet Sword as if he were a mere pebble on the road, he began walking toward her. When they were less than three steps apart, Oil Bullet Sword spoke.
"It seems your friend isn’t with you today."
Tang Soyeol tilted her head. "If you mean ‘that friend,’ who might you be referring to?"
"The Lesser King of Hell of the Gu Clan, was it? That young friend who insulted me."
"..."
"I was curious, so I looked into him. He turned out to be a more… distinguished friend than I thought." The corner of Oil Bullet Sword’s mouth lifted in a sneer. "I wondered why he acted so confidently against me, but for such a famous youth, it’s understandable. I was like that when I was young, too."
At the mention of Gu Yangcheon, a frown formed on Tang Soyeol’s brow.
"With that much talent, one is bound to be arrogant. I heard he just passed the age of twenty. An age where one is still immature."
The way he spoke made it clear he had done his research.
"So, he must have been acting out, believing the rumors were a true measure of his skill."
His skill was just a rumor. The implication was clear. Few truly believed the stories circulating about the Lesser King of Hell. The claim of being the youngest to reach the Fusion Realm had been dismissed as a false rumor once the Alliance gave that title to the Heavenly Dragon. The story of him single-handedly stopping a Fusion Realm martial artist was dismissed as exaggeration, and the Heavenly Dragon Academy incident was attributed to outside intervention.
Since the rumors had already spread, the Alliance hadn't bothered to correct them, and that was the reputation the Lesser King of Hell carried now. Of course, after his brief clash with Oil Bullet Sword, people acknowledged he was a strong prodigy, but the prevailing opinion was that Oil Bullet Sword hadn't been using his full strength.
It was only natural. How could a mere boy cross swords with Oil Bullet Sword? People believed Oil Bullet Sword had simply been holding back to teach the boy a lesson.
Tang Soyeol spoke, cutting him off as if she couldn't be bothered to listen. "Senior, I’m curious as to what you’re trying to say."
Oil Bullet Sword’s face crumpled. "Our Young Lady Tang is as rude as ever. It seems neither that friend nor you know your place."
Whether it was the brat whose ego was inflated by rumors or the noble clan daughter who acted with unearned arrogance, neither seemed to understand their standing.
"Arrogant…"
Mulling over the word, Tang Soyeol smiled. It was different from the smile she had for Gu Yangcheon; this one was a pure, sharp sneer.
"I wonder who is saying that to whom…"
"What did you say?"
Oil Bullet Sword began to grit his teeth, but Tang Soyeol was faster.
"I wonder if you’re the one who is blind to the world, Senior. Unlike Young Master Gu, you are well past the age of immaturity. It’s a pity."
We can be excused for being childish, but you’re an old man acting this way. Grow up. That was the bite behind her words.
"Ha! You bitch, do you really—!"
Oil Bullet Sword lunged to grab Tang Soyeol’s shoulder.
But.
Swish!
"What?"
His hand grasped nothing but empty air. Tang Soyeol was already gone.
Where did she go? As Oil Bullet Sword looked around in confusion, he felt a sudden pressure.
Press!
"…!"
Flinch!
Oil Bullet Sword felt a touch on his back. Something sharp was pressing against him.
"Did you know?"
The voice reaching his ears made Oil Bullet Sword’s breath hitch. It was Tang Soyeol. Somehow, she was now standing directly behind him. He hadn't noticed her move at all.
"The plum wine at Yeonghwa Inn isn’t very good. It’s strange, isn’t it? They promote it as their signature drink, but it’s actually quite bland."
It was a random statement, but hearing it made Oil Bullet Sword’s body turn to ice.
Yeonghwa Inn. It was the name of the inn where he was staying.
"The price is a bit higher than the surrounding places. The walls are thin, too, so the soundproofing is weak. I believe Young Lady Hwayeol’s moans are much louder than Young Lady Yangwol’s."
"..."
Cold sweat trickled down his spine. Hwayeol was the name of the courtesan Oil Bullet Sword had been with last night; Yangwol was the one from the night before.
"What… what are you talking about?"
"I’m just saying this out of concern for a senior." It was chilling. Oil Bullet Sword realized exactly what she was implying.
"You drink with your left hand, Senior. I see you’re right-handed, so that’s quite a peculiar habit."
"You bitch…"
"You always drink plum wine after you finish training. Did you enjoy it? Two bottles the day before yesterday. Four bottles yesterday. The tournament is just around the corner, so you should probably cut back."
Oil Bullet Sword’s cheek began to twitch. He had been suppressing his senses while staying in Henan, but when had she been watching him in such agonizing detail?
"It’s also good to break fixed habits. Who knows when someone might put poison in the drink you have after training?"
"You—!"
He snapped and spun around.
In that instant—Thud.
Something sharp touched Oil Bullet Sword’s heart. It was Tang Soyeol’s dagger, held at an angle where the surrounding crowd couldn't see.
"And stop sending people after me. Cleaning them up is becoming a nuisance," Tang Soyeol whispered, her breath tickling his ear. "Live on your toes from now on. Whatever you do, you never know what I might do."
Whether you go to the latrine, eat a meal, have a drink, or even embrace a woman—I can reach you. Live in suspense.
At Tang Soyeol’s warning, Oil Bullet Sword’s eyes shook uncontrollably. He couldn't find the words to respond; he could only stare at her in shock.
Tang Soyeol smiled brightly at him. "Well then, I’ll see you next time, Senior."
After a light, mocking bow, she walked away gracefully. As she walked, a thought crossed her mind.
‘Should I just kill him?’
He was becoming a nuisance. If he hadn't mentioned Gu Yangcheon, she might have let him be, finding it charming that Gu Yangcheon had protected her from him before.
‘He keeps running his mouth for someone his age.’
She decided she would likely have to get rid of him. With that cold thought, Tang Soyeol headed toward her designated group.
* * *
A back alley in Henan.
While the second preliminary round was being prepared at the Alliance headquarters, a figure hiding something beneath their robes moved cautiously through the shadows.
"Hoo… hoo."
They moved from alley to alley, staying hidden and maintaining a constant, rhythmic pace. Their eyes darted around, scanning every corner. It was a suspicious sight, but thanks to a high-level stealth technique, no one noticed them.
‘Quickly…’
They had to deliver the information they had discovered to their people. That single-minded purpose drove them. Their expression was calm, their gait steady. If they continued like this, they would make it.
A hint of excitement flickered in the figure's eyes.
‘It’s the Sword Queen’s bloodline.’
The figure bit their lip, thinking of the intel they had confirmed at the Alliance. They had discovered someone who appeared to be a descendant of the previous Sword Queen. There was no mistaking it. While the child's appearance might be ambiguous, the item they possessed was definitely the one from the records.
‘I must report this at once…!’
This was a discovery that could not be missed. Intent on their mission, the figure turned into another alley, when suddenly—
"You’re taking way too many turns."
GRAB!
"…Kuhk!"
A hand shot out from the darkness, seized their neck, and hoisted them into the air.
"Ah, why not just go a little faster? It’s not like taking all these detours will keep you from getting caught."
"Kk-heuk…!"
A pained groan escaped the figure's lips. They couldn't even resist. The moment their neck was seized, an overwhelming sense of powerlessness washed over them.
Who is this? Someone from the Alliance?
In their agony, the figure shifted their gaze to their attacker. They saw a young face, sharp eyes, and pupils that sent a shiver through their soul. It was a familiar face—one of the individuals the figure had been investigating.
"Le… Lesser King…"
The figure tried to gasp out the name, but Gu Yangcheon seemed uninterested.
"I thought it would take a while, but the fish bit the bait faster than I expected. I almost missed you."
Gu Yangcheon proceeded with his business, ignoring the spy's struggle. "Now. I’m busy, so I’ll ask you a quick question."
With his free hand, Gu Yangcheon ripped away the cloth covering the person’s head. The hidden face was revealed—delicate features marred by faint scars. Seeing the eyes and mouth that clearly belonged to a woman, Gu Yangcheon smirked.
"I wonder what business the nuns of Sichuan have with my crazy bitch?"
The nuns of Sichuan. One of the Ten Sect Alliance, composed entirely of women.
He was referring to the Emei Sect.