Chapter 108
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 108
Chapter Title: The Blindfolded Challenge
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“But what are you doing here? Aren’t you holed up in Sichuan?”
“Oh, me?”
When Nangong Seong tilted his head and asked, Dang Sadok glanced at Yu Hyun before replying in a dignified tone.
“I kept getting messages.”
“Messages?”
“Yeah, they kept begging me to do something about this Dormant Dragon Squad or whatever. I turned them down a few times, but they insisted that someone as great as me had to come shine a light on it.”
“Who?”
“Who else? The Grand Strategist.”
“…….”
Nangong Seong and Gye Dushin exchanged glances at the overly pompous response before snickering.
“You’re full of it.”
“Hmm, looks like our little Sadok has gotten pretty good at bullshitting and cursing behind our backs.”
“…….”
The two took turns hurling insults without so much as a change in expression.
“You bastards! I’m telling you, it’s true! They begged me to take over the Dormant Dragon Squad!”
“As if they’d beg you, you big-mouthed liar.”
“Whatever. Why should I bother talking to jealous punks like you? This is exactly why you don’t chat with underlings.”
Dang Sadok shook his head pityingly and approached Yu Hyun.
“I hear Young Master Yu is serving as acting captain?”
“……!”
At the taboo-like words, the two instantly wiped the smiles from their faces and whipped their heads around.
From the earlier situation, it was clear they hated the word ‘acting’...
Yeah, spot on. Their gums-baring, bright smiles said it all without a doubt.
After a brief eye contact confirming their shared thoughts, the two sprang into action without waiting for the other.
“Hah! Drunken Eight Immortals Steps!”
“Haha, heh heh, you grasshopper punks! Grown a bit more, have you? Azure Heaven Infinite Swordsmanship!”
They began pulling up grass and clearing stones as far from Yu Hyun as possible, pretending to be aspiring gardeners.
They had no choice. That cocky Sichuan wimp had crossed the line—big time.
Yu Hyun had no intention of stopping them. True friends share good experiences(?), right?
The single thought dominating their minds: ‘You try it too.’
“What? What’s wrong with them? Why are they suddenly gardening so enthusiastically?”
Dang Sadok, clueless as to the reason, tilted his head in confusion. Yu Hyun called to him with a voice laced with amusement.
“Tang Young Master.”
“Yes? Oh, yes.”
“Are you thinking of joining the Dormant Dragon Squad, by any chance?”
“Well, I’m considering it. I can’t very well ignore requests from my Grand Strategist and the Alliance Leader, and as a member of the righteous faction, I can’t turn a blind eye to the crisis looming over the martial world.”
“Ah, I see.”
Yu Hyun nodded with a bright smile.
Crisis in the martial world, my ass. The real crisis hasn’t even started.
“I hear you’re Seong’s uncle?”
“Yes.”
“No wonder... I was puzzled that Young Master Yu was acting captain, but that explains it.”
“…….”
“With a nephew-uncle relationship, it makes sense for a gentleman like Seong to yield. Dushin’s a sentimental guy anyway.”
“What are you getting at?”
“What else? I stopped by the Justice Alliance and met the Grand Strategist first thing. He said the captain position hasn’t been decided yet. Of course not—that’s no ordinary seat. It’s best suited for someone with experience in the martial world and a solid reputation. Someone like me, a blood relative of the Tang Clan...”
“Ah! So you’re asking for the captain spot?”
“Haha, you catch on quick. Well, not exactly demanding it, but don’t you think it has to be around that level? It’s the only way for the clan to save face, and besides...”
“Hmm, I don’t know where you heard what, but you’re seriously mistaken.”
“Pardon?”
“The Dormant Dragon Squad is all about merit.”
“…….”
Dang Sadok stopped smiling and stared at Yu Hyun before forcing a grin.
“Haha, you’re joking...”
“I’m dead serious.”
“……So you’re saying these guys lost on merit?”
“Yes.”
Yu Hyun grinned, and Dang Sadok looked dumbfounded.
Having arrived at the Justice Alliance not long ago, Dang Sadok knew little about Yu Hyun.
What mattered to him was that his close friends had joined the Dormant Dragon Squad.
Gye Dushin, the homeless beggar, was one thing, but Nangong Seong—the young master of the Nangong Clan—settling in the alliance’s warrior unit was shocking.
What did he stand to gain by joining?
Suspecting something he didn’t know, he’d rushed over, only to find some unknown Yu Hyun as captain.
He looked pretty like a gisaeng’s boy toy, but nothing special otherwise.
No aura befitting a seasoned warrior, no refined posture... All he sensed was the crude, feeble qi of a kid who’d just started learning martial arts.
“Haha, Young Master Yu. I’ve heard you made great contributions in Haenam-do. They say your skills are impressive. But merit-based? That’s a bit of an exaggeration...”
“Want to give it a shot, then?”
“Pardon?”
“Lose, and you’re a squad member. Win, and you’re captain.”
“You’re joking, right?”
“As if. I come from a scholarly family—no one taught me to joke. So, hidden weapons? I’m fine with poison too.”
“…….”
Though forcing a smile, Dang Sadok’s face twisted in disbelief he couldn’t hide.
Crazy bastard—proposing to settle it with poison or hidden weapons against a Tang Clan warrior, and so boldly?
“Haha, Young Master Yu.”
“What? Losing confidence?”
“No, it’s just... you don’t seem to know much about me.”
“I do. You said it yourself—you’re a Tang Clan heir. Not sure about Ice Jade Bone Structure or Jade Pellet Inner Vision, though.”
“…….”
Eyes bulging, he stared at Yu Hyun before nodding stiffly.
Word was Yu Hyun was seventeen.
That stormy age where confidence lets you claim to slice mountains and split seas. Just like he’d been.
“Young Master Yu, not everything in the world bends to bravado. I don’t know about those guys, but I’m a Tang Clan man famous for not holding back. I always go all out in a match.”
“Of course you should. Excuses after losing are such a hassle.”
Yu Hyun replied with a playful smile. Convinced the kid wasn’t getting through, Dang Sadok sighed deeply.
Just once more—hold it in.
No self-respecting adult falls for a brat’s taunts.
“Fine. Everyone’s cocky at your age. But I’m three years older, and my reputation in the martial world...”
“Geez, and here I thought you were young. Talking like some old fogey living off age without the skills...”
“Pardon?”
“Age and reputation don’t determine skill. Right?”
“…….”
A flicker of heat passed through Dang Sadok’s eyes.
“You’ll regret it.”
“…….”
Yu Hyun met his gaze steadily before chuckling.
That wasn’t competitive spirit. It was a strongman offended by an underling’s slight.
“Sigh, if you’re scared, shut up and go pull grass over there.”
“…….”
Yu Hyun’s blunt taunt and sneer wiped the last traces of a smile from Dang Sadok’s face.
“Calling slingshot pebbles ‘hidden weapons.’ I could hit better.”
Another jab, feigned as a mutter.
“Sling—? This punk, after all I’ve heard!”
That oughta do it.
The Tang Clan’s pride in hidden weapons pierced the heavens.
“Fine! I’ll show you just how great Young Master Yu’s skills are!”
“…….”
Yu Hyun beamed at the words he’d been waiting for.
Winner and loser were already set.
Dang Sadok couldn’t beat him now—or maybe ever, even in forty years.
One more master to torment and exploit secured.
Alright, you’ll be my qi-scent warrior from now on. Just like when you spiked the food with poison and insisted I eat first.
“Hmm, a plain duel would be boring... How about this?”
“What? Pick anything that favors you!”
“No need against a weakling.”
“What? Weakling? This guy!”
At Yu Hyun’s jab, Dang Sadok’s flower-boy face turned feral like an angry boar.
“Seong! Dushin!”
“Yes!”
“Come here.”
“Pardon?”
“I’m about to duel this esteemed Tang Clan young master for the captain seat.”
“……?”
“You two help out.”
“How?”
“Targets.”
“Targ— Pardon? What?”
Gye Dushin and Nangong Seong exchanged confused looks.
Making stupid faces.
Clicking his tongue inwardly, Yu Hyun had them each hold a single blade of grass atop their heads.
“Um, Captain?”
“Yeah?”
“You’re not saying this flimsy grass is the target, right?”
“If you get it, go stand over there.”
“…….”
Their jaws dropped in unison.
We barely escaped—why drag us back in, and so viciously...?
“Targets ready... Shall we start? First at ten paces, then fifteen. Increase distance until one misses.”
“…….”
Dang Sadok ground his teeth, eyes twitching.
“Young Master Yu, I’ve done this drill countless times since childhood! You think you can beat me at this? I’ll give you a chance—change the rules now?”
“Why?”
“It’s too favorable to me.”
“Oh, like the mouse pitying the cat or something?”
“What?”
“Don’t worry—just do your best. I like crushing people when the odds favor them. You first? Show off that famed Tang Clan hidden weapon mastery.”
You little shit!
Dang Sadok’s thread-thin patience finally snapped.
I don’t know your martial level. Hard to gauge, but maybe you beat Seong and Dushin.
But hidden weapons? No contest.
Time to school this clueless punk on why Tang Clan hidden weapons reign supreme...
“Fine! I’ll show you exactly what Tang Clan hidden weapons are!”
“…….”
Nangong Seong and Gye Dushin watched the two glare murderously with utterly aggrieved expressions.
And all that ire turned on Dang Sadok.
Crazy idiot—should’ve just been a squad member. You can’t win anyway, so why chase glory as captain?
And going first? Reveal your techniques to that prodigy who masters them after one look?
Might as well bare your fate to Yama King, you fool.
Gye Dushin, cursing nonstop inwardly, suddenly scowled and turned to Yu Hyun.
This is too much!
A match is a match, but some things must be checked!
“Captain.”
“Yeah?”
“Who’s the target for that bastard?”
“…….”
All three froze for a moment, but Nangong Seong’s eyes widened especially.
Fuck, spaced out and missed the crucial part.
No way... He’s just a squad member, but I’m family...
“Hmm... Seong, you do it?”
Gye Dushin clenched his fist with a victor’s smirk as Nangong Seong erupted in fury with despairing eyes.
“Why me! Why! Why should I be Sadok’s target? You’re way closer to him!”
“You punk Seong! Dare question the captain’s decision? I’ll straighten that rotten attitude in one go!”
“Shut it, you filthy beggar! You’re just the youngest disciple—you can guest at the morgue! Not me! I’m inheriting Nangong Clan someday!”
“…….”
Stunned by the unexpected reaction, Dang Sadok gawked at them alternately.
H-hey, what’s with you guys? I’m Dang Sadok. This is a hidden weapons duel.
Shouldn’t you be honored to be my target? Why act like it’s life-or-death?
“Seong.”
“Yes?”
“Want to get beat?”
“……!”
At Yu Hyun’s words, Nangong Seong shot a venomous glare and double curse at Dang Sadok before leaping away.
And... just then, as the baffled Dang Sadok gave up understanding, gritted his teeth, and picked up a nearby pebble—
“Huh? What are you doing?”
“Pardon? Hidden weapons can injure, so a stone...”
“It’s not about picking it up—who can’t hit that with eyes open? This duel’s blindfolded. Eyes closed.”
“…….”
Yu Hyun’s cheery remark brought bewilderment to Dang Sadok’s face, relief to Gye Dushin’s, and despair to Nangong Seong’s.
Gazing at their varied expressions with eager eyes, Yu Hyun muttered inwardly.
Absurd, right? I thought so too.
But who else would teach such a ridiculous method?
Just paying it back as is, so don’t hate me too much.
Oh, and not just hidden weapons—I’ll let you experience a great snake pit first when I find one.