Chapter 75
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 75
Chapter Title: How to Handle It When You Overhear a Confession
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Just like in the previous sparring matches, they paired up disciples of similar ages for light duels to gauge their skills, then drew up a bracket based on that to let the outcomes unfold naturally.
Baek Yoon had clearly wanted to face me, but when he saw Baek Geon standing next to me, he clicked his tongue and turned away.
I blocked him from matching with his peer Bi-jun and paired Bi-ryeong against Baek Yoon instead.
"Got a problem?"
When I asked while his eyes narrowed, he shrugged.
"Nah, not really? Oh, and let's just say your side wins. The skill gap's so huge that if it looks rigged, should I concede a single technique?"
"No need—"
I stopped Bi-ryeong as she bristled and snapped back. She whipped around to me with furrowed brows, so I whispered in her ear.
"I put you two together for a reason, so just accept."
She looked deeply skeptical but nodded obediently anyway.
"Got it. I don't know what you're thinking, but I'll follow the senior disciple's lead for now. Explain later, okay?"
And so we watched as the winners and losers were decided before the duels even began. Then a soft touch brushed my forehead.
Baek Geon smoothed out my deeply furrowed brow with his finger and teased.
"You're not upset because you hate the idea of sparring me, right?"
"As if."
I chuckled and shook my head. Looking up into his eyes—our height difference even greater now—I twitched my eyebrows and blurted out.
"You agreed to this ridiculous plan too?"
Baek Geon, who had been silently gazing at me for a while, let a faint smile play on his lips.
"Who do you think wanted this to be a fair match more than anyone?"
"Can't you just say 'no' with those two words? Decoding your roundabout talk is a pain."
It was thanks to certain folks in our Plum Sword crew that I was used to that kind of speech, but annoying was still annoying.
The Wudang Sect's senior disciple, who had been diligently marking wins and losses on the ground with a stick, spotted me and Baek Geon facing each other and shouted.
"You two! Hurry up and decide the winner! Oh, and Mount Hua Sect only needs two more wins!"
"Two more wins." Were those words even compatible? My head throbbed, and I rubbed my temples. Baek Geon gently pulled me into the shade and cut in first.
"Which one do you want?"
"Naturally, the one where I win."
I answered promptly, and Baek Geon covered his mouth, chuckling.
"Why?"
"I just can't believe handwriting and personality can be such polar opposites."
"What's wrong with my handwriting?"
I didn't think I'd scribbled the letters to him as messily as the ones to Namgung Seheon. Lost in thought about what my handwriting looked like, Baek Geon leaned slightly toward me.
"Neat and modest."
His voice, now much deeper after passing through puberty, rang in my ear. I reflexively touched my ear and took a step back.
I pressed down on my arms, where goosebumps had prickled up, and replied with a casual smile.
"Yeah, even I think my personality is far from neat and modest. Should I change my personality or my handwriting?"
"No need to change either. I like it as is."
With that, he turned and walked toward his senior disciple first, the tips of his ears slightly flushed.
First person ever to say they like my personality, of all things.
Did the events from nine years ago somehow forge some savior-narrative bond? Regrettably, I hadn't punched Baek Yoon out of righteous fury over his unfair treatment—I'd just wanted to beat the crap out of him.
With all the wins and losses set, and time left before sunset, I suggested touring the upper peaks.
When asked what we'd do, I said sightseeing the upper peaks would keep the elders from suspecting anything.
As we left the training ground, I asked one of the Wudang third-generation disciples walking beside me.
"I came once nine years ago, but this is my first real tour of the upper peaks, right?"
"Yeah. Back then, except for the matches, I pretty much stayed holed up in the lodgings."
He nodded in response, but the guy next to him glanced at Baek Yoon and piped up. Or tried to.
"Hey, Senior Brother Baek Yoon couldn't even watch the matches back then...!"
Thwack. Hit in the side by Baek Yoon's elbow, he shut his mouth before finishing, but that half-sentence had already jogged my memory ages ago.
"Oh, right! Some folks were under outdoor restrictions and couldn't even spectate the matches, yeah?"
Because they trash-talked a four-year-younger kid, picked a fight, and got thoroughly trounced? That little Dragon-Tiger Assembly had been a Mount Hua victory.
I covered my mouth, sneaked a grin at Baek Yoon, and his face crumpled miserably.
"Damn punk, good memory you got there."
He ruffled his bangs roughly, muttering irritably, then grabbed the culprit by the collar and shook him wildly.
"You, you little shit! Why'd you say that and make me hear crap like that again?"
"Ow! Sorry!"
I clicked my tongue at the disciplinary spectacle unfolding before me.
"Wow, look at him grabbing and shaking his junior. What a guy when it comes to personality..."
"Wasn't that the senior disciple grabbing and shaking air earlier?"
I turned smoothly at the grumbling-lament hybrid from beside me and eyed Bi-dam. He quickly averted his gaze.
We reached Yeonhwa Hall, and just as the Wudang folks had guided us to Jaso Palace five years ago, I began the upper peaks tour.
"Okay, that's Yeonhwa Hall over there, next to it is Mugyeong Pavilion with our martial secrets, and over there is..."
Everyone's eyes sparkled with interest, making it fun to explain.
As sunset began, I escorted the Wudang third-generation disciples back to Okcheong Hall. After brief goodbyes, as Baek Geon started heading in with his brothers, I grabbed him.
"Let's talk for a sec."
Whistles and catcalls erupted from all around. Who knew what misunderstanding they had. I stared pointedly at Bi-won, who was whistling and clapping loudest, and the Mount Hua side quieted down somewhat.
But the Wudang Plum Sword crew still watched expectantly, showing no sign of entering Okcheong Hall, so I just yanked Baek Geon's arm and bolted.
"Whoo, elopement of love!"
Baek Geon and I sighed in unison at the shout behind us.
Only after reaching a deserted spot where no one could tail us even if they tried did I release Baek Geon's arm.
"What's this about?"
Baek Geon asked, feigning calm, but he couldn't hide the tension jutting from his lips.
"About this sparring match."
As I started, the tension on his face vanished instantly. I stared at his complex expression, tangled with various emotions, then cut straight to the point.
"Don't hold back."
He looked puzzled, not understanding, so I explained kindly.
"Come at me with the resolve to beat me. Forget the pre-decided outcome."
That kind of victory wasn't a real win. To stand proud before the record of victories I'd built so far, I had to give this match my all.
For a true victory hard-won, not handed down.
"You sure?"
I snorted at his arrogant, worry-laced question and fired back with an arrogant reply of my own.
"What's not to be sure about? I'm winning anyway."
Baek Geon burst into clear laughter. His neatly tied-up hair shook with each laugh.
"See, if your personality changed, I'd be pretty disappointed."
Bi-ryeong said I look like I've changed when I just keep my mouth shut. Some visual illusion or whatever.
"I will change. To something solemn and weighty."
To match the Mount Hua's Greatest Sword. I scowled as I replied, and Baek Geon covered his mouth. But his half-closed eyes brimmed with unconcealed amusement.
Did you just mock me? I huffed, and Baek Geon soothed me with his still-smiling face.
"Ah, sorry, sorry. I just can't picture it."
Just you wait. At the next Dragon-Tiger Assembly, I'll show you the new me.
"No more words? Like, 'missed you' or something."
His slightly lowered eyes curved with mischief. Looking up at his face, more mature than five years ago, I replied indifferently.
"Nope."
I'd expected some disappointment, but he just grinned and extended his hand. His fox-like charm had leveled up.
"Escort me back to Okcheong Hall? I don't know the way."
"I was gonna anyway, even without you asking. I dragged you to a complicated spot on purpose—you'd get lost alone."
Instead of taking his hand, I smacked his forearm to signal let's go.
Walking side by side, Baek Geon held his palm above my head and murmured.
"You've grown a lot taller."
"Everyone says that. If I keep going like this, I'll probably pass five-and-a-half chi."
But I couldn't settle for just 165cm. 170 would be nice.
"Yeah? Wanna measure hand size?"
"Whoa, this cheap trick? You reading vulgar novels instead of secret manuals?"
I giggled and shot back at Baek Geon, who playfully offered his palm.
As Okcheong Hall drew nearer, a familiar voice pierced my ears amid my farewell preparations.
"If you're done talking, can I go in now?"
Turning toward the sound, I spotted a familiar figure. Why hasn't that guy gone back to his quarters and is hanging out in front of Okcheong Hall?
Reflexively, I yanked Baek Geon into a corner to hide. I scanned around quickly for others, but it was just Bi-ryeong and one Wudang third-generation disciple.
Bi-ryeong's face, arms crossed as she stared, slowly filled with irritation. The Wudang disciple squeezed his eyes shut and yelled.
"I, I like you...! Love at first sight!"
Holy crap, what a wild plot twist. Quick, someone get me some popcorn.