Chapter 92
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 92
Chapter Title: The Enemy of My Enemy is My Ally
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Hmm, looks like he's shut himself in his room, shocked from his first defeat.
The day after the spar, after whipping my head around searching for Namgung Seheon without even catching a glimpse of him, that was the conclusion I reached.
Anyway, what a weakling. At least I didn't hole up in my room until the day after a defeat. Instead, I holed up in the training grounds, swinging my sword like crazy.
While searching for Namgung Seheon and wandering the rear garden, I clicked my tongue at the scene that caught my eye.
“Even in a friendly gathering like this, they still divide by rank, huh?”
Small and medium sects and run-of-the-mill martial families, martial clans and great sects. The groups were clearly separated, as if lines had been drawn between them.
“What, we can't really say anything about that.”
Biryeong glanced indifferently at the Wudang third-generation disciples sitting mixed in with us and replied.
Mount Hua, which split off from the Nine Great Sects because they didn't want to be treated on the same level as Jongnam, and Wudang, who agreed and sat together with us.
Thanks to that, we ended up giving everyone a chance to re-evaluate the character of Shaolin, who were just quietly sticking to their own group.
“Is there any point in gathering like this?”
The connections I'd made here were just a few later-generation martial clan scions introduced through the protagonist Jin Seoryun and Jeggal Hee, plus the ambiguous case of Dang Hakyeong as a so-called connection.
“Why, gatherings like this have their own meaning and are pretty nice.”
Baek Geon, leaning against me, replied with laughter in his voice.
“Seeing familiar faces over and over until you're sick of them?”
“Meeting only once every four years and seeing them again feels like a surprise gift—it's nice.”
At Baek Geon's sly remark, Biwon let out a loud, exaggerated cough.
“It's probably just to get a head start memorizing the faces of the guys you'll face off against before the Yongbong Assembly. Plus, on the side, see how much booze the organizers can handle.”
“More like, over there they're getting along great among themselves. It just feels like we're the only ones needlessly standing on pride and walking away empty-handed…”
Biyeong muttered glumly, eyeing the harmonious Seven Great Sects gathering with envy.
“Hey, what do you mean empty-handed? We got something out of it too.”
Biwon grinned and lightly patted Biyeong's shoulder as he opened his mouth.
“Right away, the great senior's nickname, Mount Hua Maniac, mmph! Mmph!”
“I told you not to bring up that damned nickname in front of me.”
I clamped Biwon's mouth shut at lightning speed.
“Why? It suits you so well? Honestly, though, your old nickname suited you even better.”
Baekyun sneered, a mocking smile on his face.
From the side, the Wudang senior brother—who was deep in conversation with Bihwan, saying things like “Looks like they didn't catch what happened at the last Dragon-Tiger Assembly—good thing our side let it slide quietly”—shook his head.
“Stop picking fights with the kid already. Aren't you sick of it after ten years? From the side, you look just like a little boy needling a girl he likes.”
Baekyun shuddered in revulsion a beat faster than I grimaced at the awful comparison.
“Whoa, insane. Gives me goosebumps. I really pass on that misunderstanding, senior brother. Absolutely not—so Baek Geon, quit staring like that.”
I breathed a sigh of relief watching Baekyun deny it with utter sincerity as he scooted far away from me. Good. That nightmare where he likes me won't happen.
Curious about what kind of look Baek Geon was giving to make him react like that, I glanced back—our eyes met, and he curved the corners of his eyes in a round smile.
With a face like that smiling like that, even though I'd sworn never to let romance into my life, my heart fluttered uncontrollably.
Namgung Seheon was handsome too. That's an undeniable fact.
But my ideal type leaned more toward Baek Geon than Namgung Seheon. A prickly, haughty cat-like beauty like Namgung Seheon was nice, sure—but a refined beauty that looked ready to leap out of an ink painting suited my taste more.
For example, like Cheonghwi, who had instantly claimed the throne of "first love-ish thing that made this Biyeon's young heart race."
Ignoring Biwon as he muttered something incomprehensible like "Yeah, still better than that freakish Mount Hua swordsman…," I shot to my feet.
“Where are you going?”
“My quarters.”
Baek Geon, who'd been leaning on me, briefly staggered at the sudden loss of support. He quickly steadied himself and looked up at me.
“Want me to come along?”
“No need.”
Namgung Seheon would've clung to me and tagged along no matter what, but Baek Geon was the type to neatly back off at a single refusal.
That made him comfortable company. The fun one to hang with was Namgung Seheon, though.
On the way back to the lodging.
After walking some distance, I sensed presences and subtly slowed my pace.
Only after reaching a deserted spot beyond most eyes did I finally stop and turn around.
“You followed so enthusiastically, I thought it was a love confession or something.”
“No way. We're parting soon anyway—I just couldn't let you go like this.”
“Wow, anyone overhearing would misunderstand. But…”
I rested my hand on my scabbard, not bothering to hide the cold sneer, letting it show plainly.
“Isn't 2-on-1 a bit cheap?”
I mocked them, sweeping a chilling gaze over the two who'd tailed me.
“Don't get the wrong idea. Our paths just happened to overlap. I'm plenty on my own—why would I borrow someone else's hand?”
Yeoheun—the genius Jongnam Sect had produced after so long, who'd gone toe-to-toe with me—immediately shot back.
But the other presence tailing me, the Tang family guy—Dang Haeun, was it?—apparently didn't agree.
Judging by his flustered look as he turned to Yeoheun. Well, he's not even on my level for a 1-on-1.
“The enemy of my enemy is my ally, right?”
Dang Haeun forced a smile as he addressed Yeoheun.
“You really think you can take on a first-rate martial artist alone? If I join in, our odds of—”
“Shut your mouth. I have zero interest in teaming up with you.”
Sure enough, Dang Haeun was the type to make enemies with his words. Yeoheun's savage bark cracked his pride—he ground his teeth.
“How dare you…”
If these two fell out, great for me. Way easier than facing a united 2-on-1.
The enemy of my enemy is my ally—but what if the enemy's enemy was my enemy from the start? Still an ally? Temporary alliance? Or a three-way clusterfuck?
I was racking my brain, wondering how to spin this situation to my advantage, when Yeoheun doused my hopes.
“Instead, attack while I'm fighting him, or do your own 1-on-1 after—do whatever you want.”
What a riot. Doesn't want to team up, but doesn't want to solo me either.
Damn it—either way, it's a 2-on-1 with these punks.
My face soured, and Yeoheun smirked.
“Blame yourself for making so many enemies. Mount Hua.”
“Sigh, dressing up 'I'm scared shitless of a 1-on-1' all fancy-like. And since when was two a big number, Jongnam?”
His taunts were pure habit. Guess growing up watching Uiseong rubbed off that needling mouth of his.
Ignoring Yeoheun, brows deeply furrowed, I shifted my gaze to Dang Haeun—looking relieved, hand stuffed in his sleeve.
“But if that's him, what’s your excuse? Got a conscience?”
Dang Haeun, his already slender eyes narrowing further, spoke up.
“You dare punch a direct descendant of the great Sacheon Tang Family, luck out against Sister Hakyeong, and think it'll just blow over? No can do.”
“What are you, huh? You the Tang family head? Daring to talk like that. Since when was Mount Hua under Sacheon Tang? Hey, even Namgung Seheon, who I smashed, didn't dare spout that crap.”
This is why you can't raise young masters pampered. Spoiled rotten, no sense of place.
“Didn't you see why your sister smacked the back of your head and made you apologize? We let it slide to avoid more trouble—and the little snake repays grace with grudge?”
Still with his hand in his sleeve, Dang Haeun shrugged.
“You won't go blabbing about today's defeat anywhere. Won't it just naturally get buried?”
Ha, thought he was just a brainless charger like Bihun, but he's got some scheme after all?
Yeah, Bihun would've insisted on 1-on-1 somehow with that pride—not pull dirty tricks to stack the odds.
I'd broken into first-rate, but yesterday's spar with Namgung Seheon showed I had the edge, but not an overwhelming win.
Yeoheun was about my level, maybe a hair below—like Namgung Seheon.
Add Dang Haeun… Hmm, victory wasn't a sure thing.
Still…
“Fine, if I win, I can brag it all over town? You chant 'I'm fucked today.' Was lame ending it with one punch anyway—perfect.”
I drew my sword from its scabbard and aimed the tip at Dang Haeun.
Mount Hua Sect pride, after all. Can't back down here just 'cause I might not win.
When a woman draws her sword, even if she can't lop off the necks of those unlucky bastards, she’s gotta at least shear some hair.
“Come on. Both at once or take turns—whatever.”
Seeing Yeoheun who'd already drawn his sword, I grinned, tugging the corner of my mouth.
“Either way, you're both getting wrecked.”
No sooner had I spoken than three darts flew at my vitals. Still easier than Dang Hakyeong. I batted the three darts away one by one, thinking so.
Before I could brace for the next wave of large needles, Yeoheun's attack speared straight into the gap.
“Cocky much? Don't bawl when you lose?”
“Who's one to talk.”
I feigned leisure in my retort, but as the exchanges dragged on, the composure drained from my face bit by bit.
Damn it—if I'd known, I'd have gone back to the lodging with Baek Geon. Right as I inwardly chewed through dozens more curses and regrets,
“Whoa, what? Lived this long and I get to see a sight this rare.”
A familiar voice cut in out of nowhere.