Let's Make a Bet
Drip... drip...
Drops of blood fell one by one onto the bluestone floor. The crimson droplets splattered and scattered in all directions upon impact. Baek Hae-geum clutched his right wrist, staring at the ordinary-looking room with a look of utter bewilderment.
Just moments ago, when he had unleashed his strike, he had intended to level the entire room in a single explosion of power. However, contrary to his expectations, a flash of golden light had seared his vision, and in the next heartbeat, Baek Hae-geum found himself forced back, defeated.
The opponent had used sword qi—a type of sword qi Baek Hae-geum had never encountered in his entire life. It possessed a razor-sharpness that felt devoid of human emotion, as if it hadn't been manifested by a living being at all. The opponent had neutralized him with a single form. No, to be more precise, they hadn't just defeated him; they had utterly crushed his courage to strike again.
Even amidst the swirling vortex of immense rage and disbelief, Baek Hae-geum could feel the absolute truth of the situation. He knew with chilling certainty that even if he attacked ten, a hundred, or a thousand more times, he would never achieve a different result against that golden sword qi.
Jo Pacheon stood by, staring at his master, unable to utter a single word. A massive question mark loomed in his mind. To Jo Pacheon, his master, Baek Hae-geum, was a swordsman who simply did not know the meaning of defeat.
'What on earth is happening to Master? He was supposed to be invincible. Why has he suffered nothing but defeat since coming to Unmong City?'
First, Baek Hae-geum had lost to Jeong Sam-seok. And now, at an entirely unexpected time and place, he had been humbled again by an unknown opponent. Suddenly, Jo Pacheon felt a pang of shame toward his own master.
The shock reflected on the faces of Bang Jin-yu, Lee Ung-bu, and Im Jin-nam was no less than Baek Hae-geum's. In particular, Lee Ung-bu and Bang Jin-yu, both powerful experts in the Grandmaster Realm, understood the true depth of Baek Hae-geum's skill. His reputation as one of the Three Great Swordsmen of White Cloud City was no empty title. Baek Hae-geum was a top-tier swordsman who had proven his worth through countless battles. Even they weren't confident they could secure a victory in a head-on clash with him.
Yet, that very man had been forced to retreat after a single strike that moved like a bolt of lightning. What was more unsettling was that neither of them could even discern exactly what had happened.
A strange light flickered in the eyes of the 7th Prince. In that moment, a secret legend passed down among the imperial high command and the military elite flashed through his mind. He seemed to have a faint inkling of what was happening. The 7th Prince turned his head to look at Im Ji, who stood beside him. Im Ji remained silent, head bowed, standing as still as if nothing had occurred.
Meanwhile, Cho Heun, Ban Oe-min, Ryu Gye-hae, and the other three were left utterly bewildered. They could tell from the mysterious expert's words that he was helping Bukjin. This powerhouse was on their side. The problem, however, was that they had no idea since when such an unfathomable master had been among them.
The three grade deans—Ban Oe-min, Cho Heun, and Ryu Gye-hae—mentally cycled through the names of every known expert in Unmong City. Yet, even after considering everyone, they couldn't pin a name to the mysterious voice coming from the room. Furthermore, they doubted if there was anyone in Unmong City capable of defeating Baek Hae-geum in a single move. Countless suspicions began to take root in their minds.
Amidst the confusion, only Bukjin wore a look of mild surprise. It was as if he recognized the owner of the voice that had just spoken.
'That voice sounds a bit like... No, it's almost identical to that person's voice. But something feels a little off...'
In Bukjin's memory, that person didn't possess this level of skill.
'Could they have been hiding their true strength when we met before? Or was my cultivation too low to recognize their greatness?'
"I... I have lost," Baek Hae-geum spat out, his face flushing a furious shade of red and purple. "Reveal your name! Who are you, and where do you hail from, to dare insult my White Cloud City and hand me, Baek Hae-geum, such a defeat?"
Everyone leaned in, their curiosity piqued. Soon, a cold, contemptuous laugh echoed from the ordinary room.
"Does it even matter?"
The cold, emotionless voice spoke again.
"What meaning is there in obsessing over the petty victories and defeats of an individual? If you are truly a man of renown in White Cloud City, you should well understand the purpose and will behind its founding. Despite carrying the title of one of the Three Great Swordsmen for so many years, you show not a shred of progress. You do nothing but stir up chaos in the martial world, shackled by personal fame and the outcome of a duel. You are like a frog in a well, utterly blind to the shifting tides of the world where wind and clouds change by the second... It seems the caliber of a man named Baek Hae-geum ends right here."
The mysterious expert delivered a scathing critique. Hearing this, Baek Hae-geum felt a mixture of shame and rising fury. He shouted back savagely.
"I am well aware of the founding principles of White Cloud City! It is not for an outsider like you to interfere! You have the courage to insult our city here today, yet you lack the courage to reveal your own name? Are you perhaps... afraid?"
"Ignorant fool."
A snort of derision drifted from the room.
"Does handing you a defeat equate to insulting White Cloud City? You think far too highly of yourself. Even the current Seven Great Successors of White Cloud City wouldn't dare utter such arrogant words. And yet, a mere wretch like you? You are a long way off from reaching that level."
Baek Hae-geum's face turned pale with peak rage as he tried to formulate a rebuttal. However, the mysterious master gave him no chance to speak.
"If the swordsmen of White Cloud City today are all as pathetic as you, then you are the ones bringing insult upon yourselves. There is nothing wrong with me throwing a few harsh words at such a lackluster group."
Shock and disbelief continued to wash over Baek Hae-geum's face. Setting aside the terrifying strength of his veiled opponent, there were several people in White Cloud City far stronger than himself. Yet, the opponent criticized the city with such biting disdain, showing not even a hint of fear toward the prestigious sect. This attitude began to instill a creeping dread in Baek Hae-geum.
There were very few people within the North Sea Empire who would dare criticize White Cloud City in such a manner. An ordinary person wouldn't dream of uttering such blasphemy. In Baek Hae-geum's judgment, the mysterious expert hiding in that small room was definitely someone unknown to White Cloud City. Otherwise, there was no way the city wouldn't know of an individual who spoke of them this way, nor would they have left such a person alone.
'Could it be a senior who has reached the Heavenly Person Rank, living in seclusion like a hidden dragon? If that's the case...'
Baek Hae-geum suddenly felt a wave of regret for involving himself in this matter. In truth, whether or not Bukjin participated in the Academic & Martial Arts Competition didn't significantly impact his actual plans. However, he simply couldn't stand the sight of Jeong Noe's disciple, Bukjin, acting so boldly, and he had lost his temper. As a result, he had carelessly kicked a sheet of iron and ended up with a broken leg. To make matters worse, he had been utterly humiliated in front of so many witnesses, dealing a massive blow to his reputation.
"I will give you three breaths of time. Begone. Leave Manseung-ru and do not show your face here again. You are an eyesore."
The voice from the room was filled with a certain loneliness and disappointment. Yet, it also carried a heavy, undeniable threat. The words weighed down on everyone present like a great mountain, making even breathing feel difficult.
'Three breaths?'
The time granted was far too short, and Baek Hae-geum didn't even have the luxury to harbor other thoughts. Seized by terror, he didn't even look back. He turned on his heel, fled Manseung-ru, and vanished into the darkness of the night.
After Baek Hae-geum's departure, those remaining were left in a state of profound shock. Baek Hae-geum was one of the majestic Three Great Swordsmen of White Cloud City. Yet, he had fled like a whipped dog without being able to say another word.
As everyone stood around, glancing at one another, Bang Jin-yu slowly regained his composure. He bowed toward the room and spoke.
"I do not know which Divine Being you might be. Would you grant us the honor of stepping outside so that we may pay our respects?"
His tone was exceedingly polite and formal.
"I do not mix words with those who walk a different path," the mysterious figure replied.
"I see... My apologies for the intrusion."
Not a single ripple of emotion crossed Bang Jin-yu's face. Having finished speaking, he quickly turned and led Im Jin-nam, his son, and the others back to their own room.
Lee Ung-bu, the Director of the Unmong City Education Bureau, cast a deep, lingering look at Bukjin. His face was a mask of complex emotions. After a moment, he too turned and returned to the room where he had been dining.
The door to the room marked with the character for Heaven slammed shut, as if completely severing itself from the outside world.
The obese Gu Cheon stood there, his face ashen, unable to say another word. He quietly led the students of the 6th Academy away from Manseung-ru, looking anxious as if he feared offending someone else's sensibilities. However, Jo Pacheon did not leave. He remained in place, glaring at Bukjin with murderous intent.
"Im Bukjin, it seems someone is always there to help you. If you continue to escape crises by relying on others instead of your own strength, I will look down on you forever," Jo Pacheon said with a cold smirk.
"Heh, there's no point in trying to look good for a spineless coward like you, so think whatever you want."
Bukjin's wit was truly formidable. But Jo Pacheon had already been bested by Bukjin's tongue several times before, and he seemed to have developed a certain level of immunity to his venomous words. Jo Pacheon glared at Bukjin with eyes like a viper stalking its prey, then gritted his teeth and spoke.
"Let's make a bet."