Chapter 232
Chapter 232
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 232
Chapter Title: Exchange (4)
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As the liquor cups passed back and forth several times, I lavishly gilded Yagul for his praises.
"Heavens! You really pierced the necks of two geese with a single arrow? You're a divine archer whose fame I've only heard in tales?!"
"Ahem. Not quite a divine archer. It's something the warriors of the Eagle Bow Guard try when the migratory birds are flying south."
"Hah. To think there are so many divine archers like that. We must never make enemies of the Eagle Bow Guard, even if we don't care about other sects or bow clans."
Yagul seemed pleased with my smooth talk and chuckled softly as he asked what was on his mind.
"Heh hem. And you yourself beheaded a Demon Lord and suppressed the seven Upper Purity Sword Disciples of Mount Mo all alone?"
"The Demon Lord's beheading was pure luck. This is just between you, the sub-leader, and me, but I'm better than those Upper Purity Sword Disciples."
"Hahaha! One reason you're not on bad terms with Central Plains folk is that you're not overly humble. I like that about you!"
About an hour later...
Yagul snatched the gourd I was using to pour drinks and said,
"Here, have a drink, little brother."
"Hm? Did you just call me little brother?"
"Why? Does it bother you?"
"Of course not. When I knocked on your door, your gaze was so fierce I worried my feelings wouldn't get through. But they did, so I'm just happy about it. So happy."
At my response,
my master chimed in.
- ...Making brothers out of someone who glared at you like an axe just an hour ago? What the hell is your tongue made of? Honey instead of blood flowing inside?
'Why phrase it like that when people say I have good affinity, Master?'
As I relayed a request for him to soften his wording,
Yagul stroked his chin and spoke.
"But, is it really okay for us to be sharing drinks like this? When we were guided to our quarters, those academy students... they asked us to refrain from drinking as much as possible."
"That's because this Righteous Advancement Tournament gathers hot-blooded young experts, and they're worried that unrestrained drinking might fuel their tempers and cause accidents. It doesn't apply to you and me, brother."
"I see."
"Yes. It might also mean to focus on the events you're competing in, but I have no events tomorrow. You don't either, right?"
"Same here."
"Exactly. We can enjoy a pleasant drink with brother, sweat it out in the morning, then head to watch the tournament refreshed."
"Oh, speaking of which, I don't know the Central Plains young experts well, so it's not that fun to watch. If it's alright, could I sit near the Blue Bamboo Hall's spectator seats tomorrow?"
Yagul's light request came up casually.
It was no trouble at all.
"Of course."
I nodded readily.
"Despite appearances, this little brother has shared meals and outings with the Martial Alliance Leader himself! I'll make sure to tell the organizing committee!"
"Hahaha! Excellent. Anyway, the tales that came with your name, Dragon of the Pearl Family—exaggerated as they were—seem mostly true? You must have had it rough, little brother."
In the now even warmer atmosphere,
I asked what had been on my mind.
"It's nothing worth calling hardship. Anyway, how are things on the steppes these days?"
My youngest uncle had mentioned the Ma Clan and Northern Clan on his deathbed.
They were gateways for goods from the Ice Palace but also closely tied to the steppes.
That's why I asked.
But Yagul swallowed hard at my question.
"The steppes are quite chaotic lately. Tensions between tribes are rising. Large and small disturbances are frequent. We didn't accept the Martial Alliance's invitation on a whim, like ignoring a chicken or a cow."
I knew it.
This was why I was here—to hear such stories.
Circumstances that don't easily come up in adults' talks considering face, dignity, and politics.
'Such details can slip out through friendships among young experts.'
To keep the conversation going, I naturally followed up.
"...Hm. Is it because there are so many different tribes making the steppes their home?"
"That plays a part, sure. But these days, even same kin distrust each other if their settlements are apart, and tempers flare. Seems like ominous rumors are circulating..."
Ominous rumors?
I caught a whiff of something suspicious there.
"Rumors, you say? I've crushed seven Upper Purity Sword Disciples, you know. I have some skill in exorcising evil spirits."
"Not ghosts. Stories of children being kidnapped, warriors vanishing. We tell old tales to keep kids from wandering late or going too far."
"...So these incidents actually happened?"
"Exactly. Confirmed enough for tribal chiefs to convene. No real gains, though."
We talked like that for a while.
Before I knew it, the jug I'd brought was empty.
"...Oops. Out of liquor."
"There'll probably be a big banquet after the tournament ends. Let's share drinks then, brother. Shame, but it'll have to wait."
"Agreed. See you tomorrow."
"Yes, sir."
Leaving the Eagle Bow Guard's quarters, I returned to Blue Bamboo Hall.
Not to rest.
The night was long.
And I had no events tomorrow.
Plenty of places to visit.
'South Sea Red Dragon Palace, Nanling Escort Bureau first, then Sword Spirit Sect if time allows. Best to check them out.'
I'd come to dispel the alcohol and grab a fresh jug.
In the training ground, I saw seniors and peers practicing formations.
"Woo junior, that was too flashy just now."
"President's right. You want to get isolated among the Shaolin warriors, Woo?"
"Hey, don't scare me, Eun hyung."
"That's how careful you need to be."
"Alright, let's try again. If we face Shaolin, we need to seize momentum early. The initial formation is crucial."
They were preparing for tomorrow's formation event.
A chuckle escaped my lips.
'They're working hard.'
- After you snatched my Great Reversion Pill like catching mice, how could they slack off?
'I'll have to work hard too.'
With that, I gazed at Regret, where my master resided.
Suddenly, my conversation with Master Tak Jong-geon flashed in my mind.
'To leave no regrets.'
Leaving the Blue Bamboo Hall cadets engrossed in formation practice behind, I grabbed a new jug of liquor.
Circulated my qi to dispel the alcohol,
and set out again.
'Next quarters it is.'
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The third day of the Righteous Advancement Tournament.
This day was dedicated entirely to the formation event.
All matches were held sequentially in one arena so spectators wouldn't miss a single bout.
Out of eight participating groups,
Shaolin had crushed Cloud Plum Pavilion in the preliminaries.
And now faced Blue Bamboo Hall, who had advanced by defeating South Sea Red Dragon Palace in the semifinals.
Ahead of the impending semifinal,
Shaolin's Abbot Gonghyo stroked his beard and spoke to No Sam.
"I've heard Blue Bamboo has changed, but seeing it in person, 'remarkable growth' doesn't do it justice."
"Hahaha! Even I think our kids' momentum is strong!"
"Heh heh heh. You've earned the moniker 'Little Wind Moon Transformation' while at the academy, and now the green bamboos have finally bloomed. Must have been hard work."
"Ahem. Truth is, I didn't do much. It's that Eon Yong-un kid who's the real deal. Throw a dragon in the pond, and the other fish have to thrash around. Of course, I'm the one who brought Eon Yong-un to Blue Bamboo Hall. Heh hah!"
Changryang interjected toward No Sam.
"Professor No, there are many guests. Mind your dignity."
"Professor Changryang, I've said it before—if you're jealous, just admit it. Uhahaha!"
Meanwhile, Abbot Gonghyo gazed at Blue Bamboo Hall's spectator section among the young experts in blue uniforms.
'Eon Yong-un.'
Naturally, his eyes caught the figures gathered around Eon Yong-un.
'...Isn't that the Eagle Bow Guard's sub-leader and South Sea Red Dragon Palace representatives?'
A position like Shaolin Abbot wasn't won by martial prowess or character alone.
Abbot Gonghyo could read the board.
'Already befriending people?'
He instantly grasped the significance of those around Eon Yong-un.
'Even outsiders who normally mix like water and oil due to differing customs? Commendable or impressive... Either way, can't treat him as just a young expert.'
Abbot Gonghyo closed his eyes in thought.
'He's the kind of person the current world needs.'
But there was unease.
'That trick in the polo match.'
Whether it violated rules or not—it didn't.
His own disciples falling for it proved their training insufficient, so he had no intention of blaming.
But was the intent righteous? No, that was Abbot Gonghyo's conclusion.
'A sly disposition isn't inherently bad, but in chaotic times, temptations abound. Can this man remain a green bamboo forever?'
Abbot Gonghyo's gaze shifted to Woncheol in the spectator seats.
'Woncheol it is. Shaolin must remain the firm center.'
Even demons were moved by Buddha's words to become disciples.
If Woncheol, versed in Buddhist law, and Shaolin's young experts became a solid core,
whether Eon Yong-un or anyone else, they wouldn't stray into evil paths.
'Like the relation between Alliance Leader Gongsun and me now.'
Then the Orthodox Martial World would naturally solidify.
As Abbot Gonghyo pondered,
the whistle blew.
Preeeeeek!!!!!
The formation event semifinal had begun.
Abbot Gonghyo raised his lowered eyelids.
Blue Bamboo Hall moved first.
Ching! Ching ching ching ching!
The twenty-five Blue Bamboo cadets drew swords in unison,
spreading wings like a single bird.
"Charge!"
They fiercely closed in on Shaolin's warrior monks.
Under that ferocious momentum, Shaolin's monks were instantly surrounded.
But Shaolin's counterattack began then.
Kang!!!!!!!!!
From the circular formation held for defense, staffs shot out like sunflower leaves, batting away Blue Bamboo cadets' swords.
Tang! Kang! Kang kang kang!!!!
Simultaneously, one became many and many one, tracing the swastika in the Nahamjin technique.
The fierce assault of the blue peacock's wings began to falter from that moment.
A faint smile touched Abbot Gonghyo's lips.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Blue Bamboo Hall's formation team lost to Shaolin.
"Formation event! Winner of the first semifinal match: Shaolin!!"
As the announcer's voice rang out, I excused myself from my outsider friends.
"Brothers, I need to head down."
"Go ahead."
"By all means."
With permission, I descended to the arena with Yin Ha-yeon and Jeong Hyeon.
Blue Bamboo cadets lay scattered like rags, seniors and peers alike.
Then, Gyeongryong hyung, meeting my eyes, spoke.
"Sorry. We gave our all, but it wasn't enough."
I countered toward Gyeongryong hyung.
"Why apologize to me?"
Yin Ha-seong answered instead.
"Ah, hyung always says we'll drop dead if we lose or if we don't get the Great Reversion Pill!"
"I said leave it to imagination, not that you'd die?"
"Same thing!"
"Ha-seong, you picking a fight with me now?"
"Go easy today. Not a spot on me doesn't hurt. Ow, my aching body."
"Your mouth seems fine. Come here. I'll make your words match your actions—stick out that snout."
Sensing his mouth needed defending, Yin Ha-seong wriggled away.
Absurd, so I let it slide this once.
And told Gyeongryong hyung,
"The mere fact you sincerely thought of beating Shaolin means Blue Bamboo has grown. Good work."
"...Fair point."
"Just train more. Train and catch up."
"Yeah. We'll do it again. Let us."
Then,
the prone Yin Ha-seong said,
"You shouldn't say things you'll regret tomorrow, President."
"Exactly!"
"Ack!"
"Earned a spanking for one more word!"
"Aaaack!"
Kicking Yin Ha-seong's rear, I thought,
'I figured it'd be tough to win.'
Blue Bamboo's formation team was missing Jeong Hyeon, Yin Ha-yeon, and me for the individual events.
Couldn't call the warrior monks' hands too heavy either.
'That's just how the event is.'
We'd lost, but they'd fought well enough for praise.
Everyone seemed to channel frustration into motivation—a beneficial defeat.
But.
Seeing my seniors and peers sprawled in such a wretched state, something welled up.
'Still pisses me off?'
These bald-headed bastards.
Daring to mess with my people?