Chapter 11: The Duel (5)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 11: The Duel (5)
“Aaaagh!”
Hearing that bastard’s scream finally allowed me to vent the grudge I’d held since the duel at Cheong-eo Manor, where he’d broken my thumb with a wooden sword even after I’d already admitted defeat.
I returned to the guest hall, feeling utterly delighted with myself.
However, once I was back in my room, staring at the two silver taels I’d earned, I fell into deep thought.
My original plan was to pocket the two silver taels, meet the Fortress Lord in secret to squeeze out some more reward money, and then make a run for it.
But now, even assassins targeting Mok Seon-hwa were after me. Seeing those who knew me from the past—those who knew I was a mere third-rate hack—lunging at me like that made me decide to give up on my greed for more money.
At this point, I wouldn't stay even if they offered me gold.
Fleeing as quickly as possible was the only way to extend my mayfly-like lifespan into a second year.
I packed my bundle exactly as I had brought it and checked outside the door.
All I had to do was make a run for it.
But then, a shadow flickered outside the door.
“Gaga, I’m coming in!”
Gasp! It was Mok Seon-hwa.
That reckless girl swung the door open and marched right in.
I quickly tossed my bundle behind a folding screen and sat down.
“What is it? A young lady of marriageable age shouldn't be barging into a man’s room so carelessly.”
Startled by her sudden appearance, I scolded her with a stern, dignified air.
“Oh, don't worry. I always bring my bodyguards when I go out. Hoho! Besides, even if an assassin appeared, they’d just die at the hands of the Invincible Empress Seon-hwa. You know, Gaga. You know how strong my Seon-hwa Palm is. Even a master like you ended up with a nosebleed from it. How could an assassin possibly stand a chance?”
I felt like my blood pressure was going to skyrocket if I listened to her any longer, so I cut to the chase.
“What brings you here?”
When I spoke bluntly, Mok Seon-hwa gave me a slight side-eye before calling out to the hallway.
“Bring it in.”
The door opened, and a maid entered carrying a small liquor table.
“I heard Gaga won his first duel today, so I brought some victory wine.”
Without even asking for my opinion, she began pouring the liquor into a cup.
This is why I hate rich girls. They never think about others. They just do whatever they feel like.
I grumbled inwardly as I downed the cup. My plan was to drink one glass and kick her out immediately.
“I’ve had the celebratory drink, so you should leave now.”
“Hoho, you really are quite stiff, aren't you?”
Mok Seon-hwa’s voice strangely began to sound as if it were coming from far away.
Suddenly, an overwhelming drowsiness washed over me.
“What… what did you put in the wine?”
When I asked, Mok Seon-hwa gave me a beaming smile.
“You worked so hard today, so I added some sleeping medicine so you could rest deeply. That way, you’ll have the strength for your duel against Poison Wolf Ibu tomorrow, right?”
“Why… why would you do this?”
I asked, wondering if someone had put her up to this.
“My maid told me that you seemed restless and anxious after your duel. So, I stopped by the Medical Hall and had them prepare a special sedative. Aren't you grateful for my concern?”
My eyelids felt like they weighed a thousand pounds. She must have put a massive dose in there.
I have to run away… because of this damn girl… Ah, I’m really screwed.
In the end, I succumbed to the encroaching darkness of sleep.
The faint sound of Mok Seon-hwa’s laughter sounded positively wicked. Even as I drifted off, the hair on the back of my neck stood on end.
*
The scent of wine tickled the tip of my nose, making my nostrils flare.
I felt parched, and the thought of gulping down some Bamboo Leaf Green liquor made my eyes snap open.
“Brother Eo, why did you fall asleep so early?”
Sim Geol asked, looking at me.
So Gu-chi smiled as he poured wine into Sim Geol’s cup.
“He must have been exhausted from the duel.”
Looking out the window, I saw the stars shining brightly.
I had passed out after drinking that drugged wine and had only just woken up.
“What time is it?”
“It’s just past the start of the Hour of the Pig [approx. 9:00 PM].”
At So Gu-chi’s words, I bolted upright.
Good grief. I should have been miles away by now, but instead, I’d been sprawled out sleeping for half a day.
As I sat there dazed, So Gu-chi asked, “By the way, do you know that you’re the first duel tomorrow morning?”
What? I’m the first one? Oh, boy.
At this hour, the elites of Ten Thousand Dragons Fortress would be maintaining strict security. Escaping the fortress now was out of the question. For safety reasons, they controlled the entrances so thoroughly that coming and going was nearly impossible.
That was the case for any sect.
Since I was the first duel tomorrow, I’d have to fight the moment I woke up. I couldn't help but let out a long sigh.
Furthermore, despite having just opened my eyes, drowsiness was already threatening to pull me back under.
Yet, strangely, my body felt overflowing with energy.
It wasn't the kind of strength you feel after a good night’s rest; it was a sensation of power that felt like it wanted to erupt.
I assumed it was a side effect of the sedative.
Just how much medicine did that damn girl put in there?
“I heard they’re giving five silver taels to the warrior who wins tomorrow’s duel.”
So Gu-chi’s words were enough to make my drowsiness vanish.
But I quickly shook my head.
No, no. Money isn't the issue right now. I don't know when I might die.
However, having never lived a life of abundance, my ears naturally perked up at the mention of money.
“Would you like a drink?”
Sim Geol offered. The two of them had already finished three bottles and were quite tipsy.
“What about your duels tomorrow? Why are you drinking?”
“We don't have any duels tomorrow.”
I nodded and stood up.
“No, thank you. My back aches from lying down so long. I think I’ll go for a walk.”
I stepped outside, hoping to shake off the lingering sleepiness.
But the drowsiness clung to my eyelids like leeches.
At least the night air helped my brain start functioning again.
“What am I going to do, Ja-seo? How are you going to get out of this mess?”
I paced around, muttering to myself.
I needed a plan if I wanted to survive.
I’d managed to beat Smiling Face Sword thanks to a stroke of heavenly luck, but I couldn't rely on luck to beat Poison Wolf Ibu, who was far more reckless and aggressive than the meticulous Smiling Face Sword.
Furthermore, the duel with Ice Jade Ice Sword waiting after that was nothing short of a grave for me.
“I might handle Poison Wolf Ibu, but if I duel Ice Jade Ice Sword…”
My true identity would be completely exposed.
If that happened, I’d never be able to set foot in the Murim world again.
“Should I run away the moment I wake up in the morning?”
I shook my head.
It wasn't that simple.
If I left after winning, I’d be remembered as a warrior who wasn't obsessed with victory. But if I slipped out of Ten Thousand Dragons Fortress before the duel, everyone would assume I ran away out of cowardice.
My dream was to pretend to be a martial artist for a long time while living a quiet, easy life. If I became the target of such a misunderstanding, my life would likely become miserable.
People would constantly try to test me to see if I was actually a master.
“What if I leave right after the duel with Poison Wolf Ibu?”
“Ugh, how on earth am I supposed to win? I only beat Smiling Face Sword because of that assassin.”
As I wandered around muttering like a madman, I stepped on something sharp.
“Aaaagh!”
My head was already throbbing from worrying about the duel, so the sharp pain in my foot made my temper flare.
“What the—! Who throws broken porcelain on a path where people walk?!”
I stopped mid-sentence as a brilliant idea struck me.
“Wait! If I do that…!”
I roughly sketched out the duel in my head, and a picture began to form.
If I combined Poison Wolf Ibu’s personality with the right circumstances, I might be able to defeat him in a single move.
Of course, it involved some risk, but if I won, I could pocket three silver taels.
The assassin was a concern, but from the second round of duels onward, high-level masters would surely be watching. I figured the assassin wouldn't be able to act so boldly then.
I made my way toward the dueling stage.
Oh? You’re curious about what I’m thinking?
Hehe. Sorry about that.
Haven't you heard that a good scheme must deceive even oneself?
Don't be disappointed. I’ll tell you later.
To be honest, the only way to beat a warrior stronger than yourself is either luck or a scam.
I chose the scam.
Luck isn't always waiting for me, so sometimes I have to manufacture that luck myself.
I’d done this sort of thing often enough that I wasn't particularly afraid.
I climbed onto the dueling stage, making sure no one saw me.
Then, I quietly did my work and came back down.
I felt like I’d burst if I didn't brag about this perfect plan.
Fine, I’ll be generous. Listen closely to how I’m going to fight Poison Wolf Ibu tomorrow. It’ll be much more entertaining if you know.
The floor of the dueling stage is made of oak planks, so they don't break easily.
First, I sprinkled some dust on the floor.
Then, I loosened the planks around where I’d be standing.
Wondering why?
Hehe, it’s so that when I perform an Earth-shaking stomp, the nails in the planks will pop up.
If Poison Wolf Ibu steps on one of those, the duel is over.
I’ve never seen a master who could walk properly after having their Bubbling Spring point pierced.
At the same time, the dust will kick up and obscure his vision. That’s when I’ll use my signature Draw Sword Instant Kill to take him down.
What do you think? Isn't it a perfect trap?
Hey! Don't call me despicable.
A guy with no money and no backing has to be a little despicable to survive in this harsh world.
I practiced my movements for tomorrow’s duel over and over again in my head.
When I returned to the guest hall, Sim Geol and So Gu-chi were dead to the world, completely wasted.
I lay down again.
Mok Seon-hwa must have made that sedative incredibly strong, because even that little bit of movement made me feel drowsy again.
*
“Brother Eo! Brother Eo!”
Someone was shaking me.
I barely managed to open my eyes to see Sim Geol looking at me with a worried face.
“Are you feeling ill? You’re covered in a cold sweat. You’ve been sleeping since yesterday evening and couldn't even wake up until now. You must be sick.”
I shook my head.
“I’m not sure myself. I don't know why I’m so sleepy.”
I couldn't exactly tell them about Mok Seon-hwa, so I just made up an excuse.
So Gu-chi looked at me and asked, “Will you be able to duel?”
“Ah! I’m the first duel, aren't I? What time is it now?”
Sim Geol and So Gu-chi looked at each other and spoke urgently.
“There’s only about half an hour left.”
“Yikes! Then I’d better hurry.”
I bolted upright. Fortunately, the effects of the sedative seemed to have worn off, and I wasn't sleepy anymore.
Then again, if I was still sleepy after sleeping all day, it wouldn't be medicine; it would be poison.
Strangely, however, I felt a power writhing in my body that I had never felt before.
That damn girl must have put something else in there besides the sedative. Could it be? Did she put in an aphrodisiac or some stamina booster? Otherwise, there’s no way my lower body would feel this energized.
But I soon shook my head.
From what I’d seen, Mok Seon-hwa was a spoiled, impulsive, and bold girl who’d grown up with everything she wanted, but she wasn't the type to go that far.
I quickly washed my face, put on my blue martial robes, and headed for the dueling stage.
“Whoa! It’s Young Hero Eo!”
The crowd erupted in cheers the moment they saw me.
Indeed, Ten Thousand Dragons Fortress was reaping the full benefits of my presence. It seemed like every warrior in the vicinity had gathered.
There were more than twice as many warriors as there had been yesterday.
Thanks to this, the fortress would be able to recruit plenty of warriors until their coffers ran dry.
Fortunately, the dueling stage was being kept clear.