Chapter 6: Mistaken for a Master (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 6: Mistaken for a Master (3)
Things had gone wrong—terribly, horribly wrong.
I had spent my entire life trying to stay out of the spotlight, but suddenly being the center of everyone’s attention made my skin crawl more than being targeted by actual bloodlust.
The martial contests began this morning. When I went out to watch, the blatant stares from the crowd were incredibly grating.
"Huh? Hey, Brother. Isn't this interesting?"
Sim Geol stared at the tournament bracket for a long time before speaking to me.
I scanned the list with a stoic gaze.
"Mmph!"
I swallowed a groan the moment I saw my opponent.
My opponent for tomorrow’s match was none other than the Smiling Face Sword.
Of all people.
He was an expert far beyond my meager skills. Even among the rogue martial artists, there weren't many masters on the level of the Smiling Face Sword or Poison Wolf Ibu.
Usually, these kinds of contests were filled with warriors at my level, allowing me to just blend in and play along. But to be pitted against such a powerhouse in the very first round? My luck was truly abysmal.
Sigh. The room and board at Ten Thousand Dragons Fortress are on par with the great sects. It’s a shame, but I’m leaving tonight. I’d rather skip town than get crippled by the Smiling Face Sword tomorrow.
It was regrettable, but I had no choice. I couldn't risk my life for a few free meals. Judging by the fight between the Smiling Face Sword and Poison Wolf Ibu a few days ago, his personality suggested he would definitely fight to the death. I had zero confidence in blocking his blade.
Gong! Gong! Gong!
While I was lost in thought, the sound of a gong echoed, signaling the start of the tournament.
In truth, this whole thing was a mere formality. Most of the rogue martial artists would be hired even if they lost; the contest was simply to determine their pay grade based on their skill level.
The Ten Thousand Dragons Fortress needed hundreds of warriors, and the number of applicants was roughly the same, so there was no reason to fail anyone. This was made clear when an announcement was made at the start of the event.
"Every warrior participating in this Ten Thousand Dragons Fortress martial contest will be paid a flat fee of two silver taels."
Two silver taels was enough to eat and drink at a decent tavern for a month or two. Suddenly, a hint of greed stirred within me.
The Smiling Face Sword is injured, so he might forfeit. If not, I can just forfeit myself. Even if I forfeit, I still participated, so I should get the appearance fee. I’ll take the money and run.
With that plan in mind, I decided to wait and see how tomorrow went before bowing out.
"Great Hero Twin Soaring Blood!"
A clear, melodic voice called out from behind me as I walked. I kept going.
Damn girl. She’s nothing but bad luck. I’ll just pretend I didn't hear her and avoid her.
"It’s dangerous over there!"
As if I’d fall for that again.
Thud!
I stood there for a moment, having walked straight into a tree. I felt so pathetic for ramming my forehead into a tree in broad daylight that I almost wanted to cry.
"Pfft, haha!"
The passing servants and maids giggled and laughed.
The pain was so sharp that I glared at the girl. She was flanked by two bodyguards. It seemed the fortress had taken precautions since someone was trying to assassinate her.
But what was the point? Staying cooped up in her room would be the safest thing. Seeing the two bodyguards laughing at me as well, I quickly hurried away.
What did I do to her in a past life to deserve this harassment? The girl followed me like a chirping sparrow, trailing right behind me. No matter how many times I turned or changed direction, she stayed on my heels.
Without looking back, I asked, "Why are you following me?"
"Huh? I’m just going my own way."
I shook my head at her response. Realizing this wouldn't end easily, I quickened my pace.
"Oh? It’s really dangerous there."
I ignored her attempts to provoke me and kept walking.
Hah! You think that’ll make me stop?
However, I soon learned the lesson that sometimes, you should believe what people say without suspicion.
Hmm?
I came to a dead stop as the atmosphere suddenly shifted. Goosebumps erupted all over my body.
This is the bloodlust of a master!
It was the exact same feeling I’d gotten while watching experts duel. I stood frozen, like a mouse caught by a cat.
I stared at the person standing right in front of me. Was the morning sun always this bright? I raised a hand to shield my eyes from the intense radiance that seemed to gather around this one person.
"I'm sorry I'm late," Mok Seon-hwa said, suddenly cutting in front of me.
She was speaking to the person ahead. I snapped out of it and looked calmly at the figure before me. Mok Seon-hwa’s voice helped steady my heart.
For a moment, I had been dazed by her breathtaking beauty.
Gulp!
Mok Seon-hwa giggled, perhaps because my gulp was too loud.
"Hohoho! Is there honey on my master's face? Why are you swallowing so hard?" Mok Seon-hwa teased with a beam.
The word "master" snapped me back to reality. This person was on an entirely different level than me. I might have been momentarily dazed by her beauty, but I hadn't forgotten my place.
"Oh my, I have committed a great rudeness. I was distracted and disturbed your peace, Lady. My apologies."
I bowed deeply to Mok Seon-hwa’s master. I tried to be as composed as possible, but my actions didn't quite match my intent. I felt disgusted with myself for acting so flighty.
Then again, acting like a servant whenever I met a master had become a habit, and the behavior came out instinctively. I wanted to get out of there as fast as possible, so I turned to leave.
"Once you enter this place, you cannot leave as you please. There is a rule for those who step inside."
A rule?
I glanced back. She really was stunning. She looked like she had stepped right out of a masterpiece painting.
Ah, get a grip, Ja-seo. Don't forget that masters always swarm around beauties like clouds. Snap out of it before you catch the eye of some expert and end up in trouble.
I steadied my heart by recalling my Eight Iron Rules of a Weakling. Once I did, I felt much more at ease. Since I had no reason to try and impress her, I naturally felt more comfortable.
Perhaps sensing my shift in energy, Mok Seon-hwa’s master tilted her head slightly.
"I am Do Yeon, and I am teaching Seon-hwa."
"I see. I am—"
Before I could speak, Mok Seon-hwa snatched the words right out of my mouth like a cat swiping a fish.
"Master, this is Great Hero Twin Soaring Blood, the one who saved me."
Do Yeon bowed her head gracefully.
"I heard from the Fortress Lord. Thank you for saving Seon-hwa."
Then, she let out a belated giggle. It seemed she had realized the meaning behind the name "Twin Soaring Blood" that Seon-hwa had used. After a moment, Do Yeon’s expression turned serious as she looked at me.
It was a transformation as sudden as a spring breeze turning into a biting winter wind. The simple act of the smile vanishing from her face changed everything. However, since I had already mentally detached myself, I just gave her a relaxed, slight smile.
"Anyone in that situation would have done the same. Now, if you'll excuse me."
But Do Yeon wouldn't let me go so easily.
"Even if you are Seon-hwa’s savior, I cannot break my rule. I ask for your understanding."
I had tried to gloss things over precisely because I feared this, but she wasn't a woman to be taken lightly.
"I'm telling you, I just wandered in here by mistake," I pleaded in frustration.
Seon-hwa stepped in to explain.
"There's a reason Master has to do this. She made this rule because dozens of men were visiting her quarters every day. My master is just too beautiful, you see. So, she made a rule that anyone who visits must duel her. After that, the men trying to woo her stopped coming. Most of them nearly died during the duels."
I nodded. With beauty like that, it was understandable that she’d be hounded by men. I got it.
But rather than dying in a duel, I decided to try begging a bit more.
"Can't you just let me go? I really didn't know."
Do Yeon shook her head. Seon-hwa pointed a finger behind me. When I turned around, I saw about a dozen men gathered, watching me intently.
In other words, if she let me go just like that, the men would start swarming again. She had to beat me within an inch of my life so that no one else would dare set foot here. To make matters worse, the chatter from outside the gate began to grate on my ears.
"Lady Do Yeon is a lay disciple of the Emei Sect and a renowned heroine in these parts. They say she’s as beautiful as the Three Flowers of Murim, but her blade is so fierce she’s known as the Ice Jade Ice Sword. Who knows how many men have fallen to that sword? I’ve seen at least five myself while guarding this place."
"Wait! Isn't that Young Hero Eo Ja-seo, who became famous yesterday?"
"You're right. Did he enter there because he has feelings for the Ice Jade Ice Sword too? Either way, this is going to be a hell of a fight. Quick, tell the others! You'll regret it for the rest of your life if you miss this duel."
I heard the sound of several people running off.
Dammit, I'm trapped.
With the crowd growing, I was stuck between a rock and a hard place. Honestly, I wanted to just bolt, but the pressure Do Yeon was emitting kept my feet rooted to the spot.
Clink, clink.
I even heard the sound of coins from outside the gate.
"I'm betting on the Ice Jade Ice Sword."
"What are you talking about? Did you even see what happened yesterday? I'm betting on Young Hero Eo. No matter how much of an expert Lady Do Yeon is, she’s no match for Young Hero Eo, who can manifest Sword Glare."
"The Ice Jade Ice Sword is still an expert trained in a great sect. Do you think the Emei Sect is a prestigious name for nothing?"
They were actually placing bets on the duel between me and the Ice Jade Ice Sword, Lady Do Yeon.
"I'm betting on my master!"
I even heard Mok Seon-hwa’s voice. My anxiety grew, and cold sweat began to pour.
"Since it has come to this, please draw your sword."
Lady Do Yeon’s aura shifted. Her gentle expression was gone, replaced by a coldness as chilling as a northern gale.
What do I do? Is there no way out of this?
I stood there defenseless, lost in thought. As Do Yeon’s pressure intensified, my hand instinctively moved toward my sword hilt. I felt like I needed to at least draw my weapon to feel some sense of security.
But in all my years, I had never once strayed from my Eight Iron Rules of a Weakling. They might have been ridiculous rules, but they had saved my life more than once. The Eight Iron Rules of a Weakling were my ultimate survival techniques.
Those survival techniques began to crawl through my mind. This situation fit all eight of them perfectly. That meant I was in a truly desperate moment.
Cold sweat trickled down my face. This moment, which seemed like nothing to others, felt more terrifying to me than a forest of blades and a mountain of knives.
The First Form of my survival techniques: Be devious.
I decided to follow that rule.
"I have never drawn my sword against a woman in my life. Even if you hold a blade to my throat to kill me, my sword will remain sheathed."
I took a deliberately nonchalant stance. Lady Do Yeon’s brow furrowed slightly.
"As expected, Young Hero Eo knows the meaning of chivalry!" someone shouted from outside the gate, agreeing with me.
"Indeed. How could a man point a sword at such a beauty? I’d rather be stabbed by the Ice Jade Ice Sword myself."
I put strength into my voice.
"Since so many people are gathered here, I will say this: I have no ulterior motives toward Fairy Doyeon. If I ever linger around her again, I will cut off my own legs. I only entered this place by mistake, so please give me the choice to leave without a duel."
At those words, Lady Do Yeon’s face grew even colder.
"Ugh, that idiot," Mok Seon-hwa sighed. "He doesn't realize how much those words hurt a beauty. He doesn't know that's more insulting than all the pests combined."
Is it?
I wouldn't know; I’d never been in a relationship. Seeing Lady Do Yeon slowly lower her sword, I turned to leave, overjoyed. But just as I reached the gate, her sharp voice flew at me like a dagger.
"Fine. I will respect Young Hero Eo’s wishes and let you go for now. However, I have my rules, so a duel must happen. We shall have our match during the tournament."
Lady Do Yeon turned on her heel and walked away. I felt a chill from her icy expression. The thought that I was a dead man flashed through my mind.
"Tsk, tsk. We'll be clearing out a corpse soon."
Mok Seon-hwa looked me up and down as if she were examining a cadaver.
Why, you little—!
Despite my inner thoughts, I gave her a bright smile and replied, "I have two dreams. One is to die at the hands of an absolute master, and the other is to die at the hands of an absolute beauty."
In truth, these were things I often muttered because they were "dreams" that could never actually happen. How would I ever meet an absolute master or an absolute beauty? But it was a great line for acting tough, so I used it often.
Seeing Mok Seon-hwa stand there with her mouth agape—a satisfying sight—I made my escape from that den of danger.
But my relief was short-lived, and I soon fell into despair. I felt a deep regret that I had to leave this wonderful place, where I could eat and play to my heart's content, before my duel with the Ice Jade Ice Sword.
"Let's not be greedy. I should just leave quietly."
Unexpectedly, I had spoken my monologue aloud. As I walked, I heard someone exclaim in admiration.
"Wow! To leave just to avoid burdening a lady... isn't Young Hero Eo a true romantic swordsman?"
"He certainly is."
I shook my head. For some reason, almost everything I said or did in this Ten Thousand Dragons Fortress was being misinterpreted. I shook my head vigorously, like a wet dog shaking off water.
When things were this confusing, the best medicine was to wash my feet and go to sleep. I’d worry about tomorrow’s duel with the Smiling Face Sword when tomorrow came.