Chapter 51: The Finals (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 51: The Finals (1)
The semi-finals of the martial arts tournament had begun.
The four martial artists who reached this stage were already guaranteed to take home prizes. Naturally, the caliber of the contestants was exceptional, and the audience’s anticipation was at a fever pitch.
When else would they get to witness a duel between Peak Realm masters unfold right before their eyes? If they ever stumbled across such a clash in the wild, they’d have to put their lives on the line just to watch.
“I shall call the names! Park Dae-woong! And Lee Seo-jun!”
Since it was the final four, they were finally announcing the names.
Seo-jun sauntered up onto the martial arts arena. Once again, he hadn't been matched against Namgung Su-ah.
Meeting in the finals, huh…
Perhaps a bit of bracket rigging was involved. A final that was more lackluster than the semi-finals would be a total buzzkill, after all.
Seo-jun shot a brief glance at Jong-in, who sat in a high seat looking down at the arena, and clicked his tongue. Maybe it was because he’d heard the man was a dark-hearted sort, but he felt like the elder wouldn't hesitate to manipulate the matchups behind the scenes.
Actually, the more he thought about it, the more annoyed he got. Did people usually just leap onto the arena in the middle of a duel? Just how deep were his ties with the Divine Sword Geum Family that he’d act so shocked?
“Sigh…”
Seo-jun let out a breath and looked at his opponent.
Park Dae-woong. True to his name, the man was built like a bear. He looked like the type who could instantly claim a high-ranking position if he took up banditry. He was, so to speak, an elite talent specialized for the greenwood life.
Of course, one shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but facts were facts. And who was going to stop him if he wanted to do a little judging?
“Lee Seo-jun, do your best…!”
Chun-bong was standing on a chair, waving her hands frantically.
Seo-jun waved back and placed his hand on the sword at his waist. His opponent also raised a broad blade that looked exactly like something a bandit would wield.
Wait, is that guy actually a bandit?
While he was lost in thought—
“Begin!”
With the referee’s declaration, Park Dae-woong charged.
“Hup…!”
With a strange grunt, Park Dae-woong closed the distance in an instant and swung his broad blade downward. Despite the fierce momentum, Seo-jun didn't move an inch, appearing as if he hadn't been able to react in time.
But in a flash—
Clang────────!!
A streak of light erupted, and Park Dae-woong’s broad blade was sent flying upward with tremendous force.
“Urgh…!”
Park Dae-woong’s gaze shifted to Seo-jun’s hand.
A half-sword.
The broken blade, drawn before anyone even noticed, shimmered with a dull light.
“Oh.”
As expected of the final four, was a single strike not enough?
Seo-jun immediately raised his left hand, pressing his thumb against his index finger.
Phut—!
Startled by the sudden Finger Pellet, Park Dae-woong hurriedly performed a Rolling Evasion.
“Waaaaaaaah──────!!”
“Way to go, Gwang-a-rang!”
Park Dae-woong’s face turned bright red. Rolling Evasion—throwing oneself to the dirt to dodge an attack—was a common subject of ridicule among martial artists. Bloodshot veins bulged in his eyes at the sheer humiliation.
“I’ll kill you!”
“I mean, you’re the one who rolled…”
Yeah, this was the average temperament of a Murim inhabitant. He’d spent so much time with Chun-bong that he’d grown too accustomed to a softer sensibility.
Seo-jun glanced around the arena to find Namgung Su-ah. Since she had shown him something earlier, it was only fair that he return the favor.
Let’s see…
He had learned quite a few martial arts by now, so picking one was getting difficult.
The half-sword… Ah.
Since he already held a half-sword in his hand, when else would he use a half-sword technique? Besides, hadn't he boasted to Wang Dae-san that he would carve some people up with the Wang Family Blade Technique?
“Get ready.”
“You bastard…!”
A bluish Blade Qi gathered on Park Dae-woong’s charging broad blade, quickly flickering as if it were burning.
Blade Flame. It was one of those minor tricks used to increase the destructive power of Blade Qi.
Seo-jun calmly coated the edge of his half-sword with golden Sword Qi. It was internal energy driven by the Wang Family Heart Method, not the Yellow Cloud Divine Art. He didn't want to use the Yellow Cloud Divine Art in front of so many people if he could help it.
Swoosh—!
The broad blade came crashing down. Seo-jun, gripping his hilt with both hands, twisted his waist and performed a clean upward slash.
Slice────────
The golden trajectory drew a flawless line through the air.
Park Dae-woong’s broad blade was cleanly severed, instantly becoming a "half-broad-blade," while Seo-jun’s half-sword stopped just a hair away from the tip of Park Dae-woong’s chin.
Gulp.
As Park Dae-woong swallowed hard, Seo-jun smiled.
“Safe travels.”
Thwack—!
Seo-jun smacked Park Dae-woong’s temple with the flat of his sword.
“Where do you get off screaming at people like that?”
As Seo-jun casually sheathed his sword, the referee shouted.
“Winner! Lee Seo-jun!”
— Waaaaaaaah──────!!
Applaud me.
As a bit of fan service, Seo-jun briefly raised both hands before quickly stepping down from the arena.
“Cheeks! Quick, the cheeks! It’s an emergency!”
“Wh-what?!”
“Before I get Qi Deviation, hurry!”
“Qi Deviation…?! H-here!”
Squish, squish.
He immediately started feeling better.
With a satisfied smile, Seo-jun sat down in his chair. Since it was the semi-finals, the next match was naturally Namgung Su-ah’s turn.
Hearing about it from others was a spoiler, but seeing it for himself was strategic analysis. Seo-jun stared intently at Namgung Su-ah as she stepped onto the arena.
“Now, let’s see what you’ve got.”
What would she show him this time?
*
It wasn't much.
As Namgung Su-ah swung her greatsword, a bolt of lightning struck, and her opponent collapsed in a single blow.
However, the implications of that single strike were significant.
“Wait… she’s a lot stronger than I thought?”
At that level, wasn't she standing at the very pinnacle of the Peak Realm?
Seo-jun narrowed his eyes, studying Namgung Su-ah’s face as she stood victorious in the arena.
Mid-twenties…? Early twenties?
It was hard to tell. In the first place, as one's realm in martial arts grew higher, they experienced an anti-aging effect, making it nearly impossible to gauge a master's true age by their appearance alone.
“Hey, hey. She’s coming this way.”
Chun-bong tapped Seo-jun on the arm.
When he looked up, Namgung Su-ah was indeed approaching them. Stopping right in front of Seo-jun, she offered a soft smile and leaned down to meet his eyes.
“How is it? Still confident?”
“Uh… yeah.”
Seo-jun scratched his cheek, sliding his chair back slightly to create some breathing room.
“By the way.”
“Yes?”
“How old are you, exactly?”
“Oh my.” Namgung Su-ah covered her mouth with her hand and let out a light giggle. “Are you finally starting to get interested in me?”
“Um…”
How was he supposed to answer that?
He shot a glance toward Chun-bong for help, but she was too busy glaring daggers at Namgung Su-ah. Left with no choice but to awkwardly roll his eyes, he was saved when Namgung Su-ah spoke first.
“I’m twenty-seven.”
“Oh, you’re quite old.”
“Excuse me…?”
Twitch. Namgung Su-ah’s eye flickered.
Thinking about it, that might have been a bit rude. Seo-jun quickly stood up and scooped Chun-bong under his arm like a sack of potatoes.
“Oops, my mistake.”
Dash!
Seo-jun bowed his head quickly and made a hasty escape.
“Phew.”
As Seo-jun let out a sigh of relief, Chun-bong, still dangling from his side, peeked her head up.
“Hey.”
“Yeah?”
“Are you scared of women, or do you just hate them?”
“I like women, though?”
“Bullshit. Whatever.”
Hmph.
Chun-bong snorted and patted Seo-jun’s waist. When he set her down as requested, she began stomping ahead.
His eyes were drawn to her hair, which swayed along with her dainty steps. Does she not cut her hair? Compared to when they first met, it felt like it had grown almost twice as long.
“Hey.”
“Yeah?”
As he blankly watched her swaying hair, Chun-bong asked without even turning around.
“You’re going to win tomorrow, right?”
“I’ll win.”
At his unhesitating answer, Chun-bong came to a dead stop and turned her head.
“Pfft… what kind of answer is that?”
“I’m going to win, so I said I’ll win. What else should I say?”
“I guess that’s true.”
Heehee. Chun-bong laughed.
Seeing Chun-bong laugh made him feel good.
*
In the Murim, there is a saying that one should hide thirty percent of their skill. It meant a martial artist should only ever reveal seventy percent of their full power.
The reasoning was simple: due to the nature of martial artists inevitably getting entangled in grudges, recklessly showing one's full power meant someone would immediately size them up and look for a chance to stab them in the back.
But what if you hid thirty percent of your skill? You could turn the tables and stab them in the gut instead.
Of course, if the opponent was stronger than even your hidden strength, it was meaningless. But at the very least, it increased the possibility of creating a variable by making them lower their guard. And if you still lost? That was just a lack of skill.
“Is it today?”
However, Seo-jun had no intention of hiding his strength. Hide thirty percent? He’d rather castrate himself.
Instead of hiding thirty percent of his skill, he just had to become thirty percent stronger once the moment passed. Was that so hard?
Thinking about it, it did seem a bit difficult. But regardless, Seo-jun was confident.
“Ah, I intended never to draw it again, and yet…”
The me of tomorrow is stronger than the me of today. Naturally, the me of a week from now will be damn strong. One could call it "daily renewal."
Therefore, he would give his all in today’s duel and crush Namgung Su-ah. Because that was what a true duel was.
Nodding to himself, Seo-jun drew the half-sword from his waist.
“Cry, Hell-Slaying Demon… Half-Sword.”
“Hey! Lee Seo-jun! Stop acting like a lunatic and let’s go! We’re going to be late!”
“Okay. Coming.”
It was finally time for the finals.
*
“Today, two juniors who will brighten the future of the Murim stand in this place. I, representing the Mount Hua Sect, shall oversee this duel…”
Since it was the finals, Jong-in had stepped forward to give a speech.
Quickly tuning him out, Seo-jun listened to the whispers of the people around him.
“Is that Elder Jong-in the same Great Hero Jong-in known as the Ten Thousand Demon Slayer?”
“Is there any other Jong-in besides him?”
“Hoh… that’s unexpected. He looks so benevolent, yet he’s cut off the heads of so many demons.”
“Good grief. You must not be from Hwaeum County. The Taoists of Mount Hua aren't just people who sit around polishing their Tao.”
It seemed they polished their swords just as much as their Tao.
As the speech dragged on, Seo-jun killed time by squishing and fiddling with Chun-bong’s cheeks until Jong-in finally ended his long-winded rambling and declared the start of the duel.
“Then, we shall begin! Namgung Su-ah! And Lee Seo-jun! Both juniors, please step forward!”
Even though her cover was already blown, she had officially registered under the alias 'So-so,' yet he just went ahead and called her by her real name. He really was an unlikable old man.
“Hup.”
Seo-jun clicked his tongue and stood up. But then, Chun-bong tugged on his sleeve.
When he looked down at her with questioning eyes, she grabbed both of Seo-jun’s hands and pressed them firmly against her chubby cheeks.
“You have to win. You have to avenge me, okay?”
This was…!
Seo-jun was shocked. His dopamine levels spiked.
The rare sight of Geum Chun-bong acting spoiled! He felt so uplifted that he was sure he’d pop positive if he took a doping test right now.
“If I lose today, I’ll seriously become Geum Chun-bong’s little brother.”
He was definitely, absolutely going to win.