Chapter 24
Chapter 24
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: Dragon Phoenix Tournament (4)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
In the end, just as expected, those who advanced to the semifinals after winning their round-two matches were me, Yuseongil, Namgung Cheon, and Unhak.
It might seem like an obvious outcome at first glance, but it felt strangely fresh that Unhak—who hadn't even made it past the first round in my previous life—had climbed this far.
And he owed it all to having a good master.
To be precise, I wasn't his master, but you get the idea.
"The semifinals and finals will take place tomorrow."
The Dragon Phoenix Tournament was split over two days, likely because holding four matches in a single day was too taxing. They even said they'd do everything possible to ensure the finals were fought in peak condition.
Honestly, from my perspective—someone who'd faced dozens of foes at once on the battlefield—this approach didn't make much sense. But rules were rules; if they said rest, I rested.
These young folks these days just lack that killer instinct. Real grit.
"Alliance Leader, I shall return to the Murim Alliance headquarters first."
The moment we left the arena, Jegal Hyeon announced his immediate departure.
"Hm? You're skipping the finals?"
"What's the point of watching a match whose winner is obvious? Besides, I have sword techniques I've been dying to test out."
He couldn't let the insights from that sword display I gave slip away. Typical Jegal Hyeon thinking.
"In that case, I'll go prepare for the semifinals as well."
"If it's training, I could join you..."
"No need, sir. From here on, you're a true rival. I can't impose on you—I'll push myself."
Unhak, too, vanished off somewhere. Fair enough; it would be odd to take pointers from me when we might face off next.
Anyway, it had been ages since I'd been alone.
So, what now?
...
What the hell should I even do?
I never imagined I'd feel awkward with my own company. Guess I'd grown too used to the warmth of others.
Fine, let's just wander somewhere.
I strolled aimlessly through Chang'an's streets, hands clasped behind my back.
The faces of the people passing by varied wildly. Some young couples laughed as they walked arm in arm. Others trudged along with slumped shoulders and gloomy expressions.
But most hurried on with blank stares, caught up in their daily grind.
They each had their own lives.
And me? I'd never settled anywhere long enough to call it home, forever wandering the jianghu as an outsider.
That man once called the Thousand Faces Divine Thief had answered like this:
'Isn't that the life of a jianghu wanderer?'
Maybe so. That's why I'd always yearned for an ordinary life—even knowing the moment I set foot in the jianghu, it was impossible.
Ha, walking these streets alone always dredges up the same damn thoughts.
"Hey, you. Hold up a sec."
The one who stopped me mid-stride was that lunatic from the Namgung family. Namgung U, if I recalled right.
"Why?"
I shot back curtly at him and his dozen or so lackeys.
Truth be told, I was bored out of my mind and kinda glad for the distraction—but playing hard to get was jianghu etiquette.
"Shut up and follow."
His response was predictably thuggish. Of course it was.
Alright, who to punch first?
Eager to vent my foul mood with some fists, I followed him into the alley with a spring in my step.
Before long, we'd reached a deep, deserted alley. Namgung U turned to face me, mouth twitching like he had something to say.
I'd half-expected him to whirl around, draw his sword, scream "Die!" and charge. But the vibe suggested he actually wanted to talk.
"I'll get straight to it. Withdraw from tomorrow's Dragon Phoenix Tournament semifinals."
After some internal debate, that's what he blurted out.
Not picking a fight—just telling me to quit the tournament? Even if I agreed, it wouldn't help him; he'd already been eliminated in round one.
"Mind giving me a reason? Why tell me this?"
"Because if an unorthodox scum like you wins the Dragon Phoenix Tournament, it'll drag the righteous factions' honor through the mud."
So, basically, no one can beat me, so I should bow out voluntarily?
This guy's a total psycho.
No, I knew he was crazy already—but this level was beyond imagination. Rock-solid insane.
"And if I refuse?"
"Then we'll stop you by force."
Namgung U and his men drew their swords.
"You think a dozen punks like you can take me?"
"Probably not. But if we fight outside the venue, you'll be disqualified on the spot."
Ah, so they just needed to block me from competing—no need to win.
What a joke.
"Guess you really think I'm a chump."
I unleashed my killing intent. Thick, chilling malice that made the air curdle.
They flinched.
Finally, their faces changed as they looked at me. Namgung U was drenched in cold sweat, and one lackey collapsed, legs giving out.
"You think I'll let you walk away alive?"
As the pressure intensified, some fools even pissed themselves, convinced death was imminent.
"We've left evidence. Kill us here, and you'll be in deep shit too."
Even then, Namgung U stammered out his piece, teeth chattering.
Impressive willpower, feeling his throat slit with every passing second.
No ordinary madman. Even staring death down, that scrap of honor mattered more?
"Threats like that don't work on me. I'm not that soft."
I slowly drew my sword.
And took a step toward him.
Like I meant to end him right then.
Even with my blade at his throat, Namgung U didn't flinch.
What drove this man to such lengths?
He knew a non-righteous guy like me could take his head if I wanted.
Was he fine dying?
"...Hah, fine. You win. I admit it."
I sheathed my sword and withdrew the intent.
"But don't expect me to forfeit. If honor means that much, you should've protected it with your own strength. What righteousness is there without power? Think on that."
Leaving the collapsed thugs behind, I turned to go. Part of me wanted to beat them senseless, but that'd play right into his hands.
Then, suddenly, Namgung U yanked his sword free and lunged at my back.
You absolute maniac.
Clang!
Swords clashed. But I hadn't blocked it.
Turning, I saw Namgung Cheon standing there, parrying his strike.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?"
"Brother, this is..."
Namgung U's face twisted at Namgung Cheon's sudden intervention.
Calling him "brother" confirmed they were siblings.
"In the name of righteousness, were you truly trying to harm him?"
"I was just doing what needed doing."
Sparks flew in their glares.
Like most prestigious clans, bad blood between brothers here too.
"I won't hold you accountable. Get lost. I've never had a brother like you."
The staring contest dragged on even after his words. Eventually, Namgung U backed off.
"...Tch. Let's go."
For brothers on bad terms, he obeyed surprisingly quick.
That subtle vibe didn't scream hatred. Maybe pressuring me to forfeit was partly for his brother.
"My brother seems to have been rude. Allow me to apologize on his behalf."
Once they were gone, Namgung Cheon bowed deeply to me.
This wasn't like him, from what I knew. Weird.
"No, no. Please, rise."
"He doesn't know about the alliance between the Murim Alliance and the Lower Five Gates yet. Once more, my apologies—and my thanks to the Lower Five Gates for their great aid to the Alliance in this matter."
Really odd.
In his past life, he despised unorthodox sects. Gratitude toward the Lower Five Gates?
Maybe he wasn't twisted from the start.
"That's more than enough. I'm grateful for your help too."
When Namgung Cheon became Alliance Leader, his moniker was Righteous Sword. Back then, he embodied extreme righteous faction supremacy.
Worse than this Namgung U, even.
He saw all lives outside the righteous factions—even civilians—as insects.
Sacrifices for the greater good were natural, he'd say, forgetting righteousness meant protecting the weak. That he earned "Righteous Sword" showed how warped the factions were then.
Come to think of it, did past-life Namgung Cheon even have a brother? I'd never heard of Namgung U.
A thought flashed through my mind.
'What if Namgung U dies in some incident, twisting Namgung Cheon?'
Plausible.
Losing family to war and despising your own ideals wasn't rare.
If I kept Namgung U alive this life, could Namgung Cheon stay upright—unlike before?
Low odds, but worth the gamble.
"Are you hurt anywhere?"
Namgung Cheon eyed me, lost in thought, with concern.
Him looking at me like that? Still not used to it.
In the past life, we were bitter enemies, snarling every meeting.
He even killed me.
Damn, that pisses me off. Should I just end him now?
...No, can't. I'd be no better than a murderer.
"I'm fine. Let's have a good match tomorrow."
I offered a handshake. That day, the Blood Demon and future Alliance Leader clasped hands—for the first time across lifetimes.
Anyway, how to keep Namgung U—who might die any second—from croaking?
That fearless psycho pulled a sword on me today. His death methods must be endless.
Truly daunting.
It was like trying to save a dying goldfish.
He'd probably charge the Demonic Cult Leader sword-first. Even if I outpowered the Leader, saving this guy would be tough.
Not even a divine physician could help.
Saving lives is harder than taking them, as the saying goes.
In my past life as Blood Demon, I'd killed plenty but saved next to none.
Overwhelmingly bleak.
Me—the past Blood Demon—now reforming the future Alliance Leader.
What a twisted fate.