Chapter 55
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 55
Chapter Title: I Said It (2)
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Guo Cheol-woong hurriedly left the inn with Baek Cheon-un in tow. He had no intention of getting involved in the Nangong family's affairs. He hoped nothing would happen, but if an unfortunate incident did occur, the farther away he was, the safer he'd be.
'I have business in Jiangsu Province anyway.'
-So you're finally going to call him in.
'Wouldn't that be better for the family too?'
-This concerns the fate of the martial world.
'Since when did you start worrying about the martial world? You're more concerned about your own hide. Aren't you?'
-......You knew.
'It'd be weirder if I didn't. You must think I'm a total pushover.'
They both saw each other as pushovers.
As for who was the bigger one...... Life is long indeed.
The semifinals matchups were announced.
Taejin's opponent was Nangong Hyun, the divine dragon of the Nangong family, while Cheol-ho faced Dang Cheon-ho, the veiled prodigy of the Sichuan Dang family.
Nangong Hyun's swordsmanship, praised as "sword mastery" throughout the tournament, was of exceptional refinement. His advancement to the semifinals was expected by all. He lived up to his reputation, carrying the hopes of the crowd on his shoulders.
Dang Cheon-ho's entry into the semifinals wasn't much of a surprise either. He dominated with lightning-fast movements that belied his "thunderbolt" moniker and powerful fist techniques.
In contrast, Taejin and Cheol-ho's performances exceeded everyone's expectations. Starting as virtual unknowns, they were now making history. They advanced to the semifinals with overwhelming displays of skill that left no doubt.
The atmosphere had been soured midway by some father's boastful antics, but it was neatly packaged as the proud ramblings of a doting dad.
This was the trickle-down effect of victory.
Even trash talk turned into positive spin when backed by real strength. The logic of power was a sad reality that never changed, no matter the era.
Lightning Sword Kang Taejin.
Fierce Demon Fist Nam Cheol-ho.
For a kids' tournament, the nicknames were awfully grandiose. Naturally, to claim such titles, one needed matching prowess and a notorious reputation.
Tremble, tremble!
Cheol-ho shuddered at the terrifying monikers.
"Cool, right?"
"......Why am I 'Fierce Demon'?"
"Didn't you know? You look like you'd kill people real good. Top-tier butcher material. Even your master would flip out if you popped up in the dark at night."
"......Damn it! I'll smash it all!"
Cheol-ho burned with fiery determination. It wasn't murderous intent, but a grudge that wouldn't fade without unleashing flames. It only heated up the arena further.
-Planning to create a killer?
'Fitting heir to you.'
-......Take that back. I'm handsome.
'Handsome or not, it's all the same coin.'
Logically sound, but Cheon-gyeong was deeply offended. He prided himself as the pinnacle of beauty—at least top three. Nothing like that monstrous murderer's mug. The Demon King had class.
'A Demon King judging faces.'
-I became Demon King thanks to this face. Too handsome. Back then, women would swoon just seeing me. Of course, you wouldn't get it.
Whether they drooled or shit themselves.
Mujin couldn't care less. Faces weren't edible. For a man, average was best.
Ability had to be absolute peak.
"Why'd you have to beat up a girl? Could've just fought even and called it a day."
"It's all that guy's fault...... Argh!"
"Don't badmouth my son in front of me."
"......That's cheating!"
No matter how useless or hated his son was, badmouthing him in front of his dad pissed him off.
Mujin treated Cheol-ho with blood-is-thicker-than-water favoritism. He hoped the boy would savor the bitterness of a fatherless life and vent his frustrations freely.
'Totally a demonic art.'
-Call it internal energy cultivation.
Cheol-ho's progress was dazzling. His internal energy's quality and quantity improved by leaps and bounds even now. Rage and resentment hardened him. Growing through harsh trials.
'That's why he's so dried up.'
-He'd fit right in the Demonic Cult of the Demon God.
Cheol-ho could make a living in the martial world on looks alone. Most masters wouldn't dare approach. As power and experience piled up, his notoriety would grow.
"Girl killer!"
"A fiend's appeared in the martial world!"
"Next up, pretty boy hunter!"
"His opponent's from the Dang family!"
The arena buzzed as Cheol-ho appeared. His face alone dominated the crowd, elevating him to a star of a different sort. Hard for plain-faced folks to comprehend.
"Tsk tsk tsk, hurting the kid's feelings—what kind of grown-up behavior is that? Gotta have character, character."
Cheol-ho ground his teeth at Mujin's shamelessness—blatantly criticizing others while claiming impartiality on looks. Their words didn't hurt. The deepest wounds came from Mujin. And this guy had the nerve!
'This damn martial world—I'll smash it all!'
Yes, yes.
Anger is your strength.
"The first semifinal match will now begin. Dang Cheon-ho and Nam Cheol-ho, please take the stage."
Rooooar!
Box office gold.
Dang Cheon-ho, exuding a dark aura, was surprisingly handsome. The matte black uniform symbolizing the Dang family suited him perfectly.
Grown into a brooding pretty boy, he had the looks to make girls swoon. Every cold glance he swept over the crowd shook their composure.
Indeed, bad boys ruled. Basics: handsome, rich background, rotten personality. Plain bad didn't cut it.
"The Dang family's top hunk!"
"Crush me with your Crimson Lotus Divine Palm, young master! I'm Yeon-hee, beautiful as a red lotus!"
"Lotus wilted? With that catfish face!"
"Young master Dang, I pray for your victory—for me!"
"This auntie's shameless!"
Looks paid off. With skill and pedigree, popularity followed.
The mood shifted completely when Cheol-ho climbed the stage.
"Whoa, that face—still can't get used to it!"
"If you scar our young master Dang's face, you're dead...... Eek! Murderer, where you looking!"
"Look at those eyes—hundreds dead for sure!"
"How's that sixteen? Faking his age?"
"Even a forty-year-old'd bow to him!"
Cheol-ho could barely contain his boiling rage. Dang Cheon-ho poured oil on the wounded boy's fury.
"You've survived with that face, huh."
"What'd you say, you bastard!"
Voices raised!
"Total murderer!"
"What a jerk—hear him curse!"
"Save the world, young master Dang!"
Cheol-ho's Iron Blood Lion Fist grew like bean sprouts. He vowed to shatter the world's injustices.
As the tournament heated up, Mujin wandered the Nangong grounds. Suspicious, perhaps, but Great Lotus Nangong's presence warded off doubts. Unlike her fiery youth, her reputation now was solid.
She'd played the saint all these years.
"Don't cling. I'm married."
"Everyone knows your face. So quit worrying needlessly!"
"Good."
"Cut the nonsense. Would you stake your life on it?"
Hanging with her grated on his nerves. Their first meeting had been odd too. Challenged her to a fight, beat her like a dog. Begged for teachings, nearly died. She did what was asked, but never smoothly.
An erratic weirdo spouting more nonsense. He'd been too stunned to speak. No idea what made him tick.
"Why stake my life?"
"Then expect me to believe you!"
"Don't if you don't want to. Who asked?"
"Is that how you talk?"
Nangong Yeon-hwa's throat burned with fury at Mujin's indifference. The more she dealt with him, the fresher he felt—in the most aggravating way. Master of irritation.
"Take kind advice graciously—no need to yell."
"Reflect on your words before saying that! No conscience?"
Mujin had warned of potential bloodshed in the Nangong family. Block it if possible—a gentlemanly heads-up. Better preempt than regret. Profitable for them.
How beautiful a warning.
"What makes you spout such baseless crap? Got proof?"
"Proof? Of course not."
"......?"
Can't say I know those guys from the future. Had to brush it off as a hunch.
No desire to hunt evidence either. Nangong falling or not didn't matter. If obsessive foes left traces, future sleuths would've found them. Smart folks failed; why me?
"You mad bastard!"
"Wanna get hit?"
Flinch!
Even her cursing didn't faze him as expected. Irresponsible: heed me regardless. Absurdly, he followed through. Nangong turf, surrounded by warriors? He'd swing anyway. She knew it best.
Body reacted first.
To Nangong Yeon-hwa, Mujin was an alien lifeform. Even lunatics scoped surroundings mid-rant. His recklessness overflowed.
'Endure.'
She circulated Great Lotus Divine Art, calming body and mind. Ideal for mental discipline. Essential for taming the aggressive Thunderclap Energy.
"Think others would buy it?"
"That's why I told only you. I'm not that thoughtless."
I trust you, told only you.
Trust overflowing.
Blunt in her own home!
Nangong Yeon-hwa hit her patience limit. How's bloodshed a "warning," no accountability?
This guy lived "whatever happens, happens."
Carefree? Planless? Either way, infuriating.
"Even you—pushing it means fight, right?"
"If it's that hard to believe, watch Poison Bee Sword. Something might turn up."
"Keep this up, I won't hold back."
"Not my house. Fine, I'll stop."
Mujin backed off there.
Truth: her tragic past prompted it. Hoped nothing happened. But the world was cruel. Inevitables happened.
'Not even Sword Empress yet.'