Chapter 103. This Ending Isn't What I Wanted?
Once Cheon Seok-san backed off so readily, Hwa Cheon-un felt a surge of inner panic.
He had received word of the bloody predawn clash near Cheongsu Gate and found it baffling. The Taesu had tipped him off about Yu Bul-gun, the strategist from Seongwangbu, showing up, and warned that Seongwangbu's experts might get involved.
The Taesu had specifically instructed him not to send any warriors beyond Cheongsu Gate. So he'd beefed up the ambushes and just watched... only for Gwancheonbang to sweep them away unexpectedly. And not by Cheon Il-hae, but some unfamiliar master.
That was why he'd come to the non-combat arena today with such a heavy heart.
His recent move—using Gwancheonbang's proxy fighter as an excuse to step in for Hwa Cheon-gang—had been a setup.
He hadn't expected Cheon Seok-san to withdraw so easily.
Grateful as he was, he still probed for the reason.
What variable came into play?
Hwa Cheon-un's gaze drifted unconsciously toward Kwon-wang.
Kwon-wang was eyeing Cheon Seok-san intently.
Hwa Cheon-gang realized his hunch was spot on.
Just as I thought! Kwon-wang showed up because of him!
He'd been wondering why Kwon-wang had appeared out of nowhere... and now it clicked.
It was all because of the new Gwancheonbang leader!
Judging by Kwon-wang's expression, the mood was far from friendly.
Thank goodness!
This lifted one major worry off his shoulders.
The co-moderators, Unjeongbangju and Hajeong Gwanju, conferred with each other.
Two participants had withdrawn, but issues remained.
Even if Cheon Il-hae couldn't make it because he was dead, Yong Jo-un forfeiting the duel violated the rules. How should they handle it?
Won Seung, tasked with drawing the tripartite duel brackets, suddenly had nothing to do.
He slipped quietly down from the arena.
Normally, he'd leave Sangyang right away... but with Kwon-wang here, he decided to stick around and watch.
Won Seung glanced at Kwon-wang seated among the moderators.
One of the Ten Great Experts really is different.
Reassuring.
True to his status as one of the Ten Great Experts, Kwon-wang didn't act lightly.
He wanted nothing more than to rush over and pummel Cheon Seok-san right then, but unfortunately, this was a duel over Sangyang's hegemony.
He knew people whispered that he, a Ten Great Expert, was hot-tempered and petty, ranking him dead last at tenth.
He couldn't accept that ranking. How could they rank Ten Great Experts who hadn't even fought each other?
It was just idle gossip, but it quietly bruised his pride. He itched to smash the mouths of those belittling him, but he couldn't chase down every whisperer.
Resigned, he'd started reading sutras a few years back to temper his nature. He only read briefly before bed after a day of fist training, but his persistence had built some patience lately—or so he proudly thought.
He was itching for the tripartite duel to end when the two old men beside him still couldn't decide.
Irritated, he turned and snapped,
"What's so hard about reaching a conclusion?"
Gongsin held up the rulebook and asked deferentially,
"As the supreme figure in murim, Kwon-wang must have vast experience. What should be done in a case not covered by the rules?"
Kwon-wang opened his mouth to reply, but Hwa Cheon-gang suddenly stood and leaped onto the arena.
Everyone stared at the abrupt move.
With a pale face, Hwa Cheon-gang scanned the crowd, then addressed Yong Jo-un last.
"No need to set a future date. Let's settle it here and now."
"Brother!"
Hwa Cheon-un tried to stop him in alarm, but Hwa Cheon-gang ignored him, proclaiming to the arena,
"Many have criticized Cheongsu Gate for dodging the Yong family's challenges. Today, I intend to air the grudge between the Hwa brothers and the Yong clan and bring it to an end."
Hwa Cheon-gang drew his sword from his back and stabbed it into the arena floor.
"We three Hwa brothers were born sons of Sang River boatmen. Our father met his end clashing with Yong Gajang, who sought to monopolize the wharf labor."
Hwa Cheon-gang's voice trembled with resentment.
"Our mother died protesting to the authorities, and Yong Gajang even seized our home. We three brothers, mere children, lost our parents and house, forced to flee Sangyang!"
Ah, so that's the backstory.
Won Seung alternated glances between Yong Jo-un and Hwa Cheon-gang.
Yong Jo-un stared at Hwa Cheon-gang with a stony face. Clearly, even he hadn't known.
One grudge begets another...
Won Seung muttered to himself.
"We brothers honed our strength and returned to avenge our father."
The crowd nodded at Hwa Cheon-gang's words. So the Yong estate's downfall that morning had such roots.
Then Yong Jo-un vaulted onto the arena.
His face was deathly cold.
"Can you prove Yong Gajang killed your father?"
Yong Jo-un couldn't stand by while his father's honor was dragged through the mud.
"And even if it was revenge, it should have stopped at him! Sneaking in at night and slaughtering the entire Yong household—that wasn't revenge; it was a massacre!"
The crowd nodded again at Yong Jo-un's retort.
"Yeah, that was excessive. Should've just targeted the man himself."
Even they'd have wiped out the roots... but their words sure shine pretty.
Hwa Cheon-gang sighed and said,
"It's true we three brothers ganged up on Yong Gajang that day. I won't deny it. But we didn't raid the estate."
"Hmph!"
Yong Jo-un scoffed.
"Then who did? Think I was too young to judge?"
"We sent a death warrant in our three brothers' names, and Yong Gajang set the time and place. We went to the duel site that night and fought. Right after the fight ended, flames erupted from Yong Gajang, screams filling the air."
Yong Jo-un cried out in fury at Hwa Cheon-gang's claim.
"Then who killed over a hundred Yong household members?"
"Didn't I just say? We realized after the fight that someone had raided the estate."
"Lies! You're saying it wasn't you?"
As Hwa Cheon-gang tried to dodge, Yong Jo-un exploded in rage.
Then Hwa Cheon-un stood and declared,
"That's the truth."
Addressing the crowd, Hwa Cheon-un continued,
"We knew something had gone wrong at Yong Gajang right after issuing the death warrant. But we'd been wounded battling him, and showing up then might paint us as the culprits. So we withdrew. Weren't you there too?"
Yong Jo-un furrowed his brow. His cheeks twitched uncontrollably.
Painful memories flooded back, ones he'd tried to bury.
That evening, his father had finished eating, sharpened his blade, and headed out at night. Sensing something off, young Yong Jo-un had followed.
He knew where his father was going—no need to hurry. His father occasionally dueled challengers to Sang River dominance at the riverbank below Yong Gajang.
When he arrived, the duel was in full swing.
Seeing his young son appear suddenly, Yong Cheol-hyeong lost composure and took a blow from the charging Hwa Cheon-gang.
The thought that his father might have won without his interruption had tormented him endlessly.
That guilt might have fueled his thirst for vengeance even more.
The Hwa brothers left the gravely wounded father behind. Yong Jo-un held his dying dad, shedding bloody tears as he glared at their retreating backs.
Then flames burst from Yong Gajang amid screams.
Until now, he'd assumed it was the Hwa brothers... but they claimed otherwise?
As Yong Jo-un fell silent, the crowd murmured opinions.
Yet nearly twenty years had passed. Who could know the full truth?
Even Won Seung was confused, glancing between Hwa Cheon-gang, Hwa Cheon-un, and Yong Jo-un.
Whose side do I take?
I'm a righteous guy, so I should side with justice...
Hwa Cheon-un's sharp as they come. If Yong Gajang burned, he'd have investigated. It looked like they'd take the full blame no matter what.
Won Seung's gaze fixed on Hwa Cheon-un. Sure enough, he sighed deeply without speaking.
He knows something.
But without certainty or proof, clearly.
If even Hwa Cheon-un wouldn't step up... they'd have to settle it with blades.
Hwa Cheon-gang drew his sword with his one arm.
"Whatever happened, Yong Gajang died by my blade. So I'll accept his son's challenge."
Yong Jo-un glared wide-eyed.
"Didn't you just say the three brothers ganged up?"
Yong Jo-un had only seen Hwa Cheon-gang clashing with his father the moment he arrived that night. That's why he'd challenged him.
But now Hwa Cheon-gang admitted the three-on-one. He didn't want to hear he'd beaten a heavily wounded man.
Yong Jo-un turned to Hwa Cheon-un.
"I'll challenge the Third Gate Lord!"
Hwa Cheon-un nodded readily, soaring onto the arena as if relieved.
As he landed beside Hwa Cheon-gang, Yong Jo-un stepped back and drew his sword—a monstrously huge curved blade.
Chilling killing intent blanketed the arena.
"What is this?"
Hwa Cheon-gang panicked, but Hwa Cheon-un smiled calmly.
"I was there that night too, wasn't I? I share blame for Yong Gajang's death, so I must share the blade of vengeance."
With that, he drew his sword.
Chaaang!
The blade sang free, flashing under the scorching summer sun.
Gasp!
This ending isn't what I wanted!
Won Seung secretly favored Yong Jo-un. The man had even taught him Musanggyeol.
Hwa Cheon-un was Hwa Yeo-wol's father. If these two fought and one died...
Yong Jo-un's death would pain him; Hwa Cheon-un's would break Yeo-wol's heart.
Couldn't Hwa Cheon-gang just fight?
Won Seung dashed toward the arena.
"Wait!"
The crowd blinked in confusion as the young scholar scrambled up. His job was done, wasn't it?
Won Seung cupped his fists toward everyone.
"It's an honor to stand before Sangyang murim's heroes again. Determining the tripartite duel brackets was my task, so I couldn't just sit idly by."
What the hell is this kid saying?
The tripartite duel's already sunk—what brackets?
As stares turned his way, Won Seung shrugged and said,
"Deciding the brackets means setting who fights whom on this arena. That's my authority."
Before objections could fly, Won Seung raised his voice hastily.
"Warriors are so straightforward—I'm in awe of your passion for cutting straight to truth with blades."
Pointing out their brute solution.
"But as a scholar obsessed with details, I can't stand by. Will blades truly reveal the truth?"
Let's all calm down and think this through step by step...