Chapter 238
Chapter 238
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 238
>Chapter Title: Legacy of the Great Mountain
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Kang Seol turned pitch black, overturning the battle that had been against him from the start and claiming victory.
The spectators erupted in cheers without exception, but Shinyo and Jangdu could not join them.
The two were too stunned by his overwhelming prowess to speak for a moment.
After a brief silence.
"You've been caught in the rain too long."
"Feeling a bit sticky, aren't you?"
"Yes."
Whoosh...
A red aura seeped from Shinyo's fingertips, touching her clothes and Jangdu's.
Sizzle...
In an instant, their garments were dry and fluffy.
They rose from their seats and left the Warrior's Heart.
As they exited the arena, the two shared an umbrella.
"Move over a bit?"
"Am I not holding the umbrella?"
"Then tilt it toward me a little?"
"My shoulders are broad; can't help it."
Snicker...
The two exchanged glances and chuckled for a moment.
"That was shocking, huh?"
"Oh, absolutely."
"Coming to Yocheon was the right call."
"That one line etched in the Silver Ledger has me full of expectations."
"Really?"
"Depending on how you use it, it could save even your life once or twice, Lady Shinyo."
Shinyo looked at him in surprise at his words.
"That's overly generous praise."
"It's the appropriate evaluation. You're not still doubting my eyes, are you?"
"Of course not. It's just... I still can't believe it."
"I'd feel the same if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes."
His feat of ending the fight against the conqueror Daeha without allowing a single attack.
Even Jangdu, who had sensed he was hiding power, hadn't imagined it would be to this extent.
"Lady Shinyo."
"What."
"...Don't you think we should get a little closer?"
They stopped in their tracks.
Shinyo glared at him coldly, her mood soured by his words.
"Why?"
Jangdu smirked in response.
"If we became enemies, it'd be a bit troublesome."
* * *
(New) [Post by 'PowerTillerRampage']
[Posted: Just now]
[Title: Who the fuck believed those prediction room idiots saying Daeha would win? LOL all of you go kill yourselves lololol]
Me first lololol
- Daeha lost ㅠㅠ
- No shit... He used too much power early on and got the Buk Mountain ending, right?
- Lost like it was a lie...
(New) [Post by 'JejuFrostSlayer']
[Posted: Just now]
[Title: Dumped all my money into betting... What do I do now?]
Yeah that's your story lol not mine~
- Suckers who came in hoping they were in the same boat are sobbing lololol
- Water's nice and warm these days, just for you guys.
- Should've ridden the Kang Seol coin lololol
(New) [Post by 'ClearI-NoT']
[Posted: Just now]
[Title: Isn't this match-fixing?]
Suddenly transforming? That kind of power? Makes no sense. Convince me by giving me that power too.
- Message said it's a seasonal technique or something.
- Why are these natives jerking off about seasons? Korea has 24 solar terms, maybe shove 'em in a mill and grind.
- Friend's super pissed lololol
- Fair to be mad when you lose money lol go ahead rage it out here~
- If you still have a home to go to.
(New) [Post by 'BlockchainBettor']
[Posted: Just now]
[Title: Bet 231 tickets on Daeha win...]
231 tickets... Anyone alive here...
- You human?
- Sir, we've socially agreed to call folks like you shoehorn worms.
(New) [Post by 'StockGossipKing']
[Posted: Just now]
[Title: Holy shit, you believe this?]
Kang Seol's the overall winner lololol
Grabbed the Conqueror title in Yongjeon too lololol
- Quite the vivid imagination.
- Haven't seen a single seasonal technique user yet lol
- Gossip lives up to its name heh heh
In Yocheon, baseless rumors and delusions about Kang Seol and Seolhong were multiplying like crazy.
The actual subjects, Seolhong and Kang Seol, were staying in refined attire at Gwak Seong's residence.
Gwak Seong had politely escorted them here after the conquest battle ended.
Kang Seol and Seolhong sat quietly, awaiting the evaluators' judgment.
Soon, the evaluators' voices rang out.
"Seolhong of the Fallen Flower!"
Unlike before, Seolhong responded vigorously.
"From now on, we shall evaluate your path!"
The evaluation continued for a short while after that.
"The notice for the next trial will come exactly three days from now! Prepare your body and mind properly for the next ordeal!"
"...Yes."
The evaluators' voices faded away.
Seolhong looked at Kang Seol and spoke.
"Did you hear that?"
"I did."
"A perfect score... For this Seolhong to get a perfect score..."
"You more than deserve it."
Kang Seol gazed at Seolhong.
Ascending to conqueror had been planned; he had vowed it would happen if he stepped in.
However, the decisions after becoming conqueror incorporated more of Seolhong's input.
In truth, claiming the Warrior's Heart as conqueror meant the trial was effectively cleared.
Yet Seolhong refused to forcibly seize the arena from Gwak Seong.
- How can trampling a citizen's heart without understanding it be the direction the empire should take?
There were risks.
If Gwak Seong was far more stubborn and cynical than they thought, Seolhong's plan would have failed.
The surefire way was indeed to take it by force.
But Seolhong said that if such was what was to be learned from the Dragon Struggle, no true Dragon Flower would succeed the Dragon Emperor.
'Amazing.'
Kang Seol had initially seen Seolhong as just a child, but the more he watched, the more her spirited demeanor reminded him of her mother, Yuhwa.
"My goodness... What in the world is this?"
"Cheonju..."
"I knew Lady Seolhong would pull it off. No! Our Kang Seol did great too. Everyone was splendid!"
"It's because of Cheonju and Kang Seol's help."
"Lady Seolhong..."
Cheonju threw another fit upon hearing about the perfect score. If acceptance speeches dragged on like this, everyone would be exhausted.
"Lady Yuhwa must be thrilled!"
"Surely she's watching?"
"Of course! Wherever she is, she's seeing Lady Seolhong's proud moment."
Coincidentally, she was right beside them.
Well, half of her was Yuhwa.
Anyway, amid Cheonju and Seolhong's lengthy chat, Cheonju pulled out a paper.
"Oh right! Look at me. A letter arrived here."
"Hm? For me?"
"Yes, please read it."
Rustle...
Seolhong carefully read the writing on the paper.
"This is... a letter from Brother Jegak."
"Jegak... Lion Flower Jegak, right?"
"Yeah! Let me finish reading!"
- ...Wishing you boundless flight, I end here.
Rustle...
Seolhong clutched the letter to her chest.
"What does it say?"
"About the Dragon Struggle last time."
"Dragon Struggle?"
"It's congratulations on the perfect score and words of support going forward."
Seolhong wriggled happily.
Cheonju and Kang Seol smiled watching her.
Kang Seol asked her.
"What's got you so pleased?"
"Ahem... It's only natural to be happy receiving others' attention and affection."
"If Jegak is... one of the Dragon Flowers?"
"Brother Jegak... is the grateful one who thought of me even when I was powerless and scorned. Though I couldn't repay him then due to my weakness, someday I will."
"To lift your spirits with just a letter. Jegak must be remarkable."
"Mm... Truth be told, opinions on Lord Jegak aren't great, but since he's sincere in caring like this, he'll surely rise even higher..."
Knock knock.
"Someone's here to see you."
"Me?"
"Yes, a woman named Soryo."
Seolhong tilted her head and stood.
Kang Seol rose to follow her.
"Cheonju, we'll stop by that place on the way out."
Cheonju bid them farewell.
"Take care."
"No worries. Kang Seol is..."
Seolhong glanced at Kang Seol and replied.
"The strongest man in Yocheon."
"...Indeed."
Kang Seol and Seolhong descended the stairs, following the maid.
A woman sat in the garden outside the door.
"Seolhong."
"Sister Soryo..."
"Let's talk."
Soryo's demeanor had softened somewhat.
Unlike her previously venomous air, her eyes and overall impression felt gentler.
Seolhong approached and sat in the opposite chair.
Kang Seol stood a distance away, scanning the surroundings.
"I heard the news. Gwak Seong sent tribute to the Khan, right?"
"Yes. The amount isn't huge, but..."
"Symbolism matters more from the start, doesn't it? No need to fuss over the sum. Plus, with him personally sponsoring you, it's like gaining a heavenly army."
That explained why Seolhong's clothes were now far more luxurious.
Gwak Seong had promised to cover Seolhong's travel expenses during the Dragon Struggle.
Seolhong felt awkward sitting with her sister Soryo.
Hadn't they been at each other's throats like enemies not long ago?
"I'm heading back to the Dragon Palace now."
"...Already?"
"I've realized my shortcomings, and there's no reason to stay longer. Seolhong, I have something to tell you before I go. That's why I visited today."
Soryo closed her eyes, as if drawing something in her mind.
"That day, I was at the Warrior's Heart too. Your bold voice against Gwak Seong... It shone so brightly in my eyes."
"......"
Thud...
Soryo placed something on the table.
It looked like a gift at a glance.
"Fine tea for entertaining and pills to relieve fatigue."
"Sister..."
"It was meant for use during the Dragon Struggle, but since I fell like a withered flower, what can be done?"
Soryo continued.
"Brother Baeyu, who lost his life to rashness, and I, who took the Dragon Struggle lightly—we can't go further. Only you and that man can."
Soryo scratched her head.
"Wanted to give something better, but away from the Dragon Palace, I don't have much to offer."
"I'll... treasure it. Thank you."
"...Once the competition ends, people come into view. Seolhong, you have something different from other Dragon Flowers. I'm too dull to know what yet, but someday many will realize it."
Soryo stood.
"Competition over, and I feel light."
"......"
Soryo spread her arms wide.
Taller than Seolhong by a good margin.
"Can I hug you?"
Seolhong hesitated briefly before stepping into Soryo's embrace.
A warm hug with no ill intent.
"Seolhong, don't lament your short legs. You have wings, so you can surely fly."
"Sister Soryo..."
"Aim higher, please."
With that, Soryo departed.
Kang Seol quietly approached Seolhong.
"Going to cry?"
"Cry? Who... Sniff... Without Cheonju, I wouldn't!"
- Declares won't run unless it's a circuit!
- lol Soryo changed a lot.
- Got threatened and ate half-brother's corpse for dinner, so she snapped out of it lol
- Experience you can't get anywhere else lololol
- Gwak Seong... What are you...
"Understood."
* * *
Shortly after, Kang Seol and Seolhong walked with Gwak Seong.
"Never thought I'd hear such an odd request. Wanting to pay respects to Daesan... No ulterior motives, I hope?"
Gwak Seong's joking remark carried a bit of edge.
But Seolhong and Kang Seol, knowing him somewhat, answered without minding.
"More than me..."
"I requested this."
Kang Seol answered for Seolhong.
Gwak Seong smirked.
"That warrior-to-warrior bond thing?"
"Perhaps?"
"Hahaha! I tried hard to dissuade Daeha from coming. He hasn't fully recovered. If the man who beat him visits his ossuary, Daesan would surely boil with rage too."
Clatter...
Rumble...
The place they sought was a secluded ossuary.
Its isolation wasn't due to remoteness but strict bans on outsiders.
'Ended up in an ossuary after all...'
Kang Seol quelled his slight regret.
He'd heard from Gwak Seong why Daesan was interred there.
The blade that felled him was coated in deadly poison.
The poison rotted every bit of flesh after death, leaving only bones to honor.
Creak...
Descending deep underground, a chilling space emerged.
"Here it is."
Daesan's portrait and inscribed name.
Gwak Seong stared blankly at the portrait.
"...He looks like Daeha."
"Heh heh... Didn't at first, but after Daeha put on some weight, yeah."
Gwak Seong's voice held a touch of loneliness.
Kang Seol spoke to him and Seolhong.
"May I be alone for a bit?"
Seolhong glanced at Gwak Seong in surprise, but he nodded.
"Would someone who's achieved so much cause trouble in a mere lion's ossuary? We'll wait outside; take your time."
Seolhong and Gwak Seong left Kang Seol behind and ascended slowly.
Chatting side by side, they resembled a granddaughter and youthful grandfather.
Anyway.
Kang Seol approached the massive sword before Daesan's portrait.
"I feel it."
His eyes sharpened.
"You're here, aren't you, Daesan?"
Kang Seol placed his hand on Daesan's greatsword.
Ziiiiiing...
The greatsword vibrated.
Fwoosh...
The candles lighting the ossuary extinguished entirely.
['Daesan's Legacy' begins.]
A message appeared simultaneously.
['Great March' mid-settlement is processed.]
[You acquire spoils of struggle as reward.]