Chapter 251
Chapter 251
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 251
>Chapter Title: The 31st Horse Overturns the Game Board
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Swish...
All sorts of gazes clung to her.
It was what happened when Seolhong arrived at the Juyong Hall.
"Why is she..."
"Such a dimwit..."
Sneering remarks poured out.
In the past, she would have suffered a massive wound to her heart right there.
But.
- You're stronger than me.
- Go on, Seolhong!
Chiu, who had voluntarily withdrawn from the Dragon Contest, and even Soryu, who had acknowledged her after losing to her.
The burdens piling up on her shoulders were growing heavier bit by bit.
And that weight gave her a sense of stability, helping her find her center.
Seolhong smiled faintly and headed to her seat.
Five rows in total.
With fifty people lined up at regular intervals, something swelled within her at the sight, but her position was at the very end of the formation.
"Pfft... Still stuck at the tail end."
"No improvement. Heh heh..."
"Poor sister. Still so pitiful."
They hoped she would feel humiliated.
However, Seolhong just smiled faintly, looking straight ahead without any reaction.
Swish...
People began entering the Juyong Hall through another door.
Naturally, the eyes of the fifty Dragon Warriors scanned their surroundings without rest.
Surrounding the edges of the Juyong Hall, gazing at the selected Dragon Warriors, were the other fifty unselected ones and the Dragon Warriors who had withdrawn from the contest.
They stood in disarray, making a racket as they looked at the selected ones, but soon fell silent.
Prime Minister Banghyu ascended the platform.
"The Dragon Emperor enters!"
Suddenly, all the Dragon Warriors bowed their heads low in prostration. Seolhong did the same.
"Long live the Dragon Emperor!"
"Long live the Dragon Emperor!"
Boom...
Dong!
With the resounding beat of a large drum, a palanquin shrouded in curtains descended behind Banghyu.
Even after being set down on the ground, the palanquin was so tall that the one seated inside looked down from a height even above Banghyu.
Gulp...
The hall was deathly silent, to the point where the sound of someone swallowing could be heard.
The Dragon Emperor, veiled by the curtains, slowly surveyed the bowing crowd and nodded.
Banghyu became his voice, speaking on his behalf.
"From now on, what I, Banghyu, say is the will of His Majesty the Dragon Emperor. Listen well."
"Yes!"
"Yes!"
Fwoosh-!
Banghyu unrolled a scroll.
Whirr-!
The sorcery inscribed on the scroll activated, creating a mirage like an illusion.
Smoke silently swirled, forming the shape of a person, which then depicted the deeds that figure had performed thus far.
The person made of smoke was Taeyul.
"First Prince Taeyul. Raise your head."
"Yes."
Taeyul lifted his head and looked at the smoke unfurling before Banghyu. Seeing his smoky self reenact his past actions exactly was chilling, but he didn't show it.
"How did you feel about your first trial?"
Taeyul's first trial had been to eradicate a gang of counterfeiters and the usurers colluding with them.
The organization's scale was such that even a Dragon Warrior would struggle, and a typical one would have withdrawn in the first trial.
Seolhong's first trial and Taeyul's had differed vastly in difficulty from the start.
"I realized how lacking I am."
"Why?"
"Among the imperial citizens who aided me in the task, there were unavoidable sacrifices. After it was over, I faced their resentment."
"But didn't you complete the trial successfully?"
"The success or failure of the trial wasn't what mattered."
The prostrated Dragon Warriors rolled their eyes.
What kind of talk was that?
The success of the trial didn't matter?
"Why not?"
"When I stepped forward, I was confident of success, and indeed it was."
It sounded arrogant at first glance.
But no one there could nitpick those words.
Taeyul was solid in martial prowess, character, and even influence—and he knew how to wield it.
He might be the man here closest to becoming a true dragon.
"But it wasn't perfect. The matter was resolved, but innocents were sacrificed, creating a cycle of hatred. That's how I realized I'm lacking."
"Is that truly so? The organization you eradicated had been viciously squeezing the blood of imperial citizens for years, producing countless victims. Even if there were sacrifices, compared to the suffering those scoundrels would have caused ahead, it's a drop in the bucket."
"......"
"You won't accept that, will you? Do you seek perfection?"
"I seek perfection."
"That's nothing but idealism."
"Even if it is..."
Taeyul looked not at Banghyu, but beyond the curtains as he spoke.
"I believe that one who aspires to become a dragon must pursue ideals."
"...It's a path you'll never reach."
"It's not a path one cannot reach. It's a path no one has reached yet."
Taeyul's unflinching words sent chills through the other Dragon Warriors.
Who could speak to Banghyu like that?
Right then, a voice like rumbling mountains and rivers emanated from beyond the curtains.
"The khanate is vast, young dragon."
"......"
Thud-!
Taeyul bowed his head again.
The Dragon Emperor Hongcheon had spoken; he must not meet his eyes.
His gaze pierced through the curtains.
"Your hand, your will cannot reach every corner of the eastern lands. Emotions only drain you, and hesitation breeds more sacrifices."
Taeyul's body tensed rigidly.
Hongcheon was absolute.
Receiving such a one's gaze was like being impaled by a spear—mental shock one must never face head-on.
"You must ultimately see the imperial citizens as mere numbers."
"...Why is that?"
"Because the heart breaks first."
"......"
"No heart can account for every other heart. Thus, yours will shatter first."
Grind...
"I will make it happen."
"Even if that path is wrong?"
"I, Taeyul, aspire to become a dragon, so I won't give up until the end."
"...Raise your head."
Taeyul lifted his head again.
The dragon's gaze met his.
Tremble...
His body shook, cold sweat dripping from him.
"Banghyu, continue."
"Yes."
The examination of Taeyul continued, and each time, he answered according to his convictions without yielding.
Taeyul never once gave the answer the Dragon Emperor sought. That alone warranted the Dragon Warriors' respect.
"...Refine yourself."
"Yes!"
The pressure on Taeyul lifted.
Banghyu then called another.
"First Princess Sinyo."
"Yes."
Sinyo faced the same barrage of questions as Taeyul, but gave different answers.
"The principle of the world lies in yin and yang. One who would become a dragon must distance themselves from both."
"Is that what you pursue?"
"I believe achieving perfect balance is the quality a dragon must possess."
Hongcheon hummed, resting his chin.
"Hmm... A state without yin or yang... In essence, it's akin to Taeyul's. But you know this is also idealism, yes?"
"I understand it better than anyone."
"Then that's enough. I will watch."
I will watch.
The Dragon Emperor had declared personal interest; for Sinyo, it confirmed her status as a contender for the next generation's dragon.
The fifty selected Dragon Warriors secretly hoped.
With ranking first Taeyul and second Sinyo having been questioned, surely they would be next.
But it was their delusion.
Click...
Banghyu folded the scroll that had projected the illusions.
"Then, with this..."
"Wait..."
Hongcheon slightly raised his hand, cutting Banghyu off.
Banghyu clamped his mouth shut, awaiting Hongcheon's words.
Swish...
A finger pointed at someone.
It pointed toward a small figure at the end, head bowed low.
"Why is that child here?"
It was Seolhong.
Banghyu startled, glancing at his subordinate, who whispered the story of how Seolhong had ended up there.
Banghyu nodded and murmured the facts to Hongcheon.
"So that's how it is... Seolhong."
"Yes!"
"The Grand Sorcerer Wangju, dispatched to Tomaku, reported to me. About everything that happened in Sodong."
Gulp...
"Weren't you disappointed? At not receiving attention even after felling the Eoduksini?"
"I thought it natural."
"Explain."
"My brothers' trials were all more difficult and demanding than mine. The Dragon Contest evaluations are determined solely by the trials, so even if I achieved high results in Tomaku, it's only natural that the accomplishments of those with harder trials outweigh mine."
"Even after subduing the Eoduksini?"
"Felling the Eoduksini isn't part of the trial. It holds no value for evaluation."
The other Dragon Warriors bit their lips.
Rumors that Seolhong had defeated the Eoduksini were confirmed true, raising doubts whether it hadn't been factored into her evaluation.
"Then why confront the Eoduksini?"
"Because I had to."
"...What?"
"It was necessary to save the miners."
"Intriguing."
Hongcheon's gaze shifted.
"Raise your head, Seolhong."
"Yes."
Seolhong met Hongcheon's eyes as well.
"You're right. The Dragon Warriors' evaluations will be decided solely through the trials."
"Yes."
"Follow the proper procedures, all of you."
Seolhong's eyes burned.
"If you wish to advance, tread the proper path and trample doubt and envy. That is the meaning of the Dragon Contest."
These words were for all Dragon Warriors, yet they rang especially for Seolhong alone.
As if to say he would be waiting.
As Hongcheon nodded, Banghyu continued.
"Dragon Warriors, you've likely heard the late rumors of the Eoduksini's revival."
"Yes."
"Yes."
Banghyu floated a large scroll in the air.
"A grave threat looms over the khanate. But halting the Dragon Contest for it would be unwise... Thus, we change the competition format."
Snap-!
The scroll unfurled, projecting text into the air. Alongside a numbered list were scores beside each.
"Raise your heads."
The Dragon Warriors lifted their heads.
Seeing the text hovering in the air, their faces twisted gravely. The list detailed the upcoming trials.
"Now, each will choose a trial and complete it within the set deadline. Only upon completing the chosen trial can you attempt another. And thus..."
The Dragon Contest's format had changed.
"We will select those who acquire the most points."
Outlandish trials mocked the Dragon Warriors as words in the air.
* * *
While the Dragon Warriors met Hongcheon, Kang Seol and Jangdu strolled the palace gardens. Dragon Stones and the Dragon Warriors' retainers passed the time scattered about.
"Kahaha... We were in that warrior's heart back then too."
"Really?"
"Yeah, I should drop by more often. Lady Sinyo seemed to like it too."
"Good for you. It's Yocheon's big spectacle, so it'll always be fun no matter when you go."
"Heh heh... How about we ditch the Dragon Warriors later and grab a drink?"
"Ah, that might not be easy."
"True... Lady Seolhong's still at an age needing watching, huh?"
"And what about Lady Sinyo's situation?"
"Different. Lady Sinyo pathologically hates me sticking to her. Especially in summer, she nags about my sweat smell... Tsk. Then how about setting up near your Dragon Warrior's lodgings?"
Kang Seol chuckled and nodded.
"That much is fine."
"Hahaha! I'm not the type to beg for a drinking session, Jangdu. Maybe I just like you?"
"...Pardon?"
Suddenly, an unpleasant thought flashed through Kang Seol's mind.
"Not like that. Don't scare people."
"I was the startled one."
As Kang Seol and Jangdu walked the gardens, a slight commotion arose.
"This is cheating!"
"Sip... Is that how you talk?"
"No, it's weird. It was definitely in the first cup!"
"Well, you must've seen wrong. Anyway, this is mine now...."
"Again! Let's go again!"
"If you've got the money, anytime."
A game where dice were placed in cups, mixed, and players guessed which had the die.
A woman and men boldly ran a shell game where the Dragon Stones gathered.
Among them, the one in blue robes deftly shuffling the cups stood out most.
Jangdu clicked his tongue.
"Tch... Running into her here."
"You know her?"
"Jinryeo the swindler, one of Taeyul's retainers."
"Not a Dragon Stone?"
"Taeyul has many retainers. Dragon Stones are separate. The retainers aren't to be dismissed, but..."
"That woman seems strong too."
"She is. But her style's a bit different from folks like you and me."
"Different style?"
"You'll see watching."
Moments later.
"Th-this is weird! Definitely..."
"Shh! Make way for the next. Oh? Jangdu!"
"Ugh, damn it. She saw me."
"Jangdu! Where you going! Gotta play a round! You brought a ton for me again, right? Run and you're no man, you know?"
"...Damn it. Fine, let's go again."
Jinryeo welcomed Jangdu with a coquettish smile.
Creak...
The small chair groaned as Jangdu sat.
"Did you just take a dump?"
"The chair creaked. Don't distract me."
"Hoho... Sensitive to jokes, huh? Ready? Let's start!"
"Bring it!"
Flick flick flick-!
It was obvious at a glance Jinryeo was no ordinary player. Her shuffling speed made it hard to track with the eyes.
Even Jangdu scratched his head, groaning.
"Here!"
"Wrong!"
"Uwaaak! Cheating again?"
"Proof?"
"Damn..."
Money poured from Jangdu's pouch. He skimmed small bets but always lost the big ones.
Kang Seol called to Jangdu.
"Jangdu."
"Hm?"
"Let me try."
"Really? You too against this damn cheat..."
"I'll give it a go."
Jinryeo sneered.
"Heh heh... More fun than you look?"
"Here."
Kang Seol bet more than expected from the start, widening Jinryeo's eyes.
"Th-that guy..."
"Isn't he Lady Seolhong's Dragon Stone?"
"Obsidian? Or was it Black Onyx?"
"No way, that..."
Jinryeo's expression changed.
"Ah... The one with all the rumors."
"Rumors?"
"What happened in Tomaku."
"Ah."
"Let's see if you're talented at games too."
Shick shick shick-!
The shuffling was incomparably faster than with Jangdu. Kang Seol fixed his gaze to track the die's cup.
Thud!
"There. Where's the die?"
Kang Seol frowned.
"Don't know? Such a pity..."
Jinryeo was certain of victory.
She possessed a special ability unknown to most—only Taeyul and a few knew.
Useful in battle, it shone brightest in simple rule games like this.
Absolutely, utterly undetectable.
It wasn't just speed fooling even top experts.
Nor mere probability.
Every loss so far had been intentional. Never an unintended defeat.
Swooo...
"Here."
She activated her ability now.
The match was decided.
The die's position had shifted.
"No, here."
But suddenly, Kang Seol switched to another cup.
"...Pardon?"
"The die's here."
Jinryeo's eyes bulged like saucers.
Laughter erupted from all sides.
"Puhahaha! Wrong!"
"Not there, friend. Your first pick was right!"
"Guess the rumors were exaggerated."
Even Jangdu laughed.
"Hey! We saved booze money, right?"
Kang Seol smirked at Jangdu's words.
Jinryeo picked up the cup Kang Seol chose.
Everyone's faces froze.
"...Huh?"
"What?"
"He... he got it?"
Jinryeo, Taeyul's favored swindler retainer.
Her face turned icy. When she got serious, no one had ever guessed the die's position—until this freak occurrence.
Only now could Jinryeo meet Kang Seol's eyes.
Golden pupils that drew her in.
Jinryeo ground her teeth, overlaying sweetness as she spoke.
"One more round."