The Duel Begins (1)
Baek So-cheon went to see Cheon-geuk.
She was bustling in the kitchen, brewing tea. With the influx of people into Wuhuan, the taverns and Daroo Tea House were packed to the brim.
One might expect her to close up shop or hire extra hands amid the chaos, but even in this frenzy, she was personally steeping the tea.
Baek So-cheon slipped in through the back door of the kitchen and asked,
"Need a hand?"
"Oh? You're here? Sure, that'd be great."
"What should I do?"
"Start with those dishes over there, please."
"Got it."
"Thanks."
Baek So-cheon helped her by tackling the pile of dirty dishes.
Living like this together, just the two of us...
He stopped himself there, consciously avoiding further thoughts. He liked Cheon-geuk, sure. But living together was a whole different matter.
The future and happiness he dreamed of revolved around freedom... How could he live a life of wandering off on whims if he had someone by his side?
It wasn't just about him, either—she came with her own heavy baggage. She was the leader of an organization, someone with far more to give up than he did.
"The duel is the day after tomorrow, and you're awfully free."
"Nothing keeping me busy."
"Yeom Sa-won came by."
"What for?"
"Just to pick a fight. He left all fired up, vowing to save me from you."
Baek So-cheon could picture the scene without witnessing it, and he let out a chuckle.
"But what's got you coming by today?"
"To help you make some money?"
"Huh?"
Cheon-geuk's eyes widened as she stared at him.
"What do you mean?"
"You hear about the bets on this duel?"
"Of course."
"Place a bet. On me winning."
"I already did."
"What?"
Baek So-cheon blinked in surprise.
"You didn't think I'd miss out on a golden opportunity like this, did you?"
"You like gambling?"
"Nope. First time. I always warn the kids that assassins who gamble hit rock bottom of rock bottom."
"Then why do it?"
"It's not gambling—it's just picking up money off the ground. And I'm the one who knows best that you'll win."
Her confidence caught him off guard, prompting him to counter,
"How can you know the future? I could lose."
"You won't. How could you?"
"He might pull out some trump card."
"Still won't lose. Not even if lightning strikes you mid-duel."
"Why so sure?"
"Because if you lose, I lose money!"
Baek So-cheon chuckled at her blunt reply.
"How much did you bet?"
"Ten thousand nyang."
Ten thousand nyang held symbolic weight for her. She wanted to throw it all in, but that would make it real gambling. So she'd dipped into her personal funds for exactly that amount—the figure that sprang to mind with Baek So-cheon.
She asked him,
"Want me to place one for you?"
"Me? Can I even do that?"
"Sure you can. Restricting the participants is pointless anyway— just use a proxy."
"True. Oh, and the two fighters could always collude and rig it."
"Exactly. That's why gamblers watch out for cheats like that. But not this time, so I've heard huge sums are pouring in. Big money to be made. Give me cash, and I'll place it for you."
"I'll pass."
"Hmm, figures."
"Figures?"
"Nothing."
"You just thought, Ugh, that uptight righteous faction boomer! Who cares about his moral high ground?"
Cheon-geuk burst into a grin and asked,
"You read minds now too?"
"Haha."
If that's how she saw him, so be it.
"But I'm not a total boomer, right? I don't drag you or anyone else into it."
Sensing his subtle self-consciousness about aging, Cheon-geuk reassured him.
"You're not at that level. If you ever turn into one, I'll tell you straight up."
"Good. You better."
Without someone like her, no one would say a word. He'd just grow old oblivious to his own nonsense and how others saw him. Baek So-cheon had seen plenty like that. He only hoped to avoid becoming one himself.
"You know if you lose, the whole assassin crew mobilizes, right?"
"I'll win."
"Good."
"Now that you've made some money off me, I've got a favor to ask."
Cheon-geuk blinked in bewilderment.
"Hold on. Something doesn't add up there. Didn't you hear I bet before you even suggested it?"
"I did."
"And?"
"Without me, the duel wouldn't even happen."
"You're being ridiculous again, so this must be important."
Truth be told, Cheon-geuk liked this side of him. Men who fit perfectly into rigid molds were stifling. Baek So-cheon was righteous faction, yet refreshingly unconventional.
Maybe that's why Yeom Hwa-sin took such an interest in him.
"No such thing as a free lunch."
She laughed, accepting his shamelessness.
"Exactly—gotta squeeze the close ones hardest. What's the favor?"
"Keep tabs on someone for me."
"Who?"
"A guy named Pa-jeong who follows Myeol Ji-ryun around. He nearly spotted my stealth."
Cheon-geuk's eyes widened in shock.
"Seriously?"
Baek So-cheon nodded, urging caution.
"So no need to get close. Just track where he goes, who he meets. Every encounter, no matter how minor."
"That's easy enough."
For anyone else, it'd be incredibly tough. Only possible because it was her.
"Thanks."
"Aren't you worried? About me getting caught by this Pa-jeong?"
"I am. That's why I'm worried you might just kill him."
She chuckled.
"Aren't you overestimating me?"
"I know your skills better than anyone. Overestimation's fine."
"I'll take it as a compliment."
"See you."
Baek So-cheon left Daroo. She wasn't concerned. If anyone should worry about whom, it was her toward him. Beyond her skill, she had cool-headed judgment and emotional control.
* * *
Another day passed.
One more night, and it was the day of the decisive duel.
Baek So-cheon visited Je-gal Hyeon at the strategic command center.
"I came to ask a favor."
"What is it?"
"Could I borrow the Dragon Scale Armor you lent me before, one more time?"
"Of course. But why the sudden need?"
"Yeom Sa-won received the Black Dragon Divine Armor from Yeom Hwa-sin."
Je-gal Hyeon's eyes widened. The Black Dragon Divine Armor's exceptional defense was well-known. Simply put, it meant landing two blows for every one that would normally connect.
"With Yeom Sa-won wearing that, you sure you're okay? We could invoke the rules to ban armor."
"No, let it stand. I'll wear the Dragon Scale Armor too."
"Naturally, balance is key."
"Not for balance. So when I win, he can't claim it was thanks to the armor. With both sides equipped, no complaints about the result."
A ploy aimed at victory. Hard to believe, but at Baek So-cheon's current realm, protective gear was just extra baggage.
"Ah, I see. Take it right away."
Je-gal Hyeon ordered a subordinate to fetch his Dragon Scale Armor.
"You'd make a fine strategist in moments like this."
"No way. Compared to you, sir, I'm just scraping by on petty tricks."
"No, if strategy had been your goal from the start, you'd be exceptional."
"You're too kind, sir."
He meant it sincerely. Focusing wits on crises differed from dedicating one's life to it daily. One couldn't underestimate the depth of those steadfast in their path.
Just then, a subordinate arrived with the armor.
"Thank you."
At that moment, Sa-ma Il-jung burst in, face urgent.
"Urgent report!"
"What is it?"
"See for yourself."
Je-gal Hyeon took the emergency missive from Sa-ma Il-jung's hand, his expression hardening. The small tube was black with gold leaf trim—the official seal of the Black Heaven Alliance.
Reading it, Je-gal Hyeon gasped.
"This can't be!"
"What is it?"
"A missive from the Black Heaven Alliance."
The contents were so shocking that Je-gal Hyeon stared mutely at the scroll for a moment. Finally, astonishing news escaped his lips.
"Yeom Hwa-sin himself will attend this tournament."
"What?"
Even Baek So-cheon was stunned.
"Isn't the duel tomorrow?"
"Apparently already en route. Arrives tomorrow morning."
Utterly unexpected. Likely timed to catch them unprepared.
"He's certain no one will attack him at an official tournament."
This was the righteous faction's disadvantage against the unorthodox. If reversed? Could Ak So-gun attend a Black Heaven event unscathed?
And another reason for his boldness.
Even if conflict erupted unexpectedly, he was confident of escaping alive.
The issue was his intent.
To witness his son's death firsthand and fuel his rage?
Or to save him at the critical moment?
Yeom Hwa-sin was utterly inscrutable.
A crucial problem remained.
If circumstances forced covert use of internal energy? Others might miss it, but could he evade Yeom Hwa-sin's eyes?
Thinking of him evoked the dread of fathomless ocean depths.
What the hell is he scheming?
* * *
The day of the duel dawned at last.
Set for noon, crowds had camped near the Murim Alliance since early dawn.
Had word spread of Yeom Hwa-sin's arrival, they might riot to breach the gates. Feared as he was, curiosity to see him ran deep. Thus, the Alliance kept it secret, planning his introduction just before the duel.
Baek So-cheon rose early, bathed, and lightly stretched.
Then, a colossal presence from behind. Only one person emanated such aura.
He really came!
Sure enough, a familiar voice boomed from behind.
"Had good dreams?"
Turning, Baek So-cheon saw Yeom Hwa-sin perched atop the wall, gazing down.
"When visiting someone's home, knock first—don't hop the wall like some thug."
"Unorthodox nature doesn't change."
Grinning, he leaped down, deliberately stomping to shake the ground like an earthquake. As if announcing his arrival.
"What the hell are you thinking?"
"Straight to accusations? Give a traveler some water first."
Feeling the tremor, Beon Saeng emerged.
"What's going on?"
Overwhelmed by Yeom Hwa-sin's massive frame, Beon Saeng flinched.
Yeom Hwa-sin said to him,
"Water, one cup."
"Uh, yes, sir."
Beon Saeng fetched a cup from inside.
Handing it over, Yeom Hwa-sin gulped it down and returned the empty vessel.
"For serving me water, I'll spare your life."
Beon Saeng laughed.
"Haha, good one. Why do so many around me make scary jokes? Got a female ally who loves similar gags."
"Not a joke."
"Haha, she always says the same. Hmm, you look familiar... such impressive build... Wait, Jung-kyeong... Oh no."
Beon Saeng finally recognized him as Black Heaven Alliance Lord Yeom Hwa-sin.
He'd glimpsed him from afar conversing with Baek So-cheon near Jung-kyeong's border. Never dreamed he'd appear in his own yard.
"...Must be sleep-deprived hallucinations. I'll go back to bed."
Beon Saeng backed away with a grimace, retreating indoors.
Argh! Now I'm serving water to the Black Heaven Lord himself!
Yeom Hwa-sin chuckled, eyeing Baek So-cheon.
"Cute kid."
"Save the affection for your son. You didn't even check on him first before coming here?"
"Indeed. Aren't you my son too?"
"You—!"
Grinning ear to ear, Yeom Hwa-sin seemed delighted.
Baek So-cheon strode forward until they stood close enough to touch, scrutinizing every micro-expression.
"Just one question. Answer honestly."
"Ask away."
Baek So-cheon cut straight to it.
"Do you really intend to let your son die by my hand?"