Chapter 50: It's One to One
As it turned out, just like in the first clash with Beom Se-un, there were no rules for the third round in this match either.
The first and second rounds had arbitrary duel rules set by Geo-geom Hyung-ma, but for the final round, he'd announced it as no-holds-barred, just like Dang Cheon-gung-ma.
Vice Cult Leader Yong Jin-seok had quietly pointed that out to me.
But to think it was the Grand Cult Leader's intention all along.
Geo-geom Hyung-ma wasn't holding back his tricks—he couldn't use them.
That meant Yong Mu-geuk knew even the judge had been bribed by the Gye Clan Manor.
Yet he hadn't stopped their scheme. He'd simply arranged for the third round to play out fairly...
How was I supposed to take that?
Think positive. Nothing's fairer than no rules, right? No rules means no fouls. A true demonic way. Heh heh heh!
Bongmareung cackled like he was enjoying the mess.
But I scratched the back of my head.
Something felt off.
Like I was being tested in some weird way.
Has the Grand Cult Leader ever treated Yong Baek-heon like this before? I don't think so.
Maybe it was just my imagination that things felt a bit different lately?
Anyway, thanks to Yong Jin-seok's tip, a new idea popped up.
A pretty solid shortcut.
A way to make the most of that rule-free final round.
Simple as could be.
What is it? Why'd you close off your thoughts again? Come on, kid! Let your elder in!
Right on cue, Geo-geom Hyung-ma beckoned me over.
Signal to prep for the next round.
But I walked up to the bribed judge instead and said,
"I'll forfeit the second round."
"...What?"
"Forfeit. Don't know what that means? I'm saying I'm done with round two."
* * *
The arena's mood sank like a stone.
"W-what'd he say?"
Gye Cheon-bing, who'd been rolling up her pant legs to strap on her greaves, stared blankly at her opponent.
She couldn't process if she'd heard right.
Geo-geom Hyung-ma blinked too, like the spectators, then scratched his head after double-checking.
"Uh, with Young Master Yong Baek-heon's forfeit, the second round goes to Lady Gye Cheon-bing. That makes it one to one."
"What nonsense is this...! Hey! Yong Baek-heon! What the hell are you doing?!"
Gye Cheon-bing flung her greaves aside and stormed onto the stage.
The moment she reached out like she was gonna grab her ex-lover's collar—
"Don't touch me."
Flash!
The Gwi-ryeong Sin-byeok-an—symbol of the Young Cult Leader—spewed deep blue radiance.
A chill seeped into her heart, freezing it solid. Gye Cheon-bing had no choice but to pull back.
But she wasn't done protesting.
"Why forfeit? Why? What's the reason for giving up without even fighting?!"
"That reason lies with you and the Gye Clan Manor, doesn't it? You really asking 'cause you don't know?"
"...!"
Yong Baek-heon had no formal kicking arts.
Just basic leg strikes mixed into fist and palm techniques.
-Hah! I'm the eldest son of the Dragon Horse Clan. You think I'd learn some lowly kicks?
-I'd spend that time mastering one more sword form. Tsk tsk...
It was because of his arrogant attitude in life.
And Jang Ho-sam, now playing Yong Baek-heon, was even more clueless.
I wanted to learn, but no time. Barely enough to master Yong Baek-heon's techniques.
In contrast, Gye Cheon-bing was a kicking expert.
So if they clashed like this, Jang Ho-sam had almost no chance.
Of course, with internal energy allowed now, he could drag it out somehow.
But if it goes a hundred exchanges and to the judge? Nine times out of ten, I'd lose.
So Jang Ho-sam had planned to rig the second round's win with tricks.
But after Yong Jin-seok's words, he changed his mind.
Even that felt wasteful now.
Better save my strength for a round I control. Go all out where I'm strong.
Oh ho. Solid logic. Who knows what they've prepped? Eliminating uncertainty—smart move.
Right?
Best of three: win two and done.
So Jang Ho-sam ditched round two and headed straight for three.
Gye Cheon-bing, pissed, screamed her lungs out, but...
"Don't worry. In the third round, I'll smash you to pieces. No rules means lethal strikes are fair game. Keep that in mind, Senior."
"Oh yeah? You dare kill me? That's what you're saying?"
"Why not? You came to Wayong Hall swearing you'd kill me first."
"That was...!"
"What about it? My memory wrong?"
Gye Cheon-bing trembled under Yong Baek-heon's icy demeanor.
But Jang Ho-sam flicked his gaze to Gye Yeong-mu's twisted face.
He flashed the Gwi-ryeong Sin-byeok-an again, declaring to everyone,
"Once this duel ends, I'll petition the Grand Cult Leader for a full audit of the Gye Clan. I'll request the new 'fair' Great Law Protector handle it."
"...!"
"So pray hard to the heavens that my head rolls in this round. Real hard."
It was a declaration of war the second he escaped the bribed judge's sway.
Gye Yeong-mu and Geum Se-ryang's faces hardened in sync.
Jang Ho-sam tapped the sword at his waist straight, nodding at his foe.
"Let's go. I'm sick of looking at your face already, Senior."
"What'd you say...?"
Sick of her face?
Her vision flushed red again.
Gye Cheon-bing gripped her Hyeop-bong Sword with shaking hands.
Her eyes exploded with blinding light.
"Let's go to hell together! Yong Baek-heon!"
* * *
Her Hyeop-bong Sword crashed down like lightning.
But I'd already dodged.
Thanks to Yong Baek-heon's signature footwork, Manbyeon Hongryong Seungbo.
Manbyeon Hongryong Seungbo suppresses the foe's movements, optimized for feints. Its power grows with the enemy's ferocity and cunning...
Perfect for now.
No clue why, but Gye Cheon-bing was berserk.
I just said I was sick of her face. That bad?
Another perfect rage trigger. What'd you do this time?
Dunno.
Whatever. Fight's easier now—even with internal energy.
Shhhk!
Gye Cheon-bing's Hyeop-bong Sword tore through the air from all directions like a gale.
Ice shards seemed to choke me.
Cheon-ya Seol-sin Geom (Treading Wild Snow God Sword).
The Gye Clan Manor's prized illusion sword art.
But Manbyeon Hongryong Seungbo and foresight shredded it all.
I hadn't even drawn my sword.
Truth be told...
Gye Cheon-bing's swordplay is a notch below Yong Chang-heon's.
Last time, no internal energy, I had to pull Baek-ryong Bi-chang Geom against him.
Used Hyeol-lyeong Gye-ma-sul to snap his blade for the win.
When he snuck in qi, I thought I'd be split in half.
True heir to a top demonic house—terrifying skill.
Gye Cheon-bing? Not even close.
Sword Demon's insights tipping you off again?
Nah, I can just see it.
Huh?
I see my own flaws too.
Her gaps were glaring.
Thanks to Gwi-ryeong Sin-byeok-an and Geuk-cheon Gu-ryun-gong.
And their fused foresight...
With all my arts unlocked, reading her sword path was child's play.
Ridiculous. How long you been at swordplay to spot flaws in Cheon-ya Seol-sin Geom?
What can I say? I see 'em.
Sword Demon's teachings seeping in. Focus, brat.
Maybe.
Didn't matter.
She looked easy prey to my eyes.
Same here.
End it overwhelmingly.
I dropped into stance, gripping the hilt.
Picked a form from the swirling sword styles in my head.
Yong Baek-heon barely rated it despite mastery: Yong Horse Clan's basic swordplay.
Paegyeom Chil-sik (Dominant Sword Seven Forms).
I chose the finale: Nak-geuk Saeng-bi (Joy's Peak Births Sorrow).
A stance named for the idiom: all joy ends in grief.
Swish!
The drawn blade danced lightly, ethereally joyful—like savoring life's delights.
But the end? Bloody.
Dances demand blood.
"...!"
Gye Cheon-bing's face stiffened.
No dragging this out.
I slammed her Hyeop-bong Sword down, lunging like thunder.
All my built-up qi rode the tip.
Walnut-sized now.
Not Yong Baek-heon's level yet, but enough for this moment.
She wasn't right in the head.
Boom!
"Urk."
A stifled groan slipped from her lips as blades clashed head-on.
She still carried the clash's aftershock from Yo-ma Sal-seon-gong and Eun-hon Sin-ma-gong.
Couldn't hold; her guard crumbled.
Finish her! Rip that smug jaw off so she never yaps again!
No beheading.
But I'd blind her to my gaze forever.
As I raised the blade for her face—
"Forgive me. This old wreck can't watch anymore."
A stranger's voice halted my sword like magic.
Just before the tip grazed her left cheek.
Any closer, she'd lose an eye.
Huh? She still alive? Haha! Surprise!
The intruder breaking taboo: a wrinkled old woman.
Bongmareung recognized her, bursting into hearty laughter.
I scowled.
"Elder...?"
Yong Baek-heon's memory flashed: a title.
"No way... Baek-seol Nang-ma, Supreme Elder?"
"Sharp child. Remembering an old name like that."
Baek-seol Nang-ma, Gye Yeom-yeon!
Gye Cheon-bing's great-grandma.
Senior even to Yong Mu-geuk and Beom Sang-gun in rank—a witch of old.
And this fossil jumps in mid-duel?
What the hell?
Elder demon or not, interfering was forbidden.
This round? To the death or surrender.
I sheathed my sword, face stone.
"Supreme Elder!"
"G-grandma..."
Late arrivals Geum Se-ryang and Gye Yeong-mu looked shocked.
Gye Yeom-yeon spoke calmly.
"I know. This old one's gravely wronged. But I couldn't watch irreparable harm to my cherished great-granddaughter."
Gye Cheon-bing collapsed, legs gone.
The old woman stroked her cheek with wrinkled fingers, wiping blood from a nick under her eye. Some spell sealed it instantly.
"Cheon-bing, you lost this fight. Admit it?"
"Yes..."
"Good. Always accept it—win or loss. Meetings and partings too. Remember."
Tears gushed; Gye Cheon-bing bowed her head.
The old woman turned to me.
"Now, time to pay for meddling. Will one arm from this worthless wreck suffice?"
With that, Baek-seol Nang-ma drew her sword.
Bongmareung was yelling nonstop in my head.
That's it! That sword! Demand she pay with the sword she's holding! Please! Hurry!
I didn't care about her arm either.
So I opened my mouth fast.