Provocation at the Sparring Ground
At the pavilion on the edge of the training grounds, boys and girls had gathered around a table.
“I’m looking forward to Brother Gang’s friendly spar.”
“Does that mean we finally get to see the Cheongang Clan’s Jade Wave Palm?”
The Jade Wave Palm was a martial art taught only to the direct bloodline of the Cheongang Clan—a palm technique said to shatter blue waves, famed for its destructive power.
“Haha, I’ve only reached the three-star level so far.”
“What?!”
“You’ve already attained three stars? Congratulations!”
“Congratulations, Young Master Gang.”
Those gathered here were the rising talents of Sichuan, all children of minor sects and clans.
“It’s merely three stars. I’m still lacking, so please don’t inflate me.”
Gang Unso played at humility. Even as he spoke, his eyes kept roaming. The woman he wanted was not among them. He waited with his gaze nearly popping out of his head for her arrival.
Instead of the one he hoped for, an unwelcome guest appeared first.
“So everyone’s gathered here, huh?”
It was Tang Cheonwi.
The children of the minor sects offered him formal greetings at once.
“We greet the Great Young Master of the Great Sichuan Tang Clan.”
“I am Chu Sang of the Nakpung Sect.”
“*Cough, cough!* I am Gwak Yeon of the Guyeon Sect.”
Tang Cheonwi waved a dismissive hand at their courtesies.
“Skip the greetings. When does the sparring start?”
His attitude was brazen, as if no one present mattered in the slightest.
Wind Shadow Young Master Chu Sang, Flame Void Gwak Yeon, One-Shot Iron Cry Jeon Wi… nothing but the ones who trail after Cheongang’s coattails.
All of them were nobodies. The reason he still remembered their names was simple. It was because of the humiliation he had suffered at the Sichuan Gathering.
He had been framed with a false charge—that he, of all people, had poisoned Yuhyeon.
Just thinking of that day still made his blood boil. That was why he remembered every last insignificant wretch who had been present at the Sichuan Gathering.
This time will be very different from my previous life.
He intended to return the humiliation he had once endured.
And as the price, I’ll take everything the Cheongang Clan possesses.
Tang Cheonwi wore an unpleasant smile.
Beside him, someone eager to curry favor answered his question.
“I expect it will begin once Young Master Jegal Gwang, Young Lady Jegal Rin, and Young Master Tang Yuhyeon arrive.”
As if on cue, Jegal Rin and Tang Yuhyeon entered the pavilion.
“Oh, Young Lady Jegal!”
The moment Gang Unso saw her, he shot up from his seat. His expression was entirely different now, his face full of lively energy. The other boys were no different.
“It’s really the Blue Lotus Flower Young Lady!”
“I’ve never seen one of the Six Dragons and Four Flowers before.”
“They said she’d come to this Sichuan Gathering… it was true…”
Even the girls could not tear their eyes away from Jegal Rin.
“How can her skin be so flawless?”
“Not a single blemish. Is that even human skin?”
“And her bearing, her walk—completely different from ours.”
The Six Dragons and Four Flowers stood at the absolute pinnacle of the rising generation. The appearance of Jegal Rin, one of their number, drew every gaze to her alone—until one girl let out a scream.
“Kyaaah!”
“What? What’s wrong?”
The screaming girl’s eyes were locked on Tang Yuhyeon.
“Look at that dignified expression as he walks over. He’s too cute.”
“Ah.”
“That’s the Sub-Dragon, the youngest of the Six Dragons and Four Flowers, right?”
“Powerful martial arts, a cute face, and that family background—he has everything.”
At the excessive praise, Tang Yuhyeon, who had been walking with composed steps, faltered. The burdensome stares fixed on him made him shrink instinctively. He hurriedly hid behind Jegal Rin’s back.
That only drove the girls into greater frenzy.
“Look at him getting shy.”
“What do I do? He’s so cute I could die.”
“He awakens maternal instincts, doesn’t he?”
The boys focused on Jegal Rin; the girls on Tang Yuhyeon. Having every bit of attention stolen from him, Gang Unso hurriedly changed the subject.
“Young Lady Jegal Rin. I don’t see Young Master Jegal Gwang. Did he not come with you?”
“He’ll find his way here on his own.”
The moment her words ended, Jegal Gwang appeared.
“My apologies. I lost my way and wandered for a bit.”
His courteous manner set the girls chattering again.
“Since I arrived last, I’ll drink a cup as penalty.”
The contrast of that face—which looked as if it could not handle a single sip of liquor—with such a bold gesture left the girls utterly unable to collect themselves between Tang Yuhyeon and Jegal Gwang. Of course, the boys were no better. They reacted to every single shift of Jegal Rin’s expression.
Watching them, Tang Cheonwi let out a short snort of laughter.
My little brother really is cute enough to make you want to tease him.
Praise for his younger sibling brought an automatic smile to Tang Cheonwi’s lips.
The friendly sparring matches began.
First came the bouts among the children of the minor sects. They displayed their martial arts fiercely. Outstanding results here could open the path to success, after all. That was why the boys threw themselves into the spars with everything they had.
In complete contrast—
“Haaawn. This is so boring I could die.”
Tang Cheonwi even yawned. His attitude was so slovenly it made people frown.
“Elder Brother, that behavior is improper. Please correct your posture at once.”
Even Tang Yuhyeon’s admonition was something Tang Cheonwi half-heard at best.
“Since it’s no fun, I might as well drink.”
When he reached for a wine cup, Tang Yuhyeon hurriedly swapped it.
“Please have tea instead. Alcohol is bad for the body. It also interferes with martial training.”
“Who said that?”
“Mother did.”
“Mother taught you nothing but strange things.”
Despite his gruff reply, Tang Cheonwi drank the tea instead of wine.
“Ugh, disgusting.”
“It’s good for you, that’s why. And if you keep drinking it, you’ll come to appreciate the tea’s true flavor.”
When Cheonwi casually pushed the tea aside and reached for the wine jar again—
“You mustn’t.”
Tang Yuhyeon spoke firmly.
“I only tried to put it away so I wouldn’t want it if I saw it.”
Under his younger brother’s gaze, Cheonwi clicked his tongue and shoved the wine jar out of reach.
Whether the sight struck him as strange or not, the concealed Tang Ildo sent a sound transmission.
I’ve been curious about something for a while. Why do you only act so carefully around the Second Young Master?
Me?
Yes.
I treat you well too.
I don’t think so.
Want to try taking one of my tempers?
I must respectfully decline.
While he was exchanging sound transmissions with Tang Ildo, Jegal Rin beside him burst into laughter.
“Pfft!”
“What are you laughing at now?”
“Because you listen so well to your little brother.”
“You find an awful lot to laugh about.”
“But will you be taking part in the friendly spars too, Elder Brother Cheonwi?”
“I have no interest in kids’ sparring.”
“You do realize you’re included among those ‘kids,’ right?”
“I’m not.”
The cheerful exchange between Jegal Rin and Tang Cheonwi made Gang Unso’s insides churn with rage.
That bastard dares to laugh and chatter with Young Lady Jegal Rin!
He could not endure it. He wanted to humiliate the man this very moment. Then a cunning idea flashed through his mind.
Heh heh. They say those brothers get along so well? I’d love to see the look on his face when his little brother gets crushed.
He sent a sound transmission to Dan Myeongjin, successor of the Danjuk Clan.
You said you wanted to spar with the Sub-Dragon, didn’t you?
Of course! To measure how far my martial arts have progressed, someone on the Sub-Dragon’s level is needed.
Then you spar with the Sub-Dragon.
And you?
I’ll be giving that tyrant a proper lesson.
Gang Unso wore a sly smile.
Dan Myeongjin, make sure you beat the Sub-Dragon.
He’s a brat who hasn’t even reached the age of learning—fifteen. There’s no way I lose.
The two of them believed the moniker “Sub-Dragon” existed only because of the Tang Clan’s background. How could a thirteen-year-old brat possibly rank among the greatest rising talents? They were certain it was all thanks to belonging to the greatest clan under heaven.
Moreover, Dan Myeongjin and Tang Yuhyeon were four years apart. Dan Myeongjin was seventeen.
Crush him thoroughly so he’ll remember your name.
Leave it to me. I’ll pin that dragon to the dirt.
Staff in hand, Dan Myeongjin strode to the center of the training grounds. He shouted toward Tang Yuhyeon.
“Tang Yuhyeon, come fight me.”
True to his large build, his manner of speech was bold and rough.
Hearing it, Tang Cheonwi muttered under his breath.
“Should I kill that bastard right now? How dare he speak informally to my little brother?”
Sensing Cheonwi’s murderous intent, Tang Ildo hurriedly soothed him.
Are you going to use a cow-slaughtering knife to kill a chicken? Stay still, please.
Hah. If it weren’t for Yuhyeon, I’d have twisted that bastard’s neck already.
Tang Ildo let out a sigh. Looking after a Great Young Master with such a vicious temperament was exhausting work. He was beginning to wonder why he had volunteered as a guard in the first place.
“Though my skill is lacking, I will try to meet your expectations.”
Tang Yuhyeon took up his sword and rose. He turned to look at Tang Cheonwi and asked,
“Elder Brother, is it all right if I go?”
“I’ll be watching how strong you’ve become, so don’t hold back. Finish it at once.”
“Understood, Elder Brother.”
Tang Yuhyeon walked confidently out onto the training grounds.
The match between the Sub-Dragon and Young Master Danjuk.
Everyone watched with faces full of anticipation.
“Who do you think will win?”
“Obviously Young Master Danjuk.”
“He’s four years older. No way he loses.”
“In a few years it might be different, but right now Young Master Danjuk should take it.”
“You think the moniker Sub-Dragon was given for nothing? I say the Sub-Dragon wins.”
“Even if he’s young, he’s of the Sichuan Tang Clan’s blood. You can’t look down on him.”
Opinions were divided.
Gang Unso used the chance to speak to Jegal Rin.
“Young Lady Jegal, who do you think will win?”
“And what about you, Young Master Gang?”
For the first time she asked him back. Gang Unso answered joyfully.
“As the others say, in a few years it might be different, but today I believe that friend Dan Myeongjin will win.”
“So that is Young Master Gang’s thought.”
“I would also like to hear the young lady’s opinion.”
He waited for Jegal Rin’s voice. But she only gazed at the training grounds and said nothing more. Everyone felt a pang of regret. They had hoped to hear her voice just once more.
Meanwhile, Dan Myeongjin was spouting arrogant words at Tang Yuhyeon.
“Have you heard the rumors about yourself, by any chance?”
“Rumors about me?”
“The rumor that the moniker Sub-Dragon was stuck on you only because of the Tang Clan’s background.”
“It is a rumor born of my own insufficiency, so I try not to mind it.”
Tang Yuhyeon did not lose his composure. He simply raised his sword in silence.
As if he still had no intention of fighting, Dan Myeongjin kept talking.
“Truthfully I wanted to face your elder brother, but since he doesn’t seem like a match for me, I chose you instead.”
Tang Yuhyeon’s brow twitched. The person he cherished most was his elder brother. He could not tolerate anyone belittling him.
“Young Master Dan, it seems you would not last even a single second against my elder brother. Our thoughts differ.”
“I understand you want to elevate yourself while elevating your brother.”
“I merely spoke the truth. The strongest person here is my elder brother.”
“Haha, that tyrant? Even a passing dog would laugh.”
Tang Yuhyeon tightened his grip on the sword. He steadied his breathing.
“Hoo… my training is still lacking. If I had fallen for the provocation, Elder Brother would have scolded me severely.”
“What are you muttering to yourself about?”
“If you had challenged my elder brother, you would have been thoroughly humiliated. Be grateful that I am the one facing you.”
Advice from a thirteen-year-old brat. Instead, Dan Myeongjin took the bait of provocation.
“I’ll expose you lot for the cocky brats who rely only on background!”
He stamped the ground hard. The earth beneath his foot cracked like a spiderweb. The instant he shot forward like lightning—
“See? You couldn’t even read my movement, yet you claim you’ll defeat my elder brother. That’s pure greed.”
Before anyone realized it, Tang Yuhyeon had already taken position behind Dan Myeongjin.