Chapter 134
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 134
Chapter Title: Huh, Really. People.
Gong So-yu had been feeling wonderful every single day lately.
Everything felt fresh and full of life.
And the one person who understood her feelings best was Dan Mok Un-hye.
She had suffered from the Nine Yin Severed Meridians, while that girl had the Seven Yin Severed Meridians.
They shared the same experience with vein-blocking syndrome, and even recovered on the same day.
That's why she visited her home so often.
The first time she went, it had been a shabby hut, but things were different now.
The day after her complete recovery.
They had moved.
This was already her third visit to the new place.
Today was only the second day after the move.
That meant she had been visiting every day since moving day.
And today, Gong Son Bi-yeon was with her.
"But are you really going to take her?"
"Yeah, Sis. Un-hye's brother made it to the quarterfinals. It'd be a shame not to watch the tournament."
"Still, Un-hye's so young..."
"It's not like blood's going to be flying everywhere."
That was true enough.
"But it's not entirely absent either."
When people fight with weapons.
Accidents were bound to happen.
"Even so, I talked to Un-hye yesterday..."
Dan Mok Un-roe had entered the Dragon Training Pavilion's sparring tournament and seemed likely to do well.
Dan Mok Un-hye had said she wanted to watch her brother compete.
So Gong So-yu had suggested they go together the next day, assuring her that her brother would surely still be in.
And then, when her grandfather returned to the manor that night and told her about the Summer Combat Festival lasting two days—something that hadn't happened in years—she had breathed a huge sigh of relief.
She had nearly given Un-hye false hope.
She had even blamed herself for promising so rashly without checking properly.
Thankfully, news came that Dan Mok Un-roe had advanced to the quarterfinals. What a relief.
That's why she was heading out today to pick up Dan Mok Un-hye.
"But if we go now, the quarterfinals might already be over. What if he got eliminated?"
Gong So-yu pondered briefly at Gong Son Bi-yeon's question, her expression troubled.
"A promise is a promise."
It was a hesitant reply.
"Sis!!"
Dan Mok Un-hye had been waiting out front.
Her cheeks were flushed red from the cold. Who knew how long she'd been there?
She was already fully dressed and ready.
Gong So-yu and Gong Son Bi-yeon exchanged glances.
She absolutely had to be brought along.
With prayers that Dan Mok Un-roe had made the semifinals, the two headed to the Dragon Training Pavilion with Dan Mok Un-hye.
"The child you treated."
"You mean Un-hye?"
Ha Mu-baek asked again at Gong Son Mu-oe's words.
"Yes."
Gong Son Mu-oe nodded.
"She's coming here?"
"So-yu promised she would. Bi-yeon should be with her, just in case."
"Hm. Un-hye's still too young for the sparring matches."
Gong Son Mu-oe shrugged at Ha Mu-baek's point.
"It's between the kids. What can I do?"
That was true.
The girl had only just become fully healthy.
She wanted to watch her brother in the tournament; he couldn't just stop her outright.
But not every scene was suitable for a young child.
At least the semifinalists were all kids he'd treated himself. That was a small mercy.
No need for special concern.
Just then, Ha Mu-baek heard a commotion from one of the spectator areas.
His gaze naturally turned that way, seeking the cause.
"Looks like they've arrived."
No matter how much her beauty was veiled with silk gauze, it still shone through.
Gong Son Bi-yeon's allure couldn't be fully hidden, so the crowd buzzed at her appearance.
Especially the young cadets full of youthful vigor.
Gong Son Bi-yeon hadn't expected such a crowd and looked flustered.
She tried to find a spot away from the throng, but it was no use.
The good seats were already packed.
Enduring the curious stares—and other emotions entirely—was one thing, but the bigger issue was the two children behind her.
Gong Son Bi-yeon had come as their guardian with Gong So-yu and Dan Mok Un-hye.
Yet her presence was causing the stir.
'I was too short-sighted.'
She'd spent so long secluded in Pure Valley Stream. Coming to a place this crowded was practically her first time.
The busiest places she'd known were just markets or inns.
She hadn't anticipated this reaction in such a dense crowd.
"You slipped up. Your granddaughter's drawing all the eyes."
"Ugh. You're right. I've been cooped up in the valley too long; lost my sense of the real world."
Gong Son Mu-oe looked embarrassed.
Gong Son Bi-yeon's group was now surrounded, unable to move.
"Hold on."
Ha Mu-baek leaped into the air.
He walked down slowly, as if strolling through thin air, landing before Gong Son Bi-yeon.
"Huh?"
"Wh-what?"
The crowd gaped, frozen in place.
How could they not?
A supreme master had descended via sky-walking.
"Instructor!"
Dan Mok Un-hye spotted him first and cried out joyfully.
"You must be tired from the trip. Come with me now."
"My lord, forgive us."
Gong So-yu bowed deeply.
"My lord, I have no face."
Gong Son Bi-yeon bowed too, her face slightly flushed with shame for causing the scene.
"Even Valley Lord didn't foresee it. Don't worry."
Ha Mu-baek replied calmly.
He glanced around.
The sudden master knew the beauty? Faces twisted in all sorts of expressions.
They'd heard "instructor," but it didn't register.
Ha Mu-baek just chuckled.
He scooped up Dan Mok Un-hye in one arm and took Gong So-yu's hand. She took Gong Son Bi-yeon's.
Ha Mu-baek stepped lightly.
Not forward, but upward.
Thus, he slowly walked up into the air, with Gong So-yu and Gong Son Bi-yeon rising alongside.
"Huh? Wh-whoa?"
Gong So-yu muttered, looking around in wonder at the novel sensation.
Gong Son Bi-yeon's eyes went wide.
Sky-walking while carrying two others!
A realm beyond anything she'd heard of.
She wasn't doing a thing; his inner energy alone lifted her body into the air.
He sky-walked effortlessly, levitating the two with energy manipulation.
Someone could do this?!
She'd heard of Ha Mu-baek's feats from Thunderclap Cadet.
But hearing and experiencing were worlds apart.
'This defies imagination...'
She knew Thunderclap Cadet's tales were true.
Yet this transcended fantasy.
"Thanks."
Ha Mu-baek landed back on the roof beside Gong Son Mu-oe.
Gong Son Bi-yeon and Gong So-yu touched down, and he set Dan Mok Un-hye gently on the roof.
"No risk of falling, but be careful."
Ha Mu-baek cautioned her.
"Yes."
Dan Mok Un-hye replied shortly.
"Instructor, where's my brother?"
Ha Mu-baek pointed with his hand.
There sat Dan Mok Un-roe in lotus position, eyes closed in meditation.
"He made the semifinals."
"Wow!"
Dan Mok Un-hye exclaimed purely.
"More importantly, did you eat?"
It was lunchtime now.
Some spectators had left for meals.
If not, Gong Son Bi-yeon's arrival would've caused even more chaos.
"Oh, come to think of it..."
Dan Mok Un-hye looked down at her belly as if just realizing.
So excited to watch her brother, she'd waited out front since early, forgetting breakfast.
Gong So-yu and Gong Son Bi-yeon were the same.
"Tsk. You need to eat properly."
Ha Mu-baek clicked his tongue.
Only days recovered from vein syndrome, and skipping meals already?
He unpacked the bundle beside him.
Two rice balls emerged.
He lightly sparked Three Flames Ignition with inner energy, warming them just right.
Steam rose invitingly, carrying a mouthwatering aroma.
Flavorful, made with various ingredients.
"Eat these."
He handed them to Dan Mok Un-hye and Gong So-yu.
"Th-thank you."
"Thank you."
They bowed and took them.
But hesitated to eat, glancing around.
Of course.
Gong Son Mu-oe had nothing. Nor Gong Son Bi-yeon.
"Lunch, eh?"
Gong Son Mu-oe had noticed the bundle when he arrived.
Didn't expect rice balls.
"No more?"
Gong Son Mu-oe asked slyly. A hint of hope on Gong Son Bi-yeon's face.
The scent was irresistible.
It stirred appetite even when none existed—perfect for lunch hunger.
"Skipping one meal won't kill you."
Ha Mu-baek shot back curtly and plopped down on the roof.
"Sit and eat comfortably. You'll choke standing like that."
He pulled out two bamboo water canteens from the bundle.
"Drink too."
Already warmed by Three Flames, he gave them to the girls.
"Huh, really. People."
Gong Son Mu-oe sat beside Ha Mu-baek. Gong Son Bi-yeon joined her grandfather.
They knew standing and watching would ruin their appetites.
Regrettable, but what could they do?
None left.
"You skipped yesterday too, didn't you?"
Gong Son Mu-oe nodded at Ha Mu-baek's words.
"Yeah. Did you make them?"
"Asked a chef friend."
The Baek Clan chef from Devouring Dragon North Pavilion.
Befriended through enjoying their traditional dishes like roast pork.
Went for breakfast, mentioned munching during matches; he'd whipped these up early for rooftop snacking.
"Must be no ordinary chef. Which inn? I should check it out."
The aroma had hooked him.
"Devouring Dragon North Pavilion chef at Dragon Training Pavilion. Let's go after Summer Combat Festival ends. One was for you anyway."
Gong Son Mu-oe's eyes widened.
The two rice balls from the bundle.
One meant for him.
A smile tugged his lips. Appetite vanished.
Watching his granddaughter munch filled him up.
Plus, Ha Mu-baek thinking of him warmed his heart.
"About to start."
Ha Mu-baek noted the activity around the arena.
Judges bustled.
Semifinalists opened their eyes one by one, rising from meditation.
A judge climbed the arena.
"Wooooaaahhh!!!"
The crowd roared for the long-awaited semifinals.
Two figures lightly leaped onto the arena.
Baek Ri-pyeong and Yeon Ha-min.
Namgung Ji-yu still lingered by the arena side, watching. Same for Namgung Ji-hu.
With Gong Son Bi-yeon, Gong So-yu, and Dan Mok Un-hye's arrival, three of the Five Flowers of the Martial World were here now.
Warm Orchid Flower Namgung Ji-yu, Ice Lotus Flower Yeon Ha-min, Pure Valley Flower Gong Son Bi-yeon.
Did anyone realize?
If known, the chaos would dwarf Gong Son Bi-yeon's entrance.
Ha Mu-baek knew but couldn't care less.
"Begin!"
At the judge's shout, Baek Ri-pyeong and Yeon Ha-min drew their swords on each other.