Murim Grand Banquet (2)
I was taken aback.
No, what the hell is this about?
Why would the Alliance Leader nominate me?
I struggled to keep a neutral expression as I glanced at Seo Hyang Sojeo.
But she looked just as stunned, her eyes wide open as if she hadn't seen this coming either.
My father and mother, not to mention my companions, all wore shocked looks.
Whew, first things first—I need to figure out what the Alliance Leader is thinking.
I stood from my seat and offered a respectful clasped-hands salute.
"First, I thank you for nominating me, Alliance Leader. But as you know, I am a merchant. I'm here for business matters. Everyone has their place where they belong, don't they?"
I continued.
"I'm not suited for this friendly sparring, so please withdraw your recommendation."
Voices murmured from nearby.
"Hmph. At least he knows his place."
"Yeah, this isn't a spot for merchants."
"But if the Alliance Leader nominated him..."
"What could the Leader be thinking?"
I held back my rising irritation at the whispers drifting over.
Hey, I can hear all of you, you know.
What? Knows his place? Merchants don't belong?
Jin Ho hyung is participating in this Murim Grand Banquet too, so saying that means you'd trash him the second he steps onto the arena.
Who said that?
I'll remember your faces.
The Alliance Leader looked at me calmly.
"You inherited the ultimate technique of Geukcheon Sword, the hero of the martial world two hundred years ago. Shouldn't you reveal that sword to the world and prove that his legacy endures?"
"......"
"To warn those forces trying to plunge the martial world into chaos."
"......"
Forces trying to plunge the martial world into chaos...
His words were utterly orthodox, exactly what a Murim Alliance Leader should say.
And for him to push this far meant his resolve to put me in the tournament was firm.
A simple show of humility wouldn't make him back down.
Worst case, it could even affect my master.
That won't do.
Seolpung Palace can't be exposed yet.
How can I change the Alliance Leader's mind...?
Jin Ho hyung is competing too—maybe say my parents worry about two from the same family going at once?
No, that won't work.
In martial artists' minds, that's not a worry; it's a point of pride.
At that moment, the Alliance Leader spoke up.
"Ah, I nearly forgot to mention. Those who advance to the main rounds of this friendly sparring will receive a prize money along with a treasured sword."
Huh?
"Though you're my nominee, it's as good as advancing, so you'll get the prize money and treasured sword too."
- Oink!
From Geum-ryeong's reaction, it had to be one hell of a valuable treasured sword.
"So please, don't let my recommendation go to waste."
"How could I refuse the Alliance Leader's nomination? And as you said, revealing Master's sword to the world would serve as a warning to those plotting chaos in the martial world. It only seems right."
Prize money and gifts were serious business.
A spar?
Just lightly clash swords and bow out. Easy.
"Thank you for accepting my nomination. That concludes my remarks."
With that, the Alliance Leader ended his speech and returned to his seat.
Geum Yeon-hwa Daeju stepped forward again to continue the proceedings.
"Now, we shall draw the brackets."
At her words, assistants brought out jars, and the elders drew lots from them.
"It seems I've been chosen."
The one who stood, saying this, was Jin Seon Jongmunin of the Wudang Sect.
The elder I'd met before was with him too.
Who would Wudang send out?
Jin Seon Jongmunin went to the arena and began randomly hanging wooden plaques from a box onto the bracket board.
The crowd watched tensely.
In tournaments like this, they said half the outcome was luck in the draw.
Clack, clack clack, clack, clack.
Dozens of wooden plaques were hung, completing the brackets.
There were sixty-two participants in total.
More than expected.
The Heaven Group had thirty-two, the Earth Group thirty.
After one round each, sixteen from Heaven would advance to the main round, but only fifteen from Earth.
That left one spot, filled by the Alliance Leader's nominee.
The nomination also avoided treating the empty slot as a bye.
The main round would have sixteen from each group, thirty-two total.
That's when the real tournament began.
They'd keep competing within their groups until one remained, then those finalists would clash for the ultimate winner.
If I weren't competing, this would be even more thrilling...
"Whew..."
I sighed, and Palgap said,
"Young master, it's already decided."
"I know."
I replied and looked up at the arena.
Clack.
The final plaque was hung, finishing the brackets.
Jin Seon Jongmunin clasped his hands to the crowd.
"I wish you all good fortune in the martial arts."
He returned to his seat, and Geum Yeon-hwa Daeju came out again.
"We now begin the first match. Please reveal the names on the first bracket of the Heaven Group."
At her command, an assistant removed the wooden cover over the plaque.
The names revealed were a scion of the Namgung family and a disciple from a minor sect.
"Namgung On of the Namgung family! His opponent, Dae Nok, disciple of Yeon-gyeol Gate!"
At Geum Yeon-hwa Daeju's call, the two warriors climbed onto the arena.
Namgung On looked quite young.
Late twenties?
But having already reached the Super First-rate realm, he truly lived up to the Namgung name.
Thanks to his family's superior martial arts, elixirs, and master teachers, he'd grown strong fast.
But those who relied on family power had a few issues.
When climbing to Super First-rate or beyond, they hit a higher wall than those who advanced steadily, step by step.
My master had said that from Super First-rate on, harmonizing body and enlightenment grew difficult.
Building a body to withstand that inner energy was hard enough, but gaining the insight for it was even tougher.
And another problem.
Those who grew dependent on family resources often had rotten personalities.
Spoiled from childhood with constant deference, they turned arrogant, lacking empathy or consideration.
Namgung On seemed just like that.
They each attached seven markers to their bodies and faced off.
"I don't even know where this Yeon-gyeol Gate is holed up, but sorry—not really—looks like you're heading back to your sect right away."
"You won't know until our swords clash, will you?"
"Some things in the world you can tell without seeing. Like the gap between you and me."
As Namgung On said, Dae Nok was First-rate level.
The friendly sparring at the Murim Grand Banquet had no entry restrictions, so even First-raters joined.
Many below Super First-rate got gravely injured or died, so it became convention for Super First-raters and above.
But convention was just that.
Officially, there were no restrictions.
Dong-!
The drum sounded, and the match began.
Namgung On didn't even assume a proper stance, smirking mockingly.
"Haaap!"
Dae Nok swung his sword at Namgung On.
Pretty fast.
But not enough.
Thwack!
As expected, Namgung On dodged lightly and kicked out. Dae Nok tumbled across the arena, one chest marker shattered.
"Urk!"
He groaned, staggering up, and Namgung On taunted.
"Oh? You're up. Thought you were done."
"I'm not... that weak!"
He gripped his sword again, lunging with another swing.
Slash!
Namgung On's sword grazed across, slicing Dae Nok's shoulder marker—and drawing a bit of blood.
"Urk!"
As everyone expected, the match was one-sided.
Namgung On toyed with his opponent relentlessly, while Dae Nok grew bloodier by the moment.
To protect his markers, he'd let other parts take hits.
His desperation sobered the crowd, and voices began condemning Namgung On's antics.
"Dae Nok! That's enough! Surrender!"
A voice called from somewhere.
Yet Dae Nok didn't give up.
The skill gap was vast, but he couldn't just quit.
Barely able to stand, he still wanted to land one hit.
"Just one marker left, huh?"
Namgung On, meanwhile, was fresh as ever.
"Time to end this. Playing with you was getting boring anyway."
He wrapped his sword in sword energy.
Even the Alliance elders frowned, but no rule banned it, so they just watched.
"Be proud to fall to my Namgung On's Lightning Thirteen Thunderbolts! Hahaha!"
His sword, gleaming like lightning, shot toward Dae Nok's last marker.
Whoosh!
Dae Nok dodged, rolling on the ground.
"Where do you think you're going!"
Namgung On tried to turn, irritated.
But he slipped on the pool of Dae Nok's blood, losing balance.
"......!"
Dae Nok seized the chance.
"Raaagh!"
Roaring from the ground, he swept-kicked Namgung On's legs. Namgung On tumbled off the arena.
It happened in a flash.
So unexpected, everyone just blinked in shock.
Namgung On himself blinked, stunned on the ground outside.
"Huff, huff, huff."
Dae Nok rose shakily.
Geum Yeon-hwa Daeju, who'd watched calmly, declared,
"First match result: Namgung On falls off the arena—victory to Dae Nok of Yeon-gyeol Gate!"
Dae Nok threw his arms up with a primal yell.
"Raaaaah!"
A victory cry.
Then he collapsed backward.
Thud.
Passed out.
No wonder—covered head to toe in blood.
The spectators applauded generously for Dae Nok, who'd fought fiercely despite the gap and claimed victory.
Clap clap clap clap!
I clapped too.
What grit. Amazing guy.
Alliance warriors rushed out with a stretcher for Dae Nok, while Namgung On sat dazed.
He'd never dreamed of losing.
Had he gone all out, he'd have won easily.
But he underestimated and got careless.
In the martial world, the saying went: never let your guard down, even against a five-year-old with a sword.
"This can't be! Me? I lost? A Super First-rate like me to a First-rater? No! Invalid! It's invalid!"
He leaped back onto the arena, protesting to Geum Yeon-hwa Daeju.
"Something's wrong! Did you judge properly?"
"You fell off the arena, and Dae Nok lasted till the end. What's incorrect about that?"
"No! I didn't lose!"
"Warning: leave now."
"I didn't lose... Gahk!"
Thud.
Suddenly, he dropped to his knees before her.
To others, it looked like he'd knelt voluntarily—but no.
Geum Yeon-hwa Daeju's fist had slammed his gut.
"By the rules, two days in the detention cell. Take him away!"
"Yes!"
Alliance warriors dragged Namgung On off.
Tournament rules: cause a scene on the arena or refuse results, and it's two days in lockup.
The Namgung family head shook his head at his disgrace.
Serves him right. Feels good.
The matches continued, and by lunchtime, only the third had wrapped.
A one-hour lunch break.
"Let's eat."
"Yes."
Father and Mother were dining with other merchants, Jin Ho hyung heading off with the external manager.
So I'd eat with my group.
"To the inn."
Other restaurants were probably packed.
Father and Mother had reservations at a fancy one.
I considered booking one myself but nixed it.
Quick meal, then check the temporary shop.
Then I spotted a man being supported by another, limping along.
Dae Nok from the first match.
Already awake after passing out.
I approached.
"How's your... uh, you don't look okay."
"Salve will fix this much."
Dae Nok didn't recognize me, but his supporter did.
"Aren't you Seonhyeopmirang Daehyeop?"
"That's me."
He startled.
"Oh! I should bow properly, but with this guy... sorry."
"No worries."
I waved it off and offered a small jar.
"I was impressed by the first match. This is potent golden wound salve—should help."
Dae Nok had said salve would heal it.
And he was right.
This salve had a dash of Geum-ryeong's saliva mixed in.