579. Ways to Make Them Eat It (4)
The two morning matches concluded, and lunchtime arrived.
Meanwhile, the head of the Namgung Clan, who had watched the matches, was deeply displeased.
It was all because of his worthless grandson, Namgung On.
As he moved to the dining area, his third son trailed after him with an embarrassed expression.
At that moment, the Namgung Clan Lord halted.
"What are you doing?"
"Pardon?"
"Do you think following me around like this will make everything that's happened disappear?"
"……."
"Honestly, I didn't care what On got up to outside. It's natural for a young man to chase women, and that much wouldn't tarnish the Namgung Clan's name."
"……."
"Even losing to a disciple from some no-name sect out of carelessness—I could overlook that to an extent. It's a chance for a warrior to learn something valuable. But……."
He turned to face his third son.
"To go around blabbing that you lost to some cowardly trick! And today's match just proved that was a blatant lie, didn't it? You've smeared not just your own honor, but the clan's as well!"
"……."
The Namgung Clan Lord's third son bit his lip.
He, too, was thoroughly a man of the Namgung Clan, so he knew their ironclad rule all too well.
Live how you want, do what you want—but never tarnish the Namgung Clan's reputation.
That was why the clan had become so adept at backroom dealings.
A firm decree issued from the Namgung Clan Lord's mouth.
"Lock On in the clan's prison."
"Pardon?"
"Why so surprised?"
"That's too harsh a place for On."
"All the better. It'll teach him that the privileges he enjoys aren't guaranteed—they come only from fulfilling his role as a clan member."
"……."
"If he's not in the prison by the time I return to the estate after today's matches, your entire family goes in."
"……!"
He realized he couldn't defy his father's command.
The Namgung Clan Lord strode off without another word, as if he had nothing more to say.
The third son watched his father's receding back, then let out a sigh.
Whew, this should keep the second wife from whining. She's not the type to take On's place in the prison.
He ordered one of his escort warriors.
"Take some warriors and lock On in the estate prison."
"Yes. But……."
The escort warrior hesitated, trailing off.
"He'll put up a fierce fight……."
"Knock him out or tie him down by force—do whatever it takes."
"Yes!"
I headed to a nearby tavern with the Dae Nok Warrior and Su Am Warrior in tow.
I'd reserved it to celebrate the Dae Nok Warrior's victory.
Thank goodness it's a celebration instead of a consolation meal.
With that thought, I moved along with my group.
By the way, Master should be around here somewhere, but why haven't I seen him since earlier?
As I pondered that and made my way to the tavern, someone accosted us from behind.
"What sort of cowardly trick did you use?!"
I turned to see Namgung On.
Why's he here?
His expression made it clear he wasn't here for anything good.
Stepping in front of the Dae Nok Warrior, I asked,
"Excuse me, but what's the matter?"
"Out of my way if you're not involved! I have business with him!"
"That makes it even less possible for me to step aside. We're sponsoring the Dae Nok Warrior on behalf of the Eunhae Merchant Group."
"Sponsoring?"
"Yes."
I smiled as I replied.
"It's not unusual for merchants to back promising warriors, is it?"
"Ha! Must not be a waste of money for you. Sponsoring someone who advanced to the preliminaries with dirty tricks!"
I gave a faint smile.
"Are the eyes of the Murim Alliance's elders—who watched the match—nothing but knotholes in wood?"
"……What?"
"If there'd been a real issue, they would've raised objections first."
"Hmph! Those closest, clashing swords directly, know best!"
Then I've got another retort ready.
"Your opponent in today's match, Young Master Tan Mok Il, accepted the outcome cleanly without a word of complaint."
"Hmph! The Tan Mok Clan's judgment is inferior to our main house's, so that tracks."
Wow, even more of a spoiled brat than I thought.
Not afraid of public opinion at all?
Guess that's why he doesn't realize this is shaming himself—and the Namgung Clan.
"So, young master, are you claiming your skills surpass those Murim Alliance elders?"
"……."
"The Alliance Leader was there, the Namgung Clan Lord was there, and several Transcendent Realm elders too. Sticking to that claim leaves no other interpretation."
I smiled as I continued.
"So please stop with the nonsense and let us pass."
"Urgh……!"
Tongue-tied, he fumed before finally drawing his sword.
"Hmph! Words are meaningless. True murim warriors settle things with martial arts! This time, I'll prove I didn't lose on skill! Draw your sword!"
Namgung On aimed his blade at the Dae Nok Warrior and shouted.
I quickly sent a sound transmission to the Dae Nok Warrior.
- Do not draw your sword under any circumstances.
He nodded calmly and replied,
"That match is already over! And we can't cross blades privately!"
"Then die!"
His sword flew toward the Dae Nok Warrior.
I could've blocked it, but I didn't—someone was already rushing over from behind.
Clang-!
The newcomer smacked Namgung On's sword aside.
"You can't do this here."
"Urk! Who dares…… Chang Pa?"
Namgung On scowled in recognition.
"The young lord sent me. Return to the estate now."
"No!"
"The clan lord and young lord are furious. Please go back."
"Forget it. I can't return until my sullied honor is restored!"
Ha…… this is getting worse.
Don't you see this is dirtying your honor even more?
The warrior called Chang Pa sighed, his frustration evident.
Thwack!
He kicked Namgung On, sending him sprawling to the ground.
"Cough!"
"Bind him!"
"Yes!"
The warriors with him rushed in, wrapping him head to toe in white cloth.
He looked like a silkworm cocoon in seconds.
With a gag added, he was perfectly subdued.
That cloth…… it's Heavenly Silken Thread?
Makes sense—you need something like that to cleanly restrain a peak expert.
And the Namgung Clan's martial arts are purely yang-based. Perfect counter to silken threads.
The man called Chang Pa offered a formal cupped-fist salute to me and the Dae Nok Warrior, bowing his head.
"The young master of the main house has caused great offense. Please accept this as our apology."
He held out an envelope.
"It's modest, but we hope it eases your minds. This won't happen again."
The Dae Nok Warrior glanced at me, and I gave a small nod.
Not just free money—it's compensation. Of course we take it.
"We accept your apology."
"Thank you."
"And I was impressed watching today's match. Truly splendid. I hope we meet again under better circumstances."
"Yes."
Clean and courteous. That's why people call the Namgung Clan righteous.
Just as suddenly as the storm Namgung On had arrived, he was whisked away by his own storm of escorts.
Being hauled off like that…… he's in for some serious punishment.
"Alright, let's go eat."
Lunch was thoroughly satisfying.
The Dae Nok Warrior, starving as he was, ate so heartily it warmed my heart to watch.
Su Am Warrior too.
"Honestly, this is probably the first time I've been able to eat my fill like this."
"Is that so?"
"As I mentioned, my sect isn't well-off…… we can't eat like this often."
"Ah…… I see."
He pulled a promissory note from his bosom and said,
"Yes. But with this, we won't worry about food for a while."
His face beamed with happiness.
"Oh, I almost forgot to mention. The Eunhae Merchant Group will provide annual sponsorship funds as well."
"Pardon?"
"Didn't I say earlier? That we're sponsoring Unryeongmun."
"I thought that was just for getting me through the first preliminary round?"
I shook my head.
"The Eunhae Merchant Group isn't that stingy. It's sponsorship for promising talent. Better to build a lasting connection while we're at it."
Su Am Warrior asked,
"And that connection…… is the annual funding?"
"Yes, exactly."
I grinned.
"So no more risking your life in matches just to afford food. But there's one condition."
"What is it?"
"Build your skills and raise your fame."
"Pardon?"
I sent a sound transmission to both warriors.
- To the point where the Namgung Clan won't dare pick a fight.
They nodded with resolute expressions, understanding perfectly.
Lunch over, we returned to the match arena.
Thanks to his first preliminary performance, people's gazes toward the Dae Nok Warrior had completely changed.
A look of respect for a true master, perhaps?
And before long, he'd even earned a moniker.
"Hey! It's the Storm Sword!"
"Where?!"
"The Storm Sword's the real deal!"
Storm Sword.
A perfect nickname for the Dae Nok Warrior, whose swordplay swirled like a tempest.
"You've got a moniker now. Congratulations."
"Hahaha. Feels a bit embarrassing."
As we chatted amiably, the afternoon matches began.
"Next match: Jegal Yu-a of the Jegal Clan! Her opponent: Un Seung-yeon of the Jinju Un Clan!"
Jegal Yu-a, the young lady of the house, was up.
There had only been two morning matches because they tended to drag on.
On the first day of the preliminaries, today's marquee match was Jegal Yu-a's.
She was the Jegal Clan's young lady, after all.
Apparently, Paeng Gang-un, the young master of Paeng Clan, had wanted to enter but was denied by his clan lord.
He could've racked up a high score in the Murim Festival's friendly matches, boosting the North Hebei Paeng Clan's prestige.
Why refuse?
Instead, he just chatted idly beside the clan lord.
No hint of regret on his face—had he accepted the refusal?
Or was he never into matches to begin with?
He'd talked about competing, but maybe he'd only entered the Dragon-Phoenix Tournament reluctantly due to his position, and secretly didn't want to fight.
Perhaps he'd inwardly cheered when denied.
Whatever—I'll find out later.
I turned to the arena.
Both fighters had seven markers attached and stared each other down.
"My younger brother owes you one from last time. He said he learned a lot thanks to you."
Right—Yunbong Tournament, Jegal Yu-a's opponent was from Jinju Un Clan.
This Un Seung-yeon must be the brother.
Jegal Yu-a returned a cupped-fist salute.
"I learned much from that match myself. Your brother's martial arts were exceptional."
"He'd be thrilled to hear praise from the young lady."
"Glad to hear it."
Dong!
The drum sounded, and their match began.
Jegal Yu-a's sword clashed with Un Seung-yeon's iron fist.
True to their skill, they exchanged dozens of bouts in a flash, but it was dead even.
Not a single marker broken.
Yet as they traded blows, the balance began to tip.
Fatigue showed on both, but I could see Jegal Yu-a's ploy.
No way she's tiring that easily.
Others might not notice, but I know.
It's an act.
Time passed, and Un Seung-yeon's movements slowed.
Swoosh!
Seizing the moment, Jegal Yu-a struck like lightning.
Pop! Pop pop! Pop!
Four markers shattered in an instant, startling Un Seung-yeon into retreat.
"H-How? Weren't you tired?"
"I can't afford to tire at this level."
She continued,
"Thanks to someone, my stamina training is second to none."
Her glance flicked my way.
"Now, let's end this."
Un Seung-yeon desperately tried to turn the tide, but Jegal Yu-a had reserves aplenty.
And overly wary of her tricks, he held back boldly.
The victor was decided.
"Winner of this match: Jegal Yu-a!"
"Woooaaah!"
"Hundred Stratagems Cold Sword! Hundred Stratagems Cold Sword!"
The crowd chanted her moniker in cheers.
Now Jegal Yu-a had advanced to the final sixteen too.
She looks thrilled.
The preliminaries featured two matches morning and two afternoon.
To let entrants fight at peak condition—and true to the festival's spirit of camaraderie.
Back at the inn, I sat in my room reviewing the day's events.
Clunk.
The window slid open.
"Who's there!"
Myeong Jong Warrior shouted, but I waved him off.
"Leave it."
"Pardon?"
I sensed Chun Il's aura approaching.
Sure enough, Chun Il slipped through the window.
"What happened to Namgung On?"
"Locked in the clan prison now."
"The prison?"
"Yeah. Clan lord must be pissed. Heh heh heh."
The Namgung Clan's prison was no picnic.
Perfect punishment.
Making the Namgung Clan clean up their own mess—my strategy's a resounding success.