Backroom Deal (5)
The matches continued, and before long, only two warriors remained in the Heaven Bracket.
"At last, the final match of the Heaven Bracket! These are fighters who need no introduction! The White Stratagem Cold Sword, Jegal Yu-a! And the Crimson Sea Sword Bear, Cheong-ryu!"
"Wooooaaah!"
"White Stratagem! White Stratagem!"
"Crimson Sea Bear! Crimson Sea Bear!"
The crowd chanted their names, cheering wildly.
The two climbed onto the arena stage, each affixing seven plaques to their bodies, then facing off.
"I hope this is a good match."
"Yes."
Jegal Yu-a, the young heir of the Jegal Clan, replied to the Cheong-ryu warrior's words.
"I hope for the same."
Thoom!
The drum sounded, and the duel began.
Cheong-ryu gripped his sword in his left hand.
He was a warrior from the Hae-nam Sect, having advanced by defeating a Wudang elite.
The left-handed sword style was the foundation of Hae-nam martial arts—a distinctive trait rooted in the sect's history.
The Hae-nam Sect was located on Yeomo Peak in Haemundo, in the empire's far south.
That region had once been little more than a punching bag for pirates.
To defend themselves, they had absorbed martial arts from across the land, developing their own practical style from those foundations.
Their techniques prioritized brutal efficiency over flashiness or prestige.
It was akin to the style of Captain Yong's brother, the public servant warrior.
Since they mainly fought pirates, they favored boarding tactics—leaping onto enemy ships for sudden strikes.
That often meant clinging to rigging or masts; they'd steady themselves with their right hand while wielding the sword in their left.
And since they had to strike fast and flee, they emphasized swift swordplay, often using reverse-grip techniques to efficiently take pirate lives.
For a time, they probed each other fiercely.
Clang!
Whoosh!
Then, as if by mutual signal, they kicked off the ground and charged.
Jegal Yu-a gritted her teeth, parrying the Cheong-ryu warrior's sword as it whipped in bizarre arcs.
Undoubtedly tougher than expected.
That was when it happened.
Slash!
Cheong-ryu's blade traced an utterly unpredictable path, slicing one of the plaques from Jegal Yu-a's shoulder.
Beyond the shattered plaque, it seemed to cut into her flesh—blood trickled from her shoulder.
Yet she ignored it, driving her left fist forward.
Thud!
One of Cheong-ryu's plaques shattered in tandem.
Blood splattered the ground.
Of course; Jegal Yu-a wasn't one to yield to such a wound.
Clang-clang-clang-clang-clang-clang-clang!
Over ten exchanges flashed by in an instant, the audience gripping their seats as they watched the grueling bout.
I watched intently too.
A fight with no quarter given.
Blood flowed from both as plaques began shattering one by one.
How much time passed?
Their clothes were soaked red in places, each with only a single plaque left.
A perfect deadlock—tigers locked in mutual peril.
The tension peaked.
Whoosh!
Cheong-ryu moved first.
Jegal Yu-a launched herself in counterattack.
Then.
"……!"
Jegal Yu-a let her sword slip from her grasp. And...
Slash.
Cheong-ryu's blade gashed her side, blood spraying. She clamped it tight with her flank and grinned fiercely.
Another sound rang out immediately.
Crack!
Cheong-ryu's last plaque, pulverized by Jegal Yu-a's fist.
Flesh offered for bone seized—a classic strategy, executed with mad resolve.
Jegal Yu-a staggered back, lips curling upward.
"I win."
Cheong-ryu, standing dazed, snapped to and bowed his head.
"I lost."
To my eyes, he seemed awestruck by her insane determination to impale herself for victory.
Geum-yeon-hwa the Grand Judge ascended the arena and declared the winner.
"The Heaven Bracket's champion is Jegal Yu-a!"
"Wooooaaah!"
The roar shook the heavens, filling the arena.
"White Stratagem! White Stratagem!"
"Hehe. I won."
Murmuring that, Jegal Yu-a collapsed atop the stage.
"Yu-a! Aigoo, you rascal!"
From the sidelines, the Jegal Clan Lord fidgeted anxiously.
Medics soon rushed in, loading her onto a stretcher and carrying her to the infirmary.
Whew—one more reason to visit the infirmary.
Sighing, I watched Cheong-ryu descend the stage, his face a mask of emptiness.
Hardly surprising.
Yet his expression seemed heavier than mere defeat...
"With that, the Heaven Bracket matches conclude."
And so the Heaven Bracket ended; the Earth Bracket finals would begin tomorrow.
I wasn't competing in those.
Anyway, time to head to the infirmary.
A short while later.
I arrived at the infirmary with my guards in tow—and spotted the Dae-nok warrior wolfing down dumplings.
"Hey, enough already."
"Ah, hyungnim. I'm starving no matter how much I eat—what can I do?"
"Sigh... You'll blow all that prize money on dumplings."
"Gasp! Can't have that."
I couldn't shake the reasonable suspicion that the Connected Gate's master hadn't shared their secret arts because they were truly short on rations.
His match had ended quite some time ago, yet here he was, still at the dumplings.
Chuckling, I joined their conversation.
"It's fine. I'll cover the dumplings."
"Gasp! Great hero!"
"How's your body holding up?"
"Yes."
Dae-nok replied sheepishly.
"Sorry. I lost."
"No matter. Jegal Yu-a's no pushover. And she took the Heaven Bracket crown."
"I see."
"Once you're patched up, head to Yeonpung Inn for a proper meal instead of loitering here."
"Y-yes, I will."
He glanced at me cautiously. I knew what he meant.
"And don't worry—no canceling sponsorships or anything. I never conditioned it on winning."
"Thank you."
"Truly, thank you."
"Once treatment's done, go eat comfortably at the inn. And no gobbling—indigestion's a nightmare."
"Got it."
With that, Dae-nok and Su-am headed to Yeonpung Inn. I turned to Palgap.
"Good work."
"It was brutal."
"How many rounds of dumplings did that justify?"
"Maybe thirty."
"……."
The number stunned me speechless.
"That all fits?"
"Even I'm amazed."
Snickering, I headed to Jegal Yu-a's area.
The Jegal Clan Lord was there too.
"Greetings, Clan Lord."
He returned my bow graciously.
"Ah, it's been a while. Good to see you."
"How's the young lady?"
"Lost a lot of blood. We'll need blood-replenishing pills. The gash is deep—stopping the bleeding's no small task."
Makes sense.
Her side was deeply slashed.
I offered him a small vial.
"What's this?"
"A premium elixir for clotting. It'll help."
"My thanks."
As the pure extract, its effect would be tremendous.
I'd once given her golden wound salve, but couldn't very well apply it to her unconscious self—so this was the pure stuff from my stores.
Why give it? Rationally, Jegal Yu-a was a key piece in my revenge tableau.
Emotionally, seeing someone close to me collapse from grave wounds sat poorly.
"Oh, Clan Lord—keep my donation quiet, please."
"Why?"
"You'll understand once you try it."
I clasped my hands in farewell and left the infirmary.
Hm, Heaven Bracket wrapped early—got some time.
Has the Ji Clan still not decided?
Such thoughts crossed my mind as I walked—then a familiar voice reached my ears.
Cheong-ryu's?
"Sorry, Sect Leader. I had to win that prize money..."
"It's fine, fine. I'm sorry for burdening a young one like you with such weight."
"Sect Leader..."
"Chin up. Heh, who knows? Gold might drop from the sky."
"As if."
"I'll seek loans from others."
"Didn't they all refuse?"
"Can't quit after one no. Worst case, kneel again. Heh heh."
"Sigh, Sect Leader... Mind your pride a bit?"
"Pride doesn't feed you, kid."
What was this about?
Sounded like they needed financial help...
Explains Cheong-ryu's heavy look.
The Hae-nam Sect Leader's words drew an involuntary smile from me.
After the Ji Clan's stuffy contradictions, I felt like helping.
Sure, prestige mattered for a famed orthodox sect.
But as he said, pride didn't pay bills.
Maybe ask their story?
I approached and bowed to Cheong-ryu.
"Eun Seo-ho of the Eunhae Merchant Group."
"Ah, yes. Cheong-ryu of Hae-nam Sect."
"Today's match was splendid."
"Thank you."
Smiling, I addressed the Sect Leader too.
"You've a fine disciple."
"Kind words; much obliged."
"I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but it seems Hae-nam Sect needs financial aid."
They startled.
"If it wouldn't offend, might I hear your circumstances?"
Cheong-ryu glanced awkwardly at his leader.
The Sect Leader sighed.
"Hoo... Our fault for talking outside. No helping it."
"Feel free to drop formalities—I'm much your junior."
"Well then... ahem."
He cleared his throat and explained.
"This summer, a fierce storm ravaged Haemundo. Many residents suffered greatly."
Come to think, I'd heard.
No personal ties, so I'd let it pass.
"We need funds for relief, but as you know, our sect isn't wealthy."
"For the people's relief, can't the empire provide aid?"
He smiled bitterly.
"The whole empire's gripped by famine woes. Big support's unlikely. Plus, aid often vanishes midway."
Haemundo's remoteness and island nature weakened imperial oversight.
Meaning local officials skimmed it.
Perfect—a chance for some oversight work.
I'd been fretting over what to report to the emperor as inspector.
"I see. So Hae-nam entered the friendly matches to win the prize for relief?"
"Something like that. As you know, first prize is ten thousand nyang—for Haemundo's aid."
Sincerity rang in his words.
Sect Leader—a living bodhisattva?
"Why the stare?"
"Admiration for you and Hae-nam Sect's compassion."
I pressed on.
"But why go so far?"
"Haemundo folk are family to us. Scarce few unaffiliated with our sect."
"Fair enough."
Even so, no martial sect had to handle civilian relief.
Seeing their efforts, I understood Hae-nam's renown.
Relief funds...
Couldn't sit this out.
"You need ten thousand nyang?"
"Yes."
"I'll provide it."
Wariness flickered in his eyes.
"Grateful, but we lack means to repay Eunhae."
"No issue. No pressure."
I continued.
"This is personal—from me, not Eunhae."
"That sum?"
Ten thousand nyang was a fortune.
But for this? I'd give gladly.
"Why the refusals elsewhere?"
Cheong-ryu sighed.
"Not our first loan. About three hundred thousand nyang so far. And..."
"Can't repay fully."
"We pay steadily. We're no deadbeats."
Sects and clans seemed rich, but operations and prestige ate funds—budgets were tight.
Lending more without quick repayment was tough.
Merchants held the real wealth.
Hence sects often had patron traders.
Ji Clan was the outlier.
They'd blown millions on business and gambling, stiffed repayment, yet held heads high...
Hae-nam knelt for ten thousand to aid Haemundo...
Sigh. The contrast.