Swordsman Beauty (4)
The next day arrived.
Today was the day of my preliminaries second-round match.
What had become of Geum-bong from the Qingcheng Sect?
Given their sect leader's temperament, he wouldn't have let it slide.
Just then, the door to my guest room opened, and Palgap entered.
"Good morning, young master."
"What's this? Such an energetic greeting?"
He seemed far more excited than usual today.
Palgap grinned at my question.
"Heh heh heh, I've got some really juicy information."
"Information?"
"That arrogant prick with the shitty attitude."
I knew exactly who he meant right away.
"Geum-bong the instructor?"
"Yes, that guy. I snuck around and got the scoop."
I'd been wondering about it myself—perfect timing.
"So, what happened?"
"He's locked up in the underground prison at the Qingbi Inn."
Come to think of it, the Qingbi Inn belonged to the Qingcheng Sect, and they did have a dungeon below.
"And the sect leader ordered them not to hold back on finding the source of the drug that poisoned him—no matter the means."
Wow!
The sect leader had steeled himself impressively.
Issuing such an order about his own son couldn't have been easy.
If my memories from my previous life were right, Geum-bong's sweet life probably hadn't lasted long.
I recalled the sect leader changing not long after.
Something similar had likely happened back then too.
Eventually, backlash within the Qingcheng Sect must have grown, forcing the sect leader to step down.
The Qingcheng Sect could allow marriages and even induct children into the sect while maintaining its high reputation because of its strict discipline.
But when it came to his son, the leader lost all reason—how could there not be rebellion?
Geum-bong was in for some serious, agonizing interrogation.
"Thanks for looking into it on purpose."
"Who am I? Your one and only servant, young master."
"True enough."
I nodded with a smirk.
Now, time to put the Qingcheng Sect out of my mind and focus on the match ahead.
⋯
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After breakfast, I prepared to head to the arena.
That's when Jeong Ho hyung's voice came from outside.
"Seo-ho, can I come in?"
"Yeah, come on in."
The door opened, and Jeong Ho hyung stepped inside. He immediately held out a small pouch to me.
"Here, take this."
"What's this?"
I tilted my head and untied the pouch, revealing a small box inside.
Opening it carefully released a refreshing fragrance.
"Took some effort to get."
I couldn't help but widen my eyes at his words.
"This... is it an elixir?"
"Not quite a true spirit elixir, but near that level. It boosts your internal energy circulation."
Taking a spirit medicine like this right before a match wasn't against the rules.
But no one took elixirs that directly increased inner power.
Fighting right after would be a surefire way to cripple yourself.
"Thanks."
"And... give it your all today."
"Of course I..."
But Jeong Ho hyung cut me off.
"Don't throw it on purpose for my sake."
"⋯"
How did he know?
I'd been debating losing today.
I'd originally planned to win one more time, but a few things nagged at me.
First, the higher I advanced, the more prestige it brought the Alliance Leader.
Second, Jeong Ho hyung was set to lead the Silver Wind Corps, our merchant group's martial force. Being seen as weaker than me wouldn't help him.
"But hyung, no matter how I think about it, what's the upside to me outranking you?"
"Doesn't matter to me."
"What about what others say?"
"Let them yap!"
"But hyung..."
"Hmm..."
Jeong Ho hyung paused, then smiled as if struck by an idea.
"How about this?"
"What?"
"Your nickname. Sure, you need one, but Seonhyeopmirang is a bit much, right?"
"...Yeah."
He was spot on.
A beautiful swordsman who upholds justice? Having that nickname meant I had to watch every step.
"But if you shine in this match, you could earn a cooler one instead of Seonhyeopmirang."
"A cooler... nickname?"
"Yeah. Like Silver Sword Beauty for wielding a silver blade, or Merchant Sword Sage to nod to your trading roots."
I couldn't help but be tempted.
"Th-that sounds good."
"Right?"
"So no throwing the match today. Got it?"
"Yeah, got it."
Hyung had merchant blood after all.
Persuading me like this? Impressive.
⋯
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⋯
I headed to the arena with my family and took my seat, waiting for my turn.
Seven matches remained in the branch preliminaries.
The last one standing from our branch would face off against Jegal Yu-a, the young head of the Jegal family and the heavenly branch's final winner, for the championship.
"We now begin the branch preliminaries second-round matches. First up: Hyang-ok of the Emei Sect versus Jin-su of the Kunlun Sect!"
"Woooaaah!"
Amid the crowd's cheers, Sister Hyang-ok and the Kunlun warrior Jin-su ascended the stage.
They affixed their tags to their bodies and exchanged bows with clasped fists.
Dong!
The drum sounded, and the match began.
Jin-su immediately assumed his stance—a ferocious predator's pose, eyes sharp as if ready to tear his foe apart.
Makes sense for the Kunlun Sect.
Located in the empire's northwest alongside the Kunlun Sect, they clashed often with the Demonic Cult, so their arts were brutally practical and destructive.
Ah, there's Elder Gyeongsan-ja.
We'd met before over the sword tomb incident at Yeonji Mountain in Gansu Province.
He'd been in a fierce power struggle for next sect leader but ultimately lost.
The previous leader had abruptly appointed a successor and ascended before it could escalate.
He must have known: making Elder Gyeongsan-ja, with his deep ties to the Martial Alliance, leader would erode the sect's identity.
Anyway, one of the warriors with him back then was this Jin-su.
Long time no see.
A responsible, proactive guy.
Taat!
Jin-su attacked first, but Sister Hyang-ok calmly countered.
Kaang!
Who would win?
Reaching the Peak realm was no small feat.
In smaller sects or clans, it qualified one for elder status.
That's why these friendly matches became pride contests between factions.
Peok!
Sswat!
Weapons and fists clashed fiercely in a bloody duel.
Sister Hyang-ok looked thrilled.
Probably because she finally had an opponent worth going all-out against.
Emei had plenty of Peak experts, but they were all seniors, demanding respect.
Hard to cut loose there.
Plus, unlike previous foes who mocked or belittled her, Jin-su treated her as a true warrior.
That must have pleased her.
Finding a worthy opponent isn't easy.
How much time passed?
"Hoo, hoo."
"Heok, heok..."
Sister Hyang-ok and Jin-su separated, panting heavily.
Thirteen tags littered the ground.
The last one clung to Sister Hyang-ok.
"Winner of this match: Hyang-ok of the Emei Sect!"
"Woooaaah!"
The roar was deafening. Our Eunhae group cheered her wildly too.
"Awesome, Hyang-ok!"
"Whirlwind Fairy Hyang-ok!"
"Whirlwind Fairy! Whirlwind Fairy! Whirlwind Fairy!"
The crowd chanted her new nickname relentlessly.
It had stuck to her recently, born from her relentless, gale-like swordplay.
Nicknames sometimes came from superiors, but usually, what the masses called you became official.
Show a new side, and it changes.
Sister seemed pleased with hers, smiling brightly.
No wonder—first hearing Ice Sword Heroine nearly made her draw on a passerby.
She hadn't shown her true skill before, just talked foes down.
Not today.
This match against Jin-su displayed her prowess fully.
Earning her a fresh nickname.
"See?"
Jeong Ho hyung smirked.
"Play your cards right, and you'll get a new one like Hyang-ok noona."
His words carried more weight now.
"What're you thinking, young master?"
I answered Palgap.
"About what nickname the crowd might give me."
"They'll come up with something awesome."
Everyone nodded.
But Seo-hyang the merchant's daughter wore a meaningful expression.
What did that mean?
She never explained those looks, so I held my curiosity.
And then it was my turn.
"Final match of the day! Woo-hyeon of the Huashan Sect! His opponent: Eun Seo-ho of the Eunhae Merchant Group!"
"Woooaaah!"
Riding the cheers, I climbed the stage.
Opposite me rose Woo-hyeon, top disciple of his generation in Huashan, carrying high expectations.
Sorry, senior disciple.
I have to win.
Need a new nickname.
We affixed our tags, met in the center, and bowed.
"Best of luck today."
"Likewise."
We stepped back, and—
Dong!
The drum signaled the start.
We probed each other cautiously.
Tedious, but essential for victory.
Charging blind invites defeat.
It also meant opportunities to unsettle strategically.
I deliberately showed an opening.
Taat!
Woo-hyeon took the bait, lunging.
Chaeng-!
Swords clashed, and our exchange began.
Plum blossoms scattered before my eyes, their thick scent filling my nose.
Huasan's signature: Plum Blossom Sword.
No direct sword qi in friendly bouts, but indirect for defense—hence the petals.
Shuuk!
His blade flew.
Mine arced wide in response.
Heavenly Flow Ice Art's technique, mimicking a flowing river.
It parried his strike.
I infused my blade with Snow Mire's essence.
A swamp of snow.
Not instant freeze—slow the foe gradually, sealing them bit by bit.
Footwork is the root of all martial arts.
How much time passed?
Woo-hyeon's movements dulled. He sensed something wrong, but too late.
Kwajik!
His tag shattered.
Frustrated look.
But I couldn't just smash tags one-sidedly.
Had to match my rumored skill.
So I feigned inability to press, letting one of mine break.
Our fierce clash left three tags each.
"Hoo, hoo, hoo."
Panting wildly, he slipped on sweat-slick ground—his sweat, not mine—and fell.
Kwang!
Exhaustion: lost balance, drenched.
Instead of striking, I approached and offered my hand.
"Oh no! You okay?"
"Ah, yes. I'm fine."
"Grab my hand and get up."
He hesitated, then took it and rose.
"Woooaaah!"
The crowd loved the sportsmanship.
"Then, shall we continue?"
"Hoo, hoo—no."
He shook his head, wiping sweat.
"The sun's setting."
I glanced up—indeed, dusk.
Sun high when I started; how had time flown?
"No need to continue anyway. I wondered why In-bong forfeited; now I get it."
He continued.
"No chance of my victory now. I forfeit too."
"Pardon? You're forfeiting?"
"Yes."
He bowed formally.
"Learned much. I see why the Alliance Leader endorsed you."
"⋯"
I couldn't stop him staggering off—utterly spent.
Why am I still fresh, though...?
Geum-yeon-hwa Corps leader climbed the stage.
"Winner: Eun Seo-ho of the Eunhae Merchant Group!"
"Woooaaah!"
"Offering a hand to his foe! True Swordsman Beauty!"
"Swordsman Beauty! Swordsman Beauty!"
They chanted my nickname; I smiled wryly amid the roar.
Why still Swordsman Beauty?
Plenty of cooler options.
I trudged down dejectedly.
"I'm back."
"Good work."
"Well done, my son!"
After greeting my parents, I approached Jeong Ho hyung.
"Hyung, you said I'd get a cooler nickname?"
"⋯"
He coughed awkwardly and looked away, speechless.