Two shichen had already passed since the third main round began.
Sitting still only made the passing time feel even longer. However.
"Waaaaah---!!"
The surroundings were still filled with fervent excitement.
Kuong-! Kung-kung-!
"Heaaat!"
A feast of fierce inner energy, sweeping like a typhoon.
Loud kiai shouts and the sounds of blades clashing.
Even as the color of the sky gradually changed, the momentum remained the same.
"Wind Wave Fist... I've only heard the rumors. He truly is a fierce martial artist."
"...I'd definitely like to clash with him someday."
"If it's the Gyeongseon Sword, he would surely be fired up."
People gathering information while expressing admiration at the martial artists' spar.
Perhaps because everyone around had participated in the martial arts tournament, their eye for assessing the situation was extraordinary.
Moreover, reaching the third main round meant they were considerable experts, so just watching them could bring enlightenment.
That was the reason why the martial artists hadn't lost their enthusiasm despite sitting for a long time.
And it was also the reason why the audience cheered without getting tired, as they could watch the spars of such masters.
Of course.
'It's boring.'
From my perspective, it was merely a boring schedule.
The reason being.
'The gap in their levels is just too mismatched.'
First of all, the realms of the matched opponents were too unbalanced.
Having watched for two shichen, there were a few Hwagyeong martial artists, but the opponents they met were exceptionally weak.
Perhaps because they felt the difference in their realms, there wasn't much desperation either.
Rather, since they met a strong opponent, it felt like they just wanted to learn even one more thing.
'What kind of instructional spar is this?'
No fun.
There is no killing intent, nor any desperation or fierceness.
Of course, since it's a spar, this seems appropriate, but...
'It's a bit dull.'
Watching such things only makes me yawn.
'...I guess I've gone crazy.'
Thinking a peaceful spar is boring.
Then does it have to be a bloody fight to the death to be fun?
'Well, yeah.'
Imagining it, that did seem more fun.
'Yeah, I must be crazy.'
I must have lived very wrong.
I turned my gaze and looked to the side.
Poison Fist Dang So-yeol and Crescent Moon Sword Wi Seol-a were sitting quietly watching the spar.
Their expressions didn't look very lively either.
If there was a difference from me, it was that they had a little interest.
'Well, obviously.'
Since both were martial artists who had reached Hwagyeong, a somewhat lukewarm reaction was natural.
Like that, it had already been two shichen.
'At this rate, Moyong Hui-a or Namgung Bi-a might have been better.'
Moyong Hui-a was having her busiest days since the martial arts tournament began.
There were times the merchant guild moved according to the martial artists who had emerged from hiding, and with the aftermath causing movements in the Baekhwa Merchant Guild as well, the guild master Moyong Hui-a became busy in turn.
Namgung Bi-a simply skipped it, saying it would be boring.
Recalling this, I slightly regretted it belatedly.
'I should have just trained.'
Why did I come to watch this?
'If it weren't for that bastard Seong Yul, I wouldn't have come out.'
I came because I was concerned about him unnecessarily looking like something was up, but it seemed I didn't really need to come.
'He would have handled it himself if I had just left him alone.'
I told myself to leave him alone, so I wonder why I meddled like this.
'And to think I told Cheol Jiseon not to do trivial things.'
Contradictory behavior.
Knowing that well myself made it even more uncomfortable.
"Hmm."
While feeling that uncomfortable sensation and letting out a slight snort.
"Next."
The preceding spar ended, and martial artists appeared for the next spar.
Only then did I slightly adjust my posture.
Because a sound transmission immediately came through.
-Posture. Sit up straight. It's not good for your back.
"..."
Even while frowning, I listened to him.
"Waaaaaaaah---!!"
A middle-aged man with a massive build appeared from the entrance.
Immediately, an enormous cheer erupted.
Probably because it was the most anticipated match of today.
"It's the Blade King!"
Blade King Peng Zhou.
The head of the Peng family, the guardian of Hebei.
It was the appearance of one of the Six Seats said to exist in the Central Plains.
-Waaaaah.
A noisy cheer poured out instantly at his appearance.
Peng Zhou walked silently while listening to those cheers.
Kung-! Kung-!
Vibrations spread with every step he took.
It looked as if an earthquake had occurred nearby.
At that sight, the audience seemed to feel ecstasy and cheered even louder.
"Incredible-! Is this... the power of the head of the Four Great Families?"
"To cause such vibrations with just his footsteps."
While everyone was admiring it, I had to make a sour face hearing that.
'As if it's just his footsteps.'
Feeling the fervent atmosphere around me, I cursed inwardly.
That old man never changes.
'He's doing the exact same thing as during the preliminaries.'
His inner energy was overflowing so much that he was leaking it in all directions.
"...Haa."
"Hmm."
Seeing this, Dang So-yeol and Wi Seol-a let out low groans.
They even turned their gazes away as if they couldn't bear to watch.
That was literally a show-off act. Anyone who reached a certain level couldn't not know.
Fortunately.
"Waaaaaah-!"
Judging by the reaction, it seemed to work well.
The Blade King exuded his inner energy and walked up onto the spar stage.
Someone quietly followed behind him. My gaze, naturally, was fixed on him.
A young master dressed in black from head to toe.
It was Paeyong, wearing the mask of the Two Dragon.
Paeyong walked hidden within the cheers of the Blade King, with his hands clasped behind his back.
"..."
Even while walking, Paeyong's gaze was directed at me.
He found me instantly among this countless crowd.
He even sent a sound transmission before coming out, meaning he had sensed me from beyond the wall.
'Terrifying old man.'
It was truly a frightening level of intuition.
At that moment, voices could be heard from around.
"They say the Blade King's opponent is the Two Dragon?"
"Two Dragon... you mean the successor of Paeyong?"
"That's right. He's been famous recently."
Conversations about Bi Uijin went back and forth. I naturally listened in to those words.
"I don't think he particularly showed anything special in this martial arts tournament. Is that rumor actually true?"
"Hard to say no when he openly brought Paeyong's letter of recommendation. Besides, making it this far is proof enough."
"However, the opponent is who he is... that's just a bit unfortunate."
"That's also true."
The successor of Paeyong.
The expectations coming from that were beyond imagination.
It was a virtue that showed just how great of existences the Three Venerables were to the righteous faction.
However.
Even such expectations have a realistic aspect.
"The opponent is the Blade King, after all."
"Who knows? Just look at the Crescent Moon Sword... the Two Dragon might also have risen to a great position."
When his story came up, Wi Seol-a's ears twitched slightly.
It seemed he was listening.
As Wi Seol-a and the Divine Dragon had shown. No matter how much of a latecomer he is, he might be an incredible master.
Such conversations were going back and forth, but.
"Haha... that might be possible. But."
The martial artists who heard this were skeptical.
"Whatever it may be... the opponent is the Blade King."
"Mhm."
The opponent is the Blade King.
That single fact erased all possibilities.
Blade King.
The Six Seats existing in the current Central Plains.
Sword King of the Namgung Clan.
Blade King of the Peng Clan.
Poison King of the Tang Clan.
Sword Queen of the Hwasan Sect.
Along with the unaffiliated Flame King or the Bright Queen of the West.
The six figures who exerted a profound influence on the Central Plains were called the Six Seats.
They were designated based on their footing and presence in specific fields, but even if they weren't selected purely for their martial prowess, it didn't mean they were weak.
Each and every one of them was a powerful martial artist.
'I don't know much about the Flame King or the Bright Queen. They're probably strong.'
Even excluding those I had never seen in my past life.
They were all strong individuals.
'Even if they're not at the level of the Ten Great Masters.'
Since each of them was a martial artist who had entered their prime, no one could look down on them.
The Divine Dragon and the Crescent Moon Sword reached Hwagyeong?
That was simply an astonishing thing.
But reaching the Six Seats with just that was unreasonable.
That was the public's perception.
'Yes, just a simple perception.'
Even if he's a disciple of the Three Venerables, he's still just a disciple.
He doesn't reach the Blade King.
Put differently.
'Can the Blade King reach the Three Venerables?'
Whether it's the Six Seats.
Or the Ten Great Masters.
Can a mere human planted on the ground reach the Heaven Beyond Heaven floating in the sky?
Even if the sky has come down to earth with shackles on its feet, could someone like the Blade King even dare to look up to him?
'No.'
It's not even worth thinking about.
Even if he's an old man with a foul, foul, and utterly foul temperament.
Even when he's ruined, he is Paeyong.
'How dare someone like the Blade King.'
Worry?
Not at all.
As I said earlier, Bi Uijin is Paeyong.
That fact alone solves everything.
Therefore, what I was worried about wasn't Paeyong's safety.
'...Please, act in moderation.'
I only hoped that old man wouldn't cause too much of a scene.
That was the only thing I was hoping for.
******************
Waaaaah---!!
Cheers coming from all directions. Amidst the undying fervor, two martial artists faced each other on the spar stage.
The middle-aged man had his arms crossed and was looking at the young man. The young man, with his hands behind his back, was looking elsewhere, not at the middle-aged man.
Seeing that sight, the middle-aged man, Blade King Peng Zhou, furrowed his brows.
'Where is he looking?'
With his opponent right in front of him, where was that young man looking?
Greatly displeased by this behavior, Peng Zhou's face crumpled more and more.
'Tsk.'
Honestly, the youngsters these days are all insolent.
A senior. And not just any senior, but himself right in front of him—what kind of behavior was this?
'Because he's Paeyong's disciple, I was going to treat him with some respect.'
Paeyong (Defeated Venerable) Bi Ju.
A figure who had engaged in numerous life-and-death duels, survived countless defeats, and ultimately remained alive.
An old man who had risen to the position of Venerable by greatly contributing to the war against the Evil Faction, led by the unique martial arts he created alone.
Peng Zhou recalled that old man and clicked his tongue briefly.
'Disciple or master, they're equally unpleasant.'
Peng Zhou had seen Paeyong a few times.
He said he had met him following Peng Tae-u when he was young, and he had seen him again around the age of twenty.
'It was a shitty gaze.'
He still remembered it.
The gaze of the old man looking at him, that is.
A gaze that had absolutely lost interest, as if looking at a pebble.
At that cold gaze, Peng Zhou had even felt intimidated.
But of all things.
'That bastard's eyes resemble his.'
Was it because he was his successor?
For some reason, he could strongly feel Paeyong's vibe from the guy named Two Dragon.
Paeyong was a giant covered in scars.
Unlike that old man, Two Dragon was a smooth-skinned brat, but for some reason, he felt that way.
'That guy too. And this guy too... every single one of them.'
That son of Gu Cheol-un, that son of a bitch, was like that too.
And this guy named Two Dragon was the same.
'I need to trample on their sprouts.'
None of them pleased him.
Even the fact that he was standing in this ridiculous place.
'...Grit.'
Peng Zhou ground his teeth secretly.
If only the Alliance hadn't brought up the past, he wouldn't have needed to come to this shithole. Not being able to do so was his regret.
'To think of using me, Peng Zhou, as a clown?'
He would never forget the humiliation of this time.
Peng Zhou continued to grind his teeth.
He would definitely rise to the position of Alliance Lord and execute everyone who had ignored him.
He endures the present for that time.
Peng Zhou repeated that to himself, cooled his anger, and looked ahead.
Two Dragon, who still wasn't looking this way.
Normally, he would have gotten angry seeing that, but Peng Zhou quietly raised the corners of his mouth.
The reason was none other than.
'How fortunate that I can fix that insolent attitude.'
Right now, he was in a position where he could legally beat his opponent.
It meant that he could also "caress" the shitty attitude of that late-blooming junior.
So it didn't matter.
Be as arrogant as you want. The more you are, the rougher my hands will become.
Thinking like that, Peng Zhou drew his blade.
Kuong.
A heavy blade revealed itself to the world.
It wasn't the demonic weapon the Blade King originally used, the Black Fang Ink Blade (黑牙墨刀).
Demonic weapons couldn't be used in the spar tournament, so it was a weapon provided by the Alliance, but when the Blade King held it, its value changed.
An immense aura poured out from Peng Zhou, who held the blade.
Gu-gu-gu-gu-gu.
"...Heup!"
"Haap!"
Groans erupted here and there.
It was a pressure that felt like a difference in level from the previous spars.
To have such presence with just a simple ready stance, everyone's gaze was drawn to the Blade King.
"It would be best if you prepared yourself."
As Peng Zhou spoke while emitting pressure, only then did Two Dragon's gaze move.
Still expressionless.
Seeing that, Peng Zhou realized belatedly.
'Was it because he was overly nervous?'
Now that he thought about it, wasn't he not looking because he was scared, not because he was ignoring him?
'Right. So that was it.'
No wonder.
It didn't make sense for some latecomer to ignore him, but if excessive tension was the issue, it could be.
"Don't worry. I won't show my true strength against a junior, and this will also be a rare good opportunity for you. Try spreading your wings to your heart's content."
He spat out the words with a smirk.
Act cocky all you want.
Words that implied such a meaning.
However.
"Hmm."
Seeing that, Two Dragon tilted his head and spoke.
"As expected. The father's side is far better. It's a pity."
"...What?"
Peng Zhou reacted to the murmured words, but.
"Please prepare."
With the referee's words, the question could not continue.
What did he mean by that just now?
The father?
At the incomprehensible remark, Peng Zhou harbored a question, but ignored it for now.
"...Third main round, Peng Zhou of the Peng Clan versus Bi Uijin of the Seoan Bi Clan."
The referee raised his hand and then.
"Spar, begin."
Lowered it quickly, and the spar began.
Right after the spar began.
The two people watched each other without any special movement.
Seeing Two Dragon standing still as if he were nervous, the Blade King said.
"As a senior's courtesy, I will yield three moves."
"..."
Three moves. Two Dragon's eyes widened at the words.
Was he surprised by the Blade King's consideration?
"...Ah, right. Senior... I see."
"..."
As expected, he seemed extremely nervous. It felt like he wasn't in his right mind.
Two Dragon, who had widened his eyes for a moment, quickly clasped his fists and said to the Blade King.
"I had a few things to check anyway. Thank you for your consideration."
What could he be checking?
The moment the Blade King was about to feel a bit of interest.
Step.
Two Dragon started walking.
Slowly, step by step, he approached the Blade King.
Seeing this, the Blade King let out a hollow laugh.
'Walking?'
Even if he charged with all his might, it wouldn't be enough, but he was walking now? It was ridicu-.
Swish.
Thung-!
"!?"
The sudden situation. The Blade King assessed it and steadied his breath.
'What?'
He had raised his arm without realizing it.
Also, he felt an impact.
What was going on? Realizing the situation, the Blade King couldn't help but be even more surprised.
Two Dragon, who was walking from afar, was suddenly in front of the Blade King.
He had attacked him with a kick, and the Blade King had raised his arm to block it.
A situation blocked purely by instinct.
The Blade King, who hadn't properly recognized the attack, had to be flustered.
But the surprising thing was that this wasn't the end.
"This is too weak."
Two Dragon muttered as he retracted his foot.
And then.
Kuuung-!
"Keuk!? Keok-heok!"
A tremendous impact was suddenly felt in his abdomen.
This time, it was just like before.
Two Dragon's thrust fist dug into the Blade King's abdomen.
Kwajik-!
The protective aura surrounding him was shattered.
Hoo-! The massive body floated low in the air.
The Blade King immediately wrapped his inner energy and landed.
Thud-!
At the same time, he took a few steps back and grabbed his abdomen with his large hand.
"Heok... heok..."
He almost threw up without realizing it.
"You bastard... what is the meaning of this...!"
The pain still clustered in his abdomen.
The Blade King asked while holding back his trembling body.
"Hmm."
Two Dragon looked at the Blade King and nodded twice.
"This is too strong. Just the middle should be fine."
Afterwards, he smiled with satisfaction as if he had confirmed something.
And then, he beckoned the Blade King with his finger.
"I don't need up to three. Come at me now."
Paeyong was certain.
Yes, this much was enough.
If he thought about it, just this much.
It seemed like he could beat the Blade King without killing him.