I had nothing to say at the sight of her coming with a bright smile.
For some reason, the bruises were quite plentiful.
She had no major injuries, but counting all the minor ones, her condition was terrible.
Bongsuni was proving with her body just how grueling the duel had been.
‘Though she lost, of course.’
I grabbed my throbbing forehead.
She lost.
In the end, Bongsuni was defeated by Geomryong.
“Hehehe!”
Watching Bongsuni laugh as if she’d had fun, I had to endure a headache.
Naturally, everyone had watched the duel. I also knew the cause of her defeat.
‘This wasn’t so different from Seongyul, either…’
Difference in level.
This was also seen in the duel between Paeng Ujin and Seongyul.
However, it wasn’t an overwhelming power gap like between those two.
It was a level close to equal, but.
‘The situation was the big problem.’
Before the duel, I had asked Bongsuni something.
I had asked her if she could win while looking at Yeongpung.
Bongsuni answered.
If it were a duel, she didn’t know, but.
‘In a life-or-death battle, she would win.’
Bongsuni had said so confidently.
Moreover, I hadn’t thought differently about that part.
A fight with intent to kill.
In that process, Bongsuni would be stronger than Yeongpung.
Yeongpung was still closer to an unripe orthodox martial artist.
Even if he had real combat experience, how much could he have?
But Bongsuni was different.
‘…She’s just a wild beast.’
She doesn’t hesitate to kill. She doesn’t discriminate between means and methods.
If it were a fight to kill each other, even in my eyes, the probability that Bongsuni would win was high.
Of course.
‘Though that wasn’t a certainty either.’
The form Yeongpung showed in the duel was beyond imagination.
‘The plum blossoms had grown much deeper.’
The sword dance he originally displayed had become sharper and more delicate.
The qi energy Yeongpung possessed had become more profound.
‘He seems to have trained properly.’
You could tell just by looking at his muscles.
Yeongpung’s body, built up through grueling training, looked ridiculously solid.
‘…If you’re going to build a foundation, that’s how you build it.’
His rise in realm might be slow, but he was more faithful to the basics than anything.
If Yeongpung were to ascend to the Transformation Realm, his efforts until now would become a considerable advantage.
Moreover, though I couldn’t be sure, if things continued as they were, the chances were high that Yeongpung would become the next generation’s Sword King.
Though there was also that Uhyeok guy… it seemed Yeongpung had risen higher in terms of swordsmanship.
‘Well, that’s whatever, but…’
That Bongsuni would lose here.
I had considered the possibility of losing, but regret was inevitable.
‘As expected. Was the problem that she couldn’t use the Phantom Weapon?’
An heirloom of the former Sword Empress that Bongsuni uses.
The use of Phantom Weapons was banned in this martial arts tournament, so she had no choice but to leave it behind. Perhaps because her beloved weapon was gone, Bongsuni couldn’t display her full strength properly.
But.
‘The same goes for Yeongpung.’
He probably couldn’t use his beloved weapon either.
And there was a reason for that.
‘Because Yeongpung should also possess the Phantom Eye.’
The Phantom Eye, which remained as two for some reason.
Huashan should have reclaimed the Phantom Eye from Wudang, and Yeongpung would possess it.
‘Yeongpung couldn’t show the Phantom Eye in the duel either.’
It was true that both had issues due to the situation.
And it was also true that as a result, Bongsuni lost.
‘Tsk.’
It meant it was time to accept defeat.
‘If it comes to this… I’ll have to go with the second option.’
There were two strategies prepared in relation to Bongsuni.
The second one was the plan for if she lost the duel.
‘I’ll have to send a message to the Hwangbo Family Head later.’
I had to quickly grasp the situation and respond.
Immediately after sighing at that judgment.
“…So.”
Shoving aside the bruised Bongsuni, I turned around.
“What business do you have?”
Because someone had come looking for me.
“...”
The guy behind me flinched at my words.
A shaved head and an arrogant face. A young man with somewhat familiar yellow eyes.
It was Yuyeon, the Divine Dragon called the Hope of Shaolin.
“What do you want.”
When I asked with a frown, Yuyeon spoke to me with an awkward expression.
“…I came to greet you.”
“A greeting?”
I tilted my head at Yuyeon's words.
“What kind of greeting?”
We’re not exactly on greeting terms, are we?
That question came to mind.
However.
“I hope you have been well, Benefactor.”
Yuyeon looked uncomfortable yet showed courtesy first.
I watched that silently and nodded.
“Yeah. You doing well too?”
“I am.”
“No, you don’t. You don’t look like it.”
“...”
Yuyeon let out a dry cough at my words. He must have realized what I meant.
Right now, Yuyeon had bandages wrapped around his chest.
It seemed the wound from his fight with Wi Seol-a hadn’t fully healed.
‘Because the wound was deep then.’
Though it wasn’t a fatal wound, it wasn’t something that would heal in a few days.
If it were anyone else, they might have withdrawn from the next duel due to the strain.
Despite having such a wound, Yuyeon had returned to the duel stage today.
‘Is that by his own will, or someone else’s?’
Even if Shaolin was far more rotten than I expected, surely they wouldn’t push a wounded disciple onto the duel stage.
‘You never know.’
No one knows what will happen with people.
“Can you even fight in that condition?”
When I asked, tilting my head, Yuyeon bit his lip slightly.
“…I can.”
“Hmm.”
He looks like he’ll die doing that.
I didn’t say that. What meaning would there be in me worrying about him?
Holding my tongue, I looked around.
The gazes were no joke—already, most were staring at the Divine Dragon.
‘Because the impact he showed last time was considerable.’
Overwhelming power that couldn’t be seen as that of an up-and-comer.
The Divine Dragon had already become a figure of great significance to others.
It could be vigilance.
Or praise.
Whatever it was, it meant he had risen to a position too high to be called an up-and-comer.
Because of that, many people’s interest was now solely on one thing.
‘If the Fierce Dragon and Divine Dragon fight, who would win?’
The Fierce Dragon who trampled the Blade King.
The Divine Dragon who revealed himself to the world.
If those two clashed, who would win?
It was something many were curious about, but it became impossible as the Fierce Dragon forfeited.
Therefore, there were also those who, with disappointed hearts, were curious about the Blade King and Divine Dragon.
The funny thing there was.
‘Public opinion is largely split in half.’
Half believed the Divine Dragon would win.
Half believed the Blade King would win.
Such was public opinion now.
What a miserable situation.
‘For the Blade King’s reputation to have fallen that far.’
It’s laughable enough that a King-level martial artist is being compared to a mere up-and-comer, but for people to think his chances are fifty-fifty—how absurd is that?
‘That old man must be crying tears of blood right now.’
Would it only be tears?
He’d be so furious he’d be destroying everything around him.
This was all a situation created by the Overlord.
‘Tsk,’
Damn old man.
Because that man caused an accident, things got somewhat tangled.
‘…Thanks to that, talk about the relationship between the Demonic Cult and the Overlord has decreased somewhat, but.’
The headache is just the same.
Holding back a sigh that was about to burst out, I looked at Yuyeon again.
“So. What do you want.”
“...”
He wouldn’t have come here just to greet me.
As I said before, we’re not on greeting terms.
Yuyeon didn’t say anything in response to my question.
To be precise, he couldn’t say it and was likely hesitating.
As if there was something he was wavering about, he repeatedly opened and closed his mouth.
At that sight, I was about to get annoyed out of frustration.
“Oh! It’s that person from back then!”
The bruised Bongsuni suddenly butted in.
“Baldie! Shiny shiny!”
“…What, punk?”
“Can I touch it this time too?”
My eyes widened at the words she said with utter excitement.
What’s that crazy girl saying?
“Touch what…? Wait. What do you mean ‘this time too’? What does that mean?”
Does “this time too” mean she already touched it?
“Yeah! I touched it before! It’s super smooth and squeaky. Cult Leader… ah, no, Young Master, do you want to touch it too?”
I asked in disbelief, but Bongsuni said it with sparkling eyes as if she had seen a jewel.
I’m really going crazy.
‘No matter how you look at it, this would piss him off.’
So I looked at Yuyeon with an awkward expression. But.
“…Uh… th-that… uh…”
Contrary to expectations, Yuyeon was busy stammering as if broken.
Why is that punk like that again.
His face and ears were bright red; his condition was completely off.
“...”
Looking at that, I thought.
…No way.
“Hey.”
“…Y-yes?”
Yuyeon flinched and reacted to my call.
Seeing that, I asked.
“Did you fall for her?”
“…!”
Yuyeon jumped in surprise at my words. Look at this punk…?
“Don’t tell me you really…”
“Oh. What, what?”
Just as I was about to speak in disgust, Bongsuni cut in this time. I had a bad feeling.
“Do you want to mate with me— kweek!”
As expected, since she was about to spout nonsense, I smacked her on the head.
“Oww, that hurts…!!”
“…Please. Please shut up and get lost in some corner….”
It was so embarrassing I couldn’t stand it.
I kicked Bongsuni toward Dang So-yeol. It meant to take her to the infirmary. Bongsuni, hit on the butt by my foot, giggled and disappeared.
After sending off all the baggage, only Yuyeon and I were barely left.
“…Hoo….”
Suppressing my burning anger, I ran my hand down my face.
I was so embarrassed I couldn’t raise my head.
“A-ahem….”
As if Yuyeon was the same, he suddenly let out a dry cough.
And then.
“It’s not like that.”
He suddenly started explaining.
“…What’s not?”
“Th-that I admire her or… that’s not what I mean. I follow the will of Buddha and do not harbor such dark thoughts toward the opposite sex….”
“No, you don’t have to explain. I’m not interested.”
“…Huh? Ah. I see….”
“Aren’t monks men too? It’s fine to like a woman. She’s crazy, but her looks are worth seeing. It’s totally possible.”
“Ah, no! It’s definitely not like that…!!”
“Enough. So tell me why you came. If you’ve got no business, get lost and let me rest.”
I pulled the conversation to quickly get to the main point.
At those words, Yuyeon hesitated briefly before his expression changed.
As expected. It seemed he did have business.
What could it be? What was so important that he came looking for me like this?
Just as that curiosity arose.
“…I have a request.”
Yuyeon brought out the words he had been holding back.
“Before long, I will be having a duel with you, Benefactor.”
“I suppose so.”
Since the bracket was drawn up that way.
But why bring that up?
“…At that time…”
“At that time?”
“…I hope you will fight me properly, Benefactor.”
“Hmm?”
I looked at Yuyeon, surprised at his words.
What is that punk saying right now?
“…What are you talking about all of a sudden?”
“I came here to ask that you put your all into the duel, Benefactor.”
“Hmm.”
A duel isn’t a joke. I was always serious.
I was about to say that, but seeing Yuyeon's eyes, I closed my mouth for a moment.
This punk was serious.
His intensely firm eyes were filled with some indescribable fervor.
Looking at that, I clicked my tongue and scratched the back of my neck. It was a gaze that made me reluctant to answer half-heartedly.
“…Hey.”
So this time, I dropped the playfulness.
“Yes.”
“Then you’ll die.”
“…!”
Yuyeon's shoulders trembled at my answer.
“If you were in good shape, maybe. What kind of shitty declaration is that in your condition? Are you crazy?”
“…This much is nothing. I can do it.”
“What are you saying, you bald weakling.”
“....”
Perhaps because the words were harsh? Yuyeon's expression hardened.
Even seeing that, my mouth didn’t stop.
“That’s not something you can ask for. It depends on your actions.”
“…Depends on my actions?”
“Make me do it properly. Then I’ll do as you wish.”
“...”
I didn’t know why Yuyeon suddenly made such a request, but since he seemed sincere at least, I answered him properly too.
If you want to see my true intent, act in a way that makes it possible.
That was what I meant.
Whether he understood the meaning, Yuyeon's eyes burned even hotter.
“Understood. I will show you, just as you say, Benefactor.”
Yes.
‘Hmm.’
Along with his words, a feeling brushed past my heart. My fighting spirit reacted to Yuyeon's spirit.
“Today. I will defeat you, Benefactor.”
I smirked at Yuyeon's words.
“Then show me.”
“...”
No more words were heard.
Yuyeon bowed his head in courtesy and immediately turned his back and walked away.
What’s with that punk. Did he really come just to say this?
Asking me to do it properly when we duel?
‘Did that monk eat too many dumplings and go weird in the head?’
That’s how much the thought crossed my mind.
But that wasn’t the only strange part.
‘What is it?’
I thought while watching Yuyeon's retreating back.
Because there was something subtly bothering me.
Honestly, it was nothing much.
It was purely instinct.
There was no reason or justification for it.
If I had thought of it normally, I would have dismissed it as nonsense.
But I couldn’t hold back and asked Yuyeon, who was moving away.
“By the way.”
At my voice, Yuyeon stopped walking.
“The bracket ending up like that. Was that your doing?”
“...”
Yuyeon was silent upon hearing my words.
A few seconds. Yuyeon, who had been quiet like that, answered.
“I don’t know what you mean.”
He answered without turning his head and then started walking again.
Yuyeon gradually growing distant.
Watching that punk, I was certain.
“Haha. Look at this.”
It seemed.
“It was his doing?”
It seemed to be right.