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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 81
Chapter Title: Chapter 81
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“You really….”
“Stop it, Brother.”
Seop Mugwang once again blocked Namgung Mugang, glancing at Seolhwa.
He was holding Namgung Mugang back according to the Patriarch’s wishes, but he was just as surprised by Seolhwa’s words.
‘To break a sword technique is impossible with ordinary eyes and insight. On top of that, one’s own sword skill must also be top-notch.’
And that wasn’t all. To break a sword technique, one must know that technique precisely.
Not just know it, but achieve perfect mastery to even begin to find its flaws.
‘And that kid did it.’
The kid’s realm was Jeoljeong.
The problem was that she hadn’t been in Namgung for long.
‘The Patriarch might have taught the child martial arts in the training hall, but it’s only been ten days. Can one master a sword technique and create a Pahoegeom in just ten days?’
Is that truly possible? And with a mere thirteen-year-old child?
‘It seems Brother Mucheon knows something that only he is aware of.’
The kid has many secrets. Quite dangerous ones, too.
If Namgung Mucheon is hiding it to this extent, it’s probably related to that.
‘Thinking about it like that, I’m truly curious.’
He wanted to ask immediately, just like Namgung Mugang, but he swallowed his regret.
“…There are too many eyes watching, so return to your seat. If you want to properly watch the remaining matches, as the kid said, sober up a bit.”
“I’d go even if you didn’t tell me, you fool. Now move that sword.”
Namgung Mugang grumbled to the very end as he returned to his seat.
Though late, with the arrival of the Martial Hall Master, everyone in the family was present for the Cheonmuje.
The Cheonmuje continued.
As Seolhwa had said, during the sparring matches of the Outer Hall martial artists, four of them used the Pahoegeom technique and won.
Each time, Seolhwa felt Namgung Mugang’s gaze fixed on her.
No, was it only Namgung Mugang?
Everyone who realized it was Pahoegeom was paying attention to Seolhwa. Namgung Mucheon was no different.
‘Hmm.’
‘I thought she would directly showcase it, given that she showed overwhelming power.’
Why were Outer Hall martial artists demonstrating Pahoegeom instead of Seolhwa?
‘Shock, when repeated, becomes familiar.’
As if to prove those words, now that the fourth martial artist had shown Pahoegeom, the spectators’ reactions were lukewarm compared to when it was first displayed.
And that wasn’t all. As time passed, public opinion was turning negative.
“To create a sword technique that negates existing ones as soon as she arrived at Namgung. Does the young lady perhaps have another intention in returning to Namgung?”
“I heard she was with a Heukdo faction, not a pleasure house. So, it’s not impossible.”
“It’s absurd that she devised Pahoegeom herself, and to boast that she did. What is she thinking? Is it just because she’s still young?”
Namgung Mucheon’s face darkened as he overheard the elders whispering among themselves.
Public opinion had worsened due to the premature display of Pahoegeom. In addition to rumors of her being a courtesan, there were now talks of her attempting to challenge Namgung itself.
‘In this situation, if Seolhwa were to showcase Pahoegeom herself…’
Far from suppressing the rumors, there was a high possibility they would be misinterpreted in a negative way.
Namgung Mucheon looked at Seolhwa with a worried gaze.
Whether she knew it or not, Seolhwa’s expression as she watched the matches remained as calm as before.
* * *
The Outer Hall martial artists’ matches concluded.
All the matches were over, but the atmosphere was peculiar.
Everyone was excitedly discussing the matches, but their attention was entirely focused on Pahoegeom and Seolhwa, who claimed to have created it.
However, no one dared to mention it.
Knowing that Patriarch Namgung Mucheon had silenced the Martial Hall Master, Namgung Mugang, no one could easily bring up the topic.
“Let the sword units’ matches begin! The matches will be in a free-for-all format, so those who wish to show their skill, step onto the arena!”
Immediately, the Inner Hall martial artists’ matches began.
As the Black Dragon Commander announced the start of the matches, a member of the Black Dragon’s Third Unit raised his hand as if he had been waiting.
Following him, a member of the Yellow Dragon’s Third Unit stepped onto the arena, and the two began their match.
Clang— Clatter-Clang— Clang!
Watching the fierce exchange of blows, Seolhwa thought.
‘It’s usually opponents of similar skill who step forward.’
The Inner Hall martial artists’ matches were held in a free atmosphere, but an unwritten rule existed within it.
‘If a member of the Third Unit comes out, one of the Third Unit members steps up as an opponent.’
If it’s the Fifth Unit, then the Fifth. If the Eighth, then the Eighth.
When someone jumped onto the arena and announced their affiliation, a similarly skilled opponent from another sword unit would step forward.
It seemed to be an unwritten rule they had established among themselves, as they couldn’t afford to show a one-sided defeat in front of the Outer Hall martial artists.
‘So, this is a show-off match.’
While the Cheonmuje was originally meant to display martial prowess,
Unlike the Outer Hall matches, which were fought with lives on the line, these were merely enjoyable and lively festivities.
The sword units cheered for their members, and some elders and patriarchs used the excitement as an excuse to drink and chat.
There was no tension in the matches whatsoever.
‘It’s about time for him to appear.’
It was when the atmosphere of the Cheonmuje was reaching its peak.
“Namgung Gaksu of the Red Dragon’s Eighth Unit, at your service!”
A member of the Red Dragon Unit announced his affiliation and name, then walked onto the arena.
‘He’s here.’
Seolhwa sent a telepathic message as if she had been waiting.
- Illyong.
Illyong, who had been watching the matches, yawning in a corner, was startled and looked at Seolhwa.
As the eldest of the three Outer Hall brothers, he had been keeping his place in a shaded corner with Imoe and Sambong.
He had been itching to leave the arena for a while, but he was forced to stay due to his promise with Seolhwa.
- The time has come.
Illyong’s gaze trembled slightly.
He quickly rose from his seat and shouted towards the arena.
“Illyong of Red Dragon’s Sixteenth Unit humbly requests permission from the Patriarch!”
His voice pierced through the noisy arena and spread.
The arena instantly fell silent, and all eyes within the arena turned to Illyong.
“What is it?”
In that silence, Namgung Mucheon asked.
Just the fact that the Patriarch had responded to his call made Illyong’s lips feel parched as he shouted.
“If the Patriarch grants permission, I wish to participate in this match!”
At his truly shocking declaration, the arena instantly stirred.
“Isn’t he an Outer Hall martial artist? An Outer Hall martial artist challenging an Inner Hall martial artist?”
“No, he’s even from the same Red Dragon Unit. The Red Dragon’s Sixteenth Unit challenging the Red Dragon’s Eighth Unit!”
“Is he crazy? Is he desperate to be shamed in front of everyone?”
Illyong, at the center of the commotion, sweated profusely.
‘Damn it. What am I doing?’
In truth, all of this was Seolhwa’s doing.
She had promised him double the money compared to when she had him investigate the sword unit commanders, so he had eagerly agreed.
‘If I had known it would be like this, I wouldn’t have taken the money first.’
When he heard what it entailed and refused, she demanded he pay back ten times the amount.
When he protested that it was absurd, she looked as if she was about to unleash Godok right there, so he couldn’t refuse.
‘To be doing such a foolish thing when I’m supposed to be living quietly. Dammit.’
If it weren’t for that Godok or whatever it was.
Illyong just sweated profusely, praying inwardly that the Patriarch would refuse his request. If the Patriarch refused, it would be awkward, but that would be the end of it.
However, Namgung Mucheon’s answer shattered Illyong’s hopes.
“Granted.”
It was a short word, but his voice was heard by everyone in the arena.
“!”
Damn it. I’m screwed.
A silence fell as if cold water had been poured over them.
In that silence, Illyong stiffly walked onto the arena.
The member of the Red Dragon’s Eighth Unit, who had been waiting for an opponent on the arena, was also glaring at Illyong with an unpleasant expression.
‘Who is that scoundrel?’
He walked onto the arena with a swaggering gait, and despite knowing it was a formal Namgung event, he wasn’t even properly dressed in his martial robes.
Not only did he show no sign of apology, despite being the one put in an awkward position by his outrageous request, but he also clearly looked like he had been caught up in an annoying situation.
Even the way he annoyingly picked his ear displeased him.
“Tch.”
Namgung Gaksu deliberately straightened his posture and adjusted his martial robes.
He wanted to show that he was of a different caliber than such a scoundrel.
‘I was just going to finish it quickly and get off.’
A match that would have been fine to just get through, win or lose, had now become a match he absolutely could not lose.
Even if he won, it would be a break-even, but if he lost, he would bear the shame of tarnishing the pride of an Inner Hall martial artist.
‘Because of that idiotic Outer Hall martial artist…’
Namgung Gaksu gritted his teeth.
The two martial artists stood facing each other with uncomfortable expressions.
