Chapter 152
152
I wanted to grab him by the scruff of the neck and drag him out right away, but it wasn't a situation where I could barge in.
I patted Yeon-ryang on the shoulder and stamped my feet.
"Brother, I think he's crazy."
"Hmm. It's my first time seeing a friend who defies all expectations like that. Well, if you want to gain experience, there's no better choice than a Martial Arts Tournament for Marriage."
Yeon-ryang's nonchalant muttering made my stomach churn.
That's not the point! Why is he participating in a Martial Arts Tournament for Marriage to pick a groom!
What on earth was he doing before he went up there?
Unlike me, who was speechless and stammering, the spectators who didn't know Yang Gyo-jin's identity whistled and cheered.
"Cut him down!"
"Smash him to pieces!"
The atmosphere was so heated that I wondered if there was gambling going on.
It's supposed to be a Martial Arts Tournament for Marriage to pick a groom. It seems like they don't care about the groom and just gathered to watch a fight.
Seeing my anxious expression, Yeon-ryang patted me lightly as if to calm me down.
"Nothing will happen. It looks like he went up there because he was bored. He'll be satisfied after warming up a bit and come down soon. We can make him forfeit later."
"I guess so. Seeing what he's doing, I can't leave him alone."
I sighed and glared at Yang Gyo-jin.
He twirled his sword with a playful face, and then took a fighting stance.
Yang Gyo-jin's opponent was a Swordmaster who looked a bit older.
He looked to be in his late 30s. Judging by the many small scars on his face, he seemed to be a Martial Artist with a lot of practical experience.
"I don't know who that young hero is, but it's a pity that his first opponent is Hero Poong. There's no one in this Ak-Yang territory as skilled as Hero Poong."
"You never know. You have to measure the thick and short to know. Maybe he's a skilled Martial Artist from out of town?"
"Ahem, did you bet on that young hero?"
"I took a gamble. Young Hero Yang, was it? Well, the odds are fifteen to one."
Yeon-ryang, who was listening to the spectators' conversation, said in a slightly regretful voice.
"Hmm. I wonder if we should have bet too?"
"......Don't. Brother."
You should be stopping me, not betting.
The noisy spectators fell silent as if they had made a promise when the opposing Swordmaster also took a fighting stance.
Soon, Yang Gyo-jin's sword and the man's sword collided.
Clang!
Sparks seemed to fly, and Yang Gyo-jin, who had taken a step back, gently deflected the man's sword.
"Not bad."
The man, who had muttered, frowned and swung his sword fiercely.
A heavy broadsword rushed towards Yang Gyo-jin's chest.
"Eek! Rough!"
Yang Gyo-jin, who let out a frivolous scream, dodged lightly and soared into the air. It was a nimble movement like a swallow skimming over water.
I stared at Yang Gyo-jin as if possessed.
Was it because the Martial art move that Yang Gyo-jin and I had only talked about was unfolding before my eyes? I could see his Sword path vividly.
Is he going to break the sword next? Oh, he's breaking it!
Excited, I focused on the Martial Arts Tournament for Marriage, breathing heavily, and Yeon-ryang chuckled.
"He's like water."
"Water?"
"Yeah. Young Master... Clan Leader. His sword is as flexible as water."
Yeon-ryang, who changed his title while being conscious of his surroundings, added.
"It's a sword that suits his personality well. Water can be anything. It can be a gentle stream, a pouring waterfall, or a storm that overturns a ship."
"He seems to be good at changing his sword style. More than that, to say it suits his personality, isn't that just saying he's a fickle person?"
"That's right. It's an interesting sword."
Yeon-ryang, who agreed, chuckled. He didn't seem to be very interested in Yang Gyo-jin, but he seemed to be interested in Yang Gyo-jin's sword.
When Yang Gyo-jin received the man's sword without being pushed back at all, someone exclaimed in admiration.
"It's evenly matched!"
"Not at all."
Yeon-ryang shook his head and denied it. It didn't look similar to me at all either.
It only looked like the opponent's large and heavy movements were pushing Yang Gyo-jin, but no matter how I looked at it, Yang Gyo-jin was toying with the opponent.
The man seemed to realize that he was at a disadvantage and swung his sword wildly. However, his sword couldn't even touch the hem of Yang Gyo-jin's clothes.
"You slippery bastard!"
The man, unable to contain his anger, spat out curses and infused his sword with Killing intent.
Some of the spectators who felt the Killing intent sighed.
To reveal Killing intent during a Martial Arts Tournament for Marriage was not only impolite, but it was also an act that left no room for excuses even if the opponent took his life.
At that moment, Yang Gyo-jin's calm Qi changed rapidly.
"That, Sword Qi!"
"It's Sword Qi!"
Cheers erupted from all directions as azure Sword Qi soared from Yang Gyo-jin's sword.
Yang Gyo-jin, who smiled at the crowd's fuss, had his hair fluttered splendidly. Even though not a single breeze was blowing.
...Is he using Inner Energy to show off right now? He's so relaxed.
Can I do that too?
Out of curiosity, I gathered Inner Energy around my head, but it didn't flutter as naturally as he did.
As I smacked my lips and fiddled with my hair, Yeon-ryang, who was chuckling, whispered.
"There's a trick to it. I'll tell you later."
"Can you do that too, Brother?"
"Yeah. It's nothing special. Just shake it off like when you wash vegetables and shake off the water."
"What's that? I don't understand at all."
As I replied and watched the Martial Arts Tournament for Marriage stage, I was shocked.
Yang Gyo-jin's sword seemed to be aiming for the opponent's neck, but he only cut off the man's hair.
I felt a chill down my spine at the action that seemed to say that he could have cut off his neck but was showing mercy.
He seemed a little angry that the Killing sword was aimed at him.
The man, who finally realized the difference between Yang Gyo-jin and his own martial prowess, stuck his sword into the ground.
"......I lost."
The man's face, wiping the blood from his mouth as if he had suffered Internal injuries, was full of resentment.
At his declaration of defeat, the referee, who had been pacing back and forth under the Martial Arts Tournament for Marriage stage, struck the Large Gong again.
Jingle!
"Yang Clan's Gyo-jin, victory!"
"Waaaaaaah!"
Yang Gyo-jin was so excited by the pouring applause and cheers that he waved his hand at the spectators for a long time before jumping off the Martial Arts Tournament for Marriage stage.
He sat down on the edge of the platform and looked at the next Martial Arts Tournament for Marriage challenger as if he was going to watch the next Martial Arts Tournament for Marriage.
But no one went up on the Martial Arts Tournament for Marriage stage.
From the first Martial Arts Tournament for Marriage, a Martial Artist who was recognized in Ak-Yang was brutally defeated, so those who were frightened hurriedly gave up.
Did I expect too much? I thought it would be quite fun, even if it wasn't as good as the Martial Arts Tournament for Marriage where the Rising Star of the Nine Sects and One Gang gathered. It's nothing special.
The spectators grumbled and left as the Martial Arts Tournament for Marriage ended so quickly that it was boring.
Pushing through the dispersing crowd, I approached the Martial Arts Tournament for Marriage stage and called out to Yang Gyo-jin in a low voice.
"Yang Gyo-jin! Yang Gyo-jin!"
"Oh, you came?"
Yang Gyo-jin, who saw me, waved his hand brightly and approached. I rushed over and grabbed his shoulder.
"What happened to you? You disappeared without a word, why are you here?"
"So-hye. The Young Miss of this house bought me lamb ribs? I ate five plates."
"Hey! Do you follow people just because strangers offer you food! Are you a dog? Even dogs don't follow strangers!"
I was so angry that I hit him on the back, and Yang Gyo-jin screamed and made excuses.
"B, but they said they'd give me food and let me sleep."
"You're saying the obvious! Would they gather groom candidates and not give them food?"
"Ah, ouch! My back! My back!"
Yang Gyo-jin groaned and twisted his body wildly. The attention of the people around was focused on his screams. I flinched and glanced around, grabbed his arm, and dragged him to a secluded place.
"Ouch, ugh! It hurts! So-hye! Ack!"
"Yang Gyo-jin, you! Do you know what you've done? Forfeit right now!"
Yang Gyo-jin, who was struggling with tearful eyes, mumbled sullenly.
"F, forfeiting is not allowed."
"Why not!"
"I made a promise with the Young Miss of this house. I promised to win and marry her."
"What did you say?"
"I said I'd win and marry the Young Miss of this house."
"......"
Yeon-ryang, who had been watching quietly, shook his head.
"Oh dear. He's really hopeless."
My mind went blank at the absurd words. I didn't even know where to start pointing out.
Looking at his innocent eyes, it seemed like a pure favor, so it was difficult to criticize him.
Clan Leader Yang... How could you kick such a guy out of the house? I want to cry, really...
I wondered if that's why he kicked him out, but I thought it was too much to release such a guy into the world.
I tried not to raise my voice and opened my mouth.
"Absolutely not. Yang Gyo-jin. Don't talk nonsense and forfeit. You can't be a son-in-law in the first place. You're scamming now. It's a marriage fraud. If you win like this, you and your family will be in trouble. How are you going to handle the aftermath?"
"I already made a promise. And the Young Miss here knows I'm a woman."
"Break it. This is not something to be stubborn about...! What? She knows? But why does she want you to win?"
The moment I jumped up and asked back, I felt a presence approaching us. I closed my mouth and slowly took a breath.
Yeon-ryang, who put his hand on his forehead and looked over the fence, shrugged.
"It seems like the main character of the Martial Arts Tournament for Marriage is coming."
As Yeon-ryang said, a Young Miss wearing a red Palace dress was walking gracefully. A girl who seemed to be a maid and a Bodyguard were also with her.
"Mi-ryeo!"
Yang Gyo-jin, who was happy, waved his hand and whispered to me.
"That's the Young Miss. The Young Miss who bought me lamb ribs."
I frowned and glared at the lamb ribs Young Miss.
I was annoyed because I wondered how great her skills were to coax a foolish child to participate in a scam.
The lamb ribs Young Miss did not lose her composure even in my wary eyes.
"Are you the companions you mentioned at the inn?"
"Yeah. This is So-hye. My benefactor."
"I am Jang Mi-ryeo of the Golden Dragon Merchant Guild."
Jang Mi-ryeo, who pursed her red lips, looked at me with a languid smile.
