Translator: Nox

Chapter 229

Chapter 229

Unlike the preliminaries—which were rushed through like stir-frying beans over lightning after gathering a bunch of random participants—the main tournament was conducted systematically.

The matches were divided into morning and afternoon groups, with two matches per group—four matches a day. After eight days of the round of 32, there would be a two-day break before the round of 16 began.

Since it would take about a month to reach the finals, managing stamina seemed important.

When I found the schedule surprisingly relaxed, Grandfather spoke as if it were obvious.

“This is a friendly competition. Each sect is presenting disciples they’ve carefully raised. If they push them too hard and someone gets injured, they’d be criticized.”

Looking at the bracket after hearing that, I immediately understood.

Most of the 64 participants in the main round were from sects that had already been assigned positions.

Fewer than ten had made it up from the preliminaries.

It was such a closed list that you could believe it was a festival just for the Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Families.

…Isn’t this basically a rigged tournament? I almost didn’t even make it.

Well, yeah. If they made alliance-affiliated sects go through preliminaries, they’d hate it.

Smacking my lips, I stared at the first day’s bracket.

In the first match of the afternoon group, I saw the names of my third brother—whose face I barely remembered—and Yang Gyojin.

Group 3. Dang Hwayeop. Yang Gyojin.

Of all ways to match people, why like that…?

Though the pairing felt ominous, imagining Yang Gyojin scratching at Dang Hwayeop’s nerves made me grin.

Gyojin. I’m counting on you. I hate that guy.

Suppressing my smile, I asked Grandfather,

“Are you going to watch Brother Hwayeop’s match?”

“I’m not particularly inclined, but I should at least be there to keep up appearances for Bukyung.”

Grandfather sighed heavily.

“I wonder if he’ll embarrass himself from the very first match. Still, he’s known as the face of the Dang family.”

Seeing his worried expression made me a bit awkward.

I’d forgotten that if Dang Hwayeop got crushed in the first match, it would damage the family’s reputation too.

I knew how much Grandfather cared about the family, but I didn’t share that level of attachment, so all I could do was smile awkwardly.

Watching his mood, I quietly stood up.

“Grandfather, I’m going out for a walk.”

“Alright. Geunmyeong has saved our seats, so come back on time.”

“Yes.”

Even as I hurried out of the guest hall, Grandfather’s sighs didn’t stop.

It seemed he was certain Dang Hwayeop would lose miserably.

But Grandfather… that guy needs to meet someone who’ll crush his bloated ego.

Swallowing the words I couldn’t say, I wandered slowly between the alliance lodgings.

I heard people shouting as they trained, others complaining about the food provided by the alliance, and voices worrying about having to face a Wudang swordsman from the start.

While listening to these interesting conversations, I suddenly stopped when I saw a familiar figure.

Beopgong was standing in the middle of the road, looking bored out of his mind.

Why is this guy here?

“Monk, what are you doing here?”

He turned at my question and waved weakly.

“Kid, you’re here. I don’t even know what I’m doing… They told me to help maintain order. What are we supposed to do—stop martial artists from fighting like they’re children?”

They really make him do everything.

“If your master told you to, you should do it. Hang in there.”

“Yeah, kid. Your match is the day after tomorrow, right? Do well. Win it.”

“Yeah, yeah. I’ll win even if you don’t say it.”

“You can say anything with words.”

Chuckling, Beopgong came closer, slung an arm around my shoulder, and whispered,

“Hey. Your third or fourth brother—whatever he is—is something else. Acts like a tyrant at home, huh? He was beating the collateral family kids like they were nothing.”

“Really?”

“Look over there. That guy—he just got beaten up by your brother earlier. Too scared to even go to the infirmary, just standing there bleeding. Go check on him.”

“Why are you suddenly caring about someone else’s family business? Fine, I’ll go.”

Shrugging, I looked in the direction he pointed.

Sure enough, a man in a green robe stood near the Dang family lodgings, looking completely intimidated.

The ground was stained with blood, making me frown.

Why would they leave an injured person outside like that? That’s just embarrassing the family.

Grandfather would go ballistic if he saw this.

Now that I’d seen it, I couldn’t just ignore it.

I approached him quietly.

“Hey.”

“Huh?”

Startled, the man turned to me. When he saw my face, his eyes filled with suspicion.

“Y-you’re… that illegitimate—mmph.”

He hurriedly covered his mouth and glanced at me, but I didn’t feel particularly angry.

“Yeah, that’s me. What are you doing here? You’re attracting attention.”

“…The Third Young Master is angry.”

“Why? Told you to get lost because you’re unpleasant to look at?”

The man hesitated, then nodded.

“Why?”

“Why should I tell you?”

I let out a dry laugh at his sharp tone.

This guy’s got quite the temper.

“Fine, don’t. But standing here like this in a green robe isn’t a good look.”

“Not your concern.”

“It is. No matter what you think of me, others see both of us as Dang family members wearing green robes. Someone told me you got beaten up.”

“….”

“You’re participating in the tournament, right? You should get treated before your injuries worsen. The Third Young Master won’t take responsibility for your results.”

I gestured at his half-dried, blood-crusted hand. His face showed hesitation.

He knew I was right, but he seemed too afraid of Dang Hwayeop to act.

After watching him with crossed arms, he muttered,

“I can’t go to the infirmary. People will ask how I got hurt.”

“I’ll treat you. Follow me.”

“How can I trust you?”

“Then trust Brother Woon. He’s the one who taught me medicine.”

I beckoned and turned away. After swallowing nervously, the man quickly followed.

Hearing his limping footsteps, I slowed down. As he matched my pace, he introduced himself.

“I’m Dang Gyeongwon.”

“Dang Sohye.”

“I know.”

“Then call me by my name. Not ‘illegitimate.’”

“…Sorry.”

He awkwardly apologized and added that he was the son of Dang Sukgyeong, the steward.

“Then why do you just take the beatings?”

“It’s always been like this since childhood. He’s the head’s son and Uncle Bukyung’s disciple, so I was told to yield… It just became a habit.”

Still, there should be limits.

Beating the steward’s son until he limps—Dang Hwayeop really isn’t right in the head.

Fortunately, Grandfather wasn’t in the guest hall.

I sat Dang Gyeongwon down and rolled up his sleeve.

“What the—hey, your bone is broken. You endured this?”

His wrist was swollen with bone protruding, and I couldn’t help but be shocked.

That crazy bastard—he wrecked the hand of someone who uses hidden weapons.

Muttering curses, I reset the twisted bone. Gyeongwon grimaced, swallowing his groans—clearly used to enduring pain quietly.

Feeling a bit sorry for him, I took out some precious Jade Spirit Powder.

“Hey. This is rare, but I’ll apply it for you. Recover quickly… and smash Dang Hwayeop’s face in.”

“What is that?”

“Jade Spirit Powder.”

“H-how do you have that?”

“Get yourself a good friend like my brother. Now lie down—I need to do acupuncture on your knee. We don’t have time before Grandfather comes back.”

Maybe the mention of Jade Spirit Powder tempted him.

Dang Gyeongwon quickly lay down, looking at me with anticipation.

I smirked and took out my acupuncture kit.

---

After sending him off and cleaning up the now-messy guest hall, the morning was almost over.

As I scrubbed away the last bloodstains and sighed in relief, Grandfather’s voice rang out.

“My dear, why are you cleaning the floor?”

Startled, I turned with a calm smile.

“You’re back? I spilled something.”

“Oh dear. You didn’t have to do that. Don’t do this kind of thing anymore.”

With a wistful look, Grandfather patted my head.

He seemed to think I still hadn’t shaken off my habits from my servant days.

“Put that down. We should go now.”

“Yes.”

Didn’t get caught, right? Good.

I followed him out obediently, but he suddenly stopped on the way to the arena.

“Tsk.”

Peeking over his shoulder, I saw a woman in white robes approaching.

“Why is that old hag here again?”

Despite his annoyed tone, she walked up calmly and said,

“I arrived late, and there were no rooms left. Give me one.”

“Hah. Someone who can’t even stand the slightest noise wants a room? You hate even the sound of breathing. Geunmyeong, go prepare another quiet guest hall.”

“Yes, sir.”

Recognizing her voice, I quickly saluted. The Divine Physician Ghost Hand waved dismissively.

“How did you get into the alliance? You didn’t kill anyone, did you?”

“What do you take me for? I just showed the token that child Wiji left.”

“And Woon?”

“I sent him back to the Dang family, so don’t worry. I taught him how to make medicine—he’ll be able to control his yin energy now.”

“I see.”

Grandfather narrowed his eyes.

“…Did you really send him back, or just dump him somewhere?”

“He’ll realize he’s home after sleeping for about seven days. He should wake up in a couple of days.”

“You make drugging him and leaving him sound so nice. Did he refuse to go home?”

“Well, something like that.”

As their casual conversation continued, my throat felt dry.

Refused to go home? You forced him back?

Why? Did you separate?

…Did Brother Woon get dumped?