Translator: Nox

Chapter 248

Episode 248

The next day, the branch family guys I met at the arena wore playful expressions and teased me and Dang Gyeong-won.

"Dang So-hye. I heard you rejected Gyeongwon as soon as he brought it up?"

"Hahaha, what did I say? Dang Gyeong-won. I told you it wouldn't work, right?"

"……."

"Hey, do you know how confident Dang Gyeong-won was? He said he was good enough, that anyone would accept him……."

"Stop it."

Dang Gyeong-won, whose face and neck were flushed red from the pouring teasing, sighed deeply.

He was covering his face, head bowed, probably embarrassed by the situation.

I awkwardly rolled my eyes and whispered.

"Hey. I didn't spread the rumors."

"……I know. I was careless."

At his mumbling, Dang Ye-won giggled and patted Dang Gyeong-won's back.

"What did our wonderful brother say when I was dumped? Something like, no sane man would see you as a woman?"

"……Dang Ye-won."

"As expected, Brother is smart. He's always right. No sane woman would see Brother as a man. Isn't that right, Dang So-hye?"

Dang Ye-won, seeking my agreement and laughing heartily, seemed happier than I had ever seen her.

They really are siblings. They never miss an opportunity to strike a blow.

I swallowed a hollow laugh and waved my hand.

"That's enough. He's going to cry."

"What, Dang So-hye. Are you taking his side now? Hooh. Is there a possibility later on?"

"Is there? Don't make a fuss and attract attention. People are whispering."

I already have a headache, and I don't want more things to worry about.

Grandfather told me to do as I please, but the position of the family and the Patriarch might be different.

If the story with Dang Gyeong-won continued to spread, there was a possibility that unwanted marriage proposals would come in from unexpected places, causing trouble.

I refused to increase variables that I couldn't control.

At my reply, Dang Seo-heon opened his mouth as if I was being too harsh.

"……Wow. You're cruel. You're killing Gyeongwon twice."

As he looked at Dang Gyeong-won as if he felt sorry for him, Dang Gyeong-won trembled and muttered in a barely audible voice.

"You guys, please……. Stop it……."

"Keuh, keuh. Okay. Okay."

The children, suppressing their laughter, turned their backs on me after clearing their throats.

Unlike me, who was feeling awkward, Dang-un and Grandfather, who were watching this whole situation, seemed to find it amusing.

At Grandfather's mischievous gaze, I looked away and fidgeted with my sleeve.

I was dying to finish the tournament and join the League to gather information.

……I shouldn't make them wait too long.

Feeling heavy-hearted for no reason, I tried to think of something else, but I felt a familiar Qi getting closer.

As I tilted my head back at the shadow cast over me, I saw Jin-sung standing there with an awkward expression.

"Jinseong disciple? What's the matter?"

"Well, that is……."

The moment he awkwardly opened his mouth, Songhwa, who had popped out from behind Jin-sung, quickly took over.

"Good morning, Dang Sojeo. If you don't mind, could you take care of our Granduncle-Master for a moment?"

"Pardon?"

What are you talking about? Why would I take care of your Granduncle-Master?

As I narrowed my eyes with a look that said, 'What nonsense are you talking about?', Songhwa lowered his voice and whispered.

"Please. You see, our Grandmaster……."

Songhwa, trailing off, pointed below the Martial Arts Stage.

Following his fingertip, I saw Song-gwang trembling like an aspen.

"As you can see, he's completely frozen. He says that if he even makes eye contact with Granduncle-Master, he'll ruin the match, so he wants us to move him far away…… no, to avoid him."

Oh dear. He probably can't even hold a sword in that state.

Seeing him so nervous that it was pitiful, I guessed what was going on.

Nodding, I lightly tapped the seat next to me.

"You two must be having a hard time too. Feel free to stay here, Do-jang."

"Yes. Thank you."

Jin-sung, answering hesitantly, sat next to me, and Songhwa winked with a relieved expression.

"Thank you for relieving my worries. Please take good care of our Granduncle-Master, Young lady."

Then, before I could even reply, he disappeared like the wind.

I guess he wants me to take care of him until the end of the match?

Scratching my cheek, I chuckled as I looked at Jin-sung, who was full of tension.

"Last time, you were chasing Dojang Songhwa with fire in your eyes, but today you're being chased away by your disciples. It must not be easy being a Sect elder. Is it hard?"

"No. It's all my duty……. Ah, Elder."

Jin-sung, who had been answering calmly, noticed Grandfather, who was glaring at him with his arms crossed, and hurriedly got up and clasped his hands.

"Alright. Sit down. Are you a Wudang brat today? You're coming and going so evenly."

Grandfather, replying sullenly, turned his body towards the Martial Arts Stage.

In the meantime, the referee, who had finished inspecting the Martial Arts Stage, rang the Large Gong.

"I will now begin the second match! Wudang's Song-gwang. Namgung Family's Namgung Hwi, please come up to the Martial Arts Stage."

At the referee's call, Song-gwang, his eyes bloodshot, gritted his teeth and climbed the stairs.

But he seemed quite relaxed during the last match. Even considering that his opponent is Namgung Hwi, he's too determined, isn't he?

"Why is Dojang Song-gwang so nervous? Did something happen?"

"It's nothing."

"It looks like something happened. Did the Do-jang scold him?"

"I merely warned him not to give up arbitrarily like Songhwa, as the Sect Leader is watching."

Jin-sung, answering nonchalantly, glared at Song-gwang with an uncomfortable look on his face.

He's saying he threatened him that he wouldn't let him off if he didn't do it right. This guy is really strict.

I couldn't help but laugh at his consistent rigidity. I glared at Jin-sung and reproached him.

"Tsk, tsk. That's why he's so nervous. This is Jinseong disciple's fault. You're not just putting pressure on him, you're hanging him off a cliff."

"……Is that so?"

"It would be great if he could show his skills without being concerned about the opponent's Martial Prowess, but everyone's best isn't the same. For some, going up on the Martial Arts Stage and facing a strong opponent might be the best, and for others, exchanging a single move with the opponent might be the best."

"……."

"Even if the other disciples' matches don't meet your expectations, don't scold them too much. Sometimes you have to turn a blind eye. You're still the same."

Mentioning a conversation we had once had, I chided him, and Jin-sung blinked with a slightly embarrassed look.

"Ah……. That might be true."

He stared at Song-gwang with a thoughtful look, then smiled faintly and answered quietly.

"Yes. I will keep that in mind."

Shrugging, I turned my gaze back to the Martial Arts Stage.

Namgung Hwi, exchanging greetings with Song-gwang, seemed to be in a good mood today.

His smiling face was so radiant that I wondered what good thing had happened to make him smile so brightly.

Judging by the voices occasionally admiring his appearance, he seemed to be considered handsome by others as well.

It's a prerequisite for the protagonist, though.

Fixing my gaze on Namgung Hwi, who was clenching the sword he had been loosely holding, I was lost in thought.

In the first match, I saw an honest sword without any trickery, and in the second match, I saw a sharp sword that relentlessly pushed the opponent.

However, I didn't see Namgung's Esoteric Skill in either match.

The opponent's level wasn't equal, so there was no chance to show it, but…… the anxiety of not knowing his Martial Prowess exactly made my throat dry.

If possible, I wanted to see Namgung Hwi's Emperor Sword Form before meeting him on the Martial Arts Stage.

As it was a Technique passed down only to the Patriarch and his successor of Namgung, few had actually seen it, but its power was said to be so strong that no one could deny it.

What would the Emperor's sword, which splits the sky and makes the world kneel, look like?

As it was the Signature Move that was mentioned first when discussing Namgung's sword, it would be difficult to deal with.

To break it, I need to see it in advance and review it. I really hope he shows it today.

Just as I was biting my lip to suppress my anxiety, Jin-sung called me.

"Dang Sojeo."

"Yes?"

"Don't be too impatient."

"……Yes?"

At the incomprehensible words, I raised my head, and his gray eyes met mine as if seeing through my inner thoughts.

"I haven't faced many Martial Artist, but you are the only Rising Star who has exchanged hundreds of moves with me. So even if you meet the Divine Dragon, you won't be easily pushed back as you fear."

Blinking at his serious voice, I burst into laughter.

"Yes? What is that, Do-jang. Does that mean that if Jinseong disciple is the standard, then Do-jang is the best among the Rising Star? You're getting good at self-praise now."

"Yes? Ah, no. That's not what I meant……."

Jin-sung, his ears turning red, was a little embarrassed as he stammered out an excuse.

I opened my mouth with a laughing voice.

"I understand what you mean. I'll relax. Was I showing that I was wary?"

"Yes, a little."

"Oh dear. If it's visible to Do-jang, then the Divine Dragon knows too."

I wondered if I had only shown my competitiveness to a friend who had come to visit.

I patted both cheeks with my hands to try to loosen my stiff expression.

Kaaang!

At the same time, the two people, as if they had agreed in advance, rushed out and collided.