Chapter 70

Chapter 70

Spectator seats.

“I cannot accept this!”

First Military Advisor  Guyang Jeok frowned at Third Military Advisor Heo Chong, who stood up abruptly and pointed at the scene before their eyes.

“Third Military Advisor, maintain your dignity.”

“Dignity? First Military Advisor, can you tell me to maintain dignity even after seeing this situation! Isn’t this a clear violation of regulations!”

When the Grand Competition first began.

All the spectators focused their attention on Mujeong Hall rather than Muryeon Hall, whose intentions they couldn’t understand. The sight of them quickly grasping the situation and deliberating was truly something that could be called a model for rising stars .

When people find themselves in an unfamiliar place, an unfamiliar environment, they cannot help but be flustered. However, doesn’t a person’s caliber get measured by how quickly they can recover from that confusion and respond?

That’s why when the Mujeong Hall trainees quickly organized the situation and began walking, everyone nodded their heads. They thought that’s what they should naturally do.

But what about now?

“To collapse the entire Sword Tomb, it’s an absurd act that could only be done if you’re not in your right mind! What if they all get buried and die!”

“They didn’t die.”

“Isn’t that just luck? If there had been just a bit more strain on the ground, the entire Sword Tomb would have collapsed……!”

“Third Military Advisor.”

At Guyang Jeok’s voice containing a cold chill, Heo Chong’s body flinched reflexively and he turned his gaze toward Guyang Jeok. Guyang Jeok was already looking at him with cold eyes.

“Refrain from actions that may appear biased. Before entering this arena, we must be more neutral and fair than anyone else from the moment we enter. Do you understand?”

“Their actions were all calculated. Destroying five pillars to collapse the ground, that the collapsed ground happened to be above a Random Teleportation illusionary formation. And hunting down those who fell separately in groups. Is there anything about this that can’t be called strategy?”

It can’t be.

Even if rotten, a sea bream is still a sea bream—the position of Third Military Advisor of the Murim Alliance isn’t something that can be obtained through connections and politics alone. The Military Affairs Department  of the Murim Alliance is a position impossible to even set foot in without one’s own abilities backing it up.

Heo Chong also knows this. He knows it but wants to use this situation as an excuse to lead Muryeon Hall to defeat.

“Don’t make unreasonable arguments. Pressure without justification only produces the opposite effect.”

“……Understood.”

Seeing Heo Chong sit down like a mute who ate honey at his criticism, Guyang Jeok let out a faint sigh and turned his view back to the front, falling into thought.

‘……So it was this much.’

Former Changcheon Corps Commander , current Uicheonmun Sect Master  Baek Riyun.

The First Military Advisor’s eyes are spread throughout various places in the Murim Alliance. So naturally, he knew Baek Riyun was plotting something. He had received reports that Baek Riyun had switched roles with Cheongryoo as instructor for just one day.

However, in the end, wasn’t Baek Riyun just observing from outside? He calculated that even if he interfered, there would be limits. He thought that level of interference wouldn’t change anything, so he left it alone.

However, Baek Riyun’s ability exceeded imagination.

‘The illusionary artists wouldn’t have exposed the terrain. The illusionary artists who design the Grand Competition’s terrain take an oath with curse words  not to disclose related content until the Grand Competition ends. Then does that mean he figured out the terrain on his own?’

Other high-ranking officials might not know, but Guyang Jeok, who has knowledge of illusionary arts, also knows to some extent. That illusionary artists create illusionary formations based on terrain they’ve personally experienced.

So figuring out the terrain on his own isn’t impossible either. After all, information on all the historical sites that the Murim Alliance has participated in would be in the libraries of Muryeon Hall and Mujeong Hall.

It’s theoretically possible. But theoretically possible is just that—theoretically.

‘But he can’t determine what will come out of it. Among dozens, hundreds of terrains, pinpointing the one terrain that will appear in this Grand Competition is close to impossible.’

It can’t be heavenly fortune. Baek Riyun doesn’t seem like the type to rely on luck. Then what is it? How did Baek Riyun determine which terrain would appear?

‘……Don’t tell me.’

Having suddenly realized something, Guyang Jeok’s body trembled slightly. If, if there really was no way to determine the terrain. If Baek Riyun didn’t have such an information network.

‘In just one week, memorize all hundreds of terrains.’

And devise strategies tailored to each terrain and teach them to the Muryeon Hall trainees?

“He can’t even be called human.”

With an incredulous expression, Guyang Jeok looked at Baek Riyun sitting in the Muryeon Hall spectator seats far away and shook his head, turning his gaze. Beyond the illusion formed in the air.

Inside the dark cave, Namgung Hyeon had already encountered two Muryeon Hall trainees.

Namgung Hyeon felt it.

That something had gone wrong.

Kaaaaang—!!!

“Damn it, cursed……!”

At the killing intent rushing in, Namgung Hyeon reflexively responded, gritting his teeth and striking down with his sword. The moment sword and sword collided, sparks flew and the opponent’s form was briefly revealed.

“Seonwoo Gang──!!!”

Not even answering, Seonwoo Gang’s form melted back into the darkness. Watching that, Namgung Hyeon ground his teeth. He couldn’t even understand how it came to this.

He realized he had been caught in a scheme. When he opened his eyes, no one was around.

Namgung Hyeon hadn’t lost consciousness when he fell from the collapsing ground. He saw the illusionary formation glowing under his feet, and confirmed his comrades scattering in all directions due to the illusionary formation’s effect. Finally, when he was transported, he even guessed Muryeon Hall’s aim to individually defeat the scattered Mujeong Hall trainees.

But he still thought it was fine. He thought that if it was him, Namgung Hyeon, he could handle two or three even alone, and didn’t think the others would be easily defeated either.

But what is this situation?

Swaeeeeek!

From below to above, from above diagonally.

Sharp energy  rushing from the darkness cuts through the air and reaches Namgung Hyeon. One is a spear, one is a sword. Both contain power that cannot be underestimated.

Kaaaaang—!!!

Having struck down the spear and immediately evaded the sword with the Iron Plate Bridge  technique, Namgung Hyeon retreated three steps while gritting his teeth tightly.

‘They’ve gotten stronger……!’

Just enduring is all he can do. He doesn’t even know how long he can endure. He only knows that at this rate, he’ll collapse before long.

Kwaang!

Having deflected the continuous sword strikes and burst his internal energy, Seonwoo Gang widened the distance and gritted his teeth. In the distance, Baek Risan, who was fighting Seomun Cheok, showed no signs of falling.

‘Doesn’t look like she’ll fall in the short term……!’

Seonwoo Gang trusts Seomun Cheok.

The reason Baek Risan isn’t falling isn’t because Seomun Cheok’s skills are lacking. Seomun Cheok is doing better than his capabilities. Isn’t the skill he’s showing now even one step more developed than what he showed at Uicheonmun?

But even so, defeating Baek Risan is a distant matter. Left arm gone, she fights with her right arm; if the right arm flies off, she’d use her legs; if legs can’t hold, she looks like she’d grab onto their clothes with her teeth, showing such spirit.

‘At this rate, we’ll lose.’

If he doesn’t use his full power, he can’t endure. The plan might go awry from the start. Then.

Should he bring it out?

—Think three times.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

Thoughts continue amidst the continuous sword exchanges. Thoughts float around in his head, or quickly pass by and are organized.

And at the end of those thoughts, Seonwoo Gang gritted his teeth. Because an answer came.

‘I trust. I must trust.’

If he uses this, there’s no turning back. At least for this match. At most, for three matches.

He must postpone it until then. And to do that.

‘Show me, Seomun Cheok.’

He must trust.

His comrade.

—What an unpleasant bastard.

When he recalls his childhood, that’s the most memorable phrase in Seomun Cheok’s memory.

He doesn’t know who his mother is, who his father is. The slums where he was born and raised didn’t like the sound of children crying. There, Seomun Cheok made a living doing things like begging or odd jobs for thug gangs.

That’s why Seomun Cheok rarely showed his emotions. In the slums, those who easily show their emotions either get beaten or used.

You must be useful. You must not show emotions. Even if you’re considered an unpleasant bastard, if you can do something, if you have utility value, you can survive.

Seomun Cheok learned and lived that way.

Until now.

Kaaaaang—!!!

It’s hot.

Having struck down Baek Risan’s sword and stepped back from the white flames burning brightly, Seomun Cheok twitched his eyebrows and roughly swung his spear shaft. Then the white flames  split apart.

“Huu. Huu.”

Having caught his breath, Seomun Cheok gritted his teeth while looking at his opponent who had entered a brief lull. The battle situation wasn’t going as planned.

‘Beyond imagination.’

Even when Baek Risan joined up, Seomun Cheok hadn’t been too worried. Because he knew what it meant for a swordsman to lose one arm.

Even for a swordsman who uses the right hand , the role of the left arm is important. Setting aside the role of gripping the sword guard  to complete techniques, there’s the role of the body’s center of gravity, the pathways where internal energy circulates, and the fist techniques  that check the opponent—the value of the left hand is immeasurably great.

Even a martial artist who lost their left arm long ago can’t easily overcome all those difficulties. Much less someone whose arm was just severed and whose mind is hazy from blood loss and pain—is it even plausible for them to accomplish that?

‘Naturally, she can’t show the capabilities she had when she had her left arm.’

No matter how highly Baek Riyun evaluated Baek Risan, in this situation, it wouldn’t be easy to display her martial prowess. He thought that, and it was actually so. However.

The result wasn’t that.

“Haa, haaa.”

With sweat pouring down her entire body like rain, Baek Risan raised her internal energy and wrapped flames around her sword strike. The stamina that doesn’t diminish even after fighting for over ten minutes.

Her body has become sluggish. Her movements aren’t like before either. Baek Risan, who at first fought on equal terms with him with one arm, is now being helplessly pushed back by his spearmanship.

Everything is going according to calculation. At this rate, Baek Risan will eventually become unable to fight due to blood loss. He understands that much.

But why won’t she fall?

Even though he’s using his full power, how is Baek Risan still enduring?

“Baek Risan, are you okay!”

“I’m…… fine……!”

Gritting her teeth, Baek Risan put strength into her hand gripping the sword hilt until it would crumble. At the same time, the white flames that seemed about to go out blazed up again.

What’s troublesome is these white flames. Just by Baek Risan being active, the darkness inside the cave loses its utility. If not for that, Namgung Hyeon, who’s facing Seonwoo Gang, wouldn’t have been able to pay attention all the way here.

However, even that alone can’t explain Baek Risan’s good fight. It’s clearly mental strength beyond the boundaries of common sense. Then what’s the problem?

It’s simple.

Seomun Cheok’s skills are lacking.

‘I’m…… the problem.’

He knows by looking at Baek Risan’s condition. The appearance of someone gathering all their internal energy and mental strength to prepare a final resistance is something he’s seen several times on the battlefield.

Once that happens, making her fall by exhausting her stamina becomes difficult. Once a person exceeds their limit, they can exceed it several more times.

‘If it were Seonwoo Gang.’

He knows. If he has eyes, he can’t not know. That Seonwoo Gang is stronger than him.

No matter how much they trained at Uicheonmun, the talents individuals possess are different. That effort can overcome talent is only true when the talented don’t make effort. If there’s a diligent mediocrity and a diligent genius, it’s natural for the genius to win.

Even so, he thought it was fine. Even if Seonwoo Gang exists, he himself doesn’t become useless. Even if there’s someone stronger than me, I just need to walk my own path.

But what is this situation?

‘I’m holding him back.’

Seonwoo Gang took on Namgung Hyeon. He took on Baek Risan whose one arm was severed.

Then naturally, he should finish off Baek Risan first and help Seonwoo Gang. Namgung Hyeon, though he suffered some damage, is in a state where he can fight properly, and his skills are outstanding.

But the current situation isn’t going that way. If it were Seonwoo Gang, he would have already defeated Baek Risan and come to help, but he himself can’t do that.

‘……At this rate, we’ll be late.’

If Seonwoo Gang uses his full power, if he uses the martial art he showed at Akyang .

Probably enduring against Namgung Hyeon wouldn’t be too difficult. That martial art Seonwoo Gang showed at that time was that refined and excellent. However.

Seonwoo Gang hasn’t used that martial art once since Akyang. Even though he didn’t use the martial art by overexertion, that means he probably shouldn’t expose that martial art to others.

Then Seonwoo Gang can’t endure against Namgung Hyeon. Namgung Hyeon isn’t easy enough to endure against using something that’s not even his true martial art .

Right.

At this rate, Seonwoo Gang will inevitably have to bring out that martial art. Because he himself failed to fulfill his duty, because he failed to execute the plan.

Kaddeuk!

Seomun Cheok couldn’t accept that.

‘Think. Where am I useful?’

He must break through the enemy within the time limit. Before Namgung Hyeon pushes Seonwoo Gang beyond a certain point, he must defeat Baek Risan and join up with Namgung Hyeon. However, even aiming for Baek Risan, Namgung Hyeon’s checks keep coming at critical moments, so there’s no way to do anything. Then what should he do?

His thoughts accelerate. A moment stretches as long as eternity. Even while swinging his spear toward Baek Risan, he doesn’t stop thinking.

‘I can’t do what Seonwoo Gang does.’

Developing one step further in a moment of crisis isn’t the work of a mediocrity. So.

He discards. Everything that can be discarded.

Kaaang!

Taking a step forward, the spear shaft he thrust out with fierce internal energy greatly disrupted Baek Risan’s stance. At the same time, as if waiting, sword energy flying to protect Baek Risan.

It’s aiming for the abdomen. An area that would be fatal even with a graze. He must block it. Instinct screams. However──.

The moment he blocks it, Baek Risan will reorganize her stance again. She’ll block his path with her staggering body, buying time. Then.

Chwaaaaak!

He endures it.

“Kkeulreok!“

Unable to contain the congested blood at the pain of the sword energy penetrating through his abdomen, Seomun Cheok spat blood from his mouth. But the spear shaft doesn’t stop.

The opponent also prepared to die. Even if it’s a false death, she pushed herself to the limit. Then.

If his side responds the same way, he can win, can’t he?

The burning pain. Having penetrated through the center of the white flames, Seomun Cheok gritted his teeth and gripped the spear shaft tightly. To pierce the opponent. To win.

“Uaaaaaaah—!!!”

A roar bursts out. An attack with full power. Unable to even think of hiding his emotions, the emotions that burst out just crash into the opponent. Having reached his limit, he just hopes his thrust will reach.

The spear shaft cuts through the air. The silver iron spear gleamed smoothly, reflecting the light of the white flames. And.

The moment Seomun Cheok’s arm fully extended.

Puuuk!

The spear strike pierced Baek Risan’s heart.