Chapter 62

Chapter 62

The aftermath of the welcome ceremony was enormous.

“You’ve made quite a spectacle.”

At my words, all the Muryeongwando who had been watching me averted their gaze slightly. Seeing that, an involuntary sigh escaped.

“You reckless bunch.”

Using the welcome ceremony to infiltrate the Murim Alliance.

Up to that point it was fine. Actually, I had somewhat expected it from the start. After all, wasn’t it I who asked them to leave the Muryeongwan’s seats empty?

I thought they’d arrive around then, and I wanted to open a path for them. The First Military Advisor isn’t a fool either, so I thought there wouldn’t be much reprimanding.

But what came after is somewhat different.

“Everyone is watching you. The Mujeongwan is also on guard, and the Murim Alliance is racking their brains over what your words meant. For them, the victory that had been taken for granted until now is no longer certain. Do you know what this means?”

“It means they finally see you as worthy opponents.”

The competition is held in three categories. If the Mujeongwan had met the Muryeongwando in the first category while still complacent, we could have easily secured one victory.

However, Seonwoo Gang kicked away that opportunity.

“I’m sor…….”

“There’s no need to apologize. It’s a matter of timing anyway, and you’re the ones who have to handle it. However, I want to ask. Did you answer after thinking deeply about it?”

“I want to ask if you didn’t ruin things with momentary hot-headedness.”

At my words, Seonwoo Gang, who had been silent for a moment, looked at me with resolute eyes. And the words that immediately followed.

“It wasn’t momentary hot-headedness. I thought I absolutely had to say those words.”

“Why?”

“Because I don’t want to hear that we lost because they were complacent.”

Seonwoo Gang, who spoke in a low voice, looked around at his peers and continued.

“I know how much of a gap exists. I also know we can’t help it if the Mujeongwan kids look down on us. But what we want to see isn’t their bewildered faces but their frustrated expressions. Although this might lower our chances of winning a bit…….”

“You can’t compromise. That’s what you’re saying.”

“Yes.”

I see.

Watching the Muryeongwando sending me passionate gazes as if agreeing with Seonwoo Gang’s words, I let out a chuckle. Even if it lowers the winning probability, they want to win fair and square.

“I do think using complacency is also a form of skill, but if you all think that way, I won’t stop you. However, you’ll have to recover the lowered winning probability.”

“Yes. We’ll accept any kind of training…….”

“Training is over.”

“What?”

At my words, Seonwoo Gang made a dumbfounded expression. I smiled faintly at him.

“I’m saying the training is over. It’s not that there’s nothing left to teach, but there’s nothing light enough to accomplish in a short time. So.”

The training so far has raised the winning probability for the exchange tournament to the maximum. However, to say we’ll definitely win in the current situation is still insufficient.

Then the only option is to supplement that insufficient part.

“Now it’s my turn to step forward.”

Shall we.

Go meet an old friend?

Naturally, a martial artist’s weapon changes depending on what martial arts they practice.

Even without categorizing them into swords, spears, sabers, and such. A swordsman who uses sword techniques containing the principles of heavy swords uses swords with dull blades. Swords with very sharp blades chip easily and have poor durability unless they’re divine weapons.

If you sharpen the blade too keenly, it might excel for the moment but will inevitably become dull eventually. So it’s always important to maintain an appropriate level. And that applies not just to weapons but to one’s own mindset as well.

“Huu.”

And in that sense, Cheongryoo was like a sword that had never broken.

Seueuk.

“Mm

Cheongryoo, who had been slowly and devoutly wiping his Songmungogeom  with an oil-soaked cloth, suddenly felt a presence and turned his gaze outside. A small shadow already flickering beyond the sliding door.

“What is it?”

“A guest is looking for you. Master .”

“A guest.”

Cheongryoo, who muttered in a low voice, set aside the cloth and stared intently at his own face reflected in the Songmungogeom, which was emitting sharp energy. There was nothing strange.

Taegeukhyeop Cheongryoo is famous.

Serving as the Mujeongwando’s instructor is just a very insignificant title for Cheongryoo. The next generation’s Wudang First Sword, Wudang’s greatest talent, and Wudang’s Sword Demon—there are countless words describing Cheongryoo.

“Tell them to go back. I want to concentrate right now.”

Taegeukhyeop Cheongryoo is famous. The path he has walked made him famous. Moreover, he’s currently participating in the unprecedented competition that’s drawing attention as an instructor.

So even if a guest came to visit, there’s no particular reason to meet them. Only the Murim Alliance Leader can authorize opening the main gate, aside from himself. Even to spend time building connections with Cheongryoo, there are countless people who want to meet him. 

“However, the visitor is former Changcheondaeju Baek Riyun.”

“……Who did you say.”

If the other party is Baek Riyun, that story changes a bit.

At the words he heard, Cheongryoo, who had been wiping his sword with the cloth, stopped his hand and remained silent. Baek Riyun, the man who gave him the bitter taste of defeat for the only time.

If he came looking for him at this point, the reason would be obvious. Baek Riyun is serving as Muryeongwan’s instructor, and he’s serving as Mujeongwan’s instructor. It must be related to that.

Should he accept? Or not?

His deliberation was brief.

“Let him in.”

“Yes.”

At the granted permission, the attendant quietly answered and slowly moved away. And this time, unhesitant footsteps approached.

With a sliding sound, the door opened. And the moment he saw Baek Riyun entering.

Cheongryoo’s eyes narrowed thinly.

“It’s been ten years. Should I say it’s been a while?”

“I don’t think we’re close enough to exchange such warm greetings, Un.”

“Well. It could be, or it might not be.”

At Cheongryoo’s answer, Baek Riyun, who let out a chuckle, lightly looked around, then shrugged and sat down.

“I was quite surprised when I heard. I didn’t think you’d take on the role of instructor. You never liked teaching others, did you?”

“I still don’t like it.”

“But you deliberately accepted it because the opponent is me?”

“……Your self-consciousness is excessive.”

“Well, is it self-consciousness?”

Watching Baek Riyun smile smoothly, Cheongryoo clenched his fist. Because it was true.

When the contact came from the Murim Alliance’s upper echelon.

Cheongryoo was going to refuse the position of Mujeongwan’s instructor. Using time that’s already insufficient for sharpening his sword to teach novices—there’s no waste like that.

The Murim Alliance can’t pressure him, the next generation’s First Sword of Wudang, over an unimportant request anyway. Refusing one or two such requests wouldn’t cause any significant damage. So there’s no reason to take on the instructor role. He had no intention of doing so either.

That was the case until he heard that Baek Riyun took on the education of Muryeongwan.

“It seems you’re serious about it.”

“Would there be anything more boring than a battle with a predetermined outcome?”

“People think the Muryeongwando will give up.”

“I don’t remember having juniors weak enough for that.”

“Is that so? That’s fortunate.”

“Fortunate?”

“There’s nothing as unpleasant as cutting down an opponent who can’t resist.”

“As if you’re going to win.”

“Do you think I won’t win?”

“Of course.”

“……Are you serious?”

At Baek Riyun’s light answer, Cheongryoo’s eyebrows twitched, showing discomfort.

“It’s not because I took on the instructor role, but this year’s Mujeongwando are excellent. Especially in that five of them can somewhat follow my teachings. You haven’t even properly seen the Mujeongwando’s skills, have you?”

“I haven’t.”

“Yet you guarantee victory—how arrogant. Or are you saying the Muryeongwando’s skills have risen that much?”

“As if.”

Baek Riyun, who let out a brief laugh, shook his head. And immediately smiled again while continuing.

“Even I couldn’t raise them in just two months to the point where they could beat anyone.”

“Then…….”

“Just because I don’t know Mujeongwan doesn’t mean I don’t know you.”

“What are you saying?”

“The Mujeongwando’s victory won’t become your victory. More precisely, you won’t be able to accept it.”

The difference between Muryeongwan and Mujeongwan is extreme.

Everyone in the world thinks so. Actually, that’s not wrong either. At least before leaving for training, the difference between Mujeongwan and Muryeongwan was clearly evident.

On the surface, it would be the Mujeongwando taught by Cheongryoo defeating the Muryeongwando taught by Baek Riyun. But even if the Mujeongwando win in this competition, who could say ‘the Mujeongwando achieved victory through Cheongryoo’s power’?

They might say it. But, at  least Cheongryoo wasn’t one of them.

“The starting points are different. This isn’t a match between you and me. It’s a match between Mujeongwan and Muryeongwan. Whether Mujeongwan wins this fight or loses with a one-in-a-million chance, you won’t be able to accept it. Because it wasn’t your fight.”

“What are you trying to say?”

“I’m saying let’s make a deal.”

Baek Riyun, who let out a chuckle, lightly brushed his knee with his finger and continued.

“What I can give is defeat. A more certain defeat. Not Muryeongwan’s defeat but your defeat—getting on the stage of the match is my condition.”

“Defeat, not victory.”

“Because me losing won’t happen. Wouldn’t it be absurd to say I’ll give something I won’t give?”

“……Your words are smooth. Then what do I have to give?”

“One day.”

At Baek Riyun’s blunt statement, Cheongryoo looked at Baek Riyun with a chilling gaze. However, Baek Riyun continued speaking without stopping.

“They say ‘know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated.’ I need information to establish strategy. It would be good if I could see the Mujeongwando with my own eyes.”

“……You’re asking for it one-sidedly?”

“As if. Even so, you’re not the type to accept only losses, are you? You can also spy on the Muryeongwando for a day. We exchange. You can put me on that stage and also exchange information. This seems like a decent condition. Don’t you think so?”

At Baek Riyun’s words, Cheongryoo fell into deep thought. It wasn’t such simple content.

One day.

It’s a difficult time to observe someone and learn something. Moreover, there are sixteen academy disciples participating in the competition. It’s woefully insufficient time to learn each individual’s tendencies or characteristics in just one day.

However, the opponent is Baek Riyun. Baek Riyun, who has eerily good instincts. If he accepts this proposal, Baek Riyun will analyze the Mujeongwando down to the last detail. And raise his winning probability.

“It’s a deal where I’m at a loss.”

“So you won’t accept it?”

“You know, don’t you?”

At Baek Riyun’s words, Cheongryoo, who frowned slightly, shook his head. And the answer that immediately followed.

“I accept.”

“You accept even though it’s a deal where your side loses?”

“An unfair competition is unacceptable from my standpoint. There’s no meaning in victory obtained that way. And.”

He already knew that Baek Riyun surpasses him in strategy and tactics. He also knew he has no talent for such things.

That’s why what he sharpened was one thing.

“Even if you know, nothing changes.”

Martial power.

Cultivating strength that can’t be narrowed by strategy.

“This competition, I will win.”

The blade of Cheongryoo, who had been waiting while growing dull, was sharpened keenly.