Chapter 73

Chapter 73

When people see something they couldn’t imagine, they lose their words.

This is natural. Reactions are possible only within the range one can imagine.

When a friend thought dead returns alive from the battlefield, or when one unexpectedly hears news of their parents’ death, people can’t show immediate reactions. This means that when things go beyond being too joyful or sad, one loses words. And.

“What on earth is this……?”

hNaturally, the reason Muryeonggaek  lost his words now was clearly the former.

Silence.

Everyone who gathered to watch the Grand Competition maintained silence while receiving real-time updates on the situation inside the cave. In some ways, a natural phenomenon.

“Yeon-i…… that Muryeon Hall won?”

In the current situation, three Mujeong Hall trainees remain, and eleven Muryeon Hall trainees remain.

It’s a situation where the Muryeon Hall trainees clearly have the advantage. The three remaining Mujeong Hall trainees are also just running away, and the path leading to the secret manual has already collapsed and been blocked. At this rate, it’s only a matter of time before Muryeon Hall wins.

That’s why it’s incomprehensible.

“Wh-what is this…….”

Until the start, everyone predicted Mujeong Hall’s advantage. Those who predicted Muryeon Hall’s victory could be divided precisely into two groups. Either Muryeon Hall-related personnel, or those aiming for a fortune at gambling houses.

If luck follows, Muryeon Hall might be able to win. Although Mujeong Hall is strong, didn’t Muryeon Hall also make a name for themselves by repelling the Hundred Demons Night Parade  at Akyang? So ‘perhaps they might win.’

That’s what everyone thought.

……Which means, not a single person predicted Muryeon Hall’s overwhelming victory.

Except for one person.

“Remarkably astonishing. Where on earth did they get such a strategy from……!”

“Jang hyung is surprised by such a small thing.”

“……Isn’t Baek Ri hyung surprised?”

“Not at all.”

Baek Riseon, who had been fluttering his folding fan constantly, snapped it shut with a tak and nodded.

“I’m watching the Grand Competition for the first time, but the structure of the first gate that just took place was a gate testing how quickly one adapts to the given environment rather than individual skills. In other words, a gate testing whose adaptability is superior. That is, there’s more than enough room for strategy to intervene.”

“Is that so?”

“Indeed. If we must judge importance, wouldn’t it be about seventy percent strategy and thirty percent skill? And if strategy occupies that much weight, Muryeon Hall is bound to win.”

“Why…… is that?”

“Because there’s no Jegal Family  among Mujeong Hall trainees, and Baek Riyun is Muryeon Hall’s instructor.”

Baek Riseon chuckled and shook his head.

“He was the type who was ghostly fast at finding answers to reaching some goal even before properly learning strategy. Moreover, he sharpened his strategy skills while studying at the Jegal Family. Of course, even so, he falls a bit short compared to proper strategists, but…….”

“But what?”

“He has the tenacity to overcome that.”

Preparing strategies one by one, thinking of the terrain that might appear. Tailored strategies, ones that will definitely win.

It’s easy to say. However, when analyzing terrains one by one that you can’t be certain will appear or not and devising strategies suited to them, you inevitably compromise. Since there’s such a large volume, let’s loosen it up a bit. Isn’t this much enough?

But Baek Riyun has none of that. Compromise doesn’t exist for him. Because.

That’s the surest way to win.

“If the structure continues to turn out like this, victory will unconditionally go to Muryeon Hall. Baek Riyun probably knew that too.”

Having spoken, Baek Riseon nodded his head and suddenly raised his gaze from the arena to the far distance, continuing.

“But somehow it doesn’t seem like it will turn out the same, does it?”

“……What do you mean?”

“Look at their expressions. Aren’t they composed?”

At Baek Riseon, who smiled and looked at the opposite side, Muryeonggaek unconsciously turned his head and blinked. Cheongryoo and Murim Alliance personnel looking down indifferently with their arms crossed.

“For them too, this situation was somewhat foreseen. Of course, no one thought they’d be overwhelmed this much, but they were thinking the probability of defeat was quite high. Having watched Former Changcheon Corps Commander Baek Riyun for ten years, they must be sick and tired of knowing what kind of person he is.”

“……Then.”

“The third match was the consecutive victories match, wasn’t it? Since there’s no room for strategy to intervene in that…… it’ll be the next gate. The next gate won’t turn out like this. At least it won’t be a battlefield where strategies that can be prepared in advance are effective.”

“……It wasn’t something to be purely happy about.”

“That’s not necessarily true.”

“……Mm?”

“Do you think he wouldn’t know what they know? Look around.”

At Baek Riseon’s words, Muryeonggaek slightly turned his gaze to look around and blinked. The people’s expressions had changed from when Muryeon Hall first started overwhelming.

“The foundation was laid. An environment where they had no choice but to lose. The small and medium sects’ disciples suppressed at the Murim Alliance level. And overwhelmingly strong opponents. They said it was for the peace of the martial world, but there were many skeptical views.”

They force defeat.

Even if such talk came up, it was quickly dispelled because Mujeong Hall was overwhelmingly superior to Muryeon Hall. Since they’ll lose anyway, wouldn’t it be better to at least give them a nominal title—that was the reality of the situation.

But what about now?

“Muryeon Hall defeated Mujeong Hall. Overwhelmingly.”

It’s as good as Muryeon Hall proving it. That Muryeon Hall’s defeat isn’t predetermined, that they have more than enough capability to win.

“Since ancient times, people enjoy cheering for the weak rather than the strong. Especially the Orthodox Path .”

Now the Murim Alliance will be tested. Because the Murim Alliance was built with morality as its foundation stone and righteousness as its main pillar.

And as a result, Muryeon Hall will gain qualification.

None other than.

The qualification to fight against predetermined fate.

“This is just the beginning. This match.”

With a faint smile, Baek Riseon put the folded fan at his waist and turned around. And simultaneously, cheers burst forth.

“The next one will be more interesting.”

Now, the victor of the first gate has been decided.

—I’ve decided.

It’s a dream.

A hazy dream covered in clouds where nothing can be seen.

—I’m planning to go and settle things.

—……Is that so.

—Yeah. I must end it in my generation. You know that too.

‘Who……?’

At the voices he heard, Baek Risan unconsciously listened and slightly frowned. The voices of the man and woman conversing were eerily familiar.

—You might not be able to return. No, the probability of not returning is higher.

—Are you going to follow me?

—If necessary.

—I wonder. Would it change anything if you followed? No, wouldn’t it create even bigger problems?

—Someone has to do it. And I’m the only one who can do it. So don’t tell the kids.

—……San already heard.

—It’s okay. She’s still a child.

At the woman’s voice with a faint smile, the man with a deep voice fell silent. Discomfort settling in the silence.

—The children are…….

At the end of a long silence, the man finally quietly opened his mouth. And just as he was about to say something.

“……San, Baek Risan. Are you okay?”

At the voice calling her, Baek Risan woke from sleep.

“……Where is this?”

Having woken from sleep and looked around blankly, Baek Risan spoke in a deeply sunken voice. Then the Mujeong Hall trainees immediately answered.

“It’s the Medicine Hall .”

“Why am I here?”

She remembers fighting with all her might against Seomun Cheok. She remembers somehow enduring even while losing her left arm and breaking out in cold sweat. But she has no memory of how she got here.

Why is that?

Cheongryoo, who had been quietly standing beside her, answered.

“They said you exhausted too much mental strength  even though it’s inside an illusionary formation.”

“……Mental strength.”

“Right. You endured the enemy’s offensive for a full gak  while enduring the pain of losing your left arm, and at the end, your heart was even pierced by an iron spear. It’s not strange to faint from the shock of exhausting all your mental strength.”

“Heart…….”

Having suddenly recalled Seomun Cheok’s gleaming eyes in her memory, Baek Risan clenched her fist. Finally, the memory surfaced.

“I lost……didn’t I.”

“You lost. Though it’s only the first gate.”

“……Because I fell.”

“Are you joking?”

At Baek Risan’s words, Cheongryoo looked at her with a cold expression and continued decisively.

“There was no more you could do in that situation. Not just you but the other trainees too. If we must assign blame, it would be with me. I knew best that he devises strange strategies.”

“Do you resent him?”

Although the subject was omitted, it was clear who he was referring to. At those words, Baek Risan unclenched her fist and shook her head weakly.

“There’s no way…… to predict it.”

“Not unless you’re a prophet.”

“You can’t resent someone for not predicting what’s unpredictable. So…….”

“It’s the same.”

At Baek Risan’s words, Cheongryoo nodded.

“No one will resent you for failing to do what couldn’t be done. This is Mujeong Hall’s defeat, not Baek Risan’s. Why are you trying to carry it alone?”

“We originally predicted we might lose the first gate. There are that many variables in the first gate. But the second gate is different. As long as you’re stronger than Muryeon Hall, I won’t let you lose. Understand?”

“……Yes.”

“Mental strength must be recovered through proper rest. Baek Risan. Rest well until three days from now when the next match takes place. The same goes for you all.”

As Cheongryoo turned and left the Medicine Hall after looking around at the Mujeong Hall trainees, the trainees who had been hesitating one by one followed Cheongryoo outside. Soon, silence arrived.

“……I lost.”

Having whispered softly while lying in bed, Baek Risan bit her lips. Rising feelings of frustration.

“I didn’t even want to give him…… a single victory……!”

Simply winning wouldn’t be enough.

She had to turn whatever Baek Riyun did into nothing. Only then did it seem his attention would turn toward her. Only then would Baek Riyun, who doesn’t even properly look this way now, truly face her even if with eyes of hatred.

But what is this situation?

“What meaning is there in winning now……!”

Muryeon Hall proved their capabilities.

Even if they lose two consecutive matches from here, Muryeon Hall has escaped from the humiliating situation. And all of that is Baek Riyun’s achievement. Baek Riyun has already succeeded.

“Why couldn’t I even once……!”

He’s moving away. She can’t face him. Even if several years pass like this, Baek Risan’s world remains gray. Because Baek Risan failed.

At the miserable feelings, Baek Risan hung her head. And.

Unable to overcome her indignation, the moment Baek Risan’s nails dug into her palm’s flesh.

“──To a swordsman, the hands are life. So cherish them.”

A heavy yet somehow bitter tone.

At the familiar voice, Baek Risan hurriedly raised her head.

“Didn’t I teach you that before?”

Baek Riyun was standing there.