Chapter 85

Chapter 85

There’s a saying in the world: the rich get richer, the poor get poorer.

Those who have find it easy to gain something, and those who don’t have find it difficult to gain something, so wealth calls wealth and poverty calls poverty.

That’s actually true. How much is there that an emperor wants but can’t obtain, and how much can a mere beggar sitting at the marketplace obtain?

Those who have find it easy to obtain something when they want it. This is an unchanging truth. And.

That’s why the Sado Alliance Leader, the master of the Sado Alliance that divides the Central Plains martial world in two, has had almost nothing he wanted but couldn’t obtain until now.

Until now.

“Mm.”

The day after the second gate of the competition ended.

The Sado Alliance Leader, who had been sitting crookedly in a chair in the assigned guest quarters making groaning sounds, rubbed his neck with his hand and clicked his tongue.

“The more I think about it, the more regrettable. If I could have recruited that fellow, the Sado Alliance would have gained wings.”

“Don’t you think so too, Taeak?”

At the Sado Alliance Leader’s words, Taeak, the Iron Blood Gate Master who had been sitting quietly in meditation with his eyes closed, slowly opened his eyes and looked at the Sado Alliance Leader. And after staying like that for a moment, Taeak closed his eyes again without any particular reaction.

“No response at all.”

Watching that appearance, the Sado Alliance Leader smirked and shrugged his shoulders. It wasn’t like Taeak’s attitude was new to him.

Iron Blood Gate Master, Taeak  Ah Jin is different from Daesageom, who is relatively talkative—normally he hardly speaks at all. How little does he speak? During this trip to the Murim Alliance to accompany the Sado Alliance Leader, the number of words he’s said barely exceeds ten.

Since it’s such a Taeak, it’s not strange that he responds with such an attitude. Above all, what’s important now isn’t that but something else.

‘Baek Riyun.‘

The master of the Divine Weapon Strange Energy , the Sect Master of Uicheonmun, and the former Changcheon Corps Commander—that young man.

‘I like him.‘

Truly so. There are many who can be confident before him, but few who are confident while also possessing matching ability. Moreover, isn’t Baek Riyun still young?

The Sado Alliance Leader, who clicked his tongue in regret, recalled what happened yesterday.

—It means to enter the Sado Alliance.

The day the second gate of the competition was held.

The Sado Alliance Leader made a proposal to Baek Riyun. How about entering the Sado Alliance?

Everyone there would have thought it a joke. But the Sado Alliance Leader was sincere. Even if the Murim Alliance resisted at openly stealing talent, he had the power to suppress it, and simultaneously he thought Baek Riyun had that much value.

However.

—If Ryeonju first enters the Murim Alliance, I’ll consider it.

An outright rejection, not even indirect.

“Regrettable beyond words.”

Recalling Baek Riyun’s appearance expressing that it was impossible even if heaven split in two, the Sado Alliance Leader smirked and looked at Taeak.

“Stop training and let’s talk a bit. What does Taeak think?”

“About what?”

“What Baek Riyun proposed. Do you think accepting it would be good?”

After the second gate when Muryeon Hall’s victory was decided.

Baek Riyun proposed to the Sado Alliance Leader. He’d give him a chance to save face.

Originally, the third gate is one where Mujeong Hall has no choice but to win. Even in the unlikely event that Muryeon Hall wins, if they forfeit at the end like in this gate, Mujeong Hall would have no choice but to win.

“Win or lose, ceasefire—but if we win, you grant one small request……. It’s a tempting condition, isn’t it?”

That’s what Baek Riyun proposed. He’d save face for him. He’d give a slight possibility that Muryeon Hall could win.

Originally there would be no possibility of winning. Whatever the Sado Alliance Leader bet on Muryeon Hall’s victory, it wouldn’t come true. But if he bends his pride a little, he’d open up the possibility of winning.

That’s what Baek Riyun, who declared so, looked so audaciously delightful to the Sado Alliance Leader.

“Should I accept?”

“I’m considering it but…… well, I probably won’t accept. Coming all this way to lose face isn’t pleasant either. Moreover, the ceasefire was going to happen anyway.”

“If you’ve decided so, act accordingly. I’m not the Ryeonju. You are the Ryeonju.”

“Blunt beyond words. Well, I’ll do as I please. What’s important now isn’t that.”

At Taeak’s blunt appearance, the Sado Alliance Leader, who wore a faint smile, looked around.

“Rather, where did Daesageom go? He hasn’t been visible since morning. Normally he’d be nagging around this time.”

“He left.”

“Left…… where to?”

“I don’t know. However, he left behind all his attendants. Most likely he’s trying to have a secret meeting.”

“A secret meeting……. I can roughly guess. Well, considering his disciple became like that.”

The Sado Alliance Leader nodded as if he had a guess. He could roughly know whom he was meeting.

The disciple sent in as a spy to build up more venom ended up acquiring Orthodox Path qualities instead. As a master, how could he just sit still?

“He was a useful talent. Truly regrettable.”

Recalling Seonwoo Gang’s appearance emitting golden sword energy, the Sado Alliance Leader, who had been leaning diagonally against the chair, suddenly wore a mischievous smile. Something suddenly occurring to him.

“It seems I’ll need to give a gift after this competition ends.”

“To whom?”

“Need you ask? I’m giving it to the Uicheonmun Master.”

“Some sage said, didn’t he? Trials that don’t harm me only make me stronger.”

The Sado Alliance Leader, who burst into a smirk, waved his hand. And.

“The opponent might not think of it as a gift, but well. It’ll definitely be helpful, won’t it? Originally when building something, the more firmly you stack the foundation stones, the sturdier the building becomes.”

The Sado Alliance Leader, who quietly rose from his seat, turned his gaze out the window. The Murim Alliance’s scenery visible at a glance below the window of the guest quarters with a good view.

“I’m looking forward to it.”

Far out the window.

The appearance of the training ground where the final competition would be held was visible.

What is an alias?

An alias is a name a martial artist can obtain in the martial world.

From the dragon and phoenix titles commonly attached to promising rising stars, to aliases indicating they’re masters recognized in that region like Henan’s Three Heroes , Daebyeol’s Five Outstanding , or Jiangnan’s Five Fierce , and there are also those that only a few in the entire martial world can use, like Star  or King .

Such aliases are attached by enthusiasts based on the achievements that martial artist showed in the martial world. Conversely, if there are no achievements shown or too few, they won’t receive an alias. And.

“I’m in a very bad mood right now.”

“Why is that? Hm?”

Because of that very alias, Seonwoo Gang and Seomun Cheok were desperately avoiding Oh Ryeong’s gaze.

“Why might I be in a bad mood?”

A tavern in the marketplace.

Oh Ryeong, who had been striking her knee with a bamboo back scratcher while tilting her head, grinned and turned her gaze toward Seonwoo Gang. And Oh Ryeong’s mouth opened.

“What does Golden Sword Dragon  think?”

“……We, well?”

“Well? Mm, you might not know. Then what does our Martial Training Spear Demon  elder think?”

“You’re exercising your right to remain silent? That’s fine too. Then I’ll have to tell you the correct answer myself.”

Slam!

Oh Ryeong, who glared with wide eyes, jumped up from her seat and flung open the window. And from the moment Oh Ryeong opened the window, people’s voices could be heard.

“Did you see this competition? It was truly amazing!”

“You mean the competition Muryeon Hall won? The strategy was unbelievable. What was his name, Baek Riyun?”

“Uicheonmun Master Baek Riyun is amazing too, but isn’t the Muryeongwando’s morale amazing? I still have that golden sword energy of Golden Sword Dragon Seonwoo Gang lingering in my eyes…….”

“Is that all? The Martial Training Spear Demon Seomun Cheok who fought against Baek Risan in the first match is also outstanding.”

“Hahaha, this batch has many talents. The Murim Alliance received a blessing…….”

Thud!

Oh Ryeong, who had been listening to the conversation, closed the window so loudly it made a sound and glared with killing intent at Seonwoo Gang with wide eyes. Seonwoo Gang flinching at that appearance.

“Did you hear everything?”

“……Yeah.”

“Your thoughts?”

“So, sorry?”

“I asked for your thoughts and you’re leaving your last words.”

Watching Seonwoo Gang sheepishly scratching his head, Oh Ryeong, who had been glaring, relaxed her shoulders and sighed. After all, she knew this was misdirected anger.

This gate ended.

After this gate ended, all the Orthodox Path people who had looked at the Muryeongwando with colored glasses completely changed their attitudes. That’s because what the Muryeongwando showed was the very essence of the Orthodox Path people’s spirit.

Not giving up on the match even in a desperate situation makes them a model for martial artists, forsaking honor that could be pursued for the greater good makes them a model for gentlemen, and not uttering a single word of resentment in that process makes them a model for Orthodox Path people.

Public evaluation toward the Muryeongwando was going that way, and Oh Ryeong also thought that gladly.

Until she heard that aliases were attached to her comrades.

‘Golden Sword Dragon Seonwoo Gang. Martial Training Spear Demon Seomun Cheok. Well, these guys at least…… I can understand. Though I’m frustrated, they’re stronger than me.‘

Oh Ryeong, who alternately looked at Seonwoo Gang and Seomun Cheok, clicked her tongue but accepted it. After all, weren’t these two people those who had no opponents within Muryeon Hall from before?

Of course, it’s not that she has no experience winning against Seomun Cheok, but the record is dismal. The probability of losing is over eighty percent. Since there’s a basic difference in skill, she can acknowledge that part. And Dan Riyeon.

‘Shadowless Princess …… well, it was deserved.‘

In this gate, Dan Riyeon’s contribution to being able to win was enormous. At least in this gate, it’s acceptable to say Dan Riyeon did the work of two people, no, more than five people alone.

Well, leaving aside how many people’s worth of work she did anyway, she had no intention of nitpicking at Dan Riyeon, who was happy to receive the alias Shadowless  like her master. Oh Ryeong knew better than anyone how much Dan Riyeon had struggled and how much she respected her master.

So that much can be understood.

……She could have understood up to there.

“Why did that monk get an alias and I didn’t!”

Oh Ryeong, who looked at Unjin, shouted with her eyes lit up. Common sense, this isn’t right, is it?

“Hahaha. Amitabha. Shizhu Oh Ryeong, don’t be too jealous. Isn’t it because this poor monk’s performance was remarkable that the martial world’s fellow travelers granted me an alias?”

“You bas…… If only I’d fought in the front instead of supporting from the rear!”

“Hehehe. All things are fleeting , hypotheticals are unnecessary. Shizhu Oh Ryeong. Since you came empty-handed, leave empty-handed.”

Watching Unjin, who received the alias Flowing Soft Monk  and smiled benevolently, Oh Ryeong ground her teeth and shouted.

“You already have an alias!”

“What alias are you referring to?”

“Baldy!”

“……I don’t lack hair growth, Shizhu Oh Ryeong. I simply shave it for training purposes…….”

“What are you saying, baldy? Grow it out and prove it.”

“……Amitabha.”

Watching Unjin reciting Buddha’s name, Oh Ryeong, who grimaced, lightly struck the table with her hand. Then attention instantly gathering.

“Well, I don’t care that the baldy got an alias. I’ll get a better alias later anyway.”

“You’ve already shown you’re sulking…….”

“You want to die?”

“I’ll be quiet.”

Oh Ryeong, who instantly subdued Unjin, sighed deeply and looked around at her comrades.

“What’s important is the third gate. The consecutive victories match. Munjunim laid out the board, didn’t he?”

“That’s right.”

At Oh Ryeong’s appearance recalling Baek Riyun’s proposal to the Sado Alliance Leader, everyone nodded. Immediately Oh Ryeong struck the desk with a thud and continued.

“What are we going to do?”

“What do you mean…….”

“We could be satisfied here, but we should clash properly once, shouldn’t we? Honestly the possibility of winning is slim but…… still!”

Watching Oh Ryeong passionately listing words, everyone nodded. As she said, it was true they wanted to clash properly once.

“I was already thinking of giving it my all. But there’s a problem, isn’t there?”

“What?”

“It’s Baek Risan and Namgung Hyeon. I directly faced them both and they’re like monsters. If I were somewhat confident I’d say it’s manageable, but those two are impossible.”

“Mm. Those two…….”

At Seomun Cheok’s words, Oh Ryeong, who furrowed her brow, pressed her temples with her fingers as if she had a headache, then raised her finger as if she understood. And immediately pointing at Seomun Cheok.

“You just need to beat Namgung Hyeon. Seonwoo Gang takes Baek Risan. Then it works, doesn’t it?”

“……What?”

“Why, doesn’t it often come out in martial arts novels? Even if skill is a bit lacking, at the moment of crisis, crack crack. Can’t you do it?”

“You call that a strategy?”

“Then what other method is there besides that?”

“Just eat your food.”

“What, why. What!”

Watching Seomun Cheok, who sighed and shook his head, and Oh Ryeong getting riled up, and Unjin reciting Buddha’s name, Seonwoo Gang, who smirked, suddenly fell into thought at the white sun visible outside the window. The figure of Baek Risan somehow coming to mind.

‘Can I win?‘

Though he unleashed all the hidden skills, past time doesn’t return. The current Seonwoo Gang is in a situation where he can’t even guarantee victory against Namgung Hyeon.

Moreover, Baek Risan is stronger than even Namgung Hyeon based on what he felt. It’s not at the level where victory can’t be guaranteed, but rather it’s acceptable to say the probability of losing is very high.

He must defeat that opponent. It’s not an easy thing. No, it’s not an exaggeration to say it’s an extremely difficult thing.

However.

‘We’ve already done the seemingly impossible twice.‘

Didn’t Baek Riyun show that even things thought impossible can be done?

If he can’t accomplish even this much, how could he say anywhere that he learned from Baek Riyun?

“Let’s win.”

“Huh? Yeah. Let’s win! First, eat!”

At Seonwoo Gang’s single muttered phrase, Oh Ryeong received it. And instantly the atmosphere heating up boisterously.

‘This is nice.‘

It’s leisure that can be enjoyed because they won. Better to enjoy it while they can.

Watching his comrades grabbing liquor bottles one by one and cackling, Seonwoo Gang smirked. And in the atmosphere ripening noisily, the moment Seonwoo Gang also grinned and grabbed a liquor bottle.

—Hae hour .

At the voice transmission  he heard, Seonwoo Gang’s body froze.

—Come to Guanjemiao . Refusal is not permitted.

A familiar voice.

His master was summoning him.