ISS-Chapter 98

Chapter 98

The spectator seats.

“Not bad.”

“……Did you just say something?”

At the single remark from Tae-ak, who had maintained silence since arriving at the arena, Daesageom turned his gaze with an expression of disbelief to look at Tae-ak. However, Tae-ak paid no heed and simply stood there silently, watching Namgung Hyeon.

“It seems Senior Tae-ak also found that Mujeong swordsman’s fierce battle entertaining.”

Watching Tae-ak who didn’t answer his comment, Daesageom nodded as if in agreement. As Tae-ak said, the scene that unfolded before their eyes was considerable enough for even these exceptional individuals to call it “not bad.”

“Hmm.”

The Murim Alliance’s arena is spacious. Especially the arena for the competition.

In ordinary duels, there would be a rule of disqualification for going out of bounds, but in the competition’s duels, such rules don’t exist.

More precisely, it would be more accurate to say there’s no need for them to exist. What reason would there be to leave a massive arena that’s fifteen jang even in a straight line?

Yet just moments ago, Namgung Hyeon’s single strike had blown away nearly a third of the arena. If the force had been properly concentrated and directed at Sa Jin-hak, Sa Jin-hak wouldn’t have been able to gather even his bones properly.

“Though wasteful, being able to unleash such a sword strike at that age is impressive.”

Daesageom, who had concluded that Tae-ak’s praise was for Namgung Hyeon, raised his voice in agreement. However, watching this, the Sado Alliance Leader smiled faintly and spoke.

“It seems what Tae-ak praised wasn’t the Mujeong swordsman.”

“……Mm?”

“You were watching that Muryeon swordsman, weren’t you, Tae-ak?”

Watching Tae-ak quietly nod his head while maintaining silence at his question, the Sado Alliance Leader chuckled.

“It was impressive indeed.”

As a rule, a sect’s martial arts are organically connected to each other. Especially supreme martial arts like the Emperor Sword Form require deep understanding of one’s sect’s martial arts to even begin learning.

Namgung Hyeon, who could execute the Emperor Sword Form even incompletely, is undoubtedly strong. Certainly, even in terms of talent, he would be counted among the top ten fingers in the martial world.

However, conversely, this could also be said:

What about Sa Jin-hak, who nearly defeated such a Namgung Hyeon?

“Rather than simply having strong martial arts, that side suits our temperament better. Doesn’t it?”

“Excellent.”

“……Ahem.”

Watching Tae-ak speak unusually much, Daesageom cleared his throat and quietly offered an opposing opinion.

“Though he fought well using the given environment, isn’t the gap in skill ultimately clear? Relying on luck is ultimately because one’s skill is lacking.”

“Well, I can’t deny that the absolute value of the Muryeon swordsmen’s skills is inferior to the Mujeong swordsmen.”

There’s no room for disagreement on that point. Even now, with morale dropped to its extreme, isn’t Mujeong maintaining a comparable situation with Muryeon?

If the situation hadn’t turned out this way and it was an environment where everyone could display their full power, a direct confrontation between Mujeong and Muryeon wouldn’t have even been established. However.

“Shouldn’t we remember that it was the Muryeon swordsmen who induced this situation?”

If it were heavenly fortune, perhaps, but the current situation was clearly created by human effort. And it was created by the Muryeon side without outside help.

Then couldn’t that also be viewed as one form of skill?

“Interesting. More than I imagined.”

A tiger father doesn’t beget a dog son. Or doesn’t a tiger father raise a dog son?

Watching Daesageom close his mouth, unable to deny it, the Sado Alliance Leader let out a light laugh and leisurely leaned back, looking down below. Namgung Hyeon, with a pale complexion, gritting his teeth while looking toward Muryeon.

‘Is this about his limit?’

The Sado Alliance Leader made a strange expression as he counted on his fingers, gauging Namgung Hyeon’s stamina. The situation flowing in a peculiar way.

Though the previous two hadn’t depleted much of Namgung Hyeon’s stamina, he had consumed too much stamina in the decisive battle with Sa Jin-hak. Especially the consumption from the incomplete Emperor Sword Form at the end must have been significant.

‘His internal energy must be depleted, and his stamina nearly exhausted too.’

No matter how much Namgung Hyeon exerts himself, he can’t show the same prowess in the fight with Seonwoo Gang. Unless he fights by consuming even his lifespan, there’s no more strength to come out from there, and there’s no reason to fight by consuming one’s lifespan in such a duel.

“In the end, one-on-one.”

He had expected them to devise some strategy. However, actually seeing it realized was another story.

‘Interesting. Too good to give away to others.’

How much would Namgung Hyeon exert himself?

Looking at Baekri Un in the distance, standing silently with crossed arms watching the arena, then turning his head, the Sado Alliance Leader placed his clasped hands on his knees and lowered his gaze toward the arena.

And as time passed, the moment Seonwoo Gang slowly climbed onto the arena and faced Namgung Hyeon.

“……I will.”

“Mujeong swordsman Namgung Hyeon, what did you just say?”

After hesitating for a moment, Namgung Hyeon gritted his teeth and spoke.

“I will……forfeit.”

Immediately after the duel between Namgung Hyeon and Sa Jin-hak ended.

“Forfeit.”

Namgung Hyeon, who had come down briefly to rest while the broken arena was being repaired, froze at Cheongryu’s cold voice.

“What did you just……”

“I said forfeit. Don’t you understand?”

Squeeze!

“Urk.”

Cheongryu, who spoke as if concluding the matter, suddenly approached Namgung Hyeon and pressed down on his shoulder. At the same time, Namgung Hyeon let out a faint groan.

“As I thought.”

“……”

“Your blood vessels are completely blocked.”

Cheongryu clicked his tongue and continued.

“If you suddenly overexert yourself executing an unfamiliar supreme technique, this is what happens. If you continue fighting in this state, you might suffer aftereffects.”

“I can still endure it.”

“Being able to endure means you have to endure. Don’t overdo it and rest. Or do you have a reason you can’t step down?”

Unable to answer Cheongryu’s sound logic, Namgung Hyeon closed his mouth and turned his gaze toward Baekri San. Baekri San, still seemingly contemplating something, was silent and lost in thought.

‘I don’t think Baekri San will lose.’

He knows.

Baekri San is strong. Stronger than himself.

Whether using the Firmament Unobstructed Sword Technique or the Emperor Sword Form, gaining an advantage over Baekri San wouldn’t be easy. So he’s confident Baekri San won’t be easily defeated by Seonwoo Gang.

The problem is that the opponent is Baekri Un.

‘He couldn’t have failed to prepare countermeasures.’

The situation is one-on-one. The strength is equal or slightly superior.

Conditions that could shift greatly with just a small variable. Surely Baekri Un must have devised a plan to create that small variable, and Cheongryu must have also prepared some countermeasure.

‘What should I do? What should I……’

What should he do for Baekri San? What should he do for Mujeong?

As complicated thoughts confused his mind, Namgung Hyeon furrowed his brow and gritted his teeth. And the moment he opened his mouth to protest.

Brother.

“……”

At Cheonggyeong’s weary voice transmission, Namgung Hyeon turned his gaze.

I understand what you’re worried about, but how about trusting him once?

……Trust him.

I know. I know what perception you have of Senior Brother Cheongryu.

Cold-blooded and someone who doesn’t care about means for his ends, a martial artist from whom not a drop of blood would come out even if stabbed.

That was the perception the Mujeong swordsmen had of Cheongryu. Cheonggyeong, who picked up on this, shook his head.

Senior Brother may be clumsy, but he’s not a villain. If Senior Brother proposed something to Brother Baekri San, I think it’s not to win, but for Brother Baekri San’s future. And more than anything.

……More than anything?

This poor one doesn’t think Brother Baekri San is someone who would fall to momentary temptation and walk the evil path. If you can’t trust Senior Brother Cheongryu, how about trusting Brother Baekri San?

……

Trust him.

At Cheonggyeong’s words, Namgung Hyeon, who had been silent for a moment, raised his gaze toward Cheongryu, who was looking straight at him, and clenched his fist tightly. And.

Shortly after.

“……I forfeit.”

Watching Namgung Hyeon, who had forfeited and trudged down from the arena, Cheongryu nodded.

“Well done.”

Namgung Hyeon, who silently bowed his head accepting Cheongryu’s encouragement, exhaled a deep, soundless sigh and quietly sat in the viewing seats. As he released his tension, the pain of his internal injuries gradually approached him realistically.

‘I trust him.’

It’s not that he trusts Cheongryu. He had only been with Cheongryu for a few months, and they hadn’t spent time together closely enough to build trust.

So what Namgung Hyeon trusts is not Cheongryu’s character, but Baekri San’s strength.

‘Don’t lose, Baekri San.’

Unable to voice it aloud, Namgung Hyeon clenched his fist as he watched Baekri San holding his sword.

Baekri San, having finished his deliberation, was standing up to enter the match.

With eyes more resolute than ever before.

How does one distinguish between the orthodox and unorthodox paths, the dark way and the bright way?

When thinking very simply, it’s easy. If under the protection of the Murim Alliance, it’s orthodox. If under the protection of the Sado Alliance, it’s unorthodox—that’s the common understanding.

Looking more in detail, there would be differences in how they obtain income. If the orthodox path plays the role of guards protecting people from monsters and the unorthodox path’s clutches, receiving regular protection fees, then the unorthodox path obtains income through effectively controlling regions within their sphere of influence.

There are various ways to distinguish between orthodox and unorthodox. Standards differ for each individual, and though rare, there are cases of affiliation changes.

And by Seonwoo Gang’s standards, having belonged to both sides, the difference between orthodox and unorthodox was clear.

Do you discriminate means for your ends, or not?

Do you place value in righteousness, or in profit?

“Gang.”

Muryeon waiting area.

At Seomun Cheok’s voice calling him, Seonwoo Gang, who had been polishing his blade with cloth while preparing his fighting spirit, quietly raised his gaze.

“What is it?”

“I was wondering if you were nervous. Are you alright?”

“Alright?”

At Seomun Cheok’s question, Seonwoo Gang let out a chuckle and continued while trying to suppress his trembling hands.

“I’m nervous as hell.”

The competition was reaching its climax, and somehow only one duel remained.

While the final duel would be meaningful to the Muryeon swordsmen as well, for Seonwoo Gang, the significance was even greater. After all, his life was at stake.

Prove your worth.

A week ago.

Daesageom had told Seonwoo Gang that. To prove his worth in the Three Gates, in the consecutive victories.

He must prove his worth to survive. And the only way for a martial artist to prove that worth is to demonstrate superior martial prowess.

Actually, up to there it’s fine. Unlike his former self, the current Seonwoo Gang was like a tempered famous sword hammered dozens of times to become stronger.

He had trained and refined himself. He had also engaged in dozens, hundreds of sparring matches with Baekri Un in preparation for this situation. So he has more than enough chance of victory.

However, what holds him back is a trace of hesitation.

The doubt that this might be the wrong path.

“Is it right to win like this?”

“……”

“It’s no different from cheating. After all, the Sect Leader knows incredibly well about Baekri San.”

“Your belly is full.”

At the contextless lament, Seomun Cheok frowned and tapped Seonwoo Gang’s shoulder with his fist as he spoke.

“You might think it’s cheating, but in the end, it’s a trivial flaw. It’s not against the rules either.”

If it were a one-on-one duel perhaps, but the consecutive victories are clearly a match between Muryeon and Mujeong, aren’t they?

Analyzing the opponent before the duel isn’t prohibited. If it were prohibited, Muryeon’s current behavior of continuously gaining advantage using compatibility wouldn’t have been tolerated.

“Even if I knew that flaw, I wouldn’t dare think I could beat Baekri San. It’s because it’s you that we can be confident of victory.”

“That’s……”

“And this is also for Baekri San’s sake.”

“……Mm?”

“Didn’t you hear from the Sect Leader what will happen to Baekri San if he continues in that state?”

“Ah……”

Understanding, Seonwoo Gang nodded. But Seomun Cheok’s words continued without breaking.

“Preparation is also combat. When facing an enemy on the battlefield, no soldier hesitates to stab just because the enemy didn’t come wearing armor. You may not be convinced, but from my perspective, that’s just self-deception. Do you think Baekri San is so easy that you can win while going easy on him?”

“That’s…… not it.”

“Then what you need to do is decided. Fight with full power, win, and come back. Isn’t that right?”

Seonwoo Gang quietly agreed with Seomun Cheok’s words and scratched his head as he nodded. It wasn’t wrong.

“You’re right. When we don’t even know how it will turn out, talking about fairness or whatever is looking down on the opponent.”

Is Baekri San an easy opponent?

Absolutely not. Isn’t he an opponent one might not be able to beat even with full power?

To discriminate means and methods with such an opponent before one’s eyes is arrogance itself. Having made his judgment, Seonwoo Gang slowly stood up.

“My thoughts are organized. Thanks.”

“Enough. I just rambled on about obvious things. More importantly, are you confident you’ll win?”

“Confident I’ll win?”

“Yeah. After saying all this, if you lose, nothing would be more disgraceful, right?”

“Confident I’ll win……”

At Seomun Cheok’s rare playful question, always serious, Seonwoo Gang fastened his sword hilt to his waist and trailed off as he turned around. And the answer that followed.

“I’m not confident.”

“……What?”

“That I’ll lose.”

The Baekri San of until now could never defeat him.

“I’ll win and come back.”

Declaring this, Seonwoo Gang grinned and moved his steps, climbing onto the arena.

Beyond the arena.

Baekri San was already standing up.