Chapter 67 – The Finals of the Yongbongji Gathering
Unlike the preliminary rounds, where they gather everyone together and say, “You get the idea, kill each other!” the finals are conducted in a one-on-one tournament format.
So, it takes a little time to create the match schedule, and during this process, the martial artists of the martial world show off their own showmanship.
For example, those who aim to win the championship try to meet each other as late as possible.
In other words, this means that someone can intervene artificially.
Of course, the martial artists are not some local martial arts association, and they can simply ignore most external pressures…
“Leave it to me. It’s not often that the head of the Odae family personally comes, so it shouldn’t be too difficult for you to arrange the matches so that you meet each other as late as possible.”
“But is it okay?”
Isn’t it corrupt?
“It’s not like we’re manipulating the outcome of the matches, so what’s the problem? And with your skills, you would have been assigned to a lower rank anyway. There may be some difference in how far down you are.”
That’s what they say.
Anyway, a few more days of leisure were given. Life in the mansion was still comfortable, but it didn’t mean it was luxurious.
Paeng Ojin acted even more strict as if to keep his word and taught me even more fiercely, and he started teaching Paeng Soso properly, unlike before.
But there was only one exception. Hong Yeonhwa.
Although I watched the training of Nan and Paeng Soso, now that Paeng Ojin was there, it didn’t take up as much time as before.
Preparing for the Yongbongji Gathering? Even if she fought against the martial arts master right now, Hong Yeonhwa would probably win, so there was no need to worry about the later stages of the competition.
It’s not like she neglected her own training… She did more meditation than physical training.
It’s a kind of mental training where you simulate fighting in your head as if you were really fighting in a martial arts novel.
This, too, is not something you do for a long time. You have to do it moderately because the flow of time is different from reality.
By the time her inner energy recovers, Hong Yeonhwa can do energy cultivation even while doing other things. It’s just a matter of breathing.
So, what does she do with the remaining time?
The answer is to have fun and eat.
As if saying she will enjoy everything she couldn’t enjoy in her own world, which was like the end of the century apocalypse, she went around here and there, waving her hands.
She cooked using ingredients she bought directly from the market.
(She tried to make fried rice, but failed to control the water and ended up with fried porridge)
She endlessly watched street performances happening on the streets.
(She almost joined the performance, claiming she could do it herself)
She followed him all day, curious about his quarrels, and watched what he was doing.
(She got scolded by Paeng Soso because she couldn’t rest properly and just kept working)
There are other things happening, but anyway, you could say that Hong Yeonhwa is in a very lively mood these days.
Today, she is lying on her stomach, using her chest as a cushion, flipping through a bookshelf. Occasionally, she shakes her feet in excitement and bursts into laughter.
The title of that book is definitely… “Maedo Aeruhuho” or something like that. It gave off that kind of vibe.
They say it’s a very popular novel these days. I heard she won some competition or something.
With her worn-out body, Hong Yeonhwa sat next to me. Then, she leaned her head against my muscle-less neck.
Her body had been exhausted from training, but she continued to do so until it cooled down. In the meantime, Hong Yeonhwa placed a bookmark in the middle of the book and tucked it between her breasts.
However, she didn’t get up from her seat and just stretched out, enjoying the touch of my hand.
“You haven’t finished reading it yet.”
“A book can be read anytime, right? Right now, it’s better to feel you like this.”
With a contented purr and a relaxed smile, Hong Yeonhwa said.
“Mmm…”
Then, she made her characteristic snorting sound and soon rested her head on my lap and started fidgeting.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m performing the smallest miracle I can create.”
“What’s that?”
“It’s… a miracle called ‘Binggeok’!”
With pink eyes full of anticipation, she looked up at me as if she were the one who had just cracked a witty joke.
Her sparkling gaze was so adorable that I found myself moving my hand without realizing it.
Carefully stroking her head, I went a little deeper, and when I tickled her neck for no reason, she would scrunch up her shoulders and giggle.
We continued like that for a while, and before I knew it, Paeng Soso, who had just finished washing up, came running from afar and slid in, placing her head on the opposite knee.
“Hong Unni, next is me, right? Right?!”
“We have two hands, so we can do it at the same time.”
I smirked and reached out my hand to Paeng Soso.
“Oh, wait a moment.”
Hong Yeonhwa stopped me.
“Your hair isn’t fully dry yet. I’ll dry it for you, so stay still.”
Saying that, Hong Yeonhwa swiftly ran her fingers through Paeng Soso’s hair, and the damp hair, accompanied by a faint steam, became fluffy in an instant.
Wait, did she just use a hairdryer on her?
I’m a little curious. I should ask her to do it for me next time.
As I made a mental note, I absentmindedly continued to touch them both, and suddenly, I felt something touching my lower body.
When I lowered my head, I saw the two of them, who had become dazed, leaning in close, as if they were about to bury their faces in my lap.
“My love, it seems there’s no one around us.”
“Because it’s the training ground. No one can enter here without permission, and my father said he had some business and went out.”
Hong Yeonhwa and Paeng Soso stared at me as if they were expecting something.
…I guess it’s okay for a moment?
***
In the blink of an eye, time passed, and the main event of the Yongbong Martial Arts Tournament finally began.
The stands were packed as usual, and in addition to that, many other well-known figures who didn’t arrive during the preliminaries were also seated.
Of course, now that Hong Yeonhwa was a participant, the only familiar face in the waiting area was Paeng Ojin.
There were 40 people who made it through the preliminaries and 24 who started directly in the main event through recommendation cards.
With a total of 64 promising martial artists gathered, there was no need to worry about anyone other than the winner.
That’s why they always give special titles to the top 14. It’s called the famous “Guryong Obong” (Nine Dragons and Five Phoenixes).
The title includes “Yong” for men and “Bong” for women, so the gender ratio can vary depending on the circumstances, but they just call it Guryong Obong.
The gender ratio of the top 14 in the first Yongbong Martial Arts Tournament was 9:5, so they kept it that way to honor it.
By the way, Guryong Obong. Doesn’t it remind you of something as soon as you hear it? It’s probably the right answer.
Most of the past Guryong Obong members came from the Gupa Ilbang and Odaese-ga.
It’s not that they manipulated the matches or anything like that. They just continued the legacy of the martial world’s corruption.
However, the influence of Gupa Ilbang and Odaese-ga played a big role in the unique system of giving titles to the top 14, not just the top 3.
The Yongbong Martial Arts Tournament is held every five years, so there may be places where there is no post-tournament index or where they already have a title and cannot attend.
In other words, even if the rankings change, in the end, they can proudly boast titles like “Geomnyong” or “Baekbong” among themselves.
But that doesn’t mean that the Yongbong Martial Arts Tournament is their exclusive league.
They also give special titles to talented martial artists who didn’t receive the Yongbong title but made a remarkable performance, or those who try to recruit them using their own influence.
In fact, the recommendation cards were created to scout talented martial artists who are not affiliated with any faction, whether by selling them or easily advancing to the main event, to give them a sense of recognition and help.
Considering the importance of money to martial artists who value wealth to an excessive degree, this is definitely an undeniable plus factor.
In the end, despite all the talk, the summary is that the level of the participants significantly increases from the main event.
Whether they proved their skills by breaking through the preliminaries, judged themselves as talents that would benefit their faction, or were recognized as enemies of the corrupt martial world.
It can only be one of these three.
“So, the opponent in front of me must have some undeniable skill.”
“Hehe. Even if you lose, don’t be too discouraged. It’s only natural since I, Yang Soyu of the Gale Sword, was your opponent.”
“Ah, yes. I humbly request a match.”
I greeted them with a trembling voice and glanced at them from top to bottom.
Their hair was slicked back, adorned with various intricate embroideries, and their expensive clothes were covered in golden threads. Their teeth sparkled white like rice noodles under the sunlight, which was quite overwhelming.
But above all, it was their voice, arrogant attitude, and the name they proudly called themselves, Yang Soyu of the Gale Sword.
That guy… Wasn’t he the one who was behind me when I applied for the preliminaries? The one who shamelessly tried to cut in line.
Despite their appearance, which resembled an empty carriage, their presence was quite formidable. I forced myself to maintain composure and summoned my Martial Spirit.
Zing??
And the resounding sound of a bell.
The guy who was leisurely enjoying themselves suddenly had a fierce look in their eyes.
Without even drawing their sword, Yang Soyu rushed towards me, aiming for my neck as they swung their blade.
“Hup!”
Clang!
I managed to barely block the half-drawn sword, but it wasn’t over yet.
They relentlessly attacked my wrist, armpit, and side, showering me with a flurry of swift sword strikes.
I could barely keep up with their enhanced physical abilities from my Martial Spirit training.
The only reason I could withstand this onslaught was because I had learned how to counter their relentless swordsmanship from Paeng Soso.
However, despite their relentless attacks, there was one thing lacking.
“It’s too light…!”
Each sword strike was light, no matter how fast they were.
Of course, even if they were light, each strike had enough power to cut through a person, considering the fact that they were swinging a sword.
Clang!
As soon as our swords clashed, I didn’t just defend, but pushed their sword back. I repeated this several times, and it was Yang Soyu’s stance that crumbled, not mine.
Taking a moment to catch my breath, I stepped back, allowing Yang Soyu to do the same. But I knew they wouldn’t let me off easily.
I leaned my upper body forward, shifting my weight forward. Then, as if following their lead, I gave a strong recoil to my whole body, taking a deep step forward.
As the opponent distanced themselves, I followed suit and thrust my sword.
“Huh…”
Seeing the tip of their sword stop in front of their own neck, Yang Soyu lowered their arm that they had raised.
“I lost.”
As Yang Soyu spoke, the bell rang, signaling the end of the match.
Finally, I sheathed my sword and took a light breath of victory.
“It was a good match.”
I was taken aback, but it’s off to a good start.
