Chapter 127
It was a few years ago.
Dongryong, who had just turned twenty, was an Ordinary Subordinate Martial Artist belonging to the Hebei Peng Family’s Hogyeonggak Pavilion.
No… he was actually a bit far from Ordinary.
“Deputy Pavilion Lord… I have too many shift hours this time. If this keeps up, my Training time will…”
“The Pavilion Lord made the schedule, so what do you want me to do about it? And… does a weakling like you even need Training?”
“…”
When one learns the Hebei Peng Family’s Martial Arts and supplements it with External Cultivation Training, one’s body quickly grows larger.
Because of this, most of the Peng Family’s martial artists had massive physiques, but Dongryong did not.
Seeing this, the other martial artists judged that Dongryong either didn’t put in the effort or was just pathetically weak.
From Dongryong’s perspective, he found it incredibly unfair, having reduced his sleep time at night just to train.
“Deputy Pavilion Lord, I…”
“Ah, enough, enough. A Bastard like you should just think about carrying out orders when you hear them. How dare you talk back? You should be grateful we’re taking you in instead of kicking a guy like you out.”
“…”
In the end, Dongryong was stuck taking on all the shifts alone again this month. Since he was scheduled to work right away, Dongryong couldn’t protest any further and had no choice but to head to his post.
“Haa…”
Guarding a shabby back door where no one came or went, Dongryong clenched his fists tightly.
Having a lot of shifts wasn’t particularly difficult or anything. The insults and violence from the other martial artists directed at him were also bearable.
However…
[If things stay like this, I’ll…]
The feeling that he alone was stagnating and unable to grow anymore… the anxiety that he might never escape being a Third-rate Martial Artist for the rest of his life made him uneasy.
[I’d rather just do it here…]
At that moment, Dongryong harbored rebellious thoughts and looked around.
Training while on duty was strictly forbidden. If he were caught, he wouldn’t be able to avoid Interrogation.
But the place he was guarding right now was a back door with almost no foot traffic.
Gulp.
Srrng - !
Ultimately unable to Resist the temptation, Dongryong drew his Saber. Then, after looking around again and confirming that no one was there, he started with a basic Downward Strike.
But at that moment…!
“You’re already doing it wrong.”
“…!”
Hearing a beautiful voice, he turned around and saw…
“Ah, Young Lady…”
…the Peng Family’s Youngest Young Lady, Peng Do-Hui, who was two years younger than him.
[Wh-what do I do…]
Dongryong’s face turned pale as his attempt to train on duty was discovered, but Peng Do-Hui didn’t even care about that and approached him.
Then, pointing at his thighs, she said.
“There’s no strength in your lower body. The core of the Peng Family Saber Art is a solid lower body. Didn’t you even learn that?”
“Ah…”
There was no way he hadn’t learned it.
But when he thought about it, it seemed he had neglected his lower body Training lately due to his impatience for advanced Martial Arts.
At this, Dongryong expressed his gratitude and offered a Cupped Fist Salute to Peng Do-Hui.
“Thank you for your teachings.”
“Hmm…”
Looking at Dongryong, Peng Do-Hui rested her chin on her hand and continued.
“By the way, I just saw a truly bizarre sight. You seem to be on duty, yet you’re Training…”
“…”
At Peng Do-Hui’s words, Dongryong couldn’t hide his anxiety. He had almost forgotten it for a moment after receiving advice on his Training, but the truth was that his life was practically in her hands.
“I suppose you’re that Troublemaker of the Hogyeonggak Pavilion?”
The Troublemaker of the Hogyeonggak Pavilion.
That was one of Dongryong’s nicknames.
It hadn’t felt that humiliating when others called him that, but hearing Peng Do-Hui say it made him feel Ashamed.
“…Yes, that’s correct.”
As Dongryong blushed and nodded…
“That’s great.”
“…Pardon?”
“I’m a troublemaker among my Family too.”
The Bloodline of the Peng Family possessed massive physiques, whether male or female.
However, Peng Do-Hui, who was said to have suffered a severe fever when she was young, was slightly shorter and skinnier than the average girl her age, let alone the rest of the Peng Family.
Just like Dongryong.
“How about we troublemakers join forces?”
“H-how do we join…”
“I was actually planning to sneak out right now. If you keep this a secret, I’ll keep Escort Dong’s Training a secret too. And if there’s a chance as I come and go, I’ll check your Stance for you.”
“…”
Dongryong tried to say that it was dangerous outside, but he couldn’t. Peng Do-Hui’s smiling face was so pretty that his mouth froze.
“…Yes.”
As Dongryong answered like that without realizing it, Peng Do-Hui smiled brightly once more and…
“Then I’ll see you next time, Escort Dong.”
“…”
…ran off toward the Hebei City Center.
That was Dongryong’s first meeting with her.
And one year later.
Dongryong became her Direct Escort Warrior.
* * *
Gurgle - .
Blood poured from a deep gash on Dongryong’s side.
Seeing this, the Referee tried to raise his hand.
This was a Sparring Match, not a life-or-death duel. It was simply a Sparring Match for Rising Stars to test their martial prowess and observe each other’s Martial Arts.
Naturally, lives shouldn’t be on the line, and the Referee had a duty to prevent that.
However…
“W-wait…!”
“…!”
…Dongryong stopped the Referee from halting the Sparring Match.
Then, with desperate eyes, he shouted at him.
“Not yet…! I can still keep going…!”
“Y-you…”
The Referee’s eyes were dyed with bewilderment. At the same time, he felt conflicted.
The participant wanted the Sparring Match to continue. In that case, what judgment should he make?
Normally, he would have immediately declared Peng Ji-Sang’s victory and stopped the Sparring Match. That was the standard procedure and the right thing to do.
However…
“…Don’t overdo it. If it looks critical, I will stop the Sparring Match immediately.”
“…Yes, of course.”
…the Referee allowed the Sparring Match to proceed at his own discretion.
Dongryong’s eyes were too desperate to just stop it here.
His fervor had moved the Referee.
Paat - !
With that, the Referee raised his hand to signal the resumption of the Sparring Match.
Clang - !!
At the same time, Peng Ji-Sang rushed at Dongryong again with another fierce Strike.
“Keugh…!”
He had somehow persuaded the Referee to give him a chance, but the situation was actually not good. Blood was pouring from his side. Because of that, he couldn’t put strength into his body, and his vision was shaking.
[Damn it…]
Dongryong blamed himself for getting distracted during the Sparring Match. Then he steeled his resolve.
[Forget it.]
He hadn’t come all this way, even hiding his identity, just to have a simple Sparring Match. He had a reason why he absolutely had to win this Sparring Tournament.
[Forget it.]
So Dongryong forced strength into his body and struggled not to think about anything else.
However…
“It’s no exaggeration to say you ruined Do-Hui’s life.”
“Keugh…”
“But with what face did you even return?”
…Peng Ji-Sang’s wicked tongue didn’t leave Dongryong alone.
After shaking Dongryong with his words like that…
Thwack - !
“Keu-ahk - !”
…he delivered a Kick straight to Dongryong’s injured side.
Crash.
Thanks to that, Dongryong was forced back to the very edge of the Sparring Arena.
[It’s over.]
Watching that sight, Muyeon grabbed his forehead, sensing defeat.
Considering Dongryong’s condition before stepping onto the Sparring Arena, it was a somewhat understandable result.
Step - .
Peng Ji-Sang, perhaps also anticipating his victory, approached Dongryong to finish it.
However…
“…You?”
…Dongryong didn’t give up and stood right back up from his spot…
Srrk - .
“…!”
He drew the Saber he had been carrying on his back.
“Wait, a Zhongnan Sect Disciple using a Saber…?”
Murmur, murmur - .
As Dongryong suddenly pulled out a Saber, everyone in the Sparring Arena voiced their doubts.
Of course, Peng Ji-Sang didn’t find it Strange. Dongryong was originally a Martial Artist of the Peng Family, so he was more proficient with a Saber.
“Have you given up on your unfitting Swordsman act? But well… it seems too late for that anyway…”
“…”
“You said you’d leave immediately if you were eliminated from the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering. Stop showing such an ugly display in front of the Peng Family and get lost now.”
Peng Ji-Sang said that and raised his Saber high.
And…
“…”
…at that moment, Dongryong was looking elsewhere.
To be exact, he was looking at Peng Do-Hui, who was watching him with an indescribable expression.
[…I’m really pathetic.]
No matter how much he resolved to forget it, to only think about the Sparring Match right now, whenever he came to his senses, he was always looking in that direction.
What is this emotion right now? Is it longing for her? Or…
[Don’t leave me behind.]
…was it guilt toward her?
He didn’t know exactly, but one thing was certain: his thoughts of her would never cease until the moment his life ended.
However…
“Aaaaaaah - !!!”
Right now has to be different.
Because right now, he isn’t Dongryong, the Escort Warrior of the Hebei Peng Family’s Youngest Daughter Peng Do-Hui, but Dongryong, the Deputy Leader of the Green Forest.
“…!”
As Dongryong gathered his Internal Energy and let out a Loud Roar, Peng Ji-Sang flinched for a moment.
Taking advantage of that opening, Dongryong put his last bit of strength into executing a Stance.
Why did he suddenly think of the rogue Monk he met yesterday at that moment…?
Dongryong raised his Saber and shouted loudly.
“Demon-Slaying Saber Art of Pora - !! First Stance, Asura Neck Slash - !!!”
He had been taught the two Saber Arts by Muyeon over 100 days.
One was the Wind and Wave Saber Art, and the other was the Demon-Slaying Saber Art of Pora he was executing right now.
The Demon-Slaying Saber Art of Pora had a higher difficulty than the Wind and Wave Saber Art, so Dongryong hadn’t used it much until now.
But was it just his imagination?
As he shouted the name of the Stance and executed it, his body somehow felt lighter, making it feel easier than before.
Rumble, rumble - !!
Like that, Dongryong leaped at Peng Ji-Sang, exuding the Fierce Aura of the Demon-Slaying Saber Art of Pora.
[Th-this Saber Art is…!]
Peng Ji-Sang couldn’t help but be flustered.
Not only was it questionable where a guy who was about to collapse got the strength to suddenly Charge at him, but the Saber Art Dongryong was executing was something he had never seen before in his life.
But he was the Eldest Son of the Hebei Peng Family, which represented the Saber. He was confident he wouldn’t lose to anyone when it came to Saber Arts.
Paat - !
Therefore, Peng Ji-Sang responded to Dongryong by executing the Five Tiger Severing Gate Saber, the Stance of the Hebei Peng Family’s pride.
Clang - !!
Clang - !!
Continuing the Offense and Defense, Peng Ji-Sang could feel it as the eerie sound of clashing blades rang out.
Dongryong’s stamina had reached its limit.
But…
Clang - !! Clang, clang - !!
But why…
Clang, clang, clang - !!
[Why is my body…!]
Tremble.
Why was his body trembling…?
The Hebei Peng Family was a Tiger.
The Hebei Peng Family’s Inherited Martial Art, the Five Tiger Severing Gate Saber, also took the form of five tigers launching a Surprise Attack.
The Hebei Peng Family was definitely a Tiger. And… the Master of the Mountain, the Tiger, knew no fear.
[But why is my body…!]
He didn’t want to Admit it, but Peng Ji-Sang knew the reason his body was trembling.
It was the Aura.
The Aura of the Saber Art Dongryong was wielding right now… his hand gestures, his body movements, and his eyes…
Tremble.
…were overwhelming Peng Ji-Sang as if to devour him.
[I’m scared…?]
Right now, Peng Ji-Sang has become prematurely terrified while continuing the Offense and Defense against Dongryong’s Saber.
A Tiger never gets scared. Feeling as if his very existence was being denied, Peng Ji-Sang desperately boiled up his Internal Strength.
“Iyaaaaaah - !!”
And putting his everything into it, he swung his Saber at Dongryong.
“Aaaaaaah - !!”
It was the same for Dongryong.
In the end, the sabers containing the true feelings of the two men clashed head-on…
Kwaaaaaang - !!
“Uuuuugh - !!”
“Th-the aftermath of the Internal Strength Battle is…!”
…At the same time as the Loud Roar, the surrounding dirt and dust rose up, creating a Cumulus Cloud that obstructed the spectators' vision.
“Cough, cough…!”
“Wh-who won - !”
Eventually, the Dust Cloud began to clear, and the spectators could confirm the figure standing alone on the Sparring Arena.
“…!”
And that was…
“Th-this Sparring Match is a victory for D-Master Dong-Bong of Jongrimun - !!”
…Dongryong.
* * *
Peng Ji-Sang and Dongryong’s Sparring Match seemed like it would end anticlimactically in the beginning, but it eventually turned into a close match that lasted until the end.
Saber and Saber.
Sharpness and sharpness.
Fierceness and fierceness.
It was truly a battle of beasts.
“Waaaaaaaah - !!!”
“Jongrimun - !! Jongrimun - !! Jongrimun - !!”
And the spectators cheered loudly for Dongryong, who had won the battle.
“Hahaha - !!”
And among them was a giant old Monk holding a gourd full of alcohol in one hand.
“This is quite a sight, better than I thought - !”
Watching the result of the Sparring Match, he laughed heartily with genuine amusement. Seeing the man he had his eye on win by utilizing the method he had taught him made him feel even better.
The old Monk drank his alcohol and looked at Dongryong.
Looking at that bestial nature, who would dare think of him as human? When he momentarily gathered his Internal Strength and executed the Saber Art, even the Monk’s eyebrows shot up.
[At first, I thought he was just a mutant Tiger cub…]
That wasn’t a Tiger. Not a Tiger, but…
[Chui.]
…It was truly a Chui that devoured Tigers.
Hadn’t he actually devoured that young Tiger of the Hebei Peng Family?
“It’s not easy to find someone with the makings for the Asura Saber. The Grand Elder will be disappointed.”
Dongryong had called out the name of the Saber Art with a Loud Roar just a moment ago.
Demon-Slaying Saber Art of Pora.
With that, the Old Monk could roughly guess Dongryong’s affiliation.
The guy was probably walking a path completely opposite to his own.
“What a shame!! A shame - !!”
Like that, the old Monk hid among the audience, continuously drinking alcohol and shouting.