Book 12 Chapter 16

Volcanic Branch Meeting Appraisal

Was his exceptional drive due to a keen sense for money, or curiosity? The peak where the most prestigious event in the martial arts world, the Volcanic Branch Meeting, was to be held was already teeming with a crowd that had gathered like a swarm of bees.

It was truly astonishing how so many people had appeared from nowhere.

In particular, the largest plaza in Shijin was packed with countless groups of people in various attires, bustling about from early morning. Naturally, it was boisterous.

It seemed that humans, by nature, did not consider it polite to remain silent when two or more gathered. Thus, with hundreds, nay, thousands of humans assembled, it was bound to be noisy. If it didn't go too far, it would be lively, but if it became a little too loud, it would devolve into a cacophony.

The eastern part of the plaza was particularly chaotic. The area with the densest crowd was so overwhelmingly loud with noise, clamor, and the din of voices that it was dizzying. What could be drawing so many people to this place?

Bilyeon, feeling no need to suppress his surging curiosity, unhesitatingly walked towards the area. His companions followed, equally intrigued.

"Place your bets! Place your bets! Win and go to heaven, lose and go to hell! Test your luck!"

A master of ceremonies, standing on a pre-made platform, shouted at the top of his lungs. In one hand, he held several bundles of paper scraps. This was an appraisal event on a scale incomparable to the Twin Ghosts of Heaven's Martial Arts Academy.

The blackboard was enormous, easily visible to the dense crowd. To the right, from the front, was the Heaven's Martial Arts Academy, and to the left, the Machon Pavilion faction. Several names were listed from the top. Of course, there were blank spaces. However, these spaces would soon be filled. The remaining empty spots, barring a few, were because precise information about who would participate had not yet been received.

The individuals whose names were already listed were indispensable figures for this Volcanic Branch Meeting. Their participation was a given for the gamblers. Without them, the event would be meaningless. The owners of the names on the board had already spread their formidable reputations throughout the martial arts world. Next to each name were odds listed numerically.

Names such as Yong Cheonmyeong, Maharyeong, Qing Hen, Shin Yusung, and Moyong Hui were already listed. For Moyong Hui, the Seven Ultimate Divine Sword, to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with seasoned seniors at such a young age was truly befitting.

Shin Yusung, the Shadow-Piercing Sword, held the highest odds, likely due to his past achievements. His support rate was ahead of everyone else's. Close behind him was Yong Cheonmyeong.

Bilyeon, after glancing at the Heaven's Martial Arts Academy side, turned his gaze to the left. Several names were also listed for the Machon Pavilion. Bilyeon studied them intently. His eyes naturally gravitated towards the name with the highest support (and therefore lowest odds) among the many listed on the blackboard. That name was Wu Beiwan.

"Wu Beiwan? Who is that?"

"What, you don't even know Wu Beiwan, the Iron Arm Blade?" Jang Hong asked, surprised.

"No, I don't," came the disappointingly simple reply.

"He is the most famous swordsman among the younger generation in their twenties from the Machon Pavilion. It is said his strength is so immense that he can playfully handle thick iron bars as if they were stretched taffy on a hot summer day. His power is so great that there's a saying: 'If you don't want your grip to tear or to die by your own sword, do not commit the foolish act of facing Wu Beiwan's single strike head-on!' He is not yet thirty, yet his fame has spread throughout the martial arts world for ten years. He was also a quarter-finalist at the previous Volcanic Convention."

This meant, of course, that his chances of winning were very high.

Below him were names like 'An Nakgin' and 'Ji Du'. Naturally, Bilyeon had never heard of them before, but it seemed others had.

Jang Hong sighed and explained that An Nakgin was a famous young swordsman known as the 'Wind-Cutting Sword' in the martial arts world. A considerable amount of money was bet on him. And above them, there was one more individual. Only a single character, '飛' (fei, meaning fly), was written there.

'Who could it be?'

A flicker of curiosity arose, but Bilyeon quickly dismissed it. After observing for a moment, Bilyeon approached a receptionist and quietly whispered something. He then handed over a leather pouch. The receptionist's eyes widened in disbelief upon examining its contents. Still wearing a surprised expression, the receptionist looked back and forth between the pouch and Bilyeon, then quickly wrote something and handed it to Bilyeon. He then urgently summoned one of the masters of ceremonies. The MC, upon hearing the receptionist's words, also appeared greatly surprised.

Bilyeon tucked the paper he received from the receptionist into his robes and returned as if nothing had happened.

"What was that just now?" Na Yerim asked, approaching him. Bilyeon smiled and replied,

"A sort of advance investment."

Soon, one of the masters of ceremonies wrote Bilyeon's name in chalk in the blank space on the right side of the odds board, under the Heaven's Martial Arts Academy. The number next to it was astonishing. Murmurs spread like ripples throughout the entire crowd. Bilyeon quietly smiled and watched.

Bilyeon met the old man, as most encounters do, by chance. At least, that's what Bilyeon thought. The meeting with this old man was no different from a chance encounter on the street, so attributing any other meaning to it would be foolish.

It seemed this old man had also come to test his luck at the appraisal.

"Young man, you bold youth!" The old man spoke first.

"Did you call me, Grandpa?" Bilyeon turned, smiling. Standing there was a very ordinary-looking old man. The old man's hair and beard, not short, were gray like the pre-dawn twilight. He was not tall, and his build was slender. The robes he wore were a faded ash gray, similar to his hair color. In one hand, he held a small wooden staff, carved from an unknown wood.

Though seemingly ordinary at first glance, the old man was somehow not ordinary. He possessed eyes that defied easy estimation of his age. The two dark pupils beneath his shadowed eyelids seemed to hold the wisdom of ages, their depth unmeasurable.

He seemed out of place in this place where the primal human desire for money pulsed.

"Young man, I've been watching you for a while now, and you're betting on peculiar people." The old man said in a gentle voice.

"Peculiar?"

The old man nodded.

"Yes. I've been watching this odds board for a long time, and I haven't yet seen anyone bet on a person named 'Bilyeon.' Well, perhaps that name was just added. You'd be the first. And I suspect, the last. I pride myself on having a rather keen ear, but I don't recall hearing of any such renowned post-disciple. How about changing it now? You still have the chance to reconsider."

As the old man offered sincere advice, Bilyeon said with a smile,

"Grandpa, don't you want the highest odds?"

"Do you know of some good sire?" The old man seemed intrigued by Bilyeon's words.

"Sire?"

"Ho ho ho. Ah, forgive me! I was mistaken for a moment. Do you know who has the highest chance of winning?"

"You're asking the obvious, aren't you? If I thought they would lose, would I have bet on that name? If you bet on that person, Grandpa, you'll never have to worry about losing money."

He then unhesitatingly pointed to himself.

"Who exactly is that person? I pride myself on hearing the flow of rumors throughout the martial arts world, but I haven't heard of such a talent!"

"The wise man always conceals himself and never reveals his true nature." Bilyeon's elegant response left Dokko Ryong speechless. The fact that he could elevate himself to such a degree so nonchalantly instilled in her a sense of awe.

With just a little more courage and effort, he seemed like he would point to the sky with his right index finger, point to the ground with his left index finger, and loudly exclaim, 'Above heaven and earth, I alone am honored!' Of course, it would be an insult to Buddha, but she was convinced Bilyeon was capable of it. Na Yerim stood quietly without a word.

'I shouldn't have come with them!' Dokko Ryong rebuked herself for not trying harder to dissuade Na Yerim from allowing her to accompany them.

"Then, do you know who that wise man is?" The old man persistently asked, his curiosity piqued. Bilyeon nodded.

"Of course! There is probably no one in this world who knows him better than I do."

"I suppose so," Dokko Ryong muttered sarcastically.

"And why is that?"

"Because that person is me." He then smiled. The old man bent at the waist and burst into laughter so loud it must have been bad for his heart.

"Hahahahaha! What an amusing fellow! Aren't you ashamed to speak of yourself with such praise?"

Bilyeon shook his head firmly.

"There is nothing to be ashamed of when speaking the truth!"

Namgung Sang and Jang Hong, who were accompanying him, looked up at the sky with expressions that conveyed 'Why isn't the sky falling?' and 'Why isn't lightning striking?'

However, the sky was sorrowfully clear and blue.

"Amusing fellow, truly amusing. So, where is that wise man staying now?"

"He is staying at the Plum Blossom Inn."

"Is that so? He's staying in a good place. Since our meeting today seems like fate, how about we have a drink?"

"Certainly. If you're paying for the drinks, old man, I absolutely won't refuse." Bilyeon replied politely. It was an uncharacteristic display of sociability.

"Haha, you're an amusing fellow to the end. Of course! To celebrate meeting a hidden wise man, this old man will treat you to a drink." There was no hint of sarcasm in the old man's words. This old man was genuinely happy.

"By the way, why is the young man in green so quiet? Is he usually like this?" The old man pointed in one direction. Hyoryong stood there. His light green martial uniform, having been thoroughly washed by Yi Jinseol, was now free of any bloodstains.

Jang Hong answered in his stead.

"No. He used to be a cheerful fellow, but he had an accident recently, and since then, he hardly speaks."

At that moment, the old man's eyes flickered. Was he pitying the young man's misfortune?

"Is that so? Will he recover?"

"Yes! He suffered a mental shock from a fearsome sword qi and is temporarily experiencing aftereffects. He will be fine soon. He risked his life to save this young lady, so his courage is worthy of praise. He will never regret it." Jang Hong said, supporting Hyoryong, with Yi Jinseol, who never left his side, indicating her. Yi Jinseol's heart ached and her nose tingled as she recalled that incident again. Tears were already welling up in her eyes, about to fall. Her only wish now was for Hyoryong to return to his former self as soon as possible.

"Oh? This young lady?" The old man's gentle gaze turned to Yi Jinseol.

"Yes."

"As a man, he did what he should. His father would never scold him for it and would be proud of him."

"Of course. Moreover, he will recover soon." After thoroughly scanning Hyoryong from head to toe with sharp eyes, the old man nodded.

"Indeed! Speaking of which, he's a very handsome and robust young man. He'd look even more striking if he were dressed up. Little lady, this young man will return to his former self soon, so don't worry too much. He doesn't have the constitution to be defeated by such a hardship! Absolutely not!"

At the old man's warm words, Yi Jinseol tightly grasped Hyoryong's hand. A faint smile appeared on the old man's lips as he watched.

"Well then, let's go! Tonight, let's forget sleep and drink to our heart's content with the moon and stars as our companions!" The old man, shouting with a bravado that made the young men seem insignificant, began to stride through the crowd, leaning on his staff, before even waiting for Bilyeon's reply. It was already difficult to refuse, and Bilyeon was not one to refuse free drinks.

"Then, let's go before we miss them." Bilyeon started walking ahead. The others, having no choice, followed. Before they knew it, Bilyeon was leading the group.

Namgung Sang said to Bilyeon, unable to hide his surprise,

"It's peculiar. The Senior Disciple, who always looks down on people… even though he's an old man, why is he treating him so courteously?"

If that was considered courtesy, then he had nothing to say, but it seemed like a very novel experience for Namgung Sang. However, no matter how you looked at it, Namgung Sang was too honest in revealing his emotions.

"That old man deserves that treatment. Don't you really know? The immense power hidden within the shell of that elderly man! Why is such an astonishing person here…? And hiding himself? This old man is perhaps the strongest person I've met since coming into the martial arts world!" Bilyeon could naturally sense it. No matter how much he tried to hide his true nature, his eyes could not deceive. However, why he was here was a mystery that even Bilyeon couldn't solve. It was the first time Namgung Sang had seen Bilyeon admire someone so openly.

"Really? Is he that amazing? To me, he just looks like an ordinary old man."

*Thwack!*

"Ouch!"

Namgung Sang's forehead burned as if it had been waiting for the blow. Bilyeon clicked his tongue in exasperation.

"Tsk, tsk, Gungsang! Gungsang! When will you grow up? If you could block just one second of that old man's sincere sword strike, I'll stop calling you Gungsang."

Namgung Sang's eyes widened in surprise.

"Heek! Is he… that formidable? He doesn't look like it at all!"

The Senior Disciple's offer was tempting, but he lacked the courage to execute it.

"Since when did you start doubting your Senior Disciple's words? You've grown a lot." As Bilyeon raised his fist again, Namgung Sang instinctively flinched.

"Huk! N-no. How could I dare…" The pale-faced Namgung Sang waved his hands in denial. The words "One can have doubts, it happens in life!" that followed were swallowed down for the sake of a long and healthy life. Such truths were best kept to oneself.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk, you lack faith! You lack faith! You still have ten more years to train." Bilyeon chided him condescendingly. Namgung Sang couldn't help but feel dejected.

'But really, no matter how I look at it, he doesn't seem that amazing?' Even by straining his eyes to find the hidden strength Bilyeon spoke of, he felt not the slightest hint of it.

"What are you doing! Hurry up and come!" The shout came from quite a distance. Suddenly realizing, Bilyeon's group had already left him in the middle of the market and were walking ahead. Namgung Sang hastily followed.