Book 14 Chapter 18

Problem Occurrence

An accident! It was as if it had already been foretold. Of course, the organizers would have been prepared. The only question was who, when, and where it would happen.

"Wow!"

"Crash!"

It was very noisy outside.

"How noisy!"

It was early in the morning, still before breakfast. Normally, this would be a time for deep sleep, so Biryuyeon was a bit on edge.

"A fight broke out."

Someone ran in and shouted. The face was unfamiliar, so it seemed to be someone from Macheon Pavilion. The man's voice was full of excitement.

"It's on the women's side!"

"It's a big one!"

The fragmented information was relayed from one person to another.

'It's finally happening!'

As expected. Biryuyeon wasn't surprised at all. It was a completely natural occurrence. They couldn't possibly stay quiet. The only question was which side, the men or the women, would cause the accident first.

'I need to check which side started it!'

Biryuyeon thought with a serious expression.

He felt the need to verify his prediction. Of course, he told himself it wasn't out of mere curiosity, but out of a sense of duty. What wonderful self-justification!

Meanwhile, Biryuyeon, whose body moved according to the unwritten rule of never missing a fight or a spectacle, paid no mind to his own actions.

The fight was more dynamic than expected, with exchanges of offense and defense. They were showcasing the skills expected of promising martial artists.

Stabbing, kicking, striking, extending, pulling… various techniques were exchanged non-stop in the air.

However, in Biryuyeon's eyes, the fight was quite one-sided. The woman in the flamboyant green attire was constantly being pushed back by the punches of the woman in the blue attire. She attempted to counterattack occasionally, but each time her efforts were in vain against her opponent's movements. With each blocked punch, another wrinkle appeared on the forehead of the woman in blue. Her disadvantage was evident.

"Bang, bang, bang, bang!"

Each time the woman in green punched, a sound like a leather drum tearing through the air echoed. The force behind her punches, which was hard to believe came from a woman, surprised even the onlookers.

"Tsk, tsk, she picked the wrong opponent!"

Jang Hong, who was watching alongside him, clicked his tongue. He had followed Biryuyeon with great fanfare, shouting, 'Wow! A fight! Let's go see it!' dragging Hyoryong along with his other hand.

"That might be true!"

Biryuyeon agreed with Jang Hong. He knew firsthand how bad-tempered that woman was. While he himself could dismiss it with a scoff, not everyone could do so.

Biryuyeon's gaze returned to the woman who was sweeping her opponent away with an endless wave of hand movements.

'Cheok Okjam, Maharyeong!'

She was the daughter of Cheolkwon Majinga, the head of Cheonmu Academy, and the leader of the Gunung Council, the Iron Woman. The leader of Gunung, which divided half of Cheonmu Academy's pathways and influence along with Gujeonghoe, was not a position earned solely by birth and status.

Furthermore, Yongcheonmyeong, the leader of Gujeonghoe, another faction of Cheonmu Academy, was a master who had been the expectation of the entire righteous martial arts world and the target of the former unrighteous martial arts world's scrutiny since childhood. He was a recognized expert, so much so that the current head of Shaolin Temple, disregarding propriety, personally called him a 'Shaolin Treasure.'

To bear the responsibility of Gunung meant to compete with him on equal footing in terms of skill. This was not something anyone could do, yet she had managed it for nearly three years. Therefore, her personal skill could not be ordinary.

"Who is her opponent?"

She was clearly from Macheon Pavilion. She probably picked a fight without even knowing who her opponent was. The female disciples of Cheonmu Academy, who knew her temper well, had no reason to stir up unnecessary trouble.

"Judging by her blue attire and the emblem on her chest, she's a disciple of 'Changgong Mun,' one of the Heukcheon Sibiga. If she's skilled enough to participate in this Hwasan Gyuyak Conference, it must be Changgong Biryeonja, Mun Sukgyeong. As can be seen from her venomous eyes and physiognomy, she's quite a temperamental young lady!"

Jang Hong answered in great detail. Biryuyeon glanced at him with surprise at his vast knowledge. It wasn't just his knowledge, but his ability to apply it instantly to the person he was observing that was remarkable.

"Even though Changgong Mun is so powerful that it shakes the unrighteous world, she picked the wrong opponent this time!"

"I agree with that!"

In preparation for this Hwasan Gyuyak Conference, Cheonmu Academy had even forced her, along with Yongcheonmyeong, into secluded training. This was a testament to the great expectations they had for them. If a winner were to emerge from Cheonmu Academy, it was likely they expected it to be one of them. Of course, only time would tell.

From beyond the surrounding ring of onlookers, Yongcheonmyeong, the subject of their cohabitation(?) secluded training, could be seen holding his temples. A shadow of despair flickered on his furrowed brow. It must have been quite a headache for him, as the person who should be his greatest support was already causing trouble at the forefront when they should be uniting to aim for victory at the Hwasan Conference. However, Maharyeong, like a wild horse with its reins loosed, showed no intention of stopping.

"Die!"

"Boom!"

Once again, Maharyeong's swift punch was unleashed. Mun Sukgyeong, unable to withstand the immense force, stumbled back two steps before barely regaining her posture. Judging by the strong internal energy, she seemed to have suffered internal injuries. Dozens of handprints were imprinted on her drooping arms, which trembled as if struck by a gale. This was likely due to the accumulated impacts.

"That must hurt!"

Biryuyeon commented simply.

He knew the secret behind that punch better than anyone. Weight equals force. And Maharyeong was someone who embodied that principle with certainty through her body.

'Well, given her build…'

Biryuyeon, knowing the truth behind the appearance, couldn't help but pity her opponent.

"Bang, bang, bang, bang!"

The sound of a leather sack being repeatedly struck echoed grandly through the air.

The immense force behind Maharyeong's twin punches, imbued with her fully mastered Cheonchuk Yugagong, was terrifying. Furthermore, when her hidden mass was added, it transformed into an incredibly fierce punch.

"Die!!!"

Her cry resembled the roar of a beast more than a delicate sound.

They say that when a woman harbors resentment, frost falls even in May. The bloodshot ferocity in her eyes was as sharp as layers of frost.

"But why are they fighting?"

It wouldn't be strange if swords were drawn and blood splashed at any moment. Biryuyeon thought that such intense hatred must be entangled with a profound grudges.

"Was her family murdered?"

At that moment, one of the spectators asked curiously. But the family of Maharyeong, who was wildly unleashing punches filled with terrifying force, were too great and formidable to be murdered. Moreover, if such a tragedy were to befall them, it would transcend the realm of an individual and become an event for the entire martial arts world.

"What happened? Ah, I can't sleep if I'm curious about something."

Jang Hong scratched his messy hair, looking like a child.

"If it's something that happened on the women's side, you should ask the women. There's no way the men would know."

Biryuyeon's words were true.

"Ask whom?"

Hyoryong asked. He seemed just as curious. After all, the satisfaction of curiosity is one of humanity's fundamental desires.

"There's a suitable person right over there!"

Biryuyeon pointed his index finger towards one side of the spectators.

"Where, where?"

Hyoryong's eyes followed Biryuyeon's finger. By chance, the other side was also looking this way.

At that moment, Yi Jinseol and Hyoryong's eyes met.

"What happened?"

Hyoryong cautiously asked Yi Jinseol, who was watching the confrontation between the two women with a grim expression.

At Hyoryong's question, Yi Jinseol's face stiffened further. Her hardened expression alone was enough to infer the gravity of the situation.

She replied in a low, quiet voice.

"It's because of the mirrors."

Yi Jinseol's face remained rigidly stiff.

"Mirrors?"

Hyoryong asked back with a bewildered expression.

"There are only three mirrors at Wolyeum Gwan!"

Yi Jinseol's voice was filled with a sense of tragic finality, as if she were announcing the destruction of a sect.

Hyoryong was momentarily stunned.

The cause of the fight was trivial. Yet, on the other hand, it was a profoundly significant issue for them. Because, in a way, it was a matter that affected their lives.

Women of this age all wear makeup and groom themselves. Of course, some, due to immaturity or misguided notions, might apply grotesque makeup thinking it's makeup, but for women, makeup is still one of the important means to hone their beauty. Therefore, its importance in daily life was bound to be considerable.

There are necessary items for applying makeup, and the two most crucial are cosmetics and mirrors. While cosmetics are carried individually, mirrors are not. They are large, and most mirrors of this era are made of metal. While glass mirrors existed, they were extremely expensive and difficult to handle, making them unsuitable for carrying to such events.

However, a problem arose. All the female participants couldn't help but curse the lax tournament operations of the law enforcers. With nearly forty female participants in the Hwasan Gyuyak Conference, including both righteous and unrighteous factions, there were only three mirrors.

Merely three mirrors. This had profound implications.

By this point, the spark for the fight had already been grandly ignited.

"They're fighting so seriously over something so minor?"

Hyoryong didn't realize the grave mistake he had made. The retribution was immediate.

"What did you just say? 'So minor'?"

A cold chill emanated from her voice, and a frosty coldness flashed in her glaring eyes. Hyoryong, experiencing this terrifying side of her for the first time, trembled with fear.

"For women, mirrors are a matter of survival!"

At Yi Jinseol's resolute cry, Hyoryong nodded as if it were absolutely true.

For women, mirrors are an essential item. Not just for makeup. If it were only for makeup, the situation wouldn't have escalated to this extent. Female martial artists are not overly obsessed with makeup. However, there is an annual morning ritual that no woman of this era can avoid: combing her hair.

Even if they don't wear makeup, they must comb their hair. Even if they can't remove sleep from their eyes, they must comb their hair. Moreover, even if it's not a formal court hairstyle, it's generally long, so it naturally takes a lot of time to comb, braid, and tidy it. Therefore, mirrors are indispensable. Approximately forty women should be able to use them smoothly, but only three mirrors were prepared at Wolyeum Gwan.

Three mirrors.

They were the seeds of disaster, foreshadowing a bloodbath.

It would have been better if there were two. One for the righteous side, one for the unrighteous side. It would have been cleanly divided. But with an odd number like three, the situation became very complicated. One was left over.

So, what to do with this one? First come, first served? The atmosphere was too tense for taking turns. And honestly, no one felt like doing so. Therefore, someone had to claim ownership. The question was, who would make the first move to assert dominance. That was the key.

The woman from Macheon Pavilion, Changgong Biryeonja Mun Sukgyeong, ignited the spark of the fight. Therefore, her arrow was aimed at Maharyeong, who had claimed and used the third mirror the longest and first.

"Hmph, even if a fatty dollops on makeup, it's like putting a pearl necklace on a pig!"

Mun Sukgyeong crossed a forbidden line. That alone was enough reason for a fight to the death. And in reality, she had picked an opponent who was far too outmatched.

"Tsk, tsk, women!"

Several men who heard the full story of this incident clicked their tongues in disdain. Their eyes seemed to say, 'That's why women can't be relied upon.' Could they really fight so fiercely over such a thing?

They thought that's why women were considered narrow-minded. However, this was a judgment they could make because they did not anticipate what would happen the next day.

The next day!

As expected! Just as if waiting for it, a fight broke out at Taeyang Gwan. The reason was simple and straightforward. Someone had crossed the demarcation line drawn in the center. The reason was profound enough to be considered cosmic(?).

"Kaaaaaak! How dare you! Crossing this red line! Do you want to die?"

"Are you challenging me?"

"Of course! You dare to invade our territory, unforgivable! This is a matter of pride for the entire unrighteous world."

"Crash, crash, crash! Clang, clang!"

Waves of sword energy and saber energy raged, sweeping the surroundings. This was a large-scale conflict, incomparable to what had happened at Wolyeum Gwan yesterday. As a result, four people suffered minor injuries and had to visit the infirmary.

"Tsk, tsk, men! They're children forever!"

Women watching from afar clicked their tongues in disdain. At this moment, there was no distinction between righteous and unrighteous. They seemed to have already forgotten what they had done yesterday.

Cheonmu Peak, Hongmae Guk, Central Conference Hall of Cheonyul Hall

Ten law enforcers, clad in black and white robes, sat around a round sandalwood table. These ten people were the highest-ranking officials overseeing the Hwasan Gyuyak Conference, known as the 'Cheonyul Sibryeong.' All matters related to the Hwasan Conference required their approval.

And one more person sat at this round table. It was Hyeokjung, who asked to be called Noyya, and he was seated in the highest seat. Even a round table had a principal seat. And around him, from left to right, sat the first to tenth ranking members of the 'Cheonyul Sibryeong.' All of them were elders with white hair and beards, as if covered in snow. However, despite their white hair and beards like accumulated snow, their youthful, energetic eyes made it difficult to guess their exact age.

While these ten people were not always the Sibryeong since the start of the Hwasan Gyuyak Conference, they had been managing and operating it here at Hongmae Guk since then. In other words, there wasn't a single person present who was under ninety-nine years old. And they were living witnesses to the history of the Hwasan Conference.

It was remarkable how their internal energy was so profound that they could remain so healthy well past their hundreds of years, as if they hadn't ingested elixirs of immortality. Time, the most fearsome thing in this world, still seemed insufficient to defeat them. However, these were people who existed yet did not exist in the martial world, so no one had ever seen their true abilities. Even their origins and identities were kept entirely secret. This was a measure to ensure fairness in the tournament's operation.

"The side effects are too severe."

Palyeong, Gohakrim, the eighth in rank among the ten, stood up and spoke in a serious tone. He was in charge of managing the participants of the Hwasan Gyuyak Conference. As people's gazes turned to him, the old man continued.

"It's only been three days since they started sharing the same lodging, and there have already been five conflicts among the men and three among the women. Furthermore, one of them was so severe that it could have resulted in bloodshed. Perhaps our method this time was too shocking for the children. Wouldn't it be better to separate them now, while there's still time?"

"But wasn't that already anticipated? I don't think it's time to give up yet."

Guryeong replied. He was primarily responsible for managing the participants from Cheonmu Academy. He spoke again.

"It's natural for them to bicker at first. Even if they pretend to reconcile, they've lived with different intentions for a hundred years. These are not conflicts that can be resolved in just a few days."

They spoke to each other respectfully. This was a sign of mutual respect. In this place, only one person could drop the formalities with all ten of them.

"It's true that the conflicts are too frequent. Just this morning, there were two more clashes. As someone responsible for security within the valley, I cannot help but express my serious concern. And this is likely a concern for Iryeong, who is in charge of the discipline of Hongmae Guk."

Saryeong spoke. He was tasked with protecting the security of the valley.

"That's right. If the conflicts continue to be frequent like this, discipline within the valley will inevitably slacken. Currently, there are only minor injuries, but who knows when a serious injury might occur."

Iryeong, who was akin to the disciplinary elder of a martial sect, spoke.

"Still, shouldn't we watch a bit longer? Of course, at this rate, it seems it will take some time. A lot of mediation will likely be needed."

Sibryeong spoke quietly. He was primarily responsible for managing the participants from Macheon Pavilion.

"There's no other choice. It's a complex tangled thread woven over a hundred years, isn't it? We can only unravel it one by one. *Sigh*, truly a case of 'Panggeun Chakcheol'… it's not wrong!"

Hyeokjung, seated at the head of the table, let out a short sigh.

Panggeun Chakcheol (盤根錯節). It refers to twisted tree roots and gnarled wood knots, meaning many difficulties in worldly affairs.

Perhaps it's due to their youthful vigor, but it's proving quite difficult to control the participants.

"I hope those children realize it soon."

"Indeed. It would be beneficial for them to realize it quickly."

Noyya nodded.

"Certainly, the sooner they realize it, the better. For the test has already begun!"