Book 21 Chapter 13

A Superb Solution

―Defeat is Defeat, and Defeat is Defeat

"Then, in what way should we select candidates?"

The delegation had gathered in the Hoeryu Hall, which was being used as a meeting place. Baek Muyoung, who was temporarily in charge of proceedings, looked around the audience from the low podium and asked. His voice was tense.

When asked like this, opinions usually tend to be mediocre, but at this point, they were grateful for anyone to open the floor. With Hyoryong's previous words, there was a significant chance that people would clam up like clams.

"How about holding a martial arts competition where everyone participates?"

Noh Hak raised his hand and offered his opinion. A murmur went through the crowd of officials, and several nodded. Baek Muyoung let out a sigh of relief. Fortunately, the floor had been opened. The meaning was clear. It showed the general consensus that to counter Macheongak, they needed to select a skilled individual as their leader. However, it was still an unproductive suggestion.

"It's impossible. Full participation would be too big a task, and it would consume considerable time and energy. Please consider that the deadline is tomorrow."

Baek Muyoung's point was valid.

"Any other suggestions?"

Yeon Bi slightly raised her hand and spoke.

"Then how about having one person from each group participate? The group leader can participate directly, or they can select someone they deem more suitable."

The current expedition consisted of sixty people, divided into ten groups of six. The group leaders had already been pre-selected by the escorts for smooth command and management. The division into groups proved useful in this situation. It seemed they weren't divided just for the sake of it.

"That's a good idea. Any objections?"

Since most of them had no intention of participating, there were no objections.

"Then, let's proceed with that. Each group should submit their chosen candidate to me within half an hour. The order will be determined by lottery, and the martial arts competition will begin in an hour."

And then, Baek Muyoung concluded the meeting.

Suddenly, everyone became busy.

"Then, you have no objection to me participating, Nayerin?"

Maharyeong clearly enunciated Nayerin's name and confirmed once more.

"I have no objection. You don't suit a management position anyway."

Nayerin, who had ended up in the same group, gave her unchanging reply. Maharyeong turned her gaze to Yeon Bi, who was sitting demurely beside Nayerin. She didn't seem pleased to have a member from another group present during such a conversation.

"Aren't you participating?"

"Oh my, you're speaking informally to a junior? Anyway, our group has someone else going, so I'm exempt. I'm constitutionally unsuited for such troublesome matters."

Her expression remained soft, but her tone was subtly informal. Maharyeong crossed her arms and twitched her eyebrows.

"You're surprisingly passive for someone who suggested the candidate selection method?"

"Hmm, but that's…"

Yeon Bi glanced at Maharyeong, then touched her earlobe with a melancholic expression, pausing. If the male officials had seen her, they would have gaped, but Maharyeong was on the verge of her forehead veins bulging.

"That's?"

"If the time had continued to drag on, it would have eventually led to a vote. Then, everyone would have said Yong Hoeju would be the leader. Deciding solely based on being a male disciple of the Nine Great Sects without even assessing skills. Is that alright with you, Miss Ma? Wouldn't you feel a bit indignant?"

"Th-that's…"

Given Maharyeong's personality, it was impossible for her not to feel indignant.

"This is a good opportunity to show the spirit of women. Don't you want to send a shiver down the spines of the men?"

That remark had an immediate effect.

"Of course! Trust me!"

Maharyeong's face lit up instantly, and she replied with a determined clench of her fist.

'Oh dear, she's easy to manipulate.'

Although she was stubborn, she had a somewhat cute side.

An hour later, the entire delegation moved to the training grounds next to the dormitory. The martial arts competition structure was simple yet strict. The ten candidates who were participating in the urgent martial arts competition, either voluntarily or involuntarily, were divided into six for the first half and four for the second half.

Yong Cheonmyeong, Maharyeong, Cheon Yejin, and Cheong Heun were in the second half. Namgung Sang, Jin Ryeong, Namgung Sansan, Hyun Woon, and, for some reason, Yoon Junho and Gongsong Jeolhwi were in the first half.

"Why are you here?"

Namgung Sang asked with a hint of bewilderment. Even as the grandson of Geomjon and the successor of the Gongsong family, he was still an incomplete swordsman. He was lacking in many ways to participate in the upcoming battles of the strong. Surely, he was aware of that. He didn't seem to be suffering from memory loss severe enough to forget the recent incident.

New students were assigned to the same group as their respective examiners. Thus, Moyong Hwi and Gongsong Jeolhwi were in one group, Nayerin and Yuran in another, Yoon Junho and Yu Unbi in another, and finally, he and Yeon Bi were in one group. When asked about their willingness to participate in selecting group candidates, Yeon Bi had asked back with wide eyes.

"Oh my, why are you asking me that? I sincerely wish you the best of luck!"

This was the typical reaction of a sensible new student. For the record, Namgung Sang was the only one among them who had lost to a new student. Of course, he was aware that it was not an honorable distinction. He was so grateful that there was no one around at the time that he could have thanked the heavens and earth.

But even Yeon Bi, who was so sensible, had given such a reasonable answer. Then, shouldn't at least Moyong Hwi, the Seven-Cuts Divine Sword, have been selected from Gongsong Jeolhwi's group?

'Then why?'

His bewildered expression suggested it wasn't for glory, nor was it a severe case of memory loss or escapism. Then, why on earth?

"Well… the others couldn't be bothered to participate…"

As soon as Namgung Sang glanced at the members of Gongsong Jeolhwi's group, he understood. Perhaps it was a form of resignation. What he saw was Jang Hong, Hyoryong, and Moyong Hwi whispering together. Although there were two other group members next to the three, they were ordinary officials whose impressions were faint, making them virtually invisible to Namgung Sang. Originally, another person should have been in the spot occupied by the remaining group members. Someone in black with bangs reaching down to their eyes…

'Jang Hong and Hyoryong are long-time friends with him, so I can understand that, but to think that even the exemplary Moyong Hwi of the Seven-Cuts Divine Sword would be corrupted…!'

As expected, the Senior Disciple! He was a terrifyingly formidable presence. He even suspected that perhaps he was subtly influencing his friends by whispering bad thoughts into their ears, like a ghost. Perhaps an exorcism would be in order.

'It's a stroke of luck that I'm not here with them.'

Who could tell what kind of disaster would befall him, whenever or wherever? As he claimed, he was undoubtedly a genius. He could only be called a natural disaster because he was beyond human intervention.

'And this side…'

Namgung Sang's gaze turned to Yoon Junho. He also seemed to be hesitating, not much better off than Gongsong Jeolhwi.

'Is it to trick him?'

Perhaps they pushed him forward, thinking he looked weak and would be fun to tease.

'But even so, he's a friend of the Senior Disciple. He might have something more than meets the eye. He might show something this time.'

The tournament bracket was decided by lottery for fairness. Namgung Sang was the very first in the first half. And his opponent was…

'Can I win?'

Looking at the person standing before him, Namgung Sang fell into despair.

'No, I'm losing! I'm definitely losing!'

No matter how he looked at it, there was no possibility of winning. However, she was pretty.

"To think it turned out like this! It's truly regrettable, Sang."

Jin Ryeong said in a sympathetic tone.

"Y-yes…"

What was truly regrettable was the sharp sword in Jin Ryeong's hand. He wished she would just put it away.

'Damn it!'

Of all the opponents, why did it have to be his lover, Jin Ryeong? For this misfortune, Namgung Sang could only blame the heavens. He could fight anyone else, but not Jin Ryeong. It wasn't just difficult; it was an insurmountable opponent on an emotional level. She spoke in a calm voice.

"It might be good to settle the score here in preparation for later, but…"

What exactly was "later"? Namgung Sang shivered at the unknown chill.

"Let's postpone that for later. Therefore, I will forfeit this match."

*Screech!*

Jin Ryeong sheathed her sword. Fortunately, her sword wasn't the type that had to draw blood every time it was drawn, and she herself didn't have such morbid tastes.

'I'm saved!'

Namgung Sang breathed a sigh of relief. It was indeed better not to fight losing battles. Especially such a sure-to-lose battle. He didn't care about the dejected reactions from the surroundings. Those who haven't experienced such dilemmas don't know.

Thus, the first match ended anticlimactically. Jin Ryeong and Namgung Sang walked side-by-side, sat side-by-side.

Then, a low whisper brushed past his ear.

"Since I'm yielding like this, if you lose… you know what that means, right?"

Namgung Sang was startled and looked at Jin Ryeong. She was only watching the arena and showed no reaction. But Namgung Sang knew it wasn't an auditory hallucination!

'If I want to survive, I have to win!'

Feeling his life threatened, Namgung Sang made a firm resolution.

"I… I lost."

Gongsong Jeolhwi said, staring blankly at the sword he had dropped. It seemed his recent feeling that the world was not so easy was not just a feeling.

"Ah, I'm sorry. For winning…"

Yoon Junho, the winner of the second match, scratched the back of his head as if genuinely troubled and apologized.

"Grrr…"

Why apologize! Are you mocking me!

Gongsong Jeolhwi had to suppress his urge to shout that. Such an apology was more infuriating to the listener. But what could he do? He was undeniably a loser. No matter how much a loser gets angry, it only looks ugly and pathetic.

"Are you alright? Are you hurt anywhere?"

Yoon Junho asked with a worried tone.

"I'm fine. Perfectly fine."

Gongsong Jeolhwi replied with a stiff voice, suppressing his anger once more.

'Not Moyong Hwi, but why did I lose to such a weak-looking, soft-hearted fellow?'

He couldn't stand how pathetic he felt, having scoffed when he knew Yoon Junho was his opponent.

'Even after receiving encouragement from Lady Yeon…'

To show such a pathetic sight after receiving encouragement, he felt like packing his bags and hiding in a mouse hole.

'Something is wrong!'

That much was certain.

"What do we do now, Hyun Woon?"

"Well… what should we do, Sansan?"

"You asked me for an answer, but you're asking me a question. You're not helpful at all."

"I'm truly sorry."

Unfortunately, Hyun Woon's opponent in the third match was Namgung Sansan, his twin sister and also a member of the Vermillion Bird Squad, like Namgung Sang. She and Hyun Woon were both members of the Nine Dragons Seven Peaks, meaning they were of equal standing and certainly not opponents to be underestimated.

However, fortunately, they had an example to refer to at that moment.

"Earlier, I saw Miss Jin forfeit."

Jin Ryeong and Namgung Sang were also members of the Vermillion Bird Squad and their sworn allies.

"Are you saying I should also forfeit? Like Ryeong?"

Namgung Sansan asked with a serious expression.

"Of course, there's no need to. I was just… suggesting it as a reference."

Hyun Woon replied, clearing his throat unnecessarily.

"Our situation is different from theirs."

"How is it different?"

"They're lovers."

Namgung Sansan retorted with a tone that implied he didn't even know that.

"Then what should we do? Just fight?"

"Why do men only know how to fight? We should explore other solutions."

However, this was a martial arts competition. Fighting was its main purpose.

"Then is there any other solution?"

"There's only one. A good solution."

"What is it?"

"We become like them. How about it?"

Namgung Sansan said with a bright smile.

"Are you serious?"

"Hyun Woon, do you think women joke about things like that?"

"I think they do."

Hyun Woon nodded without hesitation.

"You're sharp. But don't worry this time. I'm serious."

That, in itself, was a cause for concern. Or rather, it would have been less worrying if it were a joke.

"What are those two talking about?"

Namgung Sang asked Jin Ryeong, his eyes wide with surprise.

"Can't you tell? They're confessing!"

Jin Ryeong replied as if it were obvious. Her reaction, as if it was nothing new, was even more shocking to Namgung Sang.

"Ah, you knew?"

"Of course. We're women."

Namgung Sang's shoulders drooped with a sense of exclusion and loss, like waves crashing over him. How could he, his blood relative, his twin, be unaware of such a major event? This was truly unacceptable.

"This is even more interesting, Jang Hyung."

Hyoryong, who was sitting to the left of Namgung Sang, exclaimed admiringly.

"Indeed. That friend, Hyun Woon, has been pushed into a desperate situation by an unexpected surprise. He's pitiful, yet somehow enviable in a strange way. I'm on the edge of my seat, wondering how he'll respond."

It wasn't just Hyoryong and Jang Hong who were keenly observing the unfolding events. All eyes in the hall were fixed on Hyun Woon's lips.

"So, what will you do?"

Namgung Sansan asked again. Hyun Woon could no longer postpone his answer. The relentless urging from all sides, the intangible pressure to reveal his true feelings without delay, were not to be ignored. Finally, as dozens of pairs of eyes focused on him, Hyun Woon's lips parted.

"It's truly regrettable, but…"

*Gulp!*

The sound of dry throats swallowing could be heard from various places.

"That's truly a superb solution!"

"Then…"

Namgung Sansan's face brightened.

"Yes. Please forfeit."

It seemed to be in lieu of asking her to be his lover.

"Gladly!"

Namgung Sansan replied with a radiant smile like sunshine. And so, this bizarre match ended with Hyun Woon's victory. Of course, the real winner was ultimately Namgung Sansan.

Thus, the first round of the first half was resolved surprisingly quickly. The candidates for the second match of the first half were Namgung Sang, Yoon Junho, and Hyun Woon.

Maliciously, the first match of the second half was decided as Yong Cheonmyeong versus Cheong Heun, and the second match as Maharyeong versus Cheon Yejin. It was no wonder that suspicion arose that the organizers might have tampered with the lottery, given such an absurd tournament bracket.

Samjeolgeom Cheong Heun was associated with Yong Cheonmyeong, the head of Gujeonghoe, and Seomnyong Cheon Yejin was associated with Maharyeong, the head of Gunghungpalgahoe. They were people who absolutely could not fight each other. In such cases, the thoughts of both, or all four, were the same: to preserve the strength of Yong Cheonmyeong and Maharyeong. Ultimately, the first match of the second half ended with Cheong Heun and Cheon Yejin forfeiting.

Among the five candidates for the second round of the second half, including Yong Cheonmyeong and Maharyeong, only Yoon Junho actually fought. Therefore, the second round was decided to be fought by Namgung Sang and Hyun Woon, and Yong Cheonmyeong and Maharyeong, excluding Yoon Junho.

Namgung Sang stood facing Hyun Woon. He didn't know whether to marvel at his sworn ally's commendable courage or lament his utterly foolish ignorance.

"Are you in your right mind?"

"What?"

"Trying to date Sansan, are you really in your right mind? If you've taken some strange medicine, I'll get you an antidote."

It was a genuine offer of goodwill.

"I haven't taken any strange medicine, and even if I had, it wouldn't matter. What's so strange about it?"

"Are you really asking because you don't know? Listen, friend. It pains me as your blood relative to say this, but in the world, a woman like Sansan is called a 'wildcat' in specialized terms!"

Seeing that Hyun Woon was just staring at him blankly without any sign of surprise, Namgung Sang sighed with pity and sympathy.

"I thought you were a more normal and sensible human being…"

"Well? From my perspective, in terms of wildness, Miss Namgung and Miss Jin are pretty much the same."

It was a sharp counterattack from Hyun Woon. Namgung Sang, as if this was the first time he had been accused of such a terrible slander, exclaimed in anger.

"Th-that's absurd!"

"It's reasonable. It's just that your eyes are clouded. Those who pursue the Dao call that 'Gyetak' in specialized terms."

At Hyun Woon's calm retort, Namgung Sang flinched.

"My… my eyes are clouded?"

Hyun Woon nodded firmly without a moment's hesitation.

"Surely not…"

With a "surely not" feeling, he rubbed his eyes a couple of times. Indeed, nothing came off. It was a slander.

"There's nothing there, is there?"

"One generally doesn't realize it themselves."

"I can't believe it."

"People believe only what they want to believe. That's how people usually are. I understand you."

Although he spoke with an air of boundless tolerance, Namgung Sang was not pleased at all.

"Somehow, I feel even more uncomfortable."

"Well, I don't think this is the time to worry about my mental state. You should focus on overcoming the crisis that has befallen you."

"What crisis?"

This wasn't a life-or-death battle, was it? If you lose, you just don't become the class leader.

"I don't know, but if you lose, do you think Miss Jin will stand by and do nothing?"

At Hyun Woon's advice, Namgung Sang recalled that eerie whisper. Come to think of it, Jin Ryeong was one to keep her word once spoken. It would be fine to overlook such things, but the absence of exceptions was sometimes truly sad.

"Well, I'm not entirely without a desire to compete with you, but with things as they are, neither Sansan nor Miss Jin will be pleased, regardless of who wins. And it's also unreasonable to fight against Chairman Yong or Miss Ma again after fighting twice like this. Therefore, I will withdraw. It's awkward to say this, but you're quite a good friend, so please be the victor and preserve your life. It would be very lonely if you disappeared over something like this."

Hyun Woon cast a sideways glance at Jin Ryeong, wearing a look of regret. Namgung Sang's heart sank, but he muttered in a gruff voice.

"It's none of your business."

It was a display of concern that wasn't appreciated in the slightest. However, Hyun Woon's consideration also had an effect on Yoon Junho. Perhaps Hyun Woon was rambling on unnecessarily with his detailed explanations, and suddenly Yoon Junho raised his hand and said with sparkling eyes.

"Then, if Senior Namgung expends his energy because of me, he'll be at a disadvantage later. I, I…"

Yoon Junho glanced at Jin Ryeong and clenched his fist. His voice was filled with resolve.

"I also dislike the thought of Senior Namgung disappearing. As someone who supports Senior Namgung, following your wishes, I will also forfeit!"

It was a declaration of conviction from the timid Yoon Junho. Although he seemed to have thought it through a bit incorrectly, no one pointed it out. His forfeiture was readily accepted, and Namgung Sang automatically advanced to the finals.

Indeed. While Yong Cheonmyeong and Maharyeong had their 'semi-final' match, he had already reached the finals and was waiting for the winner.

And that, without fighting a single match while others were fighting hard.