Book 24 Chapter 2

Fanning the flames of a burning house

—The girl rode the wind.

Perhaps it was because the fanatical enthusiasm of the people, who believed that games could not be stopped due to rain, reached the heavens and drove away the rain clouds, it was a clear day with the sun shining brightly in a cloudless blue sky. Licensed peddlers were walking around selling cool drinks.

The license here meant they had paid more than a certain amount in business expenses, but let's just overlook that. In any case, there was no other word to describe the state of the people gathered in the Wontong arena than "crammed."

As the matches progressed one by one, and as the amount of blood absorbed by the arena's dirt floor increased, the people became more excited, raising their voices even higher. The spectators probably wouldn't have blinked an eye if a few people died. In fact, they did. If anything, the cheers only grew louder.

Pushing through the burning excitement of the crowded people, Yeonbi, Na Yerinn, and Yunmi moved forward. As participants, they had the privilege of comfortably watching the matches from a specially prepared VIP box in the very front row of the arena. From there, they could watch the games more pleasantly without interference from others.

The three pushed their way forward, forcefully shoving the shoulders of people who desperately blocked them, thinking they were trying to steal their seats. If they hadn't been masters of martial arts, they might not have been able to take a single step forward and would have died pressed to death, meeting a tragic end. Even though Na Yerinn had her face covered with a veil, it seemed they were truly out of their minds not to spare a glance at such beauties passing by.

Yeonbi, if she had her way, wanted to grab all the people blocking her path by the scruff of their necks and fling them in all directions, but she forced herself to hold back. It wasn't because Yeonbi's personality had suddenly become refined, but because it wasn't the time to waste her internal energy on such pointless venting. She had to conserve her internal energy as much as possible. It was all thanks to the merciful measures of that damned master.

Finally, after much effort, they reached the VIP box for participants. It was quite comfortable because it was separated from the other seats by walls and a door. Compared to the human hell above, it was like heaven.

There, Yeonbi met a very familiar face. Jin Ryung, Namgung Sansan, and Maha Ryung were already there and seated. All three had a serious atmosphere about them, making it difficult to approach them. Jin Ryung's condition was particularly severe. She was staring at the arena, biting her lip so hard that it was bleeding. All sorts of emotions were swirling in her eyes. Namgung Sansan and Maha Ryung, who were in the same participant group, also looked very uncomfortable, perhaps sensing the aura. They looked like poisoned hedgehogs with their quills bristling.

"Ah, come to think of it, this match is for Namgung Sang, the young master Namgung's team."

Yunmi, who had said it without much thought, gasped as she received Jin Ryung's dagger-like gaze. She almost felt like she was going to be eaten; the look was that fierce. However, Yeonbi was not one to shy away from such an interesting situation. She was fond of fanning the flames of a burning house. Yeonbi patted the seats next to Jin Ryung's empty ones and sat down, saying,

"Ah, the first fight of this match seems to be with the rumored silver-haired girl. This will be quite interesting, won't it? It's a chance to see how incredibly she performs, the one rumored to have captured the hearts of the two geniuses of Cheonmu Academy. Don't you think so, you next to me?"

"Hiiik, Yeonbi!"

Yunmi reacted before Jin Ryung.

Yunmi tried to persuade her to move to another empty seat, saying, "Don't do this, let's move somewhere else," but it was no use. Her reason was, why go somewhere else when there was such a good seat? Jin Ryung slowly turned her head towards Yeonbi.

"I'm not interested," Jin Ryung said coldly.

"Really?"

"Really."

"Eh, it doesn't seem like it?"

"Why are you so persistent when I say I'm not?"

Who was this arrogant woman to bother her so much! Jin Ryung was furious.

"Usually, people who aren't interested don't glare like they're going to devour you. To me, you look more interested in this fight than anyone else here. So much so that you're losing yourself, aren't you?"

"I will not answer. Besides, why should I teach you such things?"

No matter how fiercely Jin Ryung glared, Yeonbi only saw it as cute. Therefore, her killing intent had no effect.

"Because it seems fun."

Yeonbi casually retorted, turning Jin Ryung's attire inside out.

"How dare you, a junior, be so arrogant!" Maha Ryung exclaimed, unable to watch any longer. Yeonbi then turned her gaze slightly towards Maha Ryung and smiled slyly.

"Oh, come to think of it, you're Maha Ryung, aren't you, older sister Maha? I heard your man is also in that group… Is that true? If so, why? Is he also interested in that silver-haired girl? So the rumors are true? Well, I saw her once in passing, and unlike some people, she didn't seem fiery or fierce, but rather quiet, calm, and gentle. Is that Young Master Yong's type?"

Maha Ryung's face instantly turned beet red at Yeonbi's unrestrained words.

"Who, who, who do you call my man! We, we're not like that! Be careful with your words, junior!"

"Heh heh, is that really so? Two men fighting over one silver-haired girl… Doesn't it make for a good picture?"

Yeonbi laughed in a hushed voice.

"Nonsense!" Maha Ryung shouted. Her face flushed and turned purple, clearly showing extreme excitement. As such, a fierce storm was raging in Maha Ryung's heart. She knew she was far from being gentle. But he liked her that way.

"Was all that a lie?"

"What lie are you talking about?"

"Of course, his taste. The taste that said he liked the fierce and fiery you!"

As if reading her mind, Yeonbi added. Maha Ryung's body trembled as if struck by lightning.

"Older sister Ma, how much do you trust him? Until when can that trust be maintained? Or has it already been shattered into pieces? This junior can't wait to find out."

Yeonbi covered her mouth and smiled. It was a truly annoying smile that made you want to hit her.

"What do you think, older sister Jin?"

"I've already told you that whatever happens to that man has nothing to do with me. I don't trust him anymore."

As she said this, pain and suffering flashed across Jin Ryung's face.

"It's surprising that someone with no connection can have such a profound impact on your mood. Don't you think so, Miss Yun Mi?"

"Huh? Yes? Me?"

Flustered, Yunmi stammered. She hadn't expected to be dragged into this when she was happily dancing on the edge of a knife. She wished they wouldn't do that.

"Well, yes… or, would that be the case?"

Yunmi couldn't answer either way. Whichever answer she gave would surely be disadvantageous to her.

Fortunately, Yeonbi didn't pick on Yunmi's ambiguous answer. She was focused on provoking Jin Ryung and Maha Ryung. Only then could Yunmi breathe a sigh of relief.

'I want to get out of here quickly!'

But that wish didn't seem like it would be easily granted. Yunmi hunched her shoulders and looked at the arena. It was more peaceful to do so now. She just hoped that Jin Ryung and Maha Ryung next to her wouldn't draw their swords in anger. It wouldn't be strange if a storm of blood were to break out at any moment.

"I'll be watching to see when the trust of those two will be shattered."

Although the tone was "Thank you very much," the two felt no gratitude at all.

"Are you done talking?"

With a look that said, "Then I'll kill you now," Maha Ryung reached for her sword. It was the same sword she had received from her grandfather, Do Seong. As one of the Nine Dragons and Seven Peaks, she was a formidable expert who had even defeated Yong Cheon Myung, the greatest talent of Shaolin. However, this time, her opponent was not good.

"Oh, are you going to stab me with that?"

"I'm seriously considering it."

"You'd better not."

Yeonbi advised with a smile.

"Why should I?"

"Haven't you read the rules? If a participant fights another participant outside of their own match, they are disqualified, disqualified!"

"Tsk!"

Maha Ryung flinched, having not considered that.

"Are you still going to do it? Really? For real? No regrets? If you do, you'll lose the chance to fight against Namgung Sang's team. Are you really, really, really going to fight?"

As Yeonbi pressed her with questions, Maha Ryung was flustered and didn't know what to do. She had never encountered such a pressing junior before.

"……"

Maha Ryung bit her lip slightly and took her hand off the sword hilt. She couldn't be disqualified before even fighting Namgung Sang's team.

"That's a wise decision."

Yeonbi said with a bright smile, as if she had expected this outcome. Her smile was bright and radiant, but it overturned her opponent's insides, making Maha Ryung glare at Yeonbi as if she wanted to stab her to death. But Yeonbi remained unfazed.

"Why are you doing this? Is it fun?"

Jin Ryung stepped forward in front of Maha Ryung and asked in a quiet voice.

Yeonbi didn't hesitate to nod.

"Of course, it's fun. Why would I go to the trouble of talking so much if it wasn't fun? Don't you agree?"

Jin Ryung's brow furrowed.

"What's so fun about it?"

"It's always fun to see others' foolishness. Well, sometimes it's a bit annoying."

Her tone was confusing, making it unclear whether she found it fun or annoying.

"I… am foolish?"

Jin Ryung's voice trembled slightly.

"Of course. If you can't trust someone for your whole life, ending it here and now isn't so bad. Or are you just afraid of knowing the truth?"

There was no tremor in Yeonbi's eyes or voice. Jin Ryung's eyebrows shot up. At the same time, an invisible killing intent erupted from Jin Ryung's entire body. Seeing this, Yunmi became restless, and Na Yerinn's eyebrows twitched slightly, but only Yeonbi kept smiling.

"Do you think you'll be safe even after doing this? Surely you're not relying on Miss Na behind you?"

At that remark, Yeonbi burst into laughter inwardly. She thought she had grown so much that she looked cute.

"How rude of you. Why would I shift my responsibilities to our lovely Rin? I can take responsibility for my own affairs. It's hurtful to see you think that way."

Jin Ryung pondered for a moment after hearing that.

"Your name is Yeonbi, isn't it? I believe you when you say you take responsibility for your own actions. I will settle this score with you after this tournament ends. We'll see then how you take responsibility for your actions. Don't run away anywhere."

The smile on Yeonbi's lips deepened.

"Do you even know who you're talking to? Of course, you don't. You'd probably be happier if you never knew. Heh heh. Well, alright. This is fun in its own way. You seem to have forgotten, but I'm the one who defeated that 'Gungsang' young master in the entrance exam. So it's better not to underestimate me. Don't you run away either."

Jin Ryung's complexion changed drastically, and she shouted,

"Don't call him by that name!"

Yeonbi's calling Namgung Sang "Gungsang" displeased her.

She had heard about that. She had been ridiculed by the members of the Vermilion Bird Squad because of it. Jin Ryung also remembered raging about being caught off guard by a beauty. But Yeonbi calling Namgung Sang "Gungsang" gratingly caught her ear for no particular reason.

"The only person who can call him by that name besides our Vermilion Bird Squad is the Great Senior."

"Oh, I didn't know that. Is that Great Senior a very admirable person?"

Then Jin Ryung said with a shudder,

"Absolutely not! Although the Great Senior is selfish, arrogant, and reckless, and not admirable at all, you still can't call him Gungsang. I don't permit it."

"Right, right. There's not a single admirable trait. That person is truly a damned person!"

Namgung Sansan chimed in from the side.

Suddenly, the smile on Yeonbi's lips deepened. It was so excessive that her face looked stiff. Yeonbi gazed intently at the two, her eyes shining like tiger's eye stones. At that moment, a golden radiance flashed in the depths of her pupils like a fleeting lightning bolt cutting through dark clouds.

"I'll remember that, along with what the person next to you said. For a veeery long time."

Jin Ryung and Namgung Sansan felt as if they were ensnared by Yeonbi's tiger's eye pupils staring intently at them, and the radiance flashing deep within them.

'Ugh, what is this? This pressure, I've never felt it except from the Great Senior…'

This woman… I don't know her true identity, but she's not someone to be underestimated, Jin Ryung concluded provisionally.

"Well then, shall we watch the match amicably? Come on, Rin and Miss Yun Mi, sit here too."

Seeing Yeonbi sit down right next to Jin Ryung's group, Yunmi was shocked. To say such things so calmly after having stirred up the atmosphere to this point, she had an unprecedentedly strong heart. Na Yerinn sat down next to Yeonbi without any objection, her expression unchanging. Yunmi, left alone, wanted to cry.

'Miss Yeonbi, your actions are just like Ryu Yeon…'

The feeling of being in trouble due to Bi Ryu Yeon's absurd actions was too similar to her current feelings, giving her a strange sense of déjà vu.

In fact, considering Yeonbi's true nature, this was nothing. It would have been much more perilous if Yeonbi's mask were to come off. However, Yunmi, unaware of this fact, sighed deeply, 'Haa…,' and reluctantly moved her feet to sit next to Yeonbi. Her side felt prickly as if being poked by needles.

Jin Ryung tried her best to appear uninterested, unperturbed, and calm, but her efforts were not very fruitful. Even just glancing sideways, everyone could tell that she was more tense than anyone else there. Jin Ryung's gaze was fixed on the rumored "silver-haired girl." If looks could kill, Ryu Eun Kyung would have been reduced to nothing but fingernails by now. Jin Ryung was staring intently at Ryu Eun Kyung's entire body with such persistence. Seeing this, Yeonbi said,

"It's interesting, Miss Jin. Well, she's cute too."

At that remark, Jin Ryung bristled. She was like an unstable bomb ready to explode at any moment. Only someone like Yeonbi, with the courage to play with fire for fun, would dare to do so.

"You keep saying it's interesting, but what's so fun about it? Are you addicted to fun? Let me be clear: I'm not finding anything fun at all."

Jin Ryung replied, not hiding her displeasure.

"That's precisely what's interesting. You get so emotionally invested in a match that has nothing to do with you, your expression changing moment by moment, it's like watching someone's… say, Mr. So-and-so."

"That doesn't seem like your concern."

"Let's just call it a hobby. You look quite cute when you get angry like that, older sister Jin? Heh heh."

Yeonbi chuckled, finding it funny even after saying it. She would probably faint if she knew her true identity? That would be too pitiful. Yeonbi decided to stop teasing her.

"Now, let's stop chatting and watch the match. I'm curious to see how the rumored silver-haired lady performs."

Na Yerinn agreed.

"Indeed, her use of qi is certainly interesting. I'm as curious as Yeonbi."

As a swordsman and a martial artist, Na Yerinn was interested in how wind-based martial arts could be applied. Especially after learning who her master was, she paid even more attention. At that time, she couldn't confirm her martial arts skills because Yeong Ryung had appeared and resolved the situation, but today's event was a match where she had to go all out.

Na Yerinn quietly watched the arena. There stood a giant, who seemed to be nearly three times her height, and a girl.

The girl's hair, fluttering in the wind, was a transparent silver.

"That child… she finally made it this far."

Na Yerinn said, looking at the silver-haired girl standing in the center of the Wontong arena. Honestly, she had thought it was almost hopeless.

"She seemed quite desperate. Should I praise her for her efforts at a time like this?"

"Wasn't it Yeonbi who gave her the opportunity?"

If Yeonbi hadn't said a word, Ryu Eun Kyung would have been so discouraged that she wouldn't have even stood here, let alone competed for the prize money. However, Yeonbi didn't seem to think so.

"I gave her the opportunity, but she seized it. Opportunities are often closer than you think if you look for them with your eyes wide open. Whether you can seize them or not is another matter. I'll give her a bit more credit in that regard. She tenaciously held on and made the opportunity her own. I actually thought the success rate was 50\/50."

Moreover, having Yong Cheon Myung in the same team was unexpected. Even if she succeeded, she thought the remaining one would be Hyeon Un of the Vermilion Bird Squad, but she was completely wrong. After all, if Namgung Sang was the leader and Yong Cheon Myung was the second-in-command, it wasn't impossible to push through somehow.

"Can she win?"

"It would be problematic if she doesn't win. Young Master Gungsang isn't a fool, so he wouldn't have chosen participants just out of pity. He must be desperately in need of the prize money too."

If she couldn't repay the money she owed from gambling, it was unknown what humiliation she would face. Such was their desire that they named their team, which dripped with gloom, "Debt Liquidation."

"This opponent is the team called the 'Fierce Three,' right? The direct subordinates of the one called 'King of the West Sea'?"

"That's right. They're said to be the most violent among the Thirteen Heavens of Machon. They're notorious for solving all their problems with swords and muscles."

"Oh, you know a lot?"

Yeonbi exclaimed with a hint of surprise.

"Heh heh, I studied a bit."

Yunmi blushed slightly and scratched her head. Since she found herself in a position to participate in this tournament, she had cajoled Jang Hong, the information broker, into giving her some accelerated training. Jang Hong certainly knew a lot about strange things.

"He's bigger than that person and looks somewhat similar."

The opponent of Ryu Eun Kyung seemed even bigger than Georyeok Shin, whom Yeonbi had defeated to visit Don Wang, the hidden ruler of Gangho Lan Do.

"That person's name is Georyeok Wang."

"It's even more suspicious. Such a shameful name, not just anyone could use it."

"That's true."

Na Yerinn agreed.

Just then, Yu Jin, the refined young master, resolved their curiosity.

"In terms of martial talent alone, Georyeok Wang surpasses his brother by far. He hasn't lost a single pure strength contest since he turned twenty. Isn't that right, Master Mubaek?"

Indeed, Georyeok Wang was Georyeok Shin's younger brother. Moreover, unlike his incompetent older brother, he was quite capable.

"That's right. He is a born strongman endowed with divine strength. In terms of strength contests, even his older brother Georyeok Shin couldn't match him. Therefore, he can exert stronger force with less internal energy. And when his internal energy is added, no one knows what will happen. He could be the worst opponent for that small young lady."

From afar, Georyeok Wang looked more than twice as big as the silver-haired girl Ryu Eun Kyung. It seemed he didn't even consider small girls like Ryu Eun Kyung. In fact, he felt a great insult at having to fight such a small girl. However, his luck in the draw was bad, and his colleagues, who were no less rough-tempered than him, had no intention of switching places with him. So, he was very displeased at the moment.

"Grrr!"

His very presence was oppressive, and with his contorted face due to his bad mood, he looked even more menacing. Compared to him, Ryu Eun Kyung was so small that she was almost completely hidden in his shadow.

"Will she be alright?"

Na Yerinn asked with a hint of worry.

"From here on, it's a path she must forge for herself. If she can't even defeat this muscle-bound brute, she should forget about facing Chil Sang Heun. Because if she can't even do that, any tears she sheds won't matter to him. The moment she meets him, that young lady will die instantly without even having time to shed tears. Of course, as long as we are here, she will never have to fight him."

Although his words were brutally harsh, Yeonbi genuinely believed them.

"I gave her the opportunity. Whether she seizes it or not is entirely up to her skill."

If gaining an opportunity was "luck," then not missing and seizing that opportunity was "skill."

'Well, this is a dead end, there's no turning back. Will she defeat them and move forward, or will she falter in place? There's only one choice.'

She wanted to see an interesting scene if possible.

"All we can do is watch. But personally, I have expectations. It would be disappointing if she doesn't show something here. She stood in that spot after all, even at the cost of ending a man's life."

If Namgung Sang were present, he would have protested, shouting, "He hasn't ended yet, not yet!"

"She does possess martial arts of a peculiar attribute, but will that be enough?"

Na Yerinn was curious about the basis for this question.

"Young Master Gungsang is a fool, but I don't think he would have chosen someone for his team without testing their skills even once. Not even under 'cute threats'."

"Threats? What do you mean by threats?"

Jin Ryung turned her head abruptly and retorted. As a master of martial arts, her senses were sharp.

"Oh, did I say something?"

Yeonbi feigned ignorance and smiled slyly. Jin Ryung, unable to hold back, shouted,

"Didn't you just say 'threats'!"

Then Yeonbi, without erasing her smile, waved her hand and said,

"Eh, it must have been your imagination."

'Can I… can I defeat that person alone?'

Ryu Eun Kyung pondered, looking at Georyeok Wang, who was so tall that just looking up made her neck ache. She had never imagined her opponent would be such a giant. Her only sparring partner had been her master, Sword Immortal Yi Yak Bing, so she had never fought such a large man before. Thus, she was very flustered.

Fortunately, Georyeok Wang also seemed to be feeling similar emotions, namely 'fluster.'

"What is the point of the world's greatest Georyeok Wang, a chief subordinate of King Sea, fighting a small girl like you? I'll just be ridiculed by the others. So, just surrender, right now. I'm too lazy to fight. I won't hit you, so go back in, quickly."

He was a brute who revered strength as the ultimate value, so his entire value judgment was based on 'strength.' Therefore, he felt no interest in a fight where he couldn't compete in strength or show off his strength. So, he decided to simply let her surrender. He couldn't leave a stain on his glorious battles. But his plan didn't go as intended.

"No. I will not surrender!"

Ryu Eun Kyung shouted. It wasn't that she hadn't felt like it, but she couldn't back down like this. She had stubbornly fought her way to this spot, and she couldn't back down just because her opponent was incredibly tall, had thick arms, and looked like a gorilla. That would be a betrayal to Namgung Sang, who had included her in his team. Even though he had made a face like he had eaten raw soybeans when he granted permission, it was still the same.

"Hey, girl. You'll regret those words. You won't be able to go back intact!"

Georyeok Wang shouted in a menacing voice.

"It doesn't matter. I have nowhere to go back to anyway. There's no place that will accept someone like me."

At that moment, Ryu Eun Kyung's illness of distrusting the world struck again. When she was like this, she tended to become quite unstable and reckless.

"So hurry up and come at me! You weren't going to hold back anyway, were you? You only have strength, so you probably don't know how to do anything other than hit people, right? So hit me. Hit me! You're going to hit me anyway, you brute! Sob sob!"

Georyeok Wang's face instantly turned bright red.

"Who are you calling a brute!"

Roar!

With a roar like a beast, Georyeok Wang threw a punch.