Book 26 Chapter 3

(5). Five

—luck or skill?

That moment was incredibly short.

Yet, to Hyoryong, that time felt as if months had passed.

Now, Rakbio was slowly drawing his fist back to land the first blow on the number that Unkyun had spun.

The spun number was five. Now he could deliver five blows to Biryu Yeon. Moreover, since retreating meant losing the bet, Biryu Yeon couldn't move even a single step. He had no choice but to take the full force of that colossal strike directly into his body. If luck was skill, then it meant Biryu Yeon's current skill was truly pathetic.

'Is that guy really okay?'

Normally, he wouldn't have worried much. It would have felt foolish to worry. If he had time for that, he might as well worry about grand things like world peace, or whether the neighbor's dog ate its breakfast. He was the kind of friend who, even if the world ended, would somehow remain perfectly alive. That was Biryu Yeon.

In Hyoryong's opinion, his friend Biryu Yeon's specialty was 'speed,' like lightning.

Like a flash that tears through the dark sky, he would completely evade an opponent's attack with swift and agile footwork, and then defeat the enemy with lightning-fast techniques.

Because of this, Hyoryong had never seen his friend get hit by anything or anyone. There were times he thought nothing could possibly penetrate his friend's body.

But now, Biryu Yeon was completely tied up, both hands and feet. The name of those shackles was none other than a promise. The moment he broke this promise, Biryu Yeon would lose. But this friend, who loved bets, always adhered to the rules when betting. He might have used tricks, but he never broke the rules themselves. This was because he believed that making a bet was underpinned by his own promise to agree to those rules. He, who detested passively following rules made by others without thought, considered promises he himself, and he alone, agreed to as precious as a thousand pieces of gold.

"It's about trust and credibility. If you want to make money, you need to maintain it well. Trust and credibility are great assets. I'm not foolish enough to squander my assets."

He had said that with a slight smile.

'If I say I'll keep it, I'll keep it.'

To keep one's word, strength and will were needed. When one couldn't keep it, it meant the person who made the word had become incapable and powerless to keep it. Biryu Yeon did not seem like someone who would agree to make himself incompetent, even if it meant death.

'What are you going to do, friend?'

Hyoryong watched him with anxious eyes. Biryu Yeon, with unwavering eyes, fearlessly watched Rakbio's actions.

Rakbio assumed a very slow posture, perhaps intending to apply psychological pressure. However, the momentum behind his movements was sufficiently terrifying, reminiscent of the calm before a storm.

"Are you ready?"

Rakbio grinned like a hunter before his prey.

"Already."

Biryu Yeon replied briefly.

"Just so you know, I'm strong."

"I'm so tired of waiting, I could yawn. Hurry up, or I'll take a nap and wait until I wake up."

Biryu Yeon taunted. Rakbio bristled.

'What is this friend trying to achieve by provoking the opponent further!'

Hyoryong was beside himself with impatience at his friend's reckless actions.

"I'll make you regret those words!"

Rakbio spat out.

"Sleep forever!"

Vvvvvoooooooom!

"Iron Armor Shattering Fist!"

Rakbio's powerful strike tore through the air and surged towards Biryu Yeon. It was a perfect thrust, unwavering despite Biryu Yeon's provocation.

*Thwack!*

Biryu Yeon's waist folded forward. His body lifted off the ground and convulsed. His breath was momentarily cut off. Hyoryong unknowingly shut his eyes tightly. He thought he heard Biryu Yeon's scream.

Rakbio's strike was more terrifying than imagined. It was undoubtedly a strike honed through tens of thousands of repetitive training. It was the so-called 'one strike, certain kill' fist.

'Could that friend possibly be dead?'

It was not unreasonable for such a concern to cross Hyoryong's mind. The strike just delivered was overwhelmingly powerful.

Heavy.

His vision flashed, and the breath in his lungs was expelled in a single gulp. A wave of shock burned his nerves and raced through his entire body like a mad horse. His breathing was stifled, his internal organs twisted, and his muscles and bones screamed. An ordinary martial artist would have bled from all seven orifices and died instantly from a single blow.

'…Did I underestimate it too much?'

He pulled his fading consciousness back.

'I can't even properly unleash one Hua Jin…'

What a shameful sight. He imagined how much he would be ridiculed by his master if he showed such a sight again.

His body was more messed up than he had expected.

After meeting his master and losing one of the Black Dragon Pills, his qi had gone haywire. While forcibly controlling that qi, he had an unintentional fight with Bing Wol Seonja Yecheong, Naye Rin's mother. At that time, his acupoints had become jumbled. After that, problems didn't cease, and he had no opportunity to focus on proper treatment. Because of that, he had to fight Chil Sang Heun in an imperfect state. His final blow was truly terrifying. If he had made even a slight mistake, he would have been defeated. He had exhausted almost all his remaining strength then, and the incident occurred right at that time.

Naye Rin was kidnapped, and his memories afterward were fragmented. Instead of a continuous flow like a river, his memories were broken like a snapped rope. In that state, he defied his master again and was splendidly defeated.

His body was already in tatters. Biryu Yeon's body, which was a mess not only on the outside but also on the inside, could hardly disperse the impact. Uncontrollable power still raged like a mad dragon within him, and he was using most of his strength to control it. Therefore, Biryu Yeon could only exert less than half of his usual strength. Physical damage and internal injuries were excessively accumulated. However, his incredibly strong, even arrogant, willpower refused to accept his body's condition. He wanted to be at the forefront, but he was in no state to be out in front. Pretending he wasn't, he should have been recuperating on a soft bed. But such comfortable rest was impossible until Naye Rin was found.

The impact of the iron fist spread through his muscles and bones to every corner of his body. His brain buzzed. Although he had tried to disperse the force, the effect of Hua Jin was minimal without moving his legs. Even the slightly dispersed force etched spiderweb-like cracks into the solid bluestone floor.

Still, he didn't budge. He stood his ground like a solid rock that had endured a thousand years.

'Krrk!'

He tasted the metallic flavor of blood in his mouth.

But it was only one blow so far.

Rakbio still had four more attacks remaining.

"Whew! I'm alive."

When Biryu Yeon endured Rakbio's first blow, Hyoryong involuntarily let out a sigh of relief. But it was too early to be at ease. Four more attacks remained. However, to Hyoryong's eyes, Biryu Yeon's condition seemed to be at its limit. His friend's strength lay in his evasion using super-fast footwork, not in his durability to withstand hit after hit.

'Come to think of it, have I ever seen Ryu Yeon get hit by anyone before?'

He recalled his memories, but there was never such an instance.

'Damn it!'

The anxiety that had accumulated in his heart seemed to multiply. Because he had never witnessed it before, worry loomed even larger. He didn't know how strong his friend's durability was. There was a good possibility that he was surprisingly weak. Such a brute and rough method was deadly poison to Biryu Yeon, who boasted of his divine speed.

Biryu Yeon might lose? He was imagining things he never would have imagined before. The composure that always overflowed around him was now nowhere to be found.

However, having already lost himself, he could do nothing but watch from afar. He was once again annoyed by his own incompetence.

'I should have been more careful…'

He had lost by underestimating the enemy. He had no excuse, even with a hundred mouths. But what worried him more was Biryu Yeon. Since Naye Rin was kidnapped, he had been somehow strange. He was completely unlike his usual self. He was nothing like his usual confident and arrogant self. His speech was different. In the past, Biryu Yeon gave the impression that he couldn't possibly lose to anyone, but the current Biryu Yeon felt like he could lose at any moment.

"Hey, Ryu Yeon, give up. It's dangerous if you take any more hits!"

Hyoryong shouted urgently.

"Give up? What foolish talk is that, Ryong Ryong?"

"Stop making such foolish bets. You're not yourself right now."

Then, Biryu Yeon looked at Hyoryong and smiled slightly.

"Of course, I'm not myself. Naye Rin is gone. Wouldn't it be strange if I were normal?"

Biryu Yeon countered as if asking why such an obvious question was being asked.

"You know that's not what I mean, right?"

"I don't know."

Biryu Yeon replied curtly, as if it were worthless.

"What do you mean you don't know?! If you continue like this, you'll die. You are agitated right now. You're not the Biryu Yeon I know. Have you forgotten what you always said? Your way of speaking is even different from usual. Find yourself, Ryu Yeon! Snap out of it!"

Hyoryong's last words, filled with desperation, reached Biryu Yeon's ears.

'Snap out of it?'

He had often said that to others, out of frustration from watching them. But it seemed like this was the first time he heard it from a friend.

'Am I not myself? Did I forget myself due to agitation?'

Even if it was to save Naye Rin, it was wrong to forget himself. Losing himself meant losing everything. Biryu Yeon recalled what he had done after losing Naye Rin. Strangely, his memories were fragmented, and he couldn't recall certain parts clearly.

Only then did he realize that he had truly lost his mind, that he had lost himself.

At that moment, Rakbio, who had been watching, added a word.

"Even I feel pity watching this. Your friend is right. Why don't you give up?"

"Give up? What language is that? I've never heard of it. Or are you referring to the 'giving up' when you give up cabbage?"

Biryu Yeon retorted, shrugging his shoulders.

"Ryu Yeon!"

Hyoryong's face brightened. Biryu Yeon's way of speaking had changed back to his usual tone. He also seemed to have regained some of his lost composure. However, Rakbio thought that this change in tone was because he was scared of him.

"Giving up means stopping resistance and admitting defeat by prostrating yourself."

Biryu Yeon clapped his palm with his fist.

"Defeat? Ah, I've heard of that. It has nothing to do with me, and it never will. I've given it as a gift to many others. They all seemed to love it. I'll give you that gift soon. Well, you don't need to be too impressed."

Rakbio bristled. But to Hyoryong, this kind of polite speech, veiled with condescension, was precisely the Biryu Yeon he knew, provoking and infuriating people.

"What! Enough with the boasting! It looks quite difficult for you, doesn't it? Just enduring my first blow is quite an accomplishment. So why don't you give up? I don't make a habit of tormenting the weak."

Watching Biryu Yeon breathing heavily, Rakbio said with a smile.

"Is that so? Unfortunately, it's the opposite for me. You see, I make a habit of tormenting the weak. That's why I won't stop. I haven't tormented you enough yet."

Blood vessels bulged on Rakbio's temples. The lines between his brows deepened.

"Hehehe, your mouth is still alive. Your body must be a mess inside. But no matter how good your speech is, it won't help you win."

"We'll see. Look forward to it. I'll give you a whole armful of gifts called defeat. I'll even add 'thorough' and 'desperate.' You could call it a defeat gift package."

Even with the taste of blood in his mouth, Biryu Yeon's expression remained calm.

"Hey, big guy. When are you going to throw the second one? I'm so bored waiting. Don't waste the time of someone who's in a hurry to be defeated."

Then, a terrifying smile bloomed on Rakbio's face. He seemed quite angry. He didn't feel satisfied unless he could crush that taunting face.

"I'll make you regret those words soon."

"Regret… That's a good word. Because it's always prepared for my enemies."

Vwoosh!

Rakbio's second attack tore through the air and struck Biryu Yeon's body directly.

*Thud!*

Biryu Yeon's body, hit in the abdomen, convulsed again. And then, unable to hold his ground, he was pushed back slightly.

*Screeeeeech!*

As Biryu Yeon's feet resisted the force pushing him back, a sharp sound echoed from the friction. At the same time, the bluestone floor he was standing on cracked like a spiderweb. However, Biryu Yeon's back heel was still within the etched line. It seemed that the internal injuries he had recovered a bit while talking earlier had helped.

"Not yet, not yet."

Biryu Yeon wiped his mouth with his sleeve and smiled again. But it was only a forced movement of his cheek muscles.

"You tenacious bastard! You're still holding on!"

"Hmph, isn't it said that a man should know when not to retreat? This is that time."

Rakbio scoffed.

"Not when not to retreat, but when to retreat."

"When should I retreat? I don't know about such a 'time'."

Rakbio's eyebrows twitched.

"It's regrettable that you don't know. Then I'll make you know with my fist. However, the price will be death. Don't regret it!"

Rakbio once again assumed the standard stance.

It was the most stable posture, but therefore, it was a posture that could never be used in actual combat. While most stable, it lacked in agility, making it a practice posture. But conversely, it meant it could deliver powerful blows.

Rakbio's power was more solemn than ever. It was a posture for concentrating his spirit, gathering his strength, and delivering a killing blow.

To Hyoryong, the air around him seemed to swirl. Hyoryong knew when such phenomena occurred.

It happened when he pulled up his internal energy from the very bottom, activated his body, and gathered that internal energy at the tip of his fist, making all the muscles and internal energy in his body taut like a drawn bowstring.

'If he takes that blow, even Biryu Yeon…'

In Biryu Yeon's current state, there was no way to block that strike. For Biryu Yeon, who had never learned external martial arts that trained muscles and skin, direct defense against an opponent's attack relied on 'Hardened Qi' and 'Hua Jin.'

However, such a direct frontal thrust was insufficient with Hua Jin. Moreover, in his current state, where he could barely stand, Hua Jin had almost no effect. Learning to neutralize an opponent's attack while standing in place was a highly advanced technique that even the most supreme masters could not accomplish.

His body, with its released Hardened Qi and deactivated protective aura, was nothing more than a tender piece of meat. Such meat would be crushed in a single blow.

"Here, this is your last chance to live. Give up. And kneel before my strength, my justice. Then you can live."

"Do you call that living these days? I'll pass on such a pathetic sight."

"Foolish man."

"Oh, are you throwing punches with your mouth these days?"

*Crack!*

He provoked again.

"Die!"

Iron Armor Shattering Fist

Fist Thrust

Diamond Fist, One Strike Kill!

Vwoosh!

The fist flew, tearing through the air.

*Thuuuuump!*

A brutal fist sound echoed. Then, silence filled the entire space. Hyoryong's eyes widened. Biryu Yeon was still standing there, unmoving.

"He endured it!"

Hyoryong shouted, clenching his sweat-drenched fists. The heart that had been clenched anxiously began to unfurl.

*Swish.*

But Hyoryong's relief was short-lived. Biryu Yeon's body toppled backward like a tree struck by an axe.

"Nooooooo!"

Even as his body fell, Biryu Yeon didn't lift a finger. He was frozen like a stone statue.

"Snap out of it, Ryu Yeon! Regain your posture!"

But Hyoryong's cry was merely an empty echo. Biryu Yeon, slowly falling backward, seemed to have completely lost consciousness. Or perhaps…

"Snap out of it! Ryu Yeon, you have to save the young lady!"

*Thud.*

Biryu Yeon, falling backward, stopped about an inch from the ground. His hands were not on the ground, and his knees were perfectly straight. Yet, as if held by an invisible hand, he floated in the air, leaving only an inch before touching the ground. Both Rakbio and Hyoryong, who were watching, had their eyes bulge out in surprise.

"This, this is impossible! Is it the footwork of the Iron Plate Sect?"

The Iron Plate Sect had a special footwork where they lay down almost parallel to the ground with their knees straight, then stood up again.

"Surely not…"

Hyoryong soon denied it. The airtime was too long for the Iron Plate Sect. No matter how skilled in the Iron Plate Sect, one couldn't float for so long in a state almost touching the ground.

Even more surprising was what happened next.

Biryu Yeon's body, which had been almost touching the ground, returned to its original posture without any recoil. In a way, it was quite grotesque, like a zombie rising, making even Rakbio astonished.

"To get up again after taking that blow… Who, who are you? Are you a golem made of iron despite your slender build?"

"Oh my, have you ever seen such an extremely handsome zombie? I'm a real person, a perfect ten."

Perfect ten, meaning perfect in all aspects of beauty.

"And you're overconfident…"

Rakbio was dumbfounded that such a person could exist, spouting such arrogant nonsense in that state.

"It seems I've been found out. To be honest, I'm immortal. And as you can see, I'm handsome. In short, an immortal handsome boy. So I won't fall like this."

His tone suggested he was saying, 'Oh dear, it's troublesome that my secret is out, heh heh.'

*Drip!*

Blood trickled down Biryu Yeon's lips as he spoke brazenly.

"Then what is that blood?"

Biryu Yeon nonchalantly wiped his mouth with his sleeve.

"Ah, by the way, this isn't because I was hurt by you. Handsome guys like me are a bit sickly sometimes. We sometimes cough up blood in white robes. Cough, cough."

He deliberately turned his head and pretended to cough.

The self-proclaimed sickly handsome boy was, of course, a complete lie. Moreover, the clothes he was wearing were black, not white. As a result, the blood mixed with his cough was not easily visible.

"Sickly? Where? And you said you were immortal?"

Was there such a thing as a sickly immortal in the world? Rakbio had never heard of such a concept.

Even within Machaegak, Rakbio had never seen anyone as robust as Biryu Yeon. To claim to be sickly after not dying despite being hit with the intent to kill was something a passing dog would laugh at.

"It's certainly surprising. I see you in a new light. You're the first person to surprise me this much."

At this point, Rakbio had no choice but to acknowledge Biryu Yeon.

"It seems I shouldn't completely dismiss the young masters of Cheonmu Academy."

He had previously thought of Cheonmu Academy as a place only for young masters with a good background. But seeing someone like Biryu Yeon, it seemed different than he had imagined. He didn't realize that Biryu Yeon was an extreme exception within Cheonmu Academy.

"I still have a long way to go. I don't want to be the first. If I have to be the first, I'd prefer to be the first to defeat you. That's my preference."

He had been underestimated, to the point of being overflowed. Deep lines reappeared between Rakbio's brows, which had been stern.

"That's impossible."

He denied it in a low, somber voice.

"Making the impossible possible is one of my hobbies. Hearing words like that only motivates me more. What am I to do?"

Biryu Yeon smiled.

"You talk a lot, looking like you'll collapse soon."

That was an insult, calling him all talk. Indeed, to Hyoryong's eyes, Biryu Yeon's complexion was very pale, and his body trembled slightly. But Biryu Yeon didn't even bat an eyelid. He was simply doing what he had to do.

'Just a little more… just a little more…'

And that moment came.

'Good! Finally!'

Biryu Yeon's hunched back straightened. Color returned to his pale face, and strength flowed through his entire body. And a faint smile spread across his lips. It was a smile that made Rakbio deeply uncomfortable.

"What is it? A final spurt?"

Rakbio taunted in an unpleasant tone, but Biryu Yeon didn't react.

"Ah, I'm finally ready."

Biryu Yeon mumbled, spitting out the blood gathered in his mouth. It wasn't a clean situation. His internal organs were jumbled and in disarray.

"What preparation is finished? You're spouting incomprehensible nonsense. Can't you speak in a way I can understand?"

"Tsk tsk, pity. Perhaps your brain is filled with muscles, so your communication skills are as poor as a rat's."

He then pretended to wipe his eyes.

"Are you trying to insult me! I'm not a rat. Don't compare me to such a lowly animal!"

Rakbio's face turned red with anger. Being compared to a rat seemed to be a profound humiliation.

"As a reward for entertaining me, I'll give you a prophecy this time, with 300% accuracy!"

"Prophecy?"

"Sadly, your punches will no longer reach me."

It was less of a prophecy and more of a declaration.

"What? What nonsense is that? Is it a trend these days?"

Biryu Yeon replied with a slight smile.

"Sadly, there is a river between us that cannot be crossed. Do you know the name of that river?"

"What is it?"

"The difference in level."

Biryu Yeon replied briefly with a smirk.

"You must be hallucinating now."

Rakbio said, frowning.

"I'm perfectly fine. And of course, I mean it. Honesty is my motto."

"Are you dreaming? I'll wake you up from that dream right now."

"Oh my, don't you understand? Is it that difficult? Then you really are a rat. Your comprehension seems excessively poor, so I'll explain it simply. In very, very simple terms, your punches will no longer reach me."

He declared it in a completely nonchalant tone. The lack of tension in his voice made it take Rakbio a moment to understand. And when he finally understood, he let out a hollow laugh, "Huh?"

"I thought you were saying something, but it was just nonsense. I was hoping you'd entertain me, but you've disappointed me."

Rakbio didn't believe Biryu Yeon's words. While he himself stood there perfectly fine, the other guy, whose face was obscured by his bangs, looked like he was about to become a tattered rag. From any angle, his victory seemed assured.

"Whether you believe it or not doesn't matter. Reality doesn't change or waver because of one person's denial. You can deny it all you want. That's the self-deception of pathetic losers who can't endure harsh reality. I understand. Of course, I understand."

Biryu Yeon taunted in a cheerful tone.

"Loser! Loser! Loser!"

"Oh, have you gone deaf now? If you want to hear it again, I can tell you as many times as you want. To restore your identity. Here I go. Loser. Loser. Loser. Loser!"

It meant that his identity was that of a loser and nothing else. There was no one within Machaegak who would calmly accept such words.

"Shut up!"

Rakbio's roar echoed resoundingly throughout the great hall. The bloodshot whites of his fierce, dark eyes were visible.

Loser.

That was the word he hated and despised the most. He had honed his strength precisely to avoid becoming a loser. To avoid living a loser's life.

"With those words, your death is confirmed. I don't need to capture you alive; I'll kill you right here. Cause of death: Crushing!"

The more Rakbio raged, the deeper the smile on Biryu Yeon's lips became.

"Don't try to do what you're not good at; just use your fists. That's all you know how to do, isn't it? Right, big guy? Come on, do it. Hurry up and strike! I'm here. I'm not moving an inch. So strike, go on and strike! You coward!"

"Uwoooooooooh!"

Biryu Yeon had an exceptional talent for provoking others. The moment he argued with him, Rakbio's defeat was practically sealed. However, though he lost in words, he still had his internal energy swirling fist.

"You bastard! I'll turn you into a bloody mess!"

And at this moment, Biryu Yeon's preparations were completely finished. Biryu Yeon slowly closed his five outstretched fingers.

Rakbio's iron armor fist once again tore through the air and surged towards Biryu Yeon's face. This was the opposite of what he had been doing, deliberately hitting him only in the abdomen.

"Dodge, Ryu Yeon!"

Hyoryong shouted in horror.

With such a blow, Biryu Yeon's head would undoubtedly shatter like a watermelon dropped from the third floor, revealing its red flesh.

However, Biryu Yeon didn't move, his gaze fixed on the incoming fist.

'Huh?'

Slow.

It was incredibly slow. It was a fist infused with the explosive anger of a moment. It was a fist brimming with murderous intent. It felt like it could crush anything. A soft human skull was nothing.

What began as a blow with the power of a typhoon gradually weakened with each extension of the fist, eventually turning into a mere breeze with no harmful effect.

*Thump!*

The sound of the full-powered fist hitting Biryu Yeon's forehead was almost pathetic. But that was it. He couldn't extend his fist any further.

"I, impossible! Th, that's absurd!"

Rakbio reacted in an extremely ordinary manner. Biryu Yeon smiled at his face full of bewilderment. The expression of pain from Rakbio's previous barrage of attacks was gone.

"See? The prophecy came true. You shouldn't deny reality just because you can't handle it. That's the trademark of losers."

He had an expression that said he knew this would happen.

The last blow felt less like it had just reached him and more like he had deliberately allowed it to.

'But how?'

Rakbio withdrew his fist. This time, he could retract his extended fist without any resistance. There was no resistance he had felt before. Numerous questions occupied his mind again. But again, there was no answer.

"You don't believe me? Then you can try again. Though it will be futile, of course."

Rakbio still had one more chance to attack. But Biryu Yeon was telling him it was pointless and to give up.

"I don't believe it!"

To lower his fist here would be to admit his own defeat. It would be to break his belief that strength was justice.

*Grooooowl!*

As his internal energy concentrated in one spot, Rakbio's right fist began to glow white. It was similar to how sword qi would form on a sword.

Now he could deliver power several times stronger than before. His will to utterly crush his opponent was contained there.

"Take this!"

*Thump!*

With a loud stomp, Rakbio stepped forward with his right foot, and simultaneously, his right fist, imbued with immense rotation, flew towards Biryu Yeon like a whirlwind.

"Yaaaaaaaaaah!"

It was a perfect blow, without a hint of carelessness. A white fist light flashed. And…

*Thump!*

This time too, Rakbio's blow barely grazed the surface of Biryu Yeon's facial skin. Rakbio inwardly screamed.

'The same sensation as before!'

It felt like an invisible spiderweb was wrapping around his body, but he couldn't discern its nature. The more he struggled, the tighter it seemed to constrict him.

"What is this…"

This invisible thread was binding him like the thread of fate. And it seemed like it wasn't Rakbio himself who was holding this thread of fate.

"Is it you?"

A triumphant smile spread across Biryu Yeon's lips.

"You're slow on the uptake. Who else would it be besides me?"

Flying Thunder Sword, Ultimate Technique, Puppet's Barrier, Spiderweb Binding.

That was the nature of the technique that was currently binding Rakbio's body. However, Rakbio had not yet realized this fact. That he was already prey caught in a spiderweb. And that he had unknowingly completed all five attacks. Biryu Yeon was already spinning the wheel of fortune without even asking.

"Ju-just a moment!"

Something was clearly wrong, and he had to point it out. But Biryu Yeon pretended not to hear his protest.

"Uhh? What did you say? My hearing isn't very good these days… Cough, cough!"

He coughed again in the sickly handsome boy persona.

"Wait, wait, I said wait! Hey, what does coughing have to do with hearing?"

But Biryu Yeon continued to pretend not to hear, only faking coughs.

Unfortunately, the spun number was one.

Perhaps because he had used up his luck to block Rakbio's strike, his remaining luck was not good. Panicked, Rakbio inwardly rejoiced.

"Too bad."

He had a confident look, as if to say, 'You can never defeat me with that.' But Biryu Yeon thought differently.

"Hmm? I think this is enough?"

Biryu Yeon's bangs scattered for a moment, revealing golden eyes.

"This bet, it's my victory!"

*Clang!*

Biryu Yeon's fist struck the empty space between himself and his opponent.

Even though he hit the air, a deafening roar echoed. As if he had hit a thick wall.

Then, a strange thing happened.

As if held by an invisible hand, Rakbio's massive body rose about an inch off the ground. Then, like a kite against a strong wind, he was pushed backward. There was no explosion like before.

"W, what is this! Impossible! Stop—!!!"

Rakbio shouted with a look of utter panic.

His 'Iron Plate Body' didn't work, his 'Soaring Heaven Armor' didn't activate!

The 'Soaring Heaven Armor,' which could be considered an invincible armor, remained silent as if under attack. If he were pushed back even an inch further, he would cross the line.

"Wh, what is this… Weight of a Thousand Pounds!"

Rakbio quickly used 'Weight of a Thousand Pounds' to try and bring his floating body down to the ground. However, even after using 'Weight of a Thousand Pounds,' his body remained about an inch off the ground. Moreover, even while floating, he felt a recoil from the soles of his feet. It felt as if something heavy was supporting his feet.

"Ughhhhhh! I won't be defeated!"

He pulled up even more internal energy, doubling the power of 'Weight of a Thousand Pounds.'

*Thump!*

Fortunately, it worked this time. With the sound of the bluestone floor cracking, he barely managed to land on the ground. However, the smile on Biryu Yeon's lips remained.

With a smiling face, Biryu Yeon declared.

"Alas. I have won."

Surprised, Rakbio looked down at his feet.

"Wh, when did…"

His feet had already moved half a step back from the line. It was clearly his defeat.

"What trick did you use? I felt no impact at all! What is this technique?"

It felt like being moved by a gentle breeze.

"It's just a simple 'Distance Palm' technique."

Distance Palm.

It was a palm technique that struck the air and delivered impact (palm force) to an arbitrary point, a martial art also known as 'palm wind.' It was the highest level of 'Mountain Splitting Ox Hit,' an advanced 발경법 (force projection technique) that struck mountains to hit oxen on the other side. It was a technique that used the air as a medium to send force to a distant point, rather than a wall, person, iron plate, earth, or water.

"I, I've never heard of such a 'Distance Palm' technique!"

Although 'Distance Palm' was an advanced 발경법 that only supreme masters could use, he had no memory of feeling any impact. If he had received an external shock, the 'Soaring Heaven Armor' would have reacted without fail.

"Ah, you seemed like you would pop if I touched you. So I didn't touch you; instead, I moved all the air surrounding you. In other words, I moved the entire space."

At that explanation, Rakbio's eyes widened like saucers.

"You moved the entire space? That's absurd. How could such a thing be possible?"

Biryu Yeon scratched the back of his head.

"Well, it's a bit inconvenient when the person who was struck says that…"

At those words, Rakbio's face turned red. Indeed, what clearer proof could there be other than showing it directly? Rakbio was simple-minded and therefore accepted what he had to accept.

"Ve-very well. I lost this time."

"Wait, you said 'this time'?"

Biryu Yeon protested, feeling a strange sense of unease.

"Of course, there will be a second round."

"Second round? I've never heard of such a thing."

"I fought the two of you. That is, I gave you two chances. In fact, the other gentleman lost."

Hyoryong, speechless, could only lower his head with a grim expression. He had held his friend back. It was so frustrating and shameful.

"So you should give me two chances too, right? That would be fair."

"Oh dear, we have a fair judge here now."

Biryu Yeon scoffed with disbelief and grumbled. It was then.

"Shut up! I'm not a judge!"

Rakbio roared. The sound was so loud it vibrated the rafters of the great hall. It was so noisy that Biryu Yeon and Hyoryong had to cover their ears.

"Oh? Why are you reacting so excessively just because I said it in passing? What, do you have something to hide?"

Biryu Yeon grumbled again, frowning. Rakbio's face, glimpsed sideways, had turned as red as burning coal, and his breathing was quite ragged.

"I am not a judge. I hate judges."

"No, why is that? Is it because you're from the Black Path, a potential delinquent?"

Rakbio shook his head vigorously.

"No, my father was that damn judge."

Biryu Yeon and Hyoryong were surprised that Rakbio, a promising candidate of the true Black Path, had a father who was a judge.

"I just hate those who talk about justice without being backed by strength. They are simply powerless."

Biryu Yeon said, scratching his head again, towards Rakbio, who still hadn't calmed down.

"Okay, okay, calm down, calm down. I don't know why you hate judges so much, but I don't really want to know right now. I have things to do. So, if you're not delaying because you're afraid, why don't we have the second round quickly?"

At that moment, a spark flashed in Rakbio's eyes.

"Alright, if you want to die quickly, I'll grant it."

*Screeeech!*

Rakbio put his fingers in his mouth and whistled. The doors on both sides of the building opened, and dozens of armed warriors in matching uniforms rushed out and stood neatly along the walls. All of them had a ten (十) embroidered on their chests, and at a glance, there seemed to be at least eighty of them.

"Open it!"

As the warriors in the four corners of the building pulled a rope together, the blocked ceiling opened to the sides with a creaking sound, revealing something hanging inside. There, huge, very heavy stone blocks dangled on iron chains. When all preparations were complete, Rakbio smiled slyly at Biryu Yeon and Hyoryong, who looked slightly bewildered, and said,

"Welcome to the 'Stone Block Crushing Pavilion'."

The heavy stone blocks were much larger than a human body. If such a thing were to fall on a human of flesh and blood, they would be instantly crushed. They were so enormous that the chains holding them seemed to be on the verge of breaking.

To hang such dangerous objects above the ceiling, these people were clearly insane. And what did they intend to do with such dangerous things? He had no idea.

"Well, shall we begin the second round?"

Rakbio grinned, turning to the two of them.