Book 5 Chapter 13

The unexpected reunion between Bi-ryu-yeon and Wi Ji-cheon occurred during Na Ye-rin’s semi-final match.

Of course, it wasn’t a meeting he desired.

He was merely caught in the periphery of Na Ye-rin, forced to face him, but for Bi-ryu-yeon, it held no further significance.

The others who had gathered to watch Na Ye-rin’s martial arts match, eager for spectacle, were afraid to approach her closely, intimidated by Wi Ji-cheon’s gaze.

They knew all too well what punishment Wi Ji-cheon might mete out if they dared such a transgression. Wi Ji-cheon’s defense seemed as impenetrable as a fortress, making it impossible to get close to the flower. However, there was one person who crossed that deadly line with ease. Seeing this, Wi Ji-cheon’s face immediately contorted. Dok-go-ryeong’s expression also faltered slightly. Only Na Ye-rin maintained her expressionless demeanor.

"Hello, Miss Na. Lovely weather, isn't it?"

It was Bi-ryu-yeon, greeting her with a cheerful smile.

"What brings you here?"

Na Ye-rin replied in a quiet voice. It was a voice pleasant to hear, no matter how many times she spoke. Bi-ryu-yeon felt his spirits lift even further.

"What brings me here! I came to cheer you on, Miss Na. Do your best."

While it might seem trivial, no one had ever approached her so closely right before her match to offer words of encouragement like Bi-ryu-yeon. There were too many eyes watching, and the defense was too formidable. Yet, Bi-ryu-yeon, as if mocking all of this, calmly approached her and spoke. She didn’t ignore him either.

"Thank you."

She accepted his words without any change in her expression, but even this was a significant achievement. Such an act was rare privilege. Seeing this, Wi Ji-cheon’s face turned even redder.

"Oh? Who do we have here? Uh… so, what was your name again?"

As if he had just noticed him, Bi-ryu-yeon looked at Wi Ji-cheon with a puzzled expression and asked. Upon hearing Bi-ryu-yeon’s question, Wi Ji-cheon’s face turned red again.

"You scoundrel! Have you already forgotten me?"

It was already infuriating enough that he only acknowledged him after finishing his business, but to not even remember his name! Bi-ryu-yeon had completely turned Wi Ji-cheon’s world upside down.

"He is Wi Ji-cheon, a disciple of the Qingcheng Sect and the leader of the Ice Peak Guardian Martial Arts Brigade!"

It was quite a lengthy introduction. At last, Bi-ryu-yeon realized that Wi Ji-cheon’s name had been mentioned in the fleeting words he’d heard, and he clapped his hands.

"Ah! Right, right! It was Senior Wi Ji-cheon. I thought I’d seen him somewhere before."

In fact, this was only the second time he had met Wi Ji-cheon since their encounter in early spring. It was a reunion after nearly eight months. The spring flowers had long since fallen, and now it was autumn, the season of harvest. Wi Ji-cheon had been recognized as an insignificant figure in Bi-ryu-yeon’s mind from the start, so his memory of him was understandably vague.

Still reeling from the shock of defeat, Wi Ji-cheon decided to enter seclusion to wash away the humiliation of that day, commencing the difficult Hundred-Day Martial Practice. It was a training undertaken with the sole intention of defeating Bi-ryu-yeon.

After enduring arduous training, Wi Ji-cheon achieved results and recently emerged from seclusion to participate in the Celestial Martial Triple Crown Tournament. Upon hearing news of Bi-ryu-yeon, he rejoiced.

There was a rumor that Bi-ryu-yeon, a sinner who had committed acts that would enrage heaven and man, was participating in the Triple Crown Tournament. He immediately verified the rumor and soon received confirmation that it was true.

He smiled with satisfaction.

A chance had arrived to avenge the humiliation suffered due to a moment of carelessness. Finally, he could demonstrate the fruits of his bone-grinding training. Therefore, despite primarily using a sword, he registered for the Triple Crown Tournament.

Only to fight Bi-ryu-yeon… and to defeat him most miserably. Then, he would restore his tarnished honor. He was determined to do so.

"Ah, hello! It’s been a while! I thought I'd seen you somewhere before. You were an acquaintance. By the way, I'm glad to see you're doing well."

Even though he had remembered who Wi Ji-cheon was, Bi-ryu-yeon remained nonchalant.

"What do you mean?"

Wi Ji-cheon retorted with a stern face, suppressing the anger that threatened to erupt. Just looking at Bi-ryu-yeon's face made Wi Ji-cheon's heart boil.

"I was worried you might have taken your own life after not being able to bear that day's events. It’s been a while since I've seen you."

Bi-ryu-yeon unreservedly provoked Wi Ji-cheon, who was suppressing his anger.

"You… you scoundrel…"

His rage was so overwhelming that he couldn't even speak properly. If Na Ye-rin hadn't been present, there would have been a sword fight immediately.

"When someone treats you with sincerity, you shouldn't act that way. Wouldn't that be rude?"

Wi Ji-cheon's expression twisted strangely. He had provoked them and was now acting as if nothing had happened, reveling in his triumph, making it impossible not to be furious.

"I will avenge the humiliation of that day. I'll see you in the finals."

Wi Ji-cheon uttered these words as if throwing them, signaling his desire to end the conversation.

"Why would we meet in the finals, Senior? I'm curious."

Bi-ryu-yeon's feigned innocence made Wi Ji-cheon's expression turn savage once more. Bi-ryu-yeon's words implied that he wasn't paying any attention to his existence. Or perhaps he was toying with him…

How could he not be enraged by being so completely ignored by someone who was considered the biggest hurdle in the Triple Crown Tournament and a strong contender for the championship?

"Naturally, it's because I'm participating in the Triple Crown Tournament. Unfortunately, we are in different brackets, so we can't meet before then, but if you don't fall, we can meet in the finals. Don't lose until I break you."

Bi-ryu-yeon intended to break him with his own hands, not anyone else's. And in the most pathetic manner possible…

"Hoo, it seems you have the skill to reach the finals, Senior. Wow, what a discovery! I had no idea. Did you eat something good lately?"

Was this deliberate mockery? Fire flashed in Wi Ji-cheon's eyes. It was an unbearable insult. However, as long as she was standing beside him, he couldn't afford to act rashly, a fact that still held his feet and reason captive.

"Of course, I'll be advancing, so you should focus on yourself. Well then…"

As if he no longer wished to speak with Wi Ji-cheon, he smiled and turned his gaze back to Na Ye-rin. Because Wi Ji-cheon had interrupted, he hadn't been able to talk properly. However, Na Ye-rin was heading towards the martial arts stage to compete in her semi-final match. Bi-ryu-yeon, perhaps with a lingering sense of regret, shouted towards her retreating back as she ascended the stage.

"Miss Na, do well!"

With Na Ye-rin already on the stage, Bi-ryu-yeon had no reason to stay. He waved goodbye to Wi Ji-cheon and had his disciples escort him back to his reserved seat.

Wi Ji-cheon was already completely beside himself.

"Haa!"

Only after confirming that Bi-ryu-yeon had completely disappeared from his sight could Wi Ji-cheon let out a deep sigh. Although he tried to appear nonchalant, he couldn't prevent his body from shrinking and tensing. He knew without looking that his fists were now covered in cold sweat. It was a disgrace utterly unbecoming of the reputation he had built. That made Bi-ryu-yeon even more detestable.

"Young Master Wi!"

The lackeys of the Ice Peak Guardian Martial Arts Brigade, who had approached him, asked.

"Why are you letting such a rude fellow go like that?"

"The finals! Is that even conceivable? A first-year brat should know his place."

"That's right. Winning is naturally Young Master Wi's victory!"

"Indeed, indeed!"

The three of them babbled competitively.

"Tsk! You guys don't know how terrifying that guy is!"

Wi Ji-cheon spat out with a grim expression.

"Yes?"

"Just you wait! I'll reveal his true colors soon. On that martial arts stage…"

Having experienced it firsthand, he couldn't easily agree with their words, which underestimated Bi-ryu-yeon's abilities. If that were the case, what would that make him, who had lost to such a person! He wanted to deny it, but there was no way to deny the past that had already happened. Bi-ryu-yeon, who had left the biggest, worst blemish on his life. He could never forgive him.

'The humiliation, shame, and anger of that day! I still remember them piercing my bones. Prepare yourself, Bi-ryu-yeon!'

Wi Ji-cheon burned with fierce fighting spirit!

As everyone expected, the semi-final match of the Sword Queen Tournament concluded with Na Ye-rin's easy victory.

"What on earth are you thinking?"

Two days before the semi-final, Jang Hong finally spoke the words he had been holding back.

He had suppressed his curiosity and postponed it, but he could no longer bear it.

"Thinking?"

"Yes, thinking! You didn't do something so reckless without any thought, did you?"

Jang Hong pressed him, his eyes filled with concern.

"Reckless? What? Didn't I win gloriously? That's not when you use the word reckless! You should say I did well."

"Up until now, it was just mere luck!"

Even Jang Hong, who had spent more than half a year with Bi-ryu-yeon, couldn't shake off that thought. He had mistakenly believed that Bi-ryu-yeon had exploited the opponent's weakness through the unconventional attacks of Mok-geum, looking down on him as a mere first-year brat.

"Do you know what the other tournament participants are calling you now?"

"No!"

Bi-ryu-yeon shook his head.

"They call you 'Good Fortune Strikes the Attacking Zither' (운수대통 격타금). Haa…"

Jang Hong said with a somber expression. A sigh escaped him. However, Bi-ryu-yeon, who had been listening to Jang Hong with a blank expression, burst into laughter.

"Hahahahaha! Why, it's a cool name! What's wrong with being lucky?"

Jang Hong's face stiffened even further.

"Is that something to laugh about? Everyone is calling you a brat with immense luck. Why aren't you using your own skills?"

"Skills? What are those? I've forgotten!"

Bi-ryu-yeon retorted with a disingenuous expression.

"What? Are you serious?"

Jang Hong was dumbfounded by Bi-ryu-yeon's reply. Without much thought, it was certain that Bi-ryu-yeon was toying with him.

"Do you remember? What my skills are?"

Bi-ryu-yeon asked Hyo-ryong, who stood beside Jang Hong as if to offer support.

"Of course…"

Hyo-ryong, who was about to retort, suddenly shut his mouth like a clam. Come to think of it, he couldn't recall any of the martial arts Bi-ryu-yeon had used so far.

The only martial art he had shown properly was the One Fist displayed in the dormitory on the day of his admission. That was far too little information to explore the path of martial arts. Moreover, he would bet his entire fortune that it wasn't the real deal.

"See! You don't know either. I've forgotten, so I don't remember!"

Bi-ryu-yeon shook his head from side to side, putting on a "I don't know anything" expression. It meant he had no intention of sharing. To them, it seemed incredibly petty. Indeed, even among parents and siblings, some sects kept their techniques secret, so asking someone who had no intention of telling them about their martial arts would be a severe discourtesy.

"Then why are you doing something that seems so reckless? At least tell us the reason! It's frustrating!"

Jang Hong asked again, not giving up.

"Why are you so frustrated about something like that? No need to worry. It's just an experiment, an experiment!"

"An experiment?"

Hyo-ryong and Jang Hong asked with bewildered expressions.

"Yes! It's a kind of self-experiment! An experiment to see how far I can go with sound-based martial arts!"

Jang Hong and Hyo-ryong found themselves increasingly bewildered as they listened. Were they supposed to believe what he was saying? Furthermore, they doubted whether the martial arts he had displayed so far could even be called sound-based martial arts. It was a new type of martial art that should have been named "Zither Striking Technique."

"Haa, it really was reckless!"

Hyo-ryong sighed as if the earth were about to collapse. "Exhaled" might be a more fitting expression.

"You stepped onto the martial arts stage with a zither for such a reason? Without any plan?"

Jang Hong asked accusingly. He always tried to play the role of the elder brother.

"For such a reason? That's rude! I'm taking this very seriously! Do you think it's easy to be a test subject? What a noble spirit of sacrifice!"

"Tsk! It's my fault for engaging in verbal combat with you."

Jang Hong finally declared his surrender. The verbal combat ended in Bi-ryu-yeon's victory.

"But I'll give you one warning."

Jang Hong said with a serious expression.

"I'm listening!"

"If you keep just swinging musical instruments around like last time, you won't learn a single thing about sound-based martial arts, no matter how long you try."

"That's some piercing advice. I won't forget it! But what can I do? The difference between theory and practice is greater than expected. Maybe it'll be better next time? Let's have hope."

What hope could they possibly have here? Bi-ryu-yeon, who pushed them into a pit of worry and anxiety while remaining so nonchalant, was just annoying.

"By the way, who is your next opponent?"

"Oh dear, oh dear! You should remember your friend's next opponent. If you don't want to strain your friendship. Ah, I can hear the cracks in our friendship loudly!"

Bi-ryu-yeon made exaggerated gestures once again.

"So, who is it?"

Bi-ryu-yeon looked directly at Jang Hong and declared boldly.

"I don't know either!"

"Whaaaat!"

The two of them were speechless, as if they had no mouths to speak with.

Today's intense confrontation with Bi-ryu-yeon ended in their tragic defeat. It seemed Bi-ryu-yeon expected others to memorize things for him because he found it bothersome. And in truth, it was pointless for him to know names, as he wouldn't recognize anyone anyway.

"Uh, I know."

All three heads turned towards the source of the voice. There stood Yun Jun-ho, whose presence had always been faint. When had he been standing there… While everyone looked on in confusion, Yun Jun-ho opened his mouth. His face was slightly flushed, indicating his embarrassment.

"Wow! You can be helpful sometimes! Who is it?"

"Well, it's Dang Mun-cheon…"

He hesitated and uttered a name.

"What!"

Hyo-ryong and Jang Hong exclaimed in unison, filled with shock.

"Hmm. Is that brat really Ryu-yeon's next opponent?"

Jang Hong's voice suddenly became high-pitched and rough.

"Do you know him?"

Yun Jun-ho asked with a puzzled expression.

"How could I possibly know such a wicked brat!"

Yun Jun-ho was startled by Jang Hong's sudden outburst.

"You know him, don't you!"

Bi-ryu-yeon, who had been silent, spoke. Regardless of who it was, he wouldn't know them. However, since there was someone who knew him nearby, he felt it was only polite to ask. If he didn't ask, how disappointed would someone who wanted to boast about their knowledge, or someone eager to impart what they knew, feel? For that reason, Bi-ryu-yeon condescendingly asked.

"Who is it?"

Jang Hong answered Bi-ryu-yeon's question with a sullen expression.

"He's an utterly wicked fellow! So wicked that people say the name of the Tang family of Sichuan weeps because of him. He violates the Tang family's taboos and freely uses poison in martial arts competitions. That's why his nickname is 'Poisonous Hand' (독랄수)! He's as poisonous and ruthless as his nickname. I don't know what the Tang family is doing, not apprehending such a fellow…"

"He sounds like an interesting fellow!"

Compared to the violent reactions of Hyo-ryong and Jang Hong, Bi-ryu-yeon's reaction ended there.

His attitude suggested he wasn't even paying attention.

"What! 'Poisonous Hand' Dang Mun-cheon!"

With a shiver from Geum Yeong-ho's exclamation, all eyes of the Vermilion Bird Squad turned to Dang Sam. They meant for him, as someone from the same Tang family, to say something.

Dang Cheol-yeong remained silent, as if he had lost his tongue. He knew all too well why his companions were so surprised.

Dang Mun-cheon’s habit of using poison regardless of the location wasn't because his martial arts were too weak to require poison. It was simply because using poison was fun and stimulating. He was a fellow who cunningly violated the Tang family's taboos, making him very displeasing to Dang Cheol-yeong. This was true even though they were cousins. And he resented why such a fellow wasn't disciplined by the family.

In fact, as the legitimate grandson of the Sichuan Tang family, he knew the reason very well. It was because of his exceptional talent. So exceptional that it overshadowed his violent nature… However, it was uncertain whether Dang Mun-cheon's ruthless methods would work on the Grand Disciple. Dang Sam felt uneasy.

"He's not much of a guy."

This was Bi-ryu-yeon's assessment after hearing the lengthy explanation about Dang Mun-cheon.

"You're quite carefree."

Jang Hong said, shaking his head.

"It's my nature. Just let it be! Besides, there are so many friends who worry for me, why should I trouble myself with worry too? If I start worrying, it would be disrespectful to my friends who are worrying on my behalf."

"It makes sense, but it's still strange!"

Hyo-ryong chuckled and added.

"But while they can worry for you, they can't win for you!"

Jang Hong cautioned him once more. Seeing Bi-ryu-yeon's recklessness always made them feel like they were leaving a child by the water.

"That's called worrying about your fate, or sometimes called 'worry trading.' It's also known as seeking hardship. Jang Hong has a bad habit of worrying about things that obviously don't require worry, like an old man. Haven't you heard the old saying about 'unfounded worries'?"

Bi-ryu-yeon gently chided them, as if he didn't understand their concern. The three of them wondered where his boundless confidence came from. If only they could tear open his insides and see, perhaps their curiosity would be satisfied…

Since he had made such a bold claim, they had no choice but to trust Bi-ryu-yeon's ability to defy common sense.