Book 5 Chapter 19

The final match between Biryuyeon and Wijicheon

Finally, the day of the Samsung Grand Finals arrived.

On this special and important day, Biryuyeon had no connection with actions such as waking up before dawn, praying to the gods, purifying his body with cold pure water, and strengthening his resolve by changing into new clothes.

On the contrary, Wijicheon followed this process to the letter. This was a very meaningful battle for him.

Sometimes, unbelievable things happen in the world, surprising people. In the next moment, people would either marvel at the world's capriciousness and absurdity or curse it profusely. In that context, for the Cheongwan disciples, Biryuyeon's advancement to the Samsung Grand Finals was truly a trick of the gods.

Still, quite a few people came to watch this final, dubbed a trick of the gods. They came not to see Biryuyeon, but to see the Wind Dragon, Wijicheon. Even so, it was a meager turnout compared to the Sword Master's finals. The fervor of the Sword Master's finals had not yet subsided and still dominated the academy's atmosphere.

Today, Nayelin, as a spectator, had also come to watch and had taken her seat. She had come to see Biryuyeon's match. Why was she, once again, watching the match of such a man? Even after arriving and taking her seat, she couldn't easily find an answer. It wasn't because of the letter attached to the foot of the thunderous hawk that flew in yesterday. She was someone who could always ignore such things. Hadn't she already dealt with countless letters in her hands?

'It's probably just curiosity…' Even Nayelin, who had lightly dismissed it, was surprised by her own attitude. Did she still have any curiosity about others after that day? Absolutely not. She had lived a life detached from her surroundings and human relationships, to the point where others worried. Yet now, interest? It seemed impossible.

As she approached, the crowd parted to the left and right, making way for her. And then, everyone looked at Nayelin as she passed. With ecstatic eyes… as if they were happy just by looking at her…

There were times when she disliked their gazes, and times when she found them uncomfortable. More often, she found them burdensome. Especially when the members of the Bingbong Film Guardians were shamelessly clearing a path for her, as they were now.

She couldn't understand why she received such treatment solely because of her beauty. Was beauty the only measure of a woman? She couldn't understand the minds of men. In that regard, she was too pure and innocent.

Lee Jinseol, who followed her, looked happy to easily get a good seat, and her senior, Dokgoryeong, stood by her side like a bodyguard, with her usual cold expression. In Nayelin's deep eyes, she saw the two men ascending the martial arts stage.

'I can't lose! I can't lose! I will never lose! I will never lose to such a young punk with no background. I will definitely win and wash away the humiliation of that day.'

Wijicheon was shouting with all his might. He absolutely couldn't lose to such a young punk with no background, especially with Na Yelrin, his idol and everything, watching him from so close. He swore and swore that he had to win, even if it meant death.

'She is watching me right now. If I lose, how can I live in this world? I don't have that kind of courage. I will definitely win. I will show you the results of my hundred days of training here today! I will show you the essence of the Qingcheng Sect, one of the Nine Great Sects, a power that you can never imagine even in your dreams!'

This battle was a contest where his honor and pride, more precious than his life, were at stake. It was a match he had to win, regardless of the reason. With a hardened face and fierce eyes, Wijicheon drew his sword with a tragic resolve. A pure white sword that shone with a white light…

Biryuyeon, the final ornament of the Samsung Martial Arts, and Wijicheon, the Wind Dragon…

When the Wind Dragon Wijicheon's advancement to the finals was confirmed, the entire crowd nodded in agreement, taking it for granted. And when they learned that the other finalist was the widely rumored freshman, "Good Luck," Biryuyeon, people contorted their faces in bizarre expressions and drew question marks. Was that even possible? Were they joking?

For Wijicheon, Biryuyeon's advancement to the Samsung Martial Arts was a relief and something he had longed for. He had poured his soul into it and been humiliated in front of the woman he adored. If he couldn't make up for it now, how could he endure the shame that would torment him for a thousand years?

That's why, knowing that Biryuyeon was participating in the Samsung Martial Arts, he abandoned his specialty, swordsmanship, and participated in this event. Wijicheon seemed to want to argue that what happened that day was clearly a mistake due to a moment of carelessness, and it was natural for Wijicheon to feel that way (though it was still questionable whether the one who was careless had the energy to emit sword energy).

Biryuyeon looked at Wijicheon with a peculiar glint in his eyes. There were rumors that he hadn't been seen for a while, so Biryuyeon wondered if he had gone to some secluded place to train his divine powers. Indeed, the aura emanating from his body was different from back then. It felt like facing a well-honed sword. A pleased smile spread across Biryuyeon's lips. He had a worthy opponent after a long time. Should he put away his zither now?

Wijicheon smiled triumphantly as he watched Biryuyeon pondering. It was a smile filled with malice and resentment. When he first received the match schedule, he was inwardly disappointed and worried. What if his participation field was different from Biryuyeon's, or what if Biryuyeon lost before they could even meet? If they couldn't meet, the revenge match wouldn't be established. He was confident that he himself would continue to win and reach the finals. It was a natural worry for Wijicheon, who still had doubts about Biryuyeon's skills.

In that situation, as if to dispel his worries, Biryuyeon appeared on the final stage in perfect condition. Now was the time to show the results of his 폐관 수련 (secluded training) that had been accompanied by agonizing pain.

"The time has finally come to repay the humiliation of that day. Be prepared!"

Wijicheon shouted with a voice full of tragic beauty. How long had he waited to utter these words!

"What?"

However, Biryuyeon, hearing his venomous voice, indifferently asked back as if it were the wind in a horse's ear.

"Grind!"

It was the sound of teeth grinding so intensely that it could be heard by Biryuyeon, who was more than five *jang* away. Wijicheon's eyes shone bright blue. It was a ferocious gaze that ordinary people would find hard to meet for even a moment.

"I will return the humiliation I received that day tenfold today!"

"If you're confident, you should do it."

Even with Wijicheon emanating a palpable mixture of killing intent and fighting spirit, Biryuyeon remained unruffled. This composed attitude only served to provoke Wijicheon further. He felt something welling up in his chest.

"How arrogant!"

"It's just reality."

Wijicheon felt an impulse welling up in his chest to slap Biryuyeon's smug face and smash it.

"I will make sure you can never utter such words again. For her sake, you must disappear."

Overt killing intent surged from Wijicheon's entire body with imposing force. It was an immense killing intent that was rarely seen in such martial arts tournaments, making it difficult to consider it a martial arts competition. As if to echo his killing intent, his sword began to emit blue sword energy.

"That killing intent feels like facing a mortal enemy!"

Even the elder judges watching Wijicheon's intense killing intent couldn't help but worry. The difference in skill between the two seemed too vast in their eyes.

"Isn't it dangerous?"

The one who spoke with concern was Kang Hayun, the head of the Sword Spirit Hall and also a teacher. Kang Hayun was worried about Biryuyeon's safety right now. It was unthinkable to have casualties in the Cheonmu Samsung Martial Arts, held to commemorate the Cheonmu Samsung. Such a thing must be prevented at all costs.

"Shouldn't we stop it? Senior Brother!"

Hyeon Hakjin of the Mudang Sect, a member of the Cheonjaejo and the Elder Council, cautiously addressed Sword Venerable Gongson Ilchwi. As expected of a master, he had sensed the killing intent and fighting spirit that Wijicheon was relentlessly emitting. Regardless of whether he liked him or not, it was natural for the teacher in charge of Cheonjaejo to worry about the safety of his disciple, Biryuyeon.

Wijicheon, the Wind Dragon, had long been known as a prodigious talent among prodigious talents. He was a child he knew well. Whether that remarkable talent could withstand the troublesome Biryuyeon was uncertain. In fact, he had inwardly concluded that it was almost impossible.

"It hasn't even started yet. Stop it? That's absurd."

Said Elder Mun Ilgi, who was watching from the side.

"Why is that child emitting such killing intent against a mere first-year student?"

"Who knows?"

No one had a ready answer. Everyone put their heads together and began to deliberate.

"Look there!"

Mun Ilgi pointed to the martial arts stage.

"Oh! Excellent! Such achievement at that age!"

Blue sword energy, more than a *jang* long, was now soaring from Wijicheon's sword. It was a threatening sight for anyone to behold. All the observing warriors momentarily forgot their worries and displayed satisfied expressions. They even felt proud.

"That child seems to be going all out! Shouldn't we stop it now while there's still time?"

With Wijicheon even showcasing sword energy, the match was bound to become even more perilous. With sword energy, it would be nothing to send a young life to the heavens in a moment of carelessness.

They might have to stop it before any further danger arose.

"No! The martial arts match must continue! Let it proceed! Force it through!"

The one who loudly stopped the proposal to halt was Yeomdo. All eyes turned to Yeomdo. It was Yeomdo's first opinion presented in this tournament. After glancing at the elders who were looking at him with bewildered eyes, Yeomdo spoke again.

"You don't have to worry! We can't just stop it because we're scared, can we? Besides, if we stop the match like this, who will be the champion?"

"Well, of course…"

Kang Hayun, who was about to say 'Wijicheon!', tightly closed his mouth. They hadn't officially clashed yet. No matter how clearly Wijicheon's victory seemed to them, they couldn't rashly conclude it. Moreover, the other party didn't seem like they would easily accept it. Especially at such a young age…

"Can that child, Biryuyeon, properly withstand Wijicheon's sword energy?"

Right now, Kang Hayun was worried about the safety of Biryuyeon, who was also his boarding student.

Yeomdo let out a slight chuckle.

"Who are you talking about? That child, Biryuyeon? If it's him, you don't have to worry. He's the type to survive in any extreme situation! Let's continue the match without worrying."

Yeomdo had a sentence he left out at the end.

'If only I could make him die like that, how nice would it be.'

If so, he could have ended it with his own hands in the past… Why did he tie a chain around his own neck with that useless promise? Yeomdo would jolt awake even in his sleep just thinking about that day.

'Please lose! Lose!'

In his opinion, Biryuyeon was not the kind of person to fall so simply and miserably. He was also a guy who had broken his path with cowardly means. He couldn't imagine him losing. If Biryuyeon lost here, it would mean he was weaker than Wijicheon. It was an absurd notion.

Although he couldn't say it out loud in front of the sect leader and the elders, Yeomdo was actually more worried about Wijicheon, who was relentlessly emitting killing intent without regard for anything, rather than Biryuyeon.

'Well, he's not going to kill him, is he…?'

Yeomdo didn't have the leisure to pray for his soul for a moment.

"Then let's resume the match!"

Mun Ilgi said.

"Let's do it. Cheoni must not be without discernment!"

Kang Hayun seemed to be blinded, perhaps because they were from the same Qingcheng Sect. Yeomdo was somewhat skeptical of Kang Hayun's opinion, but he didn't bother to refute it out of laziness.

"Then, knowing that it has been decided, let's watch the match."

Finally, Hyeon Hakjin granted permission to start the match.

"Match start!"

The decision from the judging panel fell. And thus, the martial arts stage became the domain of only Wijicheon and Biryuyeon once again.

"Miss Na…!"

On the martial arts stage, Biryuyeon smiled broadly and waved as if welcomingly towards a section of the spectators.

He seemed indifferent to whether Wijicheon emitted sword energy or not. Because Biryuyeon suddenly called out to Nayelin, Wijicheon missed the opportunity to strike him down at the beginning.

In the direction where Biryuyeon waved, Nayelin, with an unusually awkward expression, sat with Dokgoryeong and Lee Jinseol.

"Wow! Unni! How did that person find out where you are! Unni, wave back too!"

With that, Jinseol waved first towards Biryuyeon. As if responding to this, Biryuyeon waved back even more enthusiastically.

"Jinseol! Don't be reckless!"

It was Dokgoryeong who warned Lee Jinseol. Nayelin's face showed a slight tremor at Lee Jinseol's unexpected action.

'This child doesn't even know shame…'

Although she rarely came to watch Biryuyeon's matches after the first one, she couldn't help but come today. Today, no matter what anyone said, was the day of the finals.

Honestly, she had never imagined that Biryuyeon would come this far. That day, she had spoken carelessly out of a strange feeling. She had thought it was absolutely impossible. She had only wanted to awaken his vigilance, as he seemed to be mocking their sect's sword techniques, with no other intention. She had expected him to apologize when she said that. But he had said he would do it. He told her to look forward to it…

'And he's come this far. Without a single scratch!'

She couldn't help but acknowledge it. What truly lay dormant within him?

'Can he win this time too?'

In Nayelin's eyes, Wijicheon also appeared like a different person than before. He was displaying a martial prowess that was unbelievable for someone who had been pestering them incessantly. He was clearly showing how much stronger he had become.

And regarding Biryuyeon, she still couldn't read him at all. That's why she might be flustered in front of that man. However, there was one thing she could know. It didn't require the power of her keen eyes.

'He is pure!'

That was the only thing she could know. Though she was reluctant to admit it…

"How impudent! How dare you act so familiar!"

Wijicheon shouted in anger. His face flushed and contorted in various ways. Seeing Biryuyeon waving at Lee Jinseol, as if they were in cahoots, Wijicheon couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy. He, who couldn't even speak properly when he stood before Nayelin, was being addressed so casually by this brat in front of him, calling out to his idol and goddess.

Moreover, with one of her closest friends waving back, it gave him the illusion that she was waving at him, fueling his jealousy even more. The killing intent seemed to have doubled compared to a moment ago. Biryuyeon, who had been enthusiastically waving, stopped and looked at Wijicheon, smiling faintly.

"Since you are not a low-class scoundrel, Senior, you should have the leisure to listen to one piece of my music."

Biryuyeon said with a beaming smile, implying that if he interfered with his performance, he would be no different from a low-class scoundrel. Wijicheon's insides churned. His internal organs felt like they were trying to swap places.

"Hmph! I'm not so idle as to listen to such cheap music!"

"Oh ho! You mean my zither music is scary. Oh dear, what a tragedy…!"

Biryuyeon said regretfully.

"Who said it's scary?"

Wijicheon roared.

"If not, then you should show me the courtesy of listening to at least one song. I was a bit disappointed because I haven't been able to perform properly even once. There are people watching, so shouldn't you show a little magnanimity?"

In fact, during this Samsung competition, his dark zither had not yet played its role as an instrument properly. Biryuyeon didn't wait for an answer, plopped down on the ground, and placed the dark zither on his lap.

'Well then, shall we begin in earnest?'

Biryuyeon's hands hovered over the strings. Then, moving as if flying across the strings, he began to play the dark zither. Wijicheon, who decided to first observe what this guy was up to, was startled by Biryuyeon's zither playing. There was no sign of sound manipulation yet. However, Wijicheon's shock was incomparable to being subjected to sound manipulation.

"Th-this song…?"

His hands trembled uncontrollably.

"No! This song! Could it be…?"

Wijicheon wasn't the only one surprised. Nayelin, who rarely showed surprise, also wore a surprised expression upon hearing this song from Biryuyeon. Seeing that, Lee Jinseol couldn't wait and spoke.

"Wow! Unni, you can be surprised too! Unni, isn't that person's playing skill excellent for someone you wouldn't expect? Isn't the melody beautiful?"

Of course, it was excellent. Being able to play the zither to this extent indicated that it was no ordinary skill. Even Hong Ran, sitting in the judging seats above, was astonished that Biryuyeon could produce such excellent and beautiful music! She even pinched her own cheek hard…

But that wasn't the reason she was surprised. This was the very song she had played that day at Unhyangjeong, the day her first kiss was stolen.

"Ughhhh!"

Wijicheon bit his lip until it bled. For a moment, he lost his composure. In the blink of an eye, internal energy had entered Biryuyeon's playing, unsettling his mind. Biryuyeon's melody instantly exploited the flaw that had formed in his heart.

Unbeknownst to him, his entire body was being affected by Biryuyeon's melody. His head spun, and his mind was in chaos. His heart pounded like mad. It was a miracle it didn't explode. The hand holding the sword trembled. Killing intent surged as if to pierce the heavens.

However, he couldn't move his feet. He couldn't swing his sword. His feet remained on the ground, and his shoulders were like stone, unmoving. Listening to Biryuyeon's zither music flowing through the air, the nightmare of that day vividly returned before his eyes. The humiliation of that day, the shame of that day!

The approaching man, the meeting lips, the woman who didn't resist. Infinite jealousy exploded in his heart as if he were going mad, rushing through his entire body. His eyes were bloodshot. His eyes began to glow red. Yet, his body remained unable to move, as if caught in a net.

"Excellent! You've been tarnishing the reputation of the Music Gate by yourself, yet you possess such skill…"

This was Hong Ran's assessment after seeing Biryuyeon's performance. She, too, was taken aback.

"That's right. It's a very excellent performance!"

Mun Ilgi chimed in with Hong Ran's admiration. He couldn't imagine that the person who had been tormenting Hong Ran all this time was Biryuyeon.

"No! What I mean by excellent is that his performance has completely penetrated the opponent's weakness and begun to affect their spirit! Look!"

The tip of Hong Ran's delicate fingers pointed at Wijicheon.

"Don't look at my fingers, look at that child, Wijicheon!"

As Mun Ilgi stared blankly at the tip of her finger, a blushing Hong Ran shouted.

"Ahem! A pretty finger! Ahem…"

Clearing his throat repeatedly, Mun Ilgi put aside his disappointment and shifted his gaze to Wijicheon.

"He's trembling all over like a quivering tree, and his eyes are bloodshot, yet he can't move his body! This is proof that the melody has completely taken control of his spirit! That's why he can't move even if he wants to."

"Oh? Indeed! Now that you mention it, that's true."

Mun Ilgi looked at Wijicheon with a sense of wonder. Indeed, his killing intent was surging, and his fighting spirit was immense, yet both energies were mixed up chaotically, and his entire body trembled like a quivering tree.

"But there's something strange!"

"What is it?"

Although he had achieved mastery in swordsmanship, he was ignorant about sound manipulation.

"He was defeated too easily. That child, Wijicheon, is one of the Nine Dragons and can even use sword energy, yet he was defeated by the melody too easily and too quickly. With his skill level, he should have been able to resist or something…"

"Then there's only one possible explanation. Biryuyeon inflicted a significant mental shock on Wijicheon and then perfectly exploited the mental gap that arose within him. That's why Wijicheon collapsed in an instant."

"Hmm… I thought that brat was just a two-bit punk, but it seems he had some hidden talent after all!"

After hearing the explanation, Mun Ilgi couldn't help but be impressed.

"I knew he had some talent in sound manipulation, but honestly, I didn't expect him to be at this level… Moreover, he's only been practicing sound manipulation for half a year."

"What? Hongmae! Is that true?"

This time, Mun Ilgi was truly surprised. Even though he was ignorant about sound manipulation, he knew very well that half a year was nowhere near enough to reach a proper level in sound manipulation.

"Hmph! Who are you calling my Hongmae?"

In the midst of the confusion, Hong Ran, who had caught the subtly dropped remark, shouted back.

"Oh? You noticed? You're sharp, Hongmae!"

Now Mun Ilgi was openly flirting. Hong Ran, who was already troubled by Biryuyeon, couldn't possibly see Mun Ilgi, who was adding another headache, in a good light.

"I told you I'm not Hongmae! An old man like you has no shame…"

Hong Ran, not wanting to waste any more mental energy arguing, quickly changed the subject.

"There are only two conclusions! He's a master hiding his skills… or, though the probability is low, he's a genius. Both are nonsensical, sigh."

As Biryuyeon's behavior in class flashed through her mind, a sigh escaped her lips.

"The fact that he's a master is almost impossible, so then… It's hard to admit, but is he a genius?"

Mun Ilgi's expression instantly furrowed.

"It's hard to admit, but…"

"I agree!"

It was the first time in a long time that the two of them agreed. They were forced by reality to acknowledge the skill before them, but they absolutely refused to accept any other assumptions. While the two argued, using their opinions as an excuse, Biryuyeon's performance continued.