Chapter 33
"A martial arts tournament hosted by the Wulin Alliance Leader? Are you referring to the Wulin Alliance Tournament?"
"Of course, what other martial arts tournament would the Wulin Alliance Leader host?"
"Oh, the Wulin Alliance Tournament!"
Seolyeong, who had been polishing his sword, carefully placed it back in its scabbard, looking a bit more excited than before.
"If I remember correctly, it's held every two years... Is this the year?"
Judging by the sparkle in his eyes as he asked, he seemed very interested in the Wulin Alliance Tournament.
'He's been listless these past few days.'
Seolyeong seemed to still be bothered by the recent situation where he was helpless against the Eight Fiends.
It's a sense of shame that martial artists often experience, especially for Seolyeong, who is practically a newcomer to the martial world.
"A martial arts tournament? What's that?"
At Chang-ah's question, Seolyeong replied, still unable to hide his excitement.
"What do you mean, what is it? It's literally a tournament where martial artists compete. It's the biggest competition and gathering in the martial world, a hot topic where renowned young martial artists from across the continent, including the Nine Sects and Five Great Clans (the most powerful and influential factions in the martial world), gather in one place to gauge each other's skills!"
"A hot topic..."
Seolyeong turned to Yeo-il and added.
"I heard that the Four Dragons of Changpae were also decided at the Wulin Alliance Tournament four years ago? Namgung Jeokmyeong, Gwon Jaseong, Bang Woo, and Wi Seoryeon fought for three days and nights because they couldn't settle the score. In the end, Namgung Jeokmyeong was the victor, though."
If they fought for three days and nights, their skills must have been very similar.
"Wow~ Really? Then what about two years ago? Did the clan heir win then, too?"
"No. Back then, the atmosphere in the martial world was so grim due to the Salmak, so only the sect leaders, clan heads, and faction leaders gathered to discuss countermeasures. They couldn't afford to have so many people leave their territories."
At those words, a fragment of the past vaguely surfaced. Four years ago, when the martial world's attention was focused on the Wulin Alliance meeting, the mission given to Yeo-il was also... that mission was also the starting point for Yeo-il's betrayal of Salmak.
Jin Cheong-ak, who was tapping the empty plate with his fingertip, smiled, with pancake crumbs on his lips.
"You know a lot, Seolyeong."
"Yes? Ahem. It's just, well... it's not like I went around looking into it, it's just something I naturally picked up while living in the clan..."
Chang-ah asked Seolyeong again, who was awkwardly clearing his throat.
"Hey, then does that mean this Wulin Alliance Tournament is being held again after four years, not two?"
"That's right. A bunch of rookies and experienced young fighters who have honed their skills for a whopping four years are expected to pour out, so it'll be quite a sight. Oh, yes indeed."
Seolyeong, whose eyes clearly said, 'I want to go, I want to watch, I want to participate,' frowned with a puzzled expression.
"But why is Namgung Huimyeong clinging to Ak? Shouldn't he have a great teacher already?"
"That esteemed teacher is none other than our Clan Head."
".........Ah."
Namgung Huimyeong is the direct third son of the Namgung Clan and has even undergone the Hair Washing Ceremony (a coming-of-age ceremony). There was no way he would have someone other than the Clan Head as his teacher.
As Seolyeong nodded, belatedly realizing the fact, Jin Cheong-ak slowly got up with a bored expression.
"After the Clan Head fell ill, I heard that our so-called 'proud' clan heir took over the role of teacher. He's neglecting the Wulin Alliance Tournament, indulging in wine and women, so he must want to grab onto any straw, even a rotten rope. What pathetic desperation."
"………………Come on. Even if you're going to say it, why a rotten rope? A rotten rope. Who here doesn't know Ak's skills?"
"Well, compared to someone like me, there's no better way to put it."
He lifted Chang-ah off Yeo-il's lap, put her back on the chair, and then strode back to Yeo-il's room. He looked tired, as if he had been quite bothered by Namgung Huimyeong.
Jin Cheong-ak was jovial, rude, and handsome enough to make people mistake his rudeness for charm, but he was not a very sociable person. He was especially weary of people who clung to him, asking to be taught martial arts.
"Tsk tsk. Ak will be suffering for a while. Namgung Huimyeong is no ordinary tenacious guy."
He'd probably never know that Seolyeong was his first target.
It was sunset, so they returned to their rooms early.
Yeo-il decided to pretend to be sick in bed, as she would have to feign illness and cough up blood again when Namgung Chumyeong came to check on her.
Seolyeong, who was silently watching her, let out a short sigh.
"The heir, that man... he seems more ruthless than I thought. Even with the family in such a state, he's turning his back on the Wulin Alliance Tournament and continuing to be absent. Is he really someone we can trust?"
"Seolyeong-ah, you're really interested in the Wulin Alliance Tournament."
Seolyeong, pretending not to hear Yeo-il's words, pulled up a chair, sat down, and grumbled.
"I heard that the second son is planning to leave the clan soon to change his appearance? He's definitely going to make a move, taking advantage of this Wulin Alliance Tournament... Trouble will definitely come your way, young lady. We're bound to be stuck in this clan while the Wulin Alliance Tournament is going on, aren't we? With Namgung Chumyeong!"
The first to react to those words was not Yeo-il, but Jin Cheong-ak.
He was lying sprawled on the floor, and he let out a dumbfounded laugh as he crammed small snacks, which he had no idea where he'd gotten, into his mouth.
"'Change his appearance'? This family is more dysfunctional than a soap opera. It's like fodder fit for the Emperor's table."
"Why would the Emperor eat this family's dysfunctional mess? It's dirty and will give him indigestion..."
"Hmm. What should we do, young lady Namgung? Should we turn the Namgung Clan into a sea of blood when the Wulin Alliance Tournament opens? If he's going to that extent, to change his appearance, it means he's no ordinary person. They're already all in cahoots, haha."
"Please don't say such gruesome things, seriously."
Yeo-il, who was still pulling the bedding up to her chin despite the humid weather, affirmed after a while.
"Okay."
Seolyeong, who had been vehemently talking about the Namgung Clan being a mess, turned to her with uneasy eyes.
"What do you mean?"
"I said okay to everything."
"So, what do you mean? Turning the clan into a sea of blood?"
"There's no need to overthink this or drag it out. I think we've been considerate enough of the heir by now, so let's move as soon as we get word from Chwihyangwon."
"So, are you saying you're going to turn the clan into a sea of blood right now? Miss?"
While Namgung Jeokmyeong and Namgung Huimyeong are away from the clan to participate in the Wulin Alliance Tournament held by the Wulin Alliance, they will torture Namgung Chumyeong.
And learn the truth.
Having planned that, Yeo-il coughed up blood half an hour later, as soon as Namgung Chumyeong visited to ask about her well-being.
"Good heavens, Soyoa! Again today!"
But as was Yeo-il's life, no plan ever goes as intended.
