Chapter 188

Dressed in a martial uniform, she looked more mature and beautiful than the last time I had seen her.

The closer she came, one step at a time, the more a faint fragrance reached me.

Honestly, I can see why Chulwoo fell for her.

Not just Chulwoo—half the men gathered at the Jin Family of Taiyuan might be sizing up their chances of confessing to her.

And a girl like that proposed to me.

She was still just a kid, and the proposal had been little different from an offer of a political marriage, but I couldn’t help feeling strangely about it.

At last, she reached me and greeted me.

“It’s nice to see you again. Have you been well?”

“Yes. What about you, Young Lady Lee?”

The words were barely out of my mouth before I realized my mistake. Her family had been killed, and her sect had nearly been annihilated. There was no way she could have been well.

“Uh…”

As I stood there flustered, Lee Seowol answered.

“I’ve been well. Thanks to Young Master Jin.”

With a light smile, she added,

“And I will continue to be.”

There was a steely resolve in her voice. It felt as though she had grown another step through the crisis that threatened to destroy her sect and the difficult decision to swear loyalty.

I answered her sincerely.

“I hope so.”

Lee Seowol gave a faint smile and nodded. That was when—

“H-Hey, Taekyung!”

“…What are you doing?”

I stared at Chulwoo with disbelief. He had thrown an arm around my shoulders with an expression and tone so awkward they were painful to witness.

“You’re in the way. Move your arm.”

“H-Hahahaha! What’s gotten into you? We’re childhood friends. What’s wrong with this much?”

“Weren’t we sworn enemies?”

“M-My friend, your jokes have improved tremendously! Hwa-ha, hahahaha!”

“Does that sound like a joke to you?”

“Ha! By the way, who is this beautiful lady?”

“…So that was your purpose.”

The fabric of space-time cringed. After putting on a spectacularly bad performance, Chulwoo bowed ninety degrees toward Lee Seowol.

“Hello! It is an honor to meet you!”

“Ah… yes. It’s an honor for me as well.”

“If I may introduce myself, I am this man’s friend of ten years—”

To help the flustered Lee Seowol, I added,

“I met him for the first time today.”

“Although we only met today, we have built a friendship deep enough to call ourselves friends of ten years—”

“We’re not close at all.”

“S-Since this is fate, perhaps you would sit beside me—”

“He’s making a pass at you because he thinks you’re pretty. Don’t fall for it.”

Chulwoo ground his teeth, while Lee Seowol opened her eyes wide.

“Oh, really?”

“Yes. Can’t you tell just by looking at him?”

There was such a thing as being too oblivious. If she couldn’t even notice something this obvious, it was a problem.

As I sighed, Lee Seowol stepped closer.

“No. I meant something else.”

“Pardon?”

“Do you think I’m pretty, too, Young Master Jin?”

“Wait. Hold on.”

Her voice was alluring, and her eyes sparkled.

What’s with her? Why is she acting like this?

As I stood there with Lee Seowol, Chulwoo’s gaze sank into gloomy despair.

“Waaaaah!”

“Drink! Drink!”

The atmosphere at the Grand Training Ground was incredible, to put it mildly. The dance troupe—or rather, the dancers—brought in from Honghwaru captivated everyone’s attention with their dazzling movements, while the crowd ate, drank, and enjoyed themselves.

Even the honored guests, who had looked uncomfortable at first, soon began to relax.

Those bastards should be down on their knees with their heads to the floor, and even that wouldn’t be enough.

Many of the honored guests owed the Jin Family of Taiyuan a debt, yet they had remained neutral during the recent war.

Neutral was a generous way to put it. They had simply withdrawn because they were afraid of retaliation from the Mount Heng Sword Sect.

They must feel safe now that the Jin Family has accepted the Mount Heng Sword Sect.

In front of those very people, Jin Wikyung had embraced the Mount Heng Sword Sect, the Jin Family’s greatest enemy, and seated Lee Seowol in a place of honor.

It meant that the Jin Family would no longer hold them accountable for what had happened.

Naturally, a warm current flowed through the honored guests. Their swift oaths of loyalty were followed by a barrage of gifts.

“Lesser Family Head, the Sangdo Sect and I wish to place ourselves under the Jin Family of Taiyuan.”

“Oh, how kind of you.”

“This is a small gift I prepared as a token of my sincerity.”

“Thank you, Sect Leader Hwang.”

“Great Hero Jin, I am the one leading the merchant guild…”

“It is a humble offering, but please accept it…”

It didn’t take long for luxury goods, gold, and silver treasures to pile up like a mountain. I doubted Jin Wikyung would ever have to worry about the family budget again after today.

Once things had settled down to a certain extent, Jin Wikyung approached me.

“How was it?”

I gave him a thumbs-up.

“It was impressive. But is it really all right for you to come over already? There still seem to be people who haven’t even had a chance to speak with you.”

“That is why they will be growing anxious.”

“What?”

“How do you think those who were unable to speak with me today feel?”

“I don’t know. Maybe they feel like they’ve fallen far behind everyone else?”

“Correct.”

Jin Wikyung took a sip of his drink and gave me a wink.

“The more desperate they become, the more they will offer. It is only the first day. I am looking forward to the final day even more.”

“Damn.”

He was going to bleed them dry.

The Sect Leaders of the Five Gates of Shanxi, who were staring this way as if someone had lit a fire under their asses, would surely be the highlight of the final day.

“But, youngest.”

Jin Wikyung lowered his voice.

“Why is the Defeated Flower Fist acting like that?”

Chulwoo had moved to the far end of the honored seats without me noticing. He kept glancing this way with a gloomy expression.

He glared at me with blazing eyes, then let out a deep sigh every time Lee Seowol and I exchanged a few words.

“Uh, well…”

How was I supposed to explain this? Lee Seowol was sitting not far away, so I had to be careful.

If I’d known this would happen, I would’ve practiced Sound Transmission beforehand.

Reaching the Peak realm had made Sound Transmission available for me to learn through practice; it hadn’t granted me the skill on the spot.

“He doesn’t look well. Is he hurt somewhere?”

He was probably hurting, all right. In his heart.

“I guess he’s just in a bad mood.”

I mumbled out a vague answer, and then the music filling the Grand Training Ground abruptly stopped. The people began to murmur.

Who’s that now?

A young man walked confidently through the flustered dancers. After looking around, he gave a respectful fist-and-palm salute toward the honored seats.

More precisely, toward Jin Wikyung.

“My name is Choo Dohwan of the Iron Blood Sect of Henan.”

Jin Wikyung’s eyes widened.

“Could you be Choo Dohwan, the Iron Fist?”

“It is merely an undeserved reputation.”

“I have heard many rumors about you. But what brings a Disciple of the Iron Blood Sect here without prior notice?”

Even I had heard of the Iron Blood Sect of Henan a couple of times. It was a well-known sect.

Judging by his sect alone, he must be one of the top three among the honored guests.

Under the concentrated attention, Choo Dohwan revealed why he had stepped forward.

“I have come to request a duel.”

“A duel? Right now?”

“Yes. I apologize, but I must ask this of you.”

Of course he ought to apologize. What kind of place did he think this was?

Surprisingly, however, very few people frowned. They had already had a few drinks, and most seemed to regard this as an exciting surprise event.

“Hmm.”

“If you do not accept, I will sincerely apologize and withdraw.”

At least he understood etiquette. Baek Museong, who had been observing the situation, added a word.

“I have heard the name Choo Dohwan, the Iron Fist. As befits a Disciple of the Iron Blood Sect, he is skilled in fist-and-foot techniques and has an upright character.”

“You could choose Young Hero Baek as your opponent.”

Baek Museong smiled faintly.

“My junior brothers and I would be happy to accept.”

“Are you sure?”

“Of course. On such a fine day, I am simply grateful for the opportunity to help enliven the festivities as a guest.”

His answer carried the ease and courtesy of a powerful man. Jin Wikyung rose from his seat and spoke.

“I accept Young Hero Choo’s request.”

“Thank you.”

But Jin Wikyung didn’t stop there.

“Furthermore, anyone who wishes to participate in the duels may step forward! The final victor will receive one hundred silver nyang and a fine weapon worthy of the prize!”

“Waaaaah!”

Cheers erupted at his generous gesture, rowing while the tide was coming in. After all, there was nothing more entertaining in the world than watching a fight.

The eyes of the young martial artists, still brimming with youthful vigor, lit up at the thought of testing themselves.

“Then, Young Hero Choo!”

Jin Wikyung drew everyone’s attention with his booming voice before asking Choo Dohwan,

“Name your first opponent.”

“The opponent I wish to face is…”

A Disciple of the Iron Blood Sect, famous for his fist-and-foot techniques. His nickname was the Iron Fist, for heaven’s sake.

It was obvious.

Just as I expected, Choo Dohwan named a particular person.

“Young Hero Chulwoo, the Defeated Flower Fist!”

“…Me?”

Chulwoo, who had been sitting there blankly, rose to his feet. His eyes, steeped in gloom, turned toward Choo Dohwan.

“That sounds good.”

“Let us determine which of us is stronger!”

I looked at the Level window floating above Choo Dohwan’s head and thought,

He’s going to get beaten to death.

System

• Level 65 Choo Dohwan

And my prediction soon became reality.

Wham! Wham! Wham!

There were no forms or techniques at all. The difference between the Peak realm and First Rate was the difference between heaven and earth, and Choo Dohwan had nothing that could bridge it.

Thud!

“Guh! H-How can it be this easy?”

“Are you really the Iron Fist? Why are you so soft?”

Chulwoo, on the other hand, rampaged like a monster. He was ahead in martial arts, and he had been born with strength, size, and toughness. In only fifty exchanges, he had knocked his opponent senseless.

In fact, it looked as though he had been holding back quite a bit.

“You know how to throw a punch, but it won’t work on me anyway. Give up here.”

Choo Dohwan gritted his teeth.

“No! It isn’t over until it’s over!”

“What a stubborn bastard.”

Whoosh! Crack! Thump!

Well, now it really was over.

When Choo Dohwan passed out, martial artists from the Jin Family of Taiyuan, who had been waiting nearby, carried him away on a stretcher.

“Whaaaat?”

“As expected of the Defeated Flower Fist!”

“The Iron Fist Choo Dohwan is a fairly well-known master, but he’s no match for one of Huashan’s Three Plum Blossom Elites.”

According to the simple rules they had established, the winner had to continue accepting challenges. Once there were no challengers left, the winner could name an opponent.

Lee Seowol, who had somehow taken the seat beside me, whispered,

“Do you think someone else will challenge him?”

I snorted quietly.

“The Iron Fist ended up like that. Do you really think anyone will come forward? I’ll bet my wrist that nobody will.”

Just then, a man wearing a heroic headband suddenly stepped forward and shouted,

“I am Hwang Jinsu of Hwang Family Manor! I challenge the Defeated Flower Fist!”

“…”

“…”

Damn it. I should’ve just kept my mouth shut.

While I was regretting it, Hwang Jinsu of Hwang Family Manor fell to the ground, spraying teeth everywhere.

It was the obvious result when a Level 25 stepped forward.

“What about now?”

“Didn’t you just see what happened? He got it even worse than the Iron Fist. Bones can be set, but teeth are finished. Completely finished.”

“And your wrist…”

“Fine, I’ll bet it. I bet both of them. It was my left wrist before, and this time it’s my right. Look. Now nobody will come forward. For real.”

A wandering martial artist wearing a bamboo hat stepped forward.

“I am Gal Mo. I may be a nameless wandering martial artist, but would you care to exchange a few moves?”

“Do you even need to ask? Come on up.”

Did that bastard put honey on his fists or something? The challengers just keep coming.

After knocking down fifteen-odd people in about the time it took to eat a meal, Chulwoo let out a roar.

“Is there no one who can stand against me?”

Despite having fought so many duels in such a short time, he was still full of energy. The gap in ability was so enormous that the other martial artists now looked thoroughly daunted.

Thinking this was my chance, I spoke up.

“Now nobody’s coming out. Really, nobody. I’ll bet my wrist.”

Lee Seowol answered helpfully,

“You already bet that earlier. Both of them.”

“Then my left ankle.”

“You bet that in the fifth match.”

“Oh, then what about my right ankle?”

“You already bet that in the sixth match.”

“My neck…”

“The eighth match…”

Damn it. So this was what a corpse with its eyes open looked like.

As I sat there in a daze, Lee Seowol let out a small laugh.

“It’s all right. I won’t take it.”

“…Were you planning to?”

“If you do me one favor.”

“What favor?”

Just as Lee Seowol was about to open her mouth—

“Shan! Xi! Sleeping! Dragon!”

An enormous shout shook the Grand Training Ground. Having defeated every challenger, Chulwoo crooked a finger at me.

“Jin Taekyung, come out.”

At the same time, a System alert rang out.

Ding.

System

• Level 95 Chulwoo has chosen you as his duel opponent!
• Quest: There Is a Man Who Loved You So Much has been created.
• Would you like to accept the Quest?
• Refusing will incur a massive penalty!

“…”

I could say this with absolute certainty: that was the most fucked-up quest title I had ever received.