"You really..."
"Stop it, brother."
Seop Mugwang once again blocked Namgung Mugang's path and glanced at Seolhwa. Although he was stopping him according to the Family Head's will, he too was just as surprised by Seolhwa's words. 'Countering a sword technique is impossible with ordinary eyes and comprehension.
Not to mention, one's swordsmanship must also be exceptional.' Was that all? To counter a sword technique, one must know it precisely.
Not just know it, but have achieved perfect mastery to even begin to find its weaknesses. 'And that little kid did it.' The little kid's realm was the Supreme Realm.
The problem was that not much time had passed since she came to Namgung. 'The Family Head might have taught the child martial arts in the training grotto. But it’s only been ten days.
Is it possible to master a sword technique and create a Counter-Sword Technique in just ten days?' Was that truly possible? And for a child of only thirteen?
'It seems there is something that only Brother Mucheon knows.' The little kid had many secrets. Some quite dangerous.
If Namgung Mucheon was willing to hide it for her, it was probably related to that. 'Thinking about it like that makes me really curious.' If he had his way, he wanted to ask right now just like Namgung Mugang, but he swallowed his curiosity.
"... There are many eyes on us, so please return to your seat. Like the little kid said, you should sober up if you want to properly watch the remaining sparring matches."
"I was going to go even if you didn't say so, you brat. Move this sword."
Namgung Mugang grumbled to the end as he returned to his seat. Though late, with the arrival of the Martial Studies Hall Master, everyone from the family was now in attendance at the Heavenly Martial Tournament. The Heavenly Martial Tournament resumed.
Just as Seolhwa had said, during the sparring matches of the Outer Hall warriors, four warriors used the Counter-Sword Technique to claim victory. Each time, Seolhwa had to feel Namgung Mugang's gaze fixed on her. No, was it only Namgung Mugang?
Everyone who realized it was the Counter-Sword Technique was focused on Seolhwa. Namgung Mucheon was no exception.
'Hmm.'
'I thought she would demonstrate it herself, since she showed such overwhelming power.' Why were the Outer Hall warriors demonstrating the Counter-Sword Technique instead of Seolhwa? 'Even shock becomes familiar when repeated.'
As if to prove those words, now that the fourth warrior had shown the Counter-Sword Technique, the onlookers' reactions were lukewarm compared to the first time they saw it. Was that all? As time passed, public opinion was turning negative.
"To create a sword technique that negates our existing ones as soon as she arrives in Namgung. Could it be that the Young Lady returned to Namgung with ulterior motives?"
"I heard she was not in a tavern but with a Unorthodox Path Sect. So, you never know."
"It's absurd that she devised the Counter-Sword Technique herself, but for her to claim credit for it with such confidence. What on earth is she thinking? Is it because she's still young?"
Namgung Mucheon's expression darkened as he overheard the elders whispering among themselves. Because the Counter-Sword Technique was shown beforehand, public opinion had soured. On top of the rumors of her being a courtesan, there was now talk that she intended to oppose Namgung.
'If Seolhwa were to demonstrate the Counter-Sword Technique in this situation.' Far from quelling the rumors, there was a high possibility they would be twisted in a worse direction. Namgung Mucheon looked at Seolhwa with a worried gaze.
Whether she knew this or not, Seolhwa's expression as she watched the sparring match was as calm as ever.
The sparring matches of the Outer Hall warriors had ended. Though all the matches were over, the atmosphere was strange. Everyone was buzzing with excitement, talking about the matches, but all their attention was on the Counter-Sword Technique and Seolhwa, who claimed to have created it.
However, no one mentioned it. Knowing that the Family Head, Namgung Mucheon, had quieted the Martial Studies Hall Master, Namgung Mugang, no one could easily bring it up.
"The sparring matches of the sword units will now begin! The format is open sparring, so anyone who wishes to display their skills, come up to the sparring stage!"
The sparring matches of the Inner Hall warriors began immediately. As the Black Dragon Unit Leader announced the start, a member of the Black Dragon 3rd Unit raised his hand as if he had been waiting. Following him, a member of the Yellow Dragon 3rd Unit came up to the sparring stage, and the two began their match.
Clang- Clang-Clang- Clang! Watching the fierce exchange, Seolhwa thought. 'It's normal for opponents of the same level to step forward.'
The sparring of the Inner Hall warriors was conducted in a free atmosphere, but an unspoken rule existed within it. 'If a member from the 3rd unit comes out, an opponent from another 3rd unit comes out.' The 5th unit for the 5th, the 8th for the 8th.
When someone jumped up to spar and shouted their affiliation, a rival of a similar level from another sword unit would step forward. It seemed to be an unwritten rule they had decided amongst themselves, as they couldn't show themselves being unilaterally pushed back in a place where even Outer Hall warriors were present.
'So it's a sparring match for show.' Although the Heavenly Martial Tournament was originally meant to display martial strength. Unlike the sparring of the Outer Hall, where they fought with their lives on the line, this was just a joyful and vibrant festival.
The sword units cheered for their members, and some elders and high-ranking officials used the excitement as a side dish for their drinks, sharing idle talk. There was no tension of a real match at all. 'It's about time.'
It was when the atmosphere of the Heavenly Martial Tournament was reaching its peak.
"I am Namgung Gaksu of the Red Dragon 8th Unit!"
A member of the Red Dragon Unit shouted his affiliation and name before walking onto the sparring stage.
'He's here.'
As if she had been waiting, Seolhwa sent a mental transmission. - Ilryong. Ilryong, who had been yawning while watching the match from one side, startled and looked at Seolhwa. As the eldest of the three Outer Hall brothers, he was keeping his place in a shaded spot with Imwoe and Sambong.
He looked like he had wanted to leave the sparring ground for a while, but he was forcing himself to stay because of his promise with Seolhwa. - The time has come. Ilryong's gaze trembled slightly. He hurriedly rose from his seat and shouted towards the sparring ground.
"Ilryong of the Red Dragon 16th Squad reports to the Family Head!"
His voice pierced through the noisy sparring ground and spread out. The sparring ground was instantly engulfed in silence, and all eyes turned towards Ilryong.
"What is it?"
In that silence, Namgung Mucheon asked. Just the fact that the Family Head had responded to his call made Ilryong's lips feel dry as he shouted.
"If the Family Head permits, I wish to participate in this sparring match!"
At the truly shocking statement, the sparring ground momentarily buzzed.
"Isn't that man an Outer Hall warrior? An Outer Hall warrior sparring with an Inner Hall warrior?"
"No, they're even from the same Red Dragon Squad. The Red Dragon 16th Squad is challenging the Red Dragon 8th Unit."
"Is he crazy? Is he dying to be humiliated in front of everyone?"
Ilryong, at the center of the commotion, was sweating profusely.
'Damn it.
What am I even doing?' In truth, all of this was orchestrated by Seolhwa. When she offered to pay him double what he got for investigating the sword unit leaders, he had readily agreed.
'If I had known it was this kind of job, I wouldn't have accepted without getting the money first.' When he heard what the job entailed and said he didn't want to do it, she told him to pay back ten times the amount.
When he protested that it was absurd, she looked ready to detonate the Gu Poison on the spot, so he couldn't refuse. 'I'm in a position where I need to live quietly, and now I'm doing this nonsense.
Damn it.'
If it weren't for that wretched Gu Poison. Ilryong, sweating buckets, inwardly prayed that the Family Head would refuse his request. If the Family Head just refused, it would be awkward, but that would be the end of it.
However, Namgung Mucheon's answer shattered Ilryong's hopes.
"I permit it."
It was a short phrase, but his voice reached the ears of everyone in the sparring ground.
"!"
Damn it. I'm doomed.
A silence as if cold water had been thrown over them descended. In that silence, Ilryong creakily made his way onto the sparring stage. The Red Dragon 8th Unit member who had been waiting for an opponent on the stage was glaring at Ilryong with a displeased expression.
'What is with that good-for-nothing?' The man walking onto the stage with a swagger hadn't even bothered to wear his martial arts uniforms properly, despite knowing this was an official Namgung event.
He was the one in a difficult position because of this outrageous request, yet not only did he show no sign of apology, but his face clearly showed that he felt he had been caught up in something troublesome. Even the way he annoyingly picked his ear was displeasing.
"Tsk."
Namgung Gaksu deliberately straightened his posture and adjusted his martial arts uniforms. He wanted to show that he was of a different caliber than that good-for-nothing. 'I was planning to just go through the motions and get down.'
A match that he could have just finished, win or lose, had now become a match he absolutely could not lose. Winning would be breaking even, but losing would mean bearing the disgrace of tarnishing the pride of an Inner Hall warrior. 'Because of that stupid Outer Hall warrior...'
Namgung Gaksu grit his teeth. The two warriors stood facing each other with reluctant expressions.