“The, the victor is Patrol Officer Dan Mok-kyeong!”
The audience was thrown into confusion at the shocking declaration from the referee.
‘Namgung Hwi lost?’
‘The Green Dragon Sword, Namgung Hwi?’
Both the winner and the loser were bewildered during the match.
Mok-kyeong barely managed to recompose herself and put her sword away.
‘If I had been slightly less lucky…’
She knew that if she hadn’t gained enlightenment during the fight, she would have lost embarrassingly. Therefore, Mok-kyeong considered herself fortunate.
For enlightenment comes unexpectedly.
‘Did I… lose?’
At a young age, he had reached the peak of martial arts and believed he would never face defeat. That’s why Namgung Hwi struggled to accept that his sword had flown from his hand and that he had lost.
But what could he do?
His sword had flown three zhang away and was rolling on the ground.
Namgung Hwi staggered to retrieve his sword, replaced it in its scabbard, and, striving to maintain a bright expression despite his difficulty, gave a martial salute.
“G-goood match! Ha ha ha!”
Anyone could tell his laughter was forced.
‘I don’t feel like I’ve won.’
When she realized Namgung Hwi was staring at her without his sword, Mok-kyeong sighed with a mixture of perplexity rather than feeling elation at her victory.
Looking somewhat uncomfortable, she returned the salute and spoke.
“Good match, Junior Namgung Hwi.”
—————————
Who’d have thought the protagonist would be this impressive?
Rising by exchanging just a few moves with a peak master and becoming one himself.
I couldn’t help but marvel at Mok-kyeong’s incredible growth rate. To anyone watching it might seem like peak masters were as common as dogs and cows, but her awakening was nothing short of shocking.
…If we sparred, would she ascend again and beat me?
Thinking that made her seem kind of… astonishing.
If I just leave her be, perhaps she’ll naturally take down the Demon Horse for us.
While I thought this, knowing the original story, I wasn’t particularly eager to reenact the protagonist’s struggle.
For all his following of me, it felt wrong to intentionally place him in difficult situations. If the leader knew what I was thinking, no doubt he’d have hit me with a gloved fist.
Is this how knights are supposed to think?
“Eun-gong. I’m back.”
“Good job. And congratulations on reaching the zenith.”
“…Thank you.”
Despite her dramatic rise and defeating someone previously above her, Mok-kyeong’s expression wasn’t particularly bright. Immersed in a state of flow, she was likely questioning whether she had truly won.
Even in the original story, she’d faced similar doubts.
“I don’t quite feel like I’ve won.”
“You won, so don’t feel uneasy. Ultimately, your sword struck his.”
I patted Mok-kyeong’s shoulder to console her. She seemed to gather some strength from my words, brightening slightly before bowing her head to me.
“…Thank you, Eun-gong.”
“There’s no need to thank me; I didn’t do anything special.”
“You’re the only one who’s ever talked to me like this.”
“What, so you’re usually antisocial?”
It won’t always be like this. Over time, people who stick to you will naturally appear.
Not even in youth had she reached the zenith.
Who wouldn’t flock to someone with such an insane reputation?
Regardless of anything else, becoming a peak master at a young age is incredibly rare. Even in places like the Five Great Houses, where they nurture their heirs and provide them with elixirs, it only happens once in a hundred years.
That’s why Namgung Hwi was hailed along with his nickname, “Green Dragon Sword,” as the brightest hope of the righteous sects.
But… this girl, without any backing, reached the peak before youth. The Martial Alliance and other sects will undoubtedly take notice.
Considering how messy it got in the original story… Hmm. I’d like to keep her here, but do I have the ability?
Her goal is revenge on those who destroyed the Yunnam Dan family, and for that, allying with a powerful faction would be beneficial.
As for me, merely a retainer of the Hainan Sword Sect, even if I took her in, I could offer little assistance. It’s uncertain whether Hainan Sword Sect itself would accept her.
Even though I have goodwill with the Hainan Sword Sect, whether they could handle another person is unknown since they’re not in the most comfortable position either. While they wouldn’t dismiss her outright due to their honor, significant aid seemed unlikely. Unlike other renowned sects deeply rooted in the Central Plains, Hainan Sword Sect is stationed near the outskirts, far from the center.
“This isn’t easy…”
“Hmm?”
“No, just some complicated thoughts.”
“Because of me?”
“No, just a growing pile of tasks.”
It wasn’t entirely a lie since I indeed had a lot to do.
And…
“Since you’ve won, we’ll be foes now.”
“Eh?”
“The final match will be between you and me.”
“I see.”
Mok-kyeong nodded with a complex expression. Although curious about her thoughts, I didn’t pry out of fear of stirring up unnecessary worries.
“Let’s do our best.”
“…I will win.”
“Right, you must win.”
I wouldn’t hesitate out of familiarity, or I’d be disappointed.
“Let’s go eat something then.”
“Huh?”
“We need food to survive. Living on tasteless stuff is no way to thrive.”
Everyone knows the food at the Patrol Corps isn’t the best, but at my suggestion, Mok-kyeong froze for a brief moment, then gave a faint smile and nodded.
“…Alright.”
——————————-
The final day of the contest arrived.
I stretched under the cloudless sky.
Once I reach the arena, the last match will commence.
Technically, with a higher cultivation and more combat experience, I have an advantage.
But the opponent is the protagonist.
Someone who can grow madly due to fluke opportunities.
Even if I lose, I have other ways to gather elixirs, so it’s not a big loss, but as a martial artist, I don’t plan to lose easily.
I must fight with the intention to win.
What martial artist enters a battle prepared to lose?
“Mister! Time’s up!”
“Got it! I’m coming!”
I sheathed my sword and opened the door. On the other side, Hye-ryeong, dressed more neatly than usual, looked at me.
Normally covered less but more dazzling attire.
“Hehe, it’s something I bought recently! Do you think it suits me?”
“It does.”
Though puzzled at where she got that outfit, she explained with a smile.
Personally, I prefer the uniform of the Hainan Sword Sect, but saying that would ruin the mood.
I started whistling while walking alongside Hye-ryeong towards the arena.
She chattered endlessly, showing her excitement. She spoke about the larger marketplace in Wuhuan compared to Red Cliff, her wandering in Wuhuan while I trained, and animatedly gestured.
…Apart from certain details.
“Mister, you must win!”
“Of course. Don’t worry. You know there’s a sizable skill gap between me and Mok-kyeong.”
“Still, overconfidence is dangerous!”
“I know.”
I said this despite fearing what Mok-kyeong might unleash mid-bout.
However, I’ve faced such situations before, so as long as I stay calm, I should still hold the upper hand.
Ranks might be catchable,
But experience is not.
“Hye-ryeong, I’ll go now.”
“I’ll do my best to cheer for you! You must win!”
“Don’t worry, watch closely. I’ll return with victory and elixirs.”
I parted ways with Hye-ryeong and headed towards the arena.
Walking past the waiting room, I saw countless gazes and Mok-kyeong waiting on the stage. She glanced at me, gave a complicated look, bowed, and performed the martial salute.
Climbing onto the stage and exchanging salutes, the unfamiliar referee cleared his throat and announced.
“Fellow martial artists of the Martial Realm, you are welcomed to the final match hosted by the Martial Alliance! Today, these two warriors who have defeated many others will determine who deserves the championship!”
The man seemed wordier than usual.
Is it because it’s the final?
“Let’s introduce the two competitors for our audience! First, a master from Yunnam whose brilliant swordsmanship defeated the Green Dragon Sword and reached the final: Dan Mok-kyeong!”
“Dan Mok-kyeong! Dan Mok-kyeong!”
“Win this; I’ve bet three silver coins on you!”
“Mok-kyeong! You must win! The patrolling corps dinner fund relies on you!”
They still care for her at the patrol corps. After glancing at the uniformed warriors, I looked to the referee. It was my turn.
“And next: the swordsman from the Western Regions known in the world as the Blue-Eyed Lion, Junior William!”
“As they say, one can’t predict the path of others…”
“I never imagined a patrolman and a colored-eyed person would reach the final.”
The murmurs.
Fair enough, their final appearance was indeed unexpected.
I smirked at Mok-kyeong.
“Both fighters, step back five paces!”
We distanced ourselves without hesitation. After taking the steps, the referee called out from the edge of the arena.
“Now, begin the final match!”
