It was incredibly heavy. If he had made a wrong move, he could have shattered his wrist.
Jang In-Gyeol summoned his inner strength. Only then did he comprehend the sword's true weight.
"It's quite heavy."
It was more than that. The weight was so immense that he felt an immediate urge to set it down. The sword next to it didn't even seem worth lifting.
Yet, Jang In-Gyeol maintained a facade of bravery, as if to compensate for his earlier hesitation in tossing the hundred-nyang note.
Jang In-Gyeol attempted to draw the sword.
Huh? What's this?
The sword remained stubbornly in place. He summoned additional inner strength.
Huh, even with this?
"Ugh!"
A groan escaped his lips.
It felt as though the sword and the scabbard were fused into a single piece. Otherwise, there was no reason it wouldn't budge.
He channeled his inner strength to its utmost limit, yet the sword still refused to come out. Was it due to the cloth wrapped around it? No, the cloth was separately wrapped around the scabbard and the handle.
Why won't this come out? Ugh.
Jang In-Gyeol hurled the sword in frustration.
Clang–
The sword hit the ground with a resounding metallic clang.
"Damn! This is a practice sword!"
Jang In-Gyeol was convinced it was a training sword, meant for novices to swing hundreds of times daily to build strength.
Even as a piece of metal, it was extraordinarily heavy.
The man retrieved the sword and returned it to its original place.
"This isn't a practice sword…"
"You bastard! If I say it is, it is!"
"This is mine. I should know…"
"Ugh! Shut your mouth!"
Jang In-Gyeol raised his hand to slap him, but simultaneously, a wave of unease washed over him. Huh? 'How did that man manage to lift such a heavy object…?' he thought, just as Cha-Ryun grabbed his hand and lowered it.
Then she stood in front of the man.
"That's enough."
A voice echoed from behind.
"Wow–that's impressive!"
I know. So please stay quiet. I'm really pushing myself here.
Jang In-Gyeol rubbed his wrist, which had just been grasped, and sneered.
"You grabbed my wrist? Does that mean you're interested in me?"
Disgusting bastard.
A voice emerged from behind.
"Be careful not to spill the food."
Ah, what a dilemma.
Still, the guy behind is a hundred times better than you, Jang In-Gyeol.
Jang In-Gyeol demonstrated the same move.
"This is how you grab a wrist."
Jang In-Gyeol swiftly extended his hand towards Cha-Ryun.
Cha-Ryun harshly struck the back of his hand with the hilt of her sword.
Smack!
Jang In-Gyeol was half-joking, but Cha-Ryun was not.
Jang In-Gyeol's hand swelled up red.
Had it been any other woman, he would have cursed at her and silenced her.
But the woman in front of him was Cha-Ryun. There was something he desired more than her death. From the moment he laid eyes on her, he yearned for it desperately. He couldn't kill her before experiencing that moment someday.
"Not bad."
Jang In-Gyeol smiled slyly and took a step closer.
Cha-Ryun's expression hardened.
Should I really just cut him down?
No one knew that her Red Silk Swordsmanship had reached seven-star mastery.
Of course, Jang In-Gyeol likely dismissed the Red Silk Swordsmanship as nonsense. Nevertheless, she was confident she could cut down at least one Jang In-Gyeol. The problem was what would transpire afterward.
Cha-Ryun had two concerns.
If she accidentally killed him? Her family could face annihilation.
If she perished instead? Her parents would be devastated.
In this critical moment, the man behind spoke.
The target of his tongue was Hyuk Lee-Sang.
"You guys are not friends, huh? You seemed so happy to see Jang In-Gyeol earlier."
Hyuk Lee-Sang's face flushed red immediately.
He didn't approve of Jang In-Gyeol's actions either. But he didn't want to provoke Jang In-Gyeol, so he merely observed.
It felt like having a massive thorn lodged in his throat, and the man before him was choking him.
Hyuk Song-Hwa snapped back in place of her flustered brother.
"Mind your own business!"
"Why?"
"You must be unfamiliar with the intricacies of the martial world. Allow me to enlighten you. If you interfere in martial affairs without knowing anything, you'll find yourself in grave danger."
It was a subtle threat, but the man didn't even blink.
"Get into trouble? Why? For telling you that your friend is in danger? Then how do you live in this martial world without getting into trouble? By closing your eyes, covering your ears, and keeping your mouth shut? Is that the way to live well?"
Hyuk Song-Hwa bit her lip. The young Song-Hwa was at a loss for how to respond.
"Do you know who this person is?"
"No."
At that moment, Jang In-Gyeol twitched. He was on the verge of jumping out, but Hyuk Lee-Sang restrained him, cautioning that getting involved in such matters before the Young Dragon and Phoenix Tournament would only lead to gossip. Let's just observe for now.
This time, the man directed his question to Hyuk Song-Hwa.
"Then do you know who I am?"
"No!"
The man smiled.
"Do you know how people react when they face something they don't know?"
"How?"
"They either ignore it or fear it."
"So?"
"You're doing both. You ignore me because you don't know me. At the same time, you want me to fear that guy. Don't you think that's contradictory?"
Hyuk Song-Hwa was rendered speechless.
"The younger you are, the clearer your principles should be. You might think that you'll develop a great philosophy to live by as you grow older, but that's a fallacy. As you grow older… even dreams wither."
As the man delivered his words like a sermon, tears of frustration welled up in Hyuk Song-Hwa's eyes. She shouted.
"The person before you, Jang In-Gyeol, is the successor to the Clan Leader of the Palm Heart Clan!"
"Ah."
That was the man's only response. Hyuk Song-Hwa's face flushed with anger.
"Song-Hwa, enough."
Hyuk Lee-Sang, who had been observing, finally intervened. He first sought to soothe Jang In-Gyeol.
"Brother Jang, please sit down and have a drink first. That fellow doesn't seem to recognize you, so he must be a country bumpkin who came to watch the Young Dragon and Phoenix Tournament from afar. Let's just let it go. It's spoiling the mood."
Then he turned to the man.
"You have quite a sharp tongue."
"I eat well. Those who eat well also speak well."
Hyuk Lee-Sang suppressed his anger. He was known for his composure, but this man kept provoking him.
He needed to improve the atmosphere somehow.
He had orchestrated this meeting with great effort to strengthen his friendship with Jang In-Gyeol. Proposing a match with Cha-Ryun was also intended to please Jang In-Gyeol. Damn, what a mess.
The man glanced at Jang In-Gyeol and then turned his gaze back to Hyuk Lee-Sang.
"I think you're worse than him. At least he's unaware of his actions right now. The real bastards in this martial world are the ones who have knowledge on the situation but still choose to act ignorantly."
Both Jang In-Gyeol, who was called an ignorant fool, and Hyuk Lee-Sang, who was called a knowledgeable bastard, turned red.
Jang In-Hwa looked at both of them with disdain. At the same time, she looked at the man with curiosity. Her deep eyes seemed to say, 'Interesting.'
Jang In-Gyeol ground his teeth. He had always quarreled with his sister, who had grown up spoiled. Displaying such a humiliating side to her was infuriating. What exacerbated his anger was the affectionate look his sister directed at the man.
A heavy silence enveloped the room.
Wow! I must be truly captivating—seeing Jang In-Gyeol holding back because of me.
At that moment, Hyuk Song-Hwa erupted in fury.
"Sister, you're going to the Young Dragon and Phoenix Tournament with Brother Jang! Why are you siding with that guy?"
Right.
But what? Who's going where with whom? Has that already become a rumor?
"It's not confirmed yet."
She despised giving such a passive response.
But she had to endure. She remembered her sister's sighing face. Yes, let's endure for now. It's better to maintain the peace.
Jang In-Gyeol asked bluntly.
"Do you hate the idea of going with me?"
More than death itself.
"I just loathe the Young Dragon and Phoenix Tournament itself."
"Why?"
"Being a spectacle for others…"
Jang In-Gyeol cut her off.
"It's all about perspective. You will gain experience and bring honor to your family."
This guy embodies all the worst traits.
She struggled to suppress her anger. She tried to be nice for the sake of her family.
But some people are inherently incompatible. Jang In-Gyeol seemed to be proving that with all his might.
"Anyway, consider it settled that you're going with me."
Jang In-Gyeol spoke as if it was an honor to go with him. He kept glancing at her chest.
Cha-Ryun's patience reached its breaking point.
"Sorry, but I have someone else to go with."
Ah, this isn't right.
But she couldn't retract her words. No, she didn't want to.
Jang In-Gyeol smirked.
As if he knew she was lying. That expression made it difficult for Cha-Ryun to hold back.
She spoke slowly and clearly.
"I definitely don't want to go with you."
Her direct rejection left Jang In-Gyeol somewhat flustered.
"Why?"
"Because using your family's power to force me into this match is vile and despicable."
Jang In-Gyeol scoffed while Jang In-Hwa looked amused, glancing between Cha-Ryun and Jang In-Gyeol. She was probably cursing Cha-Ryun inwardly, but she seemed to find the situation entertaining.
"Who is this person you're going with?"
Jang In-Gyeol demanded.
"Why should I tell you?"
"Tell me."
Jang In-Gyeol demanded.
"What if I don't?"
As their cold stares clashed in the air, the man who had been watching broke the silence.
"She's going with me."
What?
Everyone's eyes focused on the man.
"She's going with me."
Hey! Why are you doing this?
Bang!
Jang In-Gyeol slammed the table. The table shattered, and the dishes clattered to the floor. The man sighed in regret.
"So, you two know each other."
He now seemed to grasp the entire situation.
Jang In-Gyeol's subconscious wanted it to be that way. If it were true, he could twist this situation into a conspiracy, and blame all his previous foolishness on Cha-Ryun and this unknown man.
Cha-Ryun, who was about to deny it, closed her mouth.
There was no point in explaining now. She didn't want to deny it decisively.
"Yes, I'm going with him. He's a hundred times better than you."
She didn't need to say that. Ah, the atmosphere is really tense.
Jang In-Gyeol glared at her with burning eyes.
"Then I'll see you at the Young Dragon and Phoenix Tournament."
Leaving a clear hint of future retaliation, Jang In-Gyeol stormed out.
Jang In-Gyeol was deeply humiliated. Whether what Cha-Ryun said was true or not, going out with that insolent bastard over him was truly insulting.
Jang In-Hwa turned around slowly.
"You must not have heard the rumors. We siblings are notorious for our terrible temper."
She then smiled with a hint of mischief.
"You'll soon understand why those rumors exist."
Ah, this is driving me insane.
After casting the man a flirtatious smile, Jang In-Hwa exited the room.
Hyuk Lee-Sang glanced between the man and Cha-Ryun, speaking softly.
"You're still just a kid, aren't you?"
Cha-Ryun wanted to retort, telling him to go lick Jang In-Gyeol's toes, but she restrained herself. The situation had already escalated enough.
Hyuk Lee-Sang left the room with Hyuk Song-Hwa.
Finally, Cha-Ryun sighed and sat down.
Phew, it feels like a storm just passed.
"Are you okay?"
The man asked with concern.
"Why did you do that?"
"You looked troubled."
He grinned. Cha-Ryun shook her head in disbelief.
The real problem started now.
Whether or not the man participated with her in the Young Dragon and Phoenix Tournament, Jang In-Gyeol would surely retaliate. He might even kill him without anyone knowing. If the rumors about Jang In-Gyeol were true, he was capable of that.
Could she protect him?
No, worrying about the man was a luxury at this point. The pressure from the Clan Leader of the Palm Heart Clan was already immense. Now, her family could face even greater danger. She should have held back. Even if she refused, she should have done it more tactfully.
Hyuk Lee-Sang was right. She was still acting like a kid at eighteen, but it was too late for regrets.
"Since it's come to this, let's go together. We'll just have to adjust my plan."
Cha-Ryun asked in a resigned tone.
"Was your original plan to participate in the main tournament?"
"Yes. So, we'll have to adjust it."
"…?"
Cha-Ryun was puzzled.
"Do you mean the Heavenly Dragon Tournament?"
"Of course."
Cha-Ryun was speechless.
The Heavenly Dragon Tournament was a gathering of the best martial artists in the Central Plains. There was no way they could compete with their skills.
"Well, it can't be helped. Since the tournaments don't overlap, we'll just warm up with the kids."
You look like a kid too! Wait, does that mean when you said winning was no problem, you meant the Heavenly Dragon Tournament? What are you?
Observing his audacious confrontation with Jang In-Gyeol and Hyuk Lee-Sang, she initially believed he possessed some hidden skills. However, that hope was swiftly extinguished.
This guy was nothing more than a world-class braggart.
Cha-Ryun sarcastically remarked.
"Then why didn't you just beat them up with your great martial arts?"
"I told you."
"Told me what?"
"Oh, didn't I? I don't fight women, and there's one more thing."
The man's demeanor turned serious.
"I don't fight kids either."
Excuses.
"The martial world is rotten, but at least the kids are not to blame."
Please, don't make that serious face. It looks way too real.
"If you ever see me fight, close your eyes. I'm really scary when I fight. You'll have nightmares."
Please, don't appear in my dreams!
Cha-Ryun sighed deeply. Oh, there's still something she needed to find out.
"I still don't know your name."
The man grinned and replied.
"Jeok Lee-Gun. Isn't the name killer?"
Ah, I'm really going to die.