novelburst-info
Chapter 165
Chapter 165
Whisper’s red eyes met Baek So-cheon’s kind gaze for a moment.
“I’m sorry. I wanted to show a little more skill, but I went too far.”
“I see.”
As Whisper withdrew her hand and stepped back, Baek So-cheon nodded toward the announcer.
"An incredible result! The unexpected strength of rookie Whisper! Last tournament's top 10 finisher, Do Ha-yoon, falls helplessly!"
It was indeed an amazing performance.
However, there was an odd chill in the air around the arena.
“Was that last move definitely fatal?”
“If the chief supervisor hadn’t intervened, she might have lost an arm.”
“That guy… I don’t like the vibe.”
Dashman, who had been by the Saint’s side in the judging panel, also couldn’t hide his frustration.
“Don’t misunderstand. Ascended in Korea are nothing like that trash. Breaking the unspoken rules of the tournament and trying to intentionally injure someone…”
“Don’t worry. Wherever people live, there are always those with different temperaments.”
Eve reassured Dashman, assuring him that she wouldn’t misjudge all Koreans based on this one incident.
“Are you sure you’re okay, Sister Ha-eung-eung? Even with dangerous participants in a tournament named after you, do you think it’s fine not to expel them by the organizer's discretion?”
[It’s quite common. People with ulterior motives appear in tournaments all the time.]
Ha-eung-eung didn’t know about modern tournaments, but she remembered how the martial arts tournaments in the Murim world operated.
‘When a family of martial artists holds a competition to choose a marriage partner, elderly masters, over sixty, would often come wearing masks and unable to act their age.’
Her first meeting with Bing So-so, her precious connection, had also started at a martial arts tournament outside the Murim world, beyond the Central Murim.
It was a tournament held to find a remedy for her daughter’s illness, where she had won and received more than just the elixir.
- "The elixir has already been used to cure my daughter’s illness, but I’ll share the information on any beast’s inner sanctum if you manage to gather it."
- "Please, look after my daughter. If it’s not you, the old men won’t leave her alone."
Participants in the tournament were either perverted old men pursuing a maiden or those aiming to win the elixir, making it clear how much the participants were often corrupted. By contrast, it felt more out of place for the young martial artists of the Hae-nam faction, who gathered to truly learn martial arts.
‘It’s always the case. A powerful participant with ulterior motives will always show up, no matter the organizer’s intentions.’
To achieve the purpose of hosting the tournament despite such anomalies, that’s the skill of the organizer.
[I'm confident. No matter what tricks are played, I’m sure the purpose of this tournament won’t be tainted.]
Whisper recalled the moment when Baek So-cheon had grabbed her hand.
Landing lightly at the center of the battle, he swiftly intervened, leaving no room for her to retreat.
By forcibly narrowing her muscle and bodily range, he made her lose strength in her hand through a clever maneuver.
“Strength, technique, and speed. All outstanding.”
“So, based on your preferred measurements, how much would you say?”
“2200.”
“Is that really enough to lose to such a power?”
“To handle strong power with lesser strength is even more impressive. I want to face him once.”
Whisper’s hand trembled with anticipation for the future clash with Baek So-cheon.
“Endure.”
“How long must I endure?”
“Until the tournament matures, and the attention increases. Then you’ll make your move.”
“Can I kill him then?”
“I highly encourage it.”
“Good.”
Whisper’s red eyes quivered with a bloodthirsty desire, shaking violently.
“Chief Supervisor Baek So-cheon. He is not someone to be handled lightly.”
“I’m glad your confidence hasn’t been shattered.”
“What about you? Do you have confidence? Now that you’ve interfered with Mugeon Geomgaek’s event, she will eventually step in herself. Do you think you can defeat her?”
Mugeon Geomgaek may not have known Whisper’s power, but Whisper knew Mugeon Geomgaek’s strength.
She had watched her martial arts on the broadcast.
“If Mugeon Geomgaek’s skills are real, her max output would easily surpass 100,000.”
“But I’m superior in average power. Or was what I said last time just empty words?”
“That’s not the case.”
Then there’s no problem.
The leader disappeared into the crowd, and Whisper raised her collar.
Ssshh…
As her breath evaporated into the air, Whisper’s presence also disappeared.
At the end of the preliminary round, Ha-eung-eung’s attention was drawn to another Ascended.
[He’s a popular Ascended.]
“Could you really not recognize him?”
[Is it necessary?]
Kim Jae-cheol from the Andong Sword Clan.
Before the 1st Mugeon Geomgaek Cup Martial Arts Tournament, he was known as "Hanbok Man" and later became known by many other nicknames like "Virtuous Man," "Scholar Man," and even "Ancestor Man."
He was the man who had refused the worst way of confessing, by jumping off a cliff.
“He’s the one who refused to confess to Mugeon Geomgaek and fell in the last tournament. You really don’t recognize him?”
When she was in the midst of her fun climbing, the Ascended Ha-eung-eung was not focused on Kim Jae-cheol.
‘What was his name again...?’
He liked to use the character ‘Ho’ in his name.
Was it something like Dongjeong-ho?
“Wow! Hanbok Man!”
“Declare victory!”
“Recite a poem!”
A player who had been defeated by Kim Jae-cheol handed over his signed poetry, a 4-character traditional Chinese poem.
“Kim Jae-cheol’s poetry signature even when he lost, how cost-effective! Right?”
“Jealous as hell.”
“Damn it, a guy who looks like a geisha's brother is so popular. The poor souls who don’t understand the beauty of muscular strength.”
As the players continued to grumble, Kim Jae-cheol suddenly walked up confidently in front of the judging panel, greeting Ha-eung-eung with the formality of the "Fist Greeting."
“It’s an honor, Mugeon Geomgaek! I’m Kim Jae-cheol, the 5th generation descendant of Kim Woo-baek, the famed swordsman of Andong Sword Clan. It’s an honor to meet the most famous swordsman of this era!”
Kim Woo-baek, the famed swordsman.
Only when he mentioned that name did Ha-eung-eung’s memory finally click.
- “Participant number 222. Beom Ho Yang Gwi-ho. I’ll be using the Hwomok Shin-gong technique in this match. Will you accept this challenge?”
The previous tournament, at the cliffside.
The man who had boldly challenged her with new techniques.
Beom Ho Yang Gwi-ho.
That was the name she was trying to remember.
[Thanks to you, I remembered the name I was looking for.]
“Oh! You must have a special connection to Kim Woo-baek’s lineage! Could it be that you’re related to the ancestors of Mugeon Geomgaek’s family?”
[I'm not from the Mugeon family.]
If Mugeon Geomgaek is from the Mugeon family, then is Cheonma from the Cheon family?
Ha-eung-eung’s expression soured slightly, and Kim Jae-cheol was immediately flustered.
“What?! Mugeon Geomgaek isn’t from the Mugeon family?! To disrespect the one I’ve admired as a woman and respected as a swordsman… this is a disgrace!!!”
[It’s not that serious. As long as you don’t misunderstand again, it’s fine.]
“I can’t bear this shame! I will repay it with my life!!!”
[Excuse me?]
“Yaaaaah!! Aaaaah!!”
What is this, a suicide threat?
As Kim Jae-cheol suddenly grabbed a sword and attempted a suicide attempt, the cameramen quickly focused on him.
It was a scene that was almost a broadcast accident, but the real-time viewer chat was extremely lively.
- "Hahaha."
- "As expected, a scholar. If you mess up the name, you should commit suicide."
- "Why does he keep wanting to die?"
- "It’s a miracle he survived until 20..."
- "Now I know why these foolish scholars all disappeared. They kept their integrity until they turned 20."
- "The nickname 'Virtuous Man' is hilarious!"
“That’s enough. I understand the passion of youth, but that’s enough. Won’t the Sect Leader be worried?”
Baek So-cheon grabbed Kim Jae-cheol’s arm and stopped him. Only then did Kim Jae-cheol lower his sword, breathing heavily.
He had put so much force into his body that even his ascended breathing was rough, making his emotions clear.
‘Crazy guy. He’s really fallen hard for her.’
Baek So-cheon shook his head.
What did it matter to her, where his heart went?
Her gaze never touched him.
[Beom Ho Yang Gwi-ho. Did he participate in this tournament?]
Mugeon Geomgaek.
The first Ascended she showed interest in.
Coincidentally, his name was now called at the tournament.
“Red corner, Beom Ho Yang Gwi-ho, who was eliminated quietly after advancing to the finals in the last tournament! This match may prove difficult for him, considering that his opponent is a highly popular, top Ascended!”
“Yang Gwi-ho? Isn’t that the name Mugeon Geomgaek was looking for earlier?”
“Let’s go see.”
“Just how amazing is he that Mugeon Geomgaek remembers his name?”
“Let’s go!”
The crowd that had surrounded Kim Jae-cheol quickly dissipated, drawn by the new competitor.
He was struck by an immense shock.
‘Though my unique clothing and speech have been rejected, I’ve never fallen short in martial prowess and presence.’
As a man, and as someone who craved attention, a deep scar had been left.
‘Beom Ho Yang Gwi-ho. No matter how great a player you are, I will keep an eye on your skills.’
Kim Jae-cheol walked toward the audience, his eyes burning with intensity.
With the crowd’s attention, including Kim Jae-cheol’s furious stare, Beom Ho Yang Gwi-ho could feel a storm coming.
‘Why are they suddenly all gathered around my match? Who is this Hanbok-wearing guy and why is he staring at me so intensely?’
Though Beom Ho Yang Gwi-ho was unintentionally drawing attention, his ordeal was far from over.
As a staff member approached announcer Bang Ji-cheol with information, Ji-cheol was stunned and immediately grabbed the mic, intensifying his commentary.
“We have breaking news! We’ve received word that Mugeon Geomgaek is eyeing Beom Ho Yang Gwi-ho as a strong contender for the championship!”
“Me? Mugeon Geomgaek??”
“Compared to Kim Jae-cheol of Andong Sword Clan, Beom Ho Yang Gwi-ho is receiving far more attention! How impressive is his hidden strength?”
The opponent, sweating coldly, adjusted his sword.
“You... You’re a hell of a lot stronger than you look. I can’t let my guard down for a second.”
The previously obvious weakness in the opponent had vanished in an instant.
The difficulty of the match had skyrocketed, and Beom Ho Yang Gwi-ho’s world suddenly seemed to darken.
It was common for a player with attention from the organizer to face such a struggle.