Heaven-Defying Hero - Chapter 92

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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#092

Day 2 of the Martial Arts Competition.

It was a day when duels continued from morning to evening, except for a half-hour rest at noon.

However, unless something special happened, it typically ended around the hour of the Monkey (3 PM).

The day when the final 10 would be decided.

The central training ground of the Namgung Clan was packed with people from early morning.

“They restored the entire training ground overnight.”

“The Namgung Clan is impressive too.”

“They even prepared refreshments and tea. Anyone can have some.”

“They’re not the top clan in the martial world for nothing.”

The only time the Namgung Clan opened to everyone was during the Martial Arts Tournament of the Rivers and Lakes. It meant anyone could enter for the first time in 20 years.

Rather than pursuing petty profits, the Namgung Clan focused solely on the success of the tournament.

They knew this would become the Namgung Clan’s reputation.

Thanks to this, both spectators and participants could focus solely on the duels.

From half an hour before the start, the area around the training ground was already packed, and everyone poured out their expectations and predictions for today’s matches.

Boom! Boom!

The drum sound that announced the end of the long wait rang out.

The judges and distinguished guests invited by each sect took their seats in the previously empty spots.

When Ho Bang-gae, the leader of the Gae-bang, who entered last, took his seat, the drums sounded again.

Boom! Boom!

“We begin day 2 of the Martial Arts Tournament of the Rivers and Lakes!”

As the head instructor shouted vigorously, someone leaped into the training ground as if they had been waiting.

They had prepared with determination. But it wasn’t just one person.

Jongnam-pa and Cheongseng-pa.

Two late-stage masters from the Gudaemun-pa unexpectedly became opponents.

“Oh! Finally a Gudaemun-pa battle!”

From the very beginning today, a match that excited the audience was arranged.

The two late-stage masters, who couldn’t back down now, politely clasped their fists and began the duel.

The duel, with even the pride of the Gudaemun-pa at stake, unfolded fiercely.

“Hmm. This is good.”

Ja-gang-cheon also watched their battle with interest.

“Both have excellent fundamentals. That’s the characteristic of Gudaemun-pa disciples.”

Their swordsmanship followed orthodox methods to a frustrating degree.

Yet it wasn’t boring to watch because everyone could feel the speed and power behind it.

“Excuse me, Deungmyeong Jangju.”

Ja-gang-cheon, who had been focused on the duel, turned his gaze at the sound of someone calling him. It was a voice so relaxed it made the tense duel seem languid.

“Oh? Hello.”

It was Mok Seo-ryeon.

Looking at her face gave him the illusion that the faces of people around her seemed blurred.

“Could we talk for a moment?”

“Hmm. Are you going to ask about my identity?”

Having heard the same thing yesterday, Ja-gang-cheon got ahead of it.

“What? I was going to ask for advice about my problem.”

“Ah! That’s a relief! Please go ahead.”

“Could we go somewhere quiet for a moment?”

Ja-gang-cheon hesitated briefly. It was a shame to leave the duel he was watching, but since he’d be watching all day anyway, he decided to step away for a moment.

So they moved slightly away from the dueling ground and stood beneath the high walls of the Namgung Clan.

“Actually, I came to see you yesterday but didn’t get a chance to ask.”

“I heard about it from Aunt.”

That was why Ja-gang-cheon had accepted her request.

“What did you want to ask?”

“I’ve made a decision about something. I’m going to do it today. It will probably be a very confusing situation for some people.”

Ja-gang-cheon just listened quietly.

“Even so, I’m certain this decision is right. If I don’t correct it now, I’ll eventually lose the most precious person and…”

Mok Seo-ryeon, who had been speaking, looked at Ja-gang-cheon’s expression and hung her head.

“What am I even saying right now…”

She wasn’t explaining clearly, just rambling on and on.

But Ja-gang-cheon miraculously read her heart.

“You need encouragement.”

Her complicated thoughts stopped.

“Yes. That’s right. I lack courage.”

It was strange. After saying those words, she felt the stuffiness that had been binding her chest melt away.

So this time she said something different.

“It’s my life. I don’t want to be used as someone’s tool and live the rest of my life in regret.”

When she brought out her honest feelings, that much more of the stuffiness disappeared.

What she needed wasn’t encouragement, but the courage to honestly express her own heart.

Seeing Mok Seo-ryeon’s expression improve, Ja-gang-cheon said.

“Continue.”

Encouraged by those words, Mok Seo-ryeon put even more strength in her voice.

“My life and Baekgeomun. That’s right. It was something I could take full responsibility for. I realized how lacking my courage was.”

“You don’t need encouragement anymore.”

She had found the answer herself.

“Thank you.”

“For what? I just listened.”

“There was no one who would do even that for me.”

Mok Seo-ryeon bowed politely to Ja-gang-cheon.

“Thank you so much. I realized what I need to do.”

She smiled brightly in front of Ja-gang-cheon. Suddenly it felt as bright as if he had fallen into a flower garden.

Leaving that smile behind, Mok Seo-ryeon went to find where she needed to be.

***

When Ja-gang-cheon returned to his seat, Pan Seok-i came close to his side.

“Am I getting a sister-in-law too?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Isn’t she going to be my sister-in-law?”

“No. Mother said to be careful of pretty women.”

“What? Our Hwajin is pretty but also kind.”

Pan Seok-i was mentioning his own lover.

Jin Hwajin, daughter of Jin Hyeon-pil, the sect leader of Deungmyeongmun, was dating Pan Seok-i.

“You really met your soulmate.”

“Right?”

“Of course. You two are probably the only people in the world who date through dueling.”

“Hehe. You should find your soulmate too, Hyeongnim. Dating is really great.”

It wasn’t that Ja-gang-cheon disliked love.

Mok Seo-ryeon was beautiful enough to make any man’s heart waver, and judging by her behavior and way of speaking toward him, she had plenty of charm.

But right now, Ja-gang-cheon had homework to solve.

“I’ll think about it when my love won’t become a sin.”

“Ah…”

Pansuk was left speechless by those painfully harsh words, and Song Ja-in, who had been listening, quietly approached and rubbed his back.

“I didn’t say it out of sadness. I was just stating my reality. I’ll meet someone I love someday too, and I’ll build a family and live happily. I’m working toward that right now.”

As Ja-gang-cheon was settling the mood, Cheon-gu added a comment.

“Mok Seo-ryeon is off-limits anyway. Marriage talks are ongoing between her and the Sichuan Tang Family.”

“Really?”

“I heard the wedding isn’t far off.”

Ja-gang-cheon nodded without any particular feeling.

That’s when it happened.

Clang!

The fierce battle between Jongnam-pa and Cheongseng-pa came to an end.

It was a narrow victory for Cheongseng-pa’s Hu-gi Jisu, and the audience erupted in cheers.

Receiving applause and taking his place as victor, Cheongseng-pa’s Hu-gi Jisu descended from the Training Hall to recover his stamina.

Since the winner could return at any time, it was a wise choice.

Thanks to this, the Training Hall became vacant again.

Then, one person who drew everyone’s attention stepped onto the Training Hall.

“The Water Lotus of Pure Elegance, Mok Seo-ryeon, is finally coming out.”

“Her beauty is at its peak. Will there be any man who can face her directly?”

“Baekgeomun must have many concerns. Their genius swordswoman who should inherit the family has to become the Sichuan Tang Family’s daughter-in-law.”

“It’s not a bad choice since she can receive the Sichuan Tang Family’s protection. Who would leave such beauty alone anyway?”

“Indeed, they say beauties have short lives, and red-faced beauties have thin fates. She’ll need the Sichuan Tang Family’s roof.”

Not only because of her beauty, but because she was counted as one of the Seven Strongest Warriors of the Rivers and Lakes, no one could easily step forward.

Then, Mok Seo-ryeon spoke in her characteristic low, gentle tone. Though she didn’t raise her voice, it was infused with internal energy, so anyone who listened carefully could hear her.

“I request a martial duel with Young Lord Dangyeomyeong of the Sichuan Tang Family.”

At those words, the entire Training Hall buzzed with murmurs. This included the judges and VIP seats as well.

Dangyeomyeong was another one of the Seven Strongest Warriors of the Rivers and Lakes, which meant two of the Seven Strongest Warriors would clash.

But there was an even more shocking fact than that.

“Did she just request a martial duel with her betrothed?”

“Didn’t she call him ‘Young Lord’? This seems like she’s deliberately creating distance?”

“Baekgeomun seems flustered too? The Lord of Baekgeomun doesn’t look pleased.”

“What on earth is she thinking?”

What started as questions gradually narrowed down to one opinion.

“There were always rumors that Mok Seo-ryeon disliked Dangyeomyeong.”

“Dangyeomyeong’s nature is so cruel that he doesn’t match well with Mok Seo-ryeon.”

“Even so, he’s the Young Lord of the Sichuan Tang Family. Not just anyone can claim that position beside him.”

The people’s murmuring suddenly stopped at one moment.

Thud.

Because someone had stepped onto the Training Hall.

It was Dangyeomyeong, Young Lord of the Sichuan Tang Family.

Being thin and tall, he had an overall lanky build, and with thin eyebrows over slit-like eyes, he didn’t give a trustworthy impression.

Displeased with the current situation, he slowly approached Mok Seo-ryeon with a stern expression.

“What is the meaning of this?”

“I simply wish to have a martial duel.”

“I’m asking why I should be your opponent.”

Mok Seo-ryeon looked at the Lord of Baekgeomun, who had an uncomfortable expression in the VIP seats.

He was the father trying to send her to the Sichuan Tang Family. He had never once asked for Mok Seo-ryeon’s opinion in proceeding with this matter.

“The people of our Baekgeomun don’t know my worth. So I want to show them. How wasteful it would be to use me merely as a pretty flower.”

“Choosing me as your opponent means you’re confident you can win?”

“Yes. That’s right.”

Mok Seo-ryeon didn’t bother with lengthy explanations.

“What if I win?”

“Then I would be nothing more than a flower.”

“And if you win?”

“I will live as I choose.”

Dangyeomyeong knew what that meant.

Though they had met several times while marriage talks were ongoing, she had never once accepted his feelings.

“This is your choice. It would have been better if you had accepted my feelings. In the end, you’re making me subdue you with force.”

Dangyeomyeong accepted the martial duel.

‘I must have you no matter what.’

He had first seen her at the Gangho Martial Arts Tournament four years ago. Having fallen for her at first sight, once he was selected as the Tang Family’s heir, the first thing he pursued was marriage talks with her.

Shing!

That same woman now drew her sword before him.

Dangyeomyeong was truly enraged.

“You will regret this.”

His hand went into his wide sleeve and came back out.

First putting on red gloves on both hands, he held a short iron wire in one hand.

As Dangyeomyeong’s signature weapons, the red gloves prevented poison from seeping into his skin and protected his hands from sharp hidden weapons.

When his dazzling hidden weapon techniques unfolded, the red gloves looked like will-o’-the-wisps, earning him the nickname “Soul-Summoning Ghost Fire.”

“Huu.”

Mok Seo-ryeon slowly exhaled a long breath and finally moved to attack.

Clang!

At the first clash between the Seven Strongest Warriors, the audience held their breath.

“Hmm.”

The moment their fierce battle began, Ja-gang-cheon frowned.

“I didn’t know she had made such a resolution.”

“Did you hear about this beforehand?”

To Cheon-gu’s question, Ja-gang-cheon gave a sighing reply.

“I think I encouraged her a little.”

“So you’re saying you’re also responsible for the breakdown of the Sichuan Tang Family marriage?”

“When you put it that way, it sounds like I caused a major incident?”

“Whether it becomes an incident or a fateful connection, let’s watch and see.”

Ja-gang-cheon watched the martial duel with complicated feelings.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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