The next day, the second match began on the ten paths climbing the mountain.

The start was no different from the first day.

The one who drew a bye went up the mountain first for the third match, and matches were held at two competition grounds.

In truth, it was no different from an open space, though called a competition ground. An open space in the forest with just a single desk for the observer.

Therefore, there was no out-of-bounds loss. Because there was no boundary to distinguish between the competition ground and the area outside it.

In the end, it was until the opponent fell.

Cheonyeong's second opponent was a disciple from a secular family of the Jongnam Sect, who came from Shaanxi Province.

The young master of the Udo Sect, Seok Ilgwang.

He seemed better than the punk named Yuk Geumuk whom he had met in the first match.

He didn't get particularly angry at him for arriving just in time for the match like the day before, and his manners were proper.

As expected... a prestigious sect is a prestigious sect. Seeing that even a disciple of a secular family is so upright.

But the result would be no different from yesterday. Although his skills were still unknown, he would be ahead in everything.

However, before the match, the Taoist punk who requested his signature on the life-and-death agreement placed on the desk had changed.

"I am Okseon of the Blue Green Sect. Both of you, please sign."

Cheonyeong stared blankly at him as he recommended with a smile.

Okseon?

Although he didn't know the details of the Blue Green Sect, he had heard about their generational naming system.

The sect leader of the Blue Green Sect was Il-u.

If their generational naming system went Ok-Hyeon-Gwang-Cheong... a first-generation disciple?

"Family Head Tang, why do you look at me so intently? Is there something on my face?"

"Pardon? No. It's because I don't see the person named Gwangmun."

"Ah, that child was called to the main temple for other business. So I came down in his place."

"I see. But why would a first-generation disciple?"

"We're short on people."

"Pardon?"

"You know, don't you? The number of people gathered at the Blue Green Sect right now. Our sect is so short-staffed that I couldn't help but roll up my sleeves and help."

"Is that so?"

As Cheonyeong showed a strange look, Okseon smiled and joked.

"Actually, it looked like I would just be doing chores if I stayed up there, so I took the initiative. I also wanted to see what kind of martial arts the new stars of Sicheon use for a change... and since life in the mountains is so boring, I volunteered, shall I say? If I come out like this, I can sometimes slack off. Hahaha!"

"I see."

Cheonyeong nodded and smiled at Okseon's words, who even winked as if they had known each other for a long time, and then dipped his finger in ink and left his signature on the life-and-death agreement.

But his mind was already full of suspicion.

It was a job for a third-generation disciple. Even if something had happened, the replacement should have been another third-generation, or a second-generation disciple.

A first-generation disciple replacing him because he was bored?

That was nonsense.

The larger the scale, the higher the reputation, and the longer the history and tradition, the stricter the rules that must be followed.

But a great first-generation disciple of the Blue Green Sect is replacing a third-generation's job just to slack off? And the higher-ups allowed it? Even thinking about it with common sense, this wasn't right.

His suspicion grew even stronger because he was already thinking that there was a hidden intention of the Blue Green Sect in the Assembly of Elders.

Cheonyeong, who had turned his back and returned to his place, replayed yesterday's situation.

There is always a reason for a sudden change, and he knew better than anyone that a small change could have a huge impact on his own life.

The actions of Gwangmun and the Taoists. They had recorded everything they saw throughout the match.

And the one move he had shown.

It was the Six Harmonies, but it contained the Samyang, and it would have been difficult for a third-generation disciple of the Blue Green Sect to gauge.

The fact that he couldn't see it.

The fact that he couldn't gauge his skills.

"...Is that the reason?"

Cheonyeong muttered in a low voice.

Even looking back at everything that happened yesterday, that was the only speculation that could be linked to this suspicious situation.

A conclusion is drawn at the end of the reasoning.

In the end, he had overdone it.

He shouldn't have shown his skills.

The Blue Green Sect was trying to observe him, who had revealed a power that a third-generation disciple could not gauge. That's why they had chosen the first-generation disciple, Okseon.

Why on earth?

Why was the Blue Green Sect trying to observe the participants in such detail?

The worry was deeply embedded in his mind, making his head complicated.

But the problem was that it wasn't just the Blue Green Sect that would be wary of him.

If the Jingagu punks were hiding somewhere, they would also be watching him.

"Damn it, I dug my own grave."

Cheonyeong smiled bitterly.

"Huh? What grave?"

Yongcheon asks, tilting his head.

He wouldn't understand.

No, don't try to understand.

Your head is no match for it.

It wasn't something Yongcheon needed to worry about anyway.

However, he also had to be careful.

"Yongcheon." 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

"Yes. Ah, no, yes?"

Since he was in front of the Green Warrior Unit, Yongcheon quickly switched to formal speech.

"Look at the opponent, but don't let your gaze be caught."

"Yes?"

"Don't even make eye contact with that punk named Okseon."

"...I understand."

"And tell the Green Warrior Unit. To be much more careful than usual when observing the attendants of the Udo Sect."

"I understand."

After giving a firm warning, Cheonyeong steps into the competition ground.

Seok Ilgwang, who had finished signing, was waiting for him.

He must not show it. As long as he didn't know the Blue Green Sect's intention, he had to win while hiding his skills as much as possible.

Because Okseon would be watching him with his eyes wide open.

The Samyang... let's bury it for a while.

"Are you both ready?"

"Yes!"

At Okseon's question, Cheonyeong and Seok Ilgwang, who were facing each other, answered at the same time.

"Then shall we begin? I wish you both the best of luck."

As Okseon sat down, Cheonyeong and Seok Ilgwang slowly raised their momentum and took their stances.

He must not stand out. He had to be similar to or slightly less than Seok Ilgwang, and sometimes even fall into a crisis.

Only then could he deceive Okseon's eyes.

"I have heard that Family Head Tang is called one of the Thirteen Dragons of Sicheon. I will take the first move with a learning attitude."

Seok Ilgwang draws the wooden sword from his waist.

As expected of a secular family of Jongnam.

He didn't use a real sword in case it would endanger his life, which was worthy of being called a member of the Orthodox Faction.

Since his opponent was like that, Cheonyeong also picked up a wooden sword.

But... wait, wait a minute.

That blue thing on the wooden sword, is that sword qi?

Cheonyeong's face contorted as if he had bitten into an unripe persimmon as he looked at Seok Ilgwang's wooden sword, which he held with both hands and raised diagonally above his head.

"Hah, this is troublesome."

He was trying to hide his skills, but of all things, this bastard...

"Then, here I come!"

Seok Ilgwang's eyes, which had been as warm as the spring sun, turned as cold as winter that had come skipping summer.

Kung!

The one step he took made the ground tremble finely.

"Haap!"

Seok Ilgwang, who had closed the distance in an instant, drew his sword diagonally towards Cheonyeong.

Hoo-woong!

A monotonous attack.

A diagonal slash.

There was no other change, just that. But just by hearing the sound of the wind from the wooden sword, he could tell.

It was heavy.

It wasn't fast, but it was a heavy sword that contained a crushing force that would flatten him if he blocked it.

In the first place, there was no need for any change.

Just the motion of slashing down would have been enough to pressure the opponent.

And if the amount of qi in the wooden sword was that much?

Pahak!

Cheonyeong hastily dodged the sword's trajectory and moved back.

Much further than the tip of the sword.

He had to get out of the range of the sword qi that covered it.

Sakak!

"...!"

Nevertheless, the front of his clothes was cut off.

Damn it, the clothes I wore yesterday became rags, so I changed into new ones.

It's an expensive outfit...

As expected, this outfit was only flashy on the outside and not practical.

I'll never have the cloth store owner make clothes for me again.

But there was no time to be lost in thought.

"Indeed! You have the skills to be called one of the Thirteen Dragons of Sicheon!"

Seok Ilgwang, who had stopped his sword in the middle, admires Cheonyeong's evasion and immediately pursues him.

Swi-ik!

But the sword that thrusts straight... why is it so fast!

Flash!

For a moment, it seemed as if a cluster of light burst out from his hand.

No way, did you learn not only the heavy sword but also the fast sword?

You punk! This is cheating! It's too much for a secular family!

Shu-shu-shu-shut!

Cheonyeong narrowly dodges Seok Ilgwang's sword, which stabs repeatedly like an awl.

It was natural that several holes were pierced in his fluttering clothes.

Pa-pa-pa-pak!

In the meantime, the suddenly changed sword strikes filled the space above his head and poured down.

This son of a bitch!

You can use the phantom sword too?

Heavy sword, fast sword, and even phantom sword.

This bastard is a complete gift package.

Cheonyeong was dumbfounded and rolled on the ground.

It was the Lazy Donkey Rolls in the Dust. It was a defensive method that martial artists considered the most shameful.

But right now, shame or whatever, it wasn't a situation to be picky about such things.

"Hahahaha! As expected, the head of a family is different! Your attitude of pursuing practicality over face is truly worth learning from."

Shut up!

Don't burn with that kind of sarcastic academic passion!

Damn bastard. If it weren't for Okseon, I would have turned him into mush right away.

But he couldn't keep dodging forever.

He had to exchange blows. If he did nothing, it would only increase suspicion.

The sword techniques he knew were the Three Nothingness Killing Method, which would surely take a life once drawn.

And formless, soundless, shadowless...

Damn it, they're all assassin's sword techniques.

If he used something that valued stealthiness so much, he didn't know what that Okseon punk would write in his book.

In the end.

Jjeo-eo-eok!

"Keuk!"

Cheonyeong struck Seok Ilgwang's wooden sword and pushed it away.

Seok Ilgwang frowns at the sharp shock transmitted to his hand.

"...Sweeping the Army? No way, the Three Talents Sword Style?"

Yes. That Three Talents.

The Three Talents that the entire martial world considers the most basic of basics, along with the Six Harmonies Fist.

"Kyak! Tweh!"

Cheonyeong, who had barely corrected his posture, holds the sword with both hands and takes a middle stance.

At that sight, Seok Ilgwang makes a dumbfounded expression.

No way, the Three Talents against him...

"Are you really going to use the Three Talents Sword Style against me?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Hmm."

As Cheonyeong asks back, Seok Ilgwang looks at him for a moment.

"The Three Talents, you say. I heard you won the previous preliminary match with the Six Harmonies Fist... I see, so that's it. You mean the basics are enough for someone like me, right? Very well. With a learning attitude, I will witness Family Head Tang's Three Talents Sword Style."

Seok Ilgwang, who had readily acknowledged it, takes his stance again.

His tone was polite, but his expression was full of displeasure, and his mouth was filled with things like ridicule and sneers.

He could tell just by looking at the killing intent overflowing from the qi on the wooden sword.

It seemed his outward appearance was hypocrisy.

You've worked hard pretending to be from the Orthodox Faction, you bastard.

"Then I! Will take the first move again! Haap!"

Seok Ilgwang's sword became completely different from before.

Heavy, fast, and even phantom.

There was no trajectory that was not filled with killing intent, and the energy that gushed out was dark and sinister.

It seemed he was planning to mess him up properly.

As if to make him pay the price for ignoring him.

But he only knew how to do many things, and lacked depth, so it was not as good as one proper thing. And the punk was foolishly unaware of how great the Three Talents Sword Style was.

The horizontal slash, Sweeping the Army; the vertical slash, Mount Tai Crushes the Top; and the thrust, Immortal Points the Way.

Only three!

But that was the basic form of all swords.

First, the Mount Tai Crushes the Top that strikes down vertically to block the incoming sword!

Jjeo-eo-eong!

"Keuk!"

Seok Ilgwang, who had blocked Cheonyeong's powerful downward strike, frowns at the throbbing sensation in his wrist.

But he raises his sword as if to defend against the Sweeping the Army that would follow immediately.

But who said it was Sweeping the Army?

The next attack is.

"Mount Tai Crushes the Top!"

And then.

"Mount Tai Crushes the Top, Mount Tai Crushes the Top, Mount Tai Crushes the Top, Mount Tai..."

Kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa!

Cheonyeong slashed his sword vertically so fast that he couldn't even breathe.

Pa-ba-ba-ba-ba!

Seok Ilgwang was crushed by the countless Mount Tai Crushes the Top that poured down without a moment to catch his breath.

Three Talents?

Fine, you two-faced bastard.

Today, I'll beat you until you know what the Rising Three Talents, the Pressing Three Talents, and the Flying Three Talents are!

What does it matter if I can't use the energy of the Samyang?

If the quality is lacking, then it's quantity! Only, with the strength of the body!

Take this!

Sweeping the Army, Sweeping the Army, Sweeping the Army, Sweeping the Army, Sweeping the Army, Sweeping the Armyyyy!

"Kra-a-a-a-ak!"

In the end, Seok Ilgwang, who could not perfectly respond to the storm-like Three Talents Sword Style, was beaten without even showing his skills.

Just by Mount Tai Crushes the Top and Sweeping the Army.

And Okseon, who had been watching the scene intently, moves his brush with a serious expression.

The Three Talents Sword Style is very outstanding.

Truly a storm...

Damn it!

Why on earth did they tell him to observe such a punk?

The Tang Family's Departure from the World