The two stood facing each other in the center of the competition stage.

The gazes of the audience looking at them were clearly different.

The gaze looking at Jeokseong was filled with displeasure.

Because the cruel image of him playing with his opponent, even though he could have easily won the day before, was imprinted in everyone's minds.

In contrast, the gaze looking at Cheonyeong was full of pity.

Since he had come up with only the Six Harmonies and the Three Talents, they were already pitying Cheonyeong, who would become Jeokseong's plaything.

Only a few, including Hwang Jeongmun, the young master of the Nine Dragons Faction who had experienced it firsthand, knew what was contained in that basic technique.

And then.

"This match will also be quite a sight."

"The family head of the Tang Family's estate seemed to have a solid foundation."

"That's right. It would be rare to find a warrior who uses the Six Harmonies and the Three Talents as well as him, no matter where you search in the world."

Only the distinguished guest seats were vaguely aware.

Then.

"Heh."

The Ghost Hand, No Gwanyeong, who had come uninvited and occupied a seat in the distinguished guest seats as an elder of the Blue Serpent Sect, burst into laughter. It was a clear sneer on his lips.

"Why do you laugh, Ghost Hand?"

"Why? Are you dissatisfied with me laughing with my own mouth?"

"Ah, no, I didn't mean it like that."

As No Gwanyeong glanced at him, the person who had asked the meaning of his laughter was startled and flinched.

"Great Master No, this is a place where all the distinguished guests of the martial world are gathered. Please be mindful of your words and actions."

At this, the Changlim Sword Saint intervened in a heavy tone, and No Gwanyeong waved his hand and turned his head towards the competition stage.

"Heh heh, it seems the Ghost Hand was displeased that I praised the family head of a small village more than the young master of his own sect. Well, who would be happy to praise someone who is competing against the successor of their family? Everyone, please be understanding."

"Ahem! Hearing the Sect Leader's words, it seems I was lacking in consideration. I apologize, Great Master No."

Although an apology was offered at the Changlim Sword Saint's mediation, the Ghost Hand found it ridiculous.

Six Harmonies? Three Talents?

To think their eyes could only see that much...

Perhaps their evaluation was influenced by the name of the Tang Family's estate first.

A young family head of a small rural family, what he showed was the Six Harmonies and the Three Talents, which were considered basic techniques.

They evaluated Tang Cheonyeong based on that alone, and failed to see his true face.

Well, if they had eyes that could see beyond prejudice, they wouldn't have been scared by his gaze.

But Changlim.

Were you the same?

There's no way you didn't see it...

No Gwanyeong glanced at the Changlim Sword Saint, Il-u.

Not a single emotion could be felt on his calm face, like still water.

That's why he hated Taoists.

Because they hide their inner thoughts with proper words and expressions, so that no one knows what they are harboring in their hearts.

However, the place his gaze was directed was not the competition stage.

The place where the participants were waiting.

Why?

But the sound of the drum announcing the start of the match blew away the Ghost Hand's worries.

He shouldn't overdo it.

The Ghost Hand was more worried about Cheonyeong than Jeokseong.

In case he couldn't hold back his anger.

If only Jeokseong wouldn't say something to provoke his temper...

On the competition stage where his worried gaze landed.

"Heh heh, you punk. You were lucky to get this far."

"..."

"But do you know that's bad luck? Because you had to meet me."

Cheonyeong, who was staring at Jeokseong with a sneer on his face, glanced at the distinguished guest seats.

The Ghost Hand, the consideration he had shown considering his and the Tang Family's estate's position.

"Damn it, it's bothering me."

Cheonyeong's gaze, with a frown on his face, turned back to Jeokseong.

"Hey."

"Hey? You, who are younger than me!"

"Heh, do you want me to use honorifics?"

Ppudeudeuk.

At Cheonyeong's words, Jeokseong grinds his teeth and glares at him.

"Let me ask you one thing before we fight."

"What?"

"You must listen carefully to what I'm about to say and answer after careful consideration."

"What did you say? Careful consideration?"

He should.

Because his hands are already itching.

"Heh heh, good, good. I'll grant the wish of a punk who's about to die."

"A few days ago, you said you had a hard time because of the Yin Hand Chamber, right? Did you know from the beginning that the Mandeok Estate would fall?"

At the calm question, Jeokseong stares at Cheonyeong.

Even though the match had started, the audience murmured at the sight of the two just facing each other.

But no matter how much they strained their ears, they couldn't hear.

Because the competition stage was very wide, and they were in the center of it.

"Answer. My actions will change depending on your answer."

"Heh, heh heh heh."

At Cheonyeong's urging, Jeokseong suddenly began to laugh eerily.

"No way... did you think I didn't know?"

"What?"

"Yes, I knew. I had already heard the detailed plan at a drinking party with Lee Ilpyeong."

"You lent your name even though you knew?"

"Why? The Mandeok Estate, what about it? A place respected and admired by the people? So what? What does it have to do with me?"

At those words, a clear muscle forms on Cheonyeong's clenched jaw.

"Jeokseong, I said it clearly. Answer after careful consideration. A single word can kill you or save you."

"You're talking nonsense."

"..."

"I, for one, really hate punks like you."

Cheonyeong just listened quietly.

But the fire that had risen in his heart was extinguished by the cold, and his two eyes became as cold as ice.

"Why? Because you're rebuilding a ruined family, do you think you've accomplished something great?"

"..."

"Don't be mistaken, Tang Cheonyeong. Your family, the Mandeok Estate, was nothing more than a hut that would be blown away by a single gust of wind. Yes, well, it was worth more than a hut. At least... it was worth a few years of free liquor."

"Liquor money?"

"Lee Ilpyeong bowed his head to the ground. He said he would serve me for life if I just lent him my name."

"So?"

"His heart was so pitiful, wasn't it? I was generous. I supported his warriors and even introduced him to an official I knew."

That was the answer.

Damn bastard.

So that's how it was.

Be grateful to the Ghost Hand for the rest of your life.

If it weren't for him, I would have torn your limbs apart just for that answer.

"Ah, I wonder if you know the reason your father died?"

In an instant, Cheonyeong's eyes flash open.

The reason his father died?

He had fallen ill from the shock of the family's destruction and passed away after a long illness.

"Well, there's no way you would know."

"..."

"Yes, I remember, Lee Ilpyeong said it at a drinking party. He said he was annoyed to death because the damn punk was holding on until the end and trying to dig up his crimes when the work was almost done. He said it was hard to kill him openly because he had many supporters for doing good deeds."

"...!"

"So I gave him a little poke. A poison that would cause him to die of lung disease if taken for a long time. A poison whose cause of death even Hua Tuo couldn't determine."

Jeokseong said with a chuckle.

Poison?

So that's why his father had suffered so much...

Nine years ago.

Considering Jeokseong's age, he was only in his late teens. At that young age...

The Mandeok Estate had no grudge against him.

"Why, you look shocked."

"..."

"A powerless family is like that. Do you think the Tang Family's estate will be different? Look forward to it. After you win the Assembly of Elders, I'll crush your pathetic family again."

When Jeokseong's words ended, there was not even a hint of coldness in Cheonyeong's eyes.

The more his anger rose, the more his anger subsided and his mind became calm.

He was going to let him off.

Because he was so grateful for the Ghost Hand's consideration.

But the moment he heard Jeokseong's answer, a part of his patience snapped.

"Is that your answer?"

At Jeokseong's question, Cheonyeong nodded.

"That is the answer. I hope you said it after careful consideration."

"Heh heh, you're talking nonsense."

"I won't kill you right now. But, know this."

"What? You won't kill me? You arrogant bastard!"

Cheonyeong smiles at Jeokseong, who shouted.

It was a smile as clear as crystal.

"Because of you, from now on, the Blue Serpent Sect... will not be found anywhere in the world."

"What?"

"I will make it so. Without fail."

"You son of a bitch! Just because you have a mouth!"

Jeokseong shouts and stomps the ground.

Kung!

The moment his forcefully stomped foot is lifted, his figure flies towards Cheonyeong like a shot arrow.

"You foolish bastard! You can't even react, but you're all talk! Haaap!"

Jeokseong's fist extends forcefully.

The moment it flew in an instant and was about to reach his face, Cheonyeong raised his Samyang True Qi and pulled his fist back like a bowstring.

The swirling true qi spread to his four limbs and hundred bones, and filled his entire body.

He will keep his promise with the Ghost Hand.

But he will surely return the grudge tenfold.

Even if he has to fight the Ghost Hand, whom he had felt a moment of comfort leaning on.

Samyang, Body Transformation.

Koo-woong!

The entire competition stage shakes with the true qi that shot out with a stomp of his foot.

"...Piercing."

The fist that had been pulled back extended in an arc.

Ppuga-ga-gak!

Jeokseong's body, which had thrown the first punch, flies back and rotates fiercely.

Koo-woong!

After spinning once and hitting the ground, he rises from the un-offset shock and tumbles several times.

"Th-that's!"

It was an unexpected situation.

Jeokseong's fist had almost reached him, and Cheonyeong had barely started to move at the last moment.

But with a fist so fast that the gap was meaningless, Jeokseong was rolling on the ground.

The audience, who hadn't seen it properly, were just gaping in bewilderment, and the people in the distinguished guest seats stood up abruptly with their eyes wide open.

Only the Ghost Hand was frowning.

Hadn't he raised his hearing with his internal energy in case, and listened to their conversation?

Damn it...

He hadn't known. That Jeokseong was so deeply involved in the death of the Mandeok Estate's master, Tang Munseong.

It would be difficult to stop him now.

"What, what? What happened?"

The participants blink their eyes with bewildered faces.

"Hah, he finally did it."

Baekta frowned as if he had a headache.

Cheonyeong walks on the competition stage, which is covered in surprise.

Ja-bak, ja-bak.

He closes the distance with Jeokseong with steps that are neither fast nor slow.

Jingagu, thank you.

Perhaps if your traces hadn't led to the Blue Green Sect, I would have lived my whole life without knowing.

The fact that the one who gave the poison to Lee Ilpyeong, who had driven his father to his death, was the son of the Blue Serpent Sect.

"Keu-eu-eu..."

Jeokseong, who had barely come to his senses, got up with his face contorted in extreme pain.

His face throbbed.

His vision was half-covered.

He couldn't even speak properly. His jaw was shattered.

What just happened?

Although he couldn't understand what was what, the certain thing was that Tang Cheonyeong's shadow was covering him.

"You...(Neom)..."

Jjeo-eo-eok!

A kick roughly dug into Jeokseong's abdomen. He couldn't even exhale.

Cheonyeong extends his hand towards Jeokseong, who was in pain without even being able to make a gasping sound.

Kwak!

Cheonyeong, who had grabbed his hair, whispered in Jeokseong's ear.

"Out of bounds is not allowed. I haven't even gotten back half of the liquor money you ate for several years."

"..."

"I'll make you think it would have been better to die today."

Hwa-ak!

Cheonyeong threw Jeokseong to the center of the competition stage, still holding his hair.

"A-eu-eu..."

Jeokseong, who had rolled on the ground, trembles and looks for Cheonyeong.

His fighting spirit had long since disappeared.

A pain greater than his pride had consumed his entire body, and his legs trembled at the sight of Cheonyeong's gaze.

Ja-bak, ja-bak.

The approaching footsteps sounded like those of death.

"Ugh-ugh-ugh..."

Startled, Jeokseong struggled with his limbs to escape.

Kwa-deuk!

"Kra-a-a-ak!"

It was a terrible shock that made a sharp scream burst out even though his jaw was broken.

Cheonyeong's foot had stomped on and crushed one of his legs.

"You can't go anywhere without my permission."

"Ugh-ugh-ugh..."

"And no one can help you. This place is now a space for just you and me."

"Pl-ease...(E-al)..."

"Begging is useless. Your words won't reach anyone."

"..."

"You'll slowly find out. That there is a pain worse than death in the world."

Kwa-ji-jik!

"Kra-a-a-ak!"

There was no noise in the audience seats, no, anywhere in the Blue Green Sect's Taoist temple.

A dead silence.

All that could be heard was.

Kwa-deuk!

The sound of bones breaking.

"Keo-eo-eok!"

And Jeokseong's scream, as if he were vomiting blood.

(End of Chapter)