The day dawned.

The Blue Green Sect was no different from yesterday.

The fog that had filled the summit during the night disappeared with the sunlight, and the spectator seats filled with people and the repaired competition stage were revealed.

"Waaah!"

The only thing that had changed was the size of the cheers.

The final of the Assembly of Elders.

A year had passed since the opening was decided, and about ten days had passed since the preliminaries.

The anticipation that the audience had built up until then reached its peak today.

The audience had been speculating about the winner since the day before, and an unprecedented amount of money had been gathered at the gambling dens at the foot of the mountain.

It was difficult to guess who would win.

The son of the Yu family, who had shown the essence of the Blue Green Sect's sword and had defeated the recently talked-about young hero, Baekta.

And the family head of the Tang Family's estate, who had surpassed the secular family of the Blue Green Sect with his overwhelming martial prowess, despite the finger-pointing of the people.

Both were figures who were far from the audience's initial candidates for the championship.

Thanks to that, the previous day in Sicheon was a night where the wings of carrier pigeons did not rest.

To bet money on someone.

"Cheonyeong-ah! Did you sleep well? Did you have a good dream?"

Baekta approached Cheonyeong, who was leisurely waiting for the tournament to begin, waving his hand.

"What dream? Don't you know my situation? I was ambushed by some damn punks and tossed and turned all night."

"Tsk tsk, those Blue Serpent Sect punks. The way they do things..."

Baekta chimed in, as if for someone to hear.

But.

[I've finished figuring it out.]

[How many in total?]

[Thirty.]

[What?]

[They're all sorts of different. Carpenters, cooks... they're spread out well.]

Cheonyeong looked slightly surprised.

Since the Assembly of Elders was held on a grand scale, there were many participants and spectators.

So naturally, there had to be many workers.

But thirty?

As far as he remembered, the assassins of Jingagu usually moved in a group of four or five for a request.

One special, and three or four assistants.

It was always like that.

There had never been a time when the number exceeded that.

Even for him, who had been tasked with the mission of infiltrating the great Cheongcheon Alliance, the number of assistant assassins allowed was only four.

If there were really thirty assassins hiding, as Baekta had figured out, it meant that at least five or more request teams had been deployed.

For what reason?

What on earth were the punks aiming for at the Blue Green Sect?

With that many people...

Cheonyeong looks at Il-u, who is sitting in the distinguished guest seats in the distance.

The Changlim Sword Saint.

No way, is Jingagu aiming for him?

But if that's the case, there's no need to aim for the Assembly of Elders, is there?

If they aimed for him in a place where so many warriors were gathered, they could be in danger themselves.

Then for what purpose?

Cheonyeong's mind just got more and more complicated.

"Family Head."

"Huh?"

Just as he was unable to escape from his deep thoughts, Yongcheon approached and whispered quietly.

"It's from the main family."

"From the Tang Family's estate?"

"Yeah, it's a secret message sent by Family Head Gongsun."

Cheonyeong hurriedly unfolded the small note that Yongcheon had handed him.

Thirteen places, ten nyang of gold each, distributed. Maximum forty times, minimum twenty-two times. Additional profit is being considered, currently observing.

At the code-like phrase, the worries in Cheonyeong's mind disappeared cleanly, and his eyes widened like lanterns.

"Hehehehe..."

The strange laughter was a natural reaction.

"Hey! Why are you like that again?"

Of course, Yongcheon, who hated that laughter, was startled and stepped back, getting goosebumps.

How can I not laugh right now?

The secret message sent by Gongsun Seung.

It was a reply to the secret order he had given before the match began.

To gather all the spare funds and bet it all on him.

But ten nyang each, in thirteen places.

If the maximum is forty times... wow, how much money is that?

His mouth falls open.

There is no business like this business.

He had just used his body, but hadn't he earned much more money than he had by using his head?

It was to the point where he even thought about quitting his family business and changing his career path to gambling.

"Hey! Hey!"

"...Uh... huh?"

At Baekta's call, Cheonyeong crumpled the secret message in his hand and answered blankly.

"What are you thinking about? You didn't even answer after I called you several times."

Because I'm happy.

So happy...

I'm going to be able to play for a while with a warm back and a full stomach.

"Baekta-ya."

"Huh?"

"Thank you."

"...What?"

Baekta couldn't hide his bewilderment.

And soon, his mind is filled with suspicion.

It's not just anyone, it's Tang Cheonyeong.

Thanking me out of the blue? What kind of scheme is this punk up to now?

"Ah, by the way, why did you call me?"

"What are you going to do!"

The frustrated Baekta got angry.

"What do you mean, what?"

[I said I've figured out all thirty of them. Should we attack? Or not?]

It seemed that was what he wanted to ask.

"Now?"

[Isn't it obvious? And use telepathy, you punk! Why are you so careless when you know better? Are you Yongcheon?]

The story of Yongcheon here... hmm, I kind of understand.

Anyway!

Telepathy or whatever, do I look like I can be careful right now?

Attack now?

That's absolutely not obvious.

How much is the final match worth!

I will not tolerate any action until the match is over.

[No, we wait.]

[Wait? Why?]

Why do you think?

The match must end, and the winner must be me.

So that...

[If we move rashly, the punks might notice and run away.]

[So, let's not make the mistake of beating the grass and startling the snake?]

It was a relief that he understood on his own.

If you think so, then I'm good.

And it's really not just about the money.

The feeling of being overjoyed is beyond words, but is reality like that?

He knew the skills of a special-grade assassin best.

A person who has reached the pinnacle of the art of killing.

He had the skill to cut off the head of a first-generation disciple of the Blue Green Sect in an instant.

And if there were five special-grade assassins, there was a high possibility that a person of a higher rank had been deployed.

If they moved rashly, the punks might notice and start their actions first.

[Myeongseon.]

[Yeah.]

[First, wait until the Blue Green Sect has prepared a tough net. When the net is ready, the Changlim Sword Saint has decided to give you a signal directly.]

[I understand.]

[And one more thing.]

"...?"

[There must be absolutely no harm to the spectators.]

[Tch! You, who says you're neither Orthodox nor Unorthodox... Alright. I'll wait for the Changlim Sword Saint's signal.]

[Secretly make full preparations.]

Baekta, who had nodded lightly, asks with a smile.

"By the way, are you confident?"

"About what?"

"The opponent is not easy. You saw me lose, right?"

"..."

"You'll have a hard time."

"Am I the same as you?"

"What, you punk?"

"Tsk tsk, you have a temper even though you don't have the skills..."

The two bickered, criticizing each other like old hometown friends.

"Who has the skills!"

Doo-woong!

The sound of the drum echoed, cutting off Baekta's angry words.

"Move aside, I'm going to the match."

Cheonyeong pushes Baekta away and confidently steps onto the competition stage.

Now, it's time to make a fortune before exterminating the assassins.

As Cheonyeong climbed onto the competition stage, Ilhae greeted him with a light nod.

Cluelessly acknowledging me…

"From now on! We will begin the final of the Assembly of Elders!"

"Waaah!"

Ilhae's voice echoes loudly, and the cheers pour out even louder, filling the competition stage.

And the two people stood facing each other.

"...A sword?"

Yu Seongyeon asks Cheonyeong, who is holding a wooden sword hanging down.

"Yes, today."

"You seem to be confident in many things."

"No, because my opponent is you."

"Pardon?"

"It means you're strong enough that I have to use a wooden sword."

It was a compliment, and it seemed he had understood it well.

"People say so. A Flood Dragon, a great serpent..."

At those low words, the corner of Cheonyeong's eye twitches.

Uh-oh? Punk! Do you know that's a provocation?

I have a pretty serious complex about that character 'gyo' (cunning).

"But, I saw."

"...?"

"You are strong."

"I know, right? Me too?"

Cheonyeong's voice, which had been slightly twisted by the words 'Flood Dragon', was not pleasant.

"I was in awe."

"Huh?"

"And I was ashamed."

"..."

"I..."

Yu Seongyeon's face darkens.

Although the rest of the words did not follow, he seemed to know.

It seemed he had compared himself to him.

Even if the Blue Green Sect hadn't told him, he would have known, unless he was a fool. That there had been cheating.

And the teachings of the Changlim Sword Saint, which had been done in secret, ignoring tradition, the martial prowess he had gained through that dishonest act would not have been something to be proud of.

But Cheonyeong smirked and said.

"You're a punk with a lot of useless thoughts."

"Pardon?"

"What's wrong with what you were born with? So what if your master is good? What's the problem with learning something more than others?"

"What do you mean?"

"That's talent."

Yu Seongyeon's eyes widen.

"And you worked hard. As much as you were born with, as much as you gained. Then that's enough. What's there to be ashamed of and in awe of?"

"Do you really think so?"

"Of course."

"But if others find out the truth..."

"What does it matter?"

"Pardon?"

"Are you so free as to care about what others think?"

"I-I..."

"If you believe the path you are on is right, then go without being swayed by the voices around you. If there's an obstacle in your way, remove it, and don't worry about your feet being dipped in mud."

"..."

"And if it still bothers you too much, if you feel sorry for those who don't have what you have."

"...?"

"Work harder, to the point of death. Someday, people will recognize your sincerity."

At Cheonyeong's words, Yu Seongyeon's pupils tremble finely.

And then, they find their place and shine with a deep, deep light.

Yu Seongyeon aimed his sword.

The tip of the sword, held with one hand and extended straight, comes into Cheonyeong's view.

Huh? Damn it, what is this?

Suddenly, Yu Seongyeon's atmosphere changed drastically.

He had just said a word because his words seemed ridiculous, but his momentum had become as heavy as the Five Elements Mountain that had crushed Sun Wukong.

Anyway, my mouth is the enemy.

To say something I didn't have to... this is going to be harder than I thought.

"Family Head Tang, I will do my best. As if today were the last!"

"Ah, no... wait a minute-aaah!"

Before the words were even finished.

Ping!

With a light step, the tip of the sword that had been extended straight filled his vision and came right in front of his nose.

Cheonyeong, without even thinking, bent his upper body back.

Pyu-uk!

A fierce wind rose, and the wooden sword grazed his chest.

Tu-deu-deuk!

Even though it hadn't touched him, his upper garment was cut long, unable to withstand the momentum.

This bastard!

Cheonyeong, still lying back, kicked up his leg.

Hoo-ung!

His foot cuts through the empty air.

Cheonyeong, who had twisted his body, swung his sword.

Ppaga-gak!

A fierce match began, starting with the two wooden swords crossing and clashing.

A close distance where it seemed even cramped to swing a sword.

But there was no hesitation in their attacks and defenses.

They swung their wooden swords, and their hands and feet became entangled.

Ppak! Ppa-ba-ba-bak!

Just as the fierce fight was continuing for a long time.

Tung!

Yu Seongyeon jumps back, creating distance, and forcefully extends and thrusts the sword he had pulled back.

Swi-ik!

It was a smooth and graceful, but unrestrained sword.

The tip of the sword, which was split, draws countless arcs.

Another trajectory is added to the trajectory, and soon, the trajectory that fills the entire competition stage cuts all the visible space.

On the other hand, the wooden sword held in Cheonyeong's hand did not make any changes.

It just went forward.

Kwa-deu-deuk!

Containing the mighty energy of the Samyang, it broke the flying swords and walked forward little by little.

It was a stark difference.

A fierce and splendid sword, and a heavy and solemn sword!

The two exchanged attacks and defenses without yielding an inch.

Jjeo-eong! Jjeo-jeong!

The competition stage began to shake and collapse, and the spreading roar shook the summit of the Blue Green Sect.

"J-just warriors of age!"

The warriors in the distinguished guest seats, who had stood up abruptly, could not take their eyes off the match. They just clenched their fists, unable to even breathe carelessly.

They were drenched in sweat.

And then.

The Changlim Sword Saint looked at Baekta.

The preparations were over.

At the same time as they exchanged signals with a nod, the secret net revealed itself and began to tighten.

And then.

"W-wait! Wait a minute!"

Cheonyeong became urgent.

The match isn't over yet...

The money that's at stake…

Hey, you bastards!

A person worked so hard, so a side income is okay, right!

I said the match isn't over yet!

(End of Chapter)