WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

Chapter 49: Who Is the Winner? (1)

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Only one person remained unfazed by Evil Heaven's bombshell of a statement.

The younger twin, Song WooHyun, merely stared straight ahead with wide eyes, as though he did not even understand what had been said.

Chaotic Blade Demon Emperor Seo GalMa, who had stared at Evil Heaven in surprise, opened his mouth.

“...What do you mean by that, Brother Hae?”

“Exactly what I said. You can tell the stalk by looking at the sprout. Compared to your ill-mannered disciples, are this lord's disciples not far better suited to be the young lady's spouse?”

Ah...

I had desperately hoped that was not what he meant.

But this mad old man truly was impossible to predict.

Who else suited the epithet Bizarre Oddity as well as he did?

“...Are you saying Brother Hae's disciples are better than mine?”

“Of course.”

“You have great faith in your disciples.”

Seo GalMa's voice turned cold.

The atmosphere became strange.

It seemed he did not intend to let Evil Heaven drag him around any longer.

“Hmph! Does it look like blind faith to you?”

I had no idea why this old man was being so forceful.

Unless I opened my Central Dantian, I was only Advanced. The twins were the same.

Meanwhile, Seo GalMa's disciples had studied Martial Arts for many years and surpassed the wall of Advanced mastery.

- Look at their expressions.

From the dispirited Go EunJae to Ho GeumWon, Go EunJae's senior martial brother, both were looking at us with faint smiles.

If Evil Heaven had not been here, they might have openly mocked us.

Seo GalMa turned and glared at Evil Heaven, putting force into his voice.

“Then the solution is simple.”

Swish!

Seo GalMa gave a fist-and-palm salute toward the bamboo blind.

“Young lady and Sixth Blood Star, please serve as witnesses. We can determine, here and now, which of my disciples and Brother Hae's disciples is more suitable to be your spouse.”

It had seemed trouble was coming, and now the situation had truly developed in this direction.

In the end, the way martial artists settled disputes of right and wrong was through martial prowess.

“Since you have such faith in your disciples, Brother Hae won't object, will you?”

Seo GalMa had properly laid the groundwork.

If Evil Heaven refused now, it would look as though he had backed down.

“Good! Why not?”

As expected, he did not refuse.

The one who had raised the matter could hardly turn it down.

“You are forthright.”

“Still, even a match should be fair, should it not?”

“Fair?”

Evil Heaven pointed at us as Seo GalMa looked at him in confusion.

“No matter how outstanding this lord's disciples may be, they have trained in Martial Arts for only one year.”

“So what do you expect me to do? If you meant to take such things into account, you should not have proposed this in the first place.”

“There is a simple solution.”

“A simple solution?”

“They will seal their internal energy and compete with techniques alone. Heh heh.”

Evil Heaven was thinking things through in his own way.

But there was a problem with that as well.

Even if their internal energy was sealed, there was no way the difference between an Advanced master and an Expert master would simply disappear.

What distinguished an Expert was not simply internal energy, but whether one had attained enlightenment.

“Compete with sealed internal energy? Hahahahahaha!”

This time, Seo GalMa burst into laughter.

He looked at Evil Heaven with mockery in his eyes.

He had likely thought the same thing I had.

Even if they competed with techniques rather than internal energy, his disciples, who had trained far longer, would hold the advantage. That was why he reacted that way.

“Why? Do you lack confidence?”

Evil Heaven provoked him.

Seo GalMa gave a small laugh before answering.

“Won't you regret it? Brother Hae should know better than anyone that the difference in internal energy is meaningless.”

“It does not matter.”

“You are truly arrogant.”

With that, Seo GalMa turned his gaze toward me.

“If you believe your disciple has a chance merely because he inherited the Southern Heavenly Swordmaster's sword style, let me tell you that you are mistaken. The more advanced a sword style is, the more ki must circulate through its techniques to display its power.”

Evil Heaven's eyebrow twitched at those words.

Had Seo GalMa struck the mark?

But Evil Heaven soon gave his usual laugh, folded his arms, and spoke.

“Is that not the same for your disciple?”

“Hoho. Is that what you think?”

Seo GalMa's attitude made it seem that he had something to rely on.

If so, his blade style likely possessed enough power through external energy alone, even without circulating ki.

Perhaps that was why he used such a long saber.

“Very well. I accept Brother Hae's proposal. May I make one proposal of my own?”

“A proposal?”

“I would like to make this match more entertaining.”

Seo GalMa was not someone who would willingly accept a loss.

But Evil Heaven had gotten what he wanted, so he readily agreed.

“Fine.”

“Let them fight with real blades.”

“Well, naturally...”

“I do not mean an ordinary match with real blades.”

“What?”

“Let both sides agree that they will not object even if an arm or leg is severed, or if one of them loses their life during the match.”

‘!!!’

Seo GalMa's proposal meant a battle of life and death.

- He is sly.

He had not yielded an inch.

Seo GalMa's move had two purposes.

One was to mention a fight to the death and make Evil Heaven give up the match on his own.

- What is the second?

‘...To cripple me or kill me here.’

He wanted to eliminate me before I could become one of Evil Heaven's arms in the future.

As the one who had inherited the Southern Heavenly Swordmaster's legacy, I could be that much of a thorn in his side.

He meant to gain two things at once.

“Ahem.”

Evil Heaven seemed to have seen through his intentions, for he hesitated briefly.

It was only natural for him to think more deeply when the other side came on so strongly.

He must have felt caught between advancing and retreating.

Then Evil Heaven's sound telepathy reached me.

[Hmph. That bastard Seo GalMa has been scheming.]

...Unless they were fools, they would naturally arrange things to their own advantage.

Now the choice was up to Evil Heaven.

Would he send his disciple into danger?

Anyone could see that I, who was only Advanced, was at a disadvantage in this match.

[Show the ability you have been hiding.]

‘!!!’

My heart dropped at his sound telepathy.

Could Evil Heaven have known that I had concealed my Central Dantian and my true ability?

If he had, he would not have suggested a match with sealed internal energy.

[...Master. What do you mean by that...?]

[Hmph. Stop pretending. Did you think you could deceive this lord's eyes?]

[What?]

[You have already reached the Expert realm.]

No.

Had this old man truly noticed the Central Dantian?

But his next words finally allowed me to relax inwardly.

[Your internal energy does not support it yet, but your enlightenment has already broken through the wall of Advanced mastery. Do you think I would not know after exchanging so many moves with you?]

[...]

[I can tell merely from the unused potential remaining in your sword techniques.]

It was a relief, but also surprising.

He had not known of the innate life energy in my Central Dantian.

However, through our many sparring matches, he had become certain that I had surpassed the wall of Advanced mastery.

I had been too confident just because he had not noticed my Central Dantian.

This old man seemed different to me now.

Had he been pretending not to know all this time?

[...I apologize.]

[You sly brat. There is nothing to apologize for. If I had not exchanged so many moves with you, even this lord might not have noticed.]

So this was how I had been found out.

Concealing one's ability did not seem easy either.

I expected him to scold me further, but Evil Heaven said something unexpected.

[Go into this prepared to win. But... if you truly cannot handle it, you may step back.]

[What?]

[I mean you may admit defeat.]

I was truly surprised by Evil Heaven's sound telepathy.

This old man, who hated losing more than anything, was telling me that I could admit defeat if things became impossible.

It was no different from saying he did not want me injured or dead.

‘This old man...’

Judging by his usual rough behavior, he seemed like someone who would abandon me at any time.

Yet, from what he had just said through sound telepathy, he truly regarded me as his disciple.

I had thought him merely unreasonable, but this was an unexpected side of him.

[Hmph! Do not misunderstand for no reason. I only say this because I do not think you can defeat that bastard outright after training for merely one year.]

‘...’

It was a strange feeling.

That this eccentric old man was worried about me.

It was hard to understand.

Swish!

I rose and gave Evil Heaven a fist-and-palm salute as I spoke aloud.

“I will live up to your expectations.”

A glint appeared in Evil Heaven's eyes.

On the other hand, Seo GalMa clicked his tongue at me.

“Tsk, tsk. You are driving your disciple into danger.”

“Hmph! You should be the one desperately hoping your disciple comes through unscathed.”

Evil Heaven pressed him in an angry voice.

Then he gripped the edge of the table and shoved it hard.

Screeeech!

Driven by his profound Force of ki, the table slid to the far end of the room.

That cleared enough space for the match.

“Why drag this out? Let us begin at once.”

At that moment, Han BaekHa, the Blood-Hand Witch, who had been watching, stepped forward.

“Stop. The young lady has not expressed her intention to accept the Second Venerable One's proposal, yet you are acting on your own like this...”

Before she could finish speaking...

[All right.]

Baek Ryeon Ha's Six Directions Voice Transmission echoed through the room.

She had said nothing until now, so I could not be certain whether she accepted this or not. I had not expected her to accept it directly.

“Young lady!”

Han BaekHa, the Blood-Hand Witch, looked flustered.

On the other hand, worried that she might change her mind, Seo GalMa hastily gave a fist-and-palm salute and spoke in a moved voice.

“I truly admire the young lady's decision for the greater good...”

[But I have a condition as well.]

Seo GalMa, who had been pleased, frowned at her words.

As expected, a clever woman like Baek Ryeon Ha would not readily accept a proposal that only saved her own life.

“...And what condition would that be?”

[Since you say this is to determine my spouse, should they not meet my conditions? I will compete under the same terms.]

“What? The young lady will compete?”

Her declaration that she would participate.

Seo GalMa's expression turned strange, as though he had not considered this possibility at all.

My ability was known, but he could not be certain of her martial prowess.

“Khahahahahaha! That is entirely correct. Anyone who would become the young lady's spouse should naturally possess that much ability.”

Evil Heaven supported her.

After hesitating, Seo GalMa ultimately nodded and accepted.

“Very well. You are absolutely right.”

He had considered it, but he seemed to trust his disciple's ability.

However, she had not finished.

[But what will you do if they do not meet my conditions?]

“What? What do you mean...?”

[I am asking what you will do if they cannot defeat me. You told me to sacrifice myself for the greater good regardless of my wishes. Surely you do not expect me to follow Uncle Seo's opinion even if I win?]

“Are you saying... that if you win, you want us to grant your wish?”

[That is right.]

Seo GalMa's expression hardened.

He had guessed what she would demand.

And his guess was correct.

[If I win, Uncle Hae and Uncle Seo must promise, here and now, to support me, and swear loyalty to me.]

Evil Heaven's eyes widened as he was drawn into this as well.

What had begun as a contest of pride had suddenly become far larger.

A great deal was now at stake in this match.

- She is clever.

I agreed with SoDam Sword.

Even amid all this, she was securing an advantage for herself. She was not someone to be underestimated.

Then again, if she only allowed herself to be dragged around by the two Venerable Ones, she could not be called worthy of becoming lord.

Like a woman who dreamed of becoming lord, she was bold.

- How will that mad old man respond?

‘The answer has already been decided.’

- Huh?

From the beginning, Evil Heaven had involved himself in the matter of choosing her spouse because his heart leaned toward Baek Ryeon Ha.

Otherwise, he would have watched from the sidelines.

Swish!

As expected, Evil Heaven gave a fist-and-palm salute toward the bamboo blind and spoke.

“Heh heh, I will follow the young lady's wishes.”

Once he had made up his mind, there was no reason for him not to accept.

If he won, he could join his disciple with her and ensure her safety. If he lost, the two Venerable Ones would support her.

The balance of power between the factions, which had been unfavorable to her, would change.

[Can Uncle Seo not accept?]

At her question, Seo GalMa looked troubled and let out a sigh.

He had realized that if he backed down, not only would his dignity as a martial artist be shattered, but he would lose his justification for wishing to save Baek Ryeon Ha, the one who inherited the legitimate line.

He had no choice but to stake everything on this match.

Swish!

Seo GalMa gave a fist-and-palm salute as he answered.

“I will follow the young lady's wishes.”

Han BaekHa, the Blood-Hand Witch, who had watched anxiously, looked much brighter.

Thus, a match with much at stake was set.

Then what I had to do was clear.

I walked toward Seo GalMa.

Everyone, including Seo GalMa, looked at me in confusion.

Swish!

I gave Seo GalMa a fist-and-palm salute and spoke respectfully.

“For a fair match, please use your Point-Sealing Art to seal my internal energy, Second Venerable One.”

Seo GalMa's expression turned strange as he looked at me.

Perhaps he found it odd that I could act so confidently despite entering a match with my life on the line.

Without a word, Seo GalMa placed his palm over the area of my dantian.

A hot energy entered my body from his hand.

- What is he doing?

‘Checking, probably.’

My attitude had made him wonder whether I had concealed my ability.

The corner of his mouth rose slightly after checking my internal energy.

He seemed certain that I was truly Advanced.

“Since I will seal Brother Hae's disciple's points, Brother Hae should seal my disciple's points, for fairness.”

“Fine.”

Evil Heaven accepted and sealed Ho GeumWon's points.

Now neither side could use internal energy.

In terms of internal energy, it was fair.

“Everyone, please move back to the wall.”

Han BaekHa, the Blood-Hand Witch, who was essentially serving as the witness, took charge of the match.

Song JwaBaek looked at me worriedly as he moved back toward the wall.

Under normal circumstances, he would have been restless to step forward himself, but this match involved life and death, so he seemed concerned.

[Hey! If it looks bad, give up even in the middle of it. Do not die like an idiot.]

He sent me sound telepathy.

Had we grown attached after spending a year together?

I never expected to hear something like that from him.

[He is an Expert master. It is not as though the old man will kill him just because he loses.]

I gave him a faint smile.

It meant that he should not worry.

Song JwaBaek clicked his tongue at the sight.

“The two competitors, widen the distance between you.”

At Han BaekHa's instruction, Ho GeumWon and I moved apart.

As we did, Ho GeumWon quietly spoke to me.

“If you give up even now, you may keep your body whole. You still have a bright future ahead of you.”

He advised me to forfeit.

Judging from his confident expression, he had already assured himself of victory.

He had deliberately spoken loudly enough for others to hear, likely to show Baek Ryeon Ha that he had considered his opponent.

Naturally, what he truly wanted was to crush me thoroughly.

Swish!

I gave him a fist-and-palm salute and replied.

“It is all right. I wish to compete without regret.”

Ho GeumWon shook his head at my words.

Then, as though giving me advance warning, he said,

“I will not take your life. But you should prepare to lose an arm.”

It seemed Seo GalMa had told him to sever my arm.

He likely intended to take my right arm, the life of a swordsman.

“I will not take your life either.”

Ho GeumWon's brow twitched at my words.

Perhaps it annoyed him that someone who was only Advanced would say something so presumptuous.

But he forced himself to remain composed.

“Such spirit is worthy of a Venerable One's disciple.”

Then he gripped the hilt of his long saber.

I too grasped the hilt of the Southern Heavenly Steel Sword.

The match would begin as soon as Han BaekHa, the Blood-Hand Witch, gave the signal.

I stared hard into his eyes.

Perhaps my glare irritated him, for a thick killing intent filled his eyes.

Han BaekHa raised her hand.

“Begin!”

Han BaekHa shouted the start of the match.

At that very moment, Ho GeumWon's eyes went unfocused, and his body suddenly staggered.

Clang!

I drew my sword like lightning and launched myself forward.

“What are you doing!”

Startled, Seo GalMa unconsciously shouted during the match.

Thanks to that, Ho GeumWon was startled awake and tried to regain his senses, but it was already too late.

Slice!

The right arm holding his saber was severed at the elbow.

Only after seeing his arm twitching on the floor did he seem to feel the pain. Clutching the severed stump, he screamed.

“Arrgh!”

Swish!

I pointed my sword at his throat.

His eyes trembled as he writhed in pain.

“I did not take your life.”

‘!!!’

No one had expected such an outcome, and silence filled the room.

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