Chapter 44

“Many contenders for the championship have been mentioned so far. That’s because the Martial Alliance and the Imperial Council are backing different champions.”

Hwa Eun-seol held up two fingers.

The Martial Alliance names two individuals: Qin Jie of the Huashan Sect and Lin Zhiling of the Wudang Sect. Their participation remains uncertain. It’s not due to bad relations with the Martial Alliance, but because Huashan practitioners risk their lives even in friendly matches, and Wudang dislikes external engagements.

Dan Wuseong stared intently at Hua Eunseol.

He had thought her to be a woman of many shames, but when she spoke, the feeling was different. He knew some of what she said, but since this brother and sister were trying to help him, he intended to listen silently. Above all, Hua Enxue, like her elder brother, had a pleasant voice, making it enjoyable to listen to her.

Hwa Eun-seol looked at her brother, and Hwa Eun-wol, who had been so talkative, sent her a look urging her to continue.

Hwa Eun-seol continued.

“The Imperial Council is focusing on Dugu Han and Namgung Wei. However, if the two face off before the finals, the chances of either winning are slim.”

“Why is that?”

“They are rivals in love. They are both men who covet Baili Yan, known as the most beautiful woman in Jiangnan. There are even rumors that they are participating in the Dragon-Phoenix Grand Banquet to publicly humiliate each other.”

Dan Woo-sung gave a faint smile.

Baek Ryeon… That little girl has grown up already.

Dan Wooseong remembered Baek Ryeon as a little lady. Time had passed so quickly that she was now called the “Most Beautiful Woman in Gangnam,” and it felt strange to hear she was suddenly the woman sought after by the young masters of noble families. Because Dan Wooseong himself, who had been like an uncle to her, was now her peer.

Hwa Eun-wol smiled slyly as she looked at her younger sister.

“Hmm, judging by her tone, I somehow suspect Eunseol won’t leave Baek Ryeon alone.”

Hwa Eunseol replied with wide, surprised eyes.

“Why would I?”

“Just kidding. Don’t be alarmed. Even if you win, don’t hit Baek Ryeon’s face.”

“His face?”

“I suppose if Baek Ryeon gets hurt in the face, the entire Gangnam region might turn against the Hwase Family. Hmm, that won’t do. I won’t allow it either.”

Hua Eun-seol clutched her forehead.

“In combat, one can get injured, even in the face. Of course, I wouldn’t strike him deliberately.”

“Right. You be careful too. Baek Ryeon is a top contender at the Phoenix Grand Tournament. And there’s something missing from what you said. If you’re going to provide information to the Crown Prince, you have to be thorough.”

The Dragon Phoenix Tournament was held separately for men and women, though occasionally the champions would face off in a final duel. Otherwise, it followed a format where separate champions were crowned.

Hwa Eun-seol looked at her brother.

“My brother is also a contender for the championship. Only, no one is expecting it.”

“I suppose so.”

“To tell you my brother’s secret, he has never once engaged in a martial arts duel. He has never fought anyone. Honestly, the fact he came to watch the Dragon Phoenix Grand Tournament is surprising in itself. He’s always been the type to find everything in the world bothersome.”

Dan Woosung looked at Hwa Eunwol.

It made sense to some extent. He didn’t seem to possess any fierce fighting spirit. It appeared to be his innate nature.

Or perhaps he was truly a terrifying man…

As if there were absolutely no reason to reveal his true strength at a tournament like the Dragon-Phoenix Grand Gathering.

Hwa Eun-seol said.

“And while it’s not widely known, there’s a rumor that a disciple of the Haenam Sect is a formidable opponent. We’ve only heard the rumor ourselves, as we haven’t seen it. And among the favorites to win is the Crown Prince.”

Hwa Eun-seol pointed at Dan Woo-seong with her white hand. In any case, this meant the Haenam Sect disciple and Dan Woo-seong had become variables.

Dan Woosung took a sip of tea and said.

“I hear you.”

Hwa Eun-wol asked with a smile.

“Your Highness, how are your preparations?”

Dan Wooseong replied.

Jin Gyeol, Im Ji-ryeong, Dokgo Han, Namgung Wi, and the disciples of the Haenam Sect—I’m sorry to say this, but your luck won’t be good this year.

It’s because the King of Gwon is participating.

“······.”

Hwa Eun-wol and Hwa Eun-seol stared at Danwooseong with wide eyes. They waited for the Crown Prince’s next words, but that was all he said.

What more needed to be said?

The moment Hwa Eun-wol belatedly grasped the boldness of Dan Woo-seong’s declaration, she burst into laughter.

“Hahaha…”

Hwa Eun-seol, who had been subtly teased all along, launched a counterattack at her brother.

“If you want to be lucky too, Brother, you should have skipped this.”

Hwa Eun-wol chose her words carefully before responding thus.

“Brother, I’ve always been a lucky man. Don’t you know why?”

“Because you always avoid fights.”

Hwa Eun-wol pointed at her younger brother with her finger, as if this were an important matter.

“Exactly. That’s something a man trained in martial arts can’t easily do. I find it more fun to beat someone with words than with my fists. That’s enough for me.”

But who could know Hwa Eun-wol’s true feelings?

If he were to enter the competition, victory was naturally his goal too.

As his sister put it, Hwa Eun-wol was always a pleasure-seeking idler, not a man boiling with fierce fighting spirit.

But Hwa Eun-wol knew herself better than anyone.

He knew he was a man who, once he set his mind to a fight, would see it through to the end.

Yet, no matter how hard he tried to figure out the young master of Eunhwasangdan while sipping his tea, there was nothing more to uncover.

‘What a troublesome man.’

He knew the man was skilled in both external and internal martial arts, but he still couldn’t discern what his primary martial art was.

This was undoubtedly because Hwa Eun-wol’s level and experience fell short compared to Yu Jeong-hong, the leader of the Martial Arts Alliance. No matter how clever Hwa Eun-wol was, it was something he couldn’t figure out immediately.

Experience is also a factor that cannot be ignored. Moreover, Danwooseong’s expression gave no hint of affection or interest toward his younger sister.

Hwa Eun-wol fluttered her fan and laughed.

‘He’s not an easy man to deal with.’

Then, a sudden thought occurred to her.

‘His mindset might be entirely different.’

If his focus was solely on becoming stronger, then right now, Hwa Eun-seol and Baek Ri-eon’s beauty might not register. Truthfully, few men remained this composed in the presence of Hwa Eun-seol, known as the Snow Phoenix.

Then, he thought his role ended here.

Having brought them together, I thought the rest was up to their fate.

Hwa Eun-wol said.

“With the final battle approaching, let us rest now.”

Her words were clean and decisive.

At Hwa Eun-wol’s words, the two rose. Dan Woo-sung settled the bill first, then turned to the Hwa siblings and said.

“Master Hua, Miss Hua, we shall meet again.”

“Take care.”

Dan Wooseong and Hwa Eunwol exchanged glances and gave a slight nod. Then Dan Wooseong addressed Hwa Eunseol.

“Thank you for the information. I’ll take it into consideration.”

“Don’t mention it. Take care.”

After Dan Woosung departed, Hua Eunwol smiled and looked at her younger sister.

“What a blunt fellow.”

“I agree.”

“He doesn’t seem like a womanizer.”

“I suppose not?”

“A womanizer is someone who gets all flustered whenever he sees a pretty woman.”

“But what about those who pretend to be indifferent? They just put on that blunt facade.”

“No, that’s not it. He just seemed uninterested in you.”

Hwa Eun-seol seemed somewhat deflated, offering only a faint smile. Then Hwa Eun-wol soothed her like this.

“He seems like a man with a clear purpose. Some kind of standard must weigh heavily at the center of his heart. Once the Crown Prince grows stronger or achieves his goal, you’ll look different to him, so there’s no need to worry too much.”

Hwa Eun-seol retorted with an expression of utter bewilderment.

“Brother, I just met him today. Do I look like some love-struck fool? I’m not like that.”

Hwa Eun-wol burst out laughing.

“Let’s say that’s true. How could I possibly know the hearts of men and women? There are so many things I don’t understand about the world. Seol-ah.”

“Yes, Brother.”

“See, feel, and enjoy to your heart’s content. There are men like the Great Prince of the Northern Kingdom who are that strong. And there are those called the Princes of Sega who can be despicable. Just because someone belongs to the Martial Alliance doesn’t mean they’re all heroes, and just because someone is a rogue doesn’t mean they’re automatically of low standing. Choose the man you’ll become lovers with after seeing him with your own eyes and listening carefully to his words. What I said earlier was a joke, so don’t worry about it.”

Hua Yinshuo finally responded respectfully.

“Understood, brother. But what about you? Even if I lack discernment in judging people, I can sense that the Crown Prince is incredibly powerful.”

“That’s why those championship contenders are out of luck. Look at me. Of course, you never know until you fight. Both defeat and victory become valuable experience. But people have luck and momentum. I finally met a worthy opponent, yet before we could even build our friendship, we’re clashing in the finals of some measly tournament just to claim victory. It’s not exactly ideal. I’ll make way for the Grand Prince. One must look at things from a long-term perspective.”

Hwa Eun-seol listened with an almost dazed expression.

“Wow…”

Her brother’s words, which had flowed like a winding valley, ultimately led to the conclusion that he would not participate in the war. It was an intensely irritating yet somehow comical feeling.

Hwa Eun-seol said.

“Your words flow like clear mountain streams. That’s a compliment, Brother.”

“Like flowing water, yet like autumn leaves falling…”

“Huh?”

“There’s such a thing.”

As soon as Hwa Eun-wol caught sight of the man passing by Danwooseong, she said to Hwa Eun-seol.

“I’ll explain later. Go upstairs and rest.”

A look of displeasure crept onto Hwa Eun-wol’s face. Noticing this, Hwa Eun-seol quickly stood up and replied.

“Yes, brother.”

A young man clad in a black robe and a white jangsam with only red outlines on the outer edges approached, glancing at Hwa Eun-seol’s back as he spoke.

“Young Master Hua, I was just looking for you. Here you are.”

Hua Eun-wol pointed to the opposite side and replied.

“Have a seat.”

The tall man placed his weapon beside the table before sitting down. It was the unique weapon of the Dokgo clan, known as the heavy sword. At a glance, it resembled a long spear made of black iron rather than a sword.

The Dokgo Clan, a distinguished lineage among the Four Great Clans spanning over two hundred years, was consistently regarded as the foremost in the realm for its mastery of heavy weaponry.

The man was none other than Dugu Han, widely considered the top contender for the championship.

Dugu Han suddenly seemed to recall the man who had passed by. He turned back and muttered to himself.

“That man over there—do you know who he is? He was coming this way.”

When Dugu Han looked back at Hua Yue, she also peered out and glanced briefly before replying.

“Who? I don’t know.”

“His eyes were unsettling.”

“Could your gaze actually be unpleasant? Or is it because you don’t avoid my eyes? How old are you, still playing staring contests?”

Dokgo Han chuckled.

“Hey, Eun-wol. Why are you so tense?”

“Coming to the Martial Alliance, I can’t help but be on edge. But what brings the young master of the great Dokgo family to such a humble place?”

Dokgo Han replied.

“Why else would I come? To discuss matters. What other reason would I have to visit you, the one called the next Supreme Commander of the Imperial Council?”

“That line again.”

“That’s what my father said. Watch your words. I didn’t see the eve ceremony, but the family keeps talking about the young master of the Eunha Trading Company. Spectators are buzzing that the list of contenders has grown.”

“Having defeated Master Gu Yangsheng, he’s naturally a top contender. It’s hardly surprising…”

Dugu Han’s expression hardened.

“Do you think I’m weaker than Senior Gu Yangsheng?”

“How should I know that? Don’t frown like that. I’m not your family. Just tell me what you want.”

Dugu Han replied with a sullen expression.

“Why not join the fray this time? If you could just take down either that merchant’s son or Namgung Wei, we’d have a winner at this year’s Imperial Tournament.”

“That’s some strange logic. I might even face you myself. Can the Dugu Clan really influence the tournament bracket? That’s impossible.”

“With so many participants, that’s impossible.”

Hwa Eun-wol said, fluttering her fan.

“Neither you nor I need to be so anxious about a single tournament when we both have long training ahead. Besides, this year neither the Imperial Assembly nor the Martial Alliance will produce a champion, so just relax and participate in the Dragon-Phoenix Grand Gathering.”

“What nonsense are you spouting?”

Hua Yuewei poked her head out and glared at Dugu Han as she spoke.

“This is advice from the next Supreme Commander of the Emperor’s Assembly.”

ⓒ Yoo Jin-seong

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