86 - Betting, Competition (1) - The Heaven-Slaying Sword

Mok Riwon, upon his return, immediately directed his steps towards the martial training grounds and plunged into meditation. For about a day and a half. Forsaking both food and drink, his continuous meditation made the other members realize. “There seems to be some learning involved.” “Annoying, isn’t it? How can someone gain enlightenment just by going and coming back shortly? Or did our master specially educate Mr. Mok because he favors him?” These were the comments from Il Woon and Hye Woon, respectively. Hye Woon even shuddered. They knew his talents were leaps beyond theirs, but even so, Mok Riwon’s pace was alarmingly fast. After all, wasn’t he at the same entry level of cliques just upon observing at the Dragon Peak Assembly? To think that this was the progress made in less than half a year. It just didn’t seem possible for him to be the same human being. “…No wonder he’s touted as a top candidate of ancient and modern times.” “We should also strive more, shouldn’t we?” “I am doing so.” Hye Woon pouted her lips. Dang Hwa-seo, observing such Hye Woon, let out a hollow laugh but soon turned her eyes towards Namgung Jincheon. He, flexing the sinews on his forehead, fiercely glared at Mok Riwon before suddenly turning away. “I’ll use Training Ground 2.” Whether his body was itching or it was his competitive spirit burning, Dang Hwa-seo let out a chuckle at his consistent demeanor. “Let’s not disturb him in vain and go on. We all have things to do, don’t we?” Thus, under Dang Hwa-seo’s lead, the members cleared the way, and another half-day passed. Only then did Mok Riwon open his eyes. A deep light swirled in the eyes of Mok Riwon as he gathered the enlightenment that had been scattered about, obtaining an even more profound inner power. ‘Almost there.’ Of course, the essence of his inner power hadn’t changed. Mok Riwon’s inner force, due to his extreme physique, was still wild in nature. It was more about his controlling power having strengthened a bit more. ‘Humanity, the martial world, and possibilities.’ These three words were the core. Any further progress… was impossible for now. More than anything, the total amount of his inner power was still lacking. His swordsmanship was also barely enough. ‘Supreme Mastery.’ That vast wall, although pushed, had yet to crumble. However, the stagnation wouldn’t last long. ‘Just one step.’ That was the distance Mok Riwon’s martial prowess indicated. The next realm was within reach. Although impatient, Mok Riwon suppressed it. ‘Slowly, and on the right path.’ The teachings of his master, Mok Seon O, were guiding the path Mok Riwon needed to follow even at this moment. Mok Riwon left the training grounds. The sky was already dyed pitch black. Only the stars in the sky scattered a sorrowful light. “Hmm… I’m hungry.” Mok Riwon turned sullen. At this late night, the kitchen staff would have retired to bed, and the other members would have fallen asleep as well. Was he supposed to just endure and fall asleep tonight? While pondering with his lips almost protruding, “You worked hard, Mr. Mok.” Dang Hwa-seo appeared, holding snacks in her embrace. Mok Riwon’s eyes widened. “Miss! What brings you here at this late hour, not sleeping?” “I figured you’d probably leave your spot around this time. You can’t stand being hungry, can you?” Dang Hwa-seo, smiling, showed the snacks. “I’ve packed some pancakes and dried meat. Eat and get some sleep.” “Miss…!” Mok Riwon trembled with gratitude. Then, he grasped Dang Hwa-seo’s hands. “There’s no one like you, Miss!” “Of course.” Dang Hwa-seo replied with audacity. * In front of the Dragon Peak Clan’s training grounds was a small garden. Sitting on the porch and looking out, it was quite a nice spot with a view of the pond and the wall beyond. Mok Riwon, gazing at the stars reflected in the pond, nibbled on pancakes. Thus, they chatted. He talked about things he couldn’t say because he hurried into meditation with an urgent heart. “So, you see! The master said one should be able to see people's value beyond just martial strength.” “That led to your enlightenment?” “Yes! I, embarrassingly, ran off without giving the master a proper greeting.” “The master will understand. Surely, he also spent such times before reaching his realm, didn’t he?” “Yes! The master was about to send me off when…” The conversation went on for a long time. Including the matter where Sa Baek Woon wanted to challenge him to a duel, the idle chat before that, the Baijiu they drank on the spot, Mok Riwon only belatedly remembered and mentioned the Elixirs. “Ah! The master said he would grant Dragon Peak Clan Elixirs!” “Yes, I heard about it today too. One Revival Pill and one Self-refining Pill. They are Elixirs from Ku faction that came to our master this year.” “Two each…!” “It will probably go to Mr. Mok, who made the greatest contribution, and Geomryong. Congratulations.” As Dang Hwa-seo said this with a smile, Mok Riwon flinched. “Uh… won't the other members receive anything?” It was only then his thoughts extended that far. Dang Hwa-seo blinked, then bursting into laughter, patted Mok Riwon's shoulder. Everyone acknowledges it, so don't worry about it." "But..." Still, we all went through hardships together. Moreover, after following such a difficult path because of my stubbornness, how could I keep my mouth shut? "If the Elixir could be divided and shared..." "The original efficacy wouldn't even amount to a tenth. You know better, why suggest that?" "Then selling it to buy several smaller Elixirs..." "Wouldn't that result in being pursued not only by the alliance but also by Shaolin and Hwasan for leaking secrets? It could even be seen as a public offense." As Dang Hwa-seo spoke in a frightening tone, Mok Riwon turned pale. "I, I wouldn’t want to commit any offense...!" Afterwards, he slumped his shoulders in resignation. "Uhm... It would be nice if we could get more Elixirs." "They're not that easily obtained." "Aren’t you disappointed?" "I am content just seeing Mr. Mok grow." Right after saying this, Dang Hwa-seo realized how strange her comment sounded, and quickly corrected herself. "I meant, it’s good to see the members becoming stronger." That should not sound too blatant. Dang Hwa-seo nodded in satisfaction. Mok Riwon quietly watched her. Amid revealing her usual kindness, his retinas seemed to have stopped moving entirely, as if trying to etch her smile onto them. His spoken words reflected that thought. "Miss." "Yes?" "You truly have a big heart. I think I really like that about you." Mok Riwon smiled casually. However, paradoxically, even such casualness was beautiful on him. "Ah..." His gently folded eyes and slightly raised lips were elegant. His skin, reflecting the moonlight and the light from the pond, shone white and smooth like porcelain. A truly unbearable beauty. Overwhelmed by such thoughts, Dang Hwa-seo's pupils wavered. She found it difficult to look away from Mok Riwon's eyes, her favorite part of him, which had a faint brown hue swirling around them, resembling his pure nature. In the quiet courtyard of the manor, a light wind shook the branches, causing leaves to fall onto the pond, creating ripples. Such tiny sounds of water were audible only to the ears of martial artists. Whether these ripples resonated with her heart, or Mok Riwon’s clear smile created another sort of resonance, suddenly, she felt a twinge in her chest. In fact, such cause and effect probably didn't matter. "Your eyes..." Dang Hwa-seo reached out. Her hand touched Mok Riwon's cheek, and soon her thumb caressed underneath his eye. "Hm?" "...You are truly beautiful." Those were the only words that filled her mind. After muttering in a daze, Dang Hwa-seo startled herself. "Ah!" She stood up swiftly. Even in the dim surroundings, her face clearly flushed red. Rationality returned to her belatedly. "What have I done!" What a sentimental thing to have said! Caught in the moment, Dang Hwa-seo, embarrassed by her own words, did not know what to do. She rolled her eyes around before closing them tight and running away. "Take care!" Mok Riwon was left alone, merely tilting his head in confusion. "Hm, the Miss is indeed peculiar!" Saying such things... * Dang Hwa-seo's face remained red the next day. The first thing she did upon waking up was tremble in embarrassment, and while going about her tasks, every few steps she stopped to cover her face in shame. Even after arriving at the meeting, it continued. "Leader of the Dragon Peak Clan, are you feeling unwell?" Quanpyo-wol, who usually sat nearby during meetings, asked. Dang Hwa-seo awkwardly laughed and shook her head. "No, not at all." It's just the shame that's choking me. She swallowed those words. Why on earth did I say that? "No." Actually, upon reflection, it was all Mok Riwon’s fault. Being too caught up in the moment, his too handsome appearance was the problem. Not just her, anyone in the world would have blurted out something similar in that moment. Dang Hwa-seo consoled herself with such pathetic rationalizations. However, that didn’t ease her heart. Her body trembled again, and Quanpyo-wol's bewilderment only deepened. "Let's start the meeting!" Amidst this, the meeting commenced. The discussions were as usual: traces of the demonic sect found in certain regions, the current whereabouts of the mission personnel, what the other branches were discussing, etc. Mostly things that could be revisited later, Dang Hwa-seo was struggling to keep her focus. Her thoughts were preoccupied with 'How shall I look at Mr. Mok today?' It was during such times, perhaps the heavens intent on aiding Dang Hwa-seo's concentration, that the remarks following the reports made her open her eyes wide. Specifically, it was Master Gyeondong's comments questioning the Elixir awards to the Dragon Peak Clan that elicited this reaction. "Hmm, aren’t the Revival Pill and Self-refining Pill too generous?" Gyeondong stroked his goatee as he spoke. Dang Hwa-seo let out a snort of laughter. 'This guy?' What kind of confidence did he have to spout such words? That was the question bubbling up in her mind. "...I believe it's a rightful reward. Our members fought risking their lives in that place." "Still, it is true that it has caused cracks in the system. Mukryong and Geomryong accomplished their missions splendidly, but the incident has set a bad precedent for the alliance." Dang Hwa-seo's fists clenched tightly. Gyeondong snorted disdainfully as he spoke. "Even if it’s in line with the council’s wishes, if it leads others into danger, then there should be a penalty for that. It might be better to exclude the Self-refining Pill." The atmosphere in the meeting became sharply tense. The other leaders and chiefs looked on with interest, waiting for Dang Hwa-seo’s response. Dang Hwa-seo gritted her teeth, trying to cool down her boiling head. 'So, it’s come to this...' It was difficult to bear. After all, it was a reward earned by the members risking their own lives. Especially Mok Riwon and Namgung Jincheon, who fought with supreme demons at the edge of life and death. How dare an outsider spew such talk? Dang Hwa-seo looked sharply at Gyeondong. Then she asked the other leaders present. "...Are there any leaders who agree with this opinion?" Three hands went up. But also, three stayed down. She had specifically asked the leaders and not the chiefs for a reason. Dang Hwa-seo smiled thinly. "The votes are tied. 3 to 3." She had a rough idea of how many leaders shared ties with Gyeondong, so this result was within expectation. And this is the martial world alliance. "Let's do this. I’ve heard that the Jinwon Clan has recently acquired four small Elixirs." "And what of it?" "Let's decide through a martial contest. Who deserves the Elixirs." Gyeondong suddenly flinched. The other leaders and chiefs lit up with interest. Someone murmured. "An Elixir wager, is it? It’s been 2 years, hasn’t it?" It wasn’t unprecedented. Given the many people gathered within the martial world alliance, minor disagreements always existed. The Elixir wager suggested by Dang Hwa-seo was in line with such a context. It was also an implicitly accepted tradition by the alliance itself to induce competition between the factions. 'I wasn’t looking favorably upon him anyway.' I’ll take everything he has and make him unable to utter a sound. With that resolve, Dang Hwa-seo glared at Gyeondong.