'Well now, I didn't expect such an entertaining spectacle.'
'The Ghostblade… I've heard the name, but can he truly stand against the warriors of Jonguimun?'
'It seems Yongmyeong Trading House and Jonguimun are officially testing each other's strength… Either way, for Yongmyeong, whether they win or lose, it will be an awkward situation.'
As everyone's attention shifted toward the duel between Yongmyeong and Jonguimun, one of the merchant lords cleared his throat and made a suggestion.
"Talking like this only makes me anticipate it all the more. Merchant Lord, when might we expect this match to begin? Perhaps it would be best to hold it now, while everyone's spirits are high."
"T–that's not something I can decide alone…"
"Jonguimun is ready at any time."
Before Cheon Myeong-hak could finish speaking, the Lord of Jonguimun interjected with a smile.
"Isn't this fine? After all, a banquet is meant to lift everyone's spirits. Holding a duel now would only serve as an extension of the festivities."
"Mm…"
With the Lord of Jonguimun pressing, Myeong-hak found himself unable to refuse. His eyes drifted toward Jang Ui-bo, as if asking for guidance.
And then—
"There's no reason not to."
As though he had been waiting for this very moment, Jang Ui-bo spoke.
"We are prepared as well."
Until now, he had held his fury in check, watching the arrogance of their opponents.
But his stiff face and flashing eyes made it plain—he was itching for a fight.
Seeing him like this, Cheon Myeong-hak was reminded of the first time Jang Ui-bo had come to Yongmyeong. He stared blankly at him, lost in thought, when—
"I feel the same."
Following Jang Ui-bo, Cho Mu-do also stepped forward.
"This will be my chance to experience firsthand the martial arts of Zhongnan Sect that I've only heard about."
The retainers of Yongmyeong nodded in firm agreement.
And then, breaking his silence until now, Cheon Woo-ha's voice carried across the hall.
"I admit, I am curious as well."
"…"
"If he is truly a genius inheritor of the Zhongnan Sect—one of the Nine Great Sects—then just how extraordinary must he be?"
With deliberate ease, Woo-ha's gaze fell on So Woon.
Not one of Yongmyeong's retainers seemed willing to back down.
Faced with their fighting spirit, Myeong-hak could only wear a hollow smile.
'…I was wrong.'
He had been worrying that this duel would only crush Yongmyeong's momentum and bring shame upon them.
But look at them now.
They carried the determination of those who believed you don't know until you try.
Even if they lost, they would not bow their heads quietly.
How shameful it was, then, that the one who should believe in them—the head of the house himself—had been the only one dwelling on defeat.
A moment later, a resolute light shone in Cheon Myeong-hak's eyes.
"Very well."
"Does that mean…?"
"Yes. Let us move to the arena and begin the duel immediately."
At his answer, the Lord of Jonguimun and So Woon exchanged satisfied smiles.
The other merchant lords' eyes sharpened as they began comparing the two sides' strength.
Thus began the first official clash of power between Yongmyeong Trading House and Jonguimun since the signing of their accord.
"Who will step forth as the vanguard?"
"I will! Even if I lose, I'll make sure those bastards know Yongmyeong is not to be trifled with!"
At Cho Mu-do's question, one of Yongmyeong's warriors shot up his hand.
Since the others were of roughly equal skill—aside from Jang Ui-bo and Cho Mu-do—no one objected.
But then—
"I don't think that's wise."
"Master Jang?"
Jang Ui-bo spoke in a low voice, addressing them as they prepared to decide.
"To be frank, among us there are only two who have any real chance of winning against them. Am I wrong?"
"That is…"
"There's no way we can win all three matches. Our best option is to secure two certain victories. If we can do that, it will be as good as a true win."
Realizing what he meant, Cho Mu-do slowly nodded.
"You're suggesting you and I go out first, to catch them off guard."
"Exactly. They'll want to ensure every win, so their strongest will certainly be saved for later."
Indeed—it made sense.
If Yongmyeong, a mere trading house, were to lose three to one in a formal duel, Jonguimun would be ridiculed, victory or not.
If victory in all three matches was impossible, then better to ensure at least two decisive wins.
"What do you all think?"
"I agree. What matters most is that Yongmyeong wins."
"As long as we can land a solid blow on those arrogant bastards, the method doesn't matter."
"…Very well."
With consensus reached, Cho Mu-do looked across the arena toward Jonguimun and declared:
"Then I'll go first. Master Jang, please claim the second victory for us."
"Mm. Leave it to me."
"Thank you."
At Jang Ui-bo's assurance, Cho Mu-do steadied his breath and gripped his wooden sword.
Though he felt the pressure of leading as vanguard, his heart was surprisingly calm.
'…I can do this.'
The gap between disciples of great sects and wandering swordsmen was vast.
Those men had learned the structured teachings of the martial world, while vagrants like him had picked up the sword only to survive.
But in the last five years, he had accomplished much on his own. Enough to give him confidence.
Just as Cho Mu-do stepped toward the arena—
Step. Step.
"…What?"
Someone unexpected emerged from Jonguimun's ranks.
Cho Mu-do's eyes filled with disbelief.
'So they've chosen Cho Mu-do?'
From the spectator's seat, watching the decision made with Jang Ui-bo, Cheon Woo-ha nodded.
'A clever choice.'
Normally in a group duel, the strongest fighters were placed last.
But Cho Mu-do stepping up first meant Yongmyeong sought to secure two sure wins from the start.
Woo-ha smiled faintly at their strategy—
Step. Step.
"…Hm?"
A figure emerged from Jonguimun's formation, wearing a relaxed smile.
It was none other than So Woon, the Young Lord of Jonguimun.
His unexpected appearance stirred a wave of whispers among the crowd.
"What! The Young Lord himself in the first match?"
"I thought he'd appear in one of the later rounds…"
"Haha, perhaps they want to excite the crowd right from the start. Still, it'll only be worth watching if his opponent has the skill to match…"
Murmurs of curiosity and doubt rippled across the seats.
Meanwhile, stunned by the unexpected opponent, Cho Mu-do bit his lip and turned to glance back.
'What should I do?'
Everyone knew he had been about to step up. Backing out now would look shameful.
Sensing his hesitation, one of Yongmyeong's warriors approached, speaking loudly.
"Instructor, please allow me. Let me be the one to cross swords with him!"
"Mm… but…"
"I beg you. Save your strength for another. I must witness the swordsmanship of the Zhongnan Sect myself!"
It was a clever ploy to give Cho Mu-do an out.
Cho Mu-do clenched his jaw and looked toward So Woon, standing so casually in the arena, as if the opponent didn't matter.
Just then, So Woon spoke in a flat voice:
"Whoever it may be, step forth. It makes no difference. A matter of order only—the opponent remains the same."
"…What? What do you mean by that?"
Brows furrowed in confusion, Cho Mu-do demanded an answer.
So Woon curved one lip into a mocking smile.
"Just as I said. For this duel, I alone will represent Jonguimun."
"W–what?"
Eyes wide, Cho Mu-do gaped.
From the seats, Cheon Myeong-hak turned in alarm to the Jonguimun Lord.
"Lord of Jonguimun, what is the meaning of this? We clearly agreed to five matches—"
"Haha, surprised? We agreed to limit the number to five, not that we must use five. Did we not?"
"Lord of Jonguimun…!"
"Come now, don't be so shocked. For a martial sect like ours to face a trading house on equal terms—it would be absurd!"
The Lord of Jonguimun's sly smile widened, his voice suddenly raised so all could hear:
"Here and now, I declare! Though Yongmyeong has five warriors prepared, Jonguimun shall send only one—our Young Lord! Should he be defeated, then consider this duel Jonguimun's loss!"
"Oooh…!"
"Remarkable! This will be worth watching indeed!"
The audience erupted in excitement at the seemingly magnanimous gesture.
None in attendance believed Yongmyeong could truly win.
Yet now, it would be five against one—
Jonguimun's sole representative, barely past twenty years old, against a team that included the famed Ghostblade.
Surely this promised entertainment.
As the mood shifted exactly as planned, Cheon Myeong-hak's face hardened.
'Damn… if this ends in defeat, the backlash will be…'
Everyone present could sense the underlying tension between Yongmyeong and Jonguimun.
If not a single warrior of Yongmyeong could overcome the Young Lord alone…
'No. I can't think like this.'
Gripping his thigh hard, Myeong-hak pushed away the dark thoughts.
He must remember—their retainers had already shown their will to fight against Jonguimun's arrogance.
"…Very well."
With his expression composed, he nodded toward the Lord of Jonguimun.
"Yongmyeong will gratefully accept Jonguimun's generosity."
"A wise choice."
Despite the sly grin of the Lord of Jonguimun, Myeong-hak allowed himself a sliver of hope.
'Yes, it's only one man. Perhaps… we can manage this much.'
So Woon was a disciple of Zhongnan Sect, yes. But still only in his early twenties—a youth, not some veteran master.
As Myeong-hak's voice fell silent, Cho Mu-do strode calmly onto the stage.
Step. Step.
Thud.
"So, it's you after all?"
So Woon asked with easy amusement.
Cho Mu-do gave no answer, only set his stance in silence.
Swish.
"Then… let us begin!"
"Waaah!"
Rising to his feet, Cheon Myeong-hak declared the start of the duel.
A cheer thundered from the crowd.
Smiling faintly as though savoring the sound, So Woon raised his wooden sword and leveled it at Cho Mu-do.
Slide.
"I'll concede the first strike."
"…Then I won't hold back."
Pabat!
At his word, Cho Mu-do lunged, kicking off the floor of the arena.
Simple but fast, his charge closed the distance in an instant.
For a moment, So Woon's eyes flashed with surprise.
Clash!
Bang!
"Ooooh…!"
Cho Mu-do's sword, aimed at So Woon's head, was blocked cleanly.
The crash of wood on wood rang through the air, drawing gasps from the stands.
Without pause, Cho Mu-do unleashed a furious barrage.
"Ta-haaat!"
Bang! Crack! Bang!
His strikes flowed from head to side to legs, carrying the full weight of his body.
Though each was blocked, he pressed forward, thrusting fiercely at chest and stomach.
Bang! Bang! Clang!
Their wooden swords collided again and again, each impact echoing across the hall.
In the blink of an eye, more than a dozen blows were exchanged, but not once did So Woon's robe flutter.
"Huuh… Hyaaap!"
Frustrated at his every attack being blocked, Cho Mu-do let out a roar and swung in a great arc, twisting his whole body to slash down on So Woon's shoulder.
Click.
A sharp tsk echoed, followed by a streak of light that slashed across Cho Mu-do's body.
Flash!
Shraaak!
"Ugh…!"
"No way…!"
Gasps of shock erupted from the audience.
Moments later, crimson drops spattered onto the arena floor.
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