Chapter 165: Drawing the Sword
After accepting the challenge, Moyong Seong slowly looked around the Alliance Council Hall.
“Does anyone object to determining the Commander of the Demon Expulsion Unit through a match between Taoist Han and me?”
His gaze swept across everyone gathered inside.
A brief silence fell.
But no one objected.
It was exactly what I expected.
From the moment the formation of the Demon Expulsion Unit was first discussed, most people had assumed the position of Commander would naturally go to Moyong Seong.
No other candidate had even been seriously mentioned.
He was the greatest prodigy of the current generation, known as the Heavenly Origin Star.
More importantly, he was the son of Moyong Cheonhwi, Alliance Leader and strongest under heaven.
With both exceptional martial arts and the backing of the Righteous Alliance...
there had been no one willing to openly stand against him.
But there were certainly people wary of the Moyong father and son gaining even more influence.
They simply hadn't dared step forward themselves.
So there were probably quite a few people secretly pleased that I had placed myself in Moyong Seong's path.
Of course...
almost none of them probably believed I could actually defeat him.
To them, the result itself wasn't the most important part.
The fact that someone had challenged Moyong Seong was enough.
It showed that not everyone in the martial world welcomed the Moyong Family's unchecked rise.
Sure enough...
voices soon came from around the hall.
“If it is a match between those two, I see no reason to object.”
“It is also the duel that never took place during the Dragon-Phoenix Awakening Tournament. It should be sufficient to determine the Commander.”
“If the two compete directly and the position is decided afterward, everyone should be able to accept the result.”
No one voiced opposition.
If anything...
they looked eager for the match to begin.
Moyong Seong smiled arrogantly, as though victory were already his.
“I had no idea so many people were waiting to see a match between Taoist Han and me.”
He turned toward Heo Seongbaek.
Heo Seongbaek sighed briefly, as though he had no other choice, then looked over the room.
“If there are no other candidates and everyone agrees...”
His voice filled the hall.
“then there should be no issue with determining qualification through a match.”
He looked between me and Moyong Seong.
“Two days from now, the match will be held at the Righteous Alliance Grand Training Ground.”
Then he declared,
“The winner of that match will be appointed Commander of the Demon Expulsion Unit.”
Good.
Everything was moving exactly according to the picture I'd drawn.
I clasped my hands politely toward Moyong Seong.
“Then I will see you in two days.”
Moyong Seong returned the salute with a smile.
“I look forward to it, Taoist Han.”
We were both smiling at each other.
But both of us knew perfectly well...
that beneath those smiles was nothing but killing intent aimed at the other.
Moyong Seong.
In two days, I'll wipe that arrogant smile right off your face.
After the match between Han Mujin and Moyong Seong was decided...
Heo Seongbaek hurried after Moyong Seong as he left the Alliance Council Hall.
Unable to suppress his curiosity, he carefully asked,
“Why did you accept the match?”
He lowered his voice.
“There was no need to respond to Kunlun’s Young Hero's provocation.”
Heo Seongbaek continued cautiously.
“We should have first examined what Han Mujin was trying to accomplish by proposing such a thing—”
Moyong Seong suddenly stopped.
He turned.
His cold eyes fell on Heo Seongbaek.
“Why should I care about Han Mujin's intentions?”
Heo Seongbaek hesitated.
“That is not what I meant....”
Moyong Seong's gaze sharpened.
“Don't tell me Elder Heo is worried that I might lose to him.”
“N-No, of course not.”
Heo Seongbaek quickly shook his head.
“I only mean that there is always the slightest possibility—”
“The slightest possibility?”
Moyong Seong's lips twisted.
“Han Mujin was a man who should have died by my hand in Falling Death Valley.”
“Y-Young Master Moyong!”
Heo Seongbaek looked around in alarm.
“Please lower your voice. Someone may hear you.”
Moyong Seong gave a cold sneer.
“There is no need to worry.”
His eyes gleamed.
“If anything, I am glad he came back alive.”
He looked toward the tense Heo Seongbaek.
“Now I can make him realize his place in front of everyone.”
A chilling killing intent entered Moyong Seong's eyes.
“A mad colt that runs wild without knowing its own limits must be thoroughly trampled.”
His voice grew colder.
“So thoroughly that it can never stand before me again.”
Then—
“That way, anyone else considering the same thing will lose the idea as well.”
Heo Seongbaek said nothing more.
No.
He didn't dare.
Seeing that reaction, Moyong Seong looked satisfied and started walking again.
He should have died in Falling Death Valley.
This time...
he would make sure there were no loose ends.
The thought of crushing Han Mujin before the entire martial world brought a merciless smile to Moyong Seong's face.
Two days later.
The Righteous Alliance Grand Training Ground had been packed with people since early morning.
There were even more spectators than during the founding ceremony of the Demon Expulsion Unit.
The viewing stands were already filled so completely that finding an empty seat was nearly impossible.
Martial artists who couldn't find places had climbed onto surrounding walls and the corridors of nearby buildings.
The Heavenly Origin Star versus Kunlun’s Young Hero.
News had spread throughout Luoyang that the duel which never happened during the Dragon-Phoenix Awakening Tournament would finally take place...
with the position of Commander of the Demon Expulsion Unit at stake.
I waited with the other Kunlun members at one side of the Grand Training Ground.
“Martial Uncle Mujin.”
Myeongjeon looked at me worriedly.
“Are you really going to be all right?”
His expression was tense.
“Moyong Seong has even learned the Sovereign Heaven Sword, the martial art of Moyong Cheonhwi, the strongest under heaven.”
Yu Seola also studied my face.
“You do have a chance of winning, right?”
I looked at her and joked,
“Why? Do you think I'm going to lose too?”
“That's not what I mean, but....”
She couldn't answer easily.
Hyeongwon stood with his arms crossed.
“You started this yourself.”
He frowned.
“Whatever happens, don't embarrass yourself in the match.”
I almost laughed.
What a brutal way to cheer someone on.
Then—
“Why are all of you worrying so much?”
Jin Gwangung, who had been watching from the side, snorted.
“Does that brat look like someone who would charge in without thinking?”
He glanced at me.
“He's acting this confidently because he's got something to rely on.”
Then Jin Gwangung secretly sent me a sound transmission.
You've gotten quite a bit stronger than before.
I looked at him.
At least you no longer seem like the kind of bastard who'd get beaten up everywhere he goes.
So he'd noticed.
I'd concealed my qi as much as possible...
but there was no fooling Jin Gwangung completely.
Then his voice continued in my head.
But don't get careless just because you've improved a little.
That Moyong Seong bastard isn't an easy opponent.
I could feel the concern hidden beneath his words.
I answered through sound transmission.
When have I ever disappointed you, Master?
Jin Gwangung snorted.
That's a bold thing to say for someone who nearly died in Falling Death Valley.
“Ahem.”
I coughed awkwardly.
But I came back alive in the end, didn't I?
Fine.
Jin Gwangung's reply came.
This time, instead of showing me your talent for nearly dying and coming back, show me your talent for winning properly.
I quietly nodded.
A faint smile appeared on Jin Gwangung's lips.
Let's see if your sword is as good as that mouth of yours.
I'll show you properly this time.
At that moment—
“WAAAAAAAAH!”
“It's the Heavenly Origin Star!”
“Moyong Seong! Moyong Seong!”
Cheers shook the entire Grand Training Ground.
I turned my head.
Moyong Seong was walking into the arena.
His eyes were still filled with arrogance.
Good.
Today I'll show you properly.
I started walking toward him.
I stepped into the center of the Grand Training Ground and faced Moyong Seong.
“Kunlun’s Young Hero.”
Moyong Seong smiled gently, as though welcoming me.
“At last we finally get to settle things properly.”
I smiled back.
“It seems you've been looking forward to seeing me.”
“Hahaha.”
He laughed lightly.
“I merely looked forward to having the chance to witness Kunlun’s Young Hero's sword.”
From the outside...
we probably looked like two great young talents of the righteous faction acknowledging one another before an honorable duel.
The reality was completely different.
Moyong Seong and I were secretly probing each other through sound transmissions.
Han Mujin.
His voice entered my mind.
What exactly are you plotting?
What are you talking about?
Falling Death Valley.
His gaze sharpened.
Why are you still keeping quiet about what happened there?
I almost sneered.
Why?
Are you afraid because you don't know when I'll reveal the truth?
Moyong Seong immediately answered.
Fool.
Do you truly believe words from someone like you can harm me?
Is that so?
"..."
