The curry restaurant, where Da Jeryong belonged as a martial artist, specialized in the rare Yeol-yang martial arts, which were even less common in the world.
Learning Yeol-yang martial arts was quite rare for several reasons.
Firstly, the difficulty of training was a major factor.
While both Yeol-yang Qi Gong and Um-han Qi Gong were difficult to master, when it comes to difficulty alone, Yeol-yang Qi Gong was much harder.
In fact, the entry-level was much more complicated.
During the basic process of accumulating and absorbing Yang Qi, practitioners needed to cultivate for long periods, and during the phases lacking resistance to fire qi, they often experienced dehydration symptoms. Drinking water ultimately meant infusing the body with Yin Qi, but in the initial stages of planting the seed of Yeol-yang martial arts, it was akin to pouring poison over the seed.
However, one cannot simply avoid drinking water, so building the foundation of Yeol-yang martial arts was really like raising a poisoned sprout.
Of course, as the entry level was difficult, the more one advanced, the more powerful the Yeol-yang martial arts became.
“Your older brother is probably inside there.”
I lightly nodded to the keen-eyed gatekeeper and guide. I spotted Da Jeryong, acting as a master, along with his disciples in the distance.
“Contestant No. 1!”
“Contestant No. 1!”
Hmm. As expected, the problem with Yeol-yang martial arts was not the entry-level.
Had it not been for Black Rib, I might have been blinded by the countless glimmers all around.
Noticing me, Da Jeryong commanded the disciples to train freely and walked over briskly.
“…Brain Knife Outcast. Were you the Brain Knife Outcast?”
“Have you been well?”
“Truly surprising. Last year when you came with the young lady to apologize, you were already top-tier.”
Bald, no, the hot-headed Da Jeryong, trained in Yeol-yang martial arts, jumped right to the main topic.
“What brings you all the way here?”
“I just wanted to apologize from that time and thought I’d treat you to a drink. You seem busy now, but do you have any free days coming up?”
Da Jeryong stared at me for a while and then let out a deep sigh.
“I don’t know what your intentions are, but I can’t refuse a drinking session with the Hero of Sacheon, the Brain Knife Outcast. How about two days from now?”
“Oh. Sounds good. Then let’s meet at the Video Tower in two days.”
“I’ll tell you in advance, though, I won’t gamble. I don’t have a hobby of losing money.”
“Do as you wish.”
It seemed that the events that took place at the Video Tower had spread through rumors.
Hmm, I suppose I won’t be able to gamble with anyone else now.
I felt a bit regretful that I couldn’t run a healthy gambling campaign anymore, but I had no time to leisurely spread awareness of gambling dangers.
I had mountains of homework from the Unknown Elder waiting on me.
I needed to succeed in formation arrays too, and from what I saw of my cooking skills, it seemed I was excelling at that too, but I could only sigh, wondering when I would learn all of this.
I’d rested enough since coming to Sacheon City.
…To be honest, I didn’t feel like I had rested at all. I had been busy all day handling household chores, so it felt like I did nothing but stay at home and rest.
I absorbed the streets of Sacheon City, feeling the gazes of those who recognized my Black Rib and the Chamam Sword.
I wondered how many years it would take until I reached the Peak Stage. I couldn’t say for sure, but let’s assume it’s three years.
It took three years to forge a path to the Peak Stage.
How many years would it take to reach the Hwa-gyeong stage?
Five years? Ten years? It might even take longer.
That’s why I stirred up various matters in Sacheon City. I didn’t really possess the foresight to predict that I could see five or ten years into the future, but at least I needed to prevent Sacheon City from falling into the hands of the Outcast Martial Artists.
Supplying the Sacheon Outcasts with power was just a matter of time.
The preliminaries for the Sacheon Outcasts had long since begun. Rumors spread, and it looked like perceptions of the Sacheon Outcasts had improved significantly, as applications were pouring in from all over the Martial World.
Selecting outcasts was something Yu Sa-yeon would handle well.
I made arrangements for the factions in Sacheon City to act as solid barriers.
I restored the perception of the Righteous Faction in Sacheon City, and tossed them the candidates for the power supply they needed.
Once I wrap up this last task, the defense of Sacheon City will be complete.
As long as no special events occur in the next five or ten years, the factions and Sacheon Outcasts will be able to protect Sacheon City without being devoured by the Outcast Faction.
Though surprisingly, I’ve also managed to gain talents like Contestant No. 7 and Contestant No. 501, so I guess it’s not bad either.
I walked slowly through the streets of Sacheon City, taking in the scenery.
The next day.
The top 64 of the losing bracket began, and rankings from 65th to 100th were determined.
“Contestant No. 555. If you wish, you may remove your Black Rib.”
Most of the 28 who were eliminated swallowed their regrets and shed their Black Ribs. They wanted to make their names known even a little.
“I’m Wu Sam, the third son of the Ulim Merchant Association. I came this far while mastering martial arts for self-defense.”
“I’m Han Gak-seo, a disciple of the Sangdong Faction. I regret not being able to promote my faction’s name more.”
The losers received generous applause. The 28 dropouts left with slightly less regret on their faces, having been cheered on.
The audience left the martial arena with satisfied expressions.
“Wow, tomorrow is the top 64 now.”
“They said they will determine the ranking up to 16th, huh? This is going to be quite a long match.”
“Definitely. Today ended at a rather ambiguous time, which is a bit disappointing.”
As the day faded away.
The next day’s sun rose.
Yu Sa-yeon offered the Black Rib to Contestants No. 7 and No. 501.
“Please wear it.”
“…Is that really okay?”
“It’s fine, it’s fine.”
Yu Sa-yeon pushed the Black Rib toward them with a look of concern for the trivial things, and the two put on the Black Rib and headed towards the martial arena.
“…Indeed.”
Contestant No. 501 and Contestant No. 7 wore wry smiles. It felt a bit odd to wear the Black Rib before the battles had even concluded…but most of the participants who seemed to lack any factional opponents appeared wearing their faction uniforms.
“I hope we get to compete tomorrow.”
Contestant No. 501 offered encouraging words to No. 7. If the two continued winning, they would face off in the top 8 of the bracket, essentially encouraging each other to make it to the top 8.
No. 7 nodded.
“Don’t worry about me.”
Contestant No. 501 easily advanced to the top 16. There were barely any participants capable of matching the momentum of Contestant No. 501, who seemed to grow stronger with each bout.
“Wow! The only ones who seem worthy enough to be your opponent are Contestants No. 503 or 789!”
On the other hand, Contestant No. 7 achieved close victories again and again.
In higher tiers, gender difference held little meaning, but in lower tiers, it was significant. The disparity in physique and strength from body weight differences was not easily overcome. Contestant No. 7 had no choice but to fortify defense and finish off after the opponent got tired, or exploit openings in a fleeting moment.
“Contestant No. 7 also seems to be on the edge of collapsing but isn’t quite down.”
“Even with their smaller frame, they’ve made it this far! Not an easy match!”
Safely settling into the top 16, the two returned to the Outcast Inn where they received congratulations from the other outcasts.
Ho Cheon-an also offered friendly words to Contestants No. 501 and No. 7.
“You both are truly remarkable. I’m curious where such talents came from, where are you from, and what have you been doing?”
“You’re too kind…!”
“I’ll do my best.”
“Hmm. I’ll look forward to tomorrow’s results.”
Ho Cheon-an told the two to get plenty of rest and exited the Outcast Inn. Now, instead of the Chamam Sword, which had become a symbol of Ho Cheon-an, he wore an ordinary sword at his waist and headed towards the Video Tower.
The gatekeeper, recognizing Ho Cheon-an, guided him to a special room in the upper level to avoid causing a stir.
Already waiting there in the special room was Da Jeryong.
“You’re late.”
“I’m sorry. I got delayed while offering my congratulations. How is your master doing?”
“Well, considering that it was my lack of skill that led to my elimination, I should be satisfied to be within the top 128.”
Da Jeryong frowned slightly as he looked at Ho Cheon-an. What on earth did he want to discuss by calling him here?
“Well, I’ve heard you’ve been dueling quite a lot with Jaso-gyeong during your absence.”
“Hmph. I could always beat that guy anytime, but winning against someone deep in their work feels unsavory.”
“I don’t know your past records, but what’s your record against him?”
“16 matches, 8 wins, 8 losses.”
That’s quite a number of duels.
Ho Cheon-an couldn’t help but be astonished by the unexpectedly high number of matches.
“…So, did you call me to ask about your win-loss record?”
“Not exactly.”
Ho Cheon-an filled Da Jeryong’s cup, which he drank like water, and spoke.
“What do you think of the current state of Sacheon City?”
“…Well.”
Da Jeryong briefly pushed aside the intent behind Ho Cheon-an’s question and contemplated Sacheon City’s balance.
“We must extinguish the urgent flames first.”
“The urgent flames, huh.”
After downing his drink, Da Jeryong continued.
“I highly regard your arrival for driving out the Outcast factions that had set root in this underworld. Thanks to you, the previously intimidated factions of Sacheon City have regained their foundation to be active again.”
“Yet your evaluation seems quite lukewarm.”
“Hmph. What on earth do you wish to hear from me?”
Ho Cheon-an simply refilled his cup in silence. Realizing that Da Jeryong had no intent to answer swiftly, he gulped down his drink. The taste of the liquor was simply exquisite.
The irritation that arose from Ho Cheon-an’s ambiguous demeanor was all but washed away.
“Sacheon City currently lacks self-control. Even if you join, there are at most only three Peak Stage masters here in Sacheon City. Considering that outside forces may form alliances, the situation is not exactly safe.”
“Precisely. It’s too wealthy and broad for two Peak Stage masters to guard.”
…Two, huh?
Da Jeryong narrowed his eyes. Were they thinking of leaving? Still, it made sense upon further thought. Although they announced that Jeong Cheol had fallen into addiction, would there really be martial artists who believed he had actually collapsed due to it?
“I believe there should be at least four Peak Stage masters in Sacheon City.”
“……Mmm.”
Da Jeryong unintentionally stroked his chin.
Four. Four, indeed.
“If there really were four…”
If it were two, it might be difficult, but for four to band together, it would definitely be enough to deter the incoming Outcast martial artists. It would be a sufficient number to counter any potential Hwa-gyeong experts who might boldly crush in.
“Yes. I understand your thoughts well. However, is that even possible? While recruiting Peak Stage outcasts isn’t impossible, wouldn’t it be too dull for another Peak Stage outcast to come settle in Sacheon City?”
The notion of the Brain Knife Outcast was ingrained in the minds of Sacheon City’s residents. In such a case, unless another outcast was willing to accept a life of being a perpetual second fiddle, who would want to come here?
“I’m not thinking of inviting external masters.”
“Hmm?”
Ho Cheon-an smiled as he spoke.
“You need to become a Peak Stage master.”
