Chapter 36
Three days and nights remained until the end of the Dark Path Duel Banquet.
During that time, Jaseong remained completely immersed in training his "Seeking Light in the Darkness".
As a result, he became nearly as adept as Lee Rin at extending his ki sense.
Thanks to focusing on her recovery, Lee Rin's internal injuries were nearly healed.
Her once-pale complexion had become as clear as jade, and her cherry-like lips glowed with a healthy flush, providing the evidence.
"Phew... My injuries have just about healed now. If an enemy shows up next time, I'll show you what I can really do."
Lee Rin smiled brightly as she spoke.
Though her appearance had become rugged and a bit shabby from camping in the cave, her smile remained dazzlingly beautiful.
Snow-white skin, lips red as cherries, those pure, clear eyes, and so on.
Of course, what caught Jaseong's attention wasn't Lee Rin's beauty, but the might she possessed.
'Among all 88 participants, the lady of North Sea Ice Palace, who holds the second-greatest internal power... Just how strong is she, really?'
Looking at Lee Rin's confident smile, Jaseong couldn't help but wonder about the extent of her might.
He was also curious about the martial arts of the North Sea Ice Palace that she'd employ.
It was said that the martial arts from the North Sea were the most mysterious among those from outside the Central Plains.
But seldom did he get a chance to see Lee Rin use her skills.
Competitors who had been drawn to Jaseong's cave like flies to a flytrap had suddenly stopped coming.
"... It seems that nearly everyone has fallen to Kang Ryong. I suppose it's about time we head outside."
"That's right. Anyway, to capture number one, we'll have to leave this cave."
"Um... great hero."
"Hm?"
"There's an old saying—'A woman's word is as weighty as gold.' I always keep my promises."
"That's awfully sudden. What are you getting at?"
"Thanks to you, my internal injuries have healed, and I've practically gathered all the numbered medallions I need. Of course I'll help you catch number one, just like you intend. But there's something I still don't quite understand."
"What's that?"
"Why are you so fixated on winning this thing, great hero?"
Lee Rin's question was only natural.
Jaseong already had the ten numbered medallions required to place at the Dark Path Duel Banquet.
And simply placing at the Banquet would have been enough to gain prestige throughout the martial world.
Yet Jaseong was set on hunting down the top predator whom everyone else in this arena feared—even to the point that none wanted to cross paths with him.
Kang Ryong, third young master of the Twin Dragon Clan, who had defeated his clan's elder at only eighteen.
Making such a monster his prey—anyone would call it madness.
"......."
Upon hearing Lee Rin's question, Jaseong paused in thought.
Actually, he had faced similar questions before.
Hong Gukyul had asked, and so had Pacheon Gong, the head of Fierce Sky Faction.
— You're already mastering martial arts at a fast enough pace, so what's so urgent that you practically live in the training grounds without rest?
Every time, Jaseong would ponder inwardly:
'... My enemies are growing stronger even now.
There are already people leagues above me in strength, and they're only getting stronger with every passing moment.
So when they take one step forward, I have to take ten.
Only then will I have a chance to catch up.'
This was why Jaseong was so determined to win the Dark Path Duel Banquet and seize the Evil Path Association's special reward.
Moreover, the fourth Heaven's Mandate, 'Accumulate Prestige', was at stake here.
So Jaseong simply couldn't afford to be cautious.
"Well, if that's your will, great hero, I can't refuse. Let's do our best. I'll fight at your side, come what may."
"Thank you."
"To be honest, I'm itching to knock Kang Ryong down a peg myself. He insulted our North Sea Ice Palace, calling it a hick den outside the Central Plains."
Lee Rin tapped her sword, its sheath adorned with snow-white fur.
One glance made it clear—it was a treasured blade of the North Sea.
"So, which way shall we go?"
"Let's head toward the lake nearby. We're out of drinking water anyway, aren't we?"
A large lake, about a hundred jang wide, lay deep within the forest.
Jaseong and Lee Rin headed straight there.
Other competitors in need of water would likely flock to that spot.
Swaa—
Jaseong activated Seeking Light in the Darkness and joined Lee Rin in keeping watch.
But as he extended strands of his ki and drew closer to the lake, suddenly—
"Hide."
Lee Rin, who had noticed something before Jaseong, pulled him quickly into the bushes.
Almost at that instant, Jaseong too sensed a powerful presence across the lake.
"... Looks like the prey we've been searching for has just appeared."
When Jaseong mumbled, he could see Kang Ryong on the far side of the lake, a small dot in the distance.
Thankfully, Kang Ryong hadn't noticed Lee Rin and Jaseong.
Kang Ryong's attention was wholly focused on an overseer standing before him.
"What do you think they're talking about?"
"I don't know... Let's get closer and find out."
Using the thick undergrowth along the shore for cover, Jaseong and Lee Rin crept closer.
They finally halted with about fifteen jang between them and Kang Ryong.
Concealed in the bushes, they eavesdropped on the conversation between Kang Ryong and the overseer.
"Kang Ryong. I warned you, didn't I? Those who forfeit the tournament of their own will are not to be attacked anymore. Yet this time, you've taken out numbers nine and eleven..."
It sounded like the overseer was there to reprimand Kang Ryong for going too far.
Perhaps some of the victims were acquaintances of the overseers as well.
But just as the overseer continued his scolding, something astonishing happened.
Shuak!
Suddenly, Kang Ryong struck at the overseer.
Kwakwang!!
With Kang Ryong's blow, the boulder behind the overseer was shattered.
Had the overseer not ducked in time, his head would have suffered the same fate.
"Kang Ryong! What do you think you're doing?"
"Isn't the Dark Path Duel Banquet a place where only strength determines all? If I defeat an overseer, doesn't that make me their equal, all in one go? Keh keh keh."
"You little punk—you dare look down on the overseers of the Dark Path Duel Banquet?!"
Enraged, the overseer drew his sword and counterattacked.
Watching from the thicket, Jaseong and Lee Rin both thought Kang Ryong was out of his mind.
The overseers of this tournament were experts dispatched by the Evil Path Association.
For an ordinary participant to pick a fight with such experts was, by anyone's standards, madness.
Yet, the next moment, something unexpected happened.
Kuang! Kwakwang! Papapapat!!!
'He's not yielding to the overseer at all...?'
Kang Ryong clashed with the overseer for over a hundred seconds, and he didn't yield even a bit.
It was the overseer who was struggling, unable to handle the force of Kang Ryong's attacks.
'... He really is a monster.'
In that instant, as he watched, Jaseong understood why renowned figures—from Biweol Gate's chief disciple to the North Sea Ice Palace's princess—were all afraid of Kang Ryong.
But backing down was never on Jaseong's mind.
'Still... this could be worth pursuing.'
Muttering inwardly, Jaseong readied himself to act.
"Lee Rin."
"Yes?"
"We're moving."
"Now???"
"While Kang Ryong is busy fighting the overseer, we'll charge in and ambush him."
"......!"
Jaseong's plan allowed for no hesitation.
He immediately reached for his sword's hilt.
* * *
But just as Jaseong was about to spring from the bushes, something unfortunate happened.
The fight between Kang Ryong and the overseer, which had gone on for over two hundred seconds, ended abruptly.
There was no winner.
The reason being, another overseer appeared and put a stop to their fight.
"Picking a fight with an overseer during the tournament... You really are a wild one."
"..."
"Still, I like your guts. To go toe to toe with an overseer for two hundred seconds... Just as they say, you've got unusual talent."
"..."
"But don't push your luck any further. If you overstep, we'll eliminate you."
The new overseer, with a spear strapped to his back, spoke to Kang Ryong.
He then led his still-fuming colleague away.
"Tch. If that other guy hadn't interfered, I could've killed the overseer and broadcast my prestige to the world..."
Kang Ryong clicked his tongue and muttered arrogantly.
As frustrated as he was, Jaseong felt just as bitter.
'... This damned Dark Path Duel Banquet never goes my way.'
Afterwards, Kang Ryong built a campfire and roasted a boar to prepare dinner.
The crackle of burning firewood and the mouth-watering aroma filled the lakeside air.
Lee Rin, watching the scene, swallowed hard but scowled.
"Roasting boar right in the middle of the lakeside—where other participants are bound to gather... What an arrogant bastard. He must really not care if competitors swarm him."
But perhaps that arrogance was natural, given he could fight an overseer as an equal.
There was yet another clue to how much Kang Ryong looked down on this tournament:
A pouch filled with dozens of numbered medallions had been tossed carelessly by his side.
Seeing it, Lee Rin whispered,
"Great hero, what now?"
Jaseong considered for a moment, then answered.
"Let's keep watching for now and wait for an opening. He has to sleep eventually."
"I think so too. But, great hero..."
"Hm?"
"Your goal is to gather the most medallions and win, right?"
"That's right."
"Then, instead of fighting Kang Ryong, can't we just steal that pouch of medallions?"
It was a reasonable suggestion.
There was no need to fight a monster who could go toe-to-toe with an overseer.
They just needed to swipe the pouch containing all those medallions.
But would Kang Ryong really let his medallions be stolen so easily?
"Let's see if an opportunity arises. If there's a way to get the medallions without a fight, we'll take it."
"Sounds good."
After that, Jaseong and Lee Rin chewed on dried meat in the bushes as they observed Kang Ryong.
Both knew how to read energy the Northern way, and they'd mastered Seeking Light in the Darkness; watching Kang Ryong from afar was no problem.
With the tournament's end approaching, Kang Ryong didn't leave the lakeside.
He'd collected more than enough medallions and fought as much as he wanted, so he seemed intent on resting by the lakeshore for the time remaining.
Watching the leisurely Kang Ryong, Jaseong and Lee Rin waited for nightfall.
It would be the best time to act, once Kang Ryong had fallen deep into sleep.
But as soon as night enveloped the area, something unexpected happened.
Srrrrk—
Someone appeared behind Kang Ryong, who was lying sprawled by the lakeshore.
A man robed as a monk, shadowed by deep darkness around his eyes.
He approached Kang Ryong with stealthy steps.
Lee Rin whispered hastily,
"That's the man who drew number four. The others call him the Renegade Monk... Do you know who he is?"
Jaseong recalled information provided by Hyang-I.
If her information was correct, there could be only one called the Renegade Monk in this tournament.
He was none other than Gohu, the Demon Renegade Monk, expelled from Potala Palace in the Western Region and fled to the Central Plains.
He singlehandedly annihilated the bandit clans and the Three Deadly Stars of the Western Region, staining the arid deserts with blood—a mad monk drunk on blood and slaughter.
In particular, the Blood Smoke Dual Killing Sword that he'd devised by modifying Potala Palace martial arts was infamous for being brutal and vicious, quite unlike typical monk techniques.
'So even Gohu, the Demon Renegade Monk, is targeting Kang Ryong... All the better. If he weakens Kang Ryong, taking him down will become easier. We could even snatch the medallion pouch while the two of them fight...'
Jaseong held his breath, watching what would happen next.