People often say that there is nothing more fun to watch than a fight, but, in fact, there is a crucial term missing from that statement.
Specifically, it is fun to watch the strong fight.
It is more eye-catching when a tiger and a bear fight than it is to watch wild dogs. It’s because it is impossible to predict who will win.
A tiger may have spectacular fighting form, but if unlucky- a single blow from a bear’s paw could crush its skull.
That is this fight now.
Pervert Demon is one who fights well even if he has to use all his strength. I know this well because I’ve fought against him in the past. On the other hand, Yukhap is someone who is known to be patient. In the first place, he was able to read the flow of the fight and I could too with how I was taught the Six Harmony sword technique and the Iron Wall Defense.
But the parties are slightly different.
As the fight prolonged, they began to get impatient.
Yukhap was shocked to see how strong this young man was, and Pervert Demon looked surprised at how the ugly looking guy blocked his arts. Even while I was thinking about it, the spar was turning rougher.
The noises coming from their clashes were hurting my ears and the gazes of both men were growing increasingly fierce.
If this lasts any longer, Pervert Demon’s body might get cut, and Yukhap might freeze while sustaining some serious internal injuries.
‘Well, they both are fighting well.’
The goal of having the Ghost Demon and Pervert Demon fight has achieved its purpose.
In any case, I had met many through the Murim and its advances, and looking at them fight like this made my heart feel full.
But with the fight getting so intense it was clear one side would sustain serious injuries, so I decided to open my mouth.
“This isn’t a life-or-death spar. Set your thoughts at ease. Are you mad men, mortal enemies or something?”
I say it while smiling on purpose to try to diffuse the killing intent that the two of them were releasing.
“Are you guys rivals or something? Did the poop guy lose his lover to the ugly one? Look at you both.”
Pervert Demon shouts,
“Shut up!”
Yukhap stops and swears.
“Damn it….”
The two of them stop for a while, then catch up with each other and face each other repeatedly.
As if they both hadn’t expected the fight to be this long, their killing intent was rising with the intent to kill the other party.
I deliberately call them out every time I realize that they want to kill the other.
“Wow, is that a trick? I wasn’t fooled though. It is alright. Was it right away?”
In an instant, a huge palm stretches out in the air.
*Boong!*
As I am watching, a chilly feeling comes over me. Of course, it is from the tension generated by Pervert Demon moving his ice qi around. As a result, everything looks bizarrely cooled.
At the same time, yellowish qi rises from the sword of Yukhap, and his white palm splits into the shape of a cross.
Pak!
In the midst of the chaos, when Pervert Demon appears and moves to attack, Yukhap steps back calmly and responds with a combination of defensive and counter attacks.
I applaud.
“I liked both of them. Hya…..”
Yukhap adopts an even more flexible response than I’ve seen before. It seems like he refined his own technique whenever he immersed himself in meditation. On the other hand, Pervert Demon was using techniques he’s never shown me before.
In an instant, the Pervert Demon clenches his teeth.
Judging by his appearance, he was ready to jump in, forgetting I was watching.
‘Let’s see what this poop is going to do…’
I leap straight into the air from my seated spot and lunge into the center of where the two are fighting.
“Back off.”
While jumping in the air, I imbue Shadow Moon Martial Arts in my left hand and block Yukhap’s sword.
Kwaang!
Pervert Demon takes 3 to 4 steps back in an instant.
Yukhap’s sword was turning cold.
And Pervert Demon says,
“What are you doing so suddenly?”
Pushing Yukhap’s sword away, I say,
“A short break.”
Yukhap frowns.
“Who wants to rest now?”
I look at both of them and place my hands on my waist.
“I didn’t arrange a fight between the two of you only for one of your arm’s to be cut or for one to suffer internal injuries from ice. You guys are foolish. You have to do it in moderation.”
The moment Pervert Demon opens his mouth again, I let out a loud noise.
“Shut up! Shit face!”
“…”
“If you cannot win after fighting for this long then it means that the strength of one side isn’t that overwhelming. Both of you are prepared to go till the end, so I cut this down on purpose. It is important to build skills which overwhelm the opponents. What is the use of just throwing a gamble into a fight like this and winning? I do not even want to call you as members of the same group.”
At that moment, Sword Demon’s voice can be heard.
“Sect Leader, it’s been so long.”
When I turn my head, Sword Demon, who I hadn’t seen in a long time, is approaching with a wooden sword in hand. He has amazing hearing so he must have heard the roar from far.
Unexpectedly, he is surrounded by a black aura. If it wasn’t for his smile, the moment out eyes met, I would have thought he was drenched in darkness. But that smile of his was enough to break down the dark feeling.
Sword Demon is also a man with a temper, so it seemed as if he was living a life of a sane person after reaching enlightenment.
As soon as I see him, I smile widely for the first time.
“Senior, you came.”
Sword Demon looks at Yukhap and says,
“Who is the one fighting against the disciple? At a glance, he doesn’t seem like one of us.”
Yukhap answers after staring for a long time at Sword Demon.
“A lowly swordsman from Mount Yeonbo known as Master Yukhap. You must be?”
Sword Demon introduces himself.
“I am a swordsman training here.”
Seeing the encounter of the two swordsmen leaves an impression on me. Sword Demon erases his smile and looks at Pervert Demon.
“Disciple.”
“Yes, master.”
“How is the skill of the swordsman from Mount Yeonbo?”
Pervert Demon looks at Yukhap and says,
“Not bad. His defense is solid.”
“Let us try it out sometime again. It is nice to hear the sound of ice arts being smashed down from far.”
“Yes.”
I agree with Sword Demon.
“Senior, now that you are here, let’s get a cup of tea.”
“You have come from a long way, so we should.”
I go next to Sword Demon and show him the wooden sword that I received from Elder Heo.
“Do you recognize it?”
Sword Demon takes a glance at it.
“Can it be used?”
“I am getting used to it, it is so light.”
“I did hear about this when I visited the physician. I heard that we missed each other by a few days and that you were given the sword as a gift. Even if I didn’t want to, he was a bit worried for you.”
“Hmmm. Why is a sick man worried about me?
Sword Demon smiles and says,
“They say that you are the first person since me to speak so recklessly to Cult Leader. I heard that he even acknowledged you.”
“Right. How did he do that?”
“There are many in this world who show excessive loyalty. Reporting this and that. It must have been that one who spoke of your appearance. There might be a spy around.”
“Seems like it. Ah, not too long ago, I killed a person, an old one called Illusion Ghost Emperor with Master Yukhap here.”
“Illusion Ghost Emperor?”
Sword Demon tilts his head and says,
“It wouldn’t have been an easy task. Both of you worked together?”
“The guy looked down on us too much. He was too relaxed till his death.”
“Ah, you must have looked young so he must have been caught off guard. Depending on the situation, he is a man with an arrogant side to him, so his death isn’t so strange.”
Yukhap, who is behind us, sighs.
“The Cult Leader you mentioned is the one I often hear about?”
I nod.
“Right.”
“Then the swordsman that talked to Sect Leader is a person from the Demonic Cult?”
I shake my head.
“There is nothing to be so nervous about, he fought and left the sect.”
As if curious, Pervert Demon too asks Sword Demon.
“Master, but is there a famous swordsman on Mount Yeonbo?”
Sword Demon answers,
“Why are you asking me that? You can ask the person who you fought with.”
So, he turns and asks Master Yukhap.
“Are you from a famous Sword sect?”
When Pervert Demon asks it openly, both Sword Demon and Yukhap sigh. And they stay silent so I have to answer.
“He is the last of the Six Harmonies.”
Pervert Demon asks,
“Six Harmonies? I think I heard of it somewhere.”
I look at him as I walk.
“What do you even do? You know nothing because you only know how to look at the ass of women.”
Sword Demon tells me,
“That is odd.”
“What is?”
“I think it is more effective when you say something than when I scold him.”
“Senior, I know why.”
“Go on.”
“It is because I am an expert at dealing with such idiots. This is what I specialize in, the best in Kangho.”
I look and see Sword Demon smiling, behind him, Yukhap sighs.
After walking down the street without saying anything, Sword Demon asks me an unexpected question.
“Is Moyong doing well?”
“He is. It would have been nice if he came along.”
A general talk, but I like it.
‘Now, after drinking the cup of tea, if Sword Demon and Yukhap fight….?’
It would be a fight worth watching. This is because both of them are men who have chosen swords out of the numerous martial arts and weapons. And they have one thing in common, their stubbornness.
Moreover, Sword Demon is currently training with a wooden sword and Yukhap has amazing defense.
If those two fight then…
There should be more to gain than fighting with Pervert Demon.
The man who walks around Kangho, the man who fights and watches. All of his actions are based on the peace within Kangho, and the skills of his allies improve along with the broadening of his own knowledge. The desire to find the end, the new additions in martial arts and the wishes of those in the past life will all start to manifest.
Who can understand my heart?
It seems that the shit face can’t even make tea, so Sword Demon has to do it himself.
But this isn’t the tea I was used to drinking.
Sword Demon pours this undiluted, concentrated liquid into four cups and then pours in normal water.
“Senior, this is?”
Sword Demon hands out the teacup and says,
“Plum extract.”
“Plum? Ah, that one?”
“Elder Heo recommended it. It also has this effect to stimulate our appetite. And he said it is good for the body and temper.”
I ask Sword Demon,
“You have a temper?”
He tilts his head as he answers,
“Doesn’t everyone here have one?”
“….”
“I speak generally. Have it.”
The four of us begin to drink. More like gulp it. It isn’t delicious but it’s not bland either, it was too vague of a taste to describe. And it is said to be good for temper, so I think of it as medicine. All four of them were generally blunt and boring men, so silence takes over quickly. At least I talk, but there is this heavy atmosphere with Sword Demon in here, so it wasn’t the usual atmosphere.
Sword Demon fills our teacups again with the plum extract and water. And we all had no choice but to drink it.
It was a heartwarming ceremony in which Sword Demon from the Demonic Sect handed us cups and we were drinking it in silence…
Originally, the plum is known to have effects after ingestion, but now it feels like I am losing weight from drinking it. Suddenly, Sword Demon turns to me and speaks in a calm tone.
“Sect Leader, you always have a tough time.”
“There is nothing particularly difficult about it.”
Sword Demon points to Yukhap with his hand.
“I will welcome this swordsman with excellent skills who fought my disciple. Judging from what you spoke of, I will stick to him too. Sect Leader considers us three to be allies and have arranged a meeting for us to exchange martial arts, so I can only say that you are having a tough time.”
Sword Demon tells Pervert Demon,
“Am I wrong?”
To which he shakes his head.
“Right. At first, I underestimated his skills but after competing, I have changed my thoughts. He is no ordinary swordsman we often fight. Master, I also understand the intentions of the Sect Leader.”
“I am glad you understand.”
This time, Sword Demon turns to Master Yukhap.
“What do you think?”
Yukhap nods.
“I think I understand his intentions now that I am competing with the warriors who are hard to meet.”
Suddenly, Sword Demon, Pervert Demon and Ghost Demon all turn to me.
“Hmm.”
They are trying to say something to me, so I cross my arms and say,
“… it is good if you understand.”
I wonder if anyone could understand my intention.
Anyway, the three of them did. Maybe because I am an expert?
.
.
.
I ponder the thought again. These three are also experts on people like me, so they seem to understand.
Anyway, that is that.
I wonder if anyone knows my intentions…
To be precise, everyone did.
