Chapter 140: Let's Go Together
It had been quite a while since a new rising star emerged from the Namgung Noble Clan, renowned as the best in the world.
But then, a young martial artist from the Namgung clan went on an undefeated streak in Kaifeng, shattering all the successors from other prestigious clans.
Namgung Shin was a star that shone like a comet.
During the time when his nickname Azure Sky Sword Dragon was resonating in Kaifeng, Yi-gang defeated Namgung Shin.
Wow!
Henans Sage has won!
Yi-gang was also a newly emerged prodigy.
A person who had left his clan due to meridian blockage disease, had defeated the strongest new rising star of the new generation.
When did he even cut the arm? I didnt see it at all.
The rumor will spread like wildfire! The sword of the Baek Noble Clan has defeated Namgung.
Isnt he from the Azure Forest? Then it must be the sword of the Azure Forest.
Anyway! Is that whats important now?
The spectators would spread the tales of todays bravery.
The story of Baek Yi-gang defeating Namgung Shin would spread.
People loved stories of heroes, and at the same time, stories of those heroes being defeated.
If Namgung Shins continuous duels were for elevating his clans fame, todays defeat would be painfully humbling.
Yi-gang, who had just stepped down from the dueling stage, was immediately surrounded by people.
When did you cut him? I didnt even see it.
Brother, since when were you able to do Sword Cry?
These were the questions from Peng Mu-ah and Baek Ha-jun.
I didnt actually cut his arm, so I dont know why he was bleeding.
Is that even possible?
And I dont quite remember when I did my first Sword Cry. Maybe around two years ago?
Two years
Baek Ha-jun was counting on his fingers, trying to calculate the time.
He was sure that when the Golden Needle Phantom visited the Baek Noble Clan, Yi-gang couldnt make his Sword Cry.
Thats amazing, Brother.
Whats so amazing about it?
Yi-gang spoke as if it was nothing, but Baek Ha-jun was truly moved.
Yi-gang, born with the Great Yin Meridian Blockage, had made his Sword Cry around the same time as Baek Ha-jun.
Even with Yi-gangs exceptional talent, it wasnt something achievable by talent alone. It must have required grueling effort.
Thinking about it left a bitter taste in his mouth.
You really went through a lot
Lets talk a bit later.
Yi-gang left the spot regardless of whether Peng Mu-ah and Baek Ha-jun were moved or not.
Since there were so many people, they couldnt follow Yi-gang.
Yi-gang ran to a place out of everyones sight. He was heading in the direction Dam Hyun had gone.
Sure enough, Dam Hyun was hiding under the shadow of a secluded tree.
Thump, thump.
He was hitting his head against the tree.
What are you doing, Senior Brother?
There were too many people.
Its natural for there to be a lot of spectators when a duel is happening.
Dam Hyun didnt handle crowded places well.
Thump.
But this level of panic was not typical for him just because of the crowd.
I had no choice but to say it was my voice.
People seemed to believe it. You did well.
Yeah, thankfully.
The moment Yi-gang was about to use the Heavenly Thunder Bell, the Blue-Eyed Mad Demon let out a sharp cry.
It seemed precisely timed to stop Yi-gang.
Dam Hyun looked bitter.
All those people were staring at me.
Its natural since someone was making fox-like sounds.
They must have thought I was strange.
Isnt that the case?
Dam Hyun seemed embarrassed to have received so much attention.
It was an unexpected side of him, thought to be shameless.
Aargh!
Theres no need to be embarrassed about it, so dont worry.
Still
And, youve done things much more embarrassing than that, so what does it matter.
Wh-when have I ever?
Yi-gang just shut his mouth.
He didnt have the confidence to convince someone who didnt even know their own embarrassing history.
There was something more important than that.
It looks like youve finished it. The doll.
Ah, yes.
Dam Hyun checked that there were no people around and then took something out of his pocket.
It was really like a baby fox.
Not the old, shabby wooden doll, but one made of bronze with a smooth body.
It seemed to be coated with something that made it shimmer in blue.
This is my masterpiece. Seo-hos body.
Wow!
The joints moved smoothly.
Even with this new body, she couldnt shock people like before.
That was something the Blue-Eyed Mad Demon did with her last bit of yokai energy.
But Dam Hyun seemed happy just to have the fox from his memories back.
Seo-ho posed in various ways, showing off her new body. She even jumped onto Yi-gangs hand.
Youve worked hard.
It was fun making it.
Dam Hyun looked at Yi-gang and Seo-ho alternately with a complicated expression.
Keep her with you.
Now, Dam Hyun was no longer bewitched by the fox, and he knew that the Blue-Eyed Mad Demon was in fact human.
Having grown more than before, he made a body for Seo-ho and then let her go.
It was reflected in the results the very next day.
Everyone who saw the ranking board inevitably noticed Yi-gangs nameplate at the very top.
The top five were considered representatives for the Five Elements Tomb exploration.
The extent of the Five Elements Tomb was assumed to be vast, but that didnt mean the passages were spacious.
Thirty participants would be divided into groups, each led by one of the top five representatives.
And its the prerogative of each representative to decide how to form their team.
1st place, Baek Yi-gang.
2nd place, Namgung Shin.
3rd place, Jeong Myung.
4th place, Baek Ha-jun.
5th place, Yu Su-rin.
Although there could be no one more trustworthy than Ha-jun and Yu Su-rin, due to the rules, Yi-gang couldnt team up with them.
The first thing Yi-gang did was to look for a companion.
The first person he approached was Moyong Jin.
What sir?
He said he had declined the offer to accompany Baek Ha-jun and Peng Mu-ah.
When he met Moyong Jin again, he was wearing a bandage on his shoulder.
He had been stabbed in the shoulder when he lost to Namgung Shin for the second time.
What rank are you?
Why do you ask
Just tell me.
25th.
Yi-gangs eyes widened.
It was below his expectations. It was rare for someone from the Dragon-Phoenix Conference or the Seven Stars Conference to fall outside the top 20.
Why so low?
Are you making fun of me?
Why would I make fun of you?
I lost in all the duels.
Moyong Jin didnt duel with anyone else.
He only challenged Namgung Shin and lost all three times.
So, why did you reject Mu-ah and Ha-juns offer?
Its obvious, isnt it? You want to go in with Namgung Shin.
Im not planning any surprise attacks or anything.
Yi-gang saw through his feigned expressionlessness.
Dont make a fool of yourself and bring shame to your clan.
What do you know, brother!
Really?
Moyong Jin was bristling with defiance.
Instead of pushing hard, Yi-gang made a gentle suggestion.
Lets team up.
Why would you pick someone like me
Ill tell you how to beat that Namgung Shin.
Really?
Moyong Jin looked at him as if to say, Is that even possible?
But Yi-gangs eyes looked infinitely serious.
Eventually, Moyong Jin had no choice but to swallow hard.
R-really?
Yes.
Then
Good, thats one more person added.
Is there anyone else besides me?
Im off to persuade them now.
Thats how Yi-gang pulled Moyong Jin in.
Moyong Jin would be there to watch Yi-gangs back in the Five Elements Tomb.
Yi-gangs next destination was the Poison Beauty Tang Eun-seol.
Having observed the skills of other martial artists to her satisfaction, she was leisurely resting.
Yi-gang approached her as she sat on a rock, fiddling with her nail decorations.
He looked up at Tang Eun-seol and asked, Lets go in together.
Okay.
You wont use poison on us, right?
The Tang Clan has good relations with Azure Forest. Probably.
If someone attacks us inside, you can use poison.
Please help with the aftermath.
Yes.
Thats how Yi-gang recruited Tang Eun-seol.
Lastly, Yi-gang approached So Woon.
Do you still have a keen sense of smell?
Im ranked 30th.
Even in the dark, your ability will be useful inside.
Im the last. I lost in all the duels. Actually, I should have been eliminated in the second round, shouldnt I?
Lets go together.
So Woons face looked like he was about to burst into tears.
He shouted as if crying out, Brother!
Brother who?
Had he overheard someone talking about sworn brotherhood?
Looking a bit sheepish, So Woon seemed to have made up his mind and pulled something out.
My father, he gave me this when I was leaving.
What is it?
So Woons background was not ordinary.
Although he had been hiding his identity, Yi-gang and Peng Gu-in thought he didnt seem like a bad person and remained quiet.
But now, it appeared that he came from a more remarkable place than they had thought.
Its this box
What So Woon took out from his bosom was a metal box.
And engraved on its surface was the character for wood.
Yi-gangs eyes widened in surprise.
