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It was the third day of the duel.
Yeon Mujin, armed only with a lone broom, was once again driving back a warrior of the Zhuge family.
“What kind of sword contest does the Zhuge Family think this is?!”
“Damn it! What nonsense—wielding a broom like that!”
The Zhuge family warrior, driven entirely onto the defensive, shouted.
Though he had not been careless stepping onto the duel arena, Yeon Mujin’s skill far exceeded what the Zhuge warrior had expected.
The Zhuge family fighter never seized the initiative for a single moment.
The more they exchanged blows, the more he retreated—again and again.
“You scoundrel! Protect the pride of the Zhuge Family!”
“What ridiculous nonsense is that!”
He could not allow himself to be humiliated and defeated like this.
Unable to bear it any longer, the Zhuge family warrior launched an all-out attack to turn the tide.
At that distance it was a technique that could not possibly be evaded.
For a single instant Yeon Mujin faltered, then moved like a ghost and avoided every sword strike.
The Zhuge family warrior, forgetting even that he was mid-duel, stared dumbfounded.
“What the…!”
Yeon Mujin did not even look out of breath.
His gaze fixed on a single spot.
At the end of that gaze lay the shattered remains of the broom.
“…?”
“This is the revenge of my Asura Blood Broom!”
Struck under the chin, the Zhuge family warrior flew across the duel arena like a kite with its string cut.
Even as he fell he could not resolve his last question.
What on earth was that…?
Thud!
“The victor is Solitary Cloud Manor’s Mujin!”
The duel announcer declared it.
The final duel of the third day: three warriors had advanced to the finals.
Hwangbo Ryeong of the Hwangbo family.
Zhuge Kwan of the Zhuge family.
And Mujin of Solitary Cloud Manor—if indeed he belonged to them.
Yeon Mujin basked in the pouring gazes and smiled.
A perfect reverse-usage.
A perfect victory.
A perfect plan.
The spiritual pill he sought was the third-place prize of the duel matches.
Now all that remained was to lose naturally on the final stage.
The spiritual pill was as good as in Yeon Mujin’s hands already.
Good. It had looked natural. No one would notice, so he’d quickly take the spiritual pill and slip away.
Even though it had been a while since he used his reversed technique, it was flawless, without rust.
At this rate, even the old hag of reverse-usage would have to acknowledge it.
Yeon Mujin admired his own skill and felt satisfied.
But he had no inkling—not even in his dreams—of what repercussions this small act to obtain a single spiritual pill would bring.
“I’m sorry, Young Family Lord.”
“I have no excuse.”
Zhuge Kwan, unable to hide his displeasure, waved his hand toward the family’s warriors.
Zhuge Jo-yeon, who had been disgraced and eliminated earlier, kept his distance and watched his brother’s expression.
“I never had any expectations from the start.”
Zhuge Kwan spat the words coldly and rose from his seat.
“Where are you going?”
“I’m going to sort out my thoughts. Don’t follow me.”
Irritation welled up. Useless fools.
He had already sent a letter to the main house.
He had promised the Family Lord that he would return bearing Sunny Breeze and Green Field.
Except for Hwangbo Ryeong, he firmly believed the main house’s warriors were superior to those slow, pig-like Hwangbo family folk.
But what was this?
That he alone had survived to the finals.
Hwangbo Ryeong—he had put on a show of bravado before that boar, but in truth Zhuge Kwan knew: when it came to pure martial skill, he was a step below Hwangbo Ryeong.
Zhuge Kwan was no fool. One must assess the situation coolly to form a plan.
I might lose Sunny Breeze and Green Field.
He could never allow that.
With what face could he return to the clan and stand before his father? How could he endure the elders’ reproaches and cold stares?
What if the relic of the Tae-san Divine Sword were handed over to the Hwangbo family? As Young Family Lord, that would be tantamount to failure.
No.
Another possibility occurred to him.
It might not be the Hwangbo family who claims Sunny Breeze and Green Field.
That fellow who reached the finals alongside them.
His attire marked him as an attendant, but he was by no means an ordinary guest.
Zhuge Jo-yeon was certain the man was a card played by Solitary Cloud Manor.
They might have aimed for this from the start. No, it was almost certain.
—The main house is not so poor as to invite guests and then steal their gifts.
The Lord of Solitary Cloud Manor had certainly said that.
But, in retrospect, that was when the whole ploy began.
They must have exploited the fact that the two families could never jointly hold the Tae-san Divine Sword relic.
So they bound the feet of both houses, intending in the end to swallow the relic themselves.
—The Bukgung Family is not that impoverished!
How could he have believed those words so naively?
The Bukgung Family was the greediest house in the land.
So then, what will you do?
Will you form an alliance—join with one house to strike the other?
If so, with whom should you ally?
Allying with Solitary Cloud Manor would mean playing into their scheme. And to join with the Hwangbo family would be…
At that moment Zhuge Jo-yeon approached and said, “Hyung, a message from Solitary Cloud Manor requests your attendance at the banquet…”
“Is the banquet the issue right now?!” Zhuge Kwan burst out in irritation.
But even at his brother’s outburst, Zhuge Jo-yeon did not back down.
“Still, you should go. It’s not the banquet itself—Solitary Cloud Manor’s chief overseer wishes to meet you in person.”
“…What?”
That horse-headed fellow of theirs?
“Have you come?”
Un Ji-kang waited for Zhuge Kwan in a secluded room of Solitary Cloud Manor.
Zhuge Kwan entered, unable to hide his displeasure.
“Is the Lord of Solitary Cloud Manor present?”
“He is not. There is only me.”
“I don’t much want to speak with you.”
Un Ji-kang smiled instead of answering.
“Then well.”
He held out his palm and indicated the exit.
“You may leave.”
…
Zhuge Kwan did not leave; he glared silently at Un Ji-kang.
A silent duel of wills continued between them.
Eventually Zhuge Kwan spoke first.
“If I leave, will you call that boar next?”
“If you’re asking whether I’ll call Lord Hwangbo, then yes, I intend to.”
“Are you threatening me now?”
“Young Master Zhuge.”
Un Ji-kang lowered his voice.
A smile lingered on his mouth, but his eyes had gone sharp.
His gaze swept over Zhuge Kwan’s whole body.
“I have not said a word yet. While I show courtesy, I expect you to do the same.”
…
Un Ji-kang smiled again.
“I ask a favor of you, Young Zhuge Family Lord.”
Zhuge Kwan took the seat he indicated.
“What proposal have you called me here to make?”
To the blunt question, Un Ji-kang burst into a hearty laugh.
“This is why I favor you, Young Zhuge Family Lord. You’re quick-witted.”
“Isn’t your proposal obvious? ‘You cannot hand over Sunny Breeze and Green Field,’ and ‘If you don’t want to be humiliated by allying with Hwangbo, be content with the second-place prize, the Dragon Eye Pearl.’ If I refuse, you’ll run to Hwangbo with the same offer. Thus Solitary Cloud Manor both protects the Tae-san Divine Sword relic and ties the two houses’ feet. Quite the scheme.”
Unhidden resentment tinged his words.
But Un Ji-kang’s response was unexpected.
“No. The opposite.”
“What?”
“I will promise Sunny Breeze and Green Field to you, Young Master Zhuge.”
“…What?”
“However, there is a condition.”
Un Ji-kang produced a folding fan.
It was identical to the fan Zhuge Kwan usually carried.
“What is this?”
Instead of explaining, Un Ji-kang opened the fan to show him.
It looked ordinary at first glance, but a small, inconspicuous button was hidden inside the handle.
Un Ji-kang said, “There’s a mechanism inside. Press the button and hidden needles spring out to poison the opponent.”
“What?” Zhuge Kwan frowned. “Are you telling me to use poison against the Hwangbo family?”
Un Ji-kang shook his head.
“Not them.”
“…?”
“The one you should target is not Hwangbo Ryeong. It’s the Solitary Cloud Manor’s warrior participating in the finals.”
Zhuge Kwan stared at Un Ji-kang as if he could not comprehend the words.
What on earth was he saying now?
Un Ji-kang pressed the button to demonstrate.
With a tiny click, very fine needles sprang out—so small they’d be invisible without close attention.
“It contains a poison combining Heart-Stealing Herb and White Blood Poison. Once injected, before half an hour passes the toxin will spread through the body. At first he’ll clutch his chest, then breathing will become difficult, and finally death will ensue. If he collapses and the duel is halted, you discard this device and use your regular fan—it’s perfect. Our Solitary Cloud Manor will retrieve the corpse, so the foul deed won’t be revealed.”
Zhuge Kwan let out a dry chuckle.
“Why commit such an act? Isn’t he one of your men?”
“Do not ask for details.”
“If the final is halted, there’ll be no clear result—how can you promise me Sunny Breeze and Green Field then? Isn’t this no different from the original agreement you made with us?”
“Agreement?”
Un Ji-kang chuckled lowly.
“An agreement…”
It was the most sinister smile he’d shown that day.
“The Young Family Lord of the Hwangbo family told me that Hwangbo’s honor cannot join with Solitary Cloud Manor.”
“…”
“Should the Bukgung Family be mindful of a house that spurns honor?”
In other words, Solitary Cloud Manor had no intention of upholding honor toward the Hwangbo family either.
“So, what will you do?”
Un Ji-kang extended the fan.
Zhuge Kwan looked at the offered fan with a complicated expression.
His pride as a swordsman.
Honor and pragmatism.
Enemy and rival.
What would he choose?
Snap.
Zhuge Kwan snatched the fan from Un Ji-kang’s hand.
He hid his usual fan in his sleeve and opened the newly obtained one.
Whoosh!
Zhuge Kwan fanned himself as if nothing had happened.
He spoke to Un Ji-kang one last time.
“We did not meet each other today.”
At the same time, evading Solitary Cloud Manor’s notice, Hwangbo Ryeong also received a secret contact.
“Are you Young Master Hwangbo Ryeong?”
“Yes, that’s me.”
“There’s no time to explain—just get in!”
“…?”
In the carriage sat one warrior who looked like a guard and a person wearing a wide-brimmed hat pulled low.
“Who are you people?”
In response, the hat-wearer slowly removed the wide hat.
When the hat came off, a clear-faced young lady appeared, and Hwangbo Ryeong’s eyes widened.
“Are you Lord Hwangbo Ryeong of the Hwangbo family?”
“Y-yes, that’s correct…”
“I am Bukgung Yoon, the youngest daughter of the Bukgung Family and the lord of Flying Swallow Manor.”
“Bukgung Miss? N-nice to meet you…”
“There’s no time, so I’ll be blunt. You’re participating in Solitary Cloud Manor’s duel finals tomorrow, right?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“I will help you secure victory, young lord.”
“You will help me win?”
The proposal was as startling as her appearance.
“Eliminate the Zhuge family in tomorrow’s final first. Then you will be able to claim victory.”
Hwangbo Ryeong blinked.
“Uh, what… shouldn’t you explain a bit?”
Bukgung Yoon nodded.
“I’ll be brief. The warrior entering tomorrow under Solitary Cloud Manor’s name is actually affiliated with Flying Swallow Manor. He hid his identity to enter the duel. His goal is not first place; it’s second place—specifically the runner-up prize, the Dragon Eye Pearl. The Dragon Eye Pearl is not only a costly gem but also purifies poison as an antidote, and he needs that antidote. So, Lord Hwangbo, if you first eliminate the Zhuge family, the victory will be yours. Do you understand?”
It was too complicated; he couldn’t follow.
Bukgung Yoon, reading the situation, realized Hwangbo Ryeong had not.
“It’s simple. Knock out the Zhuge family first. Then Sunny Breeze and Green Field will fall to the Hwangbo family.”
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