Chapter 293: Chapter 293

The Martial World always wanted a new strong person.

Therefore, the appearance of a new master who emerged from somewhere, rather than an already revealed master, gave rise to countless rumors and stimulated people.

“I am telling you it is real! Those people are heaven beyond heaven, heaven beyond heaven!”

“Hey, no matter what, it probably is not to that extent.”

The opinions of those who had been present at the scene and those who heard the rumors were divided.

If it were heaven beyond heaven, it meant the Five Emperors, and if not, it meant the Seven Stars.

In any case, the entire Martial World was astonished by the fact that not just one, but two new masters comparable to the Five Emperors and Seven Stars had appeared.

“But the person who won the tournament was not them, was it?”

“That is true, but…”

Several people brought up the topic of the winner.

The winner had been decided in a truly ridiculous manner.

The two peerless masters were eliminated due to going out of bounds, and thanks to the opponent whose shrimp back burst in that massive fight, Namgung So-hye, who had held on fine, naturally became the winner.

“But is it not surprising? Not only did that Namgung So-hye participate, but she appeared as a member of the Hunan Dan Family rather than the Namgung Family.”

“Th… That is true. I was also surprised.”

Since stories of Zhuge Yeon as well as Namgung So-hye began to spread widely, the eyes and ears of the entire Martial World were truly turning toward the Hunan Dan Family.

Yet, in the Hunan Dan Family, many people were gathered as if holding a massive feast.

The merchant group head of the Golden Ring Merchant Group, as well as Hoyeon Ji.

Everyone who once had ties to this place was gathered in one spot.

Namgung So-hye and Hoyeon Ji, busily moving back and forth, were serving food, and wine jars were piled high.

Since even Hong Won-chang came to join them, the entire family residence was truly bustling.

Smiles were hanging on everyone’s faces.

Except for only one person.

“Ugh…”

Jang Sam-tae groaned with his head pressed to the ground. Having eaten nothing and being in this state for about two hours already, he felt like he would go crazy.

Mae-hyang stood beside him, casting a look of pity at Jang Sam-tae, but she was pacing restlessly as if she could not dare to help him.

“No, why on earth only me…”

Growl!

A violent sound was heard from his starved stomach.

He wanted to fill his stomach even a little, but since there was no permission from Dan Woo-hyun, he could not even raise his head. As resentment surged, his irritation only grew for no reason.

“What on earth did you do?”

Mae-hyang asked cautiously.

Since she did not know the reason, she also felt frustrated.

“How should I know? I only asked Elder Sa to participate in my stead…”

“Ah…”

“What is that ‘Ah…’ about?”

Mae-hyang let out a deep sigh.

Certainly, it could not be said that it was wrong. However, judging by Dan Woo-hyun’s expression, he must have bet money on him.

Because Sado Hak had participated, it resulted in a loss by going out of bounds, and since he did not win either, he only lost his money.

From the perspective of Dan Woo-hyun, who was obsessed with money to the extent that it would not be strange to call him a money demon, it was understandable that he was angry.

“Sigh… really, this person…”

“Ah, why!”

Jang Sam-tae shouted with a resentful expression.

He still did not seem to know at all the reason why he was being punished.

There was another person who was in a bad mood.

It was Sado Hak, who was tearing at meat and drinking alcohol in a corner.

He could not relax his expression, as if something was bothering him, but Namgung Cheon, who stood beside him, patted his shoulder as if he knew the reason.

“Do not touch me.”

“Hahaha.”

“Do not even laugh. We might grow fond of each other, old man.”

“Are you that dissatisfied? That you could not finish the match?”

“Is there even a match to speak of? I was pushed back from the start…”

Sado Hak spat out the meat in his mouth.

Although it was a delicious cut, it did not sit well in his mouth at all. That was because Sado Hak was in a foul mood.

“That fellow. He did not even use his full power from the start.”

“Was that not the same for you?”

Namgung Cheon knew.

Since it was a situation where he could not perform the Heavenly Demon Divine Art, Sado Hak had not shown even half of the strength he possessed.

If he had rushed in with all his might, the fight would not have ended in that manner.

Truly, a natural disaster would have swept that place.

Under those circumstances, since they sparred for more than a few minutes, is it not as good as successful?

“It is not a matter of that! I felt it every time we clashed. That guy was holding back his hands.”

“Ho… was it to that extent?”

“The feeling was truly… peculiar.”

Sado Hak drank from his wine cup roughly.

Even so, he wore a slight smile on his lips.

An opponent he could not defeat even if he exerted all his strength.

Just the existence of such a person serves as a stimulus to a martial artist. Especially for Sado Hak, who was blocked by a wall.

Someone who remained out of reach no matter how much he chased.

Since he had to make even more effort to chase such a person, Sado Hak felt like he would become even stronger.

“It seems that is not the only thing you have gained.”

“Tch… I dislike that even more.”

Namgung Cheon laughed heartily.

A touch of regret was harbored in his eyes.

He expressed regret, saying that had he known it would be like this, he would have also participated.

“But it was truly amazing!”

Just then, Dan So-mi ran over with a smile.

In fact, she did not even know what had happened. She only remembered that booming sounds were heard, and that she was scared because of it.

However, from what many people said right after the spar ended, she learned how great that spar was and felt proud.

She even wanted to reveal that he was her grandfather.

Watching Dan So-mi hug him with a bright smile, Sado Hak cleared his throat.

“Ahem, was… was it that amazing?”

“Of course! So-mi has never seen anything like that in her life. People praised you, saying you were the best.”

“Ha… haha! Right? I am somewhat the best.”

“Exactly!”

At Dan So-mi’s single word, Sado Hak’s mood seemed to be lifted. His constantly grinning appearance somehow looked a bit foolish.

Namgung Cheon watched that sight with a gentle smile.

The one called Demonic Sovereign who stood at the peak of the Hundred Thousand Demonic Path.

That Sado Hak, who had reigned while spreading fear not only through the Orthodox, Unorthodox, and Demonic factions but also to the Outer Lands, was wearing such an expression?

It was truly something one could see only by living a long life.

“I did not know you could smile like that. Hahaha.”

“What is so funny?!”

At the resounding voice, Namgung Cheon waved his hand.

Dan Woo-hyun showed no expression, just sitting there eating the meat and drinking the wine in front of him.

Perhaps because of that unique atmosphere, even people did not approach closely.

It was because they feared they might become the target of his anger for no reason.

Just then, someone cautiously sat beside Dan Woo-hyun.

Letting out a small groan, they set down the wine bottle held in one hand on the floor.

“The atmosphere is really great. It has been a long time since I experienced something like this.”

Namgung So-hye wore a bright smile.

Many people being gathered. It reminded her of the time long ago when the members of the Namgung Family gathered together to hold a feast.

Although the feeling was vastly different, Namgung So-hye felt good for the first time in a while.

She glanced to the side.

Dan Woo-hyun drank his wine silently.

Thinking he was in a really bad mood, she rummaged through her robe and set something down.

“Here.”

“What is this?”

“What else could it be? The prize money.”

Dan Woo-hyun smirked.

Her behavior seemed somewhat amusing to him. At that smile shown for the first time, Namgung So-hye nodded, thinking that it really was because of money.

“No need. Put it away.”

“Eh?!”

“Is there any reason to be surprised?”

“No… was Young Master Dan not depressed because of the prize money?”

“I am not a ghost crazed for money.”

“It seems like you are…”

Dan Woo-hyun frowned at Namgung So-hye’s words.

He wondered how she viewed him to say such a thing. Of course money was important, but he was not in a bad mood because of that.

“I thought I made a mistake.”

“A mistake?”

“Yes. At first, I entered the tournament to tease that Sam-tae fellow… but before I knew it, that fellow Sado Hak blocked my path.”

“Hmm…”

Namgung So-hye nodded slightly.

She wanted to hear what Jang Sam-tae had done to make Dan Woo-hyun himself enter the tournament to tease him, but she decided to ignore that and move on.

Even if she heard it, it probably would not be anything grand.

“Should I call it competitive spirit? Or courtesy toward the one challenging me…”

“Ah…”

She saw the general outline of the story.

In a place where he did not need to display his true skills properly, because Sado Hak appeared, he showed a glimpse of them. Furthermore, since many people were present at that spot, the rumors about Gwimyeonja would spread rapidly.

Was it at least fortunate that he was wearing a mask?

“People will try to look for Gwimyeonja. They will also flock to Yueyang to see Ma Cheon-gun.”

“Indeed.”

“It is entirely Young Master Dan’s fault.”

“…”

It was something that could not have happened if Dan Woo-hyun had not participated.

Therefore, Namgung So-hye smiled and gouged Dan Woo-hyun’s chest with an awl.

He wore an incredulous expression.

“Sharp.”

“I learned it from Yeon-ie.”

Namgung So-hye thought that whether they liked it or not, it was something that was bound to happen once anyway.

No matter how much they hid themselves, Namgung Cheon and Sado Hak were staying here, and there were also many others besides.

Even if they tried to avoid revealing that strength, the rumors were already spreading slowly, so it was certain that they could not escape the destined future.

“But would it not be fine? Since Young Master Dan is someone who can easily overcome it.”

“Is that so?”

“Of course. Besides, you are not going to be swayed by such people.”

“You state the obvious.”

“Then it is fine. No matter who comes.”

Namgung So-hye shrugged her shoulders with a smile.

Dan Woo-hyun was strong.

His mental strength was also that great.

There was not a single person who could force him to move.

Namgung So-hye wanted to learn that aspect more.

“Ah, there is exactly one person who can move Young Master Dan.”

“Huh?”

While Dan Woo-hyun tilted his head, someone ran from behind.

Soon, they hugged Dan Woo-hyun tightly and burst into a grin.

“Dad, you know what, you know what! Can you not forgive Uncle Jang now?”

“Alright… do as you wish.”

“Wow! Thank you. Then I will bring Uncle Jang.”

Dan So-mi moved away from Dan Woo-hyun with an innocent smile.

Perhaps thanks to the child’s warmth felt for a brief moment, Dan Woo-hyun’s stiff expression had relaxed considerably.

Namgung So-hye watched that sight and spoke.

“See? I told you, right? Exactly one person.”

“…Indeed.”

Dan Woo-hyun agreed and nodded.

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