Chapter 69: Dragon Heaven Academy's Great Leap (3)
Chapter 68 – Dragon Heaven Academy’s Great Leap (3)
“W-We won!”
“Yun Jong-seung won!”
“Uhahaha! Following the Valiant Martial Academy, Dragon Heaven Academy has smashed even the cadets of the Righteous Chivalry Academy!”
“Yun Jong-seung! You’re the best!”
The cadets of Dragon Heaven Academy were in a festive mood.
On the other hand, the cadets of the Righteous Chivalry Academy, who had been throwing contemptuous looks and criticizing just moments ago, bit their lips tightly and lowered their heads.
The reaction of the commoners was also fierce.
“My goodness, for two cadets of Dragon Heaven Academy to advance to the quarterfinals! Isn’t this a miracle?”
“It’s an upset unseen in the last twenty years.”
“Uhahaha! I knew it would be like this, so I bet money on the Dragon Heaven Academy cadet!”
“How on earth does the Righteous Chivalry Academy teach their cadets!”
All kinds of voices mingled, creating a massive uproar.
Yun Jong-seung looked around with a blank expression and locked eyes with Murong Sin.
“You may step down now.”
Only after hearing Murong Sin’s cold words did Yun Jong-seung snap out of it and turn around.
“Y-Yes, sir!”
He still could not believe it.
To think he had really won.
To think he had defeated even Yue Goeng following Hwangbo Seung.
Glancing at Yue Goeng, who had fallen out of bounds, a clear lotus flower was bloomed on his chest.
Clench!
Yun Jong-seung clenched his fists tightly and curled up the corners of his mouth.
‘The power of the Red Lotus Palm… has risen by a level!’
As he came down from the martial arena along the stairs, he happened to see Namgung Cheon waiting for his turn.
Yun Jong-seung strode toward Namgung Cheon, suddenly cupped his fists, and spoke.
“Thank you, Namgung Cheon! You are my benefactor! I will never turn my back on you again.”
Namgung Cheon chuckled, patted Yun Jong-seung on the shoulder, and moved his steps.
It was finally Namgung Cheon’s turn to ascend the martial arena.
Looking at Namgung Cheon’s back, Yun Jong-seung saw Ju Yeon-hwa heading toward the martial arena from the opposite side.
‘A disciple of the Mount Hua Sect…’
It would definitely not be easy.
Moreover, the opponent belonged to Wuhan’s number one, the Valiant Martial Academy.
Yun Jong-seung muttered as he looked at Namgung Cheon’s back again.
“Namgung Cheon…! Win.”
As he turned around and walked away, someone blocked his path and hugged him tightly.
“You rascal, you did incredibly well.”
“Gasp, w-who…?”
“What? Did you get beaten up so much that you don’t recognize me? Did you injure your head or something?”
The person speaking fussily was none other than Bi Ryang, the instructor in charge of the Blue Dragon Class.
“Ah… Instructor.”
“‘Ah… Instructor’? What is with that tone that sounds somewhat disappointed?”
“N-No, it’s not like that. It was just so sudden. But why are you here?”
“What do you mean why? I came to cheer for you, of course. Don’t you see your classmates over there?”
“To… cheer for me…?”
As Yun Jong-seung blankly raised his head, Bi Ryang slapped him on the back and spoke.
“You punk! Why is a guy who won acting so disheartened? Shoulders up! I came to get you so you can greet your classmates.”
“Ah…”
Only then did Yun Jong-seung look around at the people filling the spectator seats.
Since the third duel was still being prepared, everyone was cheering while looking at him.
“Well fought! Cadet of Dragon Heaven Academy!”
“The future of the Mount Huang Yun Clan is bright!”
“Fight well in the quarterfinals too!”
Thump, thump…!
Had he ever received the attention of everyone like this in his life?
It felt as if he were dreaming, and his feet felt like they were stepping on clouds.
‘Is everyone… cheering for me?’
Wasn’t this exactly how a hero of the Jianghu would feel?
As his mood became fluffy, Bi Ryang dragged Yun Jong-seung in front of his classmates.
“Woah! Yun Jong-seung! That was amazing!”
“Yun Jong-seung! Well done! You are a true hero!”
“You are no longer a pushover! I knew you could do it!”
At the shouting that was loud enough to make his ears ring, Yun Jong-seung’s heart choked up as all kinds of thoughts passed through his mind.
The hells he had experienced so far came to mind, and it was also ridiculous that those who had turned away and stood by back then were now chanting his name.
But one thing was clear.
‘Indeed, one must be strong above all else!’
For a martial artist, weakness was a sin.
Pursuing strength endlessly must be the virtue of a martial artist.
‘Yes, I have become strong. And I will become even stronger in the future! Everyone, watch me. And watch Namgung Cheon, who made me like this! One day, look at us, who will become so strong that you won’t even dare to speak to us!’
Yun Jong-seung, who sorted out his inner thoughts, clenched his fist tightly and raised it as a sign of resolve.
“Waaaaah!”
The cheers surged even higher.
Namgung Geom, who was quietly watching that sight, narrowed his eyes.
‘Either he has gained enlightenment, or a major change has occurred in his state of mind. In any case, it is an unexpected sight. When I saw him before…’
Namgung Geom shook his head.
No matter what his past appearance was, the present was what mattered.
In that sense, Namgung Geom was paying closer attention to Namgung Cheon than anyone else at this moment.
Namgung Cheon had just ascended the martial arena and was slowly warming up.
His expression was not tense. His composure was overflowing to the point of spilling over. Even a sense of languidness could be felt.
How should one express it?
Was it an expression that seemed to say he wanted to quickly end this trivial game and go back to his quarters to take a nap?
‘Whether it is confidence or conceit remains to be seen.’
He would not make any judgment just yet.
While Namgung Geom was quietly staring only at Namgung Cheon, Gold King also stared intently at Namgung Cheon’s back.
‘Is this really thanks to that child?’
A tingling thrill rose from his fingertips.
If that was true, then Namgung Cheon…
‘Just what kind of child is he?’
Clearly, the gap in martial arts was distinct.
Yet he overturned it with just a single blow.
Surprisingly, Namgung Geom had predicted it.
Well, that could be the case.
Since Namgung Geom was an ultra-first-class expert.
But what about Namgung Cheon?
What kind of advice did a child, who had not even reached adulthood, give Yun Jong-seung to produce such a result?
‘If… Hong-ee has truly found a hidden dragon…!’
She has done what even I could not do.
However, it is too early to jump to conclusions.
Since he had not actually seen Namgung Cheon’s duel yet.
It would be meaningless unless he watched Namgung Cheon’s duels all the way to the finals.
‘Namgung Cheon… I shall watch you!’
Gold King casually spoke to Namgung Geom, who was sitting next to him.
“It is finally Namgung Cheon’s turn. Your expectations must be high.”
“Expectation and disappointment are not my share, but that child’s.”
At the response that was indeed cold to the extreme, Gold King could not help but be surprised once again.
No matter how upright his personality was, to think he could control his emotions to this extent.
Still, wasn’t his coming all the way here in order to watch his grandson’s martial arts in person?
Nevertheless, there was not a single trace of disturbance in his expression.
Suddenly, the thought occurred to Gold King that even if Namgung Geom had done business, he would have shown truly outstanding ability.
‘Indeed, looking at it that way, he compared to someone.’
Gold King’s gaze naturally directed toward the VIP seats.
He spoke with a soft smile.
“The Family Head of the Mount Huang Yun Clan seems to be very moved.”
Sure enough, Yun Cheom-san was leaning against the railing of the VIP seats, bursting into tears that were close to wailing.
“Uhuuuung! My son! My sooon! You have truly done it! What a commendable fellow! This father knew you would win! This father did not doubt our son’s victory for a single moment! Well done, my son! Well done, indeed!”
The other VIPs burst into hearty laughter and offered their congratulations.
Yun Cheom-san thanked them while wiping his tears with a handkerchief, and then turned back to look at Yue Hyeon, who was sitting with an awkward expression.
The man who had been making comments close to ridicule throughout the duel.
But now, his expression looked as if he had chewed on feces.
Yun Cheom-san composed himself and approached Yue Hyeon.
“I hope it has been a valuable lesson for your son.”
Grit.
Yue Hyeon clenched his molars tightly, but there was no further response.
Yun Cheom-san turned around without any lingering attachment and walked away.
Heavens! How could it be this thrilling!
He felt like running over right away, hugging his son, and dancing.
By the way, he had approached Namgung Cheon after coming down from the stage, so why did he do that?
‘Ah… Did he give advice to Namgung Cheon?’
Indeed, since he had won the martial arts competition fair and square, he might have given advice to Namgung Cheon. Although he had been struck by Namgung Cheon due to carelessness, to think he would care for their old friendship to this extent. What a broad-minded fellow you are. You must be built differently.
Yun Cheom-san smiled inwardly as he asked for understanding for a moment and left the VIP seats.
* * *
‘Sigh, should I have stayed to watch Namgung Cheon’s duel?’
Yun Jong-seung shook his head at the thought that came to him belatedly.
Although he was curious about Namgung Cheon’s duel, it was difficult to even stand for a moment right now.
In truth, if he had slipped up even slightly, the one lying down out of bounds would have been him, not Yue Goeng.
‘Well, that fellow will do fine on his own.’
He wanted to return to his quarters and rest as quickly as possible.
Otherwise, three days later…
‘Tang Wu-gi…!’
Could he really hold out against Tang Wu-gi like today?
Against Tang Wu-gi, who made his knees shake just by locking eyes?
Ah… right now, he did not want to think about anything.
Let’s go back to the quarters and rest first.
As he dragged his steps with difficulty, someone suddenly turned the corner and hugged him tightly.
“Urgh! W-Who…?”
Why were there so many people rushing at him today of all days!
Irritation suddenly rose, but the familiar voice reaching his ears was none other than his father, Yun Cheom-san.
“Well done, my son! Let me see! Oh, doesn’t it hurt? Your face is swollen a lot.”
“Father…”
Still, seeing his family, the sorrow he had been holding back seemed to surge up.
As Yun Jong-seung’s eyes welled up with tears, Yun Cheom-san hugged his son tightly once more.
“Yes, it’s your father. Father is here. This father really saved face today thanks to my son. Well done, my son!”
“Fatheeer!”
Yun Jong-seung hugged his father and shed tears.
Yun Cheom-san that Yun Jong-seung’s shoulder, then he spoke.
“By the way, why are you being so nice to Namgung Cheon? Is it because you can’t forget your past friendship?”
“Pardon…?”
“I saw it all. You giving advice to Namgung Cheon.”
“What do you mean, Father? On the contrary, it’s…”
“You rascal. A person must look far ahead. And you must distinguish between public and private matters. Helping Namgung Cheon repeatedly out of personal attachment will bring you no benefit at all…”
“Father!”
“What is it?”
“The thing is… Namgung Cheon helped me.”
“Huh? What do you mean? Who helped whom?”
“Namgung Cheon helped me.”
“No, how? Namgung Cheon is clearly Dragon Heaven Academy’s official pushover…”
“No, Father. Cheon-ee has changed. I don’t bully Cheon-ee anymore either. No, he’s not someone I could bully in the first place.”
“Oh dear, you must have lost your senses because you got hit too much. Let me see. Did you injure your head or…”
“That’s not it, Father. I… realized a lot of things through Cheon-ee. Father! Namgung Cheon is like a teacher to me. I have resolved to keep my loyalty to Cheon-ee for the rest of my life. So, Father, please do not look down on Namgung Cheon anymore. That would be the same as looking down on me.”
“M-My child… what are you talking…”
“You will find out gradually, Father. Just how amazing Namgung Cheon is. Perhaps you will even become proud that I am Namgung Cheon’s friend.”
“My son.”
“Father, I should rest now. Seeing is believing. See it for yourself.”
“I… see. It must have been very hard for you today, so go on and rest.”
“Yes, please watch Cheon-ee’s duel on my behalf, Father, and let me know. And do not be surprised no matter what happens. That fellow is truly amazing.”
“Mmm. Alright.”
As Yun Cheom-san replied awkwardly, Yun Jong-seung politely paid his respects and walked away.
For some reason, his son’s back walking under the sunlight looked broader than usual.
‘Did that rascal grow taller?’
By the way, receiving help from Namgung Cheon? Like a teacher? What on earth did that mean?
That fellow who seemed to have no energy at all…?
In that instant, a thunderous cheer rose from the Grand Martial Arena.
“Woahhhhhh!”
‘I must see it for myself!’
Yun Cheom-san hardened his expression and strode back toward the VIP seats.
* * *
‘Why is the atmosphere like this?’
Entering the VIP seats, Yun Cheom-san frowned slightly as he looked at the frozen VIPs.
He grabbed the VIP sitting next to him and asked.
“Did something happen?”
The VIP turned to look at Yun Cheom-san with a blank expression and barely moved his mouth, which could not even close.
“I-It’s over.”
“What is over?”
“The d-duel is over, I mean.”
“Heavens, did Namgung Cheon lose already? This quickly…”
“No. Namgung Cheon won. Overwhelmingly…!”
“What? No, how long has it even been since it started…!”
Yun Cheom-san looked down at the martial arena with an unbelieving expression.
“Waaaaahhhhhh!”
Listening to the cheer that seemed ready to split the sky, Namgung Cheon was silently descending from the martial arena.