44. A Man’s Word is as Heavy as a Thousand Gold

Gongdongpa Mountain Gate.

Wi Soryeon’s face slightly hardened as she faced Yoo Jin-hwi, who had suddenly intervened.

‘Is this the head disciple of Gongdongpa, Yoo Jin-hwi?’

Wi Soryeon was representing the Black Dragon Gang in this martial arts competition.

Naturally, she had already obtained and memorized information about the two disciples of Gongdongpa in advance.

There were two disciples of Gongdongpa. The first was Yoo Jin-hwi, a handsome man rumored to be as beautiful as Song Ok and Ban An, and a prodigy.

The second was Lee Cheol-soo, who had accurately castrated three members of the Black Path at the Gongdong Inn.

All this information was provided for free by the Hao Mun to the Black Dragon Gang.

Yoo Jin-hwi was rumored to be a prodigy in Hwajeong-hyeon.

His actual martial prowess had not been properly verified.

However, Wi Soryeon remained cautious but did not pay much attention.

“That handsome face… The rumor that Gongdongpa’s Yoo Jin-hwi is a beautiful young man with a face comparable to Song Ok and Ban An, with the beauty of a fish sinking and a goose falling, seems to be true. What a waste,”

Wi Soryeon clicked her tongue.

What a waste.

Yoo Jin-hwi’s appearance was so captivating that it unconsciously made her say such words, surpassing human beauty and possessing a charm that drew others in.

In front of her stood an unparalleled handsome man, to the extent that it would not be an exaggeration to discuss him as the greatest beauty of all time, surpassing even the famously handsome Song Ok and Ban An.

If she were an ordinary woman and not the sub-leader of the Black Dragon Clan, she might have been captivated by his appearance.

Wi Soryeon thought so absentmindedly.

“What do you mean by ‘what a waste’?”

Yoo Jin-hwi’s eyes sank coldly.

Yoo Jin-hwi had heard the word “handsome” countless times since he was a child whenever he went down to Hwajeong-hyeon. There were always more than ten women who would steal glances at his beauty from afar whenever he went down to Hwajeong-hyeon.

However, Yoo Jin-hwi did not particularly appreciate such compliments on his beauty.

‘What use is a compliment on being handsome? A warrior speaks through martial arts.’

A scholar proves himself through literature, and a warrior through martial arts.

Appearance is not important. Therefore, compliments do not make him happy.

Rather, it felt like an insult. Yoo Jin-hwi thought so.

‘Except for a master…’

There was only one exception.

If a precious master praised his beauty, he might feel a little happy.

But unfortunately, the one who gave the compliment was not a master but Wi Soryeon, the sub-leader of the Black Dragon Clan, whom he would not hesitate to kill.

“It’s a waste that the great disciple of Gongdongpa, who will soon be defeated and annihilated in the upcoming battle with our clan, is such a beautiful young man.”

Even her voice was beautiful.

Wi Soryeon swallowed her words.

Honestly, Yoo Jin-hwi’s physique was more slender and androgynous, closer to that of a woman than a man.

However, his appearance had reached a transcendent level.

If the famously beautiful Sado-ryeonju, who was known to captivate both men and women, displayed her beauty, it might be like this.

If she looked at Yoo Jin-hwi any longer, her heart might waver.

Wi Soryeon steadied her mind and raised the true energy of the Black Snake Nine Dragons Art from her dantian.

Wooong.

Her dantian vibrated as the explosive true energy of the Black Snake Nine Dragons Art surged. An intangible force arose from Wi Soryeon’s entire body and shot towards Yoo Jin-hwi.

The greatest prodigy of the demonic sect.

True to her reputation, Wi Soryeon grew up as the only daughter of the Black Dragon Sect’s leader, receiving the best care and consuming elixirs as if they were meals. She took her first steps using martial arts techniques, focusing solely on martial arts from a young age.

But that wasn’t all.

To dominate the rough men of the Black Dragon Sect, who revered masculinity, and to prepare herself as the future leader, she abandoned femininity and grew up rolling in the mud like the men.

She was called the greatest prodigy of the demonic sect, not with the title of “Phoenix” (鳳) given to women, but with the title of “Dragon” (龍).

“No matter how talented you are, your fame is limited to a small place like Hwajeong-hyeon. Today, I will show you how vast the world truly is.”

At the moment Wi Soryeon released her energy to pressure Yoo Jin-hwi.

Yoo Jin-hwi quietly closed and opened her eyes.

The energy of the Three Yin True Technique arose from her body and swirled around her.

The yin yet fierce energy enveloping Yoo Jin-hwi’s body repelled the intangible force Wi Soryeon had unleashed in all directions.

Gooo!!

The intangible force, accompanied by the sound of wind, scattered in all directions, kicking up dust and sand.

*

“Cough, cough.”

I coughed at the sudden sandstorm.

Why do masters always have to release their energy and engage in a battle of wills whenever they meet?

What are we supposed to do about this fine dust that appeared centuries ahead of its time?

“…A bit unexpected. So, you do have the talent to be called a prodigy?”

As the fine dust settled, Wi Soryeon looked at her senior brother and spoke.

Her senior brother said nothing.

Wi Soryeon seemed to have slightly revised her evaluation after seeing her senior brother successfully defend against her energy attack.

But it’s fine. Her senior brother hasn’t even shown 1% of his full strength yet.

There will be no problem in the duel.

“The ones who will fall in the duel will be your wicked demonic sect.”

“Ha, your sect against our Black Dragon Sect? Ridiculous. Don’t mistake that for my full strength. Hypocrite of the orthodox sect. Tsk. If it weren’t for my father’s orders, I wouldn’t even bother dueling with your sect.”

Wi Soryeon clicked her tongue.

The two’s gazes clashed in the air once again.

As Yoo Jin-hwi and Wi Soryeon exchanged cool lines like a scene from a martial arts novel.

“Then what will you do if our sect wins? If you’re so confident, why not make another bet aside from the duel results?”

I said, looking at Wi Soryeon.

Only then did Wi Soryeon’s gaze return to me.

An incredulous expression appeared on her face.

“Another bet? Why should I do that?”

Wi Soryeon, trying to brush it off.

If it were an ordinary medieval martial artist, they would have let it go here, but I was not ordinary.

My debating skills, honed through countless ranked games and internet community keyboard battles in my modern life, and palace intrigues during my eunuch days, had already surpassed the level that medieval martial artists could handle.

I licked my dry lips and spoke, pretending to be a childish kid appropriate for my age.

“Are you scared of losing? They say the Black Dragon Gang’s deputy leader, Black Dragon, is broad-minded and generous, unlike a woman, but it seems all the rumors in the martial world were lies. You’re petty, narrow-minded, and selfish, just like a little girl. You’re not a Black Dragon, but a Black Earthworm.”

When I insulted her by calling her an earthworm (土龍) instead of a dragon, Wi Soryeon’s face started to turn red and blue.

“Or are you scared of our senior brother, even though you’re the best late-stage disciple of the evil sect? Just now? As expected of our senior brother. With just one clash of wills, the best talent of the evil sect trembles, and the martial world and the four seas are astonished by the super genius born from the Gongdong Sect! The greatest talent of the era!”

“Sa, senior brother…”

Yujin Hwi, reacting to the praise of our senior brother, which I had no choice but to shout to draw out the Black Dragon.

His face slightly reddened.

What is this? He was speaking so charismatically like the protagonist of a martial arts novel earlier, but now he’s like this.

It’s burdensome.

“…There’s no way! Black Earthworm! How dare you insult me like that! The Great Black Dragon Gang never loses! Especially not to a third-rate sect like yours that’s falling apart! Fine. If our Black Dragon Gang loses, I’ll personally call you brother for the rest of my life! Though that will never happen!”

The Black Dragon, her face red, jumped up and down at my words.

She pointed at me with her finger and shouted.

Call me brother for the rest of her life?

‘Hehehe.’

I struggled to suppress the twitching corners of my mouth.

As long as we have our senior brother, the genius among geniuses, the heavenly martial body, and the future number one under heaven, our Gongdong Sect can never lose this duel.

So the Black Dragon will definitely end up calling me brother.

‘O, brother…’

The Black Dragon, with her tomboyish yet pretty face blushing, calling me brother.

The interest and love blooming in between.

Originally, the brother becomes the husband, and she becomes the wife.

It was written in the book on strategies for capturing a woman’s heart that breaking down psychological barriers with titles makes it easier to gain affection.

Although I lived my life as a eunuch and didn’t know much about women’s hearts, I had already mastered all the theories from books.

Now, I just had to put it into practice.

Of course, the wall between the demonic sect and the righteous sect, which surpasses that of Romeo and Juliet, might make it difficult for smooth affection to flow, but that in itself has its own charm.

Thus, they continue their push and pull until they become adults, allowing their hearts to mature.

I looked at the Black Dragon, having already decided on the names of my grandchildren in my mind.

The Black Dragon took a step back from me and said,

“Your gaze is unpleasant… If you lose, I will make you my servant.”

It seems he intends to humiliate me by making me his servant.

It’s a duel I can’t possibly lose.

Just as I was about to respond to the Black Dragon’s proposal,

“Wait a moment. Instead of my junior, I will become your servant.”

My senior stepped in between me and the Black Dragon.

With a solemn expression, he placed his hand over his chest and spoke.

The Black Dragon’s expression turned peculiar at his words.

What is this?

Why is he doing this all of a sudden? It’s like throwing ashes on a finished meal.

I can’t let my senior interfere with my business like this.

Before the Black Dragon could respond, I quickly cut off my senior’s words.

“There’s no need for you to step in, senior. As the old saying goes, a man’s word is as good as gold. I, too, am a proud man, and I will take responsibility for my words. Moreover, our sect never loses to the demonic sect. Our sect will surely win this battle and protect the peace of the communal inn and Huazheng County. I will become the Black Dragon’s brother-in-law. So, senior, you don’t need to worry too much. It’s something that won’t happen anyway.”

“A man’s word is as good as gold,” my senior muttered softly, then nodded solemnly.

“Alright, junior. But if it gets too tough, you must tell me, okay?”

“Understood.”

Just as I managed to make my senior step back and was catching my breath,

“What a tear-jerking brotherhood. Impressive.”

Wei Solyeon laughed as she looked at us.

A sneer hung on her lips.

Seeing that, Yujin Hwi’s face hardened.

“Would someone who grew up alone without even a brother understand our feelings? Of course not. Black Dragon.”

My senior retorted in a cold tone.

Seeing that, Wei Solyeon relaxed her body again.

Just as the second round of the psychological battle was about to begin,

“A messenger from the Black Dragon Clan?”

Beyond the open mountain gate, a familiar voice was heard.

Soon, a middle-aged man in black martial arts attire appeared, stroking his beard.

It was Jeon Yeong, the head of the Gongdong Sect.

“Yes, I am Wi Soryeon, the Black Dragon of the Black Dragon Clan. I have brought a reply from the leader.”

Wi Soryeon respectfully clasped his fists upon seeing Jeon Yeong.

Seeing him suddenly able to control his anger, it seemed that the earlier provocation was intentional.

Anyway, one must acknowledge the martial artists’ excellent anger management.

“I am Jeon Yeong, the Demon Sword of the Gongdong Sect. Since you are a guest, I will have you escorted to the reception hall. Cheolsu, guide our guest to the reception hall.”

“Yes, Master.”

With the master’s intervention, the power struggle ended in vain before it even began, and I led the Black Dragon to the reception hall.

The real battle was about to begin.

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