Chapter 71: A Familiar Scent
The mont I saw his face, resentnt surged.
The Demonic Cult plague.
The resentnt that had built up during that long war.
If I had my way, I would act right now.
But I had to hold back for just a mont.
The selection tournant was still ongoing.
“Next participants, please co up!”
Leaping, two people jumped onto the sparring stage.
I had already drawn the spectators' attention, and perhaps not wanting to lose to that, the two tried to show off their skills from the very beginning.
Even without using inner energy, quite ferocious sounds followed.
“Hmm.”
“Hmph.”
“Huuuh.”
The spectators’ reactions were lukewarm.
It was the sa for the participants who hadn't gone up on stage.
Rather than focusing on the duel, they kept glancing my way.
And I was openly glaring at one of them.
“Huh?”
Realizing my gaze, that man looked toward as well.
His real na was Jang Gangcheon.
In the introduction earlier, he had used the na Jang Sam, which was obviously made up on the spot.
To hide his identity and infiltrate the selection tournant.
“Ink Sword Great Hero, why are you looking at with such eyes?”
“I am rely looking at a competitor.”
“A competitor?”
He looked around.
“Aren't there other participants besides ? It seems you're only looking at .”
Was my gaze too blatant?
“You seem to be quite skilled.”
“Skilled? I am a bit skilled, but……”
At Jang Gangcheon’s puzzled expression, I tried to avert my gaze. I couldn't keep staring at him with a duel coming up.
But suddenly, a fragnt of mory from the past ca to mind.
It wasn't a mory related to Jang Gangcheon. It was a mory of a tactic I had seen while watching a martial arts tournant in the past.
What did I say back then?
- To think he would do such a crude and vile thing. Apart from his martial arts, he should be disqualified.
Mhm.
That’s what I said.
And now, I found myself wanting to try that crude and vile thing very much.
“Ahem.”
I said no more and turned my eyes to the sparring stage.
The match wasn’t ending, a lukewarm confrontation continuing on.
Jang Gangcheon seed unable to shake off his uneasiness, glancing my way, but since there was nothing he could do, he soon turned his gaze to the stage.
Now!
Watching him from the corner of my eye, I imdiately glared at him again.
“Hmm?”
He noticed and looked at .
And at that mont, I turned my gaze back to the stage.
“……”
Jang Gangcheon stood there blankly, not knowing what to do.
A mont later, he looked at the match.
And I, of course, did not miss the mont and glared at him.
“Keuk! Hey, stop stari-”
The mont he said that, I turned my head toward the sparring stage.
“-ng?”
It works.
The crude and vile trick of getting on the opponent's nerves.
I rembered how surprised I was when I saw soone do this in a duel.
But a new life ans new experiences.
I can do it too.
“Ink Sword Great Hero! Just what do you think you're doing?”
I ignored the question.
I fixed my gaze on the sparring stage as if I had done nothing at all.
He ended up looking like he had shouted loudly by himself and fell silent again.
I could feel his agitation, getting excited after falling for the trick.
Huh…….
This is more fun than I thought. Is this why they do it?
Co to think of it, in that duel back then, the one who used the trick had defeated his opponent.
When one thinks of a martial arts tournant, one generally imagines a fair and square duel of martial skills.
But that was only for duels held by the Alliance or prestigious orthodox sects.
Throughout the world, there were countless duels like this one, with rewards at stake, no different from a gambling den.
The duel I had watched was also one of those.
What was it? Was it a duel with ten barrels of liquor on the line?
“We have a winner!”
Finally, the duel on the stage ended.
No matter how lackluster the atmosphere of the duel, the mont a winner and loser were decided, people's gazes turned in that direction.
I didn't miss the chance and glared at Jang Gangcheon.
Stared intently, filled with resentnt.
“Hey, you! Stop stari-”
Ignoring his protest, I turned my head toward the stage—
Ah, the duel just ended.
I just looked up at the clear, blue sky.
“That guy?”
Jang Gangcheon seed to be infuriated.
He left his spot and ca this way.
But it won't be easy.
“Stop. No confrontations outside of the duels are allowed.”
“Please return to your seat.”
The family warriors mobilized by the Virtuous Mothers' Association blocked his path.
“That man has been glaring at since earlier.”
The warriors turned their heads to .
I put on my most solemn expression.
And lowered my voice a bit.
“Of course. I did not. Do such a thing.”
“Kuaaak!”
Jang Gangcheon fell backward.
Now, what to do in a situation like this?
I brought out the finishing move that the man who had used the trick in the duel had used.
I smiled faintly.
Warmly, gently, reliably.
“This Jin Mo did not gain the title of Great Hero for nothing. Surely, I wouldn't use such a crude and vile trick at a martial arts tournant.”
The warriors seed to have heard of .
They smiled along and nodded in agreent.
“Of course. Why would the Ink Sword Great Hero do such a thing?”
“No way! I have heard much about the deeds of the Sword Hero.”
Maintaining my smile, I looked at Jang Gangcheon.
“This Jin Mo, being unenlightened, has not heard of Brother Jang's esteed na. However, I believe that in the future, Brother Jang will also raise his reputation through countless duels. Then you will not misunderstand another’s gaze due to the tension of a duel.”
In my previous life, the man who used the trick was sent flying in one blow when Namgung Jeheon, who was watching the tournant, intervened.
But a reputation is truly a good thing.
I am the Ink Sword Great Hero.
I led the conversation based on the reputation of the White Path.
“What? A misunderstanding?”
“For now, take a deep breath and relax the tension in your body.”
Jang Gangcheon was dumbfounded and tried to approach , but he was again blocked by the family warriors.
“If you cause any more disturbance here, we will have no choice but to disqualify you.”
“It is common for anyone to be nervous before a duel. Listen to the Ink Sword Great Hero's advice.”
Jang Gangcheon was on the verge of exploding.
And even luck was on my side.
“The next participants, please co up!”
The very next participant was Jang Gangcheon.
“Ink Sword Gr— no, are you even a Great Hero? Let's see you in the duel! I will make you pay dearly for this! Do you understand?”
My response?
“……”
I ignored him and looked at the sky.
Nobly.
“Kuaaaah!”
The autumn sky was refreshing to the eyes.
A pleasant sound echoed in my ears.
So this is why people use these tricks.
Zhuge Sheng, you must have lived a very interesting life.
Imagining my friend, who was alive and well sowhere, beyond the sky, I looked at the sparring stage Jang Gangcheon had climbed.
“Jang Gang— no, it’s Jang Sam.”
“I am Jo Hoyak.”
Jang Gangcheon exchanged fist salutes with his opponent.
Seeing him misspeak his own na, it seed his nerves were quite frayed.
However.
“Haap!”
I don't hold a grudge against just anyone.
Jang Gangcheon was a man of that caliber.
Facing an opponent who used a staff, he didn't even wield a weapon and overwheld him with his fists and feet.
The spectators who saw it burst into cheers.
“Ooh! Isn't that martial artist nad Jang Sam amazing!”
“I can't even see all his punches and kicks!”
As he threw his fists nimbly and quickly, countless afterimages remained.
His opponent, unable to distinguish between real and feigned moves amidst the afterimages, was simply spinning his staff to defend.
If they could have used inner energy, the match would have been over even faster.
The spectators now began to hold expectations.
“Is Jang Sam going to fight the Ink Sword Great Hero?”
“Probably? If there are no other skilled fighters, then yes.”
“This is going to be good!”
Money was quickly exchanged among the gamblers in the crowd.
A gamble where the outco is uncertain because the odds are even is bound to bring more thrill than one heavily tilted to one side.
Thwack.
As if to heighten expectations, Jang Sam's fist struck his opponent. The opponent couldn't withstand it and was forced to retreat.
“Oooooh!”
“What is Jang Sam’s alias? Was it Iron Fist?”
“That's right. He must specialize in fists and feet!”
Right, fists and feet are one of his specialties.
But the fist art he used on the stage just now is not the one he prides himself on. It may look amazing to others, but I know. That man's martial arts are hidden.
The martial artist in charge of proceeding briefly organized the stage.
“Alright, the first round of matches has all ended. After a short break, the matches between the four winners will continue.”
An employee of the Virtuous Mothers' Association approached us.
“A al has been prepared for the participants. Please co this way.”
A al?
A al right before a duel was unexpected.
“Is it okay if we don’t eat?”
One of the participants asked, but the employee shook his head.
“It is the sincerity of the Virtuous Mothers' Association. Please co and have a little.”
We looked at each other but had no reason to refuse further.
Following the employee into a curtained-off area, Jang Gangcheon, who had just finished his duel, was also there.
We were even seated around a single round table.
“Eek!”
The mont he saw , he gritted his teeth.
Normally, such a trick wouldn't work on him.
He only fell for it because I was a completely unexpected opponent.
By now, he should be feeling self-loathing for falling for such a trick.
Hmm.
Interesting.
anwhile, one of the participants grumbled.
“They should have let us eat separately. What is this, right before a duel.”
My thoughts exactly.
What an inconsiderate arrangent.
It was a bit uncomfortable to sit and eat with your competitors.
“……”
We sat in awkward silence for a while.
“Oh, the food is coming.”
At soone's words, everyone turned their heads at once.
“Let's just eat a little and go.”
“That’s right. What's with eating before a duel.”
“Slurp.”
I didn't say anything, and the last one to make a sound with his tongue was Jang Gangcheon.
Seriously, your appetite has returned in the midst of this?
Even after being teased so much by —
“Hmm? This scent?”
Even the participants who said they would eat little sniffed at the aroma wafting from the porridge bowls placed before them.
“This is porridge made with crabs caught only this season in Shandong, brought over by carriage.”
“Crab porridge?”
My appetite was also piqued. Luoyang was even more inland than Kaifeng. There were few opportunities to eat fresh crab porridge.
“Well, I an.”
“Still, it’s just porridge.”
“Slurp.”
The mouths that had been making comnts took a bite of the porridge, and then.
“Mm.”
“Mmm.”
“Oh.”
“Slurp.”
This ti, I too let out a sound of admiration.
The crab at was rich yet lted softly. It slid down into the stomach without even realizing it was going in.
We exclaid in admiration as we moved our spoons, and Jang Gangcheon lifted the porridge bowl and drank from it directly.
“More, give more!”
He asked for more crab porridge.
“The next dish will be out shortly.”
“Hmm? What's coming?”
“It's a roasted duck dish with a crispy skin.”
“Ooh!”
It wasn't just Jang Gangcheon; all of us swallowed our saliva.
“Wow, look at that!”
Steam rose from the dark-brown roasted duck.
I could tell just from the scent. It was a duck roasted with all the skill of a master cook.
“I’m glad I participated in the selection tournant. To enjoy such luxury.”
“Do you think we’ll be served dishes like this continuously if we get in?”
“Haha, then I must get in, for sure.”
The atmosphere suddenly beca harmonious.
Naless cook, good food brings peace to the world.
“Haap!”
Jang Gangcheon lunged at the duck without even picking up his chopsticks.
“Hey.”
“Ahem, get a hold of yourself. You should use utensils.”
As the other participants stopped him.
Flinch.
Jang Sam's body froze.
“……”
I was watching him too.
Just now, he tried to eat with only his teeth and hands.
Like a beast.
As soone who knew his true identity, I couldn't help but say a word.
“Anyone who saw that would think you were a follower of the Beast ridian Demonic Cult.”
His face, which was furtively picking up chopsticks, turned red.
He gave a stern look.
“What kind of thing is that to say!”
“No? You were about to pounce like a beast just now.”
“I was just a little excited.”
“Isn't it the Demonic Cult whose true nature cos out when they're excited?”
Good.
The confirmation is complete.
“That was also a joke. Would I call you a Demonic Cult follower for eating a bit hastily? If so, there are plenty of Demonic Cult followers among the people I know.”
“Hey, since a while ago, you keep.”
“Let's eat. Shouldn't we eat before the dish gets cold?”
Jang Gangcheon looked uneasy but turned his head to the duck rather than continuing the argunt with .
I took a bite as well.
“This is truly amazing.”
The outer skin was crispy, making a sound as I chewed. The at inside was cooked just right, neither tough nor too soft. I was curious about the secret thod used to cook it.
Crispy, chewy, my mouth couldn't stop.
.
.
And.
The first duel after the al was between two other people, and a winner was decided.
Therefore, the next person to step onto the sparring stage was.
“Ink Sword Great Hero.”
, and.
“Iron Fist.”
Iron Fist Jang Sam, that is, Jang Gangcheon.
We faced each other on the sparring stage.
“Are you okay?”
His stomach was clearly protruding more than before as he faced .
“Eating this much doesn't affect my movents at all.”
“Truly beast-like. You should change your alias. How about Great Eating Beast? Is that too much like a Demonic Cult follower?”
“Why are you picking a fight again?”
Because I know your identity.
“Brother Jang.”
“What is it?”
“Is it okay to do this?”
“What now?”
The sll that hadn't faded even amidst the fragrant dishes of the round table.
“I an, hiding your identity.”
“!”
“Did you think I wouldn't know?”
It's a very familiar sll.
I've slled it quite a lot recently.
“Wha- wha- what.”
He anticipated failure, and his face contorted.
Sorry, but you can't fool .
Reveal your identity now.
“You have the pride of the Beggar's Gang. To think you'd wear decent clothes and eat with utensils.”
“Keok!”
The unique musty sll of a beggar that I had slled a lot recently.
It was almost gone, likely from how much he had washed, but it was caught by my sense of sll, enhanced by the Eight Sensations.
“I heard the Beggar's Gang was also curious about what’s inside.”
They sent a beggar dressed in decent clothes.
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