"Wiji Cheon, is it? Who would have thought the Azure Dragon Academy was hiding such an incredible talent?"
Countless martial artists had praised Wiji Cheon, but the Fire King was a legendary figure, formerly known as one of the Ten Supremes. His words carried a different weight.
After watching Wiji Cheon admiringly, he glowered at Noh Goonsang. "Now I see why you look so pleased, Goonsang. With a lucky talisman like that, you'll at least avoid coming in last this year."
Baek Suryong chuckled in disbelief, then turned to observe the Vermilion Phoenix Academy instructors and students. One thing had been bothering him for a while.
His words implied that a single genius could free the Azure Dragon Academy from the disgrace of finishing in last place for the past ten years. Even if he was half-joking, it was still a tremendous compliment.
However, Noh Goonsang shook his head dismissively. "Hohoho! You shouldn't be surprised just yet. Besides Cheon, the Azure Dragon Academy has many other talented students."
"So full of yourself," the Fire King scoffed. "We'll just have to wait and see."
He turned his attention back to Wiji Cheon, whose eyes were slightly lowered as he cradled his sword. The boy reminded him of a peerless swordsman he'd briefly met in his youth.
His gaze lingered for a moment on Sama Hyeon, the Fire King's grandson and Sama Yeong's younger brother, before moving behind the boy.
"...He really does resemble the Sword Saint."
Only a few people heard the Fire King murmur, but Baek Suryong was one of them.
Ju Yulsang, who was standing behind the girl, fell backward with a thud.
Baek Suryong smiled to himself. Of course, he does. I taught the boy with Master Sword Saint in mind.
He felt a surge of pride when he realized that the Fire King had recognized that not only the martial arts, but also the philosophy of the sword he had passed down.
"I can't exactly accuse someone who became one of the Ten Supremes half a year after debuting in the jianghu of bluffing." Sama Yeong shook her head and walked over to the Vermilion Phoenix Academy instructors, muttering that Baek Suryong was still as obnoxious as ever.
"That kid..." Sama Yeong, who'd been staring dazedly at Wiji Cheon, abruptly turned to face Baek Suryong, looking betrayed. "He's not at a student's level anymore, is he?"
Baek Suryong shrugged. "I already told you earlier, didn't I? That Ju Yulsang kid isn't bad, but his opponent was just too strong."
Ju Yulsang gripped his sword tightly with both hands and kept charging at Wiji Cheon, even as his legs trembled. His grit and tenacity were worthy of recognition. If he continued to train diligently in the right direction, he would grow into a decent swordsman.
Sama Yeong laughed hollowly at the assessment. "I thought it'd be a good match even if he lost. Does this mean your claim about winning this year's Heavenly Martial Festival wasn't a bluff?"
Baek Suryong nodded admiringly.
"Have I ever bluffed?"
"I can't exactly accuse someone who became one of the Ten Supremes half a year after debuting in the jianghu of bluffing." Sama Yeong shook her head and walked over to the Vermilion Phoenix Academy instructors, muttering that Baek Suryong was still as obnoxious as ever.
Baek Suryong pouted. "I can hear you, you know?"
"I meant for you to hear it."
Baek Suryong chuckled in disbelief, then turned to observe the Vermilion Phoenix Academy instructors and students. One thing had been bothering him for a while.
They've seen Cheon's skill, yet they seem strangely at ease?
He felt a surge of pride when he realized that the Fire King had recognized that not only the martial arts, but also the philosophy of the sword he had passed down.
While it was true that everyone was astonished by Wiji Cheon's martial arts, they didn't seem intimidated or overly wary.
"...Does that mean they have a hidden card too?" he mumbled to himself.
Usually, people found the Blazing Rakshasa, granddaughter of the Fire King, difficult to approach, much like how people at the Azure Dragon Academy avoided Namgung Su.
"What?"
"What are you suddenly talking about, Hyung-nim?"
Jaegal Soyeong and Myeong Il'oh asked as they cautiously approached Baek Suryong. Like most, they weren't too comfortable with interacting with Sama Yeong, Baek Suryong was simply an exception. Usually, people found the Blazing Rakshasa, granddaughter of the Fire King, difficult to approach, much like how people at the Azure Dragon Academy avoided Namgung Su.
"I'm talking about the Vermilion Phoenix Academy," Baek Suryong explained. "It's strange that they're only this surprised after seeing Cheon."
"...Can't you see them all standing there with their mouths open?"
"Just how proud are you of your student?"
Baek Suryong smiled to himself. Of course, he does. I taught the boy with Master Sword Saint in mind.
Baek Suryong ignored his dumbfounded peers and scanned the Vermilion Phoenix Academy's camp. If he could identify the source of their composure, they wouldn't be caught off guard at the Heavenly Martial Festival.
What are you hiding?
As he opened his senses fully, a vast amount of information flooded his consciousness. His gaze lingered for a moment on Sama Hyeon, the Fire King's grandson and Sama Yeong's younger brother, before moving behind the boy.
"...Well well, look at this?"
"Sigh... I suppose I don't have a choice." The Fire King licked his lips in disappointment and returned to the Vermilion Phoenix Academy's camp.
A flicker of admiration crossed his face. He'd figured out why the Vermillion Phoenix Academy wasn't too concerned, even after witnessing Wiji Cheon's brilliant talent.
"According to last year's records, there was no one particularly interesting, but it seems we missed one...?"
"W-Why are you smiling like that again?"
"Hyung-nim, I don't know what you're planning, but it'd be better if you restrained yourself."
Sensing something was amiss, Jaegal Soyeong and Myeong Il'oh watched Baek Suryong anxiously, but he was already taking action.
The closer they got to their destination, the more talkative Ak Yeonho became.
[Cheon. Listen quietly.]
First, he curled one corner of his mouth into a malicious smirk.
Wiji Cheon flinched at the sudden telepathy. He had been about to end the spar because Ju Yulsang could barely swing his sword anymore. Although he liked his opponent's tenacity, continuing the match while he was panting for breath was counterproductive.
[I'll explain later, so for now, can you do as I say?]
Wiji Cheon nodded and did as Baek Suryong instructed without a word. First, he curled one corner of his mouth into a malicious smirk.
"Because it's a pain." The girl smiled brightly and deflected Wiji Cheon's sword to the side with a fluid, natural movement.
"!!" The Five Young Azure Dragons shuddered as they watched Wiji Cheon transform into a miniature Baek Suryong.
"How pathetic," Wiji Cheon sneered as if possessed by Baek Suryong.
Ju Yulsang scowled. "...What?"
"I can't exactly accuse someone who became one of the Ten Supremes half a year after debuting in the jianghu of bluffing." Sama Yeong shook her head and walked over to the Vermilion Phoenix Academy instructors, muttering that Baek Suryong was still as obnoxious as ever.
The Vermilion Phoenix Academy students immediately stiffened.
However, Wiji Cheon continued speaking unconcernedly, "I heard you were the runner-up at the Heavenly Martial Festival several times, so I had some expectations. But is this really the standard at the Vermilion Phoenix Academy?"
"Shut up!" Ju Yulsang, who had been on the verge of passing out, mustered every last bit of his strength and charged. Of course, there was no way his exhausted self could challenge Wiji Cheon, who had overpowered him even when he was at full strength.
Nevertheless, Noh Goonsang refused him firmly.
"You provoked me first, yet now you're upset about payback?"
Wiji Cheon dominated the fight, proving he'd been holding back. Unlike the guided spar before, he now thoroughly crushed his opponent.
"Tsk, the Vermilion Phoenix Academy is nothing special after all."
This remark was the final blow. The thought that the entire academy had been insulted because of his weakness sent Ju Yulsang over the edge.
"I'll kill you!" Ju Yulsang aimed his sword, now filled with killing intent, at Wiji Cheon's heart. Even if the remark was justified, Wiji Cheon had crossed the line.