Baek Muheun took his seat and fanned his flushed face, grumbling, "I can't even show my face because of those rowdy teenagers!"
"Hahaha! What's the big deal? I feel like I've gone back to the old days, and I'm loving it!" Go Juyeol laughed heartily, unconcerned about someone else's problem.
Baek Muheun glared at his old friend. "You must be pleased, Hyung-nim. Everyone's cheering on the Flying Eagle."
"I'm actually jealous of you. Don't you realize they're calling you the Handsome Prince because it still suits you?" Studying Baek Muheun's face, Go Juyeol feigned envy. "Suryong is handsome, too, but back in our prime, you were definitely a tad better looking, Muheun."
"...Please, Hyung-nim, don't you start with the nonsense too. They're only teasing me because it's fun for them."
Baek Muheun tilted his head.
Baek Muheun shook his head and sighed. Even now, Tang Soso and her fellow cheerleaders were still waving their fans and chanting the Handsome Prince and Flying Eagle's praises. Thanks to them, the stinging gazes from the crowd were so intense that he wished he could crawl into a hole.
"Good grief..."
"Thirty years have passed, yet you haven't changed a bit.
Back when he attended the Azure Dragon Academy, he had actually liked the moniker 'Handsome Prince.' Now, at half a century old, he couldn't identify with it anymore. Memories of his childish pranks and delinquent behavior came to mind, and he blushed with embarrassment.
I'll use this chance to shake off the alias of 'Handsome Prince' for good! he resolved himself.
Go Juyeol chuckled, "Okay, okay, quit being embarrassed and watch the duels. Take a look around, too."
"Yes."
I've been away from the murim for over thirty years."
The first match of the Alumni Tournament began. Two masters from the Nine Sects One Gang, graduates of the Vermilion Phoenix and White Tiger Academies, respectively, stepped onto the stage. Facing each other, they exchanged a clasped-hands greeting.
"I am Jo Yang of the Wudang Sect. In the jianghu, I go by the undeserved alias of Drifting Cloud Swordsman."
"I am Gwak Jin of the Diancang Sect. My alias is the Light-Splitting Swift Sword. My skills are lacking, but I ask for your guidance."
The Azure Dragon Academy Acting Principal's armrest shattered like glass, crushed by a very angry old man's iron grip.
"Lacking? I'm well aware of the Light-Splitting Swift Sword's fame."
"And I've heard endless tales of the Drifting Cloud Swordsman's heroic deeds."
An explosive roar erupted from the stands, heralding the most anticipated contestant in the Alumni Tournament.
After a brief exchange of humble greetings, the duel began. Both masters drew their swords and charged at once.
The Divine Annihilation Nun continued, "Today, I intend to settle an old score here. For this reason, I humbly request my juniors to forfeit their duels."
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
The crowd roared with admiration. This exchange showcased the contrast between the softness of Wudang and the sharpness of Diancang. Many watched wide-eyed, thrilled to see the Nine Sects One Gang's ultimate techniques in person.
"...Hmm. Quite impressive," Baek Muheun remarked.
The Divine Annihilation Nun thanked each of them with a bow, then spun around with a frosty expression.
That was the extent of his assessment. Although the two duelists were potential opponents, he quickly lost interest in them and turned his attention to the audience.
Go Juyeol clicked his tongue. This guy hasn't changed at all since back then.
"Still, the Handsome Prince's confidence hasn't changed a bit, huh? Fine. Go ahead and let your mind wander. I'll have to keep my eyes wide open if I don't want to be humiliated."
The first duel ended.
Baek Muheun didn't answer. Smiling, he scanned the arena, lost in nostalgia.
"Handsome Prince Baek Muheun!"
"Show them the power of the Azure Dragon Academy!"
"Baek-oppa! I love you!"
Thirty years ago, his eighteen-year-old self stood in this very place during the Dragon and Phoenix Tournament. His old friends once sat where the Azure Dragon Academy students sit now.
"Don't even think about coming back to the Azure Dragon Academy if you lose!"
A sudden memory of a cheerful voice made him stifle a laugh. "Pfft..."
Go Juyeol tilted his head quizzically. "Hm? Is there something over there?"
"It's Yakbing. She used to sit right around there. She was so beautiful. Watching her cheer brought me such joy that I had trouble concentrating, because I kept finding myself staring at her."
Now, his distant Azure Dragon Academy juniors sat in that very same spot.
"The Emei Sect's sword of righteousness!"
Go Juyeol shook his head. "You're really something else. It's been almost thirty years since she passed away, and you're still this fond of Yakbing?"
As time passed, however, he found himself cornered.
Baek Muheun shrugged and grinned. "As you know, I'm quite the devoted man."
"Of course, I know that devoted heart of yours all too well. So... before the Handsome Prince met Mae Yakbing, how many young ladies' hearts did you..."
"Hyung-nim!"
"Hey, you'll burst my eardrums! ...Oh, it's over."
The first duel ended. After about a hundred exchanges, the Diancang Sect's Light-Splitting Swift Sword won. Amidst the roaring cheers, Baek Muheun and Go Juyeol clapped halfheartedly.
"We will now proceed with the second duel." The announcer reached into a wooden box and drew out a bamboo plaque bearing a name. "Graduate of the Azure Dragon Academy, Flying Eagle Go Juyeol, please prepare yourself!"
Baek Muheun lowered his voice.
Go Juyeol stiffened and swallowed dryly, but he soon shook off his nerves and began to warm up. "I should get it over with quickly. I'll grab a win and be right back."
Baek Muheun tilted his head. "Hyung-nim, I think that nun over there has been glaring at you for a while now."
"It's impossible for you to win the tournament anyway, so don't overexert yourself."
"Muheun, I think your old haughty personality is starting to show."
"If it were the old days, I wouldn't be using honorifics with you, Hyung-nim. Why would I be so polite to a classmate, who's not even a senior?"
"Right. Thanks a lot for at least doing that."
As the two of them bantered to ease the tension, Baek Muheun felt a gaze on him.
"Hyung-nim! At least explain properly before you curse me!"
Hmm?
He glanced toward the section where the Heavenly Martial Academy graduates sat. A woman wearing reddish-brown monastic robes caught his eye. Her resolute expression and short-cropped hair made her age difficult to guess. The sword resting on her lap, however, exuded a sense of having been together for many years.