Clang!

Ji Cheon Wu barely managed to block his sword. Even with just one exchange, his palm began to sting and ache.

Clang!

With the second exchange, the sword shook greatly.

But Ji Cheon Wu struggled to block Ak Wi Cheon’s sword even in this difficult situation.

It was a match with a predetermined outcome.

‘What a shame. If we had met a little later, it might have been different.’

If he had a little more time, he might have been able to face the monster before him.

But… it was enjoyable.

It was the first time he had crossed swords so evenly with someone other than Nam Gung Lin.

[This is the timeline separator]

I was quietly observing Ji Cheon Wu’s duel.

The excitement of the people began to gradually build.

‘He’s clearly being pushed back.’

Even as I thought this, a smile formed on my lips as I watched Ji Cheon Wu.

I was proud of Ji Cheon Wu.

The people who had expected a one-sided duel began to fall silent.

Before they knew it, people were watching Ji Cheon Wu and Ak Wi Cheon’s duel with serious faces.

“That Ji Cheon Wu, he’s stronger than I thought?”

“I thought it would end quickly…”

“He’s holding up well, isn’t he?”

Watching this scene, the dagger uncle exclaimed in a proud voice.

[Hmph, I taught that kid too. Of course he’s not to be underestimated since I didn’t teach him half-heartedly!]

I glanced to the side.

Coincidentally, Eon Ji Gyeong and his friends were standing next to me.

‘Eon Ji Gyeong was eliminated by someone from the demonic sect, right?’

This had happened before Ji Cheon Wu’s duel. That Eon Ji Gyeong was now watching Ji Cheon Wu’s duel with clenched fists.

I could tell that they were cheering for Ji Cheon Wu.

“Damn it…”

A curse escaped Eon Ji Gyeong’s lips. The corners of his eyes watching the dueling ground had reddened.

I knew the reason.

It was because Ji Cheon Wu had started to be pushed back at some point.

[This is the timeline separator]

Ak Wi Cheon’s face contorted.

Ji Cheon Wu should have fallen long ago. But the boy was desperately blocking and enduring.

Ji Cheon Wu’s swordsmanship was something he had never seen before. It clearly didn’t seem to be the sword style of the Nam Gung family.

In any case, what mattered was the fact that the boy Ji Cheon Wu before him was strong.

Perhaps even more than he had thought.

Enough to catch his master’s eye.

It was then.

That Ji Cheon Wu’s expression entered Ak Wi Cheon’s eyes.

‘He’s smiling?’

Moreover, a faint smile had formed on Ji Cheon Wu’s lips.

Ak Wi Cheon couldn’t believe it. Why was Ji Cheon Wu smiling?

Though he was still holding on, Ji Cheon Wu would soon be defeated by his hand.

That was the predetermined outcome.

Ak Wi Cheon finally had no choice but to open his mouth and ask during the duel.

“Why are you smiling?”

“Because it’s enjoyable.”

“Enjoyable… with a face that looks like you’re about to collapse?”

“It’s enjoyable because you’re strong. There’s fun in dueling.”

Ak Wi Cheon’s face hardened.

It was because he couldn’t understand Ji Cheon Wu’s words.

At the same time, a strange feeling arose.

‘I think I understand why Master wanted to take this kid as a disciple.’

He and Ji Cheon Wu were completely different.

Ji Cheon Wu was showing an aspect that he had never found in himself.

That fact aroused Ak Wi Cheon’s anger.

Ak Wi Cheon’s sword became even stronger.

Ak Wi Cheon always hid a portion of his skills.

He thought it was foolish to reveal all of one’s abilities in the martial arts world.

But such composure of his was shaken by Ji Cheon Wu.

Ak Wi Cheon’s movements changed.

Clang!

Though he barely blocked Ak Wi Cheon’s sword, as a consequence, cracks began to form on Ji Cheon Wu’s sword.

“Monstrously strong.”

Ji Cheon Wu’s face turned pale.

He had suffered internal injuries.

That was the limit.

Ak Wi Cheon’s attacks continued.

“It’s over.”

Ji Cheon Wu could feel that he wouldn’t be able to block his sword. He felt as if a great mountain was standing before him.

But even so, Ji Cheon Wu didn’t give up.

Because at that moment, he recalled what Nam Gung Lin had said.

Even if he lost, he had to give one good hit as Nam Gung Lin had said.

Ak Wi Cheon’s sword touched Ji Cheon Wu’s neck. Ji Cheon Wu’s sword also cut Ak Wi Cheon’s cheek.

[This is the timeline separator]

Ji Cheon Wu was ultimately defeated.

A chilling silence fell over the dueling ground.

People couldn’t say anything. That’s how shocking the duel between the two boys had been.

They knew Ak Wi Cheon was strong, but they didn’t know he was this strong, and they couldn’t help but see Ji Cheon Wu, who had fought him evenly, differently as well.

Now, the gazes of people looking at Ji Cheon Wu had completely changed.

“As expected of a child chosen by the Heavenly Demon.”

“To cut Ak Wi Cheon’s face!”

Ji Cheon Wu acknowledged his defeat and made a fist-palm salute. Ak Wi Cheon returned the salute and turned around.

He placed his hand on his cheek.

Blood was seeping out.

Though he had won the duel, he felt inexplicably bad.

He had never experienced defeat before.

But he vaguely thought that if he were to be defeated by someone, perhaps this is how it would feel.

“Enjoyable…?”

He couldn’t understand Ji Cheon Wu’s words.

At that moment, the words the Heavenly Demon had once said flashed through Ak Wi Cheon’s mind.

His master had asked him once before.

Ak Wi Cheon couldn’t answer the Heavenly Demon’s question.

He had only become strong because he had to be strong. He had taken up the sword to bear the weight placed on his shoulders since childhood.

So he only strived, but the sword was not something enjoyable to him.

‘A strange kid.’

Thinking this, Ak Wi Cheon took heavy steps.

Ak Wi Cheon, who was about to leave, looked back. It was unlike him.

Ji Cheon Wu was smiling with satisfaction despite his loss.

In his ears, he heard the cheers of people for Ji Cheon Wu.

[This is the timeline separator]

Nam Gung Yu Cheong’s cheeks were flushed red.

He kept exclaiming in admiration as he looked at Ji Cheon Wu lying down.

“Cheon Wu, you were really amazing. Especially that last strike, it was so satisfying even for me to watch.”

Nam Gung Yu Cheong continued.

“All the children at the academy were impressed too.”

Only Sin So Gyeong muttered in a displeased voice.

“Dueling is fine, but you should have been more careful. Moving recklessly without thinking about your body, how terrible.”

“Ah, go easy on him.”

“Does it hurt? If it hurts, you shouldn’t have gotten injured in the first place.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at Sin So Gyeong’s blunt voice.

But it was true that I felt worried as well.

Ji Cheon Wu’s arm was injured now. He had been hurt after forcing himself to duel with Ak Wi Cheon.

Ignoring Sin So Gyeong’s words, Ji Cheon Wu turned his gaze towards me.

Seeing his gaze that seemed to be demanding an answer, I smiled and said.

“You were cool. You really did give him one good hit.”

Only then did Ji Cheon Wu nod with satisfaction and smile.

‘Somehow, he seems to be getting more handsome as time goes by…’

Ji Cheon Wu’s smile was becoming increasingly radiant. Of course, it was a smile he rarely showed to others.

It wasn’t for nothing that Sin So Gyeong’s face would flush every time she saw Ji Cheon Wu in the original work.

‘The current Sin So Gyeong doesn’t react at all to seeing such a face though.’

It was something I couldn’t understand.

‘In Heavenly Demon Sovereign, they went on and on about Ji Cheon Wu being even more beautiful than the world’s greatest beauty.’

Ji Cheon Wu was the protagonist favored by the author. Of course, the affection of the Heavenly Demon Sovereign’s author was somewhat twisted.

‘If it were me, I wouldn’t have treated my favorite character like that.’

In any case, it was true that I was proud of Ji Cheon Wu. In the original work, Ji Cheon Wu was miserably defeated by Ak Wi Cheon.

Against that Ak Wi Cheon, Ji Cheon Wu had shown quite an impressive performance.

[Good kid. I did raise him well. He’ll become even stronger from now on.]

He even managed to wound Ak Wi Cheon’s body. It made me think once again how amazing Ak Wi Cheon was.

The wound Ji Cheon Wu inflicted on his face was just a small scratch.

Yet the people of the Heavenly Academy and the righteous sect martial artists had started to see Ji Cheon Wu differently.

Even Eon Ji Gyeong came to me separately to apologize.

Saying this, he bowed his head deeply.

[I wonder what their reaction would be if you defeated Ak Wi Cheon.]

‘That won’t be easy. It would be a fight where I couldn’t guarantee victory.’

[That’s right, he’s not someone to be taken lightly. But I believe in you.]

I believed in myself too.

To be precise, I believed in the time I had spent with Uncle Dagger.

“Now there are only four left.”

Nam Gung Yu Cheong said this while looking at me. It was a gaze full of worry.

After Ji Cheon Wu’s defeat, I was set to face someone from the demonic sect.

Everyone predicted that I would lose, but I defeated him easily.

I remembered his dazed face after losing to me.

‘Anyone could see he had let his guard down.’

That carelessness allowed me to end the duel even faster.

“Cheon Wu is amazing, but Lin, you’re truly incredible too.”

Nam Gung Yu Cheong kept exclaiming in admiration as he looked at me.

“That person is quite strong even within the demonic sect. Of course he’d be strong to have made it to the main tournament of the Heavenly Competition, but…”