Episode 305: The Red Dog of Cheonryeong

Hong Geolgae found himself thrown to the ground by Do Jinpung, his collar gripped tightly, in front of a crowd of onlookers. Yet, few paid him any mind. Most were more interested in the heated exchange between the furious Do Jinpung and the flustered host.

However, when two first-rate martial artists appeared beside the host, their presence was enough to make Do Jinpung retreat, nursing his wounded pride.

“Ugh, like a dog!”

Only after Do Jinpung had disappeared did Hong Geolgae slowly rise to his feet. The crowd’s attention naturally shifted back to him. With a bewildered look, he glanced around before puffing out his chest and striding out of the arena.

Hyun Gong, observing this, clicked his tongue in disbelief.

“Did you see that?”

“See what?”

“Hong Geolgae. Didn’t you notice what he did?”

“All he did was get up and leave, right?”

Frustrated by the lack of understanding from Dang Mujin and Namgung Myung, Hyun Gong thumped his chest.

“No, it wasn’t just that. Most people would have slunk away in that situation. I thought it would end that way too, until he looked around.”

“And it didn’t?”

“No! Instead of stopping, he puffed out his chest and took exaggerated steps. Yet, his eyes couldn’t meet anyone’s, darting nervously around.”

“What does that even mean?”

“It was a desperate attempt to project confidence, a subtle expression of a weakling’s struggle to maintain dignity. Hong Geolgae, he’s a scary kid…”

Dang Mujin decided not to dwell on Hyun Gong’s analysis. Meanwhile, the next group of contestants was called, filling the arena with new faces. But Hyun Gong kept muttering, “Scary kid, scary guy…” as he watched Hong Geolgae exit.

The next day, the tournament shifted to one-on-one matches. This marked the true beginning of the martial arts competition, as the group battles were more of a prelude.

Naturally, a betting scene emerged. Simple wagers were placed on the outcomes of the matches. Namgung Myung was excited.

“The prize money is secondary. We can make a fortune just from betting now.”

However, contrary to Namgung Myung’s expectations, the situation wasn’t favorable for making big money. They had very little spare cash.

After paying for lodging, they were left with only four silver coins. Namgung Myung muttered regretfully.

“Maybe I should borrow some money, just for a little while?”

“Huh?”

“It’s a sure win. I could borrow a few gold coins from a wealthy family, bet on the match, win, and return the borrowed money. We’d make a huge profit in no time.”

Dang Mujin calmed Namgung Myung down.

“We’re not here to make a fortune. Even if our initial stake is small, we’ll win more than you think. There’s no need to rush.”

But contrary to Dang Mujin’s prediction, the odds weren’t great.

“Even if Hong Geolgae wins, it’s less than three times the payout?”

“His opponent must be a nobody. Probably just got lucky in the group stage.”

“Ugh.”

Hong Geolgae’s first opponent was a second-rate martial artist. Decent for a nobody, but not quite up to the standards of a true martial artist.

Experienced gamblers wouldn’t bet on matches with unknown participants, while those who couldn’t assess skill levels enjoyed the thrill of risky choices. It was no surprise that Hong Geolgae’s odds weren’t impressive.

Still, with odds like these, they could upgrade their dinner from noodles and dumplings to something stir-fried.

The group watched Hong Geolgae’s match with relaxed expressions, while other gamblers watched with more intensity.

Hong Geolgae feigned difficulty against his sword-wielding opponent, defending until he saw an opening. Then, with a single move, he tripped his opponent, sending him sprawling to the ground.

The opponent, unsure of how he ended up on the floor, scrambled to his feet, but the host didn’t hesitate to announce the winner.

“The victor, Hong Geon of Jueul Village!”

Hong Geolgae raised his fist triumphantly, as if he had achieved a monumental victory. The spectators erupted in cheers.

“Well done, Hong Geon!”

“How can a guy without a weapon beat a swordsman?”

“He just lost his balance for a moment! Continue the match!”

The arena turned into chaos, but Hong Geolgae paid no mind, expressing his joy with exaggerated movements.

After a day’s break, the next match commenced. The atmosphere inside the arena was much the same, but the spectators were more serious. With the first round of the main event over, skilled gamblers began to take an interest in Hong Geolgae’s matches.

People gathered in groups, sharing information and speculating on the outcomes.

Dang Mujin’s group pretended not to care, but they listened intently to the conversations around them.

“Did Hong Geon really beat Yeochuk from Namtong? How skilled was Yeochuk?”

“I heard he was about second-rate.”

“Did anyone see the match? How close was it?”

“I saw it. Hong Geon was on the defensive the whole time, but he got lucky and tripped Yeochuk.”

“So it was luck. Still, we should consider the possibility that he’s at least second-rate. But his next opponent is Sa Dongheum, the Invincible of Gamyu. Luck won’t work against a first-rate master…”

The term “first-rate master” sounded foreign. But from the perspective of ordinary people, a first-rate martial artist was indeed a master, someone who could claim to be the best in a town.

One gambler advised caution.

“Don’t be too complacent. I’ve heard that among martial artists below first-rate, luck can decide the outcome.”

“But with odds like these, it’s worth the risk. If you can make a profit of one and a half times, you have to take some risks. If you back out now, you’re not a gambler.”

“True enough.”

Meanwhile, Dang Mujin’s group’s odds were six to one. Of course, they were still betting small amounts.

Soon, Hong Geolgae’s second match began.

“Hong Geon of Jueul Village! His opponent - the Invincible of Gamyu, Sa! Dong! Heum!”

As the host announced Sa Dongheum’s name, the crowd erupted in cheers. It seemed he was more well-known than expected.

Sa Dongheum glanced at Hong Geolgae and smiled confidently.

“So you’re Hong Geon? If you don’t want to get hurt, you should consider forfeiting. You’ve done well enough for your skill level.”

”…It’s too early to give up.”

Hong Geolgae replied, clenching his fists and glaring at Sa Dongheum. His trembling was visible even from the stands.

Dang Mujin found Hong Geolgae’s act quite amusing.

Sa Dongheum, perhaps interpreting the reaction differently, scoffed and drew his sword. Though it was a practice sword, it was sharp enough to cut skin.

“Let’s see how long your resolve lasts.”

Sa Dongheum performed an impressive sword flourish.

“Gamyu is a large town with over a thousand households. I’m the best man there. Can you grasp the weight of the title ‘Invincible of Gamyu’?”

The gamblers cheered, as if Sa Dongheum’s confidence guaranteed their one and a half times payout.

From the perspective of Dang Mujin’s group, who knew the truth, it was a comical situation.

Hong Geolgae responded.

“I’ve heard you can’t judge until you see.”

“Indeed. You’re the type to cry only when you see the coffin. Consider yourself lucky to face me in the tournament.”

The host signaled the start of the match.

Sa Dongheum charged at Hong Geolgae with a speed that was impressive but not quite lightning-fast, swinging his sword with a ferocity that was fierce but not quite overwhelming.

Hong Geolgae narrowly ducked to avoid the blade.

A downward slash followed.

Hong Geolgae leaped to evade, as if he had anticipated the sword’s path. It was a natural response, but Sa Dongheum remained unfazed.

Martial arts, after all, is about seeing as much as you know.

“You’re just scrambling to dodge. Let’s see how long you can last.”

Sa Dongheum launched a series of attacks, and Hong Geolgae moved nimbly, narrowly avoiding the strikes.

His clothes were torn in places, and thin lines of blood appeared where he hadn’t completely dodged.

’…Is it really necessary to deceive the opponent so thoroughly?’

The match lasted longer than expected, but it appeared one-sided. The gamblers and spectators shouted.

“Sa Dongheum! Sa Dongheum! Finish it quickly!”

“Why drag it out? Just end it with one strike!”

However, Sa Dong-heum wasn’t as composed as he appeared. The opponent, Hong Geon, was unexpectedly adept at dodging his attacks.

Even though his breath was ragged, Sa Dong-heum remained confident of his victory. His opponent’s breathing seemed labored, and he had managed to inflict a few shallow wounds.

Then, an unforeseen situation arose.

Hong Geon’s expression turned serene, and he began evading Sa Dong-heum’s attacks with surprising ease.

Every so often, Hong Geon would extend his palm, and both Sa Dong-heum and the gamblers watching felt a deep sense of foreboding.

“No way, could it be?”

A gambler, known for his decent martial skills, shouted. He was somewhat of an expert on martial arts among the gamblers.

The others urgently asked, “What do you know?”

“It looks like he’s having a moment of enlightenment!”

“Enlightenment?”

“I was once a third-rate fighter myself. But the day I defeated five thugs alone, I had an epiphany and became a second-rate martial artist!”

Whether his claim was true or not, it was a deeply unsettling story for the gamblers.

Bad omens rarely miss their mark.

As if to prove the gambler right, Hong Geon began to widen the gap between himself and Sa Dong-heum’s sword. Conversely, Hong Geon’s attempts to exploit Sa Dong-heum’s weaknesses increased.

The gamblers recalled a saying: in a fight, momentum and flow are half the battle. And clearly, the flow was shifting towards Hong Geon.

“Damn it, Sa Dong-heum! Hang in there! You can do it!”

But such encouragement only made Sa Dong-heum more anxious. His swordplay grew increasingly erratic.

In a critical moment, Hong Geon’s palm struck near Sa Dong-heum’s ear, disrupting his balance. Though he managed not to fall, he found himself kneeling before Hong Geon.

Hong Geon looked at him with calm eyes.

“It was a good match.”

Sa Dong-heum, though exhausted, smiled with satisfaction.

“Impressive. I never thought I’d witness the moment a butterfly spreads its wings.”

“Are you surrendering?”

“No.”

”…It was a good match.”

Hong Geon clenched his fist and struck Sa Dong-heum on the crown of his head, a spot known as the “heavenly spirit cover.” Sa Dong-heum collapsed, unconscious.

Hong Geon surveyed the surroundings with the proud expression of a first-rate martial artist.

But even the pride of a first-rate martial artist couldn’t overpower the anger of gamblers who had lost their money.

“Get lost, you beggar!”

Hong Geon accepted their scorn and anger with a satisfied smile as he left the arena.

The next day, and the day after that, similar matches took place.

Hong Geon faced opponents who were quite skilled for first-rate fighters, and after a tense match, he would knock them out with a punch to the “heavenly spirit cover.”

Each time, the gamblers who had bet confidently lost their money, glaring at Hong Geon with hatred.

On the following day, the stands were packed with people eager to watch Hong Geon’s match.

Surprisingly, the first sold-out match of the Wuchang Martial Arts Tournament was Hong Geon’s.

The reason for the large crowd was Hong Geon’s formidable opponent: Jeon Wi-ryang, known as the “Falling Moon Blade.”

Unlike his previous opponents, Jeon Wi-ryang’s nickname didn’t include a regional name, indicating his reputation had grown beyond a single area.

In fact, Jeon Wi-ryang had recently surpassed the pinnacle of martial arts.

Jeon Wi-ryang looked at Hong Geon with calm eyes.

However, his face was suspiciously aged for someone supposedly under thirty.

Hyeon Gong whispered, “That guy looks closer to forty than thirty, no matter how you see it.”

“I think so too. But what can we do?”

The age limit for the tournament largely depended on the keen eyes of the registration staff.

If they deemed someone under thirty, they were allowed to participate; if over, they were not.

And the more skilled and famous a martial artist was, the more lenient the age assessment tended to be.

Few registration staff would dare turn away a swordsman of Jeon Wi-ryang’s caliber.

Moreover, if considered unusually aged, Jeon Wi-ryang could pass for someone around thirty.

Namgung Myung commented, “This will be the ugliest match of the tournament.”

A match between someone who lied about their age and someone who hid their true skill.

And if the fight was going to be ugly, it was better to be the ugly winner than the loser.

Jeon Wi-ryang smiled at Hong Geon.

Hong Geon’s martial prowess was clearly first-rate.

Even as the “Hong Geon of Jueul Village,” who had gained some fame in this tournament, he was unlikely to surpass the pinnacle.

Jeon Wi-ryang drew his sword, feeling a bit guilty about deceiving a younger martial artist.

‘I feel a bit bad, but that guy can enter the tournament a few more times. This is my last chance to lie about my age…’

But there was one thing Jeon Wi-ryang didn’t know.

His opponent felt even more guilty than he did.

As expected, the fight followed a familiar pattern.

Hong Geon of Jueul Village was on the defensive, while Jeon Wi-ryang, despite pressing the attack, couldn’t easily finish the match.

When Hong Geon’s clothes were stained red with blood, Jeon Wi-ryang was seized by a strange intuition.

’…No way?’

Hong Geon’s movements became more refined, his momentum more intense.

Jeon Wi-ryang couldn’t suppress his alarm and shouted, “You bastard, don’t do something so ridiculous! You said you became first-rate just three days ago! How can you already—”

The spectators didn’t immediately grasp the meaning of his words.

But a few martial artists in the audience shouted in shock.

“Already surpassing the pinnacle? How is that possible!”

Faces in the crowd turned to expressions of disbelief.

Those who came purely to watch were astonished to witness a martial prodigy blossoming before their eyes, while the gamblers were horrified at the prospect of losing money for the fourth day in a row.

Gamblers, gripped by déjà vu, cried out.

“Foul, it’s a foul!”

“Hey, you beggar! If you have any conscience, stop this! Please!”

“We’ve lost enough three times already! Why are you doing this again?”

Some gamblers, overwhelmed by anxiety, broke down in tears, vowing never to gamble again.

Five breaths later, Hong Geon’s fist struck Jeon Wi-ryang’s “heavenly spirit cover,” a finishing move that had become Hong Geon’s signature.

As Jeon Wi-ryang’s body crumpled, a few gamblers who had bet on “Hong Geon of Jueul Village” were ecstatic. The odds today were high enough to almost recover their losses from the previous three days.

Brave gamblers shouted at the top of their lungs.

“Heavenly Spirit Hong Geon! Heavenly Spirit Beggar Hong Geon!”

Hong Geon spread his arms wide, reveling in the explosive attention.

He was in ecstasy.

That evening, Tang Mu-jin and his group were enjoying a hearty meal at an inn.

The most delicious part of the chicken, the thigh, was all for Hong Geon. After all, this lavish meal was thanks to his performance.

As the meal was nearing its end, an unfamiliar presence approached the inn. The footsteps were unmistakably those of someone trained in martial arts.

Everyone except for the two doctors, Yang and Yeom, turned to look at the entrance.

The doctors, startled, asked the group, “What’s going on? Is something wrong?”

“Just someone approaching, that’s all.”

Soon, the inn’s door opened cautiously.

A familiar face, though one they hadn’t spoken to, appeared. It was Namgung Hyun, a participant in the Namgung family’s martial arts tournament.

Hong Geon quickly adjusted his expression. Fortunately, his disguise technique was already undone.

Namgung Hyun respectfully greeted Namgung Myung.

“Brother. It’s been a while.”

“Oh, Hyun. I should have come to see you first. I don’t know why you’re here, but have a seat. Have you eaten?”

Namgung Myung welcomed Namgung Hyun warmly.

However, Namgung Hyun seemed hesitant, clearly uneasy around Namgung Myung.

‘Why would he come if he’s so uncomfortable?’

After some hesitation, Namgung Hyun spoke to Namgung Myung.

“Brother, I really need your help. Can we talk somewhere private?”

Namgung Myung replied, “We can talk here. Everyone here is trustworthy…”

He paused slightly, his gaze landing on Hyeon Gong.

But he finished his thought.

“…so nothing will leak out. Is it something that requires more privacy?”

Namgung Hyun glanced around at the others, then shook his head.

“No, it’s fine. If you say they’re trustworthy, then it’s okay.”

“Alright. What brings you here?”

Lowering his voice, Namgung Hyun asked, “I’d like some advice before I face Hong Geon.”

Hong Geon choked, coughing violently.