Chapter 6. Bet on Me.
Boom!
“What in the world is going on here?”
Ma Jung-hyuk burst through the door of my room, striding in with an imposing demeanor.
I had been leisurely lying on Cho-ryeong’s lap, savoring the fruit she fed me, but sensing the gravity of the situation, I slowly sat up.
“What seems to be the matter?”
“Didn’t I make it clear that you mustn’t challenge Wang Ki-pyo? You agreed to it yourself.”
“I did, indeed.”
“So what on earth are you doing? You’ve provoked Wang Ki-pyo, and now the spectators are chanting your name, demanding a fight between you two.”
Ah, it worked. I had only just returned after the provocation, and already it seemed to be causing quite a stir.
Though Ma Jung-hyuk holds some influence in the Black Market, he’s still a small fish among bigger ones. Refusing the demands of those who truly hold power would be difficult for him.
However, this was not the time to make an enemy of Ma Jung-hyuk. I furrowed my brow and spoke.
“I merely uttered words that would stir the crowd.”
“What?”
“Didn’t you instruct me to captivate the audience if I wished to swim in the big leagues?”
“What does that have to do with...”
“So, I conducted some research. I discovered what they are truly passionate about. And the answer is a worthy rival.”
My excuse was simple. If I could use Ma Jung-hyuk’s own words against him, that would suffice.
Ma Jung-hyuk wanted me to be the Black Market’s star fighter and constantly urged me to engage in thrilling matches. I, then, am merely someone who acted with an overzealous fighting spirit, all in too perfect adherence to his orders.
Thus, Ma Jung-hyuk would have no reason to reject me.
“So you deliberately provoked Wang Ki-pyo?”
“Yes. If I’ve overstepped, I apologize.”
I bowed my head deeply. Ma Jung-hyuk’s expression softened.
Though he was still concerned, he realized I hadn’t disobeyed his words. It was a relief, as being expelled from the Black Market was the last thing I wanted.
“Sigh... Why did you do it? It seems inevitable now that you and Wang Ki-pyo will be pitted against each other on the same stage. I warned you repeatedly.”
Ma Jung-hyuk scolded me, but his voice remained calm. His mind must have been preoccupied with finding a solution.
“I’m sorry. I’ll take back my words in the next match.”
“No, that’s not an option. You are one of my valuable fighters. Someone who may one day become my sword. I can’t afford to tarnish your reputation. I’ll handle this myself.”
“And what about Wang Ki-pyo...?”
“I’ll do my best to prevent it. Although people are clamoring for the match now, they’ll eventually lose interest. For now, I’ll play it off.”
Ma Jung-hyuk shook his head, sighed deeply, and quietly closed the door as he left.
Another success. Now, all I had to do was wait.
At that moment, Cho-ryeong, who had been sitting quietly and blinking in confusion, asked,
“Brother, didn’t you tell me you actually want to fight Wang Ki-pyo?”
“I did.”
“Then why lie to the Chief? Why not just fight him?”
Her wide, innocent eyes suggested she either genuinely didn’t understand or was pretending not to. I chose to believe the latter. Having spent time with her, I knew she was sharper than she appeared.
“If I anger Ma Jung-hyuk, I might be barred from fighting altogether. For now, I’m just buying time.”
“But then you won’t be able to fight Wang Ki-pyo. Didn’t you say you wanted to become the number one? There’s not much time left.”
“I did.”
“Then why?”
I met Cho-ryeong’s round eyes and her deliberately furrowed brow as I answered.
“Who do you think got the angriest when I made that statement? A rookie challenging the number one.”
“Wang Ki-pyo, perhaps?”
“Exactly. Even if I stay put and Ma Jung-hyuk tries to manage the situation, Wang Ki-pyo won’t let it go. The public will keep comparing us and gossiping, especially considering his personality.”
“Wow... You’re so smart, Brother.”
Cho-ryeong chewed on her lip thoughtfully before asking again,
“But can you really beat Wang Ki-pyo?”
“You must really want to keep serving a lowly fighter, don’t you?”
“No way. I’m just curious.”
“Wang Ki-pyo is no different from the others I’ve faced so far. He won’t even withstand my third move.”
I exaggerated a bit. No matter what, it would take several exchanges to settle things with Wang Ki-pyo. But Cho-ryeong, knowing nothing, looked utterly convinced.
Whatever her story was, she must have suffered greatly before we met in the Black Market. She might be harboring a vain hope.
“Are you going to sleep now? Should I put out the light?”
After assessing my condition, I decided it was time to rest, so I told her to do so.
But then, Cho-ryeong blew out the candle and approached, as if intending to sleep beside me.
“What are you doing?”
“Huh?”
“Why are you lying next to me? Get out.”
“...Wouldn’t it be warmer if I stayed with you while you sleep?”
“I despise being too warm.”
“...”
Cho-ryeong pouted and left the room, looking dejected.
How dare she.
* * *
The stage for the ‘Heavenly Martial Alliance Tournament’ was unfolding just as I had planned.
Ma Jung-hyuk was quite resourceful, orchestrating exciting matches to divert attention. I was genuinely impressed when the focus almost shifted.
However, I took advantage of the two additional matches I was granted.
Wang Ki-pyo, perhaps feeling self-conscious, came to watch my fights. I refrained from verbally provoking him this time but stared him down after the matches ended.
Anyone could see I was challenging him. As a result, the attention shifted back to us.
“Why do you keep doing this? Wang Ki-pyo is now demanding to fight you, saying he can’t ignore you anymore.”
Each time Ma Jung-hyuk came to vent his frustration, my excuses silenced him.
“I was just scared when Wang Ki-pyo stared at me, so I stared back. Once I locked eyes with him, I couldn’t look away. If I had, my reputation would have been ruined.”
“Sigh...”
“Surely you don’t intend to actually have me fight Wang Ki-pyo?”
“Now, I’m not so sure.”
Judging by Ma Jung-hyuk’s response, the match seemed inevitable. I was feeling a sense of urgency since I needed to leave for the Heavenly Martial Alliance in three days, but fortunately, everything was aligning.
Perhaps it was destiny.
For the record, I am a firm believer in destiny. I believe that whatever is meant to happen in the martial world will happen. My fate is to defy it, but even so, I must turn destiny to my advantage.
“Your match with Wang Ki-pyo has been scheduled.”
“...Pardon? But Chief, you said you’d stop it. He’s a supreme master.”
“I warned you multiple times to be cautious... I’m sorry.”
Immediately after one of my matches, I was scheduled to face Wang Ki-pyo in the next. For the first time, Ma Jung-hyuk bowed his head to me. It made me feel guilty.
But that didn’t stop me from saying what I had prepared.
“If that’s the case, please give me an elixir. At least let me put up a fight. I’ve defeated first-class masters while I was a third-rate fighter. Now that I’m second-rate, surely I can overcome a supreme master.”
“What? I already gave you...”
“I was relying solely on you, Chief...”
“Alright. I’ll get it for you.”
Thus, I was granted a rare 500-year-old ginseng root and a slightly less potent 350-year-old one.
To be honest, I had intended to ask Bang Yak-rip to refine them for enhanced efficacy...
“Even with my inner power restrained, I’m still going up against a supreme master.”
Though I didn’t believe I would lose, the thought made me even more cautious.
It felt as if overconfidence was luring me into a trap. If I couldn’t quell this overwhelming self-assurance, I needed to prepare in other ways.
It was a valuable lesson learned from past lives.
*Burp*—
The two ginseng roots were quite delicious.
Combined, they granted me about four years’ worth of internal energy, boosting my power from barely a fingertip to nearly a knuckle.
*Whoosh!*
The flames within my dantian roared, growing hotter as they expanded.
Though my internal power was sealed, advancing to the second level of the Enra Tenfold Technique broadened my meridians and heightened my senses, likely improving my reflexes.
Now, I just needed to strategize how to defeat Wang Ki-pyo.
Ah, but before that...
“Place the bet on me.”
“Are you sure? No one has bet on you yet.”
“By the day of the match, some will. And if I lose, what good is winning the bet anyway?”
“That’s true.”
The bookie looked at me with a mix of pity and concern as I handed over all the money I had won so far.
I had earned about 1,300 nyang, and losing it all in one go must have been hard for him to watch.
“If you feel sorry for me, send a letter. Along with an invitation.”
“Where to?”
“There’s an apothecary on the outskirts of the Black Market, run by a man named Bang Yak-rip.”
“Oh, I know the place. Wang Ki-pyo visits there often.”
“Does he? Anyway, he’s a friend of mine, so I’m counting on you.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll take care of it. Rest well tonight and eat heartily.”
With tears in his eyes, the bookie waved my invitation and letter in the air.
What a naïve man.
Everything was ready.
* * *
Bang Yak-rip was about to close his shop when an anonymous man handed him a letter.
The man mumbled something unintelligible before disappearing, leaving Bang Yak-rip blinking in confusion.
“Come witness your friend’s final moments.”
Bang Yak-rip could only blink in silence.
He had been following the Black Market for some time now, but this time, he thought, strange things had been happening.
After all, just a few days ago, there was a man who, despite having no money, demanded an elixir. His face was unremarkable—perhaps even sly, but handsome enough—and he acted as though he were reclaiming a long-lost possession.
And the words he had spoken:
“I’ll take down Wang Ki-pyo. How about that?”
How did he know such details?
It wasn’t exactly a secret. Even Wang Ki-pyo himself had heard the rumors and mocked them. There was even an instance where he tracked down the source of the rumors to mock them in person.
“Your wife and daughter were quite tender and delicious. I still think about them. Are you searching for another? We have the same taste, so let me know when you find one.”
The memory still sent shivers down Bang Yak-rip’s spine. He had charged at Wang Ki-pyo, consumed by fury, only to be easily overpowered.
The next day, the man had come and offered to kill Wang Ki-pyo. That’s probably why the encounter had stuck in his mind.
“Sigh...”
Bang Yak-rip sighed deeply. He didn’t know what was going on, but since the letter had arrived, he felt compelled to investigate.
However, as he opened the letter, he froze as if turned to stone.
[Did the elixir work well? The day to fulfill my promise has come. I will tear Wang Ki-pyo apart tonight at midnight.]
He rubbed his eyes, but the words remained unchanged.
It seemed that the seemingly nonsensical claims of the handsome man were no joke.
“They were true.”
Inside the letter was an invitation that granted access to the ‘Heavenly Martial Alliance Tournament.’
Bang Yak-rip began to walk, then to run, his mind entirely focused on one thing.
As he approached the central hall of the Black Market, guards blocked his path.
He flashed the invitation, and they stepped aside.
Bang Yak-rip was led to his seat, the best in the house.
Food and drink were served, but he didn’t touch them. His eyes were glued to the stage.
He glanced at the match schedule, and there it was.
[Wang Ki-pyo vs. Cheon Sal-gwi.]
So, the nickname of the man who had spoken to him was ‘Cheon Sal-gwi.’
Though time was on his side, Bang Yak-rip nervously fixated on the stage.
The food grew cold, and the drink lost its warmth, but his eyes never left the stage.
In his mind, Wang Ki-pyo’s sneering face and the bold proclamations of the other man echoed.
He didn’t know who would win, but he could only support one person.
“Please win. I’ll get you any elixir under heaven.”
Time passed.
[Thank you all for your patience. It’s been quite some time since we’ve had such a large crowd. It must be because of these men. For years, Wang Ki-pyo has held the title of number one. Now, a fearsome newcomer known as Cheon Sal-gwi has declared his intention to take that title. Their match is about to begin.]
Two men emerged onto the central stage.
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