Chapter 11
“Among Three People, There Is Always One Who Can Be My Teacher (1)”:
Tap. Drip.
A thin red line stretched from Lee Hoyun’s chin down to his neck. Thick drops of blood traced the path and fell to the ground.
He had only barely stopped the blade.
Any further, and not just his chin—his whole throat would’ve been slit open.
But what about Kang Yongwoon?
‘There’s blood all over, but…’
Hoyun’s eyes trembled slightly as he examined Kang Yongwoon’s injuries with all his remaining strength.
None of them were critical or fatal like his own.
‘This wasn’t even a close call.’
A clear and decisive defeat.
He had no choice but to accept the brutal reality.
‘I lost. Completely.’
Tightly, Hoyun closed his eyes.
—Do you still wish to settle this in blood?
Kang Yongwoon stood above him, asking the question boldly. Hoyun could no longer bear to look up at him.
“I… lost,” he admitted, stumbling over the words.
He lowered his head.
It was his way of saying: If you want my blood, take it. He was leaving his life entirely in Kang Yongwoon’s hands.
A flicker of something passed through Kang Yongwoon’s eyes.
‘Stubborn in thought, but clean in character, huh?’
Even as he posed the question, he had been unsure.
If the opponent refused to acknowledge defeat and kept charging, would he have to truly take his head?
‘Thank goodness.’
He was actually grateful for the clean surrender.
Truthfully, it was Hoyun’s junior, Kwon Jung-hyun, who had fueled his anger.
‘See that?’
Slick.
Kang Yongwoon’s fiery gaze shifted to Kwon Jung-hyun, silently asking—
—Do you still want to see blood?
Startled, Jung-hyun quickly averted his eyes and looked away, awkwardly.
He didn’t speak aloud, but his feelings were obvious:
—My senior already admitted defeat! Why’re you glaring at me like it’s my fault?!
A cowardly attitude, as if none of this involved him.
Rage swelled in Kang Yongwoon’s chest.
‘Should I just…?’
Should he drag him up?
Have another life-or-death duel—and this time, cleanly slice off his head?
“Ha ha ha. Hoyun, bitter medicine is always hard to swallow.”
While Kang Yongwoon debated, Sonwi stepped in with a hearty laugh, offering comfort to Hoyun.
“There’s a saying: ‘Among three people, there is always one who can be my teacher.’ Today was one such day. The world is full of talented people.”
“Master…”
“This journey under the guise of the Hero’s Tournament was all to show you that. You must train, and train again. Understand?”
“Sob… Yes, Master.”
Such heartfelt guidance…
Slump.
Kang Yongwoon’s grip loosened around his sword.
‘Sigh… I miss my grandfather, too.’
Someone who had loved him just as fiercely—where was he now, under what sky?
‘Are you well, Grandfather?’
As he recalled his grandfather’s face with longing, Kang Yongwoon’s expression darkened again.
Spin.
It was because Kwon Jung-hyun was still sulking nearby, unable to hide the sour look on his face.
‘Still like that?!’
Kang Yongwoon clenched his sword again—
But,
“Now, stand up.”
“Yes, Master.”
Watching the warm interaction between Sonwi and Hoyun left him no choice but to let it go.
‘Hmph. They say a tiger never sires a dog…’
How could someone like Sonwi have ended up with a disciple like Kwon Jung-hyun?
It was simply unfortunate.
“As I said before, I didn’t start this. I hope there’s no further misunderstanding.”
As he sheathed his sword, Kang Yongwoon declared firmly.
Sonwi gave a wry smile and nodded.
“I understand. Thank you for your restraint.”
Honor of the sect?
That was shattered the moment Kang Yongwoon’s blade pressed against Hoyun’s throat.
“Don’t worry about what comes next.”
He was letting go of all unnecessary pride.
“There’s no need to mention Senior Hong Rugae, who saw everything. I’m not foolish enough to try picking up spilled water.”
With things said so clearly, what more could be said?
“My apologies, elder.”
Kang Yongwoon gave a respectful bow.
And so, the situation came to a close.
After helping Hoyun to his feet, Sonwi turned toward Hong Rugae.
“Senior. Our purpose in this journey has been fulfilled. I will return to the sect with my disciples.”
“Hohoho. Truly, old ginger is the spiciest. Well done, Sonwi. You’re every bit the elder of Daehogunmun.”
Hong Rugae genuinely congratulated him on his bold decision.
“I look forward to it. If your disciple takes this lesson to heart and dedicates himself, he’ll become Daehogunmun’s brightest star in ten years!”
“Ha ha ha. Thank you, senior.”
And Sonwi left.
Thanks to Hong Rugae’s warm encouragement, Hoyun lifted his shoulders again.
Meanwhile…
‘Damn it. How humiliating.’
Kwon Jung-hyun’s face remained full of resentment.
‘Retreating like some kicked dog?!’
He couldn’t accept it.
Sure, Hong Rugae wouldn’t babysit that damn raggedy brat forever. He’d repay this debt one day.
‘Kang Yongwoon, you…!’
Flinch.
Trying to glare secretly at Kang Yongwoon, he flinched as their eyes met and quickly looked away.
‘Just you wait…!’
He would show the power of gold.
‘Assassin? Mercenary? As long as they take money, I’ll hire anyone!’
He wasn’t like Sonwi.
He was the blood descendant of one of the top five merchant guilds of Hebei—the Taihang Guild.
‘Wait. It won’t take long.’
Grinding his teeth, Kwon Jung-hyun walked away.
Unaware of this, Kang Yongwoon smiled and bowed to Hong Rugae.
“Once again, thank you for saving me, elder. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you.”
“Paha! If you’re really that grateful, shouldn’t you kneel and take me as your master?”
“Puhaha. Brother—wait, should I say brother yet? Or maybe I should just call you junior? Either way, it’s great to meet you! I’m Dam-oh, the disciple of this wonderful beggar here.”
Hong Rugae cheerfully cut in, his intentions plain as day.
And Dam-oh grabbed Kang Yongwoon’s hand with a wide grin, shaking it vigorously.
Smirk.
‘What else can I do? I’m just grateful.’
Kang Yongwoon chuckled and asked what he was curious about.
“Elder, how do you always show up right when I’m in danger?”
“Heh heh. Isn’t that proof that we’re destined to form a master-disciple bond?”
“Hey, little bro. We’re from the Beggars’ Sect. Paha!”
Unlike Hong Rugae’s lighthearted joke, Dam-oh’s words hinted at something deeper.
‘They say it’s the best intelligence network in the world…’
Had they been tracking his movements the whole time?
‘Or maybe they followed me from the moment I left?’
Thinking it through, the latter seemed more likely.
Even so, it was impressive.
‘With the light from my dantian, it should’ve been hard to stay hidden… No, maybe from a certain distance, it doesn’t show.’
And if they had the ability to completely mask their presence?
Then it made sense that he hadn’t noticed.
‘My spiritual eye is still at a toddler’s level, huh?’
The thought sent a chill through his chest.
‘Never get arrogant, Kang Yongwoon.’
Just as Sonwi had taught his disciple, the world was full of people far stronger than himself.
“Let’s go, elder. Better to have this talk over food and drink.”
“Hm? Food? Drink?”
“Puhaha. Sounds good!”
Hong Rugae’s eyes lit up, and Dam-oh licked his lips as he followed along.
