Chapter 229

Chapter 229
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**Chapter 229**
**Title: Clash Over the Flags**

Namgung Cheon-yeong looked poised to draw his blade and strike at any moment, so Baek Yang-hwi sprang quickly back to his assigned position.

The instant Namgung Cheon-yeong pushed off the ground, two members of his squad were yanked violently alongside him, held fast by iron shackles fastened to his sides.

*Clang!*

“Gah!”

When one person moved abruptly while chained to others, the result was entirely predictable.

“Easy now—you need to be far more careful. That leg of yours was already injured, and now you’ve gone and cracked your head against a rock.”

Namgung Cheon-yeong trembled so fiercely with rage that he could not even form words to speak.

In his past life, he had possessed at least a measured, steady temperament. Though, he was still young, after all.

“When you hold the center rather than the left or right flank, you must always bear this in mind: you have to stay perfectly coordinated with your squadmates.”

That was exactly why Baek Yang-hwi had claimed the left flank for himself and suggested the right flank to Peng Wang.

The center was the most constrained position of all, offering the least freedom to unleash one’s true martial prowess.

“You utter scoundrel. Have you no fear of what will follow?”

“What is there to fear?”

“We are all warriors of the White Path. What you have just done makes you an enemy to us all.”

Hmm—was that truly so?

Baek Yang-hwi scanned the surrounding area deliberately, then raised his hand high for everyone to see.

“Squad Nine—all of you! I have just brought Namgung Cheon-yeong, one of the foremost candidates, to the very edge of elimination! If anyone believes my actions break the rules or are unjust, raise your hand now!”

Not a single hand rose.

It was not entirely straightforward or above reproach, but neither was it truly wrong.

Well—there was one exception.

“Yang-hwi! That was terribly mischievous!”

At Adu’s words, Baek Yang-hwi shrugged off the rebuke completely unconcerned.

“So—are you going to fight me?”

“No! I do not fight my good friends!”

He threw his shoulders wide in an exaggerated gesture meant for every eye to see, then called out loudly.

“The Shaolin monk Adu says he will not stand against me! Does anyone else wish to object?”

Still no hands lifted.

They had no real choice.

*Namgung Cheon-yeong has a valid point. Stand out too prominently, and you give every other group reason to band together and turn against you.*

But Baek Yang-hwi’s party had no need to fear that outcome.

“If no one else, then we shall take our leave first—follow me!”

With that, he launched himself forward. Jin Yeong-jin and Peng Wang, who had already received his instructions, fell into step directly behind him.

As Squad Sixteen surged ahead into the fray, the other squads began their own advances one by one.

“We will begin by surveying the outer reaches, starting from the far right.”

“That sounds sensible.”

“I agree.”

The remaining groups each selected different directions to search.

Soon they had scattered, leaving only the three companions together. Peng Wang offered a quiet remark.

“Now that I think on it, it is truly a pity.”

“What is?”

“I had hoped you would carry me through this entire trial as though I were nothing more than a piece of luggage.”

Just as he had said—he had fully intended to become dead weight and make a thorough nuisance of himself.

“Are you not ashamed to say such things?”

The grounds stretched wide and empty of spectators, but word of such behavior would spread regardless.

“A true man pays no mind to the judgments of the world—just as my grandfather never did.”

“Speaking of such, the Great Sea Dragon King Blade holds a most distinguished reputation, does he not?”

Peng Beom, known as the Great Sea Dragon King Blade, was celebrated as one of the great heroes of his generation.

Yet Peng Wang simply shook his head.

“That is how he is remembered now. In the height of his prime, they called him ‘Stray Dog’.”

The Great Sea Dragon King Blade’s prime had passed more than a decade prior. Enough time had gone by that certain truths were likely known only within the Peng bloodline itself.

“I accepted our wager, but I will admit—riding upon your back and sightseeing the forest as we went might have been pleasant too.”

Baek Yang-hwi fell quiet at this, and Jin Yeong-jin’s expression brightened.

“Did you feel the same way, Peng Daehyeop?”

There was genuine warmth in Jin Yeong-jin’s gaze as he looked at Peng Wang.

“I did. Wear him down gradually, then seize the flags for ourselves when the moment is right…”

*Do not bond over plans to take advantage of me, of all things.*

In any case—it was time to change the subject.

“We have covered quite some distance, yet there is no sign of a single flag.”

“They told us from the start they would be well hidden.”

The designated duel ground measured more than two hundred jang in both length and breadth. Finding five flags within such an expanse was no different than searching for a single grain of sand along a riverbank.

*Tch. Still—this is a contest between skilled warriors. There must be some hidden principle or trick to it all.*

He would not understand the finer details until they discovered the very first flag. For now, there was nothing for it but to press deeper into the area and search thoroughly.

“You two—would it be possible to move at a quicker pace?”

“I can keep up without difficulty.”

“I fear I cannot. I wish to preserve my internal energy.”

It was true—of the three, Jin Yeong-jin possessed the lowest level of skill. That was why he had been placed in the center of their formation, under the guise of serving as an advisor.

“If it is internal energy you are concerned about, that is easily resolved.”

“How so?”

“Climb onto my back.”

Jin Yeong-jin hesitated and gave no immediate answer, and his reason was plain to see. To be carried on another’s back because his abilities fell short would be a bitter blow to his pride.

“If we are to secure victory, we must take turns conserving our strength and our internal energy. It is simply sound strategy.”

“If you put it that way…”

With a reasonable pretext to save face, Jin Yeong-jin climbed onto his back readily enough. Whatever else he might feel, he was clearly deeply determined to advance his standing and rank.

“By the way, Baek Gong-ja—why did you act so boldly back there? I understand you wished to test the others, yet drawing attention to yourself seems counterproductive.”

“You are worried the other squads will join forces against us later?”

“You saw that coming as well?”

“There is no need for concern.”

“And why is that?”

It was simple.

“You will see soon enough.”

They conversed casually, mapped out potential strategies, and continued combing the area.

“Hmm?”

“What is it, Baek Gong-ja?”

“We are changing direction—follow me.”

A short distance to the northwest, the forest grew thick and dense. Pushing aside heavy branches that blocked the view revealed a sturdy staff of pale white wood, and from its peak hung a flag embroidered with the figures of a dragon and a phoenix.

“Ah—we have found one.”

“Baek Gong-ja, fortune truly favors you! To have discovered one already!”

*I am afraid it is not fortune, Jin Gong-ja.*

Peng Wang looked on with clear curiosity—he seemed to have already grasped the truth. This was no ordinary flag; it was a crafted artifact, and it radiated a distinct energy all its own. That changed everything.

“Heir of the Peng Young Clan—it appears I am ahead in our wager.”

“Search all you like. I may simply take every last one of them by force when the time comes.”

*Ah—so he never intended to search for them himself at all?* He was entirely confident he would prevail if it came to a direct contest of strength.

That was only natural. Peng Wang was the direct heir of an illustrious clan, his talent unmatched, and he was sixteen years Baek Yang-hwi’s senior.

*We shall see about that.*

Baek Yang-hwi sharpened his perception of energy. His field of awareness expanded outward rapidly, independent of his eyes, filling with countless distinct presences all around him. Among them, he sought threads of energy matching the flag’s unique hue and signature.

*Hmm—nothing yet.*

The flag’s energy was faint, barely discernible at all. No matter—it was still far more efficient than combing through every bush or digging at the earth. He could not pinpoint exact locations as yet, but…

*In the matter of energy perception alone, I stand above all thirty competitors.*

For this contest at least, he held the single greatest advantage.

“Let us shift our search area. From this point onward, thorough, careful searching will serve us better than rushing ahead.”

Baek Yang-hwi passed the flag to Jin Yeong-jin, who had climbed down.

“It is far too large to tuck away in a pocket. Having Jin Gong-ja, our central team member, carry it is the most practical choice and will keep us most mobile.”

He phrased it politely, though in truth he simply had no wish to bear the burden himself.

“Baek Gong-ja is quite right. I will carry all the flags we find from now on.”

Jin Yeong-jin nodded in ready agreement. He seemed pleased to hold the very symbol of their success in his own hands.

And so Squad Sixteen resumed their search.

“Baek Gong-ja—you speak of searching thoroughly, yet you appear to be barely glancing at the surroundings as you pass.”

“I am searching quite diligently, even if it does not look so to you.”

From Jin Yeong-jin’s perspective, it must indeed have seemed careless. Focusing his awareness on sensing energy made his actions appear half-hearted to the eye. Yet…

*There.*

He had not yet seen a flag, but multiple distinct energy signatures had registered clearly in his perception.

“This way.”

He bounded forward.

Some ten jang further on, a large boulder stood in the center of a small clearing, and a flag planted firmly at its base caught his eye.

*Just as I suspected.*

Fifteen individuals from five separate squads stood facing one another, weapons drawn. They were almost certainly arguing over who could claim it.

“Looks as though we have company.”

“This flag is quite prominently placed.”

“That is precisely why five squads have gathered here.”

He had not sensed this flag’s energy from a distance—but fifteen people clustered together? That could only mean they had found a flag.

“Squad Sixteen.”

“Uninvited guests.”

The other groups glared at the newcomers.

“Now then—were all of you standing about staring at one another purely out of boredom?”

His comment was meant in jest, but no one laughed. With the flag sitting plainly before them, greed took precedence over everything else.

A voice spoke up from the crowd.

“Rather than bickering among ourselves—what say we eliminate Squad Sixteen first?”

“I agree. And they already carry one flag—this works perfectly.”

Jin Yeong-jin’s face drained of color instantly.

*You see, Baek Gong-ja! They intend to turn on us together!*

Baek Yang-hwi sent a quiet message through spiritual transmission.

*Remain calm. They would have united against us regardless.*

*What? Why would that be so?*

“It is quite simple—we are the greatest threat here.”

Five would emerge victorious; twenty-five would go home defeated. Would those destined to lose accept their fate without resistance? Never.

“Very well—here is our proposal. Squad Sixteen will make no claim to this flag. We will withdraw immediately.”

“No—we cannot permit that.”

“Lay down the flag you carry as well, and we will let you depart.”

*Do you see? Even when we offer to leave, they press us further.*

Only then did Jin Yeong-jin fully understand their position. Peng Wang, the prodigy celebrated far and wide; Baek Yang-hwi, who had defeated the Vice Leader of the Blood Alliance in a single exchange… to the others, they were the strongest rivals of all.

A combined attack was inevitable. The only choice now was to secure every possible advantage within those limits. That was why he had disabled the impulsive Namgung Cheon-yeong and his squad earlier.

*Alas… what do we do now, Baek Gong-ja?*

Baek Yang-hwi turned to Peng Wang.

“Well? Will you step forward and lead the way?”

It was a deliberate challenge, meant to draw his sword—but Peng Wang stepped back instead.

“I accepted our wager on your word… yet I have given it further thought.”

*Ah—this could become tedious.*

“In any contest, what matters most is the spirit of competition. You must rouse mine a little, or there is no challenge in it.”

Peng Wang then spoke loudly enough for all to hear.

“Younger competitors! I, Peng Wang, have no intention of drawing my blade! Handle this matter yourselves!”

“We thank you for your great mercy, Senior!”

“Truly worthy of the Heir of the Peng Young Clan—renowned for your generosity!”

Baek Yang-hwi scratched at his head with the tip of his drawn sword, then gave up—it could not quite reach.

“Jin Gong-ja—I will pass instructions to you as we go. Match my movements as closely as you are able.”

“I will do my best.”

“Heir of the Peng Young Clan—simply observe and do not interfere.”

“That much I can grant you.”

With the stage thus set, it would have been wasteful to retreat. They might as well thin the ranks of their opponents first.

“Come then—step forward. Gather together just as the Black Path thugs do, and let us see what you can do.”

The challengers looked stung by the jibe: he had called them out for ganging up like the dishonorable criminals of the Black Path.

“Squad Twenty-Five will take the lead! Remember—Peng Senior will not intervene, so we stand to seize two flags from this!”

The opponents shouted in unison, gathering their strength.

“Ha!”

All three members of Squad Twenty-Five were swordsmen, and they charged forward in a line, blades raised.

Baek Yang-hwi could see the paths their weapons would take as clearly as though they were drawn lines in the air.

“Take him!”

Striking metal against metal should ring out loud and clear. The force should have sent them stumbling backward. Yet…

“My blade… what has happened?”

“It will not move…”

The three swords met Baek Yang-hwi’s single blade—and stuck fast, as though glued in place. Not a single sound rang out.

“What is the matter? Have you never seen the Magnetism Technique before?”

To be precise, it was no ordinary Magnetism Technique. Grinning broadly, Baek Yang-hwi drove his fist into the nearest opponent, then butted heads with the second.

“Ugh!”

Two members of Squad Twenty-Five collapsed, blood pouring from their broken noses.