Chapter 238

Chapter 238
# Chapter 238
## Nominating Opponents

“Originally, we intended to leave the entire structure of the True Dragon Tournament to fate.”

In other words, they had planned to decide pairings through a random draw.

“However, since so many fellow participants have voiced their preference for a different system, I have settled on an approach that is both fair and agreeable to all. Every qualifier will name the opponent they wish to face in competition.”

Naturally, such a method meant some competitors would remain unchosen at first.

The most prominent contenders—Hyun-geom and A-du, for instance—would inevitably stand out.

Someone raised a concern about potential gaps or unfair advantages.

“Regardless of who proposes whom, each participant may select their opponent from among those who have nominated them. Once a match is formed, both individuals are removed from the pool, and the nomination process repeats.”

Under this system, all sixty-four entrants would be paired off into thirty-two contests without exception.

Those left unpaired until the final rounds would almost exclusively be the true powerhouses of the tournament.

*Just as expected—they’ve shifted the rules now.*

Up until this point, Wudang had been in full control of how the brackets were arranged. They had claimed random selection was the only truly impartial method, yet there was no way to verify whether that had genuinely been the case. Now that doubts had been raised, this new system was simply their way of deflecting accountability.

*After all, there are only six matches standing between anyone and the title of Supreme Dragon. Even if they were manipulating the structure, it would scarcely make a difference.*

Even so, something felt distinctly amiss. When top-tier competitors clashed, the contests were brutal; victors would emerge weakened and depleted for the rounds that followed. What if Hyun-geom found himself pitted consecutively against A-du, Namgung Cheon-yeong, and Ok-cheong—only to be worn down and eliminated before the end?

*Wudang has its sights set on securing the Supreme Dragon title… I see now.*

He swept his gaze across the assembled banquet hall. In the wake of Taiji Sword Elder’s announcement, the space hummed with restless activity. *They’ll simply have all qualifiers loyal to Wudang put Hyun-geom forward as their chosen opponent.*

It was a course of action the Great Namgung Clan could not reasonably oppose either. As the most esteemed clan under heaven, they could surely influence at least three or four entrants to do the same.

*Old master—are you aiming this trap directly at me?*

Yang-hwi could not count on anyone voluntarily nominating him at the cost of their own chances of advancing. For all the rapid rise the Baek Clan had enjoyed, like a dragon ascending toward the heavens, they remained a relatively unknown force on the world stage.

In effect, Yang-hwi would likely remain unchosen until the very end, at which point he would face only the strongest opponents all the way to the final match.

*Even I… if I must contend in successive bouts against fighters of A-du’s or Hyun-geom’s caliber, I could find myself in a position as impossible as threading a camel through a needle’s eye.*

From a distance, Taiji Sword Elder watched him. His expression was unreadable, revealing no hint of feeling—as if he were waiting to see what path the one who had sworn never to follow in his footsteps would choose.

*It is a dead end, old man. No matter how I twist or turn, there seems no way out.*

Could he simply bribe someone to select him as their opponent? It was hardly feasible. He would need to win five matches in a row just to reach the finals; purchasing every single contest would be far too costly a scheme to sustain.

“What should we do, brother?” Baek Heon-so asked.

“You should have no trouble finding someone willing to face you, surely?” He had performed admirably for someone from a mid-sized clan, though he could not hope to match the attention Yang-hwi had drawn with his striking displays and rising fame.

“Actually, another competitor has already approached me to request a match. What of you, brother?”

“Me? I will likely remain unpaired until the end, then find myself facing A-du or some other powerhouse.”

“If that happens every round, won’t it be difficult?”

“Indeed. It will be exhausting and troublesome. I suspect that is exactly the point.”

“…Then what do we do?”

“I am not certain. But I am done standing by—let us repay them for this first.”

“Huh? How?”

Taiji Sword Elder sat upon the highest dais. Perched beside him was a hawk of spotless white plumage.

*Won-woo—you have been treated quite splendidly in my absence.* The bird carried himself with noble bearing, as if he had been tended like royalty.

Yang-hwi gave a low, piercing whistle.

—*Kyaak?*

Won-woo spread his wings and glided down to Yang-hwi, settling easily upon the arm extended to receive him, and tilted his head in greeting.

“Did you enjoy yourself?”

The bird nodded eagerly.

“There, you see? I told you they would look after you well. Now that you have had your holiday, will you stay with me again?”

—*Kyaak!*

“Listen well—good fortune follows wherever you go when you are by my side. Will you be a good boy from now on?”

Again Won-woo nodded.

As Yang-hwi spoke with the bird, nearby Wudang disciples reacted with alarm.

“Young Master Baek—why has the Heavenly Eagle returned to you?”

Yang-hwi tilted his head with deliberate innocence.

“How should I know? Surely a bird decides where it wishes to be.”

“…That is true enough. Still—you must return him to us.”

Yang-hwi turned back to the bird.

“Would you like to go back?”

Won-woo shook his head firmly.

“He says no.”

“What—but did you not formally entrust the Heavenly Eagle to Wudang?”

“I did—and I stated one condition at the time: that no one would interfere with whatever Won-woo chose to do.”

A look was directed his way from across the room. Yang-hwi met Taiji Sword Elder’s gaze directly. The elder’s expression scarcely shifted, yet Yang-hwi understood the unspoken message clearly: if you strike at someone from behind, you must be prepared to receive the same in return.

“Did you hand him over only to stage some such disruption as this?”

“Not at all. He was cared for well, it seems—but he prefers my company to yours.”

Anger flared openly upon the Wudang disciples’ faces. This was the hawk raised personally by the Sword Immortal; to them, he was as sacred as their sect leader himself. They showed no sign of backing down.

*What will you do? Draw your swords right here—upon your own grounds?*

At that moment, every Wudang disciple turned as one toward Taiji Sword Elder’s seat. A single word carried across the room, sharp as a shard of metal:

“You will regret this.”

“If it comes to that, I shall use the consideration I received in exchange for entrusting Won-woo to you to defend myself.”

Yang-hwi could invoke the names of Wudang and Taiji Sword Elder whenever it suited him. For now, this was sufficient retaliation for the betrayal he had suffered.

*And yet I remain trapped. If only someone of respectable standing would step forward and name me as their opponent.*

“Young Warrior Baek—would you consent to face me in the lists?”

*Ah.* He turned, then felt a flicker of disappointment. The speaker was Nanghon.

This was the wanderer who had risen to become Supreme Dragon in a former life. Accepting now would play directly into Taiji Sword Elder’s hands.

“I thank you—but I must decline.”

“Why so? You and I could give a truly memorable performance.”

It would indeed be remarkable.

“Perhaps later. Let us meet at a higher stage. If we fight now, too many would take pleasure in seeing it.”

“What concern is that of ours?”

“I find it rather hard to stomach when others derive satisfaction from my matches.”

“An interesting way of looking at things.” Nanghon nodded thoughtfully, then spoke once more. “It is said you are the true heir to the legacy of the Sealed Moon Jade Phoenix. Is this correct?”

*Wait—are you also interested in Seol Ha? It would be strange if any man were not.*

“It is.”

“I see…” A deeper light entered Nanghon’s expression—amusement, fascination, something altogether bright.

Yang-hwi found himself curious. “Why are you so eager to fight me?”

“I told you—it would be enjoyable.”

“Are you not aiming for the title of Supreme Dragon? Surely you understand what is at stake.” Facing him would significantly diminish anyone’s chances of winning. Nanghon could not possibly have overlooked that fact.

“Hm. That is true. And so? I entered this tournament because it promised to be interesting. I wish to fight you because it will be enjoyable.”

There was something deeply appealing about that outlook. To live freely as a wanderer was to remain truly human. What spirit—what romance!

“Very well. If no one else nominates me before the first pairings are finalized, I will gladly face you then.”

He did not doubt his ability to prevail through sheer skill alone; he simply resisted being maneuvered exactly where Taiji Sword Elder intended. *If there is no way around it, I will break straight through whatever barrier stands in my path.* In that sense, Nanghon would be a worthy opponent—capable of a contest far beyond the standard of ordinary successors.

“It is settled.”

As Nanghon departed, another figure approached—someone entirely unexpected. Jin Yeong-jin.

“Young Master Baek.”

“Ah, Young Master Jin. How may I help you?”

Jin Yeong-jin hesitated visibly, struggling to find his words. Regret was already etched upon his face; he had not yet spoken, yet he already questioned what he was about to do. Finally, he spoke up clearly:

“I, Jin Yeong-jin, of the Mount Peng Jin Clan, challenge Baek Yang-hwi of the Heaven-Covering Baek Clan!”

He had delivered the declaration loudly, drawing every eye in the room.

“Mount Peng Jin Clan?”

“One of the Heavenly Grade sects.”

“Is their successor truly so skilled that he would seek out Baek Yang-hwi?”

Jin Yeong-jin had attracted little notice during the qualifying rounds. He had aimed simply to advance as far as he was able. Yet the contest where thirty competitors contended for five flags had changed his perspective entirely.

*He gathered four flags as though it were nothing—and wagered them all without hesitation.* Bound and observing from the sidelines, Jin Yeong-jin had seen clearly the caliber of Baek Yang-hwi and Paeng Wang. He had already secured his place in the True Dragon Tournament; he had met his initial goal. What difference would winning one or two more matches make? Unless he reached the semi-finals or finals, it all amounted to the same thing.

*If that is the case…!*

He wanted to rise alongside them. He wanted to climb higher, just as they did!

“I know I cannot defeat you, Young Master Baek! I know that! But I wish to learn—truly learn—even one technique from you!”

He finished speaking, bowing formally with fist clasped within palm in the traditional salute of warriors.

*Here is my way out.* Yang-hwi had resigned himself to being ensnared in Taiji Sword Elder’s trap. He had once dismissed this young man as insignificant—yet Jin Yeong-jin had proven himself truer than many greater figures.

“Young Master Jin.” All eyes remained fixed upon them. Yang-hwi returned the salute with a sweeping motion of his robes. “I accept your nomination with gratitude. Together, we shall present a contest that will leave every witness in awe.”

Regret lingered in Jin Yeong-jin’s face, yet he did not retract his words. That was the way of things—to press forward even with doubt, to walk one’s chosen path regardless. That was what it meant to be human; that was the way of the warrior.

“Before I formally accept, however, there is one further matter I must address. Excuse me for a moment.”

Facing Jin Yeong-jin would free him from the Sword Elder’s scheme. Still, he would leave no opening for criticism. He walked steadily toward Namgung Cheon-yeong.

*If I simply accept this match, those who look down on others will claim I chose a weak opponent to preserve my reputation.* The solution was straightforward.

“Yang-hwi of the Baek Clan addresses the Heir of the Great Namgung Clan.” He met the other’s gaze with a smile. “We have a history between us—shall we settle our differences upon the tournament grounds?”

*I had intended to challenge you once all others from the Five Great Clans were paired off, but this serves just as well.*

Go ahead, Elder—see your own plans turned back against you.