Huh?
As soon as Cheon Myeong heard Yu Eunseong's words, that thought came to his mind.
'Did I mishear?'
To come out of nowhere and suddenly ask him to fight.
If Jang Hyeon or Jo Seokjin had come and said that, Cheon Myeong would not have had that question.
However, since the person in front of him was, by all means, Yu Eunseong, Cheon Myeong decided to check if he had misheard.
"Did you just ask me to fight you?"
"Yes, I did."
"..."
"To be precise, I would like you to have a duel with me."
Yu Eunseong, who was speaking with a calm voice.
Hearing those words, Cheon Myeong could confirm that he had not misheard.
'Yu Eunseong... a duel with me?'
As that confirmation was made, Cheon Myeong's gaze towards Yu Eunseong couldn't help but change.
To think that the favor was to ask him for a duel.
Although it was not that strange for martial artists to have duels to improve each other's skills, from the point that the opponent was Yu Eunseong, this duel was no longer an ordinary duel.
"...Let me ask you one thing."
After a moment of silence, Cheon Myeong opened his mouth.
"The duel you're talking about doesn't mean a ranking match, does it?"
"...No, it doesn't."
Hearing that answer, Cheon Myeong became even more unable to understand Yu Eunseong's intention.
If Yu Eunseong had challenged him to a ranking match now, her intention would be clear without any need for deep thought.
The number one rank.
Since the ranking match itself is a competition for that position, the purpose is already set.
However, since Yu Eunseong was now wanting an ordinary duel, not a ranking match, Cheon Myeong could not immediately determine her intention for saying that to him.
"Then why on earth do you want to have a duel with me?"
In the end, Cheon Myeong asked Yu Eunseong directly.
At that question, Yu Eunseong maintained her silence for a moment. And she opened her heavily closed mouth and said.
"I cannot tell you the reason."
"You can't tell me the reason, but you want to have a duel with me?"
"..."
"Well, is it okay to think of it that way?"
Even at Cheon Myeong's question, Yu Eunseong consistently maintained her silence.
Seeing that, Cheon Myeong said with a light sigh.
"If so, my answer is already decided."
"..."
"I refuse."
As much as the answer, a coldness was felt from Cheon Myeong's voice and expression.
'As long as I don't know Yu Eunseong's intention, I can't have a duel carelessly.'
Not showing one's skills carelessly to an enemy is common sense among common sense.
Although he couldn't accurately grasp Yu Eunseong's intention, Cheon Myeong was thinking of one highest possibility.
'This duel is a preliminary investigation to measure my skills, and the real purpose might be the ranking match that will follow.'
Of course, Cheon Myeong had revealed his skills in front of Yu Eunseong before.
Once in the ranking match against Su Yeongseong at the time of the Heavenly Demon Festival. And once in the confrontation with Cheongmyeon in Namgang.
Especially in Namgang, he had revealed a move that he had not shown at the time of the Heavenly Demon Festival, so perhaps the person who knew Cheon Myeong's skills best in the main headquarters now could be said to be Yu Eunseong.
'That's why I have to be more careful.'
There is a considerable difference between watching from the side and fighting directly.
The skills of Cheon Myeong that Yu Eunseong knew were, by all means, only composed of what she had seen.
That's why Cheon Myeong thought that Yu Eunseong was trying to find out his full power in more detail through a duel.
"..."
As expected, Yu Eunseong is an enemy.
Although he had thought of her a little better than the other guys from the Five Great Demonic Families because he had received help in Namgang, as expected, in the end, they were all the same guys, Cheon Myeong could be sure at this moment.
"How long are you going to keep standing there?"
"..."
"I have already answered that I refuse. Or do you have any other business with me?"
Cheon Myeong said with a rather sharp tone.
Nevertheless, Yu Eunseong, who just continued to look at Cheon Myeong while maintaining her silence. From that appearance, a strong feeling that she was thinking deeply about something inwardly was felt.
"...I have no choice."
At that moment, Yu Eunseong finally broke her silence and opened her mouth.
A strong feeling that could not be just ignored was felt from her mutter, and Cheon Myeong could immediately know what the identity of that feeling was.
"In this place now, I will challenge you to a ranking match, Young Master."
"..."
"As the number one rank, you have no right to refuse my challenge, Young Master. Therefore, regardless of your will, Young Master, this confrontation is automatically decided."
"...Are you serious?"
To think that she would challenge him to a ranking match right away just because he had refused a duel.
To be honest, this was something Cheon Myeong had not expected.
"I am serious."
"..."
"If I don't do it this way, I won't be able to cross swords with you, Young Master."
Hearing Yu Eunseong's words, Cheon Myeong thought that his guess was wrong.
If Yu Eunseong's purpose was just to find out his skills, there would be no reason to do this.
Because this was the same as skipping the introduction and going straight to the main point.
In the end, Cheon Myeong's mind went blank.
"...What on earth is your purpose?"
"..."
"To want to fight me this much, I don't think my rank is your only purpose."
"...Just as you refused my duel, Young Master, I will have no obligation to answer that question."
With those words, Yu Eunseong, who turned her body. And she moved her steps towards the door and said in a low voice.
"I will see you at the ranking match."
Leaving only those words, Yu Eunseong was about to leave the room.
However, at that moment.
"Wait."
From behind, Cheon Myeong called Yu Eunseong.
Then, Yu Eunseong stopped her steps and looked back, and Cheon Myeong continued to speak to Yu Eunseong.
"I will do my best in the ranking match."
"..."
"Even if you helped me in the past, if we meet there, you are just an enemy."
Although his voice was not that loud, a sufficient threat was felt from Cheon Myeong's words.
If it were a normal person, their expression would have changed at least a little at that threat, but Yu Eunseong still maintained her expressionless face and turned back again.
"I will be looking forward to it."
Saying that, Yu Eunseong completely left the room.
"..."
After Yu Eunseong left, Cheon Myeong continued to look at the already closed door without a word for a while.
Then, at some point, Baekjo came out of the birdcage and flew to Cheon Myeong, and as Cheon Myeong raised his right hand, Baekjo landed on it.
"...As expected, I'm not fated to rest."
Cheon Myeong, who was muttering, looking at Baekjo.
Another fight was already beginning.
***
Thump- thump-
With rather fast steps, Bang Gitae was walking towards somewhere.
The place he was heading to was the Little Heaven Pavilion.
Since the schedule for the ranking match had been confirmed, he was going to the Little Heaven Pavilion to inform Cheon Myeong of that fact.
"..."
In fact, there was no need for Bang Gitae to personally walk to the Little Heaven Pavilion. Isn't it strange for a person who is the head of the Law Enforcement Hall to walk just to deliver a schedule?
However, Bang Gitae was personally doing what he could have had his subordinate do.
The reason for that was because of his expectation for Cheon Myeong.
Bang Gitae was already looking forward to what kind of appearance Cheon Myeong would show him this time.
'I was really surprised at that time.'
The appearance of Cheon Myeong that he had shown at the time of the Heavenly Demon Festival could be said to be shocking.
Of course, this would have been the same for all the people who were there at that time, besides Bang Gitae, but Bang Gitae's feelings were particularly different.
'If I hadn't let Young Master Cheon Myeong meet the Leader at that time...'
Cheon Myeong would not have been able to return to the main headquarters, and he would not have been on everyone's lips like this now.
Of course, the reason why Bang Gitae had done that at that time was because he had felt an unknown small spark from Cheon Myeong, but he had never expected that that spark would grow so big.
'No, even if I hadn't done that, Young Master Cheon Myeong would have distinguished himself somehow.'
A sharp awl will always stick out and reveal its existence, no matter how much you try to put it in your pocket.
That would be the same for Cheon Myeong.
There would not be many beings who could stop the current Cheon Myeong, including himself.
While he was having those thoughts in his head, Bang Gitae had arrived in front of the main gate of the Little Heaven Pavilion.
"Is anyone inside?"
Bang Gitae, who had stopped in front of the main gate, said with a dignified voice.
Then, the sound of someone approaching from inside was heard, and the door opened immediately.
"Who... oh!"
The person who came out after opening the door was Mihwa.
Mihwa immediately recognized Bang Gitae, hurriedly bowed her head, and showed her courtesy. And towards such a Mihwa, Bang Gitae asked.
"Is Young Master Cheon Myeong inside?"
"He is, but... he is currently training."
At that moment, Bang Gitae's eyebrows moved subtly.
'Is he preparing for the ranking match?'
Of course, he would be training usually, but if the opponent he had to fight was already decided, the training method might change accordingly.
In fact, that was also the purpose of Bang Gitae's visit here.
What kind of preparation would Cheon Myeong be making against Yu Eunseong?
Using the delivery of the schedule as an excuse, Bang Gitae had come here with the intention of satisfying his personal curiosity.
"I have something to deliver to the Young Master. So would you guide me to the Young Master?"
"Would it be okay if you told me? The Young Master tries not to meet anyone as much as possible while he is training..."
"It is an important matter. I would like to speak to him directly if possible."
"...I understand."
In the end, Mihwa said that and guided Bang Gitae inside.
Bang Gitae, who was entering the inside of the Little Heaven Pavilion following Mihwa. And after walking for a while, a small path leading to the forest behind the pavilion began to be seen, and at its entrance, he could discover Soyeon Sang.
"...?"
As Bang Gitae walked towards this side, Soyeon Sang sent a puzzled gaze. However, she immediately bowed her head and showed her courtesy to Bang Gitae.
"Where is the Young Master?"
At that question, Soyeon Sang looked at Mihwa.
A gaze that seemed to be asking why Bang Gitae was looking for Cheon Myeong.
Mihwa also recognized the intention of the gaze and answered immediately.
"The Head says he has something to tell the Young Master."
"...I see. You can go now."
As Soyeon Sang said that, Mihwa lightly bowed her head and began to walk back.
The gaze that turned to Bang Gitae again.
Soyeon Sang spoke as quietly as possible so as not to disturb Cheon Myeong, who was inside.
"You have something to say to Young Master Cheon Myeong...?"
"Yes, if I follow this small path, will Young Master Cheon Myeong be there?"
"That's right, but..."
"Lead the way."
"..."
For a moment, Soyeon Sang began to hesitate between following Cheon Myeong's order and her superior's order.
And in the end, Soyeon Sang, who turned around without a word.
Although there was Cheon Myeong's word to guard this place so as not to disturb his training, he had also added that she could call him in an unavoidable situation.
Now was an unavoidable situation for Soyeon Sang.
As long as Soyeon Sang belonged to the Law Enforcement Hall, she could not refuse Bang Gitae's words unless it was an extraordinary situation.
"...Let's go."
Saying that, Soyeon Sang moved her steps first.
And Bang Gitae, who was following behind her.
As he walked for a while along the small path where bamboo was growing thickly on all sides, Bang Gitae could discover something.
"Wait."
"...?"
As Bang Gitae suddenly said that, Soyeon Sang stopped her steps with a puzzled face.
"What's the matter?"
"..."
Bang Gitae, who was staring at somewhere without a word even at Soyeon Sang's question. And at the end of that gaze was Cheon Myeong, who was sitting in a cross-legged position.
At that moment, as the wind blew, the bamboo on all sides began to shake.
Even in the space that was like a raging wave, Cheon Myeong did not move an inch, and the space where Cheon Myeong was sitting was creating a mysterious atmosphere as if it were separate from this world.
"..."
Bang Gitae continued to look at that sight as if he were possessed by something.
And the moment the bamboo that was shaking in the wind stopped, a small laugh came out of Bang Gitae's lips.
"...The ranking match will be held at the Nine Heavens Martial Arts Stage in four days."
"Yes?"
"Tell Young Master Cheon Myeong that."
Saying that, Bang Gitae, who was turning around. And without giving Soyeon Sang a chance to say anything, Bang Gitae was already moving away.
"...What was that?"
Soyeon Sang muttered, looking at the back of Bang Gitae, who was moving away.
If this was the case, why on earth did he come all the way here?
Soyeon Sang felt a little wronged that she had hesitated for a moment between following Cheon Myeong's words and Bang Gitae's.
"...He's gotten more fickle recently, perhaps because he's getting older."
Soyeon Sang, who was quietly muttering with a voice that would not be heard by Bang Gitae.
Gossiping about one's superior was the same everywhere.
(End of Chapter)
Socheongak was the name of the place Cheon Myeong lived but, from now it's Little Heaven Pavilion. Sound better.