Chapter 36

Chapter 36

Finally, the day of the Young Dragon and Phoenix Tournament arrived. The busiest person by far was Hyang Lee. She had woken up at the crack of dawn, ironing Cha-Ryun’s martial attire and preparing snacks, moving about busily.

“Young Lady! You must pass the First Gate!”

It was said that the First Gate would be held in secret. Only from the Second Gate onward would the spectators be allowed to watch the events.

If Cha-Ryun didn’t make it through the First Gate, Hyang Lee wouldn’t even get to catch a glimpse of the handsome young talents she had been eagerly anticipating.

Yet, the moment she was placed in front of the men, her face would likely turn red, and she wouldn’t even be able to lift her head.

“Young Lady, I’ll make sure everything is ready. A change of clothes, some medicine to help ease your nerves, and also...”

As she listened to Hyang Lee’s nagging concerns, which sounded more like fretting, Cha-Ryun was reminded again that today was finally the day the Young Dragon and Phoenix Tournament would begin.

At that moment, Lady Ahn entered the room.

“Is everything prepared?”

“Mother.”

Cha-Ryun embraced Lady Ahn.

“What’s this for?”

“No reason.”

“Your father and I will be watching from the stands.”

“I might not even make it past the first round though.”

Lady Ahn gently patted Cha-Ryun’s back.

“It’s alright. Just do your best.”

Her mother’s embrace was always warm. It was an unchanging warmth that would never be lost. She had to become stronger in order to protect this warmth.

On the other hand, Hyang Lee was shouting in distress.

“No! You must pass the First Gate!”

For whose benefit?

The three of them stepped outside. Jeong Lee-Chu, Hwa-Ryun, Su-Ryun, Seo Baek, and Lim Mu-Yeol were all waiting for her. Cha-Ryun looked around to find Jeok Lee-Gun—he was squatting in front of the flowerbed

What are you doing there so pitifully?

“Sister!”

This time, Su-Ryun rushed toward Cha-Ryun. As Su-Ryun tearfully urged her to be careful and not to get hurt, Cha-Ryun tightly hugged her.

“It’s cold out here. Hurry back inside.”

“I’m fine.”

But Su-Ryun’s face had already turned as pale as a ghost.

“I’m sorry I can’t come cheer you on.”

Su-Ryun sobbed.

“You silly girl. Just wait. I’ll win and come back.”

“Stay strong.”

If only she could cure her kind sister’s illness.

She would sell her body and soul if it could be done.

Today, Cha-Ryun’s heart swelled as she looked at her family.

It felt like she was about to embark on a long journey.

How embarrassing would it be if she got eliminated at the first gate?

Just then, Hwa-Ryun, who had been watching Cha-Ryun from afar, spoke with concern.

“Are you really going to let those two go like this?”

Jeong Lee-Chu could only let out a heavy sigh. Last night, he had quietly visited Cha-Ryun to try to persuade her to give up on the tournament. However, Cha-Ryun’s resolve was firm. Jeong Lee-Chu wasn’t the kind of father to break his daughter’s will by force.

The main reason Jeong Lee-Chu didn’t stop her was simple.

Regardless of what others said, Jeong Lee-Chu believed in Cha-Ryun. He had faith in her choices and decisions.

Hwa-Ryun’s face was still full of doubt as she muttered.

“Well, she’ll probably fail at the First Gate anyway.”

At that moment, Seo Baek slyly interjected.

“I think she’ll be fine. I believe in Young Master Jeok.”

“Based on what?”

“Just a gut feeling. Call it a man’s intuition.”

“Have you already started drinking?”

“You misunderstand, my lady!”

“Are you just going to keep siding with Cha-Ryun?”

Seo Baek pretended to be startled, then gave her a broad grin.

Jeong Lee-Chu made his way over to Jeok Lee-Gun. Jeok Lee-Gun was sitting in front of the flower bed, playing with the dirt.

Seriously, this guy... why is he playing with dirt?

“You.”

“Yes?”

Although there were many things he wanted to say, when Jeong Lee-Chu finally faced Jeok Lee-Gun, those words wouldn’t come out. But still, he had to say something.

“Even if she fails, just don’t cause any trouble, please.’’

“Don’t worry. I will take responsibility for your daughter.”

What Jeong Lee-Chu really wished was that Jeok Lee-Gun would abandon such notions.

“I’ll leave her in your hands.”

Sighing, Jeong Lee-Chu turned away.

Cha-Ryun approached.

“Father.”

“Jeong Cha-Ryun!”

He called her name with spirited energy.

“I’m off.”

“Alright. Do your best without any regrets. We’ll see you later.”

Jeong Lee-Chu’s love for Cha-Ryun was so obvious it could almost make one jealous. But at the same time, Hwa-Ryun understood her father. Her father was a martial artist to the core. She just felt sorry that she, as the eldest daughter, couldn’t carry on her father’s martial arts legacy.

“Do well. Don’t disgrace the family.”

Not feeling much like clapping her hands to send her off, Hwa-Ryun instead muttered a sullen remark.

“Your observation skills are pretty sharp.”

“What could it mean?”

“It doesn’t mean anything.”

“What?”

“It’s a trap. It’s meant to distract you by making you focus on the Eighteen Martial Weapons.”

Could it be that they’ve used such a trap in the first trial?

“Then what secret is hidden here?”

“Try to guess.”

Cha-Ryun looked back at the painting.

At some point, Cha-Ryun’s eyes brightened.

“Ah!”

The gazes! Yes, it was the gazes. Although it looked like the martial artists were all fighting, they were all looking at the martial artist in the center. More precisely, they were staring at the object that the martial artist held in his hand. It was a small incense burner.

When Cha-Ryun looked at Jeok Lee-Gun, he nodded, acknowledging that she had guessed it correctly.

Then he walked over to the side.

“Could it be...?”

Cha-Ryun was taken aback. There, in a display case on the side, was an incense burner identical to the one in the painting.

How could this be? This can’t be a coincidence.

Jeok Lee-Gun picked up the incense burner and inspected it closely.

Cha-Ryun clearly saw it. On the bottom of the incense burner was the inscription—“Young Dragon and Phoenix Hall.”

Just then, Song-Hwa, who had been watching from a distance, shouted.

“Don’t touch that carelessly!”

“Why?”

“What do you mean, why? Didn’t you hear what the guide said earlier?”

“What are you talking about?”

“They told us not to touch anything and just wait. If we cause any trouble, we’ll all end up suffering for it.”

Jeok Lee-Gun let out an exaggerated sigh.

“This is completely backward.”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re the kid, so you should be the one causing trouble, and I should be the one stopping you. Why are you just doing as you’re told?”

“Isn’t that only natural?”

“Kids should defy the established order, and rebel a bit.”

“That’s just an excuse for immature children.”

“Must be nice to be so mature.”

Sensing that this wasn’t a compliment, Song-Hwa sulked and turned her head away.

Jeok Lee-Gun turned to Cha-Ryun.

“She’s adorable.”

Knowing it was a sarcastic remark, Cha-Ryun laughed.

“She’s a good kid at heart. It’s because of her family’s environment.”

“There’s always a reason behind everything.”

Jeok Lee-Gun shifted the conversation.

“What should we do? Should we take them along?”

“Where?”

“To the next gate.”

“What are you talking about?”

“We can’t just wait here. The First Gate has already begun.”

“What?”

Jeok Lee-Gun looked up at the inscription above the door once again.

Could it be that “Upon Entering, the Trial Begins” really meant exactly what it said?

Suddenly, the words “Young Dragon and Phoenix Hall” resurfaced in Cha-Ryun’s mind.

“Are we supposed to find that place?”

“Yes. If we stay here any longer, we’ll be disqualified.”

Jeok Lee-Gun nodded confidently.

No way! Who could solve such a complicated puzzle?

“If you want to bring them along, convince them now. We don’t have much time.”

Cha-Ryun turned toward Hyuk Lee-Sang and Song-Hwa.

They were pitiable, yet also somewhat exasperating. These two had been trying so hard to gain favor with Jang In-Gyeol, intimidated by the presence of the Palm Heart Clan.

Cha-Ryun approached Hyuk Lee-Sang.

“Do you trust me?”

Hyuk Lee-Sang looked startled, suddenly being asked such a question.

He responded with a serious expression.

“I do.”

“Then can you follow our decision right now?”

“What are you suggesting?”

Cha-Ryun glanced back at Jeok Lee-Gun. He was already standing at the door, waiting for her, motioning for them to leave.

“We’re leaving here, together.”

“What?”

Both Hyuk Lee-Sang and Song-Hwa were shocked.

“Why?”

“What if the only way to pass the First Gate is to leave?”

Hyuk Lee-Sang looked over at Jeok Lee-Gun. He still wasn’t fond of the guy. And he certainly couldn’t understand what Cha-Ryun was talking about.

“You really trust that guy, don’t you?”

Cha-Ryun didn’t reply. But her calm gaze already provided the answer.