Chapter 57: A Series of Unfortunate Events


    Once upon a time, Hyonwon Kang and Peng Sa-Hyuk were the best of friends.


    How are you?


    Hi!


    Not only were the two boys the same age, they were also fellow sons of n Heads who had been ying with wooden des since they could walk.


    Would you like to y with me?


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    Yes!


    Back in those days, Hyonwon Kangs father often visited the Peng n, and young Hyonwon Kang was thrilled to have a friend his age. However, he remained oblivious to the secrets surrounding the rtionship between the Hyonwon n and the Hebei Peng n. He didnt understand why his father frequently visited the Peng n and why he sighed deeply every time they went there.


    Sa-Hyuk! Im here!


    Kang!


    Hyonwon Kang was happy just to see, y and spar with his friend.


    Ahaha! I won again!


    Damn it! Ill win next time!


    Their duels consistently ended in Hyonwon Kangs favor. Peng Sa-Hyuk would clench his teeth after each loss, vowing to win next time, but Hyonwon Kang could easily see through his friends attacks.


    Ille back next time! Lets y again then!


    Make it soon!


    Okay!


    However, as they grew older, Hyonwon Kang began to sense that something was amiss. The members of the Peng n wore finer clothes and enjoyed better food and wine than the Hyonwon n, but at his young age, he couldnt quite grasp the significance of these differences.


    That ended one day, when they were both eleven years old.


    Kang! Lets duel! Ill win this time!


    If youre seeing this, you are at the wrong ce.


    Okay, go for it!


    Their duel after almost half a year was particrly intense. By then, Peng Sa-Hyuk had begun to learn the familys specialty, the Five Tiger Demolition de, and his inner qi had increased severalfold. Hyonwon Kang had also begun to practice the Earth Shattering de, but because it was iplete, his skill and qi were no match for the Five Tiger Demolition de.


    <em>Even so, I wont lose!</em>


    Despite the shorings of his technique, Hyonwon Kangs inborn talent more than made up for it. Dodging dangerous attacks and improvising moves, he targeted a weakness in Peng Sa-Hyuks defense and swung his de with determination.


    However, Peng Sa-Hyuk wasnt going to give up that easily. He skillfully evaded the attack andunched his own counterattack, determined to defeat Hyonwon Kang.


    As their des shed and their attacks intermingled


    OWW!


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    Hyonwon Kangs de identally struck Peng Sa-Hyuks head. Blood flowed from the wound as Peng Sa-Hyuk lost consciousness, causing the Peng ns vassals to rush to the scene in a panic.


    Young Master!


    Young Master!


    Both boys were novices in martial arts, so minor injuries weremonce. However, seeing their Young Master bleeding from the head, the Peng ns vassals were infuriated.


    How dare you use a lethal technique on Young Master!?


    Have you no mercy?


    If anything happens to Young Master, your life is forfeit!


    Hyonwon! Its them again!


    Hurry, get Young Master to the physician!


    In the face of the martial artists overwhelming anger, Hyonwon Kang was left speechless and trembling. The injured Peng Sa-Hyuk was rushed to the clinic, and the n Heads of the Hebei Peng n and the Hyonwon n were alerted.


    Did you use a lethal technique on my son? the Peng n Head asked in a low voice.


    In spite of his calm demeanor, Hyonwon Kang found the head of the Peng n to be far more terrifying than the previous vassals.


    I-I Young Hyonwon Kang trembled in sheer terror, as if facing a colossal tiger. One wrong word, and he feared hed be torn apart.


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    At that moment


    n Head! Hyonwon Kangs father squeezed between him and the Peng n Head, and knelt down without hesitation. I apologize on behalf of my son. Please forgive him just this once. My son did this without knowing anything.


    The Peng n Head was taken aback. He hadnt expected a head of a family to get down on his knees for the sake of his son.


    n Head, you know these two children have been close since childhood.


    Just because I let them y together, you think my son is the same as yours?


    No, of course not. Theyre not the same. Its all my sons fault.


    The n Head of the Peng n clicked his tongue. Just then, a messenger brought them news that Peng Sa-Hyuk was safe. However, the Peng ns n Head remained displeased with the situation.


    Leave. Ill forgive you just this once.


    Thank you very much. The mercy of the Peng n is greatly appreciated.


    Dont bring him here again.


    Yes. I wont let him near the Young Master again.


    That day, on their way home, Hyonwon Kang noticed that his fathers face seemed to have aged a decade.


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    Dad


    Dont say anything. I want to rest today.


    Okay.


    From then on, Hyonwon Kang never visited the Hebei Peng n again. Although he received many letters from Peng Sa-Hyuk, he never answered any of them and tore them up.


    The next time they met, they were both fifteen years old and had just enrolled in the Azure Dragon Academy.


    Is that all? Peng Sa-Hyuk regarded Hyonwon Kang with disappointment.


    Before him, Hyonwon Kang knelt on the ground, his clothes torn, lips bleeding, and his body battered. In stark contrast, Peng Sa-Hyuks sleeve was only slightly torn, and he wasnt even out of breath.


    Y arent you reading this at ?


    Onlookers gasped at this lopsided oue.


    That Hyonwon Kang was beaten to a pulp


    Peng Sa-Hyuk is that powerful?


    Thats one of the Five Great ns Young Masters for you! Hes in a league of his own.


    Then why isnt he participating in the Heavenly Martial Festival?


    Shut up! Peng Sa-Hyuk silenced the chattering students. He was in no mood to celebrate. Although he had defeated Hyonwon Kang for the first time, it didnt bring him any joy.


    CRUNCH, CRUNCH.


    Peng Sa-Hyuk ground his teeth and shot Hyonwon Kang a piercing look. Did you really think it would be the same as when we were kids? he asked.


    If youre seeing this, you are at the wrong ce.


    While you were drowning in alcohol, I was training relentlessly. While you wallowed in self-pity, I pushed myself to the limit to get stronger.


    Hahaha Of course, Hyonwon Kang chuckled, his eyes burning with sarcasm. Im sure youve been guzzling those expensive elixirs your n provides, learning from the best instructors, and mastering secret martial arts passed down through generations. If youre still weaker than me after all that, then youre truly a worthless good-for-nothing.


    Peng Sa-Hyuks eyes red with anger, but he merely snorted in response. Did you spend your entire life honing your tongue instead of your martial arts?


    Well, I dont need elixirs, secret techniques, or a prestigious family to sharpen my tongue.


    So what if you dont have those?


    What?


    Peng Sa-Hyuk regarded Hyonwon Kang with a pitiable expression. What does my family background have to do with you?


    Are you seriously saying that! Hyonwon Kang tried to rise, but at that very moment, Peng Sa-Hyuk delivered a swift kick to his abdomen.


    THWACK!


    Fuck you! Hyonwon Kang grunted, clutching his stomach.


    Standing above him, Peng Sa-Hyuk leaned in closer. Let me ask you something.


    Go to hell, you motherf


    Do you honestly believe that if you surpassed me in strength, I would use my ns influence to oppress the Hyonwon n?


    Hyonwon Kang couldnt respond.


    You ought to read this at .


    Do I seem like that kind of person to you?


    Hyonwon Kang had never shared this story with anyone, but he remembered the humiliation and grief his father endured at the Peng n on that fateful day. The scornful looks of the Hebei Peng n vassals and the cold indifference of the n Head. Over time, he hade to expect Peng Sa-Hyuk to be no different from them.


    Answer me. Youve got nowhere to run, Peng Sa-Hyuk growled, reaching out and grabbing a handful of Hyonwon Kangs disheveled hair.


    They were so close that Hyonwon Kang could feel Peng Sa-Hyuks breath on his skin.


    Do I really look like the kind of asshole who would do that?!


    You never know.


    SLAP!


    You ought to read this at .


    Hyonwon Kangs body recoiled from the blow to his face.


    Listen up, Hyonwon Kang. As an old friend, Ill give you onest piece of advice. Peng Sa-Hyuks eyes zed with rage. For a moment, when Hyonwon Kang had asked him for a duel, hed actually hoped that they could repair their rtionship.


    Oh how wrong he was. Hyonwon Kangs inferiorityplex was likely the worst in the school.


    Dont ever cross paths with me again. If you spot me from a hundred paces away, steer clear, because if I ever see your face again Ill crush you like an insect, Peng Sa-Hyuk threatened.


    Pathetic wretch. Peng Sa-Hyuk spat on the ground, spun on his heel, and stomped out of the training grounds.


    One by one, the watching students departed as well. Hyonwon Kang was left alone, sprawled on the floor.


    Damn it


    He had lost. Well, he never expected to win. As Peng Sa-Hyuk had said, while he was idling away his time, Peng Sa-Hyuk had worked tirelessly to be worthy of being the heir of one of the Five Great ns.


    <em>Why did he evene to the Azure Dragon Academy?</em>


    All the other heirs of the Five Great ns were training at the Heavenly Martial Academy, yet Peng Sa-Hyuk had opted for the Azure Dragon Academy. That choice had turned heads, enough that nobody cared that the heir of the fallen Hyonwon n had also enrolled.<blockquote>


    Hyonwon Kang! Long time no see!</blockquote>


    Suddenly, he recalled the freshman wee ceremony three years ago. Before the eventmenced, Peng Sa-Hyuk had spotted him from afar and approached him.


    Why arent you reading this at ?<blockquote>


    What have you been up to all these years? I sent you numerous letters, did you receive them? I wanted to visit your house, but my father wouldnt allow it


    Get lost.


    What?


    Fuck off, I said.</blockquote>


    He turned and walked away, ignoring Peng Sa-Hyuk then avoided him like the gue for the next three years.


    Gradually, Peng Sa-Hyuk attitude toward him changed.<blockquote>


    Oi, Hyonwon. What crap have you been drinking today? You reek of alcohol.</blockquote>


    Mind your own business.


    Pathetic loser. Are you going to live like this forever?


    While Hyonwon Kang spiraled into delinquency, Peng Sa-Hyuk rose to prominence, seizing power within the Club Union. Alongside Student Council President Dokgo Jun, he quickly became one of Azure Dragon Academys most prodigious students.


    The only difference was that, unlike Dokgo Jun, who participated in the Heavenly Martial Festival every year, Peng Sa-Hyuk had never taken part in it.


    <em>Why doesnt he participate? Is he scared of losing?</em>


    Read this at , or else.


    <em>If he enters the Heavenly Martial Festival, his ipetence will be revealed.</em>


    <em>Here, hes a king. In the Heavenly Martial Festival, he might not even make it past the first round of the Dragon Pheonix Tournament.</em>


    Students gossiped behind Peng Sa-Hyuks back, criticizing him for abstaining from the Heavenly Martial Festival. They viewed him as someone who had chosen to be a big fish in a small pond rather than face thepetitive environment of the Heavenly Martial Academy.


    However, Hyonwon Kang thought differently. <em>That cant be true. Theres no way he enrolled in the Azure Dragon Academy just to avoidpetition. Even as a child, he constantly challenged himself, saying he would win one day even if he lost every time. With such apetitive spirit, he couldnt have chosen the Azure Dragon Academy over the Heavenly Martial Academy out of fear. So why why did Peng Sa-Hyuke here?</em>


    Suddenly, a thought struck him.<blockquote>


    Do I seem like that kind of person to you?</blockquote>


    <em>Was it because of me? Thats absurd. He followed me to Azure Dragon Academy because of a fleeting childhood friendship?</em><blockquote>


    Do I really look like the kind of asshole who would do that?!</blockquote>


    <em>Impossible.</em>


    Hah, thats ridiculous Hyonwon Kang gazed at the overcast sky with a dazed expression.


    PITTER-PATTER


    Raindrops began to fall, gradually intensifying into a downpour.


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    SHWAAA


    Its just one misfortune after another. Is this what they call getting beaten to a pulp in the rain? Fuck This is turning out to be one shitty day. Hyonwon Kang grumbled, using his arm to shield his face from the pouring rain. The rain seeped into his wounds, causing a burning sensation, but he didnt feel like getting up.<blockquote>


    Hi!


    Do you want to fight me?


    Damn it! Ill win next time!


    Bring it on!


    OWW!</blockquote>


    Standing in the rain, memories of their childhood resurfaced. Hyonwon Kang wished they could all be washed away by the rain, dissolving into oblivion.


    Suddenly, the rain ceased falling on his face.


    SHWAAA


    He could still hear the rain, but the raindrops no longer reached him.


    What are you doing here? a familiar voice asked.


    Hyonwon Kang lowered the arm that covered his face. A man with an umbre stood over him, peering down.