Only I Am A Reader

At the same time the 1st rate tournament was taking place, the less crowded audience seats of the 2nd rate were unusually buzzing with endless mumbling. For the first Sword Conference in a while, something interesting had suprisingly happened in a match of this level!

"Did you see it?"

"I'm not sure, that young man's sword was too fast for me to see… Do you think he used some sort of acupuncture technique?"

"Is one movement even enough for that to work out?"

"It's not impossible, but this is definitely not something a young man should be able to use!"

A youth whose name had appeared for the first time had somehow managed to knock out his opponent with just one exchange! Most importantly, this was already the second time that he managed to achieve this incredible feat!

Naturally, those who witnessed it couldn't help excitedly discussing their thoughts on this matter. Was it truly an extreme display of skill? Or was this just the appearance of another trickster who discreetly bought off his opponent?

"Do you know? He might have used another surname when he registered, but I heard he is actually a Namgung!"

"Oh! If it's the Noble Sword House, then the appearance of someone like this is still understandable!"

"Hah! Don't say anything if you are that ignorant! Would a normal member of the Namgung Family be isolated like this?"

"I saw him quarreling with the other members before the Conference started, there should be an interesting story behind this…"

'It should be doable like this.'

However, amassing this attention had been all part of Geochin's plan. Acting in a flashy manner was a character deficit but a means to an end that he hoped to achieve!

"Do you think he is the rumored grandchild of the Namgung Family Head?"

Unfortunately, some words that brought up the unpleasant memories on the back of the head floated around every now and then, but Geochin's mind was too distracted to even be bothered by it at this point.

'I need to hurry back to watch her next match!'

`~~~`~~~`~~~`

After the stunning match between the two extreme beauties came to an end, the following matches proceeded even faster than before. However, it still wasn't until the second day's nightfall that the 1st rate competition's first-round finally came to an end.

"The next round will start at sunrise."

Even for resilient Martial Artists, a little rest was still in order. The Mount Hua Sect announced that they would be providing temporary rooms for those who wanted them, but most of the attendees simply meditated in place till it was time for the second round to begin, Leo and his group had also opted for that option.

"Saeb Haksoo! M…"

A brief pause couldn't erase the drive caused by the match that took place on the first day, name after name was called out as the lasting 100 competitors dwindled in number. Soon enough, Leo's turn came once again.

"Cheon Baekho! Yang Yukang!"

'Oh?'

A different name reached Leo's ears as he walked down to the stage, this was no longer an opponent that Cheon Yong had faced in the novel!

'Did they search for a better one or…'

Swish!

Since his opponent was an unidentified one, Leo immediately swung his sword to test him out. The first possibility that came to mind was that they picked someone with a better sword or skill in order not to repeat the miserable loss that Namgung Pyung suffered. Unlike being thrashed by Cheon Yong, getting played and ending up with a destroyed sword was much more humiliating.

'Ah.'

However, Leo quickly came to realize that his thoughts had gone in the wrong direction. Someone had to have a considerable level of skill to reach the second round if they weren't extremely lucky, but his opponent just happened to be the very average of that level!

Even as he managed to guard Leo's moderate swing, his sword threatened to fall apart. Just like his clothes and names indicated, this was a wandering Martial Artist that relied on his skill to reach this point rather than wealth, he was…

'So they are giving me the easy way out.'

Swish!

Instead of upping their game, they gave him an opponent that was below Namgung Pyung's level. The one behind it seemed to have decided on giving him a pass to avoid offending other great factions that could potentially end up being humiliated.

Thud!

"Cheon Baekho wins!"

Since there was no beef between them, Leo refrained from repeating the same game, quickly knocking the sword out of his opponent's hand. Cheon Yong's fair battling had earned him what he desired, and it wasn't that much different for him.

'Things turned for the better in the end.'

Not having the endless desire to fight, Leo was more than okay with the options that he was given, his lucky trend was still on a roll. If there was anything that he was bothered about, then it had to be Cheon Yong's occasional jealous gaze from the side.

'Don't worry, you should be able to get what you want very soon.'

Although he couldn't say it out loud, Leo quietly patted the victim of his plot change, the real thing was just about to start soon.

"Cheon Yeon! Shang'a…"

Just like Leo, Yeon's next match was easy enough that she ended it in the first few exchanges. This naturally disappointed the audience who had been looking forward to another exciting match, but the Mount Hua Sect was adamant on keeping the stronger cards for the later rounds. The only difference this time was that it was going according to script this time.

'He is here again…'

Geochin silently sneaked into the 1st rate field once more. Leo knew that the protagonist had been conflicted while watching Yeon and Miyoung's battle, but he shrugged it off by saying that he had to watch how far the winner went. Leo planned to change the flow this time, but he at least sympathized with the fellow transmigrator who suffered from emotional illiteracy…