Chapter 22: Who is the Winner? (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 22: Who is the Winner? (1)
Only one person remained indifferent to Haeakcheon’s bombshell of a statement.
The younger twin, Song Woo-hyeon, simply stared straight ahead with blank eyes, as if he hadn't even understood what was being said.
Startled, Raging Demon Lord Seo Gal-ma turned to Haeakcheon and spoke.
“...What on earth are you talking about, Brother Hae?”
“Exactly what I said. You can tell the quality of a tree from its first sprout. Compared to your ill-mannered disciples, my disciples are far better suited to be the Young Lady’s husband.”
Ah...
I had desperately hoped it wouldn't come to this.
But as expected, this crazy old man was a complete wildcard. Truly, no one lived up to the title 'Bizarre' as much as he did.
“...Are you saying your disciples are superior to mine?”
“Naturally.”
“You certainly have a lot of misplaced confidence in them.”
Seo Gal-ma’s voice turned icy.
The atmosphere grew strange. It seemed he was determined not to let Haeakcheon lead him by the nose any longer.
“Hmph! You think it’s misplaced?”
I couldn't fathom why the old man was acting so aggressive.
Unless I opened my Middle Dantian, I was merely a first-rate master, and the same went for the twins. On the other hand, Seo Gal-ma’s disciples had been training under him for a long time and had already surpassed the wall of the first-rate realm.
—Look at their faces.
From the previously intimidated Go Eun-jae to his senior, Ho Geum-won, they were all looking at us with faint smirks. If Haeakcheon hadn't been standing right there, they probably would have laughed in our faces.
Seo Gal-ma turned his gaze back to Haeakcheon, his voice heavy with authority.
“Then the solution is simple.”
Snap!
Seo Gal-ma performed a fist-and-palm salute toward the bamboo screen and spoke.
“Young Lady, and Sixth Blood Star, please act as our witnesses. Let us determine right here which of our disciples is more worthy of being your husband through a duel.”
I knew trouble was brewing, and sure enough, things headed in that direction. For those of the Murim, the ultimate way to settle a dispute was through martial prowess.
“Since you are so confident in your disciples, Brother Hae, surely you won't object?”
Seo Gal-ma had set the stage perfectly. If Haeakcheon refused now, it would be seen as a retreat.
“Fine! Why should I refuse?”
Of course, he didn't back down. After all, he was the one who started this.
“How bold of you.”
“However, a duel must be fair, must it not?”
“Fair?”
As Seo Gal-ma looked on in confusion, Haeakcheon pointed at us.
“No matter how talented my disciples are, they have only been learning martial arts for a single year.”
“So what? If you were going to take every little detail into account, you shouldn't have suggested this in the first place.”
“There is a simple way, isn't there?”
“A simple way?”
“We seal our internal energy and compete using only martial forms. Hehe.”
As expected, Haeakcheon was using his head in his own way.
But there was a problem with this as well. Even if internal energy was sealed, there was still a significant gap between a first-rate master and a Peak Realm master who had surpassed that wall. What defined the Peak Realm wasn't just internal energy, but the presence of enlightenment.
“Compete with only martial forms? Hahahaha!”
This time, Seo Gal-ma burst into laughter. He looked at Haeakcheon with eyes full of ridicule.
He was likely thinking the same thing I was. He knew that even without internal energy, his disciples—who had practiced their forms for much longer—held the advantage.
“What, do you lack confidence?”
Haeakcheon provoked him. Seo Gal-ma gave a short, mocking laugh in response.
“Won't you regret this? You should know better than anyone that the difference in internal energy isn't everything.”
“It doesn't matter.”
“You truly are arrogant.”
With those words, Seo Gal-ma shifted his gaze to me.
“If you think you have a chance just because your disciple inherited the Namcheon Sword Guest’s techniques, you are mistaken. The more profound a sword technique is, the more it requires the flow of internal energy to manifest its true power.”
Haeakcheon’s eyebrows twitched at those words. Had Seo Gal-ma hit the mark?
However, Haeakcheon soon let out his characteristic laugh and crossed his arms.
“Doesn't the same apply to your disciple?”
“Heh. Is that what you think?”
Judging by Seo Gal-ma’s attitude, he seemed to have something up his sleeve. It was highly likely that his saber techniques could exert sufficient power through external martial arts alone, even without internal energy circulation. Perhaps that was why his disciple used such a long saber.
“Very well. I accept your proposal, Brother Hae. In return, may I make a suggestion of my own?”
“A suggestion?”
“I wish to add a bit of excitement to this duel.”
Seo Gal-ma was not one to take a loss quietly. But Haeakcheon, having gotten what he wanted, accepted readily.
“Fine.”
“Let this be a real sword duel.”
“That goes without say—”
“I am not talking about a simple duel with real blades.”
“What?”
“Let us agree that neither side will hold the other responsible, even if an arm or a leg is severed—or even if a life is lost.”
‘...!’
Seo Gal-ma’s proposal was essentially a life-and-death match.
—How cunning.
He wasn't giving an inch. This move by Seo Gal-ma had two objectives.
First, by bringing up a life-and-death struggle, he hoped Haeakcheon would forfeit the duel on his own.
—And the second?
‘...He wants to cripple or kill me right here.’
He wanted to eliminate me before I could become Haeakcheon’s right-hand man. As the successor to the Namcheon Sword Guest’s legacy, I was a thorn in his side. He was trying to kill two birds with one stone.
“Ahem.”
Haeakcheon seemed to have read his intentions as well, as he hesitated for a moment. It was only natural to think twice when the opponent pushed back so hard. He was truly caught between a rock and a hard place.
Just then, Haeakcheon’s voice reached me via Sound Transmission.
[Hmph. That bastard Seo Gal-ma is trying to be clever.]
...Unless he’s an idiot, of course he’d try to rig the game in his favor.
Now it all depended on Haeakcheon’s choice. Would he send his disciple into a death trap? To any observer, I—a mere first-rate master—was at a disadvantage.
[Show them the strength you’ve been hiding.]
‘...!’
My heart skipped a beat at his transmission. Did Haeakcheon know that I was hiding my Middle Dantian and my true skill? If he did, he wouldn't have suggested a duel with sealed internal energy.
[...Master. I’m not sure what you mean...]
[Hmph. Don't play innocent with me. Do you really think you can deceive my eyes?]
[Pardon?]
[You have already reached the Peak Realm.]
No way. Did this old man really notice the existence of my Middle Dantian?
However, his next words allowed me to breathe a sigh of internal relief.
[Your internal energy might be lacking, but your enlightenment has already broken through the wall of the first-rate realm. Do you think I wouldn't know that after sparring with you so many times?]
[......]
[I can tell just by looking at the openings left in your sword forms.]
It was a relief, yet surprising. He didn't know about the Innate True Qi in my Middle Dantian. However, through our numerous sparring sessions, he had become certain that I had surpassed the wall of the first-rate realm. I had been too overconfident in thinking he hadn't noticed.
The old man seemed different now. Had he been feigning ignorance all this time?
[...I apologize.]
[You crafty brat. There’s no need to apologize. If I hadn't crossed blades with you so often, even I might not have noticed.]
To be caught like this. It seemed hiding one's true strength was no easy task. I expected him to scold me further, but Haeakcheon said something unexpected.
[Go in with the determination to win at all costs. However... if it becomes truly unbearable, you may step back.]
[What?]
[I’m saying it’s okay to admit defeat.]
I was truly shocked by Haeakcheon’s transmission. This old man, who hated losing more than anything, was telling me it was okay to concede if things got dangerous. It was as good as saying he didn't want me to get hurt or die.
‘This old man...’
Judging by his usual rough demeanor, I thought he’d discard me at any moment. But hearing this transmission, he truly thought of me as his disciple. I had always seen him as reckless, but this was completely unexpected.
[Hmph! Don't go getting the wrong idea. I’m only saying this because I don't expect you to perfectly defeat that fellow with only one year of training.]
‘......’
I felt a strange sensation. To think this eccentric old man, of all people, was worried about me. He was truly an enigma.
Slide.
I stood up, performed a fist-and-palm salute to Haeakcheon, and spoke aloud.
“I will live up to your expectations.”
A glint of interest appeared in Haeakcheon’s eyes. Seo Gal-ma, on the other hand, clicked his tongue at my display.
“Tsk tsk, you’re driving your disciple to his death.”
“Hmph! You’d better pray your own disciple stays in one piece.”
Haeakcheon snapped back at him. He then grabbed the edge of the table and pushed it with force.
Screeeeeeech!
Driven by his profound internal power, the table was pushed all the way to the end of the room. This created enough space for the duel to take place.
“There’s no need to drag this out. Let’s begin immediately.”
At that moment, the Blood Hand Witch Han Baek-ha, who had been watching, stepped forward.
“Wait. The Young Lady has not yet expressed whether she accepts the Second Venerable’s proposal. To act so boldly on your own...”
Before she could even finish her sentence.
[I accept.]
Baek Ryeonha’s voice, amplified by the Six Harmonies Complete technique, echoed through the room. Since she had been silent, I wasn't sure if she would agree, but I didn't expect her to accept it so directly.
“Young Lady!”
Han Baek-ha looked flustered. Seo Gal-ma, fearing she might change her mind, quickly performed a salute and spoke in a moved voice.
“Your decision for the sake of the greater cause is truly...”
[But I have a condition of my own.]
Seo Gal-ma, who had been rejoicing, frowned at her words. Of course, a woman as clever as Baek Ryeonha wouldn't simply accept a proposal that only served to save her own life.
“...And what might that condition be?”
[Since you said this is to choose my husband, shouldn't he meet my standards?]
Seo Gal-ma stared silently at the bamboo screen. He seemed worried she might set an impossible condition. However, he eventually accepted.
“Please, speak.”
[If he is to be my husband, shouldn't his capabilities naturally exceed my own? I will also participate in the duel under the same conditions.]
“What? You will participate in the duel, Young Lady?”
Her declaration of participation. Seo Gal-ma’s expression turned complicated; he clearly hadn't anticipated this. It was likely because while my skills were somewhat known, her own martial prowess remained an uncertainty.
“Bwahahaha! Quite right. To become the Young Lady’s husband, one must naturally possess that level of capability.”
Haeakcheon backed her up. After some hesitation, Seo Gal-ma finally nodded in agreement.
“Very well. Your words are perfectly reasonable.”
He had his doubts, but he seemed to trust in his disciple’s abilities. However, she wasn't finished.
[But what will you do if he fails to meet my conditions?]
“Pardon? What do you mean by...”
[I am asking what will happen if he cannot defeat me. You told me to sacrifice myself for the greater cause regardless of my will, but surely you don't expect me to follow your opinion even if I win?]
“Are you saying... that if you win, we must grant your request?”
[Exactly.]
Seo Gal-ma’s expression hardened. He likely guessed what she was going to ask for. And his guess was correct.
[If I win, both Uncle Hae and Uncle Seo must pledge their support and swear an oath of loyalty to me right here.]
Haeakcheon’s eyes widened as he realized he was also being roped in. What had started as a clash of egos had suddenly grown into a massive gamble. A great deal was now at stake in this duel.
—She’s smart.
I agreed with the Lesser Conversation Sword. Seeing her seize her own advantage in the midst of this showed she was no pushover. Then again, if she just let herself be pushed around by the two Venerables, she wouldn't be fit to be the Cult Leader. She was a true hero, worthy of her ambitions.
—I wonder how the crazy old man will react?
‘The answer is already decided.’
—Huh?
The very reason Haeakcheon had intervened in the marriage talk was that his heart was already leaning toward Baek Ryeonha. If it weren't, he would have remained a bystander.
Slide.
As expected, Haeakcheon performed a salute toward the bamboo screen and spoke.
“Hehe, I shall follow the Young Lady’s will.”
Once he had made up his mind, there was no reason not to accept. If he won, he could secure her safety by marrying her to his disciple. If he lost, both Venerables would support her. Either way, the unfavorable balance of power would shift.
[Can Uncle Seo not accept?]
At her question, a troubled Seo Gal-ma let out a sigh. He realized that if he backed down now, not only would his pride as a martial artist be shattered, but he would also lose the justification for trying to save the legitimate successor. He had no choice but to gamble.
Slide.
Seo Gal-ma performed a salute and replied.
“I shall follow the Young Lady’s will.”
The Blood Hand Witch Han Baek-ha’s face brightened considerably. And so, a duel with so much on the line was finalized.
Now, my task was clear. I walked up to Seo Gal-ma. Everyone, including Seo Gal-ma, watched me with curiosity.
Slide.
I performed a polite salute to Seo Gal-ma and spoke.
“To ensure a fair duel, I ask that the Second Venerable use his pressure point art to seal my internal energy.”
Seo Gal-ma’s expression turned strange as he looked at me. He seemed to find it odd that I remained so composed in a duel where my life was on the line. Without a word, Seo Gal-ma placed his palm over my dantian. A hot energy flowed from his hand into my body.
—What is he doing?
‘He’s checking.’
He wanted to see if I was hiding my true strength. After confirming my internal energy, the corners of his mouth twitched upward. He seemed convinced that I was indeed just a first-rate master.
“I shall seal the internal energy of Brother Hae’s disciple. For the sake of fairness, I leave the sealing of my disciple’s energy to Brother Hae.”
“Fine.”
Accepting this, Haeakcheon sealed the pressure points of Seo Gal-ma’s disciple, Ho Geum-won. With this, both sides were unable to use internal energy. In terms of power, the playing field was leveled.
“Everyone, please step back to the walls.”
Han Baek-ha, acting as the witness, took charge of the duel. Song Jwa-baek looked at me with a worried expression as he moved toward the wall. Normally, he would have been itching to participate, but knowing that this duel involved life and death, he seemed genuinely concerned.
[Hey! If it looks like you can't win, just give up. Don't go dying like an idiot.]
He sent me a transmission. Had we grown close after spending a year together? To think I’d hear such words from him.
[He’s a Peak Realm master; surely the old man won't kill me just because I lost.]
I gave him a small smile, signaling him not to worry. Song Jwa-baek just clicked his tongue.
“The two combatants, please take your positions.”
At Han Baek-ha’s instruction, Ho Geum-won and I increased the distance between us. As we did, Ho Geum-won spoke to me in a low voice.
“If you give up now, you might leave with your body intact. You still have a long future ahead of you.”
He was advising me to forfeit. Judging by his confident expression, he was already certain of his victory. He was likely speaking loud enough for Baek Ryeonha to hear, wanting to show her that he was being considerate of his opponent. His true intention, of course, was to crush me thoroughly.
Slide.
I performed a salute and replied.
“I am fine. I wish to compete without regrets.”
Ho Geum-won shook his head at my words. Then, as if giving a warning, he spoke.
“I will not take your life. But you should be prepared to lose an arm.”
Seo Gal-ma must have told him to cut off my arm. Since he wanted to end my life as a swordsman, he would likely aim for my right arm.
“I, too, will not take your life.”
Ho Geum-won’s brow furrowed at my words. He seemed annoyed that a mere first-rate master like me would speak so arrogantly. However, he tried to maintain his composure.
“Truly, you have the boldness befitting a disciple of a Venerable.”
He then gripped the hilt of his long saber. I, too, gripped the hilt of the Namcheon Iron Sword. The duel would begin as soon as Han Baek-ha gave the signal.
I stared intently into his eyes. Perhaps my gaze irritated him, as a thick murderous intent began to seep into his pupils.
Han Baek-ha raised her hand.
“Begin!”
The moment she shouted, it happened.
Ho Geum-won’s eyes went vacant, and his body suddenly stumbled.
Clang!
Drawing my sword like a flash of lightning, I lunged forward.
“What are you doing?!”
A startled Seo Gal-ma shouted instinctively in the middle of the duel. Thanks to that, Ho Geum-won snapped out of it and tried to regain his senses, but it was already too late.
Slash!
The right arm holding the saber was severed at the elbow. Seeing his own arm twitching on the floor, the pain finally seemed to register, and he clutched the stump, screaming.
“Aaaaaagh!”
Slide.
I pointed my sword at his throat. His eyes, trembling with agony, met mine.
“I have spared your life.”
‘...!’
The room fell into a heavy silence, as no one had expected such a result.