Chapter 22
Chapter 22
Translator: Penny
Episode 22
"Ugh!"
Not only the warriors of the Honyeon Faction but even those of the Zhuge Clan stared with wide eyes.
With a single sword strike, the enemy's body had been cleaved in two.
The snow-white scholar's robes confirmed he was a member of the Zhuge Clan who had yet to undergo his coming-of-age ceremony.
And that face?
"Apprentice Scholar Zhuge Munhyeon of Byeongju Hall."
"Ah..."
They remembered him as the youngest among them.
But how could the son of the Head of Byeongju Hall possess such martial prowess?
"Are you going to keep gawking? Shouldn't we be fighting right now?"
"..."
"You can handle the stragglers, right?"
Zhuge Munhyeon winked and gently swung his sword. A blue arc, like a whip, lashed out, slicing through the remaining enemies.
"S-Sword Qi?"
"Don't be surprised, just fight."
Zhuge Munhyeon grinned and strode away.
The One-Line Golden Lock Formation.
Just as the name implied, it was a single, horizontal line stretching across the battlefield.
Starting at one end, Zhuge Munhyeon walked straight forward, his sword flashing to paint countless crimson blossoms in the air.
The Zhuge Clan warriors snapped out of their daze as they watched him devastate the battlefield, his robes billowing with each step.
It was time to fight, just as he had said.
They couldn't afford to lose the advantage they had so painstakingly gained.
Yet, unlike before, when their eyes had been filled with desperation, the eyes of the warriors chasing Zhuge Munhyeon now held a glimmer of hope.
Yeom Sangcheol had no time to survey his surroundings, so fiercely was Zhuge Munho swinging his sword. Even with a slight difference in skill, a moment's carelessness could cost him his neck.
"You've improved a lot, you bastard!" Yeom Sangcheol exclaimed, his voice tinged with admiration, as he intensified his attacks.
Zhuge Munho was still young. Despite his growth, he lacked experience.
Clang!
The metallic clang echoed as sparks flew.
Their intertwined auras left both combatants increasingly wounded, but after about a hundred exchanges, a gap began to widen. The difference lay in their accumulated combat experience and the weight of the power imbued in their weapons.
Thwack!
Zhuge Munho's straight kick buried itself deep into Yeom Sangcheol's abdomen.
Damn it!
In that staggering moment, Yeom Sangcheol, sensing victory, swung his Crescent Blade horizontally, aiming for Zhuge Munho's waist.
But then, a voice echoed in Zhuge Munho's mind:
"Tsk tsk, I told you to just thin the numbers. Idiot, why are you trying to overpower someone with superior strength when your weapons are completely different? Roll to the left, now! You'll die if you don't."
It was a Sound Transmission.
Who could it be?
Startled, Zhuge Munho instinctively followed the voice's instructions, rolling swiftly to the left.
The Crescent Blade narrowly missed him, slicing through the air above.
"Get your head in the game! Do you really want to die?"
"...!"
"For someone of your caliber, the difference in energy level isn't what determines victory. What truly matters is how you wield it. Since your center has already collapsed, don't bother resisting—just sink to the ground. Hold your sword at an angle and deflect your opponent's attacks."
Zhuge Munho didn't know who was speaking, but with no other options, he immediately sat down and raised his sword diagonally.
Clang!...
The Crescent Blade, swung down with force, scraped along the sword's surface and slid harmlessly aside.
"What are you doing? Are you only attacking with your sword? Extend your left hand and strike your opponent's knee."
There was no time to hesitate.
The moment the words finished, Zhuge Munho realized Yeom Sangcheol's knee was exposed. As if hypnotized, he flung out his left hand and struck.
Pwaaak!
His wrist throbbed.
And then...
"Kuaaak!"
Yeom Sangcheol's knees buckled, his legs snapping backward at unnatural angles.
In an instant, the tide of battle had turned.
Yeom Sangcheol, his balance suddenly shattered, grimaced in agony.
Swish!
Zhuge Munho lunged forward, his sword arcing through the air.
A clean, horizontal line traced a crescent path across Yeom Sangcheol's neck.
Thud...
His head rolled across the ground.
Blood, which had erupted like a fountain, now rained down in crimson droplets.
"Uwaaa!"
A roar of triumph erupted.
Zhuge Munho, still numb with shock, barely registered the victory. As he turned his head, he heard a voice:
"Not quite the fool I thought. That final move was impressive."
"..."
At the center of the roaring cheers, Zhuge Munhyeon grinned.
"H-how... why you?"
Countless questions flashed through his mind, but before he could voice them, the surrounding cheers drowned them out.
"Deputy Branch Head! We won! A complete victory!"
Zhuge Munho remained silent, unable to join in the jubilation of the Branch's martial artists, who were intoxicated by their victory. He could only stare at Zhuge Munhyeon, who sat waiting with a detached expression.
Suddenly, a Sound Transmission arrived.
It's definitely Zhuge Munhyeon. Who else could it be?
Most importantly, they had annihilated the Honyeon Faction's martial artists without a single fatality on their side, despite suffering some injuries.
"How... how did you manage this?"
"Ah, we were shocked too. We never imagined the Young Master of Byeongju Hall possessed such martial prowess..."
"What?"
"If you hadn't suddenly appeared, disrupted the formation, and provided assistance, we would have been unable to stop them. I never imagined you had reached the realm of Sword Qi."
"Hmm."
Zhuge Munho groaned in astonishment.
He already knew that Zhuge Munhyeon had never ceased his training.
However, he had attributed his inability to resist Zhuge Munhyeon at the tavern the previous day to the vague fear instilled by childhood memories.
But Sword Qi?
"Still, the Deputy Branch Head is truly remarkable. To have beheaded Yeom Sangcheol? Congratulations."
"..."
Despite the congratulations from his subordinates, Zhuge Munho merely frowned.
Victory? Absurd. If not for Zhuge Munhyeon's Sound Transmission, I would have been the one lying dead. Just thinking about that moment sends shivers down my spine. But how did he instantly pinpoint the opponent's weakness and offer advice that guaranteed our victory? To achieve such a feat in the heat of battle, one must either possess a far superior level of cultivation or have incomparably greater combat experience. It requires perfect understanding of the opponent's movements. So he saw through it all in an instant? What exactly is this guy...?
"We'll clear the battlefield first."
"Do so."
"Yes!"
While the martial artists gathered and divided the fallen, Zhuge Munho pondered for a long while before finally taking a hesitant step forward.
"Hmm, Munhyeon."
"What?"
His curt reply made Munho's heart sink.
Why did he always shrink back whenever he stood before this man?
Still, he had to offer his thanks.
After all, it wasn't he who had led this war to victory, but this very man.
Zhuge Munho forced the words stuck in his throat.
"Thank you."
"What?"
"I owe my life to you. The Branch warriors survived too."
Zhuge Munhyeon stared at him for a long moment before replying, "Don't you think you're frowning too much to be giving thanks?"
"Ah, well..."
"Forget it. I don't need insincere gratitude. It's not like I saved you because you're pretty... I only helped because we share the same blood."
Zhuge Munhyeon waved dismissively, as if uninterested in formalities, and turned to leave.
"I'm not just saying this. I mean it."
"Huh?"
"I know. I used to truly hate you. I spent countless nights tossing and turning in anger."
"..."
"But eventually, I realized the problem was with me. In fact, wanting to surpass you became my motivation to work even harder. For that, I'm grateful. Thanks to you, I shed the arrogance of believing I was the most outstanding among my peers. My views on martial artists from branch families and minor clans have also changed significantly."
"Hmm."
Zhuge Munhyeon, who had paused mid-step, let out a habitual exclamation, as if mulling over his opponent's words.
"And I apologize for what happened yesterday. That was my fault too. My brothers acted out of concern for me, still clinging to memories from when I was seven. Please don't take it to heart."
"Hmph."
"...?"
Zhuge Munho's face clouded with confusion as Munhyeon chuckled at his awkwardly offered apology.
"What's with this embarrassing apology?"
"..."
"I have more important things to worry about. Why should I care about weaklings who whine like pebbles kicked aside on the road?"
"Ah..."
Zhuge Munho forced a bitter smile as Munhyeon laughed off his words with nonchalant amusement.
Pebbles kicked aside on the road. That's probably how Zhuge Munhyeon saw them. Well, it's not wrong...
"Hey, can I ask you something?"
"What is it?"
"Were you... removed from your position as Young Patriarch because of what happened back then?"
"Huh?"
"No, Father told me that. The day we fought."
Zhuge Munhyeon frowned, carefully recalling the memory as he spoke.
"Pfft!"
"...Why are you laughing?"
"Because it's funny."
"What, you little brat? I was worried about you!"
Zhuge Munho, who had been laughing heartily, finally sighed deeply and said, "Munhyeon, I don't care about the Young Patriarch position."
"What?"
"I realized my shortcomings after that incident. Young Patriarch? What's so important about that title? If I work hard, I might get there someday. But right now, becoming stronger is what matters most."
"Ah..."
Munhyeon had been worried about him being hurt for nothing.
Thank goodness he's okay. Really... Huh! I'm actually thinking like this...
Zhuge Munhyeon, who had unconsciously felt relieved, suddenly startled himself.
Back in the Demonic Cult, I never worried about anyone.
"Ahem! Don't forget to report my contributions later."
Zhuge Munhyeon cleared his throat awkwardly, quickly changing the subject.
"You know what I mean, right? Make sure to emphasize that I helped kill not just the small fry, but also the big guy. Got it?"
Zhuge Munhyeon glared menacingly, as if issuing a threat.
But the gesture was so absurdly out of character that Zhuge Munho couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"What's so funny? Do you find my words amusing? You don't even realize how important this is..."
"Sorry. It just slipped out."
Zhuge Munho apologized sheepishly, his expression awkward as Zhuge Munhyeon twisted his lips into a threatening sneer.
"Laugh again, and I'll tear your mouth apart."
"..."
"Anyway, make sure my contribution is recognized. Understand?"
"I will. Absolutely."
"Good enough."
As soon as he heard the answer, Zhuge Munhyeon's menacing demeanor vanished, replaced by a wide, cheerful smile, as if he had never threatened anyone.
But perhaps it was because of this that the anxiety that had gripped Munho's heart in Munhyeon's presence began to ease slightly.
"Can I ask you something too?"
"What is it?"
"What's your current level of cultivation?"
"Why do you want to know?"
"Well... it's hard to believe we're at the same level."
"Same level? Heh, ha...!"
Zhuge Munhyeon suddenly burst into laughter.
This kid, this kid. Who does he think he's on the same level with? Someone who could easily defeat anyone in the Zhuge Clan except the Patriarch, who has reached the Intent Qi level. Kids these days have such short-sighted thinking. Can't he tell just by looking?
"Why are you laughing?"
"Of course I'm laughing, you little brat. How could I possibly be at the same level as you?"
"Then what level are you at?"
"Roughly Ejection Qi."
He had no intention of keeping it a secret.
He was ready to reveal it now.
But Zhuge Munho couldn't help but gasp at this seemingly casual remark.
Martial artists typically divide the stages of qi manipulation into five realms:
충 (Filling): Building and filling the Core.
현 (Manifestation): Manifesting qi externally.
탄 (Ejection): Projecting manifested qi outward.
의 (Intent): Imbuing qi with one's will.
강 (Aura): The absolute realm.
These stages are also referred to as:
충 (Filling): Second-Tier
현 (Manifestation): First-rate
탄 (Ejection): Peak Stage
의 (Intent): Transcendent Peak
강 (Aura): Transcendent Stage
Ejection Qi?
For Zhuge Munhyeon, who had just turned fifteen, to claim to be at the same level as the Elders or the Leader of the Black Tiger Corps was nothing short of astonishing.
"Could it be... Ta, ta, ta..."
"..."
Whack!
He lightly tapped him, worried he'd keep stuttering "ta-ta-ta" forever if left alone. He was afraid Munho might have a heart attack.
But it seemed the shock therapy had triggered more surprise than pain or anger.
"D-did you really reach the Ejection Qi realm? You're already at the Peak Stage?"
"Why are you so surprised? Want me to show you if you don't believe me?"
"..."
"It's not that hard, you know."
Zhuge Munhyeon grinned and flicked his finger casually.
Thud!
The ground cracked and split open.
"G-g-g..."
"It's not 'g-g-g,' you idiot. It's just Finger Wind."
Zhuge Munho, still in disbelief, stammered again before receiving another smack on the back of his head.
📝 Translator’s Note:
You may notice that certain lines or phrases in this novel appear both in their original Korean (or Hanja) form and in English translation.
This is intentional — these phrases are classical idioms, divine titles, or poetic expressions that carry layered meanings.
To preserve their original tone and authenticity, the raw text has been kept for reference, while the English interpretation is provided right before or after it. This helps convey both the literal and cultural nuance of the original work.
but if you guys dont want tha raw for future chapters or my future other novels u can just text me on discord and say so discord name Mr.Penny