The Scent of Plum Blossoms Travels Ten Thousand Li
“I am Eun Haseong.”
“I am Yi Taeryang.”
After the polite fist salutes came the lightest of greetings. Like me, Yi Taeryang was burning with the desire to fight. Yet I refused to move rashly or draw my blade.
I can’t pull my sword over mere provocation like this.
I gave a slow nod. The fact that Kang Pyeong had been defeated by Yi Taeryang did unsettle me slightly. Even so, that was no reason to kick off the ground and charge in the instant I saw him brutally beaten. Yi Taeryang had clearly noticed Kang Pyeong’s realm was far below his own and had spent the latter half of the match toying with him like a cat with a mouse.
Nevertheless, even after watching the entire spectacle with both eyes wide open—
“......”
—I kept my composure perfectly intact. The reason was simple.
If I don’t completely overwhelm Yi Taeryang on an official stage, it means nothing. Interrupting out of anger would only hand the opponent an opening.
With that thought in mind, I slowly loosened Nakseong from my waistband.
Shrring…!
A strangely chilling sound rang out. In response, Yi Taeryang, who had been standing before me with a face full of confidence, drew his own cherished sword.
Both of us now stood ready for the duel. Sensing this, the second-generation disciple presiding over the match from the edge of the training ground bellowed in a resonant voice.
“The sparring match begins—!”
With a sharp burst of movement, Yi Taeryang’s figure shot toward me like a bolt of lightning the moment the words left the referee’s mouth. He closed in low to the ground, yet I simply watched him quietly, Nakseong still resting in my grip. In that brief span, my thoughts continued.
In truth, winning against Yi Taeryang isn’t all that difficult…
Comparing a high-level Peak expert to a martial artist who had yet to reach even First-class was laughable from the start. So why was I hesitating?
The answer lay in the countless gazes surrounding us, brimming with expectation and curiosity.
What I must accomplish here is not merely victory over Yi Taeryang, but to imprint my martial prowess upon every person present—and to do it in the most striking way possible.
Boom!
Yi Taeryang’s sword thrust straight for my throat. At its tip, Sword Light blazed fiercely. Despite the formidable strike, I remained silent and simply flicked his blade aside with a light motion.
Swish!
The distance between us, which had been close enough to touch with an outstretched hand, instantly widened by several zhang.
Still, he has reached the threshold of First-class. With a little more tempering… he may soon be able to manifest Sword Qi.
Even while calmly assessing my opponent’s level, I eventually shook my head.
But there’s no point dwelling on such thoughts now.
I slowly lifted my gaze toward Yi Taeryang. There he stood, face twisted with rage. Unconcealable hostility and the killing intent that occasionally seeped through our clashing blades told me he had already marked me as an enemy for life. The realization left me utterly dumbfounded.
So you’ve harbored this much fury toward me… enough to want me dead.
Even then, I maintained my silence. Apparently my lack of reaction grated on him deeply. After steadying his breath, Yi Taeryang twisted the corner of his mouth and spat at me.
“I’m certain I told you before.”
“......?”
“Not to approach her so carelessly…!”
Whoosh—!
The tip of his sword sliced past my ear by a hair’s breadth. The smug tone of his declaration nearly made me laugh. I hardened my expression slightly in disbelief. Yet Yi Taeryang took my reaction as proof that everything was going his way. A smile of pure ecstasy spread across his face as he renewed his assault on me.
Boom!Bang!
It’s little more than wild swinging… but as expected of the Jaeso Dangju’s son. In terms of sheer internal energy volume alone, he’s practically a Peak expert.
When one considered that his father oversaw the spiritual herbs, medicines, and pills within Mount Hua Sect, it was only natural. He had likely been fed every renowned elixir since childhood. Therefore, meeting him in a pure contest of internal energy would be a mistake.
Of course, that only applied when judging by quantity alone.
In terms of purity, operational skill, and combat experience… Yi Taeryang would lose even in a battle of inner power.
Still, I had no intention of playing to his strengths. It wasn’t that I lacked confidence. I simply felt another approach would deliver a far more overwhelming result.
As Yi Taeryang continued to close the distance and press the attack, the corner of my mouth curved faintly. I whispered,
“...Do you still cling to feelings for Seol Ayeon?”
“......!”
Boom—!
The ground trembled. Yi Taeryang faltered for a split second, then his rage surged even higher. He glared at me with eyes that had gone chillingly cold.
“You bastard…!”
“If you’re not a fool, open both eyes wide and look properly.”
I continued calmly.
“Let’s be generous and assume you defeat me here and become Mount Hua’s grand disciple.”
“......”
“Do you truly believe Seol Ayeon would then yearn for you or come to like you?”
“You…!”
“It’s already too late. Unless you’re blind, you only need to consider what Seol Ayeon, Mugyeong Gakju… no, what the elders of Mount Hua think of this entire sparring event to understand the answer.”
Yi Taeryang’s eyes trembled violently at my indifferent words. Ignoring his reaction, I pressed on.
“This event was never an arena created for you. It is, in essence, a stage prepared for the opponent standing before you right now.”
“Shut up…!”
“How long do you plan to obsess over Seol Ayeon, resent me, envy me, and live such a pathetic existence fueled by jealousy?”
“Stop your damned babbling—!”
Bang—!
Yi Taeryang swung at me with everything he had. It was meaningless.
At that moment, something astonishing occurred.
Clack.
I caught his ferocious strike between two overlapping fingers. The gesture perfectly illustrated the gulf between us. Yi Taeryang’s eyes bulged.
“......!”
“Heoh…”
The spectators, and even the elders seated in the seats of honor, were visibly shaken. They had just witnessed me casually stopping a sword strike loaded with Yi Taeryang’s full internal energy using only two fingers. Even among Mount Hua’s elders, few could accomplish such a feat.
At best, Mugyeong Gakju or my senior brother… perhaps the Myeongryong Sword could manage it as well.
While I made that assessment, Yi Taeryang’s voice cracked with despair.
“Th-this…!”
“......”
“Why… why…!”
He stared vacantly into empty space, eyes unfocused. Seeing his reaction, I realized there was no need to provoke him any further.
He’ll destroy himself at this rate.
There was no reason to continue dealing with Yi Taeryang. This stage existed to prove my martial prowess and realm, not to beat him senseless. When someone witnessed an overwhelming gap like this, their spirit would usually break or they would fall into despair. That Yi Taeryang was no exception was already obvious.
I gently released the blade I had been holding. The sword drooped powerlessly toward the ground. The match was effectively over.
But I can’t end it here.
Leaving the despairing Yi Taeryang behind, I slowly raised Nakseong to eye level. The spectators who had been watching me closely now looked on in confusion.
“What is he doing…?”
“It looks like…”
Whoosh—
I swung the sword. A spark of interest had ignited within me. Someone among the crowd murmured,
“...A sword dance?”
Exactly. I was performing a sword dance.
As I boldly continued the flowing movements, a single thought flashed through my mind.
Let’s complete the final form of the Plum Blossom Sword Technique right here.
I muttered under my breath.
The plum blossoms have bloomed in full.
The scent of plum blossoms travels ten thousand li.