Reversal (3)
“Good thing the snow has stopped.”
“Yeah.”
Yeon Jipyeong glanced at Muk Bi walking beside him. He had already grown taller than her. Yet right now, she towered a full head above him.
The reason wasn’t anything mysterious.
“You’re truly amazing, sis.”
“Huh? What is?”
“To deploy Treading Snow Without Trace so naturally? That’s a realm beyond my wildest imagination.”
That was right. The previous night’s blizzard had blanketed the entirety of Dae Byeol Mountain in snow. The paths frequented by people had been somewhat cleared by the martial artists, but the Muryeong Alliance grounds were so vast that less than thirty percent had been shoveled yet.
Yeon Jipyeong was trudging through the deep snow, sinking with every step, while Muk Bi glided effortlessly over the drifts.
Her feet didn’t sink into the snow at all.
It was a divine movement technique so unbelievable that even seeing it with his own eyes strained credulity.
Muk Bi smacked her lips.
“I’m confident in my lightness skill. Still, lately it feels like that’s the only thing improving, so it’s a bit worrying.”
“Even mastering a single martial art to that level is incredibly difficult.”
Yeon Jipyeong clicked his tongue in admiration.
They said that upon reaching the pinnacle of lightness skill, one could skim across water surfaces (Water Skimming Flight), tread snow without leaving traces (Treading Snow Without Trace), and even flit over grass blades (Grass Skimming Flight).
Beyond that ultimate realm, if one’s lightness skill ascended to the divine stage, even Stepping on Empty Air became possible.
Not the mere momentary flight or glide from explosive shockwaves in the void, but true Stepping on Empty Air—propelling oneself without touching the ground at all. It was also known as Land Flight Technique.
In Yeon Jipyeong’s eyes, Muk Bi would achieve true Stepping on Empty Air within the next decade. In terms of lightness skill alone, it was a realm worthy of being called the world’s best.
She’s unconsciously deploying Treading Snow Without Trace.
For the current Yeon Jipyeong, even with utmost concentration and pouring every ounce of his inner energy, properly executing Treading Snow Without Trace was impossible.
It was proof of just how terrifyingly advanced Muk Bi’s lightness skill had become.
“I saw your brother’s lightness skill before too—it was at an incredible level.”
Muk Bi chuckled softly.
“Young Master Yeon is proficient in all aspects.”
“Still, when it comes to lightness skill, I don’t think I can match you.”
“Not wrong. But if we actually fought, I’d lose.”
“Pardon?”
“In open terrain, my win rate would go way up. But in a forest or urban combat, I’d lose almost for sure.”
“Why do you think that? Of course, your brother’s realm is lofty, but…”
“In battle, the adaptability Young Master Yeon shows is arguably the best in the world. The more complex the surroundings, the more obstacles, the more it favors him.”
“I-is that so?”
“He’s so adept at irregular tactics. If we’re just talking melee combat in chaos, he might even be the greatest across history.”
Public perception of Yeon Hojeong was oddly understated. Sure, being called the world’s foremost later-generation talent wasn’t low by any means, but he was still underrated compared to his true capabilities.
That was because his rough personality stood out too much.
One of the few who could accurately gauge Yeon Hojeong’s martial prowess was undoubtedly Muk Bi.
Yeon Jipyeong smiled.
“My brother has truly become an astonishing martial artist.”
Muk Bi, who had been quietly studying Yeon Jipyeong’s face, inwardly smirked.
It can’t be easy to feel this way.
No matter how close the bond, it was human nature to feel jealousy toward someone superior.
Surprisingly, there wasn’t a trace of it on Yeon Jipyeong’s face. It wasn’t feigned—he was genuinely delighted by Yeon Hojeong’s excellence.
“Doesn’t it frustrate you?”
“Pardon? What do you mean?”
“No matter that he’s your brother, isn’t he too outstanding? Don’t you ever think he’s gone so far ahead you can’t catch up?”
Yeon Jipyeong burst into laughter without realizing it.
“Isn’t it better for a brother to outshine his younger sibling than the other way around? I want my brother to become the unrivaled strongest in the world, incomparable to anyone.”
“Ho.”
“Of course, I’ll strive to be a younger brother who doesn’t fall short of his fame.”
Muk Bi shook her head.
“And you’re satisfied with that?”
“I am.”
“……”
“That doesn’t mean I’ll hold back my growth out of consideration for him. That would insult him. Though even giving it my all, I wonder if I’ll ever reach his heels.”
A few years ago, the two had resolved past grievances with Yeon Hojeong’s apology. It was the moment he changed, and the point when Yeon Jipyeong’s growth gained momentum.
Though they’d parted soon after sharing that deep brotherly bond, Yeon Jipyeong still carried it with him.
Moreover, his father and brother had entered the Muryeong Alliance, elevating the family’s prestige. From Yeon Jipyeong’s position, he had no choice but to pour blood and sweat into his efforts so as not to become a stumbling block for them.
That’s why he knows.
Muk Bi smiled.
Both Lord Father and Young Master Yeon purely celebrated Jipyeong’s progress. For him, that praise must be the greatest reward for the last three years of hardship.
In many ways, it was a remarkable family. Ideal in some senses, baffling in others.
But Muk Bi liked the Yeon family’s tight-knit affection. Unlikely as it was to waver, she hoped it would last a lifetime.
“Anyway, shall we pick up the pace? The food’ll get cold at this rate.”
“Let’s.”
The two had headed to the mess hall at dawn to pack tasty meals, fearing Yeon Hojeong’s meditation session had dragged on and left him starving.
They kicked off the ground.
Bam!
When Yeon Jipyeong pushed off, a massive spray of snow erupted. In contrast, only the faintest mark remained where Muk Bi had launched.
The gap in their lightness skills was that vast.
How long had they been racing like that?
Hm?
Muk Bi’s eyes sharpened.
A shockwave?
It wasn’t an intense one. But she felt a low, dull vibration subtly rippling through the air.
Moments later, Yeon Jipyeong also sensed the unnatural flow in the atmosphere.
“Sis?”
“It started a bit ago.”
Muk Bi’s expression hardened.
“This faint energy transmission… it’s definitely Lord Father’s true energy.”
“Yes. And my brother’s energy too.”
“Oh? Really?”
“Pardon?”
Muk Bi hadn’t detected Yeon Hojeong’s energy. But Yeon Jipyeong had.
Proof of his extraordinarily keen energy sense.
Though overall reading of flows lagged behind Muk Bi due to the skill gap, in finesse, he even surpassed her.
“Shall we go?”
“Yeah.”
Whoosh!
The two accelerated.
About a quarter of an incense stick’s time later, Pa Gun Pavilion’s main gate came into view.
Woooong!
The closer they got, the lower and fiercer the vibrations grew.
Moments later.
Boom!
Their eyes widened. Snow exploded beyond the gate, over the walls.
A snow pile against the wall had burst from the shockwave.
Sparring?!
In that instant, Muk Bi sensed an ominous fighting spirit. She grabbed Yeon Jipyeong’s collar without a word.
Thud!
Grasping Yeon Jipyeong, she rocketed upward with tremendous spring, landing atop one of Pa Gun Pavilion’s rooftops in a flash.
Yeon Jipyeong, marveling anew at her astonishing lightness skill, peered down at the swirling aftermath of fierce energy below.
And there.
The two men he trusted and followed most were locked in a brutal melee.
Shieeeek!
Swoosh!
Shieeeek!
Yeon Wi’s heavy sword mercilessly cleaved the air.
Slash!
Shh-shh-slash!
Shh-slash!
It felt like even the outer energy Yeon Hojeong emitted was being sliced along with the air.
An unusually ferocious barrage of slashes, uncharacteristic of Yeon Wi’s usual style.
So razor-sharp was the chained assault that infusing it with his pinnacle Sword Extreme Thought Qi could probably split a three-story pavilion.
Papapapak!
Yeon Hojeong’s footwork evading Yeon Wi’s blade was perfection incarnate. He didn’t counter, dodging by a hair’s breadth. Yet he didn’t retreat either.
As if baiting close quarters, he plunged into the deadly fray where a single mistake could cost limbs.
In that moment, Yeon Hojeong’s eyes flashed.
Wuuuuung!
The air trembled fiercely, like a beast in a cage growling low.
A bizarre sonic wave emanated from the handaxe Yeon Hojeong swung.
Craaaang!
The first clash rang out.
Not from sword meeting axe, but from the true energies of Yeon Hojeong’s vibration-packed slashes and Yeon Wi’s savage cuts colliding.
Slide.
Both staggered back three or four steps.
Unable to withstand the shockwave.
Muk Bi’s eyes wavered.
Equal?!
It was a perfect deadlock in power.
Regardless of inner energy depth or enlightenment, Yeon Hojeong’s raw strength didn’t yield to Yeon Wi’s.
Considering the orthodox inner energy Yeon Wi had amassed over decades, it was nothing short of miraculous.
Paaaak!
Yeon Hojeong charged again.
Thud!
Yeon Wi aggressively lunged at Yeon Hojeong in turn.
No matter how realistic the spar, Yeon Wi had always dictated the pace by blocking or evading his son’s attacks.
Not out of paternal leniency, but because that was the nature of Yeon Wi’s martial arts.
But not now.
He unleashed footwork and swordplay bordering on savage, even overwhelming Yeon Hojeong’s ferocity.
Craaaang!
A deafening metallic clamor erupted without weapons even touching.
Yeon Hojeong faltered.
Even if his power didn’t yield, the opponent was Yeon Wi.
No matter how brutal the strikes, they carried a lifetime’s refined sword intent.
If he went all out, he could surpass Yeon Hojeong’s attack power.
That was Yeon Wi—the Sword Sage who had reached the pinnacle of the Middle Path, mastering myriad martial forms.
Yeon Hojeong’s handaxe whipped around at terrifying speed.
Craang!
Bang!
Kwaang!
Now explosions boomed too. Their weapons had finally begun clashing.
A lethal close-quarters brawl where a single sword stroke or half-inch axe swing could end lives.
Clang!
Booom!
Yeon Hojeong reeled back a dozen paces.
Struck by Yeon Wi’s Half Dragon Palm counter.
Yeon Wi, moving to close in for a slash, twisted away at a faint energy ripple he sensed.
Kwaang!
The handaxe, arrow-swift, embedded in the wall.
Had Yeon Wi missed that energy wave, it would have pierced his upper body.
Yeon Jipyeong’s jaw dropped.
Muk Bi swallowed hard.
Yeon Wi and Yeon Hojeong’s bloodthirsty spar.
It was so vicious, no one could imagine it was father against son. The pair momentarily lost their words.
“Hoo. Hoo.”
Yeon Hojeong’s breathing grew ragged.
“Hup.”
Yeon Wi drew a short breath, raising his sword to the ready.
“A flying sword from there. Just like you.”
“As expected of Father. Dodging it like that.”
The two shared brief smiles.
Their blazing eyes identical—blood of the father runs in the son. Their murderous gazes were mirror images.
