Chapter 278
Chapter 278
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 278
Chapter Title: The Staff's Unexpected Victory
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"That's right. From the outset, there were no restrictions on weapon types in the sparring match."
Hyeok Mulin's response was straightforward.
Yet for Cheon Sumyeong, it only brought on a pounding headache.
'A Mount Hua Sect disciple using a staff in a sparring match?'
Did that even make sense?
Cheon Sumyeong had never seen a Mount Hua martial artist wield anything but a sword.
And now, in such a crucial bout, to suddenly pull out a staff?
Feeling a wave of dizziness, Cheon Sumyeong quickly gathered his thoughts.
'It won't change the outcome anyway.'
A textbook fight.
Hyeok Mulin clearly knew there was no chance of winning in a straight sword-against-sword clash.
So he was trying to introduce some variable and gamble on luck.
'Fat chance.'
There was an unbridgeable gap even with a lifetime of sword mastery—how could an unfamiliar staff bridge it?
It was an impossible future that Cheon Sumyeong couldn't even picture.
Thus.
"Very well. I acknowledge it."
Cheon Sumyeong permitted the use of the staff.
No matter the weapon, it couldn't alter the result.
At least, that's what he firmly believed.
But.
"...What?"
Less than a moment later.
Having witnessed the sparring's conclusion, Cheon Sumyeong couldn't hide his bewilderment.
There stood Hwa Ak, staff in hand, tall and unyielding beneath the bruised and battered Hwa Kang, who lay covered in welts from head to toe.
The match had ended in Hwa Ak's overwhelming victory.
"How could this be...?"
Even seeing it with his own eyes, Cheon Sumyeong couldn't accept the reality before him.
But the most shocked of all was the victor himself: Hwa Ak.
He alternated his gaze between the staff in his hand and Hyeok Mulin, still utterly dumbfounded.
"...What just happened?"
In truth, the lesson Hyeok Mulin had imparted to him that day was simple.
—Take up a sword. Attack me and defend yourself.
Hwa Ak had faced off against Hyeok Mulin.
But he was the one holding the sword, while Hyeok Mulin wielded the staff.
Sensing something off, Hwa Ak started to voice a question.
Crack!
Right then, Hyeok Mulin's staff struck his crown, beginning the training.
After that, Hwa Ak gritted his teeth and pressed his attacks, but his sword never so much as grazed Hyeok Mulin.
In turn, his entire body swelled up from the staff's relentless blows.
Unable to endure the confusion midway, he finally spoke up.
—Ack! Ack! What exactly am I supposed to be doing here?!
—Watch and feel. That's all you need.
—What the hell does that—!
In the end, Hwa Ak spent the whole day getting pummeled endlessly by Hyeok Mulin.
And when sunset came and the scheduled spar began, he underwent an unbelievable experience.
'...I can see it.'
Where to swing the staff to block Hwa Kang's sword.
Where to thrust it to strike Hwa Kang's body.
The paths in every moment became visible to Hwa Ak's eyes.
All he'd endured that day was a beating from the staff.
Yet through it, his sense for the long weapon returned, bringing enlightenment.
And there was one particular aspect of Hyeok Mulin's movements that stood out.
'He widened the distance, attacking not the opponent but the space itself.'
A staff's greatest advantage over a sword was its length.
In such matchups, the swordsman typically closed in to engage.
This time was no different.
As the spar began, Hwa Kang charged forward swiftly, trying to narrow the gap to sword's reach.
Hwa Ak retreated, thrusting his staff into the space Hwa Kang advanced toward a beat ahead—leaving Hwa Kang unable to close in easily.
Driven into defense, Hwa Kang unleashed Mount Hua's pride, the Five-Hand Plum Blossom Sword, in sequence, but it changed nothing.
Thus, Hwa Kang took blows from start to finish, ultimately losing the match.
"Did I... really win...?"
Even Hwa Ak couldn't believe the result, his eyes darting uncertainly.
Among the second-generation disciples, Hwa Kang was the strongest—yet Hwa Ak had dominated him.
A clean, irrefutable outcome.
Cheon Sumyeong, watching them, turned to Hyeok Mulin.
"What the hell did you do to that kid?"
Of course, Cheon Sumyeong had noticed during the bout.
Hwa Ak wasn't some novice fumbling with the staff.
But martial artists had their realms, roughly speaking.
Clearly, Hwa Kang held the higher realm—yet the opposite result emerged.
To that question, Hyeok Mulin replied indifferently.
"I simply showed him, over and over, how a staff wielder counters a swordsman."
Hyeok Mulin hadn't just beaten Hwa Ak with the staff for fun.
He'd taught him firsthand, through body and eyes, how to face a sword user.
Though the intensity was rather harsh.
That's how such a dominant victory was achieved.
In Hyeok Mulin's view, the two youths' talents were evenly matched.
Yet Hwa Ak crushed Hwa Kang for one reason alone.
Hwa Ak had learned to wield a staff against a sword, while Hwa Kang knew nothing of swords against a staff.
Hyeok Mulin's focused training had taken root perfectly.
"The result speaks for itself. Any words on your end?"
"..."
After eyeing them for a moment, Cheon Sumyeong slowly shook his head.
"None. I acknowledge my loss in the wager."
Cheon Sumyeong accepted defeat cleanly.
They'd declared the staff's use upfront, leaving no room for protest.
Cheon Sumyeong had elevated Hwa Kang's sword by a step.
But Hyeok Mulin had taught Hwa Ak how to win the spar.
That was the decisive difference.
"So, what do you want from me, now that you've won the bet?"
Hyeok Mulin answered Cheon Sumyeong's question without hesitation.
"Just one favor."
"A favor? What kind?"
"You'll find out soon enough."
At the cryptic reply, Cheon Sumyeong stared at Hyeok Mulin wordlessly.
Moments later, he finally nodded.
A bet was a bet.
The result couldn't be undone.
"Understood. If it's within my power, I'll grant it."
With Cheon Sumyeong's firm promise secured, a faint smile touched Hyeok Mulin's lips.
A day passed.
Hyeok Mulin and Cheon Sumyeong joined Sangseo for another meal.
After devouring the usual simple vegetable fare, Sangseo spoke to them.
"Thank you for your diligent instruction. Hwa Gang and Hwa Ak's growth was especially remarkable."
Having heard the training results, Sangseo couldn't hide his admiration.
Honestly, what could change in just three days?
Even Sangseo, who made the request, hadn't expected much.
'Their auras have transformed.'
In that short time, Hwa Gang and Hwa Ak's auras had changed.
Both now emanated an incomparably tougher presence.
And it wasn't just one.
Two had broken through their walls.
Sangseo could only express boundless gratitude.
"It was an intriguing experience."
Mount Hua kids taught by the Heavenly Demon and Demon Sword Venerable.
Unprecedented in the past—and unlikely in the future?
He was certain it was impossible.
For Hyeok Mulin, it let him glimpse Mount Hua's future strength and forge ties with the Shandong Huashan Clan—no loss at all.
"I'm glad you see it that way."
Sangseo gazed at them with satisfaction, like heroes of legend.
Then he added one more piece of news.
"Oh, and about relaying the letter urging the Sect Leader's return."
Smiling faintly, Sangseo continued.
"No need anymore."
"You mean...?"
"Yes. Word came last night that the Sect Leader arrived in the village below."
It was far earlier than the expected return from the conference.
"Not sure the details, but something happened mid-conference, ending it sooner than planned. Good for us—the Sect Leader returns early."
Conference adjourned.
'No way...'
As Hyeok Mulin pondered the reason, Sangseo spoke again.
"He'll ascend Mount Hua today, arriving soon. I'll guide you the moment he does—just wait a bit."
"Understood."
They lingered there, sipping tea for about two hours in rest.
Then a man appeared, whispering to Sangseo.
Hearing the report, Sangseo's lips curved upward.
Dismissing the errand boy, Sangseo turned to them.
"The Sect Leader has arrived. Come, let's go."
They rose and headed to the Mount Hua entrance together.
There, they saw the crowd welcoming the Sect Leader and his entourage.
Moments later, Baek Hyeon-gyeong's gaze swept the area and spotted Hyeok Mulin.
Brightening, he approached Hyeok Mulin directly.
"Well, if it isn't you!"
Baek Hyeon-gyeong's face bloomed with a wide smile, more pleased than anyone at the visit.
After asking nearby Sangseo for the story, he faced Hyeok Mulin with joy.
"It's been too long. No troubles in the meantime?"
"What troubles would there be? I've just been waiting for you to return to the sect. We have so much unfinished sword talk from before."
There, Baek Hyeon-gyeong chatted lightly with Hyeok Mulin, beaming.
During which, Hyeok Mulin briefly introduced Cheon Sumyeong.
"He's a friend of mine. He accompanied me on some business, and we ended up visiting Mount Hua together."
"I see."
Baek Hyeon-gyeong nodded curtly at him. Then he dispersed the gathered crowd.
Turning to Hyeok Mulin, he said.
"Follow me. I'll treat you to tea in my office."
Sangseo parted there, and Hyeok Mulin went with Cheon Sumyeong behind Baek Hyeon-gyeong.
As they traversed the main grounds, Baek Hyeon-gyeong never once looked back.
At the end, they reached Cheongheo Pavilion, where he ushered them in and shut the door.
'Nothing's changed here.'
Glancing inside, Hyeok Mulin paused, recalling the Sect Leader disappearance incident.
Returning after so long, it looked much the same.
As Hyeok Mulin fondly surveyed the office, Baek Hyeon-gyeong slowly turned to him, lips parting coldly.
"Step back."
Swish—
Before they knew it, Baek Hyeon-gyeong had circled behind Cheon Sumyeong, sword pressed to his nape.
With the chill blade touching Cheon Sumyeong's skin, Baek Hyeon-gyeong spoke.
"Why have you set foot in Mount Hua?"
His icy gaze fixed ahead as his lips moved.
"Demon Sword Venerable, Cheon Sumyeong."