Chapter 122
Chapter 122
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 122
Chapter Title: A Duel to Decide It All
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While Namgung Un faced Wae-sal, Bu Eun-seol and Heuk-pyo weaved through the battlefield, launching daggers at the assassins mixed in with the Pae-do-mun.
*Fwish!*
Unlike the premier hidden weapon techniques of the martial world, Bu Eun-seol’s dagger arts were not particularly fast.
But the timing of each throw was exquisite.
“Ugh!”
Every time his sleeve cut through the air, a white light flashed, embedding itself in an assassin’s neck without fail.
Screams erupted from the Pae-do-mun warriors and assassins alike wherever Bu Eun-seol passed.
“In a chaotic battle, how you throw a hidden weapon is not important. What’s important is throwing it at the right place, according to the situation.”
Even as he threw his daggers, Bu Eun-seol continuously explained the principles of the Dagger Arts Manual to Heuk-pyo.
“Throw your weapon in response to the enemy’s movements. It is more important to practice throwing at unpredictable moments than it is to learn a high-level technique.”
*Clang!*
After hearing the principles of the Dagger Arts Manual, Heuk-pyo’s hidden weapon technique began to change.
Unlike before, the Blood Lotus Rings he threw now started to strike the assassins’ bodies.
He had realized that throwing a weapon at the right moment was more effective than simply executing a brilliant technique.
“Ugh!”
Not only that, but even the weapons that missed would disrupt the enemy’s movements, aiding their allies in battle.
“That’s how it’s done.”
As Bu Eun-seol and Heuk-pyo tore through the battlefield, the Pae-do-mun’s formation began to crumble.
The battle was nearing its end.
*Clang! Clang! Clang!*
Meanwhile, the fight between Namgung Un and Wae-sal reached its climax.
Wae-sal used not only his handaxe but also poison, hidden weapons, and even a mixture of whistles and shouts, alternating between feints and killing moves.
But none of it worked on Namgung Un. He had already grown accustomed to the methods of the Eum-sa-gok assassins at the Unga Mountain Manor.
*Flash!*
Just then, the midday sun reflected off Wae-sal’s handaxe, blinding Namgung Un.
“Hmph.”
As Namgung Un quickly turned his head, Wae-sal seized the opportunity to unleash a killing blow.
“Got you!”
But in that instant, Namgung Un, who had his eyes closed, unleashed a torrent of sword strikes like a bolt of lightning.
It was Heaven and Earth, Forget the Self, the ultimate technique of the Azure Sky Flying Swallow Sword.
“What!”
It turned out Namgung Un had anticipated Wae-sal using the sunlight’s reflection and had only pretended to be blinded while launching his sword energy.
*Fwoosh!*
As the killing technique of the Azure Sky Flying Swallow Sword grazed Wae-sal’s chest, his body, which had been airborne, fell to the ground.
The sword energy of Heaven and Earth, Forget the Self had swept through Wae-sal’s heart meridian.
“Guhh.”
Wae-sal tried to summon his internal energy to protect his heart meridian, but it was too late.
Feeling his life slipping away, he clutched his chest, his face filled with regret.
“Where did this monster come from…”
He never finished his sentence.
*Thud.*
Wae-sal fell face-first to the ground, dead.
“Hah. Hah.”
Gasping for breath, Namgung Un used his Gold Needle Sword as a cane to push himself up.
Of all the battles he had fought since entering the martial world, his fight with Wae-sal had been the most intense and the closest he had come to death.
“In the past, I would have been dead in ten seconds.”
If not for the fierce combat experience he’d gained at the Unga Mountain Manor, Wae-sal would have killed him before he could even execute his sword art.
“I certainly chose the right person to follow.”
Namgung Un turned his head to look at Bu Eun-seol.
In the short time he had followed him, he had experienced more than he would have in a long time of wandering the martial world on his own.
“I may not know much, but I’m a good judge of character.”
Namgung Un’s gaze shifted to Bu Eun-seol, who was dominating the distant battlefield.
The sight of him moving through the fray with a blank expression was like watching a grim reaper delivering death.
Swallowing his pride to follow Bu Eun-seol had truly been an excellent choice.
“These bastards!”
Guan Dok-gun, who was observing the battlefield, clenched his fists.
With each passing moment, the number of injured and fallen bodies piled up in the Pae-do-mun’s ranks.
The Eum-sa-gok assassins were also nearly wiped out. They were only holding on because of the Pae-do-mun’s overwhelming numbers.
“Hmm.”
At that moment, the masked man standing next to Guan Dok-gun with his arms crossed finally spoke.
“Propose a duel.”
“A duel?”
“Three-on-three should be good. The side with the last one standing takes all.”
“Do you think they’ll agree? The situation is turning in their favor.”
The masked man chuckled softly and said,
“They may have the upper hand, but we still have more than twice their numbers. If this fight continues to the end, it will be a battle of mutual destruction. No winner, no loser, just annihilation for both sides.”
Guan Dok-gun nodded lightly.
Indeed, if things continued like this, even if Jincheon Gate won, not even a third of their disciples would survive.
“I understand. Let’s do that.”
Nodding with an impressed expression, Guan Dok-gun stepped forward and shouted loudly.
“Everyone, stop!”
As the Pae-do-mun warriors halted, he parted the ranks and slowly walked toward the Jincheon Gate disciples.
“At this rate, we’ll only destroy each other!”
“Guan Dok-gun.”
The ranks of the Jincheon Gate parted, and an old man with neatly combed white hair walked out.
It was the Lord of Jincheon Gate, Wang In-hwa, who had been in seclusion to treat his injuries.
“For ten years, you have continuously encroached on our territory. And now you’ve attacked our main gate without a word.”
He glared at Guan Dok-gun with a resentful expression.
“Why have you done this?”
“The martial world has always been a place where the weak are devoured and the strong do the devouring. I simply wished to expand my sect’s influence.”
At Guan Dok-gun’s shameless reply, Wang In-hwa asked calmly,
“So, now that things have come to this, you wish to withdraw?”
“Not at all.”
Guan Dok-gun glanced around and bared his teeth.
“I propose we decide the outcome with a three-on-three duel.”
“A three-on-three duel?”
“That’s right. Each side will select three masters, and the side with the last one standing will be the victor.”
He glanced at Gwak Cheon, who was standing beside Wang In-hwa, and spoke again.
“Let’s have the leaders fight to decide the victor.”
It was a shameless proposal.
But neither Gwak Cheon nor the disciples of Jincheon Gate jeered.
In fact, they almost wanted to praise him for his astute grasp of the situation and for making such a proposal.
That was how severe the casualties were on both sides.
“Hmm.”
Wang In-hwa also let out a heavy sigh.
If the battle continued, their victory was certain.
The Human Sword Division was formidable, but the performance of the wanderers brought by Mun Gwang was overwhelming the Pae-do-mun.
However, if that happened, not even a third of the Jincheon Gate’s disciples would survive.
“Indeed. Your skill with the abacus is quite extraordinary.”
Even if they won the battle, if most of their disciples died, it would be closer to a defeat.
In the end, Wang In-hwa sighed and nodded.
“Very well. We will settle this with a three-on-three duel. The winner will have Shangyang.”
“A wise decision.”
Once the agreement was made, Wang In-hwa and the three division leaders put their heads together.
With the Gate Lord Wang In-hwa not yet fully recovered, Jincheon Gate’s greatest strength lay in its three divisions—Heaven, Earth, and Human—and their leaders.
However, the Heaven Sword Division Leader, Gwak Cheon, and the Earth Sword Division Leader, Ju Un-cheon, had sustained numerous injuries in the fierce battle.
The only one in good condition was the Human Sword Division Leader, Mun Gwang.
“Division Leader Mun, you’ll have to go first.”
At Wang In-hwa’s words, Mun Gwang clasped his hands together.
“I will win all three rounds.”
With a bold cry, Mun Gwang walked into the open space between the two sects and drew his sword.
“Come, whoever you are!”
From the Pae-do-mun’s ranks, a man wielding a bizarre, saw-toothed blade walked out.
It was the Vice Lord of Pae-do-mun, Gok Nam-cheon.
“…”
There was no need for the usual brief greetings or opening stances.
Mun Gwang and Gok Nam-cheon glared at each other, then immediately unleashed their killing techniques.
*Chaang!*
Sparks flew as sword and blade clashed in mid-air.
Mun Gwang’s swordsmanship was as imposing as Mount Tai, while Gok Nam-cheon’s blade techniques were as agile and cruel as a venomous snake.
In terms of martial arts, Gok Nam-cheon’s blade was superior, but Mun Gwang was more experienced in the martial world and skilled at improvisation.
*Clang! Clang! Clang!*
However, after about forty moves, the difference in skill became apparent.
“Die!”
Spotting a flaw in Mun Gwang’s swordsmanship, Gok Nam-cheon’s bizarre blade thrust toward his armpit.
The move was so exquisite that Mun Gwang had no way to evade it.
*‘I cannot lose, even if I die.’*
Instead of dodging the incoming blade, Mun Gwang advanced, thrusting his sword toward Gok Nam-cheon’s chest.
*Puk.*
With a sickening sound, Gok Nam-cheon’s blade pierced Mun Gwang’s lung, while Mun Gwang’s sword sank deep into Gok Nam-cheon’s shoulder, into the Jianjing acupoint.
*Psh!*
As the weapons were pulled from their bodies, both men staggered back as if on cue, blood spraying from their wounds.
“I’ve lost.”
Mun Gwang tossed his sword aside, a satisfied smile on his face.
He couldn’t claim victory, but Gok Nam-cheon, with the Jianjing acupoint on his shoulder deeply pierced, would be unable to fight in the next round either.
“My apologies, Gate Lord.”
As the returning Mun Gwang staggered, Wang In-hwa quickly supported him.
“You’ve done well. Someone! Quickly take Division Leader Mun to the infirmary…”
“I’m fine.”
Mun Gwang pressed the acupoints near his chest and leaned against a nearby tree.
“If I’m to be treated, I’ll be treated here.”
“Hmm.”
Seeing the determination in Mun Gwang’s eyes, Wang In-hwa had no choice but to nod.
“Very well. Leave the rest to me.”
Then, Wang In-hwa stepped forward.
He had been refraining from using his martial arts due to his severe internal injuries, which had not yet healed.
But with the fate of Jincheon Gate on the line, he stepped forward, ready to risk death.
“Hahaha. The Gate Lord himself is stepping up already?”
Seeing Wang In-hwa step forward, Guan Dok-gun grinned maliciously.
“I wonder if those internal injuries have healed.”
Despite the taunt, Wang In-hwa nodded with a stoic expression.
“Why don’t you find out for yourself?”
According to the etiquette of the martial world, since the opposing leader had stepped forward, Guan Dok-gun should be the one to fight him.
But Guan Dok-gun just smiled slyly and shook his head.
“I don’t think it’s my turn yet. Division Leader Do!”
He intended to insult Wang In-hwa by sending out one of his subordinates.
“Wait.”
But suddenly, the masked man stopped him and pointed to the subordinate standing at his side.
“Myeong-in. You go.”
“Understood.”
Guan Dok-gun looked puzzled.
Until now, the subordinate named Myeong-in had not said a word, nor had he participated in the battle, merely standing beside the masked man.
But now he was being sent into this crucial fight?
“But he…”
“Your subordinate cannot defeat the Lord of Jincheon Gate.”
At the masked man’s words, Guan Dok-gun looked confused.
“Wang In-hwa has been suffering from internal injuries for a long time. No matter how skilled he is…”
“Wang In-hwa’s injuries were sustained while training in advanced external martial arts.”
“Advanced… external arts?”
Guan Dok-gun was skeptical, but so far, the masked man had not been wrong about anything.
Moreover, he was a master who moved through Pae-do-mun as if it were his own home, so he must have a plan.
“I understand.”
As Guan Dok-gun nodded, Myeong-in slowly stepped forward.
He looked barely out of his teens, but his eyes burned with a fiery energy.
Realizing that the man before him was a formidable opponent not to be underestimated, Wang In-hwa extended his hand with a cautious expression.
“Come.”
Myeong-in threw a punch without a word.
The blow was so fast that Wang In-hwa instinctively twisted his body to the side.
As the powerful fist grazed his shoulder, Wang In-hwa tried to draw his sword for a counterattack.
But Myeong-in’s follow-up fist was faster.
“Hmph.”
Left with no choice, Wang In-hwa was forced back on the defensive.
*Papapak. Fwish.*
The situation continued, with Wang In-hwa trying to draw his sword and Myeong-in unleashing a continuous barrage of punches.
*‘This was my mistake.’*
Wang In-hwa bit his lip.
Myeong-in’s fist techniques were not only incredibly fast, but they also seemed to anticipate the path of his sword, preemptively occupying the space where he intended to strike.
As a result, even after forty moves, he was still on the defensive, unable to even mount a counterattack.
“Hmph.”
Wang In-hwa grew anxious.
At this rate, even after a hundred moves, he wouldn’t be able to seize the advantage; he would just have to keep dodging.
*‘What is there left to hide?’*
Wang In-hwa drew upon his internal energy with all his might.
The hair on his head stood on end as a powerful shockwave radiated outwards in all directions.