Chapter 13
Chapter 13
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: The Victor's Bold Request
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“Hahaha.”
The elder of Mount Heng North Sect, Go Kyung-ja, let out a laugh after his easy victory in this sparring match.
It was a very small laugh, but it was more than enough to irk those sitting nearby.
The one who first broke the suddenly tense atmosphere was Mu Yeong-ja, the elder of Mount Tai Sect.
“The future of Mount Heng North Sect looks promising.”
“I was fortunate to have luck on my side.”
Tae Kyung-ja's face hardened as he watched the two sword sects that had defeated Mount Hua Sect exchange congratulations.
As the only elder from a defeated sect—Mount Song Sect—he couldn't even lift his head.
'To beat Mount Hua Sect, everyone except our own sect has been grinding their teeth.'
He scolded himself, then soon relaxed his stiff expression. With a bitter smile, he offered congratulations to Go Kyung-ja.
“……Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
Go Kyung-ja replied with a smile.
But the eyes hidden beneath his curved ones held a sneer.
'Mount Song Sect has seen its day.'
Four years ago, due to the results of the Five Mountains Conference, Mount Heng North Sect had been treated as little more than the lowest among the Five Mountains Sword Sects.
But now, the positions had reversed.
“Mm……”
The sect leader's expression was also poor.
The faint, hollow smile that had lingered on his lips had vanished, and his complexion was growing darker by the moment.
'To think Jeokjae would lose.'
It was completely beyond expectations.
One win, two losses.
If they lost one more like this, it would be a catastrophe—the sword sect hosting the Five Mountains Conference for the first time in twenty-eight years would end in defeat.
'I was truly arrogant.'
His mouth tasted bitter.
The situation he had thought they would surely win had turned completely upside down.
The disciples of the other sword sects, whom he had assumed would be similar to before, had improved to an incomparable level.
As the sect leader's ever-smiling face grew darker, the elders of the victorious sword sects brightened in contrast.
'Tsk tsk, the end is near.'
'The rankings of the Five Mountains Sword Sects might change in the future.'
As the two lost themselves in thoughts of the bright future ahead.
Whirrl—
A boy in light blue daoist robes leaped onto the sparring platform with a flashy movement.
“Cloud Radiance Willow Step……!”
“H-How could a young kid……”
Everyone cried out in shock.
The Cloud Radiance Willow Step was one of the rare ultimate techniques mastered by few even in Mount Heng Sect.
“This is our second-generation disciple, Gangun.”
Jeokwoo-ja, the elder of Mount Heng Sect, spoke calmly as if he had been waiting for this moment.
As if he had planned everything.
'That sly fox!'
'He hid it all this time.'
'As expected of Mount Heng Sect.'
The three elders bit their lips.
They had wondered why he stayed so quiet just watching—it turns out he had been aiming for this.
Jeokwoo-ja smiled faintly, satisfied with their reactions.
“This is already the final spar.”
As he spoke, his eyes darkened completely.
The outcome of this match would drastically alter the fate of the Five Mountains Sword Sects.
Jeokwoo-ja's eyes gleamed.
'Not what they used to be.'
A young man in his twenties, clad in Mount Hua Sect's daoist robes, stepped onto the training ground.
“Senior brother!”
“You got this!”
“Fight hard!”
Cheers poured in from all directions.
Mount Hua Sect's second-generation disciple Jeokgeom, bolstered by the support, froze in tension.
'I have to win.'
He had thought his turn would come smoothly, but the situation was far from easy.
'I absolutely cannot lose.'
He swallowed the saliva pooling in his mouth.
p>Jeokgeom was the most promising late-generation disciple among the second-generation ones, receiving expectations not just from Mount Hua Sect but also from his family, the Northwest Merchant Guild.
'Hahaha! A daoist from Mount Hua Sect has emerged from our clan!'
He recalled his father, who admired martial artists but lacked talent and never learned martial arts.
When he became a Mount Hua Sect disciple, how overjoyed his father had been, throwing a feast.
And that was just the start.
Mount Hua Sect had supported him in every way possible.
He felt the weight on his shoulders.
'Everything rests on me.'
Tensed, Jeokgeom approached Gangun in the center and bowed politely.
“I am Jeokgeom of Mount Hua Sect.”
“I am Gangun of Mount Heng Sect.”
After a light exchange of greetings, they turned and created some distance.
Shring—
They drew their swords and faced each other.
Cheonhwi instantly predicted the outcome.
“He's going to lose.”
No, from the moment he saw Jeokgeom, the result of this spar was obvious.
Cheongo, puzzled by Cheonhwi's sudden words, followed up.
“……Who do you mean lost, junior brother?”
“Jeokgeom.”
Seeing Cheonhwi answer as if it were obvious, Cheongo furrowed his brow and asked quietly.
“Why do you think that?”
“Can't you tell just by looking?”
“By looking at what?”
“The sword. The sword.”
Cheongo's gaze quickly shifted as he watched Cheonhwi's annoyed tone.
Soon, upon seeing Jeokgeom, his eyes hardened.
Just as said, the sword was trembling.
Violently enough to notice clearly from here.
“To think he'd be that tense.”
“If the sword tip shakes that much, he's lost his composure from tension. Can he even perform his martial arts properly?”
Cheonhwi stared at Jeokgeom as he spoke.
His form was completely a mess.
How tense was he?
His fingers gripping the sword trembled.
Kwak—
His eyes weren't even focusing properly.
That meant his vision was blurred, so he'd definitely react slowly to the opponent's moves.
“When tense, things you could see vanish, and things you could do become impossible. Plus, with his muscles rigid, even a sword he usually swings effortlessly won't move exactly as intended, even by a tiny bit.”
Cheongo nodded at Cheonhwi's explanation, then casually added.
“Still, the tension should ease with time.”
Those secretly listening nearby nodded shallowly in agreement with Cheongo's rebuttal.
Cheonhwi looked at them pitifully.
'Sigh, they still think that after seeing this? If the Sword Nose Daoist, who once placed Mount Hua Sect above Wudang and Shaolin, heard this, he'd throw a fit.'
As said, Jeokgeom's tension would eventually ease someday.
But after this spar ended.
Thud!
The two, staring at each other on the platform, kicked off the ground simultaneously.
Their swords clashed in mid-air.
Kaang! Chaeng!
The air exploded.
“Hmm.”
Cheongo let out a groan watching it.
Jeokgeom's sword path bent in a strange direction, eventually drawing blood on his cheek.
Exactly as Cheonhwi said.
“Just as you said, junior brother.”
Cheonhwi gazed at Cheongo, whose brow was furrowed, and added.
“His mind like still water has shattered. Since the sword doesn't move as he wills, his composure breaks, and even the principles of sword arts he knew tangle up.”
Cheonhwi said flatly.
To properly execute sword arts, both mind and body needed stability.
But losing composure?
Collapse was inevitable.
Fwaaak!
Then Jeokgeom erupted his inner energy.
The trembling falling plum blossoms surged skyward with explosive momentum.
“Hah!”
At that moment, Jeokgeom swung his sword.
Unleashing the Falling Petals Sword Art, his form was destructively different from before.
Chaeng! Chaeng!
Cheongo, watching Jeokgeom press forward, patted his chest and smiled lightly.
“Looks like he's finally relaxing.”
“I don't think so.”
Cheonhwi firmly denied it.
Cheongo's face stiffened.
“What do you mean?”
“He's not watching his opponent at all.”
“Not watching……”
“He's not seeing what sword art the opponent is using or what footwork—no, he's just focusing on his own sword art like he's training alone.”
Cheongo's gaze turned to the platform.
Just as said, Jeokgeom kept unleashing Falling Petals Sword Art regardless of what Gangun did.
“He's still pushing him back.”
“Does that really look like pushing to you?”
“……”
Cheongo shut his mouth.
Truthfully, he had felt something off too.
Jeokgeom kept pressing with Falling Petals Sword Art, but Gangun retreating was leisurely.
Cheonhwi continued immediately.
“You have to know who your opponent is and what martial art they're using. Only then can you spot when they show an opening and how they'll react to your attacks to exploit weaknesses.”
He recited the proper stance for combat.
Know the enemy and know yourself, and you will never be defeated in a hundred battles.
But Gangun, the opponent now, was embodying that stance.
'The opponent is scrutinizing seriously like that, but this kid Jeokgeom is just swinging wildly on his own.'
A sigh escaped naturally.
Jeokgeom's skill clearly seemed superior.
But what good was that?
Too rigid, he couldn't even show half—no, seventy percent of his ability.
His judgment was clouded, leading to consecutive mistakes he'd never make normally.
'Lack of experience.'
Cheonhwi, thinking that, added.
“From now on, he'll be on the defensive.”
No sooner had he said it than Cheongo and those secretly listening turned their eyes to the platform.
“Hah!”
Jeokgeom, drawing up all his inner energy, pressed relentlessly without giving a moment's respite.
From the first form Falling Flowers Flowing Water to Falling Petals Qi Style and more.
Jeokgeom kept unleashing various forms of Falling Petals Sword Art, pressuring Gangun.
Clack.
Soon, Gangun was cornered to the edge of the platform, and Jeokgeom raised his sword high.
Fwaaak!
Erupting his inner energy, he poured it into the sword and slashed down swiftly.
The form his master had strictly warned never to use unless his life was at stake: Falling Petals River Sky.
At that moment.
Flash!
Gangun's eyes gleamed sharply.
Gripping his sword anew, he dove into Jeokgeom's embrace, exposing his abdomen and shoulders mid-form.
Kaang!
The improperly swung Falling Petals River Sky was blocked midway and deflected aside.
Then, a sharp aura emanated from Gangun's sword, which had been focused on defense.
Swaaaek!
It swung like a flash of light.
The momentum shifted in an instant.
“……”
Those who had been eavesdropping intently widened their eyes at the situation unfolding exactly as Cheonhwi predicted.
Then Cheonhwi clicked his tongue.
“Tch, he lost.”
The moment his words ended.
Kaang!
The sword flew into the sky.
As soon as it hit the ground, Mount Heng Sect's disciples erupted in cheers.
“Waaaaah!”
In contrast, Mount Hua Sect's disciples stared blankly, unable to grasp the situation. Moments later, as realization dawned one by one, they let out sighs.
“Ah.”
“Senior brother……”
Dropping one's sword was more shameful than death to a swordsman.
In shock, Jeokgeom's eyes trembled.
'M-My sword……'
Then Gangun, who had looked awkward, approached with hands clasped in a bow.
“That was a good spar.”
Kwak!
Jeokgeom clenched his fists tight.
Gangun was no pushover, but if he had properly executed his learned martial arts, he could have won.
'You idiot! Lose this pathetically because of tension, unable to even use your martial arts properly? You fool!'
He was angry at himself.
More than anything, for succumbing to pressure and failing to perform.
Biting his lip, he unclenched his fists.
Drip drip—
How hard had he gripped? Blood flowed from his palm where nails had dug in.
Jeokgeom slowly bowed with his bloodied hands.
“……I learned a lesson.”
Mount Hua Sect's disciples swallowed hard.
Up until arriving at Peach Grove Plain.
No, up until the first spar.
They had thought the Five Mountains Conference was a festival of inevitable victory.
But now?
Consecutive shocking defeats.
Those facing the results fell silent one by one, until their gathering place was enveloped in heavy silence.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The Five Mountains Conference came to an end.
It was a thoroughly unfavorable result for Mount Hua Sect, but it couldn't be changed.
Moments later, Sect Leader Hyeonsang slowly walked onto the sparring platform.
'Our sect's reputation will suffer.'
His heart ached from Mount Hua Sect's defeat, but he had no choice but to step forward to conclude the conference.
“All the victors, come up.”
As if waiting for his words, four boys ascended immediately.
The sect leader's lips twisted bitterly at the sight—everyone except Jeokun was from another sword sect.
“Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
The four bowed deeply in unison.
Gazing at the four showing proper etiquette, the sect leader looked back, and a middle-aged daoist climbed up holding a bundle of swords.
The swords he brought were gifts commissioned for the victors of this conference: made of rare Hundredfold Refined Steel.
Not quite legendary blades, but swords any swordsman dreamed of.
And there were four of them.
The middle-aged daoist handed the four swords to the sect leader reverently.
“Thank you.”
The sect leader received them from the daoist and approached the lined-up victors.
Scanning their faces, he first went to Jeokun of Mount Hua Sect, who had won first.
“It was a fine Heavenly Flow Sword Art. But when swinging the sword, your grip loosens. Refine that and build your inner energy, and you'll unleash even finer sword arts.”
“……Thank you.”
Jeokun choked up at the sect leader's advice.
“Haha, why the long face on such a joyous day?”
The sect leader spoke softly, then gave each one advice along with a sword, and they rejoiced upon receiving them.
Finally, approaching Gangun, the sect leader handed over the sword and murmured lowly.
“Your footwork and sword art were remarkably light and swift. But at the end, if you'd infused a bit more inner energy into the sword form or taken one more step, it would have been far superior.”
“Thank you for the advice.”
Gangun bowed, receiving the sword.
As the sect leader turned to leave.
“Might this lowly one say a word to the Immortal?”
The sect leader paused his turn.
Looking at Gangun, he asked.
“What is it?”
“This one has long admired Mount Hua Sect's Plum Blossom Sword Guards.”
The sect leader's eyebrow twitched.
Mount Heng Sect admiring the Plum Blossom Sword Guards?
There was a flaw in his words.
“If it's alright, grant this one the chance to witness the Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword Art as performed by the Plum Blossom Sword Guards.”
“……!”
Mount Hua Sect's seniors' faces hardened.
There were currently no Plum Blossom Sword Guards in Mount Hua Sect.
And everyone gathered here knew that.
So what did such words mean?
Looking down on Mount Hua Sect!
The sect leader stared straight at Gangun.
“You mean the Plum Blossom Sword Art?”
“Yes.”
Gangun withstood the silent pressure.
As their gazes intertwined.
'That back……'
Beyond Gangun's shoulder, a small back exiting Peach Grove Plain came into view.
The sect leader soon smiled softly.
“Very well.”
This time, Gangun was taken aback.
Seeing it, the sect leader half-closed his eyes and added.
“But regrettably, the Plum Blossom Sword Guards are away on business and not at the sect.”
“Then……”
“Instead, would a first-generation disciple who perfectly performs the Plum Blossom Sword Art suffice?”
The sect leader cut him off firmly.
Gangun's face subtly stiffened.
“Among the first-generation disciples?”
“Hahaha, no need to worry. The one I speak of is of the same age group as you.”
Mount Hua Sect's disciples buzzed.
“Someone who isn't a Plum Blossom Sword Guard but perfectly performs the Plum Blossom Sword Art?”
“Here?”
“Who could it be?”
Then.
Swipe—
The sect leader slowly turned his head.
All eyes followed his gaze.
At that moment, the sect leader spoke.
“Isn't that right? Cheonhwi.”
The young daoist about to leave Peach Grove Plain halted and turned back.
The still-boyish-faced daoist frowned at the gazes upon him, then pointed at himself with a finger.
“……Me?”