Chapter 228
Chapter 228
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 228
Chapter Title: Taiji Yin-Yang Physique (31)
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“This is… surprising. My expectations were off the mark.”
“Hmph. You think the whole world spins the way you want it to?”
Clang!
Clang!
“Indeed… the world is vast, and there’s much to learn. My knowledge has grown.”
“Hey, if you just accept it like that so quickly, what am I supposed to be here…?”
Tat-tat-tat!
Clang!
Clang, clang!
“Enough. Let’s focus. This is a spar with plenty for a martial artist to learn from.”
“Y-Yeah…”
Jegal Yeonhwa and Dang Soyeon were taken aback by the far more intense spar than they’d imagined. They had naturally assumed Namgung Jin would dominate with overwhelming force and claim victory.
But reality proved otherwise. The skill of the man named Baek far exceeded their expectations. At first, it looked like he was being helplessly overwhelmed, but soon he began blocking every attack. Now, he was even landing faint counterstrikes.
Namgung Jin still didn’t seem likely to lose… but the spar showed no signs of wrapping up anytime soon either. The man named Baek possessed remarkable hidden depths.
“He’s strong. That one.”
“Yeah… N-No. Hey. Hands off the sword. What do you think you’re doing?”
“Ah, sorry. I did it without thinking.”
And that was why? Namgung Bin, who had been watching the spar with a blank expression, now wore a different look. At the start, she’d seemed utterly lifeless, but now her face lit up with a dazzling smile—like a kid who’d just unwrapped a shiny new toy.
All while fiddling with her own sword in one hand.
“Hehe, don’t worry. He’s strong, sure, but that doesn’t mean my brother’s going to lose. Look at his face—he’s smiling.”
“…Worry? Me?”
“Hey. I told you not to call him ‘that guy.’ You trying to get poisoned? And you really don’t know a thing about him, do you? Worry? Please. Does this look like worry to you?”
“Ah, it doesn’t? My apologies. Ahem…”
Dang Soyeon was right. Worry? Namgung Bin had never once worried about Namgung Jin in her entire life. Her brother was flawless in every conceivable way—what could there possibly be to fret over? Worry was a word that had no place where Namgung Jin was concerned.
Instead, Namgung Bin brimmed with anticipation. A martial artist who grew stronger mid-spar—could he rise to that level against her? She wanted to clash blades with the man right then and there.
Scraaaape!
Clang!
‘This guy… he’s not all talk after all. He’s getting the hang of my sword. Hah, now he’s counterattacking? As expected of the man the Moonlight Sword acknowledged.’
For the same reason, Namgung Jin felt a twinge of unease. He’d planned to dispatch the fool swiftly and end the spar, but the resistance dragged on far more stubbornly than anticipated. Baek was no pushover. It felt like wading into quicksand. For the first time, he’d met a true equal.
In the end, Namgung Jin had no choice but to acknowledge it.
Still weaker than him, but with enough worth to merit respect. With that judgment, Namgung Jin brought his sword down in a powerful arc before stepping back. For the first time in this bout, he unleashed the opening form of the Sovereign Sword Style.
Acknowledgment aside, he still had to win the spar.
Especially with his little sister watching.
Shwaaaaa!
A brilliant golden sword aura erupted from Namgung Jin’s blade, surging toward Baek.
Shwaaaaa!
But that aura never reached its mark.
Baek countered the Sovereign Sword Style with an unfamiliar blue sword aura of his own. The two forces collided with a thunderous boom, sending shockwaves radiating outward. The training ground shattered as if a thunderbolt had detonated right in its midst.
The aftermath of a clash between just two warriors.
“Phew… are the two of you alright?”
“Perfectly… huff… fine, Father-in-Law… huff.”
“Hahaha. We’re good, Elder.”
Namgung Jin feigned composure, but Namgung Bin could tell. He was rattled. Seeing that, she turned her gaze to Baek. A blue sword aura rivaling the Sovereign Sword Style—she hadn’t expected that from him. Her interest deepened.
‘I want… I want to fight that man too!’
One simple clash wouldn’t cut it. The man clearly hid more secrets beyond that blue aura. She yearned to uncover them all. It was a thrill she hadn’t felt in ages. Namgung Bin grinned ear to ear, her fingers twitching around her sword hilt.
“Does that mean you’re both up for more right here?”
“Of course. Whew… still got plenty left in the tank.”
“Same here.”
Meanwhile, Jegal Yeonhwa and Dang Soyeon looked grave. They’d never dreamed of an outcome like this. The pair whispered among themselves, stealing glances at Namgung Jin, then at Baek. They muttered more, then shot dirty looks at the beaming Wi sisters.
“Hmm, I understand how you two feel… but look at the state of this place. You want to keep going? Planning to bring down the entire Wi Clan Manor?”
“N-No, of course not…”
“Then what do you say?”
“How about we call it a draw for today and schedule a rematch? I’ll set up a proper venue where you can cut loose to your hearts’ content.”
“Whew, no helping it. We’ll go along with that, Father-in-Law.”
“Hahaha. Understood. Our thanks for your consideration, Elder.”
And so, the spar between Baek and Namgung Jin ended in a draw. The Wi Clan folk, however, seemed convinced Baek had come out on top—everyone wore bright smiles.
Honestly, I figured it’d be a real slog. I even debated whether to load a save. But man, the synergy between Observation and Celestial Martial Physique was nuts. Just crossing blades let me pick up my opponent’s swordsmanship—like some murim novel protagonist.
Thanks to that, it was rough at the start, but by the end, I was holding my own evenly.
One downside, though: I ended up using another skill. That final attack looked impossible to block, so I instinctively unleashed ‘Blue Flash.’
Still… it was swordplay, right? The true heroine probably didn’t mind.
…Or so I was thinking as I headed back to the two sisters. Suddenly, the sub-heroines popped up and beat me to it, rushing straight to my girls.
“Euna! Long time no see! You didn’t forget this face, right?”
“Soyeon! I missed you!”
“But seriously, girl—how’d you get even prettier? What’s your secret?!”
Oh yeah, they mentioned they were friends. Seeing Euna’s beaming face warmed my heart. So that’s the kind of expression she makes around friends. It was a refreshingly new side of her.
“Greetings. I’m Jegal Yeonhwa of the Jegal Clan. I’ve come to speak with Young Miss Wi.”
“Oh? Is that so?”
“Might we have a quick word alone?”
But those two aren’t friends, are they? Hye-mae handled Jegal Yeonhwa with obvious awkwardness. What could she possibly have to say? Curiosity got the better of me, so I stared hard at them. Jegal Yeonhwa noticed and promptly dragged Hye-mae off somewhere far away.
“……”
What the…? I’d been pumped for some praise, and now I’m all alone. It was so ridiculous I let out a sigh. Then the bro-con showed up, dragging his little sister straight to me.
“Hahaha. Let’s chat too.”
This jerk… acting all buddy-buddy now? I laid on my poker face and glared at the shamelessly grinning bro-con in silence. Meanwhile, the true heroine gazed at my expression with innocent cheer.