Chapter 38
Chapter 38
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: Ambush (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
In large-scale battles, nothing was as useful as poison.
"Rumors say the Tang Clan's Young Clan Head is unparalleled when it comes to poison... If something happens, he might be of help?"
Harboring such expectations, he watched Dang Yu-wol train.
His hand techniques were better than expected.
'Not bad.'
The Jeomchang Sect was a sword sect, but that didn't mean they lacked hand techniques.
Moreover, having recently reached the Superlative Realm himself, he could properly gauge Dang Yu-wol's skills.
'His body isn't fully refined yet... but his pure understanding of martial arts is perfect.'
Gu Hwan-gae's words came to mind.
'He said the young brother had been hiding his skills for a long time... Did he comprehend martial arts through thought alone, without actual training?'
If so, there was no greater genius.
Admiring this, he spoke up as Dang Yu-wol paused his forms.
"Aside from poison arts, have you only trained hand techniques?"
"I can use the Tang Clan's dagger arts as well... but honing the hands is key to their foundation."
"I see... If you're willing, how about a spar? I'd like you to give some pointers to my disciples."
"I'd be happy to."
"Yi-kyeong! Yi-yul!! Come here!!"
At Hwan-gyu's shout, the two children rushed over.
They had clearly trained properly—their movements were no joke.
"How about sparring with the young brother?"
"Ah! Can we really?!"
"I'll go first!!"
Word that two martial artists were sparring drew people flocking to the deck.
It was prime entertainment.
Not a bloody deathmatch, just a simple spar—no danger there.
"Don't overdo it. If you use sword qi and punch a hole in the ship..."
"It won't come to that."
"Then it's fine."
Even the captain came out laughing to watch, so there was no issue.
"Disciple of the Sacheon Tang Clan, Dang Yu-wol. Using Three Yang Divine Hands and Soul-Chasing Phantom Method."
"Disciple of the Jeomchang Sect, Yi-kyeong! Using Four-Day Sword and Heavenly Dragon Illusory Steps!"
They exchanged light fist salutes and assumed stances.
For a spar, they couldn't use live blades.
Yi-kyeong, with his sword sheathed and tied, slowly extended it, eyeing Dang Yu-wol intently.
'Whoa... Not a single opening.'
Tensing at the odd stance—right hand forward, left on his waist—he swallowed hard and shouted.
"Hah!! First form!! Day's First Light!"
A strike as swift as the sun's initial gleam targeted Dang Yu-wol's hand.
It embodied the essence of speed.
Facing the straight thrust, he slowly moved his right hand.
"Three Yang Divine Hands, first form. Heaven's Myriad Transformations."
His hand's bizarre motion created the illusion of dozens of hands.
As the straight sword clashed with the multitude of hands, the onlookers gasped in admiration.
"Amazing hand techniques!!"
"Deflecting a sword barehanded!!"
In an instant, he flicked the blade off course and stepped forward.
"Second form! Coiled Horse Bent Bow!"
The deflected sword arced down in a slash.
Dang Yu-wol easily sidestepped two paces and thrust his hidden left hand.
"Three Yang Divine Hands, third form. Ten Thousand Palms Bloom."
Evading the downward slash, he countered with an even fiercer strike.
"Ugh?!"
The sword lost balance and struck the deck.
Yi-kyeong winced unconsciously from the impact.
"Three Yang Divine Hands, fifth form. Phantom Ghost Flicker."
The left hand that had smashed the sword moved again.
Yi-kyeong, pulling back to defend, was startled.
A powerful strike was incoming toward his face.
"Whoa?!"
As he swung to block in panic, the hand aiming for his face vanished like a phantom.
"Wh-what?!"
Yi-kyeong was stunned.
In that moment, Dang Yu-wol's right hand struck his wrist, disarming him.
"...Huh?! H-how did you do that?!"
"Phantom Ghost Flicker steals the opponent's focus."
"Ah..."
Ten Thousand Palms Bloom drew focus to the left with a powerful attack.
Then guided that focus there, while the real strike came from the right.
-He still lacks experience.
'He's just a kid.'
It was a simple trick, in a way.
But falling for it was mortifying.
"Master..."
Yi-kyeong slunk back dejectedly, and Hwan-gyu smiled.
Frankly, even he wasn't sure he could block that last sequence.
'Impressive. To wield killing intent so precisely.'
This wasn't something training alone could achieve—it was pure talent.
"You did well. The Tang young brother seems rich in real combat experience."
"Not quite. It's more that he's resolved himself."
"Resolved?"
"The resolve to kill."
"Haha, true enough. Yi-kyeong, Yi-yul. You two can't beat the young brother yet."
"Why?!"
"Just as I said. You haven't experienced real combat."
Whether one could take that next step.
Its importance in the martial world would soon become clear.
He patted his disciples' heads.
"Yi-yul. Want to give it a try?"
"Yeah... Yes!! I'll show you I'm better than big brother!!"
Grinning brightly, Yi-yul challenged Dang Yu-wol.
And just like that, she lasted only a few forms before losing.
"Hng..."
Despite their defeat, Hwan-gyu was satisfied.
'Once they step into the martial world, real combat will come soon enough...'
Experiencing fear and killing intent like this beforehand would minimize injuries in actual fights.
'Then I can't miss this chance.'
"Young brother. If you're willing, could you do this again tomorrow?"
"It's what I was going to ask of you."
"Great..."
That was when.
A sailor rushed up, shouting for the captain.
"Captain! Big trouble!! Pirate ships ahead!!"
It was as he said.
A black-sailed vessel was rapidly closing in from afar.
"Real combat experience is coming sooner than expected."
"The Yangtze Waterway Gang?"
"Doesn't look like it."
Gu Hwan-gae spoke flatly from the side, and Dang Yu-wol pulled a poison pouch from his bosom.
"Then they're my guests."
By blocking the Black Alliance and cleaning up Sacheon, he'd made enemies of the unorthodox factions.
So it wasn't strange for them to come at him.
'If it were the Blood Cult, that'd be even better.'
-Attacking right after leaving Ami Sect territory... They might have been tailing you from the start.
'Seems like it. Fast attack ship for piracy... No ram, so that's a relief?'
-What gives them such confidence?
'Exactly. Charging with True Person Hwan-gyu and Elder Gu Hwan-gae here... They must have something to rely on.'
Dang Yu-wol stared intently at the approaching enemy ship.
A man with a sword stood at the prow of the black ship.
-Black uniform, eyepatch over the left eye.
'Golden dragon emblem on the scabbard at his left waist.'
That alone identified him.
-Poison Eye Dragon, Mun Yeong-gil.
One of the unorthodox masters, a hired sword who did anything for pay.
He'd joined the Blood Cult the moment they rose.
-No value in sparing him. He's committed all sorts of atrocities.
'At his level, his martial arts should be late Peak Realm.'
Dang Yu-wol nodded, and Ye-ui continued calmly.
-Plus, Poison Eye Dragon uses Ghost Shadow Execution Blade.
'I know. Works even on unsteady footing, full of feints.'
-Victory's uncertain, then.
Hwan-gyu, freshly entered Superlative.
Poison Eye Dragon, at Peak's end.
On a rocking ship? Hard to predict the winner.
-Time to prepare.
As Dang Yu-wol quietly readied his poison per Ye-ui's words, Hwan-gyu beside him asked.
"Young brother. What's that about? Your guests?"
"By blocking the Black Alliance's advance, the unorthodox trying to enter Sacheon lost their power."
"I see."
"This one might be among them."
"Heh, must be tough for you, young brother. That man at the prow looks like Poison Eye Dragon... Mind if I lend a hand?"
"You sure?"
"You sparred with my disciples. This is the least I can do."
Hwan-gyu slowly drew his sword.
The crew armed themselves as the enemy approached.
Those who couldn't fight hurried below deck.
"Thank you for the help! We'll reward you upon landing!"
As the captain slung a massive saber over his shoulder, the black speedboat slowed.
"Hahaha!! Didn't know this was our advance squad's turf?!"
"Hilarious. Since when did Poison Eye Dragon set up shop?"
"Name's worth something now—gotta cash in. Basic merchant sense, no?!"
Grinning with yellowed teeth, Poison Eye Dragon cackled.
"Just like you righteous fools setting up escort agencies!!"
"Annoyingly spot-on."
Gu Hwan-gae grimaced.
To think even trash like that had martial talent—heaven was truly indifferent.
"So? How much for passage?"
The captain asked, and Poison Eye Dragon pointed his longsword.
Its tip aimed squarely at Dang Yu-wol.
-Targeting you, as expected.
"Hand over that guy. You'll pass safely."
"Can't do that. This guest paid for passage."
"Heh. And?"
"Guaranteeing his safety to destination is my duty. Lads!!"
The crew raised their weapons.
Seeing this, Poison Eye Dragon burst into laughter.
"Rejecting wine for punishment, eh!!!"
Dang Yu-wol couldn't help but chuckle.
-What's so funny?
'Guys who say that always end up dead. History and tradition.'
-A fine history and tradition indeed.