Sparring Revival at Yeonhwa Sect
People who practice martial arts are basically lazy. It's a product of evolution. The diligent and hardworking ones all starved to death or got mauled by wild beasts back in primitive times. The survivors were mostly the lazy slobs scratching their bellies in caves—that's humanity for you.
Why bring this up? Because Namgoong Juhee was inwardly blaming her laziness on her ancestors. Transcending eras with her filial impiety. If the Namgoong family head saw it, he'd say his one and only daughter had gone completely feral.
Juhee had her excuses, though. Lately, just sitting around, Yi Hayeon handled everything for her—meals, travel, even sleep. Lie down, and Hayeon would wipe her face crisp with a towel and tuck her in. Who wouldn't get lazy like that?
But her thinking changed right there in the inn.
"Young master, you've been training hard lately, huh?"
"Mm… I've made some small progress."
"Not small at all. I can totally feel the difference in your energy."
"Haha, it's showing, is it? Namgung Sojeo seems stronger too."
"Eh, I've just been slacking and eating lately."
Juhee, being at the Peak realm herself, could gauge the opponent's strength. Hwangbo Un looked worlds apart from a month ago. His already impressive muscles had sharpened even more, and his energy flowed pure and steady. Even Juhee, second to none in confidence, couldn't predict the winner.
Definitely training… or some system buff kicked in. Named NPCs leveling up is par for the course.
For the first time in ages, passion ignited in Juhee's heart. Her last real training was when she mastered Cheok Jeuk Gyeol—twenty days ago. Her drive was at dropout-from-murim levels.
"Hee-ya, forget that—try this sweet-and-sour pork. It's so good…"
"Hey, enough. Enough. What am I, a kid? My arm's all healed now, quit fussing."
"……Hee-ya?"
"Yeon-ah, you eat too. Food's getting cold."
Juhee resolved to at least feed herself first. Pitiful even for a commoner, let alone a murim warrior—but resolve was resolve.
She busily shoveled food into her mouth with her own hands.
"Hee-ya… how could you…"
But Hayeon, oblivious to the context, just found Juhee infuriating. No—blame went to Hwangbo Un.
Juhee's subtle changes started after meeting him. Even Hee-ya must be drawn to a handsome guy from a great clan like him. Hayeon jumped to conclusions. If Juhee heard, she'd be scratching her arms raw from goosebumps.
"How? This is normal."
"……."
"She's off in her own world again. Anyway, back to what we were saying. What'd you do to get so strong? Spirit pill?"
"No. Just steady training."
"Where?"
"Yeonhwa Sect. Staying as a guest, with my clan's support."
"Yeonhwa Sect… Mind if I crash there too? No good spot to train at the inn."
"Should be fine. With Namgung Sojeo at Peak, their disciples have much to learn."
Juhee instantly mapped out a training plan. Scout Un's sessions, test his gains. If weaker than her, slack off again. If not, audit her own techniques one by one, readjust for her current state. She'd slacked, but her inner energy had surged since twenty days ago—thanks to Hayeon's pills.
"Okay, finish eating and head to Yeonhwa Sect. Yeon-ah, cool with you?"
"……Pardon?"
"Sigh, not listening again. Young master's at Yeonhwa Sect, so we're going too. Thanks. Eat up."
"……No."
Hayeon mumbled. Then her eyes sharpened venomously.
"No. I said no! Rest easy at the inn, okay?"
Juhee's eyes narrowed. What's with her? Tired from the trip? Acting like a brat. But she had the perfect counter.
"Fine? Stay here then. I'm going to Yeonhwa Sect."
Bratty behavior got bratty treatment. Hayeon pouted and nodded reluctantly. Hard to believe she was Eonha Merchant Group's sub-branch head.
Juhee's training plan shattered from the start. No real problem, though.
Hwangbo Un just suggested sparring together while training, since he was at it anyway.
No reason for Juhee to refuse. She was curious about his skills, and sparring beat swinging at air.
Thus Hayeon stood by with a sulky face. She didn't need martial growth anymore, aiming for merchant leadership—but leaving Juhee alone with Un? No. Crushing him in the duel might make Juhee see her anew. Very villainess of her.
And so, an impromptu bimu event erupted at Yeonhwa Sect. The training ground buzzed with crowds.
The participants weren't lightweights.
Hwangbo Un, young master of House Hwangbo, top fist master among the later generation.
Yi Hayeon, Eonha's sub-head, wielder of the sharpest ice sword among Peakers.
And just… Namgoong Juhee.
The list deflated at the end. Whispers rippled: "Who's Namgoong Juhee?" "No idea? You?" "If she's weak, shouldn't she bow out?"
"……Sorry. Didn't expect this fuss."
"Hee-ya, ignore those idiots. Okay? I've got you."
"Huh? What?"
"Well, I mean…"
"Can't you hear them?"
"Oh, that? Whatever."
Juhee couldn't care less. Her family training was worse—or at least as bad.
"I'll start? Who wants first?"
"I'll take you on." "Spar with me."
They spoke simultaneously, eyed each other, nodded in silent agreement, then:
"I'll take you on." "With me, Hee-ya."
Juhee realized: They're polar opposites. Left alone, they'd fistfight over who goes first.
She casually flicked her sword toward Un.
"Hwangbo Un, you first. Yeon-ah, later."
"Mm. Fine." "……Tch."
Their fortunes split. Hayeon didn't whine like before—too many eyes. Didn't want to embarrass Juhee.
"Young master, grown much since last time?"
"Think of me then, and you'll get hurt bad."
"Perfect. Just what I wanted. Here I—go!"
Juhee stomped at "go!" The watching disciples panicked at the abrupt start.
Wasn't bimu about showing forms and discussing? Constructive exchange?
To Juhee, bimu was life-or-death. After going rogue, how many brothers swung killing blows? Ambush was routine.
"Hmph! Come at me!"
Un wasn't fazed. Juhee's temperament was never normal—bimu wouldn't be either. He'd prepared mentally.
"Here comes Luk Hap Sword!"
Pink sword qi swirled around Juhee's blade. Luk Hap meant Juhee's opener. Her proudest fast sword.
"Left! Right! Left! Left! Right! Right! Left! Right! Right! Left-left-left! Right!"
Juhee rambled nonsense while swinging. Why? Her calls had zero relation to her strikes. Pure distraction.
Usually, onlookers would chime in: too sneaky, hurl trash talk.
Clang! Clang! Cliiing!
But Juhee's swordplay was too dazzling. Huashan's style prized flashiness. Even basic Luk Hap Sword looked divine to third-raters. From a Peak expert like Juhee? And her looks—best in the Central Plains, no, the world. Disciples just gawked, mouths agape.
"Whew… you're pretty good?"
One person immune to the spectacle.
"Mm… if that's all, I'm a bit disappointed."
Un brushed his hands clean, unscratched.
And then:
"My turn now. Block well, if you can."
Juhee unwittingly broke a cold sweat.