Special Skills Supremacy (3)
I threw myself into training while awaiting the Special Skills Supremacy match against Pae Cheon Academy, and time flew by until the day finally arrived. Since we at Cheonmu Academy were hosting this exchange event, we quietly waited for our guests from Pae Cheon Academy.
It was early morning as the sun rose.
"They're here at last!"
With someone's shout, figures appeared at the entrance to Cheonmu Academy, lined up in perfect formation, brimming with fighting spirit. They made a striking impression, striding in confidently while waving the red banners symbolizing Pae Cheon Academy.
Those are them...
My heart raced as I scanned the faces from Pae Cheon Academy. In this Seven Falls, Eight Rises: The Invincible Fist King world, where the great righteous-evil war would erupt later, it was crucial to keep an eye on the unorthodox warriors.
The first one who caught my eye was, without a doubt...
"Heaven Evil Fighting Fist Yeom Cheon Gyeong!"
"The young sect leader of Heaven Fighting Sect!"
It was Heaven Evil Fighting Fist Yeom Cheon Gyeong, the right-hand man of the future top unorthodox expert and a born brawler. In the current era, he was hailed as the greatest among the younger generation of the unorthodox factions, but sadly, he'd forever be tagged as second-in-command once that top dog appeared.
Still, no one to take lightly.
He was a mad talent who would reach the Entry to Divinity realm, boasting innate sturdy bones. Shorter than Peng Jincheon but incredibly imposing, his bold features evoked Zhang Fei from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
I grinned. His audacity was legendary, piercing the heavens, and even here in the heart of enemy territory—Cheonmu Academy—he didn't hide his signature wild smile. The epitome of an unorthodox warrior.
"Next up, an assassin from Extreme Killing Sect!"
"Extreme Killing Sect's first-class killer, Killing Spirit Tak Gong."
"Sending that terrifying assassin means Pae Cheon Academy is dead serious."
The next standout was Killing Spirit Tak Gong, an assassin from Extreme Killing Sect. I didn't know the details on Tak Gong, but those from Extreme Killing Sect were infamous for their stealthy, brutal assassinations, their notoriety at its peak.
"What the hell? They raise assassins at an academy?"
One upper-class student from Cheonmu Academy voiced a fundamental doubt. He didn't know it, but Pae Cheon Academy in the unorthodox world welcomed any talented young talent with open arms, be they assassins or butchers. In the unorthodox martial world, where skill meant survival, status and background didn't matter. In some ways, it was fairer and cleaner than the righteous factions.
"Ice Evil Lady Im Cho Ah!"
"Ooh, the one with heavenly beauty hiding a bone-chilling heart!"
"A highly promising female expert from Nine Yin Society."
If I had to pick the top three from Pae Cheon Academy, it was these: all renowned figures. Especially Ice Evil Lady Im Cho Ah from Nine Yin Society, a sect uniquely gathering unorthodox female experts. Its distinct flavor overlapped with the righteous Moon Women Sect, making them natural rivals.
Was that why? My gaze lingered on her.
She's as beautiful as the rumors say, but like a flower laced with poison.
I stretched slowly, thinking that. Seeing Pae Cheon Academy's lineup, it was clear the unorthodox side was all in. Leading with the top young talent Yeom Cheon Gyeong, bringing Extreme Killing Sect's elite assassin and the future top unorthodox beauty Im Cho Ah.
"Today might bring more ill than good fortune."
Even the ever-positive Dan Ri-cheong, who rarely spoke weakly, said as much. Cheonmu Academy's director, Flame Flower Divine Army Baek Ho Jun, who had come out to greet them, wore an unusually solemn expression, masking his true feelings as he welcomed the Pae Cheon group.
"You've had a long journey—our thanks for coming."
Baek Ho Jun offered a courteous clasped-hands salute. Leading Pae Cheon Academy's promising students was their vice director, Blood Spear Heart Seizer Ok Ji San, who grinned back.
"When there's a good show, distance doesn't matter, right?"
It sounded like praise at first, but it was oddly provocative depending on interpretation. The invitees declaring it a "good show" was tantamount to confidence in victory at the exchange.
Ok Ji San looks affable, but he's a sly fox with dozens lurking inside—a cunning bastard.
In the original story, he racked up kills against righteous experts during the great war, ranking in the top ten. More shockingly, his skill surpassed his reputation. He was also adept at some eerie eye technique to manipulate foes—best not to let my guard down.
"We're grateful you see it that way. We've prepared seats—please sit and enjoy."
Baek Ho Jun wasn't one to be pushed around either, holding his own against Ok Ji San. As one of the Ten Great Warriors Under Heaven, even Blood Spear Heart Seizer couldn't faze him. Any funny business, and Ok Ji San risked getting burned alive, so he kept it polite.
"Your words alone are thanks enough. We'll gladly accept your hospitality."
Ok Ji San signaled his students, who sat in formation just as they'd entered, heating up the mini standoff between righteous and unorthodox.
"You've traveled far—take ample time to rest."
"Our thanks for the consideration... But with righteous and unorthodox clashing after so long, wouldn't it be a shame to just proceed normally?"
As we rested under Director Baek Ho Jun's courtesy, Ok Ji San approached with a sly tone, drawing attention.
"What do you mean?"
"Just that deciding win or loss plainly feels too stiff and boring."
"I see. Vice Director Ok wants a wager, then."
Baek Ho Jun, a seasoned martial world veteran, caught on instantly.
"As expected of Great Hero Baek—you know everything like a true hero. Exactly. We both believe in victory, so why not make it more exciting?"
Ok Ji San's tongue was serpentine, subtly enticing like a hidden temptation, brainwashing as if this were the only chance. Hard to refuse.
"No wager at a gathering like this? What do you propose, Vice Director Ok?"
"For a clash among young students, wagering gold, elixirs, or manuals feels off..."
Ok Ji San drawled slowly, his gaze shifting deliberately—to Cheonmu Academy's blue banner, coincidentally.
"How about wagering our academies' banners? Winner takes the loser's as a trophy to display."
And there it was—his true intent.
No wonder Pae Cheon Academy's banner stood out...
He played it casual, but this was no small thing. A group's banner symbolized its history and pride; even on real battlefields, flag bearers staked their lives, losing one equaling defeat.
In other words, wagering banners means a fight to the death.
Pae Cheon Academy had come sharpened for blood, fully prepped to boost unorthodox prestige today.
"Banners, you say..."
Baek Ho Jun pondered deeply. As Cheonmu Academy's director, he had to be cautious, but...
"If it's uncomfortable, no need—haha!"
Ok Ji San's taunt made ignoring it impossible. Plus, comparing upper-class rosters by fame, Pae Cheon held the edge. I'd made a name, but plenty in Hebei still didn't know me.
To Pae Cheon, the only one worth noting is probably Little Dragon Blade Peng Jincheon.
With their superior lineup, they proposed this bold banner wager—an unprecedented move in history.
Swoosh!
In a fleeting moment, Baek Ho Jun glanced at Dan Ri-cheong. They exchanged a silent signal.
"On such a fine day, how could we skip a wager? Agreed—let's do it."
Instead of backing down, Baek Ho Jun doubled down? His hot-blooded, manly nature flared at the provocation.
Grinning, Ok Ji San—having waited for confirmation—flashed a triumphant smile, barely hiding his glee.
"As expected of a hero. The wager's set—I'll inform our students."
"Do so."
Thus, Cheonmu and Pae Cheon Academy were locked into an unavoidable fierce battle. Ok Ji San, expecting a rout, returned to his group swaggering. Meanwhile...
"I've wagered Cheonmu Academy's banner."
Baek Ho Jun approached us, his tiger-like eyes blazing with fervent support.
"As you know, Cheonmu Academy has never lost its banner to outsiders in history. I trust you'll uphold that tradition. And one more thing."
He sweetened the pot with an irresistible offer to ignite our passion.
"The top performer in this exchange will learn my unique creation: the sole offensive form of my exclusive art, Flame Tiger Double Claw."
Ooooh!
Upper-class students erupted in awe. I'd figured the director's "one technique" meant a basic move or foundation.
After all, Flame Flower Divine Army is a sole-transmission heir who hates leaking arts to outsiders—unlikely to share anything elite.
But Flame Tiger Double Claw was a claw technique mimicking a flaming tiger's savage rakes, adaptable to sword, saber, or spear as needed.
And more? Claws originally use nails and fingertips.
For a fist, kick, and technique master like me, it was essential—a matchless form. With cold Cold Seal Palm for palms and fiery Flame Tiger Double Claw for claws, I'd have an invincible combo, impervious to all.
