Leaving Cheonmu Academy (2)
"......Huh?"
I couldn't help but be startled by the academy head's sudden proposal. And how could I not be? It was none other than one of the Ten Great Warriors of the World suggesting a spar. If that didn't tempt me, I'd be lying.
"Surprised, are you? But since you defeated the Black Heaven Sword Ghost Du Jeong-cheong, you should be more than capable of a proper match."
Baek Ho Jun urged me again with a kindly smile.
"Accept the academy head's offer. A spar with one of the Ten Great Warriors will be an invaluable lesson for you." Dan Ri-cheong chimed in, emphasizing that such opportunities didn't come every day.
Truth be told, there was no need to hesitate—I wanted to cross hands with him right then and there. And for the very reason Dan Ri-cheong had mentioned.
The Ten Great Warriors are all superhumans who have reached the Entry to Divinity realm.
For me, who hadn't yet attained Entry to Divinity, a spar with one of them would be more helpful than any spirit medicine or fortuitous encounter. In other words, it was a priceless chance worth more than mountains of gold.
"I'll do it!"
I shouted excitedly. As I'd said, this wasn't an everyday opportunity, and who knew? This single bout might open a straight path for me toward Entry to Divinity.
This is a massive fortuitous encounter in itself.
My heart was already pounding at the thought.
"Hoho, alright. Get ready."
Baek Ho Jun led me and my friends to the training grounds, while Dan Ri-cheong followed with his characteristic gleam in his eyes, brimming with anticipation. He was dying to see just how much the monster-like academy head could push me—Cheon Myeong, the strongest trainee in Cheonmu Academy history, the Jade-Faced Divine Saint.
I was just as curious.
How close am I now to Entry to Divinity?
I'd get at least some answers from this spar with Baek Ho Jun.
"Cheon Myeong, as academy head, this is the only gift I can give you."
As I stepped onto the training grounds platform, Baek Ho Jun spoke with a serious expression. It was his final present, after all, so he was more solemn than ever.
"I'll learn as much as I can."
I replied with a respectful cupped-fist salute. Just as I'd resolved when I first entered Cheonmu Academy, I intended to pour my heart into learning and growing until the very end.
"The academy head versus the strongest trainee. What an entertaining spectacle. I'd love to gather a crowd of spectators."
Dan Ri-cheong stepped between us, speaking in his usual bright-eyed, eccentric tone. He was taking on the role of referee for this final graduation commemorative spar at Cheonmu Academy.
"Prepare."
At his word, the jovial atmosphere vanished in an instant, replaced by taut tension crackling in the air. The reason? Both Baek Ho Jun and I were unleashing our full auras.
"Whoa."
"The air's gotten heavy."
Meng Yuon and Peng Jincheon were stunned too, gasping in awe as if they'd stepped onto a brutal battlefield.
As expected of the academy head.
I was just as shocked. Sure, I had plenty to learn and gain, so I was focused—but what about Baek Ho Jun, who had nothing to gain? Why was he so invested? I couldn't help but admire his spirit and resolve.
"I'll yield the first move to you."
The bout unfolded much like my fight against Cheon Un Il Geom Hak Dong-rip. The gap between us was as vast as the one between me and Hak Dong-rip—the difference between me and the Flame Flower Divine Army Baek Ho Jun was undeniable.
Still, I can't waste this golden opportunity.
I gritted my teeth and responded.
"Thank you. I gratefully accept."
I had no reason to refuse. No—if he didn't hold back, I'd be crushed unilaterally, so I was truly grateful for his consideration.
"Huuuup."
With the first move yielded, I didn't rush. Instead, I steadied my breathing. My mind was already swirling with countless thoughts. What attack should I use? Which technique? The deliberations deepened.
Swoosh!
Then, as our eyes met in midair—
Yeom Ho Ssang Jo!
To my own surprise, my deliberations proved pointless as the first strike exploded forth.
The technique I chose was none other than Yeom Ho Ssang Jo—the killing move Baek Ho Jun himself had taught me, bestowed directly by him. I'd always wanted to show him my perfected version someday.
And so, the moment our gazes locked, I unleashed it with everything I had.
Roarrrrr!
When I first learned it, there were rough edges and clumsiness, but not anymore. Through repeated real combat, I'd refined and evolved it into something uniquely mine. Fiery flames bloomed from my hands all the way to my fingertips.
And that was just the start!
Flash!
Like the paws of a massive tiger, I swung both arms ferociously and powerfully. It was exactly as Baek Ho Jun had taught me, infused with my own battle-hardened experience.
"Ooh! Oooh!"
The strike's perfection was so striking that even Dan Ri-cheong, who should have been quietly refereeing, let out cries of admiration.
He had another reason to be shocked.
He must be surprised by my current martial realm.
The instructors and leadership at Cheonmu Academy probably rated me at best as early-to-mid peak supreme level—maybe half a step above Peng Jincheon. Far from it. I was higher, especially my inner energy, bolstered by consuming the Millennium Snow Ginseng, rivaling Entry to Divinity.
"Good. Excellent."
Pa-ba-bat!
Even Baek Ho Jun, who'd taught me the art himself, praised me repeatedly as he backpedaled. He twisted his upper body side to side to evade, while I pressed forward, extending my hands to seize him.
That was when it happened.
Yeom Cheon Gwang Gyo!
In one breath, the Flame Flower Divine Army's signature—the Yeom Cheon Yeol Yang Gong that had earned him a spot among the Ten Great Warriors—unleashed.
Roarrrrr!
My flames paled in comparison as Baek Ho Jun's hands—no, his entire arms—transformed into massive pillars of fire. No ordinary blaze, this was fire that devoured other fires.
Its momentum was so immense it felt like facing two fire pillars, not arms.
Kwaaaang!
They clashed immediately. As I'd anticipated, his superior flames began devouring my Yeom Ho Ssang Jo in moments.
"A fine attack. A brilliant display of your growth. But..."
Baek Ho Jun was focusing more intently now.
Yeom Ra Dae Cheon!
This time, he scattered thick flames from both hands in a relentless barrage.
"Flame attacks won't work on me!"
Having splendidly countered my opener, he counterattacked with a shout. He was right. I could never topple him with the very art he'd taught me.
In truth, unleashing Yeom Ho Ssang Jo was my way of showing how much I'd grown and the effort I'd poured into mastering it.
Now it's my turn for real!
The first strike had been mere courtesy to my respected senior and teacher.
"Haaaap!"
Now I went all out. If the opener was "Look how much I've grown," this was a full-throttle assault evoking real battle.
Naeng In Jang!
The technique I chose next was Naeng In Jang. Hot flames are quenched by cold ice, after all.
I selected the frigid art without hesitation.
I wasn't so arrogant as to think mere ice could melt the sun-like blaze of the supreme solar arts master. My goal was simply to create a tiny opening.
Sizzle!
As expected, Naeng In Jang's chill couldn't overpower Yeom Cheon Yeol Yang Gong, but it succeeded in carving out space.
"Oh!"
Admiration burst from my two friends, who were cheering me on over even the academy head. Cooling the Flame Flower Divine Army's unrivaled scorching heat, even momentarily, was achievement enough.
"Impressive!"
Even Baek Ho Jun, who'd been sparring in a mentoring mode, widened his eyes in surprise.
But I didn't want a mentoring session. I craved a fierce, battle-like duel.
Praise like "You did well" or "That was great" no longer satisfied me.
Hwansin Bi!
So, after cooling part of the Yeom Cheon Yeol Yang Gong with Naeng In Jang, I exploited the gap with Hwansin Bi for a breakthrough.
Roar!
Though cooled, it was still scorching—flames caught my robes and some hair. I ignored it.
Taeryeok Cheolgang Gong!
Even if my body suffered, I had Taeryeok Cheolgang Gong to endure the heat. True, Yeom Cheon Yeol Yang Gong wasn't ordinary—it could partially shatter Taeryeok Cheolgang Gong—but I met fire with fire.
"Urghaaap!"
Squeezing out every last ounce of strength, I pierced his guard.
"......!!"
Baek Ho Jun's eyes widened—he clearly hadn't expected me to close to such point-blank range.
I clenched my teeth to the end and delivered the finishing blow.
Moon Palace Finger!
For my final attack, I chose the Moon Palace Maiden Sect's signature Moon Palace Finger. Sokseong Oh Haeng Kwon didn't suit the moment, and since Baek Ho Jun wouldn't use his ultimate either, it balanced things fairly.
Whoosh!
The finger wind, propelled with all my might, pierced fiercely toward Baek Ho Jun—but alas, that was as far as it went.
Yeom Pung Gwang Cheon Se!
Sensing the crisis, the Flame Flower Divine Army unleashed his proud ultimate defense and protective aura, Yeom Pung Gwang Cheon Se. His entire body blazed like an inferno, melting all assaults.
Roarrrrr!
My attack couldn't overcome its momentum and melted away like ice cream.
I tried to thrust my fist again, but Baek Ho Jun's was faster.
Swoosh!
His right hand had become a massive sun, piercing my guard and closing in. He hadn't extended it fully yet, but the threat loomed large.
Oh no!
Focusing on offense, I'd let my guard down and yielded distance.
By a hair! Such a razor-thin margin.
It stung bitterly, but there was nothing for it.
"Cheon Myeong. That's enough."
Baek Ho Jun withdrew his fist, showing his open palm—a gesture signaling no further attack.
"......Understood."
I agreed. If we continued, neither of us could maintain composure.
Better to end on a high note while the scales still tilted somewhat.
"Thank you."
I offered a respectful salute, expressing gratitude for his guidance.
Though I'd lost by decision, I felt no regret.
Entry to Divinity isn't far off.
I'd glimpsed that possibility today. I was ready to charge toward it.
In other words, reaching the ranks of the Ten Great Warriors wasn't some distant dream.