Chapter 161: Dragon-Phoenix Assembly (3)
Sword debate.
It meant arguing about sword techniques—calling out form names and demonstrating moves without actually clashing blades. A way to settle disputes through words and shows of skill rather than blood.
Many wuxia tales featured sword debates, and The Return of the Murim Master was no exception.
In the original story, Mu Jin had dodged real fights this way more than once.
They'd portrayed him as weaker than me at the time, but with years of martial arts experience under his belt, he could've handled executing forms more smoothly than I could.
Plus, to carry out his spy missions, he'd crammed countless techniques into his head.
After the body swap, Mu Jin had spent years imprisoned by the Murim Alliance, force-fed martial arts knowledge through methods bordering on torture.
It even turned into a stroke of fortune later on.
Still, no need to envy him. I had Pa Cheon, the cutting-edge wuxia AI sword that could stun any onlooker.
"A sword debate, you say?"
Jang Yeong-o's face lit up with interest.
Truth be told, sword debates weren't all that common in the jianghu.
You had to explain every technique verbally, which could easily devolve into a shouting match.
'I'll unleash Myriad Heaven Rain!'
'Blocked! Counter with Hundred Steps Divine Fist!'
'Dodge! Myriad Heaven Rain again!'
'Take this, Vajra Indestructible!'
'My Myriad Heaven Rain pierces Vajra Indestructible!'
'My Vajra Indestructible blocks Myriad Heaven Rain!'
One slip, and that's how it went. Blindly claiming "I'll just use a stronger technique" led nowhere. That was the pitfall of sword debates.
So they were usually reserved for same-sect disciples—kids still learning to spar safely. Or between master and student.
Proposing one now piqued his curiosity.
"Exactly. A sword debate."
"We're not from the same sect, young hero. How would that work?"
"That's why we set rules."
Jang Yeong-o's eyes gleamed brighter at my words.
"What kind?"
I recalled the setup from The Return of the Murim Master. The way Mu Jin had twisted things with clever rules to cover his weaknesses.
Rules of the Sword Debate
一. Assume both combatants have identical physical conditions.
二. Assume equal internal energy levels.
三. Pre-select techniques to use.
四. Each gets fifty total actions. Call this Action Points.
五. Footwork costs half an Action Point. First strike's footwork is free.
六. Special forms cost two Action Points; sword qi costs three; sword gang costs four.
七. Failed defense costs one Action Point. Vital spots cost five.
八. First to exhaust Action Points or concede loses.
[Looks complicated at first glance, but it's surprisingly solid. Well done.]
'What's with the praise out of nowhere?'
[Hmph. No way a demon like you came up with it. It's a far cry from typical sword debates.]
'......Sharp swords are such a pain.'
As Pa Cheon said, this wasn't your standard sword debate—just bragging about techniques.
Mu Jin's version evoked a modern turn-based game.
'Well, even if Mu Jin "invented" it, it came from the author's head anyway.'
The real question: Would Jang Yeong-o accept these rules?
They cramped free use of his arsenal with all sorts of restrictions.
In the original, Mu Jin pitched them first and got roasted.
So I watched Jang Yeong-o carefully.
But the crowd's reaction was off.
"Ooh...... As expected of young hero Kim."
Before Jang Yeong-o could respond, Un Yeop Ja beside him gaped in admiration.
"Equalizing our conditions like this lets you truly test martial insight."
"That's not all."
Suddenly, Je Gal Hye piped up, Paeng So So glued to her side. So So had been eyeing Namgung Jin's food moments ago—how'd she latch onto Je Gal Hye so fast?
"Assigning Action Points to moves forces sharper number games. It breaks down instinctive combat into conscious steps. This isn't child's play. It's systematic training."
Still lugging Paeng So So like a sidekick, Je Gal Hye stared straight at me.
"Eastern Sword Dragon. Did you create this?"
Her eyes burned with curiosity and competitive fire.
I wasn't flustered. I'd been through too much for that.
The difference from the original? Mu Jin's situation versus mine.
He was a struggling spy. I was one of the Five Dragons and Three Phoenixes, Tang Clan's Phoenix Lord, endorsed by the Dao King.
My words carried weight.
'Once a trash movie blows up, the director suddenly has "vision."'
Anyway.
"Not my creation...... Just passing down an old tradition."
Not a lie. Je Gal Hye nodded, impressed.
"Indeed. Eastern warriors have always shattered norms. Must be this advanced training. The rumors of their scholarly zeal ring true."
"Ugh, hate studying."
Paeng So So grimaced beside her. Je Gal Hye winced too.
Maybe because Un Yeop Ja and Je Gal Hye approved.
Jang Yeong-o nodded agreeably.
"Fine. Let's debate swords."
The stage was set.
No need for the training ground since no bodies clashed.
Jang Yeong-o and I just sat cross-legged on the silk mat.
A hundred young experts ringed us.
Even amid the crowd, Yi Seong Ryeong stuck to So In-gyeol. Her lips moved; his face shifted by the moment. Seizing the chance to talk, probably.
[Focus, demon. This is a golden opportunity.]
Pa Cheon sounded thrilled.
'Why so excited?'
[Didn't you want a proper orthodox sword style for the jianghu?]
'Already done?'
[Not yet. Need more samples.]
Pa Cheon had observed Mo Yong Hak and Paeng Yu-gun so far.
[Jeomchang swordsmanship is famed for speed and practicality. With it, my design hits seven-tenths complete.]
'Music to my ears.'
Pa Cheon had stuck to basic slashes and thrusts in public—no Asura Twelve Forms, being demonic.
A solid style would plug that gap.
"Ready to start?"
Je Gal Hye, between us, spoke up. Her "Myriad Phenomena Wisdom Peak" moniker made her perfect referee.
She'd even fetched a scoreboard. Serious for a first try.
"Ready."
"Prepared."
"Good. Super Peak internal energy?"
We nodded.
"What techniques?"
Jang Yeong-o pondered, then answered.
"Spectrum Sword Method."
Jeomchang's signature style—well-known, common for spars.
"Footwork?"
"Hundred Leg Steps."
A basic, not flashy choice.
"And you?"
"Three Fundamentals Sword Method."
"......For real?"
Jang Yeong-o fell silent; the crowd gasped.
No surprise. I'd used it against Nine Yin Kwak Family's lord Kwak Ri Yeon too. Three Fundamentals wasn't a true sword art—just sword basics.
To him, it might feel insulting.
"To avoid misunderstanding."
I signaled Pa Cheon, igniting Thunderclap Aura briefly.
"Dao King taught me Thunder Shadow Saber, but my skill's shallow. Can only manifest as Three Fundamentals Sword Method."
"Ah, got it."
"You're taking it well, True Person. Footwork?"
"Three Fundamentals Step to match."
Basics: advance, retreat, sidestep. Simple combos.
No shock after the sword choice.
"Approved. Challenger Jang Yeong-o strikes first."
Je Gal Hye declared. Jang Yeong-o moved.
"Hundred Leg Steps, Crane Wing Spread to claim your left flank three paces. Thrust sword at your left shoulder."
"First footwork free. One Action Point spent."
Je Gal Hye marked the board like a commentator.
Pa Cheon analyzed meantime.
[Right-handed strike. Righties falter left defense. But shoulder probe means testing our responses.]
Top-tier wuxia AI. Nailing intent behind basics.
Pa Cheon paused, then:
[Footwork half-point, so evade. See his reaction.]
I echoed him.
"Three Fundamentals Step: one pace left, one back."
Je Gal Hye deducted mine.
Jang Yeong-o frowned.
"Sun sets, bird rises. Spectrum Sword Method: Falling Sun Rising Bird."
He swung his sword seated—demo for the form.
[Ho. Ultra-swift draw. Usual draws slash left; this rises low to high. Ah, deliberate. Key is inevitable hip/leg torque. Seated, normals miss it. Hiding the essence.]
'......Aren't you breathing and talking?'
[What nonsense. I don't breathe.]
Some meme came to mind.
Let him enjoy it.
Enjoy he did. Next move:
"Half-pace side retreat, Horizontal Sweep Thousand Armies to smack your blade flat."
"Hundred Leg Steps, advance-retreat to seize spacing."
"Three Fundamentals Step, two paces forward. Horizontal Sweep Thousand Armies at low guard......"
"Hundred Leg Steps, Golden Chicken Stand to lift leg dodge, then Spectrum Sword Method Whirlwind Severing to counter."
Honestly, half the terms flew over my head.
[Well played! That Taoist's got moves!]
'Fine. If you're happy.'
Like a kid's first game, Pa Cheon was pumped.
Not just him. Every young expert watched wide-eyed, hooked.
Gut feeling: Sword debates would trend.
'Hey, no fights means peace. Win-win.'
Scores hit 8-10 my deficit. Intense exchanges, but second strike disadvantaged me.
Brief worry, then:
"Claim right flank, Thunder Shadow Saber essence in Striking Thunder Palm to your shoulder."
"......I yield. No counters left."
Genius-mocking wuxia AI Pa Cheon clutched late victory.
Cheers erupted for my win.
Pa Cheon bragged.
[Predestined anyway.]
'Great. Sword style?'
[Got it all.]
Win the bout, absorb the style. Double dip.
But.
As Jang Yeong-o conceded gracefully—warm scene wrapping up—
"Hold."
Namgung Jin stepped forward.
Crowd focused on the top young noble.
"This sword debate seems perfect for bonding, no?"
"Yes!"
They shouted. He nodded, sly smile. Not wholesome—scheming vibe.
"So, for that bonding."
His eyes turned to me.
No—behind me.
"I challenge So In-gyeol, young master of Somyeongjang."