The Clash of Spear and Shield
So Byeong-gam was a student of profound calculation and zero regard for appearances. It was no exaggeration to say that his shamelessness rivaled even that of Im Bukjin.
At that moment, one of the teammates on the screen asked in a low voice, "But what if we run into Im Bukjin's main group before we find Jo Pacheon?"
The audience nodded in agreement. Exactly! Even if they tricked Jo Pacheon, all that effort would be for nothing if they crossed paths with Im Bukjin first!
Then, So Byeong-gam's voice drifted from the crystal screen once more.
"We can't be that unlucky, can we? Meeting Jo Pacheon was bad enough, but running into Bukjin before him? The odds are low. But if it happens... well, I swore to the heavens that I'd bring pain and resentment to Im Bukjin for what he did to my cousin. I have to fulfill that. But I'd definitely need a new strategy. If push comes to shove, I'll just act terrified and hand him a fake flag too. I've still got plenty of fakes left."
As he finished speaking, So Byeong-gam pulled a thick bundle of fake flags from his robes. They were crafted so perfectly that they were indistinguishable from the real ones, and there were at least a dozen of them.
Watching this, his teammates on screen and the audience in the stands could only facepalm in disbelief. I'm literally speechless!
Many officials from the Education Bureau also wore expressions of utter absurdity. Something is wrong! So Byeong-gam wasn't this cunning in the previous trials... How can a person change so drastically?
So Jang, the young master of the So family who was hiding behind his father, didn't know what to say. His father's face was covered in dark clouds, his lips twitching rhythmically. He looked as if he wanted to find a mouse hole to crawl into and die of embarrassment because of his nephew's performance on the screen.
Meanwhile, the elderly Patriarch of the So family, sitting in the front row, wore an expression that was caught somewhere between a sob and a laugh. When did that boy get such a thick skin? And why... why does this remind me so much of my own youth?
On the deck of the Ryuchae Jewel Merchant Ship, a fierce sea breeze was blowing.
"Student Im, I hold the performance you've shown in this Academic & Martial Arts Competition in very high regard. You possess a special talent that ordinary people simply cannot understand," Wang Hyeong-yeo said with a refreshing smile.
She had a gallant personality and a refined appearance that set her apart from other female students her age. She never lost her smile and maintained a relaxed composure that commanded respect from everyone around her. Raising her sword in a polite salute, she continued.
"I'd like to give your team a fair chance. Let's have a duel. A best-of-five series. If your team manages to secure three wins first, I will immediately turn my ship around and leave."
From her perspective, this proposal was a generous opportunity for Bukjin. Based on grades and raw combat power, Bukjin's teammates were no match for her squad. If she and one other teammate held Bukjin back while her remaining three elite members dealt with Bukjin's other four teammates, it would be an easy victory.
Bukjin tilted his head, thinking for a moment before answering, "Fine."
He agreed because the girl before him, Wang Hyeong-yeo... was a remarkably upright person.
Seeing him accept, Wang Hyeong-yeo nodded. "Excellent. Our order of appearance will be Won Ye, Gu Cheon-gye, myself, Wi Ja-ryong, and finally Oh Pae-yeom. You may decide your own order. There's no need to tell us in advance."
It was a display of absolute confidence. The four teammates standing behind her were all top students from the 1st Academy who had followed her with unwavering loyalty since their school days. Wang Hyeong-yeo possessed immense prestige and popularity; even the teachers of the 1st Academy cherished her deeply. She had the natural temperament of a leader, as if she were born to head the pack. Consequently, her teammates didn't have a single objection to her decision.
Bukjin could feel the aura of fair play radiating from her. He nodded. "The first one to step out from our side will be Han Bul-bu."
When the two ships had first closed in, Ak Hong-hyang and Mi Yeo-yeon, recognizing the 1st Academy vessel, had briefed him on Wang Hyeong-yeo and her crew. The 1st Academy was a place of immense pride, and its students possessed a sense of unity that rivaled even the National Imperial Junior Academy. Wang Hyeong-yeo's team was composed of the finest geniuses the 1st Academy had to offer. Not only was she exceptional, but all four of her teammates were renowned young talents in Unmong City.
Won Ye, the first to step forward, was considered mid-tier in terms of strength within Wang Hyeong-yeo's group. Bukjin chose Han Bul-bu over Mi Yeo-yeon specifically to gauge the enemy's strength with his own mid-tier fighter before finalizing the rest of the order.
Everyone except the two combatants retreated. Han Bul-bu stepped into the center of the deck, cupping his hands in a respectful greeting.
"Student Won, I look forward to a good match."
Won Ye was a boy of average height but possessed a solid, well-balanced, muscular physique. He smiled broadly and returned the swordsman's salute with grace.
"Student Han, I was moved by the will and tenacity you showed in your previous battles. It is an honor to face you today."
Hearing those words, Han Bul-bu felt a surge of genuine liking for Won Ye. "Student Won, you flatter me."
"Because I admire you, I will acknowledge you as a true rival and give this fight my everything. Consider it the highest respect I can show. Student Han, be on your guard. I will not be holding back."
Han Bul-bu nodded. As he began to circulate his energy, a faint yellow radiance began to emanate from his body. Gripping his longsword, he took the defensive stance of the Bansan Sword Technique. Han Bul-bu had gained far deeper insights into the style since his duel with Jo Pacheon. His technique had evolved, and as he manifested the sword forms, he exuded the unshakable, heavy momentum of a massive mountain.
Wang Hyeong-yeo and her team were visibly startled. When did his cultivation increase this much?
During the fight against Jo Pacheon, Han Bul-bu's cultivation had barely reached the 1st Grade Martial Master rank. But now, the fluctuations of his Mystic Energy and his overall presence were clearly at the level of a 3rd Grade Martial Master. Only two short days had passed.
How did he get so strong so fast? Did the battle with Jo Pacheon trigger a breakthrough far greater than we imagined?
Won Ye had been brimming with confidence before the start. He had planned to end the fight quickly with his fastest and strongest attacks to save Han Bul-bu's face. But now, a heavy sense of pressure was weighing down on him.
"Hah!"
Won Ye lunged forward with the agility of a monkey. Moving with incredible speed, he closed the distance in a flash, appearing right in front of Han Bul-bu like a streak of light.
Swish—!
Won Ye's sword thrust toward Han Bul-bu's throat. Mid-flight, the blade underwent a sudden, subtle shift, redirecting toward Han Bul-bu's heart. And just before the tip could make contact, it performed a third, miraculous transformation, flying toward the space between Han Bul-bu's brows.
A lightning-fast sequence targeting the throat, heart, and brow in a single breath.
Every change was as fast as a lightning strike. By the time the final transformation occurred, the sword's speed had tripled from its initial thrust. Against an ordinary opponent, such a deceptive technique would have shattered their defensive stance and disrupted their Mystic Energy. But Han Bul-bu's mental fortitude was ironclad, and his will was as heavy as a mountain. He didn't waver for a second.
The Bansan Sword Technique he practiced boasted the ultimate defense. No matter what trickery Won Ye's blade employed, it was destined to be blocked.
Clang—! Clang—! Clang—!
The rapid-fire sounds of metal clashing echoed across the deck. Sparks flew in every direction. Won Ye's movements were incredibly swift and nimble. Like Mi Yeo-yeon, his Mystic Energy possessed the Wind attribute. At some point, he had drawn a second thin sword, wielding one in each hand. His blades lunged forward like falling meteors, constantly shifting and changing. With every transformation, cold flashes of sword light filled the air.
Yet, Han Bul-bu met these ten thousand changes with a single, unchanging resolve. He stood rooted to the spot, refining his momentum and enduring like a great peak that refused to budge. The Bansan Sword Technique appeared slow, but in reality, it was a high-speed style. The sword light radiating from Han Bul-bu's blade layered upon itself through countless variations, forming a shield as tough as a tortoise shell.
The Half-Mountain Style: Absolute Defense
He completely neutralized the storm of Won Ye's twin rapiers. Standing there, Han Bul-bu was like a massive, immovable boulder. No matter how many attacks Won Ye poured out, there wasn't a single opening. To the average spectator, this kind of battle might have seemed lacking in excitement, but the martial artists in the crowd were watching with wide-eyed fascination. It was the ultimate showdown between the fastest spear and the sturdiest shield.
Clang—! Clang—! Clang—!
The metallic ringing was relentless, sounding like a blacksmith hammering steel. Enough time passed for a stick of incense to burn down. Suddenly, Won Ye took a long breath, withdrew his swords, and leaped back. His breathing was ragged, and beads of sweat dotted his forehead.
"I concede," Won Ye said with a bitter smile as he sheathed his blades. "I never imagined Student Han's defensive swordsmanship reached such depths. I've already exhausted every technique and every ultimate move in my repertoire, yet I couldn't pierce your guard. If we continue, I'll simply run out of Mystic Energy and lose anyway."
Han Bul-bu also lowered his sword. Sweat was dripping from his brow as well, but his condition was far better than Won Ye's.