Chapter 267
Chapter 267
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 267
Chapter Title: Noble Person (4)
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Sfx-
Even as I smirked, Yang Jinmu's spear thrust forward.
'The start of every attack is always that.'
A mid-level thrust aimed at the chest.
It begins as if piercing the chest, but it's hard to tell exactly where the spear tip is targeting.
Depending on how Yang Jinmu gripped and twisted the shaft, it writhed like a serpent.
The red tassel at the end danced hypnotically, and amid that, the sharpened blade sought openings without regard for direction.
Only when the spear tip entered a precarious distance could one finally judge.
Clang!!!
Blocking it wasn't difficult at all.
However, since I couldn't fight with killing intent like against Demonic Cult bastards, it had been hard to find an opening to press him.
'Until just now.'
But now, things had changed.
The Heaven-Splitting internal energy, passing through the Blood Wheel and flowing into my meridians, instantly enhanced every function of my body.
'I could suppress him in one go... but with the Prince and the little prince watching, I can't beat him like a mangy dog. I'll make him feel the difference in power another way.'
In that fleeting moment that felt like an eternity.
Sfx! Sfx! Sfx! Sfx!
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
I dodged Yang Jinmu's attacks by taking exactly half-steps forward and twisting my body slightly.
And after confirming how his hand gripping the shaft moved.
Unlike before, when I was merely parrying desperately, I now precisely struck away his assaults.
'Lan (Block)?'
No matter how varied the spear arts, the basics were lan-na-zha (block-pull-thrust).
In other words, rotating the spear to push away, pulling the shaft inward to press down, and finally thrusting.
Reading his intent from his hand movements.
Sfx-
Yang Jinmu's spear no longer seemed to split into dozens of branches.
The incoming spear tip and every strand of the fluttering red tassel were crystal clear.
Knocking it away was as easy as eating cold porridge.
Clanggg!!!
In that brief instant, as my movements completely transcended his, shock filled Yang Jinmu's face.
"H-How?"
"Too slow. That's why I can see it. This time it's a thrust at the end, zha."
Clangggg!!
"......!"
Our conversation ended there.
To end this spar while completely overwhelming Yang Jinmu, I could afford only this much leeway.
"Didn't you say you wouldn't resent me even if you were humiliated?"
I grinned, flicking away his spear shaft mercilessly with Heaven-Splitting sword steps, and charged at him.
Clang! Clang!!
Clangclangclang!!!
Of course, Yang Jinmu wasn't some amateur spearman.
'As Master said, he's far better than that classmate from the Divine Spear Yang Clan, the Fragrant Orchid Pavilion guy.'
He retracted his steps frantically.
His lower body training, the foundation of footwork, wasn't neglected; his retreating steps were sharp as blades.
Gritting his teeth, he wildly swung the spear shaft at Regret, but it wasn't random flailing.
Clang!
Clangclangclang!!!
Even as he was pushed back, his spear strikes cleanly executed block-pull-thrust without excess.
That was proof of tireless effort from one born with genius talent.
'He doesn't even look thirty yet.'
I could see why the Prince called him the jewel of the prince's mansion.
'And why the Yang Clan's spear arts are called Pear Blossom Spear.'
But even the most splendid flower falls when the tree trunk it's on is cut.
When Yang Jinmu extended the pull-down na motion with his retreating spear.
I, with Regret attached to his spear, scraped up the shaft and closed the distance in an instant.
Kakakakang!
And into his shocked face, I drove a single fist from the Heaven-Splitting arts derived from the Pearl Eon Family's Cloud Ladder Style.
Bam!!!!!!
The punch I threw precisely struck the meridian point in the middle of Yang Jinmu's philtrum.
He spewed nosebleed and flipped his eyes back, collapsing backward.
Thud!
I sheathed Regret.
Then dusted off my hands and said,
"So, convinced now?"
* * * As I dusted my hands.
Master sent a transmission.
- Your limbs must be limp, yet you pretend to be at ease.
'Sigh. I have to manage my expression, so please hold back on such words. Still, isn't it better than the first time I used it against Professor No Sam?'
- Lately, you've spent more time sitting in meditation gathering qi than moving your body, and it seems to have had an effect.
It was then that the Prince clapped.
Clap clap clap clap clap.
"Astonishing martial prowess! Yong-un, come closer."
As the Prince spoke, the little prince, who had been holding back, sent seal-like applause.
Clapclapclapclapclapclapclap.
'Not sure if it's proper to say this to someone of higher status, but he's cute.'
With that thought, shortly after I started walking toward him.
The Prince, now right before me, spoke again.
"Commander Yang Jinmu is a direct descendant of the Divine Spear Yang Clan, which has produced renowned generals for generations. I begged His Majesty to send him as my hard-won successor... and you overwhelmed him completely? Though I haven't personally trained in martial arts, I see the title of world's greatest later-generation talent is no exaggeration."
There were many other martial officers watching.
Yang Jinmu wanted to eat shit or bean paste himself, so I obliged.
No need to get cocky here and earn the Golden Army's resentment.
"By nature, the Golden Army's spear arts truly shine when forming formations in groups, so in truth, I received a few concessions."
With those modest words, the Prince burst into hearty laughter.
"Hahaha. Achieving that level of skill and fame at your age, and still so humble?"
He grinned and said to the Alliance Leader,
"It seems Honorable Alliance Leader made a grave mistake today."
"Pardon? Did this lowly one displease Your Highness?"
"Not that. I'm coveting this young man. I feel like erasing his ties to you and kidnapping him to the Prince's Mansion."
"...Pardon?"
The Alliance Leader looked dumbfounded.
The Prince, with an expression hard to read as joke or earnest, asked me,
"What say you? Will you follow me to the Prince's Mansion?"
At the Prince's words.
The little prince clasped his hands prayerfully.
- You've always nagged that he should enter official service, and now opportunity knocks... What will you do?
'What else? Do you think I'd fit in with the bureaucracy, Master?'
- True, if you smashed anyone who displeased you, no officials would remain. Seriously, it doesn't suit you.
'?'
I had no intention of entering the fray where incarnations of power fought like dogs over fields.
I'd experienced enough in my previous life, and the very reason I stayed in this world was curiosity about the protagonist generation's future.
'Living day by day, now I have much more I want to protect...'
Sorry to the little prince, but I had zero plans to get entangled via service in the Prince's Mansion or court.
Figuring how to convey that clearly, I calmly opened my mouth.
"Your Highness's words leave me at a loss for gratitude. However, for three reasons, I fear I cannot accept."
"Three reasons? Let's hear them."
"First, this lowly one has many enmities with demonic riffraff. I mustn't let any harm befall the Prince's Mansion."
"Hmm. Second?"
"Your Highness may know, but a new council president position encompassing all cadets at the Righteous Martial Academy has been established."
"I've heard."
"It pales beside the honor of serving Your Highness, but as a man, I made a promise. To help the cadets grow strong enough to protect what they cherish. That's my vow."
"A man's promise. Leaves me speechless. But I must hear the last. Third?"
"In my humble opinion, having someone by the people's side to deliver vivid tales of the jianghu might benefit even Your Highness and the little prince."
At my words, the Prince laughed heartily once more.
"Hahaha. What a gem. Makes me want to take you even more."
"......"
"But I can't steal such a youth from the jianghu's folk for my greed. Here, have a drink."
"Thank you for understanding."
It was then that Yang Jinmu, dragged out unconscious by soldiers, returned.
Having shed his armor, now in white inner robes, he slammed his head to the ground! and raised his voice.
"This subordinate, ignorant frog in a well, insolently presumed and insulted the guests, tarnishing Your Highness's face. I shall repay with my death!"
A thought flashed: utterly tactless.
'He acted out of worry for the little prince anyway. He could've lain low until we left, using the beating as excuse. Yet he kowtows.'
At Yang Jinmu's display, the Prince looked to me.
"He begs for death. What should I do?"
"This lowly one vented his feelings with that one fist in the training hall. Do as Your Highness wishes."
"As I said earlier, I'd like you two to become friends exchanging letters in the future. Same age too. Anyway, since I said do as I wish... Spear Commander Yang Jinmu, clean the stables until I say stop!"
Hold on.
That face is my age?
Definitely not joining the Golden Army.
Proof that refusing the Prince's Mansion was right.
* * * After my spar with Yang Jinmu ended, we returned to the banquet hall.
With the Prince's permission, the little prince shyly approached where I and my Eon siblings gathered.
"W-Wah, His Little Highness is coming?"
Wu So-ryeong spoke tensely.
Yin Ha-yeon addressed everyone,
"Should we stand?"
"Do as Ha-yeon says. Whew, etiquette is tough."
At that, led by Dang Ok-gi, my Eon siblings and I rose.
The little prince hurried over, waving his hands.
"Everyone, sit. It's embarrassing if you stand."
It was then a martial guard behind the prince transmitted to me.
[You've glimpsed it, but unlike common children playing, he studies rigorously.]
[So it seems.]
[His small pleasure is reading Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Water Margin, or knight-errant tales. Lately, he's immersed in the Monster Dragon and comrades' stories. Since His Highness and the Princess Consort permitted it, if it doesn't trouble you, mingle freely without too much formality.]
Hearing that, the 'Monster Dragon Chivalry Record' in the little prince's hand looked poignant.
'Being royalty isn't all good.'
I nodded slightly to the guard and said to my Eon siblings,
"As His Little Highness says, sit. We already greeted earlier. Standing like this mismatches eye levels."
I sat first, and the little prince beamed happily.
I grinned and said,
"Your Little Highness. But earlier, didn't you ask for my signature?"
"Yes! Could you do it here?!"
The open page showed the illustration Ye Haesu drew of the day I defeated Monk Woncheol.
"Ahem."
I wanted to rip it, but the little prince clutched it like treasure.
As I wrote 'Eon Yong-un' in three bold strokes, I asked the prince,
"Are you not disappointed that I'm not joining the Prince's Mansion?"
"I was. But not anymore."
"Why is that?"
"I felt the Monster Dragon's three reasons were right, and Father's words too. I have many helpers. Father, Mother, and even rude Spear Commander today. But the common folk don't. When evil outsiders torment them, they need the Monster Dragon."
"......"
The Prince left me speechless.
But the real one making people speechless was elsewhere.
As I was at a loss for words.
Jeong Hyeon spoke.
"Primordial Heavenly Lord. Your Little Highness, truly words flowing with Taoist virtue."
At Jeong Hyeon's words, the little prince grinned broadly and nodded.
"Jeong Hyeon Taoist! Wudang's Sword Dragon who soloed two Shaolin warrior monks! Monster Dragon's right arm!"
As Jeong Hyeon, who sought Primordial Heavenly Lord, flushed.
Galaxy Star spoke up.
"Your Little Highness, forgive my impertinence, but that displeases me. Who else but this Galaxy Star, who supported Brother Yong-un before academy enrollment, is his right arm?"
"Is the Monster Dragon left-handed?"
Laughter erupted at the retort.
Thus, all Eon siblings signed the little prince's book.
And for a long while, we unpacked tales for his questions.
"Your Little Highness, it's time for bedtime."
As the little prince went to sleep and the banquet ripened further.
The Prince's eunuch approached and whispered to me.
"His Highness has something to give you. Please come to the inner chambers."