Chapter 328
Chapter 328
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 328
Chapter Title: Next Stage (3)
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Abbess Kyung Hye asked as if to confirm my true intentions.
"When you say you want to experience the sword of the Demon-Slaying Nun... you don't simply mean you'd like to observe Ami Sect's sword forms, do you? You mean you'd like to spar with me?"
I nodded.
"Yes. To find the path to the next stage, I make this request."
"Hoo."
Abbess Kyung Hye let out a long sigh at my words before speaking.
"Chairman Eon."
"Yes, Chancellor."
"In all of history, east or west, those who reach the Hwa Realm at your age can be counted on one hand. Why is a young man with such a bright future in such a hurry?"
"...I'm not being impatient. If I were, I wouldn't have made it through Shaolin's Endless Cave in the first place. If I had to define it, worry would be more accurate."
"It sounds like you're thinking of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult."
"Yes. Many people say what you just did, Chancellor—about my bright future. But a storm of blood is surely coming to the jianghu. Someone will get hurt, someone will die. It could be me. It could be my friends..."
It had already happened in Sichuan.
Many young warriors of Sichuan had died or been injured, and Elder Dokgo had lost an arm.
"...Even someone like you, Chancellor, who graciously listens to even the words of a lowly student, could end up that way. How could I rely only on my meager skills?"
"......"
"And when I say 'next stage,' I don't mean simply climbing higher."
"Then what?"
"After stepping into the Hwa Realm, I've sparred with my peers, and... well..."
Abbess Kyung Hye, who had been silently pondering for a moment, spoke again.
"It feels like you can't match them at all?"
"Yes. Their movements are so predictable that even while crossing swords with them, I keep recalling the moment I exchanged blows with Master Gong Deok."
"I see. Binni has been in the Hwa Realm for a long time, and I forgot for a moment since it was the first time I'd seen a student reach that realm. I understand what stage you're at now."
"...You're talking like it's puberty or something."
"It's a kind of rite of passage, so it might be similar."
"Rite of passage?"
"Well, you'll come to know in time. Alright. I tried giving you a word of grandmotherly advice, but I've confirmed your resolve, Chairman Eon."
With that, Abbess Kyung Hye took a sip of tea and continued.
"I don't have anything pressing right now, so there's no reason I can't oblige."
"Thank you, Chancellor."
"Don't blame me later."
"Why would I blame you, Chancellor? That won't happen."
"You're not here for a nun who cherishes Chairman Eon, but for the Demon-Slaying Nun?"
Abbess Kyung Hye chuckled softly, then immediately set the time and place.
"Hm. Doing it at the academy might not be ideal. Let's go to Wudang. The time when students finish their evening drills..."
"The hour of the rooster."
"Come to the main gate by then. In the meantime, Binni will get permission from the Sect Leader."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ After dinner, once I'd confirmed the officers heading into final approvals and roll call to end the day's duties, I headed to Wudang with Abbess Kyung Hye.
On the patrol roster was Namyeong, the eldest of the Wudang Five Heroes.
"This junior greets the Nun."
"The Infinite Sword seems to have a different aura every time I see you after a while. The new rising star of Shaolin and the Plum Blossom Sword Sage of Huashan must be on their guard."
"How could Binni compare to those two seniors? I'm in a position to worry about being overtaken by that dragon-like young blood you brought."
"...Ahem."
"Hohoho. Is the Sect Leader at the Purple Sky Palace?"
"Yes. You can use the Purple Sky Palace's training ground as well. No need to unwrap your sword; come up with it sheathed."
"Thank you."
"Thank you!"
And so we ascended to the Purple Sky Palace, the highest of Wudang's Taoist temples.
"Binni formally expresses her gratitude for the Sect Leader's magnanimity in lending the training ground and allowing us to wear our weapons."
"Thank you!"
Tae-eul-ja greeted us today as well with his hearty laughter, stroking his white beard.
"Hahaha. I was bored anyway, and you're offering this old man a good show—why would I refuse? Don't mind me and handle your business."
After bowing to Tae-eul-ja, Abbess Kyung Hye and I stepped onto the training ground.
"The moon is bright tonight. Binni doesn't need to warm up separately. Let me know when you're ready."
"I don't think I need to warm up either today."
As I replied to Abbess Kyung Hye, I drew Regret.
Srrrring—
Sring—
Abbess Kyung Hye also drew her sword under the clear moonlight.
And with it, she said one thing.
"Since Chairman Eon's martial prowess has reached the Hwa Realm, and you wish to see the Demon-Slaying Nun's sword... from this moment, I will treat you not as a student, but as a warrior. No—a foe."
"Yes. That's what I hoped for."
"Good. Don't hold back on courtesy either, Chairman Eon."
At that moment.
Abbess Kyung Hye's demeanor completely changed.
'...I could believe she's an entirely different person from the one who always smiles.'
Her eyes sharpened like those of a bird of prey.
A fierce killing intent arose from her body, intense enough to feel as if it were sucking in the surrounding air.
At the same time, a golden light enveloped her sword for a brief moment.
Paht!
Abbess Kyung Hye folded the ground and charged toward me like a galloping horse in an instant.
"!"
I swiftly raised Regret to meet her.
Chaaeeng!!!
Regret and her sword clashed, sending a numbing sensation through my grip.
But her assault truly began there.
Swaek! Swaaek!!
Swaaaeng!!
Her sword, trailing swirling golden light, tore through the night wind wildly as it slashed toward me.
Chaeng! Chaeeng!
Chaechaechang!!!
In an instant, over a dozen exchanges passed.
The very moment I thought that.
Swords clearly aimed at my vital points thrust in.
Shushushushuk!!!!!!
Chaeng! Chaechaechang!!!!
Blocking those took another dozen exchanges in the blink of an eye.
It was swordplay that made one truly understand why "Demon-Slaying" had become her title.
Even my master, watching, clicked his tongue in admiration.
- Gee, that nun's forms are vicious. I thought so before, but every time, I wonder if she's really a Buddhist disciple with that swordplay.
Chaeng! Chaeng!!
'Ugh. I thought I was somewhat familiar with Ami Sect's sword... but it's tough...'
Chaaaeeng!!!
'...is what I get!'
I'd seen quite a bit of the Ami disciples' swordplay, including Hyejeong's during the Sichuan incident.
And before and after Song Gil-jun's academy raid, I'd witnessed Abbess Kyung Hye wielding her sword against enemies.
I'd replayed those scenes in my mind countless times before asking her.
Chaeng! Chaeng!!
Yet, now in this new realm, facing her killing intent from the enemy's perspective, it felt entirely different.
'...No. Because I'm somewhat familiar, I'm barely holding on?'
Abbess Kyung Hye felt utterly different from when she faced Master Gong Deok.
Though her attainment was ahead of mine, she couldn't compare to the Divine Victory Master.
'But this feels more dangerous.'
Master Gong Deok was like a massive pine tree.
A being far above.
Someone who seemed impervious to anything I could do, yet also unlikely to harm me.
'In contrast, sparring with Abbess Kyung Hye...'
Kang!!!!!!
It evoked the pitch-black bamboo groves of Sichuan, the Ojukrim.
Whenever I parried a powerful strike or twisted my body to dodge.
A sharp attack followed without fail in that spot.
Shushuk!!!!
Her tight swordplay disrupted my sword path, utterly unpredictable—what would come next?
Chaechaechang!!!
As I struggled against her swordplay, small scratches accumulated.
Pik! Pik!
Regret whooshed! through empty air.
That meant I'd completely lost track of Abbess Kyung Hye's trajectory.
At the same time, my heart sank.
'I'm dead...'
The moment I thought I was inevitably done for.
Her sword veered slightly.
And mercilessly struck my crown and back.
Bbang!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Paak!!!!!!
"Guhk!"
I was briefly planted into Wudang's training ground.
And from behind me came Abbess Kyung Hye's voice.
"Hmm. You have a long way to go. From now on, come up to Purple Sky Peak every day with Binni."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Seven days had passed since I'd wrapped up the day getting thrashed during gymnastics under the moonlight with Abbess Kyung Hye.
Even with my strong recovery.
Getting hit in the same spots over and over.
I ended up with bruises all over my body except my face, lest the Righteous Martial Academy's face be ruined.
"Urgh. She did say not to resent her later..."
Today too, as I changed into training clothes to climb Purple Sky Peak at the appointed time, checking my bruises.
Horuk! Horuruk!
I heard Eungyong-i flapping,
Then Dang Ok-gi flung open the door to the inner room of the Student Council office.
"What's with Eungyong-i today?!"
She screamed upon seeing me changing.
"Kyaa!"
"Hey!"
She hurriedly shut the door for a moment.
"S-Sorry! Eungyong-i kept dragging me... No! Why are you changing here?! Forget the dorms?!"
"I have to go up Purple Sky Peak by the hour of the rooster, so I brought my clothes this morning. Why are you blaming the victim for you opening the door without a sound?!"
"Anyway! I didn't see anyth... I mean. Hey! Are those bruises all over your body?! Guys, big trouble! Eon Yong-un is covered in bruises!"
Then she called all the Eon underclassmen.
"Young Master Eon?"
"Yeah! His back is all black and blue!"
"Brother Yong-un isn't the type to get beat up... It's real? It's blotchy."
And Dang Ok-gi herself brought a medical kit.
"Your back looked the worst. Lie down."
"It's just some bruises. What's the fuss?"
"No, Yong-un-nim. You can't take bruises lightly. If the blood stasis gets too bad, it can be serious."
"Yeah. The ones on your back look moldy. Leaving those can cause big problems."
Guk.
"!"
"Does it hurt?"
"...Doesn't poking a bruise hurt, obviously?"
"Kya kya. Payback, you punk."
"...Come here."
"It was a joke. This is how you draw out blood stasis."
As Dang Ok-gi applied acupuncture to my back.
Eun Ha-seong spoke up.
"What on earth have you been doing at Wudang every night?"
Namgung Yun answered Eun Ha-seong's question.
"Can't you tell? Getting beat up."
"Who doesn't know that? Who could make the great Brother Yong-un end up like that?"
At that, Jeong Hyeon spoke gravely.
"Could it be... Wudang's seniors to Young Master Eon..."
I brushed them all off and said.
"It's not that. You guys do your own work. I'm just training specially with the Chancellor and haven't gotten the feel yet."
At my words, Woo So-reung gasped and widened her eyes.
"Gasp. Th-Then is the Chancellor alright?"
"She's fine. I haven't even landed a proper attack yet."
"Brother Eon seems like an incredible master to me... Is there really that much of a gap with the Chancellor?"
Leaving the Eon underclassmen behind, I climbed Purple Sky Peak.
As I warmed up, I mulled over Woo So-reung's words.
"What's the problem?"
Abbess Kyung Hye was a higher expert than me, sure.
But this level of gap didn't make sense.
"She called it a rite of passage... It feels like I'm missing something."
A moment after I thought that.
My master spoke.
- I've been holding back since it's best to realize it yourself. But you're forgetting something so basic, I have to say something. Yong-un, you've regressed to a child. You've forgotten the fundamentals.
'Huh? Me? I'm not even using the Blood Manipulation Technique on purpose.'
- That's not the point. What is the most basic thing in great combat?
'Not getting hit and beating them down.'
- ...Well, that's the idea. But why can't you do it? Unlike when you faced Shaolin's young monk or Wudang's horse-faces, against this nun, you're not even bringing out ten percent of those movements.
'Because Shaolin and Wudang disciples moved visibly, while the Nun is completely different...'
- Since when do you rely on your eyes? Harmony isn't just moving your own body. It's drawing the enemy into your domain and harmonizing with their actions as well.
Hearing that.
The movements Abbess Kyung Hye had shown over the past seven days naturally came to mind.
'The Nun doesn't just control her own mind and body perfectly... She's already inducing my actions, who has entered the Hwa Realm.'
It wasn't that her nature was cruel making her forms vicious; it was all one unified movement.
'Before entering the Hwa Realm, I fought that way too...'
Thanks to my transcendent senses, fights with those a level below felt too easy, and at some point, I'd become overly reliant on them.
Realizing that, I involuntarily smacked my fist into my palm.
"...I think I know what the problem is."
Just then, Abbess Kyung Hye, who had arrived at Purple Sky Peak, smiled faintly and spoke.
"Oh ho. Really?"