Chapter 432
Chapter 432
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 432
Chapter Title: Waves (6)
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The disciples of Mount Hua drew their swords following Chang Ryang's lead.
Ching ching ching ching ching!
In response to those Plum Blossom Sword Guards, my younger brothers and I drew our own weapons.
At that moment.
Yin Xia Lian and my master spoke up simultaneously.
"Young Master Eon. More disciples from Kunlun have appeared on the peak to our right."
- Those long-nosed bastards just watched while Gong Son Mu-gyeol and you were fighting. And now they're doing it again? Planning to play fisherman to our and Mount Hua's snipe and clam?
'We shouldn't presume to know others' intentions recklessly...'
But I couldn't help thinking it.
Purely in terms of lightness skill, Kunlun surpassed even Mount Hua.
Yet they deliberately held back from overtaking Mount Hua.
They must have calculated that to reclaim the Manin Blood from Gong Son Mu-gyeol, they needed to wear him down first.
'Their actions so far suggest as much.'
- So what will you do? If this goes on, we might end up feeding the dogs after killing the game. It might be better to delay settling things with the Plum Blossom Sword Guards.
However, it seemed unlikely Chang Ryang would accept a proposal to delay due to Kunlun.
'Postponing with Mount Hua might not be to our benefit.'
- ...If you think you can suppress the Plum Blossom Sword Guards without much effort, that's a mistake.
'Not for that reason. I'm worried that if we delay the showdown, Mount Hua, Kunlun, and all the remaining teams might band together to attack us.'
Thus, my mind settled on the judgment that we should settle things with Mount Hua here.
'This is still the righteous path, after all.'
Once they'd decided to observe, propriety would keep them from intervening.
If we could make Mount Hua give up through sheer skill.
That alone would serve as a deterrent, preventing reckless attacks.
With that thought concluded, I gripped Regret firmly and spoke to my younger brothers.
"I'll keep an eye on the Kunlun disciples intermittently. For now, focus on the Plum Blossom Sword Guards right in front of us."
At my words, my younger brothers steadied their breaths, their faces set with resolve.
In that instant, Chang Ryang's body shot forward like an arrow.
Swaaaa!
The other Plum Blossom Sword Guards followed in his wake.
A mirage of plum blossoms began blooming from the swords they wielded.
'Plum Blossom Dispersion?!'
Even I found myself thinking not of danger, but of their beauty, as the plum petals scattered toward us.
Swa! Swa! Swa! Swa!
Swa! Swa! Swa!
I hurriedly swung Regret while shouting to protect my younger brothers.
"Focus! Don't spread out—stay tight! Form a small triangle with me, Won-cheol, and Jeong-hyeon at the apex!"
Mount Hua's swordsmanship.
On a broad scale, it embodied the principles of illusion.
With the beautiful form of plum blossoms and their lingering fragrance, it clouded the senses of Mount Hua's foes.
The exquisite forms themselves incited arrogance in opponents, serving as a psychological ploy.
'I've dealt with illusions steadily, after all.'
I'd faced the swordsmanship of Mount Mosan Sect, which specialized in illusions.
The swords used by Blood Cultists followed similar paths.
I'd even witnessed the sword forms of cadets from Mount Hua.
'I saw Chang Ryang wielding his sword when the academy was attacked.'
However, the Plum Blossom Sword Guards—Mount Hua's finest—unleashing their Plum Blossom Swordsmanship in unison shattered any notion of familiarity with illusions.
Kaaaaang!!!
'It's not just a sword for beguiling foes.'
The swift principles within targeted gaps born from parrying flashy techniques like lightning.
Swaaaaa!
The moment swords clashed to fill those gaps, the numbness transmitted through my hands.
Kaaaaaaaang!!!
Revealed the principles of forceful swordplay as well.
Moreover, they naturally deflected my domineering strikes, proving softness infused their blades too.
'...Lifelong devotees of the sword's profound path?'
The Plum Blossom Sword Guards' swords whipped without flaw.
Naturally, my younger brothers began to falter.
"Amitabha. Amitabha."
Even Won-cheol, boasting astonishing internal energy, began sweating profusely.
Jeong-hyeon, our eternal beacon in battles, struggled to find his footing.
"...Kuh."
As the plum petals bloomed indistinguishably real from false.
Chang Ryang spoke.
"Fragrance Orchid cadets have handed our formations many defeats in the past three years."
"......"
"But it wasn't because your formation was exceptionally superior. Fragrance Orchid cadets gather under that name, but their strong individual colors prevented unity. They simply couldn't overcome your cohesion. In truth, sealing your wings is all it takes."
We were truly cornered.
Yet, with eyes honed by facing heart swords and entering tranquility, I saw a path out.
I'd merely endured the beating like a turtle hiding in its shell, lacking confidence to fully protect my brothers along that path.
'But now's the time.'
I didn't miss the moment the Plum Blossom Sword Guards spread their formation, manifesting Heaven-Splitting Black Hole in my left hand.
Distorting the onslaught of plum petals through it for an instant.
I unleashed the form of Heaven-Splitting Severing Strike into the gap.
Swaaaaaaaa!!!
In response, qi surged from Regret with terrifying momentum.
"!"
"!?"
Some Plum Blossom Sword Guards recoiled in shock, rolling on the ground in Naeryeo Ta-gong stance.
Their formation thus broken.
I grinned and spoke.
"That seems true of Mount Hua too. Even a landscape full of plum blossoms halts when you strike the roots."
However, unlike my smiling face, my heart was otherwise.
'How did they recover so quickly...'
It couldn't be helped.
To properly break the Plum Blossom Sword Guards, I needed the premise of unleashing my full potential.
Yet I hadn't mastered wielding the Heaven-Splitting Divine Art properly.
'One misstep, and my brothers get caught in it.'
Thus, agony repeated within me.
As I feigned composure and regripped Regret.
For some reason, Chang Ryang's sword tip returned to its sheath.
Click-
Having sheathed it, he gestured for Mount Hua's disciples to withdraw.
"Go on."
"...Pardon?"
At the unexpected order, I looked puzzled.
Chang Ryang spoke again.
"What would more fighting here yield? I didn't enter this tournament for the fame of winning the Heavenly Martial Tournament."
"...Then why?"
"I hoped Mount Hua's disciples and you all would realize neither side is invincible. It seems that moment just arrived."
"......"
"For the other participants to gain something from this tournament, Mount Hua should withdraw here. Right? ...Regretting it? Want to settle it?"
My younger brothers and I shook our heads in unison without a word and sheathed our swords.
* * *
The clash between Righteous Martial Academy and Mount Hua participants was once again delivered to the northern dock of Dangang-gu via a messenger pigeon marked with "urgent."
Gyeong-hye unfolded the report immediately.
"...After securing the Manin Blood, Righteous Martial Academy cadets clashed with Mount Hua disciples."
"A-and? What happened?!"
"The academy cadets defended the Manin Blood, and Mount Hua participants signaled their withdrawal."
"The Plum Blossom Sword Guards... led by Mount Hua's pinnacle Chang Ryang... lost to the Black Dragon and academy students?! How?!"
"...Who knows. It just says they clashed, defended it, and Mount Hua withdrew from the tournament. We'll hear details from those involved when they arrive."
As Gyeong-hye spoke, the guests in the VIP seats divided in joy and sorrow.
The Security Chief, responsible for the academy's overall security, approached and spoke.
"Director. Security Chief here."
"Yes, Chief. What is it?"
"Someone wishes to meet you."
"Now? Everyone except those who declared withdrawal is here. Who wants to see me? Did you inform them we're in the midst of an important tournament?"
"Ah. It's someone I couldn't just turn away."
"Someone? An acquaintance of yours, Chief?"
"We studied together at Unmae Hall during cadet days. You know him too, Director. The one who dropped out of the academy."
"...Who?"
"Jang Cheol-han. Known in the martial world as Langya Sword."
"Langya Sword! One of the Ten Great Swords under heaven?"
"Yes. He requested to see you. But with an outsider during the tournament, I had him wait at the third watchtower."
Gyeong-hye's decision came swiftly.
"Our relations with the academy aren't flawless, but that's past. Hero Jang's conduct doesn't belie his guest status. Bring him."
"Yes. I'll fetch him."
The Security Chief returned shortly—but hurried back alone.
"Di-Director!"
Seeing no Jang Cheol-han, Gyeong-hye asked immediately.
"Where's Hero Jang?"
"W-well. When I returned to the watchtower, he'd subdued the security staff and vanished."
"What?!"
"My apologies. An old friend made such a polite request after years; I let my guard down."
"So... Langya Sword entered the tournament grounds?"
"It seems so."
"...Th-that."
The news made Gyeong-hye dizzy.
As she unconsciously pressed her forehead.
Zhang Sun-rip, Vice Chairman of Baekbon Association among the luminaries, spoke.
"I know it might sound odd from a disciple of Jongnam, but shouldn't we halt the tournament?"
At Zhang Sun-rip's words, Yi Gil-hwan responded immediately.
"You know how it'll sound, yet say it anyway. Why halt a fine tournament? This old man can't comprehend."
"An unknown absolute expert is roaming the grounds! I'm worried for my disciples too!"
"...Unknown? Hero Jang Cheol-han has plenty of heroic deeds. The man who challenged corrupt officials to repay a meal debt to refugee farmers?"
"But he hasn't appeared publicly in five years. With the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult rampant, who's to say he hasn't fallen to demonic temptation?"
"......"
Zhang Sun-rip's words silenced Yi Gil-hwan.
He'd bitterly experienced it himself with his third son seduced by the cult.
As the VIP seats buzzed uneasily.
"Langya Sword, tempted by the cult?"
"Should we really halt it?"
Divine Physician O Gyun-cheon spoke.
"No? I don't know what official appearances satisfy you all. But I've seen Jang Cheol-han a few times."
At O Gyun-cheon's words, lip-biting Gyeong-hye brightened.
"You've seen him?"
"Yes. Once a year, it seems. Always dropping by Hye-min Pavilion for fixes. Even two months ago. A top swordsman who lives for the blade like polishing jade. Enough with the baseless speculation."
At the conversation's end.
Gyeong-hye sighed in relief while eyeing Jeon-gal Cheok.
"We'll proceed with the tournament. But we must prepare. Assembly Leader Jeon-gal. I must guard here, and security handles civilian spectators. Can you help?"
"Of course. I'll send our secretaries to the exam grounds. Secretary Eon. Secretary Myeong-yeong, hear that?"
At Jeon-gal Cheok's words, Eon Jeong-ung and the five Wudang elders cupped fists and rose.
As unrest lingered in the VIP seats.
Namgung Won quietly stroked his chin.
"Langya Sword. If we could settle him at the academy, it'd greatly aid the righteous martial world. Timing with the Heavenly Martial Tournament is the issue... Or perhaps that's why he came? Hahaha."
* * *
Having yielded to us, Mount Hua's disciples retreated. I raced toward the next point with my younger brothers.
Along the way, Yin Ha-seong began fussing excitedly.
"As expected of Brother Yong-un. Mount Hua's stellar disciples blooming plum blossoms had me dazed. You took it and quipped right back at Instructor Chang Ryang! Awesome!"
At that, Dang Ok-gi shuddered and spoke.
"Yeah. Eon Yong-un was 'Eon Yong-un' today too."
I shot back at Dang Ok-gi of the pair.
"Feels like you're treating it as a bad thing?"
"Wouldn't you? I thought you were insane shoving into the gourd and telling Instructor Chang Ryang to slice it."
"......"
At Dang Ok-gi's words, Yin Ha-seong nodded vigorously.
"Ah. That was a bit much."
"A bit? Hand it over meekly? Forfeit the Heavenly Martial Tournament win?"
As I snapped back at them.
Cheon Jang-ho glanced back, then vented at the Kunlun disciples trailing at an ambiguous distance.
"If you're gonna charge, charge! If not, back off! Make up your minds! They're still at it!"
At his outburst, Paeng So-cheon looked pitifully and spoke.
"Good if they don't. Idiot."
"What? Idiot?"
Paeng So-jin chuckled and added.
"Three more points to the dock. They know they can't match us on boats. They'll either attack before or give up."
At that moment.
Sensing a presence in the front thicket, I raised my palm to signal the group to halt.
Rustle-
Then Cheon Jang-ho rolled up his sleeves and bellowed toward it.
"Hah. So the tailing was a ploy? Sent a detachment? Ptoo! Can't stand cowards waiting for deaths like vultures! Fine, let's fight!"
My master and I differed slightly from Cheon Jang-ho.
- That energy doesn't feel like someone trained in Daoist heart methods?
'Yeah.'
Thus, I promptly grabbed Cheon Jang-ho's collar.
"Gah?!"
And sure enough.
In that instant, a black silhouette burst from the thicket toward us.
Kaaaang!!!
I lightning-quickly drew Regret to block the intruder's thrust.
"...This guy's no Kunlun disciple."
The man clashing swords with me grinned and spoke.
"Good instincts."