Chapter 29: Sparring
Jeong Gwang had created numerous martial techniques in his previous life.
Most of them suited his personality—methods designed for mass slaughter.
But there were some unexpected ones too, like the multi-transmission sound technique he had named da-jeon-eum, which allowed him to send telepathic messages to multiple people at once.
He had devised such techniques in his youth, and there was good reason for it.
His enemies were strong, numerous, and endlessly charging at him.
To overcome them with his scant loyal subordinates, he needed to issue swift, secret commands. That was why he had created the multi-transmission technique.
It was only natural that Ju Hwan-seol neither knew of this desperately born telepathic art nor could block it. Unsatisfied even with the escorts who had executed his orders flawlessly, Jeong Gwang whipped them on.
That bastard is a real piece of shit!
"That bastard is a real piece of shit!"
So much so that I want to beat him until he's dead!
"……."
Huh? Not saying it? Want to get hit once yourself?
The escorts immediately summoned their full inner power and shouted.
"So much so that I want to beat him until he's dead!"
"He's the kind of scum worthy of being listed among the Murim's public enemies!"
"We must uphold the ways of the jianghu! Killing him would be for the good of the world!"
"Ju Hwan-seol, you son of a bitch! Heaven won't forgive you!"
The Kunlun disciples, nurtured in the pure air of Kunlun Mountain, stared wide-eyed.
Even the worldly Ju Clan warriors and Baek Merchant Group members, seasoned in the jianghu, were shocked. As for the man himself, Ju Hwan-seol, veins bulged on his forehead in fury.
But that wasn't the end of it—Jeong Gwang twisted the knife further.
"Whoa. What kind of life have you lived to make people say that……."
"That's not true!"
"But they say it is?"
"I said it's not!"
Jeong Gwang tilted his head.
"I heard those guys were bandits who turned over a new leaf? And the Ju Clan vouched for it."
"……That's right."
"So they became escorts for the Ju Yeon Escort Agency."
"……Yes."
"And the Ju Yeon Escort Agency is the Ju Clan's business, right?"
"……So?"
"These aren't even Baek Merchant Group folks spilling their guts, and you're denying it? What if they cracked open their chests to show you their hearts—would you believe them then?"
The escorts' faces turned pale.
The Jeong Gwang they knew was exactly the type to do that.
Glancing at their expressions, Ju Hwan-seol was convinced.
"……You threatened them into lying, didn't you?"
Jeong Gwang's face hardened.
"You saying I'm the one running a scam? Can you take responsibility for that?"
Ju Hwan-seol was at a loss for words.
His clan was renowned in the martial world, and his own fame was considerable, but he lacked the guts to accuse Kunlun—one of the Nine Great Sects and One Gang—of deceit.
In the end, to challenge Kunlun, the Kongtong Sect had to step in.
Just then, Yeong Chu-ja's telepathic message arrived.
Tsk tsk. You spoke with such confidence, and now look at you.
……I'm sorry, Fourth Uncle.
No matter how this ends, you're…… Sigh. We'll talk later.
Yeong Chu-ja rose, brushing off his sleeves.
His lightning-sharp gaze turned to Jeong Gwang.
"Amitabha. This is a matter for the Ju Clan and Baek Merchant Group. It makes no sense for Kunlun to interfere."
Yeong Chu-ja's raspy voice grated on the ears.
The previous life's Jeong Gwang would have shattered his jaw on the spot.
Of course, he was tempted now too, but Un Hak spoke first.
"The Ju Yeon Escort Agency ambushed our sect's disciple, making it our affair."
"Ambush? You expect me to believe that?"
"The conversation keeps veering off. We'll bring witnesses who saw it in the city, then discuss."
"I can't trust them either."
"Haha. Then what will convince you? No, let me ask this first: What right does Kongtong have to intervene?"
"How can the main sect ignore its secular branch's affairs?"
"Does Kongtong have the capacity to manage all those secular branches?"
"Are you insulting our sect now?"
Un Hak smiled faintly.
"I'm genuinely impressed. Kongtong disciples rushing here from distant Gansu Province in just one day after the incident? Who would dare belittle that?"
"……We happened to be passing by on other business and heard the news."
"What business brought you all the way here?"
"No need to answer that."
Un Hak's face hardened.
It was obvious they had come to handle any contingencies if the Ju Clan attacked the Baek Merchant Group, yet they kept lying!
A stern voice, unlike before, issued from his mouth.
"We have witnesses. Even your own Ju Clan escorts confessed. What proof do you have for your claims?"
As if they had any.
Yeong Chu-ja unleashed his lifelong ultimate technique: stubborn denial.
"Heh. With claims clashing so sharply, this isn't simple. Let's retrace from the beginning."
Jeong Gwang corrected him.
"Not clashing sharply—you're just getting one-sidedly pushed back."
"……Jeong sahyung, you're far below me in seniority—how dare you butt in!"
"Whoa! Does Kongtong judge even truth by seniority these days? What era is this?"
"Are you insulting me now?!"
"I just stated facts, and that's how it sounds? Ah, now I get it."
"You brat! Speak plainly!"
"Must sting pretty bad, huh?"
"……."
Fierce killing intent poured from Yeong Chu-ja toward Jeong Gwang.
Infuriated, Un Hak gathered his energy and bellowed.
"Enough! What do you think you're doing?!"
Yeong Chu-ja's killing intent vanished.
Un Hak's heavy presence disrupted his breathing.
His inner power is this profound?!
Hiding his shock, Yeong Chu-ja pressed sharply.
"Insolent! How did you teach your sahon?"
"I'm learning it right now!"
"Then your sect elders need to teach properly…… What did you just say?"
"Not just your heart—even your ears are blocked? I said I'm learning!"
"Such nonsense…… Fine. You're just like your sahon. No more words needed."
"Then we've got our answer."
"What answer?"
"When words fail in the jianghu, we settle disputes with bi-mu sparring."
Un Hak paused, shifting his gaze to Ju Hwan-seol.
"The parties involved can settle it themselves. Prepare."
"Parties involved……?"
"Who else but you and Jeong Gwang?"
Disputes between parties should be settled by those parties.
Nothing was fairer or more certain, yet it was a method rarely followed in the martial world.
Martial arts were taught and learned from others. Warriors were entangled in complex master-disciple bonds, naturally sharing grudges and favors.
Children's squabbles often escalated to adult feuds endlessly. One misstep led to ceaseless revenge.
"……Will you truly end this with just a bi-mu between me and Jin Ok-ryong?"
"Of course. I guarantee it in Kunlun's name."
"……!"
With a sect's name on the line, it was trustworthy.
But Ju Hwan-seol's face remained dark.
That confident, huh?
He didn't fully believe the rumors about Jin Ok-ryong, but the young genius was undoubtedly exceptional.
……Doesn't matter.
He quickly steeled himself.
He's barely out of his teens. Even if he trained in the womb, he can't match me.
Unfortunately, Jeong Gwang had trained from his previous life and been the world's best. Ignorant of this, he glanced at Yeong Chu-ja.
As long as you don't kill him, I'll handle the aftermath. Get it?
Make him a cripple, at minimum.
……Understood.
He was committed to the tiger's momentum now.
Backing down would shatter his lifelong fame and Kongtong backing.
Ju Hwan-seol had to defeat Jeong Gwang, no matter what.
"Bi-mu. I accept."
Politely addressing Un Hak, he turned to Jeong Gwang.
By now, a chilling frost had formed on Ju Hwan-seol's face.
I'll make you regret being born.
His nickname, the Cold-Faced Remnant Sword of Kongtong's secular branches!
'Cold Face' fulfilled—time for 'Remnant Sword.'
*
Ju Hwan-seol unleashed cruel swordplay from the start.
Jeong Gwang dodged concisely, appraising his arts.
To compare with Kongtong records from the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult in his past life.
His conclusion:
Real deal. Are these guys really zhengpai orthodox?
Vicious.
His killing strikes aimed to end breaths endlessly.
A famed orthodox sect wielding arts rivaling the unorthodox—impressive!
But why so sloppy?
Pretending orthodoxy, trapped in needless formality—a half-baked sword style.
After observing, its patterns sorted in his mind.
His curiosity waned.
Jeong Gwang stopped dodging.
From then, Ju Hwan-seol began getting brutally thrashed.
"Kwaaaack!"
Whether he screamed or not, onlookers could only gape blankly.
It was incomprehensible.
Not some profound technique—just beating him senseless?
Hidden esoteric movements invisible to us? Kunlun's secret arts?
As if.
Jeong Gwang was simply ghosting gaps and pounding like a demon.
With the sheathed sword.
Each strike landed so crisply, a cheerful thwack echoed.
This can't be! I must block!
By the time Yeong Chu-ja snapped to, Ju Hwan-seol lay crumpled like a deflated octopus.
"Y-You vicious brat! How can a child be so ruthless?!"
"Not ruthless, and you're no hero."
"What?! I won't let you get away!"
Jeong Gwang's eyes gleamed as he clasped his hands.
"Kunlun disciple Jeong Gwang accepts your bi-mu challenge."
"Bi-mu challenge? When did I……."
"Just now. We all heard. Hey, escorts—right?"
Having tasted Jeong Gwang's terror and witnessed Ju Hwan-seol's fate, how could they deny?
"Yes!"
"Definitely a bi-mu challenge!"
Yeong Chu-ja's cheeks quivered.
Rage surged, but his mind stayed cool.
Taking down Ju Hwan-seol without special techniques. No ordinary kid.
He needed intel on Jeong Gwang's arts.
How was fighting him? Any trickery?
"Kuh……."
Answer quick!
"Uhuhuk……."
Ju Hwan-seol lacked energy even for telepathy.
Grilled not for his wounds but Jeong Gwang, tears of grievance flowed.
Ju Clan warriors tended him. Hearing his pained screams, Yeong Chu-ja clicked his tongue.
Tsk tsk. Useless fool. How's a guy like this Kongtong secular top expert?
Not his place to judge.
Jeong Gwang eyed him suspiciously.
"Challenged to bi-mu then backing out? A man keeps his word. Real Kongtong Sect?"
"Such impudence!"
"That's what you're doing."
"How can I fight a mere child like you? Beating you changes nothing!"
Un Hak's calm voice reached his angry ears.
"Parties settled it. Let's end here."
"After crippling him?! Ridiculous!"
"Fair bi-mu. No life threat."
Yeong Chu-ja knew.
He had no justification.
Then…….
Grab gains by force!
"Now it's our sect's affair!"
"Heh. Meaning?"
"See? Our secular disciple is crippled. How can we withdraw?"
Anger rose on Un Hak's face.
"Bi-mu decided it—escalating now?"
"Escalating? It's natural!"
Un Hak rose slowly.
His profound aura made Yeong Chu-ja's brows twitch.
Un Hak…… More formidable than thought…….
He had to win and seal this.
As Un Hak and Yeong Chu-ja glared, auras clashing—
Jeong Gwang interrupted.
"So let's get on with it already."
"……Un Hak! Your insolent sahon babbles without knowing heaven and earth—how do you……."
"Amitabha. Jeong Gwang may be young, but his dao is not shallow."
"Ha! Hyping your own disciple."
"Whether or not, experience it. Try him."
"……?"
"End this with bi-mu between you and Jeong Gwang."
Unexpected boon—Yeong Chu-ja smirked inwardly.
"Swear on Kunlun."
"I swear. You swear on Kongtong."
A thin line creased Yeong Chu-ja's lips.
Jeong Gwang was great, but unbeatable? No!
He'd endure seniority jabs—results mattered.
"I swear."
Kongtong and Ju Clan faces smiled.
But right now, Jeong Gwang grinned widest.
Cold Face wasn't enough—jackpot. Time for a real warmup.
Standing lopsided on one leg, he elegantly raised a hand.
Extended his index finger—and beckoned.
"Come on."
"……!"
What audacious provocation!
Like a street thug!
Many gasped, but Kunlun disciples differed.
They puffed chests proudly.
This was pure Kunlun martial art.
The introductory stance of Cloud Chasing Fist—Jeong Gwang's reform that had taunted Hebei Pang Clan's Paeng Gang-hwi!