Chapter 93: Dangerous Sparring Continues (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 93: Dangerous Sparring Continues (3)
“Eo Ja-seo will surely lose to his next opponent.”
“Is that so?”
Seo Gong gave a thin smile, offering neither an affirmation nor a denial to his disciple’s words. He tucked his hands behind his back and turned his gaze toward the sparring stage.
“Shall we place a wager? It’s been a while.”
“Pardon?”
“Who will you bet on? I’ll put two gold-and-silver treasures on that boy.”
Kang Jung didn't know what had put his master in such a good mood, but he couldn't bring himself to dampen the rare excitement. To him, Seo Gong, the Demon of Chaos, was more than just a father figure.
“Then I shall bet on him as well.”
“Good. Let’s see who wins.”
Seeing the rare look of amusement on his master’s face, Kang Jung also shifted his gaze back to the stage.
*
During the time it took for a stick of incense to burn, I completed one Small Heavenly Cycle.
The pain in my right ankle subsided significantly. However, since I had done it while conversing with Jeok Yeong, no one would have suspected I was performing Energy Guiding Technique.
Having recovered my internal energy, I stood up.
“I’m ready.”
At my words, Elder Jang looked at me and smirked.
“You don’t look like you’ve performed any Energy Guiding Technique. Are you sure you’re alright?”
“A brief rest is enough.”
Elder Jang gave a beaming smile. It was the kind of expression that said, 'You're dead.'
“Perhaps that rest was the last one you’ll ever have in this life.”
“My last rest will be in the arms of a woman. So, old man, you don’t need to worry yourself so much.”
I decided to be brazen with this obnoxious old geezer. If I stayed quiet, he’d keep treating me like a mere pawn on a chessboard. I’m the type of guy who’s weak against the weak, but strong against the strong.
Wait, now isn't the time for me to get worked up.
However, Elder Jang seemed so shocked by my words that he couldn't speak, his mouth merely hanging open. Who would have ever dared to speak to him so recklessly?
“Fine. I’ll consider it the final struggle of a dying man and look upon it with pity.”
Elder Jang turned to the man standing beside him.
“Finish this cleanly. Make sure he’s a complete cripple.”
The man stepped forward.
I hadn't expected this man to be the one, and I was genuinely startled. He exuded an aura that made me wonder if this was what the legendary Xiang Yu would have looked like. His black martial robes suited him perfectly.
Above all, his physique was imposing. He was massive, yet his overall proportions were so well-balanced that he didn't feel ungainly. I hadn't known who he was, but hearing the murmurs of the crowd made my skin crawl.
“My god, to think that Lord Yu Hong, the leader of the Black Dragon Exploding Demon Group—the second-ranked martial unit of the Nine Demons Chamber—would step out.”
“If the 'Exploding Demon Dragon' Yu Hong is stepping in, the outcome of this duel is already decided.”
“Of course. Isn't he the top disciple of the Second Chamber Leader, the Soul Chasing Poison Demon? Rumor has it his mastery of poison is already nearing the Second Chamber Leader’s level.”
“Is that all? There are even rumors that the Demon of Chaos himself favors him because of his talent with the saber.”
I didn't take everything they said as gospel, but my heart sank the moment I heard he was the leader of the Black Dragon Exploding Demon Group.
In the Murim, the Blood Wind Squad was the most well-known, but when it came to the most feared units, the Black Dragon Exploding Demon Group was always at the top of the list. They were known for slaughtering their opponents in the most horrific manner. It was said that even within the Nine Demons Chamber, people avoided them because of their sheer cruelty.
And this guy was their leader.
Dammit, so that’s why that rat-like old man was smirking.
Deputy Woo’s face had turned the color of lead. Seeing the situation, it felt as if my defeat was already a foregone conclusion, and a surge of indignation rose within me.
At this rate, I’m going to develop a 'Wrath Dantian' instead of a regular one.
Lately, I’d been getting worked up far too often. It was likely due to the identity crisis between being a third-rate weakling and a master. If I were still just a weakling, I would have accepted this situation calmly, but since I now possessed enough martial power to defeat most experts, it seemed a master’s instinct was unconsciously taking root.
“Brother, I believe in you. I believe you can win no matter who the opponent is.”
Jeok Yeong, who didn't even consider the possibility of my loss, spoke to me with a smile.
“Young Jeok. To me, victory and defeat are meaningless. Even if I win, if I cannot justify it to myself, it is not a victory. Even if I lose, if I understand why, it is not a defeat. Victory and defeat are like water. It is merely that the water is high at one moment and low the next. Eventually, the water’s position will change, so why should one despair over a momentary low? Therefore, do not be so obsessed with winning or losing.”
I recited the words I had heard from Elder Third Rate.
The words were surprisingly effective; the expressions of those who had been looking at me with concern began to settle.
“Indeed, Young Hero Eo is correct. However, you must win this sparring match. If you don't, there will be no way to enter the closed-door training rooms.”
“Do not worry. I won’t lose on purpose, and a fight isn't over until it’s over.”
When I smiled, Deputy Woo looked relieved. Ironically, seeing everyone expect my defeat made me feel more composed. It was okay to lose.
Just then, a woman’s voice drifted into my ear.
[He is a master that even I would find difficult to defeat. He is one of the strongest young experts in the Nine Demons Chamber. You must defeat a man like that for my pipa performance to be worth it, don't you think?]
It was a sound transmission from Cho Maeryeong, implying that if I defeated such a great master, her own value—having fought me to a draw—would rise accordingly.
Women and their hearts. Now she was cheering for her rival because of the competition.
It wasn't an exaggeration to say that all eyes in the Nine Demons Chamber were currently fixed on me. Even outside the sparring stage, people were leaning out of the windows of every pavilion. The nearby buildings were so packed with people they looked like ant nests.
If I lose in a place like this, it’s going to be a pathetic sight.
In all my life, I had never really thought about wanting to beat someone. Being a weakling, losing was always more comfortable. But this time, I wanted to win. Even though he was an opponent so strong that everyone expected me to lose, I wanted to win this match no matter what.
If I win just this once, I’ll never do another sparring match again.
That was my resolve. If I won this duel, I would no longer be a weakling, nor just a simple expert. I would be treated with respect in any sect and could spend the rest of my life bossing people around.
Just this once.
I had defeated Ghost Rock Dragon and Cho Maeryeong with the Draw Sword Instant Kill: Life Claiming Style, so there was no reason I couldn't beat this guy too.
Let’s give it a shot.
The man stepped onto the stage and cupped his fists toward me.
“I am Yu Hong, leader of the Black Dragon Exploding Demon Group.”
I also cupped my fists politely.
“I am Eo Ja-seo, currently serving as the Acting Squad Leader of the Blood Wind Squad.”
I treated those who were polite to me with equal respect. As expected of someone with deep cultivation, he was of a different caliber than that fellow Do Geon. Yu Hong looked to be about thirty-five, with an aura that felt like a friendly neighbor. To think such a man was the leader of the terrifying Black Dragon Exploding Demon Group.
I reminded myself once again of the maxim: never be deceived by appearances. Then again, people were often caught off guard by my appearance too.
“My specialty is poison, but I will not use it here. I fear that if I use poison in this place, many people might be harmed. I shall use only this saber.”
He spoke while tapping the saber he held.
Yu Hong had explicitly stated he wouldn't use his specialty, poison. Really? Well, that was good for me. Hidden weapons and poison were incredibly difficult to deal with. That’s why even weaklings using poison or hidden weapons could often defeat masters—it was all about the advantage of the weapon. Since he volunteered not to use it, I was only grateful.
“I shall grant you the first move. You are a guest, after all; it would be impolite of me to attack first.”
He was even giving up the first move? That was exactly what I wanted.
I didn't believe he could withstand all of my Three Ultimate Techniques. My Three Ultimate Techniques consisted of the Explosive Sword Style that had neutralized the Blood Lama and the Blood Luo Living Jiangshi—foes that even masters of the Nine Great Sects struggled with; the Projectile Sword Style that blocked Do Geon’s hidden weapons; and the Life Claiming Style that had countered Cho Maeryeong’s sound-based arts.
I felt confident that these three would be enough to bring him down.
“I won’t refuse.”
As soon as Yu Hong finished speaking, I kicked off the ground and lunged at him. When I reached him, I swung downward with a strike intended to cleave him in two, just as I had done with Do Geon. It was a setup for the Draw Sword Instant Kill: Life Claiming Style.
As expected, he raised his saber to block.
I curled my tongue and unleashed the Life Claiming Style. Yu Hong didn't even notice it. Even after the technique was unleashed, Yu Hong didn't budge.
This guy’s body is frozen too!
I cheered inwardly. But then, his lips moved.
“Is that all?”
He raised his foot and kicked me square in the abdomen.
Thwack!
I couldn't block that simple movement and took the hit directly.
“Gah!”
I was pushed back to the very edge of the stage. The pain was so intense it felt like my intestines were tearing, and I wanted to collapse. But I couldn't. If I fell here, everything would be over.
That guy! What the hell is he? Why didn't my Life Claiming Style work? Is his body made of iron?
As I stood there drooling slightly from the pain, I heard the murmurs from the surroundings.
“As expected, even the Draw Sword Instant Kill doesn't work on Lord Yu Hong.”
“Of course. Hasn't Lord Yu Hong already mastered the Body Protective Aura? They say he’s entering the Extreme Intent Realm beyond the super-peak level, and his Body Protective Aura is stronger than that of most peak masters.”
“If the Draw Sword Instant Kill doesn't work, what will the Acting Squad Leader do?”
“Who knows? Will he just take it? He’s the New Dragon of Sichuan, and if Lady Ham Bi-hye invited him, he must have some kind of trump card.”
“That’s true. He’s the one who beat Ghost Rock Dragon; it won’t end like this. The real sparks are about to fly.”
What? Body Protective Aura?
So that’s why the Life Claiming Style didn't work? The Life Claiming Style worked on someone like Do Geon, but it couldn't pierce a Body Protective Aura that was harder than iron plate.
Dammit, I’m in deep trouble.
The spectating warriors were clearly excited, likely anticipating a heated battle.
I lunged again. Not because I wanted to give the audience a show, but because it was better to attack than to be on the receiving end of his first strike.
This time, I initiated the Explosive Sword Style using the Golden Qi-Poisoning Bracelet. I drew my sword in front of him and poured internal energy into the bracelet. I waited, sword drawn.
No matter how strong his Body Protective Aura is, he won’t be able to withstand poison.
Yu Hong’s face began to contort.
That’s it. It’s working now.
I watched, expecting blood to spray from his mouth and nose any second. Yu Hong’s face twisted further, and his mouth fell open.
This grueling duel is finally over.
I allowed myself a thin smile.
“This joke has gone too far. Do I look that easy to you?”
He struck my sword upward. The Ghost Sword spun through the air before stabbing into the ground behind me.
“What exactly are you trying to do? Stop playing around and let’s fight for real.”
I scrambled backward in a panic.
Why isn't anything working on him? Could it be... he has a high resistance to poison, or he’s practiced an orthodox internal cultivation method? What do I do? Neither the Life Claiming Style nor the Explosive Sword Style is working.
Yu Hong raised his saber, his momentum surging. His aura spread in all directions, making the very air shimmer.
I pulled the Ghost Sword toward me to prepare for his attack. The sword, which had been stuck in the ground, rose into the air and flew into my hand.
“That’s it. Show me your 'Manipulating Sword with Qi.' If you play around again, you might actually die. I’ll be giving it my all this time.”
Ugh! I have nothing left. What am I supposed to do?
Then, it suddenly occurred to me that I hadn't yet unleashed the Scattering Light Red Sun Flash against a proper opponent.
Will the Scattering Light Red Sun Flash work against a monster like him?
This man, Yu Hong, was a true master unlike anyone I had met before—a wall I couldn't seem to scale. Even though I knew the power of the Scattering Light Red Sun Flash, I wasn't confident it could pierce Yu Hong’s Body Protective Aura.
As I was lost in thought, Yu Hong spoke, seemingly tired of waiting.
“I’m coming. I hope you’ll show me your true strength this time.”
He warned me once more, then raised his saber and approached me with the smooth, predatory grace of a stalking cat.
Whoosh!
The saber grazed past my head. I quickly retreated and unleashed the Scattering Light Red Sun Flash. It was an act driven almost entirely by survival instinct.
“That’s the one!”
As the first form of the Scattering Light Red Sun Flash was nearing its end, a smile bloomed on Yu Hong’s face. I executed the technique again, omitting only the final move.
The only way to break his Body Protective Aura is with Overlapping Rebound Energy.
I remembered it clearly. I had wondered why the Scattering Light Red Sun Flash included the Overlapping Rebound Energy, and later I realized it was a technique designed specifically to shatter a Body Protective Aura.
His Body Protective Aura isn't at the absolute pinnacle yet, so my current internal energy combined with the Overlapping Rebound Energy should be enough to shock him.
I wanted to believe that. And I believed in the Nine-Section Soul-Severing Sword.