Chapter 12
Chapter 12
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: First Grade Warrior 4
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Light filtering faintly through the gap in the window struck the slightly exposed blade of Baek Moo-jin's sword, reflecting off it in a gleam.
The distance between Baek Moo-jin and Jang Geon was about two jang—roughly six meters.
Since Baek Moo-jin still hadn't fully drawn his sword, Jang Geon, who had been biding his time, silently closed the gap.
Jang Geon's upper body tilted forward as he swiftly slashed his straight sword vertically. At the same time, his left foot stomped the floor with a resounding thud.
For the first time since descending Snow Mountain, Baek Moo-jin's sword revealed itself. With a soft shing, the pristine white blade emerged, emitting a brilliant white glow.
Jang Geon's eyes flashed.
'Arrogant fool, you've finally drawn it.'
But the moment Jang Geon's strike clashed against Baek Moo-jin's ordinary draw, not only his straight sword but his entire body—feet still planted on the ground—was pushed back.
As a screeching skreeee continued, Jang Geon raised his straight sword toward the sky before slamming it down vertically, unleashing Single Blade Nether Shatter.
What kind of attack could it be?
A pale, misty blade aura poured from Jang Geon's straight sword, stretching out long like the Monkey King's Ruyi Jingu Bang as it engulfed Baek Moo-jin's entire body.
The onlookers' eyes widened at Jang Geon's prowess.
'Dangerous!'
As Jang Geon released his blade aura, Baek Moo-jin simply swung his sword in a straightforward motion. Yet, it was as if he were demonstrating a sound-based technique—a bizarre noise emanated from his blade, like the deafening crack of a frozen river's surface splitting apart.
Crack-cra-cra-crack!
But it wasn't just the sound.
With Baek Moo-jin forming the Ice Wheel Sword Membrane—the defensive sword stance of the White Flower Divine Art—Jang Geon's blade aura collided against jagged shards of white ice.
It was as if Jang Geon's blade aura had crashed into an iceberg.
A series of muffled thud-thud-thuds rang out in succession, but Baek Moo-jin suffered no damage.
Chunks of ice harmlessly scattered between Baek Moo-jin and Jang Geon.
Baek Moo-jin, slicing through the air, thrust his sword straight at Jang Geon's solar plexus. Yet the sword's trajectory was so straightforward that Jang Geon could easily block it.
In his astonishment, Jang Geon hastily raised his straight sword to parry, and steel met steel.
Clang!
Had Jang Geon not been wearing a mask, everyone present would have seen his twisted grimace.
Another clang! echoed as Baek Moo-jin twisted his wrist, wrapping around the straight sword and sending it flying. In an instant, he closed in and brought the scabbard in his left hand crashing down on Jang Geon's shoulder.
Crack!
The motion flowed so naturally, as if meticulously planned, that Jang Geon's knees buckled to the floor.
Jang Geon was no stranger to tenacity. Lightning-fast, he shot out his left hand and grabbed the scabbard pressing down on his shoulder.
"Enough!"
Someone from the spectator seats shouted, but Jang Geon roared instead, pushing power into his legs. His left hand, gripping Baek Moo-jin's scabbard, swelled with bulging veins on the verge of bursting.
Looking down at Jang Geon, Baek Moo-jin thought:
'It won't work.'
Jang Geon couldn't move, nor could he dislodge Baek Moo-jin's sword. It was as if he needed Baek Moo-jin's permission just to budge.
Baek Moo-jin made no mistake like before.
His opponent was an expert.
Upon engaging, he'd judged that Jang Geon could kill someone like Deputy Commander Kang Yeop in a single strike.
Holding back as he had with Kang Yeop could turn the spar itself deadly. Baek Moo-jin pressed down with fully channeled inner energy, giving Jang Geon time to accept his defeat convincingly.
But when Jang Geon shifted his gaze for a counterattack, Baek Moo-jin finally brought his sword tip to Jang Geon's chin.
Baek Moo-jin and Jang Geon's eyes met once more. Jang Geon's shoulders heaved with ragged breaths.
For a moment, Jang Geon felt on the verge of blacking out and had to steel his mind.
'Have I ever been so utterly defeated?'
Baek Moo-jin gave a slight nod, as if seeking agreement, and said,
"I'll sheathe my sword."
His tone was calm, as if there had never been any malice to begin with.
Only when the blade receded from under his chin did Jang Geon regain his senses. His shoulder throbbed from the scabbard strike, but his pride ached more.
Yet he knew Baek Moo-jin had gone easy on him...
He needed to collect himself and admit defeat.
Kneeling, Jang Geon said,
"I yield."
At those words, Baek Moo-jin's stomach dropped. He hadn't thought his opponent needed to say it on his knees.
'My oversight.'
Startled, Baek Moo-jin approached the kneeling Jang Geon and naturally grasped his arm, helping him to his feet as if assisting a senior. It wasn't forbidden, but neither was it common.
'Huh?'
It might have been nothing, but to the onlookers, it was a tense moment.
Jang Geon could have unleashed a palm strike on the approaching Baek Moo-jin.
But nothing happened.
Baek Moo-jin's demeanor was courteous, and Jang Geon rose with his support. Baek Moo-jin continued,
"Senior, forgive my rudeness. I'm not used to spars."
Having guessed Jang Geon was in his thirties from his voice, Baek Moo-jin had no trouble calling him senior. At the ambiguous apology, Jang Geon shook his head and replied,
"Rudeness?...
Impressive at your age. I have nothing to say."
Only then did the two step back as if by prior agreement, clasping hands in salute toward each other.
Baek Moo-jin spoke first.
"I learned much from your single technique."
"That's my line. I witnessed superb swordsmanship today and broadened my horizons."
2.
Jang Geon walked to the wall, pulled his embedded straight sword free, and approached Deputy Pavilion Leader Goo Ee-hwan of the Hidden Shadow Pavilion. In a gruff voice, he apologized,
"Deputy Leader, I'm sorry. Did I disappoint you?"
"Quiet. Why apologize after doing well?..."
Goo Ee-hwan didn't seem particularly angry.
Execution Hall Leader Woo Tae-jeong, who had been watching with chin in hand, finally stood.
He had enjoyed the spar the most. But words failed him regarding Baek Moo-jin's skill. His feet itched to report to the North Heaven Alliance Leader immediately.
'Lee Yeon-seong's report was spot on.'
Gazing at Baek Moo-jin, Woo Tae-jeong said,
"Forgive the late introduction. I am Woo Tae-jeong, Leader of the Execution Hall."
"Greetings, Leader."
Woo Tae-jeong nodded and welcomed Baek Moo-jin anew.
"Baek Moo-jin, welcome to the North Heaven Alliance."
To liven the mood, Woo Tae-jeong clapped once and addressed the room,
"Everyone, good work. I should be the one apologizing to these two for the sudden spar request. Deputy Pavilion Leader Goo."
"Yes."
As Goo Ee-hwan looked his way, Woo Tae-jeong smiled faintly.
"Must have been a hassle, but thank you for agreeing. And to your guard warrior..."
Woo Tae-jeong had discerned Jang Geon's identity from the fight. Goo Ee-hwan nodded and replied,
"Ah... you knew? Well, now I just have to explain getting thrashed by our Leader. Please put in a good word."
"I'll handle it, don't worry."
"Understood."
Pausing briefly, Woo Tae-jeong headed for the Yongho Hall doors, leaving words for all to hear,
"It's been a while since I've seen the Alliance Leader. I'll report today's events. Since this was a private spar, everyone here keeps the results and details sealed."
"Understood, Leader."
Woo Tae-jeong nodded and exited first, adding,
"Ah, Jang Yoo-seung, escort Warrior Baek and return."
"Yes, Leader."
"The rest of you, dismissed."
As the Execution Hall members filed out amid a clamor, Deputy Pavilion Leader Goo Ee-hwan finally approached Baek Moo-jin.
"Warrior Baek, I am Goo Ee-hwan, Deputy Pavilion Leader of the Hidden Shadow Pavilion."
"Deputy Leader."
Baek Moo-jin clasped hands in salute, and Goo Ee-hwan nodded, saying,
"I thought you'd be sore about losing, but not at all. Thanks for going easy, in your own way."
"Not at all."
"What do you mean, not at all..."
Goo Ee-hwan patted Baek Moo-jin's shoulder and left. Jang Geon, following silently, gave Baek Moo-jin a slight bow.
Baek Moo-jin quickly returned the gesture.
Now, only Baek Moo-jin and the talkative Jang Yoo-seung remained in Yongho Hall. Finally, a human sigh escaped Baek Moo-jin.
"Hoo..."
Watching him, Jang Yoo-seung chuckled and spoke,
"Warrior Baek, you're on the rise now. I'm jealous."
"Rise? I haven't done anything yet."
Jang Yoo-seung shook his head firmly.
"No. You will."
As Jang Yoo-seung kept saying awkward things, Baek Moo-jin steadied his breath without responding, thinking,
'Rising up... not in the North Heaven Alliance, but among the countless heroes of the martial world.'