Chapter 33
Chapter 33
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: The Holy Flame Palace's Little Palace Lord 2
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Whether there were people in the inn or not, the atmosphere between the two remained consistently quiet. That didn't mean what was to come next signaled any development in their relationship as man and woman. More than anyone, they knew from each other's expressions and words that a spar was on the horizon.
It was hard to explain in words, but that was just how they were born.
Warriors...
The natural thought harbored in their hearts was simply, "I want to test myself against you."
Given their personalities, though, they were exchanging calm words. In particular, Jin So-hye had rarely made time like this to offer a polite apology first, acknowledging the many wrongs committed by the Holy Flame Palace.
Baek Moo-jin, of course, could read all of Jin So-hye's thoughts.
His personality was unusually distinctive, however. Even as she awkwardly offered her apology, Baek Moo-jin remained utterly composed, showing no particular emotion.
No arrogance, no hint of anger.
As if he weren't dwelling at all on the deputy envoy's matter or the earlier provocateur's antics. In truth, Baek Moo-jin felt no particular stir over today's events.
His next words revealed something of his own temperament.
"You've expended quite a bit of inner energy. We can spar once you've fully recovered it."
Jin So-hye stared at him fixedly before replying.
"After beating the deputy envoy, are you feeling a bit..."
As her words trailed off, Baek Moo-jin immediately responded.
"A bit what?"
Jin So-hye swallowed her next words.
She had meant to ask if he was getting full of himself.
But since he wasn't her subordinate—and given the Holy Flame Palace's many faults—she couldn't speak as bluntly as usual.
Baek Moo-jin guessed the gist of what she meant and let out a smirk. Her expression stiffening, Jin So-hye pressed on.
"...In any case, I'm fine today as well. Of course, if you are, Patriarch Baek. You didn't tire yourself rushing here with lightness skill against the deputy envoy, did you?"
This time, provocation laced her words. Baek Moo-jin shook his head as he replied.
"Lightness skill... It was fairly swift, but not enough to hinder a spar. I'm fine too."
With that, their gazes locked. For these two, the urge to gauge superiority in martial arts overshadowed any interest in romance.
As Jin So-hye regarded Baek Moo-jin, she thought.
'What a shame it'd be to kill him.'
At this point, she still figured that no matter how strong Baek Moo-jin was, he couldn't compare to her.
He could never imagine how the Holy Flame Palace had forged her strength, or what aspirations she held.
Jin So-hye rose, saying,
"Let's go."
Baek Moo-jin nodded.
"Yes, let's."
In some ways, their personalities and backgrounds were remarkably similar—yet neither realized how alike they were.
Silently, they stepped out of the inn.
2.
Beneath the bright moonlight, the two walked the night path, gradually distancing themselves from the merchant district and inn street.
They sought an empty spot.
Stars twinkling overhead seemed like spectators eager to watch their duel. Even while walking, they spoke scarcely at all. Before long, they arrived beneath sheer cliffs.
The profound silence appealed most.
And the treacherous surrounding terrain appealed even more.
Such eerie locales suited them perfectly.
Though unlikely to spread through the martial world, the spar between Baek Moo-jin and Jin So-hye promised a captivating clash.
Snow Mountain Baek Family's White Flower Divine Art versus Holy Flame Palace's Exterminating Heaven Divine Art.
No matter how deeply one delved into the martial world's ancient history, no two arts stood in such stark opposition.
Neither had ever unleashed their full might since venturing into the jianghu. The key lay in how far they'd push themselves here.
Jin So-hye glanced up at the dizzyingly steep cliff, then—with a shing—drew her longsword.
Baek Moo-jin meticulously checked for onlookers once more before halting at a suitable distance. Their eyes met.
Originally, Jin So-hye had planned to hone herself slaying North Martial Forest's evil demons and outlaws, then enter secluded training before crossing to South Martial Forest to crush the righteous sects and great families' masters. She'd never drawn her sword first upon meeting an opponent—making her high regard for Baek Moo-jin all the more telling.
Gazing down at her blade, Jin So-hye issued a chilling warning toward Baek Moo-jin.
"No one who's sparred with me has survived thus far. Not my intention, but that's how it's turned out."
A caution to beware. Baek Moo-jin smiled lightly and nodded.
"The Little Palace Lord must be quite formidable."
At his words, Jin So-hye let out a "Hoo..." and bowed her head.
Whenever she tried to build tension, Baek Moo-jin responded with something oddly disarming.
Closing her eyes briefly, Jin So-hye focused her mind.
'End it quickly, and if possible, let him live. He's from the orthodox path, a North Heaven Alliance warrior.'
As she opened her eyes to attack...
Baek Moo-jin interrupted again.
"Planning to duel with swords?"
"Pardon? Is that not allowed?"
A touch of foolishness colored both question and answer. Baek Moo-jin continued.
"Is the sword your strongest suit, by chance?"
"Why do you ask?"
His expression grave, Baek Moo-jin said,
"I don't use a sword lightly."
"Then when do you?"
"When I mean to kill for certain."
"Pardon?"
As if from another world, Baek Moo-jin pressed on.
"Isn't that what a sword is for?"
Jin So-hye frowned at him.
'What kind of person is this?'
He almost seemed to be showing off.
Different upbringings, different martial teachings—such differences were inevitable.
With a sigh, Jin So-hye nodded.
"Then let's start with palm arts. Swords if no victor emerges."
"Agreed."
Sheathing her blade, Jin So-hye strode to a large nearby rock and paused. Spotting a flat, broad boulder to rest her sword upon, Baek Moo-jin moved toward the same one simultaneously. Hesitating briefly, they approached and placed their longswords side by side atop it.
The scene looked profoundly awkward.
Even so, the white sword and red sword lay parallel, as if watching over their duel.
3.
Taking position, Baek Moo-jin said,
"Begin."
Jin So-hye clicked her tongue inwardly.
'Getting to a spar takes forever... No wonder the orthodox path feels so stifling.'
As Baek Moo-jin grinned again, Jin So-hye found his smile grating.
Glare fixed on him, she warned,
"Be careful."
With her words, an ominous intangible aura erupted from Jin So-hye's form. Baek Moo-jin's brows shot up. It felt as if she'd briefly unshackled an inner seal. Her very energy had transformed.
Her figure vanished from his sight, only for her palm to fill his vision moments later.
Baek Moo-jin stomped the ground with left-foot energy and slid backward.
He retreated; she pursued...
Midair, they traveled five zhang in a straight line. Even seasoned masters would gape.
Landing on his right foot to steady himself, Baek Moo-jin unwittingly channeled White Flower Divine Art to the fourth realm, slapping away her right palm with amplified force.
A thunderous boom erupted.
Kwaaaaang...
Jin So-hye grimaced, hurled toward the cliff at inconceivable speed.
Baek Moo-jin let out a groan as he watched her fly.
'I overdid it without thinking... Is that it?'
Fourth realm power had overwhelmed the deputy envoy. Her lightness skill's speed had drawn out more force than intended.
Yet Jin So-hye spun midflight, kicked off the cliff, and curved back toward him.
Baek Moo-jin exclaimed unwittingly.
"Ah..."
Strong.
Jin So-hye, propelled by tremendous force, charged anew, her twin palms swirling with Exterminating Heaven Infernal Flame Fist. Far darker than the deputy envoy's hands...
Snapping from his daze, Baek Moo-jin enveloped himself in White Flower Divine Art.
In turn, his aura bloomed outward circularly, as if he'd released his own restraint.
A clash of bizarre arts...
Yet aura alone couldn't block her assault. Piercing his chill, Jin So-hye unleashed Exterminating Heaven Infernal Flame Fist from both palms. Her hands flickered red as if clutching fire—trailing illusory flame tails with each motion.
'This woman... truly dangerous.'
Baek Moo-jin leaped skyward.
Deeming it evasion, Jin So-hye merged her palms earthbound, manifesting an external-energy Flame Orb and launching it aloft.
Where did such an art even exist?
Anyone but Baek Moo-jin would have recoiled in terror.
But at the rising orb, he infused White Flower Palm's external-ice principle, forming a palm-shaped ice barrier.
Their arts produced distinct sounds: hers roared whoosh with flames; his cracked crackle manifesting frost.
Thus, his tangible shield met her tangible blaze midair.
The shockwave was immense—bystanders risked their lives.
Yet neither inflicted harm despite such output.
Deflecting the blast and arcing down lightly, Baek Moo-jin exhaled softly.
'Impressive.'
Through the dust and roar, Jin So-hye approached, eyes gleaming.
Baek Moo-jin voiced his admiration.
"Remarkable."
She shook her head as she neared.
"Things are about to get dangerous for both of us now."
In his mind, Baek Moo-jin retorted,
'No, just for you...'
Composed, he elevated White Flower Divine Art to the fifth realm. Expecting no need to go further...