Chapter 144: Baek Seo-jun (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 144: Baek Seo-jun (1)
“The winner of the duel is—!”
The Abbot’s voice rang out across the arena.
Seo-jun, who had been about to shift his weight onto the foot pressing down on Ju Cheol-yak’s head, lightly stepped back.
What a shame.
Even if he tried to crush the man’s skull right here, the Abbot would undoubtedly intervene. There was no need to kill this fool if it meant making an enemy out of the Shaolin Abbot. If he really couldn't stand the sight of him, Baek Seo-jun could always kill him later.
“Lee Seo-jun, Elder of the Namgung Clan and successor of the Divine Sword Geum Family!”
Waaaaaaaah—!!
A massive roar erupted the moment the Abbot made the declaration.
For an ordinary person, a duel between Super Peak Realm masters was a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle. The brilliant, overwhelming display left the crowd in absolute awe. Though the combatants' speed was so great that most could only see flashes of light, who wouldn't be startled by erupting flames and surging golden dragons?
In contrast, the martial artists who had reached a certain level of proficiency grew deathly quiet.
The overwhelming power Seo-jun displayed was one thing, but what truly shocked them was his Counter Form. The way he had perfectly countered another sect’s martial arts, toying with his opponent with absurd ease...
“He’s dangerous…”
An elder of the Tang Clan stared at Seo-jun with sunken eyes.
The others didn't say much, but they shared the exact same sentiment. Of course, no one was naive enough to believe he had created those counters right there on the spot. Whatever method he had used, he must have prepared them in advance.
That left two burning questions.
How on earth did he obtain the Imperial family’s Heaven-Sun Imperial Extreme Fire Divine Art, and how did he develop a Counter Form based on it that could render Ju Cheol-yak so utterly helpless?
“I won, didn't I?”
Seo-jun didn't care about the crowd. Whether the spectators were reacting strangely or not, he simply looked down at Ju Cheol-yak with a smirk.
“You haven't forgotten the bet, have you?”
The loser must kneel and apologize.
Ju Cheol-yak, his expression stiff, pushed himself up. His face was twisted with a rage that looked ready to draw a sword at any moment, but he knew better. If he failed to concede here and threw a pathetic tantrum, it would bring immense shame upon the Imperial family’s honor.
His jaw muscles bulged with tension, and his eyes were bloodshot. Trembling, Ju Cheol-yak finally dropped to his knees.
“…I apologize for insulting the Geum Family.”
“The Divine Sword Geum Family.”
“I apologize… for insulting the Divine Sword… Geum Family…”
“Wait, who apologizes using the hao-che style? Where’s the formal respect?”
Grind!
With a sickening sound, blood leaked from between Ju Cheol-yak’s lips. Tears of blood even began to stream from his bloodshot eyes. To anyone watching, he looked to be on the verge of Qi Deviation.
He panted heavily for a while. Then, exercising superhuman patience, he apologized once more.
“I wish… to apologize… for insulting… the Divine Sword Geum Family…”
Seo-jun pondered for a moment.
Why should I even accept this apology? He wanted to make the man apologize twenty more times, but there were too many eyes watching.
“Fine, fine. Mind your manners from now on.”
Ultimately settling for a compromise, Seo-jun patted the kneeling Ju Cheol-yak on the head. Killing intent that felt like it might explode at any second tickled his skin, but it wasn't even worth a laugh.
Seo-jun chuckled and looked at the Abbot.
“We’re done now, right?”
“…Yes.”
The Abbot looked at Seo-jun with a strange gaze. It had been the same when Seo-jun copied the principles of the Hundred-Step Divine Fist just by looking at it, but the Counter Form shown in this duel was also something that defied common sense.
That child would surely bring a massive storm to the Murim in one way or another.
It is a relief, at least.
If such a talent had emerged from the Demonic Cult or the Black Lotus Union, his headache would be ten times worse than it was now. Which was to say, his head still hurt quite a bit.
“Sigh…”
The Abbot let out a long breath.
* * *
Kneeling and apologizing in front of countless people.
It was more than just a crack in one’s pride; it was the total shattering of it. This was especially true for a proud Super Peak Realm master.
I knew it.
As Seo-jun walked down from the arena, he clicked his tongue at the killing intent piercing his back. It was Ju Cheol-yak. The man could barely steady his body due to his surging rage and a mild case of Qi Deviation.
It would have been nice if he’d just tucked his tail and hidden in a corner after his pride was broken, but his ego was apparently so sturdy that he still harbored such killing intent even after apologizing.
Since so many people had witnessed the event, he wouldn't be able to pick a fight for no reason, but it was still quite bothersome. What if he tried to stab someone in the back at a critical moment?
The only kind of person who would leave such a threat alone would be some masochistic pervert who enjoyed the thrill of being betrayed. A normal person would decide to deal with it in advance.
Wait?
A strange thought suddenly crossed Seo-jun’s mind, and he shook his head.
No way. That can’t be it.
He believed that even Su-ah Noona wasn't that much of a pervert.
Right?
It was hard to say.
* * *
Henan was abuzz.
— Jin Gi-jae-cheon overwhelmingly defeated General Cheonyang!
The rumors spread in an instant.
Low-level martial artists who didn't know any better simply gossiped about the appearance of a new master, but those from the Sixteen Major Sects and Clans were different. Anyone who didn't know that Jin Gi-jae-cheon had used a Counter Form to completely neutralize the Heaven-Sun Imperial Extreme Fire Divine Art either had a problem with their head or their ears.
Naturally, Ju Cheol-yak, the party involved, heard the rumors until he was sick of them. Even paying a little attention to the talk on the streets brought news of Jin Gi-jae-cheon, and the Imperial Palace had even interrogated him, demanding to know if the Heaven-Sun Imperial Extreme Fire Divine Art had truly been countered.
Ju Cheol-yak couldn't bear it.
Why on earth did he have to suffer such a fate? That brat had dared to insult the Imperial family, and he had only stepped forward because he couldn't tolerate the injustice. He knew that the saying "justice will prevail" was often just empty words, but he had no way to vent this piercing sense of unfairness.
“Damn it!”
Crash!
A wine bottle flew and shattered against the wall. Ju Cheol-yak took a deep breath before the fire in his chest could consume him.
“That cursed brat…”
Was there no way? If things continued like this, he felt like he would die from sheer indignation. A martial artist dying of a broken heart after losing a duel—it was pathetic even to him. Ju Cheol-yak did not want to be remembered as such a disgraceful figure.
“I must have my revenge…”
If only to save himself.
An eerie light flickered in Ju Cheol-yak’s eyes.
* * *
The postponed Yongbong Gathering resumed the very next day.
By the time the tournament reached the round of 32, there were no more amateurs left. The previous three matches hadn't been bad, and Seo-jun half-lounged in his chair, waiting for the fourth and final match.
Should I do it tonight?
As he killed time with idle thoughts, the referee’s voice soon rang out.
— Yang So-hong of the Dragon-Tiger Sect!
It was a sect name he had never heard of in his entire life. However, the name Yang So-hong itself remained in his memory, prompting Seo-jun to sit up slightly.
Waaaaah!
Amidst the cheers of the crowd, a man stepped onto the arena. He had a decent appearance and a tall stature. His long limbs provided the kind of physical conditioning that would give him a distinct advantage in a street fight.
And across from Yang So-hong, who was unstrapping the spear from his back, a woman stepped onto the arena.
— Tang So-so of the Sichuan Tang Clan!
She was a woman with a gloomy complexion. The two stood facing each other and performed a traditional fist and palm salute.
Seo-jun watched them for a moment, then clicked his tongue at the gazes aimed in his direction.
They’re going to bore a hole in my face.
Ever since the duel with the General, eyes followed him wherever he went. It was only after receiving all those stares that he realized something.
Ah, so that’s why masters always act so aloof!
Famous masters often put on a dignified front. It made dealing with people’s gazes much easier. Why did that matter? Because when people around you were whispering and staring, you could just release a bit of your aura and give them a sharp look, and they’d know to back off.
As for those who went with the "friendly neighborhood master" concept… wouldn't their lives be incredibly annoying?
The world would be a wonderful place if everyone were considerate and respected boundaries, but unfortunately, that wasn't how it worked. The world was full of all sorts of eccentric people.
To prevent such an unfortunate future, Seo-jun subtly released his aura.
“Ahem…!”
“Oops, I suppose I was staring too much.”
The people around him quickly averted their eyes. The gazes of a few individuals who didn't care about others remained, but that couldn't be helped. It was easier to just accept that they were masters from the Sixteen Major Sects and Clans and move on.
Seo-jun was reasonably satisfied and turned his attention back to the duel, which had already begun. While he was distracted, the match had reached its midpoint. Yang So-hong stood firm amidst the daggers and throwing knives scattered across the ground.
“Whew…”
Tang So-so looked at Yang So-hong with calm eyes. Due to the nature of the Yongbong Gathering, lethal poisons couldn't be used, but paralytic poisons with no aftereffects were permitted. If she dragged the fight out like this, there was a high probability of her victory.
Yang So-hong knew this as well. His fingertips were slowly stiffening. Taking in only the minimum amount of air needed to breathe, Yang So-hong took a large step forward.
Thump!
He planted his foot. The force transferred to his waist, and as his twisted waist snapped back, he thrust his spear.
Swish!
The spear shot out at high speed, aiming straight for Tang So-so’s chest. Tang So-so retreated and swung her dagger. Just as the dagger was about to strike the spear and deflect its trajectory, Yang So-hong’s wrist rotated.
Whoosh!
The spear curved along with his wrist. The red tassels below the blade fluttered chaotically. It was the Ran (Block) from the fundamental spear technique known as Rannachal. The spear drew a circle, entangling and violently knocking away Tang So-so’s dagger.
“Ah…!”
Caught off guard by the unexpected move, Tang So-so’s arm was thrown wide upward. Yang So-hong immediately moved forward, retracting the spear while simultaneously rotating it half a turn. The spearhead pulled back, and the butt of the spear surged upward, striking Tang So-so’s jaw.
Crack!
Tang So-so’s body was lifted into the air. After a brief moment of suspension, she fell to the ground and remained motionless.
— Winner! Yang So-hong of the Dragon-Tiger Sect!
A martial artist from a minor sect had defeated a member of the Sichuan Tang Clan. Although the Tang Clan was at a disadvantage in a duel-style tournament due to their reliance on poison and hidden weapons, the crowd didn't care about such nuances.
The masses felt a thrill seeing an underdog overcome the strong. As a result, a roar so loud it felt like it might burst eardrums shook the arena.
Waaaaaaaah—!!!
From a vantage point higher than the arena, where members of the Sixteen Major Sects and Clans were gathered, Seo-jun looked down at the outcome and stood up.
They didn't show up today either.
He could see that Yang So-hong was impressive. Both talent and fierce effort were visible in his spearplay. But that was that; Seo-jun had come to see the duel between Chun-bong and Namgung Su-ah, not any other match.
I wonder if the Abbot would tell me the bracket if I asked him quietly?
He thought this was a very good idea. He should only come to see the matches featuring people he actually knew.
* * *
That night.
Seo-jun quietly left the Namgung Clan’s villa.
Crunch—
Stepping lightly over the falling snowflakes, he arrived at the Imperial villa. Seo-jun did a final check of his face.
“Not bad.”
Baek Seo-jun’s cold eyes curved slightly.