Chapter 219
Chapter 219
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Translator: penny
Chapter Title: The Eve of Departure (2)
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Having lived in the water for so long, swimming had become second nature, and they could even converse using hand signs underwater.
"- What if we end up sprouting gills like this?"
"- Sis, my throat's been itchy lately too."
Breathing was still tough, but it was fine.
The instructor would pull them out just before they drowned.
That day, they chatted via hand signs underwater until they passed out amicably and got rescued by the instructor.
Day nine.
"Pruny. So pruny."
They'd found a way to last a bit longer underwater.
By restraining their breathing to the extreme instead of flailing around, they reduced three blackouts to just one.
The key was relaxing the body, minimizing breaths, and letting the water's flow carry them.
"- If we're gonna pass out anyway, shouldn't we at least cut down the number of times?"
Jegal Tan was right.
Watching Nangong Yun-ho and Moyong So-hye adapt first, the others gradually learned to go with the flow.
Baek Ri-seol, who picked it up quickly, could even stand on the stream bed underwater and execute clumsy forms.
Clap clap clap.
The instructor clapped for the first time.
"Looks like you've finally got the hang of it."
It was the first praise since arriving, and it was incredibly encouraging.
'Aren't we doing pretty well?'
As smiles spread across everyone's faces,
"Good. Since you've adapted well, shall we up the difficulty?"
The instructor dipped both hands into the water, and rumble! A massive vortex formed, turning the calm valley stream into a giant whirlpool.
Krakaakaak!
The ferocious whirlpool in the vast valley waters was utterly unbearable for humans.
Poke. Poke.
Everyone glared at Jegal Tan, who'd suggested the clever idea.
Baek Ri-seol reached for her sword, ready to kill him, but no one stopped her.
"...I'll give it a try."
Splash!
In the end, Jegal Tan paid for his sin by diving into the whirlpool of his own accord.
Soon, battered and broken from crashing around inside, he was fished out like mush, but no one pitied him.
Day ten.
Neung Pung-un arrived.
"Well, now..."
Neung Pung-un marveled at the students darting around like swift fish beneath the surface.
"Heh. Moving like that in water isn't easy. How'd you manage it in just ten days?"
"How'd we manage? We just dunked ourselves until we got it."
One by one, they climbed out and resumed training on land.
Neung Pung-un exclaimed again.
"You've shed all that unnecessary tension in your bodies."
"Well, had to if we wanted to live."
"You young hotbloods always put too much force into your fights. Ha. Never thought you'd fix it this way."
As they say, an expert sees it all in a glance. This was a prime chance to strut before the know-it-all.
"That's not all."
"Now that you know how to relax, you can fight longer."
"And also..."
"Now that you ride the flow, you won't just smash headfirst and shatter. You've learned to redirect too."
"That..."
"The real marvel is your breathing."
Stroking his chin, Neung Pung-un's eyes gleamed.
"Long, thin inhalations and exhalations mean you won't tire out huffing like bulls."
"......"
"Ah! And tuning your inner arts with fine breaths lets you handle multiple foes with minimal effort."
As Chu Un-hwi stood speechless, Baek Ri-seol approached, water dripping from her hair, and shouted.
"You! What do you think you're doing? Our instructor's looking all down!"
"Ah... I was just..."
"Right! It's rare for our instructor—who's got nothing much to brag about—to get a chance to show off!"
"Yeah! Instructor Neung's in the wrong!"
"He's a temp instructor, a villain from Heavenly Destruction Society, and a jerk, but that's too much!"
Led by Moyong So-hye, the students rallied in support, but it offered no comfort whatsoever.
As he sulked, Neung Pung-un cleared his throat awkwardly and swiftly changed the subject.
"Your training seems far superior to mine."
"Obviously."
"Haha. You boasted, but I didn't expect such wonders."
His childlike joy, as if it were his own achievement, was endearing.
Truly a good guy.
If a fellow like this lives long, he'd be quite useful.
Chu Un-hwi made a proposal.
"Isn't just watching boring?"
"Then?"
"Wanna loosen up with a spar underwater?"
This was for the righteous martial world.
Absolutely not because he was butthurt from earlier.
Really, no.
To be honest, he did want to see that smug face twist in humiliation.
The duel was eagerly agreed to.
Everyone enjoyed the luxury of spectating with snacks Neung Pung-un had brought— their first time out of water in ages.
"Who do you think wins?"
Jegal Tan asked Nangong Yun-ho, munching on a small snack.
"Hmm. Plum Blossom Sword Guard is a title only the rarest elites earn."
Crunch. Crunch.
Moyong So-hye chimed in.
"If we're lucky, we might see this handsome uncle get his nose flattened by our instructor?"
"Hoho. That won't happen."
Baek Ri-seol covered her mouth, laughing.
"The only outcome is that hothead getting thrashed and dragged out by our instructor."
She didn't doubt the result for a second.
Jegal Tan clicked his tongue.
"Aren't you all taking the Plum Blossom Sword Guard too lightly?"
His opponent was one of the top sword sects among the Nine Great Sects.
A core elite of Mount Hua Sect, no less.
Not just peak swordsmanship, but genius talent unrivaled even within his sect.
"Plum Blossom Sword Guard isn't just for sword skill. You need to handle extreme situations proactively."
And more.
"Ice-cold judgment is essential too. Above all, Instructor Neung already bears the moniker Plum Blossom Gale Sword in the martial world."
Earned after sweeping away Heavenly Destruction Society's villains.
"They say once the plum blossoms bloom, they become a gale."
Un-hyo-seung cut into the lengthy explanation.
"So what's your point?"
"We need an objective view of their strengths."
At his cool remark, the munching Il-pyo suddenly asked.
"Student Jegal. So who do you think wins?"
Jegal Tan replied.
"Our instructor, obviously."
The explanation was long, but his loyalty to the instructor was unwavering.
Neung Pung-un facing him underwater was impressive.
Unfamiliar with underwater combat, yet the moment he dove, he held his breath, executed Thousand Catties Drop, and sank swiftly to anchor himself.
Using Thousand Catties Drop to weigh himself down and stabilize his center?
If he could maintain balance underwater, he could fight with swordsmanship like on land.
But easier said than done.
Not many can use Thousand Catties Drop to begin with.
It required at least one cycle of inner power, and without supreme sword confidence, no one would even consider swordplay underwater.
Drawing the sword alone would be tricky.
His worries proved unfounded.
Sching.
The draw was as smooth as on land.
Lives up to the name.
Beyond the rippling waves, one arm behind his back, sword angled low— Neung Pung-un resembled a painting.
His calm demeanor suggested a leisurely stroll, not underwater combat.
Smug bastard's even composed. Makes my blood boil. Time to rattle him a bit?
Thud.
Chu Un-hwi kicked off the bottom and swam like a swift fish, circling behind Neung Pung-un.
Let's see how you respond.
Shweek!
Huh!
Shockingly, his sword speed was undiminished underwater.
Shhh shh shik!
Thrusting and twirling the tip created thirty flower-shaped water orbs in an instant.
This guy's manifesting sword flowers underwater?
The blooming water droplets held an ethereal beauty.
Fine, then like this.
Shwick!
Kicking the bottom stirred up silt, clouding the view.
Heh. That'll give him trouble.
Grinning inwardly as he circled again,
Shh shh shik!
Bubble bubble!
Through the murky silt, he pinpointed Chu Un-hwi and unleashed dazzling sword flowers.
Easily dodging, Chu Un-hwi was impressed.
Wow. Reading presence alone wouldn't cut it. He's sensing via water flow and movements?
What kind of talent freak is this?
Masterfully riding the flow for counters— his prowess was no joke.
On land, he'd sense air vibrations to detect approaches.
This isn't something you train for easily.
Born talent, plain and simple.
That thought soured his mood.
Handsome, skilled, and talented too?
So this is how he seduced the ladies?
Grind.
Teeth gnashing, Neung Pung-un smiled obliviously, flicking his sword tip in provocation.
Playtime's over.
Time to twist that face in shock.
Grinning sadistically, Chu Un-hwi raised both hands.
Shwooooaaah!
Miniature vortexes formed in his palms, sucking in surrounding water instantly.
Slurp.
Drawing them to his chest, the two vortexes spun oppositely, merged, and
Grrr rumble rumble.
Transformed into a massive vortex orb in a flash.
The calm waters turned turbulent; even composed Neung Pung-un staggered.
Taste some water, punk.
Kwakakakaka!
Pouring more power ballooned the palm vortex into a colossal whirlpool.
Bubble. Bubble.
Sensing danger, panicked Neung Pung-un tried fleeing to the surface, but
Too late, buddy.
The released vortex had already swallowed him.
"Gah! Ack!"
Chu Un-hwi kicked off the bottom and leaped to the surface, spectating Neung Pung-un's flustered flailing in the vortex.
Grabbing his limp collar in one hand.
"Beggar Elder."
The Beggar Elder, drinking in the dark, cracked open heavy-lidded eyes.
This was the Murim Alliance's guest hall.
Through the booze-scented dim room, two figures emerged.
"Jegal Strategist."
Entering with the brilliant tactician who served as the Alliance's brain was the White-Clothed Judge, Seon In-hyeok.
"What brings the Chief Supervisor here?"
Thud.
He toppled the bottle with a finger, spilling liquor across the table.
Even Seon In-hyeok, who knew him long, rarely saw him extinguishing the lights to drown in drink and regret defeat.
They said Elder Wang No-sa's death shocked him greatly. Seems the wound runs deeper than thought.
Recalling his late-life joy over a good brother weighed on his heart.
"Beggar Elder. This'll ruin your health."
"Tsk tsk. Tired of outliving the good ones. I'll just drink moderately and go."
"Elder..."
Gulp. Gulp. He staggered up, squinting for another bottle. Seon In-hyeok bit his lip.
The usual jolly man was gone.
As he fumbled for words, the Jegal Strategist beside him shook his feather fan lightly.
"How can the Beggars' Sect's hundred thousand see their elder so disheveled?"
"Leave it. Beggars are like this— chasing empty pursuits all life, ending in failure with nothing gained."
Like a beggar failed at begging, the Beggar Elder rambled incoherently.
"Why push good folk into danger for glory? Those who should die linger, while true heroes go first. Can't stand it."
"Isn't there reason for you to live, Elder?"
"Tsk tsk tsk. Reason to live? As if..."
As he chuckled bitterly and reached for another bottle,
The Jegal Strategist shook his fan and dropped a line.
"We've found traces of the Heavenly Destruction Society Apostle."
Halt.
His drunken eyes blazed with fury.
"What... did you just say?"
The despondent gaze reignited with murderous intent.