Chapter 27: "Let's See If You Can Hold Out"
This wasn't just teaching him a single move. He'd asked to be recognized as a worthy opponent, so that's exactly how he'd be treated.
An invisible wave of pure energy rippled through the sword's aura. The brief, whistling slice of the blade carried a chilling sharpness unlike before.
Weeeeng! Joo Sonhak kicked off the ground, his sword sweeping through the air. It whipped about freely like a lash, slicing horizontally and vertically, thrusting and slashing to disrupt the space around Mu Yun.
Shalak! Shaaak! Deadly winds grazed his ears and tugged at his clothes. Papat! Hwirik! The blade, committed to its path, unhesitatingly targeted vital points.
Mu Yun's fists met it head-on, thrusting, striking, blocking, and swinging in a torrent of simultaneous motions. Shuuuk! Shuk! Papak! His limbs scattered like breaths in rhythm, his body flowing with the current. His fierce punches, laced with endless variations, tore through the air.
Papang! Shuuuk! A glint of realization flashed in Joo Sonhak's eyes.
'So that's what he meant.'
He'd reined in his inner energy, but his swings were resolute and without hesitation. Several times, the sword aura had threatened to split flesh, yet Mu Yun evaded by the narrowest margins—no flailing panic, just a fluid ripple slipping through like he'd anticipated it.
'A martial art optimized for close-quarters brawling.'
The closer the distance, the more variables arose. Especially in half a jang range, where blade and fist clashed within inches—instinct and a warrior's honed senses took precedence over raw realm. And his opponent was demonstrating it masterfully.
A mix of excitement and curiosity curled Joo Sonhak's lips.
'Mid-Peak Realm, no less!'
The bluish hue and scale of the fist aura screamed it clearly, as if dripping deep cerulean water. Astonishing movement on top of that. But what intrigued him most was something else.
'He knows its limits all too well.'
The limitations of ultra-close combat. Ultimately, the constraints of an external art prioritizing sensation and body over inner energy. The higher the opponent's realm, the less effective it became—practically useless against super-peak experts. Pairing it with inner energy changed the equation, of course, but chasing both internal and external arts was notoriously difficult. Few aiming for supreme mastery chose that path anymore.
Yet this man had boldly declared himself a match.
How would he overcome it? That was the question burning in his mind.
'Let's clash and find out.'
The moment the air churned violently, two streaks of azure energy collided midair. A deafening explosion shattered them, fragments scattering wildly.
Papat! Papapak! Each clash of fist and sword birthed sparks like severed flames, crumbling into the void.
Kwaang! Paaang! But in that instant, Joo Sonhak's eyes widened in shock.
'Wh—when?!'
The clenched fist was already arcing toward his temple. No time for thought—instinct hurled his body backward.
Hwarak! But the fist traced a graceful arc and pursued relentlessly. Shuuk!
Joo Sonhak's gaze sharpened. Speed paired with liquid chain attacks.
'No room for carelessness.'
His battle lust surged higher. Retreat? Pride forbade it.
'I'll match him in kind.'
With the thought, he closed the gap. His straight advance scrambled the tight space. Tadak! Papat! The encroaching sword net flashed with lethal precision, slicing the air with ear-piercing shrieks.
Shwaaak! Shuuk!
Mu Yun's hyper-senses screamed a warning. Full-power assault incoming.
Mu Yun's eyes blazed. The intent was crystal clear.
'He's coming in hard!'
Fist cloaked in dense aura met the onslaught head-on. Even as one arm deflected, another followed seamlessly. Sleeves fluttered like dancing serpents, grazing the strikes. The blade skimmed his shoulder by a hair's breadth, whipping empty air.
Kwaang! Scattered leaves exploded outward. Whirlwinds of wind-wrapped punches and frost-like sword aura ravaged the atmosphere.
Hwiing! Hwirik! Blade edge and fingertips had grazed his body dozens of times by the slimmest margins.
Gong Yaseong, watching slack-jawed, couldn't believe it. Joo Sonhak pouring everything in, yet Mu Yun held firm.
'No way... super-peak?'
He endured the storm of sword shadows with unflinching poise. Even as razor-close moments assailed him, he never yielded ground. Fear and thrill crashed over Gong Yaseong together.
Suddenly, he recalled slyly asking Deputy Leader Ak Mu-gil:
"Leader, how strong is that guy?"
"His skill? Peak Realm at least?"
"He's past that, but damn if I can pin him down."
"Why?"
"A year ago, he was first-rate. Peak? Fine, but lately... it's weird."
"Weird?"
"No clue how far he's gone."
"Huh?"
"You spar with him daily—you should sense a step or two up, right?"
"Exactly."
"..."
"He's surpassed that?"
"Ask him yourself. Quicker that way."
"...!"
A shiver raced through him.
'In a few years...?'
His heart pounded at the thought. Weaving fearlessly through countless super-peak sword phantoms. Explosive blasts echoed with every motion of those hands—a momentum that shook the chest.
Joo Sonhak surely hadn't unleashed his hidden aces yet, but neither had his foe. That realization set Gong Yaseong's body trembling.
His chest swelled with emotion.
'With a guy like that!'
Deep insight, vast knowledge, a worldview mirroring his own. And now, martial prowess to match. Not just raw skill, but the patience and grit to hide it, biding time. That stirred his heart deepest.
How long had he yearned to tread this turbulent world alongside such a man?
His swelling chest lifted his gaze skyward. The sunset painted the western horizon vivid crimson today. A radiant smile, as if owning the world, played on his lips.
'Let's go!'
A gentle spring breeze carried the fragrance of swelling buds.