Chapter 112
Chapter 112
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 32
>Chapter Title: The Final Trial (2)
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The Mok Kyung-un that Brightsword King Son Yun remembered was undoubtedly only at the third-rate level.
Of course, that didn't mean he had ever considered him worthless.
He had mastered the sword forms of the Moon Meridian, whose lineage had been severed over a hundred years ago, and he possessed innate talent in defensive arts as well.
That was why, even though Mok Kyung-un hailed from the orthodox Timber Sword Manor, Son Yun had brought him into the Heaven-Earth Society.
Extracting the Moon Meridian sword from his mind was important, but he also believed that Mok Kyung-un, who had been chosen by the manual, could become a promising talent for the Society.
Yet he thought all of that had been ruined by the Leader's whim.
[Send him to Corpseblood Valley?]
[The Leader's command. Do you intend to defy it?]
[But...]
[Tut.]
The reason was unknown.
Why had the Leader ordered the two sons of Timber Sword Manor, whom he had taken as hostages, to be sent to Corpseblood Valley?
He hadn't even met them in person.
Because of this, Brightsword King Son Yun abandoned any lingering attachment to Mok Kyung-un.
Even if he had learned the Moon Meridian sword, the place he was being sent to was Corpseblood Valley.
A place where over eighty percent of those who entered came out as corpses.
How could a mere third-rate fledgling survive in a place teeming with trainees of first-rate or higher caliber?
'It's over.'
Would the Moon Meridian sword truly fade into oblivion like this?
He had been deeply disappointed by that thought, but yesterday, he was unable to contain his shock upon hearing his disciple's honest confession.
[What? Tell me again.]
[I didn't lose completely. He caught me off guard...]
[No! His name!]
[Mo... Mok Kyung-un.]
'!!!!!!'
Mok Kyung-un.
That guy was still alive?
A mere third-rate sent to Corpseblood Valley?
If it had been Timber Sword Manor's youngest, Mok Yu-cheon, he might have understood.
He had acknowledged that one possessed such prodigious talent.
But Mok Kyung-un had survived all this time.
[Ha... How could this be...]
[Master?]
[Shut your mouth.]
[.........]
He had received the message requesting his presence at the final trial and graduation ceremony the night before last.
Yet if that punk had clashed with his youngest disciple Yeop Wi-seon in the hidden treasury, then not only had he reached the final trial, but he'd also claimed the top token.
Even he, who didn't blink an eye at most things, couldn't help but be astonished.
Thus, Brightsword King Son Yun had fallen into deep contemplation last night.
What on earth had happened in Corpseblood Valley?
How had a mere third-rate like Mok Kyung-un grown so strong in such a short time that he could defeat his own disciple Yeop Wi-seon, who had reached the pinnacle realm and claimed the top token?
Doubts piled up.
There was no way to resolve them satisfactorily without seeing for himself.
So Son Yun resolved himself.
'I'll check personally.'
He already had his great disciple Woo Ho-rang, one of the Five Tigers boasting the highest talent in the Heaven-Earth Society, along with his other outstanding disciples.
He had no greed left to take on more disciples.
But he decided to step forward to verify Mok Kyung-un's freakishly rapid progress.
'If...'
If he truly witnessed talent surpassing his expectations, he was even prepared to take him as a disciple, even if it meant drawing ire from the other executives.
He was one who had survived the Leader's whim and mastered the Moon Meridian sword.
He couldn't let that slip away.
With that, Brightsword King Son Yun finished his reminiscence in an instant and gazed at Mok Kyung-un, one of the six standing side by side in the plaza.
'!?'
Son Yun furrowed his brow slightly.
The distance made it hard to confirm visually, but sensing-wise, Mok Kyung-un's level had reached the peak of first-rate.
'What is this?'
Of course, that alone was impressive.
To go from third-rate to the end of first-rate in such a short time.
Yet that level alone wouldn't be enough to defeat his youngest disciple Yeop Wi-seon.
'The gap between first-rate and pinnacle is definite.'
Even ten first-rate experts couldn't take down a pinnacle master.
So how had Mok Kyung-un beaten Yeop Wi-seon?
It didn't make sense.
'What technique did he use?'
As he stared piercingly at Mok Kyung-un, a light flickered in Yeop Wi-seon's eyes.
It was because he had spotted Mok Yu-cheon besides Mok Kyung-un.
'That kid survived too?'
Truly astonishing.
In the end, both hostage sons of Timber Sword Manor had survived.
Of course, he had thought Mok Yu-cheon, with his age-defying prodigious martial prowess, might survive with some luck.
But to actually pull it off.
To beat out all those Heaven-Earth Society talents and make it into the final six.
'Timber Sword Manor... not to be underestimated.'
Truly unexpected.
On the other hand, he liked the changed glint in Mok Yu-cheon's eyes.
When looking at Mok Kyung-un, he had been surprised by the growth but his expression and gaze were no different from before; in contrast, Mok Yu-cheon seemed much tougher, even exuding a fierce aura.
Having survived Corpseblood Valley, it was as if he had shed the shell of a docile orthodox sect member.
'Good thing I came.'
He had come to resolve his doubts, but now it was getting interesting.
One had astonished him with tremendous growth, and the other with a markedly changed demeanor.
For the hostages from an orthodox sect to catch his eye over his own Society's lads.
What a long life he was living.
* * *
'What a shame.'
Mok Kyung-un smacked his lips while looking toward the front of the platform.
The Super Blue Valley Lord, was it? Something fun seemed about to happen after that woman appeared, but it fizzled out midway.
Due to Brightsword King Son Yun's arrival.
-You're making such a disappointed face. Truly fearless as always.
Cheongryeong clicked her tongue at Mok Kyung-un.
-High masters of sonic arts are the most troublesome foes. Unlike other martial arts, sonic arts follow such unique trajectories that there's no distinction between ally and enemy.
What did that mean?
As he puzzled over it, she seemed to read his thoughts and explained.
-Sonic arts can't target specific individuals.
'Specific individual? Ah...'
Well, sonic arts themselves infused qi into sound to create shockwaves.
But sound didn't discriminate between who hears it and who doesn't.
As long as one's ears weren't deaf, everyone would hear it one way or another.
He could see why Cheongryeong said that.
'If that woman unleashes her sonic arts in earnest, it'll harm everyone around.'
That would cause chaos before the final trial even began.
But this raised a question in Mok Kyung-un's mind.
Why bother learning a martial art with such risky indiscriminate damage to allies and enemies alike?
'If sonic arts are her specialty, it's inefficient.'
Effective against crowds perhaps, but too dangerous with many people nearby.
Still, he didn't think that was all there was to it.
Even he, who had only recently encountered martial arts, could spot that flaw; no expert in sonic arts would overlook it.
In any case, the entertaining spectacle vanished, replaced by an unexpected figure.
Brightsword King Son Yun.
The very man responsible for bringing him to the Heaven-Earth Society.
He could see him staring right at him.
That gaze held no particular anger or joy—just something akin to confirmation.
'Did he come to see me?'
If so, that would be quite unexpected... Ah!
Mok Kyung-un suddenly recalled the events in Corpseblood Valley's hidden treasury.
Brightsword King Son Yun's disciple, Yeop Wi-seon.
'It was that guy.'
He had only learned his identity after their fight.
Evidently, Yeop Wi-seon had reported about him to his master.
Otherwise, why would he show up and immediately fixate on him like that?
What was odd, though,
'Not anger?'
If he had come raging over his disciple being touched, there would be fury in his eyes.
Since there wasn't, it didn't seem like much to worry about.
Rather,
'Not yet?'
Mok Kyung-un was waiting for someone.
That someone was none other than Baek Sa-ha, the Poison Extermination King, one of the Five Kings.
According to Corpseblood Valley Lord Yi Ji-yeom, unlike the other Five Kings, Baek Sa-ha attended the graduation ceremony almost every time, so there would be a chance.
Yet there was still no sign of him.
'Hmm.'
What if a variable cropped up? That would be quite troublesome.
The ideal situation now was to top the final trial and earn the right to nominate.
The top of the final trial gained the privilege to choose an executive at the graduation ceremony.
Of course, whether taken as a direct disciple or subordinate depended on the executive's choice, but at least it created an opportunity to get close.
For some reason, though, he felt a chill.
'What if he doesn't show...'
Mok Kyung-un's gaze shifted to the executives seated beside the platform.
As Yi Ji-yeom had said, the middle-aged man with iron shackles was Thunderfist King Won Byeong-hak, next to him Super Blue Valley Lord Hang Yeo-ryang, and beside her...
'The Dark Sect Leader?'
Quite unexpected.
According to what Yi Ji-yeom told him, the Dark Sect Leader and Super Blue Valley Lord rarely attended graduations, and given their temperaments, it was highly unlikely this time too.
Yet those who were supposed to skip it had come.
Of the expected ones, only Thunderfist King Won Byeong-hak had shown up as predicted; no one else.
'Hmm.'
Mok Kyung-un stroked his chin.
The final trial would begin soon, and at this rate, there seemed no way to enter Poison Extermination King Baek Sa-ha's tutelage.
'Settle for the next best?'
Mok Kyung-un had the benefit of obtaining three top tokens.
[Separate from the final trial, you may seek guidance from one of the twelve experts: the Five Kings, Three Sect Leaders, or Four Valley Lords, the highest masters of this Society.]
Originally, per Corpseblood Valley Lord Yi Ji-yeom's advice, he planned to use it on the second of the Five Kings, who bore the title of Eight Stars, hailed as the supreme master of the Central Plains.
Cheongryeong had agreed.
[An opportunity to receive guidance from a Transformation realm master won't come easily.]
Mok Kyung-un thought there was merit to that.
Cheongryeong always told him:
No need to fixate on one thing; broaden your thinking.
Martial arts too could expand one's perspectives by hearing views from various masters.
'But that might not happen.'
If Poison Extermination King Baek Sa-ha didn't appear by the end, he'd have to use this benefit.
Only then could he ask about the Ghost Sword.
* * *
Thus, the allotted two hours passed.
Before the final trial began, the only arrivals were Bo Hyeok-so, Grand Commander of the Flame Demon Unit ranked 5th among the Heaven-Earth Society's martial forces comprising a hundred units, and Dae So-man, Commander of the Crimson Blood Unit ranked 7th.
Commanders of units in the top ten of the hundred were granted the title of Grand Commander, one rank below the executives.
They were treated as quasi-executives.
'No helping it.'
Mok Kyung-un smacked his lips in disappointment.
In the end, he would have to choose from Brightsword King Son Yun, Thunderbolt King Won Byeong-hak, Dark Sect Leader, Super Blue Valley Lord Hang Yeo-ryang, Flame Demon Unit Grand Commander Bo Hyeok-so, or Crimson Blood Unit Grand Commander Dae So-man.
Assuming, of course, he topped the final trial.
-Clack!
Corpseblood Valley Lord Yi Ji-yeom ascended the platform and spoke.
"With all observers gathered, we now commence the final trial."
Yi Ji-yeom lightly snapped his fingers.
Red-belted warriors then carried a large wooden board and set it up right beside the platform.
Several lines crisscrossed it horizontally and vertically, with blanks scattered throughout.
The trainees' eyes narrowed at the sight.
'Matchups?'
It looked like a bracket.
Filling the blanks would complete the bracket.
Which meant,
"This board is the matchup chart for the sparring matches."
'Ah...'
The final trial was revealed.
It was none other than sparring.
Unlike all previous trials, this was the most primal method.
"The trainees have verified their own limits through the various trials thus far and stand here at the end. The final trial is your chance to demonstrate your potential to the observers."
Martial exchanges.
A chance to showcase each one's prowess.
That was the final trial.
The more one showed here would determine the range of choices.
'Sparring...'
The trainees' eyes grew serious.
Unlike before, they had to prove their skills before the executives.
Tension mounted, but so did their drive.
But there was one issue.
'The numbers don't match.'
There were six trainees.
Eight would be ideal for matches.
That way, eight would fight down to four, four to two, and those two would decide the champion.
With six, inevitably,
'Bye wins.'
Bye victories.
Meaning two would advance straight to the championship match.
At that moment, senior warrior Gwak Mun-gi approached the board and began writing numbers.
One, two, three, four, five, six.
Of them, five and six only needed one match to reach the finals.
Then Corpseblood Valley Lord Yi Ji-yeom pointed to a wooden box on the table before the platform.
It had a circular hole on top.
"As you see, the numbers don't align, so we'll draw lots for the matchup chart..."
-Swish!
Someone raised their hand then.
It was Yeon Mu-ung of the Secret Canon Gate.
Unlike previous trials, this was the final one under the executives' watchful eyes, so he stepped forward without hesitation.
"May I ask one thing?"
"Speak."
"Those advancing via bye and those via two wins will be at a disadvantage in stamina and everything else. Is that fair?"
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Corpseblood Valley Lord Yi Ji-yeom chuckled softly, then replied.
"Naturally, those fighting twice will struggle with stamina recovery, so they'll be given ample time for qi circulation and recuperation. And the final championship match will be pure form sparring, without internal energy."
At these words, Yeon Mu-ung of the Secret Canon Gate lowered his hand, somewhat convinced.
If injuries occurred, it would be different, but this seemed aimed at mitigating the disadvantages.
It was then that Mok Kyung-un muttered softly.
"Why not just have everyone fight at once?"
"Tsk tsk."
At that, Mok Yu-cheon two spots away openly clicked his tongue.
Who would everyone target first in a free-for-all?
Mok Kyung-un, of course.
In a group battle, the most dangerous foe gets eliminated first, so it wouldn't be fair.
Of course, Mok Yu-cheon still didn't know.
That two of the six were under Mok Kyung-un.
Corpseblood Valley Lord Yi Ji-yeom continued.
"Now, trainees, come forward one by one and draw the iron balls from the wooden box."
The drawing began.
First dibs went to those with the lowest scores from the last trial.
Mok Yu-cheon and Yeon Mu-ung of the Secret Canon Gate.
Perhaps fearing the stigma of lowest score, Yeon Mu-ung didn't step up first.
So Mok Yu-cheon drew first.
Mok Yu-cheon's number was,
"Six."
At that, Yeon Mu-ung of the Secret Canon Gate looked a bit regretful.
No matter how fair, five and six only fought once to reach finals—undeniably advantageous.
'Ha...'
Mok Yu-cheon snorted at his drawn six.
Was this good luck?
Then Yeon Mu-ung drew.
It was,
"...Four."
Sadly, the bye slipped away.
No helping it.
Next, Mo Ha-rang of Flower Radiance Hall stepped forward and drew.
"Three."
'!?'
Yeon Mu-ung's lip twitched.
He had always been compared to him in this Corpseblood Valley trial and wanted a matchup once.
Next, Moo Jang-yak walked forward.
Moo Jang-yak didn't care either way.
This trial was about showing talent to observers, win or lose.
-Clack!
"One."
Moo Jang-yak drew one.
Next, Yeom Ga of the Main Slaughter Valley stepped forward.
The Demon Monk possessing Yeom Ga had no particular thoughts on the draw, so he expressionlessly reached in and pulled a ball.
The number was,
"Five."
Faces changed at that.
Mok Yu-cheon, already owing a debt to Main Slaughter Valley's Yeom Ga, brightened at becoming his matchup.
The other was Moo Jang-yak.
He breathed steadily while eyeing Mok Kyung-un, his natural opponent regardless of draw.
'It ends up like this.'
He had figured he'd clash with Mok Kyung-un soon enough.
And it had come already.
'First round against the trickiest foe...'
Moo Jang-yak shook his head.
The one he deemed the most troublesome among peers if made an enemy.
And now they were to spar.
-Grip!
His fist clenched involuntarily.
Not out of fear.
He didn't think he'd lose right away.
He had his trump card that no one could beat—'that.'
This heightened sense was merely competitive spirit.
Moo Jang-yak approached Mok Kyung-un, offered his hand, and said.
"We end up sparring like this. Win or lose, let's give it our all."
Mok Kyung-un took his hand and replied, looking troubled.
"Yeah. That might be tough."
"What?"
"If I go all out, the spar will be too boring, so I'll hold back a bit. You go all out."
'!?'
What nonsense was this punk spouting?
Was he provoking him right now?
[The Final Trial (2)] End