The Martial Arts Match Within the Chrysanthemum Gate (1)
Diaochan seemed quite curious about the man known as the handsome Seo Jun. She turned to Sa-a and asked another question.
“Master, who do you think it will be?”
“As beautiful as Song Ok~ As formidable as the Heavenly General~”
Sa-a answered in a voice so languid and seductive it seemed every listener’s body might melt. Diaochan’s eyes widened.
“The White Dragon?! You truly believe it’s him?”
“I don’t know how many people here can truly sense that fellow’s skill, but with that level of ability and that face, it would be harder for it not to be him.”
“I had heard the Grand General was making every effort to summon the White Dragon to his headquarters, but I didn’t realize they were already close enough for him to serve as an escort like this.”
Wang Yun, too, felt a certain goodwill toward Seo Jun. He had heard rumors of the young man’s exploits in Sakbang and Giju. Though he had completely fallen out with the Ten Attendants and could wield no real power at the moment, he believed men like Seo Jun were indispensable if the eunuch faction was ever to be eradicated and the Han restored.
“Since that guy’s stepping in, I suppose I’ll play too~”
Sa-a, unable to suppress the curiosity and fighting spirit that had suddenly flared inside him, decided to join the event he had previously shown little interest in.
Around the large chrysanthemum gate drawn on the floor, numerous martial officers with imposing physiques formed a ring, each radiating their killing intent in every direction. Beside Seo Jun and Po Cheol stood Xiahou Dun and Cao Ren, who had come as Cao Song’s escorts. Next to them were Yan Liang and Wen Chou guarding Yuan Shao, Ji Ling and Zhang Xun guarding Yuan Shu, and Sa-a. Many other fierce-looking warriors of considerable size had also stepped forward—some willingly, some not—for the sake of coin and renown.
“Cheol, don’t try to win perfectly with fancy techniques. Get in close and remember the log throw I taught you. In a chaotic brawl with this many people, every movement must be concise.”
“Understood, Brother.”
Seo Jun reminded Po Cheol in a low voice of the log-throw technique he had taught him during training. Though Po Cheol possessed excellent strength and solid fundamentals, he still lacked real combat experience. The technique was something Seo Jun had drilled into him for exactly this kind of melee: an adaptation of a wrestling bear-hug. One hugged a log thicker than one’s own torso, rotated the hips and waist, and hurled it. Once the opponent hit the ground, a quick follow-up strike with foot or weapon finished the job. Even though a log offered no limbs to grab, Po Cheol could still lift and throw the heavy timber with terrifying force.
“As expected! The Grand General’s household truly lacks talent. Sending out greenhorns like these.”
“Indeed!”
Zhang Xun, one of Yuan Shu’s guards with a particularly savage face, sneered at the young Seo Jun and Po Cheol.
Pfft~
“This bastard dares to laugh!! He must not value his life!!”
Seo Jun found the provocation so ridiculous that a small chuckle escaped before he could stop it.
“Seeing a noisy newborn puppy, how can one not laugh? Instead of flapping your lips, why don’t you speak with your skill?”
“Now, now~ We’ll have plenty of time to test each other once the match begins. Stop the chatter and pay attention to me. Since my father is the host, this humble Cao Cao will act as judge on behalf of all the distinguished guests and oversee the competition. Haha! If anyone objects to my serving as judge, speak now.”
Cao Cao finally stepped forward on the stage his father had prepared. Cao Song had created the perfect opportunity for his son to leave a strong impression before so many Qingliu officials, and the clever Cao Cao was not about to let it slip away. Though some would surely dislike the sight of eunuch descendants directing the mood, no one wanted to ruin the now-jubilant atmosphere by stepping forward themselves.
So that’s Cao Cao. I’ve adapted to this world completely; I don’t feel the same shock or excitement I once would have.
Seo Jun studied the man who would one day be counted among the greatest heroes of the Three Kingdoms. Only a short while ago the mere sight of him would have set Seo Jun’s heart racing. Now it merely stirred mild curiosity. Cao Cao had trained diligently in martial arts and possessed a sturdy frame, yet he was smaller than expected. His face was neither particularly striking nor handsome; it was not the sort that won instant favor.
“All participating warriors, please enter the chrysanthemum gate. When I give the signal, push the others outside the circle according to the rules I stated earlier. The last man remaining inside the gate is the victor.”
At Cao Cao’s direction the officers took up positions throughout the circle, eyes fixed on the competitors beside them.
“Ready!”
“Huuu…”
Seo Jun regulated his breathing at Cao Cao’s shout.
“Begin!!”
The moment the signal rang out, Zhang Xun and several others who had disliked Seo Jun’s handsome face from the start charged like starving wolves.
“This will end quickly.”
Seo Jun gathered power in his toes, settled into a ready stance, and whispered.
“Arrogant brat!!!”
Multiple shadows closed in from every side.
Papapak!
Seo Jun caught the wrist of the foremost attacker swinging a fist, then used the momentum to bounce backward. The instant his foot stamped the ground, he spun with the captured man still in his grip and hurled him back the way he had come.
Kwaaaaang!
The four or five warriors chasing Seo Jun collided with their flying comrade and were all flung straight out of the chrysanthemum gate.
Clap, clap, clap, clap!
“Incredible!”
“Waaaaah!”
The spectators burst into applause and cheers at the bizarre, spectacular technique. While everyone else had immediately begun one-on-one bouts with their neighbors, Seo Jun’s opening move was completely unexpected and utterly distinctive.
“Kyaaap!”
While the crowd’s attention was stolen by Seo Jun, Zhang Xun let out a strange shout and drove a fist toward his ribs. But Seo Jun had already read every twitch of the man’s movement. He half-turned, stepped even closer, seized the outstretched arm, and executed a perfect judo throw—lifting and spinning Zhang Xun through the air.
Kuuung!
“Cough! Keck! Keck!”
The impact would have ended any real judo match instantly. Zhang Xun lay gasping, unable to draw a proper breath from the shock to his back. Seo Jun grabbed him by the collar and belt and hurled him cleanly out of the gate.
“Truly astonishing!”
Cao Cao, acting as judge, could not help but gasp at the flawless economy of Seo Jun’s movements. Many of the spectators had risen from their seats without realizing it, staring at him in blank amazement.
While Seo Jun continued to display such dazzling skill against multiple opponents, Po Cheol had already thrown several men out with the log technique. He now found himself locked in a pure contest of strength with Wen Chou. At first both had believed they could toss the other out easily, but the clash had grown so fierce that no one dared approach them.
“Hmm… you’re quite good for a youngster, ngh~”
“Huff! I’m not your equal, but… you’re pretty strong yourself.”
Sweat poured down their grimacing faces after only a brief contest of power.
“Kkuk~ Nothing but bears who only know how to push with raw strength~”
Sa-a had appeared beside them at some point and was watching the pair as if they were curious toys.
Booong~
A fist suddenly flew toward the back of Sa-a’s head. He tilted his head slightly to the side as though he had eyes behind him and dodged it effortlessly.
“Ho~ An ambush from behind? How original~”
Sa-a turned to face his attacker. It was Yan Liang. Unable to intervene in Wen Chou’s one-on-one fight, he had been observing from the side; when he saw Sa-a approach, he had struck. Yan Liang’s textbook-perfect kick now shot toward Sa-a’s flank, yet Sa-a retreated even faster, moving at a speed the eye could barely follow.
Yan Liang continued to press with heavy, orthodox attacks, but Sa-a evaded every strike with almost playful ease.
While those four remained locked in stalemate, Xiahou Dun, Cao Ren, Ji Ling, and the rest of the warriors had united and were now rushing Seo Jun together. They had sensed he was the greatest threat and had silently agreed to eliminate him first.
“Brat! Don’t get cocky just because you have a little skill! No matter how strong you are, you cannot face all of us!”
“Your skill is lacking. Instead of barking, why don’t you show us something worth boasting about?”
Until now Seo Jun had simply received their attacks. Now he abandoned defense, shot forward like a released spring, and began throwing punches.
Kwaang! Kwaang! Kwaang!
The fists he threw were slow enough for every spectator to see clearly. Yet none of the encircling warriors could block or dodge them. With each strike another man was sent flying out of the chrysanthemum gate.
Why can’t they avoid it? The question burned in the minds of everyone except the few who truly understood martial arts.
True ultimate fist.
Seo Jun’s punches pierced every obstacle with raw power, seizing the flow of movement before it could be used to dodge. No one facing him could defend or evade properly.
Every time Seo Jun sent another warrior flying, He Jin clapped loudly and laughed with delight. The pent-up frustration of many days seemed to melt away as he finally allowed himself to enjoy the spectacle.
“Father, you look happy.”
“Haha! Indeed. Today the White Dragon has given me an unexpected gift of great joy.”
Even while speaking with He Ham, He Jin could not tear his eyes from Seo Jun.
“Now that I think of it, isn’t Wen Chou—Boncho’s guard—quite famous for both strength and martial skill?”
“That is correct, General.”
“So Younghak was a hidden dragon as well. The rumors about the White Dragon were so loud I paid little attention to his younger brother, yet here he is evenly matched with Wen Chou for so long. Haha! Bringing the White Dragon into our camp may prove to be the greatest fortune our headquarters has ever received.”
While He Jin rejoiced, the contest grew fiercer still. Only eight warriors now remained inside the chrysanthemum gate: Seo Jun, Xiahou Dun, Cao Ren, Ji Ling, Sa-a, Yan Liang, Po Cheol, and Wen Chou.
Xiahou Dun, Cao Ren, and Ji Ling at least possessed the skill to block Seo Jun’s strikes several times and even counter. They had survived the elimination of the others and continued to challenge him.
“Hahap!”
With a mighty shout, Ji Ling and Xiahou Dun charged from both sides, powerful fists tearing through the air. Seo Jun’s body moved with deliberate slowness.
Kuuung!
The instant his foot stamped the ground, a massive roar shook the arena. He thrust both fists forward to meet the incoming punches.
Kwaaaang! Kwaaaang!
A tearing sound like space itself being ripped apart rang out. Ji Ling and Xiahou Dun slid backward across the floor in the exact posture they had attacked from.
Seo Jun instantly chased the retreating Xiahou Dun and drove a punch into his exposed flank from a blind angle.