Chapter 56
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 56
Chapter Title: Eom Mu-hwi's Challenge
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Seol Hwa-un wore an unexpected expression.
‘Mu-hwi?’
Eom Mu-hwi, with his calm and serious personality. He always judged matters carefully and never spoke carelessly. For him to reveal his emotions like this—what was going on?
Lee Ji-gwang rose with a sinister smile.
“Rookie? Hah, you dare call me a rookie?”
“I’ve seen plenty of fools who’ve subtly looked down on our palace over the years. I held back to avoid needless trouble, but no more.”
In particular, Seol Hwa-un’s demeanor at the Huangbo family had left a strong impression on Eom Mu-hwi.
They had persuaded the Huangbo family to attack and annihilate the Sasa Heavenly Sect simply because they had schemed against the North Sea Ice Palace. It was a truly unconventional move.
And when he departed at the end? He received the bows of every warrior in the Huangbo family. A far cry from the treatment he got when he first set foot in the Central Plains.
‘It’s not right to always hold back and stay reserved just because we’re from the Outer Realm.’
From that day on, Eom Mu-hwi resolved to act more proactively.
Lee Ji-gwang’s eyes gleamed sharply.
“Hah, and of all people, it has to be me.”
“Think of it as bad luck. You should’ve watched your mouth.”
“Fine, I accept your challenge.”
“Don’t make me laugh. This isn’t a challenge—it’s me putting a rookie in his place.”
Song Guk-il and his group were utterly dumbfounded by the sudden turn of events.
‘Not even the North Heaven Dragon, but one of his mere subordinates challenging the Island Dragon?’
‘Isn’t this too reckless?’
Eom Mu-hwi and Lee Ji-gwang leaped straight from the upper floor to the rear garden of the Heavenly Flower Tower. Their movements were exceptionally fluid, befitting the top young experts of their generation.
Seol Hwa-un gave a faint smile.
“This should be a good show. Ho-won, let’s go.”
“Yes, Young Palace Lord!”
As the two leaped off and Dang Cheong moved to follow, Dang So-gyo grabbed him.
“Brother! Me too, me too!”
Dang Cheong shook his head.
“It’s dangerous. Watch from here.”
“Tch!”
Soon after Dang Cheong, Song Guk-il and his group followed suit.
“A duel out of nowhere.”
“This is something.”
Though bewildered, a flicker of anticipation rose in their eyes.
‘This might turn into an interesting fight.’
Left alone, Dang So-gyo grumbled.
“Stranded by myself! Ugh, boring.”
Just then, the waiter came up with his hands full of food.
“Huh?”
Seeing no customers, he looked flustered. Dang So-gyo called out to him.
“They’ll be back soon. Just leave it on the table.”
“Ah, yes.”
* * *
The rear garden was fairly spacious. A few ornamental trees and a small pond were there, but nothing to hinder a spar.
As Seol Hwa-un watched the two facing off, Song Guk-il approached.
“Young Palace Lord.”
Seol Hwa-un turned his head, and Song Guk-il clasped his fists in salute.
“I apologize for my friend’s rudeness. He’s arrogant, but not usually so foul-mouthed...”
Seol Hwa-un regarded him steadily.
‘As expected. He has the grace and manners befitting a disciple of a prestigious orthodox sect.’
“I accept your apology. It’s fine. For hot-blooded martial artists, settling disputes with skill isn’t a bad thing.”
“You don’t seem inclined to stop it. Are you sure? The Island Dragon’s martial arts are top-tier among the later generation. Your palace’s warrior could be in danger.”
“We’ll see.”
Song Guk-il furrowed his brow.
‘So confident? But Ji-gwang’s skills are beyond what even I can take lightly.’
Feeling his presence as he faced Eom Mu-hwi, Lee Ji-gwang’s eyes lit up.
‘Ho, not a total pushover, it seems.’
Even so, his confidence brimmed. Eom Mu-hwi, glaring at Lee Ji-gwang, spoke.
“Draw your sword.”
“Hmm, doesn’t seem necessary.”
Eom Mu-hwi’s lip curled up.
“No take-backs.”
Ta-at!
His form shot forward at terrifying speed. Lee Ji-gwang’s eyes widened involuntarily.
‘Fast!’
Faster than expected, but he didn’t panic. Lee Ji-gwang thrust both hands out immediately.
Pa-pa-pa-pa!
It was Rahu Scattered Hand, the signature hand technique of the Shooting Sun Sect. Dozens of hand shadows flew in chaotically.
A flashy technique, but to Eom Mu-hwi, a hand technique master, it was like wrinkling skin before a cocoon.
“Hmph.”
He formed a hand blade with his left hand and thrust it out swiftly.
Chwaaak!
The hand shadows split apart in an instant. Lee Ji-gwang couldn’t hide his dismay.
‘A hand technique expert!’
He quickly retreated, then punched out. It was Revolving Wind Willow Fist, the Shooting Sun Sect’s fist technique.
Shuuk!
It looked simple at a glance, but the fist path shifted unpredictably, making it hard to anticipate.
But that was for ordinary eyes. To Eom Mu-hwi, its trajectory was plain as day.
“Sloppy.”
In his view, it was superficially learned fist work.
Eom Mu-hwi punched out to intercept Lee Ji-gwang’s strike.
Ppaak!
“Kuk!”
Lee Ji-gwang’s face twisted from the solid impact.
‘Skilled in fists too?’
Only then did he realize he’d underestimated Eom Mu-hwi.
‘Damn.’
Conflict flashed across his face. He’d wanted to overwhelm without drawing his sword, looking cool.
But the opponent mastered superior hand and fist techniques. If the distance closed further, he might lose his chance entirely.
‘No choice.’
Eom Mu-hwi, closing in for a finishing blow, suddenly felt a chill.
“...!”
Without time to think, he retreated swiftly.
Paaat!
His lapel was slightly sliced. Somehow, Lee Ji-gwang now held a sword.
“Should’ve drawn it sooner.”
Lee Ji-gwang’s face hardened.
“Now that I’ve drawn mine, don’t expect to walk away unscathed.”
“We’ll see who gets hurt.”
Song Guk-il sighed regretfully.
“Ah!”
“What is it?”
To Seol Hwa-un’s question, Song Guk-il replied gravely.
“He should’ve ended it before the Island Dragon drew his sword.”
“Is that so?”
“Young Palace Lord might not know, but the Island Dragon’s fast sword is truly formidable. Especially against unarmed foes—it’s even more terrifying.”
Lee Ji-gwang’s primary sword art was the Shooting Sun Sword Method, a prized technique of the Shooting Sun Sect, one of the finest fast swords among the Nine Great Sects.
Seol Hwa-un shook his head.
“No need to worry. Mu-hwi’s hand techniques are no slouch either.”
“...”
Indeed, with sword in hand, Lee Ji-gwang’s aura had completely changed. To Eom Mu-hwi, it felt like facing a finely honed blade.
‘A true swordsman of the Shooting Sun Sect.’
He hadn’t thought it easy from the start.
‘I’ll meet you properly.’
Paat!
Sharp sword intent poured from his hands. The signature soul-hooking energy of the Yan Family Soul-Hooking Hand had formed.
Though invisible, Lee Ji-gwang sensed dangerous aura emanating from his hands.
‘Stronger than I thought. But useless before my sword!’
“Chaaap!”
Lee Ji-gwang shouted and thrust his sword.
Bban-gek!
Chae-aeng!
His sword speed was incredible. Eom Mu-hwi barely blocked with soul-hooking energy.
“...!”
“Now it begins!”
Lee Ji-gwang’s sword wove countless blade shadows, assaulting at ferocious speed.
It was Revolving Nine Flow Sword of the Shooting Sun Sect.
Shu-shu-shu-shuk!
Eom Mu-hwi whipped his hands rapidly. White Wolf Hand of the North Sea Ice Palace.
Cha-cha-cha-chang!
Sword clashed with hands, ringing with sharp metallic sounds. The shockwave’s energy sliced an ornamental tree clean through.
Seok!
The tree tilted slowly, then toppled toward Seol Hwa-un.
“D-Danger...!”
Peo-seok!
Seol Hwa-un casually waved his hand, and the part falling toward him vanished cleanly, the rest crashing to the ground.
Kung!
Song Guk-il, beside him, stared blankly.
“That just now...”
“The real fight’s starting now. Should be fun to watch.”
Stunned by Seol Hwa-un’s casual remark, Song Guk-il fell silent, then refocused on the duel helplessly.
‘Mu-hwi, what have you gained since entering the Central Plains?’
Kwa-kwang!
Eom Mu-hwi and Lee Ji-gwang clashed again. At last, the ultimate techniques of Yan Family Soul-Hooking Hand and Shooting Sun Sword poured forth.
‘In pure talent, Ho-won is superior. But in martial prowess, Mu-hwi held the edge.’
Cha-cha-ang!
With the Shooting Sun Sword’s sharpness added, Eom Mu-hwi began to yield ground bit by bit.
‘The reason is simple. Mu-hwi puts in far more effort than Ho-won.’
Their training time seemed similar outwardly, but Eom Mu-hwi always rose before Dong Ho-won and slept later.
‘Lately, though, Ho-won’s been focusing on training and caught up.’
Paat!
Eom Mu-hwi narrowly dodged the ferocious sword strikes. But not fully, leaving a wound on his shoulder.
“Hmm.”
Despite gaining similar insights from the Sasa Heavenly Sect battle, Eom Mu-hwi seemed somehow hesitant.
‘But at that level, talent gaps barely matter. Yet Ho-won caught up because of a mental issue.’
He’d stepped up angrily to Lee Ji-gwang’s provocation out of his resolve to act more dynamically, but deep anxiety played a part too.
‘Mu-hwi, have more faith in yourself. You can reach far higher.’
Glancing at Seol Hwa-un’s relaxed expression, Song Guk-il couldn’t comprehend.
‘At this rate, he’ll just lose. Letting it happen? Doesn’t he care about his subordinate’s safety?’
The Shooting Sun Sword Method was fearsome indeed. As Lee Ji-gwang unleashed it fully, Eom Mu-hwi retreated steadily. Eventually, he reached the garden’s edge.
Cornered, Eom Mu-hwi’s eyes flashed.
‘Worthy of the Island Dragon. Far stronger than the Spear Dragon Ho-won faced.’
A top-tier among the Dragon-Phoenix generation.
‘But I won’t lose.’
Clashing swords several times, he’d gained conviction in his soul-hooking energy.
‘I’ve grasped the true intent of the Yan Family Soul-Hooking Hand!’
Paaat!
The soul-hooking energy in his hand coalesced into a vivid form—like a long sword extending from his hand.
Seol Hwa-un noticed it first.
‘Soul-Hooking Hand Sword!’
The next evolution of soul-hooking energy: Soul-Hooking Hand Sword. Its power dwarfed the base form.
‘Well done, Mu-hwi.’
Not perfect yet, but manifesting it was an achievement.
Chae-chae-chang!!
Eom Mu-hwi swung the Soul-Hooking Hand Sword against the Shooting Sun Sword Method. The tide turned.
Shock filled Lee Ji-gwang’s eyes, who’d been sure of victory.
‘Such a hand technique! Like masterful dual-wield swordplay!’
The Soul-Hooking Hand Swords assaulted from both sides.
‘Kuk! Time to go all out!’
His sword’s blade energy sharpened, speed surging.
Chae-chae-chae-chae-chang!
A deadlock of even, intense combat unfolded.
The onlookers couldn’t hide their amazement.
“The Island Dragon, sure... but his opponent’s incredible too?”
“Not yielding at all against my senior brother!”
Dong Ho-won, watching, shrugged.
“That guy was hiding something like that.”
Seol Hwa-un asked.
“Could you handle him?”
“Of course. Looking forward to my next spar with Mu-hwi.”
He said it casually, but Dong Ho-won felt bitter inside.
‘When did he reach that level? I thought we were even now. Still one step ahead, Mu-hwi.’
Chae-chae-chang!
Kwa-kwa-kwang!!
The Heavenly Flower Tower rear garden lay in ruins from their clash. Waiters, startled by the explosions, floundered in panic.
Numerous guests and North Wind Brigade members watched too.
Going all-out, the two inwardly admired each other.
‘Incredible fast sword! Lose focus for a second, and I’m done!’
‘Such mighty hand work! Slack off, and I’ll lose my sword!’
Kwang!
Another massive boom rang out, sending their forms rebounding. Oddly, faint smiles graced their weary faces.
“...”
Lee Ji-gwang sheathed his sword, and Eom Mu-hwi’s Soul-Hooking Hand Sword vanished like a lie.
As if by prior agreement.
“...!”
Lee Ji-gwang clasped his fists.
“I apologize for my earlier words. And I salute your martial arts.”
“I accept. I’m impressed by the Shooting Sun Sword Method too.”
Song Guk-il, watching, felt a fresh shock.
‘I knew North Sea Ice Palace swordsmanship was elite. Heard their North Heaven Dragon masters fists. But this hand technique rivals their ultimate arts too!’
He figured only the Eight Great Families matched the Nine Great Sects’ best beyond the unorthodox paths.
‘Is this the North Sea Ice Palace’s true caliber?’