Chapter 72
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 72
Chapter Title: Reunion and Challenge
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A handsome young man with sharp, spirited eyes—none other than Jin Pyo, the Vice Sect Leader of the Shanxi Sword Sect.
“It's been a while, Little Palace Lord. I meant to greet you right away when you first appeared, but there were so many people...”
Seol Hwa-un replied with a smile.
“Indeed it has, Vice Sect Leader. I didn't expect to see you here.”
“Hahaha, it must be fate. I never imagined I'd run into my benefactor, the Little Palace Lord, at a place like this.”
Jin Pyo had been invited as an honored guest of the Shanxi Sword Sect to attend the Mount Hua-Zhongnan Conference. Normally, the sect's elders would attend such events, but this conference was an exception.
Most of those active in the martial world were second- or third-generation disciples.
It was a prime opportunity for the Vice Sect Leader to build connections with disciples from major sects like Mount Hua and Zhongnan, so he had come in person.
“You've become quite the celebrity in the meantime. The Northern Heavenly Dragon, no less! It's something I could only dream of.”
“It just happened that way. It wasn't something I sought out.”
Seol Hwa-un meant it sincerely. He valued the North Sea Ice Palace's reputation far more than his own fame.
In the midst of their conversation, Seol Hwa-un sensed Jin Pyo's inner energy and his eyes lit up.
“You've changed yourself, Vice Sect Leader. In such a short time, you've advanced to the next level.”
Jin Pyo scratched the back of his head sheepishly.
“You noticed right away, as expected. That incident taught me a lot. I realized that justice without power is ultimately hollow.”
“...”
Seol Hwa-un felt a bitter taste in his mouth. He couldn't help picturing a martial artist who had once chased lofty ideals now confronting harsh reality and faltering.
But Jin Pyo was not so frail.
“I cut back on sleep and ramped up my martial arts training. And just recently, I had a small breakthrough.”
“Impressive. Congratulations.”
“Thank you. I'm giving it my all, aiming to match the astonishing prowess you displayed back then.”
“...”
Seol Hwa-un thought that the Shanxi Sword Sect would one day make a name for itself thanks to Jin Pyo. But he kept that prediction to himself.
Just then, Pyo Il-rib's lengthy speech came to an end.
“...With that, let the Mount Hua-Zhongnan Conference officially begin!”
Sparring matches between the third-generation disciples of the two sects commenced immediately.
It was a five-match series, with all bouts fought regardless of wins or losses.
As expected of third-generation disciples from the Nine Great Sects, their skills were impressive.
Of course, only the most outstanding among countless third-generation disciples had been selected for the conference, but even accounting for that, their prowess was remarkable.
That was all there was to it, however. None caught Seol Hwa-un's eye.
‘Have my standards gotten too high? Well, I've seen pretty much every notable later-generation expert, and Mu-hwi and Ho-won are always by my side.’
“Why are you lowering your sword like that...? Yes! ...What are you doing? Don't retreat—dodge to the side!”
A glance sideways revealed Jin Pyo watching the arena with a grave expression, as if he were the one fighting.
“...”
Sensing Seol Hwa-un's gaze, he looked embarrassed.
“Ah, sorry. I got too into it.”
Seol Hwa-un shook his head.
“No matter. Don't mind me.”
The intense matches ended in a 2-2 tie, a fitting outcome given the near parity in skill between the third-generation disciples of the two sects.
As expected, Mount Hua's final fighter was Ma Seong-gyun, facing off against So Jeong-bong, Zhongnan's top third-generation disciple.
So Jeong-bong appeared a year or two older than Ma Seong-gyun, and his martial arts were no joke.
Their clash was undoubtedly a cut above the previous bouts.
The fierce exchange dragged on neck-and-neck past a hundred exchanges. As everyone watched in awe, Seol Hwa-un simply smiled faintly.
‘The Mount Hua Sword Spirit, was it? He's holding back.’
It looked even at first glance, but Ma Seong-gyun had room to spare.
‘Well, considering the relations between Mount Hua and Zhongnan, they have to save face for each other.’
It was less Ma Seong-gyun's personal choice and more likely a directive from his second-generation seniors, who knew his abilities best.
Of course, it couldn't fool the eyes of Zhongnan's second-generation disciples. Their expressions grew subtly heavy as they watched.
“As expected of the Mount Hua Sword Spirit.”
“No one among the third-generation disciples can beat that guy.”
“Tch! He should've joined our sect...”
It was around the one hundred fiftieth exchange.
Paang!
Ma Seong-gyun's sword pierced through So Jeong-bong's dazzling Great Supreme Dividing Light Sword.
“...!!”
The sword tip was already at So Jeong-bong's throat. Grimacing in frustration, he closed his eyes as if accepting the inevitable.
“...I yield.”
Ma Seong-gyun withdrew his sword with a faint smile.
“A fine match.”
With So Jeong-bong's concession, a roar erupted from the Mount Hua contingent.
“Waaaaah!”
Jo Jin-hong watched Ma Seong-gyun bow and looked surprised.
‘That kid... he's grown in such a short time.’
Originally, he had been a notch below So Jeong-bong. But he hadn't been capable of dismantling his swordsmanship so perfectly.
‘That duel with the Northern Heavenly Dragon must have helped. Mental growth influencing his swordplay.’
He was glad once again that he'd asked Seol Hwa-un for a spar.
The second-generation disciple matches were next, but first came a special exhibition: selecting the top third-generation disciple via audience vote.
The winner would receive special permission to challenge anyone of their choosing.
A vote was held among the honored guests for fairness, and as expected, the Mount Hua Sword Spirit, Ma Seong-gyun, was chosen.
He ascended the arena once more. Despite the intense prior bout, he showed no signs of fatigue—he hadn't gone all out.
The host, Pyo Il-rib, asked with a reluctant expression.
“Young hero Ma, who would you like to spar with?”
“I...”
Scanning the surroundings, Ma Seong-gyun turned his gaze to the honored guests. It wasn't unprecedented.
There had been plenty of cases where winners challenged visiting experts.
Among the guests were the famed swordsman of Shanxi Province, Heavenly Number Sword Child Jo Deung; the top blademaster of Gansu, Spirit Ring Blade; and another Shaanxi powerhouse, Elder Gwak Cheong-yang of the Dragon-Tiger Sect.
But Ma Seong-gyun's eyes passed them by and fixed on Seol Hwa-un. Seol Hwa-un unconsciously frowned.
‘That kid, don't tell me?’
A faint smile played on Ma Seong-gyun's lips.
“I request a sword duel with the Little Palace Lord of the North Sea Ice Palace, who has graciously attended this Mount Hua-Zhongnan Conference.”
“...!”
The crowd buzzed not just at the unexpected name, but at the words “sword duel.”
“Sword duel? Isn't the Northern Heavenly Dragon a fist fighter?”
“Must be some misunderstanding.”
Ma Seong-gyun's clear voice rang out again.
“Little Palace Lord, will you accept my challenge?”
Annoyance was plain on Seol Hwa-un's face.
‘That kid...’
Ma Seong-gyun must have felt cheated losing to the fist-fighting Seol Hwa-un with a sword.
‘He wants a rematch for revenge?’
Seol Hwa-un wouldn't lose, of course, but there was no reason to humor an opponent he'd already beaten.
‘And it wouldn't help either.’
A good idea suddenly struck Seol Hwa-un. He stood and spoke.
“Sorry, but I must decline.”
A smile tugged at his lips.
“Instead, I'll recommend someone else.”
“Pardon?”
Seol Hwa-un turned to Jin Pyo beside him.
“The Vice Sect Leader of the Shanxi Sword Sect, Hero Jin. He'd make a fine opponent for you, Hero Ma.”
Now Jin Pyo was the flustered one.
“L-Little Palace Lord!”
The crowd began to murmur.
“Shanxi Sword Sect?”
“Isn't that a minor sword sect in Shanxi?”
“They've got a decent reputation, but their martial arts...”
Though Jin Pyo was a full ten years older than Ma Seong-gyun, he seemed woefully outmatched against Mount Hua's top later-generation talent.
Ma Seong-gyun knew it too. His expression twisted.
‘Ugh! To be dismissed like this!’
As if reading his mind, Seol Hwa-un continued.
“If you defeat Vice Sect Leader Jin, I'll face you myself. With swords.”
“...!”
Ma Seong-gyun's face flickered through several emotions. He shouted with a hardened expression.
“Hold to that promise.”
“Of course.”
“Understood. I'll spar with the Vice Sect Leader of the Shanxi Sword Sect!”
Thus, the match between Jin Pyo and Ma Seong-gyun was set.
Seol Hwa-un placed a hand on Jin Pyo's uneasy shoulder.
“Vice Sect Leader, lacking confidence?”
“He's a later-generation disciple, but he's a core Mount Hua Sect member, isn't he? Honestly, with my skills...”
Seol Hwa-un smiled.
“Don't worry. The Mount Hua Sword Spirit is exceptional, but your martial arts are no slouch either.”
His eyes gleamed.
“Especially the Shanxi Sword Sect's Nine Palaces Divine March Sword—it's in no way inferior to other sects' sword arts.”
Jin Pyo's eyes widened.
‘How does he know our sect's swordsmanship?’
The Shanxi Sword Sect's name was barely known, and their arts even less so.
Seol Hwa-un knew them from his past life, thanks to his ties with their warriors.
“The Mount Hua Sword Spirit hasn't fully mastered the Plum Blossom Sword yet. In that state, he'll struggle against the Nine Palaces Divine March Sword.”
As he said, it was an outstanding sword art.
‘Even when I saw it before...’
But the current Shanxi Sword Sect warriors weren't utilizing it properly.
“...”
Wearing a dazed expression, Jin Pyo rose and stepped into the arena.
‘Can I really hold my own against a Mount Hua disciple?’
What was done was done. With Seol Hwa-un so confident, he had no choice but to trust him.
‘I’ll give it everything I have.’
At that moment, Seol Hwa-un's transmission voice pierced his ear.
[You've seen his skills in the prior match, so no need for probing. The first strike is key. Unleash the Nine Palaces Divine March Sword with full power.]
Jin Pyo nodded silently.
Seol Hwa-un smiled.
‘That’s advice enough.’
By then, Eom Mu-hwi and Dong Ho-won had approached. Dong Ho-won asked worriedly.
“Little Palace Lord, can Hero Jin stand against the Mount Hua Sword Spirit?”
Having fought bandits alongside him, he seemed to favor Jin Pyo.
“Mu-hwi, what do you think?”
At Seol Hwa-un's question, Eom Mu-hwi replied gravely.
“Hero Jin's energy has changed, but based on what I saw before, it'll be tough for him to match the Mount Hua Sword Spirit.”
“I see.”
“You think differently, Little Palace Lord.”
“I understand your concerns. Normally, that would be the right assessment.”
“...”
“But that's because you don't know the Shanxi Sword Sect's swordsmanship well. Nor does anyone else—even their own disciples.”
Seol Hwa-un wore a sly smile.
“Watch closely. You'll all be surprised.”
Soon, the match between Jin Pyo and Ma Seong-gyun began, unfolding in a direction no one in the crowd had anticipated.