Chapter 73
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 73
Chapter Title: Shanxi's Crouching Tiger
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Jin Pyo made a fist salute with an awkward expression.
“I am Jin Pyo of the Shanxi Sword Sect. Pleased to meet you.”
Ma Seong-gyun muttered in a stiff voice.
“I am Ma Seong-gyun of Huashan.”
“…….”
As soon as Pyo Il-rib gave the signal to begin, Ma Seong-gyun charged forward.
Shuuuk!
“……!”
Typically, in orthodox sect sparring matches, combatants would first exchange ritual forms before engaging in the real bout. All previous matches had started that way.
But this time, Ma Seong-gyun skipped it entirely. It was a sign of how foul his mood was.
‘Me, up against some disciple from a minor sect? North Heavenly Dragon, you seem to know this guy—watch closely. See how I handle it.’
He thrust his sword forward with full internal energy, intent on dropping Jin Pyo in one blow.
Shuaaak!
Yet even as Ma Seong-gyun’s sword shot out, Jin Pyo hadn’t even drawn his yet.
It might have looked like panic at a glance, but that wasn’t the case.
“…….”
Jin Pyo, staring at Ma Seong-gyun with a serious expression, suddenly drew his sword like lightning.
Pat!
It was the first form of the Nine Palaces Divine Travel Sword: Bounce Sword Nine Palaces, a drawing technique. His blade intercepted Ma Seong-gyun’s precisely.
Creeeeng!
“……!”
The impact was stronger than expected, causing Ma Seong-gyun’s stance to falter. It felt like his sword hand was about to tear off.
‘Kuh! What’s with this weight?!’
Jin Pyo’s sword didn’t stop. He immediately unleashed the second form of the Nine Palaces Divine Travel Sword.
Shushuuk!
The startled Ma Seong-gyun hastily raised his sword to block.
Chaeng chaeng chang!
‘Urk!’
He barely managed to defend, but couldn’t fully absorb the shock and was pushed back.
“Haaap!”
Jin Pyo shouted with spirit, swinging his sword as he pressed the attack.
Chaeng chaeng chaeng chang!
From then on, it was a one-sided affair. Jin Pyo unleashed a barrage of sword forms, while Ma Seong-gyun was too busy defending to do anything else.
The spectators couldn’t help but be shocked.
“No way!”
“The Huashan Sword Response is… getting pushed back?”
“Is the Shanxi Sword Sect’s Vice Sect Leader really that strong?”
“Hah, North Heavenly Dragon didn’t recommend him for nothing!”
Even Eom Mu-hwi and Dong Ho-won were amazed.
“Wow, I’m seeing Jin in a new light. He’s that skilled a swordsman?”
“So one-sided like this. Little Palace Lord, did you foresee this?”
Seol Hwa-un nodded.
“Yes. Jin Vice Sect Leader’s swordsmanship is the Nine Palaces Divine Travel Sword—a very orthodox rigid sword style.”
“…….”
“Huashan sword arts are mostly flexible swords, illusory swords, and fast swords. They don’t match well against rigid swords. The Huashan Sword Response probably has little experience against such styles.”
A junior in his twenties couldn’t have much experience, no matter how much he’d accumulated.
“His first attack was a mistake. He underestimated his opponent and went for a quick finish with his swordsmanship. And after clashing blades in that first exchange, the match was essentially decided.”
In a duel against an unknown foe, probing to gauge the opponent’s martial arts traits is crucial.
Had he realized early on it was a rigid sword style, he would’ve responded differently.
By avoiding clashes and focusing on probing attacks, Ma Seong-gyun might have had the edge.
If their skill gap had been wider, it would’ve been different, but Jin Pyo’s martial arts weren’t far below Ma Seong-gyun’s.
Strictly speaking, he was a step inferior, but sword style compatibility and experience more than made up for it.
“Plus, the Nine Palaces Divine Travel Sword is inherently a linked form. Once caught in the sequence, it flows relentlessly from first form to last. By the time you realize it, escaping is nearly impossible.”
Dong Ho-won asked,
“Even so, Jin’s skills seem way beyond what they were before.”
“It’s not unreasonable to think that. Back then, Jin Vice Sect Leader lacked confidence. Whether due to his personality or some setback, I don’t know.”
“…….”
“I gave him some advice and boosted his confidence a bit. But his own hard work since then played the biggest role.”
“Ah!”
Seol Hwa-un, watching the stage, smiled.
“The Huashan Sword Response is impressive too. Didn’t expect him to hold out this well.”
Ma Seong-gyun made full use of the stage, desperately trying to find an opening.
But escaping Jin Pyo’s relentless Nine Palaces Divine Travel Sword was no easy feat.
‘Damn it!’
In truth, he wasn’t without options.
If he unleashed the Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword Technique he’d shown against Seol Hwa-un, he could overwhelm the rigid sword style.
Unfortunately, his internal energy was lacking. He hadn’t recovered from what he’d expended in the previous match.
‘Should’ve circulated my qi and meditated before starting…’
It was his mistake to underestimate the opponent and rush into the duel.
Ma Seong-gyun gritted his teeth.
‘Still, I can’t afford another loss!’
Jo Jin-hong, watching the match, shook his head, realizing there was no path to victory.
‘He’s grown, but still far to go. This’ll be good experience. Sigh, another loss today—three already?’
As Jin Pyo’s offense continued, both fighters’ faces were drenched in sweat.
It looked one-sided, but not entirely. Jin Pyo, wielding the power-intensive rigid sword of the Nine Palaces Divine Travel Sword, was burning through stamina and internal energy at a high rate.
Of course, Ma Seong-gyun, clinging on desperately and waiting for a mistake, was tiring just as quickly.
“Huk, huk, huk!”
“Hahk, hahk, hahk!”
Before long, the surroundings fell silent, filled only with their ragged breathing.
“…….”
Their movements had noticeably slowed. Either could collapse at any moment, yet neither yielded.
When it seemed hopeless, Pyo Il-rib intervened.
Jumping between them, he smacked both swords away in one motion.
Chaeng!
The sudden strong impact sent Ma Seong-gyun and Jin Pyo staggering back.
“That was truly an impressive duel. Since it’s not a life-or-death fight, how about calling it a draw here?”
No one objected besides the two, who were too out of breath to speak.
“Waaaaah!”
“No winner, but what a match!”
Other Huashan third-generation disciples came forward to support Ma Seong-gyun, while Dong Ho-won helped Jin Pyo.
“Jin, I see you in a new light! That was some swordsmanship!”
“Huu, huu… …Really?”
He felt a twinge of regret at not winning, but holding his own against a Huashan disciple was achievement enough.
Returning to his seat, Jin Pyo asked Seol Hwa-un,
“Little Palace Lord, did you predict this?”
“Yes. Honestly, I thought you’d win, Jin Vice Sect Leader. Surprised the Huashan Sword Response lasted this long.”
“Hahaha.”
Jin Pyo gazed at Seol Hwa-un with a strange expression.
‘Little Palace Lord, thank you.’
For someone from a minor sect, chances to show his skills before so many martial artists weren’t common.
Seol Hwa-un had essentially given him that opportunity.
The Shanxi Sword Sect’s fame would surely rise from this match.
‘Why do you keep bestowing such favors every time I see you? How am I supposed to repay this…’
In truth, Seol Hwa-un had just set the stage, but Jin Pyo felt differently.
There was also Seol Hwa-un’s personal fondness for Jin Pyo, who valued righteousness.
Afterward, the highlight of the Huashan-Zhongnan Conference finally arrived: the second-generation disciple matches.
Though Zhongnan’s top disciple Pyo Il-rib and Huashan’s Jo Jin-hong didn’t participate, the gap between second- and third-generation disciples was like heaven and earth.
High-level swordsmanship dazzled on the stage, drawing the spectators in completely.
Seol Hwa-un watched with shining eyes.
‘Ho. Second-generation disciples are on another level. This is worth watching.’
As he focused on the matches, he sensed a faintly irritating presence.
‘Hm?’
Turning his head, he saw about a dozen bamboo-hat figures approaching.
‘Those guys…’
Meanwhile, two warriors standing behind the VIP seats were chatting.
“Kyah! Impressive indeed. Yes, this is the real Huashan vs. Zhongnan showdown.”
“Tell me about it. Truth be told, the third-generation matches were yawn-inducing.”
The two, in their forties—one fat, one skinny—were Lee Sa and Gwak Dong, known as the Shaanxi Two Freaks, eccentric figures.
Famous for their odd behaviors but also for their righteous deeds, they were classified as orthodox.
Though never invited, they attended every Huashan-Zhongnan Conference to watch. Neither Huashan nor Zhongnan chased them off.
Lee Sa said,
“Still, the Huashan Sword Response vs. Shanxi Sword Sect Vice Sect Leader was entertaining, right?”
Gwak Dong nodded.
“Yeah, I’ll give that. The Shanxi Vice Sect Leader deserves a nickname.”
Lee Sa’s eyes lit up.
“What’d be good?”
“Hmm, how about Shanxi Crouching Tiger for starters?”
“Ho. ‘Shanxi’s Crouching Tiger.’ Not bad.”
“Right? Dragon’s too much. He hasn’t done anything standout yet.”
“True. Let’s see if he earns Sword Tiger or Sword Dragon later.”
In an instant, Jin Pyo’s nickname became Shanxi Crouching Tiger.
Lee Sa spoke again.
“Whew. Huashan swords are sharp.”
“What about Zhongnan’s? So unpredictable.”
“No wonder they constantly produce the Northwest’s Top Sword from those two sects.”
The Northwest referred to Shaanxi, Gansu, and Qinghai provinces combined.
Then, an unfamiliar voice came from behind them.
“Northeast’s Top Sword?”
The Shaanxi Two Freaks’ expressions hardened instantly.
‘No presence at all?!’
Slowly turning, they saw a tall man in black robes and a large bamboo hat.
“……!”
The Shaanxi Two Freaks knew who he was. Their faces paled.
“Y-You…!”
“Daring to discuss the Northwest’s Top Sword in front of me? You lot?”
Lee Sa waved his hands frantically.
“Oh, misunderstanding! We’d never…!”
“That’s right! No such intention…!”
The bamboo-hat man said coldly,
“Watch your mouths from now on, Shaanxi Two Freaks.”
“Heh heh heh, o-of course.”
As they inwardly sighed in relief,
The bamboo-hat man’s cold voice rang out.
“This is your warning.”
“……!”
Kwaaang!!