Chapter 118
Chapter 118
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 118
Chapter Title: Pleasant Reunion
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Han Ibi said,
"Brother."
That's right.
Surprisingly, the owner of that puppet was none other than Kwak Wonhoe, the Imperial Army veteran who shared his room.
"What brings you here at this hour?"
Kwak Wonhoe said,
"Yeah, I must've eaten something bad this morning—my stomach's been cramping, so I stepped out."
"I see. But why aren't you going back in..."
Kwak Wonhoe shook his head with a wry smile.
"Jong Ri little brother, come take a listen yourself. This Demonic Cult martial arts system lecture or whatever is just so damn boring. Might as well slack off while I'm out here. A true warrior's gotta get out and move their body—that's the real thrill. I think I wandered into the wrong place."
Han Ibi said,
"I see."
An awkward silence fell for a moment.
Kwak Wonhoe said,
"I heard you were in treatment, little brother Jong Ri. What are you doing here?"
Han Ibi forced an awkward smile.
"Pretty much the same as you, brother. Lying around made me antsy, so..."
"Ah, got it! I heard you got poisoned by those Sichuan Tang Clan monsters... How's your body holding up?"
"Eh, I'm managing alright now."
"Good to hear. Take care of yourself."
"Will do. That's the plan."
"Alright..."
"But brother."
"Yeah?"
Kwak Wonhoe glanced up at Han Ibi sideways.
"Did you have some weapons training left today or something?"
"Nah. Today was research on Demonic Cult martial arts."
Han Ibi said slowly, his gaze deep and intent.
"So why'd you prop that spear behind the tree? You said you were heading to the outhouse."
In an instant, Kwak Wonhoe's eyes flashed.
At the same time, he kicked up with his left foot, striking the base of the spear he'd leaned against the locust tree.
The spear spun through the air and slapped perfectly into his hands.
It was a motion one with the weapon itself.
At nearly the same moment, Kwak Wonhoe's body launched toward Han Ibi.
A movement swift as the wind.
Zhongli Swift Leopard Step
Extreme burst speed and evasion
But Han Ibi had sensed it coming. The instant Kwak Wonhoe moved, he drew his Hanjo Sword and twisted his body to the left.
Kwak Wonhoe's spear thrust past Han Ibi's side.
But only for a moment.
Kwak Wonhoe planted his foot and swept the spear sideways.
The sturdy yet flexible shaft turned into a club, bearing down on Han Ibi.
It was a flawless move blending offense and defense.
Han Ibi had no choice but to raise his Hanjo Sword and barely block the spear.
But its elasticity was unmatched—the rebound sent the tip whipping back at him.
'Whoa. I saw a guy with linked swords last time, but this weapon's a first.'
Han Ibi ducked under the tip and stepped back four paces with a Bagua Footwork stance.
Kwak Wonhoe steadied his breath, spun the spear in a long arc, and used the centrifugal force to sweep at Han Ibi's legs.
Han Ibi leaped into the air to evade, saying,
"You won't answer if I ask why you're doing this, right?"
But Kwak Wonhoe just snorted and thrust again.
Han Ibi instantly activated Zhongli Swift Leopard Step and bounced off the spear shaft.
The rebound was tremendous, sending him flying three zhang away.
But Kwak Wonhoe was no pushover. He gripped the spear and charged, stabbing like lightning at Han Ibi's landing spot.
Han Ibi had no room to maneuver and could only spin in midair.
The spear tip grazed his back by a hair's breadth.
Pursuit Eagle's Eye Technique
Analyzing spear tip trajectory
At the same time, Han Ibi activated Pursuit Eagle's Eye Technique to analyze the spear tip's movements.
The instant analysis complete, he suddenly smacked the tip away with his left hand.
The spear's flexible body bent, whipping back to strike Kwak Wonhoe's thigh.
But Kwak Wonhoe spread his legs wide and kicked the tip again.
The spear tip flew back at Han Ibi.
Han Ibi barely parried with his Hanjo Sword.
He retreated farther once more.
"Eliminating a rival to the Little Roc Dragon? Or in league with the Demonic Cult?"
But Kwak Wonhoe said nothing, thrusting once more.
The spear's swift, curving strikes were artistically beautiful, even from an enemy.
Han Ibi whistled casually.
"Demonic Cult spear art, huh? Bizarre, but effective."
Kwak Wonhoe gripped the spear's base with both hands and swung it like a massive staff, sealing off Han Ibi's movements.
The spear hurtled in as if to crush his skull.
Han Ibi floundered for a moment.
He'd faced swords and spears before, but this bizarre spear-staff hybrid was unprecedented.
Rip!
His sleeve tore on the spear tip.
It felt like fighting both a spear master and staff master at once.
The spear's flashy flourishes decorated the secluded woods.
As Han Ibi scrambled to defend—
Thwack!
He took a solid club strike to the thigh.
It hurt like hell, tears pricking his eyes.
Bruising was inevitable.
Kwak Wonhoe's spear tip closed in again, momentum surging.
Suddenly, black energy stirred in Han Ibi's dantian.
The Crimson Dream Great Law sensed its master's peril and roiled.
This thing lunges at any opening.
He suppressed it with his converted protective blood energy, thinking,
'I'd love to unleash Crimson Dream Great Law and end him quick... but this is the heart of the Murim Alliance's assembly. Too risky. That guy's spear work is insanely flashy—like conducting an orchestra... Wait, conducting?'
Conductor's baton sparked a memory.
Phantom Melody Insight.
Phantom Melody Insight
Visualizing repetitive martial patterns
Han Ibi activated Phantom Melody Insight right away.
'Oh! I can see it!'
Amazingly, it was analyzing Kwak Wonhoe's flashy spear work.
'This is gold. Should've leveled it up more...'
Kwak Wonhoe's spear still danced dazzlingly at him, but...
Now Han Ibi could read its patterns.
Phantom Melody Insight's core function: visually decoding repetitive martial forms.
And Han Ibi realized he was right.
Kwak Wonhoe's spear art was like music or painting—playing in the air, drawing pictures.
After another dozen exchanges, Han Ibi fully grasped the pattern.
'Got it!'
He clenched his left fist and launched a counterattack with a grin.
The spear art's secret: perfect harmony of straight thrusts and curves, from the weapon's firm flexibility and Kwak Wonhoe's subtle wrist tremors at key moments.
'That's it.'
A faint smile bloomed on Han Ibi's face.
Clang!
The first loud clash since they started.
Spear tip met Hanjo Sword metal.
Kwak Wonhoe switched grips and swung.
Clang!
Another clash.
Han Ibi laughed.
"Nice technique, but I've got your number now."
He stepped forward with Bagua Footwork, striking first.
His sword tip aimed for Kwak Wonhoe's wrist.
Kwak Wonhoe swung in alarm to block.
But Han Ibi wove through odd angles, closing in instantly.
Maintaining optimal distance is spear basics.
Kwak Wonhoe backpedaled, swinging to restore it.
But Han Ibi already understood the staff-like patterns.
He struck precisely where the spear swung, forcing tip clashes to nullify its bounce.
Sticking even closer.
He targeted the flustered moment Kwak Wonhoe switched the spear from right to left hand.
That split second!
Concise Severing Sword
Primal thrust with full internal energy
Han Ibi activated Concise Severing Sword, channeling all his energy.
Explosive qi burst forth with its most primal thrust—a sneak attack.
In that brief switching instant.
Crack!
Kwak Wonhoe's spear flew through the air.
'Done!'
Kwak Wonhoe was defenseless now.
Han Ibi's Concise Severing Sword followed with a highly refined slash at his neck.
His head about to come off—
Kwak Wonhoe squeezed his eyes shut.
But...
Nothing happened.
Though Han Ibi's Hanjo Sword rested right on Kwak Wonhoe's throat.
A man's voice rang out.
"That's enough."
Han Ibi whipped around in shock.
Someone stood right behind him.
No presence detected!
The man, fanning himself leisurely, said,
"Deputy Kwak. Risking your life over this? You could've stopped sooner."
Kwak Wonhoe remained silent.
Han Ibi's sword still touched his throat.
Whoosh!
Something sliced the air toward Han Ibi's sword.
Han Ibi activated Eagle's Eye Technique to track it.
Clink!
A metallic ring—something flew off.
A single coin.
The man said,
"Forgive me, young hero Jong Ri. I don't like butting in... but I couldn't watch you make a mistake."
Han Ibi scowled.
"Mistake? A mistake?"
"Yes. Killing Deputy Kwak would be a grave one."
Han Ibi had recognized him from the start.
The VIP guest at the Qingcheng Sect Leader Selection Tournament.
The mysterious man who'd spoken with Jong Ri-hyeok afterward.
It was him.
Han Ibi probed casually.
"For a Demonic Cultist, you sure talk a lot."
The man chuckled amusedly.
"Demonic Cult? Haha, that's a fun take."
Han Ibi laughed along.
"Right? As fun as ambushing me."
Then Kwak Wonhoe shouted,
"Jong Ri brother! Don't speak recklessly! Do you even know who he—"
The man raised a hand to silence him.
"Demonic Cult? Where do I look like one?"
Han Ibi snorted.
"Hmph. Since when do Demonic Cultists wear signs? Who else would ambush someone in Murim Alliance training? With a spy planted inside... Your lot's gotten awfully bold."
The man glanced at ash-gray Kwak Wonhoe and spoke.
"Fair enough. If anyone's at fault, it's me first. I'll concede this once."
Then he fixed Han Ibi with a piercing stare and snapped his fan shut with a thwack.
As Han Ibi flinched and crouched—
The fan shot out like it could fold space itself.
Han Ibi, startled, raised his Hanjo Sword in defense.
That instant.
The fan seemed to plunge into the ground.
(To be continued next time)