Chapter 57
Chapter 57
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 57
Chapter Title: Trauma
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Snap!
A loud sound echoed once more.
Han Ibi had shoved one of the wooden swords he was holding through the crack in the door.
The door couldn't close all the way.
Through that gap, Han Ibi shouted at Jong Ri-hyeok, who was visible on the other side.
"Let's have a go, 'straw bag'."
Straw bag!
Flames of fury ignited in Jong Ri-hyeok's eyes.
'Straw bag' was originally a container for grain or goods, but it was also used to mean 'braggart' or 'coward'.
This was a social connotation... but among them, it was the term Jong Ri-mae had used to belittle Jong Ri-hyeok.
In their childhood, there had been a vast gap in their martial skills.
Jong Ri-mae, backed by his mother's influence, received support from the family elders while learning martial arts, whereas Jong Ri-hyeok had to struggle alone amid discrimination.
Back in those immature days when youthful recklessness hadn't yet faded.
The two had countless wooden sword spars under the guise of 'training'.
And every time, the one who ended up battered and bruised was Jong Ri-hyeok.
Each time, as he lay defeated, Jong Ri-mae would shout triumphantly.
That was 'straw bag'.
Creeeak!
Jong Ri-hyeok flung the door wide open.
His eyes blazed with rage.
"Come in."
Seeing those eyes, Han Ibi felt a chill run down his spine for some reason.
'D-did I mess up...?'
But he couldn't just pretend nothing happened and walk away now.
Han Ibi quickly stepped into the private chamber of the Five Elements Pavilion.
Bam!
Jong Ri-hyeok slammed the door shut with force.
"Fine. Just like you said, let's have a match after all this time."
He extended one hand. Understanding the intent, Han Ibi handed over a wooden sword.
Jong Ri-hyeok snatched it with a sharp motion.
Seeing his expression, where burning fury had condensed into thick killing intent... Han Ibi realized he had made a huge mistake.
Still... no backing down now.
Han Ibi flashed a faint smile and said,
"Thanks for saving me last time."
"Hmph. I didn't save you. I saved Little Uncle So."
Hmm... Calling So Eun-ri 'Little Uncle So'... well, in this ridiculously tangled family tree, it wasn't wrong.
"Anyway, thanks, bro. If it weren't for you, I'd have been in big trouble."
"Hmph. Whatever."
"That's why... about Little Sister So..."
"You planning to fight with your mouth?"
Provocation.
But Han Ibi had to try.
"Little Sister So's condition isn't great right now. So, I was thinking maybe you could..."
"If you don't come at me first, I'll strike first."
The moment Han Ibi sensed Jong Ri-hyeok's form blur!
An incredible speed as Jong Ri-hyeok's wooden sword came pouring down.
Han Ibi leaped back in alarm.
By a hair's breadth, the wooden sword grazed Han Ibi's hair and passed.
It was worlds apart from their childhood exchanges!
Once more, Jong Ri-hyeok spun his body swiftly, slicing toward Han Ibi's waist.
Clack!
Han Ibi blocked horizontally with his wooden sword, but...
'Ow, my palm... this hurts worse than a baseball bat.'
The attack was far sharper than expected. As expected of the protagonist.
From what he could tell, this guy was holding back his true power for some reason. He could definitely hold his own against Seong Chun-don.
He had to make those two clash no matter what.
Thwack!
"Argh!"
Han Ibi let out a loud scream.
Jong Ri-hyeok's wooden sword had smacked the top of his head.
Stars sparkled before his eyes.
'Oof. So this is what they mean by seeing stars.'
He'd twisted to deflect it somewhat, but taking a full swing from a wooden sword was pure agony.
Han Ibi rubbed the spot fiercely with his left hand. A lump was already forming.
"Bro! You don't have to go this hard..."
Jong Ri-hyeok stepped into an unpredictable footwork.
Like a feint in soccer.
Then his form vanished instantly.
'L-left! No, right...'
Thwack!
Han Ibi took a brutal smash to his right back.
A ferocious smash incomparable to his mother's...
Tears welled up.
This had to be the family art, Zhongli Pure Swordsmanship.
Jong Ri-hyeok's intent was obvious. Payback for the old days.
'How can this be... the same Zhongli Pure Swordsmanship, yet such different power...'
Han Ibi had dismissed it as the ruined clan's martial art, but Jong Ri-hyeok's level was comparable to any first-rate technique.
Jong Ri-hyeok's wooden sword slid toward Han Ibi's upper body.
Too fast to block.
Han Ibi hurriedly channeled Dark Armor Skill into his shoulder.
But Jong Ri-hyeok's sword twisted mid-air and came crashing down.
'Ugh! Not like this!'
Thud!
With a loud impact, the wooden sword struck Han Ibi's thigh.
He staggered, nearly collapsing.
It perfectly recreated that sharp sting from getting smacked by a teacher in school!
Tears spun in his eyes involuntarily.
But no time to hurt.
Jong Ri-hyeok's wooden sword came relentlessly again.
'Bagua Palm!'
Han Ibi had no choice but to activate Bagua Steps.
At this rate, he'd end up covered in bruises like a dalmatian.
Qian Step ignited.
Han Ibi quickly took a step. But suddenly shifted to Dui Step.
However, it was a speed beyond physical pursuit...
Thwack!
Once more, a drum-like sound resounded in the training hall.
Han Ibi realized soon enough. In the expanded Sixty-Four Hexagrams domain via Hong Mong Grand Method, he could defend adequately...
But the Eight Trigrams mode, limited to eight codes, fell short against this elusive, rapid assault.
Thwack! Thwack! Thud! Thud!
Sure enough, Han Ibi's body was turning black and blue all over.
Jong Ri-hyeok felt a bit flustered too.
The 'straw bag' taunt had made his blood boil, leading to this... but he'd planned to just subdue him roughly and give a taste.
Yet this guy kept coming back despite the beating.
Now he worried he might accidentally break something.
Especially since trouble couldn't arise within Qingcheng Sect grounds.
Meanwhile, Han Ibi had his own scheme.
Recalling old memories, it was usually Jong Ri-mae who got beaten like a dog.
Jong Ri-hyeok was the one charging in angrily.
Childhood trauma.
Breaking that would mend their relationship somewhat.
A mended bond would let him ask for help with Bok Yeon-hwa.
To do that, easing Jong Ri-hyeok's vengeance was key.
That was the crucial reason Han Ibi was tanking hits.
But...
'It hurts too much! You bastard! He's my brother, but no mercy! If push comes to shove, maybe summon Hong Mong for a taste.'
Then a low "Ah!" of surprise.
The door to the Five Elements Pavilion chamber was open, someone standing there.
Han Ibi and Jong Ri-hyeok's gazes turned that way.
Surprisingly, it was Qingcheng Sect's female disciple, Yeo Nanju.
'Why is sis coming out from there...'
Han Ibi glanced at Jong Ri-hyeok in shock; he blinked in surprise too.
Yeo Nanju said,
"Ah, sorry. I came for training and heard screams, so..."
Jong Ri-hyeok replied flatly,
"Just sparring. No need to worry."
'This is sparring? It's assault...'
Han Ibi glared at Jong Ri-hyeok resentfully, but he casually looked toward Yeo Nanju.
Acting all cool.
Men knew it was posturing, but that girl seemed swayed by hormones.
Hearts popping in her eyes.
Sure enough, she had a crush on Jong Ri-hyeok, who holed up morning and night honing martial arts in the pavilion, and begged her master for access.
Yeo Nanju looked at Jong Ri-hyeok with concern.
Gauging if he was the one screaming.
But spotting the bruises on Han Ibi's arms, she sighed in relief.
She said,
"Sorry for interrupting your training. I'll head out now..."
"Wait!"
Han Ibi shouted then.
Yeo Nanju and Jong Ri-hyeok both looked at him.
"Lady Yeo, you can stay right here."
Yeo Nanju blinked in surprise.
"Pardon?"
Han Ibi grinned brazenly.
"We were sparring, but no audience made it boring. For a proper match, we need at least one witness, right? Hahaha."
Han Ibi laughed awkwardly while calculating inwardly.
'Damn it. With a watcher, Jong Ri-hyeok won't beat me like a dog out of embarrassment. Survive first, worry later.'
Yeo Nanju's face lit up.
Just being with her crush was joy enough.
Han Ibi noted her reaction and turned to Jong Ri-hyeok.
"What do you think, bro?"
Jong Ri-hyeok replied indifferently,
"Do whatever. I don't care."
'Ugh, that jerk. Annoying to the end.'
But Yeo Nanju was thrilled, reciting unprompted lines.
"It's an honor to witness your spar. Thank you for the chance to broaden my horizons."
Han Ibi said,
"Hahaha. Sparring with a beautiful junior sister watching is a bit embarrassing. We're both lacking, so please watch with generous eyes."
Yeo Nanju blushed at 'beautiful'.
Han Ibi thought,
'Heh. That girl too... acts all bossy queen bee with other girls, but around guys, she's full spring maiden cosplay...'
But Jong Ri-hyeok seemed utterly unconcerned.
He raised his wooden sword again.
"Now. Let's begin."
Han Ibi gripped his wooden sword reluctantly.
'Alright! Now that I've gotten used to that bastard Jong Ri-hyeok's sword, time to fight back...'
Thwack! Thwack!
The thrashing resumed unexpectedly. There had been a change.
Jong Ri-hyeok's swordsmanship had completely shifted.
With a fellow disciple Yeo Nanju watching, he hesitated to use family arts and switched to Qingcheng Sect sword techniques.
Most of what he'd trained in daily was Qingcheng swordsmanship anyway.
Thus, it unleashed far greater power than the rarely used family sword art.
Thwack thwack thwack!
Every few exchanges, merciless beatings continued.
But what irked him more was Yeo Nanju grinning widely each time he got hit.
Like audience reactions to a villain getting pummeled in an action flick.
'Urk. You bitch. Just you wait.'
Amid it, a sudden thought struck Han Ibi.
All of Jong Ri-hyeok's attacks avoided his face.
Only hair if necessary.
No traces left...
'Petty bastard. Cowardly jerk. Protagonist my ass. What a trash story.'
At that moment, Jong Ri-hyeok was thinking,
'Something's... different from childhood Jong Ri-mae.'
The aura, the martial arts.
Han Ibi's attacks were sharper than expected, defense solid.
If he didn't use full power, he might take a surprise hit.
With only monotonous attacks and his intimate knowledge of the arts, he could suppress Han Ibi this easily.
(To be continued next time)