Chapter 280
Chapter 280
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 280
Chapter Title: Kunlun Mountains (2)
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Bukgung Chang stood firm like a great mountain, while Bukgung Ri flew like a butterfly and stung like a bee.
The duel between the two, which felt like a match between an in-fighter and an out-boxer, gave me, the referee, a great deal of inspiration.
‘External arts and footwork… I should study them a bit.’
Bukgung Chang's external art, which deflected most attacks, and Bukgung Ri's dazzlingly complex footwork caught my eye.
Of course, no matter how strong an external art was, it couldn't be tougher than the War Dragon Ki, and no matter how fast the footwork, it couldn't match the Body-Shifting Technique.
But you can't use a cleaver meant for an ox to catch a chicken, can you?
It seemed that if I trained them step-by-step to a certain level, they would be effective in dealing with multiple opponents.
I nodded at this new inspiration and watched the duel for about a quarter of an hour.
The two began to put more force into their attacks, as if they were getting serious.
*Crack.*
"Hah!"
*Thud.*
"Kuh."
After blocking a sharp sword strike, Bukgung Chang threw a counter-punch. Bukgung Ri barely managed to block it, but his body was sent flying at least thirty meters.
*Waaaah-!*
The members of the Black Dragon Squad raised their arms and cheered.
Of course, Bukgung Ri was also a supreme master; he prepared a fierce counterattack.
*Fwoosh, fwoosh, fwoosh.*
His figure multiplied in an instant, and he appeared behind Bukgung Chang.
"Hmph! Such petty tricks are useless!"
*Swoosh!*
Bukgung Chang's fist flew through the air with a terrifying whoosh.
"Hah, that was just my afterimage."
It cut through empty air.
"What!"
At the same time, a dagger flew toward Bukgung Chang.
Bukgung Chang moved his hand to deflect it, but...
*Stab!*
Bukgung Ri's simultaneous sword strike succeeded in slashing Bukgung Chang's thigh.
A stylish combo.
It was as if he were demonstrating how David should fight Goliath.
*Waaaah!*
It was only natural that the thirty Banya warriors roared at the sight.
Bukgung Chang, his thigh slashed, gritted his teeth and maintained close-quarters combat.
As their swords and fists exchanged blows at high speed, everyone fell silent and focused.
Seeing them look like spectators at a fighting match, I couldn't help but marvel inwardly.
‘…Should I try starting a business like the UFC?’
In my head, I envisioned the MFC (Murim Fight Championship).
If I charged admission fees and took a commission from betting, it seemed like it would be quite profitable.
‘I should discuss this later.’
I decided to assess the business potential with Myo Hyang sometime and focused back on the duel.
Now that they realized they were evenly matched, it was time for the killing techniques to come out.
Soon.
*Shaaaa...*
An incredibly cold aura began to emanate from Bukgung Ri's entire body.
And Bukgung Chang, as if in response.
*Fwoosh.*
Emitted a scorching aura and glared.
"Hmm..."
I strained my eyes, watching closely in case a killing blow was thrown.
Bukgung Chang charged forward like a wild bull.
*Rumble, rumble, rumble, rumble.*
A charge that clearly carried the force of over a thousand pounds.
The training ground floor shattered with every step he took.
Bukgung Ri dodged with his elegant footwork, but...
"Kkeueup!"
Bukgung Chang was faster, jumping and changing direction.
*Crack.*
Bukgung Ri, stunned, swung his sword, but...
*Slash!*
Bukgung Chang took the incoming sword with his body and pushed forward.
*CRASH!*
The floor broke as Bukgung Ri fell.
"Keoheok!"
It was a perfect ten-out-of-ten takedown.
"Die."
Having already taken a ground-and-pound stance, Bukgung Chang's fist was gathering a dark red, scorching energy.
Just as I, the referee, was preparing to rush in at any moment...
*Poof.*
A cloud of grayish-white smoke erupted, enveloping the two of them.
*Fwoosh.*
It was the Banya Squad's ninja technique I had seen before.
"You bastard!"
Shortly after, Bukgung Ri reappeared about ten meters away.
He hadn't just escaped, either.
*Drip, drip.*
In that brief moment, he had managed to pierce Bukgung Chang's shoulder before getting away.
And then.
‘Time's up.’
I struck the bell I had placed in front of me.
*Ding, ding, ding.*
At the sound, the two relaxed their auras and returned to their respective positions.
The first round was over.
***
A moment later.
"Let's call it a draw. How about it?"
After finishing a total of three rounds in a draw, the two men cupped their fists toward each other.
"Ahem, well fought."
"You too."
To be honest, if I were to judge, the in-fighter Bukgung Chang had the upper hand, but I didn't bother pointing it out.
A master who wields a killing sword is already fighting at a disadvantage in a formal duel.
Besides, since it was a friendly match, wasn't a draw better than declaring a winner and loser?
"Alright, alright, since the workout is over, let's all go have a drink. You guys go on ahead. I'll join you after cleaning up."
"...Yes."
"...Understood."
Thanks to that, after the duel, the two were now on terms to at least share a drink, even if it was a bit awkward.
"Should have done this sooner..."
As I watched from a short distance, Woo Je-jun, who was beside me, asked in admiration.
"Did you know it would turn out this way?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean them settling their old grudges with a duel."
"Ah, that? People usually become friends after a fight."
"..."
It was a truth only known to those who survived the jungle of the 90s.
Anyway, about two hours after reconciling the two...
"There's a treasure map. About where the legacy of the great hero Bi Cheon-hori is buried."
"…!"
I took out the will of Bukgung Chu-san, which was attached to the very last page of the Seven Senses Map, and showed it to them.
"It says here to use it for the reconstruction of the Bukgung family... But I should at least tell the direct descendant, right? It feels a bit wrong to take it all for myself."
As I spoke, I glanced over and saw Bukgung Ri's eyes trembling violently.
It seemed his heart was in turmoil.
‘I have to strike now.’
I can't give him time to think.
Right now, I can get him to agree to a 98 to 2 split, but if he has time to think, he might propose a 9 to 1 split instead.
"Of course, giving you too much wouldn't be right either. There's the will of the person who wrote it, after all. So, I'll take 98 percent..."
"No. As per our ancestor's will, the legacy should be used for the reconstruction of the Bukgung family."
"The Banya Squad will take 2 percent... Huh?"
"I said that, as per our ancestor's will, it should be used for the reconstruction of the Bukgung family."
"...You mean it? No take-backs later, saying you changed your mind?"
I worried for nothing.
"However, there is one condition."
Bukgung Ri said, meeting my gaze.
"...A condition?"
"We, the Banya Squad, would also like to participate in the search for our ancestor's legacy."
"No."
Why go looking for trouble?
They'll find it on their own soon enough.
***
Two days later.
"We're departing!"
*Rumble.*
I left the War Dragon Hall with Bukgung Chang and Bukgung Ri.
Leading thirty members each from the Black Dragon Squad and the Banya Squad, our total procession exceeded sixty people.
‘Ugh, I need to have a child as soon as possible!’
It was a moment when a dark cloud loomed over the martial world's birth rate.
Of course, it's not like I didn't try to persuade them.
‘No, I'm telling you, I've already sent experts! There's no need to go through all that trouble to get to the Kunlun Mountains.’
‘If you refuse, we will go by ourselves.’
The problem was, they wouldn't listen.
But I couldn't just send the Banya Squad alone.
It wasn't because I didn't trust Bukgung Ri, but because it was that dangerous.
If he were to die, the newly formed Hoyeon Association would be as good as blind.
Besides, there was no telling what the Red Dragon Hall members who were already there would think.
In the end, I had no choice but to come along.
But there was one more thing that annoyed me.
"Why in the world are you following us?"
"Because it's Red Dragon Hall business. Myo Hyang asked me to come along and take care of you, too. Hehe."
Jeok Hwa-ran, the greatest flat-chested girl ever produced by the Nine Dragons Fortress, had tagged along.
And at Myo Hyang's request, no less.
"Aish, tsk tsk."
I couldn't help but shake my head at this incredibly uncomfortable company.
"Sigh."
Well, what can you do?
Since it has come to this, I might as well go with a good attitude.
I can stop by Hanzhong on the way.
***
The journey to the Kunlun Mountains was a living hell.
First, the path was a bitch.
We had to cross a mountain range, which meant we couldn't ride horses.
So our party of over sixty people had to walk more than two thousand li, a forced march that was grueling even for martial artists who had trained their bodies to the limit.
Second was security.
We were on our way to find the legacy of Bi Cheon-hori, the greatest thief of all time. Naturally, we had to move without attracting attention.
Of course, even if we were spotted, no one would think we were looking for Bi Cheon-hori's legacy.
But what if a rumor spread, like 'The War Dragon Hall Master is leading sixty warriors in search of something'?
All sorts of bastards would catch the scent and come running, no doubt.
That's why, for security, I split the sixty members into twelve teams of five.
It was an unavoidable choice, but it made the journey that much harder.
The last pain in the ass was the bandits.
Qinghai was the former stronghold of the Ten Demon Alliance, the masters of the demonic path.
Although the Ten Demon Alliance was annihilated after losing the war with the Nine Dragons Fortress, the remnants of the demonic path hadn't disappeared.
With their livelihoods gone, they had now become bandits, scattered throughout Qinghai.
Just like now.
"Kehehe, hand over the wench and all your valuables, and I'll spare your lives."
"Kyaaah!"
*Smack.*
"Aack!"
"Stop pretending to be weak... Go take care of them quickly."
"Ah, why me again? There are warriors here too!"
Jeok Hwa-ran pouted, holding the top of her head.
"This is how you'll improve. Honestly, you've barely trained since graduating from the Heaven-Ascending Pavilion, haven't you?"
"N-No, I haven't!"
"Don't lie. If you had, why is your skill level the same?"
"Th-That's because I was a little busy with work, I couldn't help it."
"You think anyone else has free time? Not a single warrior in the Nine Dragons Fortress is idle. They all train in their spare moments."
"Hmph..."
*Shing.*
Defeated by logic, she drew her sword and walked forward.
Seeing this, the group of former Ten Demon Alliance members, now bandits, burst into laughter.
"Khahahaha! A man hiding behind a wench! How ridicu—Kek? Keok. Keok."
A sword, swung from an imperceptible direction, sliced through the man's throat.
*Splurt!*
A torrent of blood gushed out like a waterfall.
The rest of the men drew their weapons and charged at Jeok Hwa-ran.
"Th-This bitch!"
"What are you standing around for! Kill that wench now!"
*Waaaah!*
*Fwoosh.*
Disappearing in an instant, Jeok Hwa-ran brushed past one man, piercing a hole in his temple.
*Thud. Thump.*
A sword strike drawn along a path optimized for killing the opponent.
This was the essence of the Heavenly Killing Swift Sword, the pride of the Red Dragon Hall.
"If you want to live, move your ears. I will at least spare your lives."
Jeok Hwa-ran made a bizarre declaration of war and unleashed her footwork.
And then.
*Slice. Thud. Stab, stab.*
Her sword danced, creating blossoms of blood.
‘To be born with such talent... tsk tsk.’
Overflowing martial talent, outstanding comprehension, and she even seems to be a perfect match for the Heavenly Killing Swift Sword.
Yet, the fact that she was still only at the first-rate level was impossible unless she had truly slacked off an incredible amount.
‘He who does not sweat in training does not deserve to eat.’
As I nodded, recalling the old adage, a sudden pain struck my heart.
It seems I'll have to get a consultation from Cheong So-so when I get home.
And so, for about five minutes.
*SWISH!*
After slicing the last bandit in half vertically, Jeok Hwa-ran approached with a bright smile.
"Brother, I'm done!"
"..."
Her smile, with her face covered in blood, extinguished not only the affection I had for her but also any I might have developed.
Still, what could I do?
"Yes, you did well."
"Then..."
She did the work for me, so I had to praise her.
*Pat, pat.*
"Hehehehe."
Jeok Hwa-ran giggled as I patted her head.
"Ahem, they may be bandits, but we can't just leave them to become food for wild animals. Let's bury them by the side of the road."
"I-I'll dig."
As part of my 'Project Get Along', Bukgung Ri and Bukgung Chang, who I had placed in the same team, worked together to dispose of the bodies, concluding that day's journey.
This all happened at the entrance to the Kunlun Mountains.