Chapter 213
Chapter 213
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 213
Chapter Title: Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors
-----------------------------------------------------------------
This time, Jin So-cheong used Lan again, but it felt slightly different from before. Realizing that facing him head-on like last time wouldn't work, I used the Soul Extinguishing Step to swiftly evade his attack range instead of clashing directly.
[ Hmm... you're truly fast! ]
Jin So-cheong seemed surprised by my speed, yet he pursued with the Thunder Shadow Step's Heavenly Pivot Kill. I was utterly intimidated by his pursuit speed.
' The Thunder Shadow Step's Heavenly Pivot Kill is a movement technique optimized for combat, extremely fast over short distances, but it's still inferior to the Soul Extinguishing Step. There's at least double the speed difference. How is he matching this with Heavenly Pivot Kill?! '
Incomprehensible!
But the one pulling off this impossible feat in reality was Jin So-cheong, the peerless genius of martial arts. I suddenly realized how insane my thinking had been. To think I'd casually assumed I could beat a battle maniac like him!
I hardened my gaze with resolve.
' Sorry, but I have to win today somehow, senior brother! '
I flipped through the air, regained my stance, and once more summoned the Thunder Command.
"Ah!"
Seeing me deploy the Thunder Command consecutively, Jin So-cheong's eyes widened in surprise. He halted his pursuit and shifted to a defensive posture. And rightly so— the Thunder Command's maximum speed was something he couldn't block without summoning his own. Charging recklessly would leave him open to my counterattack. I ground my teeth.
' Damn it. I didn't want to use this because it's cowardly... '
The constant Thunder Command strategy.
I could maintain the Thunder Command for at least the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, so I could keep deploying it to force his defenses and claim victory. But this wasn't winning through martial prowess; it was just overpowering him with raw internal energy. That's why I'd held back from using it in this spar with Jin So-cheong. Yet his skill was threatening me to the point where I had no choice.
Then Jin So-cheong scratched his head.
" Hmmm. That's some terrifying internal energy. In that case, I'll have to end this in one go. "
Did he still have a counter even for this strategy?
Far from arrogance, chills ran down my spine. I knew he wasn't one to bluff, so I recognized the truth in his words. What technique could he possibly use to finish me off— with my attack, defense, and agility amplified several times by the Thunder Command—in such a short time?
Swish.
Jin So-cheong lowered his spear into a bizarre natural stance. I recognized it as a counter technique and circled him warily without attacking rashly. But doubt gnawed at my mind.
' What if that's not a counter and he's just gathering qi? Isn't waiting like this just playing the fool? '
How had it come to this psychological warfare? With our internal energy gap, I held the overwhelming advantage— so why was it like this? For the first time, I understood the mindset of a Wind God Style guardian facing a Thunder God Style master. No matter how superior your base abilities, if you couldn't handle that momentary explosion, you'd lose to Thunder God Style in an instant.
In the end, I had to probe.
Boom boom boom!
In an instant, a Thunder Spirit Palm shot from my left hand and slammed into Jin So-cheong. He didn't dodge; he deflected it with minimal effort. I spotted an opening in that split second, but fearing it might be another trap, I hesitated to strike. Sweat beaded on my forehead as tension mounted.
' What am I even afraid of? Can I really attack? Really? '
Thud.
The Jin So-cheong before me loomed infinitely massive. The fear and pressure inside me amplified his presence. Visions of being torn apart the moment I approached flashed by, and before I knew it, I was faltering backward.
"Ah!"
I quickly realized this was a form of mind technique. The sudden thought that this pressure was conjured by his intent snapped me back to normal. But my mental energy was already depleted; sweat soaked my neck.
Jin So-cheong's eyes were utterly calm and clear. I bared my teeth, glaring back to not yield.
"......"
"......"
Infinite standoff.
' Let's see if you die or I die! '
It was then, as I cast aside my hesitation and decided on an attack.
"Stop!!"
A massive lion's roar suddenly echoed.
Jin So-cheong and I turned toward it simultaneously. There stood the referee, Righteous Heaven Alliance Leader Wi Ji-hun, arms crossed with a fierce expression. He glared at each of us and bellowed.
"Isn't this supposed to be a friendly spar among fellow disciples? Yet you're harboring true killing intent! If those final moves you'd both conceived had clashed just now, neither of you would have emerged unscathed!"
"......"
He wasn't wrong. Jin So-cheong and I stood speechless like fools with honey on our mouths, and Wi Ji-hun turned to Lee Gwang, Red Moon, and Green Moon Dharma Protectors.
"Are you even worthy of being called your sect's leaders? Why did no one stop them just now? I can't comprehend it!!"
Red Moon, looking awkward, protested.
"This is a spar close to real combat. Aren't you the one damaging a warrior's pride?"
"Shut your mouth! How can someone of a sect leader's stature spout such nonsense...!! Those boys are your sect's future, aren't they? Equals in talent?!"
"Hmm..."
Wi Ji-hun was genuinely furious, exasperated with the Thunder God Style experts. And for good reason— if Jin So-cheong and I had clashed in those final moves, one of us likely would have died. Strangely, Lee Gwang, Red Moon, and Green Moon all seemed to secretly wish for it.
Wi Ji-hun glared at Lee Gwang and said lowly.
"I'm disappointed in you, Triple Excellence. You can't even distinguish when to uphold a warrior's way."
Lee Gwang replied.
"Your idea of duty differs from mine."
"Hmph, is that so? Seems I misjudged you."
"......"
With Lee Gwang silent, Wi Ji-hun looked at us and declared.
"This match is a draw, by the name of I, Righteous Heaven Alliance Leader Wi Ji-hun. Come down, both of you."
We released our killing intent and descended. I suddenly felt exhausted. Not just me— Jin So-cheong also looked drained of stamina and energy.
"Good match."
"Good match."
We faced each other, exchanged final courtesies, and ended the spar.
That's when Mang Ryang intervened.
"Hold on, ending it like this? I, the Half-Heaven Alliance Leader, can't accept that!"
All eyes turned to Mang Ryang, who had quietly observed until now before jumping in. Unfazed by the peak experts' gazes, he stepped forward, grinned at Lee Gwang, and said.
"Triple Excellence Lee Gwang. Didn't you boldly claim your disciple could defeat some rootless nobody who popped up out of nowhere within a hundred exchanges?"
Lee Gwang's eyebrow twitched as he replied.
"I did say that. So what?"
"Now that it's a draw, it got me thinking."
Everyone in the hall jolted at Mang Ryang's next words.
"Aren't you wasting the world's greatest talent for nothing?"
Mang Ryang's provocation!
I hurried to Lee Gwang's side, fearing he'd attack Mang Ryang on the spot. Righteous Heaven Alliance Leader Wi Ji-hun subtly watched Lee Gwang, wary of an outburst. Red Moon and Green Moon Dharma Protectors watched silently, intrigued.
Surprisingly, Lee Gwang showed no anger. He pondered, hand on chin, then spoke.
"If this is a ploy to rile me, you picked the wrong man. If it's a pointless assault on my honor, I'll have no choice but to defend it."
A perfectly political response. In an instant, Lee Gwang had justified striking Mang Ryang down before the crowd. Tension peaked as his hand reached for his beloved spear— but Mang Ryang's next words made him pause.
"How old do you think So-woong Warrior here is?"
"......"
"So-woong Warrior is older than he looks, of course. The Millennium Snow Ginseng's side effect kept him from aging much; he's probably around Jin So-cheong's age. Yet he's wandered the world, mastering countless martial arts and forging his own realm."
Lee Gwang curtly replied.
"Even so, he still can't grasp intent. He's not at a proficient level yet."
"But your disciple couldn't secure victory against such a man. Do you truly believe Wi Ji-hun Alliance Leader's judgment was forced?"
"......"
A razor-sharp question.
To the silent Lee Gwang, Mang Ryang said with disillusionment.
"I don't know the Thunder God Style's ultimate goal, but keeping the world's top prodigy cooped up in Azure Dragon Martial Hall like a farmed carp means your disciple can grow no further. There's nothing more for Jin So-cheong to learn here! In contrast, So-woong Warrior roams the world, honing his lacking talent and breaking molds. Don't you feel something?"
Lee Gwang snapped irritably.
"What are you getting at, Half-Heaven Alliance Leader?"
Mang Ryang grinned.
"Entrust your disciple Jin So-cheong to our Half-Heaven Alliance. Then he'll leap past proficiency straight to enlightenment."
"Hmm..."
Would Lee Gwang fall for it?
I watched anxiously. If the persuasion failed, Lee Gwang would surely find some way to kill Mang Ryang. I tensed, ready to grab Mang Ryang and bolt if needed.
But my worry was unfounded. After deep thought, Lee Gwang replied.
"I'll consider it."
"Shall I take that as half a yes?"
"Do as you please."
Lee Gwang turned and strode into Crouching Dragon Hall, slamming the door. His abrupt attitude left Wi Ji-hun, Red Moon, and Green Moon Dharma Protectors flustered. No one present was bold enough to barge in and probe his mood when he was this irritated.
"Ahem!"
Wi Ji-hun cleared his throat and said to Jin So-cheong.
"Then this concludes today's friendly spar."
It was time to leave Azure Dragon Martial Hall first.
The irritable killing intent emanating from Crouching Dragon Hall was no joke.
[ Oh, right. ]
As I turned to exit, Wi Ji-hun's transmission secretly reached me.
[ So-woong Warrior. Make sure to visit Mount Wudang. ]
[ Pardon? ]
[ Even if you're busy, I'll urgently tell the Half-Heaven Alliance Leader to arrange it. I'll offer fitting compensation, so come. ]
[ ... Understood. ]
No doubt about the Turtle Shell Sword and Heavenly Bamboo Sword. As Mount Wudang's top lay expert, he was surely acquainted with Nam Ryong-ja.
Afterward, Mang Ryang and I met separately with Red Moon and Green Moon Dharma Protectors. They removed their masks, beaming with satisfaction as they lavishly praised Mang Ryang.
"As expected of the Half-Heaven Alliance Leader. Impressive!"
"Thanks to you, we're convinced of Jin So-cheong's talent. Our gratitude."
"Haha, no need."
After the flattery, Red Moon slyly asked.
"Will that Lee Gwang bastard hand over Jin So-cheong?"
"Half success, so not certain. Please await the results."
"Heh heh... Just seeing that look on Lee Gwang's face was satisfying. Kahahaha."
Red Moon and Green Moon laughed heartily before vanishing with their ghostly lightness skill. Watching their backs, Mang Ryang said to me.
"Baek Woong. Well done."
Emotion welled up inside me. Feeling pathetic, I sighed.
"Whew... Sorry. I couldn't win."
No face to show.
I wanted to crawl into a rat hole.
As I hung my head, Mang Ryang looked at me puzzled.
"Why? You did exceptionally well."
"... I trained through nearly a hundred years of every hardship imaginable, yet I struggled against Jin So-cheong in his twenties. How is that a good result..."
Mang Ryang laughed and patted my back.
"Hahaha, what pointless worry! I mean it. You did really well."
"......?"
Mang Ryang sat on a nearby chair and continued.
"Honestly today, you were perhaps half a move short. Lee Gwang didn't stop his disciple because he was confident of victory, and Red Moon and Green Moon confirmed Jin So-cheong's prowess, inwardly hoping you'd die as a Half-Heaven Alliance expert."
So that's how it was.
That's why the Thunder God Style experts hadn't stopped Jin So-cheong.
As I looked dejected, Mang Ryang grinned.
"But that's their perspective. Put differently, you've grown so strong that Jin So-cheong can't handle you without going all out. And it's clear he'll keep improving."
"......!!"
"You'll get even stronger. Why be down?"
Mang Ryang's words suddenly filled me with courage.
I'd been too caught up in struggling against Jin So-cheong to think that way.
"You're right!"
"Think about it. Today, you flattened Lee Gwang's nose."
Mang Ryang chuckled.
"That guy must be stewing in Crouching Dragon Hall right now, wearing a stepped-in-shit face."
"Puhahaha!!"
I laughed until tears came.
Imagining the stern Lee Gwang furiously throwing a tantrum over the draw was hilarious.
Ah, this was it.
In truth, during sword demon training, I hadn't gained or comprehended intent at all. I'd just endured a month of hellish drills, madly depleting my stamina and energy. I'd nearly entered the spar in dejected disappointment.
But the sword demon advised me.
[ If you can fully utilize what you have, you won't lose easily to anyone. ]
That single phrase gave me courage and confidence to return to Jin Rang Valley.
' So what if I'm stuck now. '
Attaining intent might be hard ahead. Maybe impossible despite mad training. But such hardships didn't even cross my mind; I felt great.
I have comrades.
That's enough.
============================ Author's Afterword ============================
Please give favorites, recommendations, and comments~ It gives me strength~