Chapter 22
Chapter 22
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: Thunder Dragon's Debut
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I began preparing in earnest to challenge the Twin Gate Houses starting the next day. First, I confirmed the locations of the Twin Gate Houses based on the information from the errand boy, and jotted down the names of their renowned experts. The errand boy spilled out info like a seasoned martial artist of ten years once I paid him.
"How do you know so much?"
When I asked in amazement, he chuckled.
"Well, stories about martial artists are always fascinating and fun to hear. The Twin Gate Houses have a good reputation, so plenty of Luoyang folks admire their experts. I just take an interest and listen in now and then."
"Come to think of it, is the Beggars' Sect in Luoyang too?"
The errand boy waved his hand dismissively.
"Oh, come on. Anywhere people live has Beggars' Sect members. Pass through Changhim Street to the remote culvert under the bridge—if you see beggars milling about, those are the sect experts. They also patrol Luoyang's back alleys from time to time."
I pondered for a moment. I'd gotten a rough overview from the errand boy for some silver, but maybe it was better to visit the Beggars' Sect for more detailed intel. However, information had a way of circling back, and carelessly using the sect could lead to trouble down the line if they caught on.
'The Beggars' Sect can wait. Better to challenge the Twin Gate Houses first, then seek only the info I need.'
I ordered some food, ate, and headed into the city streets. I started wandering in search of a weapons shop. The streets were divided into commercial districts—taverns and pleasure quarters, various shops all sorted by type. The weapons shop I wanted was about three li from the inn district.
Entering the shop, I noted the lavish interior decorations. It didn't look like a place for paupers at first glance. Naturally, the weapons would be pricey, so I turned to slip out quietly, but the shopkeeper grabbed my sleeve.
Grab.
"Aigoo, customer, at least take a look before you go~"
"... Haha, not much money on me."
"We supply the officials often. You won't regret it."
Hearing that, I decided to browse the displayed weapons out of curiosity. Luoyang had many warriors and martial clans, plus spotty security in places, so even commoners could carry weapons with permits. That explained why even shops like this, technically off-limits, thrived.
'Hmm... Need a spear for sure. My longsword's edge is worn, so it needs sharpening. A dagger would be handy too.'
But when I placed the order as planned, the shopkeeper beamed.
"That'll come to about 30 silver taels and 50 pun."
"......"
"We could knock it down to 25 taels."
The shopkeeper added hastily, but I couldn't afford it. Even an escort warrior saving all year would struggle. Good weapons were expensive, sure, but it felt like the shopkeeper was inflating prices to fleece warriors. I left without a second thought and checked other shops, but they were all similar.
'Damn it. They're price-fixing. Same rates everywhere.'
I scowled. Crammed into a small area selling the same goods, ruthless price wars would bankrupt them all. So the owners colluded at a comfortable markup—clearly bloated to gouge warriors plenty.
It left me in a bind. I always traveled armed with a long spear, sword, and short dagger. But after three years studying under Mangnyang, my spear shaft rotted, forcing me to use a crappy wooden one from Jinrang Valley as a temp fix.
It was a half-finished job from the village blacksmith— so shoddy even guards waved me through thinking nothing of it. It'd snap after a few uses.
My trusty longsword was dulled too. Pour much internal energy into it in a fight, and it'd shatter for sure. Unreliable gear meant no shot against first-class experts from a famed house like the Twin Gate Houses.
'Hmm, fuck... No choice. I'll borrow a weapon during the challenge.'
Truth be told, that wasn't a martial artist's mindset. Cherishing your weapon like life itself was basic. Asking to borrow a sparring weapon in enemy territory? Laughable enough on its own. From a storied great sect like the Twin Gate Houses? Expect ridicule.
But blowing cash on weapons crippled future mobility. Better swallow some shame, save the funds. Worst case, work as an escort for an agency in Luoyang, but I preferred not leaving too many traces here—could bite me later.
That day, I scouted near the Twin Gate Houses to verify the errand boy's info. Spotting Iron Blood Sect and Great Sword Sect left me awed. I'd figured individual sects at most, but they claimed estates spanning a thousand jang as sect grounds.
The other four families had manors, but modest—enough for dozens, fitting martial family scale.
Chatter chatter.
Near Iron Blood Sect, hundreds of low-rank disciples bustled about like a market. Great Sword Sect was no different. Astonishing—owning a single house in Luoyang meant comfort, but a thousand-jang estate? Terrifying prosperity. Their sect leaders must rank among Luoyang's top tycoons.
'No wonder even Mount Hua or Chongnam can't touch Luoyang...'
I could guess why Iron Blood and Great Sword thrived. The other four families—Jang Seo Yi Han—were bloodline clans, hard-pressed to take outer disciples. They could accept nominal pupils, but expanding risked exposing family arts to betrayal.
Iron Blood and Great Sword, though, built power around their leaders without such limits. Like Azure Dragon Martial Hall, they baited with basic arts to teach advanced ones, scaling massively. With Twin Gate Houses dominating Luoyang's martial scene, talent flocked like bees.
It hit me how absurd my plan was. How strong were the experts ruling those giants? Commanding hundreds of disciples flawlessly, shrugging off Nine Great Sects meddling? No middling skill cut it. They could swat pests like me effortlessly.
But I shook my head.
'Don't think so negative. Not out to topple Iron Blood or Great Sword leaders. Just seeking fights with peers to hone my skills.'
Back at the inn after scouting, I quietly circulated Thunder Dragon One Qi Art. First proper Great Celestial Circuit in ages—nerve-wracking. I'd only looped Small Celestial Circuits to maintain qi without deep focus.
Unlike Small, Great Celestial built absolute internal energy, spreading it through meridians. It demanded trance-like concentration; an ambush then meant fatal injury regardless of skill. That's why I'd avoided it.
Whoooong.
"......"
My inner core felt like boiling liquid gold. Energy rose to the crown following the Great Celestial path, then descended—skin pulled taut, heart thrummed near qi surge. I furrowed my brow, focusing to corral the massive flow. Finally, it plummeted like lightning into my dantian.
Boom!
Dull shock rippled through me. No pain—I sensed many blocked meridians clearing. Daily progress made quitting impossible.
'What's my internal energy level now?'
Mangnyang guessed it'd match a Nine Great Sects sect leader. But as a non-cultivator, he admitted uncertainty. Only peers could gauge me accurately.
Eyes closed, I thought.
'Four families first? No—hit the Twin Gates.'
Reasons were layered.
Win against Jang Seo Yi Han first, and honor-obsessed, they'd scheme to bury it. Fighting bloodkin bred deeper grudges on loss. Few elites meant high skill variance—could face a peak expert I couldn't handle. With my skills unpolished, avoid family spars.
Twin Gates differed. Numbers meant level spread; profit-driven alliance leaned neutral. Honor mattered, but masses meant losers got branded failures. Aftermath risky, but prioritize Twin Gates.
All speculation, though. Reality unpredictable. I quelled racing thoughts, resumed Thunder Dragon One Qi Art. Martial path chosen—win at any cost.
Next dawn, I rose early, steeling resolve.
I headed to Iron Blood Sect—prestigious house producing most Luoyang officials. Arrived pre-dawn; two half-asleep disciples guarded the signboard.
"Who're you?"
I replied flatly.
"I'm Baek Woong. Here to challenge Iron Blood Sect to a duel."
"... Duel? Heh, get this..."
They exchanged incredulous looks. One grinned.
"We've seen your type, but you're a fool. Know how many ronin got crippled picking fights here?"
"You decide if they accept?"
Snarling back, his face stiffened. Heading inside:
"Fine. Wait. We'll follow procedure."
"Waiting."
One disciple sneered gruffly.
"Don't act tough. You'll get beat—then crippled."
Acting tough.
Maybe true. I stood here exalted, sharpened beyond normal. First real martial challenge—tension inevitable. Stiff, I'd underperform. So I relaxed my face, smiled.
"Haha."
"......? Crazy?"
"Hahahaha!!"
I laughed regardless of his bafflement. Chuckling eased tension, loosened muscles. Composed, inner power flowed like a grand river, weighting my fists.
Right. No easy loss.
Not after Millennium Snow Ginseng, all that effort.
Lose here? Might as well die.
Soon, a disciple emerged.
"Hey, come in. I'll guide to the duel hall."
Following him, the sect's scale awed—dorms for hundreds, training grounds, arenas, even military-style drill yards for civil exams prep.
Led to a spacious indoor arena, fragrant wood floor. Pre-dawn, yet my opponent waited, plus low-rank disciples spectating. Dozens of eyes pressed heavy.
Hey—!!
Iron Blood disciples bellowed throatily—not yells, ki shouts to crush my spirit. Echoing in wood, deafening. Weaklings would buckle.
'These bastards?'
No intent to yield in enemy turf. I infused qi, roared back.
Raaaa—!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rumble.
"Arghhh?!"
"Ghak!!"
Wood creaked, floorboards splintered spots. Several shouting low-ranks spewed blood, collapsed. Building shook, doors burst open.
Opposite, a white-robed man barked.
"Hah!"
Rumble...
Chaos from my lion's roar quelled. He'd neutralized my aura. Scowling at fallen disciples, he snapped at a nearby one.
"Fools... Get the internally injured to the infirmary. Keep only Fourth Section or higher—send rest to dorms!"
"Understood."
"Summon sect leader and elders too. Got it?"
"Yes."
Veteran disciples bustled. Injured carted off, low-ranks cleared—space vast as a drill hall.
Silence fell; white-robe spoke awkwardly.
"Sorry. Tested if you were a nobody—disciples rude. Forgive, Baek Woong."
"Common enough. So, you my opponent?"
"Yes. I'm Kyo Jun, Facing Sword Hall Master of Iron Blood Sect."
Swoosh...
He rose slowly, assuming stance.
I stood too, sword mid-guard.
No clue Facing Sword Hall's rank in Iron Blood. But instinct screamed top expert—not figurehead. Neutralized my ginseng-fueled roar, composed. His martial bearing elite.
'Damn... What? Lion gives full to rabbits?'
Expected senior trainee; inwardly rattled. Kyo Jun seemed fame-worthy anywhere. Clear eyes scanned me:
"Impressive... Baek Woong, never heard such inner power. Which sect's later genius?"
"Self-taught. No master, no sect."
Might know Azure Dragon, but I denied. Better stonewall than admit. No Azure Dragon witness to confront.
Kyo Jun hummed, sword ready.
"Hmm... No confidence beating you. Won't tarnish sect honor. Wait?"
"What?"
"Proper opponent soon. Fight at your level."
What now?
I'd braced for slugfest; he folded first. Instinct said earnest—misjudged me hard. Feared loss, called leaders.
'What? My power and realm not fused yet...'
I refused coldly, smirking.
"Iron Blood speaks with forked tongue? Enough—take my blade."
Urgency gripped. Worn sword risky, but dragging per him felt ominous. Push win hard.
"Wh-what..."
"Duel starts."
Clang!
I lunged, overwhelming Facing Sword Hall Master Kyo Jun. Unprepared for no-talk rush, he flustered into sword form. Wielded dulled blade, unleashed Thunder Spirit Swordsmanship swift.
Kyo Jun's form precise, lively. Stable stance—first-class swordsman sure. No quick end; I attacked wildly.
Swoosh swoosh!
Clang.
"Kruk!"
One clash, he spewed blood, flew zhang away. Struggled up, legs buckled—kneeled.
"Frustrating..."
"......"
Merely five exchanges?
Stunned, eyed my sword—no break yet. His half-shattered, blade embedded wall. My power crushed him. Nearby disciple trembled:
"M-mon-monster! Facing Sword Master..."
What happened?
Baffled, rooted—calm voice echoed ear-close from entrance.
"True challenger after ages. Skill like this—decade?"
Turned: middle-aged man in fur robes radiating ferocity, flanked by six guards oozing presence. His aura tangible to my senses; guards formidable too.
Behind, more sword-bearers like Kyo Jun.
Iron Blood disciples cheered:
"Waaah!!"
"Sect leader and elders!"
"All hall masters here!!"
"......"
I could only grimace.
'Fuck...'
Unbelievable—Luoyang's Twin Gate Houses brass, Iron Blood elite, full turnout.