Chapter 84
Chapter 84: Dark Heaven Village
The next day, I headed out at dawn to prepare for the royal ancestral rite escort. I donned the special ceremonial robes they provided and learned how to move with precise grace. Fortunately, the escort duty was straightforward—just holding a flag and marching along a set path.
Bwooo—
A powerful blast from wind instruments rang out, accompanied by the haunting strains of the erhu and gayageum. We circled the royal ancestral shrine before taking our positions. The rite honoring King Gongmin lasted about an hour, and I had to stand stock-still the entire time.
"With this, the rite is complete."
A figure in a golden crown stepped forward and declared it loudly.
Once the ceremony ended, the royals and nobles dispersed. The escorts scattered to follow their assigned nobles. I'd been briefed on what came next, so I joined a procession heading to the main event grounds.
It was a lavish banquet hall, bathed in cool, clear sunlight. Tables groaned under exquisite feasts, musicians stood ready to play, and nobles clustered around large tables, chatting amiably.
I sought out the head guard under Jeong Cheol-uk's command. He was organizing the ranks when he spotted me.
"Go wait in that white tent over there."
"Got it."
I didn't catch every word, but his finger pointing at the tent made it clear enough. Inside, there were simple seats for resting—likely until the matches began.
A maidservant stood within. She said something in late Goryeo dialect.
"......?"
When I didn't respond, she glanced around impatiently and offered me a teacup. Probably asking if I wanted tea. I shook my head, and only then did she take it back and leave.
*This is really inconvenient...*
Simple talk was one thing, but anything with tricky vocabulary or grammar was beyond me. I'd studied hard for the past six months, yet it was still tough. It'd probably take years living here to communicate fluently.
A while later, the head guard entered.
"Matches are starting."
"Understood."
I followed him out. The open field featured a sparring platform about twenty paces across. As I climbed up, voices below explained the matches' background in Goryeo speech.
Soon, my opponent stepped forward.
I recalled what Lee Ju-hee had told me the day before.
*It's best of three. Lose even once, and it's over for me.*
Ridiculously lopsided, but unavoidable. This was the Twelve Rites testing my skills, so of course it'd be stacked against me. I stared him down intently, and he scowled in irritation.
"*@*@...!!"
He performed a fist salute while saying something in Goryeo.
He was a swordsman in his mid-to-late twenties. Gauging his internal energy, I thought:
*Impressive skill.*
As I stood there blankly, the interpreter below spoke up.
"He's Ja Ryeon of the Twelve Rites' Protective State Alliance. Introduce yourself."
I nodded and returned the salute.
"I am Baek Woong, guard of the Jeong clan."
My Goryeo was clumsy but clear. Ja Ryeon nodded, drew his sword, and aimed it at me. The match was about to begin.
Gwaaang—
A massive gong sounded, signaling the start. At the same instant, Ja Ryeon's form shot forward like an arrow, scattering sword qi. His speed and precision forced me to raise my sword in defense.
Kaang!
"Urgh."
I didn't know his sword style, but it shocked me. Worlds apart from the pirate leaders I'd faced—this was peak swordsmanship from a prestigious lineage, honed to mastery. His internal energy was extraordinarily high for his age, and the effortless sword qi marked him as elder-level in any Nine Great Sect.
Kaang! Kang!
Treating it as a probing exchange, I lightly deployed Thunder Shadow Swordsmanship to parry. But the terrifying power in my blade made him halt and retreat after a few clashes. He'd realized a misstep could sever his sword—and him—cleanly.
*Hmph. A martial prodigy.*
I let out an inward groan. Even among the elite guests at the Han family manor, few swordsmen matched Ja Ryeon. At best, Qi Ryong-sin Gung. To possess elder-level skill at such youth demanded rare talent and effort.
Ja Ryeon was a Peak Expert!
One of Goryeo's top later-generation masters.
He adjusted his aura briefly, then dashed in, flicking probing sword qi. I calmly defended again.
Kagaang.
But he was sweating profusely, tense—my internal energy far exceeded his expectations. Each clash, I poured power in, sending him flying several paces. My overwhelming strength gave me the edge.
Moreover, I'd advanced several levels since facing the Jinsu elder of the Zhongnan Sect. Ja Ryeon's swordplay couldn't pierce my guard while avoiding direct clashes.
Unable to endure, he leaped back five paces.
......
Silence fell. The standoff held because I wasn't pressing, and he stayed defensive. After a long deadlock, Ja Ryeon suddenly spoke.
The interpreter below shouted his words to me.
"Ja Ryeon says he'll unleash his ultimate technique! Survive it, and he concedes defeat."
I nodded without hesitation.
"Of course!"
I'd been worrying my power-crush win looked unsightly. This proposal was a gift. As I assumed a sword stance, silvery qi flowed from Ja Ryeon's body.
Whooo...
It was tangible qi manifestation—beyond his normal realm, forced via special heart method for a short burst. Sword qi intensified on his blade, spewing sword flames, his aura storm-like.
Ja Ryeon's shout echoed.
"Haaap!"
"Kwaaakwang!"
His sword and body merged in Sword-Body Unity—a rare mid-plains feat—rushing me wreathed in flames. A killing blow that could fell most warriors. I saw at once he meant to slay me.
*Not happening!*
After all this hardship to get here? I hadn't even searched Haein properly yet. Maximum focus—I unleashed Thunder Shadow Step's secret, Heaven Pillar Kill, as his strike peaked.
Pabat!
My form split into three illusions. Flowing with it, I deftly deflected, my sleeve ripping wide. A wrist gash—I hadn't fully evaded—but I endured.
Peok!
My left hand fired Thunder Cloud Palm. Ja Ryeon flew back, struck.
"Kraaak."
Even my full-force palm drew blood. His post-ultimate vulnerability amplified it. Watching him writhe, I marveled anew at the Thunder God Style's cheat-like nature.
*Thunder Roar too, but Heaven Pillar Kill is insane. Secret art on par with Haosal?*
A movement that could evade even Peak Experts' ultimate techniques!
Essential footwork complementing the style's extreme offense.
"Baek Woong, victory!"
The announcer's cry rang out.
Murmurs...
The watching Goryeo nobles buzzed with admiration. Their reaction eased me—I'd matched the event's spirit well enough.
Soon, the announcer approached, speaking Han language.
"Sorry, but rest for an incense stick's time. Next opponent needs prep."
"Understood."
"Back to the white tent."
I returned. Unexpectedly, someone waited.
"Ju-hee?"
"Don't call me that— just Ju-hee."
"What brings you here?"
Lee Ju-hee, my Goryeo tutor these six months, grinned.
"You're amazing. Ja Ryeon is the Alliance's top later-gen, and you beat him..."
"Just the first rep down."
"No. They planned to end it with him. Your break? They're rattled. Never dreamed you'd win."
"......?"
I blinked, puzzled.
Ja Ryeon was skilled for his age, but such overconfidence?
*Ah, right. I look like a teen, so...*
But I realized my perspective was skewed. Constantly facing transcendent monsters, Ja Ryeon seemed ordinary. To average martial artists, he was a once-in-a-lifetime master. Lee Ju-hee asked worriedly.
"Uh... whoever comes, you can win, right?"
I smirked.
"I'll beat who I can, lose who I can't. Give it my all."
"'Give it your all'? How lame. Lose your best, sure, settle for that?"
Grumbling, she gripped my hand, eyes fierce.
"If you're doing it, win outright! Got it?"
"Got it."
Her encouragement touched me—someone in this foreign land caring. Staring at her face stirred unexpected fondness.
Soon called again, I remounted the platform. My new foe, an elderly master unlike Ja Ryeon—white-bearded sixties, wielding a spear.
He introduced himself; the interpreter said:
"Second foe: Choi Eul-yong of the Twelve Rites' Boiling Stream Sect."
I glanced at the interpreter.
"A request."
"Hm? What?"
"Switch to spear. Ask Choi Eul-yong."
Flustered, he relayed it. Choi nodded readily—confident regardless of my weapon.
"He agrees. Spear incoming."
Taat!
I took position opposite, awaiting the gong.
*The Twelve Rites are dead serious. This one's strong...*
I knew instantly from seeing him.
Beyond Peak!
But how far? If transcendent entry-level, victory here was steep. Better a battlefield-dominant spear over weaker sword.
Choi seemed to guess my reason, eyes alight with interest.
Gwaaang—
The gong heralded round two. Unlike Ja Ryeon, Choi didn't charge. Instead, he spoke in Han.
"The mid-plains are vast indeed. Never seen a youth like you."
"You speak Han?"
"Heh... Toured the mid-plains in my youth."
Choi smiled.
"Spear stance so refined. As Boiling Stream Sect leader, I'll give my best."
"Sect leader...? You're a Twelve Rites leader?"
"Indeed. Shall we clash?"
Wung—
He roused his aura for battle. No flashy silver like Ja Ryeon's, but a serene, riverine flow enveloped him.
His stable emanation tensed me—I swallowed hard. Flashy auras paled; unified heart-technique-body masters terrified, experience taught.
*Damn... They're for real.*
Sensing his transcendent might, I cursed inwardly.
A mere event match, yet a sect leader?
They meant to crush me utterly.
Pupu-pung!
"Krut."
I dodged explosive bursts in the air. His spear tip seemed leisurely, yet my headspace air ruptured. Spear arts' advanced "shoot" and "emit"—intangible qi blasts for range.
Whing!
I assumed Thunder Spirit Eight Forms, channeling barrier qi to the tip. Low crouch-advance. My whirling spear warded as Choi marveled.
"Remarkable! Spear subtleties at your age?"
Snake-head vigilance. Brief silence.
Probing weaknesses.
Next instant, spear tips clashed. My outer whirl tore space; he dodged swiftly, countering vital points in an instant. I admired his skill—sidestepping power clashes, exploiting gaps.
Kwaang!
I shook off his assault, but his flowed endlessly. Sudden Heaven-Reversal Wonder twisted mid-air, raining intangible force. No power-war hope—I whirled my spear like a windmill, retreating.
Kaang! Kang! Kaang!
He ignored my spacing ploy, calmly instant-thrusting tenfold. White-light barrage chilled my spine. Breath stifled, I fell back repeatedly.
Tadat!
Enduring no more, I Thunder Shadow Stepped, phantom-circling the field. Illusions deceived, but he smirked—heart's eye?—and showered my true spot.
Kaaang!
His condensed qi flung me a pace. Astonishing—technique nullifying power gap, ultra-advanced. Landing, I bit my lip.
*Transcendent indeed... Fair fight, no win.*
Unknown if image-shift or qi projection, but likely not. As with Lee Gwang: qi projection meant my loss.
Choi was early transcendent. Gap in technique and overall mastery forced defense-only. Caught off-guard by such a foe, I was pressed; surprisingly, so was he.
Lowering his spear, grim-faced:
"We were frogs in a well... With mid-plains youths like you, the Twelve Rites fall soon to mid-plains martial world. A true lesson today."
"......"
Not true—such as me weren't common. No urge to correct.
Instead, I gripped tight.
"See it through! Martial honor, no?"
"Good!"
Clash resumed.
I endured some four hundred exchanges, unleashing every trick. As if exhausting all Lee Gwang taught today. But core gap persisted; I exposed a flaw, felled.
Chill spear tip at throat.
"Choi Eul-yong, victory!"
Bitterness welled.
Thunder Roar might've seized victory—but Lee Gwang's order branded: ultimate secret, no casual reveal. Shadow arts exposure fine; Roar different.
He mandated witness-silence post-Roar: unique breathing risked analysis, counters.
In Goryeo's enemy turf, packed arena? No.
*Whew... From tomorrow, Jeong clan disdain.*
Rising bitterly, Choi addressed me.
"Superb skill. Who's your master?"
"Can't say."
"Hmm... Spear virtuoso, surely. Hope to learn someday."
"......"
"We apologize for the Twelve Rites' provocation. No more bother."
Choi descended after. His apology eased me—one hurdle cleared. No full sweep, but fewer reckless challenges ahead.
Post-banquet, back at Jeong manor, summoned by Jeong Cheol-uk.
Expecting scolding, he rose astonished, grasping my hand.
"Your divine might—astounding firsthand!"
"...Pardon?"
"Such a fight with a Twelve Rites leader? Already the talk of Gaegyeong. Ha... Splendid match."
"But I lost..."
He bellowed.
"Uahaha! Who doesn't know their leaders are transcendent monsters? Nobles even called it petty, pitting one against a boy like you. You fulfilled your role amply."
"Hm."
"Keep it up! I'll value you highly."
He spoke true.
Thereafter, no disdain—lavish treatment from Jeong clan. Guards' attitudes shifted. Even the head, once foreigner-only, now banтером clumsily in Han, seeking camaraderie.
Their change showed: in Goryeo, Twelve Rites sects held immense weight.
*Can't avoid? Give best, good results follow.*
Continuing lessons with Lee Ju-hee, I thought.
Ride this momentum: soon vacation, to Haein Temple. Find clues there, path ahead smooths.