Chapter 25
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: Lee Seo-jeong (3)
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Clang!
It was fast and sharp.
Kang Muho's sword technique, centered on speed and power, clashed in an instant with Lee Seo-jeong's, which infused swiftness and keenness. Both wielded their footwork exceptionally well. They predicted each other's sword paths without hesitation in advancing.
The direct clash of swords gradually shifted into a contest of sword energy.
Boom!
When the net of illusions reached its peak transformation, Kang Muho thought he could settle the fight. Lee Seo-jeong's sword was impressive, but he'd tested it directly and knew—pure realm-wise, he held the advantage.
Whoosh!
But Kang Muho's plan fell apart.
Lee Seo-jeong didn't blindly clash swords. Her icy sword energy enveloped the area, slowing his movements by a fraction of a second. Unable to land the finishing blow, he had to press on.
Moreover, her swordsmanship had carved out its own unique path through real combat experience. Though his sparring with Mujin had honed his senses sharply, Kang Muho had never faced anyone quite like her.
'That girl still has some instincts.'
If he'd been flustered by her ice arts and battle-honed sword, Kang Muho would have unleashed his qi reinforcement. Her attainment was at the peak of Peak realm, while he had ascended to Early Transcendent. Though the gap existed, rashly deploying qi would consume too much inner energy. Clashing with ice arts drained power faster than ordinary inner force.
Sensing this, Kang Muho refrained from ultimate techniques, building up methodically instead.
'This is the trickiest opponent I've ever had.'
Lee Seo-jeong acknowledged Kang Muho was different from most men. Warriors often grew careless against her because she was a woman, panicking into wasteful ultimate strikes that left them vulnerable.
Thud thud thud!
Though still at sword energy level, glimmers of sword force began mixing in. Kang Muho modulated intensity to seize the upper hand. His battle instincts, elevated exponentially from spars with Mujin, intuitively read the most advantageous paths.
'That's more like it.'
Though Lee Seo-jeong was outstanding, Mujin's arm bent inward. Cheering for his brother was only natural. She was attractive, but no match for his wife.
'This won't do.'
Lee Seo-jeong realized her chances were slim. Far from careless, he exploited every advantage to widen the gap.
Ice Heaven Sword Exemplar Ultimate: Snow Wind Death
Icy rings extend from the sword's tip, whipping up a blizzard. The bloody gale obscures vision and seizes the body.
Whoosh, pow!
The chill clinging to his clothes rapidly dropped his body temperature, seeping inward. Kang Muho, noticing it, cleaved through the snowstorm with a Pine Tiger Blizzard Mountain stance.
He charged without pause.
Swish!
Lee Seo-jeong anticipated the counter and retreated preemptively to target a blind spot. Though a beat late, she unleashed Ice Flash Blood, the swiftest stance of Ice Heaven Sword Exemplar.
Boom!
Pine Tiger Tempest, advanced from Pine Tiger Blizzard Mountain, met Ice Flash Blood head-on. They exploded, securing territory before shattering like fine glass.
The two separated, widening the distance.
Kang Muho's clothes were ragged in places, shredded by sword energy. His final counter had been slightly delayed, costing him. But Lee Seo-jeong wasn't unscathed either. Clashing with Early Transcendent force had inflicted internal injuries.
Hack!
Blood trickled from her lips.
Lee Seo-jeong hurriedly sat cross-legged. With internal injuries, immediate treatment was best. Delaying could worsen them into greater harm.
"Careless girl."
"Is that what you say right now?!"
"When did you last see us acting so carefree? With a vigorous young wolf standing right there. Right?"
"I'm not that kind of person."
Listen to her—she's pure, but her brother is a wolf. Fine, I'll protect your purity.
"Even after marriage, sleep in separate rooms."
"...Why bring that up?"
"Anyway, I'm off to gather wood."
Mujin left his brother behind and headed into the forest to finish the day's quota. He'd return once her injuries healed. If she challenged again then, he could aggravate them anew.
Half an hour passed, and Lee Seo-jeong opened her eyes.
In the instant she sat cross-legged after the injury, she entered a trance. Breaking through the wall she'd hit, she reached a new realm. Though brief, the duel with Kang Muho had yielded much.
On the other hand, sitting unguarded to heal struck her anew. It was hard without fully trusting one's opponent.
"Feeling better now?"
"Much improved."
"That's a relief."
"Thank you."
"No need—it's only natural."
Lee Seo-jeong forgot Kang Muho's rudeness. He was a powerhouse worthy of respect. She'd thought few her age across the jianghu could match her, yet the world was vast. Who'd guess such a swordsman emerged from this minor village sect?
Kang Muho, separate from fondness, didn't steer small talk. He wasn't used to conversing with women. Lee Seo-jeong spoke only when necessary. Except about martial arts—that flowed freely. The mood wasn't bad.
As their warm rapport continued.
Mujin emerged from the forest. His carrying frame brimmed with neatly cut firewood—a weight ordinary folk couldn't lift, but trivial for him.
Mujin flashed a bright smile.
"We've kept a busy person too long. Shall we start right away?"
"Sure."
Lee Seo-jeong disliked dragging things out.
At her acceptance, Kang Muho swallowed a regretful sigh inwardly. Though healed and enlightened, he'd hoped she'd make an excuse to postpone.
'I won't go too hard... Ah!'
The spar began, and a scream erupted immediately. Following lightspeed dash, Mujin's thrust fist sent Lee Seo-jeong's form flying into the air, spinning wildly before crashing down.
Whirrr~~~!
Splat!
Mujin shouldered the frame nonchalantly, as if nothing happened. Kang Muho remained frozen in blankness until then.
"I'm off."
"Ah!"
Snapping to, Kang Muho rushed to check her. Regardless, Mujin left them alone.
'No brother like this.'
Mujin felt smug. Today, he'd stylishly secured the possibly departing Lee Seo-jeong's stay. She'd have to be indestructible to rise and walk off unscathed.
"...You bastard~~~!"
He pretended not to hear his brother's anguished cry.
By the time Kang Muho carried Lee Seo-jeong back to the clan, Mujin was enjoying lunch and leisure.
"Daddy, how was I?"
"Our Mijoo's form is shaping up nicely now."
Mijoo, solid in fundamentals, was advanced for eight. Spoiled with elixirs since childhood and tutored one-on-one by an absolute master—the quality unmatched even in prestigious sects.
"I'll protect you, Daddy."
"You're all I have, Mijoo."
Taejin deflated listening. His son barely registered, it seemed. And who protects whom? Dad was inhuman. The higher Taejin's attainment, the clearer: his father was extraordinary.
'My dad, but way too strong.'
If Pine Tiger Sect were major, it'd make sense. But a minor faction barely surviving in tiny Cheongyang. Yet since Dad changed, so had the sect.
"Don't let your mind wander when swinging. The end's blunt and shaky."
"I'll fix it right away."
"No need to grip so rigidly. Relax a bit."
"My goal's World's Greatest Sword too."
"Do as you like."
Taejin pouted at Dad's indifference. He grinned at Mijoo's vow, though. No favoritism, huh? Blatant discrimination.
"I'll win the Little Dragon Tournament and prove my resolve."
"Don't overdo it. Winning that doesn't make you World's Greatest Sword."
"Dad!"
"Sorry, just being honest."
He admired his son's will, but a tournament win didn't forge an absolute master. Showing potential sufficed. Standing out too soon bred arrogance. And enemies.
Children's envy reached adults—jealousy was human nature, especially toward the background-less.
—That's why you smashed prestigious sects and clans that touched you. Inferiority complex.
'...Who said that?'
—Don't underestimate Demonic Cult of the Demon God's intel. Check every detail?
'...Ahem, youthful folly.'
—Folly past forty. Lasts long, huh.
Stumped by facts, Mujin fell silent. The Demon King turned annoyingly logical then. Demon God Cult leaders should lack blood, tears, logic. Ruining jianghu's righteousness.
"Can't the sect run without Yujin? Need to hire someone good."
Too many chief steward roles wasn't ideal. As the sect grew, specialization was key. Invest time and money to recruit talent where needed.
'Who had promise? Ah, that guy.'
—Madness!
'Why?'
—He's destined for Murim Alliance strategist.
'So what? Doesn't work here.'
Divine Talent Scholar Yong Mu-gil.
Failed the imperial exams, joined Murim Alliance. Topped strategist division but stifled by meager background and Zhuge clan obstruction.
'Suited me well.'
—Making him chief steward?
'Wasted there anyway—no real strategies used. Perfect plans mean nothing if rejected.'
—Still, chief steward? Insane.
Yong Mu-gil shone after Mujin's rise. Unlike those wary of him, Yong grasped the direction. Mujin used him well, if exploited too. Yong's ingenious tactics enabled Alliance's final push against Demon God Cult.
'Still prepping for exams?'
—Sneaky bastard.
Ask now, he'd refuse. Failure and regret create openings. Nudge then, and he'd follow.
'See, I'm planner too.'
—Infuriating.
Mujin wasn't thoughtless. Early prominence could've minimized jianghu losses. But incumbents clung tight, denying chances, breeding sacrifices. Blind or spiteful rejection of talent.
Better to use him directly. For jianghu murim.
—Play with your wife instead of jianghu talk. Hypocrite.
'Righteous factions are hypocrites by nature.'