Proving Worth in Battle
While Si-woo and Han Si-rang were locked in their subtle war of nerves.
Woo-gang, having finished circulating his energy, opened his eyes.
A refreshing sensation he hadn't felt in ages brought a smile to his lips.
The fiercely burning internal energy and the cold aura touching his skin had achieved perfect balance.
Woo-gang rose from his spot.
He closed his eyes briefly to savor the feeling, then opened them again.
'So, I've mastered the Wind-Chasing Nine Illusions Step.'
Woo-gang murmured inwardly, recalling Si-woo's words.
Strictly speaking, he had no real knowledge of the Wind-Chasing Nine Illusions Step.
He had simply learned it through brutal trial and error in the darkness, letting his body clash and adapt.
He tried to visualize the footwork patterns in his mind, but nothing came to him.
'Let's give it a try.'
Woo-gang took a small breath.
He recalled the countless movements he had collided with, and that night in the desert when the steps had emerged instinctively without his conscious thought.
Whoosh! Swish! Whoosh!
His feet began to move, slicing through the chilly wind as he darted across the open ground.
A bewildered expression crossed Woo-gang's face.
Focusing on the motion revealed a rhythmic flow.
In the sealed chamber, he had been too fixated on the incoming sticks; in the desert, there had been no time to notice. Now, it was clear.
It was miraculous.
Even though he was executing it himself, it felt like an unknown force was guiding his body.
Whoosh!
Shortly after unfolding the footwork, the energy of the Hyeoncheon Yeolhwa Singong responded.
The qi enveloping his body surged into his legs, accelerating his speed.
Woo-gang's form glided smoothly across the clearing.
It felt incredible.
Unlike the biting winds of the North Sea, his movements were like a gentle spring breeze.
In the sealed chamber, he had moved with razor-sharp precision to avoid injury. Now, that wasn't necessary.
Fast yet fluid, bending exactly to his will—this freedom was a thrill Woo-gang was experiencing for the first time.
Intoxicated by the sensation, he continued deploying the Wind-Chasing Nine Illusions Step.
***
"Hm... Not bad footwork. Quite advanced."
Someone was watching Woo-gang demonstrate his steps.
It was Si-woo and Han Si-rang.
And beside Han Si-rang stood a girl who appeared to be about Woo-gang's age.
She was Han Si-rang's granddaughter, Han Seo-yeon.
The two had brought her along to introduce her while seeking out Woo-gang.
At Han Si-rang's praise of Woo-gang's footwork, a faint smile tugged at Si-woo's lips.
"Impressive as it is, it still falls short of what you'd need to defeat the standing army, as you mentioned. Of course, judging solely on footwork is premature."
Han Seo-yeon, who had been staring intently at Woo-gang, glanced back and forth between the two men.
'Enough to beat the standing army? That guy?'
She muttered to herself.
But as Han Si-rang said, Woo-gang didn't seem that skilled.
"If it's all right, may I test him myself?"
Han Seo-yeon asked Si-woo.
"Hey now. That's no way to treat a guest you've just met. It's rude."
"No, it's fine."
Han Si-rang scolded his granddaughter, but Si-woo shook his head.
He nodded to Han Seo-yeon.
"Go ahead."
"Thank you."
Han Seo-yeon bowed slightly and stepped toward Woo-gang, who was lost in his trance-like state.
"You sure that's wise? My granddaughter may be young, but her skills are formidable. If he gets hurt needlessly..."
"This is a good chance for me to see Woo-gang's abilities firsthand. They've never actually sparred before."
Si-woo wasn't worried.
If anything, he was concerned Woo-gang might not show his full potential.
The thugs in the desert had been clear enemies, but this was different.
Woo-gang's considerate nature might hold him back, Si-woo thought.
He wanted to temper that side of him.
Meanwhile, Han Seo-yeon closed in on Woo-gang, watching for an opening.
And in an instant, she slipped seamlessly into his movements.
'Oh ho!'
Si-woo's eyes gleamed.
It wasn't easy, yet she made it look effortless. He was impressed by her skill once more.
"Let's move somewhere out of sight."
"Shall we?"
Han Si-rang agreed with Si-woo's suggestion, and the two vanished from the clearing.
***
Woo-gang's blissful expression hardened in an instant as he practiced his footwork.
His steps changed too.
Swish! Swish-swish!
They grew sharper and more agile, reminiscent of his training in the sealed chamber.
Bam! Shwaaak!
Where Woo-gang had dodged, white snowflakes scattered.
A delicate hand had unleashed it from that spot.
The girl who had been observing him silently had suddenly launched a palm strike.
Boom!
The force from her palm froze the moisture in the air, sending it swirling like snow.
Startled, Woo-gang could only keep moving with his footwork.
Her attacks kept coming.
Swish-swish!
His feet flashed rapidly.
The razor-edged senses honed in the sealed chamber awakened.
Bam! Bam!
His quicker reactions caused her palm strikes to miss, striking empty air.
But her assaults didn't end futilely.
Growing accustomed to his sharpened responses, her hands drew closer.
Her considerable skill played a part, but Woo-gang's own panic prevented him from performing at his best.
Bam!
'Ugh!'
Barely evading, Woo-gang glanced at his sleeve in alarm.
Frost formed on his clothing, then melted away.
Regaining his composure, he focused on the girl's movements.
His own steps softened.
Tension eased from his body, lending leisure to his dodges.
Bam! Bam! Bam!
As if waiting, her attacks intensified.
Woo-gang frowned.
Setting aside why she had attacked out of nowhere, this wouldn't end at this rate.
Swish!
He thrust out his hand.
He had never learned claw techniques, fist methods, or palm strikes, but it was instinctive.
Yet his hand extended naturally, reaching toward her sleeve.
The girl didn't flinch, unleashing an even fiercer palm strike.
Bam!
The force struck his arm, freezing it—but the heat radiating from Woo-gang melted it instantly.
That was enough, though.
He had failed to halt her, instead handing her an opening.
Bam! Bam! Bam!
Her palm strikes poured forth relentlessly.
Woo-gang refocused on evasion.
Shwaaaa!
The area filled with snowflakes she had conjured.
Woo-gang drew more deeply on his Hyeoncheon Yeolhwa Singong energy.
The swirling flakes melted into steam in an instant, then refroze.
Plink-plink-plink!
Ice rained down like hail across the clearing where they darted back and forth.
"That's enough now."
As their endless game of tag showed no sign of stopping, an unfamiliar voice rang out.
Both halted at once.
Woo-gang and the girl stared silently at each other.
Si-woo and Han Si-rang approached them.
Woo-gang blinked, utterly confused about what was happening.
"So, what do you think after crossing hands?"
Si-woo asked Han Seo-yeon.
"He's not at the level to beat the standing army, as you said. I had some expectations, but I'm disappointed."
Han Seo-yeon spoke her honest assessment without mincing words.
Her bluntness embarrassed even Han Si-rang.
"Haha, she's always so direct. Forgive her if it offends."
"No, honest feedback like this is more helpful."
Si-woo turned to Woo-gang.
"Why didn't you go all out?"
At Si-woo's question, Woo-gang looked flustered.
He seemed to believe he had given his best.
"The movements you showed that night were far superior. What made today different?"
Si-woo pressed.
After a moment's thought, Woo-gang slowly replied.
"I think it's a difference in mindset."
"What kind?"
"That night, I thought I might die. Today, I didn't."
Han Si-rang was the one taken aback by Woo-gang's answer.
What on earth had happened on the way here to elicit such a response?
"In real combat, sparring, or duels, you must fight to win. Even without death, you could suffer grave injury or lose the ability to practice martial arts forever. Holding back only heightens those risks."
"Yes."
Woo-gang answered curtly.
For someone who had trained alone until now, sparring with another was unfamiliar.
He didn't mind getting hurt himself, but injuring others had never crossed his mind.
Si-woo's words didn't fully resonate.
"From what I've heard, that mindset is a problem. Too soft. The jianghu is a brutal place... I have to question if he's truly your disciple."
"He's young and inexperienced."
Si-woo defended Woo-gang.
But Han Si-rang wasn't done.
"Then that's on you. You should have instilled that understanding before teaching him martial arts—and reinforced it consistently during training."
Si-woo nodded in agreement.
Han Si-rang frowned slightly.
"Your sect's predecessors trained here to mutual benefit. We gain much from it too. But like this? The losses outweigh the gains for us. I had hopes after what you told me earlier, but now I'm disappointed."
Si-woo's brow furrowed as well.
The one most offended in this moment was Woo-gang.
He was the one who had sparred with Han Seo-yeon.
Whether intentional or not, he hadn't gone all out.
Yet the criticism was aimed at Si-woo, not him.
He could accept harsh words directed at himself, but Si-woo didn't deserve them.
Si-woo had saved him when he was ready to give up on life and opened his heart.
It hurt more to hear Si-woo insulted.
"May I say something?"
Woo-gang met Han Si-rang's eyes squarely.
Seeing the shift in Woo-gang's gaze, Han Si-rang nodded.
"Speak."
"I have much to learn and much I don't know. But that's no reason for my grandfather to hear such words."
His voice carried emotion. Si-woo looked at him with gleaming eyes.
Han Si-rang's smile faded as he regarded Woo-gang.
Curiosity flickered in his gaze.
"And?"
"I don't fully know what I must do here yet. But if I need to give my all and defeat someone, I will."
"That's obvious."
"Then promise me one thing."
"What?"
"When that happens, apologize to Grandfather."
Han Si-rang stared straight into Woo-gang's eyes.
They burned with unyielding determination to see it through, no matter what.
Pfft.
Han Si-rang smiled.
"I thought you were all soft, but you have this fire too. Very well. As lord of the Bing Palace, I promise you this: prove your worth here, and I'll apologize to my friend."
"Yes."
Woo-gang replied shortly, meeting Han Si-rang's gaze.
Han Seo-yeon watched him with surprise in her eyes.