Clash of Flames and Frost
The grand training ground where the young martial artists had first gathered.
It was far too spacious for just two people to exchange martial techniques.
Yet it was the perfect venue for a large crowd to spectate.
Han Seo-yeon and Woo-gang had followed Dok Go-yeong-mu to the grand arena.
Both wore displeased frowns, clearly unhappy with the situation.
Not only the young martial artists who had just arrived at the Murim Alliance that day, but also numerous alliance warriors with no scheduled duties had filled the spectator seats around the arena.
Even those who should have been touring the alliance grounds at this hour had rescheduled to attend.
Of course, they framed it as educational.
Witnessing the Bing Palace's martial arts and the Flame King's techniques firsthand.
It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Dok Go-yeong-mu, who had brought the pair here, let out a quiet sigh at the spectacle.
It was Sa Ma-gang who had insisted on this venue.
The intent was so obvious that a sigh was inevitable.
Sa Ma-gang had announced the spar as a showdown between the Bing Palace and the Murim Alliance.
Suddenly, Woo-gang had become the alliance's representative.
The majority directed gazes brimming with anticipation toward him.
Not content with making him the alliance's champion, his opponent was the foreign power of the Bing Palace, no less.
They watched him with prayers that he must win.
Sa Ma-gang aimed for two things through this.
First, to showcase Woo-gang's rumored prowess to everyone.
The stronger Woo-gang proved, the greater the effect he desired.
But the second goal was far more crucial.
By positioning Woo-gang as the alliance representative, he sought to implant the notion that Woo-gang and the Murim Alliance were inextricably linked.
And this tale would spread across the Central Plains through the mouths of the gathered young martial artists.
Regardless of Woo-gang's intentions, everything was unfolding exactly as Sa Ma-gang planned.
'What if...'
Dok Go-yeong-mu, well aware of Sa Ma-gang's scheme, muttered inwardly.
Sa Ma-gang was undoubtedly convinced of Woo-gang's victory, but no one could predict the outcome for certain.
If Woo-gang lost by some fluke, it could backfire spectacularly.
Yet Sa Ma-gang had set this double-edged gamble in motion.
Woo-gang turned his head to glance at Sa Ma-gang.
The man gazed back at him and Han Seo-yeon with a serene smile, his eagerness for the match to begin palpable.
With things as they were, canceling was impossible.
Beyond his dissatisfaction with the contrived setup, Han Seo-yeon's gaze—burning with fervent desire to clash with him—made it unavoidable.
At that moment, sensing they couldn't delay further, Dok Go-yeong-mu stepped forward.
"Emotions may run high due to various circumstances, but refrain from excessive force that could cause serious injury. Young Palace Lord, take extra care. If it gets too intense, I'll intervene."
"Understood."
Han Seo-yeon replied, staring straight at Woo-gang.
As Dok Go-yeong-mu retreated, Woo-gang and Han Seo-yeon widened the distance between them.
The crowd's anticipation surged as signs of the duel imminent appeared.
Whiiiiiing!
A cold, biting wind howled.
They thought it a chance gust, but it wasn't.
A blizzard-like gale, fierce as midwinter's deepest freeze, swirled around Han Seo-yeon, threatening to encase everything nearby in ice.
The surroundings grew hazy.
The moisture in the air had frozen solid from the intense chill she emanated.
Crack!
Han Seo-yeon kicked off the arena floor.
Ice spread across the ground around her, propelling her forward in a smooth glide.
Whoosh! Roar!
In response, Woo-gang casually shook out his spear, enveloping it in scorching flames that contrasted sharply with her ice.
Boom!
"Ooooh!"
Gasps of awe erupted from the spectators as Han Seo-yeon's ice clashed with Woo-gang's flames.
The ice clinging to her sword melted into steam upon contact.
Thick fog enveloped the area.
Endless vapor billowed like something ablaze, obscuring the viewers' sight.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Consecutive explosions rang out.
The fighters' forms vanished in the steam; only the blasts echoed.
Fleeting sparks offered vague hints of their positions.
Kaboom!
A louder detonation than before erupted.
Two figures burst from the central fog like they were repelled.
They faced off across the lingering haze, unscathed despite the fierce exchange—no scratches visible.
Swish!
Woo-gang swung his spear lightly.
The hovering steam split instantly, clearing the view momentarily.
In that instant, Woo-gang's eyes widened.
Han Seo-yeon lunged through the gap.
With swift ferocity, she fixed him with icy eyes and spun her blade viciously.
Pure white energy coated the keen edge, intent on freezing all it touched.
Snap!
Woo-gang unleashed Wind-Chasing Nine Illusions Step.
Stab!
Her sword pierced empty air; the spot it halted froze the surrounding atmosphere, shards of ice plummeting to the ground.
Roar!
As if declaring his turn, Woo-gang's flames erupted explosively, surging toward her with the spear tip hidden like a dagger's edge.
Han Seo-yeon retreated with feather-light grace, then slammed her sword into the floor.
Boom!
A heavy thud echoed as her blade bit deep, ice radiating outward.
Rumble!
The ground quaked, ice undulating like waves.
Finally, a massive ice wall erupted before Woo-gang, blocking his path.
The spectators' eyes widened in disbelief.
Was this possible with martial arts?
Was this the Bing Palace's power?
Even seeing it with their own eyes, tales passed down felt unbelievable.
Kaboom!
In that moment, Woo-gang's spear shattered the wall.
Yet the flames' size and force showed no diminishment.
Han Seo-yeon gritted her teeth.
She dodged sideways at full speed.
Boom!
Another explosion.
Woo-gang, charging ahead, slammed his spear into the ground the instant she veered away.
It sank deep—visibly so.
Using it as leverage, he whipped around sharply.
The centrifugal force lifted both his feet momentarily.
Thud!
"Hup!"
Landing, Woo-gang inhaled deeply.
Vast power surged through him, muscles rippling.
Scraaaape!
The spear tore free, flinging dirt skyward.
It arced down toward Han Seo-yeon from above.
The immense force lent terrifying speed and power.
Kaboom!
Ultimately, the spear struck the floor.
Earth sprayed everywhere; Han Seo-yeon, three or four steps away, caught her breath.
She had evaded by a hair's breadth, steadying her shock as she eyed him.
Woo-gang retrieved his spear, standing tall.
Their skirmished ground was a muddy mess—frozen, melted, refrozen repeatedly.
Roar!
Woo-gang reignited his spear's flames.
Han Seo-yeon drew up her energy in kind; her blade gleamed pure white once more.
The arena fell utterly silent.
Every spectator held their breath; the duel was a chain of tension.
Even Sa Ma-gang, watching from afar, was gripped.
His palms sweated unconsciously, face flushed, body trembling faintly.
Not from fear.
Pure thrill and exhilaration.
His body reacted to the uncontainable emotion.
'Beyond what I imagined!'
Sa Ma-gang clenched his fist again.
He knew Woo-gang was strong.
But he assumed it within his estimates.
This spar proved otherwise.
Woo-gang's display demanded a complete overhaul of his mental assessment.
If Woo-gang had gone all-out that day he caused a stir demanding to leave, the main gate would have fallen.
Anticipation stirred in Sa Ma-gang's heart.
He believed in victory, yet uncertainty lingered.
But the fight's flow bolstered his conviction.
It looked neck-and-neck, but Woo-gang held the edge.
If he won as hoped—depicting the alliance triumphing over Bing Palace—Sa Ma-gang's plan would reach perfect fruition.
His smile deepened.
Yet tension kept his hands slick with sweat.
Woo-gang amplified his spear's blaze.
Han Seo-yeon's white chill swelled in opposition.
Scorching heat and frigid cold intertwined, roiling the air.
The balanced energies expanded to their limits in taut equilibrium.
Then, astonishingly—
As if time halted, the air stilled.
No breeze stirred; even the crowd froze.
All sensed the imminent climax.
Crack!
Both kicked off simultaneously.
Han Seo-yeon swung her sword, teeth gritted, razor-sharp ice crystals escorting it.
Woo-gang unleashed his final strike, radiating incinerating fury.
Kabooooom!
The greatest explosion yet thundered.
The once-still air erupted violently, sweeping the surroundings.
It shoved, pulled, sucked in, then blasted outward chaotically.
Spectators squeezed eyes shut, huddling against the turmoil.
Then, abruptly—
Everything ceased, as if nothing had happened.
The savage winds gentled to a spring breeze.
People cautiously opened their eyes toward the arena.
Whoosh!
Sa Ma-gang bolted up, face ashen.
His body quivered; so did his eyes.
The others mirrored him—
Some in stunned horror.
Others bewildered by the outcome.
All stared at the arena in shock.
Thud.
Han Seo-yeon dropped to one knee, bracing on her embedded sword.
Drip.
Dark red blood trickled from her delicate lips.
She lifted her head, glaring at Woo-gang with eyes swirling in fury, confusion, and complex emotions.
And where her gaze fell—Woo-gang lay collapsed.