He Who Ties It Unties It (5)
It was impossible.
But now, Han Bin had grown as well.
He decided to settle this match in one decisive strike.
Right there—a vivid red dot gleaming between Musoryul's brows.
It was undoubtedly a formula point from the Applied Volume of the Yongrin Sword Art.
His heart raced with excitement.
Thump, thump.
Calming his pounding heart, Han Bin swiftly devised his attack plan.
In my current state, with my internal energy and aura maxed out to the limit—I'll end it in one blow!
Unlike Han Bin's inner thoughts, tsking sounds rose from the spectators around the training ground.
"Tsk tsk, what a mess."
"Shouldn't we have called a physician in advance?"
"Who knows? Maybe the youngest young master will win?"
"How could he?"
"He beat the third and second young masters last time."
"That was just a dirty trick, wasn't it? This is a public venue—he can't pull any sneaky moves here."
"True, tsk tsk."
Paeng family warriors had gathered at some point, all predicting Han Bin's defeat.
They were among those who hadn't witnessed Han Bin's spar with the escorts during the family head selection.
Han Bin ignored them, licking his lips as he fixated on the point between Musoryul's brows.
Musoryul bristled at his expression.
She'd never let a man who looked at her like that walk away unscathed.
"You bastard! You filthy dog!"
Her voice was low, but everyone heard it clearly.
At the same moment—
Shing!
Musoryul drew her sword and charged.
Han Bin merely gauged the distance.
To onlookers, it looked like he was offering his neck to her blade.
But Han Bin didn't lose his smile.
One, two, three!
Han Bin drew his sword.
By the time everyone gasped at the speed, his body shot forward like an arrow.
As all marveled at the unfamiliar lightness skill, Steward Yi Seolyeong cried out.
"Ah! Th-that's sword aura?"
A crude but flickering sword aura danced at the tip of Han Bin's blade.
Ten wisps of aura representing his internal energy.
Enough to manifest a basic sword aura.
In the blink of an eye, Han Bin closed the gap, his sword flying toward Musoryul's brow.
The Musi Geomga steward shouted.
"No!"
The Hebei Paengga steward Yi Seolyeong yelled too.
"Young master!"
A death during a spar would mean war between the families.
Musoryul was startled by Han Bin's sword as well.
She could manifest sword aura too, but the speed was the issue.
What was with that arrow-like velocity?
As she raised her sword to block—
Somehow, it accelerated even further.
When Han Bin's sword reached her brow, everyone screamed.
"Gasp, please no!"
"Stop!"
At that instant, Han Bin deftly twisted his blade, batting away Musoryul's rising sword and striking her brow with his sword's hilt.
A crisp sound echoed across the training ground.
Crack!
For a moment, everyone gaped at the absurd sight.
Musoryul—one of Hebei's famed beauties—flew backward like a puppet with cut strings. Unimaginable.
War between families was averted, but Musoryul, her pride wounded, wouldn't stay down.
Steward Yi Seolyeong's jaw nearly dropped at Han Bin's expression.
He grinned more innocently than ever.
Knocking down a woman and looking like he'd conquered the world!
The Musi Geomga steward's voice reached Yi Seolyeong's ear.
"What a villain."
"……."
Yi Seolyeong couldn't argue.
The warriors began murmuring.
"Maybe the youngest young master will actually win?"
"No way. That was just a lucky hit."
All eyes turned to Han Bin, but he paid no mind.
Analyzing technique with Dragon Eye.
Acquired Light (Light) from the Applied Volume of the Yongrin Sword Art.
A clear formula point now shone under the Fluidity Volume chapter two.
Light (Light)
A formula point with no reaction yet.
But now, it was just the beginning.
As Han Bin smiled in satisfaction—
Musoryul rose from where she'd flown backward.
"How dare you hit me…."
She couldn't finish.
Blood trickled from her brow, staining her lips.
Wipe.
She wiped it with her sleeve and charged madly.
"You're dead today."
At her cry, Han Bin eyed her feet intently.
She seemed berserk, but her footwork was steady.
Han Bin smirked.
I'm not falling for that.
He stepped back slightly, planning his next move.
First, shake her resolve!
No better chance to test his brimming internal energy.
Han Bin sheathed his sword and gripped the scabbard.
He narrowed his eyes.
Musoryul had entered his range.
Whoosh!
Han Bin swung the scabbard.
Clang.
Musoryul blocked lightly.
Using the rebound, Han Bin attacked from the opposite side.
Clang.
She blocked again.
Her eyes twitched.
She hadn't charged just to defend.
But Han Bin's rapid strikes left no opening for offense.
After several blocks, Musoryul found her chance.
Swish.
She bent her torso and swept Han Bin's legs with her right foot.
As he retreated once, she swiftly removed her hair pin.
Pop.
Flicking it with her finger, a thin dagger the width of a knuckle emerged from the pin.
Musoryul flung the dagger at Han Bin's face.
He dodged right, but it snaked after him like a viper.
Han Bin fell back fully.
A heavenly silken thread linked the pin and dagger—unbreakable by ordinary swords.
Han Bin drew his sword again.
Holding it in his left hand, he parried the dagger.
Then Musoryul's sword thrust at his heart.
Bam!
The air whooshed with her strike; the stewards flinched.
But Han Bin slipped away leisurely, mocking the attack.
Not outward—into her guard.
Parrying the pin with his sword, he raised the scabbard with his left hand.
Crack!
He smashed her shoulder with the scabbard.
Musoryul staggered.
But Han Bin showed no mercy.
Crack! Crack!
He thrashed her like shaking out a blanket.
No malice, of course.
Points kept appearing; he couldn't stop.
He just adjusted to keep her from collapsing.
Crack!
Acquired Stone (stone) from the Applied Volume of the Yongrin Sword Art.
Acquired Lightning (electricity) from the Applied Volume of the Yongrin Sword Art.
Acquired Fire (fire) from the Applied Volume of the Yongrin Sword Art.
Han Bin halted.
No more flickering points appeared.
Light (Light), Stone (stone), Lightning (electricity), Fire (fire)
Four formula points from the Applied Volume gathered from Musoryul.
Then—
The manual shimmered, forming text.
Formula points from the Applied Volume can be synthesized. Execute now?
Han Bin nodded quietly.
His vision flashed.
The Lightning Flash (Lightning speed) formula from the Yongrin Sword Art surged into his mind.
From energy circulation to every motion—it all became crystal clear.
The Lightning Flash technique felt as natural as walking.
How to use it.
What to watch for.
Everything embedded itself in his mind. In a word, the technique had been reborn.
Of course, no one noticed Han Bin's change.
As he stared into empty space, Musoryul slyly opened her eyes.
She'd never suffered such humiliation in her life.
Getting beaten like a stray dog on a hot summer day by Hebei's biggest coward? Her qi churned in rage.
She hadn't truly fainted—just pretended.
"What?"
Musoryul muttered unwittingly.
Han Bin staring into nothing felt off.
But she didn't rush in recklessly.
The spots where he'd struck still throbbed.
Backing away stealthily, she probed him.
"Qi deviation?"
She tilted her head, then grew certain.
Now's my chance. You're done!
Whoosh!
From six paces away, Musoryul thrust with full power.
Five paces.
Four paces.
Han Bin didn't move.
Now, everyone gaped for the opposite reason.
The idiom flashing in their minds: sudden death.
As her sword neared, Han Bin's movements shifted oddly.
Parrying? Attacking?
His awkward motion left a strange afterimage.
Someone whispered.
"Phantom Shift!"
But it wasn't true Phantom Shift.
Maxed speed plus the new technique's afterimage.
Han Bin appeared at Musoryul's side, swinging his scabbard.
Smack!
Struck at the nape, Musoryul retreated five paces swiftly.
"What the hell…."
She touched her neck.
If that had been the blade instead of the hilt?
A chill ran down her spine; she stepped back once more.
But Musoryul wasn't one to retreat here.
If she couldn't beat Hebei's weakest, her ambitions to dominate Gangbuk were over.
She charged Han Bin.
But staggered back again.
A Paeng family warrior remarked.
"It's not that Lady Mu is weak—the young master Paeng is strong."
"Right. Lady Musoryul's flying blade and swordsmanship rival the Five Blossoms of Murim."
With that, they unbelted their blades and slammed them on the ground.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
Cheers for the spar.
The rare thrilling bout set their blood pumping.
But soon, they froze, mouths agape.
Crack! Crack!
Sounds like thrashing dried fish on a spring day rang rhythmically.
Normally, one stops when the opponent can't resist.
But Han Bin showed no mercy.
Even more shocking: his indifferent gaze fixed on empty air.
Not even glancing at her—such ruthlessness!
"That devilish bastard!"
The Musi Geomga steward cried again, but Yi Seolyeong turned away, feigning ignorance.
Thud!
Musoryul crumpled.
Han Bin licked his lips, disappointed.
He'd thought prodding her more would yield extra points.
But no more appeared from Musoryul.
Sheathing his sword and slinging it over his shoulder, Han Bin walked to the training ground's edge and sighed.
"They say your first impression sets the tone…."
Rushing over, Steward Yi Seolyeong asked.
"Young master, what did you just say?"
"Nothing. Does this settle the win?"
"Yes, of course…."
"I'll head to the reception hall to rest. When Lady Musoryul wakes, please bring her."
Without looking back, Han Bin strolled away casually.
He gazed quietly into the void.
Increases speed by 50% for one moment. Requires 1 year of internal energy. Recovers after 12 hours.
This was the technique that mimicked Phantom Shift.
The problem: it consumed internal energy.