Blood Wolf Young Master (3)
Se Jaeo hesitated.
What was the Plum Blossom Token? It was the symbol of the Plum Blossom Sword Master, and holding it allowed one to make a single request of the sect leader.
The Plum Blossom Token was a symbol of power within the Volcanic Sect.
In truth, from their first encounter, Se Jaeo had sensed something unusual about Han Bin's demeanor and hadn't slacked off in his training for a full month.
From dawn until sunset, without missing a single day, he had honed his martial arts.
There was no way he could lose to a third-rate hack like that.
In fact, up until their first clash—just a probe—Se Jaeo hadn't let his guard down. Arrogant as he was, he was always cautious when it came to swordplay.
What had instilled overconfidence in him was Han Bin's reaction.
When Han Bin spat blood from failing to withstand even a fraction of his inner power, Se Jaeo was certain of victory.
"I accept. I'll correct that insolent attitude of yours."
Finishing his words, Se Jaeo glanced at Paeng Daewi, who stood at a distance.
Such wagers required the approval of a witness.
From afar, Paeng Daewi raised his sword.
Bang!
The signal approving their bet.
At the sight, the martial experts smacked their lips.
It was because of Wolah.
If they had been on that sparring platform, Wolah would have been theirs.
Of course, one person wore a completely different expression.
Hong Chilgae.
Gazing at the training ground, he clicked his tongue.
As everyone's expressions crossed paths, Han Bin and Se Jaeo clashed once more.
Surprisingly, Se Jaeo charged first.
His sword twisted in a subtle change, thrusting toward Han Bin's chest.
In an instant, the fragrance of plum blossoms bloomed across the training ground.
The surroundings buzzed.
"It's the Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword."
"Pulling out the Volcanic Sect's ultimate technique already!"
"Well, he's bored, so he wants to end it quick. No need to teach a weakling like that anyway. But impressive—plum blossom scent in a spar? Amazing!"
These were all escorts of Lady Jeonghwa.
Amid their murmurs, Yi Jinmyeong glanced sideways and asked.
"But isn't Jeong Cheolmin the lowest-ranked Plum Blossom Sword Master?"
"Haha, still a Plum Blossom Sword Master, isn't he?"
"That's not what I mean. Can the lowest rank produce such an intense plum blossom fragrance?"
"Huh, now that you mention it..."
Yi Jinmyeong from Kunlun trailed off.
It was only natural they were surprised.
During his month at the Hebei Paeng Family, Se Jaeo had advanced a step further in his realm.
He hadn't broken through the wall, but within the Super Peak realm, he had sharpened his own blade anew.
Undeterred by the crowd's stir, Se Jaeo's sword didn't slow.
His blade pierced space.
The technique of Plum Blossom One Branch.
That straight thrust resembled a plum tree branch—whip-like or awl-like as it shifted.
As Se Jaeo's sword began to change, Han Bin's eyes widened to their limit.
Not out of fear for the sword, of course.
He had spotted the formulas as it dove into his guard.
Invisible at rest, but revealing formulas upon unleashing a move from the Twenty-Seven Plum Blossom Sword?
This was a monumental discovery.
Han Bin wouldn't miss the perfect chance to shatter the stagnant wall of his Yongrin Sword Art.
He began circulating the formulas.
Lightning Flash.
One Touch, Instant Strike.
From Han Bin's sword tip, flung far back, blue sword qi flickered.
His sword and body merged into one, shooting forward like an arrowhead.
Whoosh!
Everyone's eyes widened.
Han Bin wasn't countering the Plum Blossom One Branch—he was meeting it with a mutual destruction technique.
"Isn't that going too far? It's not a life-or-death duel, yet he charges like a pup at a tiger."
Jeong Changmyeong, an elder of the Jeomcheong Sect watching the spar, clicked his tongue.
In his eyes, Se Jaeo had been holding back to give a lesson, but Han Bin was risking his life.
Infusing killing intent into a teaching blade?
That violated a warrior's code.
Se Jaeo twisted his body away from the flickering sword qi.
Whoosh!
But Han Bin's sword snaked toward his shoulder.
Se Jaeo, dodging sideways, swept his blade horizontally like a whip.
Whip!
Simultaneously, their sword tips grazed each other's sleeves.
Slash!
Slash!
Their sleeves frayed slightly.
After the second clash, they stood five paces apart, eyeing each other.
Then blood seeped from Han Bin's left arm.
Darker than his red uniform, it trickled down his sleeve.
Drip. Drip.
Se Jaeo's white uniform was stained too, but the wound seemed shallow.
Han Bin narrowed his eyes.
Opponent's realm: low Super Peak, just stepping into it.
Similar to Han Bin's after consuming the Heavenly Mountain Blood Wolf's inner core.
Yet being pushed meant Se Jaeo had true attainment.
Han Bin swiftly shifted strategy, betting on speed.
He unleashed the Beggar's Eighteen Steps now ingrained in his manual.
First, one Speed.
One layer of intensity.
His steps twisted bizarrely in an instant.
Using the Beggar's Eighteen Steps to dazzle the eye, Han Bin thrust his sword.
It felt like even the sword accelerated.
As if time around him slowed.
Se Jaeo retreated at the quickened blade, but soon altered his technique.
Plum Blossom Ten Quick.
The tenth form of the Twenty-Seven Plum Blossom Sword, embedding ten changes in one motion.
This form emphasized speed above all in the art.
Its strength: sword speed proportional to inner power.
Se Jaeo countered Han Bin without pushing Plum Blossom Ten Quick to its limit.
Clang! Clang!
Han Bin and Se Jaeo's swords accelerated.
Not in variation, but pure quickness—in their third clash, spectators clenched fists unwittingly.
It was too fast.
Even more astonishing was their ferocity.
Ignoring self-preservation, they targeted vital points.
Clang! Clang!
Their speeds rose in real time.
Yi Jinmyeong from Kunlun glanced aside.
"Was Se Jaeo's Twenty-Seven Plum Blossom Sword at this level?"
"Hm. Higher attainment than expected. A low-rank in Volcanic Sect at this caliber? Didn't know they were this strong."
Jeong Changmyeong from Jeomcheong nodded.
Then Yi Jinmyeong raised a question.
"But the Paeng Family youngest is holding his own pretty well."
"Oh ho!"
Jeong Changmyeong narrowed his eyes. Only now did they truly notice Han Bin.
Watching their spar most gravely was Hong Chilgae.
Han Bin's Beggar's Eighteen Steps was worse than yesterday. But one change: the footwork and sword path fused mysteriously.
As if always one.
Moreover, Han Bin's sword and steps sped up together.
Not max from start, but gradually ramping?
Matching opponent's pace for fun.
"Haha!"
Hong Chilgae exclaimed unwittingly.
Then Han Bin's sword pierced Se Jaeo's shoulder.
Pierce!
In tandem, Se Jaeo's stabbed Han Bin's.
Stab!
Like a woodblock print, both shoulders hit squarely.
All swallowed hard. Time to stop the spar.
Depth suggested serious wounds.
Then everyone was shocked.
Han Bin smiled faintly.
Grinning with sword in foe's shoulder?
Problem: sword in his too.
Yet smiling in joy?
They thought he truly enjoyed the duel.
Of course, Han Bin grinned because text floated in air.
You have acquired Seong (seong) from the Applied Volume of Yongrin Sword Art.
He couldn't not smile.
Plus, two more formulas lingered on Se Jaeo.
In other words, a windfall.
Seeing Han Bin's smile, Se Jaeo growled low.
"Fine. I'll go all out too."
Sincere.
He had underestimated Han Bin.
But after second clash, contempt vanished.
And he sensed Han Bin truly enjoyed it.
Han Bin's sword tempted deeper exchange.
So Se Jaeo would respond.
He called low.
"Plum Blossom Myriad Swords!"
Last form of Twenty-Seven Plum Blossom Sword.
How many plum trees on Volcanic Mountain?
If all petals fell at once?
If those petals were blades?
Who could evade?
Thus, unused in friendly spars.
Se Jaeo drawing it acknowledged Han Bin.
His tip flew at Han Bin's vitals.
Drawing plum petals.
Ten thousand of them.
Han Bin maxed Beggar's Eighteen Steps and Lightning Flash combo.
Consuming remaining Speed.
Best way to block myriad petals?
Sweep them away.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Dozens of exchanges per breath.
Thickening plum scent.
Training ground filled with afterimages.
But as they neared Han Bin, they melted away.
Shlick!
Pierce!
Slicing each other.
Thrusting tips into flesh.
Han Bin decided to go all in.
Max Beggar's Eighteen Steps fully.
He swept Se Jaeo's petal flurry at blinding speed.
Not just sweeping—midway, he struck revealed formula points.
Stab!
You have acquired Dong (dong) from the Applied Volume of Yongrin Sword Art.
Slash!
You have acquired Seo (seo) from the Applied Volume of Yongrin Sword Art.
Han Bin's lips curled.
Formula collection resumed.
At his smile, Se Jaeo's sword went mad-fast.
Plum Blossom Myriad Swords at max. No inner power left.
Instinct drove Se Jaeo.
Blades met again.
Clang!
No more clashes followed.
Moment of silence.
All held breath, transfixed.
Two warriors, pouring all into this duel, swords locked.
A ink wash painting.
Yi Jinmyeong and Jeong Changmyeong, watching for Lady Jeonghwa, held breath too.
Their passion, as if expending congenital essence, stole breath.
Who did they root for?
Se Jaeo?
Or Han Bin?
Neither, probably.
The duel awakened warrior blood within.
They purely savored it.
As all hushed, heartbeats echoed round the ground.
Thump. Thump.