Chapter 53
Chapter 53
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 53
Chapter Title: Putting Them in Their Place
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“Ugh!”
In the confined space, Neung Un-bi charged forward, holding his breath. The piercing blue light in his eyes left a long trail, like a drawn line.
It was the Three Nothings Footwork, which momentarily expelled energy to increase speed.
“Damn it!”
Ju Seung frantically twisted his head away from the fist flying toward his face.
*Swish!*
The fist grazed past his ear by a hair's breadth.
But Ju Seung had no time to hesitate as a knee shot up toward the side he had just exposed.
The impact struck the arms he had hurriedly raised while holding his breath.
*Craaack!*
“Kuh!”
The distance was too short. Even though he blocked it, the shock traveled through his arms and directly into his side.
Seizing the moment Ju Seung’s balance wavered, Neung Un-bi pressed his attack relentlessly.
“...Damn it all! Are you really going to do this?!”
Seeing Ju Seung overwhelmed and struggling to defend against Neung Un-bi's assault, Wang Cheon could no longer stand by and intervened.
But this was something he had already anticipated.
In an instant, Neung Un-bi lowered his stance, circling around Ju Seung to move behind him.
“Ack!”
Wang Cheon, who had suddenly found himself attacking Ju Seung, froze for a moment.
The same was true for Ju Seung.
The instinct of a martial artist attacked without warning. Mistaking Wang Cheon for his attacker for a split second, Ju Seung lost track of Neung Un-bi's movements.
*Craaack!*
“Keuk!”
It was only natural that he would take the hit.
Neung Un-bi’s fist carried true force, and Ju Seung had failed to defend against it.
On top of that, being struck from behind, the impact was immense.
*Grit.*
“...If you insist!”
“...!”
Ju Seung gritted his teeth against the pain, simultaneously twisting his body to swing a fist at Neung Un-bi.
*Whoosh!*
The powerful energy in his fist cut through the air like a whirlwind.
It was an attempt to dislodge Neung Un-bi, who was stuck to his back.
But there was one thing he hadn't expected.
Neung Un-bi had no intention of dodging. He stood with his head held high, smiling.
“Huh?!”
Ju Seung's eyes widened like saucers.
His fist was about to connect with Neung Un-bi's cheek.
About to strike his master in the face, Ju Seung forcibly twisted the path of his fist.
Whether it's an object or a human body, halting something already in motion requires even more force.
Especially if it has reached its peak momentum.
*Sssshhhk.*
The proximity was so close that even as the fist veered off diagonally, the wind pressure it generated scraped past Neung Un-bi's cheek.
*I knew I could count on you, Ju Seung! Or should I say, Loyal Seung!*
*Craaack!*
Neung Un-bi's fist buried itself deep in Ju Seung's abdomen.
“Kkueok!”
No matter how skilled a martial artist, no one could withstand a blow that felt like it reached the spine. As Ju Seung’s head drooped, Neung Un-bi landed the final blow on the nape of his neck.
*Thud.*
Neung Un-bi looked down at the helplessly unconscious Ju Seung, then turned to Wang Cheon with a wicked smile.
“With that... it's one-on-one.”
“...”
*One... what?*
Wang Cheon blinked, a look of bewilderment on his face.
“What are you talking about...?”
“What do you mean, 'what'? It means it's your turn now.”
“...!”
As Neung Un-bi stretched his stiff muscles, Wang Cheon's face contorted.
“That wasn't a fair fight.”
“What wasn't?”
“You despicably used Ju Seung's loyalty!”
“Despicable? People usually call this strategy.”
“What? You're the one who attacked without warning...”
“Without warning? Hmm, to think the self-proclaimed Guard Captain would say something like that. I'm disappointed.”
“...”
“Assassins come for you even while you're eating.”
“...”
“They come for you while you're sleeping. They don't give you time to assess the situation and prepare.”
“Th-that's...”
Wang Cheon scowled, unable to retort.
“...That's sophistry. The situation is different, isn't it?”
“Situation? You still going to say that after I'm dead?”
“...”
“Now, let's begin!”
Wang Cheon's nose twitched as he watched Neung Un-bi clench his fists and take a stance.
As he had said, it was sophistry. Neung Un-bi's words sounded plausible, but in truth, they were nothing more than an excuse for exploiting Ju Seung's loyalty.
In other words, this proved nothing about his skill.
But it was a fight all the same.
*He must mean that you have to use everything at your disposal to achieve victory!*
“...Are you really going to do this?”
“...?”
“Then I will no longer hold back. As a guard, I cannot stand by while my master courts danger! I will stop you, no matter what.”
In an instant, Wang Cheon's expression changed.
A cold chill swept over his eyes, and white frost began to seep from his mouth.
*The bastard... he's finally getting serious.*
It was the martial art of the Snow Mountain Manor. He was finally revealing his true power.
Seeing Wang Cheon preparing to stop him with all his might, Neung Un-bi grinned and took his stance.
A small room. Controlling his strength was essential to avoid breaking anything.
But that alone was enough.
Wasn't skillfully using one's limitations also a form of skill?
“Come at me!”
“...”
With Wang Cheon's challenge, Neung Un-bi stomped hard on the floor.
A martial artist's first step when attacking is like the bowstring that propels a drawn arrow. The speed depends on how much power is loaded into it.
Thus, one could deduce an opponent's internal energy by the depth of the footprints left on the floor.
However, the Three Nothings Footwork that Neung Un-bi used was different.
A traceless footwork designed to conceal one's identity after the act.
Its first step was as light as a feather. Thus, it left no tracks on the floor, yet it was faster than any other footwork.
*Pak!*
“...!”
For a moment, Wang Cheon's eyes widened in shock.
*It was clearly a light step, wasn't it?*
The moment he stepped, the oil lamp flickered as if hit by a breath, and Neung Un-bi's shadow seemed to momentarily separate from his body.
He had seen this footwork before.
The one he had secretly practiced in the caves of the Snow Mountain Manor.
The same footwork that had cut down twelve torches with a single step and a single swing was now unfolding before Wang Cheon's eyes once more.
“...Ugh!”
Facing it directly, it was much faster than back then.
It was like being robbed blind in broad daylight.
It was truly an instant. Even though he was watching intently, he lost track of Neung Un-bi's movements as if he had blinked.
Then came a sharp sensation, like being pierced by an awl.
*Left... the wall?*
But Neung Un-bi's attack—kicking off the wall to launch himself—was faster than the speed at which Wang Cheon could turn his head.
*Crack!*
The impact that traveled up the arm he barely managed to block with was immense.
Pushed back by an attack he could barely block, Wang Cheon felt a dull pain as his back slammed against the wall.
If it had been a sword, his body would have been split in two.
“Son of a bitch!”
*Where the hell did he learn that kind of footwork!*
*But he was underestimating me.*
*If I can't follow him with my eyes...!*
Having made up his mind, Wang Cheon's response changed in an instant.
He would track him not with his eyes, but with his senses.
*Pang!*
Their hands, moving in a dizzying exchange, clashed violently.
“...!”
Startled by the shock that numbed his wrist, Neung Un-bi hastily retreated.
*Shwaaak!*
Wang Cheon immediately pursued, his fist thrusting forward sharply.
*...He caught up to the Three Nothings Footwork?*
Neung Un-bi urgently tilted his head back to dodge the fist, then leaned his upper body back and kicked upward.
*Thwack!*
A dull impact resonated through his foot.
“Not bad. I didn't think you could block that.”
“Hmph! It's too early to be surprised by something like that.”
“...”
*Damn bastard.*
He always talked about loyalty, but judging from the impact left on his foot, his jaw would have been shattered if the kick had landed. He truly deserved his reputation as the best of the Guard Captains.
“Hoo, I won't hold back anymore.”
Wang Cheon exhaled a white breath, his eyes glinting fiercely.
*Damn it, is this the First Young Master of the Snow Mountain Manor?*
Wang Cheon, revealing his true strength, was certainly stronger than Ju Seung.
His judgment was quick, and he'd thrown loyalty to the dogs, so it couldn't be exploited.
“Fine, then I'll... go all out too.”
“And I'll give you twice that!”
It was a childish exchange, but the tense energy between the two boiled with killing intent, making the room tremble.
*He's definitely not an easy opponent. He might even be stronger than the First Young Master, Wi Ji-hyeok.*
*Then I'll have to treat him accordingly. As I said, with all my strength!*
“Hup!”
“...!”
Neung Un-bi drew out all his demonic energy and poured it into his Three Nothings Footwork.
*Pang!*
A not-so-light sound erupted from a light step.
It would consume a massive amount of internal energy, but seizing the momentum was the priority.
“Th-this is fucking insane!”
Neung Un-bi's movements using the Three Nothings Footwork were not only fast, but also unpredictable, like a bouncing ball.
Unable to pinpoint his exact location, Wang Cheon's face twisted in frustration.
*A speed that deceives not just the eyes, but even one's senses?*
As his hands and feet, which he occasionally extended to catch Neung Un-bi's position, began to chase afterimages that had already vanished, Wang Cheon grew frantic.
He couldn't afford to give up all four directions. He had to minimize his blind spots as much as possible.
*Thump!*
The decision made, Wang Cheon's foot pushed off the floor, bringing his back closer to the wall.
A sound judgment.
However, Neung Un-bi had no intention of letting Wang Cheon put his back to the wall. Their skills were already evenly matched; he couldn't afford to have his own movements restricted.
*So, before he reaches the wall!*
*Paaaaang!*
Unleashing his internal energy all at once, Neung Un-bi's assault grew even faster.
Overwhelmed by the flood of attacks, Wang Cheon hurriedly summoned all of his cold energy.
Blocking was the priority, so he couldn't worry about his master getting slightly injured.
“Haaap!”
The strongest defensive technique Wang Cheon knew: the White Lotus Flower, which spread out his cold-infused internal energy like petals to block all attacks.
*K-k-k-krak!*
As he drew upon his power, the cold energy erupting from Wang Cheon's body began to freeze the room.
The guest room would be slightly damaged. His master might even get hurt.
But he had no choice but to block, so he would ask for forgiveness later. Having poured all his internal energy into the White Lotus Flower, it would be impossible for his master to attack, no matter how fast he was... Huh?
At that moment, a strange sight was reflected in Wang Cheon's pupils.
*C-c-crack.*
A single palm, covered in white frost, was breaking through the White Lotus Flower he had trusted without a doubt.
“It's over, you bastard.”
“...”
Over Neung Un-bi's wicked laugh, he seemed to see his own impending fate.
*Ah... fuck.*
*Craaaaaack!*
The moment Wang Cheon cursed inwardly, an open palm plunged deep into his solar plexus.
“Keuk!”
The shock felt as if all his internal organs were being shoved against his back, and a pained groan escaped Wang Cheon's lips.
The flow of his internal energy was cut off, and the cold air that filled the room vanished.
*Thud.*
Wang Cheon, his strength gone, sank to his knees and struggled to lift his head.
He moved his mouth as if trying to say something, but no voice came out.
*How in the world...*
*...my White Lotus Flower, which held all my power...*
His eyes seemed to ask the question.
Neung Un-bi, covered in wounds from breaking through the formidable barrier, panted heavily as he looked down at Wang Cheon.
“Hah, hah... Loser.”
“...”
He himself was gasping for breath, yet he still had to twist the knife.
But Wang Cheon had no reply. Ju Seung had the excuse of his loyalty being exploited, but he had lost fair and square.
“...Damn... it.”
Still on his knees, Wang Cheon uttered that last word before collapsing.
After catching his breath for a moment, Neung Un-bi laid the two men on the bedding and stepped out of the room.
“My L... Commander? What in the world...”
One of the Eclipse Squad members, who had been sprawled out pretending to be drunk, asked with a tense expression.
A quick glance around revealed they all wore similar expressions.
It seemed they had been on high alert due to the commotion inside the room.
“Did anyone hear?”
“...No, sir.”
“Then you all get back to sleep. It's nothing.”
“...”
“Didn't you hear me?”
*Rustle!*
As Neung Un-bi raised an annoyed eyebrow, the flustered Eclipse Squad members all flopped back down and pretended to be asleep.
*They're certainly obedient.*
“Hoo...”
Neung Un-bi let out a long sigh and watched his trembling hand, clenching and unclenching it repeatedly.
*...My palm is stinging.*
*That bastard Wang Cheon, I can't believe he used his full strength.*
But he had watched him for a long time. Since the two were always together, he had sometimes observed his training and contemplated ways to counter it.
However, Cheok Wol-rin's skills were not enough.
The Three Nothings Footwork boasted incredible speed, but it couldn't penetrate the cold energy that had instantly filled the room.
Moreover, the Three Battles Sword he had learned was a swordsmanship solely for killing, so he couldn't use it.
Ultimately, in a situation where retreating was the only answer, Neung Un-bi chose the Lunar Eclipse.
It was the demonic art practiced by the Cult Leader's disciples. For a demonic art, it should have a fearsome name, but what was with 'Lunar Eclipse'?
*Such a needlessly pretty name...*
Anyway, unlike the other disciples who learned their family's martial arts, Neung Un-bi had only learned that one demonic art.
He had also learned a forbidden demonic art, but unless he was determined to die... more importantly, he didn't even remember it well anymore.
In any case, the technique that broke through Wang Cheon's White Lotus Flower was Piercing Erosion, a strike that pierced and burrowed into the opponent's energy.
But it couldn't be called a perfect victory.
In fact, it was purely a matter of luck.
He knew Wang Cheon inside and out, but Wang Cheon only knew Neung Un-bi, not Cheok Wol-rin. Furthermore, the energy of the Demonic Spirit Divine Pill had settled in every corner of his body, allowing him to withstand the cold energy.
“Demonic arts...”
A laugh escaped him suddenly.
He, who had walked through the darkness to protect the Orthodox Faction...
If *that person* had seen this, he might have screamed his head off.
But what did it matter?
What if it was a demonic art, and what if it was a secret technique of the righteous path?
He was no longer Cheok Wol-rin.
Still, he shouldn't neglect his training.
Neung Un-bi suddenly raised his head and looked at the night sky.
Among the brilliant stars that seemed ready to pour down, one shone the brightest.
*I don't know what form I'll take when I see you, but I'll stay for a while before I go.*
*To turn away... aren't they too pitiful?*
“Damn it, I used up all my internal energy because of that damn Wang Cheon.”
It looked like he wouldn't be getting any sleep if he needed to circulate his energy.