Chapter 90
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 90
Chapter Title: Ice Plum Blossoms
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A shower of red plum blossoms rained down like meteors.
One would not be ignorant of the fact that each and every plum blossom filling their vision was the very essence of manifested sword energy. Yet, Han Seol-hwa, who faced it, simply stood her ground, her gaze still serene and detached.
The moment the constellation of falling plum blossoms swallowed Han Seol-hwa whole.
“Look out!”
Gasps of shock erupted from the crowd.
It was the technique of Dense Starfall, from which there appeared to be no escape.
Unless one possessed an Indestructible Diamond Body, it was clear they would be torn to shreds.
*Crrraaaack!*
A crimson mist formed by the red plum blossoms.
It was then that a sharp sound burst from within.
With a noise like shattering ice, the pouring plum blossoms scattered into the air all at once.
And Han Seol-hwa’s form was revealed once more.
In the space within a hundred feet of her.
A sense of awe filled the eyes of the crowd as they discovered dozens of large and small ice blades densely packed in the air.
They were overwhelmed by the divine prowess of Manifesting Form from Energy, brought to its peak.
In contrast, Jinmyeong Jin-in moved his sword with composure.
The moment the sword in his hand touched a point in the air, the shadow of the blossoming red plum blossoms enveloped Han Seol-hwa like a great river.
The seventeenth stance, Plum Shadows Forge a River.
The brilliant and vivid sword-flowers formed a massive vortex, pressing down on Han Seol-hwa. In response, she simply waved her sleeves about nonchalantly.
It was neither a profound technique nor did it contain terrifying power, but with that simple motion, the red plum blossoms began to scatter one by one.
Even the shimmering red Purple Mist True Energy was being helplessly severed, strand by strand, by Han Seol-hwa's gesture.
That was not all.
The ice blades floating in the air seemed to stir once.
Following Han Seol-hwa’s will, they all surged toward Jinmyeong Jin-in.
*Clang-clang-clang-clang!*
With sharp explosions erupting from all directions, the red plum blossoms burst apart. Wherever the ice blades passed, the very air froze, leaving behind pure white afterimages.
A dreadful chill pushed through the gaps in the dismantled plum blossoms.
*Crrrackle.*
A pure white frost, starting from beneath Han Seol-hwa’s feet, spread out at a frightening speed, reaching Jinmyeong Jin-in in an instant.
“……!”
The eyes of the Huashan disciples trembled violently.
The frost, which had already crept up to his ankles, had swallowed Jinmyeong Jin-in in the blink of an eye.
Just as they were unable to hide their shock at the sight of Jinmyeong Jin-in covered in white frost, he opened his previously closed eyes and slowly extended his sword forward.
Then, upon the frozen atmosphere, a single streak of red energy stirred.
Slowly gathering in one place, the energy began to take the shape of a flower bud.
As if to deny it, Han Seol-hwa once again swung her sleeve.
A bone-chilling cold, incomparable to before, enveloped Jinmyeong Jin-in.
In that state, the two of them stood rooted to the spot, not moving an inch.
The situation had already shifted from a contest of techniques to a clash of their internal energy.
Despite the considerable distance, the crowd could only be dumbfounded by the terrifying force swirling around the two.
Shards of energy shot up like blades from all around.
Merely facing it was enough to send shivers down their spines.
How much time had passed like that?
Within the severe cold, Jinmyeong Jin-in finally managed to bloom a single red plum blossom.
It was the eighteenth stance of the Plum Blossom Sword Style, Plum's Endurance in the Snowy Cold.
The single flower that bloomed in the frozen air was redder and more vivid than any other plum blossom.
It was then that their gazes met in mid-air.
Without a clear initiator, the two of them shot towards each other.
*KABOOM!*
An unbelievably loud impact erupted, despite it being a clash between a sword and a hand. Simultaneously, a massive cloud of dust created by the storm of energy swallowed them both.
“……”
Not a single person in the arena opened their mouth.
A world-shaking duel that surpassed the limits of man!
The overwhelming spectacle was breathtaking just to watch.
Indeed, the crowd could only stare blankly at the duel, having forgotten even to breathe.
Eventually, the dust settled, revealing the scene within the arena.
“Ah!”
A gasp escaped from someone’s lips.
Finely shattered ice particles scattered and flew.
The pouring ice flowers, as if the Milky Way itself had been brought down from the heavens, were as crimson as plum blossom petals.
The feast of ice plum blossoms, blooming in the color of the sunset, was nothing short of a magnificent spectacle.
Moreover!
“A Hidden Fragrance Drifts……”
Myeonggeom muttered a phrase, unaware he was even speaking.
The subtle, lingering fragrance of plum blossoms wafted around them.
He realized it was the wonder created by the final stance of the Plum Blossom Sword Style, Plum Blossom's Fragrance Across a Thousand Miles.
The crowd, who had been watching in a daze, belatedly shuddered.
It was a duel that sent shivers down one's spine.
How many times in one's life could one witness such a contest?
However, the two who had actually crossed hands simply smiled quietly at each other.
“Indeed……”
Han Seol-hwa slowly opened her mouth, her eyes curving gently.
“It was a sword worthy of the name of the Five Absolutes Under Heaven.”
“It seems living a long life has its rewards.”
“……?”
“To think the day would come when I receive such acknowledgment from the Fairy.”
“Do you dare speak of age before me?”
“If not now, when else would I get the chance to speak such nonsense to you, Fairy?”
Han Seol-hwa let out a soft chuckle.
A bitter emotion filled Jinmyeong Jin-in’s eyes as he looked at her.
“Time truly flies.”
In this moment, especially, the life he had lived felt as fleeting as the blink of an eye.
Meeting Jinmyeong Jin-in’s gaze, complicated by regret, Han Seol-hwa gave a slight nod.
“It’s been enough time for that greenhorn swordsman to be reborn as a grandmaster.”
A faint smile settled on Jinmyeong Jin-in’s face at Han Seol-hwa’s blunt comfort.
“Would you care for a cup of tea?”
Han Seol-hwa nodded and gestured towards Dan Ak-seon, who was standing far off.
Dan Ak-seon scurried over, his cheeks flushed red, and looked up at Han Seol-hwa and Jinmyeong Jin-in with sparkling eyes.
“To think such a beautiful sword style exists in the world! It was truly amazing!”
His eyes were filled with an emotion that showed the lingering impact of the duel he had just witnessed had yet to fade.
“It is merely an obsession gained from pouring out the years.”
Jinmyeong Jin-in began, then smiled bitterly with a complex look in his eyes.
“What I truly wanted to obtain was something else entirely. This sword is merely what I gained in its place after giving that up.”
Unaware of the private history between the two, Dan Ak-seon tilted his head in confusion.
“I thought only your swordsmanship had improved, but your talent for making people feel awkward has grown as well.”
At Han Seol-hwa’s rebuke, Jinmyeong Jin-in smiled and guided the two of them.
As Myeonggeom stared blankly at the scene, a person approached him.
“Did you see?”
At Punghyeonja’s question, Myeonggeom let out a sigh.
“I don’t know.”
“……?”
“I thought I saw it clearly, but thinking back on it now… I don’t know.”
Punghyeonja smiled faintly and nodded.
“Yes. If you say so, then that is enough.”
He could more than imagine how great the shock Myeonggeom had received from this duel was. Especially in his current situation, where he had hit a wall, it was all the more true.
“However… I now understand what Grandmaster fell for.”
Myeonggeom murmured, his expression as if in a dream.
“So this is how beautiful the sword of Huashan was.”
* * *
Following Ga Du-dal’s lead, Cho Ak-ryang and Beom Gye-wi entered the inn.
It was an inn that, at a glance, one could surmise had a long history.
The sign was one thing, but the worn-out tables and chairs were steeped in the weight of time.
“It may look shabby, but this is the most famous inn around here. It boasts a history of over a hundred years. You could call it the origin of Youpo Mian, which has preserved its taste through four generations since the first cook opened its doors.”
Ga Du-dal continued his explanation, then lowered his voice to a whisper.
“They say the Daoists of the Huashan Sect don’t go into secluded training because of this dish. Just like how monks secretly jump over the wall for a taste of Buddha Jumps Over the Wall.”
“It’s still just a noodle dish, isn’t it? What’s so great about that?”
At Beom Gye-wi’s retort, Ga Du-dal’s expression turned serious.
“You only say that because you haven’t tried the Youpo Mian here yet.”
“……?”
“Even in the wide Central Plains, Shanxi and Shaanxi are traditionally famous for their noodle dishes. But the difference is clear. The Shanxi region emphasizes the broth, while the Shaanxi region emphasizes the noodles. Especially the Youpo Mian, which are as wide and thick as a belt, have a delightfully chewy texture. Add to that the spicy flavor of chili peppers… Hah! What more is there to say? Just try it. You’ll definitely see that I’m not just saying this for no reason.”
Cho Ak-ryang chuckled at Ga Du-dal's ceaseless explanation.
“Anyone would think you were a native of this place. How does a guy who said he’s never even been near Huashan know so much about it?”
“It’s the power of preliminary investigation.”
“Preliminary investigation?”
At Cho Ak-ryang's question, Ga Du-dal nodded as if it were obvious.
“Stealing just because you feel like it is the work of the lowest of the low. A true gentleman on the rafters like me, who has reached the pinnacle of thievery, begins his journey by thoroughly investigating the target.”
Cho Ak-ryang shot him a look of disbelief.
“Are you saying you were planning to rob the Huashan Sect?”
Ga Du-dal laughed awkwardly.
“Well, not right away.”
“What is there to steal?”
“What do you mean, what is there? From the Zisu Pills that are exceptionally effective for internal injuries, to the swords carried by the Sect Leader and the first-generation disciples, none of which aren't masterpieces.”
“……”
“And is it only Huashan? It’s the same for all Nine Sects One Union.”
Ga Du-dal declared his ambition with pride.
“Before I die, I will steal all the treasures of the Five Great Families, including the Nine Sects One Union, and display them in the heart of the Central Plains. That is the ultimate wish and goal of my path of thievery.”
At those words, Beom Gye-wi tilted his head.
“The Beggar's Sect probably doesn't have anything to steal. You gonna steal the beggars' alms bowls?”
“Do you know what my principle is?”
Ga Du-dal began to speak with a rather serious face.
“Everyone in the world has something that can be stolen. Even a dead person.”
However, Cho Ak-ryang and Beom Gye-wi were indifferent.
Ignoring Ga Du-dal, the two sat down at a table and ordered the Youpo Mian that Ga Du-dal had praised so highly.
While waiting for their food and moistening their throats with a cup of tea, a peculiar light flashed in Cho Ak-ryang’s eyes as he spotted a man entering the inn.
Considering it was well past mealtime, it was quite a coincidence.
After confirming that more customers were trickling in, a faint smile appeared on Cho Ak-ryang's lips.
“Five.”
At Cho Ak-ryang’s words, Beom Gye-wi grinned.
“Heh heh. I win. I found six of 'em.”
Cho Ak-ryang frowned slightly.
“Are you sure?”
At that, Beom Gye-wi began to count on his fingers.
“One on the roof, two inside the inn, one on each of the east and west walls of the inn. And lastly, the dumpling vendor in front of the inn.”
Cho Ak-ryang shook his head as if he had expected it.
“The dumpling vendor isn’t one of them.”
“I’m telling you he is.”
“On what grounds?”
“He just looked like he was from the Martial Alliance.”
Cho Ak-ryang shot him a look of disbelief.
“What are you, a fortune teller? You can tell a man's life story from his face?”
“If you don't believe me, we can just go and ask.”
Cho Ak-ryang stopped Beom Gye-wi as he started to get up.
“Don’t. We went through all the trouble of luring them here, and you're going to ruin it at the last minute?”
“I’m telling you, it’s true! If you really don’t believe me, we can make a bet.”
“A bet?”
“If you’re not confident, then just give up.”
“Fine. Let’s do it.”
Just as Cho Ak-ryang, who had readily agreed to the bet, was about to set the terms, Ga Du-dal cautiously spoke up.
“Are those guys from the Martial Alliance?”
Beom Gye-wi nodded.
“It’s obvious just by looking, right?”
Cho Ak-ryang let out a dry laugh.
“With such pathetic skills, what kind of tailing do they think they can do?”
Their skills were that abysmal.
“But why is the Martial Alliance following us?”
“They’re trying to figure out our identities.”
Ga Du-dal was startled by Cho Ak-ryang’s answer.
“What? Then…?”
“They have suspicions about our identities. They can’t be sure, so they've sent tails like this.”
Ga Du-dal unknowingly scrunched up his face.
“Damn it…”
Then he let out a sigh that could have split the earth.
“I’ve really stepped in it this time.”