Chapter 113
Yet Namgung Un soon broke into a grin.
Bu Eun-seol's cold and aloof personality was rare enough, but Namgung Un himself possessed a sociability just as uncommon in the martial world.
"Ah, come on now. We're going to be wandering the rivers and lakes together—wouldn't it be weird to keep calling you 'Young Hero' this and 'Young Hero' that?"
"No."
"Let's just do it. Elder Brother Eun-seol."
"You're already doing it without my permission."
As Bu Eun-seol scowled with a sour expression, Namgung Un let out a hearty, easygoing laugh.
"Hahaha! Fair enough. Since it's come to this, why not just go with it?"
Then, flexing his arm, he pointed at his own face.
"If Elder Brother Eun-seol loses to the Mother-Son Spear Technique, I'll be next in line—"
"Hey, you damn brat! You're getting out of it again!"
"Ah, my apologies, Granny."
"Granny? How many times must I tell you to address me as Hall Master of the Medicine God Hall, you reckless little—!"
"Hahah! Now that I think about it, Granny's voice is quite powerful. You must've been quite the—!"
For a while, the Medicine God Hall buzzed with Namgung Un's chatter and the hall master's shouting.
At the same time, in the Moonlit Elegance Hall.
This was where Yeon Ja-mi, the palace lord of the Divine Maiden Palace, resided.
Under the cascading moonlight in the hall's garden, Yeon So-ha walked side by side with Yeon Ja-mi.
"Did you take a liking to him?"
At Yeon Ja-mi's question, Yeon So-ha shook her head.
"I'm not sure."
"Not sure? Then why did you give him the Life-Preserving Divine Pearl?"
After hesitating briefly, Yeon So-ha replied in a small voice.
"The Hall Master Namgung strongly recommended him. She told me to trust her, that I'd regret it if I let him go."
"The Hall Master Namgung... said that?"
Yeon Ja-mi's expression turned strange.
Namgung Se-a was not only a skilled martial artist from the Namgung Clan but also possessed discernment second only to her own.
That Namgung Se-a, whom she trusted above all others, had persuaded Yeon So-ha? She couldn't easily believe it.
'This is odd. The Master of Haehwa Palace wouldn't do such a thing.'
Shaking her head, Yeon Ja-mi pressed further.
"So, was it solely on her word that you gave him the Life-Preserving Divine Pearl?"
"Not entirely."
Yeon So-ha lowered her head slightly.
"His martial arts were extraordinary. Especially his internal energy—I doubt it falls short of any of our hall masters."
"Internal energy and martial arts are entirely different matters."
"No. I could tell. He's incredibly strong."
"So you liked him because he's strong?"
At that, Yeon So-ha's cheeks flushed crimson, and she shook her head again.
"That's not it. He... no, he risked his life to obtain the Life-Preserving Divine Pearl, didn't he?"
Yeon So-ha was still an innocent girl, unversed in the ways of the world.
Yet having witnessed a man throw himself into mortal danger to win her, part of her must have found that sight undeniably gallant.
"So-ha."
Yeon Ja-mi let out a sigh.
"You're far too naive. Men are creatures who would gamble their lives for treasures and women by nature."
"That can't be true."
As Yeon So-ha blinked in disbelief, Yeon Ja-mi continued.
"Regardless, he won't do."
"Huh?"
"I created the Twenty-Four Heavenly Generals Formation to select an outstanding young talent from the orthodox sects as your match. It wasn't made for you to meet some wandering rogue."
"But I've already made my choice."
Yeon Ja-mi shook her head.
"How could someone of unknown origins possibly befit you?"
"It's common in the martial world for people to conceal their backgrounds."
"True. That's why I've arranged for him to face the Mother-Son Spear Technique."
"The Mother-Son Spear Technique... You mean the three hall masters?"
Yeon So-ha's expression turned shocked as she shook her head.
"That's completely unfair. Why must he fight again?"
"He only demonstrated his internal energy, not his martial arts, didn't he? If he's to be your match, we must confirm which sect he belongs to."
"But he won't accept such an unreasonable demand."
"He already has."
"What?"
Yeon Ja-mi exhaled deeply.
"He agreed without hesitation."
"I see. No matter the obstacle, his resolve is unshakable...!"
As Yeon So-ha's cheeks burned, Yeon Ja-mi shook her head.
"Don't misunderstand. As I said, men are fixated on such things by nature."
"And if he faces the Mother-Son Spear Technique and still nothing is revealed? Will you permit it then?"
For a moment, Yeon Ja-mi fell silent before speaking reluctantly.
"That... Let's discuss it again tomorrow."
"Mother."
For the first time, Yeon So-ha spoke firmly.
"You hold the position of palace lord, revered by all. If you go back on your word now...!"
"Fine."
Yeon Ja-mi forced a smile and nodded.
"I will honor what I've promised."
The next day, at the Grand Martial Training Ground of the Divine Maiden Palace.
Nestled deep within Mount Wu, the training ground was paved with stones so smooth they seemed carved from ice.
As disciples of the Divine Maiden Palace began gathering one by one for the duel,
"Whoa, they've embedded all this expensive Silver Reflecting Stone here—what a waste."
Namgung Un, still not fully recovered, leaned on Heuk-pyo for support as he ascended the training platform with Bu Eun-seol.
"Elder Brother Eun-seol."
Suddenly, Namgung Un's expression turned serious as he whispered.
"The fact that they summoned you here means they're likely planning to use a battle formation. You'll need to be careful."
Silver Reflecting Stone was the finest material for practicing formations.
The moment they were called to a duel in a training ground filled with it, the intent to employ a formation was glaringly obvious.
"No need to worry."
As Bu Eun-seol strode ahead, Namgung Un clicked his tongue.
Then, his eyes sparkled as he gazed at the silver stones gleaming underfoot.
"Wait, now that I think about it, isn't Silver Reflecting Stone basically a lump of silver? Heheh."
Leaning closer to Heuk-pyo, who was supporting him, he muttered in a low voice.
"By any chance, do you have a sturdy sword on you?"
"I don't have a sword... but I do have two daggers."
"Ah, what a shame. At this width, no one would notice if we pried out a few pieces from the corner."
Just as Namgung Un was spouting nonsense, a cold voice came from behind.
"Just when do you plan to come to your senses?"
Before anyone realized, Namgung Se-a had arrived with her attendants in tow.
"Aunt. You've come."
As Namgung Un struggled to clasp his hands together, Bu Eun-seol also bowed deeply.
"Hall Leader."
"My apologies. Even I couldn't stop the Palace Lord's whims."
Namgung Se-a spoke to Bu Eun-seol with genuine regret.
"Wouldn't it be better to just undo your transformation? If you did, the Palace Lord wouldn't have gone to such lengths and would have granted permission immediately."
From Bu Eun-seol's perspective, those were dangerous words.
'If I receive that permission, I'll be in trouble.'
Tightening the internal energy he had poured into the Face-Changing Bone-Shifting Art, Bu Eun-seol shook his head.
"Undoing the transformation is absolutely out of the question."
"You're quite stubborn yourself."
Just then, Yeon Ja-mi, Yeon So-ha, and numerous masters of the Divine Maiden Palace appeared behind her.
Yeon So-ha in particular seemed displeased with this duel, her brow furrowed.
"Thank you for accepting the duel."
As Yeon Ja-mi approached and spoke, Bu Eun-seol gave a slight nod.
"Think nothing of it."
"Then let's begin at once."
At Yeon Ja-mi's words, Namgung Se-a shouted briefly.
"Begin!"
Immediately, three middle-aged women in blue robes ascended the Grand Training Stage with movement techniques as light as clouds.
The woman at the forefront clasped her hands respectfully toward Bu Eun-seol.
"I am Yak-ran, Master of the Crystal Hall."
"Seol So-yo."
The two women behind her also clasped their hands toward him.
"So-a, Master of the Spirit Hall, and Geum-seon, Master of the Violet Hall."
As Bu Eun-seol clasped his hands in return, Yak-ran spoke in a composed voice.
"The Mother-Son Spear Technique of our palace incorporates formation arts, so it requires all three of us to act simultaneously."
"I've heard as much."
When Bu Eun-seol replied indifferently, Yak-ran extended her hand.
"Draw your weapon."
Bu Eun-seol leisurely raised a hand.
"These two hands are my weapons."
Yak-ran nodded, then drew the short spear strapped to her back.
Clack.
As she extended the purple-stained shaft, the short spear lengthened into a full pike. Behind her, So-a and Geum-seon likewise extended their spear shafts and took their stances.
'They're strong.'
Observing their stances, Bu Eun-seol allowed a faint smile to touch his lips.
He realized they were not only masters of spear arts but also highly specialized in countering fist techniques.
'They've deliberately chosen this to counter me.'
It was clear Yeon Ja-mi had selected the Mother-Son Spear—a direct counter—after hearing Bu Eun-seol was a master of fist techniques.
'A spear art that incorporates formation arts...'
The martial world had many spear masters, and among the Demonic Path Ten Gates, there existed the Evil Spirit Spear, a peerless technique.
But Bu Eun-seol had rarely faced the Evil Spirit Spear properly on Hell Island, and even after entering the martial world, he had never crossed blades with a pike-wielding master.
The thought of facing such a unique spear technique now made his heart race like he had drunk fine wine.
"Make your move first."
At Bu Eun-seol's words, the spears in the hands of Yak-ran, So-a, and Geum-seon began tracing large circles in unison.
Whirr! Whirr!
Normally, spear techniques emphasized thrusts, supplemented by sweeping or slashing motions.
But the Mother-Son Spear Technique these three women employed primarily relied on spinning and pushing motions.
As a result, there were almost no lethal stances, and the constant rotation of the spear shafts made for a mesmerizing sight.
Swish! Whirr!
The three spinning spears pressed in on Bu Eun-seol's body.
He evaded their attacks with ease, observing the opening forms of the Mother-Son Spear Technique.
'The power and range are increasing.'
Yet the rotating spears grew faster and more forceful with each passing moment.
After dodging barely six or seven forms, over half the Grand Training Stage was already filled with spear shadows.
'They want me to reveal my martial arts.'
As the three masters tightened their encirclement, the range of wind generated by their spears expanded relentlessly.
Against such an impenetrable, unyielding spear formation, fist techniques would be nearly impossible to employ.
The Divine Maiden Palace Lord had clearly chosen this strategy upon hearing Bu Eun-seol was a fist master—forcing him to expose his limits.
'Then I'll show them.'
Bu Eun-seol's figure blurred as he slipped through the unbroken cascade of spear shadows.
He unleashed the Body-Locomotion Martial Art of the ages—Swift Shadowless.
'The flaw in their spear technique!'
As Bu Eun-seol accelerated, the Mother-Son Spears responded by multiplying their shadows, as if trying to erase all gaps entirely.
Tzzt-tzzt-tzzt! Swish-swish-swish!
With time, the Grand Training Ground became a sea of shifting shadows—Bu Eun-seol's and the spears'.
His Swift Shadowless, a fusion of movement and footwork techniques, shifted direction eighty-three times in a single step.
The Mother-Son Spear Technique, weaving illusions and reality through the Silver Reflection Stones embedded in the stage.
It was like the clash of an unbreakable shield against an all-piercing spear.
'Tch.'
But Bu Eun-seol was at a disadvantage.
The Mother-Son Spear rotated between three masters, while he expended his full strength just evading their shadows.
Without infinite stamina and internal energy, his movements would inevitably falter.
Tap!
Then, the tip of a spear grazed past Bu Eun-seol's shoulder.
Emboldened, the three hall masters redoubled their speed.
'The faster they go... the more openings appear.'
As he observed the accelerating spear technique, Bu Eun-seol suddenly realized one truth.
"...There are limits to how much variation the human hand can bring to Martial Forms."
"Excessive speed can render even the most profound techniques ordinary."
'So ultimate swiftness undermines exquisite refinement...'