What You Imagine (2)
Yeom Hwa-sin was an excellent actor.
When he turned to Baek So-cheon, he beamed as if he'd been waiting for this moment his whole life.
But when he faced Jeong-gyun, his expression turned deadly serious as he bellowed,
"The Murim will remember this. How you met your end shattered by a man without a scrap of inner power. Your family and disciples will see you as a disgrace. They won't dare claim you as their father anywhere..."
"Shut your mouth!"
Jeong-gyun roared. His face burned red, on the verge of explosion. In ninety years of life, this was the first time he'd felt such humiliation.
There was a rhythm to Yeom Hwa-sin's masterful manipulation—a build-up and release.
This time, his tone toward Jeong-gyun softened.
"Why'd you drag his family into it from the start?"
"Because it's true! If it wasn't, why would he be traveling with that enemy of yours, Baek So-cheon?"
Yeom Hwa-sin glanced at Baek So-cheon.
"He's my hostage."
As he looked at Baek So-cheon, he grinned again. Jeong-gyun, standing behind, had no idea of the face-change.
"Hostage?"
"Could I just kill the man who murdered my son? I'll drag him around and make his death the most pathetic imaginable."
He said it so convincingly it rang true. Despite the mischief in his eyes, Baek So-cheon wondered if it might be sincere. When the game ended, those words could become reality.
Yeom Hwa-sin turned back to Jeong-gyun.
"Come on, people like us won't settle this with words. Let's get started."
"You really want me to fight that Baek So-cheon?"
"That's right."
"And you won't interfere?"
"Of course not. Didn't you hear? To give you a pathetic end, it has to be just the two of you. I swear it on my name."
Baek So-cheon stared at him in disbelief.
He swore an oath? He really plans to kill me?
Yeom Hwa-sin caught Baek So-cheon's stunned look and pushed further.
"What, scared? Well, even without inner power, Baek So-cheon was a hero of the righteous faction. It's natural."
"Alliance Lord, no need for reverse psychology. I'll cleave him in two with a single strike right here."
Jeong-gyun had his reasons for accepting the duel.
He'd heard reports of Baek So-cheon's exploits. This was his chance to eliminate him first.
Then, the three of them could gang up on Yeom Hwa-sin.
As Jeong-gyun stepped forward, Yeom Hwa-sin slung an arm around Baek So-cheon's shoulder like an old friend and whispered in his ear.
"That old man's got guts. Stay sharp."
"Why are you doing this to me? If you want me dead, kill me yourself. Why hand me to that geezer?"
"Opposite. I'm handing the geezer to you. This is for your benefit."
"What do you mean?"
"Think you'll ever get a chance like this again?"
That much was true.
Facing a Transcendent Peak master without inner power—this was a first. Utterly dangerous, but a golden opportunity too.
Both he and Yeom Hwa-sin raced toward martial arts' final realm, competing in enlightenment. The greatest teacher was always live combat. Surviving the most perilous battles—like this one.
"Only if I survive to call it an opportunity."
"You'll win."
"Can I trust you?"
"Am I trustworthy to you?"
"I don't know."
"Then use this chance to find out."
A thought struck him. Had Yeom Hwa-sin noticed his recovered inner power?
If not, did he truly believe Baek So-cheon could beat Jeong-gyun without it?
"If I survive, I'll consider it."
Baek So-cheon stepped forward. Since Yeom Hwa-sin wanted this, avoiding the fight wasn't an option.
Just one thing to remember.
The real danger wasn't Jeong-gyun. The worst moment would be unconsciously using inner power mid-fight.
It can't be a tough fight. Overwhelm him from start to finish. Only then can I avoid using inner power. But is that possible?
Baek So-cheon and Jeong-gyun faced off.
Jeong-gyun spoke to Baek So-cheon.
"I thought I knew all about you. My mistake."
"What do you mean?"
"I didn't think you'd stoop to hanging with Alliance Lord Yeom."
"When do things go as we plan? You never imagined standing here either."
"True. Never dreamed I'd kill you here."
Jeong-gyun whirled his Hwan-su-do, blurring vision.
Then—flash—it appeared before Baek So-cheon's eyes.
Shiiik.
The swung blade sliced for his head.
Next instant, Jeong-gyun's eyes bulged.
"He dodged?"
Baek So-cheon stood exactly one step from the extended blade.
He'd narrowly evaded the headshot.
Incredibly fast. Though tricked by the plotters and toyed with by Yeom Hwa-sin, his skill was no joke.
Baek So-cheon's heart raced. He'd surprised even himself dodging that strike.
This journey kept proving his martial prowess had grown. That dodge confirmed it best.
Shyaaaak.
The second attack slashed diagonally.
It missed too, leading to a misconception.
"He has inner power!"
They assumed no inner power could dodge it. The two Transcendent Peak masters behind nodded.
But Baek So-cheon hadn't used any. Yet it felt like he had.
Only Yeom Hwa-sin, watching from the carriage roof, saw clearly.
"He dodged without inner power."
Jeong-gyun glared up at him.
"Impossible!"
"You don't believe he's without it, or my words. Then you won't believe this either."
"What?"
"Watch out!"
Next instant, Baek So-cheon's sword cleaved the air. He'd ambushed during the distraction of conversation.
Shiiing.
Pa-at.
Blood sprayed from Jeong-gyun's face.
Lucky—not deep, just a skin cut. But Jeong-gyun was more shocked than when his own attack failed.
Even chatting with Yeom Hwa-sin, he'd watched Baek So-cheon. That's what made him Transcendent Peak.
Yet blood on his face?
"This is movement without inner power?"
One of the men behind spoke.
"Don't fall for it! Trickery! He has inner power!"
They believed it too.
Yeom Hwa-sin looked skyward.
"See now? In this Murim, it's just you and me."
The three foes didn't get it, but Baek So-cheon did. It wasn't about inner power—it was insight. Why Yeom Hwa-sin valued him specially.
The world bored him now. Loneliness crept in.
If he truly believed no inner power, his offer to restore it might be sincere.
Baek So-cheon shot at him bluntly.
"Doesn't mean I'm clinging to you!"
Yeom Hwa-sin chuckled.
"Try your best."
If only Yeom Hwa-sin acknowledged no inner power, that sufficed.
Baek So-cheon imagined again. Not for training this time.
He pictured a smooth victory—no inner power needed, no close calls.
Baek So-cheon unleashed a barrage, reigniting the fight.
Shik! Shik! Shik!
His sword targeted Jeong-gyun's vital points.
Fast, but pinpointing the fight's flow perfectly.
Jeong-gyun dodged all. True Transcendent Peak skill.
Over twenty exchanges in a blink, then Jeong-gyun switched tactics.
Unleashing his ace without reserve. Instinct screamed: half-measures meant his death.
Whiriririk!
The Hwan-su-do whistled oddly, curving unpredictably for Baek So-cheon's nape.
Like a living blade. It mimicked an igyo fishhook—thin line tied to the rear ring, wielded freely.
Chaeng! Chaeng! Chaeng!
Hwan-su-do clashed with Gui-yeong Geom in midair.
Jeong-gyun doubted no more.
This bastard has inner power!
But Baek So-cheon still fought without it.
Two reasons made it possible.
First: distance.
When he first saw the Hwan-su-do propelled by inner power-infused line, he grasped the fight's key: spacing.
Baek So-cheon held a precise distance—close enough to threaten, but where Hwan-su-do lost max power.
Too far for pure blade work, too close for abandoning unique arts. Perfect ambiguity.
Second: adapting Beon-cheon Gu-gwon forms to swordplay, deflecting attacks. No easy feat, but his debut succeeded brilliantly.
The fight dragged beyond Jeong-gyun's expectations. His subconscious raced:
A guy with inner power fooling me? Pay for the cowardice.
Pretty fast.
Recovered all his old arts?
Damn, why's it not breaking?
He psyched me from the start. Melting the Mad Demon Blade? Lies!
Thus, long-awaited opportunity thrilled him.
Clang.
Baek So-cheon's sword tore his grip, embedding in the ground.
Got him!
Seizing momentum, Jeong-gyun swung Hwan-su-do fiercely.
Shyaaaak.
The attack barely missed.
Toward rolling Baek So-cheon came the second strike.
Whiririk.
The line wrapped the grounded sword as it spun. Prevent reclaim before recovery.
That instant!
Baek So-cheon charged like he'd waited.
Jeong-gyun retreated, infusing the line to retrieve Hwan-su-do. The embedded Gui-yeong Geom yanked free, flying with it.
Jeong-gyun caught the returning blade and swung hard.
Shiiiiiik.
Puak!
Flesh tore—the fight ended.
Puaaaak!
Jeong-gyun's throat split, blood gushing. He died before hitting ground. Gui-yeong Geom, tangled in the line, hung around his neck.
The two masters behind reeled in shock.
They'd watched every detail of the kill.
Deliberately dropped sword, waited for retrieval. Ambushed as he did.
Line already on Gui-yeong Geom forced dual recovery.
Caught the flying sword first, slashing throat clean. Tricky with entanglement—sword seemed fused, but exquisite footwork circled, severing neck.
Even scripted, no easy feat.
Improv was obvious, yet Baek So-cheon's moves flowed naturally—from drop to finale, all premeditated. Like fishing the fisherman with his own line.
The duo's faces darkened. Either way, masterful.
Clap clap clap!
Yeom Hwa-sin applauded from the carriage.
"Brilliant. Truly brilliant."
Baek So-cheon eyed him perched atop.
"You knew? I'd fight this well?"
"Naturally."
"Then I acknowledge your insight. At least on martial arts, I trust you."
Baek So-cheon turned to the remaining two, saying to Yeom Hwa-sin,
"Now show me. How great a master you are."
What you imagine in this fight—what you'd imagined before handing it to him—say it quick.