Chapter 146: So-yu VS Cheong-yeon-1
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 146: So-yu VS Cheong-yeon-1
—Achoo!
I wake up with a thunderous sneeze.
Blink, blink. I strain to move my swollen, crusty eyes.
Saying "It’s a ceiling I don’t recognize" would be far too cliché.
My last memory was being freezing cold.
My body feels heavy and sluggish. When I lower my gaze slightly, I see layers upon layers of thick quilts piled on top of me.
"A loss is a loss, but man, the aftereffects are lingering."
Normally, I should be dripping with sweat under this many blankets, but I still feel a chill deep in my bones.
How long have I been out?
The light filtering through the gaps in the window bars is dim. Was I unconscious until nightfall after taking that hit from Cheong-yeon?
Surely, I haven't been lying here for more than two days.
"......"
Sensing a presence nearby, I turn my head.
I see Master sitting on the floor with her legs crossed. Her eyes are closed and her breathing is steady; she seems to be in the middle of Energy Circulation Breakfast.
Ah, since it’s night, I guess it’s Energy Circulation Night Meal.
......
Maybe I’m still out of it from Cheong-yeon’s attack. I don’t know why I’m thinking like this.
I move slowly so as not to disturb her. Even moving is a struggle under the weight of the blankets.
As I grunt and haul myself up, the thick quilts slide down to my waist. Rubbing my shivering body, I try to jump-start my still-foggy brain.
I hold out my right hand.
Hmm....
I slowly draw the energy from my dantian and circulate it through my entire body. Feeling the flow of energy throughout my frame, I focus it into my index finger.
I imagine the energy in my finger spinning just a bit faster than everywhere else....
—Whoosh!
A flickering flame blooms from my fingertip.
Right, this was the way.
When I was trapped in the ice Cheong-yeon created, I had circulated my internal energy through my body at high speeds to try and escape. As a result, my whole body felt like it was burning up, and I had an intuitive flash that I could ignite a flame.
Normally, I would have slowed down the circulation because of the rising body temperature, but thanks to Cheong-yeon’s ice, my temperature stayed balanced.
Because of that, I succeeded in producing a flame and landing a blow on Cheong-yeon’s face.
In short, to achieve Ignition, one must circulate internal energy above a certain speed.
Now that I’ve realized this principle, I think I understand why the Flame Wheel Art focuses on close-quarters combat. It’s because you have to accelerate the energy flowing through a very specific part of the body to spark a fire.
Of course, one could shroud their entire body in flames, but that would put a massive strain on the system. Between the physical toll and the skyrocketing body temperature...
I venture to guess that even the Grandmaster or my Master couldn't maintain that for long.
I stare at the flame flickering on the tip of my finger, like a candle on a birthday cake, before blowing it out. Then, I circulate the energy again to spark the flame once more.
The movement is more natural than before.
"Oh... I might be a genius."
Being able to ignite at will puts me in a good mood. Even though I lost to Cheong-yeon, I don't feel the slightest bit of resentment. If anything, I consider this a huge win.
Sure, Cheong-yeon went a bit easy on me... but the fact remains that I landed a clean hit on one of the successors of the Three Great Inherited Martial Arts.
"You're awake."
While I was busy "fire-gazing," a voice comes from the side. Master has broken her long silence.
"Yes."
"How is your body?"
"Aside from being a bit chilly, I'm fine."
"It seemed Cheong-yeon pulled her strength at the very end. If she had swung her sword with true killing intent, you would have frozen to death on the spot."
"Well, the tournament doesn't allow killing in the first place."
"She could have claimed she got caught up in the moment and killed you by 'mistake.' Do you really think they would punish the successor of the Ice Wheel Art for killing a nameless martial artist?"
"When you put it that way, I guess you're right."
"At any rate, that was enough."
"You're not going to scold me?"
"For what?"
"You know. I thought you'd yell at me for being a disgrace to the Flame Wheel Art because I lost to the Ice Wheel Art."
At my words, Master looks me straight in the eye. Then, the corners of her mouth lift slightly into a faint smile.
"You did well."
"Huh?"
I ask back, startled by the unexpected praise.
"Don't make me say it twice."
Master glares at me with her usual sharp expression. Then, she sighs and speaks again.
"You did well enough. You showed every trick you had, and you even mastered Ignition in that short span of time. For today, I am proud of you."
She shifts her gaze slightly. Is she embarrassed?
I'd better not run my mouth and ruin her mood. I'm a good disciple, after all.
"Thank you. By the way, what’s the schedule for the next rounds?"
"Cheong-yeon advanced to the finals with a bye, and I have a match tomorrow."
"The semi-finals, then. How is tomorrow's opponent?"
"Well, a fairly famous martial artist. Not that they're a match for me, though."
Master boasts, puffing out her chest.
"The finals are the day after tomorrow. Cheong-yeon gets a day of rest, but you won't, Master."
"That won't have much of an impact. What matters is how much one has trained leading up to this point."
Ooh, how profound.
"Have you ever fought Cheong-yeon before?"
"We've sparred a few times."
"If you don't mind me asking... what's the record?"
"Six wins, zero losses. I have the six wins."
"Oh, then your victory is practically guaranteed."
"I wonder. It's been a long time since our last spar, so it's hard to judge recklessly...."
Master trails off, which is rare for her. Seeing her lack of confidence bothers me, so I talk big for her sake.
"Still, though. There's such a thing as a natural matchup advantage. You always said it yourself—the Flame Wheel Art is the strongest martial art."
"Heh, that is true. Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that regardless of the past record, I won't let my guard down."
"That's a good attitude."
"Heh, thanks."
When I give her a thumbs-up and praise her, Master’s shoulders shake as she chuckles.
"......"
After acting smug for a while, Master tilts her head and looks at me.
"Eh? What? Is there something on my face?"
"No, it's not that."
Master’s face begins to contort.
"Who do you think you are, talking to me like I'm your subordinate?"
Uh... good point.
Watching Master’s expression sour, I frantically scramble for an excuse.
"Uh... well, I mean, technically I'm older than you in actual years... Ack!"
Thwack!
Master’s flick lands squarely on the crown of my head.
I tumble back onto the bed as Master snorts and speaks.
"Impudent brat. Just get more rest. The cold energy of the Ice Wheel Art isn't something you shake off in a single day."
"Thaaaank you for your consideration."
I grumble back, rubbing my throbbing head.
Master chuckles again and stands up.
"Seeing as you're acting cheeky, I suppose you're fine. I'll be going now. Rest."
"Yes. Have a good night, Master."
Master leaves the room, and I pull the blankets back over my head to try and sleep.
*
The next day, just as she said, Master breezed through the semi-finals without much effort.
It felt a bit anticlimactic for a tournament featuring promising young martial artists.
And then, the following day.
The pressure is so intense I can feel it all the way in the general seating area. Even though the match hasn't started yet, the psychological warfare as they stare each other down is palpable.
"Now, get ready!"
The referee's booming voice rings out.
A clash between the Flame Wheel Art and the Ice Wheel Art.
From the VIP boxes to the general seats, everyone holds their breath and watches the arena.
"......"
"......"
"Begin!!"
The moment the referee's hand drops, extraordinary energies explode from beneath the feet of both Master and Cheong-yeon.
A massive explosion erupts the moment Master stomps her foot.
And as if to suppress that explosion, a sheet of ice rapidly devours the arena floor.
The battle between masters has begun.