The One-Armed Matchless
He was asking if the challenger wanted to receive the remaining two techniques.
But the applicant took a step back.
“N-no, that’s quite all right. I think I’ll be on my way.”
He turned and vanished without looking back.
From that moment on, no one could withstand even a single move from Galmu-ryang.
What was even more astonishing was that after facing dozens of opponents, his breathing remained unchanged. He showed no emotion whatsoever.
He did not rejoice after defeating an opponent.
Empty mind.
Watching him, the spectators were reminded of a still pond.
Tang!
Once again, a challenger’s weapon flew through the air.
Chaeng!
No one lasted even a single exchange.
Galmu-ryang continued in that state of complete emptiness, just as the onlookers perceived.
The technique he was using belonged to the Bloodless Blade Technique of the Baekdomen—the forms of the Ten-Thousand-Jin Blade. Rather than injuring his opponents, it suppressed them with an overwhelming pressure that instilled fear.
In truth, before meeting Jang Muhwi, Galmu-ryang had never been able to approach the profound mysteries of the Ten-Thousand-Jin Blade. He knew the theory, yet the forms had remained beyond his reach.
Thanks to Jang Muhwi’s guidance, however, he could now train in the Bloodless Blade Technique.
How could this not be called a Giyan?
Yet the moment he thought of Jang Muhwi, his empty-minded state shattered.
Crack!
Galmu-ryang looked at his opponent.
“I used a little too much force.”
“I-it’s fine.”
The man fled as if his tail were on fire, still clutching the broken wooden sword. Galmu-ryang’s blade had shattered his opponent’s weapon in a single strike.
At this point, applicants who had no intention of answering when their names were called began to appear one by one. Yet the number of people never decreased. They had come simply to witness the saber technique of the one-armed warrior.
One of the lower-ranking Murim Alliance warriors who had been watching spoke up.
“He wasn’t just some one-armed guy after all!”
“You’re telling me.”
“But looking at his face, he seemed as gentle as a puppy. How does he have that kind of power…?”
“The Four Great Martial Forces really aren’t to be underestimated.”
“Well, at least we didn’t lose anything, right?”
“What do you mean we didn’t lose anything? Didn’t our application fees fly away?”
“Isn’t that just the price of a good show? Besides, we got to cross blades with a future hero. That’s not a loss.”
The lower-ranking warriors looked at Galmu-ryang. Their evaluation of him had changed completely before and after the matches. Not only their view of Galmu-ryang, but even the prestige of the Hyeonmudae had shifted.
Standing at the back with his arms crossed, Jang Muhwi quietly nodded. He had not originally intended to go this far. However, it was necessary to change how outsiders viewed the Hyeonmudae—and to do so in one stroke.
Jang Muhwi knew well that dragging such matters out only worked against them. He needed to plant a powerful impression in everyone’s minds.
So far, everything was proceeding according to his plan.
Ma Uiryong, who had been watching Jang Muhwi’s smile, widened his eyes.
“Was this part of your plan, Big Brother?”
“The effect is better than I expected.”
“What kind of effect are you talking about?”
Ma Uiryong asked with eyes full of curiosity. After stroking his chin for a moment, Jang Muhwi spoke with a bright smile.
“There’s one habit that martial artists can never abandon, no matter what.”
“What habit is that, Big Brother?”
“Face.”
“What does this situation have to do with face?”
“When someone loses a match, what’s the wisest way to preserve their dignity?”
“Don’t tell me…”
“Exactly. Elevating the opponent to maintain one’s own position is the smartest approach. Don’t you agree?”
“Ah. As expected of you, Big Brother.”
Ma Uiryong let out an admiring sigh. A moment later, however, a strange smile crept across his face. What kind of looks would people give him if he casually received all three of Galmu-ryang’s techniques? The corner of his mouth, once raised, showed no sign of coming down.
Throughout it all, Galmu-ryang continued to face the applicants. Not a single one passed. Yet the applicants’ attitudes had changed dramatically. Those who had once left with flushed faces now offered proper salutes after their matches, as if it were only natural. Galmu-ryang returned each salute with equal sincerity.
Jang Muhwi turned to the final page of the applicant list.
“Final applicant: Ma Uiryong!”
Ma Uiryong, standing nearby, picked up a wooden spear from the weapon rack and stepped into the center. As he appeared, Galmu-ryang spoke.
“Tell me when you’re ready.”
“I’m ready. Come whenever you like.”
When Ma Uiryong wiggled his fingers, Galmu-ryang raised his wooden sword with an expressionless face.
“I’m coming in. Prepare yourself.”
In that instant, Galmu-ryang’s blade began to move slowly. Ma Uiryong finally understood why the lower-ranking Murim Alliance warriors had struggled so much. The pressure was extraordinary. But he was no ordinary warrior.
Ma Uiryong thrust his spear toward the incoming sword. Blocking an opponent’s technique required stopping it before the blade gained full power—intercepting from above. In midair, Ma Uiryong’s spear met Galmu-ryang’s sword. The sound of tearing air rang out like a greeting. The spectators’ eyes widened at the greater-than-expected force.
Galmu-ryang’s blade suddenly slid along Ma Uiryong’s spear.
Bloodless Draw.
It was the second form of the Bloodless Blade Technique—a method of redirecting one’s own blade by borrowing the flow of the opponent’s attack. Thanks to this, Galmu-ryang’s saber slipped past Ma Uiryong’s guard and into striking range. Changing direction, the blade descended toward Ma Uiryong’s crown. A heavier aura than the first form—the Ten-Thousand-Jin Blade—spread outward from the wooden sword. It was the third form: Bloodless Slash. An immense force capable of cleaving a mountain range in half. Galmu-ryang had only grasped the first stage of Bloodless Slash, yet it was more than enough for a match.
Faced with that overwhelming presence, Ma Uiryong moved on instinct. He poured energy into the shaft of his spear. It was the defensive technique of the Ma Family Spear Art—Ma Family Fortress Spear. The energies released by both warriors collided.
Pang!
A cloud of dust erupted at the same moment. As the dust slowly settled, the two warriors stood with their weapons locked. Everyone’s mouths fell open. Galmu-ryang’s blade had split Ma Uiryong’s spear in two. Yet that was not the end. His sword had stopped a mere inch from Ma Uiryong’s crown, while Ma Uiryong’s broken spear shaft was aimed directly at Galmu-ryang’s throat. It was a strike that disregarded his own safety. Neither man blinked as they stared at each other.
Then Galmu-ryang spoke calmly.
“You pass.”
“Thank you for your consideration.”
Both withdrew their weapons at once. A roar of cheers erupted from the crowd.
“Waaah!”
The cheers showed no sign of fading. Amid the growing roar, someone spoke.
“To be that strong with only one arm! ‘One-Armed Matchless’ suits him perfectly.”
“One-Armed Matchless? That does sound fitting.”
“Then from now on, we’ll call him One-Armed Matchless.”
“The One-Armed Matchless of the Hyeonmudae. I’ll remember that.”
From that moment, people began shouting the nickname.
“One-Armed Matchless! One-Armed Matchless!”
Watching them, Jang Muhwi smiled quietly. He had not expected the One-Armed Matchless of his previous life to appear so quickly. Of course, there were differences between the past and present versions. In his previous life, the man had truly lost an arm, whereas now he merely kept one sealed for training. Yet there was an even more important difference: Jang Muhwi was standing beside him. Together with his new comrade, Ma Uiryong.
Jang Muhwi turned to look at Ma Uiryong. The man stood there dazed, as if still processing his victory. Jang Muhwi approached and patted him on the shoulder.
“Well done, Ma Uiryong.”
“Ah, Big Brother.”
“You’ve worked hard. Go rest.”
“Thank you, Big Brother. But, um…”
“If you have something to say, go ahead.”
“Why is everyone only looking at Galmu-ryang? It’s unfair.”
Ma Uiryong glanced around with a sulky expression. Though the match had ended in a draw, all the praise had gone to Galmu-ryang. Of course, Ma Uiryong knew that if he had been the one-armed fighter, he would have received similar cheers. Still, the feeling of being slighted was hard to shake.
At that moment, something sharp suddenly appeared in Jang Muhwi’s hand. Ma Uiryong instinctively leapt backward like a startled grasshopper.
“Aack! What is that, Big Brother?”
“Why so surprised? It’s a gift I prepared for you. Didn’t you say you wanted to try the most famous sweets in Qinghai? So I got some.”
“Big Brother…”
Ma Uiryong’s mouth fell open in genuine emotion. His expression changed completely in an instant. The disappointment he had felt moments ago seemed to have vanished entirely. He snatched the skewer of sweets from Jang Muhwi’s hand in one swift motion.
─┼
Two days later, at the Hyeonmudae.
Although the test had ended, its aftermath was far from over. Through the event, Galmu-ryang’s name had spread far and wide. Internally, however, a minor commotion had arisen—caused by a trivial quarrel between Galmu-ryang and Ma Uiryong. Even now, the two were arguing over the last remaining broom, each claiming it as their own. Though Galmu-ryang was usually indifferent to everything, there was one thing he refused to yield: being the first member of the Hyeonmudae. It was a matter of pride.
“I’m telling you, I arrived first, so this broom is mine.”
“Nonsense! The one who officially passed the test is me, isn’t it? I was the final applicant and the final passer, so I’m the first member to go through the proper procedure! Therefore, I should be the one holding this broom!”
Ma Uiryong wore an indignant expression. Even though Galmu-ryang had earned the impressive nickname “One-Armed Matchless,” Ma Uiryong had no intention of falling behind when it came to being part of the Hyeonmudae’s beginning. Galmu-ryang snatched the broom back and said,
“It’s only natural for the examiner to come before the applicants.”
“No, you become a member only after passing the test! Is an examiner a member? That position can even be filled by outsiders… What kind of official rank is that? Since Big Brother formally accepted me, I’m the first member!”
“The Vice Leader accepted me into the Hyeonmudae and taught me martial arts. I’ve been with him since before the squad was properly restored.”
“That’s unofficial! The official first member is me, Ma Uiryong!”
Their voices grew louder and louder. Lower-ranking warriors passing by the Hyeonmudae glanced over, watching the argument. Laughter escaped their lips, yet the two continued bickering like neighborhood children. Galmu-ryang’s brow furrowed slightly. His usual empty-minded demeanor was nowhere to be seen.
“I’ll ask again. Between the one who passed the final test and the one who oversaw the entire examination, who came first?”
“You only become a member after passing the test! Is an examiner a member?”
Their conversation went in circles.
“Who laid the foundation of the Hyeonmudae? It was me, Galmu-ryang. Without me, the test itself wouldn’t have existed.”
Just then, Jang Muhwi emerged into the courtyard and spoke.
“Quite lively this morning. The future of the Hyeonmudae looks bright.”
Galmu-ryang and Ma Uiryong instantly stopped arguing and whipped their heads around. They looked exactly like children caught misbehaving. Galmu-ryang spoke in a flustered tone.
“N-no, Vice Leader. We were just discussing how to bring greater glory to the Hyeonmudae.”
Ma Uiryong hurriedly pretended to sweep the floor with the broom, offering an awkward excuse, while Galmu-ryang quietly nodded in agreement. Jang Muhwi chuckled and looked between the two of them.
“Is that so? There’s no need to argue over who came first. Galmu-ryang laid the foundation of the Hyeonmudae, and Ma Uiryong passed through its first open door. Both of you can be called the first without being wrong.”
At Jang Muhwi’s words, the two stared at each other for a moment. Their expressions remained unsatisfied, yet they could no longer argue against his statement.
“Come now, both of you, inside. We’ll have plenty of work to do soon.”
Jang Muhwi gestured for them to follow. Watching the pair, he wore a satisfied smile. The Hyeonmudae had only just begun.