The Chopstick Duel
How much stronger is a carriage pulled by two horses compared to one pulled by a single horse?
People say that since there are two horses, it must naturally be twice as powerful.
But the reality is different.
When two horses are harnessed together, they always compete with each other. They glance at their partner and try to run even a little faster, which causes their combined power and speed to become several times greater.
The same principle applies to organizations.
Without competition, it becomes the perfect environment for stagnation.
Galmu-ryang and Ma Uiryong were engaged in what could be called a healthy rivalry.
Ever since their first-day broom debate, they had been constantly bickering over trivial matters, but Jang Muhwi judged that everything was serving as fuel for their growth.
Ten days had passed since the test, yet the way they looked at each other remained exactly the same.
Jang Muhwi was leading the two of them toward the internal cafeteria.
At that moment, two low-ranking warriors came running hurriedly from behind, heading for the same destination.
As they were about to pass by, they spotted Jang Muhwi and bowed their heads respectfully.
“Greetings, Hyeonmu Unit Leader.”
They also greeted the man beside him.
“One-Armed Matchless has come out early as well. I hope you have a good day today.”
“Take care as well.”
At the ordinary well-wishing, Ma Uiryong subtly inserted himself between them.
“Hello there.”
“Ah, hello, Senior.”
They took several steps backward while bowing, then quickly made their escape.
The reason they had fled so hastily was the tyrannical aura Ma Uiryong had displayed on the day of the test.
In contrast, the forms of Galmu-ryang’s Bloodless Blade looked gentle.
It was strange to say an attack looked gentle, but that was exactly how Galmu-ryang’s Bloodless Blade technique appeared.
For that reason, the low-ranking warriors greeted Galmu-ryang comfortably, while they avoided Ma Uiryong whenever he appeared.
Moreover, the title One-Armed Matchless sounded quite impressive.
Ma Uiryong stared at his own single arm.
“Should I cut the other one too?”
“Maybe in the hut…”
Hearing Jang Muhwi’s murmur, Ma Uiryong quickly put on a friendly smile and waved his hands frantically.
“No, no, Big Brother.”
“Then let’s go.”
Jang Muhwi walked toward the internal cafeteria.
Meal time had long since passed.
Today, instead of a regular meal, a banquet had been prepared.
It was the rare harmony banquet of the Qinghai Branch.
According to what he had heard, this was the first one in five years.
Harmony banquets were usually held when there was a joyous occasion in the Murim Alliance.
The fact that there had been no harmony banquet for five years meant the entire Qinghai Branch had been stagnant for that long.
However, most warriors of the Murim Alliance had no idea why the harmony banquet was being held.
Of course, Jang Muhwi knew the circumstances.
Wang Jimak had returned yesterday after settling matters with the Jangryong Merchant Group.
The first person Wang Jimak had sought out upon his return was, naturally, Jang Muhwi.
Wang Jimak had sung Jang Muhwi’s praises until his mouth nearly split open.
It was because the Qinghai Branch had formed a long-term agreement with the entire merchant union.
At first, the mid-sized merchants who had interfered with everything and raised their voices had fallen silent the moment Jang Muhwi’s documents were presented.
After that, Ma Jung-hyeop had stepped forward and wrapped up the entire situation.
From what he heard, everything had gone exactly according to the picture Jang Muhwi had drawn.
The mid-sized merchants closely tied to the Jangryong Merchant Group had lost their influence, and instead, that power was split between the Murim Alliance and the Ma Family Merchant Group.
Of course, the Jang family had also received their share.
Thanks to that, the Murim Alliance Qinghai Branch’s finances had become the richest since its founding.
Under those circumstances, it would have been stranger not to hold a harmony banquet.
A short while later.
Jang Muhwi and his group arrived at the banquet hall.
The banquet hall had been set up in the large clearing in front of the internal cafeteria.
Inside the cafeteria, food was being prepared without pause.
What caught everyone’s eyes was the massive whole lamb roasting over the enormous brazier at the center of the banquet hall.
They had taken a well-fattened lamb, stuffed its cavity with precious medicinal herbs and rock salt, coated the outside with spices and oil, and roasted it all night long.
The golden-brown skin crackled crisply and released a savory aroma.
Once the lamb was fully cooked, the chef stepped forward and began carving it without hesitation.
Slice.
Whoosh!
Although everyone present were martial artists who wielded bladed weapons, they watched the chef’s knife work with fascination.
Steaming hot slices of tender meat were piled generously onto each plate.
The chef and his assistants carried the dishes and lamb to the tables.
As the banquet began, everyone picked up their chopsticks.
Jang Muhwi’s group did the same.
At that moment, Ma Uiryong shot a sharp glance at Galmu-ryang.
He radiated an intense aura, like a general about to engage in a one-on-one duel.
In contrast, Galmu-ryang sat quietly with an indifferent expression.
Jang Muhwi simply watched the two of them.
Then Ma Uiryong moved first.
Whoosh!
His chopsticks reached the lamb first.
Just as he was about to bring them to his own mouth, Ma Uiryong tilted his head in confusion.
Because Galmu-ryang had not moved at all.
It was then that Galmu-ryang spoke.
“Isn’t this a bit much, my friend?”
“Are you complaining just because my chopsticks were faster?”
Ma Uiryong smirked.
He thought he had won this round.
Galmu-ryang shook his head at the sight.
“Even cold water has its proper order. How dare you reach for the lamb before the Unit Leader has even picked up his chopsticks? As the ancient sages once said…”
Galmu-ryang suddenly began quoting the words of ancient sages.
His expression remained perfectly indifferent.
In truth, Galmu-ryang had judged that this was not the right atmosphere for competition.
There was no need to compete until Jang Muhwi had tasted the lamb first.
This was not a scheme to corner Ma Uiryong; it was simply the natural and obvious thing to do.
But Ma Uiryong thought it was a trap.
Sweat began to bead on his forehead.
Jang Muhwi had said both of them were his first members, so the debate from ten days ago had already been settled.
However, the position of the Hyeonmu Unit’s top member—Jang Muhwi’s right-hand man—was something he could never yield.
Yet this mistake made him feel like he had fallen behind in that competition.
The desperate need to make up for it spun Ma Uiryong’s mind into action.
He quickly changed the direction of the chopsticks holding the lamb and placed it onto Jang Muhwi’s plate.
“Big Brother should eat first, of course! Isn’t that only natural? I’ll pick the best part for you. Hehe.”
His speech pattern changed again.
But it wasn’t perfect.
Because the chopsticks had originally been heading toward his own mouth.
Jang Muhwi chuckled and waved his hand.
“I’m fine. Let’s all eat comfortably. If we stand on ceremony even at a banquet, we’ll end up with indigestion.”
“Understood, Big Brother.”
“We shall obey, Unit Leader.”
Ma Uiryong and Galmu-ryang answered at the same time.
Their perfectly synchronized voices were loud enough to make people at other tables turn their heads.
Jang Muhwi took the first bite of lamb.
That was when it truly began.
Ma Uiryong and Galmu-ryang thrust their chopsticks forward simultaneously.
At first, Ma Uiryong’s chopsticks were faster.
This was purely due to the nature of his martial arts.
The spear was a weapon specialized in thrusting.
Right now, Ma Uiryong was using his chopsticks exactly like a spear.
But Galmu-ryang was not the type to give up so easily.
Though he usually maintained an indifferent demeanor, he became a different person whenever Ma Uiryong was involved.
Because he could never let go of the position as Jang Muhwi’s right-hand man.
It wasn’t about the lamb. Galmu-ryang simply wanted Jang Muhwi’s recognition.
It was not greed. It was pure sincerity.
Without realizing it, Galmu-ryang extended his chopsticks.
“Flowing Cloud Blade.”
The blades of the Baekdo must flow like clouds.
That was the essence of the Flowing Cloud Blade.
It was one of the advanced blade techniques capable of effectively blocking an opponent’s swift attacks.
Clouds floating in the sky may seem stationary, yet they can cross ten li in the blink of an eye.
He was now unleashing the Flowing Cloud Blade—which he had never shown in actual combat—on top of a dining table.
Suddenly, Ma Uiryong shouted.
“Gale Demon Spear!”
His chopsticks changed direction like the wind.
Tick!
Tick!
The absurd contest centered around the lamb continued.
Ma Uiryong furrowed his brow.
At some point, he had also begun deliberately using only one arm.
He had judged that even if he won using both hands, he would not receive Jang Muhwi’s true recognition.
A fierce exchange of offense and defense unfolded across the table.
Who could have imagined it?
A battle like this right in front of steaming hot dishes!
Yet Jang Muhwi did not stop them.
It was an excellent development.
After all, two horses could only run faster when they kept an eye on each other!
At the sudden commotion, people began gathering around.
Weren’t martial artists of the gangho the type who could never resist watching a fight?
They even brought their wine bottles and plates, completely surrounding the table.
Those who arrived late mistook the chopstick war between Ma Uiryong and Galmu-ryang for one of the events prepared by the Alliance.
“Very nice. Very nice indeed.”
“To think the Alliance prepared something like this. Haha.”
That lasted only a moment. Soon they became absorbed in the techniques Ma Uiryong and Galmu-ryang were displaying.
At first they thought it was part of some comedic performance, but the more they watched, the deeper and more profound it became.
Someone spoke up.
“Huh, even I would find it difficult to block those chopsticks.”
“Come now, don’t say empty words. You could block them, couldn’t you? With the Heavy Fragrance Sword Art from your sect, the Jocheonmun, surely it’s possible?”
“Hoho, take a closer look at them. Those two are already beyond my level.”
“Ah… now that you mention it…”
There was only one reason they were so astonished.
Neither Ma Uiryong nor Galmu-ryang moved their bodies at all.
They stood firm like ancient trees.
It was as if only the branches extending from those massive trunks were moving.
While everyone was watching the unexpected chopstick war with great interest, Jang Muhwi raised his hand.
“Enough!”
Instantly, both Ma Uiryong and Galmu-ryang stopped at the same time.
Ma Uiryong was breathing heavily through his nose, while Galmu-ryang returned to his indifferent expression.
It was then that Wang Jimak entered the banquet hall.
Jang Muhwi had sensed his presence and halted the match.
The others hadn’t noticed, but both Ma Uiryong and Galmu-ryang were genuinely impressed.
They had failed to detect Wang Jimak’s approaching presence from afar.
Wang Jimak smiled as he passed by Jang Muhwi’s group.
He then ascended to the head seat.
Standing there, Wang Jimak raised his wine cup.
He looked at everyone and began to speak.
“I have prepared this gathering to celebrate a joyous occasion for our Qinghai Branch. And that joyous occasion is…”
Wang Jimak briefly announced the details of the agreement with the Qinghai merchant union.
The hall immediately buzzed with noise.
Everyone already knew that the Qinghai Branch’s financial situation had not been good lately.
Although they received support from the Murim Alliance headquarters, they could still face disadvantages if the situation was unfavorable.
Yet all those problems had now been resolved.
Wang Jimak also gave a simple explanation regarding the Jangryong Merchant Group and the Paryun Valley incident.
Of course, it was only the surface-level achievements of the Murim Alliance.
He explained that the agreement with the merchant union had been made based on those accomplishments.
As he delivered his speech, Wang Jimak quietly glanced toward Jang Muhwi’s group.
“…And finally, I will introduce the members who have rendered great service this time. Please come forward.”
Wang Jimak looked at Jang Muhwi with quiet respect.
He had not called only Jang Muhwi.
Galmu-ryang and Ma Uiryong were summoned as well.
He could not reveal the full details, but Galmu-ryang had played an active role in the Paryun Valley, and Ma Uiryong had infiltrated the Jangryong Merchant Group and performed admirably.
After briefly concluding the awards, Wang Jimak quickly disappeared somewhere.
The Qinghai Branch of the Murim Alliance hereby recognizes the distinguished service of Hyeonmu Unit Leader Jang Muhwi, along with members Galmu-ryang and Ma Uiryong, in securing the alliance with the merchant union and resolving the threats posed by the Jangryong Merchant Group and the Paryun Valley. Appropriate rewards shall be bestowed upon them.
A short while later.
Wang Jimak was sitting face-to-face with someone in the VIP reception room, drinking snow lotus tea.
“The snow lotus tea bestowed by the Lord melts in one’s mouth.”
“You flatter me. By the way, I must thank you for your hard work. It seems my judgment was not mistaken after all. I never expected Uiryong to improve so dramatically in just ten days.”
The man sitting across from him was Ma Jung-hyeop, Ma Uiryong’s father.