The Heirs' Exchange
“The Wudang Sect’s movements have been unsettling of late.”
“...”
“Patriarch Baekri. Do you truly intend to keep squabbling over petty interests among ourselves? We must look farther. Zhongyuan is not confined to Hubei alone. To the east lies the Namgung Clan of Anhui, and to the west—”
“Is that all you came to say?”
The exchange between Baekri Hyeok and Jegal Jincheon carried none of the warmth they had shown upon first meeting. Though no blades were drawn, the air between them was as tense as a battlefield. Respect had no place here; only the blunt core of their grievances mattered. Their clans had been at odds for far too long.
“I am disappointed, Patriarch Jegal. Did you visit my house merely to speak such trivial words?”
“...I no longer wish to fight. The time has come for the Hubei murim to unite as one.”
“Unite as one... How amusing. That is hardly a sentiment I would expect from the man who led the charge to diminish the Baekri Clan’s influence within the Alliance.”
Baekri Hyeok’s voice carried a faint, mocking edge as he dredged up the past. It was the very reason Jegal Jincheon could not press him too hard. The latter lowered his head in apology without offering a rebuttal.
“I offer my apologies for that matter. As you well know...”
“My answer remains unchanged, Patriarch Jegal. You were the one who began this.”
“Patriarch Baekri... Please—”
“Jegal Jincheon. Cease your petty scheming and leave at once when tomorrow comes.”
Jegal Jincheon flinched at the naked threat. With even the barest pretense of courtesy stripped away, the pressure radiating from Baekri Hyeok bore down on him. Only then did he truly remember who stood before him.
The Sword Sovereign, Baekri Hyeok. The greatest swordsman who had once shaken the entire jianghu. Though he had remained secluded in Hubei for many years, Jegal Jincheon had never forgotten the depth of his power. The fact that the patriarch had cast aside all decorum to threaten him meant one thing: cross the line any further, and he would face not the head of the Baekri Clan, but the Sword Sovereign himself.
“...Forgive my rudeness, Sword Sovereign.”
“Continue as you have until now, and no heavenly calamity will befall you.”
“...I shall take Patriarch Baekri’s counsel to heart.”
After the exchange swept through the banquet hall, the two patriarchs fell into a cold silence. Jegal Jincheon, convinced he had failed, began calculating his next move.
‘If Hubei does not stand united now, it will be the end.’
This was especially true for the Jegal Clan, whose martial strength was comparatively weaker than the other great houses. The aid of the Baekri Clan, backed by the Sword Sovereign, was desperately needed. The problem was that Baekri Hyeok was a man of unyielding principle, immune to honeyed words. What could possibly sway him?
As Jegal Jincheon mechanically brought food to his lips, he searched for the best possible course. Time passed in this manner until a servant approached.
“My lord.”
“What is it?”
“The young master is about to spar with the young lady of the Jegal Clan.”
“A spar?”
This was it. Upon hearing the servant’s report, Jegal Jincheon knew exactly what he must do. He had brought his daughter to broaden her horizons, and at the critical moment she had provided a breakthrough greater than any her brother could have offered. He would not let the opportunity slip.
“Patriarch Baekri, rather than continuing like this, why not observe the two children’s spar?”
“...”
“This is also the young master’s first spar against another great house, is it not? Witnessing the martial prowess of the one who will one day lead our clans alongside him would not be a waste of time.”
“Very well.”
Baekri Hyeok could not refuse. He, too, was curious about the extent of his son’s abilities, and he wished to gauge the young lady of the Jegal Clan, said to be deeply devoted to martial arts.
Contrary to Jegal Yujin’s original intent in challenging Baekri Hyeong, the matter had escalated far beyond a simple children’s match. Both patriarchs and their retinues now gathered to watch.
“Oh... I did not expect so many people to be here.”
“Neither did I. Somehow the stage grew far too large.”
After finishing his conversation with Jegal Yujin, Baekri Hyeong walked toward the sparring platform alongside Baekri Hyang. There, seated in the place of honor, were Baekri Hyeok, Jegal Jincheon, and the leading figures of both clans. When he glanced at Jegal Yujin, she shook her head vigorously, clearly as surprised as he was.
In other words, the one who had engineered this spectacle was—
‘Jegal Jincheon. That cunning man.’
The fact that they had abandoned the banquet to relocate here meant the earlier discussion had not gone as hoped. Had it succeeded, the patriarchs would still be deep in conversation rather than observing a spar.
Baekri Hyeong let out a quiet sigh and stepped onto the platform. His sister whispered a soft “Do your best” into his ear before retreating.
“And now, the spar between the young master of the Baekri Clan, Baekri Hyeong, and the young lady of the Jegal Clan, Jegal Yujin, shall begin.”
“I ask for your guidance, young lady.”
“I-I ask for your guidance as well, young master.”
They exchanged formal bows, showing respect for each other’s martial skill. Baekri Hyeong took up a wooden sword while Jegal Yujin gripped a pair of short rods. Notably, all trace of shyness had vanished from her face the moment she held her weapons. This was the true Jegal Yujin, utterly serious when it came to martial arts.
‘Which technique should I use against her?’
His father had kept the secret of his Heavenly Martial Body hidden. In his previous life, Baekri Hyeong had failed to maintain that secrecy because he had boasted about it. There must be a reason his father was still concealing it now. Therefore, he decided not to use the sword art he had learned from Baekri Hyeok.
‘I will go with the Baekri Thirteen Swords.’
Having been appointed young master at the age of eight, he needed to display a level of skill befitting the title. Only then would Jegal Jincheon be satisfied enough to depart.
“I shall grant you three moves.”
“..!”
“Come at me first.”
“Then... here I come!”
A vein pulsed at Jegal Yujin’s temple upon hearing his offer. She felt she had been looked down upon. Yet refusing the handicap would risk damaging relations between the clans, so she had no choice but to accept.
Quang!
The moment Jegal Yujin stamped her foot, the spar began. She closed the distance in an instant and struck at both sides of his torso with her rods. Baekri Hyeong, however, was not so easily bested.
Clack! Clack!
“..!”
“Two moves remain.”
“Ugh!”
With a casual flick of his sword, he deflected her rods and took a single step back. Frustrated by the failed opening, Jegal Yujin launched a continuous assault.
“Haaah!”
“One move remains.”
“..!”
Baekri Hyeong parried every strike with emotionless eyes. The gap in skill was so vast that even an untrained observer could see it. Face flushed crimson, Jegal Yujin ground her teeth and steadied her breathing for the final attack he had allowed her.
“You are truly strong, young master.”
“You flatter me, Lady Yujin.”
“But you will not block this one so easily!”
Lowering her stance, Jegal Yujin closed her eyes and gathered her inner energy into a single point. This was different from before. Sensing a genuine strike, Baekri Hyeong shifted his right foot back. At the same instant, she shot forward at astonishing speed.
“Hah!”
“Hup!”
In the blink of an eye she was behind him, rising from her lowered posture to swing her rods upward. Baekri Hyeong swiftly infused his wooden sword with inner energy and met the blow. Though the three moves he had granted had ended, Jegal Yujin did not stop. She had to see her technique through to its conclusion.
“Haaaaah!”
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Her rods traced beautiful arcs toward his vital points, yet Baekri Hyeong deflected each one with flawless precision. The two patriarchs watching displayed starkly different reactions: Baekri Hyeok wore a satisfied smile, while Jegal Jincheon ground his teeth in frustration, eyes fixed on his daughter’s movements.
Her technique was sharp, and she showed excellent control of her strength. Still, it was not enough to reach Baekri Hyeong. He deliberately blocked attacks he could have avoided, sending her rods rebounding as though toying with her. To any observer it looked like mockery, yet for the one attacking, the near-misses only deepened her helpless frustration.
Of course, Baekri Hyeong had no intention of tormenting her. He needed to observe her martial arts thoroughly so he could guide her toward a better path. Watching her movements was essential.
Once he had seen enough, he swung his sword lightly.
Crack.
Her rods flew from her hands. The spar was over.
“A fine match, Lady Yujin.”
“It was... a fine match, young master!”
Far from looking dejected, Jegal Yujin’s face was bright. Clearly, she had gained much from the exchange. Baekri Hyeong found himself smiling naturally in return.
Thus, the sudden spar concluded peacefully.