Chapter 125
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 125
Chapter Title: Do I Know That Guy?
Dang Ga-ho flinched in surprise for a moment.
It was because the instructor serving as the judge on the sparring platform had locked eyes with him.
There was quite a distance between them, so it couldn't have been intentional.
That thought quickly vanished.
The man was staring right at him. When Dang Ga-ho shifted slightly to the side, the gaze followed exactly.
Sweat dampened his back.
He'd thought that idiot was just using it clumsily and getting caught.
But for the Hidden Dragon Corps and Wa Dragon Corps sparring matches, a Fierce Dragon Corps instructor was judging—surely none of them had eyes sharp enough to...
One did.
Suddenly, he recalled an instructor he'd seen during the first semester.
The rumors about him had been rampant.
It was inevitable.
After all, he was the one who had smashed the Hidden Dragon Corps' chief instructor.
Bad luck.
Of all places, he'd tried pulling that stunt right in front of that instructor.
At the same time, doubt crept in.
It was a method so subtle that even the Hidden Dragon Corps and Wa Dragon Corps instructors hadn't noticed—how had this one spotted it instantly?
Ha Mu-baek's hand moved swiftly.
The Hidden Dragon Corps cadet froze stiff, his pressure points sealed as before.
Then Ha Mu-baek leaped through the air.
He appeared before Dang Ga-ho in the blink of an eye.
"You?"
Ha Mu-baek asked in a chilling voice.
Dang Ga-ho shook his head vigorously.
He denied it first and asked questions later.
The instructor's aura was fiercely intimidating.
Ha Mu-baek smirked at the reaction. It was pathetic.
"Only someone from the Tang Clan or Seonyu Valley would pull a stunt like this. Since it's a Hidden Dragon Corps guy, it has to be Tang Clan. And you're the only Tang Clan cadet in the Hidden Dragon Corps, aren't you?"
Dang Ga-ho's face hardened at those words.
It was spot on.
There were only two Tang Clan cadets currently in the Dragon Training Pavilion.
One was himself, the other in the Fierce Dragon Corps: Dang Jin-san.
There had been a few more Tang Clan cadets during the first semester.
'All because of that damn Dang Chu...'
After being utterly crushed at the Summer Combat Festival and sent back to the main family, that guy hadn't gone alone.
He'd dragged all the other Tang Clan cadets who followed him back with him— even the upper-year ones, and he was just a first-year.
As a collateral branch close to direct lineage and one of the Tang Clan's Three Jun, the guy had that much pull.
Dang Ga-ho himself was from the lowliest branch of the collaterals, with no connection to Dang Chu, which was why he'd stayed in the pavilion.
Did that arrogant prick even know Dang Ga-ho existed?
Anyway, he'd been caught.
Now that it had come to this, he had to minimize the damage somehow.
"Instructor Ha. What's going on?"
Pang Do-yul descended from the platform and approached Ha Mu-baek.
Pang Do-yul's eyes said it all as he looked at him: Trouble never stops where you're around.
Instead of answering, Ha Mu-baek slipped the black wristband from his hand onto his own wrist. Then he lightly thrust a fist toward Pang Do-yul's face, channeling his internal energy.
The fist wind and energy stirred up the fine paralysis powder soaked into the wristband, sending it drifting toward Pang Do-yul's face.
Pang Do-yul, oblivious as always, inhaled normally.
Ping.
For a split second, there was a faint, almost imperceptible sense of dizziness—or was there?
"What was that?"
Pang Do-yul asked Ha Mu-baek.
"Seems this one's been up to tricks."
At those words, Pang Do-yul's gaze shifted to Dang Ga-ho.
"You're... Dang Ga-ho, right?"
Dang Ga-ho and Ha Mu-baek's eyes both widened round at Pang Do-yul's question.
They hadn't expected him to know the name.
"Do I know that guy?"
Ha Mu-baek asked in surprise.
"I try to learn all the cadets' faces and names. I might not know every single one, but..."
Pang Do-yul had thought the same when he'd heard the man had stormed out of his secluded family and returned. He truly cared about the Dragon Training Pavilion.
But then, why leave the Fierce Dragon Corps alone?
That question briefly flashed through Ha Mu-baek's mind, but the priority was the matter at hand.
"Handled the poison like a proper Tang Clan member. Adjusted the paralysis powder's potency with exquisite precision. And the delivery method was sneaky too. No wonder some matches felt off."
While watching the spars from the rooftop, Ha Mu-baek had noticed a few with that strange unease.
He'd chalked it up to them all being similar levels, like comparing acorns.
But no.
All the winners in those matches had been from the Hidden Dragon Corps.
"Really? Which ones?"
Pang Do-yul asked immediately.
He hadn't spotted any such irregularities himself.
Perception varied by realm, after all.
"Hold on a moment."
With those words, Ha Mu-baek's form vanished.
"Huh?"
"Eek!"
"Uwak!"
Exclamations of surprise rang out from all directions.
Ha Mu-baek returned swiftly, dragging five Hidden Dragon Corps cadets in tow.
Each had a black wristband on their left arm.
Pang Do-yul frowned.
"These probably aren't all of them."
Pang Do-yul understood what he meant.
"The Eastern Combat Festival is halted effective immediately. All participating cadets, stay right where you are and do not move. Instructors will come to inspect you."
Pang Do-yul's lion's roar, infused with heavy internal energy, boomed thunderously.
It carried an intimidating force that made bodies shrink.
No cadet dared disobey.
Dang Ga-ho squeezed his eyes shut.
He'd hoped it would end with just that first caught guy and himself.
Pang Do-yul issued rapid orders.
The cadets were divided by their corps.
Hidden Dragon Corps, Wa Dragon Corps, Fierce Dragon Corps.
Instructors went around rolling up sleeves and searching one by one.
It wasn't just sleeves.
They checked everywhere meticulously.
It was unprecedented.
The Eastern Combat Festival suspended, participants searched.
And the results were grim.
Fifteen.
Beyond the six Ha Mu-baek had caught, fifteen more cadets yielded paralysis powder from their wrists.
Pang Do-yul's face trembled with rage.
Fury at its peak.
"Wh-what in the world..."
Ha Mu-baek glared coldly at the captured cadets.
Dirty tricks in what should be fair spars.
Contemptible.
Repulsive.
These were disciples of prestigious orthodox sects?
From the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Clans?
Ridiculous.
Was the upper echelon rotten, making the lower one the same?
"Send all these to the detention cells."
Pang Do-yul commanded in a icy voice.
It was still during the festival.
He couldn't let these scum ruin the efforts of those who had prepared diligently.
Once the situation was cleared.
The spars resumed.
But the initial fervor was gone.
After that incident, the atmosphere hung heavy.
"W-whoa!!!"
Then, in one sparring area, the mood began to shift.
Dan Mok Un-roe versus Sa Pyeong-ju.
Fierce Dragon Corps against Wa Dragon Corps.
A no-name sect kid against a Seonyu Valley disciple.
Everyone had predicted Sa Pyeong-ju's victory.
They knew Dan Mok Un-roe's Fierce Dragon Corps Squad Seven had performed well in the last Summer Combat Festival, but dismissed it as luck.
The festival's team skirmish format was unique, after all.
The two clashed head-on with full force.
Fierce sword auras targeted each other.
Chaeng! Chae-chaeng! Chaeng!
The fierce exchange continued.
Seonyu Valley was known for medicine and wine arts, but their martial arts were no slouch.
If they were weak, they couldn't claim a spot among the Eight New Sects.
Great Ra Seonyu Sword Form.
Seonyu Valley's signature technique unfolded in Sa Pyeong-ju's hands.
He'd been frustrated by that absurd loss to Fierce Dragon Corps Squad Seven at the last festival.
Today was his chance for revenge.
Moreover, his opponent's swordsmanship was merely the Three Talents Sword Form.
Seonyu Valley's ultimate technique wouldn't lose to something like that.
"Hm. Looks like a lively match."
On the rooftop where Ha Mu-baek sat.
Gong Son Mu-oe had appeared out of nowhere.
Curiosity about the festival—or rather, the kids under Ha Mu-baek's tutelage.
Ha Mu-baek had already sensed his approach with his energy sense.
"Is that Un-hye's brother?"
Gong Son Mu-oe pointed at Dan Mok Un-roe and asked.
"Yes."
"His opponent's a disciple from my valley."
As valley lord, he didn't know Sa Pyeong-ju personally. But he knew the Great Ra Seonyu Sword Form well.
It was their finest technique.
Seonyu Valley taught disciples without bias in martial arts.
"He's mastered it quite well."
Gong Son Mu-oe nodded with a pleased smile.
Natural for a sect leader to be happy at a talented disciple.
But.
The flow of the match began to change.
Dan Mok Un-roe, who had been scrambling to defend against Sa Pyeong-ju's offense, started counterattacking.
"Whoaaa!"
Cheers erupted.
Dan Mok Un-roe had just landed a sharp counter.
Sa Pyeong-ju felt a chill down his spine.
He'd nearly been in big trouble.
'He's different from the Summer Combat Festival.'
Back then, luck had played a part.
Now, it was pure skill.
Sa Pyeong-ju gritted his teeth and focused harder on his form.
A sword form like immortals dancing.
Great Ra Seonyu Sword Form.
It slowly encircled and pressured Dan Mok Un-roe.
'I can see it.'
Dan Mok Un-roe was growing accustomed to the opponent's sword form.
And he began to spot it.
In the seamless flow of that freeform swordsmanship, the subtle breaks.
But they were so fleeting he couldn't exploit them yet.
'Then I'll make the gaps bigger.'
Countless spars with Namgung Ji-hu, Joo Woo-myeong, and Baek Ri-pyeong.
And guided bouts with Ha Mu-baek.
Dan Mok Un-roe had learned, adapted, and grown.
Plus, he'd intently watched them spar against Ha Mu-baek.
And the real combat against jiangshi in the Mountain-Crossing Demonic Forest!
Dan Mok Un-roe's experience far surpassed Sa Pyeong-ju's.
So he didn't panic that the openings were mere instants.
Gaps would open.
With their skill gap, he was certain.
Sa Pyeong-ju was the one growing anxious.
He'd scoffed at the Three Talents Sword Form, but its defense was ironclad.
No matter how he attacked, he couldn't breach it.
As time dragged, impatience set in.
Naturally, his form grew forceful, movements larger.
"Oh, no!"
Gong Son Mu-oe let out a regretful gasp.
From afar, he could see the match's momentum shifting to the opponent.
"Tahat!"
Sa Pyeong-ju swung his sword with a shout, going for a heavier strike.
At that moment, Dan Mok Un-roe's eyes gleamed.
He clearly saw the break in the sword form's flow—one he could exploit with his skill.
The Three Talents Sword Form's thrust pierced the gap.
Chaeng!
Swords clashed, but Dan Mok Un-roe's kept moving.
Sa Pyeong-ju's sword bounced away.
And Dan Mok Un-roe's blade tip halted before Sa Pyeong-ju's chest.
"?!?"
Sa Pyeong-ju's mouth gaped, eyes bulging.
What was happening?
In an instant, his sword repelled, opponent's at his chest.
He had to admit it.
His defeat.
Not luck or chance—pure skill.
"I lost..."
A curt concession.
Dan Mok Un-roe lowered his sword, and Sa Pyeong-ju sheathed his before turning and descending the platform.
"Wooooaaahhh!!!"
"Yaaahhhh!!"
"Amazing!!!"
Cheers exploded from all sides.
Wa Dragon Corps losing to Fierce Dragon Corps didn't matter.
The cadets were thrilled by the brilliant match.
Including Fierce Dragon Corps Squad Seven members.
"That guy's getting scarier by the day."
Dang Jin-san shook his head.
Sa Pyeong-ju.
A strong cadet.
When Dang Jin-san had first joined Fierce Dragon Corps, he couldn't have beaten him.
And Dan Mok Un-roe had done it with pure skill.
Dang Jin-san rolled his shoulders, loosening up.
His body felt inexplicably heated.
"You. You're amazing at teaching too."
Gong Son Mu-oe said to Ha Mu-baek, impressed by the match's outcome.