Risk Factors (3)
While I was flustered, Bok Yun, the subordinate unit leader, stepped forward to protest.
“Patriarch! What do you mean by that? Anyone can see it's a spar where Young Lord Eun is obviously going to lose. What if he gets seriously hurt?”
“I won't go that hard on him.”
Young Lord Moyong Tae-geol also tried to dissuade his father.
“Father, even if you're holding back, Young Lord Eun can't possibly match you.”
I looked at the Patriarch.
His face lit up with intense interest.
It was the expression of a child spotting a new toy. Wait, does that make me the toy?
This was getting tricky.
The Patriarch was a super first-rate martial artist.
Thanks to the nature of my internal energy, my true realm wasn't outwardly visible.
But in a spar, he'd likely notice.
So, Patriarch, please stay put.
“Patriarch, as a swordsman myself, sparring with you would be an invaluable experience. However, my stamina is limited, and crossing blades with you might cause me to faint. Please withdraw your request.”
At that moment, Moyong Seong-geol stepped in.
“Father, he's saying that much. Sparring with you would be a huge burden for this great hero.”
He continued.
“But refusing your challenge would hurt your dignity, so how about letting my eldest brother stand in for you?”
Young Lord Moyong Tae-geol's current realm was first-rate.
It was obvious he'd lose to me, who was known to be at the peak realm. Yes, obvious indeed.
In that situation, I wouldn't be in a good mood, so naturally, I'd handle him the same way I did Moyong Jun-geol...
Ah, so that's his game.
I chuckled inwardly.
He must have seen me subdue Moyong Jun-geol just now and wanted me to show the same to Moyong Tae-geol.
In a martial clan like this, such a spectacle would be quite the laughingstock.
But Moyong Seong-geol was missing one key point.
It wasn't that I'd suppressed Moyong Jun-geol with sheer presence because I was irritated at being denied a meal when I was starving.
Even if it was known that I'd mastered the Heavenly Flow Ice Sword, I simply didn't want to reveal my swordsmanship to Moyong Seong-geol.
I'd sensed a thick aura of the unorthodox paths from him earlier.
That meant he was already tied to the Murim Alliance.
Others might think he was scheming something by pulling in dark path forces, but he was someone who'd been deeply connected to the Murim Alliance in his previous life.
In other words, he was plotting to seize control of the clan with the Alliance's backing.
The incident where Moyong Tae-geol lost his sword and fell into trouble was proof.
So there was no benefit in showing him my skills.
Besides, a merchant must stay cool-headed even after three days without food when business is at stake.
Could I really fail to do so after missing just two meals?
As I thought that and glanced at the Patriarch, I flinched involuntarily.
What was that look in his eyes?
But it vanished in an instant, as if I'd imagined it.
I subtly glanced at Young Lord Moyong Tae-geol.
He seemed to have an idea, stepping forward as he spoke.
“Father, since things have come to this, how about all of us siblings learn a move or two from Seonhyeopmirang?”
“All of you?”
“Yes. The third brother lost, but it was still quite helpful for him.”
“There's merit in that. Even without swinging his sword once, just facing that presence would teach him something.”
Moyong Tae-geol bowed his head deeply at those words.
“That's exactly it. It feels unfair that only Jun-geol and I get that chance. I hope Yeon-geol and Seong-geol get it too.”
He clasped his hands toward me in respect.
“So, please spar with us siblings.”
Not bad.
Worth all the lessons I'd given him.
I'd told him: when you're stuck with something troublesome, drag the other guy in too.
It was a bit annoying that I was the target, but no helping it.
Better than sparring the Patriarch.
Plus, seeing Moyong Seong-geol flustered was satisfying.
“Father...”
Moyong Seong-geol started to say something, but the Patriarch spoke first.
“That's a fine idea.”
He made the request of me.
“As their father, I ask you this. Please help them gain some experience.”
“Understood. I'll accept your request, Patriarch.”
I agreed readily. Refusing even this might sour relations.
“Thank you. Now, who first...”
I jumped in quickly.
“Eating the tastiest dish first isn't bad, but saving it for last might be better now.”
“So in your eyes, the Young Lord's martial arts are the best?”
“That's what I think.”
“Excellent! Then let's start with the youngest. He's more talented than the third, so it'll be enjoyable.”
Moyong Seong-geol put on an expectant face as he stepped onto the sparring platform.
I knew it was forced.
“Please, one exchange.”
“I'll yield the first move.”
“Thank you.”
Yielding the first move meant conceding three forms.
Moyong Seong-geol accepted.
The moment I drew my sword and assumed stance, he charged.
The Moyong clan's swordsmanship was swift swordplay.
His blade tip sliced through the air toward me.
“Gasp!”
I heard Bok Yun gasp. It must have looked like I'd be pierced in an instant.
But that was it.
His sword halted a zhang from my body, unable to advance further.
“Ugh!”
He grimaced in frustration, withdrew his sword, and swept it horizontally at me.
But that attack too was blocked by my protective aura.
“Eek!”
He pulled back, retreated slightly, gathered his energy, and thrust again.
“...!”
Even channeling more energy, at first-rate level, he couldn't pierce my protective aura.
“Three forms are up.”
Moyong Tae-geol had orchestrated this for a clear reason: to undermine Moyong Seong-geol's prestige.
I infused my energy with killing intent and glared at him.
“Gasp!”
Facing it head-on, he paled and trembled violently.
I subtly concentrated more killing intent, keeping it hidden from the Patriarch.
Thud.
He couldn't hold out and collapsed on the spot.
And...
Oof, his pants must be soaked.
What was the greatest shame for a martial artist?
Many answers, but making a spectacle in front of family during a spar had to rank high.
This was pretty humiliating.
As I'd guessed, he shook uncontrollably, unable to lift his head.
Ah, refreshing!
Glancing over, Young Lord Moyong Tae-geol looked satisfied too.
Remember this—I avenged you in his place. I'll collect on it later.
“That's enough. Get up.”
Moyong Seong-geol couldn't respond to the Patriarch.
“...”
“Hah! Has your resolve crumbled? How much have you neglected your training...”
“...”
Sensing something off, the Patriarch rose and approached.
“Any injuries...?”
He trailed off, and Moyong Seong-geol hung his head in shame.
I quickly clasped my hands.
“My deepest apologies. I went stronger with the presence since he was said to be more talented than Young Master Moyong Jun-geol, but I overdid it.”
“Hmph, no. It's this fool's fault.”
He glared down at Moyong Seong-geol disapprovingly.
“Hey! You there—escort him back to his quarters.”
“Yes!”
Unable to stand on his own, attendants and servants rushed in, supported him, and carried him out of the banquet hall.
Other servants entered to tidy the sparring ground.
In the meantime, silence fell over the hall.
No conversation—just cautious glances or quiet eating.
Thanks to that, I could eat comfortably too.
Once the ground was prepared, the Patriarch cleared his throat.
“Ahem, now spar with Yeon-geol.”
“Yes, I'll do that.”
Moyong Yeon-geol, the youngest lady, rose. She'd blushed seeing my face earlier... now she looked tense.
Understandable.
Her two younger brothers had just been humiliated.
But I stay put unless provoked.
So this time, I showed no presence or killing intent.
“Then, let's begin.”
“Yes.”
“Shall I yield the first move?”
She nodded at my question, and we took stances.
And then,
“Haat!”
With a shout, she thrust at me.
Swift swordplay indeed.
I twisted aside to dodge.
Pretty fast.
Yielding three forms meant only evasion or defense for those.
Her sword shifted trajectory toward my neck.
Clang!
I raised my sword to block, she recovered her rebounding blade, and stabbed at my abdomen.
I twisted away easily and said,
“Three forms done. Now my turn.”
I aimed for her shoulder; she calmly blocked and retreated.
But I didn't wait.
The Heavenly Flow Ice Art had swift sword forms too.
Flash!
In an instant, my sword tip touched her shoulder.
The gap between us was vast; victory was swift.
“I lose.”
She admitted defeat. I sheathed my sword.
“You're quite fast.”
“R-really?”
“Yes. And if I may say, Young Lady, you seem better suited to the blade than the sword.”
“Pardon?”
Her eyes widened, delighted by the praise.
“The time from intent to action is remarkably quick.”
Most struggle to move the instant they form the intent to attack.
That's why opponents can sense the killing intent and defend.
“And that shines best not with a sword, but a blade.”
I said it not just from what I'd seen.
I knew her from my previous life.
The Patriarch had taken a son-in-law for her, and she led the clan's armed forces.
Meaning her skill reached that level.
Her title was Shadowless Blade Flower.
Meaning she moved fast enough to cast no shadow.
The title included "blade flower," implying blade use, yet she wielded a sword—odd.
It meant she'd switched weapons.
Like my brother Jin-ho.
He'd advanced sharply after switching from sword to spear.
“Hahaha!”
The Patriarch laughed heartily.
“As expected of Seonhyeopmirang! Your insight matches your prowess!”
He praised me, then turned to Moyong Yeon-geol.
“Didn't I tell you, little sister? The blade suits you.”
“But swords are cooler.”
I glanced at her sword.
Ornate decorations.
I understood why she thought swords cooler.
Swords focused on thrusts, drawn from ornate scabbards before attack, allowing flashy designs without hindering combat.
But blades were different.
They weren't just sheaths—they accelerated strikes.
So no room for gaudy ornaments that might impede battle.
I told her,
“In my opinion, true coolness isn't carrying a flashy sword—it's crushing those who look down on you with overwhelming skill.”
“Pardon?”
“And without skill to back it, ornate weapons are mere extravagance.”
The Patriarch nodded approvingly.
“Well said. Engrave the great hero's words in your heart, Yeon-geol.”
“Yes, Father.”
From her expression, she'd switch to blade soon.
“Finally, your turn.”
The Patriarch looked at Young Lord Moyong Tae-geol beside him.
“Yes, Father.”
He rose and mounted the platform.
“Please go easy.”
“Likewise.”
Thus our duel began.
The purpose here—to diminish Moyong Seong-geol's prestige and elevate Moyong Tae-geol's—so I sparred him earnestly.
With Moyong Seong-geol absent, showing a bit of my skill was fine.
“To push a peak expert like me this far! Impressive as ever.”
“You're too kind.”
“Splendid! He takes after me—such talent! Hahaha!”
The Patriarch's esteem for Young Lord Moyong Tae-geol had risen sharply.
With this much help, the rest was up to him.
But Moyong Seong-geol wouldn't take it lying down, and I'd be on his revenge list.
I wondered how he'd retaliate.
Why am I looking forward to it?