Chapter 127
Chapter 127
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 127
Chapter Title: Third-Rate Martial Family Becomes World's Best
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Eumhu had been watching as a bystander ever since Baek Yang-hui, with Adu in tow, launched into battle against the Blood Night Gang bladesmen.
Jeonggal Seolha even wondered if she was the strange one for feeling worried, given how utterly nonchalant he seemed.
"Master. Do you think Senior Brother can take them?"
Even though Eumhu had proclaimed Baek Yang-hui's realm, considering his age of sixteen, it couldn't have been long since he'd reached the Peak Realm.
On the other hand, his opponents were seven seasoned Peak Realm experts, plus over a dozen warriors attached to them—twenty in total.
In other words, Baek Yang-hui and Adu alone were hopelessly outnumbered.
"Who knows. Even I am curious. Since he stepped forward so confidently, he must have something in mind."
The real fight began.
Four charged at Adu, three aimed for Baek Yang-hui.
True to their Peak Realm prowess, the assault of the Blood Night Seven Blades was blindingly swift.
But.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Baek Yang-hui's sword struck down all three blades in a single stroke.
Even as they pressed their follow-up attacks, they belatedly noticed their two comrades had fallen.
Jeonggal Seolha clicked her tongue at the sight of the bladesmen rolling on the ground.
"Senior Brother's sound arts seem even better now."
"Precisely. Reaching the Peak Realm has made them far more potent."
Sound arts were a technique that weaponized vibrations, infusing them with qi to attack.
An advanced martial art that enabled ranged qi projection without attaining the unity of qi wave and sound wave or the enlightenment of intent manifesting as form—though it came with the drawback of difficult entry and training.
"And he hasn't even been fully taught, yet he's at that level. Senior Brother's talent is truly extraordinary."
"His talent is matched by his mental fortitude. Even now... he's making excellent use of me."
And that was not all.
"I see why the young hero stepped forward."
Eumhu's eyes caught sight of Baek Yang-hui scattering dazzling sword strikes.
Surpassing mere forms, the profound mysteries woven within them as well.
"Ahaha, so since I've revealed myself, he's turning this fight into training."
"Wasn't it because Senior Brother didn't want to get scolded by Master?"
"That might be part of it, but his main goal seems to be honing himself. He hasn't fully consolidated his new Peak Realm enlightenment yet."
Crossing the threshold into Peak Realm changed everything, depending on whether one succeeded or failed.
No matter how exceptional the talent, it demanded arduous effort and vast time to consolidate.
He was strangely proficient, but her own clan's disciple clearly hadn't fully embodied Peak Realm prowess.
"Gaining enlightenment to breach the wall is one thing; adapting to the world beyond and imprinting it on the body is another. The young hero is using them as wooden training dummies."
Jeonggal Seolha's face filled with astonishment.
"So Senior Brother hasn't even properly consolidated his Peak Realm, yet he's dominating three Peak Realm experts?"
"Indeed."
Jeonggal Seolha couldn't comprehend it.
Eumhu offered guidance for her disciple.
"It's because what they've built up is different."
The Peak Realm required harmony of mind, qi, and body, plus enlightenments in mind-generating primary qi, intent shaping reality, and sword qi manifestation—a true pinnacle.
In other words, it was like stacking three types of bricks with three kinds of mortar between them for unyielding strength.
Needless to say.
The height might be the same, but the form, size, and sturdiness varied with the bricks' dimensions, shapes, and the mortar's viscosity and quality.
"He's handling it as if he's climbed it before. To use a metaphor, his mind is up there, pulling along a body still too immature for it."
It defied common sense, but.
Baek Yang-hui had performed countless absurd feats since childhood.
'Talent... sometimes transcends mortal understanding. A talent that leaves the world in awe.'
Moreover... a new enlightenment evoking the heavens. Or the subtleties of swordsmanship.
Even Eumhu, one of the Ten Supreme Martial Sovereigns, was astonished by its profound principles.
'We'll have so much to discuss later, young hero.'
Boom!
A sudden explosion drew Eumhu and Jeonggal Seolha's gazes.
The opponent struck by Adu's fist soared away like a bird.
"Damn it, this monk's no pushover!"
"Rush him together! Use the advantage of combined assault!"
"Kill him!"
"Hahaha! This is fun!"
People kept exploding outward one after another.
He wasn't killing, true to his monkly precepts, but.
Flying through the air like birds, they might not die, but they'd hardly be fit for society.
That was Jeonggal Seolha's thought when.
"Shaolin has produced a monster."
"Is it that impressive?"
Of course, it was tremendous divine might, but to Jeonggal Seolha, it felt inferior to Baek Yang-hui.
More like overwhelming with sheer internal energy volume than profound enlightenment or martial depth.
Compared to Baek Yang-hui, at least.
"Impressive? He won't even undergo bone transformation when he ascends to Super Peak."
Bone transformation: the process where a warrior reshapes their body into the ideal form matching their accumulated enlightenments and martial path.
"He's already in the most ideal body for Shaolin martial arts. The epitome of Shaolin external arts, embodied."
Adu, struck on the head by a sword cloaked in sword qi, not only unscathed but grinning brightly.
Jeonggal Seolha fell silent at the sight.
"...I'm sorry, Master."
"For what?"
"......"
Being Eumhu's disciple, one of the Ten Supreme Martial Sovereigns, yet failing to show such brilliance.
Lacking talent befitting her master's realm.
Too ashamed and prideful to voice it.
Eumhu saw through her disciple's heart and smiled gently.
"Seolha. I assure you, you are the one in all the world most suited to be my disciple."
"...Master."
"A dragon needs a thousand years to ascend, but once it does, it soars higher than any other. Our school's martial arts are the same."
A keen mind worthy of the Jeonggal Clan.
Talent in martial arts and innate aptitude for music.
Eumhu smiled again, envisioning Jeonggal Seolha's future divine might.
"Sound arts truly shine after the Peak Realm. Their nature makes entry hard and the path arduous. Remember that. With diligence, we can stand together."
"...Your disciple will never fall behind. I will catch up."
"Good. Never lose that resolve."
As they spoke, the battle reached a lull.
Adu and Baek Yang-hui had subdued the entire Blood Night Gang with just the two of them.
Shwaa!
Baek Yang-hui flicked the blood from his blade and sheathed his sword.
He walked through the corpses and wounded, stopping before the Moon Lake Tower Master who stared blankly their way.
"Old man. Credit where it's due—you've got courage for not running."
"......"
The Moon Lake Tower Master merely stayed silent.
It wasn't courage. He simply saw no point in fleeing.
"...Who... is she?"
He didn't know her exact identity, addressed as master and teacher, but she was clearly a transcendent expert.
A fifteen-year-old girl wielding absolute power made it obvious.
"Far too noble for the likes of you to know. Now, what to do with you."
Letting him go felt regrettable. Better to ensure he never schemes again.
But Baek Yang-hui didn't need to ponder.
Eumhu, who had been watching, lightly leaped down before them.
"You who saw people as mere property. You who brought hell upon the innocent with your greed."
Eumhu's eyes were clear as glass, devoid of emotion.
"I shall pass judgment upon you."
Snap!
The snap of her fingers turned into a beautiful melody, seeping into the Moon Lake Tower Master's ears.
"Kaaaaah! Kraaaaaah!"
The Moon Lake Tower Master clutched his ears, writhing on the ground.
He felt his screams fading away.
Even though his vocal cords still vibrated.
"My voice! My voice...!"
"You failed to heed and cherish a righteous one's words. What use are ears that hear nothing worthwhile? Living out your days deaf is no injustice."
The Moon Lake Tower Master, doomed to eternal deafness.
Baek Yang-hui clicked his tongue.
'Master sure has no mercy in moments like this.'
The Sound Jade Command School taught that villains must pay for their evils, but sometimes she was terrifying.
Though judging a Ten Supreme Martial Sovereign by mortal standards was absurd.
With that, the matter was settled.
"Master, shall we go? Your disciple will escort you. Seolha may be the guide, but swapping stories for a bit should be fine."
"Hm. There is much to hear from you, young hero. But."
Eumhu gazed into the distance.
"I have business elsewhere."
At her words, one fact became clear.
'No need to worry about loose ends.'
The Blood Night Gang would meet its end today.
By the hand of the absolute expert fallen from the heavens.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The Dongpa Inn suffered no damage.
Eumhu had barred anyone from approaching to protect it from hostage-takers.
'Well, Little Innkeeper took quite the shock.'
"Little Innkeeper! Get fresh food and drinks with Dongpa pork! Make it super delicious for Master!"
Her cheerful shout finally snapped So Wolhyang out of it.
"Y-yes! Just a moment!"
He requested a bottle of liquor first and chugged it straight.
"Kuh. Nothing beats a bottle after a fight—no need for delicacies."
"Senior Brother, can I have some too?"
"Hey now. What're you, a kid?"
"We're the same age?"
Sip. She probably shouldn't yet.
Well, different from the Chui-dal incident back then.
"Wow, first time trying liquor."
"Good, right?"
"No. Honestly, it's just bitter."
"Tch. Still a kid. It's not bitter—it's the taste of life, Junior Sister."
"I said we're the same age."
He offered a cup to So Wolhyang, still reeling from the shock.
"One cup, sister. Don't worry about family. We'll handle it right away. If you're okay with it, come with us to Gangseo."
So Wolhyang bowed deeply, cup in hand.
"Young lord. Thank you so much. Truly......"
"Just the reward for the commission."
"How can you downplay it? I'll never forget this grace... never......"
Such a touching atmosphere filled the inn when.
Jeonggal Seolha piped up.
"But Senior Brother. Wasn't it really Master who saved Wolhyang sister?"
"Huh?"
"Yeah. Looked like you set it up knowing Master would come."
"......"
Not wrong.
"A verse of song as payment, a commission for relief efforts."
"......"
Pfft!
One day he'd have to instill proper senior-junior etiquette.
As they bickered, an hour passed.
The door creaked open as Eumhu entered.
'She settled an entire gang in just an hour.'
Truly one of the Ten Supreme Martial Sovereigns. Nothing but admiration.
"You're here, Master!"
"I kept you waiting."
"No, the food just came out."
Eumhu sat with So Wolhyang, Adu, and her two disciples, first addressing Baek Yang-hui.
"Young hero. You've gained much since we parted. Care to explain?"
He recounted his trip to the Sword King's Mausoleum and what he'd obtained there.
Eumhu nodded after hearing it all.
"So that's how it was. I merely tossed a small clue, and you truly found the Sword King's Mausoleum. Impressive."
"No, Master. It's all thanks to you."
"Ascending to Peak Realm and inheriting even a portion of the Sword Sage's swordsmanship. I'm genuinely curious about your future."
"That's what I wanted to discuss."
Baek Yang-hui looked at Eumhu for a moment.
Better to get permission first, right?
"Give me Seolha!"
"...?"
"...?"
Jeonggal Seolha's face flushed crimson.
"What the hell are you saying, Senioooor Broooother!!"