Chapter 24
Chapter 24
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: Youth Sparring Tournament
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In the heart of Ak-an County, in the bustling southwestern district centered around the Baek Clan Manor.
A carriage carrying Baek Mu-ryang, his children, Je-gal-seon, and Je-gal-seol-ha rolled down the main street through the territory of the Protection Assembly—one of the four factions that had dominated Ak-an County until recently.
"Brother, if Ak-an County is as strong in the unorthodox clans as you said, how come I don't see any of those swaggering thugs around?"
Je-gal-seon, peering out the window, posed the question, and Baek Mu-ryang wore a proud expression.
"The number of unorthodox ruffians in Ak-an County has dwindled quite a bit lately, brother-in-law."
"Come to think of it, one of the stories you told me about Yang-hui involved those underworld thugs, didn’t it?"
As they conversed, the carriage arrived at the largest tavern at the southwestern base of Yuhang Lake.
Yuwalu (流臥樓). A tavern named for where the river's flow bends and reclines.
In front of Yuwalu stood several sect leaders who commanded the factions under the Protection Assembly.
"Welcome. I am Yang Ga-ryong, head of the Protection Assembly. Baek Mu-ryang, patriarch of the Baek Clan Manor, and..."
The man at the forefront paused briefly before speaking again.
"You're Je-gal-seon, the young lord of the Great Je-gal Clan, known as the Peerless Dragon Warrior, correct?"
Regardless of the difference in family prestige or status, it was undeniably Baek Mu-ryang leading those in the carriage.
Yet Yang Ga-ryong was treating Je-gal-seon as the representative.
Je-gal-seon twitched his eyebrow for a moment before letting out a hearty shout.
"That's right, Assembly Head Yang Ga-ryong. My brother had business here, so I tagged along shamelessly for a bit of fresh air. Hope I'm not imposing."
It sounded like polite banter at first glance, but the words carried bite, clearly distinguishing host from guest.
Yang Ga-ryong had no choice but to greet Baek Mu-ryang first.
"We've lived in the same county but rarely crossed paths. I am Yang Ga-ryong of the Yang Sword Sect and head of the Protection Assembly."
By lineage or age, Yang Ga-ryong didn't need to use such deferential honorifics toward Baek Mu-ryang.
However, he'd used them with Je-gal-seon, and since Je-gal-seon called Baek Mu-ryang 'brother,' he had no choice but to extend the same courtesy to Baek Mu-ryang.
"Pleased to meet you, Protection Assembly Head."
In contrast, Baek Mu-ryang—who had pierced through the intent behind the initial greeting toward Je-gal-seon—responded with semiformal speech.
The first clash of momentum between the Protection Assembly and Baek Clan Manor ended in a clear victory for the Baek Clan Manor.
Yang-hui smirked as he caught Yang Ga-ryong's fleeting expression—like he'd bitten into something bitter—hidden from the others.
'Uncle's silver tongue is impressive.'
The current dynamic had all stemmed from Je-gal-seon's single remark.
Even if he was called the Peerless Dragon Warrior for his fervor in martial arts, he was still the young lord of the Divine Machine Je-gal Clan's Dragon House, after all.
"Please, both of you, this way. Ah, with the children as well? Our assembly's participants in the sparring tournament are gathered separately to prepare."
Baek Mu-ryang glanced at his three children and Je-gal-seon.
"Brother-in-law, it might be best if we take Seol-ha and Yeon-yeon with us. Hui and So can go on their own for the tournament."
"Ah, Father, Yeon-yeon..."
Yang-hui stopped Baek Yeon-yeon, who was whining and begging to go with her brothers.
He had read Baek Mu-ryang's intent: to have Baek Yeon-yeon join so Je-gal-seon wouldn't face awkward questions about bringing only Je-gal-seol-ha.
—Yeon-yeon, behave with Father, and I'll buy you something tasty later.
Baek Yeon-yeon widened her eyes at Yang-hui's telepathic message, then beamed and nodded.
She mouthed back.
'Promise!'
And so, Yang-hui and Baek Heon-so parted from Baek Mu-ryang and Je-gal-seon to be guided separately.
"Young masters, the other young masters are all gathered here."
The backyard the guide pointed to held around a hundred children warming up with wooden swords or spears.
Even if the Protection Assembly encompassed over ten sects, a hundred was excessive.
Moreover, they ranged up to boys who looked about fifteen.
'Right, the Protection Assembly has affiliated martial academies too. Did they bring kids from those? Let's see the level...'
These were sects that needed to band together ten-strong just to match one Crimson Gang.
No child displayed standout martial arts, but talent-wise, there was one who could be useful if brought to the Baek Clan later.
As Yang-hui thought this,
"You two from the Baek Clan Manor?"
Four boys had approached unnoticed, surrounding Baek Heon-so and Yang-hui.
A faint sneer played on their lips.
They clearly viewed Yang-hui and Baek Heon-so as beneath them.
'These guys must have heard about the Baek Clan Manor from their parents.'
"Shall we introduce ourselves? What's your name?"
Unlike the still Yang-hui, the naive and innocent Baek Heon-so stepped forward briskly with a cupped-fist salute.
"Baek Heon-so of the Baek Clan! Nice to meet you!"
Unlike Baek Heon-so, Yang Hak offered no salute.
The implication was clear, and Baek Heon-so's face flushed red.
Yang-hui placed a hand on Baek Heon-so's shoulder just before he could flare up and shook his head side to side.
"So, the sparring tournament starts soon."
"Brother..."
'Kids are such a handful. Better to establish hierarchy early so they don't cause trouble.'
Yang-hui recalled Baek Heon-so from not long ago—the ill-mannered brat who had whined that he couldn't accept him as a brother.
After firmly instilling rank and dangling some carrots, he was now a lovable, obedient little brother.
'Too much hassle to deal with now. I'll sort them out properly during the tournament.'
Soon, the guide entered the backyard and called out loudly.
"The elders' discussion has concluded. Young masters participating in the sparring tournament, follow me!"
At the base of Yuhang Lake, in Yuwalu's banquet hall.
A hasty banquet unfolded on the improvised platform above, while two sparring stages lay below.
'Exactly as expected—an appetizer and sideshow for the adults. Well, kids' sparring matches are all like that.'
"The sparring tournament is divided into Infant Division and Youth Division. Participants duel desired opponents, and the one with the most wins takes the championship."
One boy raised his hand with a question.
"To start the first match, do I just go up on the stage?"
"Yes, young master."
As Yang-hui thought the rules were refreshingly simple, Baek Heon-so beside him suddenly leaped onto the stage.
And shouted.
"Yang Hak of the Yang Sword Sect! I challenge you to a duel!"
He seemed eager to repay the earlier rudeness.
'Too much for So right now.'
He'd trained in martial arts for over two years, but mostly third-rate techniques, and only a few days with the new arts.
Plus, Yang Hak was three or four years older, so no chance of winning.
But Yang-hui didn't stop him.
'Defeat is good nourishment too.'
The match began at the referee's signal.
"Hah!"
Crack! Crackle!
As Yang-hui predicted, Baek Heon-so didn't claim victory.
But.
"Hold! Baek Heon-so, young master who dropped his wooden sword—defeat!"
Baek Heon-so hadn't yielded easily.
He'd fought valiantly enough to fluster Yang Hak, who had underestimated him, and drain his stamina.
'Kid's grown quite a bit in those few months.'
Compared to his previous life... no, incomparable growth.
Turning to the head table, Baek Mu-ryang also gazed at Baek Heon-so with a pleased expression.
Meanwhile, Baek Heon-so picked up his dropped wooden sword and returned to Yang-hui's side, face downcast.
"Sorry, brother..."
"Hm? For what?"
"I stepped up first full of confidence and lost, tarnishing the family name."
"The adults will admire your courage in challenging a brother three or four years older before worrying about any tarnish. And."
Yang-hui chuckled and ruffled Baek Heon-so's hair.
"So, even if you make a mess, so what? I'll just pour water and wash it clean."
With his wooden sword slung over his shoulder, Yang-hui bounced on his toes.
With that alone, he flipped spectacularly through the air and landed on the stage.
"Ho, that's quite the skill."
"Impressive lightness skill for a child."
"Looks like Infant Division age, trained mainly in movement arts?"
Ignoring the murmurs, Yang-hui swung the wooden sword slung over his shoulder once.
"Yang Hak of the Yang Sword Sect, right?"
He'd bulked up noticeably in recent months, but Yang-hui was still small-framed.
Yang Hak, larger than his peers, scowled at the informal speech from someone two or three years younger-looking.
"Cheeky little punk."
"Whether I'm cheeky or not, we'll know after crossing swords."
"They say a puppy doesn't fear the tiger."
Yang Hak smirked and whispered quietly so the adults at the head table wouldn't hear.
"One of your limbs will break. Time to teach you manners."
Whatever. Yang-hui just grinned.
'How much should I show?'
The purpose of this sparring tournament was twofold.
First, win the championship and receive a reward from Je-gal-seon.
Second...
'Elevate the family prestige and reputation. Can't expand power overnight, but if rumors spread that a dragon lurks here...'
"Young masters, prepare. It starts when the tossed coin hits the ground."
Hearing the referee, Yang-hui decided how much to reveal.
The moment the coin tossed high struck the ground with a clink.
Bzzz!
A sound like furious bees buzzing angrily echoed under the clear sky.
Thud!
And the match ended.
"Uh... uh... Yang Hak has fainted, so... victory to Baek Yang-hui!"
Not only the clustered children but even the adults at the head table hadn't grasped the situation, so no applause or cheers rang out.
In the midst of it, Baek Mu-ryang let slip a mutter with a groan.
"Bee Wing Realm...!"
Among the annotations in the Heaven-Covering Sword Manual that Yeo Hyeok had passed on was this line.
Infusing the first three of the fifty-four forms into one strike mimics a bee's wingbeat—this is the Bee Wing Realm.
'You've already mastered the three essences of the Heaven-Covering 108 Sword Techniques, Hui?'
It had been just over a fortnight since Yang-hui said he'd mastered the first essence.
Now three? Baek Mu-ryang could only marvel at the talent.
"How does a kid that age move so fast?"
"Did you see the sword forms? Speed enough to ring the blade."
"How can an eight-year-old beat a fifteen-year-old?!"
Following Baek Mu-ryang, people began exclaiming in admiration one by one.
Je-gal-seon especially stared at Yang-hui with sparkling eyes.
Bathed in all their gazes,
Yang-hui grinned and leaped lightly.
He landed soon after on the adjacent Youth Division stage.
"Looks like no worthy opponents in Infant Division. Care to give some guidance, elder brothers and seniors?"
The cutoff between Infant and Youth Divisions was twelve years old.
Based on when serious growth began.
The crowd buzzed again at an eight-year-old boy challenging up to fifteen-year-olds.
"Impressive martial prowess, but..."
"Up against someone up to seven years older? Arrogant."
"Seven years? Nearly double the age, haha."
Regardless, Yang-hui pointed at one of the boys below.
"You there, the big one. Shall we cross swords?"
The targeted boy snorted.
"Beat Hak easily and now your nose is in the clouds!"
"What's your relation to Yang Hak?"
"Yang Yeom of the Yang Sword Sect, Hak's older brother."
Another Yang Hak brother? What a coincidence.
Yang-hui replied simply while thinking so.
"Young Master Yang Yeom. If you don't come up, they'll think an eight-year-old scared you off?"
"Ha!"
Yang Yeom vaulted onto the stage.
"Perfect timing. I'll avenge Hak."
The moment the signal dropped.
Yang Yeom charged with speed incomparable to Yang Hak, swinging his wooden sword.
"Take this!"