Chapter 80
Chapter 80
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 80
Chapter Title: A Thorough Lesson for the Young Heir
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The moment his excited son climbed onto the sparring platform, the Pure Moon Sect Leader unconsciously pressed a hand to his forehead.
That fool as our young sect leader...!
His one and only son, born late in life. Was it because he'd been spoiled rotten? Even as his father, the boy was still young and inexperienced.
To fall for such a basic provocation tactic.
From the Pure Moon Sect Leader's perspective, unaware of Yang-hui's sound transmission meddling, his son's reaction was nothing short of disappointing.
It's come to this. No choice but to fight on—no retreat after defeat.
He sent a transmission to his son.
-My boy. Now that it's come to this, you must win.
-Don't worry, Father. I'll crush that brat's arrogance.
A confident reply came back.
God, he hoped things would go as his son boasted.
He didn't even dare hope for victory.
A draw would be ideal. If that's impossible, then at least a valiant defeat after giving it his all.
The Sword Freak's reputation... isn't just talk.
The Baek Clan Manor had grown rapidly of late, threatening the Pure Moon Sect's standing.
The main reasons for the Baek Clan's rise: three in total.
Twin Sword Righteous Baek Mu-ryang and One-Day One-Night Righteous Gu-ak.
And the Sword Freak, Baek Yang-hui.
The other two are peak experts, so that's one thing. But a mere fifteen-year-old boy sharing their fame?
To stand shoulder-to-shoulder with absolute peak realm masters in reputation?
That meant he had some standout talent or feat that drew eyes without relying on martial prowess alone.
Whether it was mind games, silver tongue, or whatever else.
No, his actual skill couldn't be low either.
This world of the jianghu—the martial forest—did not raise up those without power.
So, my son, even if you lose, make it dignified. The honor of the Pure Moon Sect rests on you.
His son might be twenty-five and immature, raised like a flower in a greenhouse.
But that didn't mean the boy's skills were lacking.
He was up to snuff in the eyes of a sect leader like himself.
So perhaps... there was hope.
Perhaps.
...The Pure Moon Sect Leader's hopes shattered right after.
"Sword Freak, young hero. Tighten your guard. If you don't want my yielded first move to end this in one exchange."
"Got it. Come on in."
"I meant draw your sword."
Even after hearing that, Yang-hui didn't draw his sword.
"I can't use my sword to instruct a fist master. It's fine—come at me."
A vein bulged at Jeong Myeong-gun's temple.
"Are you saying you'll face me—the Pure Moon Sect's fist instructor and young sect leader—using only bare-hand arts?"
"You heard right."
*—Drawing my sword for an unknown nobody like you? It's too heavy for that.*
"......"
Jeong Myeong-gun fell silent, his body trembling with rage.
"I'll make you regret this. Mark my words."
The Pure Moon Sect's signature technique, the Moon Shadow Fist Method, lived up to its name—like treading the traces of moonlight.
In other words, it was a martial art brimming with intricate footwork.
With steps as fleeting as moonlight, Jeong Myeong-gun charged at Yang-hui.
"Hah!"
Jeong Myeong-gun's fist shot straight for Yang-hui's mouth.
Yang-hui showed no reaction until the fist was nearly upon him.
Victory gleamed in Jeong Myeong-gun's eyes.
An opponent too slow to even react. The Sword Freak title must be all hype.
I knew it!
He could already see his future: toppling this arrogant punk and claiming the fame for himself.
That was when Jeong Myeong-gun grinned wide.
*—Keep dreaming, kid.*
Clack.
Jeong Myeong-gun's fist was caught in Yang-hui's hand.
The fierce momentum behind it was laughably, effortlessly blocked.
"Wha...?"
Shock spread across Jeong Myeong-gun's face.
Yang-hui smirked, curling the corner of his mouth.
"I clearly yielded the first move, right?"
Seeing the mockery on Yang-hui's face, Jeong Myeong-gun swung his other arm.
But...
Clack!
Both of Jeong Myeong-gun's fists were now gripped in Yang-hui's hands.
It looked just like they were shaking hands with both hands.
*—What're you doing? Chant 'strong-strong-strong' or something?*
"Urgh!"
Jeong Myeong-gun strained to wrench his hands free, but Yang-hui's grip held like iron shackles—immovable.
What kind of strength...!
He even channeled his internal energy, but still no give.
This meant the opponent surpassed him in both physical power and dantian force.
An unbelievable outcome for Jeong Myeong-gun.
How can a fifteen-year-old punk...!
He himself was twenty-five.
Ten more years of training body and building qi.
And this was the result?
That was when it happened.
"Yup."
One of Yang-hui's hands shot up into the air.
Naturally, the arm he held followed suit.
"Yup!"
Yang-hui's other hand rose.
Jeong Myeong-gun's other arm tagged along.
And so, both men were forced into a double high-five pose.
For the record, Yang-hui was half a chi taller than Jeong Myeong-gun.
In other words, Jeong Myeong-gun's feet dangled off the ground like a puppet on strings.
"This feels just like playing with a bratty little nephew."
"You little shit!"
Jeong Myeong-gun kicked at Yang-hui's gut.
Yang-hui dodged with the world's most infuriating nonchalance.
"Flailing like that just makes you look even more pathetic, you know?"
"Shut up!"
Jeong Myeong-gun struggled again, but Yang-hui effortlessly evaded the kick from point-blank range.
"Slow."
"You bastard!"
"Too slow."
"I'll kill you!"
"How's a sluggish worm gonna kill a man?"
"Raaagh!"
Jeong Myeong-gun's face flushed red, as if he'd fallen into qi deviation.
Yang-hui stifled a chuckle.
Fun's over.
He hurled Jeong Myeong-gun away with force.
Thanks to his training, Jeong Myeong-gun flipped neatly in midair and landed properly.
But...
Oof. Everyone's faces look like they've soured.
Did Jeong Myeong-gun realize?
How the Pure Moon Sect elders watching from behind now looked.
If he did, he wouldn't be this furious.
"Come on. Try again. Time for your lesson."
"You little—!"
Jeong Myeong-gun stepped into Phantom Sky Steps, channeling speed and illusion.
Dodging the punch with swift, flashy movement, Yang-hui hooked his leg.
"Kuh!"
Instead of pressing the attack on the off-balance Jeong Myeong-gun, Yang-hui created distance.
"Calm your excitement, young sect leader. You don't plan to excuse a loss with 'I fell for the provocation,' do you?"
"......"
"I'll give you time for deep breaths. Settle down and come at me properly."
"......You'll regret this."
Jeong Myeong-gun steadied his breathing and resumed his stance.
In contrast, Yang-hui stood as relaxed as if strolling a market street.
"Come on. Here's your first lesson."
"Haat!"
Moon Shadow Fist Method, Moonlit Path Strike.
A straight punch backed by dazzling footwork.
Not bad—he's finally coming seriously. Still miles from handling me, though.
Yang-hui moved according to Phantom Sky Steps' principles, evading the fist.
As he brushed past, Jeong Myeong-gun's empty face—his cheek—came into view.
Calling me Sword Freak over and over pissed him off. Should he slap it?
Hold back. Hold back.
There were eyes on him.
No matter how dumb, Jeong Myeong-gun was the young leader of a righteous Pure Moon Sect.
Even in a spar, slapping his face wouldn't fly.
Times like this called for showing the poise of Baek Manor's young master.
"First lesson, young sect leader. Any true warrior needs a solid foundation—strong legs."
Especially for arts like the Moon Shadow Fist Method, full of intricate steps.
Pok!
"Kuhk!"
Yang-hui stabbed Jeong Myeong-gun's thigh with his fingers.
Even with light force, they sank in an inch.
"Your muscles are soft. No wonder you lack power."
He deliberately raised his voice as he continued.
"My signature art is the sword! Ten years my senior, and you can't even make me draw it?!"
Murmurs rose from the spectators in response.
The Pure Moon Sect elders' faces hardened accordingly.
Jeong Myeong-gun's did too.
"......I admit it. You're stronger than me. But I'll show you the spirit of the Pure Moon Sect, Sword Freak!"
Still calling me Sword Freak to the end?
Yang-hui had considered ending it nicely, but no.
"Second lesson."
Phantom Sky Steps infused with speed, swiftness, and more speed.
A bullet-like dash. Jeong Myeong-gun lost sight of Yang-hui's form.
In that instant, Yang-hui circled behind and lightly pushed his head.
"Illusion without speed loses all meaning."
For flashy techniques to work, you had to be faster than your foe.
"Illusion means moving two or three—no, ten times faster. That's how you multiply feints."
Thus, the foundation of illusion was speed and swiftness.
"So what underpins speed and swiftness?"
Fast meant moving before the other guy.
In other words, movement.
"Stillness amid motion. True speed requires rock-solid stability."
It was the core principle letting his Heaven-Covering 108 Swords blend speed and firmness—opposites that were one.
"So remember this."
*—Train your lower body first. A man's foundation is his legs. Got it?*
"Illusion. Speed. Motion. Stillness. It all starts with the basics."
From thigh to gut to throat.
Yang-hui's fingertips struck Jeong Myeong-gun's major acupoints all over his body.
All in the time it took Jeong Myeong-gun to throw one punch.
Jeong Myeong-gun collapsed like a rigid log.
Yang-hui politely cupped his hands before the fallen man.
"That concludes the lesson. It was a good time, young sect leader."
The moment Yang-hui finished his greeting,
Thunderous cheers filled the Pure Moon Sect grounds.
"Unbelievable! Victory for Baek Manor's young master!"
"The Pure Moon young leader's ten years older!"
"The Sword Freak's fame is no fluke!"
At the Sword Freak shout, a cross-shaped vein bulged on Yang-hui's forehead.
Sigh. Endure. Last Sword Freak call for today.
The reason he'd turned this childish young leader's spar request into such a spectacle?
Humiliating the Pure Moon Sect was first, but for Yang-hui, the second reason mattered more.
"Sect Leader. Your young leader looks unwell—best take him away."
"......"
Grind!
A chilling crunch echoed from the Pure Moon Sect Leader's jaw.
Definitely a couple teeth cracked.
No doubt.
"I won't forget today's events, Sword Freak."
Yang-hui smiled contentedly.
Sword Freak again?
Yeah, this won't cut it.
"In that case, I have a request, Sect Leader."
He continued without waiting.
"Lessons go both ways. Since Baek Manor's young master instructed your young sect leader, the Pure Moon Sect should return the favor."
Understanding Yang-hui's intent, the Sect Leader's fury erupted.
Sharp as expected of a sect leader.
Too late.
"Baek Manor's Baek Yang-hui humbly requests instruction from the Pure Moon Sect elders!"
The Pure Moon Sect had three elders.
All absolute peak realm masters.
In other words, Yang-hui had just challenged a peak expert to a match.
Of all the gall.
"Hahaha! The more I see, the less I can let this slide!"
Laughter infused with Righteous Aura Manifestation boomed out.
Spectators groaned under the pressure; even the Dang siblings and Chui-dal stepped back.
Gu-ak scowled, about to dispel it—
"Pardon me."
With one step from Yang-hui, the aura dissolved.
"I've mastered Righteous Aura too."
He released his own inner energy, matching it aura for aura, and continued.
"Which of the three elders will instruct me?"