Chapter 69: Are You Out of Your Damn Mind?
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 69: Are You Out of Your Damn Mind?
As the Martial Alliance Leader showed off his martial prowess on the dueling stage, the expressions of the Eight Great Sect Leaders grew increasingly stiff.
“What kind of joke is this, against children…”
“Tsk, tsk. No sense of dignity, I tell you.”
“I don’t know what he’s relying on to keep crossing the line.”
They wore forced smiles on their faces, but in reality, they were conversing using Ventriloquism, their lips unmoving, having erected a qi barrier to block out sound.
It was a seating area for dignitaries from all walks of life.
The situation was being broadcast live via cameras.
If any displeased expressions or remarks were exposed, they could become the laughingstock of the entire nation.
“I wondered why he made the exam so boisterous…”
“It seems he was determined to make us look bad.”
“I wonder how he plans to handle the repercussions of this.”
Thus, the three Sect Leaders had no choice but to swallow their anger and remain seated, despite the Alliance Leader’s words and actions, which were nothing short of a provocation.
That is, with the sole exception of Changcheon Sword Elder Na Il-cheon, who was enjoying the spectacle by himself.
“Heh heh. I can see the Alliance Leader’s resolve. He really picked this day on purpose!”
He was grinning from ear to ear, clearly finding something immensely amusing.
The Taiji Sword Sect Leader, wearing a fake smile, asked him without moving his lips.
“Are you actually laughing right now? The Alliance Leader has insulted us in a public setting. He’s literally sending the Eight Great Sects’ Rising Stars flying off the dueling stage right before our eyes!”
“Well, if that’s all your disciples’ skill amounts to, what can be done about it?”
“Elder!”
“I’m not deaf.”
Changcheon Sword Elder Na Il-cheon picked his ear and replied in a nonchalant tone.
He didn’t even use Ventriloquism like the other Sect Leaders.
“Don’t throw around words like ‘insult’ so easily. If what you’re feeling now is an insult, then what was all that bullying we put the Alliance Leader through? You should be grateful Yeo Pil-geuk didn’t challenge you to a Life-and-Death Duel sooner, tsk tsk.”
“……”
Na Il-cheon’s shocking remark momentarily left the three Sect Leaders speechless.
It was no exaggeration to say that Changcheon Sword Elder Na Il-cheon was the one who spearheaded the history of the alliance that the Eight Great Sects had built together.
He was one of the central figures of the alliance, acting as a mediator during conflicts and fostering cooperation between the sects.
And now, he was defending the Martial Alliance Leader.
“……Can we interpret that as you intending to lend your support to the Alliance Leader from now on?”
“Elder. What you just said is a statement that breaks the alliance.”
“Is this the will of the entire Changcheon Sword Sect?”
Seeing the three Sect Leaders, who had forgotten to be mindful of their surroundings in their seriousness, Na Il-cheon chuckled slyly and backed down a step.
“Heh heh. Don’t interpret the words of a senile old man too politically. I just came to see my granddaughter.”
The three Sect Leaders didn’t take his words at face value.
They knew well that while he might seem like an oblivious old man on the surface, he was actually a cunning old fox within.
“Let’s see. What’s our Yeon-ha up to…”
Regardless of the Sect Leaders’ glares, Na Il-cheon’s gaze was fixed on Bu Yeon-ha.
His granddaughter, whom he adored so much he wouldn’t feel pain even if she were put in his eye.
Not just because she was his blood, but because her abilities made him hope she would elevate the Changcheon Sword Sect to become the world’s foremost sect in the next generation, rather than just one of the Eight Great Sects.
She was also the successor Na Il-cheon had specifically chosen as the next Sect Leader.
‘I came to watch, killing two birds with one stone, because that girl was making such a fuss about some amazing Rising Star…’
Na Il-cheon carefully observed Ki Mu-hyeok, who happened to be next to his granddaughter.
He found it a bit vexing that Ki Mu-hyeok was answering Bu Yeon-ha with an indifferent expression, even though she kept trying to talk to him.
If this was the boy who had rejected Yeon-ha’s scout… was he doing this on purpose?
To raise his own value?
Even to the seasoned eyes of an old martial artist who had experienced all sorts of hardships, Ki Mu-hyeok’s expression was utterly unreadable.
So, Na Il-cheon briefly took his eyes off the two and looked around, and his eyes began to sparkle.
“My, my… there’s more than one talented individual I’d be greedy to have, aren’t there?”
They said this year was exceptional, with an unprecedented number of outstanding Rising Stars, and indeed, talented individuals he’d want to bring into his sect were visible everywhere.
In particular, the Rising Star currently stepping onto the dueling stage was one of them.
“Doo-doong! Shin Kang-heon, The Origin! Finally appearing on stage!”
Shin Kang-heon, whose hair had returned from blonde to black, faced the Alliance Leader, making his own entrance sound effects.
Although it was a bit embarrassing for those watching, it was the appearance of a Rising Star whose skill alone was highly anticipated.
*
-CRASH!
Although it had been decided to omit cumbersome formalities during the exam, Shin Kang-heon was the only participant to immediately perform the act of slamming his saber onto the dueling stage.
“Alliance Leader! Please give me a proper lesson!”
Shin Kang-heon grinned, raising the tip of his blade as if to provoke his opponent.
However, Yeo Pil-geuk paid no mind.
Instead, he laughed heartily.
“Hahaha! What a spirited fellow. Let’s see if your skill matches your enthusiasm!”
“Can we start right away?”
“Why? Are you nervous and need to use the restroom? Then I’ll wait until you get back…”
At that moment, Shin Kang-heon lowered his body and charged at the Alliance Leader with an explosive sprint.
The distance closed in an instant, and the two figures overlapped.
“Look at this rascal?”
Swoosh!
A fierce and savage saber strike came crashing down, as if to cleave Yeo Pil-geuk’s body in two with a single blow.
The saber technique, honed through countless real battles, contained refined Killing Intent.
A smile formed on Yeo Pil-geuk’s lips.
At the same time, his eyes gleamed coldly.
“You’ve hidden a sharp blade beneath a flashy exterior. An excellent surprise attack. But you’ve chosen the wrong opponent.”
CRACK!
The Martial Alliance Leader’s first punch deflected Shin Kang-heon’s saber.
However, unlike the previous participants who had dropped their weapons, Shin Kang-heon, as if expecting it, didn’t stubbornly resist but instead leaped back, absorbing the impact.
“Ho. You blocked that well, didn’t you?”
Shin Kang-heon grinned, lightly flexing his tingling grip.
“I saw how everyone before me got defeated. If I fell for the same thing, I’d be an idiot.”
“Hahahaha! Do you know how many people you just called idiots?”
Yeo Pil-geuk chuckled and immediately extended a second punch.
His face held an expectant look, as if to see if Shin Kang-heon could block it again.
CLANG!
Yeo Pil-geuk’s fist struck the side of Shin Kang-heon’s saber.
Shin Kang-heon, who rarely got pushed back by force, staggered.
But he held his stance, refusing to collapse, and then counterattacked, swinging his saber horizontally like a bolt of lightning.
Yeo Pil-geuk smiled contentedly, watching the blade narrowly miss his eyes.
“Excellent! Take this third one as well!”
Yeo Pil-geuk, invigorated, pushed off the ground and launched himself high into the air.
Whoosh!
A kick that plunged downwards from above, his body spinning like a top in mid-air.
It was the first time he had unleashed a leg technique since the exam began.
“Hmph!”
Shin Kang-heon, eyes wide, bent his knees to brace for the impending impact, while simultaneously letting his saber hang downwards.
‘He’s not dodging?’
In that fleeting moment, a flicker of bewilderment appeared in Yeo Pil-geuk’s eyes.
Because he had expected Shin Kang-heon to either swing his saber in a counterattack or at least try to block.
‘He’s lowered his weapon, so what is he going to block with? Is he going to offer his shoulder or arm? No matter how strong his bones, they’re bound to break…’
Dozens of thoughts flashed through his mind in that brief moment, but he didn’t stop his kick.
This was an exam to select First-Rate Experts.
If he couldn’t provide a suitable answer, he would inevitably suffer the same fate as the twenty participants before him!
And a moment later, Yeo Pil-geuk’s eyes widened at the answer Shin Kang-heon presented.
CRACK!
A triumphant smile spread across Shin Kang-heon’s lips as he took the Martial Alliance Leader’s leg technique with his forehead.
All while blood streamed down from his torn forehead.
“Such a brute… Are you out of your damn mind?”
“It’s my turn!”
A move that flustered the Martial Alliance Leader, the greatest in the world.
Immediately after taking the kick with his skull, which was far sturdier than his shoulder or arm, Shin Kang-heon swung his lowered saber like lightning, aiming for Yeo Pil-geuk’s heart.
‘I won!’
His eyes, burning with competitive spirit, soon contorted in disbelief at what unfolded right before him.
“Pass.”
Yeo Pil-geuk, having landed on the ground, smiled contentedly, holding the blade with just two fingers.
“It was a bit aggressive, but your skill and judgment were befitting a First-Rate Expert.”
“……”
The first declaration of a successful candidate from the Martial Alliance Leader’s lips.
Countless movements had transpired between the two, but for the spectators, it had all happened in the span of a few breaths.
The Rising Stars, who had been watching intently, finally let out the breath they had been holding.
“Whoa…”
“What did I just see?”
“W-what happened at the end?”
“He just said ‘pass,’ right?”
The stunned spectators began to murmur one by one, which soon swelled into shouts and cheers for the successful candidate.
“Woooooah-!”
“Shin Kang-heon! Shin Kang-heon!”
His spirited display, fearlessly swinging his saber without backing down even against the Martial Alliance Leader, left a strong impression on the minds of those watching.
It was the moment the three characters of “Shin Kang-heon” truly became known in the Korean Martial.
“That lunatic. He always uses strategies just like himself.”
Even Ki Mu-hyeok shook his head, unable to suppress a chuckle.
A barrage of camera flashes and cheers rained down on Shin Kang-heon for a long time.
Even the Eight Great Sect Leaders, who had seemed so preoccupied, now simply gazed at the protagonist on the dueling stage with expressions of admiration.
“……Why didn’t we recruit such talent?”
“I heard his uncle is in fierce negotiations. I heard the demanded contract fee was too high…”
“After today, that amount will skyrocket.”
“Heh heh. He’s already surpassed most First-Rate Experts, hasn’t he?”
Praises poured in from countless people, including the Eight Great Sect Leaders.
But the man himself merely wiped the blood from his forehead with a calm expression.
Considering his usual personality, it wouldn’t have been strange for him to jump for joy, but the quiet shrug of his shoulders almost made him seem angry.
Yeo Pil-geuk, guessing the reason, asked with a smile.
“Are you disappointed you couldn’t land a hit on me?”
“…I intended to win.”
As if the impact to his head was belatedly catching up, Shin Kang-heon suddenly staggered.
But just as he seemed about to fall, he managed to regain his balance and scratched the back of his head.
“Damn it. I really wanted to win and tease that bastard…”
“You audacious rascal. You deliberately went all in to decide the match within three moves, didn’t you?”
If he had approached the spar conventionally, Shin Kang-heon’s skill was certainly good enough to last several more moves.
But instead of fighting safely, he took a bold gamble, creating an opportunity where the Martial Alliance Leader almost suffered a setback.
“If five doses of heavenly luck had been on your side, it might have been possible.”
“To win with skill…”
“You’re at least twenty years too early for that, you rascal.”
Yeo Pil-geuk, who had been smiling contentedly, spread a qi barrier and spoke in a gentle voice.
“I heard you’re the son of Shin Jae-hyeon, who served as the White Tiger Corps Leader.”
“I don’t know much, but I heard he was an excellent saber master…”
At that moment, Shin Kang-heon saw an emotion he had never witnessed before on the Martial Alliance Leader’s face.
It was longing, and moreover, regret.
“……Indeed. Is what you’re performing now the Inherited Sword Technique your father left behind?”
“Yes. My uncle taught me.”
“When did you start learning martial arts?”
“Since my third year of middle school… I started seriously then…”
His speech grew slower, and his consciousness blurred.
His eyelids felt incredibly heavy.
Shin Kang-heon forced his eyes open, trying to listen to the Martial Alliance Leader’s words until the end, but…
“There will be a chance to tell you in detail later. For now, rest.”
“You… you really have to…”
Shin Kang-heon, having made a promise for later, grinned, dropped his saber, and simply fell backward.
Thud.
The boy, sprawled out like a big ‘X’, slowly lost consciousness.
A satisfied smile lingered on his lips.
“He has good eyes. He’ll become a magnificent hero someday.”
“Magnificent… hero… heh heh…”
Yeo Pil-geuk gazed at Shin Kang-heon, who lay collapsed on the ground, and smiled kindly.