A good number of people in black robes entered the not-so-large inn. At least more than the four who were here.
The first black-robed figure that lunged forward had their sights set on Chaejin. Perhaps they aimed to take down the strongest one here first?
Maybe while Chaejin was busy attacking, the numerically superior black-robed figures would overpower me, Yohwan, and Changju, using us to intimidate Chaejin.
Whatever the reason, that choice was a mistake.
– KWA-DAAANG!!!
Chaejin didn’t hesitate.
The moment her blade flashed, one of the black-robed figures spat blood and flew into the wall. No, they went right through it.
That alone was enough to halt the charge of the black-robed figures who were bravely rushing in.
A foolish general attacks the enemy, while a wise general attacks the momentum. By crushing just one opponent, Chaejin shattered the morale of the enemy, proving to be a wise general, at least in this situation.
“I don’t know who you are, but I know who sent you.”
With a spin so swift that not even a drop of blood remained on her blade, Chaejin calmly stated as she rested it on her shoulder.
“Those who want to live better drop your weapons there and kneel with your hands up. Those who want to fight…”
– Clang.
Pointing her blade at them, Chaejin said casually.
“You will die.”
With that one statement, the atmosphere shifted. Hesitant black-robed figures, and yet others burning with determination.
And among this chaos, a black-robed figure subtly slipped a hand into their pocket.
In response, I threw a teacup at them.
– CRASH!
As the black-robed figure swung their arm to swat away the teacup aiming at them, what flew through the air was a talisman.
– RIZZLE-CRACKLE!!
“Gahhh!!”
Turning around, I saw Changju. She had a nonchalant look on her face while fiddling with the talisman she had drawn.
So this person was in the military; it seems she can fight a little.
“Don’t do anything stupid.”
The spear that had charged forward was dulled by a single blow. Maybe that’s why? I could see the hesitation among them.
“Seems the enemy isn’t that strong after all.”
“What do you expect from a bunch charging in at night?”
“Hmm. Is this the righteous path?”
“…It’s just that they’re the weird ones?!”
Chaejin, flustered, was trying to make a move again. As she reached for her weapon, the black-robed figures tensed and raised their own.
“Wait a moment.”
It was then that the black-robed figures stopped.
They slowly made way, and from the space, a woman clad in a rather familiar attire began to walk toward me.
Indeed, it was Chaejeokyo, showing up and not disappointing my expectations.
“I thought you might come, but I didn’t really think you would. Is this how the righteous faction conducts an ambush? Is this acceptable?”
Chaejeokyo did not respond.
So, silence is the strategy when cornered?
I must have gotten too used to Hongseong.
I glanced at Chaejin, who had her head bowed low, her face flushed.
With a flushed face, Chaejin bowed her head deeply.
“Oh. Really, my face feels like it’s on fire. Hey, our righteous sect. Righteous sect. Why don’t you pull yourself together a bit?”
Surprisingly, Chaejin, feeling embarrassed, spoke incredulously, but Chaejeokyo seemed unconcerned.
Even in the Heavenly Bright Moon, they used all sorts of petty tricks.
Should I recommend transferring to a different faction?
Seems like they’d live quite well in the wicked sect.
“You’re perfectly sane. You know that, right?”
Chaejeokyo said calmly, shrugging their shoulders.
“If you can obtain the martial arts of the Amipha, Moonjeong will definitely become stronger.”
That’s not a wrong statement.
After all, the pride of the Doje is such that if they could somehow obtain and study the martial arts of the Amipha, they could indeed become stronger.
However, it wasn’t entirely right either.
That was not something a member operating under the banner of the righteous sect should openly say.
“As far as I know, the Doje values righteousness and collaboration…”
“Are you seeing the world too idealistically? Someone has to do the dirty work. Even if it’s under the banner of the righteous sect.”
“Hongseong didn’t do that.”
“…Forget that narrow-minded sect talk.”
As soon as Hongseong was mentioned, Chaejeokyo’s face twisted.
But what can you do? That’s the truth.
“Chaejin. It’s not that you don’t know your people. I’ll say it again. Bring Yohwan over here. She will surely help Moonjeong grow.”
At her words, Chaejin shrugged her shoulders.
“Helping Moonjeong, huh? You’re just doing it for yourself. If it were really about Moonjeong, the Moonlight Army would have stepped in. But that’s not the case, right? You must have your own reasons for not formally bringing it to Moonjeong.”
Chaejin’s scoff met with silence from Chaejeokyo. It seems she was also feeling a bit guilty.
“So? Is that your answer?”
“No. This is.”
At that moment, a tension thick enough to shake the room settled in.
“As the Grandmaster of Moonjeong, I will punish the disciple who tarnishes the name of Moonjeong.”
Chaejin’s sword gleamed. Simultaneously, thin, razor-sharp threads of energy shot out.
It was the Tao Silk.
A technique from the Moonlight Saber Art that intricately weaves energy to cut down foes.
Chaejeokyo also drew their own Tao and blocked the attack, bursting into joyful laughter.
“Yeah. Honestly, I like this too. I’ve been curious just how amazing that grandmaster’s skills really are!!”
Chaejeokyo shouted, and Chaejin laughed.
Thus began the battle among the disciples of Moonjeong.
It was a battle among the same sect, but there would be no mercy in it.
Each strike was a dangerous attack that could cause serious injury.
Yet, neither of them showed any signs of retreat.
“Among the people I’ve met in the righteous sect during my military service, some were unworthy of being called righteous, and there were also heroes among the wicked sect, but… that woman is rather petty.”
A perfectly valid point.
Clicking his tongue in agreement, Changju muttered, and I nodded in agreement.
Changju muttered, and I nodded in agreement.
Honestly, Chaeran’s attempt to surpass Chaejin was a bit chaotic for a proper sect’s successor selection.
But still, she worked hard through legitimate means, earned recognition, and challenged Chaejin, who accepted it with a smile.
It was unconventional, but that didn’t mean it was unjust.
But that Chaejeokyo really crossed a line.
So, she ends up in a miserable fate, appearing in Chaeran’s main story.
“Hit her!”
“Alright. Let’s all keep an eye on our own safety for now.”
I clenched my fists, and Changju spread out her talismans.
“Do you think Chaejin can win?”
At that question, I nodded.
“She’ll win.”
*
As the weapons clashed, Chaejeokyo began to be pushed back. Therefore, Chaejin spun her weapon around and reversed her grip.
Then, downward from the air.
Wulyo (Moonbreak)
A technique to break the moonlight.
Chaejeokyo’s eyes lit up as she lost her stance on the basics of the Moonlight Sword Technique.
Is it a technique she knows?
Not sure.
Even if she knows it, I wonder if she can block it.
– Chaeyay!
As expected, Chaejeokyo couldn’t defend and was sent flying. However, perhaps due to knowing the technique, the impact didn’t seem too severe.
After rolling once on the ground, Chaejin swung her weapon toward the getting-up Chaejeokyo, whose movements began to become strange as she dodged.
“Huh?”
“Hehe.”
A low chuckle, and at the same time, changes occurred in Chaejeokyo’s form. Her movements became free and resembled lightning.
It was the wall-form of the Wall Thunder Sect, the Wall Thunder Three Steps.
“Moonjeong’s disciple is learning martial arts from other sects. Quite the accomplishment.”
“Haha, so that’s why you can’t do it. Why should Moonjeong’s disciple only learn Moonjeong’s martial arts? A martial artist should strive for strength.”
“Still, shouldn’t you choose your means a bit more carefully? Why not learn demonic arts instead? That would make you stronger faster.”
Chaejeokyo gritted her teeth against the sneer, her weapon moving gracefully.
“Was that the Thunderous Three Steps?”
“Wow, this ignorant girl knows about that?”
“Considering the user is so pathetic, how could I not see it?”
Chuckling, Chaejin spun her body and struck, her weapon and the bolt of lightning colliding.
Strong. And agile.
As thunder and moonlight clashed, it was the moon that fell back.
For the first time, Chaejin retreated, and Chaejeokyo burst into laughter.
“Hahaha! It’s nothing special!”
“Hmm.”
It’s not like I was pushed back by that.
Ignoring the delighted Chaejeokyo, Chaejin took advantage of the distance to sneak a glance behind her.
I sneakily turned around.
Maybe it’s because of the golden medal, but while protecting Yohwan, who can’t use martial arts, Yu Wol was fighting quite well, thanks to the Tai Chi techniques taught by Chaejeokyo.
Of course, it was also because Changju was helping with talismans on the side.
But still, what are they doing?
The level of those brought by Chaejeokyo isn’t that high, and fighting them would be good training for Yu Wol.
No matter how much guidance you get on the side, there’s no better training than real combat.
However, seeing Yu Wol occasionally getting hit here and there makes my stomach uneasy.
A good master should simply let things be, right?
I’m really not feeling it.
She clicked her tongue in short, glancing at Chaejeokyo.
Time to end this.
“Whooo…”
Breathing is crucial in martial arts.
How you move in a single breath separates the dull from the swift.
That’s why Chaejeokyo tilted her head.
Why is she exhaling so long?
In her unknown anxiety, Chaejeokyo swung her sword hastily.
-Clang!
But it was blocked.
The wall thunder technique, boasting lightning-like speed and having the form of a strong river, was effortlessly halted by her sluggish swordplay.
Dull.
An understanding that must be grasped to gain the secret of the Moonlight Sword technique.
That was contained within Chaejin’s swordform.
Realizing this, Chaejeokyo was astonished.
Chaejin wasn’t supposed to be like this!
When they had their previous duel, she wasn’t like this!
When did she grow this much?
Just then, Chaejin’s cold voice pierced her ears.
“Even if you’re rude, constantly picking fights and scheming for the Grandmaster title, precious…”
Blocking Chaejin’s attack, she tilted her head.
“Thinking about it, it’s not that precious.”
In that case, there’s no need to hold back.
Spinning the sword in her hand, she slowly aimed at the rushing Chaejeokyo, her eyes bloodshot.
At the same time, Chaejeokyo and the black-clad fighters flying towards Yu Wol and Changju were also watching in silence.
Changju and Yohwan, who were fighting the black-clad fighters, and Chamo, who came out after hearing the commotion and was hiding over there.
Everyone held their breath and watched.
The white moon splitting apart.
-Swoosh!!
What the white moon split created was a fountain of blood.
Unable to handle the overwhelming attack, Chaejeokyo coughed up blood and collapsed to her knees.
Was it because she took such a huge hit?
Chaejeokyo turned as pale as a ghost, gasping for breath, before ultimately crumpling to the ground, and Chaejin, with a slightly fatigued expression, turned to look at Yu Wol.
As expected, he wasn’t surprised at all, just like she had hoped.
As if he already knew he would win.
“…Haha.”
Feeling that trust, Chaejin’s heart raced.
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