The Sword Saint was thinking of Hongryeon as the next leader of the Hongseong clan. Given that, simply handing over the position would be the end of it, but that didn’t mean there shouldn’t be a check on skills.
For the Sword Saint, that check of skills was exactly martial arts.
As a sect in the Murim, what mattered most was martial arts.
I watched the two beauties glaring at each other, and Changju spoke to me with a face full of reluctance.
“Is that really okay?”
But they were a master and disciple, so would they actually try to kill each other? They’d probably hold back a bit during their sparring.
“We should get started, right? Ryun-ah. If you want to pass on the succession smoothly during the ceremony, you’ll need some healing too, so how about we do it right now?”
The Sword Saint’s voice was calm, but the content was anything but calm.
When preparing to check skills for the succession ceremony, the implication was that one should be ready for at least a broken bone.
And Hongryeon casually shrugged at that remark, smiling.
“Hehe. You should take care of yourself first, Master. How about summoning a divine being from the Murim Alliance?”
“Uhuhuh…”
“Hahaha…”
Scary!
The clash of two transcendent beings’ wills and energies was enough to make even me dizzy. If things went wrong, who knows what kind of trouble could arise?
“Even if it’s fine to fight to check each other’s skills, I hope you can avoid serious injuries.”
“If that’s your wish, I will comply. But I have no intention of holding back.”
“That’s right. It’s like a disciple repaying their master.”
For a disciple to surpass their master is both a shameful and most proud moment for that master.
Moreover, the Sword Saint had long hoped for Hongryeon’s growth and would be wishing for her to put up a good fight.
No matter how much I spoke, I couldn’t really reduce that momentum.
Hmm. What to do.
“…In that case, let’s at least get the Murim Alliance involved so we can have the support of a physician first.”
“That much is nothing…”
It’s a relief they agreed to that.
Today’s escort was Hongryeon, so the Sword Saint returned to Hongseong, and as I walked back to the inn with Hongryeon, I asked her.
“Are you okay with this?”
“It was something that had to be done anyway. By the way, how long do you think we’ll have to wait for the divine being?”
“Well, if we request it as an express order from the post office…”
The Sword Saint and Hongryeon would clash in preparation for the succession ceremony of the Hongseong clan.
Both of them were martial artists from the orthodox sect and would continue to fight for the sect, so the Murim Alliance wouldn’t want to see either of them injured and suffering.
Thus, if I made the request, a divine being or an equally divine physician would come right away.
Considering things like travel time…
“I think it’ll be at most four or five days.”
“Four or five days, huh… Then we should be able to prepare for when they arrive.”
“What are you planning to do in the meantime? I mean, do you even have a chance?”
“Haha…”
Hongryeon slightly lowered her head. It was unlike her to show such a lack of confidence.
“Even if I give it my all, I doubt I can win. As for martial arts, my master is nothing short of a genius.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. Even if I use the power of the Dragon Blade… Well, I’ll need to prepare for the next three days.”
“Hah. What kind of preparation do you plan to do during those three days?”
Hongryeon grinned.
“There are two superhumans, after all.”
As soon as they returned to the inn, Hongryeon sought out Namgoong Cheon. He was sitting at a table, seemingly having just stepped out for a meal, quietly munching on a simple dish.
As Namgoong Cheon gulped down a bite of grilled fish that Yohwan had just brought and took a swig of his drink, he tilted his head as he saw me and Hongryeon approach.
“Hmm? What brings you two here?”
“Thunderbolt Sword King, may I request your guidance?”
Since the first time they had met, Namgoong Cheon had become significantly more friendly.
Sword of the Emperor.
He was a formidable martial artist whose techniques could dominate and wield the aura of a king. The first time I met him, just looking at him would send shivers down anyone’s spine.
But now, he was just a common grandfather you would find at your neighborhood bathhouse.
I had previously witnessed him splashing around with the local kids from Seonhwa Village or holding strength contests with workers in the steam room, and even sitting with merchants in the sauna, snacking on fried yam and eggs.
Who would think this was the Thunderbolt Sword King Namgoong Cheon?
With the edge gone and his demeanor softening, Namgoong Cheon simply burst into laughter at Hongryeon’s challenge.
“Are you saying you want to have a match with me?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm… That sounds good. It wouldn’t be a life-or-death battle. But why the sudden request?”
“I hear the Sword Saint is stepping down.”
“Oh, really? In that case, I should give it my all. Alright, but where…?”
“At the government office, or perhaps at the Moonjeong branch.”
We could do it in the backyard, but it would be a training match between superhumans. The aftermath wouldn’t be ordinary, so it’s best to head that way first.
Namgoong Cheon nodded at my suggestion.
“Let’s go.”
Following Namgoong Cheon, who only brought his sword and walked casually, Hongryeon and I also walked along.
And thus, we arrived at the Moonjeong branch.
We arrived at the Moonjeong branch.
The members guarding the place looked puzzled when they saw us.
“What brings you here?”
“We’d like to use the sparring arena for a bit. Is that alright?”
“It’s fine, but…”
“Then please guide us.”
At my words, the member decided to let us in without hesitation. Following her lead, we arrived at the spacious sparring arena, where Chaeran stepped out.
“Oh? What’s going on?”
“The Thunderbolt Sword King and the Moonlight Sword are going to spar.”
“Wow. Bro-in-law, can we watch too?”
“Of course, no problem.”
“Get everyone! All of them!”
Watching the duel of strong fighters is a study in itself. Chaeran definitely wasn’t going to miss this opportunity, and soon enough, Moonjeong members settled in the arena.
“But where’s Chaejin?”
“She’s working right now.”
“Haha…”
Is this karma?
Chaeran giggled and shrugged her shoulders.
“Don’t think about helping.”
“I know. Now… anyway. Start.”
Standing in the arena, Namgoong Cheon slowly raised his sword.
It didn’t take long for the neighborhood bathhouse grandpa to transform into the superhuman known as the Thunderbolt Sword King.
Simply him raising the sword made all the martial artists present break out in cold sweat.
The unrivaled martial art of the Namgoong Clan, the Emperor Sword Form, was unfolding.
It seemed even Hongryeon was getting tense from that pressure.
In Heavenly Bright Moon, it was said that facing Namgoong Cheon during the event felt like standing in front of a giant when he unleashed the Emperor Sword Form.
Was Hongryeon feeling that too? She appeared strangely tense, which wasn’t like her.
But should it really surprise us?
“…Here I go.”
Hongryeon gritted her teeth, overcoming the pressure and sprinting forward.
Charge. Charge. Charge.
Her movements wielding the Dragon’s Calling Sword were unwavering, and because of that, Namgoong Cheon laughed.
“Whether it’s the master or the disciple, it’s the same to not know how high the heavens are and to rampage!!”
“Thank you for the compliment!!”
…Is that really a compliment?
The duel didn’t last long.
Fights between strong opponents often reach a conclusion quickly.
And the outcome was… should we call it a draw?
Neither Namgoong Cheon nor Hongryeon landed a solid hit on each other.
However, this duel was mostly for exploration of each other’s abilities, so the result wouldn’t hold much significance.
“You’ve gotten quite comfortable using your power, but that alone won’t be enough to defeat the Sword Saint.”
“I see.”
“Still, trying to find openings in the Emperor Sword Form and attempting to press back that momentum was good. Refine that part further. And one more piece of advice… it seems you have little experience.”
“Your attempt to suppress that momentum was decent. Just polish that part a bit more. And one piece of advice… it’s clear you lack experience.”
Despite having trained extensively and fought many battles since becoming a transcendent, Hongryeon could still be considered a novice compared to the Sword Saint.
Even if she tried to close that gap with the Yonghwan Sword, it would still be too much for her to handle against the Sword Saint, Namgoong Cheon stated calmly.
“So, to defeat the Master, it’s better to rely on different aspects rather than the refinement of your energy?”
“That’s right. If it comes down to a stance battle, you’ll lose without even having a chance to try.”
Hongryeon nodded thoughtfully.
“Can I ask for your help one more time?”
“Of course. Ha. By the way, I’m envious of the Sword Saint. I wish my son was like you. That kid gets endlessly gloomy whenever he hits a wall.”
With a grin from Namgoong Cheon’s compliment, Hongryeon took her stance again.
Just then, Chaelin rushed over and plopped down next to me.
“Are you done?”
“Yep.”
“Then why didn’t you do it sooner, if you could finish that quickly?”
Chaelan grumbled incredulously at Chaerin, who sheepishly shifted behind me.
“She’s bothering me.”
“Haha. Don’t be like that. It’s the person who does it, after all. Let’s embrace them with compliments.”
“Ugh.”
As I patted her, Chaerin, delighted, continued to grumble at Chaedin, while Namgoong Cheon and Hongryeon resumed their sparring.
The clashing sounds of swords continued.
Unlike earlier, Hongryeon’s movements were gradually changing. Watching this, Chaedin snickered and whispered as if she wanted to be heard.
“Uh, that’s not how you’re supposed to do it.”
“……”
-Kwa-Kwang!!
With a flash of lightning following Namgoong Cheon’s strike, Hongryeon managed to block it with the Yonghwan Sword and countered using the Hongseong Divine Art technique, Myeorakpa, which Namgoong Cheon split apart.
“Why are you pursuing from there?”
“………”
After several strikes exchanged between the swords, a gap appeared, where Namgoong Cheon aimed for Hongryeon’s neck with his Golden Nasuhop technique. As she dodged and countered with a palm strike, Chaedin tilted her head.
“Wait?! You’re gonna advance from there?”
After several exchanges, they both stepped back to create distance.
As the match came to an end, Hongryeon looked at Chaedin.
“Can you fight like that? Come up to the sparring area.”
Chaedin grinned widely, grabbed the Yonghwan Sword, and headed up, while Namgoong Cheon chuckled as he descended.
“This should be an interesting spectacle.”
“…I hope you take it easy.”
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