A red aura erupted explosively from Sayoon’s sword.
Ordinary swords would have shattered under such intense energy, but the radiating blade embraced Sayoon’s fierce power with pride in its incredible durability.
Chaeran, watching this unfold, couldn’t help but be impressed.
“Wow. Looks like she’s going for something big.”
Hongseong Divine Art – Sword Technique: Gwangseongpok.
It’s a technique focusing all its strength into a single strike, much like a great sword technique.
I thought this would still be tough for Sayoon…
“Looks like she knows she could lose if it drags on. Hahaha. That girl.”
While the Sword Saint chuckled and nodded, Sayoon finished her preparations and her eyes sparkled. The moment Myojae tightened her grip on the staff,
Sayoon dashed forward.
“Ugh!!”
Like a shooting star across the night sky, Sayoon lunged rapidly at Myojae.
There was no escaping this.
With such overwhelming energy in her sword strike, blocking was the only option.
So, Myojae spun her staff eagerly, unleashing a defensive maneuver.
-BOOM!!!
A thunderous explosion erupted, sending dust flying everywhere. When the massive cloud finally began to settle,
I couldn’t help but smile.
It seemed like she barely managed to block, but Myojae’s condition was clearly not that great.
Tattered clothes and gasping for breath, Myojae snarled.
“That’s it!!”
“Ah?! But there are still two left!”
“……..”
Myojae’s face flushed red. But since she had agreed to let her go three times, what could she say?
Breathing heavily, she immediately resumed a defensive stance, while Sayoon smiled and twirled her sword, slowly inhaling and exhaling.
She was replenishing her depleted energy through the very Gwangseongpok technique she had just used.
“It’s one of the energy techniques of Hongseong Divine Art.”
She knew. One of the basic techniques in the latter stages of Hongseong Divine Art allowed her to slowly recover her energy during rest.
As Sayoon quietly gathered her energy, eyes closed in thought, she opened them again.
-WHOOOOSHHH!!!
Once more, she unleashed the same Gwangseongpok.
But unlike the first time, the red aura bursting forth was much more controlled.
Could she be trying to refine Gwangseongpok through this situation?
I couldn’t help but admire Sayoon’s refusal to miss even the smallest opportunity.
She had certainly grown well.
“Hahaha. If you don’t have that level of confidence, then you shouldn’t make concessions so easily.”
“That’s just not going to work.”
So, is that what happens when pride gets so strong it turns into arrogance?
Anyway, it looks like Sayoon was planning to try everything she could in this opportunity.
When Myojae saw that, she swallowed hard, and Sayoon made her move.
– KWA-BOOM!!
Once again, a deafening explosion rang out. As the dust settled, Myojae appeared clearly exhausted. She was barely standing on her trembling legs when she shouted fiercely.
“Come at me one more time!!”
Wow. Impressive.
No matter how weaker she is than Myojae, Sayoon is definitely no slouch.
Standing despite taking Myojae’s Gwangseong Explosion twice is no small feat. I, along with the Sword Saint and Chaeran, couldn’t help but admire her.
“The problem is Sayoon… Gwangseong Explosion is an energy-draining technique…”
“Well, it seems like she can do it one more time though.”
A red aura flickered around Sayoon. Seeing that, the Sword Saint smiled wryly.
“What’s she planning to do after using that…”
“Maybe she wants to end it here.”
Gwangseong Explosion three times.
No matter how much she defends, can Myojae withstand that hit?
As everyone watched with excited faces, Sayoon charged at Myojae with a haggard expression, gathering all the remaining energy she had left.
– KWA-BOOM!!
What stood there amidst the explosion was Myojae. Panting and smiling while Sayoon stood stiffly with a blank expression wielding her sword.
The first to make a move was Sayoon.
“This is the end.”
Myojae thrust her spear into the ground, shrugging her shoulders.
In response to her words, Yoon-gak looked at her, and Myojae chuckled.
“Honestly, I could go on, but… it would feel like I’m being serious.”
“Are you admitting defeat?”
“Yes. Well, I suppose I have to be satisfied to see the growth of the juniors leading the righteous path.”
Impressed by Myojae’s relaxed statement, Yoon-gak nodded lightly, and Myojae approached Sayoon.
“The youngest of Hongseong Clan is stronger than I expected. Just know that there won’t be any more leniency next time.”
Is she saying she acknowledges her not just as a simple junior but as someone she would take seriously?
Though looking worn out, Sayoon still seemed to have some strength left as she sheathed her sword and bowed to her.
“I want to become someone like you, Senior Myojae. You’re truly amazing.”
“Hahaha. You’ll need to work hard for that!”
Patting her shoulder, Myojae stepped down from the sparring platform. The crowd murmured in agreement, saying “Of course, Myojae is Myojae.”
“Alright, I have to go now. Chaeran, please stay by Yu Wol’s side.”
“Hm? Where are you going?”
“I’ve helped my disciple grow, so I guess it’s time for me to help too. Myojae is probably at her limit. She’s trying her best to maintain her composure, but…”
So she’s holding up with just mental fortitude.
The Sword Saint moved, worrying that she might vomit blood the moment she returned to the tent. Chaeran chuckled a bit when she saw the Sword Saint follow Myojae into the tent.
“The righteous sects have a bit of a problem here.”
Is it the unnecessary pride and self-importance they try to maintain?
But that’s what makes them righteous.
After Sayoon and Myojae’s duel, the next was Joo Yeryeong and a master from the Yuksunmun. To make it short, Joo Yeryeong won.
However, it seemed like it wasn’t an easy battle for her, as she looked quite exhausted.
Hongryeon and Chaejin also battled against martial artists from other righteous sects and emerged victorious.
Now, only the semi-finals and finals were left.
Hongryeon, Chaejin, Sayoon, Joo Yeryeong.
Only these four masters remained.
Naturally, Sayoon’s chances of winning this time were significantly low. It wasn’t hard to understand why.
Objectively speaking, it was expected that Sayoon couldn’t win against Hongryeon right now.
“Uh… I think it will be tough to defeat the Senior Sister.”
Sayoon quietly said as she returned to the inn and looked at the next match-ups. I laughed. When I glanced over, Hongryeon was smiling brightly.
“Well, you never know until you try, right?”
“Mm. That is true.”
“Oh… That fighting spirit. Impressive.”
Hongryeon grinned and ruffled Sayoon’s hair until her neatly arranged gray hair was a mess, then suddenly turned to me.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Just, heh. By the way, I want to take the opportunity to teach Sayoon properly this time. Is it alright if I go a bit hard on her?”
Is it because I’m one of the organizers? Hongryeon asked seriously, as if seeking my permission, and I nodded.
“Huh? I thought you would stop me?”
“With the Sword Saint here and the Murim Alliance sending a healer, we should trust them for the next round.”
Sayoon has grown well.
Even more than I imagined.
The support she received wasn’t solely due to my or our efforts.
Hongseong.
Sword Saint.
And even Hongryeon.
They’ve all played a significant role in Sayoon’s growth.
Especially in aspects related to martial arts, that was something I couldn’t influence.
It wasn’t something I could do anything about.
But the fact that they did this much means that they could be trusted.
I nodded, and Hongryeon smiled.
“Alright. Sayoon, you should be prepared.”
“Yes!!”
While Sayoon responded with sparkling eyes, I looked at Chaejin. She had just come inside after having a serious conversation with Chaeran in the backyard.
“Innkeeper.”
“Hmm?”
“You’re going to cheer for me, right?”
“Of course, that’s a given.”
Chaejin’s next opponent is Joo Yeryeong. So I nodded with a smile, and after taking a deep breath, Chaejin spoke seriously.
“If I defeat Joo Yeryeong…”
“Haha. Are you hoping for praise? Or maybe a gift?”
At my words, Chaejin’s face lit up noticeably. With a bright smile and twinkling eyes, she looked like she might wag her tail if she had one, but she quickly managed her expression and shook her head.
“Uh. Well, that’s part of it, but let’s talk about that later.”
Swallowing hard, she looked at Hongryeon.
“Could you please lift the restriction the Innkeeper placed on me just this once?”
It was something I restricted.
I found myself looking at Hongryeon unknowingly.
I had said I hoped they wouldn’t hurt each other too much during their sparring.
The smile on Hongryeon’s face, as she cuddled Sayoon, gradually faded.
From a good sister.
From a good disciple.
To the face of a warrior who lives bearing a single sword.
Two beauties who said they liked me were silently watching each other.
“Of course, it wouldn’t be to the point of taking lives… but injuries could definitely happen.”
“Hmm…”
“How about granting permission?”
The Sword Saint, who was behind me, chimed in.
To be honest, I hoped they wouldn’t.
If two strong opponents fought seriously, it might not just end with minor injuries if something went wrong.
Yet still, hoping for it meant that she knew they needed each other to grow more.
People grow when they have good opponents, and Hongryeon and Chaejin have considered each other rivals for a long time.
Perhaps through this sparring tournament, they might both grow.
“…Just this once.”
So I nodded.
Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.
