Three techniques unfurled, but Hongryeon remained unfazed.
In fact, it was Sayoon, the one launching the attacks, who seemed to be struggling more.
And how could it be any different? Sayoon’s understanding and mastery of the Hongseong Divine Art techniques were no match for Hongryeon’s.
That’s why Hongryeon stayed so calm; she knew exactly how to counter them.
“Not yet. Go for more.”
“Huuhhh…”
To turn this martial arts competition into a training ground, unbelievable!
As Hongryeon pointed her great sword, Sayoon nodded and charged at her.
Dozens of techniques were unleashed, but every single one was blocked.
-Thunk!!
And just as a gap was created, Hongryeon didn’t miss her chance. Swinging her great sword towards the opening Sayoon had exposed with her big attack, she sent Sayoon flying.
“Ugh…”
“The techniques of the Hongseong Divine Art use a lot of internal energy. Especially strong techniques really drain you. Be careful, or you might get hit back if you don’t create a solid gap.”
“Yes…!”
“Do you have more to show?”
“…Just one last thing.”
It seemed Sayoon knew she couldn’t defeat Hongryeon. So, she took a slow breath, and Hongryeon readied her great sword at her.
And then…
-Pat.
Sayoon stepped forward. Hongryeon’s eyes widened.
Not just hers. Even the Sword Saint beside me tensed up.
Because they both knew what Sayoon was about to attempt.
Back when the Cheolhyeol Master attacked, the Sword Saint had exhibited this.
Sayoon was awkwardly trying to perform the slicing wind of the Hongseong Divine Art.
-Scchhaang!!
“Cough!”
Sayoon’s sword moved lightly. As the intangible sword energy aimed for her, Hongryeon parried it with a surprised look. Perhaps due to the strain, Sayoon coughed up blood.
“…Pushing it.”
“Hehehe…”
But it was worthy of praise.
Clumsy as it was, Sayoon managed to grasp the tail end of the technique from the Hongseong Divine Art.
Something that even in Heavenly Bright Moon, she hadn’t even dared to attempt, she pulled it off.
“Still, you did well.”
As she patted the struggling Sayoon on the head, Hongryeon said softly, and Sayoon smiled brightly before fainting.
The victor of this martial contest was Hongryeon, but perhaps from this, Sayoon’s name would be greatly known in the martial world.
Sayoon collapsed, and the finalists were decided.
Hongseong’s Hongryeon.
Moonjeong’s Chaejin.
Everyone in the know was aware.
The two clans had been rivals for a long time, and Hongryeon and Chaejin were also bitter rivals.
Maybe that’s why? At the government’s gambling house, people talked with serious expressions as if they were in a battlefield strategy meeting.
“Wasn’t it the Falling Sun Sword?”
Up until now, according to the reputation in the martial world, Hongryeon was known to be a bit stronger than Chaejin. After all, Hongryeon had the upper hand in the previous martial arts competitions.
But what Chaejin displayed in this match changed the gamblers’ evaluations.
She filled the world with darkness and raised a crescent moon in the night sky.
Only one in the world.
It was the Moonlight Slash that only a Doje could use.
Of course, while the Doje’s Moonlight Slash created a full moon to release powerful energy, Chaejin achieving a crescent moon still meant that she would soon be able to create a full moon and wield that power.
But what about Hongryeon?
Her performance in this martial arts competition was indeed impressive, but it didn’t quite match Chaejin’s.
So this heated discussion continued.
“So, what do you think?”
When the Sword Saint asked, I just smiled.
Well, I couldn’t really put a label on this one.
And with those two exchanging glances like that, how could I even make an evaluation?
My neck felt like it was going to break.
I tried to ignore their gazes and answered the Sword Saint.
“I’m not sure.”
“Haha. You have something you don’t know?”
“Well, I only know what I know.”
As the Sword Saint teased, I responded with a smile and stopped in my tracks.
We were in the local government hospital.
I stepped inside to see Sayoon, who had gone there to recover after trying the Falling Wind technique and coughing up blood, and found Chaeran scolding her with her arms crossed.
“Are you an idiot? Huh? Do you not realize how dangerous it is to use that at your level?”
“Hahahaha…”
“If I’d known this would happen, I wouldn’t have sparred with you!”
“I’m sorry! I’m sorry!”
“Hmph!”
“What’s going on?”
As I entered, Chaeran pointed an irritated finger at Sayoon.
“That idiot!”
Sayoon couldn’t have learned the Falling Wind technique without Chaeran’s help.
While secretly sparring with her, Sayoon had researched the technique, and they had exchanged knowledge to master it together.
They had grasped some of the fundamentals, but that technique was so powerful that it was hard for both Sayoon and Chaeran to handle, so it was better to use it after getting stronger.
And yet, she went ahead and used it.
Chaeran flicked Sayoon on the forehead, and Sayoon winced, hugging her forehead and looking miserable.
“Ugh…”
“I was so worried! You even coughed up blood!”
“Hahahaha… But the doctor said it’s just a minor injury…”
“That’s how people fall into a critical condition.”
When the Sword Saint calmly remarked, Sayoon shrank back. Towards her, the Sword Saint raised his hand. Startled, as she closed her eyes, he reached out and patted her head.
I patted her head.
“There are countless in the martial world who crumble under the weight of power beyond their own abilities.”
“Yes…”
“But still, you did well. I didn’t expect you to catch onto the essence of the Withering Wind so quickly. To truly use the Withering Wind, the sword and I must become one. This is referred to as the Unity of Sword and Spirit. After completely mastering the Withering Wind, once you can move according to your will by controlling the sword, that is what we call the Demon Sword Technique.”
One must enter the realm of the superhuman to use the Demon Sword Technique. As the Sword Saint calmly spoke, Sayoon nodded.
“I understand. I’ll try harder.”
“But you’re not trying to learn the Great Sword Technique?”
“Um… I will learn it, but…”
With a smile, Sayoon gently hugged her sword.
“I’ll do it after I learn the sword techniques a bit more.”
“Alright.”
The Sword Saint nodded, and I agreed.
It’s not like there aren’t disciples who don’t wish to learn the Great Sword Technique. If she doesn’t want to start it, then that’s fine.
After all, time is abundant.
“I’m sorry for worrying the Innkeeper…”
“Mm? No, if that’s what you want, then it’s fine.”
I was a bit surprised, but as long as she was safe, that was what mattered.
And there’s nothing wrong with mastering the Withering Wind.
Of course, compared to the final form of the Great Sword Technique, the Falling Star Blade, it might lack a bit in destructiveness.
But at the level I heard back then, it could definitely be considered impressive.
And if she masters it well, they say she can use the Demon Sword Technique.
Considering how powerful Namgoong Cheon’s Demon Sword Technique is, as the leader of the Namgoong Clan and a Sword King, it’s certainly not a bad thing.
Indeed, having a teacher makes a noticeable difference.
“You’ve really grown a lot.”
I smiled and said, with Sayoon blushing and grinning shyly.
Her expression undoubtedly held a sense of pride.
The long-awaited finals day has arrived.
The audience seats were already packed, and many martial artists from the martial world had come to witness the clash between two renowned figures.
“Yu Seonsaeng!”
“Huh?”
It was Cheonilhwa. As he approached with Wiyeol and Gi Noya, I was surprised and quickly stood up.
“What brings you all this way?”
“Haha. The match between the Falling Sun Sword and Moonlight Blade has spread all the way to Yangwi Star. Both Hongseong Clan and Moonjeong are involved with the Empire, so I couldn’t just sit idly by.”
He spoke to me while giving a knowing grin to the Sword Saint beside me.
“Nice to meet you.”
“Likewise.”
It seemed the Sword Saint already knew who Cheonilhwa was. As she politely responded with a bow, Cheonilhwa nodded with satisfaction and said to me,
“And about the sales proceeds from the incense pouch and herbs, please send it to me separately. They sold for even more than last time…”
“I’ll make sure to send the payment separately. It sold for even more than last time…”
“Oh? Is that so?”
“It seems that with spring, many people are looking for incense pouches. Especially since Hongseong has been regaining its influence lately.”
That’s good news.
I glanced at the Sword Saint. She looked as indifferent as ever with her sleepy eyes, but her fist was tightly clenched, so she must be happy too.
“Really?! That’s great news!”
Although she hadn’t fully recovered from her injuries, Sayoon, who had come to watch the finals, smiled brightly, and Cheonilhwa returned her smile with a chuckle.
“This is the female hero, Sayoon, who is making a name for herself in this martial arts tournament.”
“Ah… Hehe.”
“They say a good title is coming your way. I’m curious what it will be.”
“Hehehe. A, a title?”
Feeling shy, Sayoon scratched her cheek. Cheonilhwa, who was warmly watching her, turned her eyes toward me.
“And it seems that Yu Seonsaeng will also get a title. Probably from the government rather than the Murim Alliance…”
“From the government? Why?”
“Because you’ve been making a name for yourself in monster subjugation. The current favorite seems to be ‘Shinsan Seonja’ meaning ‘a person who calculates like a god and bestows good deeds’…”
….
Isn’t that a bit over the top?!
Seeing my disbelief, Cheonilhwa burst out laughing.
“Actually, it was Munsahgong who suggested that title.”
“But still, that’s a bit much.”
“Haha. Just let it go and move on.”
Even if they gilded my face, it wouldn’t help. While I was in disbelief, the people next to me nodded.
Why are you nodding?
“It really suits the Innkeeper.”
Sayoon threw in her two cents.
“Looking back at how you moved first to block the attack from the Divine Black Lotus, it’s definitely fitting.”
Chaeran added.
“And always bestowing kindness is also something to recognize.”
The Sword Saint chimed in.
I truly couldn’t lift my head.
“Hahaha. Anyway, that’s a matter for later… Ah. It seems they’re about to start.”
Cheonilhwa pointed toward the arena as she took a seat.
Hongryeon and Chaejin were stepping out from the waiting tent.
Hongryeon wielded a large sword.
Chaejin held a dao.
As they stepped into the arena, Yun-gak shouted loudly.
“The great disciple of Hongseong, the Falling Sun Sword, Hongryeon! And the great disciple of Moonjeong, the Moonlight Blade, Chaejin!!”
As the two raised their weapons slowly at the call of their names…
“Start!!”
With that signal, they charged straight at each other.
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