Chapter v18c23

“It’s a miracle he’s still alive after that.”

Fortunately, his ears were intact. There was no need to add a new decoration to his forehead. But that was just the beginning of his training. To borrow Bi Ryu-Yeon’s words, it was the “baby steps” stage. He was eventually released from the cross, but he had to continue his training in a confined space, surrounded by blades, dodging attacks with minimal movement. He wasn’t allowed to move more than an inch. Or rather, it was impossible. If he moved more than an inch, the surrounding blades would punish him. The goal of the training was to dodge attacks with minimal movement, using his entire body. It was literally a matter of life and death, a single slip-up could prove fatal. He had to use all his senses, including his sixth sense, to survive.

The final test was even more difficult and terrifying. He had to dodge seven consecutive throwing daggers in a space where he could only move an inch. For example, if he dodged a dagger aimed at his right ear, a second dagger would immediately follow, aimed at the same spot. And even if he dodged that, a third dagger would come for his left carotid artery. And so on, seven consecutive attacks, each one aimed at a vital point. He had to dodge them all with the most efficient and effective movements.

The fact that he was still alive after all that made Namgung-Sang marvel at the resilience of the human body. The struggle for survival was both desperate and awe-inspiring. Compared to that hellish training, Ryu-Ran’s swordsmanship was child’s play.

“Take this!”

Ryu-Ran’s sword came at him again, aiming for a vital point. It was a textbook attack, worthy of a disciple from a prestigious sect.

She was using the Lotus Blossom Sword Technique, one of the Emei Sect’s famous sword techniques. It might not be as well-known as the Plum Blossom Sword Technique of the Hwasan Sect, but it was just as powerful. In fact, depending on the level of mastery, it could even surpass the Plum Blossom Sword Technique. But for Namgung-Sang, it was a technique he had experienced countless times, thanks to Jin-Ryeong. He had needed to familiarize himself with the Emei Sect’s swordsmanship in preparation for his duel with the Divine Maiden, and Jin-Ryeong had been the perfect sparring partner. Ryu-Ran’s skills weren’t superior to Jin-Ryeong’s, so he had no trouble dodging her attacks.

“The transition between your second and third movements isn’t smooth enough. You need to move more fluidly to increase your speed.”

He was even giving her advice now.

“Don’t underestimate me!”

“I’m not underestimating you. I’m giving you advice.”

Namgung-Sang protested, feeling a little offended. She attacked again and again, but he dodged effortlessly. His sword was still sheathed.

“Why don’t you give up?”

He asked.

“N-not yet!”

She answered, her voice firm. Her attacks became faster, but less precise, as her frustration grew.

“Calm your mind. Your swordsmanship is becoming sloppy.”

Such attacks were far from deadly. He was surprised to find himself repeating the same words Bi Ryu-Yeon always told him. It was a strange feeling.

“You won’t be able to defeat me, or any other entrance exam judge, with that kind of swordsmanship.”

Yoo Un-Bi, seeing Ryu-Ran struggling, grew anxious. He knew it would hurt her pride, but he couldn’t just stand there and watch. He couldn’t let this opportunity, a chance to gain an advantage in the entrance exam, slip away.

He waited patiently, calming his nerves. And then, the moment Namgung-Sang’s back was exposed, he drew his sword. It was a swift thrust, as fast as an arrow.

His thrust was fast and accurate, as expected of a Jeomchang disciple. It seemed like his sword would pierce Namgung-Sang’s head. But then…

Slide!

Namgung-Sang’s body shifted slightly to the left, as if he had eyes on the back of his head.

“Wha…?”

Yoo Un-Bi’s jaw dropped. Namgung-Sang had dodged his attack by a hair’s breadth.

It was said that the Jeomchang Sect’s swordsmanship began and ended with the thrust. As its name, the Sun-Shooting Sword Technique, suggested, it was a style that focused entirely on the thrust. That was why their swords were thinner and sharper than those of other sects. They did have slashing techniques, but those were merely stepping stones to the thrust. Therefore, a Jeomchang swordsman staked his life on the thrust. But the thrust, while fast and powerful, was difficult to recover from if it failed. A thrust that anticipated a counterattack would inevitably lose momentum. So Yoo Un-Bi was shocked to see his confident thrust so easily countered. And his suffering didn’t end there. His missed thrust was now heading towards Ryu-Ran. They were both caught off guard.

Even though it was a missed thrust, it was still powerful. It might have lost some of its force, but it was still deadly. Ryu-Ran had to abandon her attack on Namgung-Sang and defend herself against Yoo Un-Bi’s sword.

There were two ways to block a thrust: deflect it or parry it. Unlike a slash, you couldn’t just stand there and take a thrust. But her stance was too unstable to deflect it. She had been too focused on attacking Namgung-Sang, and her balance was off. That left her with only one option. She twisted her waist and parried his thrust.

Clang!

But his attack, a carefully prepared strike, was incredibly powerful. And to her surprise, her hand was flung back. She had never experienced such a forceful thrust. She finally understood why people called the Jeomchang Sect’s swordsmanship “reckless” and “a runaway cart.”

Yoo Un-Bi’s sword, its trajectory slightly altered, was now heading towards Ryu-Ran’s shoulder. And the problem was that he couldn’t control it.

At that moment, Namgung-Sang drew his sword. Living up to his nickname, the Lightning Blade Dragon, he unsheathed his sword with lightning speed and parried Yoo Un-Bi’s thrust.

Clang!

With a clear ring, the thrust missed Ryu-Ran’s shoulder by a hair’s breadth. They were both off balance. Namgung-Sang quickly moved behind Yoo Un-Bi and gave him a gentle push.

“Wha…?”

“Ah!”

A cry of surprise, a short scream, and then they collided. They tried to regain their balance, but it was too late. They stumbled, their bodies entangled, and finally collapsed in a heap.

Thud!

As the dust settled, Yoo Un-Bi found himself pinned beneath Ryu-Ran, a cold blade pressed against his neck. Ryu-Ran, lying on her back, felt a cold blade against her throat. Namgung-Sang’s sword was touching Yoo Un-Bi’s neck, its tip aimed at Ryu-Ran’s throat. They were both in a humiliating position, but they couldn’t move, paralyzed by the invisible pressure of his blade.

Clap! Clap!

“That’s enough!”

Namgung-Sang sheathed his sword at Bi Ryu-Yeon’s signal.

“See? Three seconds was enough!”

Bi Ryu-Yeon said, getting up from his seat.

“Y-yes.”

Namgung-Sang replied sheepishly. His earlier confidence had vanished.

“But we have new arrival.”

“?”

“Or should I say ‘guests’?”

Namgung-Sang was confused. And then, he heard a woman’s voice behind him.

“Hmm, you lost quite spectacularly!”

He whirled around.

* * *

A woman in white was standing there, two children beside her.

‘W-who is she?’

He instinctively held his breath. Her aura was overwhelming. There weren’t many in Jianghu who possessed such power. He was only able to withstand her pressure because he was accustomed to being around monsters like Bi Ryu-Yeon. The woman’s eyes glinted with interest as he met her gaze.

“Hmm, impressive for someone so young.”

“You flatter me, senior!”

Namgung-Sang replied respectfully.

“Hmm, was it you who defeated my disciple?”

“Yes, it was.”

He admitted readily.

‘Disciple?’

Ryu-Ran’s eyes widened at the word “disciple.” The shock of her defeat had cleared her mind. She realized her current predicament and blushed furiously. Yoo Un-Bi was still lying on top of her.

“Oh, no, Miss Ryu… This is…”

Yoo Un-Bi tried to explain, but he couldn’t bring himself to say that he had thrown out his back.

“You pervert!”

Slap!

A resounding slap, and stars exploded in Yoo Un-Bi’s vision. He was flung into the air, his body spinning once before landing a short distance away. The sound was so loud and forceful that Namgung-Sang almost flinched.

Ryu-Ran scrambled to her feet, brushed the dust off her clothes, and knelt before the woman.

“Disciple Ryu-Ran greets her master!”

The woman in white was Jin So-Ryeong, Ryu-Ran’s master, the Divine Maiden of Emei. She had been on her way to the Middle Heaven Merchant Guild with the two children when she sensed a familiar aura and decided to investigate.

“Rise.”

Ryu-Ran’s clothes were a mess after rolling around in the dirt. Jin So-Ryeong surveyed her disciple and clicked her tongue.

“Tsk, tsk, I told you not to be so overconfident. I knew you would get your comeuppance one day.”

Ryu-Ran was too ashamed to look up.

“I hope my disciple didn’t offend you.”

Namgung-Sang felt a little awkward, being addressed so politely.

“Not at all. The rules have changed, so we have to adapt. It was a fair duel.”

“And you lost.”

Jin So-Ryeong’s blunt words made Ryu-Ran blush again.

“Don’t be ashamed. You’ve been training for four years. If you were weaker than him, why would I have sent you to Cheonmu Academy? And why do you think so many prestigious sects try to send their disciples there? Do you see the bigger picture now?”

Mount Emei was a secluded place, so the disciples could only spar with each other. They did interact with other sects, but not very often, due to the nature of their sect. They sent their disciples to Cheonmu Academy to broaden their horizons, to experience the world and interact with other martial artists.

“What’s your name?”

“Namgung-Sang, fourth-year student at Cheonmu Academy.”

He bowed, his sword still in his hand.

“Ah!”

“Ah!”

Ryu-Ran and Yoo Un-Bi gasped in unison. And then they shouted,

“The Lightning Blade Dragon!”

“The Vermilion Bird Leader!”

It seemed like the Vermilion Bird group was quite famous. In fact, they were practically idols to Ryu-Ran’s generation. Their achievements were unparalleled. But Namgung-Sang had been so busy being tormented by Bi Ryu-Yeon that he hadn’t realized it. Ryu-Ran screamed inwardly.

‘This can’t be! That’s Namgung-Sang, the Lightning Blade Dragon? But what’s with his pathetic appearance? Were the rumors about his charisma and strength all lies? Or has he suffered some unimaginable hardship?’

She was so shocked that she didn’t notice the change in her master’s expression.

“I see. So you’re the one Ryeong-ah was talking about.”

Namgung-Sang’s heart skipped a beat.

“You know…”

“My apologies. I haven’t introduced myself. I’m Jin So-Ryeong from Emei.”

“Ah, the Divine Maiden!”

It was an unexpected encounter. He had imagined being formally introduced to her by Jin-Ryeong, after much anticipation and preparation. He hadn’t expected to meet her like this, after humiliating her disciple. The moment he heard her name, the name that had haunted his dreams and indirectly tormented him in reality, his heart leaped into his throat. It wasn’t just her fame. The fact that she was Jin-Ryeong’s aunt was the real problem. He was suddenly on trial.

Someone kicked him in the butt.

“What are you waiting for? Introduce yourself!”

It was Bi Ryu-Yeon, who had stealthily delivered the kick. He had been so overwhelmed by her sudden appearance that he had forgotten to introduce himself.

“Ah! I-it’s an honor to meet you. I’m Namgung-Sang, the third son of the Namgung Family.”

“I’m eager to marry your niece, Miss Jin-Ryeong, and I’m willing to endure any trial to prove my worth.”

He hadn’t said that last part. It was Bi Ryu-Yeon, mimicking his voice.

“Is that true?”

Jin So-Ryeong asked.

“Well, I…”

He was flustered, his feelings exposed in front of the most intimidating person imaginable.

“So it’s not true?”

She asked again.

“No, of course it’s true. I’m willing to endure any trial.”

“I see. Any trial?”

She nodded, looking impressed.

“Then I suppose I’ll have to test you myself.”

She drew her sword without hesitation.

“Wait… I…”

He hadn’t expected her to draw her sword so abruptly, the moment she confirmed his identity. His carefully crafted plans had gone out the window, and he was struggling to adapt to the situation. It seemed like she had come prepared.

‘What should I do?’

How had things gotten so complicated? It was all Bi Ryu-Yeon’s fault. He must have done it on purpose. Namgung-Sang wanted to tear his hair out.

Even Bi Ryu-Yeon hadn’t anticipated Jin So-Ryeong’s arrival. But unlike Namgung-Sang, who was frozen in panic, he reacted calmly to the sudden change in circumstances.