Chapter 192
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A small spark of interest appeared on Yeon Hojeong’s face.
“This is quite an intriguing situation.”
“Is that so?”
Pae Yul smiled. A chilly aura accompanied his laughter, casting the shadow of a menacing predator.
“I thought you would understand. From what I see, there’s not much difference between us.”
“Is that how I appear to you?”
“Of course. You’re not like those old-fashioned hermits. Whether it’s the Nine Sects or the Six Families, they all try to live like lofty cranes. But aren’t you more like a tiger that bites into its prey without hesitation?”
“You overestimate me.”
“I don’t care how you see yourself. What’s important is how I see you.”
Cheok Gang fidgeted uneasily in the middle.
“Sa, Sa-suknim.”
At that moment, Yeon Hojeong raised his hand to stop Cheok Gang.
Before anyone noticed, his gaze had become serious.
“Are you sincere?”
“Hmm?”
“When you say that if you lose to me, you’ll follow my orders without question. That if I tell you to die, you’ll actually die, not just pretend.”
Pae Yul’s face hardened.
“When I was young, I was often told I was a troublemaker, just like Gang here. But even those who disliked me acknowledged one thing.”
“And what was that?”
“I never go back on my word.”
The corners of Yeon Hojeong’s mouth lifted.
Surprisingly, his smile bore a resemblance to Pae Yul’s.
“To not contradict yourself… It’s an important virtue.”
“So, has your heart been swayed?”
“Are you hungry for a match?”
Pae Yul smirked.
“As expected, you’re quite similar to me. Did you see that right away?”
“Anyone with a bit of perception would notice, even if they’re not the same type.”
“Is that so?”
“If you were so hungry for a match, why didn’t you just challenge anyone? You don’t seem like someone who draws their sword while considering the other’s situation.”
Pae Yul shook his head.
“You’re wrong. Although I’m certainly not a man of decorum, at my age, and with the position of Elder, I can’t entirely disregard the dignity of the sect.”
“And yet you’re fine with taking orders from a junior if they defeat you?”
“If you manage to beat me, that is.”
The tension in the air began to rise.
Pae Yul’s smile deepened.
“You’re in pretty bad shape, both inside and out. You should get treated first, and then…”
“Are there any rules?”
“Hmm? What do you mean?”
“Are you seeking a spar to measure each other’s skills? Or are you looking for a life-and-death duel where one misstep could cost a life?”
“Naturally, the latter.”
“I see.”
Yeon Hojeong nodded.
“I trust you understand real combat.”
“Of course…”
It was then.
Paaaang!
Pae Yul’s eyes widened in shock.
Before he realized it, Yeon Hojeong had closed the distance and was already striking with a powerful palm.
The air seemed to be sucked in by the heavy palm technique pressing forward. It was Yeon Hojeong’s secret martial art, Banryongjang (Reverse Dragon Palm).
“Hup!”
Thud!
Pae Yul retreated swiftly with an agile movement technique, shouting as he did so.
“What is the meaning of this…?!”
In that moment, Yeon Hojeong took a powerful step forward.
Boom!
The palm force that surged from his attack flew at twice the speed of the initial strike.
It was an unavoidable blow. If he couldn’t dodge, he had to block it. But given the force behind it, even blocking seemed overwhelming.
‘Munyeom! (No Thoughts)’
Pae Yul had too many thoughts racing through his mind. He quickly drew his sword.
Slash!
The force of the Banryongjang was split in half.
Boom!
The split energy crashed into the ground, overturning the earth on both sides.
Pae Yul’s voice burst out, filled with anger.
“What are you doing?!”
Whoosh!
Yeon Hojeong didn’t respond.
Approaching with the formidable Baekhogunlimbo (White Tiger’s Commanding Steps), he swung his fists like a raging storm.
Pae Yul’s eyes widened.
‘What incredible power!’
The barrage of punches coming in curved arcs was nothing short of exquisite. Each strike seemed to trace the outline of a giant beast’s fangs.
There was no time to hold back. Pae Yul’s sword spun rapidly, creating a fierce sword wind.
Clash! Boom!
“Kugh!”
It was brute strength.
Though he couldn’t unleash even half of its full power due to the split-second nature of the attack, the Hoihungmulryusasibpalgeom (Whirlwind Willow Dance Forty-Eight Swords) was one of Jeomchangpa’s prized secret sword techniques.
The technique’s power was restrained from the very roots. Not only did it disrupt the strength of the attack, but it also targeted and shattered the flow of the opponent’s martial arts—a highly practical combat technique.
Whoosh!
Though the situation had unfolded suddenly, Pae Yul wasn’t flustered. His body spun rapidly, and he swiftly maneuvered to Yeon Hojeong’s right rear.
It was a flawless movement, utilizing the mysterious footwork Jeomchang’s Chugyeongbo (Shrinking Shadow Steps).
Having taken a position behind his opponent, Pae Yul instantly slashed downward with his sword. His target was the center of Yeon Hojeong’s back. Whether Yeon Hojeong evaded or blocked, he would undoubtedly suffer serious injury.
It was then.
Clang!
Pae Yul’s eyes widened in shock.
‘He blocked it with his bare hand?!’
Without even turning around, Yeon Hojeong extended his hand.
That hand blocked the sword strike. A peculiar dark blue energy was emanating from the hand that stopped the attack.
It was the Hyeonmugi (Black Tortoise Energy). The unique resilience of the Hyeonmugi was so strong that Pae Yul’s sword was repelled backward by the force of his own attack.
Whoosh!
It didn’t end there.
As if anticipating this, Yeon Hojeong gathered all his strength, spun around, and kicked upward with the speed of lightning.
Speed equals power. A kick as fast as a swift sword would certainly carry immense force.
‘I can’t meet this head-on.’
He had to dodge. If he blocked, he would be overpowered, but if he dodged, he could counterattack.
Boom!
As Yeon Hojeong’s foot shot through the air, it tore through Pae Yul’s long robe, shredding the fabric.
“Here!”
Pae Yul’s sword aimed directly for Yeon Hojeong’s neck. It was a perfectly timed strike, executed with impeccable precision. It was a sword strike that would be nearly impossible for anyone to dodge.
In that instant, Yeon Hojeong’s eyes blazed with intensity.
Swish.
Pae Yul’s face filled with shock.
The sword’s tip pierced only empty air.
A powerful attack inevitably creates an opening. Pae Yul had aimed precisely for that gap, yet somehow, Yeon Hojeong’s form had disappeared from right in front of him.
“Wh-Where did he go?!”
In that fleeting moment, he sensed a chilling, murderous intent rising from below.
Whoosh! Smack!
“Kugh!”
He reacted to the killing intent, but it was slightly too late. The low, upward-striking kick connected with his thigh with explosive force.
Ziiiiing.
“Damn.”
The pain radiating from his thigh was immense. However, he had to consider himself lucky. Had he failed to evade even a fraction later, his bone would have shattered, and his muscles and flesh would have been torn apart.
It was a terrifying display of power. Pae Yul inwardly marveled at his opponent’s iron-like martial arts skills.
‘That was a feint?!’
The lightning-quick kick had been a feint, designed to catch him off guard, followed by a deadly strike.
This was the combat style of a veteran warrior. Even the feint, if it had connected, would have inflicted severe injury due to its immense power.
‘But!’
This time, he was serious. Ignoring the searing pain in his thigh, Pae Yul launched a series of resilient sword strikes.
Yeon Hojeong’s pupils dilated.
Pae Yul didn’t miss the change in Yeon Hojeong’s gaze. This time, his opponent was definitely caught off guard.
Then, Yeon Hojeong’s hand moved in an unusual manner.
‘…?’
Pae Yul’s eyes widened.
‘What…?!’
Wooooong.
Like a snake, or perhaps a dragon.
Yeon Hojeong’s hand twisted and rotated with a fluidity that seemed almost boneless, emitting a faint greenish-blue light as it moved. That light quickly wrapped around Pae Yul’s sword and hand.
Smack! Crack!
‘It’s broken.’
His wrist snapped. The sword he had been gripping tightly flew high into the air.
Whoosh!
Pae Yul retreated immediately, feeling a mysterious energy behind him that sent shivers down his spine.
He had lost the advantageous position. Even though he had been watching closely, his opponent had managed to get behind him.
Yeon Hojeong didn’t unleash a fierce killing aura like fire, create a heavy flow like water, or display light movements like wind.
But there was a softness to his movement.
Soft yet grand, fast yet mystical. It was a terrifying footwork technique that could momentarily turn one’s mind blank with fear.
This was an extreme evasive technique that also set the stage for a perfect counterattack.
It was Cheongryonggi (Azure Dragon Energy), Cheongryong Tapunbo (Azure Dragon’s Stepping on Clouds Technique). For Pae Yul, grasping the essence of this mysterious footwork was impossible in his current state.
Having secured the offensive position with Cheongryong Tapunbo, Yeon Hojeong thrust his fist forward.
Wooooong!
Around the spiraling fist, there seemed to be a warm breeze gathering. Despite being a clear and direct strike, it carried a layered destructive power that radiated a menacing aura, as if it could blow his opponent away entirely.
The technique Yeon Hojeong used was the Yonggunsamhyeong (Three Forms of the Dragon Army) of the Azure Dragon.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
“Kuhuk!”
With a groan, Pae Yul was sent flying into a wall.
Crack.
The wall cracked, and stone dust scattered as the impact settled.
Yeon Hojeong smiled. Although his face was somewhat pale, there was no trace of pain.
“It seems I’ve won.”
“Cough!”
Pae Yul collapsed to his knees. His legs had lost all strength, and he could no longer stand.
‘What incredible martial arts.’
If Yeon Hojeong had fully unleashed his technique, it would not have ended there. His martial arts were both extremely practical and devastatingly powerful.
Had Yeon Hojeong not retracted his strength at the last moment, Pae Yul’s ribs would have been shattered, his internal organs crushed, and his body would have smashed through the wall and flown another three jang (about ten meters).
Pae Yul’s face flushed with the realization.
‘If he hadn’t held back, I would have been dead.’
People might try to keep it quiet, but those in the know were well aware—Yeon Hojeong was the greatest martial artist of his generation in the Murim.
Pae Yul finally grasped the truth behind those words. Those who acknowledged Yeon Hojeong recognized his talent and the level he had achieved, but through this duel, Pae Yul witnessed his combat skills and masterful tactics firsthand.
‘Where on earth did this guy learn such techniques?!’
He looked up at Yeon Hojeong with trembling eyes.
Yeon Hojeong was breathing heavily. Forcing himself to use his internal energy while already suffering significant internal and external injuries had only worsened his condition.
“You’re quite extraordinary, Senior.”
“Cough! Cough!”
“To be honest, I thought it would be over within the first three exchanges. You seemed incredibly careless.”
“…Did I really seem that way?”
“Yes, you did.”
Drip.
Yeon Hojeong’s nose began to bleed. The overexertion of his internal energy and the continuous acceleration had damaged the mucous membranes in his nose.
As he wiped away the flowing blood, he spoke.
“Have you been preoccupied with thoughts lately? It seems you weren’t able to show your true abilities.”
Pae Yul’s eyes wavered.
“Your sword’s tip wavers, and your movements are half a beat too slow. Your responses to my martial arts were practical, but your body couldn’t keep up.”
“…”
“I believe I could have won even without a surprise attack.”
Cheok Gang, who had been watching the sudden duel in a daze, suddenly exclaimed in shock.
“L-Leader! How can you say it was a surprise attack?!”
Yeon Hojeong chuckled.
“You said you wanted a real fight. But since we can’t actually kill each other as members of the Wulin Alliance, I had no choice but to subdue you quickly.”
“B-but!”
At that moment, Pae Yul spoke.
“There’s no excuse.”
Yeon Hojeong and Cheok Gang turned to look at him.
Pae Yul, who seemed to have regained some strength, staggered as he got to his feet.
“Regardless of the reason, it’s my defeat for not responding properly.”
“But, Sa-suknim!”
“Whether it’s a surprise attack or a fair duel, once you’re dead, it’s over. You should know that by now.”
“…”
Pae Yul sighed. The dangerous atmosphere from before the fight had completely dissipated.
“To perform like that while still not fully recovered… You truly are different.”
“Your martial arts were also impressive, Senior. You didn’t even fully unleash Jeomchang’s secret techniques, did you?”
“Wasn’t it because you didn’t give me the chance to?”
Yeon Hojeong smiled faintly.
His opponent had sharp instincts. Despite losing, Pae Yul had an extraordinary sense of martial arts.
Pae Yul closed his eyes. Suddenly, an overwhelming fatigue washed over him.
“I thought that if we ever fought, we would be trading blows for days on end.”
“Is that so?”
Pae Yul gave a bitter smile.
“I lost.”
“It was a good match.”
“I told you, didn’t I? I never go back on my word.”
“Yes, you did.”
“I’ll serve under you.”
Cheok Gang looked at Pae Yul in shock.
Yeon Hojeong spoke seriously.
“It’s going to be very dangerous. Are you sure about this?”
“No danger could be greater than facing your fists.”
Yeon Hojeong let out a small laugh.
“Congratulations on joining the ranks under someone so much younger.”
Pae Yul’s face turned as crumpled as an old piece of rice paper.
“Congratulations to you, for gaining an Elder of Jeomchang as your subordinate.”