Chapter 271
As I arrived at the Han Clan, nostalgia hit me hard. The place had hardly any gatekeepers, but a lot of food guests took it upon themselves to keep watch. In the past, I’d had some runs with the first-class experts known as the Heonwon Sect, and that had been quite the affair. Of course, if there were guards, I’d have to deal with them, too.
“Who are you?”
Sure enough, I was stopped by someone. It was Heon Ang, the youngest of the Heonwon Sect, a guy I’d clashed with before. He had a hefty build and a face that could scare off a crow. Just by looking at his giant knife, it was obvious he was a martial artist.
I bowed respectfully and said, “I’ve come seeking to become a food guest of the Han Clan.”
“A kid like you?”
He laughed aloud. “Cut it out! You look like you’ve just been practicing martial arts for a few years. Come back when you’re a bit older.”
“……”
I managed a small smile. In the past, I’d let my overflowing internal power spill out, making him wary. This time, thanks to my acupuncture practice, I was controlling my power well, but I still attracted unwanted attention. But revealing my massive internal power right off the bat would be weird, so I proposed, “If that’s the case, how about a little three-second duel? If I can knock you down in three seconds, I should qualify to be a food guest, right?”
Heon Ang’s face turned grim. “Hey, kid. You don’t just say things like that to martial artists. Go while I’m still being nice.”
“I’m a martial artist too, and I’ll take responsibility for my words and actions. Will you accept?”
“Sure. Let’s see you try.”
With a swoosh, he drew his giant knife. I sensed that the food guests of the Han Clan were watching from the shadows. So, I decided to ramp up the provocations.
“Alright then.”
Clash!
In the first second, I executed a perfect Thunder Shadow Sword Technique slice, and Heon Ang lunged forward, almost losing grip on his weapon. I lightly brushed his abdomen with my Thunder Shadow Palm, then in the third second, knocked him down flat.
BOOM!
Face down on the ground, he looked utterly bewildered.
“……?!”
He probably barely managed to block my initial strike; after that, he couldn’t even comprehend what unfolded. Did he realize I had subdued his meridians with the Thunder Shadow Palm? It was expected, but the skill gap was so vast that I couldn’t help but chuckle as I sheathed my sword.
“I’ve taken responsibility for my words. Now, it’s time for you to do the same.”
Just then, sounds of commotion erupted around us. The hidden food guests of the Han Clan revealed themselves, numbering around six. Among them were three more members of the Heonwon Sect, along with other significant first-class experts.
One of them said, clearly tense, “You’ve reached quite a level at such a young age. Where do you come from?”
“I’m Baek Woong. I came to become a food guest while training as a martial artist.”
He gritted his teeth and pulled out his sword. “Your skills in taking down the youngest are truly impressive. But we can’t let our pride take a hit like this; how about taking on all three of us at once?”
“Alright.”
The three remaining Heonwon experts surrounded me in the Three Talents Formation. Each of them was a well-respected first-class expert, and in the martial world, few could escape once caught in a Three Talents Formation. But oddly, I felt calm instead of tense.
‘This will be simple…’
Suddenly, they launched their simultaneous attack with a slicing sound. Their techniques took on bizarre trajectories, as if they had somehow learned to weave through the air. This reminded me of the Azure Dragon Sect Leader’s moves, so I had no trouble dodging them with ease.
No need for the Soul Removal Technique; I could handle it all with just the Thunder Shadow Step and Heavenly Gathering Kill. I gracefully dodged their combined assault for about ten seconds until they became tentative, and then I countered with my Finger Technique.
THWACK!
“Ugh!”
In an instant, two of them lost grip on their weapons, and the last one managed to block, but the pressure from my Finger Technique broke his blade in two, sending it flying into the wall. I stood there calmly, stating, “This seems futile now.”
“……”
The guy with the broken blade gaped, then hung his head in defeat. “No words left for us. We’ve lost…”
Nearby, the other food guests were astonished. The Heonwon Sect had quite a reputation as expert martial artists in the martial world. Yet, to me, it seemed perfectly natural, so I felt no need for excitement.
“I guess I can become a food guest now.”
At that moment, “Of course. Please follow me.”
A dozen food guests surged out through the main gate, led by Han Jin-seong, the Young Master of the Han Clan—an exceptionally handsome man with sharp wits.
‘And also a fire spirit techniques master.’
I’d encountered him several times before, so I knew his identity well. Seeing him approach, I believed my plans were coming together, and quipped, “What processes must I go through to become a food guest?”
“If you talk with me, I’ll explain it calmly. It won’t take more than a half-moment, so don’t worry.”
I gazed at Han Jin-seong thoughtfully, asking, “Will talking to you be enough to wrap things up?”
“Haha, of course.”
“I doubt it.”
“Hmm…?”
I sent a secret transmission to Han Jin-seong. [I am Baek Woong of the Thunder God Lineage! I have urgent matters to discuss with Lady Han Baek-ryeong, the master of the Fire Spirit Techniques.]
“……”
Han Jin-seong’s expression didn’t waver. It was like he was rigorously controlling his emotions. But internally, it looked like a battle was brewing, as he pondered for a time before finally speaking to me.
“You are a precious guest. I will naturally show you in deeper.”
Eventually, I followed Han Jin-seong into a quiet part of the manor. Soon, I spotted a stunning dark-haired young lady standing by a pond, dressed in luxurious attire with skin as fair as the finest jade. She was none other than Han Baek-ryeong, the current master of the White Lotus Sect and the top fire spirit expert.
Realizing this, I decided to take a different approach this time. As soon as Han Baek-ryeong turned to look at me, I bowed and said, “It is an honor to meet you, Han Baek-ryeong, a master of the Fire Spirit Techniques, as a disciple of the Thunder God Lineage.”
Han Baek-ryeong regarded me with a deadpan expression, then said, “You’ve reached a remarkable level at such a young age. I didn’t think the Thunder God Lineage still had the potential to cultivate peak experts like you.”
“I had the support of my master and a bit of a fortuitous encounter.”
“Hmm… What sort of fortuitous encounter?”
“I am a disciple of Dokgo Seong. Today, I come by the recommendation of my master.”
At those words, Han Baek-ryeong’s expression shifted significantly, almost surprised rather than angry.
“What? Dokgo Seong?”
“Yes.”
“That rascal is still alive? Really?”
“My master is currently striving to improve his sword skills in the Dragon King’s Valley in Sichuan. I thought you would know this.”
“Hmm…”
Han Baek-ryeong turned her head towards the pond.
“If it’s Dokgo Seong, he could indeed raise a student like you. Aside from Lee Cheong-un, he was virtually the strongest in the Thunder God Lineage.”
“Forgive me for asking, but what kind of relationship does he have with you?”
“Your master and I were once close friends. Lee Cheong-un was part of our triad, and we weren’t on bad terms. But suddenly, Dokgo Seong secluded himself, and a few years later, the purge of the Thunder God Lineage began, making it impossible to keep track of their whereabouts, leading to a rift.”
“I see.”
Han Baek-ryeong looked at me with newly gleaming eyes.
“It seems Dokgo Seong values you quite a bit. I thought he wouldn’t ask for favors even in death…”
“……”
“Very well. As Dokgo Seong’s disciple, I’m willing to guide you a bit. You will stay at the Han Clan from now on.”
“Thank you.”
Internally, I felt pleased; for a moment, I’d worried she might not believe my words, but she seemed to relax her doubts upon hearing I was Dokgo Seong’s disciple.
Suddenly, Han Baek-ryeong used her physical prowess to pull twin swords resting in the manor over to her and aimed them at me.
“Since we’re on the topic, I need to see your skills.”
So this is how we do it? I glanced around the manor and said, “I can’t guarantee I won’t break anything.”
Han Baek-ryeong chuckled lightly. “As expected from the Thunder God Lineage—so arrogant. Don’t worry; I’ll take care of the surroundings. Come at me!”
“I’ll hold back.”
I drew my sword and took my stance. Naturally, holding back against a Dharma Guardian would be pointless, so I unleashed my internal power into the Eight Extraordinary Vessels. As my boundless energy surged, Han Baek-ryeong’s expression turned curious.
‘I’ve never seen Han Baek-ryeong’s true strength before.’
Though I had sparred with her multiple times before, it hadn’t been real competition; she’d held back like a cat playing with a mouse. After all, Han Baek-ryeong was a Dharma Guardian on par with Cheon Woo-jin, unmatched under heaven, so realistically, I had no chance of victory. That fact hadn’t changed.
But having just sparred with Lee Kwang, my fighting spirit had been ignited. I felt as if I had reached an equal ground with those who once seemed untouchable and was burning with the desire to surpass them.
Today, I wanted to see Han Baek-ryeong’s true strength.
“Ha!”
I released a fierce battle cry as I charged forward. Incorporating the Soul Removal Technique, I swiftly employed the Bowing Sky Slash, slicing through the very space itself. There couldn’t be a stronger ultimate technique for my first strike.
In that fleeting moment, Han Baek-ryeong maintained her fundamental posture like a solid wall, unfazed by my ferocious onslaught. In a blink, her sword style shifted in a stunning display, splitting into twelve strands that danced around me like a fierce ballet.
CLANG!
My Bowing Sky Slash ricocheted off. Han Baek-ryeong’s sword flowed seamlessly, akin to a giant sword effortlessly carving its path through the air. The once flowing water of the pond transformed, morphing into a sword path streaming towards me.
‘Blocked!’
I had intended to gain the upper hand starting with my Bowing Sky Slash and follow with the Mind Control Technique, but from the very first basic move, I was shut down. The sword path emanating from Han Baek-ryeong had completely obstructed mine. The sword energy sprang from the ground, blocking off all my escape routes.
CLANG!
Metal clashed violently, sparks flying as soon as we struck. It felt like a face-off with Lee Kwang or Jin So-cheong, both gauging each other’s powers. But differently from those confrontations, icy dread crawled over me, forcing my mouth shut.
‘What kind of sword domain is this?!’
The pressure and intimidation carried a chilling premonition that left me unnerved. It felt as though every move I made was being read by my opponent, like a prey caught in a spider’s web. I couldn’t distinguish if it was instinct or sheer panic, making it harder to read the situation.
Secret Technique.
Sword Soul Technique.
Han Baek-ryeong’s bare hands danced with the sword spirit, piercing through space effortlessly. It was astonishing! She had already unleashed her soul in every direction, easily sensing her environment, reaching her intentions without a second thought. My desperate sword strike seemed to wither beneath her outstretched twenty-five paths.
Just then, I noticed that the other sword had vanished as that thought crossed my mind, a sudden sting shot through my waist.
“Ugh!!”
I hastily activated my Protection Energy Technique to ward off the skilled Invincible Sword strike but ended up taking a painful hit. As blood flowed, I rolled on the ground before regaining my footing, only to see Han Baek-ryeong skillfully maneuvering the sword with her fingers.
WHOOSH!
BOOM!
As the sound of the string snapping reached my ears, an explosive burst of energy resonated around me. The Invincible Sword continued its relentless assault, leaving me barely able to respond; every strike knocked the breath from my lungs.
‘W-what is this… such terrifying power?!’
During my training with the Sword Demon, I’d encountered the Invincible Sword numerous times. In my early days of practicing Mind Control Techniques, I’d deemed it impossible to counter this force. As time passed, and I understood the nature of the Invincible Sword, it had grown more manageable. However, after the Sword Demon enhanced his skills, the sheer intensity of the Invincible Sword did not greatly increase; instead, it had been the unique Mind Control Techniques that had multiplied their strength.
But Han Baek-ryeong’s Invincible Sword was on an entirely different level. Each strike carried the power of a peak expert’s secret technique, heavier and more painful than I could handle. Even peak martial artists in the world would be blown to smithereens after just one hit from her!
Moments later, Han Baek-ryeong halted her assault, reeling her sword back. Then she spoke.
“You have amazing internal power; you’re holding up quite well. I could end this fight now, but that wouldn’t be any fun.”
“What…?”
“Now, see if you can take this.”
Han Baek-ryeong shifted her stance. With her sword aligned in a manner reminiscent of the crossing of Yin and Yang blades, a menacing energy surged from her blade, unlike any flame I had seen throughout my life. It teemed with a life of its own.
This is it; I’m gonna die!
‘Thunderclap!’
In that fleeting moment, I activated the Thunderclap, amplifying my internal power to its maximum. Thanks to this boost, I barely managed to anticipate Han Baek-ryeong’s single strike.
Fire Spirit Techniques.
Secret Technique.
Ultimate Dragon King Slash.
BOOM!
My entire body shook. While it was good that I had managed to read and block the Ultimate Dragon King Slash’s energy path, the sheer strength tore through my protective barrier, shattering my sword and sending it flying into the sky. Truly, this was the level of a Dharma Guardian.
“Ugh… stronger than Lee Kwang’s Thunder Cloud Palm…!!”
I felt the force of gravity shift and floundered for a moment as the next attack came hurtling towards me. A dark-haired beauty moved with fluid grace, as if performing a divine dance, restoring her momentum in an instant.
“Dragon Fang.”
Once again, Han Baek-ryeong set up for the Ultimate Dragon King Slash. I felt panicked.
“Wait, more attacks?!”
No matter how much she was a Dharma Guardian, stringing together her Mind Control Techniques in quick succession was unheard of!
Ignoring my astonishment, another horrifying ultimate technique from this Dharma Guardian flew toward me.
Fire Spirit Techniques.
Secret Technique.
Ultimate Dragon King Slash.
BOOM BOOM BOOM!
“AAAAAAH!!”
With a terrified scream, I was sent flying and crashed into the ground.
I can’t believe I can’t even last two hundred seconds!
As consciousness faded, I could feel blood trickling from my body. Amidst the blackness, Han Jin-seong’s voice echoed as he grabbed my arm.
“Your Honor! The only one who can save you now is the Medicine King! Hurry…!”
“Call him.”
And then darkness took me.
