Chapter 17: Moyong Jin, And Baek Ha-jun (2)

Chapter 17: Moyong Jin, And Baek Ha-jun (2)

In a spar, getting distracted was taboo, but Moyong Jin sneakily glanced at his brother.

Moyong Tak was merely smiling. However, his demeanor felt terrifying. Moyong Jin swallowed hard.

He had been flirting with Peng Mu-ah and ended up provoking Baek Ha-jun. Perhaps it was a slip of the tongue because he knew about the discord between the brothers Baek Ha-jun and Baek Yi-gang.

‘I absolutely cannot lose.’

He had indeed come here to initiate a dispute as a member of the next Seven Stars Conference.

However, he did not come merely to laugh and enjoy himself. As a descendant of the Moyong clan, he could not lose to the Baek Clan. If he were to lose to Ha-jun, Moyong Jin would be severely reprimanded by his brother.

Baek Ha-jun also had a brother.

Moyong Jin slightly shifted his gaze to look at Yi-gang.

A lazy bum, the disgrace of the Baek Clan — there were even rumors labeling him as a joke.

But why did Baek Ha-jun seem to tremble at his brother’s words? Moyong Jin could not understand.

Regardless, Baek Yi-gang did not attempt to stop the spar; he was just spouting arrogant words and leaning back.

There was no time to be lost in irrelevant thoughts.

Thud, thud, thud—

Moyong Jin and Ha-jun’s wooden swords clashed in the air three times. It was a courtesy performed during friendly spars.

Baek Ha-jun lowered his stance and held his sword horizontally. He had adopted the stance of the Heaven’s Shadow Sword Technique.

Moyong Jin, in contrast, prepared his clan’s martial art, the Star Cloud Sword Technique.

Unlike Baek Ha-jun, who appeared to be purely offensive, Moyong Jin stood straight up, using his sword to shield his upper body. His stance seemed as solid as a fortress.

However, in comparison to his fortress-like sword posture, Moyong Jin’s heart began to waver.

‘I can’t find any openings...’

Though he had not experienced real combat, Moyong Jin had participated in numerous spars. Moreover, the Moyong Clan secretly studied the Baek Clan’s Heaven’s Shadow Sword Technique.

From its inherently aggressive nature to the strategies for countering and breaking it.

Yet, Baek Ha-jun did not easily move. While his eyes radiated anger, the tip of his sword was unyielding.

Daringly, Moyong Jin took a step forward.

Thud—

At that moment, Baek Ha-jun retreated a step back.

It was not a step taken out of fear. Instead, the sharpness of Ha-jun’s sword felt as if it could pierce through his neck, making Moyong Jin momentarily stunned.

Thus, he took another step back. However, this time, Baek Ha-jun advanced a step forward.

Somehow, their distance felt closer than when they initially confronted each other.

Moyong Jin’s breathing faltered slightly. He felt like a snake facing a famished predator.

“...Are you just going to stand there?!”

Though he shouted in an attempt to overcome his fear, Baek Ha-jun did not reply. He only stared with cold eyes.

Unbeknownst to Moyong Jin, he was already being pushed back in the psychological battle. Something that could be called an inner demon began to stir within him.

Yet, throughout all of this, Baek Ha-jun calmly sought out Moyong Jin’s weaknesses. They might be on par in terms of sword skills, but their mental strengths differed.

Just as Baek Ha-jun was about to exploit Moyong Jin’s opening and thrust his wooden sword, a noise broke the silence of the spar.

“Kulruk! Keuk. Kolrok.”

It was the sound of intense coughing. It emanated from among the people who had been silently watching the spar.

“Keuk! Kulruk!”

Despite the gut-wrenching sound of coughing, neither of the two engaged in the spar dared to avert their eyes.

However, the subsequent scream shattered Baek Ha-jun’s calm.

“This! Hemoptysis!”

“Sh-shouldn’t we call a doctor? He’s coughing up blood...!”

Those were the voices of Jin Ri-yeon and Peng Mu-ah.

Only one person was known to have hemoptysis: the elder brother, Baek Yi-gang. Everyone had believed his condition was improving and that he was past those fits.

Baek Ha-jun could not help but turn his head.

Supported by Jin Ri-yeon, Yi-gang held a handkerchief soaked in blackish blood.

And at that moment, Moyong Jin hesitated.

‘During the spar...!’

Being distracted on the sparring stage was a blatant mistake, and it was Ha-jun’s fault. If he were to strike at that stupid neck now, it would be Moyong Jin’s victory. If it were a real fight, that is.

If it were a real fight.

Being of a prestigious clan, would it be appropriate for him to swing his sword now? Or is even having such a thought too soft?

His hesitation did not last long.

Tsk.

The sound of a tongue clicking seemed to assault Moyong Jin’s ears.

Even amidst the noisy training hall, that slight sound was heard clearly. It was made by Moyong Tak.

Every time Moyong Jin showed a disappointing appearance, his brother clicked his tongue that way.

“Eeyaap!”

Thus, Moyong Jin swung his sword.

Perhaps he let out a somewhat embarrassing shout because of his shame.

Baek Ha-jun quickly turned his head, but it was too late to counter.

The wooden sword approached him as swiftly as a flash of light.

Just like a falling meteor, the wooden sword was heading straight towards the widely exposed clavicle of Baek Ha-jun—a strike that could decide the outcome.

On Moyong Jin’s face, a mix of elation from the impending victory and a touch of guilt surfaced.

However, Ha-jun did not show any signs of panic.

Whack—!

The wooden sword did not hit the clavicle as intended. At that very moment, Ha-jun twisted his shoulder to deflect the blow.

Instead of the clavicle, the sword struck his arm, but he still did not let go of his sword. Instead, he spun his body around and raised his left arm.

Harnessing that rotational force, he swung his elbow. It squarely hit Moyong Jin’s face.

Thud!

The sound was as dull and impactful as that of the wooden sword.

It was not a flashy sword technique, nor was it a sophisticated body technique, but it was powerful enough. Powerful enough to cause a nosebleed.

“Krak!”

“...”

Baek Ha-jun swung his wooden sword at the retreating Moyong Jin.

However, the aftereffect of the blow on his arm was still evident. His entire right arm tingled as if it had been struck by lightning. Naturally, the force behind his sword weakened.

“Euaaaa!”

“While your younger brother’s actions were undeniably rash.”

“...What?”

“But ultimately, the greater fault lies with Ha-jun for letting his guard down.”

“...”

The atmosphere turned tense. Moyong Tak still wore a smile, but it seemed cold because of it.

“I’d appreciate a clear explanation.”

“Had they continued fighting, Ha-jun would have won in no time.”

“I heard that due to meridian blockage, you couldn’t properly learn martial arts. Do you have such keen insight? I didn’t see it that way.”

“Yes, I have a good eye.”

Even in front of Moyong Tak, who was taller by a head, Yi-gang did not back down.

“Don’t force it.”

“We both have two eyes. If you couldn’t see it, there’s nothing I can do. Help him up and see for yourself.”

“You’re quite audacious.”

“I told you, help your younger brother stand up.”

“...”

Moyong Tak coldly stared at Yi-gang for a moment. It was unclear what he was thinking.

“...Jin, stand up.”

“Ah, yes.”

Moyong Jin, who had been sitting down, hurriedly tried to stand at his brother’s command.

“Klut!”

Suddenly, he grabbed his right leg and crumpled down.

Moyong Tak was taken aback.

“What?!”

Instead of the shocked Moyong Tak, Yi-gang extended a hand as if to assist Moyong Jin. However, when Moyong Jin glared at him while biting his lip, Yi-gang retracted his hand with a smug smile.

And then, he demonstrated the Great Yin Flow.

“The Fifth Form of the Great Yin Flow is called ‘Cloud Dragon Emerging from the Sea.’”

Such a natural stance of Cloud Dragon Emerging from the Sea.

Just as the name implied, the stance that Yi-gang displayed with his hand was absolutely flawless. Even Neung Ji-pyeong and Baek Ha-jun were impressed.

“Ha-jun’s Cloud Dragon Emerging from Sea hit this kid’s Chengjin point1, as it passed.”

Then, Yi-gang lightly tapped Moyong Jin’s calf with his finger.

“Aaargh!”

“At the very least, his leg would’ve been numbed. It’s only natural he would lose the spar.”

Moyong Tak was at a loss for words.

Did this seemingly frail Yi-gang see everything, even the instant when Moyong Jin’s and Ha-jun’s limbs collided?

“You... saw that?”

It must have been a very brief moment. At least, Moyong Tak had not seen it. Even if he had jumped in to halt the spar at that instant, it was inexcusable.

Being able to observe such fleeting moments could not merely be brushed off as having sharp eyes.

Only a martial master with exceptional perception and judgment could do it.

Moyong Tak’s eyes wavered.

‘How could such an ordinary, no, such a frail guy...’

He could not believe that the smugly smiling Yi-gang was capable of it.

Neung Ji-pyeong muttered softly,

“Indeed. I did have a feeling about it.”

The most skilled person here, he backed Yi-gang’s claim.

Moyong Tak caught his breath for a moment.

And then he spoke,

“Ha-ha-ha, this is embarrassing. Young Master’s judgment is truly exceptional.”

“You flatter me.”

Yi-gang also smiled thinly.

It was infuriating for Moyong Tak, but that was precisely why he forced a laugh.

“It’s just that I have good eyes.”

「This guy, he’s quite clever with his words. He wouldn’t have known if I hadn’t informed him.」

Next to Yi-gang, who would have thought that there was someone with even sharper eyes than anyone else here? The Immortal Divine Sword commented, chuckling as he said so.

「Just look at that Moyong Tak’s face. It must be quite refreshing inside. Wohoho!」

Yi-gang merely smiled serenely, concealing his inner feelings. Even without the advice from the Immortal Divine Sword, he was confident in Ha-jun’s victory.

Moyong Tak had no intention of graciously accepting a draw, even as he laughed.

During the time that the Baek brothers managed to secure a win over the Moyong brothers, the onlookers too were left perturbed.

Notably, Jin Ri-yeon was among them.

She stared at Yi-gang with a complex gaze.

‘As expected, he’s no ordinary man.’

Though her bracelet had vibrated, signaling something important, she had been puzzled when they had met a short while earlier.

His pale complexion and flamboyant clothing made him look more like a nobleman’s son than a martial artist.

Yet, just watching him review the martial arts moves showed he was anything but ordinary. He had caught the strike from Ha-jun that even Jin Ri-yeon had missed.

However, Jin Ri-yeon was not the one most shaken.

“Uh, sister...”

Peng Mu-ah tightly gripped Jin Ri-yeon’s sleeve.

“Hm?”

“I...”

Peng Mu-ah’s eyes shone as if she had seen a precious gem.

From the moment Yi-gang briskly walked in, and especially during the moment he executed a rough acupressure move.

“I, kind of like that guy.”

“Ah...”

Someone she wants to protect.

Only then did Jin Ri-yeon understand what kind of person Peng Mu-ah’s ideal type was.



Located on the back of the calf ️