Chapter 13
Baek Mu-Gun had already spent three days alternately sparring with the White Wolf Squad members. However, there was still no word of the Sea Dragon Gang making its move.
By this time, the White Dragon Squad and the White Tiger Squad had already received reports about Mu-Gun engaging in sparring matches with the White Wolf Squad, and rumors had naturally spread about Mu-Gun’s outstanding martial prowess. As a result, many began desiring to spar with him, including Baek Yong-Hwan. He honestly wasn’t confident that he could beat Mu-Gun, but that wasn’t his goal. He simply wanted to gauge Mu-Gun’s skills in person.
Having heard that Mu-Gun would spar with anyone who’d challenge him, Yong-Hwan dropped by the White Dragon Ship. The White Wolf Squad members gazed at him with interest as he boarded.
He then approached Mu-Gun, who had just finished a spar and was taking a rest.
“Cousin! I heard you’ll spar with anyone who challenges you. Does that also apply to me?” Yong-Hwan asked.
“Of course. As long as they’re from the Baek Sword Sect, I will take them on.”
“Can I request a spar with you, then?”
“With pleasure.”
Mu-Gun readily accepted his challenge. If Yong-Hwan had dark intentions in mind, he never would’ve requested a spar. Losing in public wouldn’t do his chance to become the successor any good. Mu-Gun judged that Yong-Hwan requested a spar purely to compete with him in martial arts without any political intentions. Above all, there was no harm in this spar for Mu-Gun.
Through this match, Mu-Gun would be able to prove his martial prowess once again and allow him to completely imprint his martial prowess in Yong-Hwan’s mind, preventing him from having any futile greed. It would be even better if he could make Yong-Hwan sincerely admire and follow him through this bout.
Amid the White Wolf Squad’s attention, Mu-Gun and Yong-Hwan faced each other.
“You can start first.”
Naturally, Mu-Gun conceded the first attack. That applied to everyone, not just Yong-Hwan. Mu-Gun had always conceded the first move even during his matches against the White Wolf Squad. Yong-Hwan was also aware of it, so it didn’t offend him at all.
“Here I go!”
Yong-Hwan quickly dashed forward with Flight Steps and thrust his sword forward.
Rustle!
The tip of his sword shook, scattering sword shadows. He had just executed the Formless Moonlit Willow, one of the 36 Phantom Moon Blades techniques.
‘That’s pretty good.’
Yong-Hwan’s Formless Moonlit Willow was neat and accurate. However, it wasn’t good enough to warrant admiration. Mu-Gun unleashed the Moonlight Reversal, a technique discordant with the Moonlight Formless Willow.
Kaboooooom!
The sword shadow that rose from his sword spread like a fan, tearing through the Formless Moonlit Willow’s shadow. When his attack was easily destroyed, Yong-Hwan responded with an even more powerful technique. However, the result remained the same. Yong-Hwan’s sword couldn’t even come close to Mu-Gun before being blocked.
The pattern didn’t change even after ten, twenty, and thirty seconds. As he faced off against Mu-Gun’s 36 Phantom Moon Blades, Yong-Hwan felt as if he hadn’t properly understood the 36 Phantom Moon Blades. Mu-Gun performed it without any regard for form, which made Yong-Hwan feel as if he was looking at totally different sword techniques.
The surprising thing about it was that the changes Mu-Gun had made brought about a completely different level of power in his sword techniques. Watching him made Yong-Hwan realize that the sword art’s techniques restricted him too much. He had to break the form of the technique’s framework and unleash the technique freely.
However, that wasn’t as simple as it sounded. Such a feat could only be achieved after countless trials and errors, strenuous training, ceaseless studies, and deep research. However, Mu-Gun had already reached that level. He already anticipated Mu-Gun to be powerful, but the latter still far exceeded his expectations. Still, there was a reason why he was considered the greatest talent in the history of the Baek Sword Sect.
Yong-Hwan realized that Mu-Gun was an opponent he could never overcome in just a single bout.
Competing with him for the position of successor? It was illogical. It was basically attempting the impossible. At that moment, Yong-Hwan completely relinquished his greed for the successor position.
He was reluctant to follow his father’s will in the first place. He only did it for the sake of the Baek Sword Sect. However, that was no longer the case now. Mu-Gun had to be the sect’s next leader for its future. Under his rule, he would make the Baek Sword Sect shine brighter than anyone else could.
Yong-Hwan’s role wasn’t to be the successor. It was to be next to Mu-Gun, assisting him. Still, he tried to give his all until the very end of their spar, attacking Mu-Gun in every way he could. Nevertheless, Mu-Gun remained an impregnable fortress. Yong-Hwan eventually sheathed his sword on his own accord, having already realized Mu-Gun was an insurmountable wall.
“You’re really amazing. You make me feel terrible about my martial arts.”
“You’re great in your own way. You’ve properly mastered the techniques of the 36 Phantom Moon Blades.”
“Looking at your techniques, that doesn’t seem to be the case at all, cousin.”
“To construct a building, you must first create a foundation. The foundation you have built is strong and solid, which is what’s needed to construct a marvelous structure.”
“In that regard, then I think you have already built a tall and magnificent building, cousin.”
“Does it look like that to you?”
“Yes, so much so that I want to receive guidance from you, cousin.”
“I think First Uncle has already taught you well. Is there really any need for my guidance as well?”
“The more teachers, the better. Would it be alright if I look forward to your guidance from here on out?”
“As much as you like.”
“Thank you.”
“The same goes for the White Dragon Squad and White Tiger Squad members. Don’t hesitate to request a spar with me whenever you want to.”
The members of the White Dragon Squad and White Tiger Squad had been watching the sparring match. Hearing Mu-Gun’s words, their eyes shone. It didn’t matter who went first, they started requesting to spar with Mu-Gun. The members’ competitiveness made Mu-Gun smile. He organized their queue, then sparred with them one by one.
***
Meanwhile, having heard the news of Mu-Gun and Yong-Hwan’s sparring match, Baek Cheon-Gi summoned Yong-Hwan as anger welled up in his chest. As soon as Yong-Hwan came in, Cheon-Gi yelled, “Are you out of your mind? You weren’t certain you could win against Mu-Gun, so why did you initiate a spar with him?”
“I did it because I wanted to see and experience cousin Mu-Gun’s martial prowess myself.”
“So, having checked it out yourself, how was it?”
“He felt like an insurmountable wall.”
“As someone aiming for the successor position of the Baek Sword Sect, do you think that’s the answer you should give? What should we do now? Through that spar, Mu-Gun’s martial prowess most likely left a deep impression in the minds of the Baek Sword Corps’ members. Now, they will consider Mu-Gun more deserving than you as the sect’s successor. The key factor to becoming the successor of the Baek Sword Sect, a martial arts family, is martial prowess. Do you have any idea what you’ve just done now?”
“Father! Now that cousin Mu-Gun has regained his old self, it has become difficult for me to become the sect’s successor.”
“Weak! You have to succeed where this father of yours has failed.”
“As you have said, Father, martial arts is the core to becoming our sect’s successor. And as I have just mentioned, cousin Mu-Gun’s martial prowess is at a level beyond my reach. Therefore, it would be better for the Baek Sword Sect for him to become its successor than me.”
“How can a man be so ambitionless? Is it really alright for you to hand over the successor position to Mu-Gun just like this?”
“Father! I wanted to become the sect’s successor because I wanted to fulfill your wish. However, I also desired it because I thought it was what was best for the sect.”
“If you become the successor and further develop the sect, then that outcome is what’s best for the sect.”
“No, I know the extent of my capabilities well. If I become the successor, the Baek Sword Sect’s status and authority won’t be much different from now.”
“Are you saying it will be different if Mu-Gun becomes the successor?”
“Yes. cousin Mu-Gun’s talent is considered the greatest in the history of the Baek Sword Sect. Although qi deviation held him back for a while, he has made a successful comeback. He didn’t just simply regain his martial arts. He returned with martial arts strong enough to singlehandedly defeat the notorious Fujian Three Murderers. In terms of martial arts alone, I’m certain he would be comparable to even the Seven Great Clans’ successor. And with his talent, I’m certain he will be even stronger in the future. For the sect the grow to greater lengths than now, cousin Mu-Gun has to become its successor, not me. Have you forgotten that strength determines everything in the murim world?”
Yong-Hwan’s words made Cheon-Gi frown. He couldn’t refute what Yong-Hwan had said. As his son had said, Mu-Gun becoming the Baek Sword Sect’s successor would be in its best interest. However, this was something that he had longed for through generations. He couldn’t just give up.
‘If that Mu-Gun brat just disappears...’
A wicked thought crossed Cheon-Gi’s mind. He was already quite the loser. He couldn’t let his son turn into a loser, too. If something were to go wrong with Mu-Gun, Yong-Hwan would naturally have a change of heart. Cheon-Gi made some sort of decision in his mind. Hiding his ambitions, he convinced himself it was out of paternal love for his son.
However, he didn’t express his inner thoughts to Yong-Hwan. After all, he knew very well that Yong-Hwan would strongly oppose it.
“Phew, I understand where you’re coming from. Even so, don’t give up so easily. A friendly rivalry would allow the two of you to grow further. It would be good for Mu-Gun’s development if you compete with him until the very end.”
“Understood.”
“You may leave.”
Cheon-Gi sent Yong-Hwan away. Alone, he got lost in his thoughts.
***
Meanwhile, in the Sea Dragon Archipelago, Sea Dragon Gang Leader Ak Gun-Hyo summoned Yeo Gang.
“Did you call for me?”
“Your three days are over. Have you come up with a plan?”
“I think it would be a good idea to use decoy tactics and the empty fort strategy[1]together.”
“How do you expect me to understand that? Give me a simpler explanation.”
“Like usual, we’ll send out the Sea Dragon Corps to plunder merchant ships.”
“We’re plundering merchant ships instead of fighting the Baek Sword Sect?”
“Yes. The Baek Sword Sect won’t send out their full power since they’d suspect that we’re simply trying to create a diversion. In doing so, we’ll be able to plunder merchant ships without any interference from the Baek Sword Sect.”
“Don’t tell me your plan to take revenge on the Baek Sword Sect is to plunder merchant ships?”
“No, that’s not it. Once our first attempt confirms that the Baek Sword Sect won’t make a move, then our strategy is basically already ninety percent complete.”
“Why do you insist on explaining this in such a frustrating way?”
“Once we’ve confirmed that the Baek Sword Sect didn’t respond to our movements, we can continue plundering merchant ships until they’re forced to act. Aiming for that exact moment, we’ll send out empty ships as a distraction. When their forces have been divided, we’ll attack the Maritime Defense Base. In doing so, we’ll achieve victory while minimizing the damage we’ll incur.”
“How would we know when the Baek Sword Sect would take action for us to send out empty ships?”
“To be honest, it will be hard to determine exactly when that will be. In fact, while we are plundering, we have no choice but to send out an empty ship once in a while and wait for the Baek Sword Sect to make a move.”
“In short, you want to rely on luck?”
“That’s correct, but this plan has no harm to us. If the Baek Sword Sect prolongs doing nothing, we can easily plunder other ships, which will eventually take a toll on them. We’re not the ones in a hurry. They are. All we have to do is send out empty ships while looting and wait for them to deploy their forces.”
Ak Gun-Hyo thought Yeo Gang made sense. Plundering merchant ships without any Baek Sword Sect interference would certainly benefit the Sea Dragon Gang greatly and financially damage the Baek Sword Sect.
“Alright, let's carry out that plan.”
“Understood.”
Ak Gun-Hyo gave his permission. Shortly afterward, the Red Dragon Ship took off and left the Sea Dragon Archipelago. At that moment, the Baek Sword Sect’s reconnaissance ships monitoring the Sea Dragon Archipelago immediately fired a signal flare into the sky. Signal flares also played the role of a beacon.
Upon noticing it, the reconnaissance ships within a certain distance fired similar signal flares to send news all the way to the Maritime Defense Base.
1. The Empty Fort Strategy is the 32nd of the Chinese’s Thirty-Six Stratagems. The strategy involves using reverse psychology to deceive the enemy into thinking that an empty location is full of traps and ambushes, and therefore induce the enemy to retreat. ?
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