Chapter 68
“Woah!”
The rising stars expressed expectations for the showdown between Baek Mu-Gun and Byeok Jin-Woon, which was happening for the first time in three years. The Ten Clans of Zhejiang’s patriarchs were also very much interested in their battle. Would Mu-Gun be able to display his martial prowess from the past? Would he be able to beat Jin-Woon, whose skills had improved in the past three years?
Whilst in the middle of everyone’s attention, Mu-Gun went up to the central stage, which was prepared for the sparring competition. Mu-Gun and Jin-Woon stood opposite each other with thirty feet of distance between them.
“I thought you would run with your tail between your legs, so this is surprising,” Jin-Woon provoked Mu-Gun.
“Surprising? I have no reason to avoid you.”
“We’ll see how long you can keep that arrogant act up.”
Mu-Gun shrugged at Jin-Woon’s reply. His relaxed demeanor made Jin-Woon grit his teeth.
In the midst of all that, Tae Gong-Pyo, the organizer of the banquet, gave the two of them precautions and announced the beginning of the match.
“The sparring match this time is for the purpose of competing in martial arts, so sneaky methods like hidden weapons are prohibited. Hurting your opponent with attacks beyond a certain limit is also prohibited. Violate these rules, and you will be disqualified regardless of the reason. Now then, you may begin.”
As if he had been waiting for the signal, Jin-Woon dashed forward and swung his sword at Mu-Gun’s shoulder. In response, the latter stepped back gently and easily avoided his attack. However, he did not stop attacking Mu-Gun. Mu-Gun kept avoiding Jin-Woon's offensive with slight movements, his sword still sheathed. Frowning at the sight, Jin-Woon unleashed even more of his internal energy. In doing so, his attacks became faster and fiercer. In response, Mu-Gun also made bigger evasive movements.
Mu-Gun kept narrowly evading Jin-Woon’s sword. Mu-Gun seemed to be in a dire situation at first glance, but his relaxed expression showed that wasn’t the case. His demeanor and insistence to keep his sword sheathed and just avoid the incoming attacks annoyed Jin-Woon.
‘Let’s see how long you can keep avoiding my attacks.’
Seemingly overcome with anger, Jin-Woon began to attack Mu-Gun with all his might. He even used an ultimate technique, which he should have refrained from using in a sparring match. As a result, Mu-Gun finally drew his sword. He could have continued evading Jin-Woon’s attack if he wanted to, but he had to unsheathe his sword in order to win.
Moreover, there was no need to provoke the Byeok Sword Manor anymore. Mu-Gun, who had only dodged the attacks so far, went on the offensive as soon as he pulled out his sword. Rather than backing down, Jin-Woon instead launched an attack of his own. It initially appeared to be a close match, but Jin-Woon eventually began to be pushed back. He only lasted this long because Mu-Gun controlled his strength to conceal his skills. If he put his mind to it, he could have defeated Jin-Woon in a second. Oblivious to that fact, Jin-Woon clenched his teeth and put all his strength into somehow changing the tide of the battle.
However, his efforts were far from enough. Let alone counterattacking, it was difficult for Jin-Woon to even block Mu-Gun’s offense. In truth, the outcome of the battle between them was basically set in stone. Mu-Gun could have knocked Jin-Woon down, but he waited for the latter to admit defeat on his own accord. Jin-Woon felt that his defeat was imminent, but he refused to admit it out of pride.
Meanwhile, the ten patriarchs present couldn’t help but stare at Mu-Gun in awe as he overpowered Jin-Woon. The strength Mu-Gun displayed made them wonder if qi deviation had really crippled him until recently.
“Hoho, it’s already amazing that he recovered from qi deviation. I can’t believe he even made progress.” The Justice Martial Sect's patriarch Jeong Won-Hyo pretended to know nothing and just admired Mu-Gun’s skills.
“I know, right? What on earth happened to him? Did he perhaps encounter a miracle?” Jo Jin-Myeong, the Flying Lance Sect’s patriarch, asked, acting oblivious as well.
“I don’t know the details, but it seems like a nameless stranger graced him,” Baek Cheon-Sang replied, acting like he was unsure either.
It was a countermeasure done in advance to block out specific questions about the miracle Mu-Gun encountered.
“Recovering from qi deviation and even advancing his martial arts skills is a blessing in disguise. It seems like the heavens care a lot about the Baek Sword Sect.”
“I don’t know about that. Considering the difficult times we’ve been through for the past three years, I don’t know if the heavens really care about our sect.”
“Isn’t it fine as long as the outcome is good? Anyway, I’m envious. I wish my kid is half as good as him,” Shim Seok-Gun of the Clear Sun Sect said with envy.
“They are all kids with a bright future. There’s no guarantee that their growth will be stagnant until the end. We will only know what the future holds when the time comes.”
“I’m saying this because I don’t think it will be much different from now.”
“Shouldn’t they stop the fight now, though? The outcome of the battle has basically already been decided.”
Gong-Pyo’s words made the other patriarchs turn to Byeok Cheol-Gun, who looked completely dismayed. Rather than just a simple defeat, he was being made a fool. This matter really hurt Cheol-Gun’s pride, considering he was aiming for the position of the Zhejiang Martial Alliance leader. Naturally, his anger was directed at the Baek Sword Sect. He vowed to never forgive the Baek Sword Sect for humiliating him like this. However, now wasn’t the right time for this.
“That brat refuses to give up since he’s usually burning with fighting spirit, so I ask for your understanding. As Patriarch Tae said, it’s better to end their fight now,” Cheol-Gun said, forcibly managing his own emotions.
Upon hearing his answer, Gong-Pyo shouted at the two people engaged in a spar.
“Enough! Stop the fight and step down, both of you.” At Gong-Pyo’s yell, Mu-Gun and Jin-Woon stopped their attacks and stepped back.
“At the patriarchs’ discretion, we have decided that Baek Mu-Gun is the victor of this bout. Byeok Jin-Woon, admit your defeat and step down from the stage.”
Jin-Woon tried to protest, but Cheol-Gun restrained him with a single gaze. Jin-Woon glared at Mu-Gun once before going down the central stage.
“If anyone wants to challenge our victor, Baek Mu-Gun, step up on the stage,” Gong-Pyo said while looking at the descendants gathered outside the stage.
The rising stars couldn’t readily step up to the plate. Rather, they were wary of each other. Even if they wanted to challenge him, they could only do so if there were a chance of winning. Jin-Woon was already a difficult opponent to win against. Hence, there was very little chance of them winning against Mu-Gun, who overwhelmingly defeated Jin-Woon. None of the descendants wanted to fight a battle that they were obviously going to lose.
However, regardless of victory or defeat, there was a descendant who wanted to challenge Mu-Gun, a strong opponent. It was Dam Woo-Kyung of the Iron Palm Sect. Woo-Kyung rose from his seat and went up to the central stage.
“As expected of you, Baek Mu-Gun. I might be inferior compared to you, but I will give it my all.” Woo-Kyung cupped his fist at Mu-Gun.
“I should be the one saying that. I look forward to this fight.” Mu-Gun also cupped his fist in response.
“Let the fight begin!”
At Gong-Pyo’s announcement, the spar between Mu-Gun and Woo-Kyung began. Woo-Kyung made the first move. He knew that Mu-Gun was far superior to him, having witnessed the battle between him and Jin-Woon a moment ago. Once he allowed Mu-Gun to attack, he would no longer have any chance to counter. Hence, his best choice was to go on the offensive first. Woo-Kyung gave it his all from the very beginning.
Woo-Kyung’s right palm struck toward Mu-Gun’s chest, unleashing the Iron Palm Sect’s famed ultimate skill, the Iron King Herculean Palm. As its name suggested, the Iron King Herculean Palm was a palm technique that focused on great power. Instead of defeating the opponent through elegant sophistry, the Iron King Herculean Palm simply overpowered the opponent through simple power.
Physical strength was as important as internal energy when it came to using that technique. Those with a larger physique and muscle strength would be able to draw out more power from it. In this regard, Woo-Kyung’s physical conditions were the perfect match for the Iron King Herculean Palm technique. He was one head taller and almost twice as bulky as Mu-Gun. The great strength surging in his massive body further enhanced its power.
As Woo-Kyung tried to strike Mu-Gun’s chest, his palm force unleashed quite a domineering palm force. Mu-Gun swung his sword toward it, releasing a sword shadow that enveloped Woo-Kyung’s right palm. If Woo-Kyung continued forcing his palm force, his right arm would be torn to shreds by the sword shadow Mu-Gun had unleashed.
Woo-Kyung hurriedly stopped his attack and moved to the side. After escaping from Mu-Gun’s sword energy, Woo-Kyung charged toward Mu-Gun again and extended his left palm. In response, Mu-Gun quickly turned around and swung his sword. He hit Woo-Kyung’s left arm with the flat side of the sword to avoid injuring the latter.
With his left arm pushed back by Mu-Gun’s sword strike, the direction of Woo-Kyung’s palm force was greatly redirected to the side. If Mu-Gun had struck Woo-Kyung with the sword’s blade, his left arm would have been severed. That one move basically ended the match.
Woo-Kyung was also well aware of that. However, he didn’t want to stop here. It wasn’t that he wanted to defeat Mu-Gun. He simply didn’t want to miss the opportunity to fight someone with all his might.
“Can we spar a little more?”
“If you wish.”
Mu-Gun gladly accepted. Woo-Kyung bowed with gratitude and stormed at Mu-Gun once again. Instead of launching an attack of his own, Mu-Gun focused on receiving and parrying Woo-Kyung’s offense. Woo-Kyung could see that Mu-Gun was deliberately giving him a chance to attack as much as he wanted. A spar of this level wouldn’t help him at all, so he had no reason to accept Woo-Kyung’s request. However, he didn’t accept to spar in exchange for a reward in the first place. He was continuing with it purely for Woo-Kyung’s sake. Well aware of this, Woo-Kyung was grateful for Mu-Gun’s consideration.
Meanwhile, the ten patriarchs, who watched the showdown between Mu-Gun and Woo-Kyung, were deeply impressed by Mu-Gun for knowing how to lower his skills to match his opponent. Martial artists at his age were usually busy showing off. They didn’t mind trampling on their opponents if it was for the purpose of standing out. It was rare for there to be a martial artist like Mu-Gun, who was considerate of his opponent and spared no efforts to help his opponent grow.
The patriarchs were envious of Mu-Gun for possessing a personality that was uncommon in people his age despite his great abilities. Of course, not everyone felt the same. Cheol-Gun could not stand the fact that Mu-Gun stood out since Jin-Woon could be viewed as inferior to Mu-Gun.
The sparring match between Mu-Gun and Woo-Kyung soon came to an end. Woo-Kyung admitted defeat after he ran out of strength and could no longer attack. Afterward, he thanked Mu-Gun.
“Thank you. Thanks to you, I was able to unleash my martial arts as much as I wanted. It was really of great help.”
“If you ever want to spar again, come find me at the Baek Sword Sect. I will always welcome you.”
“You definitely said you’d welcome me. You can’t go back on your words later, okay?”
“That won’t happen, so feel free to come whenever.” At Mu-Gun’s remarks, Woo-Kyung smiled widely and went down the central stage.
Meanwhile, the descendants watching the bout between the two heated up in embarrassment. They refused to participate out of fear of losing in front of so many people. However, they didn’t find Woo-Kyung’s defeat humiliating or embarrassing at all. On the contrary, it was cool to see Woo-Kyung fight with all his might. As a result, they all began to harbor a desire to fight to their heart’s content, regardless of victory or defeat.
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