Translator: Nox

Chapter 249

Episode 249

Sparks flew in all directions, and a sharp metallic sound rang out.

Unlike Namgung Hwi, who was leisurely controlling his strength, Song-gwang was gritting his teeth and holding on, trying not to be pushed back.

Song-gwang, who had struggled to deflect Namgung Hwi's sword, tried hard to straighten his staggering body.

Stumbling back and re-gripping his sword, he rolled his eyes and tilted his head at Namgung Hwi.

"Oh? It's more bearable than I thought?"

At the incomprehensible words, Namgung Hwi's expression became strange, and Song-gwang grinned, revealing his teeth.

"I thought you would be as strong as our Granduncle-Master. But... I guess you're not quite there yet. Is it because your bones haven't fully matured? Seeing your lack of strength, even the Divine Dragon of the world can't escape age. Cough!"

Do-jang. You're bleeding. Your gums are covered in blood.

Namgung Hwi narrowed his eyes and retorted as he feigned strength, clearly suffering from internal injuries.

"Ah, it seems my sincerity was insufficient if you felt that way."

Unlike his gentle voice, Namgung Hwi's blue eyes were chillingly frozen.

It seemed that Song-gwang's provocation had worked.

Nevertheless, Namgung Hwi did not immediately rush at Song-gwang.

He leisurely twirled the sword handle, then slammed the sword tip into the Blue Steel Stone floor.

Crack!

The crack that split the floor without scattering a single fragment stopped precisely in front of Song-gwang's feet.

As the startled Song-gwang widened his eyes, Namgung Hwi slowly drew the sword embedded in the floor and asked politely.

"Then, would the Eldest Son / Heir Do-jang like to show me a move?"

"Yes?"

"Since you say my bones are not fully matured and I lack strength, the Do-jang, whose bones are fully matured, should be able to show a different kind of strength than I can."

As soon as he finished speaking, blue True energy instantly enveloped Namgung Hwi's sword blade.

"No. That's not what I meant...! Ugh!"

Desperation flashed across Song-gwang's face as he screamed and pulled away.

Clang! Clang!

Each time he blocked a strike, the force pressing down on him caused his body to dig into the floor.

The sword was imbued with enough power to gouge the hard Blue Steel Stone, but Song-gwang somehow managed to block Namgung Hwi, his arms trembling.

He managed to deflect Namgung Hwi's sword bit by bit, even while letting out embarrassing screams, as if his body was loosening up as he moved.

It was better than trembling and freezing up like he had before stepping onto the Martial Arts Stage, but the problem was that it wasn't just his body that was loosening up.

"You've got quite the temper too, don't you? Our Granduncle-Master also, hic, when he's in a bad mood, he tries to solve things with force like you... Ack!"

"That's quite an interesting story. I heard the Sword Dragon's sword is elegant and refined."

"You've heard completely wrong. There's no Tyrant Sword like that Tyrant Sword. He's not satisfied until he's turned his opponent into mincemeat..."

A hollow laugh escaped as his mouth, along with his body, was unsealed.

That guy is just asking for trouble. He's going to get a severe scolding after the match.

Seeing him so busy revealing Jin-sung's sword in front of someone who might become Jin-sung's opponent, it seemed his head was frozen with tension, and he couldn't tell right from wrong.

Clicking my tongue, I glanced sideways and saw Jin-sung sighing and rubbing his forehead.

His fiercely furrowed eyebrows twitched like caterpillars.

Pretending not to notice, I crossed my legs and focused on Namgung Hwi's movements.

Perhaps because of Song-gwang's provocation, Namgung Hwi was displaying particularly forceful sword strikes today.

Jin-sung groaned softly and commented on the strike, which was intimidating just to watch.

"It's a delicate sword."

"That Tyrant Sword?"

"At first glance, it seems like he's just hacking away, but it's not a sword that scatters as he pleases. He's calculating everything from start to finish. It's not an easy level to reach..."

Jin-sung stopped speaking and fell into thought, fiddling with the sword handle. It seemed that his competitive spirit was unknowingly boiling.

As the two men faced off for a longer time, red lines increased on Song-gwang's torn Taoist robe.

In contrast, Namgung Hwi maintained a neat appearance without a single scratch.

I groaned inwardly and examined Song-gwang.

If this were a real battle, Song-gwang would have been dead long ago.

He had been holding up quite well so far, but the strength in his sword was gradually fading, and it seemed he wouldn't be able to hold out for many more moves.

The referee, clearly aware of the difference in skill, seemed to be considering stopping the match.

However, he didn't intervene as Song-gwang didn't give up his fighting spirit, and he only fiddled with the token he held in his hand.

As Song-gwang persevered with all his might, seemingly on the verge of collapse but not quite, Namgung Hwi's smile became even more ferocious.

"The chief disciple is setting such a good example, the future of Wudang is bright. His unwavering spirit will be an inspiration to his junior disciples."

"You're stating the obvious. Ptoo, there's no better senior brother than him."

Ignoring Namgung Hwi's words, which were an invitation to surrender, Song-gwang bit the sword handle and straightened his disheveled Taoist temple.

"Eueeoh, oehaetaeagaange uh eubeeda."

"...Excuse me?"

"Ugh, I'd be killed by Granduncle-Master if I gave up."

Song-gwang spat out the sword and replied after fixing his Taoist temple, and Namgung Hwi, who had been standing still and waiting, asked as if surprised.

"The Sword Dragon... seems quite different from the rumors."

"The same goes for the Divine Dragon. How can such Martial Prowess be possible with that pretty face? I naturally thought it was exaggerated nonsense. Honestly, it's annoying."

"I hear that a lot."

"See? I told you it's annoying."

Grinning and dusting off the dust on his Taoist robe, Song-gwang gripped the Pine Pattern Sword tightly with a serious look.

He took a deep breath and slowly began to step forward.

The sharp sword tip drew a soft circle, emitting a faint Strong Energy.

It wasn't a clear light, but everyone could tell what Song-gwang was trying to draw.

Tai Chi.

As the Tai Chi, into which he poured all his remaining strength, emerged, everyone held their breath and fixed their gaze.

And...

Clang!

Namgung Hwi's sword, which lightly cut through the Tai Chi and gained the upper hand, was held against Song-gwang's neck.

Song-gwang coughed and wiped the blood from his mouth with the back of his hand, then smiled at Namgung Hwi.

"Wow, I learned a lot. Divine Dragon."

"I learned a lot from you as well."

Namgung Hwi's lips relaxed as he politely clasped his hands and helped Song-gwang up.

It wasn't the fake smile he had been showing throughout the match.

...That's a real smile. Was it fun?

"Namgung Hwi of the Namgung Family, victory!"

As the referee's decision was announced, Jin-sung, who had been sitting with a stiff face, jumped up without even being able to grab him.

"I have to go."

"Oh, let's go together. Do-jang."

As I hurried after him as he rushed off, I saw Song-gwang staggering down the Martial Arts Stage.

Song-gwang, who had struggled to descend the stairs, collapsed to the floor as his legs gave way.

"Ugh, I'm going to die."

He was in such a battered state that it wouldn't be strange for him to be carried to the Medicine Hall immediately, but he seemed quite satisfied with his appearance.

As Jin-sung approached, Song-gwang looked up at him and said proudly with a grin.

"Granduncle-Master. Did you see? I didn't slack off, did I?"

"...Yes. You worked hard."

Song-gwang closed his eyes with a proud expression as Jin-sung nodded.

"Haa... He's finally not angry."

His limbs drooped as he muttered.

"Senior Brother. Senior Brother?"

"Song-gwang?"

The flustered Wudang disciples lowered their bodies and shook him, but Song-gwang didn't respond.

I quickly approached and examined him, and my eyes widened at the mess of tangled Qi and Blood Points.

He's been holding on with this body? His internal organs must have been twisted from the first exchange? Do-jang Song-gwang has some guts.

"Medicine Hall. Quickly take him to the Medicine Hall. Does anyone have the Mysterious Elixir Pill? We need to give him the Mysterious Elixir Pill first."

"I have the Mysterious Elixir Pill."

Jin-sung replied and shoved the Mysterious Elixir Pill into Song-gwang's mouth, who had fainted, and Songhwa, who had belatedly come to her senses, picked up Song-gwang.

"I'll carry him. Songin. Bring Senior Brother's sword."

"Yes. Second Brother."

The Wudang disciples, who were busily taking care of Song-gwang, soon said goodbye to me.

"We'll be excused first. Dang Sojeo."

"Yes. Go quickly. Tell Do-jang Song-gwang to get well soon when he wakes up."

I waved my hand to indicate that they shouldn't worry about me, and Jin-sung nodded and turned away.

He'll need to rest for at least ten days. I don't know if Do-jang Song-gwang will be able to walk back to Wudang on his own two feet.

I scratched my head, feeling concerned about his more serious internal injuries than I had expected, when Dang-un, who had quietly approached, asked kindly.

"So-hye. Who is that person? Will you introduce him to your brother next time?"

"Do-jang Jin-sung?"

"Ah, so that Junior Head who was close to Wudang is that person. It would be nice to have tea together next time. What do you think, So-hye?"

Dang-un's gaze, with a smile, was fixed on the back of Jin-sung's head.

"Ahaha, I'll bring it up. By the way, where is Grandfather? I have something to ask him."

"He's away on Alliance business. He told me to take So-hye back to the accommodation first."

"Is that so? Then let's go rest too."

I mumbled and changed the subject, pulling on Dang-un's sleeve.

\ \ *

Was it because Dang-un's appearance, wearing a Cape in the warm weather, was eye-catching?

My back felt prickly from the gazes of others that seemed to be pouring down on me today.

Are they staring too much?

I barely suppressed the urge to say something and headed towards the accommodation when Yang Gyo-jin ran up to me, calling out happily.

"So-hye!"

"Where have you been? I haven't seen you for the past few days."

"I made a new friend. So I went to play... Wow. Who is it? She's pretty."

Yang Gyo-jin, who had been informing me of his recent activities with a blank face, widened his eyes and looked at Dang-un.

"My brother. Brother. This is Yang Gyo-jin, my friend."

"So-hye's friend? Nice to meet you."

"Hello. Oh, So-hye, you don't look like her at all. You don't look like Grandfather either."

Well, just because people have the same surname doesn't mean they have to look alike...

As I chuckled and brushed off his nonsense, someone who had quietly approached narrowed his eyes at me.

This person... I've seen him somewhere before?

As I looked back and forth between him and Yang Gyo-jin with a bewildered expression, Yang Gyo-jin pointed at him as if he had remembered.

"Ah, he's a new friend I made. He's good at drinking."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Dang Sojeo. I wanted to meet you, so I asked Young hero Yang to arrange a meeting."

He politely clasped his hands and slowly removed his veil.