Chapter 268: Let's Go

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“CHAAT!”

“HAP!”

“EURYARAT!”

Under the winter sunlight, those swinging swords and shedding beads of sweat.

About a hundred disciples gathered at White Peak Sword Sect’s training grounds were each practicing swordsmanship while letting out vigorous battle cries.

Eventually, quite a few people stopped moving as if their strength had run out, and hung their heads while breathing roughly.

“Haah, haah…”

“Whew… I feel like dying.”

“Tell me about it… huk, huk, huk…”

“Following the teachings of superiors… is harder than doing it on your own.”

“Huuu… really… literally… a fight with myself.”

At that moment, two young male disciples at the front row raised their voices in unison.

“Hey, hang in there just a little more! Rest time will come soon!”

“Yeah, we can do more! And we must do more! As members of the Mountain Martial Association!”

It was encouragement from Gwak Woon-bi, who had been appointed as Mountain Martial Association Leader, and Vice Leader Yeong Ho-woong.

At that, the tired disciples also renewed their resolve and shouted.

“Yeah, we can do it!”

“For the official revival of the Mountain Martial Association!”

“Let’s go! Let’s do this!”

“Everyone must rise to the level of ultra-first-rate swordsmen!”

While the disciples’ training resumed, the martial artists from the Qidiao Sword Family were busy cleaning and maintaining the premises’ facilities as workers.

And in another area.

“An exquisite counterattack.”

“Hoot, was it alright? It’s your turn to counterattack, Young Master.”

Thus, the new retainers Azure Mark Sword Seol Pan-gyo and Jade Robe Swallow Lady Mae Yak-bang exchanged soft voices.

A conversation comparing each other’s cultivation.

It was Discourse on Swords.

In other words, exchanging moves with words and conducting a virtual sparring match.

Seol Pan-gyo soon threw out the move in his mind as words.

“I’ll turn and go out to the right while deploying the Falling Earth Azure Awl.”

At that, Mae Yak-bang discerned the wondrous function of the technique and asked.

“Ah… the final sword move of Azure Light Flow Sword Technique, right?”

“Correct.”

“Wow, that’s new. You’ve learned the Azure Light Flow Sword Technique on top of Azure Sword Great Eight Forms?”

“Azure Sword Great Eight Forms is the main. Azure Light Flow Sword Technique is an auxiliary means. So it’s not complete. But it’s useful for irregular swordplay.”

“A prodigy is a prodigy.”

“No, that’s not true at all. There are talents more excellent than me all over this place. Hahah.”

“Hoo. Well, that’s also true… but still, you’re impressive.”

“Now, what will you do?”

“Hmm, evasion alone isn’t the answer. Then I’ll close the distance again while slightly twisting my body. That way I’ll make the blade miss, then target the flank that seems like an opening. With a move called Iron Wing Arrival.”

“A thrusting sword move of the Swallow Wing Sword Technique – indeed, an appropriate choice.”

The Soaring Swallow Sword Sect’s representative sword technique, the Swallow Wing Sword Technique, was evaluated as having excellent essence reminiscent of a swallow’s movements.

Iron Wing Arrival was an especially famous sword move for rushing in diagonally in an instant to attack weak points.

“It would be reckless to counter Iron Wing Arrival directly. The gap is also short. Then there’s no choice but two or three steps of evasion.”

“Yes, I thought so. What if I strike the ground with Iron Wing Arrival and then use that recoil to close in?”

“A bold choice. So you’re targeting the flank again? To make my stance waver?”

“The Swallow Wing Sword Technique’s strength and weakness is its persistence. I have no choice but to do that. To gain the upper hand.”

“Miss, three steps is the optimal gap for instantly executing a move called the Azure Heaven Strike. Calculating the sword’s length as well. Unless we both dodge, it’s exchanging cuts…”

“I was waiting for that. I’ll use the following Iron Wing Arrival as a feint. I’ll probably get cut a bit on the shoulder or somewhere. In exchange, I plan to exploit a new opening through the feint.”

“The right hand’s sword is a feint, and the real attack is striking pressure points with the left hand.”

“As expected.”

“Where will you target?”

“Naturally, the easiest would be striking the right wrist that’s reaching out to target me, wouldn’t it? But…”

“But?”

“I must be wary of your left hand’s counterattack. You won’t stay still.”

“At that point, if the quick-witted me withdraws my attack and retreats, what will you do?”

“Yes, if it were you, you’d instantly see through the feint too. Going back – you’d pause mid-Azure Heaven Strike and retreat. To secure a more stable stance and counterattack range – am I right in my guess?”

“Yes, that’s what I’d do. It’s not a boast, but I have good instincts. Hahah…”

“Huhut, yes. Acknowledged, acknowledged.”

“So, what’s your move, Miss?”

“It’s a somewhat crude method, but… I’ll keep the feint motion alive and then convert it to a real strike while closing in. With the technique called One Wing Spin, linked with Swallow Shadow Steps.”

“Maximizing the spin’s wondrous function…”

Seol Pan-gyo pictured the situation in his mind along with those words.

Swallow Shadow Steps was a forward movement that curved while spinning the body once.

To the left or the right.

Mae Yak-bang would probably attack his left side.

Closing the gap and taking the left side while deploying One Wing Spin.

Since that was a sword move accompanied by one rotation, it would become even faster in harmony with her movement’s rotation.

“What do you think? Will you give up counterattacking again and retreat? Then that would be the third evasion.”

“Ah… this is difficult.”

Sure enough, if it was a linked attack of Swallow Shadow Steps and One Wing Spin, it would be difficult to gauge the exact direction.

As in, which part of the body she was trying to pierce.

Because the motion of the attack was hidden in that brief movement.

Retreating could work.

But then he would be driven into a dead end.

Why?

Because there was a rule of Discourse on Swords that had been set earlier.

That evading four times consecutively would be considered defeat.

So from the moment of evading three times in a row, there was no option other than counterattacking.

“Hm, is it difficult? But if it were you, wouldn’t you evade while also securing counterattack range?”

“Yes, well… assuming I quickly execute Azure Trace Steps instantaneously.”

That was one of Azure Heaven Sword Sect’s supreme footwork techniques that exhibited the wondrous function of swift burst-type advancement and retreat.

The azure energy rapidly released through the Bubbling Spring point looked like footprints, hence the name Azure Trace Steps.

‘Damn, I’m stuck.’

Seol Pan-gyo, having shaken his head, spoke again.

“Since this Discourse on Swords excluded internal energy techniques from the start… I’ve lost. It’s your clean victory, Miss.”

This Discourse on Swords was a contest of only martial knowledge, excluding internal power level or force intensity.

That’s right. A pure battle of moves.

However.

Executing Azure Trace Steps required internal energy techniques.

So he had lost.

He couldn’t think of any other appropriate evasion method besides that.

When Seol Pan-gyo accepted his defeat, Mae Yak-bang smiled.

“Yay, I’m so happy.”

“Congratulations on your consecutive wins, Miss Mae. To lose today following yesterday… But aren’t you being too openly happy? Hahaha.”

“Hohoho! Of course I’m happy. If not at times like this, when else would I ever beat you? The Azure Mark Sword Seol, Young Master.”

At Mae Yak-bang’s playful words, Seol Pan-gyo felt embarrassed.

‘Azure Mark Sword… how mortifying. Do I really have the qualifications to bear such an epithet?’

Honestly, he had expected to completely win the Discourse on Swords against Mae Yak-bang.

Even though it was a conditional Discourse on Swords that excluded internal energy techniques.

But he had lost.

At the end of a pure battle of moves, he had been defeated by an opponent he had inwardly considered a level below him.

There was no excuse for that.

Indeed.

Mae Yak-bang’s calculations had been more meticulous and clever.

‘You fool, you still haven’t discarded all your arrogance. Isn’t Miss Mae a first-rate sword talent in her own right?’

Seol Pan-gyo reproached himself.

He keenly felt that just because someone had a lesser reputation than him didn’t mean all their abilities were inferior.

Coming here, he learned yet another thing.

And.

Regret accompanying realization.

I had become set in my ways.

Self-reflection came naturally.

He was newly grateful to Mae Yak-bang.

Also.

To Cheol Ryu-heun, who had instructed them to conduct Discourse on Swords before he departed…

-Discourse on Swords is an excellent form of cultivation. Especially for you, it’s more important than actual combat. You’ll understand once you try. What my words mean. Remember. There’s no one above you, and there’s no one below you. If you deeply realize that, you can prepare a foundation for growth.

Recalling Cheol Ryu-heun’s words, Seol Pan-gyo smiled.

‘Yes, now I understand. What you meant…’

He finally felt completely ready to discard everything and start anew.

Right at that moment.

BEOLKEOK!

The Yaksha Squad threw open the main gate and reported their return.

“We’ve finally completed the mission! Kahahaha!”

No sooner had Tae Sa-ja’s joyful shout ended than all the disciples rushed in that direction.

Seol Pan-gyo and Mae Yak-bang, who had been off to one side, also quickly walked over.

The Mountain Martial Association Leader Gwak Woon-bi greeted them with a bright expression.

“All of you, welcome back! So, anyone hurt anywhere?”

At that, Tae Sa-ja, who had given a hearty laugh, proudly raised his shoulders.

“No, we’re fine as you can see. For the past few days, our Squad swept away the wicked and unruly gangs as Sect Leader Cheol ordered.”

Soon, several Yaksha Squad members added:

“We subjugated seven bandit strongholds, and gave a good thrashing to two martial sects that had been doing bad deeds! Though they were small-scale forces…”

“Yes, yes! These are results achieved with just basic sword forms! Ahaha!”

“They all prostrated themselves and declared surrender, and were afterward taken into custody by the dispatched government troops! Kekekeke, isn’t this successful enough?”

Seol Pan-gyo, Mae Yak-bang, and all the disciples clicked their tongues upon hearing those words.

It was growth exceeding expectations.

Though all the mission targets belonged to the lowest-tier forces, but considering the Yaksha Squad’s training period, it was truly impressive military merit.

Of course, even so, the road ahead was still long.

Anyway, it was something to celebrate for White Peak Sword Sect.

Tae Sa-ja rummaged in his clothes and produced something.

“Here, look. We even received an official certificate of commendation from the government like this.”

“Wow…”

“A certificate of commendation too…”

“I’m envious.”

As sounds of admiration flowed from here and there.

“Hahah, now it’s time to deliver on behalf of the Sect Leader.”

At the meaningful words of the Mountain Martial Association Vice Leader Yeong Ho-woong, the expressions of the Yaksha Squad members changed completely.

“Pardon…?”

“What do you mean by that?”

Yeong Ho-woong, having smiled, opened his mouth again.

“It’s a kind of reward to commemorate your formal initiation.”

At the unexpected words, everyone’s eyes went wide without exception.

“Your families are currently in Baizhou, a nearby city. Not as temporary residents, but they’ve completely relocated.”

Following Yeong Ho-woong, Gwak Woon-bi added:

“Houses and money have already been arranged. The Sect Leader previously visited the Red Cat Merchant Guild and gave instructions. To relocate the Yaksha Squad’s families to Baizhou… Here, please take this paper. Here you’ll find maps and addresses for each family.”

The Yaksha Squad members who received that had tears welling up.

“At first, honestly I thought I’d stepped in dung… but being captured and brought here… is truly heaven’s fortune.”

“Sob… really…”

“I must repay this kindness from now on. By staying here until I die…”

Seol Pan-gyo, who had been watching that scene with a gratified look, soon approached Tae Sa-ja’s side and patted his shoulder.

“Now, hurry and go. Your mother will spread her arms wide and embrace you. At the sight of her son who has repented of his wrongs and turned over a new leaf…”

“HEUP… Yes! Let’s do that!”

Tae Sa-ja, wiping his tears and sniffles, conjured the face of his mother whom he longed to see in his mind and quickly dashed out through the main gate.

* * *

PAPAPAPA, PAPAPAPA-

Three people could be seen advancing like the wind through a forest path.

They were the Heavenly Demon Cult’s Demon Heaven Left Attendant Little-Face Bell Demoness Eun Yi-bi, Demon Heaven Right Attendant Delusional Seductive Demoness Ya Baek-ji, and Grand Prelate Extreme Heaven Demon Emperor Gun Mu-ak.

Eventually, they reached a point where the path split.

The narrow path divided into two – southeast and southwest.

Gun Mu-ak immediately chose the left path.

Southwest.

Eun Yi-bi and Ya Baek-ji, who had been following, wore puzzled expressions.

“Grand Prelate, why aren’t you going to the right path…?”

“This path takes a very long way around. Our destination is already quite far, is it not?”

Immediately after, Gun Mu-ak spoke in a dry voice.

“I know. There’s a place I need to stop by separately.”

“Pardon?”

“Where?”

The two tilted their heads.

Gun Mu-ak, taking the lead, gave another brief answer.

“The secret location where our Founder stayed.”