Chapter 67: Dragon Heaven Academy's Great Leap (1)
Chapter 66 – Dragon Heaven Academy’s Great Leap (1)
Namgung Geom and Namgung Hwa were able to sit in a spot as good as the VIP seats and watch comfortably, thanks to the Gold King.
There was nothing that money could not solve.
In the blink of an eye, a canopy blocking the sunlight appeared over their seats, a neat table was set up, and guards surrounded the area to stand watch.
If Namgung Geom had not stepped in and stopped it, they would have gone as far as cordoning off the perimeter with a taboo rope.
Thanks to that, they definitely caught the attention of the surrounding people. Since this sight was clearly visible even from the VIP seats, the Alliance Leader gritted his teeth and fumed inside.
Meanwhile, the first duel took place, and the heat in the Grand Martial Arena rose even further.
The first duel was a match between Paeng Su-hyeok and a cadet from the Valiant Martial Academy.
Paeng Su-hyeok, who had improved his Qi-Controlling Divine Wind thanks to Namgung Cheon, dealt with the Valiant Martial Academy cadet without much difficulty.
After exchanging a few blows, Paeng Su-hyeok unleashed his Qi-Controlling Divine Wind at some point, circling around the opponent’s flank to deliver a single saber strike.
Claaang!
The air in the Grand Martial Arena rang out loudly. At the same time, the Valiant Martial Academy cadet was helplessly thrown back, nearly falling off the sparring stage.
“Waaaa!”
The people filling the spectator seats let out a cheer all at once.
“Right! This is the power of the Paeng Clan!”
“What on earth did you learn attending the Valiant Martial Academy! Do your best!”
“Quiet down, you! The trend is Dragon Heaven Academy now! Do you know how much money I bet!”
The people in the spectator seats cheered, calling out the names of the cadets they supported.
Usually, when this kind of sparring tournament was held, there was always something that followed.
Namely, the betting pool.
People gambled by placing bets on the outcome. Because of this, heated arguments or physical altercations sometimes broke out among the spectators.
Meanwhile, the Gold King, who was watching the duel, exclaimed in admiration and spoke to Namgung Geom.
“I thought the martial arts of the Hebei Paeng Clan were only domineering because they are based on real combat, but surprisingly, they also possess agility. This has served as an opportunity to broaden my horizons.”
“Hmm.”
Namgung Geom narrowed his eyes and let out a low groan.
It was certainly unexpected for him as well.
Could the Hebei Paeng Clan perform such an agile movement technique?
It was clearly the Qi-Controlling Divine Wind of the Hebei Paeng Clan.
However, it felt strangely altered in some way.
By nature, martial arts were like two sides of a coin; even changing just one tiny detail could make it look completely different.
Yet, finding that tiny detail was not as easy as it sounded…
‘Did the Paeng Clan Leader attain an enlightenment? Or did he obtain some fortuitous encounter?’
Of course, the change was not large enough to be called a fortuitous encounter, but…
Namgung Cheon’s gaze drifted toward the Hebei Paeng Clan Leader in the VIP seats.
However, the Hebei Paeng Clan Leader, Paeng Jeok-ho, was equally surprised.
His eyes twitched as he watched Paeng Su-hyeok’s counterattack just a moment ago.
‘What was that… just now?’
He felt a strange sense of incongruity in the Qi-Controlling Divine Wind that his son had used.
It was definitely the Qi-Controlling Divine Wind, but it was subtly different.
At first, he thought his son had made a mistake.
But that was not it.
Judging by his son’s expression, it was clearly intentional. Furthermore, the result was too astonishing to be a mistake.
To think that flexibility and agility could be added to the Qi-Controlling Divine Wind, which was normally single-mindedly aggressive.
It was at the very moment when the Valiant Martial Academy cadet barely regained his balance and managed to step back onto the stage.
Tadat!
Did Paeng Su-hyeok not kick off the ground once more and fly forward like an arrow?
“Waaa! He’s fast!”
“Go! Paeng Su-hyeok!”
“The trend is Dragon Heaven Academy!”
Not only the cadets of the Dragon Heaven Academy but even the commoners began to cheer for Paeng Su-hyeok.
To the commoners, who had always only watched the active performances of the Valiant Martial Academy cadets, this change was simply fascinating.
“Haat!”
The Valiant Martial Academy cadet let out a shout and thrust his sword forward, but—
Pabat!
To everyone’s surprise, did Paeng Su-hyeok not spin his body and slide along the blade of the sword, digging deep inside?
“Woooh!”
“Amazing!”
“Were the martial arts of the Hebei Paeng Clan originally that unpredictable?”
The people burst into admiration repeatedly.
In fact, even Paeng Su-hyeok, who was in the middle of the duel, was astonished.
Engaging in a proper duel like this allowed him to clearly feel that his martial arts had advanced to the next level.
‘Namgung Cheon… this monster-like bastard.’
Was he not a guy whom he hated but could not bring himself to hate?
How could he have given such advice after catching just a single glimpse of his Qi-Controlling Divine Wind?
Even though they had only twisted the flow of his energy slightly, it felt as if he had mastered a completely new martial art.
Although his thoughts were long, the actual time that passed was but a brief moment.
Soon, Paeng Su-hyeok swung his saber horizontally.
Swishhh!
Following the sound of tearing through the air, a clear metallic ring echoed in his ears.
Clang!
“Argh!”
Along with a groan, the silver sword spun and flew up into the air.
The Valiant Martial Academy cadet, clutching his wrist, stumbled backward and fell off the stage.
Thud!
The cadet, who fell shoulder first, could not get up for a while.
Paeng Su-hyeok, panting as his shoulders heaved, clasped his hands tightly and cupped his fists.
“Thank you for the guidance! I have learned a lot from this match!”
The Valiant Martial Academy cadet clicked his tongue and readily admitted defeat.
Since falling off the stage resulted in disqualification anyway, it was a situation with no room for excuses.
Soon, cheers erupted from the spectator seats.
“Wow! Paeng Su-hyeok won!”
“Oh my goodness! A Dragon Heaven Academy cadet beat a Valiant Martial Academy cadet!”
“What on earth is happening?”
“How does the Valiant Martial Academy teach their kids? Resign from your instructor posts!”
“The reputation of the Valiant Martial Academy is finished now!”
While some people were enthusiastic, others cursed or got angry because they had lost their bets.
When Murong Sin, Captain of the Blue Wave Corps who served as the judge, announced Paeng Su-hyeok’s victory, the shouting grew even louder.
The Gold King, who was quietly watching this, said with a faint smile, as if murmuring to himself.
“You have a truly remarkable grandson.”
“Hmm…?”
Namgung Geom narrowed his eyes, glanced back, and spoke bluntly.
“To my knowledge, that boy is the son of the Paeng Clan Leader, not his grandson.”
“Haha. That cadet is certainly remarkable, but I was speaking of your grandson, Clan Leader Namgung.”
“Cheon…?”
Namgung Geom looked at him as if he were talking nonsense, but the Gold King interpreted that differently.
‘I suppose he is reluctant to stand out too much. Indeed, since the boy has been branded as the bastard child of the Great Killing Star, there is no need for him to stand out unnecessarily.’
The Gold King had already heard quite a detailed story about Namgung Cheon from his daughter, So-hong.
The story of how Namgung Cheon had helped not only So-hong but also Paeng Su-hyeok and Yun Jong-seung with their martial arts.
In truth, when he first heard those words, he had been half-believing and half-doubting.
Of course, when cadets discussed martial arts among themselves, they sometimes attained unexpected enlightenment.
Since time immemorial, when it came to learning, one could sometimes realize more from a companion who was just one step ahead than from a supreme master who was too far ahead to chase.
Yet, Paeng Su-hyeok’s martial arts were too astonishing to be considered as having learned from someone just one step ahead.
It was also a moment that shattered the prejudice that the martial arts of the Hebei Paeng Clan were single-mindedly powerful and fierce.
However, if Namgung Geom wanted to pretend to be ignorant of this change, there was no need to force the issue.
“It is nothing. I just… mentioned it because I remembered that my daughter received a lot of help from Young Master Namgung.”
“Hmm.”
While letting out a low groan, Namgung Geom was secretly curious.
What on earth had happened to Namgung Cheon in the meantime for the Gold King to act like this?
The Gold King, lost in his own thoughts, waited for the next match.
‘Is it the turn of the cadet named Yun Jong-seung now? I heard he was in the same group… It is still too early to judge Namgung Cheon. Since I haven’t even witnessed his own martial arts directly.’
Even if he watched this sparring tournament until the finals, would he really be able to make a judgment?
If he could, that would be fortunate, but if he could not… it would mean Namgung Cheon was not a hidden dragon.
Meanwhile, under the guidance of Tang Ye-seol, the next participants, Yun Jong-seung and Yue Goeng, stepped onto the sparring stage.
Before the cheers of the crowd could even erupt,
“Soooon! Father is here! My son, I’m proud of you!”
A voice boomed loudly from the VIP seats.
Though his cultivation was not deep, it was definitely a Lion’s Roar utilizing internal energy.
At that sound, the people in the spectator seats burst into laughter.
Yun Jong-seung’s face turned red, and he lowered his head deeply.
‘Ah, Father…! Please…!’
Why must the embarrassment be mine alone?
Regardless, Yun Cheom-san kept grinning as he boasted to the surrounding VIPs.
“Hahaha! That rascal is my son. Yes, he caused me so much trouble since he was young, but it seems he is finally doing his part.”
“You have a wonderful son.”
“You must feel very reassured.”
Even at the formal greetings, Yun Cheom-san simply could not stop grinning.
However, at the voice that followed immediately, Yun Cheom-san’s smile vanished like a lie.
“That proud son of yours happens to be competing against my son.”
“…!”
It was Yue Hyeon, the Clan Leader of the Shandong Yue Clan.
“Ah…”
When Yun Cheom-san was lost for words in embarrassment, Yue Hyeon curled one side of his mouth and spoke.
“I hope this will be a good opportunity for my son to learn a thing or two.”
It sounded like a humble remark, but it was actually no different from a sarcastic comment meaning, ‘I hope he is at least at that level.’
Yun Cheom-san’s face turned red, and after clearing his throat, he straightened his posture.
Meanwhile, the duel was already beginning.
Swish, swish, swish, swish, swish!
Sure enough, Yue Goeng displayed dazzling spear techniques from the very beginning, dazzling Yun Jong-seung’s eyes.
Chwaaat!
Finally, Yue Goeng, sliding his right foot back to take a starting stance, tucked the spear under his arm and gestured with his left hand, provoking him.
“I will yield the first move to you.”
Yun Jong-seung clenched his teeth and balled his hands into tight fists.
A confrontation between a spear and bare hands.
Needless to say, being empty-handed was a clear disadvantage.
That was why he had intended to fight with a sword.
For the Mount Huang Yun Clan originally handled sabers, swords, and spears equally.
However, Namgung Cheon had opposed it.
“Palm and fist techniques suit your constitution. Besides, since you were young, you probably preferred fighting bare-handed rather than handling weapons.”
“W-What? Has your memory returned?”
“No. I just figured you would, because you’re simple-minded. Handling a weapon is more complex and troublesome than using your bare hands.”
“Oh, I thought… Then even if I fight bare-handed, can I defeat the Yue Family Spear Art?”
“Well. It would be difficult. But if you have truly experienced a proper hell, it might be possible.”
“Really? Then there is a possibility! No matter what you might think… I really experienced hell. I got beaten up enough to be plagued by chronic ailments, and suffered miserable humiliation…”
“Is that something you should be saying to me?”
“I-I’m sorry. If there’s a way for me to win, please tell me.”
“I’ll say it again: I’m not saying you will definitely win. There’s only a possibility.”
“That’s fine! Even if there’s only a speck of possibility!”
“Hmm. The tactic you must use when sparring with Yue Goeng is…”
Sorting out his thoughts, Yun Jong-seung slowly took his starting stance.
‘Namgung Cheon…! Will that really work? Can I truly trust you?’
At first, it was so absurd that he could not believe it.
In fact, he was still half-believing and half-doubting even now.
Would that tactic really work? Could he do it?
At that moment, whether by coincidence or something else, his eyes met directly with Namgung Cheon, who was watching from outside the sparring stage.
Since Namgung Cheon was next in turn, he seemed to have entered the Grand Martial Arena and was waiting.
Namgung Cheon gave a faint nod.
‘Alright, I will trust you!’
In that instant, Yun Jong-seung felt a surge of conviction.
“Yeeeaaap!”
Pabat!
At the same time as he let out a shout, Yun Jong-seung charged toward Yue Goeng like a bull.
“Good! Fight!”
“Son! Do your best!”
“Dragon Heaven Academy, let’s win!”
“Righteous Chivalry Academy, don’t lose to a pushover!”
Cheers filled the Grand Martial Arena once again.