Chapter 255: Chapter 255
Everyone’s gaze was concentrated on the clearing.
To be exact, they were staring at Cheon-hwi and Jong-hyeon, who were standing in the center of the clearing facing each other.
In particular, the members of the Chivalric Escort Unit could not take their eyes off Cheon-hwi, who was holding his scabbard.
It was none other than the Plum Blossom Divine Hero.
The peerless prodigy born from Mount Hua.
The Great Hero who saved Shaanxi from the demonic clutches of the Unorthodox Faction, and defeated the Green Forest Great Emperor.
His reputation had now escaped the mold of a rising star, reaching the extent of standing shoulder to shoulder with experts who had made a name for themselves in the world.
“To think we can see the Plum Blossom Divine Hero’s martial arts in person.”
“Is it really that martial prowess at that age?”
“We will know when we see it.”
As it became a situation where they could directly see Cheon-hwi’s martial prowess which they had only encountered through rumors, the Chivalric Escort Unit members felt their hearts pounding.
Around the time the Chivalric Escort Unit members’ eyes were sparkling more than ever due to anticipation.
Sreung…
Jong-hyeon lifted his sword with discipline and took a high guard stance.
A small stature and a sword smaller than an average sword.
Looking only at the appearance, it could be said to be cute, but its momentum was extraordinary.
Hyeon-do, who was watching, spat out an exclamation.
“To think he already knows how to handle the Profound Heaven Strong Gangqi at that age.”
The Profound Heaven Strong Gangqi was widely known as a technique difficult to master properly, and in fact, even Ha Woo-jin could only handle the energy properly after turning thirty.
However, right now, the Jong-hyeon in front was governing the energy at such a young age.
It was a truly surprising talent.
Hyeon-do, who could not suppress his admiration, spoke towards Ha Woo-jin, who was looking at Jong-hyeon nervously.
“Your disciple possesses an outstanding aptitude.”
“Hahaha, no. Senior.”
Unlike his words, Ha Woo-jin revealed a broad smile in his unhideable joy.
How could praise directed at his disciple not be joyful.
At that time, Cheon-hwi narrowed his eyes.
“His momentum has certainly changed.”
The momentum and atmosphere were completely different from when he used to run wild recklessly in the past.
It was calm, and heavy.
Like a giant tree with its roots planted deeply.
‘His lower body has become much sturdier.’
Cheon-hwi, who grasped in one breath what he had trained focusing on just by looking briefly, flicked his index finger and spoke.
“Come first.”
At a hand gesture that could easily be felt as rude, those who did not know about Cheon-hwi all flinched in surprise.
Because they did not think that the Plum Blossom Divine Hero being called a Great Hero would do such a thing.
On the other hand, Jong-hyeon was filled with fresh emotions rather than feeling offended.
Was it not the action he saw during his first meeting with Cheon-hwi.
‘It means to show my changed appearance.’
Jong-hyeon’s eyes deepened limitlessly.
The same action as when they first sparred.
It was no different from saying he would see how much he had grown.
“Huu.”
Jong-hyeon, who met eyes with Cheon-hwi steadily, slowly exhaled the cold breath filled deep in his lungs.
Upon doing so, the Profound Heaven Strong Gangqi began to circulate.
The internal energy circulation that started from the lower dantian swept past the lungs, chest, and shoulders, sweeping through his entire body before soon reaching his feet.
‘Heavily, and strongly. And…’
Jong-hyeon, who had finished full preparations, loaded the internal force of the Profound Heaven Strong Gangqi to the tips of his toes.
The ground touching the tips of his toes was crushed.
The moment when he felt his leather shoes burying little by little, very little by little, into the ground.
‘Fast!’
Pah!
Jong-hyeon’s body shot forward.
Jong-hyeon, who advanced while bending his upper body as low as possible, slashed his sword down perilously close to the extent it almost touched the floor.
Swoosh!
He struck upwards in one breath.
It was the utilization of the Great Heaven Strong Sword Art utilizing the recoil of the Big Dipper Heavenly Strong Footwork.
The Great Heaven Strong Sword Art of heavy and strong.
The Big Dipper Heavenly Strong Footwork of fast.
The result of the two martial arts combined manifested in Jong-hyeon’s hands.
‘Oho.’
Cheon-hwi sneered as he watched the sword blade soaring up while kicking up dust on the floor.
‘His footwork has improved a bit now?’
Jong-hyeon’s problems were two.
His footwork and his skill in handling the sword.
Among them, his footwork seemed to have risen to a level that could be said to be somewhat better.
‘I still do not know about handling the sword.’
Even the moment Cheon-hwi thought, the sword blade was continuously thrusting in. It was only brief to quietly watch this.
Swoosh…
Cheon-hwi soon turned his body to the side, and evaded the sword.
The heavy wind followed belatedly, and Cheon-hwi’s Taoist robe soared upwards.
Cheon-hwi glanced at the sword blade that brushed right past his eyes, then lowered his eyes.
Cheon-hwi smirked towards Jong-hyeon, who was vainly looking at the sword that sliced the empty air.
“You shouldn’t space out.”
Along with his words, Cheon-hwi flicked his middle finger and struck the forehead of the spaced-out Jong-hyeon.
Smack!
“Ack!”
Jong-hyeon stroked his forehead in pain.
“That is not the end, is it?”
At Cheon-hwi’s continuing words, Jong-hyeon stopped touching his forehead and lifted his dropped sword again with a tearful face.
“N-Not yet!”
Jong-hyeon shouted while tightly gripping his sword.
At the same time, when he brought up the Profound Heaven Strong Gangqi.
Sss…
White smoke bloomed on the sword blade.
“Sword Qi?!”
“At that young age!”
Cries of astonishment flowed out from here and there.
It was very faint white smoke that could not be seen unless one focused properly to look, but that was clearly Sword Qi.
“Does it mean he has reached the realm of first-rate at an age that has not even turned thirty?”
“Since when did such a rising star…”
The Chivalric Escort Unit members clicked their tongues.
In the spar they only paid attention to Cheon-hwi, so who would have paid attention to the young Jong-hyeon.
They just thought vaguely that he would have some degree of talent since he was the disciple of the Flying Swallow Sword Lord Ha Woo-jin.
However, right now his skill was too outstanding to be called a mere rising star.
Right now his light could not help but fade because Cheon-hwi was in front of him, but as time passed he would make a great name for himself in Jianghu.
At that time, Jong-hyeon charged in again.
“Ha-ab!”
Along with a vigorous shout, Jong-hyeon executed various martial arts towards Cheon-hwi.
Starting with the Great Heaven Strong Sword Art, not only sword arts like the Heavenly River Thirty-Six Swords and the Heavenly Star Sword, but also all kinds of martial arts including the Resolving Heart Kick.
Jong-hyeon executed the martial arts he learned from Ha Woo-jin without missing a single one, however.
Swoosh…
Cheon-hwi was entirely evading them just by moving his feet.
And occasionally when he thought Jong-hyeon showed an opening, he flicked his forehead.
“Ack!”
Jong-hyeon’s forehead gradually became bright red.
It was a pain that already went beyond throbbing and felt like it would tear apart, but Jong-hyeon only hesitated before swinging his sword again.
‘…Does it mean the rumors were not exaggerated.’
Chu Gye-gwang muttered inwardly as he closely watched under Cheon-hwi’s feet.
Since the spar started, his left foot had not moved a single step, just like the roots of an old dead tree.
It meant he was lightly dodging those attacks while only moving his right foot and upper body.
Chu Gye-gwang’s eyes gradually sank.
‘Would I be able to do that?’
The answer to his self-questioning did not come out immediately.
If it was subduing or taking down Jong-hyeon, it was something possible at any time.
But evading like that and only flicking his forehead was completely different in its nature.
Because it was a task that not only required reading the opponent’s movements, but also outstanding footwork and internal energy control.
‘I want to exchange swords with him once.’
It was a thought that arose unconsciously.
It was due to his blood boiling as a martial artist upon seeing such a strong opponent.
However.
‘It is a pity that I cannot do so.’
He suppressed his fighting spirit and swallowed it.
Right now Cheon-hwi was a honored guest invited by the strategist.
How could he make such a request.
Meanwhile, the Chivalric Escort Unit members were also in an uproar.
The martial arts Jong-hyeon executed were surprising too, but they had unconsciously had their attention stolen by Cheon-hwi’s movements which were even more surprising than that.
“It’s not enough to evade those sword forms, he even takes his back?!”
“I-Is that even possible?”
Would they be members of the Chivalric Escort Unit for nothing.
Because each and every one of them was an expert who had reached the first-rate realm, they were in a state where they roughly noticed how nonsensical the spar happening right now was.
“…Can he parry like that.”
“Is it indeed the Plum Blossom Divine Hero.”
The Chivalric Escort Unit members, who watched Cheon-hwi sparring, showed eyes of admiration.
In fact, it was not only now.
Since they first saw Cheon-hwi, the Chivalric Escort Unit members’ eyes contained admiration.
Jianghu had been swayed by the hands of older experts for a long time.
And rightly so, because there was no opportunity for young martial artists to be active due to the long era of peace cultivated by the Nine Provinces Three Supreme Powers.
However, with Cheon-hwi appearing, the current landscape of Jianghu was overturned.
Did a person who could be called a rising star, not even turning thirty, not drive the Unorthodox Faction out of Shaanxi and defeat the Green Forest Great Emperor.
Given such a situation, any young martial artist could not help but send cheers to Cheon-hwi.
Because he was a figure who could change this stagnant and stagnant era of peace.
Meanwhile, Jong-hyeon panted for breath.
“Pant, pant.”
Was it because he was nervous.
No matter how they exchanged dozens of blows in a short moment, fatigue rushed in rapidly.
Cheon-hwi smiled thinly looking at such Jong-hyeon.
“You look exhausted. Then…”
Cheon-hwi, who whispered while stealthily looking at the sword blade brushing past his nose, raised his index finger and lightly tapped the sword blade.
Clang!
However, unlike the light action, the sword blade shook greatly, and Jong-hyeon, who received the aftermath entirely, gasped for breath.
“Urgh!”
At the moment Jong-hyeon’s face contorted.
“Rest.”
Cheon-hwi’s quiet voice dug into Jong-hyeon’s ears like thorns.
The surprised Jong-hyeon raised his head.
Immediately, Cheon-hwi looking down with an indifferent gaze caught his sight.
After a brief moment.
Smack!
With a terrible pain on his forehead, Jong-hyeon’s consciousness snapped and cut off.
Ha Woo-jin quickly appeared.
“It will be a little sore.”
Ha Woo-jin, who supported the falling Jong-hyeon, smiled looking at the red and swollen forehead. Ha Woo-jin, who properly held Jong-hyeon, asked Cheon-hwi.
“How was it?”
“He was better than before.”
“That is a relief.”
It was a simple answer, but Ha Woo-jin smiled.
That answer alone was enough.
“Hmm?”
At that time, Cheon-hwi turned his head.
At the gazes concentrated on him, Cheon-hwi scratched his head and immediately moved his seat.
They are staring piercingly.
Ignoring the gazes felt even while going to the place to camp out, Cheon-hwi, who soon arrived at his seat, flopped down.
“Are you going to rest now?”
Cheon-hwi nodded at Hyeon-do’s question, who had approached before he knew it.
“I should sleep. Now.”
That night passed, and the next morning.
“Here you go! Great Hero!”
Cheon-hwi looked suspiciously at the Chivalric Escort Unit member who handed over the bowl while answering exceptionally loudly to a simple request.
However, it was not just him.
All the Chivalric Escort Unit members around him were staring at him with their eyes sparkling.
It was an unfamiliar and strange gaze.
“Why are they like that?”
When Cheon-hwi asked Hyeon-do.
“Hoho, consider it an expression of goodwill.”
Hyeon-do laughed heartily and replied.
“…Hmm, it is not very good.”
When Cheon-hwi spoke with a furrowed brow.
“Ouch.”
Jong-hyeon, who was applying Golden Spear Medicine to his forehead, let out a groaning sound with tears welling up in his eyes.
“Hoho, endure it.”
At Ha Woo-jin’s words, mixed with laughter but firm, Jong-hyeon pouted his lips.
A brief time for preparation passed like that, and.
“Then we will depart.”
Along with Chu Gye-gwang’s words snatching the reins, the journey began again.
* * *
“A Grand Martial World Conference…”
The Vice Strategist of the Martial Alliance, Seol Geom, frowned heavily while looking at the numerous papers piled high on his desk.
“What is his scheme?”
His head was complicated by the work suddenly started by the strategist, who had been stuck deep inside and unmoving for a long time.
“It’s too much to be for the Mount Hua Sect’s revenge. Even so, it certainly shouldn’t be that he wants a war with the Four Black Alliances.”
The strategist was someone who prioritized the safety and balance of the Martial Alliance for a long time, no matter what happened.
However, to start an affair with the existence of the Martial Alliance at stake over such a trifling matter at this point in time.
“Could he have realized it…?”
At the time Seol Geom’s brow furrowed.
“Tsk tsk, what could our Vice Strategist have so many worries about.”
A voice filled with mockery was heard from above.
“When did you come? Heuk-o.”
“I just came.”
“You blabber lies without even putting saliva in your mouth.”
Seol Geom, who spoke coldly, grabbed the folding fan placed on the desk, and threw it swiftly upwards.
Crunch!
The folding fan embedded itself in the ceiling.
“Your temper is hasty.”
Along with a low voice, the folding fan embedded in the ceiling went right inside. Soon, an eerie pupil like a snake’s revealed itself through the small pierced hole.
Seol Geom, who glared at that pupil, snorted and moved his lips.
“Do I not look in a hurry right now?”
“Hmm, that is also true.”
The pupil inside the hole hid its appearance, and the voice was heard from the side now.
“But is this not exactly an opportunity?”
Seol Geom’s eyes sank at the stiff voice of Heuk-o, whose mockery had disappeared.
“I know without you saying it.”
The corners of Seol Geom’s mouth went up as he spoke.
“Furthermore, if we make good use of this opportunity, you never know. We might be able to kick those two, who are like thorns in our eyes, out of the Alliance.”