Chapter 4 Learning

Chapter 4 Learning

While Yang So-dang went upstairs to fetch the man Song Chae-ji had mentioned, Namgung-woo followed Song Chae-ji out of the Inn.

The main road in front of the Inn had been transformed into a makeshift sparring ground by members of the Black Bear Faction.

Several Black Bear Faction Martial Artists controlled the townsfolk passing through, and a natural perimeter formed from the spectators who gathered at the news of a fight.

As Song Chae-ji stepped boldly into the open space encircled by people, the leader of the Black Bear Faction group, who had been waiting for them inside, twisted their lips into a sneer.

“They say Hengshan raises tiger cubs, but it seems they’re just kitten cubs.”

Their words seemed directed at Song Chae-ji.

Namgung-woo subtly brought up the still-awkward Internal Energy (betting pool) and observed the man. His eyes glowed with a blue light.

Their Qi accumulation is quite advanced.

Before Namgung-woo’s thoughts could deepen, Song Chae-ji’s clear voice rang out.

“Don’t forget. This matter ends with this Martial Arts Duel.”

“Hmph, of course. Don’t worry. We also don’t wish for a factional dispute over such a trivial matter.”

“If it was a trivial matter, you could have just backed down appropriately.”

“The negotiations are already concluded for all the Inns except this one. Why should we make an exception now and tarnish our Faction’s reputation? No need for further talk, let’s begin.”

The man drew the Greatsword from their back.

The keen edge rising from the well-maintained blade was quite menacing.

A weapon had been drawn. There was no turning back.

Song Chae-ji also drew their sword and assumed a Starting Stance.

“Hengshan Sect, Song Chae-ji. I learned the sword from Eulju True Man.”

At Song Chae-ji’s action of revealing their background, the man, though not particularly pleased, spoke with a tone that suggested they were doing so out of consideration for the surrounding gazes.

“Righteous Faction types. I am Pung Hyo of the Black Bear Faction. My Martial Arts? Well, I’ve learned a bit of this and that.”

There was no referee, but it didn’t matter.

At this moment, the open space on the main road transformed into a private arena for Song Chae-ji and Pung Hyo.

Namgung-woo stood guard near the Inn’s entrance, watching the standoff between the two.

While both sides slowly sought an opportunity, aiming for the other’s weak point, Namgung-woo replayed their earlier conversation.

Hengshan Sect, huh?

Namgung-woo was familiar with the Faction. It appeared in Chullok Murim, but even before that, the Five Great Sword Sects were quite well-known in martial arts novels.

If it’s a famous Faction in Shanxi Province, then Hengshan Sect is the only one.

But something felt off. Even if its power was considered weaker compared to the Nine Great Sects and One Alliance, the Hengshan Sect was still one of the prestigious Daoist Sects. To be reluctant about an all-out war with a mere Unorthodox Faction like this?

From Namgung-woo’s perspective, Pung Hyo’s Martial Prowess wasn’t particularly outstanding. Unless Song Chae-ji was careless or made a mistake, they would surely win.

Then is this person a low-ranking member? The Faction Leader might be an incredible Master. Or, conversely, the Hengshan Sect might have declined.

If none of that were true, then the Black Bear Faction must have powerful backing.

Just as Namgung-woo was roughly grasping the power map of the Shanxi Martial World, the two blades finally clashed.

Clang!

The sound was heavier than a mere collision of metal.

Both Song Chae-ji and Pung Hyo had imbued their respective blades with a full measure of Internal Energy.

A faint resonance spread from the Internal Energy-infused blades.

It wasn’t quite a Sword Cry, but it was definitely the Cultivation Realm of Qi-Infused Sword, where one fills their blade with Qi, treating it as an extension of their own limbs.

With that clash, both of them must have realized. Song Chae-ji is the higher-ranked one.

Namgung-woo’s eyes had, at some point, turned beyond deep blue, now incandescent with the color of the sky.

The process of the energy circulating within their bodies extending into their swords was fully revealed to Namgung-woo’s eyes.

Neither side had yet achieved complete freedom in their Internal Energy Control. However, even within that, superiority was evident. Song Chae-ji was executing their Forms half a breath faster.

Moreover, Song Chae-ji’s Internal Energy itself is purer.

Despite this, Pung Hyo was holding their ground entirely thanks to their physical superiority.

No matter how much Martial Artists transcend human limits and display transcendent strength, the inherent difference in strength between men and women is not entirely absent.

As one ascends to the Higher Realm, that gap would become meaningless, but at Song Chae-ji and Pung Hyo’s Cultivation Realm, it was laughable to even discuss.

But they are gradually being pushed back. The moment their Internal Energy falters and they fall victim to the Internal Energy Heavy Hand Technique will be Pung Hyo’s end.

Even though he was predicting the outcome with a level of clarity that seemed to read the future, Namgung-woo was completely engrossed in the Martial Arts Duel.

It was fascinating.

The Martial Arts Duel unfolding before him.

The immature yet incredibly mysterious movements of Internal Energy.

What would I have done?

Namgung-woo was accustomed to fighting while restricting his Internal Energy. In his spars with Namgung Mae, he always limited his Internal Energy to match her level.

If he were Pung Hyo, or Song Chae-ji, how would he have fought?

The entire process of hypothesizing and predicting the outcomes was utterly novel to Namgung-woo.

The vibrancy he hadn’t felt in Chullok Murim constantly stimulated Namgung-woo’s curiosity.

That’s a shame. If they had used a Feint instead of a horizontal strike just now, they could have ended the match.

Namgung-woo, who had been engrossed to the point of losing himself, was brought back to awareness when someone tugged repeatedly at his sleeve.

Following the hand, he saw Yang So-dang, who had returned at some point, clutching his sleeve tightly with an anxious expression.

“Sister… can they win?”

Namgung-woo gently stroked Yang So-dang’s head as they looked up at him, tears welling in their eyes.

Perhaps it was due to the warm touch. Yang So-dang’s expression brightened slightly.

“Of course. Don’t worry. It will be over soon.”

After comforting Yang So-dang, Namgung-woo nodded to the man standing next to them, leaning on Yang So-dang.

His ailing body spoke volumes about what the man had endured. He must have been thoroughly beaten when he went to protest the Black Bear Faction’s tyranny. Still, it was a relief that no bones seemed broken.

“So you’re the one Dang-a brought.”

“Yes. Your daughter has shown me great kindness.”

“Oh, it’s only natural to help those in need…”

Namgung-woo understood the source of Yang So-dang’s altruism through those words. Having a father who naturally gave to others, they must have inherited that disposition.

He didn’t know the exact relationship between Song Chae-ji and the father and daughter, but he vaguely understood why Song Chae-ji was so actively involved.

The heartwarming moment was punctuated by a sharp metallic clang as Song Chae-ji parried Pung Hyo’s Greatsword and pointed their sword tip at their Adam’s apple.

“I won.”

Song Chae-ji’s face, beaming with a triumphant smile, was filled with satisfaction and exhilaration.

Pung Hyo, seemingly unbothered, calmly raised both hands.

“Hmph, alright. I lost, so put your sword down.”

As Pung Hyo admitted defeat, a cheer erupted from the spectators.

“As expected of the Hengshan Sect!”

“Th-then is the Hengshan Sect rejoining the Nine Great Sects?”

“My dear man! Is it that easy?”

The Black Bear Faction’s reputation in Pingyao County was far from good.

This incident was proof. They were a Faction that colluded with the County Magistrate to commit atrocities like forced sales at ridiculously low prices. For the people of Pingyao, who had been oppressed by such individuals, Song Chae-ji’s victory over the Black Bear Faction in the Martial Arts Duel was certainly cause for joy.

But the joy ended there.

“Then next, Jin Chung, you step forward.”

The moment Song Chae-ji sheathed their sword, Pung Hyo spoke.

“What?”

A bewildered retort, filled with incredulity, burst from Song Chae-ji’s lips at the unexpected words.

“What do you mean ‘what’? The Martial Arts Duel isn’t over yet.”

“Nonsense! Just now, you yourself admitted defeat…”

“That was my defeat. The Black Bear Faction hasn’t lost.”

Pung Hyo smirked.

They say words fail when anger reaches its peak, and that was exactly Song Chae-ji’s state of mind.

As Song Chae-ji stared at Pung Hyo with an incredulous expression, their mouth agape, the man called Jin Chung strode forward.

“Have you forgotten? This Martial Arts Duel isn’t between Song Chae-ji and Pung Hyo, but between the Black Bear Faction and the Yang Family Inn.”

“Th-that’s unreasonable!”

Namgung-woo couldn’t stop Yang So-dang from rushing forward beside him.

Even he had been inwardly marveling at such a novel logic.

“H-how can such an unreasonable thing be!”

“Kiddo, move aside.”

Jin Chung spoke coldly to Yang So-dang, who stood between them as if protecting Song Chae-ji.

“Or, will you take their place?”

The Black Bear Faction. True to an Unorthodox Faction, they were birds of a feather. Following Jin Chung’s threat, Pung Hyo’s sneer crushed Yang So-dang’s courage.

“It’s alright, Dang-a.”

Song Chae-ji gently pulled Yang So-dang behind them.

And returned threat for threat.

“You know this could become a legitimate reason for the Hengshan Sect to intervene, don’t you?”

“Well, then wouldn’t Taiyuan also make a move?”

Taiyuan, the capital and center of Shanxi.

Did the Black Bear Faction have such powerful backing there that they could act so brazenly? Song Chae-ji’s brows furrowed. The burden was palpable.

“…Fine. I’ll play along with your game. These people who’ve come out here are the Black Bear Faction’s representatives, aren’t they? Let’s see if you can still spout such nonsense after I defeat all of them.”

Song Chae-ji reignited their aura and declared with dignity.

Exclamations of admiration once again flowed from the crowd at their heroic demeanor, but Namgung-woo judged coolly.

They’ve let their emotions get the better of them.

While it was true that Song Chae-ji was stronger than Pung Hyo, the gap wasn’t significant. Song Chae-ji had also expended a lot of stamina and Internal Energy in the previous Martial Arts Duel.

To continue with a Wheel Battle like this? It was reckless. Unless Song Chae-ji suddenly achieved enlightenment and leaped to a higher Cultivation Realm through a Fortuitous Encounter, it was Certain Defeat.

They must have known that. Then again, they look barely twenty years old.

For Namgung-woo, that was being generous. If he said they were in their teens, it would be strange for them to be traveling alone, so he was giving them the benefit of the doubt. But based on appearance alone, even twenty was too old.

“Jin Chung’s Martial Arts are roughly similar to Brother Pung Hyo’s.”

The Martial Arts Duel then resumed.

Watching Song Chae-ji, who was clearly on the defensive unlike before, Namgung-woo repeatedly clenched and unclenched his fists in secret.

Within his body, a faint thread of Internal Energy slowly unraveled and began circulating through his Meridians.

It seems I’ll have to step in. It’s the perfect opportunity to repay their kindness.

His Internal Energy still felt unfamiliar. Namgung-woo examined the Meridians in his body with just a single strand of True Qi.

His experience in Chullok Murim wasn’t entirely useless. The sensation was somewhat similar.

Controlling my strength is crucial, controlling my strength.

After all, it wouldn’t do to accidentally kill someone.