Chapter 50

“What do you think? Is he strong? Geumsa-geom made it to the finals.”

Cheol Myeong-ho asked Dan Woo-seong as if genuinely curious. He was inquiring about Geum Sa-geom’s skill level. How on earth should he explain it to Cheol Myeong-ho?

Dan Woosung replied.

“You can see they’ve fought each other many times, but it seems Geumsa-geom held back. Even with Maehwa-yurang’s accumulated power, it wouldn’t be easy to defeat Geumsa-geom. It felt like he was letting him win.”

“So how strong is he, then?”

Dan Wooseong looked at this simple-minded brat. To converse with this man, he had to lower his level to that of a back alley.

“Far stronger than you.”

“You call that a word?”

“Plum Blossom Wanderer will probably still be way stronger than you even ten years from now.”

“Ah, that kinda sucks.”

Cheolmyeongho didn’t ask any more questions. His curiosity had been satisfied.

‘He’s a strong one.’

Hwa Eun-wol said.

“The two of them must have arrived much earlier to participate in the Dragon-Phoenix Grand Gathering and sparred against each other. Since Haenam and Hwasan are major factions within the Martial Alliance, they would have been treated with due respect…”

At that moment, a martial artist from the White Dragon Corps, sent by the host, came to the makeshift tent and cautiously asked Dan Woo-sung.

“The Heavenly Lord overseeing society asks how much rest time should be granted.”

Dan Woo-sung replied.

“It doesn’t matter if we proceed immediately.”

The Baekryongdae warrior nodded, looking somewhat surprised.

“Understood.”

The Baekryongdae warrior looked up at Lord Cheon on the dais and said.

“We can proceed immediately.”

Chun Gak-ju looked at the White Dragon Corps warrior sent by Namgung Wi to inquire about his intentions. The reply came immediately from that side.

“We can proceed immediately.”

The emcee called out to the two.

“The challenger and Namgung Jeil-do, to the martial arts stage.”

Dan Wooseong and Namgung Wi rose from their seats. Before stepping onto the stage, Dan Wooseong glanced at Woo Jasung, who was wrapping his forehead with a cloth. Woo Jasung had returned immediately after receiving first aid and was now glaring at Namgung Wi.

Since Namgung Wi had torn Wu Jasheng’s forehead, Dan Wooseong intended to tear Namgung Wi’s forehead as well.

.

.

.

Dan Wooseong and Namgung Jeil also stood facing Namgung Wi.

Naturally, Namgoong Wi’s expression was grim. He had just witnessed Dokgo Han suffer a brutal defeat. Namgoong Wi was no fool. He knew full well that Dan Wooseong had not yet revealed his full strength.

At the host’s words, the two men silently bowed in respect.

Namgung Wi exhaled sharply, as if tense.

Namgung Wi knew well Dokgo Han’s method of crushing his opponents. He preferred either adding his internal energy to his heavy sword to shatter weapons outright, or using the subtlety of thrusting to pin his foes down.

Yet these tactics were utterly ineffective against the merchant’s son. This meant Dokgo Han’s internal energy was not on par with that of a professional fighter.

Having determined the direction of the duel, Namgung Wei launched the first strike.

He chose a strategy of ironclad defense followed by counterattack.

He had no intention whatsoever of engaging in an internal energy duel. Moreover, since he believed his opponent preferred meticulous combat rather than fighting with profound internal energy, Namgoong Wi did not push himself from the start.

Nangong Wei calmed his mind before unleashing the Imperial Eight Forms he had learned from his grandfather.

On the surface, it appeared to be a martial art with few visible changes.

However, it was a technique requiring meticulous internal energy management. It was a unique style that, depending on the opponent’s response, would gradually chip away at their internal energy with precisely injected bursts. Just as his grandfather had done when facing formidable foes, he intended to endure and win.

Psychological warfare must form the foundation, backed by enduring stamina and inner strength.

In a way, it seemed as if the technique had been meticulously crafted to fit the solid builds of the apprentice and Namgung Wei, fitting them perfectly in many ways.

Namgung Wi intended to prolong the duel with a combination of attacks and defenses, constantly moving and adding rotational force. His movements were thus consistently dazzling.

He swung his sword fiercely, as if determined to preemptively block Dan Woo-sung’s bare-handed attacks.

He had no choice but to dance with his sword like a madman. Then, suddenly, a bead of sweat trickled down Namgung Wi’s spine.

Danwooseong moved as if observing his own martial arts technique, maintaining just the right distance. It seemed obvious who would tire first. But there was no other way. With so many watching, he intended to fight longer and better than Dokgo Han, no matter what.

‘Hold on. Longer.’

Even now, he was thinking that Baek Ryeon must be watching from somewhere. There was an undeniably pathetic aspect to a man’s thoughts.

On the other hand, Danwooseong believed Namgung Wi’s judgment was appropriate.

The master had taught him meticulously.

Had he faced Dokgo Han, Namgung Wi would have won.

He focused on defense against Danwooseong, deploying his sword techniques steadily to avoid exposing any weaknesses. He was careful not to let his blade be seized, and it seemed he had no intention of engaging in an internal energy duel from the start.

Dan Woosung glared at Namgung Wi.

‘You’re better than Dokgo Han, but…’

Dan Wooseong’s body was significantly lighter. As he tested Namgung Wi’s counter, the moment Namgung Wi flinched and raised his guard, Dan Wooseong halted his own movement first. He thoroughly disrupted the flow of the psychological battle from the start.

Dan Woo-sung, who had been charging again, halted his movement and suddenly thrust his fist into the air.

Whoosh!

Namgung Wei startled, swinging his sword in a wide arc to form a semicircle. But absurdly, the wind blade did not come flying.

He’d been tricked.

“Ha!”

Cheolmyeong-ho burst out laughing before covering his mouth with his hand.

“Oh dear, my apologies.”

Though the laughter came from a distance, Namgoong Wi heard it clearly. Having been acting like a madman, deploying his defensive strategy all alone until now, his face turned bright red. He didn’t know which lunatic had laughed, but the mental shock was considerable.

But when it came to the fight itself, he was far more cold-blooded than Dokgo Han.

Namgoong Wi charged forward again.

He swung his sword along an ordinary trajectory, then twisted the direction with his waist power, intending to send Danwooseong’s hand or wrist flying first. Occasionally, anticipating being grabbed, he swung his sword while pulling his body back.

Whoosh!

He truly was a late-stage cultivator of exceptional skill.

Yet a metallic taste was already forming in his mouth.

Amidst this, Danwooseong was observing the martial arts of the Daoist through Namgung Wi. If one aspired to become the best under heaven, the Daoist would eventually stand in the way. Those who were evaluated as masters above even those called kings were the ones bearing the title ‘Je’.

Therefore, Dan Wooseong fought with the mindset of receiving special tutoring from Namgung Wi. This was because Namgung Jeildoo was pouring all the techniques of the Namgung clan into defeating Dan Wooseong. Thus, the hidden meaning behind this duel was preparation for the master-disciple test.

After confirming Namgoong Wi’s movements repeated roughly three times within a broad pattern, Dan Wooseong launched his counterattack, keeping in mind the variables of the martial arts technique.

The psychological warfare continued.

To sow confusion, he mixed in techniques like the Golden Water Hand and the Staff Method, not just fists.

‘Let’s finish this.’

As soon as Dan Wooseong made up his mind, he launched a surprise sonic attack toward Namgung Wi, who was retreating once more, striking with a left-right punch combination.

Though it delivered no direct blow, it was an inaudible attack impossible to evade. The direction of his clenched fist, as if seizing a fist, pointed directly at Namgung Wi, so the straight-line sound wave enveloped him.

CRASH—-!

The shockwave and deafening roar erupted as the thunderclap from his right fist collided with the iron wall of his left. Unable to cover his ears while gripping his sword, Namgoong Wi grimaced fiercely, stumbled backward, and staggered.

Where on earth is there a martial artist who can unleash such an alternate sound technique?

In that opening, Dan Woo-sung closed the distance with a form of lightness kung fu never before displayed at the Dragon Phoenix Grand Assembly. Nangung Wei instinctively clutched his sword with his trembling hands and barely managed to thrust it forward.

Stepping up onto the sword’s back, Dan Woo-sung struck Namgung Wi’s face with his knee.

Thud!

Namgung Wei tilted his head back, barely dodging the direct hit, but his forehead was already torn open.

As Namgung Wei turned, blood gushed from his forehead, seeping into his eyes.

Dan Wooseong, who had been standing still, thrust out his fist.

This time it wasn’t a feint but a thunderous fist packed with power. Namgoong Wi was thrown off balance by Danwooseong’s feint-and-counter feint tactics.

Just as Namgoong Wi had struck the young Taoist’s forehead in their previous duel, Dan Woosung showed no mercy in his attack.

With a grim expression, Namgoong Wi swung his sword, blocking the thunder fist that had grown enormous before his eyes.

CRASH!

The sword clattered as it rolled off the stage. Namgung Wei, having lost his grip, tumbled across the floor three or four times before rising in a push-up position. Conversely, blood dripped-dripped- onto the floor.

“Hehehehe.”

Namgung Wi, his face covered in blood, found himself laughing despite himself.

Why did I end up losing so completely?

His expression was smiling, yet his heart was filled with self-reproach. Impulsively, he rubbed his face as if washing it with his bare hands. His face became smeared with blood.

Namgung Wi shouted with all his might.

“I lost!”

Even after Namgung Wi admitted defeat, the host silently watched the two. Dan Wooseong walked over, picked up the sword, lowered its tip, and then extended it toward Namgung Wi.

It was a simple gesture, yet somehow the atmosphere felt heavier than during the fight itself.

As Namgung Wi grasped his sword with bloodied hands, Dan Wooseong spoke as if challenging him again.

“Namgoong Jeil-do, let’s meet again.”

No matter how crazy the other guy’s personality was, I liked his manly side.

Namgoong Wi couldn’t bring himself to resent Danwooseong’s gesture of handing over the weapon.

With a somewhat calmer heart, he replied.

“I’ll challenge you again next time.”

When Dan Wooseong nodded as if to say so, only then did Namgung Wi’s heart ease. His face covered in blood, he glanced around before paying his respects to the leader, Yoo Jeonghong. He could only console himself by thinking he’d fought better than Dokgo Han.

To the watchful eyes of the spectators, it was indeed so.

Applause and cheers erupted quite loudly.

Dan Woosung, stepping down from the stage, suddenly glanced at Woo Jasung. Woo Jasung met Dan Woosung’s gaze and grinned.

Wu Zasheng silently took a bow as if to say thank you, and Dan Wuseong, looking slightly embarrassed, headed toward the makeshift tent.

This time, Cheol Myeong-ho took the bow, then raised one finger and said.

“Master, one remains.”

Dan Wooseong nodded. Only one person remained for the championship.

Hwa Eun-wol lowered her voice slightly and asked.

“Did you deliberately cut your forehead?”

Hwa Eun-seol and Cheol Myeong-ho looked at Dan Woo-seong. As if to say yes, Dan Woo-seong gave a slight nod.

The Golden Sword and Danwoo Star suddenly gazed at each other from afar. They were well aware that both had concealed considerable strength.

Baeknyeon Gijae and Kwonwang of the Haenam faction each felt confident in their victory. After a half-hour break, the host addressed each faction.

“Kwon Gak, Geumsa-geom. Shall we begin?”

Dan Woo-sung rose.

“We’re ready.”

Within his personal tent, Jin Sa-geom, Wei Mak-cheon, who had been quietly resting with his eyes closed, opened them and calmly replied.

“Let us begin.”

As this was the final match, cheers and applause erupted as the two headed toward the dueling platform.

Weimakcheon did not draw his sword even after completing the formalities.

“I am ready.”

Danwooseong opened his mouth to tell him to draw his sword, but closed it again. For a swordsman wielding a fast sword, the art of drawing the sword itself was a technique.

Surprisingly, the two began their preliminary skirmish unarmed.

Wei Makcheon’s speed in deploying his palm techniques was exceptionally swift. He wasn’t merely using pure palm techniques; it seemed he had separately mastered the Eagle Claw Technique.

As the offensive and defensive battle commenced, the shapes of their hands transformed in diverse ways.

He aimed his hand at Dan Wooseong’s neck like a hook, then unleashed a burst of force from his left palm, sweeping his left foot across the floor as he struck at Dan Wooseong’s lower body.

As Dan Wooseong retreated, Wi Makcheon drew his sword with his left hand and slashed diagonally upward.

Clang!

Sword energy poured forth at close range. Dan Wooseong extended his bare hand, its surface gathered with pure white ki, and grasped the sword energy with an impassive expression.

Crack!

The sword energy vanished with remarkable ease.

ⓒ Yoo Jin-seong