Chapter 93 Bookmark (1)

Chapter 93 Bookmark (1)

Gulp.

Xin Maquan swallowed dryly, forcing an awkward smile.

“No, well, it’s not like you interrupted…”

Fearing he might get hit if he sarcastically claimed he’d intentionally interfered, Xin Maquan’s mouth twisted into an awkward curve.

However, Gu Yangji was focused not on Xin Maquan, but on Yu Zhangming.

‘What I just saw was definitely…’

The Dragon-Embracing Divine Palm.

It was a martial art that refined the fierce power and essence lacking in the Hwasan Sect’s martial arts training, elevating it to a higher level.

Its debut was seven years from now.

It was the martial art Yoo Jang-myeong had displayed at the next Nine Dragons Tournament, the year he was twenty-five.

It shouldn’t have appeared this early.

Gu Yangji approached Yu Zhangming with a tense expression.

“Senior Brother, could it be… you’ve created a new martial art?”

“……”

At those words, Yu Zhangming frowned uncharacteristically.

It was as if a thorn had lodged in his mouth; his discomfort was palpable.

Seeing this, Gu Yangji felt curiosity outweigh his tension, his eyes brightening.

“Would you be willing to spar with me once?”

“I’d rather postpone it.”

As if something had given him pause, Yu Zhangming’s expression grew even more somber.

But Gu Yangji remembered something Yu Zhangming had said before.

That sharing a difficult problem brought better results than agonizing over it alone.

‘This is precisely when I should step forward.’

Gu Yangji flashed a bright smile.

“Senior Brother, do you remember?”

Yu Zhangming’s gaze, which had been fixed on the ground, shifted to Gu Yangji.

After a moment, Gu Yangji continued.

“About a year ago, when you saw the collapsed retaining wall of the hermitage and suggested we compose a couplet.”

Yu Zhangming opened his mouth slightly.

“You knew?”

“Who do you think I am? Your disciple, Senior Brother. Just a glance at your expression tells me roughly.”

“You, you talk.”

Yu Zhangming burst into a hearty laugh. In doing so, he realized anew how quickly time had passed.

‘Already a year.’

Yu Zhangming exhaled deeply. As he did, he recalled the many stories that had unfolded in that time.

Barely a year.

In the long span of life, a year was but a fleeting moment. But this past year couldn’t simply be dismissed as a fleeting moment.

That year had been a continuous series of changes for Yoo Jang-myeong. There were even moments when he had to risk his life in confrontation with elders he once respected.

As his thoughts reached that point, Yoo Jang-myeong suddenly realized.

‘……What the hell.’

His furrowed brow smoothed out.

‘This current situation is nothing compared to that.’

Of course, as a martial artist, he needed to understand the reason behind this. But it wasn’t a problem serious enough to worry those around him.

Rather, as Gu Yangjeok had said, he needed to spar with others to gauge his current state. And if there were limits, he needed to know where they lay beforehand.

A straightforward voice flowed from Yu Jangmyeong’s mouth.

“Come in.”

“Your humble disciple greets you, Senior Brother, with muddy feet!”

Gu Yangji, cleverly responding to Yu Zhangming’s words, immediately displayed an elusive footwork.

It was a modified version of the Plum Blossom Step, blending illusion and transformation, making it difficult to discern his movements.

Even the Divine Demon Fist, who had been the first to master the Plum Blossom Step upon entering Huashan, failed to recognize what Gu Yangjie was performing as the Plum Blossom Step.

He thought Gu Yangjie was using some unique martial art from a peculiar sect, just as he had once done to him.

But Yu Zhangming’s keen eyes reacted sharply.

“Quite an interesting interpretation.”

“……”

Gu Yangji merely smiled silently.

His silence was a form of respect.

It meant it was inferior to his fourth senior brother, who used the Plum Blossom Sword, transforming and refining it to suit every situation.

Yu Zhangming understood that meaning too.

Therefore, a faint smile spread across Yu Zhangming’s face.

“Movements reminiscent of falling plum blossoms.”

The moment those words left his lips, Yu Zhangming’s eyes flashed. For an instant, a crimson aura, formed from the Purple Qi, swept over his entire body.

A chill ran down Gu Yangjie’s spine. It was only a fleeting moment, but it felt like he was facing not the Yu Zhangming of the present, but the man from the distant future.

The plum-scented aura that accompanied the purple qi, and the Plum Blossom Sword he could never shake off, no matter how hard he tried.

Thud!

Right now, they were merely clashing fists. But Gu Yangjie reconsidered.

‘What if Senior Brother Yu had been holding a sword just now?’

Of course, he wouldn’t lose. He was confident he could win. But… the process would be extremely arduous.

Gu Yangjie silently altered his mindset, which had previously regarded Yu Zhangming as beneath him.

With all his heart and strength.

This was his chance to understand why Jin Muwol and the others were so interested in Yu Jang-myeong.

“Let’s pick up the pace now.”

Swish.

Gu Yang-jeok’s figure scattered in an instant.

Truly divine speed—he had just deployed the Plum Blossom Sword, then channeled the Zixi Energy to unleash the unique mystique of the Zixi Qi.

Even the Divine Demon Fist, who had always been confident that no one could match his speed, momentarily lost track of his position.

The Divine Demon Fist blinked, then looked up sharply.

‘Up there!’

Gu Yangjie, his fist wrapped in purple qi, wore a cheerful smile.

To any observer, it would seem he was facing a formidable opponent, not his own senior brother.

Sensing the true energy in that fist, Shin Makwon felt a sudden dizziness.

‘Surely he wouldn’t smash his own senior brother’s skull…?’

What if he had been there? There was no room for hesitation. He would have fully utilized the speed of the Extreme Light Incense Burner to evade.

But Yu Jang-myeong was different.

“…Hmph.”

Even as Gu Yangji’s fists closed in with every passing moment, Yu Zhangming’s gaze remained unwavering.

Moreover, Gu Yangji had momentarily forgotten he was wearing the Vajra Fist Armor. In effect, it was a clash between a fist merely wrapped in bandages and the Shaolin’s divine weapon.

Clang! Squeak!

Feeling the impact of flesh against metal, Gu Yang-jeok gasped and tried to pull his fist back.

But Yu Jang-myeong’s hand speed didn’t stop there.

“I hear your martial fame has been quite high lately… yet you hesitate at the crucial moment.”

He grabbed the elbow of the arm trying to withdraw and pulled it straight back.

“…?!”

Gu Yangji’s eyes widened at the immense strength emanating from Yu Zhangming. Before he had gone to the Martial Alliance, Yu Zhangming’s power hadn’t been like this.

Did that look mean he had noticed?

Yu Zhangming gave an awkward smile.

“I’ve been training a bit.”

‘Is this the kind of strength you gain from a little training!’

Gu Yangji wanted to retort, but his words were cut off.

CRACK!

Yu Zhangming’s knee slammed brutally into his jaw, followed by a heel that gouged into his solar plexus. It was a kick sharper than any blade.

“Guh.”

Blood surged up his throat in one gulp. The distinctive, metallic scent of blood filled his nostrils.

To Gu Yangji, it seemed as if Yu Zhangming was saying this:

“Are you daydreaming while sparring with your opponent?”

Just like when they sparred against the backdrop of the ruined hermitage, it was no different from before.

Now he held a sword, but the situation of sparring remained the same.

“…Ha.”

Gu Yangji chuckled softly. Only now could he truly enjoy the sparring.

‘So, Senior Brother, you should start getting nervous too.’

Gu Yangji fixed a venomous gaze upon Yu Zhangming.

“Oh.”

A mischievous smile spread across Yu Zhangming’s face. Thinking he was finally going to charge in earnest, he intensified his use of the Purple Mist Qi.

Pang!

Gu Yangji’s toes dug into the soft, thawed ground beneath the snow, propelling his body forward.

By the time they had sparred for over a hundred breaths.

‘What kind of sparring is that?’

Watching their exchange, Shin Ma-kwon genuinely debated whether to summon the elders.

He had long since uncrossed his arms. Any thought of merely spectating had vanished.

Too high.

The level of skill they displayed was extraordinary. Even attacks that would shatter bones if allowed the slightest opening met no retreat.

Instead, they seemed to revel in each other’s responses. He marveled again.

It didn’t seem like they were competing to prove their skills; rather, they appeared to be thoroughly enjoying themselves.

Watching the duel unfold, Shin Makwon bit his upper lip, a look of envy evident.

‘If I were to consume the Brain Ling Pill, could I join them?’

Then, he clicked his tongue absentmindedly. Even he thought it was a pathetic notion.

Wasn’t martial prowess gained by craving divine artifacts utterly futile? Wasn’t true mastery achieved solely through relentless training?

Xin Maquan knelt right where he stood.

From that position, he watched Gu Yangji and Yu Zhangming’s sparring intently.

Crack! Snap! Bang!

With every step, shockwaves tore through the surrounding air. It was no surprise the hem of his robe was completely shredded.

“Ha! Ha!”

Gasping for breath, Gu Yangjie lunged at Yu Zhangming like a beast.

The martial art he chose was the Defeating Jade Fist (Paiyu Quan), a fist technique used by ronin to confront newly emerged martial artists.

The reason was clear, singular.

“……!”

A martial artist with little experience would be overwhelmed by the sheer number of illusions, unable to respond immediately.

Moreover, the footwork used with techniques like the Defeating Jade Fist was famously erratic.

As Gu Yangji suddenly shifted to an entirely unexpected offensive, Yu Zhangming’s face hardened.

Even his eyes, which had been reacting moment by moment, held not intensity, but a deep stillness.

“…This is difficult.”

If he allowed even half a step, his entire upper body would be exposed.

Knowing Gu Yangji wasn’t the type to hesitate over such a decision, Yu Zhangming let out a faint chuckle.

‘He won’t show any mercy.’

He then opened his mouth wide, gathering his breath.

“Hmph.”

Yu Zhangming’s heel pushed forward, propelling his body backward.

In that instant, Gu Yangji’s eyes flashed. Now was the perfect moment to neutralize Yu Zhangming.

“Hold tight!”

Gu Yangji forced himself to ignore the thirst rising to his throat. He screamed as if his lungs would collapse at any moment.

But just one step. That was all the distance left to reverse Yoo Jang-myeong’s defense.

“Stop.”

Hearing the voice from afar, Gu Yang-jeok and Yoo Jang-myeong halted their movements and looked in that direction.

But with lingering regret, Gu Yang-jeok, who had been watching Yoo Jang-myeong, was startled.

‘To have prepared the latter half of the Dragon-Catching Palm technique in that brief moment…’

And he was shaping his qi into a form of strength, intending to shatter his final attack entirely.

Merely unfurling a sword qi was already genius-level. But to do it with a fist as well?

Gu Yangji had returned from a past life, but Yu Zhangming had not. That made the shock all the greater.

Meanwhile, the Taoist who had halted the sparring had approached within close range.

Gu Yangji hurriedly bowed and called out.

“Gu Yangji, disciple of the Baidanxian School, greets the Honorable Dharma Protector!”

“Heh heh, I saw you clearly from afar.”

It wasn’t Zheng Zhongshan, with whom he’d just conversed, but his elder brother, Zheng Falong, who wore an admiring smile.

“Zhang Ming, as I mentioned before, won’t you reconsider?”

“……”

“Won’t you accept my teachings? That is what I mean.”

At those words, Gu Yangji’s pupils dilated like lanterns.