Chapter 59
The training ground fell silent.
Everyone wore shocked expressions.
Even the White Wolf Unit members who already knew his strength couldn't help but chuckle as they witnessed Yeo Un-hwi's power once again.
Meanwhile, all the Scholar Forest Group members watching the match had blank looks on their faces.
Above all, Jo Min's expression was the most comical.
"...You."
"Yes?"
Jo Min glared with fierce eyes at the Scholar Forest Group member who had brought him information about Yeo Un-hwi earlier.
"What did you tell me just before? That he was just a scholar who knew nothing about martial arts?"
"No, I'm sure that's what I heard..."
"Then does he still look like a mere scholar who knows nothing about martial arts to you now?"
The member fell silent.
Even to his own eyes, that story clearly made no sense now.
His attempt to earn praise from the leader with hastily gathered information had backfired.
"Damn it."
Jo Min ground his teeth as he glared at Yeo Un-hwi standing calmly in the training ground.
They weren't the only ones surprised.
"...How is this possible?"
"Didn't he not know any martial arts?"
The servants and warriors who had arrived with Peng Seo-jin were equally shocked.
"Haha. Impressive indeed."
Though Peng Seo-jin already knew Yeo Un-hwi was an unparalleled master, seeing his power properly demonstrated again filled him with wonder.
He was once again realizing that the masked man who had saved him back then was indeed his brother-in-law.
A smile unconsciously spread across his face.
Just then,
"Who's next! Come on up! Our Commander is waiting! Or are you all too scared?"
Gu Tae-san called out triumphantly from behind, causing all the White Wolf Unit members to burst into laughter.
In a normal situation, such behavior would be unacceptable in a friendly sparring match for building relationships. But the current atmosphere was far from friendly - hostility between the two sides had already reached its peak.
Grind.
The Scholar Forest Group members, including Jo Min, bristled at Gu Tae-san's provocation on top of their unexpected defeat.
"I'll go."
"No, let me..."
The angered Scholar Forest Group members all volunteered to face Yeo Un-hwi next, but Jo Min didn't answer right away, chewing his lip.
His pride was too wounded to ask why Yeo Un-hwi had hidden his skills or accuse him of deception.
Jo Min, who always thought the one who got fooled was the fool, felt his anger rising the more he looked at Yeo Un-hwi's face.
Even though Swift Sword Soryu was considered one of the strongest in the Scholar Forest Group, he was no match for Jo Min himself.
Yet Jo Min couldn't stand Yeo Un-hwi's arrogant attitude.
He clearly needed to teach him a lesson.
"No, I'll go this time."
Everyone was surprised by Jo Min's words.
He almost never volunteered himself for anything if he could avoid it.
No one had imagined he would offer to face Yeo Un-hwi personally.
Soon, Jo Min grabbed a wooden sword and stepped onto the training ground where Yeo Un-hwi stood.
"You've surprised me quite a bit."
"I didn't realize I had such a talent for surprising people."
"Oh? I wonder if you have any more surprises in store for me?"
Yeo Un-hwi simply smiled without answering.
As if to say, just wait and see.
His every action exuded genuine composure.
Not just a facade of calmness, but true confidence.
To dare act that way in front of Jo Min himself.
Jo Min found Yeo Un-hwi's demeanor increasingly irritating.
Soon, Jo Min's eyes grew fierce.
"I should warn you, my sword tends to be quite vicious. It doesn't listen well and often goes wild."
"That's understandable when one is unskilled. I sympathize."
Yeo Un-hwi nodded as if in understanding.
Jo Min felt like he was getting more than he bargained for.
Somehow, the more they spoke, the more entangled he felt.
This was the first time he had ever experienced something like this.
*This bastard is getting more and more...*
The killing intent in Jo Min's eyes intensified.
Somehow, Yeo Un-hwi refused to back down with each and every word.
Even if Jo Min was younger than Yeo Un-hwi, the paths they had walked were completely different.
Jo Min had been chosen as a leader from the start and nurtured as a genius among geniuses by the Murim Alliance.
Just because Yeo Un-hwi had luckily defeated one Scholar Forest Group member didn't mean he could act so arrogantly towards someone like Jo Min.
*Insolent fool. I'll make sure to cripple you today.*
Jo Min composed his expression as he looked at Yeo Un-hwi, his heart filled with murderous intent.
"Well then, shall we begin without further delay?"
"Certainly."
And so their match was about to start.
"W-Who do you think will win?"
One of the Scholar Forest Group members asked curiously.
"You idiot. Is that even a question? Of course our leader will win."
"Why?"
"Why? Our leader scored the second highest in the Murim Alliance's leader test in history! Plus, he's the top disciple of Elder Cheon of the Murim Alliance. He was already considered one of the top Rising Stars years ago. How could he possibly lose?"
That wasn't all.
Jo Min already had a record of defeating several renowned swordsmen in Murim, not just those his own age.
That was no small feat.
"That's true. But the other side doesn't seem like a pushover either. They say he even beheaded the Extreme Evil Laughing Demon."
"Hmph. From what I heard, that old man was already badly injured and in hiding trying to recover. What's so impressive about beheading someone like that? They probably ganged up on him too. We could do the same anytime."
It was a statement that could only be made by someone who had never faced an Absolute Great Evil even once.
But the man had that much pride in the Scholar Forest Group and absolute confidence in Jo Min's victory.
"Besides, Soryu's loss was clearly just due to luck. There's no way Soryu would lose so easily to some novice who just learned martial arts."
*...No, I don't think that's the case.*
Another member scratched his cheek, unconvinced by his companion's dismissive words about the White Wolf Unit.
But he didn't bother voicing his thoughts out loud.
It would likely just lead to pointless arguments.
From what he saw, Soryu had been utterly defeated.
It wasn't a match that could be chalked up to mere luck.
How could anyone call that incredible downward strike just luck?
Meanwhile,
Swish.
Jo Min raised his wooden sword and took a stance.
He was the top disciple of Cheon Jonghu, a Murim Alliance elder who had a master-disciple relationship with the Sword Emperor, one of the Twelve Venerables of the World.
Thanks to this, despite his vicious and treacherous personality, Jo Min was considered the most profound swordsman of his generation when it came to the sword.
No, it was because of his innate talent that he had caught the eye of the Murim Alliance elder from a young age and risen to the position of leader so early.
And now, his power was about to be revealed here.
"Oh! That is!"
A fantastical sword technique unfolded before the eyes of those watching in the training ground.
Jo Min had begun to unleash his sword technique, the "Eight Bright Sword Art."
Light and beautiful to behold, yet each strike carrying tremendous power - these were the characteristics of the Eight Bright Sword Art, already considered one of the "World's Best Sword Arts."
After all, the Eight Bright Sword Art was the very technique used by the Sword Emperor himself.
Of course, the Sword Emperor had other techniques like the "Seventy-Two Wave-Breaking Sword," but the fact that the Eight Bright Sword Art was the Sword Emperor's foundation and starting point was known to all under heaven.
Soon, what Yeo Un-hwi unleashed against the Eight Bright Sword Art was the Peng Family's basic blade technique, the "Boundless Blade Art."
Those who recognized the technique couldn't hide their bewilderment.
Using such a basic technique that newly joined Peng Family warriors learned, instead of representative techniques like the "Five Tiger Single-Gate Blade" or "Primordial Thunderclap Blade"?
Of course, it was unlikely Yeo Un-hwi would know those advanced techniques.
It was surprising enough that he even knew the Boundless Blade Art.
"Brother, what are you thinking?"
Peng Seo-jin was also utterly perplexed by the situation.
Though he knew Yeo Un-hwi's true strength well, using the Peng Family's basic technique against the Sword Emperor's Eight Bright Sword Art seemed reckless no matter how he looked at it.
Moreover, even if Yeo Un-hwi was an absolute master, Peng Seo-jin worried whether he could truly handle the Sword Emperor's technique.
Meanwhile, Jo Min could barely hold back his laughter.
Compared to the Eight Bright Sword Art he was unleashing, the Boundless Blade Art looked far too basic and ordinary.
*Ha! Is he trying to make a fool of me?*
Disbelief and irritation mixed in his heart.
But he had no intention of going easy just because of this.
Yeo Un-hwi had angered him this much, so he would have to pay the price.
Even if he was the Peng Family's son-in-law, this was a fair match.
*If he accidentally loses a limb or two, who could blame me?*
He was confident no one would dare criticize him, the top disciple of a Murim Alliance elder.
As these thoughts crossed his mind, murderous intent filled his heart.
Well then, I'll make you regret challenging me for the rest of your life.
His eyes glinted dangerously.
And then,
Swish!
Terrifying killing moves began to pour from his hand.
Huh?
The eyes of those watching the match widened.
Everyone was shocked to see Jo Min openly unleashing killing techniques.
Peng Seo-jin and the White Wolf Unit members shifted uneasily, feeling they should intervene somehow.
Yet Yeo Un-hwi skillfully evaded every single one of those vicious attacks.
As if he had expected this, Jo Min's eyes glinted as he unleashed his next move.
\[Falling Star Sword\]
One of the ultimate techniques of the Eight Bright Sword Art revealed itself.
An overwhelming force bore down on Yeo Un-hwi.
Kuuung!
Swish!
"Dodge it!"
Everyone cried out in alarm.
But even in the face of the Falling Star Sword's mighty force, Yeo Un-hwi maintained a relaxed expression.
*This madman.*
Even Jo Min was dumbfounded by that sight. But it didn't matter to him.
He would soon see.
Yeo Un-hwi reduced to a bloody pulp by his ultimate technique.
He wondered if Yeo Un-hwi would still look so relaxed then.
But then,
Yeo Un-hwi tilted his wooden saber slightly and effortlessly redirected that overwhelming force in a harmless direction.
Boom!
The mighty force of the Falling Star Sword shattered a corner of the training ground.
Huh?
Jo Min's face went blank for a moment.
How was that possible?
That shouldn't be possible to deflect so easily. No, it shouldn't be possible at all.
Yet how...?
Just then,
"Well then, shall I take my turn now?"
Regardless of Jo Min's dazed state, Yeo Un-hwi flashed a grin and raised his wooden saber.
For some reason, that action alone sent chills down Jo Min's spine.