Reincarnated Sword Ghost

Chapter 117 : New Rising Expert

New Rising Expert

"Qingcheng Sect's swordsman lost!"

"One, one strike?!"

"Im, impossible. How could a disciple from the Nine Great Sects, and even break the opponent's sword...?"

Thunderous cheers mixed with the shouts of the crowd and martial artists. What they said was all similar.

This was because everyone, regardless of status or position, felt the same shock.

An unknown disciple from a rural sect had defeated a swordsman from the prestigious Qingcheng Sect, one of the pillars of the Nine Great Sects and One Union. And he did it with a single slash.

"That nameless young man, he defeated a disciple of Qingcheng... a disciple of the Nine Great Sects...!"

Someone watching mumbled with eyes wide open.

Who came up with calling them the Nine Great Sects and One Union?

The world's appraisal gathered, more people praised them, and the name stuck naturally.

The basis was, of course, their martial arts.

No matter how great their will or chivalry, it was useless if their martial arts skills were weak.

Ideals that could not be realized were mere delusions.

The only reason the Nine Great Sects and One Union could make their name famous throughout the world was the supreme strength of their martial arts.

That alone made them rulers of vast regions, allowed them to expand their power, maintain close ties with the government, and carry out their activities without fear.

But for a disciple of such a renowned sect to lose to a disciple of a minor rural sect that had only seized a small area?

Even an ignorant farmer would have scoffed at the idea.

And yet, the impossible, the thing that should never happen, took place. And in front of thousands of eyes.

"F-find out about Baek Sword Gate!"

"What did that young man say his name was? Cheon Pung? Does he have a title? Didn't anyone hear his title?!"

Those with even the slightest connection to the martial world moved in a flurry.

Many hurriedly ordered investigations into not only the unknown youth but also his sect.

Some were already giving orders to write letters proposing an exchange.

These reactions were natural.

There were many in the crowd who weren't participants but martial artists.

They were here precisely to witness events like this firsthand and respond quickly.

'That should be enough.'

Jeong-un glanced around as he muttered to himself.

Truly overwhelming cheers were pouring down upon him.

He witnessed countless people shouting themselves hoarse—a sight rare enough to see even once in a lifetime.

And to have all those eyes on him? Anyone could have lost their senses.

Even Jeong-un, who tried to stay purposely indifferent in all situations to maintain composure, couldn't help feeling a bit self-conscious.

'I did aim for this, though.'

For a swordsman, a sword was pride and life itself. Some even cradled it as they slept.

To let go of one's sword during combat was unthinkable. It was like giving up one's life.

And for the sword to be broken?

Complete humiliation.

All the achievements built up through training crumbled in that instant.

Jeong-un knew that, and yet he did it deliberately.

He felt a bit sorry for humiliating his opponent, but it couldn't be helped.

He'd already decided to make himself the center of attention.

'Besides, that sword...'

The opponent's sword was a superb masterpiece.

When the precious metal shattered, the fragments scattered through the air, reflecting sunlight in all directions.

It was fleeting but formed a beautiful scene.

To ordinary people, a dazzling swing that played with their eyes lingered longer in memory than a swift slash that claimed a life in an instant—since they had no knowledge of martial arts.

Witnessing such overwhelming spectacle with their own eyes, it was natural to be stunned.

Even now, many stood frozen, dumbfounded, replaying that moment in their minds.

It would surely remain with them for life.

*Clack.*

Qingcheng's Blue Hand Sword, who had been standing with his mouth agape, finally regained his senses and sheathed his sword—what little remained.

He then approached Jeong-un, raising his fist in a martial salute.

"Today... I was painfully reminded of the limits of my cultivation. I deeply thank you, young hero, for granting me the experience of such a lofty stroke."

His behavior was dignified, but his face was deeply shadowed.

For a swordsman, this was a moment of despair.

Moreover, he had lost in front of a vast audience.

Falling into a heart demon wouldn't have been surprising.

Even so, he struggled to suppress his sense of loss and expressed his gratitude to his opponent.

It showed just how thoroughly the main sects educated their disciples in virtue.

"......"

Normally, Jeong-un would have returned the salute in silence.

By nature, he disliked saying anything that might influence another's life.

In a world where it was impossible to predict how even the smallest word or action might bear on the future, caution was justified.

'It has to be different now.'

He had purposely drawn attention to himself. Acting a little exaggerated might fit the situation better.

Jeong-un faced him with a martial salute and spoke.

"Your thrust during the sparring was truly exquisite."

"... Thank you."

Blue Hand Sword replied bitterly, but Jeong-un paid little mind and went on.

"If I may, could I offer a few words?"

"...?"

Blue Hand Sword looked up in puzzlement; Jeong-un spoke slowly.

"Truly, in a thrust, concentrating all power to one point at the tip of the sword is key. Rather than fixating on balancing your body and arm during your movement, why not direct more of your internal power—even force it—into that single point? Once you get the feel for the flow of true ki to that spot, balancing your body to match it might offer a whole new sensation."

"...!"

Blue Hand Sword's eyes widened. Then he unconsciously repeated:

"Not obsessing over bodily balance, but pouring all internal power into the tip..."

He bowed his head in thought, remaining silent.

'That should suffice.'

Jeong-un simply voiced a thought he'd had often. Thrusts were a sword move he was deeply familiar with.

The third move of the Three Talent Sword Technique, which he had swung countless times, was precisely a thrust.

The two moves he'd already completed—Traceless Flash and Jeok Cheong Subdues the Dragon—were also derived from the Three Talent Sword Technique.

Only the final move remained.

Jeong-un believed the strength of thrusts lay in focusing all force onto a single point.

Done properly, it might even pierce through thick boulder slabs without channeling internal power.

"These are merely my personal thoughts, please take them lightly. Then, I will excuse myself."

Jeong-un bowed and turned away.

The staring eyes around him were intense.

To win a duel and then even give advice on martial arts to his opponent.

It must have been quite the impression.

Many martial artists kept their eyes wide, following Jeong-un's every movement as if burning the moment into their memory.

Then, from behind, Blue Hand Sword's voice rang out.

"U-um, benefactor."

"Yes?"

"I wish to serve you as my benefactor."

"... Wait, hold on."

The appearance of a new rising expert.

* * *

The aftermath of this single duel was not small.

After stepping down from the dueling platform, the stares of many focused on him instantly.

He walked, feigning indifference, but felt secretly embarrassed.

He had no immunity to this sort of thing.

"Young hero! The Gold Medal Merchant Guild wishes to sponsor you! Spare us a few words, please!"

"A letter has been sent to Baek Sword Gate! Please host a gathering for exchanges!"

"Please become the guardian of our clan! We will serve you like a hermit sage!"

Even as he walked, loud voices came one after another.

Even though two more martial artists had already ascended the dueling platform for the next match, the reactions continued. His duel had been that impactful.

The next round was tomorrow. If he won again, the tournament would enter the main round.

Jeong-un wondered if Blue Hand Sword, whom he'd just defeated, was truly of a caliber to reach the main event.

Objectively, he didn't think so.

He could sense the systematic training of the main sects in Blue Hand Sword.

But he wasn't enough to be called a supreme prodigy—not by his own standard at least.

'The martial artists of the Heavenly Martial Hall are on a whole different level. Even among the Nine Great Sects, that's true.'

He was reminded anew of how exceptional the warriors of Heavenly Martial Hall were.

Unless they belonged to a prestigious bloodline, martial sects eagerly sent their disciples to Heavenly Martial Hall without hesitation.

In fact, they struggled to get as many accepted as possible.

By contrast, to have a disciple of similar age from a main sect not training at Heavenly Martial Hall was proof they were anything but uniquely outstanding in their own school.

'It'll be different in the main round.'

But the five great families and similar sects were unlike the rest.

Their direct blood descendants didn't even take the entrance exam for Heavenly Martial Hall.

By the time the main event started, he'd be facing them directly on the dueling stage.

At any rate, the riffraff would all be filtered out in the preliminary rounds.

Finally, after walking some distance and emerging from the crowds—

"Y-young hero Cheon..."

Behind him, Shin Soryeong called his name almost in a whisper.

"...?"

He already thought her behavior odd.

Instead of walking beside him, she awkwardly kept her distance by several steps, never closing the gap even on quieter streets after the crowds thinned.

Looking back, he saw her standing stock-still, eyes fixed on him, unable to hide the trembling in her gaze.

Jeong-un asked,

"What is it?"

"How are you so strong? It honestly makes no sense..."

"..."

Jeong-un didn't answer right away. He understood her suspicion.

'She said she met Baek Sword Gate's young leader a few years ago.'

Shin Soryeong's knowledge of Baek Sword Gate's strength would be limited to that level.

Since Jeong-un himself hadn't had a reputation even within Baek Sword Gate, she might have expected even less from him.

But now he had defeated a disciple from the Nine Great Sects in a single blow?

It would be hard to believe what she saw with her own eyes.

Not being suspicious would have been more unnatural.

After a moment's silence, Jeong-un replied.

"My training during the time the Sect was closed proved effective."

"Training during the closure?"

"Yes."

He continued, lowering his voice as if telling a secret.

"One time, an old man whose name we never learned visited Baek Sword Gate. He knocked on our gate in ragged clothes, asking for a meal, and our Gate Leader, feeling sorry for him, served him wholeheartedly."

"No way!"

At Shin Soryeong's shock, Jeong-un nodded.

"He was a reclusive master—an extraordinary peak expert."

"Heavens!"

Shin Soryeong let out a shrill cry, her eyes wide as if she just heard a world-shaking secret.

Jeong-un thought to himself as he witnessed her reaction.

'She believes it.'

It made sense.

Hadn't he just displayed astonishing martial skills?

In the martial world, how much others trusted your word depended on the power you displayed.

Moreover, for a disciple of a minor sect to defeat one from a major one, this kind of legend had to be provided.

"That eccentric handed us a booklet and vanished. His lightness skill was so great he disappeared in an instant."

"A booklet—was it a secret manual...?"

To her trembling voice, Jeong-un shook his head.

"It detailed a method of martial arts training unlike any I'd ever seen before."

At his words, Shin Soryeong suddenly exclaimed in realization,

"Is that why Baek Sword Gate secluded itself...?"

"... Correct. That sudden closure happened because we needed to follow the guidance in the booklet."

Jeong-un nodded with a slightly uncomfortable expression—he'd just fabricated a logical reason for the sudden closure.

'It wasn't closure but annihilation.'

Currently, no disciples of Baek Sword Gate remained alive. They were all dead.

Strictly speaking, only Cheon Pung—Jeong-un by name—was left.

'Does that make me the Gate Leader?'

As he absently entertained such idle thoughts, Shin Soryeong, face flushed, earnestly said,

"What kind of training was it? To be able to surpass the Nine Great Sects...?"

Scratch, scratch.

Jeong-un slowly approached Shin Soryeong.

The gentle crunch of footsteps on stone echoed. Bending in close to her tense face, he whispered,

"It is a sect secret. I must humbly decline to say more."

"... That does make sense."

"..."

Jeong-un stared at Shin Soryeong, who bowed her head thoughtfully.

'Let things fall as they may.'

He spoke the words as they came.

The General Affairs Department would sort out the mess anyway.

"In any case, it seems Baek Sword Gate will be making some waves."

"..."

With that, their conversation ended and they parted ways.

Shin Soryeong said she was off to train.

She had already won before Jeong-un's duel.

Yet suddenly, with new determination, she marched off with a resolute expression.

Thus, Jeong-un headed for the Hall of Standing in the Snow.

He had just entered a quieter road when a man, appearing to be a humble commoner, came from the opposite direction.

Perhaps he was carrying basic crops; he held a heavy bundle in both hands, wobbling under its weight.

When he spotted Jeong-un approaching, the man started in shock and dropped his bundle. Sweet potatoes and potatoes spilled all over the ground.

"O-oh no!"

It could happen. Commoners being startled at the sight of a martial artist was ordinary.

Much more so when alone and face-to-face like this.

"Are you all right?"

Jeong-un approached and helped pick up the fallen crops.

The man's eyes widened as he quickly spoke,

"T-thank you. No, I mean...! I'm sorry!"

"No need for that. I'm the one who startled you."

"Oh, please don't say that. How could a wretch like me deserve...?"

As the two finished gathering the fallen goods, their distance having narrowed,

The man spoke.

"Yu Jeong-un, sir."

"...?"