The Genius Youngest Disciple of the Wudang Sect

Chapter 133

I felt a shock as if I had been hit on the head.

The Gold Basin Hand-Washing ceremony literally means retirement.

According to the laws of the martial world, a retired martial artist cannot be touched, but conversely, a retired martial artist also cannot interfere in worldly affairs.

The proposal of the Changjiang Water Fortress leader, Ho Baek-gwi, is literally a dilemma.

'He's a cunning person. But it's an equally difficult proposal. To demand a spar while holding the common people of Anhui Province hostage.'

His proposal is one that would be sufficiently criticized among martial artists.

But he doesn't seem to care at all.

That face that seems to have no lingering attachment to the world.

The only thing he is interested in is Nangong Sang-hyeon.

"Th-This is atrocious... aren't you ashamed to so easily talk about violating innocent common people?"

"Such emotions are not important to me right now. Only my final battle remains."

A sense of determination can even be seen in his expression.

I think I know why Nangong Sang-hyeon couldn't perform the final sword dance.

He is a person full of righteousness and chivalry. He has lived a righteous life and has lived with the pride of being a famous orthodox sect.

So he would never have ignored the common people.

Nangong Cheon-jin had definitely said so.

That Nangong Sang-hyeon should absolutely not perform martial arts.

But, how can one not perform martial arts while having a spar?

And the Changjiang Water Fortress leader, Ho Baek-gwi, is one of the most skilled masters among the masters I have met so far.

So whether he won or lost this duel, he would have overexerted himself by using martial arts, and thanks to that, it is questionable whether he even had his birthday party properly, let alone the sword dance.

At that time, Nangong Cheol moved his hand and finished his posture to draw his sword.

Although his subordinates had already gone to inform the head of the family and the great-grandfather of Ho Baek-gwi's appearance, as a martial artist of the Nangong family, he could not just stand by and let someone who was going to harm the great-grandfather be.

But he could not draw his sword. Because of the spirit emanating from Ho Baek-gwi.

Ho Baek-gwi showed his white teeth and smiled, and then said to Nangong Cheol, "Stop it. I like martial artists with spirit. But, if you draw that sword, you will surely die. Didn't I just say? If only Nangong Sang-hyeon comes out, I have no intention of killing anyone. You will be able to grow greatly in the future. Cherish that life."

Even mercy flowed from his voice.

It was the mercy that the strong could bestow upon the weak.

I quickly racked my brain.

'No matter how much the Sovereign Sword Emperor has trained my training method for about four days, I can't let him face that person yet.'

Of course, the Sword King is also on my side, but my plan to become an eternal ally with the Nangong family is a plan that has great meaning only if the Sovereign Sword Emperor lives for a long, long time.

But if he faces such a strong person here, his health is likely to deteriorate rapidly.

'The Sword King also said he was scheduled to be away from the family today.'

And today, Nangong Cheon-jin is not here either.

So if Ho Baek-gwi had come to see the Sovereign Sword Emperor today, the day before the banquet, in his previous life, he would have had no choice but to face Ho Baek-gwi.

'Aish. I don't know.'

I secretly approached Nangong Cheol and asked him, "Martial artist. Are you strong? Or is Young Hero Sword Dragon strong?"

He looked at me with a dumbfounded expression, as if asking why I was asking such a question in this situation.

"It's urgent, so quickly."

"Of course, the first young master is stronger."

"Then are there any martial artists around here who are stronger than the Sword Dragon?"

"....... No. Other than the elders of the Law Enforcement Hall in the innermost part of the manor..."

Hearing that, I let out a deep sigh.

Because it meant that, simply put, there was not a single person stronger than me among the people around here right now.

'Yes. There's no choice.'

I organized my thoughts in my mind, approached Ho Baek-gwi, and said with a polite fist-and-palm salute, "It is an honor to meet the Changjiang Water Fortress leader, whom I have only heard of in rumors."

"A young child like you knows me? The annihilation of the Changjiang Water Fortress was long before you were born."

"I also know the story of the First Emperor of Qin from long ago, and I also know the story of the Three Kingdoms period when heroes roamed the Central Plains. But all of those things were also long before I was born."

"What? Keu-hat-hat. You're a bold child."

At my one word, he, who had been maintaining a serious expression and a dignified posture, burst out laughing.

"What is your name? Judging by your attire, you don't seem to be a child of the Nangong family."

"My sect is the Wudang Sect, and my Taoist name is Unhwi."

"Yes. Unhwi of the Wudang Sect. Do you have business with me?

"Yes. I do."

"Tell me."

"To me, the Changjiang Water Fortress leader is like the heroes of old stories. So please give me the opportunity to cross swords with you."

"What...?"

He looked at me as if I were a strange person.

Indeed, I would have done the same if I were him.

He is a strong person who has come to the Nangong family and is strong enough to call out the best master in the family, Nangong Sang-hyeon.

Because I am not at a level where a fledgling like me can face him.

But what can I do? This is the only way I can think of.

If Nangong Cheol or other Nangong family martial artists rush at him and are killed by Ho Baek-gwi, the enraged Nangong Sang-hyeon will try to punish Ho Baek-gwi with all his might.

So, I'm trying to step forward before that happens.

"Hahaha! You're a bold child. But I don't know what kind of scheme you have, but I'm not a person who fights half-heartedly. Can you handle it?"

"M-My lord!"

The one who answered his words was not me, but the middle-aged man next to him.

He dissuaded Ho Baek-gwi with a very troubled face.

"My lord. You can't do this. You must think about the reason why you have come here."

"Yeom-jong. Didn't you want to see it yourself just now? This child has challenged me to a fight. If I avoid a fight that such a young child has started, how much of a laughingstock will I become?"

"But your body condition..."

"Stop. That's enough."

The middle-aged man called Yeom-jong shut his mouth.

Ho Baek-gwi secretly turned his head and looked at me.

"Will you try it here? I have nothing to do until Nangong Sang-hyeon comes out anyway."

"That's what I was hoping for. However, since the difference in our skills is so great, I would appreciate it if you could go a little easy on me."

"What? Senior?"

He found the fact that I was calling him 'senior' funny and laughed heartily, and then he continued, "No matter how you say it, as I said before, I'm not a person who can go easy on you."

"I'm not asking you to go easy on me. I was just trying to say that we should set a few rules."

"Rules?"

"First, I would like us to fight bare-handed without using any weapons. Although what I have learned my whole life is, as you can see, swordsmanship, I want to fight with my body directly."

"What if I'm a martial artist who mainly uses fist or palm techniques? Why are you making such a proposal?"

"I think you, senior, would mainly use a saber. And a very large saber at that. I think the saber that your subordinate next to you is holding is actually yours."

A gleam appeared in his eyes.

He became interested in me and opened his mouth.

"That's right. How did you know?"

"Although your subordinate seems to have quite outstanding martial arts, it seems that just carrying the saber is difficult for him. But I can't imagine him swinging that saber."

"Keuk-keuk, you're a funny child. Yes. Is that all for your conditions?"

"There's more."

"Tell me."

"Until one side is defeated, no one can interfere in our fight."

"What? Are you worried that my subordinate will interfere in our fight?"

I shook my head.

And I answered him, pretending to be very innocent.

"How could that be? I'm just worried that I might be deprived of the opportunity to fight you, senior, because of others."

"You don't seem to be a very smart guy. That condition is very disadvantageous to you. When you are in danger of death, no one will be able to help you. Do you know that and are you still saying it?"

"I didn't think of that, but since I've said it, I'll take responsibility."

"Tsk. Is that all?"

"That's all for the conditions. But, I think there is something we need to talk about."

He frowned. It seems his patience is running out. So I quickly opened my mouth.

"First, the winner and loser will be decided when one side dies or says they have lost. Do you agree?"

"Knockout or inability to fight is also included. Because if you just knock them out, they might insist that they haven't lost yet."

"I understand. And finally."

"Is there more?"

He started to get genuinely annoyed.

If he gets angry and says he won't have a spar with me, it will all be for nothing, so I said in a soothing voice, "This is really the last one. Please listen to this."

"Hoo... I understand. This is really the last one."

"If I win... please leave this place as you are."

"What?"

"As if nothing happened, as if you were never here."

He glared at me.

It seems my scheme to prevent him from fighting the Sovereign Sword Emperor has been discovered.

But, he nodded his head. And he said to me, "You cunning thing. Instead, if I win, I will take your life."

"I understand. That's all."

As I said that, I unbuckled the scabbard at my waist and handed it to Nangong Cheol who was next to me.

"Please take good care of this. It's not a good thing, but it's still precious to me. And please also tell others about the promise and conditions that the Changjiang Water Fortress leader and I just made. You must tell everyone who newly arrives here, whoever they are."

Nangong Cheol nodded his head as if he understood and took my scabbard.

I rotated my arms and loosened my shoulders, and then I went and stood in front of Ho Baek-gwi.

"Senior. Let's begin."

"You're not asking me to go easy on you for a few moves."

"How many conditions did I just set? I have this much conscience."

He let out a small laugh. An expression that says he quite likes me. Then I wish he would just go back without doing anything, but that's as impossible as the sun and moon rising at the same time.

"Good. Take my fist."

He spoke to me in a very nonchalant voice, as if he were throwing a light object and telling me to catch it, and then he simply stretched out his fist.

But with just that small movement, the air itself was pushed back, and a fist with tremendous power flew at me.

Although I focused on his fist, it was a speed that was difficult to dodge just by focusing.

While dodging the fist by tilting my head back as much as possible, I immediately performed a lightness skill with all my might and got out of that spot.

But the fist that I couldn't completely dodge grazed my forehead.

"Ugh!"

Although it only grazed me a little, I couldn't help but scream at the tremendous power I felt from that fist.

He is a master to the extent that it would have been difficult to face him even if I were the Self-Reliant Sword Master, Unhwi.

In fact, I had gained considerable confidence while facing Nangong Mu-jin and Ryu-jin, but I'm still far, far from this level.

I was about to become complacent for a very short moment, but I must train with even more determination.

Of course, that's on the premise that I survive here.

"You're quite nimble."

He instantly got close to me and was about to throw another fist.

It contains a much greater power than the fist he had just thrown.

If I were to be hit squarely by that fist, I would surely die in one blow.

I stepped on my footwork with all my might and moved away from that spot.

And at that same speed, I performed a lightness skill and started to run away to a place where there were no people.

When I glanced back, Ho Baek-gwi was looking at me with a dumbfounded expression.

"Are you running away?"

"Yes. That's right."

"Are you giving up the spar?

"No. It's not a defeat until I say I've lost, is it?"

"Then the action you're taking now is..."

"There was no condition in the conditions we talked about that we shouldn't run away, was there? You can run away too, senior, when you're at a disadvantage."

And I started to run with all my might.

"You bastard...!"

An angry voice was heard from behind.

For some reason, it seems I won't die peacefully if I get caught.

(End of Chapter)