"Tsk tsk, you thought you could enter that so-called prestigious place with this level of skill? Isn't that place actually nothing special when you look closely? They claim to nurture talents who will lead the sect's future, yet they can't even block a single step and an extended fist. How can they rely on a rotten pillar of a prospect without collapsing? How can they ruin the sect's reputation? You, lock yourself in for the time being and focus on improving your skills. I advise you to hole up in a cave and quietly sharpen your sword. It will be beneficial for your well-being. Don't even think about wandering outside. Oh my, how pathetic and hopeless. I don't even feel like dealing with you. Your name is wasted, such a waste of a name. You should be grateful to me for saving you from utter humiliation. Be grateful, I tell you!"
However, Bi Ryu-yeon's words failed to reach the ears of the already unconscious Gam Oon-su. Bi Ryu-yeon felt deflated when the so-called top talent of a fairly competent sect collapsed helplessly with just a single step and hand. No, wait, since the chief disciple is in seclusion, is he the second-best talent? Anyway, shouldn't there be some kind of reaction to make things exciting? Is it that difficult to block a single step of the Lightning Step and a move of the Beating to Death Fist?
'Huh, what? I went easy on him, but why did he look dumbfounded as if he couldn't believe it when I penetrated with just one step, and then he fainted after I extended a single fist? He grimaced as if he was about to die after just one blow, and then he fainted after taking two more hits? How can I confidently beat someone like this?'
This was Bi Ryu-yeon's honest feelings. However, his words couldn't be considered entirely true. Although he didn't lie, he omitted a few facts. Therefore, it was undeniable that the story was exaggerated.
He overlooked the fact that a single move of the Beating to Death Fist, also known as the Three Phases Beating Fist, refers to dozens of rapid fist strikes. Of course, there was a high possibility that he deliberately ignored these facts. There was only circumstantial evidence, but no physical evidence. Even if he was pummeled by the Initial Phase Fist, it was a move that even fairly skilled experts would have a hard time blocking.
Moreover, a single step of the Lightning Step leaves no afterimages, doesn't it? The Lightning Step is a footwork technique that penetrates the opponent's space in a flash, like lightning, with only a single step. It is ridiculous to talk about two steps when it is a footwork with only a single step. Whether he didn't even consider it or deliberately ignored it, Bi Ryu-yeon remained consistently absurd.
When Gam Oon-su collapsed so simply that it was dumbfounding, Bi Ryu-yeon even started to have doubts about the Heavenly Martial Arts Academy. He seemed to be unaware that he had already become seriously strong. The junior disciples and disciples of Gam Oon-su, who arrived late at the scene and witnessed the situation, screamed at this unexpected and surprising turn of events. Some of them even burst a blood vessel. They were overcome with a sense of humiliation that made them want to bite their tongues and die on the spot. Ahn Hu-gang, the third disciple who quickly rushed over and supported the fallen Gam Oon-su, shouted with eyes filled with hatred towards Bi Ryu-yeon. Not only that, but the eyes of the surrounding disciples were also swirling with intense hatred towards Bi Ryu-yeon.
"How dare you do this to our senior brother? I-if only our chief senior brother were here, he wouldn't have been easily defeated by the likes of you."
Ahn Hu-gang's resentful voice was laced with venom. His rebuke represented the feelings of all the warriors in the Tiger Fang Manor. 'If only the chief disciple were here, we wouldn't have suffered such a miserable defeat!' This was the common sentiment among the disciples. The disciple who was supposed to take the test at the Heavenly Martial Arts Academy this time was Gam Oon-su, the second disciple of Ho Cheon-sang, the Lord of the Tiger Fang Manor. However, a month before the test, he had literally fallen into misfortune.
But in fact, the true prospect of the Tiger Fang Manor was not Gam Oon-su. The beloved disciple of Ho Cheon-sang and the shining hope of the Tiger Fang Manor had already passed the Heavenly Martial Arts Academy's test with flying colors last year and became a disciple of the Heavenly Martial Hall. He was not present at the scene right now.
Seeing the disciples trust him so firmly even after being beaten up like this, it seemed that their trust in him was extraordinary. A man who could shoulder this level of trust was definitely not an ordinary person with average abilities. After all, the chief disciple was the future successor of the sect, the next sect leader. It was not a position that just anyone could hold or become. But anyway, he was not here at the moment.
"Is that so? Then call him over later. I'll face him anytime. However, tell him to come prepared to die. And I'd like to ask you not to resent me too much when I shatter your expectations of him into pieces."
Bi Ryu-yeon was still an arrogant and overbearing fellow, full of confidence that could pierce the sky. Then, with brazen steps that were shameless, he walked towards the inner courtyard. There was no one left in the outer courtyard who had the ability to stop him now.
However, despite the commotion he had caused in the Tiger Fang Manor, Blazing Blade's complexion had not been good since a while ago. His forehead and brow were creased with three layers of wrinkles, indicating his uneasiness, and his complexion was not bright either. In fact, from the moment he entered the Tiger Fang Manor, Blazing Blade had been sensing a strange feeling that stimulated his nerves. It seemed to be an energy that only he could detect. That extremely unpleasant energy not only made him feel uncomfortable but also disturbed his mind, leaving him with an uneasy feeling and making his actions awkward.
"Woong! Woong!"
His beloved sword, Crimson Flame, had been crying out for a while. The blade was trembling and making its presence known. Gently stroking Crimson Flame, which was crying out on its own, Blazing Blade carefully soothed his beloved sword. Since ancient times, it was said that famous swords and sabers, crafted with the utmost dedication by master craftsmen, were imbued with a soul that would cry out on its own to warn of danger when the owner was in peril. Moreover, it was said that weapons with a soul could read the owner's mind, represent the owner's thoughts, and reflect the owner's latent will. A sword with a soul would have its own will and be treated as a spiritual object.
From this perspective, Blazing Blade's beloved sword, Crimson Flame, was undoubtedly a famous saber worthy of being called a spiritual object. However, Crimson Flame was now crying out. But the sound of the sword's cry was not a warning of danger to its owner. Unlike Blazing Blade's strange and uneasy feeling, it was a sorrowful and sad melody, like a yearning love song.
'Is it resonance? Who on earth could emit an energy that makes me tremble in this mere martial arts hall? Crimson Flame is crying. Crimson Flame, which didn't cry even when I was surrounded alone by a hundred elites of the Black Society, once known as the strongest assassination group… I can't believe it.'
No matter how much Blazing Blade pondered, he couldn't understand. He never thought there would be such a person in the Tiger Fang Manor. No matter how much he wracked his brain, the result was the same. However, this uncomfortable feeling that had been stimulating his instincts for a while now could not be erased, no matter how much he tried.
His heart couldn't calm down easily. His chest was churning, and the blood flow throughout his body was fiercely circulating, causing his heart to pound. It was an ominous premonition. His instincts were sending him some kind of warning every moment. Crimson Flame had never cried out like this before. That's why Blazing Blade felt even more anxious. This cry, which sounded like a love song, was somehow giving him a more ominous feeling than a warning cry.
However, as if he had no interest in Blazing Blade's feelings, Bi Ryu-yeon went deeper and deeper into the inner courtyard. But no one could stop his advance. Of course, everyone failed to prevent his entry, and the price of trying to stop him was nothing but excruciating pain and the unfamiliar experience of seeing stars in broad daylight.
***
What the Master Must Claim
-
Ho Cheon-sang, the Lord of the Tiger Fang Manor, was immersed in his post-meal training at his residence, Silent Tiger Hall[.
He always strictly instructed his disciples to be quiet and not disturb him during this regular post-meal training time.
However, today, the outside seemed unusually noisy, and his training was shattered by a message brought by the chief steward, Seo Mun-gi. The message that Seo Mun-gi brought was so shocking that it shook Ho Cheon-sang's mind.
According to the unbelievable report, the outer courtyard of the hall was currently being devastated by two strange intruders, and those two intruders had already entered the inner courtyard. The guests and inner courtyard warriors had all tried to stop them, but they were utterly outmatched.
The Tiger Fang Manor was largely divided into the outer courtyard and the inner courtyard, and the warriors of the inner courtyard were far more skilled than those of the outer courtyard. The guardians protecting the inner courtyard were also considered to have reached a considerable level of mastery. Moreover, the guests invited from various parts of the martial arts world were all warriors who were evaluated to be at least first-class. The fact that they couldn't even stop just two people and were being utterly defeated was something Ho Cheon-sang couldn't believe. He even had a suspicious thought that the chief steward might be conspiring with others and mocking him right now. However, judging from the urgency on the chief steward's face and the sweat drenching his entire body, it didn't seem to be a joke.
As soon as Ho Cheon-sang heard this shocking news, he rushed out to the inner courtyard. He was so anxious that he didn't even put on the top he had taken off during training and was bare-chested. As he ran out to the courtyard, Ho Cheon-sang's eyes widened at the sight of the two uninvited guests. And his focus was drawn to one of them, a middle-aged man. He didn't even notice the inner courtyard warriors who were piled up like luggage on the floor, unconscious, the guests who were bleeding from their noses and passed out, or the inner courtyard warriors and guardians who were still standing, barely suppressing their welling fear.
His entire gaze was focused solely on one middle-aged man and couldn't be torn away. Just a moment ago, he had doubted his own ears, but now he was doubting his own eyes. Because he recognized at a glance that one of the two was none other than the renowned Blazing Blade, Gwak Younghui. Of course, perhaps only the foolish disciple of the Tiger Fang Manor, Gam Oon-su, wouldn't be able to recall his name even after seeing Blazing Blade's distinctive appearance. If he had proper discerning eyes, would he have recklessly charged in, not knowing his place?
Until just a moment ago, Ho Cheon-sang couldn't believe that his hall had been attacked in broad daylight, the outer courtyard had been breached, and the intruders had reached the inner courtyard.
'What on earth were all those disciples and the guests who were just sitting around and stuffing themselves doing? Were they just twiddling their thumbs?'
Ho Cheon-sang did have such deep doubts. However, now he could believe the fact that there had been an intrusion. Of course, from Bi Ryu-yeon and Blazing Blade's perspective, it was nothing more than a simple visit. When Ho Cheon-sang himself arrived at the scene in a hurry, the elders and guardians of the hall who were performing their duties had also abandoned all their tasks and rushed out to confront the intruders. However, no one dared to make the first move hastily. It was because they also knew for certain who one of the intruders was.
The warriors currently lying unconscious in the inner courtyard had charged in recklessly without confirming the identity of their opponent, only to meet their demise. It was only after dozens of warriors and three or four guests had fallen into a state of unconsciousness that they realized one of the intruders was Blazing Blade. It was a crisis situation where the foundation of the hall could be completely ruined if they made a mistake. Therefore, everyone was watching each other's reactions and couldn't take any hasty actions. The atmosphere inside the hall became increasingly tense, and an inevitable heavy tension lingered.
Bi Ryu-yeon and Blazing Blade were not pleased with this commotion and tension. It seemed like a simple matter was unnecessarily becoming complicated. They had come with a light heart, but it felt like people were making things too bothersome for them. However, the two of them failed to realize that the situation had already become a tangled mess. In fact, they didn't even want to pay attention to it. No matter how entangled the situation became, they were filled with confidence that they could handle it with a single stroke. Whether they were relaxed or insensitive, there was no doubt that both of them were beings who far surpassed the common sense of ordinary people.
To break this standoff, Ho Cheon-sang politely greeted Blazing Blade with a clasped fist salute and spoke first. As the lord of the Tiger Fang Manor, he had the responsibility to handle and resolve the situation.
"I am Ho Cheon-sang, the lord of this manor. Although I am unworthy, my fellow martial artists have praised me with the title of Tiger Fang Fierce Sword. It is a great honor of three lifetimes to meet Blazing Blade Gwak, one of the Five Great Bladesmen under the Heavens, whose reputation is widely known."
Ho Cheon-sang spoke with the utmost courtesy. Although they were uninvited guests, considering Blazing Blade's position in the Murim, it was absolutely impossible to treat him carelessly.
"What business brings you to visit our humble manor, Sir Gwak?"
"..."
Blazing Blade did not give any response. He simply remained silent. Having been forcibly dragged to do something he didn't want to do, his mood couldn't possibly be calm.
"Sir Gwak, please tell us the purpose of your visit to our humble manor."
Ho Cheon-sang politely asked once again. His own mood was also extremely uncomfortable. Despite asking again politely, Blazing Blade just stood there stoically without any reaction. Bi Ryu-yeon poked Blazing Blade's side with his elbow, urging him to answer quickly.
Before coming here, they had agreed to keep their relationship a secret, so Bi Ryu-yeon couldn't step in recklessly. If he made a mistake, their relationship might be exposed. While it wouldn't be a serious matter for Bi Ryu-yeon, it would be a great humiliation for Blazing Blade. Blazing Blade didn't want to take that risk either. Finally, Blazing Blade's mouth opened. His voice was low but dignified.
"I came because there is an item I need to receive."
"An item? What item are you referring to?"
No matter how much he thought about it, Ho Cheon-sang couldn't help but be puzzled.
"I have no idea what you mean."
Tilting his head in confusion, Blazing Blade resolved Ho Cheon-sang's curiosity.
"It's an item that an unqualified person is claiming to be the owner of. It's none other than the Ascending Dragon Badge."
"Ascending, Dragon, Badge!"
Not only Ho Cheon-sang but also all the warriors surrounding them and in confrontation let out the same cry of astonishment. It was only natural.
The Ascending Dragon Badge!
A privilege granted only to a select few sects recognized as first-class. The badge, the Ascending Dragon Badge, certifies the qualification for a disciple from a carefully chosen first-class sect to take the special entrance exam of the Heavenly Martial Arts Academy without going through the annual Ascension Martial Arts Festival!
Engraved with a dragon riding on a sword and ascending beyond the Dragon Gate, this badge was as precious as life itself to young martial artists who dreamed of the future. And now, Blazing Blade was casually asking for it. It was an unreasonable request that anyone would consider beyond common sense. It was a request that could never come out of the mouth of a sensible person in their right mind.
"Sir Gwak! You must be joking, right? That item already has a designated owner."
"Really? From what I heard, the Ascending Dragon Badge has no owner. I was clearly told that only skill is the measure to determine the qualification to be the owner of the Ascending Dragon Badge. Was I mistaken? If not, then my ears must be at fault. Do you have anything to say?"
Blazing Blade's words were all true. According to the rules set by the Heavenly Martial Arts Academy, anyone with sufficient skill could take over the ownership of the Ascending Dragon Badge through a legitimate duel. However, it was under the condition that it would be a life-or-death battle. If a life was lost during the duel, both parties would be disqualified, as clearly stated in the academy's regulations. This condition was set as a clause because otherwise, there would be concerns about numerous casualties surrounding the Ascending Dragon Badge.
If even this level of clause were not attached, the value of the Ascending Dragon Badge could create a river of blood, calling for bloodshed. It was frustrating, but Blazing Blade's words were true without a single error.
"However, that already belongs to our second disciple, Oon-su. Isn't it unreasonable for you to claim to determine the ownership of it now?"
"Oon-su? Ah, you mean the rookie who collapsed helplessly earlier? He was hopeless. He had only learned the shell of swordsmanship, the sword form, and was rejoicing in thinking he had mastered the sword art. Can a sword art without the essence of the sword be called a sword art? That's why I gave him a little lesson. It must have been a good lesson for him. He should be grateful to us. We saved him from spreading humiliation. People call this a narrow escape from death, don't they? You guys got incredibly lucky this time."
Hearing the long, sarcastic remark that was never like Blazing Blade, Ho Cheon-sang's eyes widened. He gripped the hilt of his beloved sword, Roaring Tiger Blade, so tightly that it almost crushed. A murderous spirit that seemed ready to draw his sword and determine life and death at any moment emanated from his entire body. The trembling of his hand gripping the sword hilt was proof of that.
"Was it you, Sir Gwak, who gave a lesson to our Oon-su?"
"No, it wasn't me who gave the lesson, but this person."
Blazing Blade's hand pointed to Bi Ryu-yeon, who was standing silently beside him. Naturally, Ho Cheon-sang's gaze turned towards Bi Ryu-yeon. Even when directly receiving Ho Cheon-sang's gaze, which was fiercely glaring like a tiger's eyes, Bi Ryu-yeon remained incredibly calm. No, he even went a step further and smiled at Ho Cheon-sang, waving his hand as if he was happy to see him.