A Duel with a Supreme Master
The signs of something unusual began at that very moment.
As soon as the unsettling fluctuations of qi started to ripple around Gi Hyeok-do—who was standing motionless, slowly slipping into a trance-like state—the martial artists of Geumho Manor, watching the duel, instinctively stepped in to guard him. Among them, Jang Myeong was the first to erect a qi barrier, designed to prevent any unexpected noises from disrupting the state.
The spectators also sensed something was off and naturally quieted their movements and mouths, so nothing interfered. The only one feeling a strange mix of emotions was Yeon Hwi-tae—whose words had unintentionally triggered this unexpected enlightenment.
"I thought there might be a slight chance… maybe, just maybe, there was a possibility this could happen. But I didn't think it would unfold so easily like this…"
After all, wasn't this how it always went in martial arts novels?
A genius, or a reincarnated or time-traveling protagonist, casually says something profound, and others are blessed with sudden enlightenment as if handed a rice cake. Back in his previous life, he used to find those plot points absurd, though entertaining enough to overlook. But now that he was experiencing one in real life, he could only stand there, dumbfounded.
"Still… can someone really gain enlightenment from just a few simple words? Are the so-called wise masters of the orthodox sects really so trapped in their own fixed ideas?"
From a modern perspective, his statement was nothing special—just a straightforward observation. And yet, to see it received as some revolutionary insight made him wonder if all these martial world elites weren't just stubborn old fools, stuck in their own beliefs.
"Or maybe that man is one of the rare few who are actually awake enough to gain something from it."
Because of this, Yeon Hwi-tae found himself once again reflecting on the correlation between "the clichés experienced by wuxia protagonists" and "his own real-time journey through the martial world."
It didn't take long for Gi Hyeok-do to regain his senses.
By the time he opened his eyes and grasped the situation, congratulatory voices were ringing out around him.
"Congratulations, Elder!"
"Truly a blessing for the Mount Hua Sect!"
But Gi Hyeok-do could only shake his head with a bitter smile.
"No… it's not what you think."
"Pardon?"
Seeing their puzzled expressions, he calmly explained:
"I simply saw a wall. I realized just how tall and solid it is. I haven't ascended in level or gained new strength."
"Ahh…"
He was right. While he had experienced an insight, that didn't mean his peak-level mastery had suddenly leapt to the transcendent level. Enlightenment is important to advancement, yes—but it's not everything.
Mind, qi, and body—all three must rise in harmony for one to advance in level. Still, just the fact that he had clearly perceived a wall he hadn't even known existed was worth celebration.
Sure enough—
"Even so, it's a great cause for celebration, old friend!"
"Indeed! Now that you've fully matured at the peak level, reaching the transcendent realm shouldn't be far off!"
With Yeon Chae-ho's comment, others joined in with enthusiastic agreement, creating a warm and cheerful atmosphere.
That is—until someone broke the mood.
"Ahem, anyway… this duel does count as my win, right, Elder?"
"Uh… well, yes, technically…"
"Then, Father, according to our wager, I win. No backing out now."
"..."
Of course, the culprit was none other than Yeon Hwi-tae.
And glaring at him with frustration was a young girl who clearly wasn't happy about it.
And so, the duel of that day came to a close.
…Or so it seemed.
But a little bonus—something you might call a plus alpha, in the slang of his past life—was unexpectedly granted to Yeon Hwi-tae. He hadn't asked for it, and he certainly wasn't given a choice.
"Uhh… so you're saying we're going to duel again?"
Yeon Hwi-tae asked with a sour look he didn't bother to hide.
Gi Hyeok-do responded with amused exasperation:
"No, you rascal. I mean I'm going to teach you a thing or two—as repayment for the favor you've given me."
"..."
"So don't hesitate—just be grateful."
Yeon Hwi-tae didn't exactly feel grateful.
He had only taken part in that duel because there was a bet involved—he hadn't really had a choice.
But on second thought, it wasn't a bad deal at all.
After all, he was the kind who enjoyed a good fight, and now he had the chance to test his skills against a fully matured master at the peak level. It was a rare and valuable opportunity.
While he was mulling this over, Gi Hyeok-do realized that the boy who had helped him reach enlightenment wasn't all that pleased with the situation.
"Hey, you brat. You think chances like this come to just anyone? This is your chance to witness the martial arts of none other than the Great Mount Hua Sect!"
"..."
"Ahem. I'll add a condition."
"...?"
"If you spar with me and manage to satisfy me, I'll give you a reward."
"...What kind of reward?"
"From what I can tell, aside from the Samjae Internal Energy Method, you haven't practiced any other internal arts. Why is that?"
He was suddenly going off-topic, but Yeon Hwi-tae had a hunch about where this was going. His eyes lit up.
"Because good internal techniques aren't something you can get even with money."
"I figured as much. But with your father's wealth, it's not entirely impossible, is it…?"
"Heh… It's just that the kind of technique I want has some strict requirements."
"What kind?"
"An internal method that's both stable and builds qi quickly."
"..."
An internal energy method that's both stable and allows for rapid cultivation.
That kind of method couldn't be found even for a mountain of gold. If it existed, it would be outrageously expensive. Typically, the more stable a method was, the slower the qi buildup—and vice versa.
Of course, if Yeon Hwi-tae truly begged for it, his father might be able to secure something, even if it meant overreaching.
But Yeon Hwi-tae didn't want to rely on his father's help like that.
"Where could you possibly find something like that…?"
"It doesn't have to be super fast. Stability is the most important thing. As long as it's not too slow."
Yeon Hwi-tae replied quickly, clearly hoping for something.
Gi Hyeok-do gave a faint chuckle at the boy's eagerness.
"Alright. If that's all you want, I can get you something."
"From the Mount Hua Sect?"
"Bah! Mount Hua techniques aren't for outsiders. But I have connections. Through them, I could get you a stable and reasonably fast method."
"Really?"
"Of course, that's only if your performance in our duel satisfies me."
Yeon Hwi-tae was just about to nod in agreement at the offer when he suddenly paused.
Gi Hyeok-do looked at him curiously, wondering what he was thinking. Then Yeon Hwi-tae asked:
"What if… I win?"
"...Huh?"
"If I win against you, will there be another kind of reward?"
"Ha! You little—"
The boy wasn't even ten years old, yet he was already thinking about beating a peak-level master.
But Gi Hyeok-do, priding himself on being a magnanimous man, answered generously:
"Alright then. If—and that's a big if—you manage to beat me, I'll give you a promissory right. A promise that, should you ever ask for my help, I'll come to your aid."
"In other words, you'll owe me a favor."
Nice!
Yeon Hwi-tae shouted inwardly with excitement.
If he could make a Mount Hua elder owe him a favor, that would be no different than having an extra life tucked away.
"Of course, using techniques like sword qi or energy projection is forbidden. We're just comparing forms."
"Naturally. What kind of adult would use such things against a child like you?"
Gi Hyeok-do responded like it was the most obvious thing in the world, and Yeon Hwi-tae nodded happily.
"So, are we starting right here?"
Unlike yesterday, when spectators were officially allowed, today's duel was unofficial—meaning it was just the two of them.
The location was also deeper and more secluded than the previous training ground, so there was no need to worry about hidden onlookers.
"Yes, let's begin right away."
Gi Hyeok-do took up a wooden sword and assumed a ready stance.
He was known by the nickname "The Righteous Plum Blossom Gentleman" because of his upright and earnest nature.
He wanted to repay the boy who had unintentionally granted him enlightenment by offering some martial instruction.
So he had no intention of fighting to win with life-or-death determination.
Instead, he aimed to elevate the boy's martial understanding through a sparring session with someone of true mastery.
In his mind, that was the appropriate approach.
But Yeon Hwi-tae had no intention of sticking to that "appropriate" plan.
"No matter what—it's win or nothing."
That thought radiated so clearly from him that Gi Hyeok-do could feel his fierce fighting spirit.
Gi Hyeok-do smiled with amusement.
"A true martial artist should have that level of competitive spirit and ambition."
Trying to defeat a peak master before even turning ten was reckless—but it was the kind of recklessness he admired, especially after the impression Yeon Hwi-tae left on him yesterday.
"Even if he's a master, he's still a typical martial artist. That means he's vulnerable on the ground. I'll close in, wait for an opening, then go for a takedown or throw, and drag the fight into a ground game—ah… nope, not gonna work."
The strategy hit a snag right from the start.
As soon as Yeon Hwi-tae stood across from Gi Hyeok-do on the platform, he realized something he'd overlooked:
He still had the body of a 9-year-old.
If this were during his previous life in his athletic prime, it might have worked.
But right now, he was barely half Gi Hyeok-do's size.
Even with excellent nutrition and intense training, he was still physically outclassed compared to an adult.
"Then maybe close-range strikes? …Still a bad idea."
He was unarmed, while the opponent held a wooden sword.
And that opponent was not just any martial artist, but a high-level master.
In terms of internal energy and technique, the gap was astronomical.
"In a one-on-one scenario where I'm outclassed in every way—size, strength, skill—the only martial art that works is… that one."
As Yeon Hwi-tae stared intently, still calculating, Gi Hyeok-do's voice rang in his ears.
"What's wrong? Getting cold feet now? I suppose facing me in a duel would be scary, huh? Tsk tsk, don't be so scared, child. A few beatings when you're young builds character."
Provocation.
There was no doubt—it was a provocation.
And Yeon Hwi-tae had always been known, even in his past life, for never taking the bait.
"Instead, I'd humiliate them thoroughly during the match and pay them back with a brutal, one-sided domination."
He'd even baited opponents by pretending to fall for their provocations, only to land devastating counters.
But this time… it was a different kind of situation.