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Chapter 25
Cha-cha-chang!
The clash was swift and razor-sharp.
The sword techniques of Mu-ho—centered on speed and strength—collided with the swordsmanship of Lee Seojeong, which emphasized swiftness and piercing sharpness. Their exchange happened in the blink of an eye. Both moved with exceptional footwork, advancing without hesitation and reading each other’s sword paths as if foreseen.
From steel meeting steel, their duel gradually transformed into an exchange of pure sword force.
Kwa-kwa-kwang!
When the net of illusions at the peak of their clash was formed, Mu-ho believed he could seize victory. Impressive as Lee Seojeong’s sword might be, he had gauged her strength head-on. In terms of sheer martial attainment, he was still above her.
Shwaaah!
But Mu-ho’s plan collapsed.
Lee Seojeong did not recklessly cross blades. Her chilling ice-qi spread around her, enclosing the space, slowing Mu-ho’s movement for just an instant. Unable to decide the match then and there, he was forced to transition to the next exchange.
What’s more, her sword path was one she had carved out herself through countless battles. Though Mu-ho had sharpened his instincts through duels with Mujin, he had never faced an opponent like her.
‘She’s got quite the sense.’
If Mu-ho had faltered against her icy arts and practical swordsmanship, he would have been forced to use his qi of strength. Though Lee Seojeong stood at the peak of the Absolute Realm and he himself had reached the Transcendent Absolute, using qi recklessly would only waste his inner force. Especially against ice arts, which devoured one’s reserves faster than ordinary qi confrontations.
Sensing this, Mu-ho withheld his trump techniques, instead carefully building his momentum.
‘This is the most troublesome opponent I’ve ever faced.’
Meanwhile, Lee Seojeong acknowledged that Mu-ho was unlike other men. Most warriors underestimated her for being a woman, only to panic later and waste their strength with desperate final strikes, meeting their downfall.
Dududududu!
Though their sword energy remained in play, now streaks of hardened sword-qi mixed within. Mu-ho adjusted strength and weakness in his strikes, gradually taking the upper hand. His sparring with Mujin had sharpened his battle sense dramatically, guiding him by instinct toward advantageous openings.
“That’s how it should be.”
Though Lee Seojeong wielded extraordinary skill, Mu-ho was Mujin’s brother. Of course he would cheer for him. Attractive as she might be, she was no match for his wife.
“This won’t do.”
Lee Seojeong realized her odds were slim. Far from careless, Mu-ho pressed every small advantage, widening the gap.
—Ice Heaven Sword Arts: Death by Snowstorm—
At the climax of her sword dance, icy rings burst forth, exploding into a raging blizzard. The storm of snow and blood blinded Mu-ho’s vision and clawed at his body.
Fwoooosh, papapat!
The frost clinging to his clothes drained his body heat, creeping inward. Realizing the danger, Mu-ho split the snowstorm with the Songho Sect technique. Without pause, he surged forward to counterattack.
Swi-rik!
But Lee Seojeong had predicted his retaliation, retreating first and moving to strike from his blind angle. Though slightly slower, she unleashed the fastest form in her icy arsenal—Flashing Blood of Ice.
Tuaaaaang!
The storm-like Ten Songho Swords met her Flashing Blood of Ice head-on. Their collision exploded outward, shattering like glass, each securing their own territory before dissipating.
The two stepped back, distance widening.
Mu-ho’s clothes were shredded in several places by the sword energy. He had reacted slightly late and paid for it. Yet Lee Seojeong fared no better—facing the inner force of a Transcendent Absolute left her with internal injuries.
Ulk!
A stream of blood trickled from her lips.
She quickly sat cross-legged, beginning treatment on the spot. With internal wounds, immediate healing was essential. Delay would only worsen them, leading to disaster.
“Careless young lady, aren’t she?”
“Is that really what you have to say right now?!”
“When did we become so familiar? And you’re sitting there calm as can be, with a wolf brimming with vigor standing right in front of you. Isn’t that reckless?”
“I’m not that kind of person!”
So, he’s pure and I’m the wolf, is that it? Fine then—I’ll protect that purity.
“You’d better sleep in separate rooms even after marriage.”
“……Why would you say something like that?”
“Never mind. I’m off to cut wood.”
Mujin left his younger sibling behind and entered the forest to earn today’s wages. By the time her injuries healed, he’d be back. And if she dared challenge again, he’d gladly force those wounds to reopen.
1 hour later, Lee Seojeong opened her eyes.
When she had sat cross-legged with her wounds, she’d inadvertently slipped into a trance. In that state, she broke past the barrier that had been holding her back, stepping into a new realm. Though brief, she had gained much from her duel with Mu-ho.
She also realized the weight of what she had done—sitting in meditation with no hesitation. Such trust in one’s opponent was rare; without it, that act would have been unthinkable.
“Are you well now?”
“I feel much better.”
“That is truly fortunate.”
“Thank you.”
“Think nothing of it—it was only right.”
Lee Seojeong forgot his earlier rudeness. He was a powerhouse worthy of respect. Among her peers in all the martial world, few could rival her. And yet here he was—in this small village sect, who would have expected such a swordsman to emerge?
Though Mu-ho didn’t dislike Lee Seojeong, he simply wasn’t good at keeping a conversation going. Talking with women was unfamiliar territory for him. Lee Seojeong, for her part, spoke only when necessary. The only exception was when they spoke about martial arts—then, their exchange flowed. The atmosphere between them, if not warm, wasn’t unpleasant either.
During this quietly budding rapport—
Mujin emerged from the forest, a huge stack of neatly chopped firewood loaded onto his back-frame. A normal person would have found it impossible to lift, but for him it was nothing.
Mujin flashed a bright smile.
“I’ve kept you waiting, haven’t I? Shall we begin right away?”
“All right.”
She, too, preferred not to drag out the time.
At her agreement, Mu-ho stifled a sigh of regret. Even though she had treated her injuries and gained insight, he had expected her to make some excuse and postpone the sparring.
‘I won’t go too hard… ah!’
The sparring match began—and almost immediately, a scream rang out. After a flash-speed dash, Mujin’s punch sent Lee Seojeong’s body flying into the air, spinning like a top before crashing to the ground.
Mujin calmly slung the firewood frame over his shoulders as if nothing had happened. Mu-ho, meanwhile, stood frozen, mind blank.
“I’m going.”
“Ah!”
At last coming to his senses, Mu-ho hurried over to check Lee Seojeong’s condition. But Mujin simply left, giving the two of them time alone.
‘There’s no brother like mine.’
Today again, Mujin was satisfied with himself. He had just ensured that the departing Lee Seojeong would have a reason to stay. If she could get up and walk away unscathed after that hit, she’d be a living “Diamond Indestructible Body”.
“……You young lady~~~~~!”
His younger brother’s anguished cry he pretended not to hear.
When Mu-ho finally carried Lee Seojeong back to the family compound on his back, Mujin was already sitting down to lunch, enjoying a leisurely break.
“Dad, how am I doing?”
“Our Mi-joo is really coming into form now.”
For eight years old, Mi-joo had mastered the basics of martial arts well. From an early age she had been fortified with rare elixirs, and a supreme master had given her one-on-one personalized instruction. Even at prestigious sects, it would be hard to receive training of such quality.
“I’ll protect you, Dad.”
“I’ve only got my Mi-joo.”
Hearing this, Tae-jin felt his strength drain away. His father seemed to care little for his son, showing hardly any interest. And what was this about being “protected”? His father was not a man who needed protecting. The higher his martial attainment climbed, the clearer it became to Tae-jin—his father was far from ordinary.
‘He may be my father, but… he’s just too strong.’
If Songho Clan were one of the great sects, it would make sense. But it was just a small school barely keeping its name alive within the modest boundaries of Cheongyang. Yet ever since his father changed, Songho Clan itself had begun to change as well.
“When you swing your sword, don’t let your mind wander. The edge grows dull, your form unsteady.”
“I’ll fix it right away.”
“But don’t grind yourself down too harshly. Keep it moderate.”
“My goal is to become the Number One Sword Under Heaven.”
“If you want to, then do it.”
His father’s indifferent reply made Tae-jin purse his lips. When his little sister said she’d protect him, he had beamed. But when it came to his son, he was cold. He claimed not to favor sons over daughters, yet it was plain he did.
“I’ll win the Young Dragon Tournament and prove my resolve to you!”
“Don’t overdo it. Winning some tournament won’t make you the greatest sword in the world.”
“Father!”
“Sorry, but that’s the truth.”
He admired his son’s determination, but winning the Young Dragon Tournament would not make him a supreme master. Showing potential was enough for now. Rising too quickly would only breed arrogance and attract enemies.
Jealousy among youths spread to adults as well. Whether young or old, envy and rivalry were human instincts. The less background one had, the more others tended to look down on them.
—That’s why you crushed those noble sects and houses whenever they crossed you. Inferiority complex, huh?
‘…Who said that?’
—Don’t underestimate the intelligence network of the Demonic Cult. Shall I reveal every last detail?
‘…Ahem. Call it youthful impetuousness.’
—Still being impetuous past the age of forty? That’s quite a streak.
Faced with plain truth, Mujin had no retort. For a so-called Demonic King, his counterpart was uncomfortably logical at times. Shouldn’t the Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult be devoid of blood, tears, and reason alike? Why so rational? With this, the chivalric spirit of the martial world seemed to crumble.
“Will the sect not run without Yu-jin? I should recruit someone capable.”
The fact that one man carried so many responsibilities was not a good sign. As the sect grew, duties had to be divided. It was worth the time and money to gather talents for each proper place.
‘Now, who had promise… Ah, that one.’
—Are you insane?!
‘What?’
—That man is destined to become a strategist for the Martial Alliance.
‘So what? I’ll take him before then.’
Yong Mugil.
A man who once failed the imperial exams and later pledged himself to the Martial Alliance. He had taken first place in the military strategist’s examination, but with no family background and constant suppression from the Jegal Clan, he was unable to rise to prominence.
‘He and I got along well.’
—And you’d make him your chief administrator?
‘What use is a perfect strategy if no one accepts it? Better to employ him properly here.’
—You’re insane to even consider it.
The decisive reason Yong Mugil later rose to fame was Mujin’s appearance. Unlike others who shunned him, Yong Mugil chose the right direction. True, he was used, but he also knew how to use the situation. In the end, it was thanks to his uncanny strategies that the Martial Alliance was able to drive the Demonic Cult into a corner.
‘He should still be preparing for the exams, right?’
—Cunning bastard.
If told right now to take the role of administrator, he would refuse. He needed to fail and taste regret; only then would the opening appear. At that time, a little push would be enough to bring him over.
‘See, I can be a planner too.’
—You’re infuriating.
It wasn’t that Mujin had never thought of it. If Yong Mugil had been allowed to shine earlier, the martial world’s losses could have been minimized. But those entrenched in power refused to let go, denying opportunities, and in doing so, amplified the sacrifice. Perhaps they had recognized his talent yet rejected him anyway.
Better, then, to take him in personally—for the sake of the martial world.
—Why not just plan a trip with your wife instead of ranting about the martial world? You’re a hypocrite.
‘Didn’t you say once that the Orthodox Sects are hypocrites by nature?’
---The End Of The Chapter---
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