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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Wjin
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The number of black-clad figures who entered the not-so-large inn was considerable, at least more than the four people already inside.
The first black-clad figure to charge was aiming for Chaejin.
Was their intention to take down the strongest one here first?
Perhaps while Chaejin was engaged, the numerically superior black-clad figures would subdue me, along with Yohan and Changju, and use that to threaten Chaejin.
Whatever the reason, that choice was wrong.
-KWANG!!!
Chaejin didn’t hesitate.
The moment her sword flashed, one of the black-clad figures was sent flying, vomiting blood, and crashed into the wall.
No, they smashed through the wall and tumbled outside. That alone was enough to stop the charging black-clad figures in their tracks.
A foolish general attacks the enemy, a wise general attacks their morale.
By crushing a single opponent, Chaejin shattered the enemies’ spirit. At least in this situation, she was a wise general.
“I don’t know who you guys are, but I know who sent you.”
Chaejin nonchalantly said, twirling her sword, which was so clean from the swift strike that not even a drop of blood remained, and rested it on her shoulder.
“Those who don’t want to die, drop your weapons, kneel over there, and put your hands up. Those who resist…”
-Click.
Chaejin pointed her sword at them and said casually, “Will die.”
With that one word, the atmosphere shifted.
Some black-clad figures hesitated, while others still burned with fighting spirit.
And one, taking advantage of the confusion, subtly reached into their pocket. I threw my teacup at him.
-Clang.
The black-clad figure swung his arm and knocked away the teacup, but the moment he turned his attention to me, a talisman flew towards him.
-Fzzzt!!
“Kuh-uh-uh-uh!!”
It was Changju. She was nonchalantly fiddling with another talisman she had pulled out. This person, who used to be in the military, seemed to know how to fight.
“Don’t try anything funny.”
The tip of a spear, which had charged forward with great momentum, was blunted in an instant. Was that why they were hesitating?
“It seems the enemies aren’t that strong after all.”
“What can you expect from those who rely on numbers to attack in the middle of the night?”
“Hmm. Is this what the orthodox sects are like?”
“…She’s just the weird one!”
An exasperated Chaejin was about to make a move again. As she gripped her sword, the black-clad figures tensed and raised their weapons.
“Wait.”
That was when the black-clad figures stopped.
They slowly parted, and a woman dressed in familiar attire walked through the opening. As expected, Cha Jeokyo appeared, not disappointing expectations.
“I thought you might come, but I didn’t expect you to actually come. Launching a surprise attack like this doesn’t seem like something an orthodox sect would do. Is this acceptable?” I said.
Cha Jeokyo didn’t respond. Was she keeping quiet because she was at a disadvantage? Perhaps I had become too accustomed to the Hongseong Sect.
I looked at Chaejin, who had her head bowed low, her face flushed.
“Ugh. This is making my face burn. Hey. We’re an orthodox sect. Orthodox. How about you get your act together?” Chaejin said, sounding bewildered, as if she was the one who was embarrassed, but Cha Jeokyo seemed unfazed.
She had used all sorts of underhanded tactics even in the Cheonsang Myeongwol Sect.
Should I recommend her to switch affiliations? She would thrive in a heretical sect.
“I’m perfectly sane. You know it too, don’t you?” Cha Jeokyo said, shrugging nonchalantly.
“That the Moonwave Hall will become stronger if we can get our hands on the Emei Sect’s martial arts.”
That wasn’t wrong.
Putting aside the pride of the swordmaster, it was true that the Moonwave Hall could become stronger if they could somehow obtain and research the Emei Sect’s martial arts.
But it was also wrong. That wasn’t something a member of an orthodox sect would openly say.
“As far as I know, Master Do values righteousness and cooperation…”
“Aren’t you being too idealistic? Someone has to do the dirty work. Even if it’s an orthodox sect.”
“The Hongseong Sect didn’t.”
“…Stop talking about that narrow-minded sect.”
Cha Jeokyo’s face twisted at the mention of the Hongseong Sect. But what could she do? It was the truth.
“Chaejin. I know you know who you are. I’ll say it again. Bring Yohan here. She will definitely help the Moonwave Hall grow stronger.”
At her words, Chaejin shrugged.
“For the sake of the Moonwave Hall? You just want her for yourself. If it were truly for the Moonwave Hall, the Moonlight Guard would have intervened. But they haven’t, have they? Even you have something to hide, so you didn’t bring it up as an official matter for the Moonwave Hall.”
Cha Jeokyo didn’t respond to Chaejin’s mockery. She must have felt guilty.
“So? Is that your answer?”
“No. This is.”
In that instant, a tension that made the air vibrate filled the space.
“As a senior disciple of the Moonwave Hall, I will punish the disciple who tarnishes the Moonwave Hall’s name.”
Chaejin’s sword flashed.
At the same time, a sharp, thread-like blade energy was released. Dosah (刀絲), blade silk. One of the forms of the Moonlight Swordsmanship, where blade energy is finely woven to cut down the enemy.
Cha Jeokyo also drew her own blade silk, blocking the attack and bursting into joyful laughter.
“That’s it. I actually prefer this. I’ve been curious about how great the skills of the vaunted senior disciple are!”
Cha Jeokyo shouted, and Chaejin smiled.
And so, the fight between the disciples of the Moonwave Hall began. It was a fight between members of the same sect, but there was no holding back.
Each attack was dangerous enough to cause serious injury. Yet, neither of them yielded an inch.
“Among the orthodox sect members I met during my military service, there were some who were dishonorable, and among the heretical sects, there were some heroes… but that woman is exceptionally vile,” Changju muttered with a short sigh, and I nodded in agreement.
It was true that Chae Ryeon trying to surpass Chaejin was a bit of a mess for the orthodox sect’s succession process.
But still, she had rightfully earned her qualifications through hard work and challenged Chaejin with everyone’s approval, and Chaejin had accepted it with a smile.
It was unconventional, but it didn’t go against righteousness.
But Cha Jeokyo was going too far. That’s why she would meet a miserable end in Chae Ryeon’s main storyline.
“Strike!”
“Well then, let’s all try to protect ourselves for now.” I clenched my fist, and Changju unfolded a talisman.
“But can Chaejin win?” At that question, I nodded.
“She will.”
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With each clash of swords, Cha Jeokyo began to be pushed back. Seeing this, Chaejin spun her sword and gripped it in reverse.
Then, from mid-air to below.
Wolyo (月拗), Lunar Twist. A form meant to break the moonlight.
Cha Jeokyo’s eyes lit up at the basic form of the Moonlight Swordsmanship. Did she recognize it? Well, knowing it didn’t mean she could block it.
-Chaeeeeng!!
As expected, Cha Jeokyo failed to block it and was sent flying.
But perhaps because she recognized the form, the damage she took didn’t seem too severe.
As Cha Jeokyo rolled on the ground and got up, Chaejin swung her sword, and Cha Jeokyo’s movements, as she dodged, began to become peculiar.
“Huh?”
“Hehehe.”
A low chuckle. At the same time, Cha Jeokyo’s stance changed.
Her movements were free and lightning-fast. It was the Byeokro Sambo (壁雷三步), the footwork of the Byeokro (Wall-Lightning) Sect, supporting her.
“A senior disciple of the Moonwave Hall learning the martial arts of another sect. Well done.”
“Hehe. That’s why you can’t beat me. Why should a senior disciple of the Moonwave Hall only learn the Moonwave Hall’s martial arts? A martial artist should strive for strength.”
“But shouldn’t you choose your means and methods? Why didn’t you learn demonic arts instead? That would make you stronger faster?”
Cha Jeokyo gritted her teeth at the mockery, her sword moving dazzlingly.
“Was that the Seomjeon Samroe (閃電三雷), Lightning Flash Three Strikes?”
“You ignorant wench, you know that much!”
“It’s easy to see when the one using it is so clumsy!” Chaejin smirked, twisting her lips, and spun around. The swung sword clashed with the sword that drew the movements of lightning.
Hardness. And softness. Lightning and the moon collided, and it was the moon that retreated. For the first time, Chaejin was pushed back, and Cha Jeokyo burst into wild laughter.
“Hahahaha! Is that all you’ve got!”
“Hmm.”
It wasn’t like she was pushed back by that.
Chaejin ignored the gloating Cha Jeokyo and used the distance she had created to glance back.
Perhaps due to the restrictions, or something else, Yohan, unable to use martial arts, was fighting the approaching enemies quite well with the Chae-style Taekwondo she had taught her.
Of course, Changju was helping with talismans.
Still, it was something. The level of those Cha Jeokyo had brought wasn’t very high, and they would be good training for Yuwol to face.
No matter how much she trained her, there was no training as good as real combat. But it stung her heart to see Yuwol getting hit occasionally.
A good teacher would just have to watch, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it. She wasn’t a good teacher.
Clicking her tongue inwardly, she turned her attention back to Cha Jeokyo.
She had to end this.
“Hoo-ooo-ooo…”
In martial arts, breathing played an important role.
Depending on how much one moved in a single breath, it could determine slowness or swiftness.
That’s why Cha Jeokyo tilted her head, puzzled. Why was she exhaling so deeply? Feeling an unknown unease, Cha Jeokyo hastily swung her sword.
-Clang!
But it was blocked. The Byeokro Swordsmanship, boasting lightning-like speed and a hard form, was being futilely blocked by her slow swordsmanship.
Dullness.
The enlightenment one had to achieve to obtain the secrets of the Moonlight Swordsmanship. That was contained within Chaejin’s sword.
Cha Jeokyo was shocked as she realized it.
Chaejin was definitely not this strong before? She wasn’t this strong even during their last duel? When had she grown this much? Chaejin’s cold voice pierced her ears.
“Even though you’re annoying, constantly picking fights, playing politics, and trying to take my place as the senior disciple…”
Chaejin blocked her attack and tilted her head.
“Come to think of it, you’re not that precious.”
Then there was no need to hold back.
She spun her sword and slowly brought it down on Cha Jeokyo, who was charging at her with bloodshot eyes.
At the same time, Cha Jeokyo, the black-clad figures who were being beaten by Yu wol and Changju, Changju who was fighting the black-clad figures, Yohan, and even Chamo, who had come out because of the commotion and was hiding over there, all held their breath and watched.
Watched as the white moon was cleaved.
-Chwaaaaaak!!
The cleaved white moon created a fountain of blood. Coughing up blood from the unbearable attack, Cha Jeokyo collapsed to her knees.
Perhaps because she had taken such a heavy blow, Cha Jeokyo gasped for breath, her face pale, before finally collapsing.
Chaejin, looking a little tired, turned her head to look at Yuwol. He, as she expected, wasn’t very surprised.
As if he knew she would win.
“…Heh-heh.”
At that trust, Chaejin felt her heart flutter.
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