—————————————————————–
Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: cyno
—————————————————————–
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
“Hah, is Jin Family’s Sword Flower going to use that great axe again this time?”
“Looks like it. I was hoping to see Taiyuan Jin Family’s Frozen Flame Sword, but what a shame.”
“You fools, if she chose an axe over a sword, it means she’s confident in it. Just watch quietly.”
“Fair point. She must have a reason. She wouldn’t just abandon the sword without thought.”
She had briefly used the great axe before, but the martial world still assumed she primarily wielded a sword.
That perception would change today.
—
“It’s an honor to face you, Heavenly Flower.”
“Ah, hello… W-We’ve met before, haven’t we…?”
Heavenly Flower, with her long indigo hair nearly covering her eyes, stood opposite Jin Gayeong, whose golden pupils gleamed brilliantly.
Jin Gayeong wore black martial robes, while Heavenly Flower wore white—their contrast stark against each other.
“Jin Family, Sword Flower.”
“W-Wudang… Heavenly Flower…!”
A respectful bow from Jin Gayeong, a timid one from Heavenly Flower—then both drew their weapons.
Creak—
The moment Jin Gayeong hefted the Moonlight Axe -Wolgangbu onto her shoulder, the audience gasped in shock.
“Wh-Which blacksmith made that?!”
“Wait… Is the entire thing made of dark iron?! How is she even swinging that? Is she insane?!”
The sheer mismatch between Jin Gayeong’s petite frame and the colossal axe was as striking as the contrast in their robes.
“I’ll make the first move, then.”
WHOOSH—!
Jin Gayeong took the initiative.
Dashing forward in a low stance, she swung the axe in a straight line—not with full force, but testing Heavenly Flower’s reaction.
-Interesting.
‘Are you talking about the young miss?’
-No, that Heavenly Flower girl.
Jin Wuyong’s gaze lingered on Heavenly Flower, whose movements were slightly sluggish as she deflected the Moonlight Axe.
-Last time, I gave her a little internal injury.
‘To ensure the young miss’s victory, right?’
-No, there was another reason.
‘…?’
Before Byeolak could question further—
BOOM—!
The Moonlight Axe clashed with Heavenly Flower’s sword.
Perhaps due to her injury, Heavenly Flower avoided direct clashes, redirecting the force fluidly—just as she had when facing Jin Wuyong.
WHOOSH—!
Jin Gayeong’s axe lashed out like a whip, its momentum fierce and relentless.
THUD!
Heavenly Flower kicked off the ground, leaping gracefully to evade.
The Moonlight Axe cleaved through empty air, but Jin Gayeong only smirked.
She had noticed.
Heavenly Flower wasn’t at full strength.
In fact, it would’ve been stranger not to notice—Heavenly Flower’s movements were visibly stiff.
From then on, Jin Gayeong pressed the attack.
“Gale Moon Slash—!”
WHOOSH—!
A massive, heavy weapon like the Moonlight Axe moving with the agility of a fish in water was nothing short of terrifying.
“Heaven-Earth Moon Strike—!”
CRASH—!
She couldn’t read Heavenly Flower’s mind, but the girl was clearly struggling.
“Moonlight Eight Strikes—!”
SWISH! CRASH! BOOM—!
Heavenly Flower couldn’t even counter, forced into constant retreat.
-I’m worried about Gayeong’s stamina.
‘The young miss has greater stamina than anyone. I can vouch for that.’
-…You really don’t know, do you.
‘…?’
Yet, for some reason—
Jin Gayeong’s movements grew rougher.
Not just aggressive—unsteady.
Her face paled.
At least Heavenly Flower, clutching her stomach, couldn’t swing freely either.
‘What’s going on?’
-I thought you’d have noticed by now.
‘Why is the young miss struggling like this? As if she’s lacking energy?’
-She is lacking. You just never pushed her to exhaustion before. Even someone like you should’ve noticed… Strange.
‘Tell me. Why is the young miss faltering?’
The Moonlight Axe slammed into the ground, kicking up dust and debris.
This wasn’t like her. The Jin Gayeong he knew wouldn’t lose control like this.
She looked like an amateur, dragged around by the axe’s weight.
-Gayeong.
‘…What’s happening to her?’
-She’s missing congenital qi.
‘…What?’
-I don’t know why, but her congenital qi is insufficient. Not empty, but… like a vessel with too little content.
‘That’s impossible! A lack of congenital qi means death! That’s an absolute truth!’
-Didn’t she expend it all at some point? I don’t know the details either. I thought you’d have noticed.
‘This makes no sense! Congenital qi isn’t something you can just expend at will! It’s the foundation of life—recklessly depleting it is fatal!’
-Why are you yelling at me? I don’t know the specifics either.
‘…!’
Closing his eyes, Byeolak focused his senses on Jin Gayeong.
Then, he felt it clearly—
Her disrupted energy, ragged breath, and incomplete congenital qi.
A state that would’ve killed an ordinary martial artist instantly.
“HAAAH—!”
“Guh…!”
Amidst the chaos, the Moonlight Axe and sword clashed again.
Both weapons trembled violently.
As if their wielders could barely hold on.
‘So you injured Heavenly Flower not for the young miss’s victory, but for fairness.’
-Hmph. Why would I interfere in a children’s duel? I only wanted a fair match.
‘You should’ve told me sooner. I would’ve procured a supreme elixir for her.’
-I thought you knew. I already said that.
‘…’
-Don’t worry too much. Both have internal injuries—it’s an even fight.
‘That’s not the point! What if something happens to her?!’
-She’s been fine until now. Just watch. What can you even do by interrupting now?
‘…!’
Living with insufficient congenital qi… An unforeseen obstacle.
For now, he’d focus on the duel, as Jin Wuyong said.
—
Her breath had been ragged since the start.
Ever since her duel with Namgung Soso, pushing her limits often left her like this.
But today was worse.
Perhaps because she was facing a real martial artist.
‘But there’s still hope.’
Heavenly Flower wasn’t at full strength either.
Equal conditions, equal footing.
If they were both disadvantaged, she would not lose.
Even if her situation was worse, she could not afford to lose.
After this Chilhwajeon, she’d confess to him—how could she possibly lose?
“HAAH—!”
Gripping the axe’s handle, she swung it down like a hammer.
Once again, Heavenly Flower deflected it sideways.
CRASH—!
The Moonlight Axe buried itself in the ground.
“Tch…!”
She wouldn’t win like this. She didn’t need deep thought to see that.
Martial arts had compatibility.
Heavy could not overcome Soft.
The essence of heavy weapons was overwhelming force—but Soft techniques redirected that force entirely.
Gnash—
How could she defeat Heavenly Flower, Wudang’s genius?
What method could break that Soft Sword?
It’d be nice if she could awaken the “martial arts of her own” that he mentioned—but miracles didn’t seem likely.
‘The weapon is the problem.’
Suddenly, she recalled Nohwa and Baekhwa’s fight earlier.
Nohwa had also used a heavy style—
But their weapons were different.
Nohwa’s heaviness was balanced. Calculated force, precise energy, flawless movements—possible because her medium was a sword.
The Moonlight Axe was different. Its sheer weight was incomparable.
How could such a slow, massive weapon overcome Heavenly Flower’s Soft Sword?
‘Unless…’
She racked her brain for a breakthrough.
“Huff…”
Then, a strategy flashed through her mind.
‘Is it possible?’
No—should she do it?
If she went through with this, she might be ridiculed.
Called shameless.
Already, some mocked her for using an axe—this would invite even worse scorn.
‘But… Mister said pride is useless.’
She’d do her absolute best to win.
Even Nohwa, once mocked, was now cheered after her victory.
She’d trust in that.
“Mountain-Crushing Axe Strike—!”
A technique he had used against Heavenly Flower.
But this time, her goal was different.
CRASH—!
A deafening strike erupted.
Heavenly Flower, as expected, chose to redirect.
“I knew you’d do that…!”
“…?”
CLANG—!
The Moonlight Axe clashed with Heavenly Flower’s sword.
Again, Heavenly Flower pushed the axe’s side away.
But Jin Gayeong had anticipated this.
“NOW!”
“…?!”
With a burst of strength, she forced the axe’s direction.
Not impossible if she poured all her grip strength and internal energy into it.
Confusion flickered across Heavenly Flower’s face—then horror as she realized Jin Gayeong’s plan.
CRACK—!!
The Moonlight Axe shoved against Heavenly Flower’s sword. Now, she couldn’t redirect—if she tried, the axe would slam into her body.
Trapped, Heavenly Flower did exactly what Jin Gayeong wanted.
SWISH! CRASH—!!
Heavenly Flower let go of her sword. At the same time, Jin Gayeong released her axe.
Both weapons flew away, embedding themselves deep into the ground.
“…! I-I’ll retrieve my sword and—”
Heavenly Flower took a step toward her weapon.
But Jin Gayeong had no intention of letting her.
THUD!
A sudden punch struck Heavenly Flower’s right cheek.
“Guh…!”
This had been her plan all along. Why let her pick up the sword again?
If weapon compatibility prevented victory—she’d discard the weapon.
She might be mocked for shamelessness, but she didn’t care.
Winning mattered more.
Realizing her intent, Heavenly Flower raised her palms—some palm technique Jin Gayeong didn’t recognize.
THUMP—!
A heavy impact struck her abdomen.
“Guh…!”
She anchored herself with leg strength—training under him paying off.
Creak—
She endured. If she faltered now, Heavenly Flower would retrieve her sword, and the stalemate would resume.
“Let’s finish this.”
“I-I’m not good at fist techniques…”
“I’ve never learned them either.”
True—Taiyuan Jin Family had no martial arts except the Frozen Flame… Moon. Their stubborn founder had decreed it.
She’d dabbled in common styles like Six Harmonies Fist, but they wouldn’t help now.
Yet, all martial arts shared the same principle.
Axe, sword, or bare-handed—there was one path.
Probably.
“Wudang Cotton Palm.”
SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!
Heavenly Flower’s palms flowed like water. How was she supposed to counter this?
The answer was simple—treat her body like the Moonlight Axe. It was the only thing she’d trained in.
Even if she was wrong, she’d press on. Trusting in what he taught her.
Clenching her fist, she channeled all her energy into it.
This fist is the axe’s blade. My arm is its handle.
“HAAH—!”
“…!”
THUD!
SMACK!
A burning pain spread across her chest. Her fist stung.
It hurt, but she couldn’t hesitate. Forcing her eyes open, she saw Heavenly Flower clutching her reddened cheek, trying to retaliate.
THWACK!
BAM!
CRACK!
Some strikes landed, most were blocked.
She couldn’t be sure—her vision was blurring red.
But she would not retreat.
Not mindless endurance. For some reason, the pain had stopped registering.
He had described this state before—
“RAAAAH!!”
“Guh…!”
SMACK!
THUD!
THWACK! THWACK!
BAM!
Her body was being pummeled, but she felt no pain.
“When fighting spirit consumes the body.”
A heightened state, different from when she fought Namgung Soso at Hangshan Sword Gate.
CRACK!
SMASH!
THUD!
BAM!
She was getting hit, her vision swimming—
Yet her mind was crystal clear.
Hitting was exhilarating. Being hit was exhilarating.
Strange—fighting was exhilarating.
She didn’t hate it.
“…!”
“…!”
She didn’t know if her fist techniques were correct. She’d never learned them.
She just gave it her all.
Everything she had.
THUD! THUD! THUD! THUD! THUD!
Even as her vision blurred, she punched.
Even as her fists went numb, she swung.
As long as her spirit held, she’d push to the absolute limit.
THUD! THUD! THUD! THUD! THUD! THUD!
—
CRACK—!!
After hundreds of exchanges, Heavenly Flower’s palm struck Jin Gayeong’s forehead again.
A violent surge of internal energy rattled her brain.
“Guh…”
Her eyes rolled back. Her knees buckled, and she collapsed face-first onto the arena.
Thud—!
Blood spilled onto the snow-covered ground, already stained crimson.
The ground was warm.
Despite the disciples’ efforts, snow had piled up—yet the heat radiating from both fighters had melted it.
“I… lost…”
A sigh-like whisper escaped Jin Gayeong’s lips.
“…”
The gap between the orthodox sects was vast. Countless exchanges, yet she’d taken far more hits.
The loss itself didn’t sadden her. She felt no pain.
But losing the duel—that stung.
Even after promising him she wouldn’t take it too seriously, regret gnawed at her.
She’d worked so hard to stand here, only to fail.
“Heavenly Flower is the victor.”
Cheonjon’s cold verdict struck like a nail, embedding deep in her heart.
“Both of you fought well. Now, go and rest.”
“Sniff…”
Though not a direct rival, losing to Nohwa Namgung Sua stung even more.
Subconsciously, she’d seen her as a rival—yet while Nohwa had defeated a Seven Flower, she had lost.
“Ugh…”
If only I’d held on a little longer…
But she knew. She’d already pushed far beyond her limits.
Her motionless body was proof.
“AAAH…!”
As tension left her, delayed pain flooded in.
It hurt—her body, her heart.
Worse, she couldn’t even writhe—her body was utterly spent.
‘Talent… lineage… I believed hard work could overcome anything…’
Reality’s wall was high.
Heavenly Flower, trained since childhood by Wudang’s elders, inheritor of a millennia-old legacy—was an opponent she couldn’t defeat, no matter how hard she fought.
Did I do my best? No, it only made the loss more bitter.
Because she’d given her all—and still lost.
Because Heavenly Flower stood above her, and she couldn’t surpass that reality.
Negative emotions coiled around her, festering.
‘Mister…’
Then—the unexpected happened.
“Sword Flower! Sword Flower! SWORD FLOWER!”
“Jin Gayeong! That was AMAZING!!”
“Hell yeah! THIS is a duel! The other Seven Flowers were embarrassing, but you saved the best for last!”
Moved by her fighting spirit, the crowd began chanting her name.
Something all martial artists could respect—more than victory.
The will to fight.
Refusing to fall, no matter how outmatched—Jin Gayeong’s determination stirred their hearts.
Soon—
“Sword Flower? No! She uses an axe—call her MOON FLOWER -Wolhwa!”
“Moon Flower! Moon Flower! MOON FLOWER!”
“Sounds great! Moon Flower!! Taiyuan Jin Family’s Moon Flower!!”
They renamed her on the spot.
“Look closely! What’s written on that axe?!”
“Moonlight… Axe? Wolgangbu? It says Wolgangbu!”
“Moon Flower… Moonlight Axe… Moonlight Lotus ! Perfect! Her face is as lovely as a lotus!”
Praise poured in.
Unlike the uneasy silence after Okhwa’s win, or the cheers for Nohwa—
This was admiration.
“Heavenly Flower! Heavenly Flower! Wudang’s genius lives up to her name!”
Of course, Heavenly Flower—who’d endured Jin Gayeong’s onslaught and won—was also celebrated.
“Taiyuan Jin Family!! Moonlight Lotus!!”
“Moon Flower Jin Gayeong!! Moonlight Lotus Jin Gayeong!!”
“You lost, but you fought like hell!! We respect you, Taiyuan Jin Family!!”
Thus, on that day—when the Ten Generations Martial Review would later record new names—
-That is my descendant.
‘And my disciple.’
-You dare claim to be her master now? Weren’t you denying it earlier?
‘I only follow the young miss’s wishes.’
—a rare spectacle unfolded: the loser’s name echoing louder than the victor’s.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
[Your Text Here]
