In the forest of the Moyong Clan, where a duel between the direct line and branch members was about to take place, I waited at the edge with my companions, prepared for any unexpected situations.
“So, my disciple, what exactly is this unexpected situation you’re talking about?”
Tang So-yeol, who had been waiting around aimlessly, frowned and asked.
“Well, I don’t know either.”
“Tsk.”
Tang So-yeol clicked her tongue.
Honestly, it was understandable for her to be annoyed. I had called everyone without explaining what was happening in the Moyong Clan.
Since I had promised not to divulge matters regarding the Blood Sect, I couldn’t inform even my group about any internal issues in the Moyong Clan.
And apart from that, who knew what actions could be taken by the Master of the Faction and the seniors after losing in the duel?
The rising martial arts methods of the Blood Sect.
The explanation provided by Moyong Seo had led to a significant increase in the martial arts capabilities of the seniors.
And there were also unusual techniques utilizing the blood of unknown entities that I couldn’t quite fathom.
I had merely felt a sense of unrest and gathered my companions, but from Tang So-yeol’s perspective, she probably thought I knew everything yet pretended not to.
“By the way, senior, is there anything happening with Miss Moyong Yeon-hwa?”
“…Hmm. No, just that I helped her practice martial arts.”
Black Cat, Yeon-il, and Hyeok Gi-rin stared at me intently before huddling together and murmuring.
“Somehow, it feels suspicious.”
“Let’s interrogate her later.”
“If we cross-verify with the testimony of Young Hero Moyong Chan-gyeong, it should work.”
I couldn’t catch exactly what they were mumbling, but under their piercing gazes, I started to sweat coldly from my back.
“Sigh… Being dragged into something I have no understanding of is really an unpleasant affair.”
Looking at Tang So-yeol’s languid expression as she stretched, I nodded in agreement.
“Well, right.”
Even if chaos ensues, I hope it remains at a level we can quietly manage without stepping in.
I gazed toward the forest where the duel was taking place, thinking so.
*
Swish!
Cling!
Numerous stakes were on the line for the primary clan’s duel against the Shengsu Faction.
Moyong Chan-gyeong versus Moyong Seok-jil.
The duel between the two was straightforward: Moyong Seok-jil attacked, and Moyong Chan-gyeong defended. As soon as the duel began, Moyong Seok-jil seized the upper hand, continuously attacking while Moyong Chan-gyeong held his ground like a turtle.
“Tch!”
Moyong Seok-jil bit his lip as he watched Moyong Chan-gyeong teetering yet not falling.
It was obvious to anyone that Moyong Seok-jil’s skills surpassed those of Moyong Chan-gyeong, yet the match was dragging on, causing him to feel anxious.
Thus, Moyong Seok-jil poured even more strength into his attacks.
Clang!!
“Ugh!”
Moyong Seok-jil’s eyes lit up as he noticed Moyong Chan-gyeong staggering, his stamina not properly recovered.
Realizing the chance to end the duel had come, Moyong Seok-jil unleashed the devastating move of the Sakamapongwu Sword.
“Now…!”
As Moyong Seok-jil launched his attack, Moyong Chan-gyeong prepared for his next move.
Even though he had been on the defensive, the recent staggering was an act to draw out the attack.
A chance had arisen to overcome the superior Moyong Seok-jil.
Moyong Chan-gyeong’s sword moved gracefully.
The technique he had desperately mastered for a week, the Half-Shadow Moon Sword, unfolded.
Half-Crescent Plum Blossom.
The two martial forms intertwined, and the observing Moyong members widened their eyes, fixated on the exchange that would reveal the victor.
Ka-aang!!
“Ah…”
“Oh my.”
Moyong Mo’s sigh echoed.
Moyong Chan-gyeong’s sword fell from his hand.
However, the sound of dismay resonated through the forest clearing was not singular.
The members of the Shengsu Faction also gasped.
For Moyong Seok-jil had dropped his sword as well.
Both defeated.
Moyong Chan-gyeong’s executed move was indeed one that could have secured an advantage over Moyong Seok-jil’s onslaught, yet due to exhaustion from withstanding the relentless attacks, he couldn’t fully unleash it.
With urgency, both clenched their fists, adopting the starting position for a martial technique.
“Stop!”
Moyong Gwak-jeon, who served as the referee, brought the duel to a halt.
“We can still continue!”
As Moyong Seok-jil protested, Moyong Gwak-jeon shook his head and alternately looked at the Master of the Faction and Moyong Seo.
“If we continue this duel any longer, blood will inevitably spill. It would benefit no one if the clan’s pillars were to get hurt. Given the state of the match, let’s declare a draw and settle the remaining battles accordingly.”
“Sounds good.”
“I agree.”
Moyong Seo nodded, and Moyong Jin-gyeong also nodded in agreement.
Strengthwise, while Moyong Seok-jil had the advantage, his excitement had made him lose sight of it entirely, making the outcome unpredictable.
Though winning or losing was one matter, as the final fighter, Moyong Jin-gyeong, needed to showcase the excellence of his skills before the branch clans, a draw wasn’t bad at all.
‘There’s plenty of chances.’
Moyong Jin-gyeong’s gaze shifted to the next competitor, Moyong Yeon-hwa. Surprised by her sudden realization…
Yet upon calmly reassessing, the advantage still lay with Moyong Wi-ji.
‘Just because she found enlightenment doesn’t mean the conditions change.’
Moyong Yeon-hwa’s opponent, one of the seniors, Moyong Wi-ji, also appeared confident as he stepped into the clearing.
Seeing this, a fleeting shadow of worry crossed Moyong Seo’s face.
‘Can Yeon-hwa’s realization overcome the advantages of martial arts?’
Moyong Seo, hiding his anxious heart, spoke.
“Do you think you can win?”
“We’ll have to see.”
Moyong Yeon-hwa glanced at the composed Moyong Yeon-hwa and nodded.
“Come back victorious.”
“Yes.”
Moyong Yeon-hwa and Moyong Wi-ji faced each other. The latter raised his hand without drawing his sword, causing murmurs among the branch members.
Did he switch his main technique?
The referee, Moyong Gwak-jeon, voiced the question on the branches’ minds.
“Do you intend to fight barehanded instead of with your sword?”
“Yes.”
“…Alright.”
Could this be the revealing of a new technique? Moyong Gwak-jeon thought as he stepped back.
“Begin!”
The two moved in immediately as Moyong Gwak-jeon’s command sounded.
“Martial Arts Method?”
“Amazing!”
Moyong Wi-ji, whose remark along with the admiration of the surrounding branch members, watched as Moyong Yeon-hwa closed the distance without hesitation, a smile of triumph forming on his face.
‘She trusts in the attacking power of the Path of the Ilhwa Sword and is pushing onward without hesitation.’
Indeed, it seemed that the enlightenment she had gained granted the Path of the Ilhwa Sword a sharpness that was formidable, yet Moyong Wi-ji decided to receive her attack willingly.
Though it wouldn’t be advantageous to clash directly with the invigorated sword, gaining control of the situation in lieu of receiving a single attack would still yield a benefit.
With such thoughts, he flooded his hands with Qi, rushing forward as Moyong Wi-ji’s expression slightly stiffened.
Whoosh!!!
The momentum of the Path of the Ilhwa Sword being unleashed felt unnatural.
With the intent to decide the fight in a single strike, Moyong Yeon-hwa’s sword danced through the air, prompting Moyong Wi-ji to grit his teeth and summon his technique.
Boom!!
The collision of the power poured from both Peak Experts sent shockwaves in all directions. The earth, unable to withstand the clash of Qi, caved in, and debris shot everywhere.
Moyong Wi-ji bore the impact of the clash with his whole body as he reached out.
This was to take the initiative.
And as Moyong Wi-ji confirmed he moved quicker than Moyong Yeon-hwa, he wore a knowing smile.
The attack was quite fierce, causing significant damage, but he believed he had seized the advantage from withstanding that attack.
The hand moves faster than the sword.
In a similarly matched realm, the precept couldn’t be overturned.
To counter the advance of Moyong Wi-ji’s technique, Moyong Yeon-hwa had to switch to the Half-Shadow Moon Sword, but such a transition would be a mistake in itself.
No matter how smoothly the transition occurs, a transition is still a transition.
Wielding the sword after being on the defensive must be slower than taking the offensive stance.
Thus, they could only assume a back position, rendering the finesse of the Half-Shadow Moon Sword relatively lower, and given that it was already a disadvantage in conditions, it was likely that Moyong Yeon-hwa would casually tie up the Half-Shadow Moon Sword she initiated.
However, Moyong Yeon-hwa’s response differed from Moyong Wi-ji’s expectations.
With a swing towards the Dragon’s Palm, Moyong Yeon-hwa swung her sword.
‘Choosing the Path of the Ilhwa Sword.’
Moyong Wi-ji felt a surge of amusement at this choice of Moyong Yeon-hwa.
She chose the wrong move!
The advantage of taking the initiative and why it is essential to focus on defense when being the recipient.
This is because the one who takes the initiative produces a more potent power.
Yet a counter-attack against someone already on the offensive?
This was like inviting defeat.
He thought he could easily overpower her sword.
But then Moyong Wi-ji’s eyes widened.
Whoosh!!!
The late bloom of the Path of the Ilhwa Sword was almost abnormal.
Boom!!
“Urgh!”
“Ugh!”
Both sides strained with all their might, trembling from the deafening impact, struggling not to be pushed back.
Once they regained their stamina, Moyong Wi-ji reached out again.
It was the best choice to take the initiative to break the flow of the clash before the power of the sword peaked, intending to entwine Moyong Yeon-hwa’s sword.
But Moyong Wi-ji’s eyes shook.
Moyong Yeon-hwa’s sword’s response was a comeback to Moyong Wi-ji’s assault once more.
Boom!!
The third clash.
Moyong Seo gasped watching the scene unfold.
If the other clan members were witnessing the duel now, what reactions would they show?
Moyong Seo could vividly visualize that reaction.
To freely switch between offense and defense, mastering both extremes to build superiority—that was the aspiration of the Moyong Clan.
Yet look at what Moyong Yeon-hwa was doing now.
She was completely disregarding the clan’s principles, willingly countering the initiative, and if anyone from the main clan were to witness this, they would be foaming at the mouth.
Boom!!
However.
Boom!!
Moyong Seo couldn’t help but burst into laughter as he watched Moyong Yeon-hwa’s duel.
The battle was reckless, sustaining and inflicting damage from the powerful clashes, yet…
“Urrgh!”
Moyong Yeon-hwa was showing a duel equal to Moyong Wi-ji.
‘So that is your choice…’
She dismissed half her lifelong trained martial arts, the Half-Shadow Moon Sword.
“Hahaha.”
Even in taking a defensive stance, the Path of the Ilhwa Sword had become strong enough to have a slight upper hand against taunting the Blood Sect’s techniques.
Had the Path of the Ilhwa Sword simply materialized without any reason?
At the moment of enlightenment, she made the choice to imbue every achievement into the Path of the Ilhwa Sword.
It was indeed a courageous decision.
Even knowing that the Blood Sect’s techniques exploit weaknesses in cycles, to disrupt the balance of a lifetime of hard-earned martial arts surely carried risks.
Moyong Seo recognized the gravity of Moyong Yeon-hwa’s choice.
Boom! Bang! Boom!!
In the intense exchange of fierce attacks, Moyong Yeon-hwa was gradually beginning to gain the upper hand.
As he watched this, a saying came to Moyong Seo’s mind.
“Only in special circumstances should special measures be taken.”
Moyong Seo was confident of Moyong Yeon-hwa’s victory.
She was determined to seize victory even if it meant shattering the balance and harmony built over a lifetime of martial arts.
How could Moyong Wi-ji withstand such extraordinary measures?
The scales of victory on Moyong Seo’s side tilted increasingly towards Moyong Yeon-hwa.
“Ugh!!”
Driven into a corner, Moyong Wi-ji desperately reached out, attempting to entangle Moyong Yeon-hwa’s sword with the Golden Liquid Technique.
Whoosh!!!
However, that desperate act was indeed just that, a desperate act.
Crash!!!
“Gahhh!!”
All the realizations poured into the Path of the Ilhwa Sword could not merely be thwarted by a reckless technique without any resolve.
Moyong Wi-ji’s fingers twisted in unnatural directions, rolling to the ground.
“Winner: Moyong Yeon-hwa.”
As stakes and more hung in the balance, the duel between the direct line and branch had concluded with the victory of Moyong Yeon-hwa in the second fight.
