The Mabu’s eyes quickly scanned me from head to toe. I returned the gaze, looking him over just as swiftly. As we did so, the Mabu’s smile deepened.
“How could I not pay attention to such an interesting friend?”
“So, you admit you’re from Cheonjuseong?”
“Why hide our proud Main Stronghold? Cheonjuseong is Cheonjuseong.”
I remained cautious. The arrival of a Muin from Cheonjuseong was unexpected. Without hesitation, I shifted my stance by less than an inch and activated Jin-gak.
With a thud, a circular cloud of sand dust rose. The white smoke also gradually drifted upward.
“That talent—you saw it earlier, didn’t you? Of course, it’s a talent worth watching twice.”
The Mabu looked around. With a leisurely air, he waved his hand through the white mist.
“I can’t even guess how many people worked on this. Such an intricate Jin.”
Still, the Mabu did not think I was the one who created the Cheonsuyugokjin. I said nothing in reply, instead watching his breathing. As he exhaled fully and was about to inhale again, I pushed off the ground.
The Quick Sword shot forward once more. The trajectory and speed were exactly the same as before, but the feeling had to be different. Knowing the Cheonsuyugokjin, he wouldn’t be able to emit Naegong freely.
“You’re really reckless.”
The Mabu laughed. His hand swiped toward my blade. Instantly, my posture crumbled against my sword. How was that possible without Naegong? This must be the Expert’s Domain.
Still, I refused to give up. Using the rotating Circular Rotation Power, I lifted my body. Midair, I assumed a tilted stance. From the recovered sword, the Iryeonmanjang technique unfolded, tracing the path of the Black Rainbow. At a glance, it was a simple slash, but within it, many changes occurred.
“Even after a long time, the Namhae Sibigeom remains uniquely deadly.”
The Mabu produced a sword at his waist. Though it was clear he didn’t infuse it with Naegong, to my eyes, it looked like a Meteor was rushing toward me. I immediately ceased the initial attack and rolled to the left.
“Haha. Falling Dragon too. Truly an interesting friend.”
Falling Dragon—the fastest way among Muin to shed one’s honor. It’s not even a technique; it’s simply rolling to evade.
Yet unlike other Muin, the Mabu didn’t show contempt, only a pure smile.
“You have some illusions.”
He looked down at me from above.
“Cheonsuyugokjin isn’t (all-powerful). It’s a Jin only meant to trap average Muin. Even the surging waves here can be suppressed with strong Naegong, like Hot Fire drying up a puddle.”
I didn’t answer but stood up. I already knew that much. What I didn’t expect was that someone from Cheonjuseong would show up. Even if I had known they would come, I wouldn’t have been prepared beyond this.
There are few Jin effective against a Master, and the Cheonsuyugokjin itself was too complicated and precise for me to handle alone.
“So all this is just useless stuff, then.”
The Mabu revealed Jin-gak like I did. Circular sand dust rose from the bright part, but as he activated his Jin-gak, dirt scattered across the entire courtyard in front of Deungryeong Shrine.
As he said, the waves seemed to resist slightly, tangling in the soil, then flowing back into the air.
“Anyway, this was fun. Are you the Youngest Master? I’ve heard reports you changed a lot, but I didn’t expect this much.”
He spoke while glancing at me subtly. When I didn’t reply, he shook his head.
“You’re quite serious for your age.”
“I just have nothing to say.”
“What was your name again? I heard it but can’t quite remember…”
“Geum Mokhal.”
“Ah, yes. That’s right.”
The Mabu knocked the back of his hand, as if recalling.
Here, only the Mabu appeared relaxed. Geumwolsang beside me, Geumhwacheong near Jungmun, and Geumsurin were all frozen in place.
“I am called Peach Blossom Hua of Cheonjuseong.”
The Mabu said this. I feigned indifference but was quite surprised inside. Peach Blossom Hua was one of the Twelve Lords of Cheonjuseong. Whether that referred to the future or the present, the fact was undeniable.
I immediately asked directly.
“So, why are you here?”
“Boredom, just came out for some fresh air.”
“Going as far as dressing up like a Mabu for that?”
“Entertainment is more fun the more extravagant it is.”
“If you even use a Disguise Mask, you must really enjoy entertainment.”
At my words, Peach Blossom Hua seemed to expect it, bringing a hand to his face. His fingernails scratched at his neck, then some leather-like material was peeled away. The stripped leather reached up to his teeth and fell off.
As I said, it was a Disguise Mask. The Mabu’s face fluttered and dropped to the ground. Watching from the side, the Mabu had died so easily.
“How did you know? The Disguise Mask wasn’t obvious. The Main Stronghold’s Techniques are not so easy to see through.”
The man who removed the Disguise Mask was cold-faced, with pale skin. Despite his delicate appearance, he didn’t look much older than his early twenties.
“Cheonjuseong isn’t perfect. And my question wasn’t about that.”
I changed my question to be more direct.
“I’m asking how Lee Cheongmyeong, who should have been a discarded pawn, ended up here.”
At my words, Peach Blossom Hua was silent and stared at me. His eyes seemed to hold an even deeper curiosity.
He feigned innocence for the moment.
“What are you talking about?”
“Is Cheonjuseong hiding the truth?”
“Ha ha.”
“Cheonjuseong abandoned Lee Cheongmyeong?”
At my words, deep wrinkles formed around the Mabu’s eyes. Peach Blossom Hua responded with a question.
“Why would you think that?”
“There must be many disappointed that Lee Cheongmyeong was defeated by me. He isn’t really Cheonjuseong’s man, only someone taking orders from them. They must think he dishonored Cheonjuseong’s name.”
“Hmm. There are certainly those who think so, but everyone makes mistakes.”
“More importantly, Lee Cheongmyeong wouldn’t have betrayed the Sung Gajang. Cheonjuseong is ruthless when it comes to internal betrayals.”
When I said this, Peach Blossom Hua paused. His gaze shifted from curiosity to awe.
“…You know quite a lot about the Main Stronghold. Do you have ties with the Beggar’s Sect’s Eight Masters?”
By saying this, Peach Blossom Hua effectively acknowledged that Cheonjuseong had indeed abandoned Lee Cheongmyeong.
Geumwolsang’s expression showed confusion. What was Cheonjuseong? Who was Lee Cheongmyeong taking orders from? These questions came to mind. But without knowing the nature of Cheonjuseong’s organization, understanding was difficult.
At that moment, Peach Blossom Hua’s smile faded. His lips drooped, matching his cold expression.
“But isn’t boasting about knowing too much just a mistake? You can’t see an inch ahead.”
Peach Blossom Hua slowly walked toward me, as if not expecting an answer. I pulled my sword tight across my chest in a diagonal line.
“In my view, you’re a hindrance to the Main Stronghold’s plans. I have no taste for killing children, but I guess I’ll have to finish you off.”
As Peach Blossom Hua leisurely approached, a sound of stomping toward the sky came from behind. I glanced sideways to see Geumwolsang.
“…I have many questions for you, but right now dealing with that one is priority, isn’t it?”
No. This was someone neither of us could easily defeat. Yet Geumwolsang ignored me and intertwined his hands at his neck in a strange posture. It seemed to be a separately learned boxing technique.
Peach Blossom Hua had almost reached me. I purposefully used Honggokyusu’s technique, Haeunmubong. Attacking without gaps was pointless, like throwing a peach blossom without aim.
In fact, Gwak Jindo had told me not to recklessly attack strong opponents. The chance of winning was slim, but at least while defending, one could wait for an opening.
“Ah!”
In the tense situation, Geumwolsang was the first to move.
Regardless of perception, my Naegong was utterly insufficient to stop Geumwolsang charging forward.
Clack, clack!
Forearms and arms, hands and hands, legs and legs clashed in a Baektu duel. Instead of flesh colliding, it sounded more like heavy wood blocks striking.
“Maybe I was too careless, First Gongja.”
Peach Blossom Hua laughed as he accepted Geumwolsang’s strike. Though I was unfamiliar with Baektu, it was clear Peach Blossom Hua was taking a defensive role. But it didn’t last long. Unlike when I wielded my sword, his patience seemed thin.
Before I could even switch Honggokyusu to Haeunmubong, Geumwolsang was slammed to the ground.
His size was large even compared to an adult man, so the heavy thud was like a bear falling.
“Ugh!”
Geumwolsang’s eyes opened wide as he fell on his back. He was literally struggling to breathe.
Still, Geumwolsang tried to turn over and stand immediately. But Peach Blossom Hua pressed his toe on Geumwolsang’s Forearm Pressure Point. The pressure wasn’t strong, yet Geumwolsang couldn’t move.
This was a fatal pressure point that could render the arm useless if mishandled.
“Ugh…”
A painful sound of frustration escaped Geumwolsang’s lips just as I unleashed Haeunmubong.
Since it didn’t work against Cheonsuyugokjin, I didn’t expect it to hit now either. My goal was simply to force Geumwolsang to lift his foot, and thankfully, Peach Blossom Hua stepped back.
Of course, I had no intention of outright defeating them. For now, stalling was key.
Though I didn’t anticipate Cheonjuseong’s full response, I had a final fallback prepared.
I immediately unified three of Namhae Sibigeom’s techniques into one and unleashed them on Peach Blossom Hua. As my Naegong flowed, I kept striking him with my sword.
Peach Blossom Hua only smiled, blocking my attacks without changing his stance or stepping. He seemed genuinely interested in my swordplay.
Then I felt something on Peach Blossom Hua’s shoulder.
“Entertainment’s over.”
I said firmly. His expression briefly showed confusion before stiffening. He had sensed it too.
The overwhelming Great Existence rushing like a wave carrying the scent of the South Sea.
Peach Blossom Hua quickly distanced himself and turned his body the other way.
As he turned, a powerful blast shook Okhwasan.
Flash!
Taking the opportunity, I supported Geumwolsang and fell backward with him. As I tried to pull him along, the wind pressure nearly knocked me over, but luckily, Geumwolsang wasn’t seriously injured and regained balance.
In moments, several exchanges took place. To me, it was the familiar Namhae Sibigeom, but at a far higher level than my own Mu-gong.
The newcomer glared fiercely at Peach Blossom Hua.
“To attempt harm to your master before your teacher? You must have two guts.”
The person who clashed swords with Peach Blossom Hua was none other than the Outer General and my master, Gwak Jindo.