Chapter 1009: Becoming an Adult (Part 3)

*Kaaang!*

The moment their swords clashed, Jo Gol was pushed back.

*Gak!*

Swiftly, he adjusted his footing and lowered his stance while keeping an eye on Baek Cheon.

"..."

He felt like he would groan if he didn't bite his lips hard. His wrist holding the sword was trembling uncontrollably.

On the other hand, Baek Cheon remained unfazed, fixing his gaze on Jo Gol with an expressionless face.

Feeling the enormous pressure, Jo Gol took a short breath unconsciously.

'The master-disciple relationship in the Mount Hua Sect is unlike any other. Disciples from different sects can hardly imagine it. And the one creating this atmosphere is none other than Baek Cheon.'

Even if Chung Myung didn't care about hierarchy, if Baek Cheon had asserted his authority, nobody except Chung Myung would have dared to challenge it.

But Baek Cheon didn't do that. He relinquished his authority as a Grand Disciple and stood with them on an equal footing, like a friendly neighborhood older brother. 

However, right now...

'He's truly different in times like this.'

Only those who faced him with a sword in hand could understand how extraordinary he was.

"Light."

"...Yes?"

Baek Cheon gazed at Jo Gol with calm eyes.

"Your sword is fast, there's no exaggeration in saying it's the best in Mount Hua."

"...But it's equally light. Focusing on speed is not a bad thing, but it's definitely a problem if you emphasize speed to the point of losing weight."

Jo Gol nodded slowly.

Critiquing someone's flaws is never a pleasant task, especially when you're well aware of your own. However, Jo Gol didn't mind. He knew that Baek Cheon's words were meant for his benefit.

With a slight smile, Jo Gol spoke up.

"Thank you for your kind words, but..."

And then, he lightly shook the sword extended forward.

"Isn't that what you meant to say when you can match the speed of my sword?"

"Oh, really?"

*Paat!*

In that moment, Baek Cheon's fierce strike brought his sword down. Jo Gol, startled, raised his sword to block the attack. When their swords clashed, there was a thud, and Jo Gol's body bent backward.

"Gk...!"

"Anyone can say it with their mouth. What's important is to make it a reality."

Jo Gol's face began to flush with blood. While he struggled to push back Baek Cheon's sword, he couldn't even catch his breath properly. Baek Cheon was effortlessly continuing to speak. Just by watching this, the difference between the two was evident.

However!

Undeterred, Jo Gol refused to give up. He twisted his sword and briefly dodged Baek Cheon's sword, then unleashed over a dozen sword strikes in an instant.

*Crash!*

Before the swords even extended fully, Baek Cheon's Plum Blossom Sword struck Jo Gol's sword with force at the lower part.

Due to the impact, Jo Gol was sent tumbling backward.

*Kuk!*

Swiftly, he got up and clenched his teeth.

Casually, Baek Cheon swung his sword once and then calmly reassumed his stance.

"When you want to attack fiercely, your quick sword becomes a weapon. But what will you do when you face someone stronger than you?"

"..."

"If you don't want to give up your quick sword, then you have to learn how to endure, at the very least."

"Dammit, I know that much!"

"Then stop babbling and show me!"

*Crash!*

As if Baek Cheon's words were a signal, Jo Gol kicked the ground and surged forward. His spirited energy emanated as his sword was launched toward Baek Cheon's face. It was as if he intended to pierce through.

Baek Cheon's sword moved to intercept Jo Gol's attack. However, at that moment, Jo Gol's sword changed its direction and aimed at Baek Cheon's thigh. It was a powerful strike.

*Swish!*

Baek Cheon retreated, evading the attack. At that moment, Jo Gol, as if he had been waiting for this very moment, unleashed a storm of strikes, relentlessly pressing Baek Cheon.

"..."

Namgung Dan, watching this spectacle from afar, subconsciously wiped his sweaty palms. 

'Is that... really a sparring between members of the same sect?'

From Jo Gol's intense aura as he pressed on, it was evident that his life force was palpable. Each of his sword strikes left no room for hesitation, unmistakably targeting vital areas.

A sword distinctly aimed at the opponent's weak points.

Even just the sword grazing Baek Cheon's face was dangerously close to being catastrophic.

'If he used such a move during a spar in Namgung...'

The entire family would likely be thrown into disarray. As far as Namgung knew, Mount Hua's Baek Cheon was their highest disciple. That meant he was destined to become the leader of the Mount Hua Sect.

If Namgung Dan had used deadly moves during sparring with Namgung Dowi, he would have been shackled and imprisoned without a doubt. Using deadly techniques in sparring among members of the same sect was that grave an offense.

But here, no one pointed out the fact.

Moreover, the two sparred as if it were the most natural thing in the world, continuing their training without any worry.

*Swa-a-a-a-sh!*

Jo Gol's body spurted red blood.

"Ah...!"

In that moment, Namgung Dahn's eyes widened significantly. The intense sparring had led to a situation that should not have occurred.

But what was truly astonishing happened afterward.

Despite bleeding profusely, Jo Gol didn't retreat but instead charged straight at Baek Cheon. It was as if he believed that sustaining an injury during sparring was a common occurrence!

Jo Gol, dashing forward energetically, struck Baek Cheon's chest and was thrust into the ground. It was a forceful blow that made Namgung Dahn flinch.

*Kuk!*

Jo Gol, this time, glared fiercely as he got up. He then launched his sword at Baek Cheon even more aggressively than before.

'He's gone mad.'

It was beyond understanding whom to blame in this situation.

There was so much to point out. That guy named Jo Gol who uses abusive language towards his Sasuk was strange, and Baek Cheon who accepts it without thinking was also strange. But what was even more strange was that other people were not even paying attention to the dangerous spar where lives were at stake.

*Boom!*

Jo Gol flew through the air again, like a broken string.

'Isn't he going to die like that?'

Even other Namgung family disciples couldn't hide their confusion. They had experienced life-and-death battles. They knew what it meant to fight for their lives, both in their minds and bodies. Yet, this kind of sparring even seemed dangerously intense to them.

"At the very least..."

At that moment, Namgung Dowi, who had been silently watching the two's sparring, spoke up.

"I understand how they managed to display their skills even in such dire circumstances."

"..."

To his words, everyone could only nod in agreement. Anyone could train as if it were a real battle. However, there was no martial art sect that engaged in truly life-and-death training. Which sane person would allow training involving the use of deadly techniques when one misstep could lead to their disciples' demise? Yet, here they were, doing just that.

"And that's not all."

"Huh?"

"Look."

Namgung Dowi pointed to a spot not far from where the two were sparring.

The two people watched the sparring and then assumed a middle stance. There was nothing unusual about it. The middle stance was the foundation of all martial arts, a posture used to eliminate distractions and focus the mind. Such training was common within the Namgung sect.

Thus, this sight didn't raise any eyebrows.

Except that both people had dozens of iron balls the size of a human head hanging all over their bodies, except for their heads.

"How many of those are there...?"

Especially, the number of iron balls hanging at the end of their swords was astounding. The number was enough to make one's jaw drop. So many pieces of metal were hung that the sword looked like a large hammer.

'Are they practicing bare-handed? Are they exerting their inner energy?'

No, that's not it. If they were using their inner energy, they wouldn't be sweating like that. They're definitely relying on physical strength.

'Relying on physical strength for that...'

If you added up the weight of all those iron balls, it would surely be heavier than the boulders they had carried. Namgung's disciples had struggled just to bear the weight of those boulders. These two were holding an equal weight with their swords, even maintaining their stances. Is there a need to explain which of the two exercises is more difficult?

Whether they were aware of this or not, Yoon Jong, who calmly held a sword, exchanged a few words with Tang Soso, who stood by his side.

"Soso."

"Yes?"

"How long has it been since you started?"

"It's been about half an hour, I think."

"Hmm. Can we stop soon, then?"

"What do you mean? We should continue for at least another half hour."

"It seems a bit excessive."

"No. You must know that my foundation as a swordsman is weak, especially when it comes to the basics. I have to do more than twice what others do just to keep up."

"I know that, but why should I do it with you?"

"Are you not happy?"

"No. It's not that, but..."

Yoon Jong looked at Tang Soso with worried eyes and muttered softly.

"Where did Sago go? You should ask Sago to do it with you."

"Why are you saying something so obvious, Sahyung? Sago has been out since early morning, of course."

"Since early morning?"

"Yes, she says she can't concentrate if there are other people around. She probably won't be back until midnight."

"...I'm really curious about something."

"What is it?"

"Does Sago not sleep?"

"Of course, Sago sleeps."

"But how is that possible?"

"Because she's Sago."

"...."

Yoon Jong let out a deep sigh and spoke heavily.

"Soso."

"Yes?"

"The tip of your sword went down half an inch."

"Ahh!"

Tang Soso, with a furious expression, bit her lip and raised her sword.

In the midst of this scene, with a look of despair, the voice of Namgung Dan, who had been watching as if his soul had left his body, was heard in the ears of Namgung Dowi.

"I thought the Namgung Family emphasized the basics..."

...

Turning around, Namgung Dowi was nodding.

What gave Namgung Dowi even greater shock was the fact that Tang Soso was the one practicing this exercise. 

'Mount Hua indeed regularly conducts this kind of training.'

Even without specific instructions, they practiced in a similar manner on their own. As evidence, it wasn't only these two, but similar scenes were unfolding throughout the training grounds of Yeonmujang.

"Now, then..."

Chung Myung, who had given them time to watch, looked meaningfully at the swordsmen of Namgung, his face stern.

"We should confirm the results of this exercise with our bodies."

The expressions of Namgung's disciples stiffened. They understood what it meant to confirm the results with their bodies.

"A duel?"

It was precisely at the moment when they reflexively grabbed their swords from their belts that...

"Aaah!"

Jo Gol once again fell backward and rolled on the ground. After struggling to get up a few times with groans, he eventually collapsed to the ground in frustration.

"Ugh... curse this damn exercise...."

Namgung Dan swallowed a dry chuckle. 

'Mount Hua's Swordsmanship!'

If the opponent was using Mount Hua's Swordsmanship, there would be no shortage.

Since it would be burdensome for Sogaju to step in personally, Namgung Dan would be the one to face the person using Mount Hua's Swordsmanship.

"I definitely won't go down easily."

Facing the formidable opponent, Baek Cheon, who had a great reputation throughout the world with his Mount Hua's Swordsmanship, it wouldn't be easy to gain the upper hand. However, they firmly resolved not to tarnish the name of the Namgung Family.

At that moment, Chung Myung shouted.

"Soso!"

"Yes?"

Tang Soso, who had been fully immersed in her training, turned to Chung Myung.

"Why? Did I get something wrong?"

"No. Put that aside and come here. Ah, with your sword."

"Yes."

Tang Soso swiftly removed the metal pieces attached to her body and rushed toward Chung Myung.

"Why, Sahyung?"

"Do you see those young noblemen over there?"

"Yes."

"Do me a favor and engage one of them."

"....Yes?"

Chung Myung shrugged.

"They want to see for themselves how effective Mount Hua's training can be by experiencing it firsthand."

Upon hearing this, Tang Soso chuckled.

"Oh, what else can I say? What should I do?"

"What should you do..."

Chung Myung slashed his throat with his thumb.

"Screw them over."

"Yes!"

With a cheerful smile, Tang Soso looked around at the disciples of the Namgung Family.