Chapter 123

The next day. The students of Heukseok High Division awoke with refreshed faces. “Damn! I think I slept better than I do at home.” “My body feels so light!” At their remarks, Bango also checked over his own body. Indeed—it felt lighter. He stepped outside and surveyed the building. Then he spoke. “I didn’t notice yesterday, but now that I look closely, this structure has a formation engraved into it.” “A formation?” “Yes. I can feel the positive energy from all directions being drawn toward this place. These Baekyeong people... they were sincere in hosting us.” “Exactly. I thought I’d wake up with something wrong with my body, but I feel even better. With this feeling, I think I could face anyone.” Bango nodded in agreement. “Since we’ve been treated so well, we should return the favor properly.” “Huh? You mean, not go easy on them?” “No. That’s not the kind of hospitality they offered. They want us to fight with everything we’ve got.” “They’re insane.” “No—they’re true martial artists. We’ve had a huge misunderstanding about the South. Turns out it’s home to some truly remarkable fighters.” At Bango’s words, Seongwon smirked and nodded. “Yeah, you’re right. We underestimated a place that has warriors like this.” At that moment, an exclamation was heard from inside. --> “Looks like they’re serving breakfast too—judging by the others’ reactions.” “All right. Let’s eat and head into a glorious fight with Baekyeong.” “Sounds good!” **** After finishing breakfast, the same Baekyeong student who had guided them the day before returned. “Did you rest well last night?” Bango nodded. “Thanks to you. I appreciate it.” As Bango offered his thanks, the student smiled. “I’m truly glad to hear that.” “Will you also be fighting today?” The student nodded. “Of course.” “I thought so. Your composure told me you weren’t ordinary. Which house are you from?” “I am Noh Hojun of the Cheongeum Trading Group.” “Cheongeum Trading Group?” He knew the name. The third wealthiest faction under Martial God Cheon’s sphere of influence. “Was it your family that hosted us yesterday?” “No. The hospitality was provided by someone else.” “I see. Introduce me later. I’d like to offer my thanks.” “Hearing that you wish to give thanks means you were satisfied.” “Indeed. The boys even said they slept better here than at home.” “As expected! I heard the structure was built with great care—and its effect is extraordinary.” “Effect?” “Yes. That building you stayed in contains a formation called the Vital Energy Recharge Formation. It’s designed to recover the exhausted body and mind.” “Vital Energy Recharge Formation, huh... The name fits. I do feel like I’m bursting with energy.” “I’d love to experience it myself.” “Doesn’t seem like just anyone can enter.” “Correct. That space is reserved only for Baekyeong’s inner leadership.” They had offered a space normally reserved for Baekyeong’s command. ‘We really were honored guests.’ “Since we’ve been treated so well, I intend to return the favor with everything I’ve got.” “Phew...” “Hahaha! Nervous?” “Yes. I wonder if I’ll perform well today.” “If it becomes too much, just shout ‘surrender.’ We won’t touch you after that.” “Understood. Thank you for the consideration.” Bango smiled as he looked at Noh Hojun. How far had they walked? A large open area came into view, where a group of students was gathered. They were Baekyeong’s. Only then did tension appear on the faces of the Heukseok students. “I’ll return to my position now. See you shortly.” “You’ve done well.” Noh Hojun bowed and departed. As Bango slowly moved forward, someone on the opposite side also stepped out. “Are you Baekyeong’s top student?” Bango asked. The figure stepped forward and replied. “I am Sunwoo Baek, top student of Baekyeong.” “I’m Bango, top student of Heukseok. I assume there’s no need to explain why we’re here.” “Indeed. Today’s victor takes both the West and the South.” “Claiming both with a single battle. I almost feel guilty for getting it so easily.” “No need to feel guilty. You won’t be getting it anyway.” At Sunwoo Baek’s provocation, Bango smirked with a cold glint in his eyes. “You're confident. Your hospitality yesterday was excellent.” “I’m glad to hear that.” “In return, I plan to go all out today.” “That’s what I was hoping for.” “How shall we proceed? A representative duel? Or... a group battle? I’ll let you decide—that much courtesy I can extend.” “Let’s do a group battle.” “You sound confident. Can you handle a group battle?” “Of course. The fight continues until one side calls for surrender.” At Sunwoo Baek’s words, Bango gave a short laugh and nodded. “Good! That works better for us too. So once we return to our sides, we begin?” Sunwoo Baek nodded. Bango turned back toward his group with a faint smile on his lips. “Get ready. It’ll be a group battle.” At his words, Seongwon asked, “Seriously? That’s what they chose?” “Yes.” “They’re insane. Without a deep pool of talent, a group battle’s a huge risk.” “They say they’re confident. We’ll see soon enough.” “Fine by me.” Stretching his arms, Seongwon shouted, “Everyone, get ready!” “Who should we send out first?” Bango turned his head. He could see Baekyeong’s underclassmen getting into formation. “Looks like their underclassmen will go first. We’ll do the same—send out our underclassmen.” “Understood.” “Watch their movements and adapt as necessary.” “Got it.” **** The underclassmen of Heukseok High Division strolled out leisurely. “Now we’ll finally get to see Baekyeong’s true strength.” Bango murmured to himself as he watched the underclassmen move forward. But then— The underclassmen of Baekyeong charged toward them with terrifying momentum. Seeing this, Bango shouted, “Get it together! The fight has already begun!” At Bango’s cry, the Heukseok underclassmen quickly snapped out of their stupor and moved to ready themselves—but they were inevitably pushed back by Baekyeong’s overwhelming assault. Tukakakaka— Baekyeong’s and Heukseok’s underclassmen clashed in chaos. Kwaaaa— Jjeojeok— Kwakwa-kwaang— Energy blasts flew everywhere. Fists and palms met in fierce hand-to-hand combat. Kagagang— Weapons collided with the sound of screeching steel. At first, it appeared evenly matched. Kutanga-tang— “Urgh!” But those being thrown, slammed, and collapsing all over the battlefield were the Heukseok underclassmen. Bango’s eyes darted rapidly across the field. “Damn it! Our kids are getting pushed back!” At Seongwon’s shout, Bango clenched his fist tightly. He had expected them to be strong—but this exceeded anything he’d imagined. “I didn’t think even the underclassmen would be this strong.” “That one watching with his arms crossed seems to be their top underclassman. And he hasn’t even moved yet, but our kids are already being overwhelmed.” “Where’s Gyeho?” “He’s struggling against that kid who guided us here yesterday... Can you believe that?” The same student who had greeted and hosted them was now driving Heukseok’s underclassman leader into a corner with overwhelming pressure. He didn’t seem like he’d lose, necessarily—but the real problem was that everyone else was just as strong. Even if they somehow beat that student, there would be others just as powerful to deal with. So many monsters... all in one division? What on earth happened at Baekyeong this year? If all the others were this strong, just how powerful was the underclassman top student, who still hadn’t moved? “What do we do? At this rate, our underclassmen are going to be wiped out!” At Seongwon’s panicked cry, Bango responded: “Deploy the mid-level students.” The moment the words left his mouth, Seongwon shouted, “Sa Taehyeon! Get in there and assist the others!” It stung their pride to send in mid-level students first—but there was no other choice. “Let’s go!” Sa Taehyeon, the top mid-level student, led the others into the chaotic battlefield. But Baekyeong still showed no sign of deploying their mid-level students. “Those bastards... they’re being arrogant!” Seongwon clenched his teeth, glaring at Baekyeong’s side. “Don’t show any mercy—crush them!” He roared toward Sa Taehyeon. But then— “Huh?” Even with the mid-level students entering the fray, the tide didn’t shift. It was as though the only thing that had changed was the names on the Heukseok side—underclassmen to mid-level students. And Sa Taehyeon? He was struggling to fight off three opponents at once. “What the hell?! Even our mid-level students can’t manage? Who are these people?! Did a whole squad transfer here from Jungcheon or something?!” It was unbelievable. At this rate, they were facing the unthinkable—a scenario where they’d have to send in upperclassmen against Baekyeong’s underclassmen. That could not be allowed. Even now, Baekyeong’s underclassman top student still hadn’t moved. It was enough to stir suspicion. “Maybe that guy isn’t Baekyeong’s top underclassman?” Just as that doubt surfaced— “They’re getting pushed over there! Hurry and help! Hey! How long are you going to keep stalling? You wanna meet up afterward for a little talk, huh?” The underclassman top student, who had been silently watching, suddenly raised his voice. And the Baekyeong students moved immediately in response to his command. That wasn’t acting. They genuinely feared and followed him. “Hold your ground! You know what happens if we fall here, right?” At Shin Dowoon’s shout, the students trembled. Then they charged with crazed eyes—like those who had nothing left to lose. “Th-that... they’re insane! Our students are being crushed by sheer momentum!” Crunch— Bango clenched his fist so hard it cracked. Would he really need to send in upperclassmen to deal with underclassmen? Jjeojeojeong— A massive surge of qi exploded, and someone collapsed to the ground. “Sa Taehyeon!” The top mid-level student had fallen. Seeing that, Bango spoke. “Deploy... the upperclassmen.” A thought crept in— That this battle... might be unwinnable. As Bango gave the order, Seongwon yelled: “Let’s go! All of you—follow me!” Seongwon led the upperclassmen into the field, and Bango’s gaze locked onto the underclassman top student—Shin Dowoon. Then, in a blur, he hurled himself straight at him. If it had come to this, he might as well see the extent of this so-called underclassman’s strength. Shuuak— He darted in and unleashed a strike directly at Shin Dowoon. Jjeojeojeong— It was meant to blow him away in one hit. But it was blocked—and Shin Dowoon held firm. “You’ve got to be kidding me!” An underclassman... blocking his attack? That meant Shin Dowoon’s level was also «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» Apex-Level. Comparable to Bango himself—and still not Baekyeong’s top student? Then just how strong was Baekyeong’s top student? Bango’s eyes turned sharp and cold. His pride was already shattered. And he resolved to vent that seething humiliation on Shin Dowoon. Whoooom— Bango’s energy burst from his body like waves. In response, a similar aura surged from Shin Dowoon. They were indeed equals in cultivation. Perhaps a rank below—or equal. Now he understood why all the other high divisions in the West had fallen. Baekyeong hadn’t won by luck. They had won through absolute, overwhelming power. “Even though you’re from another division, you’re an upperclassman—so I’ll address you as ‘senior.’” At Shin Dowoon’s words, Bango gave a crooked smile. If only someone like this had been at Heukseok—there would be nothing to worry about. “Why Baekyeong? With power like yours, shouldn’t you be in Jungcheon?” “Jungcheon’s no fun.” “Are you the real leader of Baekyeong? And that guy over there’s just a puppet?” “You’re saying something dangerous, Senior. The one over there is Baekyeong’s true top student. You mustn’t compare me to him.” To lower himself like that... Bango was shocked. It was genuine. “You understand now, don’t you? This was never a battle you could win. Since you came all this way, allow me to face you with all sincerity.” At Shin Dowoon’s calm declaration, Bango chuckled. “Hospitality, even to the very end? Looks like you don’t even see us as real enemies. All right, then. Let’s see what kind of hospitality you’ve got in store.” “I promise you won’t be disappointed.”