Chapter 153

Mushincheon Central was brimming with vitality. For the first time, an opportunity had come for them to take action. How long had they yearned to demonstrate their strength? While the other general High Divisions fought, clawed, and ranked themselves through combat, how badly they had wanted to join in. To the point that even talents who were meant to enter Central instead went to the general High Divisions. But now, they could finally show it. The power of Central. The greatness of Central. They had pretended otherwise for the sake of appearances, but people needed to remember—students of Central were the same age as those from other High Divisions. Just as full of blood and fire. The students were giddy with excitement ahead of deployment. “Wonder if it’ll even turn into a real fight.” “Isn’t it going to end too easily?” “Doesn’t matter if it ends quickly. What matters is that we finally get to act. That’s what’s important.” “True. Still, I’m curious—how strong are those Baekyeong kids, really?” “They’re not going to be pushovers. Based on their recently registered cultivation levels, they’ve got quite a few who match ours.” “Of course they do. I hear even the Young Lord of the Shin Clan is with them.” “We’ll have to be cautious around him. He was supposed to be studying alongside us here to begin with.” “Looks like this won’t end quickly. Sounds fun.” The upperclassmen were no different—just as fired up. Watching the students, Hyeok Ryeonho chuckled. “Looks like they’re all heading off on a picnic.” “Of course. They’re martial artists too—how could they resist the sweet fruit of unifying Mushincheon’s High Divisions?” “Still, it feels a bit underwhelming. All we have to do is suppress Baekyeong?” “We should be grateful. If not for Baekyeong, the suppression order that tied our hands wouldn’t have been lifted.” “Is that so? Then maybe we should go easy on them. Heh heh.” It was right in the midst of all this buzz and excitement— A student came running in, shouting in alarm. “It’s Baekyeong! Baekyeong bastards are here!” At the boy’s cry, Hyeok Ryeonho and Jang Soncheonki exchanged baffled glances. The boy ran up to Hyeok Ryeonho and exclaimed, “They’re coming this way!” “Is that true? I haven’t received any intel about this.” Hyeok Ryeonho tilted his head in confusion. Nothing had come from Wongwang. If Baekyeong had made a move, he should’ve been informed. Something felt off. “Could it be... our infiltrator was caught?” That seemed the most likely explanation. Hyeok Ryeonho did not, under any circumstance, believe Wongwang would betray them. He was caught off guard by Baekyeong’s sudden appearance—but quickly recomposed himself and said, “Looks like we won’t have to go all the way to Baekyeong after all. The prey has come walking right into our jaws.” Hyeok Ryeonho climbed up to a high place and looked out over the Central students. “Guests have come from afar—treat them with proper hospitality!” “Wooooaaaah!” Ecstatic at the chance to finally let loose, the students erupted into a roaring cheer. “Go! Show them! Show them the might of Central!” Before the words even finished echoing, the students tore forward like unleashed hounds. With a laugh, Hyeok Ryeonho said to Jang Soncheonki, “Let’s go too.” “Right.” **** “There they are, all spilling out.” “It’s Central, yet there’s not an ounce of dignity. Shouldn’t they be more composed?” “Looks like we really over-romanticized this ‘Central’ place. They’re no different from the rest.” Sunwoo Baek and the Baekyeong students murmured amongst themselves as they watched the Central High Division students pour out in droves. “Whoa, they’re charging in headfirst!” “No way—are they just gonna jump right in?” “You don’t think...?” “Looks like they are.” “Hey! They’re rushing us! Get ready for combat!” “Crazy bastards!” “Look at their eyes—they’re like starving dogs!” There was no time for introductions, no time for standoffs or probing exchanges. Central attacked recklessly and without hesitation. So, in turn, it was Baekyeong that ended up startled. This wasn’t the Central they thought they knew. Whatever illusions they’d had about the place were now shattering. KRAAAANG—! The two forces collided in an instant, and the battle erupted without delay. “Might as well! Wipe them all out!” “Show them Baekyeong is the strongest in Mushincheon!” At the shouts of Sunwoo Baek and Jang Woon, Baekyeong’s students roared and clashed with Central. Sunwoo Baek and Jang Woon scanned the field. They were looking for their designated opponents. They already knew who they’d be facing. “Are they showing up late just because they’re the ‘main characters’?” At Sunwoo Baek’s mutter, Jang Woon replied. “There they are.” Two people were walking slowly toward them, hands clasped behind their backs. “Full of confidence, aren’t they?” “From their expressions, they already think they’ve won.” “They surprised us. Let’s return the favor.” At Sunwoo Baek’s words, Jang Woon smirked and nodded. Then he launched himself at the targets walking in the distance. Meanwhile, Hyeok Ryeonho and Jang Soncheonki, who had been walking slowly forward, were already observing the battle between Central and Baekyeong. And both of them were surprised by how strong Baekyeong actually was. “So it’s true... Mushincheon’s strongest isn’t just a title?” “They won’t be easy. But that just makes it all the more fun for us, doesn’t it?” “Exactly. Heh. Can’t let this end too quickly. We’ve waited too long for this moment.” “But what’s that?” “Hm?” They saw something rapidly flying toward them. “Huh?” It was a Qi blast. “What the—?!” WHOOOM—! Jang Soncheonki swiftly unfolded his fan and diverted the incoming Qi blast to the side. KABOOOM—! The blast exploded upon hitting the ground. Then the two of them spotted the culprits who had fired it. “So they came running to keep us from getting bored.” “They startled me. I’ll have to repay the surprise properly.” “Can’t end it too soon. Let our kids playing over there enjoy it a little longer.” At Hyeok Ryeonho’s words, Jang Soncheonki let out a soft chuckle. “I’ll try.” **** CHWAANG—! As the energy of the two clashed, a shockwave rippled in every direction. Hyeok Ryeonho stared at Sunwoo Baek in disbelief. He possessed power that in no way fell short of his own. “Wh-What are you?” “What, surprised that someone you underestimated turned out strong?” Hyeok Ryeonho almost nodded without thinking. He was stunned. He had come in treating this lightly—and now a master on par with himself stood before him. This wasn’t going to end quickly. With a glance, Hyeok Ryeonho looked toward Jang Soncheonki. Then his eyes widened. Jang Soncheonki was being pushed back—one-sidedly. The guy fighting him wasn’t some pushover either. Baekyeong hadn’t unified Mushincheon by sheer luck. They were genuinely strong. But what surprised Hyeok Ryeonho the most— “You... your registered cultivation level was way lower than this, wasn’t it?” “Oh, that. I forgot to register it while training. I figured I’d register it after beating you.” “You dirty cheat!” “How’s that cheating? Isn’t it common in Murim to hide at least thirty percent of your strength? You’re the idiot for writing your level down honestly. I was actually worried you might’ve held something back like I did—but nope.” Sunwoo Baek grinned. And it was impossibly irritating. “You arrogant bastard! You and I are nothing alike!” “What’s different about us?” “The power differs depending on the martial art one uses.” Indeed. Cultivation is merely the foundation upon which martial arts are enacted. The true strength varies depending on what kind of martial art one has mastered. “Heh heh heh. Consider it an honor. I’ll let you taste the True Secret Technique of the Hyeok Ryeon Clan—a technique so rare you might never see it again in your entire life.” Sunwoo Baek let out a faint chuckle. He had no idea how great the Hyeok Ryeon Clan’s True Secret Technique was supposed to be, but he couldn't help but laugh. After all, he was someone who had experienced Heavenly Martial Divine Art (Cheonmu Singong)—the True Secret Technique of the Martial Lord of Mushincheon himself. CRACKLE— Electric currents erupted from Hyeok Ryeonho’s body. It was the beginning of the Hyeok Ryeon Clan’s Thunderclap Lightning Divine Art (Nae Seong Paekryeok Singong). With a smirk, Hyeok Ryeonho spoke. “Heh heh heh. Surprised, aren’t you? I suppose this is your first time seeing a true ‘Divine Art.’” Sunwoo Baek assumed his stance and responded. “It is. Gotta admit—it’s fascinating. Who’d have thought lightning could manifest so clearly from a human body?” “Heh heh heh. The world’s most volatile and powerful energy is lightning energy. That’s the reason—even if our cultivation is similar—you can’t beat me.” “Guess we won’t know until we try. Just in case you start wondering mid-fight, I’ll tell you in advance. The martial art I’m using is Heaven-Shaking Supreme Fist (Jincheon Tae'eul Gwon)—the True Secret Technique of Jincheon Sect.” “I couldn’t care less about some useless martial art!” “Everyone says that at first, then ends up asking. Figured I’d save you the trouble.” “Heh heh heh. You’ll be groveling at my feet soon enough, yet here you are bragging.” “You don’t know until you try.” “The answer is already clear!” Hyeok Ryeonho moved. “Lightning Flash Fist (Jeongwang Ilgwon)!” “Ugh!” Sunwoo Baek instinctively jerked his head to the side. Shff— A thin red line appeared on his cheek as blood trickled down. “You’ve got good instincts.” It was the kind of instinct one naturally develops when facing a monster like Yeon Woo Jin. Of course, Hyeok Ryeonho wouldn’t understand even if it were explained. Regardless, he had nearly been dealt a heavy blow just now. ‘I let my guard down without realizing it.’ Sunwoo Baek took a deep breath and stared at Hyeok Ryeonho with a serious expression. This was the strongest in Central. Not like the opponents he had faced until now. He had endured hellish training for the sake of fighting Hyeok Ryeonho. To fall so easily here—how could that not be unjust? “Heh heh heh. That was just a taste, and your face is already stiff. If you kneel now, I’ll consider stopping here.” “No. It snapped me right back to my senses. I forgot, for a moment, that the man in front of me is Central’s top fighter.” “Even if you remember, nothing changes.” “Oh, a lot changes.” Sunwoo Baek moved. Fwoosh— His Graceful Divine Steps (Yuryeo Shinbo)—refined through Yeon Woo Jin’s guidance into Radiant Grace Divine Steps (Yuryeo Gwang Shinbo)—had evolved to light-speed. The sudden appearance of Sunwoo Baek right before him startled Hyeok Ryeonho. “So you let your guard down too, huh?” Hyeok Ryeonho quickly tried to retreat. But it was already too late—Sunwoo Baek’s twin palms pressed into his abdomen. “Hundredfold Heaven-Shaking Palm (Jincheon Baekta Jang)!” Just as the attack was about to land squarely— CRACKLE— Instead of defending, Hyeok Ryeonho launched a counterattack at Sunwoo Baek. Aiming for the head, the strike forced Sunwoo Baek to pull away in haste. Because of that, his blow didn’t land cleanly. They say the best defense is a good offense. It was true. “That was dangerous. Didn’t think you’d counter from that position.” “If I was gonna take a hit anyway, no reason to go down alone.” “Impressive.” “You admit it too, don’t you? That you nearly lost just now.” Hyeok Ryeonho laughed. Not a mocking laugh—but one that acknowledged his opponent. He said, “Now I understand why you told me your martial art ahead of time. Had you not, I probably would’ve asked mid-fight.” “Right? Everyone asks.” With a grin, Hyeok Ryeonho said, “I acknowledge you as a true opponent. From now on, I’ll fight you seriously.” “Thanks. Then let’s have some fun, shall we?” **** “Goddamn it! What the hell are you?! Why are you so strong?!” Jang Soncheonki, who had been fighting Jang Woon, was now sitting on the ground, panting heavily. “I trained like hell to face you guys.” “Goddamn it. I lost.” A formal declaration of defeat from Jang Soncheonki. Only then did Jang Woon plop down onto the ground as well. “Let me rest too. I’m exhausted.” Side by side, the two of them sat and watched the ongoing battle between Hyeok Ryeonho and Sunwoo Baek. Jang Soncheonki muttered, “Hyeok Ryeonho looks exhausted too. What the hell happened in Baekyeong?” “A lot happened.” “Like what?” “Can’t tell you. If you want to know, come visit Baekyeong yourself.” “Tch! Playing hard to get now.” Jang Woon simply smiled at the grumbling Jang Soncheonki. “Guess I’ll be scolded when I get home. For shaming the clan.” Then he laid back on the ground. “Meh... I’m the discarded son anyway. Doubt they’ll care much.” “Discarded son?” “Yeah. All the clan’s attention goes to ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) my eldest brother, Jang Sonmugi.” Jang Sonmugi—one of the candidates to succeed the Martial Lord of Mushincheon.