Book 5 Chapter 7

Moyonghwi's First Experience

"Ugh! Something feels unpleasant."

"What do you mean?"

"This way, it feels like Moyonghwi is

the protagonist of today!"

Bilyeon, whose cheeks were puffed out, felt that he was not the center of attention today.

And it wasn't just a feeling, it was the reality.

Hyoryong blinked and retorted.

"N-no, don't tell me you thought you were the protagonist today?"

"Yes!"

Hyoryong was speechless seeing Bilyeon nod without hesitation. He never imagined someone could be so unaware…

It wasn't a delusion that Moyonghwi, not Bilyeon, felt like the protagonist of the day; it was a clear and undeniable fact. In reality, Moyonghwi was indeed the protagonist. No one within Cheonmu Academy had the leisure or spare time to pay attention to Bilyeon's ungraceful fighting style.

It would be abnormal not to pay attention to Moyonghwi, who was poised to become their greatest competitor and rival in the future. Moreover, today was the match, which could be considered Moyonghwi's official debut.

Even if all the attention in the world was focused on Moyonghwi, Hyoryong was confident he wouldn't be surprised.

"There are too many people here? Ugh~."

The spectator stands surrounding the arena dedicated to the Geomseongjeon (Sword Saint Battle) were so crowded they resembled a marketplace. The seating was packed to the brim, so what more can be said? One would even need to gather their inner energy to create a protective aura to avoid being crushed to death.

It was clear at a glance that more people had gathered for this match than for any previous match. Furthermore, people's nerves felt sharper than any treasured sword.

Bilyeon understood why three times the usual number of people had gathered today, even though he couldn't fully comprehend it.

It was to see one man. What good is it for a man to look at another man? (Though Moyonghwi was so handsome he could rival a woman), they were all preparing intensely to scrutinize his every move, his skills, his habits, leaving nothing out. It was a form of reconnaissance. And that man was not Bilyeon himself, but Moyonghwi, who shared the same room with him. This was one of the things Bilyeon found most baffling.

Bilyeon couldn't understand why others insisted Moyonghwi was a genius when he himself didn't think so and Moyonghwi himself denied it. They were persistent people, denying it himself.

He had been inconvenienced more than once by this guy who just drew unnecessary attention. Bilyeon paid no mind to the fact that he himself and others were suffering several times more because of Moyonghwi, and were continuing to do so. It was unclear whether he was intentionally ignoring it or completely unaware.

"Oh ho! Ouch! A grand procession of heavyweights with heavy butts!"

Jang Hong whistled, exclaiming in admiration. He had the expression of a child who found a good show.

"I don't really know?"

Bilyeon, imitating Jang Hong and looking around, said. His knowledge of the martial world was as meager as the water in a dried-up well.

"I didn't expect much. I will teach you. Listen carefully. These are all nutritious golden words that will become blood and flesh! Hahaha!"

"Your preamble is too long. Oh, you, sir!"

Bilyeon sharply retorted to the boastful old man, Jang Hong.

"Ho ho! My goodness! How many times do I have to tell you I'm not an old man before you understand? Listen properly!"

Jang Hong's finger pointed to a spot. There sat a handsome young man in pure white attire, reminiscent of crane wings. A lone crane among a flock of chickens! Even amidst the crowd, a presence that naturally drew all eyes flowed from him. In contrast, the dark-clad young man sitting next to him had a presence like a drawn sword, sharp and gleaming like a saber, as if he were about to ravage Moyonghwi with his sharp, piercing gaze. The diagonal sword scar on his right cheek further sharpened his impression.

"The young man in white you see there is the eldest son of the Danmok family, the head of the Gunghung Palga Council, Cheon Giryong, Danmok Woo! The person next to him is the master of the swift sword, known as the Number One Swift Sword of Cheonmu, Seryong, Cheon Ya-jin. Rumor has it his sect is the lineage of the Sword Saint… It's not confirmed! He's a rather secretive friend! A formidable expert, and one of the few rivals recognized by Bicheonryong, Cheong Heun! It is said that his ultimate technique, Nakilseom, unleashes a strike that can even cut the sun in the sky. Both of them are among the Nine Dragons of Cheonmu!"

Truly, the two men exuded contrasting presences. His finger again crossed the arena and pointed to the opposite side.

Two men, with presences no less formidable than the previous two, sat surrounded by several martial artists. Their auras were as calm as flowing water.

"That's Jiryeong, the brain of the Gujeong Council, Hyungsan Ilgi, Baek Mu-young, and next to him is Gujeong Council's greatest martial talent, Bicheonryong, Cheong Heun. Another alias he has is Samjeolgeom (Three Absolute Swords). He's from the Wudang Sect and is one of the strongest contenders for this Geomseongjeon. Those two together are called the Twin Absolutes of Scholarship and Martial Arts of the Gujeong Council. Especially Cheong Heun's martial arts are said to rival the sect leader's."

Jang Hong continued talking incessantly, as if eager to show off his extensive knowledge. Bilyeon listened, but doubted if he could remember it all, his knowledge seemed endless.

"Indeed, it is the famous Chiljeolsin-geom Moyonghwi. Such prominent figures, who usually consider most individuals mere pebbles on the road, have come to watch in person. Perhaps they couldn't sleep without witnessing his skills firsthand!"

Bilyeon, constantly uttering exclamations of admiration, found Jang Hong, who kept turning his head, quite strange. How could he know so many people? The more he thought about it, the more mysterious it became.

Bilyeon had no choice but to listen quietly and nod.

"Such prominent figures gathering to witness Moyonghwi's skills… His reputation is truly great!"

This was Hyoryong's exclamation, having overheard them. Wasn't he also tense right now? Their actions were perfectly understandable.

"No matter what anyone says, it's the famous Chiljeolsin-geom Moyonghwi's first official match!"

This was the words of Yoon Junho, who, being shy and unable to step forward, always followed like an appendage. For him, who was always looked down upon and ostracized, Moyonghwi was like a role model. Therefore, he absolutely couldn't miss this martial match.

"Is that guy that great? I've lived in the same room with him for half a year and I still don't really know?"

Bilyeon tilted his head as if perplexed.

"What are you talking about? He's the grandson of the great hero, Geomseong Moyong Jeongcheon."

Hyoryong said with an incredulous expression.

"So what? Does that mean the grandson automatically becomes a Sword Saint just because his grandfather is one? Wouldn't it be nice if the world were that convenient? If that guy has exceptional sword energy, it's because he's good, not because his grandfather is great!"

Hearing Bilyeon's words, Hyoryong felt a thud in the back of his head. He had never thought of it that way. Bilyeon's words were, in a way, correct. No, perhaps even true. No matter how good an environment one is given, what use is it if one lacks the talent and will to utilize it?

"Your point is valid. However, what makes a prestigious family prestigious is the power passed down through generations. The master-disciple relationship in the martial world cannot be ignored and sometimes becomes an absolute standard."

Hyoryong's words were not wrong either.

"Well! Even if that guy is somewhat capable, I don't think he's worth this much commotion! Of course, his obsession with cleanliness, tidiness, and order is terrifying! That can certainly be called the best in the world! I admit that! I've never seen anyone more diligent in cleaning and organizing than him in my life! Furthermore, his white robes, always pristine and spotless, are truly miraculous!"

What surprised Bilyeon most about living with Moyonghwi was not his martial arts, but his spirit of cleanliness. Especially his white robes, always immaculately clean, were in the realm of the incomprehensible. However, no matter how skilled he was at cleaning and maintaining cleanliness, how could his match garner more attention than his own? He still couldn't understand.

"Seeing is believing! Well, we'll know when we see it…"

Bilyeon's match luck was quite good compared to Moyonghwi's. Moyonghwi, perhaps due to heaven's envy or the organizing committee's envy, had a bad first opponent. Jang Hong's face slightly stiffened upon seeing Moyonghwi's opponent.

"Ju Su-yeong, the Kunlun Swift Sword of the Kunlun Sect… That's not an easy opponent…"

The man dressed in the Kunlun Sect's distinctive cloud-embroidered martial robe was Ju Su-yeong, known as the number one prodigy of Kunlun. Moreover, he was one of the Eight Swords of the Gujeong Council.

He was a different kind of expert than Dan Pyeong of the Hainan Sect. And he was on a completely different level than the Kunlun Twin Swords Moyonghwi had faced before.

"I heard he taught our disciples! If disciples owe a debt, the debt falls upon the senior disciple!"

For whatever reason, his disciples had suffered a humiliating defeat, so he intended to repay that debt. It was because, as it stood, it could tarnish the reputation of their sect. Of course, whether he would erase the stain or double it, remained to be seen.

"Consider yourself unlucky to meet me in the first round!"

Ju Su-yeong said with his usual arrogant expression.

"Rather, I am glad."

Moyonghwi's demeanor was completely unfazed. In fact, he looked pleased.

"Ho ho? Why?"

"The stronger the opponent, the stronger my sword becomes. If I had met a weak opponent, I would have been disappointed."

Depending on how you interpret it, it was a remarkably arrogant statement. It could also be interpreted as "You are merely a tool to increase my experience points."

"You're so confident! Do you truly have the qualifications for that?"

"My sword will answer everything."

Moyonghwi drew his sword. There was no need for further words between them.

Moyonghwi was actually pleased with this worst-case match luck. The stronger the opponent he met, the stronger his sword could become. His studies were not so shallow as to be intimidated by meeting a strong opponent.

Sword met sword. Only the outcome remained.

Contrary to the fierce battle that was expected given Ju Su-yeong's boastful attitude, the match ended surprisingly simply.

Indeed, Moyonghwi's sword had earned the right to boast.

"H-how can this be!"

Cheon Giryong, Danmok Woo, widened his eyes, demonstrating how astonished he was. The match had yielded an unbelievable result.

"T-to think that Ju Su-yeong would be defeated so easily! Hahaha…"

He had expected a rather thrilling match, but Ju Su-yeong did not live up to his boasts. He was defeated in one blow, incredibly. It was a swift and concise match.

"We must bring this person to our side as soon as possible… The more I see him, the more desirable a talent he is!"

Seeing Moyonghwi's martial prowess, Danmok Woo felt a renewed craving for his presence. With Moyonghwi, he felt they could even regain their lost prestige against the Gujeong Council.

"Fast and accurate!"

These were the words of Seryong, Cheon Ya-jin, the man who resembled a drawn saber. Danmok Woo turned to him in surprise. For him, this was the highest praise and an expression of his greatest astonishment.

"Wh-when did this happen…"

Ju Su-yeong, known as the Kunlun Swift Sword, looked at Moyonghwi's sword, which had reached his throat, with a stunned expression, before he could even properly unleash his sect's secret technique, the Unryong Dae-gu-sik (Nine Forms of Cloud Dragon).

He took a stance in one breath, and launched his sword in two breaths. Before the third breath could even begin, the sword had already reached Ju Su-yeong's throat. This happened before he could even unleash his first move. He made a pathetic display of being subdued before he could even use his original martial arts due to complacency. The match ended anticlimactically, making the immense attention focused on him seem meaningless.

Ju Su-yeong, who had boastfully questioned Moyonghwi's qualifications, recognized his own inadequacy and admitted defeat. Ju Su-yeong's shoulders drooped as he walked off the arena forlornly. He must have felt ashamed. With a single sword strike, Moyonghwi proved the rumors to be true. The attention showered upon him would now increase even further.

"Truly excellent. I was too careless! What do you think?"

Baek Mu-yeong, dressed in similarly dazzling white robes, asked Cheong Heun, who sat beside him, fanning himself. Although his martial arts were not low either, he knew that his understanding of the sword was inferior to Cheong Heun's, which is why he asked.

"He's nothing special! Don't worry!"

Cheong Heun said dismissively. Baek Mu-yeong's eyes gleamed slightly.

"Ho ho! This is the first time I've seen you like this! That means Moyonghwi's skill was that outstanding!"

Baek Mu-yeong said with a slight smile.

"Ho ho? May I ask why you think so? I clearly said he was nothing special!"

"The body is honest! There's no need to try and hide it."

"I said he wasn't very strong!"

Cheong Heun's voice had become slightly stiff.

"Say that to the back of your hand. Instinct seems to be more honest than your words."

Cheong Heun quickly looked down at the back of his hand. His eyebrows slightly furrowed. Beads of cold sweat had formed on the back of his clenched fist.

'Did my body react instinctively? To his strength…'

Sometimes the body is more honest than the mind. This is because the mind can be deceived by willpower, but the body cannot.

"You have to admit what you see, don't you?"

"Ho ho, indeed! The body is honest, you say? Then I must reciprocate for making me so tense!"

Cheong Heun said with a wry smile.

"More than reciprocating for making you tense, don't forget to reciprocate for the Gujeong Eight Swords being broken so easily. I didn't expect them to lose so simply either! This will significantly boost the morale of the Gunghung Palga Council. Don't you think so? That person seems very curious about what lies above the heavens."

Cheong Heun quickly understood what Baek Mu-yeong, who smiled slyly at him, wanted. It was a request to deflate the soaring morale of the Gunghung Palga Council. It was also to remind Moyonghwi of the existence of the realm beyond the heavens.

Cheong Heun nodded, indicating that he understood clearly.

"Leave it to me! There are those who run above those who walk, and there are other heavens above the sky!"