Heaven-Defying Hero - Chapter 81
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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#081
There was someone who didn’t come to the New Year’s feast.
It was someone who should have naturally come to such a celebration, but for some reason, they were nowhere to be seen.
That person came to say farewell after the Spring Festival had passed.
“Hyeongnim.”
Pansuk’s eyes wavered as he looked at Geumgang-gae. Then, unable to hold back, he shed tears.
“A grown man crying like this.”
Since someone who had been a comfort through shared understanding was leaving, Pansuk’s tears showed no sign of stopping.
“Will you come back again?”
“Of course I will.”
“Please make sure to come, Hyeongnim.”
“There will be our Gaebangdo members in the market, so if you see their faces, share some cold rice with them.”
Geumgang-gae left Pansuk wiping his tears with his forearm behind and stood before Ja-gang-cheon.
“Take care, Lord.”
“Please take care of yourself. And make sure to eat well.”
“Hahaha. For a beggar, eating well is the most difficult thing to do.”
“Honestly, you don’t seem like a beggar, Uncle. Begging doesn’t suit you either. I can’t tell you to leave Gaebang, but if you ever have nowhere else to go, please come to our manor.”
“Then I wouldn’t have to worry about food for the rest of my life.”
“Yes. I can promise you that.”
Knowing they were both joking, they didn’t delve deeper. However, Geumgang-gae had something he really wanted to say to Ja-gang-cheon.
“Lord, you are someone with good intentions. Even if you face confusing situations, I hope you won’t forget the chivalry in your heart.”
It was advice directed at Ja-gang-cheon, who still stood between the Demonic Sect and Jeongpa.
“Thank you. I’ll definitely remember that.”
“Lord, you will do splendidly.”
It wasn’t empty words – during his time in Gyeonam, he had concluded that Ja-gang-cheon was fundamentally a very good person. That’s why he had continued teaching Pansuk and remained close to them.
“Well then, I’ll be going now.”
Geumgang-gae bid farewell and left.
Though he was an outsider, since he was someone who had given affection to many, a great emptiness remained.
When someone leaves, someone else is bound to come.
However, their significance wasn’t the same.
“This is Cheon Byeong-il. The martial artist called Bimu Ghost, Mugyeong, has just arrived at Gyeonam Port. It’s highly likely he’ll come looking for Deungmyeong Manor, so please prepare accordingly.”
Rather than seeking out Ja-gang-cheon directly, he delivered the news to Jang Geon, who had opened the door for him.
“Thank you. I’ll relay this to the Lord.”
Ja-gang-cheon learned of Bimu Ghost’s existence through Jang Geon.
***
“I request a duel with Sa-hyeol-hae-ju!”
It was the day after the first full moon of the lunar year.
The man who came to the manor just past noon was in his mid-forties with intense eyes.
Though of average height, his angular jaw and solid muscles gave him a strong impression, and above all, the rough aura emanating from his entire body was distinctive.
It was an atmosphere that appeared in those who had lived most fiercely in the Dosan Swordsmen, and as proof of this, his exposed forearms were covered in scars. One could assume that the parts hidden by clothing would have just as many wounds.
“Lord. The Mugyeong that Hao-mun mentioned beforehand has arrived. He’s requesting a duel with Sa-hyeol-hae-ju.”
The people who had been studying martial arts together all looked at Ja-gang-cheon at once.
“Ah. Right. I was Sa-hyeol-hae-ju, wasn’t I?”
Since it was a title he didn’t like, he had been trying to forget it, but an unwelcome guest had forcibly dragged up that memory.
“Bimu Ghost – now I’m curious.”
It had only been half a hour since he’d heard the news in advance. Ja-gang-cheon recalled what Song Ja-in had told him.
-There are quite a few martial artists who travel the country competing in martial arts with strong opponents. There are countless people who call this their martial journey. Among them, the one who’s supreme in skill is Mugyeong. Bimu Demon Soul. He’s called a ghost obsessed with dueling.
He had been curious ever since hearing those words. Noticing this, Song Ja-in tried to dissuade Ja-gang-cheon.
“Accepting the duel doesn’t seem like a good choice. If word gets out that the Lord personally responded to an uninvited guest’s visit, rude people making demands will keep coming in the future.”
Ja-gang-cheon quietly considered those words.
“Isn’t it a waste? Right now, a duel with someone of that level would be a great help for growth.”
“That’s an undeniable fact, but stepping forward lightly isn’t good.”
“What if I have a good idea?”
Ja-gang-cheon said with gleaming eyes.
Honestly, no one present trusted Ja-gang-cheon’s so-called ‘good idea.’
Because a good person doesn’t necessarily have good ideas. Nevertheless, they respected Ja-gang-cheon for the moment.
“Let’s meet him first. If my idea isn’t good, please stop me then.”
Eventually, they all went to the manor’s entrance.
Even then, Bimu Ghost Mugyeong hadn’t crossed through the open gate.
“I’m the lord of Deungmyeong Manor. You came here to duel?”
“That’s right.”
His manner of speaking was as rough as his appearance.
“Sanseong martial artist Mugyeong requests a duel with Deungmyeong Jangju!”
He cupped his fists and requested a duel in a booming voice.
“Good.”
“As expected, you’re as straightforward as I heard! I, Mugyeong, pay my respects to the Lord!”
“But there’s a condition.”
“A condition?”
“It’s no fun if we just do it. Let’s each stake something we want.”
“Good! I like you more and more. Then may I set the condition first?”
“Go ahead.”
Mugyeong spoke without a moment’s hesitation.
“If I win, I want to duel with Senior Dok-ja-mo Song.”
It was truly a request befitting Bimu Ghost.
“Aunt, what do you think?”
“I’ll follow the Lord’s will.”
Having received permission, Ja-gang-cheon also set his condition.
“If I win, stay at the manor for ten days and accept all the duels I request.”
“I’ll gladly accept any number of duels!”
“Good. Now that the bet is established, shall we start the duel?”
Ja-gang-cheon glanced back slightly.
“Pan Seok-i hyeong, get ready.”
“What? I’m going out?”
“No. After my duel ends, you’re next. Then Cheon-gu, and after that, will you do it, Aunt?”
Hearing those words, Pansuk finally realized why he had accepted the duel.
“As expected, Hyeongnim. You’re bringing home a duel slave?”
Pansuk understood Ja-gang-cheon’s intention perfectly.
***
All actions taken by martial artists in entering Gangho are called martial journeys.
This means that each person’s martial journey is completely different.
Jeongpa’s first entry into Gangho involves going on chivalrous journeys with their mentors, while the Demonic Sect proves their strength like beasts of prey undergoing a coming-of-age ceremony.
The Gangho journeys that begin this way continue forever unless one becomes a hermit or retires to wash one’s hands of the martial world, and among them, the most persistent type were those who pursued dueling journeys.
-Those whose life goal is competition.
It’s said that their martial journeys stop not with seclusion or retirement, but only with death.
“Huu-eup.”
Letting out a long breath as he drew his beloved sword, Bimu-gwishin’s eyes held not tension but pleasant excitement.
He had the expression of a seasoned hunter encountering a wild beast.
Seeing that expression, one of the spectators spoke in an unpleasant voice.
“Hmph! How dare you challenge our Lord! Our Lord is the best under heaven!”
It was So Cheon-i, the youngest of Deungmyeong Manor. Beside him, the manor’s household members were lined up in a row, since Ja-gang-cheon had placed no restrictions on spectators.
“Then please show me your skills.”
“Come at me.”
Ja-gang-cheon held a training sword made at the iron foundry.
He wasn’t being careless given his opponent’s experience.
-He is definitely not someone to underestimate. He fought three times against Yang Seong-ak, who was counted among Sichuan’s ten great masters, and won once.
Though he won only once out of three fights, it meant they were nearly equal in skill.
Seurung!
Mugyeong kicked off the ground and drew his sword, pouncing on Ja-gang-cheon like an arrow.
Even while using swordsmanship, his body’s momentum felt like a martial artist skilled in close combat.
Approaching as if their bodies would collide immediately, he changed his footwork like magic once he reached sword distance.
Chaeng! Chaeng!
At precisely the distance where his sword could reach, he attempted consecutive thrusts.
When Ja-gang-cheon deflected the sword and approached, he slid back smoothly. His movement was so skillful it seemed anticipated.
Chwaraht!
Whenever Ja-gang-cheon paused to catch his breath, a sword would invariably thrust toward his vital points.
He retreated from counterattacks, and advanced when retreated from.
‘Distance.’
He truly deserved to be called Bimu-gwishin.
He maintained the most advantageous distance for himself like a ghost.
A sword’s length was 3 feet 3 inches, while a dao was about 2 feet 8 inches to 3 feet.
‘The length of one palm.’
It was a distance where the sword could reach but the dao could not.
Mugyeong maintained this distance.
This also meant he had faster feet and better eyes than other swordsmen.
Chaeng! Chaeng!
As Ja-gang-cheon was pushed back by the amazing distance control, Mugyeong’s atmosphere suddenly changed.
He suddenly began pressing forward with fierce momentum.
“Lord!”
So Cheon cried out in surprise as Ja-gang-cheon was rapidly pushed back. Seizing the opportunity, Mugyeong didn’t miss the opening and thrust his swift sword toward the space between the eyebrows, neck, solar plexus, and dantian.
Chaechaeng!
When Ja-gang-cheon dodged the upper attacks and deflected the lower ones, trying to counterattack, Mugyeong had already returned to his original distance.
“Excellent.”
Ja-gang-cheon was genuinely impressed.
‘He really fights like he’s hunting.’
Not getting excited when advantageous, but persistently cutting off breath little by little.
Feeling like he was caught in a snare, Ja-gang-cheon subtly stepped back one pace. Then Mugyeong, as if he’d been waiting, stepped forward and thrust his sword toward the thigh.
It was the right foot that was maintaining balance while pulling back the left foot.
This too was a lesson that experience provided.
Indeed flustered, Ja-gang-cheon roughly deflected the approaching sword.
Jiing!
Having put strong internal energy into it, vibrations occurred simultaneously in both dao and sword.
Feeling much stronger force than expected, Mugyeong calmly tried to maintain distance again.
That’s when it began.
Seusuk.
Ja-gang-cheon’s body swayed strangely and then attempted to approach. It was to eliminate the distance advantageous to the sword.
But Mugyeong not only skillfully retreated but also thrust his sword toward the approaching Ja-gang-cheon.
Seusuk. Seusuk.
Ja-gang-cheon’s movements became even faster from that point.
Mugyeong’s thrust sword only cut meaningless afterimages, and from then on, Ja-gang-cheon’s footwork showed its true value.
“Huk!”
It was footwork that surprised even Mugyeong.
Bicheon Shinbo.
This was the martial art Ja-gang-cheon was most confident in.
Only then did Mugyeong realize his mistake.
The distance between sword and dao wasn’t something he had secured first, but something Ja-gang-cheon had given him.
He could have penetrated at any time but chose not to; the one who had been played within that space was himself.
‘Even so, I will win this duel.’
The dazzling footwork was surprising, but a duel couldn’t be won with that alone.
Mugyeong swung his sword rapidly, spreading a sword barrier.
Chaeng!
Sparks flew as Ja-gang-cheon’s dao was blocked by the sword barrier.
It was when Mugyeong, having successfully defended, tried to recover his stance again.
‘He’s gone.’
Ja-gang-cheon’s figure had disappeared.
‘Right side.’
He tracked not with his eyes but with his senses. He took a large step in the opposite direction and turned his body.
Seeing this, Ja-gang-cheon smiled inwardly.
‘Excellent.’
If he had lost track of his opponent and swung his sword toward where he felt a presence, this match would have ended.
But his opponent dodged with his body and only swung his sword after confirming with his eyes.
Chaeng!
When the attack was blocked once more, Mugyeong thought they would be in an equal position again.
“Huk!”
Ja-gang-cheon’s movements changed dramatically from that point.
Ja-gang-cheon ignored the dao’s reach distance and attempted to close in. Holding the dao in reverse like a dagger, he brushed past Mugyeong’s side.
Seurung!
The moment he barely managed protection by raising his sword, Ja-gang-cheon’s foot flew toward Mugyeong’s solar plexus.
Peok!
Mugyeong endured with his protective energy and tried to use this force to create distance instead.
‘Huk!’
But that impact exceeded his imagination.
‘Such internal energy.’
Considering Ja-gang-cheon’s age, it was unimaginable internal energy.
‘Dangerous.’
With his center shaken, he desperately spread a sword barrier while thinking he was a step too late.
But it was strange.
There was no impact before or after spreading the sword barrier. It was when he was withdrawing the sword barrier.
‘This is…’
Ja-gang-cheon was waiting right in front of him. And in that split second when the sword barrier was being withdrawn, he thrust his dao.
The blade that came in like a sword thrust stopped in front of Mugyeong’s neck.
“I’ve lost.”
Being sincere about dueling, his acceptance of defeat was also quick.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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