Chapter 11. Standing in the Score (4)

I once saw a technique where someone could close a distance in an instant with just their footwork, from a great distance.

It was in a boxing match I saw on TV, where the opponent was at the end of the ring, but the boxer closed the distance and threw a hook in the blink of an eye. It was quite impressive.

However, what I just witnessed was not on that level, which was about 4 to 5 meters.

The rustling sound came from bushes about 10 meters away, and he closed that vast distance as if flying, slashing with a single, swift motion.

It's a level of martial arts that I could never compare to.

"You, you little... "

In my field of vision, Senior Zou Junping, who had been knocked down and was bleeding, came into view.

I thought we were starting to get along.

I've seen countless scenes of people killing and being killed since coming to the martial world, but my heart is still greatly shaken.

"I didn't kill him. Put the sword down."

"You're crazy... "

Just as I lifted my head to look at Baek Seong-il, he raised the sword he was aiming and swiftly cut off the horn hanging around my neck.

The horn, its string severed, soared into the air and fell.

...It feels like hope is flying away.

Baek Seong-il crushed it immediately and said,

"If you stay quiet, I'll let you live."

"What?"

I thought he would definitely try to kill us.

Out of curiosity, I asked again, and he, with a slightly trembling voice, raised the sword and said,

"I... I just want to save Nanhua. I don't want to take your lives. If that person gets treated quickly, he can survive."

At that moment, I felt utterly speechless.

Is this guy crazy?

"Are you crazy?"

"What?"

"Are you crazy?"

No, I'm so angry I can't stand it.

I pointed to Senior Zou Junping, who was lying on the ground.

"You just sliced open someone's chest and now you're talking about Nanhua? Is this really crazy? Are you splitting someone's body open just to kidnap someone else's wife?"

"..."

"I thought you came here to vent your anger because your household registration was exposed, but what? Are you really a lunatic?"

In the darkness, I could see his face turning red.

Taking advantage of the moment, I pressed on.

"Are you Baek Seong-il? Your name is spread all over the neighborhood. You messed up and ruined your family, and you were kicked out. You should be ashamed and reflect, not wield a sword. What are you really doing, huh?"

"What do you know...!"

He argued, his face flushed red.

"You don't know how much Nanhua has suffered in this family, how much humiliation she has endured! Nanhua... no one else can save her but me!"

"Is this real?"

The blade was still shining blue near my neck. I took a step back and said,

"Why do you care about this?"

"What?"

"Why do you care about this? Who are you to her? Her brother? Her older brother? You're just a lover."

"..."

His face turned as red as a watermelon's flesh.

Did he know he was a lover?

"Are you deluding yourself that you can do anything because you're in love?"

"No... "

"You're just a lover. Why are you so clingy and persistent?"

There are always people like this in the world.

People who think love is a get-out-of-jail-free card.

They delude themselves into thinking they can do anything because they're in love.

"Have you even considered that your actions will make it harder for her? If you just disappeared, it would be better. Have you even thought about the consequences of your actions?"

You should think before you act.

When it's over, you should know when to leave.

That's what's virtuous.

As I ranted, the guy fumbled for words.

"That... That is... "

"Your family will be completely ruined by this. Ruined. Do you think the head of the family and the Baegun Escort Agency will just sit by after this? Man, you're really out of your mind."

"Baegun? Baegun Escort Agency...?"

"Yeah. The person you cut is a Baegun Escort Agency guard. This guy."

I pointed at Senior Zou Junping, who was lying on the ground, convulsing and bleeding. Thank goodness, he's still alive.

As the guy's gaze followed my finger to the fallen senior, I immediately swung my sword.

-Whoosh!

"Ah!"

He must have noticed the sword coming, as he twisted his body forcefully. As a result, instead of hitting his chest, I only managed to cut part of his arm.

Startled, Baek Seong-il used the footwork I saw earlier to create distance.

He's like a grasshopper.

"You, you coward!"

"You're the coward who attacked in the dark, you lover."

I straightened my sword and took a stance. The wound I inflicted on him wasn't deep, just a bit annoying.

...Will it work?

No, probably not. I can assess the situation realistically. But I can't just stand by while my comrade is bleeding on the ground.

"Come on, lover. I'll teach you the price of infidelity."

"You bastard!!"

He readjusted his stance and used the "distance closing" technique for the third time. Having seen it twice, I have a rough idea of how it works. It's a technique of using inner strength in the feet to leap 'low' and 'long'.

If I saw it for the first time, I might not know, but it won't work three times.

I immediately rolled to the side. It's called "nalryeotagon" (rolling and getting up). It might not look good, but it's about survival.

He made a big swing at the spot where I was, and I, still in the rolling position, immediately swung my sword to cut his feet.

-Swish!

"Ugh?!"

Baek Seong-il staggered. By the feel of it, I probably cut his kneecap. As they say, don't start a fight in the air.

He pointed his sword at me, startled by the two unexpected wounds.

"Do you even know who I am?"

"What?"

"Do you know?"

Psychological warfare is for moments like this.

"Have you never heard of my nickname in this rural area?"

"Who are you...? Aren't you a Baegun Escort Agency guard?"

"I'm the person who was invited here because of the incident you caused. Kid. Have you never heard of the 'Ten Great Masters of Hubei'?"

"Ten Great Masters of Hubei? No, the Ten Great Masters of Hubei are not young like you..."

As he frowned, thinking about something, I immediately pulled out a dagger from my sleeve and threw it.

"I'll make you call me that if I kill you. Bastard!"

He deflected the flying dagger with some surprise. No problem. It was just a diversion. I immediately closed the distance and entered close combat.

If I don't cut him this time, I'll really die.

The wounds I inflicted are minor. He's confused now, but if he regains his composure, I'll be the one in trouble.

I swung my sword with the utmost speed and power, using the "Taishan Yaping" technique, aiming to cut him deeply.

-Whoosh!

But he jumped back again, creating distance. This grasshopper-like guy is driving me crazy.

His eyes narrowed as he created distance.

He's angry...?

We're doomed.

"...It was a trick."

"It didn't work."

"It was all a trick."

I could hear the sound of his teeth grinding.

This is scary.

"Hey, let's talk this out?"

"...Die!"

He closed the distance again, lunging at me with his sword.

I could see a blue aura on the sword, or maybe it was just an illusion.

...No way, right?

You're not a master. You shouldn't be able to use sword qi.

But my expectations were shattered.

Clang!

As I stepped back and blocked the sword, there was a sound like breaking glass, and the sword was cut diagonally in half. It was cut in half in an instant.

Can metal be cut so easily? Does this make sense? I'll definitely get a refund.

"Die!"

The sword, filled with a blue aura, filled the air. If I block it, it will cut through me and the sword. There's no place to run.

Am I really going to die like this?

Did I come to the martial world to be cut down by a crazy lover?

Is this my end?

The chaotic blue sword qi filled my vision, moving slowly. It must be the last thoughts before death. The sword slowly flew to pierce my chest.

-At that moment,

I heard a voice whispering in my ear.

[Take a step back with your right foot.]

The voice echoed in my ear, and without thinking, I lifted my heel and took a step back.

As I slightly twisted my body, his sword grazed past my chest and buried itself in the ground.

The voice came again.

[Now, cut.]

His face was filled with shock, and I quickly followed the voice's instructions, swinging my sword to cut off his arm.

-Slice!

"Ah!"

He screamed, clutching his arm and stepping back.

"How... How did you...?"

"I don't know either."

What is this, really?

"Did you hide your skills...?"

"What's the point of hiding them?"

After the near-death experience, I was speechless. What was that voice just now?

"Still... still."

Even with his arm cut off, Baek Seong-il still held his sword. It felt like a deep cut, but he seemed to be able to endure it. Fortunately, the blue sword qi I saw earlier was no longer on the sword.

"Die!!"

This time, he held the sword with both hands and charged at me. I should have finished him off earlier.

"Damn!"

I used the "nalryeotagon" technique again to roll on the ground and avoid his sword. I had practiced the technique of rolling and getting up quickly after "nalryeotagon" during training, so regaining my stance was not difficult.

I barely avoided the wildly swinging sword and parried with my own.

Clang, clang, clang!

Just three times.

When the swords clashed, my hands went numb.

He was determined to kill me, and I was barely holding on.

Just as I thought I might really die, I smelled a strange fragrance.

It was a familiar scent—

"Nan... Hua?"

He was distracted for a moment—

-Push!

I didn't miss the opportunity.