Chapter 17: Spring Painting and the Sword (4)

Despite his rough actions and words, he was a cautious fighter.

"......"

This is troublesome.

It would have been better if he had charged in recklessly out of excitement. When a person gets excited, they are bound to show a weakness.

But Yang Jinpo was approaching very cautiously. He didn’t rush in recklessly but slowly closed the distance, dragging his feet.

'What's the reason?'

If I were Yang Jinpo, I would have ended it quickly. He was a higher-level practitioner than me. And a high-level practitioner doesn’t waste time with a lower-level opponent. That’s something you do in Paien.

'There must be a reason for this.'

Still, it’s fortunate that I have time to think. When I fought Bai Shengyi, I won by luck, but now I can’t rely on luck.

If I can’t rely on luck, I need to think hard.

There was a significant difference in skill between Yang Jinpo and me. However, I did have an advantage.

'I have seen the martial arts of the Absolute Sword Sect.'

Bai Shengyi used a technique to close the distance quickly when the gap widened. Although I can’t be sure, it’s highly likely that Yang Jinpo would use the same technique if the distance widened.

And that sword technique,

I don’t know its name, but the move Bai Shengyi used to draw out his sword energy—there’s a high possibility it’s the Absolute Sword Sect’s ultimate move. And I know the counter to that move thanks to Banchun Bai’s guidance.

'Step back with your right foot, twist your body, and slash.'

If there’s a weakness I can exploit, it’s the two techniques—distance closing and the sword technique. Knowing the counters to these two techniques is my advantage.

These moves would be impossible to counter if I didn’t know them, but now that I do, I can deal with them. I need to draw out these techniques from now on.

However, the sword technique is less likely. Yang Jinpo wouldn’t use his ultimate move unless he was in extreme danger. An ultimate move isn’t a sure-kill technique; it must be used at the right time and in the right situation.

'First, I need to draw out that "distance closing" technique.'

I slowly widened the distance and prepared to roll. I planned to roll to dodge once and then counterattack.

It’s embarrassing to use Nareutagon in front of so many people, but I steeled my resolve.

Even if I roll in a dung field, this life is still better. Rolling on the training ground floor is a small price to pay.

"Hmph!"

However, unlike Bai Shengyi, Yang Jinpo didn’t fly at me but slowly closed the distance, like a snake stalking its prey. He gradually cornered me without rushing.

...If this continues, I’m in trouble.

"You seem to be quite cautious, unlike the last time."

"Hehehe. Revenge is best served cold. Speak your mind."

"Anyone watching would think you’ve done this many times. Aren’t you embarrassed with the kids watching?"

As I prodded him, his face turned slightly red. Of course, he would react like that if he were called out for having middle school syndrome.

The veins on his arm, gripping the wooden sword, were bulging, indicating he was holding it with immense force.

Despite my provocation, he continued to close the distance slowly. He was not acting rashly. A question formed in my mind.

'Could it be that he didn’t learn it?'

If I were him, I would have used that technique right away.

Why waste time when you can end it quickly?

Moreover, this place is practically the Absolute Sword Sect’s backyard. If he drags it out, the sect leader might come, and things would get messy.

To manipulate the situation, he needed to kill me quickly.

Yet, he’s dragging it out?

'There must be a calculation.'

I needed to think about his calculation. The answer might be there. I decided to rethink from the basics.

'First, why is he being so cautious?'

A branch leader of the Absolute Sword Sect being cautious against a low-level guard from a small escort agency...

Why would a tiger need to be cautious against a dog?

Yet, he is being cautious...

'Right.'

I knew the answer.

He must be misjudging me. I killed Bai Shengyi, after all.

Of course, he must have noticed that my skills don’t match Bai Shengyi’s. But Bai Shengyi still died at my hands.

Therefore, his conclusion is clear.

—That I have some unknown life-saving ultimate move.

He must be under this misjudgment.

A life-saving ultimate move is a technique that saves your life, essentially a last resort.

It’s called an ultimate move, but it’s not always a martial arts technique. It could be a trick or a dirty method, like poison.

Martial artists carry a last resort that they can use once in a worst-case scenario. It’s useless if exposed, but it can be fatal to an unsuspecting opponent.

For example, setting up a mechanism in the sword handle to fire a poison needle, or coating a fingernail with poison. Generally, these are despicable but effective methods.

'He’s wary of this.'

If a low-level practitioner beats a high-level one, it’s natural to assume they have a hidden "last resort."

So, he thinks I’m hiding something and is approaching me cautiously.

Well, I don’t have anything like that.

"Quite relaxed, aren’t you? Is it okay to be this relaxed?"

He didn’t respond, just as before, and continued to close the distance slowly.

He dragged his feet, lowered his stance, and slowly approached.

I was also widening the distance, but I could feel myself being cornered into a corner of the training ground.

'If he’s trying to make me use my last resort, he’ll counter it the moment I do.'

I needed to use his misjudgment to my advantage. I pretended to look around the training ground, searching for something that might help.

My stomach felt queasy. Even a momentary distraction could get me killed, so it was a huge risk to shift my gaze.

Then, I saw the crater on the training ground floor that he had created earlier to break my spirit.

'That’s it!'

I slowly turned my body towards it, making sure Yang Jinpo didn’t notice.

I dragged my feet, retreating naturally as I did before, and slowly turned towards it. After what felt like an eternity, I finally reached the crater.

'Now, I need to set the trap.'

I pretended to be unaware and placed my back foot in the crater. My body naturally leaned back as if I were about to fall.

"Ugh!"

He lit up at the sight of my unbalanced stance, the perfect opening.

After all, what good is a life-saving move or a strategy when you’re falling backward? He should have flown in to crush my head.

"Ha! Stupid, not even checking the ground!"

Falling for my trap, he immediately used the "distance closing" technique.

His momentum was impressive. It was definitely fast. If I hadn’t known it, I would have been hit.

But I had seen this technique multiple times.

I immediately rolled to get out of his range and then slashed his leg with my sword.

—Swish!

"Kyaah!"

He should have used a straightforward approach. If he had, he would have won overwhelmingly. But now, with his leg cut, he has lost his mobility.

The advantage of having a leg is immeasurable. Now, I have a better chance of winning.

"You bastard!"

He quickly got up on one leg and, with a deranged look, hobbled after me like a one-legged ghost.

...I didn’t expect this.

"Die! Die!"

"Hey, get lost!"

Yang Jinpo, despite being on one leg, wielded his sword quite terrifyingly. I was struggling to dodge, but I wasn’t too worried.

After all, with one leg, he can’t properly support his weight. His current frenzy is powered by his arm strength. In that case, a real sword might be dangerous, but a wooden sword is harmless.

This is self-destruction.

"I will definitely kill you!"

"Wha-what are you saying?"

"Die! Die, I say!"

Yang Jinpo’s eyes were bloodshot, indicating how much blood had rushed to his head. He seems to have high blood pressure, which is unfortunate for someone so young.

I kept stepping back to avoid his wild swings, wondering how much longer I could keep this up when...

"What a farce."

Turning around, I saw a young man in mourning clothes and Bai Linghua.

Bai Linghua’s eyes were wide open in shock, and the young man in mourning clothes was glaring at Yang Jinpo with a terrifying look.

"What a farce, I asked. Yang Jinpo."

"Y-Young Master. This is... a sparring match. Yes, a sparring match."

"Call me Second Sect Leader."

"Y-Yes, Second Sect Leader..."

At the mention of "Young Master," Yang Jinpo’s eyes, which had been rolling, returned to normal. He tried to explain, trembling.

"This is... a sparring match. Yes, a sparring match."

"Who gave you the authority to start a sparring match?"

"That... is... a sparring match."

Even a child wouldn’t believe that.

Seeing him tremble like a wet dog, I suddenly felt sorry for Yang Jinpo. The Second Sect Leader, however, looked at him with a merciless gaze.

"You dared to embarrass me in front of a guest."

"P-Please forgive me! Second Sect Leader!"

"Please forgive me!"

Yang Jinpo and the gathered disciples all knelt down, pleading with their hands clasped.

The Second Sect Leader of the Absolute Sword Sect slowly ascended the training ground, without making a sound.

From the side, he... radiated an overwhelming aura.

I’m scared.

"Yang Jinpo."

"Y-Yes, Second Sect Leader."

"I will expel you from the sect."

At the same time, his sword, which had been at his waist, was drawn at an invisible speed, and a terrifying scream and a gush of blood followed.

"Kyaah—!!!"

Yang Jinpo screamed in pain, reaching for his right arm, but it was already gone. The Second Sect Leader held the severed right arm and showed it to me.

"I have caused you trouble. Please forgive me."

"Y-Yes..."

...I couldn’t refuse.

I nodded, and he threw the severed arm away like trash.

Then, he bowed deeply to Bai Linghua with a fist salute.

"Bai Chief. Please forgive the lack of discipline among my subordinates."

"Details will be sent separately."

Unlike me, Bai Linghua didn’t respond immediately. I left the training ground, holding Wang Xi’s hand, who was half in shock from the bloody scene, and followed Bai Linghua.

My back felt hot, as if under scrutiny.

But no one spoke or tried to stop me.

Thus, today’s bloody sparring match ended,

with the loss of Yang Jinpo’s arm.