Chapter 55

Chapter 54. Haha, what a big deal, someone important has come. (4)

Lee Songbaek furrowed his brows.

Regret? Did you just say regret?

‘This young punk is fearless.’

Lee Songbaek, who usually doesn't judge people by their age or status, found this young Huashan disciple to be far too arrogant.

‘Even if he doesn't know any better, it's still too much.’

He is not old enough to fully understand the gap between his sect and others, and to act accordingly. I can understand that much.

But how can he have such an attitude when a senior swordsman from another sect, who is clearly taller, challenges him to a duel?

‘Let’s think of it as bravery.’

Lee Songbaek sighed slightly and continued.

"Do you agree to the duel?"

"Yes."

The response was too calm.

Lee Songbaek, with the intention of showing leniency to a child, spoke again.

"May I ask your name and title?"

"I don't have a title. My name is Qingming."

"Qingming, Qingming, huh."

The reason he asked again, despite already knowing the name, was simple.

"Listen, Qingming. I have a piece of advice. You may think you haven't done anything wrong, but the world doesn't always judge by right and wrong. Before things get worse, why don't you just go back to Huashan…"

"Are you not going to fight?"

Lee Songbaek flinched.

Qingming yawned as if he were bored, then stretched.

"It seems the people from Zhongnan like to talk. You challenged me to a fight, so why are you talking instead of using your sword?"

"……"

Lee Songbaek smiled wryly.

‘I still have a lot to learn.’

Judging by the urge to beat this little punk to a pulp, it seems so.

"There's no need to rush. I was thinking of starting now anyway."

As Lee Songbaek gripped his sword, Gao Hui subtly grabbed his sleeve.

"Senior Brother, are you going to do it yourself?"

Lee Songbaek looked at Gao Hui.

"There's no need for you to do it. I'll handle it."

"No."

"Senior Brother."

Lee Songbaek spoke firmly.

"There are certain courtesies to be observed. I am the oldest among us, so it would be better for me to fight and lose, to save the child some face."

In the end, Gao Hui sighed and stepped back.

‘Senior Brother is just too rigid.’

His character is so impeccable that he could be the leader of the sect.

"Lee Songbaek of Zhongnan wishes to test the sword of Qingming, a disciple of Huashan."

"Wait a moment."

"……What now?"

Qingming tilted his head and looked at Gao Hui.

"Can I borrow your sword?"

"……"

Gao Hui's eyes widened.

‘Borrow a sword? How can a disciple of a prestigious sect say such nonsense?’

The first thing one learns in swordsmanship is never to lend your sword to others. Yet, he boldly asks for a sword!

"Are you saying that a disciple of Huashan doesn't carry a sword?"

"Well, did you expect me to carry one for a fight?"

"Exactly what is Huashan…"

"If you don't want to, then don't."

Qingming looked around.

"Let's see. Something I can use as a sword…"

Lee Songbaek frowned.

"Give it to him."

"Senior Brother!"

"Do you want to hear that a Zhongnan disciple bullied a swordless Huashan disciple?"

"……"

Gao Hui sighed and then unsheathed his sword, throwing it to Qingming.

"Thank you."

Qingming caught the sword and held it in one hand, looking at Lee Songbaek indifferently.

"Let's start."

"……You're not going to draw it?"

"Why draw it if I'm not going to kill you? You can draw yours if you want."

Lee Songbaek closed his eyes tightly.

‘It’s a test of will. A test of will.’

Talking to this guy makes me feel like all my years of cultivation are wasted.

With his eyes closed, Lee Songbaek took a deep breath and raised his sword.

Originally, he planned to surprise and drive him away, but it seems that won't work. Regardless of personal grudges…

‘Judging by his words and actions, he won’t listen unless he’s beaten up.’

Lee Songbaek, who had accurately judged Qingming's character from their brief conversation, said:

"Draw your sword."

"Sure, whatever."

Qingming raised the sword indifferently.

Seeing this, Lee Songbaek slightly narrowed his brows.

"Better to do it properly. By the time you complain about my ruthless moves, it will be too late."

"Hey."

"Hmm?"

Qingming sighed deeply.

"Let's get this over with. What are we waiting for? Come on, attack."

"……!"

Lee Songbaek's face finally showed anger.

"I'll teach you some manners!"

In the end, Lee Songbaek discarded all pretense of courtesy and charged straight at Qingming.

Whoosh!

The sword of Zhongnan is simple and clear.

Among the Nine Schools, those known for their Daoist and swordsmanship traditions each have their distinct characteristics. The sword of Wudang is gentle, the sword of Huashan is flamboyant, the sword of Zhenchang is swift, and the sword of Zhongnan is solemn.

A heavy, unadorned sword struck down at Qingming's neck, devoid of any fancy techniques.

Qingming easily raised his sword to block the incoming strike from Lee Songbaek.

Clang!

The sound of metal clashing echoed as the sword and scabbard collided.

"Ha!"

At that moment, Lee Songbaek swung his sword again, aiming for Qingming's side.

It was swift and powerful. Even if there was a chance to counter, the force of the sword would likely split him in half, making it impossible to counter.

Clang!

Again, Qingming lowered his sword to block Lee Songbaek's attack.

Stumble.

Qingming took a step back, unable to withstand the force.

Seizing the initiative, Lee Songbaek began to attack fiercely, driving Qingming back.

"Hmm."

Gao Hui, watching the duel, smiled leisurely.

"Senior Brother seems quite angry. He doesn't seem to want to end it quickly."

"Huh?"

"That child has really gotten under Senior Brother's skin. Tsk tsk. He should know better than to play around with people."

"Is Senior Brother teaching the child a lesson?"

"Yes. He could end it anytime, but he's just playing along. The child is probably struggling to keep up."

Sure enough, Qingming kept stepping back.

Wei Hanshu, seeing this, tilted his head.

"Isn't he blocking it quite well, considering?"

"That's exactly what makes Senior Brother great. If he were to knock the child down instantly, what would people say?"

"Oh…"

"Senior Brother has quickly assessed the child's limits and is only using enough force and speed for the child to barely block. He's teaching without even landing a single blow."

Gao Hui shrugged.

"It's a big lesson for such a presumptuous child. He should learn from it. You should also pay attention to Senior Brother's movements."

"Understood!"

Gao Hui clicked his tongue.

‘For such a composed person to be so angry. If I were in his shoes, I'd be angry too. Senior Brother shouldn't get too excited, though.’

However, unlike the onlookers, Lee Songbaek, who was attacking, was struggling.

Clang!

‘Blocked again?’

This is strange.

This shouldn't be possible.

Contrary to Gao Hui's claim that he was just playing along, Lee Songbaek was using his fastest speed.

‘Why is it being blocked?’

It was as if a ghost was crying.

Qingming's sword was not fast. It was slow, even sluggish.

Yet, it somehow blocked Lee Songbaek's sword with ease.

The slow sword preemptively positioned itself to intercept Lee Songbaek's sword, waiting calmly.

‘How is this possible unless he can read my mind?’

Is he reading my sword path?

No, it's not that simple.

It's impossible for a young Huashan disciple to read a sword path, and even if he could, it would be impossible to block with such a slow sword.

To block his sword, Qingming would have to read Lee Songbaek's thoughts and move his sword before Lee Songbaek even swings.

How is this possible unless Qingming is a ghost?

"Ha!"

Lee Songbaek shouted and swung his sword with all his might.

The child in front of him was barely fifteen, no older than his youngest brother. Yet, this child was blocking his sword without any sign of struggle.

The sword of a prodigy from Zhongnan!

‘This is impossible!’

Lee Songbaek began to infuse his sword with internal energy.

What started as a light sparring match had unknowingly turned into a serious duel, with the internal energy in his sword growing stronger.

Swoosh!

A powerful sword wind burst from his sword.

Clang!

But even with the full force of his internal energy, Lee Songbaek's sword could not push Qingming's sword away.

It's a wall.

An impenetrable wall.

No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't break through. It was like a wall made of steel.

"Ugh!"

Lee Songbaek, driven by his pride, swung his sword with all his might.

"Ah!"

Seeing the sword wind from Lee Songbaek's sword, Gao Hui involuntarily shouted.

"Senior Brother! Don't get too excited!"

Gao Hui's sharp voice clearly reached Lee Songbaek's ears.

‘What am I doing!’

Lee Songbaek quickly withdrew the internal energy from his sword. The heavy momentum disappeared, leaving only a fast sword strike.

But.

Boom!

Suddenly, a loud explosion rang out, and Qingming's body was launched backward like a bullet.

"Huh?"

He slammed into the wall.

Thud!

Crack. Crack. Crack!

Cracks spread across the wall where Qingming had hit it. His body then slid down to the ground.

"……"

Lee Songbaek's eyes widened.

"Senior Brother!"

Gao Hui rushed over in shock.

"What have you done to the child!"

"No, I…"

He had clearly withdrawn the internal energy.

Even with full force, he couldn't even scratch the child. How could a sword without internal energy knock him back like that?

At that moment.

"Rattle."

Qingming, lying on the ground, began to convulse and suddenly started spewing blood from his mouth.

"Ah!"

"Ugh!"

Everyone rushed to Qingming in shock. Only Lee Songbaek stood there, looking dazed as if possessed.

"Spurt!"

A powerful gush of blood shot upward.

Wow… I never thought someone could spew so much blood from their mouth.

Clearly, I did something wrong. Clearly.

"Senior Brother!"

"……"

I'm going mad.

Lee Songbaek couldn't understand what was happening.

"Gasp. Rattle."

Blood gushed from Qingming's mouth, clearly indicating severe internal injuries. It wouldn't be surprising if he died from this.

Just as Lee Songbaek snapped out of his daze and was about to rush to Qingming,

"What is this nonsense!"

Everyone's attention turned to the source of the voice.

Lee Songbaek could only close his eyes in despair.

With a face full of anger, Huang Zhong glared at him, his beard trembling.