Isong Baek took a deep breath and looked up at the stairs leading to the stage.
There is nothing on the staircase.
But if Chung Myung is waiting on these stairs, they can’t be insignificant.
‘The stairs are manageable.’
You can go up if you want. You can expect a significant increase in return for putting in a little effort.
However, martial arts do not always pay off like those clear stairs.
Even if he swings his sword repeatedly, his conviction that he is on the right path becomes hazier.
With that in mind, perhaps Isong Baek is a fortunate man.
Because he possesses it.
Someone who can ensure he is on the right track.
Step. Step. Step.
Isong Baek took firm steps onto the stage and looked at the man across from him.
He had a relaxed expression, as if he had gone for a walk.
His long, growing hair was tangled and spilled on his face, so he tied it up. The expression on his face was terrifying.
No one can recognize you as a master.
But Isong Baek is aware.
The man in front of him is a formidable opponent who cannot be compared to Jin Geum Ryong or Baek Chun.
“I meet you again, Mount Hua Divine Dragon.”
“…just call me Chung Myung.”
“Then I’ll do it. Chung Myung Dojang.”
Isong Baek has a new expression when he looks at Chung Myung.
‘What a strange individual.’
He had no idea who Chung Myung was when he first saw him. Mount Hua was a sect that was disintegrating due to indifference, and Chung Myung was only the youngest disciple of that disintegrating sect.
The saying that Heaven and Earth have overturned fits well with each other since they have changed.
Chung Myung is now the highest rising star on Mount Huai, which has caused a storm worldwide, and is proudly recognized as the world’s leading rising star.
Nevertheless…
“Are you laughing?”
“N-No.”
Isong Baek rubbed the corner of his mouth quickly.
“It’s weird to think that Chung Myung Dojang hasn’t changed at all.”
Chung Myung cocked his chin.
“Why is that funny?”
“I’m not sure about that either. In any case, it’s entertaining.”
“…well, think whatever you want.”
Chung Myung smirked as well.
‘It’s only natural that nothing changes.’
If Chung Myung was a child, his shoulders would be as tall as Mount Hua by now. Nothing will be visible to him.
In reality, he is an elderly man who has served in underwater and air warfare and mountain warfare.
Is it possible that if such a person is recognized as a rising star, that strength will always be placed on his shoulder? He was about to feel embarrassed.
Chung Myung raised his eyes to Isong Baek.
He had a subtle smile, which confirmed Isong Baek’s calm expression.
“Ah, it seems that Southern Edge Sect is ruined?”
“…….”
“That’s quite a burst, too?”
“…….”
The sudden provocation made Isong Baek’s shoulders tremble.
‘That mouth hasn’t changed one bit.’
It’s similar to applying salt after digging a wound.
“……there is still hope.”
“Ei, It seems there is no hope? If you can find hope there, gold can be found in the beggar’s den. Well, yes. Do you know If you dig a beggar’s den well, you might get gold veins?”
How can he be so witty?
On Isong Baek’s brow was a vein of blood.
‘I’m not going to say anything.’
He should not speak with this person. He believes he had previously learned a lesson, but he couldn’t figure out why he was getting caught up again.
Then Chung Myung smiled and said.
“What do you think about moving to Mount Hua?”
“Yes?”
Isong Baek surprisedly opened his eyes. It wasn’t because he was tempted but because he was taken aback.
“I’m a disciple of Southern Edge Sect.”
“I know.”
Chung Myung blew his ears with his mouth after picking them.
“But how about it? It will take a year to clean up all the old water you learned in Southern Edge Sect and refill it with clean water from Mount Hua Sect. Um… no. Half a year will do for you.”
“…….”
“Wouldn’t it be better to move to a better place than to hold onto a ruined sect?”
Isong Baek’s lips were set in a bitter smile.
Southern Edge Sect would have said that to Chung Myung three years ago. If only the Southern Edge Sect had known what kind of person Chung Myung was at the time.
On the other hand, Chung Myung was saying it to Isong Baek.
“To be honest with you, I’m a little happy about the offer.”
“…then?”
“I refuse.”
“Hoo?”
Chung Myung responded by looking at Isong Baek with a curious expression.
“Why?”
“It’s very straightforward. Because I am a disciple of the Southern Edge Sect.”
“…….”
Isong Baek drew his sword slowly.
“Just as you did not abandon the fallen Mount Hua, I do not abandon my Southern Edge Sect.”
“Even if it’s burnt and there are only ashes left?”
“Then…….”
His calm response followed.
“I’ll be the spark and start the fire again.”
Isong Baek’s eyes did not tremble.
This is not a question of strength versus weakness.
Only a swordsman who sticks to his own path can have such eyes.
Chung Myung’s lips curled into a smile.
“Can you be the spark?”
“I’m here to confirm that.”
“Hou.”
Chung Myung nodded, as if he liked it more and more, and reached for the scabbard at his waist.
“Is that so?”
And then he lifted it.
“Then shall we check?”
Chung Myung pointed the scabbard at Isong Baek, who frowned slightly.
“Aren’t you going to draw your sword?”
“I’ll take it out if I need it.”
Isong Baek quietly nodded. He was well aware of the disparity between Chung Myung and his abilities. He lacks the strength to demand that the sword be drawn.
‘Let us not be persuaded.’
He only needs to identify himself, not boost his self-esteem.
Isong Baek bowed his head and took a deep breath.
‘I’m putting everything I’ve got into this!’
Finally, he lifted his head, his will in his eyes.
“Then! Let’s…….”
“What did you say?”
“Yes?”
Chung Myung charged at Isong Baek and struck him in the head with the scabbard!
Isong Baek’s eyes were wide open, as if he were about to cry.
Kuuuuuuuung!
“…….”
A moment of heavy silence fell.
Thud.
Isong Baek collapsed forward, stiff as a piece of wood.
“You’re bluffing.”
Chung Myung squatted down in front of him and smiled.
Unconsciously, Baek Chun, who was looking at the scene on stage, clapped.
“He’s dead.”
“He’s dead, isn’t he?”
“Ah. That’s enough to die.”
Mount Hua’s disciples were watching the game alongside him and expressed their emotions.
“But didn’t that little bastard say something about Southern Edge Sect’s seed?”
“I guess he gonna put the seeds together and set them on fire.”
“It’s very Chung Myung-like. It seems like he’s going to cut off the neck after giving a hope. After all, he does things that humans wouldn’t be able to do. It’s great. I admire him a lot.”
Whatever emotions were expressed on stage, Chung Myung did not appear to be able to hear them.
Chung Myung, lying face down and trembling, poked Isong Baek in the shoulder.
“Are you dead?”
“…….”
“I don’t think you’re dead yet.”
“…….”
“Ei. You have to get up. You can’t fall down like this. You said you will revive Southern Edge Sect. The guy who stretches out in one strike could save what? Get up quickly.”
“…….”
Baek Chun and everyone else smiled at the scene again.
“It’s like Asura. He is trying to get the fallen opponent up again and beat them again.”
“Great, great. That’s enough to do your job even if you’re in hell. Yama will take him as a brother.”
“Sasuk has to be grateful. Sasuk could have been like that at the next match.”
“…I bow twice in the direction of my brother before I go to bed from today.”
“That’s for the dead, isn’t it?”
“I know.”
“…….”
Jo Gol opened his mouth wide.
‘Ah, this person is definitely not normal either.’
The referee looked at the situation for a moment and raised his hand.
“This is a win for Mount Hua Chung Myung…….”
“Now, wait a minute!”
“Hm?”
Chung Myung shouted and the surroundings went quiet again.
Then a groan came from the mouth of the fallen Isong Baek.
“Ugh…….Uhh…….”
Isong Baek managed to pull himself up with trembling hands against the ground. After barely standing up, he stumbled for a moment, then raised his sword again and took a stance.
“I- I’m fine. Continue…”
The referee approached and asked with a worried face.
“Are you sure you’ll be okay?”
“I- I can go on. It’s because I’m stupidly careless…”
“…I think it was too much of a surprise.”
“No, I let my guard down and…….”
As Isong Baek continued to deny it, the referee was forced to nod his head with dismay.
“Then be careful.”
“Yes!”
As the referee stepped back, Isong Baek looked at Chung Myung and apologized.
“I’m sorry. I’m so excited. I’m fine, so I’ll keep going…”
Sruuk.
A blood stream from Isong Baek’s head began to flow through his face.
“…You don’t look all right.”
“It’s really all right.”
“I think you’re gonna die.”
“It’s okay! It’s okay! Now, hold on a second.”
He ripped his clothes off and wrapped them around his head, and it was only after he had completely stopped bleeding, that he looked at Chung Myung with an awkward face and nodded his head.
“Thank you for your patience.”
“Hmm.”
He looked better after wiping off his bloody face, but he still looked pathetic.
The audience also began to shout words of encouragement, whether they were immersed in Isong Baek.
“Cheer up, Isong Baek!”
“Get that demon down!”
“What a cowardly surprise!”
“Don’t you have any conscience? Conscience!”
When Chung Myung heard that, he picked his ears.
“What?”
It’s the fault of the one who looked away from the stage.
This is the sparring stage, so only the head is broken. If it was a battlefield, there is nothing to say even if the neck is cut off.
Unlike the crowd, Isong Baek seemed to be aware of the fact and said it with a very apologetic face.
“I know it’s shameless, but can I ask for one more time?”
“Well.”
Chung Myung scratched his cheek slightly.
“You’re already dead.”
“…as expected.”
Isong Baek sighed with a disappointed look.
“But… You have a chance even if you die once.”
“…Yes?”
“Oh, well, it’s not something you can understand.”
Chung Myung grinned and raised his scabbard again to point at Isong Baek.
“Let’s try again.”
“Thank you!”
Isong Baek looked at Chung Myung with determined eyes as if he would never let his guard down this time.
‘I died once.’
His sword of defense.
However, he couldn’t stop his opponent’s attack. Even if his neck is cut off, it’s a mistake that he has nothing to say.
There is no point in making an excuse that it would not have been a mistake if the opponent were not Chung Myung.
In any case, his opponent is Chung Myung.
‘So there’s nothing to be afraid of.’
The tense body loosens up. It seems like the bleeding is rather helpful.
His mind, which had been so complicated as to burst, is becoming clear.
Isong Baek’s world is starting to become clearer.
Except for himself and Chung Myung who stood on the stage, everything else faded away.
“Hou?”
Chung Myung, who saw the incredible concentration, rolled up the corners of his mouth.
‘As expected.’
He’s an interesting guy every time Chung Myung sees him.
‘Shall we check it out?’
Whether he really deserves to walk the path.
Chung Myung quietly took the top position.
A posture in which his feet are shoulder-width apart and his sword is gently held forward.
The basic posture for all swordsmen, the roots of Mount Hua. It is the posture that becomes the backbone of the Six-fold Combo Swords.
“Are you looking for perfection?”
“…I know it’s hard, but it is.”
“Is it that difficult?”
Chung Myung’s voice subsided slightly.
“Really?”
It was that moment.
Chung Myung took a step forward and struck down his sword.
And Isong Baek saw.
It was just one step closer, but Chung Myung narrowed the distance at once.
‘What the hell is this…?’
Soon after, Chung Myung’s sword fell toward Isong Baek.
Kwaaaang!
The dust piled up on the stage in a moment and was pushed all over the place. The wave soon became a shock wave and swept the crowd.
Isong Baek’s eyes were bloodshot.
‘What the hell is this….?’
A simple strike.
It’s just a simple swing. But just by blocking it, Isong Baek’s hands twisted as if they would break at any moment, and his legs and waist were screaming.
Chung Myung’s eyes, which were seen through the sword, shone endlessly cold.
“It’s good to feel it thoroughly. What kind of path you want to go.”
Cool voice and overwhelming pressure.
Cold sweat began to flow down Isong Baek’s back.