Chapter 28 …
No 14 – Confrontation (4)
Yeongmu was not on the platform but standing right in front of the training ground, watching the duel between Mujun and Mujin.
As Mujun’s master, he could offer advice during the fight, and if necessary, he might even step in as Mujun’s next opponent.
“Huh…”
As the greatest expert of the Jeomchang Sect, Yeongmu had cultivated his mind deeply, so his emotions rarely fluctuated much.
However, seeing his own disciple Mujun suffer such a completely overwhelming defeat, he could not help but let out a hollow sigh.
“N-No! Mujun!”
But at that moment—
Even though anyone could see the fight was already over, Mujun suddenly launched a sneak attack.
If it were a fight to the death, it would be different.
But in a match between fellow disciples, suddenly attacking like that was absolutely unacceptable.
Moreover, wasn’t the Jeomchang Sect supposed to be a prestigious orthodox sect?
Startled, Yeongmu hurriedly shouted at Mujun.
—BANG!
A sound like a leather drum tearing echoed, and a whirlwind of internal energy burst out around Mujun and Mujin.
“Gasp…!”
Mujun had thrown away even his pride and launched a surprise attack.
Yet his right fist was firmly caught by Mujin.
Mujin had simply reached out and blocked Mujun’s sudden Jingang Fist Technique.
Although the method was cowardly, the distance had been extremely close—less than half an arm’s length.
Since it was also a surprise attack, Mujun had been confident it would deal a heavy blow to Mujin.
But what on earth had just happened?
“As I always feel… there’s not much difference between orthodox and unorthodox sects.”
Mujin showed a bitter smile.
Despite his relaxed appearance, Mujin was not careless at all.
As a legendary assassin, he would never lower his guard—even in a sparring match.
For an assassin, one of the most important rules was this:
never relax until the opponent’s breath had completely stopped.
And sure enough, Mujun had launched a sudden Jingang Fist attack.
Mujin, meanwhile, had used the Honwon Divine Art, concentrating his innate qi into his right hand.
This time, Mujun had used innate qi as well, bringing down the powerful Jingang Fist.
“This is exactly the kind of thing assassins do. Pretending to be defeated, crouching down, then suddenly launching a sneak attack. Senior brother, how about leaving the Jeomchang Sect and joining the Assassins’ Guild?”
Mujin said mockingly, raising one corner of his mouth.
“Shut up!”
Unable to pull back his right fist from Mujin’s grip, Mujun threw another Jingang Fist with his left hand.
—BANG!
But the result was the same.
Even his left fist was caught by Mujin.
“Since you seem unable to admit defeat… I suppose I’ll have to escort you away a bit more forcefully.”
—CRACK!
“AAARGH!”
With a chilling smile stretching from ear to ear, Mujin snapped both of Mujun’s wrists.
“Ugh…”
Only after both wrists were broken did Mujun finally fall out of Mujin’s grasp.
Groaning in pain, Mujun glared with murderous intent blazing in his eyes.
He still had not lost his fighting spirit.
“Your tenacity is impressive.”
“It’s not over yet!”
Mujun leapt into the air and unleashed a series of flashy kicks.
It was his final desperate struggle now that both wrists were broken.
—THUD! THUD! THUD!
“ARGH!”
Mujin calmly dodged the kicks with a faint smile, then stepped in and began beating Mujun mercilessly with close-quarters combat techniques.
“Surrender.”
“No!”
—THUD! THUD!
“I said surrender.”
“Shut up!”
—THUD! THUD! THUD!
Mujun’s willpower was truly remarkable.
Although Mujin was holding back his strength, Mujun still refused to admit defeat despite the beating.
“Mujin, that’s enough. Mujun has lost.”
Unable to watch any longer, Yeongmu rushed into the arena to stop Mujin.
“M-Master! I haven’t lost!”
“Enough! What kind of disgraceful display is this? You already lost long ago. Struggling like this won’t change anything!”
“But—!”
“A martial artist must also know how to accept defeat. Is that not what I taught you?”
“Ghh…”
Even the stubborn Mujun could no longer resist after Yeongmu’s thunderous scolding.
He crouched on the ground, looking as if he might burst into tears.
“You did well enough. It’s not because you’re weak. It’s because Mujin is too strong.”
“Master…”
“Take Mujun to the medical hall! Hurry!”
“Yes!”
Once the tension faded, Mujun finally lost consciousness and slumped over.
His mental strength had been astonishing.
At Yeongmu’s request, members of the medical hall who had been waiting nearby rushed forward with a stretcher and carried Mujun away.
“How could this happen…?”
“Senior Uncle Mujun was completely defeated.”
“I didn’t see that wrong, did I?”
“Wow…”
Gasps erupted among the disciples, especially those of the Mu and Jin generations.
They were deeply shaken by the shocking result.
“Has Mujin become that strong?”
The leadership of the Jeomchang Sect, including the sect leader Yeongjin, were just as stunned.
Yeongjin stared blankly at Mujin with an emotional expression.
Meanwhile, the other leaders—including Yeongcheol—were so shocked that they simply stared wide-eyed, unable to speak.
Has Mujin really become that strong? What happened at the Repentance Cliff?
Yeongcheol nervously stroked his beard while swallowing hard.
He had felt uneasy since Mujin appeared, but he had never expected a result like this.
Of course, both Yeongho and Mujin had shown great confidence, so he suspected they had some hidden trump card.
But this much?
This wasn’t a narrow victory over Mujun.
It was a completely overwhelming one.
“Senior Brother Yeongho!”
Yeongsu, equally shocked, hurriedly called out to Yeongho, who was smiling widely.
“What is it?”
“Did you truly expect this result?”
“I did.”
“What on earth happened to Mujin all this time?”
“Heh heh…”
Yeongho suppressed the urge to burst into loud laughter.
Seeing the stunned faces of the leadership washed away years of pent-up frustration.
“Why are you making such a fuss over him defeating Mujun? Just keep watching.”
“You mean…?”
“Even Yeongmu won’t be able to defeat Mujin.”
“Good heavens…”
Considering the overwhelming martial prowess Mujin had shown, Yeongho’s words could not simply be dismissed.
Perhaps…
Perhaps Mujin could actually defeat Yeongmu—the strongest in the sect.
No… even so, he can’t defeat Yeongmu. That’s impossible.
Yeongcheol glanced resentfully at Yeongho, who looked triumphant, then took a deep breath and tried to stay optimistic.
But after seeing Mujin’s strength just now, even Yeongmu’s victory seemed uncertain.
The vague anxiety that had arisen when Mujin appeared was slowly becoming reality.
“I defeated Senior Brother Mujun, so you’ll fight me next, won’t you, Martial Uncle?”
Mujin asked with determination.
“Yes. You weren’t just boasting. You’re worthy of challenging me.”
Yeongmu nodded with a serious expression.
After watching the fight, it was clear Mujin’s martial skill was no joke.
Honestly, even Yeongmu himself wasn’t confident he could defeat Mujun as overwhelmingly as Mujin had.
I must fight with my full strength and without the slightest carelessness.
Recently, Yeongmu had gained great enlightenment, pushing his martial level to the peak realm.
He had become a master worthy of recognition in the entire martial world.
Even so, Mujin was not an opponent to be taken lightly.
The excitement and tension of facing a powerful rival rose within him.
“Would you like to rest first?”
“I can fight right away.”
“At least drink some water.”
“Since you insist, I’ll do that.”
Mujin bowed respectfully and stepped down from the arena.
“Martial Uncle!”
When Mujin came down, Jinsu was waiting with a bowl of water.
“Well, well, look who it is. Long time no see.”
“Martial Uncle! That was incredible. What happened to you to become so strong?”
“Haha, what strength?”
“I couldn’t prepare the pu-erh tea you like.”
“Heh, that’s fine. Thanks.”
Mujin drank the water in one gulp.
“Martial Uncle, Martial Grand-Uncle Yeongmu is extremely strong. Please be careful.”
“Didn’t you just see my skills? Don’t worry.”
“But…”
“We’ll catch up properly next time. Thanks for the water.”
Giving Jinsu a thumbs-up, Mujin leapt back onto the arena.
Martial Uncle Mujin really has become unbelievably strong… But can he defeat even Yeongmu?
Until now, Mujin had always produced astonishing results, as if mocking Jinsu’s worries.
But this time the opponent was Yeongmu, the strongest in the Jeomchang Sect.
Rumor said he might soon inherit the long-vacant title of Jeomchang’s Greatest Sword.
Could Mujin really defeat even him?
Clutching his pounding heart, Jinsu fixed his gaze on the arena.
“Thank you for allowing me the leisure to drink some water.”
“Is that really enough? You may rest longer if you wish.”
“No need. Let’s begin.”
“Very well, if that is what you want.”
Yeongmu gave a subtle signal with his cold gaze to Musuk, who was acting as referee.
“We will now continue with the next match. This duel is between Martial Uncle Yeongmu and Mujin.”
“WAAAAAA!”
As Musuk officially announced the match, the gathered disciples erupted into cheers.
Mujin had just crushed Mujun, one of the top five fighters in the sect.
Though his opponent now was Yeongmu—the strongest in the sect—expectations for Mujin had already grown immensely.
“My master said something.”
“Hmm?”
“He said the current leadership of this sect is hopeless.”
“….”
“In truth, if things had gone normally, none of them would be in their current positions.”
“Watch your words.”
“Even so, he said that among them, Martial Uncle Yeongmu is the real deal.”
“….”
“As befits the sect’s strongest, not only his martial arts but also his mind and convictions are solid.”
Mujin paused briefly with a faint smile.
“I also think you’re an excellent martial artist, Martial Uncle Yeongmu. But even you participated in framing an innocent young disciple.”
“….”
“Well, I understand. You belong to the ruling faction, after all.”
“….”
Because Yeongmu felt a prick of guilt, he simply stared at Mujin without speaking.
“Unfortunately, I will have to pull you down from the position of the sect’s strongest.”
Mujin continued firmly.
“After this duel ends… the plaque declaring the sect’s strongest will belong to me.”
—SHING!
With a chilling surge of killing intent that seemed to freeze the bones, Mujin drew his sword, its clear ringing echoing through the arena.
