Chapter 246 – Troublesome Guest

After concluding that sometimes the truth must be buried in silence for the sake of the master’s honor,

I decided to entrust the interpretation of the Heavenly Emperor Sword Technique to Hong Yeon-hwa.

It’s already a bit burdensome for her to create annotations for the secret manual she received from Myeongwoljin, let alone entrusting her with the Heavenly Emperor Sword Technique…

There’s no one else but Hong Yeon-hwa who can fully interpret martial arts with just one secret manual.

After Hong Yeon-hwa interprets it, we will share it with each other.

It’s not a big deal. After all, the master specifically told me to have Hong Yeon-hwa take a look when she’s available, so it means it’s okay to let my women know.

Of course, it’s unlikely that Peng Soso, who primarily uses martial arts, and Hong Yeon-hwa and her mother, who mainly use martial arts, will fully master the Heavenly Emperor Sword Technique.

However, the secrets contained within the Heavenly Emperor Sword Technique will undoubtedly be helpful.

I can use a sword, and with the power of the Muryeong Divine Art and my exceptional senses, I can move my body as I please. So I can somehow follow along with their movements…

But the philosophy of the Heavenly Emperor Sword Technique is a path that is very different from mine, so it will be difficult to reach a proper level.

I, too, will just take it as a reference.

But it doesn’t matter.

I already have the Muryeong Divine Art, and the path I’m taking will soon become my own martial art.

There’s no need to be upset about not learning another martial art from the master, the divine art of seduction.

For that reason, I woke up earlier than usual today and decided to practice in the courtyard.

Perhaps because of the pressure from Hong Yeon-hwa’s Heavenly Demon Ruler’s Command, the sensation under my feet is a bit harder than before. But it’s not like familiarity has disappeared.

Of course, it’s only natural. Until I met Hong Yeon-hwa, this small courtyard was my training ground.

…It’s small?”

I never thought the courtyard was small back then…but now it somehow looks a bit cramped.

The courtyard hasn’t shrunk, so it must be because I’ve become stronger and have more things I can do.

Just in case, should I exclude extensive exercises like the Horizontal Soaring Heaven’s Army today and focus on training?

No, what’s the point of that? I can just train outside the courtyard. Since I’m going out anyway, I can take care of miscellaneous tasks.

As I mentally organized the things I needed to do today while fiddling with my sword,

“Jin Ga-ga, can you spare a moment?”

“Huh? Are you already awake? What’s the matter?”

I woke up early on purpose to gather firewood and fetch water, among other things.

Peng Soso hesitated for a moment before opening her mouth with a serious expression.

“Please spar with me.”

“It’s not difficult. Ah, but there’s something I need to take care of first, so I’ll be busy for a while. I’ll be back soon. Maybe in about an hour…”

“Like a real fight. Intense. Until I’m exhausted and collapse.”

“What’s the matter?”

Why is she suddenly saying that with a stern expression?

Even though Peng Soso is quite ambitious, she doesn’t get excited during sparring.

Without saying a word, Peng Soso looked at me intently and flashed a mischievous smile.

“It’s nothing serious. I just… want to become stronger.”

“You’re already plenty strong.”

Among the late-stage disciples, there’s no one stronger than Peng Soso. Even Namgung Hyeok, who defeated Peng Soso during the Yongbongji Society, wouldn’t stand a chance now.

During the actual battle at the Royal Martial Arts Tournament, Peng Soso swept through the battlefield with ease.

If the opponent was at the peak level, regardless of the martial art they used or how many there were, Peng Soso would cut them all down in one stroke.

At this rate, she could reach the pinnacle within a few years.

“You’re already fast enough. Why are you in such a hurry?”

“Being fast enough is not enough.”

“What?”

Peng Soso tapped the ground with her toes, her voice piercing through.

“If something were to happen to Jin Ga-ga, I wouldn’t be able to help at my current level, would I? In fact, I could even become a weakness for Jin Ga-ga.”

“That’s unlikely.”

Who would dare to touch the youngest daughter of the Haebuk Peng family? Those who could do that have either died during the Royal Martial Arts Tournament or are about to die soon.

As I mentioned earlier, Peng Soso’s own strength is by no means weak.

But it seems that Peng Soso has a different way of thinking. She just lowered her head in response to my surprised reaction.

“You never know what might happen in the world, right? No one could have predicted the Royal Martial Arts Tournament. No one knew that someone would betray us, or that Gangshi would break the rules, or that the Samaryeonju would be so powerful. That’s why it’s dangerous.”

“That’s true, but even considering that, there’s really no need to rush, right? If anything, you should focus on training with Yeonhwa…”

“Jin Ga-ga, I want to become someone who suits you. But to do that, I need to know what level you’re at, right?”

Peng Soso bowed her head slightly.

“I’m asking you. Please spar with me sincerely for today.”

“Ah.”

I’ve heard this before.

How could I forget? It’s something I always said to Hong Yeonhwa.

Even now, she wants to be someone who can stand beside me, someone who suits me.

I didn’t know that Peng Soso had such thoughts about me.

“Uh… well, I mean…”

I stuttered and hesitated for a moment.

I wonder if she thinks I’m hesitating. Peng Soso suddenly raised her head and approached me, whispering in my ear.

“We agreed to do it together next time, didn’t we? If you spar with me…”

Whisper, whisper.

“What do you think?”

“…Well, I guess I can just go to the village and buy firewood. It’ll be quick, so you can warm up in the meantime.”

“Okay~”

I left Peng Soso, who answered innocently, behind and forcefully stomped on the ground.

***

When I returned from the river, Hong Yeonhwa and the Samma mother and daughter were lined up on the platform, looking a bit restless. Sensing their gaze, I took a seat a little away from Peng Soso.

“Alright, let’s get started.”

“It’s been quite a while since I last sparred with Jin Ga-ga!”

“Yeah, it’s been a while. We sparred once when I reached the peak, and this is the first time since then, right?”

It’s better to spar with someone of similar skill, after all.

After I reached the peak, I often sparred with Samma Mang, while Peng Soso sparred with Samma Yeoryeong.

“Oh, I won’t use excessive force or techniques.”

There’s also the fact that it would take too long to use them in actual combat… But if I hold back too much in my spar with Peng Soso, it will end up being ridiculous.

What Peng Soso wants to see is not how strong I am, but how well I can fight, so I need to adjust appropriately.

“If you could do that, I’d appreciate it.”

Peng Soso nodded in agreement, and I drew out my sturdy sword.

A solid piece of metal, just like any other person’s torso. But Peng Soso took a soft stance as if it was nothing special.

Crouched down, yet threatening, ready to pounce like a fierce beast at any moment.

Unlike me, who raises my own power, Peng Soso utilizes flexibility and elasticity to concentrate the power of her whole body where she wants it, using the Peng family’s unique technique, the Ohodanmun.

Swish.

I also drew my sword and took my stance.

Legs spread apart, sword pointed forward, a basic stance.

Compared to Peng Soso, it’s nothing special, just plain ordinary… But it doesn’t matter. This is the most powerful stance for me.

“I’m coming!”

As soon as the signal was given, Peng Soso’s new sword shot up like a spring, accelerating rapidly. In an instant, a vibrant energy surged as she swung her sword in a semicircle, aiming at me.

“Hah!”

I immediately extended my sword and struck the side of her sword.

Clang!

Normally, Peng Soso would have lost her grip or her sword would have flown away due to the tremendous impact.

But this time, I intentionally limited my strength to a similar level, so that didn’t happen.

Instead, Peng Soso forcefully exerted her strength on her retreating arm and slid along my sword, aiming for my jugular.

From here, take one step to the right diagonally.

Naturally, the direction of the sword changed, and Peng Soso’s attack, which was sliding in, was redirected outward.

It’s not a remarkable technique or a secret move. It’s just a grappling technique that I’ve naturally learned from facing opponents stronger than me.

But even with a grappling technique, if you execute it at the right moment, it can be effective.

As our bodies got closer, Peng Soso’s weapon moved further away.

I immediately kicked her thigh with my knee and tried to escape.

Thud!

“Ugh?!”

Before that, my elbow got stuck in Peng Soso’s thigh.

Despite the considerable pain, I maintained my composure and Peng Soso jumped with one leg.

At first glance, it may seem like an unstable jump with one leg, but in reality, she is precisely controlling the power of her entire body.

The rapid acceleration and sudden stop in close quarters are the variations of Peng Soso’s unique technique, the Ohodanmun.

If I were to think that I found a gap and tried to pursue, I would be counterattacked.

However, finding a gap is not about discovering it, but creating it.

What I learned from Peng Soso before was the secret technique of the Hegum Sword that destroys opponents in such a way.

Now, it’s time to show Peng Soso what I’ve got.

…Come to think of it, I’ve always found life in the midst of danger.

Thud.

Knowing that I would be counterattacked, I still threw myself forward.