Chapter 276
“Time to hustle over to the Great Sword Gate!”
I figured I’d handle the Twin Gate first before approaching the Four Great Families. I hadn’t even taken a full moment since I smashed the Iron Blood Gate, and there I stood at the Great Sword Gate, memories flooding back.
‘I was just a kid back then, hoping to join the Golden Eagle Guard and relying on the Great Sword Gate Leader.’
I recalled thrilling bouts with the disciples there. It was a fun experience, sharing cups with the Great Sword Gate Leader. He wasn’t a bad guy, just a calm martial artist, despite later getting tangled in a bout with him. There was really no reason to be enemies.
But hey, no choice now. I took a deep breath to settle my nerves and spoke to the gatekeeper.
“I’m Baek Woong. Here to apply for a sparring match at the Great Sword Gate.”
The gatekeepers had these bewildered looks on their faces. I mean, come on, a kid in his teens asking a prestigious Great Sword Gate Leader for a sparring match? They exchanged glances and chuckled instead of taking it seriously.
“Kid, this isn’t some playground.”
“Hmm…”
It was clear they were taken aback by my age. At the Iron Blood Gate, things were sharper and more chaotic; a proper sparring application would’ve been welcomed. But this, I expected this reaction.
‘Not really into causing a ruckus.’
Unlike the Iron Blood Gate that had my head on the block, I held no ill feelings toward the Great Sword Gate.
After a moment of thought, I sprinted right past them into the Great Sword Gate.
Whoosh!
“Gasp!”
The guards practically jumped, watching me zip inside like some mirage. With the Soul Removal Technique properly executed, I could move faster than they could see—an easy feat to dodge their martial arts. I slipped through the crowd like a ghost, landing in front of the Great Sword Gate Leader’s office.
As I stepped inside, an elderly man dressed neatly in simple white robes sat there. He gazed at me intently, and I bowed respectfully.
“Great Sword Gate Leader, I’ve come to apply for a sparring match.”
“Ah, it’s you,” he murmured knowingly.
“The one who smashed the Iron Blood Gate, right?”
“You’ve heard about it already?”
“I learned about it just half a moment before you arrived. From the traces left behind, it was easy to guess you’re from the Thunder God Lineage.”
That made sense. The Great Sword Gate Leader was a close friend of Lee Kwang, who had stirred up the martial world back in the day. Of course, he’d recognize the Thunder God martial arts characteristics.
“No personal vendettas here. I just want to avoid bloodshed, so please indulge me with a friendly spar.”
“Before that, I have a question.”
“Ask away.”
“Are you a Half-Transition Master?”
I shook my head.
“Not quite. Just had a stroke of luck.”
“Interesting… I’ve never seen someone your age reach this level.”
“So what’s your take on the Thunder God Lineage?”
“What do you mean?”
Feigning innocence, I inquired, “Have the Four Great Families heard about me?”
“Of course. They’re probably on edge, waiting for your arrival.”
“…”
“Come along.”
It hit me that the Great Sword Gate Leader was much stronger than the Iron Blood Leader. While we exchanged words, our auras were subtly measured against each other, but unlike the Iron Blood, he was holding strong. It felt more like a tie in skill.
‘It makes sense that he’s friends with Lee Kwang.’
This guy was acknowledged as equal by Lee Kwang! I assumed this would finally be a serious match compared to the last time. He led me to an open area, not really a sparring arena but spacious enough. Soon, the Great Sword disciples gathered around to get a glimpse.
We stepped back, clearly facing each other. I locked eyes and said, “Let’s get this started.”
“Actually, I should be the one asking for this.”
In the next moment, our swords clashed in radiant sparks, our perfect techniques colliding in the air. Amidst the whirlwind of pressure, I gauged his strength more accurately.
‘Strong!’
The fact that he had made the Huashan Sect Elder kneel in a mere second confirms he was no joke. I realized he was at least a tier above the Iron Blood Leader, prompting me to launch all the moves I knew to seize the upper hand.
Clang!
The Cave-Collapsing Sword and the Heavenly Contraction Sword danced rhythmically, pushing intensely at the Great Sword Leader. As he countered with Nun-Style techniques, he seemed to block effortlessly, far more skillfully than during my bout with the Iron Blood Leader.
He moved like a reflection in a mirror, smoothly gliding back. In an instant, the Great Sword Leader split the air with a ruthless slash.
Boom!
The striking steel felt like an explosion! Using my internal power, I braced myself against his attack, but not many experts could withstand it. To make matters worse, he unleashed a flurry of techniques with astonishing speed, truly skilled in the craft.
As I countered with the Bowing Sky Slash, I thought, ‘His mastery is incredibly deep…’
He was a master of a different dimension compared to the Iron Blood Leader.
The Cave-Collapsing Sword and Heavenly Contraction Sword had the finesse to adjust practically in the realm of an extraordinary master, so I took the upper hand in offense and defense—but he was closing the gap using only his sword techniques. Not to mention, he was flaunting multiple advanced sword maneuvers that most ordinary practitioners would struggle to grasp their entire life.
A torrent of sword energy surged at me like a pouring rain of spirits.
We tangled for over a hundred seconds, passing strikes. When the engagement cooled down, the Great Sword Leader spoke.
“I was wrong about you. Your swordplay doesn’t align with the Thunder God.”
“Then what do you think it is?”
“I’ve heard of a legendary figure from the Wudang Sect who showcases similar swordplay characteristics.”
It seems he’d heard the word about the top martial artist, the Bright Dragon. I let out a gentle sigh.
“When fighting the Iron Blood Leader, I thought it’d be a cakewalk. But facing you, the weight of expectation looms.”
“Flattery. It’s truly an honor to exchange blows with a master like you.”
“Are the leaders of the Four Great Families as strong as you?”
The Great Sword Leader blinked at me.
“Well, I personally doubt it, but who knows? There might be someone beyond in this vast world.”
“So there is someone pacing.”
He might just be aware of the presence of Han Baek-ryeong lurking in Luoyang.
Clang!
Clang!
The battle continued, with silver light bursting around us as we fought fiercely. It felt like the most satisfying match I had since arriving in Luoyang.
Several times, I contemplated deploying the Thunderclap technique, but was hesitant. The Iron Blood Leader had no ties to the Thunder God techniques, but the Great Sword Leader knew them quite well. His martial arts proficiency was far superior, making the potential leakage of my Thunderclap technique a significant risk.
‘Unless it’s a life-or-death struggle, better to hold back on that.’
Things dragged on as we reached a stalemate. Stamina-wise, I was leveraging my internal power effortlessly while he looked increasingly drained, almost gasping for air.
After one last exchange with the Bowing Sky Slash, I proposed, “Shall we call it a day?”
“Gasp… Yeah, you’re right…”
He wiped his brow and sighed.
“The spar was my defeat.”
The surrounding disciples buzzed, finding it odd that he’d suddenly declare defeat when for them, the fight seemed fairly even. But considering stamina and endurance, the scales had tipped in my favor.
Sure, the Great Sword Leader might have a secret technique up his sleeve, but he wasn’t foolish enough to use tricks during a friendly match.
“I appreciate the concession.”
The Great Sword Leader raised an eyebrow.
“What’s your aim? Looking to overthrow the Twin Gate?”
“I don’t really have a specific goal. I’m just satisfied gaining experience from the match with you.”
“Hmph…”
He muttered, “If your swordplay were unified, I’d not even be a challenge for you. I wish you reach higher realms.”
“…”
I turned and left, sensing a chill run over me.
‘Oh no, he noticed the chaos in my swordplay.’
He probably understood my techniques were advanced yet lacked cohesion in execution, making me weaker than I should be despite number advantages. Standing before a top-tier master like the Great Sword Leader, my weaknesses were painfully clear.
Next, I headed to the Yi Clan. The Yi Clan was famous for producing warriors and soldiers working with the bureaucracy, so their specialty was spear techniques and polearms.
‘Spear skills, huh.’
Useless overthinking, I figured I’d finish up everything within the day.
“Total victory against the Twin Gate. Quite the extravagance.”
Han Baek-ryeong, the leader of the Han Clan, leisurely dangled a pipe. I found myself seated in the secret reception room where Han Jin-seong and she were present. Despite endless battles from the night, the internal power kept me refreshed.
She gazed at me with intrigue and asked, “So how was it? Care to share your thoughts?”
I answered candidly, “The Great Sword Leader was the strongest, the rest were slightly below.”
In just a hundred seconds, I had taken down Yi Uk, the head of the Yi Clan, as well as Seo Yoon from the Seo Clan and Jang Bong from the Zhang Clan in similar timings. Their skills were on par with the lower ranks of the Twelve Joules sect leaders. No one could give me a run for my money at that point.
“Spot on. My thoughts align with yours.”
As she picked up a fruit that looked like a ruby, she continued, “Considering the previous generations, it could be different. There was someone who honed the Zhang Clan’s techniques to their limits… but at this moment, the Great Sword Leader stands unrivaled in Luoyang’s martial world.”
“…”
Except for you, I thought.
I felt the overwhelming gap between the Dharma Protectors and the martial artists.
“You seem to have something to say?”
I stared straight at her, “Fighting the Great Sword Leader made me realize I can’t stay stagnant.”
“What do you mean?”
“I need more time to better control the chaos in my swordplay. Therefore, I intend to embark on personal training.”
Han Baek-ryeong flicked the pipe against the floor, replying, “If that’s your choice, go ahead. It’ll take at least half a year for me to report to the Sect Leader.”
Her easy acceptance was a relief, but I was puzzled over another point and asked, “Wait, does it actually take that long?”
“Though I’m a Dharma Protector, the Sect Leader isn’t too keen on meeting us. Orders fly quick, but face-to-face? That’s a different story,” she explained, stretching her back.
“The Sect Leader desires to maintain the Four Great Families’ independence while ensuring our autonomy, yet hesitates to meet with us. It’ll take at least half a year for a response to any request sent to the Elder Council.”
“…!!”
That was surprising intel. So it’s true that both the Sect Leader and the Dharma Protectors had infrequent contact? If a Protector forced a meeting with the Sect Leader, a massive conflict with the peak experts of the Elder Council would surely ensue! That’s easier said than done.
“So, this sluggish communication is what’s slowing down the White Lotus Sect?”
Han Baek-ryeong smirked, “That would imply a major issue has arisen that calls for the Sect Leader’s strength. Do such threats exist in the central plains?”
“…”
“You see, the Sect Leader has little interest in the chaotic central plains and is only focused on the Young Master’s plight.”
Confidence that the Dharma Protectors alone could handle the central plains! It could come off as arrogance, but honestly, Han Baek-ryeong tightly controlled the Five Great Families, while Cheon Woo-jin leveraged the Huashan Sect to conquer the Nine Great Sects. Dokgo Jun easily subdued the Eight Demons of the Demon Path. With the power of the Dharma Protectors alone, they could surely dominate the central plains.
‘I must uncover the secrets of the White Lotus Sect.’
There had to be a fundamental secret allowing them to build such immense power. I vowed that during this life, I would simultaneously conduct Mangnyang’s Offering Ceremony and uncover the White Lotus Sect’s truths.
“With that, I’ll take my leave.”
“Go ahead.”
As I departed the Han Clan, I found Han Jin-seong waiting under a willow, handing me a golden badge.
“Return within half a year, maximum a year,” he instructed.
“Understood. But what’s this golden badge for?”
“I mentioned earlier about supporting your faction. This badge grants you free access to any battlefield under the Han Clan’s banner. Spend money as you wish. With it, you can mobilize forces like the Blood Wolf Squad or Black Star Sect that are under the Han Clan.”
“…!!”
“Any allied forces with the badge’s approval and their leaders are listed here, so take note.”
I opened the letter and gasped. Over thirty factions were listed, and many appeared to be formidable mid-tier clans and sects. Just with the forces listed, it was possible to form an independent alliance in Jianghu! I couldn’t help but mumble, “The Fire Spirit Techniques hold this much influence?”
“Fire Spirit Techniques? This is merely my direct authority. In reality, it’s double.”
“…”
“The Fire Spirit Techniques have been expanding into the central plains for over a century now. This is just standard fare.”
No one would have expected this, I thought.
Although I belong to the Twin Gate, realizing the Han Clan operates at an apex level and controls such tremendous power was astonishing! Han Jin-seong cautioned me, “I don’t know where you’re headed, but don’t forget we’re bound by fate. Joining the White Lotus Sect’s ranks and reaching the top is a grand venture spanning dozens of years.”
“Understood. I’ll use the support wisely.”
“Travel safely.”
Whoosh!
I activated my Golden Lamp technique, disappearing from Han Jin-seong’s sight. My first destination was Taekyung Village.
