IBASL 10

Chapter 10

Bang Judeok entered Cheongryongjang and looked around, searching for the three men who had disappeared.

Unlike the previous three, Bang Judeok immediately realized that the situation inside the training ground was unfolding differently from what he had expected.

“It seems that fellow defeated the three.”

“It was by a narrow margin, but that is what happened.”

At Jo Pungdo’s reply, Bang Judeok inwardly shook his head.

Unlike the three fools, he was not ignorant of martial arts.

He had never expected those three to defeat Haegang in the first place.

He had also witnessed Haegang’s progress over the past half month from up close, so he was well aware of his achievements.

‘But… he’s too fast.’

Even if there was a considerable difference in their level of achievement, if the three had challenged Haegang one after another, he should at least have shown signs of fatigue.

Yet Haegang had not shed even a single drop of sweat.

Furthermore, considering that he had fought three people, the duels had ended far too quickly.

‘If I can’t see any injuries, then they must have been hurt.’

He had defeated the three so quickly without shedding a drop of sweat, and had even injured them?

‘So the trick of redirecting force alone isn’t enough.’

Bang Judeok had secretly taught the three, without Geum Gyo-du or Haegang knowing, one of Pilgongmun’s essential principles—the technique of redirecting force.

He had judged that with that technique, even if there was some difference in grip strength, they would be able to inflict injuries on Haegang.

‘My calculations were wrong. I’ll have to fight him properly.’

If there had been even a few signs of torn skin here and there, Bang Judeok could have leisurely beaten the bastard in front of Yeonhwa.

But that plan had already gone awry, so he felt the need to take this seriously.

Unless he could reveal all of his martial arts, this was a place where he could only use Manggeumjo.

As he assumed his starting stance with a serious expression, Jo Pungdo spoke.

—Begin!

—Tap!

The moment Jo Pungdo’s words fell, Bang Judeok kicked off the ground and shot toward Haegang in an instant.

Geum Gyo-du flinched, but Jo Pungdo raised one hand to stop him.

Bang Judeok had momentarily displayed Pilgongmun’s footwork.

But Jo Pungdo did not seem inclined to make an issue of it.

The instant Haegang’s Geummaeng-a flew toward the rapidly approaching Bang Judeok—

—Tap!

Bang Judeok twisted his knee and ankle and kicked against the ground.

At the same time, his body suddenly spun toward Haegang’s side, slipping out of Haegang’s field of vision.

Naturally, Haegang’s hand could only slice through empty air.

—Papapat!

The moment Bang Judeok seized his flank, his attack came flying in.

Haegang naturally rotated his body and blocked it with his swinging arm.

“That was good improvisation.”

At the elder’s words, Yeonhwa repeatedly nodded.

“Mm!”

Yeonhwa answered in Jo Pungdo’s place.

Even from Yeonhwa’s perspective, despite having spent far more years in the martial arts than Bang Judeok, Haegang’s response was not bad at all considering that he had not properly learned any movement technique or footwork.

—Papapapapapat! Papapat!

At point-blank range, the exchange continued rapidly, with the two repeatedly striking and deflecting each other’s hands.

Those watching the fight nodded.

“Not bad. Even against a disciple who has been studying at Pilgongmun for two years….”

“It is more than merely ‘not bad.’ That fellow from Pilgongmun is extremely cautious because he is afraid of being grabbed anywhere. The difference in their Josu Dallyeon achievements must be quite considerable.”

At the other elder’s words, Jo Pungdo curled up one corner of his mouth.

“He’s wary of Bungoljoh. He’s learned enough martial arts to know how to use his head.”

The moment Jo Pungdo finished speaking, Bang Judeok began to lose momentum in the exchange.

He started using flashy footwork, circling toward Haegang’s side.

“Tsk.”

Haegang clicked his tongue softly at the man circling around him and throwing attacks toward his flank.

Still, Haegang had spent decades in the martial world and had once reached the second-rate realm.

He could have immediately used footwork and crushed such ridiculous movements, but there were too many eyes watching.

He had only been taught Manggeumjo for half a month.

If he displayed the Blood Claw Family’s footwork here, it was obvious what would happen.

‘Well, it’s not as though I have no other way.’

After finishing his thought, Haegang extended his elbow toward the hand flying toward his side and simultaneously threw his body toward Bang Judeok.

Bang Judeok had seized Haegang’s flank and was aiming for his side.

He was bewildered when Haegang suddenly came charging in with his elbow leading the way, using a technique that did not even exist within Manggeumjo.

—Pak!

“Urgh!”

Bang Judeok grabbed Haegang’s elbow and blocked it, but because Haegang had driven forward with his entire body, Bang Judeok was forced back two steps and let out a groan.

If Bang Judeok’s Josu Dallyeon level had been higher, Haegang’s elbow would have been damaged.

But at Bang Judeok’s current level, he did not possess enough grip strength to crush the elbow bone with his bare hands.

—Whoosh!

Haegang did not miss the opening created when Bang Judeok retreated.

He twisted his body and thrust out his hand with a sharp sound.

The power generated from his waist was carried fully into the sharp strike.

Bang Judeok quickly crossed both arms to protect his face.

—Riiip!

For an instant, Haegang’s hand, which had been flying toward Bang Judeok’s face, suddenly dropped downward like a hawk gliding through the air and struck his thigh as it passed.

“Ghk!”

More precisely, Haegang’s fingers pinched Bang Judeok’s thigh and passed straight through.

A groan escaped Bang Judeok’s mouth.

The flesh beneath his clothes tore away, and his thigh began to turn red with blood.

If Haegang’s grip had been stronger and he had entered the martial arts earlier, this single move could have damaged the bones of Bang Judeok’s leg as well.

“Oh!”

Jo Pungdo exclaimed in admiration at the extraordinary use of a transformed technique.

It was a skill that was difficult to believe had been learned in only half a month.

—Ripppp!

Bang Judeok’s body momentarily froze from the sharp pain in his thigh.

Haegang’s attack then struck his crossed arms head-on.

The flesh on both arms was torn in several places, staining them red.

As Bang Judeok repeatedly retreated, fear began to creep into his trembling eyes.

—Shaaak.

Like a fledgling sparrow chasing after a stork, Haegang stretched his leg out and slid forward.

He split his legs wide as he chased Bang Judeok’s body, lowering his center of gravity at the same time.

Then both of Haegang’s hands struck Bang Judeok’s ankles with pinpoint accuracy.

—Crack!

A heavy impact rang out.

Haegang’s fingernails cracked apart, while fine fractures spread across Bang Judeok’s ankle bones.

Grab!

Haegang quickly seized both of Bang Judeok’s ankles as he fell backward and then rose to his feet.

“N-No!”

Bang Judeok desperately shouted after Haegang grabbed the tendons of both his ankles.

But Haegang merely raised one corner of his mouth and coldly looked down at him.

—Rip!

With an unpleasant sound, blood spurted from the ankle tendons as they tore beneath Haegang’s hands.

The bright red blood splashed over Haegang’s face and clothes before soaking into the ground.

“Aaaaaaargh!”

Watching Bang Judeok roll around on the ground while screaming in agony, Jo Pungdo shook his head.

“He’s lucky.”

“Indeed. Thanks to that child’s insufficient grip strength, he escaped having to spend the rest of his life crawling around on his hands.”

Unfortunately, Haegang could also feel that, just as Jo Pungdo and the elder had said, he had failed to completely sever Bang Judeok’s ankle tendons.

The tendons were simply too thick and strong to tear completely apart with his bare hands.

‘Well, at least he won’t be able to use that fancy footwork ever again.’

Once a tendon is damaged, unless one undergoes a complete rebirth of the body, even an excellent physician has little means of repairing it.

That was why damaging the tendons that served as the lifeline of a martial artist was practically the same as receiving a death sentence.

Bang Judeok rolled around on the ground covered in blood and dust.

His face was filled not only with pain, but also with the despair of knowing that his life as a martial artist was over.

Jo Pungdo watched that expression as though he found it pleasing, then gestured toward the martial artists.

“Stop making such a fuss. They aren’t injuries that will kill him.”

With those final words, Bang Judeok was carried away.

Jo Pungdo and the two elders did not even spare him another glance as they approached Haegang.

“That was an excellent duel.”

‘Elder Guyangcheon.’

Elder Guyangcheon had grown up together with family head Jo Pungdo in the Jo Family from childhood.

They were lifelong friends, practically brothers.

Rather than the Jo Family’s claw techniques, he had learned the Pungjeondo technique that had traditionally been passed down within the Jo Family.

Apart from the family head, he was the most influential person in the family.

As the person most trusted by the family head, he was like a pillar supporting the Jo Family.

However, four years later, he would tragically become one of the dead who would never return after falling beneath the sword of a Daoist in Taegang, a swordsman known as the Jeongcheongeomro of Wudang.

That incident would become the catalyst for the Jo Family, which had until then remained confined to Piljeol, to expand its business into the Hubei region and come into conflict with the Wudang Sect.

Afterward, the Jo Family would remain at odds with Wudang for more than a decade, resulting in numerous large and small battles.

During that process, Haegang would have his unique abilities recognized, eventually rising to the position of chief steward, while the Blood Claw Family would grow into a martial family of the unorthodox path renowned even throughout Guizhou.

At Elder Guyangcheon’s words, another elder nodded and placed a hand on Haegang’s shoulder.

“It was difficult to believe that was the skill of someone who had only trained for half a month. Even a first-year junior of the Blood Claw Family would not be able to stand against you.”

As he said this, the elder glanced at Yeonhwa.

Haegang tilted his head.

‘Jo Dalhwa. This damn old man?’

Jo Dalhwa was one of the members of the family whom Haegang had hated most in his previous life.

When the family head began to fall ill, Jo Dalhwa had actively created factions within the Blood Claw Family and encouraged its division.

As the cousin of family head Jo Pungdo, Elder Jo Dalhwa’s words caused Jo Pungdo’s expression to stiffen.

“I’ll ask you just once, so answer honestly.”

“Yes.”

Haegang answered while looking straight into the family head’s eyes.

“Have you ever learned Manggeumjo from Yeonhwa?”

!

“Dad!!”

Yeonhwa shouted the instant the question ended, but the family head’s gaze remained fixed solely on Haegang.

“That never happened. It is true that Yeonhwa has taken good care of me, but Yeonhwa is not foolish enough to recklessly pass on the family’s secret techniques.”

At Haegang’s answer, Jo Pungdo stared directly into his eyes for a moment before his expression relaxed.

“Haha. I misspoke. Your movements and skill were so exceptional that I simply had to ask. Don’t take it to heart.”

“Hmph! What do you take me for…. Honestly! Are you saying I look like some reckless idiot who would sell off secret techniques?”

Yeonhwa grumbled beside them, repeatedly kicking the ground.

Jo Pungdo’s expression immediately became flustered.

“Daughter. Your father didn’t mean it like that….”

“Forget it!”

With those words, Yeonhwa stomped off and ran out of Cheongryongjang.

“Wait, Yeonhwa!”

Seeing his only daughter sulk, Jo Pungdo did not know what to do.

Haegang quietly looked away, pretending he had not seen anything.

“Why did you have to say something so unnecessary!”

The family head snapped at Jo Dalhwa.

Elder Jo also quietly turned his gaze away and pretended innocence.

After glaring at Jo Dalhwa for a moment, the family head shifted his gaze back to Haegang and spoke.

“Ahem. It seems Geum Gyo-du did not call you a Gap-Sang martial talent without reason. You truly possess astonishing martial talent. If you happen to fail this Yeongseo Chochin, would you consider becoming my disciple?”

“No.”

The rejection was as sharp as a blade.

Disappointment appeared on the family head’s face.

“I suppose not. You are a successful candidate of the Hyangsi, after all….”

“I will definitely become the Blood Claw Family’s son-in-law.”

The family head looked into Haegang’s eyes again at those words that interrupted him.

The fierce determination burning clearly in Haegang’s eyes was unmistakable as he looked straight up at him.

“The remaining competitors are genuine martial artists, unlike those half-baked fools you just defeated.”

“Yeongseo Chochin isn’t a competition for masters, is it?”

At Haegang’s bold question, the corners of Jo Pungdo’s mouth curled upward.

“That’s right. It is not an occasion for bringing a master into the family as a son-in-law. Then I truly look forward to seeing what happens—whether you will become my son-in-law or not.”

With those words, the family head and the elders turned and left Cheongryongjang.

Before long, only Haegang and Geum Gyo-du remained inside the now-empty Cheongryongjang.

‘If it were my previous life….’

Haegang thought that if he had been his former self, he would surely have accepted the offer, if only to seize even the opportunity to become the family head’s disciple.

Haegang violently shook his head, casting away even thoughts of his past self.

This was his present life, in which he had vowed countless times never to repeat that pathetic life.

He did not even want to leave the family head with the impression that he had a second choice.

As he organized his thoughts, Geum Gyo-du’s unusually respectful voice reached him.

“That was an excellent duel. Please, follow me.”

Haegang followed Geum Gyo-du, who was walking ahead, and asked,

“How many are left on the other side?”

“…I hear that two martial artists remain.”

Even though only two of the sixteen martial artists remained, Haegang had already expected it and simply nodded.

‘Two more. One of them is undoubtedly that bastard Gong Cheonhu.’

If he could eliminate just two more, he would become the Blood Claw Family’s son-in-law.

And Yeonhwa would no longer have to suffer because of that damn bastard Gong Cheonhu.