63 - I Spent the Night with the Youngest Daughter of the Martial Arts Leader

I Spent a Night with the Martial Alliance Leader's Youngest Daughter. Chapter 63 > Book Rabbit - Web Novel Archive I don't even know where to begin to criticize. Nam Goong Hyuk offering to personally train him? It sounds plausible just by the saying. Nam Goong Hyuk, hailed as the world's greatest. People would line up pledging their entire fortunes for the chance to learn from him. But. Just look at that fiery gaze. How could anyone see him as the pillar of righteousness? His eyes are filled with impure intentions. “Was the hit from Master such a severe blow?” Nam Goong Hyuk’s dejected look, as if burned to ash, still lingers before my eyes. He danced to the tune Master led, surely an unforgettable humiliation. He's someone for whom everything in the world goes according to his will. Merely the idea that he was manipulated by someone else's intention must have been displeasing. He didn't confront Master directly because he couldn't accept it. “But what about me?” The malice felt even more pronounced in the pretext that was wrung out. I am merely a scapegoat to project against Master. I'm about to become a surrogate for his revenge. "Father-in-law. First, I must thank you for thinking of me this much. However…" "However?" "To dedicate your precious time for someone like me feels like such a waste. You are the pillar of righteousness. Wouldn’t it be better to focus on something more valuable and important?" “Haha, I didn’t know you thought of martial arts like this. But don’t worry. Don’t I have my own time even on days off?” The use of "you" bothered me too. Nam Goong Hyuk, who always used to address me informally. He's not suddenly respecting me as a son-in-law. It was just a ploy to catch me off guard! "Rest is also important. You are always burdened with work. Isn't it your duty as the leader to take a full rest and conserve your energy?" "Hahaha! Are you already taking care of your father-in-law? Don’t worry! Just the thought of training you makes my entire being brimming with energy!" So it ends this way. I tried to get away like a slippery eel. But struggling against someone whose mind was already made up was pointless. "Others cannot obtain such an opportunity even for a fortune. Who knows if this is your chance to leap to a higher realm?" "If that were possible, it would be more than delightful." Let's give up. Yes, just consider myself as a mere training dummy. He's busy anyway. After a couple of beatings, he’ll probably stop. However. "You. You haven’t had much experience facing opponents of similar caliber, have you?" "How do you know that?" "Of course. You would have always faced your Master. Since you entered the martial world, there wouldn’t have been anyone to match you." "You're too kind." "No, it’s a precise evaluation. If you had gone out looking for a matchable opponent, you’d have long caused a stir. For crimes like insulting the leader of a prestigious sect. Fortunately, I haven’t heard such news yet." Nam Goong Hyuk. I might have forgotten, mesmerized by his foolishly boastful demeanor. But when it comes to martial arts, his insight is unavoidable. Even in the brief moment of exchanging swords with Nam Goong Hyuk, he saw through me completely. "Feel grateful. There's a master here who can match your level." "That… Surely not?" "Indeed. Your vision. The time you perceive. The internal energy you can release. I will equalize my level to yours. Surely you know what this sparring means?" Nam Goong Hyuk’s words were quite a startling statement. This wasn’t him saying he’d go easy on me. He would lower his realm to equal mine. For someone of Nam Goong Hyuk’s caliber, this was entirely possible. A sort of self-hypnosis. Extreme self-control to contest at an equal level with me. Receiving lessons from an overwhelming master or randomly beating weaker opponents is on a different level compared to this. Clashing with an opponent is a shortcut to elevation in skill. It was such a valuable experience because such opponents are hard to find. "Why go through such trouble?" I was curious about Nam Goong Hyuk’s intentions. Even if it was possible, whether it was worth the trouble. Lowering one's realm involves a lot more attention than it seems. It’s an act of placing restrictions on one's perception rather than simply taking it easy. The frustration at the lack of freedom was likely quite palpable. "Are you sure about this?" "What? Afraid I might lose to you?" "..." "Haha! As I’ve felt from before, I have no choice but to admire your spirit!" I tested him slightly with a vague jab, but Nam Goong Hyuk was unshaken. I expected this. What difference would it make if a neighborhood kid challenged an adult to an arm wrestling match? "If you win, I’ll hand over my position as leader!" "You must not forget that promise." Right. Since it has come to this. There's no need for reservations. I'll give it my all! * "Bold one." I sensed it from the first time I saw him. A remarkable fellow, indeed. Who else could maintain a competitive spirit in front of me? He wasn’t a beast charging mindlessly without considering consequences. Even sensing defeat, he didn’t hesitate to charge ahead, driven by his competitive nature. Faced with such determination, Nam Goong Hyuk wanted to respond head-on. "Come at me first." "I won’t hold back!" Lee Se Woong first targeted the upper section. He started lightly with sword energy. The sword energy rose like smoke, striking aside as if wielding a whip. Clang! The two swords met. Lee Se Woong realized Nam Goong Hyuk had adopted the same stance as him. The subsequent strikes were executed with a bit more density. From the middle section to the upper section again. Slash! The symmetry in swordsmanship, as if looking at a mirror. Nam Goong Hyuk smirked as he looked at Lee Se Woong. "You don’t have to imitate even in swordplay, do you?" "That’s the only way to highlight the difference!" Identical techniques in formation. Responding to sword mist with sword mist, to sword energy with sword energy. And finally, "You’ve already drawn sword strength?" "I do prefer short, decisive matches." Of course. He must have been used to concluding matches quickly. "Did he instinctively recognize that as well?" He seemed to have sensed it to some extent. Well, telling him later will suffice. For now, let's just enjoy the sparring. “Haaah!” With a shout of determination, Lee Se Woong charged forward. Their sword energies collided. Parrying the sword targeting his shoulder, Lee Se Woong quickly moved to intercept. He continued with a second strike. Lee Se Woong’s sword grazed the front of Nam Goong Hyuk. But in the same instant, thin lacerations appeared on both of his forearms. A slightly deeper cut and his bones would have been sliced like paper, given Nam Goong Hyuk's precision. There was no time for admiration as Lee Se Woong had to retreat from another attack targeting his lower section. Even before he could regain his balance, Nam Goong Hyuk was already surging forward to strike his neck. It was Lee Se Woong's defeat. “Are you planning to stay down?” “Not at all. This is just the beginning.” Exactly, that’s it. To call Nam Goong Hyuk his father-in-law, one must have that level of tenacity. Lee Se Woong, resolutely standing his ground, summoned his sword energy once more. Nam Goong Hyuk, watching him, wore a wry yet pleased smile. * Nam Goong Hyuk continued to accept my challenges seemingly as much as I wanted. After the first spar, the second challenge came as I tried to replicate our previous duel. I lost in just ten seconds. In the next round, I managed to last fifteen seconds, but that was when my form began to crumble. Ten seconds. Five seconds. Three seconds. Eventually, I was defeated in just a single second. It was a complete and utter defeat. Though our perceived time length was the same, the depth of utilization differed. It was only natural. The level of our sword intent was worlds apart. I knew I would lose, but the conclusion was more disappointing than expected. My body was mottled with bruises and injuries. I was a mess. “Ha, your persistence is remarkable.” “……” “I commend your courage for enduring until the end, even feigning ignorance.” Despite the reprimanding tone, Nam Goong Hyuk’s laughter was wide. It was a one-sided beating, but I gained something from it. I learned the approach needed when output levels were similar, and where to place priorities within the same timeframe. But above all, what hit me the most was the problem Nam Goong Hyuk mentioned. The reason I faced such rapid defeat in successive sparring sessions. It was a lack of internal energy. ‘At first, it seemed like a play on words.’ Among the conditions Nam Goong Hyuk set for me, the only thing he didn’t mention was the quantity of internal energy. He had limited the internal energy he would use in one go… In other words, he agreed to match my output level but not the total amount of internal energy. ‘He wasn’t just being spiteful.’ Nam Goong Hyuk wanted me to realize that. “Your achievements are impressive even to me. It stands to reason, given that excellent talent has met the greatest master. It’s as if I’m looking at my younger self.” “If that were true, I would have won.” “Why so bitter? Roundabout as it seemed, you already know. You lack the internal energy to fully execute your intentions.” He was right. The reason I favored brief, decisive confrontations. More accurately, it was the only method available to me. “Of course, I understand your master’s path. It seems he considered even basic elixirs as impurities? A thorny path for pure internal energy... It’s commendable that you’ve accumulated as much energy as you have.” “It did cause me some trouble.” “But now it’s different. A handful of mud cannot cloud the river. It’s an appropriate time to use a shortcut.” It was funny, yet frustrating. Even knowing defeat was inevitable, losing always leaves a bitter taste. Perhaps in defiance, I retorted with deliberate sarcasm. “I was starting to figure that out myself. You could have just told me instead of battering it into me!” “Isn’t it the lessons etched into your body that are unforgettable?” “Yes. I certainly won't forget.” “Hmm, hmm.” One might expect annoyance. But Nam Goong Hyuk didn’t criticize my tone. He merely seemed to focus elsewhere, gazing distantly as if lost in thought. Murmuring, as if to engrave something in his mind, he rummaged through his clothes and spoke again. “Even if it was meant as a lesson, I may have gone a bit overboard.” “?” “So, I’ll give you this.” He pulled out a small wooden box from his robe. Click. When he opened it, a pill nestled inside was revealed. “What’s that?” “It’s the Sohwan Dan.” Sohwan Dan. An elixir crafted exclusively by the legendary Shaolin, revered as the apex of martial arts. Consuming one could enhance your internal energy as if gaining over a dozen years of training, without any side effects. It was priceless. “It will suit your clear, pure internal energy. Consider it payment for medical expenses.” “I might have to sell my soul to repay that kind of change.” “Then consider it your sparring fee.” Sparring fee, indeed. Just exchanging a few moves with him already put me in his debt. “Just take it! Thinking about being nagged by Yeon Hee after seeing your pitiful state sends shivers down my spine! Consider it hush money!” Hush money now? I finally understood Nam Goong Hyuk’s true intent behind the sparring. It didn’t matter what excuse he used. He just needed a reason to give me the elixir. ‘Isn’t he too honest to a fault?’ Nam Goong Hyuk shook the wooden box, urging me to take it quickly. Avoiding my gaze, he turned his head, the slight flush of his face leaving a peculiar impression as if he was trying to hide his embarrassment. ‘A middle-aged man, blushing.’ It was almost painful. So absurd that it evoked a chuckle.