1231 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

TLN: I made a mistake in the last chapter the guy who Yangcheon challenges is Beom Dong. He is the one who fought Yangcheon in the entrance exam. "Damn it..." Beom Dong, hailing from the Flying Dragon Squad, cursed under his breath. He shuddered as he gazed at the youngest member who had boldly called him out. 'That guy...!' A smirk that reeked of mockery, a face that dripped with insolence and malice. His fierce and intimidating demeanor matched an exceptionally peculiar personality, making him a person Beom Dong couldn’t stand at all. While it was annoying enough that he boasted about becoming Paejon’s disciple, what irked him even more was... 'Because of that brat...!' The fact that Beom Dong’s own standing had turned into a complete mess. It was at the time of recruiting new sword brigadiers for the Murim Alliance. Beom Dong, who was examining the candidates, faced none other than Baek Yangcheon. '... Damn it.' He had been utterly defeated by that guy, knocked out with a single blow. The humiliation and ridicule endured because of it were unforgettable. He clearly remembered the mocking laughter of his colleagues when they heard he was defeated by a newcomer. "Clack..." Even though the main purpose of the Flying Dragon Squad was information gathering, their combat power was not to be underestimated. For a member of the Sword Brigade to lose to a newcomer? Such disgrace had never existed before. Thanks to that, others began jeering whether this guy should be the youngest instead, with harsh words pouring down on him. '... Rotten brat.' His resentment toward Baek Yangcheon only grew, but the bigger issue was that the brat turned out to be more remarkable than expected. After defeating him, he suddenly became Paejon’s disciple. And since then... '... Beat the sword dragon like nothing?' Rumors that he wrecked Namung Jin, the next head of the Namgung family, notorious for being just as arrogant, were already rampant within the Murim Alliance. Every time Beom Dong heard those rumors, he couldn’t help but feel a bit relieved. At least the guy who had ruined him was extraordinary, causing the gossip to gradually fade away. But... 'Calling me out here now...?' In this place, being summoned again by him. "Ugh..." Beom Dong ascended the martial arts stage with a pale face. With dry swallows, he stood opposite Baek Yangcheon, who greeted him with a chilling grin. "Long time no see?" "....." That brat. So he remembered him. "Why... did you call me?" "I saw a familiar face." "That's your reason?" "Yes. I called because I was pleased to see you again." "....." Internally, Beom Dong was spewing a torrent of curses. To be called here over such a trivial reason? Irritation surged within him. "You... must be delusional." "Hmm?" This wouldn't do. "You think you're strong just because you beat me once with a surprise attack?" It was a change brought by a surprise attack back then. "You don’t realize facing you properly would be different. That arrogance will eventually ruin you." "Hmm..." Baek Yangcheon slightly tilted his head, his expression menacing. It was more terrifying because Beom Dong couldn’t read his thoughts. Did he overstep? Such thoughts crossed his mind, though. "I'll show you the dignity of a senior." Srrrng-!! Beom Dong finally drew his sword while speaking. Seeing that, Baek Yangcheon’s smile widened. 'Oh crap.' Faced with that stern look, Beom Dong faltered. Was a human face even supposed to be that frightening? His knees shook and buckled. "Are you done talking?" A judge mediated between the two as he spoke. "No, I still have more to say-." "Yes, we're done." Beom Dong tried to continue, but was cut off, unable to finish his sentence as the judge raised his hand. "Hold on." "Beom Dong of the Flying Dragon Squad and Baek Yangcheon of the Blue Dragon Squad." The judge's hand didn't stop regardless of what Beom Dong said. "Begin the duel-." With those words, a gust of wind swept through. Baek Yangcheon dove into Beom Dong’s range in an instant. Seeing this, Beom Dong moved swiftly. His nimble sword targeted Baek Yangcheon, who twisted his upper body in response. Shhh-!!! The sword path streaked with energy pursued Baek Yangcheon’s form. "Hngh!" Beom Dong's eyes sparkled. Though surprised, his stance remained precise. He hadn't enlisted in the Flying Dragon Squad for nothing. "Oh..." "He seems to have improved more than expected?" Those who knew him uttered words of surprise. "His movements aren’t ordinary." "The Flying Dragon Captain would subtly brag about him. It seems to be well-founded?" "Despite pretending to be weak, he’s not bad." Words of praise for Beom Dong echoed. Hearing them, Beom Dong's lips curled upward. The response was better than expected. ‘Besides...’ This fight. He had thought he’d be getting beaten one-sidedly. Yet it was more manageable than expected, something felt off. 'What's up with this guy?' Swinging his sword, he cast a glance at Baek Yangcheon. The fellow effortlessly dodged his attacks again. Yet. 'Something’s...' He could manage. Was the punch back then merely a fluke? Given that the difference in level seemed vast since he couldn’t even see it. 'This is...' Equivalent, perhaps. Or did he actually feel superior? Whap-! Confidence spurred him forward. Recognizing it was feasible, unnecessary tension melted away. The sword’s edge became sharper, its energy more defined. Swooosh--!!! The Flowing Cloud Sword Technique. Beom Dong’s sword was a phantom blade. Deceptive in its strokes and aiming for virtual targets. The sword branched out, encircling Baek Yangcheon. Baek Yangcheon momentarily paused at this sight. Hadn't he found a breakthrough? Thinking so, Beom Dong launched his sword eagerly. "Hoo-ahh!" With a vibrant shout, the sword aimed directly at Baek Yangcheon. "It’s over." "Heard he was quite something. But he seems lacking." The Sword Brigade members sounded unimpressed. Meanwhile... "Such an impudent brat." Perched from afar, watching below from the higher seats, the absolute figures. Cheolhyun Buseon snorted with laughter, and Paejon remarked nonchalantly. "Well, I suppose he has his reasons." "Reasons my foot. He’s merely using his opponent as a test subject. Did something happen between this youngster and your disciple?" "Well... I haven’t really delved into the specifics with much interest." "One wouldn’t act that way without good reason." Cheolhyun Buseon rested his chin on his hand, watching Baek Yangcheon. Though it seemed like Baek Yangcheon was slightly on the defensive, everyone might be seeing it that way. However... "Heheh." He wasn't being pushed back. Just look at Baek Yangcheon's face. He was smiling. “Even if it's begrudging, it seems he is indeed your disciple.” “That sounds a bit offensive.” "When you charged at me, you had that exact same face." He was exhilarated. A face alight with joy at the fight he was engaged in. Despite being in a weakened state, and on seemingly losing ground. He was reveling in it. "Tsk tsk..." Cheolhyun Buseon clicked his tongue again. This time not at Baek Yangcheon. "Poor guy." It was directed at his opponent... Whose name he couldn’t quite recall. Shortly after. Clang-!! "…Ugh!?" Beom Dong let out a muffled groan as his sword unexpectedly soared toward the sky. What was happening? ‘What on earth...!’ Why did his sword suddenly shoot upward? His eyes widened in disbelief. The sword was supposed to continue its trajectory, yet it abruptly recoiled from some unknown impact. Something had pierced through his energy barrier. Beom Dong noted an unusual sensation settling over his sword blade, adding an oddity to his expression. Amidst the encasing sword energy, there were gaps, some void. ‘What is that?’ What could possibly create such emptiness? As he was pondering... Thud. "Ack!?" His knee buckled. Baek Yangcheon swiftly inserted his leg behind Beom Dong's knee, forcing him to kneel. His stance crumbled. His head was forced downward, and... Smack-!! "Gah!" A blow struck his chin, snapping his head upward. And it didn’t end there. Bang-! Pababak-!! Rising with the force, a series of strikes rained upon his exposed upper body. "Cough!" Beom Dong spat blood instantly. Following that, Baek Yangcheon’s foot pivoted viciously into his side. Booom-!!! With the impact, Beom Dong flew backward, scraping across the ground. "Gurgh..." Falling back limply, he lost consciousness. Seeing this, the referee quietly announced to Baek Yangcheon. "...Beom Dong of the Flying Dragon Squad is defeated. Yangcheon of the Blue Dragon Squad is victorious." “…..” “…..Huh?” Despite the declaration of victory, silence prevailed. A wave of bewilderment enveloped everyone present. Faces glancing around, failing to grasp what had just occurred. How did Beom Dong, who appeared to be doing well, suddenly collapse? While the crowd was puzzled... “Haha.” Someone laughed. It was Tae Hoan, the vice-captain watching from the far end amongst the crowd. "Ah... I seem to have misjudged this person." Tae Hoan was intensely fixated on Baek Yangcheon with sparking interest. "A fascinating person has joined us, indeed?" His eyes sparkled with intrigue, as expected. "Did he deliberately refrain from using energy?" “What?” “Didn’t use energy...!?” The surrounding crowd was thrown into a state of shock at those words. Did it imply that during the sparring match, only Beom Dong had employed energy? "What's the reason?" Tae Hoan inquired out of curiosity, but... "Who knows?" Baek Yangcheon shrugged in response. "If you're curious, feel free to challenge me later." "Huff." “Is he serious...!?” The remark sent shock waves through the surrounding spectators. It wasn’t something one would typically say to the vice-captain of the Mighty Dragon Division. "...Oooh." Tae Hoan voiced his admiration. "You've got spirit. Not bad at all." Crick. The sinister cracking of his neck was unmistakably intense. “I’ll remember those words.” “Yes.” With that, Baek Yangcheon turned his back on Tae Hoan, descending from the martial arts stage. All the while, Tae Hoan's gaze remained firmly fixed on Baek Yangcheon. As if unwilling to lose sight of him for even a moment.