Chapter 35: Jaseung, Fights Another Battle

There were no surprises in the duel between Jin Yang, the Greatest Sword of Central Plains, and Hwa Pungsu, the Blade Master of Ten Thousand Waves.

As everyone expected, Jin Yang advanced to the final.

The traditional supreme master Jin Yang.

The promising young expert Seop Mu-pyeong.

The duel between these two became the talk of the entire martial world, not just Heaven’s Gate. Everyone had predictions about who would win, and most believed Jin Yang would be the victor.

Seo Jung, the Lord of the North Wind, who was visiting Baek Seolyoung, thought the same.

“Hahaha, if Master Jin wins, he’ll surely be a great support to you, my Lord.”

He was a man who had once leaned toward Yang Sebang but was now trying to return to Baek Seolyoung’s side. The reason was none other than Jin Yang.

Rumors were already spreading that Jin Yang would win without even needing to fight. Seo Jung was also convinced Jin Yang would be the victor.

He concluded that if Baek Seolyoung married Jin Yang, she would be more than capable of dealing with Yang Sebang.

Seo Jung wasn’t the only one who thought that way. Even just today, several others had visited her and more were scheduled to come.

They too had been watching the situation between her and Yang Sebang and were now trying to side with her. Baek Seolyoung welcomed them all.

Of course, some were still hesitating. They were the ones who considered the slim chance that Seop Mu-pyeong might win. Being lucky in a duel and standing against Yang Sebang were entirely different matters.

If Jin Yang won, it was estimated that by the end of the finals, she would have gathered at least thirty to forty percent of Yang Sebang’s power base.

That would be enough to match Yang Sebang in a head-on confrontation. If that happened, the marriage tournament would be a huge success.

After Seo Jung left, Chu Sang-gi came inside.

“They say Jin Yang has more than a ninety percent chance of winning.”

There was a heaviness in Chu Sang-gi’s expression.

“What’s wrong?”

“Isn’t Master Jin a little too old?”

Jin Yang was a man over seventy. The thought of Baek Seolyoung marrying him weighed heavily on Chu Sang-gi’s heart.

Baek Seolyoung smiled at him. Chu Sang-gi acted like an older brother. Others might find that rude, but she was deeply grateful for it.

“But isn’t it because of his experience that people are gathering around us like this?”

Chu Sang-gi was displeased with those who were now trying to crawl back after the tides had changed. He wanted to curse them out but held his tongue in front of her.

Baek Seolyoung smiled and said,

“And what does age matter?”

“I’d rather…”

Chu Sang-gi found himself hoping Seop Mu-pyeong would win.

But if that happened, more than half of the forces that had gathered around Baek Seolyoung would flee back to Yang Sebang’s side. Their trust in Jin Yang was based not only on his martial prowess but also on his vast connections.

Baek Seolyoung walked over to the window.

Suddenly, she remembered what Lee Jaseung had said.

“I kept my promise.”

Her heart pounded as the emotion of that moment returned. But she soon shook her head.

She had to root for Jin Yang. It was all for her clan. For the dream of building it stronger.

Gazing at the clouds drifting across the blue sky, she murmured softly,

“Let’s see where my fate goes from here.”

* * *

“On the day of the final, we’ll take care of Yang Sebang.”

Dan Woobin was different from usual. His serious expression radiated the authority of the Black Way Alliance’s chief strategist.

Standing before him were Mujin and Ma Young-gi, both equally serious. Especially Mujin, whose usual playful demeanor was nowhere to be seen.

With a command from the Lord, the strategist was now delivering official orders, and Dan Woobin treated the Captains with proper formality. They returned the courtesy just as respectfully.

“Captain of the Iron Cavalry, you are to eliminate Yang Sebang as soon as the final ends.”

“I accept the order.”

Ma Young-gi bowed politely and received the command.

Then Dan Woobin handed Mujin a piece of paper.

“This is a list of assassins trained by Yang Sebang. Their leader, Nam So-pyeong, has carried out countless killings on Yang’s behalf. Eliminate all of them, including Nam So-pyeong.”

“I accept the order.”

There were twelve names on the list, along with their ranks, places of residence, and daily routines. Mujin planned to summon only the most skilled captains under the Divine Sword Regiment to handle the task.

Once the official business ended, Mujin in his usual casual tone.

“But how are we going to cover it up? Killing a bigshot like Yang Sebang is bound to stir trouble.”

Ma Young-gi also leaned in, curious to hear Dan Woobin’s response.

Dan Woobin replied quietly,

“We’ll pin it on the Demonic Cult. I’m still working out the details.”

Mujin and Ma Young-gi nodded, thinking it was a solid plan.

Last time, they pinned the death of the Phantom Demon on Hae Ryang. Everyone already knew the Demonic Cult had been involved.

“What about the Lord?”

“He’s in training.”

Mujin clicked his tongue.

“He really has a knack for making people feel ashamed of themselves from the crack of dawn.”

“Don’t be embarrassed. Try to learn from him instead.”

“There are plenty of things in this world to learn. Sweating buckets in the morning isn’t one of them.”

Dan Woobin looked at Ma Young-gi, expecting a different answer since he always looked so diligent.

“I don’t get along well with early mornings.”

Dan Woobin gave a speechless look and spoke.

“So in the end, you’re both just saying you hate training.”

Mujin slung an arm around Ma Young-gi’s shoulder with a grin.

“When it comes to loyalty, the Iron Cavalry never disappoints.”

Dan Woobin shook his head with a sigh.

“I can’t believe these two slackers are the twin pillars of our Black Way Alliance.”

Mujin laughed and replied.

“Don’t trust the carriage. Trust the driver!”

Dan Woobin couldn’t help but chuckle.

Just then, a subordinate from the Guard Hall arrived with a message.

“The Lord requests the presence of both Captains.”

Mujin’s eyes widened.

“He wants us?”

* * *

Lee Jaseung was still trying to merge the second and third form of his technique.

But once blocked, the wall was hard to break through. Even deep contemplation and repeated practice brought no results.

Feeling the need for a new approach, he was about to attempt something he had never tried before.

Mujin and Ma Young-gi stood before him, both slightly tense. The fact that they had been summoned without Dan Woobin made the situation feel serious.

“How about a sparring match for old time’s sake?”

At Lee Jaseung’s words, Mujin jumped back in shock.

“What! Are you trying to kill us?”

“Kill you?”

“You wouldn’t call us both here just to spar during a time like this.”

“Don’t take it so seriously. It’s just been a while since we’ve had a match.”

“Right. It’s been a while since you used a duel as an excuse to beat me senseless.”

Lee Jaseung smiled. Back when Mujin had first become captain of the Divine Sword, they used to spar often. Though it was more like one-sided teaching. Mujin had taken quite a few beatings.

Those sessions had been helpful for both their growth. But with time, they became too busy to have time for sparring. But today, Lee Jaseung had called not just Mujin, but Ma Young-gi as well.

“Judging by the two of us being here, you want us to attack together, don’t you?”

Lee Jaseung nodded at Mujin’s question.

“Let’s use this as a chance to synchronize your coordinated attacks.”

“Don’t make excuses! Just admit that beating up one of us isn’t enough anymore.”

While Mujin joked, Ma Young-gi quietly assembled his spear with a serious expression.

“May I go all out?”

Mujin looked at him like he was crazy.

“What’s with you all of a sudden?”

“If we’re doing this, we should do it properly.”

“You’ve been waiting for this moment, haven’t you? Can’t blame you, though. He’s the kind of guy you’d want to stab in the chest at least once.”

“I never said that.”

“You don’t have to. Everyone knows.”

Knowing that further conversation would just lead in circles, Ma Young-gi kept his mouth shut. But Mujin was right about one thing.

Ma Young-gi had waited a long time for this day.

He had never sparred with Lee Jaseung before. In fact, he had always envied Mujin for that. But finally, the chance had finally come.

Once Ma Young-gi finished assembling his spear, Mujin drew his sword.

As the two prepared to fight, their intimidating Qi surged. They were, without question, second and third in rank within the Black Way Alliance.

“Before we begin, maybe you should decide who’ll inherit the Alliance if you die?”

At Mujin’s quip, Lee Jaseung smiled.

“If it comes to that, one of you will be dead anyway, so don’t worry.”

“Let’s ease up on the scary jokes.”

Lee Jaseung’s aura changed. It was nothing like what he had shown on the stage in the tournament. The air around him turned cold.

Though it wasn’t killing intent, the chill proved he was serious.

They knew his personality well. This wasn’t going to be a casual spar. Any mistake or carelessness could lead to serious injury or even death.

Moreover, he hadn’t drawn Asura but a regular dagger. That made them even more tense.

Even for Lee Jaseung, facing Mujin and Ma Young-gi together was no easy feat. The Asura’s power was so strong that holding back while fighting these two was extremely difficult to do.

By choosing a regular dagger, he was saying he planned to unleash all his techniques.

“Come!”

At his command, both men leapt forward.

“Here we go!”

Mujin and Ma Young-gi charged from the left and right at terrifying speed.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep