Chapter 358: Shangguan Mijong and San Bi’s Duel

Shangguan Mijong and San Bi stood on a wide clearing about a hundred jang down from Jungeuk Peak.

From there, Yong Hwarin spotted Peng Giok watching Shangguan Mijong with a worried expression.

He knew the reason behind Peng Giok’s unease.

After the battle at Mount Myoseon, many of the prodigies had grown closer.

Through life-and-death struggles, comradeship blossomed, and in some cases, reliance on one another developed into affection.

Among them were Peng Giok and Shangguan Mijong.

That day, Peng Giok had freed herself from her desire toward Jaegal Yohye, and Shangguan Mijong had also let go of her interest in Yong Hwarin.

After that, the two developed mutual affection, and it was known that they had begun courting.

It was not to the point of marriage, but rather at the stage of getting to know each other.

Even when Peng Giok came to Shaolin Temple, she was no longer flustered in front of Jaegal Yohye as she had been before—all thanks to Shangguan Mijong.

With him in her heart, it was no longer difficult to face someone she once had feelings for.

Yong Hwarin approved of Peng Giok’s relationship with Shangguan Mijong.

But now, the situation was moving in a direction unfavorable to both of them.

Even if Shangguan Mijong had mastered the Two-Mind Dual Sword, she still did not have the skill to contend with San Bi.

If that happened, Peng Giok would step in, and even her survival could not be guaranteed.

In Yong Hwarin’s judgment, San Bi’s level surpassed both of them.

But he himself could not interfere in the duel.

To step into Shangguan Mijong’s duel would crush her pride, and that would be worse than not intervening at all.

For that reason, Peng Giok could do nothing but stand by and watch as well.

What worried Yong Hwarin most was San Bi’s sword.

Because of the Nine-Serpent Sabre, Shangguan Byeokin and Shangguan Joyoung had lost their arms.

If things went poorly, Shangguan Mijong could suffer the same fate.

“Seeking revenge, are you?”

“That’s right! You ruined my father and brother, so I’ll sever both your arms!”

Shangguan Mijong’s eyes overflowed with venom.

Blinded by resentment, she thought only of vengeance.

“With your skill? Hah. I am not one for mercy, but thinking of your father and brother, I feel a shred of pity. I’ll forgive you this once—just leave. Know that my mercy is rarer than once a year, and be grateful.”

“What dog’s nonsense are you spouting? Even if I die by your blade, I will not harbor regret!”

“So it’s true then, that Shangguan Clan has but one warrior in you. If you had been at that inn from the start, I wouldn’t have gone so far. But now, my patience has run dry. Come! I’ll accept your duel!”

Peng Giok furrowed her brow.

At last, Shangguan Mijong had lost her reason and challenged San Bi.

Shangguan Mijong launched the first strike.

Though consumed by vengeance, her Two-Mind Dual Sword had not lost its clarity.

Instead, it became even more powerful.

San Bi, who had been casually parrying her attacks, grew tense when Shangguan Mijong suddenly drew a second sword with her left hand, changing the tide.

From that moment, the Two-Mind Dual Sword began to reveal its might.

“Oh! So Shangguan Clan truly had a hidden technique. That must be it.”

The martial artists of the Jianghu marveled, for Shangguan Clan’s Two-Mind Dual Sword was not yet widely known.

The way she wielded two swords with such natural ease carried no awkwardness at all.

‘So Shangguan Mijong has finally completed the Two-Mind Dual Sword. If that’s the case… she might actually have a chance.’

Yong Hwarin fixed his eyes on San Bi, hoping for Shangguan Mijong’s victory.

The technique, dividing the mind into two and stabbing at vital points with dual blades, was seamless, as though two people were attacking in perfect unison.

Because of that, San Bi’s movements began to slow, and he even appeared flustered.

“Good! You truly have the skill to challenge this Young Master! But my entertainment ends here!”

With a shout full of vigor, San Bi charged forward at Shangguan Mijong.

Rather than flinch, Shangguan Mijong smiled with confidence.

The closer the battle became, the more advantageous she was, since she attacked with two blades.

She poured all her inner power into her swords and thrust toward San Bi’s heart.

The strike was too fast; twisting his body to block came too late.

Shangguan Mijong had deliberately lured him into blocking with his blade.

San Bi deflected the sword aimed at his heart.

Clang!

At that moment, Shangguan Mijong’s left-hand sword slashed down toward his shoulder.

Since it followed immediately after the thrust, San Bi had no time to block.

He had no choice but to raise his fist to intercept the blade.

‘I’ll split that fist of yours in two.’

Shangguan Mijong poured all her killing intent and true qi into this strike.

But her decisive left-hand sword stopped as though striking solid rock.

Kkaang!

How could a fist of flesh make a sound like pounding iron?

Looking closely, she saw two Black Steel Snakes coiled around San Bi’s left fist.

San Bi bared his white teeth at her.

Hisss!

At that moment, a Black Steel Snake shot out from the Nine-Serpent Sabre, flying straight toward Shangguan Mijong’s neck.

“Ah!”

With both her hands caught by San Bi, she could not avoid the oncoming snake.

Shangguan Mijong sensed this was the end and shut her eyes tightly.

‘To think I have to end it here, without even avenging them.’

At that moment, a flying throwing blade struck away the Black Steel Snake.

Clang!

The serpent was knocked aside by the blade.

But when San Bi extended his sword, the deflected snake latched itself back onto the Nine-Serpent Sabre.

At the same time, a sharp aura flew in, but San Bi ignored it and drove his fist into Shangguan Mijong’s abdomen.

“Urgh!”

Hit in the stomach, Shangguan Mijong was flung back and crashed face-first into the ground, gasping heavily.

San Bi turned his gaze to the one who had just unleashed the aura of tyranny against him.

“So this is how the orthodox sects conduct themselves? Ambushing someone in the middle of a duel?”

Peng Giok flushed red at his words.

Indeed, interfering in a duel was a taboo in the Murim.

“For that, I apologize. But this woman is someone tied to me, so I could not help but intervene.”

“Is that your excuse?”

“If you call it an excuse, then so be it. But in the orthodox sects, we do not use assassins’ tricks against women. That is why I stopped you.”

“Hmph, drop the pathetic excuses. Anyone who bears a sword, even if she is a woman, is a martial artist. How could you not recognize a sword-bearing woman as a warrior? If someone points a sword at me, whether woman or child, I will treat them as a martial artist.”

“Then I shall duel in her place. If I lose, do as you will.”

“Oh? Then if you lose, are you willing to become my slave?”

Peng Giok hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

“So be it.”

“Hah, having the heir of the Peng Clan as my slave isn’t a bad bargain.”

San Bi already knew Peng Giok was of the Peng Clan.

And he had no reason to refuse.

When he came to Jungeuk Peak, he feared he might leave without any gain, since the orthodox disciples had not provoked him.

He had wanted to cut down some orthodox fools to vent his frustrations, and when Shangguan Mijong challenged him to a duel, he was secretly delighted.

He had even predicted this would happen.

Orthodox fools would never sit by and watch a woman be killed—someone was bound to step in.

He just hadn’t expected it to be Peng Giok. It was like a pumpkin rolling right into his lap.

“I’ve heard the tales. That the genius of the Peng Clan completed the Five Tigers Blade Art. Let’s see if that great art lives up to its name.”

Peng Giok clasped his fists.

“I will not disappoint you.”

Yong Hwarin was displeased with the situation. Others might not sense it, but with his qi perception, he knew San Bi stood above Peng Giok.

The fact that San Bi had passed through the Triple Union Formation of the Three Supreme Swords showed he was on a higher level.

‘Peng Giok is in danger.’

But if he stepped forward, things would only worsen, so he could do nothing but fret.

Namgung Yoo also stomped her feet in anxiety.

Meanwhile, more martial artists gathered, drawn by the news that the genius of the Peng Clan would duel the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult.

‘San Bi came here determined to shatter the pride of the orthodox sects, and Shangguan Mijong gave him the perfect opening.’

Yong Hwarin could read San Bi’s sinister intent.

‘If Peng Giok truly completed the Five Tigers Blade Art, he may well be able to contend with San Bi. But if not, he has no chance.’

Only by manifesting five White Tigers through qi transformation could the Five Tigers Blade Art be considered complete.

The two glared at each other, then closed the distance, blade and sword clashing.

In one breath, dozens of sparks flared as they exchanged fierce blows.

Peng Giok realized a battle of attrition would gain him nothing. He gathered his true qi and conjured a tiger.

Yong Hwarin let out a gasp.

‘Ah, Giok has finally reached the stage of qi transformation.’

During the Great Battle of Moon and Orthodoxy, he could only form White Tigers through aura, but now he had nearly reached the realm of true transformation.

But even as Peng Giok unleashed his tiger, San Bi showed no sign of being overwhelmed.

“One tiger alone cannot bind me!”

San Bi roared, leaping nimbly into the air and slashing downward with his sword.

Nine streaks of black light shot out toward Peng Giok’s body.

This was the Nine Black Flashes of the Nine-Serpent Sabre, said to pierce even protective qi.

Peng Giok summoned all his power, shaping it into qi transformation.

Rumble!

With a roar like a tiger’s cry, two White Tigers burst forth from his blade.

Crack-crack-crash!

Eight Black Steel Snakes were crushed beneath the tigers’ overwhelming might and fell to the ground.

But having unleashed all his power, Peng Giok swayed with dizziness.

Yong Hwarin watched with sorrow.

‘If Giok could have conjured three White Tigers, he could have claimed victory.’

As Peng Giok struggled to steady himself, the remaining two Black Steel Snakes coiled around his neck and wrist.

Hissss!

One snake around his neck flicked its tongue menacingly.

“I can’t kill someone who is about to become my slave.”

Peng Giok, feeling the sting of defeat, closed his eyes in bitter resignation.

Shangguan Mijong could not forgive herself for bringing about such an outcome.

She had been unable to restrain her anger and had challenged San Bi to a duel—fine. But she had not foreseen the aftermath, and now despised her own foolishness.

‘What am I to do now!’

To save her, Peng Giok had become San Bi’s slave. She had no idea how to face this.

San Bi grinned and swept his gaze over the watching martial artists.

“Anyone here wishing to rescue Young Master Peng, step forward now. If you defeat me, I’ll call it all off. But if you lose, you too will become my slave. Does anyone dare?”

San Bi wanted to utterly crush the pride of the orthodox sects.

If someone stepped forward, he would defeat them. If no one dared, that too would trample their pride.

‘This proves San Bi came here fully determined.’

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep