Chapter 219: Those Who Want to Fight Enter, Those Who Want to Sell Leave (1) |
Han Seon-Woo's eyes flew wide open. The momentum behind Nam Myeong and the Kongtong Sect warriors was terrifying. Their sharp swords struck at vital points like venomous snakes.
As expected of warriors dispatched to the front line at Fu County, their martial prowess was exceptional. The Demon Subduing Sword Technique, the Kongtong Sect's signature technique, surged toward Kwak Moon-Jung like a crashing wave.
Kwak Moon-Jung's movements, by contrast, were simple. When a sword came near, he stepped back. When they paused for breath, he slipped forward. Everything about it looked incredibly natural. The simple movements flowed together so smoothly that he might have been a masterful dancer.
As it dragged on, Nam Myeong and the Kongtong Sect warriors grew flustered.
"H-How...? How?" Nam Myeong muttered. He couldn't so much as think of standing. He only repeated the word over and over.
"W-What?"
They swung their swords expecting to strike, and Kwak Moon-Jung retreated. They gave chase, and he suddenly circled behind them. Kwak Moon-Jung hadn't launched a single real attack, yet Nam Myeong and the others felt as battered as if they'd been struck dozens of times.
"Attacking is not the only solution, and defense does not mean simply taking blows. If you can cut off the opponent's breath without ever swinging your sword, it is no different from a fight already won."
These were the words of the person whom Kwak Moon-Jung respected most, though he knew he hadn't fully grasped them yet. He was merely trying to follow them as closely as possible.
He, on the other hand, squeezed every last drop out of his skills. Despite his youth, he had gained vast experience as a wandering escort. Countless fights had forced him to defend himself and the merchants under his protection.
That long ordeal had forged his swordsmanship into a defensive style. Of course, he never could have reached this point without that person's teachings and help.
"Just because it is a sword meant to protect does not mean it cannot attack."
Kwak Moon-Jung gripped the sword at his waist and suddenly leaped into the gap between Nam Myeong and the other Kongtong Sect martial artists.
He swayed lightly, letting their swords slide past him, before swinging his own sheathed sword.
Seeing this, Nam Myeong shouted in delight. "You rat!"
He swung at Kwak Moon-Jung with all his might, and the others piled on. They were too flustered to think straight and held no mercy in their assault, not even pausing to consider that they shouldn't kill or maim an innocent person.
Kwak Moon-Jung, however, remained calm. He swayed lightly, letting their swords slide past him, before swinging his own sheathed sword.
THUD THUD THUD!
"Urgh!"
"Yes!" Kwak Moon-Jung's expression became as serious as Ham Ji-Pyeong's, and he glanced at Ham So-Ryeong.
With a sound like a struck leather drum, Nam Myeong and the others tumbled to the floor. Their faces and shoulders were badly swollen, their mouths hung open, and their eyes bulged from the pain. Most tormenting of all, however, was their failure to recognize the technique Kwak Moon-Jung had used.
Kwak Moon-Jung's movements, by contrast, were simple. When a sword came near, he stepped back. When they paused for breath, he slipped forward. Everything about it looked incredibly natural. The simple movements flowed together so smoothly that he might have been a masterful dancer.
"H-How...? How?" Nam Myeong muttered. He couldn't so much as think of standing. He only repeated the word over and over.
"Tsk! I'm late," a regretful sigh drifted from the inn's entrance.
Nam Myeong's eyes widened at the newcomer's face. "J-Junior Uncle? Junior Sister?"
Ham Ji-Pyeong stood at the entrance, and beside him stood Ham So-Ryeong.
If his opponents' martial arts had been stronger, he wouldn't have dared to attempt this. The young men in front of him were strong for their age, but he could tell they lacked practical experience. This kept them from properly applying what they had learned.
Nam Myeong and the other Kongtong Sect martial artists flushed red with shame.
In particular, Nam Myeong's face twisted into an ugly knot. Being seen like this by the Junior Sister he admired was an unbearable disgrace. Scrambling to his feet, he groped for an excuse. "J-Junior Uncle, he started the dispute first. He disrespected the Kongtong Sect and..."
"Myeong, stop it."
"Junior Uncle?"
"I know you, and I know him. Don't tarnish the honor of the Kongtong Sect any further."
"I-I..." Nam Myeong floundered at Ham Ji-Pyeong's firm words. He needed an excuse, but the Ham father and daughter's gazes were so cold that the words wouldn't come. Their eyes told him they already knew everything.
He lowered his head, and the other martial artists did the same.
Ham Ji-Pyeong watched them coldly for a moment, then approached Kwak Moon-Jung. "I'm sorry. We showed you an unsightly scene."
"I know you, and I know him. Don't tarnish the honor of the Kongtong Sect any further."
"Not at all."
Seeing this, Nam Myeong shouted in delight. "You rat!"
"I'll punish them once we return, so will you forgive them this time?"
Kwak Moon-Jung stepped back and returned his sheathed sword to his waist. "Is there anything to forgive?"
Ham So-Ryeong smiled brightly, a sight that made Nam Myeong and the others feel even more miserable.
"Which brings me to a favor I'd ask of you."
That guy is just an escort?
They had been thrashed by an escort they had looked down on. Even with a hundred mouths, they couldn't make a single excuse. Worse yet, after seeing Ham Ji-Pyeong treat Kwak Moon-Jung so warmly, they knew that revenge was out of the question.
Ham Ji-Pyeong scolded sternly, "Go to the branch and reflect on your actions! You'll be punished severely the moment I return!"
"Yes, Junior Uncle..."
Shoulders slumped, they shuffled powerlessly out of the inn.
Ham Ji-Pyeong and Ham So-Ryeong sighed softly as they watched them go.
Ham Ji-Pyeong apologized once more. "I'm sorry. Something like this won't happen again. I swear it on my name."
"It's fine. No one was hurt, so that's enough."
"Phew! Please, take a seat for now." Kwak Moon-Jung offered the two the seats across from where Han Seon-Woo sat.
Ham Ji-Pyeong smiled bitterly.
"Who is this young brother?"
"This is Han Seon-Woo, a younger brother who'll be traveling with me this time."
Ham Ji-Pyeong smiled warmly at the introduction. "So he's your companion. He looks sharp."