Drip, drip.
"Urgh… What…?"
Wiping the blood streaming down from the gash on his forehead, Cho Mudo looked at So Woon in shock.
The wound itself wasn't that deep.
But the fact that he had been countered mid-attack left his face clearly shaken.
Meanwhile, So Woon, instead of looking triumphant, pressed his own forehead with a troubled expression, as if embarrassed.
"Tsk… I only meant to take it easy and enjoy myself, but without realizing it… Shall we continue?"
"W-What did you say?"
"My apologies. I wanted to let you bring out everything you had… but you were so full of openings that I couldn't help myself…"
So Woon shook his head with genuine regret. At that, Cho Mudo trembled, biting his lips.
"Are you… mocking me?"
"My goodness, mocking? How can you say such a thing in a friendly spar?"
"…"
"I only wanted to have a little fun. That cut… was a small mistake."
"You're saying cutting me was… a mistake?"
This wasn't just being looked down on. He was being treated like a child's toy.
He had expected that winning would be difficult, but this humiliation was unbearable.
"…It's not over yet."
Gritting his teeth, Cho Mudo raised his stance again.
So Woon, who had seemed regretful, smiled with renewed interest.
"So you intend to continue."
"Don't underestimate me. I am a martial artist. Do you think I'd kneel from such a shallow wound?"
"Ah… indeed."
Amused, So Woon chuckled softly.
"I look forward to it. Let me see how deep the resolve of one who calls himself a martial artist truly runs."
"Haaa…"
Even though a chilling air lingered in So Woon's voice, Cho Mudo steadied his breath and readied another attack.
Pain radiated from his shoulders, cold sweat streaming down, but his eyes still burned with determination that refused to give in.
***
This won't do.
Watching Cho Mudo unleash an endless flurry of attacks against So Woon, Cheon Woo-ha shook his head.
Cho Mudo had grown stronger.
His sword flashed with slashes and thrusts like a textbook demonstration.
It was obvious how hard he had drilled his fundamentals over the past years.
Compared to five years ago, one could easily say his strength had doubled.
But…
Fundamentals alone cannot defeat that opponent.
If he had been facing a greenhorn who relied only on rank and neglected training, Cho Mudo's relentless basics might have overwhelmed him.
But this one was different.
Despite his youth and supposed lack of experience, he was reading through all of Cho Mudo's movements, reacting several steps ahead.
Such foresight wasn't something that could be gained through hard work alone.
I suspected it from his eyes…
The arrogance of someone who looked down on all others beneath him.
Only those called prodigies bore such eyes.
They knew themselves to be geniuses, yet still hadn't realized how vast the world truly was.
And as the scion of a prestigious sect, his foundation was sturdier than Cho Mudo's as well.
There would be no upset in this duel.
But then—
Clang! Clang!
"Ugh…!"
Despite unleashing a one-sided barrage, Cho Mudo's face was sinking further into despair.
Each sharp counterstrike that slipped through left new wounds across his body.
He should have realized the difference in strength by now, yet he stubbornly pressed forward, refusing to yield.
"…I don't like this."
The words escaped Cheon Woo-ha's lips before he realized.
This was no longer a spar. It was humiliation.
So Woon could have ended it long ago, yet he didn't.
Instead, he chipped away at his opponent's spirit, little by little.
Watching this one-sided fight, Cheon Woo-ha's face grew darker with conflicted emotions.
***
Drip, drip.
"Th-This is…"
"Shouldn't someone stop it at this point?"
The audience murmured anxiously.
It had already been nearly fifteen minutes since the first match began, and blood stained the stage in countless places.
And all of it belonged to one man.
"Haah…! Cough, cough!"
Cho Mudo's face was deathly pale as he spat bloody coughs.
Though this was only a wooden sword duel, his torn uniform was already soaked with red.
So Woon gazed at him with feigned pity.
"Shouldn't you be collapsing by now?"
"Huff… Huff…"
"Well… it seems you've already shown enough of your martial spirit. This is becoming troublesome."
Grit.
Grinding his bloodied teeth, Cho Mudo glared at him.
To the audience, So Woon's voice sounded like genuine concern.
They would think Cho Mudo was merely being reckless.
But Cho Mudo knew better.
He's deliberately striking only hard enough to keep me standing.
He could feel it vividly.
The overwhelming difference between them.
Even when he struck with all his might, So Woon didn't budge.
And whenever he overextended, So Woon would counter—never lethally, but always enough to wound.
He was dragging it out, forcing Cho Mudo to surrender on his own.
Not defeated by force, but broken in spirit.
And with the whole Yongmyeong Trading Company watching, that would shatter their morale instantly.
I cannot allow that…!
Throb.
His body screamed as if his bones were shattered, but Cho Mudo clenched his trembling hands around his wooden sword and straightened his stance.
Slide.
"…You intend to continue?"
So Woon's eyes glimmered faintly as he watched him raise his guard again.
His skill was unimpressive, but his spirit—at least that much—was worthy of respect.
"Haaah… Yaaahhh!"
With a final shout, Cho Mudo charged.
But So Woon didn't bother to meet his strike.
Whoosh.
Thud!
Crash!
He sidestepped lightly, hooked Cho Mudo's leg, and sent him sprawling.
Cho Mudo rolled across the stage, dropping his wooden sword.
So Woon sighed and shook his head.
"Why not stop here? I'm beginning to feel guilty striking you."
"Urgh… Ughh…"
Groaning, Cho Mudo searched frantically for his weapon.
By coincidence—or intention—it had fallen right beneath So Woon's feet.
"You—"
Just as Cho Mudo tried to crawl forward for it—
"Enough!"
Cheon Myeong-hak leapt to his feet, trembling with fury, and declared surrender.
"We admit defeat in this first match!"
"Oh? You would forfeit now?"
"Yes!"
"Hm… but…"
The Sect Leader of the Bell narrowed his eyes, glancing at Cho Mudo still struggling on the stage.
"He hasn't surrendered himself…"
"Lord of the Sect!"
"…"
"I said, we forfeit."
Cheon Myeong-hak glared at him, voice firm with anger.
The sect leader twitched an eyebrow, but before it escalated, the trading company heads seated nearby stepped in.
"Come now, is that necessary? It was a fair duel between martial artists."
"True, though forfeit wasn't agreed beforehand… given how gravely wounded Yongmyeong's man is, it would be right to allow it."
"…Hmph."
At their persuasion, the sect leader let out a sharp cough and gave So Woon a nod.
"Let him go."
"Instructor Cho Mudo!"
Yongmyeong's men rushed onto the stage to support him.
"Please, lean on us! We'll take you to a physician—"
"That won't… be necessary."
Shaking his head, Cho Mudo slowly stood on his own and cupped his fists toward So Woon.
"I… have lost."
"…You did well."
Contrary to their expectations, he did not flee in shame.
He even stooped to pick up his fallen sword before limping down the stage alone.
The sight of his heavy back left the once-noisy audience in solemn silence.
"Instructor Cho… the physician—"
"Don't fuss."
"…"
"I'm fine. Just bring some medicine and bandages."
"W-What? Why…?"
"The others still have their duels left, don't they?"
The guards fell silent, unable to answer.
Then Jang Eui-bo approached, placing a hand on Cho Mudo's uninjured shoulder.
"…You fought well. Leave the next to me."
"No. You must not."
"…What do you mean?"
"If you lose the second match as well, the rest of our men will face the remaining duels already drowned in despair."
"But—"
"Send them first. Let them watch and learn his movements. Prepare yourself."
"…"
"And then… you must win."
Cho Mudo's earnest plea struck deep.
Jang Eui-bo turned his gaze toward the other warriors.
"Will you be all right?"
"Yes!"
"Leave it to us!"
"We'll cling to him if we must!"
The sight of Cho Mudo's defeat only stoked their determination.
Jang Eui-bo nodded, looking toward the stage.
"Do not overextend. Focus only on defense. Make him swing his sword as many times as possible."
"…Understood."
"And when the time comes… I will crush his pride."
"Please entrust us with it!"
The warriors glared at So Woon with burning resolve.
But Jang Eui-bo knew.
Their fury was fleeting, born of camaraderie.
Once reason returned and they witnessed more comrades fall, their anger would fade into fear.
At this rate… I may not even get my chance to fight.
Still, he prayed their passion might spark a miracle, as he watched the next warrior step onto the stage.
***
"Haa… Haa… C-Come at me!"
"…"
"A-Are you not coming?"
"Hm…"
The Yongmyeong warrior trembled, barely able to hold his guard.
With Cho Mudo already defeated and the second duel ending just as one-sided, this third fighter stepped up pale with fear before the match even began.
So Woon tilted his head with disinterest.
"Are you sure you're all right?"
"W-What do you mean?"
"Never mind…"
Slide.
"Let us begin."
"H-Hiiiii!"
As So Woon lowered his stance to pounce, the terrified warrior stumbled backward.
Clicking his tongue, So Woon suddenly burst forward.
"U-Uwaaaahhh!"
Whoosh.
Thud!
Without even bothering to swing his sword, So Woon sidestepped his clumsy strike and kicked him square in the ribs.
The man was sent flying, gasping as he clutched his side.
"Ugh… Uhh…?"
"…Can you continue like that?"
The warrior touched his ribs, pale with sweat, and shook his head desperately.
"N-No… I yield."
"…."
"M-My ribs… they must be broken…"
"…Ha!"
Embarrassed by his own words, his face flushed red.
So Woon let out a mocking snort and turned away.
"Get down."
"Th-Thank you…"
The warrior, who had been so eager for revenge moments ago, now even thanked his opponent as he scrambled off the stage.
By now, the remaining warriors waiting their turn were nearly in tears.
And then—
Tap.
"Eh? S-Sir, what are you…"
"I'll go."
"W-What?"
The warriors stared at Jang Eui-bo in disbelief as he stepped forward, hand on their shoulders.
He offered a weary smile and looked at the stage.
"Go up now and you'll only disgrace yourself further."
"Th-That's…"
"Don't misunderstand. I don't blame you."
Patting his shoulder once more, Jang Eui-bo walked calmly toward the stage.
"If I lose, end the match there."
"M-Master Jang…"
With the pride of the Yongmyeong Trading Company on his shoulders, Jang Eui-bo ascended the stage.
Watching him, So Woon curved his lips into a sharp smile.
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