Star Instructor, Master Baek-Chapter 329: The Hyonwon Clan Delinquent (3)

TL: FoodieMonster007

Under a night sky brilliantly illuminated by the full moon, Hyonwon Kang and Peng Sahyuk stood facing each other, blades drawn, in the center of the Hyonwon Clan's training ground.

"Let's fight without using inner arts," Hyonwon Kang proposed.

Peng Sahyuk let out a short, mocking laugh. "Why? Think you can win if we don't use inner arts?"

"Are you dumb? What if one of us gets seriously hurt with no witnesses around? Someone's bound to misunderstand."

"Don't worry. I'll go easy on the beating so no one notices the bruises."

"Son of a bitch…"

Although he had turned over a new leaf (mostly), Hyonwon Kang had been known for his short temper during his time as a delinquent, and even now he wasn't the type to keep his mouth shut when insulted.

Hyonwon Kang sneered, "What? Have you already forgotten? About the time I knocked you out cold?"

"……" Peng Sahyuk fell silent. That was something that had happened when they were kids. During a sparring match, Hyonwon Kang had accidentally hit his head with a wooden dao. He collapsed, bleeding, and had to be carried away.

…And on that fateful day, for the first time, Hyonwon Kang witnessed his father kneeling before the enraged Patriarch of the Hebei Peng Clan, pleading for mercy.

Caught off guard by Hyonwon Kang's mention of this particular event, Peng Sahyuk was inwardly quite flustered, but of course, he didn't let it show on his face.

"…Did you learn how to piss people off from Baek Suryong too?" he shot back in the end.

Hyonwon Kang shrugged. "Well, I can't deny it."

"Fine. I don't need inner arts to thrash you anyway," Peng Sahyuk chuckled, savage fighting spirit flickering in his eyes as he raised his dao into a starting stance.

Despite not using any of his inner arts, his entire presence changed in an instant, giving off the feeling that he was a growling tiger waiting to pounce.

Hyonwon Kang immediately understood why this was. Peng Sahyuk's martial art was the Hebei Peng Clan's Five Tiger Demolition Blade, a peerless blade art that was always mentioned when discussing the world's strongest blade techniques.

"Come at me first. I'll give you the first move," Peng Sahyuk taunted.

Hyonwon Kang raised his dao to a middle guard and moved slowly, carefully observing Peng Sahyuk's movements.

Have I managed to close the gap between us? By how much?

The last time they fought, Peng Sahyuk had defeated him handily. However, in the few months since then, Hyonwon Kang had trained more intensely than anyone else.

You ought to read this at northbladetldotcom.

I'll win this time.

Hyonwon Kang kicked off the ground, darting forward.

WHOOSH!

He closed the distance in an instant. Since neither bladesman could use their inner arts, the deciding factor was who could move their body better and who was able to read and feint their opponent first.

CLANG!

Hyonwon Kang estimated his opponent's raw strength from the first clash. As expected, he was slightly lacking. Even though he had a stout build, Peng Sahyuk was both taller than more heavily muscled than him.

It doesn't matter if he's bigger than me.

He had practiced the external arts every day with inhuman muscle monsters like Geo Sangwoong and Ya Suhyeok. As a result, he knew how to fight opponents who were stronger and tougher than himself.

He launched himself into the air, confident in his superior flexibility and agility.

WHOOSH!

Peng Sahyuk's dao cleaved through the space where he had stood just a moment before.

SWISH!

Hyonwon Kang spun his body in midair, adding rotational force to his attack as he slashed downward.

CLAAANG!!

"Guh!" A groan escaped Peng Sahyuk's lips, and his knees bent slightly from strain.

Hyonwon Kang grinned, baring his teeth fiercely. "You'll be utterly humiliated if you think I'm the same as last time."

This is a non-profit translation. You should not be seeing ads.

"…Don't get cocky." Eyes flashing fiercely, Peng Sahyuk twisted his wrist, deflecting Hyonwon Kang's attack sideways.

SCREECH!

Sparks flew as the blades scraped against each other.

As a bladesman, Peng Sahyuk had also trained his body using the Hebei Peng Clan's unique external arts. His well-defined muscles were like armor, and he certainly didn't lack flexibility.

ROAAAR!

His blade tore through the air with unbelievable power and speed for an attack without inner qi.

Hyonwon Kang retreated backward, narrowing his eyes.

He really is strong.

The hairs all over his body were standing on end. If he lost sight of his opponent's movements for even a second, it was over.

He focused his mind, but contrary to his seriousness, his lips curled into a grin of pure joy.

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!

The two daos danced in the hazy moonlight. Dozens of trajectories intertwined, stirring up fierce gales.

I can see it.

For the past few months, Hyonwon Kang had trained every day, imagining the day he would fight Peng Sahyuk again. It wouldn't be wrong to call it an obsession.

This time, I'll win.

He had engraved the trajectory of Peng Sahyuk's dao swings, his habitual ticks, replaying his past battles hundreds, thousands of times, all to avenge his past defeats.

New novel 𝓬hapters are published on ƒreewebɳovel.com.

"I told you… I'll win this time!" Hyonwon Kang swung his dao, his senses heightened to their peak.

This is a non-profit translation. You should not be seeing ads.

"…You've improved quite a bit," Peng Sahyuk whispered, hiding his shock.

The growth of a martial arts prodigy who was completely focused on defeating a single rival was astounding. Hyonwon Kang's movements had improved so much that he doubted if he was the same person he had been months ago.

Finding himself suddenly pushed onto the defensive, Peng Sahyuk clenched his jaw tightly.

Fucking geniuses.

Years ago, as a child, he had admired Hyonwon Kang. Although they were the same age, Hyonwon Kang had wielded the dao with skill he couldn't possibly imitate and fought in unpredictable ways driven purely by natural instinct.

In his eyes, that young boy had sparkled like a brilliant star.

I wanted to shine like him.

For this reason, whenever Hyonwon Kang came to visit his clan, Peng Sahyuk would follow him around and pester him to spar.

"Kang! Let's fight!"

"Okay!"

…But that was all just talk from their foolish childhood days. Days that were long gone.

The current him neither admired nor envied Hyonwon Kang.

I learned that there are plenty of geniuses in the world besides you.

Deciding there was nothing more to learn at the Azure Dragon Academy, he had transferred to the Heavenly Martial Academy, thinking things wouldn't be any different. He, who had reigned like a tyrant at the Azure Dragon Academy, would dominate the Heavenly Martial Academy too…

Until he saw them.

Until he understood that absurd geniuses truly existed in the world.

He had challenged them, lost, got back up, then challenged them again. Losing became a familiar feeling, but the Young Master of the Hebei Peng Clan had never known the meaning of giving up.

Finally, one day, he had a stroke of good fortune.

Why aren′t you reading this at northbladetldotcom?

A new instructor at the Heavenly Martial Academy had taken an interest in the third-year transfer student from the Azure Dragon Academy.

"You. You may be a bit lacking in talent, but you're interesting."

That instructor had helped Peng Sahyuk find his own path. He taught him how to overcome his inferiority complex, and how to defeat geniuses.

"I can help you get stronger if you want. Are you good at enduring pain?"

Peng Sahyuk glared at Hyonwon Kang, his eyes burning like flames. "…No matter how much of a genius you are, I am stronger."

RIIIIP!

His muscles swelled, ripping his shirt apart. Roaring, he swung his dao with tremendous force.

"Crazy!" Hyonwon Kang's eyes widened. After transferring to the Heavenly Martial Academy, Peng Sahyuk had improved much more than he had expected.

It was too late to dodge. He held his dao as close to his body as possible to minimize the impact.

BOOOOOM!

Sent flying far back, Hyonwon Kang finally absorbed the shock and landed on the ground, rubbing his stinging wrist.

"What the fuck was that?" he groaned, bewildered.

Peng Sahyuk explained, "I merely returned to my original body. I usually keep my muscles contracted using a special technique."

This is a non-profit translation. You should not be seeing ads.

"That's nuts… Why would you do something like that?"

"It's a form of training."

Hyonwon Kang blinked in disbelief. Peng Sahyuk's true physique was massive, not losing out even to Geo Sangwoong or Ya Suhyeok. No, in terms of sheer intimidation, he might be even greater.

Peng Sahyuk strode towards Hyonwon Kang, towering over his opponent like a giant boulder. "Hyonwon Kang. Ready to get pummeled all night long?"

"Peng Sahyuk. What makes you think you've won just because you got bigger?"

Hyonwon Kang charged at Peng Sahyuk again, and Peng Sahyuk did the same. Except for the fact that neither of them were using inner arts, the two clashed with their entire beings.

CLANG! CLANG! KAKLANG!

Shockwaves rippled outward with every collision of their blades, the wind generated by the impact of their blows savagely raking the battlefield and carving distinct marks into the ground.

"Good heavens…"

"Am I dreaming…?"

As the match dragged on with no clear winner, the Hyonwon Clan, the Peng Clan, and the guests who were staying overnight were jolted awake by the commotion and gathered to watch the boys' duel.

"For the two Young Masters to be so outstanding…"

"Whew! So there was a good reason the Azure Dragon Hero chose Young Master Hyonwon Kang as his disciple."

"They're this strong even without using inner arts?"

"Truly, a battle between dragon and tiger. A duel between well-matched rivals, the likes of which I haven't seen recently."

This is a non-profit translation. There are no ads.

Rivals.

The word resonated aptly as the two fighters pitted their finely honed skills against each other.

"Just don't get hurt…"

"Oppa…"

The Hyonwon Patriarch and Hyonwon Ran watched Hyonwon Kang's fight anxiously. Although the boys didn't use any internal arts, the fight was so intense that it wouldn't be surprising if one of them was seriously injured.

The Peng Clan martial artists were just as nervous, ready to jump in immediately the instant Peng Sahyuk got hurt.

At that moment, Hyonwon Kang and Peng Sahyuk, who had been clashing furiously without giving an inch, stepped back as if by agreement.

"Hoo…"

"Haa…"

They panted heavily, glaring at each other for a long moment, before slowly lowering their daos. If they continued, their competitive spirits would drive them to use their inner arts, and they both knew very well that this would escalate things too much.

"…Let's settle this next time," Hyonwon Kang said reluctantly.

"…In an official setting," Peng Sahyuk added.

Regret lingered on the faces of the two who couldn't conclude their match, but they also looked somewhat relieved.

Suddenly, a shower of praise and applause rained down on them.

"Magnificent! Truly magnificent!"

"I'll bet these two will soon contend for the title of the world's strongest bladesman!"

"May the rivalry between you two Young Masters continue to push you forward!"

Ultimately, the fight that day ended in a draw.

Read this at northbladetldotcom, or else.

The next day, the martial artists of the Hebei Peng Clan packed their belongings early in the morning, and Hyonwon Kang accompanied his father to see the Peng Clan off.

Peng Sahyuk, who hadn't said a word since they parted after the duel, approached Hyonwon Kang. "Hey, Kang."

"…Uh, are you talking to me?"

Peng Sahyuk's mouth twitched in exasperation. "Is there another Hyonwon Kang here besides you?"

"……" Hyonwon Kang clamped his mouth shut. He simply couldn't bring himself to say, "Actually, I'm more used to being called Wonkang these days."

In the end, he scrunched his brow fiercely and snapped, "What? Why? What do you want, you bastard?"

"…Did you hit your head yesterday?"

"Got a problem? Wanna go another round right here?"

"Pfft!" Peng Sahyuk snickered at the silly provocation. "What I showed you yesterday wasn't even thirty percent of my strength. If you think our next duel will be the same, you can expect to be beaten to a pulp."

"I only showed you twenty percent of my strength."

"You hate losing just as much as ever." Smiling faintly, Peng Sahyuk casually dropped the words he really wanted to say. "See you at the Heavenly Martial Festival. I'll definitely win next time."

"Look forward to it. That's when the real fight happens."

Peng Sahyuk bid farewell to the Hyonwon Patriarch, then departed from the Hyonwon Estate.

"…Damn son of a bitch. Still annoyingly strong," Hyonwon Kang muttered, glaring at his rival as he vanished into the distance.

If we kept fighting, I would have lost.

Hyonwon Kang knew this better than anyone, and Peng Sahyuk probably sensed it as well. Nevertheless, he had lowered his blade and accepted a draw in front of an audience.

Why aren′t you reading this at northbladetldotcom?

To Hyonwon Kang, that felt like the pity of the stronger fighter. He was so frustrated that he couldn't sleep at all last night.

"Just you wait. Next time, I'll beat you so bad you won't make a peep."

That day Hyonwon Kang wrote a reply to Baek Suryong's letter. He tried to keep it short, but his account of the fight with Peng Sahyuk took up several pages.

"Hmm…"

Hyonwon Kang pondered what to write at the end of the letter, but in the end, he squeezed his eyes shut and wrote:

Mr. Baek. When the new semester begins, give me special training for the Heavenly Martial Festival!

Translator's Note: Another pair of best friends and rivals.