Star Instructor, Master Baek-Chapter 338: The New Moon White Ice Dance

TL: FoodieMonster007

Now that he was reminded of it, Baek Suryong recalled how he had once asked the Ice Moon Goddess about her martial arts.

"Master Eun, what's the difference between your White Ice Divine Art and the Ice Palace's White Ice Divine Art?"

The martial arts of the other masters could all be considered their unique, exclusive arts. Master Maeng's Eighteen Strikes of the Viridian Forest was a martial art he had created himself. Master Crazy Demon's Asura Blood Heaven Blade, although based on the Sky Sundering Blade, was different enough to be considered an entirely new martial art. Even Master Sword Saint had incorporated his own ideas into the Moyong Clan's sword techniques to create the Unlimited Sword.

Master Eun's White Ice Divine Art, however, wasn't much different from that of the North Sea Ice Palace. Although she had mastered the various techniques recorded in the White Ice Divine Art and merged them into a single style, even that was still incomplete.

"That's because I didn't change the martial art much. The White Ice Divine Art is already a perfect art, so clumsily trying to redefine it would only ruin it."

"Are you trying to show off how privileged you are?"

"How absurd."

Master Maeng and Master Crazy Demon bristled, but Master Eun didn't even look in their direction. They were all masters with immense pride in their own martial arts. It was only natural that their martial arts philosophies would differ. Sometimes, they would even argue all day over a minor disagreement.

Master Eun pondered for a moment, then answered.

"The most important change is… the mental image."

A mental image was the ultimate form of a martial art that one envisioned in one's mind. Master Eun emphasized that this was what made her White Ice Divine Art different from the Ice Palace's version.

"The White Ice Divine Art was created to adapt to the harsh environment of the North Sea. For humans to survive in extreme nature, they must always remain cold and rational… In other words, we need to suppress our emotions to an extreme degree."

It was well-known in the murim that the martial artists of the North Sea Ice Palace were always cold and indifferent, and aside from the fact that she was an incomparable beauty, the Ice Moon Goddess gave off that kind of impression as well.

"Isn't that true for everyone? To survive, one must keep calm and never make rash emotional judgments."

In his past life, Baek Suryong had also learned all sorts of skills to survive in the Blood Cult, always acting on the basis of reason rather than emotion. That was the only to survive in an environment even harsher than the North Sea.

"…I guess that's true for you too, huh? Anyway, for a long time, I lived according to how I was taught… until I met him, that is." Master Eun smiled wistfully. "After meeting him in Xi'an, I gradually learned what it meant to feel emotion. Unfamiliar, mysterious feelings filled me. I never imagined that they would influence my martial arts, but before I knew it, my mental image of the White Ice Divine Art had changed. A flame had blossomed in the cold, hard ice inside me."

"……"

"At first I thought I was suffering from qi deviation, so I tried to resist it. I even pushed him away once. However, the result was only more agony, and I felt as if I would die if I couldn't be with him. So…" Master Eun smiled brightly. "I decided to fully embrace my feelings, even if it meant giving up my martial arts. That's how much I wanted to be with him."

"…Wow."

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At that time, I was truly flabbergasted. Why would a peerless master like the Ice Moon Goddess give up martial arts? How big of a decision must it have been to let go of all the desperate effort, time, and dedication that she had invested to reach such a level?

Ironically, it was that decision that created an opportunity for the Ice Moon Goddess's martial arts to develop even further.

"From that moment on, my White Ice Divine Art evolved into a new martial art. The techniques I was so familiar with seemed completely different, and the oral formulas appeared to convey a new meaning. All that from just a change in my mental imagery."

"……"

The White Ice Divine Art was created for survival in a harsh environment. Emotions were considered impurities, and icy detachment was the pinnacle of the divine art. Nevertheless, Eun Yerin, the greatest talent in the history of the North Sea Ice Palace, broke this taboo.

"…Honestly, I don't quite understand. I don't even know if there's really a difference. From my point of view, it seems less like you modified the martial art and more like you reached a new realm of enlightenment in it."

Master Eun looked at me with a pitying expression. "I hope the day comes when you can understand my words. Truly."

"Are you telling me to find a lover like you did?"

"That could be good, or there might be other ways."

"…Okay. If I ever escape this place, I'll think about it then."

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Even if I didn't understand her mental image, the White Ice Divine Art was already perfect. At the time, I had thought that was enough.

"…You seem lost in thought. Do you need more time for preparation?"

A formidable aura snapped Baek Suryong out of his reverie.

STEP, STEP…

With each step forward, Geomno's aura surged.

Incredible. It's as if Mount Tai itself is approaching me.

Baek Suryong temporarily set aside his memories of Master Eun. Geomno wasn't an opponent he could beat without being fully focused. "I'm ready now," he said.

Geomno nodded and extended his hand to the side. A sword flew from afar and landed in his grasp. It was an old, crude iron sword that was chipped in many places, as if it hadn't been maintained in decades.

To Baek Suryong, however, the shabby sword looked massive enough to crush a mountain.

"In my youth, I once fought the Ice Moon Goddess."

"……"

"The result was my complete defeat. I didn't even last thirty exchanges, I think. I was very confident and spirited in those days, so the shock was tremendous."

Baek Suryong nodded. To last thirty exchanges against the young Ice Moon Goddess, he must have been already ranked among the murim's top hundred at that time.

"Back then, the Ice Moon Goddess was barely past twenty, yet she was already so strong that few in the murim could match her," Geomno added calmly. even though his aura grew more menacing with each passing moment.

Baek Suryong swallowed dryly as he watched Geomno's movements intently.

Geomno raised his sword and pointed it at Baek Suryong. "…I swore that if the Ice Moon Goddess ever returned, I would fight her again. I was confident that I wouldn't be defeated as helplessly as before, but if you're telling the truth and she's already left this world, then I guess that's an impossible dream now."

"My apologies, but I've never heard my master talk about you."

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A faint smile played on Geomno's lips. "I suppose so. After all, she only ever had eyes for one man. Anyway, this talk has gone on too long. Shall we begin?"

Baek Suryong assumed a ready stance. His legs were naturally spaced apart, his left palm was extended forward, and his right hand was lightly clenched into a fist at his side. "I am Baek Suryong, the Azure Dragon Hero. I have learned various martial arts, but here and now I will only use the ice arts that Master Eun taught me."

He deliberately did not draw his sword. After all, his goal wasn't to win, but to prove that he was the disciple of the Ice Moon Goddess.

"Geomno. I forgot my real name long ago." Geomno returned the greeting, then stepped forward with powerful footwork.

I need to focus on how the Ice Moon Goddess's martial arts differs from those of the North Sea Ice Palace.

Ideas swirled in Baek Suryong's mind. In the past, he hadn't understood how a mental image could influence the martial art at all, but now he felt that he might be able to grasp it a little.

VWOOOOM!

The White Ice Bangle on his left hand responded to his will, enveloping his body in a pure white current and summoning a biting wind, reminiscent of a northern blizzard, from beneath his feet.

"That's the Goddess' bangle," Geomno, who had closed the distance in an instant, muttered. Even as he swung his sword, though, his eyes remained indifferent.

WHOOOSH!

The old, crude sword moved along a clearly visible trajectory, but it was impossibly fast. Baek Suryong gritted his teeth and thrust out both palms.

CLAAANG!

Baek Suryong retreated, dispersing the shock.

He's not even using his full strength yet, and his blows are already this heavy? If Dokgo Jun polished the Nine Swords of Dokgo for decades, would he become like this?

He stared at his opponent, but even after unleashing such a powerful sword strike, Geomno's expression remained unchanged.

"Here I come again," Geomno said in a deadpan voice.

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FWOOOSH!

Closing the distance in an instant, he swung his sword again. Baek Suryong unleashed the White Ice Divine Palm consecutively, creating a barrier of frigid energy. The formidable ice qi caused frost to form on Geomno's eyebrows, but he stubbornly broke through and continued pushing the offensive.

CRACK! CRACKLE!

As Geomno charged at him, Baek Suryong could see the disappointment in the old man's eyes.

The Ice Moon Goddess's unique Ice Arts.

Baek Suryong tried not to lose sight of the theme as he executed his techniques. Since learning Ice Arts, this was the first time he had used it so desperately.

"You're strong, but that isn't the Ice Moon Goddess' martial arts."

"…Please wait just a little longer. I think I'll get the hang of it soon."

"I am not fond of jokes." Geomno's face turned serious. He stomped his foot, and the ground erupted.

The next thing Baek Suryong knew, the old sword was right in front of his eyes.

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BOOOOOM!

A deafening thunderclap rang out, and to his dismay, Baek Suryong was sent flying back. Blood dripped from the corner of his mouth. He had suffered internal injuries during that exchange.

Fuck…

For a moment, he regretted saying he would only use Ice Arts.

Noticing the irritation in Baek Suryong's eyes, Geomno warned, "Don't even think of running. You are already in the middle of a sorcery formation."

Baek Suryong glanced around. Even though he felt like he had been thrown back at least ten yards, the scenery around them remained unchanged.

That's not all.

An unnaturally large crescent moon hung in the sky. It had clearly been daytime, but before he knew it, the surroundings had turned to night.

This was obviously Artist Pung Wol's sorcery.

VWOOOOM!

Enhanced qi gathered on Geomno's old iron sword, as if he was declaring that he would no longer hold back.

Baek Suryong wiped the blood from his lips with the back of his hand and sighed, "Do you really have to go this far?"

"I know that you are hiding your true strength, and I will force you to reveal everything no matter what it takes." novelbuddy.cσ๓

"……"

He was right. Baek Suryong hadn't used his full power. He hadn't even used his other masters' martial arts, let alone the Heaven Defying Divine Art.

"Draw your sword. I knew from the beginning that you were a peerless swordsman."

"Damn it…"

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The refusal of the Ice Moon Goddess' acquaintances to accept him as her only disciple deeply wounded Baek Suryong's pride. He even felt sorry toward Master Eun, who had taught him her unique martial arts.

"The most important change is… the mental image."

"A flame had blossomed in the cold, hard ice inside me."

"That could be good, but there might be other ways."

While fighting Geomno, he continuously replayed the conversation he had with his master.

The flame that arose in Master Eun.

Before, he couldn't understand it at all, but after seeing her portrait in Xi'an, he somehow had a feeling that he could understand the emotion that arose in an isolated girl who had spent her whole life in the North Sea Palace, doing nothing but practicing martial arts.

The earnest heart that cherished someone so much that she was willing to give up even martial arts for him. The love that drove her to walk into a trap despite the danger.

What about me?

The Blood Cult instructor he was in his past life had nothing. No family, no friends, no lovers. He was surrounded by rivals and enemies, and he had to do whatever it took to survive. In that cruel world, there was no room for warmth in his heart.

Now, though, it was different.

I have family, cute delinquent students, fellow teachers and comrades.

"I hope the day comes when you can understand my words. Truly."

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It finally hit him. His mental image didn't have to be the same as Master Eun's.

He repeated the formulas of the White Ice Divine Art in his mind, but this time, he planted a single thread of warmth into the frigidly flowing qi.

ROAR!

A flame blossomed within Baek Suryong.

Outwardly, nothing changed. However, the moment he unleashed the White Ice Divine Art again, it seemed like a completely different martial art.

CRACKLE… CRUNCH!

The ice that shattered against Geomno's iron sword reattached itself. The cold energy hadn't intensified. Rather, it writhed as if alive and began to dominate its surroundings.

"This is…!?" For the first time, Geomno's expression changed, and he stopped attacking. Even his aura, which had the power to split mountains, vanished as if it had never existed.

Baek Suryong grit his teeth. "…You asked for it."

SHING!

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He drew his sword and looked up at the gigantic crescent moon in the sky. Although it was an illusion created by sorcery, it somehow added to the ambiance.

"I first met him on a crescent moon night."

Smiling, he launched into a sword dance. Around him, countless pieces of ice floated in all directions, and the gently glistening moonlight reflected off the ice fragments, creating a scene more magical than any fantasy.

This was the ultimate technique the Ice Moon Goddess Eun Yerin had created through her complete mastery of the White Ice Divine Art.

"……" Artist Pung Wol was so entranced that the brush in his hand moved instinctively.

Several minutes later, when Baek Suryong finished the sword dance, he said softly, "This is the New Moon White Ice Dance (新月氷白舞), a technique my master created out of longing for her lover. It's not actually a sword technique, but as I am most familiar with the sword, I chose to demonstrate it like this."

"…A fitting name."

Geomno lowered his sword. No further confirmation was needed. What Baek Suryong had just displayed was unmistakably the Ice Moon Goddess' martial art.

Translator's Note: Special weekday chapter! Once again, I will be away on a work trip from 9-17 May. There will be 1-2 chapters on 18th May, depending on how much energy I can muster after returning.