Chapter 188 : The Sword King of Wudang. -02
Chapter 188: The Sword King of Wudang. -02
There were often times when something he had already known felt entirely new.
It was as if something he had understood with his head was now being felt with his heart.
Enlightenment did not always have to be something grand or extraordinary.
More often than not, it was the trivial things that struck most deeply, and Ban Hojin thought this might become a good experience for the three of them as well.
“Is that a promise?”
“In all my life, I have never spoken two different words with the same mouth.”
“Good. By the way, do you happen to enjoy alcohol?”
“I have tried it before, but I do not indulge in it.”
“Hmm! Then how about sharing a drink, just the two of us?”
Tang Woo-hyeok, who had been wearing a satisfied expression, subtly proposed a drinking appointment.
He had intended to use this favorable atmosphere to secure a private arrangement.
At that, not only Namgung Ho but also Peng Mancheol and Zhuge Mungok glared at Tang Woo-hyeok.
They had not expected him to strike first in such a shameless manner, and all three pairs of eyes turned ferocious.
“I will think about it.”
“I said it knowing this would happen. I asked fully aware I might be rejected. Still, since I have at least thrown it out there, is that not enough?”
“Hmph!”
“A traitor’s tongue is certainly slick.”
Tang Woo-hyeok put on a sly face and claimed he had stepped forward for everyone’s sake, but no one believed him so easily.
Rather, each of them stared at him with incredulous expressions.
Yet despite the three men’s cold gazes, Tang Woo-hyeok did not shrink back.
“Originally, beauty belongs to the brave. Though in this case, it would be talent.”
“Let us begin.”
Since most had already warmed up, Ban Hojin opened his mouth.
If he let it continue, the verbal sparring would go on endlessly.
Soon after, the open clearing filled with cheers.
Three among the Ten Great Masters Under Heaven were participating in the Endless Sparring Training, and everyone rejoiced at the news.
Clang! Thud!
The shouts were brief, and soon metallic clashes and battle cries echoed from all around.
The training had begun in earnest.
However, Ban Hojin did not leave his place.
As the training drove people to their limits, the risk of injury rose, and some might push themselves too far. Someone was needed to stop such cases.
“Hmm.”
Moreover, he was curious how the three newcomers would perform, so he folded his arms and watched.
In his mind, he wondered which of the three would tire first.
Seo Jo-woon’s breath rose to his throat.
Most of the Rising Juniors and martial artists had already collapsed from exhaustion.
But Seo Jo-woon still had strength remaining.
Because he knew his own limits.
‘Besides, I cannot miss an opportunity like this!’
Seo Jo-woon’s eyes turned toward the three.
Though they had been added suddenly, no one disliked it—not even him.
Everyone knew that on any ordinary day, they would never dare to spar against those three.
And as he saw the trio gradually begin to tire, Seo Jo-woon found it secretly amusing.
‘In internal power they may surpass us, but in stamina, we might be better!’
No matter how outstanding Seo Jo-woon was among the Rising Juniors, he could not dare compare his martial realm to theirs.
The three had made their names in the Murim long before he was even born.
However, in terms of sheer stamina, Seo Jo-woon was confident.
Not only was he young, but he believed he had more experience pushing his body to the brink.
‘When would they have last experienced the limit of physical endurance? At least not recently.’
Knowing one’s own limits was extremely important.
It meant understanding exactly how far one could go.
Yet few truly knew or had personally felt their limits.
Even though this process was absolutely necessary to break through a wall.
‘Not even a quarter have reached their limits.’
Seo Jo-woon’s gaze sank.
Unlike the initial fervor at the start, it seemed that few truly understood the purpose of this training.
If they did know and still behaved like that, then it was a problem.
Yet in his view, it did not seem like ignorance.
Given Ban Hojin’s personality, he would never have overlooked it if they knowingly pretended otherwise.
Which meant their willpower was weak.
They had given up despite being capable of more.
‘Ui-seong said this could separate jade from stone. Looking at it now, he was not wrong.’
A high realm did not necessarily mean strong willpower.
Seo Jo-woon keenly realized that fact today.
Even to him, many still had strength remaining, yet they could not endure the hardship and surrendered.
To surpass one’s limit, one must first reach it.
‘Such a good opportunity.’
Each time he saw it, Seo Jo-woon felt regret.
He knew all too well what happened when one failed to lay a proper foundation.
Talent might allow rapid progress at first, but eventually, it would become shackles.
It was the same principle as a poorly built foundation preventing a building from rising high.
‘Well, even if I told them, they would not understand.’
It was better than doing nothing, but there would be no visible growth—of that, Seo Jo-woon was certain.
Perhaps they would be satisfied with that much.
And Seo Jo-woon was not broad-minded enough to worry about others.
As long as he and Ban Hojin—and perhaps their companions—benefited, that was enough.
‘At least his reputation will definitely improve.’
In just a single day, Seo Jo-woon felt how completely people’s gazes and attitudes toward Ban Hojin had changed.
Though still difficult to approach casually, they now understood at least that Ban Hojin was not arrogant or overbearing as rumors suggested.
He was merely not warm in his dealings with people.
‘Well, he is not the type to care about such things.’
Seo Jo-woon let out a small laugh.
Even though people’s attitudes toward him had changed, he was certain Ban Hojin would not care in the slightest.
More accurately, he likely had no interest at all.
‘I need to stay sharp too. I cannot waste such a golden opportunity. I must grow strong enough to stand beside him soon.’
Seo Jo-woon’s eyes changed.
The others might not know, but he did.
Ban Hojin had long been wary of an invasion by the Neo-Outer Murim.
Having personally traveled to the Northern Sea, Seo Jo-woon had no intention of wasting time.
He also possessed a man’s ambition.
Like Ban Hojin, he wished to make his name known throughout the world and stand tall as an Absolute Master.
‘Born as a true man, one must at least leave one’s name under heaven!’
Seo Jo-woon gripped his sword tightly.
Then he strode confidently toward Namgung Ho.
Though one of the Ten Great Masters Under Heaven and the Head of the Namgung Family, he was weaker than Ban Hojin, so Seo Jo-woon did not feel overly tense.
Besides, this was already his third time.
“Come.”
“Yes.”
Though exhausted, Seo Jo-woon respectfully held his sword and performed a Half-Palm Salute before charging forward.
Gazing up at the night sky that resembled a painting, Ban Hojin unconsciously nodded.
The clouds drifting slowly past the half-moon were beautiful.
Because they did not remain still, they felt all the more alive.
The sight calmed the viewer’s heart, and with a faint smile, Ban Hojin moved his steps.
“It seems Young Master Ban shares the same thought as I.”
“My apologies. I should have come out first.”
“No. This poor Daoist simply had no sleep and came out a little early.”
“Please speak comfortably. You are far my senior.”
“This poor Daoist finds this more comfortable. Hahaha.”
Despite Ban Hojin’s words, the old man with an immortal-like bearing, Woon Sang, shook his head.
Regardless of age or generation, he believed Ban Hojin deserved full respect as a martial artist.
“Still…”
“It is truly fine. In truth, this poor Daoist also respects Young Master Ban as a fellow martial artist. To achieve such a realm at your age is no ordinary feat.”
Though the Sect Leader of the Mount Zhongnan Sect and known as the Sword King of Wudang, Woon Sang smiled with simple ease.
His dignity differed entirely from Bang Manchun, whom Ban Hojin had met the day before.
Feeling that once more, Ban Hojin gave an awkward smile.
“Respect is too much.”
“You are fully worthy of it. Not only your realm, but have you not done much for the Central Plains Murim?”
“It simply happened that way.”
At Ban Hojin’s answer, Woon Sang smiled meaningfully.
He knew the reality was different from those modest words.
His past deeds spoke for themselves.
“Thank you for granting my sudden request.”
“Not at all. I, too, wished to meet the Sect Leader personally.”
“This poor Daoist?”
“Are you not the foremost Sword Hero of the Central Plains?”
“Hahaha. That is not so.”
Was it because the sincerity was evident?
Woon Sang seemed uncharacteristically flustered.
But Ban Hojin was sincere.
At least among those he knew, there was no one in the Central Plains whose swordsmanship surpassed Woon Sang’s.
“That is how I see it.”
“You flatter me. There are many more skilled than this poor Daoist. Including yourself.”
One only saw as much as one knew.
The moment he first saw Ban Hojin, Woon Sang had felt it.
He was certainly not beneath him.
“I still have far to go.”
“This poor Daoist is the same. Though people call me Sword King, I honestly find it excessive.”
“I believe it suits you well. Are not others’ eyes the most impartial?”
Ban Hojin smiled faintly.
Even in his previous life, he had liked Woon Sang for this humility.
Rather than a sect leader, he possessed the bearing of a true Daoist immortal.
Yet none dared treat him lightly, for he possessed overwhelming strength.
“Then by that measure, it seems people underestimate you.”
“In my case, it is difficult to accept easily. Time will resolve it gradually.”
“I should have arranged this sparring in front of many witnesses.”
“I prefer now. It is elegant, is it not? We need not care for others’ gazes. I can focus solely on you, Daoist Woon Sang.”
A strange smile touched Woon Sang’s lips.
He had heard many things about Ban Hojin, yet this was somewhat different.
Not that he had held prejudice, but still, meeting in person proved different.
“One must indeed meet a man to know him.”
“Thank you for speaking kindly. Then, shall we begin?”
“Very well.”
Shrring.
With a clear metallic sound that seemed to cleanse the ears, the swords of Ban Hojin and Woon Sang emerged into the moonlight.
At once, the surrounding air changed.
Naturally, their auras shifted.
They had not deliberately raised their momentum; it flowed the moment they grasped their swords.
‘As expected of the Sword King.’
Feeling Woon Sang’s aura—calm, yet like a storm ready to erupt at any moment—Ban Hojin smiled faintly.
His presence truly justified the epithet Sword King.
Namgung Ho was also an exceptional swordsman, but he could not compare to the man before him.
Ban Hojin felt that anew.
‘On par with the Lord of the Ironblood Fortress.’
Even in his previous life, when battling the Four Tyrants of the World, Woon Sang had never been greatly outmatched.
Only age had ultimately led to his defeat.
But now, being nine years younger than in that past life, vitality radiated from him.
‘If this spar becomes a good catalyst…’
Ban Hojin’s eyes gleamed.
He wondered if this spar might allow Woon Sang to break through his wall.
Of course, such things were not easily achieved, but possibility was what mattered.
The future had already changed; the possibility existed.
Swoosh.
‘And I will grow stronger as well.’