The two swordsmen moved simultaneously, their movements perfectly synchronized. They sprang off the ground hard and fast, yet made only a faint sound.
TAP!
The Divine Annihilation Nun advanced with strictness and resolve, while Baek Muheun glided forward with an innate, free-spirited ease.
CLANG!
Enhanced sword qi cloaked both blades, yet the clash was less intense than the first. The techniques they used now were simply more refined.
Neither tried to overpower the other with brute force. Instead, they retracted their swords the instant they collided, flowing seamlessly into the next technique.
KAKAKANG!
The two swordsmen circled each other, trading blows and scattering sparks from their clashing blades. In a matter of seconds, they exchanged over thirty strikes.
The Emei Sect disciple Geum Sansan had waited thirty years to exact this small act of revenge, after all.
The flurry of strikes raised a sharp wind that swept through the area, scattering dust. The Divine Annihilation Nun's sword grazed Baek Muheun's shoulder, while his sword sliced the hem of her cassock.
Spectators could only watch, mouths agape, as the two graduates traded blows.
"Good heavens! I never thought I'd see such a high-level exchange in a friendly duel..."
"The Divine Annihilation Nun's Thirty-Six Jade Void Swords are famous, but who in the world is the Handsome Prince?"
"Nothing's known about him except that he's an Azure Dragon Academy graduate."
"I heard a rumor that the two of them once faced off in finals of the Dragon and Phoenix Tournament..."
The murmuring from the audience never reached the duel stage. Baek Muheun and Geum Sansan were both fully focused on each other.
Contrary to the Divine Annihilation Nun's reserved nature, the Thirty-Six Jade Void Swords represented the pinnacle of deceptive swordplay, blurring the line between feints and genuine attacks. One moment, the sword seemed slow, but the next, it moved as fast as light, vanishing from sight only to reappear in a blind spot.
Countering it was the Revolving Tempest Sword, a never-ending whirlwind. Baek Muheun deflected, parried, and answered her unpredictable attacks as naturally as flowing water. He was like a noble typhoon, unshakable and unstoppable.
"Therefore, I would like to bestow upon Master Baek Muheun the new alias of 'Handsome Swordmaster.' Doesn't this title perfectly encapsulate both his outstanding looks and swordsmanship?"
KBOOOOM!
As if by agreement, the two swordsmen pushed each other back and took another moment to catch their breath.
It could also spark gossip about how the Heavenly Martial Academy conducted its events.
Baek Muheun's lips curved into a gentle smile as he flexed his stiff wrist. "You've been swinging your sword like your life depended on it these past thirty years, haven't you?"
"For a man who turned his back on the jianghu to live a carefree life, your sword is surprisingly sharp."
"Even without living as a martial artist, life is hard. I haven't exactly enjoyed an easy life."
"......"
The two figures sped up, and their swords intertwined with increasing complexity.
Despite their vague remarks, the brief exchange of swords told them more about each other than words ever could. Nodding to each other, they returned to their starting stances.
The Divine Annihilation Nun added, "We can finally finish the match we couldn't complete all those years ago. Please think of today as the final match of the Dragon and Phoenix Tournament thirty years ago."
Baek Muheun unconsciously took in the scenery around him. "The final match of the Heavenly Martial Festival that year..."
"In the past, Master Baek Muheun was called the Handsome Prince for his striking looks. Considering his outstanding swordsmanship, it was regrettable that only his appearance drew attention."
The countless spectators watching from the stands seemed to overlap with the crowd from years past. He remembered the incredible fervor that made the cold winter air feel hot and his friends' cheers for the Handsome Prince that grew hoarse. He even saw Headmaster Mae Geuklyom watching his student's duel anxiously, his usual ferocious expression nowhere to be found.
blockquote>
"You have to win the whole thing and come back. Got it?"
Mae Yakbing, who had said that with a pale face, was not sitting in the spectator seats, but was lying down in the medical clinic. Her condition had begun to worsen during the quarterfinals of the Dragon and Phoenix Tournament. She insisted that it was nothing and that she was used to it, but Baek Muheun hadn't been able to focus on anything since then.
blockquote>
"Are you telling me to compete in a martial arts tournament while you're this sick? No, I'm staying by your side until you're better!"
Mae Yakbing was a frail person. She was usually so spirited that her frailty seemed like a lie, but whenever her complexion turned pale, she would suddenly cough up blood or her breathing would become labored. Despite that, her bold personality never changed.
blockquote>
"Are you kidding me? I told you I'm fine. I'll be fine after a few days of rest, so just go to the Dragon and Phoenix Tournament and win."
"I never cared about that stupid tournament in the first place. I'd rather just stay here with you..."
"Liar! I know you trained harder than anyone. You even endured special training from my father every day, yet you say you're not interested? Did you think I'd believe that?"
"That's..."
"Just so you know, if you give up on the Dragon and Phoenix Tournament because of me, I'll never see you again."
"...Okay, I'll go."
Baek Muheun's story about forfeiting due to a hangover was true. He simply never told anyone why he had a hangover.
blockquote>
"Haha! I guess I drank too much last night and lost. My stomach was so messed up that I couldn't even swing my sword."
The winner of the Dragon and Phoenix Tournament had to stay at the Heavenly Martial Academy for several days after the Heavenly Martial Festival ended. They had to attend various events and exchange greetings with the masters of the orthodox sects and the Murim Alliance.
And Baek Muheun simply couldn't bear the thought of not being able to see the ailing Mae Yakbing for even a few days. To create an excuse to withdraw from the tournament, he decided to drink himself to oblivion.
blockquote>
"...You stubborn fool."
When he finally returned after forfeiting in the semifinals, Mae Yakbing did not get angry. Instead, she hugged him tightly.
blockquote>
"You always pretend to let me win, but when it really matters, you just do whatever you want."
"Don't you know? I'm Baek Muheun, the Azure Dragon Academy's worst delinquent."
Many years have passed since then. Mae Yakbing had passed away, and the Azure Dragon Academy's handsome prodigy had been all but forgotten.
Baek Muheun glanced up at the spectator stands.
"Hahahaha!" Baek Muheun burst into laughter, a bright smile spreading across his face as if he couldn't contain his joy. "This is fun!"
"...That rascal."
He could see his exasperating son grinning cheekily. Although his opponent was a formidable master, his son did not seem worried at all for him.
Their eyes met. Baek Suryong cupped his hands around his mouth and mouthed a message: "Win for sure this time!"
The Divine Annihilation Nun nodded.
For a moment, Baek Muheun was stupefied.
No, that kid probably didn't plan all this knowing everything. There's no way he could have known that I still had lingering feelings for the Dragon and Phoenix Tournament I walked away from thirty years ago. I myself didn't even realize it until a moment, so how could he?
Chuckling to himself, he turned to the Divine Annihilation Nun. "In any case, thank you for creating this opportunity for me. Thank you for waiting. I've steeled my resolve, so let's finish this final match in style."