Sparring Between Sisters
The clan leader led Mookhyang to the spacious living room of the main house. Mookhyang followed him along with Sagunja and Han Yeongyeong. Han Yeongyeong, enticed by the promise of tasting the rare Huaju wine, followed without hesitation to see what it was like. While Mookhyang's group waited in the living room, the clan leader arrived with five people—his family members, including his son, grandson, and granddaughter. Among them, Okmaehwa glared at Mookhyang when she saw him in the living room, but, in the presence of her stern grandfather, she had no choice but to endure it.
The clan leader assigned seats to everyone and said, "It's been a long time since I've met a close friend, so today I'll treat everyone. Don't be shy, eat and drink plenty." He then turned to his family members and reminded them sternly, "Listen carefully to the conversation. It will be a discussion as valuable as jewels."
The clan leader, seated across from Mookhyang, poured a full cup of Huaju wine for Mookhyang and filled his own cup as well, before asking, "What did you and the Thunder Sword Emperor discuss? I heard you talked all night."
"You should ask the disciples of the Jeryeong Sect. It was quite an interesting conversation," Mookhyang replied.
"Is the Thunder Sword Emperor at a similar level to me?"
"I believe so, but you would need to spar with him to know for sure. Aren't both of you regarded as the best in the orthodox sects?"
"Who did you learn swordsmanship from?"
"I learned from several masters. I learned the most from Master Yoo Baek."
"Yoo Baek? I've never heard of him. Is his swordsmanship that impressive?"
"Not particularly. But he was very good at teaching his disciples."
"I was skeptical when I heard about you from the Jeryeong Sect, but when I saw you sparring with Ryeongin earlier, I realized you're particularly strong in close combat. Even if I fought you in close combat, I wouldn't last long. Maybe at a distance, I could hold out for a while, but in close combat, I doubt I'd last even ten seconds."
"You're too kind."
"It's not flattery. You've transcended ordinary techniques. Reaching that level is incredibly difficult. Even after all my years of training, I still find it hard to move that smoothly. What kind of sword techniques have you mastered?"
"Many different ones—sword techniques from my sect, from Buddhism, from Taoism. I've seen nearly everything my sect has collected. But they're all more or less the same. These days, I don't even bother thinking about what technique my opponent is using."
"Still, even if you're using a style without set forms, there must be a consistent underlying principle. What do you call this swordsmanship?"
"Long ago, I created a technique and called it 'Formless Swordsmanship.' But calling it a sword technique feels a bit much. It's just an ordinary skill. I used to follow the patterns of Formless Swordsmanship when I fought, but these days, I find it tiresome and just go with the flow."
"Have you written a manual for that swordsmanship?"
"No, I initially thought about making one, but after considering it, there was just too much to write down, so I gave up entirely."
"You mentioned that I couldn't break through the last barrier, preventing me from reaching the Profound Realm. What exactly is that barrier? Can you tell me?"
"There's nothing to hide. It's because you're overthinking."
"Overthinking?"
How should I kill this opponent? What sword move should I use next? What sword technique is the opponent using, and how should I counter it? The opponent seems strong, how do I avoid him? There are too many of them, so should I lure them out one by one and kill them? Maybe I should run away while I still can…. "Things like that."
"You've misunderstood. When I fight an opponent, I forget myself and engage in the battle in a state of no-mind. I don't entertain such unnecessary thoughts."
"But aren't those thoughts inevitable? How are my subordinates doing? Am I advancing too far ahead? Maybe I should pull them back and handle the enemies alone to minimize casualties. Isn't that right?"
"But isn't that only natural for someone who commands others?"
"No. To reach the highest realm, you must forget everything and immerse yourself in a state of no-mind, cutting and cutting again, drenching yourself in blood. You shouldn't even think about which technique to use against your opponent at any moment. Your sword and mind must become one, following the path your sword desires, achieving a state of perfect unity between body and sword. The sword's will must be your will, and your will must be the sword's will! If this alignment is even slightly off, you cannot create a great swordsmanship."
"Unity of body and sword, huh? I thought I had already surpassed that stage."
"But that's not the case. You've only aligned the sword with your will, but the sword's will has not come to life. Once you achieve that, the realm of Sword Control will open up before your eyes."
At this, Okmaehwa, who had been listening nearby, sneered and mocked him. "Hmph! You sure talk a lot."
Mookhyang coldly glared at her. "If you don't understand, shut your mouth and stay quiet. It's disrespectful to interrupt when your elders are speaking, you child."
Okmaehwa became furious and drew her sword, shouting, "If you're a man, let's spar! I don't believe a trash like you could be such a master!"
"Sparring with someone like you would only tarnish my dignity."
"Crazy fool! You're just scared and making excuses…"
"If you insist, I'll oblige. Come on."
Okmaehwa sheathed her sword and stormed out, saying, "You think I won't follow through? Hurry up and follow me!"
Once they reached a spacious area, Okmaehwa, seething with anger, drew her sword. "Draw your sword. I'll show you the power of my clan's martial arts!"
"Hmph! The person you should be fighting isn't me, it's Ok Ryeongin. Hey, why don't you take her on?"
"I-I… sister, you're much stronger than me."
"It's alright. From now on, I'll instruct you telepathically. Just follow my directions exactly. If you remember this sparring session well, you'll achieve great progress. You must swiftly execute as I say. Are you ready?"
"Yes."
"I will be using Ok Ryeongin's body to demonstrate martial arts. Of course, I won't be using the Borrowed Strength Grand Mastery Technique, just telepathic instructions. If Ok Ryeongin loses here, consider it my loss. Well, let's begin."
The Borrowed Strength Grand Mastery Technique allows one to lend their internal energy to someone else, completely taking over their body and directing their movements. It requires immense energy from the user, but allows them to manipulate the other person at will. However, since Mookhyang only intended to give instructions via telepathy, there would naturally be a slight time delay, and the techniques would be limited to what Ok Ryeongin already knew. This gave Okmaehwa a considerable advantage.
Despite this, Okmaehwa remained on guard, knowing that Ok Ryeongin was moving according to Mookhyang's instructions. She raised her inner energy, waiting for her opponent to draw her sword. Ok Ryeongin slowly drew her sword and performed a bow.
"Sister, shall we begin now?"
Seeing Okmaehwa respond to Ok Ryeongin's bow, Mookhyang said:
"Let's skip the formalities and start immediately."
Mookhyang's words meant to forgo any ritualistic moves and go straight to real strikes.
Ok Ryeongin's body shot forward. As she charged at Okmaehwa, she executed a technique.
"Red Haze Flying Dragon!"
"Hmph! With just the Red Haze Mist Sword Technique... Ah!"
At first, Okmaehwa thought the initial strike was part of the Red Haze Mist Sword Technique she knew well, but in an instant, she realized that it wasn't the usual sword dance. Instead, brutal sword qi streaked through the air, tinted with the light of a bloody sunset, and shot towards her. Shocked, she dodged. She tried to counterattack immediately, but once she lost her initial advantage, she couldn't regain it.
As Okmaehwa dodged to the side, Ok Ryeongin followed closely and unleashed a second technique.
"Red Haze Blooming Plum!"
At that moment, six thrusts followed in quick succession. The sword qi was so intense that a faint blue light emanated from the blade. Okmaehwa narrowly avoided this surprise attack only because she was deeply familiar with the Red Haze Mist Sword Technique. Normally, the technique involved 24 thrusts, alternating between real and feigned attacks, but since it had been shortened to just six thrusts, each one was a real strike, penetrating even deeper. As Okmaehwa barely dodged to the right, Mookhyang gave another instruction to Ok Ryeongin.
Ok Ryeongin, following Mookhyang's instruction, unleashed the third technique as soon as Okmaehwa evaded.
"Red Haze Setting Sun!"
Simultaneously, a large crimson mass of sword qi erupted from Ok Ryeongin's sword, surging through the sunset-like haze and hurtling toward Okmaehwa at tremendous speed. Feeling that she'd be at a severe disadvantage if she continued to retreat, Okmaehwa decided to counterattack.
As the sisters continued their duel, the atmosphere became intense.
"White Plum Falling Moon!"
Though her stance was shaky, Okmaehwa executed her technique gracefully. The collision between the sword energy of the two attacks caused a resonating explosion, sending both reeling back from the impact. Okmaehwa retreated and cried out:
"This is absurd! You promised not to transfer any energy, but with that last move, it's clear you're using the Borrowed Strength Grand Mastery Technique!"
Mookhyang chuckled coldly.
"Don't spout nonsense. That was purely Okryeongin's power. Isn't that right, Leader?"
The Leader, looking slightly empathetic, nodded.
"He's correct. Okryeongin has achieved an incredible surge in inner energy today thanks to the vice leader's guidance. But remember, the vice leader is only using the advanced version of the Red Sunset Flow Sword Technique, not his own power. Do your best."
The clash between the two sisters was nothing short of spectacular. Though Okryeongin was moving under Mookhyang's guidance, there was a slight delay between his commands and her actions, meaning Okmaehwa wasn't completely overpowered. In the blink of an eye, the sisters had exchanged over fifty moves. The Leader watched in awe, nodding in approval and even gasping at the skillful techniques Mookhyang was commanding.
Had Mookhyang directly wielded the Red Sunset Demon Sword Technique himself, with Okryeongin's energy, the fight would have ended in less than five seconds. However, Okryeongin's lack of combat experience created a fatal flaw—she struggled to seamlessly connect the fluid motions of each sword technique. After fifty moves, Mookhyang realized a prolonged battle would be disadvantageous and ordered a series of continuous attacks.
Okryeongin charged forward, her sword cutting through the air as she unleashed a furious series of moves:
"Red Sunset Flying Dragon! Red Sunset Flowing Heaven! Red Sunset Setting Sun!"
Okmaehwa barely managed to dodge the fierce barrage using her footwork and the White Flowing Plum Blossom Sword Technique. She gave it her all, but the sheer force behind her younger sister's strikes—though directed by Mookhyang—took her by surprise.
To think that all I can do is hang on… Is this the end for me? But if I push her hard enough, maybe she'll panic and disobey his commands…
With that decision made, Okmaehwa launched into a relentless offensive, throwing caution to the wind.
"White Plum Sinking Heaven! White Plum Severing All! White Plum Flowing Fragrance!"
Her sword strikes unleashed waves of sword energy in all directions, forcing Okryeongin, who lacked the real-world experience to keep up, into a state of fear. Instead of following Mookhyang's orders, Okryeongin began moving on her own, desperately evading her sister's onslaught. Even worse, Okryeongin had hesitated to use her deadly techniques earlier, unwilling to truly harm her sister, and had repeatedly held back during crucial moments. But now, with Okmaehwa pressing forward with merciless techniques, Okryeongin's nerves began to falter.
Realizing the fight was slipping out of his control, Mookhyang grimaced after guiding about a hundred moves.
"I concede. That foolish girl isn't listening to me, so there's nothing more I can do."
The Leader, having understood the situation, burst into laughter and consoled him.
"Don't be too hard on yourself. She's a soft-hearted girl—that's why you lost, not because of your skill. I was truly impressed by your technique. When you cornered your opponent after just 20 moves, using continuous sword strikes to trap her, I was in awe. But, when Okryeongin hesitated to use her lethal strikes, Okmaehwa managed to slip through. If these two weren't sisters, you would have won for sure."
But Mookhyang, finding little amusement in the situation, spoke curtly.
"A loss is a loss. No need for further excuses. I'll be retiring to my quarters."
The Leader, unable to stop him, felt a wave of frustration. He was irritated by Okmaehwa's recklessness and disappointed that the situation had prevented him from probing Mookhyang further. But the arrow had already been shot; there was no turning back.
For the rest of his stay, Mookhyang kept a firm rein on Han Yeongyeong, who, likely out of fear from Mookhyang's earlier reprimands, caused no further trouble as they returned to the sect.