Reincarnated Sword Ghost-Chapter 11 : Duel Tournament

Duel Tournament
"If a duel must be fought, I will face the Gate Leader."
"Th-that crazy bastard!"
"Drag him out right away!"
Voices laced with fury erupted from Five Star Gate's side.
Tak Mujin, who had stepped forward, was trembling visibly, his face red to the point of bursting with anger.
Jeong-un simply stood still, fixing his gaze solely upon the Five Star Gate Leader.
'If I want to make sure no one gets hurt, it needs to be this much.'
It had not been long since he began properly controlling his true ki.
Especially, he had only trained with channeling his energy into the sword for a few days at most.
If he were to face a martial duel rashly in this state, he couldn't even imagine what might happen.
'Moving my true ki is as natural as breathing now. But the sword is still different.'
It was different from simply wielding a sword freely.
To infuse a sword with internal energy.
And to swing it as precisely as one intends.
The way true ki followed his intent was different from how it moved through his body via the pressure points.
Jeong-un felt as if he was awakening a completely new sense.
"Are you out of your mind now...?"
Amidst all the noise, the Five Star Gate Leader asked in disbelief, his eyes blank.
Yu Jungho, who stood next to him, stared at Jeong-un in a daze before hastily stepping forward.
"T-this...! Elders, wait a moment...!"
But Cheong Jin raised his hand to block him and abruptly spoke up.
"What will you do?"
"Excuse me?"
The question was directed toward the Five Star Gate Leader.
Cheong Jin asked again, his face utterly calm.
"Have you not accepted the request for a duel?"
"Elder! He is a distant junior!"
"That is precisely why I am asking."
"Excuse me?"
Cheong Jin stepped forward.
And at that, the commotion instantly fell silent.
"..."
For a moment, Jeong-un looked at Cheong Jin with a grim face.
'He moved his true ki.'
Indeed, a clear yet powerful surge of energy radiated out from him, dazzlingly sharply.
It was a strength that made everyone focus on him, not knowing the reason why.
'So it can be used like that as well.'
The ways to use and maneuver one's true ki were infinite.
Jeong-un finally started to think it had been worthwhile to come here.
"Today, Five Star Gate has achieved an overwhelming victory over the Yu household and won. Congratulations on your disciples' accomplishments."
"Th-thank you very much."
The sudden congratulation made the Five Star Gate Leader bow his head.
Yu Jungho, standing beside him, reddened unnecessarily.
"On such an auspicious day, a newly arrived junior has asked for guidance. Would it not be unbefitting for a martial artist to refuse such a request?"
"Th-that is true... but how could I personally...?"
"If the Gate Leader would offer guidance to young Master Yu to take a step forward today, Mount Hua Sect will remember the character of the Gate Leader."
"...!"
At this, the Five Star Gate Leader's eyes widened, and then his expression brightened.
The name of Mount Hua had just been spoken from the mouth of a Mount Hua elder.
'This is an opportunity!'
The Five Star Gate Leader's mind began to whirl quickly.
Today's martial duel had been a tremendous victory.
He had thought his sons would not lose, but not even he had expected such a landslide.
Already, Jeong-un could hear merchants who had watched today's match whispering that Five Star Gate should be entrusted with the guard for their next trade journey.
'If I can show myself giving guidance to a member of the Yu household in front of a Mount Hua elder...!'
It would be virtually declaring that Five Star Gate stood above the Yu household.
On reflection, it was truly an opportunity much too good to refuse.
"Ahem!"
Having made up his mind, the Five Star Gate Leader stepped forward, his face solemn.
Cheong Jin subtly withdrew with a faint smile.
"Child, do you know what it means to be the leader of a sect?"
His tone was openly that of imparting a lesson.
Even though Yu Jungho, the Head of the Yu household, stood right next to him, the Five Star Gate Leader spoke without hesitation.
Yu Jungho's face fluctuated red and blue, but he could not interject.
Above all, Cheong Jin himself had taken action.
"A gate leader is not just a representative of the sect but its head, its eyes on the path ahead, and its sword for protection. Between you and me, it may seem laughable to face each other as equals, but since the Yu household gains nothing today, I will offer you a small stroke of fortune."
Having finished his speech, the Five Star Gate Leader abruptly extended his right hand forward.
"..."
As everyone looked at him in confusion, the Five Star Gate Leader frowned and spoke quietly.
"... A sword."
"Ah!"
A warrior standing next to him hurriedly handed a sword to the Gate Leader.
Composing his face, the Five Star Gate Leader slowly walked onto the duel stage and stood in front of Jeong-un.
"If you can withstand five seconds against me, I shall grant you a valuable pill."
"F-father!"
Tak Mujin, standing beside him, cried out in alarm.
"A pill...! Wasn't that pill intended for me? My older brothers all received theirs, now it's supposed to be my turn...!"
"Silence!"
The Five Star Gate Leader, who had until now spoken with dignity, suddenly shouted.
"Do you think I would lose to that child?"
"T-that's not what I meant..."
"Then be quiet and step down!"
Lowering his head in defeat, Tak Mujin stepped back, and the Five Star Gate Leader turned to Jeong-un again.
He then noticed something odd and questioned him again.
"Where is your sword?"
Instead of answering, Jeong-un turned his head to Tak Mujin.
Because he was the closest.
"W-what?"
"May I borrow your sword?"
"What? A martial artist lending his sword...!"
"Just lend it to him!"
When time seemed to be dragging, the Five Star Gate Leader shouted again.
Tak Mujin grudgingly stepped forward and handed over his sword.
"..."
Jeong-un took the sword, gazing at it for a moment, then lifted his head to look around.
The Five Star Gate Leader looked down on him with arrogance, others watched as if finding it entertaining.
The Yu household members simply sat pale with shock and stared at him, lost for words.
Having been soundly defeated in the duel, now completely humiliated, they seemed to have lost their minds completely.
'... To think I would be holding a real sword like this.'
Jeong-un savored the pleasing weight of the sword, then lightly belted it at his waist.
With a respectful gesture, he faced the Five Star Gate Leader.
"Please guide me."
The Five Star Gate Leader grinned and gestured lightly.
"Come."
Jeong-un gripped the sword guard at his waist with his right hand.
Unlike a wooden sword, the solid feel seemed vividly alive in his palm.
Jeong-un gauged the distance between himself and the Five Star Gate Leader.
'Three steps.'
The moment he measured the distance.
The true ki circulating through his body surged explosively.
As he lunged forward with his right foot, the true ki started from his rear foot, coursed elastically through his pressure points, and shot toward his right hand gripping the sword.
The recoil of the true ki traveled through his shoulder, arm, wrist, and fingers, gathering at the sword guard.
At the same time, the sword was drawn.
All of this happened in an instant.
Swaaak—
The distance narrowed in a flash.
At the same time, the sword swept out horizontally.
Despite countless repetitions of the stance, the sensation felt unfamiliar.
Yet, even in that brief moment, he could clearly feel that his true ki had completely infused the sword blade.
"...!"
The Five Star Gate Leader definitely reacted.
He clearly saw Jeong-un take a big step and rush in.
He also saw him lean forward and draw the sword horizontally.
'A pretty swift sword.'
His sword was already drawn in hand.
He parried the approaching sword head-on.
He was a little surprised by the faster-than-expected slash, but that was all, or so he thought.
However, the next instant, his expression instantly crumbled.
Cheng─!
"..."
The hall fell deathly silent.
Only Cheong Jin, unable to hold back, covered his mouth and burst out laughing.
"... W-what is this?"
The Five Star Gate Leader, having landed on his backside, murmured in a daze.
Then he recalled what had just happened.
He had met the approaching sword with his own, intending to push it away...
But instead, he was the one pushed back.
And that wasn't all.
"...?"
In that brief moment, flustered, he channeled more energy into his sword, but unable to withstand it, the sword broke in his grip.
'My sword broke?'
Was that even possible?
That too, by such a young brat, his own sword?
The Five Star Gate Leader stared down at the sword in his hand with a blank look.
"..."
A sword snapped in two.
One half of the blade was already sent flying somewhere.
"Thank you for your guidance."
"...?"
The Five Star Gate Leader could not even think of standing up, and just looked up at Jeong-un, who was bowing with a salute.
"I have learned a lot. When I properly channel internal energy into the blade, this is the result. It feels as if I have gained a new organ in my body."
"... Was that your first time channeling energy into a sword?"
"It has been a few days."
"...!"
The Five Star Gate Leader's mouth dropped open.
Murmurs began spreading among the onlookers.
"D-did that kid really just beat the Five Star Gate Leader?"
"What else could it be? Look at that state."
"Good heavens, why didn't the Yu household send that boy out for today's duel?"
"Who knows. Maybe they wanted to hide his extraordinary potential."
"But from what he just said, it seems he only just started using internal energy..."
The Five Star Gate Leader, face burning, finally leapt to his feet.
He then threw the broken half of his sword onto the floor.
"You scoundrel! You shattered my sword with barely any inner strength? Are you mocking me?!"
Then, he quickly left the stage, strode to another warrior, and grabbed another sheathed sword before climbing back up.
"Let's do it again! I can't accept this! You deceived me!"
Jeong-un bowed his head and replied calmly.
"I refuse."
"What?"
A crack seemed to split the Five Star Gate Leader's face.
"You refuse? Why?"
"Once is enough. Even if we go again..."
"...?"
"I don't think there is much left to learn."
"You brat!"
Swish!
The Five Star Gate Leader, face flushed with rage, drew his sword and began shouting.
"Let's do it again! You tricked me! That was not a fair duel!"
"I refuse."
"You brat!"
He finally aimed his drawn sword threateningly at Jeong-un.
As the situation veered unexpectedly, people around began glancing at each other.
Bang─!
Suddenly, a thunderous roar erupted with an explosive surge of energy to the Five Star Gate Leader's right.
That blast sent the Five Star Gate Leader tumbling once more.
Jeong-un, too, had to take a step back from the sudden surge.
"That's enough."
"... E-elder!"
It was Cheong Jin, who appeared with arms clasped behind, smiling at ease.
Just his act of using the lightness skill to move at his side was enough to shake the air with energy.
Meanwhile, Cheong Jin regarded Jeong-un with an intrigued look.
'This child, he followed my movement with his eyes.'
No one in the hall had seen him move.
Cheong Jin gazed intently at Jeong-un, his eyes sharp.
"..."
Jeong-un turned his head away, looking slightly uncomfortable.
"Elder! We must do it again. That child tricked me!"
"What are you talking about?"
"Excuse me?"
His voice was noticeably stern.
Cheong Jin still wore a faint smile, which anyone would have thought generous, but those eyes held grave warning.
"It was a simple duel. The Gate Leader conceded five stances, and by luck, the child won with a single move. Was there any trickery in that?"
"B-but!"
"Enough."
At the freezing tone, the Five Star Gate Leader flinched.
He then let go of his trembling grip.
Clang—
The sword slipped from his hand and clattered to the floor.
He had realized there was no way forward.
"Once more, congratulations on your victory in today's duel. Mount Hua will remember everything that happened today. Then."
Finishing his words, Cheong Jin turned to look at the seats.
Noticing the look, Yu Jungho, who had been watching in a daze, hurried to his feet.
"L-let's go!"
The Yu household members scrambled to their feet in a panic.
Not a single one of them had their wits about them.
"Young master."
"...?"
At the voice calling him, Jeong-un looked at Cheong Jin.
"Could you spare a moment of your time?"
-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=
【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】