The Youths in White and Blue
Earlier this afternoon, another absurd incident occurred where part of Martial Spirit Hall, one of the dormitories in Heavenly Martial Arts Academy, turned into ruins. Of course, it was a beneficial event for them as long as it was profitable, not a loss.
“It seems Jong Rihak and Chu Gayeon have made contact with them. Today is truly a day when many things are happening at once.”
“Is that so?”
The youth in blue looked at the youth in white with an intrigued gaze. The young man in blue martial arts attire carried three swords, while the noble son in white held an antique folding fan in his hand.
“Hoho, I heard the atmosphere wasn’t very good. It seems they made a bad first impression.”
The youth in white said with a faint smile.
“Is that so? That’s not very good news. Their relationship with their beloved junior is already strained from the start. But since we won’t be working with him anyway, it’s not a problem to be too concerned about, right?”
“Of course. In any case, we are in a relationship where we can’t coexist with him. Let alone coexistence…”
The youth in white lightly tapped his left hand with the folding fan in his hand, agreeing with the words of the youth in blue. After all, they were in a position where they could never be on the same side.
“How did the matter start? I thought there were no plans to contact him yet. Isn’t it too hasty? I don’t think someone of your caliber would make such a trivial mistake…”
“Of course, the plan was to continue observing him for now. But at the Heavenly Martial Cafeteria, Hak and Gayeon went to give a warning to their stupid junior and happened to run into him by chance. It was an unexpected and unintentional incident.”
“Stupid junior?”
“It’s a child named Yoon Junho who was admitted through a special admission this year. According to Hak and Gayeon’s description, he’s a stupid, foolish, idiotic junior. They even went as far as calling him a disgrace to the sect.”
The right eyebrow of the youth in blue slightly furrowed. He had always disliked their narrow-minded personalities. It was his long-standing belief that the successors of the Nine Sects should always be upright and righteous, befitting the pillars of the orthodox sects. Of course, the youth in white was well aware of his usual life philosophy.
“I also tried to say the same thing, but they were jumping up and down, saying that someone who can’t even use a single stance of the Plum Blossom Swordsmanship is not even their junior.”
Suddenly, a look of confusion appeared on the face of the youth in blue. Like others, he had to doubt his own hearing to a degree.
“A disciple of the Huashan Sect can’t use the Plum Blossom Swordsmanship?”
“Not even a single stance.”
The youth in white nodded and said.
“Is that some kind of new joke? You’re not telling me to believe it, are you? If a disciple of the Huashan Sect can’t use the Plum Blossom Swordsmanship, which is the essence of the Huashan martial arts, what are they even learning?”
The youth in white shook his head with a faint smile.
“It sounds like an absurd story that could be mistaken for a joke, but it’s true. I also doubted my ears when I first heard it.”
“That’s truly ridiculous. Then there’s no excuse even if he gets scolded. But how did he enter this place with that skill level? Is this place that easy and pushover?”
The question posed by the youth in blue was natural. How could a novice who couldn’t even use a single stance of the Plum Blossom Swordsmanship dare to enter Heavenly Martial Arts Academy, of all places?
“I heard there was a strong recommendation from Elder Plum Blossom Sword Immortal Yu Hwan-kwon. But he must have barely passed at the bottom. If it weren’t for the unfortunate incident where three participants were disqualified during the special admission test, his acceptance would have been uncertain.”
The certain incident mentioned by the youth in white referred to a series of events where an unknown fellow suddenly appeared at the test site and incapacitated three participants during this year’s special admission test. The youth in blue was also well aware of the incident.
“Ah, speaking of which, what happened to that guy?”
The guy the youth in blue was referring to was none other than Bi Ryu-yeon.
“Surprisingly, he was having a meal at the same table as Moyong Hwee. And at that table, the junior who caused this incident, Hak and Gayeon’s junior, was also present. There were two more new students seated there. Those two new students were also with Bi Ryu-yeon during the Gocheon River incident at Martial Spirit Hall in the afternoon. Their names are Hyo-ryong and Jang-hong, but their exact identities and backgrounds haven’t been revealed yet. It’s currently under investigation.”
When he said it was under investigation, it meant he would provide the most complete and detailed results within three days. That’s how perfect his information-gathering skills were, almost unrivaled. The youth in blue had never questioned the youth in white’s information analysis abilities.
“It’s not surprising that they were seated together. It’s only natural for the winner of the Ascension Martial Arts Festival and the top scorer of the special admission test to share a room.”
The youth in white smiled at the sharp observation of the youth in blue.
“Hoho, it was an accurate point. I’m glad to see your insight is becoming more and more exceptional. In fact, as predicted, they were gathered at the same table, but there are no signs of collusion yet. Moreover, with his personality bordering on obsessive-compulsive disorder, it’s almost impossible for him to conspire with others. He’s not the type of person to collaborate with others. His obsessive-compulsive disorder won’t allow it.”
“Like you?”
At the sudden remark of the youth in blue, the youth in white widened his eyes. It was as if he had been unexpectedly hit in a vulnerable spot.
“What do you mean by that?”
“You also extremely detest working with people who are inferior to you. Those who are inferior to you can only be your subordinates, not your colleagues. You also have obsessive-compulsive disorder, just like Moyong Hwee. Am I wrong?”
“Haha, I can’t win against you anymore. Your insight is becoming sharper and sharper.”
The youth in white pretended to joke around.
“Haha, such lies have no persuasive power. Who can escape from the spider web of your brilliant mind? If there is such a person, they would either be a once-in-a-millennium genius or a monster.”
“Haha, that’s an overstatement. If someone hears that, they might really think I’m a monster. At this young and flourishing age, I don’t want to be called a monster yet. It would be a loss of dignity.”
The youth in white responded with a laugh.
“Anyway, since there are no signs of collusion yet, it’s a relief. Then, what about that guy? They have already poked us once, so isn’t it our turn now? Preparations are already being made. We should quickly wrap up that matter and restore the honor of our Nine Sects. I’ve also heard that the Eight Houses Association and the Heroes Association have completely joined hands, so it would be better to hurry.”
The youth in blue asked the youth in white in a rather serious tone.
Now that the small and medium-sized sects and martial arts families had failed in their revenge against Bi Ryu-yeon as they had hoped, and even lost face in the process, there was no need to give them another chance to restore their dignity. If this matter succeeded, the Eight Houses Association and the Heroes Association would once again completely lose face and pride.
“You’re absolutely right. It would be much easier for us to finish the matter before he and Moyong Hwee collude. I like to do things comfortably.”
“That goes for both of us. I also like to do things easily. Then I should start preparing as well.”
The youth in blue stood up, composing himself.
“Good luck.”
The youth in white said, gently spreading his folding fan. His tone was filled with composure and confidence. He was not a weak existence who would be shaken by such a trivial matter. Such composure and calmness were truly incomparable to that of ordinary people, enough to feel a sense of superiority. Moreover, he firmly believed in the abilities of the youth in blue. Even if he didn’t personally intervene, he firmly believed that there was no way he would fail in a matter of this level.
***
Plum Blossom Hypersensitivity Patient
Immediately after finishing their meal, Hyo-ryong, Jang-hong, and Bi Ryu-yeon, who was standing blankly, dragged Yoon Junho into the room. They forcibly seated him in a chair and asked straightforwardly. Although they had known each other for less than a day, they found this introverted and gentle person frustrating, and they had finally grasped the clue to the cause.
The existence of a cause meant there was also a solution. Furthermore, it goes without saying that eliminating the cause is the solution itself. Of course, it wasn’t an easy task, but for Bi Ryu-yeon, who had lived without knowing the impossible, naturally chose to try. The same went for Hyo-ryong and Jang-hong.
“Why can’t you use the Plum Blossom Swordsmanship?”
Hyo-ryong and Jang-hong asked simultaneously, their eyes shining with curiosity. However, the answer to that question was enough to shock the two of them.
“What?”
This kind of absurd and ridiculous matter was truly difficult to accept with common sense. Then what exactly was the problem? Even as a joke, it was too much to not even be able to praise it. A disciple of the Huashan Sect, who was recommended by the previous sect leader and admitted to Heavenly Martial Arts Academy, couldn’t use the Plum Blossom Swordsmanship, which was the signboard and essence of the Huashan martial arts. It was a dull joke that wasn’t even funny enough to make a passing dog choke.
The person who came up with this terrible joke would undoubtedly be met with disapproving gazes from everyone and have their wit and talent questioned without any room for excuses.
Yoon Junho himself seemed embarrassed by that fact, lowering his gaze and fidgeting restlessly.
“Well, that’s…”
Yoon Junho began confessing his story one by one in a stammering voice. He spoke in a voice overflowing with anguish.
“What did you say?”
Although Yoon Junho’s voice sounded like it was about to crawl away, Bi Ryu-yeon, Hyo-ryong, and Jang-hong, who had acquired hearing dozens of times better than others through rigorous martial arts training, couldn’t help but widen their eyes once again.
“Shocking us twice so easily, you deserve praise for that.”
Jang-hong said in a gloomy tone with a hint of complaint. His tone seemed to carry a slight sense of futility. In his opinion, this fellow was truly incomparably foolish.
Hypersensitivity…
Plum blossom hypersensitivity…
Is this something that a passing mad dog would laugh to death about? A disciple of the Huashan Sect, where it’s doubtful if there are any flowers left besides plum blossoms, is a plum blossom hypersensitivity patient. It seemed more realistic to hear a ghost munching on sesame seeds.
“I heard that a dog that dies from laughter isn’t tasty or nutritious even if you boil it…”
Jang-hong said in a truly serious tone. He seemed to be trying his best to be funny. Of course, the result was disastrous compared to the effort.
“Old man, that kind of joke isn’t funny at all.”
Hyo-ryong looked at Jang-hong with eyes that clearly implied not to interrupt the story.
‘Old man, what old man…’
Old man was one of the words he hated the most in this world. Jang-hong felt slightly offended. Moreover, he felt even more depressed as if his outstanding sense of humor had been wholesale rejected. Of course, it was based on the premise that delusion is free.
Yoon Junho continued his story. The more they listened to his story, the more unbelievable it became. And on the other hand, it was also pathetic enough to make them laugh in disbelief. It couldn’t be anything but a story that left them speechless. His story contained a strange power that made people shake their heads.
Yoon Junho had a severe hypersensitivity to plum blossoms, especially their scent, to the point where just smelling them would cause hives all over his body and, in severe cases, paralysis. At first, even the sect wanted to give up on him, who had such an unusual constitution.
The renowned Huashan Sect, one of the Nine Great Sects with a long tradition and history, had to throw up their hands in the face of his absurd and ridiculous condition that showed no signs of improvement no matter how much they tried. He was on the verge of being recommended for expulsion, but he managed to appease them by crying, begging, and pleading. At that time, for some reason, Elder Plum Blossom Sword Immortal Yu Hwan-kwon provided crucial help.
Although he narrowly avoided the crisis of being expelled, due to his constitution, he couldn’t even approach the vicinity of Lak’an Peak, where the entire mountain was covered in plum blossoms. So, whenever the plum blossom season arrived, he had to immerse himself in solitary training on Geommu Peak next to Lak’an Peak, where the distribution of plum blossom trees was scarce.
That peak formed a spectacular sight with numerous cave openings, and it was a popular place often used as a training ground for the disciples of the Huashan Sect. Therefore, traces of training left by senior disciples could be frequently encountered in various cave openings.
He also occupied a training hall there and practiced swordsmanship until the plum blossoms withered. At first, it was tolerable, but training alone in one place became too monotonous, so he gradually started exploring various cave openings here and there. Then one day, while practicing swordsmanship outside a cave as usual, he accidentally swung his sword, and a corner of the hill he was training on suddenly collapsed. Surprisingly, behind the collapsed pile of dirt, a small cave opening appeared. The entrance of the cave, which had been buried under a mound of dirt for a long time, was revealed by his sword.
The small and dark hole enticed the young him, and unable to resist his curiosity, he pushed his body into the cave. Although the entrance of the cave was incomparably narrow compared to other places, once he went inside, the interior was about three times wider than the entrance. The depth of the cave also appeared to be three or four times longer than other places, so he finally decided to explore the cave out of irresistible curiosity. There was nothing else to do anyway, so it was perfect for passing the time. Thus, his cave exploration could begin.
After walking aimlessly for a long time, he finally reached the end point. The end of the cave formed a wide and smooth hemispherical shape that drew his admiration. No matter how poor his discernment was, he could tell that it was not a naturally formed place but one with human touch. Therefore, his amazement could only intensify.
Standing at the center of the hemispherical plaza and holding a torch high, he examined the smooth walls and noticed fine lines like blood vessels covering them like a spider web. As a direct disciple of the renowned sword sect Huashan, he could instantly recognize that the countless lines were traces of astonishingly sublime sword energy. Witnessing the traces of that amazing realm, he was engulfed in a shock that sent lightning-like shivers throughout his body, and he stared blankly for a long time, lost in a daze.
After a long while, when he looked at the floor, he found footprints left by a senior swordsman who had trained there, arranged according to a certain martial principle. He could tell at a glance that the marks on the floor were traces of footwork. However, at first, he couldn’t understand how a human could employ such complex and dizzying footwork variations.
The last thing he discovered there was a sword technique formula left by an unknown deceased person, inscribed on a corner of the wall. The name of the sword technique was Seven Plum Swords, the last relic and most precious trace of the deceased person who never left their name. It seemed to be at least 200 years old. The unnamed deceased person was probably one of the senior disciples who endured bone-cutting training and perseverance for a new interpretation of the Plum Blossom Swordsmanship and a higher realm of swordsmanship, just like many other Huashan disciples.