Chapter 171

The mouth spits out rough provocations, but the head remains calm.


I observed Jin Hyeryeong, who still maintained a relaxed stance.


I knew she was strong, but she was tougher than I thought.


Is it a compatibility issue?


All martial arts are like this, but especially those in the Taoist lineage—the longer the training period, the higher the power and perfection of the techniques.


Is it the accumulation of internal energy? It thickens.


That’s why in other sects, it’s possible for a junior to surpass a senior with some effort, but in the Taoist lineage, it’s almost impossible.


In other words, the Taijiquan I learned from Jaro, my senior, can’t break through Jin Hyeryeong’s Taiji.


Naturally, the Soul Flight and Spirit Scatter Technique, which incorporates the principles of Taijiquan, also doesn’t work.


A crazy psycho lesbian, but also a master of orthodox Taoist martial arts.


Not an easy opponent. No gaps are visible.


…But if she’s orthodox, then I’m unorthodox.


The unorthodox have their own way of fighting.


Pokémon!—No! It’s a martial arts switch! Return, Soul Flight and Spirit Scatter Technique! Go, Tagujang-!!


Tagoo~ Tagoo~!!


Dog Chasing Stick Technique – Overhead Strike


In an instant, the distance closes, and Sima Mantian’s staff, infused with internal energy, strikes down toward Jin Hyeryeong’s head.


A fast yet heavy attack.


But once again, Jin Hyeryeong’s Taiji Sword skillfully blocks the attack.


It’s fine. I’ll keep attacking.


Double Hands Fighting


Right – Dog Chasing Stick Technique, Left – Jeonjin Sword Technique


Just as the Dog Chasing Stick Technique is about to be pulled by the Taiji Sword, the sword in Sima Mantian’s left hand thrusts in.


The Jeonjin Sword Technique is also immediately blocked by the Taiji Sword, but it doesn’t matter.


Clang-! Clang-clang-!


Strike with the staff, stab with the sword.


Both the Dog Chasing Stick Technique and the Jeonjin Sword Technique are aggressive martial arts.


Attack and attack again.


If there’s no gap, just keep hammering until one appears.


And…


Although I developed the Soul Flight and Spirit Scatter Technique to deal with my right leg’s disability and fast opponents…


Honestly, this kind of one-on-one, no-breath chicken race is more my style.


As I deflect the incoming sword, I barely manage to clash with Jin Hyeryeong’s sword, which is drawing a beautiful arc, by swinging my staff.


The sound of weapons clashing accelerates.


Clang-clang-clang-!!


Jin Hyeryeong’s brow twitches, as if she’s figured out my intention.


‘…What a ridiculous move.’


She doesn’t step outside the Taiji circle she’s drawn, but she calmly adjusts her stance and deflects Sima Mantian’s staff and sword.


The attacks may seem chaotic, but they’re still a series of basic martial arts forms.


If compared to music, there must be a certain rhythm.


Calmly defending with her Taiji Sword, Jin Hyeryeong grasps the rhythm.


Though she was exposed as a woman and expelled, moving to the Ilwol God Sect…


She is a disciple of the prestigious Wudang Sect, inheriting the martial arts of Zhang Sanfeng.


Despite her passionate emotions, Jin Hyeryeong’s eyes remain calm.


‘You thought you could create a gap, but now that I’ve grasped your rhythm, you’re the one full of gaps!’


—That’s what she must be thinking.


The grip on the sword in Sima Mantian’s left hand changes.


If you can grasp it, go ahead.


Shape-shifting.


Jeonjin Sword Technique → Cangqiong Wuyai Sword Technique


As Jin Hyeryeong deflects the staff, she anticipates the next attack and prepares to swing her sword wide to counter the incoming thrust…


But the thrust doesn’t come. The rhythm is disrupted.


Jin Hyeryeong’s eyes shake with confusion.


‘What, off-beat-!?’


Late Start, Early Strike—moving late to strike first.


A slow change-up after getting used to fast pitches.


One beat later than the anticipated attack.


Instead of the fast thrust of the Jeonjin Sword, a heavy strike from the Nangong Sword comes down from above.


Clang-!!


Jin Hyeryeong hurriedly raises her sword to block Sima Mantian’s strike.


“Ugh-!”


The heavy impact spreads through her wrist, shoulder, waist, knees, and joints, causing her body to creak.


Just before her posture completely collapses…


She twists her body, forcing out strength to push back Sima Mantian’s sword.


Clang-!


A desperate move to avoid falling.


The imbalance in her posture creates a momentary gap in the Taiji balance.


Sima Mantian doesn’t miss that gap.


Cangqiong Wuyai Sword Technique → Jeonjin Sword Technique


Switching back to the fast sword technique instead of the heavy one.


To compensate for the lack of firepower, the right hand’s Dog Chasing Stick Technique is also replaced with the Jeonjin Sword Technique.


Double Hands Fighting, Left and Right Jeonjin Sword Technique


Seven Star Gathering – Gathering the Seven Stars into One


The Seven Star Gathering is originally a combined technique of the Jeonjin Sect, executed by two or more people in unison.


A martial art that overwhelms the opponent with sheer force (numbers).


And now, through Double Hands Fighting, Sima Mantian executes the combined technique alone.


A blue sword aura blooms, and the tips of the sword and staff meet, sparkling like starlight.


Boom-!!


The power is sufficient, but the result is beyond Sima Mantian’s expectations.


‘This is…!’


Sima Mantian’s eyes widen.


A faint green light spreads like a mist, enveloping Jin Hyeryeong’s body and sword.


A perfect Taiji circle glows beneath her feet.


The North Star of the Martial World.


The ultimate technique of the Wudang Sect reveals itself.


『Taiji Wisdom Sword』


Late Strike, Early Control—moving late to control the opponent.


Jin Hyeryeong’s sword, drawing a circle, blocks the Seven Star Gathering and pushes it back.


Whoosh-!!


From the point where the two martial arts clash, shockwaves spread out like ripples on a lake.


Qian (Heaven), Dui (Lake), Li (Fire), Zhen (Thunder), Xun (Wind), Kan (Water), Gen (Mountain), Kun (Earth).


The Yin and Yang Taiji, containing the eight great forces of the Bagua, push back the external force.


I grit my teeth, trying to withstand the force pushing my body back.


Crack-! Crack-crack-! Crack-!!


With a series of cracking sounds, the sword and staff, unable to withstand the impact, break, leaving only the handles.


Tagoo-! Jeonjin-!?


In my mind, the cries of my two precious martial arts monsters echo.


“Ugh…!”


With my weapons shattered and my balance lost, I’m also exposed to the force and sent flying, rolling on the ground.


Roll, roll, roll~!


A disgraceful third fall.


Damn Taiji series…


I don’t know why Wang Chongyang didn’t research Taiji and instead got obsessed with the Big Dipper, leaving only the Heavenly Polar Bear Formation and Seven Star Gathering for the Jeonjin Sect.


It’s unfair to Wang Chongyang. The Seven Star Gathering was left by his disciple, Jeonjin Chilja, and besides the Heavenly Polar Bear Formation, he also created the Xiantian Gong, a remarkable martial art.


It’s just that he died young, and his disciples’ talents were insufficient to pass it on.


Anyway, as I mutter to myself to keep from losing consciousness from the shock…


Jin Hyeryeong exhales roughly and snaps.


“Haa… Haa… Just with the martial arts of Jeonjin…!”


For a brief moment, her pride is wounded by the fact that her Taiji has been cracked, so she belittles her opponent.


“The North Star of the Martial World! Don’t think you can break through the ultimate technique of the great Wudang Sect. The levels are different!”


The twisted pride of a genius who was once the pinnacle of the Nine Great Clans, even though she was expelled.


“A ruined sect… Did you really think you could defeat the Wudang Sect, defeat Mount Tai? There’s a limit to being foolish.”


“You should have learned not to look at mountains you can’t climb!”


As Jin Hyeryeong continues to insult me, I sigh inwardly.


…It’s fine if I criticize my own martial arts for being weak.


But it’s not fine when others criticize them.


My vision, shaken by the impact, returns.


And all this talk about Mount Tai, Mount Tai, Mount Tai is getting on my nerves. Isn’t Mount Tai just a mountain?


I force my staggering body to stand.


…That’s not how you provoke someone.


“Mount Tai is high, but it’s still just a mountain under the heavens.”


Even with a body covered in dirt and exhausted, without even raising my voice…


The sound resonates, drawing the crowd’s attention.


“Climb and climb again, and there’s nothing you can’t overcome.”


“People refuse to exert themselves.”


“They only say the mountain is too high to climb.”


With a poem that blatantly disrespects the Wudang Sect’s North Star, Jin Hyeryeong’s eyes tremble.


“This is why ruined sects… don’t know their place and keep climbing.”


Jin Hyeryeong tries to maintain her composure, but…


“Be grateful when I climb.”


Sima Mantian’s calm words finally make her face crumple. She fails to manage her expression.


“I’ll be flying soon.”


I stand up completely and take my stance.


While provoking my opponent with my mouth, my head searches for a path to victory.


I check the cards I have.


Since my sword and staff are broken, I can no longer use the Dog Chasing Stick Technique, Jeonjin Sword Technique, or Cangqiong Wuyai Sword Technique.


It would be great if I could land a hit with the Fudo Myo-o Step, but the Taiji Wisdom Sword pushes back external forces. The Fudo Myo-o Step could also be pushed back.


In the end, Taiji is the problem. To defeat Jin Hyeryeong, I must break the Taiji Wisdom Sword.


A way to break it…


Is that the only option in this situation?


The ‘Martial Arts Secret Manual’ my master gave me comes to mind.


I’ve practiced it a lot…


No, rather, it’s because of this situation…


Despite my hesitation, my body moves quickly.


Soul Flight and Spirit Scatter Technique


Hoping for a miracle in a match is suicide, but this isn’t a miracle.


It’s believing in my genius.


I charge at Jin Hyeryeong, spinning without restraint.


“Ha! So it’s that again!”


A sneer forms on Jin Hyeryeong’s lips. She clashes with full force to finish off this arrogant brat who doesn’t know his place.


The sword, containing the Bagua, is swung.


『Taiji Wisdom Sword』


The Taiji boundary spreads, and once again, Sima Mantian is repelled.


Boom-!!


Not just rolling on the ground, but with the added rotation of the Soul Flight and Spirit Scatter Technique, Sima Mantian’s body spins uncontrollably in the air.


Like caught in a rising whirlwind, Sima Mantian’s body spins mercilessly.


This is the end.


Even a martial artist, falling from that height defenseless, will break their neck and die.


Even if they’re lucky and don’t break their neck, they won’t be in any condition to fight.


He was a bit exceptional, but…


In the end, he was just a foolish late-stage practitioner who thought he was invincible after reaching the peak.


Victory is certain—no, already achieved.


Jin Hyeryeong regains her relaxed smile and turns her body.


“Hmph- In the end, just a talkative, boring man.”


Seeing such a pathetic sight, Ma Yang will come to her senses.


But Ma Yang isn’t looking at Hyeryeong.


She’s staring blankly into the air, as if she’s seen something unbelievable.


Whoosh-!


Not just Ma Yang. Wang Miaoyang, Jang Sam-i, and everyone present are staring open-mouthed at the sky.


Whoosh-! Whoosh-!


“……?”


Jin Hyeryeong soon senses something is wrong.


She doesn’t hear the sound of Sima Mantian falling, hitting the ground.


Whoooosh-!!


What she hears is an unidentified ringing.


And the voice of Sima Mantian, which shouldn’t be heard.


“[LESSON 4] Show respect.”


A famous line echoes.


“You’re allowed to say ‘this is unbelievable’ four times from now on.”


The first to speak is Ma Yang.


“…This is unbelievable.”


Next are Wang Miaoyang and Jang Sam-i.


“This is unbelievable.”


“This is unbelievable.”


Goosebumps rise on Jin Hyeryeong’s back, and her body stiffens. She turns her rigid body to look at the sky.


Whoooosh-!!


Sima Mantian spins. Sima Mantian flies.


Defying gravity, he spins in the air.


The scene before her eyes makes Jin Hyeryeong’s face contort.


“This is unbelievable! This is unbelievable! This is unbelievable! This is unbelievable! Stop messing around!!”


There’s something called the Golden Ratio in the world.


It’s a ratio where, when a length is divided into two parts, the ratio of the whole to the longer part is the same as the ratio of the longer part to the shorter part.


If this golden ratio is divided into squares and rectangles, and the rectangle is further divided into squares and rectangles, then squares and rectangles are formed within the rectangle.


And if you draw circles along the centers of these squares, they connect, connect, connect, and keep connecting.


Sima Mantian didn’t charge at the Taiji Wisdom Sword with the Soul Flight and Spirit Scatter Technique without a thought.


He used Taiji to complete a ‘martial art’ to counter Taiji.


Spinning his body, he collides with stronger rotations, absorbing that energy and continuing to spin.


The cycle of Yin and Yang? The principles of Taiji?


Then this is the infinite golden rotation.


This is—.


Absorbing the surrounding airflow and the energy of Taiji, he swirls like a dragon dancing in the clouds, roaring without restraint.


“It’s the Golden Rectangle-!”


Of course, it’s not.


『Cloud Dragon Eight Forms』


The secret technique of the Kunlun Sect, passed down by the Eight-Foot Demon of the Martial World to his precious disciple.


The secret of the distant Kunlun Sect reveals itself in the Central Plains.