The difference was known from the start.

Jin Geum-Ryong has been recognized for his talent since childhood. Among the people Baek Cheon knew, the one most suited to being called a genius was Jin Geum-Ryong.

He had already experienced defeat.

In the last conference, and even before that, Baek Cheon had never won against Jin Geum-Ryong. He was only ever left with the bitter taste of defeat.

But

I thought I could narrow the gap this time.

Because he worked so hard.

Chung Myung criticized his efforts as misguided, but Baek Cheon endured a bone-cutting ordeal for that training. At least, he was confident that he trained twice as much as Jin Geum-Ryong.

He believed that even if he couldnt win, he would have at least slightly bridged the divide between them.

But the reality was worse than hed imagined.

Puck!

Kuak!

Jin Geum-Ryongs sword struck Baek Cheons ankle. As he staggered back, he desperately clenched his teeth to sober himself enough to regain balance.

Baek Cheons ankle would have been severed if this was a real sword. Thankfully, it wasnt a real sword but a wooden one.

But conversely, since this wasnt a real sword, he couldnt even accept defeat so easily.

Why cant I reach you?

Why!?

I tried so hard!

Puak!

Jin Geum-Ryongs sword flew again and hit Baek Cheons other thigh.

The impact almost broke the bone. For a moment, Baek Cheons distraught mind was lost to pain, but he neither groaned nor screamed. He slapped the floor with his wooden sword and tried to attack again.

Euuhhhhhh!

His sword aimed for Jin Geum-Ryongs head. A simple blow, but it was fast and sharp.

Slow.

However, Jin Geum-Ryong took a step back and twisted his body to negate the attack.

Puck!

And Jin Geum-Ryongs sword struck Baek Cheons left shoulder.

His flesh burst from the impact, and blood began to drip from the wound.

Kuak.

It would only take one more attack for Jin Geum-Ryong to perfectly finish this match. However, he didnt end it and stepped back instead.

He looked down at Baek Cheon with an arrogant expression.

Kuaak.

Baek Cheon, with one hand, pressed heavily on the ground and tried to raise himself up again.

Bloodshot eyes.

Despite the pain, he glared at Jin Geum-Ryong with a fierce will.

Oh?

Jin Geum-Ryong looked at Baek Cheon, a bit surprised.

Youre struggling so hard just to stand, but your spirit is still alive.

Jin Geum-Ryong raised his sword at Baek Cheon.

But that spirit is all you have. You will remain unable to even touch the hem of my clothes for the rest of your life.

why?

You must really lack a brain. I already told you.

Taking a look around, Jin Geum-Ryong spoke.

Thats how great the difference between Mount Hua and the Southern Edge Sect is. The martial arts of Mount Hua cannot compare to the martial arts of the Southern Edge Sect. A hundred years may pass! Even if you had a thousand years! Nothing would change!

An arrogant declaration.

But no one could refute Jin Geum-Ryong. Even the elders of Mount Hua could only listen and bite their lips, but they could not bring themselves to decry his remark.

Hyun Jong shut his eyes tightly.

How long must we endure this? How far does he intend to go?

Who could understand this situation? The elders of the sect were unable to condemn or punish a second-class disciple despite him uttering such humiliating words.

My disciples

Forgive me.

But Jin Geum-Ryongs arrogance didnt end there.

He smiled at Baek Cheon.

If you still want to catch up to me even after this, then youd better leave Mount Hua. Theres no future here. The only thing left for this ruined sect is ridicule.

Baek Cheon clenched his teeth.

I am a disciple of Mount Hua.

Well, thats fine. Then if thats the case.

Jin Geum-Ryong took his sword in hand and rushed at Baek Cheon.

Baek Cheon tried to somehow defend himself, but his arm failed to respond.

Puak!

A vicious sound rang out as Baek Cheon was struck another dozen times before he collapsed.

Thud!

Jin Geum-Ryong glanced at Baek Cheon, who fell unconscious and grinned.

I need to show you. Ah, my bad. Its a little too late now.

With a sly smirk, he retrieved his sword and stepped over the body of Baek Cheon. Steadily walking, he returned to his group.

Defeat.

A complete defeat.

Sahyung!

Sasuk!!

At that moment, all of Mount Huas disciples ran to the center of the hall.

Sa-Sasuk!

D-Dont mess with me!

Baek Sang, who carefully held the unconscious Baek Cheon, was silent for a moment as he bowed his head. Then, he turned his head to glare with a grim expression.

Isnt this too much!?

Jin Geum-Ryong, who was walking back to his sect, turned and looked at Baek Sang.

Whats too much?

This is just a spar! How can you injure your opponent so harshly!?

Spar isnt that exactly why he ended up like that?

what?

Jin Geum-Ryong smiled.

If this had been a battle with real swords, do you think he would simply be unconscious?

Its because this was a spar that hes able to stay alive. Am I wrong?

How dare you.

Dont get too angry.

Jin Geum-Ryong spoke with a grin.

Even Im a bit flustered here. I didnt think he would be so weak. I thought he could at least defend himself. Maybe I expected too much; I apologize.

Baek Sang bit his lip so hard he nearly drew blood.

A perfect defeat.

And over-the-top mockery afterward.

Baek Sang wanted to drag that guy out and tear him apart if he could.

But there was nothing Baek Sang could do about it.

Take Sahyung to the treatment hall! Right now!

Yes!

The sajaes holding Baek Cheon quickly carried him away while Baek Sang pulled out his wooden sword.

Lets see what this Southern Edge bastards sword is worth!

Theres no need to refuse. Seo-Han.

Yes! Sahyung!

Face him!

Yes!

Jong Seo-Han entered the arena with a grin.

Seeing him walk so leisurely, Baek Sang tightly grasped his sword.

Contrary to the oppressive atmosphere forming between the disciples, the audience was enthused and deeply interested.

So astonishing.

Baek Cheon was stronger than I thought, but Jin Geum-Ryongs achievements exceed my expectations.

He is truly a man worthy of the praise hes received. With such a fine disciple, wouldnt the Southern Edge Sect be eligible to compete with the top sects?

I know. Hahaha.

Hwang Mun-Yaks expression went stiff.

This is why they are merchants.

A man was being carried away in a miserable condition, but no one paid any attention to that.

The crowd was only interested in Jin Geum-Ryong, and how they could grasp onto the Southern Edge Sect in order to grow their wealth.

Hwang Mun-Yak isnt much different from them, but he couldnt hide his disgust at their actions in such moments.

This is a disastrous defeat.

Baek Cheon and Jin Geum-Ryong.

Even if the representatives of two sects faced off, such a one-sided defeat was normally not possible. Mount Huas momentum would halt with such embarrassing results, and morale would sink.

Until the end, Baek Cheon never managed to land a single blow on Jin Geum-Ryong.

If the conference continued like this, Mount Hua would never be able to regain its past glory.

No, most likely, the sects downfall would accelerate. Because no one would be willing to acknowledge them.

No matter how heavily Hwang Mun-Yak supported them, reviving the sect would be impossible. This would be a death sentence.

Ugh. What the hell are you thinking?

He thought that Chung Myung would have some plan, so he gathered the most influential people he could. But this was starting to go horribly wrong.

Was I overestimating the young disciple?

Hwang Mun-Yak looked at Chung Myung.

is Sasuk fine?

Theres no way hes fine.

Is he seriously hurt?

Badly.

Chung Myungs dispassionate response evoked a serious and angered reaction from Yoon Jong.

No matter how bad our relationship is, that man is still our Sasuk! Are you seriously fine with our senior receiving such horrible treatment!?

Calm down, Sahyung.

You bastard!

I told you to calm down.

Yoon Jong was shaken at how calm Chung Myung was. This was different from Chung Myungs usual nature.

You never thought he could win?

Yoon Jong bit his lip.

He didnt expect Sasuk to win. But just the bare minimum at least. Baek Cheon was someone that carried the expectations of everyone in Mount Hua.

Perhaps the reason Yoon Jong was angry now wasnt because of Baek Cheons injuries but because of his horrible defeat.

Is the gap between the Southern Edge Sect and us this big?

The Ten Great Sects. The Ten Great Sects are incredibly powerful. But the disciples of Mount Hua never cared much about it. Probably because Mount Hua once belonged to that same group.

Although the sect had fallen, Yoon Jong believed that they could one day compete amongst the Ten Great Sects again with enough effort and luck.

However, it seemed like those sects were much stronger than he imagined.

Chung Myung smiled bitterly.

If everything could be solved by effort alone, then everyone in this world could become a master. What matters isnt how hard we try; its about how you apply your effort.

Watch. Take a good look from now. All the second-class disciples will lose.

All of them?

There is not even one here who can defeat them. No, there is one, but I dont think that person will fight.

Yoon Jongs face went stiff.

In the last conference, there were two draws and eight losses.

That itself was a disaster, and this time where wont even be a draw?

if we lose like this...

Itll be miserable.

But Chung Myung stared at Yoon Jong with wide eyes.

Lose? Whos going to lose?

What? You just said.

Thats just the second-class disciples!

Chung Myung blinked his eyes.

Whos going to let those Southern Edge bastards return from Mount Hua with a victory? Who will let them!? As long as my two eyes are open, I will never see that happen! Even if my eyes get dirt in them, I refuse to see that sight!

So, relax your body. Maybe we should try and do something flashy.

No, the

It was then.

Aacccck!

Yoon Jong quickly turned his head only for the sight of Baek Sang, lying brutally beaten on the floor, to flood his vision.

Jong Seo-Han kicked the fallen man while he was down.

Think you can still put up a fight?

Uh

It seems youre all talk.

Jong Seo-Han looked at Baek Sang and then at the disciples of Mount Hua. Then he made an arrogant gesture as if looking down on them.

Chung Myungs mouth opened.

No, but that bastard, whats with him?

Catch him again!

The third-class disciples rushed in and grabbed Chung Myung, who was ready to charge in.

Seeing that, Jong Seo-Han was dumbfounded and laughed.

I get to see all kinds of things here. Well, you are just an unknown sect, so its understandable.

Oh?

Chung Myungs eyes widened.

Lets see how long you can keep smiling!

You were the one who called for me!

Now its too late to regret it!