Chapter 54: Sparring
...Why did his expression suddenly change?
Just moments ago, Yu Gwangcheol had been looking at me with a fairly gentle expression.
Now...
his gaze had turned cold, like he was looking at some kind of thief.
I was briefly taken aback by the strange look he was giving me when...
“Ah, Grandfather. Don't misunderstand.”
Yu Seola spoke brightly, as though it were nothing.
“Senior Brother Mujin and I weren't alone.”
“Everyone from the search party went together.”
Yu Gwangcheol's eyes narrowed.
“Everyone?”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
She nodded.
“I'm telling you, we all went together.”
“Hm....”
Yu Gwangcheol stroked his chin and looked me over from head to toe once again.
His expression was full of suspicion.
After a moment...
he gave a small nod.
“I see.”
“There's nothing wrong with members of the same sect spending time together...”
He stressed the next words.
“...as a group.”
“Ahem.”
After clearing his throat, Yu Gwangcheol returned to his previous expression as though nothing had happened.
Then he suddenly placed one hand on my right shoulder.
“You're at an age when you should be focusing on training.”
His grip tightened.
“I trust you're not some shameless brat who gets distracted by unnecessary things.”
The strength in his hand was incredible.
It felt like he was trying to tear my shoulder straight off.
What is he talking about?
And why was he suddenly calling me shameless?
I didn't understand.
Hm... Is he telling me to focus more seriously on the special training?
For now, I nodded.
“I'll remember that.”
“I'll give the training everything I have.”
"..."
Yu Gwangcheol stared directly into my eyes for a moment.
Then his grip slowly loosened.
“Good.”
“It seems you've understood.”
He narrowed his eyes.
“Don't even think about harboring any other intentions.”
“I'll be keeping a close eye on you from now on.”
"..."
With that, Yu Gwangcheol looked over all four of us again.
Including me, everyone waited tensely for what he would say next.
A moment later...
he finally spoke.
“Before we begin the special training...”
“I should first find out your current level.”
I asked,
“When you say you'll check our level...?”
Yu Gwangcheol answered as though the question itself were obvious.
“Sparring, of course.”
“You need to exchange blows and get knocked around a little before you can understand where you're lacking.”
Hyeongwon's eyes immediately lit up at the word sparring.
“Then are the participants supposed to spar against each other?”
His gaze had already shifted toward me.
Look at this bastard.
He wants another shot at me.
I had been meaning to properly show Hyeongwon who was above whom anyway.
Maybe then he'd finally stop looking at me with those insolent eyes.
Just as I began preparing myself to spar against him...
Yu Gwangcheol cut us off.
“Against each other?”
He looked at Hyeongwon as though he'd heard something ridiculous.
“What would you possibly learn from sparring with people around the same level?”
Hyeongwon blinked.
“Then... who are we supposed to spar with?”
“Who else?”
Yu Gwangcheol pointed his thumb at his own chest.
“Me.”
"...What?”
“I'm your sparring partner.”
All four of us froze.
“We're going to spar... against First Elder Gwangcheol?”
No one had expected that.
But our surprise didn't last long.
Yu Gwangcheol raised one corner of his mouth.
“Why?”
“Are you afraid?”
That one sentence changed the air.
Hyeongwon immediately drew the spear from his back.
Yu Seola's eyes began shining.
Even Myeongjeon lowered himself into an attacking stance.
They really are all natural martial artists.
I tightened my grip around my sword as well.
Sparring against Explosive Sword Yu Gwangcheol....
To be honest...
I was a little excited too.
I had heard plenty of stories about his strength...
but I had never actually seen his martial prowess with my own eyes.
First Elder Explosive Sword Yu Gwangcheol.
One of Kunlun's strongest masters.
I wanted to see just how far my current abilities could reach against someone like him.
“First Elder.”
Hyeongwon stepped forward first.
“May I go first?”
His voice was filled with fighting spirit.
His competitiveness and desire to prove himself really were second to none.
Yu Gwangcheol snorted.
“First?”
He looked almost offended.
“At your level, you think you have the luxury of deciding an order?”
Hyeongwon hesitated.
“What do you mean...?”
“There's no need to make this complicated.”
Yu Gwangcheol spoke casually.
“All four of you come at me at once.”
As soon as he finished speaking...
he lightly flicked the edge of his Taoist robe with his fingertips.
The gesture looked like he was brushing away dust.
Then he looked down at us with complete composure.
“Let's see whether any of you can so much as touch the hem of my robe.”
His gaze sharpened.
“If you can manage even that much, I'll acknowledge you.”
"...!"
His arrogant words instantly sharpened everyone's expressions.
Even I couldn't help laughing inwardly.
The hem of his robe?
Not even a hair?
Was that really all he thought the four of us were capable of?
Yu Gwangcheol casually tilted his chin.
“Well?”
“How long are you going to keep watching each other?”
“Start already.”
The four of us exchanged glances.
Every pair of eyes held the same fierce competitiveness.
There was no need for a long discussion.
“Let's begin.”
I looked at the others.
“I'll take the front.”
Hyeongwon immediately responded in an irritated tone.
“Stop talking like you're the leader.”
“Who told you to take charge?”
He gripped his spear.
“The front is mine.”
This bastard is really going to argue about pride even now?
