Chapter 3: A Day In The Life Of A Second-Year Martial Artist (3)

Chapter 3: A Day In The Life Of A Second-Year Martial Artist (3)

A Day In The Life Of A Second-Year Martial Artist (3)

Although the youngest of the Virtuous Quartet of Qinghe was eliminated, making them the Virtuous Trio instead, it was still a fight of three against one. Traditionally, having such a difference in numbers was a standard advantage, and it was indeed the case here.

The difference stemmed from their attitudes.

Ahn Seongil was overwhelmed by the numbers and looked for a way to escape out of fear, while the Virtuous Trio of Qinghe pressed for a quick decisive battle.

The importance of momentum in a fight could not be overstated. This was clearly exemplified by Ahn Seongil, who was constantly retreating and busy fending off attacks, and the purely offensive Virtuous Trio of Qinghe.

This went on for about twenty strokes. The modern-day equivalent of a stroke in Murim was a turn in a turn-based strategy game.

Ahn Seongil thought.

Huh. This isnt as hard as I thought?

The Eldest Brother of the Qinghe Trio, Jo Gaksan, thought.

Damn it, was the gap of the wall between us this severe?!

Truth be told, the ultimate method of joint attack was not three against one, but four against one.

Humans had four cardinal directions North, South, East, and West so true mastery of joint attack was controlling all four.

This concept had long been proven.

In Buddhism, there were the Four Heavenly Kings, and in Daoism, there were the Four Auspicious Beasts, illustrating the ancient wisdom of dividing the points of the compass into four.

Therefore, three was an incomplete number.

Moreover, the opponent was one of a superior realm.

The difference between a Late-Stage First-Rate and an Early-Stage Peak Realm was just one step, but it was a higher wall than one might think.

Another ten strokes passed.

Jo Gaksan exchanged glances with his brothers, a conversation carried out solely with their eyes built from years of brotherhood.

This wont do. Lets get out of here. We have to take the youngest with us as well.

Good idea, Eldest Brother.

I was waiting for you to say that, Eldest Brother.

The contents were more disheartening than expected. But considering Jo Gaksans moniker as the Eldest Brother of the Virtuous Trio of Qinghe, it only stood to reason that he would decide so.

In Murim, monikers were a far simpler principle than one might think.

Those in the First-Rate were respectable martial artists, but there were far too many of the same realm in the current Murim.

Therefore, to earn a splendid moniker as a First-Rate Expert, one must perform feats that everyone would acknowledge and admire.

But as there were many people and few heroic deeds, monikers usually combined the place of activity, a characteristic, and a tendency.

(Active in) Zhengyou, Ugly (In actions), Devil (Bad guy)Updated from novelbIn.(c)om

(Active in) Qinghe, Gale (Fast), Virtue (Good guy)

Hence, Jo Gaksan, the Virtuous Gale of Qinghe, was known for his storm-like speed; especially, his strategy to retreat like a passing gale when the fight turned unfavorable!

It was a moniker given by people who admired that quality of his.

But seeing how the youngest isnt showing up, he must have broken something.

The youngest always slips away, after all. The Third will take care of him.

Wait, me again? Cant Second Brother take care of him this time?

Oho? The Third istalking back?!

Unfortunately, the youngest was already dead. But the news of the youngest death had not reached them yet because dead men tell no tales.

If only the youngest had said, Im dead, Brothers then the trio, furious over his demise, would have fought to their last breath and might have managed to take down the villain; the murderer of their youngest.

However, the only thought they currently had was escaping.

Jo Gaksan barely parried Ahn Seongils sword strike and suddenly shouted.

Now! Yeonhaeng-gwisan!

Ahn Seongil paused his attack and retreated quickly.

He did not know what Yeonhaeng-gwisan meant, but he sensed it could be a dangerous technique.

However, Yeonhaeng-gwisan meant nothing.

It was just a random word Jo Gaksan shouted to scare his opponent, so that he could exit like a gale.

It was a similar case to how the dead Zhuge Liang defeated the living Sima Yi with meaningless words.

With that, he succeeded in fending off a Peak Realm Master.

It was truly a miraculous strategy.

And so, the famed Virtuous Gale displayed the brilliance of his moniker.

The three individuals swiftly distanced themselves like a tempest!

Ahn Seongil was left blinking in dumbfoundedness.

-

When A-Qing went upstairs, she saw three people running towards her like lightning.

She scanned the numbers above the three peoples heads: their Karma.

Seventeen, Nine, One.

Although the numbers were low, they still held Righteous Karma.

They seemed like good guys, so they were probably not the Ugly Devil of Zhengyou.

A-Qing quickly lost interest, but the three people flinched as they passed by her.

It was because her appearance was far from ordinary.

He must not fight; it was a battle destined for doom.

Wait! Great Expert! Its a misunderstanding! A misunderstanding!

A misunderstanding my ass. I heard you clearly. You insulted me. You shall pay for this humiliation with your life!

No, No! It isnt like that! Great Expert, wa-wait!

Great Expert? Do I look that old to you? How dare you one-sidedly raise a womans age like that.

Y-Young Expert, please wait!

Young Expert? An inferior like you who had just reached the Peak Realm dares to address a martial senior like that? How dare you!

Female Expert! Please, Female Expert! Hear me out just for a moment!

Female Expert? Is there a separate title for male and female Experts? Gender discrimination is muddling the world, thus here in this place, I shall break such chains.

The womans sword continued to fly at him relentlessly.

Sometimes in three forks, sometimes four, and when it reached five forks, he lost the will to counter.

He could do nothing but blabber desperately.

It had already been twenty or so strokes.

It was a miracle of itself for him to stay standing.

Then, as if it was all a lie, the assault stopped.

Im telling you this because you keep saying its a misunderstanding.

Yes, Great Expert, no, Young, no that.

I was just about to enjoy an expensive meal that I managed to buy with great difficulty, you see. It was a very special anniversary to me. The happiest moment I had since starting my Murim journey.

Um, uh. I apologize for causing a distu.

No, what? Do you think Im some murderer who would kill someone just because theyre noisy? Thats not it. Something fell from the sky, you see. Since were inside an inn, it must have been the ceiling, right?

A-Qing turned her head.

Ahn Seongil followed her gaze and turned his head too.

A gaping hole in the floor was visible.

Ahn Seongil started sweating bullets.

So that was why there was blood all over her.

Very well then. Now, you understand why youre going to die, right?

P-Please spare me!

Hm. What should I do.

A-Qing pretended to think for a while, dragging out the silence, before speaking.

First, hand over your money. Since you ruined my meal. And you also ruined my clothes.

I-I will give it to you!

Ah, how am I supposed to hold back from this? So harsh.

What? What?

Again! Give me your money!

I will give it to you!

I dont need it!

Ahn Seongil was flustered.

What the fuck did she want him to do then?

Was she toying with him after pulling him down to his kn.

Ah.

Ahn Seongils eyes turned rotten.

The reason he was still alive and able to withstand the attacks was that even when the sword strikes flew at him at once, there was always only one killing move aimed at a vital spot.

It was so that he could somehow block and parry the rest with his body if he dodged the killing move.

In other words, the woman was toying with him.

With a frivolous grin on her face, like a cat playing with a bird.

I-Ive been caught by a fiend, a slaughterer.

Ah. You got me. Oops?

A-Qings smile deepened.

Thats why you shouldve lived virtuously. This is all karma, okay? Karma. Its because my Moonlight Sword thirsts only for the blood of evil.

A-Qing raised her sword.

Sensing the end, the villain roared.

Do you think youll be safe, you bitch! Yes, Im a bad person! But do you think a bitch like you isnt?! Ill be waiting for you in hell!

Hell my ass. Do you even know how high my Righteous Karma is?

Ahn Seongils world spun.

His collapsing body came into view.

As he was dying, he thought.

But how could a sword falling straight down cut the neck?

What kind of miraculous swordsmanship was this.

/genesisforsaken