Vol 2 Chapter 44. I Am Indebted (4)

Namgung ‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍Min clenched his fists tightly.

He knew Patrick was strong.

He had seen him use his hands personally, and above all, the spirit he felt itself was at a level he dared not even guess.

'Perhaps he might be stronger than Father.'

He didn't know there was such a master among the colored-eye people from the Outer Regions, but this was still comprehensible.

It was a matter he could nod to while comforting himself with the phrase that the world is wide. However...

'What are those kids?'

The kid called Mun Yul had not yet reached the age of twenty.

He heard the other two were even younger than Mun Yul.

It meant they were kids nearly ten years younger than himself.

But those kids were wielding their swords without hesitation against bandits and playing an active role.

While he, a son of the Namgung Clan, was just standing behind watching quietly.

'I... I should also go...'

He thinks he should go and fight.

But his feet do not move forward.

Isn't this not a spar against the family's warriors but actual combat where lives are on the line?

'If by any chance I make a mistake...'

Namgung Min trembled in shame but could not step forward. Meanwhile...

"This damn brat!"

The Stronghold Leader, who couldn't watch his subordinates collapsing unilaterally, stepped forward.

Hell Blade Kang Dae-mun.

Proving he was a Stronghold Leader of the official 72 Green Forest Strongholds, he emitted quite a ferocious spirit.

"I will kill you!"

His blade flew, aiming for Sanghun who was nearby.

Sanghun lowered his center of gravity slightly spreading his legs as if trying to receive it without dodging. However...

CLANG!

Before that, a ray of light flew in and collided with Kang Dae-mun's blade.

"Your opponent is me."

It was Mun Yul.

The moment Mun Yul clashed with Kang Dae-mun.

Namgung Min shouted urgently to Patrick.

"Master, it is dangerous."

"What is?"

"That man called Kang Dae-mun is a Stronghold Leader of the 72 Green Forest Strongholds. He is much stronger than his brother Kang So-mun."

"Looks like it."

Seeing Patrick answering calmly, Namgung Min spoke frustratedly.

"It is still too early for Young Hero Mun Yul. Master, you must step in personally..."

It was then.

Namgung Min, who was in the middle of speaking, shut his mouth.

In Patrick's expression staring at him, he saw emotions of indescribable disgust and contempt.

It was impossible to continue speaking while facing those eyes. And Patrick said.

"Are you really from the Namgung Clan?"

"......"

Namgung Min's face turned indescribably red. Patrick spoke to Namgung Min.

"Done. You just shut up."

And Patrick fixed his gaze on the duel between Mun Yul and Kang Dae-mun unfolding before his eyes.

"Hup!"

Mun Yul overlapped his twin swords to block the blade and pushed Kang Dae-mun back.

"This brat!"

Grind.

Kang Dae-mun retreated a few steps but soon regained his balance and pushed back with force.

A tight balance of power.

Kang Dae-mun's face turned red.

He was ashamed of the fact that he couldn't gain the upper hand in strength against a kid who seemed not even half his age.

'What kind of brat's internal energy...'

He was confident in his internal energy due to a minor miraculous encounter of eating a 100-year-old wild ginseng in his youth.

But Mun Yul was not pushed back by him even a bit.

CLANG!

The tight balance of power did not decide the outcome.

The two pushed each other away and widened the distance.

And the moment Mun Yul's feet touched the ground...

[ Radiant Dragon Twelve Sword Forms: Third Form: Flashing Dragon Strike ]

He bounced forward just like that.

In the vision of Kang Dae-mun who was directly confronting him, it felt like the opponent suddenly got close.

But he hadn't won the position of Green Forest Stronghold Leader through gambling either.

His blade, reacting faster than his head, was already moving towards Mun Yul.

CLAAAANG!

Mun Yul's Flashing Dragon Strike was blocked by that blade.

"To block this."

When the Flashing Dragon Strike he attempted with confidence was blocked, Mun Yul frowned. And that wasn't all.

"Hup!"

The enemy's blade that blocked the Flashing Dragon Strike flew towards Mun Yul's shoulder.

At the blade flying with fierce momentum as if to split his body diagonally, Mun Yul retreated one step back and dodged. However...

"Where do you think you're running?!"

The opponent's blade flew in succession emitting ferocious spirit like a wolf aiming for prey.

"Kugh..."

Mun Yul's feet moved diligently leaving quick afterimages.

Thanks to that, he could avoid fatal wounds from the blade, but his chest was cut long.

"Hehehe. A pity. I could have split your body in half."

Kang Dae-mun licked Mun Yul's blood on his blade and spoke threateningly.

This is an action done with some calculation.

In the case of young punks with little Jianghu experience, they often tense up and fail to display their skills when they see cruel and grotesque sights.

But there was no agitation in Mun Yul's expression.

Mun Yul, quietly raising his two swords to take a starting stance, was focusing on himself rather than the opponent.

And he organized his thoughts based on the information gained from the previous exchange.

The opponent blocked the Flashing Dragon Strike.

Moreover, without missing the gap created by the stiffness immediately after the Flashing Dragon Strike, he counterattacked right away.

This was proof that the opponent's skill was not below his.

'What did he say to do in times like this?'

Mun Yul glanced at Patrick and recalled one thought.

[master! Please go to the brothel in moderation. Don't you get tired of going to the same place again and again?]

[Oho, Yul, your cultivation is still lacking.]

[Why suddenly cultivation?]

[Traditionally, there is a common point between swordsmanship and seducing women.]

Let's just listen to what bullshit he will say.

To Mun Yul, Patrick said seriously.

[Traditionally, when seducing a woman, if once doesn't work, then ten times, if ten times don't work, then a hundred times. You keep hitting on her until it works. Until it works. Then what will happen?]

[You'll be reported to the government office as a nuisance.]

[Uh... Right. Sometimes it ends up like that.]

You have such experience.

To Mun Yul looking with a pitiful expression, Patrick cleared his throat and said.

[Still, if you keep hitting on her without giving up like that, even courtesans who put up iron walls will come to smile.]

Right. I see.

Let's assume so. Then back to the main point...

[What does that have to do with swordsmanship?]

[It does. When you meet an opponent your attack doesn't work on, don't give up and attack again and again ten times, a hundred times... Hey. Where are you going?]

I'm a fool for listening seriously.

So thought Mun Yul. However...

'Damn...'

Surprisingly, there is an opponent right in front of him whom that analogy fits perfectly.

'Let's try it.'

Mun Yul took a deep breath. And then...

"Hup!"

Mun Yul rushing again.

A swift Flashing Dragon Strike flew towards Kang Dae-mun.

"It won't work!"

Kang Dae-mun blocked Mun Yul's attack much more skillfully this time. However...

Spin

Mun Yul, who bounced backward, rotated on the spot and utilized the remaining momentum to rush again.

BOOOOOM!

"Ugh... This guy!"

Attack blocked again. But this time too...

"Hap!"

As soon as he was pushed back, the Flashing Dragon Strike flew again.

BOOOOOOM!

At the bold continuous charge, Kang Dae-mun's waist staggered even while blocking the attack. And then...

"Fourth one coming!"

Attack continuing again. And again. Again. Again...

At Mun Yul's attack that charged again even if collided or blocked, Kang Dae-mun began to get sick of it.

[ Radiant Dragon Twelve Sword Forms: Third Form: Flashing Dragon Strike (Modified Form): Big Dipper Seven Linked Strikes ]

It is not an attack that occupies the positions of the seven directions and flies in simultaneously like Patrick did.

But the seven linked attacks became increasingly powerful, and finally at the sixth attack...

CRACK!

"Gasp..."

Kang Dae-mun's blade shattered.

Just as Kang Dae-mun, who lost his weapon, was flustered...

"It's over!"

The seventh attack carrying all his strength flew in.

That appearance was the last sight the Stronghold Leader of the Black Scorpion Stronghold, Kang Dae-mun, saw in his life.

Slash!

With a clean attack, Kang Dae-mun's head flew off.

A young boy who had not yet reached the age of twenty had cut off the head of a Green Forest Stronghold Leader.

"Eldest Senior Brother."

"Are you okay?"

Sanghun and Yun-a quickly approached Mun Yul's side.

Mun Yul calmed his rough breathing while receiving the protection of his junior siblings.

"Huff... Huff..."

Due to the reckless attacks, his internal energy was exhausted, and steam rose from his entire body. However...

'I did it.'

He squeezed out all his strength against a strong person with skills comparable to his and achieved victory.

Mun Yul, having calmed his breathing, did what he had to do as the victor.

"Your Stronghold Leader is dead. If you value your lives, surrender!"

At those words, the bandits of the Black Scorpion Stronghold...

"R... Run!"

"Scatter and run!"

"Damn it!"

They began to scatter and run in all directions.

Leaving behind the corpses of fallen comrades and everything, they all started to flee.

Seeing such bandits, Persona grabbed her saber slightly and said.

"Shall I kill them all?"

At her words, Patrick chuckled and said.

"Leave it. Let them be."

If those guys go back alive to the Green Forest, they will convey today's events. If that happens...

'Yul might get a decent alias or something.'

A young boy not even twenty cut off the head of a Green Forest Stronghold Leader. This will become quite an interesting rumor for the gossips of the Jianghu.

And Patrick looked at Namgung Min, who was clenching his fists on one side, and said.

"Are you resentful?"

"Honestly... Yes. I am."

Namgung Min did not deny it.

Rather, he spoke as if frankly admitting his emotions. As if implying he wouldn't show any more disgraceful behavior here.

Then Patrick said.

"Why are you resentful?"

"......"

"You don't even have the right to be."

At Patrick's words, Namgung Min's face distorted with humiliation. And Patrick's words continued.

"Resentment is an emotion felt from defeat and failure."

"......"

"But you didn't do anything? You didn't make an effort, nor did you attempt to fight back."

"......"

"Someone who hasn't even challenged cannot feel resentment. But you are resentful? You? With what right?"

"......"

His stomach burned as if a dagger had been stuck in it and twisted. To Namgung Min, who had an expression as if experiencing inner demons, Patrick concluded.

"Kid. What you are feeling is not resentment."

"......"

"It is jealousy and envy."

"Am I... Am I such an ugly and unsightly person?"

"You figure out the subject well."

Grind.

At Patrick's words, Namgung Min gritted his teeth and glared at Patrick.

Born as a son of the Namgung Clan, he had never suffered such insults.

Of course, behind his back, everyone ignored and mocked him.

Compared him with his two older brothers, ignored him, and didn't even treat him as a son of the Namgung Clan. He knows it all.

But still, not a single person had insulted him so openly to his face...

"Mmm..."

At that moment, Namgung Min realized.

That until now, no one had scolded and criticized him to his face like this.

And he looked at Patrick again.

Although in reality, the age difference is not that big, in Patrick's appearance, he sees an elder of the family with much higher seniority.

Namgung Min thought for a while, then took a clasping hands pose to Patrick and said.

"What should I do?"

A single sentence laying down all bluff.

At that one sentence, anger disappeared a little from Patrick's face. And then...

"You haven't even started yet."

"......"

"Do that first."

At Patrick's words, Namgung Min fell into deep thought. And the next day.

"Master. May I also ask for training?"

Namgung Min slipped in among the disciples preparing for training from early dawn.

Patrick looked at Namgung Min, chuckled, and said.

"Suit yourself."

"Yes!"

Then Namgung Min smiled brightly, answered vigorously, and stood among the disciples.

[I am indebted.]

Someone's voice coming from the sky.

Patrick chuckled and answered inwardly.

'I'm only going to teach exactly as much as the alcohol I mooched.'