Vol 2 Chapter 56. Do You Want to Make a Bet? (3)

As ‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍soon as Yun-a drew her swords, she intended to dash forward immediately.

Her ‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍strength was speed.

Her ‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍style was to move at a speed much faster than her senior brothers, disrupting the opponent and aiming for gaps.

Therefore, ‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍she had to move her feet diligently and make the opponent waver.

However….

“Hmm….”

Yun-a could not enter rashly.

Instinctively, her feet refused to advance forward.

So she circled around trying to find the opponent’s flaw, but her feet would not move forward.

And….

SWISH.

The opponent’s foot carefully moved forward.

Reluctant to have the distance narrowed regardless of her will, Yun-a adjusted the distance backward to match that gap. Then, the opponent’s steps followed again.

It was absolutely not fast.

They were steps that looked leisurely as if taking a stroll.

Naturally, Yun-a also controlled the distance accordingly and circled around the opponent.

But then….

“Uh?”

Yun-a was startled.

Before she knew it, when she came to her senses, her foot was barely hanging on the edge of the sparring stage.

The moment Yun-a’s feet stopped at that fact.

“Here I come.”

Along with a small murmur, the opponent rushed quickly toward Yun-a.

Yun-a tried to circle wide to the side to escape such an opponent, but as if predicting the path of her escape, the opponent occupied it first and rushed in.

And….

CLANG!

The clash of sword and sword.

Yun-a crossed her twin swords and blocked the opponent’s sword. Then she quickly linked the next movement.

She raised her right-hand sword over the opponent’s sword and pressed down. And aiming for the opponent’s gap, a rapid stab of the left-hand sword.

Her sword flying sharply while cutting the wind seemed to succeed, but before that, the opponent’s sword curved smoothly upward and struck away her stab.

CLANG!

A gap created because the left hand went up high.

Not missing that, the opponent’s sword flew horizontally again.

‘Blo… No.’

Thinking she couldn't block it, Yun-a retreated backward just like that and dodged the opponent’s attack.

And the moment she retreated backward.

STOP.

The opponent’s sword stopped in the middle, then split into dozens of branches just like that and pressured her from all directions.

Flustered by that dazzling sword energy, Yun-a unfolded her most confident defensive technique.

[ Radiant Dragon Twelve Sword Forms: Fifth Form: Dragon Scale Whirlwind ]

Yun-a’s body spun in place, wrapping a whirlwind of sword energy around her body and ascending.

Thanks to that, Yun-a, who blocked the opponent’s attack, floated high in the air and steadied her posture.

[Dragon Scale Whirlwind is a powerful defensive technique, but it becomes troublesome if you become defenseless in the air afterward. Therefore, after unfolding the technique, either dodge far away or attack the enemy below to cut off the pretext for a counterattack.]

It was to faithfully keep Patrick’s teaching that she remembered.

‘Connect with Twin Dragons Wild Dance from here….’

“Huh?”

It was then.

Yun-a’s body, which was about to unfold sword forms downward while falling, froze.

The Emei White Phoenix was not visible below her.

Even though she had the entire sparring stage in her view from the air, her presence was not visible.

Standing on two feet on the sparring stage was only one Shaolin martial monk serving as the referee.

He was looking at her.

‘No, that is not looking at me.’

Instantly, Yun-a realized.

That the referee’s gaze was behind her. And a small voice heard from behind….

“This is the end.”

Simultaneously with that, heavy impacts exploded successively on Yun-a’s back.

Emei Twelve Palms

BAM BAM BAM BAM!

“Aaaah!”

Yun-a screamed and fell vertically onto the sparring stage just like that.

Following that, at the sight of the Emei White Phoenix landing lightly, the audience exclaimed.

“Ah….”

“Indeed, different.”

“She is not one of the Five Dragons and Three Phoenixes for nothing.”

Already, one of the Five Dragons, the Zhongnan Sword Dragon, was defeated by Mun Yul, a disciple of the Twin Dragon Sect.

So people had expectations that perhaps this time too, that small disciple of the Twin Dragon Sect might defeat the Emei White Phoenix.

But indeed, there was no unforeseen event.

The Emei White Phoenix unilaterally defeated Yun-a and achieved victo….

“Ow….”

…ry, not yet.

Not yet, that is.

“……!”

When the fallen Yun-a staggered and stood up, surprise appeared on the Emei White Phoenix’s expression for the first time.

‘She withstood my palm force?’

The sensation remaining in her hand was not insufficient.

Although not enough to kill, she would have had to treat it and manage her body for at least a few days.

But although staggering somewhat, the opponent stood up on two feet.

And as if she still hadn't lost her fighting spirit, she was holding her swords in her hands.

“Ouch. I didn't know you would take my back there. I got hit completely defenselessly.”

“…….”

“Then shall we continue?”

At Yun-a’s appearance, the Emei White Phoenix thought.

That is not bravado.

She truly still has sufficient reserve strength.

‘Her internal energy is deeper than I thought. Did she perhaps obtain some lucky encounter?’

Usually, the biggest difference between rising stars of prestigious sects and non-prestigious sects is the depth of internal energy.

Those who received spiritual pills or grand arts manufactured by prestigious sects versus those who just steadily circulated internal energy cultivation methods.

In the young period, that difference is clearly revealed.

But in the Emei White Phoenix’s view, at that level, Yun-a’s internal energy was by no means below the rising stars of prestigious orthodox sects.

‘Carelessness is forbidden.’

The Emei White Phoenix raised her sword again and gathered her momentum. And Yun-a thought.

‘I stood up, but….’

The opponent is strong.

Honestly, it didn't feel like she would win.

Although it's not a completely distant difference like when sparring against Patrick or Senior Sister Sona, she could know the opponent was clearly above her.

But give up?

‘That won’t do.’

This is not a spar between fellow disciples usually done.

It is a match unfolding in an official setting, and the honor of the sect rests on her shoulders.

Giving up can absolutely never happen.

Victory is difficult and giving up is impossible.

In this dilemma, Yun-a’s gaze reached Patrick in the VIP seats.

And the moment she met eyes with Yun-a, Patrick muttered something small with his mouth. At that moment….

“Haha….”

A faint smile formed on Yun-a’s lips.

“What is it? Miss Yun?”

When the opponent asked about such a state of Yun-a, Yun-a spoke.

“No, it’s nothing. Just….”

Yun-a’s arms hang limp.

Although she was still holding the swords, she relaxed the strength in her body as much as possible. And in that state….

HOP… HOP… HOP….

Yun-a began to jump lightly with both feet in place. And she spoke.

“I’m going to try going crazy to my heart’s content from now on.”

The moment those words ended.

Yun-a’s body charged as if bouncing forward.

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

The opponent did not confront such an attack of Yun-a head-on but moved sideways to dodge.

“I already saw that.”

It is the Flashing Dragon Strike that Mun Yul used several times in previous matches.

Unless the rising stars of other sects were blind or deaf, it was natural to come prepared with countermeasures.

But countermeasures depend on the countermeasure.

Dodging by moving instead of blocking the Flashing Dragon Strike was proof that the Emei White Phoenix’s movement technique was superior to Yun-a’s. However….

‘What does it matter.’

Yun-a didn't care.

As soon as the Flashing Dragon Strike missed, she ran forward once again and unleashed countless slashes.

[ Radiant Dragon Twelve Sword Forms: Fourth Form: Twin Dragons Wild Dance ]

At Yun-a’s slashes pressuring from all directions, the Emei White Phoenix flinched her brow and….

“I will face you.”

With that one word, her sword also split innumerably.

Chaotic Wind Sword Art

The Emei Sect’s unique drifting sword energy confronted Yun-a’s twin swords head-on.

CLANG CLANG CLANG CLANG!

Between the two female swordsmen, sparks blooming and fading danced wildly in an instant.

“Ooh….”

“Amazing.”

“To confront the Emei White Phoenix to that extent.”

“That small young lady’s skill is also impressive?”

There is already no room to doubt the Emei White Phoenix’s skill.

Evaluated as the head of the Three Phoenixes even among rising stars, and a woman being raised as the future Sect Leader of the Emei Sect as a direct disciple of the Sect Leader, that is the Emei White Phoenix.

There were few experts to match her among peers of the same age, and she was a woman who made people harbor expectations that she might become the number one female expert in the distant future.

But against such a woman, a nameless small female swordsman is facing her head-on right now.

Of course, the situation is inferior for anyone to see.

The Emei White Phoenix’s expression and sword have leeway, but the opponent is sweating profusely on her forehead, doing her best to move her feet and hands to oppose.

But even amidst that….

‘What to do?’

Even amidst this moment where her breath feels like it will burst and her hands and feet are numb as if falling off….

‘It’s totally fun!’

Yun-a’s face was full of smiles.

* * *

“Right. That is your strength.”

Watching Yun-a fighting, Patrick laughed with a smirk. Among the Twin Dragon Sect disciples, Yun-a monopolizing everyone’s cuteness isn't just because she is the youngest junior sister.

While other robust disciples appear at the training ground the next morning with expressions as if their souls were threshed after suffering Patrick’s training, Yun-a….

[You came? Worshipped Duke?]

She always greeted Patrick with a bright smile.

Well, of course, during training….

[This crazy Worshipped Duke-aaaaah!]

It becomes like this, but….

This can’t be helped.

It is a natural phenomenon occurring while receiving training from Patrick. It is the so-called law of Mother Nature.

But except for that time, Yun-a was still always smiling.

She is a child with a naturally bright and joyful nature.

To Yun-a born with such a nature, things like tension or tragic resolve are hindrances.

So Patrick had said briefly.

[Enjoy it.]

Like that.

Enjoy the confrontation with the strong.

The child who could listen to these words obviously meant as lip service and truly execute them was exactly Yun-a.

And when she empties her mind and enjoys it like that, Yun-a is much stronger than she thinks.

* * *

SLASH!

The Emei White Phoenix’s brow furrows.

Her sleeve was cut by Yun-a’s sword. And that wasn't just once.

SWISH! WHOOSH!

Hair. Skirt hem.

Although little by little, Yun-a’s sword energy pierces through her sword range and unfolds threatening attacks.

Of course, her own attacks are hitting too.

Rather, they went in deeper and small wounds began to increase here and there on Yun-a’s body. However….

“Huuuugh…. Huuuugh… Huuuugh….”

Yun-a’s expression was full of bright smiles.

Seeing a girl smiling so brightly while blood trickled down from a sword cut on her cheek….

‘What is with this kid?’

A bit scary.

The Emei White Phoenix, feeling an eerie sensation, decided to hasten the victory.

CLANG!

Having shaken off the opponent by swinging her sword wide horizontally, the Emei White Phoenix stood her sword at her chest, gathered her index and middle fingers, and placed them on the middle of the sword, taking a starting stance.

“Mm….”

Yun-a, sensing the opponent preparing a big attack, also lowered her center of gravity and changed her stance.

And the Emei White Phoenix spoke.

“Be careful. Miss Yun, since you are not used to it yet, you might get hurt.”

Then Yun-a raised the corners of her mouth and grinned.

And extending one hand forward and beckoning, she spoke.

“Come at me.”

Indeed, environment is important for children’s education.

However, the Emei White Phoenix was slightly flustered by Yun-a’s bold attitude, but soon, as if she liked it, she laughed with a smirk and spoke.

“Here I go!”

Simultaneously with those words, her sword emitted dignified light and shone dazzlingly.

[ Extinction Sword Art: First Form: Heartless True Sword ]

Invisible but felt.

At the feeling of immense brute force covering her, Yun-a greeted it with the maximum secret move she could unfold.

[ Radiant Dragon Twelve Sword Forms: Second Form: Great Dragon Cross Sword ]

A wave of golden auspicious light and a cross slash close to one Zhang (3m) collided head-on.