Chapter : 26
Chapter 12: Making a Name (1)
The meaning behind Baek Sang-geon’s words was clear.
Yet, despite that, Seok Jin-ho smiled.
“That’s why I’m telling you. You can satisfy your curiosity.”
“Are you confident?”
Seok Jin-ho didn’t answer immediately. He simply, as casually as when he first sat down, lifted his teacup.
“Shall we find out?”
After acknowledging his reincarnation, Seok Jin-ho had made a resolution. He would live this life differently from all his past ones.
But that didn’t mean he intended to live quietly, in seclusion.
To have power and not use it was foolish.
“If I want to live as I please, it’s only natural that I must attain a position befitting that.”
Until now, he had remained quiet partly because he wasn’t fully prepared, and partly because there was no need to reveal himself, no pressing matters to attend to.
He wasn’t the type to show off recklessly.
But now, things were different.
“I was wondering how to bring it up since I was curious about your skills, Mr. Seok.”
“Then let’s take this opportunity to see. It seems Peng So-jeo is curious too.”
“That’s right!”
Peng Na-yeon’s eyes sparkled as she held Heuk-hwi in her arms.
If anyone could draw out Seok Jin-ho’s true skills, it would be Baek Sang-geon, so Peng Na-yeon’s expression was full of anticipation.
“Uh? Uh?”
On the other hand, Seok Deok-wol, who had only been watching quietly until now, struggled to collect his thoughts. He couldn’t quite comprehend the situation.
“What’s happening?”
“Yes, sir?”
Jung Ma-ryung and Tak Yun, working in the backyard, looked puzzled at the sudden arrival of the four.
They were surprised that Seok Deok-wol had come, but they also sensed an unusual energy in the tense atmosphere.
“Step aside. Yun, explain the situation to the nanny.”
“Is… this a sparring match?”
“Yes.”
Unlike Tak Yun, who went to the kitchen without asking questions, Jung Ma-ryung asked again. Then, full of anticipation, he ran to where Peng Na-yeon and Seok Deok-wol stood.
“Will it be okay?”
“Yes. It won’t end easily, as you might think. Mr. Seok is no pushover.”
“But the opponent is the master of the Red Mountain Iron Fist, Grand Hero Baek…”
Seok Deok-wol frowned at the impossibility of it. He had glimpsed the genius of Seok Jin-ho, but the issue was the time spent training.
A short training period meant limited martial power.
Unless he had received secret elixirs from the Seok family farm, his martial strength would likely be unimpressive if cultivated alone.
“Take a look for yourself.”
“Yes.”
Seok Deok-wol tilted his head at Peng Na-yeon’s confident words and glanced at Jung Ma-ryung beside him.
Interestingly, Jung Ma-ryung wore the same eager expression as Peng Na-yeon.
Seok Deok-wol couldn’t understand why they were so expectant.
“Still, it’s a spectacle worth seeing. To witness the movements of a master called the Red Mountain Iron Fist up close.”
Like the saying goes, “you see what you know,” he wouldn’t gain much knowledge, but observing and remembering could certainly be useful later.
Thus, Seok Deok-wol put aside his worries and stared intently at Baek Sang-geon, as if determined to memorize every move.
“Let me know when you’re ready.”
“All set.”
Baek Sang-geon, standing at a proper distance, slightly raised his eyes. Naturally, he thought Seok Jin-ho would use the Dao, but he didn’t.
“Won’t you use the Dao?”
“I’m proficient with my hands and feet. It’s the most familiar method for me right now.”
“I see.”
Baek Sang-geon didn’t ask further. He already knew Seok Jin-ho had basic skill. He was slightly puzzled, though—using weapons was generally more advantageous than barehanded combat.
“Shall we begin?”
“Go ahead.”
Baek Sang-geon, as a senior in the martial world, yielded the first move. Seok Jin-ho did not refuse this courtesy.
Whoosh!
The moment Seok Jin-ho struck off the ground, he vanished from sight. His speed was so great that it seemed he had disappeared.
Yet, Baek Sang-geon, experienced in countless battles, could still perceive his movement, even if faintly.
“So… fast!”
He was shocked, just like anyone else. He knew Seok Jin-ho was skilled, but this display exceeded all expectations.
Instinctively, Baek Sang-geon activated his Geon-gon Pa-ryeok Divine Skill. Seok Jin-ho’s overwhelming presence demanded his full seriousness.
“I must restrict his movements first.”
Baek Sang-geon knew his own strengths and weaknesses. Though strong, his large frame sacrificed agility and speed. He decided to first neutralize Seok Jin-ho’s blinding speed.
Whoooosh!
At that instant, his twin fists struck the air. Baek Sang-geon unleashed the Geon-gon Divine Fist, a modified technique of the Geon-gon Divine Palm of the Hebuk Peng clan, creating a terrifying pressure that crushed everything around him.
“Hup!”
Baek Sang-geon’s eyes widened—not to land a blow, but to restrict Seok Jin-ho’s movement. Yet Seok Jin-ho moved effortlessly, as if he could see the paths of the wind. His graceful motions made it impossible for Baek Sang-geon to avert his gaze.
Pa-pa-pa-pang!
Despite the relentless strikes, Baek Sang-geon’s fists relentlessly pursued Seok Jin-ho. The wind pressure slowed his speed, making it easier to track Seok Jin-ho’s movements than before.
“As expected, his strength is still no match for mine.”
With heavy impact sounds, Seok Jin-ho muttered as he dodged the repeated attacks aimed at vital points. His body had become considerably resilient through training, but it was still a work in progress.
Of course, he could have countered if he wanted, though it would have been inefficient.
“I don’t have to win, anyway.”
Puff-puff!
In the blink of an eye, Seok Jin-ho closed the gap and unleashed a barrage with both hands—fists, palms, and edges—striking Baek Sang-geon relentlessly.
“Kuh!”
Baek Sang-geon’s face flushed red from the constant, indiscriminate attacks. Though taking the sparring seriously, he grew frustrated at being struck continuously.
Yet Seok Jin-ho slipped away like an eel, frustratingly elusive.
“How is this possible?”
As the initial excitement settled, only doubt remained. He realized Seok Jin-ho wasn’t merely dodging—he was predicting and avoiding his movements.
“But… can that be real?”
The doubts kept piling. The conclusion was absurd—he, a battle-hardened veteran, was being overwhelmed through sheer experience. Yet no other explanation made sense.
“If I give my full power, can I uncover the truth?”
Vrrr!
A resonant energy coursed through Baek Sang-geon’s body, synchronizing with his will. The surrounding air pressure intensified.
“Once should be enough.”
He estimated Seok Jin-ho’s martial power. Judging from his movements and skill, Baek Sang-geon believed he could withstand the incoming energy with his Geon-gon Pa-ryeok Divine Skill.
Thus, he elevated the technique’s potential further.
“Use a bit more. That should satisfy your curiosity a little, shouldn’t it?”
“If you say so.”
Seok Jin-ho spoke as if reading his mind. Baek Sang-geon’s eyes gleamed.
Wham!
For the first time, a loud sound erupted. Seok Jin-ho did not dodge.
Bang!
“Ha-ha! Ha-ha-ha-ha!”
Baek Sang-geon laughed heartily, astonished that Seok Jin-ho had taken his punch without flinching.
Peng Na-yeon, observing comfortably, sprang to her feet, her face full of shock.
“Internal energy…”
“Yes?”
Seok Deok-wol asked Peng Na-yeon, who murmured to herself. Unlike her, he didn’t understand the full situation—he only realized Seok Jin-ho was far more skilled than expected.
“No, nothing.”
“Ah, I see.”
Peng Na-yeon finally moved, her eyes sparkling like starlight.
“Unbelievable.”
“As expected of Mr. Seok.”
“To spar evenly with the Red Mountain Iron Fist Grand Hero! My judgment was correct!”
Meanwhile, Jung Ma-ryung looked as if he might cry, overwhelmed with emotion. He reaffirmed the incredible skill of his teacher, Seok Jin-ho.
“I will definitely master the Thirteen-Strike Technique! Then, my martial art will…”
Lost in his imagination, Jung Ma-ryung drew a laugh from Tak Yun. Yet even he acknowledged Jung Ma-ryung’s passion for martial arts.
“This should suffice, I think.”
“Still hiding your skills?”
“It’s not my nature to flaunt them.”
“From what I see, the world will soon know of you.”
Straightening his attire, Baek Sang-geon’s tone had changed significantly from before. He now treated Seok Jin-ho as a martial arts master, not merely a benefactor.
“I don’t intend to stop it.”
“May I ask one question?”
“If I answer, will you accompany me?”
“You’re accepting a request?”
Baek Sang-geon glanced at Seok Deok-wol, still stunned, as if he could guess. Though an ultimate master, Seok Deok-wol’s growth potential had likely reached its limit.
“Yes. He cared for me greatly when I was young.”
“If I don’t go, you’ll go alone, right?”
Seok Jin-ho didn’t answer. But his smile conveyed his reply.
Meow!
A brief silence fell as Heuk-hwi, in Peng Na-yeon’s arms, leapt to her shoulder, displaying remarkable agility. Then, the little creature repeatedly licked Seok Jin-ho’s cheek.
“My judgment was correct, wasn’t it, uncle?”
“Better than me, it seems. Ha-ha-ha.”
Acknowledging Peng Na-yeon’s words, Baek Sang-geon laughed heartily. Yet there was no resentment in his eyes—only a meaningful gaze directed at Seok Jin-ho.
