Translator: Nox
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: The Challenger from the North
#1
The next morning, Peng Hyeon-do sat cross-legged, deep in meditation.
Crackling sparks of lightning danced across his skin.
The Thunder Soul Fusion Art was progressing.
Slowly, painfully — but steadily.
Qi flowed through his meridians, burning away impurities and reforging his internal circuits.
[“You’re pushing too fast.”]
Peng Mu-hyeok’s voice drifted through his mind.
[“This art isn’t about speed. It’s about balance.”]
“I don’t need balance. I need results.”
[“Stubborn fool. You’ll end up destroying your own meridians.”]
“I’ll rebuild them stronger.”
The ghost muttered something about lunatics — but didn’t press further.
#2
Later that day, a visitor arrived at the gate.
She was a young woman, dressed in plain traveler’s garb.
But her eyes...
Sharp. Hungry.
“I’m here to challenge Peng Hyeon-do.”
The guards tensed.
Inside the main hall, the message was relayed.
“She’s from the **Northern Snow Blossom Sect**,” the steward reported.
“Name?”
“Yul Baek-so.”
The Clan Head raised an eyebrow.
“A Snow Blossom?”
“They’re reclusive — but strong.”
“Let her in.”
#3
In the training courtyard, Hyeon-do faced her.
She drew two thin blades — almost like needles.
“I don’t need a reason,” she said. “Just fight me.”
“Fine.”
He drew his saber.
The clash began instantly.
She was fast.
Inhumanly fast.
Like falling snow — silent, precise, deadly.
But Hyeon-do didn’t yield.
He countered with sheer force.
Every time her blades darted in, he deflected with explosive power.
The duel raged for ten minutes.
Neither side backing down.
Then—
[Thunder Cage Slash!]
A ring of lightning erupted.
Yul Baek-so was forced to leap back.
She landed softly.
Then smiled.
“You’re interesting.”
And without another word, she vanished into the wind.
#4
That night, the steward looked troubled.
“Why would the Snow Blossom Sect send someone like her?”
“They didn’t,” Hyeon-do said.
“She came on her own.”
“Even worse.”
He wasn’t wrong.
Yul Baek-so was a prodigy.
A future elder.
And she had come not with hostility — but curiosity.
Which meant more eyes would follow.
【To be continued in Chapter 23】
