Chapter 59 – The Sparrow Spreads Its Wings (1)

Chapter 59 – The Sparrow Spreads Its Wings (1)

It was the first militia raised in Shaanxi. Although its primary purpose was securing the town and assisting evacuations rather than direct combat, many sturdy men had rushed to join. The resentment toward the Hui Dynasty ran deep in many hearts.

Selecting the militia commander was a highly competitive affair. Many had expected Sect Leader Jin Baek to win, but he was defeated early on. As predicted, not a single first-rate master appeared, but surprisingly, many second-rate martial artists gathered.

Numerous small sects joined, along with many veterans. The one who stood out the most was a survivor who had miraculously escaped the destruction of the Jongnam Sect.

"Is there no other challenger?"

It was Mu-hyeon, a second-generation disciple of the Jongnam Sect. Within his sect, his skill was below average, but here he was dominant. He had already defeated ten challengers, and no one else stepped forward. The onlookers were certain he would become the commander.

Right then.

"Here!"

From afar, someone approached rapidly using lightness techniques.

He wore a tight black martial robe and carried a willow-leaf sabre. A diagonal scar across his face left a strong impression.

He was a somewhat famous figure in the area. A few of the watching men recognized him and gasped.

"The One-Lightning Sabre, Song Gyeom?"

"Even Master Song Gyeom came…?"

Mu-hyeon's face tensed for the first time. The two men stood at a distance and clasped their hands in greeting.

"I am Mu-hyeon, a second-generation disciple of the Jongnam Sect."

"I am Song Gyeom, the One-Lightning Sabre. Let us exchange a blow."

As soon as their introductions ended, the fight began. Knowing the other was a formidable opponent, neither offered the first move. As Mu-hyeon and Song Gyeom clashed, thunderous rings echoed continuously.

*Clang! Clash! Clang!*

Mu-hyeon's offensive, unleashing the techniques of the Jongnam Sect, was excellent. But Song Gyeom was equally formidable, deflecting every strike. The clash was tightly contested, showing no sign of ending easily.

The fight continued. Within moments, they had exchanged fifty blows. Each watched for the other's opening, waiting for a chance to strike.

By the time they reached seventy blows, Mu-hyeon's sword seemed to multiply, pressing Song Gyeom from all directions.

"The Cloud Dragon Sword Technique?"

"Wow… finally…"

Although it was not a supreme martial art, the techniques of the great sects were not something one saw every day. The watching martial artists gasped in admiration.

However, Song Gyeom was not to be outdone. His blade moved rapidly, slashing in all directions.

*Clash! Clang!*

"Song Gyeom's One-Lightning Sabre Technique is out!"

A fluid sword met a lightning-fast willow-leaf sabre. The onlookers swallowed hard, their eyes glued to the fight. In that instant, a dull crash echoed.

*Boom!*

Both men stumbled backward. Then, they sheathed their weapons simultaneously and clasped their hands. The crowd tilted their heads in confusion, not knowing who had won.

Right then.

"That ugly uncle won! Hehe."

The martial artists in the corner looked down. A young girl wearing a military uniform was grinning in their midst.

She was an odd child, but they had no time to pay attention to a brat. They had to confirm the result of the duel.

A moment later, a portion of Mu-hyeon's sleeve tore open, fluttering in the wind. Song Gyeom had claimed victory. The crowd wore satisfied expressions at the spectacular duel.

"If anyone can face this Song Gyeom, step forward! If not, I shall be the commander!"

No one stepped forward.

Amid the silence, the young girl in the crowd asked, "If I win, what do I get? Do I get food?"

A man nearby muttered without looking at her, "Not just food. You become the commander of the militia."

So-so was extremely hungry. The gluttonous child had eaten nothing but two dumplings since yesterday. The promise of food made her heart flutter.

At that moment, Song Gyeom shouted once more.

"Does no one dare face my blade? If so, I shall take the position!"

Then, an unexpected challenger appeared.

"Me!"

All eyes turned to the speaker. The crowd scoffed in disbelief. A young girl was raising her hand, looking like she was playing a prank.

"Shh! Quiet."

"Go home, child. It is not polite to interrupt when adults are speaking."

But the scolding crowd gasped in shock a moment later. The child kicked off the ground and soared into the air like a bird, reaching a height of thirty feet.

"What on earth?"

"Is that even possible?"

*Thud.*

Landing as lightly as a leaf, So-so faced Song Gyeom.

Song Gyeom looked bewildered. The child had clearly trained in high-level martial arts. But how could he fight a kid who barely reached his waist?

While he hesitated, So-so clasped her hands, mimicking the greeting Mu-hyeon and Song Gyeom had exchanged earlier.

"I am So-so!"

"Sigh…"

A sigh escaped Song Gyeom's lips. Not knowing what to do, a good idea struck him. He would display overwhelming force to make her back down without a fight.

"I am Song Gyeom."

Saying this, Song Gyeom pointed his willow-leaf sabre forward. A dozen streaks of light rippled from the tip of his blade. It was an incomplete blade energy.

The crowd erupted in cheers once more. Though incomplete, any martial artist would be intimidated by blade energy. Even if she was a child.

"Child, do you yield now?" Song Gyeom peeked at the child.

But she showed no sign of backing down. An ominous feeling crept into the depths of his heart.

"I can do that too."

In that instant, hundreds of streaks of light erupted from the toy-like sword she held. The brilliant light wrapping her blade was incomparably brighter than Song Gyeom's. It was a fully realized sword qi.

The crowd rubbed their eyes in disbelief.

"Wha-what?!"

"What am I looking at?!"

A child who looked barely seven years old was projecting sword qi. It was an unprecedented sight in the history of the martial world.

But reality was harsh.

His pride wounded, Song Gyeom was forced to fight.

"Sigh… since it has come to this, I have no choice. I will let you have the first move. Come."

So-so minimized the internal energy she channeled into her sword qi, matching his level. She instinctively knew that if she fought seriously, she might kill him.

"Thank you~"

Being hungry, she wanted to finish this quickly. With those words, So-so dashed forward like an arrow.

At her blinding speed, Song Gyeom gasped in surprise.

"Huh?"

He had no time to be shocked. An onslaught was already flying at him from below.

*Clang! Clash! Clang!*

The collision of sword qi and blade energy created a spectacular display of sparks.

*This is impossible…*

Song Gyeom stumbled back, thoroughly panicked.

With every clash, his wrist throbbed. Her internal energy was overwhelmingly superior.

How could he know? The child before him was the sole successor of the Sword Saint, the strongest master in the martial world.

As time passed, the child's swordplay grew frantically faster. After a few more breaths, his coordination began to fail. He could no longer afford to hold back.

"Yield!"

Song Gyeom's blade glowed red as it traced a curve.

He felt ashamed to use his ultimate technique against a child, but he had no choice.

*Whoosh!*

A crescent of light was about to swallow the child.

But So-so's figure vanished in a flash.

*Flash!*

*Position Shift?*

Position Shift was a lightness technique that even average masters could not mimic. Furthermore, what So-so had executed was the Sword Saint's superior technique, the Lightning Flying Shadow Step.

But he had no time to be stunned. The sound of a blade slicing the wind echoed repeatedly from his flank.

*Whoosh!*

A chill ran down Song Gyeom's spine. Without a second thought, he leaped back to dodge, retreating ten feet before shouting in panic.

"What did you do?!"

"Hehe. I won, right?"

Confused, Song Gyeom soon realized the meaning of her words.

*Rip!*

*How can this be?*

His martial robe suddenly tore into tatters, despite being a tight-fitting garment.

It was a complete defeat, without even a chance to counter. He had never suffered such a humiliating loss in his life.

He looked at the crowd. Everyone was staring with wide eyes, their mouths agape like carp.

After a moment, the first person to recover his senses stammered, "H-how can a child be this strong?!"

Song Gyeom quickly gestured to the speaker and shouted, "Mind your tongue! Show proper respect to our senior!"

Everyone looked puzzled, waiting for his next words, not understanding what he meant.

"This senior is a master who has undergone Reversion to Youth!"

Reversion to Youth—a phenomenon where an elder who attains enlightenment returns to the appearance of a child, though it was extremely rare. Every martial artist had heard of it.

"No wonder…"

"For such an eccentric master to join the militia…"

"Wow… then our militia's strength is incredible!"

Everyone was convinced. No one doubted Song Gyeom's words, as it was the only way to explain the situation.

Song Gyeom looked at the crowd and shouted, "Even if she is an eccentric master, our desire to defend the nation is the same. From now on, she is our commander! Does anyone object?"

Who would dare challenge a master of Reversion to Youth? Further matches were pointless. Everyone cheered in agreement.

Turning back to So-so, Song Gyeom bowed deeply and clasped his hands.

"Commander! What is your title? Please lead us!"

Startled by the attention, So-so stammered, "I am the World's Strongest So-so!"

Hearing her claim the title of the world's strongest, the crowd gasped in admiration once more. Just then, So-so's lips puckered as she grumbled.

"I'm hungry… I won but you didn't even give me food…"

All she wanted was a warm meal.

Sensing that her mood was turning sour, Song Gyeom quickly turned to the crowd and roared, "The Commander is hungry!"

The town head quickly called the residents.

"She is an extremely important guest, so prepare a meal as quickly as possible. The town office will cover the cost, so make sure there is plenty of food!"

Having witnessed So-so's prowess, no one questioned the order. Song Gyeom and Mu-hyeon, who had placed second and third, became her vice-commanders under the rules. The retired veteran, Yang Heung, was appointed as the advisor.

Militia members continued to arrive, but no one dared challenge the commander.

Just then, one of the militia members muttered in confusion, "But why does the senior speak like…"

Mu-hyeon of the Jongnam Sect quickly stopped him.

"Watch your mouth. Reversion to Youth sometimes has side effects where one's behavior and speech revert to childhood. But her experience and martial arts will shine in times of crisis."

"Ah, I understand. With the vice-commanders assisting her, there shouldn't be any problem."

Before long, So-so sat on a chair provided for her, swinging her legs. After half an hour, a militia member ran up and shouted.

"Commander! Your meal is ready!"