Chapter 302: Must Achieve More Than That
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Ju Yu-gang reached for the Sword Controlling Technique book with a smile on his face.
Thus he turned the pages one by one.
SARAK, SARAK, SARAK…
Pitch-black pupils rolling along the densely written characters.
Soon, Ju Yu-gang admired.
“It’s supreme.”
It was as he said.
Sword Controlling Technique, the authentic transmission of Heavenly Clear Sword God who was a hegemon of ancient Jianghu, was truly supreme sword learning.
Its wondrous function was truly astonishing, as difficult as its operation essence was to understand.
If one perfectly understood and achieved the formulas, one would break through existing martial limits.
‘Hoot… it’s rather excessive for something given as payment for trouble.’
Having muttered inwardly, Ju Yu-gang gently closed the book.
He was extremely curious.
Whether Cheol Ryu-heun was also someone for whom limits existed…
There was nothing he didn’t know, nothing he couldn’t do.
He was truly someone he was meeting for the first time in his life.
It seemed like whatever he asked for, he got.
‘Not only the authentic transmission of Sword-Commanding Hegemon King, but now even the authentic transmission of Heavenly Clear Sword God…’
He himself had previously jokingly requested the Ten Supreme Commanding Energy Flying Swords.
The lost authentic transmission of Sword-Commanding Hegemon King, the ultra-pinnacle warrior who had pacified the Unorthodox Jianghu one hundred eighty years ago.
He had thought it impossible, but when he actually received it from Cheol Ryu-heun, he was astonished.
However.
As time passed, he saw that had been too easy a matter.
And through this Sun Moon Demon Cult matter, he had keenly realized.
The fact that Cheol Ryu-heun had not yet displayed all the abilities he possessed.
‘An existence beyond the human realm. Yes, that’s a phrase that fits him perfectly.’
Until now, the only person Ju Yu-gang had considered an object of reverence was Grand Marshal of the Embroidered Guard Gongsun Hwa.
That was natural, because the top seat of the Embroidered Guard wasn’t one just anyone could occupy.
Young or old aside, it was a position that only a military official possessing unrivaled top-tier martial prowess within the imperial court could take.
Yet Gongsun Hwa had maintained the supreme position of Grand Marshal for more than thirty years.
In other words, that meant no military official who could overwhelm him had appeared until now.
Therefore, he was a god-like existence within the imperial military.
Some evaluated him thus.
That Grand Marshal Gongsun Hwa was an unprecedentedly supreme military official in Sima clan imperial history, one who had reached divine heights through continuous self-improvement.
There were even evaluations that compared to one thousand years of Jianghu history, he approached the prime of Heavenly Demon, Sword Emperor, and others…
No, there were even rumors that he might have already surpassed that level of power.
The current Embroidered Guard’s fighting strength was formidable.
Befitting its status as the Emperor’s personal guard and special task organization, there were over five thousand military officials at the first-rate tier alone.
Moreover, there were also hundreds who possessed martial prowess at a level equal to famous warriors of the Jianghu.
Since Gongsun Hwa had maintained headship of such a tremendous organization for thirty-some years, naturally, he could only be considered an object of reverence…
However.
Having reached the present day, one more person had been added.
That’s right.
White Peak Sword Sect Master Cheol Ryu-heun was now an object of reverence.
‘He surprised me to the very end before leaving.’
Ju Yu-gang gazed at the iron sword standing beside the desk.
He thought again of words exchanged with Cheol Ryu-heun.
-Isn’t that iron sword a dangerous artifact?
-…!
-The power dwelling in the sword, I mean. Well, I didn’t know at first either, but now I vaguely get the feeling.
-Hmm, amazing. To notice that without even holding it in hand…
-It must be because my energy sense has developed. Did you deliberately disguise it as an ordinary government-issue iron sword?
-There are circumstances to that.
-Right, I won’t say more. If problems arise because of the sword’s power, tell me anytime.
-You mean you can even help with that?
-What’s to make a fuss about between us?
-Between us…?
-Yes, between superior and errand boy.
-Keuk…!
-Well, I’ll be going now.
Ju Yu-gang, having withdrawn his gaze, muttered inwardly.
‘The power of that sword is hard to sense without holding it… could he have achieved some new accomplishment again?’
He still didn’t know.
The fact that Cheol Ryu-heun had seen through the secret nature of the government-issue iron sword because of his divine power from his Divine Martial Sword days.
‘Yes, you’re right. It is a dangerous artifact, the Zhanlu Sword…’
The Zhanlu Sword was a famous sword made by Ou Yezi, who was a rival to the famous swordsmith Gan Jiang in ancient times, and it was also a cursed weapon.
It was a sword with a terrifying legend that if a monarch possessed it, they would come to execute loyal ministers and famous ministers.
The last owner, an emperor of ancient times, had lamented after massacring dozens of ministers due to the Zhanlu Sword, and buried it as if sealing it.
Keeping its location secret so it could never come out into the world again.
However, that sword had now come into Ju Yu-gang’s hands through Gongsun Hwa’s arrangement.
As mentioned earlier, it was because of certain circumstances related to the current imperial court, the Embroidered Guard, and such.
‘The ancient artifacts that were additionally lost besides the Yellow Toad Inkstone… the mysterious mastermind who ordered it… now I should hope that Cheol Ryu-heun, heading to the Shiwan Mountains, secures decisive clues.’
Right at that moment.
TTALKKADAK-
Along with the door sound, a figure entered.
It was bodyguard martial artist Dam Maeng-gi.
“Did you call for me?”
At that, Ju Yu-gang gestured and commanded.
“Yes, there’s work to do.”
“Yes. Please speak.”
“I’m planning to begin special joint training between the government office and the martial sect soon. Unofficially, of course. So you take on the role of overall supervisor.”
“What’s this all of a sudden…?”
“It’s a conditional request from Sect Master Cheol.”
“Ah… I see. But what do you mean by conditional…?”
“What else could it be? Hoot.”
When Ju Yu-gang smiled benignly, Dam Maeng-gi’s eyes sparkled.
“Huk! Could it be an elixir gift?”
“Yes, it’s a better elixir than the Hundred-Year Snow Ginseng I received before.”
Having spoken thus, Ju Yu-gang brought out a wooden box.
Inside was a large, darkish-colored leaf.
“Wh-what is this?”
“It’s the legendary Black Dew Immortal Herb Leaf that strengthens the upper dantian and rapidly raises internal power.”
“What! You mean the Black Dew Immortal Herb Leaf that’s said to be as precious as Blue Stone Flowing Oil…!”
“Well, will you take on the work?”
“Yes! Of course! Trust and leave it to me! But what are the details of the special joint training?”
“Sparring like real combat. He asked me to, saying the military officials’ unique combat-oriented swordsmanship was needed. For the rapid growth of the sect’s personnel.”
“Wait… if it’s sect personnel, could they be…?”
“The Yaksha Unit members.”
“Ah, no wonder… those madmen who make panting sounds whenever they see blood…”
“You don’t like it?”
“Hmm, that is…”
Dam Maeng-gi muttered as if hesitating, then glanced at the wooden box.
The Black Dew Immortal Herb Leaf inside was speaking to him.
Hey man, don’t you want to eat me? Hm? This might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity?
Dam Maeng-gi clenched his fist and his eyes blazed.
“No, I’ll gladly do it! So what if we go crazy and run wild together! Huhoot, I can’t wait to show them this swordsmanship. SHYUSYUK, SYUK, SHYUSYUK, SYUK, SHYUSYUK…!”
Don’t do things like that! I don’t want to hear it, you lunatic!
* * *
SHYUSYUK-!
A sound sharply cutting through the air.
Soon after.
JJEOONG!
Along with a metallic sound, Seop Pyo’s form retreated backward.
“Uut!”
He had been pushed back by the defensive sword technique Cheol Ryu-heun had displayed with heavy force.
At that moment.
SHYUKAAAK!
A sword wrapped in gray current flew toward Cheol Ryu-heun’s left.
It was Gal Jung-heon’s Demon-Devouring Sword.
A metallic sound burst again.
JJEOEOEONG!
By the formidable repelling force, Gal Jung-heon’s form retreated.
JIIIIK, JIIIIK…
Thus his two feet scraped long across the sparring ground floor.
Immediately after, Cheol Ryu-heun let out an indifferent voice.
“Will you end it boringly?”
At that, Seop Pyo and Gal Jung-heon, who had retreated far away, asked identically.
“Pardon…?”
“Execute your ultimate killing moves consecutively last time. I’ll be fine.”
Cheol Ryu-heun then raised the Gan Jiang Sword vertically.
Come at me with full force.
That’s what it meant.
Seop Pyo and Gal Jung-heon exchanged glances and drew up the energy within their bodies to the fullest.
Suddenly.
DEUDEUDEUDEU, DEUDEUDEUDEU…
The entire wide sparring ground trembled.
Namgung Sang-rin, positioned outside the sparring ground, admired.
“Wow… when those two’s energy combines together, it’s breathtaking.”
At that, Hae Su-yeon standing beside him nodded slightly.
“Yes, it seems they’re also continuing to develop like us.”
The martial prowess test for the young guests had already been completed.
And now, at Cheol Ryu-heun’s direction, Seop Pyo and Gal Jung-heon were conducting a combined martial competition.
That contest had already far exceeded thirty rounds.
No one knew the reason.
Why those two had been told to display their techniques together…
Amid that, Seol Pan-gyo felt embarrassed.
‘Hmm, even though they say that…’
Namgung Sang-rin and Hae Su-yeon’s expressions were calm.
Unlike the words about it being breathtaking.
Had it just been exaggeration?
Even Ye Woon-rang and Cui Lan over there had unchanged expressions.
In contrast, he was in a state of being overwhelmed by the solemn intangible aura Seop Pyo and Gal Jung-heon were emitting.
It truly felt like his breath was blocked.
That’s why he was embarrassed.
The insufficiency of his cultivation.
However, on the other hand, his desire for martial achievement was welling up.
‘The road ahead is still long, but let’s walk it step by step. If I earnestly progress while constantly reflecting on myself… won’t I see the light someday?’
Mae Yak-bang’s mindset beside him was no different.
At that moment, the sect members let out exclamations in unison.
“Waaa…!”
Seop Pyo, who had rapidly absorbed the surrounding colors and turned transparent.
It was the deployment of the Space Concealment Stealth Technique.
He soon completely hid his form.
In an instant.
-I’m hungry, I’m hungry. Keuk, kekeuk…
Some chilling voice struck everyone’s ears.
It was a kind of Sound Transmission created by the energy of the Demon-Devouring Sword.
Following that.
CHEUSEUCHEUSU, CHEUSEUCHEUSEUSU…
Truly sinister and unpleasant gray haze was emitted from Gal Jung-heon’s entire body.
UUNG!
The strong vibration of the Demon-Devouring Sword, and the hungry ghost-shaped demonic energy rapidly bursting forth from it.
It was extremely massive.
As if an actual demon king of the Hungry Ghost Realm had manifested.
The sect members’ complexions turned pale white upon seeing that.
It was the effect of unprecedented fear assaulting them the moment they encountered the massive demonic energy of the sinister hungry ghost shape.
Just taking it into their eyes made their flesh tremble.
Elder Yeop Hwon and Chief Supervisor Hyeop Mu-geuk suddenly exchanged glances.
“Be glad they’re not enemies.”
“Yes, as you say, Elder…”
Soon Gal Jung-heon launched an attack head-on, and Seop Pyo attempted a surprise attack while displaying the wondrous function of concealment.
Thus the three’s fierce offensive and defensive battle quickly passed ten-some rounds.
KUNG- JJEOJEONG- PEOPENG- KKAGAGANG- KKWANG, KKWAKKWANG, KKWANG-!
Everyone was mesmerized by that fight.
Seop Pyo and Gal Jung-heon’s combined attack was truly fearsome, but Cheol Ryu-heun who defended against it skillfully was as solid as an iron wall.
It was admirable martial prowess.
Thus when they had exchanged over twenty rounds with each other.
KWAKWAKWAKWAKWAKWA-!
Cheol Ryu-heun executed a new ultimate move of the White Peak Sword Technique.
PEOPEOPEOPEOPENG, PEOPEOPEOPEOPENG-!
Space vibrating along with heavy explosions.
“Uk!”
“Euuuk!”
Gal Jung-heon and Seop Pyo each retreated more than a Zhang before coughing blood from the aftereffects of internal injury.
Cheol Ryu-heun soon sheathed the Gan Jiang Sword and spoke indifferently.
“Good, examination over.”
At that, Gal Jung-heon and Seop Pyo, having barely stabilized their blood flow, each collected themselves and stood.
“Sect Master Cheol, you are truly amazing.”
“Yes, actually exchanging techniques like this, I’ve newly realized much. Thank you.”
Cheol Ryu-heun quietly stepped and approached before them.
“Your martial prowess was excellent. But it still doesn’t satisfy me.”
At that, Gal Jung-heon and Seop Pyo showed embarrassed expressions.
At that moment.
SEUK.
Cheol Ryu-heun searched his inner pocket and took something out.
“Take these.”
Two pouches.
Gal Jung-heon and Seop Pyo quickly received them and undid the strings to look.
Pills of a bluish color like the vast sea.
Ten in total.
Cheol Ryu-heun added an explanation with a chin gesture.
“These are Great Restoration Pills that Bodhidharma left behind.”
At those unexpected words, not only those two people but others as well were greatly startled.
“…!”
Everyone was dumbfounded.
Heavens – Great Restoration Pills refined in his lifetime by that Bodhidharma, who was Heavenly Demon’s arch-rival in the past…
But even more surprising words struck everyone’s ears.
“Divide and eat five pills each. Then before long, you’ll achieve Nature Assimilation Realm. We must achieve more than what the enemy has achieved. Don’t you agree?”