Chapter 341: Owner of Dragon Throne Sword
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Chapter 341 – Owner of Dragon Throne
Dogs who had tucked their tails.
Words that provoked the shame of the Orthodox and Unorthodox martial masters.
“How dare!”
Bright Moon Sword Sect Master Full Moon Sword Master Mo-dong bellowed.
His hand had already reached his sword hilt.
It was a reflexive response from momentary rage.
However.
Son Ja-ryong, who didn’t even bat an eye, spoke again in a heavy voice.
“How dare?”
Mo-dong, who met that gaze, flinched slightly.
GULP.
Dry saliva went down.
He had been overwhelmed by just that gaze.
Though he was nominally an upper-tier master within the Henan region, the presence of Young Sword King Son Ja-ryong – the highest of Zhejiang’s Four Seats – was in a different class.
He felt it keenly the moment their eyes met.
That his opponent’s martial prowess was no less than White Cloud Sword Duke Taoist Cheon Mu or Thunder Cloud Sword Duke, who contested for first among Hunan’s Five Martial Absolutes.
Yes, if anything it was higher.
He estimated the opponent was at minimum equal to that level.
Six Righteousness Gate Master Complete Flourishing Character Wan-gye beside him thought the same.
He had once exchanged a friendly martial bout with Wei Ji-am.
It felt exactly like that day.
Son Ja-ryong’s overwhelming presence reminded him of Wei Ji-am.
No.
It seemed even more suffocating than back then.
As if an invisible noose was tightly binding his entire body…
Silence naturally arrived.
Mo-dong was silent.
He couldn’t carelessly continue speaking any further.
Only the person who created this gathering could stand against Son Ja-ryong.
“Having become partners with the Unorthodox, your conduct now follows the way of criminals.”
Son Ja-ryong’s words flew in like an awl and stabbed Mo-dong’s chest.
‘The impudent bastard!’
Mo-dong felt rage surge up.
The dozen or so people from Bright Moon Sword Sect and Six Righteousness Gate beside him, including Wan-gye, also…
At that moment, a man wielding two long scythes stepped forward.
“Hey, let’s all calm down.”
It was Twin Scythe Tiger Gyeong-yang, an Unorthodox master and wandering martial artist.
He soon stared at Son Ja-ryong and spoke.
“Did you come alone?”
“What if I did?”
“If so, it would be rather dangerous. Your purpose is obvious as fire, and wandering the Shiwan Mountains alone has too many threatening factors.”
The moment Gyeong-yang’s words ended.
SEUK.
A faint smile rose and faded from Son Ja-ryong’s lips.
Along with that, a conversation he’d had with his close friend came to mind.
-Friend, I need your help.
-Between us, why be so formal… don’t you know just by seeing that I came all the way here?
-Have you finally achieved mastery of your family’s supreme technique?
-About eighty to ninety percent. Quite coincidentally at this time.
-Hoot, as you say. Coincidentally indeed…
-My training has reached a virtually complete level. Let us go together. I’ll protect you from the dangers of the Shiwan Mountains’ absolute formations.
-Just hearing that is reassuring. Befitting a formation genius who inherited Zhuge Family’s lineage. When this matter is finished, I’ll help your family rise again. Bi.
-What, that was a promise from our childhood… you didn’t forget.
-Of course. I’ve always thought Zhuge Family must make a comeback. Because you, a genius I once admired, exist.
‘Threatening factors? I wonder.’
He didn’t worry about such things at all.
Because he absolutely trusted his friend Zhuge Bi’s talent and ability.
“So… are you suggesting we join hands?”
At Son Ja-ryong’s words, Gyeong-yang’s eyes flashed as if he’d been waiting for this.
“There’s no reason we couldn’t.”
“That head is there for thinking. Could a dragon play with mere stray dogs…?”
At that, Gyeong-yang flared up.
“Ahem, watch your words!”
Immediately after, Son Ja-ryong threw the same words back.
“You’re the one who should watch their words.”
“What…”
“Your plan was to seal my mouth. By making me a companion.”
Son Ja-ryong, having hit the mark, let his gaze sink deep like the ocean.
“I don’t care what you lot do, so do as you please. However.”
“…”
“If you become an obstacle to obtaining the Divine Martial Sword, I’ll slaughter you all.”
Son Ja-ryong’s bold declaration delivered a soundless shock.
Tension permeated the space.
To casually utter such words in front of this many people…
It was surely a manifestation of pride in his extraordinary individual martial force.
At that moment, the Unorthodox martial masters formed ranks.
CHEOK, CHEOCHEOK, CHEOK-
Thus, everyone blocked the front like a folding screen.
It was a belligerent action drawn by the confidence and courage that numerical superiority provided.
Not to be outdone, the Orthodox faction’s personnel also joined those ranks.
The atmosphere instantly turned hostile.
In the midst of that, Son Ja-ryong’s gaze moved.
SEUK.
His eyes again turned toward the Orthodox party including Mo-dong and Wan-gye.
“I will pay you two seniors courtesy for the first and last time. Please withdraw.”
Mo-dong and Wan-gye exchanged glances and thought.
Was he saying he would pretend not to know and pass by, so would they clear the way?
“Indeed, fighting him would bring no good.”
At Wan-gye’s words, Mo-dong nodded.
“Yes, that’s right.”
Having replied briefly, he looked at the Unorthodox martial masters and spoke as if advising.
“How about clearing the way from here?”
While doing so, he secretly sent Sound Transmission to everyone.
At that, everyone nodded silently with their eyes and spread apart to either side.
Following that, Mo-dong spoke with gravity as if saving his face.
“I too respect my junior’s wishes. Now, go on your way.”
But… Son Ja-ryong remained motionless for some reason.
Mo-dong, Wan-gye and others were puzzled.
‘What is this?’
When everyone without exception felt an ominous premonition coiling in their hearts.
“It seems you didn’t understand my words.”
Son Ja-ryong said that while gripping Dragon Throne Sword’s pitch-black hilt with his right hand.
“I meant get lost from here. Before I clear you out by force.”
Mo-dong finally exploded with the rage in his heart.
“You, you don’t know moderation!”
Starting with that outcry, everyone drew their weapons.
The air turned heavy from the intermingling fighting spirit and killing intent.
Not to be outdone, Son Ja-ryong also drew Dragon Throne Sword.
“Yes, you should have known moderation.”
“What?”
The moment Mo-dong raised one eyebrow.
“Just let him pass and then strike from behind, you say?”
At Son Ja-ryong’s icy voice, Mo-dong’s complexion turned pale white.
‘Oh no! Did he eavesdrop on my Sound Transmission?!’
Not only that, but everyone was showing shocked eyes.
Also.
They realized belatedly.
They should have been on guard beforehand.
Against Dragon Throne Sword’s unique divine power as one of the Ten Great Heavenly Weapons.
That’s right.
Just now, Son Ja-ryong had eavesdropped on the Sound Transmission through that power.
Ancient records stated so.
That Dragon Throne Sword’s divine power even exhibits the mysterious ability to eavesdrop on Sound Transmissions.
However, one had to have exceptionally outstanding martial talent.
Among all its previous owners, only four had awakened such power.
Today, one more person was added to that number.
“Bright Moon Sword Sect and Six Righteousness Gate, you are disqualified from being Orthodox. And…”
As Son Ja-ryong operated his internal power, the air and ground emanated heavy tremors.
KUREUNG, KURUREUNG, KUREUNG-!
A storm of fighting spirit and killing intent expelled from his entire body.
Dragon Throne Sword, responding to its owner’s will, released a dragon’s cry.
WOOOWOOWOO-
It was a sound both mystical and grand and oppressive.
‘Damn! There’s no turning back now!’
Having shouted inwardly, Mo-dong raised his internal power to the maximum.
Everyone else was the same.
Son Ja-ryong, gripping his sword at an angle, soon strode forward.
“Try to defeat me. If you succeed, you lot will be the Invincibles of this era. No…”
As he trailed off, a sneer seemed to form on his lips.
“…you already are. If a person has no shame, they are invincible under heaven.”
If someone doesn’t know embarrassment, surely they are invincible under heaven – that was the meaning.
Mo-dong, whose face flushed hot, strained the veins in his throat.
“Fine, yes! Receive the sword of this shameless man right here!”
Having shouted, he kicked off the ground and charged.
But Son Ja-ryong, who counter-charged, was faster.
KKWAANG!
Simultaneously with the explosive sound.
“Aahk!”
Mo-dong, engulfed in heat haze, let out a scream as he was sent flying backward.
Though called by the epithet Full Moon Sword Master, his prestige was reduced to nothing.
KKUNG- JJEOJEOJEOK!
He, who had crashed into a boulder, collapsed face-down on the ground.
“Keu… keukeuk…”
In merely one sword stroke, the energy and blood of his entire body had been violently shaken.
How could this be?
He was a monster.
The sword force he expelled exceeded the limits of common sense.
While suffering, such thoughts arose.
If that wasn’t peak power… everyone here would ultimately be massacred.
Meanwhile, Son Ja-ryong, having struck and sent Mo-dong flying, immediately stamped the ground.
KKWADEUDEUK-!
The moment the ground within a one-Zhang radius was destroyed.
PEOPEOPOPEONG, PEOPEOPOPEONG-!
The five people who had been charging after Mo-dong coughed blood and flew in all directions, KUNG! slamming into the ground.
They were Bright Moon Sword Sect’s elite swordsmen.
There was no further movement.
Instant death.
However, just one person was barely clinging to life.
It was Mo-dong’s disciple, Moon Gleam Sword Wu Yong.
Having fallen to the ground, both sides of his ribs had been completely broken by the shockwave of the ground stamp.
“Keoheoh…”
That groan was his last.
PEOGEOEOK!
Before anyone knew it, Son Ja-ryong’s right foot had moved and crushed Wu Yong’s skull.
Hunting Blade Dog Jeom-gan, having approached from behind, thrust his blade forward.
But Son Ja-ryong had already turned his body and thrust Dragon Throne Sword out.
A speed of motion that couldn’t even be grasped with the naked eye.
PPEUDEUDEUDEUK!
His chest was penetrated by sword force, and his entire sternum shattered into pieces.
Thus, Jeom-gan departed from this world.
PAPAPAPA, PAPAPAPA-!
The masters of Glittering Sword Pavilion, Shim Hoe Gate, Red Dart Hall, Jin Martial Hall, and Go Wol Sword Sect all constructed an encirclement and charged.
Son Ja-ryong, eyes gleaming, thrust Dragon Throne Sword into the ground.
KWAKWAKWAKWAKWAKWA-!
A terrifying whirlwind of sword force swept in all directions.
The power was like sword wind rivaling sword energy.
Rain of blood spread in all eight directions.
HUDUDUDU, HUDUDUDU…
Bodies torn, ripped, and split apart in an instant.
The divine dragon swam through that sea of blood.
PEOGEOK, PEOGEOEOK!
The heads of two Unorthodox wandering masters exploded into the air.
By the trajectory of Dragon Throne Sword accompanied by the dragon’s cry.
A perfect harmony of concise sword stance, swift sword speed, and heavy sword force.
It was the fearsome application of Earth Heaven Three Hegemony Sword Art, the supreme technique symbolizing the history and tradition of Zhejiang Son Family – the highest tier within the Seven Great Families.
At that moment, Black Ox Hall Master Fighting Ox Great Sword Bae Pyeong and Ox Strength Sword Tang Ja-gae’s swords fiercely approached from Son Ja-ryong’s left and right.
KKAGAGANG- CHAECHAENG-!
Along with the metallic sound, Bae Pyeong and Tang Ja-gae’s complexions changed completely.
It was a shocking sight.
One was blocked by the blade, one by bare hands.
That signified an overwhelming difference in internal power.
KKWAJAJAK-!
Bae Pyeong’s sword, which had pressed against Dragon Throne Sword, was mercilessly destroyed.
It couldn’t withstand Son Ja-ryong’s true energy, which had been fully infused into the blade.
That conclusion was death.
PUHAAAAAK!
The moment Dragon Throne Sword pierced through Bae Pyeong’s chest.
JJEOJEOJEOJEOJEOK!
Tang Ja-gae’s sword, which had been caught by bare hands, shattered into pieces.
And then.
KWAKKWANG!
Terrifying palm force engulfed Tang Ja-gae’s massive frame.
UDEUDEUDEUK!
Thus, his bones from head to toe were finely crushed, and he breathed his last.
Son Ja-ryong seemed like he couldn’t control the power overflowing within his body.
The return of Great Sword King Son Zhang-ryo, the family’s ancestor who had dominated the Orthodox and Unorthodox martial circles of Zhejiang region over one hundred years ago.
That was by no means an exaggeration.
Befitting his martial reputation as Young Sword King and the highest of Zhejiang’s Four Seats, his martial force was truly tyrannical and overwhelming.
Even looking at the entirety of Gangnam’s Orthodox and Unorthodox martial circles, it was unquestionably peerless martial prowess.
Before Son Ja-ryong’s overwhelming presence, rage and fighting will all subsided at once.
Fear took their place and swirled round and round.
As Son Ja-ryong moved at extreme speed, Dragon Throne Sword again cleaved through space while releasing the dragon’s cry.
WOOWOOWOO, WOOWOOWOO-
The terrified dogs all tucked their tails and busily retreated.
The enraged dragon did not tolerate even that.
PUHAK, PUHAAK… PEOGEOK, PEOGEOGEOK, PEOGEOK…!
Chilling sounds burst out continuously.
Each time, chunks of flesh and fresh blood poured onto the ground.
Meanwhile.
In a forest far away, one black shadow was watching that scene.
‘Hooho. Owner of Dragon Throne Sword, Young Sword King Son Ja-ryong… indeed he lives up to his reputation.’