Chapter 102: An Anomaly Within an Anomaly (1)
Chapter 101 – An Anomaly Within an Anomaly (1)
Slash!
At the same time as a chilling sound of tearing flesh rang out, Yu Hyeon sprayed blood and retreated. It seemed to have only lightly grazed him, but perhaps because the wound was deeper than expected, fresh blood flowed from his flank.
Pababat!
Without missing the opportunity when Yu Hyeon hesitated, Baek Mu-geuk dug in at a rapid speed.
Shukang!
As a ray of light burst forth, Yu Hyeon’s sword was deflected.
Baek Mu-geuk’s saber was definitely orthodox. It was heavy and fast. There was no unnecessary movement either.
If Yu Hyeon’s sword appeared to flow, Baek Mu-geuk’s saber looked as if it fell drop by drop at every moment.
Every movement was close to a straight line.
It was like a form used in the military. Because it was excessively disciplined and a clean, orthodox method, it felt simple to the point of being plain.
However, since it was so fast and strong, it could never be ignored.
Furthermore…
‘Just what kind of person is he…!’
Shukagagang!
In an instant, sparks erupted before his eyes.
This was it.
Yu Hyeon furrowed his brows deeply and quickly stepped backward.
Pabababat!
Tadadadat!
Baek Mu-geuk pursued him quickly, leaving no openings.
The scent of plum blossoms spread from Yu Hyeon’s sword. A reddish energy flared up there like the sunset. It was to the point of being marvelous that such a beautiful sword stance could be derived from a blade harboring sharp qi.
However, every time that sword path was blocked one by one by Baek Mu-geuk’s blade, darkness descended without fail.
Was that all?
At one point, Baek Mu-geuk’s saber curved like a snake, blowing away the scattering plum blossom petals far into the distance.
The blade, which seemed as though it would only insist on orthodox and straight lines no matter what, drew curves and danced like a lie.
It was only a split-second change, but because the previously used form was so orthodox, it felt like an immense transformation.
At the same time, was it just his imagination that a strange joy welled up on Baek Mu-geuk’s face?
‘His gaze has changed again.’
Tadadadang!
Even while sparks constantly erupted as their weapons clashed, Yu Hyeon was certain that Baek Mu-geuk’s expression had changed somehow.
A sort of madness had seeped into his eyes.
‘Just what on earth, Baek Mu-geuk…! What kind of person are you?’
He thought the man only used orthodox methods to the point of being foolishly honest with that blank face, but he was also skilled at variable moves and feints that swayed like reeds.
Furthermore, at this very moment when he used variable moves and feints, he became a different person.
Not as a figure of speech or metaphor, but he truly became a different person.
“Kikikik.”
A low laugh.
‘Again…!’
Yu Hyeon’s expression stiffened.
When he first heard that laugh, he thought he had misheard it.
But he had not.
Baek Mu-geuk was definitely laughing. Rather, it was as if he was enjoying this duel.
Clang!
In an instant, a metallic clang erupted, and a slight distance opened up between the two.
It was only for a brief moment, but Yu Hyeon could see it again. The sight of Baek Mu-geuk sticking his tongue out at him and smirking.
Exquisitely, since he covered his face with his arm and saber, only Yu Hyeon could see that expression.
Indeed, that appearance was of a completely different person.
Pabababat!
Baek Mu-geuk rushed in while executing dazzling footwork.
This time, a form where variable moves and feints were openly rampant unfolded.
Swish swish swish swish…!
The moment dozens of blades poured down before his eyes, Yu Hyeon also grit his teeth and unfolded the Plum Blossom Sword Art.
Tadadadang…!
As sparks flew wildly from the already splendid sword and saber, the watching spectators swallowed hard and clenched their fists.
“Ho-How amazing! As expected of the Mount Hua Sect.”
“Heavens, to think a duel could be this splendid.”
“This feels like looking at a completely different world.”
“Greenhorn or not, that Baek Mu-geuk is also incredible. To fight like this against Mount Hua’s Yu Hyeon. I can’t even gauge who will win.”
Listening to the murmuring of the people, Ju Yeon-hwa also clenched her fists tightly.
‘Senior Brother…!’
She had never dreamed that Baek Mu-geuk would push her senior brother this much.
It was not just her.
All the other spectators, including Paeng Su-hyeok, had similar thoughts.
Who was Yu Hyeon?
Was he not the most anticipated rising star of the Mount Hua Sect?
He was the very Yu Hyeon whom they praised extensively, saying a talent capable of leading Mount Hua had appeared for the first time in decades.
Yet, Baek Mu-geuk was putting up quite a good fight against such a Yu Hyeon. No, it even felt as if he was leading.
Finally, after a metallic sound rang out loudly, the two passed each other.
In that split second, Yu Hyeon once again confirmed Baek Mu-geuk’s madness-filled expression.
“Kikik. Mount Hua is nothing special either.”
“…!”
Slash!
In an instant, a hot sensation brushed past his ribs.
“Keup!”
Pababat!
Yu Hyeon quickly executed his footwork and retreated as if bouncing away.
Taktaktak!
When he quickly tapped his acupoints to stop the bleeding, the blood that was dampening his robe barely stopped.
“Senior Brother!”
A sharp voice from among the spectators pierced his ears.
It was Ju Yeon-hwa.
However, Yu Hyeon did not look back.
His expression was frozen colder than ever before.
“Just now… what did you say?”
A heavy question burst out.
In an instant, Baek Mu-geuk flinched, then tilted his head with his usual blank expression.
Yu Hyeon was dumbfounded.
The figure that had ridiculed him while passing by just a moment ago was nowhere to be seen. He felt as if he were possessed by a ghost.
Could a person change like that in a single moment?
It was not just his expression. The aura emanating from his entire body felt like a completely different nature.
“I can tolerate you looking down on me, but I cannot tolerate you looking down on Mount Hua.”
“…?”
“I do not know which side is your true self, but I will teach you what the true face of Mount Hua is.”
Yu Hyeon’s eyes narrowed.
Meanwhile, Ju Yeon-hwa, who was watching that sight, clasped her hands together and tightened her grip.
‘Senior Brother… is angry.’
It was the first time.
He had always seemed to have a generous and dull personality.
Now, he was as sharp as a honed blade.
Paeng Su-hyeok, who was watching from the side, also realized that Yu Hyeon had changed somehow.
“Ho, Daoist Yu Hyeon had that side to him as well.”
“You cannot know a person just by looking at their appearance.”
At the suddenly heard voice, Paeng Su-hyeok flinched and looked back.
Before he knew it, Namgung Cheon had walked over and stood there.
“Yo-You…! When did you get here?”
“I have been here since a while ago.”
“…”
“If you have something to say, say it instead of just glaring.”
Paeng Su-hyeok flared up, but soon sighed and said casually.
“Good to see you, you bastard.”
“Look at your manners.”
“You’re no better, you bastard.”
‘I am older than you, so it is fine, you bastard.’
Of course, he did not bother to voice the last thought.
Instead, Namgung Cheon quietly watched Yu Hyeon, feeling admiration in his heart.
‘Not bad. He is not looking at Baek Mu-geuk’s eyes.’
He had likely realized that the moment he looked into the opponent’s eyes, his sword forms would not unfold as intended.
Although he did not seem to know that it was an illusion art.
‘Furthermore, that energy is definitely…’
He had seen it before.
It was probably when he fought a second-generation disciple of the Mount Hua Sect in the past.
The Heaven and Earth Plum Blossom Skill.
Now that I think about it, what was that fellow’s name?
Anyway, at that time, a Mount Hua Sect disciple who was making quite a name for himself had harassed Namgung Cheon quite a bit.
Eventually, he had picked a day and beaten him half to death, but had to flee because the fellow’s companions swarmed in…
‘Well, he is probably living well.’
Anyway, it was the internal energy method that the fellow had unfolded, albeit clumsily, back then.
He remembered it as the cultivation method learned right before mastering the Violet Mist Divine Art in the Mount Hua Sect. He knew it was that much of an advanced internal art, and learning it was not easy…
‘But he is actually better than that fellow back then?’
Guooooo…!
Yu Hyeon, who was definitely circulating the Heaven and Earth Plum Blossom Skill, was emitting a different heavy pressure than before.
The Alliance Leader, who was watching from the VIP seats, also narrowed his eyes.
‘More than I thought… he had another trick.’
Now, what would he do?
The Alliance Leader quietly looked at Baek Mu-geuk. Yu Hyeon was certainly stronger than expected. However, by the Alliance Leader’s standards, if Baek Mu-geuk could not surpass Yu Hyeon, he was no different from a failure.
‘You must make sure not to disappoint me.’
While the Alliance Leader murmured inwardly, a reddish energy was rising like a haze from Yu Hyeon’s entire body.
Sssssst.
Yu Hyeon’s sword split into several as if he had used a cloning technique, taking an opening stance.
The moment the multiple swords unified into one,
Paang!
Yu Hyeon’s figure shot forward like a lie.
Swish-swish-swish-swish…!
A reddish energy wrapped around the blade, moving dazzlingly. It was splendid to the point that one could not keep their senses.
Shukakang!
As sparks erupted, the energy was dyed even darker.
Pabababat!
Baek Mu-geuk retreated backward, twisting the corners of his mouth.
“Hya! This is amazing!”
A reaction unlike the usual Baek Mu-geuk burst out.
However, Yu Hyeon was not shaken.
Illusion swords ran rampant, then changing swords lunged in, and feint swords caught the eye.
“Th-That is…!”
As Paeng Su-hyeok stammered in surprise, Namgung Cheon nodded.
“It is the Twenty-Four Move Plum Blossom Sword Art.”
“Is that… possible?”
“Since it is possible, he must be unfolding it.”
Although it is not complete.
To be more precise, because he could not penetrate the sword intent of the Twenty-Four Move Plum Blossom Sword Art, it was nothing more than an imitation.
However, the Twenty-Four Move Plum Blossom Sword Art was a supreme art counted among the ultimate sword techniques even within the Mount Hua Sect.
Of course, advanced martial arts beyond that existed now, but the Twenty-Four Move Plum Blossom Sword Art was also not a sword technique that anyone could easily learn.
If learned incorrectly, the stance could be ruined instead, resulting in a self-destructive adverse effect.
Nevertheless…
‘It is quite plausible. Maybe…?’
Indeed.
To the point that Namgung Cheon was secretly anticipating it, Yu Hyeon’s martial arts were exceeding expectations.
It was to the extent that all the spectators burst into exclamations.
The Alliance Leader’s expression hardened even more than before.
The only one quietly watching this situation was the elder of the Mount Hua Sect in the VIP seats.
He stroked his white beard and nodded faintly.
‘As expected of Yu Hyeon. This duel is now over.’
He had not expected Yu Hyeon to bring out such a high-level martial art in a duel.
However, he understood.
Because Baek Mu-geuk was stronger than expected.
However, now that the Twenty-Four Move Plum Blossom Sword Art had come out, Baek Mu-geuk would not be able to match Yu Hyeon.
If the first move was blocked, it led to the second move, and if the second move was blocked, it led to the third move. Being able to continuously unfold up to the twenty-fourth move in a linked form was precisely what the Twenty-Four Move Plum Blossom Sword Art was.
Furthermore, since there were countless variable moves and feints, the sword paths alone exceeded several hundreds.
It was Yu Hyeon who was executing it quite similarly, even if it was not perfect.
A fight that could absolutely not be lost.
‘This is Mount Hua. It is not a level that a rising star of a nameless sect can overturn overnight.’
Just as he guessed, Baek Mu-geuk was struggling considerably.
‘Tch!’
Kakang! Kang!
Pichyut! Chwyaat!
Baek Mu-geuk, who was blocking the pouring swords, clicked his tongue and furrowed his brows deeply.
The sword strikes poured down so breathlessly that he felt as if he were trapped in a forest of swords.
Even when he blocked, dodged, and turned around, the sword continuously disappeared and reappeared.
“Hut!”
In an instant, a silver streak sliced through the air and lunged toward his neck.
When Baek Mu-geuk quickly turned his blade, the fiercely lunging edge vanished before his eyes like a lie.
Instead, a hot sensation spread rapidly from his side.
Slash!
“Kkeueup!”
In that instant, Baek Mu-geuk’s eyes rolled back. At the same time, a cold and long sigh escaped his mouth.
“Haa… fuck.”
“…!”
Yu Hyeon furrowed his brows at the suddenly changed atmosphere once again.
Not only him, but Namgung Cheon, who was watching from the spectator seats, also flinched and muttered.
“That bastard… again?”