Chapter 99: Heavy Sword vs. Heavy Sword (1)
Chapter 98 – Heavy Sword vs. Heavy Sword (1)
Yun Gyeong was just as shocked as the Alliance Leader and the Jongnam Sect elder. No, he could not help but be even more flustered.
Even when he unleashed the final stance of the Falling Water Breaking Rock, he had thought victory was in his grasp.
He had believed that given the nature of the Falling Water Breaking Rock stance, it could be blocked a couple of times. However, it could not be blocked indefinitely.
The characteristic of a single stance unfolding like a continuous chain was precisely what defined the Falling Water Breaking Rock.
Falling water pierces rock.
True to those words, the Falling Water Breaking Rock stance was one that broke through even the toughest opponent by repeatedly targeting the exact same spot.
Nine times out of ten, when the first sword strike flew in, it was bound to be blocked with a weapon.
For there was no rock that would fear a falling drop of water.
Thinking they could block it easily, a hundred out of a hundred people would lift their weapons to defend.
Namgung Cheon had done the same.
He had blocked the first attack like that, but if it ended with just one blow, how could it be called the Falling Water Breaking Rock stance?
The attacks continued to connect.
Twice, thrice, four times…!
As expected, Namgung Cheon was being pushed back step by step.
Now, if he could just strike one more time, even if he couldn’t break through, it was a moment where he could push him out of bounds for a disqualification.
However, at this moment, Yun Gyeong was overlooking one fact.
Under normal circumstances, Namgung Cheon should have already been disqualified by being pushed out of bounds.
If not, the opponent’s arm should have been crushed.
Yet Namgung Cheon had blocked it several times. He had blocked it in a strangely clean manner.
It was almost like plunging a sword into a pile of sand.
This was because Namgung Cheon had utilized the energy of the Fire phase, which was incompatible with the energy of the Metal phase.
However, for Yun Gyeong, who was ignorant of this fact, it could not help but be utterly baffling.
‘Just how on earth…!’
Even though he saw it with his own eyes, he could not believe it.
How much more so for the Alliance Leader and the elder, who had not watched the situation closely?
Watching from the VIP seats, the Alliance Leader narrowed his eyes, and the Jongnam Sect elder trembled, clenching his fists tightly.
‘Catching the… catching the Wuji Sword with bare hands?’
Although it had not yet reached completion, Yun Gyeong’s Wuji Sword was by no means at a level that could be ignored. No, in the first place, it was not a sword art that could be unleashed at such a young age.
Yet, not only did he block it, but he also snatched the wrist with his bare hand?
He must have made a momentary mistake as the floor cracked, debris flew, and a mist of dust spread.
Yes, otherwise, how could he possibly accept this?
‘It must be luck!’
The elder from the Jongnam Sect believed so.
However, the Alliance Leader looked at Namgung Cheon with a somewhat cautious gaze.
Isn’t it human nature that once someone starts to look like a troublesome thorn, it is hard to view them in a good light?
He had survived the cave of Mount Mulan, where the Alliance Leader had been certain he would die, and now he had even blocked the sword art of the Jongnam Sect, which was thought to be difficult to defend against.
As things turned out like this, the Alliance Leader’s anxiety began to deepen further.
‘Where is your limit? Show me!’
Meanwhile, Namgung Cheon gradually began to draw up energy from his dantian.
The Boundless Sky Great Expansion Divine Art, the exclusive internal energy cultivation method of the Namgung Clan, writhed and began to flow along his meridians.
At the same time, Namgung Cheon glanced toward the spectator seats.
Namgung Geom was still watching with an expressionless face.
‘Old man, keep watching. I will make you realize, step by step, whether I have the mettle to become the Young Patriarch!’
Pak!
The moment Namgung Cheon let go of his hand as if shaking it off, Yun Gyeong was flung backward and retreated.
Yun Gyeong widened his eyes and stared at Namgung Cheon.
‘What is he doing?’
Naturally, if he had gone to the trouble of catching his wrist with a grappling technique, shouldn’t he subdue him by breaking or twisting his bones?
If not, he should have thrust his sword to make it difficult to defend.
Yet, throwing him away like this was instead giving him time to defend, wasn’t it?
Don’t tell me…?
A sudden thought crossed his mind, causing Yun Gyeong to furrow his brow deeply.
Watching Namgung Cheon slowly take a starting stance, Yun Gyeong almost firmly solidified his assumption.
‘Is he saying he will face me in the same manner!’
What an incredibly arrogant attitude.
To revert the situation to an equal footing and clash swords even when he could have seized victory!
Fine, bring it on!
I will make you pay the price for looking down on Jongnam!
Yun Gyeong also drew up internal energy from his dantian and began to harden his entire body.
As he circulated the Taiyi Divine Art, which was highly effective for defense, even the muscles of his entire body writhed in response.
Of course, this change was seen in even greater detail by Namgung Cheon.
‘It is the Taiyi Divine Art.’
To Namgung Cheon, who narrowed his eyes, the energy of the Metal phase was visible spreading along the meridians.
It was clear that Yun Gyeong had certainly mastered internal energy to a high level.
For even among the Jongnam Sect experts he had encountered in his past life, those who could manipulate internal energy this easily were rare.
Compared to his age, Yun Gyeong was indeed a promising talent.
‘I feel a bit sorry for stepping on him so hard before he can even grow… but one must grow in a harsh environment to become stronger.’
Wearing a meaningful smile, Namgung Cheon pointed the Emerald Silk Sword forward and spoke loudly enough for Namgung Geom to hear.
“Indeed, the sword of Jongnam was excellent. Now, please receive the sword of our clan.”
“Anytime. I will make you realize how greedy it is to try to catch two rabbits at once.”
It was a remark poking at the Namgung Clan, which pursued both the heavy sword and the swift sword.
Namgung Cheon smirked.
“Or perhaps you will regret giving up on one because you believed you couldn’t catch either from the start.”
“That will not happen. Jongnam is a sect that awakens the intent of the sword through the heavy sword. At the tip of the sword, someone’s life is always at stake. Whether it is the side that protects or the side that harms. That is why the sword must be heavy.”
“Then, please judge how heavy the sword of our clan is.”
“Anytime.”
Yun Gyeong twisted the corners of his mouth.
The heavy sword of the Namgung Clan?
What a joke.
Weren’t they just a fallen clan harboring the ridiculous greed of pursuing both swiftness and heaviness simultaneously?
The sword of the Namgung Clan could never surpass Jongnam in terms of power.
The Alliance Leader and the Jongnam Sect elder who were watching felt the same.
The elder, in particular, relaxed and scoffed inwardly.
‘It seems that child called the Divine Dragon has let down his guard after a stroke of luck worked. To think he would face our sect with a heavy sword. Ever since our founding patriarch, Jongnam has dug only one well, which is the heavy sword. Yet he wants to face us heavy sword against heavy sword? How pathetic… tsk tsk.’
In fact, Namgung Geom thought no differently.
“He is making an unreasonable move.”
When he let out a sound close to a sigh, Namgung Hwa, who sat beside him, asked cautiously.
“Is it… indeed difficult for the sword of our clan to match Jongnam in terms of power?”
“Nonsense.”
“Pardon?”
“What do you think of our clan? Our clan is a clan of kings. There is no way we would be pushed back by the likes of Jongnam.”
“But just now, Father, you said it was unreasonable…”
“Look at that child. Look at what he is trying to unleash now.”
“Ah…!”
Only then did Namgung Hwa let out a soft exclamation.
Namgung Cheon’s starting stance.
He stepped forward about half a step with his left foot and drew back his right foot by about a step. Then, he held the sword horizontally, a posture resembling nocking an arrow.
It was the Boundless Sky Sword Art.
The most basic of the basic sword arts of the Namgung Clan.
It was also the very first sword art taught to any child of the Namgung Clan who could hold even a stick.
While it was a sword art that emphasized solid basics to that extent, its power was not particularly strong.
If he was to stand against the heavy sword of the Jongnam Sect, he should have at least unleashed the Boundless Sky Limitless Sword Art…
‘Just what is he planning to do…’
While Namgung Hwa was anxious, Namgung Cheon circulated the Boundless Sky Great Expansion Divine Art with the attribute of the Fire phase.
Although the Boundless Sky Great Expansion Divine Art generally harbored the energy of the Metal phase, it was also closely related to the energy of the Fire phase, so transforming the nature of the Five Elements was not a difficult task.
Moreover, for Namgung Cheon, who had mastered all kinds of martial arts, it was easier than eating cold porridge.
‘Using the extreme of Fire to melt and refine Metal!’
As he conjured the mental image, the internal energy flowing along the meridians of Namgung Cheon’s entire body seemed to grow hotter and harden gradually.
In an instant,
Ta-at!
Namgung Cheon shot forward like an arrow.
“Whoa! So fast!”
“Namgung Cheon is attacking!”
“Is that really a heavy sword?”
Amid the cheers of the crowd, various comments burst forth.
Shiiiit!
Because he operated the Boundless Sky Great Expansion Divine Art with the energy of the Fire phase, his speed became even faster.
Yun Gyeong frowned and placed his finger against the flat of his blade.
‘This is a heavy sword? Is he joking right now?’
Wasn’t it too fast?
Furthermore, judging by the speed at which it was extended, anyone would see it as closer to a swift sword.
“Laughable!”
Yun Gyeong turned his blade and blocked the tip of Namgung Cheon’s sword.
‘A sword as light as this is…!’
At that moment, a sound like an explosion resounded.
Jjeoooong!
“…!”
Yun Gyeong stared wide-eyed.
‘W-what on earth is this…!’
The finger where he had concentrated his internal energy hurt as if it were about to break.
The palm holding the sword hilt felt like it was going to tear.
Yet there was no time to be surprised.
Before he knew it, Namgung Cheon spun his body and slashed his sword diagonally.
Yun Gyeong clenched his teeth and quickly turned his sword to block.
This time, he supported the flat of the blade with his palm, not his finger.
Kaaaang!
Along with a clear metallic clang, a numbness vibrated down his arm. It hurt as if his shoulder were about to dislocate. His pupils shook violently.
How could this be?
To be able to wield such weight this quickly?
Looking at the sword movements, they were too simple.
In fact, if he wanted to avoid it, he could.
However, if he did that, it would look pathetic.
He had boasted so much about Jongnam’s heavy sword being the best in the Central Plains, so if he avoided the clash now instead of blocking it?
The spectators would surely judge that Yun Gyeong had been frightened.
‘I cannot let that happen…!’
Yun Gyeong opened his eyes wide again.
Without giving him a moment to clear his head, Namgung Cheon soared into the air and plummeted down menacingly.
‘Could it be that he is using the exact same method as me…?’
Although the sword arts they unleashed were different, the form of the stance was similar.
As Namgung Cheon finally plunged like a comet and thrust his sword, a succession of metallic clangs rang out.
Ddang! Dda-dang! Ddang!
Kwajik! Koogoong!
“Urgh!”
A groan finally burst from Yun Gyeong’s mouth.
It felt as if a thousand-catty weight were falling from the sky.
The floor cracked, sending debris flying and dust swirling.
Withstanding that weight made it feel like his knee joints were about to give out.
If it had not been for the precious sword personally bestowed by the Sect Leader, his blade would have been shattered by now.
Jjeong!
Chwaaaaak!
Having finally received the last strike, Yun Gyeong slid backward for a long distance.
‘I am falling…!’
Clenching his teeth, he shifted his center of gravity forward and channeled all his internal energy into the soles of his feet.
Kwagagak!
Finally, the sliding Yun Gyeong came to a halt.
It was truly a hair’s breadth difference.
His heels protruded outside the spar arena.
Tak!
Barely taking a step forward, Yun Gyeong gasped for breath heavily.
“Heugh, heugh, heugh…!”
Only the sound of his breathing echoed in the vast Grand Martial Arena.
None of the spectators in the stands could open their mouths.
At the massive heavy sword of Namgung Cheon, everyone gaped with their mouths wide open, unable to find their words.
It was the same for Namgung Geom and Namgung Hwa.
Namgung Hwa muttered blankly, unable to take her eyes off Namgung Cheon.
“F-Father… how could that…?”
Even Namgung Geom, who was always cold and stern, trembled slightly around his eyes at this moment.
“Has he… completed it?”
“Pardon?”
Namgung Hwa looked back, startled.
No matter how basic the Boundless Sky Sword Art was, completing a single sword art was not as easy as it sounded.
It was common for the leaders of ordinary small and medium sects to end their lives having achieved only eighty percent of a single sword art, failing to complete it.
Yet… that young Namgung Cheon had completed the Boundless Sky Sword Art?
At the moment Namgung Hwa’s eyes shook violently, Yun Gyeong was also unable to hide his bewilderment.
‘He stopped his attack? Is he testing me right now?’
When his thoughts reached this point, Yun Gyeong’s expression distorted menacingly.
‘How dare he treat me like this!’