Chapter 61
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 61
Chapter Title: Taiji
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So-hyang sliced the space beneath her feet ever so finely with each step, creating a foothold, then pushed off it strongly to move swiftly.
It was different from her previous Void Step technique.
The cross-section of space she stepped on made the foothold virtually indestructible, fully bearing her power.
She could even apply greater force than stepping on solid ground, and the foothold held firm, infusing her movements with even more power.
"Switch to offense and defense!"
Until now, Qinghe Zhenren had unilaterally pressed the attack, but this time, it was So-hyang's turn.
A barrage assaulting from all directions—up, down, left, right—fully exploiting the aerial battlefield.
A fierce offense occupying every angle; even a considerable expert would find it grueling...
"Heh heh, quite fearsome."
Qinghe Zhenren chuckled warmly and drew a circle.
A circle drawn by his sword.
The circle symbolized circulation, harmony without beginning or end.
The reason for drawing a circle when depicting Taiji.
Because yin and yang were not originally different; they were two yet one.
From the origin of Wuji came Taiji, yet the two were ultimately the same.
Wuji birthing Taiji.
So-hyang's sword was wholly deflected and diverted by the perfectly circular swing.
"Taiji Sword...!"
A broad smile bloomed on So-hyang's face.
Different from the sect leader who delved into the profound mysteries of the Five Elements, more suited to qi arts, to forge his own path beyond Wudang's foundational and ultimate arts.
This was the essence itself, exactly as So-hyang had envisioned upon arriving at Wudang.
"Ahaha! How many years has it been...!"
The sensation of her strikes being deflected—it had been truly ages.
She had deflected opponents' swords as easily as eating rice, but being on the receiving end? Decades, at least?
Even counting her previous life, it was from far in the past. Her swordsmanship had already peaked in her youth.
"...Now, try deflecting this too!"
So-hyang swung her sword again.
This time, a bit more leisurely than before, tracing a softer arc.
Qinghe Zhenren swung in response, drawing a circle according to Taiji principles.
Their swords met.
"What."
Astonishment escaped Qinghe Zhenren's lips.
So-hyang's sword, meeting the pinnacle Taiji Sword, did not simply divert as before; it clung tightly, vying for power.
Not through forceful heavy or strong sword, pushing with brute strength.
"...Heh, unbelievable. Challenging a Wudang swordmaster with Flowing Sword?"
Flowing Sword: receiving the opponent's attack with a soft stance and diverting its trajectory.
A late-developing Wudang art, exemplified by the defensive-based Taiji Sword.
So-hyang was deflecting that very Taiji Sword.
As each diverted the other's sword, the two blades clung, grinding with a harsh rasp.
Gang Qi-clad swords clashing produced no sparks, but instead, qi fragments burst like powder.
An even match.
So-hyang's Spirit Sword and Qinghe Zhenren's Pine Pattern Ancient Sword held deadlock, neither yielding nor advancing.
"...Ha."
Qinghe Zhenren's Taiji Sword stemmed from exquisite internal energy control born of Wudang's history.
Yet So-hyang's sword derived purely from power distribution and wrist finesse.
"-Roughly like this, right?"
And in that instant, So-hyang grasped the knack of Qinghe Zhenren's Flowing Sword through observation.
The hand-feel transmitted along the blade, insights from enveloping divine sense.
No need to delve to the roots or recreate deep Taiji comprehension.
Just the basic flow of rotating internal energy to softly envelop the opponent's sword.
At once, the taut balance collapsed.
"...Ha, full of surprises."
Qinghe Zhenren's eyes turned subtly vacant as his arm was flung aside by So-hyang's sword.
Déjà vu.
Qinghe Zhenren had experienced this before.
Before the appearance of the War God Sima Yulcheon, martial artists were not particularly remarkable.
Superior to common folk, yes, but few were true superhumans with absolute gaps.
Even peak realm emitting sword light earned titles like Ten Great Under Heaven.
Transcendent realm with Bone Transformation and Gang Qi was mere legend, fantasy.
But after the War God's integration of motion and stillness, Central Plains martial arts exploded developmentally.
Peak experts are still rare, but plentiful across the land; Transcendents number over a hundred.
Peak warriors resist numerical superiority; Transcendents crush armies.
Even Flower Realm venerables defy such measures.
Officials do not invade martial world.
Well water does not mix with river water.
Recognizing street thugs or local clans as formal powers, granting partial autonomy—an unthinkable policy before.
Only such upheaval made it feasible; even an empire couldn't suppress them all.
Punish massacres or open law-breaking harshly, but ignore infighting.
Someone might ask: What if sects rebel, eyeing the throne? What of superhumans storming the palace?
The answer is simple. Does the empire lack warriors?
Among Five Great Families, Nine Great Sects, Evil Alliance, Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, the empire dominates as a single force.
It adopted War God's theories fastest.
Even in pure might, sans wealth, manpower, authority, legitimacy, it rules as Central Plains' pinnacle.
And above all, the Imperial Family exists.
From ancient times without script, the Yellow Dragon protected and ruled humanity.
After Demonic Chaos, most great beings ascended or were devoured by mad humans.
Mythic age ended early, yet some remained—like the empire's founder.
An ancient dragon overlooking the mortal world since primordial times.
Even without ancestor's power, imperial blood grants superhuman abilities.
Imperial authority, capital, loyalty.
Legions and martial officers' might.
Plus imperial powers.
If serious, the empire could eradicate all martial artists, erasing the concept.
Huge sacrifices, but theoretically possible.
Thus, the martial world bares no fangs under imperial rule, fights internally without crossing lines.
Messing with the empire means collective crushing; even alliances self-police under justice pretexts.
Exemplified by Orthodox Alliance led by Murim Alliance, and Evil Alliance formed for it.
Local protection rackets or usury tolerated moderately.
But virgin essence harvesting or massacres for grudges—even evil sects abhor.
They'd flip out, behead demonic heads, desperately avoiding excess.
To survive.
Empire non-interferes unless massive, but once provoked, total purge.
Then you're done.
Fear is useful governance; even rogues toe the line to live.
Thus formed today's martial world.
Post-War God 400 years ago, explosive martial growth.
Through century transition, birthing official-martial non-aggression.
Qinghe Zhenren was born at that transition's end.
Unknown parents abandoned him at mountain gate; Wudang Daoists raised and taught him.
Diligent, gentle child, absorbing Dao teachings, cultivating pure heart.
But mediocre martial talent.
Reached peak at forty—slow for prestigious arts.
No explosive growth like future disciple; steady tortoise-like practice suiting orthodox arts.
Taming wild sword qi, refining mind, accumulating step by step.
Expected to bury without breaching Transcendent wall, like most.
Then, at age hundred.
140 years ago.
A shocking event led to Transcendence.
Aged body reverted to child's; power leaped dimensions.
Yet against faced crisis, mere Transcendent power helped little.
Blood Cult's uprising.
Before reasonless calamity worst since Demonic Chaos, even Transcendents were sturdy humans.
Bone Transformation frees lifespan limits.
War God said not true immortality, but ~1000 years—practically so, barely 400 years since established.
Few like Qinghe Zhenren fully enjoy it.
All dead.
Thus, current Heavenly Hundred Masters, Four Stars One Tyrant Transcendents are mostly youthful under 100.
Youngsters enjoy peace on seniors' corpses and sacrifices.
Proud, meaningful.
...Really?
No, impossible.
They contributed nothing to ending that horrific war.
Mazun descending amid extermination era.
Crown Prince stepping forth for suffering people.
Zhuge genius monster, Chen Zun.
Arrow flattening half murim, Bow Zun, Evil Alliance Lord.
And Sword Zun, Namgung's divine youth...
In 70-year Blood Cult war before transcendents intervened, Qinghe helped naught.
Heavens.
Why so powerless, foolish one?
Transcendents.
Why not end war sooner with such power?
Why watch friends become blood, fallen wretches?
No, not that.
I know.
Not blaming you.
You did your best.
Blood Cult's cunning exceeded bounds.
Pestilence even Flower Venerables couldn't eradicate easily, elusive horror.
Just self-reproach for inadequacy.
Ruminating distant past's despair and inferiority, Qinghe snapped alert to a white sword flash.
"Ah."
"What distractions during fight?"
Apologizing to junior's sullen gaze.
"Sorry. Old memories surfaced..."
Blood Cult uprising and this junior surpassing him evoked similar past, filling mind with stray thoughts.
"I get the sentiment, but missing so easily feels slighting...?"
Understanding circumstances and deep worries, but mood rising for fun sword clash—why zone out?
Aware of his shameful warrior lapse, Qinghe shook head, refocusing.
Trust self-built achievements, not swayed by external distractions.
Answer known, within.
Qinghe slowly traced Pine Pattern Ancient Sword's engravings with finger.
Faint pine scent at fingertip.
Steadying heart, draw circle again.
Wudang's years, ancient Dao scriptures, profound Taiji insights.
Wudang arts begin and end with Taiji.
Succession absolute art, Taiji Insight Sword.
"Come."
Pine Pattern Ancient Sword began circling again.
More perfect than before, true origin circle.