Chapter 34: Falcon Warrior Na Yuk-hyeong (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 34: Falcon Warrior Na Yuk-hyeong (2)
“Hurry!”
The moment So Woon-hwi threw himself toward Falcon Warrior Na Yuk-hyeong, Sama Yeong’s mind began to race.
She had ventured into the Central Plains’ martial world behind her father’s back. This was the first time she had encountered an enemy that made her feel a genuine threat to her life. To make matters worse, the enemy was accompanied by subordinates who could be considered masters in their own right.
It’s dangerous.
So Woon-hwi’s judgment was correct. It would be foolish for everyone to focus on that one man right now. Even if they somehow managed to take down Na Yuk-hyeong, they might not have enough strength left to deal with the remaining enemies.
Having reached that conclusion, she immediately sprang into action.
Swish!
Leaping forward, she swung her sword toward Na Yuk-hyeong’s subordinates. She targeted the one with the strongest presence among the group. He was a middle-aged man in his thirties with sharp, slit-like eyes—Myeongjeong, the disciple of Falcon Warrior Na Yuk-hyeong.
A first-rate master, he had learned the art of the whip from his master. Myeongjeong sneered at her. Of all the people to challenge, she had committed the folly of coming for him?
“Foolish girl.”
Myeongjeong lashed out with his whip, intending to keep Sama Yeong from closing the distance. However, her movements far exceeded his expectations. The unique footwork of Moon Evil Sword Sama Chak was thoroughly designed to deceive and bewilder the opponent’s vision.
Sama Yeong vanished from Myeongjeong’s sight.
She’s gone?
She hadn't truly disappeared; she had simply moved beyond the range of his vision. Myeongjeong hurriedly redirected his whip toward the source of a sudden sound.
Cr-crack!
The whip spiraled and curved, lunging like a snake toward the noise. Myeongjeong naturally assumed she would retreat. Instead, Sama Yeong was sliding across the ground, burrowing inward in an incredibly low stance. Her sword swept toward Myeongjeong’s ankles.
“Huh?”
Myeongjeong leaped upward without a second thought. In that instant, he experienced the worst pain he had ever felt in his life.
Thuck!
“!!!”
Her sword curved as if it had been aiming there from the very beginning, piercing him right in the groin.
“Aaaaaagh!”
It wasn't just anywhere; he had been hit in his vitals. The indescribable agony shattered Myeongjeong’s composure. In that moment of vulnerability, her sword pierced his jaw and erupted through the crown of his head.
“Gurgle!”
With a final, choked gasp, Myeongjeong died instantly. Who could have predicted that the top disciple of Falcon Warrior Na Yuk-hyeong would be slain by a nameless youth he had never even heard of?
Na Yuk-hyeong’s subordinates were momentarily speechless. Sama Yeong provoked them further.
“We’re short on time, so all of you come at me at once.”
“Y-you bastard!”
“Kill her!”
Na Yuk-hyeong’s men attacked her simultaneously. Despite the precarious situation, Sama Yeong didn't shrink back in the slightest as she engaged the enemies.
Ha…
Watching her, Jo Seong-won stuck out his tongue in disbelief. He knew from their sparring sessions that all her techniques were strictly focused on killing the opponent, but he hadn't realized it was to this extent. Aiming for the enemies' eyes was just a basic move for her.
[What are you doing?! If you don't hurry, the Deputy Unit Leader is in danger!]
Startled by her Secret Sound Transmission, Jo Seong-won realized his lapse and threw himself toward the enemies.
*
Sssssss!
Steam rose from my entire body. It was a phenomenon caused by the rapid circulation of blood, which raised my body temperature and evaporated the moisture within.
The True Blood Golden Body can only be learned by those with a special constitution. To endure it, the body must be built up significantly. Unlike Haeakcheon or the twins, the amount of time I could use this in actual combat wouldn't even last a few minutes.
“What on earth is that…?”
He must be puzzled. It was a trick he would never have seen from the Namcheon Sword Guest. Without hesitation, I lunged straight at Na Yuk-hyeong. The combination of five stars of Life Bright Divine Art and the True Blood Golden Body brought an explosive surge to my capabilities.
Flash!
In an instant, I closed the gap. My movement speed had increased to a point where even I found it hard to believe. However, my opponent was the Falcon Warrior, Na Yuk-hyeong.
“Hmph!”
Na Yuk-hyeong lashed his whip at me. It cut through the air in a billowing wave. How many weapons could utilize such a wide range?
True Illuminating Shadow Sword!
The third formation of the True Life Bright Sword Technique: Illuminating Shadow Sword. The sword curved into eight branches, stretching out like supple willow branches. The sword technique collided with the whip that surged like a tide.
Clang-clang-clang-clang!
The whip Na Yuk-hyeong wielded moved as if it were alive, twisting freely like a snake to deflect the strikes of the Illuminating Shadow Sword. Even if a sword is supple, it cannot match the flexibility of a whip. This contest of softness against softness actually worked to my disadvantage.
Sensing he had gained the upper hand in the exchange, the whip that had been curving softly suddenly soared upward before plunging down with domineering force, like a dragon striking with its tail. I blocked it by holding my sword at an angle. Maintaining that state, I relaxed my strength, bent my legs, and then sprang forward like a coiled spring.
True Hidden Convergence Void Sword!
The second formation of the Life Bright Sword Technique: Hidden Convergence Void Sword. It was a counter-technique designed to take the opponent’s attack and strike back.
Pang!
Normally, the technique would have flowed directly from that position, but the force of the whip was too strong, and the distance was too great, so I had no choice but to leap forward.
Swish!
Whirrrrr!
The moment I lunged, the whip spiraled into a whirlwind, shielding his body. It was amazing that he could handle a whip in such a manner. But I had to find a gap somehow.
—Give it a shock.
The Namcheon Iron Sword spoke to me. I had the same thought, so I swung my sword toward the whirling whip with ten stars of internal power.
“Do you think you can break through?!”
The rotation of the whip accelerated.
Clang!
The moment the sword struck the whip, a strange metallic ring erupted. Simultaneously, the rotating whip coiled around my sword. Na Yuk-hyeong’s eyes widened.
“Ho?”
I was also inwardly surprised. I had been half-doubting myself because I was outmatched in internal power, but with my body strengthened by the True Blood Golden Body, I was able to withstand the force contained in the whip. However, my feet were pushed back more than a step. The gap had narrowed significantly compared to before, but Na Yuk-hyeong still held the advantage in power.
Still, this is doable.
At the very least, it was now possible to trade blows. If the difference is too overwhelming, there is no answer when the opponent pushes with pure internal power.
—Hurry, Woon-hwi. The True Blood Golden Body leaves a heavy toll on the physical body.
I know.
The time I could maintain the True Blood Golden Body was short. Furthermore, once it deactivated, my body would suffer a massive overload.
I have to break free.
To uncoil the whip from my sword and attack Na Yuk-hyeong, I unleashed the sixth formation of the Life Bright Sword Technique.
True Chasing Return Sword!
I stomped the ground firmly and lunged forward. Then, from a piercing stance, I twisted the hand pulling the sword to the left. The coiled whip began to unravel as the sword rotated. At that moment—
Snap!
“Urgh!”
Before it could fully uncoil, Na Yuk-hyeong yanked the whip hard. He must have exerted ten stars of power as well, because my body was lifted into the air and pulled toward him.
“I’ve got you, brat.”
Na Yuk-hyeong’s left hand formed a claw like a hawk’s talon, reaching out to crush my heart.
—Woon-hwi!
I quickly drew the Lesser Conversation Sword with my left hand and executed the Eight Thunder Short Sword Art. Na Yuk-hyeong’s left hand, which had been performing the claw technique, shifted mid-motion to dodge the dagger and cunningly targeted my wrist.
Smack!
A stinging pain shot through my arm, and I dropped the Lesser Conversation Sword.
—Ah!
Na Yuk-hyeong kicked the falling Lesser Conversation Sword aside like a bolt of lightning. The dagger flew far away from his kick.
“A fledgling after all.”
Na Yuk-hyeong curled his lip into a smirk and lunged his claw toward my chest again. It was then.
Sh-sh-sh-sh!
Na Yuk-hyeong’s pupils trembled. Reflected in his eyes was something thin and glittering like a thread. Startled, he hurriedly used his footwork to throw his body to the side.
Slash!
At the same time, something grazed his ear. It was the Lesser Conversation Sword.
Tch.
The moment the Lesser Conversation Sword had been kicked away, I had released the Silver Smoke Thread to snag the hilt and pull it back. Unfortunately, my trump card had failed to land a decisive blow.
Touch.
Touching his slightly nicked ear, Na Yuk-hyeong wore an expression of utter disbelief.
“What the hell are you?”
That was exactly what I wanted to say. He was a monster. To perceive the Silver Smoke Thread aiming for his blind spot in that split second… I hurriedly threw the Lesser Conversation Sword at him again.
Swish!
I had practiced the Flash Shadow Throwing Dagger Technique with my left hand relentlessly. This was the chance to see how effective it would be in a real fight.
“Hmph!”
As the Lesser Conversation Sword flew toward him, Na Yuk-hyeong tried to snatch it out of the air. At that moment, I extended my arm to the side and yanked.
Snap! Snap!
The trajectory of the Lesser Conversation Sword bent twice in mid-air, evading his claw and veering toward his left thigh. If I had mastered it further, I could have added more variations, but this was my current limit. Na Yuk-hyeong desperately yanked his whip.
Damn it!
Because of that, my body, which was holding the sword, was pulled, causing the Lesser Conversation Sword to miss its mark. I infused the Silver Smoke Thread with Innate True Qi once more and pulled. The Lesser Conversation Sword flew toward his back.
Whirrrr!
“Do you think the same trick will work twice?!”
Na Yuk-hyeong quickly spun his body and kicked the Lesser Conversation Sword upward. In that state, he brought his palm down toward the Silver Smoke Thread.
“I’ll snap it!”
Ting!
“!?”
Na Yuk-hyeong’s eyes went wide. I had been inwardly anxious, but despite his profound internal power, the Silver Smoke Thread did not break.
“This is no ordinary string.”
Na Yuk-hyeong was amazed by the resilience of the Silver Smoke Thread. However, he immediately grabbed the thread and tried to pull it out of my hand.
Thump!
I didn't miss the opportunity and let my body be pulled by his strength.
“What?”
The moment the distance closed, I stomped the ground fiercely and unleashed the True Chasing Return Sword once more.
Whirl!
As the sword rotated, the half-coiled whip was thrown off. Then, the Chasing Return Sword spiraled like a storm, surging toward Na Yuk-hyeong’s head with tempestuous momentum. Na Yuk-hyeong, who had been trying to pull the Silver Smoke Thread, hurriedly retreated and swung his right hand down harshly in a diagonal arc.
Crack! Slash!
In that instant, the freed whip writhed and lashed my right calf, which had just stomped the ground.
“Guh!”
It felt as if my leg was being severed. Fortunately, because I was protected by the True Blood Golden Body, it wasn't cut off. I gritted my teeth and completed the technique, but my posture was forced out of alignment, and the Chasing Return Sword missed.
Crazy!
He avoided the technique just by slightly tilting his head. He had calculated this in that tiny window of time.
“I finally have you!”
Not missing the opening, Na Yuk-hyeong kicked me in the chest.
Thud!
“Urgh!”
With a pain that felt like my internal organs were being turned inside out, my body was sent flying backward. Na Yuk-hyeong yanked his whip and prepared to lunge at me. At that moment, I infused the Silver Smoke Thread with Innate True Qi.
Zip! Thuck!
“Argh!”
The Silver Smoke Thread coiled back in, and the dagger buried itself in his back. Even for him, this was something that happened in a flash, so he couldn't avoid it. However, the moment the Lesser Conversation Sword pierced his back, he threw himself forward to prevent it from sinking deep.
“You miserable brat!”
With a roar, he ripped the Lesser Conversation Sword out and hurled it at me. I hurriedly leaned back to dodge the dagger flying at incredible speed.
Whoosh!
The Lesser Conversation Sword, tethered to the Silver Smoke Thread, flew past me and stopped. But because it carried Na Yuk-hyeong’s internal power, my left arm was jerked backward, and I had to spin my body violently to kill the momentum.
Spin-spin-spin-spin!
“Kh!”
Barely managing to kill the momentum, I landed on the ground. Dizziness washed over me.
“Huff… huff…”
My breathing became ragged. My mouth was so dry I couldn't even swallow. The time limit for maintaining the True Blood Golden Body was steadily approaching.
Dammit.
Na Yuk-hyeong was distinctly different from the enemies I had faced so far. Like a master who had reached the Supreme Peak Realm, he responded to all my attacks with a variety of methods. I hadn't realized that experience could make such a massive difference. He was an incredibly difficult opponent.
The corners of Na Yuk-hyeong’s mouth curled up.
“You’ve finally reached your limit.”
He had noticed my condition from my heavy breathing. He then increased the distance between us. It seemed he intended to stall for time and wait for the True Blood Golden Body to wear off. Despite being more skilled than me, he was meticulously cautious.
Na Yuk-hyeong said mockingly, “Are you really the disciple of the Namcheon Sword Guest? The symptoms appearing in your body right now… it’s like I’m looking at the True Blood Golden Body of that freak, Haeakcheon.”
“!?”
He recognized the True Blood Golden Body. I knew he was a master of the same generation as the Namcheon Sword Guest and Haeakcheon, but I didn't expect him to figure it out so quickly. When I remained silent and tried to steady my breathing, his eyes narrowed.
“Just what is your identity? How can one person possess the skills of the greatest masters who have vanished from the world?”
“Ha… ha… I have no obligation to answer. But if you want to know, I might consider it if you get down on your knees.”
I provoked him on purpose. If he kept his distance and continued to attack with the whip, I would inevitably be at a disadvantage.
Na Yuk-hyeong muttered in a voice thick with killing intent, “Hmph! It doesn't matter. Once I cut off all your limbs and make you talk, I can find out whenever I want.”
True to his nature as a villain of the Evil Faction, he spoke of horrific things with ease. I concentrated my energy as much as possible. If I faltered even slightly, I would surely be defeated.
Then, Na Yuk-hyeong’s expression stiffened.
“What is this?”
His gaze was fixed on the area where Sama Yeong, Jo Seong-won, and his subordinates were fighting. While we were preoccupied with our duel, more than half of his men had been killed. I had been glancing over to keep track of them, and Sama Yeong was moving through the enemies like a whirlwind, picking them off one by one. She was truly the daughter of Moon Evil Sword Sama Chak.
Grit!
Na Yuk-hyeong’s face contorted hideously as he saw someone lying dead. It appeared to be a cherished subordinate or disciple. Though he could have been blinded by rage, his gaze remained fixed on Sama Yeong, who was unleashing vicious, peerless sword techniques. He looked back and forth between me and Sama Yeong.
“So you had something to rely on.”
Judging that all his subordinates would be dead in a short time if she continued, the momentum of Na Yuk-hyeong, who had been trying to stall, shifted. He was going to settle this now.
“To think I would have to use my secret technique on a brat like you, who isn't even that Hojongdae fellow.”
Whish! Whish! Whish! Whish!
Na Yuk-hyeong began to rotate the whip in his hand from side to side. The speed of the whip, rotating in a figure-eight (∞) pattern, gradually increased until the ground it touched began to crumble as if it were soft tofu. The whip, serving as both offense and defense, showed no openings whatsoever. If my body were caught in that, I would be torn to shreds like a piece of meat.
My hands and feet began to tremble. The fear that I could die if I made a mistake… To say I wasn't afraid because I had died once before would be a lie.
Just then, the voice of the Namcheon Iron Sword echoed in my mind.
—Woon-hwi. Did you say memories are but a fleeting moment?
“?”
In that instant, a blue light flickered from the dot of the Heavenly Secret on the back of my hand. My vision blurred, and the scene before me changed. I saw a much younger Na Yuk-hyeong, and he was unleashing the same figure-eight secret technique he was using now.
This is…
—Concentrate.
No sooner had the Namcheon Iron Sword’s voice faded than the young Na Yuk-hyeong performing the secret technique lunged forward with terrifying speed. An exchange of blows followed. In a split second, the duel was decided.
Ah!
The scene before my eyes shifted again, returning to the moment before Na Yuk-hyeong unleashed his secret technique. The Namcheon Iron Sword said to me:
—Endure it, Woon-hwi.
Realizing its intention, I silently focused on its memory. My current physical state was not one that could maintain the Heavenly Secret, but the past duel between the Namcheon Sword Guest and Na Yuk-hyeong was the only clue to winning this fight.
Once, twice, three times, four times, five times.
Cough.
My insides twisted, and blood trickled from my mouth. With my stamina exhausted from using the True Blood Golden Body, this was my limit. The Heavenly Secret dissipated like smoke, and I returned to reality. Through the terrifyingly rotating whip, I saw the corners of Na Yuk-hyeong’s mouth turn up. Seeing me bleed, he seemed certain of his victory.
“Die!”
With the force of a hurricane, Na Yuk-hyeong’s form lunged forward. The wind pressure alone felt like it would blow me away. It possessed far greater power than the secret technique in the memory I had seen through the Heavenly Secret six times.
Concentrate. I have to concentrate.
I stared intensely at the very center. The heart of the rotation. That microscopic gap.
Flash!
As if charging toward death itself, I threw myself into Na Yuk-hyeong’s secret technique. Drawing up ten stars of internal power, I thrust my sword toward the center of the rotation without a moment’s hesitation.
Clatter-clatter-clatter!
“Gwaaaah!”
The hand holding the sword shook so violently it felt like the flesh would be ripped off. In that state, I gritted my teeth and stomped the ground with all my might.
Reverse Chasing Return Sword!
I had never performed it before, but I had internalized the Namcheon Sword Guest’s memory six times. As the sword rotated in the opposite direction, a crack appeared in the rotation of the whip that had been raging like a typhoon in a figure-eight pattern.
Crack-crack-crack!
The moment I pushed the sword forward, the whip that had been rotating so terrifyingly came to a halt. Na Yuk-hyeong’s pupils shook. Had he discovered the shadow of the Namcheon Sword Guest in my sword?
Then, his eyes flashed as he laughed.
“Do you think I wouldn't have compensated for the weakness of my secret technique?!”
With those words, he tried to rotate his right hand, which was holding the whip, in the opposite direction. At that moment, I yanked my left hand back violently.
Snap!
With that, the whip he was trying to rotate stopped mid-motion.
Crack!
“Agh!”
It felt as if my left shoulder had been ripped out of its socket.
“What?!”
Na Yuk-hyeong couldn't hide his bewilderment at the whip that had suddenly stopped. The Silver Smoke Thread was entangled around the end of his whip. Because I had to endure his immense internal power with one arm, my left arm had been dislocated.
—Now!
Even though it was painful, this was the only chance. I used the last of my remaining strength to thrust my sword toward his only eye.
Flash!
“Kh!”
Pale with shock at the scene unfolding exactly as it had in the past, Na Yuk-hyeong let go of the whip and threw himself backward. It was at that very moment.
My body slid horizontally like a hawk, catching up to him in an instant. Na Yuk-hyeong’s one eye widened.
“T-this!”
Startled by the body lightening method that had closed the gap in an instant, he tried to raise his hand, but it was already too late. My sword pierced his only eye.
Thuck!
“Aaaaaaaaagh!”
A scream like a death rattle erupted from Na Yuk-hyeong’s mouth as his eye was pierced. I applied more strength, intending to drive the sword straight through his face.
Grip!
Then, Na Yuk-hyeong grabbed the sword embedded in his eye. Was it a final burst of energy before death? The hand gripping the sword didn't budge.
“Gwaaaah! You bastard! Let’s go together!”
In that state, he reached out toward my face. With my left arm dislocated, I didn't have the strength to block his final desperate struggle. I felt a chill, thinking it would end in mutual destruction.
It was at that very moment.
Slash!
“Gurgle!”
A final scream was heard. Then, his hand stopped right in front of my nose. The hand, which had been trembling as if having a seizure, soon fell downward.
“!?”
As the hand blocking my view fell away, I saw blood spraying from his severed neck. Behind him stood Sama Yeong, her body covered in wounds and her sword drenched in blood.
Ha!
She had appeared at the perfect moment to decapitate Na Yuk-hyeong. Sama Yeong, who was breathing heavily from exhaustion, gave me a bright smile.
“I wasn't too late, was I?”