Chapter 135: 27th Floor. Murim (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 135: 27th Floor. Murim (4)
"Wind Blood Blade. Please step aside."
"……Are you certain?"
"Yes."
"Understood. Call for me immediately if anything happens."
Wind Blood Blade Chicheon departed, casting a suspicious glance at Kang Jun-hyeok. Faded Heaven Supreme took a deep breath and spoke.
"May I first check your pulse? It is difficult to confirm anything with the naked eye alone."
"By all means."
Kang Jun-hyeok readily offered his wrist. As Faded Heaven Supreme took his pulse, he momentarily froze.
"……You possess a remarkably unique physique."
Faded Heaven Supreme had sensed the inherent "otherness" of a Player’s body. Kang Jun-hyeok replied with a hint of admiration.
"It’s certainly not an ordinary body."
"Then, first, could you demonstrate the principles of the martial arts you possess?"
"I’ll start with the first principle."
Turning Adversity into Strength. Absorb Force to Break Momentum.
Internal energy began to move through his body in a peculiar rhythm.
"And next, the second principle. Self-Power Unification."
He displayed the two principles he had learned and realized. Faded Heaven Supreme, still monitoring the flow of internal energy through the pulse, let out a low groan.
"……This. This is..."
It was certain. This was something he could neither identify nor understand.
"How on earth can such a thing……"
Faded Heaven Supreme pressed a hand to his forehead as if dizzy. After barely managing to calm his confusion, he asked, "What exactly is it that you desire?"
"The application of these martial arts. And the overall method of using them."
He was still unable to perform even the first form of the Divine Art of the Master of All Weapons. Faded Heaven Supreme nodded as if he understood.
"You seek enlightenment."
"You could put it that way."
"Hmm."
Faded Heaven Supreme fell into deep thought.
Usually, he could discern all the strengths and weaknesses of a conventional martial art just by seeing it once. However, he could not grasp Kang Jun-hyeok’s martial arts, even after reading the flow of internal energy through his pulse. It was as if something from a higher dimension was wearing the mask of "martial arts."
That fact piqued Faded Heaven Supreme’s interest. A strange light began to flicker in his previously lifeless eyes.
"It will not be easy to grasp. I believe we will have to attempt several different methods. Would that be acceptable?"
"Of course."
"Very well."
Faded Heaven Supreme stood up with a smile.
"Then first, I must see how you actually handle your martial arts. Unfortunately, I possess a frail body incapable of practicing martial arts myself. Therefore, I shall ask another for assistance."
* * *
The middle-aged man, Wind Blood Blade Chicheon, frowned.
"You want me to spar with this man?"
"I am asking it as a favor."
"……Faded Heaven Supreme. If it is your request, then so be it."
In an empty clearing, Wind Blood Blade slowly drew his saber. Kang Jun-hyeok gripped his sword in response.
He said he was one of the Ten Great Masters.
The power scaling of the Murim world was higher than that of other planets. A master ranked within the top ten of such a world would undoubtedly be a powerhouse. In terms of pure internal energy alone, he was likely a far superior opponent.
In other words, it would be an excellent spar. Kang Jun-hyeok wore an expression of enjoyment. In contrast, Wind Blood Blade glared at him with eyes full of doubt.
"Then."
"Let’s begin."
Kang Jun-hyeok lunged forward. Wind Blood Blade tightened his grip on his saber. Sword and saber collided, ringing out with the screech of metal.
Clang!
Kang Jun-hyeok was currently attacking with nothing but raw strength and speed, without any particular technique. However, as long as his Player stats supported him, that alone constituted a formidable force. Though the attacks surpassed human limits, Wind Blood Blade parried them without much difficulty.
Screeeech!
As he blocked the strikes, Wind Blood Blade’s eyes remained cold. The suspicion in his gaze did not fade.
What is he plotting?
He believed Kang Jun-hyeok was a fraud. The basis for his distrust was very simple: There is no martial art that Faded Heaven Supreme cannot understand.
It was a narrow-minded belief, but for Wind Blood Blade, it was a truth akin to divine law. He did not doubt for a second that Kang Jun-hyeok had used some sorcery to deceive Faded Heaven Supreme’s eyes.
Clang! Clang!
Sword and saber clashed repeatedly. Wind Blood Blade furrowed his brows at the force he felt.
He is strong, at least.
Kang Jun-hyeok’s strength and speed were considerable—a speed one might lose track of if they didn't focus.
But that is all.
He felt nothing special. Just as the doubt on Wind Blood Blade’s face deepened, Kang Jun-hyeok lightly flicked his sword.
"That’s enough for a warm-up. Now, I’m going in for real."
With those words, Kang Jun-hyeok’s movements changed. His sword traced dizzying patterns, creating countless illusions. It was the swordsmanship he had learned: the White Sword Technique.
"Hmph!"
Wind Blood Blade’s expression changed for the first time.
Clash! Clash!
The dizzying strikes vanished as they struck a blade that moved like the wind. Taking his stance, Wind Blood Blade made a quick assessment.
A technique that creates countless strikes to confuse the opponent?
It was a high-level sword technique. It wouldn't fall far behind his own saber arts.
But I doubt this will satisfy Faded Heaven Supreme.
This man is a fraud. Just as that conviction grew stronger, Kang Jun-hyeok charged again.
This time, the swinging sword contained more than just a multitude of strikes. His Aura was leaving scars upon the world itself, occupying and pressuring the very space around them.
Scale Swordsmanship.
Wind Blood Blade’s eyes widened. He hurriedly gripped his saber. Wind erupted, pushing back against the distorted space.
BOOM!
"How?!"
Unless he was mistaken, Kang Jun-hyeok had just used two different sword techniques. Though his mastery seemed low, both were exceptional techniques that rivaled Wind Blood Blade’s own.
"How can you use such techniques simultaneously!"
That in itself was incomprehensible. But Wind Blood Blade’s shock didn't end there.
"Whew……"
Kang Jun-hyeok caught his breath. His internal energy began to move. He thrust his sword forward.
Clang!
Wind Blood Blade swung his saber to block. Kang Jun-hyeok’s assault did not stop. He struck the saber again, and again, and again. The power contained within began to amplify with every hit.
CLANG!
Finally, unable to withstand the force, Wind Blood Blade’s arm was knocked aside. Consternation filled his face.
"……This is!"
Step.
Kang Jun-hyeok took a step forward. His infinitely amplified sword struck down at Wind Blood Blade. Instinctively, Wind Blood Blade drew internal energy from his Dantian. The energy of the wind gathered in his saber.
CRASH!
The wind became a storm, lashing out at Kang Jun-hyeok. It tore up the surroundings, threatening to swallow him whole.
"Oh no!"
Wind Blood Blade’s face filled with regret. Despite it being a spar, he had felt threatened and used a formal technique. It was a power more than capable of shredding Kang Jun-hyeok’s body.
Screeeech.
However, Kang Jun-hyeok swung his sword rapidly. The power within the storm was swallowed by a bizarre principle and dissipated into the air. Wind Blood Blade let out a groan.
"……What on earth was that?"
"I think that’s enough."
Faded Heaven Supreme lightly clapped his hands.
"That was an excellent reference."
"You…… what are you? How can you use multiple sword techniques……"
"All things eventually return to one. If I had to say, it is all a single sword technique."
"…… All Streams Return to the Source."
Kang Jun-hyeok nodded. Faded Heaven Supreme spoke softly.
"The two sword techniques from before were not that remarkable. With his divine art, he could have swallowed them without much difficulty."
Wind Blood Blade wanted to deny it. The two sword techniques Kang Jun-hyeok had shown were incredibly profound. But the principle he had shown at the end—the technique that swallowed his power and grew even more massive—that was something he could not understand. He had felt a pressure that made him use a formal technique reflexively.
"I believe this is enough to clear Wind Blood Blade’s suspicions."
Kang Jun-hyeok smiled broadly. Wind Blood Blade flinched, his conscience pricked. However, he soon gave a slow nod.
* * *
Kang Jun-hyeok had earned Wind Blood Blade’s recognition.
Once he had the guardian’s approval, there were no further issues. He repeatedly allowed Faded Heaven Supreme to check his pulse to confirm the flow of internal energy and sparred with Wind Blood Blade from time to time.
In the process, he became more accustomed to handling internal energy. It was a very productive time—both for him and for the Master of All Weapons.
[You seem to be enjoying yourself.]
[It is not bad to watch the progress of the younger generation.]
The Master of All Weapons replied cheerfully to Eldiria’s remark. And finally, Faded Heaven Supreme succeeded in understanding the martial arts of the Master of All Weapons.
"Try following the flow of internal energy as I describe. Start from the Dantian, go through the Cheonchu, then through the Yugeun to the Duyou. From there, descend all the way to the Haegye in one go, pause once at the Dokbi, and then return to the Duyou."
Faded Heaven Supreme explained the flow of internal energy. It was quite complex, but while Kang Jun-hyeok lacked talent for martial arts, he did not lack knowledge. He succeeded in circulating the internal energy without much difficulty.
As a result, the flow of his internal energy changed.
It began to circulate through his entire body. Like a rushing muddy stream, yet like a branch extending along a river toward the sea, it began to amplify. Kang Jun-hyeok’s eyes widened. The Master of All Weapons spoke softly.
[ Soryu Great River Pill.]
The small stream circulates into the ring of a great river.
[It is the third principle of my martial arts. Congratulations. You have succeeded in learning all the basic principles. You have taken a decent first step.]
[ The proficiency of the Divine Art has increased. ]
[ The proficiency of the Mental Method has increased. ]
He had finally succeeded in learning the basics of the martial art. When he shared this fact, joy filled Faded Heaven Supreme’s face.
"It was the correct answer. Circulating the flow over and over to turn it into a larger stream, and then controlling it perfectly. To think such a martial art exists. It is truly unbelievable."
When they first met, Faded Heaven Supreme’s face had looked utterly uninterested in the world. He had been like a corpse, placing no value on the lives of others or even his own. But now, he looked incredibly excited. His face was full of life. Seeing this, Wind Blood Blade’s eyes wavered.
"You’ve finally mastered all the basics. Next will be the forms that utilize these principles. It will be a difficult time. I look forward to working with you."
"The pleasure is mine."
"Yes. Then, immediately……"
At that moment, Faded Heaven Supreme’s legs gave way. Wind Blood Blade hurriedly caught him.
"Faded Heaven Supreme! Have you overexerted yourself?"
"Ah…… I am fine."
"No. You must rest. Kang Jun-hyeok, we will take a break for a day. Train on your own during that time."
Kang Jun-hyeok nodded.
That night.
The Master of All Weapons spoke in a cheerful tone.
[I admit it. That child is a genius.]
[Is he that good?]
[Eldiria. Do you remember those who came seeking to learn my martial arts?]
[Supreme Heavenly Sacred Sword. The Sword Emperor. Asura Heavenly Son. There were too many to count. Though none of them could understand even the first principle.]
[Indeed. Yet this child, while unable to handle a single drop of internal energy himself, grasped the principles. It didn't even take him a week. Even with this fellow’s full support, it is nothing short of a miracle.]
The voice of the Master of All Weapons held a hint of regret.
[That is why it is a pity. If only that child’s body were whole, he would have achieved great things.]
[The heavens do not grant everything. You know that well, don't you?]
[That is what makes it so cruel. But even now, his talent is on a different level. And such talent tends to breed conflict.]
Kang Jun-hyeok, who had been lying down, opened his eyes. Thanks to the effect of Ears That Hear Many Things, he could hear even the faint sounds that others could not.
And into those ears came the sound of someone approaching, cutting through the fields. The Master of All Weapons spoke playfully.
[The Son of the Murim Alliance Leader, was it? The light in his eyes was unusual. I didn't think he would give up so easily.]
"I can't let that happen."
Faded Heaven Supreme was his.
Kang Jun-hyeok opened the door and stepped outside.