Chapter 739: Oops, a mistake. (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 739: Oops, a mistake. (3)
Drip.
“Cough.”
Blood trickled from Yung Pung’s nose and mouth.
The shock must have been considerable; he couldn't even seem to get his bearings. Worse, he had been sent flying to the very edge of the arena. If the stage hadn't been expanded for the main tournament, Yung Pung would have been eliminated by ring-out then and there.
Damn.
I hit him harder than I intended.
I hadn't meant to put him in such a state with a single blow. My fist had simply flown out on its own.
Of all the faces to see...
That damn, unpleasant-looking old geezer.
I’d only ever gotten one good look at him, but the moment I saw that face, I threw my fist. Was it instinct?
What was that?
I frowned, watching Yung Pung sputter. Now, he looked like himself again. He was back to normal, as if the vision I’d just seen was a lie.
So, what in the world just happened?
It didn't seem intentional.
It wasn't a technique in the realm of illusions or formations. That meant Yung Pung hadn't done it on purpose. Furthermore...
The crowd's reaction hasn't changed.
If they had seen the transformation, they would have been in an uproar. But the audience was only surprised to see Yung Pung get knocked down; they didn't seem to have noticed anything right before the impact.
Which meant...
Only I saw it.
It was a phenomenon that occurred only for me.
That face just now… it was Elder Shin's.
The face I saw in the shattering vessel. The memory was still vivid, unforgettable. What I had glimpsed on Yung Pung was undoubtedly the Elder's face.
How could this be?
As I was mulling over the sudden situation, Yung Pung began to move.
“Huu… Huk…”
He was slowly getting to his feet. The bleeding had stopped; it seemed he'd used his internal Qi to staunch the wounds. He staggered up and stretched out his hand.
Clang! Shrrk!!
The sword he had dropped hissed back into his grasp.
“Huuu…”
Immediately after, Yung Pung steadied his breathing and took his stance. In that instant, the scent of plum blossoms, which had vanished, began to fill the air once more.
“My apologies… I was too excited and failed to react properly.”
The words sounded strange coming from his badly swollen nose and lips, but his eyes were deadly serious.
“Thank you for holding back.”
“...”
I gave a slight nod in response.
I had been surprised that he’d flown back so far, but Yung Pung’s condition was different from what I expected.
The damage is less than I thought.
It was a punch thrown in surprise. It wasn't my full strength, but it was still quite powerful. And yet...
He blocked it with Combat Qi.
Just before the fist landed, Yung Pung had gathered his energy to block my attack. The Combat Qi, formed from plum blossom petals, had absorbed the impact. That's why he was able to get back up.
He's gotten stronger.
Much stronger than the last time I saw him. Back then, Yung Pung was a mess, unable to even control his own energy properly. Because of that, he had been on equal, or even lower, footing in his fight against Seong Yul.
But now...
He hasn't reached it yet, but his presence is no different from someone in the Fusion Realm.
At the very least, his aura was. The energy he hadn't yet mastered would soon become a seed. And it wouldn't take long for that seed to sprout.
However...
Is it truly yours?
I wanted to ask him.
That power you possess—is it really your own?
Thump.
Thump.
Every time Yung Pung raised his presence, every time plum blossom petals burst forth from him, a familiar, faint scent brushed past my nose. My heart began to pound erratically.
My Demonic Qi was quiet, and the heat was calm. Only the trace of the Taoist arts that bound the two was showing any emotion. It was a gift from that dead old man.
That energy began to stir.
Resonance.
The energy of that ill-tempered old man inside my body was resonating with Yung Pung's energy.
How annoying.
This damn sensation is irritating every time I feel it. What's even more infuriating is...
Am I the only one feeling this?
I was the only one feeling this resonance.
Shhhk.
Yung Pung swung his sword. With his strike, plum blossom petals began to blow like a gale. Regardless of my thoughts, Yung Pung was focused solely on the duel.
Does he think he can beat me?
No way.
Yung Pung must know that's not the case. And yet, he's still coming at me.
Yung Pung's feet danced lightly. His sword recoiled over his disheveled clothes.
Plum Blossom Sword Dance.
The flower bud cultivated by Mount Hua bloomed at the tip of his sword.
Shiiiik!!
A sharp energy was condensed within the graceful sword dance. Fast and sharp. I braced my feet and utilized my footwork.
Shik! Swish!
I twisted my upper body to dodge the blade. The sword moved along an unexpected path, continuously digging in toward me.
Well, look at this.
Back when I was beating Yung Pung to a pulp, I had a thought: his sword was too straightforward. An honest sword is an essential element for a swordsman, but if that's all there is, it's useless. His sword used to be so honest it was nothing more than that.
He's changed his swordsmanship itself.
Numerous feints. A sword that breaks the mold. And yet, he maintains the essence of the Plum Blossom Sword Dance. It was impressive.
Shrrrk!
As I dodged the sword, my instincts picked something up. Not just one attack, but dozens. Each and every plum blossom petal took on a will of its own and attacked me. Judging by the presence alone, it was like facing hundreds of Sword Manipulations.
How terrifying.
Fwoooosh!!
Rising flames burned away all the falling petals. I had to burn every last one.
It was like this back then, too.
The petals Yung Pung had shown me had turned to embers and died out. Is it different this time? Will he show me something different, just like his changed swordsmanship?
With that thought, I focused power in my heart.
Fwoooosh!!!
The rings of the Gu Flame Wheel Art began to spin rapidly. Then...
Fwaaaaa!!!
Blue flames erupted from my body, whipping all around.
Blazing Wheel.
The same martial art that had tormented Yung Pung back then. Now, what will you do?
Just as I was anticipating Yung Pung's reaction...
“…Huuuu…!”
Seeing the flames, Yung Pung seemed to make a decision and began to boil his energy. The number of petals floating in the air increased.
Ch-ch-ch-chak!!
Yung Pung swung his sword at an unbelievable speed. Sword Qi, dyed with the essence of plum blossoms, dug into the flames. A single slash made the flames waver. Ten slashes made them shatter. In an instant, he had struck over a hundred times.
Crazy bastard.
I cursed as the flames gradually died down.
I wondered what he would do.
It was absurd. I thought he might show me something special, but he just swung his sword like a madman to block it.
Hah.
But I wasn't disappointed. No, I actually preferred it. I've only just realized it now, but I think I like these kinds of simple-minded brutes.
Bang!
Before the flames vanished completely, I stomped on the ground and charged in. Yung Pung didn't stop his sword; in fact, he increased his speed. An absurd number of sword strikes poured down on me.
Should I dodge? I could if I wanted to, but I didn't.
Kkiiigik!
I planted my feet on the ground and rotated my waist. As my torso turned, blue flames seeped into my fist. A speed slightly slower than sound. Within it, the flames compressed and changed shape with the rotation.
Great Flaming Sphere.
It was just a larger Flaming Sphere, but its destructive power increased in proportion to the amount of internal Qi I poured into it. I threw the giant sphere at Yung Pung.
Kwagagak!!
The sword strikes were swept away by the sphere and pushed back. My vast internal Qi is absurdly powerful. Will he dodge and close in? Or will he try to block it? I had only considered those two options.
Chk!
Surprisingly, Yung Pung deviated from both. He stopped his barrage of sword strikes and suddenly gripped his sword with both hands. I wondered what he was planning, but I soon understood his intention.
Fwoooosh!
The energy boiling from Yung Pung seeped into the blade of his sword. I felt a chilling presence.
Plum Blossom Flying Shadow Slash.
Chwaaaak!
A crimson slash cut the Great Flaming Sphere in two.
Kwaaaaaa!!!
The sphere, cut in half, exploded, and heat spread in all directions. The flames obscured my vision, but just then...
Fwoosh!
Yung Pung broke through the flames and charged at me. I moved my hand to respond. In that moment...
Throb!
“…!”
I felt a sharp pain in my chest. The wound that had been regenerating had burst open again. The wound split, and blood flowed out.
Tsk.
Because of this, my movements slowed slightly.
Pik!
Yung Pung's sword tore through my palm. Even though I had my protective aura up, the slash cut through it. An unbelievable level of compression. The difference in our levels was immense, yet he managed to cut through my aura with his sword. Just how sharp did he make his energy?
My surprise was brief. As Yung Pung tried to press his attack, I swung my injured hand.
“…!?”
Bwaak!
As I swung, blood sprayed from the torn wound. I'd stimulated my acupoints to increase the volume. The spurt of blood was aimed at Yung Pung's face to obscure his vision.
However, the swift Yung Pung dodged it with ease. It didn't matter. The important thing was that momentary opening. Just as Yung Pung moved, my foot hooked his ankle.
Tuk!
“Kkht!?”
I tripped him, and his foundation crumbled. He immediately tried to recover, but of course, I wouldn't let him. I drove my knee into Yung Pung's abdomen.
Thud!!
“Keok!”
Yung Pung flew back with a cry. Without stopping, I unleashed a blast of fire. The flames struck Yung Pung as he flew through the air.
Kwaaaaa!！
The blue flames began to sear Yung Pung as if to incinerate him, but my intention was not fulfilled. In that brief instant, Yung Pung had raised his sword to block.
Blocking the impact was good. But what about the recoil?
He may have stopped himself from being burned, but how did he plan to stop being pushed back in mid-air? If he stayed like that, he would be pushed out of the arena.
And knowing that, I had no intention of stopping.
“…Keeuk!”
Fwoosh!!
The firepower didn't cease. Watching Yung Pung with calm eyes, I actually intensified the flames. How will he deal with this, I wonder?
As I watched with that question in mind...
Tung!
In that moment, a light burst from Yung Pung's sword. A crimson light bloomed, and a small shockwave erupted. It seemed he had created friction with his energy to cause an internal explosion.
“Keuk!”
Yung Pung let out a groan. Exploding it from within meant he couldn't avoid internal injuries. But thanks to that, he succeeded in pushing himself a finger's length away from the flames. Using that tiny gap, Yung Pung rotated his body in mid-air.
Hwiriririk!
He dodged the flames and quickly came back. Instead of creating distance, he was closing in again. The light in his eyes hadn't died, and his sword was still steady. I'd seen it in his duel with Bongsun, but this was truly straightforward growth.
There were certainly some questionable parts… but setting that aside...
I should play along for now.
For now, I'll indulge him. Thinking that, I changed my movements.
Thud! I kicked off the ground and rushed at Yung Pung. Yung Pung's eyes widened at my sudden charge, but his sword flew nimbly toward me. He might think it's hard to dodge in mid-air, but...
Sorry, but this is my specialty.
I was something of an expert in aerial combat.
Ttak!
I snapped my fingers, creating a spark. The explosion spread, creating a blast of wind pressure.
Swish!
My body was pushed back, dodging the sword, and I used the recoil to kick out.
Bang! Yung Pung blocked it with his sword. That's fine. This was meant to push him away rather than attack. I put strength into my knee and pushed hard against his sword.
Paang!!
“Ugh!?”
With no ground to brace himself, Yung Pung was pushed back. I pulled my palm back and immediately shot out a burst of flame.
Fwaa!
The blast of fire propelled my body forward. I closed the distance to Yung Pung and threw a punch. A startled Yung Pung tried to defend himself somehow, but...
He's inexperienced.
His Combat Qi was weak, and his movements in the air lacked weight. It's only natural. At his age, where would he have experienced aerial combat?
I brought my fist down like a club.
Kwaaaang!!
“Keuheok!”
Having failed to defend, Yung Pung plummeted to the ground. He looked to be in pain, unable to even break his fall, but he couldn't just stay down. Before he could even gather his wits, Yung Pung moved. He scrambled to his feet, and right where he had fallen...
Kwajik!!
My foot landed. If he hadn't gotten up, he would have been crushed.
A flash of light poured out. Yung Pung's sword dance still hadn't stopped. Not even after he'd almost died. I could feel his speed had dropped, but his presence was the same. I blocked his sword with my aura and threw a punch.
Defense and evasion, combined with attacks, began an intense close-quarters battle. My eyes narrowed on their own. The world seen through my Mind’s Eye was filled with Yung Pung's sword paths. The countless feints and unpredictable sword paths were giving me a headache just watching them.
This is insane.
Just when I think I've dodged, it changes direction from a strange angle. Just when I think I've blocked, it digs in an inch deeper. Could there be such a free-spirited sword? On one hand, it was surprising that that Yung Pung's sword could have grown this much.
This is really driving me crazy.
Facing this sword, I couldn't maintain a completely composed attitude.
It's familiar.
Because the sword Yung Pung was currently using felt strangely familiar. Perhaps it had been like that from the start. From the moment I faced the shower of plum blossoms until now. The reason I could have ended this long ago but let it continue was the same.
I… had seen this sword before. No, rather than having seen it…
I've used it before.
I had personally used that sword with my own body. Back when Elder Shin borrowed my body. It was the same as the sword that old geezer used for that brief time. The flow of energy felt during the sword dance. The movement of the sword tip that reflected that damn old man's personality.
Even I, who knew next to nothing about the sword, could tell.
This is…
It was not simply the Plum Blossom Sword Art of the Mount Hua Sect. It was closer to the sword of the Divine Sword of Mount Hua, Elder Shin.
Chak!
Yung Pung's sword grazed my cheek, cutting the skin. It was getting sharper. Regardless of his level, I had to acknowledge his swordsmanship.
However.
This sword you are wielding now, is it truly yours?
Twelve sword strikes came at me. I dodged seven and took five with my body. I had no choice. It was what I had to do to get closer. I took the wounds to my body and closed the distance. Once again, I grabbed Yung Pung by the collar.
I was curious.
Thump! Thump!
About this heart that was pounding so loudly. About the Solar Light tied to my arm that was trying to move for some reason. And about the traces of the Elder suddenly being found in Shaanxi, and the other Solar Light that remained.
Everything was a mystery.
Fwoosh.
I compressed the flames and overlaid my mind's image. In an instant, a Holy Spear was formed. Seeing it, Yung Pung tried to move his body to counterattack, but he was too close to even resist properly.
“This is…? Young Master Gu…?!”
Did he realize what I was about to do? Yung Pung's reaction felt frantic. At such a close distance, he must know what would happen if I unleashed this power here.
I looked at him and spoke calmly.
“I think you've done enough.”
“…What do you mean?”
“Isn't it about time you came out?”
In reality, I was looking at Yung Pung, but I wasn't speaking to him. My words were for the one beyond him, the one deeper inside.
“Young Master Gu…?”
Yung Pung's eyes trembled at my incomprehensible words. It seemed he thought I'd gone mad. It didn't matter. I knew the one I was addressing was listening.
Still not coming out? A smile touched my lips.
“Then we can just die together.”
Hwook!
The moment I was about to detonate the Holy Spear...
[My, my.]
A voice echoed in my ear.
[…What a nasty-hearted brat.]
In an instant...
Shaaaaa!
My vision was scorched black.
My vision faded. When I came to my senses, my body was in an unknown space. Where is this place? I didn't panic needlessly; this wasn't the first or second time I'd experienced something like this.
As I calmly looked around...
[Tsk, tsk….]
I turned my head at the familiar clicking of a tongue. Far in the distance, a low rock that didn't fit the space jutted out randomly. Someone was sitting on top of it.
Splash.
When I took a step, the ground rippled. It was like walking on ink. The sloshing sensation felt unpleasant. I endured it and approached the figure.
A figure dressed in a white uniform, contrasting with the black space. His pure white hair and crimson eyes were striking. He was tall but somewhat thin. The sight of him looking down, chin propped on his long fingers, suited him quite well.
I walked slowly to the rock, and we made eye contact.
[Hmm.]
“Hm.”
I stared at the familiar old man's face for a moment before speaking.
“Wow, Elder, you look like a real piece of work.”
[This brat certainly looks like a punk.]
We spoke at the same time.