Chapter 159
Chapter 159
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 159
Chapter Title: Duel Against the Sword Dragon
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Hyeon-gung let out a hollow laugh as he watched Namgung Ryong radiating a fierce aura.
"Are you suggesting we spar right now?"
Namgung Ryong nodded silently without a word.
"Hah!"
A low chuckle escaped Hyeon-gung's lips.
'The Namgung Clan's young master is a fool driven by emotion!'
Namgung Ryong had come to represent the Namgung Clan at the martial tournament.
Thus, everything he did or said effectively spoke for the entire clan.
Depending on how one interpreted it, it could even seem like the Namgung Clan was lodging a formal protest against the Zhongnan Sect.
'The Namgung Clan daring to challenge us?'
It was laughable.
Considering the vast difference in prestige between the Zhongnan Sect and the Namgung Clan, such a thing was utterly impossible.
The Nine Great Sects had already established order in the murim world, and the Zhongnan Sect was enjoying its greatest prosperity since the Demonic Blood Tribulation.
Its power had risen to the point where it stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the Shaolin, Wudang, and Huashan Sects.
The gap with the Namgung Clan—which couldn't even hold its ground among the Five Great Clans—was as wide as the heavens and earth.
Even the Hebei Peng Clan, the pinnacle of the Five Great Clans, had to yield a step to the Zhongnan Sect in reality, so it was only natural to find the Namgung Clan's protest ridiculous.
'So they have some pride after all?'
Thanks to that pride, things were unfolding exactly as he desired.
'No reason to refuse.'
Hyeon-gung sneered inwardly.
He erased the smile from his lips and stared at Namgung Ryong.
"If words won't suffice, then so be it."
"......"
"This concerns the honor of our sect, so I cannot take it lightly."
His aura shifted abruptly, overpowering Namgung Ryong's.
Unlike his polite words, Hyeon-gung's presence was heavy and razor-sharp.
Hyeon-gung gazed at Namgung Ryong with utter confidence.
"Haedong, Haemgon! Fetch wooden swords!"
He extended his hand, and Haedong and Haemgon hastily offered the wooden swords from their belts.
Hyeon-gung took one and handed it to Namgung Ryong.
He twisted his lips into a smirk as he took in the sight of the Namgung clansmen.
'Arrogant bastards. I'll make them piss themselves at the mere mention of Zhongnan.'
From the insolent Namgung Ryong to Namgung Hyeok, who was still chuckling away, and even Namgung Chang, who had laid hands on the fourth-generation disciples.
They wouldn't dare act like this if they truly respected Zhongnan.
Hyeon-gung assumed the stance of the Thirty-Six Swords Under Heaven.
In that instant, wind swirled around him, riding along the wooden sword and descending.
'I'll break at least one limb.'
Hyeon-gung intended to make Namgung Ryong pay dearly for insulting Zhongnan and foolishly challenging him to a spar.
As soon as the duel began, he planned to crack his skull with the Thirty-Six Swords Under Heaven and pummel his body like a drum.
With his aura surging, the onlookers naturally stepped back, clearing space.
Hyeon-gong spoke to the Zhongnan Three Prodigies.
"Your juniors are fortunate. In my day, we couldn't even dream of witnessing the Thirty-Six Swords Under Heaven at your age. So watch closely. Observing a master's sword can elevate your own skills."
"Yes, Martial Uncle!"
"See how mighty and profound the Zhongnan sword is. Engrave your Martial Uncle Hyeon-gung's Thirty-Six Swords Under Heaven in your eyes and hearts, and you'll never suffer such humiliation again."
Hyeon-gong mixed rebuke with encouragement.
The Zhongnan Three Prodigies, who had been eagerly anticipating the spar, now wore awkward expressions.
"Watch carefully. See how Senior Brother Hyeon-gung handles the Namgung Clan!"
"Yes, Martial Uncle!"
"We will etch your words into our bones!"
Hyeon-gong nodded in satisfaction, his face brimming with leisure.
Hyeon-gung was the foremost among the third-generation disciples, a prodigy of prodigies who drew attention and high expectations from the sect's elders.
It was inconceivable for such a genius to lose to the young master of a declining Namgung Clan.
Hyeon-gong couldn't even picture defeat in his mind.
Meanwhile, Namgung Chang swallowed hard.
'This is bad, for real?'
Hadn't he beaten up the Zhongnan Three Prodigies, causing things to escalate like this?
'And why is big brother suddenly acting like that...'
He never dreamed the usually taciturn Namgung Ryong would explode in anger and demand a spar.
Of course, insulting the Namgung Clan was reason enough for the young master to be furious.
It was the natural response.
But of all people, against Hyeon-gung!
"...B-Brother, is this... okay?"
"Why? It's fun, isn't it?"
"Fun is one thing, but... the opponent..."
"What's wrong with the opponent?"
"He's one of the Shaanxi Twin Dragons, brother."
"Shaanxi Twin Dragons?"
"Yes! Everyone who knows calls him the Zhongnan Sword Dragon! He's renowned not just for his unmatched skill but also his virtue..."
"And?"
"He stood out in the Shaanxi tournament and the Six Great Sword Sects' exchanges too. His experience is on another level. He's called a genius for a reason."
Hyeon-gung was the Zhongnan Sect's top late-generation talent, a genius hailed as the sect's future, adorned with every lavish title imaginable.
Namgung Hyeok grinned slyly.
"That guy's a genius?"
"......"
"If he's a genius, he'll get beaten half to death soon enough, right?"
"Yes?"
The Zhongnan Sword Dragon getting beaten half to death?
As Namgung Chang stared blankly, Jin Cheom-sang offered him some tea.
"Young master, no need to worry so much."
"......?"
"What could possibly go wrong?"
"......"
"Down it in one go. It'll calm you. That's it, good!"
...No, even the Thunder Dragon Squad are martial artists who train, but this kid doesn't even know martial arts?
And why is she so nonchalant?
'...Am I missing something?'
The Zhongnan Sword Dragon should be insanely strong, right? No, he definitely is.
Is this really something to laugh off?
Namgung Chang stared ahead in bewilderment and disbelief.
By now, the spar between Namgung Ryong and Hyeon-gung had begun.
Hyeon-gung unleashed the Taiyi Stance, charging toward Namgung Ryong while his wooden sword, which had soared above his head, came slashing down as if to cleave the heavens and earth.
Even though it was a wooden sword, it produced a screech that tore at the eardrums.
Shwaaaang!
Sharp sword intent gathered on the blade, plummeting toward Namgung Ryong.
The sword qi of the Thirty-Six Swords Under Heaven, unleashed alongside the Taiyi Divine Art, sparkled like the Milky Way as it descended.
It looked as if pristine white sword qi blooming from the wooden sword had transformed into a net, ensnaring Namgung Ryong.
Boom! Kwa-kwa-kwang! Shwaaang!
Explosive clashes of wooden swords produced sounds unbelievable for mere wood—piercing winds and thunderous roars.
The sword force of the Thirty-Six Swords Under Heaven blanketed the sky, pouring down on Namgung Ryong.
Hyeon-gung's eyes gleamed.
The power in his wooden sword doubled.
Fast yet not light, heavy yet not slow.
Thrust, slash, swing, parry.
These four techniques spawned tens of thousands of variations.
Overwhelmed by the majestic onslaught of the Thirty-Six Swords Under Heaven, Namgung Ryong faltered.
He minimized his movements to block the barrage of wooden strikes.
Crackle! Crackle-crackle!
Lightning crackling along his wooden sword tangled with the sword qi of the Thirty-Six Swords Under Heaven.
The whirlwind of the Thirty-Six Swords battered Namgung Ryong's wooden sword.
Like raging waves, it pressed him relentlessly, exuding a ferocious momentum that threatened to cleave him at any moment.
The auras emanating from Namgung Ryong and Hyeon-gung engulfed the surroundings.
Boom! Kooong! Kwang!
Crackle-crackle!
The lightning gathered on Namgung Ryong's sword flared violently, like a final desperate struggle.
The Zhongnan Sect disciples clenched their fists, watching the intense duel.
"Wah! As expected of Eldest Senior Brother! That sword force gives me chills!"
"Urgh! Even watching, I can barely breathe. To chain attacks like that—truly Eldest Senior Brother!"
"Soon Eldest Senior Brother will crush the Namgung Clan!"
"Senior Brother! Finish him quick!"
"Hahaha! Look, he can't even respond!"
"Wrong opponent. Daring to challenge Eldest Senior Brother?"
"With that level of skill, challenging Senior Brother? Ridiculous!"
The Zhongnan Sect disciples watched the spar leisurely.
Just as they expected, Hyeon-gung was dominating Namgung Ryong unilaterally.
The scene starkly revealed their gap in skill.
Kwang-kwang!
Hyeon-gung's majestic assault on Namgung Ryong exuded the bearing of a true master.
The momentum of the Thirty-Six Swords Under Heaven was no joke.
Namgung Ryong wobbled precariously amid the tsunami of sword qi.
Hyeon-gung's movements grew fiercer by the moment, turning the spar deadly.
The Zhongnan Sect disciples cheered.
With Zhongnan's sword overwhelming the Namgung Clan's, how could they not be thrilled?
"But he's holding out better than expected, isn't he?"
"He's tenacious."
"Even rotten fish has its uses, huh."
Hyeon-gong chuckled at the third-generation disciples' mutterings.
"Your Eldest Senior Brother seems to be enjoying himself."
"Yes?"
"That's why he's dragging it out, matching exchanges like that. It's been ages since he sparred with another sect."
"Ah!"
"Once it's over, his opponent will realize just how superior Zhongnan's sword is and the extent of the gap."
Hyeon-gong spoke as the third-generation disciples exclaimed in admiration.
It was no different from toying and mocking, but Hyeon-gong said it without hesitation.
"Well, from the Namgung Clan's perspective, he'll at least save some face, right? Eldest Senior Brother is probably considering even that."
"Truly Senior Brother Hyeon-gung. His insight is profound!"
"No wonder they call him the Zhongnan Sword Dragon!"
The third- and fourth-generation disciples nodded in agreement at Hyeon-gong's words.
As Hyeon-gong laughed heartily, Hyeon-jong's expression hardened.
"...But Eldest Senior Brother doesn't look good."
"Can't mock him forever, haha."
"No, it's not that... His expression has been off since earlier. He just grimaced too."
"Huh? No way!"
Hyeon-gong furrowed his brow and focused his gaze.
In that moment.
Clang!
"Urk!"
Hyeon-gung, mid-attack, let out a stifled groan and grimaced—it was plain to see.
'Why, why?'
Namgung Ryong had been pushed back a step, so why was the attacker Hyeon-gung grimacing?
And why did Namgung Ryong look so composed?
"J-Just a fluke!"
"Something's wrong here."
"No way. It's Senior Brother Hyeon-gung! The Zhongnan Sect's top prodigy losing to a Namgung late-generation disciple? Absurd!"
As even the juniors began tilting their heads in doubt, Hyeon-gong shouted.
"Eldest Senior Brother! Enough playing around! The juniors are getting anxious! Finish it and get his apology!"
But contrary to Hyeon-gong's hopes, Hyeon-gung was currently in agony.
'What the hell is this!'
Striking with his wooden sword felt like hammering iron.
His palms tingled numbly, and his wrist throbbed as if about to snap.
Full-force blows aimed at breaking limbs were repeatedly blocked, the returning force horrific.
'What the hell are you?!'
It was shocking.
Namgung Ryong's sword—plain, without flair, even seeming crude—was gradually shocking him.
Concise defenses and swift counters were tightening around him bit by bit.
'How is he reading my sword path!'
Even with changing strike points and feints, Namgung Ryong blocked everything.
The flow of the Thirty-Six Swords Under Heaven stuttered and broke, powerlessly deflected by his opponent's blade.
He had been confident of ending it in twenty exchanges, but they had already passed fifty.
Namgung Ryong's movements grew freer by the moment.
The power in the lightning emanating from his sword intensified steadily.
"Tch!"
A blue gleam flickered in Namgung Ryong's eyes.
Blue lightning flashed along his wooden sword.
His gaze locked on Hyeon-gung's shoulder.
The moment his eyes touched the target, the wooden sword moved.
A lightning-like strike plunged toward Hyeon-gung's shoulder.
Hyeon-gung twisted his body in panic, raising his wooden sword.
Crackle-crackle-crackle! Kooong!
"Keuk!"
Shocked by the lightning coiling around his wooden sword, Hyeon-gung's eyes bulged as he staggered back.
In his retreating vision, Namgung Ryong's sword loomed larger and larger.
Paaak!
The wooden swords clashed in midair with a dull thud, sending Hyeon-gung flying back.
"......!"
Namgung Ryong pursued the retreating Hyeon-gung.
The Zhongnan Sect disciples' jaws dropped.
Before they could even grasp what happened, the flow of the duel had reversed.