Chapter 181
Chapter 181
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 181
Chapter Title: Defeating the Jeomchang One Dragon
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The spectators turned their gazes toward Namgung Ryong as he entered the arena unarmed.
They let out small gasps of admiration upon seeing the expressionless Namgung Ryong walking steadily toward them.
"The Namgung Clan's young master is quite dashing, isn't he?"
"I hear he's called the Sword Dragon of the Namgung Clan."
"But his opponent isn't favorable. The Jeomchang One Dragon, of all people!"
"Hmm! The Namgung Clan's young master put on a good show, but compared to the Jeomchang One Dragon, he's a bit lacking, don't you think?"
"Exactly! He's not even the second young master. This might be tough for him."
"Indeed, I think so too. The Jeomchang One Dragon is formidable. Oh, I remember now! Didn't these two already clash three years ago? He got beaten black and blue back then!"
"Three years have passed, so the gap might have widened even more!"
"Well then, doesn't that make the top four spots pretty clear?"
"Right, that's how it has to be for the Nine Great Sects to save face!"
The crowd debated the matchup fervently, but in the end, sentiment leaned toward Jongbaek.
Even the elders of the Nine Great Sects exchanged words with grave expressions.
"Does he have a chance this time?"
"It's said Jongbaek's Four Shadows Sword Art has reached the level of piercing the sun. He's several levels above the other disciples, so no need to worry."
"He must win. Our reputation is already in tatters! We need at least three of the top four to be from the Nine Great Sects."
"Ugh... How did things end up like this...."
The Nine Great Sects' dignity had already been thoroughly tarnished.
They were in a situation where all three remaining top-four spots needed to go to their sects just to barely save face.
If Namgung Ryong won here, the tournament would truly become a stage for the Namgung Clan.
And that would make the Nine Great Sects mere stepping stones for the Namgung Clan's rise—what could be more humiliating?
The elders of the Nine Great Sects gripped their hands tightly, focusing all their attention on the duel.
* * *
Jongbaek rose to his feet, glancing toward where the Nine Great Sects' elders sat.
It was like a funeral home over there.
The Five Great Families looked displeased as well, but nothing compared to the Nine Great Sects.
Out of the thirty-two main tournament slots, twenty had gone to Nine Great Sects disciples, yet only four had made it to the quarterfinals.
Meanwhile, the Five Great Families—despite advancing far fewer to the main draw—had three in the quarterfinals, matching the Nine Great Sects.
Their plan to flaunt their power and crush the Five Great Families had gone up in smoke from the start.
Moreover, most of their so-called prodigies— the pride of the Nine Great Sects—had been eliminated. It wasn't an exaggeration to say it was a string of funerals.
And one of the culprits behind that string of funerals stood before him now.
Jongbaek's jaw clenched slightly.
'As the saying goes, one loach can muddy the whole river.'
At some point, the tournament had turned into a contest between the Nine Great Sects and the Namgung Clan.
It even felt like the Nine Great Sects had become the challengers in this bizarre atmosphere.
Jongbaek's gaze shifted to Namgung Ryong, standing opposite him.
Namgung Ryong's eyes were deep and serene, like the surface of a calm lake.
The heavy aura settling over him felt different up close than from afar.
'Is this his true face? Did I misjudge him?'
Twitch.
Jongbaek's eyelid trembled faintly.
He was surprised once more at how much higher Namgung Ryong's realm was than he'd thought.
'Jongcheon's defeat wasn't by a mere paper-thin margin.'
Jongbaek narrowed his eyes and spoke.
"So we meet at last."
"......"
"I'm impressed. I didn't expect you to defeat my junior brother. The Namgung Clan's sword has grown stronger than I remembered."
The corner of Jongbaek's mouth curled up slyly.
He had struck first with mockery to provoke, but Namgung Ryong's expression remained unchanged from the start.
He had anticipated that Namgung Ryong wouldn't be shaken so easily.
Jongbaek steadied his aura and drew his sword.
Namgung Ryong, who had been silent, slowly and leisurely raised his own sword.
"You... will see. Mine. The Namgung Clan's sword."
Namgung Ryong spoke in a halting but resolute tone.
Jongbaek scoffed.
"Don't think defeating Jongcheon means you've seen all of Jeomchang has to offer. The Jeomchang sword is far stronger than you imagine."
"The Namgung Clan's sword... as well."
"Hahaha! I'll prove it. You do the same."
A chilling frost gathered in Jongbaek's eyes.
Sharp and utterly cold, like the snow of a north wind.
A piercing aura, sharp enough to impale the heart, emanated from Jongbaek's body.
Namgung Ryong tightened his grip on his wooden sword.
Jongbaek circulated his inner energy, employing Jeomchang Sect's supreme technique, the Solar Apex Divine Art.
The searing heat rising from his fingertips spread through the sword.
"Begin!"
A clear shout signaling the start of the duel rang in their ears, and Jongbaek kicked off the ground.
Flash!
Scorching heat burst from Jongbaek's sword.
Crimson flames traced a long line through the air toward Namgung Ryong.
Nine sword qi infused with solar heat erupted all at once.
'This nobody who was nothing three years ago.'
Screeeeech!
The sword moved, and the air-splitting sound followed belatedly.
By the time the sound reached them, Jongbaek's Four Shadows Sword Art was already striking Namgung Ryong's body.
Shiiiing!
A sharp clash rang out, like blades furiously colliding.
Namgung Ryong flinched and was pushed back.
Jongbaek's Four Shadows Sword Art relentlessly pressed him.
Boom!
Air exploded with a burst, sparks flashing in the air, followed each time by a heavy impact that made Namgung Ryong stagger backward.
Frost-like chill shot from Jongbaek's eyes.
'Different from back then?'
So what?
Even if a worm grew wings and flew, it was still a worm.
No matter what changes had occurred in three years, he hadn't been idle either.
Now he would show it.
How fast and powerful the Jeomchang sword truly was!
'I'll make you crawl on the ground like last time.'
Jongbaek's sword spat fire.
Dozens, hundreds of sword shadows flashed, hounding Namgung Ryong.
One Flash Initial Manifestation, Half-Demon Full Bow, Four Suns No Light, Four Suns Ripple, Reverse Full Bow, Later Generation Full Bow....
Screeeeech!
A buzzing sound like swarming bees filled the air.
Thousands of sword afterimages formed a wall around Jongbaek, vibrating the air.
Whoooosh!
A colossal storm of sword qi, fierce enough to incinerate the entire arena, surged toward Namgung Ryong.
Even the onlookers swallowed hard at the terrifying sword momentum.
Crack-crack-crack-crack-crack!
Jongbaek's momentum grew fiercer, his sword sharpening to a deadlier edge.
Sword light poured down like rain.
The Thunder Dragon Squad's three members gaped in horror at the storm of sword light engulfing everything.
'What sword is that fast!'
'Crazy! This guy's nothing like that Jongcheon or whatever!'
'The sword light, it's like...'
'Listen to that sound—like a swarm of bees taking flight!'
The Thunder Dragon Squad's trio was stunned by the horrifying speed and sword force of the Four Shadows Sword Art.
Gulp!
Even from afar, the sword qi seemed to graze their skin, sending chills down their spines.
The sword pressure defied imagination.
'How on earth is the young master blocking that?'
Namgung Ryong was barely holding off the Four Shadows Sword Art.
His sleeve tore, his lapel split—his appearance was a mess—but he endured somehow.
It looked precarious, yet Namgung Ryong stubbornly held his ground.
Geon Cheon-hwi let out a frustrated groan as he stared at Namgung Hyeok's back.
'...Is there really a way to win this?'
Namgung Hyeok never spoke empty words.
But this time, for some reason, he wondered if Namgung Hyeok might be wrong.
How could one dismantle the Four Shadows Sword Art assaulting from all sides?
Geon Cheon-hwi swallowed dryly and watched the duel.
* * *
Gleaming sword light pierced the blind spots beyond Namgung Ryong's vision.
He had to move his sword before seeing the opponent's.
A single moment's delay, and sword qi like molten lava battered his body.
Clang! Kang! Kwang!
Namgung Ryong calmly parried.
The Emperor's Sword does not waver.
The Emperor's Sword rules and dominates all.
It commands the celestial bow to stir heavenly winds, sweeps the firmament, harbors heavenly thunder to drop lightning.
He advanced without pause.
He pressed forward unwaveringly.
Within his mindscape, Namgung Ryong's Emperor Sword Form took shape.
And in an instant, a sword pressure heavy enough to crush a mountain erupted.
Flaaash!
Heavenly thunder surged along Namgung Ryong's wooden sword. Thunder roared, shockwaves crashing like tidal waves.
It clashed with the oncoming sword light from all directions, clashing endlessly.
Like waves pounding a sea cliff, it collided without end.
Namgung Ryong advanced bit by bit through the onslaught of sword light.
He unleashed the Emperor Sword Form toward the points and lines formed by the Four Shadows Sword Art.
Rooting his lower body firmly with the Emperor's Dominion Step, he thrust his sword steadily.
Circulating Emperor Divine Art and Heavenly Thunder Divine Art together, he infused power and will into each strike.
He constantly recalled the insights and teachings from Namgung Hyeok.
He poured the mindscape from before the duel into his sword.
Toward Jongbaek—the towering wall that had crushed him with despair three years ago—Namgung Ryong swung his sword.
The Emperor's Dominion Step was unyielding, the Emperor Sword Form brimming with immense momentum.
He wanted to shatter it.
He wanted to overcome it.
He wanted to escape the shadow of Jongbaek that had bound him for three years.
He refused to be trapped behind the Jeomchang sword.
He wanted to surpass that wall and reach greater heights.
He yearned to advance toward the realm Namgung Hyeok had glimpsed in that fleeting moment.
Even if his body shattered to pieces, he wanted to press on.
Crackle!
A blue gleam flickered in Namgung Ryong's eyes.
Thud-thud-thud!
Absorbing the sword light raining on his body, Namgung Ryong advanced doggedly.
And with that one step, the sword momentum shifted.
- The Emperor's path must not waver. Be heavy, utterly prudent.
Blue heavenly thunder surged, splitting the blanket of white sword light.
Rumble!
Namgung Ryong thrust his sword skyward and stomped powerfully.
The heavenly thunder swirling at the tip sucked in and incinerated Jongbaek's sword light.
Crackle-crackle!
Jongbaek's eyes widened.
Like arrows shot toward the sun by ancient archers, his swift, explosive sword force was vanishing.
Blocked by the thunder wall, it tore and split.
This couldn't be happening.
It felt like a dream.
Namgung Ryong, who should have fallen long ago, was dismantling his Four Shadows Sword Art.
That worm from three years ago.
Namgung Ryong, who couldn't even properly block a single strike!
How could he dismantle his sword!?
'This can't be real. It's impossible!'
Jongbaek's face twisted in demonic rage.
He unleashed the Four Shadows Sword Art to its extreme in desperation, but all he saw was his sword force crumbling like grains of sand.
In that instant.
Flaaash!
An even fiercer flash burst from Namgung Ryong's eyes.
Jongbaek's face drained of color.
"Th-this can't be!"
The terrifying aura Namgung Ryong emanated wrapped around and crushed him.
His sword light, once capable of cleaving the sun, was trapped in Namgung Ryong's thunder wall and splitting apart.
An overwhelming pressure, suffocating him, pressed down belatedly.
Flaaash!
- The Jeomchang sword cannot cleave the heavens.
Namgung Ryong's sword, raised to the zenith, fell like lightning.
Kwaaaang!
'Spl-Splitting Light!'
The descending sword split the sword light and smashed his shoulder.
Crack!
"Keurk!"
Jongbaek groaned and swung his sword, but his dislocated shoulder dangled grotesquely.
In a trance, Namgung Ryong unleashed thunderbolts.
Kwang!
His mind went white from the shock, Jongbaek's mouth gaping.
Crack!
Namgung Ryong's sword struck his face.
"Kraaaah!"
Jongbaek screamed as he flew into one wall and crashed.
White teeth scattered like hail amid flying blood.
Whirrrrr!
The aura gathered around Namgung Ryong swirled into a vortex, rising to the sky.
The storm raging over the arena cleared, and silence enveloped the surroundings.
Drop.
The broken wooden sword slipped from Namgung Ryong's hand to the ground.
From the deathly still stands, a tremendous roar suddenly erupted.
"Waaaaaaah!"
"Uwaaaaaah!"
"The Jeomchang sword is broken!"
Namgung Ryong's silent gaze swept the surroundings.