Chapter 183
Chapter 183
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 183
Chapter Title: Hyunwon's Triumph
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Hyunwon of the Qingcheng Sect glided across the arena floor toward Ilgak, the Shaolin Divine Saint, as smoothly as if sliding on ice.
At a glance, it looked just like a swallow taking flight low to the ground with wings spread wide.
Ilgak was momentarily thrown off by that simple yet nimble movement, but he wasn't called the Shaolin Divine Saint for nothing.
Ilgak repelled Hyunwon with Shaolin's Iron Wire Skill and thrust out his Mysterious Void Fist with full force.
The characteristically fierce, torrent-like power of Shaolin surged into the Mysterious Void Fist.
The fist's force blasted toward Hyunwon, shoving him back.
Ilgak raised his voice.
"No hard feelings!"
Though his opponent was a generation above, Ilgak showed no fear.
Hyunwon, his martial uncle by rank, was only twenty-eight years old.
Ilgak never backed down even against martial uncles a full generation his senior.
There was no reason for him to fear Hyunwon, who was merely a generation higher but effectively of the third-generation disciple level.
Still, he didn't drop his minimal guard.
Ilgak's hands moved in a flashy display.
He unleashed dozens of techniques from the Shaolin Seventy-Two Special Skills, launching a dazzling barrage of attacks.
Paang! Peureok! Paak!
Straightforward, fierce, and lightning-fast strikes.
They seemed crude and stubborn at first glance, but each one was a precise move from the Shaolin Seventy-Two Special Skills.
Every technique brimmed with profound skill and devastating power.
Force capable of tearing through a one-foot-thick steel plate scattered in all directions.
In that instant, blue and red auras flickered along Hyunwon's sword, blocking Ilgak's fist strikes.
Kwang! Kwakakang! Paaang!
The blue and red energies clashed with Ilgak, unleashing a thunderous roar.
Pale dust and force whipped around the two fighters, churning the air in every direction.
A fierce close-quarters battle trapped within the cloud of dirt.
Namgung Hyeok narrowed his eyes as he watched the two dark shadows tangle.
"Why didn't I know about that guy?"
Geon Cheon-hwi tilted his head at Namgung Hyeok, who had shot to his feet.
"Wow, he's got guts, huh? Is he going easy because it's one of the Nine Great Sects?"
"Pardon?"
"No, he's definitely holding back. Can't you tell just by looking?"
Geon Cheon-hwi asked with a dumbstruck expression.
"Holding back? Who is?"
"The Qingcheng guy."
"The Shaolin Divine Saint?"
"No, the Qingcheng guy."
"Shaolin?"
"Qingcheng!"
"......You're not mistaking the Shaolin Divine Saint for him, right? The bald one's the Shaolin Divine Saint, Young Master."
"Not the bald one—the Qingcheng guy! That one! He's going easy!"
Geon Cheon-hwi let out a groan at Namgung Hyeok's heated voice.
Really not the Shaolin Divine Saint, but Qingcheng Sect's Hyunwon?
"I-Is that true?"
"Ugh! So frustrating. See how he's holding back? Him! He's the one going easy!"
Geon Cheon-hwi asked with a bewildered look.
Even setting aside Namgung Hyeok's words, holding back against the world's Shaolin Divine Saint?
No matter what Namgung Hyeok said, it was hard to believe.
How many later-generation experts could even block those fierce, blindingly fast fists with his own eyes?
And though Hyunwon was holding his own now, Ilgak was clearly dominating unilaterally......
'Holding back against the Shaolin Divine Saint? How am I supposed to believe that.'
He was the Shaolin Divine Saint of the world.
Top-tier talent in the world, with martial arts far beyond his years.
Just watching this spar made chills run down the spine imagining that power aimed at oneself, with no way to block it.
And yet Namgung Hyeok was focusing on the Qingcheng disciple facing him?
"Damn, what was that guy lacking that he showed up here?"
Namgung Hyeok had said that much, so he couldn't outright disbelieve.
Namgung Hyeok clicked his tongue, reading the doubt on Geon Cheon-hwi's face.
"It's not about how many of the Seventy-Two Special Skills he's mastered. It's how deeply he's refined them."
"......"
"The Azure Clouds Sunset Sword has already reached the realm where it draws out sword qi like threads to form azure clouds and gathers sunset glow at the tip. It's on another level from that Shaolin Divine Saint who chases mere forms."
"Hmm!"
"He's just stronger than the Shaolin Divine Saint. That guy's no later-generation disciple."
"......!"
Leaving the stunned Geon Cheon-hwi behind, Namgung Hyeok twitched his brow.
'At that level, pure talent-wise, he's Sword King class?'
Why had a guy like that only popped up now?
Ah, the Eight Strongholds.
At that moment, the Azure Clouds Sunset Sword manifested blue clouds and red sunset glow.
Golden light flashed in Ilgak's eyes as fierce, distinct energy gathered on his fist.
"Huaaaap!"
With a mighty lion's roar, Shaolin's Hundred Paces Divine Fist erupted forth.
Cheeeeng!
A vivid golden fist shadow visible even high above the arena!
The crowd watching gasped in admiration at this Shaolin divine technique, said to shatter a thousand-jin boulder from a hundred paces upon mastery.
"Hundred Paces Divine Fist!"
"Whoa! Incredible!"
As people raised thumbs in awe, proclaiming it worthy of Shaolin amid the brilliant golden glow,
Chwaaaaaak!
A blue flash sliced through the golden wave!
Hyunwon's sharp blue sword qi tore through the golden wave alongside the red sunset glow.
Beoldeok!
The elders of the Nine Great Sects in the VIP seats forgot decorum and leaped to their feet.
"I-Incredible!"
"The Azure Clouds Sunset Sword has reached the seventh stage!"
"At that age, such a realm!"
The Nine Great Sects' elders were shocked by the divine skill displayed by Hyunwon, who was the same age group as the third-generation disciples.
'What in the world is this situation?'
'H-Hyunwon? Isn't that the youngest of the Hyun generation!'
'The sunset glow of the Azure Clouds Sunset Sword has dyed the tournament arena. How is that possible!'
'Qingyunzi, you sly old fox......'
As the Nine Great Sects' elders' faces hardened, the red sunset glow once more blanketed the arena.
Ilgak let out a stifled groan and was pushed back.
"Kuhuk!"
He lifted his head with a defeated look, one knee on the ground.
Hyunwon sheathed his sword and smiled faintly.
"This seems like a good stopping point. Any further, and faces would be lost."
His voice was gentle yet firm.
Ilgak rose with a heavy expression.
"I-I'm defeated. Thank you for your mercy and guidance."
Ilgak declared defeat with Shaolin's traditional bow.
Hyunwon nodded slightly, and silence fell over the arena.
Everyone watching the spar gaped in shock.
"W-What? What happened?"
"What was that sunset glow just now?"
"T-The Shaolin Divine Saint lost?!"
The spectators stared at Hyunwon in bewilderment.
Hyunwon had shown zero presence on his way to the Eight Strongholds.
And for good reason—Namgung Hyeok and Namgung Ryong's exploits had turned the tournament upside down.
The Nine Great Sects' elders glanced at Qingyunzi, who wore a subtle smile.
Qingyunzi smiled lightly.
"Shaolin showed consideration. What does generation matter? Heh heh heh!"
The Nine Great Sects' elders let out dry laughs as he stroked his white beard.
Zhongnan Sect Elder Baek Jong furrowed his brow.
'So that's why he was so relaxed even without his Qingcheng Divine Saint in the tournament!'
Qingyunzi could afford leisure because of Hyunwon's existence.
'Hmm! He wasn't just some young disciple with a high generation rank.'
Hyunwon was already a master.
A proper second-generation disciple of Qingcheng Sect, at a level where he could debut in the martial world and build fame immediately.
Even the Five Great Families' elders across the way had eyes wide with shock.
"......He's on another level."
Everyone nodded gravely at the groaned words.
Geon Cheon-hwi's mouth opened and closed like a fish.
'The world, the world......'
The Wudang Divine Saint got pummeled by Namgung Hyeok, so that was no surprise, but the Shaolin Divine Saint was different.
Merely a generation higher, yet a same-age later-generation disciple had overwhelmed the martial world's top later-generation talent!
Even to his eyes, that final move showed Hyunwon was leagues above other later-generation disciples.
As Geon Cheon-hwi stared blankly at the arena, cheers finally erupted belatedly.
Deafening roars swept over the arena.
Namgung Hyeok's gaze turned to Namgung Ryong.
"......Hey, bro."
"......"
"Saw that?"
Nod nod.
"That guy's on a whole different level from that Jongbaek or Songbaek spear punk, right?"
Nod nod.
Mountains upon mountains. Cross one peak, and an even taller one looms.
"You can win, right?"
Shake shake.
"You'll lose?"
Nod nod.
"You'll lose?"
Nod nod.
"You're saying you'll lose?"
"......"
"The Namgung Family's eldest son loses? You joking?"
Namgung Ryong flinched and averted his eyes as Namgung Hyeok glared.
"......"
Namgung Ryong glanced briefly at Hyunwon's retreating back as he descended from the arena.
The sunset glow Hyunwon created seemed to reach even here.
"No getting beat up. Absolutely not!"
Right, that won't do.
No matter the opponent, only I can thrash my limbs......touch my close friends.
Who do you think you are!
Flames blazed fiercely in Namgung Hyeok's eyes.
"Roll with it."
"......"
"Roll like crazy. Just think of yourself as a ball and roll. Roll right up to the brink of death. You can do it, right? You can."
Namgung Hyeok had already decided the answer.
Namgung Ryong asked quietly.
"What if I really die......"
"Die?"
"......"
"Just don't die, duh?"
"......"
"I'll control it so you don't!"
That's a bit......
As Namgung Hyeok struck a pose ready to drag Namgung Ryong out right then, Geon Cheon-hwi hurriedly asked.
"A-Aren't you watching the next match?"
"Next match?"
"Yes. Your opponent might be in it......"
"Is that important right now?! Our eldest young master might get thrashed in the Four Strongholds?!"
"B-But still......"
"But still what! I'm winning anyway. So our eldest has to at least take runner-up for me to save face! If he's getting beat, it better be by me!"
......That's unfilial.
Saying something so unfilial without a care.
Namgung Hyeok narrowed his brow.
"Damn it, who's it this time?"
"Huashan's Daoist Jinwoo versus the Little Sword Princess......"
"Who?"
"The Little Sword Princess."
"Huh?"
Namgung Hyeok, flames in his eyes moments ago, made a baffled face.
"That kid was still around?"
"He came with us."
"I thought he'd dropped out and left ages ago since I never saw him."
"He came together, so show some interest......"
"Huh? Kid's talking crazy. You nuts? Huh?"
One wrong bit of attention in the past, and look what happened.
Geon Cheon-hwi looked awkward.
"No, Young Master......"
"Still, the Little Sword Princess made it to the Eight Strongholds. Sword's not fully matured yet, but she knows her way around a blade and climbed all the way up—why keep tugging my sleeve? Want me to tug your lifeline instead? Huh?"
"B-Behind you, behind......"
"Behind what?"
Namgung Hyeok glanced back carelessly.
The Little Sword Princess, face veiled, was staring right at them.
......Huh, when did she get behind us?
"Just got here?"
"......She's been here a while."
"Why?"
"Waiting for her turn, Young Master."
"Oh."
Namgung Hyeok scratched his head.
"What?"
So Hye-yeon quietly clasped her hands in greeting.
"Congratulations to both of you."
Her voice was calm and warm.
"Win this match, and you'll face Young Master in the Four Strongholds."
Namgung Hyeok chuckled dryly.
"Yeah, make it to the Four. But seriously, Eight Strongholds?"
So Hye-yeon gazed steadily at Namgung Hyeok before continuing calmly. Her voice was utterly serious and disciplined.
"I know you see me as lacking, Young Master. But I'm the one who must fill that gap. Sword Pavilion's swordsmen can only clash head-on foolishly. That's how we were taught."
"......"
"I'll give my all. And as a swordswoman, I want to cross blades with you."
So Hye-yeon's eyes deepened.
Serious, utterly earnest.
Namgung Hyeok looked sheepish.
"Match is starting. Get up there."
"......I'll definitely advance."
"Take your time, take your time."
"Alright!"
So Hye-yeon bowed and ascended to the arena.
Namgung Hyeok exhaled softly.
'She's serious.'
Swordswoman, huh......
Even after decades of change, Sword Pavilion hasn't changed.
He suddenly wondered how far Sword Pavilion's swordsmanship had advanced.
'If she wins and advances, sparring once wouldn't be bad.'
Namgung Hyeok's gaze slowly shifted to the arena.