Chapter 188
Chapter 188
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 188
Chapter Title: Duel with Qingcheng's Prodigy
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Namgung Ryong did not move rashly.
And Hyeonwon was the same.
With a serious expression, he lowered his wooden sword and watched him intently.
Namgung Ryong steadied his breathing.
The incantation of the Heavenly Thunder Divine Art surfaced in his mind, and the energy in his dantian writhed.
The energy infused with thunder chi flowed along his meridians to the tip of his sword.
With that vivid surge, a blue bolt of lightning flashed in Namgung Ryong's eyes.
At the same moment, the path of the Emperor Sword Form's thirty-six stances etched itself in his mind.
Hyeonwon's Azure Clouds Downpour Sword, which he had fought endlessly in his mind's eye.
The thought of facing that sword for real made his body hair stand on end.
Amid the eerie tension, Namgung Ryong cautiously moved his sword.
Namgung Ryong's sword began tracing the path of the Emperor Sword Form, as the Heavenly Thunder Divine Art circulated.
The Emperor Sword Form began with the Emperor's Dominion Step.
Boom!
The momentum rising like a tidal wave crushed down on his opponent with overwhelming pressure.
At the same time, the wooden sword thrust upward before slashing down with force enough to split a mountain.
Flash! Crackle!
A fierce streak of lightning and a mighty sword momentum plummeted toward Hyeonwon.
At that moment, Hyeonwon's sword moved.
Sword qi uncoiled like a thread, blocking the falling thunderbolt.
Boom!
With a thunderous roar, the lightning vanished into the blue clouds.
Namgung Ryong's sword bounced back sharply.
But he did not stop and put strength into his feet.
He advanced again.
Boom!
The rebounding sword twisted direction and fell once more.
A strike twice as powerful as the first!
Embodying Namgung Hyuk's teachings, the falling blade carried the entirety of the Namgung family's swordsmanship.
Soft like the Soaring Heaven Sword, fast like the Lightning Thirteen Thunders, and ever-changing like the Heavenly Wind Swordplay.
The weight of the Emperor Sword Form was infused into that single strike.
Namgung Ryong recalled the incantation of the Emperor Sword Form in his mind.
He sought to imbue the descending sword with the form's righteousness and intent.
Just as Namgung Hyuk had done, he poured everything into it.
Swoooosh!
Sword winds scattered in all directions from the blade slicing through the air.
One step.
The emperor's sword advanced.
Unyielding, it overpowered all opposition.
A tyrannical strike swung like a despot's whim!
Namgung Ryong's eyes turned toward Hyeonwon, who was already one step ahead.
He charged forward recklessly to chase the giant's footsteps.
Crackle!
Sapphire lightning scattered.
Hyeonwon gravely moved his sword.
Blue clouds rose in the wake of his blade.
Vast energy flowed from its tip, as if he were an immortal riding the clouds.
Whoooosh!
A soft, slow energy in perfect contrast to the domineering Emperor Sword Form.
Yet that energy enveloped the Emperor Sword Form effortlessly.
Namgung Ryong saw blue clouds wrapping around his blue lightning.
For an instant, it felt as if his entire front was completely engulfed.
That feather-soft energy blocked the ferocious Emperor Sword Form.
Its vast, majestic flow resembled the mighty current of the Yangtze River.
It raged like crashing waves, then flowed calmly.
Namgung Ryong's sword lost its direction amid that shifting energy.
The Qingcheng sword was soft yet sharp.
It flowed endlessly like the Yangtze's waves, flowing on and on.
Clang! Clang-clang-clang!
"Urgh!"
Namgung Ryong let out a stifled groan.
He thrust, slashed, and swung desperately to escape the Azure Clouds Downpour Sword, but could not break free.
In contrast, Hyeonwon was serene.
Serene, he tightened his grip on Namgung Ryong, gradually increasing the pressure.
After a dozen exchanges, he was already trapped in Hyeonwon's sword domain, unable to escape.
Thud! Thud-thud!
Hyeonwon's sword pierced through.
Namgung Ryong blocked and deflected with his sword.
But like trying to stop an incoming wave with bare hands, Hyeonwon's sword mercilessly battered his body.
Smack! Smack-smack-smack!
A skull-rattling impact!
Even in his dizzying haze, fire burned in Namgung Ryong's eyes.
'Not yet...'
Namgung Hyuk's words echoed in his ears.
This isn't a spar.
Give up an arm if you have to.
You won't die.
If you take one hit, be ready for two...
Strength entered Namgung Ryong's eyes.
His sword changed.
The momentum that seemed to crush mountains sharpened to a razor's edge.
Thwack!
Executing Thunderclap Palm, Namgung Ryong's hand seized the falling Azure Clouds Downpour Sword.
Crunch!
"Grraaah!"
Namgung Ryong gritted his teeth. In the instant Hyeonwon's pupils wavered, Namgung Ryong surged forward powerfully.
The thrusting sword bore not the weight of the Emperor Sword Form, but the swift blade of Lightning Thirteen Thunders.
From behind, Namgung Hyuk shouted as the lightning-quick strike bore toward Hyeonwon.
"That's it!"
Right, good job. My firstborn!
Even if your arm breaks, you can still stand tall!
As Namgung Hyuk nodded vigorously, Namgung Ryong pressed on.
The moment Lightning Thirteen Thunders aimed to pierce Hyeonwon's body.
Hyeonwon's energy sank.
Amid the blue clouds scattering like mist, crimson sunset glow emerged, and the blue lightning was dyed red.
The crimson glow reflected in Namgung Ryong's pupils.
"......!"
In no time, crimson sunset glow hurtled toward his chest!
If the blue clouds had been the mighty Yangtze, this was a blazing fireball.
Namgung Ryong's eyes widened at the erupting red sword qi, like exploding lava.
Fwoosh!
Hyeonwon's sword touched Namgung Ryong's chest and lightly vanished.
Namgung Ryong's brow furrowed, then relaxed.
Soon, Hyeonwon's voice came.
"Withdraw."
"......"
"You'll be badly hurt."
"......I... can't."
Namgung Ryong shook his head.
It wasn't just because of Namgung Hyuk's words.
The Emperor Sword Form was a sword to cultivate for life.
Perfected through deeper insights and experience.
Now, he needed to face a stronger foe, someone in a higher realm, to grow.
Thus, he had no desire to yield after one exchange.
Namgung Ryong gripped his sword firmly.
"Young Master Namgung. You'll really get hurt!"
"I'm fine."
"Urgh!"
Hyeonwon let out a low exclamation as he gazed at Namgung Ryong.
In one breath, dozens of clashes erupted, sword qi raining everywhere.
Namgung Ryong kept advancing.
Shifting from Lightning Thirteen Thunders, he switched back to the Emperor Sword Form.
Blue lightning surged from his sword tip.
Boom!
With Emperor's Dominion Step, Namgung Ryong's wooden sword cleaved through the blue clouds of Azure Clouds Downpour Sword.
Slaaaash!
Hyeonwon's eyes wavered briefly, but he thrust his sword.
Crimson sunset glow formed at its tip.
Sword qi mimicking the crimson glow blanketed the arena, clashing against the Emperor Sword Form's lightning as it sliced through the blue clouds.
Boom!
With a roar, crimson glow and lightning intertwined.
A storm of sword qi raged outward.
Clouds churned, lightning scarred the ground, and crimson glow soared.
Rumble!
Thunder boomed as a shockwave burst from their clashing swords.
Crack!
The wooden sword snapped and flew off, scattering lightning fading into sparks.
The arena was bathed in crimson glow.
Gray dust shrouded it, and a pained groan pierced through.
"Urgh!"
Namgung Ryong knelt on one knee, his face pale as death.
Hyeonwon looked down at him with a silent gaze.
"Shall we exchange more blows?"
"......"
A brief silence fell.
Namgung Ryong's pupils trembled faintly.
'......So high.'
In the final moment, he had seen Hyeonwon withdraw his sword.
Had he not, Namgung Ryong wouldn't have remained conscious.
As the gray dust cleared, a low, sunken voice emerged from Namgung Ryong's lips.
"......I lost."
Hyeonwon's rigid expression softened.
He quietly cupped his fists in salute.
"A fine match, Young Master Namgung."
"Mm."
"I'll help you down."
Hyeonwon raised and supported Namgung Ryong.
Roaring cheers erupted from the spectators.
"Wooow! Qingcheng wins!"
"Namgung Ryong lost!"
"Mm! Is that really latecomer talent level?"
"Woooah!"
The crowd cheered again as Hyeonwon and Namgung Ryong descended the arena together.
As they came down, the three Thunder Dragon Squad members rushed over and clung to him.
Geum Cheomsang fussed noisily.
"Aigoo, Young Master! What to do! Are you okay? Really okay?"
"......"
"He's asking if you have any internal injury pills, Young Master. Our young master is..."
"Out of the way, you punk."
"Eek!"
Namgung Hyuk shoved aside the fussing Geum Cheomsang.
Hyeonwon looked at Namgung Hyuk.
After a wordless moment, he gave a nod of greeting and quietly departed.
Namgung Hyuk watched him with a glint of interest before turning away.
Namgung Ryong flinched.
"That was..."
"You did well."
"Hm?"
"If you followed orders and still lost, what can you do? Losing doesn't kill you."
Namgung Hyuk shrugged.
The nearby Thunder Dragon Squad trio and Geum Cheomsang stared at him in shock.
They expected him to bark like a mad dog after a loss, but this was unexpected.
Namgung Hyuk said,
"Internal injuries are rough. Head to the medicine hall. Hey, little bro!"
"Yes!"
Namgung Chang shot forward.
"You go too."
"Yes! Big brother! I'll escort you."
"Mm!"
Namgung Chang replied energetically and supported Namgung Ryong.
Geum Cheomsang anxiously trailed after them.
Namgung Hyuk watched Namgung Ryong vanish, then cocked his head.
'This much?'
Qingcheng finally produced a real talent after so long.
Namgung Hyuk clicked his tongue and turned away.
* * *
At the inner residence where the Qingcheng Sect stayed.
Inside the room, Qingcheng Sect Elder Cheongsongja sat facing Hyeonwon.
While Hyeonwon calmly savored his tea, a heavy shadow clouded Cheongunja's face.
"I think I was wrong to stubbornly bring you here."
Hyeonwon looked up.
"Why say that?"
"I'm worried that beast-like second young master of the Namgung family might harm you. Didn't you see? That excessive force and animalistic nature. And his temperament—so hasty and fierce. Moreover..."
Cheongsongja surmised that Namgung Hyuk's skills were already beyond what he could handle.
It felt like releasing a tiger among sheep.
Hyeonwon smiled faintly.
"Yes, somehow I ended up facing that dangerous young master in the finals. A beast I rarely even saw while living in the mountains. Haha!"
"This isn't a time for jokes! I dragged you here for the Qingcheng Sect's honor and your sake, but it put everything at risk. Chasing personal desires instead of the Way has brought disaster!"
"Elder."
"Hyeonwon! You..."
"I don't regret descending the mountain. Meeting so many fellow disciples has been so enjoyable, time flies by."
At Hyeonwon's easygoing words, Cheongunja sighed again.
Reaching the finals was cause for hundredfold celebration, but the opponent was Namgung Hyuk.
Hyeonwon continued.
"Young Master Namgung Hyuk was strong. I want to face him soon."
"Hyeonwon."
"Young Master Namgung Hyuk was different. Beneath that frivolity and ferocity, there was something else. I don't know what, but that's how it felt."
"Mm...... That impressive?"
Seeing the dark clouds on Cheongunja's face, Hyeonwon smiled faintly again.
"It's a martial tournament, isn't it? No need to win at all costs. Isn't it joyful that this disciple gained a chance to advance further?"
"You are Qingcheng's future. If you crumble or break, it would be a blow to our Qingcheng as well..."
"If I crumble, I'll rebuild. If I break, I'll stand again."
Cheongunja's face softened slightly at Hyeonwon's clear voice.
"And the future belongs to our junior brothers!"
"Aren't you their peer too!"
"Still, I'm their senior uncle. Haha!"
Hyeonwon laughed cheerfully.
Cheongunja exhaled deeply.
"Our Qingcheng can't give you spirit pills like the Great Rejuvenation Pill from Huashan. We can't afford it..."
"Don't I have our sect's martial arts? The herbs I've gathered and eaten on the main peak are worth at least one spirit pill."
"You quick-witted rascal."
"Got to be quick-witted to gather more, right?"
"I got too carried away. Running my mouth in front of the old sect elders..."
"Hahaha. But you did well, didn't you?"
Hyeonwon laughed innocently.
He said softly.
"Even if injured, it's part of the martial exchange. As a warrior before a Daoist, I accept it. Losing isn't shameful."
"Mm......"
Watching the ever-cheerful Hyeonwon to the end, Cheongunja burst into laughter too.
As they smiled at each other, Hyeonwon said quietly.
His eyes gleamed with clear spirit energy.
"Even if Young Master Namgung Hyuk is strong, I'm no pushover. Victory is unpredictable. We'll see who's longer or shorter, right?"
"Mm! Yes, you're right."
"Don't worry. It's me, Hyeonwon."
"I know, I know."
Hyeonwon and Cheongunja gazed at each other and smiled softly.
Thus, the day of the martial tournament finals dawned.