Chapter 130: Meeting a Man Like a Single Sword - Part 2
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 130: Meeting a Man Like a Single Sword - Part 2
"How did you know?"
Sun-woo spoke slowly, his eyes fixed on the man.
He had never imagined Yorang’s identity would be seen through so easily, so he hadn't even prepared an excuse. Naturally, curiosity got the better of him.
Even to Sun-woo, who had reached the Transcendent Realm, Yorang’s appearance was that of a perfect human—so flawless it was impossible to tell if she was a person or a spiritual being.
So, how on earth had this man seen through her?
"I’ve crossed paths with things like her many times in my life. It’s become an intuition. I can just tell if someone is human or not. My gut told me: that woman isn't human."
Sun-woo let out a quiet sigh of relief.
Fortunately, it didn't seem like the man had seen through her because of some incredibly high level of martial arts.
In the Central Plains, there were officially about twenty masters in the Transcendent Realm. If one were to cast a Heavenly Net and scour the entire Murim, that number might increase, but officially, it remained around twenty.
It wasn't a large number, but it wasn't small either. If everyone who reached the Transcendent Realm could identify Yorang, she wouldn't be able to show her face anywhere.
"Don't be so tense. I’m the unusual one. Most people will just be captivated by her beauty; they won't notice a thing."
"I see."
Sun-woo gave a short reply.
The more they spoke, the more he felt as if this man was peering directly into his soul. It made him naturally reticent.
"Now, will you answer my question?"
"Pardon?"
"Who are you, really?"
Sun-woo fell into thought. Should he use his newly forged identity as the disciple of the Poison King? Or should he tell another lie?
"My name is Jang Sun-woo."
Sun-woo finally made his decision and spoke.
"I am merely an ordinary man who was lucky enough to learn some martial arts."
He decided to keep it vague. He had the feeling that no matter what he said, this man would see right through him anyway.
"Haha, if you wish to keep it a secret, I won't pry. Regardless, she really does look exactly like a person."
The man continued, looking at Yorang with fascination. Feeling burdened by his gaze, Yorang burrowed into Sun-woo’s side and hid her face.
"She seems very attached to you."
"Attached? She doesn't listen to a word I say."
Chomp!
As if she had heard him, Yorang bit Sun-woo.
"Ow! You brat!"
Thwack!
Sun-woo immediately smacked the top of Yorang’s head. She had bitten his thigh, and the pain was sharp. Yorang trembled, perhaps because Sun-woo’s fist actually hurt.
"Hahahaha! How delightful."
"See? We fight like this every day."
"People only fight because there’s affection between them. If there’s no affection, even mixing words just makes you angry."
The man spoke with a laugh. Sun-woo felt his guard lowering at the man’s gentle reaction. Throughout their time together, the man had been exceedingly polite and looked at them with eyes full of goodwill. Finding not even a shred of hostility, Sun-woo slowly relaxed.
"By the way, Hero..."
"No, don't."
"Pardon?"
"I am not someone worthy of being called a 'Hero.'"
Hearing this, Sun-woo guessed that the man before him wasn't part of the Orthodox Faction. He felt fundamentally different from the typical, stuffy Orthodox types. Despite being middle-aged, he acted politely toward someone as young as Sun-woo and even showed respect. He was quite different from the Orthodox old-timers who tried to suppress others with age and focused only on 'just causes.'
"What brings a senior like you to a place like this?"
"Actually, I received orders from above. I just happened to be passing through."
The man answered Sun-woo’s question with a smile.
"And what about you? How did you end up here?"
"I have someone to meet. I’m just passing through as well."
"The person you're meeting must be a woman."
The man spoke with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"How did you...?"
Sun-woo asked back, startled. How did he know everything?
"I just felt it."
Sun-woo’s eyes widened. The man’s intuition, which seemed to pierce through everything, was truly remarkable.
"Regardless, you are impressive. To have reached such a realm at such a young age."
The man spoke with genuine admiration.
"Can you even see through another person's martial arts realm, Senior?"
"Hahahaha! My gut tells me."
"And what does it say?"
"That it would be fun to have a go at it."
The man spoke to Sun-woo without hesitation.
"What do you think? Care for a match?"
His eyes held a strange yearning, suggesting he was entirely serious.
"No, thank you. I’m quite tired."
"Khahaha! That’s a shame."
The two men sat by the fire, sharing lighthearted conversation and laughter.
Uuuu... so boring.
Yorang, who had been quietly listening to them, forgot all about eating and fell fast asleep. It seemed their conversation held no interest for her.
*
Step, step.
The man walking through the forest soon arrived at another clearing.
"This should be far enough."
The middle-aged man walked to the center of the clearing. Then, he slowly began to release his momentum.
Wuuuuuuuuuung—
A massive energy began to ripple around his body, spreading throughout the entire forest.
*
Sun-woo tossed and turned.
An inexplicable, massive pressure seemed to be weighing down on his body. The pressure grew stronger as time passed, making him more restless.
Flash.
Sun-woo’s eyes snapped open. Even awake, the immense pressure continued to crush him.
'What is this?'
Feeling flustered, Sun-woo looked to his side. He saw Yorang sleeping peacefully, covered by her Dragon Robe. He realized that he was the only one feeling this overwhelming weight.
Sun-woo looked around again. The man who had been sitting by the fire and talking with them was nowhere to be seen.
Sun-woo’s intuition kicked in.
'It’s him.'
The person sending out this massive pressure was undoubtedly that man.
'He’s calling me.'
As if possessed, Sun-woo stood up.
Step, step.
He began to walk slowly toward the source of the massive energy.
Step, step.
He left the clearing.
Step, step.
He passed through the forest path.
After walking for a while, Sun-woo found another clearing. And there, standing in the center, was the man.
"Ho, you finally came. I thought my neck would snap from waiting."
The man brightened at Sun-woo’s appearance.
"Are you my enemy, Senior?"
Sun-woo asked bluntly. Why else would he call him out by spreading his energy like this?
"I am not."
The man laughed at Sun-woo’s question.
"Didn't I tell you? I have no intention of harming you today."
The man continued slowly.
"It just seemed like such a waste. The thought of not crossing blades with a powerhouse like you."
Srrrng.
The man slowly began to draw the sword from the scabbard at his waist.
"Isn't it the same for you?"
The man looked at Sun-woo with a smile. Sun-woo also drew the sword from his waist.
Srrrng.
His blade caught the moonlight and began to shine brilliantly.
"Of course not."
Sun-woo denied the man’s words. He had only come out to eliminate a potential threat. In a situation where he was busy enough just keeping himself alive, a 'competitive spirit' was nonsense.
"There’s no need to be ashamed. It’s only natural for a martial artist to possess a competitive spirit."
Sun-woo felt confused. A competitive spirit? It was an emotion he had never even considered.
"The proof is that you are standing here, aren't you? You came to meet me."
The man continued, clearly amused by Sun-woo’s reaction.
"Now, look at my sword."
The man raised his sword toward Sun-woo and began to wave it slowly.
"How about it? Don't you want to clash? With everything you've got."
He did. He wanted to clash with everything he had.
"Hehe, I knew it."
As if reading Sun-woo’s expression, the man let out a pleasant laugh. Sun-woo was dazed by the sudden surge of emotion.
A competitive spirit.
Until now, Sun-woo had always fought those who were either overwhelmingly stronger or weaker than him, so such a feeling was entirely foreign.
"The introduction has been long enough. Now, come."
The man beckoned Sun-woo, the smile never leaving his lips. Without hesitation, Sun-woo lunged at him.
Sun-woo poured his internal energy into his sword and swung at the man.
Swaaaaak!
Clang!
The man parried Sun-woo’s blade with ease. Then, after deflecting the sword, he quickly snapped his wrist to slash at Sun-woo’s torso.
'Fast!'
Sun-woo was amazed by the man’s response. To think such a rapid transition was possible.
Clink!
Sun-woo quickly recovered his deflected sword and raised it just in time to block the man’s blade. They stood in a deadlock, swords pressed against each other.
"Hahahaha! Your instincts are indeed sharp."
The man burst into laughter, seemingly delighted.
"You are the one who is strong, Senior."
Sun-woo also breathed out in admiration. He had guessed the man was strong, but crossing blades revealed he was powerful beyond imagination.
"Then let us continue."
The man deflected Sun-woo’s sword again and quickly slashed toward his arm.
Swaaaaak!
The swing was so fast the sound of cutting air struck Sun-woo’s ears.
'I can't block this.'
He knew it instinctively. The sword speed was already too fast to parry. Instinct immediately translated into action. Sun-woo concentrated his internal energy into his Yongcheon Point and let it explode.
Bang!
Sun-woo’s legs kicked off the ground, and he retreated backward. The man’s sword cut only empty air.
"Khahahaha! This is fun, truly fun!"
The man burst into laughter as he watched Sun-woo. He was genuinely enjoying himself. It had been a long time since he’d seen a swordsman of this caliber—especially one so young.
A sword is something that grows stronger the more it is tempered. The young man’s sword felt fresh to him. He was naturally exhilarated.
"Now, let’s play some more!"
In his excitement, the man lunged at Sun-woo.
Clang!
The metallic ring of their blades clashing echoed out.
Clang!
The man relentlessly targeted what he perceived as Sun-woo’s openings.
Clang!
Sun-woo struggled desperately to block the man’s sword.
Clang!
But as the exchanges continued, he felt his breathing grow ragged. The man was strong—stronger than Sun-woo. He was more powerful, and his technique had reached an unreachable height.
Clang! Clang!
An attack aimed at the man’s lower body was easily blocked by a casual swing.
Thud!
Then, the man’s foot struck Sun-woo’s chest. He wasn't just using his sword. He used everything at his disposal to relentlessly pressure Sun-woo.
Thud!
This time, it was his jaw. His brain rattled, and his vision blurred for a moment. But Sun-woo did not fall.
Slash.
A shallow cut appeared on his arm. Pain flared, but Sun-woo didn't stop his sword.
It was fun. It was insanely fun.
Bruises were forming and cuts were appearing, but Sun-woo didn't care. He felt himself growing with every clash of their blades.
It was the first time. For the first time since learning martial arts, Sun-woo began to feel a competitive spirit. His sword swung even more wildly. He wanted to savor this feeling.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
Countless metallic sounds began to ring out in the clearing.
.
.
.
.
.
.
How much time had passed?
Thump.
Sun-woo eventually fell to his knees before the man. His heart wanted to swing more, to lung more tenaciously, but he had reached his limit. He had pushed his body to the extreme to block those incredibly fast strikes. He had squeezed out every ounce of strength until his muscles were on the verge of tearing and swung his sword until his bones were about to break. To say he was fine would be a lie.
Sun-woo slowly looked up at the man standing before him. Unlike Sun-woo, who was gasping for air, the man’s breathing was perfectly steady. It was a stark illustration of the gap between them.
"Ha... ha... Senior, who on earth are you?"
Sun-woo asked through ragged breaths.
"Didn't I tell you? I am nothing more than a single sword."
The man grinned at Sun-woo’s question.
"How do you feel?"
"I’m happy. Insanely so."
"Do not forget this feeling. it will be the clue that allows you to reach the next realm."
The man answered with a smile. Sun-woo returned the smile.
*
"Senior, we’ll be going now."
Sun-woo and Yorang packed their things and bowed to the man.
"Haha, safe travels."
The man returned the farewell with a laugh.
"Senior, could you at least tell me your name?"
Sun-woo asked, feeling a sense of regret at their parting. Though it was a short time, he had gained much realization through their duel. For someone who hadn't properly organized his insights since reaching the Transcendent Realm, it was an incredibly precious time. He felt sad to part with someone who had given him such a magnificent gift. That was why he wanted to know at least his name.
"Haven't I said it repeatedly? A name has no meaning to me."
"I suppose so."
Sun-woo followed up, as if he had expected that answer. It seemed this man had no intention of revealing his name until the very end.
"Then, we’ll be off."
Sun-woo bowed once more, turned around, and began to walk. Yorang also waved her hand a few times at the man before turning to follow Sun-woo. The man waved back, seeing them off.
"I hope we can fight again."
Once they were out of sight, the man hummed a pleasant tune. It had been a long time since he’d had such an interesting opponent. Seeing the youth grow with every exchange reminded him of Yang Tae-san in the past.
The man slowly turned around. Before him lay a grand road that stretched endlessly into the distance.
"Sigh, when will I ever finish walking to the North Sea?"
Looking at the road, the man let out a lament. No matter how he thought about it, the North Sea was just too far away.