Chapter 31: Sword Emperor Yang Tae-san (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 31: Sword Emperor Yang Tae-san (3)
Clang!
As Sun-woo and Yang Tae-san’s blades collided, sparks began to fly.
Clang!
After several more exchanges, Sun-woo pulled back.
"Phew. This body isn't going to cut it."
Thud.
Sun-woo, who had been facing off against Yang Tae-san, drove his sword into the ground.
"Giving up already? You’re all talk, boy."
"Don't jump to conclusions. I’m just getting ready to do this properly."
With those words, Sun-woo began to deactivate his Zhu-Rong Art.
His skeletal structure began to shift.
Crack, snap, pop, crunch.
The sound of bones realigning echoed through the air. His compressed frame began to return to its original size. His legs lengthened, his torso expanded, and his height shot up. His hands and feet grew larger until he had transformed completely into the form of a full-grown man.
"Now you finally look like the Jang Sam from the portrait."
Yang Tae-san spoke with a hint of intrigue at the sight.
Ignoring him, Sun-woo raised his sword and pointed it at Yang Tae-san. Immediately, a blue light began to coalesce into a blade of Astral Qi.
Against a master like Yang Tae-san, who had reached the Absolute Realm, a probing skirmish was meaningless. He was an opponent Sun-woo couldn't even touch with a half-hearted mindset; every single strike had to be delivered with his entire soul and strength.
"Oho. You’ve surpassed the Mid-Stage of the Super-Peak Realm and seem to be approaching its completion."
Yang Tae-san marveled slightly as he observed the density of Sun-woo’s Sword Astral.
Was there truly anyone among the current Rising Stars who had reached such a height? The Super-Peak Realm was a level of power significant enough to be the core strength of any major sect. It was a lofty stage that could only be reached when deep cultivation, grueling physical training, and a profound understanding of martial arts converged.
The young man before him had mastered that supreme realm in his twenties. It was no exaggeration to call him a genius that appeared once in a century.
Unfortunately, he had picked the wrong opponent.
The man standing before him, Sword Emperor Yang Tae-san, was also born with talent no less than Sun-woo’s. On top of that, he possessed a twenty-year gap in experience. When two people possess equal talent, it is the passage of time that widens the divide.
Yang Tae-san adjusted his grip on his sword and manifested his own Astral Qi. His interest was piqued; he intended to enjoy this for a moment.
"Come."
The moment the words left Yang Tae-san’s lips, Sun-woo’s sword lunged toward him. Yang Tae-san swung his blade with practiced ease, parrying Sun-woo’s strikes.
"Urgh!"
A groan escaped Sun-woo’s lips. With every exchange, the gap between them became painfully clear.
Because of Yang Tae-san's recent bloody battle with Ok-ryeong, Sun-woo held the advantage in both remaining internal energy and physical condition. However, the "Skill" Yang Tae-san had honed over fifty years of sword cultivation possessed a ripple effect that overturned everything.
No matter how much internal energy Sun-woo poured into his swings, he couldn't even graze the man’s clothes; Yang Tae-san simply brushed the attacks aside with effortless grace. Sun-woo utilized his Wind-Dust Step to continue his assault from all directions, but he couldn't force the man to move even a single step.
It was a matter of Status.
An insurmountable chasm existed between Sun-woo, who was merely a Super-Peak master, and Yang Tae-san, who had reached the pinnacle of the Absolute Realm.
Sun-woo bit his lip hard. He couldn't give up. If he surrendered here, Ok-ryeong would undoubtedly die. He hated the thought. He hated the idea of the woman he loved dying because of him with a burning passion.
That was why he had no choice but to sharpen his resolve and level his sword.
Vroooom.
Fortunately, he still had plenty of internal energy left from his three Gapja. He had to break this man before his energy ran dry.
"A shame. With this much talent, you could have been the one to lead the Cheonmu Alliance in the future."
"I don't give a damn about the Cheonmu Alliance. I only protect what I want to protect."
"Haha. I can't tell if you lack ambition or if you're just plain stupid."
"I think I'm smarter than an old fossil who thinks only his word is law."
"Tsk. Your tongue is as foul as ever."
"You're the one making it foul, you son of a bitch!"
Sun-woo spat out the curse and immediately swung his sword.
Clang!
But his blade was blocked once again. He swung and thrust repeatedly—faster, stronger—but nothing connected.
Sun-woo knew. He knew that Yang Tae-san was currently treating him like a toy. If the man were serious, Sun-woo’s head would have been lopped off before he even realized it.
The difference between the Super-Peak Realm and the Transcendent Realm might seem like a single step, but the gap was wider than that between a third-rate martial artist and a Super-Peak master.
Even so, the only reason Sun-woo could continue his offensive was likely due to Yang Tae-san’s complacency. This was his only chance. If he didn't land a blow while the man was off-guard, he was destined to lose.
Sun-woo began to circulate his Yin-Yang Harmony Divine Art to its absolute limit. He was going to gamble.
Despite having lost more than half his internal energy and a significant portion of his stamina from the fight with Ok-ryeong—not to mention the large wound on his neck—Yang Tae-san remained composed. That composure was rooted in a firm, underlying confidence that this fledgling could never defeat him.
Yang Tae-san was enjoying himself. The young man before him was growing at a startling rate. He had tried to match the boy's level, but he could feel that level rising steadily. As a result, during this brief clash, Sun-woo’s cultivation had progressed from the edge of the Super-Peak Mid-Stage to its completion.
It was an absurd level of learning ability and talent. Looking at him, Yang Tae-san felt the need to revise his thought that they were similar.
Jang Sam resembled the Cheonmu Alliance Leader, Lee Jae-won. From the unfathomable talent to the way his martial arts evolved constantly through real combat.
He had to die. If given time, he would soon become a grave threat to the Murim.
Murderous aura seeped into Yang Tae-san’s sword. He intended to kill him right here.
It was then.
Tangible blue energy began to billow and surge around Sun-woo’s body, eventually enveloping him.
His aura has changed.
The fledgling from moments ago was nowhere to be seen.
Just how far do you intend to grow?
Contrary to his intent to kill, Yang Tae-san felt a surge of competitive spirit toward Jang Sam. He wanted to clash blades more, to feel the impact again and again. He looked at Sun-woo with eyes that were practically dancing with excitement.
Sun-woo used his Yin-Yang Harmony Divine Art at its peak to accelerate his blood flow. As the volume and speed of his blood increased, the oxygen supply to his body exploded. It was an act close to a temporary awakening, but Sun-woo didn't hesitate. If he didn't do this, he couldn't reach that man.
Thump-thump, thump-thump.
The sudden rise in blood pressure put an immense load on his heart, which began to beat frantically. He wouldn't be able to hold this for long.
Now, all preparations were complete.
Sun-woo’s sword swung toward Yang Tae-san. Yang Tae-san raised his blade to block, but he actually began to be pushed back. It was only possible because Sun-woo’s awakened physical abilities were incomparably stronger than before.
Sun-woo rushed Yang Tae-san, swinging his sword with even greater speed. Yang Tae-san, whose stamina and internal energy were already depleted from his life-and-death struggle with Ok-ryeong, began to feel the pressure of Sun-woo’s rapid sword strikes.
Was he not the one who usually overturned the tide of battle with "Skill" alone? But these sword strikes and physical capabilities, which had become faster than his own, were becoming a burden to his exhausted body.
I was too careless.
The games were over. He realized that if he didn't get serious, he might actually be in danger.
The look in Yang Tae-san’s eyes changed. The condescension was gone. Only the murderous intent directed at an adversary remained.
The two swords intertwined, exchanging blows. Sun-woo pressured Yang Tae-san with his awakened physical stats and three Gapja of internal energy, while Yang Tae-san countered with his perfected Skill and the experience honed through fifty years of bloody combat.
As the exchange continued, Sun-woo felt a sense of urgency. Even though he had drastically increased his physical abilities, it was still not enough to reach Yang Tae-san. Internal energy, physical strength, even his current condition—everything was in his favor, yet Yang Tae-san was handling it all with nothing but his perfected Skill.
He was an unbelievable monster.
If this dragged on, Sun-woo’s body wouldn't hold out. Since the awakening technique brought an immense burden in exchange for the explosive boost, he had to end it before he collapsed.
Sun-woo concentrated his internal energy into his sword once more. Soon, a massive blade of Astral Qi, far larger than anything before, began to shine. It was likely the most powerful Astral Qi he could produce.
"Heh."
At that sight, Yang Tae-san let out a short laugh. A hollow chuckle escaped him at the sight of Sun-woo’s absurdly massive Sword Astral.
Whoosh!
The terrifyingly powerful Astral Qi surged toward Yang Tae-san. It was too fast to dodge, and its momentum was too great to simply block. There was only one way.
His sword made contact with Sun-woo’s Sword Astral. And then, his blade began to softly deflect Sun-woo’s strike.
Slide.
It was the moment his Skill, reached through the ultimate heights of cultivation, was manifested.
Boom!
Sun-woo’s Sword Astral was driven straight into the ground, and Yang Tae-san immediately raised his sword and pierced Sun-woo’s shoulder.
"Agh!"
Flash!
Sun-woo hurriedly summoned his Protective Qi to repel the sword impaling him, simultaneously hurling himself backward.
Crash!
Boom!
Sent flying by the recoil, Sun-woo smashed through the wall of the residence and collapsed. Buried in the debris, he didn't have the strength left to even lift a finger.
I have to get up...
An overwhelming fatigue began to wrap around his entire body. It was clearly the backlash of the awakening. He still had internal energy left, but his body couldn't sustain it. Even mental exhaustion washed over him, and he struggled just to keep his eyes from closing.
He had given it his all. He had gambled on the awakening to vastly increase his physical stats and poured in his internal energy to swing a Sword Astral of unimaginable size.
But in the end, he hadn't reached Yang Tae-san. He hadn't overcome him.
Is this where I die? Will I go back home? Maybe dying like this isn't so bad...
Countless thoughts flashed through his mind. He felt a desperate urge to give up, and his state began to shift toward resignation.
Then, a certain person suddenly came to mind.
The woman who had given him endless kindness, consideration, and even love when he fell into this world. The woman who, even while hovering between life and death, was busy scolding him to run away. The foolishly kind, wonderful woman he loved most in the world.
It was Ok-ryeong.
Wait! Then what about Ok-ryeong? What happens to her?
As his thoughts reached her, his eyes, which had been half-closed in resignation, snapped wide open.
He didn't care if he died. He wasn't from this world anyway; there was a slim chance he might return to his original world. But she wasn't like him. She would just die.
As that thought took hold, he felt strength returning to his body.
"Damn it!! Get up!!!! Get up, you piece of shit!!!"
Sun-woo began to scream with all his might.
"Are you going to let Ok-ryeong die?!!!"
Tears fell involuntarily. His body refused to listen to his will.
"Please!!!!"
He strained his lower back and forced his upper body up. He pushed against the ground with his arms. He planted his feet and put strength into his ankles. Then, by straining his thighs, he managed to stand fully upright.
His legs were shaking. Just standing up made his muscles and bones scream in agony. But he couldn't collapse here. He couldn't let her die.
It was then.
Something caught Sun-woo’s eye as he struggled to stand. It was the Overlord Ghost-Face Armor, one of the Six Great Treasures of the Murim, shaped like a demon.
"Fuck... I should have worn that from the start."
He had been so blinded by rage after seeing Ok-ryeong’s condition that he had completely forgotten about the armor's existence. Of course, he didn't think the outcome would have changed much, but it would have been much better if he’d worn it from the beginning.
Step, step, step.
With trembling legs, Sun-woo forced himself to take one step at a time toward where the Overlord Ghost-Face Armor was kept. It would surely be better than nothing.
The moment Sun-woo reached for the armor, the blood from his shoulder wound trickled down his arm to his hand, and several drops fell onto the Overlord Ghost-Face Armor.
Fwooooosh!
Upon contact with the blood, the armor began to emit a pulse of red energy. It opened up and immediately began to envelop Sun-woo.
*
Meanwhile, Yang Tae-san was waiting for Sun-woo to emerge from the residence. Although his shoulder had been pierced, it wasn't a fatal wound, so he expected the boy to shake it off and get back up quickly.
However, there was no sign of Sun-woo.
Did he run away?
When the boy didn't appear, Yang Tae-san felt a wave of disappointment. He thought the boy had turned out to be all talk after all.
It was then.
A red light began to pour out from the residence where Sun-woo had been thrown.
Thump. Thump.
Footsteps began to echo from within the red light. Soon, the owner of the footsteps revealed himself.
"Round two, you son of a bitch."
The figure that emerged was Sun-woo, now clad in the Overlord Ghost-Face Armor.