Chapter 753: It Was Truly Enjoyable, My Friend.
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 753: It Was Truly Enjoyable, My Friend.
"Are you planning to die right now?!"
Sun-woo raised his voice and roared. He was horrified by Sword Man’s attitude—a man willing to throw away his very life just for the sake of victory.
"This is the path to becoming the greatest under heaven! Is it not only natural to stake one's life for such a thing?!"
The Sword Man shouted back, his tone suggesting this was the most obvious truth in the world.
The World's Greatest Swordsman.
The honor of being the strongest blade in the world. A position that only one person in all of creation could hold. He was doing this to grasp that glory. From his perspective, risking his life was a given.
"What use is the title of 'World's Greatest' if you're dead?!"
Sun-woo screamed, looking at him with an expression of utter disbelief. He couldn't understand the man's willingness to disregard his own life in pursuit of mere honor. What was so special about being the World's Greatest Swordsman that he would treat his life so cheaply?
"The honor of being the World's Greatest Swordsman... that alone makes it a death well worth dying."
The Sword Man continued, a broad smile spreading across his face. A faint hint of madness flickered in his eyes. He was experiencing an overwhelming sense of euphoria at the fact that he could engage in a life-and-death duel with a swordsman of his own caliber.
"Now, come! Come! Attack me! Let us bring this to a conclusion!"
The Sword Man’s blade began to lash out once more. Again and again.
Rumble!
Sun-woo barely managed to fend off the onslaught. Every single strike was heavy and incredibly sharp—so much so that simply blocking them was becoming an agonizing struggle.
Slice.
His right cheek was grazed.
Slash.
The blade swept past his left forearm.
Swish.
Another cut opened on his flank. The Sword Man’s blade began to ravage Sun-woo’s body, carving into him at will.
Damn it!
Sun-woo screamed inwardly. The gap in their sword techniques was too vast. He simply couldn't overcome the decades of skill the man had accumulated—more than double his own experience.
Whoosh!
The sword lunged forward again, this time aiming straight for the center of his throat. It was too close to parry with his own blade.
Twist.
Sun-woo quickly activated the Great Shift of Heaven and Earth.
Crack!
The Sword Man’s blade was deflected away. Sun-woo had twisted the flow of energy, forcing the strike to bounce off. Immediately following the deflection, he raised his foot and stomped hard against the Sword Man’s chest.
Slide!
The Sword Man’s figure was pushed back helplessly. He seemed caught off guard by the sudden kick.
"Cough... Haha... Cough... Impressive!"
The Sword Man spat out words of admiration between fits of coughing, having taken significant damage from the reflected impact. He was marvelling at Sun-woo’s ability to control the flow of energy so freely.
"I apologize. I couldn't find a way to surpass you with the sword alone."
Sun-woo offered an apology.
"Do not pay it any mind. Did I not tell you? If you are outmatched in sword technique, you must find other means."
The Sword Man let out a boisterous laugh before continuing.
"And is it not also my turn to bring out other means to deal with you?"
The Sword Man looked at Sun-woo with a solemn gaze. He straightened his sword and began to focus his entire mind—a single, unwavering intent to cut through everything. That singular intent became a physical will, filling his old iron sword to the brim.
After a moment, he spoke in a calm, steady tone. He seemed much more composed than before.
"You won't be able to control the flow anymore."
"......"
Seeing this, Sun-woo knew. The Sword Man had drawn his Heart Sword. Sun-woo sharpened his senses and stared at the man's blade, but he couldn't feel a single trace of energy from it. It felt like nothing more than an ordinary iron sword.
Yet, Sun-woo knew the truth. Within that plain iron blade resided the Sword Man’s absolute will to sever anything in his path.
"There should be fewer interruptions here."
The Sword Man looked around with a calm expression. As they traded blows, they had unknowingly moved far away from the speech venue. Now, only the two swordsmen remained.
"So, show me. Show me everything you have."
The Sword Man raised his iron sword, now imbued with his will. Hearing those words, Sun-woo slowly lowered his own blade and began to concentrate his will.
Even if an insurmountable absurdity blocked his path, he would cut through fate itself to protect what was precious to him. That was his will.
Shwaaaaaa!
A brilliant light, as radiant as the sun, began to pour from the Dragon Tail Soft Sword. The sword that protects—the Protective Sword—had manifested.
"Is that your sword?" the Sword Man asked, witnessing the spectacle.
"It is," Sun-woo replied calmly.
"Magnificent."
The Sword Man’s eyes sparkled with delight. Sun-woo’s Heart Sword was incomparably radiant, like sunlight driving away the darkness. The Sword Man loved that brilliance. He felt a thrill at the thought that it might even burn his own sword to cinders.
Whoosh!
The Sword Man’s figure shot forward. He swung his blade—his Severing Sword, intended to cut through all things.
Vroom!
Sun-woo swung his blade in response. His Heart Sword, forged to protect those he loved—the Protective Sword.
The blades of the two swordsmen collided.
Clang!
A sharp metallic ring erupted as the swords met. They were locked in a stalemate. Neither had been cut. The Sword Man’s Severing Sword could not break Sun-woo’s Protective Sword, and Sun-woo’s Protective Sword could not overcome the Sword Man’s Severing Sword. The magnitude of the will imbued in each blade was equally immense.
"Grrrgh!"
Sun-woo let out a groan. Cold sweat began to pour down his face. Just facing the Sword Man’s blade made his arms tremble and his muscles scream in agony. Simply enduring the massive will contained within the Severing Sword was an overwhelming task.
But he did not give up. He had never learned how to back down. He poured more strength into his lower body—from his soles to his calves and thighs. Then he tightened his core, chest, shoulders, and arms.
Grit.
He clenched his teeth so hard it felt like they might shatter. With bloodshot eyes, he stared back at the Sword Man.
I won't lose! I won't lose!
He poured his life's resolve into the struggle.
How wonderful.
The Sword Man wore a deep smile as he watched. He was genuinely enjoying himself. The boy who had been as weak as a puppy—the one he had selflessly shared his insights with—had returned as a mighty tiger, strong enough to threaten his very life. In such a short time, he had become an equal rival. How could he not be delighted?
You have grown, my friend.
Grip!
The Sword Man tightened his hold on his sword even further. He focused his singular intent: to cut through the Heart Sword his friend had manifested.
Tremble, tremble.
His arms began to shake involuntarily. His physical body couldn't withstand the sheer amount of force he was exerting. But he didn't care. As long as he could cut... as long as he could sever his opponent's will, it didn't matter what happened to this wretched body. He only desired to cut.
"Aaaaaaaagh!"
The Sword Man let out a primal roar. He focused every nerve in his body into the sword.
Skritch, skritch.
Then, something unexpected happened. The Sword Man’s old iron sword began to bite into the Dragon Tail Soft Sword. It was cutting through it. He was severing Sun-woo’s Protective Sword.
A look of madness filled the Sword Man’s eyes. He pushed even harder.
Pop.
Capillaries in his eyes burst.
Crack.
His tightly clenched teeth began to fracture. He didn't care. Only one thing mattered to him now: breaking the sword of the rival standing before him.
Crunch.
Clatter!
Finally, the Sword Man’s wish was granted. The Dragon Tail Soft Sword was severed by his iron blade. A surge of euphoria washed over him, followed by an immense sense of achievement. He had won. He had defeated this incredibly powerful rival. He had severed Sun-woo’s will.
Farewell!
The Sword Man swung his blade to deliver the final blow. He intended to bring the duel to a close as the World's Greatest Swordsman.
Whoosh!
The Sword Man’s blade reached Sun-woo’s neck. He was about to decapitate him.
Crumble.
At that moment, another anomaly occurred. The sword touching Sun-woo’s neck began to crack and splinter, turning into dust and scattering into the air.
W-What?!
The Sword Man’s expression turned to one of bewilderment. He hadn't expected this sudden turn of events at all.
Fshhhhh.
The entire blade turned to powder and vanished completely. Soon, the Sword Man was left holding nothing but an empty hilt. He stared down at the empty hilt with a dazed expression for a long time.
"Hahahaha! Hahahaha!"
Then, he burst into laughter. It was a hearty, genuinely amused laugh. He found the conclusion to be quite entertaining. He had always thought he would die with a sword in his hand. Yet, at the very end, his sword had broken. How could this not be a hilarious ending? His life, which he had lived like a single blade, had finally snapped.
"Hahahaha!"
The Sword Man laughed and laughed until his mirth finally began to subside. Sun-woo simply watched him with a calm gaze until the laughter stopped completely.
After a long while, the Sword Man spoke with a deep smile.
"It seems we have reached a draw."
"...No. If... if it weren't for the Dragon Tail Soft Sword..."
Sun-woo shook his head. The difference in their weapons had been too great. While the Sword Man used an old blade made of common iron, Sun-woo had faced him with a legendary treasure. Even so, both swords had broken. How could he call that a draw?
"A sword is merely a tool used to win a fight. Do not let it trouble you. Hahaha!"
The Sword Man laughed joyfully.
"It was truly enjoyable, my friend."
A thick smile remained on his lips as his body began to slowly dissipate into dust.
"Senior!"
Sun-woo called out urgently. He was panicked by the sight of the man crumbling away. But the Sword Man could not answer. His entire body had already turned to dust, scattering into the wind.
The Sword Man had vanished completely, as if he had never existed in the first place. Sun-woo stood there with a blank expression. A mix of emptiness and confusion left his heart in turmoil.
"Senior... Sword Man."
Sun-woo stared at the spot where the man had stood, his eyes filled with a lingering sense of loss. He stood there for a long time.
Boom! Rumble!
Suddenly, a massive explosion reached his ears. Sun-woo immediately snapped his head toward the source of the sound. He saw thick black smoke rising from the direction of the speech venue.
"Damn it!"
Sun-woo cursed. It seemed the situation was far from over. He quickly circulated his internal energy, channeling it into his Yongcheon points before launching himself forward.
Whoosh!
Sun-woo’s figure shot toward the venue like a bolt of lightning.
*
Tap, tap.
Sun-woo arrived at the speech venue in a hurry.
Boom! Crash!
A series of explosions were rocking the area. He could see people lying scattered everywhere, likely caught in the blasts.
"What on earth happened?!"
Sun-woo looked around in shock. The sudden transformation of the venue into a disaster zone was jarring.
"Lord Sun-woo!"
Someone called out to him urgently. Sun-woo turned his head to see an incredibly beautiful noblewoman approaching. It was Paeng Ga-ryeon.
"What happened here?" Sun-woo asked, demanding an explanation.
"After you disappeared with that man, a series of explosions occurred on the platform where Lee Jae-won was standing. It seems someone detonated Thunderbolt Bombs."
Paeng Ga-ryeon briefly explained the events that had transpired at the venue.
"What about the casualties?!"
"Most of the leadership suffered significant damage... Being close to the platform, they couldn't avoid the direct impact. The general crowd suffered injuries from flying shrapnel, but none are as critically wounded as the leaders."
Paeng Ga-ryeon continued in a calm tone.
"Lee Jae-won! Where is Lee Jae-won?!"
Sun-woo asked the most important question.
"We couldn't just leave him there, so we moved him elsewhere."
"You moved him?"
"Yes. Since you are the one who holds the power over his life and death, I thought it best to keep him safe until your return."
Paeng Ga-ryeon looked at Sun-woo as if seeking praise.
"Where did you take him?"
"We decided to move him to the Hao Clan's branch for now. We thought the Cheonmu Alliance would be too chaotic."
"The Hao Clan? Did the Leader of the Hao Clan take him personally?"
"Yes."
Paeng Ga-ryeon nodded.
"Isn't that too dangerous?" Sun-woo asked with a worried expression.
Even though Lee Jae-won had been crippled, he was still a master of the Profound Realm. A man with power that defied the natural order could do anything. Entrusting him to the Leader of the Hao Clan, who was only at the Peak Realm, seemed like a reckless choice.
"Don't worry. He's with people we can trust."
"People we can trust?" Sun-woo asked, puzzled.
"The Great Matriarch and Hero Yoon Je-gyeom," Paeng Ga-ryeon replied calmly.
The Leader of the Hao Clan wasn't the only one transporting Lee Jae-won. The Heavenly Sword Empress Joo So-yang and the Plum Blossom Sword Emperor Yoon Je-gyeom were with him. How could anything go wrong? It was unthinkable.
"Phew."
Hearing that, Sun-woo breathed a sigh of relief. If two masters of the Profound Realm were guarding him, they could easily handle a crippled Lee Jae-won. He was surely being moved to safety.