Duel for the Emperor Sword Form

Namgung Seo was glaring fiercely at the sky with a '...What the hell was that just now?' expression, but Namgung Pyo's real gaze was fixed on the candy. An unbroken candy was lodged squarely in the guild member's forehead. Did he sense the candy flying at him? No. He hadn't noticed at all. So there was no way to know what kind of technique was packed into that flying candy.

'Is... is this even possible?'

He didn't know. But at the very least, it was something Namgung Pyo himself couldn't do. Throwing a candy to subdue a B-rank Hunter was shocking enough, but the fact that the candy hadn't shattered was even ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠more astonishing.

'What the hell is she...?'

Namgung Pyo replayed the video of Haneul using the Emperor Sword Form over and over. Of course, watching it on repeat didn't reveal any secrets to him. But he could tell that Haneul was no ordinary Hunter. He'd hacked into the Korean Hunter Association's database, and it listed her as D-rank... but there was no way he was buying that. What D-rank Hunter in the world could take down a B-rank Breaker in one strike? That was something only Hunters like Namgung Pyo, who had reached S-rank, could pull off.

So he was convinced: Yoo Haneul was either an Apostle of some overwhelming Constellation or a Hunter secretly nurtured by Korea. And since she wasn't fully complete yet, they were hiding her in Korea. In other words, there was no way Namgung Pyo could lose to her.

As he pondered how exactly she'd used the Emperor Sword Form, his Constellation personally explained it. It was the sword of the Namgung family, stolen by the Demonic Cult during the Great War of Righteousness and Evil in ancient history. So Haneul's Constellation must be from the martial world's Demonic Cult, and on a global scale, clearly an Apostle of an evil-aligned Constellation.

With his Constellation's firm declaration that she was an evil that must be exterminated, any hesitation in Namgung Pyo's heart vanished. Of course, he wasn't stepping up for some grand justice. All he wanted was greater power—the kind that could surpass Namgung Hwi, the guild master and Lord of the Cleaving Heavens Sword.

That was all Namgung Pyo desired. His plan was simple: track down Yoo Haneul somehow and seize the Emperor Sword Form through authority and force. If it took too long, drag her to China and extract it by any means necessary. A crude, sloppy plan, but Namgung Pyo had the brute strength to back it up. Thanks to that, the guild members who'd come with him from Korea and the Chinese Association staff had no reason to worry.

But no one was letting their guard down. They stayed on high alert at all times. She was a Hunter Korea had invested in heavily, so she had to be strong—and there was a good chance she'd have escorts nearby. Defeat was unthinkable, but complacency was forbidden. They set out to find Yoo Haneul in the optimal state.

First stop: the Hunter-exclusive hospital to interrogate Namgung Hyeok... where the guild member hit by Haneul's candy passed out cold.

Even thinking back on it, it made no sense.

'Return to Purity...?'

Return to Purity was the realm Namgung Pyo was on the verge of reaching. In wuxia terms, the Fire Transformation Realm. The stage where one sheds their mortal shell. Among S-ranks, only Korea's Association Chairman had attained it. That was why, even in his age, he retained the appearance of someone in their early twenties and overwhelming physical prowess.

Namgung Pyo, on the other hand, hadn't entered Return to Purity yet. He was still a half-baked Fire Transformation expert. Seeing through Return to Purity was impossible for him.

'...Another Demonic Cult sorcery, then.'

But with greed clouding his eyes, Namgung Pyo never considered that he simply couldn't see through it. The Emperor Sword Form was Demonic Cult sorcery. The candy was Demonic Cult sorcery. A convenient conclusion that put his mind at ease.

Namgung Pyo took a step forward and said, "What are you?"

"Huh? You speak Korean? I was all tensed up for nothing."

"Cut the games and answer me. What are you?"

"Haneul."

Namgung Pyo placed his hand on his sword hilt. "That candy—you throw it?"

"Yup."

"Why? You must know who we are. Even if you didn't know this guy, you should've known me."

"I do. You're Namgung Seo, right? That's why I threw it. But your family's still around? If not, shouldn't it just be Namgung or Namgung Guild? You guys nobles or something?"

"If we judge nobility by wealth, honor, and power, then sure, we could call ourselves nobles. But why are you so brazen? You trust the Korean Hunter Association? Or the government here? Think your Namgung can withstand China's pressure?"

Haneul tilted her head at the question. She seemed to think for a moment, then rolled the candy to the other side of her mouth and said, "What, you mad?"

"...Huh?"

"You're pissed. Got your ego bruised 'cause you couldn't see the candy coming. Alright, draw your sword. Let's spar."

Namgung Pyo couldn't comprehend Haneul's sudden conclusion. He'd heard reports she was a lunatic, but he hadn't expected her to spout such disjointed nonsense. What thought process led to "draw your sword" out of nowhere?

"...What the hell are you even saying? You sane?"

"Do I look sane to you?"

"You look crazy."

Haneul didn't argue. Even she thought she was crazy.

"You're thoroughly insane. A spar? You want me to spar with you, right here, right now? Namgung Pyo?"

"Any real martial artist would settle this with a one-on-one instead of yapping. Duh. But not to the death, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠obviously. Namgung's righteous sect, not Demonic Cult. No killing intent, so don't worry."

Namgung Pyo stared at Haneul with a dumbfounded look. His mouth opened and closed, but no words came out. Was he scared? Or just too baffled? Even he needed to reflect on that.

"Oh, 'cause it's a hospital? Fine, let's go outside. Swords? Wooden ones good? Real blades are dangerous, so wooden's best. Got any? No? Guess we'll grab sticks then."

"...Ha."

Wooden swords. Hearing that word snapped Namgung Pyo out of it. That's why his words had failed him—pure absurdity. Her brazen confidence made him think she had some backing.

"You were so damn cocky, it threw me off, you little shit."

"I'm always confident, wherever, whenever. Anyway, you in? You're in, right? If I lose, I'll give you the Emperor Sword Form manual. If I win, bring Namgung Hwi."

"...Hah, fine. Let's do it."

Namgung ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Pyo nodded nonchalantly. He couldn't imagine losing.

*****

"Hm-hm-hmm~."

A cheerful tune slipped from Haneul's lips. Dodging the nurses' eyes like in a spy flick on the way out of the hospital had been fun. But what she was most excited for was Namgung's sword. After so much time—not just years, but dimensions—how would it look? Was it the same sword she knew?

The racket made it clear it was probably different. Still, Haneul didn't give up hope. Namgung Pyo's body looked pretty impressive at a glance. When it came to swords, wasn't he said to be second only to one? With that physique and talent, it made sense. That's why she'd fully concealed her aura and thrown the candy to provoke him. Experiencing it firsthand with the body would reveal more than eyes alone.

And now, the spar was on. How could she not be thrilled?

"I got ones in all lengths, weights, materials. Pick what feels right."

Namgung Pyo laid out the wooden swords his guild member had bought with a clatter.

"If you doubt it, go buy your own."

In the old world, that would've been tough, but in this era of Hunters and gates, you could get weapons like these anywhere, anytime.

"Nah, these are fine."

Haneul picked a wooden sword a bit longer than her height and heavier than suited her build. Across from her, Namgung Pyo swung his a few times and said, "Mana limited to D-rank, matching your Hunter grade."

"No need for that. Want me to yield the first move?"

"Hah, talk like you're some peerless master. No need. If you want, I'll yield."

"Nah, just use Azure Firmament Boundless Swordsmanship for me. You will, right? With Emperor Sword Form on the line, no way you're holding back or skipping it. That'd be no fun."

"Arrogant brat... Fine, as you wish. Not sure you'll even recognize it."

Everyone stifled laughs at Namgung Pyo's words. When it came to sword spars, even Namgung Hwi had to get serious—Namgung Pyo's swordsmanship was that elite. And now this kid wanted a go? Betting the Emperor Sword Form? She should be begging on her knees, yet here she was provoking him. Fight over before it started. Time for sightseeing now.

As everyone chuckled thinking it done, Namgung Hyeok broke out in cold sweat.

'She's nuts, for real...'

Earlier, his jaw had locked up, speechless. Should he jump in now? A beating would buy time. If the Association Chairman showed, even Namgung Pyo couldn't do shit.

'Why's that crazy kid provoking more...!'

Thinking of getting hit again dried his mouth out.

'Wait, what if? What if Haneul wins? She used the Emperor Sword Form...? But if it's one-shot kill? Nah, no way she beats Namgung Pyo...'

Namgung Hyeok shook his head hard and steeled himself. Letting that little girl dive into danger was wrong.

'Yeah. No way he'd kill her, right? Same Namgung and all. He won't really kill... Won't hit vital spots...?'

Namgung Hyeok clenched his fists and glared, planning to charge with a roar.

"Don't, Hyeok."

Namgung Pyo's words beat Namgung Hyeok's movement.

"Move now, you die."

"...Hyung... Still, this is too much. She's just a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠kid—"

"Hey, no interrupting spars."

Haneul cut him off with a bright smile.

"Uncle Hyeok, just watch from there."

Uncle Hyeok? It's Hyeok. Surname Namgung... Wait, you already know. Namgung Hyeok couldn't retort.

Signaling the start, Namgung Pyo exhaled deeply. His leg shot forward. One step halved the distance. On the second, he exploded forward, raising his sword at Haneul.

In an instant before her, Namgung Pyo swung without hesitation. A overhead chop from above. The firmament is boundless; the Namgung sword knows no bounds. His blade fell heavy, embodying that.

Shrieeeek—!

A blue shadow gleamed on the falling path. Such color from minimal mana meant he'd mastered Azure Firmament Boundless Swordsmanship.

'Shit, knew it—fuck!'

Namgung Hyeok instantly regretted. Should've jumped in, even if killed. No matter the strike, swords couldn't beat Namgung Pyo. Haneul's grimacing face, unable to react, proved it.

If it were me? Namgung Hyeok shook his head. Impossible. Can't block. Even fully prepared there, no confidence against this strike.

But he'd take it less painfully. If even sword-pro Hyeok was like that, Haneul was done.

Namgung Hyeok stomped in place, hoping she'd take at least one less hit.

But then.

Crack—

"Huh?"

Haneul's wooden sword had moved, effortlessly deflecting Namgung Pyo's strike. Not following up, she lowered it diagonally. The move alone was shocking; her next words were absurd.

Face scrunched, Haneul asked puzzled, "Way weaker than expected. This Azure Firmament Boundless Swordsmanship? Not Iron Sword Ten Forms?"

Namgung Pyo's face twisted.