Chapter 48
Chapter 48
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: Sweet Words, Hidden Sword (7)
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Using the crumbling debris as footholds, I scaled the cliff in an instant, only for Seolhwa, who was right nearby, to hurl herself at me with all her might. I nearly tumbled back down.
But dodging would have meant certain death for her off the cliff. With no choice, I caught her with my body. Blood streaming down, I said,
"There's a cliff behind you. Throwing yourself like that is dangerous."
"But Master caught me."
"Of course. I'm your teacher, after all."
"Yeah. I trust you more than anyone under heaven."
"Master!!!"
Soon, Sua and Namgung Yeon spotted me embracing Seolhwa and came rushing over. It was a heartfelt reunion, but first things first—cleaning up after this ambush.
I gathered the survivors and collected the bodies of those killed in the attack. The silver lining was that not all Hundred Great Experts had sided with the Demonic Cult.
If Go Gyeom and Ma Gang had joined them... regrettably, things would have played out exactly as they wanted, plain as day. Ma Gang of the Black Tiger Greatsword was a gray area, though.
"It's not like he outright refused to join, and he knew their plans but stayed silent..."
"You're right, Great Hero. If he'd spoken up sooner, we might have prevented the casualties. But without Ma Gang, we'd all be dead."
"...Young Hero Go Gyeom has a point. And without Ma Gang's intervention, it really would have been dire."
Truth be told, I could understand why he had no choice. Refusing the Demonic Cult's offer back then would have cost him his life.
Weighing all the circumstances, we decided not to punish Ma Gang. That said, I wasn't letting this slide. The Demonic Cult would pay, naturally.
The unvetted Seonmu Academy wouldn't escape blame either. Nor would the Murim Alliance, its root and patron.
The Hundred Great Experts are basically certified by the righteous Murim Alliance anyway. Can't be helped.
The Hundred Great Experts command respect everywhere just by name. That's because the Murim Alliance effectively vouches for them.
Yet four of them betrayed the procession and attacked. Naturally, the Alliance that endorsed them must answer for it.
"How many survivors?"
"Over half the escorts are dead."
"...Then Young Hero Go Gyeom, you can head back to Henan with the survivors?"
"I'll be fine. Great Hero, you're pressing on to Shandong like this?"
"Have to. Plenty of right and wrong to sort out."
We'd come this far; no turning back now. Go Gyeom nodded and rallied the survivors. Just then, Ma Gang approached me.
"Thank you for your mercy first off, Great Hero."
"Not thrilled about it, honestly, but you saved my disciples. Just giving you what you earned."
"...If it's alright, may I ask one question?"
"What is it?"
"I saw young Seolhwa using martial arts earlier. If I wasn't mistaken, it looked like just the Three Disasters Sword Art. The power was no joke."
Her Three Disasters Sword Art, huh. I nodded readily. Seolhwa had been steadily converting the poison rooted in her dantian into inner energy.
Not only was her accumulation speed impressive, but the quality was top-notch too. By sheer volume alone, she was at least first-rate.
So even basic Three Disasters Sword Art packed a punch. Though the main reason was that I only knew that one technique.
But I can't just sit idle pretending I don't know others. Have to build up slowly, one by one.
"That's right. But what's the issue?"
"...If you're willing, Great Hero, I'd love to test my skills against your sword."
"Test against my sword? You mean a spar?"
"Yes. Truth be told, I've wanted to ask since the start."
Caught off guard by Ma Gang's request, Go Gyeom, who'd been listening quietly, tried to dissuade him. But it might not be a bad idea. I nodded.
"Fine. That's no big deal."
Honestly, sending him off without a beating felt unsatisfying.
At least a few good hits.
"Fine. That's no big deal."
Nameless accepted the spar so readily—easy, even refreshing—that even Ma Gang, who'd made the request, was momentarily stunned. Who'd have thought he'd agree just like that?
Ma Gang knew his position wasn't great. Sure, he'd ultimately helped Go Gyeom drive off the Demonic Cult or whatever they were.
But he hadn't refused their offer outright, and forewarning could have prevented casualties. No betrayal, but no heroics either.
Best to slip away quietly with Go Gyeom. Yet one thing kept tripping him up.
Just a bit more, and he'd witness it.
The Sword Demon's duel, with his own eyes.
Then he could climb higher.
His warrior's heart, numb with stagnation and despair, reignited with competitive fire. Unable to hold back, he spoke.
He'd braced for blunt rejection. Instead, the Great Hero accepted calmly, refreshingly.
No conditions, just straight acceptance. True peak masters are on another level.
True masters inspire awe without showing their skills. Just watching Nameless broadened Ma Gang's world.
With minimal prep, Nameless and Ma Gang faced off. True to his Black Tiger Greatsword moniker, Ma Gang hefted a massive greatsword as big as himself over his shoulder.
No ordinary warrior—or even fellow Hundred Great Expert—could see it without awe. It lived up to the name.
But Nameless faced the giant blade with unshaken eyes. That gaze sent chills down Ma Gang's spine.
No presence at all. Yet why does even breathing feel this oppressive?
Like a blade at his throat, cold sweat poured from Ma Gang. But he gathered all his strength and roared.
This hard-won chance. Just a bit more,
and he might ascend higher.
He couldn't waste it cowering.
The brief roar whipped his fear away. For a moment, he could move. He lunged forward.
"Hah!!!"
With a sharp kiai, the greatsword crashed like thunder. No fancy technique, but raw power made it devastating.
Boom!!
The clash erupted thunderously. But Ma Gang reeled in shock. His all-out, peak strike.
Undeniably,
even Go Gyeom couldn't block it head-on.
It transcended limits.
Yet Nameless parried it effortlessly with his sword? In this surreal scene, Ma Gang thought he was dreaming.
But the feedback in his hands was real. No dream. Then immense force shoved his greatsword back.
He first thought it was some technique. No—just a casual flick, brushing off dust, deflecting the blade aside.
"Coming straight on? Block this."
Ma Gang raised his greatsword to defend. But before him loomed not the same man—a colossal giant like Mount Tai.
The sky-piercing giant slowly raised its sword beyond the heavens, then struck down. Simultaneously, shock pierced through his greatsword.
Mount Tai Overhead Smash
⟨ Taesan Apjeong ⟩
Unable to withstand the overwhelming force that could crush Mount Tai, Ma Gang's defense crumbled like a sandcastle. If he'd struck with the edge instead of the flat...
"...Ha!"
Despite the hopeless gap, Ma Gang couldn't suppress his laugh. His foggy vision cleared sharper than ever. Yes, that was it.
That single strike was the essence he sought, the path to follow. Realizing it thanks to the Great Hero—how could he not laugh?
This encounter lets me aim higher at last. What else is this but fateful fortune?
Ah! So refreshing!!
Nameless, meanwhile, felt refreshed for entirely different reasons.