Chapter 329
Chapter 329
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 329
Chapter Title: Next Stage (4)
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Gyeonghye Satae's sword thrust forward, scattering golden trails in its wake.
Shuu shuu shuk!!!!!
In the face of that merciless, ferocious sword strike, even the slightest lapse in attention would mean...
'I'd end up like a beehive, riddled with holes the size of the blade in her hand.'
Every single one of Gyeonghye Satae's techniques felt like genuine killing blows brimming with true intent.
I swept Regret in a diagonal slash, deflecting her sword.
Chaeng chaeng chaeng!!!!!
Over the past seven days, the forms of Satae's assaults had varied each time.
My responses had varied accordingly.
But the essence remained the same.
I focused solely on blocking and parrying her techniques.
'All while trying to discern the feints and truths leaking from her movements.'
But today was different.
Even as I busily wielded Regret, I pursued the intentions embedded in Gyeonghye Satae's movements.
Chaeng chaeng!
Chaeng chaeng chaeng!!!
'Her left foot is slightly turned inward.'
The footwork she used to advance.
The elbow and shoulder that always moved first before her sword techniques unfolded.
The left hand maintaining her balance.
The occasional shifts in her breathing.
'A martial artist conveys their will through their entire body.'
Even a transcendent expert like Gyeonghye Satae was no exception.
Countless clues poured toward me, mingled with feints and truths.
The problem was how to neutralize an opponent's intentions at her level while drawing them into my own.
'What to do.'
In that instant.
It felt as if countless paths suddenly appeared before my eyes.
Among them, the path I chose was to go along with Satae's intention.
Buung!!!
Thus, my Regret once again cleaved empty air.
And just as her sword veered slightly off course with eyes saying, 'Didn't you say you knew what the problem was?' and began to morph into a loving smack...
Swaaaak!
I used the extreme focus I'd heightened, stretching time like stretched syrup, to plant my left foot firmly into the ground.
Then, applying the Shadowless Heaven-Splitting Step with my right foot, I pushed off the earth.
My body spun like a top.
Bwoong!!!!!!!!!
Regret, which had sliced through empty space, turned full circle with my body and carved toward Gyeonghye Satae once more.
Kwaaaaak!!!!
Seeming to have caught on to my intention.
Gyeonghye Satae jerked her body back convulsively, twisting her downward slash into a horizontal sweep.
Swaaaak!
It was a defensive motion, wary of me immediately kicking off the ground to close the distance.
Bwoong!
Bwoong!
The sword she swung and my Regret glanced off each other by a paper-thin margin, leaving faint scratches on each other's cheeks.
Pik!
Pik!
Gyeonghye Satae wiped the blood seeping from the scratch and shot me a glare.
"Using the moment I pull my strike with the flat of the blade to avoid harming you? That's cheating, you know?"
"Yes. It is cheating."
"You know it's cheating? Hmm. If you've forgotten that I'm assuming the role of your enemy, where a single mistake in my swordplay could kill you... then this training has no more meaning."
"I haven't forgotten that."
"Then?"
"I simply thought it was the easiest way to draw the Director into my intentions."
But as I explained my intention, Gyeonghye Satae's eyes curved into a smile.
"Oh ho. So you really did grasp what the issue was?"
"Yes. My senses had sharpened explosively, and my body moved precisely as I willed, so I got carried away and forgot the fundamentals."
"Exactly. True transcendence isn't just mastering your own sensations—it's drawing in the movements of your opponent and nature into your domain, harmonizing them."
With that preface, Gyeonghye Satae smiled faintly and sheathed the sword she held into the scabbard at her waist.
"From now on, sparring with your peers will feel entirely different. A true transcendent expert can train even with feet dipped in flowing water."
"Sounds like our nighttime outings are over?"
"You've only ever honed killing techniques. You're suitable as a sparring partner for your adaptation phase, but pushing further risks needless injury without much gain."
"Is that so?"
"You're not someone I need to hold back against when crossing swords. It wouldn't help much. Better to spar with other instructors..."
It was then that the side gate of Jaso Palace opened, and Tae-eul-ja poked his head out.
"How's our Myeong-yeong doing?"
Toward that Tae-eul-ja, Gyeonghye Satae and I cupped our fists in salute.
"Sect Leader."
"We greet the Sect Leader."
Tae-eul-ja waved his hand dismissively and repeated the question.
"Greetings aside. What do you think of Myeong-yeong as the partner you just mentioned?"
Gyeonghye Satae gazed at me as she replied.
"If the Infinite Sword offers guidance, it would be ideal for Eon Association Head."
Infinite Sword Myeong-yeong.
He was someone who would bear a crucial role in our eventual clash with the Demonic Cult.
Raising my own achievements was important, but I couldn't interfere with his training.
I cupped my fists once more, conveying those thoughts.
"As a lowly disciple, I am deeply grateful for the offer, but I'm worried it might disrupt Senior Myeong-yeong's training."
To my words, Tae-eul-ja stroked his beard and spoke.
"Hmm. We'd have to ask him, but I doubt it would be a bother?"
"Is that so?"
Tae-eul-ja stroked his beard again.
"Since our Wudang half-closed its doors, the senior disciples' duties have lightened. And as Gyeonghye Satae just said, true absolute experts accumulate their path even from flowing water or brushing winds."
Adding that remark, he descended from Jaso Palace.
"Moreover, if that wind is a youthful breeze, it benefits the future of the martial world and stimulates Myeong-yeong himself. Wait here a moment."
Shortly after.
Myeong-yeong the Daoist, who had ascended to Jaso Palace with Tae-eul-ja, stepped onto the training ground and spoke.
"I've heard the story."
"Won't it be a hassle?"
"Not at all. Junior disciples are busy avoiding work, and no young ones challenge me to swordplay, so it's been a while since I've sought opponents only in meditation. If the Valley Dragon requests a match, I'm delighted. I'm curious about the true face of the world's top late-stage genius."
"Then, shamelessly, I ask."
"Same time each day should be fine, but crossing swords with me will tire you out... Since you have duties, come to Jaso Peak every other day."
"Yes."
"Good. Since you've expended mental energy sparring with Satae today, let's lightly check your skills. Come at me."
Leader of the Azure Heaven Sword Force.
Infinite Sword Myeong-yeong.
"Hoo."
Toward the swordmaster said to surely be the next generation's greatest under heaven, I swung Regret.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Two weeks had passed since I began receiving instructional spars from Myeong-yeong every other day at Jaso Peak.
"Eon Young Master? I reviewed the plaque placement for Dokgo Family with Miss Je-gal."
In the meantime, the site for establishing the Dokgo Family had been selected.
"Zhangwan seems best."
"Is that right?"
"Yes. It's close to Dankang District where the academy is, and a suitable estate is on the market at a good price."
"And the most important part—the locals? Good location means nothing if there's conflict with entrenched powers."
When I asked, Je-gal Seolji spoke up.
"I'll explain that. The leading family in Zhangwan is the Gui Family—they're scholarly, and connected by marriage to one of Je-gal Family's branch houses, so they'll help."
Hearing Yin Xia Lian and Je-gal Seolji, I turned to Dokgo Cheol.
"That's the situation?"
"Th-thank you. Truly, thank you. Sniff. Sob."
Dokgo Cheol's eyes reddened with emotion.
Yin Xia Lian threw a pointed remark at him.
"This is possible only thanks to the reputation and connections Eon Young Master built while enduring all sorts of finger-pointing. This isn't easy at all."
"I-I know."
"Good. Don't forget those tears. If you're grateful, repay it."
"...Yes!"
- Indeed. Hayeon is sharp as ever. She knows what's important.
As Master commented on Yin Xia Lian's demeanor.
Zhang Sun hugged Dokgo Cheol and shed tears alongside him.
"Sob! Congratulations, friend Cheol! I'll repay this grace together too!"
Laughter spread here and there at that.
Yin Ha-seong paused his laugh to jest.
"Heh. So now do I call Cheol 'Dokgo Family Head'?"
Namgung Yeong and Woo So-rung widened their eyes.
"Wow, yeah. Outside the academy, Dokgo Cheol might be the highest-ranked among us?"
"Gasp. Then... how should I treat Cheol?"
Clap.
I slowly clapped to draw my juniors' attention.
"Alright, chit-chat ends here. We're hanging the plaque in Zhangwan. That's all we've decided. Mountains of tasks for civil, military, and administrative matters?"
And immediately clapped quickly to urge them on.
Clap. Clap. Clap. Clap. Clap.
"Once that's done, we need to schedule civilian aid. Tight timeline before finals. Move fast."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Establishing the Dokgo Family proceeded steadily.
We secured the selected site, obtained the approval of local magnate Gui Family and officials using connections and influence.
Purchased the estate.
And hired retainers to manage it.
"Now just the plaque ceremony left?"
"Yes. All thanks to Association Head."
"Roster?"
"Here."
From the chief steward overseeing household affairs to kitchen maids.
Total of thirty personnel.
Ten among them were personnel the Blood Cult had given to Dokgo Cheol.
"These ten listed are your direct subordinates from the cult?"
"Yes, Association Head."
"You're a branch leader, but I need to rein these in myself."
"Personally?"
"Yes."
"Is that okay?"
"Okay or not, it must be done. Can't have info leaking without going through us. Only then can we use them properly. What, because they're your men?"
When I asked, Dokgo Cheol shook his head vigorously.
"Not that. They've just transferred over—no trust or chain of command established yet. Safe to expose you in that situation?"
"I get your worry. But the trust and hierarchy you mentioned can't form in this setup. You're at the academy, they're mostly here. Not sharing life-or-death missions. How does trust build?"
"...True."
"I have a plan. Send the other twenty to Je-gal Family on errands. You and these ten gather at Dokgo Manor training ground at Ha hour. Don't say I ordered it."
"Yes!"
Having commanded Dokgo Cheol, I made my preparations.
Gathered necessary items, coated Regret with ash.
Changed into pitch-black robes.
Wore the ghost mask made by Takga Iron Forge, arrived at Dokgo Manor on time.
Slipped out the ash-coated Regret and asked Master to scout.
'All gathered?'
- High Iron and ten ragtags. Eleven total. What mischief now?
'You'll see. Regret sheathed gives it away too much—watch from here.'
Having placed Master in position, I regulated my breathing lightly.
'Blood Cult.'
They fundamentally revered strength.
No way mere words would make them follow me.
'Gotta beat them first.'
Not just beat—show overwhelming, eerie might.
Make them feel what I did facing Grandmaster Gongdeok or Myeong-yeong's prowess.
Of course, nowhere near their level.
'But worth trying.'
I'd fully entered transcendence facing Infinite Sword's blade.
Realm far above these gathered foes.
Plus black magic.
'Flash Dark Metamorphosis amid the beating, and they'll wonder if it's dream or reality.'
Finishing my thoughts, I cut my left palm with Regret.
Activated Blood Tide Technique simultaneously, billowed the black robes, and leaped into Dokgo Manor.
Hudu duduk—
Spotting me, some Blood Cult members assumed combat stance.
"Wh-who are you?!"
"Ghost face?!"
Among them, Dokgo Cheol, recognizing my eyes, signaled with his.
'...As-sociation Head. Your plan?'
But Dokgo Cheol was one who needed reining too.
'Can't always dangle carrots.'
Time for his bladder to be forcibly squeezed.
Sahak—
I cast Dark Metamorphosis in midair.
Lightning-like, surged right before Dokgo Cheol.
"???"
Dispelled it, unleashed Heaven-Splitting Single Fist.
Ppak!!
"Guhk!"
Having choked Dokgo Cheol breathless, I immediately Shadowless Heaven-Splitting Stepped off the ground.
Cast Dark Metamorphosis again.
"H-high expert!"
"Gone again!"
Dark Metamorphosis was mere diversion.
Battle-hardened Blood Cult veterans should sense my position if alert.
"G-ghost?!"
But overwhelmed by my transcendent movement, they unwittingly relied on sight, deluded by my motions.
Bbang! Ppaak!!
From there, it was like swimming with ground as water.
Using Dark Metamorphosis in blinks, I rampaged freely through the Blood Cult members.
Paak!!
Beat, kicked, smashed.
Until they barely clung to consciousness.
When all eleven were battered heaps.
I leaped to the roof of the Family Head's quarters right before the training ground.
Cheok.
Used Blood Tide Technique to manifest blood-formed wings on my back.
Chwaak!!!
'Feels childish, but hits home for them.'
Sure enough.
Seeing it, amid their gagging, all knelt and bowed heads.
Didn't know who exactly, but assumed Blood Cult executive.
Suppressing a leaking laugh, I spoke in an elder's voice.
"…Blood Flame Heaven and Earth."