Chapter 150
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 150
Chapter Title: The Victorious Five Rings Swordsman
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A glint appeared in Seol Hwa-un's eyes.
“What's the reason?”
“I'll tell you…… after the spar.”
“……That's tricky.”
Sa In-gyeol bowed his head deeply as he spoke.
“I beg you.”
Considering his fame and position in the martial world, it was a humility rarely seen.
Seol Hwa-un pondered for a moment before slowly nodding.
“Very well. Testing the skills of one of the Orthodox Faction's Ten Great Swordsmen firsthand isn't a bad idea.”
“Thank you.”
The two soon faced each other in the training ground.
Shring!
Sa In-gyeol drew his rusted longsword.
“I'll give it my all from the start. Be careful.”
At his words, Seol Hwa-un smiled faintly.
“Come.”
By the time they'd ventured into the martial world, Sa In-gyeol was far more senior, but Seol Hwa-un's fame had long surpassed his.
There was no shame in striking first.
Without hesitation, Sa In-gyeol kicked off the ground and thrust his longsword forward.
Taat!
‘I won't be fooled by appearances.’
He thought it unlikely, but the Bloodfiend Sword Lord might have let his guard down against that youthful look.
Shuwaaak!
Sa In-gyeol's longsword traced a large circle. It was formed of sharp sword qi.
Papatapa!
Seol Hwa-un's eyes sparkled.
‘So this is the Victorious Five Rings Sword of the Absolute Shadow Swordsman.’
It was indeed a fierce sword qi befitting one of the Orthodox Faction's Ten Great Swordsmen.
‘How strong is it, I wonder?’
Seol Hwa-un extended his left hand.
Shuwaaak!
A fist infused with pure white fist qi clashed against the circular sword qi.
Kwang!!
With a massive impact, both men were pushed back simultaneously.
“…….”
Seol Hwa-un felt a stinging pain in his left hand.
‘Even wrapped in Shadowless Fist Armor, it hurts. He's better than I thought.’
It was only thirty percent of his internal energy, but to deliver this much shock was impressive sword qi.
“Haaap!”
Sa In-gyeol, who had been repelled, closed the distance again and swung his longsword.
Papatapa!
Papatapa!
This time, two circular sword qis formed.
This unique sword qi was the Round Wheel Sword Qi of the Victorious Five Rings Sword.
The number had doubled, but the momentum was over three times stronger.
“…….”
Without delay, Seol Hwa-un thrust out both fists in succession.
Shushuk!
Kwagwang!!
This time, the Round Wheel Sword Qi shattered even more easily than before. The reason was simple—Seol Hwa-un had struck with greater force.
But before he could relax, three Round Wheel Sword Qis flew at him again.
Papapatapa!
Seol Hwa-un was inwardly impressed.
‘Amazing. The more the sword qis multiply, the exponentially greater the pressure!’
His gaze grew more serious.
‘Ice River Nine Splits Divine Fist, second form.’
Shushushu!
His fists soon created three fist shadows.
‘Three Layers Pressure Fist!’
Kwakwang!!!
The Round Wheel Sword Qi shattered futilely once more.
Sa In-gyeol's pupils trembled.
‘He blocks even the third form this easily?!’
His fighting spirit surged.
‘Fine, let's see if he can handle the fourth!’
Sa In-gyeol swung his sword madly.
Shushushushu!
‘Five Rings Filling the Sky!’
Papapatapapa!
“……!”
Five Round Wheel Sword Qis filled the space before him entirely.
Even Seol Hwa-un felt it was a momentum too formidable to ignore.
“…….”
Seol Hwa-un raised his fist before his chest. It soon began to emit a pure white glow.
And at some point, his hand had opened from a fist, palm facing the opponent.
‘Ice White Divine Palm.’
Seol Hwa-un thrust his palm forward vigorously. A palm-shaped gang qi burst from his hand, expanding in size in an instant.
Paaaaa!
“……!”
Sa In-gyeol's eyes widened involuntarily.
‘Th-this is the North Sea Ice Palace's Ice White Divine Palm!’
Kwakwakwakwang!
The five Round Wheel Sword Qis vanished futilely under the Ice White Divine Palm.
He gritted his teeth.
‘It's not over yet!’
Sa In-gyeol drew up all his remaining internal energy. He was about to unleash the final form of the Victorious Five Rings Sword.
‘I've devoted a full ten years to perfecting this one!’
Burrururu!
His longsword trembled as if unable to withstand the internal energy.
‘Five Rings United Wall!’
In an instant, the longsword, which had been in a low stance, shot upward like a spring.
Kwaaaaaa!
A massive Round Wheel Sword Qi formed along the tip of Sa In-gyeol's sword.
It was a single one, but it exuded an overwhelming pressure incomparable to any before.
“……!”
Even the watching North Wind Brigade Leader felt a momentary unease.
But his opponent was Seol Hwa-un. He lightly clenched his right hand and drew it back to his waist.
The energy gathered in his fist was denser and clearer than ever.
‘A fine sword art, Sa swordsman.’
But it still fell short of surpassing Seol Hwa-un.
His fist shot forward at terrifying speed.
‘Fist Cannon One Split.’
A clearer fist wind than ever before burst forth like a charging beast.
Kuooh!
A roar soon erupted.
Kwaaaaaang!!
Sa In-gyeol's Five Rings United Wall was pierced by the fist wind. The energy scattered, carving a long, deep furrow into the training ground floor.
“Ah!”
Having poured everything into it, Sa In-gyeol staggered with a pale face.
Then, with a hollow expression, he muttered as if to himself.
“As expected of the North Heavenly Dragon. I concede defeat.”
The watching North Wind Brigade Leader couldn't help but be impressed.
‘The Lord's Ice River Nine Splits Divine Fist has reached a new realm!’
And rightly so—the final single form, Fist Cannon One Split, held more power than any previous technique.
It meant the superiority between forms had vanished; power now depended solely on when and how it was unleashed.
‘He never stops at one place. Truly the Lord.’
Seol Hwa-un asked.
“Sa swordsman, will you now tell me why you requested this spar?”
“In truth, I needed the spar to ask one thing.”
Pausing briefly, Sa In-gyeol's eyes gleamed as he spoke.
“Was the Bloodfiend Sword Lord…… strong?”
“……!”
Seol Hwa-un slowly nodded.
“Yes. Among all the foes I've faced, he's one of the top few.”
Sa In-gyeol asked again.
“Then, how do I compare to him?”
A troubled look crossed Seol Hwa-un's face.
“……Your swordsmanship is undoubtedly remarkable. But to be honest, the Bloodfiend Sword Lord's blade was trickier.”
Hearing the answer, Sa In-gyeol gave a wry smile.
“So it was as I thought. Thank you for your honesty, Lord.”
He bowed his head deeply.
“And thank you for avenging me in my stead.”
“I didn't intend to avenge you specifically, Sa swordsman.”
“I know. But you did kill him, and as a result, my grudge was settled.”
Seol Hwa-un nodded inwardly.
‘He truly has the air of a great hero.’
As Sa In-gyeol stepped back, attention naturally turned to the remaining stranger.
“…….”
The man, who had been staring blankly in shock at their duel, slowly spoke.
“I thought you were all talk, chattering so loudly it hurt my ears…… but your reputation is well-earned.”
“Why have you come to see me?”
Without a word, he threw off his blood-red robe. His appearance was finally revealed.
“……!”
Sa In-gyeol and the North Wind Brigade Leader's eyes widened as they stared. His looks were that shocking.
His head was disproportionately large for his frame, with sparse, patchy hair that made it unsightly.
His small eyes were set widely apart, his nose barely outlined and too low.
His thick, oversized lips completed the look—like a toad sculpted into human form.
“…….”
From start to finish, the stranger stared at Seol Hwa-un. Even seeing his face, Seol Hwa-un showed no change in expression.
Surprised, the stranger asked.
“……You're not shocked by my appearance?”
“Why should I be?”
“Interesting. Can't you tell from their faces?”
At his gesture, the North Wind Brigade Leader and Sa In-gyeol flinched and schooled their expressions.
“Ahem!”
Seol Hwa-un shook his head.
“I don't judge people by their beauty or ugliness.”
“Kekeke. If some other bastard said that, I'd smash his skull. But coming from the North Heavenly Dragon, it's believable.”
A glint appeared in Seol Hwa-un's eyes.
“I think I know who you are. You're the Lame Ghost Blade, aren't you?”
“……That's right.”
The North Wind Brigade Leader tilted his head.
“Lame Ghost Blade? Ah……!”
He was known behind his back as the Lame Toad.
‘Few who called him Lame Toad to his face have survived.’
The stranger's name was Hong Seong-chil, one of the Evil Faction's Eight Great Blade Masters.
Feared for his cruel and cold-blooded ways, the Lame Ghost Blade had once wandered the martial world without affiliation.
Then, one day, he grew weary. He suddenly wanted to settle somewhere.
That's when he received a letter from the One-Eyed Blade.
‘Equal treatment based on skill alone?’
He would have scoffed if it came from anyone else.
But the One-Eyed Blade was different. He too had faced discrimination for his one eye, denied proper respect.
So it rang true.
‘The One-Eyed Blade spoke the truth.’
He was the second person not to furrow his brow upon seeing him.
“Lame Ghost Blade. Not a great moniker. I'll call you Hero Hong.”
“…….”
“I'll ask again. Why did you seek me out, Hero Hong?”
“Well…….”
Hong Seong-chil hesitated before speaking.
“Does the North Heaven Fortress take in retainers?”
His tone had softened before he knew it.
“Retainers?”
His eyes sparkled.
“Yes. I've come to become one of the North Heaven Fortress's retainers.”
“…….”
Seol Hwa-un glanced at the North Wind Brigade Leader, who shook his head.
[No, Lord. The Lame Ghost Blade is infamous.]
[Have you confirmed it yourself?]
[Not exactly, but…….]
[Understood. Leave it to me.]
Hong Seong-chil's eyes narrowed.
“What, hesitating because of my reputation?”
Seol Hwa-un nodded.
“Isn't that natural? Let me ask.”
He too had heard of the Lame Ghost Blade's notoriety.
“You must know the rumors about yourself well. Tell me—are they all true?”
Hong Seong-chil's face flushed.
The rumors about the Lame Ghost Blade were vicious.
Tales of killing as casually as eating, slaughtering anyone who met his gaze wrong, and more.
“Lies! I've never attacked the innocent first!”
He shouted in protest.
“I only dealt with those who mocked my looks or foolishly charged at me pretending to be heroes without knowing better! Is that my fault?”
“…….”
Seol Hwa-un and Hong Seong-chil's gazes clashed intensely.
“Hmph, you don't believe me either, do you?”
Seol Hwa-un replied calmly.
“I believe you.”
At the unexpected words, Hong Seong-chil's eyes widened.
“……Wh-what?”
“I said I believe Hero Hong. Surely you're not lying?”
“No, but…….”
“Then no issue. I accept Hero Hong as a retainer of this fortress.”
“……!”
Seol Hwa-un's eyes flashed.
“But as a retainer of the North Heaven Fortress, restrain yourself in all things. You know what I mean, Hero Hong.”
“……I'll keep it in mind.”
And so, Hong Seong-chil became the first retainer of the North Heaven Fortress.