Chapter 212
Chapter 212
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 212
Chapter Title: Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors
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One month later, I bid farewell to the Sword Demon.
"Thank you for everything."
The Sword Demon had come out to the main gate of the Shadowless Sect to see me off personally. None of the sect's experts were visible nearby—perhaps on his orders. With his arms crossed, he silently regarded me before speaking.
"I like you. Do you know why?"
"......?"
"If you come back again, I'll tell you the reason."
Realizing what he meant, I brightened.
"Does that mean I can return?"
"Hah... You don't need to bring treasures like Yodo Muramasa every time. I'll guide you personally next time too."
"Thank you!!"
I bowed deeply in genuine gratitude. The Sword Demon's expression sharpened slightly as he said,
"But keep this in mind. Your opponent is no ordinary man. If you don't fight with the intent to kill, you'll suffer a crushing defeat."
"I understand."
"I hope you achieve great results."
"Of course."
During that month here, I'd trained fiercely with the Sword Demon and opened up a little. I'd confided in him about the talents and skills of Jin So-cheong, the man I had to face. His advice now seemed like a response to that.
Flash!
Using the Flying Peak, I returned to Jinrang Valley. Mang Ryang was already waiting in the main hall.
"You're back."
"Today was the promised day."
Mang Ryang nodded.
"The match will likely be at noon in the Azure Dragon Martial Hall. Are you fully prepared?"
I pondered his words before replying.
"Fifty-fifty."
"Hmm... Looks like you haven't found some secret strategy."
"It's hard to expect such favorable conditions."
Mang Ryang chuckled instead.
"Still, it seems you have some method. Your expression doesn't waver."
"That's my only gain."
"Then let's go. Do you need to prepare anything?"
"Nothing in particular."
Mang Ryang and I used the Flying Peak to enter Guanzhong City. We emerged in a deserted alley and stopped for tea. As he ate dumplings, Mang Ryang said,
"Lee Gwang knows that Chiwol and Nokwol will be watching the match. To convince that suspicious man, I had to explain the circumstances to some extent."
"Hmm..."
"Also, he still doesn't know that the White Lotus Cult has released its shackles. So in this matter, he's likely to take the bait easily, like a small lure."
"Bait?"
"Hah, I have a plan in mind. You just focus on the match."
Seeing Mang Ryang's smile put me at ease. He only smiled like that when he was completely confident in his scheme. Strangely, I also felt he would be utterly ruthless toward Lee Gwang.
"......"
Mang Ryang ordered a chicken leg and said as he ate,
"Baek Woong. What do you think it takes to turn a man like Lee Gwang into an ally?"
I grimaced.
"It's impossible. I've finally realized that."
Lee Gwang probably had no concept of allies. For his goals, he could ruthlessly use and discard anyone. And at the slightest suspicion, he would crush or check them with all his might.
If his situation had been even a bit better, he would have bulldozed everything in his path mercilessly as a hegemon. In my past lives, I'd tried every means to win him over, but we'd always clashed at crucial moments.
As I ground my teeth, Mang Ryang smirked.
"Of course, I think so too. But you tasked me with making Jin So-cheong an ally. That was quite difficult."
"......?"
"If we can't get Lee Gwang, we can't get Jin So-cheong... That was the premise until now. Because those two are bound by fate and share the closest mentor-disciple bond in the world."
"Hmm."
"Kekeke..."
Mang Ryang let out an odd laugh and stood.
"Time to go. It starts when the sun is at its zenith, so about an hour left."
"Got it."
I realized Mang Ryang had already set something in motion. Anticipation stirred, fueling my will to win. That was probably his aim.
As Mang Ryang and I entered the Azure Dragon Martial Hall's main gate, it felt eerily quiet. None of the usual disciples bustling for training were there. Only a few presences near the large sparring ground.
Entering the ground, five people stood within.
'Lee Gwang, Jin So-cheong, and those two in obvious masks are Chiwol and Nokwol's protectors.'
All four were Thunder God Style experts I'd seen before. Chiwol and Nokwol had come to observe without escorts. I'd expected them, but the fifth presence surprised me.
"......!!"
I froze, and Mang Ryang said,
"No need to be shocked. He's the most objective witness."
"I see..."
Calming myself, I stepped onto the sparring ground. The objective witness, one sleeve fluttering, addressed the group.
"Now all match participants are present."
He looked at Lee Gwang.
"Is this satisfactory, Triple Excellence?"
"Of course. Let's start the match."
Lee Gwang responded with his usual cold demeanor. The witness smiled faintly, then shouted at Jin So-cheong and me atop the ground.
"Before the formal match, exchange greetings! It's etiquette."
I stared at Jin So-cheong, three zhang away. He was already watching me. Though I'd sparred with him hundreds of times in past lives, facing him as complete strangers felt awkward.
Jin So-cheong's face stiffened briefly before relaxing. He cupped his fists and said,
"I am Jin So-cheong, disciple and Chief Instructor of the Azure Dragon Martial Hall."
I returned the formal greeting.
"I am So Woong, disciple of the Thunder God Style."
Mang Ryang had assured me it was fine to reveal the Thunder God Style. With greetings done, the 'witness' scrutinized our auras as if comparing them, then spoke.
"Good. I'm delighted to witness a match between such young, outstanding warriors! This spar will proceed under my supervision, Righteous Heaven Alliance Leader Wei Ji-hun. I promise on my name to prevent any mishaps or fatalities."
Indeed.
The witness for this Thunder God Style disciples' match was none other than Wei Ji-hun, leader of the Righteous Heaven Alliance and one of the world's top swordsmen! The most powerful and objective witness in the current martial world. Though I'd expected a third party unaffiliated with the Thunder God Style, I hadn't anticipated such a heavyweight.
'With Wei Ji-hun here, Lee Gwang can't pull any stunts.'
Wei Ji-hun's skills matched Lee Gwang's. No—Lee Gwang himself had admitted they were equals. With Wei Ji-hun as witness, Lee Gwang's usual nitpicking wouldn't fly. Moreover, knowing the Thunder God Style and Lee Gwang's circumstances well, he couldn't be deceived.
If this was Mang Ryang's choice for witness, it was perfect!
I could focus solely on the match without fearing Lee Gwang's interference. Feeling grateful to Mang Ryang inwardly, I calmly readied my sword.
"Begin!"
At Righteous Heaven Alliance Leader Wei Ji-hun's shout, Jin So-cheong and I closed from three zhang to two while gradually building momentum. Matching his distance, I finally saw his skill clearly.
'Soft and squishy...'
An odd description for a tense standoff, but accurate. Experts compare intervals to find openings, sensing an intangible barrier called a boundary. A master can block, dodge, or deflect any attack entering their boundary.
Jin So-cheong's boundary felt soft and pliable. Incomplete yet incredibly flexible, it slipped past my senses. I recalled the Sword Demon Seo Mun-daeryong's words.
[If you don't fight with the intent to kill, you'll suffer a crushing defeat.]
Understood perfectly.
Truthfully, I'd been arrogant, thinking my vast internal energy and Thunder Roar could overwhelm him with raw physical power. Early in training, I'd lazily planned to gauge then crush him. I'd even worried about accidentally killing him if I went all out.
But now I knew.
This 'soft and squishy' feel meant Jin So-cheong wielded his intent freely! He could attack, defend, advance, or retreat at will—no need to stiffen.
In short, even at full power, I doubted I could land a solid hit, let alone kill him!
Only one way.
Kiiing—
My body's max internal energy surged. A ferocious aura overflowed like a storm from one point. As potent Thunder Spirit spread, Jin So-cheong looked shocked—as did Lee Gwang, Chiwol, and Nokwol watching.
"No way!!"
"To that extent..."
No time to enjoy their reactions. I unleashed Thunder Roar at full power alongside my energy, then charged with boulder-shattering force without hesitation.
Kwaaaang!!
It happened in an instant. Blinding speed unleashed terrifying explosive power, sweeping forward. One side of the ground crumbled, dirt chunks flying from recoil, storm-like momentum rising. Amid the chaos, I fully extended my strike and saw the expected sight.
'As I thought!'
Blocked.
Jin So-cheong's spear shaft precisely met my blade.
Then, I entered Heart Realm Clarity, time freezing in that extreme moment. Objectively mere instants—no time for talk—yet I felt Jin So-cheong speaking mentally.
[So Woong, you can use Thunder Roar too.]
Pajijijik
Waves finally rippled into reality. Lightning flickered around Jin So-cheong's body, his form crackling with electric energy.
The instant I'd struck at max with Thunder Roar, he'd countered with his own! Equal power—I pushed him back only three zhang, no further.
Kwaang!
The second clash exploded midair. As I pierced his opening with Manseong Sword Art's form, he deflected with Thunder Spirit Eight Forms. The exchange was fleeting, yet the peak experts watched every detail.
My sword wove a barrier-like assault like a swarm of bees, but it failed against Jin So-cheong, spinning once midair with his spear tip. Landing, my eyes flashed murderously.
'How about this?'
Papap!
The third was Thunder God Style's secret sword art, Thousand Slashes Ten Thousand Kills. From my hand flowed flawless sword aura and flame, unleashing hundreds of slashes. Jin So-cheong flinched, recognizing it.
Then he grinned. He was fully immersed now.
Kkang!
"......!!"
I swung relentlessly, gritting my teeth. Shockingly, upon seeing my Thousand Slashes Ten Thousand Kills, he'd adapted it to spear form and countered identically! I'd never imagined it possible with spear, hitting me like a hammer to the head.
Kkang-kkang-kkagak
Some two hundred sword clashes rang out. Our surroundings looked bombed, ravaged like a short storm. I unleashed a barrage using Jang Sam-bong's insights, dazzling martial arts. Jin So-cheong marveled yet blocked and evaded each.
"Impressive!"
Accelerating consciousness into Heart Realm Clarity, he addressed me.
[Now, take my attack.]
Swaaaaaak—
The spear whirled midair. The rotation visible.
I thought the spear's speed torturously slow—unbelievably sluggish and heavy for Jin So-cheong. But I soon recalled seeing this attack before.
'This is...!!'
That past match where the Golden Guard Chief lunged and got torn limb from limb by Jin So-cheong!
The bizarre initial move I'd witnessed then!
Bridging decades, instinct recalled it. Desperately observing, I realized the sluggish rotation was an illusion—its vicious speed made it seem converging in one motion.
I knew this attack.
Barricade!
One of spear arts' three basics, exemplified by Barricade Na Chal. I'd seen Jin So-cheong deploy it just thrice, ripping off the Golden Guard Chief's left arm. Back then, low level and ignorant of its power, it'd seemed novel.
But now I understood.
Jin So-cheong didn't rely on special finishers like me. Though Heavenly Thunder Ultimate Spear outshone Thunder Spirit Eight Forms in flashiness and power, he barely practiced its kill moves. Instead, he'd drilled Barricade Na Chal endlessly. I knew best, having watched him for decades.
He turned basics into killers, normal forms into ultimate attacks!
His Barricade held vast range, pull, and penetration—supreme finisher!
"Keuuk!"
Gritting teeth, I devised a counter: match rotation with rotation. My sword gathered max power, coiling Coiling Dragon Sword and Tianzhu Sword energies, clashing discordantly.
Kkigigiging!
The brief friction birthed intense spin. Without Jang Sam-bong's insight, I'd have no way to match or defend that Barricade.
'Please...!!'
Kukwakwakwang—!!
Explosions chained; our attacks collided again. Both flung airborne by recoil, we flipped midair to realign.
"Ooh..."
Jin So-cheong's eyes widened in surprise at failing to end me, then bloomed into genuine joy.
"Hahaha!!"
Seeing him fly at me using Heavenly Phase Step without landing, I panicked. Facing his full power felt like dueling a living war god rampant.