Chapter 271
Chapter 271
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 271
Chapter Title: Celestial Realm
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Arriving in front of the Han Clan Manor filled me with fresh emotions. The Han Clan Manor rarely had gatekeepers; instead, their retainers often volunteered for guard duty. In the past, I had clashed with the first-class experts known as the Hunwon Retainers. Of course, if guards were posted, I would have faced them instead.
"Who are you?"
Sure enough, someone blocked my path. It was the youngest of the Hunwon Retainers, a burly man with a fierce face who had once stood in my way before. One glance at the giant dao slung across his back was enough to tell he was a martial artist.
I cupped my hands politely and said,
"I have come to become a retainer of the Han Clan Manor."
"You? A kid like you?"
He burst into laughter.
"Get lost! You look like some punk who learned a bit of martial arts. Come back when you're older."
"..."
I chuckled softly. In the past, I couldn't contain my overflowing internal energy, which had put him on high alert. This time, without relying on acupuncture techniques, I controlled my energy perfectly with my intent, earning his scorn instead. But flaunting massive internal energy out of nowhere would have been suspicious, so I said to him,
"If you insist, how about exchanging three moves with me? If I can defeat you within three moves, that should qualify me as a retainer, don't you think?"
The youngest Hunwon Retainer's face hardened menacingly.
"Kid. You don't mouth off like that to a warrior. Back off while I'm being nice."
"I am a warrior too, so I take responsibility for my words and actions. Do you accept?"
"Fine. Let's see you take responsibility."
Shing...
Angered, he drew his giant dao. I had already sensed the Han Clan retainers hidden around me, watching invisibly. That was why I had provoked him so boldly.
"Then."
Clang!
The first move began with a standard slash from the Thunder Shadow Swordsmanship, but in that single clash, the youngest Hunwon Retainer nearly dropped his weapon and staggered. For the second move, I lightly swept his abdomen with the Thunder Cloud Soft Fist, then subdued him on the third.
Thud.
Pinned face-down on the ground, unable to move, he wore a baffled expression.
"...?!"
He had barely blocked the initial slash because it was too fast, and he probably hadn't even grasped what happened after. Did he realize I had sealed his meridians with the Thunder Cloud Soft Fist? As expected, the skill gap was too vast. I chuckled, sheathing my sword.
"I take responsibility for my words. Now it's your turn."
Rustle rustle.
At that moment, presences emerged from here and there. The Han Clan retainers who had been watching from hiding revealed themselves—about six in total. The remaining three Hunwon Retainers were there, along with other first-class experts of considerable skill.
One of them spoke with a stern expression.
"Impressive realm for such a young age. Where do you hail from?"
"I am Baek Woong. During my wanderings as a warrior, I came here wishing to become a Han Clan retainer."
He gritted his teeth and drew his dao.
"Your skill in defeating the youngest is truly remarkable. But the pride of the Hunwon Retainers won't allow us to back down like this. Try withstanding our combined assault."
"Very well."
Swish.
Likely the remaining three Hunwon Retainers, they surrounded me in the Three Talents Formation. Each was a renowned first-class expert, so in the martial world, few could stand against their encirclement. Yet trapped in the formation, I felt no tension—only calm indifference.
*This will be simple...*
Soon, with a sharp whistle, the Hunwon Retainers attacked simultaneously. Their saber arts seemed to incorporate rotational principles, curving in bizarre trajectories. Having felt such saber styles from the Spear Dragon Sect Leader of the Twelve Laws before, I could dodge leisurely while observing to the end.
No need for the Soul Extinguishing Step. The Thunder Shadow Step's Heavenly Pivot Slash alone was enough to dismantle them. Like strolling in a garden, I evaded their combined assault for about a dozen exchanges until they hesitated, then began subduing them with Finger Arts.
Clang!
"Urk!"
It happened in an instant. The two struck by the Finger Arts trembled, dropping their daos. The last one blocked by reading the trajectory, but the pressure was too immense—his blade snapped in two and flew into the wall. Standing still, I said,
"This seems pointless now."
"..."
The man with the broken blade worked his mouth silently, then bowed his head in dejection.
"No words left to say. We admit defeat..."
The other retainers watching nearby were astonished. The Hunwon Retainers were famed experts in the martial world, after all. But to me, it was entirely expected, so I felt no particular thrill as I said,
"Then I qualify as a retainer."
That was when it happened.
"Of course. Please follow me."
About a dozen retainers poured out through the main gate. Leading them was Han Jinseong, the young lord of the Han Clan Manor—a strikingly handsome man of exceptional talent.
*And a Fire God Style expert as well.*
Having crossed paths with him many times, I knew his identity well. With Han Jinseong appearing, I thought my plan was proceeding perfectly and replied,
"What process must I go through to become a retainer?"
"I'll explain calmly over a talk with me. It won't take more than an hour, so no need to worry."
I stared at Han Jinseong steadily and said,
"It ends after talking with you?"
"Haha, of course."
"I doubt that."
"Hm...?"
I sent him a transmission.
[I am Baek Woong of the Thunder God Style! I have urgent words for the Fire God Style leader, Lady Han Baekryeong.]
"..."
Han Jinseong's expression didn't change. He seemed to control his emotions flawlessly. But inwardly conflicted, he pondered for a long while before saying to me,
"You are an honored guest. Naturally, we shall escort you further inside."
I followed Han Jinseong into a quiet pavilion deep within the manor. There, by a pond with a small bridge, stood a black-haired beauty.
I knew that woman with her glossy raven hair, luxurious attire, and porcelain skin—the peerless beauty—was Han Baekryeong, the third guardian beast of the White Lotus Cult and the supreme expert of the Fire God Style who established the Heavenly Spirit Group.
That was why I decided on a slightly different approach this time. As soon as Han Baekryeong turned toward me, I cupped my hands and said,
"Baek Woong, disciple of the Thunder God Style, is honored to meet Guardian Beast Han Baekryeong of the Fire God Style."
Han Baekryeong gazed at me steadily. Then she said,
"You've reached an extraordinary realm at such a young age. Did the Thunder God Style still have the potential to nurture peak experts like you?"
"Thanks to my master's guidance and a bit of fortuitous encounter."
"Hmm... What encounter?"
"I am the disciple of Dugoseong of the Thunder God Style. And I come today at my master's introduction."
Han Baekryeong's complexion changed dramatically. Her expression seemed more flustered than angry.
"What? Dugoseong?"
"Yes."
"That guy is still alive? Really?"
"My master is currently in Sichuan's Dragon King Valley, striving to advance his swordsmanship. I thought you knew."
"Hmm..."
Han Baekryeong turned her gaze to the pond.
"Dugoseong is capable of raising a disciple like you. Excluding Guardian Beast Lee Cheongun, he was practically the Thunder God Style's supreme expert."
"If I may ask without offense, what is your relationship with my master?"
"Tell me first why your master sent you to me."
I sighed and said,
"Forgive me if it sounds like complaining, but my swordsmanship progress has stalled greatly of late. My master didn't know the solution and told me to seek the swordsmanship master Han Baekryeong."
"Stalled? In what way?"
"I've learned too many sword arts and can't unify them into a single flow."
"Hmm..."
Han Baekryeong seemed thoughtful. Then she spoke abruptly.
"Your master and I were close once. Lee Cheongun too—our trio got along well. But Dugoseong suddenly secluded himself, and years later the Thunder God Style purge followed, cutting off contact and drifting us apart."
"I see."
Han Baekryeong looked at me with a glint in her eyes.
"Dugoseong must cherish you greatly. I never thought he'd ask me a favor, even on his deathbed..."
"..."
"Very well. As Dugoseong's disciple, I'll give you some guidance. Stay at the Han Clan Manor from today."
"Thank you."
I inwardly rejoiced that it had worked. I worried she might not believe me, but the name Dugoseong had dispelled most of her doubts.
Clink clink.
At that moment, Han Baekryeong used her energy to retrieve a pair of twin swords from one side of the pavilion into her hands. She pointed them at me and said,
"While we're on the topic, I should see your skills."
As expected.
I glanced around the pavilion and said,
"I can't promise not to damage things."
Han Baekryeong let out a hollow laugh.
"The Thunder God Style arrogance lives up to its name. I'll handle that—come at me."
"Please go easy on me."
I drew my sword and assumed a stance. Naturally, against a guardian beast, holding back was pointless, so I released my suppressed internal energy, circulating it through the eight extraordinary meridians. As the vast energy surged, boosting my aura, Han Baekryeong's expression turned intrigued.
*I’ve never truly seen Han Baekryeong's real power in my life.*
I had clashed with her many times before, but strictly speaking, those weren't real fights. She had toyed with me like a cat with a mouse, holding back immensely. And for good reason—Han Baekryeong was a peerless guardian beast on par with Yong Bicheon. In a proper bout, I had no chance of winning. That hadn't changed now.
But fresh from sparring evenly with Lee Gwang, fire burned in my heart. Having reached a level to stand equal with powerhouses I once dreamed of facing, my ambition to surpass them boiled over.
Today, I wanted to see Han Baekryeong's true strength.
"Haat!"
I roared fiercely and shot forward. Applying the Soul Extinguishing Step, I instantly unleashed the Hollow Cave Slash, cleaving through space itself. No stronger technique existed for an opening move.
In that brief instant, Han Baekryeong maintained an impregnable basic stance amid myriad changes. Her figure seemed to vanish for a split second, then blithely refract into twelve strands as sword peaks and shadows danced wildly in an instant.
Clang!
The Hollow Cave Slash rebounded. Han Baekryeong's sword traced a single fixed line amid her massive, unstoppable strokes like a greatsword. Soon, the scattered water paths in empty space became sword paths flowing through.
*Blocked!*
I planned to seize superiority with the Hollow Cave Slash followed by Intent Severing Techniques, but it was sealed from the first move. Han Baekryeong's sword path perfectly blocked mine. Sword shadows sprouted from the ground, denying me even room to maneuver.
Kakakang!
Metal sparked violently in collision. Like fighting Lee Gwang or Jin So-cheong, our qi clashed, probing each other's power. But unlike those bouts, a chilling sensation made me clamp my mouth shut.
*What is this sword realm?!*
A eerie premonition beyond mere aura or pressure made me hesitate. Like prey in a spiderweb, I felt all my actions read by my opponent. Whether instinct or mere anxiety, I couldn't tell, making it harder to pierce.
Secret Technique
Sword Soul Single Hand
Han Baekryeong's bare hand brimmed with sword spirit, piercing space.
It was astonishing. She had already spread her soul freely everywhere for detection, reaching anywhere her will directed without thought—a true realm. My desperately thrust sword strike became ensnared like a throat strangled by the twenty-five paths of her bare hand.
But wait—where was the other sword?
As the thought struck me, burning pain flared at my waist.
"Urk!!"
I urgently deployed protective qi to block the flying sword that shot at me in that instant, but I took the hit. Hastily staunching the blood, I rolled across the ground to stand firm. Han Baekryeong flicked her fingers, controlling the flying sword.
Pew.
Boom boom boom.
The thread-snapping sound ended, followed by an energy explosion. Facing continuous flying sword assaults, I could barely move, forced to gather intent for counterattacks. Each block choked my breath, agonizing me.
*What... what is this terrifying attack power?!*
During my training with the Sword Demon at the Shadowless Sect, I had faced flying swords often. Early on, when learning intent, they were impossible to counter, but as I grasped the nature of flying swords as intent techniques, they became manageable. Even as the Sword Demon's swordsmanship advanced, his internal energy limits kept the flying swords from growing overwhelmingly stronger—just a few special intent techniques amplified several times.
But Han Baekryeong's flying sword was on another level entirely. The power in each matched a peak expert's killing blow, several times heavier and more painful. Even so-called peak experts in the martial world would lose their upper bodies to a single hit. I had rarely faced such devastating intent techniques.
Moments later, Han Baekryeong halted the flying sword barrage and recalled her blade. Then she said,
"Your internal energy is impressive—you held out well. I could end it now, but that would be no fun."
"What..."
"Now, withstand this too."
Han Baekryeong's stance shifted. As if crossing yin and yang swords, she aimed them, and terrifying spirit energy surged from her blades. That blazing, living flame differed from any fire I had ever seen.
This is death!
*Thunder Command!*
In a flash, I activated Thunder Command, amplifying my power to the maximum. Thanks to the boost, I barely discerned the single sword she unleashed.
Fire God Style
Secret Technique
Infinite Dragon King Slash
Kwaaaaang.
My body shook. I read and blocked the Infinite Dragon King Slash's path, but its force was too immense—my protective qi shattered entirely, my sword broke and flew skyward. As expected of a guardian beast.
*Ugh... stronger than Lee Gwang's Thunder Bombardment...!!*
Weightless in reversed gravity, I flailed briefly before glaring at the follow-up attack. The black-haired peerless beauty, in the blink of an instant with perfect mind-clearing intent, fluidly reset her posture like a divine dance.
"Dragon Fang."
Han Baekryeong assumed the Infinite Dragon King Slash stance again. I reeled in shock.
A chain attack?!
Even for a guardian beast, two intent techniques in succession...
But ignoring my horror, the fearsome guardian beast's killing blow flew again.
Fire God Style
Secret Technique
Infinite Dragon King Slash
Kukukwang.
"Uwaaaaaah!!"
Screaming, I soared through the air before crashing to the ground.
To think I couldn't last two hundred exchanges!
As consciousness faded, blood poured from my body. I heard Han Baekryeong's surprised cry.
"No, I only went at half strength lightly, and you couldn't endure...?"
"..."
Am I... dying like this...?
Coughing blood, I clawed desperately at the ground. Refusing to die so pointlessly, I frantically circulated my internal energy for healing and urgently revived my vitality with medical arts. As darkness closed in, I heard Han Jinseong holding me, saying,
"Lady Patriarch. Only that can save him. Fetch the Medicine King of the Five Great Gods quickly..."
"Bring it."
Then consciousness severed.