Chapter 20
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: The Unbeknownst Master-Disciple Triple Event (2)
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Once I finally laid eyes on the brutal reality of the smartphone-insert VR device, I couldn't help but wonder if this was really it.
And at the same time, memories of my past life came flooding back.
My friend Cheolseung, who was manlier and cooler than anyone...
He'd given in to a friend's prodding and started up VR Chat.
And ended up as a female dog getting petted and going "woof woof" by random users...
Wishing happiness upon her, now a distant memory...
I stepped into Aincrad.
No, the world of Mind-Image Sword Debate.
And then.
"Hmm..."
Just like last time.
I was once again disappointed by this world's abysmal technology.
The horrific lump of clay character customization—or lack thereof.
And yet, the weapon models had pointless hyper-detailed modeling.
If you can do that, why not the characters?!
A flicker of rage bubbled up.
Next up: 8,700 characters.
The interface was equally crude.
Practice and friendly matches.
Then ranked matches divided into Free, Peak, Fusion, and Flower Realm battles.
According to the manual bundled with the product.
Free matches followed the user's exact realm.
Peak matches ignored realm and pitted you against Peak-level martial artists—ones who could project sword aura or palm force outward.
Fusion matches were for those who could emit sparkling reinforced qi.
Surprisingly, Peak matches had the most users.
Free matches probably had too much potential for stomping noobs.
And since most martial artists' skills hovered between First-Rate and Peak...
Fusion matches felt like peeking at forbidden realms.
A quick gallery search confirmed it.
There were even cases of martial artists succumbing to qi deviation from getting too immersed in Fusion matches.
Ew.
Gross.
Like a true man among men, I strode straight into Peak matches.
Practice?
That's for rookies.
My skills, honed by Beat Saber, knew no such limits.
[Searching for opponent...]
[20 seconds elapsed]
While matching, I—no, my character—checked my movements.
Whoosh, swish.
Swish swish.
The fidelity was higher than expected.
A bit exaggerated, and it felt just like moving my real body.
My actual flesh sat in lotus position, deep in meditation.
Yet the soft, squishy feel of the puppy coiled on my lap was completely gone—I was fully immersed in VR.
And the best part?
The techniques I'd internalized in my mind—
Drawing up the inner fire of Blazing Shadow Heart Formula, stepping into a specific stance of Shadowless Step, or even swinging through a Flying Heaven Sword Art form—flowed without resistance.
They were even smoother than in reality.
Just like executing the ideal forms I'd always envisioned in my head.
"That's why..."
I could see the danger of Fusion matches now.
If enlightenment perfectly matched real skill, maybe not.
But trying to manifest Mind-Image Sword Debate ideals with an imperfect body in reality? Qi deviation was inevitable.
[Opponent found.]
[GET READY FOR THE NEXT BATTLE]
Sudden atmosphere shift much?
With grand drumbeats.
My avatar felt itself teleporting somewhere.
At least the old clay floor from last time had gotten a visual upgrade.
We arrived at something like the Supreme Under Heaven Martial Tournament arena (cell version).
My opponent: an egg ghost swordsman without eyes, nose, or mouth.
Of course, I looked the same to them.
Their ID: 'Malanglover'.
Gave off seriously impure vibes.
Today, I'd execute this pedo scum and restore righteousness to the jianghu.
The moment the crisp gong rang out.
As I stepped forward for some schooling.
"...!"
For the first time in my life, I felt killing intent.
A chill ran up my spine, vision narrowing involuntarily.
Too far for sword aura, but one wrong step...
And I'd plummet endlessly off a cliff.
I quietly stared where their mouth should be.
Was it my imagination?
The nonexistent lips curled up just a bit—
Clang—!
"Kuh...!"
In the blink of an eye, I barely deflected the lightning charge.
My hands tingled, but ignoring it, I wrapped my arms in flames and blocked the follow-up.
However.
Chaeng—
The snakelike thrust slipped my sword free.
No pain, but...
My body split in two.
In just five exchanges.
"Haa..."
Our abilities were matched at the same level.
Yet this overwhelming defeat.
Somehow, my fighting spirit ignited.
[Rematch with opponent?]
[Accept ■ / Decline □]
Hey.
Rematch.
It's not like they have 27,021 wins or anything.
Just some stagnant vet.
So.
Until I win!
"Haha, splendid!"
Inside the training chamber at some Heavenly Demon Divine Cult hideout in Heavenly Mountain, hearty laughter echoed nonstop.
It came from the man sitting in lotus position, as if meditating.
Sword Demon Wi Jiryang was gleefully massacring a rare newbie.
Lately, everyone just forfeited upon seeing his ID.
It had been ages since he'd faced a fresh ID with a spotless 0-0 record.
And moreover.
[Opponent requests rematch.]
[Accept ■ / Decline □]
Already the 13th time.
From 0-0 to 0-12, yet charging back in with that grit!
Tougher than most cult underlings.
And what thrilled him more:
With each rematch, the opponent adapted more to his sword.
Even in the Mind-Image Sword Debate world, that was prodigious talent.
Since his beloved, adorable niece had left the cult, had he felt this joy?
No!
First taste since then of pure thrill, the zest of life, a worthy sword foe.
"Yes! That's the spirit!"
His voice wouldn't carry, but.
Wi Jiryang praised the last move lavishly.
Not just distinguishing feint from real strike, but using the recoil for a sharp counter into his gap.
Of course, it didn't land, so meaningless.
But attempting a counter? Pride-swelling progress.
No mercy, though.
Time to show proper swordplay beyond basics.
Blood Wolf Sword Art, First Form.
Blood Wolf Emerges.
Though lacking reinforced qi, power halved.
Like a wolf lurking in the woods, seizing a split-second gap, lunging unpredictably—
Red sword qi flashed like lightning.
Too fast for eyes to track.
"Oh ho!"
Just before piercing the heart.
The opponent forcibly twisted their upper body away.
"Haha, hahaha!"
Wi Jiryang was overjoyed.
An attack he thought unavoidable.
Imperfect dodge, but—
Splitting that instant to read the trajectory and evade.
In a real life-or-death duel, dead already.
But observing the flow to the end? Commendable.
[Opponent requests rematch.]
[Accept ■ / Decline □]
Wi Jiryang couldn't hide his smile.
"Aro!"
Filthy vet bastard.
Won't throw even once...
Still.
I could feel the clear gap in skill.
In Mind-Image Sword Debate, my body moved freer than reality, my sword embodying perfect understanding.
Yet.
The full formulas in my mind.
Hadn't fully become mine—hammered home painfully.
Study has no end, they say.
Nor does martial arts.
Should I be grateful for the endless road ahead, or awed by its vastness?
Mixed feelings as I removed the headgear.
How much time had passed?
My body was drenched in sweat.
Squeezing my sleeve dripped water.
...Died at least thirty times.
Not really dead, but that viscous killing intent sword sliced my arms, legs, neck, crushed my heart.
Without Clear Mirror Still Water trait.
I'd have gone mad already.
"Crazy bastard..."
That thick killing intent, vivid even in VR.
A true killing ghost, malevolent spirit.
Calming my mind watching the puppy, now snoring atop the bed after abandoning my lap.
I changed clothes.
Bzzz—
Phone vibrated.
[Friend request received!]
What?
This primitive game with no chat or voice has friends?
Checker: the murderer from before.
Memories flashed.
Typical repertoires after accepting shady friend requests.
- lol ur trash quit noob
- mid diff lets duo bitch party up
- dont play like that bro
Trolling or salt.
"Hmm..."
Wondered if worth accepting.
But curiosity won: why the request?
Accepted, preloaded classy curses, finger on send.
And then.
"Ha, haha..."
I could only laugh dryly.
These days youngsters got some real grit unlike themselves ^^
Let's spar more often lol
Take this sword as a gift... ^^
==[]>>>>>>>>>
What.
This unmistakable boomer stench?
Did I just log into Jianghu Elders' Chat?
But wielding that typing style meant an elder surpassing even my dad or master easily.
Hastily deleted the prepped smackdown.
Thank you for the guidance. You've opened my eyes.
This should do.
"Heh!"
The more he saw, the more he liked the kid.
Time had passed since discovering this trashy relic Mind-Image Sword Debate, facing many foes.
Some talents caught his eye, but.
- Boomer? Straighten your spine gramps?
- Blocking old farts ;;;
- Hooee! Scared of gendry! ㅠㅁㅠ!
All lame reactions.
Lucky they reeked of orthodox swordplay.
Especially the spine guy—if a cultist, he'd hunt him down, sever every tendon, toss in brain prison.
"Sharp mind and manners too. Time to meet face-to-face."
Wi Jiryang muttered, exiting the training hall.
That brainiac minion mentioned offhand:
Exert your power, and track approximate location of registered friends in this relic.
Time for a jianghu trip soon.
As a senior, personally teaching this promising youth? Obligatory.
Orthodox sect?
So what.
Jam demonic qi into his dantian, and boom—instant Heavenly Demon Divine Cult recruit.
Bonus: see our lovely niece Luri's face.