Chapter 124
Chapter 124
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 124
Chapter Title: Unexpected Growth
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*Swoosh!*
There was no time to be surprised by the Three Nothings Footwork.
Ung-hyeon’s sword, having closed in from the side, flew as if to slice his waist in half.
Gritting his teeth, Neung Un-bi held the Biyeon Sword at an angle.
*Ggggrrrk!*
Following the fierce impact, the sword that slid off the blade let out a hair-raising shriek.
*Damn it, I'll deflect it first and then attack…*
“Hmph!”
But the moment he thought he had changed its direction, Ung-hyeon took another deep breath, grabbed the sword with both hands, and pressed down.
*Kuuuk!*
Under a force as heavy as his bulging forearms, Neung Un-bi’s body sank.
*What kind of strength… is this!*
Neung Un-bi, who felt like his feet would not just sink but buckle to his knees, forcefully knocked the Biyeon Sword away.
*Whoooosh!*
But it met no resistance.
The moment the Biyeon Sword cut diagonally through the empty air, what Neung Un-bi saw were Ung-hyeon’s mocking eyes, wide with a grin.
Then, a palm strike flew toward his side.
He must have been aiming for this from the start.
The opening at his side the moment he swung his sword.
*If that hits? At least three or four ribs will be broken, if not more.*
“Son of a bitch!”
Hyang-i, too…
Are all gluttons this strong?
Does martial prowess come from the power of food, not internal energy?
In his urgency, Neung Un-bi immediately twisted his body.
*Thwack!*
Ung-hyeon’s palm strike hit his twisted body.
“Keuk!”
He narrowly avoided a direct hit, but not only was his clothing torn, but it also felt as if his skin had been peeled away.
*This bastard!*
Furious, demonic energy filled his body like a raging torrent, and Neung Un-bi, still twisted, lashed out with his foot.
*Craaack!*
His foot, whipping like a lash, struck the nape of Ung-hyeon’s neck precisely.
Staggering backward, Ung-hyeon was immediately pursued by Neung Un-bi, who unleashed Lunar Eclipse.
Lunar Eclipse, Moonlight Waterfall.
*Kwaaaaa!*
Fists, pouring down like a waterfall, mercilessly pounded Ung-hyeon’s body.
“Keeeuh… Aaargh!”
Ung-hyeon, who had been retreating helplessly, suddenly braced himself with his back foot to withstand the impact and thrust out the sword he had drawn back.
*Swiiish!*
A swift sword, unfitting for his massive frame.
*Shooting the Sun from that stance?*
*Someone from Zhongnan knows Shooting the Sun?*
*That was a Diancang Sect… martial art.*
*Until Jin San took it from them during the hundred-man tournament.*
*Back then, Diancang was so arrogant that Jin San made a bet with their secret manual on the line, wasn't it?*
Anyway, it was the technique that pierced even the sun by thrusting the sword as if shooting an arrow.
*Damn it, it seems Jin San really taught him well.*
*Seeing him use another sect’s martial art as if it were his own.*
The sword thrust came right before his nose.
Neung Un-bi stepped on the massive knee of the advancing Ung-hyeon and immediately threw his body backward.
*Shwaaaang!*
The straight-thrusting sword grazed his chest and passed by his chin.
“You can’t escape!”
“……!”
But it seemed that wasn’t the end.
*Shiiiik!*
The sword was drawn back simultaneously with the thrust.
No, Ung-hyeon lunged forward the same distance his sword had extended and thrust again and again.
*Papak! Papak!*
*What kind of monster is this?*
*He can use Shooting the Sun consecutively?*
And the Three Nothings Footwork again.
*What in the world is going on?*
*How could he have learned the Three Nothings Footwork? Moreover, he’s not treading lightly on the ground but stomping as if to shatter it?*
It was subtly different from the Three Nothings Footwork he knew.
But there was no time to sort out his thoughts. If he hesitated, his whole body would become a honeycomb. He had no choice but to block and retreat!
Lunar Eclipse, Moonlight Killing Dance!
*Hwiii…*
In Neung Un-bi’s hand, the Biyeon Sword instantly created dozens of trajectories.
*Clang! Clang-clang! Clang!*
The countless sword strikes of Shooting the Sun and the sword forms of Moonlight Killing Dance clashed, dyeing the air with sparks.
“Uwaaaaaah!”
“……”
But the man’s sword showed no signs of stopping.
It made no sense.
Shooting the Sun had forms, but each one was a swift sword technique akin to a single, fatal blow. Thus, one usually staked everything on a single move.
He had never heard of someone using Shooting the Sun consecutively.
Yet this massive glutton was pulling it off.
Mimicking the speed of Jin San’s sword from the past…
Meanwhile, the power contained in his sword strikes was immense.
Each and every move created a heavy, dull impact, as if striking with a giant hammer.
It was astonishing.
It was said that the hand holding the sword must be firm, but the swing must be light.
Only then could one achieve proper speed.
Didn’t Hyang-i say so as well? That his sword had good form but poor flow.
It meant he couldn’t achieve his true speed because his movements didn’t flow lightly.
But this guy was different. He was forcibly generating speed through sheer, monstrous strength.
*Claaaaang!*
“Keuk!”
At some point during the continuous clashes, a stinging pain spread through the palm holding his sword.
He couldn’t withstand the force embedded in Ung-hyeon’s sword.
It looked like he was blocking it for now, but the impact was continuously accumulating.
It couldn’t be helped. A battle of attrition like this would only put him at a disadvantage.
“Hup!”
Neung Un-bi held his breath and instantly drew up the energy of the Demonic Spirit Divine Pill that was spread throughout his energy channels.
His eyes, tainted with demonic energy, shimmered with a black light, and a black aura began to emanate like threads from the Biyeon Sword as it struck away Ung-hyeon’s attacks.
Sword Silk, a technique said to be usable only after reaching the state of Sword Intent.
One strand, two strands… As the exchange continued, their number steadily increased.
And they began to coalesce.
The Sword Silk, spewing out as if from a silkworm, began to coat the Biyeon Sword.
“M-Mighty Aura!”
Jin San, who had been watching their duel, shot up from his seat, his eyes wide.
He had expected him to have considerable skill, but Mighty Aura?
And one so distinct?
Did that mean Neung Un-bi already possessed skills approaching Sword Ki?
In Jin San’s eyes, which had widened as if they would pop out, Neung Un-bi’s fluid movements were captured like a masterpiece painting.
True Lunar Eclipse, Engraved Moon.
The raised sword was drawn down vertically, slowly.
*But what is this power I feel from the Biyeon Sword?*
Engraved Moon was the essence of Lunar Eclipse.
So he had deliberately held back, worried about inflicting too severe an injury on this Ung-hyeon fellow, but the Biyeon Sword was arbitrarily sucking up all the power in his body… *Huh? W-what?*
*This is dangerous. That Ung-hyeon guy could be in danger… no, he’s definitely in danger!*
Neung Un-bi forcibly cut off the internal energy flowing toward the Biyeon Sword.
“Damn it, I’ll take you on!”
And Ung-hyeon gripped his sword tightly with both hands.
“Hyeon! Stop!”
Jin San, knowing the extent of the power in Neung Un-bi’s sword, shouted urgently, but their swords were already clashing.
*Jjeooooong!*
The auras of the two, imbued with their sword strikes, collided.
*Kwa-deu-deuk!*
Then, the steel blades spat out sparks.
But a smile played only on Neung Un-bi’s lips.
Lunar Eclipse, Engraved Moon.
Like the moon engraved on the water’s surface, the demonic energy lingering on the sword cut through Ung-hyeon’s blade and descended to the ground.
*Kwad-deu-deuk, Kwaaaang!*
The ground erupted violently, and the shockwave blasted out like a storm.
*Thud.*
“Hwueeek!”
The sound of knees hitting the ground and the sound of vomiting echoed simultaneously.
It was Ung-hyeon.
“Huuu…”
Having expelled all the demonic energy in his body at once, Neung Un-bi stood with the Biyeon Sword hanging loosely, looking down at the kneeling Ung-hyeon.
His breathing was ragged, but it was clearly Neung Un-bi’s victory.
“Hyeon!”
But Jin San was more concerned with his disciple’s well-being than the outcome of the match.
“You fool, are you alright?”
“Kkeuh… See. When I’m hungry… I can’t use my strength properly… I told you. But… I would’ve lost even if I’d fought after eating.”
“You fool, stop talking.”
“Still… buy me… meat.”
“……”
Ung-hyeon, who had been coughing up dark blood, mumbled complainingly at Jin San and then collapsed.
Jin San caught his body and hurriedly checked his pulse.
Fortunately, the internal injuries were not severe.
He had lost consciousness from the excessive shock, but it wasn’t a state from which he couldn’t recover.
Though it might take some time…
“Il-san!”
“Yes? Yes! Grandmaster!”
Jang Il-san, who had been stunned by the blow Neung Un-bi had shown, quickly came to his senses.
“Quickly move Hyeon so he can rest!”
“Yes! Everyone, quickly carry Hyeon inside!”
“Yes!”
Following the order, Jang Il-san and the Zhongnan disciples supported Ung-hyeon.
Hwang Ja-seong, who pointed out a nearby lodging, hurried off to call a physician.
“You…”
Jin San looked at Neung Un-bi with a stern face.
But Neung Un-bi was just staring at his own hand.
*…What in the world just happened?*
*I was definitely holding back. I thought I could have easily killed him if I used my full strength.*
*But Mighty Aura? Isn’t that the peak of Sword Intent, the stage known as the wall before one realizes Sword Ki?*
*If I hadn’t pulled back my power at the moment of impact, it wouldn’t have been Ung-hyeon’s sword that was sliced apart, but his body.*
*But why?*
Neung Un-bi glanced at Hyang-i.
Seeing Hyang-i smiling with a bittersweet expression, he was certain.
He had grown stronger while training with her.
He hadn’t realized it before because Hyang-i was just too strong.
“Hey! Young Master Neung!”
“…Yes?”
At Jin San’s call, Neung Un-bi finally snapped out of it.
But his mind was still in turmoil.
*What should I do about this?*
*To inflict internal injuries on his disciple in a duel that wasn’t a life-or-death battle.*
*If he uses this as an excuse…*
“Thank you for holding back.”
“…Pardon?”
Contrary to his expectations, Jin San was smiling brightly.
“Hah, Mighty Aura… I never imagined you would be at such a level.”
“……”
“That friend, the King of the Green Forest, saw you correctly. To be aiming for the realm of Ki at such a young age… It’s no wonder he admitted defeat. That Master Dam Un-cheon truly raised one hell of a disciple. Ahahahaha!”
At Jin San’s words, Neung Un-bi was simply bewildered.
*Is this something to be praised for? His disciple suffered internal injuries.*
“Also, thank you for doing your best.”
“Pardon?”
“It must have been a good stimulus. That boy has been full of conceit because it’s hard to find a match for him among his peers. I thought you might be able to defeat him… and now that you’ve put him in his place, he must have learned a lot.”
“……”
Neung Un-bi stared blankly at Jin San.
*Then from the beginning… he was aiming for this?*
“Now, do as you please. Zhongnan will simply observe from the side.”
“……”
“Hey, Lord Yeom.”
“Yes?”
At Jin San’s gentle voice, Yeom Seong-in answered with a start.
“Even though the murder concerns your family, which is connected to Zhongnan, you must have heard my promise.”
“……”
“You may not be pleased that the Demonic Cult is leading the investigation, but my Zhongnan disciples and I will be watching from the side, so do not worry too much.”
Yeom Seong-in kept his mouth shut, utterly speechless.
But seeing his face turn deathly pale, Neung Un-bi smiled a grim smile inwardly.
“Lord Yeom.”
“Yes?”
“I’ll be in your care. To clear my name and restore the honor of the Demonic Cult, I will reveal everything with absolute clarity.”
“……”
“Hm? Why no answer? It seems you’re not pleased with me conducting the investigation?”
“N-No, sir. I understand. I will cooperate fully.”
Yeom Seong-in replied, forcing a smile.
*Cooperate, my ass. You must have orchestrated this whole thing from the start.*
*You must have plotted everything with painstaking perfection.*
*But I will uncover it all.*
*And when everything is clear, I will reveal the ledger Wang Cheon brought me and completely destroy the Blue Cloud Carpentry Guild you’ve built your entire life.*
*That is the way of heaven.*
*I’ll show you that those who do wrong will one day be punished.*
However… one question remained unanswered.
*How does Jin San’s disciple know the Three Nothings Footwork?*
*Something that only I and my companions know…*
*Could it be… ‘him’?*