Chapter 48
Chapter 48
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: Another Primordial Chaos
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The once-boisterous crowd fell silent in an instant. This duel, after all, was literally a matter of life and death.
A duel where sharp, cold blades would slice through flesh, where blood would erupt like fountains, bringing one closer to the word ‘death.’
“I’m worried.”
“Me too.”
“I heard he’s a total degenerate.”
“They say it’s all been proven true.”
“Tsk, tsk.”
“What will become of him?”
“Whether he’s a degenerate or not isn’t what’s important. The Young Lord of Namgung is just too young. He hasn’t even reached the age of twenty.”
“Would he have any experience in the martial world at that age?”
“Wasn’t he famous as the Jade-Faced Righteous Hero?”
“You there. That fame came from beating down thugs from the underworld. Can you even compare those ruffians to the Young Lord of the Baekri Family? They’re worlds apart.”
“True.”
As if it had never been a cauldron of excitement, the arena was now shrouded in a palpable tension.
Even if one won all the other duels, losing this life-and-death match would render everything meaningless.
Cheers would turn to silence.
Excitement would be replaced by resentment.
The Young Lord of the Namgung Family, Namgung Urin, and the Young Lord of the Baekri Family, Baekri Jang-won, were stepping onto the dueling stage.
This confrontation was a duel to the death.
A fight where life and death would be decided by the outcome.
Thus, no referee was needed. However, since it was still a duel, one could survive by admitting defeat and enduring the humiliation of kneeling before their opponent and facing public scorn.
It was not a battlefield where only life and death existed.
From the moment he arrived at the dueling grounds, Namgung Urin had been wrestling with a persistent question concerning the Young Lord of the Baekri Family, Baekri Jang-won.
How…
How could Primordial Chaos be flowing from Baekri Jang-won’s aura?
Wasn’t Primordial Chaos something only Namgung Urin himself could see and use?
Did that mean Baekri Jang-won had also mastered the Primordial Chaos Art?
But that didn’t seem right.
First, the density of his Primordial Chaos was far too weak.
If the amount of Primordial Chaos Namgung Urin could hold in one hand was a 10, then Baekri Jang-won’s, being generous, would be a 2 at best.
Second.
Primordial Chaos entered and exited from every corner of the body. Even from between the toes.
However, Baekri Jang-won’s Primordial Chaos only entered and exited through his mouth and nose. In other words, it moved solely through his breathing.
And finally.
That man, Baekri Jang-won, could not see Primordial Chaos. Even Namgung Urin had been at a loss when he first arrived at the dueling stage, bewildered. Of course, he had maintained a calm exterior.
But Baekri Jang-won was far too composed.
Could it be?
Was he calm because he knew that Namgung Urin had mastered the Primordial Chaos Art?
He entertained the thought for a moment but quickly concluded that it was not the case.
Would he have really proceeded with this duel if he knew Namgung Urin had mastered the Primordial Chaos Art?
He thought not.
Baekri Jang-won did not possess such formidable martial prowess. He was merely quite skilled for his age.
Skilled enough to confidently call himself the best in Anhui.
Of course, this too was likely due to his use of Primordial Chaos. Hadn’t Geolgae told him? He had become much stronger after returning from a five-year absence.
In the end, the only way to solve all these mysteries was to face Baekri Jang-won in a duel.
“Was this all your doing?”
Considering the current situation and all the information he had gathered, Baekri Jang-won was convinced that the Baekri Family had been manipulated into this position.
He just didn’t want to believe it was the work of the young man standing before him.
“Thanks to you, things worked out well.”
He had set the stage himself, saving Urin the trouble.
“Impressive. I admit it. To have anticipated everything up to this point… I have to acknowledge your remarkably brilliant mind.”
“No.”
“What do you mean, no?”
“I just didn’t realize the Baekri Family was so weak. It’s surprising that you planned to swallow Anhui with such feeble strength. Though it did make things easier for me.”
Baekri Jang-won’s eye twitched almost imperceptibly.
“Hah. I see. The defeated should remain silent. But you know, things may have gone according to your predictions so far, but from now on, they won’t go as you expect.”
Baekri Jang-won was confident. He knew he possessed something special that no one else had.
“That would make it more interesting.”
“Interesting… It seems the rumors are true, you really are insane. Then again, some madmen are unusually intelligent.”
“I don’t mind a compliment.”
“Haha. Do you have a talent for making people laugh as well?”
“Unfortunately, I have no talent in that area.”
Just then, the drumbeat signaling the start of the duel rang out.
*Kuuung.*
Baekri Jang-won spoke again.
“I wonder if you’ll find this fun.”
“Don’t worry. It’s already fun.”
The fact that there was someone else who could use Primordial Chaos was so intriguing it was driving him mad.
Baekri Jang-won was deeply displeased by Namgung Urin’s amused expression, but he didn’t let it show.
“Then I suppose you won’t mind dying quickly.”
“By all means, if you can.”
His face is as pale as a sheet. He looks so damn annoying, and only annoying words come out of his mouth.
“I’m curious what gives you such confidence.”
“Your clumsy skills, of course. What else could it be?”
This time, even Baekri Jang-won’s expression wavered at Namgung Urin’s words. It felt like he was being dragged along with every exchange.
“You’re just a kid with an overinflated ego.”
“One thing’s for sure, I’m better looking than you.”
Now, Baekri Jang-won’s brow furrowed.
“…You lunatic.”
“How long are you going to keep blabbering? It’s starting to get boring.”
Boring?
Finally, he snapped.
“You—!”
Unable to restrain himself any longer, Baekri Jang-won was the first to swing his sword.
*Shiiik.*
His blade flew toward Namgung Urin’s heart, as if he intended to kill him instantly.
Namgung Urin lightly sidestepped, his eyes fixed on the Primordial Chaos enveloping the sword.
‘Just as I thought.’
He was using Primordial Chaos like internal energy.
Of course, Namgung Urin’s method wasn’t drastically different, but Baekri Jang-won’s was like the conventional application of a cultivation technique. In other words, he was drawing internal energy from his dantian and imbuing his sword with it.
It was fundamentally different from the Primordial Chaos Art.
Which also meant he hadn’t mastered the Primordial Chaos Art.
This time, Baekri Jang-won’s sword shot out like a viper, aiming for Namgung Urin’s side.
*Shweek.*
His footwork, body movement, and the coordination between his sword-wielding arm and wrist were not refined enough to land a blow on Namgung Urin.
Simply put, he had not achieved the Unity of Sword and Self. He had reached the level of a peak master but had not reached the pinnacle of that realm.
It was impossible to know how he had learned it, but using Primordial Chaos as internal energy might have increased his overall power and speed.
However, his power and speed were not one. Furthermore, speed builds upon itself, accelerating even more, yet Baekri Jang-won’s body and nerves, his body and sword, seemed to move separately. His sword was still far from being able to touch Namgung Urin.
In terms of swordsmanship alone, the members of the Namgung Family’s Azure Sky Sword Brigade who had dueled today could be considered a cut above him.
It was just that Baekri Jang-won, having learned to use Primordial Chaos, appeared to be at a higher level than the Azure Sky Sword Brigade members.
Though in practical terms, he probably was.
No matter how low its density, Primordial Chaos was still superior to none at all.
After two attacks, Baekri Jang-won briefly retreated.
“You have reason to be confident. I’ll give you that.”
Namgung Urin simply raised the corner of his mouth in response.
“A madman who’s also arrogant.”
Namgung Urin nodded in agreement, as if to say he was right.
“I hear that often.”
Baekri Jang-won let out a hollow laugh, utterly dumbfounded.
“It’s amazing that someone like you came from the Namgung Family.”
“I came out thanks to you all.”
“Thanks to us? What do you mean?”
“It’s a long story.”
If the Namgung Family hadn’t suffered that incident five years ago, perhaps… perhaps Namgung Urin would not have taken much interest in the martial world. He wouldn’t have encountered the Primordial Chaos Art and become this strong, either.
Feeling inexplicably displeased, Baekri Jang-won threw out a challenge.
“Things will be different from now on.”
“Don’t just say it, do it.”
‘Damn it.’
Baekri Jang-won couldn’t shake the feeling that he was losing ground every time he opened his mouth. He drew upon his Primordial Chaos.
His aura spread out from the dueling stage in all directions, radiating a truly formidable power. Its force reached the VIP seats and the spectator stands.
“Ooh.”
Gasps of admiration arose from the crowd.
In the VIP seats, the heads of numerous sects and merchant guilds nodded in approval.
It seemed the Baekri Family was finally about to show something.
Namgung Urin smirked.
What a waste.
Internal energy wasn’t accumulated to show off to others, so why was he posturing with it like that?
If he was going to do that, he might as well smear it on his face.
At Namgung Urin’s smirk, Baekri Jang-won drew upon even more of his Primordial Chaos.
‘This bastard!’
Then, he channeled all the gathered power into his sword and swung it down at Namgung Urin with crushing force.
Namgung Urin decided to stop observing Baekri Jang-won’s Primordial Chaos and confront it directly.
Baekri Jang-won’s sword met Namgung Urin’s.
*Kaaang!*
A clear, sharp sound echoed across the grounds.
‘…!’
For a fleeting moment, Baekri Jang-won was struck with bewilderment.
The sword in his hand felt not like it was forged from cold steel, but as if it were made of cotton.
It was like striking a solid wall with cotton.
‘…How…?’
Baekri Jang-won could not comprehend how this was possible.
But he couldn’t just stand there. Steeling his resolve, Baekri Jang-won swung his sword again.
*Kaaang!*
The sound was as crisp as ever.
But the result was the same.
‘…Why…’
Why!
Frustration flared up like a wildfire.
He swung his sword like a madman.
‘Damn it all!’
What happens when you strike a solid wall with cotton?
You only tire yourself out.
Baekri Jang-won retreated to catch his breath.
Namgung Urin’s lips parted.
“How pathetic.”
Even if Baekri Jang-won’s Primordial Chaos had a lower density than his own, it was far too soft.
It wasn’t that the Primordial Chaos itself was pathetic, nor were Baekri Jang-won’s skills.
It seemed there was a relative relationship between Baekri Jang-won’s Primordial Chaos and Namgung Urin’s. In simple terms, it felt as though no matter how dense Baekri Jang-won’s Primordial Chaos became, it could never overcome Namgung Urin’s.
It was as if it was subordinate to Namgung Urin’s own Primordial Chaos.
Perhaps like the relationship between a superior and a subordinate.
“Shut up.”
The more he learned, the more interesting this became.
Namgung Urin spoke.
“Now, it’s my turn.”
It was a warning to brace himself.
Namgung Urin raised his sword.
Then, he kicked off the ground.
*Tat!*
In a flash, Namgung Urin appeared before Baekri Jang-won and swung his sword.