Chapter 36
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: The Path of the Hegemon
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36.
Master, is there no paradoxical way to overcome the time weve been given? I must grow stronger as quickly as possible.
Is that not why you are heading to the battlefield with the Green Forest?
...What if, by some one-in-a-million chance, my life is in peril, or I lose someone precious due to my own shortcomings?
Indeed. The world is vast, filled with remarkable people, and even more wicked ones.
My life, combining my past and present, was still shorter than Namgung Yeouls. As a result, I found myself asking my master a foolish question.
The strong are many, and the good are many as well. But those with malicious intent, even while being strong and enjoying many things, will always feel that something is lacking.
What should I do when I encounter such a person?
I had been fighting my whole life, constantly facing and enduring near-death situations.
It was the only option I ever had.
So, I expected my master to tell me to fight back, as was his way.
But
Run.
...Pardon?
Run?
What did he mean by that?
Run, and keep running, to survive. That is what the Great Young Lord must do. For you have a great purpose to fulfill.
Seeing the look on my face, Namgung Yeoul offered an infinitely warm smile.
Are you disappointed?
To be honest, I cant say Im not.
Is it shameful to survive?
...Its not that, but how can I stand by and watch when others are in danger?
The wrinkles around Namgung Yeouls eyes deepened.
Great Young Lord.
The lines by his mouth deepened into dimples.
Yes, please speak, Master.
Avoiding a fight is the best strategy. Fighting back is merely the worst.
A lovely petal gently settled on Namgung Yeouls shoulder. The spring breeze rustled, making it seem as if the petal would fly away at any moment, yet it clung on precariously.
However.
There are times when the worst strategy is absolutely necessary. Just as you said.
...Does that mean?
Sacrifice your life to survive.
The petal, fluttering in the wind, held on steadfastly, making ones heart race. Yet it remained firmly on Namgung Yeouls shoulder, unmoving.
Like this petal.
I had achieved a minor level of mastery in the Heavenly Thunder Imperial Divine Art, but I felt it was not enough. So, I drew upon my Heavenly Thunder Ki.
True to its name, the Heavenly Thunder Ki was solid and fierce, an energy of extreme yang.
Because of this, I had only left the energy of the Great Expansion Art in the fine and blood vessels I had opened throughout my body, not daring to utilize the Heavenly Thunder Ki.
Your body may still feel the strain. If you use the energy gained from the Heavenly Thunder Pill as you did before, you will suffer greatly. Please be careful, Great Young Lord.
I recalled the words of my master, Namgung Yeoul. While the Great Expansion Art was easy on the body, circulating the Heavenly Thunder Ki throughout my entire system would undoubtedly cause harm.
Master.
Even so.
If there is a moment when I must devote my all, my very body
Crackle.
I believe that moment is now. The Heavenly Thunder Ki, which had been resting in my dantian, scattered in all directions, awakening my entire body. The immense power inherent in the Heavenly Thunder Imperial Divine Art awakened all at once.
The faint glow flowing along the tip of my sword was now cloaked in blue.
...Sword Ki.
Namgung Suns expression hardened. A tingling sensation spread through my body, filling me with vitality.
Just how far will you go to surprise me? Hah, truly.
As he spoke, the corner of Namgung Suns mouth twitched. Seeing the elation in his eyes, I raised my sword and thrust it into the air.
Faced with Namgung Suns still-greedy gaze, I thrust once, then again, building momentum.
Clang!
My sharp Sword Ki clashed with Namgung Suns strike. His blade, too, met mine with a bluish aura.
When you wield the sword, it is not enough to simply follow the swordsmanship. If your steps, your footwork, do not follow, your sword becomes dead. Footwork is what brings the form of the sword to completion, so you must remember this. In the Namgung family, there is a footwork that turns form into will.
It was, quite literally, a step without limits.
A step that would become my will as I walked.
Limitless Steps.
The sublime swordsmanship of the Namgung family.
The supporting power of the Heavenly Thunder Ki.
And the footwork that brought them both together.
My mind, ki, and body, though faintly, were in unison as I faced Namgung Suns sword. It was enough not to be pushed back, even when compared to his profound internal energy.
At the same time, I could confidently say that my understanding of the sword itself was second to none.
If it was a matter of understanding the sword, not just the swordsmanship
When Namgung Suns sword came at me, I could read its grain and deflect it.
When he struck down, I used Limitless Steps to move a few paces, slowing his movement and preventing his power from being fully unleashed.
The movement of his shoulders, the planting of his feet as he extended his sword.
My instinctive movements, following Namgung Suns gaze, were the result of the combined enlightenment from my past and present lives.
...How.
Each time his sword failed to reach me, Namgung Suns smile began to falter.
You cant get strong quickly by following the First Elders stuffy old sword. How long do you plan on sticking to such an antiquated method? Pfft.
I directly refuted Namgung Sun's words.
This is the very same stuffy and antiquated sword you spoke of.
It is the path my master walked, the one who believed in the path I had taken.
Empowered by this, I pressed my advantage, driving Namgung Sun back with the tip of my sword.
However.
With every clash, countless small wounds began to form in my blood and fine vessels. It seemed they couldn't withstand the power of the Heavenly Thunder Ki.
Even so.
If I cant protect them, Ill die anyway.
If I cannot protect, I would rather die.
Namgung Suns eyes narrowed.
He couldn't understand what was happening. He had no way of knowing the source of the Great Young Lords bizarre power.
...The source.
Mulling it over, Namgung Suns head snapped up.
Could it be?
Namgung Suns brow furrowed.
Looking at the Great Young Lords body, his movements were unnatural, as if he were forcibly dragging out his power.
Of course. Is he drawing on his Innate True Ki?
Innate True Ki.
Literally, the foundational power a person is born with. In other words
Life force.
He was forcing the Heavenly Thunder Imperial Divine Art through every fine and blood vessel in his body, drawing out all the power he would not normally use.
There was no other way he could produce such strength, leaping several stages at once.
...Stop, stop it! How can you waste your Innate True Ki like that!
Namgung Sun grew frantic. His playful expression had already shattered like broken glass, completely distorted.
Was he not charging at him with the resolve to take him down with him?
That served no purpose.
He needed the Great Young Lord to achieve his desired plan. With that thought, the edge of Namgung Suns sword naturally dulled.
Just then.
Swoosh!
The same sinister energy that had sliced his side earlier now drew a thin line next to his neck. It was the Black Tiger.
A foul energy rose from his two daggers.
Despite being struck by such an attack, Namgung Suns attention was focused elsewhere.
Black Tiger, stop him at once! Make him stop, I say! Your master is dying!
...I follow the Great Young Lords will. I am merely a pioneer who walks the path he must take, a companion, and a supporter ready to accept everything.
In front, the Great Young Lord relentlessly attacked.
From behind, the Black Tigers silent ambushes targeted his neck.
As Namgung Suns hands and feet became a blur and wounds began to accumulate
Ill forgive all your insolent behavior from before. Do you intend to let your master die once again!
The Great Young Lord has wagered his life. His will is unchanged, so I shall only uphold that resolve.
Tch! You foolish bastard!
His carefree demeanor and benevolent impression were nowhere to be seen. All that remained was a butcher, struggling to survive.
To kick away the fortune that walked right up to you! You will regret this!
Seeing the Great Young Lord recklessly chipping away at his own life force, and the subordinate who mindlessly threw his body into the fray
Namgung Sun, feeling that all hope was lost, changed his mind.
Rather than persuade them, he would kill them both, take their heads, and pledge allegiance elsewhere.
The head of the Namgung familys Great Young Lord would be welcomed anywhere.
Be it the Black Path or the Demonic Path.
You are not worthy. Not worthy!
The moment the blue wave crafted by the tip of Namgung Suns sword flew toward the Black Tigers neck
Kaaang!
The space around the boy, who was radiating a brilliant blue light, folded several times as he arrived in front of him. He simultaneously clashed with Namgung Suns sword as it approached the Black Tigers neck.
...Do you think you are qualified to judge who is worthy?
The path of the Emperor.
And before it, the path of the Hegemon.
Even if his flesh was torn and his bones laid bare
It was the path of the hegemon, which never stops moving forward.
The boy proudly took his first step to walk that path.
...Leave me and go.
If I leave you, you will die.
Despite having staunched the bleeding, a flow of blood continued to soak the back of his clothes.
Nevertheless, Kang Umun paid it no mind.
His own well-being was not important. He was fine for now.
But he didn't know what would happen to them. And the order he had received was to bring back the Iron-Blood Sword Saint, An Baek.
We we have to go quickly. Great Warrior An.
Do you still not understand that man?
Forced onto the Iron-Blood Sword Saints back, Kang Umun had to close his mouth at An Baeks next words.
If I cannot bring you with me, my going is worse than not going at all. That is why he sent you.
B-but
Kang Umun couldnt bring himself to finish his sentence.
Exchanged for eight corpses on the wide plain
The blood that drenched An Baek, warming him, meant that his condition wasn't good either.
Kang Umun couldn't bring himself to ask if he was okay and could only circulate his internal energy to lighten the burden on his back, even if just a little.
The Seven Kills of Guangdong.
As they shot across the vast plain in an instant, Kang Umun had to strain his ears against the sound of the wind.
They were bastards I had to face someday.
To An Baek, who despised the Black Path and the Demonic Cult, those who killed people for money without emotion were simply targets to be judged by his dispassionate sword.
So do not worry about me, and just guide me well.
Yes, yessir!
An Baek and Kang Umuns bodies vanished, becoming a single streak of light as if sucked into the air.