Chapter 10
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: Making My Presence Known
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Whoosh. Whoosh.
After swinging the Soul-Reaping Sword, I sheathed it and left the stone chamber.
The sky was blue and high.
Autumn was deepening.
“Young Master.”
It was Seong Hwi.
Since our trip to the Black Serpent Hall, Seong Hwi's attitude toward me had completely changed.
At my glance, he approached and spoke softly.
“I haven't said a word about the Black Serpent Hall. I may not look it, but I know how to keep my mouth shut and read a situation.”
He was an interesting fellow.
I hadn't had the presence of mind to instruct him back then, but Seong Hwi had judged the situation and acted correctly on his own.
It was enough for people to know that we had simply caught a villain and collected the bounty.
The Black Serpent Hall surely had connections to other organizations, so there was no need to attract misfortune by spreading rumors.
That was why I had worn a mask that day.
Well, the credibility of the Full Moon Tower was beyond question.
They were renowned for their discretion.
“Keep up your training. I have somewhere to be for a little while.”
“Um, Young Master.”
“What is it? Do you want to come with me?”
“No. I only followed you initially because the Clan Head ordered me to keep an eye on you when you were deliberately pretending to be a scoundrel.”
Pretending to be a scoundrel?
I really was one.
“Please, spar with me again. I beg you. I was deeply shocked by the move you showed me last time, and I've been training hard in my own way.”
“Alright. Let's see how much you've improved.”
I smiled and headed to the training grounds with Seong Hwi.
Seong Je, who was training the Emperor's Sword Guard on the grounds, paused the session and clasped his fist to me.
I returned the gesture politely.
“I'm here to spar with Seong Hwi. We'll be over to the side so as not to disturb you, so please continue.”
“Not at all. I believe that simply watching a spar will be a great help to the members of the Emperor's Sword Guard.”
Seong Je had his men line up and sit at the edge of the training grounds, his own expression filled with anticipation.
A master at the peak, Seong Je had heard of my martial prowess from Seong Hwi and likely wanted to see it with his own eyes today.
With my internal energy increased to fifty years' worth and the ability to perform a proper Grand Circulation, I was far stronger than before.
Of course, Seong Je and Seong Hwi wouldn't know that.
I drew my sword, maintaining a certain distance from Seong Hwi.
“Come at me.”
“Then, I won't hold back.”
Seong Hwi raised his true energy to its maximum and unleashed a powerful sword technique.
It was a killing move so potent that it made Seong Je gasp in surprise.
I lightly extended my sword, neutralizing his attack.
As if expecting as much, Seong Hwi remained undeterred, unleashing a series of powerful techniques.
The sharp energy flowing from the tip of his sword was truly keen.
It was clear he had advanced a level after seeing my Lightning Strike.
After parrying ten of his moves, I swiftly thrust my sword.
It was a seemingly simple attack, but it broke through his powerful technique and stopped precisely at his throat.
Seong Hwi hastily retreated, reversed his grip on the sword, and politely clasped his fist.
“Thank you for your guidance.”
“I thank you as well.”
Clap, clap, clap.
Seong Je approached, clapping.
“I truly had no idea the Young Master's martial skill was this profound. I thought my eyes would tear from watching the spar.”
“Thank you.”
I expressed my gratitude without false modesty.
“The sword art you used appeared to be the Ouyang Sword Art. Am I correct?”
“You are. The Ouyang Sword Art contains the principles of the highest level. I can assure you that one can reach the peak by faithfully mastering this art alone.”
At my assertion, Seong Je pondered for a moment before suggesting a spar.
Seeing me effortlessly block Seong Hwi's attacks must have stirred the martial artist's blood within him.
After a moment's thought, I accepted his request for a spar.
I was now strong enough to overwhelm him in a fair fight.
As an air of confidence emanated from me, Seong Je tilted his head and spoke.
“Please, you may attack first.”
“I won't refuse.”
Seong Je would regret this decision.
I would have to show him that yielding the first move to me was a mistake.
Of course, I had no intention of using the Heavenly Will Sword Art right now, but at my current level, I was confident I could subdue him within five seconds.
Fwip, fwip, fwip.
The tip of my sword seemed to split into three, simultaneously targeting Seong Je's face, neck, and chest.
Caught off guard by the unexpected variation, Seong Je hastily swung his sword to block and retreated.
I used my footwork to maintain the distance between us, changed my sword's direction, and swept it toward his side.
As he parried, my sword bent and swept toward his legs.
“Hah.”
Seong Je retreated again.
My sword relentlessly targeted his vital points, as if predicting his movements.
Shweeeek.
As I unleashed a swift technique, a chilling sound erupted, and my sword neutralized his own technique, touching his throat.
Seong Je's face flushed as he was defeated by the same move that had bested Seong Hwi.
Seong Je knew.
He had been careless, but he also knew that I was a true master.
‘If I hadn't yielded the first move and had gone all out from the start, could I have won? I don't know. What's certain is that the Young Master is hiding his true strength.’
Seong Je collected himself and spoke.
“This is hard to comprehend. I never imagined you could drive me into a corner with such experience.”
“Everyone has their own story.”
“May I have another chance next time?”
“Of course.”
“Next time, I won't say something as foolish as yielding the first move.”
“Hahaha. I only won because you yielded the first move. I'm already worried about our next spar. Until then.”
I clasped my fist to Seong Je and left the manor.
After I disappeared, Seong Hwi cautiously approached Seong Je and asked.
“The Young Master's martial skill is incredible, isn't it?”
“Incredible is an understatement. He didn't use everything he had in this spar.”
“Don't they say a martial artist always holds back thirty percent?”
“It was more than that.”
Seong Je shook his head.
Though not the Sword Emperor's official disciple, he had learned swordsmanship from him for about a year.
Had the Sword Emperor not died so meaninglessly, he would have become an official disciple.
Ever since, the Sword Emperor had been his standard for judging all martial artists.
He had striven relentlessly to catch up to the Sword Emperor, and as a result, had reached the peak of mastery.
He had engaged in many spars, some of which had nearly cost him his life.
But he had never felt such a helpless defeat since facing the Sword Emperor.
“It felt like I was facing my master.”
**
Hwangbo Yeon.
She was dressed in a simple black martial arts uniform, yet she seemed to prove just how beautiful a woman in such attire could be.
Had she been in a banquet dress or a splendid spring outfit, her overwhelming beauty would have made every other woman around her seem plain.
I had always thought Hwangbo Yeon was among the top five most beautiful women I had ever seen, but looking at her now, she was easily number one.
“Brother.”
As she smiled and waved at me, countless men who had been staring at her turned to glare daggers at me.
If their anger had manifested as martial power, my body would have been torn to shreds.
“Yeon-mae.”
I sat down, bearing the brunt of the jealous stares around me.
With gazes as sharp as needles piercing me from all sides, I didn't think I'd be able to get any food down.
“The food here is delicious.”
“The glares from everyone are quite something.”
“I know. It's strange. I even dressed down on purpose. Why do you think that is?”
“Because you shine, Yeon-mae.”
She covered her mouth with one hand, her eyes crinkling as she let out a charming laugh.
Just as I was thinking how beautiful she was no matter what she did, she leaned in and whispered in my ear.
Her pleasant scent lifted my spirits.
“So you'd better treat me well. The Great Phoenix Sect sent a matchmaker yesterday. Of course, my father politely refused. But what can I do? They say the man is lovesick, so I doubt he'll give up easily.”
She then straightened up in her seat.
I smiled faintly.
She was probably very hurt that I wasn't fawning over her like other men.
That's likely why she brought it up—to make me jealous.
In times like this, playing along was the proper courtesy to show a beautiful woman.
“I can't let some guy like that steal you away, Yeon-mae.”
My words seemed to please her, as Hwangbo Yeon's face lit up.
Great Phoenix Sect.
As the largest sect in Henan Province, they operated the Great Phoenix Escort Agency, the top agency in Henan, and possessed immense wealth.
During the Sword Emperor's lifetime, they had been wary of the Ouyang Clan, but after his death, they used their money to recruit numerous masters and became the largest sect in Henan.
Their current influence was as formidable as the Ouyang Clan's had been during the Sword Emperor's era.
“How is your martial arts training going?”
The conversation naturally shifted to martial arts.
Hwangbo Yeon was also a martial artist and had spent about three years in Sichuan Province to study martial arts.
“It's difficult. When will I ever be as strong as you, Brother?”
“Should I help you a little? Where did you study?”
“See? This is how little interest you have in me. Ah, my pride is wounded.”
Hwangbo Yeon grumbled but told me right away.
“The Sichuan Azure Wall Sword Sect. I studied there for about three years on my father's recommendation, but I didn't achieve much.”
“Hmm, the Azure Wall Sword Sect is a prestigious school, but their sword art is on the heavy side. It doesn't seem to suit you, Yeon-mae.”
“That's what I thought, too. The martial artists there are all large in stature and use heavy swords. The Clan Head taught me a sword art that was supposed to suit me, but... not really.”
Hwangbo Yeon stuck her tongue out slightly before pulling it back in, smiling sheepishly.
It was because she felt like a clumsy carpenter blaming his tools.
Just then, the food we ordered arrived.
They say the taste of food changes depending on who you eat with, and eating with this beautiful woman made it much more delicious.
We left the inn and headed for the Full Moon Tower.
Trying to eat under the constant barrage of sharp glares, I could hardly tell if the food was going into my mouth or my nose.
It hadn't been this bad even when I, as the Martial Arts Alliance Leader, dined with Seol Ok-rin, who was called the most beautiful woman under heaven.
Then again, back then, people looked at me with respect.
It was different from the ‘that damn bastard’ looks I was getting now.
On the 7th floor of the Full Moon Tower, there was a spacious training room.
“Show me your form.”
“No scolding me if I'm bad at it, okay?”
Hwangbo Yeon picked up her sword with a tense expression.
Her sword moved smoothly along a set path.
It was a clean sword art, but it left much to be desired.
The characteristic weightiness of the Azure Wall Sword Sect was gone, and in forcing it to be light, it had become a sword art that looked plausible on the surface but was neither here nor there.
“How was it?”
She approached, her eyes sparkling.
“It's clean, without any unnecessary movements.”
“Somehow, that doesn't sound like a compliment.”
“Because that's all it is. Martial arts are fundamentally created to kill others, but the Azure Wall Sword Art you've learned is too bound by its form. It feels like a sword art for show.”
“I knew it.”
Hwangbo Yeon looked dejected.
She probably felt the same way, which might be why she gave up her studies midway and returned.
“I know of a suitable sword art. Shall I teach you?”
“What is it?”
“The Nine Heavens Profound Sword Art. It's the unique sword art of the eccentric Nine Heavens Fairy from 300 years ago. It should suit you well, Yeon-mae.”
Almost no one in the martial world knew of the Nine Heavens Fairy's Nine Heavens Profound Sword Art.
This was because she had not been active in the martial world, and her stage of activity had been the remote province of Gansu.
Furthermore, with the rise of the Demonic Cult, her school was annihilated, and the Nine Heavens Profound Sword Art vanished into history.
During my time as the Martial Arts Alliance Leader, I happened to read about the Nine Heavens Profound Sword Art in a library, and it was so impressive that I remember it to this day.
However, it was a sword art that did not suit me, as I had cultivated an internal energy of extreme yang, so I never learned it.
“I've never heard of it. You're not just going to teach me something random, are you?”
“Not at all. First, to learn this, you must master the Nine Heavens Profound Art. Sit in the lotus position.”
As Hwangbo Yeon sat in the lotus position, I sat behind her and placed my palms on her back.
“I will guide your true energy, so follow its movement. First, you must memorize the energy pathways precisely. Then I will pass on the incantations.”
“Usually, you memorize the incantations first and then circulate the energy. This is backward.”
“This is a method for rapid learning. Now, focus.”
As my internal energy flowed into her, Hwangbo Yeon was startled. She closed her eyes and focused on the movement of the true energy.
She concentrated on my words and began to circulate the energy along her meridians.
After helping her for a full two hours, I removed my palms from her back.
She was completely focused, almost in a state of selflessness.
I watched her with a pleased smile.
Hwangbo Yeon had a talent for martial arts.