Chapter 38
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: Evil-Repelling Sword Squad
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Despite the short and intense draw, the martial artists who had watched the duel sent up a roar of encouragement and applause.
My sword had managed to slightly crack Sak Cheon-hyeok’s Adamantine Qi, a feat they held in very high regard.
Though there had been many duels before, this was the first time Sak Cheon-hyeok’s robes had been torn, the first time his body, shrouded in Adamantine Qi, had been wounded.
That was how much of a symbol Sak Cheon-hyeok was to the Martial Arts Alliance, and this duel was enough to engrave the name Guyang Cheon into the minds of its warriors.
“Alright, alright, Young Master Guyang must be tired, so let’s let him rest for today. He’ll be staying here at the Alliance, so there will be plenty of time to get to know him.”
As the martial artists crowded around me, Jo Jin-ryang stepped forward to hold them back.
Hwang Seong-won was irked by Jo Jin-ryang’s actions.
He couldn't reveal that Guyang Cheon was Affectionate, a member of the Demon-Dispelling Pavilion.
Unable to claim me as his subordinate, he seethed inwardly as he watched Jo Jin-ryang act as if I were his own man. It was enough to turn his stomach.
“Young Master Guyang, you should return to your quarters and rest. You need to meditate on today’s duel and circulate your energy to replenish your internal power.”
“Thank you, Alliance Leader.”
When Yang Cheon-rin stepped in to clear the way, the martial artists, though disappointed, parted to let me through.
I gave them a clasped fist salute, took the scabbard from Seong Hwi, sheathed my sword, and fastened it to my waist before slowly walking back to my quarters.
-Congratulations. That final finger technique looked like the Thunderbolt Strike from the Heavenly Will Sword Art, am I right?
-Perhaps.
-Huh? It wasn't?
-I don't know either.
Truthfully, I didn't know what that technique was.
When I fought the minions of the Dark Seven Bloods and Seop Yu-heun, I had modified the Thunderbolt Strike into a finger technique, so it was natural for Pure to think that.
But it wasn't the Thunderbolt Strike.
The Thunderbolt Strike was originally a sword form; converting it to a finger technique required preparation.
This time, faced with a crisis, the finger technique had been unleashed reflexively.
It certainly resembled the form of the Thunderbolt Strike, so Pure’s mistake was understandable, but since I hadn't consciously executed it as such, it wasn't the same.
‘Could this be…?’
-Pure. Don't say anything else.
I immediately dashed toward my quarters.
Closing the door behind me, I fell into meditation and replayed the duel with Sak Cheon-hyeok, focusing on the moment I had unleashed the finger technique.
As I reviewed it over and over, a shiver of ecstasy ran through me.
‘The senses that lay dormant in my subconscious are reawakening. How long has it been? It’s a sense that vanished after I defeated the Sword Emperor thirty-five years ago, since I had no real rivals left. Pushed into a corner during the duel with Sak Cheon-hyeok, it has awakened once more.’
I was overcome with emotion.
My rise to become the strongest under the heavens in my past life was due to innate talent, relentless effort, and good fortune, but it was the martial senses that manifested in moments of crisis that allowed me to ascend to the next level.
Those senses had reached their absolute peak when I fought the Dark Cult Leader Cheok Mu-hyeok and the Sword Emperor Ouyang Ui.
By sealing my Heavenly Will Sword Art and fighting with the Ouyang Sword Art, I had been cornered by Sak Cheon-hyeok’s powerful attacks, and my senses had reawakened.
This finger technique was a variation of the Thunderbolt Strike.
My meditation continued through the night.
By the time morning came, I was able to unleash the Thunderbolt Strike as a finger technique without any preparatory movements.
I had gained a truly powerful weapon.
It was another reminder of the simple truth that by doing one’s best even with limited resources, one can attain new enlightenment.
“Young Master. Are you alright?”
“I’m fine.”
“Whew, you were silent all night. I thought I was going to have to clear out a corpse.”
“You rascal.”
I just smiled faintly.
“Did you learn anything from the duel?”
“I don’t know. The difference in our levels is just too vast. My heart was pounding so hard just watching the duel that I had a hard time keeping it in check.”
“That just means you were completely absorbed in the duel. The fact that you didn’t gain any enlightenment from it is proof that your martial skill is still low. But don’t be too disappointed. It doesn't just disappear; it accumulates in your mind, layer by layer.”
“When will I be able to draw it out?”
“If you strive ceaselessly, it will eventually take form in your mind.”
“Is there anything you don’t know, Young Master?”
“You brat.”
I said no more.
Someone was walking this way. Looking closely, I saw it was Zhuge Mun-hyeon.
I rose to my feet and offered a clasped fist salute, which he returned with a bright smile.
“That was truly magnificent yesterday. All the warriors of the Martial Arts Alliance were stunned.”
“I’m glad I didn’t disappoint you.”
“The creation of the strike team has been approved. Its scale will be comparable to the Soul-Chasing Sword Squad.”
“Understood. How will the members be selected?”
“The plan is to have ten members seconded from each of the four corps of the Martial Arts Alliance. Do you have any other ideas?”
The Soul-Chasing Sword Squad was a direct strike team under the Information Pavilion, while the four corps were the main force of the Martial Arts Alliance.
The Red Tiger Corps, the Blue Dragon Corps, the Black Tortoise Corps, and the Vermilion Bird Corps.
The Soul-Chasing Sword Squad had about fifty members, while the other corps, like the Red Tiger, had around two hundred.
“May I select them myself?”
“Hmm, I can discuss it with the corps leaders, but there will be strong opposition. It would be problematic if you were to pick the ten best warriors from each corps.”
“Then let’s do this. I will make my selection of ten from each corps after the corps leaders have set aside ten of their own.”
“Is there a need for that? If I order them to second ten members each, they’ll still send decent men. This way, you might end up with an ordinary strike team, which would defeat the purpose of creating it.”
Zhuge Mun-hyeon voiced his concern.
“Selecting warriors is a very difficult task. You might end up with nothing but chaff. There’s a saying for a reason: selecting a warrior is like trying to find a beauty under the moonlight.”
“Hahaha. A very apt analogy. It’s truly difficult to discern both current ability and future potential. Still, I wish to select them myself. They will be my men, and I don’t want to rely on others.”
“You are a stubborn one. Very well. I will speak with the corps leaders and inform you of the schedule.”
“Thank you.”
“And you will need a capable vice-commander to assist you.”
“I would like to select that person myself as well. Please gather the candidates for vice-commander.”
“Sigh. This is just a personal question.”
“Please, ask.”
“You can’t be very familiar with the warriors of the Martial Arts Alliance. Why do you insist on selecting them yourself?”
“I plan to rely on my instincts for the selection.”
Zhuge Mun-hyeon shook his head slowly.
In all his time in the Martial Arts Alliance, he had met many warriors, but he had never heard of someone selecting men based purely on instinct.
Was he looking down on the Martial Arts Alliance?
That couldn't be it.
This was an excellent opportunity, and he couldn't imagine Guyang Cheon would willingly throw it away.
Zhuge Mun-hyeon decided to trust him for now.
He was stubborn, and Zhuge Mun-hyeon didn't feel like trying to change his mind.
“If you happen to change your mind, let me know immediately.”
“I will.”
I had no intention of changing my mind, but I said it out of respect for Zhuge Mun-hyeon’s sincerity.
“Have you thought of a name for the strike team?”
“The Evil-Repelling Sword Squad. What do you think?”
“It’s good. You are quite unusual. Even your naming sense is unique. Wait here. I will send word soon.”
“I will be waiting.”
Zhuge Mun-hyeon waved and took his leave.
At the Information Pavilion.
At Zhuge Mun-hyeon’s summons, the leaders of the four corps gathered.
Sak Cheon-hyeok, the Iron Sword Dragon, Leader of the Red Tiger Corps.
Yeom Mu-sang, the Phoenix Saber, Leader of the Blue Dragon Corps.
Gang U-chung, One-Strike Kill, Leader of the Black Tortoise Corps.
So Yang-hye, the Moonlit Beauty, Leader of the Vermilion Bird Corps.
The four of them listened to Zhuge Mun-hyeon’s explanation, a shared look of puzzlement on their faces.
Through a series of questions and answers, they came to a precise understanding of the selection principles for the Evil-Repelling Sword Squad.
After Zhuge Mun-hyeon departed, leaving the four of them alone, the boisterous Yeom Mu-sang let out a hearty laugh and spoke.
“Fighting the Red Tiger Corps Leader to a draw must have made him think he’s invincible. Selecting warriors by instinct? Honestly. What kind of nonsense is this?”
“It’s actually for the best. If we had to choose ten members, we’d have to give up some very fine subordinates. I think Guyang Cheon made a mistake due to his young age.”
So Yang-hye reasoned pragmatically, a triumphant smile on her lips.
Just then, Sak Cheon-hyeok, who had been listening quietly, spoke up.
“I have a bad feeling about this.”
“What do you mean, a bad feeling?”
The gazes of the other three turned to Sak Cheon-hyeok.
As the eldest and most powerful among them, Sak Cheon-hyeok was their unofficial leader.
“I was shocked during our duel. I’ve replayed that scene in my mind several times since. Do you know what I felt? It was experience. It makes no sense, but he is an incredibly seasoned warrior.”
“Brother, how can that be? I heard that until last year, he was a good-for-nothing who had barely learned any martial arts. He must have had a fortuitous encounter that made him suddenly strong. Though that in itself is strange.”
Gang U-chung objected, and Yeom Mu-sang and So Yang-hye supported him.
“Yes, I know how strange my words sound. But when I fought him, it truly felt like I was fighting a seasoned veteran. More importantly, he was hiding his true strength. Having crossed swords with him directly, I could feel it for certain.”
“Don’t people usually hide a portion of their strength?”
“It wasn't just a portion. It felt like he had the skill and techniques to defeat me in an instant but was deliberately holding back.”
“What? How is that possible? Not even the Alliance Leader could do that. I understand you hold him in high regard because the kid was stronger than you expected, Brother, but that’s not it. If the duel had continued, Guyang Cheon might have died on the spot. The Alliance Leader intervened because he sensed that. And if he hadn't launched that cheap surprise attack with a finger technique, he would have been in a world of hurt.”
Yeom Mu-sang tried to flatter Sak Cheon-hyeok, but Sak Cheon-hyeok just shook his head with a bitter smile.
“To launch a finger technique that powerful, you need to prepare in advance. But he fired it off the instant he was in danger. I still can’t understand it. That’s why I said he felt like a seasoned warrior.”
Sak Cheon-hyeok recalled his duel with Guyang Cheon.
His eyes.
Even when cornered, Guyang Cheon’s cold eyes felt strangely familiar.
‘Where have I seen them before? I’m sure of it, those eyes are very familiar. Only an absolute master can possess such a gaze. An absolute master in the Central Plains… there’s only Alliance Leader Hwa. Heh, this is ridiculous. Comparing a brat like him to Alliance Leader Hwa.’
Sak Cheon-hyeok shook his head.
He looked at the three other corps leaders and warned them.
“In any case, do not treat him like a brat. I, for one, will erase that thought from my mind. Be careful when selecting the ten members to exclude. If you underestimate him and choose carelessly, you’ll be the ones to lose out. And from now on, he is our equal, so refrain from any disrespectful words or actions.”
“Understood, Brother.”
At his warning to be cautious, the three replied in unison.
It had been the same when the Soul-Chasing Sword Squad and the Tiger-Leopard Squad were formed.
Members had always been selected upon recommendation from the four corps.
They had intended to proceed in the same manner for the Evil-Repelling Sword Squad, but Guyang Cheon’s change of plans had thrown them into a state of confusion.
At the same time, they all resolved not to lose their most capable subordinates.
“And he will select a vice-commander from among the squad leaders. When that time comes, accept it, however regrettable it may be. The Evil-Repelling Sword Squad will need a proper vice-commander to lead it.”
Each corps was composed of five to seven squads, and Sak Cheon-hyeok was pointing this out.
The squad leaders were the core strength of each corps, so the leaders sighed with regret.
But as Sak Cheon-hyeok said, for the Evil-Repelling Sword Squad to function properly, an outstanding squad leader had to be chosen as its vice-commander.
It was a common occurrence, so their expressions quickly returned to normal.
“Alright, let’s go back and prepare. We’re busy.”
As Sak Cheon-hyeok rose from his seat, the other corps leaders stood up, shaking their heads.
It was always a sad affair to send away the members they had worked so hard to train.