Chapter 158: Seventh Young Lady (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 158: Seventh Young Lady (4)
The hand movements of the Seventh Young Lady, who had been channeling yin and yang internal energy separately through the Luminous Arch Supreme Tangled Hand, suddenly shifted.
A deep indigo darkness settled heavily over her splayed fingers—a sign that the Scorching Yang Qi and Yin Cold Qi had merged once again.
The moment her fingers snapped together to form a hand blade, Namgung Jun's senses screamed in alarm.
'If I react half-heartedly, I'm done for!'
Leaning her upper body sharply forward, the Seventh Young Lady closed the distance. At the same time, her right hand, shaped into a blade, drew back, leaving a faint indigo afterimage in its path.
It was a simple movement, but Namgung Jun instantly saw its terrifying implications. The Seventh Young Lady’s movements had completely changed. Until moments ago, she had been using the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult's Lightness Movement Art, but her current footwork, movement art, and lightness skill were all part of a martial art he had never seen before.
'Is this all a self-created martial art?'
Even as the Seventh Young Lady transformed into a flash of indigo and lunged, Namgung Jun's eyes remained locked on her hand blade. Within her technique, following the principles of the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult, the energies of yin and yang clashed endlessly. The concentrated energy in her hand blade unleashed incessant waves of qi, rapidly accelerating the speed of her strike.
Even with Namgung Jun’s advanced eye techniques, the attack was so blurry that its afterimages appeared as fragmented trails. Once that speed reached its peak, it was likely that even a supreme expert's perception of time would fail to keep up.
The moment he made his decision, Namgung Jun slightly relaxed his index finger on the hilt of his sword as his middle and ring fingers slid down a fraction.
Boom!
Namgung Jun's center of gravity sank low. To counter his opponent's marvelous speed, he intended to match it with his own.
His shoulder twisted to the right as if compressing energy, and the Eternal Righteous Sword came to rest steadily at his waist. In an instant, a blue mist enveloped the tip of the blade. Feeling lightning surge through his body, Namgung Jun took a step forward.
He combined the flowing grace of the Infinite Steps with the unstoppable force of the Heaven-Pillar Resolute Advance Movement Art, which pushed aside everything in its path—all enhanced by the enlightenment he’d gained at Chaohu Lake.
Pointing the Eternal Righteous Sword forward, he shot ahead.
As if his entire body had become a single sword, Namgung Jun lunged forward like a flash of lightning. It was as if he were unleashing all Thirteen Lightning Flash Sword Thunders in a single, piercing strike. The indigo mist of the Vast Sky Boundless Sword Technique enveloped him, stabilizing the imbalance caused by his absolute focus on extreme speed.
A flash of blue lightning, wreathed in mist, raced along the mountainside.
Vast Sky Boundless Sword Technique.
Flashing Thunder.
The indigo shimmer and the deep blue flash shot past each other, and the entire area was swallowed by a blinding light.
When the light faded, Namgung Jun and the Seventh Young Lady had swapped positions. Standing back-to-back, the man and woman spoke.
"I didn't expect you to block that. I was planning to tear off your right arm first."
"Is that a martial art you created yourself?"
"Yes. And looking at you, it seems you brought out a new form as well. The sensation when our techniques clashed was different."
Namgung Jun and the Seventh Young Lady slowly turned to face each other.
Neither was injured. Their ultimate techniques had completely neutralized each other. Only the glowing aura of their Protective Astral Qi had shattered from the aftershocks of the clash.
"It seems you created that Lightness Movement Art as well," Namgung Jun observed. "I doubt this is the end of it."
"Don't act so surprised. Didn't you say you were also creating a martial art that suits your taste?" Brushing back her disheveled hair, the Seventh Young Lady took a step back. "I suppose we'll have to save this for next time."
"Next time..." Namgung Jun let his voice trail off as he moved.
He had no intention of letting the Seventh Young Lady leave peacefully. Letting her escape alive would only invite disaster in the future.
Boom!
The formless pressure concentrated in the Eternal Righteous Sword was unleashed. The Seventh Young Lady's shoulders buckled as massive pressure slammed down on the area without warning.
'It's as if a massive block of iron just fell…'
Her composure vanished. The Seventh Young Lady immediately pushed her internal energy to its absolute limit. Though she mustered the strength to resist, her movements were undeniably restricted.
In that brief window, Namgung Jun closed the distance and swung his sword.
Just as he was about to strike down and sever her neck, his body suddenly spun in the opposite direction. Whirling around, Namgung Jun decapitated a man in black who had lunged at him from behind.
In the split second of opportunity bought by the man's sacrifice—
Bang!
Unleashing a wave of qi from her entire body, the Seventh Young Lady barely shook off the pressure. Her figure instantly vanished into the distance in an incredible leap. It wasn't just a testament to her Lightness Movement Art; she had seemingly used the very pressure weighing her down to propel herself away.
"A hidden trump card... That was a bit chilling. Though it's a pity to lose a valuable talent assigned to me by the Guardian Pavilion."
Waving her hand lightly, the Seventh Young Lady's figure gradually faded.
"My name is Myeong Hui-yeon. Remember it."
* * *
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Boom!
"This way!"
"Clear out the heretics! Burn down the mountain!"
"Amitabha!"
Blue Lotus Flower Yu-seon raised her sword, her expression as calm as ever. Her chest heaved as she gasped for breath, and the hand forcing itself to grip her sword trembled violently. Though her body screamed that it had reached its limit, Yu-seon calmly composed herself and corrected her posture.
Once she had steadied her breathing somewhat, the first thing she did was check on her martial brothers and sisters.
"Junior Brother Yu-gong! Don't charge too far ahead! You're getting too far ahead."
"Ah! I understand!"
The momentum of the Qingcheng Sect disciples holding back the demonic practitioners was fierce. The second-generation disciples, in particular, driven by youthful hotheadedness, tended to charge forward recklessly. They were pouring out the sorrow of failing to protect Mount Qingcheng onto this battlefield.
Yu-seon widened her field of vision, watching all directions to prevent her martial brothers and sisters from falling into danger. Her gaze soon fell upon the members of the Azure Heaven Association fighting the Nine Cult-Protecting Guards.
'The chivalrous heroes of the Azure Heaven Association are truly strong.'
The Nine Cult-Protecting Guards were incredibly tricky and powerful enemies. They had oppressed the Righteous Faction of Sichuan Province, displaying a martial prowess worthy of the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult's renowned military force. Therefore, seeing the Nine Cult-Protecting Guards—who had been objects of terror—held at bay by the Eleven Halls of the Azure Heaven Association was a strange sight indeed.
Mokryun Hall pushed back the Dragon Army Guard with an extremely practical and violent momentum, sparing no means or methods. Using a variety of strange exotic weapons was just the start; they didn't hesitate to use poison and hidden weapons either. Seeing them focus solely on killing the demonic practitioners while openly radiating a sinister murderous intent was so chilling that she hesitated to get close, even though she knew they were allies.
But what was even more surprising was the Azure Firmament Hall.
At first glance, the Azure Firmament Hall seemed scattered, but at some point, they began moving as one, instantly severing the formation of the Chamyeong Guard. With the joint attack formation they were so proud of split in two, the Azure Firmament Hall now held a perfect advantage.
'Is this a battle of the upper echelons of the Jianghu?'
Seeing the Dragon Army Guard and Chamyeong Guard, who had brutally suppressed the Sichuan Righteous Faction, being pushed back like this was shocking. While the two halls were powerful in their own right, another individual was largely responsible for allowing them to display their full might.
Boom!
Yu-seon reflexively turned her head at the deafening explosion. The wonder that had filled her eyes at the performance of the Azure Firmament Hall and Mokryun Hall instantly turned into a frown, as if she were looking at something uncomfortable.
Boom!
A violent explosion erupted as the ground burst open. Cutting through the dust, the Sword Demon's Demonic Qi swirled thickly. Stumbling for a moment, he glared and rushed toward a middle-aged man and woman.
Two supreme experts. They were the Dragon Army Guard Leader and the Chamyeong Guard Leader.
The Sword Demon was facing the two Guard Leaders alone. Naturally, he was not in good shape.
His entire body was covered in blood. A rough glance revealed four or five stab wounds, and his mouth was stained red, showing he had already coughed up blood several times.
Watching the battered Sword Demon take the initiative to attack, Yu-seon unconsciously bit her lip. Perhaps because her previous wound hadn't fully healed, even a light bite brought a stinging pain.
'Why does he have those eyes while fighting so desperately?'
While the other Clouds of Mokryun Hall burned with fierce fighting spirit, the Sword Demon's eyes were dry and terribly worn, as if eroded by a great storm.
Yu-seon recalled the image of the Sword Demon kneeling. Although she had held her sword to him, she hadn't been able to bring herself to strike. It wasn't because of the alliance between the Azure Heaven Association and the Qingcheng Sect, nor was it a complex, strategic judgment about the war in Sichuan Province.
It was simply that the look in the Sword Demon's eyes was too painful. A surge of anger had risen in her—what right did he have to look like that?—but after a long moment, she had lowered her sword. Even if she were to take revenge on the Sword Demon someday, she couldn't do it with such a lingering, uneasy feeling in her heart.
Splurt!
Blood sprayed as the Sword Demon's right cheek was sliced open. If he had turned his head a moment later, his face would have been split in two. Even with half his face stained red, the Sword Demon didn't blink. He was about to move forward again when—
Someone forcefully inserted themselves into the exchange between the three supreme experts.
A man stomped down on the Chamyeong Guard Leader's knee strike with the sole of his foot, using the recoil to leap up and deflect the Dragon Army Guard Leader's curved blade as it aimed to split the Sword Demon's head. Not only did he block the strikes of the two Guard Leaders in succession, but he also flipped his body and thrust his sword in a counterattack.
It was the Azure Firmament Hall Master, Namgung Jun.
"You look terrible."
"Shut up."
Before anyone realized it, Namgung Jun had taken his place beside the Sword Demon. The expressions of the Dragon Army Guard Leader and Chamyeong Guard Leader, who hastily widened the distance, grew wary.
"Is that the Azure Firmament Hall Master?"
"It seems the Seventh Young Lady has withdrawn."
The two Guard Leaders didn't seem to even consider the possibility that the Seventh Young Lady had been defeated by Namgung Jun. Watching the two supreme experts exchange glances and show signs of retreating, Namgung Jun spoke.
"It seems they intend to withdraw. We can't just let them leave in one piece, can we?"
"Obviously."
Namgung Jun and the Sword Demon took a step forward at the same time.
"Do you have any strength left?"
The Sword Demon merely nodded his chin, as if to save the breath it would take to answer.
"Among the Hall Masters of the Azure Heaven Association, I am the one who can coordinate best with you, Senior Sword Demon."
Since they had witnessed each other's sword techniques multiple times, there was no need to make a separate effort to coordinate. A mere glance at the way their hands and feet moved revealed their intentions.
"Hmph."
With the Sword Demon's snort, the two Hall Masters dashed forward. Namgung Jun didn't split off to take on one Guard Leader, but instead forced a two-on-two battle to the death. Although the Sword Demon was barely holding on, his condition was critical. It wouldn't be strange if he collapsed at any moment.
'My internal injuries are also quite severe. I must end this quickly and cut down one of them.'
Clash!
Standing so close their shoulders almost touched, the two Hall Masters swung their swords simultaneously. Though they moved in extremely close proximity, there was not the slightest sign of them hindering each other.
The Evil-Yearning All-Demonic Sword and the Vast Sky Boundless Sword Technique.
It was the Sword Demon's first time experiencing the Vast Sky Boundless Sword Technique, yet he skillfully adjusted his sword path as if he had faced it countless times.
"Ugh!"
"Such a reckless joint attack...!"
Although the two Guard Leaders showed signs of panic, they somehow managed to block the assault and struggled to find an opening. Whenever they tried, the Sword Demon would take a step forward, intentionally creating an opening while simultaneously launching a counterstrike. Consequently, the Guard Leaders' movements gradually grew more passive.
'Senior Sword Demon.'
Standing side-by-side with him, Namgung Jun felt it even more clearly. This somber senior truly did not spare his own body. Perhaps it was because he had committed himself to a path of self-immolation, burning his own life away to kill just one more demonic practitioner. Having heard the stories, Namgung Jun also knew the Sword Demon was struggling to bear his sins in his own way.
Slash!
The curved blade swung by the Dragon Army Guard Leader sliced open the Sword Demon's forearm, spraying blood. As if he felt no pain, the Sword Demon executed a sword path that bent sharply, aiming for the Guard Leader's neck. It was a response bordering on mutual destruction.
"You lunatic!"
The terrified Dragon Army Guard Leader pulled back, while the Chamyeong Guard Leader clenched his fists, lowered his stance, and closed in, looking ready to crush the Sword Demon's chest.
Namgung Jun swung the Eternal Righteous Sword in a wide arc to block his approach, generating a massive gust of sword wind. It was meant to disrupt the Chamyeong Guard Leader's rapid strikes while simultaneously protecting the Sword Demon, who had overextended himself.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Even in a joint attack, the Sword Demon paid no attention to Namgung Jun, focusing solely on thrusting his sword at the two Guard Leaders. Thus, the burden of coordinating the attack fell entirely on Namgung Jun. Any other Hall Master would have been unable to maintain the formation against the Sword Demon, who fought with a suicidal recklessness that demanded his partner coordinate around him.
Yet, Namgung Jun stubbornly guarded the Sword Demon's side, continuing the chain of attacks.
'So this is how he has lived until now.'
Stepping in perfect sync with the Sword Demon, Namgung Jun felt it vividly. He could feel the life that the seemingly reckless man had lived. For a martial artist's sword, whether faintly or deeply, always reflects their life.
The Sword Demon was truly running forward, looking only ahead.
What was he so afraid of that he refused to look back, refused to stop? Was it regret for the past, or was it atonement?
Even while executing a joint attack, the Sword Demon, rushing forward as if fighting entirely alone, looked incredibly lonely.
Namgung Jun poured his full strength into the Infinite Steps. He wasn't trying to unleash some grand ultimate technique or exquisite chain of attacks. He was simply trying to stay by the Sword Demon's side.
No matter his past, no matter the sins he carried, the current Sword Demon was a Cloud of the Azure Heaven Association trying to walk a different path. Namgung Jun could not stand by and watch his comrade throw himself into danger alone.
"Senior Sword Demon. Let us go together now."
Clang!
The eyes of the Dragon Army Guard Leader, who had barely blocked the Sword Demon's ultimate technique, widened in shock.
'When did he...?'
The Guard Leader shifted his gaze toward Namgung Jun, who had slipped into his blind spot on the left. He tried to react, but the blue sword strike was already filling his vision.
Splurt!
Rising diagonally, the Eternal Righteous Sword severed the Dragon Army Guard Leader's neck.