Chapter 161: Journey on the Lake (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 161: Journey on the Lake (3)
As he drew closer to the location predicted by the Lower Filthy Heaven, Namgung Jun’s eyelids lowered calmly.
'I can feel it.'
He could feel countless presences beyond the steeply rising hill in the distance.
There was a dense gathering of powerful Demonic Qi, and at its center, a clear burst of Thunder Qi erupted on its own.
'Master.'
Detecting Lee Se-ha's presence, Namgung Jun's brow furrowed instantly.
Namgung Jun had expanded his senses to their absolute limit, checking not only on Lee Se-ha's location but also on the status of the Heavenly Sword Hall.
At the very edge of his perception, he detected an ominous energy.
The distance was so great that he had almost missed it; if his senses were any duller or his range any smaller, he wouldn't have detected it at all.
'This energy is…'
At first, he wondered if it was the energy of a single expert with profound internal energy, but as he focused his senses, he realized that multiple sources of internal energy were bound together as one through some profound principle.
The total volume and density of the energy easily surpassed the combined might of four or five supreme experts. If it wasn't the energy of a single person, there was only one possibility.
'The Heaven-Piercing Vast-Cannon Formation.'
It was one of the methods the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult had used to slay the Sword Emperor in his past life.
Having experienced it a few times before, Namgung Jun could faintly predict the moment the formation would be unleashed.
'So the target of the Heaven-Piercing Vast-Cannon Formation is my master.'
Namgung Jun glanced in Lee Se-ha's direction and measured the distance.
If it were an ordinary joint attack or encirclement, he could reach her in time. But if the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult's weapon was the Heaven-Piercing Vast-Cannon Formation, the story was different.
Although his mastery of the Lightness Movement Art had deepened while racing through the foothills of Guizhou Province, it was still not enough for this situation.
'I need a decisive step.'
Suddenly, Namgung Jun recalled the sight of the Lower Filthy Heaven Lord's back.
A carefree posture, as if he could cross a lake in a single bound.
His steps overflowed with leisure, and his swaying hands fluttered like reeds.
"Phew."
Taking a deep breath, Namgung Jun’s face returned to its usual indifferent expression.
The faint urgency that had colored his features vanished in an instant.
Namgung Jun's mindscape was now quiet and clear.
Like Chaohu Lake, sparkling as it drank in the newly rising sunlight.
Relaxing his entire body, Namgung Jun raised his gaze slightly.
He sought to take a step while simply gazing out at all of creation.
There was no need to move far or fast.
A single step, filled with intent and capable of leaving a distinct trace, would be enough.
A straight and steadfast step.
'Beyond Chaohu Lake, into the world.'
At the end of his new path, at the edge of the world, was a single person.
'Master.'
The desire to save his master in time, without being late.
The desire to reach anywhere in the nine provinces and eight wildernesses, no matter the distance.
These two desires intertwined, manifesting as a single, focused intent.
Thrum!
With this new intent as its core, the realm of lightness skill that Namgung Jun had built was refined anew.
As his principles and insights aligned with his intent, a new mnemonic formula was woven from the depths of his mindscape.
[A thousand li, ten thousand li—such distances are meaningless. A sincere heart transcends time and space to reach its destination. This, too, shall be but a faint footprint.]
Namgung Jun's footwork, once powerful with every step, suddenly grew light.
Though he was clearly racing along the mountainside, his movements were so elusive that the boundary between heaven and earth blurred.
As if lightly bouncing off the surface of a lake.
[To treat the vast world as a small lake and stroll across it at will.]
The rugged mountain terrain, with its sharp curves and winding paths, the fierce wind that pushed against him like a solid wall—none of it could hinder Namgung Jun's movements.
Namgung Jun's steps stretched out unimpeded, merely brushing past all of creation in a blur.
[The thousand-li journey across the lake requires but a single step.]
The moment the mnemonic formula, woven with a new framework, was completed, the Qi Wave radiating from Namgung Jun's entire body transformed once more.
Swoosh!
The Qi Wave from his lightness skill, which had once stretched out in a thick, straight line, now unraveled like a skein of thread. It scattered in all directions, leaving a hazy afterimage with every step.
The Qi Wave trailing behind Namgung Jun's leisurely movements resembled the mist shimmering over a lake at dawn.
[Thousand-Li Lake Journey.]
The name of the newly created lightness skill was decided.
Reflecting on the name of his new lightness skill, Namgung Jun's figure flowed smoothly through the mountainous terrain, completely unhindered.
Even though he was moving at a speed that was overwhelmingly faster than before, his movements were utterly serene and leisurely.
His form was as natural as a rippling lake, his movements as empty and misty as water vapor.
Flash!
By the time he was close enough to see Lee Se-ha's face clearly without any special eye techniques, the sky above was already turning a deep indigo.
'It's coming.'
Even without seeing it, he could feel it vividly through his senses.
The energy gathered into a giant sphere at the center of the distant Heaven-Piercing Vast-Cannon Formation stretched into a straight line and rushed toward them.
It looked like a meteor, or perhaps a long, drawn-out beam of light.
But its sheer size and density made it nothing less than a massive bombardment of condensed light.
The bombardment fired from the Heaven-Piercing Vast-Cannon Formation crossed the sky, catching up to Namgung Jun in an instant.
The hundreds of layers of violent Qi Waves surging from the blast grew increasingly distinct behind him, but Namgung Jun paid them no mind.
'A single step is all I need.'
Namgung Jun took a light step.
It was an incredibly light and brisk step, as if he were taking a stroll while enjoying the scenery of a lake.
Although the Demonic Practitioners deploying their joint attack formation blocked his path like obstacles, none of them could react to the speed of the Thousand-Li Lake Journey.
The misty spray kicked up by Namgung Jun's feet easily penetrated the enemy's joint formation, connecting with the blue lightning unleashed by Lee Se-ha.
—Master.
Namgung Jun arrived in front of Lee Se-ha at the same time he sent the voice transmission.
There was no time for explanations.
Without stopping, he simply reached out with both arms.
He naturally pulled Lee Se-ha into his embrace and took another step with the Thousand-Li Lake Journey.
Rumbleeeee!
A massive explosion and shockwave resounded from behind.
A colossal force, one capable of instantly crushing a five-story pavilion, surged from behind, yet it failed to affect Namgung Jun's movements in the slightest.
With the creation of the Thousand-Li Lake Journey, his Infinite Steps and Heaven-Pillar Resolute Advance Movement Art began to weave together as one.
Advancing freely and brooking no interference, Namgung Jun's movement art was already approaching a state of completion.
He had evaded the bombardment of the Heaven-Piercing Vast-Cannon Formation by a hair's breadth.
'A lot of time must have passed. They've improved in every aspect compared to my past life.'
Feeling the immense power behind him, Namgung Jun turned his head.
The mountain ridge struck by the Heaven-Piercing Vast-Cannon Formation wasn't just gouged with a crater—it had been flattened into a basin. The ground, sunken from the blast, glowed dark red and spewed a thick cloud of gray smoke.
He wanted to observe the power of the Heaven-Piercing Vast-Cannon Formation in more detail, but he had to quickly turn his head away.
This was because he felt the burning gaze of Lee Se-ha, whom he held in his arms.
Lee Se-ha, nestled in his embrace, stared with wide, bewildered eyes.
"Jun?"
"Master. I have come to save you."
* * *
Lee Se-ha's mind was in a whirl; she was utterly flustered.
The events had unfolded so rapidly that even for a supreme expert like her, who could perceive a split second as an eternity, it felt impossibly urgent.
What shook Lee Se-ha's mind even more was the fact that she was being held in Namgung Jun's arms.
It was the first time in her life she had been held in a man's embrace.
And not by her own choice, but by another's.
She hadn't resisted, knowing the man was her disciple, but that did little to calm her chaotic heart.
'Jun's body must have become even more well-trained.'
The arms around her were thick and solid, and the chest she leaned against was so broad that she felt both secure and comfortable.
"Mmm..."
Lee Se-ha's lips twitched, her voice trailing off.
It was because Namgung Jun's hands, his forearms—every part of his body touching hers—felt exceptionally warm.
Feeling her face heat up, Lee Se-ha quickly lowered her head.
For some reason, she didn't want him to see her face right now.
"Master. Is this too fast?"
"Huh?"
Snapped back to reality by Namgung Jun's question, Lee Se-ha was surprised once more.
Only then did she become aware of her surroundings and realize just how Namgung Jun was moving.
His movements were so quiet and steady that there was almost no shaking, yet the surrounding scenery blurred and stretched, changing in a flash.
A Qi Wave like water mist spread out along their path.
Looking at it, she could tell it was clearly a new lightness skill.
"How fascinating. It feels like walking on a lake."
"Your perception is accurate."
As Namgung Jun continued to move without pause, Lee Se-ha spoke up hastily.
"Jun. We have to go save the Heavenly Sword Hall. We can't just escape by ourselves."
"Don't worry. We aren't fleeing. I've simply changed our direction."
"Then?"
Namgung Jun stared intently at the steep cliff beyond the mountainside, his eyes narrowed slightly.
"Shouldn't we make the bastard who did this to you pay the price, Master?"
Lee Se-ha's eyes also sharpened as she, too, noticed the presence in the distance.
A powerful Demonic Qi was gradually drawing closer.
However, it was not completely stable. Although the Demonic Qi was exceptionally vivid, it occasionally wavered precariously.
As if he had overexerted himself.
"The Fourth Unit Leader?"
"Yes. This is a golden opportunity. I will increase my speed, so hold on tight."
"Y-yes..."
Suddenly, Lee Se-ha's voice trailed off.
She felt Namgung Jun pull her even closer.
When Lee Se-ha subtly squirmed, Namgung Jun instead tightened his grip.
"Hold on tight."
"You're holding me too tightly."
Namgung Jun lightly ignored Lee Se-ha's minor complaint.
Soaring up the sheer cliff face, Namgung Jun reached the top in just three steps.
On top of the cliff, the Fourth Unit Leader stood alone.
"Azure Star Sword, Black Cloud Wandering Maiden."
Whether he had already sensed their approach or not, the Fourth Unit Leader showed no surprise.
He merely focused on regulating his breathing and internal energy.
"Azure Star Sword. Truly marvelous. Even if you were a step ahead of the formation's deployment, to think you could evade the bombardment of the Heaven-Piercing Vast-Cannon Formation with just your Lightness Movement Art."
The Fourth Unit Leader's gaze shifted from the Azure Star Sword to the Black Cloud Wandering Maiden.
"Now that I see you both, I know for certain. Of all the Hall Masters in the Azure Heaven Association, you two should be at the very top of our kill list."
Namgung Jun did not reply, instead scanning the Fourth Unit Leader's surroundings.
The Fourth Unit Leader stood alone.
The Demonic Practitioners who had been his subordinates were now all shriveled corpses.
It seemed he had devoured his own subordinates to manage the backlash from the Heaven-Piercing Vast-Cannon Formation before this life-or-death struggle.
"You seem to have been quite desperate, despite pretending to be calm on the outside."
"To think you would absorb the essence of your own subordinates... Demonic Path bastards are truly..."
As Namgung Jun went to draw his sword, Lee Se-ha gently held his hand.
"I'll handle this. Jun, go help the Heavenly Sword Hall."
"Will you be alright?"
"Of course. Trust your master."
After staring at Lee Se-ha for a moment, Namgung Jun nodded.
As Namgung Jun vanished in a spray of mist, Lee Se-ha and the Fourth Unit Leader slowly closed the distance between them.
"Lee Se-ha. You look down on me. I have resolved the backlash of the Heaven-Piercing Vast-Cannon Formation to some extent with the Star-Absorbing Great Art. On the other hand, you cannot be in perfect condition."
"Hmph."
Lee Se-ha slowly drew the sword at her waist.
"Thanks to resting in my disciple's arms, I have already fully recovered."
"Don't expect to be saved again."
After several years, the Heavenly Sword Hall Master and the Fourth Unit Leader clashed swords once more.